UNDER WEIGH.
It was a long while before the boys could close their eyes in slumber on
this first night aboard the Sea Dream, owing to the novelty of the
surroundings. It seemed as if Teddy would never cease admiring the snug
quarters with the guns and fishing rods hung where they could be seen to
the best advantage, and Neal had very much to say regarding the plans he
proposed to carry into execution during the cruise.
Despite such enchanting topics of conversation they were not able to
remain awake all night, and when finally the journey into dreamland was
made, neither returned to a full realization of the situation until
quite late in the morning.
Teddy was the first to open his eyes, and in a very few seconds the
throbbing of the screw, as well as the invigorating draught of cool air
which came through the open port-hole, told him that the voyage had
really begun.
"Neal, Neal," he cried, shaking his friend vigorously. "Wake up; I think
we are at sea."
Neal was on his feet in an instant, and after one glance through the
tiny window he replied with a laugh:
"There's no question about our being under way; but we sha'n't see the
sea to-day."
"Why, we are on it now."
"If you have forgotten your geography as soon as this you'll be obliged
to do some mighty hard studying when we get back to school. The Sea
Dream must go through the sound before we reach the ocean, and most
likely we shall make harbor at Martha's Vineyard to-night."
"Of course I knew about the sound; I had forgotten, that's all," and
Teddy looked just a trifle ashamed at having displayed so much
ignorance.
Never had the boys made their toilets more quickly. Both were eager to
be on deck in order to extract the greatest possible amount of pleasure
out of this first day of the cruise, and when they finally emerged from
the companion-way an exclamation of surprise and delight burst from
Teddy's lips.
The yacht was steaming at nearly full speed over waters as placid as a
pond, and here and there were craft of all kinds darting back and forth
like active fish.
"I tell you there's nothing in the way of sport to beat sailing," Teddy
said enthusiastically.
"There are times when it isn't quite as nice as this. When it storms,
and the yacht dances around so that it is impossible to come on deck you
will think camping in the Adirondacks is much better."
"I thought vessels always went into a harbor at such times."
"If you are at sea it is necessary to take whatever comes in the way of
weather, but there is no reason why we should speak of such things now.
Let's have a look at Jake and his engine before breakfast."
During this first day of the cruise the boys were very busy.
Considerable time was spent eating three decidedly hearty meals, and
what with inspecting every portion of the steamer and watching the
passing vessels, they managed without much trouble to find something in
the way of amusement until the Sea Dream arrived off Cottage City, where
Mr. Emery proposed to stop a day or two.
The wind had come up quite strong toward night, and when the little
craft swung to her anchors some distance from the shore Teddy was
feeling decidedly disagreeable.
There was not sea enough to trouble the greenest fresh-water sailor that
ever "caught a crab;" but to poor Teddy, who had never been on the
water save when crossing from New York to Brooklyn or Jersey City, it
seemed as if the Sea Dream was very like a hideous nightmare.
She danced lightly on the long swell as if courtesying to the craft in
her immediate vicinity, and each graceful movement caused Neal's guest
to fancy his stomach was turning somersaults.
"You are not going below now?" the former said as Teddy staggered toward
the companion-way.
"I am if it is possible to get there," was the impatient reply.
"But we shall have a chance to see the town. Father is going ashore
presently."
"In one of those little boats?" and Teddy pointed to the davits where
four polished tenders hung glistening in the sun like some articles of
adornment.
"Of course. How else could he get there?"
"That doesn't make any difference to me. This boat is bouncing around
enough for a fellow to wish he'd never heard of such a thing as a yacht,
and in one of those egg-shells I'm certain it must be terrible."
"But it isn't. Try not to think of being sick, and come on shore with
me."
"How can I help not thinking about it when I feel as if I was dying?"
Then, as if unable to prolong the conversation, Teddy ran below, while
his friend followed more leisurely.
Neal could offer no inducements sufficiently strong to tempt his
companion out of the berth, and there he remained until next morning
when, in half a gale of wind, Mr. Emery decided to take a party of
friends to Nantucket.
Only this was needed to give Teddy a severe attack of seasickness during
which, when he spoke at all, it was to repeat over and over again his
intention of going home as soon as the Sea Dream arrived at Cottage
City.
Probably he would have carried this threat into execution if the
excursion had not been prolonged; but it was four days before the yacht
returned to Martha's Vineyard, and by that time he had, as Jake
expressed it, "found his sea legs."
Now no matter how much the little craft tumbled around he remained
undisturbed, and the sight of food was no longer disagreeable, but very
pleasing to him.
Therefore it was that when the Sea Dream left Cottage City for the
Bahamas, the delightful portion of the cruise, so far as Teddy was
concerned, had but just begun.
Inasmuch as there was no especial reason why they should arrive at any
certain time, and the owner wished to remain at sea as long as possible
while making the voyage, the yacht was run at half speed, thus not only
saving considerable coal; but unnecessary wear and tear of the
machinery.
That it could be very warm on the water had never entered the minds of
the boys; but as they journeyed southward the heat became intense.
