"Now, let us go through our calculations again," the captain said
when they entered his cabin.
"How long will you be, Captain?" the first mate asked.
"Half an hour, Standing."
"Then I will come again or, if you want me before that, send for
me," and the first mate went out on deck again, for though well
skilled to handle a ship in all weathers, and as brave and hardy a
seaman as sailed out of Plymouth, James Standing could neither read
nor write; and though in a rough sort of way he could reckon the
course a ship should lie, and make allowance for leeway and
currents and baffling winds, and could bring a ship into any port
in England or the Low Countries, he was of no use in a matter of
this kind.
Pengarvan was a good scholar, and Reuben had taught him what he
knew of navigation, and always made him keep a log from the time
when he first became a mate; at first comparing their calculations
every day, and then but once a week; arguing over the allowances
each had made for tide and leeway; and sometimes finding to his
surprise, on arriving in port, that Pengarvan's calculations were
even nearer to the truth than his own.
This was a great satisfaction to him, for he felt that, if aught
should happen to himself when on a voyage, Pengarvan could be
trusted to bring the Swan home, as safely and surely as he could
himself. Roger had, for the last two years, been going through the
same schooling; but as yet he was very far from attaining accuracy,
being unwilling to make sufficient allowance for the great leeway
that a vessel, in those days, made with the wind abeam.
"Now, Pengarvan," Reuben said in great glee, "bring out your log
book. We have not compared notes since we started, for till we
expected to reach land there was no occasion to do so, as our
general course was clear enough. Now let us see where you put her.
"And you, too, Roger; let us see what hand you have made of it.
"I went through my calculations yesterday, and I am sure that there
is no mistake in the figures. If I am right, this is the island
that we see ahead, the one called Samona; while that we see dimly
away on the port hand is Mariguana. I don't see, by this map, any
land marked that could be that which we see on the starboard hand.
"Now, what do you make of it?"
"I put it more than a degree to the southeast, Captain; and believe
that the three islands we see are those marked as the Caicos: the
Great Caicos in the center, North and East on either hand."
"And you, Roger, what do you make of it?"
"According to my calculation, father, we ought to be full two
hundred miles from land, and heading straight for Abaco, the
northernmost of these islands."
The captain laughed, and even Pengarvan smiled.
"I fear, Roger, it would be hardly safe to leave the ship in your
hands, at present. You are some six hundred miles away from
Pengarvan's islands, and but seventy less from mine.
"Well, Pengarvan, whether you or I be right, we may congratulate
ourselves; for we have made a near cast, indeed, seeing that it is
eight weeks since we left England, and more than six since we
sailed out of sight of Madeira; and that we traversed a sea
altogether strange to us, and of whose currents we know nothing. We
are both right, to a day, in our reckoning of distance; and neither
of us need feel hurt, if the other turns out right, at finding
himself but sixty miles out, on a voyage of such length as this.
"I headed for this point because, as I said, we must steer clear of
the great islands; which are, as you know, wholly in the possession
of the Spaniards, who have dispossessed the inhabitants, and use
them as slaves for working the plantations and mines. As you see by
the chart, they have no posts in all these islands, running from
here northwest, nearly up to the mainland; except a small post at
San Salvador. Now we will coast up through these islands, till we
get within sight of Columbus Point, at the southerly end of San
Salvador; for that was the island, you know, that was first
discovered by him in '92. Then we will strike westward to Andros,
and after that shape her course due west. This will take us north
of the west end of Cuba, and well out of sight of land; but we must
be careful of our navigation, for as you see it is written here:
"'Small islands, innumerable, scattered among those marked here;
these being the principal. Many of these islands are low, and show
but little above the water. Sailing is very perilous, and not to be
attempted at night.'
"You see, in this course we shall have the advantage of being well
out of the ordinary line of passage of the Spaniards, who shape
their course more to the southward, make Porto Rico their first
landfall, and then have the two great islands, Hispaniola and Cuba,
lying straight before them; free, as it seems, by the chart, from
any dangers to navigation.
