SEARCH FOR AND FIND THE BOAT--RETURN IN HER TO THE WRECK--FIND MORE
STORES, AND BUILD A RAFT--CARRY IT TO THE SHORE, AND GO BACK TO BREAK UP
THE WRECK FOR BUILDING A VESSEL--ONCE MORE GETTING BACK THEY FIND THE
DOCTOR WORKING AT A STILL--ANOTHER TRIP--IT COMES ON TO BLOW HARD--REACH
SHORE--THE STILL SUCCESSFUL--THE GALE INCREASES--ITS EFFECTS ON THE
WRECK--MORE STORES SAVED--SEEDS FOUND AND SOWN--A FLAG-STAFF SET UP--
PLANS FOR THEIR PROPOSED VESSEL--ENGAGED IN SHOOTING AND FISHING--
DISCOVER A MARINE POULTRY-YARD--BILLY AND THE EGGS--SUCCESSFUL FISHING--
SEEDS SOWN.
Tom, who was always the first on foot, roused up his companions.
"Do let a fellow have his sleep out," murmured Billy; "we have got
nothing to do."
"We've plenty to do," answered Tom. "We've got to look out for water,
and if we find it to build a hut, and ascertain what food the island
produces, and try to go back to the wreck and bring off more stores, and
put up a flag-staff, and fifty other things."
"Well, I didn't think of all that," said Billy, sitting up. "Dear me,
dear me! here we are, on another desert island; with the chances of
remaining all our born days."
"Better than being at the bottom of the sea, or crunched up by sharks,"
observed Desmond, "or than being cast on shore among cannibals, who
would have cooked and eaten us at the first opportunity. It is not a
barren island either, for there are cocoa-nut trees, and there may be
other fruits or roots. We shall probably also be able to catch plenty
of fish."
"If we could get hold of some fine fat turtle, it would be more to the
purpose," said Billy. "Pat makes capital turtle soup. I'm glad he
escaped."
"I am afraid the turtle have done laying their eggs by this time,"
observed the doctor. "They only come on shore for that purpose, and we
are not likely to catch them otherwise, so you must give up all thoughts
of revelling on turtle."
While Peter prepared breakfast, Pat climbed one of the cocoa-nut trees,
and sent down nuts enough to afford each of the party a refreshing
draught of liquid. It could not properly be called milk, as it had not
yet assumed its white appearance, which it does only after the nut is
perfectly ripe. It was welcome, notwithstanding. Though a small cask
of water had been brought on shore, Tom wisely wished to husband it
until a spring had been discovered. About this the doctor was very
doubtful, and Pat, whom he questioned on the subject, stated that he had
not discovered any signs of water.
"I should have wished to search for water the first thing," observed
Tom; "but whether it is to be found or not, it is most important that we
should ascertain whether the boat was washed up on the beach, and if she
can be repaired to enable us to return to the wreck."
"Can you show us where you came on shore, Pat?"
"Bedad, sir, I've been wandering up and down so many times, that I am
not quite certain; but it's my belief that if she is to be found
anywhere, it will be away to the northward, for I didn't see her at the
other end."
"Then we will set off without delay," said Tom; and taking Pat, he and
Desmond, with Jerry Bird, commenced a search for the boat in the
direction Pat mentioned.
The sandy beach was divided in many places by masses of coral extending
some distance into the water, among which the boat might easily be
concealed. Had she, however, been thrown on any of them, she would, Tom
feared, in all probability be knocked to pieces. The surprising thing
was that Pat had not seen her. It appeared from his account that when
he had partially recovered his senses, finding himself on shore, he had
set off in a confused state of mind, without knowing where he was going,
and that some time must have elapsed before he came entirely to himself.
"Suppose we do not recover the boat, how are we to visit the wreck?"
asked Desmond.
"We must build a smaller raft out of the large one, which we can much
more easily manage; and should the weather continue calm, as there
appears to be no strong current likely to drive us away, we may, I
think, without much risk easily make the trip there and back," answered
Tom.
"But how are we to carry a cargo?" inquired Desmond.
"We must form another raft on board, and the materials will serve for
building our hut," was the answer.
"Then you think we shall have to remain some time on the island?" said
Desmond.
