ON A REEF--FATE OF THE FRENCH CREW--THE ISLAND--THE SHIPWRECKED PEOPLE--
THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT L'HIRONDELLE.
It is scarcely necessary to relate that Captain Rymer was on his way, on
board the _Cerberus_, West Indian merchantman, to take the command to
which he had been appointed when he was captured by the privateer. He
had been too much accustomed to the ups and downs of a sailor's life to
be disheartened at what had occurred, though it was a great trial it
must be owned. He had cause also to be grateful that he and his
companions had not received that ill-usage to which passengers were too
often subjected when their vessel was taken by a privateer. It might
have been very different had the French captain himself remained on
board. He had now, however, great cause for apprehension, in
consequence of the increasing violence of the hurricane. The
_Cerberus_, he knew, was a stout, strong-built ship, but many a stout
ship had gone down in a West Indian hurricane; not long before, several
line-of-battle ships with all their gallant crews had been lost. Things
on deck looked as bad as they well could do. He was a Christian man,
and put his trust in One who is all-able to save. Thus he could impart
hope and confidence to his companions. Hitherto the ship had not sprung
a leak, and, as far as he could judge, they were at some distance from
any land. The French had, however, become alarmed. Some, like true
men, stayed at their posts on deck, but the greater number had gone
below and stowed themselves away in the berths. A few had endeavoured
to break open the spirit-room, but the French officers, suspecting their
intentions, had been in time to prevent them, and threatened to shoot
the first man, whether Frenchman or Englishman, who would again make the
attempt. Order was thus kept on board. No human power was longer of
any avail in guiding the ship. The hatches were battened down in time
to prevent the seas, which now began to break on board, from washing
below. On she drove before the hurricane. The caboose and spars were
first washed away; then two of the quarter-boats shared the same fate.
The seas were making a clean sweep over the decks; still on she drove.
Now part of the bulwarks were knocked to pieces, and it seemed that in a
short time everything on deck would follow; still the masts stood and
the ship floated. There was hope, but it grew fainter and fainter; even
the stoutest hearts had cause to fear. Several fearful hours followed.
The hurricane howled more loudly and fiercely around the ship, and the
raging seas seemed to have gained her as their prey.
"Do you really think she will live through it?" asked David of Harry.
"Yes, I do think so; we've gone through so many dangers, that I can't
fancy that we're to be lost at last," was Harry's reply.
Another and another hour passed away. "Surely the hurricane must come
to an end at last," said David. "Did you ever know one last so long,
Captain Rymer?" he inquired.
"They seldom last more than twelve or fifteen hours, and this gives me
hope that we shall escape," answered their friend. "I see a gleam of
daylight coming through a scuttle. Depend upon it, before long the wind
will begin to fall."
While they were speaking loud cries arose from those on deck. "Breakers
ahead!" shouted the English crew. Directly afterwards there was a
fearful crash.
"We're cast upon a reef!" exclaimed Harry; "perhaps, after all, our last
day is come."
Captain Rymer set an example of coolness to his companions. "Remain
together," he said to Mary and the other ladies, "I will go on deck and
ascertain the state of affairs, and return for you, if there is a
prospect of your reaching the shore. We are in God's hands, and though
we may be unable to help ourselves, let us feel that He will care for
us."
While he was thus speaking, the ship seemed to be lifted by the seas,
and then down she came again with another crash. Just as Captain Rymer
reached the deck, followed by David and Harry, the masts were seen to go
by the board; the ship had struck upon a reef, over which the sea was
driving her, and inside of it the waters seemed comparatively calm.
"Why, men," shouted Captain Rymer to the crew, "I believe if we remain
by the ship we shall all be able to gain the shore in safety." The
Frenchmen, however, did not understand him, and were engaged in
launching the remaining boats. He felt sure that in the raging seas
which surrounded the ship no boats would live.
"Whatever happens, we will remain on board," he said to Harry and David.
"The ship I know is strong, and will hold together till the storm is
abated. Those who attempt to embark now will, I fear, lose their
lives."
In vain he urged the Frenchmen to remain. The English captain alone,
with one of his officers, agreed that he was right. The boats were
lowered and the infatuated men leaped into them. Pierre Lamont had
courageously remained on deck during the hurricane, but he now seemed
inclined to follow his countrymen into the boats. Harry and David saw
him, and shouted to him not to go. Hearing them he turned back, but one
of the Frenchmen seized him by the arms, and before he could disengage
himself, had dragged him into the boat. Scarcely, however, had the
boats shoved off, crowded with human beings, than first one, then the
other, was capsized, and all were thrown into the water. In vain the
shrieking wretches attempted to regain the ship; some clung to the
boats; a few who could swim struggled for some time amid the foaming
waves. Captain Rymer had before this gone below, but Captain Williams
and those who remained on deck, got ropes ready to throw to any who
might be washed near the ship. None were so fortunate, and one by one
they were carried far away, and disappeared amid the foaming breakers.
