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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Great Sea Stories, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Great Sea Stories
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: Joseph Lewis French
+
+Release Date: May 16, 2006 [EBook #18405]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GREAT SEA STORIES ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Al Haines
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+GREAT SEA STORIES
+
+
+
+EDITED BY
+
+JOSEPH LEWIS FRENCH
+
+
+Editor "Great Ghost Stories," "Masterpieces of Mystery," "The Best
+Psychic Stories," etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+NEW YORK
+
+BRENTANO'S
+
+PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+Copyright, 1921, by
+
+BRENTANO'S
+
+All rights reserved
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+Spanish Bloodhounds and English Mastiffs
+  From "Westward Ho!" By CHARLES KINGSLEY
+
+The Club-Hauling of the _Diomede_
+  From "Peter Simple." By CAPTAIN FREDERICK MARRYAT
+
+The Cruise of the _Torch_
+  From "Tom Cringle's Log." By MICHAEL SCOTT
+
+The Merchantman and the Pirate
+  From "Hard Cash." By CHARLES READE
+
+The Mutiny of the _Bounty_
+  From "Chamber's Miscellany." ANONYMOUS
+
+The Wreck of the _Royal Caroline_
+  From "The Red Rover." By JAMES FENNIMORE COOPER
+
+The Capture of the Great White Whale
+  From "Moby Dick." By HERMAN MELVILLE
+
+The Corvette _Claymore_
+  From "Ninety-three." By VICTOR HUGO
+
+The Merchants' Cup
+  From "Broken Stowage." By DAVID W. BONE
+
+A Storm and a Rescue
+  From "The Wreck of the _Grosvenor_." By W. CLARK RUSSELL
+
+The Sailor's Wife
+  From "An Iceland Fisherman." By PIERRE LOTI
+
+The Salving of the _Yan-Shan_
+  From "In Blue Waters." By H. DE VERE STACKPOOLE
+
+The Derelict _Neptune_
+  From "Spun Gold." By MORGAN ROBERTSON
+
+The Terrible Solomons
+  From "South Sea Tales." By JACK LONDON
+
+El Dorado
+  From "A Tarpaulin Muster." By JOHN MASEFIELD
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATION
+
+Song sung by labor gang.
+
+
+
+
+FOREWORD
+
+The theme of the sea is heroic--epic.  Since the first stirrings of the
+imagination of man the sea has enthralled him; and since the dawn of
+literature he has chronicled his wanderings upon its vast bosom.
+
+It is one of the curiosities of literature, a fact that old Isaac
+Disraeli might have delighted to linger over, that there have been no
+collectors of sea-tales; that no man has ever, as in the present
+instance, dwelt upon the topic with the purpose of gathering some of
+the best work into a single volume.  And yet men have written of the
+sea since 2500 B.C. when an unknown author set down on papyrus his
+account of a struggle with a sea-serpent.  This account, now in the
+British Museum, is the first sea-story on record.  Our modern
+sea-stories begin properly with the chronicles of the early
+navigators--in many of which there is an unconscious art that none of
+our modern masters of fiction has greatly surpassed.  For delightful
+reading the lover of sea stories is referred to Best's account of
+Frobisher's second voyage--to Richard Chancellor's chronicle of the
+same period--to Hakluyt, an immortal classic--and to Purchas'
+"Pilgrimage."
+
+But from the earliest growth of the art of fiction the sea was frankly
+accepted as a stirring theme, comparatively rarely handled because
+voyages were fewer then, and the subject still largely unknown.  To the
+general reader it may seem a rather astounding fact that in "Robinson
+Crusoe" we have the first classic of this period and in "Colonel Jack"
+another classic of much the same type.  These two stories by the
+immortal Defoe may be accepted as the foundation of the sea-tale in
+literary art.
+
+A century, however, was to elapse before the sea-tale came into its
+own.  It was not until a generation after Defoe that Smollett, in
+"Roderick Random," again stirred the theme into life.  Fielding in his
+"Voyage to Lisbon" had given some account of a personal experience, but
+in the general category it must be set down as simply episodal.
+Foster's "Voyages," a translation from the German published in England
+at the beginning of the third quarter of the eighteenth century, a
+compendium of monumental importance, continued the tradition of Hakluyt
+and Purchas.  By this time the sea-power of England had become
+supreme,--Britannia ruled the waves, and a native sea-literature was
+the result.  The sea-songs of Thomas Dibdin and other writers were the
+first fruits of this newly created literary nationalism.
+
+Shortly after the beginning of the nineteenth century the sea-writer
+established himself with Michael Scott in "Tom Cringle's Log," a
+forgotten, but ever-fresh classic.  Then came Captain Marryat, who was
+to the sea what Dickens and Thackeray were to land folk.  America, too,
+contributed to this literary movement.   Even before Marryat, our own
+Cooper had essayed the sea with a masterly hand, while in "Moby Dick,"
+as in his other stories, Herman Melville glorified the theme.
+Continental writers like Victor Hugo and the Hungarian, Maurus Jokal,
+who had little personal knowledge of the subject, also set their hands
+to tales of marine adventure.
+
+Such work as this has established a succession which has been
+continuous and progressive ever since.  The literature of the sea of
+the past half-century is voluminous, varied and universally known, and
+whether in the form of personal adventure, or in purely fictional
+shape, it has grown to be an art cultivated with great care by the best
+contemporary writers.
+
+The noble band of singers of the sea, from the days of the Elizabethans
+to the sublime Swinburne, belongs to another volume.  It is the sincere
+hope of the compiler that the present collection offers undisputable
+evidence that the prose tradition has been fully sustained and the
+reader will find in these pages living testimony to the marvelous
+interest of the theme--its virility and its beauty.
+
+JOSEPH LEWIS FRENCH.
+
+
+
+
+GREAT SEA STORIES
+
+
+SPANISH BLOODHOUNDS AND ENGLISH MASTIFFS
+
+From "Westward Ho!" BY CHARLES KINGSLEY
+
+
+When the sun leaped up the next morning, and the tropic light flashed
+suddenly into the tropic day, Amyas was pacing the deck, with
+disheveled hair and torn clothes, his eyes red with rage and weeping,
+his heart full--how can I describe it?  Picture it to yourselves, you
+who have ever lost a brother; and you who have not, thank God that you
+know nothing of his agony.  Full of impossible projects, he strode and
+staggered up and down, as the ship thrashed and close-hauled through
+the rolling seas.  He would go back and burn the villa.  He would take
+Guayra, and have the life of every man in it in return for his
+brother's.  "We can do it, lads!" he shouted.  "Drake took Nombre de
+Dios, we can take La Guayra."  And every voice shouted, "Yes."
+
+"We will have it, Amyas, and have Frank too, yet," cried Cary; but
+Amyas shook his head.  He knew, and knew not why he knew, that all the
+ports in New Spain would never restore to him that one beloved face.
+
+"Yes, he shall be well avenged.  And look there!  There is the first
+crop of our vengeance."  And he pointed toward the shore, where between
+them and the now distant peaks of the Silla, three sails appeared, not
+five miles to windward.
+
+"There are the Spanish bloodhounds on our heels, the same ships which
+we saw yesterday off Guayra.  Back, lads, and welcome them, if they
+were a dozen."
+
+There was a murmur of applause from all around; and if any young heart
+sank for a moment at the prospect of fighting three ships at once, it
+was awed into silence by the cheer which rose from all the older men,
+and by Salvation Yeo's stentorian voice.
+
+"If there were a dozen, the Lord is with us, who has said, 'One of you
+shall chase a thousand.'  Clear away, lads, and see the glory of the
+Lord this day."
+
+"Amen!" cried Cary; and the ship was kept still closer to the wind.
+
+Amyas had revived at the sight of battle.  He no longer felt his wounds
+or his great sorrow as he bustled about the deck; and ere a quarter of
+an hour had passed, his voice cried firmly and cheerfully as of old--
+
+"Now, my masters, let us serve God, and then to breakfast, and after
+that clear for action."
+
+Jack Brimblecombe read the dally prayers, and the prayers before a
+fight at sea, and his honest voice trembled, as, in the Prayer for all
+Conditions of Men (In spite of Amyas's despair), he added, "and
+especially for our dear brother Mr. Francis Leigh, perhaps captive
+among the idolaters;" and so they rose.
+
+"Now, then," said Amyas, "to breakfast.  A Frenchman fights best
+fasting, a Dutchman drunk, an Englishman full, and a Spaniard when the
+devil is in him, and that's always."
+
+"And good beef and the good cause are a match for the devil," said
+Cary.  "Come down, captain; you must eat too."
+
+Amyas shook his head, took the tiller from the steersman, and bade him
+go below and fill himself.  Will Cary went down, and returned in five
+minutes with a plate of bread and beef, and a great jack of ale, coaxed
+them down Amyas's throat, as a nurse does with a child, and then
+scuttled below again with tears hopping down his face.
+
+Amyas stood still steering.  His face was grown seven years older in
+the last night.  A terrible set calm was on him.  Woe to the man who
+came across him that day!
+
+"There are three of them, you see, my masters," said he, as the crew
+came on deck again.  "A big ship forward, and two galleys astern of
+her.  The big ship may keep; she is a race ship, and if we can but
+recover the wind of her, we will see whether our height is not a match
+for her length.  We must give her the slip, and take the galleys first."
+
+"I thank the Lord," said Yeo, "who has given so wise a heart to so
+young a general; a very David and Daniel, saving his presence, lads.
+Silas Staveley, smite me that boy over the head, the young monkey; why
+is he not down at the powder-room door?"
+
+And Yeo went about his gunnery, as one who knew how to do it, and had
+the most terrible mind to do it thoroughly, and the most terrible faith
+that it was God's work.
+
+So all fell to; and though there was comparatively little to be done,
+the ship having been kept as far as could be in fighting order all
+night, yet there was "clearing of decks, lacing of nettings, making of
+bulwarks, fitting of waistcloths, arming of tops, tallowing of pikes,
+slinging of yards, doubling of sheets and tacks."  Amyas took charge of
+the poop, Cary of the forecastle, and Yeo, as gunner, of the main-deck,
+while Drew, as master, settled himself in the waist; and all was ready,
+and more than ready, before the great ship was within two miles of them.
+
+She is now within two musket-shots of the _Rose_, with the golden flag
+of Spain floating at her poop; and her trumpets are shouting defiance
+up the breeze, from a dozen brazen throats, which two or three answer
+lustily from the _Rose_, from whose poop flies the flag of England, and
+from her fore the arms of Leigh and Cary side by side, and over them
+the ship and bridge of the good town of Bideford.  And then Amyas
+calls--
+
+"Now, silence trumpets, waits, play up!  'Fortune my foe!' and God and
+the Queen be with us!"
+
+Whereon (laugh not, reader, for it was the fashion of those musical, as
+well as valiant days) up rose that noble old favorite of good Queen
+Bess, from cornet and sackbut, fife and drum; while Parson Jack, who
+had taken his stand with the musicians on the poop, worked away lustily
+at his violin.
+
+"Well played, Jack; thy elbow flies like a lamb's tail," said Amyas,
+forcing a jest.
+
+"It shall fly to a better fiddle-bow presently, sir, and I have the
+luck--"
+
+"Steady, helm!" said Amyas.  "What is he after now?"
+
+The Spaniard, who had been coming upon them right down the wind under a
+press of sail, took in his light canvas.
+
+"He don't know what to make of our waiting for him so bold," said the
+helmsman.
+
+"He does though, and means to fight us," cried another.  "See, he is
+hauling up the foot of his mainsail: but he wants to keep the wind of
+us."
+
+"Let him try, then," quoth Amyas.  "Keep her closer still.  Let no one
+fire till we are about.  Man the starboard guns; to starboard, and
+wait, all small arm men.  Pass the order down to the gunner, and bid
+all fire high, and take the rigging."
+
+Bang went one of the Spaniard's bow guns, and the shot went wide.  Then
+another and another, while the men fidgeted about, looking at the
+priming of their muskets, and loosened their arrows in the sheaf.
+
+"Lie down, men, and sing a psalm.  When I want you I'll call you.
+Closer still, if you can, helmsman, and we will try a short ship
+against a long one.  We can sail two points nearer the wind than he."
+
+As Amyas had calculated, the Spaniard would gladly enough have stood
+across the _Rose's_ bows, but knowing the English readiness dare not
+for fear of being raked; so her only plan, if she did not intend to
+shoot past her foe down to leeward, was to put her head close to the
+wind, and wait for her on the same tack.
+
+Amyas laughed to himself.  "Hold on yet awhile.  More ways of killing a
+cat than choking her with cream.  Drew, there, are your men ready?"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!" and on they went, closing fast with the Spaniard, till
+within a pistol-shot.
+
+"Ready about!" and about she went like an eel, and ran upon the
+opposite tack right under the Spaniard's stern.  The Spaniard,
+astonished at the quickness of the maneuver, hesitated a moment, and
+then tried to get about also, as his only chance; but it was too late,
+and while his lumbering length was still hanging in the wind's eye,
+Amyas's bowsprit had all but scraped his quarter, and the _Rose_ passed
+slowly across his stern at ten yards' distance.
+
+"Now, then!" roared Amyas.  "Fire, and with a will!  Have at her,
+archers: have at her, muskets all!" and in an instant a storm of bar
+and chain-shot, round and canister, swept the proud Don from stem to
+stern, while through the white cloud of smoke the musket-balls, and the
+still deadlier clothyard arrows, whistled and rushed upon their
+venomous errand.  Down went the steersman, and every soul who manned
+the poop.  Down went the mizzen topmast, in went the stern-windows and
+quarter-galleries; and as the smoke cleared away, the golden flag of
+Spain, which the last moment flaunted above their heads, hung trailing
+in the water.  The ship, her tiller shot away, and her helmsman killed,
+staggered helplessly a moment, and then fell up into the wind.
+
+"Well done, men of Devon!" shouted Amyas, as cheers rent the welkin.
+
+"She has struck," cried some, as the deafening hurrahs died away.
+
+"Not a bit," said Amyas.  "Hold on, helmsman, and leave her to patch
+her tackle while we settle the galleys."
+
+On they shot merrily, and long ere the armada could get herself to
+rights again, were two good miles to windward, with the galleys
+sweeping down fast upon them.
+
+And two venomous-looking craft they were, as they shot through the
+short chopping sea upon some forty oars apiece, stretching their long
+sword-fish snouts over the water, as if snuffing for their prey.
+Behind this long snout, a strong square forecastle was crammed with
+soldiers, and the muzzles of cannon grinned out through port-holes, not
+only in the sides of the forecastle, but forward in the line of the
+galley's course, thus enabling her to keep up a continual fire on a
+ship right ahead.
+
+The long low waist was packed full of the slaves, some five or six to
+each oar, and down the center, between the two banks, the English could
+see the slave-drivers walking up and down a long gangway, whip in hand.
+A raised quarter-deck at the stern held more soldiers, the sunlight
+flashing merrily upon their armor and their gun-barrels; as they
+neared, the English could hear plainly the cracks of the whips, and the
+yells as of wild beasts which answered them; the roll and rattle of the
+oars, and the loud "Ha!" of the slaves which accompanied every stroke,
+and the oaths and curses of the drivers; while a sickening musky smell,
+as of a pack of kenneled hounds, came down the wind from off those dens
+of misery.  No wonder if many a young heart shuddered as it faced, for
+the first time, the horrible reality of those floating hells, the
+cruelties whereof had rung so often in English ears from the stories of
+their own countrymen, who had passed them, fought them, and now and
+then passed years of misery on board of them.  Who knew but what there
+might be English among those sun-browned, half-naked masses of panting
+wretches?
+
+"Must we fire upon the slaves?" asked more than one, as the thought
+crossed him.
+
+Amyas sighed.
+
+"Spare them all you can, in God's name: but if they try to run us down,
+rake them we must, and God forgive us."
+
+The two galleys came on abreast of each other, some forty yards apart.
+To out-maneuver their oars as he had done the ship's sails, Amyas knew
+was impossible.  To run from them was to be caught between them and the
+ship.
+
+He made up his mind, as usual, to the desperate game.
+
+"Lay her head up in the wind, helmsman, and we will wait for them."
+
+They were now within musket-shot, and opened fire from their bow-guns;
+but, owing to the chopping sea, their aim was wild.  Amyas, as usual,
+withheld his fire.
+
+The men stood at quarters with compressed lips, not knowing what was to
+come next.  Amyas, towering motionless on the quarter-deck, gave his
+orders calmly and decisively.  The men saw that he trusted himself, and
+trusted him accordingly.
+
+The Spaniards, seeing him wait for them, gave a shout of joy--was the
+Englishman mad?  And the two galleys converged rapidly, intending to
+strike him full, one on each bow.
+
+They were within forty yards--another minute, and the shock would come.
+The Englishman's helm went up, his yards creaked round, and gathering
+way, he plunged upon the larboard galley.
+
+"A dozen gold nobles to him who brings down the steersman!" shouted
+Cary, who had his cue.
+
+And a flight of arrows from the forecastle rattled upon the galley's
+quarter-deck.
+
+Hit or not hit, the steersman lost his nerve, and shrank from the
+coming shock.  The galley's helm went up to port, and her beak slid all
+but harmless along Amyas's bow; a long dull grind, and then loud crack
+on crack, as the _Rose_ sawed slowly through the bank of oars from stem
+to stern, hurling the wretched slaves in heaps upon each other; and ere
+her mate on the other side could swing round to strike him in his new
+position, Amyas's whole broadside, great and small, had been poured
+into her at pistol-shot, answered by a yell which rent their ears and
+hearts.
+
+"Spare the slaves!  Fire at the soldiers!" cried Amyas; but the work
+was too hot for much discrimination; for the larboard galley, crippled
+but not undaunted, swung round across his stern, and hooked herself
+venomously on to him.
+
+It was a move more brave than wise; for it prevented the other galley
+from returning to the attack without exposing herself a second time to
+the English broadside; and a desperate attempt of the Spaniards to
+board at once through the stern-ports and up the quarter was met with
+such a demurrer of shot and steel that they found themselves in three
+minutes again upon the galley's poop, accompanied, to their intense
+disgust, by Amyas Leigh and twenty English swords.
+
+Five minutes' hard cutting, hand to hand, and the poop was clear.  The
+soldiers in the forecastle had been able to give them no assistance,
+open as they lay to the arrows and musketry from the _Rose's_ lofty
+stern.  Amyas rushed along the central gangway, shouting in Spanish,
+"Freedom to the slaves!  death to the masters!" clambered into the
+forecastle, followed close by his swarm of wasps, and set them so good
+an example how to use their stings that in three minutes more there was
+not a Spaniard on board who was not dead or dying.
+
+"Let the slaves free!" shouted he.  "Throw us a hammer down, men.
+Hark! there's an English voice!"
+
+There is indeed.  From amid the wreck of broken oars and writhing
+limbs, a voice is shrieking in broadest Devon to the master, who is
+looking over the side.
+
+"Oh, Robert Drew!  Robert Drew!  Come down, and take me out of hell!"
+
+"Who be you, in the name of the Lord?"
+
+"Don't you mind William Prust, that Captain Hawkins left behind in the
+Honduras, years and years agone?  There's nine of us aboard, if your
+shot hasn't put 'em out of their misery.  Come down, if you've a
+Christian heart, come down!"
+
+Utterly forgetful of all discipline, Drew leaps down hammer in hand,
+and the two old comrades rush into each other's arms.
+
+Why make a long story of what took but five minutes to do?  The nine
+men (luckily none of them wounded) are freed, and helped on board, to
+be hugged and kissed by old comrades and young kinsmen; while the
+remaining slaves, furnished with a couple of hammers, are told to free
+themselves and help the English.  The wretches answer by a shout; and
+Amyas, once more safe on board again, dashes after the other galley,
+which has been hovering out of reach of his guns: but there is no need
+to trouble himself about her; sickened with what she has got, she is
+struggling right up wind, leaning over to one side, and seemingly ready
+to sink.
+
+"Are there any English on board of her?" asks Amyas, loth to lose the
+chance of freeing a countryman.
+
+"Never a one, sir, thank God."
+
+So they set to work to repair damages; while the liberated slaves,
+having shifted some of the galley's oars, pull away after their
+comrade; and that with such a will that in ten minutes they have caught
+her up, and careless of the Spaniard's fire, boarded her en masse, with
+yells as of a thousand wolves.  There will be fearful vengeance taken
+on those tyrants, unless they play the man this day.
+
+And in the meanwhile half the crew are clothing, feeding, questioning,
+caressing those nine poor fellows thus snatched from living death; and
+Yeo, hearing the news, has rushed up on deck to welcome his old
+comrades, and--
+
+"Is Michael Heard, my cousin, here among you?"
+
+Yes, Michael Heard is there, white-headed rather from misery than age;
+and the embracings and questionings begin afresh.
+
+"Where is my wife, Salvation Yeo?"
+
+"With the Lord."
+
+"Amen!" says the old man, with a short shudder.  "I thought so much;
+and my two boys?"
+
+"With the Lord."
+
+The old man catches Yeo by the arm.
+
+"How, then?"  It is Yeo's turn to shudder now.
+
+"Killed in Panama, fighting the Spaniards; sailing with Mr. Oxeham; and
+'twas I led 'em into it.  May God and you forgive me!"
+
+"They couldn't die better, cousin Yeo."
+
+The old man covers his face with his hands for a while.
+
+"Well, I've been alone with the Lord these fifteen years, so I must not
+whine at being alone awhile longer--'twon't be long."
+
+"Put this coat on your back, uncle," says some one.
+
+"No; no coats for me.  Naked came I into the world, and naked I go out
+of it this day, if I have a chance.  You'm better go to your work,
+lads, or the big one will have the wind of us yet."
+
+"So she will," said Amyas, who had overheard; but so great is the
+curiosity of all hands that he has some trouble in getting the men to
+quarters again; indeed, they only go on condition of parting among
+themselves with them the newcomers, each to tell his sad and strange
+story.  How after Captain Hawkins, constrained by famine, had put them
+ashore, they wandered in misery till the Spaniards took them; how,
+instead of hanging them (as they at first intended), the Dons fed and
+clothed them, and allotted them as servants to various gentlemen about
+Mexico, where they throve, turned their hands (like true sailors) to
+all manner of trades, and made much money; so that all went well, until
+the fatal year 1574, when, much against the minds of many of the
+Spaniards themselves, that cruel and bloody Inquisition was established
+for the first time in the Indies; and how from that moment their lives
+were one long tragedy; how they were all imprisoned for a year and a
+half, racked again and again, and at last adjudged to receive publicly,
+on Good Friday, 1575, some three hundred, some one hundred stripes, and
+to serve in the galleys for six or ten years each; while as the
+crowning atrocity of the Moloch sacrifice, three of them were burnt
+alive in the market-place of Mexico.
+
+The history of the party was not likely to improve the good feeling of
+the crew towards the Spanish ship which was two miles to leeward of
+them, and which must be fought with, or fled from, before a quarter of
+an hour was past.  So, kneeling down upon the deck, as many a brave
+crew in those days did in like case, they "gave God thanks devoutly for
+the favor they had found," and then with one accord, at Jack's leading,
+sang one and all the ninety-fourth Psalm:
+
+  "Oh, Lord, thou dost revenge all wrong;
+    Vengeance belongs to thee," etc.
+
+And then again to quarters; for half the day's work, or more than half,
+still remained to be done; and hardly were the decks cleared afresh,
+and the damage repaired as best it could be, when she came ranging up
+to leeward, as closehauled as she could.
+
+She was, as I said, a long flushed-decked ship of full five hundred
+tons, more than double the size, in fact, of he Rose, though not so
+lofty in proportion; and many a bold heart beat loud, and no shame to
+them, as she began firing away merrily, determined, as all well knew,
+to wipe out in English blood the disgrace of her late foil.
+
+"Never mind, my merry masters," said Amyas, "she has quantity and we
+quality."
+
+"That's true," said one, "for one honest man is worth two rogues."
+
+"And one culverin three of their footy little ordnance," said another.
+"So when you will, captain, and have at her."
+
+"Let her come abreast of us, and don't burn powder.  We have the wind,
+and can do what we like with her.  Serve the men out a horn of ale all
+round, steward, and all take your time."
+
+So they waited five minutes more, and then set to work quietly, after
+the fashion of English mastiffs, though, like those mastiffs, they
+waxed right mad before three rounds were fired, and the white splinters
+(sight beloved) began to crackle and fly.
+
+Amyas, having, as he had said, the wind, and being able to go nearer it
+than the Spaniard, kept his place at easy point-blank range for his
+two-eighteen-pounder culverins, which Yeo and his mate worked with
+terrible effect.
+
+"We are lacking her through and through every shot," said he.  "Leave
+the small ordnance alone yet awhile, and we shall sink her without
+them."
+
+"Whing, whing," went the Spaniard's shot, like so many humming-tops,
+through the rigging far above their heads; for the ill-constructed
+ports of those days prevented the guns from hulling an enemy who was to
+windward, unless close alongside.
+
+"Blow, jolly breeze," cried one, "and lay the Don over all thou
+canst.--What the murrain is gone, aloft there?"
+
+Alas! a crack, a flap, a rattle; and blank dismay!  An unlucky shot had
+cut the foremast (already wounded) in two, and all forward was a mass
+of dangling wreck.
+
+"Forward, and cut away the wreck!" said Amyas, unmoved.  "Small arm
+men, be ready.  He will be aboard of us in five minutes!"
+
+It was true.  The _Rose_, unmanageable from the loss of her head-sail,
+lay at the mercy of the Spaniard; and the archers and musqueteers had
+hardly time to range themselves to leeward, when the _Madre Dolorosa's_
+chains were grinding against the _Rose's_, and grapples tossed on board
+from stem to stern.
+
+"Don't cut them loose!" roared Amyas.  "Let them stay and see the fun!
+Now, dogs of Devon, show your teeth, and hurrah for God and the Queen!"
+
+And then began a fight most fierce and fell: the Spaniards, according
+to their fashion, attempted to board: the English, amid fierce shouts
+of "God and the Queen!"  "God and St. George for England!" sweeping
+them back by showers of arrows and musquet balls, thrusting them down
+with pikes, hurling grenades and stink-pots from the tops; while the
+swivels on both sides poured their grape, and bar, and chain, and the
+great main-deck guns, thundering muzzle to muzzle, made both ships
+quiver and recoil, as they smashed the round shot through and through
+each other.
+
+So they roared and flashed, fast clenched to each other in that devil's
+wedlock, under a cloud of smoke beneath the cloudless tropic sky; while
+all around, the dolphins gamboled, and the flying-fish shot on from
+swell to swell, and the rainbow-hued jellies opened and shut their cups
+of living crystal to the sun.
+
+So it raged for an hour or more, till all arms were weary, and all
+tongues clove to the mouth.  And sick men, rotting with scurvy,
+scrambled up on deck, and fought with the strength of madness: and tiny
+powder-boys, handing up cartridges from the hold, laughed and cheered
+as the shots ran past their ears; and old Salvation Yeo, a text upon
+his lips, and a fury in his heart as of Joshua or Elijah in old time,
+worked on, calm and grim, but with the energy of a boy at play.  And
+now and then an opening in the smoke showed the Spanish captain, in his
+suit of black steel armor, standing cool and proud, guiding and
+pointing, careless of the iron hail, but too lofty a gentleman to soil
+his glove with aught but a knightly sword-hilt: while Amyas and Will,
+after the fashion of the English gentlemen, had stripped themselves
+nearly as bare as their own sailors, and were cheering, thrusting,
+hewing, and hauling, here, there, and everywhere, like any common
+mariner, and filling them with a spirit of self-respect,
+fellow-feeling, and personal daring, which the discipline of the
+Spaniards, more perfect mechanically, but cold and tyrannous, and
+crushing spiritually, never could bestow.  The black-plumed Señor was
+obeyed; but the golden-locked Amyas was followed, and would have been
+followed through the jaws of hell.
+
+The Spaniards, ere five minutes had passed, poured en masse into the
+_Rose's_ waist: but only to their destruction.  Between the poop and
+forecastle (as was then the fashion) the upper-deck beams were left
+open and unplanked, with the exception of a narrow gangway on either
+side; and off that fatal ledge the boarders, thrust on by those behind,
+fell headlong between the beams to the main-deck below, to be
+slaughtered helpless in that pit of destruction, by the double fire
+from the bulkheads fore and aft; while the few who kept their footing
+on the gangway, after vain attempts to force the stockades on poop and
+forecastle, leaped overboard again amid a shower of shot and arrows.
+The fire of the English was as steady as it was quick.
+
+Thrice the Spaniards clambered on board, and thrice surged back before
+that deadly hail.  The decks on both sides were very shambles; and Jack
+Brimblecombe, who had fought as long as his conscience would allow him,
+found, when he turned to a more clerical occupation, enough to do in
+carrying poor wretches to the surgeon, without giving that spiritual
+consolation which he longed to give, and they to receive.  At last
+there was a lull in that wild storm.  No shot was heard from the
+Spaniard's upper-deck.
+
+Amyas leaped into the mizzen rigging and looked through the smoke.
+Dead men he could descry through the blinding veil, rolled in heaps,
+laid flat; dead men and dying; but no man upon his feet.  The last
+volley had swept the deck clear; one by one had dropped below to escape
+that fiery shower: and alone at the helm, grinding his teeth with rage,
+his mustachios curling up to his very eyes, stood the Spanish captain.
+
+Now was the moment for a counter stroke.  Amyas shouted for the
+boarders, and in two minutes more he was over the side, and clutching
+at the Spaniard's mizzen rigging.
+
+What was this?  The distance between him and the enemy's side was
+widening.  Was she sheering off?  Yes--and rising, too, growing bodily
+higher every moment, as if by magic.  Amyas looked up in astonishment
+and saw what it was.  The Spaniard was heeling fast over to leeward
+away from him.  Her masts were all sloping forward, swifter and
+swifter--the end was come, then!
+
+"Back! in God's name back, men!  She is sinking by the head!"  And with
+much ado some were dragged back, some leaped back--all but old Michael
+Heard.
+
+With hair and beard floating in the wind, the bronzed naked figure,
+like some weird old Indian fakir, still climbed on steadfastly up the
+mizzen-chains of the Spaniard, hatchet in hand.
+
+"Come back, Michael!  Leap while you may!" shouted a dozen voices.
+Michael turned--
+
+"And what should I come back for, then, to go home where no one knoweth
+me?  I'll die like an Englishman this day, or I'll know the reason
+why!" and turning, he sprang in over the bulwarks, as the huge ship
+rolled up more and more, like a dying whale, exposing all her long
+black hulk almost down to the keel, and one of her lower-deck guns as
+if in defiance exploded upright into the air, hurling the ball to the
+very heavens.
+
+In an instant it was answered from the _Rose_ by a column of smoke, and
+the eighteen-pound ball crashed through the bottom of the defenseless
+Spaniard.
+
+"Who fired!  Shame to fire on a sinking ship!"
+
+"Gunner Yeo, sir," shouted a voice from the maindeck.  "He's like a
+madman down here."
+
+"Tell him if he fires again, I'll put him in irons, if he were my own
+brother.  Cut away the grapples aloft, men.  Don't you see how she
+drags us over?  Cut away, or we shall sink with her."
+
+They cut away, and the _Rose_, released from the strain, shook her
+feathers on the wave-crest like a freed sea-gull, while all men held
+their breaths.
+
+Suddenly the glorious creature righted herself, and rose again, as if
+in noble shame, for one last struggle with her doom.  Her bows were
+deep in the water, but her after-deck still dry.  Righted: but only for
+a moment, long enough to let her crew come pouring wildly up on deck,
+with cries and prayers, and rush aft to the poop, where, under the flag
+of Spain, stood the tall captain, his left hand on the standard-staff,
+his sword pointed in his right.
+
+"Back men!" they heard him cry, "and die like valiant mariners."
+
+Some of them ran to the bulwarks, and shouted "Mercy!  We surrender!"
+and the English broke into a cheer and called to them to run her
+alongside.
+
+"Silence!" shouted Amyas.  "I take no surrender from mutineers.
+Señor," cried he to the captain, springing into the rigging and taking
+off his hat, "for the love of God and these men, strike! and surrender
+_á buena guerra_."
+
+The Spaniard lifted his hat and bowed courteously, and answered.
+"Impossible, Señor.  No _guerra_ is good which stains my honor."
+
+"God have mercy on you, then!"
+
+"Amen!" said the Spaniard, crossing himself.
+
+She gave one awful lunge forward, and dived under the coming swell,
+hurling her crew into the eddies.  Nothing but the point of her poop
+remained, and there stood the stern and steadfast Don, cap-à-pié in his
+glistening black armor, immovable as a man of iron, while over him the
+flag, which claimed the empire of both worlds, flaunted its gold aloft
+and upwards in the glare of the tropic noon.
+
+"He shall not carry that flag to the devil with him; I will have it
+yet, if I die for it!" said Will Cary, and rushed to the side to leap
+overboard, but Amyas stopped him.
+
+"Let him die as he lived, with honor."
+
+A wild figure sprang out of the mass of sailors who struggled and
+shrieked amid the foam, and rushed upward at the Spaniard.  It was
+Michael Heard.  The Don, who stood above him, plunged his sword into
+the old man's body: but the hatchet gleamed, nevertheless: down went
+the blade through the headpiece and through head; and as Heard sprang
+onward, bleeding, but alive, the steel-clad corpse rattled down the
+deck into the surge.  Two more strokes, struck with the fury of a dying
+man, and the standard-staff was hewn through.  Old Michael collected
+all his strength, hurled the flag far from the sinking ship, and then
+stood erect one moment and shouted, "God save Queen Bess!" and the
+English answered with a "Hurrah!" which rent the welkin.
+
+Another moment and the gulf had swallowed his victim, and the poop, and
+him; and nothing remained of the _Madre Dolorosa_ but a few floating
+spars and struggling wretches, while a great awe fell upon all men, and
+a solemn silence, broken only by the cry
+
+  "Of some strong swimmer in his agony."
+
+
+And then, suddenly collecting themselves, as men awakened from a dream,
+half-a-dozen desperate gallants, reckless of sharks and eddies, leaped
+overboard, swam towards the flag, and towed it alongside in triumph.
+
+"Ah!" said Salvation Yeo, as he helped the trophy up over the side;
+"ah! it was not for nothing that we found poor Michael!  He was always
+a good comrade.  And now, then, my masters, shall we inshore again and
+burn La Guayra?"
+
+"Art thou never glutted with Spanish blood, thou old wolf?" asked Will
+Cary.
+
+"Never, sir," answered Yeo.
+
+"To St. Jago be it," said Amyas, "if we can get there: but--God help
+us!"
+
+And he looked round sadly enough; while no one needed that he should
+finish his sentence, or explain his "but."
+
+The fore-mast was gone, the main-yard sprung, the rigging hanging in
+elf-locks, the hull shot through and through in twenty places, the deck
+strewn with the bodies of nine good men, besides sixteen wounded down
+below; while the pitiless sun, right above their heads, poured down a
+flood of fire upon a sea of glass.
+
+And it would have been well if faintness and weariness had been all
+that was the matter; but now that the excitement was over, the collapse
+came; and the men sat down listlessly and sulkily by twos and threes
+upon the deck, starting and wincing when they heard some poor fellow
+below cry out under the surgeon's knife; or murmuring to each other
+that all was lost.  Drew tried in vain to rouse them, telling them that
+all depended on rigging a jury-mast forward as soon as possible.  They
+answered only by growls; and at last broke into open reproaches.  Even
+Will Cary's volatile nature, which had kept him up during the fight
+gave way, when Yeo and the carpenter came aft, and told Amyas in a low
+voice--
+
+"We are hit somewhere forward, below the waterline, sir.  She leaks a
+terrible deal, and the Lord will not vouchsafe to us to lay our hands
+on the place, for all our searching."
+
+"What are we to do now, Amyas, in the devil's name?" asked Cary,
+peevishly.
+
+"What are we to do, in God's name, rather," answered Amyas in a low
+voice.  "Will, Will, what did God make you a gentleman for, but to know
+better than those poor fickle fellows forward, who blow hot and cold at
+every change of weather!"
+
+"I wish you'd come forward and speak to them, sir," said Yeo, who had
+overheard the last words, "or we shall get nought done."
+
+Amyas went forward instantly.
+
+"Now then, my brave lads, what's the matter here, that you are all
+sitting on your tails like monkeys?"
+
+"Ugh!" grunts one.  "Don't you think our day's work has been long
+enough yet, captain?"
+
+"You don't want us to go in to La Guayra again, sir?  There are enough
+of us thrown away already, I reckon, about that wench there."
+
+"Best sit here, and sink quietly.  There's no getting home again,
+that's plain."
+
+"Why were we brought out here to be killed."
+
+"For shame, men!" cries Yeo, "murmuring the very minute after the Lord
+has delivered you from the Egyptians."
+
+Now I do not wish to set Amyas up as better, thank God, than many and
+many a brave and virtuous captain in her Majesty's service at this very
+day: but certainly he behaved admirably under that trial.  Drake had
+trained him, as he trained many another excellent officer, to be as
+stout in discipline and as dogged of purpose, as he himself was: but he
+had trained him also to feel with and for his men, to make allowances
+for them, and to keep his temper with them, as he did this day.
+Amyas's conscience smote him (and his simple and pious soul took the
+loss of his brother as God's verdict on his conduct), because he had
+set his own private affection, even his own private revenge, before the
+safety of his ship's company and the good of his country.
+
+"Ah," said he to himself, as he listened to his men's reproaches, "if I
+had been thinking, like a loyal soldier, of serving my queen, and
+crippling the Spaniard, I should have taken that great bark three days
+ago, and in it the very man I sought!"
+
+So "choking down his old man," as Yeo used to say, he made answer
+cheerfully--
+
+"Pooh! pooh! brave lads!  For shame, for shame!  You were lions
+half-an-hour ago; you are not surely turned sheep already!  Why, but
+yesterday evening you were grumbling because I would not run in and
+fight those three ships under the batteries of La Guayra, and now you
+think it too much to have fought them fairly out at sea?  Nothing
+venture, nothing win; and nobody goes birdnesting without a fall at
+times.  If any one wants to be safe in this life, he'd best stay at
+home and keep his bed; though even there who knows but the roof might
+fall through on him?"
+
+"Ah, it's all very well for you, captain," said some grumbling younker,
+with a vague notion that Amyas must be better off than he because he
+was a gentleman.  Amyas's blood rose.
+
+"Yes, sirrah!  Do you fancy that I have nothing to lose?  I who have
+adventured in this voyage all I am worth, and more; who, if I fall,
+must return to beggary and scorn?  And if I have ventured rashly,
+sinfully, if you will, the lives of any of you in my own private
+quarrel, am I not punished?  Have I not lost----?"
+
+His voice trembled and stopped there, but he recovered himself in a
+moment.
+
+"Pish!  I can't stand here chattering.  Carpenter! an ax! and help me
+to cast these spars loose.  Get out of my way, there! lumbering the
+scuppers up like so many moulting fowls!  Here, all old friends, lend a
+hand!  _Pelican's_ men, stand by your captain!  Did we sail round the
+world for nothing?"
+
+This last appeal struck home, and up leaped half-a-dozen of the old
+Pelicans, and set to work at his side manfully to rig the jury-mast.
+
+"Come along!" cried Cary to the malcontents; "we're raw longshore
+fellows, but we won't be outdone by any old sea-dog of them all."  And
+setting to work himself, he was soon followed by one and another, till
+order and work went on well enough.
+
+"And where are we going, when the mast's up?" shouted some saucy hand
+from behind.
+
+"Where you daren't follow us alone by yourself, so you had better keep
+us company," replied Yeo.
+
+"I'll tell you where we are going, lads," said Amyas, rising from his
+work.  "Like it or leave it as you will, I have no secrets from my
+crew.  We are going inshore there to find a harbor, and careen the
+ship."
+
+There was a start and a murmur.
+
+"Inshore!  Into the Spaniards' mouths?"
+
+"All in the Inquisition in a week's time."
+
+"Better stay here, and be drowned."
+
+"You're right in that last," shouts Cary.  "That's the right death for
+blind puppies.  Look you!  I don't know in the least where we are, and
+I hardly know stem from stern aboard ship; and the captain may be right
+or wrong--that's nothing to me; but this I know, that I am a soldier,
+and will obey orders; and where he goes, I go; and whosoever hinders me
+must walk up my sword to do it."
+
+Amyas pressed Cary's hand, and then--
+
+"And here's my broadside next, men.  I'll go nowhere, and do nothing
+without the advice of Salvation Yeo and Robert Drew; and if any man in
+the ship knows better than these two, let him up, and we'll give him a
+hearing.  Eh, _Pelicans_?"
+
+There was a grunt of approbation from the Pelicans; and Amyas returned
+to the charge.
+
+"We have five shots between wind and water, and one somewhere below.
+Can we face a gale of wind in that state, or can we not?"
+
+Silence.
+
+"Can we get home with a leak in our bottom?"
+
+Silence.
+
+"Come along now!  Here's the wind again round with the sun, and up to
+the northwest.  In shore with her."
+
+Sulkily enough, but unable to deny the necessity, the men set to work,
+and the vessel's head was put toward the land; but when she began to
+slip through the water, the leak increased so fast that they were kept
+hard at work at the pumps for the rest of the afternoon.
+
+The current had by this time brought them abreast of the bay of
+Higuerote.  As they ran inward, all eyes were strained greedily to find
+some opening in the mangrove belt: but none was to be seen for some
+time.  The lead was kept going; and every fresh heave announced
+shallower water.
+
+"We shall have very shoal work of those mangroves, Yeo," said Amyas; "I
+doubt whether we shall do aught now, unless we find a river's mouth."
+
+"If the Lord thinks a river good for us, sir, he'll show us one."  So
+on they went, keeping a southeast course, and at last an opening in the
+mangrove belt was hailed with a cheer from the older hands, though the
+majority shrugged their shoulders, as men going open-eyed to
+destruction.
+
+Of the mouth they sent in Drew and Cary with a boat, and watched
+anxiously for an hour.  The boat returned with a good report of two
+fathoms of water over the bar, impenetrable forests for two miles up,
+the river sixty yards broad, and no sign of man.  The river's banks
+were soft and sloping mud, fit for careening.
+
+"Safe quarters, sir," said Yeo, privately, "as far as Spaniards go.  I
+hope in God it may be as safe from fevers."
+
+"Beggars must not be choosers," said Amyas.  So in they went.
+
+They towed the ship up about half-a-mile to a point where she could not
+be seen from the seaward; and there moored her to the mangrove-stems.
+Amyas ordered a boat out, and went up the river himself to reconnoiter.
+He rowed some three miles, till the river narrowed suddenly, and was
+all but covered in by the interlacing boughs of mighty trees.  There
+was no sign that man had been there since the making of the world.
+
+He dropped down the stream again, thoughtfully and sadly.  How many
+years ago was it that he had passed this river's mouth?  Three days.
+And yet how much had passed in them!  Don Guzman found and lost--Rose
+found and lost--a great victory gained, and yet lost--perhaps his ship
+lost--above all, his brother lost.
+
+Lost! O God, how should he find his brother?
+
+Some strange bird out of the woods made mournful answer--"Never, never,
+never!"
+
+How should he face his mother?
+
+"Never, never, never!" walled the bird again; and Amyas smiled
+bitterly, and said "Never!" likewise.
+
+The night mist began to steam and wreath upon the foul beer-colored
+stream.  The loathy floor of liquid mud lay bare beneath the mangrove
+forest.  Upon the endless web of interarching roots great purple crabs
+were crawling up and down.  They would have supped with pleasure upon
+Amyas's corpse; perhaps they might sup on him after all; for a heavy
+sickening graveyard smell made his heart sink within him, and his
+stomach heave; and his weary body, and more weary soul, gave themselves
+up helplessly to the depressing influence of that doleful place.  The
+black bank of dingy leathern leaves above his head, the endless
+labyrinth of stems and withes (for every bough had lowered its own
+living cord, to take fresh hold of the foul soil below); the web of
+roots, which stretched away inland till it was lost in the shades of
+evening--all seemed one horrid complicated trap for him and his; and
+even where, here and there, he passed the mouth of a lagoon, there was
+no opening, no relief--nothing but the dark ring of mangroves.  Wailing
+sadly, sad-colored mangrove-hens ran off across the mud into the dreary
+dark.  The hoarse night-raven, hid among the roots, startled the
+voyagers with a sudden shout, and then all was again silent as a grave.
+The loathy alligators lounging in the slime lifted their horny eyelids
+lazily, and leered upon him as he passed with stupid savageness.  Lines
+of tall herons stood dimly in the growing gloom, like white fantastic
+ghosts, watching the passage of the doomed boat.  All was foul, sullen,
+weird as witches' dream.  If Amyas had seen a crew of skeletons glide
+down the stream behind him, with Satan standing at the helm, he would
+scarcely have been surprised.  What fitter craft could haunt that
+Stygian flood?
+
+
+
+
+THE CLUB-HAULING OF THE DIOMEDE
+
+From "Peter Simple," BY CAPTAIN FREDERICK MARRYAT
+
+
+We continued our cruise along the coast, until we had run down into the
+Bay of Arcason, where we captured two or three vessels, and obliged
+many more to run on shore.  And here we had an instance showing how
+very important it is that the captain of a man-of-war should be a good
+sailor, and have his ship in such discipline as to be strictly obeyed
+by his ship's company.  I heard the officers unanimously assert, after
+the danger was over, that nothing but the presence of mind which was
+shown by Captain Savage could have saved the ship and her crew.  We had
+chased a convoy of vessels to the bottom of the bay: the wind was very
+fresh when we hauled off, after running them on shore; and the surf on
+the beach even at that time was so great, that they were certain to go
+to pieces before they could be got afloat again.  We were obliged to
+double-reef the topsails as soon as we hauled to the wind, and the
+weather looked very threatening.  In an hour afterwards, the whole sky
+was covered with one black cloud, which sank so low as nearly to touch
+our mast-heads, and a tremendous sea, which appeared to have risen up
+almost by magic, rolled in upon us, setting the vessel on a dead lee
+shore.  As the night closed in, it blew a dreadful gale, and the ship
+was nearly buried with the press of canvas which she was obliged to
+carry: for had we sea-room, we should have been lying-to under storm
+staysails; but we were forced to carry on at all risks, that we might
+claw off shore.  The sea broke over us as we lay in the trough,
+deluging us with water from the forecastle, aft, to the binnacles; and
+very often as the ship descended with a plunge, it was with such force
+that I really thought she would divide in half with the violence of the
+shock.  Double breechings were rove on the guns, and they were further
+secured with tackles; and strong cleats nailed behind the trunnions;
+for we heeled over so much when we lurched, that the guns were wholly
+supported by the breechings and tackles, and had one of them broken
+loose it must have burst right through the lee side of the ship, and
+she must have foundered.  The captain, first lieutenant, and most of
+the officers, remained on deck during the whole of the night; and
+really, what with the howling of the wind, the violence of the rain,
+the washing of the water about the decks, the working of the
+chain-pumps, and the creaking and groaning of the timbers, I thought
+that we must inevitably have been lost; and I said my prayers at least
+a dozen times during the night, for I felt it impossible to go to bed.
+I had often wished, out of curiosity, that I might be in a gale of
+wind; but I little thought it was to have been a scene of this
+description, or anything half so dreadful.  What made it more appalling
+was, that we were on a lee shore, and the consultations of the captain
+and officers, and the eagerness with which they looked out for
+daylight, told us that we had other dangers to encounter besides the
+storm.  At last the morning broke, and the look-out man upon the
+gangway called out, "Land on the lee beam!"  I perceived the master
+dash his feet against the hammock-rails, as if with vexation, and walk
+away without saying a word, looking very grave.
+
+"Up there, Mr. Wilson," said the captain to the second lieutenant, "and
+see how far the land trends forward, and whether you can distinguish
+the point."  The second lieutenant went up the main-rigging, and
+pointed with his hand to about two points before the beam.
+
+"Do you see two hillocks, inland?"
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the second lieutenant.
+
+"Then it is so," observed the captain to the master, "and if we weather
+it we shall have more sea-room.  Keep her full, and let her go through
+the water; do you hear, quartermaster?"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir."
+
+"Thus, and no nearer, my man.  Ease her with a spoke or two when she
+sends; but be careful, or she'll take the wheel out of your hands."
+
+It really was a very awful sight.  When the ship was in the trough of
+the sea, you could distinguish nothing but a waste of tumultuous water;
+but when she was borne up on the summit of the enormous waves, you then
+looked down, as it were, upon a low, sandy coast, close to you, and
+covered with foam and breakers.  "She behaves nobly," observed the
+captain, stepping aft to the binnacle, and looking at the compass; "if
+the wind does not baffle us, we shall weather."  The captain had
+scarcely time to make the observation, when the sails shivered and
+flapped like thunder.  "Up with the helm; what are you about,
+quartermaster?"
+
+"The wind has headed us, sir," replied the quartermaster, coolly.
+
+The captain and master remained at the binnacle watching the compass;
+and when the sails were again full, she had broken off two points, and
+the point of land was only a little on the lee-bow.
+
+"We must wear her round, Mr. Falcon.  Hands, wear ship--ready, oh,
+ready."
+
+"She has come up again," cried the master, who was at the binnacle.
+
+"Hold fast there a minute.  How's her head now?"
+
+"N.N.E., as she was before she broke off, sir."
+
+"Pipe belay," said the captain.  "Falcon," continued he, "if she breaks
+off again we may have no room to wear; indeed, there is so little room
+now, that I must run the risk.  Which cable was ranged last night--the
+best bower?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Jump down, then, and see it double-bitted and stoppered at thirty
+fathoms.  See it well done--our lives may depend upon it."
+
+The ship continued to hold her course good; and we were within half a
+mile of the point, and fully expected to weather it, when again the wet
+and heavy sails flapped in the wind, and the ship broke off two points
+as before.  The officers and seamen were aghast, for the ship's head
+was right on to the breakers.  "Luff now, all you can, quartermaster,"
+cried the captain.  "Send the men aft directly.  My lads, there is no
+time for words--I am going to _club-haul_ the ship, for there is no
+room to wear.  The only chance you have of safety is to be cool, watch
+my eye, and execute my orders with precision.  Away to your stations
+for tacking ship.  Hands by the best bower anchor.  Mr. Wilson, attend
+below with the carpenter and his mates, ready to cut away the cable at
+the moment that I give the order.  Silence there, fore and aft.
+Quartermaster, keep her full again for stays.  Mind you ease the helm
+down when I tell you."  About a minute passed before the captain gave
+any further orders.  The ship had closed-to within a quarter-mile of
+the beach, and the waves curled and topped around us, bearing us down
+upon the shore, which presented one continued surface of foam,
+extending to within half a cable's length of our position.  The captain
+waved his hand in silence to the quartermaster at the wheel, and the
+helm was put down.  The ship turned slowly to the wind, pitching and
+chopping as the sails were spilling.  When she had lost her way, the
+captain gave the order, "Let go the anchor.  We will haul all at once,
+Mr. Falcon," said the captain.  Not a word was spoken; the men went to
+the fore brace, which had not been manned; most of them knew, although
+I did not, that if the ship's head did not go round the other way, we
+should be on shore, and among the breakers, in half a minute.  I
+thought at the time that the captain had said that he would haul all
+the yards at once, there appeared to be doubt or dissent on the
+countenance of Mr. Falcon; and I was afterwards told that he had not
+agreed with the captain; but he was too good an officer, and knew that
+there was no time for discussion, to make any remark: and the event
+proved that the captain was right.  At last the ship was head to wind,
+and the captain gave the signal.  The yards flew round with such a
+creaking noise, that I thought the masts had gone over the side, and
+the next moment the wind had caught the sails; and the ship, which for
+a moment or two had been on an even keel, careened over to her gunwale
+with its force.  The captain, who stood upon the weather hammock-rails,
+holding by the main-rigging, ordered the helm a-midships, looked full
+at the sails, and then at the cable, which grew broad upon the
+weather-bow, and held the ship from nearing the shore.  At last he
+cried, "Cut away the cable!"  A few strokes of the axes were heard, and
+then the cable flew out of the hawse-hole in a blaze of fire, from the
+violence of the friction, and disappeared under a huge wave, which
+struck us on the chesstree, and deluged us with water fore and aft.
+But we were now on the other tack, and the ship regained her way, and
+we had evidently increased our distance from the land.
+
+"My lads," said the captain to the ship's company, "you have behaved
+well, and I thank you; but I must tell you honestly that we have more
+difficulties to get through.  We have to weather a point of the bay on
+this tack.  Mr. Falcon, splice the main-brace, and call the watch.
+How's her head, quartermaster?"
+
+"S.W. by S. Southerly, sir."
+
+"Very well; let her go through the water;" and the captain, beckoning
+to the master to follow him, went down into the cabin.  As our
+immediate danger was over, I went down into the berth to see if I could
+get anything for breakfast, where I found O'Brien and two or three more.
+
+"By the powers, it was as nate a thing as ever I saw done," observed
+O'Brien: "the slightest mistake as to time or management, and at this
+moment the flatfish would have been dubbing at our ugly carcasses.
+Peter, you're not fond of flatfish, are you, my boy?  We may thank
+Heaven and the captain, I can tell you that, my lads; but now, where's
+the chart, Robinson?  Hand me down the parallel rules and compasses,
+Peter; they are in the corner of the shelf.  Here we are now, a
+devilish sight too near this infernal point.  Who knows how her head
+is?"
+
+"I do, O'Brien: I heard the quartermaster tell the captain S.W. by S.
+Southerly."
+
+"Let me see," continued O'Brien, "variation 2 1/4--leeway--rather too
+large an allowance of that, I'm afraid; but, however, we'll give her 2
+1/2 points; the _Diomede_ would blush to make any more, under any
+circumstances.  Here--the compass--now, we'll see;" and O'Brien
+advanced the parallel rule from the compass to the spot where the ship
+was placed on the chart.  "Bother! you see, it's as much as she'll do
+to weather the other point now, on this tack, and that's what the
+captain meant when he told us we had more difficulty.  I could have
+taken my Bible oath that we were clear of everything, if the wind held."
+
+"See what the distance is, O'Brien," said Robinson.  It was measured,
+and proved to be thirteen miles.  "Only thirteen miles; and if we do
+weather, we shall do very well, for the bay is deep beyond.  It's a
+rocky point, you see, just by way of variety.  Well, my lads, I've a
+piece of comfort for you, anyhow.  It's not long that you'll be kept in
+suspense, for by one o'clock this day you'll either be congratulating
+each other upon your good luck, or you'll be past praying for.  Come,
+put up the chart, for I hate to look at melancholy prospects; and,
+steward, see what you can find in the way of comfort."  Some bread and
+cheese, with the remains of yesterday's boiled pork, were put on the
+table, with a bottle of rum, procured at the time they "spliced the
+main brace," but we were all too anxious to eat much, and one by one
+returned on deck to see how the weather was, and if the wind at all
+favored us.  On deck the superior officers were in conversation with
+the captain, who expressed the same fear that O'Brien had in our berth.
+The men, who knew what they had to expect, were assembled in knots,
+looking very grave, but at the same time not wanting in confidence.
+They knew that they could trust to the captain, as far as skill or
+courage could avail them; and sailors are too sanguine to despair, even
+at the last moment.  As for myself, I felt such admiration for the
+captain, after what I had witnessed that morning, that, whenever the
+idea came over me, that in all probability I should be lost in a few
+hours, I could not help acknowledging how much more serious it was that
+such a man should be lost to his country.  I do not intend to say that
+it consoled me, but it certainly made me still more regret the chances
+with which we were threatened.
+
+Before twelve o'clock the rocky point which we so much dreaded was in
+sight, broad on the lee bow; and if the low sandy coast appeared
+terrible, how much more did this, even at a distance.  The captain eyed
+it for some minutes in silence, as if in calculation.
+
+"Mr. Falcon," said he, at last, "we must put the mainsail on her."
+
+"She never can bear it, sir."
+
+"She _must_ bear it," was the reply.  "Send the men aft to the
+mainsheet.  See that careful men attend the bunt-lines."
+
+The mainsail was set, and the effect of it upon the ship was
+tremendous.  She careened over so that her lee channels were under the
+water; and when pressed by a sea, the lee side of the quarter-deck and
+gangway were afloat.  She now reminded me of a goaded and fiery horse,
+mad with the stimulus applied; not rising as before, but forcing
+herself through whole seas, and dividing the waves, which poured in one
+continual torrent from the forecastle down upon the decks below.  Four
+men were secured to the wheel--the sailors were obliged to cling to
+prevent being washed away--the ropes were thrown in confusion to
+leeward--the shot rolled out of the lockers, and every eye was fixed
+aloft, watching the masts, which were expected every moment to go over
+the side.  A heavy sea struck us on the broadside, and it was some
+moments before the ship appeared to recover herself; she reeled,
+trembled, and stopped her way, as if it had stupefied her.  The first
+lieutenant looked at the captain, as if to say, "This will not do."
+"It is our only chance," answered the captain to the appeal.  That the
+ship went faster through the water, and held a better wind, was
+certain; but just before we arrived at the point the gale increased in
+force.  "If anything starts we are lost, sir," observed the first
+lieutenant again.
+
+"I am perfectly well aware of it," replied the captain, in a calm tone;
+"but, as I said before, and as you must now be aware, it is our only
+chance.  The consequence of any carelessness or neglect in the fitting
+and securing of the rigging will be felt now; and this danger, if we
+escape it, ought to remind us how much we have to answer for if we
+neglect our duty.  The lives of a whole ship's company may be
+sacrificed by the neglect or incompetence of an officer when in harbor.
+I will pay you the compliment, Falcon, to say, that I feel convinced
+that the masts of the ship are as secure as knowledge and attention can
+make them."
+
+The first lieutenant thanked the captain for his good opinion, and
+hoped that it would not be the last compliment which he paid him.
+
+"I hope not, too; but a few minutes will decide the point."
+
+The ship was now within two cables' lengths of the rocky point; some
+few of the men I observed to clasp their hands, but most of them were
+silently taking off their jackets, and kicking off their shoes, that
+they might not lose a chance of escape provided the ship struck.
+
+"'Twill be touch and go, indeed, Falcon," observed the captain (for I
+had clung to the belaying pins, close to them for the last half-hour
+that the mainsail had been set).  "Come aft, you and I must take the
+helm.  We shall want _nerve_ there, and only there, now."
+
+The captain and first lieutenant went aft, and took the fore-spokes of
+the wheel, and O'Brien, at a sign made by the captain, laid hold of the
+spokes behind him.  An old quartermaster kept his station at the
+fourth.  The roaring of the seas on the rocks, with the howling of the
+wind, were dreadful; but the sight was more dreadful than the noise.
+For a few minutes I shut my eyes, but anxiety forced me to open them
+again.  As near as I could judge, we were not twenty yards from the
+rocks, at the time that the ship passed abreast of them.  We were in
+the midst of the foam, which boiled around us; and as the ship was
+driven nearer to them, and careened with the wave, I thought that our
+main yard-arm would have touched the rock; and at this moment a gust of
+wind came on, which laid the ship on her beam-ends, and checked her
+progress through the water, while the accumulating noise was deafening.
+A few moments more the ship dragged on, another wave dashed over her
+and spent itself upon the rocks, while the spray was dashed back from
+them, and returned upon the decks.  The main rock was within ten yards
+of the counter, when another gust of wind laid us on our beam-ends, the
+foresail and mainsail split, and were blown clean out of the
+bolt-ropes--the ship righted, trembling fore and aft.  I looked
+astern:--the rocks were to windward on our quarter, and we were safe.
+I thought at the time that the ship, relieved of her courses, and again
+lifting over the waves, was not a bad similitude of the relief felt by
+us all at that moment; and, like her, we trembled as we panted with the
+sudden reaction, and felt the removal of the intense anxiety which
+oppressed our breasts.
+
+The captain resigned the helm, and walked aft to look at the point,
+which was now broad on the weather-quarter.  In a minute or two, he
+desired Mr. Falcon to get new sails up and bend them, and then went
+below to his cabin.  I am sure it was to thank God for our deliverance:
+I did most fervently, not only then, but when I went to my hammock at
+night.  We were now comparatively safe--in a few hours completely so;
+for, strange to say, immediately after we had weathered the rocks, the
+gale abated, and before morning we had a reef out of the topsails.
+
+
+
+
+THE CRUISE OF THE TORCH
+
+From "Tom Cringle's Log," BY MICHAEL SCOTT
+
+
+Heligoland light--north and by west--so many leagues--wind
+baffling--weather hazy--Lady Passengers on deck for the first time.
+
+Arrived in the Downs--ordered by signal from the guardship to proceed
+to Portsmouth.  Arrived at Spithead--ordered to fit to receive a
+general officer, and six pieces of field artillery, and a Spanish
+Ecclesiastic, the Canon of ------.  Plenty of great guns, at any
+rate--a regular park of artillery.
+
+Received General ------ and his wife, and aide-de-camp, and two
+poodle-dogs, one white man-servant, one black ditto, and the Canon of
+------, and the six nine-pound field-pieces, and sailed for the Cove of
+Cork.
+
+It was blowing hard as we stood in for the Old Head of Kinsale--pilot
+boat breasting the foaming surge like a sea gull--_Carrol Cove_ in her
+tiny mainsail--pilot jumped into the main channel--bottle of rum swung
+by the lead line into the boat--all very clever.
+
+Ran in, and anchored under Spike Island.  A line-of-battle ship, three
+frigates, and a number of merchantmen at anchor--men-of-war lovely
+craft--bands playing--a good deal of the pomp and circumstances of war.
+Next forenoon, Mr. Treenail, the second lieutenant, sent for me.
+
+"Mr. Cringle," said he, "you have an uncle in Cork, I believe?"
+
+I said I had.
+
+"I am going there on duty to-night; I daresay, if you asked the captain
+to let you accompany me, he would do so."  This was too good an offer
+not to be taken advantage of.  I plucked up courage, made my bow, asked
+leave, and got it; and the evening found my friend the lieutenant, and
+myself, after a ride of three hours, during which I, for one, had my
+bottom sheathing grievously rubbed, and a considerable botheration at
+crossing the Ferry at Passage, safe in our inn at Cork.  I soon found
+out that the object of my superior officer was to gain information
+amongst the crimp shops, where ten men who had run from one of the West
+Indiamen, waiting at Cove for convoy, were stowed away, but I was not
+let further into the secret; so I set out to pay my visit, and after
+passing a pleasant evening with my friends, Mr. and Mrs. Job Cringle,
+the lieutenant dropped in upon us about nine o'clock.  He was heartily
+welcomed; and under the plea of our being obliged to return to the ship
+early next morning, we soon took leave, and returned to the inn.  As I
+was turning into the public room, the door was open, and I could see it
+full of blowsy-faced monsters, glimmering and jabbering, through the
+midst of hot brandy grog and gin twist; with poodle Benjamins, and
+greatcoats, and cloaks of all sorts and sizes, steaming on their pegs,
+with Barcelonas and comforters, and damp travelling caps of seal-skin,
+and blue cloth, and tartan, arranged above the same.  Nevertheless,
+such a society in my juvenile estimation, during my short _escapade_
+from the middy's berth, had its charms, and I was rolling in with a
+tolerable swagger, when Mr. Treenail pinched my arm.
+
+"Mr. Cringle, come here into my room."
+
+From the way in which he spoke, I imagined, in my innocence, that his
+room was at my elbow; but no such thing--we had to ascend a long, and
+not over-clean staircase, to the fourth floor, before we were shown
+into a miserable little double-bedded room.  So soon as we had entered,
+the lieutenant shut the door.
+
+"Tom," said he, "I have taken a fancy to you, and therefore I applied
+for leave to bring you with me; but I must expose you to some danger,
+and I will allow, not altogether in a very creditable way either.  You
+must enact the spy for a short space."
+
+I did not like the notion, certainly, but I had little time for
+consideration.
+
+"Here," he continued--"here is a bundle."  He threw it on the floor.
+"You must rig in the clothes it contains, and make your way into the
+celebrated crimp-shop in the neighborhood, and pick up all the
+information you can regarding the haunts of the pressable men at Cove,
+especially with regard to the ten seamen who have run from the West
+Indiaman we left below.  You know the Admiral has forbidden pressing at
+Cork, so you must contrive to frighten the blue jackets down to Cove,
+by representing yourself as an apprentice of one of the merchant
+vessels, who had run from his indentures, and that you had narrowly
+escaped from a press-gang this very night _here_."
+
+I made no scruples, but forthwith arrayed myself in the slops contained
+in the bundle; in a pair of shag trousers, red flannel shirt, coarse
+blue cloth jacket, and no waistcoat.
+
+"Now," said Mr. Treenail, "stick a quid of tobacco in your cheek, and
+take the cockade out of your hat; or stop, leave it, and ship this
+striped woollen night cap--so--and come along with me."
+
+We left the house, and walked half a mile down the _Quay_.
+
+Presently we arrived before a kind of low grog-shop--a bright lamp was
+flaring in the breeze at the door, one of the panes of the glass of it
+being broken.
+
+Before I entered, Mr. Treenail took me to one side--"Tom, Tom Cringle,
+you must go into this crimp-shop; pass yourself off for an apprentice
+of the _Guava_, bound for Trinidad, the ship that arrived just as we
+started, and pick up all the knowledge you can regarding the
+whereabouts of the men, for we are, as you know, cruelly ill manned,
+and must replenish as we best may."  I entered the house, after having
+agreed to rejoin my superior officer so soon as I considered I had
+obtained my object.  I rapped at the inner door, in which there was a
+small unglazed aperture cut, about four inches square; and I now, for
+the first time, perceived that a strong glare of light was cast into
+the lobby, where I stood, by a large argand with a brilliant reflector,
+that, like a magazine lantern, had been mortised into the bulkhead, at
+a height of about two feet above the door in which the spy-hole was
+cut.  My first signal was not attended to: I rapped again, and, looking
+round, I noticed Mr. Treenail flitting backwards and forwards across
+the doorway, in the rain, his pale face and his sharp nose, with the
+sparkling drop at the end on't, glancing in the light of the lamp.  I
+heard a step within, and a very pretty face now appeared at the wicket.
+
+"Who are you saking here, an' please ye?"
+
+"No one in particular, my dear; but if you don't let me in, I shall be
+lodged in jail before five minutes be over."
+
+"I can't help that, young man," said she; "but where are ye from,
+darling!"
+
+"Hush--I am run from the _Guava_, now lying at the Cove."
+
+"Oh," said my beauty, "come in"; and she opened the door, but still
+kept it on the chain in such a way, that although, by bobbing, I
+creeped and slid in beneath it, yet a common-sized man could not
+possibly have squeezed himself through.  The instant I entered, the
+door was once more banged to, and the next moment I was ushered into
+the kitchen, a room about fourteen feet square, with a well-sanded
+floor, a huge dresser on one side, and over against it a respectable
+show of pewter dishes in racks against the wall.  There was a long
+stripe of a deal table in the middle of the room--but no tablecloth--at
+the bottom of which sat a large, bloated, brandy, or rather whisky
+faced savage, dressed in a shabby greatcoat of the hodden grey worn by
+the Irish peasantry, dirty swandown vest, and greasy corduroy breeches,
+worsted stockings, and well-patched shoes; he was smoking a long pipe.
+Around the table sat about a dozen seamen, from whose wet jackets and
+trousers the heat of the blazing fire, that roared up the chimney, sent
+up a smoky steam that cast a halo round a lamp which depended from the
+roof, and hung down within two feet of the table, stinking abominably
+of coarse whale oil.  They were, generally speaking, hardy,
+weather-beaten men, and the greater proportion half, or more than half,
+drunk.  When I entered, I walked up to the landlord.
+
+"Yo ho, my young un! whence and whither bound, my hearty?"
+
+"The first don't signify much to you," said I, "seeing I have
+wherewithal in my locker to pay my shot; and as to the second, of that
+hereafter; so, old boy, let's have some grog, and then say if you can
+ship me with one of them colliers that are lying alongside the quay?"
+
+"My eye, what a lot of brass that small chap has!" grumbled mine host.
+"Why, my lad, we shall see to-morrow morning; but you gammons so about
+the rhino, that we must prove you a bit; so, Kate, my dear,"--to the
+pretty girl who had let me in--"score a pint of rum against----Why,
+what is your name?"
+
+"What's that to you?" rejoined I, "let's have the drink, and don't
+doubt but the shiners shall be forthcoming."
+
+"Hurrah!" shouted the party, most of them now very tipsy.  So the rum
+was produced forthwith, and as I lighted a pipe and filled a glass of
+swizzle, I struck in, "Messmates, I hope you have all shipped?"
+
+"No, we han't," said some of them.
+
+"Nor shall we be in any hurry, boy," said others.
+
+"Do as you please, but I shall, as soon as I can, I know; and I
+recommend all of you making yourselves scarce to-night, and keeping a
+bright look-out."
+
+"Why, boy, why?"
+
+"Simply because I have just escaped a press-gang, by bracing sharp up
+at the corner of the street, and shoving into this dark alley here."
+
+This called forth another volley of oaths and unsavoury exclamations,
+and all was bustle and confusion, and packing up of bundles, and
+settling of reckonings.
+
+"Where," said one of the seamen,--"where do you go to, my lad?"
+
+"Why, if I can't get shipped to-night, I shall trundle down to Cove
+immediately, so as to cross at Passage before daylight, and take my
+chance of shipping with some of the outward-bound that are to sail, if
+the wind holds, the day after to-morrow.  There is to be no pressing
+when the blue Peter flies at the fore--and that was hoisted this
+afternoon, I know, and the foretopsail will be loose to-morrow.
+
+"D--n my wig, but the small chap is right," roared one.
+
+"I've a bloody great mind to go down with him," stuttered another,
+after several unavailing attempts to weigh from the bench, where he had
+brought himself to anchor.
+
+"Hurrah!" yelled a third, as he hugged me, and nearly suffocated me
+with his maudlin caresses, "I trundles wid you too, my darling, by the
+piper!"
+
+"Have with you, boy--have with you," shouted half-a-dozen other voices,
+while each stuck his oaken twig through the handkerchief that held his
+bundle, and shouldered it, clapping his straw or tarpaulin hat, with a
+slap on the crown, on one side of his head, and staggering and swaying
+about under the influence of the potfen, and slapping his thigh, as he
+bent double, laughing like to split himself, till the water ran over
+his cheeks from his drunken half-shut eyes, while jets of tobacco-juice
+were squirting in all directions.
+
+I paid the reckoning, urging the party to proceed all the while, and
+indicating Pat Doolan's at the Cove as a good rendezvous; and,
+promising to overtake them before they reached Passage, I parted
+company at the corner of the street, and rejoined the lieutenant.
+
+Next morning we spent in looking about the town--Cork is a fine
+town--contains seventy thousand inhabitants _more_ or _less_--safe in
+that--and three hundred thousand pigs, driven by herdsmen, with coarse
+grey greatcoats.  The pigs are not so handsome as those in England,
+where the legs are short, and tails curly; here the legs are long, the
+flanks sharp and thin, and tails long and straight.
+
+All classes speak with a deuced brogue, and worship graven images;
+arrived at Cove to a late dinner--and here follows a great deal of
+nonsense of the same kind.
+
+By the time it was half-past ten o'clock, I was preparing to turn in,
+when the master at arms called down to me,--
+
+"Mr. Cringle, you are wanted in the gunroom."
+
+I put on my jacket again, and immediately proceeded thither, and on my
+way I noticed a group of seamen, standing on the starboard gangway,
+dressed in pea-jackets, under which, by the light of a lantern, carried
+by one of them, I could see they were all armed with pistols and
+cutlass.  They appeared in great glee, and as they made way for me, I
+could hear one fellow whisper, "There goes the little beagle."  When I
+entered the gunroom, the first lieutenant, master, and purser, were
+sitting smoking and enjoying themselves over a glass of cold grog--the
+gunner taking the watch on deck--the doctor was piping anything but
+mellifluously on the double flagolet, while the Spanish priest, and
+aide-de-camp to the general, were playing at chess, and wrangling in
+bad French.  I could hear Mr. Treenail rumbling and stumbling in his
+stateroom, as he accoutred himself in a jacket similar to those of the
+armed boat's crew whom I had passed, and presently he stepped into the
+gunroom, armed also with cutlass and pistol.
+
+"Mr. Cringle, get ready to go in the boat with me, and bring your arms
+with you."
+
+I now knew whereabouts I was, and that my Cork friends were the quarry
+at which we aimed.  I did as I was ordered, and we immediately pulled
+on shore, where, leaving two strong fellows in charge of the boat, with
+instructions to fire their pistols and shove off a couple of
+boat-lengths should any suspicious circumstances indicating an attack
+take place, we separated, like a pulk of Cossacks coming to the charge,
+but without the _hourah_, with orders to meet before Pat Doolan's door,
+as speedily as our legs could carry us.  We had landed about a cable's
+length to the right of the high precipitous bank--up which we stole in
+straggling parties--on which that abominable congregation of the most
+filthy huts ever pig grunted in is situated, called the Holy Ground.
+Pat Doolan's domocile was in a little dirty lane, about the middle of
+the village.  Presently ten strapping fellows, including the
+lieutenant, were before the door, each man with his stretcher in his
+hand.  It was very tempestuous, although moonlight, night, occasionally
+clear, with the moonbeams at one moment sparkling brightly in the small
+ripples on the filthy puddles before the door, and one the gem-like
+water drops that hung from the eaves of the thatched roof, and lighting
+up the dark statue-like figures of the men, and casting their long
+shadows strongly against the mud wall of the house; at another, a black
+cloud, as it flew across her disk, cast everything into deep shade;
+while the only noise we heard was the hoarse dashing of the distant
+surf, rising and falling on the fitful gusts of the breeze.  We tried
+the door.  It was fast.
+
+"Surround the house, men," said the lieutenant in a whisper.  He rapped
+loudly.  "Pat Doolan, my man, open the door, will ye?"  No answer.  "If
+you don't, we shall make free to break it open, Patrick, dear."
+
+All this while the light of a fire, or of candles, streamed through the
+joints of the door.  The threat at length appeared to have the desired
+effect.  A poor decrepit old man undid the bolt and let us in.  "_Ohon
+a ree_!  _Ohon a ree_!  What make you all this boder for--come you to
+help us to wake poor ould Kate there, and bring you the whisky wid you?"
+
+"Old man, where is Pat Doolan?" said the lieutenant.
+
+"Gone to borrow whisky, to wake ould Kate, there;--the howling will
+begin whenever Mother Doncannon and Misthress Conolly come over from
+Middleton, and I look for dem every minute."
+
+There was no vestige of any living thing in the miserable hovel, except
+the old fellow.  On two low trestles, in the middle of the floor, lay a
+coffin with the lid on, on the top of which was stretched the dead body
+of an old emaciated woman in her graveclothes, the quality of which was
+much finer than one could have expected to have seen in the midst of
+the surrounding squalidness.  The face of the corpse was uncovered, the
+hands were crossed on the breast, and there was a plate of salt on the
+stomach.
+
+An iron cresset, charged with coarse rancid oil, hung from the roof,
+the dull smoky red light flickering on the dead corpse, as the breeze
+streamed in through the door and numberless chinks in the walls, making
+the cold, rigid, sharp features appear to move, and glimmer, and gibber
+as it were, from the changing shades.  Close to the head there was a
+small door opening into an apartment of some kind, but the coffin was
+placed so near it that one could pass between the body and the door.
+
+"My good man," said Treenail to the solitary mourner, "I must beg leave
+to remove the body a bit, and have the goodness to open that door."
+
+"Door, yere honour!  It's no door o' mine--and it's not opening that
+same that old Phil Carrol shall busy himself wid."
+
+"Carline," said Mr. Treenail, quick and sharp, "remove the body."  It
+was done.
+
+"Cruel heavy the old dame is, sir, for all her wasted appearance," said
+one of the men.
+
+The lieutenant now ranged the press-gang against the wall fronting the
+door, and stepping into the middle of the room, drew his pistol and
+cocked it.  "Messmates," he sang out, as if addressing the skulkers in
+the other room, "I know you are here; the house is surrounded--and
+unless you open that door now, by the powers, but I'll fire slap into
+you!"  There was a bustle, and a rumbling tumbling noise within.  "My
+lads, we are now sure of our game," sang out Treenail, with great
+animation; "sling that clumsy bench there."  He pointed to an oaken
+form about eight feet long and nearly three inches thick.  To produce a
+two-inch rope, and junk it into three lengths, and rig the battering
+ram, was the work of an instant.  "One, two, three,"--and bang the door
+flew open, and there were our men stowed away, each sitting on the top
+of his bag, as snug as could be, although looking very much like
+condemned thieves.  We bound eight of them, thrusting a stretcher
+across their backs, under their arms, and lashing the fins to the same
+by good stout lanyards, we were proceeding to stump our prisoners off
+to the boat, when, with the innate deviltry that I have inherited, I
+know not how, but the original sin of which has more than once nearly
+cost me my life, I said, without addressing my superior officer, or any
+one else directly, "I should like now to scale my pistol through that
+coffin.  If I miss, I can't hurt the old woman; and an eyelet hole in
+the coffin itself will only be an act of civility to the worms."
+
+I looked towards my superior officer, who answered me with a knowing
+shake of the head.  I advanced, while all was silent as death--the
+sharp click of the pistol lock now struck acutely on my own ear.  I
+presented, when--crash--the lid of the coffin, old woman and all, was
+dashed off in an instant, the corpse flying up in the air, and then
+falling heavily on the floor, rolling over and over, while a tall
+handsome fellow, in his striped flannel shirt and blue trousers, with
+the sweat pouring down over his face in streams, sat up in the shell.
+
+"All right," said Mr. Treenail; "help him out of his berth."
+
+He was pinioned like the rest, and forthwith we walked them all off to
+the beach.  By this time there was an unusual bustle in the Holy
+Ground, and we could hear many an anathema--curses not loud but
+deep--ejaculated from many a half-opened door as we passed along.  We
+reached the boat, and time it was we did, for a number of stout
+fellows, who had followed us in a gradually increasing crowd until they
+amounted to forty at the fewest, now nearly surrounded us, and kept
+closing in.  As the last of us jumped into the boat, they made a rush,
+so that if we had not shoved off with the speed of light, I think it
+very likely that we should have been overpowered.  However, we reached
+the ship in safety, and the day following we weighed, and stood out to
+sea with our convoy.
+
+It was a very large fleet, nearly three hundred sail of merchant
+vessels--and a noble sight truly.
+
+A line-of-battle ship led, and two frigates and three sloops of our
+class were stationed on the outskirts of the fleet, whipping them in,
+as it were.  We made Madeira in fourteen days, looked in, but did not
+anchor; superb island--magnificent mountains--white town,--and all very
+fine, but nothing particular happened for three weeks.  One fine
+evening (we had by this time progressed into the trades, and were
+within three hundred miles of Barbadoes) the sun had set bright and
+clear, after a most beautiful day, and we were bowling along right
+before it, rolling like the very devil; but there was no moon, and
+although the stars sparkled brilliantly, yet it was dark, and as we
+were the sternmost of the men-of-war, we had the task of whipping in
+the sluggards.  It was my watch on deck.  A gun from the commodore, who
+showed a number of lights.  "What is that, Mr. Kennedy?" said the
+captain to the old gunner.  "The commodore has made the night-signal
+for the sternmost ships to make more sail and close, sir."  We repeated
+the signal and stood on, hailing the dullest of the merchantmen in our
+neighbourhood to make more sail, and firing a musket-shot now and then
+over the more distant of them.  By-and-by we saw a large West Indiamen
+suddenly haul her wind and stand across our bows.
+
+"Forward there!" sung out Mr. Splinter; "stand by to fire a shot at
+that fellow from the boat gun if he does not bear up.  What can he be
+after?  Sergeant Armstrong"--to a marine, who was standing close by him
+in the waist--"get a musket and fire over him."
+
+It was done, and the ship immediately bore up on her course again; we
+now ranged alongside of him on his larboard quarter.
+
+"Ho, the ship, ahoy!"--"Hillo!" was the reply.  "Make more sail, sir,
+and run into the body of the fleet, or I shall fire into you: why don't
+you, sir, keep in the wake of the commodore?"  No answer.  "What meant
+you by hauling your wind just now, sir?"
+
+"Yesh, yesh," at length responded a voice from the merchantman.
+
+"Something wrong here," said Mr. Splinter.  "Back your maintopsail,
+sir, and hoist a light at the peak; I shall send a boat on board of
+you.  Boatswain's mate, pipe away the crew of the jolly-boat."  We also
+hove to, and were in the act of lowering down the boat, when the
+officer rattled out--"Keep all fast with the boat; I can't comprehend
+that chap's manoeuvres for the soul of me.  He has not hove to."  Once
+more we were within pistol-shot of him.  "Why don't you heave to, sir?"
+All silent.
+
+Presently we could perceive a confusion and noise of struggling on
+board, and angry voices, as if people were trying to force their way up
+the hatches from below; and a heavy thumping on the deck, and a
+creaking of the blocks, and rattling of the cordage, while the mainyard
+was first braced one way, and then another, as if two parties were
+striving for the mastery.  At length a voice hailed distinctly--"we are
+captured by a----."  A sudden sharp cry, and a splash overboard, told
+of some fearful deed.
+
+"We are taken by a privateer or pirate," sung out another voice.  This
+was followed by a heavy crunching blow, as when the spike of a
+butcher's axe is driven through a bullock's forehead deep into the
+brain.
+
+By this time all hands had been called, and the word had been passed to
+clear away two of the foremost carronades on the starboard side, and to
+load them with grape.
+
+"On board there--get below, all you of the English crew, as I shall
+fire with grape," sung out the captain.
+
+The hint was now taken.  The ship at length came to the wind--we
+rounded to, under her lee--and an armed boat, with Mr. Treenail, and
+myself, and sixteen men, with cutlasses, were sent on board.
+
+We jumped on deck, and at the gangway Mr. Treenail stumbled and fell
+over the dead body of a man, no doubt the one who had hailed last, with
+his skull cloven to the eyes, and a broken cutlass-blade sticking in
+the gash.  We were immediately accosted by the mate, who was lashed
+down to a ring-bolt close by the bits, with his hands tied at the
+wrists by sharp cords, so tightly that the blood was spouting from
+beneath his nails.
+
+"We have been surprised by a privateer schooner, sir; the lieutenant of
+her, and several men, are now in the cabin."
+
+"Where are the rest of the crew?"
+
+"All secured in the forecastle, except the second-mate and boatswain,
+the men who hailed you just now; the last was knocked on the head, and
+the former was stabbed and thrown overboard."
+
+We immediately released the men, eighteen in number, and armed them
+with boarding-pikes.  "What vessel is that astern of us?" said Treenail
+to the mate.  Before he could answer, a shot from the brig fired at the
+privateer showed she was broad awake.  Next moment Captain Deadeye
+hailed.  "Have you mastered the prize crew, Mr. Treenail?"  "Ay, ay,
+sir."  "Then bear up on your course, and keep two lights hoisted at
+your mizzen-peak during the night, and blue Peter at the maintopsail
+yardarm when the day breaks: I shall haul my wind after the suspicious
+sail in your wake."
+
+Another shot, and another, from the brig--the time between each flash
+and the report increasing with the distance.  By this the lieutenant
+has descended to the cabin, followed by his people, while the merchant
+crew once more took charge of the ship, crowding sail into the body of
+the fleet.
+
+I followed him close, pistol and cutlass in hand, and I shall never
+forget the scene that presented itself when I entered.  The cabin was
+that of a vessel of five hundred tons, elegantly fitted up; the panels
+filled with crimson cloth, edged with gold mouldings, with superb
+damask hangings before the stern windows and the side berths, and
+brilliantly lighted up by the two large swinging-lamps hung from the
+deck above, which were reflected from, and multiplied in, several
+plate-glass mirrors in the panels.  In the recess, which in cold
+weather had been occupied by the stove, now stood a splendid grand
+piano, the silk in the open work above the keys corresponding with the
+crimson cloth of the panels; it was open, a Leghorn bonnet with a green
+veil, a parasol, and two long white gloves, as if recently pulled off,
+lay on it, with the very mould of the hands in them.
+
+The rudder case was particularly beautiful; it was a richly carved and
+gilded palm-tree, the stem painted white and Interlaced with golden
+fretwork, like the lozenges of a pineapple, while the leaves spread up
+and abroad on the roof.
+
+The table was laid for supper, with cold meat, and wine, and a
+profusion of silver things, all sparkling brightly: but it was in great
+disorder, wine spilt, and glasses broken, and dishes with meat upset,
+and knives, and forks, and spoons, scattered all about.  She was
+evidently one of those London West Indiamen, on board of which I knew
+there was much splendour and great comfort.  But, alas, the hand of
+lawless violence had been there.  The captain lay across the table,
+with his head hanging over the side of it next to us, and unable to
+help himself, with his hands tied behind his back, and a gag in his
+mouth; his face purple from the blood running to his head, and the
+white of his eyes turned up, while his loud stertorous breathing but
+too clearly indicated the rupture of a vessel on the brain.
+
+He was a stout portly man, and although we released him on the instant,
+and had him bled, and threw water on his face, and did all we could for
+him, he never spoke afterwards, and died in half an hour.
+
+Four gentlemanly-looking men were sitting at table, lashed to their
+chairs, pale and trembling, while six of the most ruffian-looking
+scoundrels I ever beheld stood on the opposite side of the table in a
+row fronting us, with the light from the lamps shining full on them.
+Three of them were small but very square mulattoes; one was a South
+American Indian, with the square high-boned visage and long, lank,
+black glossy hair of his caste.  These four had no clothing besides
+their trousers, and stood with their arms folded, in all the calmness
+of desperate men caught in the very fact of some horrible atrocity,
+which they knew shut out every hope of mercy.  The two others were
+white Frenchmen, tall, bushy-whiskered, sallow desperadoes, but still,
+wonderful to relate, with, if I may so speak, the manners of gentlemen.
+One of them squinted, and had a hare-lip, which gave him a horrible
+expression.  They were dressed in white trousers and shirts, yellow
+silk sashes round their waists, and a sort of blue uniform jackets,
+blue Gascon caps, with the peaks, from each of which depended a large
+bullion tassel, hanging down on one side of their heads.  The whole
+party had apparently made up their minds that resistance was vain, for
+their pistols and cutlasses, some of them bloody, had all been laid on
+the table, with the butts and handles towards us, contrasting horribly
+with the glittering equipage of steel, and crystal, and silver things,
+on the snow-white damask tablecloth.  They were immediately seized and
+ironed, to which they submitted in silence.  We next released the
+passengers, and were overpowered with thanks, one dancing, one crying,
+one laughing, and another praying.  But, merciful Heaven! what an
+object met our eyes!  Drawing aside the curtain that concealed a sofa
+fitted into a recess, there lay, more dead than alive, a tall and most
+beautiful girl, her head resting on her arm, her clothes disordered and
+torn, blood on her bosom, and foam on her mouth, with her long dark
+hair loose and dishevelled, and covering the upper part of her deadly
+pale face, through which her wild sparkling black eyes, protruding from
+their sockets, glanced and glared with the fire of a maniac's, while
+her blue lips kept gibbering an incoherent prayer one moment, and the
+next imploring mercy, as if she had still been in the hands of those
+who knew not the name; and anon, a low hysterical laugh made our very
+blood freeze in our bosoms, which soon ended in a long dismal yell, as
+she rolled off the couch upon the hard deck, and lay in a dead faint.
+
+Alas the day!--a maniac she was from that hour.  She was the only
+daughter of the murdered master of the ship, and never awoke, in her
+unclouded reason, to the fearful consciousness of her own dishonour and
+her parent's death.
+
+The _Torch_ captured the schooner, and we left the privateer's men at
+Barbadoes to meet their reward, and several of the merchant sailors
+were turned over to the guardship, to prove the facts in the first
+instance, and to serve his Majesty as impressed men in the second,--but
+scrimp measure of justice to the poor ship's crew.
+
+Anchored at Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes.  Town seemed built of cards--black
+faces--showy dresses of the negroes--dined at Mr. C----'s--capital
+dinner--little breeze-mill at the end of the room, that pumped a
+solution of salpetre [Transcriber's note: saltpetre?] and water into a
+trough of tin, perforated with small holes, below which, and exposed to
+the breeze, were ranged the wine and liqueurs, all in cotton bags; the
+water then flowed into a well, where the pump was stepped, and thus was
+again pumped up and kept circulating.
+
+Landed the artillery, the soldiers, officers, and the Spanish
+Canon--discharged the whole battery.
+
+Next morning, weighed at day-dawn, with the trade for Jamaica, and soon
+lost sight of the bright blue waters of Carlisle Bay, and the smiling
+fields and tall cocoanut trees of the beautiful island.  In a week
+after we arrived off the east end of Jamaica; and that same evening, in
+obedience to the orders of the admiral on the windward Island station,
+we hove to in Bull Bay, in order to land despatches, and secure our
+tithe of the crews of the merchant-vessels bound for Kingston, and the
+ports to leeward, as they passed us.  We had fallen in with a pilot
+canoe of Morant Bay with four negroes on board, who requested us to
+hoist in their boat, and take them all on board, as the pilot schooner
+to which they belonged had that morning bore up for Kingston, and left
+instructions to them to follow her in the first vessel appearing
+afterwards.  We did so, and now, as it was getting dark, the captain
+came up to Mr. Treenail.
+
+"Why, Mr. Treenail, I think we had better heave to for the night, and
+in this case I shall want you to go in the cutter to Port Royal to
+deliver the despatches on board the flag-ship.
+
+"I don't think the admiral will be at Port Royal, sir," responded the
+lieutenant; "and, if I might suggest, those black chaps have offered to
+take me ashore here on the _Palisadoes_, a narrow spit of land, not
+above one hundred yards across, that divides the harbour from the
+ocean, and to haul the canoe across, and take me to the agent's house
+in Kingston, who will doubtless frank me up to the pen where the
+admiral resides, and I shall thus deliver the letters, and be back
+again by day-dawn."
+
+"Not a bad plan," said old Deadeye; "put it in execution, and I will go
+below and get the despatches immediately."
+
+The canoe was once more hoisted out; the three black fellows, the pilot
+of the ship continuing on board, jumped into her alongside.
+
+"Had you not better take a couple of hands with you, Mr. Treenail?"
+said the skipper.
+
+"Why, no, sir, I don't think I shall want them; but if you will spare
+me Mr. Cringle I will be obliged, in case I want any help."
+
+We shoved off, and as the glowing sun dipped under Portland Point, as
+the tongue of land that runs out about four miles to the southward, on
+the western side of Port Royal harbour, is called, we arrived within a
+hundred yards of the _Palisadoes_.  The surf, at the particular spot we
+steered for, did not break on the shore in a rolling curling wave, as
+it usually does, but smoothed away under the lee of a small sandy
+promontory that ran out into the sea, about half a cable's length to
+windward, and then slid up the smooth white sand without breaking, in a
+deep clear green swell, for the space of twenty yards, gradually
+shoaling, the colour becoming lighter and lighter until it frothed away
+in a shallow white fringe, that buzzed as it receded back into the deep
+green sea, until it was again propelled forward by the succeeding
+billow.
+
+"I say, friend Bungo, how shall we manage?  You don't mean to swamp us
+in a shove through that surf, do you?" said Mr. Treenail.
+
+"No fear, massa, if you and toder leetle man-of-war buccra only keep
+dem seat when we rise on de crest of de swell dere."
+
+We sat quiet enough.  Treenail was coolness itself, and I aped him as
+well as I could.  The loud murmur, increasing to a roar, of the sea,
+was trying enough as we approached, buoyed on the last long undulation.
+
+"Now sit still, massa, bote."
+
+We sank down into the trough, and presently were hove forwards with a
+smooth sliding motion up on the beach--until grit, grit, we stranded on
+the cream-coloured sand, high and dry.
+
+"Now, jomp, massa, jomp."
+
+We leapt with all our strength, and thereby toppled down on our noses;
+the sea receded, and before the next billow approached we had run the
+canoe twenty yards beyond high-water mark.
+
+It was the work of a very few minutes to haul the canoe across the
+sand-bank, and to launch it once more in the placid waters of the
+harbour of Kingston.  We pulled across towards the town, until we
+landed at the bottom of Hanover Street; the lights from the cabin
+windows of the merchantmen glimmering as we passed, and the town only
+discernible from a solitary sparkle here and there.  But the contrast
+when we landed was very striking.  We had come through the darkness of
+the night in comparative quietness; and in two hours from the time we
+had left the old _Torch_, we were transferred from her orderly deck to
+the bustle of a crowded town.
+
+One of our crew undertook to be the guide to the agent's house.  We
+arrived before it.  It was a large mansion, and we could see lights
+glimmering in the ground-floor; but it was gaily lit up aloft.  The
+house itself stood back about twenty feet from the street, from which
+it was separated by an iron railing.
+
+We knocked at the outer gate, but no one answered.  At length our black
+guide found out a bell-pull, and presently the clang of a bell
+resounded throughout the mansion.  Still no one answered.  I pushed
+against the door, and found it was open, and Mr. Treenail and myself
+immediately ascended a flight of six marble steps, and stood in the
+lower piazza, with the hall, or vestibule, before us.  We entered.  A
+very well-dressed brown woman, who was sitting at her work at a small
+table, along with two young girls of the same complexion, instantly
+rose to receive us.
+
+"Beg pardon," said Mr. Treenail, "pray, is this Mr. ------'s house?"
+
+"Yes, sir, it is."
+
+"Will you have the goodness to say if he be at home?"
+
+"Oh yes, sir, he is dere upon dinner wid company," said the lady.
+
+"Well," continued the lieutenant, "say to him, that an officer of his
+Majesty's sloop _Torch_ is below, with despatches for the admiral."
+
+"Surely, sir,--surely," the dark lady continued; "Follow me, sir; and
+dat small gentleman [Thomas Cringle, Esquire, no less!]--him will
+better follow me too."
+
+We left the room, and turning to the right, landed in the lower piazza
+of the house, fronting the north.  A large clumsy stair occupied the
+eastermost end, with a massive mahogany balustrade, but the whole
+affair below was very ill lighted.  The brown lady preceded us; and,
+planting herself at the bottom of the staircase, began to shout to some
+one above--
+
+"Toby!--Toby!--buccra gentlemen arrive, Toby."  But no Toby responded
+to the call.
+
+"My dear madam," said Treenail, "I have little time for ceremony.  Pray
+usher us up into Mr. ------'s presence."
+
+"Den follow me, gentlemen, please."
+
+Forthwith we all ascended the dark staircase until we reached the first
+landing-place, when we heard a noise as of two negroes wrangling on the
+steps above us.
+
+"You rascal!" sang out one, "take dat; larn you for teal my
+wittal!"--then a sharp crack, as if he had smote the culprit across the
+pate; whereupon, like a shot, a black fellow, in a handsome livery,
+trundled down, pursued by another servant with a large silver ladle in
+his hand, with which he was belabouring the fugitive over his
+flint-hard skull, right against our hostess, with the drumstick of a
+turkey in his hand, or rather in his mouth.
+
+"Top, you tief!--top, you tief!--for me piece dat," shouted the pursuer.
+
+"You dam rascal!" quoth the dame.  But she had no time to utter another
+word, before the fugitive pitched, with all his weight, against her;
+and at the very moment another servant came trundling down with a large
+tray full of all kinds of meats--and I especially remember that two
+large crystal stands of jellies composed part of his load--so there we
+were regularly capsized, and caught all of a heap in the dark
+landing-place, halfway up the stair; and down the other flight tumbled
+our guide, with Mr. Treenail and myself, and the two blackies on the
+top of her, rolling in our descent over, or rather into, another large
+mahogany tray which had just been carried out, with a tureen of turtle
+soup in it, and a dish of roast-beef, and platefuls of land-crabs, and
+the Lord knows what all besides.
+
+The crash reached the ear of the landlord, who was seated at the head
+of his table in the upper piazza, a long gallery about fifty feet long
+by fourteen wide, and he immediately rose and ordered his butler to
+take a light.  When he came down to ascertain the cause of the uproar.
+I shall never forget the scene.
+
+There was, first of all, mine host, a remarkably neat personage,
+standing on the polished mahogany stair, three steps above his servant,
+who was a very well-dressed respectable elderly negro, with a candle in
+each hand; and beneath him, on the landing-place, lay two trays of
+viands, broken tureens of soup, fragments of dishes, and fractured
+glasses, and a chaos of eatables and drinkables, and table gear
+scattered all about, amidst which lay scrambling my lieutenant and
+myself, the brown housekeeper, and the two negro servants, all more or
+less covered with gravy and wine dregs.  However, after a good laugh,
+we gathered ourselves up, and at length we were ushered on the scene.
+Mine host, after stifling his laughter the best way he could, again sat
+down at the head of his table, sparkling with crystal and wax-lights,
+while a superb lamp hung overhead.  The company was composed chiefly of
+naval and military men, but there was also a sprinkling of civilians,
+or _muftees_, to use a West India expression.  Most of them rose as we
+entered, and after they had taken a glass of wine, and had their laugh
+at our mishap, our landlord retired to one side with Mr. Treenail,
+while I, poor little middy as I was, remained standing at the end of
+the room, close to the head of the stairs.  The gentleman who sat at
+the foot of the table had his back towards me, and was not at first
+aware of my presence.  But the guest at his right hand, a
+happy-looking, red-faced, well-dressed man, soon drew his attention
+towards me.  The party to whom I was thus indebted seemed a very
+jovial-looking personage, and appeared to be well known to all hands,
+and indeed the life of the party, for, like Falstaff, he was not only
+witty in himself, but the cause of wit in others.
+
+The gentleman to whom he had pointed me out immediately rose, made his
+bow, ordered a chair, and made room for me beside himself, where, the
+moment it was known that we were direct from home, such a volley of
+questions was fired off at me that I did not know which to answer
+first.  At length, after Treenail had taken a glass or two of wine, the
+agent started him off to the admiral's pen in his own gig, and I was
+desired to stay where I was until he returned.
+
+The whole party seemed very happy, my boon ally was fun itself, and I
+was much entertained with the mess he made when any of the foreigners
+at table addressed him in French or Spanish.  I was particularly struck
+with a small, thin, dark Spaniard, who told very feelingly how the
+night before, on returning home from a party to his own lodgings, on
+passing through the piazza, he stumbled against something heavy that
+lay in his grass-hammock, which usually hung there.  He called for a
+light, when, to his horror, he found the body of his old and faithful
+valet lying in it, _dead_ and cold, with a knife sticking under his
+fifth rib--no doubt intended for his master.  The speaker was Bolivar.
+About midnight, Mr. Treenail returned, we shook hands with Mr. ------,
+and once more shoved off; and, guided by the lights shown on board the
+_Torch_ we were safe _home_ again by three in the morning, when we
+immediately made sail, and nothing particular happened until we arrived
+within a day's sail of New Providence.  It seemed that, about a week
+before, a large American brig, bound from Havana to Boston had been
+captured in this very channel by one of our men-of-war schooners, and
+carried into Nassau; out of which port, for their own security, the
+authorities had fitted a small schooner, carrying six guns and
+twenty-four men.  She was commanded by a very gallant fellow--there is
+no disputing that--and he must needs emulate the conduct of the officer
+who had made the capture; for in a fine clear night, when all the
+officers were below rummaging in their kits for the killing things they
+should array themselves in on the morrow, so as to smite the Fair of
+New Providence to the heart at a blow--_Whiss_--a shot flew over our
+mast-head.
+
+"A small schooner lying to right ahead, sir," sang out the boatswain
+from the forecastle.
+
+Before we could beat to quarters, another sang between our masts.  We
+kept steadily on our course, and as we approached our pigmy antagonist,
+he bore up.  Presently we were alongside of him.
+
+"Heave to," hailed the strange sail; "heave to, or I'll sink you."  The
+devil you will, you midge, thought I.
+
+The captain took the trumpet--"Schooner, ahoy"--no answer--"D--n your
+blood, sir, if you don't let everything go by the run this instant,
+I'll fire a broadside.  Strike, sir, to his Britannic Majesty's sloop
+_Torch_."
+
+The poor fellow commanding the schooner had by this time found out his
+mistake, and immediately came on board, where, instead of being lauded
+for his gallantry, I am sorry to say he was roundly rated for his want
+of discernment in mistaking his Majesty's cruiser for a Yankee
+merchantman.  Next forenoon we arrived at Nassau.
+
+In a week after we again sailed for Bermuda, having taken on board ten
+American skippers, and several other Yankees, as prisoners of war.
+
+For the first three days after we cleared the Passages, we had fine
+weather--wind at east-south-east; but after that it came on to blow
+from the north-west, and so continued without intermission during the
+whole of the passage to Bermuda.  On the fourth morning after we left
+Nassau, we descried a sail in the south-east quarter, and immediately
+made sail in chase.  We overhauled her about noon; she hove to, after
+being fired at repeatedly; and, on boarding her, we found she was a
+Swede from Charleston, bound to Havre-de-Grace.  All the letters we
+could find on board were very unceremoniously broken open, and nothing
+having transpired that could identify the cargo as enemy's property, we
+were bundling over the side, when a nautical-looking subject, who had
+attracted my attention from the first, put in his oar.
+
+"Lieutenant," said he, "will you allow me to put this barrel of New
+York apples into the boat as a present to Captain Deadeye, from Captain
+------ of the United States navy?"
+
+Mr. Treenail bowed, and said he would; and we shoved off and got on
+board again, and now there was the devil to pay, from the perplexity
+old Deadeye was thrown into, as to whether, here in the heat of the
+American war, he was bound to take this American captain prisoner or
+not.  I was no party to the councils of my superiors, of course, but
+the foreign ship was finally allowed to continue her course.
+
+The next day I had the forenoon watch; the weather had lulled
+unexpectedly nor was there much sea, and the deck was all alive, to
+take advantage of the fine _blink_, when the man at the mast-head sang
+out--"Breakers right ahead, sir."
+
+"Breakers!" said Mr. Splinter, in great astonishment.  "Breakers!--why,
+the man must be mad!  I say, Jenkins----"
+
+"Breakers close under the bows," sang out the boatswain from forward.
+
+"The devil!" quoth Splinter, and he ran along the gangway, and ascended
+the forecastle, while I kept close to his heels.  We looked out ahead,
+and there we certainly did see a splashing, and boiling, and white
+foaming of the ocean, that unquestionably looked very like breakers.
+Gradually, this splashing and foaming appearance took a circular
+whisking shape, as if the clear green sea, for a space of a hundred
+yards in diameter, had been stirred about by a gigantic invisible
+_spurtle_, until everything hissed again; and the curious part of it
+was, that the agitation of the water seemed to keep ahead of us, as if
+the breeze which impelled us had also floated it onwards.  At length
+the whirling circle of white foam ascended higher and higher, and then
+gradually contracted itself into a spinning black tube, which wavered
+about for all the world like a gigantic _loch-leech_ held by the tail
+between the finger and thumb, while it was poking its vast snout about
+in the clouds in search of a spot to fasten on.
+
+"Is the boat-gun on the forecastle loaded?" said Captain Deadeye.
+
+"It is, sir."
+
+"Then luff a bit--that will do--fire."
+
+The gun was discharged, and down rushed the black wavering pillar in a
+watery _avalanche_, and in a minute after the dark heaving billows
+rolled over the spot whereout it arose, as if no such thing had ever
+been.
+
+This said troubling of the waters was neither more nor less than a
+waterspout, which again is neither more nor less than a whirlwind at
+sea, which gradually whisks the water round and round, and up and up,
+as you see straws so raised, until it reaches a certain height, when it
+invariably breaks.  Before this I had thought that waterspout was
+created by some next to supernatural exertion of the power of the
+Deity, in order to suck up water into the clouds, that they, like the
+wine-skins in Spain, might be filled with rain.
+
+The morning after, the weather was clear and beautiful, although the
+wind blew half a gale.  Nothing particular happened until about seven
+o'clock in the evening.  I had been invited to dine with the gunroom
+officers this day, and every thing was going on smooth and comfortable,
+when Mr. Splinter spoke.  "I say, master, don't you smell gunpowder?"
+
+"Yes, I do," said the little master, "or something deuced like it."
+
+To explain the particular comfort of our position, it may be right to
+mention that the magazine of a brig sloop is exactly under the gunroom.
+Three of the American skippers had been quartered on the gunroom mess,
+and they were all at table.  Snuff, snuff, smelled one, and another
+sniffled,--"Gunpowder, I guess, and in a state of ignition."
+
+"Will you not send for the gunner, sir?" said the third.  Splinter did
+not like it, I saw, and this quailed me.
+
+The captain's bell rang.  "What smell of brimstone is that, steward?"
+
+"I really can't tell," said the man, trembling from head to foot; "Mr.
+Splinter has sent for the gunner, sir."
+
+"The devil!" said Deadeye, as he hurried on deck.  We all followed.  A
+search was made.
+
+"Some matches have caught in the magazine," said one.
+
+"We shall be up and away like sky-rockets," said another.
+
+Several of the American masters ran out on the jib-boom, coveting the
+temporary security of being so far removed from the seat of the
+expected explosion, and all was alarm and confusion, until it was
+ascertained that two of the boys, little sky-larking vagabonds, had
+stolen some pistol cartridges, and had been making lightning, as it is
+called, by holding a lighted candle between the fingers, and putting
+some loose powder into the palm of the hand, then chucking it up into
+the flame.  They got a sound flogging, on a very unpoetical part of
+their corpuses, and once more the ship subsided into her usual orderly
+discipline.  The northwester still continued, with a clear blue sky,
+without a cloud overhead by day, and a bright cold moon by night.  It
+blew so hard for the three succeeding days, that we could not carry
+more than close-reefed topsails to it, and a reefed foresail.  Indeed,
+towards six bells in the forenoon watch of the third day, it came
+thundering down with such violence, and the sea increased so much, that
+we had to hand the foretopsail.
+
+This was by no means an easy job.  "Ease her a bit," said the first
+lieutenant,--"there--shake the wind out of her sails for a moment,
+until the men get the canvas in"----whirl, a poor fellow pitched off
+the lee foreyardarm into the sea.  "Up with the helm--heave him the
+bight of a rope."  We kept away, but all was confusion, until an
+American midshipman, one of the prisoners on board, hove the bight of a
+rope at him.  The man got it under his arms, and after hauling him
+along for a hundred yards at the least--and one may judge of the
+velocity with which he was dragged through the water, by the fact that
+it took the united strain of ten powerful men to get him in--he was
+brought safely on board, pale and blue, when we found that the running
+of the rope had crushed in his broad chest, below his arms, as if it
+had been a girl's waist, indenting the very muscles of it and of his
+back half an inch deep.  He had to be bled before he could breathe, and
+it was an hour before the circulation could be restored, by the joint
+exertions of the surgeon and gunroom steward, chafing him with spirits
+and camphor, after he had been stripped and stowed away between the
+blankets in his hammock.
+
+The same afternoon we fell in with a small prize to the squadron in the
+_Chesapeake_, a dismantled schooner, manned by a prize crew of a
+midshipman and six men.  She had a signal of distress, an American
+ensign, with the union down, hoisted on the jury-mast, across which
+there was rigged a solitary lug-sail.  It was blowing so hard that we
+had some difficulty in boarding her, when we found she was a Baltimore
+pilot-boat-built schooner, of about 70 tons burden, laden with flour,
+and bound for Bermuda.  But three days before, in a sudden squall, they
+had carried away both masts short by the board, and the only spar which
+they had been able to rig, was a spare topmast which they had jammed
+into one of the pumps--fortunately she was as tight as a bottle--and
+stayed it the best way they could.  The captain offered to take the
+little fellow who had charge of her, and his crew and cargo, on board,
+and then scuttle her; but no--all he wanted was a cask of water and
+some biscuit; and having had a glass of grog, he trundled over the side
+again, and returned to his desolate command.  However, he afterwards
+brought his prize safe into Bermuda.
+
+The weather still continued very rough, but we saw nothing until the
+second evening after this.  The forenoon had been even more boisterous
+than any of the preceding, and we were all fagged enough with "make
+sail," and "shorten sail," and "all hands," the whole day through; and
+as the night fell, I found myself, for the fourth time, in the maintop.
+The men had just lain in from the maintopsail yard, when we heard the
+watch called on deck,--"Starboard watch, ahoy!"--which was a cheery
+sound to us of the larboard, who were thus released from duty on deck,
+and allowed to go below.
+
+The men were scrambling down the weather shrouds, and I was preparing
+to follow them, when I jammed my left foot in the grating of the top,
+and capsized on my nose.  I had been up nearly the whole of the
+previous night, and on deck the whole of the day, and actively employed
+too, as during the greater part of it it blew a gale.  I stooped down
+in some pain, to see what had bolted me to the grating; but I had no
+sooner extricated my foot, than, over-worked and over-fatigued as I
+was, I fell over in the soundest sleep that ever I have enjoyed before
+or since, the back of my neck resting on a coil of rope, so that my
+head hung down within it.
+
+The rain all this time was beating on me, and I was drenched to the
+skin.  I must have slept for four hours or so, when I was awakened by a
+rough thump on the side from the stumbling foot of the captain of the
+top, the word having been passed to shake a reef out of the topsails,
+the wind having rather suddenly gone down.  It was done; and now broad
+awake, I determined not to be caught napping again, so I descended, and
+swung myself in on deck out of the main rigging, just as Mr. Treenail
+was mustering the crew at eight bells.  When I landed on the
+quarterdeck, there he stood abaft the binnacle, with the light shining
+on his face, his glazed hat glancing, and the rain-drop sparkling at
+the brim of it.  He had noticed me the moment I descended.
+
+"Heyday, Master Cringle, you are surely out of your watch.  Why, what
+are you doing here, eh?"
+
+I stepped up to him, and told him the truth, that, being overfatigued,
+I had fallen asleep in the top.
+
+"Well, well, boy," said he, "never mind, go below, and turn in; if you
+don't take your rest, you never will be a sailor."
+
+"But what do you see aloft?" glancing his eye upwards, and all the crew
+on deck, as I passed them, looked anxiously up also amongst the
+rigging, as if wondering what I saw there, for I had been so chilled in
+my snoose, that my neck, from resting in the cold on the coil of rope,
+had become stiffened and rigid to an intolerable degree; and although,
+when I first came on deck, I had, by a strong exertion, brought my
+_caput_ to its proper bearings, yet the moment I was dismissed by my
+superior officer, I for my own comfort was glad to conform to the
+contraction of the muscle, whereby I once more strayed along the deck,
+_glowering_ up into the heavens, as if I had seen some wonderful sight
+there.
+
+"What do you see aloft?" repeated Mr. Treenail, while the crew, greatly
+puzzled, continued to follow my eyes, as they thought, and to stare up
+into the rigging.
+
+"Why, sir, I have thereby got a stiff neck--that's all, sir."
+
+"Go and turn in at once, my good boy--make haste, now; tell our steward
+to give you a glass of hot grog, and mind your hand that you don't get
+sick."
+
+I did as was desired, swallowed the grog, and turned in; but I could
+not have been in bed above an hour, when the drum beat to quarters, and
+I had once more to bundle out on the cold wet deck, where I found all
+excitement.  At the time I speak of, we had been beaten by the
+Americans in several actions of single ships, and our discipline
+improved in proportion as we came to learn, by sad experience, that the
+enemy was not to be undervalued.  I found that there was a ship in
+sight, right ahead of us--apparently carrying all sail.  A group of
+officers were on the forecastle with night-glasses, the whole crew
+being stationed in dark clusters round the guns at quarters.  Several
+of the American skippers were forward amongst us, and they were of
+opinion that the chase was a man-of-war, although our own people seemed
+to doubt this.  One of the skippers insisted that she was the _Hornet_,
+from the unusual shortness of her lower masts, and the immense
+squareness of her yards.  But the puzzle was, if it were the _Hornet_,
+why she did not shorten sail.  Still this might be accounted for, by
+her either wishing to make out what we were before she engaged us, or
+she might be clearing for action.  At this moment a whole cloud of
+studdingsails were blown from the yards as if the booms had been
+carrots; and to prove that the chase was keeping a bright look-out, she
+immediately kept away, and finally bore up dead before the wind, under
+the impression, no doubt, that she would draw ahead of us, from her
+gear being entire, before we could rig out our light sails again.
+
+And so she did for a time, but at length we got within gunshot.  The
+American masters were now ordered below, the hatches were clapped on,
+and the word passed to see all clear.  Our shot was by this time flying
+over and over her, and it was evident she was not a man-of-war.  We
+peppered away--she could not even be a privateer; we were close under
+her lee quarter, and yet she had never fired a shot; and her large
+swaggering Yankee ensign was now run up to the peak, only to be hauled
+down the next moment.  Hurrah! a large cotton-ship from Charlestown to
+Bordeaux--prize to H.M.S. _Torch_!
+
+She was taken possession of, and proved to be the _Natches_, of four
+hundred tons burden, fully loaded with cotton.
+
+By the time we got the crew on board, and the second-lieutenant, with a
+prize crew of fifteen men, had taken charge, the weather began to lour
+again, nevertheless we took the prize in tow, and continued on our
+voyage for the next three days, without anything particular happening.
+It was the middle watch, and I was sound asleep, when I was startled by
+a violent jerking of my hammock, and a cry "that the brig was amongst
+the breakers."  I ran on deck in my shirt, where I found all hands, and
+a scene of confusion such as I never had witnessed before.  The gale
+had increased, yet the prize had not been cast off, and the consequence
+was, that by some mismanagement or carelessness, the swag of the large
+ship had suddenly hove the brig in the wind, and taken the sails aback.
+We accordingly fetched stern way, and ran foul of the prize, and there
+we were, in a heavy sea, with our stern grinding against the
+cotton-ship's high quarter.
+
+The mainboom, by the first rasp that took place after I came on deck,
+was broken short off, and nearly twelve feet of it hove right in over
+the taffrail; the vessels then closed, and the next rub ground off the
+ship's mizzen channel as clean as if it had been sawed away.  Officers
+shouting, men swearing, rigging cracking, the vessels crashing and
+thumping together, I thought we were gone, when the first lieutenant
+seized his trumpet--"Silence, men; hold your tongues, you cowards, and
+mind the word of command!"
+
+The effect was magical.--"Brace round the foreyard--round with it; set
+the jib--that's it--fore-top-mast staysail--haul--never mind if the
+gale takes it out of the bolt-rope"--a thundering flap, and away it
+flew in truth down to leeward, like a puff of white smoke.--"Never
+mind, men, the jib stands.  Belay all that--down with the helm,
+now--don't you see she has stern way yet?  Zounds! we shall be smashed
+to atoms if you don't mind your hands, you lubbers--main-topsail sheets
+let fly--there she pays off, and has headway once more--that's it:
+right your helm, now--never mind his spanker-boom, the fore-stay will
+stand it: there--up with helm, sir--we have cleared him--hurrah!"  And
+a near thing it was too, but we soon had everything snug; and although
+the gale continued without any intermission for ten days, at length we
+ran in and anchored with our prize in Five-Fathom Hole, off the
+entrance to St. George's Harbour.
+
+It was lucky for us that we got to anchor at the time we did, for that
+same afternoon one of the most tremendous gales of wind from the
+westward came on that I ever saw.  Fortunately it was steady and did
+not veer about, and having good ground-tackle down, we rode it out well
+enough.  The effect was very uncommon; the wind was howling over our
+mast-heads, and amongst the cedar bushes on the cliffs above, while on
+deck it was nearly calm, and there was very little swell, being a
+weather shore; but half a mile out at sea all was white foam, and the
+tumbling waves seemed to meet from north and south, leaving a space of
+smooth water under the lee of the island, shaped like the tail of a
+comet, tapering away, and gradually roughening and becoming more
+stormy, until the roaring billows once more owned allegiance to the
+genius of the storm.
+
+There we rode, with three anchors ahead, in safety through the night;
+and next day, availing of a temporary lull, we ran up and anchored off
+the Tanks.  Three days after this, the American frigate _President_ was
+brought in by the Endymion and the rest of the squadron.
+
+I went on board, in common with every officer in the fleet, and
+certainly I never saw a more superb vessel; her scantling was that of a
+seventy-four, and she appeared to have been fitted with great care.  I
+got a week's leave at this time, and, as I had letters to several
+families, I contrived to spend my time pleasantly enough.
+
+Bermuda, as all the world knows, is a cluster of islands in the middle
+of the Atlantic.  There are Lord knows how many of them, but the beauty
+of the little straits and creeks which divide them no man can describe
+who has not seen them.  The town of St. George's, for instance, looks
+as if the houses were cut out of chalk; and one evening the family
+where I was on a visit proceeded to the main island, Hamilton, to
+attend a ball there.  We had to cross three ferries, although the
+distance was not above nine miles, if so far.  The 'Mudian women are
+unquestionably beautiful--so thought Thomas Moore, a tolerable judge,
+before me.  By the by, touching this 'Mudian ball, it was a very gay
+affair--the women pleasant and beautiful; but all the men, when they
+speak, or are spoken to, shut one eye and spit;--a lucid and succinct
+description of a community.
+
+The second day of my sojourn was fine--the first fine day since our
+arrival--and with several young ladies of the family, I was prowling
+through the cedar wood above St. George's, when a dark good-looking man
+passed us; he was dressed in tight worsted net pantaloons and Hessian
+boots, and wore a blue frockcoat and two large epaulets, with rich
+French bullion, and a round hat.  On passing, he touched his hat with
+much grace, and in the evening I met him in society.  It was Commodore
+Decatur.  He was very much a Frenchman in manner, or, I should rather
+say, in look, for although very well bred, he, for one ingredient, by
+no means possessed a Frenchman's volubility; still, he was an
+exceedingly agreeable and very handsome man.
+
+The following day we spent in a pleasure cruise amongst the three
+hundred and sixty-five Islands, many of them not above an acre in
+extent--fancy an island of an acre in extent!--with a solitary house, a
+small garden, a red-skinned family, a piggery, and all around clear
+deep pellucid water.  None of the islands, or islets, rise to any great
+height, but they all shoot precipitously out of the water, as if the
+whole group had originally been one huge platform of rock, with
+numberless grooves subsequently chiselled out in it by art.
+
+We had to wind our way amongst these manifold small channels for two
+hours, before we reached the gentleman's house where we had been
+invited to dine; at length, on turning a corner, with both lateen sails
+drawing beautifully, we ran bump on a shoal; there was no danger, and
+knowing that the 'Mudians were capital sailors, I sat still.  Not so
+Captain K-----, a round plump little _homo_,--"Shove her off, my boys,
+shove her off."  She would not move, and thereupon he, in a fever of
+gallantry, jumped overboard up to the waist in full fig; and one of the
+men following his example, we were soon afloat.  The ladies applauded,
+and the captain sat in his wet _breeks_ for the rest of the voyage, in
+all the consciousness of being considered a hero.  Ducks and onions are
+the grand staple of Bermuda, but there was a fearful dearth of both at
+the time I speak of--a knot of young West India merchants, who, with
+heavy purses and large credits on England, had at this time domiciled
+themselves in St. George's, to batten on the spoils of poor Jonathan,
+having monopolised all the good things of the place.  I happened to be
+acquainted with one of them, and thereby had less reason to complain;
+but many a poor fellow, sent ashore on duty, had to put up with but
+Lenten fare at the taverns.  At length, having refitted, we sailed in
+company with the Rayo frigate, with a convoy of three transports,
+freighted with a regiment for New Orleans, and several merchantmen for
+the West Indies.
+
+"The still vexed Bermoothes"--I arrived at them in a gale of wind, and
+I sailed from them in a gale of wind.  What the climate may be in the
+summer I don't know; but during the time I was there it was one storm
+after another.
+
+We sailed in the evening with the moon at full, and the wind at
+west-north-west.  So soon as we got from under the lee of the land the
+breeze struck us, and it came on to blow like thunder, so that we were
+all soon reduced to our storm staysails; and there we were, transports,
+merchantmen, and men-of-war, rising on the mountainous billows one
+moment, and the next losing sight of everything but the water and sky
+in the deep trough of the sea, while the seething foam was blown over
+us in showers from the curling manes of the roaring waves.  But
+overhead, all this while, it was as clear as a lovely winter moon could
+make it, and the stars shone brightly in the deep blue sky; there was
+not even a thin fleecy shred of cloud racking across the moon's disc.
+Oh, the glories of a northwester!
+
+But the devil seize such glory!  Glory, indeed! with a fleet of
+transports, and a regiment of soldiers on board!  Glory! why, I daresay
+five hundred rank and file, at the fewest, were all cascading at one
+and the same moment,--a thousand poor fellows turned outside in, like
+so many pairs of old stockings.  Any glory in that?  But to proceed.
+
+Next morning the gale still continued, and when the day broke there was
+the frigate standing across our bows, rolling and pitching, as she tore
+her way through the boiling sea, under a close-reefed main-topsail and
+reefed foresail, with top-gallant-yards and royal masts, and everything
+that could be struck with safety in war-time, down on deck.  There she
+lay, with her clear black bends, and bright white streak, and long tier
+of cannon on the maindeck, and the carronades on the quarterdeck and
+forecastle grinning through the ports in the black bulwarks, while the
+white hammocks, carefully covered by the hammock-cloths, crowned the
+defences of the gallant frigate fore and aft, as she delved through the
+green surge--one minute rolling and rising on the curling white crest
+of a mountainous sea, amidst a hissing snowstorm of spray, with her
+bright copper glancing from stem to stern, and her scanty white canvas
+swelling aloft, and twenty feet of her keel forward occasionally hove
+into the air and clean out of the water, as if she had been a sea-bird
+rushing to take wing--and the next, sinking entirely out of
+sight--hull, masts, and rigging--behind an intervening sea, that rose
+in hoarse thunder between us, threatening to overwhelm both us and her.
+As for the transports, the largest of the three had lost her
+foretopmast, and had bore up under her foresail; another was also
+scudding under a close-reefed fore-topsail; but the third or
+head-quarter ship was still lying to windward, under her storm
+staysails.  None of the merchant vessels were to be seen, having been
+compelled to bear up in the night, and to run before it under bare
+poles.
+
+At length, as the sun rose, we got before the wind, and it soon
+moderated so far that we could carry reefed topsails and foresail; and
+away we all bowled, with a clear, deep, cold, blue sky, and a bright
+sun overhead, and a stormy leaden-coloured ocean with whitish
+green-crested billows, below.  The sea continued to go down, and the
+wind to slacken, until the afternoon, when the commodore made the
+signal for the _Torch_ to send a boat's crew, the instant it could be
+done with safety, on board the dismasted ship to assist in repairing
+damages and in getting up a jury-foretopmast.
+
+The damaged ship was at this time on our weather-quarter; we
+accordingly handed the fore-topsail, and presently she was alongside.
+We hailed her, that we intended to send a boat on board, and desired
+her to heave-to, as we did, and presently she rounded to under our lee.
+One of the quarter-boats was manned, with three of the carpenter's
+crew, and six good men over and above her complement; but it was no
+easy matter to get on board of her, let me tell you, after she had been
+lowered, carefully watching the rolls, with four hands in.  The moment
+she touched the water, the tackles were cleverly unhooked, and the rest
+of us tumbled on board, shin leather growing scarce, when we shoved
+off.  With great difficulty, and not without wet jackets, we, the
+supernumeraries, got on board, and the boat returned to the _Torch_.
+The evening when we landed in the lobster-box, as Jack loves to
+designate a transport, was too far advanced for us to do anything
+towards refitting that night; and the confusion and uproar and
+numberless abominations of the crowded craft, were irksome to a greater
+degree than I expected, after having been accustomed to the strict and
+orderly discipline of a man-of-war.  The following forenoon the _Torch_
+was ordered by signal to chase in the south-east quarter, and, hauling
+out from the fleet, she was soon out of sight.
+
+
+
+
+THE MERCHANTMAN AND THE PIRATE
+
+From "Hard Cash," BY CHARLES READE
+
+
+North Latitude 23 1/2, Longitude East 113; the time March of this same
+year; the wind southerly; the port Whampoa in the Canton River.  Ships at
+anchor reared their tall masts, here and there; and the broad stream was
+enlivened and colored by junks and boats of all sizes and vivid hues,
+propelled on the screw principle by a great scull at the stern, with
+projecting handles for the crew to work; and at times a gorgeous mandarin
+boat, with two great glaring eyes set in the bows, came flying, rowed
+with forty paddles by an armed crew, whose shields hung on the gunwale
+and flashed fire in the sunbeams; the mandarin, in conical and buttoned
+hat, sitting on the top of his cabin calmly smoking Paradise, alias
+opium, while his gong boomed and his boat flew fourteen miles an hour,
+and all things scuttled out of his celestial way.  And there, looking
+majestically down on all these water ants, the huge _Agra_, cynosure of
+so many loving eyes and loving hearts in England, lay at her moorings;
+homeward bound.
+
+Her tea not being yet on board, the ship's hull floated high as a castle,
+and to the subtle, intellectual, doll-faced, bolus-eyed people, that
+sculled to and fro, busy as bees, though looking forked mushrooms, she
+sounded like a vast musical shell: for a lusty harmony of many mellow
+voices vibrated in her great cavities, and made the air ring cheerily
+around her.  The vocalists were the Cyclops, to judge by the tremendous
+thumps that kept clean time to their sturdy tune.  Yet it was but human
+labor, so heavy and so knowing, that it had called in music to help.  It
+was the third mate and his gang completing his floor to receive the
+coming tea chests.  Yesterday he had stowed his dunnage, many hundred
+bundles of light flexible canes from Sumatra and Malacca; on these he had
+laid tons of rough saltpetre, in 200 lb. gunny-bags: and was now mashing
+it to music, bags and all.  His gang of fifteen, naked to the waist,
+stood in line, with huge wooden beetles, called commanders, and lifted
+them high and brought them down on the nitre in cadence with true
+nautical power and unison, singing as follows, with ponderous bump on the
+last note in each bar:--
+
+[Illustration: Song sung by labor gang.]
+
+And so up to fifteen, when the stave was concluded with a shrill "Spell,
+oh!" and the gang relieved streaming with perspiration.  When the
+saltpetre was well mashed, they rolled ton waterbutts on it, till the
+floor was like a billiard table.  A fleet of chop boats then began to
+arrive, so many per day, with the tea chests.  Mr. Grey proceeded to lay
+the first tier on his saltpetre floor, and then built the chests, tier
+upon tier, beginning at the sides, and leaving in the middle a lane
+somewhat narrower than a tea chest.  Then he applied a screw jack to the
+chests on both sides, and so enlarged his central aperture, and forced
+the remaining tea chests in; and behold the enormous cargo packed as
+tight as ever shopkeeper packed a box--19,806 chests, 60 half chests, 50
+quarter chests.
+
+While Mr. Grey was contemplating his work with singular satisfaction, a
+small boat from Canton came alongside, and Mr. Tickell, midshipman, ran
+up the side, skipped on the quarter-deck, saluted it first, and then the
+first mate; and gave him a line from the captain, desiring him to take
+the ship down to Second Bar--for her water--at the turn of the tide.
+
+Two hours after receipt of this order the ship swung to the ebb.
+Instantly Mr. Sharpe unmoored, and the _Agra_ began her famous voyage,
+with her head at right angles to her course; for the wind being foul, all
+Sharpe could do was to set his topsails, driver, and jib, and keep her in
+the tide way, and clear of the numerous craft, by backing or filling as
+the case required; which he did with considerable dexterity, making the
+sails steer the helm for the nonce: he crossed the Bar at sunset, and
+brought to with the best bower anchor in five fathoms and a half.  Here
+they began to take in their water, and on the fifth day the six-oared gig
+was ordered up to Canton for the captain.  The next afternoon he passed
+the ship in her, going down the river, to Lin Tin, to board the Chinese
+admiral for his chop, or permission to leave China.  All night the _Agra_
+showed three lights at her mizzen peak for him, and kept a sharp lookout.
+But he did not come: he was having a very serious talk with the Chinese
+admiral; at daybreak, however, the gig was reported in sight: Sharpe told
+one of the midshipmen to call the boatswain and man the side.  Soon the
+gig ran alongside; two of the ship's boys jumped like monkeys over the
+bulwarks, lighting, one on the main channels, the other on the mid-ship
+port, and put the side ropes assiduously in the captain's hands; he
+bestowed a slight paternal smile on them, the first the imps had ever
+received from an officer, and went lightly up the sides.  The moment his
+foot touched the deck, the boatswain gave a frightful shrill whistle; the
+men at the sides uncovered, the captain saluted the quarter-deck, and all
+the officers saluted him, which he returned, and stepping for a moment to
+the weather side of his deck, gave the loud command, "All hands heave
+anchor."  He then directed Mr. Sharpe to get what sail he could on the
+ship, the wind being now westerly, and dived into his cabin.
+
+The boatswain piped three shrill pipes, and "All hands up anchor" was
+thrice repeated forward, followed by private admonitions, "Rouse and
+bitt!"  "Show a leg!" etc., and up tumbled the crew with "homeward bound"
+written on their tanned faces.
+
+(Pipe.) "Up all hammocks!"
+
+In ten minutes the ninety and odd hammocks were all stowed neatly in the
+netting, and covered with a snowy hammock cloth; and the hands were
+active, unbitting the cable, shipping the capstan bars, etc.
+
+"All ready below, sir," cried a voice.
+
+"Man the bars," returned Mr. Sharpe from the quarter-deck.  "Play up,
+fifer.  Heave away!"
+
+Out broke the merry fife with a rhythmical tune, and tramp, tramp, tramp
+went a hundred and twenty feet round and round, and, with brawny chests
+pressed tight against the capstan bars, sixty fine fellows walked the
+ship up to her anchor, drowning the fife at intervals with their sturdy
+song, as pat to their feet as an echo:
+
+  Heave with a will ye jolly boys,
+    Heave around:
+  We're off from Chainee, jolly boys,
+    Homeward bound.
+
+"Short stay apeak, sir," roars the boatswain from forward.
+
+"Unship the bars.  Way aloft.  Loose sails.  Let fall!"
+
+The ship being now over her anchor, and the topsails set, the capstan
+bars were shipped again, the men all heaved with a will, the messenger
+grinned, the anchor was torn out of China with a mighty heave, and then
+run up with a luff tackle and secured; the ship's head cast to port:
+
+"Up with a jib! man the topsail halyards! all hands make sail!"  Round
+she came slow and majestically; the sails filled, and the good ship bore
+away for England.
+
+She made the Bogue forts in three or four tacks, and there she had to
+come to again for another chop, China being a place as hard to get into
+as Heaven, and to get out of as--Chancery.  At three P. M. she was at
+Macao, and hove to four miles from the land, to take in her passengers.
+
+A gun was fired from the forecastle.  No boats came off.  Sharpe began to
+fret: for the wind, though light, had now got to the N.W., and they were
+wasting it.  After a while the captain came on deck, and ordered all the
+carronades to be scaled.  The eight heavy reports bellowed the great
+ship's impatience across the water, and out pulled two boats with the
+passengers.  While they were coming, Dodd sent and ordered the gunner to
+load the carronades with shot, and secure and apron them. . . .
+
+The _Agra_ had already shown great sailing qualities: the log was hove at
+sundown and gave eleven knots; so that with a good breeze abaft few
+fore-and-aft-rigged pirates could overhaul her.  And this wind carried
+her swiftly past one nest of them at all events; the Ladrone Isles.  At
+nine P. M. all the lights were ordered out.  Mrs. Beresford had brought a
+novel on board, and refused to comply; the master-at-arms insisted; she
+threatened him with the vengeance of the Company, the premier, and the
+nobility and gentry of the British realm.  The master-at-arms, finding he
+had no chance in argument, doused the glim--pitiable resource of a weak
+disputant--then basely fled the rhetorical consequences.
+
+The northerly breeze died out, and light variable winds baffled the ship.
+It was the 6th April ere she passed the Macclesfield Bank in latitude 16.
+And now they sailed for many days out of sight of land; Dodd's chest
+expanded: his main anxiety at this part of the voyage lay in the state
+cabin; of all the perils of the sea none shakes a sailor like fire.  He
+set a watch day and night on that spoiled child.
+
+
+On the 1st of May they passed the great Nantuna, and got among the
+Bornese and Malay Islands: at which the captain's glass began to
+sweep the horizon again: and night and day at the dizzy
+foretop-gallant-masthead he perched an eye.
+
+They crossed the line in longitude 107, with a slight breeze, but soon
+fell into the Dolddrums.  A dead calm, and nothing to do but kill
+time. . . .
+
+After lying a week like a dead log on the calm but heaving waters came a
+few light puffs in the upper air and inflated the topsails only: the ship
+crawled southward, the crew whistling for wind.
+
+At last, one afternoon, it began to rain, and after the rain came a gale
+from the eastward.  The watchful skipper saw it purple the water to
+windward, and ordered the topsails to be reefed and the lee ports closed.
+This last order seemed an excess of precaution; but Dodd was not yet
+thoroughly acquainted with his ship's qualities: and the hard cash round
+his neck made him cautious.  The lee ports were closed, all but one, and
+that was lowered.  Mr. Grey was working a problem in his cabin, and
+wanted a little light and a little air, so he just dropped his port; but,
+not to deviate from the spirit of his captain's instructions, he fastened
+a tackle to it; that he might have mechanical force to close it with
+should the ship lie over.
+
+Down came the gale with a whoo, and made all crack.  The ship lay over
+pretty much, and the sea poured in at Mr. Grey's port.  He applied his
+purchase to close it.  But though his tackle gave him the force of a
+dozen hands, he might as well have tried to move a mountain: on the
+contrary, the tremendous sea rushed in and burst the port wide open.
+Grey, after a vain struggle with its might, shrieked for help; down
+tumbled the nearest hands, and hauled on the tackle in vain.  Destruction
+was rushing on the ship, and on them first.  But meantime the captain,
+with a shrewd guess at the general nature of the danger he could not see,
+had roared out, "Slack the main sheet!"  The ship righted, and the port
+came flying to, and terror-stricken men breathed hard, up to their waists
+in water and floating boxes.  Grey barred the unlucky port, and went aft,
+drenched in body, and wrecked in mind, to report his own fault.  He found
+the captain looking grim as death.  He told him, almost crying, what he
+had done, and how he had miscalculated the power of the water.
+
+Dodd looked and saw his distress.  "Let it be a lesson sir," said he,
+sternly.  "How many ships have been lost by this in fair weather, and not
+a man saved to tell how the craft was fooled away?"
+
+"Captain, bid me fling myself over the side, and I'll do it."
+
+"Humph!  I'm afraid I can't afford to lose a good officer for a fault
+he--will--never--repeat."
+
+It blew hard all night and till twelve the next day.  The _Agra_ showed
+her weak point: she rolled abominably.  A dirty night came on.  At eight
+bells Mr. Grey touched by Dodd's clemency, and brimful of zeal, reported
+a light in Mrs. Beresford's cabin.  It had been put out as usual by the
+master-at-arms; but the refractory one had relighted it.
+
+"Go and take it away," said Dodd.
+
+Soon screams were heard from the cabin.  "Oh! mercy! mercy!  I will not
+be drowned in the dark."
+
+Dodd, who had kept clear of her so long, went down and tried to reassure
+her.
+
+"Oh, the tempest! the tempest!" she cried.  "AND TO BE DROWNED IN THE
+DARK!"
+
+"Tempest?  It is blowing half a gale of wind; that is all."
+
+"Half a gale!  Ah, that is the way you always talk to us ladies.  Oh,
+pray give me my light, and send me a clergyman!"
+
+Dodd took pity, and let her have her light, with a midshipman to watch
+it.  He even made her a hypocritical promise that, should there be one
+grain of danger, he would lie to; but said he must not make a foul wind
+of a fair one for a few lurches.  The _Agra_ broke plenty of glass and
+crockery though with her fair wind and her lee lurches.
+
+Wind down at noon next day, and a dead calm.
+
+At two P.M. the weather cleared; the sun came out high in heaven's
+centre; and a balmy breeze from the west.
+
+At six twenty-five, the grand orb set calm and red, and the sea was
+gorgeous with miles and miles of great ruby dimples: it was the first
+glowing smile of southern latitude.  The night stole on so soft, so
+clear, so balmy, all were loth to close their eyes on it: the passengers
+lingered long on deck, watching the Great Bear dip, and the Southern
+Cross rise, and overhead a whole heaven of glorious stars most of us have
+never seen, and never shall see in this world.  No belching smoke
+obscured, no plunging paddles deafened; all was musical; the soft air
+sighing among the sails; the phosphorescent water bubbling from the
+ship's bows; the murmurs from little knots of men on deck subdued by the
+great calm: home seemed near, all danger far; Peace ruled the sea, the
+sky, the heart: the ship, making a track of white fire on the deep,
+glided gently yet swiftly homeward, urged by snowy sails piled up like
+alabaster towers against a violet sky, out of which looked a thousand
+eyes of holy tranquil fire.  So melted the sweet night away.
+
+
+Now carmine streaks tinged the eastern sky at the water's edge: and that
+water blushed; now the streaks turned orange, and the waves below them
+sparkled.  Thence splashes of living gold flew and settled on the ship's
+white sails, the deck, and the faces; and with no more prologue, being so
+near the line, up came majestically a huge, fiery, golden sun, and set
+the sea flaming liquid topaz.
+
+Instantly the lookout at the foretop-gallant-masthead hailed the deck
+below.
+
+"STRANGE SAIL!  RIGHT AHEAD!"
+
+
+The strange sail was reported to Captain Dodd, then dressing in his
+cabin.  He came soon after on deck and hailed the lookout: "Which way is
+she standing?"
+
+"Can't say, sir.  Can't see her move any."
+
+Dodd ordered the boatswain to pipe to breakfast; and taking his deck
+glass went lightly up to the foretop-gallant-mast-crosstrees.  Thence,
+through the light haze of a glorious morning, he espied a long low
+schooner, lateen-rigged, lying close under Point Leat, a small island
+about nine miles distant on the weather bow; and nearly in the _Agra's_
+course then approaching the Straits of Gaspar, 4 Latitude S.
+
+"She is hove to," said Dodd, very gravely.
+
+
+At eight o'clock, the stranger lay about two miles to windward; and still
+hove to.
+
+By this time all eyes were turned upon her, and half a dozen glasses.
+Everybody, except the captain, delivered an opinion.  She was a Greek
+lying to for water: she was a Malay coming north with canes, and short of
+hands: she was a pirate watching the Straits.
+
+The captain leaned silent and sombre with his arms on the bulwarks, and
+watched the suspected craft.
+
+Mr. Fullalove joined the group, and levelled a powerful glass, of his own
+construction.  His inspection was long and minute, and, while the glass
+was at his eye, Sharpe asked him half in a whisper, could he make out
+anything?
+
+"Wal," said he, "the varmint looks considerably snaky."  Then, without
+moving his glass, he let drop a word at a time, as if the facts were
+trickling into his telescope at the lens, and out at the sight.
+"One--two--four--seven, false ports."
+
+There was a momentary murmur among the officers all round.  But British
+sailors are undemonstrative: Colonel Kenealy, strolling the deck with a
+cigar, saw they were watching another ship with maritime curiosity, and
+making comments; but he discerned no particular emotion nor anxiety in
+what they said, nor in the grave low tones they said it in.  Perhaps a
+brother seaman would though.
+
+The next observation that trickled out of Fullalove's tube was
+this: "I judge there are too few hands on deck, and too
+many--white--eyeballs--glittering at the portholes."
+
+"Confound it!" muttered Bayliss, uneasily; "how can you see that?"
+
+Fullalove replied only by quietly handing his glass to Dodd.  The
+captain, thus appealed to, glued his eye to the tube.
+
+"Well, sir; see the false ports, and the white eyebrows?" asked Sharpe,
+ironically.
+
+"I see this is the best glass I ever looked through," said Dodd doggedly,
+without interrupting his inspection.
+
+"I think he is a Malay pirate," said Mr. Grey.
+
+Sharpe took him up very quickly, and, indeed, angrily: "Nonsense!  And if
+he is, he won't venture on a craft of this size."
+
+"Says the whale to the swordfish," suggested Fullalove, with a little
+guttural laugh.
+
+The captain, with the American glass at his eye, turned half round to the
+man at the wheel: "Starboard!"
+
+"Starboard it is."
+
+"Steer South South East."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir."  And the ship's course was thus altered two points.
+
+This order lowered Dodd fifty per cent in Mr. Sharpe's estimation.  He
+held his tongue as long as he could: but at last his surprise and
+dissatisfaction burst out of him, "Won't that bring him out on us?"
+
+"Very likely, sir," replied Dodd.
+
+"Begging your pardon, captain, would it not be wiser to keep our course,
+and show the blackguard we don't fear him?"
+
+"When we _do_?  Sharpe, he has made up his mind an hour ago whether to
+lie still, or bite; my changing my course two points won't change his
+mind; but it may make him declare it; and _I_ must know what he does
+intend, before I run the ship into the narrows ahead."
+
+"Oh, I see," said Sharpe, half convinced.
+
+The alteration in the _Agra's_ course produced no movement on the part of
+the mysterious schooner.  She lay to under the land still, and with only
+a few hands on deck, while the _Agra_ edged away from her and entered the
+straits between Long Island and Point Leat, leaving the schooner about
+two miles and a half distant to the N.W.
+
+
+Ah!  The stranger's deck swarms black with men.
+
+His sham ports fell as if by magic, his guns grinned through the gaps
+like black teeth; his huge foresail rose and filled, and out he came in
+chase.
+
+
+The breeze was a kiss from Heaven, the sky a vaulted sapphire, the sea a
+million dimples of liquid, lucid, gold. . . .
+
+
+The way the pirate dropped the mask, showed his black teeth, and bore up
+in chase, was terrible: so dilates and bounds the sudden tiger on his
+unwary prey.  There were stout hearts among the officers of the peaceful
+_Agra_; but danger in a new form shakes the brave; and this was their
+first pirate: their dismay broke out in ejaculations not loud but
+deep. . . .
+
+"Sharpe," said Dodd, in a tone that conveyed no suspicion of the
+newcomer, "set the royals, and flying jib.--Port!"
+
+"Port it is," cried the man at the helm.
+
+"Steer due South!"  And, with these words in his mouth, Dodd dived to the
+gun deck.
+
+By this time elastic Sharpe had recovered the first shock; and the order
+to crowd sail on the ship galled his pride and his manhood; he muttered,
+indignantly, "The white feather!"  This eased his mind, and he obeyed
+orders briskly as ever.  While he and his hands were setting every rag
+the ship could carry on that tack, the other officers, having unluckily
+no orders to execute, stood gloomy and helpless, with their eyes glued,
+by a sort of sombre fascination, on that coming fate. . . .
+
+Realize the situation, and the strange incongruity between the senses and
+the mind in these poor fellows!  The day had ripened its beauty; beneath
+a purple heaven shone, sparkled, and laughed a blue sea, in whose waves
+the tropical sun seemed to have fused his beams; and beneath that fair,
+sinless, peaceful sky, wafted by a balmy breeze over those smiling,
+transparent, golden waves, a bloodthirsty Pirate bore down on them with a
+crew of human tigers; and a lady babble babble babble babble babble
+babble babbled in their quivering ears.
+
+But now the captain came bustling on deck, eyed the loftier sails, saw
+they were drawing well, appointed four midshipmen in a staff to convey
+his orders; gave Bayliss charge of the carronades, Grey of the cutlasses,
+and directed Mr. Tickell to break the bad news gently to Mrs. Beresford,
+and to take her below to the orlop deck; ordered the purser to serve out
+beef, biscuit, and grog to all hands, saying, "Men can't work on an empty
+stomach: and fighting is hard work;" then beckoned the officers to come
+round him.  "Gentlemen," said he, confidentially, "in crowding sail on
+this ship I had no hope of escaping that fellow on this tack, but I was,
+and am, most anxious to gain the open sea, where I can square my yards
+and run for it, if I see a chance.  At present I shall carry on till he
+comes up within range: and then, to keep the Company's canvas from being
+shot to rags, I shall shorten sail; and to save ship and cargo and all
+our lives, I shall fight while a plank of her swims.  Better to be killed
+in hot blood than walk the plank in cold."
+
+The officers cheered faintly: the captain's dogged resolution stirred up
+theirs. . . .
+
+
+"Shorten sail to the taupsles and jib, get the colors ready on the
+halyards, and then send the men aft. . . ."
+
+
+Sail was no sooner shortened, and the crew ranged, than the captain came
+briskly on deck, saluted, jumped on a carronade, and stood erect.  He was
+not the man to show the crew his forebodings.
+
+(Pipe.)  "Silence fore and aft."
+
+"My men, the schooner coming up on our weather quarter is a Portuguese
+pirate.  His character is known; he scuttles all the ships he boards,
+dishonors the women, and murders the crew.  We cracked on to get out of
+the narrows, and now we have shortened sail to fight this blackguard, and
+teach him not to molest a British ship.  I promise, in the Company's
+name, twenty pounds prize money to every man before the mast if we beat
+him off or out manoeuvre him; thirty if we sink him; and forty if we tow
+him astern into a friendly port.  Eight guns are clear below, three on
+the weather side, five on the lee; for, if he knows his business, he will
+come up on the lee quarter: if he doesn't, that is no fault of yours nor
+mine.  The muskets are all loaded, the cutlasses ground like razors--"
+
+"Hurrah!"
+
+"We have got women to defend--"
+
+"Hurrah!"
+
+"A good ship under our feet, the God of justice overhead, British hearts
+in our bosoms, and British colors flying--run 'em up!--over our heads."
+(The ship's colors flew up to the fore, and the Union Jack to the mizzen
+peak.)  "Now lads, I mean to fight this ship while a plank of her
+(stamping on the deck) swims beneath my foot and--WHAT DO YOU SAY?"
+
+The reply was a fierce "hurrah!" from a hundred throats, so loud, so
+deep, so full of volume, it made the ship vibrate, and rang in the
+creeping-on pirate's ears.  Fierce, but cunning, he saw mischief in those
+shortened sails, and that Union Jack, the terror of his tribe, rising to
+a British cheer; he lowered his mainsail, and crawled up on the weather
+quarter.  Arrived within a cable's length, he double reefed his foresail
+to reduce his rate of sailing nearly to that of the ship; and the next
+moment a tongue of flame, and then a gash of smoke, issued from his lee
+bow, and the ball flew screaming like a seagull over the _Agra's_ mizzen
+top.  He then put his helm up, and fired his other bow-chaser, and sent
+the shot hissing and skipping on the water past the ship.  This prologue
+made the novices wince.  Bayliss wanted to reply with a carronade; but
+Dodd forbade him sternly, saying, "If we keep him aloof we are done for."
+
+The pirate drew nearer, and fired both guns in succession, hulled the
+_Agra_ amidships, and sent an eighteen pound ball through her foresail.
+Most of the faces were pale on the quarter-deck; it was very trying to be
+shot at, and hit, and make no return.  The next double discharge sent one
+shot smash through the stern cabin window, and splintered the bulwark
+with another, wounding a seaman slightly.
+
+"LIE DOWN FORWARD!" shouted Dodd, through his trumpet.  "Bayliss, give
+him a shot."
+
+The carronade was fired with a tremendous report, but no visible effect.
+The pirate crept nearer, steering in and out like a snake to avoid the
+carronades, and firing those two heavy guns alternately into the devoted
+ship.  He hulled the _Agra_ now nearly every shot.
+
+The two available carronades replied noisily, and jumped as usual; they
+sent one thirty-two pound shot clean through the schooner's deck and
+side; but that was literally all they did worth speaking of.
+
+"Curse them!" cried Dodd; "load them with grape!  They are not to be
+trusted with ball.  And all my eighteen-pounders dumb!  The coward won't
+come alongside and give them a chance."
+
+At the next discharge the pirate chipped the mizzen mast, and knocked a
+sailor into dead pieces on the forecastle.  Dodd put his helm down ere
+the smoke cleared, and got three carronades to bear, heavily laden with
+grape.  Several pirates fell, dead or wounded, on the crowded deck, and
+some holes appeared in the foresail; this one interchange was quite in
+favor of the ship.
+
+But the lesson made the enemy more cautious; he crept nearer, but steered
+so adroitly, now right astern, now on the quarter, that the ship could
+seldom bring more than one carronade to bear, while he raked her fore and
+aft with grape and ball.
+
+In this alarming situation, Dodd kept as many of the men below as
+possible; but, for all he could do four were killed and seven wounded.
+
+Fullalove's word came too true: it was the swordfish and the whale: it
+was a fight of hammer and anvil; one hit, the other made a noise.
+Cautious and cruel, the pirate hung on the poor hulking creature's
+quarters and raked her at point blank distance.  He made her pass a
+bitter time.  And her captain!  To see the splintering hull, the parting
+shrouds, the shivered gear, and hear the shrieks and groans of his
+wounded; and he unable to reply in kind!  The sweat of agony poured down
+his face.  Oh, if he could but reach the open sea, and square his yards,
+and make a long chase of it; perhaps fall in with aid.  Wincing under
+each heavy blow, he crept doggedly, patiently on, towards that one
+visible hope.
+
+At last, when the ship was cloven with shot, and peppered with grape, the
+channel opened: in five minutes more he could put her dead before the
+wind.
+
+No.  The pirate, on whose side luck had been from the first, got half a
+broadside to bear at long musket shot, killed a midshipman by Dodd's
+side, cut away two of the _Agra's_ mizzen shrouds, wounded the gaff: and
+cut the jib stay; down fell the powerful sail into the water, and dragged
+across the ship's forefoot, stopping her way to the open sea she panted
+for, the mates groaned; the crew cheered stoutly, as British tars do in
+any great disaster; the pirates yelled with ferocious triumph, like the
+devils they looked.
+
+But most human events, even calamities, have two sides.  The _Agra_ being
+brought almost to a standstill, the pirate forged ahead against his will,
+and the combat took a new and terrible form.  The elephant gun popped,
+and the rifle cracked, in the _Agra's_ mizzen top, and the man at the
+pirate's helm jumped into the air and fell dead: both Theorists claimed
+him.  Then the three carronades peppered him hotly; and he hurled an iron
+shower back with fatal effect.  Then at last the long 18-pounders on the
+gun-deck got a word in.  The old Niler was not the man to miss a vessel
+alongside in a quiet sea; he sent two round shot clean through him; the
+third splintered his bulwark, and swept across his deck.
+
+"His masts! fire at his masts!" roared Dodd to Monk, through his trumpet;
+he then got the jib clear, and made what sail he could without taking all
+the hands from the guns.
+
+This kept the vessels nearly alongside a few minutes, and the fight was
+hot as fire.  The pirate now for the first time hoisted his flag.  It was
+black as ink.  His crew yelled as it rose: the Britons, instead of
+quailing, cheered with fierce derision: the pirate's wild crew of yellow
+Malays, black chinless Papuans, and bronzed Portuguese, served their side
+guns, 12-pounders, well and with ferocious cries; the white Britons,
+drunk with battle now, naked to the waist, grimed with powder, and
+spotted like leopards with blood, their own and their mates', replied
+with loud undaunted cheers, and deadly hail of grape from the
+quarterdeck; while the master gunner and his mates loading with a
+rapidity the mixed races opposed could not rival, hulled the schooner
+well between wind and water, and then fired chain shot at her masts, as
+ordered, and began to play the mischief with her shrouds and rigging.
+Meantime, Fullalove and Kenealy, aided by Vespasian, who loaded, were
+quietly butchering the pirate crew two a minute, and hoped to settle the
+question they were fighting for; smooth-bore _v._ rifle: but unluckily
+neither fired once without killing; so "there was nothing proven."
+
+The pirate, bold as he was, got sick of fair fighting first; he hoisted
+his mainsail and drew rapidly ahead, with a slight bearing to windward,
+and dismounted a carronade and stove in the ship's quarter-boat, by way
+of a parting kick.
+
+The men hurled a contemptuous cheer after him; they thought they had
+beaten him off.  But Dodd knew better.  He was but retiring a little way
+to make a more deadly attack than ever: he would soon wear, and cross the
+_Agra's_ defenceless bows, to rake her fore and aft at pistol-shot
+distance; or grapple, and board the enfeebled ship two hundred strong.
+
+Dodd flew to the helm, and with his own hands put it hard aweather, to
+give the deck guns one more chance, the last, of sinking or disabling the
+_Destroyer_.  As the ship obeyed, and a deck gun bellowed below him, he
+saw a vessel running out from Long Island, and coming swiftly up on his
+lee quarter.
+
+It was a schooner.  Was she coming to his aid?
+
+Horror!  A black flag floated from her foremast head.
+
+While Dodd's eyes were staring almost out of his head at this death-blow
+to hope, Monk fired again; and just then a pale face came close to
+Dodd's, and a solemn voice whispered in his ear: "Our ammunition is
+nearly done!"
+
+Dodd seized Sharpe's hand convulsively, and pointed to the pirate's
+consort coming up to finish them; and said, with the calm of a brave
+man's despair, "Cutlasses! and die hard!"
+
+At that moment the master gunner fired his last gun.  It sent a chain
+shot on board the retiring pirate, took off a Portuguese head and spun it
+clean into the sea ever so far to windward, and cut the schooner's
+foremast so nearly through that it trembled and nodded, and presently
+snapped with a loud crack, and came down like a broken tree, with the
+yard and sail; the latter overlapping the deck and burying itself, black
+flag and all, in the sea; and there, in one moment, lay the _Destroyer_
+buffeting and wriggling--like a heron on the water with its long wing
+broken--an utter cripple.
+
+The victorious crew raised a stunning cheer.
+
+"Silence!" roared Dodd, with his trumpet.  "All hands make sail!"
+
+He set his courses, bent a new jib, and stood out to windward close
+hauled, in hopes to make a good offing, and then put his ship dead before
+the wind, which was now rising to a stiff breeze.  In doing this he
+crossed the crippled pirate's bows, within eighty yards; and sore was the
+temptation to rake him; but his ammunition being short, and his danger
+being imminent from the other pirate, he had the self-command to resist
+the great temptation.
+
+He hailed the mizzen top: "Can you two hinder them from firing that gun?"
+
+"I rather think we can," said Fullalove, "eh, colonel?" and tapped his
+long rifle.
+
+The ship no sooner crossed the schooner's bows than a Malay ran forward
+with a linstock.  Pop went the colonel's ready carbine, and the Malay
+fell over dead, and the linstock flew out of his hand.  A tall
+Portuguese, with a movement of rage, snatched it up, and darted to the
+gun; the Yankee rifle cracked, but a moment too late.  Bang! went the
+pirate's bow-chaser, and crashed into the _Agra's_ side, and passed
+nearly through her.
+
+"Ye missed him!  Ye missed him!" cried the rival theorist, joyfully.  He
+was mistaken: the smoke cleared, and there was the pirate captain leaning
+wounded against the mainmast with a Yankee bullet in his shoulder, and
+his crew uttering yells of dismay and vengeance.  They jumped, and raged,
+and brandished their knives and made horrid gesticulations of revenge;
+and the white eyeballs of the Malays and Papuans glittered fiendishly;
+and the wounded captain raised his sound arm and had a signal hoisted to
+his consort, and she bore up in chase, and jamming her fore lateen flat
+as a board, lay far nearer the wind than the _Agra_ could, and sailed
+three feet to her two besides.  On this superiority being made clear, the
+situation of the merchant vessel, though not so utterly desperate as
+before Monk fired his lucky shot, became pitiable enough.  If she ran
+before the wind, the fresh pirate would cut her off: if she lay to
+windward, she might postpone the inevitable and fatal collision with a
+foe as strong as that she had only escaped by a rare piece of luck; but
+this would give the crippled pirate time to refit and unite to destroy
+her.  Add to this the failing ammunition, and the thinned crew!
+
+Dodd cast his eyes all around the horizon for help.
+
+The sea was blank.
+
+The bright sun was hidden now; drops of rain fell, and the wind was
+beginning to sing; and the sea to rise a little.
+
+"Gentlemen," said he, "let us kneel down and pray for wisdom, in this
+sore strait."
+
+He and his officers kneeled on the quarter-deck.  When they rose, Dodd
+stood rapt about a minute; his great thoughtful eye saw no more the
+enemy, the sea, nor anything external; it was turned inward.  His
+officers looked at him in silence.
+
+"Sharpe," said he, at last, "there must be a way out of them with such a
+breeze as this is now; if we could but see it."
+
+"Ay, _if_," groaned Sharpe.
+
+Dodd mused again.
+
+"About ship!" said he, softly, like an absent man.
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!"
+
+"Steer due north!" said he, still like one whose mind was elsewhere.
+
+While the ship was coming about, he gave minute orders to the mates and
+the gunner, to ensure co-operation in the delicate and dangerous
+manoeuvres that were sure to be on hand.
+
+The wind was W.N.W.: he was standing north: one pirate lay on his lee
+beam stopping a leak between wind and water, and hacking the deck clear
+of his broken masts and yards.  The other fresh, and thirsting for the
+easy prey, came up to weather on him and hang on his quarter, pirate
+fashion.
+
+When they were distant about a cable's length, the fresh pirate, to meet
+the ship's change of tactics, changed his own, luffed up, and gave the
+ship a broadside, well aimed but not destructive, the guns being loaded
+with ball.
+
+Dodd, instead of replying immediately, put his helm hard up and ran under
+the pirate's stern, while he was jammed up in the wind, and with his five
+eighteen-pounders raked him fore and aft, then paying off, gave him three
+carronades crammed with grape and canister; the almost simultaneous
+discharge of eight guns made the ship tremble, and enveloped her in thick
+smoke; loud shrieks and groans were heard from the schooner; the smoke
+cleared; the pirate's mainsail hung on deck, his jib-boom was cut off
+like a carrot and the sail struggling; his foresail looked lace, lanes of
+dead and wounded lay still or writhing on his deck and his lee scuppers
+ran blood into the sea.  Dodd squared his yards and bore away.
+
+The ship rushed down the wind, leaving the schooner staggered and all
+abroad.  But not for long; the pirate wore and fired his bow chasers at
+the now flying _Agra_, split one of the carronades in two, and killed a
+Lascar, and made a hole in the foresail; this done, he hoisted his
+mainsail again in a trice, sent his wounded below, flung his dead
+overboard, to the horror of their foes, and came after the flying ship,
+yawning and firing his bow chasers.  The ship was silent.  She had no
+shot to throw away.  Not only did she take these blows like a coward, but
+all signs of life disappeared on her, except two men at the wheel, and
+the captain on the main gangway.
+
+Dodd had ordered the crew out of the rigging, armed them with cutlasses,
+and laid them flat on the forecastle.  He also compelled Kenealy and
+Fullalove to come down out of harm's way, no wiser on the smooth-bore
+question than they went up.
+
+The great patient ship ran environed by her foes; one destroyer right in
+her course, another in her wake, following her with yells of vengeance,
+and pounding away at her--but no reply.
+
+Suddenly the yells of the pirates on both sides ceased, and there was a
+moment of dead silence on the sea.
+
+Yet nothing fresh had happened.
+
+Yes, this had happened: the pirates to windward, and the pirates to
+leeward, of the _Agra_, had found out, at one and the same moment, that
+the merchant captain they had lashed, and bullied, and tortured, was a
+patient but tremendous man.  It was not only to rake the fresh schooner
+he had put his ship before the wind, but also by a double, daring,
+master-stroke to hurl his monster ship bodily on the other.  Without a
+foresail she could never get out of his way.  Her crew had stopped the
+leak, and cut away and unshipped the broken foremast, and were stepping a
+new one, when they saw the huge ship bearing down in full sail.  Nothing
+easier than to slip out of her way could they get the foresail to draw;
+but the time was short, the deadly intention manifest, the coming
+destruction swift.  After that solemn silence came a storm of cries and
+curses, as their seamen went to work to fit the yard and raise the sail;
+while their fighting men seized their matchlocks and trained the guns.
+They were well commanded by an heroic able villian.  Astern the consort
+thundered; but the _Agra's_ response was a dead silence more awful than
+broadsides.
+
+For then was seen with what majesty the enduring Anglo-Saxon fights.
+
+One of the indomitable race on the gangway, one at the foremast, two at
+the wheel, conned and steered the great ship down on a hundred
+matchlocks, and a grinning broadside, just as they would have conned and
+steered her into a British harbor.
+
+"Starboard!" said Dodd, in a deep calm voice, with a motion of his hand.
+
+"Starboard it is."
+
+The pirate wriggled ahead a little.  The man forward made a silent signal
+to Dodd.
+
+"Port!" said Dodd, quietly.
+
+"Port it is."
+
+But at this critical moment the pirate astern sent a mischievous shot,
+and knocked one of the men to atoms at the helm.
+
+Dodd waved his hand without a word, and another man rose from the deck,
+and took his place in silence, and laid his unshaking hand on the wheel
+stained with that man's warm blood whose place he took.
+
+The high ship was now scarce sixty yards distant: _she seemed to know_:
+she reared her lofty figurehead with great awful shoots into the air.
+
+But now the panting pirates got their new foresail hoisted with a joyful
+shout: it drew, the schooner gathered way, and their furious consort
+close on the _Agra's_ heels just then scourged her deck with grape.
+
+"Port!" said Dodd, calmly.
+
+"Port it is."
+
+The giant prow darted at the escaping pirate.  That acre of coming canvas
+took the wind out of the swift schooner's foresail; it flapped: oh, then
+she was doomed! . . . CRASH! the Indiaman's cut-water in thick smoke beat
+in the schooner's broadside: down went her masts to leeward like
+fishing-rods whipping the water; there was a horrible shrieking yell;
+wild forms leaped off on the _Agra_, and were hacked to pieces almost ere
+they reached the deck--a surge, a chasm in the ear, filled with an
+instant rush of engulfing waves, a long, awful, grating, grinding noise,
+never to be forgotten in this world, all along under the ship's keel--and
+the fearful majestic monster passed on over the blank she had made, with
+a pale crew standing silent and awestruck on her deck; a cluster of wild
+heads and staring eyeballs bobbing like corks in her foaming wake, sole
+relic of the blotted-out _Destroyer_; and a wounded man staggering on the
+gangway, with hands uplifted and staring eyes.
+
+
+
+
+NARRATIVE OF THE MUTINY OF THE _BOUNTY_
+
+From "Chamber's Miscellany," ANONYMOUS
+
+
+About the year 1786, the merchants and planters interested in the West
+India Islands became anxious to introduce an exceedingly valuable plant,
+the bread-fruit tree, into these possessions, and as this could best be
+done by a government expedition, a request was preferred to the crown
+accordingly.  The ministry at the time being favorable to the proposed
+undertaking, a vessel, named the _Bounty_, was selected to execute the
+desired object.  To the command of this ship Captain W. Bligh was
+appointed, Aug. 16, 1787.  The burden of the _Bounty_ was nearly two
+hundred and fifteen tons.  The establishment of men and officers for the
+ship was as follows:--1 lieutenant to command, 1 master, 1 boatswain, 1
+gunner, 1 carpenter, 1 surgeon, 2 master's mates, 2 midshipmen, 2
+quarter-masters, 1 quarter-master's mate, 1 boatswain's mate, 1 gunner's
+mate, 1 carpenter's mate, 1 carpenter's crew, 1 sailmaker, 1 armourer, 1
+corporal, 1 clerk and steward, 23 able seamen--total, 44.  The addition
+of two men appointed to take care of the plants, made the whole ship's
+crew amount to 46.  The ship was stored and victualled for eighteen
+months.
+
+Thus prepared, the _Bounty_ set sail on the 23d of December, and what
+ensued will be best told in the language of Captain Bligh.
+
+_Monday, 27th April 1789._--The wind being northerly in the evening, we
+steered to the westward, to pass to the south of Tofoa.  I gave
+directions for this course to be continued during the night.  The master
+had the first watch, the gunner the middle watch, and Mr. Christian the
+morning watch.
+
+_Tuesday, 25th._--Just before sunrising, while I was yet asleep, Mr.
+Christian, with the master-at-arms, gunner's mate, and Thomas Burkitt,
+seaman, came into my cabin, and seizing me, tied my hands with a cord
+behind my back, threatening me with instant death if I spoke or made the
+least noise.  I, however, called as loud as I could, in hopes of
+assistance; but they had already secured the officers who were not of
+their party, by placing sentinels at their doors.  There were three men
+at my cabin door, besides the four within; Christian had only a cutlass
+in his hand, the others had muskets and bayonets.  I was pulled out of
+bed, and forced on deck in my shirt, suffering great pain from the
+tightness with which they had tied my hands.  I demanded the reason of
+such violence, but received no other answer than abuse for not holding my
+tongue.  The master, the gunner, the surgeon, Mr. Elphinstone, master's
+mate, and Nelson, were kept confined below, and the fore-hatchway was
+guarded by sentinels.  The boatswain and carpenter, and also the clerk,
+Mr. Samuel, were allowed to come upon deck.  The boatswain was ordered to
+hoist the launch out, with a threat if he did not do it instantly to take
+care of himself.
+
+When the boat was out, Mr. Hayward and Mr. Hallett, two of the
+midshipmen, and Mr. Samuel, were ordered into it.  I demanded what their
+intention was in giving this order, and endeavored to persuade the people
+near me not to persist in such acts of violence; but it was to no effect.
+Christian changed the cutlass which he had in his hand for a bayonet that
+was brought to him, and holding me with a strong grip by the cord that
+tied my hands, he with many oaths threatened to kill me immediately if I
+would not be quiet; the villains round me had their pieces cocked and
+bayonets fixed.  Particular people were called on to go into the boat,
+and were hurried over the side, whence I concluded that with these people
+I was to be set adrift.  I therefore made another effort to bring about a
+change, but with no other effect than to be threatened with having my
+brains blown out.
+
+The boatswain and seamen who were to go in the boat were allowed to
+collect twine, canvas, lines, sails, cordage, an eight-and-twenty-gallon
+cask of water, and Mr. Samuel got a hundred and fifty pounds of bread,
+with a small quantity of rum and wine, also a quadrant and compass; but
+he was forbidden, on pain of death, to touch either map, ephemeris, book
+of astronomical observations, sextant, time-keeper, or any of my surveys
+or drawings.
+
+The officers were next called upon deck, and forced over the side into
+the boat, while I was kept apart from every one abaft the mizzen-mast.
+
+Isaac Martin, one of the guard over me, I saw had an inclination to
+assist me, and, as he fed me with shaddock (my lips being quite parched),
+we explained our wishes to each other by our looks; but this being
+observed, Martin was removed from me.  He then attempted to leave the
+ship, for which purpose he got into the boat; but with many threats they
+obliged him to return.  The armorer, Joseph Coleman, and two of the
+carpenters, M'Intosh and Norman, were also kept contrary to their
+inclination; and they begged of me, after I was astern in the boat, to
+remember that they declared that they had no hand in the transaction.
+Michael Byrne, I am told, likewise wanted to leave the ship.
