On the afternoon of the fourth day, with lockers almost exhausted of
coal, they sighted the outposts of Madeira--jagged rocks, with the
clearest of outlines--and made for Funchal with some apprehension as to
their reception from the Portuguese.
They had not passed scathless through the Bay. The funnels were coated
with salt, the mark of a curling sea which had swept over the bows, and
the starboard boat was missing. The deck was soaked, and grimy from
coal-grit,--while all on board looked worn and unwashed, as though they
had been without sleep, and, indeed, they had passed through a wearying
time, tossed about like corks, compelled to hold on at every step, and
drenched with spray. But though the catcher had plunged and rolled in a
manner that tried the nerves of the oldest seaman, she had gone safely
through those huge rollers, and they had learnt to trust in her. What
they wanted now was her full capacity of coal, with some tons over for
storage on the deck, to enable her to make the long passage to Rio, if
possible. The question was, Had the Portuguese been warned by the
Brazilian Consul in London, and would they give them coal?
Very soon she was steering a course parallel to the vast slope of the
Island, ploughing through waters of deepest violet. Innumerable little
white houses dotted that seemingly inhospitable slope of coloured
sandstone, many as the white crests of the waves, and each one of them
when viewed through a glass was seen to be embedded in a wealth of
vegetation. So steep was the slope, and so limited each settlement,
that every bit of land was terraced, so that not one spadeful of the
precious soil should escape. From where, at the foot, the slope
terminated in a precipitous descent to the foaming wave, these terraces
ascended like irregular steps far up to the heights. And there lived a
frugal people, with that brilliant sea below them, and the blue,
unclouded sky above, with the air tempered by the mists on the mountain
ridge above to the most balmy softness, and with a soil, once saved and
scraped together, that grew all they needed without much toil. Theirs
is the life of repose, with grapes and bananas for their principal food,
varied with onions and fish, and washed down with the wine of that iron
soil.
A slothful people, perhaps, but they have discovered the secret of
living on the soil and out of the soil, developing the idle ruminating
pleasures of sleek cattle; happy in their little houses, their tiny
plots of fruitful ground; rich in their climate, and most fortunate in
their situation. What to them the aspirations of the struggling hordes
of Europe, the agonised cry of the hopeless poor of more powerful
countries, the ambitions and the social schemes of the proud
Northerners, but the echoes of a stormy life?
The _Swift_ rounded into Funchal Bay, and anchored in the calm waters,
under the guns of a picturesque fort covered with green. The fires were
raked out, and the long craft, weather-beaten and streaked with rust
stains, was at rest--an object, however, of suspicion to the peaceful
merchant-ships. A tug from the shore shot out, encircled the catcher,
and returned in haste.
"That doesn't look friendly," said Lieutenant Webster.
"They've had notice to look out for us," was the Captain's comment.
"It's what I feared; but so long as they give us coal they may do what
they like."
"There's a boat putting off, sir--probably to warn us off."
"Well, we can't go without coal, and if they won't give it we'll take
it."
"Yes," said Webster, looking reflectively at the fort.
The boat approached within a ship's length, and a fat man in uniform,
who held the tiller, took a long look at the _Swift_, then made a
signal, and was rowed back again.
The fat man was met by a number of men in uniform, and after much
gesticulation the whole party entered a larger boat, flying the
Portuguese flag at the peak and stern, and with an awning aft.
This time they came alongside, mounted the steps, and stood twirling
their black moustaches, while their dark eyes roamed over the long deck.
"Have I the pleasure of speaking to the Captain?" said the stout man,
looking at a group of three.
"I am the Captain."
"Ah! receive my respects. And the name of the ship?"
"The _Swift_--steam yacht."
"True, she has the appearance of a pleasure-boat. You intend, perhaps,
to remain here? The Island of Madeira is very lovely."
"Yes," said the Captain; "but not at present."
"You will be going on to Teneriffe?"
"Doubtless; but we require coal. You have a good supply?"
"Why not? But this small yacht would not require much for a cruise to
the Canaries."
"About eight hundred tons, sir, is all we require."
"Eight hundred tons, sir? Very good. With that you could reach
America, possibly Brazil. Is it not so?"
Captain Pardoe bit his lip, while the stout man turned with a smile and
a shrug to his companions, one of whom strolled leisurely forward.
"Perhaps eight hundred tons is more than I require, especially as I
could get more on my return," said the Captain quietly.
"I understand, sir; but that's a matter of business arrangement with a
coal-merchant. You have left England recently?"
"Four days since."
"Four days--carambo--a quick passage! Then, sir, perhaps you can inform
me of the progress of the revolution in Brazil. Have the rebels been
beaten?"
"I am afraid I can give you no information about Brazil."
"And you have not heard of the escape of a torpedo-catcher from the
Thames, bound for Rio to help the rebels?"
Captain Pardoe looked astonished.
"You have surely been misinformed, senor. No vessel could get out of
the Thames without the wish of the authorities."
"I assure you, my Captain, the impossible has happened, and, believe me,
I first supposed your boat was that same vessel. Ha! ha!"
"Ha! ha! what a good joke, senor!"
"Is it not?" The officer who had walked forward returned, and whispered
to the stout man. "But why, my Captain, do you carry a torpedo-tube and
a heavy gun? Is it to shoot gulls? Ha! ha! I am afraid, Captain, you
will not get your coal here, and that your visit may be prolonged to our
satisfaction. You will find the island of Madeira lovely--most
beautiful. In the meantime, I may introduce you to my friend Lieutenant
Guilia Gobo, who will remain your guest with these soldiers."