"Of course; it may be for months or years, or we may get off in a few
days or weeks. Had we a good carpenter among us, we might have built a
vessel from the wreck, should she hold together long enough for us to
bring a good portion of her planking and timber ashore; but I am very
certain that none of us are capable of that, although we have a stock of
carpenter's tools."
"There is nothing like trying," said Desmond. "I have seen ships being
built; and if we can obtain timber, we might manage in time to put one
together large enough to carry us at once to Guam or to the Sandwich
Islands."
"We will hear what the doctor says. What do you think about it, Bird?"
"Well, sir, I have helped to rig many a craft, but cannot say that I
ever worked as a shipwright, though I am ready to try my hand at that or
anything else, and `where there's a will there's a way.'"
"What do you say, Pat?" asked Tom.
"As to that, Mr Rogers, when a man has been a Prime Minister, he ought
to think himself fit for anything; and sooner than live on a dissolute
island all me life, I'd undertake to build a ninety-gun ship, if I had
the materials."
The answers of the two seamen made Tom think that Desmond's proposal
was, at all events, worth consideration.
"Well, if we find we can get timber enough from the wreck, I don't see
why we should not make the attempt," he said, after turning over the
matter in his mind.
"I'll undertake that we can build a vessel of ten or fifteen tons, which
will carry us to the Sandwich Islands," observed Desmond, confidently.
"I have got the idea in my head, though I cannot promise that she will
be much of a clipper, but she shall keep afloat, beat to windward, and
stand a pretty heavy sea."
Tom and Desmond discussed the matter as they walked along. Presently
Pat, who had started on ahead, cried out, "Arrah! here she is, all
right, if not all tight," and he pointed to a little sandy bay, almost
at the extreme northern end of the island. There lay the boat on the
beach. She had narrowly missed being swept round the island, when she
would in all probability have been lost unless some counter current, on
the lee side, had driven her back. She had escaped also another danger,
that of being dashed to pieces against a rugged ledge close to which she
must have passed. The party hurried up to her to ascertain what damage
she had received. The surf had evidently turned her over, and but
little water remained in her. At first sight she appeared to be
uninjured.
"I was afraid so," said Tom, as he was going round her, and put his hand
through a hole in the bows. "The water ran out here; perhaps she would
have suffered more if she had not been thus damaged. If she's stove in
nowhere else, we shall be able to repair her." This was apparently the
only damage the boat had received.
"I am not surprised that she should have been swamped with so many men
in her, in the heavy sea there was running when those unhappy men put
off," observed Tom. "We shall have to bring our tools and materials
here. And now let us see if any oars have been cast on shore." They
hunted about, but the oars, being so much lighter than the boat, had
either been swept round the north end of the island or thrown on some
other part of the shore.
Having hauled the boat up, they returned towards the camp. Tom and
Desmond were very anxious to repair the boat and visit the wreck before
night-fall, in case the weather should change and she should go to
pieces. As they walked along they discussed the best plan for repairing
the boat. Desmond suggested that they should first nail on pieces of
well-greased canvas, and then fix over that two or more lengths from the
staves of one of the casks.
"But where's the grease to come from? I'm afraid we have none,"
observed Tom.
"We've got a piece of bacon, and there would be grease enough from that
for the purpose," answered Desmond.
Their conversation was interrupted by a shout from Jerry Bird, who held
up an oar which he had found floating close in by the shore under one of
the ledges. This, with the three oars they already possessed, and one
of the long paddles to steer by, would enable them to shove off as soon
as they could patch up the boat. The doctor's spirits rose considerably
when he heard that the boat had been discovered, and he consented to
remain on shore with Tim and Peter, while the rest of the party returned
to the wreck--he undertaking to search for water.
"You must not be alarmed if we do not come back to-night," said Tom;
"for, if the weather promises to be fine, it may be better to build a
large raft, on which we can tow ashore all the stores we can obtain."
"Remember, Rogers, to bring one of the tripods, the smith's forge and
tools, and some piping; for should we fail to discover water, I may be
able to construct a still, by which we may obtain as much fresh water as
we require."
"A capital idea," exclaimed Tom. "I didn't think of that."
"`Necessity is the mother of invention,'" answered the doctor. "I never
worked as a smith, but I know the principles on which a still is
constructed, and I hope that I shall be able to put one up; if, however,
we can find water, we may be saved the trouble, and employ our labour
for other purposes."