+
+It appeared to me that Christian was some time in doubt whether he should
+keep the carpenter or his mates; at length he determined on the latter,
+and the carpenter was ordered into the boat.  He was permitted, but not
+without some opposition, to take his tool-chest.  The officers and men
+being in the boat, they only waited for me, of which the master-at-arms
+informed Christian; who then said, "Come, Captain Bligh, your officers
+and men are now in the boat, and you must go with them; if you attempt to
+make the least resistance, you will instantly be put to death:" and
+without further ceremony, with a tribe of armed ruffians about me, I was
+forced over the side, where they untied my hands.  Being in the boat, we
+were veered astern by a rope.  A few pieces of pork were thrown to us,
+and some clothes, also four cutlasses; and it was then that the armorer
+and carpenters called out to me to remember that they had no hand in the
+transaction.  After having undergone a great deal of ridicule, and having
+been kept some time to make sport for these unfeeling wretches, we were
+at length cast adrift in the open ocean.
+
+I had eighteen persons with me in the boat.  There remained on board the
+_Bounty_ twenty-five hands, the most able men of the ship's company.
+Having little or no wind, we rowed pretty fast towards Tofoa, which bore
+northeast about ten leagues from us.  While the ship was in sight, she
+steered to the west-north-west; but I considered this only as a feint;
+for when we were sent away, "Huzza for Otaheite!" was frequently heard
+among the mutineers.
+
+It will very naturally be asked, What could be the reason for such a
+revolt?  In answer to which, I can only conjecture that the mutineers had
+flattered themselves with the hopes of a more happy life among the
+Otaheitans than they could possibly enjoy in England; and this, joined to
+some female connections, most probably occasioned the whole transaction.
+The women at Otaheite are handsome, mild and cheerful in their manners
+and conversation, possessed of great sensibility, and have sufficient
+delicacy to make them admired and beloved.  The chiefs were so much
+attached to our people, that they rather encouraged their stay among them
+than otherwise, and even made them promises of large possessions.  Under
+these, and many other attendant circumstances equally desirable, it is
+now perhaps not so much to be wondered at, though scarcely possible to
+have been foreseen, that a set of sailors, most of them void of
+connections, should be led away: especially when, in addition to such
+powerful inducements, they imagined it in their power to fix themselves
+in the midst of plenty, on one of the finest islands in the world, where
+they need not labor, and where the allurements of dissipation are beyond
+anything that can be conceived.
+
+
+FATE OF THE CASTAWAYS
+
+My first determination was to seek a supply of breadfruit and water at
+Tofoa, and afterwards to sail for Tongataboo, and there risk a
+solicitation to Poulaho, the king, to equip our boat, and grant us a
+supply of water and provisions, so as to enable us to reach the East
+Indies.  The quantity of provisions I found in the boat was a hundred and
+fifty pounds of bread, sixteen pieces of pork, each piece weighing two
+pounds, six quarts of rum, six bottles of wine, with twenty-eight gallons
+of water, and four empty barrecoes.
+
+We got to Tofoa when it was dark, but found the shore so steep and rocky
+that we could not land.  We were obliged, therefore, to remain all night
+in the boat, keeping it on the lee-side of the island, with two oars.
+Next day (Wednesday, April 29) we found a cove, where we landed.  I
+observed the latitude of this cove to be 19 degrees 41 minutes south.
+This is the northwest part of Tofoa, the north-westernmost of the
+Friendly Islands.  As I was resolved to spare the small stock of
+provisions we had in the boat, we endeavored to procure something towards
+our support on the island itself.  For two days we ranged through the
+island in parties, seeking for water, and anything in the shape of
+provisions, subsisting, meanwhile, on morsels of what we had brought with
+us.  The island at first seemed uninhabited, but on Friday, May 1, one of
+our exploring parties met with two men, a woman, and a child: the men
+came with them to the cove, and brought two cocoanut shells of water.  I
+endeavored to make friends of these people, and sent them away for
+bread-fruit, plantains, and water.  Soon after, other natives came to us;
+and by noon there were thirty about us, from whom we obtained a small
+supply.  I was much puzzled in what manner to account to the natives for
+the loss of my ship: I knew they had too much sense to be amused with a
+story that the ship was to join me, when she was not in sight from the
+hills.  I was at first doubtful whether I should tell the real fact, or
+say that the ship had overset and sunk, and that we only were saved: the
+latter appeared to be the most proper and advantageous for us, and I
+accordingly instructed my people, that we might all agree in one story.
+As I expected, inquiries were made about the ship, and they seemed
+readily satisfied with our account; but there did not appear the least
+symptom of joy or sorrow in their faces, although I fancied I discovered
+some marks of surprise.  Some of the natives were coming and going the
+whole afternoon.
+
+Towards evening, I had the satisfaction to find our stock of provisions
+somewhat increased; but the natives did not appear to have much to spare.
+What they brought was in such small quantities, that I had no reason to
+hope we should be able to procure from them sufficient to stock us for
+our voyage.  At night, I served a quarter of a breadfruit and a cocoanut
+to each person for supper; and a good fire being made, all but the watch
+went to sleep.
+
+_Saturday, 2d._--As there was no certainty of our being supplied with
+water by the natives, I sent a party among the gullies in the mountains,
+with empty shells, to see what could be found.  In their absence the
+natives came about us, as I expected, and in greater numbers; two canoes
+also came in from round the north side of the island.  In one of them was
+an elderly chief, called Macca-ackavow.  Soon after, some of our foraging
+party returned, and with them came a good-looking chief, called
+Egijeefow, or Eefow.
+
+Their affability was of short duration, for the natives began to increase
+in number, and I observed some symptoms of a design against us.  Soon
+after, they attempted to haul the boat on shore, on which I brandished my
+cutlass in a threatening manner, and spoke to Eefow to desire them to
+desist: which they did, and everything became quiet again.  My people,
+who had been in the mountains, now returned with about three gallons of
+water.  I kept buying up the little bread-fruit that was brought to us,
+and likewise some spears to arm my men with, having only four cutlasses,
+two of which were in the boat.  As we had no means of improving our
+situation, I told our people I would wait till sunset, by which time,
+perhaps, something might happen in our favor; for if we attempted to go
+at present, we must fight our way through, which we could do more
+advantageously at night; and that, in the meantime, we would endeavor to
+get off to the boat what we had bought.  The beach was lined with the
+natives, and we heard nothing but the knocking of stones together, which
+they had in each hand.  I knew very well this was the sign of an attack.
+At noon I served a cocoanut and a bread-fruit to each person for dinner,
+and gave some to the chiefs, with whom I continued to appear intimate and
+friendly.  They frequently importuned me to sit down, but I as constantly
+refused; for it occurred both to Nelson and myself that they intended to
+seize hold of me, if I gave them such an opportunity.  Keeping,
+therefore, constantly on our guard, we were suffered to eat our
+uncomfortable meal in some quietness.
+
+After dinner, we began, by little and little, to get our things into the
+boat, which was a troublesome business, on account of the surf.  I
+carefully watched the motions of the natives, who continued to increase
+in number; and found that, instead of their intention being to leave us,
+fires were made, and places fixed on for their stay during the night.
+Consultations were also held among them, and everything assured me we
+should be attacked.  I sent orders to the master that, when he saw us
+coming down, he should keep the boat close to the shore, that we might
+the more readily embark.
+
+The sun was near setting when I gave the word, on which every person who
+was on shore with me boldly took up his proportion of things and carried
+them to the boat.  The chiefs asked me if I would not stay with them all
+night.  I said "No, I never sleep out of my boat; but in the morning we
+will again trade with you, and I shall remain till the weather is
+moderate, that we may go, as we have agreed, to see Poulaho, at
+Tongataboo."  Macca-ackavow then got up and said, "You will not sleep on
+shore, then, Mattie?" (which directly signifies, we will kill you); and
+he left me.  The onset was now preparing: every one, as I have described
+before, kept knocking stones together; and Eefow quitted me.  All but two
+or three things were in the boat, when we walked down the beach, every
+one in a silent kind of horror.  We all got into the boat, except one
+man, who, while I was getting on board, quitted it, and ran up the beach
+to cast the stern-fast off, notwithstanding the master and others called
+to him to return, while they were hauling me out of the water.
+
+I was no sooner in the boat than the attack began by about two hundred
+men; the unfortunate poor man who had run up the beach was knocked down,
+and the stones flew like a shower of shot.  Many Indians got hold of the
+stern rope, and were near hauling the boat on shore, which they would
+certainly have effected, if I had not had a knife in my pocket, with
+which I cut the rope.  We then hauled off to the grapnel, every one being
+more or less hurt.  At this time I saw five of the natives about the poor
+man they had killed, and two of them were beating him about the head with
+stones in their hands.
+
+We had no time to reflect, for, to my surprise, they filled their canoes
+with stones, and twelve men came off after us to renew the attack; which
+they did so effectually, as to nearly disable us all.  We were obliged to
+sustain the attack without being able to return it, except with such
+stones as lodged in the boat.  I adopted the expedient of throwing
+overboard some clothes, which, as I expected, they stopped to pick up;
+and as it was by this time almost dark, they gave over the attack, and
+returned towards the shore, leaving us to reflect on our unhappy
+situation.
+
+The poor man killed by the natives was John Norton: this was his second
+voyage with me as a quarter-master, and his worthy character made me
+lament his loss very much.  He has left an aged parent, I am told, whom
+he supported.
+
+We set our sails, and steered along shore by the west side of the island
+of Tofoa, the wind blowing fresh from the eastward.  My mind was employed
+in considering what was best to be done, when I was solicited by all
+hands to take them towards home; and when I told them that no hopes of
+relief for us remained, except what might be found at New Holland, till I
+came to Timor, a distance of full twelve hundred leagues, where there was
+a Dutch settlement, but in what part of the Island I knew not, they all
+agreed to live on one ounce of bread and a quarter of a pint of water per
+day.  Therefore, after examining our stock of provisions, and
+recommending to them, in the most solemn manner, not to depart from their
+promise, we bore away across a sea where the navigation is but little
+known, in a small boat, twenty-three feet long from stem to stern, deep
+laden with eighteen men.  I was happy, however, to see that every one
+seemed better satisfied with our situation than myself.
+
+Our stock of provisions consisted of about one hundred and fifty pounds
+of bread, twenty-eight gallons of water, twenty pounds of pork, three
+bottles of wine, and five quarts of rum.  The difference between this and
+the quantity we had on leaving the ship was principally owing to our loss
+in the bustle and confusion of the attack.  A few cocoanuts were in the
+boat, and some bread-fruit, but the latter was trampled to pieces.
+
+_Sunday, 3d._--At daybreak the gale increased; the sun rose very fiery
+and red--a sure indication of a severe gale of wind.  At eight it blew a
+violent storm, and the sea ran very high, so that between the seas the
+sail was becalmed, and when on the top of the sea, it was too much to
+have set; but we could not venture to take in the sail, for we were in
+very imminent danger and distress, the sea curling over the stern of the
+boat, which obliged us to bail with all our might.  A situation more
+distressing has perhaps seldom been experienced.
+
+Our bread was in bags, and in danger of being spoiled by the wet: to be
+starved to death was inevitable, if this could not be prevented.  I
+therefore began to examine what clothes there were in the boat, and what
+other things could be spared; and having determined that only two suits
+should be kept for each person, the rest was thrown overboard, with some
+rope and spare sails, which lightened the boat considerably, and we had
+more room to bail the water out.
+
+Fortunately the carpenter had a good chest in the boat, in which we
+secured the bread the first favorable moment.  His tool-chest also was
+cleared, and the tools stowed in the bottom of the boat, so that this
+became a second convenience.
+
+I served a teaspoonful of rum to each person (for we were very wet and
+cold), with a quarter of a bread-fruit, which was scarce eatable, for
+dinner.  Our engagement was now strictly to be carried into execution,
+and I was fully determined to make our provisions last eight weeks, let
+the daily proportion be ever so small.
+
+_Monday, 4th._--At daylight our limbs were so benumbed, that we could
+scarcely find the use of them.  At this time I served a teaspoonful of
+rum to each person, from which we all found great benefit.  Just before
+noon, we discovered a small flat island, of a moderate height, bearing
+west-south-west four or five leagues.  I observed our latitude to be 18
+degrees 58 minutes south; our longitude was, by account, 3 degrees 4
+minutes west from the island of Tofoa, having made a north 72 degrees
+west course, distance ninety-five miles, since yesterday noon, I divided
+five small cocoanuts for our dinner, and every one was satisfied.  During
+the rest of that day we discovered ten or twelve other islands, none of
+which we approached.  At night I served a few broken pieces of breadfruit
+for supper, and performed prayers.
+
+_Tuesday, 5th._--The night having been fair, we awoke after a tolerable
+rest, and contentedly breakfasted on a few pieces of yams that were found
+in the boat.  After breakfast we examined our bread, a great deal of
+which was damaged and rotten; this, nevertheless, we were glad to keep
+for use.  We passed two islands in the course of the day.  For dinner I
+served some of the damaged bread, and a quarter of a pint of water.
+
+_Wednesday, 6th._--We still kept our course in the direction of the North
+of New Holland, passing numerous islands of various sizes, at none of
+which I ventured to land.  Our allowance for the day was a quarter of a
+pint of cocoanut milk, and the meat, which did not exceed two ounces to
+each person.  It was received very contentedly, but we suffered great
+drought.  To our great joy we hooked a fish, but we were miserably
+disappointed by its being lost in trying to get it into the boat.
+
+As our lodgings were very miserable, and confined for want of room, I
+endeavored to remedy the latter defect by putting ourselves at watch and
+watch; so that one-half always sat up while the other lay down on the
+boat's bottom, or upon a chest, with nothing to cover us but the heavens.
+Our limbs were dreadfully cramped, for we could not stretch them out; and
+the nights were so cold, and we so constantly wet, that after a few
+hours' sleep, we could scarcely move.
+
+_Thursday, 7th._--Being very wet and cold, I served a spoonful of rum and
+a morsel of bread for breakfast.  We still kept sailing among the
+islands, from one of which two large canoes put out in chase of us; but
+we left them behind.  Whether these canoes had any hostile intention
+against us must remain a doubt: perhaps we might have benefited by an
+intercourse with them; but, in our defenceless situation, to have made
+the experiment would have been risking too much.
+
+I imagine these to be the islands called Feejee, as their extent,
+direction, and distance from the Friendly Islands answer to the
+description given of them by those islanders.  Heavy rain came on at four
+o'clock, when every person did their utmost to catch some water, and we
+increased our stock to thirty-four gallons, besides quenching our thirst
+for the first time since we had been at sea; but an attendant consequence
+made us pass the night very miserably, for, being extremely wet, and
+having no dry things to shift or cover us, we experienced cold shiverings
+scarcely to be conceived.  Most fortunately for us, the forenoon, Friday
+8th, turned out fair, and we stripped and dried our clothes.  The
+allowance I issued to-day was an ounce and a half of pork, a teaspoonful
+of rum, half a pint of cocoanut milk, and an ounce of bread.  The rum,
+though so small in quantity, was of the greatest service.  A fishing-line
+was generally towing from the stern of the boat, but though we saw great
+numbers of fish, we could never catch one.
+
+In the afternoon we cleaned out the boat, and it employed us till sunset
+to get everything dry and in order.  Hitherto I had issued the allowance
+by guess, but I now made a pair of scales with two cocoanut shells, and
+having accidentally some pistol-balls in the boat, twenty-five of which
+weighed one pound, or sixteen ounces, I adopted one ball as the
+proportion of weight that each person should receive of bread at the
+times I served it.  I also amused all hands with describing the situation
+of New Guinea and New Holland, and gave them every information in my
+power, that, in case any accident happened to me, those who survived
+might have some idea of what they were about, and be able to find their
+way to Timor, which at present they knew nothing of more than the name,
+and some not even that.  At night I served a quarter of a pint of water
+and half an ounce of bread for supper.
+
+_Saturday, 9th._--About nine in the evening the clouds began to gather,
+and we had a prodigious fall of rain, with severe thunder and lightning.
+By midnight we caught about twenty gallons of water.  Being miserably wet
+and cold, I served to the people a teaspoonful of rum each, to enable
+them to bear with their distressed situation.  The weather continued
+extremely bad, and the wind increased; we spent a very miserable night,
+without sleep, except such as could be got in the midst of rain.  The day
+brought no relief but its light.  The sea broke over us so much, that two
+men were constantly bailing; and we had no choice how to steer, being
+obliged to keep before the waves, for fear of the boat filling.
+
+The allowance now regularly served to each person was 1-25th of a pound
+of bread, and a quarter of a pint of water, at eight in the morning, at
+noon, and at sunset.  To-day I gave about half an ounce of pork for
+dinner, which, though any moderate person would have considered only as a
+mouthful, was divided into three or four.
+
+All Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the wet
+weather continued, with heavy seas and squalls.  As there was no prospect
+of getting our clothes dried, my plan was to make every one strip, and
+wring them through the salt water, by which means they received a warmth
+that, while wet with rain, they could not have.  We were constantly
+shipping seas and bailing, and were very wet and cold during the night.
+The sight of the islands which we were always passing served only to
+increase the misery of our situation.  We were very little better than
+starving, with plenty in view; yet to attempt procuring any relief was
+attended with so much danger, that prolonging of life, even in the midst
+of misery, was thought preferable, while there remained hopes of being
+able to surmount our hardships.  For my own part, I consider the general
+run of cloudy weather to be a blessing of Providence.  Hot weather would
+have caused us to have died with thirst, and probably being so constantly
+covered with rain or sea protected us from that dreadful calamity.
+
+_Saturday, 16th._--The sun breaking out through the clouds gave us hopes
+of drying our wet clothes; but the sunshine was of short duration.  We
+had strong breezes at south-east by south, and dark gloomy weather, with
+storms of thunder, lightning, and rain.  The night was truly horrible,
+and not a star to be seen, so that our steerage was uncertain.
+
+_Sunday, 17th._--At dawn of day I found every person complaining, and
+some of them solicited extra allowance, which I positively refused.  Our
+situation was miserable; always wet, and suffering extreme cold during
+the night, without the least shelter from the weather.  Being constantly
+obliged to bail, to keep the boat from filling, was perhaps not to be
+reckoned an evil as it gave us exercise.
+
+The little rum we had was of great service.  When our nights were
+particularly distressing, I generally served a teaspoonful or two to each
+person; and it was always joyful tidings when they heard of my intentions.
+
+The night was dark and dismal, the sea constantly breaking over us, and
+nothing but the wind and waves to direct our steerage.  It was my
+intention, if possible, to make to New Holland, to the southwest of
+Endeavor Straits, being sensible that it was necessary to preserve such a
+situation as would make a southerly wind a fair one; that we might range
+along the reefs till an opening should be found into smooth water, and we
+the sooner be able to pick up some refreshments.
+
+Monday and Tuesday were terrible days, heavy rain with lightning.  We
+were always bailing.  On Wednesday the 20th, at dawn of day, some of my
+people seemed half dead.  Our appearance was horrible, and I could look
+no way but I caught the eye of some one in distress.  Extreme hunger was
+now too evident; but no one suffered from thirst, nor had we much
+inclination to drink--that desire, perhaps, being satisfied through the
+skin.  The little sleep we got was in the midst of water, and we
+constantly awoke with severe cramps and pains in our bones.
+
+Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we were in the same distressed condition,
+and I began to fear that such another night or two would put an end to
+us.  On Saturday, however, the wind moderated in the evening, and the
+weather looked much better, which rejoiced all hands, so that they ate
+their scanty allowance with more satisfaction than for some time past.
+The night also was fair; but being always wet with the sea, we suffered
+much from the cold.
+
+_Sunday, 24th._--A fine morning, I had the pleasure to see produce some
+cheerful countenances; and the first time, for fifteen days past, we
+experienced comfort from the warmth of the sun.  We stripped, and hung
+our clothes up to dry, which were by this time become so threadbare, that
+they would not keep out either wet or cold.
+
+This afternoon we had many birds about us which are never seen far from
+land, such as boobies and noddies.  As the sea began to run fair, and we
+shipped but little water, I took the opportunity to examine into the
+state of our bread, and found that, according to the present mode of
+issuing, there was a sufficient quantity remaining for twenty-nine days'
+allowance, by which time I hoped we should be able to reach Timor; but as
+this was very uncertain, and it was possible that, after all, we might be
+obliged to go to Java, I determined to proportion the allowance so as to
+make our stock hold out six weeks.  I was apprehensive that this would be
+ill received, and that it would require my utmost resolution to enforce
+it; for small as the quantity was which I intended to take away for our
+future good, yet it might appear to my people like robbing them of life;
+and some, who were less patient than their companions, I expected would
+very ill brook it.  However, on my representing the necessity of guarding
+against delays that might be occasioned in our voyage by contrary winds
+or other causes, and promising to enlarge upon the allowance as we got
+on, they cheerfully agreed to my proposal.  It was accordingly settled
+that every person should receive 1-25th of a pound of bread for
+breakfast, and the same quantity for dinner; so that, by omitting the
+proportion for supper, we had forty-three days' allowance.
+
+_Monday, 25th._--At noon some noddies came so near to us, that one of
+them was caught by hand.  This bird was about the size of a small pigeon.
+I divided it, with its entrails, into eighteen portions and by a
+well-known method at sea, of "Who shall have this?" [1] it was
+distributed, with the allowance of bread and water for dinner, and ate
+up, bones and all, with salt water for sauce.  I observed the latitude 13
+degrees 32 minutes south; longitude made 35 degrees 19 minutes west,
+course north 89 degrees west, distance one hundred and eight miles.
+
+In the evening, several boobies flying very near to us, we had the good
+fortune to catch one of them.  This bird is as large as a duck.  I
+directed the bird to be killed for supper, and the blood to be given to
+three of the people who were most distressed for want of food.  The body,
+with the entrails, beak, and feet, I divided into eighteen shares, and,
+with an allowance of bread, which I made a merit of granting, we made a
+good supper, compared with our usual fare.
+
+Sailing on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I at length became satisfied
+that we were approaching New Holland.  This was actually the case; and
+after passing the reefs which bound that part of the coast, we found
+ourselves in smooth water.  Two islands lay about four miles to the west
+by north, and appeared eligible for a resting-place, if for nothing more;
+but on our approach to the nearest island, it proved to be only a heap of
+stones, and its size too inconsiderable to shelter the boat.  We
+therefore proceeded to the next, which was close to it, and towards the
+main.  We landed to examine if there were any signs of the natives being
+near us: we saw some old fireplaces, but nothing to make me apprehend
+that this would be an unsafe situation for the night.  Every one was
+anxious to find something to eat and it was soon discovered that there
+were oysters on these rocks, for the tide was out; but it was nearly
+dark, and only a few could be gathered.  I determined, therefore, to wait
+till the morning, when I should know better how to proceed.
+
+_Friday, 29th._--As there were no appearances to make me imagine that any
+of the natives were near us, I sent out parties in search of supplies,
+while others of the people were putting the boat in order.  The parties
+returned, highly rejoiced at having found plenty of oysters and fresh
+water.  I had also made a fire by the help of a small magnifying glass;
+and, what was still more fortunate, we found among a few things which had
+been thrown into the boat, and saved, a piece of brimstone and a
+tinder-box, so that I secured fire for the future.
+
+One of the people had been so provident as to bring away with him from
+the ship a copper pot: by being in possession of this article, we were
+enabled to make a proper use of the supply we now obtained; for, with a
+mixture of bread, and a little pork, we made a stew that might have been
+relished by people of far more delicate appetites, and of which each
+person received a full pint.  The general complaints of disease among us
+were a dizziness in the head, great weakness of the joints, and violent
+tenesmus.
+
+The oysters which we found grew so fast to the rocks, that it was with
+difficulty they could be broken off, and at length we discovered it to be
+the most expeditious way to open them where they were fixed.  They were
+of a good size, and well tasted.  To add to this happy circumstance, in
+the hollow of the land there grew some wire-grass, which indicated a
+moist situation.  On forcing a stick about three feet long into the
+ground, we found water, and with little trouble dug a well, which
+produced as much as our necessities required.
+
+As the day was the anniversary of the restoration of King Charles II., I
+named the island Restoration Island.  Our short stay there, with the
+supplies which it afforded us, made a visible alteration for the better
+in our appearance.  Next day, Saturday the 30th, at four o'clock, we were
+preparing to embark, when about twenty of the natives appeared, running
+and hallooing to us, on the opposite shore.  They were each armed with a
+spear or lance, and a short weapon which they carried in their left hand.
+They made signs for us to come to them, but I thought it prudent to make
+the best of our way.  They were naked, and apparently black, and their
+hair or wool bushy and short.
+
+_Sunday, 31st._--Many small islands were in sight to the northeast.  We
+landed at one of a good height, bearing north one-half west.  The shore
+was rocky, but the water was smooth, and we landed without difficulty.  I
+sent two parties out, one to the northward, and the other to the
+southward, to seek for supplies, and others I ordered to stay by the
+boat.  On this occasion fatigue and weakness so far got the better of
+their sense of duty, that some of the people expressed their discontent
+at having worked harder than their companions, and declared that they
+would rather be without their dinner than go in search of it.  One
+person, in particular, went so far as to tell me, with a mutinous look,
+that he was as good a man as myself.  It was not possible for me to judge
+where this might have an end, if not stopped in time; therefore, to
+prevent such disputes in future, I determined either to preserve my
+command, or die in the attempt; and seizing a cutlass, I ordered him to
+take hold of another and defend himself, on which he called out that I
+was going to kill him, and immediately made concessions.  I did not allow
+this to interfere further with the harmony of the boat's crew and
+everything soon became quiet.  We here procured some oysters and clams,
+also some dog-fish caught in the holes of the rocks, and a supply of
+water.
+
+Leaving this island, which I named Sunday Island, we continued our course
+towards Endeavor Straits.  During our voyage Nelson became very ill, but
+gradually recovered.  Next day we landed at another island, to see what
+we could get.  There were proofs that the island was occasionally visited
+by natives from New Holland.  Encamping on the shore, I sent out one
+party to watch for turtle, and another to try to catch birds.  About
+midnight the bird party returned, with only twelve noddies, birds which I
+have already described to be about the size of pigeons; but if it had not
+been for the folly and obstinacy of one of the party, who separated from
+the other two, and disturbed the birds, they might have caught a great
+number.  I was so much provoked at my plans being thus defeated, that I
+gave this offender a good beating.  This man afterwards confessed that,
+wandering away from his companions, he had eaten nine birds raw.  Our
+turtling party had no success.
+
+Tuesday and Wednesday we still kept our course northwest, touching at an
+island or two for oysters and clams.  We had now been six days on the
+coast of New Holland, and but for the refreshment which our visit to its
+shore afforded us, it is all but certain that we must have perished.
+Now, however, it became clear that we were leaving it behind, and were
+commencing our adventurous voyage through the open sea to Timor.
+
+On Wednesday, June 3rd, at eight o'clock in the evening, we once more
+launched into the open ocean.  Miserable as our situation was in every
+respect, I was secretly surprised to see that it did not appear to affect
+any one so strongly as myself.  I encouraged every one with hopes that
+eight or ten days would bring us to a land of safety; and after praying
+to God for a continuance of His most gracious protection, I served an
+allowance of water for supper, and directed our course to the
+west-south-west, to counteract the southerly winds in case they should
+blow strong.  For six days our voyage continued; a dreary repetition of
+those sufferings which we had experienced before reaching New Holland.
+In the course of the night we were constantly wet with the sea, and
+exposed to cold and shiverings; and in the daytime we had no addition to
+our scanty allowance, save a booby and a small dolphin that we caught,
+the former on Friday the 5th, and the latter on Monday the 8th.  Many of
+us were ill, and the men complained heavily.  On Wednesday the 10th,
+after a very comfortless night, there was a visible alteration for the
+worse in many of the people, which gave me great apprehensions.  An
+extreme weakness, swelled legs, hollow and ghastly countenances, a more
+than common inclination to sleep, with an apparent debility of
+understanding, seemed to me the melancholy presages of an approaching
+dissolution.
+
+_Thursday, 11th._--Every one received the customary allowance of bread
+and water, and an extra allowance of water was given to those who were
+most in need.  At noon I observed in latitude 9 degrees 41 minutes south;
+course south 77 degrees west, distance 109 miles; longitude made 13
+degrees 49 minutes west.  I had little doubt of having now passed the
+meridian of the eastern part of Timor, which is laid down in 128 degrees
+east.  This diffused universal joy and satisfaction.
+
+_Friday, 12th._--At three in the morning, with an excess of joy, we
+discovered Timor bearing from west-south-west to west-north-west, and I
+hauled on a wind to the north-north-east till daylight, when the land
+bore from south-west by south to north-east by north; our distance from
+the shore two leagues.  It is not possible for me to describe the
+pleasure which the blessing of the sight of this land diffused among us.
+It appeared scarcely credible to ourselves that, in an open boat, and so
+poorly provided, we should have been able to reach the coast of Timor in
+forty-one days after leaving Tofoa, having in that time run, by our log,
+a distance of 3,618 miles and that, notwithstanding our extreme distress,
+no one should have perished in the voyage.
+
+I have already mentioned that I knew not where the Dutch settlement was
+situated, but I had a faint idea that it was at the south-west part of
+the island.  I therefore, after daylight, bore away along shore to the
+south-south-west, which I was the more readily induced to do, as the wind
+would not suffer us to go towards the north-east without great loss of
+time.
+
+We coasted along the island in the direction in which I conceived the
+Dutch settlement to lie, and next day, about two o'clock, I came to a
+grapnel in a small sandy bay, where we saw a hut, a dog, and some cattle.
+Here I learned that the Dutch governor resided at a place called Coupang,
+which was some distance to the north-east.  I made signs for one of the
+Indians who came to the beach to go in the boat and show us the way to
+Coupang, intimating that I would pay him for his trouble; the man readily
+complied, and came into the boat.  The Indians, who were of a dark tawny
+color, brought us a few pieces of dried turtle and some ears of Indian
+corn.  This last was the most welcome, for the turtle was so hard, that
+it could not be eaten without being first soaked in hot water.  They
+offered to bring us some other refreshments, if I would wait; but, as the
+pilot was willing, I determined to push on.  It was about half-past four
+when we sailed.
+
+_Sunday, 14th._--At one o'clock in the morning, after the most happy and
+sweet sleep that ever men enjoyed, we weighed, and continued to keep the
+east shore on board, in very smooth water.  The report of two cannon that
+were fired gave new life to every one; and soon after, we discovered two
+square-rigged vessels and a cutter at anchor to the eastward.  After hard
+rowing, we came to a grapnel near daylight, off a small fort and town,
+which the pilot told me was Coupang.
+
+On landing, I was surrounded by many people, Indians and Dutch, with an
+English sailor among them.  A Dutch captain, named Spikerman, showed me
+great kindness, and waited on the governor, who was ill, to know at what
+time I could see him.  Eleven o'clock having been appointed for the
+interview, I desired my people to come on shore, which was as much as
+some of them could do, being scarce able to walk; they, however, were
+helped to Captain Spikerman's house, and found tea, with bread and
+butter, provided for their breakfast.
+
+The abilities of a painter, perhaps, could seldom have been displayed to
+more advantage than in the delineation of the two groups of figures which
+at this time presented themselves to each other.  An indifferent
+spectator would have been at a loss which most to admire--the eyes of
+famine sparkling at immediate relief, or the horror of their preservers
+at the sight of so many spectres, whose ghastly countenances, if the
+cause had been unknown, would rather have excited terror than pity.  Our
+bodies were nothing but skin and bone, our limbs were full of sores, and
+we were clothed in rags: in this condition, with tears of joy and
+gratitude flowing down our cheeks, the people of Timor beheld us with a
+mixture of horror, surprise, and pity.
+
+The governor, Mr. William Adrian Van Este, notwithstanding extreme ill
+health, became so anxious about us, that I saw him before the appointed
+time.  He received me with great affection, and gave me the fullest
+proofs that he was possessed of every feeling of a humane and good man.
+Though his infirmity was so great that he could not do the office of a
+friend himself, he said he would give such orders as I might be certain
+would procure us every supply we wanted.  A house should be immediately
+prepared for me, and with respect to my people, he said that I might have
+room for them either at the hospital or on board of Captain Spikerman's
+ship, which lay in the road. . . .
+
+
+FATE OF THE MUTINEERS--COLONY OF PITCAIRN'S ISLAND
+
+The intelligence of the mutiny, and the sufferings of Bligh and his
+companions, naturally excited a great sensation in England.  Bligh was
+immediately promoted to the rank of commander, and Captain Edwards was
+despatched to Otaheite, in the _Pandora_ frigate, with instructions to
+search for the _Bounty_ and her mutinous crew, and bring them to England.
+The _Pandora_ reached Matavai Bay on the 23d of March, 1791; and even
+before she had come to anchor, Joseph Coleman, formerly armorer of the
+_Bounty_, pushed off from shore in a canoe, and came on board.  In the
+course of two days afterwards, the whole of the remainder of the
+_Bounty's_ crew (in number sixteen) then on the island surrendered
+themselves, with the exception of two, who fled to the mountains where,
+as it afterwards appeared, they were murdered by the natives.
+
+Nearly twenty years elapsed after the period of the above occurrences,
+and all recollection of the _Bounty_ and her wrecked crew had passed
+away, when an accidental discovery, as interesting as unexpected, once
+more recalled public attention to that event.  The captain of an American
+schooner having, in 1808, accidentally touched at an island up to that
+time supposed to be uninhabited, called Pitcairn's Island, found a
+community speaking English, who represented themselves as the descendants
+of the mutineers of the _Bounty_, of whom there was still one man, of the
+name of Alexander Smith, alive amongst them.  Intelligence of this
+singular circumstance was sent by the American captain (Folger) to Sir
+Sydney Smith at Valparaiso, and by him transmitted to the Lords of the
+Admiralty.  But the government was at that time perhaps too much engaged
+in the events of the continental war to attend to the information, nor
+was anything further heard of this interesting little society until 1814.
+In that year two British men-of-war, cruising in the Pacific, made
+Pitcairn's Island, and on nearing the shore, saw plantations regularly
+and orderly laid out.  Soon afterwards they observed a few natives coming
+down a steep descent, with their canoes on their shoulders, and in a few
+minutes perceived one of these little vessels darting through a heavy
+surf, and paddling off towards the ships.  But their astonishment may be
+imagined when, on coming alongside, they were hailed in good English
+with, "Wont you heave us a rope now?"  This being done, a young man
+sprang up the side with extraordinary activity, and stood on the deck
+before them.  In answer to the question "Who are you?" he replied that
+his name was Thursday October Christian, son of the late Fletcher
+Christian, by an Otaheitan mother; that he was the first born on the
+island, and was so named because he was born on a Thursday in October.
+All this sounded singular and incredible in the ears of the British
+captains, Sir Thomas Staines and Mr. Pipon; but they were soon satisfied
+of its truth.  Young Christian was at this time about twenty-four years
+old, a tall handsome youth, fully six feet high, with black hair, and an
+open interesting English countenance.  As he wore no clothes, except a
+piece of cloth round his loins, and a straw-hat ornamented with black
+cock's feathers, his fine figure and well-shaped muscular limbs were
+displayed to great advantage, and attracted general admiration.  His body
+was much tanned by exposure to the weather; but although his complexion
+was somewhat brown, it wanted that tinge of red peculiar to the natives
+of the Pacific.  He spoke English correctly both in grammar and
+pronunciation; and his frank and ingenuous deportment excited in every
+one the liveliest feelings of compassion and interest.  His companion was
+a fine handsome youth, of seventeen or eighteen years of age, named
+George Young, son of one of the _Bounty's_ midshipmen.
+
+The youths expressed great surprise at everything they saw, especially a
+cow, which they supposed to be either a huge goat or a horned sow, having
+never seen any other quadrupeds.  When questioned concerning the
+_Bounty_, they referred the captains to an old man on shore, the only
+surviving Englishman, whose name, they said, was John Adams, but who
+proved to be the identical Alexander Smith before-mentioned, having
+changed his name from some caprice or other.  The officers went ashore
+with the youths, and were received by old Adams (as we shall now call
+him), who conducted them to his house, and treated them to an elegant
+repast of eggs, fowl, yams, plantains, bread-fruit, etc.  They now
+learned from him an account of the fate of his companions, who, with
+himself, preferred accompanying Christian in the _Bounty_ to remaining at
+Otaheite--which account agreed with that he afterwards gave at greater
+length to Captain Beechey in 1828.  Our limits will not permit us to
+detail all the interesting particulars at length, as we could have
+wished, but they are in substance as follows:--
+
+It was Christian's object, in order to avoid the vengeance of the British
+law, to proceed to some unknown and uninhabited island, and the Marquesas
+Islands were first fixed upon.  But Christian, on reading Captain
+Cartaret's account of Pitcairn's Island, thought it better adapted for
+the purpose, and shaped his course thither.  Having landed and traversed
+it, they found it every way suitable to their wishes, possessing water,
+wood, a good soil, and some fruits.  Having ascertained all this, they
+returned on board, and having landed their hogs, goats, and poultry, and
+gutted the ship of everything that could be useful to them, they set fire
+to her, and destroyed every vestige that might lead to the discovery of
+their retreat.  This was on the 23d of January 1790.  The island was then
+divided into nine equal portions amongst them a suitable spot of neutral
+ground being reserved for a village.  The poor Otaheitans now found
+themselves reduced to the condition of mere slaves; but they patiently
+submitted, and everything went on peacefully for two years.  About that
+time Williams, one of the seamen, having the misfortune to lose his wife,
+forcibly took the wife of one of the Otaheitans, which, together with
+their continued ill-usage, so exasperated the latter that they formed a
+plan for murdering the whole of their oppressors.  The plot, however, was
+discovered, and revealed by the Englishmen's wives, and two of the
+Otaheitans were put to death.  But the surviving natives soon afterwards
+matured a more successful conspiracy, and in one day murdered five of the
+Englishmen, including Christian.  Adams and Young were spared at the
+intercession of their wives, and the remaining two, M'Koy and Quintal
+(two desperate ruffians), escaped to the mountains, whence, however, they
+soon rejoined their companions.  But the further career of these two
+villains was short.  M'Koy, having been bred up in a Scottish distillery,
+succeeded in extracting a bottle of ardent spirits from the _tee root_;
+from which time he and Quintal were never sober, until the former became
+delirious, and committed suicide by jumping over a cliff.  Quintal being
+likewise almost insane with drinking, made repeated attempts to murder
+Adams and Young, until they were absolutely compelled, for their own
+safety, to put him to death, which they did by felling him with a hatchet.
+
+Adams and Young were at length the only surviving males who had landed on
+the island, and being both of a serious turn of mind and having time for
+reflection and repentance, they became extremely devout.  Having saved a
+Bible and prayer-book from the _Bounty_, they now performed family
+worship morning and evening, and addressed themselves to training up
+their own children and those of their unfortunate companions in piety and
+virtue.  Young, however, was soon carried off by an asthmatic complaint,
+and Adams was thus left to continue his pious labors alone.  At the time
+Captains Staines and Pipon visited the island, this interesting little
+colony consisted of about forty-six persons, mostly grown-up young
+people, all living in harmony and happiness together; and not only
+professing, but fully understanding and practicing, the precepts and
+principles of the Christian religion.  Adams had instituted the ceremony
+of marriage, and he assured his visitors that not one instance of
+debauchery and immoral conduct had occurred amongst them.
+
+The visitors having supplied these interesting people with some tools,
+kettles, and other articles, took their leave.  The account which they
+transmitted home of this newly-discovered colony was, strange to say, as
+little attended to by government as that of Captain Folger, and nothing
+more was heard of Adams and his family for nearly twelve years, when, in
+1825, Captain Beechey, in the _Blossom_, bound on a voyage of discovery
+to Behring Strait, touched at Pitcairn's Island.  On the approach of the
+_Blossom_, a boat came off under all sail towards the ship, containing
+old Adams and ten of the young men of the island.  After requesting and
+obtaining leave to come on board, the young men sprung up the side, and
+shook every officer cordially by the hand.  Adams, who was grown very
+corpulent, followed more leisurely.  He was dressed in a sailor's shirt
+and trousers, with a low-crowned hat, which he held in his hand in sailor
+fashion, while he smoothed down his bald forehead when addressed by the
+officers of the _Blossom_.  The little colony had now increased to about
+sixty-six, including an English sailor of the name of John Buffett, who,
+at his own earnest desire, had been left by a whaler.  In this man the
+society luckily found an able and willing schoolmaster.  He instructed
+the children in reading, writing, and arithmetic, and devoutly
+co-operated with old Adams in affording religious instruction to the
+community.  The officers of the _Blossom_ went ashore, and were
+entertained with a sumptuous repast at young Christian's, the table being
+spread with plates, knives and forks.  Buffett said grace in an emphatic
+manner; and so strict were they in this respect, that it was not deemed
+proper to touch a morsel of bread without saying grace both before and
+after it.  The officers slept in the house all night, their bedclothing
+and sheets consisting of the native cloth made of the native
+mulberry-tree.  The only interruption to their repose was the melody of
+the evening hymn, which was chanted together by the whole family after
+the lights were put out; and they were awakened at early dawn by the same
+devotional ceremony.  On Sabbath the utmost decorum was attended to, and
+the day was passed in regular religious observances.
+
+In consequence of a representation made by Captain Beechey, the British
+government sent out Captain Waldegrave in 1830, in the _Seringapatam_,
+with a supply of sailors' blue jackets and trousers, flannels, stockings
+and shoes, women's dresses, spades, mattocks, shovels, pick-axes,
+trowels, rakes, etc.  He found their community increased to about
+seventy-nine, all exhibiting the same unsophisticated and amiable
+characteristics as we have before described.  Other two Englishmen had
+settled amongst them; one of them, called Nobbs, a low-bred, illiterate
+man, a self-constituted missionary, who was endeavoring to supersede
+Buffett in his office of religious instruction.  The patriarch Adams, it
+was found, had died in March, 1829, aged sixty-five.  While on his
+deathbed, he had called the heads of families together, and urged upon
+them to elect a chief; which, however, they had not yet done; but the
+greatest harmony still prevailed amongst them, notwithstanding Nobb's
+exertions to form a party of his own.  Captain Waldegrave thought that
+the island, which is about four miles square, might be able to support a
+thousand persons, upon reaching which number they would naturally
+emigrate to other Islands.
+
+Such is the account of this most singular colony, originating in crime
+and bloodshed.  Of all the repentant criminals on record, the most
+interesting, perhaps, is John Adams; nor do we know where to find a more
+beautiful example of the value of early instruction than in the history
+of this man, who, having run the full career of nearly all kinds of vice,
+was checked by an interval of leisurely reflection, and the sense of new
+duties awakened by the power of natural affections.
+
+
+
+[1] One person turns his back on the object that is to be divided;
+another then points separately to the portions, at each of them asking
+aloud, "Who shall have this?" to which the first answers by naming
+somebody.  This impartial method of division gives every man an equal
+chance of the best share.
+
+
+
+
+THE WRECK OF THE _ROYAL CAROLINE_
+
+From "The Red Rover," BY JAMES FENNIMORE COOPER
+
+
+Our watchful adventurer captain was not blind to these sinister omens.
+No sooner did the peculiar atmosphere by which the mysterious image that
+he so often examined was suddenly surrounded, catch his eye, than his
+voice was raised in the clear, powerful, and exciting notes of warning.
+
+"Stand by," he called aloud, "to in-all-studding-sails!  Down with them!"
+he added, scarcely giving his former words time to reach the ears of his
+subordinates.  "Down with every rag of them, fore and aft the ship!  Man
+the top-gallant clew-lines, Mr. Earing.  Clew up, and clew down!  In with
+every thing, cheerily, men!--In!"
+
+This was a language to which the crew of the _Caroline_ were no
+strangers, and it was doubly welcome, since the meanest seaman amongst
+them had long thought that his unknown commander had been heedlessly
+trifling with the safety of the vessel, by the hardy manner in which he
+disregarded the wild symptoms of the weather.  But they undervalued the
+keen-eyed vigilance of Wilder.  He had certainly driven the Bristol
+trader through the water at a rate she had never been known to go before;
+but, thus far, the facts themselves gave evidence in his favour, since no
+injury was the consequence of what they deemed temerity.  At the quick
+sudden order just given, however, the whole ship was in an uproar.  A
+dozen seamen called to each other, from different parts of the vessel,
+each striving to lift his voice above the roaring ocean; and there was
+every appearance of a general and inextricable confusion; but the same
+authority which had so unexpectedly aroused them into activity, produced
+order from their ill-directed though vigorous efforts.
+
+Wilder had spoken, to awaken the drowsy and to excite the torpid.  The
+instant he found each man on the alert, he resumed his orders with a
+calmness that gave a direction to the powers of all, and yet with an
+energy that he well knew was called for by the occasion.  The enormous
+sheets of duck, which had looked like so many light clouds in the murky
+and threatening heavens, were soon seen fluttering wildly, as they
+descended from their high places, and, in a few minutes, the ship was
+reduced to the action of her more secure and heavier canvas.  To effect
+this object, every man in the ship exerted his powers to the utmost,
+under the guidance of the steady but rapid mandates of their commander.
+Then followed a short and apprehensive pause.  All eyes were turned
+towards the quarter where the ominous signs had been discovered; and each
+individual endeavored to read their import, with an intelligence
+correspondent to the degree of skill he might have acquired, during his
+particular period of service on that treacherous element which was now
+his home.
+
+The dim tracery of the stranger's form had been swallowed by the flood of
+misty light, which, by this time, rolled along the sea like drifting
+vapour, semi-pellucid, preternatural, and seemingly tangible.  The ocean
+itself appeared admonished that a quick and violent change was nigh.  The
+waves ceased to break in their former foaming and brilliant crests, and
+black masses of the water lifted their surly summits against the eastern
+horizon, no longer shedding their own peculiar and lucid atmosphere
+around them.  The breeze which had been so fresh, and which had even
+blown with a force that nearly amounted to a gale, was lulling and
+becoming uncertain, as it might be awed by the more violent power that
+was gathering along the borders of the sea, in the direction of the
+neighbouring continent.  Each moment, the eastern puffs of air lost their
+strength, becoming more and more feeble, until, in an incredibly short
+period, the heavy sails were heard flapping against the masts.  A
+frightful and ominous calm succeeded.  At this instant, a gleam flashed
+from the fearful obscurity of the ocean, and a roar, like that of a
+sudden burst of thunder, bellowed along the waters.  The seamen turned
+their startled looks on each other, standing aghast, as if a warning of
+what was to follow had come out of the heavens themselves.  But their
+calm and more sagacious commander put a different construction on the
+signal.  His lip curled, in high professional pride, and he muttered with
+scorn,--
+
+"Does he imagine that we sleep?  Ay, he has got it himself, and would
+open our eyes to what is coming?  What does he conjecture we have been
+about, since the middle watch was set?"
+
+Wilder made a swift turn or two on the quarter-deck, turning his quick
+glances from one quarter of the heavens to another; from the black and
+lulling water on which his vessel was rolling, to the sails; and from his
+silent and profoundly expectant crew, to the dim lines of spars that were
+waving above his head, like so many pencils tracing their curvilinear and
+wanton images over the murky volumes of the superincumbent clouds.
+
+"Lay the after-yards square!" he said, in a voice which was heard by
+every man on deck, though his words were apparently spoken but little
+above his breath.  The creaking of the blocks, as the spars came slowly
+and heavily round to the indicated position, contributed to the imposing
+character of the moment, sounding like notes of fearful preparation.
+
+"Haul up the courses!" resumed Wilder with the same eloquent calmness of
+manner.  Then, taking another glance at the threatening horizon, he added
+slowly but with emphasis, "Furl them--furl them both.  Away aloft, and
+hand your courses!" he continued in a shout; "roll them up, cheerily; in
+with them, boys, cheerily; in!"
+
+The conscious seamen took their impulses from the tones of their
+commander.  In a moment, twenty dark forms were leaping up the rigging,
+with the alacrity of so many quadrupeds.  In another minute, the vast and
+powerful sheets of canvas were effectually rendered harmless, by securing
+them in tight rolls to their respective spars.  The men descended as
+swiftly as they had mounted to the yards; and then succeeded another
+breathing pause.  At this appalling moment, a candle would have sent its
+flame perpendicularly towards the heavens.  The ship, missing the
+steadying power of the wind, rolled heavily in the troughs of the seas,
+which began to lessen at each instant, as if the startled element was
+recalling into the security of its own vast bosom that portion of its
+particles which had so lately been permitted to gambol madly over its
+surface.  The water washed sullenly along the side of the ship, or, as
+she labouring rose from one of her frequent falls into the hollows of the
+waves, it shot back into the ocean from her decks in glittering cascades.
+Every hue of the heavens, every sound of the element, and each dusky and
+anxious countenance, helped to proclaim the intense interest of the
+moment.  In this brief interval of expectation and inactivity, the mates
+again approached their commander.
+
+"It is an awful night, Captain Wilder!" said Earing, presuming on his
+rank to be the first to speak.
+
+"I have known far less notice given of a shift of wind," was the answer.
+
+"We have had time to gather in our kites, 'tis true, sir; but there are
+signs and warnings that come with this change which the oldest seaman
+must dread!"
+
+"Yes," continued Knighthead, in a voice that sounded hoarse and powerful,
+even amid the fearful accessories of that scene; "yes, it is no trifling
+commission that can call people that I shall not name out upon the water
+in such a night as this.  It was in just such weather that I saw the
+_Vesuvius_ ketch go to a place so deep, that her own mortar would not
+have been able to have sent a bomb into the open air, had hands and fire
+been there fit to let it off!"
+
+"Ay; and it was in such a time that the _Greenlandman_ was cast upon the
+Orkneys, in as flat a calm as ever lay on the sea."
+
+"Gentlemen," said Wilder, with a peculiar and perhaps an ironical
+emphasis on the word, "what would ye have?  There is not a breath of air
+stirring and the ship is naked to her topsails!"
+
+It would have been difficult for either of the two malcontents to give a
+very satisfactory answer to this question.  Both were secretly goaded by
+mysterious and superstitious apprehensions, that were powerfully aided by
+the more real and intelligible aspect of the night; but neither had so
+far forgotten his manhood, and his professional pride, as to lay bare the
+full extent of his own weakness, at a moment when he was liable to be
+called upon for the exhibition of qualities of a more positive and
+determined character.  The feeling that was uppermost betrayed itself in
+the reply of Earing, though in an indirect and covert manner.
+
+"Yes, the vessel is snug enough now," he said, "though eyesight has shown
+us it is no easy matter to drive a freighted ship through the water as
+fast as one of those flying craft aboard which no man can say who stands
+at the helm, by what compass she steers, or what is her draught!"
+
+"Ay," resumed Knighthead, "I call the _Caroline_ fast for an honest
+trader.  There are few square-rigged boats who do not wear the pennants
+of the king, that can eat her out of the wind on a bowline, or bring her
+into their wake with studding-sails set.  But this is a time and an hour
+to make a seaman think.  Look at yon hazy light, here in with the land,
+that is coming so fast down upon us, and then tell me whether it comes
+from the coast of America, or whether it comes from out of the stranger
+who has been so long running under our lee, but who has got, or is fast
+getting, the wind of us at last, while none here can say how, or why.  I
+have just this much, and no more, to say: give me for consort a craft
+whose captain I know, or give me none!"
+
+"Such is your taste, Mr. Knighthead," said Wilder, coldly; "mine may, by
+some accident, be different."
+
+"Yes, yes," observed the more cautious and prudent Earing, "in time of
+war, and with letters of marque aboard, a man may honestly hope the sail
+he sees should have a stranger for her master; or otherwise he would
+never fall in with an enemy.  But, though an Englishman born myself, I
+should rather give the ship in that mist a clear sea, seeing that I
+neither know her nation nor her cruise.  Ah, Captain Wilder, this is an
+awful sight for the morning watch!  Often and often have I seen the sun
+rise in the east, and no harm done; but little good can come of a day
+when the light first breaks in the west.  Cheerfully would I give the
+owners the last month's pay, hard as it has been earned, did I but know
+under what flag the stranger sails."
+
+"Frenchman, Don, or Devil, yonder he comes!" cries Wilder.  Then, turning
+towards the attentive crew, he shouted, in a voice that was appalling by
+its vehemence and warning, "Let run the after-halyards! round with the
+fore-yard; round with it, men, with a will!"
+
+These were cries that the startled crew but too well understood.  Every
+nerve and muscle were exerted to execute the orders, to be in readiness
+for the tempest.  No man spoke; but each expended the utmost of his power
+and skill in direct and manly efforts.  Nor was there, in verity, a
+moment to lose, or a particle of human strength expended here, without a
+sufficient object.
+
+The lurid and fearful-looking mist, which, for the last quarter of an
+hour, had been gathering in the north-west, was driving down upon them
+with the speed of a race-horse.  The air had already lost the damp and
+peculiar feeling of an easterly breeze; and little eddies were beginning
+to flutter among the masts--precursors of the coming squall.  Then, a
+rushing, roaring sound was heard moaning along the ocean, whose surface
+was first dimpled, next ruffled, and finally covered with a sheet of
+clear, white, and spotless foam.  At the next moment, the power of the
+wind fell upon the inert and labouring Bristol trader.
+
+While the gust was approaching, Wilder had seized the slight opportunity
+afforded by the changeful puffs of air to get the ship as much as
+possible before the wind; but the sluggish movement of the vessel met
+neither the wishes of his own impatience nor the exigencies of the
+moment.  Her bows slowly and heavily fell off from the north, leaving her
+precisely in a situation to receive the first shock on her broadside.
+Happy it was, for all who had life at risk in that defenceless vessel,
+that she was not fated to receive the whole weight of the tempest at a
+blow.  The sails fluttered and trembled on their massive yards, bellying
+and collapsing alternately for a minute, and then the rushing wind swept
+over them in a hurricane.
+
+The _Caroline_ received the blast like a stout and buoyant ship as she
+was, yielding to its impulse until her side lay nearly incumbent on the
+element; and then, as if the fearful fabric were conscious of its
+jeopardy, it seemed to lift its reclining masts again, struggling to work
+its way through the water.
+
+"Keep the helm a-weather!  Jam it a-weather, for your life!" shouted
+Wilder, amid the roar of the gust.
+
+The veteran seaman at the wheel obeyed the order with steadiness, but in
+vain did he keep his eyes on the margin of his head sail, to watch the
+manner in which the ship would obey its power.  Twice more, in as many
+moments, the giddy masts fell towards the horizon, waving as often
+gracefully upward, and then they yielded to the mighty pressure of the
+wind, until the whole machine lay prostrate on the water.
+
+"Be cool!" said Wilder, seizing the bewildered Earing by the arm, as the
+latter rushed madly up the steep of the deck; "it is our duty to be calm;
+bring hither an axe."
+
+Quick as the thought which gave the order, the admonished mate complied,
+jumping into the mizzen-channels of the ship, to execute with his own
+hands the mandate that he knew must follow.
+
+"Shall I cut?" he demanded, with uplifted arms, and in a voice that
+atoned for his momentary confusion, by its steadiness and force.
+
+"Hold!--Does the ship mind her helm at all?"
+
+"Not an inch, sir."
+
+"Then cut," Wilder clearly and calmly added.
+
+A single blow sufficed for the discharge of this important duty.
+Extended to the utmost powers of endurance, by the vast weight it upheld,
+the lanyard struck by Earing no sooner parted, than each of its fellows
+snapped in succession, leaving the mast dependent on its wood for the
+support of all the ponderous and complicated hamper it upheld.  The
+cracking of the spar came next; and the whole fell, like a tree that had
+been snapped at its foundation.
+
+"Does she fall off?" called Wilder, to the observant seaman at the wheel.
+
+"She yielded a little, sir; but this new squall is bringing her up again."
+
+"Shall I cut?" shouted Earing from the main-rigging, whither he had
+leaped, like a tiger who had bounded on his prey.
+
+"Cut."
+
+A louder and more imposing crash succeeded this order, though not before
+several heavy blows had been struck into the massive mast itself.  As
+before, the sea received the tumbling maze of spars, rigging, and sails;
+the vessel surging at the same instant, from its recumbent position, and
+rolling far and heavily to windward.
+
+"She rights! she rights!" exclaimed twenty voices which had been mute, in
+a suspense that involved life and death.
+
+"Keep her dead away!" added the calm but authoritative voice of the young
+commander.  "Stand by to furl the fore-top-sail--let it hang a moment to
+drag the ship clear of the wreck--cut, cut--cheerily, men--hatchets and
+knives--cut _with_ all, and cut _off_ all!"
+
+As the men now worked with the vigour of hope, the ropes that still
+confined the fallen spars to the vessel were quickly severed; and the
+_Caroline_, by this time dead before the gale, appeared barely to touch
+the foam that covered the sea.  The wind came over the waste in gusts
+that rumbled like distant thunder, and with a power that seemed to
+threaten to lift the ship from its proper element.  As a prudent and
+sagacious seaman had let fly the halyards, of the solitary sail that
+remained, at the moment the squall approached, the loosened but lowered
+topsail was now distended in a manner that threatened to drag after it
+the only mast which still stood.  Wilder saw the necessity of getting rid
+of the sail, and he also saw the utter impossibility of securing it.
+Calling Earing to his side, he pointed out the danger, and gave the
+necessary order.
+
+"The spar cannot stand such shocks much longer," he concluded; "should it
+go over the bows, some fatal blow might be given to the ship at the rate
+she is moving.  A man or two must be sent aloft to cut the sail from the
+yards."
+
+"The stick is bending like a willow whip," returned the mate, "and the
+lower mast itself is sprung.  There would be great danger in trusting a
+hand in that top, while these wild squalls are breathing around us."
+
+"You may be right," returned Wilder, with a sudden conviction of the
+truth of what the other had said.  "Stay you then here; if any thing
+befall me, try to get the vessel into port as far north as the Capes of
+Virginia, at least;--on no account attempt Hatteras, in the present
+condition of----"
+
+"What would you do, Captain Wilder?" interrupted the mate, laying his
+hand on the shoulder of his commander, who had already thrown his sea-cap
+on the deck, and was preparing to divest himself of some of his outer
+garments.
+
+"I go aloft to ease the mast of that topsail, without which we lose the
+spar, and possibly the ship."
+
+"I see that plain enough; but, shall it be said that another did the duty
+of Edward Earing?  It is your business to carry the vessel into the Capes
+of Virginia, and mine to cut the topsail adrift.  If harm comes to me,
+why, put it in the log, with a word or two about the manner in which I
+played my part.  That is the most proper epitaph for a sailor."
+
+Wilder made no resistance.  He resumed his watchful and reflecting
+attitude, with the simplicity of one who had been too long trained to the
+discharge of certain obligations himself, to manifest surprise that
+another should acknowledge their imperative character.  In the mean time,
+Earing proceeded steadily to perform what he had just promised.  Passing
+into the waist of the ship, he provided himself with a suitable hatchet,
+and then, without speaking a syllable to any of the mute but attentive
+seamen, he sprang into the fore-rigging, every strand and rope-yarn of
+which was tightened by the strain nearly to snapping.  The understanding
+eyes of his observers comprehended his intention; and with precisely the
+same pride of station as had urged him to the dangerous undertaking four
+or five of the oldest mariners jumped upon the rattlings, to mount into
+an air that apparently teemed with a hundred hurricanes.
+
+"Lie down out of that fore-rigging," shouted Wilder, through a deck
+trumpet; "lie down; all, but the mate, lie down!"  His words were borne
+past the inattentive ears of the excited and mortified followers of
+Earing, but for once they failed of their effect.  Each man was too
+earnestly bent on his purpose to listen to the sounds of recall.  In less
+than a minute, the whole were scattered along the yards, prepared to obey
+the signal of their officer.  The mate cast a look about him; perceiving
+that the time was comparatively favorable, he struck a blow upon the
+large rope that confined one of the lower angles of the distended and
+bursting sail to the yard.  The effect was much the same as would be
+produced by knocking away the key-stone of an ill-cemented arch.  The
+canvas broke from its fastenings with a loud explosion, and, for an
+instant, it was seen sailing in the air ahead of the ship, as if it were
+sustained on wings.  The vessel rose on a sluggish wave--the lingering
+remains of the former breeze--and settled heavily over the rolling surge,
+borne down alike by its own weight and the renewed violence of the gusts.
+At this critical instant, while the seamen aloft were still gazing in the
+direction in which the little cloud of canvas had disappeared, a lanyard
+of the lower rigging parted, with a crack that reached the ears of Wilder.
+
+"Lie down!" he shouted wildly through his trumpet; "down by the
+backstays; down for your lives; every man of you, down!"
+
+A solitary individual profited by the warning gliding to the deck with
+the velocity of the wind.  But rope parted after rope, and the fatal
+snapping of the wood followed.  For a moment, the towering maze tottered,
+seeming to wave towards every quarter of the heavens; and then, yielding
+to the movements of the hull, the whole fell, with a heavy crash, into
+the sea.  Cord, lanyard, and stay snapped like thread, as each received
+in succession the strain of the ship, leaving the naked and despoiled
+hull of the _Caroline_ to drive before the tempest, as if nothing had
+occurred to impede its progress.
+
+A mute and eloquent pause succeeded the disaster.  It seemed as if the
+elements themselves were appeased by their work, and something like a
+momentary lull in the awful rushing of the winds might have been fancied.
+Wilder sprang to the side of the vessel, and distinctly beheld the
+victims, who still clung to their frail support.  He even saw Earing
+waving his hand in adieu with a seaman's heart, like a man who not only
+felt how desperate was his situation, but who knew how to meet it with
+resignation.  Then the wreck of spars, with all who clung to it, was
+swallowed up in the body of the frightful, preternatural-looking mist
+which extended on every side of them, from the ocean to the clouds.
+
+"Stand by, to clear away a boat!" shouted Wilder, without pausing to
+think of the impossibility of one's swimming, or of effecting the least
+good, in so violent a tornado.
+
+But the amazed and confounded seamen who remained needed no instruction
+in this matter.  Not a man moved, nor was the smallest symptom of
+obedience given.  The mariners looked wildly around them, each
+endeavouring to trace in the dusky countenance of some shipmate his
+opinion of the extent of the evil; but not a mouth opened among them all.
+
+"It is too late--it is too late!" murmured Wilder; "human skill and human
+efforts could not save them!"
+
+"Sail, ho!" Knighthead shouted in a voice that was teeming with
+superstitious awe.
+
+"Let him come on," returned his young commander, bitterly; "the mischief
+is ready done to his hands!"
+
+"Should this be a true ship, it is our duty to the owners and the
+passengers to speak her, if a man can make his voice heard in this
+tempest," the second mate continued, pointing, through the haze, at the
+dim object that was certainly at hand.
+
+"Speak her!--passengers!" muttered Wilder, involuntarily repeating his
+words.  "No; any thing is better than speaking her.  Do you see the
+vessel that is driving down upon us so fast?" he sternly demanded of the
+watchful seaman who still clung to the wheel of the _Caroline_.
+
+"Ay, ay, sir."
+
+"Give her a berth--sheer away hard to port--perhaps he may pass us in the
+gloom, now we are no higher than our decks.  Give the ship a broad sheer,
+I say, sir."
+
+The usual laconic answer was given; and, for a few moments, the Bristol
+trader was seen diverging a little from the line in which the other
+approached; but a second glance assured Wilder that the attempt was
+useless.  The strange ship (every man on board felt certain it was the
+same that had so long been seen hanging in the north-western horizon)
+came on through the mist, with a swiftness that nearly equalled the
+velocity of the tempestuous winds themselves.  Not a thread of canvas was
+seen on board her.  Each line of spars, even to the tapering and delicate
+top-gallant masts, was in its place, preserving the beauty and symmetry
+of the whole fabric; but nowhere was the smallest fragment of a sail
+opened to the gale.  Under her bows rolled a volume of foam that was even
+discernible amid the universal agitation of the ocean; and, as she came
+within sound, the sullen roar of the water might have been likened to the
+noise of a cascade.  At first, the spectators on the decks of the
+_Caroline_ believed they were not seen, and some of the men called madly
+for lights, in order that the disasters of the night might not terminate
+in an encounter.
+
+"Too many see us there already!" said Wilder.
+
+"No, no," muttered Knighthead; "no fear but we are seen; and by such
+eyes, too, as never yet looked out of mortal head!"
+
+The seamen paused.  In another instant, the long-seen and mysterious ship
+was within a hundred feet of them.  The very power of that wind, which
+was wont usually to raise the billows, now pressed the element, with the
+weight of mountains, into its bed.  The sea was every where a sheet of
+froth, but the water did not rise above the level of the surface.  The
+instant a wave lifted itself from the security of the vast depths, the
+fluid was borne away before the tornado in glittering spray.  Along this
+frothy but comparatively motionless surface, then, the stranger came
+booming with the steadiness and grandeur with which a cloud is seen
+sailing in the hurricane.  No sign of life was discovered about her.  If
+men looked out from their secret places, upon the straitened and
+discomfited wreck of the Bristol trader, it was covertly, and as darkly
+as the tempest before which they drove.  Wilder held his breath, for the
+moment the stranger was nighest, in the very excess of suspense, but, as
+he saw no signal of recognition, no human form, nor any intention to
+arrest, if possible, the furious career of the other, a smile gleamed
+across his countenance, and his lips moved rapidly, as if he found
+pleasure in being abandoned to his distress.  The stranger drove by, like
+a dark vision; and, ere another minute, her form was beginning to grow
+less distinct, in the body of spray to leeward.
+
+"She is going out of sight in the mist!" exclaimed Wilder, when he drew
+his breath, after the fearful suspense of the few last moments.
+
+"Ay, in mist or clouds," responded Knighthead, who now kept obstinately
+at his elbow, watching with the most jealous distrust, the smallest
+movement of his unknown commander.
+
+"In the heavens, or in the sea, I care not, provided he be gone."
+
+"Most seamen would rejoice to sec a strange sail, from the hull of a
+vessel shaved to the deck like this."
+
+"Men often court their destruction, from ignorance of their own
+interests.  Let him drive on, say I, and pray I!  He goes four feet to
+our one; and I ask no better favour than that this hurricane may blow
+until the sun shall rise."
+
+Knighthead started, and cast an oblique glance, which resembled
+denunciation, at his companion.  To his superstitious mind, there was
+profanity in thus invoking the tempest, at a moment when the winds seemed
+already to be pouring out their utmost wrath.
+
+"This is a heavy squall, I will allow," he said, "and such a one as many
+mariners pass whole lives without seeing; but he knows little of the sea
+who thinks there is not more wind where this comes from."
+
+"Let it blow!" cried the other, striking his hands together a little
+wildly; "I pray for wind!"
+
+All the doubts of Knighthead, as to the character of the young stranger
+who had so unaccountably got possession of the office of Nicholas
+Nichols, if any remained, were now removed.  He walked forward among the
+silent and thoughtful crew, with the air of a man whose opinion was
+settled.  Wilder, however, paid no attention to the movements of his
+subordinate, but continued pacing the deck for hours; now casting his
+eyes at the heavens, and now sending frequent and anxious glances around
+the limited horizon, while the _Royal Caroline_ still continued drifting
+before the wind, a shorn and naked wreck.
+
+
+
+
+THE CAPTURE OF THE GREAT WHITE WHALE
+
+From "Moby Dick," BY HERMAN MELVILLE
+
+
+That night, in the mid-watch, when the old man--as his wont at
+intervals--stepped forth from the scuttle in which he leaned, and went
+to his pivot-hole, he suddenly thrust out his face fiercely, snuffing
+up the sea air as a sagacious ship's dog will, in drawing nigh to some
+barbarous isle.  He declared that a whale must be near.  Soon that
+peculiar odor, sometimes to a great distance given forth by the living
+sperm whale, was palpable to all the watch; nor was any mariner
+surprised when, after inspecting the compass, and then the dog-vane,
+and then ascertaining the precise bearing of the odor as nearly as
+possible, Ahab rapidly ordered the ship's course to be slightly
+altered, and the sail to be shortened.
+
+The acute policy dictating these movements was sufficiently vindicated
+at daybreak, by the sight of a long sleek on the sea directly and
+lengthwise ahead, smooth as oil, and resembling in the pleated watery
+wrinkles bordering it, the polished metallic-like marks of some swift
+tide-rip, at the mouth of a deep, rapid stream.
+
+"Man the mast-heads!  Call all hands!"
+
+Thundering with the butts of three clubbed handspikes on the forecastle
+deck, Daggoo roused the sleepers with such judgment claps that they
+seemed to exhale from the scuttle, so instantaneously did they appear
+with their clothes in their hands.
+
+"What d'ye see?" cried Ahab, flattening his face to the sky.
+
+"Nothing, nothing, sir!" was the sound hailing down in reply.
+
+"T'gallant sails!--stunsails! alow and aloft, and on both sides!"
+
+All sail being set, he now cast loose the life-line, reserved for
+swaying him to the main royal-mast head; and in a few moments they were
+hoisting him thither, when, while but two-thirds of the way aloft, and
+while peering ahead through the horizontal vacancy between the
+main-top-sail and top-gallant-sail, he raised a gull-like cry in the
+air, "There she blows!--there she blows!  A hump like a snow-hill!  It
+is Moby Dick!"
+
+Fired by the cry which seemed simultaneously taken up by the three
+look-outs, the men on deck rushed to the rigging to behold the famous
+whale they had so long been pursuing.  Ahab had now gained his final
+perch, some feet above the other look-outs, Tashtego standing just
+beneath him on the cap of the top-gallant-mast, so that the Indian's
+head was almost on a level with Ahab's heel.  From this height the
+whale was now seen some mile or so ahead, at every roll of the sea
+revealing his high sparkling hump, and regularly jetting his silent
+spout into the air.  To the credulous mariners it seemed the same
+silent spout they had so long ago beheld in the moon-lit Atlantic and
+Indian Oceans.
+
+"And did none of ye see it before?" cried Ahab, hailing the perched men
+all around him.
+
+"I saw him almost that same instant, sir, that Captain Ahab did, and I
+cried out," said Tashtego.
+
+"Not the same instant; not the same--no, the doubloon is mine, Fate
+reserved the doubloon for me.  I only; none of ye could have raised the
+White Whale first.  There she blows! there she blows!--there she blows!
+There again--there again!" he cried, in long-drawn, lingering, methodic
+tones, attuned to the gradual prolongings of the whale's visible jets.
+"He's going to sound!  In stunsails!  Down top-gallant-sails!  Stand by
+three boats.  Mr. Starbuck, remember, stay on board, and keep the ship.
+Helm there!  Luff, luff a point!  So; steady, man, steady!  There go
+flukes!  No, no; only black water!  All ready the boats there?  Stand
+by, stand by!  Lower me, Mr. Starbuck; lower, lower,--quick, quicker!"
+and he slid through the air to the deck.
+
+"He is heading straight to leeward, sir," cried Stubb, "right away from
+us; cannot have seen the ship yet."
+
+"Be dumb, man!  Stand by the braces!  Hard down the helm!--brace up!
+Shiver her!--shiver her!  So; well that!  Boats, boats!"
+
+Soon all the boats but Starbuck's were dropped; all the boat-sails
+set--all the paddles plying; with rippling swiftness, shooting to
+leeward; and Ahab heading the onset.  A pale, death-glimmer lit up
+Fedallah's sunken eyes; a hideous motion gnawed his mouth.
+
+Like noiseless nautilus shells, their light prows sped through the sea;
+but only slowly they neared the foe.  As they neared him, the ocean
+grew still more smooth; seemed drawing a carpet over its waves; seemed
+a noon-meadow, so serenely it spread.  At length the breathless hunter
+came so nigh his seemingly unsuspecting prey, that his entire dazzling
+hump was distinctly visible, sliding along the sea as if an isolated
+thing, and continually set in a revolving ring of finest, fleecy,
+greenish foam.  He saw the vast, involved wrinkles of the slightly
+projecting head beyond.  Before it, far out on the soft Turkish-rugged
+waters, went the glistening white shadow from his broad, milky
+forehead, a musical rippling playfully accompanying the shade; and
+behind, the blue waters interchangeably flowed over into the moving
+valley of his steady wake; and on either hand bright bubbles arose and
+danced by his side.  But these were broken again by the light toes of
+hundreds of gay fowl softly feathering the sea, alternate with their
+fitful flight; and like to some flag-staff rising from the painted hull
+of an argosy, the tall but shattered pole of a recent lance projected
+from the white whale's back; and at intervals one of the cloud of
+soft-toed fowls hovering, and to and fro skimming like a canopy over
+the fish, silently perched and rocked on this pole, the long tail
+feathers streaming like pennons.
+
+A gentle joyousness--a mighty mildness of repose in swiftness, invested
+the gliding whale.  Not the white bull Jupiter swimming away with
+ravished Europa clinging to his graceful horns; his lovely, leering
+eyes sideways intent upon the maid; with smooth bewitching fleetness,
+rippling straight for the nuptial bower in Crete; not Jove, not that
+great majesty Supreme! did surpass the glorified White Whale as he so
+divinely swam.
+
+On each soft side--coincident with the parted swell, that but once
+leaving him, then flowed so wide away--on each bright side, the whale
+shed off enticings.  No wonder there had been some among the hunters
+who namelessly transported and allured by all this serenity, had
+ventured to assail it; but had fatally found that quietude but the
+vesture of tornadoes.  Yet calm, enticing calm, oh, whale! thou glidest
+on, to all who for the first time eye thee, no matter how many in that
+same way thou may'st have bejuggled and destroyed before.
+
+And thus, through the serene tranquillities of the tropical sea, among
+waves whose hand-clappings were suspended by exceeding rapture, Moby
+Dick moved on, still withholding from sight the full terrors of his
+submerged trunk, entirely hiding the wrenched hideousness of his jaw.
+But soon the fore part of him slowly rose from the water; for an
+instant his whole marbleized body formed a high arch, like Virginia's
+Natural Bridge, and warningly waving his bannered flukes in the air,
+the grand god revealed himself, sounded, and went out of sight.
+Hoveringly, halted, and dipping on the wing, the white sea-fowls
+longingly lingered over the agitated pool that he left.
+
+With oars apeak, and paddles down, the sheets of their sails adrift,
+the three boats now stilly floated, awaiting Moby Dick's reappearance.
+
+"An hour," said Ahab, standing rooted in his boat's stern; and he gazed
+beyond the whale's place, toward the dim blue spaces and wide wooing
+vacancies to leeward.  It was only an instant; for again his eyes
+seemed whirling round in his head as he swept the watery circle.  The
+breeze now freshened; the sea began to swell.
+
+"The birds!--the birds!" cried Tashtego.
+
+In long Indian file, as when herons take wing, the white birds were now
+all flying towards Ahab's boat; and when within a few yards began
+fluttering over the water there, wheeling round and round, with joyous,
+expectant cries.  Their vision was keener than man's; Ahab could
+discover no sign in the sea.  But suddenly as he peered down and down
+into its depths, he profoundly saw a white living spot no bigger than a
+white weasel, with wonderful celerity uprising, and magnifying as it
+rose, till it turned, and then there were plainly revealed two long
+crooked rows of white, glistening teeth, floating up from the
+undiscoverable bottom.  It was Moby Dick's open mouth and scrolled jaw;
+his vast, shadowed bulk still half blending with the blue of the sea.
+The glittering mouth yawned beneath the boat like an open-doored marble
+tomb; and giving one sidelong sweep with his steering oar, Ahab whirled
+the craft aside from this tremendous apparition.  Then, calling upon
+Fedallah to change places with him, went forward to the bows, and
+seizing Perth's harpoon, commanded his crew to grasp their oars and
+stand by to stern.
+
+Now, by reason of this timely spinning round the boat upon its axis,
+its bow, by anticipation, was made to face the whale's head while yet
+under water.  But as if perceiving this stratagem, Moby Dick, with that
+malicious intelligence ascribed to him, sidelingly transplanted
+himself, at it were, in an instant, shooting his pleated head
+lengthwise beneath the boat.
+
+Through and through; through every plank and each rib, it thrilled for
+an instant, the whale obliquely lying on his back, in the manner of a
+biting shark, slowly and feelingly taking its bows full within his
+mouth, so that the long, narrow, scrolled lower jaw curled high up into
+the open air, and one of the teeth caught in a row-lock.  The bluish
+pearl-white of the inside of the jaw was within six inches of Ahab's
+head, and reached higher than that.  In this attitude the White Whale
+now shook the slight cedar as a mildly cruel cat her mouse.  With
+unastonished eyes Fedallah gazed, and crossed his arms; but the
+tiger-yellow crew were tumbling over each other's heads to gain the
+uttermost stern.
+
+And now, while both elastic gunwales were springing in and out, as the
+whale dallied with the doomed craft in this devilish way; and from his
+body being submerged beneath the boat, he could not be darted at from
+the bows, for the bows were almost inside of him, as it were; and while
+the other boats involuntarily paused, as before a quick crisis
+impossible to withstand, then it was that monomaniac Ahab, furious with
+this tantalizing vicinity of his foe, which placed him all alive and
+helpless in the very jaws he hated; frenzied with all this, he seized
+the long bone with his naked hands, and wildly strove to wrench it from
+its gripe.  As now he thus vainly strove, the jaw slipped from him; the
+frail gunwales bent in, collapsed, and snapped, as both jaws, like an
+enormous shears, sliding further aft, bit the craft completely in
+twain, and locked themselves fast again in the sea, midway between the
+two floating wrecks.  These floated aside, the broken ends drooping,
+the crew at the stern-wreck clinging to the gunwales, and striving to
+hold fast to the oars to lash them across.
+
+At that preluding moment, ere the boat was yet snapped, Ahab, the first
+to perceive the whale's intent, by the crafty upraising of his head, a
+movement that loosed his hold for the time; at that moment his hand had
+made one final effort to push the boat out of the bite.  But only
+slipping further into the whale's mouth, and tilting over sideways as
+it slipped, the boat had shaken off his hold on the jaw; spilled him
+out of it, as he leaned to the push; and so he fell flat-faced upon the
+sea.
+
+Rippingly withdrawing from his prey, Moby Dick now lay at a little
+distance, vertically thrusting his oblong white head up and down in the
+billows; and at the same time slowly revolving his whole spindled body;
+so that when his vast wrinkled forehead rose--some twenty or more feet
+out of the water--the now rising swells, with all their confident
+waves, dazzlingly broke against it; vindictively tossing their shivered
+spray still higher into the air.[1]  So, in a gale, the but half
+baffled Channel billows only recoil from the base of the Eddy-stone,
+triumphantly to overleap its summit with their scud.
+
+But soon resuming his horizontal attitude, Moby Dick swam swiftly round
+and round the wrecked crew; sideways churning the water in his vengeful
+wake, as if lashing himself up to still another and more deadly
+assault.  The sight of the splintered boat seemed to madden him, as the
+blood of grapes and mulberries cast before Antiochus's elephants in the
+book of Maccabees.  Meanwhile Ahab half smothered in the foam of the
+whale's insolent tail, and too much of a cripple to swim,--though he
+could still keep afloat, even in the heart of such a whirlpool as that;
+helpless Ahab's head was seen, like a tossed bubble which the least
+chance shock might burst.  From the boat's fragmentary stern, Fedallah
+incuriously and mildly eyed him; the clinging crew, at the other
+drifting end, could not succor him; more than enough was it to look to
+themselves.  For so revolvingly appalling was the White Whale's aspect,
+and so planetarily swift the ever-contracting circles he made, that he
+seemed horizontally swooping upon them.  And though the other boats
+unharmed, still hovered hard by; still they dared not pull into the
+eddy to strike, lest that should be the signal for the instant
+destruction of the jeopardized castaways, Ahab and all; nor in that
+case could they themselves hope to escape.  With straining eyes, then,
+they remained on the outer edge of the direful zone, whose centre had
+now become the old man's head.
+
+Meantime, from the beginning all this had been descried from the ship's
+mast heads; and squaring her yards, she had borne down upon the scene;
+and was now so nigh, that Ahab in the water hailed her:--"Sail on
+the"--but that moment a breaking sea dashed on him from Moby Dick, and
+whelmed him for the time.  But struggling out of it again, and chancing
+to rise on a towering crest, he shouted,--"Sail on the whale!--Drive
+him off!"
+
+The _Pequod's_ prows were pointed; and breaking up the charmed circle,
+she effectually parted the whale from his victim.  As he suddenly swam
+off, the boats flew to the rescue.
+
+Dragged into Stubb's boat with blood-shot, blinded eyes, the white
+brine caking in his wrinkles; the long tension of Ahab's bodily
+strength did crack, and helplessly he yielded to his body's doom: for a
+long time, lying all crushed in the bottom of Stubb's boat, like one
+trodden under foot of herds of elephants.  Far inland, nameless wails
+came from him, as desolate sounds from out ravines.
+
+But this intensity of his physical prostration did but so much the more
+abbreviate it.  In an instant's compass, great hearts sometimes
+condense to one deep pang, the sum total of those shallow pains kindly
+diffused through feebler men's whole lives.  And so, such hearts,
+though summary in each one suffering; still, if the gods decree it, in
+their life-time aggregate a whole age of woe, wholly made up of
+instantaneous intensities; for even in their pointless centres, those
+noble natures contain the entire circumferences of inferior souls.
+
+"The harpoon," said Ahab, half way rising, and draggingly leaning on
+one bended arm--"is it safe!"
+
+"Aye, sir, for it was not darted; this is it," said Stubb, showing it.
+
+"Lay it before me;--any missing men!"
+
+"One, two, three, four, five;--there were five oars, sir, and here are
+five men."
+
+"That's good.--Help me, man; I wish to stand.  So, so, I see him!
+there! there! going to leeward still; what a leaping spout!--Hands off
+from me!  The eternal sap runs up in Ahab's bones again!  Set the sail;
+out oars; the helm!"
+
+It is often the case that when a boat is stove, its crew, being picked
+up by another boat, help to work that second boat; and the chase is
+thus continued with what is called double-banked oars.  It was thus
+now.  But the added power of the boat did not equal the added power of
+the whale, for he seemed to have treble-banked his every fin; swimming
+with a velocity which plainly showed, that if now, under these
+circumstances, pushed on, the chase would prove an indefinitely
+prolonged, if not a hopeless one; nor could any crew endure for so long
+a period, such an unintermitted, intense straining at the oar; a thing
+barely tolerable only in some one brief vicissitude.  The ship itself,
+then, as it sometimes happens, offered the most promising intermediate
+means of overtaking the chase.  Accordingly, the boats now made for
+her, and were soon swayed up to their cranes--the two parts of the
+wrecked boat having been previously secured by her--and then hoisting
+everything to her side, and stacking her canvas high up, and sideways
+outstretching it with stun-sails, like the double-jointed wings of an
+albatross; the _Pequod_ bore down in the leeward wake of Moby Dick.  At
+the well known, methodic intervals, the whale's glittering spout was
+regularly announced from the manned mast-heads; and when he would be
+reported as just gone down, Ahab would take the time, and then pacing
+the deck, binnacle-watch in hand, so soon as the last second of the
+allotted hour expired, his voice was heard.--"Whose is the doubloon
+now?  D'ye see him?" and if the reply was, No, sir! straightway he
+commanded them to lift him to his perch.  In this way the day wore on;
+Ahab, now aloft and motionless; anon, unrestingly pacing the planks.
+
+As he was thus walking, uttering no sound, except to hail the men
+aloft, or to bid them hoist a sail still higher, or to spread one to a
+still greater breadth--thus to and fro pacing, beneath his slouched
+hat, at every turn he passed his own wrecked boat, which had been
+dropped upon the quarter-deck, and lay there reversed; broken bow to
+shattered stern.  At last he paused before it; and as in an already
+over-clouded sky fresh troops of clouds will sometimes sail across, so
+over the old man's face there now stole some such added gloom as this.
+
+Stubb saw him pause; and perhaps intending, not vainly, though, to
+evince his own unabated fortitude, and thus keep up a valiant place in
+his Captain's mind, he advanced, and eyeing the wreck exclaimed--"The
+thistle the ass refused; it pricked his mouth too keenly, sir; ha! ha!"
+
+"What soulless thing is this that laughs before a wreck?  Man, man! did
+I not know thee brave as fearless fire (and as mechanical) I could
+swear thou wert a poltroon.  Groan nor laugh should be heard before a
+wreck."
+
+"Aye, sir," said Starbuck drawing near, "'tis a solemn sight; an omen,
+and an ill one."
+
+"Omen? omen?--the dictionary!  If the gods think to speak outright to
+man, they will honorably speak outright; not shake their heads, and
+give an old wives' darkling hint.--Begone!  Ye two are the opposite
+poles of one thing; Starbuck is Stubb reversed, and Stubb is Starbuck;
+and ye two are all mankind; and Ahab stands alone among the millions of
+the peopled earth, nor gods nor men his neighbors!  Cold, cold--I
+shiver!--How now?  Aloft there!  D'ye see him?  Sing out for every
+spout, though he spout ten times a second!"
+
+The day was nearly done; only the hem of his golden robe was rustling.
+Soon, it was almost dark, but the look-out men still remained unset.
+
+"Can't see the spout now, sir;--too dark"--cried a voice from the air.
+
+"How heading when last seen?"
+
+"As before, sir,--straight to leeward."
+
+"Good! he will travel slower now 'tis night.  Down royals and
+top-gallant stun-sails, Mr. Starbuck.  We must not run over him before
+morning; he's making a passage now, and may heave-to a while.  Helm
+there! keep her full before the wind!--Aloft! come down!--Mr. Stubb,
+send a fresh hand to the fore-mast head, and see it manned till
+morning."--Then advancing towards the doubloon in the main-mast--"Men,
+this gold is mine, for I earned it; but I shall let it abide here till
+the White Whale is dead; and then, whosoever of ye first raises him,
+upon the day he shall be killed, this gold is that man's; and if on
+that day I shall again raise him, then, ten times its sum shall be
+divided among all of ye!  Away now!--the deck is thine, sir."
+
+And so saying, he placed himself half way within the scuttle, and
+slouching his hat, stood there till dawn, except when at intervals
+rousing himself to see how the night wore on.
+
+
+SECOND DAY.
+
+At day-break, the three mast-heads were punctually manned afresh.
+
+"D'ye see him?" cried Ahab, after allowing a little space for the light
+to spread.
+
+"See nothing, sir."
+
+"Turn up all hands and make sail! he travels faster than I thought
+for;--the top-gallant sails!--aye, they should have been kept on her
+all night.  But no matter--'tis but resting for the rush."
+
+Here be it said, that this pertinacious pursuit of one particular
+whale, continued through day into night, and through night into day, is
+a thing by no means unprecedented in the South sea fishery.  For such
+is the wonderful skill, prescience of experience, and invincible
+confidence acquired by some great natural geniuses among the Nantucket
+commanders; that from the simple observation of a whale when last
+descried, they will, under certain given circumstances, pretty
+accurately foretell both the direction in which he will continue to
+swim for a time, while out of sight, as well as his probable rate of
+progression during that period.  And, in these cases, somewhat as a
+pilot, when about losing sight of a coast, whose general trending he
+well knows, and which he desires shortly to return to again, but at
+some further point; like as this pilot stands by his compass, and takes
+the precise bearing of the cape at present visible, in order the more
+certainly to hit aright the remote, unseen headland, eventually to be
+visited: so does the fisherman, at his compass, with the whale; for
+after being chased, and diligently marked, through several hours of
+daylight, then, when night obscures the fish, the creature's future
+wake through the darkness is almost as established to the sagacious
+mind of the hunter, as the pilot's coast is to him.  So that to this
+hunter's wondrous skill, the proverbial evanescence of a thing writ in
+water, a wake, is to all desired purposes well-nigh as reliable as the
+steadfast land.  And as the mighty iron Leviathan of the modern railway
+is so familiarly known in its every pace, that, with watches in their
+hands, men time his rate, as doctors that of a baby's pulse; and
+lightly say of it, the up train or the down train will reach such or
+such a spot, at such or such an hour; even so, almost, there are
+occasions when these Nantucketers time that other Leviathan of the
+deep, according to the observed humor of his speed; and say to
+themselves, so many hours hence this whale will have gone two hundred
+miles, will have about reached this or that degree of latitude or
+longitude.  But to render this acuteness at all successful in the end,
+the wind and the sea must be the whaleman's allies; for of what present
+avail to the becalmed or windbound mariner is the skill that assures
+him he is exactly ninety-three leagues and a quarter from his port?
+Inferable from these statements, are many collateral subtile matters
+touching the chase of whales.
+
+The ship tore on; leaving such a furrow in the sea as when a
+cannon-ball, missent, becomes a ploughshare and turns up the level
+field.
+
+"By salt and hemp!" cried Stubb, "but this swift motion of the deck
+creeps up one's legs and tingles at the heart.  This ship and I are two
+brave fellows!--Ha! ha!  Some one take me up, and launch me,
+spine-wise, on the sea,--for by live-oaks! my spine's a keel.  Ha, ha!
+we go the gait that leaves no dust behind!"
+
+"There she blows--she blows!--she blows!--right ahead!" was now the
+mast-head cry.
+
+"Aye, aye!" cried Stubb, "I knew it--ye can't escape--blow on and split
+your spout, O whale! the mad fiend himself is after ye! blow your
+trump--blister your lungs!--Ahab will dam off your blood, as a miller
+shuts his water-gate upon the stream!"
+
+And Stubb did but speak out for well-nigh all that crew.  The frenzies
+of the chase had by this time worked them bubblingly up, like old wine
+worked anew.  Whatever pale fears and forebodings some of them might
+have felt before; these were not only now kept out of sight through the
+growing awe of Ahab, but they were broken up, and on all sides routed,
+as timid prairie hares that scatter before the bounding bison.  The
+hand of Fate had snatched all their souls; and by the stirring perils
+of the previous day; the rack of the past night's suspense; the fixed,
+unfearing, blind, reckless way in which their wild craft went plunging
+towards its flying mark; by all these things, their hearts were bowled
+along.  The wind that made great bellies of their sails, and rushed the
+vessel on by arms invisible as irresistible; this seemed the symbol of
+that unseen agency which so enslaved them to the race.
+
+They were one man, not thirty.  For as the one ship that held them all;
+though it was put together of all contrasting things--oak, and maple,
+and pine wood; iron, and pitch, and hemp--yet all these ran into each
+other in the one concrete hull, which shot on its way, both balanced
+and directed by the long central keel; even so, all the individualities
+of the crew, this man's valor, that man's fear; guilt and guiltiness,
+all varieties were welded into oneness, and were all directed to that
+fatal goal which Ahab their one lord and keel did point to.
+
+The rigging lived.  The mast-heads, like the tops of tall palms, were
+outspreadingly tufted with arms and legs.  Clinging to a spar with one
+hand, some reached forth the other with impatient wavings; others,
+shading their eyes from the vivid sunlight, sat far out on the rocking
+yards; all the spars in full bearing of mortals, ready and ripe for
+their fate.  Ah! how they still strove through that infinite blueness
+to seek out the thing that might destroy them!
+
+"Why sing ye not out for him, if ye see him?" cried Ahab, when, after
+the lapse of some minutes since the first cry, no more had been heard.
+"Sway me up, men; ye have been deceived; not Moby Dick casts one odd
+jet that way, and then disappears."
+
+It was even so; in their headlong eagerness, the men had mistaken some
+other thing for the whale-spout, as the event itself soon proved; for
+hardly had Ahab reached his perch; hardly was the rope belayed to its
+pin on deck, when he struck the keynote to an orchestra, that made the
+air vibrate as with the combined discharge of rifles.  The triumphant
+halloo of thirty buckskin lungs was heard, as--much nearer to the ship
+than the place of the imaginary jet, less than a mile ahead--Moby Dick
+bodily burst into view!  For not by any calm and indolent spoutings!
+not by the peaceable gush of that mystic fountain in his head, did the
+White Whale now reveal his vicinity; but by the far more wondrous
+phenomenon of breaching.  Rising with his utmost velocity from the
+furthest depths, the Sperm Whale thus booms his entire bulk into the
+pure element of air, and piling up a mountain of dazzling foam, shows
+his place to the distance of seven miles and more.  In those moments,
+the torn, enraged waves he shakes off, seem his mane; in some cases,
+this breaching is his act of defiance.
+
+"There she breaches! there she breaches!" was the cry, as in his
+immeasurable bravadoes the White Whale tossed himself salmon-like to
+Heaven.  So suddenly seen in the blue plain of the sea, and relieved
+against the still bluer margin of the sky, the spray that he raised,
+for the moment, intolerably glittered and glared like a glacier; and
+stood there gradually fading and fading away from its first sparkling
+intensity, to the dim mistiness of an advancing shower in a vale.
+
+"Aye, breach your last to the sun, Moby Dick!" cried Ahab, "thy hour
+and thy harpoon are at hand!--Down! down all of ye, but one man at the
+fore.  The boats!--stand by!"
+
+Unmindful of the tedious rope-ladders of the shrouds, the men, like
+shooting stars, slid to the deck, by the isolated backstays and
+halyards; while Ahab, less dartingly, but still rapidly was dropped
+from his perch.
+
+"Lower away," he cried, so soon as he had reached his boat--a spare
+one, rigged the afternoon previous.  "Mr. Starbuck, the ship is
+thine--keep away from the boats, but keep near them.  Lower, all!"
+
+As if to strike a quick terror into them, by this time being the first
+assailant himself, Moby Dick had turned, and was now coming for the
+three crews.  Ahab's boat was central; and cheering his men, he told
+them he would take the whale head-and-head,--that is, pull straight up
+to his forehead,--a not uncommon thing; for when within a certain
+limit, such a course excludes the coming onset from the whale's
+sidelong vision.   But ere that close limit was gained, and while yet
+all three boats were plain as the ship's three masts to his eye; the
+White Whale churning himself into furious speed, almost in an instant
+as it were, rushing among the boats with open jaws, and a lashing tail,
+offered appalling battle on every side; and heedless of the irons
+darted at him from every boat, seemed only intent on annihilating each
+separate plank of which those boats were made.  But skillfully
+manoeuvred, incessantly wheeling like trained charges in the field; the
+boats for a while eluded him; though, at times, but by a plank's
+breadth; while all the time, Ahab's unearthly slogan tore every other
+cry but his to shreds.
+
+But at last in his untraceable evolutions, the White Whale so crossed
+and recrossed, and in a thousand ways entangled the clack of the three
+lines now fast to him, that they foreshortened, and, of themselves,
+warped the devoted boats towards the planted irons in him; though now
+for a moment the whale drew aside a little, as if to rally for a more
+tremendous charge.  Seizing that opportunity, Ahab first paid out more
+line: and then was rapidly hauling and jerking in upon it again--hoping
+that way to disencumber it of some snarls--when lo!--a sight more
+savage than the embattled teeth of sharks!
+
+Caught and twisted--corkscrewed in the mazes of the line, loose
+harpoons and lances, with all their bristling barbs and points, came
+flashing and dripping up to the chocks in the bows of Ahab's boat.
+Only one thing could be done.  Seizing the boat-knife, he critically
+reached within--through--and then, without--the rays of steel; dragged
+in the line beyond, passed it inboard, to the bowsman, and then, twice
+sundering the rope near the chocks--dropped the intercepted fagot of
+steel into the sea; and was all fast again.  That instant, the White
+Whale made a sudden rush among the remaining tangles of the other
+lines; by so doing, irresistibly dragged the more involved boats of
+Stubb and Flack towards his flukes; dashed them together like two
+rolling husks on a surf-beaten beach, and then, diving down into the
+sea, disappeared in a boiling maelstrom, in which, for a space, the
+odorous cedar chips of the wrecks danced round and round, like grated
+nutmeg in a swiftly stirred bowl of punch.
+
+While the two crews were yet circling in the waters, reaching out after
+the revolving line-tubs, oars, and other floating furniture, while
+aslope little Flask bobbed up and down like an empty vial, twitching
+his legs upwards to escape the dreaded jaws of sharks; and Stubb was
+lustily singing out for some one to ladle him up; and while the old
+man's line--now parting--admitted of his pulling into the creamy pool
+to rescue whom he could;--in that wild simultaneousness of a thousand
+concreted perils,--Ahab's yet unstricken boat seemed drawn up towards
+Heaven by invisible wires,--as, arrow-like, shooting perpendicularly
+from the sea, the White Whale dashed his broad forehead against its
+bottom, and sent it, turning over and over, into the air; till it fell
+again--gunwale downwards--and Ahab and his men struggled out from under
+it, like seals from a sea-side cave.
+
+The first uprising momentum of the whale--modifying its direction as he
+struck the surface--involuntarily launched him along it, to a little
+distance from the centre of the destruction he had made; and with his
+back to it, he now lay for a moment slowly feeling with his flukes from
+side to side; and whenever a stray oar, bit of plank, the least chip or
+crumb of the boats touched his skin, his tall swiftly drew back, and
+came sideways smiting the sea.  But soon, as if satisfied that his work
+for that time was done, he pushed his pleated forehead through the
+ocean, and trailing after him the intertangled lines, continued his
+leeward way at a traveller's methodic pace.
+
+As before, the attentive ship having descried the whole fight, again
+came bearing down to the rescue, and dropping a boat, picked up the
+floating mariners, tubs, oars, and whatever else could be caught at,
+and safely landed them on her decks.  Some sprained shoulders, wrists,
+and ankles; livid contusions; wrenched harpoons and lances;
+inextricable intricacies of rope; shattered oars and planks; all these
+were there; but no fatal or even serious ill seemed to have befallen
+any one.  As with Fedallah the day before, so Ahab was now found grimly
+clinging to his boat's broken half, which afforded a comparatively easy
+float; nor did it so exhaust him as the previous day's mishap.
+
+But when he was helped to the deck, all eyes were fastened upon him; as
+instead of standing by himself he still half-hung upon the shoulder of
+Starbuck, who had thus far been the foremost to assist him.  His ivory
+leg had been snapped off, leaving but one short sharp splinter.
+
+"Aye aye, Starbuck, 'tis sweet to lean sometimes, be the leaner who he
+will; and would old Ahab had leaned oftener than he has."
+
+"The ferrule has not stood, sir," said the carpenter, now coming up; "I
+put good work into that leg."
+
+"But no bones broken, sir, I hope," said Stubb with true concern.
+
+"Aye! and all splintered to pieces, Stubb!--d'ye see it.--But even with
+a broken bone, old Ahab is untouched; and I account no living bone of
+mine one jot more me, than this dead one that's lost.  Nor white whale,
+nor man, nor fiend, can so much as graze old Ahab in his own proper and
+inaccessible being.  Can any lead touch yonder floor, any mast scrape
+yonder roof?--Aloft there! which way?"
+
+"Dead to leeward, sir."
+
+"Up helm, then; pile on the sail again, ship keepers!  down the rest of
+the spare boats and rig them--Mr. Starbuck away, and muster the boat's
+crews."
+
+"Let me first help thee towards the bulwarks, sir."
+
+"Oh, oh, oh! how this splinter gores me now!  Accursed fate! that the
+unconquerable captain in the soul should have such a craven mate!"
+
+"Sir?"
+
+"My body, man, not thee.  Give me something for a cane--there, that
+shivered lance will do.  Muster the men.  Surely I have not seen him
+yet.  By heaven it cannot be!--missing?--quick! call them all."
+
+The old man's hinted thought was true.  Upon mustering the company, the
+Parsee was not there.
+
+"The Parsee!" cried Stubb--"he must have been caught in----"
+
+"The black vomit wrench thee!--run all of ye above, alow, cabin,
+forecastle--find him--not gone--not gone!"
+
+But quickly they returned to him with the tidings that the Parsee was
+nowhere to be found.
+
+"Aye, sir," said Stubb--"caught among the tangles of your line--I
+thought I saw him dragging under."
+
+"My line! my line?  Gone?--gone?   What means that little word?--What
+death-knell rings in it, that old Ahab shakes as if he were the belfry.
+The harpoon, too!--toss over the litter there,--d'ye see it?--the
+forged iron, men, the white whale's--no, no, no,--blistered fool! this
+hand did dart it!--'tis in the fish!--Aloft there!  Keep him
+nailed--Quick!--all hands to the rigging of the boats--collect the
+oars--harpooners! the irons, the irons! hoist the royals higher--a pull
+on all the sheets!  helm there! steady, steady for your life!  I'll
+ten-times girdle the unmeasured globe; yea and dive straight through
+it, but I'll slay him yet!"
+
+"Great God! but for one single instant show thyself," cried Starbuck;
+"never, never will thou capture him, old man--In Jesus' name no more of
+this, that's worse than devil's madness.  Two days chased; twice stove
+to splinters; thy very leg once more snatched from under thee; thy evil
+shadow gone--all good angles mobbing thee with warnings:--what more
+wouldst thou have?--Shall we keep chasing this murdeous fish till he
+swamps the last man?  Shall we be dragged by him to the bottom of the
+sea?  Shall we be towed by him to the infernal world?  Oh, oh,--Impiety
+and blasphemy to hunt him more!"
+
+"Starbuck, of late I've felt strangely moved to thee; ever since that
+hour we both saw--thou know'st what, in one another's eyes.  But in
+this matter of the whale, be the front of thy face to me as the palm of
+this hand--a lipless, unfeatured blank.  Ahab is for ever Ahab, man.
+This whole act's immutably decreed.  'Twas rehearsed by thee and me a
+billion years before this ocean rolled.  Fool!  I am the Fates'
+lieutenant; I act under orders.  Look thou, underling! that thou
+obeyest mine.--Stand round me, men.  Ye see an old man cut down to the
+stump; leaning on a shivered lance; propped up on a lonely foot.  'Tis
+Ahab--his body's part; but Ahab's soul's a centipede, that moves upon a
+hundred legs.  I feel strained, half-stranded, as ropes that tow
+dismasted frigates in a gale; and I may look so.  But ere I break,
+ye'll hear me crack; and till ye hear that, know that Ahab's hawser
+tows his purpose yet.  Believe ye, men, in the things called omens?
+Then laugh aloud, and cry encore!  For ere they drown, drowning things
+will twice rise to the surface; then rise again, to sink for evermore.
+So with Moby Dick--two days he's floated--to-morrow will be the third.
+Aye, men, he'll rise once more,--but only to spout his last!  D'ye feel
+brave men, brave?"
+
+"As fearless fire," cried Stubb.
+
+"And as mechanical," muttered Ahab.  Then as the men went forward, he
+muttered on:--"The things called omens!  And yesterday I talked the
+same to Starbuck there, concerning my broken boat.  Oh! how valiantly I
+seek to drive out of others' hearts what's clinched so fast in
+mine!--The Parsee--the Parsee!--gone, gone? and he was to go
+before:--but still was to be seen again ere I could perish--How's
+that?--There's a riddle now might baffle all the lawyers backed by the
+ghosts of the whole line of judges:--like a hawk's beak it pecks my
+brain.  _I'll, I'll_ solve it, though!"
+
+When dusk descended, the whale was still in sight to leeward.
+
+So once more the sail was shortened, and everything passed nearly as on
+the previous night; only, the sound of hammers, and the hum of the
+grindstone was heard till nearly daylight, as the men toiled by
+lanterns in the complete and careful rigging of the spare boats and
+sharpening their fresh weapons for the morrow.  Meantime, of the broken
+keel of Ahab's wrecked craft the carpenter made him another leg; while
+still as on the night before, slouched Ahab stood fixed within his
+scuttle; his hid, heliotrope glance anticipatingly gone backward on its
+dial; sat due eastward for the earliest sun.
+
+
+THIRD DAY.
+
+The morning of the third day dawned fair and fresh, and once more the
+solitary night-man at the fore-masthead was relieved by crowds of the
+daylight lookouts, who dotted every mast and almost every spar.
+
+"D'ye see him?" cried Ahab; but the whale was not yet in sight.
+
+"In his infallible wake, though; but follow that wake, that's all.
+Helm there; steady, as thou goest, and hast been going.  What a lovely
+day again! were it a new-made world, and made for a summer-house to the
+angels, and this morning the first of its throwing open to them, a
+fairer day could not dawn upon that world.  Here's food for thought,
+had Ahab time to think; but Ahab never thinks; he only feels, feels,
+feels; _that's_ tingling enough for mortal man! to think's audacity.
+God only has that right and privilege.  Thinking is, or ought to be, a
+coolness and a calmness; and our poor hearts throb, and our poor brains
+beat too much for that.  And yet, I've sometimes thought my brain was
+very calm--frozen calm, this old skull cracks so, like a glass in which
+the contents turned to ice, and shiver it.  And still this hair is
+growing now; this moment growing, and the heat must breed it; but no,
+it's like that sort of common grass that will grow anywhere, between
+the earthly clefts of Greenland ice or in Vesuvius lava.  How the wild
+winds blow; they whip about me as the torn shreds of split sails lash
+the tossed ship they cling to.  A vile wind that has no doubt blown ere
+this through prison corridors and cells, and wards of hospitals, and
+ventilated them, and now comes blowing hither as innocent as fleeces.
+Out upon it!--it's tainted.  Were I the wind, I'd blow no more on such
+a wicked, miserable world.  I'd crawl somewhere to a cave, and slink
+there.  And yet, 'tis a noble and heroic thing, the wind! who ever
+conquered it?  In every fight it has the last and bitterest blow.  Run
+tilting at it, and you but run through it.  Ha! a coward wind that
+strikes stark naked men, but will not stand to receive a single blow.
+Even Ahab is a braver thing--a nobler thing than _that_.  Would now the
+wind but had a body; but all the things that most exasperate and
+outrage mortal man, all these things are bodiless, but only bodiless as
+objects, not as agents.  There's a most special, a most cunning, oh, a
+most malicious difference!  And yet, I say again, and swear it now,
+that there's something all glorious and gracious in the wind.  These
+warm Trade Winds, at least, that in the clear heavens blow straight on,
+in strong and steadfast, vigorous mildness; and veer not from their
+mark, however the baser currents of the sea may turn and tack, and
+mightiest Mississipies of the land swift and swerve about, uncertain
+where to go at last.  And by the eternal Poles! these same Trades that
+so directly blow my good ship on; these Trades, or something like
+them--something so unchangeable, and full as strong, blow my keeled
+soul along!  To it!  Aloft there!  What d'ye see?"
+
+"Nothing, sir."
+
+"Nothing! and noon at hand!  The doubloon goes a-begging!  See the sun!
+Aye, aye, it must be so.  I've oversailed him.  How, got the start?
+Aye, he's chasing _me_ now; not I, _him_--that's bad; I might have
+known it, too.  Fool! the lines--the harpoons he's towing.  Aye, aye, I
+have run him by last night.  About! about!  Come down, all of ye, but
+the regular lookouts!  Man the braces!"
+
+Steering as she had done, the wind had been somewhat on the _Pequod's_
+quarter, so that now being pointed in the reverse direction, the braced
+ship sailed hard upon the breeze as she rechurned the cream in her own
+white wake.
+
+"Against the wind he now steers for the open jaw," murmured Starbuck to
+himself, as he coiled the new-hauled mainbrace upon the rail.  "God
+keep us, but already my bones feel damp within me, and from the inside
+wet my flesh.  I misdoubt me that I disobey my God in obeying him!"
+
+"Stand by to sway me up!" cried Ahab, advancing to the hempen basket.
+"We should meet him soon."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," and straightway Starbuck did Ahab's bidding, and once
+more Ahab swung on high.
+
+A whole hour now passed; gold-beaten out to ages.  Time itself now held
+long breaths with keen suspense.  But at last, some three points off
+the weather bow, Ahab descried the spout again, and instantly from the
+three mast-heads three shrieks went up as if the tongues of fire had
+voiced it.
+
+"Forehead to forehead I meet thee, this third time, Moby Dick!  On deck
+there!--brace sharper up; crowd her into the wind's eye.  He's too far
+off to lower yet, Mr. Starbuck.  The sails shake!  Stand over that
+helmsman with a top-maul!  So, so; he travels fast, and I must down.
+But let me have one more good round look aloft here at the sea; there's
+time for that.  An old, old sight, and yet somehow so young; aye, and
+not changed a wink since I first saw it, a boy, from the sand-hills of
+Nantucket!  The same!--the same!--the same to Noah as to me.  There's a
+soft shower to leeward.  Such lovely leewardings!  They must lead
+somewhere--to something else than common land, more palmy than the
+palms.  Leeward! the white whale goes that way; look to windward, then;
+the better if the bitterer quarter.  But good bye, good bye, old
+mast-head!  What's this?--green? aye, tiny mosses in these warped
+cracks.  No such green weather stains on Ahab's head!  There's the
+difference now between man's old age and matter's.  But aye, old mast,
+we both grow old together; sound in our hulls, though, are we not my
+ship?  Aye, minus a leg, that's all.  By heaven this dead wood has the
+better of my live flesh every way.  I can't compare with it; and I've
+known some ships made of dead trees outlast the lives of men made of
+the most vital stuff of vital fathers.  What's that he said? he should
+still go before me, my pilot; and yet to be seen again?  But where?
+Will I have eyes at the bottom of the sea, supposing I descend those
+endless stairs? and all night I've been sailing from him, wherever he
+did sink to.  Aye, aye, like many more thou told'st direful truth as
+touching thyself, O Parsee; but, Ahab, there thy shot fell short.  Good
+by, mast-head--keep a good eye upon the whale, the while I'm gone.
+We'll talk to-morrow, nay, to-night, when the white whale lies down
+there, tied by head and tail."
+
+He gave the word! and still gazing round him, was steadily lowered
+through the cloven blue air to the deck.
+
+In due time the boats were lowered; but as standing in his shallop's
+stern, Ahab just hovered upon the point of the descent, he waved to the
+mate,--who held one of the tackle-ropes on deck--and bade him pause.
+
+"Starbuck!"
+
+"Sir?"
+
+"For the third time my soul's ship starts upon this voyage, Starbuck."
+
+"Aye, sir, thou wilt have it so."
+
+"Some ships sail from their ports, and ever afterwards are missing,
+Starbuck!"
+
+"Truth, sir: saddest truth."
+
+"Some men die at ebb tide; some at low water; some at the full of the
+flood;--and I feel now like a billow that's all one crested comb,
+Starbuck.  I am old;--shake hands with me, man."
+
+Their hands met; their eyes fastened; Starbuck's tears the glue.
+
+"Oh, my captain, my captain!--noble heart--go not--go not!--see, it's a
+brave man that weeps; how great the agony of the persuasion then!"
+
+"Lower away!"--cried Ahab, tossing the mate's arm from him.  "Stand by
+the crew!"
+
+In an instant the boat was pulling round close under the stern.
+
+"The sharks! the sharks!" cried a voice from the low cabin-window
+there; "O master, my master, come back!"
+
+But Ahab heard nothing; for his own voice was high-lifted then; and the
+boat leaped on.
+
+Yet the voice spake true; for scarce had he pushed from the ship, when
+numbers of sharks, seemingly rising from out the dark waters beneath
+the hull, maliciously snapped at the blades of the oars, every time
+they dipped in the water; and in this way accompanied the boat with
+their bites.  It is a thing not uncommonly happening to the whale-boats
+in those swarming seas; the sharks at times apparently following them
+in the same prescient way that vultures hover over the banners of
+marching regiments in the east.  But these were the first sharks that
+had been observed by the _Pequod_ since the White Whale had been first
+descried; and whether it was that Ahab's crew were all such
+tiger-yellow barbarians, and therefore their flesh more musky to the
+senses of the sharks--a matter sometimes well known to affect them,
+however it was, they seemed to follow that one boat without molesting
+the others.
+
+"Heart of wrought steel!" murmured Starbuck, gazing over the side and
+following with his eyes the receding boat--"canst thou yet ring boldly
+to that sight?--lowering thy keel among ravening sharks, and followed
+by them, open-mouthed to the chase; and this the critical third
+day?--For when three days flow together in one continuous intense
+pursuit; be sure the first is the morning, the second the noon, and the
+third the evening and the end of that thing--be that end what it may.
+Oh! my God! what is this that shoots through me, and leaves me so
+deadly calm, yet expectant,--fixed at the top of a shudder!  Future
+things swim before me, as in empty outlines and skeletons; all the past
+is somehow grown dim.  Mary, girl! thou fadest in pale glories behind
+me; boy!  I seem to see but thy eyes grown wondrous blue.  Strangest
+problems of life seem clearing; but clouds sweep between--Is my
+journey's end coming?  My legs feel faint; like his who has footed it
+all day.  Feel thy heart,--beats it yet?--Stir thyself,
+Starbuck!--stave it off--move, move! speak aloud!--Mast-head there.
+See ye my boy's hand on the hill?--Crazed;--aloft there!--keep thy
+keenest eye upon the boats:--mark well the whale!--Ho! again!--drive
+off that hawk! see! he pecks--he tears the vane"--pointing to the red
+flag flying at the main-truck--"Ha! he soars away with it!--Where's the
+old man now? sees't thou that sight, oh Ahab!--shudder, shudder!"
+
+The boats had not gone very far, when by a signal from the
+mast-heads--a downward pointed arm, Ahab knew that the whale had
+sounded; but intending to be near him at the next rising, he held on
+his way a little sideways from the vessel; the becharmed crew
+maintaining the profoundest silence, as the head-beat waves hammered
+and hammered against the opposing bow.
+
+"Drive, drive in your nails, oh ye waves! to their utter-most heads
+drive them in! ye but strike a thing without a lid; and no coffin and
+no hearse can be mine:--and hemp only can kill me!  Ha! ha!"
+
+Suddenly the waters around them slowly swelled in broad circles; then
+quickly upheaved, as if sideways sliding from a submerged berg of ice,
+swiftly rising to the surface.  A low rumbling sound was heard; a
+subterraneous hum; and then all held their breaths; as bedraggled with
+trailing ropes, and harpoons, and lances, a vast form shot lengthwise,
+but obliquely from the sea.  Shrouded in a thin drooping veil of mist,
+it hovered for a moment in the rainbowed air; and then fell swamping
+back into the deep.  Crushed thirty feet upwards, the waters flashed
+for an instant like heaps of fountains, then brokenly sank in a shower
+of flakes, leaving the circling surface creamed like new milk round the
+marble trunk of the whale.
+
+"Give way!" cried Ahab to the oarsmen, and the boats darted forward to
+the attack; but maddened by yesterday's fresh irons that corroded in
+him, Moby Dick seemed combinedly possessed by all the angels that fell
+from heaven.  The wide tiers of welded tendons overspreading his broad
+white forehead, beneath the transparent skin, looked knitted together;
+as head on, he came churning his tail among the boats; and once more
+flailed them apart; spilling out the irons and lances from the two
+mates' boats, and dashing in one side of the upper part of their bows,
+but leaving Ahab's almost without a scar.
+
+While Daggoo and Queequeg were stopping the strained planks; and as the
+whale swimming out from them, turned, and showed one entire flank as he
+shot by them again; at that moment a quick cry went up.  Lashed round
+and round to the fish's back; pinioned in the turns upon turns in
+which, during the past night, the whale had reeled the involutions of
+the lines around him, the half torn body of the Parsee was seen; his
+sable raiment frayed to shreds; his distended eyes turned full upon old
+Ahab.
+
+The harpoon dropped from his hand.
+
+"Befooled, befooled!"--drawing in a long lean breath--"Aye, Parsee!  I
+see thee again.--Aye, and thou goest before; and this, this then is the
+hearse that thou didst promise.  But I hold thee to the last letter of
+thy word.  Where is the second hearse?  Away, mates, to the ship! those
+boats are useless now; repair them if ye can in time, and return to me;
+if not, Ahab is enough to die--Down, men! the first thing that but
+offers to jump from this boat I stand in, that thing I harpoon.  Ye are
+not other men, but my arms and my legs; and so obey me.--Where's the
+whale? gone down again?"
+
+But he looked too nigh the boat; for as if bent upon escaping with the
+corpse he bore, and as if the particular place of the last encounter
+had been but a stage in his leeward voyage, Moby Dick was now again
+steadily swimming forward; and had almost passed the ship,--which thus
+far had been sailing in the contrary direction to him, though for the
+present her headway had been stopped.  He seemed swimming with his
+utmost velocity, and now only intent upon pursuing his own straight
+path in the sea.
+
+"Oh!  Ahab," cried Starbuck, "not too late is it, even now, the third
+day, to desist.  See!  Moby Dick seeks thee not.  It is thou, thou,
+that madly seekest him!"
+
+Setting sail to the rising wind, the lonely boat was swiftly impelled
+to leeward, by both oars and canvas.  And at last when Ahab was sliding
+by the vessel, so near as plainly to distinguish Starbuck's face as he
+leaned over the rail, he hailed him to turn the vessel about, and
+follow him, not too swiftly, at a judicious interval.  Glancing
+upwards, he saw Tashtego, Queequeg, and Daggoo, eagerly mounting to the
+three mast-heads; while the oarsmen were rocking in the two staved
+boats which had but just been hoisted to the side, and were busily at
+work in repairing them.  One after the other, through the portholes, as
+he sped, he also caught flying glimpses of Stubb and Flack, busying
+themselves on deck among bundles of new irons and lances.  As he saw
+all this; as he heard the hammers in the broken boats! far other
+hammers seemed driving a nail into his heart.  But he rallied.  And now
+marking that the vane or flag was gone from the mainmast-head, he
+shouted to Tashtego, who had just gained that perch, to descend again
+for another flag, and a hammer and nails, and so nail it to the mast.
+
+Whether fagged by the three days' running chase, and the resistance to
+his swimming in the knotted hamper he bore; or whether it was some
+latent deceitfulness and malice in him: whichever was true, the White
+Whale's way now began to abate, as it seemed, from the boat so rapidly
+nearing him once more; though indeed the whale's last start had not
+been so long a one as before.  And still as Ahab glided over the waves
+the unpitying sharks accompanied him; and so pertinaciously stuck to
+the boat; and so continually bit at the plying oars, that the blades
+became jagged and crunched, and left small splinters in the sea, at
+almost every dip.
+
+"Heed them not! those teeth but give new rowlocks to your oars.  Pull
+on! 'tis the better rest, the shark's jaw than the yielding water."
+
+"But at every bite, sir, the thin blades grow smaller and smaller!"
+
+"They will last long enough! pull on!--But who can tell"--he
+muttered--"whether these sharks swim to feast on the whale or on
+Ahab?--But pull on!  Aye, all alive, now--we near him.  The helm! take
+the helm; let me pass,"--and so saying, two of the oarsmen helped him
+forward to the bows of the still flying boat.
+
+At length as the craft was cast to one side, and ran ranging along with
+the White Whale's flank, he seemed strangely oblivious of its
+advance--as the whale sometimes will--and Ahab was fairly within the
+smoky mountain mist, which, thrown off from the whale's spout, curled
+round his great, Monadnock rump; he was even thus close to him; when,
+with body arched back, and both arms lengthwise high-lifted to the
+poise, he darted his fierce iron, and his far fiercer curse into the
+hated whale.  As both steel and curse sank to the socket, as if sucked
+into a morass, Moby Dick sideways writhed; spasmodically rolled his
+nigh flank against the bow, and, without staving a hole in it, so
+suddenly canted the boat over, that had it not been for the elevated
+part of the gunwale to which he then clung, Ahab would once more have
+been tossed into the sea.  As it was, three of the oarsmen--who
+foreknew not the precise instant of the dart, and were therefore
+unprepared for its effects--these were flung out; but so fell, that, in
+an instant two of them clutched the gunwale again, and rising to its
+level on a combining wave, hurled themselves bodily inboard again; the
+third man helplessly dropping astern, but still afloat and swimming.
+
+Almost simultaneously, with a mighty volition of ungraduated,
+instantaneous swiftness, the White Whale darted through the weltering
+sea.  But when Ahab cried out to the steersman to take new turns with
+the line, and hold it so; and commanded the crew to turn round on their
+seats, and tow the boat up to the mark; the moment the treacherous line
+felt that double strain and tug, it snapped in the empty air!
+
+"What breaks in me?  Some sinew cracks!--'tis whole again; oars! oars!
+Burst in upon him!"
+
+Hearing the tremendous rush of the sea-crashing boat, the whale wheeled
+round to present his blank forehead at bay; but in that evolution,
+catching sight of the nearing black hull of the ship; seemingly seeing
+in it the source of all his persecutions; bethinking it--it may be--a
+larger and nobler foe; of a sudden, he bore down upon its advancing
+prow, smiting his jaws amid fiery showers of foam.
+
+Ahab staggered; his hand smote his forehead.  "I grow blind; hands!
+stretch out before me that I may yet grope my way.  Is't night?"
+
+"The whale!  The ship!" cried the cringing oarsmen.
+
+"Oars! oars!  Slope downwards to thy depths, O sea, that ere it be
+forever too late, Ahab may slide this last, last time upon his mark!  I
+see: the ship! the ship!  Dash on, my men!  Will ye not save my ship?"
+
+But as the oarsmen violently forced their boat through the
+sledge-hammering seas, the before whale-smitten bow-ends of two planks
+burst through, and in an instant almost, the temporarily disabled boat
+lay nearly level with the waves; its halfwading, splashing crew, trying
+hard to stop the gap and bale out the pouring water.
+
+Meantime, for that one beholding instant, Tashtego's mast-head hammer
+remained suspended in his hand; and the red flag, half-wrapping him as
+with a plaid, then streamed itself straight out from him, as his own
+forward-flowing heart; while Starbuck and Stubb, standing upon the
+bowsprit beneath, caught sight of the down-coming monster just as soon
+as he.
+
+"The whale, the whale!  Up helm, up helm!  Oh, all ye sweet powers of
+air, now hug me close!  Let not Starbuck die, if die he must, in a
+woman's fainting fit.  Up helm, I say--ye fools, the jaw! the jaw!  Is
+this the end of all my bursting prayers? all my life-long fidelities?
+Oh, Ahab, Ahab, lo, thy work.  Steady! helmsman, steady.  Nay, nay! Up
+helm again!  He turns to meet us!  Oh, his unappeasable brow drives on
+towards one, whose duty tells him he cannot depart.  My God, stand by
+me now!"
+
+"Stand not by me, but stand under me, whoever you are that will now
+help Stubb; for Stubb, too, sticks here.  I grin at thee, thou grinning
+whale!  Who ever helped Stubb, or kept Stubb awake, but Stubb's own
+unwinking eye?  And now poor Stubb goes to bed upon a mattress that is
+all too soft; would it were stuffed with brushwood!  I grin at thee,
+thou grinning whale!  Look ye, sun, moon, and stars!  I call ye
+assassins of as good a fellow as ever spouted up his ghost.  For all
+that, I would yet ring glasses with ye, would ye but hand the cup!  Oh,
+oh! oh, oh! thou grinning whale, but there'll be plenty of gulping
+soon!  Why fly ye not, O Ahab!  For me, off shoes and jacket to it; let
+Stubb die in his drawers!  A most mouldy and over-salted death,
+though;--cherries! cherries! cherries!  Oh, Flask, for one red cherry
+ere we die!"
+
+"Cherries?  I only wish that we were where they grow.  Oh, Stubb, I
+hope my poor mother's drawn my part-pay ere this; if not, few coppers
+will now come to her, for the voyage is up."
+
+From the ship's bows, nearly all the seamen now hung inactive; hammers,
+bits of plank, lances, and harpoons, mechanically retained in their
+hands, just as they had darted from their various employments; all
+their enchanted eyes intent upon the whale, which from side to side
+strangely vibrating his predestinating head, sent a broad band of
+overspreading semicircular foam before him as he rushed.  Retribution,
+swift vengeance, eternal malice were in his whole aspect, and spite of
+all that mortal man could do, the solid white buttress of his forehead
+smote the ship's starboard bow, till men and timbers reeled.  Some fell
+flat upon their faces.  Like dislodged trucks, the heads of the
+harpooners aloft shook on their bull-like necks.  Through the breach,
+they heard the waters pour, as mountain torrents down a flume.
+
+"The ship!  The hearse!--the second hearse!" cried Ahab from the boat;
+"its wood could only be American!"
+
+Diving beneath the settling ship, the whale ran quivering along its
+keel; but turning under water, swiftly shot to the surface again, far
+off the other bow, but within a few yards of Ahab's boat, where, for a
+time, he lay quiescent.
+
+"I turn my body from the sun.  What ho, Tashtego! let me hear thy
+hammer.  Oh! ye three unsurrendered spires of mine; thou uncracked
+keel; and only god-bullied hull; thou firm deck, and haughty helm, and
+Pole-pointed prow,--death-glorious ship! must ye then perish, and
+without me?  Am I cut off from the last fond pride of meanest
+shipwrecked captains?  Oh, lonely death on lonely life!  Oh, now I feel
+my topmost greatness lies in my topmost grief.  Ho, ho! from all your
+furthest bounds, pour ye now in, ye bold billows of my whole fore-gone
+life, and top this one piled comber of my death!  Towards thee I roll,
+thou all-destroying but unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with
+thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last
+breath at thee.  Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool!
+and since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still
+chasing thee, though tied to thee, thou damned whale!  _Thus_, I give
+up the spear!"
+
+The harpoon was darted; the stricken whale flew forward; with igniting
+velocity the line ran through the groove;--ran foul.  Ahab stooped to
+clear it; he did clear it! but the flying turn caught him round the
+neck, and voicelessly as Turkish mutes bowstring their victim, he was
+shot out of the boat, ere the crew knew he was gone.  Next instant, the
+heavy eye-splice in the rope's final end flew out of the stark-empty
+tub, knocked down an oarsmen, and smiting the sea, disappeared in its
+depths.
+
+For an instant, the tranced boat's crew stood still; then turned.  "The
+ship!  Great God, where is the ship?"  Soon they through dim,
+bewildering mediums saw her sidelong fading phantom, as in the gaseous
+_Fata Morgana_; only the uppermost masts out of water; while fixed by
+infatuation, or fidelity, or fate, to their once lofty perches, the
+pagan harpooners still maintained their sinking lookouts on the sea.
+And now, concentric circles seized the lone boat itself, and all its
+crew, and each floating oar, and every lance-pole, and spinning,
+animate and inanimate, all round and round in one vortex, carried the
+smallest chip of the _Pequod_ out of sight.
+
+But as the last whelmings intermixingly poured themselves over the
+sunken head of the Indian at the mainmast, leaving a few inches of the
+erect spar yet visible, together with long streaming yards of the flag,
+which calmly undulated, with ironical coincidings, over the destroying
+billows they almost touched;--at that instant, a red arm and a hammer
+hovered backwardly uplifted in the open air, in the act of nailing the
+flag faster and yet faster to the subsiding spar.  A sky-hawk that
+tauntingly had followed the main-truck downwards from its natural home
+among the stars, pecking at the flag, and incommoding Tashtego there;
+this bird now chanced to intercept its broad fluttering wing between
+the hammer and the wood; and simultaneously feeling that ethereal
+thrill, the submerged savage beneath, in his death-gasp, kept his
+hammer frozen there; and so the bird of heaven, with arch-angelic
+shrieks, and his imperial beak thrust upwards, and his whole captive
+form folded in the flag of Ahab, went down with his ship, which, like
+Satan, would not sink to hell till she had dragged a living part of
+heaven along with her, and helmeted herself with it.
+
+Now small fowls flew screaming over the yet yawning gulf; a sullen
+white surf beat against its steep sides; then all collapsed, and the
+great shroud of the sea rolled on as it rolled five thousand years ago.
+
+
+
+[1] This motion is peculiar to the sperm whale.  It receives its
+designation (pitchpoling) from its being likened to that preliminary
+up-and-down poise of the whale-lance, in the exercise called
+pitchpoling previously described.  By this motion the whale must best
+and most comprehensively view whatever objects may be encircling him.
+
+
+
+
+THE CORVETTE _CLAYMORE_
+
+From "Ninety-three," BY VICTOR HUGO
+
+
+The corvette, instead of sailing south, in the direction of St.
+Catherine, headed to the north, then, veering towards the west, had
+boldly entered that arm of the sea between Sark and Jersey called the
+Passage of the Deroute.  There was then no lighthouse at any point on
+either coast.  It had been a clear sunset; the night was darker than
+summer nights usually are; it was moonlight, but large clouds, rather
+of the equinox than of the solstice overspread the sky, and, judging by
+appearances, the moon would not be visible until she reached the
+horizon at the moment of setting.  A few clouds hung low near the
+surface of the sea and covered it with vapor.
+
+All this darkness was favorable.  Gacquoil, the pilot, intended to
+leave Jersey on the left, Guernsey on the right, and by boldly sailing
+between Hanois and Dover, to reach some bay on the coast near St. Malo,
+a longer but safer route than the one through Minqulers; for the French
+coaster had standing orders to keep an unusually sharp lookout between
+St. Hélier and Granville.
+
+If the wind were favorable, and nothing happened, by dint of setting
+all sail Gacquoil hoped to reach the coast of France at daybreak.
+
+All went well.  The corvette had just passed Gros Nez.  Towards nine
+o'clock the weather looked sullen, as the sailors express it, both wind
+and sea rising; but the wind was favorable, and the sea was rough, yet
+not heavy, the waves now and then dashing over the bow of the corvette.
+"The peasant" whom Lord Balcarras had called general, and whom the
+Prince de La Tour d'Auvergne had addressed as cousin, was a good
+sailor, and paced the deck of the corvette with calm dignity.  He did
+not seem to notice that she rocked considerably.  From time to time he
+took out of his waistcoat pocket a cake of chocolate, and breaking off
+a piece, munched it.  Though his hair was gray, his teeth were sound.
+
+He spoke to no one, except that from time to time he made a few concise
+remarks in an undertone to the captain, who listened to him
+deferentially, apparently regarding his passenger as the commander,
+rather than himself.  Unobserved in the fog, and skilfully piloted, the
+_Claymore_ coasted along the steep shore to the north of Jersey,
+hugging the land to avoid the formidable reef of Pierres-de-Leeq, which
+lies in the middle of the strait between Jersey and Sark.  Gacquoil, at
+the helm, sighting in turn Grève de Leeq, Gros Nez, and Plérmont,
+making the corvette glide in among those chains of reefs, felt his way
+along to a certain extent but with the self-confidence of one familiar
+with the ways of the sea.
+
+The corvette had no light forward, fearing to betray its passage
+through these guarded waters.  They congratulated themselves on the
+fog.  The Grande Etape was reached; the mist was so dense that the
+lofty outlines of the Pinnacle were scarcely visible.  They heard it
+strike ten from the belfry of Saint-Ouen,--a sign that the wind was
+still aft.  All was going well; the sea grew rougher, because they were
+drawing near La Corbière.
+
+A little after ten, the Count Boisberthelot and the Chevalier de la
+Vieuville escorted the man in the peasant garb to the door of his
+cabin, which was the captain's own room.  As he was about to enter, he
+remarked, lowering his voice:--
+
+"You understand the importance of keeping the secret, gentlemen.
+Silence up to the moment of explosion.  You are the only ones here who
+know my name."
+
+"We will carry it to the grave," replied Boisberthelot.
+
+"And for my part, I would not reveal it were I face to face with
+death," remarked the old man.
+
+And he entered his stateroom.
+
+The commander and the first officer returned on deck, and began to pace
+up and down side by side, talking as they walked.  The theme was
+evidently their passenger; and this was the substance of the
+conversation which the wind wafted through the darkness.  Boisberthelot
+grumbled half audibly to La Vieuville,--
+
+"It remains to be seen whether or no he is a leader."
+
+La Vieuville replied,--
+
+"Meanwhile he is a prince."
+
+"Almost."
+
+"A nobleman in France, but a prince in Brittany."
+
+"Like the Trémouilles and the Rohans."
+
+"With whom he is connected."
+
+Boisberthelot resumed,--
+
+"In France and in the carriages of the king he is a marquis,--as I am a
+count, and you a chevalier."
+
+"The carriages are far away!" exclaimed Vieuville.  "We are living in
+the time of the tumbril."
+
+A silence ensued.
+
+Boisberthelot went on,--
+
+"For lack of a French prince we take one from Brittany."
+
+"For lack of thrushes--No: since an eagle is not to be found, we take a
+crow."
+
+"I should prefer a vulture," remarked Boisberthelot.
+
+La Vieuville replied,--
+
+"Yes, indeed, with a beak and talons."
+
+"We shall see."
+
+"Yes," replied Vieuville, "it is time there was a leader.  I agree with
+Tinténiac,--a leader and gunpowder!  See here, commander, I know nearly
+all the possible and impossible leaders,--those of yesterday, those of
+to-day, and those of to-morrow.  Not one of them has the head required
+for war.  In this cursed Vendée a general is needed who would be a
+lawyer as well as a leader.  He must harass the enemy, dispute every
+bush, ditch, and stone; he must force unlucky quarrels upon him, and
+take advantage of everything; vigilant and pitiless, he must watch
+incessantly, slaughter freely, and make examples.  Now, in this army of
+peasants there are heroes, but no captains.  D'Elbée is a nonentity,
+Lescure an invalid; Bonchamps is merciful,--he is kind, and that
+implies folly; La Rochejaquelein is a superb sub-lieutenant; Silz is an
+officer good for the open field, but not suited for a war that needs a
+man of expedients; Cathelineau is a simple teamster; Stofflet is a
+crafty game-keeper; Bérard is inefficient; Boulainvillers is absurd;
+Charette is horrible.  I make no mention of Gaston the barber.
+Mordemonbleu! what is the use of opposing revolution, and what is the
+difference between ourselves and the republicans, if we set barbers
+over the heads of noblemen!  The fact is, that this beastly revolution
+has contaminated all of us."
+
+"It is the itch of France."
+
+"It is the itch of the Tiers état," rejoined Boisberthelot.  "England
+alone can help us."
+
+"And she will, captain, undoubtedly."
+
+"Meanwhile it is an ugly state of affairs."
+
+"Yes,--rustics everywhere.   A monarchy that has Stofflet, the
+game-keeper of M. de Maulevrier, for a commander has no reason to envy
+a republic whose minister is Pache, the son of the Duke de Castries'
+porter.  What men this Vendean war brings face to face.--on one side
+Santerre the brewer; on the other Gaston the hairdresser!"
+
+"My dear La Vieuville, I feel some respect for this Gaston.  He behaved
+well in his command of Guéménée.  He had three hundred Blues neatly
+shot after making them dig their own graves."
+
+"Well enough done; but I could have done quite as well as he."
+
+"Pardieu, to be sure; and I too."
+
+"The great feats of war," said Vieuville, "require noble blood in those
+who perform them.  These are matters for knights, and not for
+hairdressers."
+
+"But yet there are estimable men in this 'Third Estate,'" rejoined
+Vieuville.  "Take that watchmaker, Joly, for instance.  He was formerly
+a sergeant in a Flanders regiment; he becomes a Vendean chief and
+commander of a coast band.  He has a son, a republican; and while the
+father serves in the ranks of the Whites, the son serves in those of
+the Blues.  An encounter, a battle: the father captures the son and
+blows out his brains."
+
+"He did well," said La Vieuville.
+
+"A royalist Brutus," answered Boisberthelot.  "Nevertheless, it is
+unendurable to be under the command of a Coquereau, a Jean-Jean, a
+Moulin, a Focart, a Bouju, a Chouppes!"
+
+"My dear chevalier, the opposite party is quite as indignant.  We are
+crowded with plebeians; they have an excess of nobles.  Do you think
+the sansculottes like to be commanded by the Count de Canclaux, the
+Viscount de Miranda, the Viscount de Beauharnais, the Count de Valence,
+the Marquis de Custine, and the Duke de Biron?"
+
+"What a combination!"
+
+"And the Duke de Chartres!"
+
+"Son of Egalité.  By the way, when will he be king?"
+
+"Never!"
+
+"He aspires to the throne, and his very crimes serve to promote his
+interests."
+
+"And his vices will injure his cause," said Boisberthelot.
+
+Then, after another pause, he continued,--
+
+"Nevertheless, he was anxious to be reconciled.  He came to see the
+king.  I was at Versailles when some one spit on his back."
+
+"From the top of the grand staircase?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I am glad of it."
+
+"We called him Bourbon le Bourbeaux."
+
+"He is bald-headed; he has pimples; he is a regicide.  Poh!"
+
+And La Vieuville added:--
+
+"I was with him at Ouessant."
+
+"On the _Saint Esprit_?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Had he obeyed Admiral d'Orvillier's signal to keep to the windward, he
+would have prevented the English from passing."
+
+"True."
+
+"Was he really hidden in the bottom of the hold?"
+
+"No; but we must say so all the same."
+
+And La Vieuville burst out laughing.
+
+Boisberthelot continued:--
+
+"Fools are plentiful.  Look here, I have known this Boulainvilliers of
+whom you were speaking; I knew him well.  At first the peasants were
+armed with pikes; would you believe it, he took it into his head to
+form them into pike-men.  He wanted to drill them in crossing pikes and
+repelling a charge.  He dreamed of transforming these barbarians into
+regular soldiers.  He undertook to teach them how to round in the
+corners of their squares, and to mass battalions with hollow squares.
+He jabbered the antiquated military dialect to them; he called the
+chief of a squad a _cap d'escade_,--which was what corporals under
+Louis XIV, were called.  He persisted in forming a regiment of all
+those poachers.  He had regular companies whose sergeants ranged
+themselves in a circle every evening, and, receiving the sign and
+countersign from the colonel's sergeant, repeated it in a whisper to
+the lieutenant's sergeant, who repeated it to his next neighbor, who in
+his turn transmitted it to the next man, and so on from ear to ear
+until it reached the last man.  He cashiered an officer for not
+standing bareheaded to receive the watchword from the sergeant.  You
+may imagine how he succeeded.  This simpleton could not understand that
+peasants have to be led peasant fashion, and that it is impossible to
+transform rustics into soldiers.  Yes, I have known Boulainvilliers."
+
+They walked along a few steps, each one engrossed in his own thoughts.
+
+Then the conversation was resumed:--
+
+"By the way, has the report of Dampierre's death been confirmed?"
+
+"Yes, commander."
+
+"Before Condé?"
+
+"At the camp of Pamars; he was hit by a cannonball."
+
+Boisberthelot sighed.
+
+"Count Dampierre,--another of our men, who took sides with them."
+
+"May he prosper wherever he may be!" said Vieuville.
+
+"And the ladies,--where are they?"
+
+"At Trieste."
+
+"Still there?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Ah, this republic!" exclaimed La Vieuville.  "What havoc from so
+slight a cause!  To think that this revolution was the result of a
+deficit of only a few millions!"
+
+"Insignificant beginnings are not always to be trusted."
+
+"Everything goes wrong," replied La Vieuville.
+
+"Yes; La Rouarie is dead.  Du Dresnay is an idiot.  What wretched
+leaders are all those bishops,--this Coucy, bishop of La Rochelle;
+Beaupoll Saint-Aulaire, bishop of Poitiers; Mercy, bishop of Luzon, a
+lover of Madame de l'Eschasserie----"
+
+"Whose name is Servanteau, you know, commander.  Eschasserie is the
+name of an estate."
+
+"And that false bishop of Agra, who is a cure of I know not what!"
+
+"Of Dol.  His name is Guillot de Folleville.  But then he is brave, and
+knows how to fight."
+
+"Priests when one needs soldiers! bishops who are no bishops at all!
+generals who are no generals!"
+
+La Vieuville interrupted Boisberthelot.
+
+"Have you the _Moniteur_ in your stateroom, commander?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What are they giving now in Paris?"
+
+"'Adele and Pauline' and 'La Caverne.'"
+
+"I should like to see that."
+
+"You may.  We shall be in Paris in a month."
+
+Boisberthelot thought a moment, and then added:
+
+"At the latest,--so Mr. Windham told Lord Hood."
+
+"Then, commander, I take it affairs are not going so very badly?"
+
+"All would go well, provided that the Breton war were well managed."
+
+De Vieuville shook his head.
+
+"Commander," he said, "are we to land the marines?"
+
+"Certainly, if the coast is friendly, but not otherwise.  In some cases
+war must force the gates; in others it can slip through them.  Civil
+war must always keep a false key in its pocket.  We will do all we can;
+but one must have a chief."
+
+And Boisberthelot added thoughtfully,--
+
+"What do you think of the Chevalier de Dieuzie, La Vieuville?"
+
+"Do you mean the younger?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"For a commander?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"He is only good for a pitched battle in the open field.  It is only
+the peasant who knows the underbrush."
+
+"In that case, you may as well resign yourself to Generals Stofflet and
+Cathelineau."
+
+La Vieuville mediated for a moment; then he said,--
+
+"What we need is a prince,--a French prince, a prince of the blood, a
+real prince."
+
+"How can that be?  He who says 'prince'----"
+
+"Says 'coward.'  I know it, commander.  But we need him for the
+impression he would produce upon the herd."
+
+"My dear chevalier, the princes don't care to come."
+
+"We will do without them."
+
+Boisberthelot pressed his hand mechanically against his forehead, as if
+striving to evoke an idea.  He resumed,--
+
+"Then let us try this general."
+
+"He is a great nobleman."
+
+"Do you think he will do?"
+
+"If he is one of the right sort," said La Vieuville.
+
+"You mean relentless?" said Boisberthelot.
+
+The count and the chevalier looked at each other.
+
+"Monsieur Boisberthelot, you have defined the meaning of the word.
+Relentless,--yes, that's what we need.  This is a war that shows no
+mercy.  The blood-thirsty are in the ascendant.  The regicides have
+beheaded Louis XVI; we will quarter the regicides.  Yes, the general we
+need is General Relentless.  In Anjou and Upper Poitou the leaders play
+the magnanimous; they trifle with generosity, and they are always
+defeated.  In the Marais and the country of Retz, where the leaders are
+ferocious, everything goes bravely forward.  It is because Charette is
+fierce that he stands his ground against Parrein,--hyena pitted against
+hyena."
+
+Boisberthelot had no time to answer.  Vieuville's words were suddenly
+cut short by a desperate cry, and at the same instant they heard a
+noise unlike all other sounds.  This cry and the unusual sounds came
+from the interior of the vessel.
+
+The captain and the lieutenant rushed to the gun-deck, but were unable
+to enter.  All the gunners came running up, beside themselves with
+terror.
+
+A frightful thing had just happened.
+
+One of the carronades of the battery, a twenty-four pound cannon, had
+become loose.
+
+This is perhaps the most dreadful thing that can take place at sea.
+Nothing more terrible can happen to a man-of-war under full sail.
+
+A cannon that breaks loose from its fastenings is suddenly transformed
+into a supernatural beast.  It is a monster developed from a machine.
+This mass runs along on its wheels as easily as a billiard ball; it
+rolls with the rolling, pitches with the pitching, comes and goes,
+stops, seems to meditate, begins anew, darts like an arrow from one end
+of the ship to the other, whirls around, turns aside, evades, rears,
+hits out, crushes, kills, exterminates.  It is a ram battering a wall
+at its own pleasure.  Moreover, the battering-ram is iron, the wall is
+wood.  It is matter set free; one might say that this eternal slave is
+wreaking its vengeance; it would seem as though the evil in what we
+call inanimate objects had found vent and suddenly burst forth; it has
+the air of having lost its patience, and of taking a mysterious, dull
+revenge; nothing is so inexorable as the rage of the inanimate.  The
+mad mass leaps like a panther; it has the weight of an elephant, the
+agility of a mouse, the obstinacy of the axe; it takes one by surprise,
+like the surge of the sea; it flashes like lightning; it is deaf as the
+tomb; it weighs ten thousand pounds, and it bounds like a child's ball;
+it whirls as it advances, and the circles it describes are intersected
+by right angles.  And what help is there?  How can it be overcome?  A
+calm succeeds the tempest, a cyclone passes over, a wind dies away, we
+replace the broken mass, we check the leak, we extinguish the fire; but
+what is to be done with this enormous bronze beast?  How can it be
+subdued?  You can reason with a mastiff, take a bull by surprise,
+fascinate a snake, frighten a tiger, mollify a lion; but there is no
+resource with the monster known as a loosened gun.  You cannot kill
+it,--it is already dead; and yet it lives.  It breathes a sinister life
+bestowed on it by the Infinite.  The plank beneath sways it to and fro;
+it is moved by the ship; the sea lifts the ship, and the wind keeps the
+sea in motion.  This destroyer is a toy.  Its terrible vitality is fed
+by the ship, the waves, and the wind, each lending its aid.  What is to
+be done with this complication?  How fetter this monstrous mechanism of
+shipwreck?  How foresee its coming and goings, its recoils, its halts,
+its shocks?  Any one of those blows may stave in the side of the
+vessel.  How can one guard against these terrible gyrations?  One has
+to do with a projectile that reflects, that has ideas, and changes its
+direction at any moment.  How can one arrest an object in its course,
+whose onslaught must be avoided?  The dreadful cannon rushes about,
+advances, recedes, strikes to right and to left, flies here and there,
+baffles their attempts at capture, sweeps away obstacles, crushing men
+like flies.
+
+The extreme danger of the situation comes from the unsteadiness of the
+deck.  How is one to cope with the caprices of an inclined plane?  The
+ship had within its depths, so to speak, imprisoned lightning
+struggling for escape; something like the rumbling of thunder during an
+earthquake.  In an instant the crew was on its feet.  It was the chief
+gunner's fault, who had neglected to fasten the screw-nut of the
+breeching chain, and had not thoroughly chocked the four trucks of the
+carronade, which allowed play to the frame and the bottom of the
+gun-carriage, thereby disarranging the two platforms and parting the
+breeching.  The lashings were broken, so that the gun was no longer
+firm on its carriage.  The stationary breeching which prevents the
+recoil was not in use at that time.  As a wave struck the ship's side
+the cannon, insufficiently secured, had receded, and having broken its
+chain, began to wander threateningly over the deck.  In order to get an
+idea of this strange sliding, fancy a drop of water sliding down a pane
+of glass.
+
+When the fastening broke, the gunners were in the battery, singly and
+in groups, clearing the ship for action.  The carronade, thrown forward
+by the pitching, dashed into a group of men, killing four of them at
+the first blow; then, hurled back by the rolling, it cut in two an
+unfortunate fifth man, and struck and dismounted one of the guns of the
+larboard battery.  Hence the cry of distress which had been heard.  All
+the men rushed to the ladder.  The gun-deck was empty in the twinkling
+of an eye.
+
+The monstrous gun was left to itself.  It was its own mistress, and
+mistress of the ship.  It could do with it whatsoever it wished.  This
+crew, accustomed to laugh in battle, now trembled.  It would be
+impossible to describe their terror.
+
+Captain Boisberthelot and Lieutenant la Vieuville, brave men though
+they were, paused at the top of the ladder, silent, pale, and
+undecided, looking down on the deck.  Some one pushed them aside with
+his elbow, and descended.  It was their passenger, the peasant, the man
+about whom they were talking a moment ago.
+
+Having reached the bottom of the ladder he halted.
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+The cannon was rolling to and fro on the deck.  It might have been
+called the living chariot of the Apocalypse.  A dim wavering of lights
+and shadows was added to this spectacle by the marine lantern, swinging
+under the deck.  The outlines of the cannon were indistinguishable, by
+reason of the rapidity of its motion; sometimes it looked black when
+the light shone upon it, then again it would cast pale, glimmering
+reflections in the darkness.
+
+It was still pursuing its work of destruction.  It had already
+shattered four other pieces, and made two breaches in the ship's side,
+fortunately above the waterline, but which would leak in case of rough
+weather.  It rushed frantically against the timbers; the stout riders
+resisted,--curved timbers have great strength; but one could hear them
+crack under this tremendous assault brought to bear simultaneously on
+every side, with a certain omnipresence truly appalling.
+
+A bullet shaken in a bottle could not produce sharper or more rapid
+sounds.  The four wheels were passing and repassing over the dead
+bodies, cutting and tearing them to pieces, and the five corpses had
+become five trunks rolling hither and thither; the heads seemed to cry
+out; streams of blood flowed over the deck, following the motion of the
+ship.  The ceiling, damaged in several places, had begun to give way.
+The whole ship was filled with a dreadful tumult.
+
+The captain, who had rapidly recovered his self-possession, had given
+orders to throw down the hatchway all that could abate the rage and
+check the mad onslaught of this infuriated gun; mattresses, hammocks,
+spare sails, coils of rope, the bags of the crew, and bales of false
+assignats, with which the corvette was laden,--that infamous stratagem
+of English origin being considered a fair trick in war.
+
+But what availed these rags?  No one dared to go down to arrange them,
+and in a few moments they were reduced to lint.
+
+There was just sea enough to render this accident as complete as
+possible.  A tempest would have been welcome.  It might have upset the
+cannon, and which its four wheels once in the air, it could easily have
+been mastered.  Meanwhile the havoc increased.  There were even
+incisions and fractures in the masts, that stood like pillars grounded
+firmly in the keel, and piercing the several decks of the vessel.  The
+mizzen-mast was split, and even the main-mast was damaged by the
+convulsive blows of the cannon.  The destruction of the battery still
+went on.  Ten out of the thirty pieces were useless.  The fractures in
+the side increased, and the corvette began to leak.
+
+The old passenger, who had descended to the gun-deck, looked like one
+carved in stone as he stood motionless at the foot of the stairs and
+glanced sternly over the devastation.  It would have been impossible to
+move a step upon the deck.
+
+Each bound of the liberated carronade seemed to threaten the
+destruction of the ship.  But a few moments longer, and shipwreck would
+be inevitable.
+
+They must either overcome this calamity or perish; some decisive action
+must be taken.  But what?
+
+What a combatant was this carronade!
+
+Here was this mad creature to be arrested, this flash of lightning to
+be seized, this thunderbolt to be crushed.  Boisberthelot said to
+Vieuville:--
+
+"Do you believe in God, chevalier?"
+
+"Yes and no, sometimes I do!" replied La Vieuville.
+
+"In a tempest?"
+
+"Yes, and in moments like these."
+
+"Truly God alone can save us," said Boisberthelot.
+
+All were silent, leaving the carronade to its horrible uproar.
+
+The waves beating the ship from without answered the blows of the
+cannon within, very much like a couple of hammers striking In turn.
+
+Suddenly in the midst of this inaccessible circus, where the escaped
+cannon was tossing from side to side, a man appeared, grasping an iron
+bar.  It was the author of the catastrophe, the chief gunner, whose
+criminal negligence had caused the accident,--the captain of the gun.
+Having brought about the evil, his intention was to repair it.  Holding
+a handspike in one hand, and in the other a tiller rope with the
+slip-noose in it, he had jumped through the hatchway to the deck below.
+
+Then began a terrible struggle; a titanic spectacle; a combat between
+cannon and cannoneer; a contest between mind and matter; a duel between
+man and the inanimate.  The man stood in one corner in an attitude of
+expectancy, leaning on the rider and holding in his hands the bar and
+the rope; calm, livid, and tragic, he stood firmly on his legs, that
+were like two pillars of steel.
+
+He was waiting for the cannon to approach him.
+
+The gunner knew his piece, and he felt as though it must know him.
+They had lived together a long time.  How often had he put his hand in
+its mouth.  It was his domestic monster.  He began to talk to it as he
+would to a dog.  "Come," said he.  Possibly he loved it.
+
+He seemed to wish for its coming, and yet its approach meant sure
+destruction for him.  How to avoid being crushed was the question.  All
+looked on in terror.
+
+Not a breath was drawn freely, except perhaps by the old man, who
+remained on the gun-deck gazing sternly on the two combatants.
+
+He himself was in danger of being crushed by the piece; still he did
+not move.
+
+Beneath them the blind sea had command of the battle.  When, in the act
+of accepting this awful hand-to-hand struggle, the gunner approached to
+challenge the cannon, it happened that the surging sea held the gun
+motionless for an instant, as though stupefied.  "Come on!" said the
+man.  It seemed to listen.
+
+Suddenly it leaped towards him.  The man dodged.  Then the struggle
+began,--a contest unheard of; the fragile wrestling with the
+invulnerable; the human warrior attacking the brazen beast; blind force
+on the one side, soul on the other.
+
+All this was in the shadow.  It was like an indistinct vision of a
+miracle.
+
+A soul!--strangely enough it seemed as if a soul existed within the
+cannon, but one consumed with hate and rage.  The blind thing seemed to
+have eyes.  It appeared as though the monster were watching the man.
+There was, or at least one might have supposed it, cunning in this
+mass.  It also chose its opportunity.  It was as though a gigantic
+insect of iron was endowed with the will of a demon.  Now and then this
+colossal grass-hopper would strike the low ceiling of the gun-deck,
+then falling back on its four wheels, like a tiger on all fours, rush
+upon the man.  He--supple, agile, adroit--writhed like a serpent before
+these lightning movements.  He avoided encounters; but the blows from
+which he escaped fell with destructive force upon the vessel.  A piece
+of broken chain remained attached to the carronade.  This bit of chain
+had twisted in some incomprehensible way around the breech button.
+
+One end of the chain was fastened to the gun-carriage; the other end
+thrashed wildly around, aggravating the danger with every bound of the
+cannon.  The screw held it as in a clenched hand, and this chain,
+multiplying the strokes of the battering-ram by those of the thong,
+made a terrible whirlwind around the gun,--a lash of iron in a fist of
+brass.  This chain complicated the combat.
+
+Despite all this, the man fought.  He even attacked the cannon at
+times, crawling along by the side of the ship and clutching his
+handspike and the rope; the cannon seemed to understand his movements,
+and fled as though suspecting a trap.  The man, nothing daunted,
+pursued his chase.
+
+Such a struggle must necessarily be brief.  Suddenly the cannon seemed
+to say to itself: Now, then, there must be an end to this.  And it
+stopped.  A crisis was felt to be at hand.  The cannon, as if in
+suspense, seemed to meditate, or--for to all intents and purposes it
+was a living creature--it really did meditate, some furious design.
+All at once it rushed on the gunner, who sprang aside with a laugh,
+crying out, "Try it again!" as the cannon passed him.  The gun in its
+fury smashed one of the larboard carronades; then, by the invisible
+sling in which it seemed to be held, it was thrown to the starboard,
+towards the man, who escaped.  Three carronades were crushed by its
+onslaught; then, as though blind and besides itself it turned from the
+man, and rolled from stern to stem, splintering the latter, and causing
+a breach in the walls of the prow.  The gunner took refuge at the foot
+of the ladder, a short distance from the old man, who stood watching.
+He held his handspike in readiness.  The cannon seemed aware of it, and
+without taking the trouble to turn, it rushed backward on the man, as
+swift as the blow of an axe.  The gunner, if driven up against the side
+of the ship, would be lost.
+
+One cry arose from the crew.
+
+The old passenger--who until this moment had stood motionless--sprang
+forward more swiftly than all those mad swirls.  He had seized a bale
+of the false assignats, and at the risk of being crushed succeeded in
+throwing it between the wheels of the carronade.  This decisive and
+perilous manoeuvre could not have been executed with more precision and
+adroitness by an adept in all the exercises given in the work of
+Durosel's "Manual of Naval Gunnery."
+
+The bale had the effect of a plug.  A pebble may block a log; a branch
+sometimes changes the course of an avalanche.  The carronade stumbled,
+and the gunner, availing himself of the perilous opportunity, thrust
+his iron bar between the spokes of the back wheels.  Pitching forward,
+the cannon stopped; and the man, using his bar for a lever, rocked it
+backward and forward.  The heavy mass upset, with the resonant sound of
+a bell that crashes in its fall.  The man, reeking with perspiration,
+threw himself upon it, and passed the slip-noose of the tiller-rope
+around the neck of the defeated monster.
+
+The combat was ended.  The man had conquered.  The ant had overcome the
+mastodon; the pygmy had imprisoned the thunderbolt.
+
+The soldiers and sailors applauded.
+
+The crew rushed forward with chains and cables, and in an instant the
+cannon was secured.
+
+Saluting the passenger, the gunner exclaimed,--
+
+"Sir, you have saved my life!"
+
+The old man had resumed his impassible attitude, and made no reply.
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+The man had conquered; but it might be affirmed that the cannon also
+had gained a victory.  Immediate shipwreck was averted; but the
+corvette was still in danger.  The injuries the ship had sustained
+seemed irreparable.  There were five breaches in the sides, one of
+them--a very large one--in the bow, and twenty carronades out of thirty
+lay shattered in their frames.  The recaptured gun, which had been
+secured by a chain, was itself disabled.  The screw of the
+breech-button being wrenched, it would consequently be impossible to
+level the cannon.  The battery was reduced to nine guns; there was a
+leakage in the hold.  All these damages must be repaired without loss
+of time, and the pumps set in operation.  Now that the gun-deck had
+become visible, it was frightful to look upon.  The interior of a mad
+elephant's cage could not have been more thoroughly devastated.
+However important it might be for the corvette to avoid observation,
+the care for its immediate safety was still more imperative.  They were
+obliged to light the deck with lanterns placed at intervals along the
+sides.
+
+In the meantime, while this tragic entertainment had lasted, the crew,
+entirely absorbed by a question of life and death, had not noticed what
+was going on outside of the ship.  The fog had thickened, the weather
+had changed, the wind had driven the vessel at will; they were out of
+their course, in full sight of Jersey and Guernsey, much farther to the
+south than they ought to have been, and confronting a tumultuous sea.
+The big waves kissed the wounded sides of the corvette with kisses that
+savored of danger.  The heaving of the sea grew threatening; the wind
+had risen to a gale; a squall, perhaps a tempest, was brewing.  One
+could not see four oars' length before one.
+
+While the crew made haste with their temporary repairs on the gun-deck,
+stopping the leaks and setting up the cannons that had escaped
+uninjured, the old passenger returned to the deck.
+
+He stood leaning against the main-mast.
+
+He had taken no notice of what was going on in the ship.  The Chevalier
+de la Vieuville had drawn up the marines on either side of the
+main-mast, and at a signal-whistle of the boatswain the sailors, who
+had been busy in the rigging, stood up on the yards.  Count
+Boisberthelot approached the passenger.  The captain was followed by a
+man, who, haggard and panting, with his dress in disorder, still wore
+on his countenance an expression of content.
+
+It was the gunner who had so opportunely displayed his power as a tamer
+of monsters, and gained the victory over the cannon.
+
+The count made a military salute to the old man in the peasant garb,
+and said to him:--
+
+"Here is the man, general."
+
+The gunner, with downcast eyes, stood erect in a military attitude.
+
+"General," resumed Count Boisberthelot, "considering what this man has
+done, do you not think that his superiors have a duty to perform?"
+
+"I think so," replied the old man.
+
+"Be so good as to give your orders," resumed Boisberthelot.
+
+"It is for you to give them; you are the captain."
+
+"But you are the general," answered Boisberthelot.
+
+The old man looked at the gunner.
+
+"Step forward," he said.
+
+The gunner advanced a step.
+
+Turning to Count Boisberthelot, the old man removed the cross of Saint
+Louis from the captain's breast, and fastened it on the jacket of the
+gunner.  The sailors cheered, and the marines presented arms.
+
+Then pointing to the bewildered gunner he added:
+
+"Now let the man be shot!"
+
+Stupor took the place of applause.
+
+Then, amid a tomb-like silence, the old man, raising his voice, said:--
+
+"The ship has been endangered by an act of carelessness, and may even
+yet be lost.  It is all the same whether one be at sea or face to face
+with the enemy.  A ship at sea is like an army in battle.  The tempest,
+though unseen, is ever present; the sea is an ambush.  Death is the fit
+penalty for every fault committed when facing the enemy.  There is no
+fault that can be retrieved.  Courage must be rewarded and negligence
+be punished."
+
+These words fell one after the other slowly and gravely, with a certain
+implacable rhythm, like the strokes of the axe upon an oak-tree.
+Looking at the soldiers, the old man added,--
+
+"Do your duty!"
+
+The man on whose breast shone the cross of Saint Louis bowed his head,
+and at a sign of Count Boisberthelot two sailors went down to the
+gun-deck, and presently returned bringing the hammock-shroud, the two
+sailors were accompanied by the ship's chaplain, who since the
+departure had been engaged in saying prayers in the officers' quarters.
+A sergeant detached from the ranks twelve soldiers, whom he arranged in
+two rows, six men in a row.  The gunner placed himself between the two
+lines.  The chaplain, holding a crucifix, advanced and took his place
+beside the man.  "March!" came from the lips of the sergeant; and the
+platoon slowly moved towards the bow, followed by two sailors carrying
+the shroud.
+
+A gloomy silence fell on the corvette.  In the distance a hurricane was
+blowing.  A few moments later, a report echoed through the gloom; one
+flash, and all was still.  Then came the splash of a body falling into
+the water.  The old passenger, still leaning against the mainmast, his
+hands crossed on his breast, seemed lost in thought.  Boisberthelot,
+pointing towards him with the forefinger of his left hand, remarked in
+an undertone to La Vieuville,--
+
+"The Vendée has found a leader."
+
+
+
+
+THE MERCHANTS' CUP
+
+From "Broken Stowage," BY DAVID W. BONE
+
+
+I
+
+"Fatty" Reid burst into the half-deck with a whoop of exultation.
+"Come out, boys," he yelled.  "Come out and see what luck!  The _James
+Flint_ comin' down the river, loaded and ready for sea!  Who-oop!  What
+price the _Hilda_ now for the Merchants' Cup?"
+
+"Oh, come off," said big Jones.  "Come off with your Merchants' Cup.
+Th' _James Flint's_ a sure thing, and she wasn't more than half-loaded
+when we were up at Crockett on Sunday!"
+
+"Well, there she comes anyway!  _James Flint_, sure enough!  Grade's
+house-flag up, and the Stars and Stripes!"
+
+We hustled on deck and looked over by the Sacramento's mouth.  "Fatty"
+was right.  A big barque was towing down beyond San Pedro.  The _James
+Flint_!  Nothing else in 'Frisco harbour had spars like hers; no ship
+was as trim and clean as the big Yankee clipper that Bully Nathan
+commanded.  The sails were all aloft, the boats aboard.  She was ready
+to put to sea.
+
+Our cries brought the captain and mate on deck, and the sight of the
+outward-bounder made old man Burke's face beam like a nor'west moon.
+
+"A chance for ye now, byes," he shouted.  "An open race, bedad!  Ye've
+nothin' t' be afraid of if th' _James Flint_ goes t' sea by Saturday!"
+
+Great was our joy at the prospect of the Yankee's sailing.  The 'Frisco
+Merchants' Cup was to be rowed for on Saturday.  It was a mile-and-half
+race for ships' boats, and three wins held the Cup for good.  Twice, on
+previous years, the _Hilda's_ trim gig had shot over the line--a
+handsome winner.  If we won again, the Cup was ours for keeps!  But
+there were strong opponents to be met this time.  The _James Flint_ was
+the most formidable.  It was open word that Bully Nathan was keen on
+winning the trophy.  Every one knew that he had deliberately sought out
+boatmen when the whalers came in from the north.  Those who had seen
+the Yankee's crew at work in their snaky carvel-built boat said that no
+one else was in it.  What chance had we boys in our clinker-built
+against the thews and sinews of trained whalemen?  It was no wonder
+that we slapped our thighs at the prospect of a more open race.
+
+Still, even with the Yankee gone, there were others in the running.
+There was the _Rhondda_ that held the Cup for the year, having won when
+we were somewhere off the Horn; then the _Hedwig Rickmers_--a Bremen
+four-master--which had not before competed, but whose green-painted gig
+was out for practice morning and night.  We felt easy about the
+_Rhondda_ (for had we not, time and again, shown them our stern on the
+long pull from Green St. to the outer anchorage?), but the Germans were
+different.  Try as we might, we could never pull off a spurt with them.
+No one knew for certain what they could do, only old Schenke, their
+skipper, and he held his tongue wisely.
+
+The _James Flint_ came around the bend, and our eager eyes followed her
+as she steered after the tug.  She was making for the outer anchorage,
+where the laden ships lie in readiness for a good start off.
+
+"Th' wind's 'bout west outside," said Jones.  "A 'dead muzzler'!
+She'll not put t' sea tonight, even if she has all her 'crowd' aboard."
+
+"No, worse luck! mebbe she'll lie over till Saturday after all.  They
+say Bully's dead set on getting th' Cup.  He might hang back. . . .
+Some excuse--short-handed or something!"  Gregson was the one for
+"croaking."
+
+"No hands?" said Fatty.  "Huh!  How could he be short-handed when
+everybody knows that Daly's boardin'-house is chock-full of fightin'
+Dutchmen?  No, no!  It'll be the sack for Mister Bully B. Nathan if he
+lets a capful o' fair wind go by and his anchor down.  Gracie's agents
+'ll watch that!"
+
+"Well!  He's here for th' night, anyway. . . .  There goes her mudhook!"
+
+We watched her great anchor go hurtling from the bows and heard the
+roar of chain cable as she paid out and swung round to the tide.
+
+"Come roun', yo' boys dere!  Yo' doan' want no tea, eh?"  The nigger
+cook, beating tattoo on a saucepan lid, called us back to affairs of
+the moment, and we sat down to our scanty meal in high spirits,
+talking--all at one time--of our chances of the Cup.
+
+The _Hilda_ had been three months at San Francisco, waiting for the
+wheat crop and a profitable charter.  We had come up from Australia,
+and most of our crew, having little wages due to them, had deserted
+soon after our arrival.  Only we apprentices and the sail-maker
+remained, and we had work enough to set our muscles up in the heavy
+harbour jobs.  Trimming coal and shovelling ballast may not be
+scientific training, but it is grand work for the back and shoulders.
+
+We were in good trim for rowing.  The old man had given us every
+opportunity, and nothing he could do was wanting to make us fit.  Day
+and daily we had set our stroke up by the long pull from the anchorage
+to the wharves, old Burke coaching and encouraging, checking and
+speeding us, till we worked well together.  Only last Sunday he had
+taken us out of our way, up the creek, to where we could see the flag
+at the _Rhondda's_ masthead.  The old man said nothing, but well we
+knew he was thinking of how the square of blue silk, with Californian
+emblem worked in white, would look at his trim little _Hilda's_
+fore-truck!  This flag accompanied the Cup, and now (if only the Yankee
+and his hired whalemen were safely at sea) we had hopes of seeing it at
+our masthead again.
+
+Tea over--still excited talk went on.  Some one recalled the last time
+we had overhauled and passed the _Rhondda's_ gig.
+
+"It's all very well your bucking about beating the _Rhondda_," said
+Gregson; "but don't think we're going to have it all our own way!
+Mebbe they were 'playing 'possum' when we came by that time!"
+
+"Maybe," said Jones.  "There's Peters and H. Dobson in her crew.  Good
+men!  Both rowed in the Worcester boat that left the Conways' at the
+start, three years ago. . . .  And what about the _Rickmers_? . . . .
+No, no!  It won't do to be too cocksure! . . . .  Eh, Takia?"
+
+Takia was our cox-n, a small wiry Jap.  Nothing great in inches, but a
+demon for good steering and timing a stroke.  He was serving his
+apprenticeship with us and had been a year in the _Hilda_.  Brute
+strength was not one of his points, but none was keener or more active
+in the rigging than our little Jap.
+
+He smiled,--he always smiled,--he found it the easiest way of speaking
+English.  "Oh, yes," he said.  "Little cocksu'--good!  Too much
+cocksu'--no good!"
+
+We laughed at the wisdom of the East.
+
+"Talk about being cocky," said Gregson; "you should hear Captain
+Schenke bragging about the way he brought the _Hedwig Rickmers_ out.  I
+heard 'em and the old man at it in the ship-chandler's yesterday.
