VOYAGE IN THE BOAT CONTINUED--SUFFERINGS FROM THIRST--DEATH OF THE
BOATSWAIN--REGAIN THE RAFT AND MAST AND SAIL--A BONITO CAUGHT AND
COOKED--RAIN AND WIND--THE SHORE REACHED--WATER FOUND--THE FIRST NIGHT
ON SHORE--BIRDS OF PARADISE SEEN--A REFRESHING BATH--FRUIT OBTAINED.
The mate and Nub, with their young companions, cordially welcomed the
surgeon and Tidy. "We should have been more thankful to see you, had we
food and water to offer," said the mate; "but we must pray that a shower
may be sent down on us, and that we may fall in before long with a
sword-fish or a bonito."
The weather had somewhat moderated, and casting off from the raft, they
put the boat's head towards the shore. Walter, as before, took the
helm, while the mate and Nub pulled away as hard as their strength would
allow, neither the doctor nor Dan being able to exert themselves. As
the sun got high in the sky, and distant objects could be seen, the mate
stood up and looked out anxiously for the land. "I see it," he
exclaimed; "but it's still a long way off. We must not despair however,
my friends." Saying this, he again sat down.
"Pull away, lads; pull away!" faintly sang out poor Nub, though his
strength was almost gone; for, in order that Walter and Alice might have
enough, he had eaten but little food for many hours. The wind once more
came ahead, and unless they continued to exert themselves, they might be
blown back again a considerable distance. Nub had not spoken for some
time, still pulling on; but suddenly his oar fell from his grasp, and he
sank down in the bottom of the boat, while the oar, on which so much
depended, fell into the water. Dan Tidy, who was sitting next to him,
in vain attempted to catch it. It passed by, too far off for Walter to
reach. The mate in vain endeavoured with his single oar so to manage
the boat as to come up with it, and in the violent efforts he made, his
oar almost broke in two. The helpless voyagers now floated on the wild
waters deprived of the means of urging on their boat.
"What are we to do, Mr Shobbrok?" asked Walter, as the mate stepped aft
and sat down by the side of the young people.
"All we can do is to pray to God for help, for vain is the help of man,"
answered the mate.
"Oh yes, yes! that we will!" exclaimed Alice; and she and her brother
lifted up their hands and eyes to heaven, and uttered a prayer, which
was surely heard, as true prayers always are.
Poor Nub lay in the bows, too much exhausted to move; Dan Tidy sat with
his head cast down, hope almost gone, his brave Irish heart for the
first time yielding to despair; while the surgeon, nearly overcome with
weakness, watched the boatswain, who lay at the bottom of the boat with
his head resting on one of the thwarts, holding on by the side, his
groans expressing the terror and agony of his mind. Gradually the
wretched man's hands relaxed their hold, and his eyes became fixed.
"He has gone to his terrible account," said Mr Lawrie at length. Not
another word was spoken for some time.
"We must bury the man," said the mate; "the sooner that's done the
better." The doctor summoned Dan to assist him, and they and the mate
taking the body up, were about to let it over the side, when the latter
exclaimed, "Stay! his jacket and shirt will be of use in making a sail.
It's our only chance of reaching the shore." The garments were taken
off the body, which was then committed to the deep; and although without
any weight attached, it immediately sank beneath the surface. Not a
word was spoken. The surgeon did not think for a moment of going
through the mockery of a service; but they all lifted up their hearts in
prayer that they might be preserved.
The boat continued drifting before the land-wind further and further
from the shore, till all hope of reaching it was lost. Alice, who was
seated with her brother gazing across the ocean, perhaps in the
expectation of catching sight of an approaching sail, suddenly
exclaimed, "Look--look! Walter! what can that be?"
"A piece of wreck," he answered; "or it's one of the rafts."
The boat was drifting directly towards it. The rest of the party turned
their eyes in the direction Walter and Alice were looking.
"It's our raft," exclaimed Mr Shobbrok, getting out the broken oar.
"Walter, take the helm and steer as I tell you." They quickly neared
the raft. "Heaven be praised!" exclaimed the mate, as they got close to
it; "the sail and mast are still there, and also the two oars."