"Roger, from this evening we will compare our log books day by day,
so that you may learn where it is that you have gone wrong. But I
can guess how it is. The wind is blowing chiefly from the east, and
you will never make allowance enough for drift; and I have told you
over and over again that, with a light wind on our beam, we drive a
mile to leeward for every two we go on our course. There are many
ships which will drift nigh a mile for every mile they sail, in
light winds. When the wind is brisk, and we are going fast through
the water, then we drift but little, not more perhaps than one mile
to six or seven."
"But why is that, father? How is it that a light wind blows us away
sideways; and that a strong wind, instead of blowing us more, blows
us less?"
"That I cannot tell you, Roger. You must leave those questions for
wiser heads to settle. I only know that it is so--of that there is
no doubt at all; but why, I have not the least idea.
"How does it strike you, Pengarvan?"
The Cornishman shook his head.
"I have thought it over, Captain, many times. It seems to me,
sometimes, that I have a sort of notion why it is; but it is not
clear, even to myself. I could not put it into words."
The first mate now looked into the cabin.
"Here we are, James. Pengarvan puts her here, opposite these three
little islands. I put her here some sixty miles away."
"It matters not at all, that I can see, which it is," Standing
said. "One island is as good as another, so that it has got water
and fruit. The tubs are getting low, and the men are beginning to
need a change of diet; so I hope, Captain, you will lay her to at
the first we come to, and get what we want, whether it is Spaniard
or native we have to fight for it."
"I hope we shall have to fight neither, Standing; but I don't think
we are likely to meet with Spaniards--for all the islands in these
groups are small ones, and the navigation dangerous. As for the
Indians, I fear we may not find them very friendly, seeing that
they will, of course, take us for Spaniards, whom they have little
reason to love. Still, when they see that our intentions are
peaceable, and that we wish only to trade, they may abate their
hostility."
In three hours they were close to the island that they had first
seen, which proved to be much nearer than they had supposed, at
first sight. It was low, and thickly covered with trees, and of
only a few miles' circumference.
"There is no chance of finding the natives hostile here," Reuben
Hawkshaw said. "Their numbers can be but scanty, and the only fear
is that they may hide themselves in the woods at our approach, and
refuse to have dealing with us.
"Get the lead ready to sound, James, and put some grease on the
bottom, that we may see what kind of holding ground it is."
As the sun had risen the wind had fallen, and the Swan was now
moving very slowly through the water. They were about a mile from
the land when the log was first hove.
"Eighteen fathoms, Captain," the mate reported, adding when the
lead was hauled up, "and a sandy bottom."
Casting the lead regularly, they sailed on until within little more
than a quarter of a mile of the shore, and there dropped anchor in
six fathoms of water.
"I shouldn't like to be caught in a gale here," the captain said;
"but if it did come on to blow, we could get up our anchor and sail
round to the other side of the island, where we should be in
shelter."
"There are some natives, father," Roger, who was watching the
shore, exclaimed. "They are waving green branches."
"Wave a white flag, Roger. Fasten anything white to a boat hook,
and wave it. They may understand that, as the white flag is in use
by all nations as a sign of peace, and they may have seen the
Spaniards use it.
"Get one of the boats lowered, James--the long boat will be the
best--let its crew take their arms with them, but lay them under
the seats, so as to land in peaceable guise. I myself will go
ashore in her, and see what are the intentions of the natives. Get
a couple of guns loaded, and if you see they attack us, fire a shot
over their heads into the woods. That will be enough to frighten
them. However, I think not that we shall have trouble."
A couple of boxes had already been got on deck by the captain's
orders, and some strings of glass beads, hawk bells, and other
articles of trade taken out.
"You can come with me, Roger," the captain said; and in a few
minutes the boat rowed towards the shore.
Eight men sat at the oars, and eight others were bestowed in the
bow and stern. She would have carried twice as many, but the
captain wished to avoid any show of force.
The group of natives had increased, by the time the boat reached
the shore; and the captain saw that they consisted of two men who
were apparently chiefs, and some thirty of inferior rank. They
continued to wave green branches, and their attitude was so
peaceful that the captain did not hesitate to leap ashore, as soon
as the boat touched the strand.
"You follow me, Roger; and you others keep your hands on your arms,
ready to use them. But sit quiet, and do not show your weapons
unless there be occasion."
