We were now fairly in the Pacific. I have said little about our crew.
There were some good men, not a few indifferent ones, and others as bad
as could be. Dan Hogan was not by a long way the worst. It required
the greatest strictness and vigilance on the part of the officers to
keep them in order. Medley and I kept pretty clear of them, except when
on duty, and we were then compelled to lend a hand to any one of them
who might summon us. This we did cheerfully, though I, being the
youngest, had all sorts of odd jobs to perform, not all of the
pleasantest description. I thus had opportunities of hearing what the
men were talking about without intending to be an eavesdropper, and I
was before long convinced that some of them, if they had the
opportunity, would not scruple to mutiny, to knock all who opposed them
on the head, and take possession of the ship, or to run off themselves.
I told Medley of my suspicions.
"It's all brag, Jack," he answered. "Don't trouble yourself about the
matter. They might very probably like to do that, or any other piece of
villainy, but they dare not. They are cowards at heart, let them talk
ever so boastfully."
I was not convinced, and determined to watch them. While we were
engaged in the chase of whales, in towing them alongside, and in cutting
out and trying in, or, in other words, in taking off the blubber and
boiling it down into oil, they were too actively employed to plot
mischief. They were also then separated, some being in the boats and
others on board; but while the ship was at anchor off some savage
island, away from all constituted authority, was the time when they were
likely to carry out their evil designs.
I am sorry to say it, that though Captain Hake was a bold seaman,
generous and kind-hearted, he was influenced by no religious principle;
he objected to what he called Methodism on board, and so did the mate
and doctor. Not a chest except Medley's and mine contained a Bible, and
we had to read ours in secret to avoid the risk of being ordered to
throw them overboard. If we had had merely to endure the sneers and
laughter of our shipmates, we should not have minded. How I should have
acted if left to myself, or with a different sort of companion, I do not
know; but he encouraged me to read and pray, and refrain from evil
habits, for which I owe him a deep debt of gratitude.
The first land we made was Juan Fernandez, or, as we called it, Robinson
Crusoe's Island, where he, or rather Alexander Selkirk, lived so long
till rescued by the ship in which the veteran Dampier sailed as pilot.
It is about three hundred miles west of Valparaiso, on the coast of
Chili, very mountainous and rugged, but richly covered with vegetation.
We hove-to off the bay in which Drake, Cavendish, Dampier, and Lord
Anson anchored. Three boats were immediately sent on shore. I went in
one with the doctor, who wanted to collect a species of mint, an
excellent preventive against scurvy. It was found in such abundance
that two boats loaded with it were sent back to the ship. We made tea
of it, which we much enjoyed, after having had only pea-coffee to drink
for so long. I half expected to meet Robinson Crusoe himself coming
down to welcome us to his island, for we saw numbers of his goats among
the craigs, though we in vain tried to catch one of the patriarchs of
the flock, to ascertain whether its ears were nicked. Anson's men
discovered several venerable animals with long beards, which had
evidently been so treated by Selkirk himself, but that generation must
have long since died out. The dogs Anson saw have also disappeared,
being more easily shot than the goats.
Pulling a short distance from the shore, we got out our fishing-lines.
So beautifully clear was the water as the sun shone down into it, that
we could actually see the fish take the hook. They bit with wonderful
avidity, and in a short time we caught as many rock-cod and other fish
as we required. After this we stood along the coast, seldom within
sixty miles of it, yet in sight of the snowy summits of the towering
Andes. This part of the ocean is called by whalers "the off-shore
fishing ground," extending from Valparaiso to Panama, and about four
hundred miles westward from the land. We were tolerably successful,
having killed four whales.