As they would have no time on board to spare for cooking, Tom had a
supply of food, sufficient for a couple of days, put up, with a bottle
of water and a few cocoa-nuts, in case they might be unable to get at
the water on board. Thus laden with the materials for repairing the
boat, they went back to where she lay, accompanied by Billy. Tom had
begged the doctor to light a fire at night, in case the weather should
come on bad and they might have to return sooner than they intended.
Desmond's plan was carried out. Bird had brought some oakum, which was
forced in between the seams with a chisel, and as the party surveyed
their work, they had reason to hope that the boat would at all events
swim.
They watched the result, however, with no little anxiety, as, having run
her down the beach, she was once more afloat. She leaked slightly, but
Desmond declared that it was not through the place where she had been
repaired, and they found after getting some distance from the shore that
they could easily bale out the water which made its way in. Tom had
brought the compass, and believing that he knew the bearings of the
wreck, he steered a course which would soon bring them in sight of her.
The sea was so calm that he did not suppose it possible she could have
gone to pieces, and as they pulled on, he looked out eagerly for her.
At length he made out a dark object rising out of the blue sea almost
due west of the island.
"There she is!" he exclaimed; "we shall be on board of her in an hour."
The crew gave way, and in less than the time mentioned they were
alongside. She appeared to be exactly in the condition they had left
her. The boat having been carefully secured, they climbed up her side.
The first thing to be obtained was a cask of fresh water, which they
were fortunate in finding; it was at once got up and placed on deck. It
would take too long to describe the various articles which were
obtained. Among them were the smith's forge, some piping and the
tripod, which the doctor especially asked for. For some of them Jerry
or Pat dived into the hold. Others were found on the spar-deck and the
after part of the ship, where they were got up without difficulty. Tom
and Gerald, when they came on deck, frequently took a glance around to
see how the weather looked, and were satisfied that there was every
appearance of its holding fine. They accordingly made up their minds to
remain during the night. Having collected all the stores which such a
raft as they intended to build could carry, they at once commenced
forming one. The mizzen and part of the mainmast still remained
standing; Tom proposed forming shears and trying to hoist out the
former; but as this was found impracticable, they cut both the masts
away, to serve as the main beams of their raft. Several more spars were
got up, and they then began cutting away the spar-deck. They worked on
until it was dark, when Pat cooked some supper--the first food they had
eaten since the morning.
"Now, we shall want some sleep," said Tom; "but though the ship won't
run away with us, it will be prudent to keep watch in case bad weather
should come on; although it looks very fine at present, we should not
trust to that. I'll keep the first watch; you, Desmond, take the
middle; and Bird shall have the morning watch. We will excuse Billy,
because it is just possible he may fall asleep and tumble overboard, or
at all events forget to call us, and Pat requires another night's rest
after his night on the bottom of the boat and the hard work he has done
to-day."
Tom, in reality, did not wish to trust Pat entirely, thinking it very
possible that as soon as they were all below he would stow himself away
and go to sleep. The deck cabin being free from water, the party were
far more comfortably off than they would have been on shore. The deck
having too great an inclination to afford a good walk, Tom managed to
keep awake by holding on to the weather bulwarks, and moving backwards
and forwards, constantly looking to windward for any change of weather.
Though, after all the trouble they had taken, they would have been sorry
to lose the various things they had found on board, it would have been
unwise to have risked remaining on the wreck should the wind get up.
The sky, however, was perfectly clear, the stars shone out brilliantly,
undimmed by the slightest vapour, while scarcely a breath of wind
disturbed the surface of the now slumbering ocean.
"We shall want a breeze to-morrow to carry us to the shore, though I
hope it will remain calm as at present until then," thought Tom. He
very frequently had the greatest difficulty in keeping his eyes open,
but he succeeded. He calculated that it was about midnight when he went
below, and finding that it was time, roused up Gerald. "Do not let
sleep overtake you, old fellow," he said. "I found it a hard matter to
keep my eyes open."
"Yes, but mine have been shut for four hours," said Desmond. "I'll look
after the ship, and depend upon it as soon as my watch is out I'll rouse
up Jerry."
The middle watch passed away as calmly as the first, and Jerry, after
taking a look round, declared his belief that the day would be as fine
as the former. According to Tom's orders, all hands were aroused at
daybreak, and they immediately set to work on the raft, which was
completed and launched overboard before they knocked off for breakfast.