+Hot . . . .  Look here, you chaps!  I don't think the old man cares so
+much to win the Cup as to beat Schenke!  The big 'squarehead' is always
+ramming it down Burke's throat how he brought his barque out from
+Liverpool in a hundred and five days, while the _Hilda_ took ten days
+more on her last run out!"
+
+"That's so, I guess," said Jones.  (Jones had the Yankee "touch.")
+"Old Burke would dearly love to put a spoke in his wheel, but it'll
+take some doing.  They say that Schenke has got a friend down from
+Sacramento--gym.-instructor or something to a college up there.  He'll
+be training the 'Dutchy' crew like blazes.  They'll give us a hot time,
+I'll bet!"
+
+Gregson rose to go on deck.  "Oh, well," he said, "it won't be so bad
+if the _James Flint_ only lifts his hook by Saturday.  Here's one
+bloomin' _hombre_ that funks racin' a fancy whaler! . . .  An' doesn't
+care who knows it, either!"
+
+
+II
+
+Thursday passed--and now Friday--still there was no sign of the wind
+changing, and the big Yankee barque lay quietly at anchor over by the
+Presidio.
+
+When the butcher came off from the shore with the day's stores, we
+eagerly questioned him about the prospects of the _James Flint's_
+sailing.  "_Huh_!  I guess yew're nat the only 'citizens' that air
+concarned 'bout that!" he said.  "They're talkin' 'bout nuthin' else on
+every 'lime-juicer' in the Bay! . . . .  An' th' _Rickmers_!  Gee!
+Schenkie's had his eye glued ter th' long telescope ever since
+daybreak, watchin' fer th' _Flint_ heavin' up anchor!"
+
+The butcher had varied information to give us.  Now it was that Bully
+Nathan had telegraphed to his New York owners for permission to remain
+in port over Sunday.  Then again, Bully was on the point of being
+dismissed his ship for not taking full advantage of a puff of nor'-west
+wind that came and went on Thursday night.
+
+. . . The _Flint_ was short of men! . . .  The Flint had a full crew
+aboard!  Rumours and rumours!  "All sorts o' talk," said the butcher;
+"but I know this fer certain--she's got all her stores aboard.  Gosh!
+I guess--she--has!  I don't like to wish nobody no harm, byes, but I
+hope Bully Nathan's first chop 'll choke him, fer th' way he done me
+over the beef! . . .  Scorch 'im!"
+
+In the forenoon we dropped the gig and put out for practice.  Old Burke
+and the mate came after us in the dinghy, the old man shouting
+instruction and encouragement through his megaphone as we rowed a
+course or spurted hard for a furious three minutes.  Others were out on
+the same ploy, and the backwaters of the Bay had each a lash of oars to
+stir their tideless depths.  Near us the green boat of the _Rickmers_
+thrashed up and down in style.  Time and again we drew across--"just
+for a friendly spurt"--but the "Dutchies" were not giving anything
+away, and sheered off as we approached.  We spent an hour or more at
+practice and were rowing leisurely back to the ship when the green boat
+overhauled us, then slowed to her skipper's orders.
+
+"How you vass, Cabtin Burke?" said Schenke, an enormous fair-headed
+Teuton, powerful-looking, but run sadly to fat in his elder years.
+"You t'ink you get a chanst now, _hein_? . . .  Now de Yankee is goin'
+avay!"  He pointed over to the Presidio, where the _Flint_ lay at
+anchor.  We followed the line of his fat forefinger.  At anchor, yes,
+but the anchor nearly a-weigh.  Her flags were hoisted, the blue peter
+fluttering at the fore, and the _Active_ tug was passing a hawser
+aboard, getting ready to tow her out.  The smoke from the tugboat's
+funnel was whirling and blowing over the low forts that guard the
+Golden Gates.  Good luck!  A fine nor'-west breeze had come that would
+lift our dreaded rival far to the south'ard on her way round Cape Horn!
+
+Schenke saw the pleased look with which old Burke regarded the Yankee's
+preparations for departure.
+
+"Goot bizness, eh?" he said.  "You t'ink you fly de flack on de _Hilda_
+nex' _Sonndag_, Cabtin?  Veil!  Ah wish you goot look, but you dond't
+got it all de same!"
+
+"Oh, well, Captain Schenke, we can but thry," said the old man.  "We
+can but thry, sorr! . . .  Shure, she's a foine boat--that o'
+yours. . . .  An' likely-looking lads, too!"  No one could but admire
+the well-set figures of the German crew as they stroked easily beside
+us.
+
+"_Schweinehunden_," said Schenke brutally.  We noticed more than one
+stolid face darkling as they glanced aside.  Schenke had the name of a
+"hard case."  "_Schweinehunden_," he said again.  "Dey dond't like de
+hard vork, Cabtin. . . .  Dey dond't like it--but ve takes der Coop,
+all de same!  Dey pulls goot und strong, oder"--he rasped a short
+sentence in rapid Low German--"Shermans dond't be beat by no durn
+lime-juicer, _nein_!"
+
+Old Burke grinned.  "Cocky as ever, Captain Schenke!  Bedad now, since
+ye had the luck of ye're last passage there's no limit to ye!"
+
+"Luck!  Luck!  Alvays de luck mit you, Cabtin!"
+
+"An' whatt ilse? . . .  Sure, if I hadn't struck a bilt of calms an'
+had more than me share of head winds off the Horn, I'd have given ye a
+day or two mesilf!"
+
+"Ho!  Ho!  Ho!  _Das ist gut_!"  The green boat rocked with Schenke's
+merriment.  He laughed from his feet up--every inch of him shook with
+emotion.  "Ho!  Ho!  Hoo!  _Das ist ganz gut_.  You t'ink you beat de
+_Hedwig Rickmers_ too, Cabtin?  You beat 'm mit dot putty leetle
+barque?  You beat 'm mit de _Hilda_, _nichtwahr_?"
+
+"Well, no," said our old man.  "I don't exactly say I beat the
+_Rickmers_, but if I had the luck o' winds that ye had, bedad, I'd
+crack th' _Hilda_ out in a hundred an' five days too!"
+
+"Now, dot is not drue, Cabtin!  _Aber ganz und gar nicht_!  You know
+you haf bedder look von de vind as Ah got.  Ah sail mein sheep!  Ah
+dond't vait for de fair winds nor not'ings!"
+
+"No," said Burke, "but ye get 'em, all the same.  Everybody knows ye've
+th' divil's own luck, Schenke!"
+
+"Und so you vas!  Look now, Cabtin Burke.  You t'nk you got so fast a
+sheep as mein, eh?  Veil!  Ah gif you a chanst to make money.  Ah bet
+you feefty dollars to tventig, Ah take mein sheep home quicker as you
+vass!"
+
+"Done wit' ye," said stout old 'Paddy' Burke, though well he know the
+big German barque could sail round the little _Hilda_.  "Fifty dollars
+to twenty, Captain Schenke, an' moind y've said it!"
+
+The green boat sheered off and forged ahead, Schenke laughing and
+waving his hand derisively.  When they had pulled out of earshot, the
+old man turned ruefully to the mate: "Five pounds clean t'rown away,
+mister!  Foine I know the _Rickmers_ can baate us, but I wasn't goin'
+t' let that ould 'squarehead' have it all his own way!  Divil th' fear!"
+
+We swung under the _Hilda's_ stern and hooked on to the gangway.  The
+old man stepped out, climbed a pace or two, then came back.
+
+"Look ye here, byes," he said, "I'll give ye foive dollars a man--an' a
+day's 'liberty' t' spind it--if ye only baate th' 'Dutchmen.' . . .
+Let th' Cup go where it will!"
+
+
+III
+
+The Bay of San Francisco is certainly one of the finest natural
+harbours in the world, let Sydney and Rio and Falmouth all contest the
+claim.  Land-locked to every wind that blows, with only a narrow
+channel open to the sea, the navies of the world could lie peacefully
+together in its sheltered waters.  The coast that environs the harbour
+abounds in natural beauties, but of all the wooded creeks--fair
+stretches of undulating downs--or stately curves of winding river, none
+surpasses the little bay formed by the turn of Benita, the northern
+postern of the Golden Gates.  Here is the little township of Sancilito,
+with its pretty white houses nestling among the dark green of the
+deeply wooded slopes.  In the bay there is good anchorage for a limited
+number of vessels, and fortunate were they who manned the tall ships
+that lay there, swinging ebb and flood, waiting for a burthen of golden
+grain.
+
+On Saturday the little bay was crowded by a muster of varied craft.
+The ships at anchor were "dressed" to the mastheads with gaily-coloured
+flags.  Huge ferryboats passed slowly up and down, their tiers of decks
+crowded with sightseers.  Tug-boats and launches darted about, clearing
+the course, or convoying racing boats to the starting lines.  Ships'
+boats of all kinds were massed together close inshore: gigs and
+pinnaces, lean whaleboats, squat dinghys, even high-sided ocean
+lifeboats with their sombre broad belts of ribbed cork.  A gay scene of
+colour and animation.  A fine turn-out to see the fortune of the
+Merchants' Cup.
+
+At two the Regatta began.  A race for longshore craft showed that the
+boarding-house "crimps" were as skillful at boatman's work as at
+inducing sailormen to desert their ships.  Then two outriggers flashed
+by, contesting a heat for a College race.  We in the _Hilda's_ gig lay
+handily at the starting line and soon were called out.  There were nine
+entries for the Cup, and the judges had decided to run three heats.  We
+were drawn in the first, and, together with the _Ardlea's_ and
+_Compton's_ gigs, went out to be inspected.  The boats had to race in
+sea-service conditions, no lightening was allowed.  At the challenge of
+the judges we showed our gear.  "Spare oar--right!  Rowlocks--right!
+Sea-anchor--right!  Bottom boards and stern grating--right.  Painter,
+ten fathoms; hemp. . . .  A bit short there, _Compton_!  Eh? . . .
+Oh--all right," said the official, and we manoeuvred into position, our
+sterns held in by the guard-boats.  Some of the ships' captains had
+engaged a steam-launch to follow the heats, and old Burke was there
+with his trumpet, shouting encouragement already.
+
+"Air yew ready?"
+
+A pause: then, pistol shot!  We struck water and laid out!  Our task
+was not difficult.  The _Ardlea's_ gig was broad-bowed and heavy; they
+had no chance; but the _Compton's_ gave us a stiff pull to more than
+midway.  Had they been like us, three months at boat-work, we had not
+pulled so easily up to the mark, but their ship was just in from
+Liverpool, and they were in poor condition for a mile and a half at
+pressure.  We won easily, and scarce had cheered the losers before the
+launch came fussing up.
+
+"Come aboard, Takia," shouted old Burke.  "Ye come down wit' me an' see
+what shape the German makes.  He's drawn wit' th' _Rhondda_ in this
+heat!"
+
+Takia bundled aboard the launch and we hauled inshore to watch the
+race.  There was a delay at the start.  Schenke, _nichts verstehen_, as
+he said, was for sending his boat away without a painter or spare gear.
+He was pulled up by the judges, and had to borrow.
+
+Now they were ready.  The _Rickmers_ outside, _Rhondda_ in the middle
+berth, and the neat little _Slieve Donard_ inshore.  At the start the
+Rhonddas came fair away from the German boat, but even at the distance
+we could see that the "Dutchmen" were well in hand.  At midway the
+_Rhondda_ was leading by a length, still going strong, but they had
+shot their bolt, and the green boat was surely pulling up.  The _Slieve
+Donard_, after an unsteady course, had given up.  Soon we could hear
+old Schenke roaring oaths and orders, as his launch came flying on in
+the wake of the speeding boats.
+
+The Germans spurted.
+
+We yelled encouragement to the Rhonddas.  "Give 'em beans, old
+sons! . . ."
+
+"_Rhondda_!  _Rhondda_! . . .  Shake 'er up"  Gallantly the white boat
+strove to keep her place, but the greens were too strong.  With a rush,
+they took the lead and held it to the finish, though two lengths from
+the line their stroke faltered, the swing was gone, and they were
+dabbling feebly when the shot rang out.
+
+"A grand race," said every one around.  "A grand race"--but old Burke
+had something to say when he steamed up to put our cox'n among us.
+"Byes, byes," he said, "if there had been twinty yards more the
+_Rhondda_ would have won.  Now d'ye moind, Takia, ye divil . . . d'ye
+moind!  Keep th' byes in hand till I give ye th' wurrd! . . .  An' whin
+ye get th' wurrd, byes! . . .  Oh, Saints!  Shake her up when ye get
+th' wurrd!"
+
+The third heat was closely contested.  All three boats, two Liverpool
+barques and a Nova Scotiaman, came on steadily together.  A clean race,
+rowed from start to finish, and the _Tuebrook_ winning by a short
+length.
+
+The afternoon was well spent when we stripped for the final, and took
+up our positions on the line.  How big and muscular the Germans looked!
+How well the green boat sat the water!  With what inward quakings we
+noted the clean fine lines of stem and stern! . . .  Of the _Tuebrook_
+we had no fear.  We knew they could never stand the pace the Germans
+would set.  Could we?
+
+Old Burke, though in a fever of excitement when we came to the line,
+had little to say.  "Keep the byes in hand, Takia--till ye get th'
+wurrd," was all he muttered.  We swung our oar-blades forward.
+
+"Ready?" The starter challenged us.
+
+Suddenly Takia yelped!  We struck and lay back as the shot rang out!  A
+stroke gained!  Takia had taken the flash; the others the report!
+
+The Jap's clever start gave us confidence and a lead.  Big Jones at
+stroke worked us up to better the advantage.  The green boat sheered a
+little, then steadied and came on, keeping to us, though nearly a
+length astern.  The _Tuebrook_ had made a bad start, but was thrashing
+away pluckily in the rear.
+
+So we hammered at it for a third of the course, when Takia took charge.
+Since his famous start he had left us to take stroke as Jones pressed
+us, but now he saw signs of the waver that comes after the first
+furious burst--shifting grip or change of foothold.
+
+"'_Trok_!--'_trok_!--'_trok_!" he muttered, and steadied the pace.
+"'_Troke_!--'_troke_!--'_troke_!" in monotone, good for soothing
+tension.
+
+Past midway the green boat came away.  The ring of the German's
+rowlocks rose to treble pitch.  Slowly they drew up, working at top
+speed.  Now they were level--level! and Takia still droning
+"'_troke_!--'_troke_!--'_troke_!"--as if the lead was ours!
+
+Wild outcry came from the crowd as the green boat forged ahead!  Deep
+roars from Schenke somewhere in the rear!  Now, labouring still to
+Takia's '_troke_!--'_troke_! we had the foam of the German's stern wash
+at our blades!  "Come away, _Hilda's_!" . . .  "_Shake her up,
+there_!" . . .  "_Hilda-h_!  _Hilda-h_!"--Takia took no outward heed of
+the cries.  He was staring stolidly ahead, bending to the pulse of the
+boat.  No outward heed--but '_troke_!--'_troke_! came faster from his
+lips.  We strained, almost holding the Germans' ensign at level with
+our bow pennant.
+
+Loud over the wild yells of the crowd we heard the voice we knew--old
+Burke's bull-roar: "Let 'er rip, Taki'!  Let 'er rip, bye!"
+
+Takia's eyes gleamed as he sped us up--up--up!  '_Troke_ became a yelp
+like a wounded dog's.  He crouched, standing, in the sternsheets, and
+lashed us up to a furious thrash of oars!  Still quicker! . . .  The
+eyes of him glared at each of us, as if daring us to fail!  The yelp
+became a scream as we drew level--the Germans still at top speed.
+"_Up_!  _Up_!  _Up_!" yells Takia, little yellow devil with a white
+froth at his lips!  "_Up_!  _Up_!  _Up_!" swaying unsteadily to meet
+the furious urging.
+
+The ring of the German rowlocks deepens--deepens--we see the green bow
+at our blades again.  Her number two falters--jars--recovers again--and
+pulls stubbornly on.  Their "shot" is fired!  They can do no more!
+Done!
+
+And so are we!  Takia drops the yoke ropes and leans forward on the
+gunwale!  Oars jar together!  Big Jones bends forward with his mouth
+wide--wide!  Done!
+
+But not before a hush--a solitary pistol shot--then roar of voices and
+shrilling of steamer syrens tell us that the Cup is ours!
+
+
+IV
+
+A month later there was a stir in the western seaports.  No longer the
+ships lay swinging idly at their moorings.  The harvest of grain was
+ready for the carriers, and every day sail was spread to the free wind
+outside the Golden Gates, and laden ships went speeding on their
+homeward voyages.  The days of boat-races and pleasant time-passing
+harbour jobs were gone; it was now work--work--to get the ship ready
+for her burden, and, swaying the great sails aloft, to rig harness for
+the power that was to bear us home.  From early morning till late
+evening we were kept hard at it; for Captain Burke and the mate were as
+keen on getting the _Hilda_ to sea after her long stay in port as they
+were on jockeying us up to win the Cup.  Often, when we turned to in
+the morning, we would find a new shipmate ready to bear a hand with us.
+The old man believed in picking up a likely man when he offered.  Long
+experience of Pacific ports had taught him how difficult it is to get a
+crew at the last moment.
+
+So when at length the cargo was stowed, we were quite ready to go to
+sea, while many others--the _Hedwig Rickmers_ among them--were waiting
+for men.
+
+On the day before sailing a number of the ship captains were gathered
+together in the chandler's store, talking of freights and passages, and
+speculating on the runs they hoped to make.  Burke and Schencke were
+the loudest talkers, for we were both bound to Falmouth "for orders,"
+and the _Rickmers_ would probably sail three days after we had gone.
+
+"Vat 'bout dot bett you make mit me, Cabtin?" said Schenke.  "Dot is
+all recht, no?"
+
+"Oh, yess," answered the old man, but without enthusiasm.  "That
+stands."
+
+"Hoo!  Hoo!  Hoo!  Tventig dollars to feefty--dot you goes home quicker
+as me, no?" Schencke turned to the other men.  "Vat you tinks,
+yenthelmen?  Ah tinks Ah sbend der tventig dollars now--so sure Ah
+vass."
+
+The others laughed.  "Man, man," said Findlayson of the _Rhondda_.
+"You don't tell me Burke's been fool enough to take that bet.  Hoo!
+You haven't the ghost of a chance, Burke."
+
+"Och, ye never know," said the now doleful sportsman.  "Ye never know
+ye're luck."
+
+"Look here, Cabtin," said Schencke (good-humoured by the unspoken
+tribute to his vessel's sailing powers)--"Ah gif you a chanst.  Ah make
+de bett dis vay--look.  Ve goes to Falmouth--you _und_ me, _hein_?
+Now, de first who comes on de shore vins de money.  Dot vill gif you
+t'ree days' start, no?"
+
+"That's more like it," said the other captains.  "I wish you luck,
+Burke," said Findlayson.  "Good luck--you'll need it too--if you are to
+be home before the big German."
+
+So the bet was made.
+
+At daybreak next morning we put out to sea.  The good luck that the
+_Rhondda_ wished us came our way from the very first.  When the tug
+left us we set sail to a fine fair wind, and soon were bowling along in
+style.  We found the nor'-east Trades with little seeking; strong
+Trades, too, that lifted us to the Line almost before the harbour dust
+was blown from our masts and spars.  There calms fell on us for a few
+days, but we drifted south in the right current, and in less than forty
+days had run into the "westerlies" and were bearing away for the Horn.
+
+Old Burke was "cracking on" for all the _Hilda_ could carry canvas.
+Every morning when he came on deck the first question to the mate would
+be: "Any ships in sight, mister?" . . .  "Any ships astern," he meant,
+for his first glance was always to where the big green four-master
+might be expected to heave in sight.  Then, when nothing was reported,
+he would begin his day-long strut up and down the poop, whistling
+"Garryowen" and rubbing his hands.
+
+Nor was the joy at our good progress his alone.  We in the half-deck
+knew of the bet, and were keen that the ship which carried the
+Merchants' Cup should not be overhauled by the runner-up!  We had made
+a fetish of the trophy so hardly won.  The Cup itself was safely stowed
+in the ship's strong chest, but the old man had let us have custody of
+the flag.  Big Jones had particular charge of it; and it had been a
+custom while in 'Frisco to exhibit it on the Saturday nights to
+admiring and envious friends from other ships.  This custom we
+continued when at sea.  True, there were no visitors to set us up and
+swear what lusty chaps we were, but we could frank one another and say,
+"If you hadn't done this or that, we would never have won the race."
+
+On a breezy Saturday evening we were busy at these rites.  The _Hilda_
+was doing well before a steady nor'-west wind, but the weather--though
+nothing misty--was dark as a pall.  Thick clouds overcast the sky, and
+there seemed no dividing line between the darkling sea and the windy
+banks that shrouded the horizon.  A dirty night was in prospect; the
+weather would thicken later; but that made the modest comforts of the
+half-deck seem more inviting by comparison; and we came together for
+our weekly "sing-song"--all but Gregson, whose turn it was to stand the
+lookout on the fo'c'sle-head.
+
+The flag was brought out and hung up--Jones standing by to see that no
+pipe-lights were brought near--and we ranted at "Ye Mariners of
+England" till the mate sent word that further din would mean a
+"work-up" job for all of us.
+
+Little we thought that we mariners would soon be facing dangers as
+great as any we so glibly sang about.  Even as we sang, the _Hilda_ was
+speeding on a fatal course!  Across her track the almost submerged hull
+of a derelict lay drifting.  Black night veiled the danger from the
+keenest eyes.
+
+A frenzied order from the poop put a stunning period to our merriment.
+"Helm up, f'r God's sake! . . .  _Up_!--_oh God_!--_Up_! _Up_!"  A
+furious impact dashed us to the deck.  Staggering, bruised, and
+bleeding, we struggled to our feet.  Outside the yells of fear-stricken
+men mingled with hoarse orders, the crash of spars hurtling from aloft
+vied with the thunder of canvas, as the doomed barque swung round
+broadside to the wind and sea.
+
+Even in that dread moment Jones had heed of his precious flag.  As we
+flew to the door, he tore the flag down, stuffing it in his jumper as
+he joined us at the boats.
+
+There was no time to hoist out the life-boats--it was pinnace and gig
+or nothing.  Already the bows were low in the water.  "She goes.  She
+goes!" yelled some one.  "Oh, Christ!  She's going!"
+
+We bore frantically on the tackles that linked the gig, swung her out,
+and lowered by the run; the mate had the pinnace in the water, men were
+swarming into her.  As the gig struck water, the barque heeled to the
+rail awash.  We crowded in, old Burke the last to leave her, and pushed
+off.  Our once stately _Hilda_ reeled in a swirl of broken water, and
+the deep sea took her!
+
+Sailor work!  No more than ten minutes between "Ye Mariners" and the
+foundering of our barque!
+
+We lay awhile with hearts too full for words; then the pinnace drew
+near, and the mate called the men.  All there but one!
+"Gregson!" . . .  No Gregson!  The bosun knew.  He had seen what was
+Gregson lying still under the wreck of the topmost spars.
+
+The captain and mate conferred long together.  We had no sail in the
+gig, but the larger boat was fully equipped.  "It's the only chance,
+mister," said Burke at last.  "No food--no water!  We can't hold out
+for long.  Get sail on your boat and stand an hour or two to the
+east'ard.  Ye may fall in with a ship; she w'was right in th' track
+whin she s-struck.  We can but lie to in th' gig an' pray that a ship
+comes by."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."  They stepped the mast and hoisted sail.  "Good-bye
+all: God bless ye, captain," they said as the canvas swelled.  "Keep
+heart!"  For a time we heard their voices shouting us God-speed--then
+silence came!
+
+
+V
+
+Daybreak!
+
+Thank God the bitter night was past.  Out of the east the
+long-looked-for light grew on us, as we lay to sea-anchor, lurching
+unsteadily in the teeth of wind and driving rain.  At the first grey
+break we scanned the now misty horizon.  There was no sign of the
+pinnace; no God-sent sail in all the dreary round!
+
+We crouched on the bottom boards of the little gig and gave way to
+gloomy thoughts.  What else could be when we were alone and adrift on
+the broad Pacific, without food or water, in a tiny gig already
+perilously deep with the burden of eight of us?  What a difference to
+the gay day when we manned the same little boat and set out in pride to
+the contest!  Here was the same spare oar that we held up to the
+judges--the long oar that Jones was now swaying over the stern, keeping
+her head to the wind and sea!  Out there in the tumbling water the
+sea-anchor held its place; the ten fathoms of good hemp "painter" was
+straining at the bows!
+
+The same boat!  The same gear!  The same crew, but how different!  A
+crew of bent heads and wearied limbs!  Listless-eyed, despairing!  A
+ghastly crew, with black care riding in the heaving boat with us!
+
+Poor old Burke had hardly spoken since his last order to the mate to
+sail the pinnace to the east in search of help.  When anything was put
+to him, he would say, "Aye, aye, b'ye," and take no further heed.  He
+was utterly crushed by the disaster that had come so suddenly on the
+heels of his "good luck."  He sat staring stonily ahead, deaf to our
+hopes and fears.
+
+Water we had in plenty as the day wore on.  The rain-soaked clothes of
+us were sufficient for the time, but soon hunger came and added a
+physical pain to the torture of our doubt.  Again and again we stood up
+on the reeling thwarts and looked wildly around the sea-line.  No
+pinnace--no ship--nothing!  Nothing, only sea and sky, and circling
+sea-birds that came to mock at our misery with their plaintive cries.
+
+A bitter night!  A no less cruel day!  Dark came on us again, chill and
+windy, and the salt spray cutting at us like a whiplash.
+
+Boo-m-m!
+
+Big Jones stood up in the stern-sheets, swaying unsteadily.  "D'ye hear
+anything there? . . .  Like a gun?"
+
+A gun?  Gun? . . .  Nothing new! . . .  We had been hearing guns,
+seeing sails--in our minds--all the day!  All day . . . guns . . . and
+sail!  Boom-m-m-m!
+
+"Gun!  Oh God . . . a gun!  Capt'n, a gun, d'ye hear!  Hay--Hay-H.  Out
+oars, there!  A gun!"  Hoarse in excitement Jones shook the old man and
+called at his ear.  "Aye, aye, b'ye.  Aye, aye," said the broken old
+man, seeming without understanding.
+
+Jones ceased trying to rouse him, and, running out the steering oar,
+called on us to haul the sea-anchor aboard.  We lay to our oars,
+listening for a further gunfire.
+
+Whooo-o. . . .  Boom-m-m.
+
+A rocket!  They were looking for us then!  The pinnace must have been
+picked up!  A cheer--what a cheer!--came brokenly from our lips; and we
+lashed furiously at the oars, steering to where a glare in the mist had
+come with the last report.
+
+Roused by the thrash of our oars, the old man sat up.  "Whatt now,
+b'ye?  Whatt now?"
+
+"Ship firin' rockets, sir," said Jones.  "Rockets . . . no mistake."
+As he spoke, another coloured streamer went flaming through the eastern
+sky.  "Give way, there!  We'll miss her if she's running south!  Give
+way, all!"  The glare of the rocket put heart into our broken old
+skipper.  "Steady now, b'yes," he said, with something of his old
+enthusiasm.
+
+We laboured steadily at the oars, but our strength was gone.  The sea
+too, that we had thought moderate when lying to sea-anchor, came at us
+broadside on and set our light boat to a furious dance.  Wave crests
+broke and lashed aboard, the reeling boat was soon awash, and the spare
+men had to bale frantically to keep her afloat.  But terror of the ship
+running south from us nerved our wearied arms, and we kept doggedly
+swinging the oars.  Soon we made out the vessel's sidelight--the gleam
+of her starboard light, that showed that she was hauled to the wind,
+not running south as we had feared.  They could not see on such a
+night, we had nothing to make a signal, but the faint green flame gave
+us heart in our distress.
+
+The old man, himself again, was now steering, giving us Big Jones to
+bear at the oars.  As we drew on we made out the loom of the vessel's
+sails--a big ship under topsails only, and sailing slowly to the west.
+We pulled down wind to cross her course, shouting together as we rowed.
+Would they never hear?  . . .  Again! . . .  Again!
+
+Suddenly there came a hail from the ship, a roar of orders, rattle of
+blocks and gear, the yards swung round and she layed up in the wind,
+while the ghostly glare of a blue light lit up the sea around.
+
+A crowd of men were gathered at the waist, now shouting and cheering as
+we laboured painfully into the circle of vivid light.  Among them a big
+man (huge he looked in that uncanny glare) roared encouragement in
+hoarse gutturals.
+
+Old Schenke?  The _Hedwig Rickmers_?
+
+Aye--Schenke!  But a different Schenke to the big, blustering,
+overbearing "Square-head" we had known in 'Frisco.  Schenke as kind as
+a brother--a brother of the sea indeed.  Big, fat, honest Schenke,
+passing his huge arm through that of our broken old skipper, leading
+him aft to his own bed, and silencing his faltering story by words of
+cheer.  "_Ach, du lieber Gott_!  It is all right, no?  All right,
+Cabtin, now you come on board.  Ah know all 'bout it! . . .  Ah pick de
+oder boat up in de morning, und dey tells me.  You come af mit me,
+Cabtin. . . .  Goot, no?"
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+"Ninety-six days, Schenke, and here we are at the mouth of the
+Channel!"  Old Burke had a note of regret in the saying.  "Ninety-six
+days!  Sure, this ship o' yours can sail.  With a bit o' luck, now,
+ye'll be in Falmouth under the hundred."
+
+"So.  If de vind holds goot.  Oh, de _Hedwig Rickmers_ is a goot sheep,
+no?  But if Ah dond't get de crew of de poor lettle _Hilda_ to work
+mein sheep, Ah dond't t'ink ve comes home so quick as hundert days,
+no?'"
+
+"God bless us, man.  Shure, it's the least they cud do, now.  An' you
+kaaping' us in food an' drink an' clothes, bedad--all the time."
+
+"Vat Ah do, Cabtin.  Ah leaf you starfe, no?"
+
+"Oh.  Some men would have put into the Falklands and landed----"
+
+"Und spoil a goot bassage, eh?  Ach nein.  More better to go on.  You
+know dese men Ah get in 'Frisco is no goot.  Dem "hoodlums," they
+dond't know de sailorman vork.  But your beoble is all recht, eh!
+Gott!  If Ah dond't haf dem here, it is small sail ve can carry on de
+sheep."
+
+"Och, now, ye just say that, Schenke, ye just say that!  But it's glad
+I am if we're any use t' ye."
+
+"Hundert days to Falmouth, eh?" Schenke grinned as he said it.  "Vat
+'bout dot bett now, Cabtin?"
+
+"Oh that," said Burke queerly.  "You win, of course.  I'm not quite
+broke yet, Captain Schenke.  I'll pay the twenty dollars all right."
+
+"No, no.  De bett is not von.  No?  De bett vass--'who is de first on
+shore come,' _Heim_?  Goot.  Ven de sheep comes to Falmouth ve goes on
+shore, you und me, together.  Like dis, eh?"  He seized Burke by the
+arm and made a motion that they two should thus step out together.
+
+Burke, shamefacedly, said: "Aye, aye, b'ye."
+
+"Ah dond't care about de bett," continued the big German.  "De bett is
+noting, but, look here, Cabtin--Ah tell you Ah look to vin dot
+Merchants' Cup.  _Gott_!  Ah vass _verrickt_ ven your boys come in
+first.  Ach so!  Und now de Cup iss at de bottom of de Pacific."  He
+sighed regretfully.  "_Gott_!  I van't t' be de first Sherman to vin
+dot Cup too!"
+
+The mate of the _Rickmers_ came on the poop and said something to his
+captain.  Schenke turned to the old man in some wonderment. . . .  "Vat
+dis is, eh?  My mate tell me dot your boys is want to speak mit me.
+Vat it is, Cabtin?  No troubles I hope?"
+
+Burke looked as surprised as the other.  "Send them up, Heinrich," he
+said.  We, the crew of the _Hilda's_ gig, filed on to the poop, looking
+as hot and uncomfortable as proper sailorfolk should do when they come
+on a deputation.  Jones headed us, and he carried a parcel under his
+arm.
+
+"Captain Schenke," he said.  "We are all here--the crew of the
+_Hilda's_ gig, that you picked up when--when--we were in a bad way.
+All here but poor Gregson."
+
+The big lad's voice broke as he spoke of his lost watchmate.  "An, if
+he was here he would want t' thank ye too for the way you've done by
+us.  I can't say any more, Captain Schenke--but we want you to take a
+small present from us--the crew of the _Hilda's_ gig."  He held out the
+parcel.
+
+Only half understanding the lad's broken words, Schenke took the parcel
+and opened it.  "_Ach Gott_ _Lieber Gott_," he said, and turned to show
+the gift to old Burke.  Tears stood in the big "squarehead's" eyes;
+stood, and rolled unchecked down his fat cheeks.  Tears of pleasure!
+Tears of pity!  Stretched between his hands was a weather-beaten flag,
+its white emblem stained and begrimed by sea-water!
+
+A tattered square of blue silk--the flag of the Merchants' Cup!
+
+
+
+
+A STORM AND A RESCUE
+
+From "The Wreck of the Grosvenor" BY W. CLARK RUSSELL
+
+
+All that night it blew terribly hard, and raised as wild and raging a
+sea as ever I remember hearing or seeing described.  During my
+watch--that is, from midnight until four o'clock--the wind veered a
+couple of points, but had gone back again only to blow harder; just as
+though it had stepped out of its way a trifle to catch extra breath.
+
+I was quite worn out by the time my turn came to go below; and though
+the vessel was groaning like a live creature in its death agonies, and
+the seas thumping against her with such shocks as kept me thinking that
+she was striking hard ground, I fell asleep as soon as my head touched
+the pillow, and never moved until routed out by Duckling four hours
+afterward.
+
+All this time the gale had not bated a jot of its violence, and the
+ship labored so heavily that I had the utmost difficulty in getting out
+of the cuddy on to the poop.  When I say that the decks fore and aft
+were streaming wet, I convey no notion of the truth: the main deck was
+simply _afloat_, and every time the ship rolled, the water on her deck
+rushed in a wave against the bulwarks and shot high in the air, to
+mingle sometimes with fresh and heavy inroads of the sea, both falling
+back upon the deck with the boom of a gun.
+
+I had already ascertained from Duckling that the well had been sounded
+and the ship found dry; and therefore, since we were tight below, it
+mattered little what water was shipped above, as the hatches were
+securely battened down fore and aft, and the mast-coats unwrung.  But
+still she labored under the serious disadvantage of being overloaded;
+and the result was, her fore parts were being incessantly swept by seas
+which at times completely hid her forecastle in spray.
+
+Shortly after breakfast, Captain Coxon sent me forward to dispatch a
+couple of hands on to the jib-boom to snug the inner jib, which looked
+to be rather shakily stowed.  I managed to dodge the water on the
+main-deck by waiting until it rolled to the starboard scuppers and then
+cutting ahead as fast as I could; but just as I got upon the
+forecastle, I was saluted by a green sea which carried me off my legs,
+and would have swept me down on the main-deck had I not held on stoutly
+with both hands to one of the fore-shrouds.  The water nearly drowned
+me, and kept me sneezing and coughing for ten minutes afterward.  But
+it did me no further mischief; for I was incased in good oilskins and
+sou'-wester, which kept me as dry as a bone inside.
+
+Two ordinary seamen got upon the jib-boom, and I bade them keep a good
+hold, for the ship sometimes danced her figurehead under water and
+buried her sprit-sail-yard; and when she sunk her stern, her flying
+jib-boom stood up like the mizzenmast.  I waited until this job of
+snugging the sail was finished, and then made haste to get off the
+forecastle, where the seas flew so continuously and heavily that had I
+not kept a sharp lookout, I should several times have been knocked
+overboard.
+
+Partly out of curiosity and partly with a wish to hearten the men, I
+looked into the forecastle before going aft.  There were sliding-doors
+let into the entrance on either side the windlass, but one of them was
+kept half open to admit air, the forescuttle above being closed.  The
+darkness here was made visible by an oil lamp,--in shape resembling a
+tin coffee-pot with a wick in the spout,--which burned black and
+smokily.  The deck was up to my ankles in water, which gurgled over the
+pile of swabs that lay at the open entrance.  It took my eye some
+moments to distinguish objects in the gloom; and then by degrees the
+strange interior was revealed.  A number of hammocks were swung against
+the upper deck and around the forecastle were two rows of bunks, one
+atop the other.  Here and there were sea-chests lashed to the deck; and
+these, with the huge windlass, a range of chain cable, lengths of rope,
+odds and ends of pots and dishes, with here a pair of breeches hanging
+from a hammock, and there a row of oilskins swinging from a
+beam,--pretty well made up all the furniture that met my eye.
+
+The whole of the crew were below.  Some of the men lay smoking in their
+bunks, others in their hammocks with their boots over the edge; one was
+patching a coat, another greasing his boots; others were seated in a
+group talking; while under the lamp were a couple of men playing at
+cards upon a chest, three or four watching and holding on by the
+hammocks over their heads.
+
+A man, lying in his bunk with his face toward me, started up and sent
+his legs, incased in blanket trousers and brown woolen stockings,
+flying out.
+
+"Here's Mr. Royle, mates!" he called out.  "Let's ask him the name of
+the port the captain means to touch at for proper food, for we aren't
+goin' to wait much longer."
+
+"Don't ask me any questions of that kind, my lads," I replied promptly,
+seeing a general movement of heads in the bunks and hammocks.  "I'd
+give you proper victuals if I had the ordering of them; and I have
+spoken to Captain Coxon about you, and I am sure he will see this
+matter put to rights."
+
+I had difficulty in making my voice heard, for the striking of the seas
+against the ship's bows filled the place with an overwhelming volume of
+sound; and the hollow, deafening thunder was increased by the uproar of
+the ship's straining timbers.
+
+"Who the devil thinks," said a voice from a hammock, "that we're going
+to let ourselves be grinded as we was last night without proper wittles
+to support us?  I'd rather have signed articles for a coal-barge, with
+drowned rats to eat from Gravesend to Whitstable, than shipped in this
+here cursed vessel, where the bread's just fit to make savages retch!"
+
+I had not bargained for this, but had merely meant to address them
+cheerily, with a few words of approval of the smart way in which they
+had worked the ship in the night.  Seeing that my presence would do no
+good, I turned about and left the forecastle, hearing, as I came away,
+one of the Dutchmen cry out:--
+
+"Look here, Mister Rile, vill you be pleashed to ssay when we are to
+hov' something to eat?--for by Gott! ve vill kill te dom pigs in the
+long-boat if the skipper don't mindt--so look out!"
+
+As ill-luck would have it, Captain Coxon was at the break of the poop,
+and saw me come out of the forecastle.  He waited until he had got me
+alongside of him, when he asked me what I was doing among the men.
+
+"I looked in to give them a good word for the work they did last
+night," I answered.
+
+"And who asked you to give them a good word, as you call it?"
+
+"I have never had to wait for orders to encourage a crew."
+
+"Mind what you are about, sir!" he exclaimed, in a voice tremulous with
+rage.  "I see through your game, and I'll put a stopper upon it that
+you won't like."
+
+"What game, sir?  Let me have your meaning."
+
+"An infernal mutinous game!" he roared.  "Don't talk to me, sir!  I
+know you!  I've had my eye upon you!  You'll play false if you can, and
+are trying to smother up your d--d rebel meanings with genteel airs!
+Get away, sir!" he bellowed, stamping his foot.  "Get away aft!  You're
+a lumping useless incumbrance!  But by thunder!  I'll give you two for
+every one you try to give me!  So stand by!"
+
+And apparently half mad with his rage, he staggered away in the very
+direction in which he had told me to go, and stood near the wheel,
+glaring upon me with a white face, which looked indescribably
+malevolent in the fur cap and ear-protectors that ornamented it.
+
+I was terribly vexed by this rudeness, which I was powerless to resist,
+and regretted my indiscretion in entering the forecastle after the
+politic resolutions I had formed.  However, Captain Coxon's ferocity
+was nothing new to me; truly I believed he was not quite right in his
+mind, and expected, as in former cases, that he would come round a bit
+by-and-by when his insane temper had passed.  Still his insinuations
+were highly dangerous, not to speak of their offensiveness.  It was no
+joke to be charged, even by a madman, with striving to arouse the crew
+to mutiny.  Nevertheless I tried to console myself as best I could by
+reflecting that he could not prove his charges; that I need only to
+endure his insolence for a few weeks, and that there was always a law
+to vindicate me and punish him, should his evil temper betray him into
+any acts of cruelty against me.
+
+The gale, at times the severest that I was ever in, lasted three days;
+during which the ship drove something like eighty miles to the
+northwest.  The sea on the afternoon of the third day was appalling:
+had the ship attempted to run, she would have been pooped and smothered
+in a minute; but lying close, she rode fairly well, though there were
+moments when I held my breath as she sunk in a hollow like a coal-mine,
+filled with the astounding noise of boiling water,--really believing
+that the immense waves which came hurtling towards us with solid,
+sharp, transparent ridges, out of which the wind tore lumps of water
+and flung them through the rigging of the ship, must overwhelm the
+vessel before she could rise to it.
+
+The fury of the tempest and the violence of the sea, which the boldest
+could not contemplate without feeling that the ship was every moment in
+more or less peril, kept the crew subdued; and they eat as best they
+could the provisions, without complaint.  However, it needed nothing
+less than a storm to keep them quiet: for on the second day a sea
+extinguished the galley fire, and until the gale abated no cooking
+could be done; so that the men had to put up with cold water and
+biscuit.  Hence all hands were thrown upon the ship's bread for two
+days; and the badness of it, therefore, was made even more apparent
+than heretofore, when its wormy moldiness was in some degree qualified
+by the nauseousness of bad salt pork and beef and the sickly flavor of
+damaged tea.
+
+As I had anticipated, the captain came round a little a few hours after
+his insulting attack upon me.  I think his temper frightened him when
+it had reference to me.  Like others of his breed, he was a bit of a
+cur at the bottom.  My character was a trifle beyond him; and he was
+ignorant enough to hate and fear what he could not understand.  Be this
+as it may, he made some rough attempts at a rude kind of politeness
+when I went below to get some grog, and condescended to say that when I
+had been to sea as long as he, I would know that the most ungrateful
+rascals in the world were sailors; that every crew he had sailed with
+had always taken care to invent some grievance to growl over: either
+the provisions were bad, or the work too heavy, or the ship
+unseaworthy; and that long ago he had made up his mind never to pay
+attention to their complaints, since no sooner would one wrong be
+redressed than another would be coined and shoved under his nose.
+
+I took this opportunity of assuring him that I had never willingly
+listened to the complaints of the men, and that I was always annoyed
+when they spoke to me about the provisions, as I had nothing whatever
+to do with that matter; and that so far from my wishing to stir up the
+men into rebellion, my conduct had been uniformly influenced by the
+desire to conciliate them and represent their conditions as very
+tolerable, so as to repress any tendency to disaffection which they
+might foment among themselves.
+
+To this he made no reply, and soon we parted; but all the next day he
+was sullen again, and never addressed me save to give an order.
+
+On the evening of the third day the gale broke; the glass had risen
+since the morning; but until the first dogwatch the wind did not bate
+one iota of its violence, and the horizon still retained its stormy and
+threatening aspect.  The clouds then broke in the west, and the setting
+sun shone forth with deep crimson light upon the wilderness of
+mountainous waters.  The wind fell quickly, then went round to the west
+and blew freshly; but there was a remarkable softness and sweetness in
+the feel and taste of it.
+
+A couple of reefs were at once shaken out of the main-topsail, and a
+sail made.  By midnight the heavy sea had subsided into a deep, long,
+rolling swell, still (strangely enough) coming from the south; but the
+fresh westerly wind held the ship steady, and for the first time for
+nearly a hundred hours we were able to move about the decks with
+comparative comfort.  Early the next morning the watch were set to wash
+down and clear up the decks; and when I left my cabin at eight o'clock,
+I found the weather bright and warm, with a blue sky shining among
+heavy, white, April-looking clouds, and the ship making seven knots
+under all plain sail.  The decks were dry and comfortable, and the ship
+had a habitable and civilized look, by reason of the row of clothes
+hung by the seamen to dry on the forecastle.
+
+It was half past nine o'clock, and I was standing near the taffrail
+looking at a shoal of porpoises playing some hundreds of feet astern,
+when the man who was steering asked me to look in the direction to
+which he pointed--that was, a little to the right of the bowsprit--and
+say if there was anything to be seen there; for he had caught sight of
+something black upon the horizon twice, but could not detect it now.
+
+I turned my eyes toward the quarter of the sea indicated, but could
+discern nothing whatever; and telling him that what he had seen was
+probably a wave, which, standing higher than his fellows, will
+sometimes show black a long distance off, walked to the fore part of
+the poop.
+
+The breeze still held good; and the vessel was slipping easily through
+the water, though the southerly swell made her roll and at times shook
+the wind out of the sails.  The skipper had gone to lie down,--being
+pretty well exhausted, I daresay; for he had kept the deck for the
+greater part of three nights running.  Duckling was also below.  Most
+of my watch were on the forecastle, sitting or lying in the sun, which
+shone very warm upon the decks; the hens under the long-boat were
+chattering briskly, and the cocks crowing, and the pigs grunting, with
+the comfort of the warmth.
+
+Suddenly, as the ship rose, I distinctly beheld something black out
+away upon the horizon, showing just under the foot of the foresail.  It
+vanished instantly; but I was not satisfied, and went for the glass
+which lay upon the brackets just under the companion.  I then told the
+man who was steering to keep her away a couple of points for a few
+moments; and resting the glass against the mizzen-royal backstay,
+pointed it toward the place where I had seen the black object.
+
+For some moments nothing but sea or sky filled the field of the glass
+as the ship rose and fell; but all at once there leaped into this field
+the hull of a ship, deep as her main-chains in the water, which came
+and went before my eye as the long seas lifted or dropped in the
+foreground.  I managed to keep her sufficiently long in view to
+perceive that she was totally dismasted.
+
+"It's a wreck," said I, turning to the man: "let her come to again and
+luff a point.  There may be living creatures aboard of her."
+
+Knowing what sort of man Captain Coxon was, I do not think that I
+should have had the hardihood to luff the ship a point out of her
+course had it involved the bracing of the yards; for the songs of the
+men would certainly have brought him on deck, and I might have provoked
+some ugly insolence.  But the ship was going free, and would head more
+westerly without occasioning further change than slightly slackening
+the weather-braces of the upper yards.  This I did quietly; and the
+dismantled hull was brought right dead on end with our flying jib-boom.
+The men now caught sight of her, and began to stare and point; but did
+not sing out, as they saw by the telescope in my hand that I perceived
+her.  The breeze unhappily began to slacken somewhat, owing perhaps to
+the gathering heat of the sun; our pace fell off: and a full hour
+passed before we brought the wreck near enough to see her
+permanently,--for up to this she had been constantly vanishing under
+the rise of the swell.  She was now about two miles off, and I took a
+long and steady look at her through the telescope.  It was a black hull
+with painted ports.  The deck was flush fore and aft, and there was a
+good-sized house just before where the mainmast should have been.  This
+house was uninjured, though the galley was split up, and to starboard
+stood up in splinters like the stump of a tree struck by lightning.  No
+boats could be seen aboard of her.  Her jib-boom was gone, and so were
+all three masts,--clean cut off at the deck, as though a hand-saw had
+done it; but the mizzenmast was alongside, held by the shrouds and
+backstays, and the port main and fore shrouds streamed like serpents
+from her chains into the water.  I reckoned at once that she must be
+loaded with timber, for she never could keep afloat at that depth with
+any other kind of cargo in her.
+
+She made a most mournful and piteous object in the sunlight, sluggishly
+rolling to the swell which ran in transparent volumes over her sides
+and foamed around the deck-house.  Once when her stern rose, I read the
+name _Cecilia_ in broad white letters.
+
+I was gazing intently, in the effort to witness some indication of
+living thing on board, when, to my mingled consternation and horror, I
+witnessed an arm projecting through the window of the deck-house and
+frantically waving what resembled a white handkerchief.  As none of the
+men called out, I judged the signal was not perceptible to the naked
+eye; and in my excitement I shouted, "There's a living man on board of
+her, my lads!" dropped the glass, and ran aft to call the captain.
+
+I met him coming up the companion ladder.  The first thing he said was,
+"You're out of your course," and looked up at the sails.
+
+"There's a wreck yonder," I cried, pointing eagerly, "with a man on
+board signaling to us."
+
+"Get me the glass," he said sulkily; and I picked it up and handed it
+to him.
+
+He looked at the wreck for some moments; and addressing the man at the
+wheel, exclaimed, making a movement with his hand, "Keep her away!
+Where in the devil are you steering to?"
+
+"Good heaven!" I ejaculated: "there's a man on board--there may be
+others!"
+
+"Damnation!" he exclaimed between his teeth: "what do you mean by
+interfering with me?  Keep her away!" he roared out.
+
+During this time we had drawn sufficiently near to the wreck to enable
+the sharper-sighted among the hands to remark the signal, and they were
+calling out that there was somebody flying a handkerchief aboard the
+hull.
+
+"Captain Coxon," said I, with as firm a voice as I could command,--for
+I was nearly in as great a rage as he, and rendered insensible to all
+consequences by his inhumanity,--"if you bear away and leave that man
+yonder to sink with that wreck when he can be saved with very little
+trouble, you will become as much a murderer as any ruffian who stabs a
+man asleep."
+
+When I had said this, Coxon turned black in the face with passion.  His
+eyes protruded, his hands and fingers worked as though he were under
+some electrical process, and I saw for the first time in my life a
+sight I had always laughed at as a bit of impossible novelist
+description,--a mouth foaming with rage.  He rushed aft, just over
+Duckling's cabin, and stamped with all his might.
+
+"Now," thought I, "they may try to murder me!"  And without a word I
+pulled off my coat, seized a belaying-pin, and stood ready; resolved
+that happen what might, I would give the first man who should lay his
+fingers on me something to remember me by while he had breath in his
+body.
+
+The men, not quite understanding what was happening, but seeing that a
+"row" was taking place, came to the forecastle and advanced by degrees
+along the main-deck.  Among them I noticed the cook, muttering to one
+or the other who stood near.
+
+Mr. Duckling, awakened by the violent clattering over his head, came
+running up the companion-way with a bewildered, sleepy look in his
+face.  The captain grasped him by the arm, and pointing to me, cried
+out with an oath that "that villain was breeding a mutiny on board, and
+he believed wanted to murder him and Duckling."
+
+I at once answered, "Nothing of the kind!  There is a man miserably
+perishing on board that sinking wreck, Mr. Duckling, and he ought to be
+saved.  My lads!" I cried, addressing the men on the main-deck, "is
+there a sailor among you all who would have the heart to leave that man
+yonder without an effort to rescue him?"
+
+"No, sir!" shouted one of them.  "We'll save the man; and if the
+skipper refuses, we'll make him!"
+
+"Luff!" I called to the man at the wheel.
+
+"Luff at your peril!" screamed the skipper.
+
+"Aft here, some hands," I cried, "and lay the mainyard aback.  Let go
+the port main-braces!"
+
+The captain came running toward me.
+
+"By the living God!" I cried in a fury, grasping the heavy brass
+belaying-pin, "if you come within a foot of me, Captain Coxon, I'll
+dash your brains out!"
+
+My attitude, my enraged face and menacing gesture, produced the desired
+effect.  He stopped dead, turned a ghastly white, and looked round at
+Duckling.
+
+"What do you mean by this (etc.) conduct, you (etc.) mutinous
+scoundrels?" roared Duckling, with a volley of foul language.
+
+"Give him one for himself if he says too much, Mr. Royle!" sung out
+some hoarse voice on the main-deck; "we'll back yer!"  And then came
+cries of "They're a cursed pair o' murderers!"  "Who run the smack
+down?"  "Who lets men drown?"  "Who starves honest men?"  This last
+exclamation was followed by a roar.
+
+The whole of the crew were now on deck, having been aroused by our
+voices.  Some of them were looking on with a grin, others with an
+expression of fierce curiosity.  It was at once understood that I was
+making a stand against the captain and chief mate; and a single glance
+at them assured me that by one word I could set the whole of them on
+fire to do my bidding, even to shedding blood.
+
+In the meantime, the man at the wheel had luffed until the weather
+leeches were flat and the ship scarcely moving.  And at this moment,
+that the skipper might know their meaning, a couple of hands jumped aft
+and let go the weather main-braces.  I took care to keep my eyes on
+Coxon and the mate, fully prepared for any attack that one or both
+might make on me.  Duckling eyed me furiously but in silence, evidently
+baffled by my resolute air and the position of the men.  Then he said
+something to the captain, who looked exhausted and white and haggard
+with his useless passion.  They walked over to the lee side of the
+poop; and after a short conference, the captain to my surprise went
+below, and Duckling came forward.
+
+"There's no objection," he said, "to your saving the man's life, if you
+want.  Lower away the starboard quarter-boat,--and you go along in
+her," he added to me, uttering the last words in such a thick voice
+that I thought he was choking.
+
+"Come along, some of you!" I cried out, hastily putting on my coat; and
+in less than a minute I was in the boat with the rudder and thole-pins
+shipped, and four hands ready to out oars as soon as we touched the
+water.
+
+Duckling began to fumble at one end of the boat's falls.
+
+"Don't let him lower away!" roared out one of the men in the boat.
+"He'll let us go with a run.  He'd like to see us drowned!"
+
+Duckling fell back, scowling with fury; and shoving his head over as
+the boat sunk quietly into the water, he discharged a volley of
+execrations at us, saying that he would shoot some of us, if he swung
+for it, before he was done, and especially applying a heap of abusive
+terms to me.
+
+The fellow pulling the bow oar laughed in his face; and another shouted
+out, "We'll teach you to say your prayers yet, you ugly old sinner!"
+
+We got away from the ship's side cleverly, and in a short time were
+rowing fast for the wreck.  The excitement under which I labored made
+me reckless of the issue of this adventure.  The sight of the lonely
+man upon the wreck, coupled with the unmanly, brutal intention of Coxon
+to leave him to his fate, had goaded me into a state of mind infuriate
+enough to have done and dared anything to _compel_ Coxon to save him.
+He might call it mutiny, but I called it humanity; and I was prepared
+to stand or fall by my theory.  The hate the crew had for their captain
+and chief mate was quite strong enough to guarantee me against any foul
+play on the part of Coxon; otherwise I might have prepared myself to
+see the ship fill and stand away, and leave us alone on the sea with
+the wreck.  One of the men in the boat suggested this; but another
+immediately answered, "They'd pitch the skipper overboard if he gave
+such an order, and glad o' the chance.  There's no love for 'em among
+us, I can tell you; and by ----! there'll be bloody work done aboard
+the _Grosvenor_ if things aren't mended soon, as you'll see."
+
+They all four pulled at their oars savagely as these words were spoken;
+and I never saw such sullen and ferocious expressions on men's faces as
+came into theirs, as they fixed their eyes as with one accord upon the
+ship.  _She_, deep as she was, looked a beautiful model on the mighty
+surface of the water, rolling with marvelous grace to the swell, the
+strength and volume of which made me feel my littleness and weakness as
+it lifted the small boat with irresistible power.  There was wind
+enough to keep her sails full upon her graceful, slender masts, and the
+brass-work upon her deck flashed brilliantly as she rolled from side to
+side.
+
+Strange contrast, to look from her to the broken and desolate picture
+ahead!  My eyes were riveted upon it now with new and intense emotion,
+for by this time I could discern that the person who was waving to us
+was a female,--woman or girl I could not yet make out,--and that her
+hair was like a veil of gold behind her swaying arm.
+
+"It's a woman!" I cried in my excitement; "it's no man at all.  Pull
+smartly, my lads! pull smartly, for God's sake!"
+
+The men gave way stoutly, and the swell favoring us, we were soon close
+to the wreck.  The girl, as I now perceived she was, waved her
+handkerchief wildly as we approached; but my attention was occupied in
+considering how we could best board the wreck without injury to the
+boat.  She lay broadside to us, with her stern on our right, and was
+not only rolling heavily with wallowing, squelching movements, but was
+swirling the heavy mizzenmast that lay alongside through the water each
+time she went over to starboard; so that it was necessary to approach
+her with the greatest caution to prevent our boat from being stove in.
+Another element of danger was the great flood of water which she took
+in over her shattered bulwarks, first on this side, then on that,
+discharging the torrent again into the sea as she rolled.  This water
+came from her like a cataract, and in a second would fill and sink the
+boat, unless extreme care were taken to keep clear of it.
+
+I waved my hat to the poor girl, to let her know that we saw her and
+had come to save her, and steered the boat right around the wreck, that
+I might observe the most practical point for boarding her.
+
+She appeared to be a vessel of about seven hundred tons.  The falling
+of her masts had crushed her port bulwarks level with the deck, and
+part of her starboard bulwarks was also smashed to pieces.  Her wheel
+was gone, and the heavy seas that had swept her deck had carried away
+capstans, binnacle, hatchway gratings, pumps--everything, in short, but
+the deck-house and the remnants of the galley.  I particularly noticed
+a strong iron boat's-davit twisted up like a corkscrew.  She was full
+of water, and lay as deep as her main-chains; but her bows stood high,
+and her fore-chains were out of the sea.  It was miraculous to see her
+keep afloat as the long swell rolled over her in a cruel, foaming
+succession of waves.
+
+Though these plain details impressed themselves upon my memory, I did
+not seem to notice anything, in the anxiety that possessed me to rescue
+the lonely creature in the deck-house.  It would have been impossible
+to keep a footing upon the main-deck without a life-line or something
+to hold on by; and seeing this, and forming my resolutions rapidly, I
+ordered the man in the bow of the boat to throw in his oar and exchange
+places with me, and head the boat for the starboard port-chains.  As we
+approached I stood up with one foot planted on the gunwale ready to
+spring; the broken shrouds were streaming aft and alongside, so that if
+I missed the jump and fell into the water there was plenty of stuff to
+catch hold of.
+
+"Gently--'vast rowing--ready to back astern smartly!" I cried as we
+approached.  I waited a moment: the hull rolled toward us, and the
+succeeding swell threw up our boat; the deck, though all aslant, was on
+a line with my feet.  I sprung with all my strength, and got well upon
+the deck, but fell heavily as I reached it.  However, I was up again in
+a moment, and ran forward out of the water.
+
+Here was a heap of gear--stay-sail, and jib-halyards, and other ropes,
+some of the ends swarming overboard.  I hauled in one of these ends,
+but found I could not clear the raffle; but looking round, I perceived
+a couple of coils of line--spare stun'-sail tacks or halyards I took
+them to be--lying close against the foot of the bowsprit.  I
+immediately seized the end of one of these coils, and flung it into the
+boat, telling them to drop clear of the wreck astern; and when they
+found they had backed as far as the length of the line permitted, I
+bent on the end of the other coil, and paid that out until the boat was
+some fathoms astern.  I then made my end fast, and sung out to one of
+the men to get on board by the starboard mizzen-chains, and to bring
+the end of the line with him.  After waiting a few minutes, the boat
+being hidden, I saw the fellow come scrambling over the side with a red
+face, his clothes and hair streaming, he having fallen overboard.  He
+shook himself like a dog, and crawled with the line, on his hands and
+knees, a short distance forward, then hauled the line taut and made it
+fast.
+
+"Tell them to bring the boat round here," I cried, "and lay off on
+their oars until we are ready.  And you get hold of this line and work
+yourself up to me."
+
+Saying which, I advanced along the deck, clinging tightly with both
+hands.  It very providentially happened that the door of the deck-house
+faced the forecastle within a few feet of where the remains of the
+galley stood.  There would be, therefore, less risk in opening it than
+had it faced beamwise: for the water, as it broke against the sides of
+the house, disparted clear of the fore and after parts; that is, the
+great bulk of it ran clear, though of course a foot's depth of it as
+least surged against the door.
+
+I called out to the girl to open the door quickly, as it slid in
+grooves like a panel, and was not to be stirred from the outside.  The
+poor creature appeared mad; and I repeated my request three times
+without inducing her to leave the window.  Then, not believing that she
+understood me, I cried out, "Are you English?"
+
+"Yes," she replied.  "For God's sake, save us!"
+
+"I cannot get you through that window," I exclaimed.  "Rouse yourself
+and open that door, and I will save you."
+
+She now seemed to comprehend, and drew in her head.  By this time the
+man out of the boat had succeeded in sliding along the rope to where I
+stood, though the poor devil was nearly drowned on the road; for when
+about half-way, the hull took in a lump of swell which swept him right
+off his legs, and he was swung hard a-starboard, holding on for his
+life.  However, he recovered himself smartly when the water was gone,
+and came along hand over fist, snorting and cursing in wonderful style.
+
+Meanwhile, though I kept a firm hold of the life-line, I took care to
+stand where the inroads of water were not heavy, waiting impatiently
+for the door to open.  It shook in the grooves, tried by a feeble hand;
+then a desperate effort was made, and it slid a couple of inches.
+
+"That will do!" I shouted.  "Now then, my lad, catch hold of me with
+one hand, and the line with the other."
+
+The fellow took a firm grip of my monkey-jacket, and I made for the
+door.  The water washed up to my knees, but I soon inserted my fingers
+in the crevice of the door and thrust it open.
+
+The house was a single compartment, though I had expected to find it
+divided into two.  In the centre was a table that traveled on
+stanchions from the roof to the deck, On either side were a couple of
+bunks.  The girl stood near the door.  In a bunk to the left of the
+door lay an old man with white hair.  Prostrate on his back, on the
+deck, with his arms stretched against his ears, was the corpse of a
+man, well dressed; and in a bunk on the right sat a sailor, who, when
+he saw me, yelled out and snapped his fingers, making horrible grimaces.
+
+Such, in brief, was the _coup d'oeil_ of that weird interior as it met
+my eyes.
+
+I seized the girl by the arm.
+
+"You first," said I.  "Come; there is no time to be lost."
+
+But she shrunk back, pressing against the door with her hand to prevent
+me from pulling her, crying in a husky voice, and looking at the old
+man with the white hair, "My father first! my father first!"
+
+"You shall all be saved, but you must obey me.  Quickly now!" I
+exclaimed passionately; for a heavy sea at that moment flooded the
+ship, and a rush of water swamped the house through the open door and
+washed the corpse on the deck up into a corner.
+
+Grasping her firmly, I lifted her off her feet, and went staggering to
+the life-rope, slinging her light body over my shoulder as I went.
+Assisted by my man, I gained the bow of the wreck, and hailing the
+boat, ordered it alongside.
+
+"One of you," cried I, "stand ready to receive this lady when I give
+the signal."
+
+I then told the man who was with me to jump into the forechains, which
+he instantly did.  The wreck lurched heavily to port.  "Stand by, my
+lads!" I shouted.  Over she came again, with the water swooping along
+the maindeck: The boat rose high, and the forechains were submerged to
+the height of the man's knees.  "Now!" I called, and lifted the girl
+over.  She was seized by the man in the chains, and pushed toward the
+boat; the fellow standing in the bow of the boat caught her, and at the
+same moment down sunk the boat, and the wreck rolled wearily over.  But
+the girl was safe.
+
+"Hurrah, my lad!" I sung out.  "Up with you,--there are others
+remaining;" and I went sprawling along the line to the deck-house,
+there to encounter another rush of water, which washed as high as my
+thighs, and fetched me such a thump in the stomach that I thought I
+must have died of suffocation.
+
+I was glad to find that the old man had got out of his bunk, and was
+standing at the door.
+
+"Is my poor girl safe, sir?" he exclaimed, with the same huskiness of
+voice that had grated so unpleasantly in the girl's tone.
+
+"Quite safe; come along."
+
+"Thanks be to Almighty God!" he ejaculated, and burst into tears.
+
+I seized hold of his thin cold hands, but shifted my fingers to catch
+him by the coat collar, so as to exert more power over him; and handed
+him along the deck, telling my companion to lay hold of the seaman and
+fetch him away smartly.  We managed to escape the water, for the poor
+old gentleman bestirred himself very nimbly, and I helped him over the
+fore-chains; and when the boat rose, tumbled him into her without
+ceremony.  I saw the daughter leap toward him and clasp him in her
+arms; but I was soon again scrambling on to the deck, having heard
+cries from my man, accompanied with several loud curses, mingled with
+dreadful yells.
+
+"He's bitten me, sir!" cried by companion, hauling himself away from
+the deck-house.  "He's roaring mad."
+
+"It can't be helped," I answered.  "We must get him out."
+
+He saw me pushing along the life-line, plucked up heart, and went with
+myself through a sousing sea to the door.  I caught a glimpse of a
+white face glaring at me from the interior: in a second a figure shot
+out, fled with incredible speed toward the bow, and leaped into the sea
+just where our boat lay.
+
+"They'll pick him up," I exclaimed.  "Stop a second;"  and I entered
+the house and stooped over the figure of the man on the deck.
+
+I was not familiar with death, and yet I knew it was here.  I cannot
+describe the signs in his face; but such as they were, they told me the
+truth.  I noticed a ring upon his finger, and that his clothes were
+good.  His hair was black, and his features well shaped, though his
+face had a half-convulsed expression, as if something frightful had
+appeared to him, and he had died of the sight of it.
+
+"This wreck must be his coffin," I said.  "He is a corpse.  We can do
+no more."
+
+We scrambled for the last time along the life-line and got into the
+fore-chains; but to our consternation, saw the boat rowing away from
+the wreck.  However, the fit of rage and terror that possessed me
+lasted but a moment or two; for I now saw they were giving chase to the
+madman, who was swimming steadily away.  Two of the men rowed, and the
+third hung over the bows, ready to grasp the miserable wretch.  The
+_Grosvenor_ stood steady, about a mile off, with her mainyards backed;
+and just as the fellow over the boat's bows caught hold of the
+swimmer's hair, the ensign was run up on board the ship and dipped
+three times.
+
+"Bring him along!" I shouted.  "They'll be off without us if we don't
+bear a hand."
+
+They nearly capsized the boat as they dragged the lunatic, streaming
+like a drowned rat, out of the water; and one of the sailors tumbled
+him over on his back, and knelt upon him, while he took some turns with
+the boat's painter round his body, arms and legs.  The boat then came
+alongside; and watching our opportunity, we jumped into her and shoved
+off.
+
+I had now leisure to examine the persons whom we had saved.
+
+They--father and daughter, as I judged them by the girl's exclamation
+on the wreck--sat in the stern-sheets, their hands locked.  The old man
+seemed nearly insensible; leaning backward with his chin on his breast
+and his eyes partially closed.  I feared he was dying; but could do no
+good until we reached the _Grosvenor_, as we had no spirits in the boat.
+
+The girl appeared to be about twenty years of age; very fair, her hair
+of golden straw color, which hung wet and streaky down her back and
+over her shoulders, though a portion of it was held by a comb.  She was
+deadly pale, and her lips blue; and in her fine eyes was such a look of
+mingled horror and rapture as she cast them around her,--first glancing
+at me, then at the wreck, then at the _Grosvenor_,--that the memory of
+it will last me to my death.  Her dress, of some dark material, was
+soaked with salt water up to her hips, and she shivered and moaned
+incessantly, though the sun beat so warmly upon us that the thwarts
+were hot to the hand.
+
+The mad sailor lay at the bottom of the boat, looking straight into the
+sky.  He was a horrid-looking object, with his streaming hair, pasty
+features, and red beard, his naked shanks and feet protruding through
+his soaking, clinging trousers, which figured his shin-bones as though
+they clothed a skeleton.  Now and again he would give himself a wild
+twirl and yelp out fiercely; but he was well-nigh spent with his swim,
+and on the whole was quiet enough.
+
+I said to the girl, "How long have you been in this dreadful position?"
+
+"Since yesterday morning," she answered, in a choking voice painful to
+hear, and gulping after each word.  "We have not had a drop of water to
+drink since the night before last.  He is mad with thirst, for he drank
+the water on the deck;" and she pointed to the man in the bottom of the
+boat.
+
+"My God!" I cried to the men, "do you hear her?  They have not drunk
+water for two days!  For the love of God, give way!"
+
+They bent their backs to the oars, and the boat foamed over the long
+swell.  The wind was astern and helped us.  I did not speak again to
+the poor girl; for it was cruel to make her talk, when the words
+lacerated her throat as though they were pieces of burning iron.
+
+After twenty minutes, which seemed as many hours, we reached the
+vessel.  The crew pressing round the gangway cheered when they saw we
+had brought people from the wreck.  Duckling and the skipper watched us
+grimly from the poop.
+
+"Now then, my lads," I cried, "up with this lady first.  Some of you on
+deck get water ready, as these people are dying of thirst."
+
+In a few minutes, both the girl and the old man were handed over the
+gangway.  I cut the boat's painter adrift from the ringbolt so that we
+could ship the madman without loosening his bonds, and he was hoisted
+up like a bale of goods.  Then four of us got out of the boat, leaving
+one to drop her under the davits and hook on the falls.
+
+At this moment a horrible scene took place.
+
+The old man, tottering on the arms of two seamen, was being led into
+the cuddy, followed by the girl, who walked unaided.  The madman, in
+the grasp of the big sailor named Johnson, stood near the gangway; and
+as I scrambled on deck, one of the men was holding a pannikin full of
+water to his face.  The poor wretch was shrinking away from it, with
+his eyes half out of their sockets; but suddenly tearing his arm with a
+violent effort from the rope that bound him, he seized the pannikin and
+bit clean through the tin; after which, throwing back his head, he
+swallowed the whole draught dashed the pannikin down, his face turned
+black and he fell dead on the deck.
+
+The big sailor sprung aside with an oath, forced from him by his
+terror; and from every looker-on there broke a groan.  They all shrunk
+away and stood staring with blanched faces.  Such a piteous sight as it
+was, lying doubled up, with the rope pinioning the miserable limbs, the
+teeth locked, and the right arm uptossed!
+
+"Aft here and get the quarter-boat hoisted up!" shouted Duckling,
+advancing on the poop; and seeing the man dead on the deck, he added,
+"Get a tarpaulin and cover him up, and let him lie on the fore-hatch."
+
+"Shall I tell the steward to serve out grog to the men who went with
+me?" I asked him.
+
+He stared at me contemptuously, and walked away without answering.
+
+
+
+
+THE SAILOR'S WIFE
+
+From "An Iceland Fisherman," BY PIERRE LOTI
+
+
+The Icelanders were all returning now.  Two ships came in the second
+day, four the next, and twelve during the following week.  And all
+through the country joy returned with them; and there was happiness for
+the wives and mothers, and junkets in the taverns where the beautiful
+barmaids of Paimpol served out drink to the fishers.
+
+The _Léopoldine_ was among the belated; there were yet another ten
+expected.  They would not be long now; and allowing a week's delay so
+as not to be disappointed, Gaud waited in happy, passionate joy for
+Yann, keeping their home bright and tidy for his return.  When
+everything was in good order there was nothing left for her to do; and
+besides, in her impatience, she could think of nothing else but her
+husband.
+
+Three more ships appeared; then another five.  There were only two
+lacking now.
+
+"Come, come," they said to her cheerily, "this year the _Léopoldine_
+and the _Marie-Jeanne_ will be the last, to pick up all the brooms
+fallen overboard from the other craft."
+
+Gaud laughed also.  She was more animated and beautiful than ever, in
+her great joy of expectancy.
+
+But the days succeeded one another without result.
+
+She still dressed up every day, and with a joyful look went down to the
+harbor to gossip with the other wives.  She said that this delay was
+but natural: was it not the same event every year?  These were such
+safe boats, and had such capital sailors.
+
+But when at home alone, at night, a nervous anxious shiver of
+apprehension would run through her whole frame.
+
+Was it right to be frightened already?  Was there even a single reason
+to be so?  but she began to tremble at the mere idea of grounds for
+being afraid.
+
+The 10th of September came.  How swiftly the days flew by!
+
+One morning--a true autumn morning, with cold mist falling over the
+earth in the rising sun--she sat under the porch of the chapel of the
+shipwrecked mariners, where the widows go to pray; with eyes fixed and
+glassy, and throbbing temples tightened as by an iron band.
+
+These sad morning mists had begun two days before; and on this
+particular day Gaud had awakened with a still more bitter uneasiness,
+caused by the forecast of advancing winter.  Why did this day, this
+hour, this very moment, seem to her more painful than the preceding?
+Often ships are delayed a fortnight; even a month, for that matter.
+
+But surely there was something different about this particular morning;
+for she had come to-day for the first time to sit in the porch of this
+chapel and read the names of the dead sailors, perished in their prime.
+
+  IN MEMORY OF
+  GAOS YVON
+  Lost at Sea
+
+  NEAR THE NORDEN-FJORD
+
+
+Like a great shudder, a gust of wind rose from the sea, and at the same
+time something fell like rain upon the roof above.  It was only the
+dead leaves, though;--many were blown in at the porch; the old
+wind-tossed trees of the graveyard were losing their foliage in this
+rising gale, and winter was marching nearer.
+
+      Lost at Sea
+    NEAR THE NORDEN-FJORD
+  In the storm of the 4th and 5th of August, 1880
+
+She read mechanically under the arch of the doorway; her eyes sought to
+pierce the distance over the sea.  That morning it was untraceable
+under the gray mist, and a dragging drapery of clouds overhung the
+horizon like a mourning veil.
+
+Another gust of wind, and other leaves danced in whirls.  A stronger
+gust still; as if the western storm which had strewn those dead over
+the sea wished to deface the very inscriptions which kept their names
+in memory with the living.
+
+Gaud looked with involuntary persistency at an empty space upon the
+wall which seemed to yawn expectant.  By a terrible impression, she was
+pursued by the thought of a fresh slab which might soon perhaps be
+placed there,--with another name which she did not even dare think of
+in such a spot.
+
+She felt cold, and remained seated on the granite bench, her head
+reclining against the stone wall.
+
+    NEAR THE NORDEN-FJORD
+  In the storm of the 4th and 5th of August, 1880
+    at the age of 23 years
+      _Requiescat in pace_!
+
+
+Then Iceland loomed up before her, with its little cemetery lighted up
+from below the sea-line by the midnight sun.  Suddenly, in the same
+empty space on the wall, with horrifying clearness she saw the fresh
+slab she was thinking of; a clear white one, with a skull and
+crossbones, and in a flash of foresight a name,--the worshiped name of
+"Yann Gaos"!  Then she suddenly and fearfully drew herself up straight
+and stiff, with a hoarse wild cry in her throat like a mad creature.
+
+Outside, the gray mist of the dawn fell over the land, and the dead
+leaves were again blown dancingly into the porch.
+
+Steps on the footpath!  Somebody was coming?  She rose, and quickly
+smoothed down her cap and composed her face.  Nearer drew the steps.
+She assumed the air of one who might be there by chance; for above all,
+she did not wish to appear yet like the widow of a shipwrecked mariner.
+
+It happened to be Fante Floury, the wife of the second mate of the
+_Léopoldine_.  She understood immediately what Gaud was doing there: it
+was useless to dissemble with her.  At first each woman stood
+speechless before the other.  They were angry and almost hated each
+other for having met holding a like sentiment of apprehension.
+
+"All the men of Tréguier and Saint-Brieuc have been back for a week,"
+said Fante at last, in an unfeeling, muffled, half-irritated voice.
+
+She carried a blessed taper in her hand, to offer up a prayer.  Gaud
+did not wish yet to resort to that extreme resource of despairing
+wives.  Yet silently she entered the chapel behind Fante, and they
+knelt down together side by side like two sisters.
+
+To the _Star of the Sea_ they offered ardent imploring prayers, with
+their whole soul in them.  A sound of sobbing was alone heard, as their
+rapid tears swiftly fell upon the floor.  They rose together, more
+confident and softened.  Fante held up Gaud, who staggered; and taking
+her in her arms, kissed her.
+
+Wiping their eyes and smoothing their disheveled hair, they brushed off
+the salt dust from the flag-stones which had soiled their gowns, and
+went away in opposite directions without another word.
+
+This end of September was like another summer, only a little less
+lively.  The weather was so beautiful that had it not been for the dead
+leaves which fell upon the roads, one might have thought that June had
+come back again.  Husbands and sweethearts had all returned, and
+everywhere was the joy of a second springtime of love.
+
+At last, one day, one of the missing ships was signaled.  Which one was
+it?
+
+The groups of speechless and anxious women had rapidly formed on the
+cliff.  Gaud, pale and trembling, was there, by the side of her Yann's
+father.
+
+"I'm almost sure," said the old fisher, "I'm almost sure it's them.  A
+red rail and a topsail that clews up,--it's very like them, anyhow.
+What do you make it, Gaud?"
+
+"No, it isn't," he went on, with sudden discouragement: "we've made a
+mistake again; the boom isn't the same, and ours has a jigger-sail.
+Well, well, it isn't our boat this time, it's only the _Marie-Jeanne_.
+Never mind, my lass, surely they'll not be long now."
+
+But day followed day, and night succeeded night, with uninterrupted
+serenity.
+
+Gaud continued to dress up every day; like a poor crazed woman, always
+in fear of being taken for the widow of a shipwrecked sailor, feeling
+exasperated when others looked furtively and compassionately at her,
+and glancing aside so that she might not meet those glances which froze
+her very blood.
+
+She had fallen into the habit of going at the early morning right to
+the end of the headland, on the high cliffs of Pors-Even; passing
+behind Yann's old home, so as not to be seen by his mother or little
+sisters.  She went to the extreme point of the Ploubazlanec land, which
+is outlined in the shape of a reindeer's horn upon the gray waters of
+the Channel, and sat there all day long at the foot of the lonely cross
+which rises high above the immense waste of the ocean.  There are many
+of these crosses hereabout; they are set up on the most advanced cliffs
+of the sea-bound land, as if to implore mercy, and to calm that
+restless mysterious power which draws men away, never to give them
+back, and in preference retains the bravest and noblest.
+
+Around this cross stretches the evergreen waste, strewn with short
+rushes.  At this great height the sea air was very pure; it scarcely
+retained the briny odor of the weeds, but was perfumed with all the
+exquisite ripeness of September flowers.
+
+Far away, all the bays and inlets of the coast were firmly outlined,
+rising one above another; the land of Brittany terminated in jagged
+edges, which spread out far into the tranquil surface.
+
+Near at hand the reefs were numerous; but out beyond, nothing broke its
+polished mirror, from which arose a soft caressing ripple, light and
+intensified from the depths of its many bays.  Its horizon seemed so
+calm, and its depths so soft!  The great blue sepulchre of many Gaoses
+hid its inscrutable mystery; whilst the breezes, faint as human breath,
+wafted to and fro the perfume of the stunted gorse, which had bloomed
+again in the latest autumn sun.
+
+At regular hours the sea retreated, and great spaces were left
+uncovered everywhere, as if the Channel was slowly drying up; then with
+the same lazy slowness the waters rose again, and continued their
+everlasting coming without any heed of the dead.
+
+At the foot of the cross Gaud remained, surrounded by these tranquil
+mysteries, gazing ever before her until the night fell and she could
+see no more.
+
+September had passed.  The sorrowing wife took scarcely any
+nourishment, and could no longer sleep.
+
+She remained at home now, crouching low with her hands between her
+knees, her head thrown back and resting against the wall behind.  What
+was the good of getting up or going to bed now?  When she was
+thoroughly exhausted she threw herself, dressed, upon her bed.
+Otherwise she remained in the same position, chilled and benumbed; in
+her quiescent state, only her teeth chattered with the cold; she had
+that continual impression of a band of iron round her brows; her cheeks
+looked wasted; her mouth was dry, with a feverish taste, and at times a
+painful hoarse cry rose from her throat and was repeated in spasms,
+whilst her head beat backwards against the granite wall.  Or else she
+called Yann by his name in a low, tender voice, as if he were quite
+close to her; whispering words of love to her.
+
+Sometimes she occupied her brain with thoughts of quite insignificant
+things; for instance, she amused herself by watching the shadow of the
+china Virgin lengthen slowly over the high woodwork of the bed, as the
+sun went down.  And then the agonized thoughts returned more horribly;
+and her wailing cry broke out again as she beat her head against the
+wall.
+
+All the hours of the day passed; and all the hours of evening, and of
+night; and then the hours of the morning.  When she reckoned the time
+he ought to have been back, she was seized with a still greater terror;
+she wished to forget all dates and the very names of the days.
+
+Generally, there is some information concerning the wrecks off Iceland;
+those who return have seen the tragedy from afar, or else have found
+some wreckage or bodies, or have an indication to guess the rest.  But
+of the _Léopoldine_ nothing had been seen, and nothing was known.  The
+_Marie-Jeanne_ men--the last to have seen it on the 2d of August--said
+that she was to have gone on fishing farther towards the north; and
+beyond that the secret was unfathomable.
+
+Waiting, always waiting, and knowing nothing!  When would the time come
+when she need wait no longer?  She did not even know that; and now she
+almost wished that it might be soon.  Oh! if he were dead, let them at
+least have pity enough to tell her so!
+
+Oh to see her darling, as he was at this very moment,--that is, what
+was left of him!  If only the much-implored Virgin, or some other
+power, would do her the blessing to show her by second-sight her
+beloved! either living and working hard to return a rich man, or else
+as a corpse surrendered by the sea, so that she might at least know a
+certainty.
+
+Sometimes she was seized with the thought of a ship appearing suddenly
+upon the horizon: the _Léopoldine_ hastening home.  Then she would
+suddenly make an instinctive movement to rise, and rush to look out at
+the ocean, to see whether it were true.
+
+But she would fall back.  Alas! where was this _Léopoldine_ now?  Where
+could she be?  Out afar, at that awful distance of Iceland,--forsaken,
+crushed, and lost.
+
+All ended by a never-fading vision appearing to her,--an empty,
+sea-tossed wreck, slowly and gently rocked by the silent gray and
+rose-streaked sea; almost with soft mockery, in the midst of the vast
+calm of deadened waters.
+
+Two o'clock in the morning.
+
+It was at night especially that she kept attentive to approaching
+footsteps; at the slightest rumor or unaccustomed noise her temples
+vibrated: by dint of being strained to outward things, they had become
+fearfully sensitive.
+
+Two o'clock in the morning.  On this night as on others, with her hands
+clasped and her eyes wide open in the dark, she listened to the wind
+sweeping in never-ending tumult over the heath.
+
+Suddenly a man's footsteps hurried along the path!  At this hour who
+would pass now?  She drew herself up, stirred to the very soul, her
+heart ceasing to beat.
+
+Some one stopped before the door, and came up the small stone steps.
+
+He!--O God!--he!  Some one had knocked,--it could be no other than he!
+She was up now, barefooted; she, so feeble for the last few days, had
+sprung up as nimbly as a kitten, with her arms outstretched to wind
+round her darling.  Of course the _Léopoldine_ had arrived at night,
+and anchored in Pors-Even Bay, and he had rushed home; she arranged all
+this in her mind with the swiftness of lightning.  She tore the flesh
+off her fingers in her excitement to draw the bolt, which had stuck.
+
+"Eh?"
+
+She slowly moved backward, as if crushed, her head falling on her
+bosom.  Her beautiful insane dream was over.  She could just grasp that
+it was not her husband, her Yann, and that nothing of him, substantial
+or spiritual, had passed through the air; she felt plunged again into
+her deep abyss, to the lowest depths of her terrible despair.
+
+Poor Fantec--for it was he--stammered many excuses: his wife was very
+ill, and their child was choking in its cot, suddenly attacked with a
+malignant sore throat; so he had run over to beg for assistance on the
+road to fetch the doctor from Paimpol.
+
+What did all this matter to her?  She had gone mad in her own distress,
+and could give no thoughts to the troubles of others.  Huddled on a
+bench, she remained before him with fixed glazed eyes, like a dead
+woman's; without listening to him, or even answering at random or
+looking at him.  What to her was the speech the man was making?
+
+He understood it all, and guessed why the door had been opened so
+quickly to him; and feeling pity for the pain he had unwittingly
+caused, he stammered out an excuse.
+
+"Just so: he never ought to have disturbed her--her in particular."
+
+"I!" ejaculated Gaud quickly, "why should I not be disturbed
+particularly, Fantec?"
+
+Life had suddenly come back to her; for she did not wish to appear in
+despair before others.  Besides, she pitied him now; she dressed to
+accompany him, and found the strength to go and see to his little child.
+
+At four o'clock in the morning, when she returned to throw herself on
+the bed, sleep subdued her, for she was tired out.  But that moment of
+excessive joy had left an impression on her mind, which in spite of all
+was permanent; she awoke soon with a shudder, rising a little and
+partially recollecting--she knew not what.  News had come to her about
+her Yann.  In the midst of her confusion of ideas, she sought rapidly
+in her mind what it could be; but there was nothing save Fantec's
+interruption.
+
+For the second time she fell back into her terrible abyss, nothing
+changed in her morbid, hopeless waiting.
+
+Yet in that short, hopeful moment, she had felt him so near to her that
+it was as if his spirit had floated over the sea unto her,--what is
+called a foretoken (_pressigne_) in Breton land; and she listened still
+more attentively to the steps outside, trusting that some one might
+come to her to speak of him.
+
+Just as the day broke, Yann's father entered.  He took off his cap, and
+pushed back his splendid white locks, which were in curls like Yann's,
+sat down by Gaud's bedside.
+
+His heart ached heavily too; for Yann, his tall, handsome Yann, was his
+first-born, his favorite and his pride: but he did not despair yet.  He
+comforted Gaud in his own blunt, affectionate way.  To begin with,
+those who had last returned from Iceland spoke of the increasing dense
+fogs, which might well have delayed the vessel; and then too an idea
+struck him,--they might possibly have stopped at the distant Faroe
+Islands on their homeward course, whence letters were so long in
+traveling.  This had happened to him once forty years ago, and his own
+poor dead and gone mother had had a mass said for his soul.  The
+_Léopoldine_ was such a good boat,--next to new,--and her crew were
+such able-bodied seamen.
+
+Granny Moan stood by them shaking her head: the distress of her
+granddaughter had almost given her back her own strength and reason.
+She tidied up the place, glancing from time to time at the faded
+portrait of Sylvestre, which hung upon the granite wall with its anchor
+emblems and mourning-wreath of black bead-work.  Ever since the sea had
+robbed her of her own last offspring, she believed no longer in safe
+returns; she only prayed through fear, bearing Heaven a grudge in the
+bottom of her heart.
+
+But Gaud listened eagerly to these consoling reasonings; her large
+sunken eyes looked with deep tenderness out upon this old sire, who so
+much resembled her beloved one; merely to have him near her was like a
+hostage against death having taken the younger Gaos; and she felt
+reassured, nearer to her Yann.  Her tears fell softly and silently, and
+she repeated again her passionate prayers to the Star of the Sea.
+
+A delay out at those Islands to repair damages was a very likely event.
+She rose and brushed her hair, and then dressed as if she might fairly
+expect him.  All then was not lost, if a seaman, his own father, did
+not yet despair.  And for a few days she resumed looking out for him
+again.
+
+Autumn at last arrived,--a late autumn too,--its gloomy evenings making
+all things appear dark in the old cottage; and all the land looked
+sombre too.
+
+The very daylight seemed a sort of twilight; immeasurable clouds,
+passing slowly overhead, darkened the whole country at broad noon.  The
+wind blew constantly with the sound of a great cathedral organ at a
+distance, but playing profane, despairing dirges; at other times the
+noise came close to the door, like the howling of wild beasts.
+
+She had grown pale,--aye, blanched,--and bent more than ever; as if old
+age had already touched her with its featherless wing.  Often did she
+finger the wedding clothes of her Yann, folding them and unfolding them
+again and again like some maniac,--especially one of his blue woolen
+jerseys which still had preserved his shape: when she threw it gently
+on the table, it fell with the shoulders and chest well defined; so she
+placed it by itself in a shelf of their wardrobe, and left it there, so
+that it might forever rest unaltered.
+
+Every night the cold mists sank upon the land, as she gazed over the
+depressing heath through her little window, and watched the thin puffs
+of white smoke arise from the chimneys of other cottages scattered here
+and there on all sides.  There the husbands had returned, like
+wandering birds driven home by the frost.  Before their blazing hearths
+the evenings passed, cozy and warm; for the springtime of love had
+begun again in this land of North Sea fishermen.
+
+Still clinging to the thought of those islands where he might perhaps
+have lingered, she was buoyed up by a kind hope, and expected him home
+any day.
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+But he never returned.  One August night, out off gloomy Iceland,
+mingled with the furious clamor of the sea, his wedding with the sea
+was performed.  It had been his nurse; it had rocked him in his
+babyhood and had afterwards made him big and strong; then, in his
+superb manhood, it had taken him back again for itself alone.
+Profoundest mystery had surrounded this unhallowed union.  While it
+went on, dark curtains hung pall-like over it as if to conceal the
+ceremony, and the ghoul howled in an awful, deafening voice to stifle
+his cries.  He, thinking of Gaud, his sole, darling wife, had battled
+with giant strength against this deathly rival, until he at last
+surrendered, with a deep death-cry like the roar of a dying bull,
+through a mouth already filled with water; and his arms were stretched
+apart and stiffened forever.
+
+All those he had invited in days of old were present at his wedding.
+All except Sylvestre, who had gone to sleep in the enchanted gardens
+far, far away, at the other side of the earth.
+
+
+
+
+THE SALVING OF THE YAN-SHAN
+
+From "In Blue Waters," BY H. DE VERE STACKPOOLE
+
+
+I
+
+The _Heart of Ireland_ was spreading her wings to the north-west
+trades, making a good seven knots, with the coast of California a vague
+line on the horizon to port and all the blue Pacific before her.
+
+Captain Blood was aft with his mate, Billy Harman, leaning on the rail
+and watching the foam boosting away from the stern and flowing off in
+creamy lines on the swirl of the wake.  Ginnell, owner and captain of
+the _Heart of Ireland_, shanghaied and reduced to deck hand, was
+forward on the look-out, and one of the coolie crew was at the wheel.
+
+"I'm not given to meeting trouble half-way," said Blood, shifting his
+position and leaning with his left arm on the rail, "but it 'pears to
+me Pat Ginnell is taking his set down a mighty sight too easy.  He's
+got something up his sleeve."
+
+"So've we," replied Harman.  "What can he do?  He laid out to shanghai
+you, and by gum, he did it.  I don't say I didn't let him down crool,
+playin' into his hands and pretendin' to help and gettin' Captain Mike
+as a witness, but the fac' remains he got you aboard this hooker by
+foul play, shanghaied you were, and then you turns the tables on him,
+knocks the stuffin' out of him and turns him into a deck hand.  How's
+he to complain?  I'd start back to 'Frisco now and dare him to come
+ashore with his complaints.  We've got his ship, well, that's his
+fault.  He's no legs to stand on, that's truth.
+
+"Leavin' aside this little bisness, he's known as a crook from Benicia
+right to San Jose.  The bay stinks with him and his doin's; settin'
+Chinese sturgeon lines, Captain Mike said he was, and all but nailed,
+smugglin' and playin' up to the Greeks, and worse.  The Bayside's
+hungry to catch him an' stuff him in the penitentiary, and he hasn't no
+friends.  I'm no saint, I owns it, but I'm a plaster John the Baptis'
+to Ginnell, and I've got friends, so have you.  Well, what are you
+bothering about?"
+
+"Oh, I'm not bothering about the law," said Blood, "only about him.
+I'm going to keep my eye open and not be put asleep by his quiet
+ways--and I'd advise you to do the same."
+
+"Trust me," said Harman, "and more especial when we come to longsides
+with the _Yan-Shan_."
+
+Now the _Yan-Shan_ had started in life somewhere early in the nineties
+as a twelve hundred ton cargo boat in the Bullmer line; she had been
+christened the _Robert Bullmer_, and her first act when the dog-shores
+had been knocked away was a bull charge down the launching slip,
+resulting in the bursting of a hawser, the washing over of a boat and
+the drowning of two innocent spectators; her next was an attempt to
+butt the Eddystone over in a fog, and, being unbreakable, she might
+have succeeded only that she was going dead slow.  She drifted out of
+the Bullmer line on the wash of a law-suit owing to the ramming by her
+of a Cape boat in Las Palmas harbour; engaged herself in the fruit
+trade in the service of the Corona Capuella Syndicate, and got on to
+the Swimmer rocks with a cargo of Jamaica oranges, a broken screw shaft
+and a blown-off cylinder cover.  The ruined cargo, salvage and tow
+smashed the Syndicate, and the _Robert Bullmer_ found new occupations
+till the See-Yup-See Company of Canton picked her up, and,
+rechristening, used her for conveying coffins and coolies to the
+American seaboard.  They had sent her to Valdivia on some business, and
+on the return from the southern port to 'Frisco she had, true to her
+instincts and helped by a gale, run on San Juan, a scrap of an island
+north of the Channel Islands of the California coast.  Every soul had
+been lost with the exception of two Chinese coolies, who, drifting on a
+raft, had been picked up and brought to San Francisco.
+
+She had a general cargo and twenty thousand dollars in gold coin on
+board, but the coolies had declared her to be a total wreck, said, in
+fact, when they had last sighted her she was going to pieces.
+
+That was the yarn Harman heard through Clancy, with the intimation that
+the wreck was not worth two dollars, let alone the expenses of a
+salvage ship.
+
+The story had eaten into Harman's mind; he knew San Juan better than
+any man in 'Frisco, and he considered that a ship once ashore there
+would stick; then Ginnell turned up, and the luminous idea of inducing
+Ginnell to shanghai Blood so that Blood might with his, Harman's,
+assistance shanghai Ginnell and use the _Heart of Ireland_ for the
+picking of the _Yan-Shan's_ pocket, entered his mind.
+
+"It's just when we come alongside the _Yan-Shan_ we may find our worst
+bother," said Blood.
+
+"Which way?" asked Harman.
+
+"Well, they're pretty sure to send some sort of a wrecking expedition
+to try and salve some of the cargo, let alone those dollars."
+
+"See here," said Harman, "I had the news from Clancy that morning, and
+it had only just come to 'Frisco, it wasn't an hour old; we put the cap
+on Ginnell and were out of the Golden Gate before sundown same day.  A
+wrecking ship would take all of two days to get her legs under her,
+supposing anyone bought the wreck, so we have two days' start; we've
+been makin' seven knots and maybe a bit over, they won't make more.  So
+we have two days to our good when we get there."
+
+"They may start a quick ship out on the job," said Blood.
+
+"Well, now, there's where my knowledge comes in," said Harman.
+"There's only two salvage ships at present in 'Frisco, and rotten tubs
+they are.  One's the _Maryland_, she's most a divin' and dredgin' ship,
+ain't no good for this sort of work, sea-bottom scrapin' is all she's
+good for, and little she makes at it.  The other's the _Port of
+Amsterdam_, owned by Gunderman.  She's the ship they'd use; she's got
+steam winches and derricks 'nough to discharge the Ark, and stowage
+room to hold the cargo down to the last flea, but she's no good for
+more than eight knots; she steams like as if she'd a drogue behind her,
+because why?--she's got beam engines--she's that old, she's got beam
+engines in her.  I'm not denyin' there's somethin' to be said for them,
+but, there you are, there's no speed in them."
+
+"Well, beam engines or no beam engines, we'll have a pretty rough time
+if she comes down and catches us within a cable's length of the
+_Yan-Shan_," said Blood.  "However, there's no use in fetching trouble;
+let's go and have a look at the lazaret, I want to see how we stand for
+grub."
+
+Chop-stick Charlie was the name Blood had christened the coolie who
+acted as steward and cabin hand.  He called him now, and out of the
+opium-tinctured gloom of the fo'c'sle Charlie appeared, received his
+orders and led them to the lazaret.
+
+None of the crew had shown the slightest emotion on seeing Blood take
+over command of the schooner and Ginnell swabbing decks.  The fight,
+that had made Blood master of the _Heart of Ireland_ and Ginnell's
+revolver, had occurred in the cabin and out of sight of the coolies,
+but even had it been conducted in full view of them, it is doubtful
+whether they would have shown any feeling or lifted a hand in the
+matter.
+
+As long as their little privileges were regarded, as long as opium
+bubbled in the evening pipe, and pork, rice and potatoes were served
+out, one white skipper was the same as another to them.
+
+The overhaul of the stores took half an hour and was fairly
+satisfactory, and, when they came, on deck, Blood, telling Charlie to
+take Ginnell's place as lookout, called the latter down into the cabin.
+
+"We want to have a word with you," said Blood, whilst Harman took his
+seat on a bunk edge opposite him.
+
+"It's time you knew our minds and what we intend doing with the
+schooner and yourself."
+
+"Faith," said Ginnell, "I think it is."
+
+"I'm glad you agree.  Well, when you shanghaied me on board this old
+shark-boat of yours, there's little doubt as to what you intended doing
+with me.  Harman will tell you, for we've talked on the matter."
+
+"He'd a' worked you crool hard, fed you crool bad, and landed you after
+a six months' cruise doped or drunk, with two cents in your pocket and
+an affidavit up his sleeve that you'd tried to fire his ship," said
+Harman.  "I know the swab."
+
+Ginnell said nothing for a moment in answer to this soft impeachment,
+he was cutting himself a chew of tobacco; then at last he spoke:
+
+"I don't want no certifikit of character from either the pair of you,"
+said he.  "You've boned me ship and you've blacked me eye and you've
+near stove me ribs in sittin' on me chest and houldin' me revolver in
+me face; what I wants to know is your game.  Where's your profits to
+come from on this job?"
+
+"I'll tell you," replied Blood.  "There's a hooker called the
+_Yan-Shan_ piled on the rocks down the coast and we're going to leave
+our cards on her--savvy?"
+
+"Oh, Lord!" said Ginnell.
+
+"What's the matter now?" asked Harman.
+
+"What's the matter, d'you say?" cried Ginnell.  "Why, it's the
+_Yan-Shan_ I was after meself."
+
+Blood stared at the owner of the _Heart of Ireland_ for a moment, then
+he broke into a roar of laughter.
+
+"You don't mean to say you bought the wreck?" he asked.
+
+"Not me," replied Ginnell.  "Sure, where d'you think I'd be findin' the
+money to buy wrecks with?  I had news that mornin' she was lyin' there
+derelick, and I was just slippin' down the coast to have a look at her
+when you two spoiled me lay by takin' me ship."
+
+It was now that Harman began to laugh.
+
+"Well, if that don't beat all," said he.  "And maybe, since you were so
+keen on havin' a look at her, you've brought wreckin' tools with you in
+case they might come in handy?"
+
+"That's as may be," replied Ginnell.  "What you have got to worry about
+isn't wreckin' tools, but how to get rid of the boodle if it's there.
+Twenty thousand dollars, that's the figure."
+
+"So you know of the dollars?" said Blood.
+
+"Sure, what do you take me for?" asked Ginnell.  "D'you think I'd have
+bothered about the job only for the dollars?  What's the use of general
+cargo to the like of me?  Now what I'm thinkin' is this, you want a
+fence to help you to get rid of the stuff.  Supposin' you find it, how
+are you to cart this stuff ashore and bank it?  You'll be had, sure,
+but not if I'm at your back.  Now, gents, I'm willin' to wipe out all
+differences and help in the salvin' on shares, and I'll make it easy
+for you.  You'll each take seven thousand and I'll take the balance,
+and I won't charge nuthin' for the loan you've took of the _Heart of
+Ireland_.  It's a losin' game for me, but it's better than bein' done
+out entirely."
+
+Blood looked at Harman and Harman looked at Blood.  Then telling
+Ginnell that they would consider the matter, they went on deck to talk
+it over.
+
+There was truth in what Ginnell said.  They would want help in getting
+the coin ashore in safety, and unless they marooned or murdered
+Ginnell, he, if left out, would always be a witness to make trouble.
+Besides, though engaged on a somewhat shady business, neither Blood nor
+Harman were scoundrels.  Ginnell up to this had been paid out in his
+own coin, the slate was clean, and it pleased neither of them to take
+profit from this blackguard beyond what they considered their due.
+
+It was just this touch of finer feeling that excluded them from the
+category of rogues and made their persons worth considering and their
+doings worth recounting.
+
+"We'll give him what he asks," said Blood, when the consultation was
+over, "and mind you, I don't like giving it him one little bit, not on
+account of the money but because it seems to make us partners with that
+swab.  I tell you this, Billy Harman, I'd give half as much again if an
+honest man was dealing with us in this matter instead of Pat Ginnell."
+
+"And what honest man would deal with us?" asked the ingenuous Harman.
+"Lord! one might think the job we was on was tryin' to sell a laundry.
+It's safe enough, for who can say we didn't hit the wreck cruisin'
+round promiscuous, but it won't hold no frills in the way of Honesty
+and such.  Down with you, and close the bargain with that chap and tip
+him the wink that, though we're mugs enough to give him six thousand
+dollars for the loan of his old shark-boat, we're men enough to put a
+pistol bullet in his gizzard if he tries any games with us.  Down you
+go."
+
+Blood went.
+
+
+II
+
+Next morning, an hour after sunrise, through the blaze of light
+striking the Pacific across the far-off Californlan coast, San Juan
+showed like a flake of spar on the horizon to southward.
+
+The sea all there is of an impossible blueness, the Pacific blue
+deepened by the _Kuro Shiwo_ current, that mysterious river of the sea
+which floods up the coast of Japan, crosses the Pacific towards Alaska,
+and sweeps down the West American seaboard to fan out and lose itself
+away down somewhere off Chile.
+
+Harman judged the island to be twenty miles away, and as they were
+making six and a half knots, he reckoned to hit it in three hours if
+the wind held.
+
+They went down and had breakfast, and after the meal Ginnell, going to
+the locker where he had stowed the wrecking tools, fetched them out and
+laid them on deck.  There were two crow-bars and a jemmy, not to
+mention a flogging hammer, a rip saw, some monstrous big chisels and a
+shipwright's mallet.  They looked like a collection of burglar's
+implements from the land of Brobdingnag.
+
+"There you are," said Ginnell.  "You never know what you may want on a
+job like this, with bulkheads, maybe, to be cut through and chests
+broke open; get a spare sail, Misther Harman, and rowl the lot up in it
+so's they'll be aisier for thransport."
+
+He was excited, and the Irish in him came out when he was like that;
+also, as the most knowledgeable man in the business, he was taking the
+lead.  You never could have fancied from his cheerful manner and his
+appearance of boss that Blood was the real master of the situation, or
+that Blood, only a few days ago, had nearly pounded the life out of
+him, captured his revolver, and taken possession of the _Heart of
+Ireland_.
+
+The schooner carried a whale-boat, and this was now got in readiness
+for lowering, with provisions and water for the landing-party, and when
+that was done the island, now only four miles distant, showed up fine,
+a sheer splinter of volcanic rock standing up from the sea and creamed
+about with foam.
+
+Not a sign of a wreck was to be seen, though Ginnell's glasses were
+powerful enough to show up every detail from the rock fissures to the
+roosting gulls.
+
+Gloom fell upon the party, with the exception of Harman.
+
+"It'll be on the other side if it's there at all," said he.  "She'd
+have been coming up from the s'uthard, and if the gale was behind her
+it would have taken her right on to the rocks; she couldn't be on this
+side, anyhow, because why?--there's nuthin' to hold her.  It's a mile
+deep water off them cliffs, but on the other side it shoals gradual
+from tide marks to ten fathoms water, which holds for a quarter of a
+mile--keep her as she is, you could scrape them cliffs with a
+battleship without danger of groundin'."
+
+After a minute or two, he took the wheel himself and steered her whilst
+the fellows stood by the halyards ready to let go at a moment's notice.
+
+It was an impressive place, this north side of the island of San Juan;
+the heavy swell came up smacking right on to the sheer cliff wall,
+jetting green water and foam yards high to the snore and boom of caves
+and cut outs in the rock.  Gulls haunted the place.  The black petrel,
+the Western gull and the black-footed albatross all were to be found
+here; long lines of white gulls marked the cliff edges, and far above,
+in the dazzling azure of the sky, a Farallone cormorant circled like
+the spirit of the place, challenging the newcomers with its cry.
+
+Harman shifted his helm, and the _Heart of Ireland_ with main boom
+swinging to port came gliding past the western rocks and opening the
+sea to southward where, far on the horizon, lovely in the morning light
+like vast ships under press of sail, the San Lucas Islands lay remote
+in the morning splendour.
+
+Away to port the line of the Californian coast showed beyond the heave
+of the sea from Point Arguello to Point Conception, and to starboard
+and west of the San Lucas's a dot in the sun-dazzle marked the peaks of
+the island of San Nicolas.
+
+Then, as the _Heart of Ireland_ came around and the full view of the
+south of San Juan burst upon them, the wreck piled on the rocks came in
+sight, and, anchored quarter of a mile off the shore--a Chinese junk!
+
+"Well, I'm damned," said Harman.
+
+Ginnell, seizing his glasses, rushed forward and looked through them at
+the wreck.
+
+"It's swarmin' with chows," cried he, coming aft.  "They seem to have
+only just landed, be the look of them.  Keep her as she goes and be
+ready with the anchor there forrard; we'll scupper them yet.  Mr.
+Harman, be plazed to fetch up that linth of lead pipe you'll find on
+the cabin flure be the door.  Capt'in, will you see with Charlie here
+to the boat while I get the anchor ready for droppin'; them coolies is
+all thumbs."
+
+He went forward, and the _Heart of Ireland_, with the wind spilling out
+of her mainsail, came along over the heaving blue swell, satin-smooth
+here in the shelter of the island.
+
+Truly the _Yan-Shan_, late _Robert Bullmer_, had made a masterpiece of
+her last business; she had come stem on, lifted by the piling sea, and
+had hit the rocks, smashing every bow-plate from the keel to within a
+yard or two of the gunnel, then a wave had taken her under the stern
+and lifted her and flung her broadside on just as she now lay, pinned
+to her position by the rock horns that had gored her side, and showing
+a space of her rust-red bottom to the sun.
+
+The water was squattering among the rocks right up to her, the
+phosphor-bronze propeller showed a single blade cocked crookedly at the
+end of the broken screw shaft; rudder there was none, the funnel was
+gone, spar deck and bridge were in wrack and ruin, whilst the cowl of a
+bent ventilator turned seaward seemed contemplating with a languid air
+the beauty of the morning and the view of the far distant San Lucas
+Islands.
+
+The _Heart of Ireland_ picked up a berth inside the junk, and as the
+rasp and rattle of the anchor chain came back in faint echoes from the
+cliff, a gong on the junk woke to life and began to snarl and roar its
+warning to the fellows on the wreck.
+
+"Down with the boat," cried Ginnell.  With the "linth of lead pipe," a
+most formidable weapon, sticking from his pocket, he ran to help with
+the falls; the whaleboat smacked the water, the crew tumbled in, and,
+with Ginnell in the bow, it started for the shore.
+
+The gong had done its work.  The fellows who had been crawling like
+ants over the dead body of the _Yan-Shan_ came slithering down on
+ropes, appeared running and stumbling over the rocks abaft the stern,
+some hauling along sacks of loot, others brandishing sticks or bits of
+timber, and all shouting and clamouring with a noise like gulls whose
+nests are being raided.
+
+There was a small scrap of shingly beach off which the Chinamen's scow
+was lying anchored with a stone and with a China boy for anchor watch.
+The whale-boat passed the scow, dashed nose end up the shelving beach,
+and the next moment Ginnell and his linth of lead pipe was amongst the
+Chinamen, whilst Blood, following him, was firing his revolver over
+their heads.  Harman, with a crowbar carried at the level, was aiming
+straight at the belly of the biggest of the foe, when they parted right
+and left, dropping everything, beaten before they were touched, and
+making for the water over the rocks.
+
+Swimming like rats, they made for the scow, scrambled on board her,
+howked up the anchor stone and shot out the oars.
+
+"They're off for the junk," cried Ginnell.  "Faith, that was a clane
+bit of work; look at thim rowin' as if the divil was after thim."
+
+They were, literally, and now on board the junk they were hauling the
+boat in, shaking out the lateen sail and dragging up the anchor as
+though a hundred pair of hands were at work instead of twenty.
+
+Then, as the huge sail bellied gently to the wind and the junk broke
+the violet breeze shadow beyond the calm of the sheltered water, a
+voice came over the sea, a voice like the clamour of a hundred gulls,
+thin, rending, fierce as the sound of tearing calico.
+
+"Shout away, me boys," said Ginnell.  "You've got the shout and we've
+got the boodle, and good day to ye."
+
+
+III
+
+He turned with the others to examine the contents of the sacks dropped
+by the vanquished ones and lying amongst the rocks.  They were old
+gunny bags and they were stuffed with all sorts of rubbish and
+valuables, musical instruments, bits of old metal, cabin curtains, and
+even cans of bully beef--there was no sign of dollars.
+
+"The fools were so busy picking up everything they could find lying
+about, they hadn't time to search for the real stuff," said Blood.
+"Didn't know of it."
+
+"Well," said Ginnell, "stick the ould truck back in the bags with the
+insthruments; we'll sort it out when we get aboard and fling the
+rubbish over and keep what's worth keepin'."
+
+Helped by the coolies, they refilled the bags and left them in position
+for carrying off, and then, led by Ginnell, they made round the stern
+of the wreck to the port side.
+
+Now, on the sea side the _Yan-Shan_ presented a bad enough picture of
+desolation and destruction, but here on the land side the sight was
+terrific.
+
+The great yellow funnel had crashed over on to the rocks and lay with
+lengths of the guys still adhering to it; a quarter boat with bottom
+half out had gone the way of the funnel; crabs were crawling over all
+sorts of raffle, broken spars, canvas from the bridge screen and
+woodwork of the chart-house, whilst all forward of amidships the
+plates, beaten and twisted and ripped apart, showed cargo, held, or in
+the act of escaping.  One big packing case, free of the ship, had
+resolved itself into staves round its once contents, a piano that
+appeared perfectly uninjured.
+
+A rope ladder hung from the bulwarks amidships, and up it Ginnell went,
+followed by the others, reaching a roofless passage that had once been
+the part alley-way.
+
+Here on the slanting deck one got a full picture of the ruin that had
+come on the ship; the masts were gone, as well as the funnel; boats,
+ventilators--with the exception of the twisted cowl looking
+seaward--bridge, chart-house, all had vanished wholly or in part, a
+picture made more impressive by the calm blue sky overhead and the
+brilliancy of the sunlight.
+
+The locking bars had been removed from the cover of the fore hatch and
+the hatch opened, evidently by the Chinese in search of plunder.
+Ginnell scarcely turned an eye on it before he made aft, followed by
+the others, he reached the saloon companion-way and dived down it.
+
+If the confusion on deck was bad, it was worse below.  The cabin doors
+on either side were either open or off their hinges, bunk bedding,
+mattresses, an open and rifled valise, some women's clothes, an empty
+cigar-box and a cage with a dead canary in it lay on the floor.
+
+The place looked as if an army of pillagers had been at work for days,
+and the sight struck a chill to the hearts of the beholders.
+
+"We're dished," said Ginnell.  "Quick, boys, if the stuff's anywhere
+it'll be in the old man's cabin, there's no mail room in a packet like
+this.  If it's not there, we're done."
+
+They found the captain's cabin, they found his papers tossed about, his
+cash-box open and empty, and a strong box clamped to the deck by the
+bunk in the same condition.  They found, to complete the business, an
+English sovereign on the floor in a corner.
+
+Ginnell sat down on the edge of the bunk.
+
+"They've got the dollars," said he.  "That's why they legged it so
+quick and--we let them go.  Twenty thousand dollars in gold coin and we
+let them go.  Tear an' ages!  Afther them!"  He sprang from the bunk
+and dashed through the saloon, followed by the others.  On deck they
+strained their eyes seaward towards a brown spot on the blue far, far
+away to the sou'-west.  It was the junk making a soldier's wind of it,
+every inch of sail spread.  Judging by the distance she had covered,
+she must have been making at least eight knots, and the Heart of
+Ireland under similar wind conditions was incapable of more than seven.
+
+"No good chasing her," said Blood.
+
+"Not a happorth," replied Ginnell.  Then the quarrel began.
+
+"If you hadn't held us pokin' over them old sacks on the rocks there
+we'd maybe have had a chance of over-haulin' her," said Ginnell.
+
+"Sacks," cried Blood, "what are you talking about; it was you who let
+them go, shouting good day to them and telling them we'd got the
+boodle!"
+
+"Boodle, b'g-d!" cried Ginnell.  "You're a nice chap to talk about
+boodle.  You did me in an' collared me boat, and now you're let down
+proper, and serve you right."
+
+Blood was about to reply in kind, when the dispute was cut short by a
+loud yell from the engine-room hatch.
+
+Harman, having satisfied himself with a glance that all was up with the
+junk, had gone poking about and entered the engine-room hatchway.  He
+now appeared, shouting like a maniac.
+
+"The dollars," he cried, "two dead Chinkies an' the dollars."
+
+He vanished again with a shout, they rushed to the hatch, and there, on
+the steel grating leading to the ladder, curled together like two cats
+that had died in battle, lay the Chinamen, Harman kneeling beside them,
+his hands at work on the neck of a tied sack that chinked as he shook
+it with the glorious rich, mellow sound that gold in bulk and gold in
+specie alone can give.
+
+The lanyard came away, and Harman, plunging his big hand in, produced
+it filled with British sovereigns.
+
+Not one of them moved or said a word for a moment, then Ginnell
+suddenly squatted down on the grating beside Harman, and, taking a
+sovereign between finger and thumb gingerly, as though he feared it
+might burn him, examined it with a laugh.  Then he bit it, spun it in
+the air, caught it in his left hand and brought his great right palm
+down on it with a bang.
+
+"Hids or tails!" cried Ginnell.  "Hids I win, tails you lose."  He gave
+a coarse laugh as he opened his palm, where the coin lay tail up.
+
+"Hids it is," he cried, then he tossed it back into the bag and rose to
+his feet.
+
+"Come on, boys," said he, "let's bring the stuff down to the saloon and
+count it."
+
+"Better get it aboard," said Blood.
+
+Harman looked up.  The grin on his face stamped by the finding of the
+gold was still there, and in the light coming through the hatch his
+forehead showed beaded with sweat.
+
+"I'm with Ginnell," said he, "let's get down to the saloon for an
+overhaul.  I can't wait whiles we row off to the schooner.  I wants to
+feel the stuff and I wants to divide it, b'g-d, right off and now.
+Boys, we're rich, we sure are.  It's the stroke of my life, and I can't
+wait for no rowin' on board no schooners before we divide up."
+
+"Come on, then," said Blood.
+
+The sack was much bigger than its contents, so there was plenty of grip
+for him as he seized one corner.  Then, Harman grasping it by the neck,
+they lugged it out and along the deck and down the saloon companionway,
+Ginnell following.
+
+The Chinese had opened nearly all the cabin port-holes for the sake of
+light to assist them in their plundering, and now as Blood and Harman
+placed the sack on the slanting saloon table, the crying of gulls came
+clearly and derisively from the cliffs outside, mixed with the hush of
+the sea and the boost of the swell as it broke creaming and squattering
+among the rocks.  The lackadaisical ventilator cowl, which took an
+occasional movement from stray puffs of air, added its voice now and
+then, whining and complaining like some lost yet inconsiderable soul.
+
+No other sound could be heard as the three men ranged themselves,
+Ginnell on the starboard, and Blood and Harman on the port side of the
+table.
+
+The swivel seats, though all aslant, were practicable, and Harman was
+in the act of taking his place in the seat he had chosen when Ginnell
+interposed.
+
+"One moment, Mr. Harman," said the owner of the _Heart of Ireland_.
+"I've a word to say to you and Mr. Blood--sure, I beg your pardon--I
+mane Capt'in Blood."
+
+"Well," said Blood, grasping a chair-back.  "What have you to say?"
+
+"Only this," replied Ginnell with a grin.  "I've got back me revolver."
+
+Blood clapped his hand to his pocket.  It was empty.
+
+"I picked your pocket of it," said Ginnell, producing the weapon, "two
+minits back; you fired three shots over the heads of them chows and
+there's three ca'tridges left in her.  I can hit a dollar at twinty
+long paces.  Move an inch either the one or other of you, and I'll lay
+your brains on the table fornint you."
+
+They did not move, for they knew that he was in earnest.  They knew
+that if they moved he would begin to shoot, and if he began to shoot he
+would finish the job, leave their corpses on the floor, and sail off
+with the dollars and his Chinese crew in perfect safety.  There were no
+witnesses.
+
+"Now," said Ginnell, "what the pair of you have to do is this.  Misther
+Harman, you'll go into that cabin behind you, climb on the upper bunk,
+stick your head through the port-hole and shout to the coolies down
+below there with the boat to come up.  It'll take two men to get them
+dollars on deck and down to the wather side.  When you've done that,
+the pair of you will walk into the ould man's cabin an' say your
+prayers, thanking the saints you've got off so easy, whiles I puts the
+bolt on you till the dollars are away.  And remimber this, one word or
+kick from you and I shoot--the Chinamen will never tell."
+
+"See here," said Harman.
+
+"One word!" shouted Ginnell, suddenly dropping the mask of urbanity and
+levelling the pistol.
+
+It was as though the tiger-cat in his grimy soul had suddenly burst
+bonds and mastered him.  His finger pressed on the trigger and the next
+moment Harman's brains, or what he had of them, might have been
+literally forenint him on the table, when suddenly, tremendous as the
+last trumpet, paralysing as the inrush of a body of armed men, booing
+and bellowing back from the cliffs in a hundred echoes came a
+voice--the blast of a ship's syren.
+
+"Huroop, Hirrip, Hurop, Haar--Haar--Haar!"
+
+Ginnell's arm fell.  Harman, forgetting everything, turned, dashed into
+the cabin behind him, climbed on the upper bunk, and stuck his head
+through the port-hole.
+
+Then he dashed back into the saloon.
+
+"It's the _Port of Amsterdam_," cried Harman, "It's the salvage ship,
+she's there droppin' her anchor; we're done, we're dished--and we
+foolin' like this and they crawlin' up on us."
+
+"And you said she'd only do eight knots!" cried Blood.
+
+Ginnell flung the revolver on the floor.  Every trace of the recent
+occurrence had vanished, and the three men thought no more of one
+another than a man thinks of petty matters in the face of dissolution.
+Gunderman was outside, that was enough for them.
+
+"Boys," said Ginnell, "ain't there no way out with them dollars?
+S'pose we howk them ashore?"
+
+"Cliffs two hundred foot high," said Harman, "not a chanst.  We're
+dished."
+
+Said Blood: "There's only one thing left.  We'll walk the dollars down
+to the boat and row off with them.  Of course we'll be stopped; still,
+there's the chance that Gunderman may be drunk or something.  It's one
+chance in a hundred billion--it's the only one."
+
+But Gunderman was not drunk, nor were his boat party; and the
+court-martial he held on the beach in broken English and with the sack
+of coin beside him as chief witness would form a bright page of
+literature had one time to record it.
+
+Ginnell, as owner of the _Heart of Ireland_, received the whole brunt
+of the storm; there was no hearing for him when, true to himself, he
+tried to cast the onus of the business on Blood and Harman.  He was
+told to get out and be thankful he was not brought back to 'Frisco in
+irons, and he obeyed instructions, rowing off to the schooner, he and
+Harman and Blood, a melancholy party with the exception of Blood, who
+was talking to Harman with extreme animation on the subject of beam
+engines.
+
+On deck it was Blood who gave orders for hauling up the anchor and
+setting sail.  He had recaptured the revolver.
+
+
+
+
+THE DERELICT _NEPTUNE_*
+
+From "Spun Gold," BY MORGAN ROBERTSON
+
+*Reprinted by courtesy of Harper & Brothers.
+
+
+Across the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Guinea to Cape St. Roque
+moves a great body of water--the Main Equatorial Current--which can be
+considered the motive power, or mainspring, of the whole Atlantic
+current system, as it obtains its motion directly from the ever-acting
+push of the tradewinds.  At Cape St. Roque this broad current splits
+into two parts, one turning north, the other south.  The northern part
+contracts, increases its speed, and, passing up the northern coast of
+South America as the Guiana Current, enters through the Caribbean Sea
+into the Gulf of Mexico, where it circles around to the northward;
+then, colored a deep blue from the fine river silt of the Mississippi,
+and heated from its long surface exposure under a tropical sun to an
+average temperature of eighty degrees, it emerges into the Florida
+Channel as the Gulf Stream.
+
+From here it travels northeast, following the trend of the coast line,
+until, off Cape Hatteras, it splits into three divisions, one of which,
+the westernmost, keeps on to lose its warmth and life in Baffin's Bay.
+Another impinges on the Hebrides, and is no more recognizable as a
+current; and the third, the eastern and largest part of the divided
+stream, makes a wide sweep to the east and south, enclosing the Azores
+and the deadwater called the Sargasso Sea, then, as the African
+Current, runs down the coast until, just below the Canary Isles, it
+merges into the Lesser Equatorial Current, which, parallel to the
+parent stream, and separated from it by a narrow band of backwater,
+travels west and filters through the West Indies, making puzzling
+combinations with the tides, and finally bearing so heavily on the
+young Gulf Stream as to give to it the sharp turn to the northward
+through the Florida Channel.
+
+In the South Atlantic, the portion of the Main Equatorial Current split
+off by Cape St. Roque and directed south leaves the coast at Cape Frio,
+and at the latitude of the River Plate assumes a due easterly
+direction, crossing the ocean as the Southern Connecting Current.  At
+the Cape of Good Hope it meets the cold, northeasterly Cape Horn
+Current, and with it passes up the coast of Africa to join the
+Equatorial Current at the starting-point in the Gulf of Guinea, the
+whole constituting a circulatory system of ocean rivers, of speed value
+varying from eighteen to ninety miles a day.
+
+On a bright morning in November, 1894, a curious-looking craft floated
+into the branch current which, skirting Cuba, flows westward through
+the Bahama Channel.  A man standing on the highest of two points
+enclosing a small bay near Cape Maisi, after a critical examination
+through a telescope, disappeared from the rocks, and in a few moments a
+light boat, of the model used by whalers, emerged from the mouth of the
+bay, containing this man and another.  In the boat also was a coil of
+rope.
+
+The one who had inspected the craft from the rocks was a tall young
+fellow, dressed in flannel shirt and trousers, the latter held in place
+by a cartridge-belt, such as is used by the American cowboy.  To this
+was hung a heavy revolver.  On his head was a broad-brimmed cork
+helmet, much soiled, and resembling in shape the Mexican sombrero.
+Beneath this head-gear was a mass of brown hair, which showed a
+non-acquaintance with barbers for, perhaps, months, and under this hair
+a sun-tanned face, lighted by serious gray eyes.  The most noticeable
+feature of this face was the extreme arching of the eyebrows--a
+never-failing index of the highest form of courage.  It was a face that
+would please.  The face of the other was equally pleasing in its way.
+It was red, round, and jolly, with twinkling eyes, the whole borrowing
+a certain dignity from closely cut white hair and mustaches.  The man
+was about fifty, dressed and armed like the other.
+
+"What do you want of pistols, Boston?" he said to the younger man.
+"One might think this an old-fashioned, piratical cutting out."
+
+"Oh, I don't know, Doc.  It's best to have them.  That hulk may be full
+of Spaniards, and the whole thing nothing but a trick to draw us out.
+But she looks like a derelict.  I don't see how she got into this
+channel, unless she drifted up past Cape Maisi from the southward,
+having come in with the Guiana Current.  It's all rocks and shoals to
+the eastward."
+
+The boat, under the impulse of their oars, soon passed the fringing
+reef and came in sight of the strange craft, which lay about a mile
+east and half a mile off shore.  "You see," resumed the younger man,
+called Boston, "there's a back-water inside Point Mulas, and if she
+gets into it she may come ashore right here."
+
+"Where we can loot her.  Nice business for a respectable practitioner
+like me to be engaged in!  Doctor Bryce, of Havana, consorting with
+Fenians from Canada, exiled German socialists, Cuban horse-thieves who
+would be hung in a week if they went to Texas, and a long-legged sailor
+man who calls himself a retired naval officer, but who looks like a
+pirate; and all shouting for _Cuba Libre_!  _Cuba Libre_!  It's plunder
+you want."
+
+"But none of us ever manufactured dynamite," answered Boston, with a
+grin.  "How long did they have you in Moro Castle, Doc?"
+
+"Eight months," snapped the doctor, his face clouding.  "Eight months
+in that rathole, with the loss of my property and practice--all for
+devotion to science.  I was on the brink of the most important and
+beneficent discovery in explosives the world ever dreamed of.  Yes,
+sir, 'twould have made me famous and stopped all warfare."
+
+"The captain told me this morning that he'd heard from Marti," said
+Boston, after an interval.  "Good news, he said, but that's all I
+learned.  Maybe it's from Gomez.  If he'll only take hold again we can
+chase the Spanish off the island now.  Then we'll put some of your
+stuff under Moro and lift it off the earth."
+
+In a short time, details of the craft ahead, hitherto hidden by
+distance, began to show.  There was no sign of life aboard; her spars
+were gone, with the exception of the foremast, broken at the hounds,
+and she seemed to be of about a thousand tons burden, colored a mixed
+brown and dingy gray, which, as they drew near, was shown as the action
+of iron rust on black and lead-colored paint.  Here and there were
+outlines of painted ports.  Under the stump of a shattered bowsprit
+projected from between bluff bows a weather-worn figurehead,
+representing the god of the sea.  Above on the bows were wooden-stocked
+anchors stowed inboard, and aft on the quarters were iron davits with
+blocks intact--but no falls.  In a few of the dead-eyes in the channels
+could be seen frayed rope-yarns, rotten with age, and, with the stump
+of the foremast, the wooden stocks of the anchors, and the teak-wood
+rail, of a bleached gray color.  On the round stern, as they pulled
+under it, they spelled, in raised letters, flecked here and there with
+discolored gilt, the name "Neptune, of London."  Unkempt and forsaken,
+she had come in from the mysterious sea to tell her story.
+
+The climbed the channels, fastened the painter, and peered over the
+rail.  There was no one in sight, and they sprang down, finding
+themselves on a deck that was soft and spongy with time and weather.
+
+"She's an old tub," said Boston, scanning the gray fabric fore and aft;
+"one of the first iron ships built, I should think.  They housed the
+crew under the t'gallant forecastle.  See the doors forward, there?
+And she has a full-decked cabin--that's old style.  Hatches are all
+battened down, but I doubt if this tarpaulin holds water."  He stepped
+on the main hatch, brought his weight on the ball of one foot, and
+turned around.  The canvas crumbled to threads, showing the wood
+beneath.  "Let's go below.  If there were any Spaniards here they'd
+have shown themselves before this."  The cabin doors were latched but
+not locked, and they opened them.
+
+"Hold on," said the doctor, "this cabin may have been closed for years,
+and generated poisonous gases.  Open that upper door, Boston."
+
+Boston ran up the shaky poop ladder and opened the companion-way above,
+which let a stream of the fresh morning air and sunshine into the
+cabin, then, after a moment or two, descended and joined the other, who
+had entered from the main-deck.  They were in an ordinary ship's cabin,
+surrounded by staterooms, and with the usual swinging lamp and tray;
+but the table, chairs, and floor were covered with fine dust.
+
+"Where the deuce do you get so much dust at sea?" coughed the doctor.
+
+"Nobody knows, Doc.  Let's hunt for the manifest and the articles.
+This must have been the skipper's room."  They entered the largest
+stateroom, and Boston opened an old-fashioned desk.  Among the
+discolored documents it contained, he found one and handed it to the
+doctor.  "Articles," he said; "look at it."  Soon he took out another.
+"I've got it.  Now we'll find what she has in her hold, and if it's
+worth bothering about."
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed the doctor; "this paper is dated 1844, fifty
+years ago."  Boston looked over his shoulder.
+
+"That's so; she signed her crew at Boston, too.  Where has she been all
+this time?  Let's see this one."
+
+The manifest was short, and stated that her cargo was 3000 barrels of
+lime, 8000 kids of tallow, and 2500 carboys of acid, 1700 of which were
+sulphuric, the rest of nitric acid.  "That cargo won't be much good to
+us, Doc.  I'd hope to find something we could use.  Let's find the
+log-book, and see what happened to her."  Boston rummaged what seemed
+to be the first-mate's room.  "Plenty of duds here," he said; "but
+they're ready to fall to pieces.  Here's the log."
+
+He returned with the book, and, seated at the dusty table, they turned
+the yellow leaves.  "First departure, Highland Light, March 10, 1844,"
+read Boston.  "We'll look in the remarks column."
+
+Nothing but the ordinary incidents of a voyage were found until they
+reached the date June 1st, where entry was made of the ship being
+"caught aback" and dismasted off the Cape of Good Hope in a sudden
+gale.  Then followed daily "remarks" of the southeasterly drift of the
+ship, the extreme cold (which, with the continuance of the bad weather,
+prevented saving the wreck for jury-masts), and the fact that no sails
+were sighted.
+
+June 6th told of her being locked in soft, slushy ice, and still being
+pressed southward by the never-ending gale; June 10th said that the ice
+was hard, and at June 15th was the terrible entry: "Fire in the hold!"
+
+On June 16th was entered this: "Kept hatches battened down and stopped
+all air-holes, but the deck is too hot to stand on, and getting hotter.
+Crew insist on lowering the boats and pulling them northward over the
+ice to open water in hopes of being picked up.  Good-bye."  In the
+position columns of this date the latitude was given as 62 degrees 44
+minutes S. and the longitude as 30 degrees 50 minutes E.  There were no
+more entries.
+
+"What tragedy docs this tell of?" said the doctor.  "They left this
+ship in the ice fifty years ago.  Who can tell if they were saved?"
+
+"Who indeed?" said Boston.  "The mate hadn't much hope.  He said
+'Good-bye.'  But one thing is certain; we are the first to board her
+since.  I take it she stayed down there in the ice until she drifted
+around the Pole, and thawed out where she could catch the Cape Horn
+current, which took her up to the Hope.  Then she came up with the
+South African Current till she got into the Equatorial drift, then
+west, and up with the Guiana Current into the Caribbean Sea to the
+southward of us, and this morning the flood-tide brought her through.
+It isn't a question of winds; they're too variable.  It's currents,
+though it may have taken her years to get here.  But the surprising
+part of it is that she hasn't been boarded.  Let's look in the hold and
+see what the fire has done."
+
+When they boarded the hulk, the sky, with the exception of a filmy haze
+overhanging the eastern end of the island, was clear.  Now, as they
+emerged from the cabin, this haze had solidified and was coming--one of
+the black and vicious squalls of the West India seas.
+
+"No man can tell what wind there is in them," remarked Boston, as he
+viewed it.  "But it's pretty close to the water, and dropping rain.
+Hold on, there, Doc.  Stay aboard.  We couldn't pull ashore in the
+teeth of it."  The doctor had made a spasmodic leap to the rail.  "If
+the chains were shackled on, we might drop one of the hooks and hold
+her; but it's two hours work for a full crew."
+
+"But we're likely to be blown away, aren't we?" asked the doctor.
+
+"Not far.  I don't think it'll last long.  We'll make the boat fast
+astern and get out of the wet."  They did so, and entered the cabin.
+Soon the squall, coming with a shock like that of a solid blow, struck
+the hulk broadside to and careened her.  From the cabin door they
+watched the nearly horizontal rain as it swished across the deck, and
+listened to the screaming of the wind, which prevented all
+conversation.  Silently they waited--one hour--two hours--then Boston
+said: "This is getting serious.  It's no squall.  If it wasn't so late
+in the season I'd call it a hurricane.  I'm going on deck."
+
+He climbed the companionway stairs to the poop, and shut the scuttle
+behind him--for the rain was flooding the cabin--then looked around.
+The shore and horizon were hidden by a dense wall of gray, which seemed
+not a hundred feet distant.   From to windward this wall was detaching
+great waves or sheets of almost solid water, which bombarded the ship
+in successive blows, to be then lost in the gray whirl to leeward.
+Overhead was the same dismal hue, marked by hurrying masses of darker
+cloud, and below was a sea of froth, white and flat; for no waves could
+rise their heads in that wind.  Drenched to the skin, he tried the
+wheel and found it free in its movements.  In front of it was a
+substantial binnacle, and within a compass, which, though sluggish, as
+from a well-worn pivot, was practically in good condition.  "Blowing us
+about nor'west by west," he muttered, as he looked at it--"straight up
+the coast.  It's better than the beach in this weather, but may land us
+in Havana."  He examined he boat.  It was full of water, and tailing to
+windward, held by its painter.  Making sure that this was fast, he went
+down.
+
+"Doc," he said, as he squeezed the water from his limp cork helmet and
+flattened it on the table, "have you any objections to being rescued by
+some craft going into Havana?"
+
+"I have--decided objections."
+
+"So have I; but this wind is blowing us there--sideways.  Now, such a
+blow as this, at this time of year, will last three days at least, and
+I've an idea that it'll haul gradually to the south, and west towards
+the end of it.  Where'll we be then?  Either piled up on one of the
+Bahama keys or interviewed by the Spaniards.  Now I've been thinking of
+a scheme on deck.  We can't get back to camp for a while--that's
+settled.  This iron hull is worth something, and if we can take it into
+an American port we can claim salvage.  Key West is the nearest, but
+Fernandina is the surest.  We've got a stump of a foremast and a rudder
+and a compass.  If we can get some kind of sail up forward and bring
+her 'fore the wind, we can steer any course within thirty degrees of
+the wind line."
+
+"But I can't steer.  And how long will this voyage take?  What will we
+eat?"
+
+"Yes, you can steer--good enough.  And, of course, it depends on food,
+and water, too.  We'd better catch some of this that's going to waste."
+
+In what had been the steward's storeroom they found a harness-cask with
+bones and dry rust in the bottom.  "It's salt meat, I suppose," said
+the doctor, "reduced to its elements."  With the handles of their
+pistols they carefully hammered down the rusty hoops over the shrunken
+staves, which were well preserved by the brine they had once held, and
+taking the cask on deck, cleaned it thoroughly under the scuppers--or
+drain-holes--of the poop, and let it stand under the stream of water to
+swell and sweeten itself.
+
+"If we find more casks we'll catch some more," said Boston; "but that
+will last us two weeks.  Now we'll hunt for her stores.  I've eaten
+salt-horse twenty years old, but I can't vouch for what we may find
+here."  They examined all the rooms adjacent to the cabin, but found
+nothing.
+
+"Where's the lazarette in this kind of a ship?" asked Boston.  "The
+cabin runs right aft to the stern.  It must be below us."  He found
+that the carpet was not tacked to the floor, and, raising the after
+end, discovered a hatch, or trap-door, which he lifted.  Below, when
+their eyes were accustomed to the darkness, they saw boxes and
+barrels--all covered with the same fine dust which filled the cabin.
+
+"Don't go down there, yet, Boston," said the doctor.  "It may be full
+of carbonic acid gas.  She's been afire, you know.  Wait."  He tore a
+strip from some bedding in one of the rooms, and, lighting one end by
+means of a flint and steel which he carried, lowered the smouldering
+rag until it rested on the pile below.  It did not go out.
+
+"Safe enough, Boston," he remarked.  "But you go down; you're younger."
+
+Boston smiled and sprang down on the pile, from which he passed up a
+box.  "Looks like tinned stuff, Doc.  Open it, and I'll look over here."
+
+The doctor smashed the box with his foot, and found, as the other had
+thought, that it contained cylindrical cans; but the labels were faded
+with age.  Opening one with his jack-knife, he tasted the contents.  It
+was a mixture of meat and a fluid, called by sailors "soup-and-bully,"
+and as fresh and sweet as though canned the day before.
+
+"We're all right, Boston," he called down the hatch.  "Here's as good a
+dish as I've tasted for months.  Ready cooked, too."
+
+Boston soon appeared.  "There are some beef or pork barrels over in the
+wing," he said, "and plenty of this canned stuff.  I don't know what
+good the salt meat is.  The barrels seem tight, but we won't need to
+broach one for a while.  There's a bag of coffee--gone to dust, and
+some hard bread that isn't fit to eat; but this'll do."  He picked up
+the open can.
+
+"Boston," said the doctor, "if those barrels contain meat, we'll find
+it cooked--boiled in its own brine, like this."
+
+"Isn't it strange," said Boston, as he tasted the contents of the can,
+"that this stuff should keep so long?"
+
+"Not at all.  It was cooked thoroughly by the heat, and then frozen.
+If your barrels haven't burst from the expansion of the brine under the
+heat or cold, you'll find the meat just as good."
+
+"But rather salty, if I'm a judge of salt-horse.  Now, where's the
+sail-locker?  We want a sail on that foremast.  It must be forward."
+
+In the forecastle they found sailor's chests and clothing in all stages
+of ruin, but none of the spare sails that ships carry.  In the
+boatswain's locker, in one corner of the forecastle, however, they
+found some iron-strapped blocks in fairly good condition, which Boston
+noted.  Then they opened the main-hatch, and discovered a mixed pile of
+boxes, some showing protruding necks of large bottles, or carboys,
+others nothing but the circular opening.  Here and there in the tangled
+heap were sections of canvas sails--rolled and unrolled, but all yellow
+and worthless.  They closed the hatch and returned to the cabin, where
+they could converse.
+
+"They stowed their spare canvas in the 'tween-deck on top of the
+cargo," said Boston; "and the carboys--"
+
+"And the carboys burst from the heat and ruined the sails," broke in
+the doctor.  "But another question is, what became of that acid?"
+
+"If it's not in the 'tween-deck yet, it must be in the hold--leaked
+through the hatches."
+
+"I hope it hasn't reached the iron in the hull, Boston, my boy.  It
+takes a long time for cold acids to act on iron after the first
+oxidation, but in fifty years mixed nitric and sulphuric will do lots
+of work."
+
+"No fear, Doc; it had done its work when you were in your cradle.
+What'll we do for canvas?  We must get this craft before the wind.
+How'll the carpet do?"  Boston lifted the edge, and tried the fabric in
+his fingers.  "It'll go," he said; "we'll double it.  I'll hunt for a
+palm-and-needle and some twine."  These articles he found in the mate's
+room.  "The twine's no better than yarn," said he, "but we'll use four
+parts."
+
+Together they doubled the carpet diagonally, and with long stitches
+joined the edges.  Then Boston sewed into each corner a thimble--an
+iron ring--and they had a triangular sail of about twelve feet hoist.
+"It hasn't been exposed to the action of the air like the ropes in the
+locker forward," said Boston, as he arose and took off the palm; "and
+perhaps it'll last till she pays off.  Then we can steer.  You get the
+big pulley-blocks from the locker, Doc, and I'll get the rope from the
+boat.  It's lucky I thought to bring it; I expected to lift things out
+of the hold with it."
+
+At the risk of his life Boston obtained the coil from the boat, while
+the doctor brought the blocks.  Then, together, they rove off a tackle.
+With the handles of their pistols they knocked bunk-boards to pieces
+and saved the nails; then Boston climbed the foremast, as a painter
+climbs a steeple--by nailing successive billets of wood above his head
+for steps.  Next he hauled up and secured the tackle to the forward
+side of the mast, with which they pulled up the upper corner of their
+sail, after lashing the lower corners to the windlass and fiferail.
+
+It stood the pressure, and the hulk paid slowly off and gathered
+headway.  Boston took the wheel and steadied her at northwest by
+west--dead before the wind--while the doctor, at his request, brought
+the open can of soup and lubricated the wheel-screw with the only
+substitute for oil at their command; for the screw worked hard with the
+rust of fifty years.
+
+Their improvised sail, pressed steadily on but one side, had held
+together, but now, with the first flap as the gale caught it from
+another direction, appeared a rent; with the next flap the rag went to
+pieces.
+
+"Let her go!" sang out Boston gleefully; "we can steer now.  Come here,
+Doc, and learn to steer."
+
+The doctor came; and when he left that wheel, three days later, he had
+learned.  For the wind had blown a continuous gale the whole of this
+time, which, with the ugly sea raised as the ship left the lee of the
+land, necessitated the presence of both men at the helm.  Only
+occasionally was there a lull during which one of them could rush below
+and return with a can of soup.  During one of these lulls Boston had
+examined the boat, towing half out of water, and concluded that a short
+painter was best with a water-logged boat, had reinforced it with a few
+turns of his rope from forward.  In the three days they had sighted no
+craft except such as their own--helpless--hove-to or scudding.
+
+Boston had judged rightly in regard to the wind.  It had hauled slowly
+to the southward, allowing him to make the course he wished--through
+the Bahama and up the Florida Channel with the wind over the stern.
+During the day he could guide himself by landmarks, but at night, with
+a darkened binnacle, he could only steer blindly on with the wind at
+his back.  The storm centre, at first to the south of Cuba, had made a
+wide circle, concentric with the curving course of the ship, and when
+the latter had reached the upper end of the Florida channel, had
+spurted ahead and whirled out to sea across her bows.  It was then that
+the undiminished gale, blowing nearly west, had caused Boston, in
+despair, to throw the wheel down and bring the ship into the trough of
+the sea--to drift.  Then the two wet, exhausted, hollow-eyed men slept
+the sleep that none but sailors and soldiers know; and when they
+awakened, twelve hours later, stiff and sore, it was to look out on a
+calm, starlit evening, with an eastern moon silvering the surface of
+the long, northbound rollers, and showing in sharp relief a dark
+horizon, on which there was no sign of land or sail.
+
+They satisfied their hunger; then Boston, with a rusty iron pot from
+the galley, to which he fastened the end of his rope, dipped up some of
+the water from over the side.  It was warm to the touch, and, aware
+that they were in the Gulf Stream, they crawled under the musty bedding
+in the cabin berths and slept through the night.  In the morning there
+was no promise of the easterly wind that Boston hoped would come to
+blow them to port, and they secured their boat--reeving off
+davit-tackles, and with the plug out, pulling it up, one end at a time,
+while the water drained out through the hole in the bottom.
+
+"Now, Boston," said the doctor, "here we are, as you say, on the outer
+edge of the Gulf Stream, drifting out into the broad Atlantic at the
+rate of four miles an hour.  We've got to make the best of it until
+something comes along; so you hunt through that store-room and see what
+else there is to eat, and I'll examine the cargo.  I want to know where
+that acid went."
+
+They opened all the hatches, and while Boston descended to the
+lazarette, the doctor, with his trousers rolled up, climbed down the
+notched steps in a stanchion.  In a short time he came up with a yellow
+substance in his hand, which he washed thoroughly with fresh water in
+Boston's improvised draw-bucket, and placed in the sun to dry.  Then he
+returned to the 'tween-deck.  After a while, Boston, rummaging the
+lazarette, heard him calling through the bulkhead, and joined him.
+
+"Look here, Boston," said the doctor; "I've cleared away the muck over
+this hatch.  It's 'corked,' as you sailormen call it.  Help me get it
+up."
+
+They dug the compacted oakum from the seams with their knives, and by
+iron rings in each corner, now eaten with rust to almost the thinness
+of wire, they lifted the hatch.  Below was a filthy-looking layer of
+whitish substance, protruding from which were charred, half-burned
+staves.  First they repeated the experiment with the smouldering rag,
+and finding that it burned, as before, they descended.  The whitish
+substance was hard enough to bear their weight, and they looked around.
+Overhead, hung to the under side of the deck and extending the length
+of the hold, were wooden tanks, charred, and in some places burned
+through.
+
+"She must have been built for a passenger or troop ship," said Boston.
+"Those tanks would water a regiment."
+
+"Boston," answered the doctor, irrelevantly, "will you climb up and
+bring down an oar from the boat?  Carry it down--don't throw it, my
+boy."  Boston obliged him, and the doctor, picking his way forward,
+then aft, struck each tank with the oar.  "Empty--all of them," he said.
+
+He dug out with his knife a piece of the whitish substance under foot,
+and examined it closely in the light from the hatch.
+
+"Boston," he said, impressively, "this ship was loaded with lime,
+tallow, and acids--acids above, lime and tallow down here.  This stuff
+is neither; it is lime-soap.  And, moreover, it had not been touched by
+acids."  The doctor's ruddy face was ashen.
+
+"Well?" asked Boston.
+
+"Lime soap is formed by the cauticizing action of lime on tallow in the
+presence of water and heat.  It is easy to understand this fire.  One
+of those tanks leaked and dribbled down on the cargo, attacking the
+lime--which was stowed underneath, as all these staves we see on top
+are from tallow-kids.  The heat generated by the slaking lime set fire
+to the barrels in contact, which in turn set fire to others, and they
+burned until the air was exhausted, and then went out.  See, they are
+but partly consumed.  There was intense heat in this hold, and
+expansion of the water in all the tanks.  Are tanks at sea filled to
+the top?"
+
+"Chock full, and a cap screwed down on the upper end of the pipes."
+
+"As I thought.  The expanding water burst every tank in the hold, and
+the cargo was deluged with water, which attacked every lime barrel in
+the bottom layer, at least.  Result--the bursting of those barrels from
+the ebullition of slaking lime, the melting of the tallow--which could
+not burn long in the closed-up-space--and the mixing of it in the
+interstices of the lime barrels with water and lime--a boiling hot
+mess.  What happens under such conditions?"
+
+"Give it up," said Boston, laconically.
+
+"Lime soap is formed, which rises, and the water beneath is in time all
+taken up by the lime."
+
+"But what of it?" interrupted the other.
+
+"Wait.  I see that this hold and the 'tween-deck are lined with wood.
+Is that customary in iron ships?"
+
+"Not now.  It used to be a notion that an iron skin damaged the cargo;
+so the first iron ships were ceiled with wood."
+
+"Are there any drains in the 'tween-deck to let water out, in case it
+gets into that deck from above--a sea, for instance?"
+
+"Yes, always; three or four scupper-holes each side amidships.  They
+lead the water into the bilges, where the pumps can reach it."
+
+"I found up there," continued the doctor, "a large piece of wood, badly
+charred by acid for half its length, charred to a lesser degree for the
+rest.  It was oval in cross section, and the largest end was charred
+most."
+
+"Scupper plug.  I suppose they plugged the 'tween-deck scuppers to keep
+any water they might ship out of the bilges and away from the lime."
+
+"Yes, and those plugs remained in place for days, if not weeks or
+months, after the carboys burst, as indicated by the greater charring
+of the larger end of the plug.  I burrowed under the debris, and found
+the hole which that plug fitted.  It was worked loose, or knocked out
+of the hole by some internal movement of the broken carboys, perhaps.
+At any rate, it came out, after remaining in place long enough for the
+acids to become thoroughly mixed and for the hull to cool down.  She
+was in the ice, remember.  Boston, the mixed acid went down that hole,
+or others like it.  Where is it now?"
+
+"I suppose," said Boston, thoughtfully, "that it soaked up into the
+hold, through the skin."
+
+"Exactly.  The skin is calked with oakum, is it not?" Boston nodded.
+
+"That oakum would contract with the charring action, as did the oakum
+in the hatch, and every drop of that acid--ten thousand gallons, as I
+have figured--has filtered up into the hold, with the exception of what
+remained between the frames under the skin.  Have you ever studied
+organic chemistry?"
+
+"Slightly."
+
+"Then you can follow me.  When tallow is saponified there is formed,
+from the palmitin, stearin, and olein contained, with the cauticizing
+agent--in this case, lime--a soap.  But there are two ends to every
+equation, and at the bottom of this immense soap vat, held in solution
+by the water, which would afterwards be taken up by the surplus lime,
+was the other end of this equation; and as the yield from tallow of
+this other product is about thirty per cent., and as we start with
+eight thousand fifty-pound kids--four hundred thousand pounds--all of
+which has disappeared, we know that, sticking to the skin and sides of
+the barrels down here, is--or was once--one hundred and twenty thousand
+pounds, or sixty tons, of the other end of the equation--glycerine!"
+
+"Do you mean, Doc," asked Boston, with a startled look, "that--"
+
+"I mean," said the doctor, emphatically, "that the first thing the
+acids--mixed in the 'tween-deck to just about the right proportions,
+mind you--would attack, on oozing through the skin, would be this
+glycerine; and the certain product of this union under intense
+cold--this hull was frozen in the ice, remember--would be
+nitro-glycerine; and, as the yield of the explosive is two hundred and
+twenty per cent. of the glycerine, we can be morally sure that in the
+bottom of this hold, each minute globule of it held firmly in a hard
+matrix of sulphate or nitrate of calcium--which would be formed next
+when the acids met the hydrates and carbonates of lime--is over one
+hundred and thirty tons of nitro-glycerine, all the more explosive from
+not being washed of free acids.  Come up on deck.  I'll show you
+something else."
+
+Limp and nerveless, Boston followed the doctor.  This question was
+beyond his seamanship.
+
+The doctor brought the yellow substance--now well dried.  "I found
+plenty of this in the 'tween-deck," he said; "and I should judge they
+used it to pack between the carboy boxes.  It was once cotton-batting.
+It is now, since I have washed it, a very good sample of gun-cotton.
+Get me a hammer--crowbar--something hard."
+
+Boston brought a marline-spike from the locker, and the doctor, tearing
+off a small piece of the substance and placing it on the iron barrel of
+a gipsy-winch, gave it a hard blow with the marline spike, which was
+nearly torn from his hand by the explosion that followed.
+
+"We have in the 'tween-deck," said the doctor, as he turned, "about
+twice as many pounds of this stuff as they used to pack the carboys
+with; and, like the nitro-glycerine, is the more easily exploded from
+the impurities and free acids.  I washed this for safe handling.
+Boston, we are adrift on a floating bomb that would pulverize the rock
+of Gibraltar!"
+
+"But, doctor," asked Boston, as he leaned against the rail for support,
+"wouldn't there be evolution of heat from the action of the acids on
+the lime--enough to explode the nitro-glycerine just formed?"
+
+"The best proof that it did not explode is the fact that this hull
+still floats.  The action was too slow, and it was very cold down
+there.  But I can't yet account for the acids left in the bilges.  What
+have they been doing all these fifty years?"
+
+Boston found a sounding-rod in the locker, which he scraped bright with
+his knife, then, unlaying a strand of the rope for a line, sounded the
+pump-well.  The rod came up dry, but with a slight discoloration on the
+lower end, which Boston showed to the doctor.
+
+"The acids have expended themselves on the iron frames and plates.  How
+thick are they?"
+
+"Plates, about five-eighths of an inch; frames, like railroad iron."
+
+"This hull is a shell!  We won't get much salvage.  Get up some kind of
+distress signal, Boston."  Somehow the doctor was now the master-spirit.
+
+A flag was nailed to the mast, union down, to be blown to pieces with
+the first breeze; then another, and another, until the flag locker was
+exhausted.  Next they hung out, piece after piece, all they could spare
+of the rotten bedding, until that too was exhausted.  Then they found,
+in a locker of their boat, a flag of Free Cuba, which they decided not
+to waste, but to hang out only when a sail appeared.
+
+But no sail appeared, and the craft, buffeted by gales and seas,
+drifted eastward, while the days became weeks, and the weeks became
+months.  Twice she entered the Sargasso Sea--the graveyard of
+derelicts--to be blown out by friendly gales and resume her travels.
+Occasional rains replenished the stock of fresh water, but the food
+they found at first, with the exception of some cans of fruit, was all
+that came to light; for the salt meat was leathery, and crumbled to a
+salty dust on exposure to the air.  After a while their stomachs
+revolted at the diet of cold soup, and they ate only when hunger
+compelled them.
+
+At first they had stood watch-and-watch, but the lonely horror of the
+long night vigils in the constant apprehension of instant death had
+affected them alike, and they gave it up, sleeping and watching
+together.  They had taken care of their boat and provisioned it, ready
+to lower and pull into the track of any craft that might approach.  But
+it was four months from the beginning of this strange voyage when the
+two men, gaunt and hungry--with ruined digestions and shattered
+nerves--saw, with joy which may be imagined, the first land and the
+first sail that gladdened their eyes after the storm in the Florida
+Channel.
+
+A fierce gale from the southwest had been driving them, broadside on,
+in the trough of the sea, for the whole of the preceding day and night;
+and the land they now saw appeared to them a dark, ragged line of blue,
+early in the morning.  Boston could only surmise that it was the coast
+of Portugal or Spain.  The sail--which lay between them and the land,
+about three miles to leeward--proved to be the try-sail of a black
+craft, hove-to, with bows nearly towards them.
+
+Boston climbed the foremast with their only flag and secured it; then,
+from the high poop-deck, they watched the other craft, plunging and
+wallowing in the immense Atlantic combers, often raising her forefoot
+into plain view, again descending with a dive that hid the whole
+forward half in a white cloud of spume.
+
+"If she was a steamer I'd call her a cruiser," said Boston; "one of
+England's black ones, with a storm-sail on her military mainmast.  She
+has a ram bow, and--yes, sponsors and guns.  That's what she is, with
+her funnels and bridge carried away."
+
+"Isn't she right in our track, Boston?" asked the doctor, excitedly.
+"Hadn't she better get out of our way?"
+
+"She's got steam up--a full head; sec the escape-jet?  She isn't
+helpless.  If she don't launch a boat, we'll take to ours and board
+her."
+
+The distance lessened rapidly--the cruiser plunging up and down in the
+same spot, the derelict heaving to leeward in great, swinging leaps, as
+the successive seas caught her, each one leaving her half a length
+farther on.  Soon they could make out the figures of men.
+
+"Take us off," screamed the doctor, waving his arms, "and get out of
+our way!"
+
+"We'll clear her," said Boston; "see, she's started her engine."
+
+As they drifted down on the weather-side of the cruiser they shouted
+repeatedly words of supplication and warning.  They were answered by a
+solid shot from a secondary gun, which flew over their heads.  At the
+same time, the ensign of Spain was run up on the flag-staff.
+
+"They're Spanish, Boston.  They're firing on us.  Into that boat with
+you!  If a shot hits our cargo, we won't know what struck us."
+
+They sprang into the boat, which luckily hung on the lee side, and
+cleared the falls--fastened and coiled in the bow and stern.  Often
+during their long voyage they had rehearsed the launching of the boat
+in a seaway--an operation requiring quick and concerted action.
+
+"Ready, Doc?" sang out Boston.  "One, two, three--let go!"  The falls
+overhauled with a whir, and the falling boat, striking an uprising sea
+with a smack, sank with it.  When it raised they unhooked the tackle
+blocks, and pushed off with the oars just as a second shot hummed over
+their heads.
+
+"Pull, Boston; pull hard--straight to windward!" cried the doctor.
+
+The tight whaleboat shipped no water, and though they were pulling in
+the teeth of a furious gale, the hulk was drifting away from them, so,
+in a short time, they were separated from their late home by a full
+quarter-mile of angry sea.  The cruiser had forged ahead in plain view,
+and, as they looked, took in the try-sail.
+
+"She's going to wear," said Boston.  "See, she's paying off."
+
+"I don't know what 'wearing' means, Boston," panted the doctor, "but I
+know the Spanish nature.  She's going to ram that hundred and thirty
+tons of nitro.  Don't stop.  Pull away.  Hold on, there; hold on, you
+fools!" he shouted.  "That's a torpedo; keep away from her!"
+
+Forgetting his own injunction to "pull away," the doctor stood up,
+waving his oar frantically, and Boston assisted.  But if their shouts
+and gestures were understood aboard the cruiser, they were ignored.
+She slowly turned in a wide curve and headed straight for the _Neptune_
+which had drifted to leeward of her.
+
+What was in the minds of the officers on that cruiser's deck will never
+be known.  Cruisers of all nations hold roving commissions in regard to
+derelicts, and it is fitting and proper for one of them to gently prod
+a "vagrant of the sea" with the steel prow and send her below to
+trouble no more.  But it may be that the sight of the Cuban flag,
+floating defiantly in the gale, had something to do with the full speed
+at which the Spanish ship approached.  When but half a length separated
+the two craft, a heavy sea lifted the bow of the cruiser high in air;
+then it sank, and the sharp steel ram came down like a butcher's
+cleaver on the side of the derelict.
+
+A great semicircular wall of red shut out the gray of the sea and sky
+to leeward, and for an instant the horrified men in the boat saw--as
+people see by a lightning flash--dark lines radiating from the centre
+of this red wall, and near this centre poised on end in mid-air, with
+deck and sponsons still intact, a bowless, bottomless remnant of the
+cruiser.  Then, and before the remnant sank into the vortex beneath,
+the spectacle went out in the darkness of unconsciousness; for a
+report, as of concentrated thunder, struck them down.  A great wave had
+left the crater-like depression in the sea, which threw the boat on
+end, and with the inward rush of surrounding water rose a mighty gray
+cone, which then subsided to a hollow, while another wave followed the
+first.  Again and again this gray pillar rose and fell, each subsidence
+marked by the sending forth of a wave.  And long before these
+concentric waves had lost themselves in the battle with the
+storm-driven combers from the ocean, the half-filled boat, with her
+unconscious passengers, had drifted over the spot where lay the
+shattered remnant, which, with the splintered fragments of wood and
+iron strewn on the surface and bottom of the sea for a mile around, and
+the lessening cloud of dust in the air, was all that was left of the
+derelict _Neptune_ and one of the finest cruisers in the Spanish navy.
+
+A few days later, two exhausted, half-starved men pulled a whaleboat up
+to the steps of the wharf at Cadiz, where they told some lies and sold
+their boat.  Six months after, these two men, sitting at a camp-fire of
+the Cuban army, read from a discolored newspaper, brought ashore with
+the last supplies, the following:
+
+"By cable to the 'Herald.'
+
+"CADIZ, March 13, 1895.--Anxiety for the safety of the _Reina Regente_
+has grown rapidly to-day, and this evening it is feared, generally,
+that she went down with her four hundred and twenty souls in the storm
+which swept the southern coast on Sunday night and Monday morning.
+Despatches from Gibraltar say that pieces of a boat and several
+semaphore flags belonging to the cruiser came ashore at Ceuta and
+Tarifa this afternoon."
+
+
+
+
+THE TERRIBLE SOLOMONS*
+
+From "South Sea Tales," BY JACK LONDON
+
+*Reprinted by courtesy of the Macmillan Co.
+
+
+There is no gainsaying that the Solomons are a hard-bitten bunch of
+islands.  On the other hand, there are worse places in the world.  But
+to the new chum who has no constitutional understanding of men and life
+in the rough, the Solomons may indeed prove terrible.
+
+It is true that fever and dysentery are perpetually on the walk-about,
+that loathsome skin diseases abound, that the air is saturated with a
+poison that bites into every pore, cut, or abrasion and plants
+malignant ulcers, and that many strong men who escape dying there
+return as wrecks to their own countries.  It is also true that the
+natives of the Solomons are a wild lot, with a hearty appetite for
+human flesh and a fad for collecting human heads.  Their highest
+instinct of sportsmanship is to catch a man with his back turned and to
+smite him a cunning blow with a tomahawk that severs the spinal column
+at the base of the brain.  It is equally true that on some islands,
+such as Malaita, the profit and loss account of social intercourse is
+calculated in homicides.  Heads are a medium of exchange, and white
+heads are extremely valuable.  Very often a dozen villages make a
+jack-pot, which they fatten moon by moon, against the time when some
+brave warrior presents a white man's head, fresh and gory, and claims
+the pot.
+
+All the foregoing, is quite true, and yet there are white men who have
+lived in the Solomons a score of years and who feel homesick when they
+go away from them.  A man needs only to be careful--and lucky--to live
+a long time in the Solomons; but he must also be of the right sort.  He
+must have the hall-mark of the inevitable white man stamped upon his
+soul.  He must be inevitable.  He must have a certain grand
+carelessness of odds, a certain colossal self-satisfaction, and a
+racial egotism that convinces him that one white is better than a
+thousand niggers every day in the week, and that on Sunday he is able
+to clean out two thousand niggers.  For such are the things that have
+made the white man inevitable.  Oh, and one other thing--the white man
+who wishes to be inevitable, must not merely despise the lesser breeds
+and think a lot of himself; he must also fail to be too long on
+imagination.  He must not understand too well the instincts, customs
+and mental processes of the blacks, the yellows, and the browns; for it
+is not in such fashion that the white race has tramped its royal road
+around the world.
+
+Bertie Arkwright was not inevitable.  He was too sensitive, too finely
+strung, and he possessed too much imagination.  The world was too much
+with him.  He projected himself too quiveringly into his environment.
+Therefore, the last place in the world for him to come was the
+Solomons.  He did not come, expecting to stay.  A five-weeks' stop-over
+between steamers, he decided, would satisfy the call of the primitive
+he felt thrumming the strings of his being.  At least, so he told the
+lady tourists on the Makembo, though in different terms; and they
+worshipped him as a hero, for they were lady tourists and they would
+know only the safety of the steamer's deck as she threaded her way
+through the Solomons.
+
+There was another man on board, of whom the ladies took no notice.  He
+was a little shriveled wisp of a man, with a withered skin the color of
+mahogany.  His name on the passenger list does not matter, but his
+other name, Captain Malu, was a name for niggers to conjure with, and
+to scare naughty pickaninnies to righteousness, from New Hanover to the
+New Hebrides.  He had farmed savages and savagery, and from fever and
+hardship, the crack of Sniders and the lash of the overseers, had
+wrested five millions of money in the form of beche-de-mer, sandalwood,
+pearl-shell and turtle-shell, ivory nuts and copra, grasslands, trading
+stations, and plantations.  Captain Malu's little finger, which was
+broken, had more inevitableness in it than Bertie Arkwright's whole
+carcass.  But then, the lady tourists had nothing by which to judge
+save appearances, and Bertie certainly was a fine-looking man.
+
+Bertie talked with Captain Malu in the smoking-room, confiding to him
+his intention of seeing life red and bleeding in the Solomons.  Captain
+Malu agreed that the intention was ambitious and honorable.  It was not
+until several days later that he became interested in Bertie, when that
+young adventurer insisted on showing him an automatic 44-calibre
+pistol.  Bertie explained the mechanism and demonstrated by slipping a
+loaded magazine up the hollow butt.
+
+"It is so simple," he said.  He shot the outer barrel back along the
+inner one.  "That loads it, and cocks it, you see.  And then all I have
+to do is pull the trigger, eight times, as fast as I can quiver my
+finger.  See that safety clutch.  That's what I like about it.  It is
+safe.  It is positively fool-proof."  He slipped out the magazine.
+"You see how safe it is."
+
+As he held it in his hand, the muzzle came in line with Captain Malu's
+stomach.  Captain Malu's blue eyes looked at it unswervingly.
+
+"Would you mind pointing it in some other direction?" he asked.
+
+"It's perfectly safe," Bertie assured him.  "I withdrew the magazine.
+It's not loaded now, you know."
+
+"A gun is always loaded."
+
+"But this one isn't."
+
+"Turn it away just the same."
+
+Captain Malu's voice was flat and metallic and low, but his eyes never
+left the muzzle until the line of it was drawn past him and away from
+him.
+
+"I'll bet a fiver it isn't loaded," Bertie proposed warmly.
+
+The other shook his head.
+
+"Then I'll show you."
+
+Bertie started to put the muzzle to his own temple with the evident
+intention of pulling the trigger.
+
+"Just a second," Captain Malu said quietly, reaching out his hand.
+"Let me look at it."
+
+He pointed it seaward and pulled the trigger.  A heavy explosion
+followed, instantaneous with the sharp click of the mechanism that
+flipped a hot and smoking cartridge sidewise along the deck.  Bertie's
+jaw dropped in amazement.
+
+"I slipped the barrel back once, didn't I?" he explained.  "It was
+silly of me, I must say."
+
+He giggled flabbily, and sat down in a steamer chair.  The blood had
+ebbed from his face, exposing dark circles under his eyes.  His hands
+were trembling and unable to guide the shaking cigarette to his lips.
+The world was too much with him, and he saw himself with dripping
+brains prone upon the deck.
+
+"Really," he said, ". . . really."
+
+"It's a pretty weapon," said Captain Malu, returning the automatic to
+him.
+
+The Commissioner was on board the _Makembo_, returning from Sydney, and
+by his permission a stop was made at Ugi to land a missionary.  And at
+Ugi lay the ketch _Arla_, Captain Hansen, skipper.  Now the _Arla_ was
+one of many vessels owned by Captain Malu, and it was at his suggestion
+and by his invitation that Bertie went aboard the _Arla_ as guest for a
+four-days' recruiting cruise on the coast of Malaita.  Thereafter the
+_Arla_ would drop him at Reminge Plantation (also owned by Captain
+Malu), where Bertie could remain for a week, and then be sent over to
+Tulgal, the seat of government, where he would become the
+Commissioner's guest.  Captain Malu was responsible for two other
+suggestions, which given, he disappears from this narrative.  One was
+to Captain Hansen, the other to Mr. Harriwell, manager of Reminge
+Plantation.  Both suggestions were similar in tenor, namely, to give
+Mr. Bertram Arkwright an insight into the rawness and redness of life
+in the Solomons.  Also, it is whispered that Captain Malu mentioned
+that a case of Scotch would be coincidental with any particularly
+gorgeous insight Mr. Arkwright might receive.
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+"Yes, Svartz always was too pig-headed.  You see, he took four of his
+boat's crew to Tulagi to be flogged--officially, you know--then started
+back with them in the whale-boat.  It was pretty squally, and the boat
+capsized just outside.  Swartz was the only one drowned.  Of course it
+was an accident."
+
+"Was it?  Really?" Bertie asked, only half-interested, staring hard at
+the black man at the wheel.
+
+Ugi had dropped astern, and the _Arla_ was sliding along through a
+summer sea toward the wooded ranges of Malaita.  The helmsman who so
+attracted Bertie's eyes sported a tenpenny nail, stuck skewerwise
+through his nose.  About his neck was string of pants buttons.  Thrust
+through holes in his ears were a can-opener, the broken handle of a
+tooth-brush, a clay pipe, the brass wheel of an alarm clock, and
+several Winchester rifle cartridges.  On his chest, suspended from
+around his neck hung the half of a china plate.  Some forty similarly
+apparelled blacks lay about the deck, fifteen of which were boat's
+crew, the remainder being fresh labor recruits.
+
+"Of course it was an accident," spoke up the _Arla's_ mate, Jacobs, a
+slender, dark-eyed man who looked more a professor than a sailor.
+"Johnny Bedlip nearly had the same kind of accident.  He was bringing
+back several from a flogging, when they capsized him.  But he knew how
+to swim as well as they, and two of them were drowned.  He used a
+boat-stretcher and a revolver.  Of course it was an accident."
+
+"Quite common, them accidents," remarked the skipper.  "You see that
+man at the wheel, Mr. Arkwright?  He's a man-eater.  Six months ago, he
+and the rest of the boat's crew drowned the then captain of the _Arla_.
+They did it on deck, sir, right aft there by the mizzen-traveller."
+
+"The deck was in a shocking state," said the mate.
+
+"Do I understanad--?" Bertie began.
+
+"Yes, just that," said Captain Hansen.  "It was accidental drowning."
+
+"But on deck--?"
+
+"Just so.  I don't mind telling you, in confidence, of course, that
+they used an axe."
+
+"This present crew of yours?"
+
+Captain Hansen nodded.
+
+"The other skipper always was too careless," explained the mate.  "He
+but just turned his back, when they let him have it."