I shall not forget the scene the deck presented to my eyes the night
after the blubber from our first whale had been stripped off and cut up
while the crew were engaged in "trying out," that is, boiling it down
into oil, to be stowed away in casks below. Along the deck were
arranged the huge "try-pots," with brightly blazing fires beneath them,
the fuel being the crisp membrane from the already used blubber. On
each side of the "try-works" were copper tanks or coolers to receive the
oil as it flows over the sides of the pots with the rolling of the ship,
or is ladled into them when sufficiently boiled. Some of the men
stripped to the waist, and, begrimed with smoke and oil, were working
away with forks or ladles, either throwing in the blubber, chopped into
small pieces, or skimming off the scraps, or baling out the oil; others
of the men were in the blubber-room, heaving on deck the horse-pieces,
of about thirty pounds weight each, to be minced fine before being
thrown into the try-pots. The whole watch were thus engaged, and what
with the blazing fires, the wreaths of black smoke, the dark figures
flourishing their implements, and ever and anon giving vent to horrible
oaths and shouts and shrieks of savage laughter, the spectacle I beheld
was more weird and wild than anything I could have imagined--like one of
those dreadful scenes I have read of where spirits of darkness are
described holding their midnight revels.
My share of the work on such occasions when the watch to which I
belonged was on deck was to turn the grindstone for the carpenter, whose
business it was to sharpen the spades for the men. In the intervals
during daylight I amused myself, armed with one of the spades, the pole
of which was twenty feet long, in killing the sharks swarming alongside.
One deep cut on the back of the neck or tail was sufficient to destroy
the largest of the savage creatures. I must not be accused of cruelty
to animals. Of all the fierce creatures of land or sea the sailor most
dreads and detests the cruel shark, for there are few who have not heard
or seen some thing of his depredations.
About a month after leaving Juan Fernandez we reached the Galapagos, a
group of volcanic islands lying under the equator, their black and
rugged shores having a most uninviting appearance. In one only, Charles
Island, is water to be found, though in another of considerable extent
there are hills and valleys with groves of trees; but the chief
vegetation on all of them is the prickly pear, which in most parts
covers the ground.
We cruised off the Galapagos for upwards of two months, sometimes in
company with other whalers, but more frequently alone, meeting with fair
success. At last many of the men began to grumble at being kept so long
at sea; those especially who had before shown a mutinous disposition
taking no pains to conceal their discontent, for we had been ten months
from the Thames, and according to the articles we were bound to anchor
in a civilised port at least once in every six months. I felt sure from
what I overheard that mischief was brewing; and one day when Domingo,
whom I could not trust, was out of the cabin, I told the captain my
fears. He only replied by a scornful laugh, but before he went on deck
he put a brace of pistols in his belt, and I observed shortly afterwards
that the mates had also armed themselves, while the muskets, cutlasses,
tomahawks, and boarding-pikes were placed in a side cabin kept locked.
The captain, however, knowing that the men had the right to put into
port, informed them, after we had finished stowing the oil from the last
whale caught, that he was about to steer for the coast of South America.
In about a week we made the land near the Gulf of Guayaquil, and thence
ran down to Tumbez, an open roadstead, in which we brought up about a
mile from the mouth of a river with a bar across it. Here the crew,
instead of enjoying the rest they expected, were employed in towing off
rafts of wood and water through the heavy surf setting on the shore. It
was very hard work under a blazing sun, but still necessary, and the
true men did not complain, though the others did pretty loudly,
notwithstanding that few captains were more considerate in not
overworking their crews than was ours. I heard him tell the first mate
that as soon as the task was performed he intended to let them all go on
shore, a watch at a time, to amuse themselves.
The first day's work was over, the boats hoisted up, and the anchor
watch set, when I turned into my bunk. It seemed but a moment
afterwards that Medley called me to keep the middle watch. I had just
got on deck and was looking aft when I saw four figures lowering, as it
seemed to me, the starboard quarter boat. Suspecting that something was
wrong I looked round for the officer of the watch, but could nowhere see
him. He must, I guessed, have gone below. I was about to hurry into
the cabin, but before I could make many steps aft I was seized, gagged,
and dragged forward, where I was lashed to the windlass. I could just
make out through the gloom that the boat was no longer in her place, and
presently I saw several figures carrying some bags go forward and
disappear from the spritsail yard. I knew, therefore, that the men I
had seen intended to run away, and that they were probably some of the
fellows whose complaints I had overheard. In vain I struggled to get
free that I might give the alarm. These very men must have formed the
watch, for no one came near me.
