MAKING A RAFT--AFLOAT ON IT--THE GRIEF AT HOME--CAPTAIN RYMER'S
APPOINTMENT--THE VOYAGE.
That raging sea, which it appeared at first would prove the destruction
of those on board the brig, was in reality the means of their
preservation. Just as the boys got their heads above the companion
hatch, another whole broadside was let fly, and though many of the shots
passed over the ship, two or three struck her between wind and water.
Had the sea been calmer, many more probably would have found their way
through her sides, and she must instantly have gone to the bottom. Such
was the fate the boys, not without good reason, now anticipated for her.
Another broadside would prove sufficient.
"Had we not better show ourselves, and ask to be taken on board?" said
David.
"What, boys, and be murdered!" cried the old man from below. "Stick to
the ship, and don't trust those villains. There's One who will take
care of you if you put faith in Him."
"Old Jefferies is right. Let us die rather than go on board the
pirate," said Harry.
Once more they climbed up the companion ladder, from which they had
jumped down at the last broadside. They watched the schooner. She had
tacked, as if about to run down close to them, and deliver another
broadside. Seeing this, they were prepared to leap back into the cabin,
when suddenly she hauled her tacks aboard, and stood directly away from
them. Did her crew believe that the shots they had fired would speedily
effect their supposed purpose, and take the brig to the bottom, or were
they only firing for practice? As soon as the schooner had got a little
distance off, the boys jumped on deck and hurried to the pump. Harry
first sounded the well. His face grew very serious.
"David," he said, "the water has gained fearfully on us. The shot-holes
must be letting in the water fast, and I do not think that the brig can
float another hour--perhaps not ten minutes."
"What are we to do, then?" asked David.
"Build a raft," answered Harry. "There are plenty of spars. I saw some
carpenter's tools and large nails in the cabin, and we may break off the
hatches. They will help us. We must be sharp about it, though."
Of this there could be no doubt. That they might give the old fisherman
a better chance of saving his life, they agreed to get him up first. By
taking an abundance of food and rest, he had greatly recovered his
strength, and was now able to do as they proposed.
"If I cannot work, I may give you my advice," he observed. "I have more
than once had to trust to a raft for my life."
The cat followed them on deck. The old man shook his head when he saw
her.
"She knows that the cabin is no longer a safe place for her, and that
she will be better off up here," he said, as the boys placed him on a
heavy coil of rope near the mainmast. The ship was happily more quiet
than she had before been, and the boys, having collected all the spars
and planks they could find, as well as some chairs and a table from the
cabin, commenced, under old Jefferies' directions, to form the proposed
raft. They worked away with all their might, knowing well that a few
minutes' delay would be fatal. A large raft was not required, as it had
to support only three persons and their provisions. The great thing was
to make it strong enough. They brought up all the small rope they could
find and lashed the stoutest of the spars together, so as to form an
oblong framework, with a centre spar as a keel. They further secured
them with large nails. Then they placed planks and smaller spars across
this, with the table, top downwards, and the chairs on their backs,
secured to it. They managed to wrench off two of the cabin doors, and
these, nailed down and lashed across the raft, raised the deck and
increased its strength. Besides the chairs, there were some strong
stools in the cabin. These they nailed down at each corner, and secured
them also by lashings, with their legs up. They then passed ropes round
the legs, thus forming a sort of bulwark that might save them from being
washed off the raft. They had still much to do after this before the
raft would be complete. They wanted a couple of chests in which to keep
their provisions, a cask for water, a mast and sails, and oars, and
blankets to keep them warm at night. They had been some time at work,
and the water was already over the cabin floor. Any attempt to save the
vessel was now hopeless. Harry, happening to look up, saw what, had he
been on the watch, he would have observed long before, a large ship,
under a press of sail, at no great distance. Was the wreck seen by
those on board? If so, their prospect of escape was greatly improved.
