"I'd sooner trust him than many older, sir," was the reply of the first
lieutenant. "Jump in, Mr Keene." I did so, with my telescope in my
hand. "Lower away, my lads--unhook, and sheer off;" and away went the
frigate in pursuit of the pirate vessel, leaving me in the boat, to go
on board of the schooner.
We were soon alongside, and found that there was not a soul on board of
the vessel; what had become of the crew, whether they had been murdered,
or not, it was impossible to say, but there were a few drops of blood on
the deck.
The vessel was an American, bound to one of the islands, with shingle
and fir planks; not only was her hold full, but the fir planks were
piled up on each side of the deck, between the masts, to the height of
five or six feet. The pirate had, apparently, been taking some of the
planks on board for her own use.
We dropped the boat astern, let draw the foresheet, and made sail after
the frigate, which was now more than a mile from us, and leaving us very
fast.
The schooner was so over-loaded that she sailed very badly, and before
the evening closed in, we could just perceive the top-gallant sails of
the Calliope above the horizon: but this we thought little of, as we
knew that as soon as she had captured the pirate she would run back
again, and take us out.
There were some hams and other articles on board, for the pirates had
not taken everything, although the lockers had been all broken open, and
the articles were strewed about in every direction in the cabin and on
the deck.
Just before dark, we took the bearings of the frigate, and stood the
same course as she was doing, and then we sat down to a plentiful meal
to which we did justice. I then divided the boat's crew into watches,
went down into the cabin, and threw myself on the standing bed-place, of
which there was but one, with all my clothes on; the men who had not the
watch went down, and turned in in the cuddy forward, where the seamen
usually sleep.
It was not till past midnight that I could obtain any sleep; the heat
was excessive, and I was teased by the cockroaches, which appeared to
swarm in the cabin to an incredible degree, and were constantly running
over my face and body. I little thought then why they swarmed. I
recollect that I dreamt of murder, and tossing men overboard; and then
of the vessel being on fire and after that, I felt very cool and
comfortable, and I dreamed no more; I thought that I heard a voice
calling my name: it appeared that I did hear it in my sleep, but I slept
on.
At last I turned round, and felt a splashing as of water, and some water
coming into my mouth: I awoke. All was dark and quiet; I put my hand
out, and I put it into the water--where was I--was I overboard? I
jumped up in my fright; I found that was still on the standing
bed-place, but the water was above the mattress.
I immediately comprehended that the vessel was sinking, and I called
out, but there was no reply.
I turned out of the bed-place, and found myself up to my neck in water,
with my feet on the cabin-deck. Half swimming, and half floundering, I
gained the ladder, and went up the hatchway.
It was still quite dark, and I could not perceive nor hear anybody. I
called out but there was no reply. I then was certain that the men had
left the vessel when they round her sinking, and had left me to sink
with her. I may as well here observe, that when the men had found the
water rising upon them forward they had rushed on deck in a panic,
telling the man at the wheel that the vessel was sinking, and had
immediately hauled up the boat to save their lives; but they did
recollect me, and the coxswain of the boat had come down in the cabin by
the ladder, and called me: but the cabin was full of water, and he,
receiving no answer, considered that I was drowned, and returned on
deck.
The boat had then shoved off, and I was left to my fate; still I hoped
that such was not the case, and I hallooed again and again, but in vain,
and I thought it was all over with me. It was a dreadful position to be
in. I said my prayers and prepared to die, and yet I thought it was
hard to die at fifteen years old.
Although I do not consider that my prayers were of much efficacy, for
there was but little resignation in them, praying had one good effect--
it composed me, and I began to think whether there was any chance of
being saved.
Yes, there were plenty of planks on the deck, and if it were daylight I
could tie them together and make a raft, which would bear me up. How I
longed for daylight, for I was afraid that the vessel would sink before
I could see to do what was requisite. The wind had become much fresher
during the night, and the waves now dashed against the sides of the
water-logged vessel.
As I watched for daylight, I began to reflect how this could have
happened; and it occurred to me that the pirates had scuttled the bottom
of the vessel to sink her; and in this conjecture I was right.
At last a faint light appeared in the east, which soon broke into broad
day, and I lost no time in setting about my work.
Before I began, however, I thought it advisable to ascertain how much
more water there was in the vessel since I had quitted the cabin which
it appeared to me must have been about two hours. I therefore went down
in the cabin to measure it. I know how high it was when I waded through
it. I found, to my surprise, and, I may say, to my joy, that it was not
higher than it was before.
I thought that perhaps I might be mistaken, so I marked the height of
the water at the cabin ladder, and I sat down on deck to watch it; it
appeared to me not to rise any higher.
This made me reflect, and it then struck me that, as the vessel was
laden with timber, she would not probably sink any lower, so I deferred
my work till I had ascertained the fact.
Three hours did I watch, and found that the water did not rise higher,
and I was satisfied; but the wind increased, and the vessel's sails,
instead of flapping to the wind as she drove without any one at the
helm, were now bellied out, and the vessel careened to leeward.
I was afraid that she would turn over; and finding an axe on the deck, I
mounted the rigging with it, and commenced cutting away the lacing of
the sails from the mast. I then lowered the gaffs, and cleared away the
canvass in the same way, so that the sails fell on the deck. This was a
work of at least one hour; but when the canvass was off, the vessel was
steady.
It was well that I had taken this precaution; for very soon afterwards
the wind was much fresher, and the weather appeared very threatening;
the sea also rose considerably. I was very tired, and sat down for some
time on the deck abaft.
It then occurred to me that the weight of the planks upon the deck must
not only keep the vessel deeper in the water, but make her more
top-heavy, and I determined to throw them overboard; but first I looked
for something to eat, and found plenty of victuals in the iron pot in
which the men had cooked their supper the night before.
As soon as I had obtained from the cask lashed on the deck a drink of
water, to wash down the cold fried ham which I had eaten, I set work to
throw overboard the planks on deck.
When I had thrown over a portion from one side I went to the other, and
threw over as many more, that I might, as much as possible, keep the
vessel on an even keel.
This job occupied me the whole of the day; and when I had completed my
task I examined the height of the water at the cabin ladder, and found
that the vessel had risen more than six inches. This was a source of
great comfort to me, and what pleased me more was, that the wind had
gone down again, and the water was much smoother.
I made a supper off some raw ham, for the fire had been extinguished,
and committing myself to the protection of Heaven, lay down as the sun
set, and from the fatigue of the day was soon in a sound sleep.
I awoke about the middle of the night. The stars shone brightly, and
there was but a slight ripple on the water.
I thought of my mother, of my aunt Milly, of Captain Delmar, and I felt
for the seal-skin pouch which was fastened round my neck. It was all
safe.
I calculated chances, and I made up my mind that I should be picked up
by some vessel or another before long.
I said to myself--"Why, I am better off now than I was when in the
wherry, with Peggy Pearson; I was saved then, why should I not be now?"