Daylight came at last, and the morning watch appearing on deck, I was
released and taken to the captain, to whom I gave an account of what I
had seen. Two boats were instantly sent in chase of the fugitives, who
were the armourer, two boat-steerers, and three seamen. After some time
the boats returned unsuccessful. The captain took, the matter very
quietly: "A good riddance, more thorough scoundrels I never had under
me," he observed. To show his confidence in the rest he allowed the
whole crew to go on shore, first one watch and then the other, for three
days each, but as most of them were drunk all the time they would have
been better on board. Sailing for the Marquesas, instead of the
runaways we shipped six Kanakas, or natives, an Englishman, a
beachcomber, or runaway sailor, who had been living on the island for
several years, a Portuguese, and a Sandwich Islander. I mention them to
show the heterogeneous materials of which the crews of English whalers
were composed.
Touching at Dominica we sailed for Samoa, where we remained for some
time, and thence proceeded off the Kingsmill group, and from this to the
Japan whaling ground. While on this station we got so damaged in a
typhoon that we had to make the best of our way to Honolulu, in the
Sandwich Islands, to refit. This accomplished we returned to the
Marquesas to land the natives we took from thence, having obtained as
many hands as we required at Honolulu. Another season having come
round, we again cruised for nearly two months in the neighbourhood of
the Galapagos. By this time Medley, having been long out of his
apprenticeship, was rated as an able seaman, and young as I was I could
do the duty of one as well as any of the old hands, and better than
those we had shipped to supply the places of the deserters and
mutineers; besides which I had as good a knowledge of navigation as any
of the mates. I had no longer to turn the grindstone or to sweep out
the cabin, those and similar duties being performed by a young Sandwich
Islander, but still the captain declined to give me up my indentures, or
rather to have my name placed on the articles as an able seaman. Of
course I could not demand what I asked, so I had to submit; indeed the
captain probably thought me unreasonable.
Calm as is in general this part of the Pacific, there are occasionally
storms of terrific violence. We experienced one when cruising some way
to the southward of the Galapagos, but as we had plenty of sea room and
were prepared for it we escaped without material damage. Two days
afterwards, while the boats were away in chase of a whale, and I was
aloft looking out for the appearance of others, I sighted a sail to the
south-west standing towards us. I announced the fact by the usual cry
of "Sail ho!" but as we had to follow our boats we could not go to meet
her. As she drew nearer, I observed that her fore-topmast, her
main-topgallant-mast, and main-topsail yard were gone, and that she was
evidently in other ways much damaged. The stranger passing within hail,
a voice inquired, "What ship is that?" The third mate, Mr Reece,
answered, and put the usual questions in return, but before these could
be replied to, gliding by she had rounded to a short distance off. As I
watched her I saw two females, who had apparently just come on deck to
look at us. Presently a boat was lowered which soon came alongside,
when who, to my surprise, should step on board but my old friend Captain
Bland. I at once concluded that the two females I had seen were Mary
and her mother, and my heart gave a bound at the thoughts of meeting
them. Our visitor first inquired for Captain Hake, and hearing that he
was away in one of the boats his eye ranged along the deck as if in
search of somebody. Though I was near him he did not recognise me till
I advanced, when his eye brightened, and putting out his hand he shook
mine cordially.
"Mrs Bland and Mary will be right glad to see you, Jack, and to give
you all the news from home, and you must try to cheer them up by telling
them all you have been about, for they have had a trying time of it for
some months past. As soon as Captain Hake returns I will get him to
allow you to accompany me on board the `Lady Alice.'" He then addressed
Mr Reece: "Your ship and mine belong to the same owners, and I want as
many of your men as can be spared to assist my people in repairing our
damages, for we are terribly short-handed. We encountered fearful
weather in coming round Cape Horn, when we had the misfortune to lose
four men overboard, three more were killed by the only whale we have yet
taken, two deserted at Juan Fernandez with the idea of playing Robinson
Crusoe, though they'll very soon get sick of that, and five others are
too sick to come on deck. Three days ago we were caught in a gale, and
before the hands could shorten sail the topmasts were carried over the
side, so you'll understand that we want all the help we can get."