The boat was made fast to the raft, and the mate, with the assistance of
Walter and Tidy, lifted the mast, yard, and sail into the boat, with the
two oars. The chest, being securely lashed, still remained. The mate
quickly opened it, and took out the tools likely to prove most useful,
with an ample supply of nails. Scarcely had they been transferred to
the boat, when Alice, who had been the harbinger of good tidings,
exclaimed, "See! see that large fish!" Walter seized one of the
harpoons, and handed it to the mate, The fish was swimming round close
to the raft; the harpoon flew from the grasp of the mate, and he calling
to Tidy to help him, they together in another minute brought to the
surface a large bonito, which was quickly hauled on to the raft. Poor
Nub, who had hitherto scarcely been able to open his languid eyes,
dragging himself up, exclaimed, "We cook it on de raft for Missie
Alice."
The suggestion was acted upon, and the lighter portions of the raft,
which were sufficiently dried to serve as fuel, were cut up. The fire
being kindled, large slices of the meat were arranged round it. Before
they were thoroughly cooked, however, most of the starving party began
to devour them, though Alice waited till the piece intended for her was
done. They were still engaged in cooking the fish, when dark clouds
arose in the east. How anxiously they watched them! One passed over
their heads, then another.
"Here comes the rain," cried the mate. "Heaven be praised!"
The sail was stretched out as before. Down came the blessed rain. The
fire was put out,--which was, however, of minor consequence; and the
almost exhausted voyagers were able to quench their thirst, the cask
being filled before the rain ceased. The cooked and uncooked portions
of the fish were taken on board; and the mate set to work to fit a step
for the mast. This was soon done; and a fresh breeze blowing towards
the shore, the sail was hoisted, and the boat went gliding over the
ocean. How grateful were the hearts of all on board! Food and water
had been amply provided, when the blessing was least expected.
Before night set in, land was clearly seen ahead. The mate was of
opinion that it was an island of no great extent, or a promontory of New
Guinea. Both Nub and Tidy were greatly restored by a night's rest, and
the late ample supply of food they had enjoyed. Mr Shobbrok kept at
the helm nearly the whole time, and only when the wind fell would he
allow Walter to take his place, with the doctor, to keep watch while he
slept. The land-wind, which blew during the morning, tried their
patience; but the sea-breeze at length setting in, they rapidly
approached the shore, which appeared thickly wooded down to the very
edge of the water, with high ground rising at a short distance from it.
A belt of coral, such as is now called a "fringing reef," against which
the sea beat with considerable violence, throwing up a heavy surf,
extended along the shore, making an attempt to land highly dangerous, if
not impossible. The mate accordingly hauling the boat to the wind,
stood to the southward, in the hope of finding some bay or inlet into
which they might run. All eyes were eagerly turned towards the shore.
As they coasted along, no huts or habitations of any kind were seen, nor
was there any appearance of the island being inhabited. The water in
the cask was by this time nearly exhausted, and the uncooked fish began
to exhibit the effects of the hot sun. The day was drawing on, and the
mate felt especially anxious not to have to spend another night at sea.
Just as he was beginning to fear that they might have to do so, his
practised eyes discovered an opening in the reef; and telling the doctor
and Nub to keep a bright lookout for rocks ahead, he steered for it.
As the boat approached, the shore opened out, and the thankful voyagers
soon found themselves entering a deep inlet, fringed with graceful trees
down to the very edge of the water. A spot appearing, not far from the
entrance, where the rocks, running out, afforded a natural
landing-place, sail was lowered, and the boat being rowed carefully in,
they soon reached the beach. Walter was the first to spring on shore,
followed by Nub, who stretched out his arms to receive Alice from the
mate. Her young heart beat with gratitude as she stood, holding her
brother's hand, safe on firm land. The rest followed; and having hauled
up the boat, they all knelt down and offered up their thanks to Heaven
for their preservation from the numberless dangers they had gone
through.
"And let us still trust, my friends, to Him who has taken care of us,"
added the mate. "We should always pray for protection against unseen as
well as seen dangers; and it would be folly not to expect to meet with
more."
The sail of the boat and the other articles in her were now landed, the
mate wishing to form a tent which would protect Alice during the night.
As but little water remained in the cask, and the fish was scarcely
eatable, it was important to find a fresh stream or spring, and some
fruit, if live creatures could not be caught, to satisfy their hunger.
