NEWS FROM ENGLAND--JACK ROGERS APPOINTED TO THE GAUNTLET--ADAIR
PROMOTED, AND SUCCEEDS HIM IN COMMAND OF THE ROMP--THE THREE MIDSHIPMEN
TRANSFERRED TO THE GAUNTLET--A TRIP ON SHORE--SAILORS IN THE
SLAVE-MARKET--THE SULTAN APPEARS--GAUNTLET ON THE NORTHERN STATION--TOM
KETTLE AND BILL SAUCEPAN, THE KROOMEN--A TRAP FOR SLAVERS--MR LARGE'S
EXPEDITION IN SEARCH OF WILDFOWL--FINDS MORE THAN HE BARGAINED FOR--IS
THE ISLAND BEWITCHED?
The corvette was within a hundred miles of the African coast, when a
sail was sighted on the port-bow coming down before the wind. She was
soon seen to be a large ship, and little doubt was entertained that she
was the _Radiant_. That she was so was in a short time proved, when she
got near enough to allow her number to be seen. The corvette
accordingly hove-to, to await her coming. As she drew near, she
shortened sail, and hoisted a signal to send a boat for mail-bag.
No summons could be more willingly attended to. The boat was soon
alongside, when a large letter-bag was lowered into her, and Adair was
summoned to give an account of the trip to Seychelles.
He of course inquired the news. There were some changes in the station.
"Commander Rogers has been confirmed in his rank," said the commodore;
"and I have appointed him to succeed poor Danvers, the late commander of
the _Gauntlet_ steamer, which arrived out on the station after you
sailed. I hope that he'll have gained some experience in the _Romp_,
for I mean to do something in putting down the slave-trade. I am
determined to strike a blow at the traffic before I return to the Cape,
where the doctor tells me I ought to go for the sake of the health of
the ship's company and my own; and so I will, as soon as I hear that a
few more captures have been made. By the bye, you've been pretty
successful, and I'll give you an acting order to command the _Romp_ till
someone is appointed from home. I expect you to show your zeal in the
service, and I have no doubt that you will be able to give a
satisfactory account of your proceedings."
Adair, highly pleased, thanked the commodore, and hastened back with the
letter-bag to the corvette. He longed to see its contents, for he felt
sure that he should hear from Mrs Murray, if not from Lucy herself.
The contents of the bag were quickly distributed, and every officer, and
not a few of the men, were soon deeply immersed in perusing their
various epistles. It was a wonder the corvette did not run away with
them; fortunately Jos Green was the officer of the watch, and, shoving
his letters into his pocket, he issued the order to brace round the
foreyard, and the corvette once more stood close-hauled to the westward,
while the commodore ran on for the island of Pemba.
Murray, of course, had a letter from his wife, containing a smaller
missive, which he held in his hand while he read the contents of the
former. Adair had just received a long official-looking epistle, at
which his eyes sparkled with more than usual animation. "Good luck has
come at last!" he exclaimed; "I've got my promotion, thanks to Admiral
Triton and Lord Derrynane."
"I congratulate you heartily," said Murray; "and here's a little billet
which I hope may add to your satisfaction. I suppose Stella thinks it
all right, or she wouldn't have undertaken to forward it." Adair took
the note, and, eagerly opening it, ran his eyes rapidly over the
delicately-formed characters.
"Hurrah, my boy, I'm the happiest fellow alive!" he said, with
difficulty restraining an inclination to throw his cap into the air and
give an Irish caper. "That capital fellow, Jack, has been taking my
part; and Lucy says that Sir John and Lady Rogers are inclined to
relent, and she's certain would not withhold their consent provided I
obtain what I've just got; and so I may conclude that it will all be
settled, and that I may make my appearance at Halliburton as soon as I
return to England."
"I'm truly glad to hear it," said Murray; "from what my wife says, I
thought you would be satisfied with her friend's letter. The only
drawback, as far as I am concerned, is that I shall lose you as my first
lieutenant. However, I mustn't complain, and I might have a much worse
one than Mildmay, who will, I am sure, turn to with a will when he finds
himself once in the position, and I only hope I may get an efficient
officer in his place."
Adair was sorely tempted to go home by the first opportunity, instead of
taking command of the _Romp_; but two motives prevented him--first, he
had been appointed commander; and, secondly, hoped by capturing a number
of dhows to be able to pick up some prize-money, which might assist him
in setting up house when he got back to England.
"I say, Uncle Terence, am I to follow you on board the brig or to remain
here?" asked Desmond, when he heard of Adair's appointment and
promotion.
"If the commander can spare you, I think, Desmond, I will take you with
me," answered Adair, "but it must depend upon him. He may be unwilling
to lose the services of so valuable an officer."
"Arrah now, Uncle Terence, you're poking fun at me," exclaimed Desmond;
"but I'm after thinking how Archie Gordon will get on without me. We've
been together ever since he came to sea, and it will seem strange to him
and to me if we're separated."
"I've a notion that each of you will get along very well by yourselves,
and neither of you will be able to lead the other into mischief," said
Adair.
"Mischief d'ye mane, Uncle Terence," cried Desmond; "sure it's what
neither of us are capable of."
"No, of course you are both of you wonderfully well-conducted young
gentlemen," replied Adair; "and, besides, you are getting rather too old
for playing monkey tricks; but still I'd rather keep my eye upon you,
and so I intend to ask Commander Murray to lend you to the _Romp_ till
she's ordered home."
The next day the corvette reached Zanzibar, where the first object which
greeted the eyes of those on board was a fast-looking screw-steamer such
as had never before appeared in those waters. The first person who
stepped on board was Jack Rogers, looking as fresh and jolly as if he
had just come from England, instead of having been roasting in the East
for the last two years or more. Following him came Tom, who dived down
into the midshipmen's berth to have a talk with his old friends.