Empty casks were then got under it, and masts set up. As the wind was
fair, they had only to rig a couple of large lugs, which answered every
purpose. They had next to load their raft; the water was perfectly
smooth, and it was hauled under the side, where this was easily done,
though they had to lower many of the heavier articles on it with a
tackle. Tom directed Desmond and Jerry to go ahead in the boat, while
Billy and Pat remained on board to help with the raft. As the day
advanced, a steady breeze arose, and the raft, heavy as it was, made
great progress, helped by the boat, towards the shore. As towards
evening they neared the beach, they saw their companions anxiously
waiting for them. The doctor's face looked even longer than usual.
"What's the matter?" asked Tom, as he shook hands.
"We have found no water," answered the doctor; "and if you have not
brought materials for making a still, we are doomed."
"But I hope we have brought everything you want, doctor," replied Tom.
"Thank Heaven! our lives may then be preserved," said the doctor. "I
was almost afraid to ask the question."
"We have got even more than we expected," said Desmond; "and should the
weather hold fine, we may hope, in the course of two or three trips, to
get wood enough for our proposed craft."
There was no time for talking, however. All hands set to work to unload
the raft; the doctor, who was now in better spirits, hauling away with
might and main, to get the more heavy articles up the beach before dark.
Not only was everything already on shore, but the two rafts taken to
pieces, and dragged up likewise.
The weather continued so fine that Tom and Desmond determined, before
hauling up the boat, to go back to the wreck for further stores, and to
bring away as many rafts of timber as they could obtain. The doctor
said he must remain on shore to work at the still. For his assistants
he chose Billy Blueblazes and Peter the black. Billy was not ingenious,
but, as the doctor observed, "he could collect wood and blow the
bellows."
Billy was at first indignant on being told that he was thus to be
employed, but after due reflection he came to the conclusion that it
would be easier work than tearing off planking from the wreck, or
pulling an oar under a hot sun for several hours each day. The first
thing to be done was to set up the forge. All hands had turned out at
daybreak, so that the doctor was able to begin work before the boat
party shoved off.
It took them two hours to get to the wreck. They had hard work before
them. First they made a thorough search for all remaining provisions,
iron-work, canvas, ropes, and blocks. These were placed aft, ready for
lowering on to the raft as soon as one could be put together. Sailors
naturally feel it a somewhat melancholy task to break up a ship. It
seems as if all hope of its being of further use is gone, but probably
the party did not trouble themselves with any sentimental ideas on the
subject just then; all they thought of was the best, way to tear up the
planking, and to secure as much timber as possible. They indeed were
cheered with the thoughts that they should be able to build a trim
little craft out of the battered hull, to carry them to some place from
whence they could once more get back to Old England. For hours they
laboured away with sledge-hammers, crowbars, and saws. The bowsprit was
first got out, then all the remaining portions of the bulwarks wore cut
away. They then commenced on the upper deck, and as the planks were
torn up they were lowered overboard and lashed alongside.
"To my mind, a pretty strong gale would save us a mighty deal of
trouble," observed Tim, as he was working away. "The say in a few hours
would do more work than we can get through in as many days."
"Very likely, my boy," observed Jerry; "but where would all the timber
go to? it would not come floating of its own accord to our
landing-place, and I suspect it would not be of much use when it got
there. Let us be thankful for the calm weather, and work away while it
lasts."
After some hours' labour, a sufficient quantity of wood had been
obtained to form a large raft. It was of a much rougher description
than the two former ones, but still buoyant enough to carry the
remaining stores. Among other things they had brought a kedge anchor
and a hawser. They had, however, forgotten that there were no spars
remaining to serve as masts or yards; it was necessary, therefore, to
tow the raft. By the time all was ready, it was so late that it would
be impossible to reach the shore before dark, and Tom had omitted to
charge the doctor to keep up a fire by which they might steer to the
landing-place.
"Well, never mind, we will begin our voyage," he said, "and when it gets
dark we will anchor the raft and return for it in the morning. Should
bad weather come on, the chances are that the timber, at all events,
will be washed on shore, though we may lose the stores; but that will
not matter so much, although we may be compelled to reduce the
dimensions of our craft." Tom and Jerry took charge of the raft, having
contrived two large paddles to propel it, while Desmond and the rest
went in the boat and pulled ahead. More progress was made than had been
expected, as a slight current set towards the shore, and they had
performed half the distance before it grew dark. The night also was
very fine, and as Desmond had a compass in the boat and had taken the
bearings of the harbour, he was able to steer for it. The doctor had
not forgotten them. In a short time, catching sight of a fire blazing
up brightly, which they knew must be burning close to the beach, they
continued their course. It was, however, past ten o'clock before they
reached the shore, where they found the doctor and his companions ready
to receive them.
