'ALL HANDS ON DECK!'
The night proved so dark and the track so difficult to follow, that,
hampered by the injured seaman, the captain and his party found the
return no easy matter. Everyone, however, worked so cheerfully that
just as dawn showed eastward next morning the camp was reached
without further adventure or accident.
After breakfast the captain called a general muster before his tent,
and explained his opinions on the situation.
'The island is uninhabited,' he said. 'We must try to leave it as
soon as possible. The stock of provisions cannot last beyond a
month, and as I have the Chinamen to feed we must get them to
Honolulu. Our three boats are in good condition, and might easily
make the trip.'
'I could reach there in the long-boat, sir,' Mr. Sennit observed,
'and hire a larger craft to take you off.'
'Well, of course that could be done,' the skipper replied; 'but I
believe that by a little close stowage all hands might sail together.
Such a course would save a lot of time, trouble, and expense, to say
nothing of being able to stick together for assistance, should foul
weather set in.'
'Yes, that would be the best way out of the fix,' the mate said; 'and
I have no doubt we'll do it, too.'
The boats were immediately got ready for service. Everyone became
anxious that a start southward should be made. The Chinamen were
informed of what was about to take place, and they made no objection.
On the morning of the contemplated departure, however, a change of
weather set in, and within a few hours a tremendous gale and high sea
were sweeping directly into the bay. Captain Thorne immediately gave
orders for the boats to be hauled above high-water mark; but,
although the two smaller ones were quickly unloaded and saved, the
heavy long-boat was not so easily handled.
'All hands on deck!' the skipper shouted, through blinding rain,
stinging spume, and screaming wind, 'Save the stores!'
So heavy was the surf on the beach that scarcely anything in the big
boat was secured, and she was finally tossed ashore in a hopelessly
shattered condition.
All the tents were blown down. Much of the stores there deposited
were also carried away into the woods, and the Chinamen became so
frightened that all of them disappeared, and were subsequently
discovered two miles inland.
The storm increased with such rapidity that in spite of their most
active efforts many men were blown off their feet. The immense waves
presently caught and broke up the quarter-boats, and the beach was
strewn with wreckage.
For some hours the outlook remained so thick that nothing of the
'Alert' could be seen; but some of her spars were noticed coming
ashore.
As nothing more could be done along the beach Captain Thorne turned
his attention toward saving as much of the tent gear as was possible,
and most of it was secured.
Toward the evening the storm abated, and a sudden clearance of the
atmosphere was immediately followed by the general cry, 'The barque's
gone!' Of her not a trace, save the shattered wreckage ebbing and
flowing with every 'send' of the high sea, remained, and all hands
perceived that no hope of leaving the island by their own efforts was
possible.
'Well, we're in God's hands!' the captain said. 'Had we left here
and been caught outside in the storm, none could have lived two
hours. Let us be thankful for that mercy.'
So rapidly did the wind fall that before sundown two tents were
rigged up amongst the trees near the beach, a fire was lighted, a
kettle was found, and filled with water taken from a cask which the
gale could only shift a few yards, and all hands settled down for the
night.
Next morning not a trace of the late trouble appeared. Indeed, the
sun shone with increased brilliancy, and the clearness of the
atmosphere was wonderful.
A good fire soon had the kettle steaming cheerily for breakfast,
while, 'smiling all over their pigtail faces,' as Readyman said, two
of the missing Chinamen strolled into camp seeking food.
'What you do with pigee me give yesterday?' Mr. Statten inquired.
'S'pose you go catchee him.'
'Win' allee same blow him San Francisco,' the man replied. 'Him no
good. Wanchee too muchee chow-chow. Savvee?'
Captain Thorne laughed very heartily. 'They can't have enjoyed that
old boar,' he said. 'Give them some bread, steward.'
The fellows went off smiling more serenely than ever, and the
remainder of their companions soon trotted in for further supplies.
'See here, Sennit,' the old man observed, 'when on my tramp we saw
several apparently cultivated patches of ground. There may be things
there worth having, as the owners did not turn up. These Chinamen
cause me much anxiety. I must land them in California.'
'I'll take a couple of hands and try to cross the island,' the mate
replied. 'There's no time to lose.'
Three of the hands, with Readyman and Jack Clewlin, immediately
volunteered for service. Each of them was supplied with a rifle and
ammunition and rations sufficient for three days. Headed by the
mate, all set off on the expedition, and good progress was made.
They followed the old track, and soon perceived that some easier
route than that precipitous descent into the opposite valley must be
found, as otherwise they would lose much valuable time in getting the
crops up the rocks and into camp.
'We must separate and find another path,' the mate said. 'Should any
of you discover one, fire your rifle.'
'Ay, ay, sir.'
Jack and Readyman went off together. They had some difficulty in
forcing a passage through the thick undergrowth, and the
quarter-master presently declared that no road in that direction
would be found. 'I thought the pigs might have given us a clue,
lad,' he said; 'but they have never strolled up here.'
Just then Jack, who was in advance, suddenly reached a sharp bend of
the ridge, and emerged on a good clearance. From there the ground
began to fall away gently toward the valley, and in an instant his
eye caught slight of a pig-track.
'Then we've been the first to make a discovery!' Readyman exclaimed.
He immediately discharged his rifle, and the other men speedily
arrived. The track was followed, and, after about a mile of steady
tramping in single file, all hands walked straight into the midst of
several rudely constructed huts that stood at the foot of a great
tree; but no natives could be seen.