They hoped that they were seen, for although they were thankful that
they had had time to form a raft, they knew well that at best it was a
perilous means of support, that it might be upset or dashed to pieces,
or that they might float about on it unseen till all their provisions
and water were exhausted, and then die of starvation and thirst. They
earnestly hoped, therefore, that they might be seen from the passing
ship. They had reserved a short spar as a mast for the raft. To this
they fastened a flag, and secured it to the mainmast. So occupied were
they, indeed, in watching the stranger, that for a few minutes they
forgot to go on with their raft, till recalled by old Jefferies to
continue the important work. They had now to search for some chests.
They had seen several in the fore peak. It was with a degree of awe,
perhaps not altogether free from fear, that they again went to where the
dead seaman lay. They quickly cut two chests clear of the lashings
which secured them, and were emptying them of their contents, when they
came upon a box or case, the size of an ordinary writing-case. It was
of foreign manufacture, and secured with strong brass bands. When
taking it out with other things, Harry heard a sound like the chink of
money within. He shook it. There was no doubt about the matter.
"We'll keep it. It may be useful, and it is our lawful prize," he
observed, as he put it back into the chest. Fastening ropes to the
handles of the chests, they were soon hauled on deck, and secured to the
raft. Now came the important work of provisioning their ark of safety.
They had already got on deck some biscuits, and salt beef and pork
uncooked. They again descended for more articles which they had seen,
and which, together with some blankets, they brought up. Once more they
went below, and even during the short time they had been on deck, they
observed that the water had considerably risen. Still they were
persevering in their search for more provisions, when old Jefferies'
voice summoned them hastily on deck.
"She is going down!--she is going down!" he shouted.
They rushed up, and had just time to drag him on to the raft, and to
seize the oars and spars they had got ready, when the vessel's bow rose,
and her stern gradually sank, till she glided away towards the bottom,
literally from beneath their feet. Just before this the cat, who seemed
determined to stick to the vessel to the last, made a spring on to the
raft, where she stood trembling with fear and astonishment at the
disappearance of her home. As soon as the water reached the raft, by
means of the poles they shoved off from the wreck, and then pulled away
with all their might, so as completely to clear her. The raft rocked
violently, and, in spite of all their efforts, seemed dragged towards
the vortex formed by the sinking vessel. In another instant the brig
was no longer to be seen, and her secret, whatever it was, was buried
with her. They looked anxiously around. The ship was standing in the
direction the schooner had gone. They floated alone on that wild,
stormy waste of waters. The old man had been placed in the middle of
the raft, while the boys took their places on either side of him,
endeavouring with the oars to keep the raft before the seas. Among
other things placed on it were some carpenter's tools, spars, blankets,
and a good supply of rope. They had thus the means of rigging a mast.
They did this by nailing boards between the two front legs of the table,
and lashing the mast to the middle of the boards, while they carried
stays forward and on either side. The wind was so much warmer, that
they supposed it must have shifted to the west, though the thick clouds
which still shrouded the sky prevented them from finding out the points
of the compass. By Jefferies' advice, they continued making the
arrangements which have been described, though they still hoped they
might be seen from the passing ship, which Harry declared to be the
frigate to which he belonged--the _Ariadne_. At last, however, they had
to abandon this hope, as the frigate continued her course, in chase,
apparently, of the mysterious schooner. Unless seen by some other
vessel, Harry and David felt that they must now, humanly speaking,
depend on their own exertions for reaching the shore. Harry rigged a
mast; they next fitted a sail, and with no small satisfaction hoisted
it. By fixing an oar so as to act as a rudder astern, the raft, as soon
as the sail was hoisted, behaved remarkably well, and glided over the
seas with considerable ease and rapidity. Their spirits rose again, for
they fully believed that they should in two or three days reach either
the English or the Irish coast. They had no idea how far to the
westward they had been driven. By degrees the sea went down, which was
very pleasant, but so also did the wind, till it became a perfect calm.