"I've no doubt that the captain will afford it, sir," answered Mr
Reece; "but we ourselves are sadly wanting in able seamen--we haven't
more than three hands who can be trusted to take the helm with any sea
on."
Medley and I smiled at the mate's remark, for we believed that we could
steer as well as he could, and that there were several others who could
do so. A shout from the look-out aloft announced that a whale was
killed, and we bore down to meet the boats towing it towards us. The
captured whale was nearly eighty feet long, and worth a thousand pounds
at least. Our captain was, therefore, in very good humour, and
cordially greeted Captain Bland, promising to do all he could to help
him, but, of course, till the oil from the whale alongside was stowed
away he could spare no hands.
"But you will let my young friend, Jack Kemp, and your other apprentice,
Medley, go with me?" said Captain Bland. "They can best be spared at
present, and I can trust them to assist my mates in superintending the
work."
The captain demurred to this, as I was especially useful to him. I used
to work all his observations, make out his bills for the men, keep the
slop-locker in order, serve out the stores, and besides many other
duties, act as his barber. My kind friend, however, pressed the point,
and at length the captain consented to let us go, accompanied by two of
the Kroomen, promising shortly to follow the "Lady Alice" to Charles'
Island, one of the Galapagos.
Medley and I were not long in cleaning ourselves and putting on our
Sunday best, and with our working clothes in our bags we stepped into
Captain Bland's boat. By this time the two vessels were some way apart,
so that we had a long pull. As we got near the "Lady Alice" I saw Mrs
Bland and Mary looking over the side, but they made no signal of
recognition, so that it was evident they did not know me; they did not
do so even when I stepped on deck. Perhaps I might not have known Mary,
for she had grown from a little girl into almost a young woman, and very
bright and pleasant she looked, which is better to my mind than what
some people call beautiful. I saw her eyes as they turned towards me
brighten, while a smile rose on her lips.
"What! haven't you brought Jack Kemp with you?" asked Mrs Bland of her
husband.
"Yes, there he is; I knew him," cried Mary, springing forward and taking
my hand.
Mrs Bland embraced me, as if she were my mother. "I told her I would,
Jack," she said. "She often felt very anxious about you for fear you
should get into the rough ways of your shipmates, and be no longer what
you once were, a good, affectionate lad. You are not changed, Jack, I
hope, though you have grown so big and manly."
I could nearly have cried, I felt so happy, as I answered, "I hope not,
Mrs Bland, and I have to thank my friend Medley here for assisting me
to act rightly."
"A Christian friend is a valuable help on board ship, as well as
everywhere else," observed Captain Bland. "I am truly glad that you
have found such an one in Andrew Medley, whose father I have the
pleasure of knowing. It will do his heart good to hear this account of
his son. I wish there were more like you two young men at sea."
The ladies now invited us into the cabin to have some tea, and as we sat
there, helped by Mary, we felt quite like different beings to those we
had been for so many months past.