+
+"We haven't any show down here," was the skipper's complaint.  "The
+government protects a nigger against a white every time.  You can't
+shoot first.  You've got to give the nigger first shot, or else the
+government calls it murder and you go to Fiji.  That's why there's so
+many drowning accidents."
+
+Dinner was called, and Bertie and the skipper went below, leaving the
+mate to watch on deck.
+
+"Keep an eye out for that black devil, Auiki," was the skipper's
+parting caution.  "I haven't liked his looks for several days."
+
+"Right O," said the mate.
+
+Dinner was part way along, and the skipper was in the middle of his
+story of the cutting out of the _Scottish Chiefs_.
+
+"Yes," he was saying, "she was the finest vessel on the coast.  But
+when she missed stays, and before ever she hit the reef, the canoes
+started for her.  There were five white men, a crew of twenty Santa
+Cruz boys and Samoans, and only the super-cargo escaped.  Besides,
+there were sixty recruits.  They were all kai-kai'd.  Kaikai?--oh, I
+beg your pardon.  I mean they were eaten.  Then there was the _James
+Edwards_, a dandy-rigged--"
+
+But at that moment there was a sharp oath from the mate on deck and a
+chorus of savage cries.  A revolver went off three times, and then was
+heard a loud splash.  Captain Hansen had sprung up the companionway on
+the instant, and Bertie's eyes had been fascinated by a glimpse of him
+drawing his revolver as he sprung.  Bertie went up more circumspectly,
+hesitating before he put his head above the companionway slide.  But
+nothing happened.  The mate was shaking with excitement, his revolver
+in his hand.  Once he startled, and half-jumped around, as if danger
+threatened his back.
+
+"One of the natives fell overboard," he was saying, in a queer tense
+voice.  "He couldn't swim."
+
+"Who was it?" the skipper demanded.
+
+"Auiki," was the answer.
+
+"But I say, you know, I heard shots," Bertie said, in trembling
+eagerness, for he scented adventure, and adventure that was happily
+over with.
+
+The mate whirled upon him, snarling:
+
+"It's a damned lie.  There ain't been a shot fired.  The nigger fell
+overboard."
+
+Captain Hansen regarded Bertie with unblinking, lack-lustre eyes.
+
+"I--I thought--" Bertie was beginning.
+
+"Shots?  Did you hear any shots, Mr. Jacobs?"
+
+"Not a shot," replied Mr. Jacobs.
+
+The skipper looked at his guest triumphantly, and said:
+
+"Evidently an accident.  Let us go down, Mr. Arkwright, and finish
+dinner."
+
+Bertie slept that night in the captain's cabin, a tiny stateroom off
+the main-cabin.  The for'ard bulkhead was decorated with a stand of
+rifles.  Over the bunk were three more rifles.  Under the bunk was a
+big drawer, which when he pulled it out, he found filled with
+ammunition dynamite, and several boxes of detonators.  He elected to
+take the settee on the opposite side.  Lying conspicuously on the small
+table, was the _Arla's_ log.  Bertie did not know that it had been
+especially prepared for the occasion by Captain Malu, and he read
+therein how on September 21, two boat's crew had fallen overboard and
+been drowned.  Bertie read between the lines and knew better.  He read
+how the _Arla's_ whale-boat had been bushwacked at Sulu and had lost
+three men; of how the skipper discovered the cook stewing human flesh
+on the galley fire--flesh purchased by the boat's crew ashore in Fui;
+of how an accidental discharge of dynamite, while signalling, had
+killed another boat's crew; of night attacks; ports fled from between
+the dawns; attacks by bushmen in mangrove swamps and by fleets of
+salt-water men in the larger passages.  One item that occurred with
+monotonous frequency was death by dysentery.  He noticed with alarm
+that two white men had so died--guests, like himself on the _Arla_.
+
+"I say, you know," Bertie said next day to Captain Hansen.  "I've been
+glancing through your log."
+
+The skipper displayed quick vexation that the log had been left lying
+about.
+
+"And all that dysentery, you know, that's all rot, just like the
+accidental drownings," Bertie continued.  "What does dysentery really
+stand for?"
+
+The skipper openly admired his guest's acumen, stiffened himself to
+make indignant denial, then gracefully surrendered.
+
+"You see, it's like this, Mr. Arkwright.  These islands have got a bad
+enough name as it is.  It's getting harder every day to sign on white
+men.  Suppose a man is killed.  The company has to pay through the nose
+for another man to take the job.  But if the man merely dies of
+sickness, it's all right.  The new chums don't mind disease.  What they
+draw the line at is being murdered.  I thought the skipper of the
+_Arla_ had died of dysentery when I took his billet.  Then it was too
+late.  I'd signed the contract."
+
+"Besides," said Mr. Jacobs, "there's altogether too many accidental
+drownings anyway.  It don't look right.  It's the fault of the
+government.  A white man hasn't a chance to defend himself from the
+niggers."
+
+"Yes, look at the _Princess_ and that Yankee mate," the skipper took up
+the tale.  "She carried five white men besides a government agent.  The
+captain, the agent, and the supercargo were ashore in the two boats.
+They were killed to the last man.  The mate and bosun, with about
+fifteen of the crew--Samoans and Tongans--were on board.  A crowd of
+niggers came off from the shore.  First thing the mate knew, the bosun
+and the crew were killed in the first rush.  The mate grabbed three
+cartridge-belts and two Winchesters and skinned up to the cross-trees.
+He was the sole survivor, and you can't blame him for being mad.  He
+pumped one rifle till it got so hot he couldn't hold it, then he pumped
+the other.  The deck was black with niggers.  He cleaned them out.  He
+dropped them as they went over the rail, and he dropped them as fast as
+they picked up their paddles.  Then they jumped into the water and
+started to swim for it, and, being mad, he got half a dozen more.  And
+what did he get for it?"
+
+"Seven years in Fiji," snapped the mate.
+
+"The government said he wasn't justified in shooting after they'd taken
+to the water," the skipper explained.
+
+"And that's why they die of dysentery nowadays," the mate added.
+
+"Just fancy," said Bertie, as he felt a longing for the cruise to be
+over.
+
+Later on in the day he interviewed the black who had been pointed out
+to him as a cannibal.  This fellow's name was Sumasai.  He had spent
+three years on a Queensland plantation.  He had been to Samoa, and
+Fiji, and Sydney; and as a boat's crew had been on recruiting schooners
+through New Britain, New Ireland, New Guinea, and the Admiralties.
+Also, he was a wag, and he had taken a line on his skipper's conduct.
+Yes, he had eaten many men.  How many?  He could not remember the
+tally.  Yes, white men, too; they were very good, unless they were
+sick.  He had once eaten a sick one.
+
+"My word!" he cried, at the recollection.  "Me sick plenty along him.
+My belly walk about too much."
+
+Bertie shuddered, and asked about heads.  Yes, Sumasai had several
+hidden ashore, in good condition, sun-dried, and smoke-cured.  One was
+of the captain of a schooner.  It had long whiskers.  He would sell it
+for two quid.  Black men's heads he would sell for one quid.  He had
+some pickaninny heads, in poor condition, that he would let go for ten
+bob.
+
+Five minutes afterward, Bertie found himself sitting on the
+companionway-slide alongside a black with a horrible skin disease.  He
+sheered off, and on inquiry was told that it was leprosy.  He hurried
+below and washed himself with antiseptic soap.  He took many antiseptic
+washes in the course of the day, for every native on board was
+afflicted with malignant ulcers of one sort or another.
+
+As the _Arla_ drew in to an anchorage in the midst of mangrove swamps,
+a double row of barbed wire was stretched around above her rail.  That
+looked like business and when Bertie saw the shore canoes alongside,
+armed with spears, bows and arrows, and Sniders, he wished more
+earnestly than ever that the cruise was over.
+
+That evening the natives were slow in leaving the ship at sundown.  A
+number of them checked the mate when he ordered them ashore.
+
+"Never mind, I'll fix them," said Captain Hansen, diving below.
+
+When he came back, he showed Bertie a stick of dynamite attached to a
+fish-hook.  Now it happens that a paper-wrapped bottle of chlorodyne
+with a piece of harmless fuse projecting can fool anybody.  It fooled
+Bertie, and it fooled the natives.  When Captain Hansen lighted the
+fuse and hooked the fish-hook into the tail-end of a native's
+loin-cloth, that native was smitten with so ardent a desire for the
+shore that he forgot to shed the loin-cloth.  He started for'ard, the
+fuse sizzling and spluttering at his rear, the natives in his path
+taking headers over the barbed wire at every jump.  Bertie was
+horror-stricken.  So was Captain Hansen.  He had forgotten his
+twenty-five recruits, on each of which he had paid thirty shillings
+advance.  They went over the side along with the shore-dwelling folk
+and followed by him who trailed the sizzling chlorodyne bottle.
+
+Bertie did not see the bottle go off; but the mate opportunely
+discharging a stick of real dynamite aft where it would harm nobody,
+Bertie would have sworn in any admiralty court to a nigger blown to
+flinders.
+
+The flight of the twenty-five recruits had actually cost the _Arla_
+forty pounds, and, since they had taken to the bush, there was no hope
+of recovering them.  The skipper and his mate proceeded to drown their
+sorrow in cold tea.  The cold tea was in whiskey bottles, so Bertie did
+not know it was cold tea they were mopping up.  All he knew was that
+the two men got very drunk and argued eloquently and at length as to
+whether the exploded nigger should be reported as a case of dysentery
+or as an accidental drowning.  When they snored off to sleep, he was
+the only white man left, and he kept a perilous watch till dawn, in
+fear of an attack from shore and an uprising of the crew.
+
+Three more days the _Arla_ spent on the coast, and three more nights
+the skipper and the mate drank overfondly of cold tea, leaving Bertie
+to keep watch.  They knew he could be depended upon, while he was
+equally certain that if he lived, he would report their drunken conduct
+to Captain Malu.  Then the _Arla_ dropped anchor at Reminge Plantation,
+on Guadalcanar, and Bertie landed on the beach with a sigh of relief
+and shook hands with the manager.  Mr. Harriwell was ready for him.
+
+"Now you mustn't be alarmed if some of our fellows seem downcast," Mr.
+Harriwell said, having drawn him aside in confidence.  "There's been
+talk of an outbreak, and two or three suspicious signs I'm willing to
+admit, but personally I think it's all poppycock."
+
+"How--how many blacks have you on the plantation?" Bertie asked, with a
+sinking heart.
+
+"We're working four hundred just now," replied Mr. Harriwell,
+cheerfully; "but the three of us, with you, of course, and the skipper
+and mate of the _Arla_, can handle them all right."
+
+Bertie turned to meet one McTavish, the storekeeper, who scarcely
+acknowledged the introduction, such was his eagerness to present his
+resignation.
+
+"It being that I'm a married man, Mr. Harriwell, I can't very well
+afford to remain on longer.  Trouble is working up, as plain as the
+nose on your face.  The niggers are going to break out, and there'll be
+another Hohono horror here."
+
+"What's a Hohono horror?" Bertie asked, after the storekeeper had been
+persuaded to remain until the end of the month.
+
+"Oh, he means Hohono Plantation, on Ysabel," said the manager.  "The
+niggers killed the five white men ashore, captured the schooner, killed
+the captain and mate, and escaped in a body to Malaita.  But I always
+said they were careless on Hohono.  They won't catch us napping here.
+Come along, Mr. Arkwright, and see our view from the veranda."
+
+Bertie was too busy wondering how he could get away to Tulagi to the
+Commissioner's house, to see much of the view.  He was still wondering,
+when a rifle exploded very near to him behind his back.  At the same
+moment his arm was nearly dislocated, so eagerly did Mr. Harriwell drag
+him indoors.
+
+"I say, old man, that was a close shave," said the manager, pawing him
+over to see if he had been hit.  "I can't tell you how sorry I am.  But
+it was broad daylight, and I never dreamed."
+
+Bertie was beginning to turn pale.
+
+"They got the other manager that way," McTavish vouchsafed.  "And a
+dashed fine chap he was.  Blew his brains out all over the veranda.
+You noticed that dark stain there between the steps and the door?"
+
+Bertie was ripe for the cocktail which Mr. Harriwell pitched in and
+compounded for him; but before he could drink it, a man in riding
+trousers and puttees entered.
+
+"What's the matter now?" the manager asked, after one look at the
+newcomer's face.  "Is the river up again?"
+
+"River be blowed--it's the niggers.  Stepped out of the cane-grass not
+a dozen feet away, and whopped at me.  It was a Snider, and he shot
+from the hip.  Now what I want to know is where'd he get the Snider?
+Oh, I beg your pardon.  Glad to know you, Mr. Arkwright."
+
+"Mr. Brown is my assistant," explained Mr. Harriwell.  "And now let's
+have that drink."
+
+"But where'd he get that Snider?" Mr. Brown insisted.  "I always
+objected to keeping those guns on the premises?"
+
+"They're still there," Mr. Harriwell said, with a show of heat.
+
+Mr. Brown smiled incredulously.
+
+"Come along and see," said the manager.
+
+Bertie joined the procession into the office, where Mr. Harriwell
+pointed triumphantly at a big packing-case in a dusty corner.
+
+"Well, then, where did the beggar get that Snider?" harped Mr. Brown.
+
+But just then McTavish lifted the packing-case.  The manager started
+then tore off the lid.  The case was empty.  They gazed at one another
+in horrified silence.  Harriwell dropped wearily.
+
+Then McVeigh cursed.
+
+"What I contended all along--the house-boys are not to be trusted."
+
+"It does look serious," Harriwell admitted, "but we'll come through it
+all right.  What the sanguinary niggers need is a shaking up.  Will you
+gentlemen please bring your rifles to dinner, and will you, Mr. Brown,
+kindly prepare forty or fifty sticks of dynamite.  Make the fuses good
+and short.  We'll give them a lesson.  And now, gentlemen, dinner is
+served."
+
+One thing that Bertie detested was rice and curry, so it happened that
+he alone partook of an inviting omelet.  He had quite finished his
+plate, when Harriwell helped himself to the omelet.  One mouthful, he
+tasted, then spat out vociferously.
+
+"That's the second time," McTavish announced ominously.
+
+Harriwell was still hawking and spitting.
+
+"Second time, what?" Bertie quavered.
+
+"Poison," was the answer.  "That cook will be hanged yet."
+
+"That's the way the bookkeeper went out at Cape Marsh," Brown spoke up.
+"Died horribly.  They said on the _Jessie_ that they heard him
+screaming three miles away."
+
+"I'll put the cook in irons," sputtered Harriwell.  "Fortunately we
+discovered it in time."
+
+Bertie sat paralysed.  There was no color in his face.  He attempted to
+speak, but only an inarticulate gurgle resulted.  All eyed him
+anxiously.
+
+"Don't say it, don't say it," McTavish cried in a tense voice.
+
+"Yes, I ate it, plenty of it, a whole plateful!" Bertie cried
+explosively, like a diver suddenly regaining breath.
+
+The awful silence continued half a minute longer, and he read his fate
+in their eyes.
+
+"Maybe it wasn't poison after all," said Harriwell, dismally.
+
+"Call in the cook," said Brown.
+
+In came the cook, a grinning black boy, nose-spiked and ear-plugged.
+
+"Here, you, Wi-wi, what name that?" Harriwell bellowed, pointing
+accusingly at the omelet.
+
+Wi-wi was very naturally frightened and embarrassed.
+
+"Him good fella kai-kai," he murmured apologetically.
+
+"Make him eat it," suggested McTavish.  "That's a proper test."
+
+Harriwell filled a spoon with the stuff and jumped for the cook, who
+fled in panic.
+
+"That settles it," was Brown's solemn pronouncement.  "He won't eat it."
+
+"Mr. Brown, will you please go and put the irons on him?"  Harriwell
+turned cheerfully to Bertie.  "It's all right, old man, the
+Commissioner will deal with him, and if you die, depend upon it, he
+will be hanged."
+
+"Don't think the government'll do it," objected McTavish.
+
+"But gentlemen, gentlemen," Bertie cried.  "In the meantime think of
+me."
+
+Harriwell shrugged his shoulders pityingly.
+
+"Sorry, old man, but it's a native poison, and there are no known
+antidotes for native poisons.  Try and compose yourself, and if----"
+
+Two sharp reports of a rifle from without, interrupted the discourse,
+and Brown, entering, reloaded his rifle and sat down to table.
+
+"The cook's dead," he said.  "Fever.  A rather sudden attack."
+
+"I was just telling Mr. Arkwright that there are no antidotes for
+native poisons----"
+
+"Except gin," said Brown.
+
+Harriwell called himself an absent-minded idiot and rushed for the gin
+bottle.
+
+"Neat, man, neat," he warned Bertie, who gulped down a tumbler
+two-thirds full of the raw spirits, and coughed and choked from the
+angry bite of it till the tears ran down his cheeks.
+
+Harriwell took his pulse and temperature, made a show of looking out
+for him, and doubted that the omelet had been poisoned.  Brown and
+McTavish also doubted; but Bertie discerned an insincere ring in their
+voices.  His appetite had left him, and he took his own pulse
+stealthily under the table.  There was no question but what it was
+increasing, but he failed to ascribe it to the gin he had taken.
+McTavish, rifle in hand, went out on the veranda to reconnoitre.
+
+"They're massing up at the cook-house," was his report.  "And they've
+no end of Sniders.  My idea is to sneak around on the other side and
+take them in flank.  Strike the first blow, you know.  Will you come
+along, Brown?"
+
+Harriwell ate on steadily, while Bertie discovered that his pulse had
+leaped up five beats.  Nevertheless, he could not help jumping when the
+rifles began to go off.  Above the scattering of Sniders could be heard
+the pumping of Brown's and McTavish's Winchesters--all against a
+background of demoniacal screeching and yelling.
+
+"They've got them on the run," Harriwell remarked, as voices and
+gunshots faded away in the distance.
+
+Scarcely were Brown and McTavish back at the table when the latter
+reconnoitred.
+
+"They've got dynamite," he said.
+
+"Then let's charge them with dynamite," Harriwell proposed.
+
+Thrusting half a dozen sticks each into their pockets and equipping
+themselves with lighted cigars, they started for the door.  And just
+then it happened.  They blamed McTavish for it afterward, and he
+admitted that the charge had been a trifle excessive.  But at any rate
+it went off under the house, which lifted up corner-wise and settled
+back on its foundations.  Half the china on the table was shattered,
+while the eight-day clock stopped.  Yelling for vengeance, the three
+men rushed out into the night, and the bombardment began.
+
+When they returned, there was no Bertie.  He had dragged himself away
+to the office, barricaded himself in, and sunk upon the floor in a
+gin-soaked nightmare, wherein he died a thousand deaths while the
+valorous fight went on around him.  In the morning, sick and headachy
+from the gin, he crawled out to find the sun still in the sky and God
+presumably in heaven, for his hosts were alive and uninjured.
+
+Harriwell pressed him to stay on longer, but Bertie insisted on sailing
+immediately on the _Arla_ for Tulagi, where, until the following
+steamer day, he stuck close by the Commissioner's house.  There were
+lady tourists on the outgoing steamer, and Bertie was again a hero,
+while Captain Malu, as usual, passed unnoticed.  But Captain Malu sent
+back from Sydney two cases of the best Scotch whiskey on the market,
+for he was not able to make up his mind as to whether it was Captain
+Hansen or Mr. Harriwell who had given Bertie Arkwright the more
+gorgeous insight into life in the Solomons.
+
+
+
+
+EL DORADO
+
+From "A Tarpaulin Muster," BY JOHN MASEFIELD
+
+
+The night had fallen over the harbour before the winch began to rattle.
+The stars came out, calm and golden, shaking little tracks in the sea.
+In the tiers of ships shone the riding-lights.  To the westward, where
+the Point jutted out, the great golden light of Negra winked and
+glimmered as it revolved.  It was a beat continually, like the marching
+of an army, along the line of the coast.  In one of the tiers of ships
+there was a sing-song.  A crew had gathered on the forecastle head, to
+beat their pannikins to the stars.  The words of their song floated out
+into the darkness, full of a haunting beauty which thrilled and
+satisfied me.  There was something in the night, in the air, in the
+beauty of the town, and in the sweetness of the sailors' singing, which
+made me sorry to be leaving.  I should have liked to have gone ashore
+again, to the _Calle del Inca_, where the cafes and taverns stood.  I
+should have liked to have seen those stately pale women, in their black
+robes, with the scarlet roses in their hair, swaying slowly on the
+stage to the clicking of the castenets.  I should have liked to have
+taken part in another wild dance among the tables of the wine shops.  I
+was sorry to be leaving.
+
+When the winch began to clank, as the cable was hove in, I gathered up
+my lead-line, and went to the leadsman's dicky, or little projecting
+platform, on the starboard side.  I was to be the leadsman that night,
+and as we should soon be moving, I made the breast-rope secure, and
+stood by.
+
+Presently the bell of the engine-room clanged, and there came a wash
+abaft as the screws thrashed.  The ship trembled, as the turbulent
+trampling of the engines shook her.  The bell clanged again; the water
+below me gleamed and whitened; the dark body of the steamer, with her
+lines of lit ports, swept slowly across the lights in the harbour.  The
+trampling of the engines steadied, and took to itself a rhythm.  We
+were off.  I cast an eye astern at the little town I was so sad to
+leave, and caught a glimpse of a path of churned water, broadening
+astern of us.  A voice sounded from the promenade deck behind me.  "Zat
+light, what you call 'eem?"
+
+I could not answer.  My orders were to keep strict silence.  The point
+of an umbrella took me sharply below the shoulders.  "What you call
+'eem--zat light?  Ze light zere?"
+
+I wondered if I could swing my lead on to him; it was worth trying.
+Again came the umbrella; and again the bell of the engine-room clanged.
+
+"Are you ready there with the lead?" came the mate's voice above me.
+"All ready with the lead, sir."  "What have we now?"  I gathered
+forward and swung the lead.  I could not reach the umbrella-man, even
+with my spare line.  Once, twice, thrice I swung, and pitched the
+plummet well forward into the bow wash.
+
+"By the deep, eight, sir."
+
+Again the bell clanged; the ship seemed to tremble and stop.  "Another
+cast now, quickly."  "And a half, seven, sir."  As I hauled in, I again
+tasted the umbrella, and another question came to me: "What 'ave you
+do?  Why 'ave you do zat?"  I swore under my breath.  "Are you asleep
+there leadsman?"  The mate was biting his finger-ends.  I sent the lead
+viciously into the sea.  "Quarter less seven, sir."  "Another cast,
+smartly, now."  Rapidly I hauled in, humming an old ballad to myself.
+"We'll have the ship ashore," I repeated.  There was a step on the deck
+behind me, and again came the voice, "Ze man, ze man zere what 'ave he
+do?  Why 'ave 'e go like so?"  "Won't you pass further aft, sir?" said
+a suave voice.  "You're interrup'in' the leadsman."  It was one of the
+quartermasters.  Once again the lead flew forward.  "By the mark,
+seven, sir."
+
+There was a pause; then came the voice again.  "I go zees way," said
+the quartermaster.  The steps of the umbrella-man passed away aft.
+"Zees way," said the quartermaster, under his breath, "zees way!  You
+gaw-dem Dago!"  I could have hugged the fellow.
+
+"What now?" said the old man, leaning over from the bridge.  I cast
+again.  "And a half, eight, sir."
+
+"We're clear," said the voice above me.   "Speed ahead, Mr. Jenkins."
+I gathered up my line.  The engine-room bell clanged once more; the
+ship seemed to leap suddenly forward.  In a few seconds, even as I
+coiled my line, the bow wash broadened to a roaring water.  The white
+of it glimmered and boiled, and spun away from us streaked with fires.
+Across the stars above us the mists from the smoke-stack stretched in a
+broad cloud.  Below me the engines trampled thunderously.  Ahead there
+were the lights, and the figure of the look-out, and the rush and hurry
+of the water.  Astern, far astern already, were the port, the ships at
+anchor, and the winking light on the Point.  A bugle abaft called the
+passengers to dinner, and I watched them as they went from their
+cabins.  A lady, in blue gown, with a shawl round her head, was talking
+to a man in evening dress.  "Isn't it interesting," she remarked, "to
+hear them making the soundings?"  The white shirt was politely
+non-committal.  "Aft there, two of you," said a hard voice, "and trice
+the ladder up.  Smartly now."  The lady in the blue dress stopped to
+watch us.
+
+I did not see the umbrella-man again until the next day, when I passed
+him on the hurricane deck.  He was looking at the coast through a pair
+of binoculars.  We were running to the north, in perfect Pacific
+weather, under a soft blue sky that was patrolled by little soft white
+clouds.  The land lay broad to starboard, a land of yellow hills with
+surf-beaten outliers of black reef.  Here and there we passed villages
+in the watered valleys, each with its whitewashed church and copper
+smeltry.  The umbrella-man was looking beyond these, at the hills.
+
+He was a little man, this man who had prodded me, with a long, pale
+face and pale eyes, a long reddish beard, and hair rather darker, both
+hair and beard being sparse.  He was a fidgety person, always twitching
+with his hands, and he walked with something of a strut, as though the
+earth belonged to him.  He snapped-to the case of his binoculars as
+though he had sheathed a sword.
+
+Later in the day, after supper, in the second dog-watch, as I sat
+smoking on the fore-coamings, he came up to me and spoke to me.  "You
+know zees coas'?" he asked.  Yes, I knew the coast.  "What you zink?"
+he asked; "you like 'eem?"  No, I didn't like 'eem.  "Ah," he said,
+"You 'ave been wizzin?"  I asked him what he meant.  "Wizzin," he
+repeated, "wizzen, in ze contry.  You 'ave know ze land, ze peoples?"
+I growled that I had been within, to Lima, and to Santiago, and that I
+had been ashore at the Chincha Islands.  "Ah," he said, with a strange
+quickening of interest, "you 'ave been to Lima; you like 'eem?"  No, I
+had not.  "I go wizzen," he said proudly.  "It is because I go; zat is
+why I ask.  Zere is few 'ave gone wizzen."  An old quartermaster walked
+up to us.  "There's very few come back, sir," he said.  "Them
+Indians----"  "Ah, ze Indians," said the little man scornfully, "ze
+Indians; I zeenk nozzin of ze Indians."  "Beg pardon, sir," said the
+old sailor, "They're a tough crowd, them copper fellers."  "I no
+understan';" said the Frenchman.  "They pickle people's heads," said
+the old sailor, "in the sand or somethin'.  They keep for ever pretty
+near when once they're pickled.  They pickle every one's head and sell
+'em in Lima: I've knowed 'em get a matter of three pound for a good
+head."  "Heads?" said another sailor.  "I had one myself once.  I got
+it at Tacna, but it wasn't properly pickled or something--it was a
+red-headed beggar the chap as owned it--I had to throw it away.  It got
+too strong for the crowd," he explained.  "Ah zose Indians," said the
+Frenchman.  "I 'ave 'eard; zey tell me, zey tell me at Valparaiso.  But
+ah, it ees a fool; it ees a fool; zere is no Indians."  "Beg pardon,
+sir," said the old sailor, "but if you go up among them jokers, you'll
+have to look slippy with a gun, sir,"  "Ah, a gon," he answered, "a
+gon.  I was not to be bozzered wiz a gon.  I 'ave what you call
+'eem--peestol."  He produced a boy's derringer, which might have cost
+about ten dollars, Spanish dollars, in the pawnshops of Santiago.
+"Peestol," murmured a sailor, gasping, as he shambled forward to laugh,
+"peestol, the gawdem Dago's balmy."
+
+During the next few days I saw the Frenchman frequently.  He was a
+wonder to us, and his plans were discussed at every meal, and in every
+watch below.  In the dog-watches he would come forward, with his
+eternal questions: "What is wizzin?  In ze contry?"  We would tell him,
+"Indians, or highwaymen," or "a push of highbinders;" and he would
+answer: "It ees nozzin, it ees a fool."  Once he asked us if we had
+heard of any gold being found "wizzen."  "Gold?" said one of us.
+"Gold?  O' course there's gold, any God's quantity.  Them Incas ate
+gold; they're buried in it."  "'Ave you know zem, ze Incas?" he asked
+eagerly.  "I seen a tomb of theirs once," said the sailor; "it were in
+a cove, like the fo'c'sle yonder, and full of knittin'-needles."  "What
+is zem?" said the Frenchman.  The sailor shambled below to his chest,
+and returned with a handful of little sticks round which some balls of
+coloured threads were bound.  "Knittin'-needles," said the sailor.
+"Them ain't no knittin'-needles.  Writin'?  How could them be writin'?
+Well, I heard tell once," replied the other.  "It ees zeir way of
+writing," said the Frenchman; "I 'ave seen; zat is zeir way of writing;
+ze knots is zeir letters."  "Bleedin' funny letters, I call 'em," said
+the needles-theorist.  "You and your needles," said the other.  "Now,
+what d'ye call 'em?"  The bell upon the bridge clanged.  "Eight bells,"
+said the company; "aft to muster, boys."  The bugle at the saloon-door
+announced supper.
+
+We were getting pretty well to the north--Mollendo, or
+thereabouts--when I had my last conversation with the Frenchman.  He
+came up to me one night, as I sat on the deck to leeward of the winch,
+keeping the first watch as snugly as I could.  "You know zees coast
+long?" he asked.  I had not.  Then came the never-ceasing, "'Ave you
+know of ze Incas?"  Yes, lot of general talk; and I had seen Incas
+curios, mostly earthware, in every port in Peru.  "You 'ave seen gold?"
+No; there was never any gold.  The Spaniards made a pretty general
+average of any gold there was.  "It ees a fool," he answered.  "I tell
+you," he went on, "it ees a fool.  Zay have say zat; zey 'ave all say
+zat; it ees a fool.  Zere is gold.  Zere is a hundred million pounds;
+zere is twenty tousan' million dollars; zere is El Dorado.  Beyond ze
+mountains zere is El Dorado; zere is a town of gold.  Zay say zere is
+no gold?  Zere is.  I go to find ze gold; zat is what I do; I fin' ze
+gold, I, Paul Bac."  "Alone?" I asked.  "I, Paul Bac," he answered.
+
+I looked at him a moment.  He was a little red-haired man, slightly
+made, but alert and active-looking.  He knew no Spanish, no Indian
+dialects, and he had no comrade.  I told him that I thought he didn't
+know what he was doing.  "Ha!" he said.  "Listen: I go to Payta; I go
+by train to Chito; zen I reach ze Morona River; from zere I reach
+Marinha.  Listen: El Dorado is between ze Caqueta and ze Putumayo
+Rivers, in ze forest."  I would have asked him how he knew, but I had
+to break away to relieve the lookout.  I wished the little man good
+night; I never spoke with him again.
+
+I thought of him all that watch, as I kept scanning the seas.  I should
+be going up and down, I thought, landing passengers through surf, or
+swaying bananas out of launches, or crying the sounds as we came to
+moorings.  He would be going on under the stars, full of unquenchable
+hope, stumbling on the bones of kings.  He would be wading across bogs,
+through rivers and swamps, through unutterable and deathly places,
+singing some songs, and thinking of the golden city.  He was a pilgrim,
+a poet, a person to reverence.  And if he got there, if he found El
+Dorado--but that was absurd.  I thought of him sadly, with the feeling
+that he had learned how to live, and that he would die by applying his
+knowledge.  I wondered how he would die.  He would be alone there, in
+the tangle, stumbling across creepers.  The poisoned blow-pipe, from
+the long, polished blow-pipe, such as I had seen in the museums.  He
+would fall on his face, among the jungle.  Then the silent Indian would
+hack off his head with a flint, and pickle it for the Lima markets.  He
+would never get to the Caqueta.  Or perhaps he would be caught in an
+electric storm, an aire, as they call them, and be stricken down among
+the hills on his way to Chito.  More probably he would die of hunger or
+thirst, as so many had died before him.  I remembered a cowboy whom I
+had found under a thorn bush in the Argentine.  Paul Bac would be like
+that cowboy; he would run short of water, and kill his horse for the
+blood, and then go mad and die.
+
+I was in my bunk when he went ashore at Payta, but a fellow in the
+other watch told me how he left the ship.  There was a discussion in
+the forecastle that night as to the way the heads were prepared.  Some
+said it was sand; some said it was the leaf of the puro bush; one or
+two held out for a mixture of pepper and nitrate.  One man speculated
+as to the probable price the head would fetch; and the general vote was
+for two pounds, or two pounds ten.  "It wouldn't give me no pleasure,"
+said one of us, "to have that ginger-nob in my chest."  "Nor me, it
+wouldn't," said another; "I draw the line at having a corpse on my
+tobacker."  "And I do," said several.  Clearly the Frenchman was
+destined for a town museum.
+
+It was more than a year after that I heard of the end of the El Dorado
+hunter.  I was in New York when I heard it, serving behind the bar of a
+saloon.  One evening, as I was mixing cocktails, I heard myself hailed
+by a customer; and there was Billy Neeld, one of our quartermasters,
+just come ashore from an Atlantic Transport boat.  We had a drink
+together, and yarned of old times.  The names of our old shipmates were
+like incantations.  The breathing of them brought the past before us;
+the past which was so recent, yet so far away; the past which is so
+dear to a sailor and so depressing to a landsman.  So and so was dead,
+and Jimmy had gone among the Islands, and Dick had pulled out for home
+because "he couldn't stick that Mr. Jenkins."  Very few of them
+remained on the Coast; the brothers of the Coast are a shifty crowd.
+
+"D'ye remember the Frenchman," I asked, "the man who was always asking
+about the Incas?"  "The ginger-headed feller?"  "Yes, a little fellow."
+"A red-headed, ambitious little runt?  I remember him," said Billy; "he
+left us at Payta, the time we fouled the launch."  "That's the man," I
+said; "have you heard anything of him?"  "Oh, he's dead all right,"
+said Billy.  "His mother came out after him; there was a piece in the
+Chile _Times_ about him."  "He was killed, I suppose?"  "Yes, them
+Indians got him, somewhere in Ecuador, Tommy Hains told me.  They got
+his head back, though.  It was being sold in the streets; his old
+mother offered a reward, and the Dagoes got it back for her.  He's dead
+all right, he is; he might ha' known as much, going alone among them
+Indians.  Dead?  I guess he is dead; none but a red-headed runt'd have
+been such a lunk as to try it."  "He was an ambitious lad," I said.
+"Yes," said Billy, "he was.  Them ambitious fellers, they want the
+earth, and they get their blooming heads pickled; that's what they get
+by it.  Here's happy days, young feller."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Great Sea Stories, by Various
+
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+<HTML>
+<HEAD>
+
+<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
+
+<TITLE>
+The Project Gutenberg eBook of Great Sea Stories
+</TITLE>
+
+<STYLE TYPE="text/css">
+BODY { color: Black;
+       background: White;
+       margin-right: 10%;
+       margin-left: 10%;
+       font-size: medium;
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+
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+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Great Sea Stories, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Great Sea Stories
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: Joseph Lewis French
+
+Release Date: May 16, 2006 [EBook #18405]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GREAT SEA STORIES ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Al Haines
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<H1 ALIGN="center">
+GREAT SEA STORIES
+</H1>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+EDITED BY
+</H3>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+JOSEPH LEWIS FRENCH
+</H2>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+Editor "Great Ghost Stories," "Masterpieces of Mystery," <BR>
+"The Best Psychic Stories," etc.
+</H4>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+NEW YORK
+<BR>
+BRENTANO'S
+<BR>
+PUBLISHERS
+</H3>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H5 ALIGN="center">
+Copyright, 1921, by
+<BR>
+BRENTANO'S
+<BR>
+All rights reserved
+</H5>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+CONTENTS
+</H2>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap01">
+Spanish Bloodhounds and English Mastiffs<BR>
+From "Westward Ho!" By CHARLES KINGSLEY
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap02">
+The Club-Hauling of the <I>Diomede</I><BR>
+From "Peter Simple." By CAPTAIN FREDERICK MARRYAT
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap03">
+The Cruise of the <I>Torch</I><BR>
+From "Tom Cringle's Log." By MICHAEL SCOTT
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap04">
+The Merchantman and the Pirate<BR>
+From "Hard Cash." By CHARLES READE
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap05">
+The Mutiny of the <I>Bounty</I><BR>
+From "Chamber's Miscellany." ANONYMOUS
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap06">
+The Wreck of the <I>Royal Caroline</I><BR>
+From "The Red Rover." By JAMES FENNIMORE COOPER
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap07">
+The Capture of the Great White Whale<BR>
+From "Moby Dick." By HERMAN MELVILLE
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap08">
+The Corvette <I>Claymore</I><BR>
+From "Ninety-three." By VICTOR HUGO
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap09">
+The Merchants' Cup<BR>
+From "Broken Stowage." By DAVID W. BONE
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap10">
+A Storm and a Rescue<BR>
+From "The Wreck of the _Grosvenor_." By W. CLARK RUSSELL
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap11">
+The Sailor's Wife<BR>
+From "An Iceland Fisherman." By PIERRE LOTI
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap12">
+The Salving of the <I>Yan-Shan</I><BR>
+From "In Blue Waters." By H. DE VERE STACKPOOLE
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap13">
+The Derelict <I>Neptune</I><BR>
+From "Spun Gold." By MORGAN ROBERTSON
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap14">
+The Terrible Solomons<BR>
+From "South Sea Tales." By JACK LONDON
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#chap14">
+El Dorado<BR>
+From "A Tarpaulin Muster." By JOHN MASEFIELD
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+ILLUSTRATION
+</H2>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#img-076">
+Song sung by labor gang.
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+FOREWORD
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+The theme of the sea is heroic&mdash;epic.  Since the first stirrings of the
+imagination of man the sea has enthralled him; and since the dawn of
+literature he has chronicled his wanderings upon its vast bosom.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It is one of the curiosities of literature, a fact that old Isaac
+Disraeli might have delighted to linger over, that there have been no
+collectors of sea-tales; that no man has ever, as in the present
+instance, dwelt upon the topic with the purpose of gathering some of
+the best work into a single volume.  And yet men have written of the
+sea since 2500 B.C. when an unknown author set down on papyrus his
+account of a struggle with a sea-serpent.  This account, now in the
+British Museum, is the first sea-story on record.  Our modern
+sea-stories begin properly with the chronicles of the early
+navigators&mdash;in many of which there is an unconscious art that none of
+our modern masters of fiction has greatly surpassed.  For delightful
+reading the lover of sea stories is referred to Best's account of
+Frobisher's second voyage&mdash;to Richard Chancellor's chronicle of the
+same period&mdash;to Hakluyt, an immortal classic&mdash;and to Purchas'
+"Pilgrimage."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But from the earliest growth of the art of fiction the sea was frankly
+accepted as a stirring theme, comparatively rarely handled because
+voyages were fewer then, and the subject still largely unknown.  To the
+general reader it may seem a rather astounding fact that in "Robinson
+Crusoe" we have the first classic of this period and in "Colonel Jack"
+another classic of much the same type.  These two stories by the
+immortal Defoe may be accepted as the foundation of the sea-tale in
+literary art.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A century, however, was to elapse before the sea-tale came into its
+own.  It was not until a generation after Defoe that Smollett, in
+"Roderick Random," again stirred the theme into life.  Fielding in his
+"Voyage to Lisbon" had given some account of a personal experience, but
+in the general category it must be set down as simply episodal.
+Foster's "Voyages," a translation from the German published in England
+at the beginning of the third quarter of the eighteenth century, a
+compendium of monumental importance, continued the tradition of Hakluyt
+and Purchas.  By this time the sea-power of England had become
+supreme,&mdash;Britannia ruled the waves, and a native sea-literature was
+the result.  The sea-songs of Thomas Dibdin and other writers were the
+first fruits of this newly created literary nationalism.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Shortly after the beginning of the nineteenth century the sea-writer
+established himself with Michael Scott in "Tom Cringle's Log," a
+forgotten, but ever-fresh classic.  Then came Captain Marryat, who was
+to the sea what Dickens and Thackeray were to land folk.  America, too,
+contributed to this literary movement.   Even before Marryat, our own
+Cooper had essayed the sea with a masterly hand, while in "Moby Dick,"
+as in his other stories, Herman Melville glorified the theme.
+Continental writers like Victor Hugo and the Hungarian, Maurus Jokal,
+who had little personal knowledge of the subject, also set their hands
+to tales of marine adventure.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Such work as this has established a succession which has been
+continuous and progressive ever since.  The literature of the sea of
+the past half-century is voluminous, varied and universally known, and
+whether in the form of personal adventure, or in purely fictional
+shape, it has grown to be an art cultivated with great care by the best
+contemporary writers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The noble band of singers of the sea, from the days of the Elizabethans
+to the sublime Swinburne, belongs to another volume.  It is the sincere
+hope of the compiler that the present collection offers undisputable
+evidence that the prose tradition has been fully sustained and the
+reader will find in these pages living testimony to the marvelous
+interest of the theme&mdash;its virility and its beauty.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+JOSEPH LEWIS FRENCH.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap01"></A>
+<H1 ALIGN="center">
+GREAT SEA STORIES
+</H1>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+SPANISH BLOODHOUNDS AND ENGLISH MASTIFFS
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "Westward Ho!" BY CHARLES KINGSLEY
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+When the sun leaped up the next morning, and the tropic light flashed
+suddenly into the tropic day, Amyas was pacing the deck, with
+disheveled hair and torn clothes, his eyes red with rage and weeping,
+his heart full&mdash;how can I describe it?  Picture it to yourselves, you
+who have ever lost a brother; and you who have not, thank God that you
+know nothing of his agony.  Full of impossible projects, he strode and
+staggered up and down, as the ship thrashed and close-hauled through
+the rolling seas.  He would go back and burn the villa.  He would take
+Guayra, and have the life of every man in it in return for his
+brother's.  "We can do it, lads!" he shouted.  "Drake took Nombre de
+Dios, we can take La Guayra."  And every voice shouted, "Yes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We will have it, Amyas, and have Frank too, yet," cried Cary; but
+Amyas shook his head.  He knew, and knew not why he knew, that all the
+ports in New Spain would never restore to him that one beloved face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, he shall be well avenged.  And look there!  There is the first
+crop of our vengeance."  And he pointed toward the shore, where between
+them and the now distant peaks of the Silla, three sails appeared, not
+five miles to windward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There are the Spanish bloodhounds on our heels, the same ships which
+we saw yesterday off Guayra.  Back, lads, and welcome them, if they
+were a dozen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was a murmur of applause from all around; and if any young heart
+sank for a moment at the prospect of fighting three ships at once, it
+was awed into silence by the cheer which rose from all the older men,
+and by Salvation Yeo's stentorian voice.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If there were a dozen, the Lord is with us, who has said, 'One of you
+shall chase a thousand.'  Clear away, lads, and see the glory of the
+Lord this day."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Amen!" cried Cary; and the ship was kept still closer to the wind.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Amyas had revived at the sight of battle.  He no longer felt his wounds
+or his great sorrow as he bustled about the deck; and ere a quarter of
+an hour had passed, his voice cried firmly and cheerfully as of old&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, my masters, let us serve God, and then to breakfast, and after
+that clear for action."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Jack Brimblecombe read the dally prayers, and the prayers before a
+fight at sea, and his honest voice trembled, as, in the Prayer for all
+Conditions of Men (In spite of Amyas's despair), he added, "and
+especially for our dear brother Mr. Francis Leigh, perhaps captive
+among the idolaters;" and so they rose.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, then," said Amyas, "to breakfast.  A Frenchman fights best
+fasting, a Dutchman drunk, an Englishman full, and a Spaniard when the
+devil is in him, and that's always."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And good beef and the good cause are a match for the devil," said
+Cary.  "Come down, captain; you must eat too."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Amyas shook his head, took the tiller from the steersman, and bade him
+go below and fill himself.  Will Cary went down, and returned in five
+minutes with a plate of bread and beef, and a great jack of ale, coaxed
+them down Amyas's throat, as a nurse does with a child, and then
+scuttled below again with tears hopping down his face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Amyas stood still steering.  His face was grown seven years older in
+the last night.  A terrible set calm was on him.  Woe to the man who
+came across him that day!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There are three of them, you see, my masters," said he, as the crew
+came on deck again.  "A big ship forward, and two galleys astern of
+her.  The big ship may keep; she is a race ship, and if we can but
+recover the wind of her, we will see whether our height is not a match
+for her length.  We must give her the slip, and take the galleys first."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I thank the Lord," said Yeo, "who has given so wise a heart to so
+young a general; a very David and Daniel, saving his presence, lads.
+Silas Staveley, smite me that boy over the head, the young monkey; why
+is he not down at the powder-room door?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And Yeo went about his gunnery, as one who knew how to do it, and had
+the most terrible mind to do it thoroughly, and the most terrible faith
+that it was God's work.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So all fell to; and though there was comparatively little to be done,
+the ship having been kept as far as could be in fighting order all
+night, yet there was "clearing of decks, lacing of nettings, making of
+bulwarks, fitting of waistcloths, arming of tops, tallowing of pikes,
+slinging of yards, doubling of sheets and tacks."  Amyas took charge of
+the poop, Cary of the forecastle, and Yeo, as gunner, of the main-deck,
+while Drew, as master, settled himself in the waist; and all was ready,
+and more than ready, before the great ship was within two miles of them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She is now within two musket-shots of the <I>Rose</I>, with the golden flag
+of Spain floating at her poop; and her trumpets are shouting defiance
+up the breeze, from a dozen brazen throats, which two or three answer
+lustily from the <I>Rose</I>, from whose poop flies the flag of England, and
+from her fore the arms of Leigh and Cary side by side, and over them
+the ship and bridge of the good town of Bideford.  And then Amyas
+calls&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, silence trumpets, waits, play up!  'Fortune my foe!' and God and
+the Queen be with us!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Whereon (laugh not, reader, for it was the fashion of those musical, as
+well as valiant days) up rose that noble old favorite of good Queen
+Bess, from cornet and sackbut, fife and drum; while Parson Jack, who
+had taken his stand with the musicians on the poop, worked away lustily
+at his violin.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well played, Jack; thy elbow flies like a lamb's tail," said Amyas,
+forcing a jest.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It shall fly to a better fiddle-bow presently, sir, and I have the
+luck&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Steady, helm!" said Amyas.  "What is he after now?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Spaniard, who had been coming upon them right down the wind under a
+press of sail, took in his light canvas.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He don't know what to make of our waiting for him so bold," said the
+helmsman.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He does though, and means to fight us," cried another.  "See, he is
+hauling up the foot of his mainsail: but he wants to keep the wind of
+us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let him try, then," quoth Amyas.  "Keep her closer still.  Let no one
+fire till we are about.  Man the starboard guns; to starboard, and
+wait, all small arm men.  Pass the order down to the gunner, and bid
+all fire high, and take the rigging."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bang went one of the Spaniard's bow guns, and the shot went wide.  Then
+another and another, while the men fidgeted about, looking at the
+priming of their muskets, and loosened their arrows in the sheaf.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lie down, men, and sing a psalm.  When I want you I'll call you.
+Closer still, if you can, helmsman, and we will try a short ship
+against a long one.  We can sail two points nearer the wind than he."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As Amyas had calculated, the Spaniard would gladly enough have stood
+across the <I>Rose's</I> bows, but knowing the English readiness dare not
+for fear of being raked; so her only plan, if she did not intend to
+shoot past her foe down to leeward, was to put her head close to the
+wind, and wait for her on the same tack.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Amyas laughed to himself.  "Hold on yet awhile.  More ways of killing a
+cat than choking her with cream.  Drew, there, are your men ready?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ay, ay, sir!" and on they went, closing fast with the Spaniard, till
+within a pistol-shot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ready about!" and about she went like an eel, and ran upon the
+opposite tack right under the Spaniard's stern.  The Spaniard,
+astonished at the quickness of the maneuver, hesitated a moment, and
+then tried to get about also, as his only chance; but it was too late,
+and while his lumbering length was still hanging in the wind's eye,
+Amyas's bowsprit had all but scraped his quarter, and the <I>Rose</I> passed
+slowly across his stern at ten yards' distance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, then!" roared Amyas.  "Fire, and with a will!  Have at her,
+archers: have at her, muskets all!" and in an instant a storm of bar
+and chain-shot, round and canister, swept the proud Don from stem to
+stern, while through the white cloud of smoke the musket-balls, and the
+still deadlier clothyard arrows, whistled and rushed upon their
+venomous errand.  Down went the steersman, and every soul who manned
+the poop.  Down went the mizzen topmast, in went the stern-windows and
+quarter-galleries; and as the smoke cleared away, the golden flag of
+Spain, which the last moment flaunted above their heads, hung trailing
+in the water.  The ship, her tiller shot away, and her helmsman killed,
+staggered helplessly a moment, and then fell up into the wind.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well done, men of Devon!" shouted Amyas, as cheers rent the welkin.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She has struck," cried some, as the deafening hurrahs died away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not a bit," said Amyas.  "Hold on, helmsman, and leave her to patch
+her tackle while we settle the galleys."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On they shot merrily, and long ere the armada could get herself to
+rights again, were two good miles to windward, with the galleys
+sweeping down fast upon them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And two venomous-looking craft they were, as they shot through the
+short chopping sea upon some forty oars apiece, stretching their long
+sword-fish snouts over the water, as if snuffing for their prey.
+Behind this long snout, a strong square forecastle was crammed with
+soldiers, and the muzzles of cannon grinned out through port-holes, not
+only in the sides of the forecastle, but forward in the line of the
+galley's course, thus enabling her to keep up a continual fire on a
+ship right ahead.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The long low waist was packed full of the slaves, some five or six to
+each oar, and down the center, between the two banks, the English could
+see the slave-drivers walking up and down a long gangway, whip in hand.
+A raised quarter-deck at the stern held more soldiers, the sunlight
+flashing merrily upon their armor and their gun-barrels; as they
+neared, the English could hear plainly the cracks of the whips, and the
+yells as of wild beasts which answered them; the roll and rattle of the
+oars, and the loud "Ha!" of the slaves which accompanied every stroke,
+and the oaths and curses of the drivers; while a sickening musky smell,
+as of a pack of kenneled hounds, came down the wind from off those dens
+of misery.  No wonder if many a young heart shuddered as it faced, for
+the first time, the horrible reality of those floating hells, the
+cruelties whereof had rung so often in English ears from the stories of
+their own countrymen, who had passed them, fought them, and now and
+then passed years of misery on board of them.  Who knew but what there
+might be English among those sun-browned, half-naked masses of panting
+wretches?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Must we fire upon the slaves?" asked more than one, as the thought
+crossed him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Amyas sighed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Spare them all you can, in God's name: but if they try to run us down,
+rake them we must, and God forgive us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The two galleys came on abreast of each other, some forty yards apart.
+To out-maneuver their oars as he had done the ship's sails, Amyas knew
+was impossible.  To run from them was to be caught between them and the
+ship.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He made up his mind, as usual, to the desperate game.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lay her head up in the wind, helmsman, and we will wait for them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They were now within musket-shot, and opened fire from their bow-guns;
+but, owing to the chopping sea, their aim was wild.  Amyas, as usual,
+withheld his fire.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The men stood at quarters with compressed lips, not knowing what was to
+come next.  Amyas, towering motionless on the quarter-deck, gave his
+orders calmly and decisively.  The men saw that he trusted himself, and
+trusted him accordingly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Spaniards, seeing him wait for them, gave a shout of joy&mdash;was the
+Englishman mad?  And the two galleys converged rapidly, intending to
+strike him full, one on each bow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They were within forty yards&mdash;another minute, and the shock would come.
+The Englishman's helm went up, his yards creaked round, and gathering
+way, he plunged upon the larboard galley.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A dozen gold nobles to him who brings down the steersman!" shouted
+Cary, who had his cue.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And a flight of arrows from the forecastle rattled upon the galley's
+quarter-deck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Hit or not hit, the steersman lost his nerve, and shrank from the
+coming shock.  The galley's helm went up to port, and her beak slid all
+but harmless along Amyas's bow; a long dull grind, and then loud crack
+on crack, as the <I>Rose</I> sawed slowly through the bank of oars from stem
+to stern, hurling the wretched slaves in heaps upon each other; and ere
+her mate on the other side could swing round to strike him in his new
+position, Amyas's whole broadside, great and small, had been poured
+into her at pistol-shot, answered by a yell which rent their ears and
+hearts.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Spare the slaves!  Fire at the soldiers!" cried Amyas; but the work
+was too hot for much discrimination; for the larboard galley, crippled
+but not undaunted, swung round across his stern, and hooked herself
+venomously on to him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was a move more brave than wise; for it prevented the other galley
+from returning to the attack without exposing herself a second time to
+the English broadside; and a desperate attempt of the Spaniards to
+board at once through the stern-ports and up the quarter was met with
+such a demurrer of shot and steel that they found themselves in three
+minutes again upon the galley's poop, accompanied, to their intense
+disgust, by Amyas Leigh and twenty English swords.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Five minutes' hard cutting, hand to hand, and the poop was clear.  The
+soldiers in the forecastle had been able to give them no assistance,
+open as they lay to the arrows and musketry from the <I>Rose's</I> lofty
+stern.  Amyas rushed along the central gangway, shouting in Spanish,
+"Freedom to the slaves!  death to the masters!" clambered into the
+forecastle, followed close by his swarm of wasps, and set them so good
+an example how to use their stings that in three minutes more there was
+not a Spaniard on board who was not dead or dying.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let the slaves free!" shouted he.  "Throw us a hammer down, men.
+Hark! there's an English voice!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There is indeed.  From amid the wreck of broken oars and writhing
+limbs, a voice is shrieking in broadest Devon to the master, who is
+looking over the side.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, Robert Drew!  Robert Drew!  Come down, and take me out of hell!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Who be you, in the name of the Lord?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't you mind William Prust, that Captain Hawkins left behind in the
+Honduras, years and years agone?  There's nine of us aboard, if your
+shot hasn't put 'em out of their misery.  Come down, if you've a
+Christian heart, come down!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Utterly forgetful of all discipline, Drew leaps down hammer in hand,
+and the two old comrades rush into each other's arms.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Why make a long story of what took but five minutes to do?  The nine
+men (luckily none of them wounded) are freed, and helped on board, to
+be hugged and kissed by old comrades and young kinsmen; while the
+remaining slaves, furnished with a couple of hammers, are told to free
+themselves and help the English.  The wretches answer by a shout; and
+Amyas, once more safe on board again, dashes after the other galley,
+which has been hovering out of reach of his guns: but there is no need
+to trouble himself about her; sickened with what she has got, she is
+struggling right up wind, leaning over to one side, and seemingly ready
+to sink.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are there any English on board of her?" asks Amyas, loth to lose the
+chance of freeing a countryman.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Never a one, sir, thank God."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they set to work to repair damages; while the liberated slaves,
+having shifted some of the galley's oars, pull away after their
+comrade; and that with such a will that in ten minutes they have caught
+her up, and careless of the Spaniard's fire, boarded her en masse, with
+yells as of a thousand wolves.  There will be fearful vengeance taken
+on those tyrants, unless they play the man this day.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And in the meanwhile half the crew are clothing, feeding, questioning,
+caressing those nine poor fellows thus snatched from living death; and
+Yeo, hearing the news, has rushed up on deck to welcome his old
+comrades, and&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is Michael Heard, my cousin, here among you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Yes, Michael Heard is there, white-headed rather from misery than age;
+and the embracings and questionings begin afresh.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Where is my wife, Salvation Yeo?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"With the Lord."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Amen!" says the old man, with a short shudder.  "I thought so much;
+and my two boys?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"With the Lord."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The old man catches Yeo by the arm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How, then?"  It is Yeo's turn to shudder now.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Killed in Panama, fighting the Spaniards; sailing with Mr. Oxeham; and
+'twas I led 'em into it.  May God and you forgive me!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They couldn't die better, cousin Yeo."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The old man covers his face with his hands for a while.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, I've been alone with the Lord these fifteen years, so I must not
+whine at being alone awhile longer&mdash;'twon't be long."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Put this coat on your back, uncle," says some one.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No; no coats for me.  Naked came I into the world, and naked I go out
+of it this day, if I have a chance.  You'm better go to your work,
+lads, or the big one will have the wind of us yet."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So she will," said Amyas, who had overheard; but so great is the
+curiosity of all hands that he has some trouble in getting the men to
+quarters again; indeed, they only go on condition of parting among
+themselves with them the newcomers, each to tell his sad and strange
+story.  How after Captain Hawkins, constrained by famine, had put them
+ashore, they wandered in misery till the Spaniards took them; how,
+instead of hanging them (as they at first intended), the Dons fed and
+clothed them, and allotted them as servants to various gentlemen about
+Mexico, where they throve, turned their hands (like true sailors) to
+all manner of trades, and made much money; so that all went well, until
+the fatal year 1574, when, much against the minds of many of the
+Spaniards themselves, that cruel and bloody Inquisition was established
+for the first time in the Indies; and how from that moment their lives
+were one long tragedy; how they were all imprisoned for a year and a
+half, racked again and again, and at last adjudged to receive publicly,
+on Good Friday, 1575, some three hundred, some one hundred stripes, and
+to serve in the galleys for six or ten years each; while as the
+crowning atrocity of the Moloch sacrifice, three of them were burnt
+alive in the market-place of Mexico.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The history of the party was not likely to improve the good feeling of
+the crew towards the Spanish ship which was two miles to leeward of
+them, and which must be fought with, or fled from, before a quarter of
+an hour was past.  So, kneeling down upon the deck, as many a brave
+crew in those days did in like case, they "gave God thanks devoutly for
+the favor they had found," and then with one accord, at Jack's leading,
+sang one and all the ninety-fourth Psalm:
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="poem">
+"Oh, Lord, thou dost revenge all wrong;<BR>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Vengeance belongs to thee," etc.<BR>
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And then again to quarters; for half the day's work, or more than half,
+still remained to be done; and hardly were the decks cleared afresh,
+and the damage repaired as best it could be, when she came ranging up
+to leeward, as closehauled as she could.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She was, as I said, a long flushed-decked ship of full five hundred
+tons, more than double the size, in fact, of he Rose, though not so
+lofty in proportion; and many a bold heart beat loud, and no shame to
+them, as she began firing away merrily, determined, as all well knew,
+to wipe out in English blood the disgrace of her late foil.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Never mind, my merry masters," said Amyas, "she has quantity and we
+quality."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's true," said one, "for one honest man is worth two rogues."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And one culverin three of their footy little ordnance," said another.
+"So when you will, captain, and have at her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let her come abreast of us, and don't burn powder.  We have the wind,
+and can do what we like with her.  Serve the men out a horn of ale all
+round, steward, and all take your time."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they waited five minutes more, and then set to work quietly, after
+the fashion of English mastiffs, though, like those mastiffs, they
+waxed right mad before three rounds were fired, and the white splinters
+(sight beloved) began to crackle and fly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Amyas, having, as he had said, the wind, and being able to go nearer it
+than the Spaniard, kept his place at easy point-blank range for his
+two-eighteen-pounder culverins, which Yeo and his mate worked with
+terrible effect.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We are lacking her through and through every shot," said he.  "Leave
+the small ordnance alone yet awhile, and we shall sink her without
+them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Whing, whing," went the Spaniard's shot, like so many humming-tops,
+through the rigging far above their heads; for the ill-constructed
+ports of those days prevented the guns from hulling an enemy who was to
+windward, unless close alongside.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Blow, jolly breeze," cried one, "and lay the Don over all thou
+canst.&mdash;What the murrain is gone, aloft there?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Alas! a crack, a flap, a rattle; and blank dismay!  An unlucky shot had
+cut the foremast (already wounded) in two, and all forward was a mass
+of dangling wreck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Forward, and cut away the wreck!" said Amyas, unmoved.  "Small arm
+men, be ready.  He will be aboard of us in five minutes!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was true.  The <I>Rose</I>, unmanageable from the loss of her head-sail,
+lay at the mercy of the Spaniard; and the archers and musqueteers had
+hardly time to range themselves to leeward, when the <I>Madre Dolorosa's</I>
+chains were grinding against the <I>Rose's</I>, and grapples tossed on board
+from stem to stern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't cut them loose!" roared Amyas.  "Let them stay and see the fun!
+Now, dogs of Devon, show your teeth, and hurrah for God and the Queen!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And then began a fight most fierce and fell: the Spaniards, according
+to their fashion, attempted to board: the English, amid fierce shouts
+of "God and the Queen!"  "God and St. George for England!" sweeping
+them back by showers of arrows and musquet balls, thrusting them down
+with pikes, hurling grenades and stink-pots from the tops; while the
+swivels on both sides poured their grape, and bar, and chain, and the
+great main-deck guns, thundering muzzle to muzzle, made both ships
+quiver and recoil, as they smashed the round shot through and through
+each other.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So they roared and flashed, fast clenched to each other in that devil's
+wedlock, under a cloud of smoke beneath the cloudless tropic sky; while
+all around, the dolphins gamboled, and the flying-fish shot on from
+swell to swell, and the rainbow-hued jellies opened and shut their cups
+of living crystal to the sun.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So it raged for an hour or more, till all arms were weary, and all
+tongues clove to the mouth.  And sick men, rotting with scurvy,
+scrambled up on deck, and fought with the strength of madness: and tiny
+powder-boys, handing up cartridges from the hold, laughed and cheered
+as the shots ran past their ears; and old Salvation Yeo, a text upon
+his lips, and a fury in his heart as of Joshua or Elijah in old time,
+worked on, calm and grim, but with the energy of a boy at play.  And
+now and then an opening in the smoke showed the Spanish captain, in his
+suit of black steel armor, standing cool and proud, guiding and
+pointing, careless of the iron hail, but too lofty a gentleman to soil
+his glove with aught but a knightly sword-hilt: while Amyas and Will,
+after the fashion of the English gentlemen, had stripped themselves
+nearly as bare as their own sailors, and were cheering, thrusting,
+hewing, and hauling, here, there, and everywhere, like any common
+mariner, and filling them with a spirit of self-respect,
+fellow-feeling, and personal daring, which the discipline of the
+Spaniards, more perfect mechanically, but cold and tyrannous, and
+crushing spiritually, never could bestow.  The black-plumed Señor was
+obeyed; but the golden-locked Amyas was followed, and would have been
+followed through the jaws of hell.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Spaniards, ere five minutes had passed, poured en masse into the
+<I>Rose's</I> waist: but only to their destruction.  Between the poop and
+forecastle (as was then the fashion) the upper-deck beams were left
+open and unplanked, with the exception of a narrow gangway on either
+side; and off that fatal ledge the boarders, thrust on by those behind,
+fell headlong between the beams to the main-deck below, to be
+slaughtered helpless in that pit of destruction, by the double fire
+from the bulkheads fore and aft; while the few who kept their footing
+on the gangway, after vain attempts to force the stockades on poop and
+forecastle, leaped overboard again amid a shower of shot and arrows.
+The fire of the English was as steady as it was quick.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thrice the Spaniards clambered on board, and thrice surged back before
+that deadly hail.  The decks on both sides were very shambles; and Jack
+Brimblecombe, who had fought as long as his conscience would allow him,
+found, when he turned to a more clerical occupation, enough to do in
+carrying poor wretches to the surgeon, without giving that spiritual
+consolation which he longed to give, and they to receive.  At last
+there was a lull in that wild storm.  No shot was heard from the
+Spaniard's upper-deck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Amyas leaped into the mizzen rigging and looked through the smoke.
+Dead men he could descry through the blinding veil, rolled in heaps,
+laid flat; dead men and dying; but no man upon his feet.  The last
+volley had swept the deck clear; one by one had dropped below to escape
+that fiery shower: and alone at the helm, grinding his teeth with rage,
+his mustachios curling up to his very eyes, stood the Spanish captain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now was the moment for a counter stroke.  Amyas shouted for the
+boarders, and in two minutes more he was over the side, and clutching
+at the Spaniard's mizzen rigging.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+What was this?  The distance between him and the enemy's side was
+widening.  Was she sheering off?  Yes&mdash;and rising, too, growing bodily
+higher every moment, as if by magic.  Amyas looked up in astonishment
+and saw what it was.  The Spaniard was heeling fast over to leeward
+away from him.  Her masts were all sloping forward, swifter and
+swifter&mdash;the end was come, then!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Back! in God's name back, men!  She is sinking by the head!"  And with
+much ado some were dragged back, some leaped back&mdash;all but old Michael
+Heard.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With hair and beard floating in the wind, the bronzed naked figure,
+like some weird old Indian fakir, still climbed on steadfastly up the
+mizzen-chains of the Spaniard, hatchet in hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come back, Michael!  Leap while you may!" shouted a dozen voices.
+Michael turned&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And what should I come back for, then, to go home where no one knoweth
+me?  I'll die like an Englishman this day, or I'll know the reason
+why!" and turning, he sprang in over the bulwarks, as the huge ship
+rolled up more and more, like a dying whale, exposing all her long
+black hulk almost down to the keel, and one of her lower-deck guns as
+if in defiance exploded upright into the air, hurling the ball to the
+very heavens.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In an instant it was answered from the <I>Rose</I> by a column of smoke, and
+the eighteen-pound ball crashed through the bottom of the defenseless
+Spaniard.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Who fired!  Shame to fire on a sinking ship!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Gunner Yeo, sir," shouted a voice from the maindeck.  "He's like a
+madman down here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Tell him if he fires again, I'll put him in irons, if he were my own
+brother.  Cut away the grapples aloft, men.  Don't you see how she
+drags us over?  Cut away, or we shall sink with her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They cut away, and the <I>Rose</I>, released from the strain, shook her
+feathers on the wave-crest like a freed sea-gull, while all men held
+their breaths.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly the glorious creature righted herself, and rose again, as if
+in noble shame, for one last struggle with her doom.  Her bows were
+deep in the water, but her after-deck still dry.  Righted: but only for
+a moment, long enough to let her crew come pouring wildly up on deck,
+with cries and prayers, and rush aft to the poop, where, under the flag
+of Spain, stood the tall captain, his left hand on the standard-staff,
+his sword pointed in his right.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Back men!" they heard him cry, "and die like valiant mariners."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Some of them ran to the bulwarks, and shouted "Mercy!  We surrender!"
+and the English broke into a cheer and called to them to run her
+alongside.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Silence!" shouted Amyas.  "I take no surrender from mutineers.
+Señor," cried he to the captain, springing into the rigging and taking
+off his hat, "for the love of God and these men, strike! and surrender
+<I>á buena guerra</I>."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Spaniard lifted his hat and bowed courteously, and answered.
+"Impossible, Señor.  No <I>guerra</I> is good which stains my honor."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"God have mercy on you, then!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Amen!" said the Spaniard, crossing himself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gave one awful lunge forward, and dived under the coming swell,
+hurling her crew into the eddies.  Nothing but the point of her poop
+remained, and there stood the stern and steadfast Don, cap-à-pié in his
+glistening black armor, immovable as a man of iron, while over him the
+flag, which claimed the empire of both worlds, flaunted its gold aloft
+and upwards in the glare of the tropic noon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He shall not carry that flag to the devil with him; I will have it
+yet, if I die for it!" said Will Cary, and rushed to the side to leap
+overboard, but Amyas stopped him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let him die as he lived, with honor."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A wild figure sprang out of the mass of sailors who struggled and
+shrieked amid the foam, and rushed upward at the Spaniard.  It was
+Michael Heard.  The Don, who stood above him, plunged his sword into
+the old man's body: but the hatchet gleamed, nevertheless: down went
+the blade through the headpiece and through head; and as Heard sprang
+onward, bleeding, but alive, the steel-clad corpse rattled down the
+deck into the surge.  Two more strokes, struck with the fury of a dying
+man, and the standard-staff was hewn through.  Old Michael collected
+all his strength, hurled the flag far from the sinking ship, and then
+stood erect one moment and shouted, "God save Queen Bess!" and the
+English answered with a "Hurrah!" which rent the welkin.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Another moment and the gulf had swallowed his victim, and the poop, and
+him; and nothing remained of the <I>Madre Dolorosa</I> but a few floating
+spars and struggling wretches, while a great awe fell upon all men, and
+a solemn silence, broken only by the cry
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="poem">
+"Of some strong swimmer in his agony."<BR>
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+And then, suddenly collecting themselves, as men awakened from a dream,
+half-a-dozen desperate gallants, reckless of sharks and eddies, leaped
+overboard, swam towards the flag, and towed it alongside in triumph.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah!" said Salvation Yeo, as he helped the trophy up over the side;
+"ah! it was not for nothing that we found poor Michael!  He was always
+a good comrade.  And now, then, my masters, shall we inshore again and
+burn La Guayra?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Art thou never glutted with Spanish blood, thou old wolf?" asked Will
+Cary.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Never, sir," answered Yeo.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"To St. Jago be it," said Amyas, "if we can get there: but&mdash;God help
+us!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And he looked round sadly enough; while no one needed that he should
+finish his sentence, or explain his "but."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The fore-mast was gone, the main-yard sprung, the rigging hanging in
+elf-locks, the hull shot through and through in twenty places, the deck
+strewn with the bodies of nine good men, besides sixteen wounded down
+below; while the pitiless sun, right above their heads, poured down a
+flood of fire upon a sea of glass.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And it would have been well if faintness and weariness had been all
+that was the matter; but now that the excitement was over, the collapse
+came; and the men sat down listlessly and sulkily by twos and threes
+upon the deck, starting and wincing when they heard some poor fellow
+below cry out under the surgeon's knife; or murmuring to each other
+that all was lost.  Drew tried in vain to rouse them, telling them that
+all depended on rigging a jury-mast forward as soon as possible.  They
+answered only by growls; and at last broke into open reproaches.  Even
+Will Cary's volatile nature, which had kept him up during the fight
+gave way, when Yeo and the carpenter came aft, and told Amyas in a low
+voice&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We are hit somewhere forward, below the waterline, sir.  She leaks a
+terrible deal, and the Lord will not vouchsafe to us to lay our hands
+on the place, for all our searching."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What are we to do now, Amyas, in the devil's name?" asked Cary,
+peevishly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What are we to do, in God's name, rather," answered Amyas in a low
+voice.  "Will, Will, what did God make you a gentleman for, but to know
+better than those poor fickle fellows forward, who blow hot and cold at
+every change of weather!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I wish you'd come forward and speak to them, sir," said Yeo, who had
+overheard the last words, "or we shall get nought done."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Amyas went forward instantly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now then, my brave lads, what's the matter here, that you are all
+sitting on your tails like monkeys?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ugh!" grunts one.  "Don't you think our day's work has been long
+enough yet, captain?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You don't want us to go in to La Guayra again, sir?  There are enough
+of us thrown away already, I reckon, about that wench there."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Best sit here, and sink quietly.  There's no getting home again,
+that's plain."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why were we brought out here to be killed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For shame, men!" cries Yeo, "murmuring the very minute after the Lord
+has delivered you from the Egyptians."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now I do not wish to set Amyas up as better, thank God, than many and
+many a brave and virtuous captain in her Majesty's service at this very
+day: but certainly he behaved admirably under that trial.  Drake had
+trained him, as he trained many another excellent officer, to be as
+stout in discipline and as dogged of purpose, as he himself was: but he
+had trained him also to feel with and for his men, to make allowances
+for them, and to keep his temper with them, as he did this day.
+Amyas's conscience smote him (and his simple and pious soul took the
+loss of his brother as God's verdict on his conduct), because he had
+set his own private affection, even his own private revenge, before the
+safety of his ship's company and the good of his country.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah," said he to himself, as he listened to his men's reproaches, "if I
+had been thinking, like a loyal soldier, of serving my queen, and
+crippling the Spaniard, I should have taken that great bark three days
+ago, and in it the very man I sought!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So "choking down his old man," as Yeo used to say, he made answer
+cheerfully&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Pooh! pooh! brave lads!  For shame, for shame!  You were lions
+half-an-hour ago; you are not surely turned sheep already!  Why, but
+yesterday evening you were grumbling because I would not run in and
+fight those three ships under the batteries of La Guayra, and now you
+think it too much to have fought them fairly out at sea?  Nothing
+venture, nothing win; and nobody goes birdnesting without a fall at
+times.  If any one wants to be safe in this life, he'd best stay at
+home and keep his bed; though even there who knows but the roof might
+fall through on him?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah, it's all very well for you, captain," said some grumbling younker,
+with a vague notion that Amyas must be better off than he because he
+was a gentleman.  Amyas's blood rose.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, sirrah!  Do you fancy that I have nothing to lose?  I who have
+adventured in this voyage all I am worth, and more; who, if I fall,
+must return to beggary and scorn?  And if I have ventured rashly,
+sinfully, if you will, the lives of any of you in my own private
+quarrel, am I not punished?  Have I not lost&mdash;&mdash;?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His voice trembled and stopped there, but he recovered himself in a
+moment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Pish!  I can't stand here chattering.  Carpenter! an ax! and help me
+to cast these spars loose.  Get out of my way, there! lumbering the
+scuppers up like so many moulting fowls!  Here, all old friends, lend a
+hand!  <I>Pelican's</I> men, stand by your captain!  Did we sail round the
+world for nothing?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This last appeal struck home, and up leaped half-a-dozen of the old
+Pelicans, and set to work at his side manfully to rig the jury-mast.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come along!" cried Cary to the malcontents; "we're raw longshore
+fellows, but we won't be outdone by any old sea-dog of them all."  And
+setting to work himself, he was soon followed by one and another, till
+order and work went on well enough.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And where are we going, when the mast's up?" shouted some saucy hand
+from behind.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Where you daren't follow us alone by yourself, so you had better keep
+us company," replied Yeo.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll tell you where we are going, lads," said Amyas, rising from his
+work.  "Like it or leave it as you will, I have no secrets from my
+crew.  We are going inshore there to find a harbor, and careen the
+ship."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was a start and a murmur.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Inshore!  Into the Spaniards' mouths?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All in the Inquisition in a week's time."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Better stay here, and be drowned."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're right in that last," shouts Cary.  "That's the right death for
+blind puppies.  Look you!  I don't know in the least where we are, and
+I hardly know stem from stern aboard ship; and the captain may be right
+or wrong&mdash;that's nothing to me; but this I know, that I am a soldier,
+and will obey orders; and where he goes, I go; and whosoever hinders me
+must walk up my sword to do it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Amyas pressed Cary's hand, and then&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And here's my broadside next, men.  I'll go nowhere, and do nothing
+without the advice of Salvation Yeo and Robert Drew; and if any man in
+the ship knows better than these two, let him up, and we'll give him a
+hearing.  Eh, <I>Pelicans</I>?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was a grunt of approbation from the Pelicans; and Amyas returned
+to the charge.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We have five shots between wind and water, and one somewhere below.
+Can we face a gale of wind in that state, or can we not?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Silence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Can we get home with a leak in our bottom?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Silence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come along now!  Here's the wind again round with the sun, and up to
+the northwest.  In shore with her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sulkily enough, but unable to deny the necessity, the men set to work,
+and the vessel's head was put toward the land; but when she began to
+slip through the water, the leak increased so fast that they were kept
+hard at work at the pumps for the rest of the afternoon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The current had by this time brought them abreast of the bay of
+Higuerote.  As they ran inward, all eyes were strained greedily to find
+some opening in the mangrove belt: but none was to be seen for some
+time.  The lead was kept going; and every fresh heave announced
+shallower water.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We shall have very shoal work of those mangroves, Yeo," said Amyas; "I
+doubt whether we shall do aught now, unless we find a river's mouth."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If the Lord thinks a river good for us, sir, he'll show us one."  So
+on they went, keeping a southeast course, and at last an opening in the
+mangrove belt was hailed with a cheer from the older hands, though the
+majority shrugged their shoulders, as men going open-eyed to
+destruction.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Of the mouth they sent in Drew and Cary with a boat, and watched
+anxiously for an hour.  The boat returned with a good report of two
+fathoms of water over the bar, impenetrable forests for two miles up,
+the river sixty yards broad, and no sign of man.  The river's banks
+were soft and sloping mud, fit for careening.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Safe quarters, sir," said Yeo, privately, "as far as Spaniards go.  I
+hope in God it may be as safe from fevers."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Beggars must not be choosers," said Amyas.  So in they went.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They towed the ship up about half-a-mile to a point where she could not
+be seen from the seaward; and there moored her to the mangrove-stems.
+Amyas ordered a boat out, and went up the river himself to reconnoiter.
+He rowed some three miles, till the river narrowed suddenly, and was
+all but covered in by the interlacing boughs of mighty trees.  There
+was no sign that man had been there since the making of the world.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He dropped down the stream again, thoughtfully and sadly.  How many
+years ago was it that he had passed this river's mouth?  Three days.
+And yet how much had passed in them!  Don Guzman found and lost&mdash;Rose
+found and lost&mdash;a great victory gained, and yet lost&mdash;perhaps his ship
+lost&mdash;above all, his brother lost.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lost! O God, how should he find his brother?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Some strange bird out of the woods made mournful answer&mdash;"Never, never,
+never!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+How should he face his mother?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Never, never, never!" walled the bird again; and Amyas smiled
+bitterly, and said "Never!" likewise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The night mist began to steam and wreath upon the foul beer-colored
+stream.  The loathy floor of liquid mud lay bare beneath the mangrove
+forest.  Upon the endless web of interarching roots great purple crabs
+were crawling up and down.  They would have supped with pleasure upon
+Amyas's corpse; perhaps they might sup on him after all; for a heavy
+sickening graveyard smell made his heart sink within him, and his
+stomach heave; and his weary body, and more weary soul, gave themselves
+up helplessly to the depressing influence of that doleful place.  The
+black bank of dingy leathern leaves above his head, the endless
+labyrinth of stems and withes (for every bough had lowered its own
+living cord, to take fresh hold of the foul soil below); the web of
+roots, which stretched away inland till it was lost in the shades of
+evening&mdash;all seemed one horrid complicated trap for him and his; and
+even where, here and there, he passed the mouth of a lagoon, there was
+no opening, no relief&mdash;nothing but the dark ring of mangroves.  Wailing
+sadly, sad-colored mangrove-hens ran off across the mud into the dreary
+dark.  The hoarse night-raven, hid among the roots, startled the
+voyagers with a sudden shout, and then all was again silent as a grave.
+The loathy alligators lounging in the slime lifted their horny eyelids
+lazily, and leered upon him as he passed with stupid savageness.  Lines
+of tall herons stood dimly in the growing gloom, like white fantastic
+ghosts, watching the passage of the doomed boat.  All was foul, sullen,
+weird as witches' dream.  If Amyas had seen a crew of skeletons glide
+down the stream behind him, with Satan standing at the helm, he would
+scarcely have been surprised.  What fitter craft could haunt that
+Stygian flood?
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap02"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE CLUB-HAULING OF THE DIOMEDE
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "Peter Simple," BY CAPTAIN FREDERICK MARRYAT
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+We continued our cruise along the coast, until we had run down into the
+Bay of Arcason, where we captured two or three vessels, and obliged
+many more to run on shore.  And here we had an instance showing how
+very important it is that the captain of a man-of-war should be a good
+sailor, and have his ship in such discipline as to be strictly obeyed
+by his ship's company.  I heard the officers unanimously assert, after
+the danger was over, that nothing but the presence of mind which was
+shown by Captain Savage could have saved the ship and her crew.  We had
+chased a convoy of vessels to the bottom of the bay: the wind was very
+fresh when we hauled off, after running them on shore; and the surf on
+the beach even at that time was so great, that they were certain to go
+to pieces before they could be got afloat again.  We were obliged to
+double-reef the topsails as soon as we hauled to the wind, and the
+weather looked very threatening.  In an hour afterwards, the whole sky
+was covered with one black cloud, which sank so low as nearly to touch
+our mast-heads, and a tremendous sea, which appeared to have risen up
+almost by magic, rolled in upon us, setting the vessel on a dead lee
+shore.  As the night closed in, it blew a dreadful gale, and the ship
+was nearly buried with the press of canvas which she was obliged to
+carry: for had we sea-room, we should have been lying-to under storm
+staysails; but we were forced to carry on at all risks, that we might
+claw off shore.  The sea broke over us as we lay in the trough,
+deluging us with water from the forecastle, aft, to the binnacles; and
+very often as the ship descended with a plunge, it was with such force
+that I really thought she would divide in half with the violence of the
+shock.  Double breechings were rove on the guns, and they were further
+secured with tackles; and strong cleats nailed behind the trunnions;
+for we heeled over so much when we lurched, that the guns were wholly
+supported by the breechings and tackles, and had one of them broken
+loose it must have burst right through the lee side of the ship, and
+she must have foundered.  The captain, first lieutenant, and most of
+the officers, remained on deck during the whole of the night; and
+really, what with the howling of the wind, the violence of the rain,
+the washing of the water about the decks, the working of the
+chain-pumps, and the creaking and groaning of the timbers, I thought
+that we must inevitably have been lost; and I said my prayers at least
+a dozen times during the night, for I felt it impossible to go to bed.
+I had often wished, out of curiosity, that I might be in a gale of
+wind; but I little thought it was to have been a scene of this
+description, or anything half so dreadful.  What made it more appalling
+was, that we were on a lee shore, and the consultations of the captain
+and officers, and the eagerness with which they looked out for
+daylight, told us that we had other dangers to encounter besides the
+storm.  At last the morning broke, and the look-out man upon the
+gangway called out, "Land on the lee beam!"  I perceived the master
+dash his feet against the hammock-rails, as if with vexation, and walk
+away without saying a word, looking very grave.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Up there, Mr. Wilson," said the captain to the second lieutenant, "and
+see how far the land trends forward, and whether you can distinguish
+the point."  The second lieutenant went up the main-rigging, and
+pointed with his hand to about two points before the beam.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you see two hillocks, inland?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, sir," replied the second lieutenant.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then it is so," observed the captain to the master, "and if we weather
+it we shall have more sea-room.  Keep her full, and let her go through
+the water; do you hear, quartermaster?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ay, ay, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thus, and no nearer, my man.  Ease her with a spoke or two when she
+sends; but be careful, or she'll take the wheel out of your hands."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It really was a very awful sight.  When the ship was in the trough of
+the sea, you could distinguish nothing but a waste of tumultuous water;
+but when she was borne up on the summit of the enormous waves, you then
+looked down, as it were, upon a low, sandy coast, close to you, and
+covered with foam and breakers.  "She behaves nobly," observed the
+captain, stepping aft to the binnacle, and looking at the compass; "if
+the wind does not baffle us, we shall weather."  The captain had
+scarcely time to make the observation, when the sails shivered and
+flapped like thunder.  "Up with the helm; what are you about,
+quartermaster?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The wind has headed us, sir," replied the quartermaster, coolly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The captain and master remained at the binnacle watching the compass;
+and when the sails were again full, she had broken off two points, and
+the point of land was only a little on the lee-bow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We must wear her round, Mr. Falcon.  Hands, wear ship&mdash;ready, oh,
+ready."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She has come up again," cried the master, who was at the binnacle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hold fast there a minute.  How's her head now?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"N.N.E., as she was before she broke off, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Pipe belay," said the captain.  "Falcon," continued he, "if she breaks
+off again we may have no room to wear; indeed, there is so little room
+now, that I must run the risk.  Which cable was ranged last night&mdash;the
+best bower?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Jump down, then, and see it double-bitted and stoppered at thirty
+fathoms.  See it well done&mdash;our lives may depend upon it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The ship continued to hold her course good; and we were within half a
+mile of the point, and fully expected to weather it, when again the wet
+and heavy sails flapped in the wind, and the ship broke off two points
+as before.  The officers and seamen were aghast, for the ship's head
+was right on to the breakers.  "Luff now, all you can, quartermaster,"
+cried the captain.  "Send the men aft directly.  My lads, there is no
+time for words&mdash;I am going to <I>club-haul</I> the ship, for there is no
+room to wear.  The only chance you have of safety is to be cool, watch
+my eye, and execute my orders with precision.  Away to your stations
+for tacking ship.  Hands by the best bower anchor.  Mr. Wilson, attend
+below with the carpenter and his mates, ready to cut away the cable at
+the moment that I give the order.  Silence there, fore and aft.
+Quartermaster, keep her full again for stays.  Mind you ease the helm
+down when I tell you."  About a minute passed before the captain gave
+any further orders.  The ship had closed-to within a quarter-mile of
+the beach, and the waves curled and topped around us, bearing us down
+upon the shore, which presented one continued surface of foam,
+extending to within half a cable's length of our position.  The captain
+waved his hand in silence to the quartermaster at the wheel, and the
+helm was put down.  The ship turned slowly to the wind, pitching and
+chopping as the sails were spilling.  When she had lost her way, the
+captain gave the order, "Let go the anchor.  We will haul all at once,
+Mr. Falcon," said the captain.  Not a word was spoken; the men went to
+the fore brace, which had not been manned; most of them knew, although
+I did not, that if the ship's head did not go round the other way, we
+should be on shore, and among the breakers, in half a minute.  I
+thought at the time that the captain had said that he would haul all
+the yards at once, there appeared to be doubt or dissent on the
+countenance of Mr. Falcon; and I was afterwards told that he had not
+agreed with the captain; but he was too good an officer, and knew that
+there was no time for discussion, to make any remark: and the event
+proved that the captain was right.  At last the ship was head to wind,
+and the captain gave the signal.  The yards flew round with such a
+creaking noise, that I thought the masts had gone over the side, and
+the next moment the wind had caught the sails; and the ship, which for
+a moment or two had been on an even keel, careened over to her gunwale
+with its force.  The captain, who stood upon the weather hammock-rails,
+holding by the main-rigging, ordered the helm a-midships, looked full
+at the sails, and then at the cable, which grew broad upon the
+weather-bow, and held the ship from nearing the shore.  At last he
+cried, "Cut away the cable!"  A few strokes of the axes were heard, and
+then the cable flew out of the hawse-hole in a blaze of fire, from the
+violence of the friction, and disappeared under a huge wave, which
+struck us on the chesstree, and deluged us with water fore and aft.
+But we were now on the other tack, and the ship regained her way, and
+we had evidently increased our distance from the land.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My lads," said the captain to the ship's company, "you have behaved
+well, and I thank you; but I must tell you honestly that we have more
+difficulties to get through.  We have to weather a point of the bay on
+this tack.  Mr. Falcon, splice the main-brace, and call the watch.
+How's her head, quartermaster?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"S.W. by S. Southerly, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very well; let her go through the water;" and the captain, beckoning
+to the master to follow him, went down into the cabin.  As our
+immediate danger was over, I went down into the berth to see if I could
+get anything for breakfast, where I found O'Brien and two or three more.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By the powers, it was as nate a thing as ever I saw done," observed
+O'Brien: "the slightest mistake as to time or management, and at this
+moment the flatfish would have been dubbing at our ugly carcasses.
+Peter, you're not fond of flatfish, are you, my boy?  We may thank
+Heaven and the captain, I can tell you that, my lads; but now, where's
+the chart, Robinson?  Hand me down the parallel rules and compasses,
+Peter; they are in the corner of the shelf.  Here we are now, a
+devilish sight too near this infernal point.  Who knows how her head
+is?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I do, O'Brien: I heard the quartermaster tell the captain S.W. by S.
+Southerly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let me see," continued O'Brien, "variation 2 1/4&mdash;leeway&mdash;rather too
+large an allowance of that, I'm afraid; but, however, we'll give her 2
+1/2 points; the <I>Diomede</I> would blush to make any more, under any
+circumstances.  Here&mdash;the compass&mdash;now, we'll see;" and O'Brien
+advanced the parallel rule from the compass to the spot where the ship
+was placed on the chart.  "Bother! you see, it's as much as she'll do
+to weather the other point now, on this tack, and that's what the
+captain meant when he told us we had more difficulty.  I could have
+taken my Bible oath that we were clear of everything, if the wind held."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"See what the distance is, O'Brien," said Robinson.  It was measured,
+and proved to be thirteen miles.  "Only thirteen miles; and if we do
+weather, we shall do very well, for the bay is deep beyond.  It's a
+rocky point, you see, just by way of variety.  Well, my lads, I've a
+piece of comfort for you, anyhow.  It's not long that you'll be kept in
+suspense, for by one o'clock this day you'll either be congratulating
+each other upon your good luck, or you'll be past praying for.  Come,
+put up the chart, for I hate to look at melancholy prospects; and,
+steward, see what you can find in the way of comfort."  Some bread and
+cheese, with the remains of yesterday's boiled pork, were put on the
+table, with a bottle of rum, procured at the time they "spliced the
+main brace," but we were all too anxious to eat much, and one by one
+returned on deck to see how the weather was, and if the wind at all
+favored us.  On deck the superior officers were in conversation with
+the captain, who expressed the same fear that O'Brien had in our berth.
+The men, who knew what they had to expect, were assembled in knots,
+looking very grave, but at the same time not wanting in confidence.
+They knew that they could trust to the captain, as far as skill or
+courage could avail them; and sailors are too sanguine to despair, even
+at the last moment.  As for myself, I felt such admiration for the
+captain, after what I had witnessed that morning, that, whenever the
+idea came over me, that in all probability I should be lost in a few
+hours, I could not help acknowledging how much more serious it was that
+such a man should be lost to his country.  I do not intend to say that
+it consoled me, but it certainly made me still more regret the chances
+with which we were threatened.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Before twelve o'clock the rocky point which we so much dreaded was in
+sight, broad on the lee bow; and if the low sandy coast appeared
+terrible, how much more did this, even at a distance.  The captain eyed
+it for some minutes in silence, as if in calculation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mr. Falcon," said he, at last, "we must put the mainsail on her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She never can bear it, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She <I>must</I> bear it," was the reply.  "Send the men aft to the
+mainsheet.  See that careful men attend the bunt-lines."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The mainsail was set, and the effect of it upon the ship was
+tremendous.  She careened over so that her lee channels were under the
+water; and when pressed by a sea, the lee side of the quarter-deck and
+gangway were afloat.  She now reminded me of a goaded and fiery horse,
+mad with the stimulus applied; not rising as before, but forcing
+herself through whole seas, and dividing the waves, which poured in one
+continual torrent from the forecastle down upon the decks below.  Four
+men were secured to the wheel&mdash;the sailors were obliged to cling to
+prevent being washed away&mdash;the ropes were thrown in confusion to
+leeward&mdash;the shot rolled out of the lockers, and every eye was fixed
+aloft, watching the masts, which were expected every moment to go over
+the side.  A heavy sea struck us on the broadside, and it was some
+moments before the ship appeared to recover herself; she reeled,
+trembled, and stopped her way, as if it had stupefied her.  The first
+lieutenant looked at the captain, as if to say, "This will not do."
+"It is our only chance," answered the captain to the appeal.  That the
+ship went faster through the water, and held a better wind, was
+certain; but just before we arrived at the point the gale increased in
+force.  "If anything starts we are lost, sir," observed the first
+lieutenant again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am perfectly well aware of it," replied the captain, in a calm tone;
+"but, as I said before, and as you must now be aware, it is our only
+chance.  The consequence of any carelessness or neglect in the fitting
+and securing of the rigging will be felt now; and this danger, if we
+escape it, ought to remind us how much we have to answer for if we
+neglect our duty.  The lives of a whole ship's company may be
+sacrificed by the neglect or incompetence of an officer when in harbor.
+I will pay you the compliment, Falcon, to say, that I feel convinced
+that the masts of the ship are as secure as knowledge and attention can
+make them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The first lieutenant thanked the captain for his good opinion, and
+hoped that it would not be the last compliment which he paid him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I hope not, too; but a few minutes will decide the point."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The ship was now within two cables' lengths of the rocky point; some
+few of the men I observed to clasp their hands, but most of them were
+silently taking off their jackets, and kicking off their shoes, that
+they might not lose a chance of escape provided the ship struck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"'Twill be touch and go, indeed, Falcon," observed the captain (for I
+had clung to the belaying pins, close to them for the last half-hour
+that the mainsail had been set).  "Come aft, you and I must take the
+helm.  We shall want <I>nerve</I> there, and only there, now."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The captain and first lieutenant went aft, and took the fore-spokes of
+the wheel, and O'Brien, at a sign made by the captain, laid hold of the
+spokes behind him.  An old quartermaster kept his station at the
+fourth.  The roaring of the seas on the rocks, with the howling of the
+wind, were dreadful; but the sight was more dreadful than the noise.
+For a few minutes I shut my eyes, but anxiety forced me to open them
+again.  As near as I could judge, we were not twenty yards from the
+rocks, at the time that the ship passed abreast of them.  We were in
+the midst of the foam, which boiled around us; and as the ship was
+driven nearer to them, and careened with the wave, I thought that our
+main yard-arm would have touched the rock; and at this moment a gust of
+wind came on, which laid the ship on her beam-ends, and checked her
+progress through the water, while the accumulating noise was deafening.
+A few moments more the ship dragged on, another wave dashed over her
+and spent itself upon the rocks, while the spray was dashed back from
+them, and returned upon the decks.  The main rock was within ten yards
+of the counter, when another gust of wind laid us on our beam-ends, the
+foresail and mainsail split, and were blown clean out of the
+bolt-ropes&mdash;the ship righted, trembling fore and aft.  I looked
+astern:&mdash;the rocks were to windward on our quarter, and we were safe.
+I thought at the time that the ship, relieved of her courses, and again
+lifting over the waves, was not a bad similitude of the relief felt by
+us all at that moment; and, like her, we trembled as we panted with the
+sudden reaction, and felt the removal of the intense anxiety which
+oppressed our breasts.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The captain resigned the helm, and walked aft to look at the point,
+which was now broad on the weather-quarter.  In a minute or two, he
+desired Mr. Falcon to get new sails up and bend them, and then went
+below to his cabin.  I am sure it was to thank God for our deliverance:
+I did most fervently, not only then, but when I went to my hammock at
+night.  We were now comparatively safe&mdash;in a few hours completely so;
+for, strange to say, immediately after we had weathered the rocks, the
+gale abated, and before morning we had a reef out of the topsails.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap03"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE CRUISE OF THE TORCH
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "Tom Cringle's Log," BY MICHAEL SCOTT
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+Heligoland light&mdash;north and by west&mdash;so many leagues&mdash;wind
+baffling&mdash;weather hazy&mdash;Lady Passengers on deck for the first time.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Arrived in the Downs&mdash;ordered by signal from the guardship to proceed
+to Portsmouth.  Arrived at Spithead&mdash;ordered to fit to receive a
+general officer, and six pieces of field artillery, and a Spanish
+Ecclesiastic, the Canon of &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;.  Plenty of great guns, at any
+rate&mdash;a regular park of artillery.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Received General &mdash;&mdash;&mdash; and his wife, and aide-de-camp, and two
+poodle-dogs, one white man-servant, one black ditto, and the Canon of
+&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;, and the six nine-pound field-pieces, and sailed for the Cove of
+Cork.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was blowing hard as we stood in for the Old Head of Kinsale&mdash;pilot
+boat breasting the foaming surge like a sea gull&mdash;<I>Carrol Cove</I> in her
+tiny mainsail&mdash;pilot jumped into the main channel&mdash;bottle of rum swung
+by the lead line into the boat&mdash;all very clever.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ran in, and anchored under Spike Island.  A line-of-battle ship, three
+frigates, and a number of merchantmen at anchor&mdash;men-of-war lovely
+craft&mdash;bands playing&mdash;a good deal of the pomp and circumstances of war.
+Next forenoon, Mr. Treenail, the second lieutenant, sent for me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mr. Cringle," said he, "you have an uncle in Cork, I believe?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I said I had.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am going there on duty to-night; I daresay, if you asked the captain
+to let you accompany me, he would do so."  This was too good an offer
+not to be taken advantage of.  I plucked up courage, made my bow, asked
+leave, and got it; and the evening found my friend the lieutenant, and
+myself, after a ride of three hours, during which I, for one, had my
+bottom sheathing grievously rubbed, and a considerable botheration at
+crossing the Ferry at Passage, safe in our inn at Cork.  I soon found
+out that the object of my superior officer was to gain information
+amongst the crimp shops, where ten men who had run from one of the West
+Indiamen, waiting at Cove for convoy, were stowed away, but I was not
+let further into the secret; so I set out to pay my visit, and after
+passing a pleasant evening with my friends, Mr. and Mrs. Job Cringle,
+the lieutenant dropped in upon us about nine o'clock.  He was heartily
+welcomed; and under the plea of our being obliged to return to the ship
+early next morning, we soon took leave, and returned to the inn.  As I
+was turning into the public room, the door was open, and I could see it
+full of blowsy-faced monsters, glimmering and jabbering, through the
+midst of hot brandy grog and gin twist; with poodle Benjamins, and
+greatcoats, and cloaks of all sorts and sizes, steaming on their pegs,
+with Barcelonas and comforters, and damp travelling caps of seal-skin,
+and blue cloth, and tartan, arranged above the same.  Nevertheless,
+such a society in my juvenile estimation, during my short <I>escapade</I>
+from the middy's berth, had its charms, and I was rolling in with a
+tolerable swagger, when Mr. Treenail pinched my arm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mr. Cringle, come here into my room."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+From the way in which he spoke, I imagined, in my innocence, that his
+room was at my elbow; but no such thing&mdash;we had to ascend a long, and
+not over-clean staircase, to the fourth floor, before we were shown
+into a miserable little double-bedded room.  So soon as we had entered,
+the lieutenant shut the door.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Tom," said he, "I have taken a fancy to you, and therefore I applied
+for leave to bring you with me; but I must expose you to some danger,
+and I will allow, not altogether in a very creditable way either.  You
+must enact the spy for a short space."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I did not like the notion, certainly, but I had little time for
+consideration.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Here," he continued&mdash;"here is a bundle."  He threw it on the floor.
+"You must rig in the clothes it contains, and make your way into the
+celebrated crimp-shop in the neighborhood, and pick up all the
+information you can regarding the haunts of the pressable men at Cove,
+especially with regard to the ten seamen who have run from the West
+Indiaman we left below.  You know the Admiral has forbidden pressing at
+Cork, so you must contrive to frighten the blue jackets down to Cove,
+by representing yourself as an apprentice of one of the merchant
+vessels, who had run from his indentures, and that you had narrowly
+escaped from a press-gang this very night <I>here</I>."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I made no scruples, but forthwith arrayed myself in the slops contained
+in the bundle; in a pair of shag trousers, red flannel shirt, coarse
+blue cloth jacket, and no waistcoat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now," said Mr. Treenail, "stick a quid of tobacco in your cheek, and
+take the cockade out of your hat; or stop, leave it, and ship this
+striped woollen night cap&mdash;so&mdash;and come along with me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We left the house, and walked half a mile down the <I>Quay</I>.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Presently we arrived before a kind of low grog-shop&mdash;a bright lamp was
+flaring in the breeze at the door, one of the panes of the glass of it
+being broken.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Before I entered, Mr. Treenail took me to one side&mdash;"Tom, Tom Cringle,
+you must go into this crimp-shop; pass yourself off for an apprentice
+of the <I>Guava</I>, bound for Trinidad, the ship that arrived just as we
+started, and pick up all the knowledge you can regarding the
+whereabouts of the men, for we are, as you know, cruelly ill manned,
+and must replenish as we best may."  I entered the house, after having
+agreed to rejoin my superior officer so soon as I considered I had
+obtained my object.  I rapped at the inner door, in which there was a
+small unglazed aperture cut, about four inches square; and I now, for
+the first time, perceived that a strong glare of light was cast into
+the lobby, where I stood, by a large argand with a brilliant reflector,
+that, like a magazine lantern, had been mortised into the bulkhead, at
+a height of about two feet above the door in which the spy-hole was
+cut.  My first signal was not attended to: I rapped again, and, looking
+round, I noticed Mr. Treenail flitting backwards and forwards across
+the doorway, in the rain, his pale face and his sharp nose, with the
+sparkling drop at the end on't, glancing in the light of the lamp.  I
+heard a step within, and a very pretty face now appeared at the wicket.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Who are you saking here, an' please ye?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No one in particular, my dear; but if you don't let me in, I shall be
+lodged in jail before five minutes be over."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I can't help that, young man," said she; "but where are ye from,
+darling!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hush&mdash;I am run from the <I>Guava</I>, now lying at the Cove."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh," said my beauty, "come in"; and she opened the door, but still
+kept it on the chain in such a way, that although, by bobbing, I
+creeped and slid in beneath it, yet a common-sized man could not
+possibly have squeezed himself through.  The instant I entered, the
+door was once more banged to, and the next moment I was ushered into
+the kitchen, a room about fourteen feet square, with a well-sanded
+floor, a huge dresser on one side, and over against it a respectable
+show of pewter dishes in racks against the wall.  There was a long
+stripe of a deal table in the middle of the room&mdash;but no tablecloth&mdash;at
+the bottom of which sat a large, bloated, brandy, or rather whisky
+faced savage, dressed in a shabby greatcoat of the hodden grey worn by
+the Irish peasantry, dirty swandown vest, and greasy corduroy breeches,
+worsted stockings, and well-patched shoes; he was smoking a long pipe.
+Around the table sat about a dozen seamen, from whose wet jackets and
+trousers the heat of the blazing fire, that roared up the chimney, sent
+up a smoky steam that cast a halo round a lamp which depended from the
+roof, and hung down within two feet of the table, stinking abominably
+of coarse whale oil.  They were, generally speaking, hardy,
+weather-beaten men, and the greater proportion half, or more than half,
+drunk.  When I entered, I walked up to the landlord.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yo ho, my young un! whence and whither bound, my hearty?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The first don't signify much to you," said I, "seeing I have
+wherewithal in my locker to pay my shot; and as to the second, of that
+hereafter; so, old boy, let's have some grog, and then say if you can
+ship me with one of them colliers that are lying alongside the quay?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My eye, what a lot of brass that small chap has!" grumbled mine host.
+"Why, my lad, we shall see to-morrow morning; but you gammons so about
+the rhino, that we must prove you a bit; so, Kate, my dear,"&mdash;to the
+pretty girl who had let me in&mdash;"score a pint of rum against&mdash;&mdash;Why,
+what is your name?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What's that to you?" rejoined I, "let's have the drink, and don't
+doubt but the shiners shall be forthcoming."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hurrah!" shouted the party, most of them now very tipsy.  So the rum
+was produced forthwith, and as I lighted a pipe and filled a glass of
+swizzle, I struck in, "Messmates, I hope you have all shipped?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, we han't," said some of them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nor shall we be in any hurry, boy," said others.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do as you please, but I shall, as soon as I can, I know; and I
+recommend all of you making yourselves scarce to-night, and keeping a
+bright look-out."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why, boy, why?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Simply because I have just escaped a press-gang, by bracing sharp up
+at the corner of the street, and shoving into this dark alley here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This called forth another volley of oaths and unsavoury exclamations,
+and all was bustle and confusion, and packing up of bundles, and
+settling of reckonings.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Where," said one of the seamen,&mdash;"where do you go to, my lad?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why, if I can't get shipped to-night, I shall trundle down to Cove
+immediately, so as to cross at Passage before daylight, and take my
+chance of shipping with some of the outward-bound that are to sail, if
+the wind holds, the day after to-morrow.  There is to be no pressing
+when the blue Peter flies at the fore&mdash;and that was hoisted this
+afternoon, I know, and the foretopsail will be loose to-morrow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"D&mdash;n my wig, but the small chap is right," roared one.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I've a bloody great mind to go down with him," stuttered another,
+after several unavailing attempts to weigh from the bench, where he had
+brought himself to anchor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hurrah!" yelled a third, as he hugged me, and nearly suffocated me
+with his maudlin caresses, "I trundles wid you too, my darling, by the
+piper!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Have with you, boy&mdash;have with you," shouted half-a-dozen other voices,
+while each stuck his oaken twig through the handkerchief that held his
+bundle, and shouldered it, clapping his straw or tarpaulin hat, with a
+slap on the crown, on one side of his head, and staggering and swaying
+about under the influence of the potfen, and slapping his thigh, as he
+bent double, laughing like to split himself, till the water ran over
+his cheeks from his drunken half-shut eyes, while jets of tobacco-juice
+were squirting in all directions.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I paid the reckoning, urging the party to proceed all the while, and
+indicating Pat Doolan's at the Cove as a good rendezvous; and,
+promising to overtake them before they reached Passage, I parted
+company at the corner of the street, and rejoined the lieutenant.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Next morning we spent in looking about the town&mdash;Cork is a fine
+town&mdash;contains seventy thousand inhabitants <I>more</I> or <I>less</I>&mdash;safe in
+that&mdash;and three hundred thousand pigs, driven by herdsmen, with coarse
+grey greatcoats.  The pigs are not so handsome as those in England,
+where the legs are short, and tails curly; here the legs are long, the
+flanks sharp and thin, and tails long and straight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All classes speak with a deuced brogue, and worship graven images;
+arrived at Cove to a late dinner&mdash;and here follows a great deal of
+nonsense of the same kind.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By the time it was half-past ten o'clock, I was preparing to turn in,
+when the master at arms called down to me,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mr. Cringle, you are wanted in the gunroom."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I put on my jacket again, and immediately proceeded thither, and on my
+way I noticed a group of seamen, standing on the starboard gangway,
+dressed in pea-jackets, under which, by the light of a lantern, carried
+by one of them, I could see they were all armed with pistols and
+cutlass.  They appeared in great glee, and as they made way for me, I
+could hear one fellow whisper, "There goes the little beagle."  When I
+entered the gunroom, the first lieutenant, master, and purser, were
+sitting smoking and enjoying themselves over a glass of cold grog&mdash;the
+gunner taking the watch on deck&mdash;the doctor was piping anything but
+mellifluously on the double flagolet, while the Spanish priest, and
+aide-de-camp to the general, were playing at chess, and wrangling in
+bad French.  I could hear Mr. Treenail rumbling and stumbling in his
+stateroom, as he accoutred himself in a jacket similar to those of the
+armed boat's crew whom I had passed, and presently he stepped into the
+gunroom, armed also with cutlass and pistol.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mr. Cringle, get ready to go in the boat with me, and bring your arms
+with you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I now knew whereabouts I was, and that my Cork friends were the quarry
+at which we aimed.  I did as I was ordered, and we immediately pulled
+on shore, where, leaving two strong fellows in charge of the boat, with
+instructions to fire their pistols and shove off a couple of
+boat-lengths should any suspicious circumstances indicating an attack
+take place, we separated, like a pulk of Cossacks coming to the charge,
+but without the <I>hourah</I>, with orders to meet before Pat Doolan's door,
+as speedily as our legs could carry us.  We had landed about a cable's
+length to the right of the high precipitous bank&mdash;up which we stole in
+straggling parties&mdash;on which that abominable congregation of the most
+filthy huts ever pig grunted in is situated, called the Holy Ground.
+Pat Doolan's domocile was in a little dirty lane, about the middle of
+the village.  Presently ten strapping fellows, including the
+lieutenant, were before the door, each man with his stretcher in his
+hand.  It was very tempestuous, although moonlight, night, occasionally
+clear, with the moonbeams at one moment sparkling brightly in the small
+ripples on the filthy puddles before the door, and one the gem-like
+water drops that hung from the eaves of the thatched roof, and lighting
+up the dark statue-like figures of the men, and casting their long
+shadows strongly against the mud wall of the house; at another, a black
+cloud, as it flew across her disk, cast everything into deep shade;
+while the only noise we heard was the hoarse dashing of the distant
+surf, rising and falling on the fitful gusts of the breeze.  We tried
+the door.  It was fast.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surround the house, men," said the lieutenant in a whisper.  He rapped
+loudly.  "Pat Doolan, my man, open the door, will ye?"  No answer.  "If
+you don't, we shall make free to break it open, Patrick, dear."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All this while the light of a fire, or of candles, streamed through the
+joints of the door.  The threat at length appeared to have the desired
+effect.  A poor decrepit old man undid the bolt and let us in.  "<I>Ohon
+a ree</I>!  <I>Ohon a ree</I>!  What make you all this boder for&mdash;come you to
+help us to wake poor ould Kate there, and bring you the whisky wid you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Old man, where is Pat Doolan?" said the lieutenant.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Gone to borrow whisky, to wake ould Kate, there;&mdash;the howling will
+begin whenever Mother Doncannon and Misthress Conolly come over from
+Middleton, and I look for dem every minute."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was no vestige of any living thing in the miserable hovel, except
+the old fellow.  On two low trestles, in the middle of the floor, lay a
+coffin with the lid on, on the top of which was stretched the dead body
+of an old emaciated woman in her graveclothes, the quality of which was
+much finer than one could have expected to have seen in the midst of
+the surrounding squalidness.  The face of the corpse was uncovered, the
+hands were crossed on the breast, and there was a plate of salt on the
+stomach.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+An iron cresset, charged with coarse rancid oil, hung from the roof,
+the dull smoky red light flickering on the dead corpse, as the breeze
+streamed in through the door and numberless chinks in the walls, making
+the cold, rigid, sharp features appear to move, and glimmer, and gibber
+as it were, from the changing shades.  Close to the head there was a
+small door opening into an apartment of some kind, but the coffin was
+placed so near it that one could pass between the body and the door.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My good man," said Treenail to the solitary mourner, "I must beg leave
+to remove the body a bit, and have the goodness to open that door."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Door, yere honour!  It's no door o' mine&mdash;and it's not opening that
+same that old Phil Carrol shall busy himself wid."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Carline," said Mr. Treenail, quick and sharp, "remove the body."  It
+was done.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Cruel heavy the old dame is, sir, for all her wasted appearance," said
+one of the men.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The lieutenant now ranged the press-gang against the wall fronting the
+door, and stepping into the middle of the room, drew his pistol and
+cocked it.  "Messmates," he sang out, as if addressing the skulkers in
+the other room, "I know you are here; the house is surrounded&mdash;and
+unless you open that door now, by the powers, but I'll fire slap into
+you!"  There was a bustle, and a rumbling tumbling noise within.  "My
+lads, we are now sure of our game," sang out Treenail, with great
+animation; "sling that clumsy bench there."  He pointed to an oaken
+form about eight feet long and nearly three inches thick.  To produce a
+two-inch rope, and junk it into three lengths, and rig the battering
+ram, was the work of an instant.  "One, two, three,"&mdash;and bang the door
+flew open, and there were our men stowed away, each sitting on the top
+of his bag, as snug as could be, although looking very much like
+condemned thieves.  We bound eight of them, thrusting a stretcher
+across their backs, under their arms, and lashing the fins to the same
+by good stout lanyards, we were proceeding to stump our prisoners off
+to the boat, when, with the innate deviltry that I have inherited, I
+know not how, but the original sin of which has more than once nearly
+cost me my life, I said, without addressing my superior officer, or any
+one else directly, "I should like now to scale my pistol through that
+coffin.  If I miss, I can't hurt the old woman; and an eyelet hole in
+the coffin itself will only be an act of civility to the worms."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked towards my superior officer, who answered me with a knowing
+shake of the head.  I advanced, while all was silent as death&mdash;the
+sharp click of the pistol lock now struck acutely on my own ear.  I
+presented, when&mdash;crash&mdash;the lid of the coffin, old woman and all, was
+dashed off in an instant, the corpse flying up in the air, and then
+falling heavily on the floor, rolling over and over, while a tall
+handsome fellow, in his striped flannel shirt and blue trousers, with
+the sweat pouring down over his face in streams, sat up in the shell.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All right," said Mr. Treenail; "help him out of his berth."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He was pinioned like the rest, and forthwith we walked them all off to
+the beach.  By this time there was an unusual bustle in the Holy
+Ground, and we could hear many an anathema&mdash;curses not loud but
+deep&mdash;ejaculated from many a half-opened door as we passed along.  We
+reached the boat, and time it was we did, for a number of stout
+fellows, who had followed us in a gradually increasing crowd until they
+amounted to forty at the fewest, now nearly surrounded us, and kept
+closing in.  As the last of us jumped into the boat, they made a rush,
+so that if we had not shoved off with the speed of light, I think it
+very likely that we should have been overpowered.  However, we reached
+the ship in safety, and the day following we weighed, and stood out to
+sea with our convoy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was a very large fleet, nearly three hundred sail of merchant
+vessels&mdash;and a noble sight truly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A line-of-battle ship led, and two frigates and three sloops of our
+class were stationed on the outskirts of the fleet, whipping them in,
+as it were.  We made Madeira in fourteen days, looked in, but did not
+anchor; superb island&mdash;magnificent mountains&mdash;white town,&mdash;and all very
+fine, but nothing particular happened for three weeks.  One fine
+evening (we had by this time progressed into the trades, and were
+within three hundred miles of Barbadoes) the sun had set bright and
+clear, after a most beautiful day, and we were bowling along right
+before it, rolling like the very devil; but there was no moon, and
+although the stars sparkled brilliantly, yet it was dark, and as we
+were the sternmost of the men-of-war, we had the task of whipping in
+the sluggards.  It was my watch on deck.  A gun from the commodore, who
+showed a number of lights.  "What is that, Mr. Kennedy?" said the
+captain to the old gunner.  "The commodore has made the night-signal
+for the sternmost ships to make more sail and close, sir."  We repeated
+the signal and stood on, hailing the dullest of the merchantmen in our
+neighbourhood to make more sail, and firing a musket-shot now and then
+over the more distant of them.  By-and-by we saw a large West Indiamen
+suddenly haul her wind and stand across our bows.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Forward there!" sung out Mr. Splinter; "stand by to fire a shot at
+that fellow from the boat gun if he does not bear up.  What can he be
+after?  Sergeant Armstrong"&mdash;to a marine, who was standing close by him
+in the waist&mdash;"get a musket and fire over him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was done, and the ship immediately bore up on her course again; we
+now ranged alongside of him on his larboard quarter.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ho, the ship, ahoy!"&mdash;"Hillo!" was the reply.  "Make more sail, sir,
+and run into the body of the fleet, or I shall fire into you: why don't
+you, sir, keep in the wake of the commodore?"  No answer.  "What meant
+you by hauling your wind just now, sir?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yesh, yesh," at length responded a voice from the merchantman.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Something wrong here," said Mr. Splinter.  "Back your maintopsail,
+sir, and hoist a light at the peak; I shall send a boat on board of
+you.  Boatswain's mate, pipe away the crew of the jolly-boat."  We also
+hove to, and were in the act of lowering down the boat, when the
+officer rattled out&mdash;"Keep all fast with the boat; I can't comprehend
+that chap's manoeuvres for the soul of me.  He has not hove to."  Once
+more we were within pistol-shot of him.  "Why don't you heave to, sir?"
+All silent.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Presently we could perceive a confusion and noise of struggling on
+board, and angry voices, as if people were trying to force their way up
+the hatches from below; and a heavy thumping on the deck, and a
+creaking of the blocks, and rattling of the cordage, while the mainyard
+was first braced one way, and then another, as if two parties were
+striving for the mastery.  At length a voice hailed distinctly&mdash;"we are
+captured by a&mdash;&mdash;."  A sudden sharp cry, and a splash overboard, told
+of some fearful deed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We are taken by a privateer or pirate," sung out another voice.  This
+was followed by a heavy crunching blow, as when the spike of a
+butcher's axe is driven through a bullock's forehead deep into the
+brain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By this time all hands had been called, and the word had been passed to
+clear away two of the foremost carronades on the starboard side, and to
+load them with grape.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"On board there&mdash;get below, all you of the English crew, as I shall
+fire with grape," sung out the captain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The hint was now taken.  The ship at length came to the wind&mdash;we
+rounded to, under her lee&mdash;and an armed boat, with Mr. Treenail, and
+myself, and sixteen men, with cutlasses, were sent on board.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We jumped on deck, and at the gangway Mr. Treenail stumbled and fell
+over the dead body of a man, no doubt the one who had hailed last, with
+his skull cloven to the eyes, and a broken cutlass-blade sticking in
+the gash.  We were immediately accosted by the mate, who was lashed
+down to a ring-bolt close by the bits, with his hands tied at the
+wrists by sharp cords, so tightly that the blood was spouting from
+beneath his nails.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We have been surprised by a privateer schooner, sir; the lieutenant of
+her, and several men, are now in the cabin."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Where are the rest of the crew?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All secured in the forecastle, except the second-mate and boatswain,
+the men who hailed you just now; the last was knocked on the head, and
+the former was stabbed and thrown overboard."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We immediately released the men, eighteen in number, and armed them
+with boarding-pikes.  "What vessel is that astern of us?" said Treenail
+to the mate.  Before he could answer, a shot from the brig fired at the
+privateer showed she was broad awake.  Next moment Captain Deadeye
+hailed.  "Have you mastered the prize crew, Mr. Treenail?"  "Ay, ay,
+sir."  "Then bear up on your course, and keep two lights hoisted at
+your mizzen-peak during the night, and blue Peter at the maintopsail
+yardarm when the day breaks: I shall haul my wind after the suspicious
+sail in your wake."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Another shot, and another, from the brig&mdash;the time between each flash
+and the report increasing with the distance.  By this the lieutenant
+has descended to the cabin, followed by his people, while the merchant
+crew once more took charge of the ship, crowding sail into the body of
+the fleet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I followed him close, pistol and cutlass in hand, and I shall never
+forget the scene that presented itself when I entered.  The cabin was
+that of a vessel of five hundred tons, elegantly fitted up; the panels
+filled with crimson cloth, edged with gold mouldings, with superb
+damask hangings before the stern windows and the side berths, and
+brilliantly lighted up by the two large swinging-lamps hung from the
+deck above, which were reflected from, and multiplied in, several
+plate-glass mirrors in the panels.  In the recess, which in cold
+weather had been occupied by the stove, now stood a splendid grand
+piano, the silk in the open work above the keys corresponding with the
+crimson cloth of the panels; it was open, a Leghorn bonnet with a green
+veil, a parasol, and two long white gloves, as if recently pulled off,
+lay on it, with the very mould of the hands in them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The rudder case was particularly beautiful; it was a richly carved and
+gilded palm-tree, the stem painted white and Interlaced with golden
+fretwork, like the lozenges of a pineapple, while the leaves spread up
+and abroad on the roof.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The table was laid for supper, with cold meat, and wine, and a
+profusion of silver things, all sparkling brightly: but it was in great
+disorder, wine spilt, and glasses broken, and dishes with meat upset,
+and knives, and forks, and spoons, scattered all about.  She was
+evidently one of those London West Indiamen, on board of which I knew
+there was much splendour and great comfort.  But, alas, the hand of
+lawless violence had been there.  The captain lay across the table,
+with his head hanging over the side of it next to us, and unable to
+help himself, with his hands tied behind his back, and a gag in his
+mouth; his face purple from the blood running to his head, and the
+white of his eyes turned up, while his loud stertorous breathing but
+too clearly indicated the rupture of a vessel on the brain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He was a stout portly man, and although we released him on the instant,
+and had him bled, and threw water on his face, and did all we could for
+him, he never spoke afterwards, and died in half an hour.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Four gentlemanly-looking men were sitting at table, lashed to their
+chairs, pale and trembling, while six of the most ruffian-looking
+scoundrels I ever beheld stood on the opposite side of the table in a
+row fronting us, with the light from the lamps shining full on them.
+Three of them were small but very square mulattoes; one was a South
+American Indian, with the square high-boned visage and long, lank,
+black glossy hair of his caste.  These four had no clothing besides
+their trousers, and stood with their arms folded, in all the calmness
+of desperate men caught in the very fact of some horrible atrocity,
+which they knew shut out every hope of mercy.  The two others were
+white Frenchmen, tall, bushy-whiskered, sallow desperadoes, but still,
+wonderful to relate, with, if I may so speak, the manners of gentlemen.
+One of them squinted, and had a hare-lip, which gave him a horrible
+expression.  They were dressed in white trousers and shirts, yellow
+silk sashes round their waists, and a sort of blue uniform jackets,
+blue Gascon caps, with the peaks, from each of which depended a large
+bullion tassel, hanging down on one side of their heads.  The whole
+party had apparently made up their minds that resistance was vain, for
+their pistols and cutlasses, some of them bloody, had all been laid on
+the table, with the butts and handles towards us, contrasting horribly
+with the glittering equipage of steel, and crystal, and silver things,
+on the snow-white damask tablecloth.  They were immediately seized and
+ironed, to which they submitted in silence.  We next released the
+passengers, and were overpowered with thanks, one dancing, one crying,
+one laughing, and another praying.  But, merciful Heaven! what an
+object met our eyes!  Drawing aside the curtain that concealed a sofa
+fitted into a recess, there lay, more dead than alive, a tall and most
+beautiful girl, her head resting on her arm, her clothes disordered and
+torn, blood on her bosom, and foam on her mouth, with her long dark
+hair loose and dishevelled, and covering the upper part of her deadly
+pale face, through which her wild sparkling black eyes, protruding from
+their sockets, glanced and glared with the fire of a maniac's, while
+her blue lips kept gibbering an incoherent prayer one moment, and the
+next imploring mercy, as if she had still been in the hands of those
+who knew not the name; and anon, a low hysterical laugh made our very
+blood freeze in our bosoms, which soon ended in a long dismal yell, as
+she rolled off the couch upon the hard deck, and lay in a dead faint.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Alas the day!&mdash;a maniac she was from that hour.  She was the only
+daughter of the murdered master of the ship, and never awoke, in her
+unclouded reason, to the fearful consciousness of her own dishonour and
+her parent's death.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The <I>Torch</I> captured the schooner, and we left the privateer's men at
+Barbadoes to meet their reward, and several of the merchant sailors
+were turned over to the guardship, to prove the facts in the first
+instance, and to serve his Majesty as impressed men in the second,&mdash;but
+scrimp measure of justice to the poor ship's crew.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anchored at Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes.  Town seemed built of cards&mdash;black
+faces&mdash;showy dresses of the negroes&mdash;dined at Mr. C&mdash;&mdash;'s&mdash;capital
+dinner&mdash;little breeze-mill at the end of the room, that pumped a
+solution of salpetre [Transcriber's note: saltpetre?] and water into a
+trough of tin, perforated with small holes, below which, and exposed to
+the breeze, were ranged the wine and liqueurs, all in cotton bags; the
+water then flowed into a well, where the pump was stepped, and thus was
+again pumped up and kept circulating.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Landed the artillery, the soldiers, officers, and the Spanish
+Canon&mdash;discharged the whole battery.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Next morning, weighed at day-dawn, with the trade for Jamaica, and soon
+lost sight of the bright blue waters of Carlisle Bay, and the smiling
+fields and tall cocoanut trees of the beautiful island.  In a week
+after we arrived off the east end of Jamaica; and that same evening, in
+obedience to the orders of the admiral on the windward Island station,
+we hove to in Bull Bay, in order to land despatches, and secure our
+tithe of the crews of the merchant-vessels bound for Kingston, and the
+ports to leeward, as they passed us.  We had fallen in with a pilot
+canoe of Morant Bay with four negroes on board, who requested us to
+hoist in their boat, and take them all on board, as the pilot schooner
+to which they belonged had that morning bore up for Kingston, and left
+instructions to them to follow her in the first vessel appearing
+afterwards.  We did so, and now, as it was getting dark, the captain
+came up to Mr. Treenail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why, Mr. Treenail, I think we had better heave to for the night, and
+in this case I shall want you to go in the cutter to Port Royal to
+deliver the despatches on board the flag-ship.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't think the admiral will be at Port Royal, sir," responded the
+lieutenant; "and, if I might suggest, those black chaps have offered to
+take me ashore here on the <I>Palisadoes</I>, a narrow spit of land, not
+above one hundred yards across, that divides the harbour from the
+ocean, and to haul the canoe across, and take me to the agent's house
+in Kingston, who will doubtless frank me up to the pen where the
+admiral resides, and I shall thus deliver the letters, and be back
+again by day-dawn."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not a bad plan," said old Deadeye; "put it in execution, and I will go
+below and get the despatches immediately."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The canoe was once more hoisted out; the three black fellows, the pilot
+of the ship continuing on board, jumped into her alongside.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Had you not better take a couple of hands with you, Mr. Treenail?"
+said the skipper.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why, no, sir, I don't think I shall want them; but if you will spare
+me Mr. Cringle I will be obliged, in case I want any help."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We shoved off, and as the glowing sun dipped under Portland Point, as
+the tongue of land that runs out about four miles to the southward, on
+the western side of Port Royal harbour, is called, we arrived within a
+hundred yards of the <I>Palisadoes</I>.  The surf, at the particular spot we
+steered for, did not break on the shore in a rolling curling wave, as
+it usually does, but smoothed away under the lee of a small sandy
+promontory that ran out into the sea, about half a cable's length to
+windward, and then slid up the smooth white sand without breaking, in a
+deep clear green swell, for the space of twenty yards, gradually
+shoaling, the colour becoming lighter and lighter until it frothed away
+in a shallow white fringe, that buzzed as it receded back into the deep
+green sea, until it was again propelled forward by the succeeding
+billow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I say, friend Bungo, how shall we manage?  You don't mean to swamp us
+in a shove through that surf, do you?" said Mr. Treenail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No fear, massa, if you and toder leetle man-of-war buccra only keep
+dem seat when we rise on de crest of de swell dere."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We sat quiet enough.  Treenail was coolness itself, and I aped him as
+well as I could.  The loud murmur, increasing to a roar, of the sea,
+was trying enough as we approached, buoyed on the last long undulation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now sit still, massa, bote."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We sank down into the trough, and presently were hove forwards with a
+smooth sliding motion up on the beach&mdash;until grit, grit, we stranded on
+the cream-coloured sand, high and dry.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, jomp, massa, jomp."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We leapt with all our strength, and thereby toppled down on our noses;
+the sea receded, and before the next billow approached we had run the
+canoe twenty yards beyond high-water mark.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was the work of a very few minutes to haul the canoe across the
+sand-bank, and to launch it once more in the placid waters of the
+harbour of Kingston.  We pulled across towards the town, until we
+landed at the bottom of Hanover Street; the lights from the cabin
+windows of the merchantmen glimmering as we passed, and the town only
+discernible from a solitary sparkle here and there.  But the contrast
+when we landed was very striking.  We had come through the darkness of
+the night in comparative quietness; and in two hours from the time we
+had left the old <I>Torch</I>, we were transferred from her orderly deck to
+the bustle of a crowded town.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+One of our crew undertook to be the guide to the agent's house.  We
+arrived before it.  It was a large mansion, and we could see lights
+glimmering in the ground-floor; but it was gaily lit up aloft.  The
+house itself stood back about twenty feet from the street, from which
+it was separated by an iron railing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We knocked at the outer gate, but no one answered.  At length our black
+guide found out a bell-pull, and presently the clang of a bell
+resounded throughout the mansion.  Still no one answered.  I pushed
+against the door, and found it was open, and Mr. Treenail and myself
+immediately ascended a flight of six marble steps, and stood in the
+lower piazza, with the hall, or vestibule, before us.  We entered.  A
+very well-dressed brown woman, who was sitting at her work at a small
+table, along with two young girls of the same complexion, instantly
+rose to receive us.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Beg pardon," said Mr. Treenail, "pray, is this Mr. &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;'s house?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, sir, it is."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will you have the goodness to say if he be at home?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh yes, sir, he is dere upon dinner wid company," said the lady.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," continued the lieutenant, "say to him, that an officer of his
+Majesty's sloop <I>Torch</I> is below, with despatches for the admiral."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely, sir,&mdash;surely," the dark lady continued; "Follow me, sir; and
+dat small gentleman [Thomas Cringle, Esquire, no less!]&mdash;him will
+better follow me too."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We left the room, and turning to the right, landed in the lower piazza
+of the house, fronting the north.  A large clumsy stair occupied the
+eastermost end, with a massive mahogany balustrade, but the whole
+affair below was very ill lighted.  The brown lady preceded us; and,
+planting herself at the bottom of the staircase, began to shout to some
+one above&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Toby!&mdash;Toby!&mdash;buccra gentlemen arrive, Toby."  But no Toby responded
+to the call.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear madam," said Treenail, "I have little time for ceremony.  Pray
+usher us up into Mr. &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;'s presence."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Den follow me, gentlemen, please."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Forthwith we all ascended the dark staircase until we reached the first
+landing-place, when we heard a noise as of two negroes wrangling on the
+steps above us.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You rascal!" sang out one, "take dat; larn you for teal my
+wittal!"&mdash;then a sharp crack, as if he had smote the culprit across the
+pate; whereupon, like a shot, a black fellow, in a handsome livery,
+trundled down, pursued by another servant with a large silver ladle in
+his hand, with which he was belabouring the fugitive over his
+flint-hard skull, right against our hostess, with the drumstick of a
+turkey in his hand, or rather in his mouth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Top, you tief!&mdash;top, you tief!&mdash;for me piece dat," shouted the pursuer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You dam rascal!" quoth the dame.  But she had no time to utter another
+word, before the fugitive pitched, with all his weight, against her;
+and at the very moment another servant came trundling down with a large
+tray full of all kinds of meats&mdash;and I especially remember that two
+large crystal stands of jellies composed part of his load&mdash;so there we
+were regularly capsized, and caught all of a heap in the dark
+landing-place, halfway up the stair; and down the other flight tumbled
+our guide, with Mr. Treenail and myself, and the two blackies on the
+top of her, rolling in our descent over, or rather into, another large
+mahogany tray which had just been carried out, with a tureen of turtle
+soup in it, and a dish of roast-beef, and platefuls of land-crabs, and
+the Lord knows what all besides.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The crash reached the ear of the landlord, who was seated at the head
+of his table in the upper piazza, a long gallery about fifty feet long
+by fourteen wide, and he immediately rose and ordered his butler to
+take a light.  When he came down to ascertain the cause of the uproar.
+I shall never forget the scene.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was, first of all, mine host, a remarkably neat personage,
+standing on the polished mahogany stair, three steps above his servant,
+who was a very well-dressed respectable elderly negro, with a candle in
+each hand; and beneath him, on the landing-place, lay two trays of
+viands, broken tureens of soup, fragments of dishes, and fractured
+glasses, and a chaos of eatables and drinkables, and table gear
+scattered all about, amidst which lay scrambling my lieutenant and
+myself, the brown housekeeper, and the two negro servants, all more or
+less covered with gravy and wine dregs.  However, after a good laugh,
+we gathered ourselves up, and at length we were ushered on the scene.
+Mine host, after stifling his laughter the best way he could, again sat
+down at the head of his table, sparkling with crystal and wax-lights,
+while a superb lamp hung overhead.  The company was composed chiefly of
+naval and military men, but there was also a sprinkling of civilians,
+or <I>muftees</I>, to use a West India expression.  Most of them rose as we
+entered, and after they had taken a glass of wine, and had their laugh
+at our mishap, our landlord retired to one side with Mr. Treenail,
+while I, poor little middy as I was, remained standing at the end of
+the room, close to the head of the stairs.  The gentleman who sat at
+the foot of the table had his back towards me, and was not at first
+aware of my presence.  But the guest at his right hand, a
+happy-looking, red-faced, well-dressed man, soon drew his attention
+towards me.  The party to whom I was thus indebted seemed a very
+jovial-looking personage, and appeared to be well known to all hands,
+and indeed the life of the party, for, like Falstaff, he was not only
+witty in himself, but the cause of wit in others.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The gentleman to whom he had pointed me out immediately rose, made his
+bow, ordered a chair, and made room for me beside himself, where, the
+moment it was known that we were direct from home, such a volley of
+questions was fired off at me that I did not know which to answer
+first.  At length, after Treenail had taken a glass or two of wine, the
+agent started him off to the admiral's pen in his own gig, and I was
+desired to stay where I was until he returned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The whole party seemed very happy, my boon ally was fun itself, and I
+was much entertained with the mess he made when any of the foreigners
+at table addressed him in French or Spanish.  I was particularly struck
+with a small, thin, dark Spaniard, who told very feelingly how the
+night before, on returning home from a party to his own lodgings, on
+passing through the piazza, he stumbled against something heavy that
+lay in his grass-hammock, which usually hung there.  He called for a
+light, when, to his horror, he found the body of his old and faithful
+valet lying in it, <I>dead</I> and cold, with a knife sticking under his
+fifth rib&mdash;no doubt intended for his master.  The speaker was Bolivar.
+About midnight, Mr. Treenail returned, we shook hands with Mr. &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;,
+and once more shoved off; and, guided by the lights shown on board the
+<I>Torch</I> we were safe <I>home</I> again by three in the morning, when we
+immediately made sail, and nothing particular happened until we arrived
+within a day's sail of New Providence.  It seemed that, about a week
+before, a large American brig, bound from Havana to Boston had been
+captured in this very channel by one of our men-of-war schooners, and
+carried into Nassau; out of which port, for their own security, the
+authorities had fitted a small schooner, carrying six guns and
+twenty-four men.  She was commanded by a very gallant fellow&mdash;there is
+no disputing that&mdash;and he must needs emulate the conduct of the officer
+who had made the capture; for in a fine clear night, when all the
+officers were below rummaging in their kits for the killing things they
+should array themselves in on the morrow, so as to smite the Fair of
+New Providence to the heart at a blow&mdash;<I>Whiss</I>&mdash;a shot flew over our
+mast-head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A small schooner lying to right ahead, sir," sang out the boatswain
+from the forecastle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Before we could beat to quarters, another sang between our masts.  We
+kept steadily on our course, and as we approached our pigmy antagonist,
+he bore up.  Presently we were alongside of him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Heave to," hailed the strange sail; "heave to, or I'll sink you."  The
+devil you will, you midge, thought I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The captain took the trumpet&mdash;"Schooner, ahoy"&mdash;no answer&mdash;"D&mdash;n your
+blood, sir, if you don't let everything go by the run this instant,
+I'll fire a broadside.  Strike, sir, to his Britannic Majesty's sloop
+<I>Torch</I>."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The poor fellow commanding the schooner had by this time found out his
+mistake, and immediately came on board, where, instead of being lauded
+for his gallantry, I am sorry to say he was roundly rated for his want
+of discernment in mistaking his Majesty's cruiser for a Yankee
+merchantman.  Next forenoon we arrived at Nassau.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In a week after we again sailed for Bermuda, having taken on board ten
+American skippers, and several other Yankees, as prisoners of war.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For the first three days after we cleared the Passages, we had fine
+weather&mdash;wind at east-south-east; but after that it came on to blow
+from the north-west, and so continued without intermission during the
+whole of the passage to Bermuda.  On the fourth morning after we left
+Nassau, we descried a sail in the south-east quarter, and immediately
+made sail in chase.  We overhauled her about noon; she hove to, after
+being fired at repeatedly; and, on boarding her, we found she was a
+Swede from Charleston, bound to Havre-de-Grace.  All the letters we
+could find on board were very unceremoniously broken open, and nothing
+having transpired that could identify the cargo as enemy's property, we
+were bundling over the side, when a nautical-looking subject, who had
+attracted my attention from the first, put in his oar.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lieutenant," said he, "will you allow me to put this barrel of New
+York apples into the boat as a present to Captain Deadeye, from Captain
+&mdash;&mdash;&mdash; of the United States navy?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mr. Treenail bowed, and said he would; and we shoved off and got on
+board again, and now there was the devil to pay, from the perplexity
+old Deadeye was thrown into, as to whether, here in the heat of the
+American war, he was bound to take this American captain prisoner or
+not.  I was no party to the councils of my superiors, of course, but
+the foreign ship was finally allowed to continue her course.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The next day I had the forenoon watch; the weather had lulled
+unexpectedly nor was there much sea, and the deck was all alive, to
+take advantage of the fine <I>blink</I>, when the man at the mast-head sang
+out&mdash;"Breakers right ahead, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Breakers!" said Mr. Splinter, in great astonishment.  "Breakers!&mdash;why,
+the man must be mad!  I say, Jenkins&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Breakers close under the bows," sang out the boatswain from forward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The devil!" quoth Splinter, and he ran along the gangway, and ascended
+the forecastle, while I kept close to his heels.  We looked out ahead,
+and there we certainly did see a splashing, and boiling, and white
+foaming of the ocean, that unquestionably looked very like breakers.
+Gradually, this splashing and foaming appearance took a circular
+whisking shape, as if the clear green sea, for a space of a hundred
+yards in diameter, had been stirred about by a gigantic invisible
+<I>spurtle</I>, until everything hissed again; and the curious part of it
+was, that the agitation of the water seemed to keep ahead of us, as if
+the breeze which impelled us had also floated it onwards.  At length
+the whirling circle of white foam ascended higher and higher, and then
+gradually contracted itself into a spinning black tube, which wavered
+about for all the world like a gigantic <I>loch-leech</I> held by the tail
+between the finger and thumb, while it was poking its vast snout about
+in the clouds in search of a spot to fasten on.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is the boat-gun on the forecastle loaded?" said Captain Deadeye.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then luff a bit&mdash;that will do&mdash;fire."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The gun was discharged, and down rushed the black wavering pillar in a
+watery <I>avalanche</I>, and in a minute after the dark heaving billows
+rolled over the spot whereout it arose, as if no such thing had ever
+been.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This said troubling of the waters was neither more nor less than a
+waterspout, which again is neither more nor less than a whirlwind at
+sea, which gradually whisks the water round and round, and up and up,
+as you see straws so raised, until it reaches a certain height, when it
+invariably breaks.  Before this I had thought that waterspout was
+created by some next to supernatural exertion of the power of the
+Deity, in order to suck up water into the clouds, that they, like the
+wine-skins in Spain, might be filled with rain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The morning after, the weather was clear and beautiful, although the
+wind blew half a gale.  Nothing particular happened until about seven
+o'clock in the evening.  I had been invited to dine with the gunroom
+officers this day, and every thing was going on smooth and comfortable,
+when Mr. Splinter spoke.  "I say, master, don't you smell gunpowder?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, I do," said the little master, "or something deuced like it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+To explain the particular comfort of our position, it may be right to
+mention that the magazine of a brig sloop is exactly under the gunroom.
+Three of the American skippers had been quartered on the gunroom mess,
+and they were all at table.  Snuff, snuff, smelled one, and another
+sniffled,&mdash;"Gunpowder, I guess, and in a state of ignition."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will you not send for the gunner, sir?" said the third.  Splinter did
+not like it, I saw, and this quailed me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The captain's bell rang.  "What smell of brimstone is that, steward?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I really can't tell," said the man, trembling from head to foot; "Mr.
+Splinter has sent for the gunner, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The devil!" said Deadeye, as he hurried on deck.  We all followed.  A
+search was made.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Some matches have caught in the magazine," said one.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We shall be up and away like sky-rockets," said another.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Several of the American masters ran out on the jib-boom, coveting the
+temporary security of being so far removed from the seat of the
+expected explosion, and all was alarm and confusion, until it was
+ascertained that two of the boys, little sky-larking vagabonds, had
+stolen some pistol cartridges, and had been making lightning, as it is
+called, by holding a lighted candle between the fingers, and putting
+some loose powder into the palm of the hand, then chucking it up into
+the flame.  They got a sound flogging, on a very unpoetical part of
+their corpuses, and once more the ship subsided into her usual orderly
+discipline.  The northwester still continued, with a clear blue sky,
+without a cloud overhead by day, and a bright cold moon by night.  It
+blew so hard for the three succeeding days, that we could not carry
+more than close-reefed topsails to it, and a reefed foresail.  Indeed,
+towards six bells in the forenoon watch of the third day, it came
+thundering down with such violence, and the sea increased so much, that
+we had to hand the foretopsail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This was by no means an easy job.  "Ease her a bit," said the first
+lieutenant,&mdash;"there&mdash;shake the wind out of her sails for a moment,
+until the men get the canvas in"&mdash;&mdash;whirl, a poor fellow pitched off
+the lee foreyardarm into the sea.  "Up with the helm&mdash;heave him the
+bight of a rope."  We kept away, but all was confusion, until an
+American midshipman, one of the prisoners on board, hove the bight of a
+rope at him.  The man got it under his arms, and after hauling him
+along for a hundred yards at the least&mdash;and one may judge of the
+velocity with which he was dragged through the water, by the fact that
+it took the united strain of ten powerful men to get him in&mdash;he was
+brought safely on board, pale and blue, when we found that the running
+of the rope had crushed in his broad chest, below his arms, as if it
+had been a girl's waist, indenting the very muscles of it and of his
+back half an inch deep.  He had to be bled before he could breathe, and
+it was an hour before the circulation could be restored, by the joint
+exertions of the surgeon and gunroom steward, chafing him with spirits
+and camphor, after he had been stripped and stowed away between the
+blankets in his hammock.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The same afternoon we fell in with a small prize to the squadron in the
+<I>Chesapeake</I>, a dismantled schooner, manned by a prize crew of a
+midshipman and six men.  She had a signal of distress, an American
+ensign, with the union down, hoisted on the jury-mast, across which
+there was rigged a solitary lug-sail.  It was blowing so hard that we
+had some difficulty in boarding her, when we found she was a Baltimore
+pilot-boat-built schooner, of about 70 tons burden, laden with flour,
+and bound for Bermuda.  But three days before, in a sudden squall, they
+had carried away both masts short by the board, and the only spar which
+they had been able to rig, was a spare topmast which they had jammed
+into one of the pumps&mdash;fortunately she was as tight as a bottle&mdash;and
+stayed it the best way they could.  The captain offered to take the
+little fellow who had charge of her, and his crew and cargo, on board,
+and then scuttle her; but no&mdash;all he wanted was a cask of water and
+some biscuit; and having had a glass of grog, he trundled over the side
+again, and returned to his desolate command.  However, he afterwards
+brought his prize safe into Bermuda.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The weather still continued very rough, but we saw nothing until the
+second evening after this.  The forenoon had been even more boisterous
+than any of the preceding, and we were all fagged enough with "make
+sail," and "shorten sail," and "all hands," the whole day through; and
+as the night fell, I found myself, for the fourth time, in the maintop.
+The men had just lain in from the maintopsail yard, when we heard the
+watch called on deck,&mdash;"Starboard watch, ahoy!"&mdash;which was a cheery
+sound to us of the larboard, who were thus released from duty on deck,
+and allowed to go below.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The men were scrambling down the weather shrouds, and I was preparing
+to follow them, when I jammed my left foot in the grating of the top,
+and capsized on my nose.  I had been up nearly the whole of the
+previous night, and on deck the whole of the day, and actively employed
+too, as during the greater part of it it blew a gale.  I stooped down
+in some pain, to see what had bolted me to the grating; but I had no
+sooner extricated my foot, than, over-worked and over-fatigued as I
+was, I fell over in the soundest sleep that ever I have enjoyed before
+or since, the back of my neck resting on a coil of rope, so that my
+head hung down within it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The rain all this time was beating on me, and I was drenched to the
+skin.  I must have slept for four hours or so, when I was awakened by a
+rough thump on the side from the stumbling foot of the captain of the
+top, the word having been passed to shake a reef out of the topsails,
+the wind having rather suddenly gone down.  It was done; and now broad
+awake, I determined not to be caught napping again, so I descended, and
+swung myself in on deck out of the main rigging, just as Mr. Treenail
+was mustering the crew at eight bells.  When I landed on the
+quarterdeck, there he stood abaft the binnacle, with the light shining
+on his face, his glazed hat glancing, and the rain-drop sparkling at
+the brim of it.  He had noticed me the moment I descended.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Heyday, Master Cringle, you are surely out of your watch.  Why, what
+are you doing here, eh?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I stepped up to him, and told him the truth, that, being overfatigued,
+I had fallen asleep in the top.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, well, boy," said he, "never mind, go below, and turn in; if you
+don't take your rest, you never will be a sailor."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But what do you see aloft?" glancing his eye upwards, and all the crew
+on deck, as I passed them, looked anxiously up also amongst the
+rigging, as if wondering what I saw there, for I had been so chilled in
+my snoose, that my neck, from resting in the cold on the coil of rope,
+had become stiffened and rigid to an intolerable degree; and although,
+when I first came on deck, I had, by a strong exertion, brought my
+<I>caput</I> to its proper bearings, yet the moment I was dismissed by my
+superior officer, I for my own comfort was glad to conform to the
+contraction of the muscle, whereby I once more strayed along the deck,
+<I>glowering</I> up into the heavens, as if I had seen some wonderful sight
+there.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What do you see aloft?" repeated Mr. Treenail, while the crew, greatly
+puzzled, continued to follow my eyes, as they thought, and to stare up
+into the rigging.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why, sir, I have thereby got a stiff neck&mdash;that's all, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Go and turn in at once, my good boy&mdash;make haste, now; tell our steward
+to give you a glass of hot grog, and mind your hand that you don't get
+sick."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I did as was desired, swallowed the grog, and turned in; but I could
+not have been in bed above an hour, when the drum beat to quarters, and
+I had once more to bundle out on the cold wet deck, where I found all
+excitement.  At the time I speak of, we had been beaten by the
+Americans in several actions of single ships, and our discipline
+improved in proportion as we came to learn, by sad experience, that the
+enemy was not to be undervalued.  I found that there was a ship in
+sight, right ahead of us&mdash;apparently carrying all sail.  A group of
+officers were on the forecastle with night-glasses, the whole crew
+being stationed in dark clusters round the guns at quarters.  Several
+of the American skippers were forward amongst us, and they were of
+opinion that the chase was a man-of-war, although our own people seemed
+to doubt this.  One of the skippers insisted that she was the <I>Hornet</I>,
+from the unusual shortness of her lower masts, and the immense
+squareness of her yards.  But the puzzle was, if it were the <I>Hornet</I>,
+why she did not shorten sail.  Still this might be accounted for, by
+her either wishing to make out what we were before she engaged us, or
+she might be clearing for action.  At this moment a whole cloud of
+studdingsails were blown from the yards as if the booms had been
+carrots; and to prove that the chase was keeping a bright look-out, she
+immediately kept away, and finally bore up dead before the wind, under
+the impression, no doubt, that she would draw ahead of us, from her
+gear being entire, before we could rig out our light sails again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And so she did for a time, but at length we got within gunshot.  The
+American masters were now ordered below, the hatches were clapped on,
+and the word passed to see all clear.  Our shot was by this time flying
+over and over her, and it was evident she was not a man-of-war.  We
+peppered away&mdash;she could not even be a privateer; we were close under
+her lee quarter, and yet she had never fired a shot; and her large
+swaggering Yankee ensign was now run up to the peak, only to be hauled
+down the next moment.  Hurrah! a large cotton-ship from Charlestown to
+Bordeaux&mdash;prize to H.M.S. <I>Torch</I>!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She was taken possession of, and proved to be the <I>Natches</I>, of four
+hundred tons burden, fully loaded with cotton.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By the time we got the crew on board, and the second-lieutenant, with a
+prize crew of fifteen men, had taken charge, the weather began to lour
+again, nevertheless we took the prize in tow, and continued on our
+voyage for the next three days, without anything particular happening.
+It was the middle watch, and I was sound asleep, when I was startled by
+a violent jerking of my hammock, and a cry "that the brig was amongst
+the breakers."  I ran on deck in my shirt, where I found all hands, and
+a scene of confusion such as I never had witnessed before.  The gale
+had increased, yet the prize had not been cast off, and the consequence
+was, that by some mismanagement or carelessness, the swag of the large
+ship had suddenly hove the brig in the wind, and taken the sails aback.
+We accordingly fetched stern way, and ran foul of the prize, and there
+we were, in a heavy sea, with our stern grinding against the
+cotton-ship's high quarter.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The mainboom, by the first rasp that took place after I came on deck,
+was broken short off, and nearly twelve feet of it hove right in over
+the taffrail; the vessels then closed, and the next rub ground off the
+ship's mizzen channel as clean as if it had been sawed away.  Officers
+shouting, men swearing, rigging cracking, the vessels crashing and
+thumping together, I thought we were gone, when the first lieutenant
+seized his trumpet&mdash;"Silence, men; hold your tongues, you cowards, and
+mind the word of command!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The effect was magical.&mdash;"Brace round the foreyard&mdash;round with it; set
+the jib&mdash;that's it&mdash;fore-top-mast staysail&mdash;haul&mdash;never mind if the
+gale takes it out of the bolt-rope"&mdash;a thundering flap, and away it
+flew in truth down to leeward, like a puff of white smoke.&mdash;"Never
+mind, men, the jib stands.  Belay all that&mdash;down with the helm,
+now&mdash;don't you see she has stern way yet?  Zounds! we shall be smashed
+to atoms if you don't mind your hands, you lubbers&mdash;main-topsail sheets
+let fly&mdash;there she pays off, and has headway once more&mdash;that's it:
+right your helm, now&mdash;never mind his spanker-boom, the fore-stay will
+stand it: there&mdash;up with helm, sir&mdash;we have cleared him&mdash;hurrah!"  And
+a near thing it was too, but we soon had everything snug; and although
+the gale continued without any intermission for ten days, at length we
+ran in and anchored with our prize in Five-Fathom Hole, off the
+entrance to St. George's Harbour.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was lucky for us that we got to anchor at the time we did, for that
+same afternoon one of the most tremendous gales of wind from the
+westward came on that I ever saw.  Fortunately it was steady and did
+not veer about, and having good ground-tackle down, we rode it out well
+enough.  The effect was very uncommon; the wind was howling over our
+mast-heads, and amongst the cedar bushes on the cliffs above, while on
+deck it was nearly calm, and there was very little swell, being a
+weather shore; but half a mile out at sea all was white foam, and the
+tumbling waves seemed to meet from north and south, leaving a space of
+smooth water under the lee of the island, shaped like the tail of a
+comet, tapering away, and gradually roughening and becoming more
+stormy, until the roaring billows once more owned allegiance to the
+genius of the storm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There we rode, with three anchors ahead, in safety through the night;
+and next day, availing of a temporary lull, we ran up and anchored off
+the Tanks.  Three days after this, the American frigate <I>President</I> was
+brought in by the Endymion and the rest of the squadron.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I went on board, in common with every officer in the fleet, and
+certainly I never saw a more superb vessel; her scantling was that of a
+seventy-four, and she appeared to have been fitted with great care.  I
+got a week's leave at this time, and, as I had letters to several
+families, I contrived to spend my time pleasantly enough.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bermuda, as all the world knows, is a cluster of islands in the middle
+of the Atlantic.  There are Lord knows how many of them, but the beauty
+of the little straits and creeks which divide them no man can describe
+who has not seen them.  The town of St. George's, for instance, looks
+as if the houses were cut out of chalk; and one evening the family
+where I was on a visit proceeded to the main island, Hamilton, to
+attend a ball there.  We had to cross three ferries, although the
+distance was not above nine miles, if so far.  The 'Mudian women are
+unquestionably beautiful&mdash;so thought Thomas Moore, a tolerable judge,
+before me.  By the by, touching this 'Mudian ball, it was a very gay
+affair&mdash;the women pleasant and beautiful; but all the men, when they
+speak, or are spoken to, shut one eye and spit;&mdash;a lucid and succinct
+description of a community.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The second day of my sojourn was fine&mdash;the first fine day since our
+arrival&mdash;and with several young ladies of the family, I was prowling
+through the cedar wood above St. George's, when a dark good-looking man
+passed us; he was dressed in tight worsted net pantaloons and Hessian
+boots, and wore a blue frockcoat and two large epaulets, with rich
+French bullion, and a round hat.  On passing, he touched his hat with
+much grace, and in the evening I met him in society.  It was Commodore
+Decatur.  He was very much a Frenchman in manner, or, I should rather
+say, in look, for although very well bred, he, for one ingredient, by
+no means possessed a Frenchman's volubility; still, he was an
+exceedingly agreeable and very handsome man.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The following day we spent in a pleasure cruise amongst the three
+hundred and sixty-five Islands, many of them not above an acre in
+extent&mdash;fancy an island of an acre in extent!&mdash;with a solitary house, a
+small garden, a red-skinned family, a piggery, and all around clear
+deep pellucid water.  None of the islands, or islets, rise to any great
+height, but they all shoot precipitously out of the water, as if the
+whole group had originally been one huge platform of rock, with
+numberless grooves subsequently chiselled out in it by art.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We had to wind our way amongst these manifold small channels for two
+hours, before we reached the gentleman's house where we had been
+invited to dine; at length, on turning a corner, with both lateen sails
+drawing beautifully, we ran bump on a shoal; there was no danger, and
+knowing that the 'Mudians were capital sailors, I sat still.  Not so
+Captain K&mdash;&mdash;-, a round plump little <I>homo</I>,&mdash;"Shove her off, my boys,
+shove her off."  She would not move, and thereupon he, in a fever of
+gallantry, jumped overboard up to the waist in full fig; and one of the
+men following his example, we were soon afloat.  The ladies applauded,
+and the captain sat in his wet <I>breeks</I> for the rest of the voyage, in
+all the consciousness of being considered a hero.  Ducks and onions are
+the grand staple of Bermuda, but there was a fearful dearth of both at
+the time I speak of&mdash;a knot of young West India merchants, who, with
+heavy purses and large credits on England, had at this time domiciled
+themselves in St. George's, to batten on the spoils of poor Jonathan,
+having monopolised all the good things of the place.  I happened to be
+acquainted with one of them, and thereby had less reason to complain;
+but many a poor fellow, sent ashore on duty, had to put up with but
+Lenten fare at the taverns.  At length, having refitted, we sailed in
+company with the Rayo frigate, with a convoy of three transports,
+freighted with a regiment for New Orleans, and several merchantmen for
+the West Indies.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The still vexed Bermoothes"&mdash;I arrived at them in a gale of wind, and
+I sailed from them in a gale of wind.  What the climate may be in the
+summer I don't know; but during the time I was there it was one storm
+after another.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We sailed in the evening with the moon at full, and the wind at
+west-north-west.  So soon as we got from under the lee of the land the
+breeze struck us, and it came on to blow like thunder, so that we were
+all soon reduced to our storm staysails; and there we were, transports,
+merchantmen, and men-of-war, rising on the mountainous billows one
+moment, and the next losing sight of everything but the water and sky
+in the deep trough of the sea, while the seething foam was blown over
+us in showers from the curling manes of the roaring waves.  But
+overhead, all this while, it was as clear as a lovely winter moon could
+make it, and the stars shone brightly in the deep blue sky; there was
+not even a thin fleecy shred of cloud racking across the moon's disc.
+Oh, the glories of a northwester!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But the devil seize such glory!  Glory, indeed! with a fleet of
+transports, and a regiment of soldiers on board!  Glory! why, I daresay
+five hundred rank and file, at the fewest, were all cascading at one
+and the same moment,&mdash;a thousand poor fellows turned outside in, like
+so many pairs of old stockings.  Any glory in that?  But to proceed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Next morning the gale still continued, and when the day broke there was
+the frigate standing across our bows, rolling and pitching, as she tore
+her way through the boiling sea, under a close-reefed main-topsail and
+reefed foresail, with top-gallant-yards and royal masts, and everything
+that could be struck with safety in war-time, down on deck.  There she
+lay, with her clear black bends, and bright white streak, and long tier
+of cannon on the maindeck, and the carronades on the quarterdeck and
+forecastle grinning through the ports in the black bulwarks, while the
+white hammocks, carefully covered by the hammock-cloths, crowned the
+defences of the gallant frigate fore and aft, as she delved through the
+green surge&mdash;one minute rolling and rising on the curling white crest
+of a mountainous sea, amidst a hissing snowstorm of spray, with her
+bright copper glancing from stem to stern, and her scanty white canvas
+swelling aloft, and twenty feet of her keel forward occasionally hove
+into the air and clean out of the water, as if she had been a sea-bird
+rushing to take wing&mdash;and the next, sinking entirely out of
+sight&mdash;hull, masts, and rigging&mdash;behind an intervening sea, that rose
+in hoarse thunder between us, threatening to overwhelm both us and her.
+As for the transports, the largest of the three had lost her
+foretopmast, and had bore up under her foresail; another was also
+scudding under a close-reefed fore-topsail; but the third or
+head-quarter ship was still lying to windward, under her storm
+staysails.  None of the merchant vessels were to be seen, having been
+compelled to bear up in the night, and to run before it under bare
+poles.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At length, as the sun rose, we got before the wind, and it soon
+moderated so far that we could carry reefed topsails and foresail; and
+away we all bowled, with a clear, deep, cold, blue sky, and a bright
+sun overhead, and a stormy leaden-coloured ocean with whitish
+green-crested billows, below.  The sea continued to go down, and the
+wind to slacken, until the afternoon, when the commodore made the
+signal for the <I>Torch</I> to send a boat's crew, the instant it could be
+done with safety, on board the dismasted ship to assist in repairing
+damages and in getting up a jury-foretopmast.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The damaged ship was at this time on our weather-quarter; we
+accordingly handed the fore-topsail, and presently she was alongside.
+We hailed her, that we intended to send a boat on board, and desired
+her to heave-to, as we did, and presently she rounded to under our lee.
+One of the quarter-boats was manned, with three of the carpenter's
+crew, and six good men over and above her complement; but it was no
+easy matter to get on board of her, let me tell you, after she had been
+lowered, carefully watching the rolls, with four hands in.  The moment
+she touched the water, the tackles were cleverly unhooked, and the rest
+of us tumbled on board, shin leather growing scarce, when we shoved
+off.  With great difficulty, and not without wet jackets, we, the
+supernumeraries, got on board, and the boat returned to the <I>Torch</I>.
+The evening when we landed in the lobster-box, as Jack loves to
+designate a transport, was too far advanced for us to do anything
+towards refitting that night; and the confusion and uproar and
+numberless abominations of the crowded craft, were irksome to a greater
+degree than I expected, after having been accustomed to the strict and
+orderly discipline of a man-of-war.  The following forenoon the <I>Torch</I>
+was ordered by signal to chase in the south-east quarter, and, hauling
+out from the fleet, she was soon out of sight.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap04"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE MERCHANTMAN AND THE PIRATE
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "Hard Cash," BY CHARLES READE
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+North Latitude 23 1/2, Longitude East 113; the time March of this same
+year; the wind southerly; the port Whampoa in the Canton River.  Ships at
+anchor reared their tall masts, here and there; and the broad stream was
+enlivened and colored by junks and boats of all sizes and vivid hues,
+propelled on the screw principle by a great scull at the stern, with
+projecting handles for the crew to work; and at times a gorgeous mandarin
+boat, with two great glaring eyes set in the bows, came flying, rowed
+with forty paddles by an armed crew, whose shields hung on the gunwale
+and flashed fire in the sunbeams; the mandarin, in conical and buttoned
+hat, sitting on the top of his cabin calmly smoking Paradise, alias
+opium, while his gong boomed and his boat flew fourteen miles an hour,
+and all things scuttled out of his celestial way.  And there, looking
+majestically down on all these water ants, the huge <I>Agra</I>, cynosure of
+so many loving eyes and loving hearts in England, lay at her moorings;
+homeward bound.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Her tea not being yet on board, the ship's hull floated high as a castle,
+and to the subtle, intellectual, doll-faced, bolus-eyed people, that
+sculled to and fro, busy as bees, though looking forked mushrooms, she
+sounded like a vast musical shell: for a lusty harmony of many mellow
+voices vibrated in her great cavities, and made the air ring cheerily
+around her.  The vocalists were the Cyclops, to judge by the tremendous
+thumps that kept clean time to their sturdy tune.  Yet it was but human
+labor, so heavy and so knowing, that it had called in music to help.  It
+was the third mate and his gang completing his floor to receive the
+coming tea chests.  Yesterday he had stowed his dunnage, many hundred
+bundles of light flexible canes from Sumatra and Malacca; on these he had
+laid tons of rough saltpetre, in 200 lb. gunny-bags: and was now mashing
+it to music, bags and all.  His gang of fifteen, naked to the waist,
+stood in line, with huge wooden beetles, called commanders, and lifted
+them high and brought them down on the nitre in cadence with true
+nautical power and unison, singing as follows, with ponderous bump on the
+last note in each bar:&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<A NAME="img-076"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG SRC="images/img-076.jpg" ALT="Song sung by labor gang." BORDER="2" WIDTH="444" HEIGHT="355">
+<H4>
+[Illustration: Song sung by labor gang.]
+</H4>
+</CENTER>
+
+<P>
+And so up to fifteen, when the stave was concluded with a shrill "Spell,
+oh!" and the gang relieved streaming with perspiration.  When the
+saltpetre was well mashed, they rolled ton waterbutts on it, till the
+floor was like a billiard table.  A fleet of chop boats then began to
+arrive, so many per day, with the tea chests.  Mr. Grey proceeded to lay
+the first tier on his saltpetre floor, and then built the chests, tier
+upon tier, beginning at the sides, and leaving in the middle a lane
+somewhat narrower than a tea chest.  Then he applied a screw jack to the
+chests on both sides, and so enlarged his central aperture, and forced
+the remaining tea chests in; and behold the enormous cargo packed as
+tight as ever shopkeeper packed a box&mdash;19,806 chests, 60 half chests, 50
+quarter chests.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+While Mr. Grey was contemplating his work with singular satisfaction, a
+small boat from Canton came alongside, and Mr. Tickell, midshipman, ran
+up the side, skipped on the quarter-deck, saluted it first, and then the
+first mate; and gave him a line from the captain, desiring him to take
+the ship down to Second Bar&mdash;for her water&mdash;at the turn of the tide.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Two hours after receipt of this order the ship swung to the ebb.
+Instantly Mr. Sharpe unmoored, and the <I>Agra</I> began her famous voyage,
+with her head at right angles to her course; for the wind being foul, all
+Sharpe could do was to set his topsails, driver, and jib, and keep her in
+the tide way, and clear of the numerous craft, by backing or filling as
+the case required; which he did with considerable dexterity, making the
+sails steer the helm for the nonce: he crossed the Bar at sunset, and
+brought to with the best bower anchor in five fathoms and a half.  Here
+they began to take in their water, and on the fifth day the six-oared gig
+was ordered up to Canton for the captain.  The next afternoon he passed
+the ship in her, going down the river, to Lin Tin, to board the Chinese
+admiral for his chop, or permission to leave China.  All night the <I>Agra</I>
+showed three lights at her mizzen peak for him, and kept a sharp lookout.
+But he did not come: he was having a very serious talk with the Chinese
+admiral; at daybreak, however, the gig was reported in sight: Sharpe told
+one of the midshipmen to call the boatswain and man the side.  Soon the
+gig ran alongside; two of the ship's boys jumped like monkeys over the
+bulwarks, lighting, one on the main channels, the other on the mid-ship
+port, and put the side ropes assiduously in the captain's hands; he
+bestowed a slight paternal smile on them, the first the imps had ever
+received from an officer, and went lightly up the sides.  The moment his
+foot touched the deck, the boatswain gave a frightful shrill whistle; the
+men at the sides uncovered, the captain saluted the quarter-deck, and all
+the officers saluted him, which he returned, and stepping for a moment to
+the weather side of his deck, gave the loud command, "All hands heave
+anchor."  He then directed Mr. Sharpe to get what sail he could on the
+ship, the wind being now westerly, and dived into his cabin.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The boatswain piped three shrill pipes, and "All hands up anchor" was
+thrice repeated forward, followed by private admonitions, "Rouse and
+bitt!"  "Show a leg!" etc., and up tumbled the crew with "homeward bound"
+written on their tanned faces.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+(Pipe.) "Up all hammocks!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In ten minutes the ninety and odd hammocks were all stowed neatly in the
+netting, and covered with a snowy hammock cloth; and the hands were
+active, unbitting the cable, shipping the capstan bars, etc.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All ready below, sir," cried a voice.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Man the bars," returned Mr. Sharpe from the quarter-deck.  "Play up,
+fifer.  Heave away!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Out broke the merry fife with a rhythmical tune, and tramp, tramp, tramp
+went a hundred and twenty feet round and round, and, with brawny chests
+pressed tight against the capstan bars, sixty fine fellows walked the
+ship up to her anchor, drowning the fife at intervals with their sturdy
+song, as pat to their feet as an echo:
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="poem">
+Heave with a will ye jolly boys,<BR>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Heave around:<BR>
+We're off from Chainee, jolly boys,<BR>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homeward bound.<BR>
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Short stay apeak, sir," roars the boatswain from forward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Unship the bars.  Way aloft.  Loose sails.  Let fall!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The ship being now over her anchor, and the topsails set, the capstan
+bars were shipped again, the men all heaved with a will, the messenger
+grinned, the anchor was torn out of China with a mighty heave, and then
+run up with a luff tackle and secured; the ship's head cast to port:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Up with a jib! man the topsail halyards! all hands make sail!"  Round
+she came slow and majestically; the sails filled, and the good ship bore
+away for England.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She made the Bogue forts in three or four tacks, and there she had to
+come to again for another chop, China being a place as hard to get into
+as Heaven, and to get out of as&mdash;Chancery.  At three P. M. she was at
+Macao, and hove to four miles from the land, to take in her passengers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A gun was fired from the forecastle.  No boats came off.  Sharpe began to
+fret: for the wind, though light, had now got to the N.W., and they were
+wasting it.  After a while the captain came on deck, and ordered all the
+carronades to be scaled.  The eight heavy reports bellowed the great
+ship's impatience across the water, and out pulled two boats with the
+passengers.  While they were coming, Dodd sent and ordered the gunner to
+load the carronades with shot, and secure and apron them.&#8230;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The <I>Agra</I> had already shown great sailing qualities: the log was hove at
+sundown and gave eleven knots; so that with a good breeze abaft few
+fore-and-aft-rigged pirates could overhaul her.  And this wind carried
+her swiftly past one nest of them at all events; the Ladrone Isles.  At
+nine P. M. all the lights were ordered out.  Mrs. Beresford had brought a
+novel on board, and refused to comply; the master-at-arms insisted; she
+threatened him with the vengeance of the Company, the premier, and the
+nobility and gentry of the British realm.  The master-at-arms, finding he
+had no chance in argument, doused the glim&mdash;pitiable resource of a weak
+disputant&mdash;then basely fled the rhetorical consequences.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The northerly breeze died out, and light variable winds baffled the ship.
+It was the 6th April ere she passed the Macclesfield Bank in latitude 16.
+And now they sailed for many days out of sight of land; Dodd's chest
+expanded: his main anxiety at this part of the voyage lay in the state
+cabin; of all the perils of the sea none shakes a sailor like fire.  He
+set a watch day and night on that spoiled child.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+On the 1st of May they passed the great Nantuna, and got among the
+Bornese and Malay Islands: at which the captain's glass began to sweep
+the horizon again: and night and day at the dizzy
+foretop-gallant-masthead he perched an eye.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They crossed the line in longitude 107, with a slight breeze, but soon
+fell into the Dolddrums.  A dead calm, and nothing to do but kill
+time.&#8230;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After lying a week like a dead log on the calm but heaving waters came a
+few light puffs in the upper air and inflated the topsails only: the ship
+crawled southward, the crew whistling for wind.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At last, one afternoon, it began to rain, and after the rain came a gale
+from the eastward.  The watchful skipper saw it purple the water to
+windward, and ordered the topsails to be reefed and the lee ports closed.
+This last order seemed an excess of precaution; but Dodd was not yet
+thoroughly acquainted with his ship's qualities: and the hard cash round
+his neck made him cautious.  The lee ports were closed, all but one, and
+that was lowered.  Mr. Grey was working a problem in his cabin, and
+wanted a little light and a little air, so he just dropped his port; but,
+not to deviate from the spirit of his captain's instructions, he fastened
+a tackle to it; that he might have mechanical force to close it with
+should the ship lie over.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Down came the gale with a whoo, and made all crack.  The ship lay over
+pretty much, and the sea poured in at Mr. Grey's port.  He applied his
+purchase to close it.  But though his tackle gave him the force of a
+dozen hands, he might as well have tried to move a mountain: on the
+contrary, the tremendous sea rushed in and burst the port wide open.
