CAPTAIN ADAIR'S LAST VISIT TO THE EMPRESS--RESOLVES TO BUILD A VESSEL
OUT OF THE WRECK--THE DOCTOR FEARS THAT THE ISLAND MAY BE BLOWN UP--A
HURRICANE--THE BOATS GET ADRIFT--THE SEA WASHES UP THE BEACH--A FLASH OF
LIGHTNING REVEALS THE SHIP PARTING AMIDSHIPS--THE MASTS FALL--THE SHIP
BREAKS UP--AN EARTHQUAKE--ROCKS FAIL FROM THE CLIFFS--RAFTS
CONSTRUCTED--THE BOATS LAUNCHED--A STILL MORE FEARFUL CONVULSION THAN
BEFORE OCCURS--THE CREW EMBARK ON THE RAFTS AND IN THE BOATS--ROY LEFT
ON THE CLIFF--SAINT MAUR RETURNS TO CALL HIM--A FEARFUL RUSH FOR THEIR
LIVES--REACH THE GIG IN TIME--THE ISLAND IN A TERRIFIC STATE OF
COMMOTION--A SAIL IN SIGHT--APPROACHES THE ISLAND--PROVES TO BE THE
BELLONA--ALL SAFE ON BOARD--TOUCHES AT THE CAPE--THE LAST OF MAJOR
BUBSBY--ARRIVAL AT HOME--HAPPY MEETINGS--CONCLUSION.
Adair and Desmond paid a visit to the _Empress_ one bright morning, when
the harbour was smooth as a mill pond, and scarcely a ripple even was
seen over the expanse of ocean outside. She lay as firm as ever, with
her masts standing, and to all appearance in as good condition as she
was the day when the attempt was made to bring her into the harbour,
except that when they looked below they could see the clear water
washing in and out of her. At a distance she might have been supposed
to be at anchor.
"I have been thinking that as no vessel has come near us since we have
been here, we might have to wait for months, or perhaps years more,
unless we make an attempt to get off by such means as we have at our
disposal," observed Adair.
"What, you would not try to cross the Indian Ocean in the boats, would
you?" asked Saint Maur.
"No; I would not thus risk the lives of my people, but we must endeavour
to build a craft out of the wreck large enough to get as far as Batavia,
or even Madras or Calcutta," answered Adair. "I had hopes when we first
came on shore that a ship would shortly appear, or I should at once have
decided on building a vessel. I have now determined to delay no longer.
When we return I will draw up plan for carrying my intention into
effect." Adair took several turns along the deck. "This is the third
ship I have lost, and I suppose that I shall never get another," he
said, with a sigh. "I shall be looked upon as an unlucky man, though in
neither case could I blame myself, nor could any one blame me. We will
go on shore."
He stepped down the accommodation ladder, which still remained at the
side.
Some time was spent in consulting the carpenter and making the
arrangements for pulling the old ship to pieces. Next morning all hands
were to begin work. It was likely to prove a long undertaking, and one
which no sailor likes to be engaged in. It was also doubtful if the
weather would continue fine enough to enable it to be completed. During
the day a slight movement of the earth was felt, and the same rumbling
noise as before sounded beneath their feet, while another jet of steam
burst forth from an orifice at a distance from the town. But the ship's
company had become so accustomed to the sight of these spouts, that they
did not trouble themselves about the matter. In the evening, while
Adair and Desmond were seated together, the doctor called upon them.
"I have come, Captain Adair, to state that I have been made anxious for
some days past by various phenomena which I have observed on the island.
I cannot help fearing that some internal commotion is taking place
beneath our feet, which may produce serious consequences. The orifices
through which the steam we have observed makes its escape may prove
safety valves, but what if a larger quantity of steam is engendered than
they can let off?"
"You mean to say, doctor, that you fear the island may be blown up, and
that we shall be blown up with it?" said Adair, laughing, though he did
not feel altogether comfortable in his mind on the subject.
"Such, captain, I apprehend may be the case, but whether shortly or some
time hence I cannot take it upon myself to say," observed the doctor.
"I would only urge that a vessel be built in which we can all embark,
for I should not like to leave a human being to run the risk of being
destroyed, which would be the case were such a convulsion as I dread to
take place."