The chiefs advanced with a timid air towards the newcomers; and, on
approaching, saluted in an attitude of deep humility, using the
Spanish word Amigos.
"Amigos--Friends," repeated the captain, in a cheerful tone.
Roger gazed with intense interest upon these strange beings. They
were, in color, but little darker than the Moors who had tried to
capture the Swan, on her last voyage. They were of good height, but
of slender figure. Their countenances were soft and almost
feminine, with large dark eyes and mild and gentle expression. They
had no hair upon their faces; that on their heads was long and
black. Round their heads were light gold bands, from which rose
plumes of colored feathers. They were naked above the waist, save
that over one shoulder cotton cloths, ornamented with fantastic
patterns wrought in bright feathers, were lightly thrown.
From the waist they wore cotton petticoats, reaching to the knees.
Both had belts decorated by shells, worked into intricate patterns;
and from similar belts, crossing the shoulder, hung quivers filled
with small arrows. They had necklaces and bracelets of bright
beads, of European manufacture; and both carried light spears,
their bows hanging from their shoulders.
Their followers were similarly dressed, save that the fillets round
their heads, instead of being gold, were strips of skin decorated
with shells and beads, and the mantles were of plain cotton.
The captain took from his pouch two necklaces of large blue beads,
and presented them to the chiefs, and also gave to each of them a
small hatchet. These they received with tokens of gratitude; being
specially pleased with the hatchets, which were articles vastly
prized by the natives, and rarely bestowed upon them by the
Spaniards, who were very chary of presenting the natives with
anything that could be used as a weapon.
The captain then made a sign to the natives to approach, and
bestowed a necklace of smaller beads upon each. He next called to
the sailors, and bade them come ashore, bringing with them only
their hangers; for there was no doubt that the natives were
friendly.
While they were doing so, four of the natives, at the order of
their chiefs, brought forward large baskets; beautifully plaited
and, as Roger judged, made of the tender bark of some tree. The
chiefs took these from their attendants and, opening them, placed
them before the captain with a gesture of humility. They were
filled with fruits, all of which were of kinds such as neither
Roger, nor his father, had seen before.
The sailors now brought forward an empty barrel, and the captain
signified that they required water. One or two billets of wood were
also shown, and the captain signified, by action, that he wished
his men should be allowed to cut wood, to carry on board ship. He
also pointed to the baskets of fruit, and then showed some more
strings of beads, and some hawk bells, intimating his desire to
trade.
The natives readily comprehended the gestures. Pointing to the keg,
they intimated, by signs, that the ship should be moved round to
the other side of the island; and that fruit would be taken to them
there.
The men would, gladly enough, have wandered at once into the woods
to look at the trees and flowers, which differed widely from
anything they had ever before seen; but the captain said:
"We shall have time enough for that, men. Let us get off with this
fruit. Our comrades on board will be thirsting for their share.
Then we will get the ship round on the other side; and all will
have an opportunity to go ashore."
As soon as they got on board, a portion of the fruit was set aside,
for the use of the officers, and the rest divided among the crew.
Although they were ignorant of the names, the men enjoyed hugely
the pineapples, guavas, and custard apples that formed the major
portion of the contents of the baskets; and cheerfully set about
the work of getting up their anchor, and setting the sails.
But the wind had now entirely dropped, and the Swan scarce moved
through the water. So anxious, however, were the men to land, that
they gladly obeyed the captain's orders to get out all the boats
and tow her--although the heat was so great that, at any other
time, they would have shrunk from such a labor.
As soon as they reached the other side of the island, the anchor
was dropped and, the men on board having already made everything
snug, Captain Reuben called those who had been towing out of the
boats.
"My lads," he said, "I wish to say a few words, before you land. In
the first place, you cannot all go. It would never do to leave the
ship without sufficient hands on board to fight her, seeing that at
any moment a Spaniard may come round one end of the island or the
other, and fall upon us. Consequently, half must remain on board,
and take their turn on shore tomorrow. I wish to give no advantage
to any; therefore the boatswain shall put two pieces of folded
paper in his hat, one being blank and the other having a cross upon
it. If the blank paper is drawn, the starboard watch shall go
ashore, and the larboard take their turn tomorrow. If the paper
with the cross comes out, it will be the other way.