The doctor and Tidy set out to explore the neighbourhood for that
purpose, while Walter remained to take care of Alice, and to assist the
mate in putting up the tent and preparing a fire. Nub begged to be
allowed to go in search of wood, observing that he had a notion on the
subject, though what it was he did not say.
The mate and Walter had been very busy; the latter in collecting a
quantity of dried grass and leaves to form a bed for Alice. He was thus
engaged, when, looking up, he saw Nub coming out of the water, carrying
on his shoulders what looked like a round basin or saucer of enormous
dimensions, with long streamers down which the water trickled hanging
from it.
"What can it be?" exclaimed Alice.
"It is, I suspect, a large shell-fish; a mollusc, learned people call
it; and if so, the creature will afford all hands an ample meal,"
observed the mate.
Walter and Alice ran down to meet Nub.
"Yes, Missie Alice, bery good fish inside here," he answered. "Nuf for
good supper for eberybody; only we cook it first."
The large clam--such was the species to which the shell-fish belonged--
was placed on the ground.
"Where de oders?" asked Nub. "I want Tidy to help make fireplace. Dan
Tidy, where are you?" shouted Nub.
Just then Dan made his appearance, with the information that they had
found a stream of fresh water running down from the hills not far off,
and that the doctor had sent him back to get the cask, he himself
remaining on the watch for any birds or quadrupeds which might come down
to drink. The remaining contents were therefore shared among the
thirsty party, and the Irishman went away with the empty cask on his
shoulder; while the mate and Walter assisted Nub in building a
fireplace--the materials being furnished by some masses of coral rock
which lay on the beach. Fuel was then collected and arranged between
the two piles of stone, and the mollusc being placed so that its edges
rested on the top of them, the mate set fire to the wood.
Scarcely was the fire lighted when Dan returned with the cask. "Arrah,
now, Nub, you are mighty clever; but there's one thing I think I can
beat you in, and that is in blowing up a fire. Shure, they used to call
me `little bellows' at home, and set me to make the turf blaze up when
the praties were put on to boil." Saying this, Dan threw himself on the
ground, and began blowing away with a vehemence which soon made the
sparks fly, speedily followed by a flickering flame. The sticks caught
and crackled, and the smoke rose in dense volumes.
While he was so employed, the doctor arrived with a large water-fowl
which he had cleverly caught, as he lay hid in the long grass, while the
bird was passing by, unconscious of danger. "I will undertake the
cooking of the mollusc," he said. "If the creature is cut up into small
pieces, it will be much more rapidly and perfectly done. We must first
open the shell, however. Walter, fetch me the cold chisel and hammer
which you brought on shore."
After the mollusc had been for some time exposed to the fire, he with a
few strokes opened it, allowing each half to rest on the piles of stone.
Honest Nub was in no way offended at being superseded in his office of
cook, and went off to collect a further supply of fuel, with which he
quickly returned; while Walter employed himself in plucking the wild
fowl captured by the doctor. Dan finding it no longer necessary to
perform the part of bellows, got up and surveyed the mollusc with
infinite satisfaction.
"Arrah, now, if there were but some praties to cook with it, we should
be having as fine an Irish stew as we could wish to set eyes on. It's
done to a turn now, doctor; and if you will please to lend a hand, we
will carry it to a clear place, away from the smoke, where Miss Alice
can sit down and enjoy herself." Suiting the action to the word, Dan
took hold of the edge of the shell, but sprang back again with a howl,
wringing his burnt fingers as he exclaimed, "Arrah, now, I forgot
entirely how hot it was!" The doctor could scarcely help laughing at
Dan's mistake, into which he himself had, however, narrowly escaped
falling. At his suggestion, the fire being raked away, two sticks were
laced under the shell, and it was carried to a level spot, where all the
party gathered round it, and thankfully ate their first meal on shore,
The food was well-tasted and nutritious, though they would gladly have
had some vegetable diet to take after it. All had eaten as much as they
required, and still a considerable portion remained. The doctor
suggested that it should be covered up with the upper shell, and kept
for the next day's breakfast. As it was now getting dark, the mate
advised Alice to retire to her tent, which he had erected close to the
spot where they were sitting, while the rest of the party made such
preparations as they deemed necessary for passing the night.
