"Because," said he, "its blowin' great guns, an' looks as if it meant to
go on, which is not a state of weather suitable for goin' over a dozen
miles of sea in a small open boat, without even a mast or a rag of sail
to bless herself with."
"Pooh!" exclaimed Maroon, contemptuously; "a blanket'll make the best of
sails."
"Ay," added Bowden, "and an oar will do well enough for a mast--anyhow
we'll try, for most votes carry in all well-regulated meetin's."
This plan, although attended with considerable danger, was finally
agreed to, and forthwith acted on.
That afternoon the men on shore observed a very Robinson-Crusoe-like
boat coming in from the sea with an oar-mast and a blanket-sail, from
which landed "Captain" Teddy Maroon and his two mates. The same
evening, however, the wind moderated and shifted a little, so that the
relief boat, with provisions and the gang of men whose turn it was to do
duty in the store-ship, succeeded in getting off and reaching their
_Buss_ in safety.
The weather became so bad soon after this that Smeaton thought it wise
to bring his operations for that season to a close. Accordingly, on the
7th November, he visited the Rock, which had been cut into a regular
floor of successive terraces or steps, and was considerably larger in
circumference than the foundation on which Rudyerd's building had
rested. On the 15th the _Buss_ sailed into Plymouth, the men having run
out of provisions, and having been unable to do anything on the Rock.
A great storm raged on the 22nd. On the previous day Smeaton had gone
off in the _Buss_ to attach a buoy to the mooring chains for that
winter. The task was laborious, and when it was completed they found it
impossible to return to Plymouth, owing to the miserable sailing
qualities of their vessel. There was nothing for it but to cast loose
and run before the wind. While doing so they snapt the painter of the
yawl, and lost it.
Thus they were, as it were, cast adrift upon the sea with neither maps,
charts, books, nor instruments to guide them. No alarm, however, was
felt, the neighbouring headlands being bold, and all on board having
previously been at Fowey, to which port Smeaton now gave orders to
steer.
Wet and worn out with labour, he then went below to snatch a few hours'
repose. In the night he was awakened by a tremendous noise overhead.
The men were rushing about the deck, and shouting wildly. He sprang up
without dressing. A voice, exclaiming, "For God's sake heave hard on
that rope if you want to save yourselves!" saluted him as he gained the
deck. Roaring wind, a deluge of rain, and pitch darkness held revel on
the sea; but above the din was heard the dreaded sound of breakers close
under their lee. The jib was split, the mainsail half-lowered, and the
vessel running gunwale under. By vigorous and well-directed action, in
which John Bowden proved himself to be one of those men who are towers
of strength in emergencies, the head of the _Buss_ was brought round,
and the immediate danger averted, but they had no idea where they were,
and when day broke on the 23rd they found themselves out of sight of
land! Their last boat, also, had filled while towing astern, and had to
be cut adrift. At noon, however; they sighted the Land's End--the wind
blowing hard from the nor'-east.
"No chance o' making a British port in this wind with such a vessel,
sir," said John Bowden, touching his cap respectfully to Mr Smeaton.
"As well try to bate to win'ard in me grandmother's wash-tub," remarked
Teddy Maroon, in a disrespectful tone.
Smeaton, agreeing with them, lay-to the whole of the 24th, and then,
casting anchor, debated whether it were better to make for the coast of
France or try to reach the Scilly Islands. Fortunately a change of wind
on the 25th enabled them to weigh anchor and run back to Plymouth
rejoicing; and vowing, as John Bowden said, never more to venture out to
sea in a _Buss_! They reached the harbour at six in the morning, to the
intense relief of their friends, who had given them up for lost.
Thus ended the first season--1756.