"Is there not one who can be saved?" exclaimed David, who had stood
watching the scene with horror.
"Yes, yes, I see one clinging to the wreck of our masts," answered
Harry; "I must go and try to rescue him. I do believe that it is
Pierre!"
"Oh, let me go then," said David; "I can swim better than you, you
know."
"This is a case for scrambling rather than for swimming," answered
Harry; "I'll fasten a rope round my waist, and we'll have him quickly on
board."
Harry, before David could offer another objection, did as he proposed.
It was an undertaking, however, of the greatest danger, and the utmost
activity and vigilance could alone have saved him from being struck by
the broken spars which were dashed here and there by the seas.
At length Harry reached the object of his search. Pierre looked up at
him eagerly. "Oh, save me, save me! I cannot hold on longer," he
exclaimed.
Harry sprang forward and grasped the French boy by the collar just as
his hands relaxed their hold. He dragged him up on the mast. To return
with him was even more difficult than the first part of the undertaking.
Undaunted, however, Harry persevered, and, though more than once almost
losing his footing, succeeded at length in bringing young Pierre on
board. "Brave garcon!" exclaimed Jacques, as he helped him up; "oh, I
would die for you! I will be ever your friend."
Except the lieutenant in command, and honest Jacques Rossillion, no
Frenchman remained on board, and the ship was once more, therefore, in
possession of the English. Scarcely had this fearful catastrophe
occurred than the weather gave evident signs of improving. Captain
Williams, the English commander, accompanied by Captain Rymer, went
round the ship below and brought back a satisfactory report that she
appeared to have suffered very little damage by the blows she had
received. The shore was, however, not particularly inviting; a few
groups of cocoa-nut trees and other tropical plants were alone to be
seen. It was an island scarcely more than two miles in circumference,
one of those spots known as keys in the West Indies; still, should the
ship break up, it would afford them shelter, and they could not help
longing to be able to reach the beach. As the boats and all had been
lost, this could not be done till a raft had been built. The gentlemen
immediately set about constructing one. As the spars had all been
washed away, it was necessary first to get those which floated alongside
from the rigging. There were planks also below; these were got up, with
all the empty casks which could be collected. By knocking away some of
the bulwarks, and by bringing on deck a few of the seamen's chests, they
soon had materials for constructing a raft large enough for carrying the
whole party. All hands worked with a will. The French lieutenant was
very active, and seemed in no way put out by having the tables so
completely turned upon him. He was probably grateful, as he ought to
have been, for having escaped with his life. By the time the raft was
finished, the sea had so completely gone down that there was little
difficulty in launching it. The bulwarks having been already completely
washed away, all that was necessary was to let it slip quietly
overboard. Its constructors gave a cheer as they saw it floating calmly
alongside; they had still, however, to rig the mast and sail, as well as
to fit some oars to guide it towards the shore.
When this was done, the captains invited all the passengers up on deck.
It was agreed that it would be safer to convey only half at a time.
Harry and David begged that they might accompany Captain Rymer and Mary.
Captain Rymer agreed to let Captain Williams conduct the first party,
saying that he should be content to remain on board till the return of
the raft. Before the raft left the side, a supply of provisions were
lowered down upon it; and, with the prayers of those who remained on
board for its safe voyage, the raft shoved off from the side of the
ship. Its progress was slow, for there was very little wind, and there
seemed to be a current sweeping round the island which took it out of
its direct course. At length, however, it reached the beach, and those
on it leaped out and ran eagerly up on to the dry land. The men had,
however, to return for the provisions, which were landed in safety.
Then Captain Williams, and two seamen who accompanied him, had to return
to the ship; they were a considerable time, and it seemed doubtful
indeed, in consequence of the current which had to be encountered,
whether they would regain her. They succeeded, however, at last.