"Though we are not at sea, my friends," said the mate, "we must set a
watch, to guard against the attack of wild animals or savages; for
though we saw no habitations as we coasted along the shore, people may
possibly inhabit the interior. If each of us take two hours apiece, we
shall easily get through the dark hours of the night."
"Shure, Mr Shobbrok, how are we to fight the wild bastes or savages, if
they come, without arms?" asked Dan.
"With regard to the savages, I do not, I confess, expect a visit from
them; but if any do come, we must try to win their friendship," answered
the mate. "As for the wild beasts, we will at once cut some long poles,
and sharpen the ends in the fire to serve as lances. If, however, we
keep up a good blaze all night, none are likely to come near us; but
should any appear, the person on watch must instantly rouse up the
rest."
"No fear of dat, Mr Shobbrok," observed Nub. "If lion or tiger come,
me make a precious hollobolo."
"We need not be afraid of either lions or tigers," answered the mate,
"as, to the best of my belief, they are not to be found in this part of
the world; but what other savage animals there are, I am not prepared to
say."
Alice quickly retired to the tent her friends had arranged for her. The
mate assigned their watch to each of the party,--telling Walter,
however, that he must consider his over, and get a good night's rest.
No one thought it necessary to provide shelter, all of them being by
this time inured to sleeping in the open air. A lump of wood or a few
bundles covered with grass served for pillows. The doctor took the
first watch, Tidy the second, and Nub the third, while the mate chose
the last, that he might arouse the rest of the party in time. There
being an abundance of fuel, a large fire was kept up, which would serve
to prevent any wild beasts from approaching the camp; for they, unlike
fishes and insects, which are attracted by a bright light, generally
show a dislike to approach a fire.
Alice and Walter were the first on foot--even before the mate intended
to call them. Alice had conceived a wish to visit the fresh stream the
doctor had described, to enjoy a draught of cool water and the luxury of
a bath, should a spot be found which no sharks could reach, and where no
other savage creature was likely be lying hid. Walter willingly agreed
to accompany her, and to stand guard while she was performing her
ablutions. The mate did not object; and when Mr Lawrie heard of their
intention, he said that he considered the place perfectly safe, and that
he would shortly follow. Nub and Tidy, in the meantime, collected more
wood to keep up the fire, as it was important not to let it out, their
stock of matches being limited. They then went down to the beach to
search for more shell-fish, while Mr Shobbrok remained at the camp to
watch the fire. He and the doctor put their heads together to invent
various traps, with which they hoped to catch some of the numerous birds
flitting about the woods, or any of the smaller quadrupeds inhabiting
the neighbourhood.
Walter provided himself with a long stick, which he hoped would be a
sufficient weapon of defence against any creatures they were likely to
encounter, and in good spirits they set out on their expedition. They
had not got far when Alice, touching Walter's arm, whispered, "Do not
speak, or we shall frighten them. Look at those beautiful birds; what
can they be?" She pointed to a tree a short distance off, on which were
perched a number of birds of the most magnificent plumage, with bodies
about the size of thrushes, having a mass of feathers which extended far
beyond their tails, making them look much larger than they really were.
The birds did not apparently observe the intruders on their domain, and
continued dancing about on the boughs, exhibiting their richly coloured
feathers to each other, as if proud of their beauty. Walter and Alice
had never seen any birds to be compared in beauty to them, though they
differed considerably from each other. The most beautiful had a bill,
slightly bent, of a greenish colour, around the base of which was a
fringe of velvet-like black plumes. The head and part of the neck was
of a pale golden-green, the throat being of a still richer hue, while
the remaining plumage on the body and the tail was of a deep chestnut,--
except on the breast, which was a rich purple. From each side of the
body beneath the wings sprang a mass of long floating plumes of the most
delicate texture, of a bright yellow; and beyond the tail projected a
pair of naked shafts, far longer even than the yellow plumes.
Sometimes, when the bird was at rest, it allowed these plumes to hang
down close together; then suddenly it would raise them, when they arched
over, covering the whole of the body, which shone brightly in the sun.