"You have not been idle, I see; nor have I," he exclaimed. "I have made
good progress with my still, and I hope to get it into working order
early to-morrow."
Tom hoped that the doctor would not be disappointed in his expectations,
for on examining the water he found that they had sufficient, at the
rate at which it was consumed, to last only two or three days more. He
determined, therefore, to place the party on an allowance, in case the
still should not succeed.
"You need not be afraid of that," observed the doctor; "if we do not
obtain the fresh water by to-morrow evening, I will undertake to drink a
gallon of salt water. Will that satisfy you?"
"I should think so," answered Tom, laughing. "I have no doubt of your
success; but some accident may happen, and it is as well to be on the
safe side."
Another trip was made the next day to the wreck, and as the party were
able to devote the whole of their strength to the work of breaking up
the vessel, they got out a larger quantity of wood than on the previous
day, including several of the timbers, which, sawn through, would make
the ribs of their proposed vessel. As the day drew on, the weather gave
signs of changing. Tom had intended remaining until even a later hour
than before, for as the doctor had promised to keep a fire blazing on
the beach, the voyage could be performed as well during the dark as the
day-time. But, about two o'clock the wind began to get up, and the
ocean, hitherto shining like a mirror in the rays of the sun, was seen
to be rippled over with wavelets, which gradually increased in size,
while the dash of the water against the weather side of the wreck
sounded louder and louder.
"We shall have it blowing strong before night, Mr Desmond," observed
Jerry; "and I am thinking it would be prudent if Mr Rogers were to
order us to shove off, and to make the best of our way to the shore."
Desmond reported what Jerry had said to Tom, who at once saw the wisdom
of the advice.
The timber which had been got out was forthwith fastened together. A
spar to serve as a mast, with a square sail, had been brought off, and
these being rigged the voyage was commenced.
The wind increased and sent the raft along at a rapid rate, considering
its form and weight, Tom, as before, steering it. Sometimes, indeed,
those at the oars had little work to do except to assist in guiding the
raft. At last Tom ordered them to cast off end keep alongside, in case
he and Jerry might be washed away by the fast-rising seas which
occasionally swept almost over the raft, so that the water was up to
their knees. Gerald at length advised Tom to come into the boat and to
let the raft find its way as it best could to the shore.
"No, no," answered Tom; "as long as I can steer it I will, and try to
carry it safely on to the beach; should it strike the coral rocks, the
timbers may be injured and of no service."
As the raft neared the island, Jerry every now and then took a look
astern. "There won't be much of the ship left by to-morrow morning, but
I hope that a good part of her will come on shore, and if we can get
this lot safe on the beach we shall have timber enough for building our
craft and some to spare for fire-wood."
Though the wind blew stronger and stronger, Tom stuck to the raft, and
was rewarded for his perseverance by carrying it, just before dark,
safely on to the beach.
"Welcome back, my young friends. I shall not have to drink the gallon
of salt water," exclaimed the doctor, producing a jug. "Just taste
that."
All the party pronounced the product of the still excellent, and as they
had had nothing to drink since they had left the wreck, they were glad
to obtain it.
After taking a few hurried mouthfuls of food they set to work to drag up
the materials of the raft, lest the sea might carry them off during the
night. The task accomplished, they at length lay down in the tent,
which the doctor had rendered more tenable than it otherwise would have
been by putting up a close paling on the weather side. Fortunately no
rain fell, but the wind, which as the night advanced blew with great
force, found its way in through the crevices.
In the morning the ocean was covered with tossing foam-crested waves,
which as they rolled in broke with a continuous roar on the rocky shore.
They soon had evidence of the effect of the gale on the wreck.