Jack expressed himself well pleased with the steamer, though he had
never belonged to one before. "The only bother is that I don't
understand the engineer's reports; and when he tells me that so much
steam has been blown off, all I can reply is, `Make it so,'" he
observed, laughing; "however, I suppose I shall know all about it by and
by, as I go down as often as I can into the engine-room and inspect the
machinery, with as knowing a look as I can assume. I've a notion that
the engineer has found me out, but he is a discreet man, and doesn't
take advantage of my ignorance; so I expect to get on very well, and
hope that we shall catch no end of dhows, which will be unprepared for
our mode of making our way through the water."
Adair at once went on board the _Romp_, accompanied by Desmond, who took
Tom's berth. Thus the three young commanders found themselves all
together, each captain of his respective ship. Their great object was
the suppression of the slave-trade; for this purpose they laid their
heads together to concoct a scheme to carry it effectually out. Their
plan was to proceed along the coast, each taking up a position a couple
of hundred miles or so apart, and to send their respective boats' crews
north and south, thus keeping up the chain of communication, imparting
information, and the one aiding the other.
Jack was glad to find his old friend Higson first lieutenant of the
_Gauntlet_. He had become, if not a temperance man, at all events as
sober as a judge, and devoted to the duties of his position. His old
shipmates were glad to meet him. He dined with Murray and Adair the two
days they remained at Zanzibar, "the only times," he declared, "that he
had been out of the ship since she left England."
The three commanders had a consultation regarding the disposal of their
three young relatives. They agreed that as they were all well up in
seamanship, and knew nothing about steam, that it would be to their
advantage to remain for some time on board the steamer. "There's no
doubt that steam is making great progress, and for the sort of work on
which we are engaged, at all events, steamers will be universally
employed," observed Murray, with his usual forethought. "I should not
be surprised if we were to have all our larger as well as the smaller
vessels fitted with the auxiliary screw, and it is, of course, very
important that an officer should be well acquainted with its management,
as well as with the working of steam-engines in general."
"Faith, I believe you are right," answered Adair; "though I'm mighty
afraid that if steamers come into vogue, they will do away with all the
romance once upon a time supposed to belong to a naval life."
"I shall not make myself very unhappy on that account," said Murray,
laughing; "it will be a great thing not to have to depend on the fickle
wind for making a passage, and still more to know that we may pounce
down upon those rascally fast-sailing dhows whenever we can sight them
in a calm, and be sure of overtaking them."
"I agree with you," said Jack; "I only wish that I knew a little more
about a steamer. However, I shall pick up some knowledge of the matter
before long, and hope to make good use of it. My engineer appears to be
a sensible man, and I shall be glad to have Gordon and Desmond on board,
and to place them under his instruction. I will, of course, look after
them as carefully as I do my young brother Tom."
So it was arranged that Archie and Desmond should be lent to the
_Gauntlet_, she having only one other midshipman and two old mates on
board. They, of course, were highly delighted to hear the decision to
which their elders had come, not so much perhaps on account of the
advantage it was expected they would derive, as from the thoughts of the
fun they would have together. As the ship was not to sail till the next
day, they all three forthwith asked leave to go on shore for the purpose
of getting a ride into the country, in company with the master of the
_Opal_ and some of the midshipmen of the other vessels. As Jos Green
undertook to look after them, Jack gave them leave, charging them to be
on board before dark. A party of the men from each ship had likewise
obtained leave to go on shore to purchase curiosities for their
sweethearts and wives.
The Sultan had lately made it known that his stud, consisting of a
hundred horses and more, was at the disposal of the British naval
officers who might wish to take a ride into the country; and the
midshipmen were therefore directing their course to the palace, when
Desmond proposed that they should take a stroll first through the town.
"It isn't the sweetest of places, I'll allow, but we may come upon
something worth seeing, and have some fun or other," he exclaimed. All
hands agreed to the proposal, and two and two they made their way
through the narrow streets, not exactly knowing where they were going.
They agreed, however, that except the crowds of savage, dirty-looking
Arabs, and still more hideous blacks, tumbledown houses, and bazaars
full of trumpery goods, there was nothing to be seen in Zanzibar.
Suddenly they found themselves in a square, which Desmond recognised as
the slave-market. It was far more crowded than when Archie and he had
been there before. As they looked round, they calculated that there
were three or four hundred slaves of all degrees; some, mostly women,
gaudily, if not gorgeously dressed, looking plump and well; and others,
who had apparently lately been imported, in a most miserable state of
starvation. The sight was sufficient to excite the feelings of the most
callous observers. Many were little more than skeletons, with their
skins, often covered with sores, drawn tight over their distorted bones;
their eyeballs protruding hideously, evidently in consequence of the
falling away of the flesh on their faces; their chests sunk, and their
joints swelled and knotty, contrasted with their withered limbs.
Several such groups were seen in different parts of the square. In
another part, seated under the shade of a projecting roof, were a group
differing greatly from the last described. They were women-slaves,
considered of high value. On their heads they wore dark veils, covered
with glittering spangles, and various ornaments, though the way in which
their faces were painted with black and yellow detracted from any
natural beauty they might have possessed, according to the taste of the
English officers. Another similar group of ten or a dozen negro girls
were still further decorated with mantles of a blue muslin thrown over
their shoulders, of which they appeared to be not a little proud,
though, from the expression of their faces, it was impossible to say
what feelings animated them. Although some few of the poor girls might
have been considered attractive but for the daubs of paint on their
faces, the greater number were fearfully scarified, not from cruelty,
but in order to increase their beauty according to the taste of their
countrymen.