"That's the very thing we are now doing as fast as possible," said
Adair. "Do not, however, let the men know what you think may possibly
occur, nor the officers either. The carpenter considers that it will
take us two months at least to break up the ship and build a new craft
out of the materials, and we can only hope that the land will remain
quiet until that task is accomplished. Lord Saint Maur and I will
accompany you to inspect the new vent-hole and the other phenomena you
speak of; and although we would not pit our scientific knowledge against
yours, yet perhaps we may make some discovery which may allay your
apprehensions."
They set out at once, as there was still sufficient daylight to enable
them to reach the spot to which the doctor had alluded. Adair, after
making a considerable circuit, during which they discovered several
spots so hot that they could scarcely touch them with their hands,
thought that possibly the doctor might be correct. All that he could
do, however, was to make arrangements to afford the chance of escape to
portion of his people, should the island be overwhelmed.
He resolved to have all the boats fitted for sea with stores, water, and
provisions. The whole of the community had turned in for the night with
the exception of the sentries, who were told off to keep watch according
to man-of-war fashion, although there was no enemy likely to attack
them, when they were roused by the well-known sound of a furious gale
blowing on the shore. It came on as suddenly as a clap of thunder, and
ere long the breakers could be heard roaring as they dashed against the
rocky coast. Already the wind had lashed the surface of the harbour
into foam, and the water rushed up the beach, threatening to carry off
the boats, the largest of which were moored a short distance off, while
the others were hauled up on the sand.
The captain and officers were the first to be aroused by the sound of
the gale. They hurried out, and turned up all hands to secure the
boats. This was no easy matter, for two had already broken adrift, and
it was necessary at all risks to go off after them. They, however, were
brought back before the full fury of the hurricane burst on the island.
They were at length hauled up on the beach by means of rollers placed
under them and the strength of fifty hands at least applied to each.
The sea continued to rise, and it became necessary to drag them still
further up out of the danger of being washed away. Even in the harbour
so enormous were the waves that they washed right up to the huts,
threatening to destroy the whole lower part of the town, the inmates of
which were compelled to carry off their goods and chattels higher up the
rock. The largest of the boats still remained on the beach, and the
men, headed by the captain, and accompanied by several officers, were
attempting to drag her up, when a loud sound, like the report of a heavy
gun, was heard.
"There goes the old ship!" cried several voices.
Adair feared that the remark was true. Scarcely had the words been
uttered, when a flash of lightning revealed the ship parting asunder
amidships. The mizzenmast fell at the same time, but the mainmast was
seen still standing. In another minute down came the mainmast with a
crash, followed shortly afterwards by the foremast and bowsprit, and,
high above the roar of the surf and howling of the wind, the rending and
crashing of the ship's timbers could be distinguished.
"There goes all chance of our being able to build a craft," observed
Saint Maur to the captain. "The fragments which come on shore will be
so battered and crushed that they will be of no use."
"I fear so, indeed," answered Adair; "but we must not show the men that
we are disheartened."
The gale went on increasing, while the sad sounds of the ship breaking
up continued, and huge fragments were cast by the force of the waves on
the beach, several striking the stern of the large boat, and almost
staving her in before she could be hauled out of danger. Though the men
could do no more, they stood watching the catastrophe which, though many
of them had long expected it, had come at last so suddenly upon them.
As they thus stood grouped together they felt the earth rock beneath
their feet in a way it had never done before. Then came a sound far
louder than any yet heard. Several of the men cried out that the island
was blowing up. At that moment there was a fearful crash, and by the
light of another flash of lightning a glimpse was caught of a huge mass
of rock descending from the summit of the hill into the water. Another
and another followed. Adair and Saint Maur remembered the doctor's
prognostications, and began truly to fear that the whole island was
breaking up, and that ere long it might present a mass of broken
fragments or sink down bodily beneath the sea.
They endeavoured, notwithstanding, to maintain their own composure and
to restore confidence to the men, many of whom were greatly alarmed.
"Whatever becomes of those high cliffs which seem to be crumbling away,
I consider that we, on this level spot, have every chance of escaping,"
exclaimed Adair. "We must, however, keep out of the way of those rocks,
which, tired of their existence up in the sky, are going to find out how
they like the bottom of the sea."
By this time the night was nearly over, and when morning dawned and
Adair looked out, not a particle of the ship remained entire except her
engines, which, like some huge creature, could just be distinguished,
surrounded by the masses of foam breaking on the bar, while over the
surface of the harbour and outside along the coast could be seen
fragments of wreck of every size, tossed here and there by the waves.