"One more matter: I shall expect the discipline on shore to be as
good as it has been on board ship. The natives are to be treated
well, and all that we get from them shall be by fair barter, and it
shall be conducted for the advantage of all. The first mate and
boatswain will take ashore some of the goods we have brought for
the purpose of trade, and they will buy not only such things as we
require for the ship--fruit and vegetables--but whatever the
natives may have to sell.
"All these things will be brought on board, and then those of you
who wish for any of these articles, as a token from the first
island at which we touched, can take them; making an auction among
yourselves, the sums to be deducted from your wages. In this way
all will be on a fair footing, and the proceeds of the sale will go
into the general fund, to be divided at the end of the voyage.
Nevertheless, I should advise you not to purchase now, but to leave
it until we have finished all our business, and are on our homeward
way. Then we shall see what we have obtained, and each man can buy
according to his liking. I say this because, if you get things now,
they will litter up the ship, and will get broken, lost, or thrown
overboard; and it were far better that everything remained packed
in the hold, until we are on the homeward voyage.
"Another thing: Let each man behave himself decently on shore. Be
gentle and kind to the natives who, though but heathens, are a
harmless people, and friendly. Let there be no quarrels or
disputes; and above all, let none meddle with the women. I warn you
that any breach of these orders will be most severely punished; and
that, moreover, anyone who does so offend will never have leave to
go ashore again, not if we cruise for ten years among these
islands."
The second mate and Roger remained on board with the starboard
watch, the drawing giving the advantage to the others; and these,
with the captain and first mate, were soon rowing towards the
shore. Those on board, although disappointed that fate had decided
against them, had their share of amusement, for a good many canoes
afterwards came off to them, filled with goods for barter; and as
the captain, before leaving, had told the second mate that he could
buy and sell with those who came out, a brisk trade was soon
established.
They had no fear of treachery from the natives, who were in such
dread of the white men that they would not venture to lift a hand
against them, however great the odds might be; and they were,
therefore, allowed to come on board and mix freely with the
sailors. The contents of the canoes, chiefly fruit and vegetables,
were spread out on the deck, and the mate and Roger bargained with
them, giving them little looking glasses, and strings of beads, in
exchange for their wares.
"They are mighty reasonable in their demands," Roger said to
Pengarvan. "It seems almost a shame to take these great baskets of
fruit and vegetables, in return for such trifles."
"They are not trifles to them," the mate replied, "and there is
nothing unfair in the exchange. These things are to them what gold
and jewels are to us. We would give, gladly, a score of boatloads
of vegetables for a diamond the size of a pea; and these glass
beads are as valuable, in their eyes, as diamonds are in ours."
After buying up the main stock, they trafficked with the natives
for the little ornaments they wore, necklaces and bracelets
cunningly worked with bright shells and seeds, and weapons of
curiously carved wood. At nightfall the other boats returned, laden
down with fruit and vegetables.
"'We must buy no more of these commodities, at present," Captain
Reuben said, when he saw what had been purchased on board. "We have
got enough to last us as long as they will keep, eat we never so
heartily;" and indeed, the next day a number of the crew were ill,
from the quantity of fruit that they consumed.
This, however, soon passed off, and the change of diet did great
good. The scurvy disappeared, and in a short time all--even those
who had suffered most--were again fit for duty.
The following morning, Roger and Pengarvan went ashore with the
starboard watch. The captain again accompanied them, and for hours
they rambled about the island, wondering at the strange trees and
foliage and the bright flowers; and filled especially with
admiration at the tiny birds, with feathers like jewels, that
flitted about among the flowers, and concerning which there was
much dispute among the men--some asserting that they were a sort of
great bee, while others maintained that they were birds. So quickly
did they fly that the men, although they tried hard, failed to
catch any of them; but the dispute as to their nature was solved,
by the discovery that one of the chiefs had a robe fringed with the
skins of these little creatures; and examining these they saw,
surely enough, that they were birds, with feathers glistening in
the sun like jewels of many colors Captain Reuben persuaded the
chief to cut off the fringe and sell it to him, giving in exchange
for it the high price of four copper rings, and a tiny looking
glass.
