FIRE ON BOARD
OCTOBER 15 to October 18.--The wind is still in the northeast. There is
no change in the Chancellor's course, and to an unprejudiced eye all
would appear to be going on as usual. But I have an uneasy
consciousness that something is not quite right. Why should the
hatchways be so hermetically closed as though a mutinous crew was
imprisoned between decks? I can not help thinking too that there is
something in the sailors so constantly standing in groups and breaking
off their talk so suddenly whenever we approach; and several times I
have caught the word "hatches" which arrested M. Letourneur's attention
on the night of the disturbance.
On the 15th, while I was walking on the forecastle, I overheard one of
the sailors, a man named Owen, say to his mates:
"Now I just give you all warning that I am not going to wait until the
last minute. Everyone for himself, say I."
"Why, what do you mean to do?" asked Jynxstrop, the cook.
"Pshaw!" said Owen, "do you suppose that longboats were only made for
porpoises?"
Something at that moment occurred to interrupt the conversation, and I
heard no more. It occurred to me whether there was not some conspiracy
among the crew, of which probably Curtis had already detected the
symptoms. I am quite aware that some sailors are most rebelliously
disposed, and required to be ruled with a rod of iron.
Yesterday and to-day I have observed Curtis remonstrating somewhat
vehemently with Captain Huntly, but there is no obvious result arising
from their interviews; the captain apparently being bent upon some
purpose, of which it is only too manifest that the mate decidedly
disapproves.
Captain Huntly is undoubtedly laboring under strong nervous excitement;
and M. Letourneur has more than once remarked how silent he has become
at meal-times; for although Curtis continually endeavors to start some
subject of general interest, yet neither Mr. Falsten, Mr. Kear, nor Mr.
Ruby are the men to take it up, and consequently the conversation flags
hopelessly, and soon drops. The passengers too are now, with good
cause, beginning to murmur at the length of the voyage, and Mr. Kear,
who considers that the very elements ought to yield to his convenience,
lets the captain know by his consequential and haughty manner that he
holds him responsible for the delay.
During the course of yesterday the mate gave repeated orders for the
deck to be watered again and again, and although as a general rule this
is a business which is done, once for all, in the early morning, the
crew did not utter a word of complaint at the additional work thus
imposed upon them. The tarpaulins on the hatches have thus been kept
continually wet, so that their close and heavy texture is rendered
quite impervious to the air. The Chancellor's pumps afford a copious
supply of water, so that I should not suppose that even the daintiest
and most luxurious craft belonging to an aristocratic yacht club was
ever subject to a more thorough scouring. I tried to reconcile myself
to the belief that it was the high temperature of the tropical regions
upon which we are entering, that rendered such extra sousings a
necessity, and recalled to my recollection how, during the night of the
13th, I had found the atmosphere below deck so stifling, that in spite
of the heavy swell I was obliged to open the porthole of my cabin, on
the starboard side, to get a breath of air.
This morning at daybreak I went on deck. The sun had scarcely risen,
and the air was fresh and cool, in strange contrast to the heat which
below the poop had been quite oppressive. The sailors as usual were
washing the deck. A great sheet of water, supplied continuously by the
pumps, was rolling in tiny wavelets, and escaping now to starboard, now
to larboard through the scupper-holes. After watching the men for a
while as they ran about bare-footed, I could not resist the desire to
join them, so taking off my shoes and stockings, I proceeded to dabble
in the flowing water.
Great was my amazement to find the deck perfectly hot to my feet!
Curtis heard my exclamation of surprise, and before I could put my
thoughts into words, said:
"Yes! there is fire on board!"