Fragments of various sizes and casks of oil were seen floating in all
directions, the larger portion drifting towards the northern end of the
island. Some came right into the bay, and were at once secured; others
struck the coral rocks, and were soon ground into small pieces. Jerry
proposed going along the shore, accompanied by Tim and Pat, in order to
pick up whatever they could find. They might save not only timber but
casks and cases from the hold, which, from being under water, they had
been unable to get up. The rest of the party in the mean time commenced
building the hut. They first selected such timber and planking as would
be of no use to the vessel. The discomfort they had endured the
previous night made them anxious to secure sufficient shelter before the
rain should come on, as in that exposed situation they could not trust
to the protection of the tent. The roof, however, they intended to form
with canvas, as they had enough for the purpose, and it would answer
better than anything else they could obtain. Peter prepared dinner for
all the party.
"But there is more here than we want," observed the doctor, looking into
the pot; "we must be economical in the use of our provisions."
"Neber fear, massa," answered Peter; "dey all come back in good time.
Dey smell dis at de oder end ob de island."
Peter was right in his conjectures. Just as he was about to serve out
the stew, Jerry and his companions made their appearance. They reported
that they had hauled up several good-sized pieces of wreck, three casks
of oil, a barrel of flour, and two of beef or pork.
"Very good," observed the doctor; "we shall not run short of provisions;
but I should have been glad to hear that you had found a case or two
containing lime-juice. We must look out for vegetables of some sort, or
we may not keep scurvy at bay."
"Shure, doesn't this island grow taters?" asked Tim.
"I'm afraid not," answered the doctor.
"Thin it must be a poor place, and I'll not wish to spend the remainder
of me days here," answered Tim, with one of his inimitable grimaces.
"Though there are not potatoes, there may be roots of some sort, and we
have not yet examined all the cases which we brought out of the cabin.
If I recollect rightly, some seeds were sent on board before we sailed,
though fortunately we had no opportunity of making use of them,"
observed the doctor.
A search was at once instituted, and the box the doctor spoke of
discovered; it contained cabbage, lettuce, onion, carrot, turnip, and
several other kinds of seeds.
"The onions, in our case, will prove the most valuable, as they will
have grown to some size before the vessel has been completed, and we can
carry them to sea with us. They are the most certain specific against
scurvy," said the doctor.
These remarks were made while the officers and men sat together at
breakfast. They were all in good spirits, thankful that they were so
well supplied with everything they could possibly require. Had it not
been for the doctor, however, how different would have been their
condition! In a day or two they would have been suffering all the
horrors of thirst, and must ultimately have perished miserably, but now
they could obtain as much fresh water as they could require for drinking
and cooking.
"One thing, however, we must remember, that our provisions will in time
come to an end," observed Tom. "We must use the most perishable first
and keep the best preserved for our voyage."
"But we shall be able to catch fish, and we need not go on short
commons, I hope," said Billy.
"You shall have all you catch," said Desmond, laughing; "but have we any
hooks?"
"Lashings, sir," answered Tim. "I found a bag full in the carpenter's
store-room, and threw them down among the other things."
The hooks and lines were soon discovered, but at present there was too
much work to be done to allow any one to go fishing. The hut was very
soon finished. It was placed with its back to the wind.
There were plenty of spars, which, without cutting, served for rafters,
and over them were stretched a couple of sails, lashed securely down, so
that no ordinary hurricane could have blown them away. In front,
sheltered from the wind, were established the two fires, one for
cooking, the other for the still. To give a sufficient supply of water,
it was necessary to keep the latter always alight.
Gerald, who had been the first to propose building a vessel, was anxious
to lay down the keel.
"I should be as eager as you are, did I not think that we may possibly
be taken off by some passing vessel," said Tom. "As soon as the gale is
over we must set up a flag-staff, and a good tall one too, so that it
may be seen at a long distance, as no vessel is likely, intentionally,
to come near these reefs."
"But we've only got an American flag, and I should not like to be taken
for a Yankee," exclaimed Desmond, without considering what he was
saying.
"Young gentleman," exclaimed the doctor, bristling up, "you might sail
under a less honoured flag, and fight under it too, let me tell you! It
is one which has made itself respected in every sea, and will ever be
found on the side of freedom and justice."
"I beg your pardon, doctor," answered Desmond. "If I was not an English
midshipman, I should be perfectly ready to become an American commodore,
and I fully believe your navy, for its size, is superior to that of any
other nation under the sun."
"Well, well, my young friend, we all of us have our national prejudices,
and it is right that we should, provided we do not bring them too
prominently forward. You may think England the tallest country in the
world, and I may consider the United States taller still, but it is as
well not to be measuring heights, or we may both have to come down a peg
or two."