In the afternoon the crew set to work to re-water the ship, and by
nightfall all the casks were filled up, and the vessel was ready to
proceed again on her way. The next morning sails were hoisted and
the anchor weighed. The natives came out in great numbers in their
canoes, and surrounded the Swan as she glided away from her anchorage,
waving their hands and raising cries of farewell--evidently greatly
satisfied at the treatment they had received at the hands of their
white visitors.
For a fortnight the Swan cruised from island to island; but beyond
giving the crew a run ashore at each, and so building up their
strength and getting them in fighting trim, should there be
occasion to call upon them for action, little advantage was
obtained from these visits. Fruit and vegetables were obtainable in
abundance; but beyond these, and little trinkets and feathers,
there was no trade to be done.
"It is clear," Captain Reuben said, as he and his officers were
gathered in the cabin, "that there is neither gain nor advantage to
be obtained from trade here. The natives have doubtless sufficient
for their wants, which are of the simplest; but of wealth such as
we prize in England there is none to be had. It is different with
the Spaniards--they make slaves of these poor creatures, and force
them to till their plantations, to raise crops for them, and to
work mines; but we, who cannot do these things, can get nothing
from a longer stay in these coasts.
"We touched here chiefly to get water and fruit, to keep us all in
health, and in that we have abundantly succeeded. We had best now
shape our course westward, and try to find this new land, rich in
gold, of which my friend the Spanish captain learned by report from
the natives. So far we have fallen in with no Spaniards, but we may
do so at any time; and although I have no fear of beating off any
that might meddle with us, it would do us great harm did the news
spread that a strange ship was in these waters; for they would
assuredly send out expeditions in search of us, from all their
ports, as soon as the news reached them."
The others quite agreed with Captain Reuben's views, and the next
morning the ship's head was pointed west. Two days later, when
passing an island they saw, on opening a headland, a port with many
houses, and a Spanish flag flying from a mast on shore. Two large
Spanish vessels were lying there. They were apparently on the point
of sailing, for the sails were already dropped.
An exclamation of surprise broke from all on the deck of the Swan,
and the men ran to the braces and sheets, in order to trim the
sails.
"Steady, men!" Captain Reuben shouted. "Touch not sheet or tack. We
must sail past as if bent on our own business. If we change our
course, now, they will suspect that something is wrong.
"Pengarvan, do you get out the Spanish flag from the locker, and
run it up to the peak."
This was done, though it was easy to see, by the looks the crew
cast towards the strange craft, that they would gladly go in and
fight them.
"Another time, lads," Captain Reuben said cheerfully, as he saw
their mood. "I doubt not we shall have enough fighting to satisfy
you, before we have done; but our object here is to trade, and get
rich. If thrashing the Dons comes in the way of business, we shall
do it contentedly; but there is no occasion for us to put ourselves
out of the way to meet them. Supposing we were to go in, and sink
those two ships; as I doubt not we are men enough to do, if we were
to try it. They would see it all from the shore; and no sooner did
we set sail again, than boats would carry the news to every Spanish
port in these quarters, and we should have a score of ships in
pursuit of us, in no time; and, whatever came of it, that would
interfere with the hopes of gain with which we have sailed to these
seas.
"This port must be a newly formed one," he went on, turning to
Roger, "for there is no Spanish station marked hereabout, in my
chart."
The course which the Swan was taking would have carried her half a
mile to seaward of the two Spanish vessels, but she now edged a
point or two farther out. Doubtless the Spaniards were surprised at
seeing that the vessel, instead of entering the port, continued her
course; and it may be that they very soon discovered such points in
her hull, and rigging, as set them wondering what she could be.
Presently a gun was fired from one of the ships--as a signal,
doubtless, for her to heave to. The Swan paid no attention to the
command, but kept on her course. In two minutes there was another
flash and a puff of white smoke from the Spaniard, and a shot
skipped across the water in front of the Swan. A growl of anger
broke from her crew.
"Put up the helm," Captain Reuben ordered; and the vessel, which
was running before the wind, came up till her head pointed straight
to sea.
Although the Spanish ships were still three-quarters of a mile
away, a bustle was at once observable on their decks. Men clustered
at the bows, and could be seen at work there.
