A CALM.--THE CANOE FLOATS MOTIONLESS ON THE OCEAN.--MANY OF OUR NUMBER
APPEAR TO BE DYING FOR WANT OF WATER.--I FEAR CHIEFLY FOR MAUD, WHEN A
SAIL IS SEEN, AND, WITH A RISING BREEZE, SHE APPROACHES.--WE ARE
RECEIVED ON BOARD THE "TRUE LOVE," AND KINDLY TREATED BY CAPTAIN HUDSON
AND HIS WIFE.
The canoe still floated motionless on the calm ocean, which shone like a
sheet of burnished gold. Maud and I lay in each other's arms, expecting
thus to die. Still we could whisper together, and talk of the glories
of that heaven we hoped soon to reach. Abela sat like a mother watching
over us, but she too was sinking. Of the heathen crew several appeared
to be dying, if they were not already dead; but others, who had listened
to the Word of Life, gathered round us that they might hear the
instruction which Abela, as long as she had the power of speech,
afforded them. Young Tofa bore up bravely, and Mr Norton struggled
wonderfully with his sufferings. He occasionally rose to his feet and
gazed around, as if he still hoped help would come ere it was too late.
Another day I felt sure must terminate the existence of most of those on
board.
I closed my eyes, feeling a faintness coming over me, when I was aroused
by Mr Norton's voice. I saw him standing up, with his arms
outstretched, and his dim eye lighted up.
"A sail! a sail!" he exclaimed. "She is bringing up the breeze--she is
standing this way."
This announcement gave me a strength I did not believe that I
possessed--I raised Maud in my arms. "We shall be saved, dearest; our
prayers have been heard," I whispered. She opened her eyes, and seemed
to comprehend me.
"We must make a signal, or the vessel may pass us," said Mr Norton.
"Can you direct the natives to assist me? The broken spars, if lashed
together, will answer for a flagstaff."
I explained what the young Englishman required, and Tofa and a few
others, although scarcely able to lift themselves from the deck, secured
the spars, and fastened them together as he desired. A piece of matting
answered for a flag, and the flagstaff was held up on the deck.
How eagerly we watched the distant sail.
"She looks like a whaler, and if so, a bright look-out is certain to be
kept on board," observed Mr Norton.
On she came. Unless our small flag was observed, as the deck of the
canoe rose but a few feet above the water, should she pass only a mile
or two on either side she might sail away without noticing us. We did
not forget to pray that we might be seen. She came nearer and nearer.
At length, to our joy, we saw a flag run up to her mast-head as an
answer to our signal.
We were seen. Still the breeze was light, and the ship seemed to be a
long time coming up to us.
Every moment was of consequence. I dreaded lest aid should come too
late for dear Maud, while several others appeared unable to last much
longer.
How often do we mistrust God's mercy. The vessel came close to us, and
heaving-to, a boat was lowered.
"She is a whaler," exclaimed Mr Norton. "Water, water--bring water
with you," he shouted; but his voice was faint and hollow, he pointed to
his lips.
The sign was understood, for the boat put back, and a cask was lowered
into it. In another minute, with sturdy strokes, the boat's crew dashed
alongside. We heard the sound of English voices.
"You seem in a sad plight, my lad," said the officer of the boat. "We
thought you were all savages. Are there any more of you on board?"
Mr Norton pointed to where Maud and I lay. The cask of water was
lifted on deck, and the officer approached us with a cup. I begged him
to give Maud some. He poured a few drops down her throat.
"Come, young lady, you must take some now," he said.
How delicious was that draught--it almost instantly revived me. I gave
Maud some more, and then offered the cup to Abela. Those of the crew
who could move crawled towards the cask. The young seaman poured it out
from the cask into their hands, that they might obtain it sooner. I
remember thinking it a fearful waste that any of the precious liquid
should be spilled. Not till all the rest had received some water would
Mr Norton take the cup which the mate offered him.
"Now, young ladies, the sooner we get you on board, where our captain
and his good wife will look after you, the better," exclaimed the mate,
as he offered to carry us to the boat. I begged that Abela might be
brought with us. He lifted me up in his arms as if I had been a
feather, and others followed, with Maud and Abela. Mr Norton had
scarcely strength to reach the boat. I explained that Tofa was a
chief's son, and that having rendered us great service, I begged that he
might be treated with attention.
In a few minutes we were on board the "True Love," and in Captain
Hudson's cabin, under the care of his kind motherly wife. She almost
shed tears as she saw us; Maud especially excited her sympathy.
"Poor dear child, she could not have lasted another hour, and she now
will require all the care we can bestow on her. And we must look after
you too," she added, addressing me. "I wonder you have held out so
well. You must tell me all about it by-and-by. You are too weak to
talk now. I cannot get a word out of any one else--not even from the
young Englishman. He fainted on reaching the deck, and my husband is
attending to him; but you need not be alarmed, he will come round in
time."