+Grey, after a vain struggle with its might, shrieked for help; down
+tumbled the nearest hands, and hauled on the tackle in vain.  Destruction
+was rushing on the ship, and on them first.  But meantime the captain,
+with a shrewd guess at the general nature of the danger he could not see,
+had roared out, "Slack the main sheet!"  The ship righted, and the port
+came flying to, and terror-stricken men breathed hard, up to their waists
+in water and floating boxes.  Grey barred the unlucky port, and went aft,
+drenched in body, and wrecked in mind, to report his own fault.  He found
+the captain looking grim as death.  He told him, almost crying, what he
+had done, and how he had miscalculated the power of the water.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dodd looked and saw his distress.  "Let it be a lesson sir," said he,
+sternly.  "How many ships have been lost by this in fair weather, and not
+a man saved to tell how the craft was fooled away?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Captain, bid me fling myself over the side, and I'll do it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Humph!  I'm afraid I can't afford to lose a good officer for a fault
+he&mdash;will&mdash;never&mdash;repeat."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It blew hard all night and till twelve the next day.  The <I>Agra</I> showed
+her weak point: she rolled abominably.  A dirty night came on.  At eight
+bells Mr. Grey touched by Dodd's clemency, and brimful of zeal, reported
+a light in Mrs. Beresford's cabin.  It had been put out as usual by the
+master-at-arms; but the refractory one had relighted it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Go and take it away," said Dodd.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Soon screams were heard from the cabin.  "Oh! mercy! mercy!  I will not
+be drowned in the dark."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dodd, who had kept clear of her so long, went down and tried to reassure
+her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, the tempest! the tempest!" she cried.  "AND TO BE DROWNED IN THE
+DARK!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Tempest?  It is blowing half a gale of wind; that is all."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Half a gale!  Ah, that is the way you always talk to us ladies.  Oh,
+pray give me my light, and send me a clergyman!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dodd took pity, and let her have her light, with a midshipman to watch
+it.  He even made her a hypocritical promise that, should there be one
+grain of danger, he would lie to; but said he must not make a foul wind
+of a fair one for a few lurches.  The <I>Agra</I> broke plenty of glass and
+crockery though with her fair wind and her lee lurches.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wind down at noon next day, and a dead calm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At two P.M. the weather cleared; the sun came out high in heaven's
+centre; and a balmy breeze from the west.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At six twenty-five, the grand orb set calm and red, and the sea was
+gorgeous with miles and miles of great ruby dimples: it was the first
+glowing smile of southern latitude.  The night stole on so soft, so
+clear, so balmy, all were loth to close their eyes on it: the passengers
+lingered long on deck, watching the Great Bear dip, and the Southern
+Cross rise, and overhead a whole heaven of glorious stars most of us have
+never seen, and never shall see in this world.  No belching smoke
+obscured, no plunging paddles deafened; all was musical; the soft air
+sighing among the sails; the phosphorescent water bubbling from the
+ship's bows; the murmurs from little knots of men on deck subdued by the
+great calm: home seemed near, all danger far; Peace ruled the sea, the
+sky, the heart: the ship, making a track of white fire on the deep,
+glided gently yet swiftly homeward, urged by snowy sails piled up like
+alabaster towers against a violet sky, out of which looked a thousand
+eyes of holy tranquil fire.  So melted the sweet night away.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+Now carmine streaks tinged the eastern sky at the water's edge: and that
+water blushed; now the streaks turned orange, and the waves below them
+sparkled.  Thence splashes of living gold flew and settled on the ship's
+white sails, the deck, and the faces; and with no more prologue, being so
+near the line, up came majestically a huge, fiery, golden sun, and set
+the sea flaming liquid topaz.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Instantly the lookout at the foretop-gallant-masthead hailed the deck
+below.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"STRANGE SAIL!  RIGHT AHEAD!"
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+The strange sail was reported to Captain Dodd, then dressing in his
+cabin.  He came soon after on deck and hailed the lookout: "Which way is
+she standing?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Can't say, sir.  Can't see her move any."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dodd ordered the boatswain to pipe to breakfast; and taking his deck
+glass went lightly up to the foretop-gallant-mast-crosstrees.  Thence,
+through the light haze of a glorious morning, he espied a long low
+schooner, lateen-rigged, lying close under Point Leat, a small island
+about nine miles distant on the weather bow; and nearly in the <I>Agra's</I>
+course then approaching the Straits of Gaspar, 4 Latitude S.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She is hove to," said Dodd, very gravely.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+At eight o'clock, the stranger lay about two miles to windward; and still
+hove to.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By this time all eyes were turned upon her, and half a dozen glasses.
+Everybody, except the captain, delivered an opinion.  She was a Greek
+lying to for water: she was a Malay coming north with canes, and short of
+hands: she was a pirate watching the Straits.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The captain leaned silent and sombre with his arms on the bulwarks, and
+watched the suspected craft.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mr. Fullalove joined the group, and levelled a powerful glass, of his own
+construction.  His inspection was long and minute, and, while the glass
+was at his eye, Sharpe asked him half in a whisper, could he make out
+anything?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Wal," said he, "the varmint looks considerably snaky."  Then, without
+moving his glass, he let drop a word at a time, as if the facts were
+trickling into his telescope at the lens, and out at the sight.
+"One&mdash;two&mdash;four&mdash;seven, false ports."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was a momentary murmur among the officers all round.  But British
+sailors are undemonstrative: Colonel Kenealy, strolling the deck with a
+cigar, saw they were watching another ship with maritime curiosity, and
+making comments; but he discerned no particular emotion nor anxiety in
+what they said, nor in the grave low tones they said it in.  Perhaps a
+brother seaman would though.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The next observation that trickled out of Fullalove's tube was this: "I
+judge there are too few hands on deck, and too
+many&mdash;white&mdash;eyeballs&mdash;glittering at the portholes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Confound it!" muttered Bayliss, uneasily; "how can you see that?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Fullalove replied only by quietly handing his glass to Dodd.  The
+captain, thus appealed to, glued his eye to the tube.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, sir; see the false ports, and the white eyebrows?" asked Sharpe,
+ironically.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I see this is the best glass I ever looked through," said Dodd doggedly,
+without interrupting his inspection.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think he is a Malay pirate," said Mr. Grey.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sharpe took him up very quickly, and, indeed, angrily: "Nonsense!  And if
+he is, he won't venture on a craft of this size."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Says the whale to the swordfish," suggested Fullalove, with a little
+guttural laugh.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The captain, with the American glass at his eye, turned half round to the
+man at the wheel: "Starboard!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Starboard it is."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Steer South South East."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ay, ay, sir."  And the ship's course was thus altered two points.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This order lowered Dodd fifty per cent in Mr. Sharpe's estimation.  He
+held his tongue as long as he could: but at last his surprise and
+dissatisfaction burst out of him, "Won't that bring him out on us?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very likely, sir," replied Dodd.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Begging your pardon, captain, would it not be wiser to keep our course,
+and show the blackguard we don't fear him?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"When we <I>do</I>?  Sharpe, he has made up his mind an hour ago whether to
+lie still, or bite; my changing my course two points won't change his
+mind; but it may make him declare it; and <I>I</I> must know what he does
+intend, before I run the ship into the narrows ahead."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, I see," said Sharpe, half convinced.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The alteration in the <I>Agra's</I> course produced no movement on the part of
+the mysterious schooner.  She lay to under the land still, and with only
+a few hands on deck, while the <I>Agra</I> edged away from her and entered the
+straits between Long Island and Point Leat, leaving the schooner about
+two miles and a half distant to the N.W.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+Ah!  The stranger's deck swarms black with men.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His sham ports fell as if by magic, his guns grinned through the gaps
+like black teeth; his huge foresail rose and filled, and out he came in
+chase.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+The breeze was a kiss from Heaven, the sky a vaulted sapphire, the sea a
+million dimples of liquid, lucid, gold.&#8230;
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+The way the pirate dropped the mask, showed his black teeth, and bore up
+in chase, was terrible: so dilates and bounds the sudden tiger on his
+unwary prey.  There were stout hearts among the officers of the peaceful
+<I>Agra</I>; but danger in a new form shakes the brave; and this was their
+first pirate: their dismay broke out in ejaculations not loud but
+deep.&#8230;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sharpe," said Dodd, in a tone that conveyed no suspicion of the
+newcomer, "set the royals, and flying jib.&mdash;Port!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Port it is," cried the man at the helm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Steer due South!"  And, with these words in his mouth, Dodd dived to the
+gun deck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By this time elastic Sharpe had recovered the first shock; and the order
+to crowd sail on the ship galled his pride and his manhood; he muttered,
+indignantly, "The white feather!"  This eased his mind, and he obeyed
+orders briskly as ever.  While he and his hands were setting every rag
+the ship could carry on that tack, the other officers, having unluckily
+no orders to execute, stood gloomy and helpless, with their eyes glued,
+by a sort of sombre fascination, on that coming fate.&#8230;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Realize the situation, and the strange incongruity between the senses and
+the mind in these poor fellows!  The day had ripened its beauty; beneath
+a purple heaven shone, sparkled, and laughed a blue sea, in whose waves
+the tropical sun seemed to have fused his beams; and beneath that fair,
+sinless, peaceful sky, wafted by a balmy breeze over those smiling,
+transparent, golden waves, a bloodthirsty Pirate bore down on them with a
+crew of human tigers; and a lady babble babble babble babble babble
+babble babbled in their quivering ears.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But now the captain came bustling on deck, eyed the loftier sails, saw
+they were drawing well, appointed four midshipmen in a staff to convey
+his orders; gave Bayliss charge of the carronades, Grey of the cutlasses,
+and directed Mr. Tickell to break the bad news gently to Mrs. Beresford,
+and to take her below to the orlop deck; ordered the purser to serve out
+beef, biscuit, and grog to all hands, saying, "Men can't work on an empty
+stomach: and fighting is hard work;" then beckoned the officers to come
+round him.  "Gentlemen," said he, confidentially, "in crowding sail on
+this ship I had no hope of escaping that fellow on this tack, but I was,
+and am, most anxious to gain the open sea, where I can square my yards
+and run for it, if I see a chance.  At present I shall carry on till he
+comes up within range: and then, to keep the Company's canvas from being
+shot to rags, I shall shorten sail; and to save ship and cargo and all
+our lives, I shall fight while a plank of her swims.  Better to be killed
+in hot blood than walk the plank in cold."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The officers cheered faintly: the captain's dogged resolution stirred up
+theirs.&#8230;
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+"Shorten sail to the taupsles and jib, get the colors ready on the
+halyards, and then send the men aft.&#8230;"
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+Sail was no sooner shortened, and the crew ranged, than the captain came
+briskly on deck, saluted, jumped on a carronade, and stood erect.  He was
+not the man to show the crew his forebodings.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+(Pipe.)  "Silence fore and aft."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My men, the schooner coming up on our weather quarter is a Portuguese
+pirate.  His character is known; he scuttles all the ships he boards,
+dishonors the women, and murders the crew.  We cracked on to get out of
+the narrows, and now we have shortened sail to fight this blackguard, and
+teach him not to molest a British ship.  I promise, in the Company's
+name, twenty pounds prize money to every man before the mast if we beat
+him off or out manoeuvre him; thirty if we sink him; and forty if we tow
+him astern into a friendly port.  Eight guns are clear below, three on
+the weather side, five on the lee; for, if he knows his business, he will
+come up on the lee quarter: if he doesn't, that is no fault of yours nor
+mine.  The muskets are all loaded, the cutlasses ground like razors&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hurrah!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We have got women to defend&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hurrah!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A good ship under our feet, the God of justice overhead, British hearts
+in our bosoms, and British colors flying&mdash;run 'em up!&mdash;over our heads."
+(The ship's colors flew up to the fore, and the Union Jack to the mizzen
+peak.)  "Now lads, I mean to fight this ship while a plank of her
+(stamping on the deck) swims beneath my foot and&mdash;WHAT DO YOU SAY?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The reply was a fierce "hurrah!" from a hundred throats, so loud, so
+deep, so full of volume, it made the ship vibrate, and rang in the
+creeping-on pirate's ears.  Fierce, but cunning, he saw mischief in those
+shortened sails, and that Union Jack, the terror of his tribe, rising to
+a British cheer; he lowered his mainsail, and crawled up on the weather
+quarter.  Arrived within a cable's length, he double reefed his foresail
+to reduce his rate of sailing nearly to that of the ship; and the next
+moment a tongue of flame, and then a gash of smoke, issued from his lee
+bow, and the ball flew screaming like a seagull over the <I>Agra's</I> mizzen
+top.  He then put his helm up, and fired his other bow-chaser, and sent
+the shot hissing and skipping on the water past the ship.  This prologue
+made the novices wince.  Bayliss wanted to reply with a carronade; but
+Dodd forbade him sternly, saying, "If we keep him aloof we are done for."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The pirate drew nearer, and fired both guns in succession, hulled the
+<I>Agra</I> amidships, and sent an eighteen pound ball through her foresail.
+Most of the faces were pale on the quarter-deck; it was very trying to be
+shot at, and hit, and make no return.  The next double discharge sent one
+shot smash through the stern cabin window, and splintered the bulwark
+with another, wounding a seaman slightly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"LIE DOWN FORWARD!" shouted Dodd, through his trumpet.  "Bayliss, give
+him a shot."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The carronade was fired with a tremendous report, but no visible effect.
+The pirate crept nearer, steering in and out like a snake to avoid the
+carronades, and firing those two heavy guns alternately into the devoted
+ship.  He hulled the <I>Agra</I> now nearly every shot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The two available carronades replied noisily, and jumped as usual; they
+sent one thirty-two pound shot clean through the schooner's deck and
+side; but that was literally all they did worth speaking of.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Curse them!" cried Dodd; "load them with grape!  They are not to be
+trusted with ball.  And all my eighteen-pounders dumb!  The coward won't
+come alongside and give them a chance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the next discharge the pirate chipped the mizzen mast, and knocked a
+sailor into dead pieces on the forecastle.  Dodd put his helm down ere
+the smoke cleared, and got three carronades to bear, heavily laden with
+grape.  Several pirates fell, dead or wounded, on the crowded deck, and
+some holes appeared in the foresail; this one interchange was quite in
+favor of the ship.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But the lesson made the enemy more cautious; he crept nearer, but steered
+so adroitly, now right astern, now on the quarter, that the ship could
+seldom bring more than one carronade to bear, while he raked her fore and
+aft with grape and ball.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In this alarming situation, Dodd kept as many of the men below as
+possible; but, for all he could do four were killed and seven wounded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Fullalove's word came too true: it was the swordfish and the whale: it
+was a fight of hammer and anvil; one hit, the other made a noise.
+Cautious and cruel, the pirate hung on the poor hulking creature's
+quarters and raked her at point blank distance.  He made her pass a
+bitter time.  And her captain!  To see the splintering hull, the parting
+shrouds, the shivered gear, and hear the shrieks and groans of his
+wounded; and he unable to reply in kind!  The sweat of agony poured down
+his face.  Oh, if he could but reach the open sea, and square his yards,
+and make a long chase of it; perhaps fall in with aid.  Wincing under
+each heavy blow, he crept doggedly, patiently on, towards that one
+visible hope.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At last, when the ship was cloven with shot, and peppered with grape, the
+channel opened: in five minutes more he could put her dead before the
+wind.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+No.  The pirate, on whose side luck had been from the first, got half a
+broadside to bear at long musket shot, killed a midshipman by Dodd's
+side, cut away two of the <I>Agra's</I> mizzen shrouds, wounded the gaff: and
+cut the jib stay; down fell the powerful sail into the water, and dragged
+across the ship's forefoot, stopping her way to the open sea she panted
+for, the mates groaned; the crew cheered stoutly, as British tars do in
+any great disaster; the pirates yelled with ferocious triumph, like the
+devils they looked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But most human events, even calamities, have two sides.  The <I>Agra</I> being
+brought almost to a standstill, the pirate forged ahead against his will,
+and the combat took a new and terrible form.  The elephant gun popped,
+and the rifle cracked, in the <I>Agra's</I> mizzen top, and the man at the
+pirate's helm jumped into the air and fell dead: both Theorists claimed
+him.  Then the three carronades peppered him hotly; and he hurled an iron
+shower back with fatal effect.  Then at last the long 18-pounders on the
+gun-deck got a word in.  The old Niler was not the man to miss a vessel
+alongside in a quiet sea; he sent two round shot clean through him; the
+third splintered his bulwark, and swept across his deck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"His masts! fire at his masts!" roared Dodd to Monk, through his trumpet;
+he then got the jib clear, and made what sail he could without taking all
+the hands from the guns.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This kept the vessels nearly alongside a few minutes, and the fight was
+hot as fire.  The pirate now for the first time hoisted his flag.  It was
+black as ink.  His crew yelled as it rose: the Britons, instead of
+quailing, cheered with fierce derision: the pirate's wild crew of yellow
+Malays, black chinless Papuans, and bronzed Portuguese, served their side
+guns, 12-pounders, well and with ferocious cries; the white Britons,
+drunk with battle now, naked to the waist, grimed with powder, and
+spotted like leopards with blood, their own and their mates', replied
+with loud undaunted cheers, and deadly hail of grape from the
+quarterdeck; while the master gunner and his mates loading with a
+rapidity the mixed races opposed could not rival, hulled the schooner
+well between wind and water, and then fired chain shot at her masts, as
+ordered, and began to play the mischief with her shrouds and rigging.
+Meantime, Fullalove and Kenealy, aided by Vespasian, who loaded, were
+quietly butchering the pirate crew two a minute, and hoped to settle the
+question they were fighting for; smooth-bore <I>v.</I> rifle: but unluckily
+neither fired once without killing; so "there was nothing proven."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The pirate, bold as he was, got sick of fair fighting first; he hoisted
+his mainsail and drew rapidly ahead, with a slight bearing to windward,
+and dismounted a carronade and stove in the ship's quarter-boat, by way
+of a parting kick.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The men hurled a contemptuous cheer after him; they thought they had
+beaten him off.  But Dodd knew better.  He was but retiring a little way
+to make a more deadly attack than ever: he would soon wear, and cross the
+<I>Agra's</I> defenceless bows, to rake her fore and aft at pistol-shot
+distance; or grapple, and board the enfeebled ship two hundred strong.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dodd flew to the helm, and with his own hands put it hard aweather, to
+give the deck guns one more chance, the last, of sinking or disabling the
+<I>Destroyer</I>.  As the ship obeyed, and a deck gun bellowed below him, he
+saw a vessel running out from Long Island, and coming swiftly up on his
+lee quarter.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was a schooner.  Was she coming to his aid?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Horror!  A black flag floated from her foremast head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+While Dodd's eyes were staring almost out of his head at this death-blow
+to hope, Monk fired again; and just then a pale face came close to
+Dodd's, and a solemn voice whispered in his ear: "Our ammunition is
+nearly done!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dodd seized Sharpe's hand convulsively, and pointed to the pirate's
+consort coming up to finish them; and said, with the calm of a brave
+man's despair, "Cutlasses! and die hard!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At that moment the master gunner fired his last gun.  It sent a chain
+shot on board the retiring pirate, took off a Portuguese head and spun it
+clean into the sea ever so far to windward, and cut the schooner's
+foremast so nearly through that it trembled and nodded, and presently
+snapped with a loud crack, and came down like a broken tree, with the
+yard and sail; the latter overlapping the deck and burying itself, black
+flag and all, in the sea; and there, in one moment, lay the <I>Destroyer</I>
+buffeting and wriggling&mdash;like a heron on the water with its long wing
+broken&mdash;an utter cripple.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The victorious crew raised a stunning cheer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Silence!" roared Dodd, with his trumpet.  "All hands make sail!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He set his courses, bent a new jib, and stood out to windward close
+hauled, in hopes to make a good offing, and then put his ship dead before
+the wind, which was now rising to a stiff breeze.  In doing this he
+crossed the crippled pirate's bows, within eighty yards; and sore was the
+temptation to rake him; but his ammunition being short, and his danger
+being imminent from the other pirate, he had the self-command to resist
+the great temptation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He hailed the mizzen top: "Can you two hinder them from firing that gun?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I rather think we can," said Fullalove, "eh, colonel?" and tapped his
+long rifle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The ship no sooner crossed the schooner's bows than a Malay ran forward
+with a linstock.  Pop went the colonel's ready carbine, and the Malay
+fell over dead, and the linstock flew out of his hand.  A tall
+Portuguese, with a movement of rage, snatched it up, and darted to the
+gun; the Yankee rifle cracked, but a moment too late.  Bang! went the
+pirate's bow-chaser, and crashed into the <I>Agra's</I> side, and passed
+nearly through her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ye missed him!  Ye missed him!" cried the rival theorist, joyfully.  He
+was mistaken: the smoke cleared, and there was the pirate captain leaning
+wounded against the mainmast with a Yankee bullet in his shoulder, and
+his crew uttering yells of dismay and vengeance.  They jumped, and raged,
+and brandished their knives and made horrid gesticulations of revenge;
+and the white eyeballs of the Malays and Papuans glittered fiendishly;
+and the wounded captain raised his sound arm and had a signal hoisted to
+his consort, and she bore up in chase, and jamming her fore lateen flat
+as a board, lay far nearer the wind than the <I>Agra</I> could, and sailed
+three feet to her two besides.  On this superiority being made clear, the
+situation of the merchant vessel, though not so utterly desperate as
+before Monk fired his lucky shot, became pitiable enough.  If she ran
+before the wind, the fresh pirate would cut her off: if she lay to
+windward, she might postpone the inevitable and fatal collision with a
+foe as strong as that she had only escaped by a rare piece of luck; but
+this would give the crippled pirate time to refit and unite to destroy
+her.  Add to this the failing ammunition, and the thinned crew!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dodd cast his eyes all around the horizon for help.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The sea was blank.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The bright sun was hidden now; drops of rain fell, and the wind was
+beginning to sing; and the sea to rise a little.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Gentlemen," said he, "let us kneel down and pray for wisdom, in this
+sore strait."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He and his officers kneeled on the quarter-deck.  When they rose, Dodd
+stood rapt about a minute; his great thoughtful eye saw no more the
+enemy, the sea, nor anything external; it was turned inward.  His
+officers looked at him in silence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sharpe," said he, at last, "there must be a way out of them with such a
+breeze as this is now; if we could but see it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ay, <I>if</I>," groaned Sharpe.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dodd mused again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"About ship!" said he, softly, like an absent man.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ay, ay, sir!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Steer due north!" said he, still like one whose mind was elsewhere.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+While the ship was coming about, he gave minute orders to the mates and
+the gunner, to ensure co-operation in the delicate and dangerous
+manoeuvres that were sure to be on hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The wind was W.N.W.: he was standing north: one pirate lay on his lee
+beam stopping a leak between wind and water, and hacking the deck clear
+of his broken masts and yards.  The other fresh, and thirsting for the
+easy prey, came up to weather on him and hang on his quarter, pirate
+fashion.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When they were distant about a cable's length, the fresh pirate, to meet
+the ship's change of tactics, changed his own, luffed up, and gave the
+ship a broadside, well aimed but not destructive, the guns being loaded
+with ball.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dodd, instead of replying immediately, put his helm hard up and ran under
+the pirate's stern, while he was jammed up in the wind, and with his five
+eighteen-pounders raked him fore and aft, then paying off, gave him three
+carronades crammed with grape and canister; the almost simultaneous
+discharge of eight guns made the ship tremble, and enveloped her in thick
+smoke; loud shrieks and groans were heard from the schooner; the smoke
+cleared; the pirate's mainsail hung on deck, his jib-boom was cut off
+like a carrot and the sail struggling; his foresail looked lace, lanes of
+dead and wounded lay still or writhing on his deck and his lee scuppers
+ran blood into the sea.  Dodd squared his yards and bore away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The ship rushed down the wind, leaving the schooner staggered and all
+abroad.  But not for long; the pirate wore and fired his bow chasers at
+the now flying <I>Agra</I>, split one of the carronades in two, and killed a
+Lascar, and made a hole in the foresail; this done, he hoisted his
+mainsail again in a trice, sent his wounded below, flung his dead
+overboard, to the horror of their foes, and came after the flying ship,
+yawning and firing his bow chasers.  The ship was silent.  She had no
+shot to throw away.  Not only did she take these blows like a coward, but
+all signs of life disappeared on her, except two men at the wheel, and
+the captain on the main gangway.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dodd had ordered the crew out of the rigging, armed them with cutlasses,
+and laid them flat on the forecastle.  He also compelled Kenealy and
+Fullalove to come down out of harm's way, no wiser on the smooth-bore
+question than they went up.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The great patient ship ran environed by her foes; one destroyer right in
+her course, another in her wake, following her with yells of vengeance,
+and pounding away at her&mdash;but no reply.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly the yells of the pirates on both sides ceased, and there was a
+moment of dead silence on the sea.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Yet nothing fresh had happened.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Yes, this had happened: the pirates to windward, and the pirates to
+leeward, of the <I>Agra</I>, had found out, at one and the same moment, that
+the merchant captain they had lashed, and bullied, and tortured, was a
+patient but tremendous man.  It was not only to rake the fresh schooner
+he had put his ship before the wind, but also by a double, daring,
+master-stroke to hurl his monster ship bodily on the other.  Without a
+foresail she could never get out of his way.  Her crew had stopped the
+leak, and cut away and unshipped the broken foremast, and were stepping a
+new one, when they saw the huge ship bearing down in full sail.  Nothing
+easier than to slip out of her way could they get the foresail to draw;
+but the time was short, the deadly intention manifest, the coming
+destruction swift.  After that solemn silence came a storm of cries and
+curses, as their seamen went to work to fit the yard and raise the sail;
+while their fighting men seized their matchlocks and trained the guns.
+They were well commanded by an heroic able villian.  Astern the consort
+thundered; but the <I>Agra's</I> response was a dead silence more awful than
+broadsides.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For then was seen with what majesty the enduring Anglo-Saxon fights.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+One of the indomitable race on the gangway, one at the foremast, two at
+the wheel, conned and steered the great ship down on a hundred
+matchlocks, and a grinning broadside, just as they would have conned and
+steered her into a British harbor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Starboard!" said Dodd, in a deep calm voice, with a motion of his hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Starboard it is."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The pirate wriggled ahead a little.  The man forward made a silent signal
+to Dodd.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Port!" said Dodd, quietly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Port it is."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But at this critical moment the pirate astern sent a mischievous shot,
+and knocked one of the men to atoms at the helm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dodd waved his hand without a word, and another man rose from the deck,
+and took his place in silence, and laid his unshaking hand on the wheel
+stained with that man's warm blood whose place he took.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The high ship was now scarce sixty yards distant: <I>she seemed to know</I>:
+she reared her lofty figurehead with great awful shoots into the air.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But now the panting pirates got their new foresail hoisted with a joyful
+shout: it drew, the schooner gathered way, and their furious consort
+close on the <I>Agra's</I> heels just then scourged her deck with grape.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Port!" said Dodd, calmly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Port it is."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The giant prow darted at the escaping pirate.  That acre of coming canvas
+took the wind out of the swift schooner's foresail; it flapped: oh, then
+she was doomed!&#8230; CRASH! the Indiaman's cut-water in thick smoke beat
+in the schooner's broadside: down went her masts to leeward like
+fishing-rods whipping the water; there was a horrible shrieking yell;
+wild forms leaped off on the <I>Agra</I>, and were hacked to pieces almost ere
+they reached the deck&mdash;a surge, a chasm in the ear, filled with an
+instant rush of engulfing waves, a long, awful, grating, grinding noise,
+never to be forgotten in this world, all along under the ship's keel&mdash;and
+the fearful majestic monster passed on over the blank she had made, with
+a pale crew standing silent and awestruck on her deck; a cluster of wild
+heads and staring eyeballs bobbing like corks in her foaming wake, sole
+relic of the blotted-out <I>Destroyer</I>; and a wounded man staggering on the
+gangway, with hands uplifted and staring eyes.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap05"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+NARRATIVE OF THE MUTINY OF THE _BOUNTY_
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "Chamber's Miscellany," ANONYMOUS
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+About the year 1786, the merchants and planters interested in the West
+India Islands became anxious to introduce an exceedingly valuable plant,
+the bread-fruit tree, into these possessions, and as this could best be
+done by a government expedition, a request was preferred to the crown
+accordingly.  The ministry at the time being favorable to the proposed
+undertaking, a vessel, named the <I>Bounty</I>, was selected to execute the
+desired object.  To the command of this ship Captain W. Bligh was
+appointed, Aug. 16, 1787.  The burden of the <I>Bounty</I> was nearly two
+hundred and fifteen tons.  The establishment of men and officers for the
+ship was as follows:&mdash;1 lieutenant to command, 1 master, 1 boatswain, 1
+gunner, 1 carpenter, 1 surgeon, 2 master's mates, 2 midshipmen, 2
+quarter-masters, 1 quarter-master's mate, 1 boatswain's mate, 1 gunner's
+mate, 1 carpenter's mate, 1 carpenter's crew, 1 sailmaker, 1 armourer, 1
+corporal, 1 clerk and steward, 23 able seamen&mdash;total, 44.  The addition
+of two men appointed to take care of the plants, made the whole ship's
+crew amount to 46.  The ship was stored and victualled for eighteen
+months.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thus prepared, the <I>Bounty</I> set sail on the 23d of December, and what
+ensued will be best told in the language of Captain Bligh.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Monday, 27th April 1789.</I>&mdash;The wind being northerly in the evening, we
+steered to the westward, to pass to the south of Tofoa.  I gave
+directions for this course to be continued during the night.  The master
+had the first watch, the gunner the middle watch, and Mr. Christian the
+morning watch.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Tuesday, 25th.</I>&mdash;Just before sunrising, while I was yet asleep, Mr.
+Christian, with the master-at-arms, gunner's mate, and Thomas Burkitt,
+seaman, came into my cabin, and seizing me, tied my hands with a cord
+behind my back, threatening me with instant death if I spoke or made the
+least noise.  I, however, called as loud as I could, in hopes of
+assistance; but they had already secured the officers who were not of
+their party, by placing sentinels at their doors.  There were three men
+at my cabin door, besides the four within; Christian had only a cutlass
+in his hand, the others had muskets and bayonets.  I was pulled out of
+bed, and forced on deck in my shirt, suffering great pain from the
+tightness with which they had tied my hands.  I demanded the reason of
+such violence, but received no other answer than abuse for not holding my
+tongue.  The master, the gunner, the surgeon, Mr. Elphinstone, master's
+mate, and Nelson, were kept confined below, and the fore-hatchway was
+guarded by sentinels.  The boatswain and carpenter, and also the clerk,
+Mr. Samuel, were allowed to come upon deck.  The boatswain was ordered to
+hoist the launch out, with a threat if he did not do it instantly to take
+care of himself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the boat was out, Mr. Hayward and Mr. Hallett, two of the
+midshipmen, and Mr. Samuel, were ordered into it.  I demanded what their
+intention was in giving this order, and endeavored to persuade the people
+near me not to persist in such acts of violence; but it was to no effect.
+Christian changed the cutlass which he had in his hand for a bayonet that
+was brought to him, and holding me with a strong grip by the cord that
+tied my hands, he with many oaths threatened to kill me immediately if I
+would not be quiet; the villains round me had their pieces cocked and
+bayonets fixed.  Particular people were called on to go into the boat,
+and were hurried over the side, whence I concluded that with these people
+I was to be set adrift.  I therefore made another effort to bring about a
+change, but with no other effect than to be threatened with having my
+brains blown out.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The boatswain and seamen who were to go in the boat were allowed to
+collect twine, canvas, lines, sails, cordage, an eight-and-twenty-gallon
+cask of water, and Mr. Samuel got a hundred and fifty pounds of bread,
+with a small quantity of rum and wine, also a quadrant and compass; but
+he was forbidden, on pain of death, to touch either map, ephemeris, book
+of astronomical observations, sextant, time-keeper, or any of my surveys
+or drawings.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The officers were next called upon deck, and forced over the side into
+the boat, while I was kept apart from every one abaft the mizzen-mast.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Isaac Martin, one of the guard over me, I saw had an inclination to
+assist me, and, as he fed me with shaddock (my lips being quite parched),
+we explained our wishes to each other by our looks; but this being
+observed, Martin was removed from me.  He then attempted to leave the
+ship, for which purpose he got into the boat; but with many threats they
+obliged him to return.  The armorer, Joseph Coleman, and two of the
+carpenters, M'Intosh and Norman, were also kept contrary to their
+inclination; and they begged of me, after I was astern in the boat, to
+remember that they declared that they had no hand in the transaction.
+Michael Byrne, I am told, likewise wanted to leave the ship.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It appeared to me that Christian was some time in doubt whether he should
+keep the carpenter or his mates; at length he determined on the latter,
+and the carpenter was ordered into the boat.  He was permitted, but not
+without some opposition, to take his tool-chest.  The officers and men
+being in the boat, they only waited for me, of which the master-at-arms
+informed Christian; who then said, "Come, Captain Bligh, your officers
+and men are now in the boat, and you must go with them; if you attempt to
+make the least resistance, you will instantly be put to death:" and
+without further ceremony, with a tribe of armed ruffians about me, I was
+forced over the side, where they untied my hands.  Being in the boat, we
+were veered astern by a rope.  A few pieces of pork were thrown to us,
+and some clothes, also four cutlasses; and it was then that the armorer
+and carpenters called out to me to remember that they had no hand in the
+transaction.  After having undergone a great deal of ridicule, and having
+been kept some time to make sport for these unfeeling wretches, we were
+at length cast adrift in the open ocean.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had eighteen persons with me in the boat.  There remained on board the
+<I>Bounty</I> twenty-five hands, the most able men of the ship's company.
+Having little or no wind, we rowed pretty fast towards Tofoa, which bore
+northeast about ten leagues from us.  While the ship was in sight, she
+steered to the west-north-west; but I considered this only as a feint;
+for when we were sent away, "Huzza for Otaheite!" was frequently heard
+among the mutineers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It will very naturally be asked, What could be the reason for such a
+revolt?  In answer to which, I can only conjecture that the mutineers had
+flattered themselves with the hopes of a more happy life among the
+Otaheitans than they could possibly enjoy in England; and this, joined to
+some female connections, most probably occasioned the whole transaction.
+The women at Otaheite are handsome, mild and cheerful in their manners
+and conversation, possessed of great sensibility, and have sufficient
+delicacy to make them admired and beloved.  The chiefs were so much
+attached to our people, that they rather encouraged their stay among them
+than otherwise, and even made them promises of large possessions.  Under
+these, and many other attendant circumstances equally desirable, it is
+now perhaps not so much to be wondered at, though scarcely possible to
+have been foreseen, that a set of sailors, most of them void of
+connections, should be led away: especially when, in addition to such
+powerful inducements, they imagined it in their power to fix themselves
+in the midst of plenty, on one of the finest islands in the world, where
+they need not labor, and where the allurements of dissipation are beyond
+anything that can be conceived.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+FATE OF THE CASTAWAYS
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+My first determination was to seek a supply of breadfruit and water at
+Tofoa, and afterwards to sail for Tongataboo, and there risk a
+solicitation to Poulaho, the king, to equip our boat, and grant us a
+supply of water and provisions, so as to enable us to reach the East
+Indies.  The quantity of provisions I found in the boat was a hundred and
+fifty pounds of bread, sixteen pieces of pork, each piece weighing two
+pounds, six quarts of rum, six bottles of wine, with twenty-eight gallons
+of water, and four empty barrecoes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We got to Tofoa when it was dark, but found the shore so steep and rocky
+that we could not land.  We were obliged, therefore, to remain all night
+in the boat, keeping it on the lee-side of the island, with two oars.
+Next day (Wednesday, April 29) we found a cove, where we landed.  I
+observed the latitude of this cove to be 19 degrees 41 minutes south.
+This is the northwest part of Tofoa, the north-westernmost of the
+Friendly Islands.  As I was resolved to spare the small stock of
+provisions we had in the boat, we endeavored to procure something towards
+our support on the island itself.  For two days we ranged through the
+island in parties, seeking for water, and anything in the shape of
+provisions, subsisting, meanwhile, on morsels of what we had brought with
+us.  The island at first seemed uninhabited, but on Friday, May 1, one of
+our exploring parties met with two men, a woman, and a child: the men
+came with them to the cove, and brought two cocoanut shells of water.  I
+endeavored to make friends of these people, and sent them away for
+bread-fruit, plantains, and water.  Soon after, other natives came to us;
+and by noon there were thirty about us, from whom we obtained a small
+supply.  I was much puzzled in what manner to account to the natives for
+the loss of my ship: I knew they had too much sense to be amused with a
+story that the ship was to join me, when she was not in sight from the
+hills.  I was at first doubtful whether I should tell the real fact, or
+say that the ship had overset and sunk, and that we only were saved: the
+latter appeared to be the most proper and advantageous for us, and I
+accordingly instructed my people, that we might all agree in one story.
+As I expected, inquiries were made about the ship, and they seemed
+readily satisfied with our account; but there did not appear the least
+symptom of joy or sorrow in their faces, although I fancied I discovered
+some marks of surprise.  Some of the natives were coming and going the
+whole afternoon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Towards evening, I had the satisfaction to find our stock of provisions
+somewhat increased; but the natives did not appear to have much to spare.
+What they brought was in such small quantities, that I had no reason to
+hope we should be able to procure from them sufficient to stock us for
+our voyage.  At night, I served a quarter of a breadfruit and a cocoanut
+to each person for supper; and a good fire being made, all but the watch
+went to sleep.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Saturday, 2d.</I>&mdash;As there was no certainty of our being supplied with
+water by the natives, I sent a party among the gullies in the mountains,
+with empty shells, to see what could be found.  In their absence the
+natives came about us, as I expected, and in greater numbers; two canoes
+also came in from round the north side of the island.  In one of them was
+an elderly chief, called Macca-ackavow.  Soon after, some of our foraging
+party returned, and with them came a good-looking chief, called
+Egijeefow, or Eefow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Their affability was of short duration, for the natives began to increase
+in number, and I observed some symptoms of a design against us.  Soon
+after, they attempted to haul the boat on shore, on which I brandished my
+cutlass in a threatening manner, and spoke to Eefow to desire them to
+desist: which they did, and everything became quiet again.  My people,
+who had been in the mountains, now returned with about three gallons of
+water.  I kept buying up the little bread-fruit that was brought to us,
+and likewise some spears to arm my men with, having only four cutlasses,
+two of which were in the boat.  As we had no means of improving our
+situation, I told our people I would wait till sunset, by which time,
+perhaps, something might happen in our favor; for if we attempted to go
+at present, we must fight our way through, which we could do more
+advantageously at night; and that, in the meantime, we would endeavor to
+get off to the boat what we had bought.  The beach was lined with the
+natives, and we heard nothing but the knocking of stones together, which
+they had in each hand.  I knew very well this was the sign of an attack.
+At noon I served a cocoanut and a bread-fruit to each person for dinner,
+and gave some to the chiefs, with whom I continued to appear intimate and
+friendly.  They frequently importuned me to sit down, but I as constantly
+refused; for it occurred both to Nelson and myself that they intended to
+seize hold of me, if I gave them such an opportunity.  Keeping,
+therefore, constantly on our guard, we were suffered to eat our
+uncomfortable meal in some quietness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After dinner, we began, by little and little, to get our things into the
+boat, which was a troublesome business, on account of the surf.  I
+carefully watched the motions of the natives, who continued to increase
+in number; and found that, instead of their intention being to leave us,
+fires were made, and places fixed on for their stay during the night.
+Consultations were also held among them, and everything assured me we
+should be attacked.  I sent orders to the master that, when he saw us
+coming down, he should keep the boat close to the shore, that we might
+the more readily embark.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The sun was near setting when I gave the word, on which every person who
+was on shore with me boldly took up his proportion of things and carried
+them to the boat.  The chiefs asked me if I would not stay with them all
+night.  I said "No, I never sleep out of my boat; but in the morning we
+will again trade with you, and I shall remain till the weather is
+moderate, that we may go, as we have agreed, to see Poulaho, at
+Tongataboo."  Macca-ackavow then got up and said, "You will not sleep on
+shore, then, Mattie?" (which directly signifies, we will kill you); and
+he left me.  The onset was now preparing: every one, as I have described
+before, kept knocking stones together; and Eefow quitted me.  All but two
+or three things were in the boat, when we walked down the beach, every
+one in a silent kind of horror.  We all got into the boat, except one
+man, who, while I was getting on board, quitted it, and ran up the beach
+to cast the stern-fast off, notwithstanding the master and others called
+to him to return, while they were hauling me out of the water.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was no sooner in the boat than the attack began by about two hundred
+men; the unfortunate poor man who had run up the beach was knocked down,
+and the stones flew like a shower of shot.  Many Indians got hold of the
+stern rope, and were near hauling the boat on shore, which they would
+certainly have effected, if I had not had a knife in my pocket, with
+which I cut the rope.  We then hauled off to the grapnel, every one being
+more or less hurt.  At this time I saw five of the natives about the poor
+man they had killed, and two of them were beating him about the head with
+stones in their hands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We had no time to reflect, for, to my surprise, they filled their canoes
+with stones, and twelve men came off after us to renew the attack; which
+they did so effectually, as to nearly disable us all.  We were obliged to
+sustain the attack without being able to return it, except with such
+stones as lodged in the boat.  I adopted the expedient of throwing
+overboard some clothes, which, as I expected, they stopped to pick up;
+and as it was by this time almost dark, they gave over the attack, and
+returned towards the shore, leaving us to reflect on our unhappy
+situation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The poor man killed by the natives was John Norton: this was his second
+voyage with me as a quarter-master, and his worthy character made me
+lament his loss very much.  He has left an aged parent, I am told, whom
+he supported.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We set our sails, and steered along shore by the west side of the island
+of Tofoa, the wind blowing fresh from the eastward.  My mind was employed
+in considering what was best to be done, when I was solicited by all
+hands to take them towards home; and when I told them that no hopes of
+relief for us remained, except what might be found at New Holland, till I
+came to Timor, a distance of full twelve hundred leagues, where there was
+a Dutch settlement, but in what part of the Island I knew not, they all
+agreed to live on one ounce of bread and a quarter of a pint of water per
+day.  Therefore, after examining our stock of provisions, and
+recommending to them, in the most solemn manner, not to depart from their
+promise, we bore away across a sea where the navigation is but little
+known, in a small boat, twenty-three feet long from stem to stern, deep
+laden with eighteen men.  I was happy, however, to see that every one
+seemed better satisfied with our situation than myself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Our stock of provisions consisted of about one hundred and fifty pounds
+of bread, twenty-eight gallons of water, twenty pounds of pork, three
+bottles of wine, and five quarts of rum.  The difference between this and
+the quantity we had on leaving the ship was principally owing to our loss
+in the bustle and confusion of the attack.  A few cocoanuts were in the
+boat, and some bread-fruit, but the latter was trampled to pieces.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Sunday, 3d.</I>&mdash;At daybreak the gale increased; the sun rose very fiery
+and red&mdash;a sure indication of a severe gale of wind.  At eight it blew a
+violent storm, and the sea ran very high, so that between the seas the
+sail was becalmed, and when on the top of the sea, it was too much to
+have set; but we could not venture to take in the sail, for we were in
+very imminent danger and distress, the sea curling over the stern of the
+boat, which obliged us to bail with all our might.  A situation more
+distressing has perhaps seldom been experienced.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Our bread was in bags, and in danger of being spoiled by the wet: to be
+starved to death was inevitable, if this could not be prevented.  I
+therefore began to examine what clothes there were in the boat, and what
+other things could be spared; and having determined that only two suits
+should be kept for each person, the rest was thrown overboard, with some
+rope and spare sails, which lightened the boat considerably, and we had
+more room to bail the water out.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Fortunately the carpenter had a good chest in the boat, in which we
+secured the bread the first favorable moment.  His tool-chest also was
+cleared, and the tools stowed in the bottom of the boat, so that this
+became a second convenience.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I served a teaspoonful of rum to each person (for we were very wet and
+cold), with a quarter of a bread-fruit, which was scarce eatable, for
+dinner.  Our engagement was now strictly to be carried into execution,
+and I was fully determined to make our provisions last eight weeks, let
+the daily proportion be ever so small.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Monday, 4th.</I>&mdash;At daylight our limbs were so benumbed, that we could
+scarcely find the use of them.  At this time I served a teaspoonful of
+rum to each person, from which we all found great benefit.  Just before
+noon, we discovered a small flat island, of a moderate height, bearing
+west-south-west four or five leagues.  I observed our latitude to be 18
+degrees 58 minutes south; our longitude was, by account, 3 degrees 4
+minutes west from the island of Tofoa, having made a north 72 degrees
+west course, distance ninety-five miles, since yesterday noon, I divided
+five small cocoanuts for our dinner, and every one was satisfied.  During
+the rest of that day we discovered ten or twelve other islands, none of
+which we approached.  At night I served a few broken pieces of breadfruit
+for supper, and performed prayers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Tuesday, 5th.</I>&mdash;The night having been fair, we awoke after a tolerable
+rest, and contentedly breakfasted on a few pieces of yams that were found
+in the boat.  After breakfast we examined our bread, a great deal of
+which was damaged and rotten; this, nevertheless, we were glad to keep
+for use.  We passed two islands in the course of the day.  For dinner I
+served some of the damaged bread, and a quarter of a pint of water.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Wednesday, 6th.</I>&mdash;We still kept our course in the direction of the North
+of New Holland, passing numerous islands of various sizes, at none of
+which I ventured to land.  Our allowance for the day was a quarter of a
+pint of cocoanut milk, and the meat, which did not exceed two ounces to
+each person.  It was received very contentedly, but we suffered great
+drought.  To our great joy we hooked a fish, but we were miserably
+disappointed by its being lost in trying to get it into the boat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As our lodgings were very miserable, and confined for want of room, I
+endeavored to remedy the latter defect by putting ourselves at watch and
+watch; so that one-half always sat up while the other lay down on the
+boat's bottom, or upon a chest, with nothing to cover us but the heavens.
+Our limbs were dreadfully cramped, for we could not stretch them out; and
+the nights were so cold, and we so constantly wet, that after a few
+hours' sleep, we could scarcely move.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Thursday, 7th.</I>&mdash;Being very wet and cold, I served a spoonful of rum and
+a morsel of bread for breakfast.  We still kept sailing among the
+islands, from one of which two large canoes put out in chase of us; but
+we left them behind.  Whether these canoes had any hostile intention
+against us must remain a doubt: perhaps we might have benefited by an
+intercourse with them; but, in our defenceless situation, to have made
+the experiment would have been risking too much.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I imagine these to be the islands called Feejee, as their extent,
+direction, and distance from the Friendly Islands answer to the
+description given of them by those islanders.  Heavy rain came on at four
+o'clock, when every person did their utmost to catch some water, and we
+increased our stock to thirty-four gallons, besides quenching our thirst
+for the first time since we had been at sea; but an attendant consequence
+made us pass the night very miserably, for, being extremely wet, and
+having no dry things to shift or cover us, we experienced cold shiverings
+scarcely to be conceived.  Most fortunately for us, the forenoon, Friday
+8th, turned out fair, and we stripped and dried our clothes.  The
+allowance I issued to-day was an ounce and a half of pork, a teaspoonful
+of rum, half a pint of cocoanut milk, and an ounce of bread.  The rum,
+though so small in quantity, was of the greatest service.  A fishing-line
+was generally towing from the stern of the boat, but though we saw great
+numbers of fish, we could never catch one.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the afternoon we cleaned out the boat, and it employed us till sunset
+to get everything dry and in order.  Hitherto I had issued the allowance
+by guess, but I now made a pair of scales with two cocoanut shells, and
+having accidentally some pistol-balls in the boat, twenty-five of which
+weighed one pound, or sixteen ounces, I adopted one ball as the
+proportion of weight that each person should receive of bread at the
+times I served it.  I also amused all hands with describing the situation
+of New Guinea and New Holland, and gave them every information in my
+power, that, in case any accident happened to me, those who survived
+might have some idea of what they were about, and be able to find their
+way to Timor, which at present they knew nothing of more than the name,
+and some not even that.  At night I served a quarter of a pint of water
+and half an ounce of bread for supper.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Saturday, 9th.</I>&mdash;About nine in the evening the clouds began to gather,
+and we had a prodigious fall of rain, with severe thunder and lightning.
+By midnight we caught about twenty gallons of water.  Being miserably wet
+and cold, I served to the people a teaspoonful of rum each, to enable
+them to bear with their distressed situation.  The weather continued
+extremely bad, and the wind increased; we spent a very miserable night,
+without sleep, except such as could be got in the midst of rain.  The day
+brought no relief but its light.  The sea broke over us so much, that two
+men were constantly bailing; and we had no choice how to steer, being
+obliged to keep before the waves, for fear of the boat filling.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The allowance now regularly served to each person was 1-25th of a pound
+of bread, and a quarter of a pint of water, at eight in the morning, at
+noon, and at sunset.  To-day I gave about half an ounce of pork for
+dinner, which, though any moderate person would have considered only as a
+mouthful, was divided into three or four.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the wet
+weather continued, with heavy seas and squalls.  As there was no prospect
+of getting our clothes dried, my plan was to make every one strip, and
+wring them through the salt water, by which means they received a warmth
+that, while wet with rain, they could not have.  We were constantly
+shipping seas and bailing, and were very wet and cold during the night.
+The sight of the islands which we were always passing served only to
+increase the misery of our situation.  We were very little better than
+starving, with plenty in view; yet to attempt procuring any relief was
+attended with so much danger, that prolonging of life, even in the midst
+of misery, was thought preferable, while there remained hopes of being
+able to surmount our hardships.  For my own part, I consider the general
+run of cloudy weather to be a blessing of Providence.  Hot weather would
+have caused us to have died with thirst, and probably being so constantly
+covered with rain or sea protected us from that dreadful calamity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Saturday, 16th.</I>&mdash;The sun breaking out through the clouds gave us hopes
+of drying our wet clothes; but the sunshine was of short duration.  We
+had strong breezes at south-east by south, and dark gloomy weather, with
+storms of thunder, lightning, and rain.  The night was truly horrible,
+and not a star to be seen, so that our steerage was uncertain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Sunday, 17th.</I>&mdash;At dawn of day I found every person complaining, and
+some of them solicited extra allowance, which I positively refused.  Our
+situation was miserable; always wet, and suffering extreme cold during
+the night, without the least shelter from the weather.  Being constantly
+obliged to bail, to keep the boat from filling, was perhaps not to be
+reckoned an evil as it gave us exercise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The little rum we had was of great service.  When our nights were
+particularly distressing, I generally served a teaspoonful or two to each
+person; and it was always joyful tidings when they heard of my intentions.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The night was dark and dismal, the sea constantly breaking over us, and
+nothing but the wind and waves to direct our steerage.  It was my
+intention, if possible, to make to New Holland, to the southwest of
+Endeavor Straits, being sensible that it was necessary to preserve such a
+situation as would make a southerly wind a fair one; that we might range
+along the reefs till an opening should be found into smooth water, and we
+the sooner be able to pick up some refreshments.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Monday and Tuesday were terrible days, heavy rain with lightning.  We
+were always bailing.  On Wednesday the 20th, at dawn of day, some of my
+people seemed half dead.  Our appearance was horrible, and I could look
+no way but I caught the eye of some one in distress.  Extreme hunger was
+now too evident; but no one suffered from thirst, nor had we much
+inclination to drink&mdash;that desire, perhaps, being satisfied through the
+skin.  The little sleep we got was in the midst of water, and we
+constantly awoke with severe cramps and pains in our bones.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we were in the same distressed condition,
+and I began to fear that such another night or two would put an end to
+us.  On Saturday, however, the wind moderated in the evening, and the
+weather looked much better, which rejoiced all hands, so that they ate
+their scanty allowance with more satisfaction than for some time past.
+The night also was fair; but being always wet with the sea, we suffered
+much from the cold.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Sunday, 24th.</I>&mdash;A fine morning, I had the pleasure to see produce some
+cheerful countenances; and the first time, for fifteen days past, we
+experienced comfort from the warmth of the sun.  We stripped, and hung
+our clothes up to dry, which were by this time become so threadbare, that
+they would not keep out either wet or cold.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This afternoon we had many birds about us which are never seen far from
+land, such as boobies and noddies.  As the sea began to run fair, and we
+shipped but little water, I took the opportunity to examine into the
+state of our bread, and found that, according to the present mode of
+issuing, there was a sufficient quantity remaining for twenty-nine days'
+allowance, by which time I hoped we should be able to reach Timor; but as
+this was very uncertain, and it was possible that, after all, we might be
+obliged to go to Java, I determined to proportion the allowance so as to
+make our stock hold out six weeks.  I was apprehensive that this would be
+ill received, and that it would require my utmost resolution to enforce
+it; for small as the quantity was which I intended to take away for our
+future good, yet it might appear to my people like robbing them of life;
+and some, who were less patient than their companions, I expected would
+very ill brook it.  However, on my representing the necessity of guarding
+against delays that might be occasioned in our voyage by contrary winds
+or other causes, and promising to enlarge upon the allowance as we got
+on, they cheerfully agreed to my proposal.  It was accordingly settled
+that every person should receive 1-25th of a pound of bread for
+breakfast, and the same quantity for dinner; so that, by omitting the
+proportion for supper, we had forty-three days' allowance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Monday, 25th.</I>&mdash;At noon some noddies came so near to us, that one of
+them was caught by hand.  This bird was about the size of a small pigeon.
+I divided it, with its entrails, into eighteen portions and by a
+well-known method at sea, of "Who shall have this?" [1] it was
+distributed, with the allowance of bread and water for dinner, and ate
+up, bones and all, with salt water for sauce.  I observed the latitude 13
+degrees 32 minutes south; longitude made 35 degrees 19 minutes west,
+course north 89 degrees west, distance one hundred and eight miles.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the evening, several boobies flying very near to us, we had the good
+fortune to catch one of them.  This bird is as large as a duck.  I
+directed the bird to be killed for supper, and the blood to be given to
+three of the people who were most distressed for want of food.  The body,
+with the entrails, beak, and feet, I divided into eighteen shares, and,
+with an allowance of bread, which I made a merit of granting, we made a
+good supper, compared with our usual fare.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sailing on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I at length became satisfied
+that we were approaching New Holland.  This was actually the case; and
+after passing the reefs which bound that part of the coast, we found
+ourselves in smooth water.  Two islands lay about four miles to the west
+by north, and appeared eligible for a resting-place, if for nothing more;
+but on our approach to the nearest island, it proved to be only a heap of
+stones, and its size too inconsiderable to shelter the boat.  We
+therefore proceeded to the next, which was close to it, and towards the
+main.  We landed to examine if there were any signs of the natives being
+near us: we saw some old fireplaces, but nothing to make me apprehend
+that this would be an unsafe situation for the night.  Every one was
+anxious to find something to eat and it was soon discovered that there
+were oysters on these rocks, for the tide was out; but it was nearly
+dark, and only a few could be gathered.  I determined, therefore, to wait
+till the morning, when I should know better how to proceed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Friday, 29th.</I>&mdash;As there were no appearances to make me imagine that any
+of the natives were near us, I sent out parties in search of supplies,
+while others of the people were putting the boat in order.  The parties
+returned, highly rejoiced at having found plenty of oysters and fresh
+water.  I had also made a fire by the help of a small magnifying glass;
+and, what was still more fortunate, we found among a few things which had
+been thrown into the boat, and saved, a piece of brimstone and a
+tinder-box, so that I secured fire for the future.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+One of the people had been so provident as to bring away with him from
+the ship a copper pot: by being in possession of this article, we were
+enabled to make a proper use of the supply we now obtained; for, with a
+mixture of bread, and a little pork, we made a stew that might have been
+relished by people of far more delicate appetites, and of which each
+person received a full pint.  The general complaints of disease among us
+were a dizziness in the head, great weakness of the joints, and violent
+tenesmus.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The oysters which we found grew so fast to the rocks, that it was with
+difficulty they could be broken off, and at length we discovered it to be
+the most expeditious way to open them where they were fixed.  They were
+of a good size, and well tasted.  To add to this happy circumstance, in
+the hollow of the land there grew some wire-grass, which indicated a
+moist situation.  On forcing a stick about three feet long into the
+ground, we found water, and with little trouble dug a well, which
+produced as much as our necessities required.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As the day was the anniversary of the restoration of King Charles II., I
+named the island Restoration Island.  Our short stay there, with the
+supplies which it afforded us, made a visible alteration for the better
+in our appearance.  Next day, Saturday the 30th, at four o'clock, we were
+preparing to embark, when about twenty of the natives appeared, running
+and hallooing to us, on the opposite shore.  They were each armed with a
+spear or lance, and a short weapon which they carried in their left hand.
+They made signs for us to come to them, but I thought it prudent to make
+the best of our way.  They were naked, and apparently black, and their
+hair or wool bushy and short.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Sunday, 31st.</I>&mdash;Many small islands were in sight to the northeast.  We
+landed at one of a good height, bearing north one-half west.  The shore
+was rocky, but the water was smooth, and we landed without difficulty.  I
+sent two parties out, one to the northward, and the other to the
+southward, to seek for supplies, and others I ordered to stay by the
+boat.  On this occasion fatigue and weakness so far got the better of
+their sense of duty, that some of the people expressed their discontent
+at having worked harder than their companions, and declared that they
+would rather be without their dinner than go in search of it.  One
+person, in particular, went so far as to tell me, with a mutinous look,
+that he was as good a man as myself.  It was not possible for me to judge
+where this might have an end, if not stopped in time; therefore, to
+prevent such disputes in future, I determined either to preserve my
+command, or die in the attempt; and seizing a cutlass, I ordered him to
+take hold of another and defend himself, on which he called out that I
+was going to kill him, and immediately made concessions.  I did not allow
+this to interfere further with the harmony of the boat's crew and
+everything soon became quiet.  We here procured some oysters and clams,
+also some dog-fish caught in the holes of the rocks, and a supply of
+water.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Leaving this island, which I named Sunday Island, we continued our course
+towards Endeavor Straits.  During our voyage Nelson became very ill, but
+gradually recovered.  Next day we landed at another island, to see what
+we could get.  There were proofs that the island was occasionally visited
+by natives from New Holland.  Encamping on the shore, I sent out one
+party to watch for turtle, and another to try to catch birds.  About
+midnight the bird party returned, with only twelve noddies, birds which I
+have already described to be about the size of pigeons; but if it had not
+been for the folly and obstinacy of one of the party, who separated from
+the other two, and disturbed the birds, they might have caught a great
+number.  I was so much provoked at my plans being thus defeated, that I
+gave this offender a good beating.  This man afterwards confessed that,
+wandering away from his companions, he had eaten nine birds raw.  Our
+turtling party had no success.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Tuesday and Wednesday we still kept our course northwest, touching at an
+island or two for oysters and clams.  We had now been six days on the
+coast of New Holland, and but for the refreshment which our visit to its
+shore afforded us, it is all but certain that we must have perished.
+Now, however, it became clear that we were leaving it behind, and were
+commencing our adventurous voyage through the open sea to Timor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On Wednesday, June 3rd, at eight o'clock in the evening, we once more
+launched into the open ocean.  Miserable as our situation was in every
+respect, I was secretly surprised to see that it did not appear to affect
+any one so strongly as myself.  I encouraged every one with hopes that
+eight or ten days would bring us to a land of safety; and after praying
+to God for a continuance of His most gracious protection, I served an
+allowance of water for supper, and directed our course to the
+west-south-west, to counteract the southerly winds in case they should
+blow strong.  For six days our voyage continued; a dreary repetition of
+those sufferings which we had experienced before reaching New Holland.
+In the course of the night we were constantly wet with the sea, and
+exposed to cold and shiverings; and in the daytime we had no addition to
+our scanty allowance, save a booby and a small dolphin that we caught,
+the former on Friday the 5th, and the latter on Monday the 8th.  Many of
+us were ill, and the men complained heavily.  On Wednesday the 10th,
+after a very comfortless night, there was a visible alteration for the
+worse in many of the people, which gave me great apprehensions.  An
+extreme weakness, swelled legs, hollow and ghastly countenances, a more
+than common inclination to sleep, with an apparent debility of
+understanding, seemed to me the melancholy presages of an approaching
+dissolution.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Thursday, 11th.</I>&mdash;Every one received the customary allowance of bread
+and water, and an extra allowance of water was given to those who were
+most in need.  At noon I observed in latitude 9 degrees 41 minutes south;
+course south 77 degrees west, distance 109 miles; longitude made 13
+degrees 49 minutes west.  I had little doubt of having now passed the
+meridian of the eastern part of Timor, which is laid down in 128 degrees
+east.  This diffused universal joy and satisfaction.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Friday, 12th.</I>&mdash;At three in the morning, with an excess of joy, we
+discovered Timor bearing from west-south-west to west-north-west, and I
+hauled on a wind to the north-north-east till daylight, when the land
+bore from south-west by south to north-east by north; our distance from
+the shore two leagues.  It is not possible for me to describe the
+pleasure which the blessing of the sight of this land diffused among us.
+It appeared scarcely credible to ourselves that, in an open boat, and so
+poorly provided, we should have been able to reach the coast of Timor in
+forty-one days after leaving Tofoa, having in that time run, by our log,
+a distance of 3,618 miles and that, notwithstanding our extreme distress,
+no one should have perished in the voyage.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I have already mentioned that I knew not where the Dutch settlement was
+situated, but I had a faint idea that it was at the south-west part of
+the island.  I therefore, after daylight, bore away along shore to the
+south-south-west, which I was the more readily induced to do, as the wind
+would not suffer us to go towards the north-east without great loss of
+time.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We coasted along the island in the direction in which I conceived the
+Dutch settlement to lie, and next day, about two o'clock, I came to a
+grapnel in a small sandy bay, where we saw a hut, a dog, and some cattle.
+Here I learned that the Dutch governor resided at a place called Coupang,
+which was some distance to the north-east.  I made signs for one of the
+Indians who came to the beach to go in the boat and show us the way to
+Coupang, intimating that I would pay him for his trouble; the man readily
+complied, and came into the boat.  The Indians, who were of a dark tawny
+color, brought us a few pieces of dried turtle and some ears of Indian
+corn.  This last was the most welcome, for the turtle was so hard, that
+it could not be eaten without being first soaked in hot water.  They
+offered to bring us some other refreshments, if I would wait; but, as the
+pilot was willing, I determined to push on.  It was about half-past four
+when we sailed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+<I>Sunday, 14th.</I>&mdash;At one o'clock in the morning, after the most happy and
+sweet sleep that ever men enjoyed, we weighed, and continued to keep the
+east shore on board, in very smooth water.  The report of two cannon that
+were fired gave new life to every one; and soon after, we discovered two
+square-rigged vessels and a cutter at anchor to the eastward.  After hard
+rowing, we came to a grapnel near daylight, off a small fort and town,
+which the pilot told me was Coupang.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On landing, I was surrounded by many people, Indians and Dutch, with an
+English sailor among them.  A Dutch captain, named Spikerman, showed me
+great kindness, and waited on the governor, who was ill, to know at what
+time I could see him.  Eleven o'clock having been appointed for the
+interview, I desired my people to come on shore, which was as much as
+some of them could do, being scarce able to walk; they, however, were
+helped to Captain Spikerman's house, and found tea, with bread and
+butter, provided for their breakfast.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The abilities of a painter, perhaps, could seldom have been displayed to
+more advantage than in the delineation of the two groups of figures which
+at this time presented themselves to each other.  An indifferent
+spectator would have been at a loss which most to admire&mdash;the eyes of
+famine sparkling at immediate relief, or the horror of their preservers
+at the sight of so many spectres, whose ghastly countenances, if the
+cause had been unknown, would rather have excited terror than pity.  Our
+bodies were nothing but skin and bone, our limbs were full of sores, and
+we were clothed in rags: in this condition, with tears of joy and
+gratitude flowing down our cheeks, the people of Timor beheld us with a
+mixture of horror, surprise, and pity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The governor, Mr. William Adrian Van Este, notwithstanding extreme ill
+health, became so anxious about us, that I saw him before the appointed
+time.  He received me with great affection, and gave me the fullest
+proofs that he was possessed of every feeling of a humane and good man.
+Though his infirmity was so great that he could not do the office of a
+friend himself, he said he would give such orders as I might be certain
+would procure us every supply we wanted.  A house should be immediately
+prepared for me, and with respect to my people, he said that I might have
+room for them either at the hospital or on board of Captain Spikerman's
+ship, which lay in the road.&#8230;
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+FATE OF THE MUTINEERS&mdash;COLONY OF PITCAIRN'S ISLAND
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+The intelligence of the mutiny, and the sufferings of Bligh and his
+companions, naturally excited a great sensation in England.  Bligh was
+immediately promoted to the rank of commander, and Captain Edwards was
+despatched to Otaheite, in the <I>Pandora</I> frigate, with instructions to
+search for the <I>Bounty</I> and her mutinous crew, and bring them to England.
+The <I>Pandora</I> reached Matavai Bay on the 23d of March, 1791; and even
+before she had come to anchor, Joseph Coleman, formerly armorer of the
+<I>Bounty</I>, pushed off from shore in a canoe, and came on board.  In the
+course of two days afterwards, the whole of the remainder of the
+<I>Bounty's</I> crew (in number sixteen) then on the island surrendered
+themselves, with the exception of two, who fled to the mountains where,
+as it afterwards appeared, they were murdered by the natives.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Nearly twenty years elapsed after the period of the above occurrences,
+and all recollection of the <I>Bounty</I> and her wrecked crew had passed
+away, when an accidental discovery, as interesting as unexpected, once
+more recalled public attention to that event.  The captain of an American
+schooner having, in 1808, accidentally touched at an island up to that
+time supposed to be uninhabited, called Pitcairn's Island, found a
+community speaking English, who represented themselves as the descendants
+of the mutineers of the <I>Bounty</I>, of whom there was still one man, of the
+name of Alexander Smith, alive amongst them.  Intelligence of this
+singular circumstance was sent by the American captain (Folger) to Sir
+Sydney Smith at Valparaiso, and by him transmitted to the Lords of the
+Admiralty.  But the government was at that time perhaps too much engaged
+in the events of the continental war to attend to the information, nor
+was anything further heard of this interesting little society until 1814.
+In that year two British men-of-war, cruising in the Pacific, made
+Pitcairn's Island, and on nearing the shore, saw plantations regularly
+and orderly laid out.  Soon afterwards they observed a few natives coming
+down a steep descent, with their canoes on their shoulders, and in a few
+minutes perceived one of these little vessels darting through a heavy
+surf, and paddling off towards the ships.  But their astonishment may be
+imagined when, on coming alongside, they were hailed in good English
+with, "Wont you heave us a rope now?"  This being done, a young man
+sprang up the side with extraordinary activity, and stood on the deck
+before them.  In answer to the question "Who are you?" he replied that
+his name was Thursday October Christian, son of the late Fletcher
+Christian, by an Otaheitan mother; that he was the first born on the
+island, and was so named because he was born on a Thursday in October.
+All this sounded singular and incredible in the ears of the British
+captains, Sir Thomas Staines and Mr. Pipon; but they were soon satisfied
+of its truth.  Young Christian was at this time about twenty-four years
+old, a tall handsome youth, fully six feet high, with black hair, and an
+open interesting English countenance.  As he wore no clothes, except a
+piece of cloth round his loins, and a straw-hat ornamented with black
+cock's feathers, his fine figure and well-shaped muscular limbs were
+displayed to great advantage, and attracted general admiration.  His body
+was much tanned by exposure to the weather; but although his complexion
+was somewhat brown, it wanted that tinge of red peculiar to the natives
+of the Pacific.  He spoke English correctly both in grammar and
+pronunciation; and his frank and ingenuous deportment excited in every
+one the liveliest feelings of compassion and interest.  His companion was
+a fine handsome youth, of seventeen or eighteen years of age, named
+George Young, son of one of the <I>Bounty's</I> midshipmen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The youths expressed great surprise at everything they saw, especially a
+cow, which they supposed to be either a huge goat or a horned sow, having
+never seen any other quadrupeds.  When questioned concerning the
+<I>Bounty</I>, they referred the captains to an old man on shore, the only
+surviving Englishman, whose name, they said, was John Adams, but who
+proved to be the identical Alexander Smith before-mentioned, having
+changed his name from some caprice or other.  The officers went ashore
+with the youths, and were received by old Adams (as we shall now call
+him), who conducted them to his house, and treated them to an elegant
+repast of eggs, fowl, yams, plantains, bread-fruit, etc.  They now
+learned from him an account of the fate of his companions, who, with
+himself, preferred accompanying Christian in the <I>Bounty</I> to remaining at
+Otaheite&mdash;which account agreed with that he afterwards gave at greater
+length to Captain Beechey in 1828.  Our limits will not permit us to
+detail all the interesting particulars at length, as we could have
+wished, but they are in substance as follows:&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was Christian's object, in order to avoid the vengeance of the British
+law, to proceed to some unknown and uninhabited island, and the Marquesas
+Islands were first fixed upon.  But Christian, on reading Captain
+Cartaret's account of Pitcairn's Island, thought it better adapted for
+the purpose, and shaped his course thither.  Having landed and traversed
+it, they found it every way suitable to their wishes, possessing water,
+wood, a good soil, and some fruits.  Having ascertained all this, they
+returned on board, and having landed their hogs, goats, and poultry, and
+gutted the ship of everything that could be useful to them, they set fire
+to her, and destroyed every vestige that might lead to the discovery of
+their retreat.  This was on the 23d of January 1790.  The island was then
+divided into nine equal portions amongst them a suitable spot of neutral
+ground being reserved for a village.  The poor Otaheitans now found
+themselves reduced to the condition of mere slaves; but they patiently
+submitted, and everything went on peacefully for two years.  About that
+time Williams, one of the seamen, having the misfortune to lose his wife,
+forcibly took the wife of one of the Otaheitans, which, together with
+their continued ill-usage, so exasperated the latter that they formed a
+plan for murdering the whole of their oppressors.  The plot, however, was
+discovered, and revealed by the Englishmen's wives, and two of the
+Otaheitans were put to death.  But the surviving natives soon afterwards
+matured a more successful conspiracy, and in one day murdered five of the
+Englishmen, including Christian.  Adams and Young were spared at the
+intercession of their wives, and the remaining two, M'Koy and Quintal
+(two desperate ruffians), escaped to the mountains, whence, however, they
+soon rejoined their companions.  But the further career of these two
+villains was short.  M'Koy, having been bred up in a Scottish distillery,
+succeeded in extracting a bottle of ardent spirits from the <I>tee root</I>;
+from which time he and Quintal were never sober, until the former became
+delirious, and committed suicide by jumping over a cliff.  Quintal being
+likewise almost insane with drinking, made repeated attempts to murder
+Adams and Young, until they were absolutely compelled, for their own
+safety, to put him to death, which they did by felling him with a hatchet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Adams and Young were at length the only surviving males who had landed on
+the island, and being both of a serious turn of mind and having time for
+reflection and repentance, they became extremely devout.  Having saved a
+Bible and prayer-book from the <I>Bounty</I>, they now performed family
+worship morning and evening, and addressed themselves to training up
+their own children and those of their unfortunate companions in piety and
+virtue.  Young, however, was soon carried off by an asthmatic complaint,
+and Adams was thus left to continue his pious labors alone.  At the time
+Captains Staines and Pipon visited the island, this interesting little
+colony consisted of about forty-six persons, mostly grown-up young
+people, all living in harmony and happiness together; and not only
+professing, but fully understanding and practicing, the precepts and
+principles of the Christian religion.  Adams had instituted the ceremony
+of marriage, and he assured his visitors that not one instance of
+debauchery and immoral conduct had occurred amongst them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The visitors having supplied these interesting people with some tools,
+kettles, and other articles, took their leave.  The account which they
+transmitted home of this newly-discovered colony was, strange to say, as
+little attended to by government as that of Captain Folger, and nothing
+more was heard of Adams and his family for nearly twelve years, when, in
+1825, Captain Beechey, in the <I>Blossom</I>, bound on a voyage of discovery
+to Behring Strait, touched at Pitcairn's Island.  On the approach of the
+<I>Blossom</I>, a boat came off under all sail towards the ship, containing
+old Adams and ten of the young men of the island.  After requesting and
+obtaining leave to come on board, the young men sprung up the side, and
+shook every officer cordially by the hand.  Adams, who was grown very
+corpulent, followed more leisurely.  He was dressed in a sailor's shirt
+and trousers, with a low-crowned hat, which he held in his hand in sailor
+fashion, while he smoothed down his bald forehead when addressed by the
+officers of the <I>Blossom</I>.  The little colony had now increased to about
+sixty-six, including an English sailor of the name of John Buffett, who,
+at his own earnest desire, had been left by a whaler.  In this man the
+society luckily found an able and willing schoolmaster.  He instructed
+the children in reading, writing, and arithmetic, and devoutly
+co-operated with old Adams in affording religious instruction to the
+community.  The officers of the <I>Blossom</I> went ashore, and were
+entertained with a sumptuous repast at young Christian's, the table being
+spread with plates, knives and forks.  Buffett said grace in an emphatic
+manner; and so strict were they in this respect, that it was not deemed
+proper to touch a morsel of bread without saying grace both before and
+after it.  The officers slept in the house all night, their bedclothing
+and sheets consisting of the native cloth made of the native
+mulberry-tree.  The only interruption to their repose was the melody of
+the evening hymn, which was chanted together by the whole family after
+the lights were put out; and they were awakened at early dawn by the same
+devotional ceremony.  On Sabbath the utmost decorum was attended to, and
+the day was passed in regular religious observances.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In consequence of a representation made by Captain Beechey, the British
+government sent out Captain Waldegrave in 1830, in the <I>Seringapatam</I>,
+with a supply of sailors' blue jackets and trousers, flannels, stockings
+and shoes, women's dresses, spades, mattocks, shovels, pick-axes,
+trowels, rakes, etc.  He found their community increased to about
+seventy-nine, all exhibiting the same unsophisticated and amiable
+characteristics as we have before described.  Other two Englishmen had
+settled amongst them; one of them, called Nobbs, a low-bred, illiterate
+man, a self-constituted missionary, who was endeavoring to supersede
+Buffett in his office of religious instruction.  The patriarch Adams, it
+was found, had died in March, 1829, aged sixty-five.  While on his
+deathbed, he had called the heads of families together, and urged upon
+them to elect a chief; which, however, they had not yet done; but the
+greatest harmony still prevailed amongst them, notwithstanding Nobb's
+exertions to form a party of his own.  Captain Waldegrave thought that
+the island, which is about four miles square, might be able to support a
+thousand persons, upon reaching which number they would naturally
+emigrate to other Islands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Such is the account of this most singular colony, originating in crime
+and bloodshed.  Of all the repentant criminals on record, the most
+interesting, perhaps, is John Adams; nor do we know where to find a more
+beautiful example of the value of early instruction than in the history
+of this man, who, having run the full career of nearly all kinds of vice,
+was checked by an interval of leisurely reflection, and the sense of new
+duties awakened by the power of natural affections.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+[1] One person turns his back on the object that is to be divided;
+another then points separately to the portions, at each of them asking
+aloud, "Who shall have this?" to which the first answers by naming
+somebody.  This impartial method of division gives every man an equal
+chance of the best share.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap06"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE WRECK OF THE _ROYAL CAROLINE_
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "The Red Rover," BY JAMES FENNIMORE COOPER
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+Our watchful adventurer captain was not blind to these sinister omens.
+No sooner did the peculiar atmosphere by which the mysterious image that
+he so often examined was suddenly surrounded, catch his eye, than his
+voice was raised in the clear, powerful, and exciting notes of warning.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Stand by," he called aloud, "to in-all-studding-sails!  Down with them!"
+he added, scarcely giving his former words time to reach the ears of his
+subordinates.  "Down with every rag of them, fore and aft the ship!  Man
+the top-gallant clew-lines, Mr. Earing.  Clew up, and clew down!  In with
+every thing, cheerily, men!&mdash;In!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This was a language to which the crew of the <I>Caroline</I> were no
+strangers, and it was doubly welcome, since the meanest seaman amongst
+them had long thought that his unknown commander had been heedlessly
+trifling with the safety of the vessel, by the hardy manner in which he
+disregarded the wild symptoms of the weather.  But they undervalued the
+keen-eyed vigilance of Wilder.  He had certainly driven the Bristol
+trader through the water at a rate she had never been known to go before;
+but, thus far, the facts themselves gave evidence in his favour, since no
+injury was the consequence of what they deemed temerity.  At the quick
+sudden order just given, however, the whole ship was in an uproar.  A
+dozen seamen called to each other, from different parts of the vessel,
+each striving to lift his voice above the roaring ocean; and there was
+every appearance of a general and inextricable confusion; but the same
+authority which had so unexpectedly aroused them into activity, produced
+order from their ill-directed though vigorous efforts.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilder had spoken, to awaken the drowsy and to excite the torpid.  The
+instant he found each man on the alert, he resumed his orders with a
+calmness that gave a direction to the powers of all, and yet with an
+energy that he well knew was called for by the occasion.  The enormous
+sheets of duck, which had looked like so many light clouds in the murky
+and threatening heavens, were soon seen fluttering wildly, as they
+descended from their high places, and, in a few minutes, the ship was
+reduced to the action of her more secure and heavier canvas.  To effect
+this object, every man in the ship exerted his powers to the utmost,
+under the guidance of the steady but rapid mandates of their commander.
+Then followed a short and apprehensive pause.  All eyes were turned
+towards the quarter where the ominous signs had been discovered; and each
+individual endeavored to read their import, with an intelligence
+correspondent to the degree of skill he might have acquired, during his
+particular period of service on that treacherous element which was now
+his home.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The dim tracery of the stranger's form had been swallowed by the flood of
+misty light, which, by this time, rolled along the sea like drifting
+vapour, semi-pellucid, preternatural, and seemingly tangible.  The ocean
+itself appeared admonished that a quick and violent change was nigh.  The
+waves ceased to break in their former foaming and brilliant crests, and
+black masses of the water lifted their surly summits against the eastern
+horizon, no longer shedding their own peculiar and lucid atmosphere
+around them.  The breeze which had been so fresh, and which had even
+blown with a force that nearly amounted to a gale, was lulling and
+becoming uncertain, as it might be awed by the more violent power that
+was gathering along the borders of the sea, in the direction of the
+neighbouring continent.  Each moment, the eastern puffs of air lost their
+strength, becoming more and more feeble, until, in an incredibly short
+period, the heavy sails were heard flapping against the masts.  A
+frightful and ominous calm succeeded.  At this instant, a gleam flashed
+from the fearful obscurity of the ocean, and a roar, like that of a
+sudden burst of thunder, bellowed along the waters.  The seamen turned
+their startled looks on each other, standing aghast, as if a warning of
+what was to follow had come out of the heavens themselves.  But their
+calm and more sagacious commander put a different construction on the
+signal.  His lip curled, in high professional pride, and he muttered with
+scorn,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Does he imagine that we sleep?  Ay, he has got it himself, and would
+open our eyes to what is coming?  What does he conjecture we have been
+about, since the middle watch was set?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilder made a swift turn or two on the quarter-deck, turning his quick
+glances from one quarter of the heavens to another; from the black and
+lulling water on which his vessel was rolling, to the sails; and from his
+silent and profoundly expectant crew, to the dim lines of spars that were
+waving above his head, like so many pencils tracing their curvilinear and
+wanton images over the murky volumes of the superincumbent clouds.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lay the after-yards square!" he said, in a voice which was heard by
+every man on deck, though his words were apparently spoken but little
+above his breath.  The creaking of the blocks, as the spars came slowly
+and heavily round to the indicated position, contributed to the imposing
+character of the moment, sounding like notes of fearful preparation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Haul up the courses!" resumed Wilder with the same eloquent calmness of
+manner.  Then, taking another glance at the threatening horizon, he added
+slowly but with emphasis, "Furl them&mdash;furl them both.  Away aloft, and
+hand your courses!" he continued in a shout; "roll them up, cheerily; in
+with them, boys, cheerily; in!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The conscious seamen took their impulses from the tones of their
+commander.  In a moment, twenty dark forms were leaping up the rigging,
+with the alacrity of so many quadrupeds.  In another minute, the vast and
+powerful sheets of canvas were effectually rendered harmless, by securing
+them in tight rolls to their respective spars.  The men descended as
+swiftly as they had mounted to the yards; and then succeeded another
+breathing pause.  At this appalling moment, a candle would have sent its
+flame perpendicularly towards the heavens.  The ship, missing the
+steadying power of the wind, rolled heavily in the troughs of the seas,
+which began to lessen at each instant, as if the startled element was
+recalling into the security of its own vast bosom that portion of its
+particles which had so lately been permitted to gambol madly over its
+surface.  The water washed sullenly along the side of the ship, or, as
+she labouring rose from one of her frequent falls into the hollows of the
+waves, it shot back into the ocean from her decks in glittering cascades.
+Every hue of the heavens, every sound of the element, and each dusky and
+anxious countenance, helped to proclaim the intense interest of the
+moment.  In this brief interval of expectation and inactivity, the mates
+again approached their commander.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is an awful night, Captain Wilder!" said Earing, presuming on his
+rank to be the first to speak.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have known far less notice given of a shift of wind," was the answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We have had time to gather in our kites, 'tis true, sir; but there are
+signs and warnings that come with this change which the oldest seaman
+must dread!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," continued Knighthead, in a voice that sounded hoarse and powerful,
+even amid the fearful accessories of that scene; "yes, it is no trifling
+commission that can call people that I shall not name out upon the water
+in such a night as this.  It was in just such weather that I saw the
+<I>Vesuvius</I> ketch go to a place so deep, that her own mortar would not
+have been able to have sent a bomb into the open air, had hands and fire
+been there fit to let it off!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ay; and it was in such a time that the <I>Greenlandman</I> was cast upon the
+Orkneys, in as flat a calm as ever lay on the sea."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Gentlemen," said Wilder, with a peculiar and perhaps an ironical
+emphasis on the word, "what would ye have?  There is not a breath of air
+stirring and the ship is naked to her topsails!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It would have been difficult for either of the two malcontents to give a
+very satisfactory answer to this question.  Both were secretly goaded by
+mysterious and superstitious apprehensions, that were powerfully aided by
+the more real and intelligible aspect of the night; but neither had so
+far forgotten his manhood, and his professional pride, as to lay bare the
+full extent of his own weakness, at a moment when he was liable to be
+called upon for the exhibition of qualities of a more positive and
+determined character.  The feeling that was uppermost betrayed itself in
+the reply of Earing, though in an indirect and covert manner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, the vessel is snug enough now," he said, "though eyesight has shown
+us it is no easy matter to drive a freighted ship through the water as
+fast as one of those flying craft aboard which no man can say who stands
+at the helm, by what compass she steers, or what is her draught!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ay," resumed Knighthead, "I call the <I>Caroline</I> fast for an honest
+trader.  There are few square-rigged boats who do not wear the pennants
+of the king, that can eat her out of the wind on a bowline, or bring her
+into their wake with studding-sails set.  But this is a time and an hour
+to make a seaman think.  Look at yon hazy light, here in with the land,
+that is coming so fast down upon us, and then tell me whether it comes
+from the coast of America, or whether it comes from out of the stranger
+who has been so long running under our lee, but who has got, or is fast
+getting, the wind of us at last, while none here can say how, or why.  I
+have just this much, and no more, to say: give me for consort a craft
+whose captain I know, or give me none!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Such is your taste, Mr. Knighthead," said Wilder, coldly; "mine may, by
+some accident, be different."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, yes," observed the more cautious and prudent Earing, "in time of
+war, and with letters of marque aboard, a man may honestly hope the sail
+he sees should have a stranger for her master; or otherwise he would
+never fall in with an enemy.  But, though an Englishman born myself, I
+should rather give the ship in that mist a clear sea, seeing that I
+neither know her nation nor her cruise.  Ah, Captain Wilder, this is an
+awful sight for the morning watch!  Often and often have I seen the sun
+rise in the east, and no harm done; but little good can come of a day
+when the light first breaks in the west.  Cheerfully would I give the
+owners the last month's pay, hard as it has been earned, did I but know
+under what flag the stranger sails."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Frenchman, Don, or Devil, yonder he comes!" cries Wilder.  Then, turning
+towards the attentive crew, he shouted, in a voice that was appalling by
+its vehemence and warning, "Let run the after-halyards! round with the
+fore-yard; round with it, men, with a will!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+These were cries that the startled crew but too well understood.  Every
+nerve and muscle were exerted to execute the orders, to be in readiness
+for the tempest.  No man spoke; but each expended the utmost of his power
+and skill in direct and manly efforts.  Nor was there, in verity, a
+moment to lose, or a particle of human strength expended here, without a
+sufficient object.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The lurid and fearful-looking mist, which, for the last quarter of an
+hour, had been gathering in the north-west, was driving down upon them
+with the speed of a race-horse.  The air had already lost the damp and
+peculiar feeling of an easterly breeze; and little eddies were beginning
+to flutter among the masts&mdash;precursors of the coming squall.  Then, a
+rushing, roaring sound was heard moaning along the ocean, whose surface
+was first dimpled, next ruffled, and finally covered with a sheet of
+clear, white, and spotless foam.  At the next moment, the power of the
+wind fell upon the inert and labouring Bristol trader.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+While the gust was approaching, Wilder had seized the slight opportunity
+afforded by the changeful puffs of air to get the ship as much as
+possible before the wind; but the sluggish movement of the vessel met
+neither the wishes of his own impatience nor the exigencies of the
+moment.  Her bows slowly and heavily fell off from the north, leaving her
+precisely in a situation to receive the first shock on her broadside.
+Happy it was, for all who had life at risk in that defenceless vessel,
+that she was not fated to receive the whole weight of the tempest at a
+blow.  The sails fluttered and trembled on their massive yards, bellying
+and collapsing alternately for a minute, and then the rushing wind swept
+over them in a hurricane.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The <I>Caroline</I> received the blast like a stout and buoyant ship as she
+was, yielding to its impulse until her side lay nearly incumbent on the
+element; and then, as if the fearful fabric were conscious of its
+jeopardy, it seemed to lift its reclining masts again, struggling to work
+its way through the water.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Keep the helm a-weather!  Jam it a-weather, for your life!" shouted
+Wilder, amid the roar of the gust.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The veteran seaman at the wheel obeyed the order with steadiness, but in
+vain did he keep his eyes on the margin of his head sail, to watch the
+manner in which the ship would obey its power.  Twice more, in as many
+moments, the giddy masts fell towards the horizon, waving as often
+gracefully upward, and then they yielded to the mighty pressure of the
+wind, until the whole machine lay prostrate on the water.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Be cool!" said Wilder, seizing the bewildered Earing by the arm, as the
+latter rushed madly up the steep of the deck; "it is our duty to be calm;
+bring hither an axe."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Quick as the thought which gave the order, the admonished mate complied,
+jumping into the mizzen-channels of the ship, to execute with his own
+hands the mandate that he knew must follow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Shall I cut?" he demanded, with uplifted arms, and in a voice that
+atoned for his momentary confusion, by its steadiness and force.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hold!&mdash;Does the ship mind her helm at all?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not an inch, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then cut," Wilder clearly and calmly added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A single blow sufficed for the discharge of this important duty.
+Extended to the utmost powers of endurance, by the vast weight it upheld,
+the lanyard struck by Earing no sooner parted, than each of its fellows
+snapped in succession, leaving the mast dependent on its wood for the
+support of all the ponderous and complicated hamper it upheld.  The
+cracking of the spar came next; and the whole fell, like a tree that had
+been snapped at its foundation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Does she fall off?" called Wilder, to the observant seaman at the wheel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She yielded a little, sir; but this new squall is bringing her up again."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Shall I cut?" shouted Earing from the main-rigging, whither he had
+leaped, like a tiger who had bounded on his prey.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Cut."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A louder and more imposing crash succeeded this order, though not before
+several heavy blows had been struck into the massive mast itself.  As
+before, the sea received the tumbling maze of spars, rigging, and sails;
+the vessel surging at the same instant, from its recumbent position, and
+rolling far and heavily to windward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She rights! she rights!" exclaimed twenty voices which had been mute, in
+a suspense that involved life and death.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Keep her dead away!" added the calm but authoritative voice of the young
+commander.  "Stand by to furl the fore-top-sail&mdash;let it hang a moment to
+drag the ship clear of the wreck&mdash;cut, cut&mdash;cheerily, men&mdash;hatchets and
+knives&mdash;cut <I>with</I> all, and cut <I>off</I> all!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As the men now worked with the vigour of hope, the ropes that still
+confined the fallen spars to the vessel were quickly severed; and the
+<I>Caroline</I>, by this time dead before the gale, appeared barely to touch
+the foam that covered the sea.  The wind came over the waste in gusts
+that rumbled like distant thunder, and with a power that seemed to
+threaten to lift the ship from its proper element.  As a prudent and
+sagacious seaman had let fly the halyards, of the solitary sail that
+remained, at the moment the squall approached, the loosened but lowered
+topsail was now distended in a manner that threatened to drag after it
+the only mast which still stood.  Wilder saw the necessity of getting rid
+of the sail, and he also saw the utter impossibility of securing it.
+Calling Earing to his side, he pointed out the danger, and gave the
+necessary order.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The spar cannot stand such shocks much longer," he concluded; "should it
+go over the bows, some fatal blow might be given to the ship at the rate
+she is moving.  A man or two must be sent aloft to cut the sail from the
+yards."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The stick is bending like a willow whip," returned the mate, "and the
+lower mast itself is sprung.  There would be great danger in trusting a
+hand in that top, while these wild squalls are breathing around us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You may be right," returned Wilder, with a sudden conviction of the
+truth of what the other had said.  "Stay you then here; if any thing
+befall me, try to get the vessel into port as far north as the Capes of
+Virginia, at least;&mdash;on no account attempt Hatteras, in the present
+condition of&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What would you do, Captain Wilder?" interrupted the mate, laying his
+hand on the shoulder of his commander, who had already thrown his sea-cap
+on the deck, and was preparing to divest himself of some of his outer
+garments.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I go aloft to ease the mast of that topsail, without which we lose the
+spar, and possibly the ship."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I see that plain enough; but, shall it be said that another did the duty
+of Edward Earing?  It is your business to carry the vessel into the Capes
+of Virginia, and mine to cut the topsail adrift.  If harm comes to me,
+why, put it in the log, with a word or two about the manner in which I
+played my part.  That is the most proper epitaph for a sailor."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilder made no resistance.  He resumed his watchful and reflecting
+attitude, with the simplicity of one who had been too long trained to the
+discharge of certain obligations himself, to manifest surprise that
+another should acknowledge their imperative character.  In the mean time,
+Earing proceeded steadily to perform what he had just promised.  Passing
+into the waist of the ship, he provided himself with a suitable hatchet,
+and then, without speaking a syllable to any of the mute but attentive
+seamen, he sprang into the fore-rigging, every strand and rope-yarn of
+which was tightened by the strain nearly to snapping.  The understanding
+eyes of his observers comprehended his intention; and with precisely the
+same pride of station as had urged him to the dangerous undertaking four
+or five of the oldest mariners jumped upon the rattlings, to mount into
+an air that apparently teemed with a hundred hurricanes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lie down out of that fore-rigging," shouted Wilder, through a deck
+trumpet; "lie down; all, but the mate, lie down!"  His words were borne
+past the inattentive ears of the excited and mortified followers of
+Earing, but for once they failed of their effect.  Each man was too
+earnestly bent on his purpose to listen to the sounds of recall.  In less
+than a minute, the whole were scattered along the yards, prepared to obey
+the signal of their officer.  The mate cast a look about him; perceiving
+that the time was comparatively favorable, he struck a blow upon the
+large rope that confined one of the lower angles of the distended and
+bursting sail to the yard.  The effect was much the same as would be
+produced by knocking away the key-stone of an ill-cemented arch.  The
+canvas broke from its fastenings with a loud explosion, and, for an
+instant, it was seen sailing in the air ahead of the ship, as if it were
+sustained on wings.  The vessel rose on a sluggish wave&mdash;the lingering
+remains of the former breeze&mdash;and settled heavily over the rolling surge,
+borne down alike by its own weight and the renewed violence of the gusts.
+At this critical instant, while the seamen aloft were still gazing in the
+direction in which the little cloud of canvas had disappeared, a lanyard
+of the lower rigging parted, with a crack that reached the ears of Wilder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lie down!" he shouted wildly through his trumpet; "down by the
+backstays; down for your lives; every man of you, down!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A solitary individual profited by the warning gliding to the deck with
+the velocity of the wind.  But rope parted after rope, and the fatal
+snapping of the wood followed.  For a moment, the towering maze tottered,
+seeming to wave towards every quarter of the heavens; and then, yielding
+to the movements of the hull, the whole fell, with a heavy crash, into
+the sea.  Cord, lanyard, and stay snapped like thread, as each received
+in succession the strain of the ship, leaving the naked and despoiled
+hull of the <I>Caroline</I> to drive before the tempest, as if nothing had
+occurred to impede its progress.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A mute and eloquent pause succeeded the disaster.  It seemed as if the
+elements themselves were appeased by their work, and something like a
+momentary lull in the awful rushing of the winds might have been fancied.
+Wilder sprang to the side of the vessel, and distinctly beheld the
+victims, who still clung to their frail support.  He even saw Earing
+waving his hand in adieu with a seaman's heart, like a man who not only
+felt how desperate was his situation, but who knew how to meet it with
+resignation.  Then the wreck of spars, with all who clung to it, was
+swallowed up in the body of the frightful, preternatural-looking mist
+which extended on every side of them, from the ocean to the clouds.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Stand by, to clear away a boat!" shouted Wilder, without pausing to
+think of the impossibility of one's swimming, or of effecting the least
+good, in so violent a tornado.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But the amazed and confounded seamen who remained needed no instruction
+in this matter.  Not a man moved, nor was the smallest symptom of
+obedience given.  The mariners looked wildly around them, each
+endeavouring to trace in the dusky countenance of some shipmate his
+opinion of the extent of the evil; but not a mouth opened among them all.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is too late&mdash;it is too late!" murmured Wilder; "human skill and human
+efforts could not save them!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sail, ho!" Knighthead shouted in a voice that was teeming with
+superstitious awe.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let him come on," returned his young commander, bitterly; "the mischief
+is ready done to his hands!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Should this be a true ship, it is our duty to the owners and the
+passengers to speak her, if a man can make his voice heard in this
+tempest," the second mate continued, pointing, through the haze, at the
+dim object that was certainly at hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Speak her!&mdash;passengers!" muttered Wilder, involuntarily repeating his
+words.  "No; any thing is better than speaking her.  Do you see the
+vessel that is driving down upon us so fast?" he sternly demanded of the
+watchful seaman who still clung to the wheel of the <I>Caroline</I>.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ay, ay, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Give her a berth&mdash;sheer away hard to port&mdash;perhaps he may pass us in the
+gloom, now we are no higher than our decks.  Give the ship a broad sheer,
+I say, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The usual laconic answer was given; and, for a few moments, the Bristol
+trader was seen diverging a little from the line in which the other
+approached; but a second glance assured Wilder that the attempt was
+useless.  The strange ship (every man on board felt certain it was the
+same that had so long been seen hanging in the north-western horizon)
+came on through the mist, with a swiftness that nearly equalled the
+velocity of the tempestuous winds themselves.  Not a thread of canvas was
+seen on board her.  Each line of spars, even to the tapering and delicate
+top-gallant masts, was in its place, preserving the beauty and symmetry
+of the whole fabric; but nowhere was the smallest fragment of a sail
+opened to the gale.  Under her bows rolled a volume of foam that was even
+discernible amid the universal agitation of the ocean; and, as she came
+within sound, the sullen roar of the water might have been likened to the
+noise of a cascade.  At first, the spectators on the decks of the
+<I>Caroline</I> believed they were not seen, and some of the men called madly
+for lights, in order that the disasters of the night might not terminate
+in an encounter.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Too many see us there already!" said Wilder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, no," muttered Knighthead; "no fear but we are seen; and by such
+eyes, too, as never yet looked out of mortal head!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The seamen paused.  In another instant, the long-seen and mysterious ship
+was within a hundred feet of them.  The very power of that wind, which
+was wont usually to raise the billows, now pressed the element, with the
+weight of mountains, into its bed.  The sea was every where a sheet of
+froth, but the water did not rise above the level of the surface.  The
+instant a wave lifted itself from the security of the vast depths, the
+fluid was borne away before the tornado in glittering spray.  Along this
+frothy but comparatively motionless surface, then, the stranger came
+booming with the steadiness and grandeur with which a cloud is seen
+sailing in the hurricane.  No sign of life was discovered about her.  If
+men looked out from their secret places, upon the straitened and
+discomfited wreck of the Bristol trader, it was covertly, and as darkly
+as the tempest before which they drove.  Wilder held his breath, for the
+moment the stranger was nighest, in the very excess of suspense, but, as
+he saw no signal of recognition, no human form, nor any intention to
+arrest, if possible, the furious career of the other, a smile gleamed
+across his countenance, and his lips moved rapidly, as if he found
+pleasure in being abandoned to his distress.  The stranger drove by, like
+a dark vision; and, ere another minute, her form was beginning to grow
+less distinct, in the body of spray to leeward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She is going out of sight in the mist!" exclaimed Wilder, when he drew
+his breath, after the fearful suspense of the few last moments.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ay, in mist or clouds," responded Knighthead, who now kept obstinately
+at his elbow, watching with the most jealous distrust, the smallest
+movement of his unknown commander.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"In the heavens, or in the sea, I care not, provided he be gone."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Most seamen would rejoice to sec a strange sail, from the hull of a
+vessel shaved to the deck like this."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Men often court their destruction, from ignorance of their own
+interests.  Let him drive on, say I, and pray I!  He goes four feet to
+our one; and I ask no better favour than that this hurricane may blow
+until the sun shall rise."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Knighthead started, and cast an oblique glance, which resembled
+denunciation, at his companion.  To his superstitious mind, there was
+profanity in thus invoking the tempest, at a moment when the winds seemed
+already to be pouring out their utmost wrath.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This is a heavy squall, I will allow," he said, "and such a one as many
+mariners pass whole lives without seeing; but he knows little of the sea
+who thinks there is not more wind where this comes from."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let it blow!" cried the other, striking his hands together a little
+wildly; "I pray for wind!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All the doubts of Knighthead, as to the character of the young stranger
+who had so unaccountably got possession of the office of Nicholas
+Nichols, if any remained, were now removed.  He walked forward among the
+silent and thoughtful crew, with the air of a man whose opinion was
+settled.  Wilder, however, paid no attention to the movements of his
+subordinate, but continued pacing the deck for hours; now casting his
+eyes at the heavens, and now sending frequent and anxious glances around
+the limited horizon, while the <I>Royal Caroline</I> still continued drifting
+before the wind, a shorn and naked wreck.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap07"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE CAPTURE OF THE GREAT WHITE WHALE
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "Moby Dick," BY HERMAN MELVILLE
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+That night, in the mid-watch, when the old man&mdash;as his wont at
+intervals&mdash;stepped forth from the scuttle in which he leaned, and went
+to his pivot-hole, he suddenly thrust out his face fiercely, snuffing
+up the sea air as a sagacious ship's dog will, in drawing nigh to some
+barbarous isle.  He declared that a whale must be near.  Soon that
+peculiar odor, sometimes to a great distance given forth by the living
+sperm whale, was palpable to all the watch; nor was any mariner
+surprised when, after inspecting the compass, and then the dog-vane,
+and then ascertaining the precise bearing of the odor as nearly as
+possible, Ahab rapidly ordered the ship's course to be slightly
+altered, and the sail to be shortened.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The acute policy dictating these movements was sufficiently vindicated
+at daybreak, by the sight of a long sleek on the sea directly and
+lengthwise ahead, smooth as oil, and resembling in the pleated watery
+wrinkles bordering it, the polished metallic-like marks of some swift
+tide-rip, at the mouth of a deep, rapid stream.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Man the mast-heads!  Call all hands!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thundering with the butts of three clubbed handspikes on the forecastle
+deck, Daggoo roused the sleepers with such judgment claps that they
+seemed to exhale from the scuttle, so instantaneously did they appear
+with their clothes in their hands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What d'ye see?" cried Ahab, flattening his face to the sky.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nothing, nothing, sir!" was the sound hailing down in reply.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"T'gallant sails!&mdash;stunsails! alow and aloft, and on both sides!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All sail being set, he now cast loose the life-line, reserved for
+swaying him to the main royal-mast head; and in a few moments they were
+hoisting him thither, when, while but two-thirds of the way aloft, and
+while peering ahead through the horizontal vacancy between the
+main-top-sail and top-gallant-sail, he raised a gull-like cry in the
+air, "There she blows!&mdash;there she blows!  A hump like a snow-hill!  It
+is Moby Dick!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Fired by the cry which seemed simultaneously taken up by the three
+look-outs, the men on deck rushed to the rigging to behold the famous
+whale they had so long been pursuing.  Ahab had now gained his final
+perch, some feet above the other look-outs, Tashtego standing just
+beneath him on the cap of the top-gallant-mast, so that the Indian's
+head was almost on a level with Ahab's heel.  From this height the
+whale was now seen some mile or so ahead, at every roll of the sea
+revealing his high sparkling hump, and regularly jetting his silent
+spout into the air.  To the credulous mariners it seemed the same
+silent spout they had so long ago beheld in the moon-lit Atlantic and
+Indian Oceans.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And did none of ye see it before?" cried Ahab, hailing the perched men
+all around him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I saw him almost that same instant, sir, that Captain Ahab did, and I
+cried out," said Tashtego.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not the same instant; not the same&mdash;no, the doubloon is mine, Fate
+reserved the doubloon for me.  I only; none of ye could have raised the
+White Whale first.  There she blows! there she blows!&mdash;there she blows!
+There again&mdash;there again!" he cried, in long-drawn, lingering, methodic
+tones, attuned to the gradual prolongings of the whale's visible jets.
+"He's going to sound!  In stunsails!  Down top-gallant-sails!  Stand by
+three boats.  Mr. Starbuck, remember, stay on board, and keep the ship.
+Helm there!  Luff, luff a point!  So; steady, man, steady!  There go
+flukes!  No, no; only black water!  All ready the boats there?  Stand
+by, stand by!  Lower me, Mr. Starbuck; lower, lower,&mdash;quick, quicker!"
+and he slid through the air to the deck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He is heading straight to leeward, sir," cried Stubb, "right away from
+us; cannot have seen the ship yet."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Be dumb, man!  Stand by the braces!  Hard down the helm!&mdash;brace up!
+Shiver her!&mdash;shiver her!  So; well that!  Boats, boats!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Soon all the boats but Starbuck's were dropped; all the boat-sails
+set&mdash;all the paddles plying; with rippling swiftness, shooting to
+leeward; and Ahab heading the onset.  A pale, death-glimmer lit up
+Fedallah's sunken eyes; a hideous motion gnawed his mouth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Like noiseless nautilus shells, their light prows sped through the sea;
+but only slowly they neared the foe.  As they neared him, the ocean
+grew still more smooth; seemed drawing a carpet over its waves; seemed
+a noon-meadow, so serenely it spread.  At length the breathless hunter
+came so nigh his seemingly unsuspecting prey, that his entire dazzling
+hump was distinctly visible, sliding along the sea as if an isolated
+thing, and continually set in a revolving ring of finest, fleecy,
+greenish foam.  He saw the vast, involved wrinkles of the slightly
+projecting head beyond.  Before it, far out on the soft Turkish-rugged
+waters, went the glistening white shadow from his broad, milky
+forehead, a musical rippling playfully accompanying the shade; and
+behind, the blue waters interchangeably flowed over into the moving
+valley of his steady wake; and on either hand bright bubbles arose and
+danced by his side.  But these were broken again by the light toes of
+hundreds of gay fowl softly feathering the sea, alternate with their
+fitful flight; and like to some flag-staff rising from the painted hull
+of an argosy, the tall but shattered pole of a recent lance projected
+from the white whale's back; and at intervals one of the cloud of
+soft-toed fowls hovering, and to and fro skimming like a canopy over
+the fish, silently perched and rocked on this pole, the long tail
+feathers streaming like pennons.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A gentle joyousness&mdash;a mighty mildness of repose in swiftness, invested
+the gliding whale.  Not the white bull Jupiter swimming away with
+ravished Europa clinging to his graceful horns; his lovely, leering
+eyes sideways intent upon the maid; with smooth bewitching fleetness,
+rippling straight for the nuptial bower in Crete; not Jove, not that
+great majesty Supreme! did surpass the glorified White Whale as he so
+divinely swam.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On each soft side&mdash;coincident with the parted swell, that but once
+leaving him, then flowed so wide away&mdash;on each bright side, the whale
+shed off enticings.  No wonder there had been some among the hunters
+who namelessly transported and allured by all this serenity, had
+ventured to assail it; but had fatally found that quietude but the
+vesture of tornadoes.  Yet calm, enticing calm, oh, whale! thou glidest
+on, to all who for the first time eye thee, no matter how many in that
+same way thou may'st have bejuggled and destroyed before.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And thus, through the serene tranquillities of the tropical sea, among
+waves whose hand-clappings were suspended by exceeding rapture, Moby
+Dick moved on, still withholding from sight the full terrors of his
+submerged trunk, entirely hiding the wrenched hideousness of his jaw.
+But soon the fore part of him slowly rose from the water; for an
+instant his whole marbleized body formed a high arch, like Virginia's
+Natural Bridge, and warningly waving his bannered flukes in the air,
+the grand god revealed himself, sounded, and went out of sight.
+Hoveringly, halted, and dipping on the wing, the white sea-fowls
+longingly lingered over the agitated pool that he left.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With oars apeak, and paddles down, the sheets of their sails adrift,
+the three boats now stilly floated, awaiting Moby Dick's reappearance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"An hour," said Ahab, standing rooted in his boat's stern; and he gazed
+beyond the whale's place, toward the dim blue spaces and wide wooing
+vacancies to leeward.  It was only an instant; for again his eyes
+seemed whirling round in his head as he swept the watery circle.  The
+breeze now freshened; the sea began to swell.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The birds!&mdash;the birds!" cried Tashtego.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In long Indian file, as when herons take wing, the white birds were now
+all flying towards Ahab's boat; and when within a few yards began
+fluttering over the water there, wheeling round and round, with joyous,
+expectant cries.  Their vision was keener than man's; Ahab could
+discover no sign in the sea.  But suddenly as he peered down and down
+into its depths, he profoundly saw a white living spot no bigger than a
+white weasel, with wonderful celerity uprising, and magnifying as it
+rose, till it turned, and then there were plainly revealed two long
+crooked rows of white, glistening teeth, floating up from the
+undiscoverable bottom.  It was Moby Dick's open mouth and scrolled jaw;
+his vast, shadowed bulk still half blending with the blue of the sea.
+The glittering mouth yawned beneath the boat like an open-doored marble
+tomb; and giving one sidelong sweep with his steering oar, Ahab whirled
+the craft aside from this tremendous apparition.  Then, calling upon
+Fedallah to change places with him, went forward to the bows, and
+seizing Perth's harpoon, commanded his crew to grasp their oars and
+stand by to stern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now, by reason of this timely spinning round the boat upon its axis,
+its bow, by anticipation, was made to face the whale's head while yet
+under water.  But as if perceiving this stratagem, Moby Dick, with that
+malicious intelligence ascribed to him, sidelingly transplanted
+himself, at it were, in an instant, shooting his pleated head
+lengthwise beneath the boat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Through and through; through every plank and each rib, it thrilled for
+an instant, the whale obliquely lying on his back, in the manner of a
+biting shark, slowly and feelingly taking its bows full within his
+mouth, so that the long, narrow, scrolled lower jaw curled high up into
+the open air, and one of the teeth caught in a row-lock.  The bluish
+pearl-white of the inside of the jaw was within six inches of Ahab's
+head, and reached higher than that.  In this attitude the White Whale
+now shook the slight cedar as a mildly cruel cat her mouse.  With
+unastonished eyes Fedallah gazed, and crossed his arms; but the
+tiger-yellow crew were tumbling over each other's heads to gain the
+uttermost stern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And now, while both elastic gunwales were springing in and out, as the
+whale dallied with the doomed craft in this devilish way; and from his
+body being submerged beneath the boat, he could not be darted at from
+the bows, for the bows were almost inside of him, as it were; and while
+the other boats involuntarily paused, as before a quick crisis
+impossible to withstand, then it was that monomaniac Ahab, furious with
+this tantalizing vicinity of his foe, which placed him all alive and
+helpless in the very jaws he hated; frenzied with all this, he seized
+the long bone with his naked hands, and wildly strove to wrench it from
+its gripe.  As now he thus vainly strove, the jaw slipped from him; the
+frail gunwales bent in, collapsed, and snapped, as both jaws, like an
+enormous shears, sliding further aft, bit the craft completely in
+twain, and locked themselves fast again in the sea, midway between the
+two floating wrecks.  These floated aside, the broken ends drooping,
+the crew at the stern-wreck clinging to the gunwales, and striving to
+hold fast to the oars to lash them across.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At that preluding moment, ere the boat was yet snapped, Ahab, the first
+to perceive the whale's intent, by the crafty upraising of his head, a
+movement that loosed his hold for the time; at that moment his hand had
+made one final effort to push the boat out of the bite.  But only
+slipping further into the whale's mouth, and tilting over sideways as
+it slipped, the boat had shaken off his hold on the jaw; spilled him
+out of it, as he leaned to the push; and so he fell flat-faced upon the
+sea.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Rippingly withdrawing from his prey, Moby Dick now lay at a little
+distance, vertically thrusting his oblong white head up and down in the
+billows; and at the same time slowly revolving his whole spindled body;
+so that when his vast wrinkled forehead rose&mdash;some twenty or more feet
+out of the water&mdash;the now rising swells, with all their confident
+waves, dazzlingly broke against it; vindictively tossing their shivered
+spray still higher into the air.[1]  So, in a gale, the but half
+baffled Channel billows only recoil from the base of the Eddy-stone,
+triumphantly to overleap its summit with their scud.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But soon resuming his horizontal attitude, Moby Dick swam swiftly round
+and round the wrecked crew; sideways churning the water in his vengeful
+wake, as if lashing himself up to still another and more deadly
+assault.  The sight of the splintered boat seemed to madden him, as the
+blood of grapes and mulberries cast before Antiochus's elephants in the
+book of Maccabees.  Meanwhile Ahab half smothered in the foam of the
+whale's insolent tail, and too much of a cripple to swim,&mdash;though he
+could still keep afloat, even in the heart of such a whirlpool as that;
+helpless Ahab's head was seen, like a tossed bubble which the least
+chance shock might burst.  From the boat's fragmentary stern, Fedallah
+incuriously and mildly eyed him; the clinging crew, at the other
+drifting end, could not succor him; more than enough was it to look to
+themselves.  For so revolvingly appalling was the White Whale's aspect,
+and so planetarily swift the ever-contracting circles he made, that he
+seemed horizontally swooping upon them.  And though the other boats
+unharmed, still hovered hard by; still they dared not pull into the
+eddy to strike, lest that should be the signal for the instant
+destruction of the jeopardized castaways, Ahab and all; nor in that
+case could they themselves hope to escape.  With straining eyes, then,
+they remained on the outer edge of the direful zone, whose centre had
+now become the old man's head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Meantime, from the beginning all this had been descried from the ship's
+mast heads; and squaring her yards, she had borne down upon the scene;
+and was now so nigh, that Ahab in the water hailed her:&mdash;"Sail on
+the"&mdash;but that moment a breaking sea dashed on him from Moby Dick, and
+whelmed him for the time.  But struggling out of it again, and chancing
+to rise on a towering crest, he shouted,&mdash;"Sail on the whale!&mdash;Drive
+him off!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The <I>Pequod's</I> prows were pointed; and breaking up the charmed circle,
+she effectually parted the whale from his victim.  As he suddenly swam
+off, the boats flew to the rescue.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dragged into Stubb's boat with blood-shot, blinded eyes, the white
+brine caking in his wrinkles; the long tension of Ahab's bodily
+strength did crack, and helplessly he yielded to his body's doom: for a
+long time, lying all crushed in the bottom of Stubb's boat, like one
+trodden under foot of herds of elephants.  Far inland, nameless wails
+came from him, as desolate sounds from out ravines.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But this intensity of his physical prostration did but so much the more
+abbreviate it.  In an instant's compass, great hearts sometimes
+condense to one deep pang, the sum total of those shallow pains kindly
+diffused through feebler men's whole lives.  And so, such hearts,
+though summary in each one suffering; still, if the gods decree it, in
+their life-time aggregate a whole age of woe, wholly made up of
+instantaneous intensities; for even in their pointless centres, those
+noble natures contain the entire circumferences of inferior souls.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The harpoon," said Ahab, half way rising, and draggingly leaning on
+one bended arm&mdash;"is it safe!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aye, sir, for it was not darted; this is it," said Stubb, showing it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lay it before me;&mdash;any missing men!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"One, two, three, four, five;&mdash;there were five oars, sir, and here are
+five men."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's good.&mdash;Help me, man; I wish to stand.  So, so, I see him!
+there! there! going to leeward still; what a leaping spout!&mdash;Hands off
+from me!  The eternal sap runs up in Ahab's bones again!  Set the sail;
+out oars; the helm!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It is often the case that when a boat is stove, its crew, being picked
+up by another boat, help to work that second boat; and the chase is
+thus continued with what is called double-banked oars.  It was thus
+now.  But the added power of the boat did not equal the added power of
+the whale, for he seemed to have treble-banked his every fin; swimming
+with a velocity which plainly showed, that if now, under these
+circumstances, pushed on, the chase would prove an indefinitely
+prolonged, if not a hopeless one; nor could any crew endure for so long
+a period, such an unintermitted, intense straining at the oar; a thing
+barely tolerable only in some one brief vicissitude.  The ship itself,
+then, as it sometimes happens, offered the most promising intermediate
+means of overtaking the chase.  Accordingly, the boats now made for
+her, and were soon swayed up to their cranes&mdash;the two parts of the
+wrecked boat having been previously secured by her&mdash;and then hoisting
+everything to her side, and stacking her canvas high up, and sideways
+outstretching it with stun-sails, like the double-jointed wings of an
+albatross; the <I>Pequod</I> bore down in the leeward wake of Moby Dick.  At
+the well known, methodic intervals, the whale's glittering spout was
+regularly announced from the manned mast-heads; and when he would be
+reported as just gone down, Ahab would take the time, and then pacing
+the deck, binnacle-watch in hand, so soon as the last second of the
+allotted hour expired, his voice was heard.&mdash;"Whose is the doubloon
+now?  D'ye see him?" and if the reply was, No, sir! straightway he
+commanded them to lift him to his perch.  In this way the day wore on;
+Ahab, now aloft and motionless; anon, unrestingly pacing the planks.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As he was thus walking, uttering no sound, except to hail the men
+aloft, or to bid them hoist a sail still higher, or to spread one to a
+still greater breadth&mdash;thus to and fro pacing, beneath his slouched
+hat, at every turn he passed his own wrecked boat, which had been
+dropped upon the quarter-deck, and lay there reversed; broken bow to
+shattered stern.  At last he paused before it; and as in an already
+over-clouded sky fresh troops of clouds will sometimes sail across, so
+over the old man's face there now stole some such added gloom as this.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Stubb saw him pause; and perhaps intending, not vainly, though, to
+evince his own unabated fortitude, and thus keep up a valiant place in
+his Captain's mind, he advanced, and eyeing the wreck exclaimed&mdash;"The
+thistle the ass refused; it pricked his mouth too keenly, sir; ha! ha!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What soulless thing is this that laughs before a wreck?  Man, man! did
+I not know thee brave as fearless fire (and as mechanical) I could
+swear thou wert a poltroon.  Groan nor laugh should be heard before a
+wreck."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aye, sir," said Starbuck drawing near, "'tis a solemn sight; an omen,
+and an ill one."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Omen? omen?&mdash;the dictionary!  If the gods think to speak outright to
+man, they will honorably speak outright; not shake their heads, and
+give an old wives' darkling hint.&mdash;Begone!  Ye two are the opposite
+poles of one thing; Starbuck is Stubb reversed, and Stubb is Starbuck;
+and ye two are all mankind; and Ahab stands alone among the millions of
+the peopled earth, nor gods nor men his neighbors!  Cold, cold&mdash;I
+shiver!&mdash;How now?  Aloft there!  D'ye see him?  Sing out for every
+spout, though he spout ten times a second!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The day was nearly done; only the hem of his golden robe was rustling.
+Soon, it was almost dark, but the look-out men still remained unset.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Can't see the spout now, sir;&mdash;too dark"&mdash;cried a voice from the air.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How heading when last seen?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As before, sir,&mdash;straight to leeward."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good! he will travel slower now 'tis night.  Down royals and
+top-gallant stun-sails, Mr. Starbuck.  We must not run over him before
+morning; he's making a passage now, and may heave-to a while.  Helm
+there! keep her full before the wind!&mdash;Aloft! come down!&mdash;Mr. Stubb,
+send a fresh hand to the fore-mast head, and see it manned till
+morning."&mdash;Then advancing towards the doubloon in the main-mast&mdash;"Men,
+this gold is mine, for I earned it; but I shall let it abide here till
+the White Whale is dead; and then, whosoever of ye first raises him,
+upon the day he shall be killed, this gold is that man's; and if on
+that day I shall again raise him, then, ten times its sum shall be
+divided among all of ye!  Away now!&mdash;the deck is thine, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And so saying, he placed himself half way within the scuttle, and
+slouching his hat, stood there till dawn, except when at intervals
+rousing himself to see how the night wore on.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+SECOND DAY.
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+At day-break, the three mast-heads were punctually manned afresh.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"D'ye see him?" cried Ahab, after allowing a little space for the light
+to spread.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"See nothing, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Turn up all hands and make sail! he travels faster than I thought
+for;&mdash;the top-gallant sails!&mdash;aye, they should have been kept on her
+all night.  But no matter&mdash;'tis but resting for the rush."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Here be it said, that this pertinacious pursuit of one particular
+whale, continued through day into night, and through night into day, is
+a thing by no means unprecedented in the South sea fishery.  For such
+is the wonderful skill, prescience of experience, and invincible
+confidence acquired by some great natural geniuses among the Nantucket
+commanders; that from the simple observation of a whale when last
+descried, they will, under certain given circumstances, pretty
+accurately foretell both the direction in which he will continue to
+swim for a time, while out of sight, as well as his probable rate of
+progression during that period.  And, in these cases, somewhat as a
+pilot, when about losing sight of a coast, whose general trending he
+well knows, and which he desires shortly to return to again, but at
+some further point; like as this pilot stands by his compass, and takes
+the precise bearing of the cape at present visible, in order the more
+certainly to hit aright the remote, unseen headland, eventually to be
+visited: so does the fisherman, at his compass, with the whale; for
+after being chased, and diligently marked, through several hours of
+daylight, then, when night obscures the fish, the creature's future
+wake through the darkness is almost as established to the sagacious
+mind of the hunter, as the pilot's coast is to him.  So that to this
+hunter's wondrous skill, the proverbial evanescence of a thing writ in
+water, a wake, is to all desired purposes well-nigh as reliable as the
+steadfast land.  And as the mighty iron Leviathan of the modern railway
+is so familiarly known in its every pace, that, with watches in their
+hands, men time his rate, as doctors that of a baby's pulse; and
+lightly say of it, the up train or the down train will reach such or
+such a spot, at such or such an hour; even so, almost, there are
+occasions when these Nantucketers time that other Leviathan of the
+deep, according to the observed humor of his speed; and say to
+themselves, so many hours hence this whale will have gone two hundred
+miles, will have about reached this or that degree of latitude or
+longitude.  But to render this acuteness at all successful in the end,
+the wind and the sea must be the whaleman's allies; for of what present
+avail to the becalmed or windbound mariner is the skill that assures
+him he is exactly ninety-three leagues and a quarter from his port?
+Inferable from these statements, are many collateral subtile matters
+touching the chase of whales.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The ship tore on; leaving such a furrow in the sea as when a
+cannon-ball, missent, becomes a ploughshare and turns up the level
+field.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By salt and hemp!" cried Stubb, "but this swift motion of the deck
+creeps up one's legs and tingles at the heart.  This ship and I are two
+brave fellows!&mdash;Ha! ha!  Some one take me up, and launch me,
+spine-wise, on the sea,&mdash;for by live-oaks! my spine's a keel.  Ha, ha!
+we go the gait that leaves no dust behind!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There she blows&mdash;she blows!&mdash;she blows!&mdash;right ahead!" was now the
+mast-head cry.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aye, aye!" cried Stubb, "I knew it&mdash;ye can't escape&mdash;blow on and split
+your spout, O whale! the mad fiend himself is after ye! blow your
+trump&mdash;blister your lungs!&mdash;Ahab will dam off your blood, as a miller
+shuts his water-gate upon the stream!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And Stubb did but speak out for well-nigh all that crew.  The frenzies
+of the chase had by this time worked them bubblingly up, like old wine
+worked anew.  Whatever pale fears and forebodings some of them might
+have felt before; these were not only now kept out of sight through the
+growing awe of Ahab, but they were broken up, and on all sides routed,
+as timid prairie hares that scatter before the bounding bison.  The
+hand of Fate had snatched all their souls; and by the stirring perils
+of the previous day; the rack of the past night's suspense; the fixed,
+unfearing, blind, reckless way in which their wild craft went plunging
+towards its flying mark; by all these things, their hearts were bowled
+along.  The wind that made great bellies of their sails, and rushed the
+vessel on by arms invisible as irresistible; this seemed the symbol of
+that unseen agency which so enslaved them to the race.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They were one man, not thirty.  For as the one ship that held them all;
+though it was put together of all contrasting things&mdash;oak, and maple,
+and pine wood; iron, and pitch, and hemp&mdash;yet all these ran into each
+other in the one concrete hull, which shot on its way, both balanced
+and directed by the long central keel; even so, all the individualities
+of the crew, this man's valor, that man's fear; guilt and guiltiness,
+all varieties were welded into oneness, and were all directed to that
+fatal goal which Ahab their one lord and keel did point to.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The rigging lived.  The mast-heads, like the tops of tall palms, were
+outspreadingly tufted with arms and legs.  Clinging to a spar with one
+hand, some reached forth the other with impatient wavings; others,
+shading their eyes from the vivid sunlight, sat far out on the rocking
+yards; all the spars in full bearing of mortals, ready and ripe for
+their fate.  Ah! how they still strove through that infinite blueness
+to seek out the thing that might destroy them!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why sing ye not out for him, if ye see him?" cried Ahab, when, after
+the lapse of some minutes since the first cry, no more had been heard.
+"Sway me up, men; ye have been deceived; not Moby Dick casts one odd
+jet that way, and then disappears."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was even so; in their headlong eagerness, the men had mistaken some
+other thing for the whale-spout, as the event itself soon proved; for
+hardly had Ahab reached his perch; hardly was the rope belayed to its
+pin on deck, when he struck the keynote to an orchestra, that made the
+air vibrate as with the combined discharge of rifles.  The triumphant
+halloo of thirty buckskin lungs was heard, as&mdash;much nearer to the ship
+than the place of the imaginary jet, less than a mile ahead&mdash;Moby Dick
+bodily burst into view!  For not by any calm and indolent spoutings!
+not by the peaceable gush of that mystic fountain in his head, did the
+White Whale now reveal his vicinity; but by the far more wondrous
+phenomenon of breaching.  Rising with his utmost velocity from the
+furthest depths, the Sperm Whale thus booms his entire bulk into the
+pure element of air, and piling up a mountain of dazzling foam, shows
+his place to the distance of seven miles and more.  In those moments,
+the torn, enraged waves he shakes off, seem his mane; in some cases,
+this breaching is his act of defiance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There she breaches! there she breaches!" was the cry, as in his
+immeasurable bravadoes the White Whale tossed himself salmon-like to
+Heaven.  So suddenly seen in the blue plain of the sea, and relieved
+against the still bluer margin of the sky, the spray that he raised,
+for the moment, intolerably glittered and glared like a glacier; and
+stood there gradually fading and fading away from its first sparkling
+intensity, to the dim mistiness of an advancing shower in a vale.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aye, breach your last to the sun, Moby Dick!" cried Ahab, "thy hour
+and thy harpoon are at hand!&mdash;Down! down all of ye, but one man at the
+fore.  The boats!&mdash;stand by!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Unmindful of the tedious rope-ladders of the shrouds, the men, like
+shooting stars, slid to the deck, by the isolated backstays and
+halyards; while Ahab, less dartingly, but still rapidly was dropped
+from his perch.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lower away," he cried, so soon as he had reached his boat&mdash;a spare
+one, rigged the afternoon previous.  "Mr. Starbuck, the ship is
+thine&mdash;keep away from the boats, but keep near them.  Lower, all!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As if to strike a quick terror into them, by this time being the first
+assailant himself, Moby Dick had turned, and was now coming for the
+three crews.  Ahab's boat was central; and cheering his men, he told
+them he would take the whale head-and-head,&mdash;that is, pull straight up
+to his forehead,&mdash;a not uncommon thing; for when within a certain
+limit, such a course excludes the coming onset from the whale's
+sidelong vision.   But ere that close limit was gained, and while yet
+all three boats were plain as the ship's three masts to his eye; the
+White Whale churning himself into furious speed, almost in an instant
+as it were, rushing among the boats with open jaws, and a lashing tail,
+offered appalling battle on every side; and heedless of the irons
+darted at him from every boat, seemed only intent on annihilating each
+separate plank of which those boats were made.  But skillfully
+manoeuvred, incessantly wheeling like trained charges in the field; the
+boats for a while eluded him; though, at times, but by a plank's
+breadth; while all the time, Ahab's unearthly slogan tore every other
+cry but his to shreds.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But at last in his untraceable evolutions, the White Whale so crossed
+and recrossed, and in a thousand ways entangled the clack of the three
+lines now fast to him, that they foreshortened, and, of themselves,
+warped the devoted boats towards the planted irons in him; though now
+for a moment the whale drew aside a little, as if to rally for a more
+tremendous charge.  Seizing that opportunity, Ahab first paid out more
+line: and then was rapidly hauling and jerking in upon it again&mdash;hoping
+that way to disencumber it of some snarls&mdash;when lo!&mdash;a sight more
+savage than the embattled teeth of sharks!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Caught and twisted&mdash;corkscrewed in the mazes of the line, loose
+harpoons and lances, with all their bristling barbs and points, came
+flashing and dripping up to the chocks in the bows of Ahab's boat.
+Only one thing could be done.  Seizing the boat-knife, he critically
+reached within&mdash;through&mdash;and then, without&mdash;the rays of steel; dragged
+in the line beyond, passed it inboard, to the bowsman, and then, twice
+sundering the rope near the chocks&mdash;dropped the intercepted fagot of
+steel into the sea; and was all fast again.  That instant, the White
+Whale made a sudden rush among the remaining tangles of the other
+lines; by so doing, irresistibly dragged the more involved boats of
+Stubb and Flack towards his flukes; dashed them together like two
+rolling husks on a surf-beaten beach, and then, diving down into the
+sea, disappeared in a boiling maelstrom, in which, for a space, the
+odorous cedar chips of the wrecks danced round and round, like grated
+nutmeg in a swiftly stirred bowl of punch.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+While the two crews were yet circling in the waters, reaching out after
+the revolving line-tubs, oars, and other floating furniture, while
+aslope little Flask bobbed up and down like an empty vial, twitching
+his legs upwards to escape the dreaded jaws of sharks; and Stubb was
+lustily singing out for some one to ladle him up; and while the old
+man's line&mdash;now parting&mdash;admitted of his pulling into the creamy pool
+to rescue whom he could;&mdash;in that wild simultaneousness of a thousand
+concreted perils,&mdash;Ahab's yet unstricken boat seemed drawn up towards
+Heaven by invisible wires,&mdash;as, arrow-like, shooting perpendicularly
+from the sea, the White Whale dashed his broad forehead against its
+bottom, and sent it, turning over and over, into the air; till it fell
+again&mdash;gunwale downwards&mdash;and Ahab and his men struggled out from under
+it, like seals from a sea-side cave.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The first uprising momentum of the whale&mdash;modifying its direction as he
+struck the surface&mdash;involuntarily launched him along it, to a little
+distance from the centre of the destruction he had made; and with his
+back to it, he now lay for a moment slowly feeling with his flukes from
+side to side; and whenever a stray oar, bit of plank, the least chip or
+crumb of the boats touched his skin, his tall swiftly drew back, and
+came sideways smiting the sea.  But soon, as if satisfied that his work
+for that time was done, he pushed his pleated forehead through the
+ocean, and trailing after him the intertangled lines, continued his
+leeward way at a traveller's methodic pace.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As before, the attentive ship having descried the whole fight, again
+came bearing down to the rescue, and dropping a boat, picked up the
+floating mariners, tubs, oars, and whatever else could be caught at,
+and safely landed them on her decks.  Some sprained shoulders, wrists,
+and ankles; livid contusions; wrenched harpoons and lances;
+inextricable intricacies of rope; shattered oars and planks; all these
+were there; but no fatal or even serious ill seemed to have befallen
+any one.  As with Fedallah the day before, so Ahab was now found grimly
+clinging to his boat's broken half, which afforded a comparatively easy
+float; nor did it so exhaust him as the previous day's mishap.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But when he was helped to the deck, all eyes were fastened upon him; as
+instead of standing by himself he still half-hung upon the shoulder of
+Starbuck, who had thus far been the foremost to assist him.  His ivory
+leg had been snapped off, leaving but one short sharp splinter.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aye aye, Starbuck, 'tis sweet to lean sometimes, be the leaner who he
+will; and would old Ahab had leaned oftener than he has."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The ferrule has not stood, sir," said the carpenter, now coming up; "I
+put good work into that leg."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But no bones broken, sir, I hope," said Stubb with true concern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aye! and all splintered to pieces, Stubb!&mdash;d'ye see it.&mdash;But even with
+a broken bone, old Ahab is untouched; and I account no living bone of
+mine one jot more me, than this dead one that's lost.  Nor white whale,
+nor man, nor fiend, can so much as graze old Ahab in his own proper and
+inaccessible being.  Can any lead touch yonder floor, any mast scrape
+yonder roof?&mdash;Aloft there! which way?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dead to leeward, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Up helm, then; pile on the sail again, ship keepers!  down the rest of
+the spare boats and rig them&mdash;Mr. Starbuck away, and muster the boat's
+crews."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let me first help thee towards the bulwarks, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, oh, oh! how this splinter gores me now!  Accursed fate! that the
+unconquerable captain in the soul should have such a craven mate!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My body, man, not thee.  Give me something for a cane&mdash;there, that
+shivered lance will do.  Muster the men.  Surely I have not seen him
+yet.  By heaven it cannot be!&mdash;missing?&mdash;quick! call them all."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The old man's hinted thought was true.  Upon mustering the company, the
+Parsee was not there.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Parsee!" cried Stubb&mdash;"he must have been caught in&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The black vomit wrench thee!&mdash;run all of ye above, alow, cabin,
+forecastle&mdash;find him&mdash;not gone&mdash;not gone!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But quickly they returned to him with the tidings that the Parsee was
+nowhere to be found.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aye, sir," said Stubb&mdash;"caught among the tangles of your line&mdash;I
+thought I saw him dragging under."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My line! my line?  Gone?&mdash;gone?   What means that little word?&mdash;What
+death-knell rings in it, that old Ahab shakes as if he were the belfry.
+The harpoon, too!&mdash;toss over the litter there,&mdash;d'ye see it?&mdash;the
+forged iron, men, the white whale's&mdash;no, no, no,&mdash;blistered fool! this
+hand did dart it!&mdash;'tis in the fish!&mdash;Aloft there!  Keep him
+nailed&mdash;Quick!&mdash;all hands to the rigging of the boats&mdash;collect the
+oars&mdash;harpooners! the irons, the irons! hoist the royals higher&mdash;a pull
+on all the sheets!  helm there! steady, steady for your life!  I'll
+ten-times girdle the unmeasured globe; yea and dive straight through
+it, but I'll slay him yet!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Great God! but for one single instant show thyself," cried Starbuck;
+"never, never will thou capture him, old man&mdash;In Jesus' name no more of
+this, that's worse than devil's madness.  Two days chased; twice stove
+to splinters; thy very leg once more snatched from under thee; thy evil
+shadow gone&mdash;all good angles mobbing thee with warnings:&mdash;what more
+wouldst thou have?&mdash;Shall we keep chasing this murdeous fish till he
+swamps the last man?  Shall we be dragged by him to the bottom of the
+sea?  Shall we be towed by him to the infernal world?  Oh, oh,&mdash;Impiety
+and blasphemy to hunt him more!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Starbuck, of late I've felt strangely moved to thee; ever since that
+hour we both saw&mdash;thou know'st what, in one another's eyes.  But in
+this matter of the whale, be the front of thy face to me as the palm of
+this hand&mdash;a lipless, unfeatured blank.  Ahab is for ever Ahab, man.
+This whole act's immutably decreed.  'Twas rehearsed by thee and me a
+billion years before this ocean rolled.  Fool!  I am the Fates'
+lieutenant; I act under orders.  Look thou, underling! that thou
+obeyest mine.&mdash;Stand round me, men.  Ye see an old man cut down to the
+stump; leaning on a shivered lance; propped up on a lonely foot.  'Tis
+Ahab&mdash;his body's part; but Ahab's soul's a centipede, that moves upon a
+hundred legs.  I feel strained, half-stranded, as ropes that tow
+dismasted frigates in a gale; and I may look so.  But ere I break,
+ye'll hear me crack; and till ye hear that, know that Ahab's hawser
+tows his purpose yet.  Believe ye, men, in the things called omens?
+Then laugh aloud, and cry encore!  For ere they drown, drowning things
+will twice rise to the surface; then rise again, to sink for evermore.
+So with Moby Dick&mdash;two days he's floated&mdash;to-morrow will be the third.
+Aye, men, he'll rise once more,&mdash;but only to spout his last!  D'ye feel
+brave men, brave?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As fearless fire," cried Stubb.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And as mechanical," muttered Ahab.  Then as the men went forward, he
+muttered on:&mdash;"The things called omens!  And yesterday I talked the
+same to Starbuck there, concerning my broken boat.  Oh! how valiantly I
+seek to drive out of others' hearts what's clinched so fast in
+mine!&mdash;The Parsee&mdash;the Parsee!&mdash;gone, gone? and he was to go
+before:&mdash;but still was to be seen again ere I could perish&mdash;How's
+that?&mdash;There's a riddle now might baffle all the lawyers backed by the
+ghosts of the whole line of judges:&mdash;like a hawk's beak it pecks my
+brain.  <I>I'll, I'll</I> solve it, though!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When dusk descended, the whale was still in sight to leeward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So once more the sail was shortened, and everything passed nearly as on
+the previous night; only, the sound of hammers, and the hum of the
+grindstone was heard till nearly daylight, as the men toiled by
+lanterns in the complete and careful rigging of the spare boats and
+sharpening their fresh weapons for the morrow.  Meantime, of the broken
+keel of Ahab's wrecked craft the carpenter made him another leg; while
+still as on the night before, slouched Ahab stood fixed within his
+scuttle; his hid, heliotrope glance anticipatingly gone backward on its
+dial; sat due eastward for the earliest sun.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THIRD DAY.
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+The morning of the third day dawned fair and fresh, and once more the
+solitary night-man at the fore-masthead was relieved by crowds of the
+daylight lookouts, who dotted every mast and almost every spar.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"D'ye see him?" cried Ahab; but the whale was not yet in sight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"In his infallible wake, though; but follow that wake, that's all.
+Helm there; steady, as thou goest, and hast been going.  What a lovely
+day again! were it a new-made world, and made for a summer-house to the
+angels, and this morning the first of its throwing open to them, a
+fairer day could not dawn upon that world.  Here's food for thought,
+had Ahab time to think; but Ahab never thinks; he only feels, feels,
+feels; <I>that's</I> tingling enough for mortal man! to think's audacity.
+God only has that right and privilege.  Thinking is, or ought to be, a
+coolness and a calmness; and our poor hearts throb, and our poor brains
+beat too much for that.  And yet, I've sometimes thought my brain was
+very calm&mdash;frozen calm, this old skull cracks so, like a glass in which
+the contents turned to ice, and shiver it.  And still this hair is
+growing now; this moment growing, and the heat must breed it; but no,
+it's like that sort of common grass that will grow anywhere, between
+the earthly clefts of Greenland ice or in Vesuvius lava.  How the wild
+winds blow; they whip about me as the torn shreds of split sails lash
+the tossed ship they cling to.  A vile wind that has no doubt blown ere
+this through prison corridors and cells, and wards of hospitals, and
+ventilated them, and now comes blowing hither as innocent as fleeces.
+Out upon it!&mdash;it's tainted.  Were I the wind, I'd blow no more on such
+a wicked, miserable world.  I'd crawl somewhere to a cave, and slink
+there.  And yet, 'tis a noble and heroic thing, the wind! who ever
+conquered it?  In every fight it has the last and bitterest blow.  Run
+tilting at it, and you but run through it.  Ha! a coward wind that
+strikes stark naked men, but will not stand to receive a single blow.
+Even Ahab is a braver thing&mdash;a nobler thing than <I>that</I>.  Would now the
+wind but had a body; but all the things that most exasperate and
+outrage mortal man, all these things are bodiless, but only bodiless as
+objects, not as agents.  There's a most special, a most cunning, oh, a
+most malicious difference!  And yet, I say again, and swear it now,
+that there's something all glorious and gracious in the wind.  These
+warm Trade Winds, at least, that in the clear heavens blow straight on,
+in strong and steadfast, vigorous mildness; and veer not from their
+mark, however the baser currents of the sea may turn and tack, and
+mightiest Mississipies of the land swift and swerve about, uncertain
+where to go at last.  And by the eternal Poles! these same Trades that
+so directly blow my good ship on; these Trades, or something like
+them&mdash;something so unchangeable, and full as strong, blow my keeled
+soul along!  To it!  Aloft there!  What d'ye see?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nothing, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nothing! and noon at hand!  The doubloon goes a-begging!  See the sun!
+Aye, aye, it must be so.  I've oversailed him.  How, got the start?
+Aye, he's chasing <I>me</I> now; not I, <I>him</I>&mdash;that's bad; I might have
+known it, too.  Fool! the lines&mdash;the harpoons he's towing.  Aye, aye, I
+have run him by last night.  About! about!  Come down, all of ye, but
+the regular lookouts!  Man the braces!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Steering as she had done, the wind had been somewhat on the <I>Pequod's</I>
+quarter, so that now being pointed in the reverse direction, the braced
+ship sailed hard upon the breeze as she rechurned the cream in her own
+white wake.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Against the wind he now steers for the open jaw," murmured Starbuck to
+himself, as he coiled the new-hauled mainbrace upon the rail.  "God
+keep us, but already my bones feel damp within me, and from the inside
+wet my flesh.  I misdoubt me that I disobey my God in obeying him!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Stand by to sway me up!" cried Ahab, advancing to the hempen basket.
+"We should meet him soon."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aye, aye, sir," and straightway Starbuck did Ahab's bidding, and once
+more Ahab swung on high.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A whole hour now passed; gold-beaten out to ages.  Time itself now held
+long breaths with keen suspense.  But at last, some three points off
+the weather bow, Ahab descried the spout again, and instantly from the
+three mast-heads three shrieks went up as if the tongues of fire had
+voiced it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Forehead to forehead I meet thee, this third time, Moby Dick!  On deck
+there!&mdash;brace sharper up; crowd her into the wind's eye.  He's too far
+off to lower yet, Mr. Starbuck.  The sails shake!  Stand over that
+helmsman with a top-maul!  So, so; he travels fast, and I must down.
+But let me have one more good round look aloft here at the sea; there's
+time for that.  An old, old sight, and yet somehow so young; aye, and
+not changed a wink since I first saw it, a boy, from the sand-hills of
+Nantucket!  The same!&mdash;the same!&mdash;the same to Noah as to me.  There's a
+soft shower to leeward.  Such lovely leewardings!  They must lead
+somewhere&mdash;to something else than common land, more palmy than the
+palms.  Leeward! the white whale goes that way; look to windward, then;
+the better if the bitterer quarter.  But good bye, good bye, old
+mast-head!  What's this?&mdash;green? aye, tiny mosses in these warped
+cracks.  No such green weather stains on Ahab's head!  There's the
+difference now between man's old age and matter's.  But aye, old mast,
+we both grow old together; sound in our hulls, though, are we not my
+ship?  Aye, minus a leg, that's all.  By heaven this dead wood has the
+better of my live flesh every way.  I can't compare with it; and I've
+known some ships made of dead trees outlast the lives of men made of
+the most vital stuff of vital fathers.  What's that he said? he should
+still go before me, my pilot; and yet to be seen again?  But where?
+Will I have eyes at the bottom of the sea, supposing I descend those
+endless stairs? and all night I've been sailing from him, wherever he
+did sink to.  Aye, aye, like many more thou told'st direful truth as
+touching thyself, O Parsee; but, Ahab, there thy shot fell short.  Good
+by, mast-head&mdash;keep a good eye upon the whale, the while I'm gone.
+We'll talk to-morrow, nay, to-night, when the white whale lies down
+there, tied by head and tail."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He gave the word! and still gazing round him, was steadily lowered
+through the cloven blue air to the deck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In due time the boats were lowered; but as standing in his shallop's
+stern, Ahab just hovered upon the point of the descent, he waved to the
+mate,&mdash;who held one of the tackle-ropes on deck&mdash;and bade him pause.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Starbuck!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For the third time my soul's ship starts upon this voyage, Starbuck."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aye, sir, thou wilt have it so."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Some ships sail from their ports, and ever afterwards are missing,
+Starbuck!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Truth, sir: saddest truth."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Some men die at ebb tide; some at low water; some at the full of the
+flood;&mdash;and I feel now like a billow that's all one crested comb,
+Starbuck.  I am old;&mdash;shake hands with me, man."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Their hands met; their eyes fastened; Starbuck's tears the glue.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, my captain, my captain!&mdash;noble heart&mdash;go not&mdash;go not!&mdash;see, it's a
+brave man that weeps; how great the agony of the persuasion then!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lower away!"&mdash;cried Ahab, tossing the mate's arm from him.  "Stand by
+the crew!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In an instant the boat was pulling round close under the stern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The sharks! the sharks!" cried a voice from the low cabin-window
+there; "O master, my master, come back!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Ahab heard nothing; for his own voice was high-lifted then; and the
+boat leaped on.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Yet the voice spake true; for scarce had he pushed from the ship, when
+numbers of sharks, seemingly rising from out the dark waters beneath
+the hull, maliciously snapped at the blades of the oars, every time
+they dipped in the water; and in this way accompanied the boat with
+their bites.  It is a thing not uncommonly happening to the whale-boats
+in those swarming seas; the sharks at times apparently following them
+in the same prescient way that vultures hover over the banners of
+marching regiments in the east.  But these were the first sharks that
+had been observed by the <I>Pequod</I> since the White Whale had been first
+descried; and whether it was that Ahab's crew were all such
+tiger-yellow barbarians, and therefore their flesh more musky to the
+senses of the sharks&mdash;a matter sometimes well known to affect them,
+however it was, they seemed to follow that one boat without molesting
+the others.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Heart of wrought steel!" murmured Starbuck, gazing over the side and
+following with his eyes the receding boat&mdash;"canst thou yet ring boldly
+to that sight?&mdash;lowering thy keel among ravening sharks, and followed
+by them, open-mouthed to the chase; and this the critical third
+day?&mdash;For when three days flow together in one continuous intense
+pursuit; be sure the first is the morning, the second the noon, and the
+third the evening and the end of that thing&mdash;be that end what it may.
+Oh! my God! what is this that shoots through me, and leaves me so
+deadly calm, yet expectant,&mdash;fixed at the top of a shudder!  Future
+things swim before me, as in empty outlines and skeletons; all the past
+is somehow grown dim.  Mary, girl! thou fadest in pale glories behind
+me; boy!  I seem to see but thy eyes grown wondrous blue.  Strangest
+problems of life seem clearing; but clouds sweep between&mdash;Is my
+journey's end coming?  My legs feel faint; like his who has footed it
+all day.  Feel thy heart,&mdash;beats it yet?&mdash;Stir thyself,
+Starbuck!&mdash;stave it off&mdash;move, move! speak aloud!&mdash;Mast-head there.
+See ye my boy's hand on the hill?&mdash;Crazed;&mdash;aloft there!&mdash;keep thy
+keenest eye upon the boats:&mdash;mark well the whale!&mdash;Ho! again!&mdash;drive
+off that hawk! see! he pecks&mdash;he tears the vane"&mdash;pointing to the red
+flag flying at the main-truck&mdash;"Ha! he soars away with it!&mdash;Where's the
+old man now? sees't thou that sight, oh Ahab!&mdash;shudder, shudder!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The boats had not gone very far, when by a signal from the
+mast-heads&mdash;a downward pointed arm, Ahab knew that the whale had
+sounded; but intending to be near him at the next rising, he held on
+his way a little sideways from the vessel; the becharmed crew
+maintaining the profoundest silence, as the head-beat waves hammered
+and hammered against the opposing bow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Drive, drive in your nails, oh ye waves! to their utter-most heads
+drive them in! ye but strike a thing without a lid; and no coffin and
+no hearse can be mine:&mdash;and hemp only can kill me!  Ha! ha!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly the waters around them slowly swelled in broad circles; then
+quickly upheaved, as if sideways sliding from a submerged berg of ice,
+swiftly rising to the surface.  A low rumbling sound was heard; a
+subterraneous hum; and then all held their breaths; as bedraggled with
+trailing ropes, and harpoons, and lances, a vast form shot lengthwise,
+but obliquely from the sea.  Shrouded in a thin drooping veil of mist,
+it hovered for a moment in the rainbowed air; and then fell swamping
+back into the deep.  Crushed thirty feet upwards, the waters flashed
+for an instant like heaps of fountains, then brokenly sank in a shower
+of flakes, leaving the circling surface creamed like new milk round the
+marble trunk of the whale.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Give way!" cried Ahab to the oarsmen, and the boats darted forward to
+the attack; but maddened by yesterday's fresh irons that corroded in
+him, Moby Dick seemed combinedly possessed by all the angels that fell
+from heaven.  The wide tiers of welded tendons overspreading his broad
+white forehead, beneath the transparent skin, looked knitted together;
+as head on, he came churning his tail among the boats; and once more
+flailed them apart; spilling out the irons and lances from the two
+mates' boats, and dashing in one side of the upper part of their bows,
+but leaving Ahab's almost without a scar.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+While Daggoo and Queequeg were stopping the strained planks; and as the
+whale swimming out from them, turned, and showed one entire flank as he
+shot by them again; at that moment a quick cry went up.  Lashed round
+and round to the fish's back; pinioned in the turns upon turns in
+which, during the past night, the whale had reeled the involutions of
+the lines around him, the half torn body of the Parsee was seen; his
+sable raiment frayed to shreds; his distended eyes turned full upon old
+Ahab.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The harpoon dropped from his hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Befooled, befooled!"&mdash;drawing in a long lean breath&mdash;"Aye, Parsee!  I
+see thee again.&mdash;Aye, and thou goest before; and this, this then is the
+hearse that thou didst promise.  But I hold thee to the last letter of
+thy word.  Where is the second hearse?  Away, mates, to the ship! those
+boats are useless now; repair them if ye can in time, and return to me;
+if not, Ahab is enough to die&mdash;Down, men! the first thing that but
+offers to jump from this boat I stand in, that thing I harpoon.  Ye are
+not other men, but my arms and my legs; and so obey me.&mdash;Where's the
+whale? gone down again?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But he looked too nigh the boat; for as if bent upon escaping with the
+corpse he bore, and as if the particular place of the last encounter
+had been but a stage in his leeward voyage, Moby Dick was now again
+steadily swimming forward; and had almost passed the ship,&mdash;which thus
+far had been sailing in the contrary direction to him, though for the
+present her headway had been stopped.  He seemed swimming with his
+utmost velocity, and now only intent upon pursuing his own straight
+path in the sea.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!  Ahab," cried Starbuck, "not too late is it, even now, the third
+day, to desist.  See!  Moby Dick seeks thee not.  It is thou, thou,
+that madly seekest him!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Setting sail to the rising wind, the lonely boat was swiftly impelled
+to leeward, by both oars and canvas.  And at last when Ahab was sliding
+by the vessel, so near as plainly to distinguish Starbuck's face as he
+leaned over the rail, he hailed him to turn the vessel about, and
+follow him, not too swiftly, at a judicious interval.  Glancing
+upwards, he saw Tashtego, Queequeg, and Daggoo, eagerly mounting to the
+three mast-heads; while the oarsmen were rocking in the two staved
+boats which had but just been hoisted to the side, and were busily at
+work in repairing them.  One after the other, through the portholes, as
+he sped, he also caught flying glimpses of Stubb and Flack, busying
+themselves on deck among bundles of new irons and lances.  As he saw
+all this; as he heard the hammers in the broken boats! far other
+hammers seemed driving a nail into his heart.  But he rallied.  And now
+marking that the vane or flag was gone from the mainmast-head, he
+shouted to Tashtego, who had just gained that perch, to descend again
+for another flag, and a hammer and nails, and so nail it to the mast.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Whether fagged by the three days' running chase, and the resistance to
+his swimming in the knotted hamper he bore; or whether it was some
+latent deceitfulness and malice in him: whichever was true, the White
+Whale's way now began to abate, as it seemed, from the boat so rapidly
+nearing him once more; though indeed the whale's last start had not
+been so long a one as before.  And still as Ahab glided over the waves
+the unpitying sharks accompanied him; and so pertinaciously stuck to
+the boat; and so continually bit at the plying oars, that the blades
+became jagged and crunched, and left small splinters in the sea, at
+almost every dip.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Heed them not! those teeth but give new rowlocks to your oars.  Pull
+on! 'tis the better rest, the shark's jaw than the yielding water."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But at every bite, sir, the thin blades grow smaller and smaller!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They will last long enough! pull on!&mdash;But who can tell"&mdash;he
+muttered&mdash;"whether these sharks swim to feast on the whale or on
+Ahab?&mdash;But pull on!  Aye, all alive, now&mdash;we near him.  The helm! take
+the helm; let me pass,"&mdash;and so saying, two of the oarsmen helped him
+forward to the bows of the still flying boat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At length as the craft was cast to one side, and ran ranging along with
+the White Whale's flank, he seemed strangely oblivious of its
+advance&mdash;as the whale sometimes will&mdash;and Ahab was fairly within the
+smoky mountain mist, which, thrown off from the whale's spout, curled
+round his great, Monadnock rump; he was even thus close to him; when,
+with body arched back, and both arms lengthwise high-lifted to the
+poise, he darted his fierce iron, and his far fiercer curse into the
+hated whale.  As both steel and curse sank to the socket, as if sucked
+into a morass, Moby Dick sideways writhed; spasmodically rolled his
+nigh flank against the bow, and, without staving a hole in it, so
+suddenly canted the boat over, that had it not been for the elevated
+part of the gunwale to which he then clung, Ahab would once more have
+been tossed into the sea.  As it was, three of the oarsmen&mdash;who
+foreknew not the precise instant of the dart, and were therefore
+unprepared for its effects&mdash;these were flung out; but so fell, that, in
+an instant two of them clutched the gunwale again, and rising to its
+level on a combining wave, hurled themselves bodily inboard again; the
+third man helplessly dropping astern, but still afloat and swimming.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Almost simultaneously, with a mighty volition of ungraduated,
+instantaneous swiftness, the White Whale darted through the weltering
+sea.  But when Ahab cried out to the steersman to take new turns with
+the line, and hold it so; and commanded the crew to turn round on their
+seats, and tow the boat up to the mark; the moment the treacherous line
+felt that double strain and tug, it snapped in the empty air!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What breaks in me?  Some sinew cracks!&mdash;'tis whole again; oars! oars!
+Burst in upon him!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Hearing the tremendous rush of the sea-crashing boat, the whale wheeled
+round to present his blank forehead at bay; but in that evolution,
+catching sight of the nearing black hull of the ship; seemingly seeing
+in it the source of all his persecutions; bethinking it&mdash;it may be&mdash;a
+larger and nobler foe; of a sudden, he bore down upon its advancing
+prow, smiting his jaws amid fiery showers of foam.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ahab staggered; his hand smote his forehead.  "I grow blind; hands!
+stretch out before me that I may yet grope my way.  Is't night?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The whale!  The ship!" cried the cringing oarsmen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oars! oars!  Slope downwards to thy depths, O sea, that ere it be
+forever too late, Ahab may slide this last, last time upon his mark!  I
+see: the ship! the ship!  Dash on, my men!  Will ye not save my ship?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But as the oarsmen violently forced their boat through the
+sledge-hammering seas, the before whale-smitten bow-ends of two planks
+burst through, and in an instant almost, the temporarily disabled boat
+lay nearly level with the waves; its halfwading, splashing crew, trying
+hard to stop the gap and bale out the pouring water.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Meantime, for that one beholding instant, Tashtego's mast-head hammer
+remained suspended in his hand; and the red flag, half-wrapping him as
+with a plaid, then streamed itself straight out from him, as his own
+forward-flowing heart; while Starbuck and Stubb, standing upon the
+bowsprit beneath, caught sight of the down-coming monster just as soon
+as he.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The whale, the whale!  Up helm, up helm!  Oh, all ye sweet powers of
+air, now hug me close!  Let not Starbuck die, if die he must, in a
+woman's fainting fit.  Up helm, I say&mdash;ye fools, the jaw! the jaw!  Is
+this the end of all my bursting prayers? all my life-long fidelities?
+Oh, Ahab, Ahab, lo, thy work.  Steady! helmsman, steady.  Nay, nay! Up
+helm again!  He turns to meet us!  Oh, his unappeasable brow drives on
+towards one, whose duty tells him he cannot depart.  My God, stand by
+me now!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Stand not by me, but stand under me, whoever you are that will now
+help Stubb; for Stubb, too, sticks here.  I grin at thee, thou grinning
+whale!  Who ever helped Stubb, or kept Stubb awake, but Stubb's own
+unwinking eye?  And now poor Stubb goes to bed upon a mattress that is
+all too soft; would it were stuffed with brushwood!  I grin at thee,
+thou grinning whale!  Look ye, sun, moon, and stars!  I call ye
+assassins of as good a fellow as ever spouted up his ghost.  For all
+that, I would yet ring glasses with ye, would ye but hand the cup!  Oh,
+oh! oh, oh! thou grinning whale, but there'll be plenty of gulping
+soon!  Why fly ye not, O Ahab!  For me, off shoes and jacket to it; let
+Stubb die in his drawers!  A most mouldy and over-salted death,
+though;&mdash;cherries! cherries! cherries!  Oh, Flask, for one red cherry
+ere we die!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Cherries?  I only wish that we were where they grow.  Oh, Stubb, I
+hope my poor mother's drawn my part-pay ere this; if not, few coppers
+will now come to her, for the voyage is up."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+From the ship's bows, nearly all the seamen now hung inactive; hammers,
+bits of plank, lances, and harpoons, mechanically retained in their
+hands, just as they had darted from their various employments; all
+their enchanted eyes intent upon the whale, which from side to side
+strangely vibrating his predestinating head, sent a broad band of
+overspreading semicircular foam before him as he rushed.  Retribution,
+swift vengeance, eternal malice were in his whole aspect, and spite of
+all that mortal man could do, the solid white buttress of his forehead
+smote the ship's starboard bow, till men and timbers reeled.  Some fell
+flat upon their faces.  Like dislodged trucks, the heads of the
+harpooners aloft shook on their bull-like necks.  Through the breach,
+they heard the waters pour, as mountain torrents down a flume.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The ship!  The hearse!&mdash;the second hearse!" cried Ahab from the boat;
+"its wood could only be American!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Diving beneath the settling ship, the whale ran quivering along its
+keel; but turning under water, swiftly shot to the surface again, far
+off the other bow, but within a few yards of Ahab's boat, where, for a
+time, he lay quiescent.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I turn my body from the sun.  What ho, Tashtego! let me hear thy
+hammer.  Oh! ye three unsurrendered spires of mine; thou uncracked
+keel; and only god-bullied hull; thou firm deck, and haughty helm, and
+Pole-pointed prow,&mdash;death-glorious ship! must ye then perish, and
+without me?  Am I cut off from the last fond pride of meanest
+shipwrecked captains?  Oh, lonely death on lonely life!  Oh, now I feel
+my topmost greatness lies in my topmost grief.  Ho, ho! from all your
+furthest bounds, pour ye now in, ye bold billows of my whole fore-gone
+life, and top this one piled comber of my death!  Towards thee I roll,
+thou all-destroying but unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with
+thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last
+breath at thee.  Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool!
+and since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still
+chasing thee, though tied to thee, thou damned whale!  <I>Thus</I>, I give
+up the spear!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The harpoon was darted; the stricken whale flew forward; with igniting
+velocity the line ran through the groove;&mdash;ran foul.  Ahab stooped to
+clear it; he did clear it! but the flying turn caught him round the
+neck, and voicelessly as Turkish mutes bowstring their victim, he was
+shot out of the boat, ere the crew knew he was gone.  Next instant, the
+heavy eye-splice in the rope's final end flew out of the stark-empty
+tub, knocked down an oarsmen, and smiting the sea, disappeared in its
+depths.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For an instant, the tranced boat's crew stood still; then turned.  "The
+ship!  Great God, where is the ship?"  Soon they through dim,
+bewildering mediums saw her sidelong fading phantom, as in the gaseous
+<I>Fata Morgana</I>; only the uppermost masts out of water; while fixed by
+infatuation, or fidelity, or fate, to their once lofty perches, the
+pagan harpooners still maintained their sinking lookouts on the sea.
+And now, concentric circles seized the lone boat itself, and all its
+crew, and each floating oar, and every lance-pole, and spinning,
+animate and inanimate, all round and round in one vortex, carried the
+smallest chip of the <I>Pequod</I> out of sight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But as the last whelmings intermixingly poured themselves over the
+sunken head of the Indian at the mainmast, leaving a few inches of the
+erect spar yet visible, together with long streaming yards of the flag,
+which calmly undulated, with ironical coincidings, over the destroying
+billows they almost touched;&mdash;at that instant, a red arm and a hammer
+hovered backwardly uplifted in the open air, in the act of nailing the
+flag faster and yet faster to the subsiding spar.  A sky-hawk that
+tauntingly had followed the main-truck downwards from its natural home
+among the stars, pecking at the flag, and incommoding Tashtego there;
+this bird now chanced to intercept its broad fluttering wing between
+the hammer and the wood; and simultaneously feeling that ethereal
+thrill, the submerged savage beneath, in his death-gasp, kept his
+hammer frozen there; and so the bird of heaven, with arch-angelic
+shrieks, and his imperial beak thrust upwards, and his whole captive
+form folded in the flag of Ahab, went down with his ship, which, like
+Satan, would not sink to hell till she had dragged a living part of
+heaven along with her, and helmeted herself with it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now small fowls flew screaming over the yet yawning gulf; a sullen
+white surf beat against its steep sides; then all collapsed, and the
+great shroud of the sea rolled on as it rolled five thousand years ago.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+[1] This motion is peculiar to the sperm whale.  It receives its
+designation (pitchpoling) from its being likened to that preliminary
+up-and-down poise of the whale-lance, in the exercise called
+pitchpoling previously described.  By this motion the whale must best
+and most comprehensively view whatever objects may be encircling him.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap08"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE CORVETTE _CLAYMORE_
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "Ninety-three," BY VICTOR HUGO
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+The corvette, instead of sailing south, in the direction of St.
+Catherine, headed to the north, then, veering towards the west, had
+boldly entered that arm of the sea between Sark and Jersey called the
+Passage of the Deroute.  There was then no lighthouse at any point on
+either coast.  It had been a clear sunset; the night was darker than
+summer nights usually are; it was moonlight, but large clouds, rather
+of the equinox than of the solstice overspread the sky, and, judging by
+appearances, the moon would not be visible until she reached the
+horizon at the moment of setting.  A few clouds hung low near the
+surface of the sea and covered it with vapor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All this darkness was favorable.  Gacquoil, the pilot, intended to
+leave Jersey on the left, Guernsey on the right, and by boldly sailing
+between Hanois and Dover, to reach some bay on the coast near St. Malo,
+a longer but safer route than the one through Minqulers; for the French
+coaster had standing orders to keep an unusually sharp lookout between
+St. Hélier and Granville.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+If the wind were favorable, and nothing happened, by dint of setting
+all sail Gacquoil hoped to reach the coast of France at daybreak.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All went well.  The corvette had just passed Gros Nez.  Towards nine
+o'clock the weather looked sullen, as the sailors express it, both wind
+and sea rising; but the wind was favorable, and the sea was rough, yet
+not heavy, the waves now and then dashing over the bow of the corvette.
+"The peasant" whom Lord Balcarras had called general, and whom the
+Prince de La Tour d'Auvergne had addressed as cousin, was a good
+sailor, and paced the deck of the corvette with calm dignity.  He did
+not seem to notice that she rocked considerably.  From time to time he
+took out of his waistcoat pocket a cake of chocolate, and breaking off
+a piece, munched it.  Though his hair was gray, his teeth were sound.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He spoke to no one, except that from time to time he made a few concise
+remarks in an undertone to the captain, who listened to him
+deferentially, apparently regarding his passenger as the commander,
+rather than himself.  Unobserved in the fog, and skilfully piloted, the
+<I>Claymore</I> coasted along the steep shore to the north of Jersey,
+hugging the land to avoid the formidable reef of Pierres-de-Leeq, which
+lies in the middle of the strait between Jersey and Sark.  Gacquoil, at
+the helm, sighting in turn Grève de Leeq, Gros Nez, and Plérmont,
+making the corvette glide in among those chains of reefs, felt his way
+along to a certain extent but with the self-confidence of one familiar
+with the ways of the sea.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The corvette had no light forward, fearing to betray its passage
+through these guarded waters.  They congratulated themselves on the
+fog.  The Grande Etape was reached; the mist was so dense that the
+lofty outlines of the Pinnacle were scarcely visible.  They heard it
+strike ten from the belfry of Saint-Ouen,&mdash;a sign that the wind was
+still aft.  All was going well; the sea grew rougher, because they were
+drawing near La Corbière.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A little after ten, the Count Boisberthelot and the Chevalier de la
+Vieuville escorted the man in the peasant garb to the door of his
+cabin, which was the captain's own room.  As he was about to enter, he
+remarked, lowering his voice:&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You understand the importance of keeping the secret, gentlemen.
+Silence up to the moment of explosion.  You are the only ones here who
+know my name."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We will carry it to the grave," replied Boisberthelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And for my part, I would not reveal it were I face to face with
+death," remarked the old man.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And he entered his stateroom.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The commander and the first officer returned on deck, and began to pace
+up and down side by side, talking as they walked.  The theme was
+evidently their passenger; and this was the substance of the
+conversation which the wind wafted through the darkness.  Boisberthelot
+grumbled half audibly to La Vieuville,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It remains to be seen whether or no he is a leader."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+La Vieuville replied,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Meanwhile he is a prince."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Almost."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A nobleman in France, but a prince in Brittany."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Like the Trémouilles and the Rohans."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"With whom he is connected."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boisberthelot resumed,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"In France and in the carriages of the king he is a marquis,&mdash;as I am a
+count, and you a chevalier."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The carriages are far away!" exclaimed Vieuville.  "We are living in
+the time of the tumbril."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A silence ensued.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boisberthelot went on,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For lack of a French prince we take one from Brittany."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For lack of thrushes&mdash;No: since an eagle is not to be found, we take a
+crow."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I should prefer a vulture," remarked Boisberthelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+La Vieuville replied,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, indeed, with a beak and talons."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We shall see."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," replied Vieuville, "it is time there was a leader.  I agree with
+Tinténiac,&mdash;a leader and gunpowder!  See here, commander, I know nearly
+all the possible and impossible leaders,&mdash;those of yesterday, those of
+to-day, and those of to-morrow.  Not one of them has the head required
+for war.  In this cursed Vendée a general is needed who would be a
+lawyer as well as a leader.  He must harass the enemy, dispute every
+bush, ditch, and stone; he must force unlucky quarrels upon him, and
+take advantage of everything; vigilant and pitiless, he must watch
+incessantly, slaughter freely, and make examples.  Now, in this army of
+peasants there are heroes, but no captains.  D'Elbée is a nonentity,
+Lescure an invalid; Bonchamps is merciful,&mdash;he is kind, and that
+implies folly; La Rochejaquelein is a superb sub-lieutenant; Silz is an
+officer good for the open field, but not suited for a war that needs a
+man of expedients; Cathelineau is a simple teamster; Stofflet is a
+crafty game-keeper; Bérard is inefficient; Boulainvillers is absurd;
+Charette is horrible.  I make no mention of Gaston the barber.
+Mordemonbleu! what is the use of opposing revolution, and what is the
+difference between ourselves and the republicans, if we set barbers
+over the heads of noblemen!  The fact is, that this beastly revolution
+has contaminated all of us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is the itch of France."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is the itch of the Tiers état," rejoined Boisberthelot.  "England
+alone can help us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And she will, captain, undoubtedly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Meanwhile it is an ugly state of affairs."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes,&mdash;rustics everywhere.   A monarchy that has Stofflet, the
+game-keeper of M. de Maulevrier, for a commander has no reason to envy
+a republic whose minister is Pache, the son of the Duke de Castries'
+porter.  What men this Vendean war brings face to face.&mdash;on one side
+Santerre the brewer; on the other Gaston the hairdresser!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear La Vieuville, I feel some respect for this Gaston.  He behaved
+well in his command of Guéménée.  He had three hundred Blues neatly
+shot after making them dig their own graves."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well enough done; but I could have done quite as well as he."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Pardieu, to be sure; and I too."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The great feats of war," said Vieuville, "require noble blood in those
+who perform them.  These are matters for knights, and not for
+hairdressers."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But yet there are estimable men in this 'Third Estate,'" rejoined
+Vieuville.  "Take that watchmaker, Joly, for instance.  He was formerly
+a sergeant in a Flanders regiment; he becomes a Vendean chief and
+commander of a coast band.  He has a son, a republican; and while the
+father serves in the ranks of the Whites, the son serves in those of
+the Blues.  An encounter, a battle: the father captures the son and
+blows out his brains."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He did well," said La Vieuville.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A royalist Brutus," answered Boisberthelot.  "Nevertheless, it is
+unendurable to be under the command of a Coquereau, a Jean-Jean, a
+Moulin, a Focart, a Bouju, a Chouppes!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear chevalier, the opposite party is quite as indignant.  We are
+crowded with plebeians; they have an excess of nobles.  Do you think
+the sansculottes like to be commanded by the Count de Canclaux, the
+Viscount de Miranda, the Viscount de Beauharnais, the Count de Valence,
+the Marquis de Custine, and the Duke de Biron?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What a combination!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the Duke de Chartres!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Son of Egalité.  By the way, when will he be king?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Never!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He aspires to the throne, and his very crimes serve to promote his
+interests."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And his vices will injure his cause," said Boisberthelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, after another pause, he continued,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nevertheless, he was anxious to be reconciled.  He came to see the
+king.  I was at Versailles when some one spit on his back."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"From the top of the grand staircase?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am glad of it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We called him Bourbon le Bourbeaux."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He is bald-headed; he has pimples; he is a regicide.  Poh!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And La Vieuville added:&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I was with him at Ouessant."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"On the <I>Saint Esprit</I>?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Had he obeyed Admiral d'Orvillier's signal to keep to the windward, he
+would have prevented the English from passing."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"True."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Was he really hidden in the bottom of the hold?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No; but we must say so all the same."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And La Vieuville burst out laughing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boisberthelot continued:&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fools are plentiful.  Look here, I have known this Boulainvilliers of
+whom you were speaking; I knew him well.  At first the peasants were
+armed with pikes; would you believe it, he took it into his head to
+form them into pike-men.  He wanted to drill them in crossing pikes and
+repelling a charge.  He dreamed of transforming these barbarians into
+regular soldiers.  He undertook to teach them how to round in the
+corners of their squares, and to mass battalions with hollow squares.