Adair heaved a deeper sigh than he had ever done before in his life.
The storm still continued to rage as fiercely as at first, and it was
impossible to secure any portions of the wreck except those which were
washed ashore in the harbour, and even to do that was a service of
danger, as they were tossed about, threatening to crush those who
approached them. Still Adair thought that it might be possible to save
wood sufficient for the building of a vessel. It would, at all events,
give the men something to do and keep up their spirits with a prospect
of getting off. The carpenter shook his head when he spoke to him on
the subject.
"I am afraid, sir, it will be a rum sort of craft we should build, but
if you will permit me to say so, I think if we were to lengthen some of
the boats and rise upon them two or three feet, we should produce a
better style of craft than we are likely to put together."
Adair thought the matter over, and discussed it with Saint Maur. They
agreed that it was possible, and that, should some fearful convulsion of
the island take place, it would be as well to have the boats thus
fitted, in order that some of their lives, at all events, might be
preserved.
"We will hope that some ship will come in sight before the land sinks
down to the bottom of the sea," said Saint Maur, in a cheerful tone.
The captain just then remembered that the men had been on foot all that
morning without breakfast.
"Pipe to breakfast, Mr Smalls," he sang out to the boatswain, who was
near.
The shrill pipe of the boatswain was heard sounding above the roaring of
the breakers, the howling of the wind, and the crash of the falling
rocks, which still, though in smaller pieces than before, came toppling
down from the summit of the cliff above into the seething waters of the
harbour.
The men willingly obeyed the call, and were quickly seated at their mess
tables, talking and laughing away as usual. Adair and Saint Maur
returned to their cottage. The roofs of the huts had been too securely
fastened down to be blown away, and all hands were soon beneath their
shelter. All day long the gale raged. In spite of it, the carpenter,
with the hands he required, set to work in preparing the wood they had
obtained for enlarging the boats. The largest had, it must be
remembered, been left just above the influence of the sea, where it was
fancied she was free from danger.
In the morning, as usual, a party was sent off to the flag-staff, which
was not visible from the town. Some hours had passed and a relief was
proceeding to take their place, when they were observed coming down the
cliffs, holding on to the rocks as they slowly made their way.
"What has happened?" asked Charley Roy, who commanded the second party.
"The flag-staff is gone and we were all well-nigh carried off with it,"
was the answer. "There is no ship in sight; and if there were, she
would take good care not to come near this rock if she could help it, so
that there is no use in your going on and running the chance of losing
your lives."
"You are quite right," said Roy, and he returned to obtain further
orders.
Adair, of course, told him not to go on to the hill, adding, "We must
get another flag-staff ready to set up as soon as the gale is over," and
he at once issued orders to the carpenter to prepare it.
When night closed in there was no appearance of a cessation of the gale;
indeed, if anything, matters looked worse than they had done all day.
At the usual hour all hands turned in to obtain the rest they required,
while the men on watch stowed themselves away in the most sheltered
corners they could find, for not a human being even during four hours
could have stood exposed to the pitiless tempest.
It was about midnight when those nearest the water were aroused by a
crashing sound, and before they had time to dress themselves, they found
the sea washing right up to their huts, far higher than it had done the
day before. Adair, who slept lightly, was also awakened by the voices
and the shouts of the men as they rushed with their clothes bags and
mess things out of their huts. He and Saint Maur hurried down to
ascertain what was the matter, when on looking towards the beach where
the large boat had been left, on which their hopes of safety depended,
she was nowhere to be seen. A mass of timber and shattered fragments,
surrounded by the seething water, alone marked the spot. A portion of
the wreck, it was evident, had been driven against her, and the retiring
sea had carried her off knocked to pieces. The remainder of the night
was spent in shifting the huts exposed to the waves to a safer spot.
Adair allowed no word of complaint to escape him, but he could not but
dread what might next happen.
Towards morning the gale abated, and the men were employed in hauling up
the fragments of spars which floated among the rocks. Some were of good
size, while others were broken into small pieces, which could be of no
use but to saw into planks. With the large ones the carpenter
contrived, in the course of a couple of days, to build a fresh mast to
supply the place of the old one. By this time the weather was again
calm, and Adair and Saint Maur and several officers accompanied the
party who were selected to set it up. They carried their telescopes,
hoping against hope that a ship might appear. But not a sail was to be
seen in the horizon, nor a wreath of smoke to indicate a passing
steamer. The flag-staff was erected, the ensign run up, and the gun
fired to do it honour.