'They've only just cleared out,' Readyman said. 'Look! The fires
are still alight.'
'Keep quiet,' Mr. Sennit whispered. 'The unfortunate people probably
mistake us for "blackbirders." Captain Thorne's suggestion was
correct. The place has been raided by scoundrels who carry off the
men for trade.'
Close by a large patch of ground was well cultivated, and many large
pumpkins, yams, and sweet potatoes were flourishing. Suddenly Jack
saw a woman approaching, and held up his arms, as a sign that nothing
need be feared. Then many other females, some of them accompanied by
children, approached the huts; but not one man appeared. By that
time the white party had hidden their weapons away, and as the mate
made friendly signs the women slowly returned to their homes.
Much chattering among the half-frightened, half friendly-disposed
women ensued; but in a wonderful manner Mr. Sennit explained the real
nature of his visit, and how his vessel had been wrecked on the
island.
Considerable satisfaction was immediately apparent among the people,
and without hesitation they led him toward another and until then
unseen patch of cultivated ground, which they signified he could make
use of.
With deep lamentations they also indicated that quite recently a
small vessel had arrived on the coast, and after some friendly
palaver suddenly seized all the men, and with them left the island.
Indeed, it soon became clear that such practices had been common of
late, and that in that way the beautiful spot had been denuded of all
its able-bodied inhabitants.
A good stock of vegetables was secured for the camp; but when the
white men attempted to load themselves up for the return journey the
women immediately volunteered their services, and dividing the loads
into somewhat smaller quantities set out to guide the visitors home.
Their route differed considerably from that taken by the mate; for a
while it seemed as though the party were pursuing a circuitous road,
but on being assured that all was correct the mate ceased his advice,
and in the end he was conducted straight back to camp in much less
time than could have been deemed possible.
'Well, well, Sennit,' the old man sang out, 'you've been making hay
while the sun shone, and no mistake.'
'Hay, sir!' the mate cried, 'it's good pumpkin, yams, and sweet
spuds, this time. There is any amount of fruit as well, but I didn't
like to be too greedy first time of asking.'
'Where did you find the women?'
'Quite by accident. All their men-folk have been carried off by some
ruffianly "black-birders."'
The women feared only the Chinamen; and when returning home each was
given a couple of biscuits.
On the following day several women returned with quantities of
excellent vegetables and fruit, for which they eagerly accepted ship
bread; and as the meat supply in camp was running short Captain
Thorne signified his needs of more.
The women immediately offered to become guides for a shooting party,
and under their directions Mr. Sennit and five hands set off on the
trail.
The accurate knowledge of the animals' habits possessed by the
natives proved highly advantageous, and the expedition was also
fruitful of results.
On reaching a certain spot about four miles from the camp, all the
white men were advised to remain in hiding, and keep a good lookout.
Then the women disappeared.
An hour of inactivity ensued. Then suddenly a faint rustling among
the scrub along the pig-track ahead was speedily followed by the
appearance of many small and grunting animals in rapid movement, In
fact, the entire track seemed to become filled with them, and the
sportsmen grew excited.
As the pigs dashed forward rifles snapped out their missiles, and
every shot went home.
Six fat porkers fell to the guns, and three more were killed by
revolver fire. The beaters soon appeared, and as their share of the
day's sport three pigs were handed over, while with the remaining
spoils slung over their weapons the men returned home. A great feast
was enjoyed by all hands that evening, and the Chinamen seemed
perfectly contented with the new life, and by no means anxious to
reach San Francisco.
However, during the next forenoon three frightened-looking and
extremely agitated women hastened into camp, and by rapid signs
informed the captain that the vessel had returned to the island in
search of more male natives.
'Arm yourselves, all hands,' he promptly sang out. 'We shall
endeavour to protect these poor people. If I can only put my hands
on the scoundrels, they'll not soon forget it.'
He then told the women that they need fear nothing, and that as long
as he remained on the spot they should have his assistance.
The party soon reached the opposite side of the island, and in a
sheltered little bay found the vessel, a schooner of fifty tons, at
anchor. None of her crew had as yet landed. The old man hastily
laid a trap for their arrest, and then awaited events.
It was not long before a boat full of cowardly foreigners came on
shore, and with revolvers concealed in their clothing began to
separate, in quest of some new spot likely to prove successful for
their purpose. By the directions of Captain Thorne some of the women
now began to show themselves, and the landing party immediately
followed them.
The moment the ruffians had got well in-shore the skipper and his men
surrounded them. A few shots proved so effectual that within half an
hour the entire gang were made prisoners and disarmed. The schooner
was also taken, and, to the intense astonishment and delight of the
women, she was found to be almost filled with their sons, husbands,
or brothers, captured only a few weeks previously.
All the unhappy men were promptly put on shore, and the schooner made
sail for Camp Bay, where the 'Alert' had been wrecked; and before
sundown she anchored there. The prisoners were landed, and thus
another day of adventure on the island closed.
First thing next morning the carpenter set to work fitting up a stout
partition in the schooner's hold, so that the Chinamen might be kept
apart from the 'black-birders'; and on its completion the latter were
again placed on board.
Meanwhile, all hands had been busily collecting stores for shipment,
water from a good spring was filled into every available cask, a
fresh stock of pork was killed, and, to mark their sense of
gratitude, the islanders presented an enormous stock of vegetables
and fruit.
At length the schooner set all her canvas, and amidst the regrets of
the natives left Camp Bay.