A TERRIBLE VOYAGE AND THE SHIPWRECK
The shadows of night were now upon them. How vividly it recalled to
their minds the horrors of the five days and nights during which they
were tossed about in the little lifeboat a year before. Then they were
helpless, and now strong. At that time everything was dark and gloomy,
without a ray of hope. Contrast the situation at this time.
What a gratification it must have been to look back during the past
twelve months and mentally calculate what they had accomplished. They
had delved in many of the hidden mysteries of nature and learned the
secrets. Such knowledge had been put to use. They had discovered many
things that gave them pleasure, but in doing so found others that
startled and grieved them. Things inexplainable and impossible to fathom
had crossed their paths on almost every side.
But they were now doing the work of men. The Professor knew how they had
developed, and grown brave and strong. He knew it better than the boys
could realize themselves. What a source of pleasure it must have been to
the kindly faced, gray-haired Professor, as he looked at his charges in
admiration and love. Could anything be more inspiring than the
contemplation of the work he had done?
And now the inevitable charting board was brought out, and the plan
adopted which would enable them to trace the coast line. It was
explained that all sailing was by the points of the compass, and for
this purpose the compass was made to correspond with the regulation
instrument. This is shown in Fig. 23.
[Illustration: _Fig. 23. MARINER'S COMPASS_]
The four cardinal points are north, south, east and west. Exactly midway
between each of the four points are the divisions designated northeast,
southeast, southwest and northwest. Then, again, intermediate, the last
divisions and the cardinal points are other markings which show that the
angles are nearer one of the cardinal points than the other, so that a
course may be marked off, by the compass, which, if followed for a
certain time, and the speed of that period determined, can be traced and
thus marked out on paper so that the outline of the coast can thereby be
laid out.
[Illustration: _The Northern Shore OF WONDER ISLAND. Chart showing Voyage
in "No. 3." Fig. 24._]
The Professor had the charting board before him. "I have marked our
starting point, which is designated as A. It will be remembered that we
marked a course due west, passing the headland three miles from Cataract
River. This is line 1. When we saw the land ahead of us last night, we
changed our course by the compass to northwest, thus making a new line
of travel, which you see is designated as 2. B was the point where the
turn was made."
[Illustration: _Fig. 25. THE CHARTING BOARD_]
"But in what manner did you know how to transfer it to the board?"
"The board has two lines crossing each other at right angles to
correspond with the two lines on the compass. The compass was put on the
middle of the board, and the upper board turned so that the needle was
on a line with the N----S line."
The boys now noticed for the first time that there were two boards, one
above the other, and that the lower one was a little larger, and was
attached to the boat. "Why do you have the lower board attached to the
boat and larger than the upper one?"
"The lower board has on it a section of the compass, and the upper end a
pointer, as you notice, and the line T represents the boat's direction,
so that when the compass was placed on the upper board, the latter was
turned so that it corresponded with the points of the compass. The
little pointer then accurately pointed to northwest, on the lower board,
and by this means the changing of the upper board, so as to keep it due
east and west at all times, will enable us to keep on our course."
It was a long and weary night. One of them slept while the others were
on duty. The boys knew the time on shipboard, where the day begins at
midnight, and is divided into watches of four hours each, thus making
three watches for the night and three for the day. A bell is struck
every half hour, so that each watch is noted by the eight strokes of the
bell. What is called the dog-watches occur between 4 and 8 P.M., this
period being divided in the first dog-watch between 4 and 6, and the
second dog-watch between 6 and 8.
"Why should such peculiar times be taken, or the periods be divided up
in that way?"
"For the very reason that we discussed the arranging of our time of
watch last night; namely, so that one person would not have the same
watch every night. It was agreed by us that one should have three hours'
uninterrupted sleep, while the others were on duty, so that each would
in turn get three hours' work. Our arrangements are somewhat different
from shipboard time, on account of our number, but the principle is the
same."
During the night the wind changed to the north, so that progress was
slow and required considerable tacking, and when the Professor came on
duty he found the course still to the north, and on questioning Harry,
found that the wind had been rather regular during his watch. Within a
half hour of the time he took charge the western shore faded away, and
the course was directed to NWW, in which direction they continued until
well along in the forenoon. Then, as the land receded again, another
tack was made, WbS, which means West by South.
The winds, however, were perverse during the second day. After a calm
the wind veered to the west, and when in the afternoon the course was
changed to SSW they had to sail close to the wind, and made slow
progress.
Let us see what they found on the day's journey along the northern point
which they rounded the second day of the journey. Cliffs, like their
own, were distinctly visible in the evening and during the morning of
the second day, but when morning broke on the third day they saw a
beautiful shore line, and beyond the mountain range which was seen by
them on their land trip to West River. It was now certain that the mouth
of that river had been passed during the night and all regretted this.
During the whole of the third day they were forced to sail in the teeth
of the wind, which necessitated frequent tacking. Not a sign of human
habitation was seen on this day, but during the night, when the boys
were on duty, they declared that they had seen lights to the south. The
interest was most intense. Were they really rounding the island?