But we must hasten on with the account of the adventures of the captain
and crew of the unfortunate _Empress_. Day after day, week after week
went by. Occasionally the earth trembled and shook, but no more jets of
vapour or gas burst forth, and the orifices of those which had first
appeared were stopped up. The surgeon's face grew longer and longer.
"Well, doctor," said Adair, when the latter was paying him a visit, "we
are not to be blown up yet, and I hope that the old rock will stand firm
enough until long after we have left it, unless we are to spend our
lives here."
"That's no reason why that fearful event should not some day occur,
captain," answered Dr McQuae. "I last night heard worse rumblings than
have yet occurred. My bunk moved up and down in a curious fashion."
"You must have been dreaming," said Adair. "I slept but lightly, and
heard no noises nor did I feel the slightest movement of the earth."
"Pardon me, Captain Adair. I was broad awake at the time, and could not
be mistaken."
Adair, on making inquiries, was surprised to find that several other
persons had heard noises and felt a movement, especially the sergeant of
marines, who averred that he was very nearly thrown out of his bunk.
His statement, however, was somewhat discredited by the warrant
officers, who expressed their belief that he was addicted to romancing.
Be that as it may, a very uncomfortable feeling prevailed both among the
officers and men, and all were wishing themselves away from so
treacherous a locality. A few days after this a commotion took place
throughout the length and breadth of the island, which left the matter
no longer in doubt. Vast fragments of rock came tumbling down from the
summits of the cliffs, sending huge waves rolling up the beach, although
the sky was serene and the wind blew gently from the northward, so that
no surf broke along the mouth of the harbour.
"If this continues much longer we must launch the boats and build rafts
sufficient to carry all the people, to give some of us a chance for our
lives, at all events," observed Adair to Saint Maur.
"Cheer up, Uncle Terence," exclaimed Desmond; "the cliffs may tumble
down, but still, as you remarked before, we may have firm ground to
stand upon."
"I don't know what I should have done without you," answered Adair.
"Frankly, I believe I should have broken down altogether: For my poor
Lucy's sake and yours I am as anxious to escape, if I can do so with
honour, as any man, but desert my people while one remains in danger I
must not."
"At all events, there can be no harm in getting the rafts built," said
Desmond.
"I will direct the first lieutenant to set the people about the work at
once, just as a matter of precaution, so as not to alarm them," answered
Adair.
There were few, however, who did not feel as anxious as the captain to
get the rafts completed, and all hands set to work to collect every
particle of timber they could find along the coast, and to haul it to
the bay.
The carpenter, upon calculation, found that he could form six rafts,
thirty feet long and twenty wide. These would carry all the crew who
were not able to find room in the boats, provided the sea was tolerably
smooth. A couple of rafts had been completed, and as many hands as
could be employed were working away at the others, when again that
ominous sound which before had alarmed them was heard, and the whole
island seemed to be convulsed, as if about to be rent asunder. Although
the movement ceased, it made them work away with almost frantic haste.
By means of hand-spikes and rollers, the rafts, as they were finished,
were launched, when the boatswain and his mates commenced rigging them
in the best fashion they could, while the sail-makers were employed in
cutting out the canvas, some of which had been kept in store, the rest
being, taken for the roofs of the huts.
Although so much of the cliff had fallen down as to half fill the
harbour, the point on which the flag-staff stood remained intact.
Charley Roy was stationed there with a party of men, who kept a look-out
around the horizon from sunrise to sunset. They were relieved at night
by another party under the third lieutenant, who was directed to burn
blue-lights and let off rockets at intervals, in case any ship should be
passing.
Night brought no cessation to the toils of the crew. Torches were
formed, and fresh hands laboured away at the rafts. Several times as
they were thus toiling, the ground below them shook more or less
violently.
"Stop a bit, an' we'll be afther gittin' off you," cried Pat Casey, who
was always ready with a joke to cheer up his companions. "Jist keep
quiet, me darlin', for a few hours longer, an' you an' me will part
company, whin ye can trimble as much as ye like."