"Come," said Tom, "let us set up the flag-staff and hoist the stars and
stripes, and should one of Uncle Sam's ships come by, we will hand over
the island as a free gift in exchange for our passage to any part of the
world for which she may be bound."
It did not take long to form a flag-staff and to fit it with rigging:
the chief difficulty was to dig a hole of sufficient depth in the coral
rock in which to step it. This, however, was at last done, and the wind
having fallen, before the evening the flag-staff was fixed, and with a
hearty cheer, led by the doctor, the stars and stripes were run up to
the top. The flag was, however, hauled down again at sunset. Tom also
had a quantity of wood collected and piled up on the highest point near
the flag-staff, so that should a ship at any time in the evening be seen
in the offing, it might be lit to attract attention. One of the brass
guns which had beer brought on shore was placed on its carriage near the
flag-staff, so that it might be fired if necessary.
"We have had a good day's work, and I propose that to-morrow we lay down
the keel of our vessel," said Desmond.
To this Tom readily agreed; and the two midshipmen, with the doctor, sat
up until a late hour, discussing the subject and drawing plans for their
proposed craft. They had a couple of adzes, three axes, and two augers,
but only five of the party could be engaged on the building; indeed, it
would have been dangerous to have entrusted some of them with such
tools. Billy to a certainty would have cut off his toes, and neither
Tom nor Desmond were accustomed to their use, although they knew what it
was necessary to do. To form the keel was simple work enough, to shape
the timbers properly required the greatest skill.
Here the doctor was superior to the rest. He chose a level part of the
sand, on which he drew the form of the timbers, and the rest of the
party executed the plans he gave them. As the timbers had to be out in
two, a saw-pit was dug, at which Billy was doomed to work as
under-sawyer, a task which Desmond assured him he performed to
perfection. By the end of the first day the keel was put down and the
stem and stern-post set up.
"I have other work, which must not be neglected, my friends," said the
doctor, when the party were collected at supper. "We must look after
fresh provisions. Perhaps, Rogers, you or Desmond will take your guns
and shoot some birds to-morrow; there are large numbers, I see, at the
further end of the island. They may prove wholesome, if not palatable
food. I don't know who are the best fishermen among you, but I would
advise that two should go out every day in the boat fishing, so that we
may not trespass on our salt provisions."
"Pat Casey is the most skilful fisherman among us, and he with another
of our party will do as you suggest, doctor," said Tom.
Tom and Desmond accordingly, who had wished to explore the end of the
island not hitherto visited, set off with their guns the next morning.
They had not gone far when they found themselves among numbers of birds,
a large portion of which had made their nests on the ground. It
appeared that for some reason or other they had selected the southern
end of the island. Most of them were so tame that they refused to move,
and attacked the midshipmen's legs with their beaks. Among them were
gannets, sooty terns, and tropical birds in large numbers. The gannets
sat on their eggs croaking hoarsely, not moving even when the midshipmen
attempted to catch them. There were also frigate birds which had built
their nests, in the lower trees, of a few sticks roughly put together.
They sat for some time watching the trespassers on their domain, then
spreading their wings flew off, inflating their blood-red bladders,
which were of the size of the largest cocoa-nuts, to aid them in their
ascent though the air.
"We need not expend any powder and shot on these fellows," observed
Desmond; "and all we have to do is to wring the necks of as many as we
want for our use, and take the eggs."
"Let us ascertain how long the eggs have been sat upon, or we may have
the trouble of carrying them for nothing," answered Tom.
They went forward, expecting to get beyond the region of birds, but
instead, the nests grew thicker and thicker; indeed, the midshipmen's
progress was almost stopped at times, as they had to dodge in and out
and skip here and there to avoid the attacks made on their legs.
"We need have no fear of starving, although we might in time get tired
of poultry," said Desmond.
At last they came to a lower part of the island, over which the sea
occasionally washed. It had been avoided by the wise birds, but still
had its inhabitants. Whole armies of soldier-crabs were marching about
in every direction with their shells on their backs, as well as common
crabs on the watch for lizard or snake-like creatures which ventured
among them. Sometimes, when a big crab had got hold of one of these,
and its attention was occupied in carrying off its prey, a frigate bird
would pounce down and seize it, carrying both it and its captive off to
its nest.