I heard some of the news from home, which I need not repeat, but we had
not much time for conversation, as, having shifted into our working
clothes, we had to hurry on deck to assist the crew in getting the ship
to rights. We and our two Kroomen set to with a will, and three of the
sick men turned out of their bunks to help. It was heavy work though,
and in addition during two hours in each watch we had to keep the pumps
going. While daylight lasted Mary remained on deck, and her presence
incited us to exertion. I thought of the danger to which she would be
exposed should bad weather again come on, and the ship not be prepared
to encounter it. At length we entered the harbour, a gloomy enough
looking place, surrounded by high, black, rugged cliffs, yet being well
protected from all winds, we were glad to find ourselves safe in it. I
almost dreaded the arrival of the "Eagle," as I feared that I should
have to return to her and my rough associates. It was not the hard work
I disliked, but the utter want of humanising influences on board the
"Eagle," whereas, independent of the effect produced by Mrs Bland and
Mary, a far higher moral tone prevailed on board the "Lady Alice"; the
mates were well-conducted men, and several among the crew were real
Christians, who made the Bible the rule of life. I do not mean to say
that the ship was a perfect Paradise; there were some bad, wild
characters, but they were kept in check by the rest. We were too busy
to escort the ladies on shore, and they had no fancy to go by
themselves, although there were neither wild beasts nor savages to be
feared. We were waiting, however, for the arrival of the "Eagle" to
heave the ship down, so as to get at the leak; and as the position she
would then be in would make the cabin a very uncomfortable habitation,
Captain Bland proposed rigging a tent on the beach under the cliffs in
which his wife and daughter might live till the work was accomplished.
As soon, therefore, as Medley and I with two of the men could be spared,
we accompanied the captain on shore, taking with us some spars, rope,
sails, and spare canvas. It was evident that the spot the captain first
thought of would be too hot, as not a breath of air reached it, so he
selected another further from the ship in a more open situation. Here,
having beaten smooth the black lava-like soil, we soon had up a
good-sized tent with three compartments--one for the captain and Mrs
Bland, one for Mary, and a third for a sitting-room. This done, while
the boat returned for some furniture and cooking utensils, the captain
sent me to the top of a cliff overlooking the ocean to the southward to
ascertain if the "Eagle" was in sight. I had not been long looking out
when I saw a sail standing for the island, but after watching her for
some time I was convinced that she was not the "Eagle," but a much
smaller craft. As she drew still nearer I perceived, indeed, that she
was a schooner, apparently a Spanish vessel, though she showed no flag.
Instead, however, of steering for the harbour where the "Lady Alice"
lay, she kept round the island to another on the other side. What she
was, or why she had come to the island, I could not conjecture, I was
about to return when I caught sight of a speck of white canvas above the
horizon. "That probably is the `Eagle,'" I thought. "In a few days I
shall have to bid my kind friends farewell and go back to my duties on
board her."
As there was a fine breeze the ship rapidly approached, and as I had no
doubt that she was the "Eagle," I went back to the tent to tell Captain
Bland that she was in sight, as also to describe to him the schooner I
had seen.
"She has probably come across from Payta to catch turtle or fish," he
observed. "We are not likely to see any of her crew, unless they think
that they can get a good price from us for what they bring."
We now returned on board to describe to the ladies the preparations we
had made for them. Captain Bland then had all the boats manned to
assist in towing in the "Eagle" should the wind fall light, as it
frequently did towards evening. At length Medley, who had landed and
gone to the top of the cliff, made the signal that she was near, on
which all the boats, with flags flying in the bows, pulled out of the
harbour. We saw her about two miles off already nearly becalmed. As we
got near her crew greeted us with a cheer, and without stopping to ask
questions we took hold of the tow ropes, when, giving way with a will,
joined by her boats already lowered, we made the big ship glide through
the water at the rate of nearly three miles an hour. We thus soon
brought the ship to an anchor in the harbour, when Captain Hake came on
board the "Lady Alice," and undertook to do all his brother captain
required. He was in high good humour at having captured another whale,
which had caused the "Eagle" to be so much longer in making her
appearance than we expected. I thought that now would be the time to
get Captain Bland to beg him to allow me to remain on board the "Lady
Alice." The same idea occurred to Mary, who I saw whispering to her
father. Captain Bland kindly pressed the point.
"What am I to do without my barber and clerk and storekeeper, I should
like to know?" exclaimed Captain Hake. "Why the young fellow works all
my observations for me. No, no. Be reasonable, Bland; he is bound to
me, remember. I will lend him to you now, but when the `Eagle' leaves
this harbour he goes in her."
I thought that it was my captain who was not reasonable. I felt
dreadfully disappointed, but I was his slave, and compelled to submit.