Whether or not the volcano would accede to his request seemed very
doubtful. Towards morning the commotions increased, crash succeeded
crash, and they could perceive that other portions of the cliff had
given way, while there was some fear that the rafts would be swamped by
the sea which the falling masses created, before they could get out of
the harbour. Strange to say, in spite of the fearful danger in which
they were placed, the men joked as much as ever, though they worked away
in a manner which showed that they were fully conscious of the necessity
of speed, the officers labouring with them as hard as any one. At the
sound of the boatswain's call they scampered off to breakfast, which
they bolted in a few minutes, and soon came back to their work.
The weather now became finer than it had been since they had landed on
the island many months before. The sky was clear and the air pure, and
there was not an invalid among them.
The sixth raft had just been completed, and the men were working it down
to the water, when a rumbling sound far louder than any thunder was
heard. The tall cliffs appeared as if about to fall down and fill up
the whole of the harbour, the mouth evidently of an ancient crater. The
rocks were seen to lift and heave; Adair stood on the shore,
superintending the launching of the raft, apparently as cool and unmoved
as ever.
"Now, my lads, get the boats into the water," he exclaimed. "Let their
proper crews attend to them; the rest of you assist the marines in
bringing down the provisions and water."
It should have been said that, under the direction of the pay-master and
his assistants, all the casks had been filled with water, and all the
provisions done up in packages, which could be easily transported.
Even at that moment perfect discipline prevailed; the men hurried
backwards and forwards, it is true, as fast as their legs could carry
them. They worked like a colony of ants, knowing exactly what they had
to do. The midshipmen were ordered into the boats with their respective
crews to stow the packages, and to keep the rafts off the beach. These
were next loaded, and the boats being filled, the men were ordered to
take their places on the rafts.
Captain Adair and Lord Saint Maur stood alone on the shore, when the
sound of a gun was heard.
"I forgot Roy and the men with him," exclaimed Adair.
"I'll go for him," cried Desmond, and before he could be stopped, he
darted off.
Adair now ordered the boats to take the rafts in tow, and to proceed
over the bar, as it would be impossible to find a more favourable
opportunity for crossing it. One boat--his own gig--with four hands in
her, only remained, so that she was able to carry, in addition, Roy and
his party.
Again the sound of the gun was heard, followed by a third report. All
this time the cliffs above the further end of the harbour appeared
crumbling away, while the ground where the marines' huts stood, as well
as beyond them, was heaving in visible undulations. Adair felt that at
any moment the whole island might be convulsed in such a way as to
destroy all remaining on it. He anxiously looked out for the return of
Saint Maur and Roy. The movements increased in violence. He saw the
men in the boat turning their eyes towards the cliff, as if they were
eager to be away, fearing lest they themselves would be involved in the
expected destruction of the island. He drew his breath more freely when
at length he saw Saint Maur appear on the top of the path leading from
the hill, followed by Roy and his men. Down they rushed at headlong
speed. They had not a moment to lose; already huge rents appeared in
the ground, some of a width across which it seemed scarcely possible
they could leap, while the rocks on either side were tumbling and
leaping along, and threatening to crush the party as they made their
downward way.
Adair ordered the men in the gig to come in, and he stood half in the
water holding her stem. He had no need to hurry Saint Maur and the
rest. One poor fellow was struck, but his companions did not wait for
him; they saw at a glance that he was killed. Another narrowly escaped,
and a huge block came near Saint Maur as he sprang over a wide gap.
With frantic haste they dashed along, and almost breathless reached the
beach.
"Spring in!" cried Adair; "I shall be the last to leave the shore!"
Roy and the other men followed. Adair now jumped on board, and made his
way to the stern sheets. The bow-men shoved, off without waiting for
orders, and bending to their oars the gig was soon across the bar.
Saint Maur and Roy were too much out of breath to speak. Indeed, Adair
himself forgot to ask the reason of the signals they had heard; as,
while steering for the bar, and casting a momentary glance over his
shoulders, he saw the whole island rocking to and fro, and not only
steam and smoke, but flames bursting forth from several fissures. Even
now neither he nor his men were in safety: for should the island sink,
the rafts and boats would be drawn into the vortex; or should it blow
up, as seemed very likely, the fragments would too probably fall down
and crush them, or create so violent a commotion of the ocean that they
would scarcely escape being overwhelmed. Steering for the heaviest
raft, he joined another boat in towing her. As yet they were under the
lee of the island, and their sails were of no use. Long paddles had
been formed for the use of the men on the rafts, who worked
energetically, as the boats, heavily laden as they were, were unable to
make much headway.