During two days it was almost a perfect calm, the only air stirring
being that caused by the motion of the steamer, and the cabin seemed
like an oven. There the thermometer stood at 84 degrees, while in the
galley it was twenty degrees higher, and in the engine-room it
frequently rose to 130 degrees.
Neal and Teddy could do little more than lie under the awning aft,
working hard but unsuccessfully to keep cool by the aid of fans and such
iced drinks as the steward prepared.
The novelty of yachting had passed away in a measure, and they were
already counting the days which must elapse before the Sea Dream would
be in a less torrid climate.
Jake had assured them that when the yacht came to an anchor and the
fires were drawn it would be much cooler on board, therefore both the
boys were delighted when Bridge Point at the entrance to the N. E.
Providence Channel was sighted.
There was a light breeze blowing off the banks, and the yacht was
running slowly as she passed within a quarter of a mile of the low lying
land, when suddenly a most disagreeable odor from the shore caused Neal
to say impatiently:
"If such perfumes as that are common to the Bahamas I had rather endure
the heat than stay a very long while, no matter how cool it may be when
we cease steaming."
"What is it?" and Teddy covered his nose with his handkerchief.
"I don't know; but I wish Jake would put her ahead faster, for it is
absolutely sickening."
His desire for more speed was not gratified. To the surprise of both the
boys the engine-room gong sounded for the machinery to be stopped, and
as the headway was checked Mr. Walters, the sailing master, came from
the wheel-house to where Mr. Emery was sitting.
The boys could not hear the short conversation which followed; but their
surprise increased as the order was given to lower away one of the port
boats.
"What are we stopping here for?" Neal inquired of his father.
"Doesn't the odor give you any idea?" Mr. Emery asked with a smile.
"None except that the sooner we get away the more comfortable I shall
feel."
"When I tell you that we are likely to find as the cause of your
discomfort something nearly as precious as gold, it may be a trifle more
bearable."
Both Neal and Teddy looked perplexed, and the latter said laughingly:
"It is strong enough to be worth a good deal; but do you really mean
what you say, sir?"
"Every word. Mr. Walters thinks he can find ambergris which has been
washed up on the rocks, and that is quoted at ten dollars per ounce. Now
you boys have been at school long enough to know exactly why it is so
valuable."
"I have heard of it as being the base of the finest perfumes," Neal said
slowly; "but that must surely be a mistake if it smells anything like
this," and he did violence to his stomach by inhaling a long breath of
the disagreeably laden air.
"It is true, nevertheless. Ambergris is believed to be the product of a
sort of ulcer or cancer which has formed in the bowels of a whale. After
a certain length of time, or because a cure has been wrought by change
of feeding place, the mass is dislodged. It floats, and is often found
far out to sea; but more particularly among the cays in the Turks
islands. It is the foundation of nearly every perfume, and in ancient
times was used for spicing wine."
During this conversation the boat had been lowered, and, with Mr.
Walters as steersman, was being pulled toward the land. Now Neal and
Teddy were sorry they had not accompanied the sailing master; but it was
too late for regrets, and the odor did not seem to be nearly as
disagreeable since they knew from what it proceeded.
"Never mind how much the stuff is worth," Teddy said, as he and Neal
leaned over the rail in company with Jake, who had come on deck to
ascertain why the yacht had been brought to a standstill, "it isn't a
nice thing to smell of, and I shall remember this afternoon whenever I
see perfume."
"It isn't always the most agreeable things which are of the most
service," Jake replied with an air of wisdom; and then as a loud shout
was heard from the shore, the boat having reached the land some time
since, he added, "It's ambergris for a fact, or they wouldn't be makin'
such a fuss."
Five minutes later the little craft was seen approaching the yacht, and
each instant the odor became stronger until both the boys were forced to
cover their organs of smell.
In the bow of the boat was a black mass looking not unlike coke, and
weighing, as was afterward ascertained, forty ounces.
"I thought I couldn't be mistaken, although I never run across anything
of the kind but once before," Mr. Walters said triumphantly, as he
handed the precious substance up to one of the sailors, who took it very
unwillingly.
"We shall be driven out of the yacht if you try to carry it home," Mr.
Emery replied, moving aft as far as possible.
"It won't trouble us many hours. We will sell or ship it at Nassau, and
I reckon all hands can manage to live until we arrive there."
The valuable substance was wrapped carefully in several thicknesses of
canvas, and placed in the hold where it is not probable any odor from it
could have been perceptible on deck, although both the boys were quite
positive the yacht was thoroughly permeated.
After this short delay the Sea Dream continued on her course at a higher
rate of speed, for now that she was so near land the heat seemed
unbearable, and when night came Neal and Teddy stretched themselves out
in the hammocks which had been slung under the after awning, wishing,
not for a glimpse of Nassau; but that they were off the New England
coast instead of being so near the tropics.
Then, despite the profuse perspiration, both fell asleep, not to waken
until the rattling of the cable through the hawse-holes told that they
were in the harbor.