An end was thus put to their hopes of soon reaching the land. However,
they were far more comfortable than they had been for some time. The
afternoon sun shone out brightly, and dried their clothes; and they had
plenty to eat--biscuits, and cooked meat, and cheese and butter, and
figs and raisins, and several other fruits, and some bottles of wine, of
which they wisely partook very sparingly. It, however, did the old man
much good, and he appeared to have recovered both his strength and
spirits. Although well off in many respects, they had, however, a
scarcity of one article, without which they could not hope to prolong
existence. That was water. They could only secure one small cask, and
they saw, therefore, that they must husband the precious liquid with the
greatest care.
They now floated tranquilly on the calm waters, and though they would
far rather have been sailing northward, they were thus enabled to
strengthen the raft, and to prepare for it encountering any more rough
weather which might come on. They had made old Jefferies as comfortable
as they could in the centre of the raft, and they soon had the satis
faction of finding that he had fallen asleep. Having accomplished all
that could be done, they began to chat away as composedly as if nothing
very particular had occurred. They went on, indeed, almost with the
conversation which had been interrupted when they discovered that the
rock on which they were sitting was surrounded by water. Strange to
say, Harry expressed no wish or intention of leaving the profession he
had embraced should they reach the shore, while David was as determined
as ever to enter it should he be able to obtain his father's leave. No
wonder, when the long list of glorious victories won by the British navy
was fresh in the memory of the nation, and naval officers in all social
circles were looked upon and courted as heroes. At length old Jefferies
awoke.
"Now, boys, you must take your rest," he said. "You have watched for
me, and now I'll watch for you. It won't do for us all to nap together,
and if I see any change I'll call you. Never fear, puss and I will look
after the ship."
The boys did not require a second bidding, but stretching themselves
inside the legs of the upturned table, were soon fast asleep.
We must now return for a short time to their friends on shore. Poor
Mrs Merryweather was almost broken-hearted on being at length compelled
to give up all hopes of ever again seeing her gallant son, and on being
able to account in no other way for his and his friend's disappearance
than that they had fallen over a cliff, or been washed away by the sea.
She knew where to go for comfort and consolation; and her chief
satisfaction, when she heard that old Mrs Jefferies had lost her
husband and grandson on the same night, was to show her whence she could
derive the same consolation she herself had found. It was a sore trial
to the poor old woman. Mr and Mrs Morton also did their best to
comfort her; indeed, had it not been for them she would have been
compelled to resort to the workhouse for support. They sympathised with
the old woman, not because they were aware of the service her husband
had rendered those dear to them, but because, as they supposed, a like
calamity had overtaken her and themselves at the same time. Still Mr
Morton did not cease for a long time to have search made for them, till
at length he was with a sad heart compelled to give it up in despair.
Captain Rymer sympathised heartily with his neighbour's misfortune, and
pretty little Mary shed many a tear for the loss of her two friends.
Several months passed by, and still no news came of the lost ones. With
great reluctance the two families at length went into mourning. It was
a sad day, for it was an acknowledgment that hope was given up, and that
the two dear lads were no longer among the living.
One morning Captain Rymer and his family were seated at breakfast; Mrs
Rymer had just poured out a cup of tea, and Mary had handed it to him
with a slice of toast which she had carefully buttered, when the
post-bag was brought into the room. He opened it, and drew forth a long
official-looking envelope.
"No other letter?" asked his wife.
"No, not one; and this is probably of no great importance either," he
answered, placing it by his side, and beginning to eat the toast Mary
had just given him. Captain Rymer had been actively engaged during the
whole of the late war in many dangerous and arduous services, and, like
other officers, felt somewhat aggrieved that his services had not been
fully recognised. He had frequently applied for some civil appointment,
but his requests had not been attended to, and the only results were
polite answers, couched in the same official language, stating that his
merits would be duly considered. At last he made up his mind that he
was to be laid on the shelf, and that he should never get anything.
However, when he had finished his toast, he opened the letter.