Roy, who had been hitherto panting too much to speak, now recovering
himself, exclaimed--
"A sail, sir! a sail! We saw her standing towards the island. She's a
steamer, I think, though I could not make out her funnel. I caught
sight of a wreath of white smoke hanging above her masthead."
"Too probably she's only passing," said Adair.
"No, sir, she was standing steadily this way; and the heads of her
courses had already risen above the horizon. We left the flag flying,
so if the hill doesn't come toppling down, she will see that, and know
that there is some one on the rock. Perhaps she is coming expressly to
look after us."
"Thank Heaven!" cried Adair, in a voice choking with emotion, for the
first time the calm composure he had hitherto exhibited giving way. "My
poor people will be saved!"
The joyful news soon spread from boat to boat and raft to raft. At
length feeling the wind, sail was set, and the little squadron steered a
course as close to it as was possible, not to near the ship, but to get
further off from the island. As soon as they had gained what Adair
considered a safe distance, he ordered the first lieutenant, who was in
one of the boats, to cast off and stand towards the stranger, whose
topsails by that time could be seen. He had now only earnestly to pray
that the weather would continue calm until they were all on board.
Meantime he had cast many an anxious glance towards the land, which
seemed, at the distance they were now from it, to be at rest, though the
rumbling sounds which reached them and the thick clouds of smoke and
flame ascending, showed them that they had good reason to be thankful
that they had escaped it.
The first lieutenant's boat was eagerly watched as she glided rapidly
over the smooth water. At last her white speck of canvas disappeared
beneath the horizon, and a further period elapsed.
The stranger was pronounced by the cut of her canvas to be a British
man-of-war. At last she was seen to change her course, and to stand
directly for the rafts. Soon afterwards the glorious ensign of England
blew out at her peak. The sight was welcomed by a cheer from the whole
crew. There could be no doubt that the first lieutenant had got on
board. On she came until she approached, when her canvas was reduced.
"Hurrah! she's the _Bellona_!" exclaimed Saint Maur and Adair at the
same moment. They both knew her, and in another minute they recognised
Captain Rogers and several old friends. Adair and Desmond, springing up
the side, were heartily welcomed.
"We have come expressly to look for you," said Jack, as he grasped their
hands, and he told them of the information he had received from the
master of the Australian trader. The _Bellona's_ boats had been lowered
and now approached to take off the crew from the rafts, as well as the
provisions and water.
"We have arrived in the nick of time," said Jack; "but as your island
now seems tolerably quiet, we may as well remove the stores, the men's
bags, and your own things, which it will be a pity to lose, and I shall
be glad to leave some of these boats which we cannot take away."
The _Bellona_ accordingly steamed on towards the entrance of the
harbour, keeping, as may be supposed, at a safe distance in case of a
sudden outbreak. By this time the smoke and flames had disappeared, and
the boats pulled in, piloted by Adair and his officers.
The blue-jackets were highly delighted at recovering their bags, and the
marines their kits, which had of necessity been left behind. The boats
which Saint Maur and Rip had found when they landed were hauled high up
on the beach and covered over with canvas to protect them from the
weather. The more valuable stores were carried off, though provisions
and other articles were left which might afford assistance to the
sufferers of any ship which might be wrecked on the island.
The _Bellona_ steered directly for the Cape, in a short time, as the
wind became fair, making all sail. That night the watch on deck
declared that they saw a bright glare in the sky above the rock and that
a low rumbling noise was heard coming from the same direction. Whether
or not Virginia Island had blown up remained a matter of doubt, and
Captain Rogers did not think that with two ships' companies on board it
was his duty to return and ascertain the fact.
Crowded as they were, both officers and men were as happy as could be
under such circumstances, and wonderful were the yarns which the crew of
the _Empress_ had to spin, none of the facts which had occurred losing
in the narration, besides which there were many more to describe which
are not chronicled in this history.
The _Bellona_, immediately on her arrival in Simon's Bay, was ordered
home, where Captain Adair and his officers would have, of course, to
undergo the usual court-martial for the loss of the _Empress_. Scarcely
had she dropped her anchor, when, in one of the first boats which came
off, was seen a stout military man, accompanied by two ladies. Shortly
after, Major Bubsby and the two Misses Bubsby ascended the side. Jack,
who was never wanting in politeness, whatever were his feelings, stood
ready to receive them.