There were numerous groups also of men and boys, such as have before
been described. Each of the groups was in charge of an Arab auctioneer,
who put them up to sale, much in the way that ordinary goods and
chattels are disposed of at auction marts in England. A dozen or more
auctioneers were busily at work together, trying to attract purchasers,
pulling at the sleeve of one as he passed by, then at the skirt of
another; somewhat after the fashion of old-clothes sellers in London.
The Arab purchasers showed no eagerness, however, but turned away from
the tempting offers, however much they might have desired to possess
them. Business was going on in a tolerably quiet way, the appearance of
the midshipmen in no way interrupting matters, till a large party of
bluejackets arrived on the scene. Just then, some of the least
interesting lots having been disposed of, an old Arab, with a long white
beard, was putting up for sale one of the highly-adorned female lots,
his example being followed by several of his rivals in trade. A stout
female, with a face deeply scarred and hideously painted, and an arm
strong enough to fell an ox, was speedily disposed of. As she seemed to
take kindly to her new master, no sympathy was raised in her behalf.
The case, however, was different with regard to a group of young girls,
many of whom could not fail to excite interest. Two, especially, who
were apparently sisters, were seated together, with their hands clasped,
and their arms round each other's necks, their countenances exhibiting a
greater expression of shame and grief than did those of most of their
companions.
Notwithstanding the horrors innumerable they might have gone through,
they seemed to be aware that a still greater trial was in store for
them. Several of the number had been knocked down, not literally, but
to buyers, after a considerable amount of bidding, and all, it seemed,
had gone off at high prices. The sailors had been looking on, making
remarks, which it was as well neither auctioneers nor purchasers
understood. Their feelings of sympathy, already excited by the sales
they had witnessed of the other groups, were rapidly becoming less and
less controllable. They eyed with no very friendly glances the
ill-favoured Arabs who, grasping the poor girls by their arms, claimed
them henceforth as their chattels. At length the turn of the two
sisters came. Several bidders stood by, each offering an increase on
the price last named by the auctioneer. Jerry Bird, who was among the
seamen, could not make out whether they were to be sold together or
singly. "It will be a shame if they're parted; but the whole thing is a
shame, and there's nothing I'd like so much as to send the rascally
buyers and sellers to the right-about, and to set the poor creatures
free," he exclaimed.
Just then a wizen-faced, one-eyed old Arab, his rich dress showing that
he was a man of wealth and importance, came up and fixed his single
blinker upon one of the negro girls. He quickly outbid all competitors.
The auctioneer offered him the other sister, but he only wanted one,
and nothing could induce him to offer for the other. At length, losing
patience, he grasped the negro girl by the arm, and was about to drag
her off by the wrist, when her sister, not yet sold, threw her arms
about her neck, both uttering a wail of despair which might have gone to
the hearts of the most obdurate. It had an electrical effect on the
sensitive seamen. "Well, that's more than I can stand," cried Jerry.
"Down with the brutal Arabs, and let's set the whole lot of the poor
creatures free!"
He gave but expression to the feelings which were animating the breasts
of his companions. Dealing blows right and left, they simultaneously
set upon the surrounding Arabs, the old fellow who had bought the girl
being the first knocked over, and the auctioneer with the glib tongue
the second, the others, who drew their daggers, having their weapons
whirled from their hands; while the greater number, astonished by the
suddenness of the attack, took to flight in all directions, pursued by
the now infuriated seamen. The girls crowded together, more alarmed,
probably, than delighted at the efforts made by the gallant tars in
their favour.
Having succeeded, as they believed, in rescuing one of the party, the
seamen, without an instant's hesitation, set upon the other auctioneers
in their immediate neighbourhood, whom they quickly put to flight; and
sweeping on, flourishing their cudgels and shouting at the top of their
voices, they in a short time cleared the square of every trafficker in
human flesh. Jos Green and the midshipmen, who had been at the farther
end of the square, did not understand what was happening till they saw
the Arabs scampering off, turbans trailing behind them, daggers whirled
through the air, slippers left on the ground, sword-blades shivered into
fragments, while not a few long-robed rascals lay sprawling in the dust;
the rest flying at sight of the enraged bluejackets at their heels.
However much Jos and his party might have sympathised with the men, they
at once saw that their proceedings might lead to serious consequences.
In vain, however, he shouted out to them to hold fast; the sailors were
too eager to be stopped, and continued the pursuit of the Arabs towards
every avenue opening into the square. Whenever a party halted, they
immediately, with loud shouts, made at them, compelling them again to
take to their heels.
The midshipmen, indeed, who thought the matter very good fun, encouraged
the men by their shouts and laughter, instead of abetting Green in his
efforts to stop the fray. They were now undoubted masters of the field,
but what to do with the liberated blacks was a question which had not
entered their heads. Had they been allowed, they would have liked
amazingly to have followed up their victory till they had driven the
Sultan and all his subjects out of the city, or burned it down over
their heads; but before they proceeded to extremities, His Highness
himself, with a body of his troops, happening to be passing through the
neighbourhood, encountered some of the flying populace, and,
ascertaining the cause of the uproar, rode into the square.
Instead of charging the British and cutting them down, he wisely, by
means of an interpreter who happened to be with him, shouted to them to
keep together, and let him hear what they had to say for themselves. On
this Green and the midshipmen hurried after those who were still
pursuing the Arabs in different directions, and succeeded in calling
them back. They quickly collected in a body, and, not dreaming that
they had done anything especially out of the way, but rather had fought
bravely and in a laudable cause, without hesitation, still grasping
their cudgels, boldly faced the Sultan and his party.
"Tell His Royal Majesty that we found them rascally Arabs knocking down
these here unfortunate blackies, just like so many hogs at Smithfield
market," answered Jerry to the interpreter's interrogations.