The stout officer gave some order to his Lieutenant, and clambered down
into his boat.
"My Captain," he said, with a pleased smile, "may I direct your
attention to our powerful fort? We have there some heavy guns; oh, very
formidable." He sat down chuckling, and rubbing his knees.
"The old boy is pleased with himself," remarked Webster to Frank, who,
together, had been amused spectators of the scene. "He euchred the
Captain without trouble--an easy matter enough, by the way, in the face
of that little weapon forward. Look at the skipper: dissimulation is
not his _role_."
Indeed, Captain Pardoe looked very black, as he confronted the
Lieutenant and his four men.
"Well, sir," he said, "what is the meaning of your presence on board my
ship?"
"I no speak the Ingleese," said the Lieutenant haughtily.
"But he understands it well enough," muttered Webster.
"You don't speak English; perhaps you will understand that I have enough
coal to take me to Teneriffe, and I will leave in an hour. Up to that
time you are welcome to the run of the ship, but you will find it agree
ill with your uniform."
The Lieutenant turned sharply, and shouted after his superior officer.
Captain Pardoe knitted his black brows, and was about to speak again,
but turned to walk off, when he was joined by Frank.
"I understood what he said, sir."
"So did I, Hume, but I don't fear the fort's guns. It is necessary to
humour them, and with a little judicious palming we might win our
object, but I have no genius for that work."
"May I try, sir?"
"Certainly, Hume, do what you like, for at the worst we can throw them
overboard."
"Then, sir, set the hands to clean the ship, and send Webster ashore to
lay in a stock of vegetables, fruit, and fresh meat."
"Since when were you appointed purser, Mr Hume?"
"It will show them you do not mean to leave in a hurry, and we'll lull
their suspicions."
The Captain issued his orders at once, and in a few minutes Webster,
with the chief engineer, Mr Dixon, were being rowed ashore, while half
a dozen salts, with bare legs, were turning the hose on the grimy deck,
and the stokers, black almost as sweeps, came on deck to hang over the
bows and pull at their well-seasoned clay pipes.
Before Webster left, Hume had drawn his attention to two large barges
laden with coal which were anchored to the left, and suggested that he
should find out what coal they contained.
He next dived into the main cabin, where he found Miss Laura and Mr
Commins looking at the island through a port-hole. This was the first
time Commins had emerged from his cabin, and though he bore traces of
severe illness he was very spruce and neat in his dress, markedly so in
contrast with the weather-stained appearance of the others.
Their heads were very close together, and Commins had succeeded in
making his companion laugh, a little circumstance which unduly nettled
Hume.
He secured some cigars, a bottle of wine, and was hurriedly leaving the
cabin, when Miss Laura asked him a question or two concerning their
position.
"It is so annoying," she added, "that I dare not show myself on board,
as the people here are sure to communicate with their friends in Rio."
"I hope our young friend will be discreet," said Commins, with
irritating condescension in his manner. "Pray don't leave the cigar-box
open, otherwise the sea air will spoil the contents; and I see you have
selected the choicest of the 1880 brand."
"These are for the Portuguese Lieutenant," said Frank shortly.
"An officer! What business has he on board?"
"It appears they suspect us, and an officer, with four men, has been
placed on guard."
"That means we have been seized," said Commins, turning to Miss
Anstrade. "I advised you not to run into a Portuguese port; but you
would be guided by your headstrong Captain."
"There is no cause for fear," replied Frank. "We hope to be off before
morning with a full supply of fuel."
"Your hopes may be interesting to you, sir; but I, for my part, do not
find them amusing."
"Enough!" interposed Laura with a frown; then, turning to Frank, she
asked him if there really was any prospect of getting away.
"There is, madam, if you have one commodity on board."
"What is that?"
"Money!"
"Ah! come with me," and she started for the cabin.
"Laura, don't be imprudent. You forget."
"No, on the contrary, Mr Commins, I remember that this gentleman has
behaved nobly, and risked his life while others remained in safety."
Mr Commins murmured something about being ill, but he shot an evil look
at Frank.
"Come, Mr Hume."
"No, madam; if you assure me, that is sufficient. It will be necessary
to pay for the coal in cash."
"You have some scheme," she said, looking earnestly at him, and placing
her fingers on his arm.
"I have, or, rather, the Captain--"
"Ah, that is better," said Commins, with a sneer.
"Say no more, Mr Hume; I have faith in the resources and courage of my
officers." She gave him her hand, but her eyes were fixed on Commins.
Frank, somewhat uneasy at what he had witnessed of the familiarity
between the two, hurried away with the wine and cigars to presently
engage the Lieutenant in pleasant conversation in French.
Seeing the officer comfortably seated in the chart-room with the wine,
he went to the side to receive Webster, who had returned in the best of
humours with a boat-load of bananas, custard apples, grapes, vegetables,
and fresh meat.
"I have left the engineer ashore, drinking Madeira with an old crony,"
shouted the genial officer.
"Good," said Frank, raising his voice. "I'll ask the Captain to let me
return for him later on. Well," he whispered a moment later, as Webster
stepped on board, "what about the barges?"
"They have 300 tons, and are waiting out there for the Cape mail
steamer, due early to-morrow morning."
"Well, the mail steamer will have to wait. That is our coal."