"My dear Captain Rogers," exclaimed the major, grasping him by the hand,
"I was at the telegraph station when you made your number, and I
immediately hurried down to welcome you, picking up Eugenia and Angelica
on the way. Will you do me a favour?"
"What is it?" inquired Jack.
"Yes, it is a favour; I will acknowledge it as a favour if you grant it.
Will you convey Mrs Bubsby and myself with our two dear daughters to
England? You must know that I was compelled to resign my command, and I
do not find my stay here as pleasant as I should wish."
Billy Blueblazes, who was standing behind the captain, observed Miss
Angelica casting loving glances towards him. "Heaven forbid that the
captain should grant the major's request," he said to himself.
He need have had no fear on that score. Jack as politely as possible
declined, and did not even invite the major and the Misses Bubsby below.
"You must understand, Major Bubsby, that I have the officers and part of
the ship's company of the _Empress_ to carry home, so that we have not
an inch to spare. I cannot turn them out of the only berths I have to
offer, and you and your daughters would not like to sling up your
hammocks on the lower deck."
"I did not expect this of you, Captain Rogers," said the major, an angry
frown gathering on his brow.
"Hard-hearted man!" murmured Miss Angelica.
But Jack was deaf to all they could say, and felt very much inclined to
order the master-at-arms to escort his visitors, _nolens volens_, down
the side. They at last made a virtue of necessity, and returned to
their boat.
Billy heaved a sigh of relief as he watched them pulling towards the
shore. It was the last he or his captain ever saw or heard of Major
Bubsby and his daughters, the major's name disappearing soon afterwards
from the army list. Lord Saint Maur, of course, went home in the
_Bellona_. He was accompanied by Rip and Snarley, the former begging
that he might enter his service as valet. Old England was reached at
last, when Captain Rogers made the pleasing discovery that he had become
an admiral by seniority.
In a very short time, telegrams having conveyed the joyful intelligence
of the arrival of the ship with Captain Adair and Lord Saint Maur on
board, Julia and Lucy, the former accompanied by her fair daughters,
arrived at Southsea, which had so often before witnessed their grievous
partings and happy meetings. This, as may be supposed, was one of the
happiest. Captain Adair was honourably acquitted for the loss of the
_Empress_. Though he did not again obtain a ship, he accompanied the
expedition to Coomassie, and took an active part in an exploit which
redounded so greatly to the honour of the troops, blue-jackets, and
marines engaged in it, as well as to that of its noble leader, proving
what stern discipline and courage can effect, even in the most
pestiferous of climates and against hosts of brave foes.
Lord Saint Maur, shortly after his return home, married Miss Lucy
Rogers, and Archie Gordon became the husband of another of Jack's
daughters. Tom was supposed to be a confirmed bachelor, notwithstanding
his early susceptibilities to female attractions, until, on going over
to pay a visit to his old shipmate at Kilcullin Castle, he there met the
Misses McMahon, the youngest of whom he married. Billy Blueblazes, who
came to act the part of his best man, fell head over ears in love with
the eldest--not the first Englishman under similar circumstances who has
been captivated by one of Erin's fair daughters, and she, discovering
attractions which satisfied her, and the counsellor ascertaining that he
was heir to a good estate, no objections were raised, and Billy became a
happy benedict, quitting the service as a retired commander.
Tim Nolan and Pat Casey made their appearance at the castle one day,
"just," as they said, "to see how his lordship was getting on."
"What are you going to do with yourselves, my good fellows?" asked Lord
Saint Maur.
They twirled their hats and scraped their feet and acknowledged that
they had not quite settled, except that they had made up their minds not
to go to sea again.
On this Lord Saint Maur offered them cottages rent free, and employment
on board his yacht in summer, and charge of his boats on the river which
ran through his estate.
Jerry Bird obtained a pension and settled near Admiral Rogers, while
Peter became butler to Billy Blueblazes. Indeed, a satisfactory account
can be given of all the friends who have played a part in this history.
Soon after his return from Africa Captain Adair obtained his flag, and
the "Three Admirals" remain, as they had been in their youth and through
the whole of their career, the firmest friends, and, though they
themselves are shelved, take the warmest interest in the glorious
service in which they spent their lives, and in the welfare of their
younger relatives and former followers.