The course for the opening morning of the fourth day was SWbW, and early
in the day they were not more than a mile from the shore, and then the
shore gradually receded, but the course was not changed. The wind began
to blow with greater force, and came from the southwest. As night
approached it increased, but they continued tacking, hoping that they
might reach the western extremity, and thus be able to run to the east
before the wind.
Before eight o'clock lights were distinctly visible. They had reached
the vicinity of human habitations. The boys were too excited to think of
the watches which had thus far been observed. Aside from that, the wind
had now reached such a violent stage that it was impossible to make any
headway against it.
A consultation was had. "We must either turn to the north or go to
shore. I fear this sudden change in the direction of the wind," was the
Professor's opinion of the situation. It would not be wise to risk the
shore. All knew that and sadly they turned the craft to the north. It
was well that they did so. Every moment, it seemed, some new impetus
would be given the wind. It howled on every side of them; the waves
drifted across the little ship, until everything was dripping with
moisture, and the only dry spot was within the little housed enclosure
which had been well protected on the open rear side, thanks to the
watchful suggestions of the Professor.
To add to their discomfort of mind, the land was not in sight. There was
nothing to steer by except the compass and the chart which had been laid
out. They were now going north over the course that had been traversed
for the past two days--the west coast of the island.
It was a long, long night. No one slept, because fear and anxiety was
ever with them. They remembered now with vividness the days spent on the
ocean when they were wrecked. It was a terrible succession of hours,
with the wind and the lightning and the rain one continuous orgy. The
Professor sat at the tiller. The sails had been taken down long before.
The impact of the driving storm against the housed structure was
sufficient to drive it forward, so that the vessel could be guided.
It seemed that every blow against the boat would wrench it to atoms, but
if any part had given way it was not apparent. Harry, who sat nearest
the housed structure, suddenly sprang up, and pointing down, cried out:
"It is leaking; look how it boils!" It was forethought on the part of
the Professor to put in a supply of the oakum used for caulking
purposes. Harry sprang for it, and George grasped the bailing pan. After
a struggle a sufficient amount was driven into interstices to keep out
at least a portion of the seepage. This knowledge was most oppressive.
When a boat of this kind once springs a leak, due to a severe wrench of
the shell itself, it is a difficult matter to remedy it, without
structurally strengthening it.
Morning was now appearing, and still no land appeared in sight. More
leaks appeared, and the boys were now constantly bailing and repairing.
The Professor had held the tiller for more than six hours, but he did
not appear to be exhausted. At every attempt of the boys to relieve him,
he only said that they had more important work in bailing and caulking.
He finally changed the course due east, and it was more by luck than
exact calculation that they made out the northern end of the island
which was passed the first night out. In one night they had traveled a
distance coming back that required two days and nights to traverse in
the other direction. As it was they were headed for the cliffs at the
point of land, and it must be avoided.
Harry saw the danger, and went back to consult the Professor. He had the
tiller firmly in his grasp, and his body bent over it to keep it steady;
but when Harry reached him, and touched him, there was no response.
Almost frantic, he cried to George: "Come here, quickly; something is
the matter!"
George was there in an instant, and caught up the Professor, while Harry
grasped the tiller, as it was released, and turned it to starboard. The
little boat responded, but Harry knew that if turned too far, the wind
might catch it on the beam and crush it to atoms.
The Professor had fainted, and when George finally revived him, he
looked about, and seeing Harry at the tiller, told him that he must turn
to the left to avoid the cliffs, and when he was advised of what had
bean done, he grasped Harry's hand, and commended him for the knowledge
and foresight which had been exhibited in that trying moment.
The cliffs were ahead and to the right. The crucial time must come
within the next half hour. The point must not only be cleared, but they
must pass it at a distance beyond the influence of the powerful swells
and waves, which are always present at points situated like this. The
storm was from the west, and the promontory pointed to the north. Under
the circumstances, the sea at the end of the land was a raging
maelstrom, and the counter influence of the raging waves, beyond the
point, offered as great a danger as at its extremity.
And now the leaks appeared at every side. Despair almost overtook Harry,
and he moved from one point to the next with the oakum and the caulking
tool. The Professor had insisted on again taking the helm. He had been
refreshed by the few moments' relaxation. Slowly he moved over to the
tiller. Would he ever make it? The boys stopped their work, fascinated
with the nerve-racking intensity of it. They knew the point had been
passed. The Professor smiled, and held up his hand as a signal, and the
boys rushed to him and actually cried, as he put his arms about them.
It must not be imagined that they were out of their peril now. Nearly a
foot of water was in the bottom. The storm was, in a measure, blanketed
by the cliffs, and there was now no alternative but to reach the shore.
It was fortunate that they were on the lee side of the land, but even
there the waves rolled up on the shore, and the Professor knew that any
landing which might be made would be hazardous in the extreme.