The latter was sorely puzzled to explain the sailor's reply to the
Sultan. "Neither the auctioneers nor the others would do anything to
knock down the slaves or do anything to hurt them," he answered.
"Inshallah! His Majesty allows no violence in his dominions."
This was a broad assertion on the part of the interpreter, considerably
remote from the truth. However, the Sultan, who was extremely anxious
not to get embroiled with the English, at once accepted their excuses,
and either believed, or pretended to believe, that the slave-dealers had
been using violence towards the blacks. Catching sight of Green and the
other officers, he sent to request their attendance, and desired them to
collect their men and march them down to the water, undertaking to
protect them from the violence of the inhabitants, who would have
otherwise undoubtedly set upon them in overwhelming numbers, and cut
them to pieces. He observed, however, that they must on no account
again venture on shore, as it would be impossible to guard them from the
violence of the Arabs, who would certainly attack them if they had the
opportunity.
Green, thankful to get the men out of the scrape, ordered them to keep
close together, and follow the Sultan's advice.
"But what are we to do with the poor nigger gals, sir?" asked Jerry, who
seemed in no way conscious that he and his companions had illegally
transgressed the bounds of propriety.
"I'm afraid we must leave them to their fate," answered Green; "if you'd
carried them off, you wouldn't have known how to dispose of them; and,
when we get to sea, we must do our best to put a stop to the traffic by
catching as many slave-dhows as possible."
"Ay, ay, sir," shouted the men. The affair, which, at first, appeared
likely to be very serious, was thus terminated satisfactorily; and the
scene they had witnessed certainly contributed to make both men and
officers more eager than ever to catch the slavers, independent of any
secret hopes they might have entertained of collecting a good quantity
of prize-money.
Jos Green and his companions, though deprived of their ride, resolved
not to bring the matter before their officers, who might look upon it in
a different light to the seamen, unless complaints were made by the
authorities. In that case they determined to defend them as far as they
had the power. The consul, however, was likely to hear of the matter,
and it would, they suspected, prevent any man-of-war's men being allowed
on shore at Zanzibar.
The three vessels sailed together for the northward, when the
_Gauntlet_, with her screw lifted, was found to make as good way as her
full-rigged consorts. She was destined to take the most northern
station, the corvette to cruise next to her, and the brig to remain in
the south, to watch Pemba and the adjacent coast. The brig was the
first to haul her wind, the corvette next; and Jack then, parting from
her, stood for his station in the north. Higson had been out on the
coast before, as had the gunner and boatswain, and Jack was therefore
glad to consult them. The boatswain, Mr Large, was very unlike his
brother officer of the corvette, his appearance answering to his name.
Although not unusually tall, he required an unusually wide cot in which
to stow himself away. His countenance was stained red by hot suns and
air, rather than by any excess in drinking, though he took his grog, as
he used to observe, "like an honest man, whenever it came in his way,
either afloat or ashore." He was sufficiently active, and remarkably
strong.
On her outward voyage the _Gauntlet_ had touched at Sierra Leone, and
shipped a gang of Kroomen, who proved as efficient as any part of the
ship's company. The head Krooman, a fine-looking fellow, rejoiced among
his shipmates in the name of Tom Kettle while his mate was christened
Bill Saucepan,--names to which they willingly answered,--while on the
rest of the gang similar names were bestowed. The men of the tribe to
which they belonged are infinitely superior to all others of the West
Coast, and every man-of-war employed on the station has been for long
accustomed to receive a party of them on board to perform the severer
labours of the ship, under which English seamen, in that climate, would
not fail to suffer. Their dress is that of ordinary seamen, and they
are particularly clean and neat in their persons, while they receive the
same rations as the other seamen; indeed, they are treated in all
respects like the rest of the crew, except that they mess by themselves,
and are under the immediate command of their head man and his mate.
They are good-natured, merry fellows, as brave as lions, active and
intelligent, and always ready to perform the most dangerous and
fatiguing duties without grumbling. Tom Kettle and his men were
therefore great favourites on board. Black Tom, as he was generally
called by the midshipmen, soon became great friends with his namesake
and his companions, who treated him with the respect which was his due,
and consequently won his affections.
He had nothing of Captain Marryat's Mesty about him. He did not pretend
to be the son of a prince, or to have any wrongs to avenge; on the
contrary, his boast was that his father and grandfather were seamen
before him, who had ever proved true to their colours; and he was
prouder of that than he would have been of being allied to the greatest
potentate under the line.
Jack was on the alert himself, and kept everybody else on board on the
alert, in the hopes, by some means or other, of inflicting a heavy blow
on the abominable slave-trade, for he felt as much interest in the
matter as did the old commodore himself. It reconciled him completely
to being compelled to command a steamer, which formerly, with the
feelings of the old school, he had looked upon as a somewhat derogatory
employment. Night and day the brightest lookout was kept, and every
suspicious dhow chased and boarded. For some time, however, only legal
traders were fallen in with.
It was natural to suppose that as Jack was fresh on the station he would
require the most efficient interpreter, and Hamed was therefore
transferred to the _Gauntlet_, Murray taking another provided by the
consul in his stead. Jack began to feel vexed at his want of success,
but Hamed assured him that only the first part of the trade had begun to
move northward, and that the slavers would soon be coming, fast and
thick.
"I hope so," said Jack, "for this is fearfully dull work."
"Well, captain, I tinkee you gettee more prize if you hide ship under
lee of some island, and den pounce out on de dhows like wasps," said
Hamed.