The midshipmen were so amused that they could not tell how time passed,
until hunger and the hot sun reminded them that it was the time when
dinner would be ready; and passing through the "farm-yard," as Desmond
called it, they secured as many birds as they could carry and also
filled their pockets with the freshest-looking eggs they could find.
Desmond, giving a wink to Tom, put among them a couple from a nest over
which the mother bird had fought stoutly, and which certainly did not
look very fresh. "I can almost hear it croak," he said, placing an egg
to his ear. "I intend these as a _bonne-bouche_ for Billy. We won't
show the others, and will make him suppose that we especially favour him
by bringing these, knowing how fond he is of eggs."
Gerald kept to his intention. As nobody was in the hut when they got
back, they hid away all the eggs with the exception of two, which
Desmond so kindly selected for his messmate. Peter was engaged in
cooking, and having his stew ready, he shouted to announce the fact.
They hurried in, for all were hungry and eager again to begin work. Tom
and Desmond showed their birds, and described the numbers they had met
with.
"Did you bring any eggs?" asked the doctor; "they can be cooked at once,
and are likely to prove better flavoured than the birds themselves."
"Yes," said Desmond, "we brought as many as our pockets will hold, and
we will hand them over to Peter directly, but I want to give Billy some
first, as he is especially fond of eggs; he will value them the more if
he thinks that nobody else has them."
Saying this, he handed them to Peter to put them under the ashes.
"There," he exclaimed when Billy appeared, "we know how you like eggs,
and so we brought a couple, and whenever we go out again we will try and
find some more."
Billy watched the eggs eagerly, until Peter declared that they were
sufficiently cooked.
"Doctor, won't you have one?" asked Billy, politely, when Peter handed
them to him.
"No, thank you," answered the doctor; "I am content with this stew."
Billy very reluctantly felt himself called upon to offer an egg to Tom
and Desmond; but they both declined.
"Then I suppose I must eat them myself," said Billy, beginning to break
the shell. He went on until the operation was performed, when he
clapped the end into his mouth.
"Horrible!" he exclaimed, spitting the contents out. "If I haven't
bitten off a bird's head!"
"Try the other, Billy," said Desmond; "that may not be so mature."
Billy, not suspecting a trick, commenced on the second egg, when
Desmond, running into the hut, produced the rest they had brought, which
Peter slipped under the ashes. Billy looked several times at the second
egg; he was going to put it into his mouth when he bethought him of his
knife. No sooner had he cut into it, than he threw it away,
exclaiming--
"I do believe, Desmond, that you brought those on purpose; you have
almost spoilt my appetite."
"Then I have done more than anything else has ever accomplished,"
answered Desmond, laughing. "Never mind, Billy, you shall have the
freshest of those eggs cooking under the ashes if you can regain your
appetite."
"I think I shall be able to do that, but I think I will take some stew
in the mean time."
The rest of the eggs were fresh, but the doctor advised that they should
collect a supply at once, before the birds had sat too long on them, as
probably the greater number had by this time done laying.
In the afternoon Pat went off in the boat a short distance, and in less
than an hour caught more fish than the party could consume. The doctor
had been too busily employed hitherto, but he, having set each man to
work, started at the same time in search of vegetables. He came back
with a bag filled with small green leaves.
"I have found nothing except the cocoa-nuts very palatable, but until
our garden seeds come up this will prove of greater value than any roots
likely to be discovered. I was not aware that it was to be found in so
low a latitude. It is a species of sorrel; it seems placed here by
Providence for the especial use of seamen, as it is most efficacious in
preventing scurvy. All sea officers should be acquainted with it, as it
grows on nearly every uninhabited island."
As soon as it became too dark to work on the vessel, all hands turned to
for the purpose of breaking up a plot for forming the proposed garden
close to the hut, that the seeds might be put in without delay. They
again went to work the following morning before daybreak, and in a short
time a sufficient space was cleared and broken up for the intended
object; as there were no animals, all that was necessary was to run a
few sticks into the ground to mark the spot.
"Now," said the doctor, "if Providence so wills it, we may live here for
the next ten or twenty years, should we fail to build a craft in which
we can venture to sea."
"I am not afraid about that," said Desmond, "and I hope by the time the
crop of vegetables is up, that we may have our craft afloat, and ready
to sail for the Sandwich Islands, or Hong-kong."