+He jabbered the antiquated military dialect to them; he called the
+chief of a squad a <I>cap d'escade</I>,&mdash;which was what corporals under
+Louis XIV, were called.  He persisted in forming a regiment of all
+those poachers.  He had regular companies whose sergeants ranged
+themselves in a circle every evening, and, receiving the sign and
+countersign from the colonel's sergeant, repeated it in a whisper to
+the lieutenant's sergeant, who repeated it to his next neighbor, who in
+his turn transmitted it to the next man, and so on from ear to ear
+until it reached the last man.  He cashiered an officer for not
+standing bareheaded to receive the watchword from the sergeant.  You
+may imagine how he succeeded.  This simpleton could not understand that
+peasants have to be led peasant fashion, and that it is impossible to
+transform rustics into soldiers.  Yes, I have known Boulainvilliers."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They walked along a few steps, each one engrossed in his own thoughts.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the conversation was resumed:&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By the way, has the report of Dampierre's death been confirmed?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, commander."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Before Condé?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At the camp of Pamars; he was hit by a cannonball."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boisberthelot sighed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Count Dampierre,&mdash;another of our men, who took sides with them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"May he prosper wherever he may be!" said Vieuville.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the ladies,&mdash;where are they?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At Trieste."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Still there?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah, this republic!" exclaimed La Vieuville.  "What havoc from so
+slight a cause!  To think that this revolution was the result of a
+deficit of only a few millions!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Insignificant beginnings are not always to be trusted."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Everything goes wrong," replied La Vieuville.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes; La Rouarie is dead.  Du Dresnay is an idiot.  What wretched
+leaders are all those bishops,&mdash;this Coucy, bishop of La Rochelle;
+Beaupoll Saint-Aulaire, bishop of Poitiers; Mercy, bishop of Luzon, a
+lover of Madame de l'Eschasserie&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Whose name is Servanteau, you know, commander.  Eschasserie is the
+name of an estate."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And that false bishop of Agra, who is a cure of I know not what!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of Dol.  His name is Guillot de Folleville.  But then he is brave, and
+knows how to fight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Priests when one needs soldiers! bishops who are no bishops at all!
+generals who are no generals!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+La Vieuville interrupted Boisberthelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Have you the <I>Moniteur</I> in your stateroom, commander?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What are they giving now in Paris?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"'Adele and Pauline' and 'La Caverne.'"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I should like to see that."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You may.  We shall be in Paris in a month."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boisberthelot thought a moment, and then added:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At the latest,&mdash;so Mr. Windham told Lord Hood."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, commander, I take it affairs are not going so very badly?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All would go well, provided that the Breton war were well managed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+De Vieuville shook his head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Commander," he said, "are we to land the marines?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Certainly, if the coast is friendly, but not otherwise.  In some cases
+war must force the gates; in others it can slip through them.  Civil
+war must always keep a false key in its pocket.  We will do all we can;
+but one must have a chief."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And Boisberthelot added thoughtfully,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What do you think of the Chevalier de Dieuzie, La Vieuville?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you mean the younger?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For a commander?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He is only good for a pitched battle in the open field.  It is only
+the peasant who knows the underbrush."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"In that case, you may as well resign yourself to Generals Stofflet and
+Cathelineau."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+La Vieuville mediated for a moment; then he said,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What we need is a prince,&mdash;a French prince, a prince of the blood, a
+real prince."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How can that be?  He who says 'prince'&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Says 'coward.'  I know it, commander.  But we need him for the
+impression he would produce upon the herd."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear chevalier, the princes don't care to come."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We will do without them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boisberthelot pressed his hand mechanically against his forehead, as if
+striving to evoke an idea.  He resumed,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then let us try this general."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He is a great nobleman."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you think he will do?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If he is one of the right sort," said La Vieuville.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You mean relentless?" said Boisberthelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The count and the chevalier looked at each other.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Monsieur Boisberthelot, you have defined the meaning of the word.
+Relentless,&mdash;yes, that's what we need.  This is a war that shows no
+mercy.  The blood-thirsty are in the ascendant.  The regicides have
+beheaded Louis XVI; we will quarter the regicides.  Yes, the general we
+need is General Relentless.  In Anjou and Upper Poitou the leaders play
+the magnanimous; they trifle with generosity, and they are always
+defeated.  In the Marais and the country of Retz, where the leaders are
+ferocious, everything goes bravely forward.  It is because Charette is
+fierce that he stands his ground against Parrein,&mdash;hyena pitted against
+hyena."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boisberthelot had no time to answer.  Vieuville's words were suddenly
+cut short by a desperate cry, and at the same instant they heard a
+noise unlike all other sounds.  This cry and the unusual sounds came
+from the interior of the vessel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The captain and the lieutenant rushed to the gun-deck, but were unable
+to enter.  All the gunners came running up, beside themselves with
+terror.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A frightful thing had just happened.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+One of the carronades of the battery, a twenty-four pound cannon, had
+become loose.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This is perhaps the most dreadful thing that can take place at sea.
+Nothing more terrible can happen to a man-of-war under full sail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A cannon that breaks loose from its fastenings is suddenly transformed
+into a supernatural beast.  It is a monster developed from a machine.
+This mass runs along on its wheels as easily as a billiard ball; it
+rolls with the rolling, pitches with the pitching, comes and goes,
+stops, seems to meditate, begins anew, darts like an arrow from one end
+of the ship to the other, whirls around, turns aside, evades, rears,
+hits out, crushes, kills, exterminates.  It is a ram battering a wall
+at its own pleasure.  Moreover, the battering-ram is iron, the wall is
+wood.  It is matter set free; one might say that this eternal slave is
+wreaking its vengeance; it would seem as though the evil in what we
+call inanimate objects had found vent and suddenly burst forth; it has
+the air of having lost its patience, and of taking a mysterious, dull
+revenge; nothing is so inexorable as the rage of the inanimate.  The
+mad mass leaps like a panther; it has the weight of an elephant, the
+agility of a mouse, the obstinacy of the axe; it takes one by surprise,
+like the surge of the sea; it flashes like lightning; it is deaf as the
+tomb; it weighs ten thousand pounds, and it bounds like a child's ball;
+it whirls as it advances, and the circles it describes are intersected
+by right angles.  And what help is there?  How can it be overcome?  A
+calm succeeds the tempest, a cyclone passes over, a wind dies away, we
+replace the broken mass, we check the leak, we extinguish the fire; but
+what is to be done with this enormous bronze beast?  How can it be
+subdued?  You can reason with a mastiff, take a bull by surprise,
+fascinate a snake, frighten a tiger, mollify a lion; but there is no
+resource with the monster known as a loosened gun.  You cannot kill
+it,&mdash;it is already dead; and yet it lives.  It breathes a sinister life
+bestowed on it by the Infinite.  The plank beneath sways it to and fro;
+it is moved by the ship; the sea lifts the ship, and the wind keeps the
+sea in motion.  This destroyer is a toy.  Its terrible vitality is fed
+by the ship, the waves, and the wind, each lending its aid.  What is to
+be done with this complication?  How fetter this monstrous mechanism of
+shipwreck?  How foresee its coming and goings, its recoils, its halts,
+its shocks?  Any one of those blows may stave in the side of the
+vessel.  How can one guard against these terrible gyrations?  One has
+to do with a projectile that reflects, that has ideas, and changes its
+direction at any moment.  How can one arrest an object in its course,
+whose onslaught must be avoided?  The dreadful cannon rushes about,
+advances, recedes, strikes to right and to left, flies here and there,
+baffles their attempts at capture, sweeps away obstacles, crushing men
+like flies.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The extreme danger of the situation comes from the unsteadiness of the
+deck.  How is one to cope with the caprices of an inclined plane?  The
+ship had within its depths, so to speak, imprisoned lightning
+struggling for escape; something like the rumbling of thunder during an
+earthquake.  In an instant the crew was on its feet.  It was the chief
+gunner's fault, who had neglected to fasten the screw-nut of the
+breeching chain, and had not thoroughly chocked the four trucks of the
+carronade, which allowed play to the frame and the bottom of the
+gun-carriage, thereby disarranging the two platforms and parting the
+breeching.  The lashings were broken, so that the gun was no longer
+firm on its carriage.  The stationary breeching which prevents the
+recoil was not in use at that time.  As a wave struck the ship's side
+the cannon, insufficiently secured, had receded, and having broken its
+chain, began to wander threateningly over the deck.  In order to get an
+idea of this strange sliding, fancy a drop of water sliding down a pane
+of glass.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the fastening broke, the gunners were in the battery, singly and
+in groups, clearing the ship for action.  The carronade, thrown forward
+by the pitching, dashed into a group of men, killing four of them at
+the first blow; then, hurled back by the rolling, it cut in two an
+unfortunate fifth man, and struck and dismounted one of the guns of the
+larboard battery.  Hence the cry of distress which had been heard.  All
+the men rushed to the ladder.  The gun-deck was empty in the twinkling
+of an eye.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The monstrous gun was left to itself.  It was its own mistress, and
+mistress of the ship.  It could do with it whatsoever it wished.  This
+crew, accustomed to laugh in battle, now trembled.  It would be
+impossible to describe their terror.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Captain Boisberthelot and Lieutenant la Vieuville, brave men though
+they were, paused at the top of the ladder, silent, pale, and
+undecided, looking down on the deck.  Some one pushed them aside with
+his elbow, and descended.  It was their passenger, the peasant, the man
+about whom they were talking a moment ago.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Having reached the bottom of the ladder he halted.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+<HR WIDTH="60%" ALIGN="center">
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+The cannon was rolling to and fro on the deck.  It might have been
+called the living chariot of the Apocalypse.  A dim wavering of lights
+and shadows was added to this spectacle by the marine lantern, swinging
+under the deck.  The outlines of the cannon were indistinguishable, by
+reason of the rapidity of its motion; sometimes it looked black when
+the light shone upon it, then again it would cast pale, glimmering
+reflections in the darkness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was still pursuing its work of destruction.  It had already
+shattered four other pieces, and made two breaches in the ship's side,
+fortunately above the waterline, but which would leak in case of rough
+weather.  It rushed frantically against the timbers; the stout riders
+resisted,&mdash;curved timbers have great strength; but one could hear them
+crack under this tremendous assault brought to bear simultaneously on
+every side, with a certain omnipresence truly appalling.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A bullet shaken in a bottle could not produce sharper or more rapid
+sounds.  The four wheels were passing and repassing over the dead
+bodies, cutting and tearing them to pieces, and the five corpses had
+become five trunks rolling hither and thither; the heads seemed to cry
+out; streams of blood flowed over the deck, following the motion of the
+ship.  The ceiling, damaged in several places, had begun to give way.
+The whole ship was filled with a dreadful tumult.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The captain, who had rapidly recovered his self-possession, had given
+orders to throw down the hatchway all that could abate the rage and
+check the mad onslaught of this infuriated gun; mattresses, hammocks,
+spare sails, coils of rope, the bags of the crew, and bales of false
+assignats, with which the corvette was laden,&mdash;that infamous stratagem
+of English origin being considered a fair trick in war.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But what availed these rags?  No one dared to go down to arrange them,
+and in a few moments they were reduced to lint.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was just sea enough to render this accident as complete as
+possible.  A tempest would have been welcome.  It might have upset the
+cannon, and which its four wheels once in the air, it could easily have
+been mastered.  Meanwhile the havoc increased.  There were even
+incisions and fractures in the masts, that stood like pillars grounded
+firmly in the keel, and piercing the several decks of the vessel.  The
+mizzen-mast was split, and even the main-mast was damaged by the
+convulsive blows of the cannon.  The destruction of the battery still
+went on.  Ten out of the thirty pieces were useless.  The fractures in
+the side increased, and the corvette began to leak.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The old passenger, who had descended to the gun-deck, looked like one
+carved in stone as he stood motionless at the foot of the stairs and
+glanced sternly over the devastation.  It would have been impossible to
+move a step upon the deck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Each bound of the liberated carronade seemed to threaten the
+destruction of the ship.  But a few moments longer, and shipwreck would
+be inevitable.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They must either overcome this calamity or perish; some decisive action
+must be taken.  But what?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+What a combatant was this carronade!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Here was this mad creature to be arrested, this flash of lightning to
+be seized, this thunderbolt to be crushed.  Boisberthelot said to
+Vieuville:&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you believe in God, chevalier?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes and no, sometimes I do!" replied La Vieuville.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"In a tempest?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, and in moments like these."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Truly God alone can save us," said Boisberthelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All were silent, leaving the carronade to its horrible uproar.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The waves beating the ship from without answered the blows of the
+cannon within, very much like a couple of hammers striking In turn.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly in the midst of this inaccessible circus, where the escaped
+cannon was tossing from side to side, a man appeared, grasping an iron
+bar.  It was the author of the catastrophe, the chief gunner, whose
+criminal negligence had caused the accident,&mdash;the captain of the gun.
+Having brought about the evil, his intention was to repair it.  Holding
+a handspike in one hand, and in the other a tiller rope with the
+slip-noose in it, he had jumped through the hatchway to the deck below.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then began a terrible struggle; a titanic spectacle; a combat between
+cannon and cannoneer; a contest between mind and matter; a duel between
+man and the inanimate.  The man stood in one corner in an attitude of
+expectancy, leaning on the rider and holding in his hands the bar and
+the rope; calm, livid, and tragic, he stood firmly on his legs, that
+were like two pillars of steel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He was waiting for the cannon to approach him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The gunner knew his piece, and he felt as though it must know him.
+They had lived together a long time.  How often had he put his hand in
+its mouth.  It was his domestic monster.  He began to talk to it as he
+would to a dog.  "Come," said he.  Possibly he loved it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He seemed to wish for its coming, and yet its approach meant sure
+destruction for him.  How to avoid being crushed was the question.  All
+looked on in terror.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Not a breath was drawn freely, except perhaps by the old man, who
+remained on the gun-deck gazing sternly on the two combatants.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He himself was in danger of being crushed by the piece; still he did
+not move.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Beneath them the blind sea had command of the battle.  When, in the act
+of accepting this awful hand-to-hand struggle, the gunner approached to
+challenge the cannon, it happened that the surging sea held the gun
+motionless for an instant, as though stupefied.  "Come on!" said the
+man.  It seemed to listen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly it leaped towards him.  The man dodged.  Then the struggle
+began,&mdash;a contest unheard of; the fragile wrestling with the
+invulnerable; the human warrior attacking the brazen beast; blind force
+on the one side, soul on the other.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All this was in the shadow.  It was like an indistinct vision of a
+miracle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A soul!&mdash;strangely enough it seemed as if a soul existed within the
+cannon, but one consumed with hate and rage.  The blind thing seemed to
+have eyes.  It appeared as though the monster were watching the man.
+There was, or at least one might have supposed it, cunning in this
+mass.  It also chose its opportunity.  It was as though a gigantic
+insect of iron was endowed with the will of a demon.  Now and then this
+colossal grass-hopper would strike the low ceiling of the gun-deck,
+then falling back on its four wheels, like a tiger on all fours, rush
+upon the man.  He&mdash;supple, agile, adroit&mdash;writhed like a serpent before
+these lightning movements.  He avoided encounters; but the blows from
+which he escaped fell with destructive force upon the vessel.  A piece
+of broken chain remained attached to the carronade.  This bit of chain
+had twisted in some incomprehensible way around the breech button.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+One end of the chain was fastened to the gun-carriage; the other end
+thrashed wildly around, aggravating the danger with every bound of the
+cannon.  The screw held it as in a clenched hand, and this chain,
+multiplying the strokes of the battering-ram by those of the thong,
+made a terrible whirlwind around the gun,&mdash;a lash of iron in a fist of
+brass.  This chain complicated the combat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Despite all this, the man fought.  He even attacked the cannon at
+times, crawling along by the side of the ship and clutching his
+handspike and the rope; the cannon seemed to understand his movements,
+and fled as though suspecting a trap.  The man, nothing daunted,
+pursued his chase.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Such a struggle must necessarily be brief.  Suddenly the cannon seemed
+to say to itself: Now, then, there must be an end to this.  And it
+stopped.  A crisis was felt to be at hand.  The cannon, as if in
+suspense, seemed to meditate, or&mdash;for to all intents and purposes it
+was a living creature&mdash;it really did meditate, some furious design.
+All at once it rushed on the gunner, who sprang aside with a laugh,
+crying out, "Try it again!" as the cannon passed him.  The gun in its
+fury smashed one of the larboard carronades; then, by the invisible
+sling in which it seemed to be held, it was thrown to the starboard,
+towards the man, who escaped.  Three carronades were crushed by its
+onslaught; then, as though blind and besides itself it turned from the
+man, and rolled from stern to stem, splintering the latter, and causing
+a breach in the walls of the prow.  The gunner took refuge at the foot
+of the ladder, a short distance from the old man, who stood watching.
+He held his handspike in readiness.  The cannon seemed aware of it, and
+without taking the trouble to turn, it rushed backward on the man, as
+swift as the blow of an axe.  The gunner, if driven up against the side
+of the ship, would be lost.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+One cry arose from the crew.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The old passenger&mdash;who until this moment had stood motionless&mdash;sprang
+forward more swiftly than all those mad swirls.  He had seized a bale
+of the false assignats, and at the risk of being crushed succeeded in
+throwing it between the wheels of the carronade.  This decisive and
+perilous manoeuvre could not have been executed with more precision and
+adroitness by an adept in all the exercises given in the work of
+Durosel's "Manual of Naval Gunnery."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The bale had the effect of a plug.  A pebble may block a log; a branch
+sometimes changes the course of an avalanche.  The carronade stumbled,
+and the gunner, availing himself of the perilous opportunity, thrust
+his iron bar between the spokes of the back wheels.  Pitching forward,
+the cannon stopped; and the man, using his bar for a lever, rocked it
+backward and forward.  The heavy mass upset, with the resonant sound of
+a bell that crashes in its fall.  The man, reeking with perspiration,
+threw himself upon it, and passed the slip-noose of the tiller-rope
+around the neck of the defeated monster.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The combat was ended.  The man had conquered.  The ant had overcome the
+mastodon; the pygmy had imprisoned the thunderbolt.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The soldiers and sailors applauded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The crew rushed forward with chains and cables, and in an instant the
+cannon was secured.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Saluting the passenger, the gunner exclaimed,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir, you have saved my life!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The old man had resumed his impassible attitude, and made no reply.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+<HR WIDTH="60%" ALIGN="center">
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+The man had conquered; but it might be affirmed that the cannon also
+had gained a victory.  Immediate shipwreck was averted; but the
+corvette was still in danger.  The injuries the ship had sustained
+seemed irreparable.  There were five breaches in the sides, one of
+them&mdash;a very large one&mdash;in the bow, and twenty carronades out of thirty
+lay shattered in their frames.  The recaptured gun, which had been
+secured by a chain, was itself disabled.  The screw of the
+breech-button being wrenched, it would consequently be impossible to
+level the cannon.  The battery was reduced to nine guns; there was a
+leakage in the hold.  All these damages must be repaired without loss
+of time, and the pumps set in operation.  Now that the gun-deck had
+become visible, it was frightful to look upon.  The interior of a mad
+elephant's cage could not have been more thoroughly devastated.
+However important it might be for the corvette to avoid observation,
+the care for its immediate safety was still more imperative.  They were
+obliged to light the deck with lanterns placed at intervals along the
+sides.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the meantime, while this tragic entertainment had lasted, the crew,
+entirely absorbed by a question of life and death, had not noticed what
+was going on outside of the ship.  The fog had thickened, the weather
+had changed, the wind had driven the vessel at will; they were out of
+their course, in full sight of Jersey and Guernsey, much farther to the
+south than they ought to have been, and confronting a tumultuous sea.
+The big waves kissed the wounded sides of the corvette with kisses that
+savored of danger.  The heaving of the sea grew threatening; the wind
+had risen to a gale; a squall, perhaps a tempest, was brewing.  One
+could not see four oars' length before one.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+While the crew made haste with their temporary repairs on the gun-deck,
+stopping the leaks and setting up the cannons that had escaped
+uninjured, the old passenger returned to the deck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He stood leaning against the main-mast.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He had taken no notice of what was going on in the ship.  The Chevalier
+de la Vieuville had drawn up the marines on either side of the
+main-mast, and at a signal-whistle of the boatswain the sailors, who
+had been busy in the rigging, stood up on the yards.  Count
+Boisberthelot approached the passenger.  The captain was followed by a
+man, who, haggard and panting, with his dress in disorder, still wore
+on his countenance an expression of content.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was the gunner who had so opportunely displayed his power as a tamer
+of monsters, and gained the victory over the cannon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The count made a military salute to the old man in the peasant garb,
+and said to him:&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Here is the man, general."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The gunner, with downcast eyes, stood erect in a military attitude.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"General," resumed Count Boisberthelot, "considering what this man has
+done, do you not think that his superiors have a duty to perform?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think so," replied the old man.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Be so good as to give your orders," resumed Boisberthelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is for you to give them; you are the captain."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But you are the general," answered Boisberthelot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The old man looked at the gunner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Step forward," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The gunner advanced a step.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Turning to Count Boisberthelot, the old man removed the cross of Saint
+Louis from the captain's breast, and fastened it on the jacket of the
+gunner.  The sailors cheered, and the marines presented arms.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then pointing to the bewildered gunner he added:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now let the man be shot!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Stupor took the place of applause.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, amid a tomb-like silence, the old man, raising his voice, said:&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The ship has been endangered by an act of carelessness, and may even
+yet be lost.  It is all the same whether one be at sea or face to face
+with the enemy.  A ship at sea is like an army in battle.  The tempest,
+though unseen, is ever present; the sea is an ambush.  Death is the fit
+penalty for every fault committed when facing the enemy.  There is no
+fault that can be retrieved.  Courage must be rewarded and negligence
+be punished."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+These words fell one after the other slowly and gravely, with a certain
+implacable rhythm, like the strokes of the axe upon an oak-tree.
+Looking at the soldiers, the old man added,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do your duty!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The man on whose breast shone the cross of Saint Louis bowed his head,
+and at a sign of Count Boisberthelot two sailors went down to the
+gun-deck, and presently returned bringing the hammock-shroud, the two
+sailors were accompanied by the ship's chaplain, who since the
+departure had been engaged in saying prayers in the officers' quarters.
+A sergeant detached from the ranks twelve soldiers, whom he arranged in
+two rows, six men in a row.  The gunner placed himself between the two
+lines.  The chaplain, holding a crucifix, advanced and took his place
+beside the man.  "March!" came from the lips of the sergeant; and the
+platoon slowly moved towards the bow, followed by two sailors carrying
+the shroud.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A gloomy silence fell on the corvette.  In the distance a hurricane was
+blowing.  A few moments later, a report echoed through the gloom; one
+flash, and all was still.  Then came the splash of a body falling into
+the water.  The old passenger, still leaning against the mainmast, his
+hands crossed on his breast, seemed lost in thought.  Boisberthelot,
+pointing towards him with the forefinger of his left hand, remarked in
+an undertone to La Vieuville,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Vendée has found a leader."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<P>
+<A NAME="chap09"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE MERCHANTS' CUP
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "Broken Stowage," BY DAVID W. BONE
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+I
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+"Fatty" Reid burst into the half-deck with a whoop of exultation.
+"Come out, boys," he yelled.  "Come out and see what luck!  The <I>James
+Flint</I> comin' down the river, loaded and ready for sea!  Who-oop!  What
+price the <I>Hilda</I> now for the Merchants' Cup?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, come off," said big Jones.  "Come off with your Merchants' Cup.
+Th' <I>James Flint's</I> a sure thing, and she wasn't more than half-loaded
+when we were up at Crockett on Sunday!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, there she comes anyway!  <I>James Flint</I>, sure enough!  Grade's
+house-flag up, and the Stars and Stripes!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We hustled on deck and looked over by the Sacramento's mouth.  "Fatty"
+was right.  A big barque was towing down beyond San Pedro.  The <I>James
+Flint</I>!  Nothing else in 'Frisco harbour had spars like hers; no ship
+was as trim and clean as the big Yankee clipper that Bully Nathan
+commanded.  The sails were all aloft, the boats aboard.  She was ready
+to put to sea.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Our cries brought the captain and mate on deck, and the sight of the
+outward-bounder made old man Burke's face beam like a nor'west moon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A chance for ye now, byes," he shouted.  "An open race, bedad!  Ye've
+nothin' t' be afraid of if th' <I>James Flint</I> goes t' sea by Saturday!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Great was our joy at the prospect of the Yankee's sailing.  The 'Frisco
+Merchants' Cup was to be rowed for on Saturday.  It was a mile-and-half
+race for ships' boats, and three wins held the Cup for good.  Twice, on
+previous years, the <I>Hilda's</I> trim gig had shot over the line&mdash;a
+handsome winner.  If we won again, the Cup was ours for keeps!  But
+there were strong opponents to be met this time.  The <I>James Flint</I> was
+the most formidable.  It was open word that Bully Nathan was keen on
+winning the trophy.  Every one knew that he had deliberately sought out
+boatmen when the whalers came in from the north.  Those who had seen
+the Yankee's crew at work in their snaky carvel-built boat said that no
+one else was in it.  What chance had we boys in our clinker-built
+against the thews and sinews of trained whalemen?  It was no wonder
+that we slapped our thighs at the prospect of a more open race.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Still, even with the Yankee gone, there were others in the running.
+There was the <I>Rhondda</I> that held the Cup for the year, having won when
+we were somewhere off the Horn; then the <I>Hedwig Rickmers</I>&mdash;a Bremen
+four-master&mdash;which had not before competed, but whose green-painted gig
+was out for practice morning and night.  We felt easy about the
+<I>Rhondda</I> (for had we not, time and again, shown them our stern on the
+long pull from Green St. to the outer anchorage?), but the Germans were
+different.  Try as we might, we could never pull off a spurt with them.
+No one knew for certain what they could do, only old Schenke, their
+skipper, and he held his tongue wisely.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The <I>James Flint</I> came around the bend, and our eager eyes followed her
+as she steered after the tug.  She was making for the outer anchorage,
+where the laden ships lie in readiness for a good start off.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Th' wind's 'bout west outside," said Jones.  "A 'dead muzzler'!
+She'll not put t' sea tonight, even if she has all her 'crowd' aboard."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, worse luck! mebbe she'll lie over till Saturday after all.  They
+say Bully's dead set on getting th' Cup.  He might hang back.&#8230;
+Some excuse&mdash;short-handed or something!"  Gregson was the one for
+"croaking."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No hands?" said Fatty.  "Huh!  How could he be short-handed when
+everybody knows that Daly's boardin'-house is chock-full of fightin'
+Dutchmen?  No, no!  It'll be the sack for Mister Bully B. Nathan if he
+lets a capful o' fair wind go by and his anchor down.  Gracie's agents
+'ll watch that!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well!  He's here for th' night, anyway.&#8230;  There goes her mudhook!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We watched her great anchor go hurtling from the bows and heard the
+roar of chain cable as she paid out and swung round to the tide.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come roun', yo' boys dere!  Yo' doan' want no tea, eh?"  The nigger
+cook, beating tattoo on a saucepan lid, called us back to affairs of
+the moment, and we sat down to our scanty meal in high spirits,
+talking&mdash;all at one time&mdash;of our chances of the Cup.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The <I>Hilda</I> had been three months at San Francisco, waiting for the
+wheat crop and a profitable charter.  We had come up from Australia,
+and most of our crew, having little wages due to them, had deserted
+soon after our arrival.  Only we apprentices and the sail-maker
+remained, and we had work enough to set our muscles up in the heavy
+harbour jobs.  Trimming coal and shovelling ballast may not be
+scientific training, but it is grand work for the back and shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We were in good trim for rowing.  The old man had given us every
+opportunity, and nothing he could do was wanting to make us fit.  Day
+and daily we had set our stroke up by the long pull from the anchorage
+to the wharves, old Burke coaching and encouraging, checking and
+speeding us, till we worked well together.  Only last Sunday he had
+taken us out of our way, up the creek, to where we could see the flag
+at the <I>Rhondda's</I> masthead.  The old man said nothing, but well we
+knew he was thinking of how the square of blue silk, with Californian
+emblem worked in white, would look at his trim little <I>Hilda's</I>
+fore-truck!  This flag accompanied the Cup, and now (if only the Yankee
+and his hired whalemen were safely at sea) we had hopes of seeing it at
+our masthead again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Tea over&mdash;still excited talk went on.  Some one recalled the last time
+we had overhauled and passed the <I>Rhondda's</I> gig.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's all very well your bucking about beating the <I>Rhondda</I>," said
+Gregson; "but don't think we're going to have it all our own way!
+Mebbe they were 'playing 'possum' when we came by that time!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Maybe," said Jones.  "There's Peters and H. Dobson in her crew.  Good
+men!  Both rowed in the Worcester boat that left the Conways' at the
+start, three years ago.&#8230;  And what about the <I>Rickmers</I>?&nbsp;&#8230;
+No, no!  It won't do to be too cocksure!&nbsp;&#8230;  Eh, Takia?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Takia was our cox-n, a small wiry Jap.  Nothing great in inches, but a
+demon for good steering and timing a stroke.  He was serving his
+apprenticeship with us and had been a year in the <I>Hilda</I>.  Brute
+strength was not one of his points, but none was keener or more active
+in the rigging than our little Jap.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He smiled,&mdash;he always smiled,&mdash;he found it the easiest way of speaking
+English.  "Oh, yes," he said.  "Little cocksu'&mdash;good!  Too much
+cocksu'&mdash;no good!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We laughed at the wisdom of the East.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Talk about being cocky," said Gregson; "you should hear Captain
+Schenke bragging about the way he brought the <I>Hedwig Rickmers</I> out.  I
+heard 'em and the old man at it in the ship-chandler's yesterday.
+Hot&nbsp;&#8230;  Look here, you chaps!  I don't think the old man cares so
+much to win the Cup as to beat Schenke!  The big 'squarehead' is always
+ramming it down Burke's throat how he brought his barque out from
+Liverpool in a hundred and five days, while the <I>Hilda</I> took ten days
+more on her last run out!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's so, I guess," said Jones.  (Jones had the Yankee "touch.")
+"Old Burke would dearly love to put a spoke in his wheel, but it'll
+take some doing.  They say that Schenke has got a friend down from
+Sacramento&mdash;gym.-instructor or something to a college up there.  He'll
+be training the 'Dutchy' crew like blazes.  They'll give us a hot time,
+I'll bet!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Gregson rose to go on deck.  "Oh, well," he said, "it won't be so bad
+if the <I>James Flint</I> only lifts his hook by Saturday.  Here's one
+bloomin' <I>hombre</I> that funks racin' a fancy whaler!&#8230;  An' doesn't
+care who knows it, either!"
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+II
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+Thursday passed&mdash;and now Friday&mdash;still there was no sign of the wind
+changing, and the big Yankee barque lay quietly at anchor over by the
+Presidio.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the butcher came off from the shore with the day's stores, we
+eagerly questioned him about the prospects of the <I>James Flint's</I>
+sailing.  "<I>Huh</I>!  I guess yew're nat the only 'citizens' that air
+concarned 'bout that!" he said.  "They're talkin' 'bout nuthin' else on
+every 'lime-juicer' in the Bay!&nbsp;&#8230;  An' th' <I>Rickmers</I>!  Gee!
+Schenkie's had his eye glued ter th' long telescope ever since
+daybreak, watchin' fer th' <I>Flint</I> heavin' up anchor!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The butcher had varied information to give us.  Now it was that Bully
+Nathan had telegraphed to his New York owners for permission to remain
+in port over Sunday.  Then again, Bully was on the point of being
+dismissed his ship for not taking full advantage of a puff of nor'-west
+wind that came and went on Thursday night.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+&#8230;&nbsp;The <I>Flint</I> was short of men!&#8230;  The Flint had a full crew
+aboard!  Rumours and rumours!  "All sorts o' talk," said the butcher;
+"but I know this fer certain&mdash;she's got all her stores aboard.  Gosh!
+I guess&mdash;she&mdash;has!  I don't like to wish nobody no harm, byes, but I
+hope Bully Nathan's first chop 'll choke him, fer th' way he done me
+over the beef!&#8230;  Scorch 'im!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the forenoon we dropped the gig and put out for practice.  Old Burke
+and the mate came after us in the dinghy, the old man shouting
+instruction and encouragement through his megaphone as we rowed a
+course or spurted hard for a furious three minutes.  Others were out on
+the same ploy, and the backwaters of the Bay had each a lash of oars to
+stir their tideless depths.  Near us the green boat of the <I>Rickmers</I>
+thrashed up and down in style.  Time and again we drew across&mdash;"just
+for a friendly spurt"&mdash;but the "Dutchies" were not giving anything
+away, and sheered off as we approached.  We spent an hour or more at
+practice and were rowing leisurely back to the ship when the green boat
+overhauled us, then slowed to her skipper's orders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How you vass, Cabtin Burke?" said Schenke, an enormous fair-headed
+Teuton, powerful-looking, but run sadly to fat in his elder years.
+"You t'ink you get a chanst now, <I>hein</I>?&#8230;  Now de Yankee is goin'
+avay!"  He pointed over to the Presidio, where the <I>Flint</I> lay at
+anchor.  We followed the line of his fat forefinger.  At anchor, yes,
+but the anchor nearly a-weigh.  Her flags were hoisted, the blue peter
+fluttering at the fore, and the <I>Active</I> tug was passing a hawser
+aboard, getting ready to tow her out.  The smoke from the tugboat's
+funnel was whirling and blowing over the low forts that guard the
+Golden Gates.  Good luck!  A fine nor'-west breeze had come that would
+lift our dreaded rival far to the south'ard on her way round Cape Horn!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Schenke saw the pleased look with which old Burke regarded the Yankee's
+preparations for departure.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Goot bizness, eh?" he said.  "You t'ink you fly de flack on de <I>Hilda</I>
+nex' <I>Sonndag</I>, Cabtin?  Veil!  Ah wish you goot look, but you dond't
+got it all de same!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, well, Captain Schenke, we can but thry," said the old man.  "We
+can but thry, sorr!&#8230;  Shure, she's a foine boat&mdash;that o'
+yours.&#8230;  An' likely-looking lads, too!"  No one could but admire
+the well-set figures of the German crew as they stroked easily beside
+us.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"<I>Schweinehunden</I>," said Schenke brutally.  We noticed more than one
+stolid face darkling as they glanced aside.  Schenke had the name of a
+"hard case."  "<I>Schweinehunden</I>," he said again.  "Dey dond't like de
+hard vork, Cabtin.&#8230;  Dey dond't like it&mdash;but ve takes der Coop,
+all de same!  Dey pulls goot und strong, oder"&mdash;he rasped a short
+sentence in rapid Low German&mdash;"Shermans dond't be beat by no durn
+lime-juicer, <I>nein</I>!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Old Burke grinned.  "Cocky as ever, Captain Schenke!  Bedad now, since
+ye had the luck of ye're last passage there's no limit to ye!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Luck!  Luck!  Alvays de luck mit you, Cabtin!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"An' whatt ilse?&#8230;  Sure, if I hadn't struck a bilt of calms an'
+had more than me share of head winds off the Horn, I'd have given ye a
+day or two mesilf!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ho!  Ho!  Ho!  <I>Das ist gut</I>!"  The green boat rocked with Schenke's
+merriment.  He laughed from his feet up&mdash;every inch of him shook with
+emotion.  "Ho!  Ho!  Hoo!  <I>Das ist ganz gut</I>.  You t'ink you beat de
+<I>Hedwig Rickmers</I> too, Cabtin?  You beat 'm mit dot putty leetle
+barque?  You beat 'm mit de <I>Hilda</I>, <I>nichtwahr</I>?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, no," said our old man.  "I don't exactly say I beat the
+<I>Rickmers</I>, but if I had the luck o' winds that ye had, bedad, I'd
+crack th' <I>Hilda</I> out in a hundred an' five days too!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, dot is not drue, Cabtin!  <I>Aber ganz und gar nicht</I>!  You know
+you haf bedder look von de vind as Ah got.  Ah sail mein sheep!  Ah
+dond't vait for de fair winds nor not'ings!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No," said Burke, "but ye get 'em, all the same.  Everybody knows ye've
+th' divil's own luck, Schenke!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Und so you vas!  Look now, Cabtin Burke.  You t'nk you got so fast a
+sheep as mein, eh?  Veil!  Ah gif you a chanst to make money.  Ah bet
+you feefty dollars to tventig, Ah take mein sheep home quicker as you
+vass!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Done wit' ye," said stout old 'Paddy' Burke, though well he know the
+big German barque could sail round the little <I>Hilda</I>.  "Fifty dollars
+to twenty, Captain Schenke, an' moind y've said it!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The green boat sheered off and forged ahead, Schenke laughing and
+waving his hand derisively.  When they had pulled out of earshot, the
+old man turned ruefully to the mate: "Five pounds clean t'rown away,
+mister!  Foine I know the <I>Rickmers</I> can baate us, but I wasn't goin'
+t' let that ould 'squarehead' have it all his own way!  Divil th' fear!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We swung under the <I>Hilda's</I> stern and hooked on to the gangway.  The
+old man stepped out, climbed a pace or two, then came back.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Look ye here, byes," he said, "I'll give ye foive dollars a man&mdash;an' a
+day's 'liberty' t' spind it&mdash;if ye only baate th' 'Dutchmen.'&nbsp;&#8230;
+Let th' Cup go where it will!"
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+III
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+The Bay of San Francisco is certainly one of the finest natural
+harbours in the world, let Sydney and Rio and Falmouth all contest the
+claim.  Land-locked to every wind that blows, with only a narrow
+channel open to the sea, the navies of the world could lie peacefully
+together in its sheltered waters.  The coast that environs the harbour
+abounds in natural beauties, but of all the wooded creeks&mdash;fair
+stretches of undulating downs&mdash;or stately curves of winding river, none
+surpasses the little bay formed by the turn of Benita, the northern
+postern of the Golden Gates.  Here is the little township of Sancilito,
+with its pretty white houses nestling among the dark green of the
+deeply wooded slopes.  In the bay there is good anchorage for a limited
+number of vessels, and fortunate were they who manned the tall ships
+that lay there, swinging ebb and flood, waiting for a burthen of golden
+grain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On Saturday the little bay was crowded by a muster of varied craft.
+The ships at anchor were "dressed" to the mastheads with gaily-coloured
+flags.  Huge ferryboats passed slowly up and down, their tiers of decks
+crowded with sightseers.  Tug-boats and launches darted about, clearing
+the course, or convoying racing boats to the starting lines.  Ships'
+boats of all kinds were massed together close inshore: gigs and
+pinnaces, lean whaleboats, squat dinghys, even high-sided ocean
+lifeboats with their sombre broad belts of ribbed cork.  A gay scene of
+colour and animation.  A fine turn-out to see the fortune of the
+Merchants' Cup.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At two the Regatta began.  A race for longshore craft showed that the
+boarding-house "crimps" were as skillful at boatman's work as at
+inducing sailormen to desert their ships.  Then two outriggers flashed
+by, contesting a heat for a College race.  We in the <I>Hilda's</I> gig lay
+handily at the starting line and soon were called out.  There were nine
+entries for the Cup, and the judges had decided to run three heats.  We
+were drawn in the first, and, together with the <I>Ardlea's</I> and
+<I>Compton's</I> gigs, went out to be inspected.  The boats had to race in
+sea-service conditions, no lightening was allowed.  At the challenge of
+the judges we showed our gear.  "Spare oar&mdash;right!  Rowlocks&mdash;right!
+Sea-anchor&mdash;right!  Bottom boards and stern grating&mdash;right.  Painter,
+ten fathoms; hemp.&#8230;  A bit short there, <I>Compton</I>!  Eh?&#8230;
+Oh&mdash;all right," said the official, and we manoeuvred into position, our
+sterns held in by the guard-boats.  Some of the ships' captains had
+engaged a steam-launch to follow the heats, and old Burke was there
+with his trumpet, shouting encouragement already.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Air yew ready?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A pause: then, pistol shot!  We struck water and laid out!  Our task
+was not difficult.  The <I>Ardlea's</I> gig was broad-bowed and heavy; they
+had no chance; but the <I>Compton's</I> gave us a stiff pull to more than
+midway.  Had they been like us, three months at boat-work, we had not
+pulled so easily up to the mark, but their ship was just in from
+Liverpool, and they were in poor condition for a mile and a half at
+pressure.  We won easily, and scarce had cheered the losers before the
+launch came fussing up.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come aboard, Takia," shouted old Burke.  "Ye come down wit' me an' see
+what shape the German makes.  He's drawn wit' th' <I>Rhondda</I> in this
+heat!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Takia bundled aboard the launch and we hauled inshore to watch the
+race.  There was a delay at the start.  Schenke, <I>nichts verstehen</I>, as
+he said, was for sending his boat away without a painter or spare gear.
+He was pulled up by the judges, and had to borrow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now they were ready.  The <I>Rickmers</I> outside, <I>Rhondda</I> in the middle
+berth, and the neat little <I>Slieve Donard</I> inshore.  At the start the
+Rhonddas came fair away from the German boat, but even at the distance
+we could see that the "Dutchmen" were well in hand.  At midway the
+<I>Rhondda</I> was leading by a length, still going strong, but they had
+shot their bolt, and the green boat was surely pulling up.  The <I>Slieve
+Donard</I>, after an unsteady course, had given up.  Soon we could hear
+old Schenke roaring oaths and orders, as his launch came flying on in
+the wake of the speeding boats.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Germans spurted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We yelled encouragement to the Rhonddas.  "Give 'em beans, old
+sons!&#8230;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"<I>Rhondda</I>!  <I>Rhondda</I>!&#8230;  Shake 'er up"  Gallantly the white boat
+strove to keep her place, but the greens were too strong.  With a rush,
+they took the lead and held it to the finish, though two lengths from
+the line their stroke faltered, the swing was gone, and they were
+dabbling feebly when the shot rang out.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A grand race," said every one around.  "A grand race"&mdash;but old Burke
+had something to say when he steamed up to put our cox'n among us.
+"Byes, byes," he said, "if there had been twinty yards more the
+<I>Rhondda</I> would have won.  Now d'ye moind, Takia, ye divil&nbsp;&#8230; d'ye
+moind!  Keep th' byes in hand till I give ye th' wurrd!&#8230;  An' whin
+ye get th' wurrd, byes!&#8230;  Oh, Saints!  Shake her up when ye get
+th' wurrd!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The third heat was closely contested.  All three boats, two Liverpool
+barques and a Nova Scotiaman, came on steadily together.  A clean race,
+rowed from start to finish, and the <I>Tuebrook</I> winning by a short
+length.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The afternoon was well spent when we stripped for the final, and took
+up our positions on the line.  How big and muscular the Germans looked!
+How well the green boat sat the water!  With what inward quakings we
+noted the clean fine lines of stem and stern!&#8230;  Of the <I>Tuebrook</I>
+we had no fear.  We knew they could never stand the pace the Germans
+would set.  Could we?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Old Burke, though in a fever of excitement when we came to the line,
+had little to say.  "Keep the byes in hand, Takia&mdash;till ye get th'
+wurrd," was all he muttered.  We swung our oar-blades forward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ready?" The starter challenged us.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly Takia yelped!  We struck and lay back as the shot rang out!  A
+stroke gained!  Takia had taken the flash; the others the report!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Jap's clever start gave us confidence and a lead.  Big Jones at
+stroke worked us up to better the advantage.  The green boat sheered a
+little, then steadied and came on, keeping to us, though nearly a
+length astern.  The <I>Tuebrook</I> had made a bad start, but was thrashing
+away pluckily in the rear.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So we hammered at it for a third of the course, when Takia took charge.
+Since his famous start he had left us to take stroke as Jones pressed
+us, but now he saw signs of the waver that comes after the first
+furious burst&mdash;shifting grip or change of foothold.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"'<I>Trok</I>!&mdash;'<I>trok</I>!&mdash;'<I>trok</I>!" he muttered, and steadied the pace.
+"'<I>Troke</I>!&mdash;'<I>troke</I>!&mdash;'<I>troke</I>!" in monotone, good for soothing
+tension.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Past midway the green boat came away.  The ring of the German's
+rowlocks rose to treble pitch.  Slowly they drew up, working at top
+speed.  Now they were level&mdash;level! and Takia still droning
+"'<I>troke</I>!&mdash;'<I>troke</I>!&mdash;'<I>troke</I>!"&mdash;as if the lead was ours!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wild outcry came from the crowd as the green boat forged ahead!  Deep
+roars from Schenke somewhere in the rear!  Now, labouring still to
+Takia's '<I>troke</I>!&mdash;'<I>troke</I>! we had the foam of the German's stern wash
+at our blades!  "Come away, <I>Hilda's</I>!"&nbsp;&#8230;  "<I>Shake her up,
+there</I>!"&nbsp;&#8230;  "<I>Hilda-h</I>!  <I>Hilda-h</I>!"&mdash;Takia took no outward heed of
+the cries.  He was staring stolidly ahead, bending to the pulse of the
+boat.  No outward heed&mdash;but '<I>troke</I>!&mdash;'<I>troke</I>! came faster from his
+lips.  We strained, almost holding the Germans' ensign at level with
+our bow pennant.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Loud over the wild yells of the crowd we heard the voice we knew&mdash;old
+Burke's bull-roar: "Let 'er rip, Taki'!  Let 'er rip, bye!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Takia's eyes gleamed as he sped us up&mdash;up&mdash;up!  '<I>Troke</I> became a yelp
+like a wounded dog's.  He crouched, standing, in the sternsheets, and
+lashed us up to a furious thrash of oars!  Still quicker!&#8230;  The
+eyes of him glared at each of us, as if daring us to fail!  The yelp
+became a scream as we drew level&mdash;the Germans still at top speed.
+"<I>Up</I>!  <I>Up</I>!  <I>Up</I>!" yells Takia, little yellow devil with a white
+froth at his lips!  "<I>Up</I>!  <I>Up</I>!  <I>Up</I>!" swaying unsteadily to meet
+the furious urging.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The ring of the German rowlocks deepens&mdash;deepens&mdash;we see the green bow
+at our blades again.  Her number two falters&mdash;jars&mdash;recovers again&mdash;and
+pulls stubbornly on.  Their "shot" is fired!  They can do no more!
+Done!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And so are we!  Takia drops the yoke ropes and leans forward on the
+gunwale!  Oars jar together!  Big Jones bends forward with his mouth
+wide&mdash;wide!  Done!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But not before a hush&mdash;a solitary pistol shot&mdash;then roar of voices and
+shrilling of steamer syrens tell us that the Cup is ours!
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+IV
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+A month later there was a stir in the western seaports.  No longer the
+ships lay swinging idly at their moorings.  The harvest of grain was
+ready for the carriers, and every day sail was spread to the free wind
+outside the Golden Gates, and laden ships went speeding on their
+homeward voyages.  The days of boat-races and pleasant time-passing
+harbour jobs were gone; it was now work&mdash;work&mdash;to get the ship ready
+for her burden, and, swaying the great sails aloft, to rig harness for
+the power that was to bear us home.  From early morning till late
+evening we were kept hard at it; for Captain Burke and the mate were as
+keen on getting the <I>Hilda</I> to sea after her long stay in port as they
+were on jockeying us up to win the Cup.  Often, when we turned to in
+the morning, we would find a new shipmate ready to bear a hand with us.
+The old man believed in picking up a likely man when he offered.  Long
+experience of Pacific ports had taught him how difficult it is to get a
+crew at the last moment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So when at length the cargo was stowed, we were quite ready to go to
+sea, while many others&mdash;the <I>Hedwig Rickmers</I> among them&mdash;were waiting
+for men.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On the day before sailing a number of the ship captains were gathered
+together in the chandler's store, talking of freights and passages, and
+speculating on the runs they hoped to make.  Burke and Schencke were
+the loudest talkers, for we were both bound to Falmouth "for orders,"
+and the <I>Rickmers</I> would probably sail three days after we had gone.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Vat 'bout dot bett you make mit me, Cabtin?" said Schenke.  "Dot is
+all recht, no?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, yess," answered the old man, but without enthusiasm.  "That
+stands."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hoo!  Hoo!  Hoo!  Tventig dollars to feefty&mdash;dot you goes home quicker
+as me, no?" Schencke turned to the other men.  "Vat you tinks,
+yenthelmen?  Ah tinks Ah sbend der tventig dollars now&mdash;so sure Ah
+vass."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The others laughed.  "Man, man," said Findlayson of the <I>Rhondda</I>.
+"You don't tell me Burke's been fool enough to take that bet.  Hoo!
+You haven't the ghost of a chance, Burke."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Och, ye never know," said the now doleful sportsman.  "Ye never know
+ye're luck."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Look here, Cabtin," said Schencke (good-humoured by the unspoken
+tribute to his vessel's sailing powers)&mdash;"Ah gif you a chanst.  Ah make
+de bett dis vay&mdash;look.  Ve goes to Falmouth&mdash;you <I>und</I> me, <I>hein</I>?
+Now, de first who comes on de shore vins de money.  Dot vill gif you
+t'ree days' start, no?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's more like it," said the other captains.  "I wish you luck,
+Burke," said Findlayson.  "Good luck&mdash;you'll need it too&mdash;if you are to
+be home before the big German."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So the bet was made.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At daybreak next morning we put out to sea.  The good luck that the
+<I>Rhondda</I> wished us came our way from the very first.  When the tug
+left us we set sail to a fine fair wind, and soon were bowling along in
+style.  We found the nor'-east Trades with little seeking; strong
+Trades, too, that lifted us to the Line almost before the harbour dust
+was blown from our masts and spars.  There calms fell on us for a few
+days, but we drifted south in the right current, and in less than forty
+days had run into the "westerlies" and were bearing away for the Horn.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Old Burke was "cracking on" for all the <I>Hilda</I> could carry canvas.
+Every morning when he came on deck the first question to the mate would
+be: "Any ships in sight, mister?"&nbsp;&#8230;  "Any ships astern," he meant,
+for his first glance was always to where the big green four-master
+might be expected to heave in sight.  Then, when nothing was reported,
+he would begin his day-long strut up and down the poop, whistling
+"Garryowen" and rubbing his hands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Nor was the joy at our good progress his alone.  We in the half-deck
+knew of the bet, and were keen that the ship which carried the
+Merchants' Cup should not be overhauled by the runner-up!  We had made
+a fetish of the trophy so hardly won.  The Cup itself was safely stowed
+in the ship's strong chest, but the old man had let us have custody of
+the flag.  Big Jones had particular charge of it; and it had been a
+custom while in 'Frisco to exhibit it on the Saturday nights to
+admiring and envious friends from other ships.  This custom we
+continued when at sea.  True, there were no visitors to set us up and
+swear what lusty chaps we were, but we could frank one another and say,
+"If you hadn't done this or that, we would never have won the race."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On a breezy Saturday evening we were busy at these rites.  The <I>Hilda</I>
+was doing well before a steady nor'-west wind, but the weather&mdash;though
+nothing misty&mdash;was dark as a pall.  Thick clouds overcast the sky, and
+there seemed no dividing line between the darkling sea and the windy
+banks that shrouded the horizon.  A dirty night was in prospect; the
+weather would thicken later; but that made the modest comforts of the
+half-deck seem more inviting by comparison; and we came together for
+our weekly "sing-song"&mdash;all but Gregson, whose turn it was to stand the
+lookout on the fo'c'sle-head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The flag was brought out and hung up&mdash;Jones standing by to see that no
+pipe-lights were brought near&mdash;and we ranted at "Ye Mariners of
+England" till the mate sent word that further din would mean a
+"work-up" job for all of us.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Little we thought that we mariners would soon be facing dangers as
+great as any we so glibly sang about.  Even as we sang, the <I>Hilda</I> was
+speeding on a fatal course!  Across her track the almost submerged hull
+of a derelict lay drifting.  Black night veiled the danger from the
+keenest eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A frenzied order from the poop put a stunning period to our merriment.
+"Helm up, f'r God's sake!&#8230;  <I>Up</I>!&mdash;<I>oh God</I>!&mdash;<I>Up</I>! <I>Up</I>!"  A
+furious impact dashed us to the deck.  Staggering, bruised, and
+bleeding, we struggled to our feet.  Outside the yells of fear-stricken
+men mingled with hoarse orders, the crash of spars hurtling from aloft
+vied with the thunder of canvas, as the doomed barque swung round
+broadside to the wind and sea.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Even in that dread moment Jones had heed of his precious flag.  As we
+flew to the door, he tore the flag down, stuffing it in his jumper as
+he joined us at the boats.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was no time to hoist out the life-boats&mdash;it was pinnace and gig
+or nothing.  Already the bows were low in the water.  "She goes.  She
+goes!" yelled some one.  "Oh, Christ!  She's going!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We bore frantically on the tackles that linked the gig, swung her out,
+and lowered by the run; the mate had the pinnace in the water, men were
+swarming into her.  As the gig struck water, the barque heeled to the
+rail awash.  We crowded in, old Burke the last to leave her, and pushed
+off.  Our once stately <I>Hilda</I> reeled in a swirl of broken water, and
+the deep sea took her!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sailor work!  No more than ten minutes between "Ye Mariners" and the
+foundering of our barque!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We lay awhile with hearts too full for words; then the pinnace drew
+near, and the mate called the men.  All there but one!
+"Gregson!"&nbsp;&#8230;  No Gregson!  The bosun knew.  He had seen what was
+Gregson lying still under the wreck of the topmost spars.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The captain and mate conferred long together.  We had no sail in the
+gig, but the larger boat was fully equipped.  "It's the only chance,
+mister," said Burke at last.  "No food&mdash;no water!  We can't hold out
+for long.  Get sail on your boat and stand an hour or two to the
+east'ard.  Ye may fall in with a ship; she w'was right in th' track
+whin she s-struck.  We can but lie to in th' gig an' pray that a ship
+comes by."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aye, aye, sir."  They stepped the mast and hoisted sail.  "Good-bye
+all: God bless ye, captain," they said as the canvas swelled.  "Keep
+heart!"  For a time we heard their voices shouting us God-speed&mdash;then
+silence came!
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+V
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+Daybreak!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thank God the bitter night was past.  Out of the east the
+long-looked-for light grew on us, as we lay to sea-anchor, lurching
+unsteadily in the teeth of wind and driving rain.  At the first grey
+break we scanned the now misty horizon.  There was no sign of the
+pinnace; no God-sent sail in all the dreary round!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We crouched on the bottom boards of the little gig and gave way to
+gloomy thoughts.  What else could be when we were alone and adrift on
+the broad Pacific, without food or water, in a tiny gig already
+perilously deep with the burden of eight of us?  What a difference to
+the gay day when we manned the same little boat and set out in pride to
+the contest!  Here was the same spare oar that we held up to the
+judges&mdash;the long oar that Jones was now swaying over the stern, keeping
+her head to the wind and sea!  Out there in the tumbling water the
+sea-anchor held its place; the ten fathoms of good hemp "painter" was
+straining at the bows!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The same boat!  The same gear!  The same crew, but how different!  A
+crew of bent heads and wearied limbs!  Listless-eyed, despairing!  A
+ghastly crew, with black care riding in the heaving boat with us!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Poor old Burke had hardly spoken since his last order to the mate to
+sail the pinnace to the east in search of help.  When anything was put
+to him, he would say, "Aye, aye, b'ye," and take no further heed.  He
+was utterly crushed by the disaster that had come so suddenly on the
+heels of his "good luck."  He sat staring stonily ahead, deaf to our
+hopes and fears.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Water we had in plenty as the day wore on.  The rain-soaked clothes of
+us were sufficient for the time, but soon hunger came and added a
+physical pain to the torture of our doubt.  Again and again we stood up
+on the reeling thwarts and looked wildly around the sea-line.  No
+pinnace&mdash;no ship&mdash;nothing!  Nothing, only sea and sky, and circling
+sea-birds that came to mock at our misery with their plaintive cries.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A bitter night!  A no less cruel day!  Dark came on us again, chill and
+windy, and the salt spray cutting at us like a whiplash.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boo-m-m!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Big Jones stood up in the stern-sheets, swaying unsteadily.  "D'ye hear
+anything there?&#8230;  Like a gun?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A gun?  Gun?&#8230;  Nothing new!&#8230;  We had been hearing guns,
+seeing sails&mdash;in our minds&mdash;all the day!  All day&nbsp;&#8230; guns&nbsp;&#8230; and
+sail!  Boom-m-m-m!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Gun!  Oh God&nbsp;&#8230; a gun!  Capt'n, a gun, d'ye hear!  Hay&mdash;Hay-H.  Out
+oars, there!  A gun!"  Hoarse in excitement Jones shook the old man and
+called at his ear.  "Aye, aye, b'ye.  Aye, aye," said the broken old
+man, seeming without understanding.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Jones ceased trying to rouse him, and, running out the steering oar,
+called on us to haul the sea-anchor aboard.  We lay to our oars,
+listening for a further gunfire.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Whooo-o.&#8230;  Boom-m-m.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A rocket!  They were looking for us then!  The pinnace must have been
+picked up!  A cheer&mdash;what a cheer!&mdash;came brokenly from our lips; and we
+lashed furiously at the oars, steering to where a glare in the mist had
+come with the last report.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Roused by the thrash of our oars, the old man sat up.  "Whatt now,
+b'ye?  Whatt now?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ship firin' rockets, sir," said Jones.  "Rockets&nbsp;&#8230; no mistake."
+As he spoke, another coloured streamer went flaming through the eastern
+sky.  "Give way, there!  We'll miss her if she's running south!  Give
+way, all!"  The glare of the rocket put heart into our broken old
+skipper.  "Steady now, b'yes," he said, with something of his old
+enthusiasm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We laboured steadily at the oars, but our strength was gone.  The sea
+too, that we had thought moderate when lying to sea-anchor, came at us
+broadside on and set our light boat to a furious dance.  Wave crests
+broke and lashed aboard, the reeling boat was soon awash, and the spare
+men had to bale frantically to keep her afloat.  But terror of the ship
+running south from us nerved our wearied arms, and we kept doggedly
+swinging the oars.  Soon we made out the vessel's sidelight&mdash;the gleam
+of her starboard light, that showed that she was hauled to the wind,
+not running south as we had feared.  They could not see on such a
+night, we had nothing to make a signal, but the faint green flame gave
+us heart in our distress.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The old man, himself again, was now steering, giving us Big Jones to
+bear at the oars.  As we drew on we made out the loom of the vessel's
+sails&mdash;a big ship under topsails only, and sailing slowly to the west.
+We pulled down wind to cross her course, shouting together as we rowed.
+Would they never hear? &nbsp;&#8230;  Again!&#8230;  Again!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly there came a hail from the ship, a roar of orders, rattle of
+blocks and gear, the yards swung round and she layed up in the wind,
+while the ghostly glare of a blue light lit up the sea around.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A crowd of men were gathered at the waist, now shouting and cheering as
+we laboured painfully into the circle of vivid light.  Among them a big
+man (huge he looked in that uncanny glare) roared encouragement in
+hoarse gutturals.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Old Schenke?  The <I>Hedwig Rickmers</I>?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Aye&mdash;Schenke!  But a different Schenke to the big, blustering,
+overbearing "Square-head" we had known in 'Frisco.  Schenke as kind as
+a brother&mdash;a brother of the sea indeed.  Big, fat, honest Schenke,
+passing his huge arm through that of our broken old skipper, leading
+him aft to his own bed, and silencing his faltering story by words of
+cheer.  "<I>Ach, du lieber Gott</I>!  It is all right, no?  All right,
+Cabtin, now you come on board.  Ah know all 'bout it!&#8230;  Ah pick de
+oder boat up in de morning, und dey tells me.  You come af mit me,
+Cabtin.&#8230;  Goot, no?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*      *      *      *      *      *<BR>
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ninety-six days, Schenke, and here we are at the mouth of the
+Channel!"  Old Burke had a note of regret in the saying.  "Ninety-six
+days!  Sure, this ship o' yours can sail.  With a bit o' luck, now,
+ye'll be in Falmouth under the hundred."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So.  If de vind holds goot.  Oh, de <I>Hedwig Rickmers</I> is a goot sheep,
+no?  But if Ah dond't get de crew of de poor lettle <I>Hilda</I> to work
+mein sheep, Ah dond't t'ink ve comes home so quick as hundert days,
+no?'"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"God bless us, man.  Shure, it's the least they cud do, now.  An' you
+kaaping' us in food an' drink an' clothes, bedad&mdash;all the time."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Vat Ah do, Cabtin.  Ah leaf you starfe, no?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh.  Some men would have put into the Falklands and landed&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Und spoil a goot bassage, eh?  Ach nein.  More better to go on.  You
+know dese men Ah get in 'Frisco is no goot.  Dem "hoodlums," they
+dond't know de sailorman vork.  But your beoble is all recht, eh!
+Gott!  If Ah dond't haf dem here, it is small sail ve can carry on de
+sheep."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Och, now, ye just say that, Schenke, ye just say that!  But it's glad
+I am if we're any use t' ye."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hundert days to Falmouth, eh?" Schenke grinned as he said it.  "Vat
+'bout dot bett now, Cabtin?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh that," said Burke queerly.  "You win, of course.  I'm not quite
+broke yet, Captain Schenke.  I'll pay the twenty dollars all right."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, no.  De bett is not von.  No?  De bett vass&mdash;'who is de first on
+shore come,' <I>Heim</I>?  Goot.  Ven de sheep comes to Falmouth ve goes on
+shore, you und me, together.  Like dis, eh?"  He seized Burke by the
+arm and made a motion that they two should thus step out together.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Burke, shamefacedly, said: "Aye, aye, b'ye."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah dond't care about de bett," continued the big German.  "De bett is
+noting, but, look here, Cabtin&mdash;Ah tell you Ah look to vin dot
+Merchants' Cup.  <I>Gott</I>!  Ah vass <I>verrickt</I> ven your boys come in
+first.  Ach so!  Und now de Cup iss at de bottom of de Pacific."  He
+sighed regretfully.  "<I>Gott</I>!  I van't t' be de first Sherman to vin
+dot Cup too!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The mate of the <I>Rickmers</I> came on the poop and said something to his
+captain.  Schenke turned to the old man in some wonderment.&#8230;  "Vat
+dis is, eh?  My mate tell me dot your boys is want to speak mit me.
+Vat it is, Cabtin?  No troubles I hope?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Burke looked as surprised as the other.  "Send them up, Heinrich," he
+said.  We, the crew of the <I>Hilda's</I> gig, filed on to the poop, looking
+as hot and uncomfortable as proper sailorfolk should do when they come
+on a deputation.  Jones headed us, and he carried a parcel under his
+arm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Captain Schenke," he said.  "We are all here&mdash;the crew of the
+<I>Hilda's</I> gig, that you picked up when&mdash;when&mdash;we were in a bad way.
+All here but poor Gregson."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The big lad's voice broke as he spoke of his lost watchmate.  "An, if
+he was here he would want t' thank ye too for the way you've done by
+us.  I can't say any more, Captain Schenke&mdash;but we want you to take a
+small present from us&mdash;the crew of the <I>Hilda's</I> gig."  He held out the
+parcel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Only half understanding the lad's broken words, Schenke took the parcel
+and opened it.  "<I>Ach Gott</I> <I>Lieber Gott</I>," he said, and turned to show
+the gift to old Burke.  Tears stood in the big "squarehead's" eyes;
+stood, and rolled unchecked down his fat cheeks.  Tears of pleasure!
+Tears of pity!  Stretched between his hands was a weather-beaten flag,
+its white emblem stained and begrimed by sea-water!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A tattered square of blue silk&mdash;the flag of the Merchants' Cup!
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap10"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+A STORM AND A RESCUE
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "The Wreck of the Grosvenor" BY W. CLARK RUSSELL
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+All that night it blew terribly hard, and raised as wild and raging a
+sea as ever I remember hearing or seeing described.  During my
+watch&mdash;that is, from midnight until four o'clock&mdash;the wind veered a
+couple of points, but had gone back again only to blow harder; just as
+though it had stepped out of its way a trifle to catch extra breath.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was quite worn out by the time my turn came to go below; and though
+the vessel was groaning like a live creature in its death agonies, and
+the seas thumping against her with such shocks as kept me thinking that
+she was striking hard ground, I fell asleep as soon as my head touched
+the pillow, and never moved until routed out by Duckling four hours
+afterward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All this time the gale had not bated a jot of its violence, and the
+ship labored so heavily that I had the utmost difficulty in getting out
+of the cuddy on to the poop.  When I say that the decks fore and aft
+were streaming wet, I convey no notion of the truth: the main deck was
+simply <I>afloat</I>, and every time the ship rolled, the water on her deck
+rushed in a wave against the bulwarks and shot high in the air, to
+mingle sometimes with fresh and heavy inroads of the sea, both falling
+back upon the deck with the boom of a gun.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had already ascertained from Duckling that the well had been sounded
+and the ship found dry; and therefore, since we were tight below, it
+mattered little what water was shipped above, as the hatches were
+securely battened down fore and aft, and the mast-coats unwrung.  But
+still she labored under the serious disadvantage of being overloaded;
+and the result was, her fore parts were being incessantly swept by seas
+which at times completely hid her forecastle in spray.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Shortly after breakfast, Captain Coxon sent me forward to dispatch a
+couple of hands on to the jib-boom to snug the inner jib, which looked
+to be rather shakily stowed.  I managed to dodge the water on the
+main-deck by waiting until it rolled to the starboard scuppers and then
+cutting ahead as fast as I could; but just as I got upon the
+forecastle, I was saluted by a green sea which carried me off my legs,
+and would have swept me down on the main-deck had I not held on stoutly
+with both hands to one of the fore-shrouds.  The water nearly drowned
+me, and kept me sneezing and coughing for ten minutes afterward.  But
+it did me no further mischief; for I was incased in good oilskins and
+sou'-wester, which kept me as dry as a bone inside.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Two ordinary seamen got upon the jib-boom, and I bade them keep a good
+hold, for the ship sometimes danced her figurehead under water and
+buried her sprit-sail-yard; and when she sunk her stern, her flying
+jib-boom stood up like the mizzenmast.  I waited until this job of
+snugging the sail was finished, and then made haste to get off the
+forecastle, where the seas flew so continuously and heavily that had I
+not kept a sharp lookout, I should several times have been knocked
+overboard.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Partly out of curiosity and partly with a wish to hearten the men, I
+looked into the forecastle before going aft.  There were sliding-doors
+let into the entrance on either side the windlass, but one of them was
+kept half open to admit air, the forescuttle above being closed.  The
+darkness here was made visible by an oil lamp,&mdash;in shape resembling a
+tin coffee-pot with a wick in the spout,&mdash;which burned black and
+smokily.  The deck was up to my ankles in water, which gurgled over the
+pile of swabs that lay at the open entrance.  It took my eye some
+moments to distinguish objects in the gloom; and then by degrees the
+strange interior was revealed.  A number of hammocks were swung against
+the upper deck and around the forecastle were two rows of bunks, one
+atop the other.  Here and there were sea-chests lashed to the deck; and
+these, with the huge windlass, a range of chain cable, lengths of rope,
+odds and ends of pots and dishes, with here a pair of breeches hanging
+from a hammock, and there a row of oilskins swinging from a
+beam,&mdash;pretty well made up all the furniture that met my eye.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The whole of the crew were below.  Some of the men lay smoking in their
+bunks, others in their hammocks with their boots over the edge; one was
+patching a coat, another greasing his boots; others were seated in a
+group talking; while under the lamp were a couple of men playing at
+cards upon a chest, three or four watching and holding on by the
+hammocks over their heads.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A man, lying in his bunk with his face toward me, started up and sent
+his legs, incased in blanket trousers and brown woolen stockings,
+flying out.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Here's Mr. Royle, mates!" he called out.  "Let's ask him the name of
+the port the captain means to touch at for proper food, for we aren't
+goin' to wait much longer."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't ask me any questions of that kind, my lads," I replied promptly,
+seeing a general movement of heads in the bunks and hammocks.  "I'd
+give you proper victuals if I had the ordering of them; and I have
+spoken to Captain Coxon about you, and I am sure he will see this
+matter put to rights."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had difficulty in making my voice heard, for the striking of the seas
+against the ship's bows filled the place with an overwhelming volume of
+sound; and the hollow, deafening thunder was increased by the uproar of
+the ship's straining timbers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Who the devil thinks," said a voice from a hammock, "that we're going
+to let ourselves be grinded as we was last night without proper wittles
+to support us?  I'd rather have signed articles for a coal-barge, with
+drowned rats to eat from Gravesend to Whitstable, than shipped in this
+here cursed vessel, where the bread's just fit to make savages retch!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had not bargained for this, but had merely meant to address them
+cheerily, with a few words of approval of the smart way in which they
+had worked the ship in the night.  Seeing that my presence would do no
+good, I turned about and left the forecastle, hearing, as I came away,
+one of the Dutchmen cry out:&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Look here, Mister Rile, vill you be pleashed to ssay when we are to
+hov' something to eat?&mdash;for by Gott! ve vill kill te dom pigs in the
+long-boat if the skipper don't mindt&mdash;so look out!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As ill-luck would have it, Captain Coxon was at the break of the poop,
+and saw me come out of the forecastle.  He waited until he had got me
+alongside of him, when he asked me what I was doing among the men.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I looked in to give them a good word for the work they did last
+night," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And who asked you to give them a good word, as you call it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have never had to wait for orders to encourage a crew."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mind what you are about, sir!" he exclaimed, in a voice tremulous with
+rage.  "I see through your game, and I'll put a stopper upon it that
+you won't like."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What game, sir?  Let me have your meaning."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"An infernal mutinous game!" he roared.  "Don't talk to me, sir!  I
+know you!  I've had my eye upon you!  You'll play false if you can, and
+are trying to smother up your d&mdash;d rebel meanings with genteel airs!
+Get away, sir!" he bellowed, stamping his foot.  "Get away aft!  You're
+a lumping useless incumbrance!  But by thunder!  I'll give you two for
+every one you try to give me!  So stand by!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And apparently half mad with his rage, he staggered away in the very
+direction in which he had told me to go, and stood near the wheel,
+glaring upon me with a white face, which looked indescribably
+malevolent in the fur cap and ear-protectors that ornamented it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was terribly vexed by this rudeness, which I was powerless to resist,
+and regretted my indiscretion in entering the forecastle after the
+politic resolutions I had formed.  However, Captain Coxon's ferocity
+was nothing new to me; truly I believed he was not quite right in his
+mind, and expected, as in former cases, that he would come round a bit
+by-and-by when his insane temper had passed.  Still his insinuations
+were highly dangerous, not to speak of their offensiveness.  It was no
+joke to be charged, even by a madman, with striving to arouse the crew
+to mutiny.  Nevertheless I tried to console myself as best I could by
+reflecting that he could not prove his charges; that I need only to
+endure his insolence for a few weeks, and that there was always a law
+to vindicate me and punish him, should his evil temper betray him into
+any acts of cruelty against me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The gale, at times the severest that I was ever in, lasted three days;
+during which the ship drove something like eighty miles to the
+northwest.  The sea on the afternoon of the third day was appalling:
+had the ship attempted to run, she would have been pooped and smothered
+in a minute; but lying close, she rode fairly well, though there were
+moments when I held my breath as she sunk in a hollow like a coal-mine,
+filled with the astounding noise of boiling water,&mdash;really believing
+that the immense waves which came hurtling towards us with solid,
+sharp, transparent ridges, out of which the wind tore lumps of water
+and flung them through the rigging of the ship, must overwhelm the
+vessel before she could rise to it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The fury of the tempest and the violence of the sea, which the boldest
+could not contemplate without feeling that the ship was every moment in
+more or less peril, kept the crew subdued; and they eat as best they
+could the provisions, without complaint.  However, it needed nothing
+less than a storm to keep them quiet: for on the second day a sea
+extinguished the galley fire, and until the gale abated no cooking
+could be done; so that the men had to put up with cold water and
+biscuit.  Hence all hands were thrown upon the ship's bread for two
+days; and the badness of it, therefore, was made even more apparent
+than heretofore, when its wormy moldiness was in some degree qualified
+by the nauseousness of bad salt pork and beef and the sickly flavor of
+damaged tea.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As I had anticipated, the captain came round a little a few hours after
+his insulting attack upon me.  I think his temper frightened him when
+it had reference to me.  Like others of his breed, he was a bit of a
+cur at the bottom.  My character was a trifle beyond him; and he was
+ignorant enough to hate and fear what he could not understand.  Be this
+as it may, he made some rough attempts at a rude kind of politeness
+when I went below to get some grog, and condescended to say that when I
+had been to sea as long as he, I would know that the most ungrateful
+rascals in the world were sailors; that every crew he had sailed with
+had always taken care to invent some grievance to growl over: either
+the provisions were bad, or the work too heavy, or the ship
+unseaworthy; and that long ago he had made up his mind never to pay
+attention to their complaints, since no sooner would one wrong be
+redressed than another would be coined and shoved under his nose.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I took this opportunity of assuring him that I had never willingly
+listened to the complaints of the men, and that I was always annoyed
+when they spoke to me about the provisions, as I had nothing whatever
+to do with that matter; and that so far from my wishing to stir up the
+men into rebellion, my conduct had been uniformly influenced by the
+desire to conciliate them and represent their conditions as very
+tolerable, so as to repress any tendency to disaffection which they
+might foment among themselves.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+To this he made no reply, and soon we parted; but all the next day he
+was sullen again, and never addressed me save to give an order.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On the evening of the third day the gale broke; the glass had risen
+since the morning; but until the first dogwatch the wind did not bate
+one iota of its violence, and the horizon still retained its stormy and
+threatening aspect.  The clouds then broke in the west, and the setting
+sun shone forth with deep crimson light upon the wilderness of
+mountainous waters.  The wind fell quickly, then went round to the west
+and blew freshly; but there was a remarkable softness and sweetness in
+the feel and taste of it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A couple of reefs were at once shaken out of the main-topsail, and a
+sail made.  By midnight the heavy sea had subsided into a deep, long,
+rolling swell, still (strangely enough) coming from the south; but the
+fresh westerly wind held the ship steady, and for the first time for
+nearly a hundred hours we were able to move about the decks with
+comparative comfort.  Early the next morning the watch were set to wash
+down and clear up the decks; and when I left my cabin at eight o'clock,
+I found the weather bright and warm, with a blue sky shining among
+heavy, white, April-looking clouds, and the ship making seven knots
+under all plain sail.  The decks were dry and comfortable, and the ship
+had a habitable and civilized look, by reason of the row of clothes
+hung by the seamen to dry on the forecastle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was half past nine o'clock, and I was standing near the taffrail
+looking at a shoal of porpoises playing some hundreds of feet astern,
+when the man who was steering asked me to look in the direction to
+which he pointed&mdash;that was, a little to the right of the bowsprit&mdash;and
+say if there was anything to be seen there; for he had caught sight of
+something black upon the horizon twice, but could not detect it now.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I turned my eyes toward the quarter of the sea indicated, but could
+discern nothing whatever; and telling him that what he had seen was
+probably a wave, which, standing higher than his fellows, will
+sometimes show black a long distance off, walked to the fore part of
+the poop.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The breeze still held good; and the vessel was slipping easily through
+the water, though the southerly swell made her roll and at times shook
+the wind out of the sails.  The skipper had gone to lie down,&mdash;being
+pretty well exhausted, I daresay; for he had kept the deck for the
+greater part of three nights running.  Duckling was also below.  Most
+of my watch were on the forecastle, sitting or lying in the sun, which
+shone very warm upon the decks; the hens under the long-boat were
+chattering briskly, and the cocks crowing, and the pigs grunting, with
+the comfort of the warmth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly, as the ship rose, I distinctly beheld something black out
+away upon the horizon, showing just under the foot of the foresail.  It
+vanished instantly; but I was not satisfied, and went for the glass
+which lay upon the brackets just under the companion.  I then told the
+man who was steering to keep her away a couple of points for a few
+moments; and resting the glass against the mizzen-royal backstay,
+pointed it toward the place where I had seen the black object.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For some moments nothing but sea or sky filled the field of the glass
+as the ship rose and fell; but all at once there leaped into this field
+the hull of a ship, deep as her main-chains in the water, which came
+and went before my eye as the long seas lifted or dropped in the
+foreground.  I managed to keep her sufficiently long in view to
+perceive that she was totally dismasted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a wreck," said I, turning to the man: "let her come to again and
+luff a point.  There may be living creatures aboard of her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Knowing what sort of man Captain Coxon was, I do not think that I
+should have had the hardihood to luff the ship a point out of her
+course had it involved the bracing of the yards; for the songs of the
+men would certainly have brought him on deck, and I might have provoked
+some ugly insolence.  But the ship was going free, and would head more
+westerly without occasioning further change than slightly slackening
+the weather-braces of the upper yards.  This I did quietly; and the
+dismantled hull was brought right dead on end with our flying jib-boom.
+The men now caught sight of her, and began to stare and point; but did
+not sing out, as they saw by the telescope in my hand that I perceived
+her.  The breeze unhappily began to slacken somewhat, owing perhaps to
+the gathering heat of the sun; our pace fell off: and a full hour
+passed before we brought the wreck near enough to see her
+permanently,&mdash;for up to this she had been constantly vanishing under
+the rise of the swell.  She was now about two miles off, and I took a
+long and steady look at her through the telescope.  It was a black hull
+with painted ports.  The deck was flush fore and aft, and there was a
+good-sized house just before where the mainmast should have been.  This
+house was uninjured, though the galley was split up, and to starboard
+stood up in splinters like the stump of a tree struck by lightning.  No
+boats could be seen aboard of her.  Her jib-boom was gone, and so were
+all three masts,&mdash;clean cut off at the deck, as though a hand-saw had
+done it; but the mizzenmast was alongside, held by the shrouds and
+backstays, and the port main and fore shrouds streamed like serpents
+from her chains into the water.  I reckoned at once that she must be
+loaded with timber, for she never could keep afloat at that depth with
+any other kind of cargo in her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She made a most mournful and piteous object in the sunlight, sluggishly
+rolling to the swell which ran in transparent volumes over her sides
+and foamed around the deck-house.  Once when her stern rose, I read the
+name <I>Cecilia</I> in broad white letters.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was gazing intently, in the effort to witness some indication of
+living thing on board, when, to my mingled consternation and horror, I
+witnessed an arm projecting through the window of the deck-house and
+frantically waving what resembled a white handkerchief.  As none of the
+men called out, I judged the signal was not perceptible to the naked
+eye; and in my excitement I shouted, "There's a living man on board of
+her, my lads!" dropped the glass, and ran aft to call the captain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I met him coming up the companion ladder.  The first thing he said was,
+"You're out of your course," and looked up at the sails.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There's a wreck yonder," I cried, pointing eagerly, "with a man on
+board signaling to us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Get me the glass," he said sulkily; and I picked it up and handed it
+to him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He looked at the wreck for some moments; and addressing the man at the
+wheel, exclaimed, making a movement with his hand, "Keep her away!
+Where in the devil are you steering to?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good heaven!" I ejaculated: "there's a man on board&mdash;there may be
+others!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Damnation!" he exclaimed between his teeth: "what do you mean by
+interfering with me?  Keep her away!" he roared out.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+During this time we had drawn sufficiently near to the wreck to enable
+the sharper-sighted among the hands to remark the signal, and they were
+calling out that there was somebody flying a handkerchief aboard the
+hull.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Captain Coxon," said I, with as firm a voice as I could command,&mdash;for
+I was nearly in as great a rage as he, and rendered insensible to all
+consequences by his inhumanity,&mdash;"if you bear away and leave that man
+yonder to sink with that wreck when he can be saved with very little
+trouble, you will become as much a murderer as any ruffian who stabs a
+man asleep."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When I had said this, Coxon turned black in the face with passion.  His
+eyes protruded, his hands and fingers worked as though he were under
+some electrical process, and I saw for the first time in my life a
+sight I had always laughed at as a bit of impossible novelist
+description,&mdash;a mouth foaming with rage.  He rushed aft, just over
+Duckling's cabin, and stamped with all his might.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now," thought I, "they may try to murder me!"  And without a word I
+pulled off my coat, seized a belaying-pin, and stood ready; resolved
+that happen what might, I would give the first man who should lay his
+fingers on me something to remember me by while he had breath in his
+body.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The men, not quite understanding what was happening, but seeing that a
+"row" was taking place, came to the forecastle and advanced by degrees
+along the main-deck.  Among them I noticed the cook, muttering to one
+or the other who stood near.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mr. Duckling, awakened by the violent clattering over his head, came
+running up the companion-way with a bewildered, sleepy look in his
+face.  The captain grasped him by the arm, and pointing to me, cried
+out with an oath that "that villain was breeding a mutiny on board, and
+he believed wanted to murder him and Duckling."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I at once answered, "Nothing of the kind!  There is a man miserably
+perishing on board that sinking wreck, Mr. Duckling, and he ought to be
+saved.  My lads!" I cried, addressing the men on the main-deck, "is
+there a sailor among you all who would have the heart to leave that man
+yonder without an effort to rescue him?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, sir!" shouted one of them.  "We'll save the man; and if the
+skipper refuses, we'll make him!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Luff!" I called to the man at the wheel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Luff at your peril!" screamed the skipper.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aft here, some hands," I cried, "and lay the mainyard aback.  Let go
+the port main-braces!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The captain came running toward me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By the living God!" I cried in a fury, grasping the heavy brass
+belaying-pin, "if you come within a foot of me, Captain Coxon, I'll
+dash your brains out!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+My attitude, my enraged face and menacing gesture, produced the desired
+effect.  He stopped dead, turned a ghastly white, and looked round at
+Duckling.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What do you mean by this (etc.) conduct, you (etc.) mutinous
+scoundrels?" roared Duckling, with a volley of foul language.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Give him one for himself if he says too much, Mr. Royle!" sung out
+some hoarse voice on the main-deck; "we'll back yer!"  And then came
+cries of "They're a cursed pair o' murderers!"  "Who run the smack
+down?"  "Who lets men drown?"  "Who starves honest men?"  This last
+exclamation was followed by a roar.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The whole of the crew were now on deck, having been aroused by our
+voices.  Some of them were looking on with a grin, others with an
+expression of fierce curiosity.  It was at once understood that I was
+making a stand against the captain and chief mate; and a single glance
+at them assured me that by one word I could set the whole of them on
+fire to do my bidding, even to shedding blood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the meantime, the man at the wheel had luffed until the weather
+leeches were flat and the ship scarcely moving.  And at this moment,
+that the skipper might know their meaning, a couple of hands jumped aft
+and let go the weather main-braces.  I took care to keep my eyes on
+Coxon and the mate, fully prepared for any attack that one or both
+might make on me.  Duckling eyed me furiously but in silence, evidently
+baffled by my resolute air and the position of the men.  Then he said
+something to the captain, who looked exhausted and white and haggard
+with his useless passion.  They walked over to the lee side of the
+poop; and after a short conference, the captain to my surprise went
+below, and Duckling came forward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There's no objection," he said, "to your saving the man's life, if you
+want.  Lower away the starboard quarter-boat,&mdash;and you go along in
+her," he added to me, uttering the last words in such a thick voice
+that I thought he was choking.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come along, some of you!" I cried out, hastily putting on my coat; and
+in less than a minute I was in the boat with the rudder and thole-pins
+shipped, and four hands ready to out oars as soon as we touched the
+water.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Duckling began to fumble at one end of the boat's falls.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't let him lower away!" roared out one of the men in the boat.
+"He'll let us go with a run.  He'd like to see us drowned!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Duckling fell back, scowling with fury; and shoving his head over as
+the boat sunk quietly into the water, he discharged a volley of
+execrations at us, saying that he would shoot some of us, if he swung
+for it, before he was done, and especially applying a heap of abusive
+terms to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The fellow pulling the bow oar laughed in his face; and another shouted
+out, "We'll teach you to say your prayers yet, you ugly old sinner!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We got away from the ship's side cleverly, and in a short time were
+rowing fast for the wreck.  The excitement under which I labored made
+me reckless of the issue of this adventure.  The sight of the lonely
+man upon the wreck, coupled with the unmanly, brutal intention of Coxon
+to leave him to his fate, had goaded me into a state of mind infuriate
+enough to have done and dared anything to <I>compel</I> Coxon to save him.
+He might call it mutiny, but I called it humanity; and I was prepared
+to stand or fall by my theory.  The hate the crew had for their captain
+and chief mate was quite strong enough to guarantee me against any foul
+play on the part of Coxon; otherwise I might have prepared myself to
+see the ship fill and stand away, and leave us alone on the sea with
+the wreck.  One of the men in the boat suggested this; but another
+immediately answered, "They'd pitch the skipper overboard if he gave
+such an order, and glad o' the chance.  There's no love for 'em among
+us, I can tell you; and by &mdash;&mdash;! there'll be bloody work done aboard
+the <I>Grosvenor</I> if things aren't mended soon, as you'll see."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They all four pulled at their oars savagely as these words were spoken;
+and I never saw such sullen and ferocious expressions on men's faces as
+came into theirs, as they fixed their eyes as with one accord upon the
+ship.  <I>She</I>, deep as she was, looked a beautiful model on the mighty
+surface of the water, rolling with marvelous grace to the swell, the
+strength and volume of which made me feel my littleness and weakness as
+it lifted the small boat with irresistible power.  There was wind
+enough to keep her sails full upon her graceful, slender masts, and the
+brass-work upon her deck flashed brilliantly as she rolled from side to
+side.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Strange contrast, to look from her to the broken and desolate picture
+ahead!  My eyes were riveted upon it now with new and intense emotion,
+for by this time I could discern that the person who was waving to us
+was a female,&mdash;woman or girl I could not yet make out,&mdash;and that her
+hair was like a veil of gold behind her swaying arm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a woman!" I cried in my excitement; "it's no man at all.  Pull
+smartly, my lads! pull smartly, for God's sake!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The men gave way stoutly, and the swell favoring us, we were soon close
+to the wreck.  The girl, as I now perceived she was, waved her
+handkerchief wildly as we approached; but my attention was occupied in
+considering how we could best board the wreck without injury to the
+boat.  She lay broadside to us, with her stern on our right, and was
+not only rolling heavily with wallowing, squelching movements, but was
+swirling the heavy mizzenmast that lay alongside through the water each
+time she went over to starboard; so that it was necessary to approach
+her with the greatest caution to prevent our boat from being stove in.
+Another element of danger was the great flood of water which she took
+in over her shattered bulwarks, first on this side, then on that,
+discharging the torrent again into the sea as she rolled.  This water
+came from her like a cataract, and in a second would fill and sink the
+boat, unless extreme care were taken to keep clear of it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I waved my hat to the poor girl, to let her know that we saw her and
+had come to save her, and steered the boat right around the wreck, that
+I might observe the most practical point for boarding her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She appeared to be a vessel of about seven hundred tons.  The falling
+of her masts had crushed her port bulwarks level with the deck, and
+part of her starboard bulwarks was also smashed to pieces.  Her wheel
+was gone, and the heavy seas that had swept her deck had carried away
+capstans, binnacle, hatchway gratings, pumps&mdash;everything, in short, but
+the deck-house and the remnants of the galley.  I particularly noticed
+a strong iron boat's-davit twisted up like a corkscrew.  She was full
+of water, and lay as deep as her main-chains; but her bows stood high,
+and her fore-chains were out of the sea.  It was miraculous to see her
+keep afloat as the long swell rolled over her in a cruel, foaming
+succession of waves.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Though these plain details impressed themselves upon my memory, I did
+not seem to notice anything, in the anxiety that possessed me to rescue
+the lonely creature in the deck-house.  It would have been impossible
+to keep a footing upon the main-deck without a life-line or something
+to hold on by; and seeing this, and forming my resolutions rapidly, I
+ordered the man in the bow of the boat to throw in his oar and exchange
+places with me, and head the boat for the starboard port-chains.  As we
+approached I stood up with one foot planted on the gunwale ready to
+spring; the broken shrouds were streaming aft and alongside, so that if
+I missed the jump and fell into the water there was plenty of stuff to
+catch hold of.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Gently&mdash;'vast rowing&mdash;ready to back astern smartly!" I cried as we
+approached.  I waited a moment: the hull rolled toward us, and the
+succeeding swell threw up our boat; the deck, though all aslant, was on
+a line with my feet.  I sprung with all my strength, and got well upon
+the deck, but fell heavily as I reached it.  However, I was up again in
+a moment, and ran forward out of the water.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Here was a heap of gear&mdash;stay-sail, and jib-halyards, and other ropes,
+some of the ends swarming overboard.  I hauled in one of these ends,
+but found I could not clear the raffle; but looking round, I perceived
+a couple of coils of line&mdash;spare stun'-sail tacks or halyards I took
+them to be&mdash;lying close against the foot of the bowsprit.  I
+immediately seized the end of one of these coils, and flung it into the
+boat, telling them to drop clear of the wreck astern; and when they
+found they had backed as far as the length of the line permitted, I
+bent on the end of the other coil, and paid that out until the boat was
+some fathoms astern.  I then made my end fast, and sung out to one of
+the men to get on board by the starboard mizzen-chains, and to bring
+the end of the line with him.  After waiting a few minutes, the boat
+being hidden, I saw the fellow come scrambling over the side with a red
+face, his clothes and hair streaming, he having fallen overboard.  He
+shook himself like a dog, and crawled with the line, on his hands and
+knees, a short distance forward, then hauled the line taut and made it
+fast.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Tell them to bring the boat round here," I cried, "and lay off on
+their oars until we are ready.  And you get hold of this line and work
+yourself up to me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Saying which, I advanced along the deck, clinging tightly with both
+hands.  It very providentially happened that the door of the deck-house
+faced the forecastle within a few feet of where the remains of the
+galley stood.  There would be, therefore, less risk in opening it than
+had it faced beamwise: for the water, as it broke against the sides of
+the house, disparted clear of the fore and after parts; that is, the
+great bulk of it ran clear, though of course a foot's depth of it as
+least surged against the door.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I called out to the girl to open the door quickly, as it slid in
+grooves like a panel, and was not to be stirred from the outside.  The
+poor creature appeared mad; and I repeated my request three times
+without inducing her to leave the window.  Then, not believing that she
+understood me, I cried out, "Are you English?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," she replied.  "For God's sake, save us!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I cannot get you through that window," I exclaimed.  "Rouse yourself
+and open that door, and I will save you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She now seemed to comprehend, and drew in her head.  By this time the
+man out of the boat had succeeded in sliding along the rope to where I
+stood, though the poor devil was nearly drowned on the road; for when
+about half-way, the hull took in a lump of swell which swept him right
+off his legs, and he was swung hard a-starboard, holding on for his
+life.  However, he recovered himself smartly when the water was gone,
+and came along hand over fist, snorting and cursing in wonderful style.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Meanwhile, though I kept a firm hold of the life-line, I took care to
+stand where the inroads of water were not heavy, waiting impatiently
+for the door to open.  It shook in the grooves, tried by a feeble hand;
+then a desperate effort was made, and it slid a couple of inches.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That will do!" I shouted.  "Now then, my lad, catch hold of me with
+one hand, and the line with the other."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The fellow took a firm grip of my monkey-jacket, and I made for the
+door.  The water washed up to my knees, but I soon inserted my fingers
+in the crevice of the door and thrust it open.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The house was a single compartment, though I had expected to find it
+divided into two.  In the centre was a table that traveled on
+stanchions from the roof to the deck, On either side were a couple of
+bunks.  The girl stood near the door.  In a bunk to the left of the
+door lay an old man with white hair.  Prostrate on his back, on the
+deck, with his arms stretched against his ears, was the corpse of a
+man, well dressed; and in a bunk on the right sat a sailor, who, when
+he saw me, yelled out and snapped his fingers, making horrible grimaces.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Such, in brief, was the <I>coup d'oeil</I> of that weird interior as it met
+my eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I seized the girl by the arm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You first," said I.  "Come; there is no time to be lost."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But she shrunk back, pressing against the door with her hand to prevent
+me from pulling her, crying in a husky voice, and looking at the old
+man with the white hair, "My father first! my father first!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You shall all be saved, but you must obey me.  Quickly now!" I
+exclaimed passionately; for a heavy sea at that moment flooded the
+ship, and a rush of water swamped the house through the open door and
+washed the corpse on the deck up into a corner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Grasping her firmly, I lifted her off her feet, and went staggering to
+the life-rope, slinging her light body over my shoulder as I went.
+Assisted by my man, I gained the bow of the wreck, and hailing the
+boat, ordered it alongside.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"One of you," cried I, "stand ready to receive this lady when I give
+the signal."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I then told the man who was with me to jump into the forechains, which
+he instantly did.  The wreck lurched heavily to port.  "Stand by, my
+lads!" I shouted.  Over she came again, with the water swooping along
+the maindeck: The boat rose high, and the forechains were submerged to
+the height of the man's knees.  "Now!" I called, and lifted the girl
+over.  She was seized by the man in the chains, and pushed toward the
+boat; the fellow standing in the bow of the boat caught her, and at the
+same moment down sunk the boat, and the wreck rolled wearily over.  But
+the girl was safe.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hurrah, my lad!" I sung out.  "Up with you,&mdash;there are others
+remaining;" and I went sprawling along the line to the deck-house,
+there to encounter another rush of water, which washed as high as my
+thighs, and fetched me such a thump in the stomach that I thought I
+must have died of suffocation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was glad to find that the old man had got out of his bunk, and was
+standing at the door.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is my poor girl safe, sir?" he exclaimed, with the same huskiness of
+voice that had grated so unpleasantly in the girl's tone.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Quite safe; come along."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thanks be to Almighty God!" he ejaculated, and burst into tears.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I seized hold of his thin cold hands, but shifted my fingers to catch
+him by the coat collar, so as to exert more power over him; and handed
+him along the deck, telling my companion to lay hold of the seaman and
+fetch him away smartly.  We managed to escape the water, for the poor
+old gentleman bestirred himself very nimbly, and I helped him over the
+fore-chains; and when the boat rose, tumbled him into her without
+ceremony.  I saw the daughter leap toward him and clasp him in her
+arms; but I was soon again scrambling on to the deck, having heard
+cries from my man, accompanied with several loud curses, mingled with
+dreadful yells.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He's bitten me, sir!" cried by companion, hauling himself away from
+the deck-house.  "He's roaring mad."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It can't be helped," I answered.  "We must get him out."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He saw me pushing along the life-line, plucked up heart, and went with
+myself through a sousing sea to the door.  I caught a glimpse of a
+white face glaring at me from the interior: in a second a figure shot
+out, fled with incredible speed toward the bow, and leaped into the sea
+just where our boat lay.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They'll pick him up," I exclaimed.  "Stop a second;"  and I entered
+the house and stooped over the figure of the man on the deck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was not familiar with death, and yet I knew it was here.  I cannot
+describe the signs in his face; but such as they were, they told me the
+truth.  I noticed a ring upon his finger, and that his clothes were
+good.  His hair was black, and his features well shaped, though his
+face had a half-convulsed expression, as if something frightful had
+appeared to him, and he had died of the sight of it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This wreck must be his coffin," I said.  "He is a corpse.  We can do
+no more."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We scrambled for the last time along the life-line and got into the
+fore-chains; but to our consternation, saw the boat rowing away from
+the wreck.  However, the fit of rage and terror that possessed me
+lasted but a moment or two; for I now saw they were giving chase to the
+madman, who was swimming steadily away.  Two of the men rowed, and the
+third hung over the bows, ready to grasp the miserable wretch.  The
+<I>Grosvenor</I> stood steady, about a mile off, with her mainyards backed;
+and just as the fellow over the boat's bows caught hold of the
+swimmer's hair, the ensign was run up on board the ship and dipped
+three times.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Bring him along!" I shouted.  "They'll be off without us if we don't
+bear a hand."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They nearly capsized the boat as they dragged the lunatic, streaming
+like a drowned rat, out of the water; and one of the sailors tumbled
+him over on his back, and knelt upon him, while he took some turns with
+the boat's painter round his body, arms and legs.  The boat then came
+alongside; and watching our opportunity, we jumped into her and shoved
+off.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had now leisure to examine the persons whom we had saved.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They&mdash;father and daughter, as I judged them by the girl's exclamation
+on the wreck&mdash;sat in the stern-sheets, their hands locked.  The old man
+seemed nearly insensible; leaning backward with his chin on his breast
+and his eyes partially closed.  I feared he was dying; but could do no
+good until we reached the <I>Grosvenor</I>, as we had no spirits in the boat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The girl appeared to be about twenty years of age; very fair, her hair
+of golden straw color, which hung wet and streaky down her back and
+over her shoulders, though a portion of it was held by a comb.  She was
+deadly pale, and her lips blue; and in her fine eyes was such a look of
+mingled horror and rapture as she cast them around her,&mdash;first glancing
+at me, then at the wreck, then at the <I>Grosvenor</I>,&mdash;that the memory of
+it will last me to my death.  Her dress, of some dark material, was
+soaked with salt water up to her hips, and she shivered and moaned
+incessantly, though the sun beat so warmly upon us that the thwarts
+were hot to the hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The mad sailor lay at the bottom of the boat, looking straight into the
+sky.  He was a horrid-looking object, with his streaming hair, pasty
+features, and red beard, his naked shanks and feet protruding through
+his soaking, clinging trousers, which figured his shin-bones as though
+they clothed a skeleton.  Now and again he would give himself a wild
+twirl and yelp out fiercely; but he was well-nigh spent with his swim,
+and on the whole was quiet enough.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I said to the girl, "How long have you been in this dreadful position?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Since yesterday morning," she answered, in a choking voice painful to
+hear, and gulping after each word.  "We have not had a drop of water to
+drink since the night before last.  He is mad with thirst, for he drank
+the water on the deck;" and she pointed to the man in the bottom of the
+boat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My God!" I cried to the men, "do you hear her?  They have not drunk
+water for two days!  For the love of God, give way!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They bent their backs to the oars, and the boat foamed over the long
+swell.  The wind was astern and helped us.  I did not speak again to
+the poor girl; for it was cruel to make her talk, when the words
+lacerated her throat as though they were pieces of burning iron.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After twenty minutes, which seemed as many hours, we reached the
+vessel.  The crew pressing round the gangway cheered when they saw we
+had brought people from the wreck.  Duckling and the skipper watched us
+grimly from the poop.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now then, my lads," I cried, "up with this lady first.  Some of you on
+deck get water ready, as these people are dying of thirst."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In a few minutes, both the girl and the old man were handed over the
+gangway.  I cut the boat's painter adrift from the ringbolt so that we
+could ship the madman without loosening his bonds, and he was hoisted
+up like a bale of goods.  Then four of us got out of the boat, leaving
+one to drop her under the davits and hook on the falls.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At this moment a horrible scene took place.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The old man, tottering on the arms of two seamen, was being led into
+the cuddy, followed by the girl, who walked unaided.  The madman, in
+the grasp of the big sailor named Johnson, stood near the gangway; and
+as I scrambled on deck, one of the men was holding a pannikin full of
+water to his face.  The poor wretch was shrinking away from it, with
+his eyes half out of their sockets; but suddenly tearing his arm with a
+violent effort from the rope that bound him, he seized the pannikin and
+bit clean through the tin; after which, throwing back his head, he
+swallowed the whole draught dashed the pannikin down, his face turned
+black and he fell dead on the deck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The big sailor sprung aside with an oath, forced from him by his
+terror; and from every looker-on there broke a groan.  They all shrunk
+away and stood staring with blanched faces.  Such a piteous sight as it
+was, lying doubled up, with the rope pinioning the miserable limbs, the
+teeth locked, and the right arm uptossed!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aft here and get the quarter-boat hoisted up!" shouted Duckling,
+advancing on the poop; and seeing the man dead on the deck, he added,
+"Get a tarpaulin and cover him up, and let him lie on the fore-hatch."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Shall I tell the steward to serve out grog to the men who went with
+me?" I asked him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He stared at me contemptuously, and walked away without answering.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap11"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE SAILOR'S WIFE
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "An Iceland Fisherman," BY PIERRE LOTI
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+The Icelanders were all returning now.  Two ships came in the second
+day, four the next, and twelve during the following week.  And all
+through the country joy returned with them; and there was happiness for
+the wives and mothers, and junkets in the taverns where the beautiful
+barmaids of Paimpol served out drink to the fishers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The <I>Léopoldine</I> was among the belated; there were yet another ten
+expected.  They would not be long now; and allowing a week's delay so
+as not to be disappointed, Gaud waited in happy, passionate joy for
+Yann, keeping their home bright and tidy for his return.  When
+everything was in good order there was nothing left for her to do; and
+besides, in her impatience, she could think of nothing else but her
+husband.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Three more ships appeared; then another five.  There were only two
+lacking now.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, come," they said to her cheerily, "this year the <I>Léopoldine</I>
+and the <I>Marie-Jeanne</I> will be the last, to pick up all the brooms
+fallen overboard from the other craft."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Gaud laughed also.  She was more animated and beautiful than ever, in
+her great joy of expectancy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But the days succeeded one another without result.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She still dressed up every day, and with a joyful look went down to the
+harbor to gossip with the other wives.  She said that this delay was
+but natural: was it not the same event every year?  These were such
+safe boats, and had such capital sailors.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But when at home alone, at night, a nervous anxious shiver of
+apprehension would run through her whole frame.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Was it right to be frightened already?  Was there even a single reason
+to be so?  but she began to tremble at the mere idea of grounds for
+being afraid.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The 10th of September came.  How swiftly the days flew by!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+One morning&mdash;a true autumn morning, with cold mist falling over the
+earth in the rising sun&mdash;she sat under the porch of the chapel of the
+shipwrecked mariners, where the widows go to pray; with eyes fixed and
+glassy, and throbbing temples tightened as by an iron band.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+These sad morning mists had begun two days before; and on this
+particular day Gaud had awakened with a still more bitter uneasiness,
+caused by the forecast of advancing winter.  Why did this day, this
+hour, this very moment, seem to her more painful than the preceding?
+Often ships are delayed a fortnight; even a month, for that matter.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But surely there was something different about this particular morning;
+for she had come to-day for the first time to sit in the porch of this
+chapel and read the names of the dead sailors, perished in their prime.
+</P>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+IN MEMORY OF<BR>
+GAOS YVON<BR>
+Lost at Sea<BR>
+<BR><BR>
+NEAR THE NORDEN-FJORD<BR>
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+Like a great shudder, a gust of wind rose from the sea, and at the same
+time something fell like rain upon the roof above.  It was only the
+dead leaves, though;&mdash;many were blown in at the porch; the old
+wind-tossed trees of the graveyard were losing their foliage in this
+rising gale, and winter was marching nearer.
+</P>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+Lost at Sea<BR>
+NEAR THE NORDEN-FJORD<BR>
+In the storm of the 4th and 5th of August, 1880<BR>
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+She read mechanically under the arch of the doorway; her eyes sought to
+pierce the distance over the sea.  That morning it was untraceable
+under the gray mist, and a dragging drapery of clouds overhung the
+horizon like a mourning veil.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Another gust of wind, and other leaves danced in whirls.  A stronger
+gust still; as if the western storm which had strewn those dead over
+the sea wished to deface the very inscriptions which kept their names
+in memory with the living.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Gaud looked with involuntary persistency at an empty space upon the
+wall which seemed to yawn expectant.  By a terrible impression, she was
+pursued by the thought of a fresh slab which might soon perhaps be
+placed there,&mdash;with another name which she did not even dare think of
+in such a spot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She felt cold, and remained seated on the granite bench, her head
+reclining against the stone wall.
+</P>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+NEAR THE NORDEN-FJORD<BR>
+In the storm of the 4th and 5th of August, 1880<BR>
+at the age of 23 years<BR>
+_Requiescat in pace_!<BR>
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+Then Iceland loomed up before her, with its little cemetery lighted up
+from below the sea-line by the midnight sun.  Suddenly, in the same
+empty space on the wall, with horrifying clearness she saw the fresh
+slab she was thinking of; a clear white one, with a skull and
+crossbones, and in a flash of foresight a name,&mdash;the worshiped name of
+"Yann Gaos"!  Then she suddenly and fearfully drew herself up straight
+and stiff, with a hoarse wild cry in her throat like a mad creature.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Outside, the gray mist of the dawn fell over the land, and the dead
+leaves were again blown dancingly into the porch.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Steps on the footpath!  Somebody was coming?  She rose, and quickly
+smoothed down her cap and composed her face.  Nearer drew the steps.
+She assumed the air of one who might be there by chance; for above all,
+she did not wish to appear yet like the widow of a shipwrecked mariner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It happened to be Fante Floury, the wife of the second mate of the
+<I>Léopoldine</I>.  She understood immediately what Gaud was doing there: it
+was useless to dissemble with her.  At first each woman stood
+speechless before the other.  They were angry and almost hated each
+other for having met holding a like sentiment of apprehension.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All the men of Tréguier and Saint-Brieuc have been back for a week,"
+said Fante at last, in an unfeeling, muffled, half-irritated voice.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She carried a blessed taper in her hand, to offer up a prayer.  Gaud
+did not wish yet to resort to that extreme resource of despairing
+wives.  Yet silently she entered the chapel behind Fante, and they
+knelt down together side by side like two sisters.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+To the <I>Star of the Sea</I> they offered ardent imploring prayers, with
+their whole soul in them.  A sound of sobbing was alone heard, as their
+rapid tears swiftly fell upon the floor.  They rose together, more
+confident and softened.  Fante held up Gaud, who staggered; and taking
+her in her arms, kissed her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wiping their eyes and smoothing their disheveled hair, they brushed off
+the salt dust from the flag-stones which had soiled their gowns, and
+went away in opposite directions without another word.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This end of September was like another summer, only a little less
+lively.  The weather was so beautiful that had it not been for the dead
+leaves which fell upon the roads, one might have thought that June had
+come back again.  Husbands and sweethearts had all returned, and
+everywhere was the joy of a second springtime of love.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At last, one day, one of the missing ships was signaled.  Which one was
+it?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The groups of speechless and anxious women had rapidly formed on the
+cliff.  Gaud, pale and trembling, was there, by the side of her Yann's
+father.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm almost sure," said the old fisher, "I'm almost sure it's them.  A
+red rail and a topsail that clews up,&mdash;it's very like them, anyhow.
+What do you make it, Gaud?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, it isn't," he went on, with sudden discouragement: "we've made a
+mistake again; the boom isn't the same, and ours has a jigger-sail.
+Well, well, it isn't our boat this time, it's only the <I>Marie-Jeanne</I>.
+Never mind, my lass, surely they'll not be long now."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But day followed day, and night succeeded night, with uninterrupted
+serenity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Gaud continued to dress up every day; like a poor crazed woman, always
+in fear of being taken for the widow of a shipwrecked sailor, feeling
+exasperated when others looked furtively and compassionately at her,
+and glancing aside so that she might not meet those glances which froze
+her very blood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She had fallen into the habit of going at the early morning right to
+the end of the headland, on the high cliffs of Pors-Even; passing
+behind Yann's old home, so as not to be seen by his mother or little
+sisters.  She went to the extreme point of the Ploubazlanec land, which
+is outlined in the shape of a reindeer's horn upon the gray waters of
+the Channel, and sat there all day long at the foot of the lonely cross
+which rises high above the immense waste of the ocean.  There are many
+of these crosses hereabout; they are set up on the most advanced cliffs
+of the sea-bound land, as if to implore mercy, and to calm that
+restless mysterious power which draws men away, never to give them
+back, and in preference retains the bravest and noblest.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Around this cross stretches the evergreen waste, strewn with short
+rushes.  At this great height the sea air was very pure; it scarcely
+retained the briny odor of the weeds, but was perfumed with all the
+exquisite ripeness of September flowers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Far away, all the bays and inlets of the coast were firmly outlined,
+rising one above another; the land of Brittany terminated in jagged
+edges, which spread out far into the tranquil surface.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Near at hand the reefs were numerous; but out beyond, nothing broke its
+polished mirror, from which arose a soft caressing ripple, light and
+intensified from the depths of its many bays.  Its horizon seemed so
+calm, and its depths so soft!  The great blue sepulchre of many Gaoses
+hid its inscrutable mystery; whilst the breezes, faint as human breath,
+wafted to and fro the perfume of the stunted gorse, which had bloomed
+again in the latest autumn sun.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At regular hours the sea retreated, and great spaces were left
+uncovered everywhere, as if the Channel was slowly drying up; then with
+the same lazy slowness the waters rose again, and continued their
+everlasting coming without any heed of the dead.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the foot of the cross Gaud remained, surrounded by these tranquil
+mysteries, gazing ever before her until the night fell and she could
+see no more.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+September had passed.  The sorrowing wife took scarcely any
+nourishment, and could no longer sleep.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She remained at home now, crouching low with her hands between her
+knees, her head thrown back and resting against the wall behind.  What
+was the good of getting up or going to bed now?  When she was
+thoroughly exhausted she threw herself, dressed, upon her bed.
+Otherwise she remained in the same position, chilled and benumbed; in
+her quiescent state, only her teeth chattered with the cold; she had
+that continual impression of a band of iron round her brows; her cheeks
+looked wasted; her mouth was dry, with a feverish taste, and at times a
+painful hoarse cry rose from her throat and was repeated in spasms,
+whilst her head beat backwards against the granite wall.  Or else she
+called Yann by his name in a low, tender voice, as if he were quite
+close to her; whispering words of love to her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sometimes she occupied her brain with thoughts of quite insignificant
+things; for instance, she amused herself by watching the shadow of the
+china Virgin lengthen slowly over the high woodwork of the bed, as the
+sun went down.  And then the agonized thoughts returned more horribly;
+and her wailing cry broke out again as she beat her head against the
+wall.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All the hours of the day passed; and all the hours of evening, and of
+night; and then the hours of the morning.  When she reckoned the time
+he ought to have been back, she was seized with a still greater terror;
+she wished to forget all dates and the very names of the days.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Generally, there is some information concerning the wrecks off Iceland;
+those who return have seen the tragedy from afar, or else have found
+some wreckage or bodies, or have an indication to guess the rest.  But
+of the <I>Léopoldine</I> nothing had been seen, and nothing was known.  The
+<I>Marie-Jeanne</I> men&mdash;the last to have seen it on the 2d of August&mdash;said
+that she was to have gone on fishing farther towards the north; and
+beyond that the secret was unfathomable.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Waiting, always waiting, and knowing nothing!  When would the time come
+when she need wait no longer?  She did not even know that; and now she
+almost wished that it might be soon.  Oh! if he were dead, let them at
+least have pity enough to tell her so!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Oh to see her darling, as he was at this very moment,&mdash;that is, what
+was left of him!  If only the much-implored Virgin, or some other
+power, would do her the blessing to show her by second-sight her
+beloved! either living and working hard to return a rich man, or else
+as a corpse surrendered by the sea, so that she might at least know a
+certainty.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sometimes she was seized with the thought of a ship appearing suddenly
+upon the horizon: the <I>Léopoldine</I> hastening home.  Then she would
+suddenly make an instinctive movement to rise, and rush to look out at
+the ocean, to see whether it were true.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But she would fall back.  Alas! where was this <I>Léopoldine</I> now?  Where
+could she be?  Out afar, at that awful distance of Iceland,&mdash;forsaken,
+crushed, and lost.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All ended by a never-fading vision appearing to her,&mdash;an empty,
+sea-tossed wreck, slowly and gently rocked by the silent gray and
+rose-streaked sea; almost with soft mockery, in the midst of the vast
+calm of deadened waters.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Two o'clock in the morning.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was at night especially that she kept attentive to approaching
+footsteps; at the slightest rumor or unaccustomed noise her temples
+vibrated: by dint of being strained to outward things, they had become
+fearfully sensitive.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Two o'clock in the morning.  On this night as on others, with her hands
+clasped and her eyes wide open in the dark, she listened to the wind
+sweeping in never-ending tumult over the heath.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly a man's footsteps hurried along the path!  At this hour who
+would pass now?  She drew herself up, stirred to the very soul, her
+heart ceasing to beat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Some one stopped before the door, and came up the small stone steps.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He!&mdash;O God!&mdash;he!  Some one had knocked,&mdash;it could be no other than he!
+She was up now, barefooted; she, so feeble for the last few days, had
+sprung up as nimbly as a kitten, with her arms outstretched to wind
+round her darling.  Of course the <I>Léopoldine</I> had arrived at night,
+and anchored in Pors-Even Bay, and he had rushed home; she arranged all
+this in her mind with the swiftness of lightning.  She tore the flesh
+off her fingers in her excitement to draw the bolt, which had stuck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Eh?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She slowly moved backward, as if crushed, her head falling on her
+bosom.  Her beautiful insane dream was over.  She could just grasp that
+it was not her husband, her Yann, and that nothing of him, substantial
+or spiritual, had passed through the air; she felt plunged again into
+her deep abyss, to the lowest depths of her terrible despair.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Poor Fantec&mdash;for it was he&mdash;stammered many excuses: his wife was very
+ill, and their child was choking in its cot, suddenly attacked with a
+malignant sore throat; so he had run over to beg for assistance on the
+road to fetch the doctor from Paimpol.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+What did all this matter to her?  She had gone mad in her own distress,
+and could give no thoughts to the troubles of others.  Huddled on a
+bench, she remained before him with fixed glazed eyes, like a dead
+woman's; without listening to him, or even answering at random or
+looking at him.  What to her was the speech the man was making?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He understood it all, and guessed why the door had been opened so
+quickly to him; and feeling pity for the pain he had unwittingly
+caused, he stammered out an excuse.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Just so: he never ought to have disturbed her&mdash;her in particular."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I!" ejaculated Gaud quickly, "why should I not be disturbed
+particularly, Fantec?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Life had suddenly come back to her; for she did not wish to appear in
+despair before others.  Besides, she pitied him now; she dressed to
+accompany him, and found the strength to go and see to his little child.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At four o'clock in the morning, when she returned to throw herself on
+the bed, sleep subdued her, for she was tired out.  But that moment of
+excessive joy had left an impression on her mind, which in spite of all
+was permanent; she awoke soon with a shudder, rising a little and
+partially recollecting&mdash;she knew not what.  News had come to her about
+her Yann.  In the midst of her confusion of ideas, she sought rapidly
+in her mind what it could be; but there was nothing save Fantec's
+interruption.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For the second time she fell back into her terrible abyss, nothing
+changed in her morbid, hopeless waiting.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Yet in that short, hopeful moment, she had felt him so near to her that
+it was as if his spirit had floated over the sea unto her,&mdash;what is
+called a foretoken (<I>pressigne</I>) in Breton land; and she listened still
+more attentively to the steps outside, trusting that some one might
+come to her to speak of him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just as the day broke, Yann's father entered.  He took off his cap, and
+pushed back his splendid white locks, which were in curls like Yann's,
+sat down by Gaud's bedside.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His heart ached heavily too; for Yann, his tall, handsome Yann, was his
+first-born, his favorite and his pride: but he did not despair yet.  He
+comforted Gaud in his own blunt, affectionate way.  To begin with,
+those who had last returned from Iceland spoke of the increasing dense
+fogs, which might well have delayed the vessel; and then too an idea
+struck him,&mdash;they might possibly have stopped at the distant Faroe
+Islands on their homeward course, whence letters were so long in
+traveling.  This had happened to him once forty years ago, and his own
+poor dead and gone mother had had a mass said for his soul.  The
+<I>Léopoldine</I> was such a good boat,&mdash;next to new,&mdash;and her crew were
+such able-bodied seamen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Granny Moan stood by them shaking her head: the distress of her
+granddaughter had almost given her back her own strength and reason.
+She tidied up the place, glancing from time to time at the faded
+portrait of Sylvestre, which hung upon the granite wall with its anchor
+emblems and mourning-wreath of black bead-work.  Ever since the sea had
+robbed her of her own last offspring, she believed no longer in safe
+returns; she only prayed through fear, bearing Heaven a grudge in the
+bottom of her heart.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Gaud listened eagerly to these consoling reasonings; her large
+sunken eyes looked with deep tenderness out upon this old sire, who so
+much resembled her beloved one; merely to have him near her was like a
+hostage against death having taken the younger Gaos; and she felt
+reassured, nearer to her Yann.  Her tears fell softly and silently, and
+she repeated again her passionate prayers to the Star of the Sea.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A delay out at those Islands to repair damages was a very likely event.
+She rose and brushed her hair, and then dressed as if she might fairly
+expect him.  All then was not lost, if a seaman, his own father, did
+not yet despair.  And for a few days she resumed looking out for him
+again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Autumn at last arrived,&mdash;a late autumn too,&mdash;its gloomy evenings making
+all things appear dark in the old cottage; and all the land looked
+sombre too.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The very daylight seemed a sort of twilight; immeasurable clouds,
+passing slowly overhead, darkened the whole country at broad noon.  The
+wind blew constantly with the sound of a great cathedral organ at a
+distance, but playing profane, despairing dirges; at other times the
+noise came close to the door, like the howling of wild beasts.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She had grown pale,&mdash;aye, blanched,&mdash;and bent more than ever; as if old
+age had already touched her with its featherless wing.  Often did she
+finger the wedding clothes of her Yann, folding them and unfolding them
+again and again like some maniac,&mdash;especially one of his blue woolen
+jerseys which still had preserved his shape: when she threw it gently
+on the table, it fell with the shoulders and chest well defined; so she
+placed it by itself in a shelf of their wardrobe, and left it there, so
+that it might forever rest unaltered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Every night the cold mists sank upon the land, as she gazed over the
+depressing heath through her little window, and watched the thin puffs
+of white smoke arise from the chimneys of other cottages scattered here
+and there on all sides.  There the husbands had returned, like
+wandering birds driven home by the frost.  Before their blazing hearths
+the evenings passed, cozy and warm; for the springtime of love had
+begun again in this land of North Sea fishermen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Still clinging to the thought of those islands where he might perhaps
+have lingered, she was buoyed up by a kind hope, and expected him home
+any day.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+<HR WIDTH="60%" ALIGN="center">
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+But he never returned.  One August night, out off gloomy Iceland,
+mingled with the furious clamor of the sea, his wedding with the sea
+was performed.  It had been his nurse; it had rocked him in his
+babyhood and had afterwards made him big and strong; then, in his
+superb manhood, it had taken him back again for itself alone.
+Profoundest mystery had surrounded this unhallowed union.  While it
+went on, dark curtains hung pall-like over it as if to conceal the
+ceremony, and the ghoul howled in an awful, deafening voice to stifle
+his cries.  He, thinking of Gaud, his sole, darling wife, had battled
+with giant strength against this deathly rival, until he at last
+surrendered, with a deep death-cry like the roar of a dying bull,
+through a mouth already filled with water; and his arms were stretched
+apart and stiffened forever.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All those he had invited in days of old were present at his wedding.
+All except Sylvestre, who had gone to sleep in the enchanted gardens
+far, far away, at the other side of the earth.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap12"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE SALVING OF THE YAN-SHAN
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "In Blue Waters," BY H. DE VERE STACKPOOLE
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+I
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+The <I>Heart of Ireland</I> was spreading her wings to the north-west
+trades, making a good seven knots, with the coast of California a vague
+line on the horizon to port and all the blue Pacific before her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Captain Blood was aft with his mate, Billy Harman, leaning on the rail
+and watching the foam boosting away from the stern and flowing off in
+creamy lines on the swirl of the wake.  Ginnell, owner and captain of
+the <I>Heart of Ireland</I>, shanghaied and reduced to deck hand, was
+forward on the look-out, and one of the coolie crew was at the wheel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm not given to meeting trouble half-way," said Blood, shifting his
+position and leaning with his left arm on the rail, "but it 'pears to
+me Pat Ginnell is taking his set down a mighty sight too easy.  He's
+got something up his sleeve."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So've we," replied Harman.  "What can he do?  He laid out to shanghai
+you, and by gum, he did it.  I don't say I didn't let him down crool,
+playin' into his hands and pretendin' to help and gettin' Captain Mike
+as a witness, but the fac' remains he got you aboard this hooker by
+foul play, shanghaied you were, and then you turns the tables on him,
+knocks the stuffin' out of him and turns him into a deck hand.  How's
+he to complain?  I'd start back to 'Frisco now and dare him to come
+ashore with his complaints.  We've got his ship, well, that's his
+fault.  He's no legs to stand on, that's truth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Leavin' aside this little bisness, he's known as a crook from Benicia
+right to San Jose.  The bay stinks with him and his doin's; settin'
+Chinese sturgeon lines, Captain Mike said he was, and all but nailed,
+smugglin' and playin' up to the Greeks, and worse.  The Bayside's
+hungry to catch him an' stuff him in the penitentiary, and he hasn't no
+friends.  I'm no saint, I owns it, but I'm a plaster John the Baptis'
+to Ginnell, and I've got friends, so have you.  Well, what are you
+bothering about?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, I'm not bothering about the law," said Blood, "only about him.
+I'm going to keep my eye open and not be put asleep by his quiet
+ways&mdash;and I'd advise you to do the same."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Trust me," said Harman, "and more especial when we come to longsides
+with the <I>Yan-Shan</I>."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now the <I>Yan-Shan</I> had started in life somewhere early in the nineties
+as a twelve hundred ton cargo boat in the Bullmer line; she had been
+christened the <I>Robert Bullmer</I>, and her first act when the dog-shores
+had been knocked away was a bull charge down the launching slip,
+resulting in the bursting of a hawser, the washing over of a boat and
+the drowning of two innocent spectators; her next was an attempt to
+butt the Eddystone over in a fog, and, being unbreakable, she might
+have succeeded only that she was going dead slow.  She drifted out of
+the Bullmer line on the wash of a law-suit owing to the ramming by her
+of a Cape boat in Las Palmas harbour; engaged herself in the fruit
+trade in the service of the Corona Capuella Syndicate, and got on to
+the Swimmer rocks with a cargo of Jamaica oranges, a broken screw shaft
+and a blown-off cylinder cover.  The ruined cargo, salvage and tow
+smashed the Syndicate, and the <I>Robert Bullmer</I> found new occupations
+till the See-Yup-See Company of Canton picked her up, and,
+rechristening, used her for conveying coffins and coolies to the
+American seaboard.  They had sent her to Valdivia on some business, and
+on the return from the southern port to 'Frisco she had, true to her
+instincts and helped by a gale, run on San Juan, a scrap of an island
+north of the Channel Islands of the California coast.  Every soul had
+been lost with the exception of two Chinese coolies, who, drifting on a
+raft, had been picked up and brought to San Francisco.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She had a general cargo and twenty thousand dollars in gold coin on
+board, but the coolies had declared her to be a total wreck, said, in
+fact, when they had last sighted her she was going to pieces.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+That was the yarn Harman heard through Clancy, with the intimation that
+the wreck was not worth two dollars, let alone the expenses of a
+salvage ship.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The story had eaten into Harman's mind; he knew San Juan better than
+any man in 'Frisco, and he considered that a ship once ashore there
+would stick; then Ginnell turned up, and the luminous idea of inducing
+Ginnell to shanghai Blood so that Blood might with his, Harman's,
+assistance shanghai Ginnell and use the <I>Heart of Ireland</I> for the
+picking of the <I>Yan-Shan's</I> pocket, entered his mind.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's just when we come alongside the <I>Yan-Shan</I> we may find our worst
+bother," said Blood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Which way?" asked Harman.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, they're pretty sure to send some sort of a wrecking expedition
+to try and salve some of the cargo, let alone those dollars."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"See here," said Harman, "I had the news from Clancy that morning, and
+it had only just come to 'Frisco, it wasn't an hour old; we put the cap
+on Ginnell and were out of the Golden Gate before sundown same day.  A
+wrecking ship would take all of two days to get her legs under her,
+supposing anyone bought the wreck, so we have two days' start; we've
+been makin' seven knots and maybe a bit over, they won't make more.  So
+we have two days to our good when we get there."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They may start a quick ship out on the job," said Blood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, now, there's where my knowledge comes in," said Harman.
+"There's only two salvage ships at present in 'Frisco, and rotten tubs
+they are.  One's the <I>Maryland</I>, she's most a divin' and dredgin' ship,
+ain't no good for this sort of work, sea-bottom scrapin' is all she's
+good for, and little she makes at it.  The other's the <I>Port of
+Amsterdam</I>, owned by Gunderman.  She's the ship they'd use; she's got
+steam winches and derricks 'nough to discharge the Ark, and stowage
+room to hold the cargo down to the last flea, but she's no good for
+more than eight knots; she steams like as if she'd a drogue behind her,
+because why?&mdash;she's got beam engines&mdash;she's that old, she's got beam
+engines in her.  I'm not denyin' there's somethin' to be said for them,
+but, there you are, there's no speed in them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, beam engines or no beam engines, we'll have a pretty rough time
+if she comes down and catches us within a cable's length of the
+<I>Yan-Shan</I>," said Blood.  "However, there's no use in fetching trouble;
+let's go and have a look at the lazaret, I want to see how we stand for
+grub."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Chop-stick Charlie was the name Blood had christened the coolie who
+acted as steward and cabin hand.  He called him now, and out of the
+opium-tinctured gloom of the fo'c'sle Charlie appeared, received his
+orders and led them to the lazaret.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+None of the crew had shown the slightest emotion on seeing Blood take
+over command of the schooner and Ginnell swabbing decks.  The fight,
+that had made Blood master of the <I>Heart of Ireland</I> and Ginnell's
+revolver, had occurred in the cabin and out of sight of the coolies,
+but even had it been conducted in full view of them, it is doubtful
+whether they would have shown any feeling or lifted a hand in the
+matter.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As long as their little privileges were regarded, as long as opium
+bubbled in the evening pipe, and pork, rice and potatoes were served
+out, one white skipper was the same as another to them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The overhaul of the stores took half an hour and was fairly
+satisfactory, and, when they came, on deck, Blood, telling Charlie to
+take Ginnell's place as lookout, called the latter down into the cabin.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We want to have a word with you," said Blood, whilst Harman took his
+seat on a bunk edge opposite him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's time you knew our minds and what we intend doing with the
+schooner and yourself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Faith," said Ginnell, "I think it is."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm glad you agree.  Well, when you shanghaied me on board this old
+shark-boat of yours, there's little doubt as to what you intended doing
+with me.  Harman will tell you, for we've talked on the matter."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He'd a' worked you crool hard, fed you crool bad, and landed you after
+a six months' cruise doped or drunk, with two cents in your pocket and
+an affidavit up his sleeve that you'd tried to fire his ship," said
+Harman.  "I know the swab."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ginnell said nothing for a moment in answer to this soft impeachment,
+he was cutting himself a chew of tobacco; then at last he spoke:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't want no certifikit of character from either the pair of you,"
+said he.  "You've boned me ship and you've blacked me eye and you've
+near stove me ribs in sittin' on me chest and houldin' me revolver in
+me face; what I wants to know is your game.  Where's your profits to
+come from on this job?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll tell you," replied Blood.  "There's a hooker called the
+<I>Yan-Shan</I> piled on the rocks down the coast and we're going to leave
+our cards on her&mdash;savvy?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, Lord!" said Ginnell.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What's the matter now?" asked Harman.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What's the matter, d'you say?" cried Ginnell.  "Why, it's the
+<I>Yan-Shan</I> I was after meself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Blood stared at the owner of the <I>Heart of Ireland</I> for a moment, then
+he broke into a roar of laughter.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You don't mean to say you bought the wreck?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not me," replied Ginnell.  "Sure, where d'you think I'd be findin' the
+money to buy wrecks with?  I had news that mornin' she was lyin' there
+derelick, and I was just slippin' down the coast to have a look at her
+when you two spoiled me lay by takin' me ship."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was now that Harman began to laugh.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, if that don't beat all," said he.  "And maybe, since you were so
+keen on havin' a look at her, you've brought wreckin' tools with you in
+case they might come in handy?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's as may be," replied Ginnell.  "What you have got to worry about
+isn't wreckin' tools, but how to get rid of the boodle if it's there.
+Twenty thousand dollars, that's the figure."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So you know of the dollars?" said Blood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sure, what do you take me for?" asked Ginnell.  "D'you think I'd have
+bothered about the job only for the dollars?  What's the use of general
+cargo to the like of me?  Now what I'm thinkin' is this, you want a
+fence to help you to get rid of the stuff.  Supposin' you find it, how
+are you to cart this stuff ashore and bank it?  You'll be had, sure,
+but not if I'm at your back.  Now, gents, I'm willin' to wipe out all
+differences and help in the salvin' on shares, and I'll make it easy
+for you.  You'll each take seven thousand and I'll take the balance,
+and I won't charge nuthin' for the loan you've took of the <I>Heart of
+Ireland</I>.  It's a losin' game for me, but it's better than bein' done
+out entirely."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Blood looked at Harman and Harman looked at Blood.  Then telling
+Ginnell that they would consider the matter, they went on deck to talk
+it over.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was truth in what Ginnell said.  They would want help in getting
+the coin ashore in safety, and unless they marooned or murdered
+Ginnell, he, if left out, would always be a witness to make trouble.
+Besides, though engaged on a somewhat shady business, neither Blood nor
+Harman were scoundrels.  Ginnell up to this had been paid out in his
+own coin, the slate was clean, and it pleased neither of them to take
+profit from this blackguard beyond what they considered their due.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was just this touch of finer feeling that excluded them from the
+category of rogues and made their persons worth considering and their
+doings worth recounting.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We'll give him what he asks," said Blood, when the consultation was
+over, "and mind you, I don't like giving it him one little bit, not on
+account of the money but because it seems to make us partners with that
+swab.  I tell you this, Billy Harman, I'd give half as much again if an
+honest man was dealing with us in this matter instead of Pat Ginnell."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And what honest man would deal with us?" asked the ingenuous Harman.
+"Lord! one might think the job we was on was tryin' to sell a laundry.
+It's safe enough, for who can say we didn't hit the wreck cruisin'
+round promiscuous, but it won't hold no frills in the way of Honesty
+and such.  Down with you, and close the bargain with that chap and tip
+him the wink that, though we're mugs enough to give him six thousand
+dollars for the loan of his old shark-boat, we're men enough to put a
+pistol bullet in his gizzard if he tries any games with us.  Down you
+go."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Blood went.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+II
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+Next morning, an hour after sunrise, through the blaze of light
+striking the Pacific across the far-off Californlan coast, San Juan
+showed like a flake of spar on the horizon to southward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The sea all there is of an impossible blueness, the Pacific blue
+deepened by the <I>Kuro Shiwo</I> current, that mysterious river of the sea
+which floods up the coast of Japan, crosses the Pacific towards Alaska,
+and sweeps down the West American seaboard to fan out and lose itself
+away down somewhere off Chile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Harman judged the island to be twenty miles away, and as they were
+making six and a half knots, he reckoned to hit it in three hours if
+the wind held.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They went down and had breakfast, and after the meal Ginnell, going to
+the locker where he had stowed the wrecking tools, fetched them out and
+laid them on deck.  There were two crow-bars and a jemmy, not to
+mention a flogging hammer, a rip saw, some monstrous big chisels and a
+shipwright's mallet.  They looked like a collection of burglar's
+implements from the land of Brobdingnag.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There you are," said Ginnell.  "You never know what you may want on a
+job like this, with bulkheads, maybe, to be cut through and chests
+broke open; get a spare sail, Misther Harman, and rowl the lot up in it
+so's they'll be aisier for thransport."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He was excited, and the Irish in him came out when he was like that;
+also, as the most knowledgeable man in the business, he was taking the
+lead.  You never could have fancied from his cheerful manner and his
+appearance of boss that Blood was the real master of the situation, or
+that Blood, only a few days ago, had nearly pounded the life out of
+him, captured his revolver, and taken possession of the <I>Heart of
+Ireland</I>.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The schooner carried a whale-boat, and this was now got in readiness
+for lowering, with provisions and water for the landing-party, and when
+that was done the island, now only four miles distant, showed up fine,
+a sheer splinter of volcanic rock standing up from the sea and creamed
+about with foam.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Not a sign of a wreck was to be seen, though Ginnell's glasses were
+powerful enough to show up every detail from the rock fissures to the
+roosting gulls.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Gloom fell upon the party, with the exception of Harman.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It'll be on the other side if it's there at all," said he.  "She'd
+have been coming up from the s'uthard, and if the gale was behind her
+it would have taken her right on to the rocks; she couldn't be on this
+side, anyhow, because why?&mdash;there's nuthin' to hold her.  It's a mile
+deep water off them cliffs, but on the other side it shoals gradual
+from tide marks to ten fathoms water, which holds for a quarter of a
+mile&mdash;keep her as she is, you could scrape them cliffs with a
+battleship without danger of groundin'."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After a minute or two, he took the wheel himself and steered her whilst
+the fellows stood by the halyards ready to let go at a moment's notice.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was an impressive place, this north side of the island of San Juan;
+the heavy swell came up smacking right on to the sheer cliff wall,
+jetting green water and foam yards high to the snore and boom of caves
+and cut outs in the rock.  Gulls haunted the place.  The black petrel,
+the Western gull and the black-footed albatross all were to be found
+here; long lines of white gulls marked the cliff edges, and far above,
+in the dazzling azure of the sky, a Farallone cormorant circled like
+the spirit of the place, challenging the newcomers with its cry.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Harman shifted his helm, and the <I>Heart of Ireland</I> with main boom
+swinging to port came gliding past the western rocks and opening the
+sea to southward where, far on the horizon, lovely in the morning light
+like vast ships under press of sail, the San Lucas Islands lay remote
+in the morning splendour.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Away to port the line of the Californian coast showed beyond the heave
+of the sea from Point Arguello to Point Conception, and to starboard
+and west of the San Lucas's a dot in the sun-dazzle marked the peaks of
+the island of San Nicolas.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, as the <I>Heart of Ireland</I> came around and the full view of the
+south of San Juan burst upon them, the wreck piled on the rocks came in
+sight, and, anchored quarter of a mile off the shore&mdash;a Chinese junk!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, I'm damned," said Harman.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ginnell, seizing his glasses, rushed forward and looked through them at
+the wreck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's swarmin' with chows," cried he, coming aft.  "They seem to have
+only just landed, be the look of them.  Keep her as she goes and be
+ready with the anchor there forrard; we'll scupper them yet.  Mr.
+Harman, be plazed to fetch up that linth of lead pipe you'll find on
+the cabin flure be the door.  Capt'in, will you see with Charlie here
+to the boat while I get the anchor ready for droppin'; them coolies is
+all thumbs."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He went forward, and the <I>Heart of Ireland</I>, with the wind spilling out
+of her mainsail, came along over the heaving blue swell, satin-smooth
+here in the shelter of the island.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Truly the <I>Yan-Shan</I>, late <I>Robert Bullmer</I>, had made a masterpiece of
+her last business; she had come stem on, lifted by the piling sea, and
+had hit the rocks, smashing every bow-plate from the keel to within a
+yard or two of the gunnel, then a wave had taken her under the stern
+and lifted her and flung her broadside on just as she now lay, pinned
+to her position by the rock horns that had gored her side, and showing
+a space of her rust-red bottom to the sun.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The water was squattering among the rocks right up to her, the
+phosphor-bronze propeller showed a single blade cocked crookedly at the
+end of the broken screw shaft; rudder there was none, the funnel was
+gone, spar deck and bridge were in wrack and ruin, whilst the cowl of a
+bent ventilator turned seaward seemed contemplating with a languid air
+the beauty of the morning and the view of the far distant San Lucas
+Islands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The <I>Heart of Ireland</I> picked up a berth inside the junk, and as the
+rasp and rattle of the anchor chain came back in faint echoes from the
+cliff, a gong on the junk woke to life and began to snarl and roar its
+warning to the fellows on the wreck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Down with the boat," cried Ginnell.  With the "linth of lead pipe," a
+most formidable weapon, sticking from his pocket, he ran to help with
+the falls; the whaleboat smacked the water, the crew tumbled in, and,
+with Ginnell in the bow, it started for the shore.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The gong had done its work.  The fellows who had been crawling like
+ants over the dead body of the <I>Yan-Shan</I> came slithering down on
+ropes, appeared running and stumbling over the rocks abaft the stern,
+some hauling along sacks of loot, others brandishing sticks or bits of
+timber, and all shouting and clamouring with a noise like gulls whose
+nests are being raided.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was a small scrap of shingly beach off which the Chinamen's scow
+was lying anchored with a stone and with a China boy for anchor watch.
+The whale-boat passed the scow, dashed nose end up the shelving beach,
+and the next moment Ginnell and his linth of lead pipe was amongst the
+Chinamen, whilst Blood, following him, was firing his revolver over
+their heads.  Harman, with a crowbar carried at the level, was aiming
+straight at the belly of the biggest of the foe, when they parted right
+and left, dropping everything, beaten before they were touched, and
+making for the water over the rocks.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Swimming like rats, they made for the scow, scrambled on board her,
+howked up the anchor stone and shot out the oars.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They're off for the junk," cried Ginnell.  "Faith, that was a clane
+bit of work; look at thim rowin' as if the divil was after thim."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They were, literally, and now on board the junk they were hauling the
+boat in, shaking out the lateen sail and dragging up the anchor as
+though a hundred pair of hands were at work instead of twenty.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, as the huge sail bellied gently to the wind and the junk broke
+the violet breeze shadow beyond the calm of the sheltered water, a
+voice came over the sea, a voice like the clamour of a hundred gulls,
+thin, rending, fierce as the sound of tearing calico.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Shout away, me boys," said Ginnell.  "You've got the shout and we've
+got the boodle, and good day to ye."
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+III
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+He turned with the others to examine the contents of the sacks dropped
+by the vanquished ones and lying amongst the rocks.  They were old
+gunny bags and they were stuffed with all sorts of rubbish and
+valuables, musical instruments, bits of old metal, cabin curtains, and
+even cans of bully beef&mdash;there was no sign of dollars.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The fools were so busy picking up everything they could find lying
+about, they hadn't time to search for the real stuff," said Blood.
+"Didn't know of it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said Ginnell, "stick the ould truck back in the bags with the
+insthruments; we'll sort it out when we get aboard and fling the
+rubbish over and keep what's worth keepin'."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Helped by the coolies, they refilled the bags and left them in position
+for carrying off, and then, led by Ginnell, they made round the stern
+of the wreck to the port side.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now, on the sea side the <I>Yan-Shan</I> presented a bad enough picture of
+desolation and destruction, but here on the land side the sight was
+terrific.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The great yellow funnel had crashed over on to the rocks and lay with
+lengths of the guys still adhering to it; a quarter boat with bottom
+half out had gone the way of the funnel; crabs were crawling over all
+sorts of raffle, broken spars, canvas from the bridge screen and
+woodwork of the chart-house, whilst all forward of amidships the
+plates, beaten and twisted and ripped apart, showed cargo, held, or in
+the act of escaping.  One big packing case, free of the ship, had
+resolved itself into staves round its once contents, a piano that
+appeared perfectly uninjured.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A rope ladder hung from the bulwarks amidships, and up it Ginnell went,
+followed by the others, reaching a roofless passage that had once been
+the part alley-way.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Here on the slanting deck one got a full picture of the ruin that had
+come on the ship; the masts were gone, as well as the funnel; boats,
+ventilators&mdash;with the exception of the twisted cowl looking
+seaward&mdash;bridge, chart-house, all had vanished wholly or in part, a
+picture made more impressive by the calm blue sky overhead and the
+brilliancy of the sunlight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The locking bars had been removed from the cover of the fore hatch and
+the hatch opened, evidently by the Chinese in search of plunder.
+Ginnell scarcely turned an eye on it before he made aft, followed by
+the others, he reached the saloon companion-way and dived down it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+If the confusion on deck was bad, it was worse below.  The cabin doors
+on either side were either open or off their hinges, bunk bedding,
+mattresses, an open and rifled valise, some women's clothes, an empty
+cigar-box and a cage with a dead canary in it lay on the floor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The place looked as if an army of pillagers had been at work for days,
+and the sight struck a chill to the hearts of the beholders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We're dished," said Ginnell.  "Quick, boys, if the stuff's anywhere
+it'll be in the old man's cabin, there's no mail room in a packet like
+this.  If it's not there, we're done."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They found the captain's cabin, they found his papers tossed about, his
+cash-box open and empty, and a strong box clamped to the deck by the
+bunk in the same condition.  They found, to complete the business, an
+English sovereign on the floor in a corner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ginnell sat down on the edge of the bunk.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They've got the dollars," said he.  "That's why they legged it so
+quick and&mdash;we let them go.  Twenty thousand dollars in gold coin and we
+let them go.  Tear an' ages!  Afther them!"  He sprang from the bunk
+and dashed through the saloon, followed by the others.  On deck they
+strained their eyes seaward towards a brown spot on the blue far, far
+away to the sou'-west.  It was the junk making a soldier's wind of it,
+every inch of sail spread.  Judging by the distance she had covered,
+she must have been making at least eight knots, and the Heart of
+Ireland under similar wind conditions was incapable of more than seven.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No good chasing her," said Blood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not a happorth," replied Ginnell.  Then the quarrel began.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If you hadn't held us pokin' over them old sacks on the rocks there
+we'd maybe have had a chance of over-haulin' her," said Ginnell.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sacks," cried Blood, "what are you talking about; it was you who let
+them go, shouting good day to them and telling them we'd got the
+boodle!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Boodle, b'g-d!" cried Ginnell.  "You're a nice chap to talk about
+boodle.  You did me in an' collared me boat, and now you're let down
+proper, and serve you right."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Blood was about to reply in kind, when the dispute was cut short by a
+loud yell from the engine-room hatch.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Harman, having satisfied himself with a glance that all was up with the
+junk, had gone poking about and entered the engine-room hatchway.  He
+now appeared, shouting like a maniac.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The dollars," he cried, "two dead Chinkies an' the dollars."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He vanished again with a shout, they rushed to the hatch, and there, on
+the steel grating leading to the ladder, curled together like two cats
+that had died in battle, lay the Chinamen, Harman kneeling beside them,
+his hands at work on the neck of a tied sack that chinked as he shook
+it with the glorious rich, mellow sound that gold in bulk and gold in
+specie alone can give.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The lanyard came away, and Harman, plunging his big hand in, produced
+it filled with British sovereigns.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Not one of them moved or said a word for a moment, then Ginnell
+suddenly squatted down on the grating beside Harman, and, taking a
+sovereign between finger and thumb gingerly, as though he feared it
+might burn him, examined it with a laugh.  Then he bit it, spun it in
+the air, caught it in his left hand and brought his great right palm
+down on it with a bang.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hids or tails!" cried Ginnell.  "Hids I win, tails you lose."  He gave
+a coarse laugh as he opened his palm, where the coin lay tail up.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hids it is," he cried, then he tossed it back into the bag and rose to
+his feet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come on, boys," said he, "let's bring the stuff down to the saloon and
+count it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Better get it aboard," said Blood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Harman looked up.  The grin on his face stamped by the finding of the
+gold was still there, and in the light coming through the hatch his
+forehead showed beaded with sweat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm with Ginnell," said he, "let's get down to the saloon for an
+overhaul.  I can't wait whiles we row off to the schooner.  I wants to
+feel the stuff and I wants to divide it, b'g-d, right off and now.
+Boys, we're rich, we sure are.  It's the stroke of my life, and I can't
+wait for no rowin' on board no schooners before we divide up."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come on, then," said Blood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The sack was much bigger than its contents, so there was plenty of grip
+for him as he seized one corner.  Then, Harman grasping it by the neck,
+they lugged it out and along the deck and down the saloon companionway,
+Ginnell following.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Chinese had opened nearly all the cabin port-holes for the sake of
+light to assist them in their plundering, and now as Blood and Harman
+placed the sack on the slanting saloon table, the crying of gulls came
+clearly and derisively from the cliffs outside, mixed with the hush of
+the sea and the boost of the swell as it broke creaming and squattering
+among the rocks.  The lackadaisical ventilator cowl, which took an
+occasional movement from stray puffs of air, added its voice now and
+then, whining and complaining like some lost yet inconsiderable soul.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+No other sound could be heard as the three men ranged themselves,
+Ginnell on the starboard, and Blood and Harman on the port side of the
+table.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The swivel seats, though all aslant, were practicable, and Harman was
+in the act of taking his place in the seat he had chosen when Ginnell
+interposed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"One moment, Mr. Harman," said the owner of the <I>Heart of Ireland</I>.
+"I've a word to say to you and Mr. Blood&mdash;sure, I beg your pardon&mdash;I
+mane Capt'in Blood."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said Blood, grasping a chair-back.  "What have you to say?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Only this," replied Ginnell with a grin.  "I've got back me revolver."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Blood clapped his hand to his pocket.  It was empty.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I picked your pocket of it," said Ginnell, producing the weapon, "two
+minits back; you fired three shots over the heads of them chows and
+there's three ca'tridges left in her.  I can hit a dollar at twinty
+long paces.  Move an inch either the one or other of you, and I'll lay
+your brains on the table fornint you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They did not move, for they knew that he was in earnest.  They knew
+that if they moved he would begin to shoot, and if he began to shoot he
+would finish the job, leave their corpses on the floor, and sail off
+with the dollars and his Chinese crew in perfect safety.  There were no
+witnesses.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now," said Ginnell, "what the pair of you have to do is this.  Misther
+Harman, you'll go into that cabin behind you, climb on the upper bunk,
+stick your head through the port-hole and shout to the coolies down
+below there with the boat to come up.  It'll take two men to get them
+dollars on deck and down to the wather side.  When you've done that,
+the pair of you will walk into the ould man's cabin an' say your
+prayers, thanking the saints you've got off so easy, whiles I puts the
+bolt on you till the dollars are away.  And remimber this, one word or
+kick from you and I shoot&mdash;the Chinamen will never tell."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"See here," said Harman.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"One word!" shouted Ginnell, suddenly dropping the mask of urbanity and
+levelling the pistol.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was as though the tiger-cat in his grimy soul had suddenly burst
+bonds and mastered him.  His finger pressed on the trigger and the next
+moment Harman's brains, or what he had of them, might have been
+literally forenint him on the table, when suddenly, tremendous as the
+last trumpet, paralysing as the inrush of a body of armed men, booing
+and bellowing back from the cliffs in a hundred echoes came a
+voice&mdash;the blast of a ship's syren.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Huroop, Hirrip, Hurop, Haar&mdash;Haar&mdash;Haar!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ginnell's arm fell.  Harman, forgetting everything, turned, dashed into
+the cabin behind him, climbed on the upper bunk, and stuck his head
+through the port-hole.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he dashed back into the saloon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's the <I>Port of Amsterdam</I>," cried Harman, "It's the salvage ship,
+she's there droppin' her anchor; we're done, we're dished&mdash;and we
+foolin' like this and they crawlin' up on us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you said she'd only do eight knots!" cried Blood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ginnell flung the revolver on the floor.  Every trace of the recent
+occurrence had vanished, and the three men thought no more of one
+another than a man thinks of petty matters in the face of dissolution.
+Gunderman was outside, that was enough for them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Boys," said Ginnell, "ain't there no way out with them dollars?
+S'pose we howk them ashore?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Cliffs two hundred foot high," said Harman, "not a chanst.  We're
+dished."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Said Blood: "There's only one thing left.  We'll walk the dollars down
+to the boat and row off with them.  Of course we'll be stopped; still,
+there's the chance that Gunderman may be drunk or something.  It's one
+chance in a hundred billion&mdash;it's the only one."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Gunderman was not drunk, nor were his boat party; and the
+court-martial he held on the beach in broken English and with the sack
+of coin beside him as chief witness would form a bright page of
+literature had one time to record it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ginnell, as owner of the <I>Heart of Ireland</I>, received the whole brunt
+of the storm; there was no hearing for him when, true to himself, he
+tried to cast the onus of the business on Blood and Harman.  He was
+told to get out and be thankful he was not brought back to 'Frisco in
+irons, and he obeyed instructions, rowing off to the schooner, he and
+Harman and Blood, a melancholy party with the exception of Blood, who
+was talking to Harman with extreme animation on the subject of beam
+engines.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On deck it was Blood who gave orders for hauling up the anchor and
+setting sail.  He had recaptured the revolver.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap13"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE DERELICT _NEPTUNE_*
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "Spun Gold," BY MORGAN ROBERTSON
+</H3>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+*Reprinted by courtesy of Harper &amp; Brothers.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+Across the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Guinea to Cape St. Roque
+moves a great body of water&mdash;the Main Equatorial Current&mdash;which can be
+considered the motive power, or mainspring, of the whole Atlantic
+current system, as it obtains its motion directly from the ever-acting
+push of the tradewinds.  At Cape St. Roque this broad current splits
+into two parts, one turning north, the other south.  The northern part
+contracts, increases its speed, and, passing up the northern coast of
+South America as the Guiana Current, enters through the Caribbean Sea
+into the Gulf of Mexico, where it circles around to the northward;
+then, colored a deep blue from the fine river silt of the Mississippi,
+and heated from its long surface exposure under a tropical sun to an
+average temperature of eighty degrees, it emerges into the Florida
+Channel as the Gulf Stream.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+From here it travels northeast, following the trend of the coast line,
+until, off Cape Hatteras, it splits into three divisions, one of which,
+the westernmost, keeps on to lose its warmth and life in Baffin's Bay.
+Another impinges on the Hebrides, and is no more recognizable as a
+current; and the third, the eastern and largest part of the divided
+stream, makes a wide sweep to the east and south, enclosing the Azores
+and the deadwater called the Sargasso Sea, then, as the African
+Current, runs down the coast until, just below the Canary Isles, it
+merges into the Lesser Equatorial Current, which, parallel to the
+parent stream, and separated from it by a narrow band of backwater,
+travels west and filters through the West Indies, making puzzling
+combinations with the tides, and finally bearing so heavily on the
+young Gulf Stream as to give to it the sharp turn to the northward
+through the Florida Channel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the South Atlantic, the portion of the Main Equatorial Current split
+off by Cape St. Roque and directed south leaves the coast at Cape Frio,
+and at the latitude of the River Plate assumes a due easterly
+direction, crossing the ocean as the Southern Connecting Current.  At
+the Cape of Good Hope it meets the cold, northeasterly Cape Horn
+Current, and with it passes up the coast of Africa to join the
+Equatorial Current at the starting-point in the Gulf of Guinea, the
+whole constituting a circulatory system of ocean rivers, of speed value
+varying from eighteen to ninety miles a day.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On a bright morning in November, 1894, a curious-looking craft floated
+into the branch current which, skirting Cuba, flows westward through
+the Bahama Channel.  A man standing on the highest of two points
+enclosing a small bay near Cape Maisi, after a critical examination
+through a telescope, disappeared from the rocks, and in a few moments a
+light boat, of the model used by whalers, emerged from the mouth of the
+bay, containing this man and another.  In the boat also was a coil of
+rope.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The one who had inspected the craft from the rocks was a tall young
+fellow, dressed in flannel shirt and trousers, the latter held in place
+by a cartridge-belt, such as is used by the American cowboy.  To this
+was hung a heavy revolver.  On his head was a broad-brimmed cork
+helmet, much soiled, and resembling in shape the Mexican sombrero.
+Beneath this head-gear was a mass of brown hair, which showed a
+non-acquaintance with barbers for, perhaps, months, and under this hair
+a sun-tanned face, lighted by serious gray eyes.  The most noticeable
+feature of this face was the extreme arching of the eyebrows&mdash;a
+never-failing index of the highest form of courage.  It was a face that
+would please.  The face of the other was equally pleasing in its way.
+It was red, round, and jolly, with twinkling eyes, the whole borrowing
+a certain dignity from closely cut white hair and mustaches.  The man
+was about fifty, dressed and armed like the other.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What do you want of pistols, Boston?" he said to the younger man.
+"One might think this an old-fashioned, piratical cutting out."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, I don't know, Doc.  It's best to have them.  That hulk may be full
+of Spaniards, and the whole thing nothing but a trick to draw us out.
+But she looks like a derelict.  I don't see how she got into this
+channel, unless she drifted up past Cape Maisi from the southward,
+having come in with the Guiana Current.  It's all rocks and shoals to
+the eastward."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The boat, under the impulse of their oars, soon passed the fringing
+reef and came in sight of the strange craft, which lay about a mile
+east and half a mile off shore.  "You see," resumed the younger man,
+called Boston, "there's a back-water inside Point Mulas, and if she
+gets into it she may come ashore right here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Where we can loot her.  Nice business for a respectable practitioner
+like me to be engaged in!  Doctor Bryce, of Havana, consorting with
+Fenians from Canada, exiled German socialists, Cuban horse-thieves who
+would be hung in a week if they went to Texas, and a long-legged sailor
+man who calls himself a retired naval officer, but who looks like a
+pirate; and all shouting for <I>Cuba Libre</I>!  <I>Cuba Libre</I>!  It's plunder
+you want."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But none of us ever manufactured dynamite," answered Boston, with a
+grin.  "How long did they have you in Moro Castle, Doc?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Eight months," snapped the doctor, his face clouding.  "Eight months
+in that rathole, with the loss of my property and practice&mdash;all for
+devotion to science.  I was on the brink of the most important and
+beneficent discovery in explosives the world ever dreamed of.  Yes,
+sir, 'twould have made me famous and stopped all warfare."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The captain told me this morning that he'd heard from Marti," said
+Boston, after an interval.  "Good news, he said, but that's all I
+learned.  Maybe it's from Gomez.  If he'll only take hold again we can
+chase the Spanish off the island now.  Then we'll put some of your
+stuff under Moro and lift it off the earth."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In a short time, details of the craft ahead, hitherto hidden by
+distance, began to show.  There was no sign of life aboard; her spars
+were gone, with the exception of the foremast, broken at the hounds,
+and she seemed to be of about a thousand tons burden, colored a mixed
+brown and dingy gray, which, as they drew near, was shown as the action
+of iron rust on black and lead-colored paint.  Here and there were
+outlines of painted ports.  Under the stump of a shattered bowsprit
+projected from between bluff bows a weather-worn figurehead,
+representing the god of the sea.  Above on the bows were wooden-stocked
+anchors stowed inboard, and aft on the quarters were iron davits with
+blocks intact&mdash;but no falls.  In a few of the dead-eyes in the channels
+could be seen frayed rope-yarns, rotten with age, and, with the stump
+of the foremast, the wooden stocks of the anchors, and the teak-wood
+rail, of a bleached gray color.  On the round stern, as they pulled
+under it, they spelled, in raised letters, flecked here and there with
+discolored gilt, the name "Neptune, of London."  Unkempt and forsaken,
+she had come in from the mysterious sea to tell her story.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The climbed the channels, fastened the painter, and peered over the
+rail.  There was no one in sight, and they sprang down, finding
+themselves on a deck that was soft and spongy with time and weather.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She's an old tub," said Boston, scanning the gray fabric fore and aft;
+"one of the first iron ships built, I should think.  They housed the
+crew under the t'gallant forecastle.  See the doors forward, there?
+And she has a full-decked cabin&mdash;that's old style.  Hatches are all
+battened down, but I doubt if this tarpaulin holds water."  He stepped
+on the main hatch, brought his weight on the ball of one foot, and
+turned around.  The canvas crumbled to threads, showing the wood
+beneath.  "Let's go below.  If there were any Spaniards here they'd
+have shown themselves before this."  The cabin doors were latched but
+not locked, and they opened them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hold on," said the doctor, "this cabin may have been closed for years,
+and generated poisonous gases.  Open that upper door, Boston."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boston ran up the shaky poop ladder and opened the companion-way above,
+which let a stream of the fresh morning air and sunshine into the
+cabin, then, after a moment or two, descended and joined the other, who
+had entered from the main-deck.  They were in an ordinary ship's cabin,
+surrounded by staterooms, and with the usual swinging lamp and tray;
+but the table, chairs, and floor were covered with fine dust.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Where the deuce do you get so much dust at sea?" coughed the doctor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nobody knows, Doc.  Let's hunt for the manifest and the articles.
+This must have been the skipper's room."  They entered the largest
+stateroom, and Boston opened an old-fashioned desk.  Among the
+discolored documents it contained, he found one and handed it to the
+doctor.  "Articles," he said; "look at it."  Soon he took out another.
+"I've got it.  Now we'll find what she has in her hold, and if it's
+worth bothering about."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed the doctor; "this paper is dated 1844, fifty
+years ago."  Boston looked over his shoulder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's so; she signed her crew at Boston, too.  Where has she been all
+this time?  Let's see this one."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The manifest was short, and stated that her cargo was 3000 barrels of
+lime, 8000 kids of tallow, and 2500 carboys of acid, 1700 of which were
+sulphuric, the rest of nitric acid.  "That cargo won't be much good to
+us, Doc.  I'd hope to find something we could use.  Let's find the
+log-book, and see what happened to her."  Boston rummaged what seemed
+to be the first-mate's room.  "Plenty of duds here," he said; "but
+they're ready to fall to pieces.  Here's the log."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He returned with the book, and, seated at the dusty table, they turned
+the yellow leaves.  "First departure, Highland Light, March 10, 1844,"
+read Boston.  "We'll look in the remarks column."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Nothing but the ordinary incidents of a voyage were found until they
+reached the date June 1st, where entry was made of the ship being
+"caught aback" and dismasted off the Cape of Good Hope in a sudden
+gale.  Then followed daily "remarks" of the southeasterly drift of the
+ship, the extreme cold (which, with the continuance of the bad weather,
+prevented saving the wreck for jury-masts), and the fact that no sails
+were sighted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+June 6th told of her being locked in soft, slushy ice, and still being
+pressed southward by the never-ending gale; June 10th said that the ice
+was hard, and at June 15th was the terrible entry: "Fire in the hold!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On June 16th was entered this: "Kept hatches battened down and stopped
+all air-holes, but the deck is too hot to stand on, and getting hotter.
+Crew insist on lowering the boats and pulling them northward over the
+ice to open water in hopes of being picked up.  Good-bye."  In the
+position columns of this date the latitude was given as 62 degrees 44
+minutes S. and the longitude as 30 degrees 50 minutes E.  There were no
+more entries.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What tragedy docs this tell of?" said the doctor.  "They left this
+ship in the ice fifty years ago.  Who can tell if they were saved?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Who indeed?" said Boston.  "The mate hadn't much hope.  He said
+'Good-bye.'  But one thing is certain; we are the first to board her
+since.  I take it she stayed down there in the ice until she drifted
+around the Pole, and thawed out where she could catch the Cape Horn
+current, which took her up to the Hope.  Then she came up with the
+South African Current till she got into the Equatorial drift, then
+west, and up with the Guiana Current into the Caribbean Sea to the
+southward of us, and this morning the flood-tide brought her through.
+It isn't a question of winds; they're too variable.  It's currents,
+though it may have taken her years to get here.  But the surprising
+part of it is that she hasn't been boarded.  Let's look in the hold and
+see what the fire has done."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When they boarded the hulk, the sky, with the exception of a filmy haze
+overhanging the eastern end of the island, was clear.  Now, as they
+emerged from the cabin, this haze had solidified and was coming&mdash;one of
+the black and vicious squalls of the West India seas.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No man can tell what wind there is in them," remarked Boston, as he
+viewed it.  "But it's pretty close to the water, and dropping rain.
+Hold on, there, Doc.  Stay aboard.  We couldn't pull ashore in the
+teeth of it."  The doctor had made a spasmodic leap to the rail.  "If
+the chains were shackled on, we might drop one of the hooks and hold
+her; but it's two hours work for a full crew."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But we're likely to be blown away, aren't we?" asked the doctor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not far.  I don't think it'll last long.  We'll make the boat fast
+astern and get out of the wet."  They did so, and entered the cabin.
+Soon the squall, coming with a shock like that of a solid blow, struck
+the hulk broadside to and careened her.  From the cabin door they
+watched the nearly horizontal rain as it swished across the deck, and
+listened to the screaming of the wind, which prevented all
+conversation.  Silently they waited&mdash;one hour&mdash;two hours&mdash;then Boston
+said: "This is getting serious.  It's no squall.  If it wasn't so late
+in the season I'd call it a hurricane.  I'm going on deck."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He climbed the companionway stairs to the poop, and shut the scuttle
+behind him&mdash;for the rain was flooding the cabin&mdash;then looked around.
+The shore and horizon were hidden by a dense wall of gray, which seemed
+not a hundred feet distant.   From to windward this wall was detaching
+great waves or sheets of almost solid water, which bombarded the ship
+in successive blows, to be then lost in the gray whirl to leeward.
+Overhead was the same dismal hue, marked by hurrying masses of darker
+cloud, and below was a sea of froth, white and flat; for no waves could
+rise their heads in that wind.  Drenched to the skin, he tried the
+wheel and found it free in its movements.  In front of it was a
+substantial binnacle, and within a compass, which, though sluggish, as
+from a well-worn pivot, was practically in good condition.  "Blowing us
+about nor'west by west," he muttered, as he looked at it&mdash;"straight up
+the coast.  It's better than the beach in this weather, but may land us
+in Havana."  He examined he boat.  It was full of water, and tailing to
+windward, held by its painter.  Making sure that this was fast, he went
+down.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Doc," he said, as he squeezed the water from his limp cork helmet and
+flattened it on the table, "have you any objections to being rescued by
+some craft going into Havana?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have&mdash;decided objections."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So have I; but this wind is blowing us there&mdash;sideways.  Now, such a
+blow as this, at this time of year, will last three days at least, and
+I've an idea that it'll haul gradually to the south, and west towards
+the end of it.  Where'll we be then?  Either piled up on one of the
+Bahama keys or interviewed by the Spaniards.  Now I've been thinking of
+a scheme on deck.  We can't get back to camp for a while&mdash;that's
+settled.  This iron hull is worth something, and if we can take it into
+an American port we can claim salvage.  Key West is the nearest, but
+Fernandina is the surest.  We've got a stump of a foremast and a rudder
+and a compass.  If we can get some kind of sail up forward and bring
+her 'fore the wind, we can steer any course within thirty degrees of
+the wind line."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But I can't steer.  And how long will this voyage take?  What will we
+eat?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, you can steer&mdash;good enough.  And, of course, it depends on food,
+and water, too.  We'd better catch some of this that's going to waste."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In what had been the steward's storeroom they found a harness-cask with
+bones and dry rust in the bottom.  "It's salt meat, I suppose," said
+the doctor, "reduced to its elements."  With the handles of their
+pistols they carefully hammered down the rusty hoops over the shrunken
+staves, which were well preserved by the brine they had once held, and
+taking the cask on deck, cleaned it thoroughly under the scuppers&mdash;or
+drain-holes&mdash;of the poop, and let it stand under the stream of water to
+swell and sweeten itself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If we find more casks we'll catch some more," said Boston; "but that
+will last us two weeks.  Now we'll hunt for her stores.  I've eaten
+salt-horse twenty years old, but I can't vouch for what we may find
+here."  They examined all the rooms adjacent to the cabin, but found
+nothing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Where's the lazarette in this kind of a ship?" asked Boston.  "The
+cabin runs right aft to the stern.  It must be below us."  He found
+that the carpet was not tacked to the floor, and, raising the after
+end, discovered a hatch, or trap-door, which he lifted.  Below, when
+their eyes were accustomed to the darkness, they saw boxes and
+barrels&mdash;all covered with the same fine dust which filled the cabin.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't go down there, yet, Boston," said the doctor.  "It may be full
+of carbonic acid gas.  She's been afire, you know.  Wait."  He tore a
+strip from some bedding in one of the rooms, and, lighting one end by
+means of a flint and steel which he carried, lowered the smouldering
+rag until it rested on the pile below.  It did not go out.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Safe enough, Boston," he remarked.  "But you go down; you're younger."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boston smiled and sprang down on the pile, from which he passed up a
+box.  "Looks like tinned stuff, Doc.  Open it, and I'll look over here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The doctor smashed the box with his foot, and found, as the other had
+thought, that it contained cylindrical cans; but the labels were faded
+with age.  Opening one with his jack-knife, he tasted the contents.  It
+was a mixture of meat and a fluid, called by sailors "soup-and-bully,"
+and as fresh and sweet as though canned the day before.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We're all right, Boston," he called down the hatch.  "Here's as good a
+dish as I've tasted for months.  Ready cooked, too."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boston soon appeared.  "There are some beef or pork barrels over in the
+wing," he said, "and plenty of this canned stuff.  I don't know what
+good the salt meat is.  The barrels seem tight, but we won't need to
+broach one for a while.  There's a bag of coffee&mdash;gone to dust, and
+some hard bread that isn't fit to eat; but this'll do."  He picked up
+the open can.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Boston," said the doctor, "if those barrels contain meat, we'll find
+it cooked&mdash;boiled in its own brine, like this."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Isn't it strange," said Boston, as he tasted the contents of the can,
+"that this stuff should keep so long?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not at all.  It was cooked thoroughly by the heat, and then frozen.
+If your barrels haven't burst from the expansion of the brine under the
+heat or cold, you'll find the meat just as good."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But rather salty, if I'm a judge of salt-horse.  Now, where's the
+sail-locker?  We want a sail on that foremast.  It must be forward."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the forecastle they found sailor's chests and clothing in all stages
+of ruin, but none of the spare sails that ships carry.  In the
+boatswain's locker, in one corner of the forecastle, however, they
+found some iron-strapped blocks in fairly good condition, which Boston
+noted.  Then they opened the main-hatch, and discovered a mixed pile of
+boxes, some showing protruding necks of large bottles, or carboys,
+others nothing but the circular opening.  Here and there in the tangled
+heap were sections of canvas sails&mdash;rolled and unrolled, but all yellow
+and worthless.  They closed the hatch and returned to the cabin, where
+they could converse.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They stowed their spare canvas in the 'tween-deck on top of the
+cargo," said Boston; "and the carboys&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the carboys burst from the heat and ruined the sails," broke in
+the doctor.  "But another question is, what became of that acid?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If it's not in the 'tween-deck yet, it must be in the hold&mdash;leaked
+through the hatches."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I hope it hasn't reached the iron in the hull, Boston, my boy.  It
+takes a long time for cold acids to act on iron after the first
+oxidation, but in fifty years mixed nitric and sulphuric will do lots
+of work."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No fear, Doc; it had done its work when you were in your cradle.