The vessel was approaching a shelving beach. Fortunately, from what
could be distinguished of its character, it was not a broken or rocky
shore.
"Boys, can you put up the mainsail?" The Professor's voice had a
wonderful ring to it, for one so nearly exhausted. Without waiting to
question they sprang to the halliards and drew it up, while the boat in
the meantime was turned to port to ease the operation.
The boys looked on in wonder as the tiller was turned and, when the boat
had gained headway, was pointed to the shore. It fairly darted through
the surf and the billows which marked the shore line, but before the
boat touched the beach, the Professor motioned them to come back. "Now
hold fast, when we strike."
In another instant they seemed to be lifted by a giant wave, and as it
receded the boat, impelled forwardly by the sail, struck the sand of the
beach the moment after the tiller had been brought hard to port. The
result was that the boat was now spun around with its stern toward the
oncoming wind, but the impact was so great that the entire left side of
the little ship was crushed like an egg shell.
"Release the boom, quickly!"
When that had been done the wrecked vessel was still, and the Professor
was lifted out of the boat, but he stood there grasping the side, too
stiff to move, but with that same smile on his countenance which had
told the boys on so many occasions before, how gratified he was at their
safety.
Poor Angel was actually a wreck. He had remained within the housed
enclosure ever since the storm began. When the rocking and tossing of
the boat ceased, and he heard nothing but the beating wind, he could not
understand what had happened.
All had forgotten the little animal. George was the first to go to his
rescue, and found him crouching in the extreme end of the enclosure.
After some coaxing he moved toward George, and when he was led out and
saw about him on one side the raging waves and on the other side the
land, his chatter turned to a chuckle, and he leaped to the land,
shambled up the bank, and catching the limb of the nearest tree, was
soon in its top, as happy as though ocean storms were unknown.
Meals had been forgotten since the day before. The boat was so high up
on the beach that they had no fears for the waves. Hunger asserted
itself now, and the moment the stove was brought out, Angel was down in
a moment, came over to George, and looked up inquiringly into his face.
It was such a comical situation, coming so close upon the heels of their
great catastrophe, that he could not help laughing. He knew what that
look meant, and Angel had more than the usual share of sugar. That with
the nuts, of which there was always an abundant supply, was a feast for
the little fellow.
After the meal a careful examination was made of the boat. The entire
left side, from the bow to a third of the way back from the midship
bulge, was broken to atoms. The inside of the boat was filled with sand
which had been driven in when the impact took place. To repair it would
be impossible without suitable lumber, to say nothing of tools. They sat
down, not with a feeling of despair, so that they might the better form
a judgment as to the wisest course to pursue.
"What interests me most," said George, "is to know where we are. Do you
think we are anywhere near West River?"
The Professor sat there musing, but did not answer. Harry ventured the
opinion that they must be far east of the mouth of that river.
Finally the Professor gave his views: "It is simply impossible for us to
speculate on the course of the river, because we were unfortunate enough
to pass it by in the night. It seems to me more probable, however, that
it finds its way to the sea to the east of the point we came around."
"What reason have you for thinking so?"
"Simply because the mountains were not, apparently, far inland, and it
seems to me that the promontory is merely an extension of the mountains
or the high ridge we saw."
"I would certainly feel more comfortable," continued George "if I knew
we were anywhere near the river."
But some decision must be made, and that without delay. If they were
near West River the distance home was fully seventy-five miles.
Preparations must be made for the trip on foot. The boat was, probably,
in as safe a condition as it could be higher up, nevertheless it was
concluded to take no chances, and all the provisions were removed, and
by means of levers and blocks, it was carried inland fully thirty feet
farther. A good supply of provisions was then taken, the guns and
ammunition removed, and put in separate piles, and arranged in
convenient packages for easy transportation.
The residue was carefully stored within the housed enclosure, and
carefully covered over. What grieved them most was the bedding, which
must be left, but the Professor insisted that all the articles of ramie,
which would afford some covering, should be taken along. They would now
be compelled to sleep in the open air, with nothing else to cover them.
With a last look at their ship, they moved toward the east with heavy
hearts.
Harry stopped before they had gone far. "It occurs to me that we ought
to put some inscription on the boat. If any of our friends should
discover the boat it might guide them to us."
"That is a capital idea," answered the Professor; and they returned to
put up the proper notice.
It was past noon, but they hoped to cover at least ten miles before
evening should set in, but the way was rough and broken. "I think,"
mused the Professor, as they halted on the journey, "we made a mistake
in not following the seashore. The only reason that prompted me to take
this course was the appearance of the shore to the east of our landing
place. It looked so uninviting that I felt sure we should find traveling
inland more comfortable."
During the first five miles of the journey the ascent was gradual, but
not steep, at any place, but now the land gradually showed a change in
character, growing smoother and more open, and they knew the grade had
changed and was taking them down to a lower level.
Before evening came, emerging from a light wood, great was the delight
at seeing a beautiful river before them. It was a broad stream, and they
divined that it must be the West River, which, they had so longed to
reach.