Captain Rymer, with those who had remained on board, had employed their
time in getting up provisions, and their first care was to load her with
as large a supply as she could safely carry; this done, the remainder of
those on board now made for the shore, which by some exertion they
safely reached. The first care of the shipwrecked party on reaching the
shore was to send out some of their number in search for water. Captain
Rymer had brought some from the wreck, but this was only sufficient to
last for a short time, and their lives might depend upon their obtaining
a supply. Only those who have felt the want of water know how to
appreciate its value. Others, in the meantime, employed themselves in
getting up a tent for the ladies; for which purpose they had brought
some spare sails and ropes. In a short time the party which had gone
out in search of water returned with the report that none was to be
found. This rendered it important to economise their slender store, and
to procure a future supply from the ship as soon as possible.
All this time no one seemed to have thought of the French privateer.
She had not been seen since the commencement of the hurricane, from
which, if she had escaped, it was too probable she would come and look
for her prize. This was a source of anxiety to Captain Rymer, for,
though of course anxious to escape from their present position, he had
no wish at all to fall again into the hands of the French.
The men of the party found ample occupation for the rest of the day, in
putting up shelter for themselves, for hot as is the climate of the West
Indies, it is dangerous to sleep exposed to the night dews.
Pierre seemed anxious to make himself useful, and begged that he might
be allowed to attend on the ladies. Jacques offered to undertake the
office of cook, the duties of which he was far better able to perform
than any of the English. The French lieutenant seemed the most
cast-down of any of the party. He sat by himself not speaking to any
one, and with an air of discontent, put away the food which was brought
to him.
"The poor lieutenant mourns and seems very unhappy," said David to
Pierre.
"Yes," answered Pierre, "he is often thus morose when anything annoys
him; the poor man has no religion."
"Is he not a Roman Catholic?" asked David.
"Oh, no; a large number of my countrymen threw off all religion at the
Revolution, and many, like him, have not taken to any since. He, I am
afraid, does not believe in God, or in any future state, but that when
he dies he will become just like a dog or a pig; so, you see, he has no
hope, and nothing to keep him up."
"But what are you, Pierre? are you not a Roman Catholic?" asked David.
"Oh, no, I am a Protestant," answered Pierre; "there are a great many
Protestants in France, and though some few at the Revolution became
infidels, by far the greater number remained firm to the true faith."
"I didn't know there were any Protestants in France," said Harry, who,
like many boys at that time, fancied that the English were the only
Protestant people in Europe.
"Oh, yes, there are a great number who are known as Huguenots, and who
fought bravely for the Protestant faith," said Pierre. "My father was
of a Huguenot family, and many of his ancestors lost their lives for the
love they bore the Bible."
"Ah! that was a noble cause to die for," remarked David. "How sad to
think that people should reject the truths it contains."
This conversation took place as the boys were sitting together in front
of the tent. Darkness now came rapidly on, but from the look of the
weather there seemed every prospect of their having the blessing of a
quiet night. The sea had gone completely down, and the moon shone forth
over the calm waters, the light just falling upon the spot where the
wreck lay, so that any object could be seen approaching it. Captain
Rymer and Captain Williams agreed, however to keep watch for the
protection of their charges. Three English seamen, with the mate,
wisely remained by their captain. There were, besides Captain Rymer,
four gentlemen passengers, West Indian planters, going out to their
property. They were not men of much individual character, evidently
more accustomed to look after their own creature comforts than to
trouble them selves about their fellow-beings. There was one subject in
which they were all agreed, that the emancipation of the negroes would
ruin them, and all persons concerned. It was a doubtful matter whether
negroes had souls, and that to attempt to educate them was a work of the
greatest folly. In this matter Captain Rymer did not agree with them,
and the discussion of the subject afforded them abundant supply of
conversation at all times.
The night passed quietly away. As soon as it was dawn, Captain Rymer
urged Captain Williams to return at once to the wreck, and bring on
shore a further supply of provisions and water.
"We cannot tell what may occur," he observed. "The hurricane season is
not yet over, and should another hurricane come on, and the vessel go to
pieces, we might be starved, and die for want of water."
The wisdom of this advice was so evident, that the raft was immediately
despatched, under the captain's charge, to bring off the cargo. In a
short time it returned, and a message was delivered from the captain,
that he thought it would be wiser to build another raft, in order more
rapidly to get the stores on shore. This work occupied the men the
whole of the day. Jacques alone remained on shore to cook the
provisions, with the help of Pierre, while David and Harry begged that
they might be allowed to go off to the wreck, where they thought that
they could make themselves useful.
"I vote that we make a small raft for ourselves," said Harry; "and I
think that we can paddle her backwards and forwards several times, while
the big raft is only making one voyage."