Jack, accordingly, examining the chart with Higson, looked out for the
most suitable island for their purpose. The first on which they fixed,
a short way to the northward, was low and sandy. It had some tall trees
in the centre, of a height to hide a ship's masts. The _Gauntlet_
accordingly proceeded on to the northern end, off which she brought up,
thus concealed from any dhows coming from the southward. A mile and a
half or so to the north was another much smaller island, towards which
numerous birds were seen wending their way; and it was evidently, from
some peculiarity of the soil, a favourite resort of the feathered tribe.
The ship had been at anchor for several hours, and as no dhows had as
yet been seen, and it was thought probable none would make their
appearance for a day or two, the time hung heavily on the hands of all
on board. Desmond and Tom, having been at work all the morning studying
the steam-engine, took it into their heads that they merited some little
relaxation, and set to work to persuade Mr Large to accompany them on a
shooting expedition to the island. "You see, Mr Large," observed Tom,
"we're certain to make a good bag, and you like roast goose as much as
any man; though we shall have to do without apple sauce, I'm afraid.
I'm certain that the birds I saw must have been geese, from their size;
we can even now make them out, hovering over the island. We shall very
likely get enough to dine the whole ship's company."
Mr Large's mouth watered as Tom expatiated on the dainty dish he hoped
to provide. "If we can't get any of the boats, we can at all events
have our canoe," Gerald Desmond observed. It was the same canoe in
which they had been picked up and saved by the _Romp_, and which Adair
and Murray, who both claimed the ownership, had presented to Jack.
Mr Large, in an evil hour, yielded to the midshipmen's representations,
and consented to accompany them. They, without difficulty, obtained
leave from the first lieutenant, promising to be back before dark with
the canoe loaded with birds. Mr Large, who considered himself a
first-rate shot, was the happy possessor of a fowling-piece, which he
boasted was superior to the best owned by any officer in Her Majesty's
Service. The midshipmen contented themselves with two ship's muskets,
which, as they carried a large amount of shot, would, they conceived,
kill no end of birds every time they were fired.
Having dined, they had no need of provisions; so, taking plenty of
powder and shot, with their three weapons, they shoved off, Mr Large
sitting in the after-end, while the two midshipmen paddled well forward,
in order in some degree to counteract his weight, which, as it was,
brought the canoe considerably down by the stern, and lifted the bows
almost out of the water. Tom Kettle, who was unaware of their
intention, did not see them till they had got some distance from the
ship. "They had better take care," he observed, "or sea come over de
stern and swamp de canoe."
The water, however, was smooth, and neither Mr Large nor his companions
had any apprehensions on the subject. Away they went, intending to land
on the nearest point. As they approached the point, they were not
disappointed in their expectations of finding it crowded with sea-birds,
many of large size, which Tom averred were the geese he had seen; while
there were various species of ducks, which appeared to be living in
harmony with the other inhabitants.
The wind had got up a little, and as they drew near they saw that there
was some surf on the shore; but Mr Large declared that it was nothing
to hurt the canoe, and that they might pass easily through it without
shipping a thimbleful. He hesitated, however, as he drew nearer.
"Don't quite like the look of it," he observed. "If we'd had the large
boat we might have got on shore easy enough, but if a sea was to catch
us we might be rolled over before we could tell where we were."
"Arrah, but it won't do to turn back," cried Desmond; "those geese now
will be after roasting us instead of our roasting them, not to speak of
the laugh that there'd be on board when we got back without a feather to
show, except the white feather which they'd be after talking about."
Thus incited by Desmond's wit, the boatswain determined to attempt
landing. "Now, young gentlemen, paddle away with a right good will," he
shouted out, moving farther from the stern. The midshipmen pulling away
with all their might, on flew the canoe, with every chance, apparently,
of reaching the beach, when the boatswain, turning his head over his
shoulder, saw a huge foam-topped sea come rolling up with unusual speed.
He shouted to his companions to paddle on. In half a minute more the
stern of the canoe would have touched the beach, but before it got
there, down thundered the sea upon them, deluging the boatswain, washing
the two midshipmen high up on the beach, and capsizing the canoe, which
it rolled up with Mr Large under it close after them. Picking
themselves up, without losing their presence of mind, they turned round
to see what had become of their companion, and were happily in time to
catch hold of him and drag him up before the following sea carried him
off.
"Thank you, young gentlemen; you've saved my life, and I've saved my
fowling-piece. But I'm afraid the muskets are lost, and, what's as bad,
so are the powder-horns and shot," said Mr Large.
"No, there's one of the muskets," cried Tom, as he caught sight of the
butt lifted above the surface amid the creamy water, and, rushing in, he
seized it, though the next sea nearly carried him off his legs.
"And there's the other," exclaimed Desmond; and, notwithstanding Tom's
narrow escape, he plunged in and secured it. The canoe was thrown up on
the beach, not much the worse, and the two paddles were saved. "I'm
afraid there's little chance of our finding our ammunition," said Tom in
a melancholy voice, not a bit minding the wetting, "and unless we can
manage to knock down the birds with our firearms, we shall have to go
back after all without any game to show."
"But we must manage by hook or by crook to catch some of them,"
exclaimed Desmond. "Sure we may catch them by the legs, if we lie
quiet, as they come flying by. There seems to be no end of young ones;
we may get hold of them, at all events."
While Tom and Desmond were discussing the subject, Mr Large was
watching the breakers, which came tumbling in every instant with
increased violence. "I am sorry to say, young gentlemen, that we've no
chance of getting off till the sea goes down," he remarked, "unless we
drag the canoe across the island, or a boat is sent from the ship to our
assistance; and I'm afraid that that mayn't be thought of till night
comes on."
"Well, perhaps we may find some eggs," observed Desmond; "they will
afford us a supper, and we can manage to get back in the morning."