"This is indeed what I little expected," he exclaimed. "I am appointed
as Lieutenant-Governor of Saint -- in the West Indies. It is one of the
most healthy of the islands. I have often been there; indeed, it is in
consequence of my knowledge of the inhabitants that I have been
selected; and you will all be able to accompany me."
This information, as may be supposed, caused a great deal of excitement
in the family. As Captain Rymer was ordered to proceed at once, there
was no time to be lost in making the necessary preparations. Their
friends called to congratulate, and at the same time to express their
regret at losing them. The Mortons, and poor Mrs Merryweather, would
certainly miss them more than anybody else. Mary could not help looking
forward with pleasure to the interesting places she would probably
visit, and the new style of life she would have to lead; though she was
very sorry to leave so many kind friends, and the attached servants, who
could not accompany them. In those days outfits were not to be
procured, nor other arrangements made, so rapidly as at present, and
Captain Rymer found it impossible to be ready to sail in the ship
appointed to carry him out. He had, therefore, to take his passage in a
West India trader, to sail a few weeks later. The _Betsy_ was a fine
large ship, carrying guns, to enable her to defend herself against the
pirates and small privateers, often no better, which at that time
infested the Caribbean Sea, and especially on the Spanish main and round
the coast of Cuba. The cabins of the _Betsy_, on board which many
wealthy West India planters frequently came backwards and forwards, were
for their accommodation fitted up in a style of luxury seldom found on
board merchantmen in general. The _Betsy_ put into Falmouth to take the
family and their baggage on board. She then had to remain till joined
by several other West India ships. Everything was then made ready for
sailing, and a bright look-out was kept for another fleet, bound in the
same direction, coming down channel under convoy of two men-of-war.
They were at length descried, and the ships in Falmouth harbour
immediately got under weigh, and stood out to join them. At that time,
although most of the men-of-war carrying the flag of England's enemies
had been swept from the seas, a large number of their privateers still
remained to annoy and often injure her commerce. It was therefore not
considered safe for merchantmen to sail without the protection of one or
more men-of-war. Mary was delighted with the appearance of the cabins,
so luxurious compared to what she had expected; and she was still more
pleased when, on going on deck, she observed a large fleet of stately
ships with which she was surrounded. The water was calm, the sky clear,
and the sun shone brightly on the pyramids of white canvas towering up
from the black, shining, freshly painted hulls which floated on the blue
ocean in all directions. On the outskirts were the still more stately
men-of-war, their bright-coloured signal flags continually moving up and
down, while they occasionally fired a gun either on one side or the
other, in rather a difficult attempt to keep their somewhat refractory
charges on their proper course. Mary, after watching the manoeuvres of
the men-of-war and the fleet of merchant vessels for some time,
exclaimed--
"Why, papa, they put me in mind of a herd of cattle driven through the
country, the drovers running here and there, shouting loudly, and
sending their sharp barking dogs now to one side, now to the other, to
keep them together."
"Not a bad idea, Mary," answered Captain Rymer. "But should thick
weather come on, or a heavy gale spring up, the work will be much more
difficult. Sometimes a whole herd, as you would call them, is
scattered, and lions or wolves occasionally pounce down on the weakest,
and carry them off."
"I hope that will not be our fate, papa," said Mary, timidly.
"No fear of that, dearest. I am sorry that I should have put such a
notion into your head," answered Captain Rymer. "The _Betsy_ is a
well-found ship, well manned and well armed, and Captain Bolton has the
character of being a first-rate seaman, so that we have every reason for
expecting to arrive in safety at our destination."
"Oh, I am not at all afraid," said Mary. "Besides, you know, papa, we
can pray to be protected; and what a comfort it is, and how brave it
should make us, to know that God hears our prayers, and will grant them
whenever He sees that to do so is best for us!"
What a support in daily life, what a consolation to the voyager over the
stormy ocean, is a firm confidence in that glorious truth!