"They are getting up the anchors," Pengarvan said, as he watched
them, shading his eyes with his hands.
Three or four minutes later the sails were sheeted home, and the
Spaniard began to move through the water, having set sail as soon
as the anchors were tripped. No sooner were they under weigh, and
the crews at their quarters, than they began to discharge their bow
guns after the Swan.
"Shall we answer them, Captain?" James Standing asked. "We can
bring a couple of guns aft, and fire over the rail."
"By no means," Captain Reuben replied. "At present they know
nothing about us, and though they may guess that we are not
licensed traders, with due authority to trade among the islands, I
do not suppose they suspect, for a moment, that we are foreigners;
but deem us a private venture, from one of their own ports. No
Spanish trader would dare to fire on their own flag and, as long as
we do not reply, they will suppose that we are only trying to
escape the payment of some heavy fine, or perhaps forfeiture, for
breach of their regulations.
"No, they can fire away. They are not likely to hurt us. They are
fully a mile behind us, and we shall soon leave them."
But in this respect the captain was mistaken. The Spaniards were
both fast vessels; and although the Swan kept her distance, those
on board presently saw that she gained nothing. The shot continued
to fall around them, but the Spaniards worked their guns slowly.
The pieces on their forecastles were light ones, and though two or
three shot passed through the sails of the Swan, they did but
little damage.
"As long as they don't knock away a spar we will hold on," Captain
Reuben said. "If they do, we will turn and fight them. But the wind
is dropping a little, and I think that, if anything, we are gaining
upon them now."
By the afternoon the Swan was fully two miles ahead, and the
Spaniards had discontinued firing. The Swan was heading now to pass
an island which had, for some hours, been visible ahead. Presently
the Spaniards again began firing, although their shot fell in the
water far astern of the Swan.
"What are the lubbers up to now?" James Standing said. "They cannot
think they are going to frighten us into stopping, now that we have
fairly got away from them."
Captain Reuben was anxiously gazing at the island ahead. They had
laid their course to pass it to windward, as they sailed better,
close-hauled, than did the Spaniard; who had not only fallen
behind, but had lagged to leeward nigh half a mile.
"They must be firing as a signal," he said. "There may either be a
Spanish port in the island, or they may know that there are some of
their ships lying there; though I can see no signs, either of a
port or ships."
"It would matter little if we could, Captain," Pengarvan said; "for
any ships along that shore would be to leeward of us, and we should
pass the end of the island long before they could beat up there;
but it would be awkward if there happened to be a port, with two or
three of their ships, just beyond that point. We should be caught
between two fires then, and have to fight the lot of them."
The captain nodded.
"You are right, Pengarvan. We should be in a fix, then; and four
Spaniards at once is more than we bargained for."
They were now within two miles of the point towards which they were
steering, and towards which the eyes of the two officers on the
poop were directed. Five minutes later an exclamation broke from
them, simultaneously, as the sails of a lofty ship made their
appearance over the extremity of the point, and a minute later a
great hull came into sight.
"Helm to larboard," Captain Reuben ordered sharply. "We must run
down the island. We can never weather that fellow that has just
appeared.
"Ah! There are two others coming out. We are in a hornets' nest."
The sails were squared off, and the Swan was soon running before
the wind; almost parallel with the coast, but edging in a little,
to keep her farther from the vessels that had first chased them.
These had also changed their course, and their position to leeward
now gave them an advantage.
Ere long the Swan was almost abreast her late pursuers, who were
about a mile and a quarter to seaward; while the other three
Spanish ships, with all sails set, were a mile and a half astern,
but a good deal nearer in shore.
"The sun will be down in another five minutes," Captain Reuben
said, "and in half an hour it will be dark. The Spaniards can run
quite as fast as we can--a bit faster, I think; but we can beat
them, close hauled. The wind is falling lighter and lighter. If it
was not for that, we would haul our wind and be off on the other
tack, and throw all of them out. But it will be a dead calm before
long, and they will be either lowering all their boats to attack
us, or towing their ships up to us. If we were close under the land
they might miss us, but they will be able to make us out, here. At
any rate, we must hold on as we are, until the wind drops
altogether."