"They may chance to be over-savoury, considering that so many young ones
have already been hatched," said Tom. "However, if we get hungry we
shan't be particular."
The boatswain continued looking with a dissatisfied glance at the
tumbling waters. "I doubt, even should the boat be sent, whether she
would be able to take us off," he observed. "The commander won't be
very well pleased when he finds what's happened. Instead of sleeping
comfortably on board, we shall have to spend the night out on the bare
sand."
"No very great hardship in that, is there, Mr Large?" observed Tom,
trying to console the boatswain. "If we light a fire and roast a goose,
we may be pretty jolly after all."
"We must catch the goose first, Mr Rogers; and then, as to lighting a
fire without a match-box or gunpowder, how is that to be done?" asked
the boatswain.
Tom had forgotten, and had to acknowledge that they might have to go
without the fire. It was agreed, however, that they should search for
eggs, which, although they might be somewhat high, might assist in
keeping body and soul together.
"Roast goose would have been very pleasant, and a drop of grog to wash
it down," observed the boatswain, who could not forget the loss of his
creature comforts.
Having hauled the canoe high up on the beach, the boatswain set off in
one direction, and the two midshipmen in the other, in search of eggs.
They discovered here and there a few broken egg-shells and a few young
birds. At length Tom came upon two or three eggs, which he eagerly
seized. "Here's a supper for us," he exclaimed, breaking open one of
them; but he threw it down with intense disgust.
"Faith, a fellow must be hard up before he could eat that," said
Desmond; "try another."
"No, thank you," answered Tom; "one is enough to satisfy me. But we'll
keep them for Mr Large; he may not be so particular. Only we must take
care not to break them in our pockets, or we shan't be able to wear our
jackets again."
They went on some way farther, the birds shrieking and pecking at their
legs as they passed, but showing no further sign of anger, as they had
not time to seize the young ones. As they got farther round the island,
they saw, from its peculiar conformation, that the sea swept round it,
and broke almost with as much violence on the one side as on the other;
though still it might be possible, could they get the canoe across, to
launch her. However, they were very unwilling to return without having
something to show, and agreed that it would be better to wait till the
following morning.
They had got more than half-way round when loud cries reached them, and,
looking ahead, they caught sight of the boatswain scampering away over
the sand faster than he had run for many a year, with a vast flight of
birds hovering about his head, and uttering loud shrieks and cries of
anger; some darting down and attacking him from behind, and others
wheeling round and flying at his face, which he had the greatest
difficulty in defending. The midshipmen, seeing the predicament that he
was in, hurried forward to his assistance; when the birds, undaunted by
their appearance, commenced an assault on them, and they too had to beat
a retreat, pursued by their persevering foes. In vain they struck about
them with their muskets, which, being heavy, the birds easily evaded,
only to return to the assault with greater vigour, caring neither for
their aimless blows nor their loud cries.
The midshipmen could easily have outstripped the boatswain, who, already
blown, rushed on puffing and panting like an asthmatic steam-engine; but
they, like young heroes, refused to desert him, although Desmond, as he
flourished his musket, very nearly brought the muzzle down on his
companion's nose. The faster they ran, the more determined the birds
became, till matters were really growing serious; and the poor
boatswain, unable any longer to continue his flight, suddenly came down
with a run on his face in the sand.
The midshipmen now making a stand in order to defend him, the birds
retreated, croaking and shrieking louder than ever. "We must lift Mr
Large up, or he'll be suffocated," said Tom, and, aided by Desmond, they
rolled him round till his face was out of the sand. He was breathing
very heavily, and they became greatly alarmed. "I'm afraid he's got a
fit of apoplexy, or something dreadful," cried Tom. "I say, Gerald, go
and fetch a cap full of water,--there's no other way of getting it--and
we'll try and bring him to."
Gerald, as desired, ran off to the beach, and hurried back with his cap,
from which the water was of course rapidly streaming out. They managed,
however, to clear the boatswain's nostrils and mouth of sand, and at
length had the satisfaction of seeing him open his eyes, his first
impulse being to try and get up. He could not as yet speak, and gazed
about him wondering what had happened. The shrieks of the birds still
hovering near reminded him, and he soon came to.
"Thank you, young gentlemen; if it hadn't been for you, I don't know
what would have happened," he said, in a faint voice. He had reason,
indeed, to thank the midshipmen; for had they not stayed by him, he
would, to a certainty, have been suffocated. Some time had thus been
spent. They had been longer making the passage than they had expected,
and night was fast approaching. They were wet and hungry, and not very
well satisfied with their performances; knowing also that, whether a
boat was sent for them or not, they would all be severely reprimanded on
their return on board.
After sitting for some time, the boatswain declared that he should catch
his death of cold if he remained quiet much longer; so, getting up, they
all three set off running to try and restore circulation. No sooner did
the winged inhabitants of the island see them on the move than, perhaps
supposing that they were again about to invade their nests, with loud
shrieks they darted once more to the attack, flying round and round
them, and every now and then threatening to pounce down and attack their
faces. Even when they did stop, the enraged creatures hovered round
them, giving them no rest, and keeping them constantly on the watch to
ward off their threatening beaks. At last Tom thought of the paddles,
which had been left in the canoe, and, making their way back to her, he
and Desmond armed themselves each with one, which were likely to prove
more serviceable weapons than the heavy muskets. The birds seemed to be
of this opinion, for no sooner did the midshipmen boldly assault them
than they flew off to their nests. The boatswain, between his fear of
catching cold should he lie down in his wet clothes, and his weariness,
was in a sad perplexity. At length, however, he threw himself on the
sand, declaring that he could no longer move about, and must submit to
his fate, whatever that might be. The midshipmen themselves were
getting somewhat tired, but tried to amuse themselves by talking of old
times, every now and then taking an anxious look in the direction of the
ship, in the hopes of seeing a boat coming to their assistance.