With the experience they had already attained, they soon carried their
plan into execution, and in a short time conveyed a considerable
quantity of the stores on shore. During their last trip, however, Harry
observed close alongside the raft a black fin, and a wicked pair of eyes
glancing up at him.
"There's a brute of a shark," he exclaimed; "he thinks he's going to get
a meal off one of us, I suspect."
Still they kept paddling on, and the shark did not attempt to come
nearer them. They were not sorry, however, when they reached the shore,
and Captain Rymer told them that he considered they had done enough for
the day. It must be owned it was far pleasanter to sit near Mary, and
listen to the account of all their friends at home. She did not tell
them how completely they had been given up, for she knew it would make
Harry especially melancholy to think of the sorrow his supposed loss had
caused his mother, nor did she tell him how very sorry she herself had
been. Indeed, she could say truly that many of their friends fully
expected that they would turn up at last.
"Doesn't this put you in mind of our picnic?" said Harry, looking up at
her, "though to be sure we are somewhat changed since then," looking
down on his tarred and dirty dress. "I really think the next time I go
on board the wreck I must try and find a new suit of clothes."
"You do look rather disreputable," said Mary, laughing, "for an officer
in His Majesty's service. Here comes Jacques with the dinner. Really
Jacques must be a first-rate cook, and we ought to be thankful that he
escaped."
None of the party seemed inclined to be out of spirits, except the
lieutenant, who sat as usual by himself, and refused to take the food
Pierre offered him. Had it even been otherwise, the good well-cooked
dinner provided by Jacques might have put them in good humour, while
there was no lack of wine, of which the West Indian planters had laid in
a good store. In the evening a further supply of provisions and water
was obtained from the wreck. The next day was wisely occupied in the
same way, till a sufficient supply of food was landed to last for a
couple of months or more. More than once it was discussed whether it
could be possible to get the wreck off, but it was agreed that without
more strength than they possessed it would be impossible, though, as far
as could be ascertained, she had suffered no material damage. Some of
the party thought they took a great deal of trouble for little purpose,
and that it would be more easy to get the stores on shore as they were
required.
"They will see the wisdom of what we have done should a hurricane come
on," said Captain Rymer, "and I am not at all sure, from the appearance
of the weather, that we shall escape one."
The next morning the heat was intense. The sun rose surrounded by a
mass of ruddy hue, but was hidden ere long in a thick canopy of cloud.
Not a breath of wind stirred the calm waters. In the distance a sail
was seen, which had approached the island during the night. Captain
Rymer had been watching her for some time through his glass. The French
lieutenant, on observing her, sprang to his feet, and eagerly asked the
captain to let him look through the glass.
"It is the _Hirondelle_!" he exclaimed. "Then she did not go down in
the last hurricane. My captain guessed rightly that the prize was cast
away on some island in this direction. He is a sagacious man."
"I wish his sagacity had not led him to discover us," said Captain
Rymer. "If he lands here he may after all succeed in getting off the
ship."
This announcement caused, as may be supposed, a considerable amount of
anxiety among those on the island. While they were watching, two boats
were seen to leave the schooner. Hitherto it had been so calm that a
feather held up would have fallen to the ground. Suddenly, however,
there came a low moaning sound, and the leaves of the palm trees began
to rustle strangely. In an instant afterwards the blast swept over the
island, snapping off the tops of many of the tallest trees. The tents
were blown down, and it was with difficulty that those on the island
could avoid being carried away. The sea, hitherto so calm, came dashing
in huge foaming billows against the weather side, and breaking over the
wreck with tremendous force, and it seemed scarcely possible that she
could resist the blows that she was receiving. Now one sea and now
another dashed against her, till she seemed to be completely covered
with a mass of foam. They looked out for the schooner, she was nowhere
to be seen. Either she had gone down, or had been driven far away by
the hurricane. The hurricane continued blowing without cessation; now
coming from one quarter, and now from another.
Evening was approaching, and an unusual darkness overspread the ocean.
It was fearful to contemplate what might be the fate of many of those
who floated on that stormy sea. It was impossible to put up any shelter
for the ladies, but Mary felt that she had her father to protect her,
who sat by her side, sheltering her as well as he could, aided by Harry
and David. Thus the night passed away, the whole party sitting grouped
together for mutual protection. "What could have become of the
schooner?" was a question often asked and answered. The morning broke
at length. The _Cerberus_ had disappeared, but still further off, at
the end of the reef, an object was seen. It was part of a wreck; there
were human beings clinging to it. "Whether Englishmen or Frenchman we
must endeavour to save them," said Captain Rymer.