This was evidently a male bird; the females, though possessing much
beauty, were not nearly so richly adorned. Another bird, much smaller,
was seen among them, perched on a bough above the rest, and evidently
considering itself of no small importance. Its colour was mostly of a
beautiful red-chestnut, the base of the bill being surrounded with
velvet-like plumes, while the throat and upper part of the breast were
of a deep purple-red; a bright golden-green zone running across the
lower part, separated from the red above by a line of yellow; the lower
portion of the body being perfectly white. On each side was a bunch of
feathers, tinged with the richest golden-green; and from the middle of
the tail extended two very long, naked shafts, which terminated in a
broad golden-green web of spiral form. So delighted were the young
people with the spectacle, that they could not tear themselves from the
spot, forgetting all about the object of their excursion. They were
still intently watching the birds, when they were aroused by the voice
of the doctor, which had also the effect of startling the beautiful
creatures. Away flew the birds, the doctor, however, catching a glimpse
of them.
"Oh, what a pity you did not come sooner!" exclaimed Alice.
"Had I done so, I should have deprived you of the pleasure of watching
the birds," answered Mr Lawrie. "From the glimpse I caught of them, I
have no doubt that they are birds of paradise, which, I have heard,
inhabit New Guinea and the surrounding islands. I have seen some dead
specimens, but of course they can give but a very inadequate idea of the
birds when living, which I believe are the most beautiful of the whole
feathered tribe."
The doctor's arrival was most opportune, for Walter and Alice had
remained so long looking at the birds, that they had forgotten the
direction to take, and would very probably have lost their way.
Conducted by the surgeon, they reached a spot where a bright, sparkling
stream fell over a high rock, forming a small cascade, into a pool of
clear water about three feet deep. A ledge enabled them to reach the
cascade, where they could drink the water as it fell. How cool and
refreshing it tasted! They all felt wonderfully invigorated; and the
doctor owned that, under their circumstances, no tonic medicine he could
have given them would have a more beneficial effect. The rock extended
some way down on the opposite side of the stream, and the path they had
pursued appeared to be the only one by which the pool could be
approached.
"What a delightful place for a bath!" said Alice, looking at it with a
longing eye.
"You shall have it all to yourself," answered Walter; "but let me sound
it with my stick first. It may be deeper than we suppose."
Walter, as he suggested, went round the pool, plunging in his stick. It
was fortunate he did so, for the upper side, into which the cascade
fell, was, he found, much out of Alice's depth. He charged her,
therefore, to keep on the lower side, where the water was less deep. He
was satisfied, too, that no creature lurked within, for the bottom was
everywhere visible, though, from the clearness of the water, it was
difficult to judge the depth by the eye.
"It's a mercy that you thought of trying the depth," said Alice; "for I
intended to have gone under the cascade and enjoyed a shower-bath."
Leaving Alice to bathe in the retired pool, the doctor and Walter hunted
about in search of game or fruits, which might serve as an addition to
their breakfast. Birds of gorgeous plumage flew about overhead, or
flitted among the branches of the trees; and high up, far beyond their
reach, they observed some tempting-looking fruit, on which numerous
birds were feeding. They gazed at them with envious eyes.
"Our only chance of getting any will be if those feathered gentlemen
should be kind enough to let some fall," observed the doctor. "We must
not be too proud to take advantage of their negligence."
While he was speaking, a large bird of black plumage, with an enormous
beak, and a horn-shaped ornament on the top of it, flew at one of the
fruits, and nipping it off, down it came to the ground; while the bird,
perching on a bough, attacked another, with more benefit to himself.
Walter picked up the fallen fruit, which, though it had a somewhat hard
skin, was full of a delicious juicy pulp. While he was examining the
fruit, the doctor watched the bird, which, picking off fruit after
fruit, appeared to throw them up and catch them in its mouth as they
fell. The bird having apparently satisfied itself, then flew off to the
trunk of a tree of enormous size and height. The doctor followed it,
and found that it made use of its beak to carry food, with which it was
supplying another of its species--poking its head out of a hole in the
trunk.
"We must have those birds if we are hard pressed, as I am afraid we
shall be unless our traps succeed, or we can manage some serviceable
bows and arrows for shooting game," said the doctor to Walter, who had
followed him.
On their way back to the pool they picked up several more fruits which
had dropped. They met Alice, who had not only bathed herself, but had
washed her clothes, and dried them in the hot sun, which struck with
great force against the side of the rock, so that in a few minutes they
were again fit to be put on.
"We must follow your wise example by-and-by," said the doctor; "but we
will now go back to breakfast, or Mr Shobbrok will wonder what has
become of us."