No boat, however, was discernible; nor indeed could they see the ship.
They began to grow somewhat uneasy. What could have become of her? Had
she steamed away and left them to their fate? but that was not at all
likely to be the case. The boatswain had been for some time quiet, and
a loud snore showed them that he had fallen fast asleep. Desmond was
the first to speak. "I say, Tom, what do you think of our trying to
knock some of the birds on the head while they're asleep on their nests;
we might in a little time kill as many as we should have shot; and if we
could return with a boatful, we should, at all events, not be laughed
at, as we shall be if we go back empty handed."
Tom was perfectly ready, and, armed with their paddles, they set off
along the beach, creeping quietly forward, in the hopes of coming
suddenly upon a colony of the birds. On and on they went, but no birds
could they find, the fact being that the tide was low, and they had kept
close down to the water instead of making their way over the dry sand.
This they did not find out till they had got to a considerable distance.
Turning off inland, they, however, quickly found themselves in the
midst of hundreds of birds, when they began to lay about them right and
left, knocking over vast numbers; those they missed only poking out
their long necks, and quacking and screeching at them.
"I thought we should have good sport," cried Desmond, highly delighted;
"we shall surprise the old boatswain when he wakes by and by and finds a
pile of birds close to him."
On they went for some time, till they found themselves among a colony of
a different species, who, instead of tamely submitting to be knocked on
the head, flew up with loud screams, and attacked them with the greatest
desperation. The midshipmen, of course, fought bravely, wielding their
paddles with some effect, while they retreated to the beach. Their
assailants then took to flight, and they set to work to collect the
birds they had knocked over. Some had partially recovered, and showed
fight with their beaks when they attempted to catch hold of them, so
that they had to give a good many the _coup de grace_ before they could
throw them over their backs. Having each collected as large a load as
they could carry, they set out to return to the canoe along the line of
hard sand. The road seemed much longer, as they were now heavily laden,
and it was some time before they came near the canoe.
As they approached, the shouts of the boatswain and the shrieks of a
multitude of birds reached their ears. Hurrying on, they saw dimly
through the gloom numberless wings flapping in the air, circling in the
darkness, now advancing, now rising, while the figure of the stout
boatswain appeared in their midst whirling round his fowling-piece, with
which he every now and then caught a bird more daring than its
companions, and brought it to the ground or sent it shrieking away.
"Help, young gentlemen, help!" he shouted out, though almost breathless
with his exertions, "or these imps of Satan will be too much for me."
Tom and Desmond rushed to the rescue, and, laying about them, at length
succeeded in again driving off the birds to a respectful distance.
"Glad you came when you did, young gentlemen," said the boatswain, after
he had recovered his breath. "Thinking you were keeping watch by my
side, I was enjoying my first sleep, when I was awoke by a sharp tweak
of my nose, and such a shrieking in my ears as I hope never to hear
again. It was a mercy I hadn't both my eyes pecked out; I started up,
thinking that a whole horde of niggers were upon me, or might be a party
of these beastly slave-catching, murderous Arabs had landed, when I
discovered that they were those savage birds again; and finding my
fowling-piece in my hand, I began to lay about me, as you saw, with
right goodwill, though I own they were almost too much for me. I can't
help thinking that the island is bewitched, for such birds as these I
never met in my life before, and hope never to meet again. Maybe an
empty stomach makes matters worse, for I feel all nohow--more like a
sucking baby than the boatswain of Her Majesty's steamer _Gauntlet_."
"You'll get all right in the morning, Mr Large," said Tom; "I believe
you've hit the right nail on the head; but we shan't starve; see, we've
brought plenty of food, and we left fifty times as many behind us,
waiting till we go and get them."
"If we had a fire it would be very well," sighed the boatswain; "though
I suspect they're somewhat of a fishy flavour--not that we should be
particular when sharp set."
"Faith, I forgot, Mr Large," said Desmond, "that we've found some eggs,
and we've brought you a couple, knowing that your constitution requires
nourishment."
"It does, young gentlemen, it does," said Mr Large, in a grateful tone;
"I feel a gnawing in my inside which quite unmans me."
"Here they are," said Desmond, producing the eggs from his pocket; "they
may perhaps have a strong flavour, but, as you say, one shouldn't be
particular."
"If we'd but a fire we might make an omelette of them," observed the
boatswain, holding one of the eggs in his hand, and preparing to crack
it, so that he might gulp off its contents. Scarcely, however, had he
done so, than he threw it from him, exclaiming, "Faugh! it's as bad as
the essence of a slave-hold."
"We thought it might be pretty strong, Mr Large," said Desmond,
stuffing his wet handkerchief into his mouth to prevent himself from
laughing; "but try the other, perhaps that is sweeter."
As Mr Large was not a man to be knocked down by an egg, he did as he
was advised, but the odour which issued from the second was even worse
than that of the first, and, throwing it to a distance, he declared that
it would be long before he would try another duck's egg.
Gerald asked Mr Large if he had any tobacco and a pipe. "I have the
first, young gentlemen, and thank you for reminding me of it; but how is
the pipe to be lighted without a match?" he replied; "but I'll take a
quid, though I've given up chawing since I became a warrant-officer; I
used once to indulge in it. I wouldn't advise you, though, to do so,
for it's very likely to turn your insides out."