After sunset the breeze died away rapidly and, by the time night
had fully set in, the sails dropped motionless, and the Swan ceased
to move through the water. The captain at once ordered all the
boats to be lowered, and the men swarmed into them, double banking
the oars. Hawsers were handed into them, and the vessel's head
swept round in the direction from which she had come, but somewhat
farther seaward.
"Now, lads," the captain said, "pull with a will. There will be a
good supper, and an allowance of strong ale, when you come on
board."
After rowing for half an hour, the captain ordered them to cease,
and to keep silence. Listening attentively, he could hear in the
still night air the sound of oars; but whether the boats were
towing the ships, or rowing independently, he could not tell. Again
the men set to work.
"I hope they are towing," he said to the first mate. "They would
have no chance whatever of catching us, for our strong crew can
take a vessel like the Swan through the water at twice the rate
they could row their big ships. I can't see the fellows in shore,
can you?"
"No, Captain. They are hid in the shadow of the land. I can make
out the others, but they are a long way farther off than when we
started."
"I expect we shall have the boats after us, Standing. Both lots can
make us out, and can see that we are gaining on them.
"Ah! I felt a breath of wind. I did not expect it for an hour or
two yet; but if the breeze springs up, we shall soon run away from
them."
Stopping and listening again, they could hear the sound of oars,
from two directions.
"They are coming," the captain said. "The beat is quicker than it
would be if they were towing; besides, it is a great deal more
distinct than it was. I don't think they are more than a mile
behind us.
"Ah! There is the wind again."
There was a deep flapping sound, and a rattling of blocks, as the
sails bellied out for a moment, and then fell against the masts
again. Captain Reuben went to the forecastle:
"Keep it up, lads. You won't have much longer to row, for the wind
is coming. The Spaniards are after us, but they won't be up for a
quarter of an hour, and I hope we shall get it before that.
Remember, every yard we can keep away from them is of importance.
Put your backs to it, lads."
The Swan carried four boats and, strongly manned as these were, she
was gliding through the water at a fair rate. It was five minutes
before another breath of wind came, but this lasted three or four
minutes, and greatly relieved the strain from the hawsers.
"She is going through the water now," the captain said. "They
cannot be gaining very much upon us, at present.
"Confound it!" he added, a minute later. "There is an end of it
again."
The boats were now but half a mile away, and the voices of the
officers, urging the rowers to exert themselves, could be plainly
heard, On the Swan the officers were all gazing in the direction
from which the wind was to come. The yards were all braced sharply
aft. Presently there was an exclamation of relief, as they felt the
wind in their faces, and the vessel heeled a little over. The boats
behind were but a quarter of a mile away now, while those from the
vessels inshore were perhaps twice that distance.
"If this is the true breeze we are safe," the captain said. "If
not, we shall have to fight for it."
The men had already, without orders, cast loose the guns, and armed
themselves with pike and cutlass.
"Now listen, lads," the captain said, as he went forward to the
poop rail, "if these fellows come up and try to board us, let no
man utter a word. Fight like bulldogs, and as silently. We shall
beat them off, never fear. No doubt they believe that we are their
countrymen, who have broken their trading regulations, and are
afraid of being overhauled. But if there is a word spoken they will
know that we are foreigners, and we shall be chased wherever we
go."
Then he went to the forecastle, and bade all the men in the boats
cast off the hawsers and come on board. They were, indeed, no
longer of any use, as the vessel was going through the water almost
as fast as they could row ahead of her. As they gained the deck he
repeated the orders he had given--that strict silence should be
observed, in case the Spaniards came alongside.
Everything now depended on continuance of breeze, and those on
board the boats saw that the vessel was now holding her own with
them. Orders to throw the ship up into the wind and heave to were
shouted and, as no attention was paid to these, several musket
shots were fired at her; but the wind held and, faster and faster,
the Swan made her way through the water. At last the boats fell
behind, and were lost to sight.
"We are safe now," Reuben said, exultantly. "We are to windward of
them all, and shall have them well out of sight, before morning."
When day broke, indeed, the topsails of three of the Spanish ships
could be seen on the horizon; but in two or three hours these sank
out of sight, and the Swan was headed on her course west.