+What'll we do for canvas?  We must get this craft before the wind.
+How'll the carpet do?"  Boston lifted the edge, and tried the fabric in
+his fingers.  "It'll go," he said; "we'll double it.  I'll hunt for a
+palm-and-needle and some twine."  These articles he found in the mate's
+room.  "The twine's no better than yarn," said he, "but we'll use four
+parts."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Together they doubled the carpet diagonally, and with long stitches
+joined the edges.  Then Boston sewed into each corner a thimble&mdash;an
+iron ring&mdash;and they had a triangular sail of about twelve feet hoist.
+"It hasn't been exposed to the action of the air like the ropes in the
+locker forward," said Boston, as he arose and took off the palm; "and
+perhaps it'll last till she pays off.  Then we can steer.  You get the
+big pulley-blocks from the locker, Doc, and I'll get the rope from the
+boat.  It's lucky I thought to bring it; I expected to lift things out
+of the hold with it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the risk of his life Boston obtained the coil from the boat, while
+the doctor brought the blocks.  Then, together, they rove off a tackle.
+With the handles of their pistols they knocked bunk-boards to pieces
+and saved the nails; then Boston climbed the foremast, as a painter
+climbs a steeple&mdash;by nailing successive billets of wood above his head
+for steps.  Next he hauled up and secured the tackle to the forward
+side of the mast, with which they pulled up the upper corner of their
+sail, after lashing the lower corners to the windlass and fiferail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It stood the pressure, and the hulk paid slowly off and gathered
+headway.  Boston took the wheel and steadied her at northwest by
+west&mdash;dead before the wind&mdash;while the doctor, at his request, brought
+the open can of soup and lubricated the wheel-screw with the only
+substitute for oil at their command; for the screw worked hard with the
+rust of fifty years.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Their improvised sail, pressed steadily on but one side, had held
+together, but now, with the first flap as the gale caught it from
+another direction, appeared a rent; with the next flap the rag went to
+pieces.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let her go!" sang out Boston gleefully; "we can steer now.  Come here,
+Doc, and learn to steer."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The doctor came; and when he left that wheel, three days later, he had
+learned.  For the wind had blown a continuous gale the whole of this
+time, which, with the ugly sea raised as the ship left the lee of the
+land, necessitated the presence of both men at the helm.  Only
+occasionally was there a lull during which one of them could rush below
+and return with a can of soup.  During one of these lulls Boston had
+examined the boat, towing half out of water, and concluded that a short
+painter was best with a water-logged boat, had reinforced it with a few
+turns of his rope from forward.  In the three days they had sighted no
+craft except such as their own&mdash;helpless&mdash;hove-to or scudding.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boston had judged rightly in regard to the wind.  It had hauled slowly
+to the southward, allowing him to make the course he wished&mdash;through
+the Bahama and up the Florida Channel with the wind over the stern.
+During the day he could guide himself by landmarks, but at night, with
+a darkened binnacle, he could only steer blindly on with the wind at
+his back.  The storm centre, at first to the south of Cuba, had made a
+wide circle, concentric with the curving course of the ship, and when
+the latter had reached the upper end of the Florida channel, had
+spurted ahead and whirled out to sea across her bows.  It was then that
+the undiminished gale, blowing nearly west, had caused Boston, in
+despair, to throw the wheel down and bring the ship into the trough of
+the sea&mdash;to drift.  Then the two wet, exhausted, hollow-eyed men slept
+the sleep that none but sailors and soldiers know; and when they
+awakened, twelve hours later, stiff and sore, it was to look out on a
+calm, starlit evening, with an eastern moon silvering the surface of
+the long, northbound rollers, and showing in sharp relief a dark
+horizon, on which there was no sign of land or sail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They satisfied their hunger; then Boston, with a rusty iron pot from
+the galley, to which he fastened the end of his rope, dipped up some of
+the water from over the side.  It was warm to the touch, and, aware
+that they were in the Gulf Stream, they crawled under the musty bedding
+in the cabin berths and slept through the night.  In the morning there
+was no promise of the easterly wind that Boston hoped would come to
+blow them to port, and they secured their boat&mdash;reeving off
+davit-tackles, and with the plug out, pulling it up, one end at a time,
+while the water drained out through the hole in the bottom.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, Boston," said the doctor, "here we are, as you say, on the outer
+edge of the Gulf Stream, drifting out into the broad Atlantic at the
+rate of four miles an hour.  We've got to make the best of it until
+something comes along; so you hunt through that store-room and see what
+else there is to eat, and I'll examine the cargo.  I want to know where
+that acid went."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They opened all the hatches, and while Boston descended to the
+lazarette, the doctor, with his trousers rolled up, climbed down the
+notched steps in a stanchion.  In a short time he came up with a yellow
+substance in his hand, which he washed thoroughly with fresh water in
+Boston's improvised draw-bucket, and placed in the sun to dry.  Then he
+returned to the 'tween-deck.  After a while, Boston, rummaging the
+lazarette, heard him calling through the bulkhead, and joined him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Look here, Boston," said the doctor; "I've cleared away the muck over
+this hatch.  It's 'corked,' as you sailormen call it.  Help me get it
+up."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They dug the compacted oakum from the seams with their knives, and by
+iron rings in each corner, now eaten with rust to almost the thinness
+of wire, they lifted the hatch.  Below was a filthy-looking layer of
+whitish substance, protruding from which were charred, half-burned
+staves.  First they repeated the experiment with the smouldering rag,
+and finding that it burned, as before, they descended.  The whitish
+substance was hard enough to bear their weight, and they looked around.
+Overhead, hung to the under side of the deck and extending the length
+of the hold, were wooden tanks, charred, and in some places burned
+through.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She must have been built for a passenger or troop ship," said Boston.
+"Those tanks would water a regiment."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Boston," answered the doctor, irrelevantly, "will you climb up and
+bring down an oar from the boat?  Carry it down&mdash;don't throw it, my
+boy."  Boston obliged him, and the doctor, picking his way forward,
+then aft, struck each tank with the oar.  "Empty&mdash;all of them," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He dug out with his knife a piece of the whitish substance under foot,
+and examined it closely in the light from the hatch.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Boston," he said, impressively, "this ship was loaded with lime,
+tallow, and acids&mdash;acids above, lime and tallow down here.  This stuff
+is neither; it is lime-soap.  And, moreover, it had not been touched by
+acids."  The doctor's ruddy face was ashen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well?" asked Boston.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lime soap is formed by the cauticizing action of lime on tallow in the
+presence of water and heat.  It is easy to understand this fire.  One
+of those tanks leaked and dribbled down on the cargo, attacking the
+lime&mdash;which was stowed underneath, as all these staves we see on top
+are from tallow-kids.  The heat generated by the slaking lime set fire
+to the barrels in contact, which in turn set fire to others, and they
+burned until the air was exhausted, and then went out.  See, they are
+but partly consumed.  There was intense heat in this hold, and
+expansion of the water in all the tanks.  Are tanks at sea filled to
+the top?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Chock full, and a cap screwed down on the upper end of the pipes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As I thought.  The expanding water burst every tank in the hold, and
+the cargo was deluged with water, which attacked every lime barrel in
+the bottom layer, at least.  Result&mdash;the bursting of those barrels from
+the ebullition of slaking lime, the melting of the tallow&mdash;which could
+not burn long in the closed-up-space&mdash;and the mixing of it in the
+interstices of the lime barrels with water and lime&mdash;a boiling hot
+mess.  What happens under such conditions?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Give it up," said Boston, laconically.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lime soap is formed, which rises, and the water beneath is in time all
+taken up by the lime."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But what of it?" interrupted the other.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Wait.  I see that this hold and the 'tween-deck are lined with wood.
+Is that customary in iron ships?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not now.  It used to be a notion that an iron skin damaged the cargo;
+so the first iron ships were ceiled with wood."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are there any drains in the 'tween-deck to let water out, in case it
+gets into that deck from above&mdash;a sea, for instance?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, always; three or four scupper-holes each side amidships.  They
+lead the water into the bilges, where the pumps can reach it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I found up there," continued the doctor, "a large piece of wood, badly
+charred by acid for half its length, charred to a lesser degree for the
+rest.  It was oval in cross section, and the largest end was charred
+most."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Scupper plug.  I suppose they plugged the 'tween-deck scuppers to keep
+any water they might ship out of the bilges and away from the lime."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, and those plugs remained in place for days, if not weeks or
+months, after the carboys burst, as indicated by the greater charring
+of the larger end of the plug.  I burrowed under the debris, and found
+the hole which that plug fitted.  It was worked loose, or knocked out
+of the hole by some internal movement of the broken carboys, perhaps.
+At any rate, it came out, after remaining in place long enough for the
+acids to become thoroughly mixed and for the hull to cool down.  She
+was in the ice, remember.  Boston, the mixed acid went down that hole,
+or others like it.  Where is it now?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I suppose," said Boston, thoughtfully, "that it soaked up into the
+hold, through the skin."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Exactly.  The skin is calked with oakum, is it not?" Boston nodded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That oakum would contract with the charring action, as did the oakum
+in the hatch, and every drop of that acid&mdash;ten thousand gallons, as I
+have figured&mdash;has filtered up into the hold, with the exception of what
+remained between the frames under the skin.  Have you ever studied
+organic chemistry?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Slightly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then you can follow me.  When tallow is saponified there is formed,
+from the palmitin, stearin, and olein contained, with the cauticizing
+agent&mdash;in this case, lime&mdash;a soap.  But there are two ends to every
+equation, and at the bottom of this immense soap vat, held in solution
+by the water, which would afterwards be taken up by the surplus lime,
+was the other end of this equation; and as the yield from tallow of
+this other product is about thirty per cent., and as we start with
+eight thousand fifty-pound kids&mdash;four hundred thousand pounds&mdash;all of
+which has disappeared, we know that, sticking to the skin and sides of
+the barrels down here, is&mdash;or was once&mdash;one hundred and twenty thousand
+pounds, or sixty tons, of the other end of the equation&mdash;glycerine!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you mean, Doc," asked Boston, with a startled look, "that&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I mean," said the doctor, emphatically, "that the first thing the
+acids&mdash;mixed in the 'tween-deck to just about the right proportions,
+mind you&mdash;would attack, on oozing through the skin, would be this
+glycerine; and the certain product of this union under intense
+cold&mdash;this hull was frozen in the ice, remember&mdash;would be
+nitro-glycerine; and, as the yield of the explosive is two hundred and
+twenty per cent. of the glycerine, we can be morally sure that in the
+bottom of this hold, each minute globule of it held firmly in a hard
+matrix of sulphate or nitrate of calcium&mdash;which would be formed next
+when the acids met the hydrates and carbonates of lime&mdash;is over one
+hundred and thirty tons of nitro-glycerine, all the more explosive from
+not being washed of free acids.  Come up on deck.  I'll show you
+something else."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Limp and nerveless, Boston followed the doctor.  This question was
+beyond his seamanship.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The doctor brought the yellow substance&mdash;now well dried.  "I found
+plenty of this in the 'tween-deck," he said; "and I should judge they
+used it to pack between the carboy boxes.  It was once cotton-batting.
+It is now, since I have washed it, a very good sample of gun-cotton.
+Get me a hammer&mdash;crowbar&mdash;something hard."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boston brought a marline-spike from the locker, and the doctor, tearing
+off a small piece of the substance and placing it on the iron barrel of
+a gipsy-winch, gave it a hard blow with the marline spike, which was
+nearly torn from his hand by the explosion that followed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We have in the 'tween-deck," said the doctor, as he turned, "about
+twice as many pounds of this stuff as they used to pack the carboys
+with; and, like the nitro-glycerine, is the more easily exploded from
+the impurities and free acids.  I washed this for safe handling.
+Boston, we are adrift on a floating bomb that would pulverize the rock
+of Gibraltar!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, doctor," asked Boston, as he leaned against the rail for support,
+"wouldn't there be evolution of heat from the action of the acids on
+the lime&mdash;enough to explode the nitro-glycerine just formed?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The best proof that it did not explode is the fact that this hull
+still floats.  The action was too slow, and it was very cold down
+there.  But I can't yet account for the acids left in the bilges.  What
+have they been doing all these fifty years?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boston found a sounding-rod in the locker, which he scraped bright with
+his knife, then, unlaying a strand of the rope for a line, sounded the
+pump-well.  The rod came up dry, but with a slight discoloration on the
+lower end, which Boston showed to the doctor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The acids have expended themselves on the iron frames and plates.  How
+thick are they?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Plates, about five-eighths of an inch; frames, like railroad iron."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This hull is a shell!  We won't get much salvage.  Get up some kind of
+distress signal, Boston."  Somehow the doctor was now the master-spirit.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A flag was nailed to the mast, union down, to be blown to pieces with
+the first breeze; then another, and another, until the flag locker was
+exhausted.  Next they hung out, piece after piece, all they could spare
+of the rotten bedding, until that too was exhausted.  Then they found,
+in a locker of their boat, a flag of Free Cuba, which they decided not
+to waste, but to hang out only when a sail appeared.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But no sail appeared, and the craft, buffeted by gales and seas,
+drifted eastward, while the days became weeks, and the weeks became
+months.  Twice she entered the Sargasso Sea&mdash;the graveyard of
+derelicts&mdash;to be blown out by friendly gales and resume her travels.
+Occasional rains replenished the stock of fresh water, but the food
+they found at first, with the exception of some cans of fruit, was all
+that came to light; for the salt meat was leathery, and crumbled to a
+salty dust on exposure to the air.  After a while their stomachs
+revolted at the diet of cold soup, and they ate only when hunger
+compelled them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At first they had stood watch-and-watch, but the lonely horror of the
+long night vigils in the constant apprehension of instant death had
+affected them alike, and they gave it up, sleeping and watching
+together.  They had taken care of their boat and provisioned it, ready
+to lower and pull into the track of any craft that might approach.  But
+it was four months from the beginning of this strange voyage when the
+two men, gaunt and hungry&mdash;with ruined digestions and shattered
+nerves&mdash;saw, with joy which may be imagined, the first land and the
+first sail that gladdened their eyes after the storm in the Florida
+Channel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A fierce gale from the southwest had been driving them, broadside on,
+in the trough of the sea, for the whole of the preceding day and night;
+and the land they now saw appeared to them a dark, ragged line of blue,
+early in the morning.  Boston could only surmise that it was the coast
+of Portugal or Spain.  The sail&mdash;which lay between them and the land,
+about three miles to leeward&mdash;proved to be the try-sail of a black
+craft, hove-to, with bows nearly towards them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Boston climbed the foremast with their only flag and secured it; then,
+from the high poop-deck, they watched the other craft, plunging and
+wallowing in the immense Atlantic combers, often raising her forefoot
+into plain view, again descending with a dive that hid the whole
+forward half in a white cloud of spume.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If she was a steamer I'd call her a cruiser," said Boston; "one of
+England's black ones, with a storm-sail on her military mainmast.  She
+has a ram bow, and&mdash;yes, sponsors and guns.  That's what she is, with
+her funnels and bridge carried away."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Isn't she right in our track, Boston?" asked the doctor, excitedly.
+"Hadn't she better get out of our way?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She's got steam up&mdash;a full head; sec the escape-jet?  She isn't
+helpless.  If she don't launch a boat, we'll take to ours and board
+her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The distance lessened rapidly&mdash;the cruiser plunging up and down in the
+same spot, the derelict heaving to leeward in great, swinging leaps, as
+the successive seas caught her, each one leaving her half a length
+farther on.  Soon they could make out the figures of men.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Take us off," screamed the doctor, waving his arms, "and get out of
+our way!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We'll clear her," said Boston; "see, she's started her engine."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As they drifted down on the weather-side of the cruiser they shouted
+repeatedly words of supplication and warning.  They were answered by a
+solid shot from a secondary gun, which flew over their heads.  At the
+same time, the ensign of Spain was run up on the flag-staff.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They're Spanish, Boston.  They're firing on us.  Into that boat with
+you!  If a shot hits our cargo, we won't know what struck us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They sprang into the boat, which luckily hung on the lee side, and
+cleared the falls&mdash;fastened and coiled in the bow and stern.  Often
+during their long voyage they had rehearsed the launching of the boat
+in a seaway&mdash;an operation requiring quick and concerted action.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ready, Doc?" sang out Boston.  "One, two, three&mdash;let go!"  The falls
+overhauled with a whir, and the falling boat, striking an uprising sea
+with a smack, sank with it.  When it raised they unhooked the tackle
+blocks, and pushed off with the oars just as a second shot hummed over
+their heads.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Pull, Boston; pull hard&mdash;straight to windward!" cried the doctor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The tight whaleboat shipped no water, and though they were pulling in
+the teeth of a furious gale, the hulk was drifting away from them, so,
+in a short time, they were separated from their late home by a full
+quarter-mile of angry sea.  The cruiser had forged ahead in plain view,
+and, as they looked, took in the try-sail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She's going to wear," said Boston.  "See, she's paying off."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't know what 'wearing' means, Boston," panted the doctor, "but I
+know the Spanish nature.  She's going to ram that hundred and thirty
+tons of nitro.  Don't stop.  Pull away.  Hold on, there; hold on, you
+fools!" he shouted.  "That's a torpedo; keep away from her!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Forgetting his own injunction to "pull away," the doctor stood up,
+waving his oar frantically, and Boston assisted.  But if their shouts
+and gestures were understood aboard the cruiser, they were ignored.
+She slowly turned in a wide curve and headed straight for the <I>Neptune</I>
+which had drifted to leeward of her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+What was in the minds of the officers on that cruiser's deck will never
+be known.  Cruisers of all nations hold roving commissions in regard to
+derelicts, and it is fitting and proper for one of them to gently prod
+a "vagrant of the sea" with the steel prow and send her below to
+trouble no more.  But it may be that the sight of the Cuban flag,
+floating defiantly in the gale, had something to do with the full speed
+at which the Spanish ship approached.  When but half a length separated
+the two craft, a heavy sea lifted the bow of the cruiser high in air;
+then it sank, and the sharp steel ram came down like a butcher's
+cleaver on the side of the derelict.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A great semicircular wall of red shut out the gray of the sea and sky
+to leeward, and for an instant the horrified men in the boat saw&mdash;as
+people see by a lightning flash&mdash;dark lines radiating from the centre
+of this red wall, and near this centre poised on end in mid-air, with
+deck and sponsons still intact, a bowless, bottomless remnant of the
+cruiser.  Then, and before the remnant sank into the vortex beneath,
+the spectacle went out in the darkness of unconsciousness; for a
+report, as of concentrated thunder, struck them down.  A great wave had
+left the crater-like depression in the sea, which threw the boat on
+end, and with the inward rush of surrounding water rose a mighty gray
+cone, which then subsided to a hollow, while another wave followed the
+first.  Again and again this gray pillar rose and fell, each subsidence
+marked by the sending forth of a wave.  And long before these
+concentric waves had lost themselves in the battle with the
+storm-driven combers from the ocean, the half-filled boat, with her
+unconscious passengers, had drifted over the spot where lay the
+shattered remnant, which, with the splintered fragments of wood and
+iron strewn on the surface and bottom of the sea for a mile around, and
+the lessening cloud of dust in the air, was all that was left of the
+derelict <I>Neptune</I> and one of the finest cruisers in the Spanish navy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A few days later, two exhausted, half-starved men pulled a whaleboat up
+to the steps of the wharf at Cadiz, where they told some lies and sold
+their boat.  Six months after, these two men, sitting at a camp-fire of
+the Cuban army, read from a discolored newspaper, brought ashore with
+the last supplies, the following:
+</P>
+
+<CENTER>
+<P>
+"By cable to the 'Herald.'
+</P>
+</CENTER>
+
+<P>
+"CADIZ, March 13, 1895.&mdash;Anxiety for the safety of the <I>Reina Regente</I>
+has grown rapidly to-day, and this evening it is feared, generally,
+that she went down with her four hundred and twenty souls in the storm
+which swept the southern coast on Sunday night and Monday morning.
+Despatches from Gibraltar say that pieces of a boat and several
+semaphore flags belonging to the cruiser came ashore at Ceuta and
+Tarifa this afternoon."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap14"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE TERRIBLE SOLOMONS*
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "South Sea Tales," BY JACK LONDON
+</H3>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+*Reprinted by courtesy of the Macmillan Co.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+There is no gainsaying that the Solomons are a hard-bitten bunch of
+islands.  On the other hand, there are worse places in the world.  But
+to the new chum who has no constitutional understanding of men and life
+in the rough, the Solomons may indeed prove terrible.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It is true that fever and dysentery are perpetually on the walk-about,
+that loathsome skin diseases abound, that the air is saturated with a
+poison that bites into every pore, cut, or abrasion and plants
+malignant ulcers, and that many strong men who escape dying there
+return as wrecks to their own countries.  It is also true that the
+natives of the Solomons are a wild lot, with a hearty appetite for
+human flesh and a fad for collecting human heads.  Their highest
+instinct of sportsmanship is to catch a man with his back turned and to
+smite him a cunning blow with a tomahawk that severs the spinal column
+at the base of the brain.  It is equally true that on some islands,
+such as Malaita, the profit and loss account of social intercourse is
+calculated in homicides.  Heads are a medium of exchange, and white
+heads are extremely valuable.  Very often a dozen villages make a
+jack-pot, which they fatten moon by moon, against the time when some
+brave warrior presents a white man's head, fresh and gory, and claims
+the pot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All the foregoing, is quite true, and yet there are white men who have
+lived in the Solomons a score of years and who feel homesick when they
+go away from them.  A man needs only to be careful&mdash;and lucky&mdash;to live
+a long time in the Solomons; but he must also be of the right sort.  He
+must have the hall-mark of the inevitable white man stamped upon his
+soul.  He must be inevitable.  He must have a certain grand
+carelessness of odds, a certain colossal self-satisfaction, and a
+racial egotism that convinces him that one white is better than a
+thousand niggers every day in the week, and that on Sunday he is able
+to clean out two thousand niggers.  For such are the things that have
+made the white man inevitable.  Oh, and one other thing&mdash;the white man
+who wishes to be inevitable, must not merely despise the lesser breeds
+and think a lot of himself; he must also fail to be too long on
+imagination.  He must not understand too well the instincts, customs
+and mental processes of the blacks, the yellows, and the browns; for it
+is not in such fashion that the white race has tramped its royal road
+around the world.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bertie Arkwright was not inevitable.  He was too sensitive, too finely
+strung, and he possessed too much imagination.  The world was too much
+with him.  He projected himself too quiveringly into his environment.
+Therefore, the last place in the world for him to come was the
+Solomons.  He did not come, expecting to stay.  A five-weeks' stop-over
+between steamers, he decided, would satisfy the call of the primitive
+he felt thrumming the strings of his being.  At least, so he told the
+lady tourists on the Makembo, though in different terms; and they
+worshipped him as a hero, for they were lady tourists and they would
+know only the safety of the steamer's deck as she threaded her way
+through the Solomons.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was another man on board, of whom the ladies took no notice.  He
+was a little shriveled wisp of a man, with a withered skin the color of
+mahogany.  His name on the passenger list does not matter, but his
+other name, Captain Malu, was a name for niggers to conjure with, and
+to scare naughty pickaninnies to righteousness, from New Hanover to the
+New Hebrides.  He had farmed savages and savagery, and from fever and
+hardship, the crack of Sniders and the lash of the overseers, had
+wrested five millions of money in the form of beche-de-mer, sandalwood,
+pearl-shell and turtle-shell, ivory nuts and copra, grasslands, trading
+stations, and plantations.  Captain Malu's little finger, which was
+broken, had more inevitableness in it than Bertie Arkwright's whole
+carcass.  But then, the lady tourists had nothing by which to judge
+save appearances, and Bertie certainly was a fine-looking man.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bertie talked with Captain Malu in the smoking-room, confiding to him
+his intention of seeing life red and bleeding in the Solomons.  Captain
+Malu agreed that the intention was ambitious and honorable.  It was not
+until several days later that he became interested in Bertie, when that
+young adventurer insisted on showing him an automatic 44-calibre
+pistol.  Bertie explained the mechanism and demonstrated by slipping a
+loaded magazine up the hollow butt.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is so simple," he said.  He shot the outer barrel back along the
+inner one.  "That loads it, and cocks it, you see.  And then all I have
+to do is pull the trigger, eight times, as fast as I can quiver my
+finger.  See that safety clutch.  That's what I like about it.  It is
+safe.  It is positively fool-proof."  He slipped out the magazine.
+"You see how safe it is."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As he held it in his hand, the muzzle came in line with Captain Malu's
+stomach.  Captain Malu's blue eyes looked at it unswervingly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Would you mind pointing it in some other direction?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's perfectly safe," Bertie assured him.  "I withdrew the magazine.
+It's not loaded now, you know."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A gun is always loaded."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But this one isn't."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Turn it away just the same."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Captain Malu's voice was flat and metallic and low, but his eyes never
+left the muzzle until the line of it was drawn past him and away from
+him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll bet a fiver it isn't loaded," Bertie proposed warmly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The other shook his head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then I'll show you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bertie started to put the muzzle to his own temple with the evident
+intention of pulling the trigger.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Just a second," Captain Malu said quietly, reaching out his hand.
+"Let me look at it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He pointed it seaward and pulled the trigger.  A heavy explosion
+followed, instantaneous with the sharp click of the mechanism that
+flipped a hot and smoking cartridge sidewise along the deck.  Bertie's
+jaw dropped in amazement.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I slipped the barrel back once, didn't I?" he explained.  "It was
+silly of me, I must say."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He giggled flabbily, and sat down in a steamer chair.  The blood had
+ebbed from his face, exposing dark circles under his eyes.  His hands
+were trembling and unable to guide the shaking cigarette to his lips.
+The world was too much with him, and he saw himself with dripping
+brains prone upon the deck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Really," he said, "&#8230;&nbsp;really."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a pretty weapon," said Captain Malu, returning the automatic to
+him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Commissioner was on board the <I>Makembo</I>, returning from Sydney, and
+by his permission a stop was made at Ugi to land a missionary.  And at
+Ugi lay the ketch <I>Arla</I>, Captain Hansen, skipper.  Now the <I>Arla</I> was
+one of many vessels owned by Captain Malu, and it was at his suggestion
+and by his invitation that Bertie went aboard the <I>Arla</I> as guest for a
+four-days' recruiting cruise on the coast of Malaita.  Thereafter the
+<I>Arla</I> would drop him at Reminge Plantation (also owned by Captain
+Malu), where Bertie could remain for a week, and then be sent over to
+Tulgal, the seat of government, where he would become the
+Commissioner's guest.  Captain Malu was responsible for two other
+suggestions, which given, he disappears from this narrative.  One was
+to Captain Hansen, the other to Mr. Harriwell, manager of Reminge
+Plantation.  Both suggestions were similar in tenor, namely, to give
+Mr. Bertram Arkwright an insight into the rawness and redness of life
+in the Solomons.  Also, it is whispered that Captain Malu mentioned
+that a case of Scotch would be coincidental with any particularly
+gorgeous insight Mr. Arkwright might receive.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+<HR WIDTH="60%" ALIGN="center">
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, Svartz always was too pig-headed.  You see, he took four of his
+boat's crew to Tulagi to be flogged&mdash;officially, you know&mdash;then started
+back with them in the whale-boat.  It was pretty squally, and the boat
+capsized just outside.  Swartz was the only one drowned.  Of course it
+was an accident."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Was it?  Really?" Bertie asked, only half-interested, staring hard at
+the black man at the wheel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ugi had dropped astern, and the <I>Arla</I> was sliding along through a
+summer sea toward the wooded ranges of Malaita.  The helmsman who so
+attracted Bertie's eyes sported a tenpenny nail, stuck skewerwise
+through his nose.  About his neck was string of pants buttons.  Thrust
+through holes in his ears were a can-opener, the broken handle of a
+tooth-brush, a clay pipe, the brass wheel of an alarm clock, and
+several Winchester rifle cartridges.  On his chest, suspended from
+around his neck hung the half of a china plate.  Some forty similarly
+apparelled blacks lay about the deck, fifteen of which were boat's
+crew, the remainder being fresh labor recruits.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course it was an accident," spoke up the <I>Arla's</I> mate, Jacobs, a
+slender, dark-eyed man who looked more a professor than a sailor.
+"Johnny Bedlip nearly had the same kind of accident.  He was bringing
+back several from a flogging, when they capsized him.  But he knew how
+to swim as well as they, and two of them were drowned.  He used a
+boat-stretcher and a revolver.  Of course it was an accident."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Quite common, them accidents," remarked the skipper.  "You see that
+man at the wheel, Mr. Arkwright?  He's a man-eater.  Six months ago, he
+and the rest of the boat's crew drowned the then captain of the <I>Arla</I>.
+They did it on deck, sir, right aft there by the mizzen-traveller."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The deck was in a shocking state," said the mate.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do I understanad&mdash;?" Bertie began.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, just that," said Captain Hansen.  "It was accidental drowning."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But on deck&mdash;?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Just so.  I don't mind telling you, in confidence, of course, that
+they used an axe."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This present crew of yours?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Captain Hansen nodded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The other skipper always was too careless," explained the mate.  "He
+but just turned his back, when they let him have it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We haven't any show down here," was the skipper's complaint.  "The
+government protects a nigger against a white every time.  You can't
+shoot first.  You've got to give the nigger first shot, or else the
+government calls it murder and you go to Fiji.  That's why there's so
+many drowning accidents."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dinner was called, and Bertie and the skipper went below, leaving the
+mate to watch on deck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Keep an eye out for that black devil, Auiki," was the skipper's
+parting caution.  "I haven't liked his looks for several days."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Right O," said the mate.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dinner was part way along, and the skipper was in the middle of his
+story of the cutting out of the <I>Scottish Chiefs</I>.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," he was saying, "she was the finest vessel on the coast.  But
+when she missed stays, and before ever she hit the reef, the canoes
+started for her.  There were five white men, a crew of twenty Santa
+Cruz boys and Samoans, and only the super-cargo escaped.  Besides,
+there were sixty recruits.  They were all kai-kai'd.  Kaikai?&mdash;oh, I
+beg your pardon.  I mean they were eaten.  Then there was the <I>James
+Edwards</I>, a dandy-rigged&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But at that moment there was a sharp oath from the mate on deck and a
+chorus of savage cries.  A revolver went off three times, and then was
+heard a loud splash.  Captain Hansen had sprung up the companionway on
+the instant, and Bertie's eyes had been fascinated by a glimpse of him
+drawing his revolver as he sprung.  Bertie went up more circumspectly,
+hesitating before he put his head above the companionway slide.  But
+nothing happened.  The mate was shaking with excitement, his revolver
+in his hand.  Once he startled, and half-jumped around, as if danger
+threatened his back.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"One of the natives fell overboard," he was saying, in a queer tense
+voice.  "He couldn't swim."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Who was it?" the skipper demanded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Auiki," was the answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But I say, you know, I heard shots," Bertie said, in trembling
+eagerness, for he scented adventure, and adventure that was happily
+over with.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The mate whirled upon him, snarling:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a damned lie.  There ain't been a shot fired.  The nigger fell
+overboard."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Captain Hansen regarded Bertie with unblinking, lack-lustre eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I&mdash;I thought&mdash;" Bertie was beginning.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Shots?  Did you hear any shots, Mr. Jacobs?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not a shot," replied Mr. Jacobs.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The skipper looked at his guest triumphantly, and said:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Evidently an accident.  Let us go down, Mr. Arkwright, and finish
+dinner."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bertie slept that night in the captain's cabin, a tiny stateroom off
+the main-cabin.  The for'ard bulkhead was decorated with a stand of
+rifles.  Over the bunk were three more rifles.  Under the bunk was a
+big drawer, which when he pulled it out, he found filled with
+ammunition dynamite, and several boxes of detonators.  He elected to
+take the settee on the opposite side.  Lying conspicuously on the small
+table, was the <I>Arla's</I> log.  Bertie did not know that it had been
+especially prepared for the occasion by Captain Malu, and he read
+therein how on September 21, two boat's crew had fallen overboard and
+been drowned.  Bertie read between the lines and knew better.  He read
+how the <I>Arla's</I> whale-boat had been bushwacked at Sulu and had lost
+three men; of how the skipper discovered the cook stewing human flesh
+on the galley fire&mdash;flesh purchased by the boat's crew ashore in Fui;
+of how an accidental discharge of dynamite, while signalling, had
+killed another boat's crew; of night attacks; ports fled from between
+the dawns; attacks by bushmen in mangrove swamps and by fleets of
+salt-water men in the larger passages.  One item that occurred with
+monotonous frequency was death by dysentery.  He noticed with alarm
+that two white men had so died&mdash;guests, like himself on the <I>Arla</I>.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I say, you know," Bertie said next day to Captain Hansen.  "I've been
+glancing through your log."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The skipper displayed quick vexation that the log had been left lying
+about.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And all that dysentery, you know, that's all rot, just like the
+accidental drownings," Bertie continued.  "What does dysentery really
+stand for?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The skipper openly admired his guest's acumen, stiffened himself to
+make indignant denial, then gracefully surrendered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You see, it's like this, Mr. Arkwright.  These islands have got a bad
+enough name as it is.  It's getting harder every day to sign on white
+men.  Suppose a man is killed.  The company has to pay through the nose
+for another man to take the job.  But if the man merely dies of
+sickness, it's all right.  The new chums don't mind disease.  What they
+draw the line at is being murdered.  I thought the skipper of the
+<I>Arla</I> had died of dysentery when I took his billet.  Then it was too
+late.  I'd signed the contract."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Besides," said Mr. Jacobs, "there's altogether too many accidental
+drownings anyway.  It don't look right.  It's the fault of the
+government.  A white man hasn't a chance to defend himself from the
+niggers."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, look at the <I>Princess</I> and that Yankee mate," the skipper took up
+the tale.  "She carried five white men besides a government agent.  The
+captain, the agent, and the supercargo were ashore in the two boats.
+They were killed to the last man.  The mate and bosun, with about
+fifteen of the crew&mdash;Samoans and Tongans&mdash;were on board.  A crowd of
+niggers came off from the shore.  First thing the mate knew, the bosun
+and the crew were killed in the first rush.  The mate grabbed three
+cartridge-belts and two Winchesters and skinned up to the cross-trees.
+He was the sole survivor, and you can't blame him for being mad.  He
+pumped one rifle till it got so hot he couldn't hold it, then he pumped
+the other.  The deck was black with niggers.  He cleaned them out.  He
+dropped them as they went over the rail, and he dropped them as fast as
+they picked up their paddles.  Then they jumped into the water and
+started to swim for it, and, being mad, he got half a dozen more.  And
+what did he get for it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Seven years in Fiji," snapped the mate.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The government said he wasn't justified in shooting after they'd taken
+to the water," the skipper explained.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And that's why they die of dysentery nowadays," the mate added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Just fancy," said Bertie, as he felt a longing for the cruise to be
+over.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Later on in the day he interviewed the black who had been pointed out
+to him as a cannibal.  This fellow's name was Sumasai.  He had spent
+three years on a Queensland plantation.  He had been to Samoa, and
+Fiji, and Sydney; and as a boat's crew had been on recruiting schooners
+through New Britain, New Ireland, New Guinea, and the Admiralties.
+Also, he was a wag, and he had taken a line on his skipper's conduct.
+Yes, he had eaten many men.  How many?  He could not remember the
+tally.  Yes, white men, too; they were very good, unless they were
+sick.  He had once eaten a sick one.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My word!" he cried, at the recollection.  "Me sick plenty along him.
+My belly walk about too much."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bertie shuddered, and asked about heads.  Yes, Sumasai had several
+hidden ashore, in good condition, sun-dried, and smoke-cured.  One was
+of the captain of a schooner.  It had long whiskers.  He would sell it
+for two quid.  Black men's heads he would sell for one quid.  He had
+some pickaninny heads, in poor condition, that he would let go for ten
+bob.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Five minutes afterward, Bertie found himself sitting on the
+companionway-slide alongside a black with a horrible skin disease.  He
+sheered off, and on inquiry was told that it was leprosy.  He hurried
+below and washed himself with antiseptic soap.  He took many antiseptic
+washes in the course of the day, for every native on board was
+afflicted with malignant ulcers of one sort or another.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As the <I>Arla</I> drew in to an anchorage in the midst of mangrove swamps,
+a double row of barbed wire was stretched around above her rail.  That
+looked like business and when Bertie saw the shore canoes alongside,
+armed with spears, bows and arrows, and Sniders, he wished more
+earnestly than ever that the cruise was over.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+That evening the natives were slow in leaving the ship at sundown.  A
+number of them checked the mate when he ordered them ashore.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Never mind, I'll fix them," said Captain Hansen, diving below.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he came back, he showed Bertie a stick of dynamite attached to a
+fish-hook.  Now it happens that a paper-wrapped bottle of chlorodyne
+with a piece of harmless fuse projecting can fool anybody.  It fooled
+Bertie, and it fooled the natives.  When Captain Hansen lighted the
+fuse and hooked the fish-hook into the tail-end of a native's
+loin-cloth, that native was smitten with so ardent a desire for the
+shore that he forgot to shed the loin-cloth.  He started for'ard, the
+fuse sizzling and spluttering at his rear, the natives in his path
+taking headers over the barbed wire at every jump.  Bertie was
+horror-stricken.  So was Captain Hansen.  He had forgotten his
+twenty-five recruits, on each of which he had paid thirty shillings
+advance.  They went over the side along with the shore-dwelling folk
+and followed by him who trailed the sizzling chlorodyne bottle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bertie did not see the bottle go off; but the mate opportunely
+discharging a stick of real dynamite aft where it would harm nobody,
+Bertie would have sworn in any admiralty court to a nigger blown to
+flinders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The flight of the twenty-five recruits had actually cost the <I>Arla</I>
+forty pounds, and, since they had taken to the bush, there was no hope
+of recovering them.  The skipper and his mate proceeded to drown their
+sorrow in cold tea.  The cold tea was in whiskey bottles, so Bertie did
+not know it was cold tea they were mopping up.  All he knew was that
+the two men got very drunk and argued eloquently and at length as to
+whether the exploded nigger should be reported as a case of dysentery
+or as an accidental drowning.  When they snored off to sleep, he was
+the only white man left, and he kept a perilous watch till dawn, in
+fear of an attack from shore and an uprising of the crew.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Three more days the <I>Arla</I> spent on the coast, and three more nights
+the skipper and the mate drank overfondly of cold tea, leaving Bertie
+to keep watch.  They knew he could be depended upon, while he was
+equally certain that if he lived, he would report their drunken conduct
+to Captain Malu.  Then the <I>Arla</I> dropped anchor at Reminge Plantation,
+on Guadalcanar, and Bertie landed on the beach with a sigh of relief
+and shook hands with the manager.  Mr. Harriwell was ready for him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now you mustn't be alarmed if some of our fellows seem downcast," Mr.
+Harriwell said, having drawn him aside in confidence.  "There's been
+talk of an outbreak, and two or three suspicious signs I'm willing to
+admit, but personally I think it's all poppycock."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How&mdash;how many blacks have you on the plantation?" Bertie asked, with a
+sinking heart.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We're working four hundred just now," replied Mr. Harriwell,
+cheerfully; "but the three of us, with you, of course, and the skipper
+and mate of the <I>Arla</I>, can handle them all right."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bertie turned to meet one McTavish, the storekeeper, who scarcely
+acknowledged the introduction, such was his eagerness to present his
+resignation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It being that I'm a married man, Mr. Harriwell, I can't very well
+afford to remain on longer.  Trouble is working up, as plain as the
+nose on your face.  The niggers are going to break out, and there'll be
+another Hohono horror here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What's a Hohono horror?" Bertie asked, after the storekeeper had been
+persuaded to remain until the end of the month.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, he means Hohono Plantation, on Ysabel," said the manager.  "The
+niggers killed the five white men ashore, captured the schooner, killed
+the captain and mate, and escaped in a body to Malaita.  But I always
+said they were careless on Hohono.  They won't catch us napping here.
+Come along, Mr. Arkwright, and see our view from the veranda."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bertie was too busy wondering how he could get away to Tulagi to the
+Commissioner's house, to see much of the view.  He was still wondering,
+when a rifle exploded very near to him behind his back.  At the same
+moment his arm was nearly dislocated, so eagerly did Mr. Harriwell drag
+him indoors.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I say, old man, that was a close shave," said the manager, pawing him
+over to see if he had been hit.  "I can't tell you how sorry I am.  But
+it was broad daylight, and I never dreamed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bertie was beginning to turn pale.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They got the other manager that way," McTavish vouchsafed.  "And a
+dashed fine chap he was.  Blew his brains out all over the veranda.
+You noticed that dark stain there between the steps and the door?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bertie was ripe for the cocktail which Mr. Harriwell pitched in and
+compounded for him; but before he could drink it, a man in riding
+trousers and puttees entered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What's the matter now?" the manager asked, after one look at the
+newcomer's face.  "Is the river up again?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"River be blowed&mdash;it's the niggers.  Stepped out of the cane-grass not
+a dozen feet away, and whopped at me.  It was a Snider, and he shot
+from the hip.  Now what I want to know is where'd he get the Snider?
+Oh, I beg your pardon.  Glad to know you, Mr. Arkwright."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mr. Brown is my assistant," explained Mr. Harriwell.  "And now let's
+have that drink."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But where'd he get that Snider?" Mr. Brown insisted.  "I always
+objected to keeping those guns on the premises?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They're still there," Mr. Harriwell said, with a show of heat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mr. Brown smiled incredulously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come along and see," said the manager.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bertie joined the procession into the office, where Mr. Harriwell
+pointed triumphantly at a big packing-case in a dusty corner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, then, where did the beggar get that Snider?" harped Mr. Brown.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But just then McTavish lifted the packing-case.  The manager started
+then tore off the lid.  The case was empty.  They gazed at one another
+in horrified silence.  Harriwell dropped wearily.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then McVeigh cursed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What I contended all along&mdash;the house-boys are not to be trusted."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It does look serious," Harriwell admitted, "but we'll come through it
+all right.  What the sanguinary niggers need is a shaking up.  Will you
+gentlemen please bring your rifles to dinner, and will you, Mr. Brown,
+kindly prepare forty or fifty sticks of dynamite.  Make the fuses good
+and short.  We'll give them a lesson.  And now, gentlemen, dinner is
+served."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+One thing that Bertie detested was rice and curry, so it happened that
+he alone partook of an inviting omelet.  He had quite finished his
+plate, when Harriwell helped himself to the omelet.  One mouthful, he
+tasted, then spat out vociferously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's the second time," McTavish announced ominously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Harriwell was still hawking and spitting.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Second time, what?" Bertie quavered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Poison," was the answer.  "That cook will be hanged yet."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's the way the bookkeeper went out at Cape Marsh," Brown spoke up.
+"Died horribly.  They said on the <I>Jessie</I> that they heard him
+screaming three miles away."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll put the cook in irons," sputtered Harriwell.  "Fortunately we
+discovered it in time."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bertie sat paralysed.  There was no color in his face.  He attempted to
+speak, but only an inarticulate gurgle resulted.  All eyed him
+anxiously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't say it, don't say it," McTavish cried in a tense voice.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, I ate it, plenty of it, a whole plateful!" Bertie cried
+explosively, like a diver suddenly regaining breath.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The awful silence continued half a minute longer, and he read his fate
+in their eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Maybe it wasn't poison after all," said Harriwell, dismally.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Call in the cook," said Brown.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In came the cook, a grinning black boy, nose-spiked and ear-plugged.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Here, you, Wi-wi, what name that?" Harriwell bellowed, pointing
+accusingly at the omelet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wi-wi was very naturally frightened and embarrassed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Him good fella kai-kai," he murmured apologetically.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Make him eat it," suggested McTavish.  "That's a proper test."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Harriwell filled a spoon with the stuff and jumped for the cook, who
+fled in panic.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That settles it," was Brown's solemn pronouncement.  "He won't eat it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mr. Brown, will you please go and put the irons on him?"  Harriwell
+turned cheerfully to Bertie.  "It's all right, old man, the
+Commissioner will deal with him, and if you die, depend upon it, he
+will be hanged."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't think the government'll do it," objected McTavish.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But gentlemen, gentlemen," Bertie cried.  "In the meantime think of
+me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Harriwell shrugged his shoulders pityingly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sorry, old man, but it's a native poison, and there are no known
+antidotes for native poisons.  Try and compose yourself, and if&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Two sharp reports of a rifle from without, interrupted the discourse,
+and Brown, entering, reloaded his rifle and sat down to table.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The cook's dead," he said.  "Fever.  A rather sudden attack."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I was just telling Mr. Arkwright that there are no antidotes for
+native poisons&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Except gin," said Brown.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Harriwell called himself an absent-minded idiot and rushed for the gin
+bottle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Neat, man, neat," he warned Bertie, who gulped down a tumbler
+two-thirds full of the raw spirits, and coughed and choked from the
+angry bite of it till the tears ran down his cheeks.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Harriwell took his pulse and temperature, made a show of looking out
+for him, and doubted that the omelet had been poisoned.  Brown and
+McTavish also doubted; but Bertie discerned an insincere ring in their
+voices.  His appetite had left him, and he took his own pulse
+stealthily under the table.  There was no question but what it was
+increasing, but he failed to ascribe it to the gin he had taken.
+McTavish, rifle in hand, went out on the veranda to reconnoitre.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They're massing up at the cook-house," was his report.  "And they've
+no end of Sniders.  My idea is to sneak around on the other side and
+take them in flank.  Strike the first blow, you know.  Will you come
+along, Brown?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Harriwell ate on steadily, while Bertie discovered that his pulse had
+leaped up five beats.  Nevertheless, he could not help jumping when the
+rifles began to go off.  Above the scattering of Sniders could be heard
+the pumping of Brown's and McTavish's Winchesters&mdash;all against a
+background of demoniacal screeching and yelling.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They've got them on the run," Harriwell remarked, as voices and
+gunshots faded away in the distance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Scarcely were Brown and McTavish back at the table when the latter
+reconnoitred.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They've got dynamite," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then let's charge them with dynamite," Harriwell proposed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thrusting half a dozen sticks each into their pockets and equipping
+themselves with lighted cigars, they started for the door.  And just
+then it happened.  They blamed McTavish for it afterward, and he
+admitted that the charge had been a trifle excessive.  But at any rate
+it went off under the house, which lifted up corner-wise and settled
+back on its foundations.  Half the china on the table was shattered,
+while the eight-day clock stopped.  Yelling for vengeance, the three
+men rushed out into the night, and the bombardment began.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When they returned, there was no Bertie.  He had dragged himself away
+to the office, barricaded himself in, and sunk upon the floor in a
+gin-soaked nightmare, wherein he died a thousand deaths while the
+valorous fight went on around him.  In the morning, sick and headachy
+from the gin, he crawled out to find the sun still in the sky and God
+presumably in heaven, for his hosts were alive and uninjured.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Harriwell pressed him to stay on longer, but Bertie insisted on sailing
+immediately on the <I>Arla</I> for Tulagi, where, until the following
+steamer day, he stuck close by the Commissioner's house.  There were
+lady tourists on the outgoing steamer, and Bertie was again a hero,
+while Captain Malu, as usual, passed unnoticed.  But Captain Malu sent
+back from Sydney two cases of the best Scotch whiskey on the market,
+for he was not able to make up his mind as to whether it was Captain
+Hansen or Mr. Harriwell who had given Bertie Arkwright the more
+gorgeous insight into life in the Solomons.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap15"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+EL DORADO
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+From "A Tarpaulin Muster," BY JOHN MASEFIELD
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+The night had fallen over the harbour before the winch began to rattle.
+The stars came out, calm and golden, shaking little tracks in the sea.
+In the tiers of ships shone the riding-lights.  To the westward, where
+the Point jutted out, the great golden light of Negra winked and
+glimmered as it revolved.  It was a beat continually, like the marching
+of an army, along the line of the coast.  In one of the tiers of ships
+there was a sing-song.  A crew had gathered on the forecastle head, to
+beat their pannikins to the stars.  The words of their song floated out
+into the darkness, full of a haunting beauty which thrilled and
+satisfied me.  There was something in the night, in the air, in the
+beauty of the town, and in the sweetness of the sailors' singing, which
+made me sorry to be leaving.  I should have liked to have gone ashore
+again, to the <I>Calle del Inca</I>, where the cafes and taverns stood.  I
+should have liked to have seen those stately pale women, in their black
+robes, with the scarlet roses in their hair, swaying slowly on the
+stage to the clicking of the castenets.  I should have liked to have
+taken part in another wild dance among the tables of the wine shops.  I
+was sorry to be leaving.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the winch began to clank, as the cable was hove in, I gathered up
+my lead-line, and went to the leadsman's dicky, or little projecting
+platform, on the starboard side.  I was to be the leadsman that night,
+and as we should soon be moving, I made the breast-rope secure, and
+stood by.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Presently the bell of the engine-room clanged, and there came a wash
+abaft as the screws thrashed.  The ship trembled, as the turbulent
+trampling of the engines shook her.  The bell clanged again; the water
+below me gleamed and whitened; the dark body of the steamer, with her
+lines of lit ports, swept slowly across the lights in the harbour.  The
+trampling of the engines steadied, and took to itself a rhythm.  We
+were off.  I cast an eye astern at the little town I was so sad to
+leave, and caught a glimpse of a path of churned water, broadening
+astern of us.  A voice sounded from the promenade deck behind me.  "Zat
+light, what you call 'eem?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I could not answer.  My orders were to keep strict silence.  The point
+of an umbrella took me sharply below the shoulders.  "What you call
+'eem&mdash;zat light?  Ze light zere?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I wondered if I could swing my lead on to him; it was worth trying.
+Again came the umbrella; and again the bell of the engine-room clanged.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are you ready there with the lead?" came the mate's voice above me.
+"All ready with the lead, sir."  "What have we now?"  I gathered
+forward and swung the lead.  I could not reach the umbrella-man, even
+with my spare line.  Once, twice, thrice I swung, and pitched the
+plummet well forward into the bow wash.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By the deep, eight, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Again the bell clanged; the ship seemed to tremble and stop.  "Another
+cast now, quickly."  "And a half, seven, sir."  As I hauled in, I again
+tasted the umbrella, and another question came to me: "What 'ave you
+do?  Why 'ave you do zat?"  I swore under my breath.  "Are you asleep
+there leadsman?"  The mate was biting his finger-ends.  I sent the lead
+viciously into the sea.  "Quarter less seven, sir."  "Another cast,
+smartly, now."  Rapidly I hauled in, humming an old ballad to myself.
+"We'll have the ship ashore," I repeated.  There was a step on the deck
+behind me, and again came the voice, "Ze man, ze man zere what 'ave he
+do?  Why 'ave 'e go like so?"  "Won't you pass further aft, sir?" said
+a suave voice.  "You're interrup'in' the leadsman."  It was one of the
+quartermasters.  Once again the lead flew forward.  "By the mark,
+seven, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was a pause; then came the voice again.  "I go zees way," said
+the quartermaster.  The steps of the umbrella-man passed away aft.
+"Zees way," said the quartermaster, under his breath, "zees way!  You
+gaw-dem Dago!"  I could have hugged the fellow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What now?" said the old man, leaning over from the bridge.  I cast
+again.  "And a half, eight, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We're clear," said the voice above me.   "Speed ahead, Mr. Jenkins."
+I gathered up my line.  The engine-room bell clanged once more; the
+ship seemed to leap suddenly forward.  In a few seconds, even as I
+coiled my line, the bow wash broadened to a roaring water.  The white
+of it glimmered and boiled, and spun away from us streaked with fires.
+Across the stars above us the mists from the smoke-stack stretched in a
+broad cloud.  Below me the engines trampled thunderously.  Ahead there
+were the lights, and the figure of the look-out, and the rush and hurry
+of the water.  Astern, far astern already, were the port, the ships at
+anchor, and the winking light on the Point.  A bugle abaft called the
+passengers to dinner, and I watched them as they went from their
+cabins.  A lady, in blue gown, with a shawl round her head, was talking
+to a man in evening dress.  "Isn't it interesting," she remarked, "to
+hear them making the soundings?"  The white shirt was politely
+non-committal.  "Aft there, two of you," said a hard voice, "and trice
+the ladder up.  Smartly now."  The lady in the blue dress stopped to
+watch us.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I did not see the umbrella-man again until the next day, when I passed
+him on the hurricane deck.  He was looking at the coast through a pair
+of binoculars.  We were running to the north, in perfect Pacific
+weather, under a soft blue sky that was patrolled by little soft white
+clouds.  The land lay broad to starboard, a land of yellow hills with
+surf-beaten outliers of black reef.  Here and there we passed villages
+in the watered valleys, each with its whitewashed church and copper
+smeltry.  The umbrella-man was looking beyond these, at the hills.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He was a little man, this man who had prodded me, with a long, pale
+face and pale eyes, a long reddish beard, and hair rather darker, both
+hair and beard being sparse.  He was a fidgety person, always twitching
+with his hands, and he walked with something of a strut, as though the
+earth belonged to him.  He snapped-to the case of his binoculars as
+though he had sheathed a sword.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Later in the day, after supper, in the second dog-watch, as I sat
+smoking on the fore-coamings, he came up to me and spoke to me.  "You
+know zees coas'?" he asked.  Yes, I knew the coast.  "What you zink?"
+he asked; "you like 'eem?"  No, I didn't like 'eem.  "Ah," he said,
+"You 'ave been wizzin?"  I asked him what he meant.  "Wizzin," he
+repeated, "wizzen, in ze contry.  You 'ave know ze land, ze peoples?"
+I growled that I had been within, to Lima, and to Santiago, and that I
+had been ashore at the Chincha Islands.  "Ah," he said, with a strange
+quickening of interest, "you 'ave been to Lima; you like 'eem?"  No, I
+had not.  "I go wizzen," he said proudly.  "It is because I go; zat is
+why I ask.  Zere is few 'ave gone wizzen."  An old quartermaster walked
+up to us.  "There's very few come back, sir," he said.  "Them
+Indians&mdash;&mdash;"  "Ah, ze Indians," said the little man scornfully, "ze
+Indians; I zeenk nozzin of ze Indians."  "Beg pardon, sir," said the
+old sailor, "They're a tough crowd, them copper fellers."  "I no
+understan';" said the Frenchman.  "They pickle people's heads," said
+the old sailor, "in the sand or somethin'.  They keep for ever pretty
+near when once they're pickled.  They pickle every one's head and sell
+'em in Lima: I've knowed 'em get a matter of three pound for a good
+head."  "Heads?" said another sailor.  "I had one myself once.  I got
+it at Tacna, but it wasn't properly pickled or something&mdash;it was a
+red-headed beggar the chap as owned it&mdash;I had to throw it away.  It got
+too strong for the crowd," he explained.  "Ah zose Indians," said the
+Frenchman.  "I 'ave 'eard; zey tell me, zey tell me at Valparaiso.  But
+ah, it ees a fool; it ees a fool; zere is no Indians."  "Beg pardon,
+sir," said the old sailor, "but if you go up among them jokers, you'll
+have to look slippy with a gun, sir,"  "Ah, a gon," he answered, "a
+gon.  I was not to be bozzered wiz a gon.  I 'ave what you call
+'eem&mdash;peestol."  He produced a boy's derringer, which might have cost
+about ten dollars, Spanish dollars, in the pawnshops of Santiago.
+"Peestol," murmured a sailor, gasping, as he shambled forward to laugh,
+"peestol, the gawdem Dago's balmy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+During the next few days I saw the Frenchman frequently.  He was a
+wonder to us, and his plans were discussed at every meal, and in every
+watch below.  In the dog-watches he would come forward, with his
+eternal questions: "What is wizzin?  In ze contry?"  We would tell him,
+"Indians, or highwaymen," or "a push of highbinders;" and he would
+answer: "It ees nozzin, it ees a fool."  Once he asked us if we had
+heard of any gold being found "wizzen."  "Gold?" said one of us.
+"Gold?  O' course there's gold, any God's quantity.  Them Incas ate
+gold; they're buried in it."  "'Ave you know zem, ze Incas?" he asked
+eagerly.  "I seen a tomb of theirs once," said the sailor; "it were in
+a cove, like the fo'c'sle yonder, and full of knittin'-needles."  "What
+is zem?" said the Frenchman.  The sailor shambled below to his chest,
+and returned with a handful of little sticks round which some balls of
+coloured threads were bound.  "Knittin'-needles," said the sailor.
+"Them ain't no knittin'-needles.  Writin'?  How could them be writin'?
+Well, I heard tell once," replied the other.  "It ees zeir way of
+writing," said the Frenchman; "I 'ave seen; zat is zeir way of writing;
+ze knots is zeir letters."  "Bleedin' funny letters, I call 'em," said
+the needles-theorist.  "You and your needles," said the other.  "Now,
+what d'ye call 'em?"  The bell upon the bridge clanged.  "Eight bells,"
+said the company; "aft to muster, boys."  The bugle at the saloon-door
+announced supper.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We were getting pretty well to the north&mdash;Mollendo, or
+thereabouts&mdash;when I had my last conversation with the Frenchman.  He
+came up to me one night, as I sat on the deck to leeward of the winch,
+keeping the first watch as snugly as I could.  "You know zees coast
+long?" he asked.  I had not.  Then came the never-ceasing, "'Ave you
+know of ze Incas?"  Yes, lot of general talk; and I had seen Incas
+curios, mostly earthware, in every port in Peru.  "You 'ave seen gold?"
+No; there was never any gold.  The Spaniards made a pretty general
+average of any gold there was.  "It ees a fool," he answered.  "I tell
+you," he went on, "it ees a fool.  Zay have say zat; zey 'ave all say
+zat; it ees a fool.  Zere is gold.  Zere is a hundred million pounds;
+zere is twenty tousan' million dollars; zere is El Dorado.  Beyond ze
+mountains zere is El Dorado; zere is a town of gold.  Zay say zere is
+no gold?  Zere is.  I go to find ze gold; zat is what I do; I fin' ze
+gold, I, Paul Bac."  "Alone?" I asked.  "I, Paul Bac," he answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked at him a moment.  He was a little red-haired man, slightly
+made, but alert and active-looking.  He knew no Spanish, no Indian
+dialects, and he had no comrade.  I told him that I thought he didn't
+know what he was doing.  "Ha!" he said.  "Listen: I go to Payta; I go
+by train to Chito; zen I reach ze Morona River; from zere I reach
+Marinha.  Listen: El Dorado is between ze Caqueta and ze Putumayo
+Rivers, in ze forest."  I would have asked him how he knew, but I had
+to break away to relieve the lookout.  I wished the little man good
+night; I never spoke with him again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I thought of him all that watch, as I kept scanning the seas.  I should
+be going up and down, I thought, landing passengers through surf, or
+swaying bananas out of launches, or crying the sounds as we came to
+moorings.  He would be going on under the stars, full of unquenchable
+hope, stumbling on the bones of kings.  He would be wading across bogs,
+through rivers and swamps, through unutterable and deathly places,
+singing some songs, and thinking of the golden city.  He was a pilgrim,
+a poet, a person to reverence.  And if he got there, if he found El
+Dorado&mdash;but that was absurd.  I thought of him sadly, with the feeling
+that he had learned how to live, and that he would die by applying his
+knowledge.  I wondered how he would die.  He would be alone there, in
+the tangle, stumbling across creepers.  The poisoned blow-pipe, from
+the long, polished blow-pipe, such as I had seen in the museums.  He
+would fall on his face, among the jungle.  Then the silent Indian would
+hack off his head with a flint, and pickle it for the Lima markets.  He
+would never get to the Caqueta.  Or perhaps he would be caught in an
+electric storm, an aire, as they call them, and be stricken down among
+the hills on his way to Chito.  More probably he would die of hunger or
+thirst, as so many had died before him.  I remembered a cowboy whom I
+had found under a thorn bush in the Argentine.  Paul Bac would be like
+that cowboy; he would run short of water, and kill his horse for the
+blood, and then go mad and die.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was in my bunk when he went ashore at Payta, but a fellow in the
+other watch told me how he left the ship.  There was a discussion in
+the forecastle that night as to the way the heads were prepared.  Some
+said it was sand; some said it was the leaf of the puro bush; one or
+two held out for a mixture of pepper and nitrate.  One man speculated
+as to the probable price the head would fetch; and the general vote was
+for two pounds, or two pounds ten.  "It wouldn't give me no pleasure,"
+said one of us, "to have that ginger-nob in my chest."  "Nor me, it
+wouldn't," said another; "I draw the line at having a corpse on my
+tobacker."  "And I do," said several.  Clearly the Frenchman was
+destined for a town museum.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was more than a year after that I heard of the end of the El Dorado
+hunter.  I was in New York when I heard it, serving behind the bar of a
+saloon.  One evening, as I was mixing cocktails, I heard myself hailed
+by a customer; and there was Billy Neeld, one of our quartermasters,
+just come ashore from an Atlantic Transport boat.  We had a drink
+together, and yarned of old times.  The names of our old shipmates were
+like incantations.  The breathing of them brought the past before us;
+the past which was so recent, yet so far away; the past which is so
+dear to a sailor and so depressing to a landsman.  So and so was dead,
+and Jimmy had gone among the Islands, and Dick had pulled out for home
+because "he couldn't stick that Mr. Jenkins."  Very few of them
+remained on the Coast; the brothers of the Coast are a shifty crowd.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"D'ye remember the Frenchman," I asked, "the man who was always asking
+about the Incas?"  "The ginger-headed feller?"  "Yes, a little fellow."
+"A red-headed, ambitious little runt?  I remember him," said Billy; "he
+left us at Payta, the time we fouled the launch."  "That's the man," I
+said; "have you heard anything of him?"  "Oh, he's dead all right,"
+said Billy.  "His mother came out after him; there was a piece in the
+Chile <I>Times</I> about him."  "He was killed, I suppose?"  "Yes, them
+Indians got him, somewhere in Ecuador, Tommy Hains told me.  They got
+his head back, though.  It was being sold in the streets; his old
+mother offered a reward, and the Dagoes got it back for her.  He's dead
+all right, he is; he might ha' known as much, going alone among them
+Indians.  Dead?  I guess he is dead; none but a red-headed runt'd have
+been such a lunk as to try it."  "He was an ambitious lad," I said.
+"Yes," said Billy, "he was.  Them ambitious fellers, they want the
+earth, and they get their blooming heads pickled; that's what they get
+by it.  Here's happy days, young feller."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR><BR>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Great Sea Stories, by Various
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Great Sea Stories, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Great Sea Stories
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: Joseph Lewis French
+
+Release Date: May 16, 2006 [EBook #18405]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GREAT SEA STORIES ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Al Haines
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+GREAT SEA STORIES
+
+
+
+EDITED BY
+
+JOSEPH LEWIS FRENCH
+
+
+Editor "Great Ghost Stories," "Masterpieces of Mystery," "The Best
+Psychic Stories," etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+NEW YORK
+
+BRENTANO'S
+
+PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+Copyright, 1921, by
+
+BRENTANO'S
+
+All rights reserved
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+Spanish Bloodhounds and English Mastiffs
+  From "Westward Ho!" By CHARLES KINGSLEY
+
+The Club-Hauling of the _Diomede_
+  From "Peter Simple." By CAPTAIN FREDERICK MARRYAT
+
+The Cruise of the _Torch_
+  From "Tom Cringle's Log." By MICHAEL SCOTT
+
+The Merchantman and the Pirate
+  From "Hard Cash." By CHARLES READE
+
+The Mutiny of the _Bounty_
+  From "Chamber's Miscellany." ANONYMOUS
+
+The Wreck of the _Royal Caroline_
+  From "The Red Rover." By JAMES FENNIMORE COOPER
+
+The Capture of the Great White Whale
+  From "Moby Dick." By HERMAN MELVILLE
+
+The Corvette _Claymore_
+  From "Ninety-three." By VICTOR HUGO
+
+The Merchants' Cup
+  From "Broken Stowage." By DAVID W. BONE
+
+A Storm and a Rescue
+  From "The Wreck of the _Grosvenor_." By W. CLARK RUSSELL
+
+The Sailor's Wife
+  From "An Iceland Fisherman." By PIERRE LOTI
+
+The Salving of the _Yan-Shan_
+  From "In Blue Waters." By H. DE VERE STACKPOOLE
+
+The Derelict _Neptune_
+  From "Spun Gold." By MORGAN ROBERTSON
+
+The Terrible Solomons
+  From "South Sea Tales." By JACK LONDON
+
+El Dorado
+  From "A Tarpaulin Muster." By JOHN MASEFIELD
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATION
+
+Song sung by labor gang.
+
+
+
+
+FOREWORD
+
+The theme of the sea is heroic--epic.  Since the first stirrings of the
+imagination of man the sea has enthralled him; and since the dawn of
+literature he has chronicled his wanderings upon its vast bosom.
+
+It is one of the curiosities of literature, a fact that old Isaac
+Disraeli might have delighted to linger over, that there have been no
+collectors of sea-tales; that no man has ever, as in the present
+instance, dwelt upon the topic with the purpose of gathering some of
+the best work into a single volume.  And yet men have written of the
+sea since 2500 B.C. when an unknown author set down on papyrus his
+account of a struggle with a sea-serpent.  This account, now in the
+British Museum, is the first sea-story on record.  Our modern
+sea-stories begin properly with the chronicles of the early
+navigators--in many of which there is an unconscious art that none of
+our modern masters of fiction has greatly surpassed.  For delightful
+reading the lover of sea stories is referred to Best's account of
+Frobisher's second voyage--to Richard Chancellor's chronicle of the
+same period--to Hakluyt, an immortal classic--and to Purchas'
+"Pilgrimage."
+
+But from the earliest growth of the art of fiction the sea was frankly
+accepted as a stirring theme, comparatively rarely handled because
+voyages were fewer then, and the subject still largely unknown.  To the
+general reader it may seem a rather astounding fact that in "Robinson
+Crusoe" we have the first classic of this period and in "Colonel Jack"
+another classic of much the same type.  These two stories by the
+immortal Defoe may be accepted as the foundation of the sea-tale in
+literary art.
+
+A century, however, was to elapse before the sea-tale came into its
+own.  It was not until a generation after Defoe that Smollett, in
+"Roderick Random," again stirred the theme into life.  Fielding in his
+"Voyage to Lisbon" had given some account of a personal experience, but
+in the general category it must be set down as simply episodal.
+Foster's "Voyages," a translation from the German published in England
+at the beginning of the third quarter of the eighteenth century, a
+compendium of monumental importance, continued the tradition of Hakluyt
+and Purchas.  By this time the sea-power of England had become
+supreme,--Britannia ruled the waves, and a native sea-literature was
+the result.  The sea-songs of Thomas Dibdin and other writers were the
+first fruits of this newly created literary nationalism.
+
+Shortly after the beginning of the nineteenth century the sea-writer
+established himself with Michael Scott in "Tom Cringle's Log," a
+forgotten, but ever-fresh classic.  Then came Captain Marryat, who was
+to the sea what Dickens and Thackeray were to land folk.  America, too,
+contributed to this literary movement.   Even before Marryat, our own
+Cooper had essayed the sea with a masterly hand, while in "Moby Dick,"
+as in his other stories, Herman Melville glorified the theme.
+Continental writers like Victor Hugo and the Hungarian, Maurus Jokal,
+who had little personal knowledge of the subject, also set their hands
+to tales of marine adventure.
+
+Such work as this has established a succession which has been
+continuous and progressive ever since.  The literature of the sea of
+the past half-century is voluminous, varied and universally known, and
+whether in the form of personal adventure, or in purely fictional
+shape, it has grown to be an art cultivated with great care by the best
+contemporary writers.
+
+The noble band of singers of the sea, from the days of the Elizabethans
+to the sublime Swinburne, belongs to another volume.  It is the sincere
+hope of the compiler that the present collection offers undisputable
+evidence that the prose tradition has been fully sustained and the
+reader will find in these pages living testimony to the marvelous
+interest of the theme--its virility and its beauty.
+
+JOSEPH LEWIS FRENCH.
+
+
+
+
+GREAT SEA STORIES
+
+
+SPANISH BLOODHOUNDS AND ENGLISH MASTIFFS
+
+From "Westward Ho!" BY CHARLES KINGSLEY
+
+
+When the sun leaped up the next morning, and the tropic light flashed
+suddenly into the tropic day, Amyas was pacing the deck, with
+disheveled hair and torn clothes, his eyes red with rage and weeping,
+his heart full--how can I describe it?  Picture it to yourselves, you
+who have ever lost a brother; and you who have not, thank God that you
+know nothing of his agony.  Full of impossible projects, he strode and
+staggered up and down, as the ship thrashed and close-hauled through
+the rolling seas.  He would go back and burn the villa.  He would take
+Guayra, and have the life of every man in it in return for his
+brother's.  "We can do it, lads!" he shouted.  "Drake took Nombre de
+Dios, we can take La Guayra."  And every voice shouted, "Yes."
+
+"We will have it, Amyas, and have Frank too, yet," cried Cary; but
+Amyas shook his head.  He knew, and knew not why he knew, that all the
+ports in New Spain would never restore to him that one beloved face.
+
+"Yes, he shall be well avenged.  And look there!  There is the first
+crop of our vengeance."  And he pointed toward the shore, where between
+them and the now distant peaks of the Silla, three sails appeared, not
+five miles to windward.
+
+"There are the Spanish bloodhounds on our heels, the same ships which
+we saw yesterday off Guayra.  Back, lads, and welcome them, if they
+were a dozen."
+
+There was a murmur of applause from all around; and if any young heart
+sank for a moment at the prospect of fighting three ships at once, it
+was awed into silence by the cheer which rose from all the older men,
+and by Salvation Yeo's stentorian voice.
+
+"If there were a dozen, the Lord is with us, who has said, 'One of you
+shall chase a thousand.'  Clear away, lads, and see the glory of the
+Lord this day."
+
+"Amen!" cried Cary; and the ship was kept still closer to the wind.
+
+Amyas had revived at the sight of battle.  He no longer felt his wounds
+or his great sorrow as he bustled about the deck; and ere a quarter of
+an hour had passed, his voice cried firmly and cheerfully as of old--
+
+"Now, my masters, let us serve God, and then to breakfast, and after
+that clear for action."
+
+Jack Brimblecombe read the dally prayers, and the prayers before a
+fight at sea, and his honest voice trembled, as, in the Prayer for all
+Conditions of Men (In spite of Amyas's despair), he added, "and
+especially for our dear brother Mr. Francis Leigh, perhaps captive
+among the idolaters;" and so they rose.
+
+"Now, then," said Amyas, "to breakfast.  A Frenchman fights best
+fasting, a Dutchman drunk, an Englishman full, and a Spaniard when the
+devil is in him, and that's always."
+
+"And good beef and the good cause are a match for the devil," said
+Cary.  "Come down, captain; you must eat too."
+
+Amyas shook his head, took the tiller from the steersman, and bade him
+go below and fill himself.  Will Cary went down, and returned in five
+minutes with a plate of bread and beef, and a great jack of ale, coaxed
+them down Amyas's throat, as a nurse does with a child, and then
+scuttled below again with tears hopping down his face.
+
+Amyas stood still steering.  His face was grown seven years older in
+the last night.  A terrible set calm was on him.  Woe to the man who
+came across him that day!
+
+"There are three of them, you see, my masters," said he, as the crew
+came on deck again.  "A big ship forward, and two galleys astern of
+her.  The big ship may keep; she is a race ship, and if we can but
+recover the wind of her, we will see whether our height is not a match
+for her length.  We must give her the slip, and take the galleys first."
+
+"I thank the Lord," said Yeo, "who has given so wise a heart to so
+young a general; a very David and Daniel, saving his presence, lads.
+Silas Staveley, smite me that boy over the head, the young monkey; why
+is he not down at the powder-room door?"
+
+And Yeo went about his gunnery, as one who knew how to do it, and had
+the most terrible mind to do it thoroughly, and the most terrible faith
+that it was God's work.
+
+So all fell to; and though there was comparatively little to be done,
+the ship having been kept as far as could be in fighting order all
+night, yet there was "clearing of decks, lacing of nettings, making of
+bulwarks, fitting of waistcloths, arming of tops, tallowing of pikes,
+slinging of yards, doubling of sheets and tacks."  Amyas took charge of
+the poop, Cary of the forecastle, and Yeo, as gunner, of the main-deck,
+while Drew, as master, settled himself in the waist; and all was ready,
+and more than ready, before the great ship was within two miles of them.
+
+She is now within two musket-shots of the _Rose_, with the golden flag
+of Spain floating at her poop; and her trumpets are shouting defiance
+up the breeze, from a dozen brazen throats, which two or three answer
+lustily from the _Rose_, from whose poop flies the flag of England, and
+from her fore the arms of Leigh and Cary side by side, and over them
+the ship and bridge of the good town of Bideford.  And then Amyas
+calls--
+
+"Now, silence trumpets, waits, play up!  'Fortune my foe!' and God and
+the Queen be with us!"
+
+Whereon (laugh not, reader, for it was the fashion of those musical, as
+well as valiant days) up rose that noble old favorite of good Queen
+Bess, from cornet and sackbut, fife and drum; while Parson Jack, who
+had taken his stand with the musicians on the poop, worked away lustily
+at his violin.
+
+"Well played, Jack; thy elbow flies like a lamb's tail," said Amyas,
+forcing a jest.
+
+"It shall fly to a better fiddle-bow presently, sir, and I have the
+luck--"
+
+"Steady, helm!" said Amyas.  "What is he after now?"
+
+The Spaniard, who had been coming upon them right down the wind under a
+press of sail, took in his light canvas.
+
+"He don't know what to make of our waiting for him so bold," said the
+helmsman.
+
+"He does though, and means to fight us," cried another.  "See, he is
+hauling up the foot of his mainsail: but he wants to keep the wind of
+us."
+
+"Let him try, then," quoth Amyas.  "Keep her closer still.  Let no one
+fire till we are about.  Man the starboard guns; to starboard, and
+wait, all small arm men.  Pass the order down to the gunner, and bid
+all fire high, and take the rigging."
+
+Bang went one of the Spaniard's bow guns, and the shot went wide.  Then
+another and another, while the men fidgeted about, looking at the
+priming of their muskets, and loosened their arrows in the sheaf.
+
+"Lie down, men, and sing a psalm.  When I want you I'll call you.
+Closer still, if you can, helmsman, and we will try a short ship
+against a long one.  We can sail two points nearer the wind than he."
+
+As Amyas had calculated, the Spaniard would gladly enough have stood
+across the _Rose's_ bows, but knowing the English readiness dare not
+for fear of being raked; so her only plan, if she did not intend to
+shoot past her foe down to leeward, was to put her head close to the
+wind, and wait for her on the same tack.
+
+Amyas laughed to himself.  "Hold on yet awhile.  More ways of killing a
+cat than choking her with cream.  Drew, there, are your men ready?"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!" and on they went, closing fast with the Spaniard, till
+within a pistol-shot.
+
+"Ready about!" and about she went like an eel, and ran upon the
+opposite tack right under the Spaniard's stern.  The Spaniard,
+astonished at the quickness of the maneuver, hesitated a moment, and
+then tried to get about also, as his only chance; but it was too late,
+and while his lumbering length was still hanging in the wind's eye,
+Amyas's bowsprit had all but scraped his quarter, and the _Rose_ passed
+slowly across his stern at ten yards' distance.
+
+"Now, then!" roared Amyas.  "Fire, and with a will!  Have at her,
+archers: have at her, muskets all!" and in an instant a storm of bar
+and chain-shot, round and canister, swept the proud Don from stem to
+stern, while through the white cloud of smoke the musket-balls, and the
+still deadlier clothyard arrows, whistled and rushed upon their
+venomous errand.  Down went the steersman, and every soul who manned
+the poop.  Down went the mizzen topmast, in went the stern-windows and
+quarter-galleries; and as the smoke cleared away, the golden flag of
+Spain, which the last moment flaunted above their heads, hung trailing
+in the water.  The ship, her tiller shot away, and her helmsman killed,
+staggered helplessly a moment, and then fell up into the wind.
+
+"Well done, men of Devon!" shouted Amyas, as cheers rent the welkin.
+
+"She has struck," cried some, as the deafening hurrahs died away.
+
+"Not a bit," said Amyas.  "Hold on, helmsman, and leave her to patch
+her tackle while we settle the galleys."
+
+On they shot merrily, and long ere the armada could get herself to
+rights again, were two good miles to windward, with the galleys
+sweeping down fast upon them.
+
+And two venomous-looking craft they were, as they shot through the
+short chopping sea upon some forty oars apiece, stretching their long
+sword-fish snouts over the water, as if snuffing for their prey.
+Behind this long snout, a strong square forecastle was crammed with
+soldiers, and the muzzles of cannon grinned out through port-holes, not
+only in the sides of the forecastle, but forward in the line of the
+galley's course, thus enabling her to keep up a continual fire on a
+ship right ahead.
+
+The long low waist was packed full of the slaves, some five or six to
+each oar, and down the center, between the two banks, the English could
+see the slave-drivers walking up and down a long gangway, whip in hand.
+A raised quarter-deck at the stern held more soldiers, the sunlight
+flashing merrily upon their armor and their gun-barrels; as they
+neared, the English could hear plainly the cracks of the whips, and the
+yells as of wild beasts which answered them; the roll and rattle of the
+oars, and the loud "Ha!" of the slaves which accompanied every stroke,
+and the oaths and curses of the drivers; while a sickening musky smell,
+as of a pack of kenneled hounds, came down the wind from off those dens
+of misery.  No wonder if many a young heart shuddered as it faced, for
+the first time, the horrible reality of those floating hells, the
+cruelties whereof had rung so often in English ears from the stories of
+their own countrymen, who had passed them, fought them, and now and
+then passed years of misery on board of them.  Who knew but what there
+might be English among those sun-browned, half-naked masses of panting
+wretches?
+
+"Must we fire upon the slaves?" asked more than one, as the thought
+crossed him.
+
+Amyas sighed.
+
+"Spare them all you can, in God's name: but if they try to run us down,
+rake them we must, and God forgive us."
+
+The two galleys came on abreast of each other, some forty yards apart.
+To out-maneuver their oars as he had done the ship's sails, Amyas knew
+was impossible.  To run from them was to be caught between them and the
+ship.
+
+He made up his mind, as usual, to the desperate game.
+
+"Lay her head up in the wind, helmsman, and we will wait for them."
+
+They were now within musket-shot, and opened fire from their bow-guns;
+but, owing to the chopping sea, their aim was wild.  Amyas, as usual,
+withheld his fire.
+
+The men stood at quarters with compressed lips, not knowing what was to
+come next.  Amyas, towering motionless on the quarter-deck, gave his
+orders calmly and decisively.  The men saw that he trusted himself, and
+trusted him accordingly.
+
+The Spaniards, seeing him wait for them, gave a shout of joy--was the
+Englishman mad?  And the two galleys converged rapidly, intending to
+strike him full, one on each bow.
+
+They were within forty yards--another minute, and the shock would come.
+The Englishman's helm went up, his yards creaked round, and gathering
+way, he plunged upon the larboard galley.
+
+"A dozen gold nobles to him who brings down the steersman!" shouted
+Cary, who had his cue.
+
+And a flight of arrows from the forecastle rattled upon the galley's
+quarter-deck.
+
+Hit or not hit, the steersman lost his nerve, and shrank from the
+coming shock.  The galley's helm went up to port, and her beak slid all
+but harmless along Amyas's bow; a long dull grind, and then loud crack
+on crack, as the _Rose_ sawed slowly through the bank of oars from stem
+to stern, hurling the wretched slaves in heaps upon each other; and ere
+her mate on the other side could swing round to strike him in his new
+position, Amyas's whole broadside, great and small, had been poured
+into her at pistol-shot, answered by a yell which rent their ears and
+hearts.
+
+"Spare the slaves!  Fire at the soldiers!" cried Amyas; but the work
+was too hot for much discrimination; for the larboard galley, crippled
+but not undaunted, swung round across his stern, and hooked herself
+venomously on to him.
+
+It was a move more brave than wise; for it prevented the other galley
+from returning to the attack without exposing herself a second time to
+the English broadside; and a desperate attempt of the Spaniards to
+board at once through the stern-ports and up the quarter was met with
+such a demurrer of shot and steel that they found themselves in three
+minutes again upon the galley's poop, accompanied, to their intense
+disgust, by Amyas Leigh and twenty English swords.
+
+Five minutes' hard cutting, hand to hand, and the poop was clear.  The
+soldiers in the forecastle had been able to give them no assistance,
+open as they lay to the arrows and musketry from the _Rose's_ lofty
+stern.  Amyas rushed along the central gangway, shouting in Spanish,
+"Freedom to the slaves!  death to the masters!" clambered into the
+forecastle, followed close by his swarm of wasps, and set them so good
+an example how to use their stings that in three minutes more there was
+not a Spaniard on board who was not dead or dying.
+
+"Let the slaves free!" shouted he.  "Throw us a hammer down, men.
+Hark! there's an English voice!"
+
+There is indeed.  From amid the wreck of broken oars and writhing
+limbs, a voice is shrieking in broadest Devon to the master, who is
+looking over the side.
+
+"Oh, Robert Drew!  Robert Drew!  Come down, and take me out of hell!"
+
+"Who be you, in the name of the Lord?"
+
+"Don't you mind William Prust, that Captain Hawkins left behind in the
+Honduras, years and years agone?  There's nine of us aboard, if your
+shot hasn't put 'em out of their misery.  Come down, if you've a
+Christian heart, come down!"
+
+Utterly forgetful of all discipline, Drew leaps down hammer in hand,
+and the two old comrades rush into each other's arms.
+
+Why make a long story of what took but five minutes to do?  The nine
+men (luckily none of them wounded) are freed, and helped on board, to
+be hugged and kissed by old comrades and young kinsmen; while the
+remaining slaves, furnished with a couple of hammers, are told to free
+themselves and help the English.  The wretches answer by a shout; and
+Amyas, once more safe on board again, dashes after the other galley,
+which has been hovering out of reach of his guns: but there is no need
+to trouble himself about her; sickened with what she has got, she is
+struggling right up wind, leaning over to one side, and seemingly ready
+to sink.
+
+"Are there any English on board of her?" asks Amyas, loth to lose the
+chance of freeing a countryman.
+
+"Never a one, sir, thank God."
+
+So they set to work to repair damages; while the liberated slaves,
+having shifted some of the galley's oars, pull away after their
+comrade; and that with such a will that in ten minutes they have caught
+her up, and careless of the Spaniard's fire, boarded her en masse, with
+yells as of a thousand wolves.  There will be fearful vengeance taken
+on those tyrants, unless they play the man this day.
+
+And in the meanwhile half the crew are clothing, feeding, questioning,
+caressing those nine poor fellows thus snatched from living death; and
+Yeo, hearing the news, has rushed up on deck to welcome his old
+comrades, and--
+
+"Is Michael Heard, my cousin, here among you?"
+
+Yes, Michael Heard is there, white-headed rather from misery than age;
+and the embracings and questionings begin afresh.
+
+"Where is my wife, Salvation Yeo?"
+
+"With the Lord."
+
+"Amen!" says the old man, with a short shudder.  "I thought so much;
+and my two boys?"
+
+"With the Lord."
+
+The old man catches Yeo by the arm.
+
+"How, then?"  It is Yeo's turn to shudder now.
+
+"Killed in Panama, fighting the Spaniards; sailing with Mr. Oxeham; and
+'twas I led 'em into it.  May God and you forgive me!"
+
+"They couldn't die better, cousin Yeo."
+
+The old man covers his face with his hands for a while.
+
+"Well, I've been alone with the Lord these fifteen years, so I must not
+whine at being alone awhile longer--'twon't be long."
+
+"Put this coat on your back, uncle," says some one.
+
+"No; no coats for me.  Naked came I into the world, and naked I go out
+of it this day, if I have a chance.  You'm better go to your work,
+lads, or the big one will have the wind of us yet."
+
+"So she will," said Amyas, who had overheard; but so great is the
+curiosity of all hands that he has some trouble in getting the men to
+quarters again; indeed, they only go on condition of parting among
+themselves with them the newcomers, each to tell his sad and strange
+story.  How after Captain Hawkins, constrained by famine, had put them
+ashore, they wandered in misery till the Spaniards took them; how,
+instead of hanging them (as they at first intended), the Dons fed and
+clothed them, and allotted them as servants to various gentlemen about
+Mexico, where they throve, turned their hands (like true sailors) to
+all manner of trades, and made much money; so that all went well, until
+the fatal year 1574, when, much against the minds of many of the
+Spaniards themselves, that cruel and bloody Inquisition was established
+for the first time in the Indies; and how from that moment their lives
+were one long tragedy; how they were all imprisoned for a year and a
+half, racked again and again, and at last adjudged to receive publicly,
+on Good Friday, 1575, some three hundred, some one hundred stripes, and
+to serve in the galleys for six or ten years each; while as the
+crowning atrocity of the Moloch sacrifice, three of them were burnt
+alive in the market-place of Mexico.
+
+The history of the party was not likely to improve the good feeling of
+the crew towards the Spanish ship which was two miles to leeward of
+them, and which must be fought with, or fled from, before a quarter of
+an hour was past.  So, kneeling down upon the deck, as many a brave
+crew in those days did in like case, they "gave God thanks devoutly for
+the favor they had found," and then with one accord, at Jack's leading,
+sang one and all the ninety-fourth Psalm:
+
+  "Oh, Lord, thou dost revenge all wrong;
+    Vengeance belongs to thee," etc.
+
+And then again to quarters; for half the day's work, or more than half,
+still remained to be done; and hardly were the decks cleared afresh,
+and the damage repaired as best it could be, when she came ranging up
+to leeward, as closehauled as she could.
+
+She was, as I said, a long flushed-decked ship of full five hundred
+tons, more than double the size, in fact, of he Rose, though not so
+lofty in proportion; and many a bold heart beat loud, and no shame to
+them, as she began firing away merrily, determined, as all well knew,
+to wipe out in English blood the disgrace of her late foil.
+
+"Never mind, my merry masters," said Amyas, "she has quantity and we
+quality."
+
+"That's true," said one, "for one honest man is worth two rogues."
+
+"And one culverin three of their footy little ordnance," said another.
+"So when you will, captain, and have at her."
+
+"Let her come abreast of us, and don't burn powder.  We have the wind,
+and can do what we like with her.  Serve the men out a horn of ale all
+round, steward, and all take your time."
+
+So they waited five minutes more, and then set to work quietly, after
+the fashion of English mastiffs, though, like those mastiffs, they
+waxed right mad before three rounds were fired, and the white splinters
+(sight beloved) began to crackle and fly.
+
+Amyas, having, as he had said, the wind, and being able to go nearer it
+than the Spaniard, kept his place at easy point-blank range for his
+two-eighteen-pounder culverins, which Yeo and his mate worked with
+terrible effect.
+
+"We are lacking her through and through every shot," said he.  "Leave
+the small ordnance alone yet awhile, and we shall sink her without
+them."
+
+"Whing, whing," went the Spaniard's shot, like so many humming-tops,
+through the rigging far above their heads; for the ill-constructed
+ports of those days prevented the guns from hulling an enemy who was to
+windward, unless close alongside.
+
+"Blow, jolly breeze," cried one, "and lay the Don over all thou
+canst.--What the murrain is gone, aloft there?"
+
+Alas! a crack, a flap, a rattle; and blank dismay!  An unlucky shot had
+cut the foremast (already wounded) in two, and all forward was a mass
+of dangling wreck.
+
+"Forward, and cut away the wreck!" said Amyas, unmoved.  "Small arm
+men, be ready.  He will be aboard of us in five minutes!"
+
+It was true.  The _Rose_, unmanageable from the loss of her head-sail,
+lay at the mercy of the Spaniard; and the archers and musqueteers had
+hardly time to range themselves to leeward, when the _Madre Dolorosa's_
+chains were grinding against the _Rose's_, and grapples tossed on board
+from stem to stern.
+
+"Don't cut them loose!" roared Amyas.  "Let them stay and see the fun!
+Now, dogs of Devon, show your teeth, and hurrah for God and the Queen!"
+
+And then began a fight most fierce and fell: the Spaniards, according
+to their fashion, attempted to board: the English, amid fierce shouts
+of "God and the Queen!"  "God and St. George for England!" sweeping
+them back by showers of arrows and musquet balls, thrusting them down
+with pikes, hurling grenades and stink-pots from the tops; while the
+swivels on both sides poured their grape, and bar, and chain, and the
+great main-deck guns, thundering muzzle to muzzle, made both ships
+quiver and recoil, as they smashed the round shot through and through
+each other.
+
+So they roared and flashed, fast clenched to each other in that devil's
+wedlock, under a cloud of smoke beneath the cloudless tropic sky; while
+all around, the dolphins gamboled, and the flying-fish shot on from
+swell to swell, and the rainbow-hued jellies opened and shut their cups
+of living crystal to the sun.
+
+So it raged for an hour or more, till all arms were weary, and all
+tongues clove to the mouth.  And sick men, rotting with scurvy,
+scrambled up on deck, and fought with the strength of madness: and tiny
+powder-boys, handing up cartridges from the hold, laughed and cheered
+as the shots ran past their ears; and old Salvation Yeo, a text upon
+his lips, and a fury in his heart as of Joshua or Elijah in old time,
+worked on, calm and grim, but with the energy of a boy at play.  And
+now and then an opening in the smoke showed the Spanish captain, in his
+suit of black steel armor, standing cool and proud, guiding and
+pointing, careless of the iron hail, but too lofty a gentleman to soil
+his glove with aught but a knightly sword-hilt: while Amyas and Will,
+after the fashion of the English gentlemen, had stripped themselves
+nearly as bare as their own sailors, and were cheering, thrusting,
+hewing, and hauling, here, there, and everywhere, like any common
+mariner, and filling them with a spirit of self-respect,
+fellow-feeling, and personal daring, which the discipline of the
+Spaniards, more perfect mechanically, but cold and tyrannous, and
+crushing spiritually, never could bestow.  The black-plumed Senor was
+obeyed; but the golden-locked Amyas was followed, and would have been
+followed through the jaws of hell.
+
+The Spaniards, ere five minutes had passed, poured en masse into the
+_Rose's_ waist: but only to their destruction.  Between the poop and
+forecastle (as was then the fashion) the upper-deck beams were left
+open and unplanked, with the exception of a narrow gangway on either
+side; and off that fatal ledge the boarders, thrust on by those behind,
+fell headlong between the beams to the main-deck below, to be
+slaughtered helpless in that pit of destruction, by the double fire
+from the bulkheads fore and aft; while the few who kept their footing
+on the gangway, after vain attempts to force the stockades on poop and
+forecastle, leaped overboard again amid a shower of shot and arrows.
+The fire of the English was as steady as it was quick.
+
+Thrice the Spaniards clambered on board, and thrice surged back before
+that deadly hail.  The decks on both sides were very shambles; and Jack
+Brimblecombe, who had fought as long as his conscience would allow him,
+found, when he turned to a more clerical occupation, enough to do in
+carrying poor wretches to the surgeon, without giving that spiritual
+consolation which he longed to give, and they to receive.  At last
+there was a lull in that wild storm.  No shot was heard from the
+Spaniard's upper-deck.
+
+Amyas leaped into the mizzen rigging and looked through the smoke.
+Dead men he could descry through the blinding veil, rolled in heaps,
+laid flat; dead men and dying; but no man upon his feet.  The last
+volley had swept the deck clear; one by one had dropped below to escape
+that fiery shower: and alone at the helm, grinding his teeth with rage,
+his mustachios curling up to his very eyes, stood the Spanish captain.
+
+Now was the moment for a counter stroke.  Amyas shouted for the
+boarders, and in two minutes more he was over the side, and clutching
+at the Spaniard's mizzen rigging.
+
+What was this?  The distance between him and the enemy's side was
+widening.  Was she sheering off?  Yes--and rising, too, growing bodily
+higher every moment, as if by magic.  Amyas looked up in astonishment
+and saw what it was.  The Spaniard was heeling fast over to leeward
+away from him.  Her masts were all sloping forward, swifter and
+swifter--the end was come, then!
+
+"Back! in God's name back, men!  She is sinking by the head!"  And with
+much ado some were dragged back, some leaped back--all but old Michael
+Heard.
+
+With hair and beard floating in the wind, the bronzed naked figure,
+like some weird old Indian fakir, still climbed on steadfastly up the
+mizzen-chains of the Spaniard, hatchet in hand.
+
+"Come back, Michael!  Leap while you may!" shouted a dozen voices.
+Michael turned--
+
+"And what should I come back for, then, to go home where no one knoweth
+me?  I'll die like an Englishman this day, or I'll know the reason
+why!" and turning, he sprang in over the bulwarks, as the huge ship
+rolled up more and more, like a dying whale, exposing all her long
+black hulk almost down to the keel, and one of her lower-deck guns as
+if in defiance exploded upright into the air, hurling the ball to the
+very heavens.
+
+In an instant it was answered from the _Rose_ by a column of smoke, and
+the eighteen-pound ball crashed through the bottom of the defenseless
+Spaniard.
+
+"Who fired!  Shame to fire on a sinking ship!"
+
+"Gunner Yeo, sir," shouted a voice from the maindeck.  "He's like a
+madman down here."
+
+"Tell him if he fires again, I'll put him in irons, if he were my own
+brother.  Cut away the grapples aloft, men.  Don't you see how she
+drags us over?  Cut away, or we shall sink with her."
+
+They cut away, and the _Rose_, released from the strain, shook her
+feathers on the wave-crest like a freed sea-gull, while all men held
+their breaths.
+
+Suddenly the glorious creature righted herself, and rose again, as if
+in noble shame, for one last struggle with her doom.  Her bows were
+deep in the water, but her after-deck still dry.  Righted: but only for
+a moment, long enough to let her crew come pouring wildly up on deck,
+with cries and prayers, and rush aft to the poop, where, under the flag
+of Spain, stood the tall captain, his left hand on the standard-staff,
+his sword pointed in his right.
+
+"Back men!" they heard him cry, "and die like valiant mariners."
+
+Some of them ran to the bulwarks, and shouted "Mercy!  We surrender!"
+and the English broke into a cheer and called to them to run her
+alongside.
+
+"Silence!" shouted Amyas.  "I take no surrender from mutineers.
+Senor," cried he to the captain, springing into the rigging and taking
+off his hat, "for the love of God and these men, strike! and surrender
+_a buena guerra_."
+
+The Spaniard lifted his hat and bowed courteously, and answered.
+"Impossible, Senor.  No _guerra_ is good which stains my honor."
+
+"God have mercy on you, then!"
+
+"Amen!" said the Spaniard, crossing himself.
+
+She gave one awful lunge forward, and dived under the coming swell,
+hurling her crew into the eddies.  Nothing but the point of her poop
+remained, and there stood the stern and steadfast Don, cap-a-pie in his
+glistening black armor, immovable as a man of iron, while over him the
+flag, which claimed the empire of both worlds, flaunted its gold aloft
+and upwards in the glare of the tropic noon.
+
+"He shall not carry that flag to the devil with him; I will have it
+yet, if I die for it!" said Will Cary, and rushed to the side to leap
+overboard, but Amyas stopped him.
+
+"Let him die as he lived, with honor."
+
+A wild figure sprang out of the mass of sailors who struggled and
+shrieked amid the foam, and rushed upward at the Spaniard.  It was
+Michael Heard.  The Don, who stood above him, plunged his sword into
+the old man's body: but the hatchet gleamed, nevertheless: down went
+the blade through the headpiece and through head; and as Heard sprang
+onward, bleeding, but alive, the steel-clad corpse rattled down the
+deck into the surge.  Two more strokes, struck with the fury of a dying
+man, and the standard-staff was hewn through.  Old Michael collected
+all his strength, hurled the flag far from the sinking ship, and then
+stood erect one moment and shouted, "God save Queen Bess!" and the
+English answered with a "Hurrah!" which rent the welkin.
+
+Another moment and the gulf had swallowed his victim, and the poop, and
+him; and nothing remained of the _Madre Dolorosa_ but a few floating
+spars and struggling wretches, while a great awe fell upon all men, and
+a solemn silence, broken only by the cry
+
+  "Of some strong swimmer in his agony."
+
+
+And then, suddenly collecting themselves, as men awakened from a dream,
+half-a-dozen desperate gallants, reckless of sharks and eddies, leaped
+overboard, swam towards the flag, and towed it alongside in triumph.
+
+"Ah!" said Salvation Yeo, as he helped the trophy up over the side;
+"ah! it was not for nothing that we found poor Michael!  He was always
+a good comrade.  And now, then, my masters, shall we inshore again and
+burn La Guayra?"
+
+"Art thou never glutted with Spanish blood, thou old wolf?" asked Will
+Cary.
+
+"Never, sir," answered Yeo.
+
+"To St. Jago be it," said Amyas, "if we can get there: but--God help
+us!"
+
+And he looked round sadly enough; while no one needed that he should
+finish his sentence, or explain his "but."
+
+The fore-mast was gone, the main-yard sprung, the rigging hanging in
+elf-locks, the hull shot through and through in twenty places, the deck
+strewn with the bodies of nine good men, besides sixteen wounded down
+below; while the pitiless sun, right above their heads, poured down a
+flood of fire upon a sea of glass.
+
+And it would have been well if faintness and weariness had been all
+that was the matter; but now that the excitement was over, the collapse
+came; and the men sat down listlessly and sulkily by twos and threes
+upon the deck, starting and wincing when they heard some poor fellow
+below cry out under the surgeon's knife; or murmuring to each other
+that all was lost.  Drew tried in vain to rouse them, telling them that
+all depended on rigging a jury-mast forward as soon as possible.  They
+answered only by growls; and at last broke into open reproaches.  Even
+Will Cary's volatile nature, which had kept him up during the fight
+gave way, when Yeo and the carpenter came aft, and told Amyas in a low
+voice--
+
+"We are hit somewhere forward, below the waterline, sir.  She leaks a
+terrible deal, and the Lord will not vouchsafe to us to lay our hands
+on the place, for all our searching."
+
+"What are we to do now, Amyas, in the devil's name?" asked Cary,
+peevishly.
+
+"What are we to do, in God's name, rather," answered Amyas in a low
+voice.  "Will, Will, what did God make you a gentleman for, but to know
+better than those poor fickle fellows forward, who blow hot and cold at
+every change of weather!"
+
+"I wish you'd come forward and speak to them, sir," said Yeo, who had
+overheard the last words, "or we shall get nought done."
+
+Amyas went forward instantly.
+
+"Now then, my brave lads, what's the matter here, that you are all
+sitting on your tails like monkeys?"
+
+"Ugh!" grunts one.  "Don't you think our day's work has been long
+enough yet, captain?"
+
+"You don't want us to go in to La Guayra again, sir?  There are enough
+of us thrown away already, I reckon, about that wench there."
+
+"Best sit here, and sink quietly.  There's no getting home again,
+that's plain."
+
+"Why were we brought out here to be killed."
+
+"For shame, men!" cries Yeo, "murmuring the very minute after the Lord
+has delivered you from the Egyptians."
+
+Now I do not wish to set Amyas up as better, thank God, than many and
+many a brave and virtuous captain in her Majesty's service at this very
+day: but certainly he behaved admirably under that trial.  Drake had
+trained him, as he trained many another excellent officer, to be as
+stout in discipline and as dogged of purpose, as he himself was: but he
+had trained him also to feel with and for his men, to make allowances
+for them, and to keep his temper with them, as he did this day.
+Amyas's conscience smote him (and his simple and pious soul took the
+loss of his brother as God's verdict on his conduct), because he had
+set his own private affection, even his own private revenge, before the
+safety of his ship's company and the good of his country.
+
+"Ah," said he to himself, as he listened to his men's reproaches, "if I
+had been thinking, like a loyal soldier, of serving my queen, and
+crippling the Spaniard, I should have taken that great bark three days
+ago, and in it the very man I sought!"
+
+So "choking down his old man," as Yeo used to say, he made answer
+cheerfully--
+
+"Pooh! pooh! brave lads!  For shame, for shame!  You were lions
+half-an-hour ago; you are not surely turned sheep already!  Why, but
+yesterday evening you were grumbling because I would not run in and
+fight those three ships under the batteries of La Guayra, and now you
+think it too much to have fought them fairly out at sea?  Nothing
+venture, nothing win; and nobody goes birdnesting without a fall at
+times.  If any one wants to be safe in this life, he'd best stay at
+home and keep his bed; though even there who knows but the roof might
+fall through on him?"
+
+"Ah, it's all very well for you, captain," said some grumbling younker,
+with a vague notion that Amyas must be better off than he because he
+was a gentleman.  Amyas's blood rose.
+
+"Yes, sirrah!  Do you fancy that I have nothing to lose?  I who have
+adventured in this voyage all I am worth, and more; who, if I fall,
+must return to beggary and scorn?  And if I have ventured rashly,
+sinfully, if you will, the lives of any of you in my own private
+quarrel, am I not punished?  Have I not lost----?"
+
+His voice trembled and stopped there, but he recovered himself in a
+moment.
+
+"Pish!  I can't stand here chattering.  Carpenter! an ax! and help me
+to cast these spars loose.  Get out of my way, there! lumbering the
+scuppers up like so many moulting fowls!  Here, all old friends, lend a
+hand!  _Pelican's_ men, stand by your captain!  Did we sail round the
+world for nothing?"
+
+This last appeal struck home, and up leaped half-a-dozen of the old
+Pelicans, and set to work at his side manfully to rig the jury-mast.
+
+"Come along!" cried Cary to the malcontents; "we're raw longshore
+fellows, but we won't be outdone by any old sea-dog of them all."  And
+setting to work himself, he was soon followed by one and another, till
+order and work went on well enough.
+
+"And where are we going, when the mast's up?" shouted some saucy hand
+from behind.
+
+"Where you daren't follow us alone by yourself, so you had better keep
+us company," replied Yeo.
+
+"I'll tell you where we are going, lads," said Amyas, rising from his
+work.  "Like it or leave it as you will, I have no secrets from my
+crew.  We are going inshore there to find a harbor, and careen the
+ship."
+
+There was a start and a murmur.
+
+"Inshore!  Into the Spaniards' mouths?"
+
+"All in the Inquisition in a week's time."
+
+"Better stay here, and be drowned."
+
+"You're right in that last," shouts Cary.  "That's the right death for
+blind puppies.  Look you!  I don't know in the least where we are, and
+I hardly know stem from stern aboard ship; and the captain may be right
+or wrong--that's nothing to me; but this I know, that I am a soldier,
+and will obey orders; and where he goes, I go; and whosoever hinders me
+must walk up my sword to do it."
+
+Amyas pressed Cary's hand, and then--
+
+"And here's my broadside next, men.  I'll go nowhere, and do nothing
+without the advice of Salvation Yeo and Robert Drew; and if any man in
+the ship knows better than these two, let him up, and we'll give him a
+hearing.  Eh, _Pelicans_?"
+
+There was a grunt of approbation from the Pelicans; and Amyas returned
+to the charge.
+
+"We have five shots between wind and water, and one somewhere below.
+Can we face a gale of wind in that state, or can we not?"
+
+Silence.
+
+"Can we get home with a leak in our bottom?"
+
+Silence.
+
+"Come along now!  Here's the wind again round with the sun, and up to
+the northwest.  In shore with her."
+
+Sulkily enough, but unable to deny the necessity, the men set to work,
+and the vessel's head was put toward the land; but when she began to
+slip through the water, the leak increased so fast that they were kept
+hard at work at the pumps for the rest of the afternoon.
+
+The current had by this time brought them abreast of the bay of
+Higuerote.  As they ran inward, all eyes were strained greedily to find
+some opening in the mangrove belt: but none was to be seen for some
+time.  The lead was kept going; and every fresh heave announced
+shallower water.
+
+"We shall have very shoal work of those mangroves, Yeo," said Amyas; "I
+doubt whether we shall do aught now, unless we find a river's mouth."
+
+"If the Lord thinks a river good for us, sir, he'll show us one."  So
+on they went, keeping a southeast course, and at last an opening in the
+mangrove belt was hailed with a cheer from the older hands, though the
+majority shrugged their shoulders, as men going open-eyed to
+destruction.
+
+Of the mouth they sent in Drew and Cary with a boat, and watched
+anxiously for an hour.  The boat returned with a good report of two
+fathoms of water over the bar, impenetrable forests for two miles up,
+the river sixty yards broad, and no sign of man.  The river's banks
+were soft and sloping mud, fit for careening.
+
+"Safe quarters, sir," said Yeo, privately, "as far as Spaniards go.  I
+hope in God it may be as safe from fevers."
+
+"Beggars must not be choosers," said Amyas.  So in they went.
+
+They towed the ship up about half-a-mile to a point where she could not
+be seen from the seaward; and there moored her to the mangrove-stems.
+Amyas ordered a boat out, and went up the river himself to reconnoiter.
+He rowed some three miles, till the river narrowed suddenly, and was
+all but covered in by the interlacing boughs of mighty trees.  There
+was no sign that man had been there since the making of the world.
+
+He dropped down the stream again, thoughtfully and sadly.  How many
+years ago was it that he had passed this river's mouth?  Three days.
+And yet how much had passed in them!  Don Guzman found and lost--Rose
+found and lost--a great victory gained, and yet lost--perhaps his ship
+lost--above all, his brother lost.
+
+Lost! O God, how should he find his brother?
+
+Some strange bird out of the woods made mournful answer--"Never, never,
+never!"
+
+How should he face his mother?
+
+"Never, never, never!" walled the bird again; and Amyas smiled
+bitterly, and said "Never!" likewise.
+
+The night mist began to steam and wreath upon the foul beer-colored
+stream.  The loathy floor of liquid mud lay bare beneath the mangrove
+forest.  Upon the endless web of interarching roots great purple crabs
+were crawling up and down.  They would have supped with pleasure upon
+Amyas's corpse; perhaps they might sup on him after all; for a heavy
+sickening graveyard smell made his heart sink within him, and his
+stomach heave; and his weary body, and more weary soul, gave themselves
+up helplessly to the depressing influence of that doleful place.  The
+black bank of dingy leathern leaves above his head, the endless
+labyrinth of stems and withes (for every bough had lowered its own
+living cord, to take fresh hold of the foul soil below); the web of
+roots, which stretched away inland till it was lost in the shades of
+evening--all seemed one horrid complicated trap for him and his; and
+even where, here and there, he passed the mouth of a lagoon, there was
+no opening, no relief--nothing but the dark ring of mangroves.  Wailing
+sadly, sad-colored mangrove-hens ran off across the mud into the dreary
+dark.  The hoarse night-raven, hid among the roots, startled the
+voyagers with a sudden shout, and then all was again silent as a grave.
+The loathy alligators lounging in the slime lifted their horny eyelids
+lazily, and leered upon him as he passed with stupid savageness.  Lines
+of tall herons stood dimly in the growing gloom, like white fantastic
+ghosts, watching the passage of the doomed boat.  All was foul, sullen,
+weird as witches' dream.  If Amyas had seen a crew of skeletons glide
+down the stream behind him, with Satan standing at the helm, he would
+scarcely have been surprised.  What fitter craft could haunt that
+Stygian flood?
+
+
+
+
+THE CLUB-HAULING OF THE DIOMEDE
+
+From "Peter Simple," BY CAPTAIN FREDERICK MARRYAT
+
+
+We continued our cruise along the coast, until we had run down into the
+Bay of Arcason, where we captured two or three vessels, and obliged
+many more to run on shore.  And here we had an instance showing how
+very important it is that the captain of a man-of-war should be a good
+sailor, and have his ship in such discipline as to be strictly obeyed
+by his ship's company.  I heard the officers unanimously assert, after
+the danger was over, that nothing but the presence of mind which was
+shown by Captain Savage could have saved the ship and her crew.  We had
+chased a convoy of vessels to the bottom of the bay: the wind was very
+fresh when we hauled off, after running them on shore; and the surf on
+the beach even at that time was so great, that they were certain to go
+to pieces before they could be got afloat again.  We were obliged to
+double-reef the topsails as soon as we hauled to the wind, and the
+weather looked very threatening.  In an hour afterwards, the whole sky
+was covered with one black cloud, which sank so low as nearly to touch
+our mast-heads, and a tremendous sea, which appeared to have risen up
+almost by magic, rolled in upon us, setting the vessel on a dead lee
+shore.  As the night closed in, it blew a dreadful gale, and the ship
+was nearly buried with the press of canvas which she was obliged to
+carry: for had we sea-room, we should have been lying-to under storm
+staysails; but we were forced to carry on at all risks, that we might
+claw off shore.  The sea broke over us as we lay in the trough,
+deluging us with water from the forecastle, aft, to the binnacles; and
+very often as the ship descended with a plunge, it was with such force
+that I really thought she would divide in half with the violence of the
+shock.  Double breechings were rove on the guns, and they were further
+secured with tackles; and strong cleats nailed behind the trunnions;
+for we heeled over so much when we lurched, that the guns were wholly
+supported by the breechings and tackles, and had one of them broken
+loose it must have burst right through the lee side of the ship, and
+she must have foundered.  The captain, first lieutenant, and most of
+the officers, remained on deck during the whole of the night; and
+really, what with the howling of the wind, the violence of the rain,
+the washing of the water about the decks, the working of the
+chain-pumps, and the creaking and groaning of the timbers, I thought
+that we must inevitably have been lost; and I said my prayers at least
+a dozen times during the night, for I felt it impossible to go to bed.
+I had often wished, out of curiosity, that I might be in a gale of
+wind; but I little thought it was to have been a scene of this
+description, or anything half so dreadful.  What made it more appalling
+was, that we were on a lee shore, and the consultations of the captain
+and officers, and the eagerness with which they looked out for
+daylight, told us that we had other dangers to encounter besides the
+storm.  At last the morning broke, and the look-out man upon the
+gangway called out, "Land on the lee beam!"  I perceived the master
+dash his feet against the hammock-rails, as if with vexation, and walk
+away without saying a word, looking very grave.
+
+"Up there, Mr. Wilson," said the captain to the second lieutenant, "and
+see how far the land trends forward, and whether you can distinguish
+the point."  The second lieutenant went up the main-rigging, and
+pointed with his hand to about two points before the beam.
+
+"Do you see two hillocks, inland?"
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the second lieutenant.
+
+"Then it is so," observed the captain to the master, "and if we weather
+it we shall have more sea-room.  Keep her full, and let her go through
+the water; do you hear, quartermaster?"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir."
+
+"Thus, and no nearer, my man.  Ease her with a spoke or two when she
+sends; but be careful, or she'll take the wheel out of your hands."
+
+It really was a very awful sight.  When the ship was in the trough of
+the sea, you could distinguish nothing but a waste of tumultuous water;
+but when she was borne up on the summit of the enormous waves, you then
+looked down, as it were, upon a low, sandy coast, close to you, and
+covered with foam and breakers.  "She behaves nobly," observed the
+captain, stepping aft to the binnacle, and looking at the compass; "if
+the wind does not baffle us, we shall weather."  The captain had
+scarcely time to make the observation, when the sails shivered and
+flapped like thunder.  "Up with the helm; what are you about,
+quartermaster?"
+
+"The wind has headed us, sir," replied the quartermaster, coolly.
+
+The captain and master remained at the binnacle watching the compass;
+and when the sails were again full, she had broken off two points, and
+the point of land was only a little on the lee-bow.
+
+"We must wear her round, Mr. Falcon.  Hands, wear ship--ready, oh,
+ready."
+
+"She has come up again," cried the master, who was at the binnacle.
+
+"Hold fast there a minute.  How's her head now?"
+
+"N.N.E., as she was before she broke off, sir."
+
+"Pipe belay," said the captain.  "Falcon," continued he, "if she breaks
+off again we may have no room to wear; indeed, there is so little room
+now, that I must run the risk.  Which cable was ranged last night--the
+best bower?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Jump down, then, and see it double-bitted and stoppered at thirty
+fathoms.  See it well done--our lives may depend upon it."
+
+The ship continued to hold her course good; and we were within half a
+mile of the point, and fully expected to weather it, when again the wet
+and heavy sails flapped in the wind, and the ship broke off two points
+as before.  The officers and seamen were aghast, for the ship's head
+was right on to the breakers.  "Luff now, all you can, quartermaster,"
+cried the captain.  "Send the men aft directly.  My lads, there is no
+time for words--I am going to _club-haul_ the ship, for there is no
+room to wear.  The only chance you have of safety is to be cool, watch
+my eye, and execute my orders with precision.  Away to your stations
+for tacking ship.  Hands by the best bower anchor.  Mr. Wilson, attend
+below with the carpenter and his mates, ready to cut away the cable at
+the moment that I give the order.  Silence there, fore and aft.
+Quartermaster, keep her full again for stays.  Mind you ease the helm
+down when I tell you."  About a minute passed before the captain gave
+any further orders.  The ship had closed-to within a quarter-mile of
+the beach, and the waves curled and topped around us, bearing us down
+upon the shore, which presented one continued surface of foam,
+extending to within half a cable's length of our position.  The captain
+waved his hand in silence to the quartermaster at the wheel, and the
+helm was put down.  The ship turned slowly to the wind, pitching and
+chopping as the sails were spilling.  When she had lost her way, the
+captain gave the order, "Let go the anchor.  We will haul all at once,
+Mr. Falcon," said the captain.  Not a word was spoken; the men went to
+the fore brace, which had not been manned; most of them knew, although
+I did not, that if the ship's head did not go round the other way, we
+should be on shore, and among the breakers, in half a minute.  I
+thought at the time that the captain had said that he would haul all
+the yards at once, there appeared to be doubt or dissent on the
+countenance of Mr. Falcon; and I was afterwards told that he had not
+agreed with the captain; but he was too good an officer, and knew that
+there was no time for discussion, to make any remark: and the event
+proved that the captain was right.  At last the ship was head to wind,
+and the captain gave the signal.  The yards flew round with such a
+creaking noise, that I thought the masts had gone over the side, and
+the next moment the wind had caught the sails; and the ship, which for
+a moment or two had been on an even keel, careened over to her gunwale
+with its force.  The captain, who stood upon the weather hammock-rails,
+holding by the main-rigging, ordered the helm a-midships, looked full
+at the sails, and then at the cable, which grew broad upon the
+weather-bow, and held the ship from nearing the shore.  At last he
+cried, "Cut away the cable!"  A few strokes of the axes were heard, and
+then the cable flew out of the hawse-hole in a blaze of fire, from the
+violence of the friction, and disappeared under a huge wave, which
+struck us on the chesstree, and deluged us with water fore and aft.
+But we were now on the other tack, and the ship regained her way, and
+we had evidently increased our distance from the land.
+
+"My lads," said the captain to the ship's company, "you have behaved
+well, and I thank you; but I must tell you honestly that we have more
+difficulties to get through.  We have to weather a point of the bay on
+this tack.  Mr. Falcon, splice the main-brace, and call the watch.
+How's her head, quartermaster?"
+
+"S.W. by S. Southerly, sir."
+
+"Very well; let her go through the water;" and the captain, beckoning
+to the master to follow him, went down into the cabin.  As our
+immediate danger was over, I went down into the berth to see if I could
+get anything for breakfast, where I found O'Brien and two or three more.
+
+"By the powers, it was as nate a thing as ever I saw done," observed
+O'Brien: "the slightest mistake as to time or management, and at this
+moment the flatfish would have been dubbing at our ugly carcasses.
+Peter, you're not fond of flatfish, are you, my boy?  We may thank
+Heaven and the captain, I can tell you that, my lads; but now, where's
+the chart, Robinson?  Hand me down the parallel rules and compasses,
+Peter; they are in the corner of the shelf.  Here we are now, a
+devilish sight too near this infernal point.  Who knows how her head
+is?"
+
+"I do, O'Brien: I heard the quartermaster tell the captain S.W. by S.
+Southerly."
+
+"Let me see," continued O'Brien, "variation 2 1/4--leeway--rather too
+large an allowance of that, I'm afraid; but, however, we'll give her 2
+1/2 points; the _Diomede_ would blush to make any more, under any
+circumstances.  Here--the compass--now, we'll see;" and O'Brien
+advanced the parallel rule from the compass to the spot where the ship
+was placed on the chart.  "Bother! you see, it's as much as she'll do
+to weather the other point now, on this tack, and that's what the
+captain meant when he told us we had more difficulty.  I could have
+taken my Bible oath that we were clear of everything, if the wind held."
+
+"See what the distance is, O'Brien," said Robinson.  It was measured,
+and proved to be thirteen miles.  "Only thirteen miles; and if we do
+weather, we shall do very well, for the bay is deep beyond.  It's a
+rocky point, you see, just by way of variety.  Well, my lads, I've a
+piece of comfort for you, anyhow.  It's not long that you'll be kept in
+suspense, for by one o'clock this day you'll either be congratulating
+each other upon your good luck, or you'll be past praying for.  Come,
+put up the chart, for I hate to look at melancholy prospects; and,
+steward, see what you can find in the way of comfort."  Some bread and
+cheese, with the remains of yesterday's boiled pork, were put on the
+table, with a bottle of rum, procured at the time they "spliced the
+main brace," but we were all too anxious to eat much, and one by one
+returned on deck to see how the weather was, and if the wind at all
+favored us.  On deck the superior officers were in conversation with
+the captain, who expressed the same fear that O'Brien had in our berth.
+The men, who knew what they had to expect, were assembled in knots,
+looking very grave, but at the same time not wanting in confidence.
+They knew that they could trust to the captain, as far as skill or
+courage could avail them; and sailors are too sanguine to despair, even
+at the last moment.  As for myself, I felt such admiration for the
+captain, after what I had witnessed that morning, that, whenever the
+idea came over me, that in all probability I should be lost in a few
+hours, I could not help acknowledging how much more serious it was that
+such a man should be lost to his country.  I do not intend to say that
+it consoled me, but it certainly made me still more regret the chances
+with which we were threatened.
+
+Before twelve o'clock the rocky point which we so much dreaded was in
+sight, broad on the lee bow; and if the low sandy coast appeared
+terrible, how much more did this, even at a distance.  The captain eyed
+it for some minutes in silence, as if in calculation.
+
+"Mr. Falcon," said he, at last, "we must put the mainsail on her."
+
+"She never can bear it, sir."
+
+"She _must_ bear it," was the reply.  "Send the men aft to the
+mainsheet.  See that careful men attend the bunt-lines."
+
+The mainsail was set, and the effect of it upon the ship was
+tremendous.  She careened over so that her lee channels were under the
+water; and when pressed by a sea, the lee side of the quarter-deck and
+gangway were afloat.  She now reminded me of a goaded and fiery horse,
+mad with the stimulus applied; not rising as before, but forcing
+herself through whole seas, and dividing the waves, which poured in one
+continual torrent from the forecastle down upon the decks below.  Four
+men were secured to the wheel--the sailors were obliged to cling to
+prevent being washed away--the ropes were thrown in confusion to
+leeward--the shot rolled out of the lockers, and every eye was fixed
+aloft, watching the masts, which were expected every moment to go over
+the side.  A heavy sea struck us on the broadside, and it was some
+moments before the ship appeared to recover herself; she reeled,
+trembled, and stopped her way, as if it had stupefied her.  The first
+lieutenant looked at the captain, as if to say, "This will not do."
+"It is our only chance," answered the captain to the appeal.  That the
+ship went faster through the water, and held a better wind, was
+certain; but just before we arrived at the point the gale increased in
+force.  "If anything starts we are lost, sir," observed the first
+lieutenant again.
+
+"I am perfectly well aware of it," replied the captain, in a calm tone;
+"but, as I said before, and as you must now be aware, it is our only
+chance.  The consequence of any carelessness or neglect in the fitting
+and securing of the rigging will be felt now; and this danger, if we
+escape it, ought to remind us how much we have to answer for if we
+neglect our duty.  The lives of a whole ship's company may be
+sacrificed by the neglect or incompetence of an officer when in harbor.
+I will pay you the compliment, Falcon, to say, that I feel convinced
+that the masts of the ship are as secure as knowledge and attention can
+make them."
+
+The first lieutenant thanked the captain for his good opinion, and
+hoped that it would not be the last compliment which he paid him.
+
+"I hope not, too; but a few minutes will decide the point."
+
+The ship was now within two cables' lengths of the rocky point; some
+few of the men I observed to clasp their hands, but most of them were
+silently taking off their jackets, and kicking off their shoes, that
+they might not lose a chance of escape provided the ship struck.
+
+"'Twill be touch and go, indeed, Falcon," observed the captain (for I
+had clung to the belaying pins, close to them for the last half-hour
+that the mainsail had been set).  "Come aft, you and I must take the
+helm.  We shall want _nerve_ there, and only there, now."
+
+The captain and first lieutenant went aft, and took the fore-spokes of
+the wheel, and O'Brien, at a sign made by the captain, laid hold of the
+spokes behind him.  An old quartermaster kept his station at the
+fourth.  The roaring of the seas on the rocks, with the howling of the
+wind, were dreadful; but the sight was more dreadful than the noise.
+For a few minutes I shut my eyes, but anxiety forced me to open them
+again.  As near as I could judge, we were not twenty yards from the
+rocks, at the time that the ship passed abreast of them.  We were in
+the midst of the foam, which boiled around us; and as the ship was
+driven nearer to them, and careened with the wave, I thought that our
+main yard-arm would have touched the rock; and at this moment a gust of
+wind came on, which laid the ship on her beam-ends, and checked her
+progress through the water, while the accumulating noise was deafening.
+A few moments more the ship dragged on, another wave dashed over her
+and spent itself upon the rocks, while the spray was dashed back from
+them, and returned upon the decks.  The main rock was within ten yards
+of the counter, when another gust of wind laid us on our beam-ends, the
+foresail and mainsail split, and were blown clean out of the
+bolt-ropes--the ship righted, trembling fore and aft.  I looked
+astern:--the rocks were to windward on our quarter, and we were safe.
+I thought at the time that the ship, relieved of her courses, and again
+lifting over the waves, was not a bad similitude of the relief felt by
+us all at that moment; and, like her, we trembled as we panted with the
+sudden reaction, and felt the removal of the intense anxiety which
+oppressed our breasts.
+
+The captain resigned the helm, and walked aft to look at the point,
+which was now broad on the weather-quarter.  In a minute or two, he
+desired Mr. Falcon to get new sails up and bend them, and then went
+below to his cabin.  I am sure it was to thank God for our deliverance:
+I did most fervently, not only then, but when I went to my hammock at
+night.  We were now comparatively safe--in a few hours completely so;
+for, strange to say, immediately after we had weathered the rocks, the
+gale abated, and before morning we had a reef out of the topsails.
+
+
+
+
+THE CRUISE OF THE TORCH
+
+From "Tom Cringle's Log," BY MICHAEL SCOTT
+
+
+Heligoland light--north and by west--so many leagues--wind
+baffling--weather hazy--Lady Passengers on deck for the first time.
+
+Arrived in the Downs--ordered by signal from the guardship to proceed
+to Portsmouth.  Arrived at Spithead--ordered to fit to receive a
+general officer, and six pieces of field artillery, and a Spanish
+Ecclesiastic, the Canon of ------.  Plenty of great guns, at any
+rate--a regular park of artillery.
+
+Received General ------ and his wife, and aide-de-camp, and two
+poodle-dogs, one white man-servant, one black ditto, and the Canon of
+------, and the six nine-pound field-pieces, and sailed for the Cove of
+Cork.
+
+It was blowing hard as we stood in for the Old Head of Kinsale--pilot
+boat breasting the foaming surge like a sea gull--_Carrol Cove_ in her
+tiny mainsail--pilot jumped into the main channel--bottle of rum swung
+by the lead line into the boat--all very clever.
+
+Ran in, and anchored under Spike Island.  A line-of-battle ship, three
+frigates, and a number of merchantmen at anchor--men-of-war lovely
+craft--bands playing--a good deal of the pomp and circumstances of war.
+Next forenoon, Mr. Treenail, the second lieutenant, sent for me.
+
+"Mr. Cringle," said he, "you have an uncle in Cork, I believe?"
+
+I said I had.
+
+"I am going there on duty to-night; I daresay, if you asked the captain
+to let you accompany me, he would do so."  This was too good an offer
+not to be taken advantage of.  I plucked up courage, made my bow, asked
+leave, and got it; and the evening found my friend the lieutenant, and
+myself, after a ride of three hours, during which I, for one, had my
+bottom sheathing grievously rubbed, and a considerable botheration at
+crossing the Ferry at Passage, safe in our inn at Cork.  I soon found
+out that the object of my superior officer was to gain information
+amongst the crimp shops, where ten men who had run from one of the West
+Indiamen, waiting at Cove for convoy, were stowed away, but I was not
+let further into the secret; so I set out to pay my visit, and after
+passing a pleasant evening with my friends, Mr. and Mrs. Job Cringle,
+the lieutenant dropped in upon us about nine o'clock.  He was heartily
+welcomed; and under the plea of our being obliged to return to the ship
+early next morning, we soon took leave, and returned to the inn.  As I
+was turning into the public room, the door was open, and I could see it
+full of blowsy-faced monsters, glimmering and jabbering, through the
+midst of hot brandy grog and gin twist; with poodle Benjamins, and
+greatcoats, and cloaks of all sorts and sizes, steaming on their pegs,
+with Barcelonas and comforters, and damp travelling caps of seal-skin,
+and blue cloth, and tartan, arranged above the same.  Nevertheless,
+such a society in my juvenile estimation, during my short _escapade_
+from the middy's berth, had its charms, and I was rolling in with a
+tolerable swagger, when Mr. Treenail pinched my arm.
+
+"Mr. Cringle, come here into my room."
+
+From the way in which he spoke, I imagined, in my innocence, that his
+room was at my elbow; but no such thing--we had to ascend a long, and
+not over-clean staircase, to the fourth floor, before we were shown
+into a miserable little double-bedded room.  So soon as we had entered,
+the lieutenant shut the door.
+
+"Tom," said he, "I have taken a fancy to you, and therefore I applied
+for leave to bring you with me; but I must expose you to some danger,
+and I will allow, not altogether in a very creditable way either.  You
+must enact the spy for a short space."
+
+I did not like the notion, certainly, but I had little time for
+consideration.
+
+"Here," he continued--"here is a bundle."  He threw it on the floor.
+"You must rig in the clothes it contains, and make your way into the
+celebrated crimp-shop in the neighborhood, and pick up all the
+information you can regarding the haunts of the pressable men at Cove,
+especially with regard to the ten seamen who have run from the West
+Indiaman we left below.  You know the Admiral has forbidden pressing at
+Cork, so you must contrive to frighten the blue jackets down to Cove,
+by representing yourself as an apprentice of one of the merchant
+vessels, who had run from his indentures, and that you had narrowly
+escaped from a press-gang this very night _here_."
+
+I made no scruples, but forthwith arrayed myself in the slops contained
+in the bundle; in a pair of shag trousers, red flannel shirt, coarse
+blue cloth jacket, and no waistcoat.
+
+"Now," said Mr. Treenail, "stick a quid of tobacco in your cheek, and
+take the cockade out of your hat; or stop, leave it, and ship this
+striped woollen night cap--so--and come along with me."
+
+We left the house, and walked half a mile down the _Quay_.
+
+Presently we arrived before a kind of low grog-shop--a bright lamp was
+flaring in the breeze at the door, one of the panes of the glass of it
+being broken.
+
+Before I entered, Mr. Treenail took me to one side--"Tom, Tom Cringle,
+you must go into this crimp-shop; pass yourself off for an apprentice
+of the _Guava_, bound for Trinidad, the ship that arrived just as we
+started, and pick up all the knowledge you can regarding the
+whereabouts of the men, for we are, as you know, cruelly ill manned,
+and must replenish as we best may."  I entered the house, after having
+agreed to rejoin my superior officer so soon as I considered I had
+obtained my object.  I rapped at the inner door, in which there was a
+small unglazed aperture cut, about four inches square; and I now, for
+the first time, perceived that a strong glare of light was cast into
+the lobby, where I stood, by a large argand with a brilliant reflector,
+that, like a magazine lantern, had been mortised into the bulkhead, at
+a height of about two feet above the door in which the spy-hole was
+cut.  My first signal was not attended to: I rapped again, and, looking
+round, I noticed Mr. Treenail flitting backwards and forwards across
+the doorway, in the rain, his pale face and his sharp nose, with the
+sparkling drop at the end on't, glancing in the light of the lamp.  I
+heard a step within, and a very pretty face now appeared at the wicket.
+
+"Who are you saking here, an' please ye?"
+
+"No one in particular, my dear; but if you don't let me in, I shall be
+lodged in jail before five minutes be over."
+
+"I can't help that, young man," said she; "but where are ye from,
+darling!"
+
+"Hush--I am run from the _Guava_, now lying at the Cove."
+
+"Oh," said my beauty, "come in"; and she opened the door, but still
+kept it on the chain in such a way, that although, by bobbing, I
+creeped and slid in beneath it, yet a common-sized man could not
+possibly have squeezed himself through.  The instant I entered, the
+door was once more banged to, and the next moment I was ushered into
+the kitchen, a room about fourteen feet square, with a well-sanded
+floor, a huge dresser on one side, and over against it a respectable
+show of pewter dishes in racks against the wall.  There was a long
+stripe of a deal table in the middle of the room--but no tablecloth--at
+the bottom of which sat a large, bloated, brandy, or rather whisky
+faced savage, dressed in a shabby greatcoat of the hodden grey worn by
+the Irish peasantry, dirty swandown vest, and greasy corduroy breeches,
+worsted stockings, and well-patched shoes; he was smoking a long pipe.
+Around the table sat about a dozen seamen, from whose wet jackets and
+trousers the heat of the blazing fire, that roared up the chimney, sent
+up a smoky steam that cast a halo round a lamp which depended from the
+roof, and hung down within two feet of the table, stinking abominably
+of coarse whale oil.  They were, generally speaking, hardy,
+weather-beaten men, and the greater proportion half, or more than half,
+drunk.  When I entered, I walked up to the landlord.
+
+"Yo ho, my young un! whence and whither bound, my hearty?"
+
+"The first don't signify much to you," said I, "seeing I have
+wherewithal in my locker to pay my shot; and as to the second, of that
+hereafter; so, old boy, let's have some grog, and then say if you can
+ship me with one of them colliers that are lying alongside the quay?"
+
+"My eye, what a lot of brass that small chap has!" grumbled mine host.
+"Why, my lad, we shall see to-morrow morning; but you gammons so about
+the rhino, that we must prove you a bit; so, Kate, my dear,"--to the
+pretty girl who had let me in--"score a pint of rum against----Why,
+what is your name?"
+
+"What's that to you?" rejoined I, "let's have the drink, and don't
+doubt but the shiners shall be forthcoming."
+
+"Hurrah!" shouted the party, most of them now very tipsy.  So the rum
+was produced forthwith, and as I lighted a pipe and filled a glass of
+swizzle, I struck in, "Messmates, I hope you have all shipped?"
+
+"No, we han't," said some of them.
+
+"Nor shall we be in any hurry, boy," said others.
+
+"Do as you please, but I shall, as soon as I can, I know; and I
+recommend all of you making yourselves scarce to-night, and keeping a
+bright look-out."
+
+"Why, boy, why?"
+
+"Simply because I have just escaped a press-gang, by bracing sharp up
+at the corner of the street, and shoving into this dark alley here."
+
+This called forth another volley of oaths and unsavoury exclamations,
+and all was bustle and confusion, and packing up of bundles, and
+settling of reckonings.
+
+"Where," said one of the seamen,--"where do you go to, my lad?"
+
+"Why, if I can't get shipped to-night, I shall trundle down to Cove
+immediately, so as to cross at Passage before daylight, and take my
+chance of shipping with some of the outward-bound that are to sail, if
+the wind holds, the day after to-morrow.  There is to be no pressing
+when the blue Peter flies at the fore--and that was hoisted this
+afternoon, I know, and the foretopsail will be loose to-morrow.
+
+"D--n my wig, but the small chap is right," roared one.
+
+"I've a bloody great mind to go down with him," stuttered another,
+after several unavailing attempts to weigh from the bench, where he had
+brought himself to anchor.
+
+"Hurrah!" yelled a third, as he hugged me, and nearly suffocated me
+with his maudlin caresses, "I trundles wid you too, my darling, by the
+piper!"
+
+"Have with you, boy--have with you," shouted half-a-dozen other voices,
+while each stuck his oaken twig through the handkerchief that held his
+bundle, and shouldered it, clapping his straw or tarpaulin hat, with a
+slap on the crown, on one side of his head, and staggering and swaying
+about under the influence of the potfen, and slapping his thigh, as he
+bent double, laughing like to split himself, till the water ran over
+his cheeks from his drunken half-shut eyes, while jets of tobacco-juice
+were squirting in all directions.
+
+I paid the reckoning, urging the party to proceed all the while, and
+indicating Pat Doolan's at the Cove as a good rendezvous; and,
+promising to overtake them before they reached Passage, I parted
+company at the corner of the street, and rejoined the lieutenant.
+
+Next morning we spent in looking about the town--Cork is a fine
+town--contains seventy thousand inhabitants _more_ or _less_--safe in
+that--and three hundred thousand pigs, driven by herdsmen, with coarse
+grey greatcoats.  The pigs are not so handsome as those in England,
+where the legs are short, and tails curly; here the legs are long, the
+flanks sharp and thin, and tails long and straight.
+
+All classes speak with a deuced brogue, and worship graven images;
+arrived at Cove to a late dinner--and here follows a great deal of
+nonsense of the same kind.
+
+By the time it was half-past ten o'clock, I was preparing to turn in,
+when the master at arms called down to me,--
+
+"Mr. Cringle, you are wanted in the gunroom."
+
+I put on my jacket again, and immediately proceeded thither, and on my
+way I noticed a group of seamen, standing on the starboard gangway,
+dressed in pea-jackets, under which, by the light of a lantern, carried
+by one of them, I could see they were all armed with pistols and
+cutlass.  They appeared in great glee, and as they made way for me, I
+could hear one fellow whisper, "There goes the little beagle."  When I
+entered the gunroom, the first lieutenant, master, and purser, were
+sitting smoking and enjoying themselves over a glass of cold grog--the
+gunner taking the watch on deck--the doctor was piping anything but
+mellifluously on the double flagolet, while the Spanish priest, and
+aide-de-camp to the general, were playing at chess, and wrangling in
+bad French.  I could hear Mr. Treenail rumbling and stumbling in his
+stateroom, as he accoutred himself in a jacket similar to those of the
+armed boat's crew whom I had passed, and presently he stepped into the
+gunroom, armed also with cutlass and pistol.
+
+"Mr. Cringle, get ready to go in the boat with me, and bring your arms
+with you."
+
+I now knew whereabouts I was, and that my Cork friends were the quarry
+at which we aimed.  I did as I was ordered, and we immediately pulled
+on shore, where, leaving two strong fellows in charge of the boat, with
+instructions to fire their pistols and shove off a couple of
+boat-lengths should any suspicious circumstances indicating an attack
+take place, we separated, like a pulk of Cossacks coming to the charge,
+but without the _hourah_, with orders to meet before Pat Doolan's door,
+as speedily as our legs could carry us.  We had landed about a cable's
+length to the right of the high precipitous bank--up which we stole in
+straggling parties--on which that abominable congregation of the most
+filthy huts ever pig grunted in is situated, called the Holy Ground.
+Pat Doolan's domocile was in a little dirty lane, about the middle of
+the village.  Presently ten strapping fellows, including the
+lieutenant, were before the door, each man with his stretcher in his
+hand.  It was very tempestuous, although moonlight, night, occasionally
+clear, with the moonbeams at one moment sparkling brightly in the small
+ripples on the filthy puddles before the door, and one the gem-like
+water drops that hung from the eaves of the thatched roof, and lighting
+up the dark statue-like figures of the men, and casting their long
+shadows strongly against the mud wall of the house; at another, a black
+cloud, as it flew across her disk, cast everything into deep shade;
+while the only noise we heard was the hoarse dashing of the distant
+surf, rising and falling on the fitful gusts of the breeze.  We tried
+the door.  It was fast.
+
+"Surround the house, men," said the lieutenant in a whisper.  He rapped
+loudly.  "Pat Doolan, my man, open the door, will ye?"  No answer.  "If
+you don't, we shall make free to break it open, Patrick, dear."
+
+All this while the light of a fire, or of candles, streamed through the
+joints of the door.  The threat at length appeared to have the desired
+effect.  A poor decrepit old man undid the bolt and let us in.  "_Ohon
+a ree_!  _Ohon a ree_!  What make you all this boder for--come you to
+help us to wake poor ould Kate there, and bring you the whisky wid you?"
+
+"Old man, where is Pat Doolan?" said the lieutenant.
+
+"Gone to borrow whisky, to wake ould Kate, there;--the howling will
+begin whenever Mother Doncannon and Misthress Conolly come over from
+Middleton, and I look for dem every minute."
+
+There was no vestige of any living thing in the miserable hovel, except
+the old fellow.  On two low trestles, in the middle of the floor, lay a
+coffin with the lid on, on the top of which was stretched the dead body
+of an old emaciated woman in her graveclothes, the quality of which was
+much finer than one could have expected to have seen in the midst of
+the surrounding squalidness.  The face of the corpse was uncovered, the
+hands were crossed on the breast, and there was a plate of salt on the
+stomach.
+
+An iron cresset, charged with coarse rancid oil, hung from the roof,
+the dull smoky red light flickering on the dead corpse, as the breeze
+streamed in through the door and numberless chinks in the walls, making
+the cold, rigid, sharp features appear to move, and glimmer, and gibber
+as it were, from the changing shades.  Close to the head there was a
+small door opening into an apartment of some kind, but the coffin was
+placed so near it that one could pass between the body and the door.
+
+"My good man," said Treenail to the solitary mourner, "I must beg leave
+to remove the body a bit, and have the goodness to open that door."
+
+"Door, yere honour!  It's no door o' mine--and it's not opening that
+same that old Phil Carrol shall busy himself wid."
+
+"Carline," said Mr. Treenail, quick and sharp, "remove the body."  It
+was done.
+
+"Cruel heavy the old dame is, sir, for all her wasted appearance," said
+one of the men.
+
+The lieutenant now ranged the press-gang against the wall fronting the
+door, and stepping into the middle of the room, drew his pistol and
+cocked it.  "Messmates," he sang out, as if addressing the skulkers in
+the other room, "I know you are here; the house is surrounded--and
+unless you open that door now, by the powers, but I'll fire slap into
+you!"  There was a bustle, and a rumbling tumbling noise within.  "My
+lads, we are now sure of our game," sang out Treenail, with great
+animation; "sling that clumsy bench there."  He pointed to an oaken
+form about eight feet long and nearly three inches thick.  To produce a
+two-inch rope, and junk it into three lengths, and rig the battering
+ram, was the work of an instant.  "One, two, three,"--and bang the door
+flew open, and there were our men stowed away, each sitting on the top
+of his bag, as snug as could be, although looking very much like
+condemned thieves.  We bound eight of them, thrusting a stretcher
+across their backs, under their arms, and lashing the fins to the same
+by good stout lanyards, we were proceeding to stump our prisoners off
+to the boat, when, with the innate deviltry that I have inherited, I
+know not how, but the original sin of which has more than once nearly
+cost me my life, I said, without addressing my superior officer, or any
+one else directly, "I should like now to scale my pistol through that
+coffin.  If I miss, I can't hurt the old woman; and an eyelet hole in
+the coffin itself will only be an act of civility to the worms."
+
+I looked towards my superior officer, who answered me with a knowing
+shake of the head.  I advanced, while all was silent as death--the
+sharp click of the pistol lock now struck acutely on my own ear.  I
+presented, when--crash--the lid of the coffin, old woman and all, was
+dashed off in an instant, the corpse flying up in the air, and then
+falling heavily on the floor, rolling over and over, while a tall
+handsome fellow, in his striped flannel shirt and blue trousers, with
+the sweat pouring down over his face in streams, sat up in the shell.
+
+"All right," said Mr. Treenail; "help him out of his berth."
+
+He was pinioned like the rest, and forthwith we walked them all off to
+the beach.  By this time there was an unusual bustle in the Holy
+Ground, and we could hear many an anathema--curses not loud but
+deep--ejaculated from many a half-opened door as we passed along.  We
+reached the boat, and time it was we did, for a number of stout
+fellows, who had followed us in a gradually increasing crowd until they
+amounted to forty at the fewest, now nearly surrounded us, and kept
+closing in.  As the last of us jumped into the boat, they made a rush,
+so that if we had not shoved off with the speed of light, I think it
+very likely that we should have been overpowered.  However, we reached
+the ship in safety, and the day following we weighed, and stood out to
+sea with our convoy.
+
+It was a very large fleet, nearly three hundred sail of merchant
+vessels--and a noble sight truly.
+
+A line-of-battle ship led, and two frigates and three sloops of our
+class were stationed on the outskirts of the fleet, whipping them in,
+as it were.  We made Madeira in fourteen days, looked in, but did not
+anchor; superb island--magnificent mountains--white town,--and all very
+fine, but nothing particular happened for three weeks.  One fine
+evening (we had by this time progressed into the trades, and were
+within three hundred miles of Barbadoes) the sun had set bright and
+clear, after a most beautiful day, and we were bowling along right
+before it, rolling like the very devil; but there was no moon, and
+although the stars sparkled brilliantly, yet it was dark, and as we
+were the sternmost of the men-of-war, we had the task of whipping in
+the sluggards.  It was my watch on deck.  A gun from the commodore, who
+showed a number of lights.  "What is that, Mr. Kennedy?" said the
+captain to the old gunner.  "The commodore has made the night-signal
+for the sternmost ships to make more sail and close, sir."  We repeated
+the signal and stood on, hailing the dullest of the merchantmen in our
+neighbourhood to make more sail, and firing a musket-shot now and then
+over the more distant of them.  By-and-by we saw a large West Indiamen
+suddenly haul her wind and stand across our bows.
+
+"Forward there!" sung out Mr. Splinter; "stand by to fire a shot at
+that fellow from the boat gun if he does not bear up.  What can he be
+after?  Sergeant Armstrong"--to a marine, who was standing close by him
+in the waist--"get a musket and fire over him."
+
+It was done, and the ship immediately bore up on her course again; we
+now ranged alongside of him on his larboard quarter.
+
+"Ho, the ship, ahoy!"--"Hillo!" was the reply.  "Make more sail, sir,
+and run into the body of the fleet, or I shall fire into you: why don't
+you, sir, keep in the wake of the commodore?"  No answer.  "What meant
+you by hauling your wind just now, sir?"
+
+"Yesh, yesh," at length responded a voice from the merchantman.
+
+"Something wrong here," said Mr. Splinter.  "Back your maintopsail,
+sir, and hoist a light at the peak; I shall send a boat on board of
+you.  Boatswain's mate, pipe away the crew of the jolly-boat."  We also
+hove to, and were in the act of lowering down the boat, when the
+officer rattled out--"Keep all fast with the boat; I can't comprehend
+that chap's manoeuvres for the soul of me.  He has not hove to."  Once
+more we were within pistol-shot of him.  "Why don't you heave to, sir?"
+All silent.
+
+Presently we could perceive a confusion and noise of struggling on
+board, and angry voices, as if people were trying to force their way up
+the hatches from below; and a heavy thumping on the deck, and a
+creaking of the blocks, and rattling of the cordage, while the mainyard
+was first braced one way, and then another, as if two parties were
+striving for the mastery.  At length a voice hailed distinctly--"we are
+captured by a----."  A sudden sharp cry, and a splash overboard, told
+of some fearful deed.
+
+"We are taken by a privateer or pirate," sung out another voice.  This
+was followed by a heavy crunching blow, as when the spike of a
+butcher's axe is driven through a bullock's forehead deep into the
+brain.
+
+By this time all hands had been called, and the word had been passed to
+clear away two of the foremost carronades on the starboard side, and to
+load them with grape.
+
+"On board there--get below, all you of the English crew, as I shall
+fire with grape," sung out the captain.
+
+The hint was now taken.  The ship at length came to the wind--we
+rounded to, under her lee--and an armed boat, with Mr. Treenail, and
+myself, and sixteen men, with cutlasses, were sent on board.
+
+We jumped on deck, and at the gangway Mr. Treenail stumbled and fell
+over the dead body of a man, no doubt the one who had hailed last, with
+his skull cloven to the eyes, and a broken cutlass-blade sticking in
+the gash.  We were immediately accosted by the mate, who was lashed
+down to a ring-bolt close by the bits, with his hands tied at the
+wrists by sharp cords, so tightly that the blood was spouting from
+beneath his nails.
+
+"We have been surprised by a privateer schooner, sir; the lieutenant of
+her, and several men, are now in the cabin."
+
+"Where are the rest of the crew?"
+
+"All secured in the forecastle, except the second-mate and boatswain,
+the men who hailed you just now; the last was knocked on the head, and
+the former was stabbed and thrown overboard."
+
+We immediately released the men, eighteen in number, and armed them
+with boarding-pikes.  "What vessel is that astern of us?" said Treenail
+to the mate.  Before he could answer, a shot from the brig fired at the
+privateer showed she was broad awake.  Next moment Captain Deadeye
+hailed.  "Have you mastered the prize crew, Mr. Treenail?"  "Ay, ay,
+sir."  "Then bear up on your course, and keep two lights hoisted at
+your mizzen-peak during the night, and blue Peter at the maintopsail
+yardarm when the day breaks: I shall haul my wind after the suspicious
+sail in your wake."
+
+Another shot, and another, from the brig--the time between each flash
+and the report increasing with the distance.  By this the lieutenant
+has descended to the cabin, followed by his people, while the merchant
+crew once more took charge of the ship, crowding sail into the body of
+the fleet.
+
+I followed him close, pistol and cutlass in hand, and I shall never
+forget the scene that presented itself when I entered.  The cabin was
+that of a vessel of five hundred tons, elegantly fitted up; the panels
+filled with crimson cloth, edged with gold mouldings, with superb
+damask hangings before the stern windows and the side berths, and
+brilliantly lighted up by the two large swinging-lamps hung from the
+deck above, which were reflected from, and multiplied in, several
+plate-glass mirrors in the panels.  In the recess, which in cold
+weather had been occupied by the stove, now stood a splendid grand
+piano, the silk in the open work above the keys corresponding with the
+crimson cloth of the panels; it was open, a Leghorn bonnet with a green
+veil, a parasol, and two long white gloves, as if recently pulled off,
+lay on it, with the very mould of the hands in them.
+
+The rudder case was particularly beautiful; it was a richly carved and
+gilded palm-tree, the stem painted white and Interlaced with golden
+fretwork, like the lozenges of a pineapple, while the leaves spread up
+and abroad on the roof.
+
+The table was laid for supper, with cold meat, and wine, and a
+profusion of silver things, all sparkling brightly: but it was in great
+disorder, wine spilt, and glasses broken, and dishes with meat upset,
+and knives, and forks, and spoons, scattered all about.  She was
+evidently one of those London West Indiamen, on board of which I knew
+there was much splendour and great comfort.  But, alas, the hand of
+lawless violence had been there.  The captain lay across the table,
+with his head hanging over the side of it next to us, and unable to
+help himself, with his hands tied behind his back, and a gag in his
+mouth; his face purple from the blood running to his head, and the
+white of his eyes turned up, while his loud stertorous breathing but
+too clearly indicated the rupture of a vessel on the brain.
+
+He was a stout portly man, and although we released him on the instant,
+and had him bled, and threw water on his face, and did all we could for
+him, he never spoke afterwards, and died in half an hour.
+
+Four gentlemanly-looking men were sitting at table, lashed to their
+chairs, pale and trembling, while six of the most ruffian-looking
+scoundrels I ever beheld stood on the opposite side of the table in a
+row fronting us, with the light from the lamps shining full on them.
+Three of them were small but very square mulattoes; one was a South
+American Indian, with the square high-boned visage and long, lank,
+black glossy hair of his caste.  These four had no clothing besides
+their trousers, and stood with their arms folded, in all the calmness
+of desperate men caught in the very fact of some horrible atrocity,
+which they knew shut out every hope of mercy.  The two others were
+white Frenchmen, tall, bushy-whiskered, sallow desperadoes, but still,
+wonderful to relate, with, if I may so speak, the manners of gentlemen.
+One of them squinted, and had a hare-lip, which gave him a horrible
+expression.  They were dressed in white trousers and shirts, yellow
+silk sashes round their waists, and a sort of blue uniform jackets,
+blue Gascon caps, with the peaks, from each of which depended a large
+bullion tassel, hanging down on one side of their heads.  The whole
+party had apparently made up their minds that resistance was vain, for
+their pistols and cutlasses, some of them bloody, had all been laid on
+the table, with the butts and handles towards us, contrasting horribly
+with the glittering equipage of steel, and crystal, and silver things,
+on the snow-white damask tablecloth.  They were immediately seized and
+ironed, to which they submitted in silence.  We next released the
+passengers, and were overpowered with thanks, one dancing, one crying,
+one laughing, and another praying.  But, merciful Heaven! what an
+object met our eyes!  Drawing aside the curtain that concealed a sofa
+fitted into a recess, there lay, more dead than alive, a tall and most
+beautiful girl, her head resting on her arm, her clothes disordered and
+torn, blood on her bosom, and foam on her mouth, with her long dark
+hair loose and dishevelled, and covering the upper part of her deadly
+pale face, through which her wild sparkling black eyes, protruding from
+their sockets, glanced and glared with the fire of a maniac's, while
+her blue lips kept gibbering an incoherent prayer one moment, and the
+next imploring mercy, as if she had still been in the hands of those
+who knew not the name; and anon, a low hysterical laugh made our very
+blood freeze in our bosoms, which soon ended in a long dismal yell, as
+she rolled off the couch upon the hard deck, and lay in a dead faint.
+
+Alas the day!--a maniac she was from that hour.  She was the only
+daughter of the murdered master of the ship, and never awoke, in her
+unclouded reason, to the fearful consciousness of her own dishonour and
+her parent's death.
+
+The _Torch_ captured the schooner, and we left the privateer's men at
+Barbadoes to meet their reward, and several of the merchant sailors
+were turned over to the guardship, to prove the facts in the first
+instance, and to serve his Majesty as impressed men in the second,--but
+scrimp measure of justice to the poor ship's crew.
+
+Anchored at Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes.  Town seemed built of cards--black
+faces--showy dresses of the negroes--dined at Mr. C----'s--capital
+dinner--little breeze-mill at the end of the room, that pumped a
+solution of salpetre [Transcriber's note: saltpetre?] and water into a
+trough of tin, perforated with small holes, below which, and exposed to
+the breeze, were ranged the wine and liqueurs, all in cotton bags; the
+water then flowed into a well, where the pump was stepped, and thus was
+again pumped up and kept circulating.
+
+Landed the artillery, the soldiers, officers, and the Spanish
+Canon--discharged the whole battery.
+
+Next morning, weighed at day-dawn, with the trade for Jamaica, and soon
+lost sight of the bright blue waters of Carlisle Bay, and the smiling
+fields and tall cocoanut trees of the beautiful island.  In a week
+after we arrived off the east end of Jamaica; and that same evening, in
+obedience to the orders of the admiral on the windward Island station,
+we hove to in Bull Bay, in order to land despatches, and secure our
+tithe of the crews of the merchant-vessels bound for Kingston, and the
+ports to leeward, as they passed us.  We had fallen in with a pilot
+canoe of Morant Bay with four negroes on board, who requested us to
+hoist in their boat, and take them all on board, as the pilot schooner
+to which they belonged had that morning bore up for Kingston, and left
+instructions to them to follow her in the first vessel appearing
+afterwards.  We did so, and now, as it was getting dark, the captain
+came up to Mr. Treenail.
+
+"Why, Mr. Treenail, I think we had better heave to for the night, and
+in this case I shall want you to go in the cutter to Port Royal to
+deliver the despatches on board the flag-ship.
+
+"I don't think the admiral will be at Port Royal, sir," responded the
+lieutenant; "and, if I might suggest, those black chaps have offered to
+take me ashore here on the _Palisadoes_, a narrow spit of land, not
+above one hundred yards across, that divides the harbour from the
+ocean, and to haul the canoe across, and take me to the agent's house
+in Kingston, who will doubtless frank me up to the pen where the
+admiral resides, and I shall thus deliver the letters, and be back
+again by day-dawn."
+
+"Not a bad plan," said old Deadeye; "put it in execution, and I will go
+below and get the despatches immediately."
+
+The canoe was once more hoisted out; the three black fellows, the pilot
+of the ship continuing on board, jumped into her alongside.
+
+"Had you not better take a couple of hands with you, Mr. Treenail?"
+said the skipper.
+
+"Why, no, sir, I don't think I shall want them; but if you will spare
+me Mr. Cringle I will be obliged, in case I want any help."
+
+We shoved off, and as the glowing sun dipped under Portland Point, as
+the tongue of land that runs out about four miles to the southward, on
+the western side of Port Royal harbour, is called, we arrived within a
+hundred yards of the _Palisadoes_.  The surf, at the particular spot we
+steered for, did not break on the shore in a rolling curling wave, as
+it usually does, but smoothed away under the lee of a small sandy
+promontory that ran out into the sea, about half a cable's length to
+windward, and then slid up the smooth white sand without breaking, in a
+deep clear green swell, for the space of twenty yards, gradually
+shoaling, the colour becoming lighter and lighter until it frothed away
+in a shallow white fringe, that buzzed as it receded back into the deep
+green sea, until it was again propelled forward by the succeeding
+billow.
+
+"I say, friend Bungo, how shall we manage?  You don't mean to swamp us
+in a shove through that surf, do you?" said Mr. Treenail.
+
+"No fear, massa, if you and toder leetle man-of-war buccra only keep
+dem seat when we rise on de crest of de swell dere."
+
+We sat quiet enough.  Treenail was coolness itself, and I aped him as
+well as I could.  The loud murmur, increasing to a roar, of the sea,
+was trying enough as we approached, buoyed on the last long undulation.
+
+"Now sit still, massa, bote."
+
+We sank down into the trough, and presently were hove forwards with a
+smooth sliding motion up on the beach--until grit, grit, we stranded on
+the cream-coloured sand, high and dry.
+
+"Now, jomp, massa, jomp."
+
+We leapt with all our strength, and thereby toppled down on our noses;
+the sea receded, and before the next billow approached we had run the
+canoe twenty yards beyond high-water mark.
+
+It was the work of a very few minutes to haul the canoe across the
+sand-bank, and to launch it once more in the placid waters of the
+harbour of Kingston.  We pulled across towards the town, until we
+landed at the bottom of Hanover Street; the lights from the cabin
+windows of the merchantmen glimmering as we passed, and the town only
+discernible from a solitary sparkle here and there.  But the contrast
+when we landed was very striking.  We had come through the darkness of
+the night in comparative quietness; and in two hours from the time we
+had left the old _Torch_, we were transferred from her orderly deck to
+the bustle of a crowded town.
+
+One of our crew undertook to be the guide to the agent's house.  We
+arrived before it.  It was a large mansion, and we could see lights
+glimmering in the ground-floor; but it was gaily lit up aloft.  The
+house itself stood back about twenty feet from the street, from which
+it was separated by an iron railing.
+
+We knocked at the outer gate, but no one answered.  At length our black
+guide found out a bell-pull, and presently the clang of a bell
+resounded throughout the mansion.  Still no one answered.  I pushed
+against the door, and found it was open, and Mr. Treenail and myself
+immediately ascended a flight of six marble steps, and stood in the
+lower piazza, with the hall, or vestibule, before us.  We entered.  A
+very well-dressed brown woman, who was sitting at her work at a small
+table, along with two young girls of the same complexion, instantly
+rose to receive us.
+
+"Beg pardon," said Mr. Treenail, "pray, is this Mr. ------'s house?"
+
+"Yes, sir, it is."
+
+"Will you have the goodness to say if he be at home?"
+
+"Oh yes, sir, he is dere upon dinner wid company," said the lady.
+
+"Well," continued the lieutenant, "say to him, that an officer of his
+Majesty's sloop _Torch_ is below, with despatches for the admiral."
+
+"Surely, sir,--surely," the dark lady continued; "Follow me, sir; and
+dat small gentleman [Thomas Cringle, Esquire, no less!]--him will
+better follow me too."
+
+We left the room, and turning to the right, landed in the lower piazza
+of the house, fronting the north.  A large clumsy stair occupied the
+eastermost end, with a massive mahogany balustrade, but the whole
+affair below was very ill lighted.  The brown lady preceded us; and,
+planting herself at the bottom of the staircase, began to shout to some
+one above--
+
+"Toby!--Toby!--buccra gentlemen arrive, Toby."  But no Toby responded
+to the call.
+
+"My dear madam," said Treenail, "I have little time for ceremony.  Pray
+usher us up into Mr. ------'s presence."
+
+"Den follow me, gentlemen, please."
+
+Forthwith we all ascended the dark staircase until we reached the first
+landing-place, when we heard a noise as of two negroes wrangling on the
+steps above us.
+
+"You rascal!" sang out one, "take dat; larn you for teal my
+wittal!"--then a sharp crack, as if he had smote the culprit across the
+pate; whereupon, like a shot, a black fellow, in a handsome livery,
+trundled down, pursued by another servant with a large silver ladle in
+his hand, with which he was belabouring the fugitive over his
+flint-hard skull, right against our hostess, with the drumstick of a
+turkey in his hand, or rather in his mouth.
+
+"Top, you tief!--top, you tief!--for me piece dat," shouted the pursuer.
+
+"You dam rascal!" quoth the dame.  But she had no time to utter another
+word, before the fugitive pitched, with all his weight, against her;
+and at the very moment another servant came trundling down with a large
+tray full of all kinds of meats--and I especially remember that two
+large crystal stands of jellies composed part of his load--so there we
+were regularly capsized, and caught all of a heap in the dark
+landing-place, halfway up the stair; and down the other flight tumbled
+our guide, with Mr. Treenail and myself, and the two blackies on the
+top of her, rolling in our descent over, or rather into, another large
+mahogany tray which had just been carried out, with a tureen of turtle
+soup in it, and a dish of roast-beef, and platefuls of land-crabs, and
+the Lord knows what all besides.
+
+The crash reached the ear of the landlord, who was seated at the head
+of his table in the upper piazza, a long gallery about fifty feet long
+by fourteen wide, and he immediately rose and ordered his butler to
+take a light.  When he came down to ascertain the cause of the uproar.
+I shall never forget the scene.
+
+There was, first of all, mine host, a remarkably neat personage,
+standing on the polished mahogany stair, three steps above his servant,
+who was a very well-dressed respectable elderly negro, with a candle in
+each hand; and beneath him, on the landing-place, lay two trays of
+viands, broken tureens of soup, fragments of dishes, and fractured
+glasses, and a chaos of eatables and drinkables, and table gear
+scattered all about, amidst which lay scrambling my lieutenant and
+myself, the brown housekeeper, and the two negro servants, all more or
+less covered with gravy and wine dregs.  However, after a good laugh,
+we gathered ourselves up, and at length we were ushered on the scene.
+Mine host, after stifling his laughter the best way he could, again sat
+down at the head of his table, sparkling with crystal and wax-lights,
+while a superb lamp hung overhead.  The company was composed chiefly of
+naval and military men, but there was also a sprinkling of civilians,
+or _muftees_, to use a West India expression.  Most of them rose as we
+entered, and after they had taken a glass of wine, and had their laugh
+at our mishap, our landlord retired to one side with Mr. Treenail,
+while I, poor little middy as I was, remained standing at the end of
+the room, close to the head of the stairs.  The gentleman who sat at
+the foot of the table had his back towards me, and was not at first
+aware of my presence.  But the guest at his right hand, a
+happy-looking, red-faced, well-dressed man, soon drew his attention
+towards me.  The party to whom I was thus indebted seemed a very
+jovial-looking personage, and appeared to be well known to all hands,
+and indeed the life of the party, for, like Falstaff, he was not only
+witty in himself, but the cause of wit in others.
+
+The gentleman to whom he had pointed me out immediately rose, made his
+bow, ordered a chair, and made room for me beside himself, where, the
+moment it was known that we were direct from home, such a volley of
+questions was fired off at me that I did not know which to answer
+first.  At length, after Treenail had taken a glass or two of wine, the
+agent started him off to the admiral's pen in his own gig, and I was
+desired to stay where I was until he returned.
+
+The whole party seemed very happy, my boon ally was fun itself, and I
+was much entertained with the mess he made when any of the foreigners
+at table addressed him in French or Spanish.  I was particularly struck
+with a small, thin, dark Spaniard, who told very feelingly how the
+night before, on returning home from a party to his own lodgings, on
+passing through the piazza, he stumbled against something heavy that
+lay in his grass-hammock, which usually hung there.  He called for a
+light, when, to his horror, he found the body of his old and faithful
+valet lying in it, _dead_ and cold, with a knife sticking under his
+fifth rib--no doubt intended for his master.  The speaker was Bolivar.
+About midnight, Mr. Treenail returned, we shook hands with Mr. ------,
+and once more shoved off; and, guided by the lights shown on board the
+_Torch_ we were safe _home_ again by three in the morning, when we
+immediately made sail, and nothing particular happened until we arrived
+within a day's sail of New Providence.  It seemed that, about a week
+before, a large American brig, bound from Havana to Boston had been
+captured in this very channel by one of our men-of-war schooners, and
+carried into Nassau; out of which port, for their own security, the
+authorities had fitted a small schooner, carrying six guns and
+twenty-four men.  She was commanded by a very gallant fellow--there is
+no disputing that--and he must needs emulate the conduct of the officer
+who had made the capture; for in a fine clear night, when all the
+officers were below rummaging in their kits for the killing things they
+should array themselves in on the morrow, so as to smite the Fair of
+New Providence to the heart at a blow--_Whiss_--a shot flew over our
+mast-head.
+
+"A small schooner lying to right ahead, sir," sang out the boatswain
+from the forecastle.
+
+Before we could beat to quarters, another sang between our masts.  We
+kept steadily on our course, and as we approached our pigmy antagonist,
+he bore up.  Presently we were alongside of him.
+
+"Heave to," hailed the strange sail; "heave to, or I'll sink you."  The
+devil you will, you midge, thought I.
+
+The captain took the trumpet--"Schooner, ahoy"--no answer--"D--n your
+blood, sir, if you don't let everything go by the run this instant,
+I'll fire a broadside.  Strike, sir, to his Britannic Majesty's sloop
+_Torch_."
+
+The poor fellow commanding the schooner had by this time found out his
+mistake, and immediately came on board, where, instead of being lauded
+for his gallantry, I am sorry to say he was roundly rated for his want
+of discernment in mistaking his Majesty's cruiser for a Yankee
+merchantman.  Next forenoon we arrived at Nassau.
+
+In a week after we again sailed for Bermuda, having taken on board ten
+American skippers, and several other Yankees, as prisoners of war.
+
+For the first three days after we cleared the Passages, we had fine
+weather--wind at east-south-east; but after that it came on to blow
+from the north-west, and so continued without intermission during the
+whole of the passage to Bermuda.  On the fourth morning after we left
+Nassau, we descried a sail in the south-east quarter, and immediately
+made sail in chase.  We overhauled her about noon; she hove to, after
+being fired at repeatedly; and, on boarding her, we found she was a
+Swede from Charleston, bound to Havre-de-Grace.  All the letters we
+could find on board were very unceremoniously broken open, and nothing
+having transpired that could identify the cargo as enemy's property, we
+were bundling over the side, when a nautical-looking subject, who had
+attracted my attention from the first, put in his oar.
+
+"Lieutenant," said he, "will you allow me to put this barrel of New
+York apples into the boat as a present to Captain Deadeye, from Captain
+------ of the United States navy?"
+
+Mr. Treenail bowed, and said he would; and we shoved off and got on
+board again, and now there was the devil to pay, from the perplexity
+old Deadeye was thrown into, as to whether, here in the heat of the
+American war, he was bound to take this American captain prisoner or
+not.  I was no party to the councils of my superiors, of course, but
+the foreign ship was finally allowed to continue her course.
+
+The next day I had the forenoon watch; the weather had lulled
+unexpectedly nor was there much sea, and the deck was all alive, to
+take advantage of the fine _blink_, when the man at the mast-head sang
+out--"Breakers right ahead, sir."
+
+"Breakers!" said Mr. Splinter, in great astonishment.  "Breakers!--why,
+the man must be mad!  I say, Jenkins----"
+
+"Breakers close under the bows," sang out the boatswain from forward.
+
+"The devil!" quoth Splinter, and he ran along the gangway, and ascended
+the forecastle, while I kept close to his heels.  We looked out ahead,
+and there we certainly did see a splashing, and boiling, and white
+foaming of the ocean, that unquestionably looked very like breakers.
+Gradually, this splashing and foaming appearance took a circular
+whisking shape, as if the clear green sea, for a space of a hundred
+yards in diameter, had been stirred about by a gigantic invisible
+_spurtle_, until everything hissed again; and the curious part of it
+was, that the agitation of the water seemed to keep ahead of us, as if
+the breeze which impelled us had also floated it onwards.  At length
+the whirling circle of white foam ascended higher and higher, and then
+gradually contracted itself into a spinning black tube, which wavered
+about for all the world like a gigantic _loch-leech_ held by the tail
+between the finger and thumb, while it was poking its vast snout about
+in the clouds in search of a spot to fasten on.
+
+"Is the boat-gun on the forecastle loaded?" said Captain Deadeye.
+
+"It is, sir."
+
+"Then luff a bit--that will do--fire."
+
+The gun was discharged, and down rushed the black wavering pillar in a
+watery _avalanche_, and in a minute after the dark heaving billows
+rolled over the spot whereout it arose, as if no such thing had ever
+been.
+
+This said troubling of the waters was neither more nor less than a
+waterspout, which again is neither more nor less than a whirlwind at
+sea, which gradually whisks the water round and round, and up and up,
+as you see straws so raised, until it reaches a certain height, when it
+invariably breaks.  Before this I had thought that waterspout was
+created by some next to supernatural exertion of the power of the
+Deity, in order to suck up water into the clouds, that they, like the
+wine-skins in Spain, might be filled with rain.
+
+The morning after, the weather was clear and beautiful, although the
+wind blew half a gale.  Nothing particular happened until about seven
+o'clock in the evening.  I had been invited to dine with the gunroom
+officers this day, and every thing was going on smooth and comfortable,
+when Mr. Splinter spoke.  "I say, master, don't you smell gunpowder?"
+
+"Yes, I do," said the little master, "or something deuced like it."
+
+To explain the particular comfort of our position, it may be right to
+mention that the magazine of a brig sloop is exactly under the gunroom.