Mr Large had his reasons for giving this advice to the midshipmen,
seeing that he had only tobacco sufficient to form a decent-sized quid
for himself. It comforted his heart, and, advising his companions to
follow his example, he once more lay down to sleep. They tried to do
so, but they had not been quiet for many minutes before the birds found
them out, and, with loud screeches came flying above them, quickly
awakening the boatswain, who declared that he believed they were imps in
the form of birds, and would to a certainty attack them again if they
had the chance. Tom said he thought so too, and that he remembered
reading at school about some harpies who lived on an island, and played
all sorts of tricks--that was in the Mediterranean, but he saw no reason
why the same sort of creatures should not be found in the Indian Ocean;
perhaps they had flown to this very island, as they certainly were no
longer to be found in their old locality.
This information did not much comfort poor Mr Large. At last a bright
idea struck Gerald. "Let's turn the canoe bottom upwards, and creep
under her; the beasts can't find us there, at all events," he exclaimed.
"I wonder we didn't think of that before," said Tom, and they
immediately carried out Gerald's suggestion. Mr Large had some
difficulty in creeping under it, and very nearly brought the canoe down
upon himself, but by choosing the broadest part he found sufficient room
to lie on his back; while Tom took one end and Gerald the other. Though
the birds screamed as loudly as ever, the canoe-wrecked party knew that
they were perfectly safe, and could afford to laugh at them. However,
they soon went to sleep and forgot all about the matter. They might
have slept on till the middle of the next day, as there was no one to
call them, had not Tom been awakened by the pangs of hunger; when,
starting up, forgetting where he was, he gave his head such a thundering
knock against the bottom of the canoe that the noise awakened Desmond,
who did precisely the same thing. When the boatswain, giving a heave
with his body, turned over the canoe, they discovered that the sun had
already risen several degrees above the horizon.
"Here's a pretty kettle of fish to fry, as my missus would say,"
exclaimed Mr Large, as he sat up rubbing his eyes; "we ought to have
been on board by daybreak, and here we are as if we were upon leave for
a month."
"I only wish we'd something for breakfast," exclaimed Desmond, as he got
on his legs; "we shall have to breakfast on the raw birds after all."
"Look out there, young gentlemen, where we left the ship--what's become
of her?" cried Mr Large.
The midshipmen looked round with dismay; the ship was certainly not
where she had been. "I can't make it out," he exclaimed; "if she's gone
I ought to have gone with her, and a pretty scrape I am in. It won't
matter so much for you young gentlemen, as, of course, it will all be
laid to my door; and here we are now without a drop of rum, or a drop of
water to mix with it, or anything more eatable than raw, fishy geese.
We shouldn't starve if we were left here for a week, but we should
suffer pretty severely from want of water."
"I hope that we shall not have to wait here for a week," said Tom; "and
as it seems to me that the surf has gone down, I think the sooner we
load the canoe and go in search of the ship the better, since she
doesn't come in search of us."
Tom's proposal was at once agreed to, it being evident that the surf had
considerably gone down. The only objection to shoving off was the want
of the third paddle; greatly, however, to the boatswain's satisfaction,
they espied it washed on shore. The only difficulty now remaining was
to know where to pull to. The boatswain suggested that they should make
the best of their way to the other island, as the ship was certain to
return to her former anchorage. They accordingly loaded the canoe with
as many birds as she could carry, and while the two midshipmen ran her
off, Mr Large sat aft ready to use his paddles directly they jumped on
board. This they nimbly did, and seized their paddles. Mr Large would
have certainly upset the canoe, had he made the attempt to get in after
she was afloat. Desmond and Tom managed it, however, very cleverly; and
away she dashed. They were soon amid the breakers; the canoe, however,
rode buoyantly over them, and was quickly skimming across the placid
water to the southward.
They had not gone far, when a wreath of smoke was seen rising above the
island, and presently the _Gauntlet_ herself appeared towing a dhow,
which they had little doubt she must have captured.
"My luck!" cried the boatswain; "I'd have given a week's pay rather than
to have missed being on board while she was catching her first prize;
however, it can't be helped. There's one good thing; as the ship must
have gone away early in the night, for what the commander and everybody
else knows, we may have been waiting out here for them ever since.
Don't talk about the way I was treated by the birds, young gentlemen, if
you please; my brother officers, the gunner and carpenter, would never
cease chaffing me about it."
Of course Tom and Gerald promised to be discreet; and they were now only
anxious to get over the interview with the commander, hoping that they
would not be asked any questions difficult to answer. "At all events,
it was not our fault that we were not on board earlier," said Tom; "he
can't say that; and as we bring a good supply of birds, both he and
everyone else ought to be thankful to us."
The canoe was alongside directly the steamer came to an anchor. They
took good care to hand up the birds first; and Jack, on hearing their
story, took very little notice of their prolonged stay, only expressing
his satisfaction that they had got off safe. Before the ship was under
way, blue lights had been burned and guns fired to recall them; but it
had been at the time when they were having their first skirmish with the
birds, and the signals had not been observed. What those birds were
none of them could ever discover; and the boatswain was fully persuaded
that they were the harpies of whom Tom had told him.
Tom was tolerably discreet, but Gerald, before long, let out the whole
story, greatly to the amusement of the other warrant-officers, who were
continually reminding poor Mr Large of his night on "Harpy Island."
"Harpy it might have been, but _happy_ it was not," he answered with a
groan. "I only wish that you two had been there; you wouldn't be so
fond of talking about it as you seem to be now."
As the boatswain had supposed, a dhow had been made out by the party
which had landed on the larger island, and as soon as steam could be got
up, the ship had gone in chase of her. She had managed, however, to run
up a somewhat narrow creek, into which the boats had been sent to bring
her out, and had succeeded in doing so; though all the slaves had been
taken out of her, with the exception of two who had been found in her
hold in an almost dying state. The Arab crew had escaped; the
examination of the poor slaves the next morning left no doubt of her
character. She was accordingly scuttled, and being then set on fire,
went to the bottom.