+Three of the American skippers had been quartered on the gunroom mess,
+and they were all at table.  Snuff, snuff, smelled one, and another
+sniffled,--"Gunpowder, I guess, and in a state of ignition."
+
+"Will you not send for the gunner, sir?" said the third.  Splinter did
+not like it, I saw, and this quailed me.
+
+The captain's bell rang.  "What smell of brimstone is that, steward?"
+
+"I really can't tell," said the man, trembling from head to foot; "Mr.
+Splinter has sent for the gunner, sir."
+
+"The devil!" said Deadeye, as he hurried on deck.  We all followed.  A
+search was made.
+
+"Some matches have caught in the magazine," said one.
+
+"We shall be up and away like sky-rockets," said another.
+
+Several of the American masters ran out on the jib-boom, coveting the
+temporary security of being so far removed from the seat of the
+expected explosion, and all was alarm and confusion, until it was
+ascertained that two of the boys, little sky-larking vagabonds, had
+stolen some pistol cartridges, and had been making lightning, as it is
+called, by holding a lighted candle between the fingers, and putting
+some loose powder into the palm of the hand, then chucking it up into
+the flame.  They got a sound flogging, on a very unpoetical part of
+their corpuses, and once more the ship subsided into her usual orderly
+discipline.  The northwester still continued, with a clear blue sky,
+without a cloud overhead by day, and a bright cold moon by night.  It
+blew so hard for the three succeeding days, that we could not carry
+more than close-reefed topsails to it, and a reefed foresail.  Indeed,
+towards six bells in the forenoon watch of the third day, it came
+thundering down with such violence, and the sea increased so much, that
+we had to hand the foretopsail.
+
+This was by no means an easy job.  "Ease her a bit," said the first
+lieutenant,--"there--shake the wind out of her sails for a moment,
+until the men get the canvas in"----whirl, a poor fellow pitched off
+the lee foreyardarm into the sea.  "Up with the helm--heave him the
+bight of a rope."  We kept away, but all was confusion, until an
+American midshipman, one of the prisoners on board, hove the bight of a
+rope at him.  The man got it under his arms, and after hauling him
+along for a hundred yards at the least--and one may judge of the
+velocity with which he was dragged through the water, by the fact that
+it took the united strain of ten powerful men to get him in--he was
+brought safely on board, pale and blue, when we found that the running
+of the rope had crushed in his broad chest, below his arms, as if it
+had been a girl's waist, indenting the very muscles of it and of his
+back half an inch deep.  He had to be bled before he could breathe, and
+it was an hour before the circulation could be restored, by the joint
+exertions of the surgeon and gunroom steward, chafing him with spirits
+and camphor, after he had been stripped and stowed away between the
+blankets in his hammock.
+
+The same afternoon we fell in with a small prize to the squadron in the
+_Chesapeake_, a dismantled schooner, manned by a prize crew of a
+midshipman and six men.  She had a signal of distress, an American
+ensign, with the union down, hoisted on the jury-mast, across which
+there was rigged a solitary lug-sail.  It was blowing so hard that we
+had some difficulty in boarding her, when we found she was a Baltimore
+pilot-boat-built schooner, of about 70 tons burden, laden with flour,
+and bound for Bermuda.  But three days before, in a sudden squall, they
+had carried away both masts short by the board, and the only spar which
+they had been able to rig, was a spare topmast which they had jammed
+into one of the pumps--fortunately she was as tight as a bottle--and
+stayed it the best way they could.  The captain offered to take the
+little fellow who had charge of her, and his crew and cargo, on board,
+and then scuttle her; but no--all he wanted was a cask of water and
+some biscuit; and having had a glass of grog, he trundled over the side
+again, and returned to his desolate command.  However, he afterwards
+brought his prize safe into Bermuda.
+
+The weather still continued very rough, but we saw nothing until the
+second evening after this.  The forenoon had been even more boisterous
+than any of the preceding, and we were all fagged enough with "make
+sail," and "shorten sail," and "all hands," the whole day through; and
+as the night fell, I found myself, for the fourth time, in the maintop.
+The men had just lain in from the maintopsail yard, when we heard the
+watch called on deck,--"Starboard watch, ahoy!"--which was a cheery
+sound to us of the larboard, who were thus released from duty on deck,
+and allowed to go below.
+
+The men were scrambling down the weather shrouds, and I was preparing
+to follow them, when I jammed my left foot in the grating of the top,
+and capsized on my nose.  I had been up nearly the whole of the
+previous night, and on deck the whole of the day, and actively employed
+too, as during the greater part of it it blew a gale.  I stooped down
+in some pain, to see what had bolted me to the grating; but I had no
+sooner extricated my foot, than, over-worked and over-fatigued as I
+was, I fell over in the soundest sleep that ever I have enjoyed before
+or since, the back of my neck resting on a coil of rope, so that my
+head hung down within it.
+
+The rain all this time was beating on me, and I was drenched to the
+skin.  I must have slept for four hours or so, when I was awakened by a
+rough thump on the side from the stumbling foot of the captain of the
+top, the word having been passed to shake a reef out of the topsails,
+the wind having rather suddenly gone down.  It was done; and now broad
+awake, I determined not to be caught napping again, so I descended, and
+swung myself in on deck out of the main rigging, just as Mr. Treenail
+was mustering the crew at eight bells.  When I landed on the
+quarterdeck, there he stood abaft the binnacle, with the light shining
+on his face, his glazed hat glancing, and the rain-drop sparkling at
+the brim of it.  He had noticed me the moment I descended.
+
+"Heyday, Master Cringle, you are surely out of your watch.  Why, what
+are you doing here, eh?"
+
+I stepped up to him, and told him the truth, that, being overfatigued,
+I had fallen asleep in the top.
+
+"Well, well, boy," said he, "never mind, go below, and turn in; if you
+don't take your rest, you never will be a sailor."
+
+"But what do you see aloft?" glancing his eye upwards, and all the crew
+on deck, as I passed them, looked anxiously up also amongst the
+rigging, as if wondering what I saw there, for I had been so chilled in
+my snoose, that my neck, from resting in the cold on the coil of rope,
+had become stiffened and rigid to an intolerable degree; and although,
+when I first came on deck, I had, by a strong exertion, brought my
+_caput_ to its proper bearings, yet the moment I was dismissed by my
+superior officer, I for my own comfort was glad to conform to the
+contraction of the muscle, whereby I once more strayed along the deck,
+_glowering_ up into the heavens, as if I had seen some wonderful sight
+there.
+
+"What do you see aloft?" repeated Mr. Treenail, while the crew, greatly
+puzzled, continued to follow my eyes, as they thought, and to stare up
+into the rigging.
+
+"Why, sir, I have thereby got a stiff neck--that's all, sir."
+
+"Go and turn in at once, my good boy--make haste, now; tell our steward
+to give you a glass of hot grog, and mind your hand that you don't get
+sick."
+
+I did as was desired, swallowed the grog, and turned in; but I could
+not have been in bed above an hour, when the drum beat to quarters, and
+I had once more to bundle out on the cold wet deck, where I found all
+excitement.  At the time I speak of, we had been beaten by the
+Americans in several actions of single ships, and our discipline
+improved in proportion as we came to learn, by sad experience, that the
+enemy was not to be undervalued.  I found that there was a ship in
+sight, right ahead of us--apparently carrying all sail.  A group of
+officers were on the forecastle with night-glasses, the whole crew
+being stationed in dark clusters round the guns at quarters.  Several
+of the American skippers were forward amongst us, and they were of
+opinion that the chase was a man-of-war, although our own people seemed
+to doubt this.  One of the skippers insisted that she was the _Hornet_,
+from the unusual shortness of her lower masts, and the immense
+squareness of her yards.  But the puzzle was, if it were the _Hornet_,
+why she did not shorten sail.  Still this might be accounted for, by
+her either wishing to make out what we were before she engaged us, or
+she might be clearing for action.  At this moment a whole cloud of
+studdingsails were blown from the yards as if the booms had been
+carrots; and to prove that the chase was keeping a bright look-out, she
+immediately kept away, and finally bore up dead before the wind, under
+the impression, no doubt, that she would draw ahead of us, from her
+gear being entire, before we could rig out our light sails again.
+
+And so she did for a time, but at length we got within gunshot.  The
+American masters were now ordered below, the hatches were clapped on,
+and the word passed to see all clear.  Our shot was by this time flying
+over and over her, and it was evident she was not a man-of-war.  We
+peppered away--she could not even be a privateer; we were close under
+her lee quarter, and yet she had never fired a shot; and her large
+swaggering Yankee ensign was now run up to the peak, only to be hauled
+down the next moment.  Hurrah! a large cotton-ship from Charlestown to
+Bordeaux--prize to H.M.S. _Torch_!
+
+She was taken possession of, and proved to be the _Natches_, of four
+hundred tons burden, fully loaded with cotton.
+
+By the time we got the crew on board, and the second-lieutenant, with a
+prize crew of fifteen men, had taken charge, the weather began to lour
+again, nevertheless we took the prize in tow, and continued on our
+voyage for the next three days, without anything particular happening.
+It was the middle watch, and I was sound asleep, when I was startled by
+a violent jerking of my hammock, and a cry "that the brig was amongst
+the breakers."  I ran on deck in my shirt, where I found all hands, and
+a scene of confusion such as I never had witnessed before.  The gale
+had increased, yet the prize had not been cast off, and the consequence
+was, that by some mismanagement or carelessness, the swag of the large
+ship had suddenly hove the brig in the wind, and taken the sails aback.
+We accordingly fetched stern way, and ran foul of the prize, and there
+we were, in a heavy sea, with our stern grinding against the
+cotton-ship's high quarter.
+
+The mainboom, by the first rasp that took place after I came on deck,
+was broken short off, and nearly twelve feet of it hove right in over
+the taffrail; the vessels then closed, and the next rub ground off the
+ship's mizzen channel as clean as if it had been sawed away.  Officers
+shouting, men swearing, rigging cracking, the vessels crashing and
+thumping together, I thought we were gone, when the first lieutenant
+seized his trumpet--"Silence, men; hold your tongues, you cowards, and
+mind the word of command!"
+
+The effect was magical.--"Brace round the foreyard--round with it; set
+the jib--that's it--fore-top-mast staysail--haul--never mind if the
+gale takes it out of the bolt-rope"--a thundering flap, and away it
+flew in truth down to leeward, like a puff of white smoke.--"Never
+mind, men, the jib stands.  Belay all that--down with the helm,
+now--don't you see she has stern way yet?  Zounds! we shall be smashed
+to atoms if you don't mind your hands, you lubbers--main-topsail sheets
+let fly--there she pays off, and has headway once more--that's it:
+right your helm, now--never mind his spanker-boom, the fore-stay will
+stand it: there--up with helm, sir--we have cleared him--hurrah!"  And
+a near thing it was too, but we soon had everything snug; and although
+the gale continued without any intermission for ten days, at length we
+ran in and anchored with our prize in Five-Fathom Hole, off the
+entrance to St. George's Harbour.
+
+It was lucky for us that we got to anchor at the time we did, for that
+same afternoon one of the most tremendous gales of wind from the
+westward came on that I ever saw.  Fortunately it was steady and did
+not veer about, and having good ground-tackle down, we rode it out well
+enough.  The effect was very uncommon; the wind was howling over our
+mast-heads, and amongst the cedar bushes on the cliffs above, while on
+deck it was nearly calm, and there was very little swell, being a
+weather shore; but half a mile out at sea all was white foam, and the
+tumbling waves seemed to meet from north and south, leaving a space of
+smooth water under the lee of the island, shaped like the tail of a
+comet, tapering away, and gradually roughening and becoming more
+stormy, until the roaring billows once more owned allegiance to the
+genius of the storm.
+
+There we rode, with three anchors ahead, in safety through the night;
+and next day, availing of a temporary lull, we ran up and anchored off
+the Tanks.  Three days after this, the American frigate _President_ was
+brought in by the Endymion and the rest of the squadron.
+
+I went on board, in common with every officer in the fleet, and
+certainly I never saw a more superb vessel; her scantling was that of a
+seventy-four, and she appeared to have been fitted with great care.  I
+got a week's leave at this time, and, as I had letters to several
+families, I contrived to spend my time pleasantly enough.
+
+Bermuda, as all the world knows, is a cluster of islands in the middle
+of the Atlantic.  There are Lord knows how many of them, but the beauty
+of the little straits and creeks which divide them no man can describe
+who has not seen them.  The town of St. George's, for instance, looks
+as if the houses were cut out of chalk; and one evening the family
+where I was on a visit proceeded to the main island, Hamilton, to
+attend a ball there.  We had to cross three ferries, although the
+distance was not above nine miles, if so far.  The 'Mudian women are
+unquestionably beautiful--so thought Thomas Moore, a tolerable judge,
+before me.  By the by, touching this 'Mudian ball, it was a very gay
+affair--the women pleasant and beautiful; but all the men, when they
+speak, or are spoken to, shut one eye and spit;--a lucid and succinct
+description of a community.
+
+The second day of my sojourn was fine--the first fine day since our
+arrival--and with several young ladies of the family, I was prowling
+through the cedar wood above St. George's, when a dark good-looking man
+passed us; he was dressed in tight worsted net pantaloons and Hessian
+boots, and wore a blue frockcoat and two large epaulets, with rich
+French bullion, and a round hat.  On passing, he touched his hat with
+much grace, and in the evening I met him in society.  It was Commodore
+Decatur.  He was very much a Frenchman in manner, or, I should rather
+say, in look, for although very well bred, he, for one ingredient, by
+no means possessed a Frenchman's volubility; still, he was an
+exceedingly agreeable and very handsome man.
+
+The following day we spent in a pleasure cruise amongst the three
+hundred and sixty-five Islands, many of them not above an acre in
+extent--fancy an island of an acre in extent!--with a solitary house, a
+small garden, a red-skinned family, a piggery, and all around clear
+deep pellucid water.  None of the islands, or islets, rise to any great
+height, but they all shoot precipitously out of the water, as if the
+whole group had originally been one huge platform of rock, with
+numberless grooves subsequently chiselled out in it by art.
+
+We had to wind our way amongst these manifold small channels for two
+hours, before we reached the gentleman's house where we had been
+invited to dine; at length, on turning a corner, with both lateen sails
+drawing beautifully, we ran bump on a shoal; there was no danger, and
+knowing that the 'Mudians were capital sailors, I sat still.  Not so
+Captain K-----, a round plump little _homo_,--"Shove her off, my boys,
+shove her off."  She would not move, and thereupon he, in a fever of
+gallantry, jumped overboard up to the waist in full fig; and one of the
+men following his example, we were soon afloat.  The ladies applauded,
+and the captain sat in his wet _breeks_ for the rest of the voyage, in
+all the consciousness of being considered a hero.  Ducks and onions are
+the grand staple of Bermuda, but there was a fearful dearth of both at
+the time I speak of--a knot of young West India merchants, who, with
+heavy purses and large credits on England, had at this time domiciled
+themselves in St. George's, to batten on the spoils of poor Jonathan,
+having monopolised all the good things of the place.  I happened to be
+acquainted with one of them, and thereby had less reason to complain;
+but many a poor fellow, sent ashore on duty, had to put up with but
+Lenten fare at the taverns.  At length, having refitted, we sailed in
+company with the Rayo frigate, with a convoy of three transports,
+freighted with a regiment for New Orleans, and several merchantmen for
+the West Indies.
+
+"The still vexed Bermoothes"--I arrived at them in a gale of wind, and
+I sailed from them in a gale of wind.  What the climate may be in the
+summer I don't know; but during the time I was there it was one storm
+after another.
+
+We sailed in the evening with the moon at full, and the wind at
+west-north-west.  So soon as we got from under the lee of the land the
+breeze struck us, and it came on to blow like thunder, so that we were
+all soon reduced to our storm staysails; and there we were, transports,
+merchantmen, and men-of-war, rising on the mountainous billows one
+moment, and the next losing sight of everything but the water and sky
+in the deep trough of the sea, while the seething foam was blown over
+us in showers from the curling manes of the roaring waves.  But
+overhead, all this while, it was as clear as a lovely winter moon could
+make it, and the stars shone brightly in the deep blue sky; there was
+not even a thin fleecy shred of cloud racking across the moon's disc.
+Oh, the glories of a northwester!
+
+But the devil seize such glory!  Glory, indeed! with a fleet of
+transports, and a regiment of soldiers on board!  Glory! why, I daresay
+five hundred rank and file, at the fewest, were all cascading at one
+and the same moment,--a thousand poor fellows turned outside in, like
+so many pairs of old stockings.  Any glory in that?  But to proceed.
+
+Next morning the gale still continued, and when the day broke there was
+the frigate standing across our bows, rolling and pitching, as she tore
+her way through the boiling sea, under a close-reefed main-topsail and
+reefed foresail, with top-gallant-yards and royal masts, and everything
+that could be struck with safety in war-time, down on deck.  There she
+lay, with her clear black bends, and bright white streak, and long tier
+of cannon on the maindeck, and the carronades on the quarterdeck and
+forecastle grinning through the ports in the black bulwarks, while the
+white hammocks, carefully covered by the hammock-cloths, crowned the
+defences of the gallant frigate fore and aft, as she delved through the
+green surge--one minute rolling and rising on the curling white crest
+of a mountainous sea, amidst a hissing snowstorm of spray, with her
+bright copper glancing from stem to stern, and her scanty white canvas
+swelling aloft, and twenty feet of her keel forward occasionally hove
+into the air and clean out of the water, as if she had been a sea-bird
+rushing to take wing--and the next, sinking entirely out of
+sight--hull, masts, and rigging--behind an intervening sea, that rose
+in hoarse thunder between us, threatening to overwhelm both us and her.
+As for the transports, the largest of the three had lost her
+foretopmast, and had bore up under her foresail; another was also
+scudding under a close-reefed fore-topsail; but the third or
+head-quarter ship was still lying to windward, under her storm
+staysails.  None of the merchant vessels were to be seen, having been
+compelled to bear up in the night, and to run before it under bare
+poles.
+
+At length, as the sun rose, we got before the wind, and it soon
+moderated so far that we could carry reefed topsails and foresail; and
+away we all bowled, with a clear, deep, cold, blue sky, and a bright
+sun overhead, and a stormy leaden-coloured ocean with whitish
+green-crested billows, below.  The sea continued to go down, and the
+wind to slacken, until the afternoon, when the commodore made the
+signal for the _Torch_ to send a boat's crew, the instant it could be
+done with safety, on board the dismasted ship to assist in repairing
+damages and in getting up a jury-foretopmast.
+
+The damaged ship was at this time on our weather-quarter; we
+accordingly handed the fore-topsail, and presently she was alongside.
+We hailed her, that we intended to send a boat on board, and desired
+her to heave-to, as we did, and presently she rounded to under our lee.
+One of the quarter-boats was manned, with three of the carpenter's
+crew, and six good men over and above her complement; but it was no
+easy matter to get on board of her, let me tell you, after she had been
+lowered, carefully watching the rolls, with four hands in.  The moment
+she touched the water, the tackles were cleverly unhooked, and the rest
+of us tumbled on board, shin leather growing scarce, when we shoved
+off.  With great difficulty, and not without wet jackets, we, the
+supernumeraries, got on board, and the boat returned to the _Torch_.
+The evening when we landed in the lobster-box, as Jack loves to
+designate a transport, was too far advanced for us to do anything
+towards refitting that night; and the confusion and uproar and
+numberless abominations of the crowded craft, were irksome to a greater
+degree than I expected, after having been accustomed to the strict and
+orderly discipline of a man-of-war.  The following forenoon the _Torch_
+was ordered by signal to chase in the south-east quarter, and, hauling
+out from the fleet, she was soon out of sight.
+
+
+
+
+THE MERCHANTMAN AND THE PIRATE
+
+From "Hard Cash," BY CHARLES READE
+
+
+North Latitude 23 1/2, Longitude East 113; the time March of this same
+year; the wind southerly; the port Whampoa in the Canton River.  Ships at
+anchor reared their tall masts, here and there; and the broad stream was
+enlivened and colored by junks and boats of all sizes and vivid hues,
+propelled on the screw principle by a great scull at the stern, with
+projecting handles for the crew to work; and at times a gorgeous mandarin
+boat, with two great glaring eyes set in the bows, came flying, rowed
+with forty paddles by an armed crew, whose shields hung on the gunwale
+and flashed fire in the sunbeams; the mandarin, in conical and buttoned
+hat, sitting on the top of his cabin calmly smoking Paradise, alias
+opium, while his gong boomed and his boat flew fourteen miles an hour,
+and all things scuttled out of his celestial way.  And there, looking
+majestically down on all these water ants, the huge _Agra_, cynosure of
+so many loving eyes and loving hearts in England, lay at her moorings;
+homeward bound.
+
+Her tea not being yet on board, the ship's hull floated high as a castle,
+and to the subtle, intellectual, doll-faced, bolus-eyed people, that
+sculled to and fro, busy as bees, though looking forked mushrooms, she
+sounded like a vast musical shell: for a lusty harmony of many mellow
+voices vibrated in her great cavities, and made the air ring cheerily
+around her.  The vocalists were the Cyclops, to judge by the tremendous
+thumps that kept clean time to their sturdy tune.  Yet it was but human
+labor, so heavy and so knowing, that it had called in music to help.  It
+was the third mate and his gang completing his floor to receive the
+coming tea chests.  Yesterday he had stowed his dunnage, many hundred
+bundles of light flexible canes from Sumatra and Malacca; on these he had
+laid tons of rough saltpetre, in 200 lb. gunny-bags: and was now mashing
+it to music, bags and all.  His gang of fifteen, naked to the waist,
+stood in line, with huge wooden beetles, called commanders, and lifted
+them high and brought them down on the nitre in cadence with true
+nautical power and unison, singing as follows, with ponderous bump on the
+last note in each bar:--
+
+[Illustration: Song sung by labor gang.]
+
+And so up to fifteen, when the stave was concluded with a shrill "Spell,
+oh!" and the gang relieved streaming with perspiration.  When the
+saltpetre was well mashed, they rolled ton waterbutts on it, till the
+floor was like a billiard table.  A fleet of chop boats then began to
+arrive, so many per day, with the tea chests.  Mr. Grey proceeded to lay
+the first tier on his saltpetre floor, and then built the chests, tier
+upon tier, beginning at the sides, and leaving in the middle a lane
+somewhat narrower than a tea chest.  Then he applied a screw jack to the
+chests on both sides, and so enlarged his central aperture, and forced
+the remaining tea chests in; and behold the enormous cargo packed as
+tight as ever shopkeeper packed a box--19,806 chests, 60 half chests, 50
+quarter chests.
+
+While Mr. Grey was contemplating his work with singular satisfaction, a
+small boat from Canton came alongside, and Mr. Tickell, midshipman, ran
+up the side, skipped on the quarter-deck, saluted it first, and then the
+first mate; and gave him a line from the captain, desiring him to take
+the ship down to Second Bar--for her water--at the turn of the tide.
+
+Two hours after receipt of this order the ship swung to the ebb.
+Instantly Mr. Sharpe unmoored, and the _Agra_ began her famous voyage,
+with her head at right angles to her course; for the wind being foul, all
+Sharpe could do was to set his topsails, driver, and jib, and keep her in
+the tide way, and clear of the numerous craft, by backing or filling as
+the case required; which he did with considerable dexterity, making the
+sails steer the helm for the nonce: he crossed the Bar at sunset, and
+brought to with the best bower anchor in five fathoms and a half.  Here
+they began to take in their water, and on the fifth day the six-oared gig
+was ordered up to Canton for the captain.  The next afternoon he passed
+the ship in her, going down the river, to Lin Tin, to board the Chinese
+admiral for his chop, or permission to leave China.  All night the _Agra_
+showed three lights at her mizzen peak for him, and kept a sharp lookout.
+But he did not come: he was having a very serious talk with the Chinese
+admiral; at daybreak, however, the gig was reported in sight: Sharpe told
+one of the midshipmen to call the boatswain and man the side.  Soon the
+gig ran alongside; two of the ship's boys jumped like monkeys over the
+bulwarks, lighting, one on the main channels, the other on the mid-ship
+port, and put the side ropes assiduously in the captain's hands; he
+bestowed a slight paternal smile on them, the first the imps had ever
+received from an officer, and went lightly up the sides.  The moment his
+foot touched the deck, the boatswain gave a frightful shrill whistle; the
+men at the sides uncovered, the captain saluted the quarter-deck, and all
+the officers saluted him, which he returned, and stepping for a moment to
+the weather side of his deck, gave the loud command, "All hands heave
+anchor."  He then directed Mr. Sharpe to get what sail he could on the
+ship, the wind being now westerly, and dived into his cabin.
+
+The boatswain piped three shrill pipes, and "All hands up anchor" was
+thrice repeated forward, followed by private admonitions, "Rouse and
+bitt!"  "Show a leg!" etc., and up tumbled the crew with "homeward bound"
+written on their tanned faces.
+
+(Pipe.) "Up all hammocks!"
+
+In ten minutes the ninety and odd hammocks were all stowed neatly in the
+netting, and covered with a snowy hammock cloth; and the hands were
+active, unbitting the cable, shipping the capstan bars, etc.
+
+"All ready below, sir," cried a voice.
+
+"Man the bars," returned Mr. Sharpe from the quarter-deck.  "Play up,
+fifer.  Heave away!"
+
+Out broke the merry fife with a rhythmical tune, and tramp, tramp, tramp
+went a hundred and twenty feet round and round, and, with brawny chests
+pressed tight against the capstan bars, sixty fine fellows walked the
+ship up to her anchor, drowning the fife at intervals with their sturdy
+song, as pat to their feet as an echo:
+
+  Heave with a will ye jolly boys,
+    Heave around:
+  We're off from Chainee, jolly boys,
+    Homeward bound.
+
+"Short stay apeak, sir," roars the boatswain from forward.
+
+"Unship the bars.  Way aloft.  Loose sails.  Let fall!"
+
+The ship being now over her anchor, and the topsails set, the capstan
+bars were shipped again, the men all heaved with a will, the messenger
+grinned, the anchor was torn out of China with a mighty heave, and then
+run up with a luff tackle and secured; the ship's head cast to port:
+
+"Up with a jib! man the topsail halyards! all hands make sail!"  Round
+she came slow and majestically; the sails filled, and the good ship bore
+away for England.
+
+She made the Bogue forts in three or four tacks, and there she had to
+come to again for another chop, China being a place as hard to get into
+as Heaven, and to get out of as--Chancery.  At three P. M. she was at
+Macao, and hove to four miles from the land, to take in her passengers.
+
+A gun was fired from the forecastle.  No boats came off.  Sharpe began to
+fret: for the wind, though light, had now got to the N.W., and they were
+wasting it.  After a while the captain came on deck, and ordered all the
+carronades to be scaled.  The eight heavy reports bellowed the great
+ship's impatience across the water, and out pulled two boats with the
+passengers.  While they were coming, Dodd sent and ordered the gunner to
+load the carronades with shot, and secure and apron them. . . .
+
+The _Agra_ had already shown great sailing qualities: the log was hove at
+sundown and gave eleven knots; so that with a good breeze abaft few
+fore-and-aft-rigged pirates could overhaul her.  And this wind carried
+her swiftly past one nest of them at all events; the Ladrone Isles.  At
+nine P. M. all the lights were ordered out.  Mrs. Beresford had brought a
+novel on board, and refused to comply; the master-at-arms insisted; she
+threatened him with the vengeance of the Company, the premier, and the
+nobility and gentry of the British realm.  The master-at-arms, finding he
+had no chance in argument, doused the glim--pitiable resource of a weak
+disputant--then basely fled the rhetorical consequences.
+
+The northerly breeze died out, and light variable winds baffled the ship.
+It was the 6th April ere she passed the Macclesfield Bank in latitude 16.
+And now they sailed for many days out of sight of land; Dodd's chest
+expanded: his main anxiety at this part of the voyage lay in the state
+cabin; of all the perils of the sea none shakes a sailor like fire.  He
+set a watch day and night on that spoiled child.
+
+
+On the 1st of May they passed the great Nantuna, and got among the
+Bornese and Malay Islands: at which the captain's glass began to
+sweep the horizon again: and night and day at the dizzy
+foretop-gallant-masthead he perched an eye.
+
+They crossed the line in longitude 107, with a slight breeze, but soon
+fell into the Dolddrums.  A dead calm, and nothing to do but kill
+time. . . .
+
+After lying a week like a dead log on the calm but heaving waters came a
+few light puffs in the upper air and inflated the topsails only: the ship
+crawled southward, the crew whistling for wind.
+
+At last, one afternoon, it began to rain, and after the rain came a gale
+from the eastward.  The watchful skipper saw it purple the water to
+windward, and ordered the topsails to be reefed and the lee ports closed.
+This last order seemed an excess of precaution; but Dodd was not yet
+thoroughly acquainted with his ship's qualities: and the hard cash round
+his neck made him cautious.  The lee ports were closed, all but one, and
+that was lowered.  Mr. Grey was working a problem in his cabin, and
+wanted a little light and a little air, so he just dropped his port; but,
+not to deviate from the spirit of his captain's instructions, he fastened
+a tackle to it; that he might have mechanical force to close it with
+should the ship lie over.
+
+Down came the gale with a whoo, and made all crack.  The ship lay over
+pretty much, and the sea poured in at Mr. Grey's port.  He applied his
+purchase to close it.  But though his tackle gave him the force of a
+dozen hands, he might as well have tried to move a mountain: on the
+contrary, the tremendous sea rushed in and burst the port wide open.
+Grey, after a vain struggle with its might, shrieked for help; down
+tumbled the nearest hands, and hauled on the tackle in vain.  Destruction
+was rushing on the ship, and on them first.  But meantime the captain,
+with a shrewd guess at the general nature of the danger he could not see,
+had roared out, "Slack the main sheet!"  The ship righted, and the port
+came flying to, and terror-stricken men breathed hard, up to their waists
+in water and floating boxes.  Grey barred the unlucky port, and went aft,
+drenched in body, and wrecked in mind, to report his own fault.  He found
+the captain looking grim as death.  He told him, almost crying, what he
+had done, and how he had miscalculated the power of the water.
+
+Dodd looked and saw his distress.  "Let it be a lesson sir," said he,
+sternly.  "How many ships have been lost by this in fair weather, and not
+a man saved to tell how the craft was fooled away?"
+
+"Captain, bid me fling myself over the side, and I'll do it."
+
+"Humph!  I'm afraid I can't afford to lose a good officer for a fault
+he--will--never--repeat."
+
+It blew hard all night and till twelve the next day.  The _Agra_ showed
+her weak point: she rolled abominably.  A dirty night came on.  At eight
+bells Mr. Grey touched by Dodd's clemency, and brimful of zeal, reported
+a light in Mrs. Beresford's cabin.  It had been put out as usual by the
+master-at-arms; but the refractory one had relighted it.
+
+"Go and take it away," said Dodd.
+
+Soon screams were heard from the cabin.  "Oh! mercy! mercy!  I will not
+be drowned in the dark."
+
+Dodd, who had kept clear of her so long, went down and tried to reassure
+her.
+
+"Oh, the tempest! the tempest!" she cried.  "AND TO BE DROWNED IN THE
+DARK!"
+
+"Tempest?  It is blowing half a gale of wind; that is all."
+
+"Half a gale!  Ah, that is the way you always talk to us ladies.  Oh,
+pray give me my light, and send me a clergyman!"
+
+Dodd took pity, and let her have her light, with a midshipman to watch
+it.  He even made her a hypocritical promise that, should there be one
+grain of danger, he would lie to; but said he must not make a foul wind
+of a fair one for a few lurches.  The _Agra_ broke plenty of glass and
+crockery though with her fair wind and her lee lurches.
+
+Wind down at noon next day, and a dead calm.
+
+At two P.M. the weather cleared; the sun came out high in heaven's
+centre; and a balmy breeze from the west.
+
+At six twenty-five, the grand orb set calm and red, and the sea was
+gorgeous with miles and miles of great ruby dimples: it was the first
+glowing smile of southern latitude.  The night stole on so soft, so
+clear, so balmy, all were loth to close their eyes on it: the passengers
+lingered long on deck, watching the Great Bear dip, and the Southern
+Cross rise, and overhead a whole heaven of glorious stars most of us have
+never seen, and never shall see in this world.  No belching smoke
+obscured, no plunging paddles deafened; all was musical; the soft air
+sighing among the sails; the phosphorescent water bubbling from the
+ship's bows; the murmurs from little knots of men on deck subdued by the
+great calm: home seemed near, all danger far; Peace ruled the sea, the
+sky, the heart: the ship, making a track of white fire on the deep,
+glided gently yet swiftly homeward, urged by snowy sails piled up like
+alabaster towers against a violet sky, out of which looked a thousand
+eyes of holy tranquil fire.  So melted the sweet night away.
+
+
+Now carmine streaks tinged the eastern sky at the water's edge: and that
+water blushed; now the streaks turned orange, and the waves below them
+sparkled.  Thence splashes of living gold flew and settled on the ship's
+white sails, the deck, and the faces; and with no more prologue, being so
+near the line, up came majestically a huge, fiery, golden sun, and set
+the sea flaming liquid topaz.
+
+Instantly the lookout at the foretop-gallant-masthead hailed the deck
+below.
+
+"STRANGE SAIL!  RIGHT AHEAD!"
+
+
+The strange sail was reported to Captain Dodd, then dressing in his
+cabin.  He came soon after on deck and hailed the lookout: "Which way is
+she standing?"
+
+"Can't say, sir.  Can't see her move any."
+
+Dodd ordered the boatswain to pipe to breakfast; and taking his deck
+glass went lightly up to the foretop-gallant-mast-crosstrees.  Thence,
+through the light haze of a glorious morning, he espied a long low
+schooner, lateen-rigged, lying close under Point Leat, a small island
+about nine miles distant on the weather bow; and nearly in the _Agra's_
+course then approaching the Straits of Gaspar, 4 Latitude S.
+
+"She is hove to," said Dodd, very gravely.
+
+
+At eight o'clock, the stranger lay about two miles to windward; and still
+hove to.
+
+By this time all eyes were turned upon her, and half a dozen glasses.
+Everybody, except the captain, delivered an opinion.  She was a Greek
+lying to for water: she was a Malay coming north with canes, and short of
+hands: she was a pirate watching the Straits.
+
+The captain leaned silent and sombre with his arms on the bulwarks, and
+watched the suspected craft.
+
+Mr. Fullalove joined the group, and levelled a powerful glass, of his own
+construction.  His inspection was long and minute, and, while the glass
+was at his eye, Sharpe asked him half in a whisper, could he make out
+anything?
+
+"Wal," said he, "the varmint looks considerably snaky."  Then, without
+moving his glass, he let drop a word at a time, as if the facts were
+trickling into his telescope at the lens, and out at the sight.
+"One--two--four--seven, false ports."
+
+There was a momentary murmur among the officers all round.  But British
+sailors are undemonstrative: Colonel Kenealy, strolling the deck with a
+cigar, saw they were watching another ship with maritime curiosity, and
+making comments; but he discerned no particular emotion nor anxiety in
+what they said, nor in the grave low tones they said it in.  Perhaps a
+brother seaman would though.
+
+The next observation that trickled out of Fullalove's tube was
+this: "I judge there are too few hands on deck, and too
+many--white--eyeballs--glittering at the portholes."
+
+"Confound it!" muttered Bayliss, uneasily; "how can you see that?"
+
+Fullalove replied only by quietly handing his glass to Dodd.  The
+captain, thus appealed to, glued his eye to the tube.
+
+"Well, sir; see the false ports, and the white eyebrows?" asked Sharpe,
+ironically.
+
+"I see this is the best glass I ever looked through," said Dodd doggedly,
+without interrupting his inspection.
+
+"I think he is a Malay pirate," said Mr. Grey.
+
+Sharpe took him up very quickly, and, indeed, angrily: "Nonsense!  And if
+he is, he won't venture on a craft of this size."
+
+"Says the whale to the swordfish," suggested Fullalove, with a little
+guttural laugh.
+
+The captain, with the American glass at his eye, turned half round to the
+man at the wheel: "Starboard!"
+
+"Starboard it is."
+
+"Steer South South East."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir."  And the ship's course was thus altered two points.
+
+This order lowered Dodd fifty per cent in Mr. Sharpe's estimation.  He
+held his tongue as long as he could: but at last his surprise and
+dissatisfaction burst out of him, "Won't that bring him out on us?"
+
+"Very likely, sir," replied Dodd.
+
+"Begging your pardon, captain, would it not be wiser to keep our course,
+and show the blackguard we don't fear him?"
+
+"When we _do_?  Sharpe, he has made up his mind an hour ago whether to
+lie still, or bite; my changing my course two points won't change his
+mind; but it may make him declare it; and _I_ must know what he does
+intend, before I run the ship into the narrows ahead."
+
+"Oh, I see," said Sharpe, half convinced.
+
+The alteration in the _Agra's_ course produced no movement on the part of
+the mysterious schooner.  She lay to under the land still, and with only
+a few hands on deck, while the _Agra_ edged away from her and entered the
+straits between Long Island and Point Leat, leaving the schooner about
+two miles and a half distant to the N.W.
+
+
+Ah!  The stranger's deck swarms black with men.
+
+His sham ports fell as if by magic, his guns grinned through the gaps
+like black teeth; his huge foresail rose and filled, and out he came in
+chase.
+
+
+The breeze was a kiss from Heaven, the sky a vaulted sapphire, the sea a
+million dimples of liquid, lucid, gold. . . .
+
+
+The way the pirate dropped the mask, showed his black teeth, and bore up
+in chase, was terrible: so dilates and bounds the sudden tiger on his
+unwary prey.  There were stout hearts among the officers of the peaceful
+_Agra_; but danger in a new form shakes the brave; and this was their
+first pirate: their dismay broke out in ejaculations not loud but
+deep. . . .
+
+"Sharpe," said Dodd, in a tone that conveyed no suspicion of the
+newcomer, "set the royals, and flying jib.--Port!"
+
+"Port it is," cried the man at the helm.
+
+"Steer due South!"  And, with these words in his mouth, Dodd dived to the
+gun deck.
+
+By this time elastic Sharpe had recovered the first shock; and the order
+to crowd sail on the ship galled his pride and his manhood; he muttered,
+indignantly, "The white feather!"  This eased his mind, and he obeyed
+orders briskly as ever.  While he and his hands were setting every rag
+the ship could carry on that tack, the other officers, having unluckily
+no orders to execute, stood gloomy and helpless, with their eyes glued,
+by a sort of sombre fascination, on that coming fate. . . .
+
+Realize the situation, and the strange incongruity between the senses and
+the mind in these poor fellows!  The day had ripened its beauty; beneath
+a purple heaven shone, sparkled, and laughed a blue sea, in whose waves
+the tropical sun seemed to have fused his beams; and beneath that fair,
+sinless, peaceful sky, wafted by a balmy breeze over those smiling,
+transparent, golden waves, a bloodthirsty Pirate bore down on them with a
+crew of human tigers; and a lady babble babble babble babble babble
+babble babbled in their quivering ears.
+
+But now the captain came bustling on deck, eyed the loftier sails, saw
+they were drawing well, appointed four midshipmen in a staff to convey
+his orders; gave Bayliss charge of the carronades, Grey of the cutlasses,
+and directed Mr. Tickell to break the bad news gently to Mrs. Beresford,
+and to take her below to the orlop deck; ordered the purser to serve out
+beef, biscuit, and grog to all hands, saying, "Men can't work on an empty
+stomach: and fighting is hard work;" then beckoned the officers to come
+round him.  "Gentlemen," said he, confidentially, "in crowding sail on
+this ship I had no hope of escaping that fellow on this tack, but I was,
+and am, most anxious to gain the open sea, where I can square my yards
+and run for it, if I see a chance.  At present I shall carry on till he
+comes up within range: and then, to keep the Company's canvas from being
+shot to rags, I shall shorten sail; and to save ship and cargo and all
+our lives, I shall fight while a plank of her swims.  Better to be killed
+in hot blood than walk the plank in cold."
+
+The officers cheered faintly: the captain's dogged resolution stirred up
+theirs. . . .
+
+
+"Shorten sail to the taupsles and jib, get the colors ready on the
+halyards, and then send the men aft. . . ."
+
+
+Sail was no sooner shortened, and the crew ranged, than the captain came
+briskly on deck, saluted, jumped on a carronade, and stood erect.  He was
+not the man to show the crew his forebodings.
+
+(Pipe.)  "Silence fore and aft."
+
+"My men, the schooner coming up on our weather quarter is a Portuguese
+pirate.  His character is known; he scuttles all the ships he boards,
+dishonors the women, and murders the crew.  We cracked on to get out of
+the narrows, and now we have shortened sail to fight this blackguard, and
+teach him not to molest a British ship.  I promise, in the Company's
+name, twenty pounds prize money to every man before the mast if we beat
+him off or out manoeuvre him; thirty if we sink him; and forty if we tow
+him astern into a friendly port.  Eight guns are clear below, three on
+the weather side, five on the lee; for, if he knows his business, he will
+come up on the lee quarter: if he doesn't, that is no fault of yours nor
+mine.  The muskets are all loaded, the cutlasses ground like razors--"
+
+"Hurrah!"
+
+"We have got women to defend--"
+
+"Hurrah!"
+
+"A good ship under our feet, the God of justice overhead, British hearts
+in our bosoms, and British colors flying--run 'em up!--over our heads."
+(The ship's colors flew up to the fore, and the Union Jack to the mizzen
+peak.)  "Now lads, I mean to fight this ship while a plank of her
+(stamping on the deck) swims beneath my foot and--WHAT DO YOU SAY?"
+
+The reply was a fierce "hurrah!" from a hundred throats, so loud, so
+deep, so full of volume, it made the ship vibrate, and rang in the
+creeping-on pirate's ears.  Fierce, but cunning, he saw mischief in those
+shortened sails, and that Union Jack, the terror of his tribe, rising to
+a British cheer; he lowered his mainsail, and crawled up on the weather
+quarter.  Arrived within a cable's length, he double reefed his foresail
+to reduce his rate of sailing nearly to that of the ship; and the next
+moment a tongue of flame, and then a gash of smoke, issued from his lee
+bow, and the ball flew screaming like a seagull over the _Agra's_ mizzen
+top.  He then put his helm up, and fired his other bow-chaser, and sent
+the shot hissing and skipping on the water past the ship.  This prologue
+made the novices wince.  Bayliss wanted to reply with a carronade; but
+Dodd forbade him sternly, saying, "If we keep him aloof we are done for."
+
+The pirate drew nearer, and fired both guns in succession, hulled the
+_Agra_ amidships, and sent an eighteen pound ball through her foresail.
+Most of the faces were pale on the quarter-deck; it was very trying to be
+shot at, and hit, and make no return.  The next double discharge sent one
+shot smash through the stern cabin window, and splintered the bulwark
+with another, wounding a seaman slightly.
+
+"LIE DOWN FORWARD!" shouted Dodd, through his trumpet.  "Bayliss, give
+him a shot."
+
+The carronade was fired with a tremendous report, but no visible effect.
+The pirate crept nearer, steering in and out like a snake to avoid the
+carronades, and firing those two heavy guns alternately into the devoted
+ship.  He hulled the _Agra_ now nearly every shot.
+
+The two available carronades replied noisily, and jumped as usual; they
+sent one thirty-two pound shot clean through the schooner's deck and
+side; but that was literally all they did worth speaking of.
+
+"Curse them!" cried Dodd; "load them with grape!  They are not to be
+trusted with ball.  And all my eighteen-pounders dumb!  The coward won't
+come alongside and give them a chance."
+
+At the next discharge the pirate chipped the mizzen mast, and knocked a
+sailor into dead pieces on the forecastle.  Dodd put his helm down ere
+the smoke cleared, and got three carronades to bear, heavily laden with
+grape.  Several pirates fell, dead or wounded, on the crowded deck, and
+some holes appeared in the foresail; this one interchange was quite in
+favor of the ship.
+
+But the lesson made the enemy more cautious; he crept nearer, but steered
+so adroitly, now right astern, now on the quarter, that the ship could
+seldom bring more than one carronade to bear, while he raked her fore and
+aft with grape and ball.
+
+In this alarming situation, Dodd kept as many of the men below as
+possible; but, for all he could do four were killed and seven wounded.
+
+Fullalove's word came too true: it was the swordfish and the whale: it
+was a fight of hammer and anvil; one hit, the other made a noise.
+Cautious and cruel, the pirate hung on the poor hulking creature's
+quarters and raked her at point blank distance.  He made her pass a
+bitter time.  And her captain!  To see the splintering hull, the parting
+shrouds, the shivered gear, and hear the shrieks and groans of his
+wounded; and he unable to reply in kind!  The sweat of agony poured down
+his face.  Oh, if he could but reach the open sea, and square his yards,
+and make a long chase of it; perhaps fall in with aid.  Wincing under
+each heavy blow, he crept doggedly, patiently on, towards that one
+visible hope.
+
+At last, when the ship was cloven with shot, and peppered with grape, the
+channel opened: in five minutes more he could put her dead before the
+wind.
+
+No.  The pirate, on whose side luck had been from the first, got half a
+broadside to bear at long musket shot, killed a midshipman by Dodd's
+side, cut away two of the _Agra's_ mizzen shrouds, wounded the gaff: and
+cut the jib stay; down fell the powerful sail into the water, and dragged
+across the ship's forefoot, stopping her way to the open sea she panted
+for, the mates groaned; the crew cheered stoutly, as British tars do in
+any great disaster; the pirates yelled with ferocious triumph, like the
+devils they looked.
+
+But most human events, even calamities, have two sides.  The _Agra_ being
+brought almost to a standstill, the pirate forged ahead against his will,
+and the combat took a new and terrible form.  The elephant gun popped,
+and the rifle cracked, in the _Agra's_ mizzen top, and the man at the
+pirate's helm jumped into the air and fell dead: both Theorists claimed
+him.  Then the three carronades peppered him hotly; and he hurled an iron
+shower back with fatal effect.  Then at last the long 18-pounders on the
+gun-deck got a word in.  The old Niler was not the man to miss a vessel
+alongside in a quiet sea; he sent two round shot clean through him; the
+third splintered his bulwark, and swept across his deck.
+
+"His masts! fire at his masts!" roared Dodd to Monk, through his trumpet;
+he then got the jib clear, and made what sail he could without taking all
+the hands from the guns.
+
+This kept the vessels nearly alongside a few minutes, and the fight was
+hot as fire.  The pirate now for the first time hoisted his flag.  It was
+black as ink.  His crew yelled as it rose: the Britons, instead of
+quailing, cheered with fierce derision: the pirate's wild crew of yellow
+Malays, black chinless Papuans, and bronzed Portuguese, served their side
+guns, 12-pounders, well and with ferocious cries; the white Britons,
+drunk with battle now, naked to the waist, grimed with powder, and
+spotted like leopards with blood, their own and their mates', replied
+with loud undaunted cheers, and deadly hail of grape from the
+quarterdeck; while the master gunner and his mates loading with a
+rapidity the mixed races opposed could not rival, hulled the schooner
+well between wind and water, and then fired chain shot at her masts, as
+ordered, and began to play the mischief with her shrouds and rigging.
+Meantime, Fullalove and Kenealy, aided by Vespasian, who loaded, were
+quietly butchering the pirate crew two a minute, and hoped to settle the
+question they were fighting for; smooth-bore _v._ rifle: but unluckily
+neither fired once without killing; so "there was nothing proven."
+
+The pirate, bold as he was, got sick of fair fighting first; he hoisted
+his mainsail and drew rapidly ahead, with a slight bearing to windward,
+and dismounted a carronade and stove in the ship's quarter-boat, by way
+of a parting kick.
+
+The men hurled a contemptuous cheer after him; they thought they had
+beaten him off.  But Dodd knew better.  He was but retiring a little way
+to make a more deadly attack than ever: he would soon wear, and cross the
+_Agra's_ defenceless bows, to rake her fore and aft at pistol-shot
+distance; or grapple, and board the enfeebled ship two hundred strong.
+
+Dodd flew to the helm, and with his own hands put it hard aweather, to
+give the deck guns one more chance, the last, of sinking or disabling the
+_Destroyer_.  As the ship obeyed, and a deck gun bellowed below him, he
+saw a vessel running out from Long Island, and coming swiftly up on his
+lee quarter.
+
+It was a schooner.  Was she coming to his aid?
+
+Horror!  A black flag floated from her foremast head.
+
+While Dodd's eyes were staring almost out of his head at this death-blow
+to hope, Monk fired again; and just then a pale face came close to
+Dodd's, and a solemn voice whispered in his ear: "Our ammunition is
+nearly done!"
+
+Dodd seized Sharpe's hand convulsively, and pointed to the pirate's
+consort coming up to finish them; and said, with the calm of a brave
+man's despair, "Cutlasses! and die hard!"
+
+At that moment the master gunner fired his last gun.  It sent a chain
+shot on board the retiring pirate, took off a Portuguese head and spun it
+clean into the sea ever so far to windward, and cut the schooner's
+foremast so nearly through that it trembled and nodded, and presently
+snapped with a loud crack, and came down like a broken tree, with the
+yard and sail; the latter overlapping the deck and burying itself, black
+flag and all, in the sea; and there, in one moment, lay the _Destroyer_
+buffeting and wriggling--like a heron on the water with its long wing
+broken--an utter cripple.
+
+The victorious crew raised a stunning cheer.
+
+"Silence!" roared Dodd, with his trumpet.  "All hands make sail!"
+
+He set his courses, bent a new jib, and stood out to windward close
+hauled, in hopes to make a good offing, and then put his ship dead before
+the wind, which was now rising to a stiff breeze.  In doing this he
+crossed the crippled pirate's bows, within eighty yards; and sore was the
+temptation to rake him; but his ammunition being short, and his danger
+being imminent from the other pirate, he had the self-command to resist
+the great temptation.
+
+He hailed the mizzen top: "Can you two hinder them from firing that gun?"
+
+"I rather think we can," said Fullalove, "eh, colonel?" and tapped his
+long rifle.
+
+The ship no sooner crossed the schooner's bows than a Malay ran forward
+with a linstock.  Pop went the colonel's ready carbine, and the Malay
+fell over dead, and the linstock flew out of his hand.  A tall
+Portuguese, with a movement of rage, snatched it up, and darted to the
+gun; the Yankee rifle cracked, but a moment too late.  Bang! went the
+pirate's bow-chaser, and crashed into the _Agra's_ side, and passed
+nearly through her.
+
+"Ye missed him!  Ye missed him!" cried the rival theorist, joyfully.  He
+was mistaken: the smoke cleared, and there was the pirate captain leaning
+wounded against the mainmast with a Yankee bullet in his shoulder, and
+his crew uttering yells of dismay and vengeance.  They jumped, and raged,
+and brandished their knives and made horrid gesticulations of revenge;
+and the white eyeballs of the Malays and Papuans glittered fiendishly;
+and the wounded captain raised his sound arm and had a signal hoisted to
+his consort, and she bore up in chase, and jamming her fore lateen flat
+as a board, lay far nearer the wind than the _Agra_ could, and sailed
+three feet to her two besides.  On this superiority being made clear, the
+situation of the merchant vessel, though not so utterly desperate as
+before Monk fired his lucky shot, became pitiable enough.  If she ran
+before the wind, the fresh pirate would cut her off: if she lay to
+windward, she might postpone the inevitable and fatal collision with a
+foe as strong as that she had only escaped by a rare piece of luck; but
+this would give the crippled pirate time to refit and unite to destroy
+her.  Add to this the failing ammunition, and the thinned crew!
+
+Dodd cast his eyes all around the horizon for help.
+
+The sea was blank.
+
+The bright sun was hidden now; drops of rain fell, and the wind was
+beginning to sing; and the sea to rise a little.
+
+"Gentlemen," said he, "let us kneel down and pray for wisdom, in this
+sore strait."
+
+He and his officers kneeled on the quarter-deck.  When they rose, Dodd
+stood rapt about a minute; his great thoughtful eye saw no more the
+enemy, the sea, nor anything external; it was turned inward.  His
+officers looked at him in silence.
+
+"Sharpe," said he, at last, "there must be a way out of them with such a
+breeze as this is now; if we could but see it."
+
+"Ay, _if_," groaned Sharpe.
+
+Dodd mused again.
+
+"About ship!" said he, softly, like an absent man.
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!"
+
+"Steer due north!" said he, still like one whose mind was elsewhere.
+
+While the ship was coming about, he gave minute orders to the mates and
+the gunner, to ensure co-operation in the delicate and dangerous
+manoeuvres that were sure to be on hand.
+
+The wind was W.N.W.: he was standing north: one pirate lay on his lee
+beam stopping a leak between wind and water, and hacking the deck clear
+of his broken masts and yards.  The other fresh, and thirsting for the
+easy prey, came up to weather on him and hang on his quarter, pirate
+fashion.
+
+When they were distant about a cable's length, the fresh pirate, to meet
+the ship's change of tactics, changed his own, luffed up, and gave the
+ship a broadside, well aimed but not destructive, the guns being loaded
+with ball.
+
+Dodd, instead of replying immediately, put his helm hard up and ran under
+the pirate's stern, while he was jammed up in the wind, and with his five
+eighteen-pounders raked him fore and aft, then paying off, gave him three
+carronades crammed with grape and canister; the almost simultaneous
+discharge of eight guns made the ship tremble, and enveloped her in thick
+smoke; loud shrieks and groans were heard from the schooner; the smoke
+cleared; the pirate's mainsail hung on deck, his jib-boom was cut off
+like a carrot and the sail struggling; his foresail looked lace, lanes of
+dead and wounded lay still or writhing on his deck and his lee scuppers
+ran blood into the sea.  Dodd squared his yards and bore away.
+
+The ship rushed down the wind, leaving the schooner staggered and all
+abroad.  But not for long; the pirate wore and fired his bow chasers at
+the now flying _Agra_, split one of the carronades in two, and killed a
+Lascar, and made a hole in the foresail; this done, he hoisted his
+mainsail again in a trice, sent his wounded below, flung his dead
+overboard, to the horror of their foes, and came after the flying ship,
+yawning and firing his bow chasers.  The ship was silent.  She had no
+shot to throw away.  Not only did she take these blows like a coward, but
+all signs of life disappeared on her, except two men at the wheel, and
+the captain on the main gangway.
+
+Dodd had ordered the crew out of the rigging, armed them with cutlasses,
+and laid them flat on the forecastle.  He also compelled Kenealy and
+Fullalove to come down out of harm's way, no wiser on the smooth-bore
+question than they went up.
+
+The great patient ship ran environed by her foes; one destroyer right in
+her course, another in her wake, following her with yells of vengeance,
+and pounding away at her--but no reply.
+
+Suddenly the yells of the pirates on both sides ceased, and there was a
+moment of dead silence on the sea.
+
+Yet nothing fresh had happened.
+
+Yes, this had happened: the pirates to windward, and the pirates to
+leeward, of the _Agra_, had found out, at one and the same moment, that
+the merchant captain they had lashed, and bullied, and tortured, was a
+patient but tremendous man.  It was not only to rake the fresh schooner
+he had put his ship before the wind, but also by a double, daring,
+master-stroke to hurl his monster ship bodily on the other.  Without a
+foresail she could never get out of his way.  Her crew had stopped the
+leak, and cut away and unshipped the broken foremast, and were stepping a
+new one, when they saw the huge ship bearing down in full sail.  Nothing
+easier than to slip out of her way could they get the foresail to draw;
+but the time was short, the deadly intention manifest, the coming
+destruction swift.  After that solemn silence came a storm of cries and
+curses, as their seamen went to work to fit the yard and raise the sail;
+while their fighting men seized their matchlocks and trained the guns.
+They were well commanded by an heroic able villian.  Astern the consort
+thundered; but the _Agra's_ response was a dead silence more awful than
+broadsides.
+
+For then was seen with what majesty the enduring Anglo-Saxon fights.
+
+One of the indomitable race on the gangway, one at the foremast, two at
+the wheel, conned and steered the great ship down on a hundred
+matchlocks, and a grinning broadside, just as they would have conned and
+steered her into a British harbor.
+
+"Starboard!" said Dodd, in a deep calm voice, with a motion of his hand.
+
+"Starboard it is."
+
+The pirate wriggled ahead a little.  The man forward made a silent signal
+to Dodd.
+
+"Port!" said Dodd, quietly.
+
+"Port it is."
+
+But at this critical moment the pirate astern sent a mischievous shot,
+and knocked one of the men to atoms at the helm.
+
+Dodd waved his hand without a word, and another man rose from the deck,
+and took his place in silence, and laid his unshaking hand on the wheel
+stained with that man's warm blood whose place he took.
+
+The high ship was now scarce sixty yards distant: _she seemed to know_:
+she reared her lofty figurehead with great awful shoots into the air.
+
+But now the panting pirates got their new foresail hoisted with a joyful
+shout: it drew, the schooner gathered way, and their furious consort
+close on the _Agra's_ heels just then scourged her deck with grape.
+
+"Port!" said Dodd, calmly.
+
+"Port it is."
+
+The giant prow darted at the escaping pirate.  That acre of coming canvas
+took the wind out of the swift schooner's foresail; it flapped: oh, then
+she was doomed! . . . CRASH! the Indiaman's cut-water in thick smoke beat
+in the schooner's broadside: down went her masts to leeward like
+fishing-rods whipping the water; there was a horrible shrieking yell;
+wild forms leaped off on the _Agra_, and were hacked to pieces almost ere
+they reached the deck--a surge, a chasm in the ear, filled with an
+instant rush of engulfing waves, a long, awful, grating, grinding noise,
+never to be forgotten in this world, all along under the ship's keel--and
+the fearful majestic monster passed on over the blank she had made, with
+a pale crew standing silent and awestruck on her deck; a cluster of wild
+heads and staring eyeballs bobbing like corks in her foaming wake, sole
+relic of the blotted-out _Destroyer_; and a wounded man staggering on the
+gangway, with hands uplifted and staring eyes.
+
+
+
+
+NARRATIVE OF THE MUTINY OF THE _BOUNTY_
+
+From "Chamber's Miscellany," ANONYMOUS
+
+
+About the year 1786, the merchants and planters interested in the West
+India Islands became anxious to introduce an exceedingly valuable plant,
+the bread-fruit tree, into these possessions, and as this could best be
+done by a government expedition, a request was preferred to the crown
+accordingly.  The ministry at the time being favorable to the proposed
+undertaking, a vessel, named the _Bounty_, was selected to execute the
+desired object.  To the command of this ship Captain W. Bligh was
+appointed, Aug. 16, 1787.  The burden of the _Bounty_ was nearly two
+hundred and fifteen tons.  The establishment of men and officers for the
+ship was as follows:--1 lieutenant to command, 1 master, 1 boatswain, 1
+gunner, 1 carpenter, 1 surgeon, 2 master's mates, 2 midshipmen, 2
+quarter-masters, 1 quarter-master's mate, 1 boatswain's mate, 1 gunner's
+mate, 1 carpenter's mate, 1 carpenter's crew, 1 sailmaker, 1 armourer, 1
+corporal, 1 clerk and steward, 23 able seamen--total, 44.  The addition
+of two men appointed to take care of the plants, made the whole ship's
+crew amount to 46.  The ship was stored and victualled for eighteen
+months.
+
+Thus prepared, the _Bounty_ set sail on the 23d of December, and what
+ensued will be best told in the language of Captain Bligh.
+
+_Monday, 27th April 1789._--The wind being northerly in the evening, we
+steered to the westward, to pass to the south of Tofoa.  I gave
+directions for this course to be continued during the night.  The master
+had the first watch, the gunner the middle watch, and Mr. Christian the
+morning watch.
+
+_Tuesday, 25th._--Just before sunrising, while I was yet asleep, Mr.
+Christian, with the master-at-arms, gunner's mate, and Thomas Burkitt,
+seaman, came into my cabin, and seizing me, tied my hands with a cord
+behind my back, threatening me with instant death if I spoke or made the
+least noise.  I, however, called as loud as I could, in hopes of
+assistance; but they had already secured the officers who were not of
+their party, by placing sentinels at their doors.  There were three men
+at my cabin door, besides the four within; Christian had only a cutlass
+in his hand, the others had muskets and bayonets.  I was pulled out of
+bed, and forced on deck in my shirt, suffering great pain from the
+tightness with which they had tied my hands.  I demanded the reason of
+such violence, but received no other answer than abuse for not holding my
+tongue.  The master, the gunner, the surgeon, Mr. Elphinstone, master's
+mate, and Nelson, were kept confined below, and the fore-hatchway was
+guarded by sentinels.  The boatswain and carpenter, and also the clerk,
+Mr. Samuel, were allowed to come upon deck.  The boatswain was ordered to
+hoist the launch out, with a threat if he did not do it instantly to take
+care of himself.
+
+When the boat was out, Mr. Hayward and Mr. Hallett, two of the
+midshipmen, and Mr. Samuel, were ordered into it.  I demanded what their
+intention was in giving this order, and endeavored to persuade the people
+near me not to persist in such acts of violence; but it was to no effect.
+Christian changed the cutlass which he had in his hand for a bayonet that
+was brought to him, and holding me with a strong grip by the cord that
+tied my hands, he with many oaths threatened to kill me immediately if I
+would not be quiet; the villains round me had their pieces cocked and
+bayonets fixed.  Particular people were called on to go into the boat,
+and were hurried over the side, whence I concluded that with these people
+I was to be set adrift.  I therefore made another effort to bring about a
+change, but with no other effect than to be threatened with having my
+brains blown out.
+
+The boatswain and seamen who were to go in the boat were allowed to
+collect twine, canvas, lines, sails, cordage, an eight-and-twenty-gallon
+cask of water, and Mr. Samuel got a hundred and fifty pounds of bread,
+with a small quantity of rum and wine, also a quadrant and compass; but
+he was forbidden, on pain of death, to touch either map, ephemeris, book
+of astronomical observations, sextant, time-keeper, or any of my surveys
+or drawings.
+
+The officers were next called upon deck, and forced over the side into
+the boat, while I was kept apart from every one abaft the mizzen-mast.
+
+Isaac Martin, one of the guard over me, I saw had an inclination to
+assist me, and, as he fed me with shaddock (my lips being quite parched),
+we explained our wishes to each other by our looks; but this being
+observed, Martin was removed from me.  He then attempted to leave the
+ship, for which purpose he got into the boat; but with many threats they
+obliged him to return.  The armorer, Joseph Coleman, and two of the
+carpenters, M'Intosh and Norman, were also kept contrary to their
+inclination; and they begged of me, after I was astern in the boat, to
+remember that they declared that they had no hand in the transaction.
+Michael Byrne, I am told, likewise wanted to leave the ship.
+
+It appeared to me that Christian was some time in doubt whether he should
+keep the carpenter or his mates; at length he determined on the latter,
+and the carpenter was ordered into the boat.  He was permitted, but not
+without some opposition, to take his tool-chest.  The officers and men
+being in the boat, they only waited for me, of which the master-at-arms
+informed Christian; who then said, "Come, Captain Bligh, your officers
+and men are now in the boat, and you must go with them; if you attempt to
+make the least resistance, you will instantly be put to death:" and
+without further ceremony, with a tribe of armed ruffians about me, I was
+forced over the side, where they untied my hands.  Being in the boat, we
+were veered astern by a rope.  A few pieces of pork were thrown to us,
+and some clothes, also four cutlasses; and it was then that the armorer
+and carpenters called out to me to remember that they had no hand in the
+transaction.  After having undergone a great deal of ridicule, and having
+been kept some time to make sport for these unfeeling wretches, we were
+at length cast adrift in the open ocean.
+
+I had eighteen persons with me in the boat.  There remained on board the
+_Bounty_ twenty-five hands, the most able men of the ship's company.
+Having little or no wind, we rowed pretty fast towards Tofoa, which bore
+northeast about ten leagues from us.  While the ship was in sight, she
+steered to the west-north-west; but I considered this only as a feint;
+for when we were sent away, "Huzza for Otaheite!" was frequently heard
+among the mutineers.
+
+It will very naturally be asked, What could be the reason for such a
+revolt?  In answer to which, I can only conjecture that the mutineers had
+flattered themselves with the hopes of a more happy life among the
+Otaheitans than they could possibly enjoy in England; and this, joined to
+some female connections, most probably occasioned the whole transaction.
+The women at Otaheite are handsome, mild and cheerful in their manners
+and conversation, possessed of great sensibility, and have sufficient
+delicacy to make them admired and beloved.  The chiefs were so much
+attached to our people, that they rather encouraged their stay among them
+than otherwise, and even made them promises of large possessions.  Under
+these, and many other attendant circumstances equally desirable, it is
+now perhaps not so much to be wondered at, though scarcely possible to
+have been foreseen, that a set of sailors, most of them void of
+connections, should be led away: especially when, in addition to such
+powerful inducements, they imagined it in their power to fix themselves
+in the midst of plenty, on one of the finest islands in the world, where
+they need not labor, and where the allurements of dissipation are beyond
+anything that can be conceived.
+
+
+FATE OF THE CASTAWAYS
+
+My first determination was to seek a supply of breadfruit and water at
+Tofoa, and afterwards to sail for Tongataboo, and there risk a
+solicitation to Poulaho, the king, to equip our boat, and grant us a
+supply of water and provisions, so as to enable us to reach the East
+Indies.  The quantity of provisions I found in the boat was a hundred and
+fifty pounds of bread, sixteen pieces of pork, each piece weighing two
+pounds, six quarts of rum, six bottles of wine, with twenty-eight gallons
+of water, and four empty barrecoes.
+
+We got to Tofoa when it was dark, but found the shore so steep and rocky
+that we could not land.  We were obliged, therefore, to remain all night
+in the boat, keeping it on the lee-side of the island, with two oars.
+Next day (Wednesday, April 29) we found a cove, where we landed.  I
+observed the latitude of this cove to be 19 degrees 41 minutes south.
+This is the northwest part of Tofoa, the north-westernmost of the
+Friendly Islands.  As I was resolved to spare the small stock of
+provisions we had in the boat, we endeavored to procure something towards
+our support on the island itself.  For two days we ranged through the
+island in parties, seeking for water, and anything in the shape of
+provisions, subsisting, meanwhile, on morsels of what we had brought with
+us.  The island at first seemed uninhabited, but on Friday, May 1, one of
+our exploring parties met with two men, a woman, and a child: the men
+came with them to the cove, and brought two cocoanut shells of water.  I
+endeavored to make friends of these people, and sent them away for
+bread-fruit, plantains, and water.  Soon after, other natives came to us;
+and by noon there were thirty about us, from whom we obtained a small
+supply.  I was much puzzled in what manner to account to the natives for
+the loss of my ship: I knew they had too much sense to be amused with a
+story that the ship was to join me, when she was not in sight from the
+hills.  I was at first doubtful whether I should tell the real fact, or
+say that the ship had overset and sunk, and that we only were saved: the
+latter appeared to be the most proper and advantageous for us, and I
+accordingly instructed my people, that we might all agree in one story.
+As I expected, inquiries were made about the ship, and they seemed
+readily satisfied with our account; but there did not appear the least
+symptom of joy or sorrow in their faces, although I fancied I discovered
+some marks of surprise.  Some of the natives were coming and going the
+whole afternoon.
+
+Towards evening, I had the satisfaction to find our stock of provisions
+somewhat increased; but the natives did not appear to have much to spare.
+What they brought was in such small quantities, that I had no reason to
+hope we should be able to procure from them sufficient to stock us for
+our voyage.  At night, I served a quarter of a breadfruit and a cocoanut
+to each person for supper; and a good fire being made, all but the watch
+went to sleep.
+
+_Saturday, 2d._--As there was no certainty of our being supplied with
+water by the natives, I sent a party among the gullies in the mountains,
+with empty shells, to see what could be found.  In their absence the
+natives came about us, as I expected, and in greater numbers; two canoes
+also came in from round the north side of the island.  In one of them was
+an elderly chief, called Macca-ackavow.  Soon after, some of our foraging
+party returned, and with them came a good-looking chief, called
+Egijeefow, or Eefow.
+
+Their affability was of short duration, for the natives began to increase
+in number, and I observed some symptoms of a design against us.  Soon
+after, they attempted to haul the boat on shore, on which I brandished my
+cutlass in a threatening manner, and spoke to Eefow to desire them to
+desist: which they did, and everything became quiet again.  My people,
+who had been in the mountains, now returned with about three gallons of
+water.  I kept buying up the little bread-fruit that was brought to us,
+and likewise some spears to arm my men with, having only four cutlasses,
+two of which were in the boat.  As we had no means of improving our
+situation, I told our people I would wait till sunset, by which time,
+perhaps, something might happen in our favor; for if we attempted to go
+at present, we must fight our way through, which we could do more
+advantageously at night; and that, in the meantime, we would endeavor to
+get off to the boat what we had bought.  The beach was lined with the
+natives, and we heard nothing but the knocking of stones together, which
+they had in each hand.  I knew very well this was the sign of an attack.
+At noon I served a cocoanut and a bread-fruit to each person for dinner,
+and gave some to the chiefs, with whom I continued to appear intimate and
+friendly.  They frequently importuned me to sit down, but I as constantly
+refused; for it occurred both to Nelson and myself that they intended to
+seize hold of me, if I gave them such an opportunity.  Keeping,
+therefore, constantly on our guard, we were suffered to eat our
+uncomfortable meal in some quietness.
+
+After dinner, we began, by little and little, to get our things into the
+boat, which was a troublesome business, on account of the surf.  I
+carefully watched the motions of the natives, who continued to increase
+in number; and found that, instead of their intention being to leave us,
+fires were made, and places fixed on for their stay during the night.
+Consultations were also held among them, and everything assured me we
+should be attacked.  I sent orders to the master that, when he saw us
+coming down, he should keep the boat close to the shore, that we might
+the more readily embark.
+
+The sun was near setting when I gave the word, on which every person who
+was on shore with me boldly took up his proportion of things and carried
+them to the boat.  The chiefs asked me if I would not stay with them all
+night.  I said "No, I never sleep out of my boat; but in the morning we
+will again trade with you, and I shall remain till the weather is
+moderate, that we may go, as we have agreed, to see Poulaho, at
+Tongataboo."  Macca-ackavow then got up and said, "You will not sleep on
+shore, then, Mattie?" (which directly signifies, we will kill you); and
+he left me.  The onset was now preparing: every one, as I have described
+before, kept knocking stones together; and Eefow quitted me.  All but two
+or three things were in the boat, when we walked down the beach, every
+one in a silent kind of horror.  We all got into the boat, except one
+man, who, while I was getting on board, quitted it, and ran up the beach
+to cast the stern-fast off, notwithstanding the master and others called
+to him to return, while they were hauling me out of the water.
+
+I was no sooner in the boat than the attack began by about two hundred
+men; the unfortunate poor man who had run up the beach was knocked down,
+and the stones flew like a shower of shot.  Many Indians got hold of the
+stern rope, and were near hauling the boat on shore, which they would
+certainly have effected, if I had not had a knife in my pocket, with
+which I cut the rope.  We then hauled off to the grapnel, every one being
+more or less hurt.  At this time I saw five of the natives about the poor
+man they had killed, and two of them were beating him about the head with
+stones in their hands.
+
+We had no time to reflect, for, to my surprise, they filled their canoes
+with stones, and twelve men came off after us to renew the attack; which
+they did so effectually, as to nearly disable us all.  We were obliged to
+sustain the attack without being able to return it, except with such
+stones as lodged in the boat.  I adopted the expedient of throwing
+overboard some clothes, which, as I expected, they stopped to pick up;
+and as it was by this time almost dark, they gave over the attack, and
+returned towards the shore, leaving us to reflect on our unhappy
+situation.
+
+The poor man killed by the natives was John Norton: this was his second
+voyage with me as a quarter-master, and his worthy character made me
+lament his loss very much.  He has left an aged parent, I am told, whom
+he supported.
+
+We set our sails, and steered along shore by the west side of the island
+of Tofoa, the wind blowing fresh from the eastward.  My mind was employed
+in considering what was best to be done, when I was solicited by all
+hands to take them towards home; and when I told them that no hopes of
+relief for us remained, except what might be found at New Holland, till I
+came to Timor, a distance of full twelve hundred leagues, where there was
+a Dutch settlement, but in what part of the Island I knew not, they all
+agreed to live on one ounce of bread and a quarter of a pint of water per
+day.  Therefore, after examining our stock of provisions, and
+recommending to them, in the most solemn manner, not to depart from their
+promise, we bore away across a sea where the navigation is but little
+known, in a small boat, twenty-three feet long from stem to stern, deep
+laden with eighteen men.  I was happy, however, to see that every one
+seemed better satisfied with our situation than myself.
+
+Our stock of provisions consisted of about one hundred and fifty pounds
+of bread, twenty-eight gallons of water, twenty pounds of pork, three
+bottles of wine, and five quarts of rum.  The difference between this and
+the quantity we had on leaving the ship was principally owing to our loss
+in the bustle and confusion of the attack.  A few cocoanuts were in the
+boat, and some bread-fruit, but the latter was trampled to pieces.
+
+_Sunday, 3d._--At daybreak the gale increased; the sun rose very fiery
+and red--a sure indication of a severe gale of wind.  At eight it blew a
+violent storm, and the sea ran very high, so that between the seas the
+sail was becalmed, and when on the top of the sea, it was too much to
+have set; but we could not venture to take in the sail, for we were in
+very imminent danger and distress, the sea curling over the stern of the
+boat, which obliged us to bail with all our might.  A situation more
+distressing has perhaps seldom been experienced.
+
+Our bread was in bags, and in danger of being spoiled by the wet: to be
+starved to death was inevitable, if this could not be prevented.  I
+therefore began to examine what clothes there were in the boat, and what
+other things could be spared; and having determined that only two suits
+should be kept for each person, the rest was thrown overboard, with some
+rope and spare sails, which lightened the boat considerably, and we had
+more room to bail the water out.
+
+Fortunately the carpenter had a good chest in the boat, in which we
+secured the bread the first favorable moment.  His tool-chest also was
+cleared, and the tools stowed in the bottom of the boat, so that this
+became a second convenience.
+
+I served a teaspoonful of rum to each person (for we were very wet and
+cold), with a quarter of a bread-fruit, which was scarce eatable, for
+dinner.  Our engagement was now strictly to be carried into execution,
+and I was fully determined to make our provisions last eight weeks, let
+the daily proportion be ever so small.
+
+_Monday, 4th._--At daylight our limbs were so benumbed, that we could
+scarcely find the use of them.  At this time I served a teaspoonful of
+rum to each person, from which we all found great benefit.  Just before
+noon, we discovered a small flat island, of a moderate height, bearing
+west-south-west four or five leagues.  I observed our latitude to be 18
+degrees 58 minutes south; our longitude was, by account, 3 degrees 4
+minutes west from the island of Tofoa, having made a north 72 degrees
+west course, distance ninety-five miles, since yesterday noon, I divided
+five small cocoanuts for our dinner, and every one was satisfied.  During
+the rest of that day we discovered ten or twelve other islands, none of
+which we approached.  At night I served a few broken pieces of breadfruit
+for supper, and performed prayers.
+
+_Tuesday, 5th._--The night having been fair, we awoke after a tolerable
+rest, and contentedly breakfasted on a few pieces of yams that were found
+in the boat.  After breakfast we examined our bread, a great deal of
+which was damaged and rotten; this, nevertheless, we were glad to keep
+for use.  We passed two islands in the course of the day.  For dinner I
+served some of the damaged bread, and a quarter of a pint of water.
+
+_Wednesday, 6th._--We still kept our course in the direction of the North
+of New Holland, passing numerous islands of various sizes, at none of
+which I ventured to land.  Our allowance for the day was a quarter of a
+pint of cocoanut milk, and the meat, which did not exceed two ounces to
+each person.  It was received very contentedly, but we suffered great
+drought.  To our great joy we hooked a fish, but we were miserably
+disappointed by its being lost in trying to get it into the boat.
+
+As our lodgings were very miserable, and confined for want of room, I
+endeavored to remedy the latter defect by putting ourselves at watch and
+watch; so that one-half always sat up while the other lay down on the
+boat's bottom, or upon a chest, with nothing to cover us but the heavens.
+Our limbs were dreadfully cramped, for we could not stretch them out; and
+the nights were so cold, and we so constantly wet, that after a few
+hours' sleep, we could scarcely move.
+
+_Thursday, 7th._--Being very wet and cold, I served a spoonful of rum and
+a morsel of bread for breakfast.  We still kept sailing among the
+islands, from one of which two large canoes put out in chase of us; but
+we left them behind.  Whether these canoes had any hostile intention
+against us must remain a doubt: perhaps we might have benefited by an
+intercourse with them; but, in our defenceless situation, to have made
+the experiment would have been risking too much.
+
+I imagine these to be the islands called Feejee, as their extent,
+direction, and distance from the Friendly Islands answer to the
+description given of them by those islanders.  Heavy rain came on at four
+o'clock, when every person did their utmost to catch some water, and we
+increased our stock to thirty-four gallons, besides quenching our thirst
+for the first time since we had been at sea; but an attendant consequence
+made us pass the night very miserably, for, being extremely wet, and
+having no dry things to shift or cover us, we experienced cold shiverings
+scarcely to be conceived.  Most fortunately for us, the forenoon, Friday
+8th, turned out fair, and we stripped and dried our clothes.  The
+allowance I issued to-day was an ounce and a half of pork, a teaspoonful
+of rum, half a pint of cocoanut milk, and an ounce of bread.  The rum,
+though so small in quantity, was of the greatest service.  A fishing-line
+was generally towing from the stern of the boat, but though we saw great
+numbers of fish, we could never catch one.
+
+In the afternoon we cleaned out the boat, and it employed us till sunset
+to get everything dry and in order.  Hitherto I had issued the allowance
+by guess, but I now made a pair of scales with two cocoanut shells, and
+having accidentally some pistol-balls in the boat, twenty-five of which
+weighed one pound, or sixteen ounces, I adopted one ball as the
+proportion of weight that each person should receive of bread at the
+times I served it.  I also amused all hands with describing the situation
+of New Guinea and New Holland, and gave them every information in my
+power, that, in case any accident happened to me, those who survived
+might have some idea of what they were about, and be able to find their
+way to Timor, which at present they knew nothing of more than the name,
+and some not even that.  At night I served a quarter of a pint of water
+and half an ounce of bread for supper.
+
+_Saturday, 9th._--About nine in the evening the clouds began to gather,
+and we had a prodigious fall of rain, with severe thunder and lightning.
+By midnight we caught about twenty gallons of water.  Being miserably wet
+and cold, I served to the people a teaspoonful of rum each, to enable
+them to bear with their distressed situation.  The weather continued
+extremely bad, and the wind increased; we spent a very miserable night,
+without sleep, except such as could be got in the midst of rain.  The day
+brought no relief but its light.  The sea broke over us so much, that two
+men were constantly bailing; and we had no choice how to steer, being
+obliged to keep before the waves, for fear of the boat filling.
+
+The allowance now regularly served to each person was 1-25th of a pound
+of bread, and a quarter of a pint of water, at eight in the morning, at
+noon, and at sunset.  To-day I gave about half an ounce of pork for
+dinner, which, though any moderate person would have considered only as a
+mouthful, was divided into three or four.
+
+All Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the wet
+weather continued, with heavy seas and squalls.  As there was no prospect
+of getting our clothes dried, my plan was to make every one strip, and
+wring them through the salt water, by which means they received a warmth
+that, while wet with rain, they could not have.  We were constantly
+shipping seas and bailing, and were very wet and cold during the night.
+The sight of the islands which we were always passing served only to
+increase the misery of our situation.  We were very little better than
+starving, with plenty in view; yet to attempt procuring any relief was
+attended with so much danger, that prolonging of life, even in the midst
+of misery, was thought preferable, while there remained hopes of being
+able to surmount our hardships.  For my own part, I consider the general
+run of cloudy weather to be a blessing of Providence.  Hot weather would
+have caused us to have died with thirst, and probably being so constantly
+covered with rain or sea protected us from that dreadful calamity.
+
+_Saturday, 16th._--The sun breaking out through the clouds gave us hopes
+of drying our wet clothes; but the sunshine was of short duration.  We
+had strong breezes at south-east by south, and dark gloomy weather, with
+storms of thunder, lightning, and rain.  The night was truly horrible,
+and not a star to be seen, so that our steerage was uncertain.
+
+_Sunday, 17th._--At dawn of day I found every person complaining, and
+some of them solicited extra allowance, which I positively refused.  Our
+situation was miserable; always wet, and suffering extreme cold during
+the night, without the least shelter from the weather.  Being constantly
+obliged to bail, to keep the boat from filling, was perhaps not to be
+reckoned an evil as it gave us exercise.
+
+The little rum we had was of great service.  When our nights were
+particularly distressing, I generally served a teaspoonful or two to each
+person; and it was always joyful tidings when they heard of my intentions.
+
+The night was dark and dismal, the sea constantly breaking over us, and
+nothing but the wind and waves to direct our steerage.  It was my
+intention, if possible, to make to New Holland, to the southwest of
+Endeavor Straits, being sensible that it was necessary to preserve such a
+situation as would make a southerly wind a fair one; that we might range
+along the reefs till an opening should be found into smooth water, and we
+the sooner be able to pick up some refreshments.
+
+Monday and Tuesday were terrible days, heavy rain with lightning.  We
+were always bailing.  On Wednesday the 20th, at dawn of day, some of my
+people seemed half dead.  Our appearance was horrible, and I could look
+no way but I caught the eye of some one in distress.  Extreme hunger was
+now too evident; but no one suffered from thirst, nor had we much
+inclination to drink--that desire, perhaps, being satisfied through the
+skin.  The little sleep we got was in the midst of water, and we
+constantly awoke with severe cramps and pains in our bones.
+
+Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we were in the same distressed condition,
+and I began to fear that such another night or two would put an end to
+us.  On Saturday, however, the wind moderated in the evening, and the
+weather looked much better, which rejoiced all hands, so that they ate
+their scanty allowance with more satisfaction than for some time past.
+The night also was fair; but being always wet with the sea, we suffered
+much from the cold.
+
+_Sunday, 24th._--A fine morning, I had the pleasure to see produce some
+cheerful countenances; and the first time, for fifteen days past, we
+experienced comfort from the warmth of the sun.  We stripped, and hung
+our clothes up to dry, which were by this time become so threadbare, that
+they would not keep out either wet or cold.
+
+This afternoon we had many birds about us which are never seen far from
+land, such as boobies and noddies.  As the sea began to run fair, and we
+shipped but little water, I took the opportunity to examine into the
+state of our bread, and found that, according to the present mode of
+issuing, there was a sufficient quantity remaining for twenty-nine days'
+allowance, by which time I hoped we should be able to reach Timor; but as
+this was very uncertain, and it was possible that, after all, we might be
+obliged to go to Java, I determined to proportion the allowance so as to
+make our stock hold out six weeks.  I was apprehensive that this would be
+ill received, and that it would require my utmost resolution to enforce
+it; for small as the quantity was which I intended to take away for our
+future good, yet it might appear to my people like robbing them of life;
+and some, who were less patient than their companions, I expected would
+very ill brook it.  However, on my representing the necessity of guarding
+against delays that might be occasioned in our voyage by contrary winds
+or other causes, and promising to enlarge upon the allowance as we got
+on, they cheerfully agreed to my proposal.  It was accordingly settled
+that every person should receive 1-25th of a pound of bread for
+breakfast, and the same quantity for dinner; so that, by omitting the
+proportion for supper, we had forty-three days' allowance.
+
+_Monday, 25th._--At noon some noddies came so near to us, that one of
+them was caught by hand.  This bird was about the size of a small pigeon.
+I divided it, with its entrails, into eighteen portions and by a
+well-known method at sea, of "Who shall have this?" [1] it was
+distributed, with the allowance of bread and water for dinner, and ate
+up, bones and all, with salt water for sauce.  I observed the latitude 13
+degrees 32 minutes south; longitude made 35 degrees 19 minutes west,
+course north 89 degrees west, distance one hundred and eight miles.
+
+In the evening, several boobies flying very near to us, we had the good
+fortune to catch one of them.  This bird is as large as a duck.  I
+directed the bird to be killed for supper, and the blood to be given to
+three of the people who were most distressed for want of food.  The body,
+with the entrails, beak, and feet, I divided into eighteen shares, and,
+with an allowance of bread, which I made a merit of granting, we made a
+good supper, compared with our usual fare.
+
+Sailing on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I at length became satisfied
+that we were approaching New Holland.  This was actually the case; and
+after passing the reefs which bound that part of the coast, we found
+ourselves in smooth water.  Two islands lay about four miles to the west
+by north, and appeared eligible for a resting-place, if for nothing more;
+but on our approach to the nearest island, it proved to be only a heap of
+stones, and its size too inconsiderable to shelter the boat.  We
+therefore proceeded to the next, which was close to it, and towards the
+main.  We landed to examine if there were any signs of the natives being
+near us: we saw some old fireplaces, but nothing to make me apprehend
+that this would be an unsafe situation for the night.  Every one was
+anxious to find something to eat and it was soon discovered that there
+were oysters on these rocks, for the tide was out; but it was nearly
+dark, and only a few could be gathered.  I determined, therefore, to wait
+till the morning, when I should know better how to proceed.
+
+_Friday, 29th._--As there were no appearances to make me imagine that any
+of the natives were near us, I sent out parties in search of supplies,
+while others of the people were putting the boat in order.  The parties
+returned, highly rejoiced at having found plenty of oysters and fresh
+water.  I had also made a fire by the help of a small magnifying glass;
+and, what was still more fortunate, we found among a few things which had
+been thrown into the boat, and saved, a piece of brimstone and a
+tinder-box, so that I secured fire for the future.
+
+One of the people had been so provident as to bring away with him from
+the ship a copper pot: by being in possession of this article, we were
+enabled to make a proper use of the supply we now obtained; for, with a
+mixture of bread, and a little pork, we made a stew that might have been
+relished by people of far more delicate appetites, and of which each
+person received a full pint.  The general complaints of disease among us
+were a dizziness in the head, great weakness of the joints, and violent
+tenesmus.
+
+The oysters which we found grew so fast to the rocks, that it was with
+difficulty they could be broken off, and at length we discovered it to be
+the most expeditious way to open them where they were fixed.  They were
+of a good size, and well tasted.  To add to this happy circumstance, in
+the hollow of the land there grew some wire-grass, which indicated a
+moist situation.  On forcing a stick about three feet long into the
+ground, we found water, and with little trouble dug a well, which
+produced as much as our necessities required.
+
+As the day was the anniversary of the restoration of King Charles II., I
+named the island Restoration Island.  Our short stay there, with the
+supplies which it afforded us, made a visible alteration for the better
+in our appearance.  Next day, Saturday the 30th, at four o'clock, we were
+preparing to embark, when about twenty of the natives appeared, running
+and hallooing to us, on the opposite shore.  They were each armed with a
+spear or lance, and a short weapon which they carried in their left hand.
+They made signs for us to come to them, but I thought it prudent to make
+the best of our way.  They were naked, and apparently black, and their
+hair or wool bushy and short.
+
+_Sunday, 31st._--Many small islands were in sight to the northeast.  We
+landed at one of a good height, bearing north one-half west.  The shore
+was rocky, but the water was smooth, and we landed without difficulty.  I
+sent two parties out, one to the northward, and the other to the
+southward, to seek for supplies, and others I ordered to stay by the
+boat.  On this occasion fatigue and weakness so far got the better of
+their sense of duty, that some of the people expressed their discontent
+at having worked harder than their companions, and declared that they
+would rather be without their dinner than go in search of it.  One
+person, in particular, went so far as to tell me, with a mutinous look,
+that he was as good a man as myself.  It was not possible for me to judge
+where this might have an end, if not stopped in time; therefore, to
+prevent such disputes in future, I determined either to preserve my
+command, or die in the attempt; and seizing a cutlass, I ordered him to
+take hold of another and defend himself, on which he called out that I
+was going to kill him, and immediately made concessions.  I did not allow
+this to interfere further with the harmony of the boat's crew and
+everything soon became quiet.  We here procured some oysters and clams,
+also some dog-fish caught in the holes of the rocks, and a supply of
+water.
+
+Leaving this island, which I named Sunday Island, we continued our course
+towards Endeavor Straits.  During our voyage Nelson became very ill, but
+gradually recovered.  Next day we landed at another island, to see what
+we could get.  There were proofs that the island was occasionally visited
+by natives from New Holland.  Encamping on the shore, I sent out one
+party to watch for turtle, and another to try to catch birds.  About
+midnight the bird party returned, with only twelve noddies, birds which I
+have already described to be about the size of pigeons; but if it had not
+been for the folly and obstinacy of one of the party, who separated from
+the other two, and disturbed the birds, they might have caught a great
+number.  I was so much provoked at my plans being thus defeated, that I
+gave this offender a good beating.  This man afterwards confessed that,
+wandering away from his companions, he had eaten nine birds raw.  Our
+turtling party had no success.
+
+Tuesday and Wednesday we still kept our course northwest, touching at an
+island or two for oysters and clams.  We had now been six days on the
+coast of New Holland, and but for the refreshment which our visit to its
+shore afforded us, it is all but certain that we must have perished.
+Now, however, it became clear that we were leaving it behind, and were
+commencing our adventurous voyage through the open sea to Timor.
+
+On Wednesday, June 3rd, at eight o'clock in the evening, we once more
+launched into the open ocean.  Miserable as our situation was in every
+respect, I was secretly surprised to see that it did not appear to affect
+any one so strongly as myself.  I encouraged every one with hopes that
+eight or ten days would bring us to a land of safety; and after praying
+to God for a continuance of His most gracious protection, I served an
+allowance of water for supper, and directed our course to the
+west-south-west, to counteract the southerly winds in case they should
+blow strong.  For six days our voyage continued; a dreary repetition of
+those sufferings which we had experienced before reaching New Holland.
+In the course of the night we were constantly wet with the sea, and
+exposed to cold and shiverings; and in the daytime we had no addition to
+our scanty allowance, save a booby and a small dolphin that we caught,
+the former on Friday the 5th, and the latter on Monday the 8th.  Many of
+us were ill, and the men complained heavily.  On Wednesday the 10th,
+after a very comfortless night, there was a visible alteration for the
+worse in many of the people, which gave me great apprehensions.  An
+extreme weakness, swelled legs, hollow and ghastly countenances, a more
+than common inclination to sleep, with an apparent debility of
+understanding, seemed to me the melancholy presages of an approaching
+dissolution.
+
+_Thursday, 11th._--Every one received the customary allowance of bread
+and water, and an extra allowance of water was given to those who were
+most in need.  At noon I observed in latitude 9 degrees 41 minutes south;
+course south 77 degrees west, distance 109 miles; longitude made 13
+degrees 49 minutes west.  I had little doubt of having now passed the
+meridian of the eastern part of Timor, which is laid down in 128 degrees
+east.  This diffused universal joy and satisfaction.
+
+_Friday, 12th._--At three in the morning, with an excess of joy, we
+discovered Timor bearing from west-south-west to west-north-west, and I
+hauled on a wind to the north-north-east till daylight, when the land
+bore from south-west by south to north-east by north; our distance from
+the shore two leagues.  It is not possible for me to describe the
+pleasure which the blessing of the sight of this land diffused among us.
+It appeared scarcely credible to ourselves that, in an open boat, and so
+poorly provided, we should have been able to reach the coast of Timor in
+forty-one days after leaving Tofoa, having in that time run, by our log,
+a distance of 3,618 miles and that, notwithstanding our extreme distress,
+no one should have perished in the voyage.
+
+I have already mentioned that I knew not where the Dutch settlement was
+situated, but I had a faint idea that it was at the south-west part of
+the island.  I therefore, after daylight, bore away along shore to the
+south-south-west, which I was the more readily induced to do, as the wind
+would not suffer us to go towards the north-east without great loss of
+time.
+
+We coasted along the island in the direction in which I conceived the
+Dutch settlement to lie, and next day, about two o'clock, I came to a
+grapnel in a small sandy bay, where we saw a hut, a dog, and some cattle.
+Here I learned that the Dutch governor resided at a place called Coupang,
+which was some distance to the north-east.  I made signs for one of the
+Indians who came to the beach to go in the boat and show us the way to
+Coupang, intimating that I would pay him for his trouble; the man readily
+complied, and came into the boat.  The Indians, who were of a dark tawny
+color, brought us a few pieces of dried turtle and some ears of Indian
+corn.  This last was the most welcome, for the turtle was so hard, that
+it could not be eaten without being first soaked in hot water.  They
+offered to bring us some other refreshments, if I would wait; but, as the
+pilot was willing, I determined to push on.  It was about half-past four
+when we sailed.
+
+_Sunday, 14th._--At one o'clock in the morning, after the most happy and
+sweet sleep that ever men enjoyed, we weighed, and continued to keep the
+east shore on board, in very smooth water.  The report of two cannon that
+were fired gave new life to every one; and soon after, we discovered two
+square-rigged vessels and a cutter at anchor to the eastward.  After hard
+rowing, we came to a grapnel near daylight, off a small fort and town,
+which the pilot told me was Coupang.
+
+On landing, I was surrounded by many people, Indians and Dutch, with an
+English sailor among them.  A Dutch captain, named Spikerman, showed me
+great kindness, and waited on the governor, who was ill, to know at what
+time I could see him.  Eleven o'clock having been appointed for the
+interview, I desired my people to come on shore, which was as much as
+some of them could do, being scarce able to walk; they, however, were
+helped to Captain Spikerman's house, and found tea, with bread and
+butter, provided for their breakfast.
+
+The abilities of a painter, perhaps, could seldom have been displayed to
+more advantage than in the delineation of the two groups of figures which
+at this time presented themselves to each other.  An indifferent
+spectator would have been at a loss which most to admire--the eyes of
+famine sparkling at immediate relief, or the horror of their preservers
+at the sight of so many spectres, whose ghastly countenances, if the
+cause had been unknown, would rather have excited terror than pity.  Our
+bodies were nothing but skin and bone, our limbs were full of sores, and
+we were clothed in rags: in this condition, with tears of joy and
+gratitude flowing down our cheeks, the people of Timor beheld us with a
+mixture of horror, surprise, and pity.
+
+The governor, Mr. William Adrian Van Este, notwithstanding extreme ill
+health, became so anxious about us, that I saw him before the appointed
+time.  He received me with great affection, and gave me the fullest
+proofs that he was possessed of every feeling of a humane and good man.
+Though his infirmity was so great that he could not do the office of a
+friend himself, he said he would give such orders as I might be certain
+would procure us every supply we wanted.  A house should be immediately
+prepared for me, and with respect to my people, he said that I might have
+room for them either at the hospital or on board of Captain Spikerman's
+ship, which lay in the road. . . .
+
+
+FATE OF THE MUTINEERS--COLONY OF PITCAIRN'S ISLAND
+
+The intelligence of the mutiny, and the sufferings of Bligh and his
+companions, naturally excited a great sensation in England.  Bligh was
+immediately promoted to the rank of commander, and Captain Edwards was
+despatched to Otaheite, in the _Pandora_ frigate, with instructions to
+search for the _Bounty_ and her mutinous crew, and bring them to England.
+The _Pandora_ reached Matavai Bay on the 23d of March, 1791; and even
+before she had come to anchor, Joseph Coleman, formerly armorer of the
+_Bounty_, pushed off from shore in a canoe, and came on board.  In the
+course of two days afterwards, the whole of the remainder of the
+_Bounty's_ crew (in number sixteen) then on the island surrendered
+themselves, with the exception of two, who fled to the mountains where,
+as it afterwards appeared, they were murdered by the natives.
+
+Nearly twenty years elapsed after the period of the above occurrences,
+and all recollection of the _Bounty_ and her wrecked crew had passed
+away, when an accidental discovery, as interesting as unexpected, once
+more recalled public attention to that event.  The captain of an American
+schooner having, in 1808, accidentally touched at an island up to that
+time supposed to be uninhabited, called Pitcairn's Island, found a
+community speaking English, who represented themselves as the descendants
+of the mutineers of the _Bounty_, of whom there was still one man, of the
+name of Alexander Smith, alive amongst them.  Intelligence of this
+singular circumstance was sent by the American captain (Folger) to Sir
+Sydney Smith at Valparaiso, and by him transmitted to the Lords of the
+Admiralty.  But the government was at that time perhaps too much engaged
+in the events of the continental war to attend to the information, nor
+was anything further heard of this interesting little society until 1814.
+In that year two British men-of-war, cruising in the Pacific, made
+Pitcairn's Island, and on nearing the shore, saw plantations regularly
+and orderly laid out.  Soon afterwards they observed a few natives coming
+down a steep descent, with their canoes on their shoulders, and in a few
+minutes perceived one of these little vessels darting through a heavy
+surf, and paddling off towards the ships.  But their astonishment may be
+imagined when, on coming alongside, they were hailed in good English
+with, "Wont you heave us a rope now?"  This being done, a young man
+sprang up the side with extraordinary activity, and stood on the deck
+before them.  In answer to the question "Who are you?" he replied that
+his name was Thursday October Christian, son of the late Fletcher
+Christian, by an Otaheitan mother; that he was the first born on the
+island, and was so named because he was born on a Thursday in October.
+All this sounded singular and incredible in the ears of the British
+captains, Sir Thomas Staines and Mr. Pipon; but they were soon satisfied
+of its truth.  Young Christian was at this time about twenty-four years
+old, a tall handsome youth, fully six feet high, with black hair, and an
+open interesting English countenance.  As he wore no clothes, except a
+piece of cloth round his loins, and a straw-hat ornamented with black
+cock's feathers, his fine figure and well-shaped muscular limbs were
+displayed to great advantage, and attracted general admiration.  His body
+was much tanned by exposure to the weather; but although his complexion
+was somewhat brown, it wanted that tinge of red peculiar to the natives
+of the Pacific.  He spoke English correctly both in grammar and
+pronunciation; and his frank and ingenuous deportment excited in every
+one the liveliest feelings of compassion and interest.  His companion was
+a fine handsome youth, of seventeen or eighteen years of age, named
+George Young, son of one of the _Bounty's_ midshipmen.
+
+The youths expressed great surprise at everything they saw, especially a
+cow, which they supposed to be either a huge goat or a horned sow, having
+never seen any other quadrupeds.  When questioned concerning the
+_Bounty_, they referred the captains to an old man on shore, the only
+surviving Englishman, whose name, they said, was John Adams, but who
+proved to be the identical Alexander Smith before-mentioned, having
+changed his name from some caprice or other.  The officers went ashore
+with the youths, and were received by old Adams (as we shall now call
+him), who conducted them to his house, and treated them to an elegant
+repast of eggs, fowl, yams, plantains, bread-fruit, etc.  They now
+learned from him an account of the fate of his companions, who, with
+himself, preferred accompanying Christian in the _Bounty_ to remaining at
+Otaheite--which account agreed with that he afterwards gave at greater
+length to Captain Beechey in 1828.  Our limits will not permit us to
+detail all the interesting particulars at length, as we could have
+wished, but they are in substance as follows:--
+
+It was Christian's object, in order to avoid the vengeance of the British
+law, to proceed to some unknown and uninhabited island, and the Marquesas
+Islands were first fixed upon.  But Christian, on reading Captain
+Cartaret's account of Pitcairn's Island, thought it better adapted for
+the purpose, and shaped his course thither.  Having landed and traversed
+it, they found it every way suitable to their wishes, possessing water,
+wood, a good soil, and some fruits.  Having ascertained all this, they
+returned on board, and having landed their hogs, goats, and poultry, and
+gutted the ship of everything that could be useful to them, they set fire
+to her, and destroyed every vestige that might lead to the discovery of
+their retreat.  This was on the 23d of January 1790.  The island was then
+divided into nine equal portions amongst them a suitable spot of neutral
+ground being reserved for a village.  The poor Otaheitans now found
+themselves reduced to the condition of mere slaves; but they patiently
+submitted, and everything went on peacefully for two years.  About that
+time Williams, one of the seamen, having the misfortune to lose his wife,
+forcibly took the wife of one of the Otaheitans, which, together with
+their continued ill-usage, so exasperated the latter that they formed a
+plan for murdering the whole of their oppressors.  The plot, however, was
+discovered, and revealed by the Englishmen's wives, and two of the
+Otaheitans were put to death.  But the surviving natives soon afterwards
+matured a more successful conspiracy, and in one day murdered five of the
+Englishmen, including Christian.  Adams and Young were spared at the
+intercession of their wives, and the remaining two, M'Koy and Quintal
+(two desperate ruffians), escaped to the mountains, whence, however, they
+soon rejoined their companions.  But the further career of these two
+villains was short.  M'Koy, having been bred up in a Scottish distillery,
+succeeded in extracting a bottle of ardent spirits from the _tee root_;
+from which time he and Quintal were never sober, until the former became
+delirious, and committed suicide by jumping over a cliff.  Quintal being
+likewise almost insane with drinking, made repeated attempts to murder
+Adams and Young, until they were absolutely compelled, for their own
+safety, to put him to death, which they did by felling him with a hatchet.
+
+Adams and Young were at length the only surviving males who had landed on
+the island, and being both of a serious turn of mind and having time for
+reflection and repentance, they became extremely devout.  Having saved a
+Bible and prayer-book from the _Bounty_, they now performed family
+worship morning and evening, and addressed themselves to training up
+their own children and those of their unfortunate companions in piety and
+virtue.  Young, however, was soon carried off by an asthmatic complaint,
+and Adams was thus left to continue his pious labors alone.  At the time
+Captains Staines and Pipon visited the island, this interesting little
+colony consisted of about forty-six persons, mostly grown-up young
+people, all living in harmony and happiness together; and not only
+professing, but fully understanding and practicing, the precepts and
+principles of the Christian religion.  Adams had instituted the ceremony
+of marriage, and he assured his visitors that not one instance of
+debauchery and immoral conduct had occurred amongst them.
+
+The visitors having supplied these interesting people with some tools,
+kettles, and other articles, took their leave.  The account which they
+transmitted home of this newly-discovered colony was, strange to say, as
+little attended to by government as that of Captain Folger, and nothing
+more was heard of Adams and his family for nearly twelve years, when, in
+1825, Captain Beechey, in the _Blossom_, bound on a voyage of discovery
+to Behring Strait, touched at Pitcairn's Island.  On the approach of the
+_Blossom_, a boat came off under all sail towards the ship, containing
+old Adams and ten of the young men of the island.  After requesting and
+obtaining leave to come on board, the young men sprung up the side, and
+shook every officer cordially by the hand.  Adams, who was grown very
+corpulent, followed more leisurely.  He was dressed in a sailor's shirt
+and trousers, with a low-crowned hat, which he held in his hand in sailor
+fashion, while he smoothed down his bald forehead when addressed by the
+officers of the _Blossom_.  The little colony had now increased to about
+sixty-six, including an English sailor of the name of John Buffett, who,
+at his own earnest desire, had been left by a whaler.  In this man the
+society luckily found an able and willing schoolmaster.  He instructed
+the children in reading, writing, and arithmetic, and devoutly
+co-operated with old Adams in affording religious instruction to the
+community.  The officers of the _Blossom_ went ashore, and were
+entertained with a sumptuous repast at young Christian's, the table being
+spread with plates, knives and forks.  Buffett said grace in an emphatic
+manner; and so strict were they in this respect, that it was not deemed
+proper to touch a morsel of bread without saying grace both before and
+after it.  The officers slept in the house all night, their bedclothing
+and sheets consisting of the native cloth made of the native
+mulberry-tree.  The only interruption to their repose was the melody of
+the evening hymn, which was chanted together by the whole family after
+the lights were put out; and they were awakened at early dawn by the same
+devotional ceremony.  On Sabbath the utmost decorum was attended to, and
+the day was passed in regular religious observances.
+
+In consequence of a representation made by Captain Beechey, the British
+government sent out Captain Waldegrave in 1830, in the _Seringapatam_,
+with a supply of sailors' blue jackets and trousers, flannels, stockings
+and shoes, women's dresses, spades, mattocks, shovels, pick-axes,
+trowels, rakes, etc.  He found their community increased to about
+seventy-nine, all exhibiting the same unsophisticated and amiable
+characteristics as we have before described.  Other two Englishmen had
+settled amongst them; one of them, called Nobbs, a low-bred, illiterate
+man, a self-constituted missionary, who was endeavoring to supersede
+Buffett in his office of religious instruction.  The patriarch Adams, it
+was found, had died in March, 1829, aged sixty-five.  While on his
+deathbed, he had called the heads of families together, and urged upon
+them to elect a chief; which, however, they had not yet done; but the
+greatest harmony still prevailed amongst them, notwithstanding Nobb's
+exertions to form a party of his own.  Captain Waldegrave thought that
+the island, which is about four miles square, might be able to support a
+thousand persons, upon reaching which number they would naturally
+emigrate to other Islands.
+
+Such is the account of this most singular colony, originating in crime
+and bloodshed.  Of all the repentant criminals on record, the most
+interesting, perhaps, is John Adams; nor do we know where to find a more
+beautiful example of the value of early instruction than in the history
+of this man, who, having run the full career of nearly all kinds of vice,
+was checked by an interval of leisurely reflection, and the sense of new
+duties awakened by the power of natural affections.
+
+
+
+[1] One person turns his back on the object that is to be divided;
+another then points separately to the portions, at each of them asking
+aloud, "Who shall have this?" to which the first answers by naming
+somebody.  This impartial method of division gives every man an equal
+chance of the best share.
+
+
+
+
+THE WRECK OF THE _ROYAL CAROLINE_
+
+From "The Red Rover," BY JAMES FENNIMORE COOPER
+
+
+Our watchful adventurer captain was not blind to these sinister omens.
+No sooner did the peculiar atmosphere by which the mysterious image that
+he so often examined was suddenly surrounded, catch his eye, than his
+voice was raised in the clear, powerful, and exciting notes of warning.
+
+"Stand by," he called aloud, "to in-all-studding-sails!  Down with them!"
+he added, scarcely giving his former words time to reach the ears of his
+subordinates.  "Down with every rag of them, fore and aft the ship!  Man
+the top-gallant clew-lines, Mr. Earing.  Clew up, and clew down!  In with
+every thing, cheerily, men!--In!"
+
+This was a language to which the crew of the _Caroline_ were no
+strangers, and it was doubly welcome, since the meanest seaman amongst
+them had long thought that his unknown commander had been heedlessly
+trifling with the safety of the vessel, by the hardy manner in which he
+disregarded the wild symptoms of the weather.  But they undervalued the
+keen-eyed vigilance of Wilder.  He had certainly driven the Bristol
+trader through the water at a rate she had never been known to go before;
+but, thus far, the facts themselves gave evidence in his favour, since no
+injury was the consequence of what they deemed temerity.  At the quick
+sudden order just given, however, the whole ship was in an uproar.  A
+dozen seamen called to each other, from different parts of the vessel,
+each striving to lift his voice above the roaring ocean; and there was
+every appearance of a general and inextricable confusion; but the same
+authority which had so unexpectedly aroused them into activity, produced
+order from their ill-directed though vigorous efforts.
+
+Wilder had spoken, to awaken the drowsy and to excite the torpid.  The
+instant he found each man on the alert, he resumed his orders with a
+calmness that gave a direction to the powers of all, and yet with an
+energy that he well knew was called for by the occasion.  The enormous
+sheets of duck, which had looked like so many light clouds in the murky
+and threatening heavens, were soon seen fluttering wildly, as they
+descended from their high places, and, in a few minutes, the ship was
+reduced to the action of her more secure and heavier canvas.  To effect
+this object, every man in the ship exerted his powers to the utmost,
+under the guidance of the steady but rapid mandates of their commander.
+Then followed a short and apprehensive pause.  All eyes were turned
+towards the quarter where the ominous signs had been discovered; and each
+individual endeavored to read their import, with an intelligence
+correspondent to the degree of skill he might have acquired, during his
+particular period of service on that treacherous element which was now
+his home.
+
+The dim tracery of the stranger's form had been swallowed by the flood of
+misty light, which, by this time, rolled along the sea like drifting
+vapour, semi-pellucid, preternatural, and seemingly tangible.  The ocean
+itself appeared admonished that a quick and violent change was nigh.  The
+waves ceased to break in their former foaming and brilliant crests, and
+black masses of the water lifted their surly summits against the eastern
+horizon, no longer shedding their own peculiar and lucid atmosphere
+around them.  The breeze which had been so fresh, and which had even
+blown with a force that nearly amounted to a gale, was lulling and
+becoming uncertain, as it might be awed by the more violent power that
+was gathering along the borders of the sea, in the direction of the
+neighbouring continent.  Each moment, the eastern puffs of air lost their
+strength, becoming more and more feeble, until, in an incredibly short
+period, the heavy sails were heard flapping against the masts.  A
+frightful and ominous calm succeeded.  At this instant, a gleam flashed
+from the fearful obscurity of the ocean, and a roar, like that of a
+sudden burst of thunder, bellowed along the waters.  The seamen turned
+their startled looks on each other, standing aghast, as if a warning of
+what was to follow had come out of the heavens themselves.  But their
+calm and more sagacious commander put a different construction on the
+signal.  His lip curled, in high professional pride, and he muttered with
+scorn,--
+
+"Does he imagine that we sleep?  Ay, he has got it himself, and would
+open our eyes to what is coming?  What does he conjecture we have been
+about, since the middle watch was set?"
+
+Wilder made a swift turn or two on the quarter-deck, turning his quick
+glances from one quarter of the heavens to another; from the black and
+lulling water on which his vessel was rolling, to the sails; and from his
+silent and profoundly expectant crew, to the dim lines of spars that were
+waving above his head, like so many pencils tracing their curvilinear and
+wanton images over the murky volumes of the superincumbent clouds.
+
+"Lay the after-yards square!" he said, in a voice which was heard by
+every man on deck, though his words were apparently spoken but little
+above his breath.  The creaking of the blocks, as the spars came slowly
+and heavily round to the indicated position, contributed to the imposing
+character of the moment, sounding like notes of fearful preparation.
+
+"Haul up the courses!" resumed Wilder with the same eloquent calmness of
+manner.  Then, taking another glance at the threatening horizon, he added
+slowly but with emphasis, "Furl them--furl them both.  Away aloft, and
+hand your courses!" he continued in a shout; "roll them up, cheerily; in
+with them, boys, cheerily; in!"
+
+The conscious seamen took their impulses from the tones of their
+commander.  In a moment, twenty dark forms were leaping up the rigging,
+with the alacrity of so many quadrupeds.  In another minute, the vast and
+powerful sheets of canvas were effectually rendered harmless, by securing
+them in tight rolls to their respective spars.  The men descended as
+swiftly as they had mounted to the yards; and then succeeded another
+breathing pause.  At this appalling moment, a candle would have sent its
+flame perpendicularly towards the heavens.  The ship, missing the
+steadying power of the wind, rolled heavily in the troughs of the seas,
+which began to lessen at each instant, as if the startled element was
+recalling into the security of its own vast bosom that portion of its
+particles which had so lately been permitted to gambol madly over its
+surface.  The water washed sullenly along the side of the ship, or, as
+she labouring rose from one of her frequent falls into the hollows of the
+waves, it shot back into the ocean from her decks in glittering cascades.
+Every hue of the heavens, every sound of the element, and each dusky and
+anxious countenance, helped to proclaim the intense interest of the
+moment.  In this brief interval of expectation and inactivity, the mates
+again approached their commander.
+
+"It is an awful night, Captain Wilder!" said Earing, presuming on his
+rank to be the first to speak.
+
+"I have known far less notice given of a shift of wind," was the answer.
+
+"We have had time to gather in our kites, 'tis true, sir; but there are
+signs and warnings that come with this change which the oldest seaman
+must dread!"
+
+"Yes," continued Knighthead, in a voice that sounded hoarse and powerful,
+even amid the fearful accessories of that scene; "yes, it is no trifling
+commission that can call people that I shall not name out upon the water
+in such a night as this.  It was in just such weather that I saw the
+_Vesuvius_ ketch go to a place so deep, that her own mortar would not
+have been able to have sent a bomb into the open air, had hands and fire
+been there fit to let it off!"
+
+"Ay; and it was in such a time that the _Greenlandman_ was cast upon the
+Orkneys, in as flat a calm as ever lay on the sea."
+
+"Gentlemen," said Wilder, with a peculiar and perhaps an ironical
+emphasis on the word, "what would ye have?  There is not a breath of air
+stirring and the ship is naked to her topsails!"
+
+It would have been difficult for either of the two malcontents to give a
+very satisfactory answer to this question.  Both were secretly goaded by
+mysterious and superstitious apprehensions, that were powerfully aided by
+the more real and intelligible aspect of the night; but neither had so
+far forgotten his manhood, and his professional pride, as to lay bare the
+full extent of his own weakness, at a moment when he was liable to be
+called upon for the exhibition of qualities of a more positive and
+determined character.  The feeling that was uppermost betrayed itself in
+the reply of Earing, though in an indirect and covert manner.
+
+"Yes, the vessel is snug enough now," he said, "though eyesight has shown
+us it is no easy matter to drive a freighted ship through the water as
+fast as one of those flying craft aboard which no man can say who stands
+at the helm, by what compass she steers, or what is her draught!"
+
+"Ay," resumed Knighthead, "I call the _Caroline_ fast for an honest
+trader.  There are few square-rigged boats who do not wear the pennants
+of the king, that can eat her out of the wind on a bowline, or bring her
+into their wake with studding-sails set.  But this is a time and an hour
+to make a seaman think.  Look at yon hazy light, here in with the land,
+that is coming so fast down upon us, and then tell me whether it comes
+from the coast of America, or whether it comes from out of the stranger
+who has been so long running under our lee, but who has got, or is fast
+getting, the wind of us at last, while none here can say how, or why.  I
+have just this much, and no more, to say: give me for consort a craft
+whose captain I know, or give me none!"
+
+"Such is your taste, Mr. Knighthead," said Wilder, coldly; "mine may, by
+some accident, be different."
+
+"Yes, yes," observed the more cautious and prudent Earing, "in time of
+war, and with letters of marque aboard, a man may honestly hope the sail
+he sees should have a stranger for her master; or otherwise he would
+never fall in with an enemy.  But, though an Englishman born myself, I
+should rather give the ship in that mist a clear sea, seeing that I
+neither know her nation nor her cruise.  Ah, Captain Wilder, this is an
+awful sight for the morning watch!  Often and often have I seen the sun
+rise in the east, and no harm done; but little good can come of a day
+when the light first breaks in the west.  Cheerfully would I give the
+owners the last month's pay, hard as it has been earned, did I but know
+under what flag the stranger sails."
+
+"Frenchman, Don, or Devil, yonder he comes!" cries Wilder.  Then, turning
+towards the attentive crew, he shouted, in a voice that was appalling by
+its vehemence and warning, "Let run the after-halyards! round with the
+fore-yard; round with it, men, with a will!"
+
+These were cries that the startled crew but too well understood.  Every
+nerve and muscle were exerted to execute the orders, to be in readiness
+for the tempest.  No man spoke; but each expended the utmost of his power
+and skill in direct and manly efforts.  Nor was there, in verity, a
+moment to lose, or a particle of human strength expended here, without a
+sufficient object.
+
+The lurid and fearful-looking mist, which, for the last quarter of an
+hour, had been gathering in the north-west, was driving down upon them
+with the speed of a race-horse.  The air had already lost the damp and
+peculiar feeling of an easterly breeze; and little eddies were beginning
+to flutter among the masts--precursors of the coming squall.  Then, a
+rushing, roaring sound was heard moaning along the ocean, whose surface
+was first dimpled, next ruffled, and finally covered with a sheet of
+clear, white, and spotless foam.  At the next moment, the power of the
+wind fell upon the inert and labouring Bristol trader.
+
+While the gust was approaching, Wilder had seized the slight opportunity
+afforded by the changeful puffs of air to get the ship as much as
+possible before the wind; but the sluggish movement of the vessel met
+neither the wishes of his own impatience nor the exigencies of the
+moment.  Her bows slowly and heavily fell off from the north, leaving her
+precisely in a situation to receive the first shock on her broadside.
+Happy it was, for all who had life at risk in that defenceless vessel,
+that she was not fated to receive the whole weight of the tempest at a
+blow.  The sails fluttered and trembled on their massive yards, bellying
+and collapsing alternately for a minute, and then the rushing wind swept
+over them in a hurricane.
+
+The _Caroline_ received the blast like a stout and buoyant ship as she
+was, yielding to its impulse until her side lay nearly incumbent on the
+element; and then, as if the fearful fabric were conscious of its
+jeopardy, it seemed to lift its reclining masts again, struggling to work
+its way through the water.
+
+"Keep the helm a-weather!  Jam it a-weather, for your life!" shouted
+Wilder, amid the roar of the gust.
+
+The veteran seaman at the wheel obeyed the order with steadiness, but in
+vain did he keep his eyes on the margin of his head sail, to watch the
+manner in which the ship would obey its power.  Twice more, in as many
+moments, the giddy masts fell towards the horizon, waving as often
+gracefully upward, and then they yielded to the mighty pressure of the
+wind, until the whole machine lay prostrate on the water.
+
+"Be cool!" said Wilder, seizing the bewildered Earing by the arm, as the
+latter rushed madly up the steep of the deck; "it is our duty to be calm;
+bring hither an axe."
+
+Quick as the thought which gave the order, the admonished mate complied,
+jumping into the mizzen-channels of the ship, to execute with his own
+hands the mandate that he knew must follow.
+
+"Shall I cut?" he demanded, with uplifted arms, and in a voice that
+atoned for his momentary confusion, by its steadiness and force.
+
+"Hold!--Does the ship mind her helm at all?"
+
+"Not an inch, sir."
+
+"Then cut," Wilder clearly and calmly added.
+
+A single blow sufficed for the discharge of this important duty.
+Extended to the utmost powers of endurance, by the vast weight it upheld,
+the lanyard struck by Earing no sooner parted, than each of its fellows
+snapped in succession, leaving the mast dependent on its wood for the
+support of all the ponderous and complicated hamper it upheld.  The
+cracking of the spar came next; and the whole fell, like a tree that had
+been snapped at its foundation.
+
+"Does she fall off?" called Wilder, to the observant seaman at the wheel.
+
+"She yielded a little, sir; but this new squall is bringing her up again."
+
+"Shall I cut?" shouted Earing from the main-rigging, whither he had
+leaped, like a tiger who had bounded on his prey.
+
+"Cut."
+
+A louder and more imposing crash succeeded this order, though not before
+several heavy blows had been struck into the massive mast itself.  As
+before, the sea received the tumbling maze of spars, rigging, and sails;
+the vessel surging at the same instant, from its recumbent position, and
+rolling far and heavily to windward.
+
+"She rights! she rights!" exclaimed twenty voices which had been mute, in
+a suspense that involved life and death.
+
+"Keep her dead away!" added the calm but authoritative voice of the young
+commander.  "Stand by to furl the fore-top-sail--let it hang a moment to
+drag the ship clear of the wreck--cut, cut--cheerily, men--hatchets and
+knives--cut _with_ all, and cut _off_ all!"
+
+As the men now worked with the vigour of hope, the ropes that still
+confined the fallen spars to the vessel were quickly severed; and the
+_Caroline_, by this time dead before the gale, appeared barely to touch
+the foam that covered the sea.  The wind came over the waste in gusts
+that rumbled like distant thunder, and with a power that seemed to
+threaten to lift the ship from its proper element.  As a prudent and
+sagacious seaman had let fly the halyards, of the solitary sail that
+remained, at the moment the squall approached, the loosened but lowered
+topsail was now distended in a manner that threatened to drag after it
+the only mast which still stood.  Wilder saw the necessity of getting rid
+of the sail, and he also saw the utter impossibility of securing it.
+Calling Earing to his side, he pointed out the danger, and gave the
+necessary order.
+
+"The spar cannot stand such shocks much longer," he concluded; "should it
+go over the bows, some fatal blow might be given to the ship at the rate
+she is moving.  A man or two must be sent aloft to cut the sail from the
+yards."
+
+"The stick is bending like a willow whip," returned the mate, "and the
+lower mast itself is sprung.  There would be great danger in trusting a
+hand in that top, while these wild squalls are breathing around us."
+
+"You may be right," returned Wilder, with a sudden conviction of the
+truth of what the other had said.  "Stay you then here; if any thing
+befall me, try to get the vessel into port as far north as the Capes of
+Virginia, at least;--on no account attempt Hatteras, in the present
+condition of----"
+
+"What would you do, Captain Wilder?" interrupted the mate, laying his
+hand on the shoulder of his commander, who had already thrown his sea-cap
+on the deck, and was preparing to divest himself of some of his outer
+garments.
+
+"I go aloft to ease the mast of that topsail, without which we lose the
+spar, and possibly the ship."
+
+"I see that plain enough; but, shall it be said that another did the duty
+of Edward Earing?  It is your business to carry the vessel into the Capes
+of Virginia, and mine to cut the topsail adrift.  If harm comes to me,
+why, put it in the log, with a word or two about the manner in which I
+played my part.  That is the most proper epitaph for a sailor."
+
+Wilder made no resistance.  He resumed his watchful and reflecting
+attitude, with the simplicity of one who had been too long trained to the
+discharge of certain obligations himself, to manifest surprise that
+another should acknowledge their imperative character.  In the mean time,
+Earing proceeded steadily to perform what he had just promised.  Passing
+into the waist of the ship, he provided himself with a suitable hatchet,
+and then, without speaking a syllable to any of the mute but attentive
+seamen, he sprang into the fore-rigging, every strand and rope-yarn of
+which was tightened by the strain nearly to snapping.  The understanding
+eyes of his observers comprehended his intention; and with precisely the
+same pride of station as had urged him to the dangerous undertaking four
+or five of the oldest mariners jumped upon the rattlings, to mount into
+an air that apparently teemed with a hundred hurricanes.
+
+"Lie down out of that fore-rigging," shouted Wilder, through a deck
+trumpet; "lie down; all, but the mate, lie down!"  His words were borne
+past the inattentive ears of the excited and mortified followers of
+Earing, but for once they failed of their effect.  Each man was too
+earnestly bent on his purpose to listen to the sounds of recall.  In less
+than a minute, the whole were scattered along the yards, prepared to obey
+the signal of their officer.  The mate cast a look about him; perceiving
+that the time was comparatively favorable, he struck a blow upon the
+large rope that confined one of the lower angles of the distended and
+bursting sail to the yard.  The effect was much the same as would be
+produced by knocking away the key-stone of an ill-cemented arch.  The
+canvas broke from its fastenings with a loud explosion, and, for an
+instant, it was seen sailing in the air ahead of the ship, as if it were
+sustained on wings.  The vessel rose on a sluggish wave--the lingering
+remains of the former breeze--and settled heavily over the rolling surge,
+borne down alike by its own weight and the renewed violence of the gusts.
+At this critical instant, while the seamen aloft were still gazing in the
+direction in which the little cloud of canvas had disappeared, a lanyard
+of the lower rigging parted, with a crack that reached the ears of Wilder.
+
+"Lie down!" he shouted wildly through his trumpet; "down by the
+backstays; down for your lives; every man of you, down!"
+
+A solitary individual profited by the warning gliding to the deck with
+the velocity of the wind.  But rope parted after rope, and the fatal
+snapping of the wood followed.  For a moment, the towering maze tottered,
+seeming to wave towards every quarter of the heavens; and then, yielding
+to the movements of the hull, the whole fell, with a heavy crash, into
+the sea.  Cord, lanyard, and stay snapped like thread, as each received
+in succession the strain of the ship, leaving the naked and despoiled
+hull of the _Caroline_ to drive before the tempest, as if nothing had
+occurred to impede its progress.
+
+A mute and eloquent pause succeeded the disaster.  It seemed as if the
+elements themselves were appeased by their work, and something like a
+momentary lull in the awful rushing of the winds might have been fancied.
+Wilder sprang to the side of the vessel, and distinctly beheld the
+victims, who still clung to their frail support.  He even saw Earing
+waving his hand in adieu with a seaman's heart, like a man who not only
+felt how desperate was his situation, but who knew how to meet it with
+resignation.  Then the wreck of spars, with all who clung to it, was
+swallowed up in the body of the frightful, preternatural-looking mist
+which extended on every side of them, from the ocean to the clouds.
+
+"Stand by, to clear away a boat!" shouted Wilder, without pausing to
+think of the impossibility of one's swimming, or of effecting the least
+good, in so violent a tornado.
+
+But the amazed and confounded seamen who remained needed no instruction
+in this matter.  Not a man moved, nor was the smallest symptom of
+obedience given.  The mariners looked wildly around them, each
+endeavouring to trace in the dusky countenance of some shipmate his
+opinion of the extent of the evil; but not a mouth opened among them all.
+
+"It is too late--it is too late!" murmured Wilder; "human skill and human
+efforts could not save them!"
+
+"Sail, ho!" Knighthead shouted in a voice that was teeming with
+superstitious awe.
+
+"Let him come on," returned his young commander, bitterly; "the mischief
+is ready done to his hands!"
+
+"Should this be a true ship, it is our duty to the owners and the
+passengers to speak her, if a man can make his voice heard in this
+tempest," the second mate continued, pointing, through the haze, at the
+dim object that was certainly at hand.
+
+"Speak her!--passengers!" muttered Wilder, involuntarily repeating his
+words.  "No; any thing is better than speaking her.  Do you see the
+vessel that is driving down upon us so fast?" he sternly demanded of the
+watchful seaman who still clung to the wheel of the _Caroline_.
+
+"Ay, ay, sir."
+
+"Give her a berth--sheer away hard to port--perhaps he may pass us in the
+gloom, now we are no higher than our decks.  Give the ship a broad sheer,
+I say, sir."
+
+The usual laconic answer was given; and, for a few moments, the Bristol
+trader was seen diverging a little from the line in which the other
+approached; but a second glance assured Wilder that the attempt was
+useless.  The strange ship (every man on board felt certain it was the
+same that had so long been seen hanging in the north-western horizon)
+came on through the mist, with a swiftness that nearly equalled the
+velocity of the tempestuous winds themselves.  Not a thread of canvas was
+seen on board her.  Each line of spars, even to the tapering and delicate
+top-gallant masts, was in its place, preserving the beauty and symmetry
+of the whole fabric; but nowhere was the smallest fragment of a sail
+opened to the gale.  Under her bows rolled a volume of foam that was even
+discernible amid the universal agitation of the ocean; and, as she came
+within sound, the sullen roar of the water might have been likened to the
+noise of a cascade.  At first, the spectators on the decks of the
+_Caroline_ believed they were not seen, and some of the men called madly
+for lights, in order that the disasters of the night might not terminate
+in an encounter.
+
+"Too many see us there already!" said Wilder.
+
+"No, no," muttered Knighthead; "no fear but we are seen; and by such
+eyes, too, as never yet looked out of mortal head!"
+
+The seamen paused.  In another instant, the long-seen and mysterious ship
+was within a hundred feet of them.  The very power of that wind, which
+was wont usually to raise the billows, now pressed the element, with the
+weight of mountains, into its bed.  The sea was every where a sheet of
+froth, but the water did not rise above the level of the surface.  The
+instant a wave lifted itself from the security of the vast depths, the
+fluid was borne away before the tornado in glittering spray.  Along this
+frothy but comparatively motionless surface, then, the stranger came
+booming with the steadiness and grandeur with which a cloud is seen
+sailing in the hurricane.  No sign of life was discovered about her.  If
+men looked out from their secret places, upon the straitened and
+discomfited wreck of the Bristol trader, it was covertly, and as darkly
+as the tempest before which they drove.  Wilder held his breath, for the
+moment the stranger was nighest, in the very excess of suspense, but, as
+he saw no signal of recognition, no human form, nor any intention to
+arrest, if possible, the furious career of the other, a smile gleamed
+across his countenance, and his lips moved rapidly, as if he found
+pleasure in being abandoned to his distress.  The stranger drove by, like
+a dark vision; and, ere another minute, her form was beginning to grow
+less distinct, in the body of spray to leeward.
+
+"She is going out of sight in the mist!" exclaimed Wilder, when he drew
+his breath, after the fearful suspense of the few last moments.
+
+"Ay, in mist or clouds," responded Knighthead, who now kept obstinately
+at his elbow, watching with the most jealous distrust, the smallest
+movement of his unknown commander.
+
+"In the heavens, or in the sea, I care not, provided he be gone."
+
+"Most seamen would rejoice to sec a strange sail, from the hull of a
+vessel shaved to the deck like this."
+
+"Men often court their destruction, from ignorance of their own
+interests.  Let him drive on, say I, and pray I!  He goes four feet to
+our one; and I ask no better favour than that this hurricane may blow
+until the sun shall rise."
+
+Knighthead started, and cast an oblique glance, which resembled
+denunciation, at his companion.  To his superstitious mind, there was
+profanity in thus invoking the tempest, at a moment when the winds seemed
+already to be pouring out their utmost wrath.
+
+"This is a heavy squall, I will allow," he said, "and such a one as many
+mariners pass whole lives without seeing; but he knows little of the sea
+who thinks there is not more wind where this comes from."
+
+"Let it blow!" cried the other, striking his hands together a little
+wildly; "I pray for wind!"
+
+All the doubts of Knighthead, as to the character of the young stranger
+who had so unaccountably got possession of the office of Nicholas
+Nichols, if any remained, were now removed.  He walked forward among the
+silent and thoughtful crew, with the air of a man whose opinion was
+settled.  Wilder, however, paid no attention to the movements of his
+subordinate, but continued pacing the deck for hours; now casting his
+eyes at the heavens, and now sending frequent and anxious glances around
+the limited horizon, while the _Royal Caroline_ still continued drifting
+before the wind, a shorn and naked wreck.
+
+
+
+
+THE CAPTURE OF THE GREAT WHITE WHALE
+
+From "Moby Dick," BY HERMAN MELVILLE
+
+
+That night, in the mid-watch, when the old man--as his wont at
+intervals--stepped forth from the scuttle in which he leaned, and went
+to his pivot-hole, he suddenly thrust out his face fiercely, snuffing
+up the sea air as a sagacious ship's dog will, in drawing nigh to some
+barbarous isle.  He declared that a whale must be near.  Soon that
+peculiar odor, sometimes to a great distance given forth by the living
+sperm whale, was palpable to all the watch; nor was any mariner
+surprised when, after inspecting the compass, and then the dog-vane,
+and then ascertaining the precise bearing of the odor as nearly as
+possible, Ahab rapidly ordered the ship's course to be slightly
+altered, and the sail to be shortened.
+
+The acute policy dictating these movements was sufficiently vindicated
+at daybreak, by the sight of a long sleek on the sea directly and
+lengthwise ahead, smooth as oil, and resembling in the pleated watery
+wrinkles bordering it, the polished metallic-like marks of some swift
+tide-rip, at the mouth of a deep, rapid stream.
+
+"Man the mast-heads!  Call all hands!"
+
+Thundering with the butts of three clubbed handspikes on the forecastle
+deck, Daggoo roused the sleepers with such judgment claps that they
+seemed to exhale from the scuttle, so instantaneously did they appear
+with their clothes in their hands.
+
+"What d'ye see?" cried Ahab, flattening his face to the sky.
+
+"Nothing, nothing, sir!" was the sound hailing down in reply.
+
+"T'gallant sails!--stunsails! alow and aloft, and on both sides!"
+
+All sail being set, he now cast loose the life-line, reserved for
+swaying him to the main royal-mast head; and in a few moments they were
+hoisting him thither, when, while but two-thirds of the way aloft, and
+while peering ahead through the horizontal vacancy between the
+main-top-sail and top-gallant-sail, he raised a gull-like cry in the
+air, "There she blows!--there she blows!  A hump like a snow-hill!  It
+is Moby Dick!"
+
+Fired by the cry which seemed simultaneously taken up by the three
+look-outs, the men on deck rushed to the rigging to behold the famous
+whale they had so long been pursuing.  Ahab had now gained his final
+perch, some feet above the other look-outs, Tashtego standing just
+beneath him on the cap of the top-gallant-mast, so that the Indian's
+head was almost on a level with Ahab's heel.  From this height the
+whale was now seen some mile or so ahead, at every roll of the sea
+revealing his high sparkling hump, and regularly jetting his silent
+spout into the air.  To the credulous mariners it seemed the same
+silent spout they had so long ago beheld in the moon-lit Atlantic and
+Indian Oceans.
+
+"And did none of ye see it before?" cried Ahab, hailing the perched men
+all around him.
+
+"I saw him almost that same instant, sir, that Captain Ahab did, and I
+cried out," said Tashtego.
+
+"Not the same instant; not the same--no, the doubloon is mine, Fate
+reserved the doubloon for me.  I only; none of ye could have raised the
+White Whale first.  There she blows! there she blows!--there she blows!
+There again--there again!" he cried, in long-drawn, lingering, methodic
+tones, attuned to the gradual prolongings of the whale's visible jets.
+"He's going to sound!  In stunsails!  Down top-gallant-sails!  Stand by
+three boats.  Mr. Starbuck, remember, stay on board, and keep the ship.
+Helm there!  Luff, luff a point!  So; steady, man, steady!  There go
+flukes!  No, no; only black water!  All ready the boats there?  Stand
+by, stand by!  Lower me, Mr. Starbuck; lower, lower,--quick, quicker!"
+and he slid through the air to the deck.
+
+"He is heading straight to leeward, sir," cried Stubb, "right away from
+us; cannot have seen the ship yet."
+
+"Be dumb, man!  Stand by the braces!  Hard down the helm!--brace up!
+Shiver her!--shiver her!  So; well that!  Boats, boats!"
+
+Soon all the boats but Starbuck's were dropped; all the boat-sails
+set--all the paddles plying; with rippling swiftness, shooting to
+leeward; and Ahab heading the onset.  A pale, death-glimmer lit up
+Fedallah's sunken eyes; a hideous motion gnawed his mouth.
+
+Like noiseless nautilus shells, their light prows sped through the sea;
+but only slowly they neared the foe.  As they neared him, the ocean
+grew still more smooth; seemed drawing a carpet over its waves; seemed
+a noon-meadow, so serenely it spread.  At length the breathless hunter
+came so nigh his seemingly unsuspecting prey, that his entire dazzling
+hump was distinctly visible, sliding along the sea as if an isolated
+thing, and continually set in a revolving ring of finest, fleecy,
+greenish foam.  He saw the vast, involved wrinkles of the slightly
+projecting head beyond.  Before it, far out on the soft Turkish-rugged
+waters, went the glistening white shadow from his broad, milky
+forehead, a musical rippling playfully accompanying the shade; and
+behind, the blue waters interchangeably flowed over into the moving
+valley of his steady wake; and on either hand bright bubbles arose and
+danced by his side.  But these were broken again by the light toes of
+hundreds of gay fowl softly feathering the sea, alternate with their
+fitful flight; and like to some flag-staff rising from the painted hull
+of an argosy, the tall but shattered pole of a recent lance projected
+from the white whale's back; and at intervals one of the cloud of
+soft-toed fowls hovering, and to and fro skimming like a canopy over
+the fish, silently perched and rocked on this pole, the long tail
+feathers streaming like pennons.
+
+A gentle joyousness--a mighty mildness of repose in swiftness, invested
+the gliding whale.  Not the white bull Jupiter swimming away with
+ravished Europa clinging to his graceful horns; his lovely, leering
+eyes sideways intent upon the maid; with smooth bewitching fleetness,
+rippling straight for the nuptial bower in Crete; not Jove, not that
+great majesty Supreme! did surpass the glorified White Whale as he so
+divinely swam.
+
+On each soft side--coincident with the parted swell, that but once
+leaving him, then flowed so wide away--on each bright side, the whale
+shed off enticings.  No wonder there had been some among the hunters
+who namelessly transported and allured by all this serenity, had
+ventured to assail it; but had fatally found that quietude but the
+vesture of tornadoes.  Yet calm, enticing calm, oh, whale! thou glidest
+on, to all who for the first time eye thee, no matter how many in that
+same way thou may'st have bejuggled and destroyed before.
+
+And thus, through the serene tranquillities of the tropical sea, among
+waves whose hand-clappings were suspended by exceeding rapture, Moby
+Dick moved on, still withholding from sight the full terrors of his
+submerged trunk, entirely hiding the wrenched hideousness of his jaw.
+But soon the fore part of him slowly rose from the water; for an
+instant his whole marbleized body formed a high arch, like Virginia's
+Natural Bridge, and warningly waving his bannered flukes in the air,
+the grand god revealed himself, sounded, and went out of sight.
+Hoveringly, halted, and dipping on the wing, the white sea-fowls
+longingly lingered over the agitated pool that he left.
+
+With oars apeak, and paddles down, the sheets of their sails adrift,
+the three boats now stilly floated, awaiting Moby Dick's reappearance.
+
+"An hour," said Ahab, standing rooted in his boat's stern; and he gazed
+beyond the whale's place, toward the dim blue spaces and wide wooing
+vacancies to leeward.  It was only an instant; for again his eyes
+seemed whirling round in his head as he swept the watery circle.  The
+breeze now freshened; the sea began to swell.
+
+"The birds!--the birds!" cried Tashtego.
+
+In long Indian file, as when herons take wing, the white birds were now
+all flying towards Ahab's boat; and when within a few yards began
+fluttering over the water there, wheeling round and round, with joyous,
+expectant cries.  Their vision was keener than man's; Ahab could
+discover no sign in the sea.  But suddenly as he peered down and down
+into its depths, he profoundly saw a white living spot no bigger than a
+white weasel, with wonderful celerity uprising, and magnifying as it
+rose, till it turned, and then there were plainly revealed two long
+crooked rows of white, glistening teeth, floating up from the
+undiscoverable bottom.  It was Moby Dick's open mouth and scrolled jaw;
+his vast, shadowed bulk still half blending with the blue of the sea.
+The glittering mouth yawned beneath the boat like an open-doored marble
+tomb; and giving one sidelong sweep with his steering oar, Ahab whirled
+the craft aside from this tremendous apparition.  Then, calling upon
+Fedallah to change places with him, went forward to the bows, and
+seizing Perth's harpoon, commanded his crew to grasp their oars and
+stand by to stern.
+
+Now, by reason of this timely spinning round the boat upon its axis,
+its bow, by anticipation, was made to face the whale's head while yet
+under water.  But as if perceiving this stratagem, Moby Dick, with that
+malicious intelligence ascribed to him, sidelingly transplanted
+himself, at it were, in an instant, shooting his pleated head
+lengthwise beneath the boat.
+
+Through and through; through every plank and each rib, it thrilled for
+an instant, the whale obliquely lying on his back, in the manner of a
+biting shark, slowly and feelingly taking its bows full within his
+mouth, so that the long, narrow, scrolled lower jaw curled high up into
+the open air, and one of the teeth caught in a row-lock.  The bluish
+pearl-white of the inside of the jaw was within six inches of Ahab's
+head, and reached higher than that.  In this attitude the White Whale
+now shook the slight cedar as a mildly cruel cat her mouse.  With
+unastonished eyes Fedallah gazed, and crossed his arms; but the
+tiger-yellow crew were tumbling over each other's heads to gain the
+uttermost stern.
+
+And now, while both elastic gunwales were springing in and out, as the
+whale dallied with the doomed craft in this devilish way; and from his
+body being submerged beneath the boat, he could not be darted at from
+the bows, for the bows were almost inside of him, as it were; and while
+the other boats involuntarily paused, as before a quick crisis
+impossible to withstand, then it was that monomaniac Ahab, furious with
+this tantalizing vicinity of his foe, which placed him all alive and
+helpless in the very jaws he hated; frenzied with all this, he seized
+the long bone with his naked hands, and wildly strove to wrench it from
+its gripe.  As now he thus vainly strove, the jaw slipped from him; the
+frail gunwales bent in, collapsed, and snapped, as both jaws, like an
+enormous shears, sliding further aft, bit the craft completely in
+twain, and locked themselves fast again in the sea, midway between the
+two floating wrecks.  These floated aside, the broken ends drooping,
+the crew at the stern-wreck clinging to the gunwales, and striving to
+hold fast to the oars to lash them across.
+
+At that preluding moment, ere the boat was yet snapped, Ahab, the first
+to perceive the whale's intent, by the crafty upraising of his head, a
+movement that loosed his hold for the time; at that moment his hand had
+made one final effort to push the boat out of the bite.  But only
+slipping further into the whale's mouth, and tilting over sideways as
+it slipped, the boat had shaken off his hold on the jaw; spilled him
+out of it, as he leaned to the push; and so he fell flat-faced upon the
+sea.
+
+Rippingly withdrawing from his prey, Moby Dick now lay at a little
+distance, vertically thrusting his oblong white head up and down in the
+billows; and at the same time slowly revolving his whole spindled body;
+so that when his vast wrinkled forehead rose--some twenty or more feet
+out of the water--the now rising swells, with all their confident
+waves, dazzlingly broke against it; vindictively tossing their shivered
+spray still higher into the air.[1]  So, in a gale, the but half
+baffled Channel billows only recoil from the base of the Eddy-stone,
+triumphantly to overleap its summit with their scud.
+
+But soon resuming his horizontal attitude, Moby Dick swam swiftly round
+and round the wrecked crew; sideways churning the water in his vengeful
+wake, as if lashing himself up to still another and more deadly
+assault.  The sight of the splintered boat seemed to madden him, as the
+blood of grapes and mulberries cast before Antiochus's elephants in the
+book of Maccabees.  Meanwhile Ahab half smothered in the foam of the
+whale's insolent tail, and too much of a cripple to swim,--though he
+could still keep afloat, even in the heart of such a whirlpool as that;
+helpless Ahab's head was seen, like a tossed bubble which the least
+chance shock might burst.  From the boat's fragmentary stern, Fedallah
+incuriously and mildly eyed him; the clinging crew, at the other
+drifting end, could not succor him; more than enough was it to look to
+themselves.  For so revolvingly appalling was the White Whale's aspect,
+and so planetarily swift the ever-contracting circles he made, that he
+seemed horizontally swooping upon them.  And though the other boats
+unharmed, still hovered hard by; still they dared not pull into the
+eddy to strike, lest that should be the signal for the instant
+destruction of the jeopardized castaways, Ahab and all; nor in that
+case could they themselves hope to escape.  With straining eyes, then,
+they remained on the outer edge of the direful zone, whose centre had
+now become the old man's head.
+
+Meantime, from the beginning all this had been descried from the ship's
+mast heads; and squaring her yards, she had borne down upon the scene;
+and was now so nigh, that Ahab in the water hailed her:--"Sail on
+the"--but that moment a breaking sea dashed on him from Moby Dick, and
+whelmed him for the time.  But struggling out of it again, and chancing
+to rise on a towering crest, he shouted,--"Sail on the whale!--Drive
+him off!"
+
+The _Pequod's_ prows were pointed; and breaking up the charmed circle,
+she effectually parted the whale from his victim.  As he suddenly swam
+off, the boats flew to the rescue.
+
+Dragged into Stubb's boat with blood-shot, blinded eyes, the white
+brine caking in his wrinkles; the long tension of Ahab's bodily
+strength did crack, and helplessly he yielded to his body's doom: for a
+long time, lying all crushed in the bottom of Stubb's boat, like one
+trodden under foot of herds of elephants.  Far inland, nameless wails
+came from him, as desolate sounds from out ravines.
+
+But this intensity of his physical prostration did but so much the more
+abbreviate it.  In an instant's compass, great hearts sometimes
+condense to one deep pang, the sum total of those shallow pains kindly
+diffused through feebler men's whole lives.  And so, such hearts,
+though summary in each one suffering; still, if the gods decree it, in
+their life-time aggregate a whole age of woe, wholly made up of
+instantaneous intensities; for even in their pointless centres, those
+noble natures contain the entire circumferences of inferior souls.
+
+"The harpoon," said Ahab, half way rising, and draggingly leaning on
+one bended arm--"is it safe!"
+
+"Aye, sir, for it was not darted; this is it," said Stubb, showing it.
+
+"Lay it before me;--any missing men!"
+
+"One, two, three, four, five;--there were five oars, sir, and here are
+five men."
+
+"That's good.--Help me, man; I wish to stand.  So, so, I see him!
+there! there! going to leeward still; what a leaping spout!--Hands off
+from me!  The eternal sap runs up in Ahab's bones again!  Set the sail;
+out oars; the helm!"
+
+It is often the case that when a boat is stove, its crew, being picked
+up by another boat, help to work that second boat; and the chase is
+thus continued with what is called double-banked oars.  It was thus
+now.  But the added power of the boat did not equal the added power of
+the whale, for he seemed to have treble-banked his every fin; swimming
+with a velocity which plainly showed, that if now, under these
+circumstances, pushed on, the chase would prove an indefinitely
+prolonged, if not a hopeless one; nor could any crew endure for so long
+a period, such an unintermitted, intense straining at the oar; a thing
+barely tolerable only in some one brief vicissitude.  The ship itself,
+then, as it sometimes happens, offered the most promising intermediate
+means of overtaking the chase.  Accordingly, the boats now made for
+her, and were soon swayed up to their cranes--the two parts of the
+wrecked boat having been previously secured by her--and then hoisting
+everything to her side, and stacking her canvas high up, and sideways
+outstretching it with stun-sails, like the double-jointed wings of an
+albatross; the _Pequod_ bore down in the leeward wake of Moby Dick.  At
+the well known, methodic intervals, the whale's glittering spout was
+regularly announced from the manned mast-heads; and when he would be
+reported as just gone down, Ahab would take the time, and then pacing
+the deck, binnacle-watch in hand, so soon as the last second of the
+allotted hour expired, his voice was heard.--"Whose is the doubloon
+now?  D'ye see him?" and if the reply was, No, sir! straightway he
+commanded them to lift him to his perch.  In this way the day wore on;
+Ahab, now aloft and motionless; anon, unrestingly pacing the planks.
+
+As he was thus walking, uttering no sound, except to hail the men
+aloft, or to bid them hoist a sail still higher, or to spread one to a
+still greater breadth--thus to and fro pacing, beneath his slouched
+hat, at every turn he passed his own wrecked boat, which had been
+dropped upon the quarter-deck, and lay there reversed; broken bow to
+shattered stern.  At last he paused before it; and as in an already
+over-clouded sky fresh troops of clouds will sometimes sail across, so
+over the old man's face there now stole some such added gloom as this.
+
+Stubb saw him pause; and perhaps intending, not vainly, though, to
+evince his own unabated fortitude, and thus keep up a valiant place in
+his Captain's mind, he advanced, and eyeing the wreck exclaimed--"The
+thistle the ass refused; it pricked his mouth too keenly, sir; ha! ha!"
+
+"What soulless thing is this that laughs before a wreck?  Man, man! did
+I not know thee brave as fearless fire (and as mechanical) I could
+swear thou wert a poltroon.  Groan nor laugh should be heard before a
+wreck."
+
+"Aye, sir," said Starbuck drawing near, "'tis a solemn sight; an omen,
+and an ill one."
+
+"Omen? omen?--the dictionary!  If the gods think to speak outright to
+man, they will honorably speak outright; not shake their heads, and
+give an old wives' darkling hint.--Begone!  Ye two are the opposite
+poles of one thing; Starbuck is Stubb reversed, and Stubb is Starbuck;
+and ye two are all mankind; and Ahab stands alone among the millions of
+the peopled earth, nor gods nor men his neighbors!  Cold, cold--I
+shiver!--How now?  Aloft there!  D'ye see him?  Sing out for every
+spout, though he spout ten times a second!"
+
+The day was nearly done; only the hem of his golden robe was rustling.
+Soon, it was almost dark, but the look-out men still remained unset.
+
+"Can't see the spout now, sir;--too dark"--cried a voice from the air.
+
+"How heading when last seen?"
+
+"As before, sir,--straight to leeward."
+
+"Good! he will travel slower now 'tis night.  Down royals and
+top-gallant stun-sails, Mr. Starbuck.  We must not run over him before
+morning; he's making a passage now, and may heave-to a while.  Helm
+there! keep her full before the wind!--Aloft! come down!--Mr. Stubb,
+send a fresh hand to the fore-mast head, and see it manned till
+morning."--Then advancing towards the doubloon in the main-mast--"Men,
+this gold is mine, for I earned it; but I shall let it abide here till
+the White Whale is dead; and then, whosoever of ye first raises him,
+upon the day he shall be killed, this gold is that man's; and if on
+that day I shall again raise him, then, ten times its sum shall be
+divided among all of ye!  Away now!--the deck is thine, sir."
+
+And so saying, he placed himself half way within the scuttle, and
+slouching his hat, stood there till dawn, except when at intervals
+rousing himself to see how the night wore on.
+
+
+SECOND DAY.
+
+At day-break, the three mast-heads were punctually manned afresh.
+
+"D'ye see him?" cried Ahab, after allowing a little space for the light
+to spread.
+
+"See nothing, sir."
+
+"Turn up all hands and make sail! he travels faster than I thought
+for;--the top-gallant sails!--aye, they should have been kept on her
+all night.  But no matter--'tis but resting for the rush."
+
+Here be it said, that this pertinacious pursuit of one particular
+whale, continued through day into night, and through night into day, is
+a thing by no means unprecedented in the South sea fishery.  For such
+is the wonderful skill, prescience of experience, and invincible
+confidence acquired by some great natural geniuses among the Nantucket
+commanders; that from the simple observation of a whale when last
+descried, they will, under certain given circumstances, pretty
+accurately foretell both the direction in which he will continue to
+swim for a time, while out of sight, as well as his probable rate of
+progression during that period.  And, in these cases, somewhat as a
+pilot, when about losing sight of a coast, whose general trending he
+well knows, and which he desires shortly to return to again, but at
+some further point; like as this pilot stands by his compass, and takes
+the precise bearing of the cape at present visible, in order the more
+certainly to hit aright the remote, unseen headland, eventually to be
+visited: so does the fisherman, at his compass, with the whale; for
+after being chased, and diligently marked, through several hours of
+daylight, then, when night obscures the fish, the creature's future
+wake through the darkness is almost as established to the sagacious
+mind of the hunter, as the pilot's coast is to him.  So that to this
+hunter's wondrous skill, the proverbial evanescence of a thing writ in
+water, a wake, is to all desired purposes well-nigh as reliable as the
+steadfast land.  And as the mighty iron Leviathan of the modern railway
+is so familiarly known in its every pace, that, with watches in their
+hands, men time his rate, as doctors that of a baby's pulse; and
+lightly say of it, the up train or the down train will reach such or
+such a spot, at such or such an hour; even so, almost, there are
+occasions when these Nantucketers time that other Leviathan of the
+deep, according to the observed humor of his speed; and say to
+themselves, so many hours hence this whale will have gone two hundred
+miles, will have about reached this or that degree of latitude or
+longitude.  But to render this acuteness at all successful in the end,
+the wind and the sea must be the whaleman's allies; for of what present
+avail to the becalmed or windbound mariner is the skill that assures
+him he is exactly ninety-three leagues and a quarter from his port?
+Inferable from these statements, are many collateral subtile matters
+touching the chase of whales.
+
+The ship tore on; leaving such a furrow in the sea as when a
+cannon-ball, missent, becomes a ploughshare and turns up the level
+field.
+
+"By salt and hemp!" cried Stubb, "but this swift motion of the deck
+creeps up one's legs and tingles at the heart.  This ship and I are two
+brave fellows!--Ha! ha!  Some one take me up, and launch me,
+spine-wise, on the sea,--for by live-oaks! my spine's a keel.  Ha, ha!
+we go the gait that leaves no dust behind!"
+
+"There she blows--she blows!--she blows!--right ahead!" was now the
+mast-head cry.
+
+"Aye, aye!" cried Stubb, "I knew it--ye can't escape--blow on and split
+your spout, O whale! the mad fiend himself is after ye! blow your
+trump--blister your lungs!--Ahab will dam off your blood, as a miller
+shuts his water-gate upon the stream!"
+
+And Stubb did but speak out for well-nigh all that crew.  The frenzies
+of the chase had by this time worked them bubblingly up, like old wine
+worked anew.  Whatever pale fears and forebodings some of them might
+have felt before; these were not only now kept out of sight through the
+growing awe of Ahab, but they were broken up, and on all sides routed,
+as timid prairie hares that scatter before the bounding bison.  The
+hand of Fate had snatched all their souls; and by the stirring perils
+of the previous day; the rack of the past night's suspense; the fixed,
+unfearing, blind, reckless way in which their wild craft went plunging
+towards its flying mark; by all these things, their hearts were bowled
+along.  The wind that made great bellies of their sails, and rushed the
+vessel on by arms invisible as irresistible; this seemed the symbol of
+that unseen agency which so enslaved them to the race.
+
+They were one man, not thirty.  For as the one ship that held them all;
+though it was put together of all contrasting things--oak, and maple,
+and pine wood; iron, and pitch, and hemp--yet all these ran into each
+other in the one concrete hull, which shot on its way, both balanced
+and directed by the long central keel; even so, all the individualities
+of the crew, this man's valor, that man's fear; guilt and guiltiness,
+all varieties were welded into oneness, and were all directed to that
+fatal goal which Ahab their one lord and keel did point to.
+
+The rigging lived.  The mast-heads, like the tops of tall palms, were
+outspreadingly tufted with arms and legs.  Clinging to a spar with one
+hand, some reached forth the other with impatient wavings; others,
+shading their eyes from the vivid sunlight, sat far out on the rocking
+yards; all the spars in full bearing of mortals, ready and ripe for
+their fate.  Ah! how they still strove through that infinite blueness
+to seek out the thing that might destroy them!
+
+"Why sing ye not out for him, if ye see him?" cried Ahab, when, after
+the lapse of some minutes since the first cry, no more had been heard.
+"Sway me up, men; ye have been deceived; not Moby Dick casts one odd
+jet that way, and then disappears."
+
+It was even so; in their headlong eagerness, the men had mistaken some
+other thing for the whale-spout, as the event itself soon proved; for
+hardly had Ahab reached his perch; hardly was the rope belayed to its
+pin on deck, when he struck the keynote to an orchestra, that made the
+air vibrate as with the combined discharge of rifles.  The triumphant
+halloo of thirty buckskin lungs was heard, as--much nearer to the ship
+than the place of the imaginary jet, less than a mile ahead--Moby Dick
+bodily burst into view!  For not by any calm and indolent spoutings!
+not by the peaceable gush of that mystic fountain in his head, did the
+White Whale now reveal his vicinity; but by the far more wondrous
+phenomenon of breaching.  Rising with his utmost velocity from the
+furthest depths, the Sperm Whale thus booms his entire bulk into the
+pure element of air, and piling up a mountain of dazzling foam, shows
+his place to the distance of seven miles and more.  In those moments,
+the torn, enraged waves he shakes off, seem his mane; in some cases,
+this breaching is his act of defiance.
+
+"There she breaches! there she breaches!" was the cry, as in his
+immeasurable bravadoes the White Whale tossed himself salmon-like to
+Heaven.  So suddenly seen in the blue plain of the sea, and relieved
+against the still bluer margin of the sky, the spray that he raised,
+for the moment, intolerably glittered and glared like a glacier; and
+stood there gradually fading and fading away from its first sparkling
+intensity, to the dim mistiness of an advancing shower in a vale.
+
+"Aye, breach your last to the sun, Moby Dick!" cried Ahab, "thy hour
+and thy harpoon are at hand!--Down! down all of ye, but one man at the
+fore.  The boats!--stand by!"
+
+Unmindful of the tedious rope-ladders of the shrouds, the men, like
+shooting stars, slid to the deck, by the isolated backstays and
+halyards; while Ahab, less dartingly, but still rapidly was dropped
+from his perch.
+
+"Lower away," he cried, so soon as he had reached his boat--a spare
+one, rigged the afternoon previous.  "Mr. Starbuck, the ship is
+thine--keep away from the boats, but keep near them.  Lower, all!"
+
+As if to strike a quick terror into them, by this time being the first
+assailant himself, Moby Dick had turned, and was now coming for the
+three crews.  Ahab's boat was central; and cheering his men, he told
+them he would take the whale head-and-head,--that is, pull straight up
+to his forehead,--a not uncommon thing; for when within a certain
+limit, such a course excludes the coming onset from the whale's
+sidelong vision.   But ere that close limit was gained, and while yet
+all three boats were plain as the ship's three masts to his eye; the
+White Whale churning himself into furious speed, almost in an instant
+as it were, rushing among the boats with open jaws, and a lashing tail,
+offered appalling battle on every side; and heedless of the irons
+darted at him from every boat, seemed only intent on annihilating each
+separate plank of which those boats were made.  But skillfully
+manoeuvred, incessantly wheeling like trained charges in the field; the
+boats for a while eluded him; though, at times, but by a plank's
+breadth; while all the time, Ahab's unearthly slogan tore every other
+cry but his to shreds.
+
+But at last in his untraceable evolutions, the White Whale so crossed
+and recrossed, and in a thousand ways entangled the clack of the three
+lines now fast to him, that they foreshortened, and, of themselves,
+warped the devoted boats towards the planted irons in him; though now
+for a moment the whale drew aside a little, as if to rally for a more
+tremendous charge.  Seizing that opportunity, Ahab first paid out more
+line: and then was rapidly hauling and jerking in upon it again--hoping
+that way to disencumber it of some snarls--when lo!--a sight more
+savage than the embattled teeth of sharks!
+
+Caught and twisted--corkscrewed in the mazes of the line, loose
+harpoons and lances, with all their bristling barbs and points, came
+flashing and dripping up to the chocks in the bows of Ahab's boat.
+Only one thing could be done.  Seizing the boat-knife, he critically
+reached within--through--and then, without--the rays of steel; dragged
+in the line beyond, passed it inboard, to the bowsman, and then, twice
+sundering the rope near the chocks--dropped the intercepted fagot of
+steel into the sea; and was all fast again.  That instant, the White
+Whale made a sudden rush among the remaining tangles of the other
+lines; by so doing, irresistibly dragged the more involved boats of
+Stubb and Flack towards his flukes; dashed them together like two
+rolling husks on a surf-beaten beach, and then, diving down into the
+sea, disappeared in a boiling maelstrom, in which, for a space, the
+odorous cedar chips of the wrecks danced round and round, like grated
+nutmeg in a swiftly stirred bowl of punch.
+
+While the two crews were yet circling in the waters, reaching out after
+the revolving line-tubs, oars, and other floating furniture, while
+aslope little Flask bobbed up and down like an empty vial, twitching
+his legs upwards to escape the dreaded jaws of sharks; and Stubb was
+lustily singing out for some one to ladle him up; and while the old
+man's line--now parting--admitted of his pulling into the creamy pool
+to rescue whom he could;--in that wild simultaneousness of a thousand
+concreted perils,--Ahab's yet unstricken boat seemed drawn up towards
+Heaven by invisible wires,--as, arrow-like, shooting perpendicularly
+from the sea, the White Whale dashed his broad forehead against its
+bottom, and sent it, turning over and over, into the air; till it fell
+again--gunwale downwards--and Ahab and his men struggled out from under
+it, like seals from a sea-side cave.
+
+The first uprising momentum of the whale--modifying its direction as he
+struck the surface--involuntarily launched him along it, to a little
+distance from the centre of the destruction he had made; and with his
+back to it, he now lay for a moment slowly feeling with his flukes from
+side to side; and whenever a stray oar, bit of plank, the least chip or
+crumb of the boats touched his skin, his tall swiftly drew back, and
+came sideways smiting the sea.  But soon, as if satisfied that his work
+for that time was done, he pushed his pleated forehead through the
+ocean, and trailing after him the intertangled lines, continued his
+leeward way at a traveller's methodic pace.
+
+As before, the attentive ship having descried the whole fight, again
+came bearing down to the rescue, and dropping a boat, picked up the
+floating mariners, tubs, oars, and whatever else could be caught at,
+and safely landed them on her decks.  Some sprained shoulders, wrists,
+and ankles; livid contusions; wrenched harpoons and lances;
+inextricable intricacies of rope; shattered oars and planks; all these
+were there; but no fatal or even serious ill seemed to have befallen
+any one.  As with Fedallah the day before, so Ahab was now found grimly
+clinging to his boat's broken half, which afforded a comparatively easy
+float; nor did it so exhaust him as the previous day's mishap.
+
+But when he was helped to the deck, all eyes were fastened upon him; as
+instead of standing by himself he still half-hung upon the shoulder of
+Starbuck, who had thus far been the foremost to assist him.  His ivory
+leg had been snapped off, leaving but one short sharp splinter.
+
+"Aye aye, Starbuck, 'tis sweet to lean sometimes, be the leaner who he
+will; and would old Ahab had leaned oftener than he has."
+
+"The ferrule has not stood, sir," said the carpenter, now coming up; "I
+put good work into that leg."
+
+"But no bones broken, sir, I hope," said Stubb with true concern.
+
+"Aye! and all splintered to pieces, Stubb!--d'ye see it.--But even with
+a broken bone, old Ahab is untouched; and I account no living bone of
+mine one jot more me, than this dead one that's lost.  Nor white whale,
+nor man, nor fiend, can so much as graze old Ahab in his own proper and
+inaccessible being.  Can any lead touch yonder floor, any mast scrape
+yonder roof?--Aloft there! which way?"
+
+"Dead to leeward, sir."
+
+"Up helm, then; pile on the sail again, ship keepers!  down the rest of
+the spare boats and rig them--Mr. Starbuck away, and muster the boat's
+crews."
+
+"Let me first help thee towards the bulwarks, sir."
+
+"Oh, oh, oh! how this splinter gores me now!  Accursed fate! that the
+unconquerable captain in the soul should have such a craven mate!"
+
+"Sir?"
+
+"My body, man, not thee.  Give me something for a cane--there, that
+shivered lance will do.  Muster the men.  Surely I have not seen him
+yet.  By heaven it cannot be!--missing?--quick! call them all."
+
+The old man's hinted thought was true.  Upon mustering the company, the
+Parsee was not there.
+
+"The Parsee!" cried Stubb--"he must have been caught in----"
+
+"The black vomit wrench thee!--run all of ye above, alow, cabin,
+forecastle--find him--not gone--not gone!"
+
+But quickly they returned to him with the tidings that the Parsee was
+nowhere to be found.
+
+"Aye, sir," said Stubb--"caught among the tangles of your line--I
+thought I saw him dragging under."
+
+"My line! my line?  Gone?--gone?   What means that little word?--What
+death-knell rings in it, that old Ahab shakes as if he were the belfry.
+The harpoon, too!--toss over the litter there,--d'ye see it?--the
+forged iron, men, the white whale's--no, no, no,--blistered fool! this
+hand did dart it!--'tis in the fish!--Aloft there!  Keep him
+nailed--Quick!--all hands to the rigging of the boats--collect the
+oars--harpooners! the irons, the irons! hoist the royals higher--a pull
+on all the sheets!  helm there! steady, steady for your life!  I'll
+ten-times girdle the unmeasured globe; yea and dive straight through
+it, but I'll slay him yet!"
+
+"Great God! but for one single instant show thyself," cried Starbuck;
+"never, never will thou capture him, old man--In Jesus' name no more of
+this, that's worse than devil's madness.  Two days chased; twice stove
+to splinters; thy very leg once more snatched from under thee; thy evil
+shadow gone--all good angles mobbing thee with warnings:--what more
+wouldst thou have?--Shall we keep chasing this murdeous fish till he
+swamps the last man?  Shall we be dragged by him to the bottom of the
+sea?  Shall we be towed by him to the infernal world?  Oh, oh,--Impiety
+and blasphemy to hunt him more!"
+
+"Starbuck, of late I've felt strangely moved to thee; ever since that
+hour we both saw--thou know'st what, in one another's eyes.  But in
+this matter of the whale, be the front of thy face to me as the palm of
+this hand--a lipless, unfeatured blank.  Ahab is for ever Ahab, man.
+This whole act's immutably decreed.  'Twas rehearsed by thee and me a
+billion years before this ocean rolled.  Fool!  I am the Fates'
+lieutenant; I act under orders.  Look thou, underling! that thou
+obeyest mine.--Stand round me, men.  Ye see an old man cut down to the
+stump; leaning on a shivered lance; propped up on a lonely foot.  'Tis
+Ahab--his body's part; but Ahab's soul's a centipede, that moves upon a
+hundred legs.  I feel strained, half-stranded, as ropes that tow
+dismasted frigates in a gale; and I may look so.  But ere I break,
+ye'll hear me crack; and till ye hear that, know that Ahab's hawser
+tows his purpose yet.  Believe ye, men, in the things called omens?
+Then laugh aloud, and cry encore!  For ere they drown, drowning things
+will twice rise to the surface; then rise again, to sink for evermore.
+So with Moby Dick--two days he's floated--to-morrow will be the third.
+Aye, men, he'll rise once more,--but only to spout his last!  D'ye feel
+brave men, brave?"
+
+"As fearless fire," cried Stubb.
+
+"And as mechanical," muttered Ahab.  Then as the men went forward, he
+muttered on:--"The things called omens!  And yesterday I talked the
+same to Starbuck there, concerning my broken boat.  Oh! how valiantly I
+seek to drive out of others' hearts what's clinched so fast in
+mine!--The Parsee--the Parsee!--gone, gone? and he was to go
+before:--but still was to be seen again ere I could perish--How's
+that?--There's a riddle now might baffle all the lawyers backed by the
+ghosts of the whole line of judges:--like a hawk's beak it pecks my
+brain.  _I'll, I'll_ solve it, though!"
+
+When dusk descended, the whale was still in sight to leeward.
+
+So once more the sail was shortened, and everything passed nearly as on
+the previous night; only, the sound of hammers, and the hum of the
+grindstone was heard till nearly daylight, as the men toiled by
+lanterns in the complete and careful rigging of the spare boats and
+sharpening their fresh weapons for the morrow.  Meantime, of the broken
+keel of Ahab's wrecked craft the carpenter made him another leg; while
+still as on the night before, slouched Ahab stood fixed within his
+scuttle; his hid, heliotrope glance anticipatingly gone backward on its
+dial; sat due eastward for the earliest sun.
+
+
+THIRD DAY.
+
+The morning of the third day dawned fair and fresh, and once more the
+solitary night-man at the fore-masthead was relieved by crowds of the
+daylight lookouts, who dotted every mast and almost every spar.
+
+"D'ye see him?" cried Ahab; but the whale was not yet in sight.
+
+"In his infallible wake, though; but follow that wake, that's all.
+Helm there; steady, as thou goest, and hast been going.  What a lovely
+day again! were it a new-made world, and made for a summer-house to the
+angels, and this morning the first of its throwing open to them, a
+fairer day could not dawn upon that world.  Here's food for thought,
+had Ahab time to think; but Ahab never thinks; he only feels, feels,
+feels; _that's_ tingling enough for mortal man! to think's audacity.
+God only has that right and privilege.  Thinking is, or ought to be, a
+coolness and a calmness; and our poor hearts throb, and our poor brains
+beat too much for that.  And yet, I've sometimes thought my brain was
+very calm--frozen calm, this old skull cracks so, like a glass in which
+the contents turned to ice, and shiver it.  And still this hair is
+growing now; this moment growing, and the heat must breed it; but no,
+it's like that sort of common grass that will grow anywhere, between
+the earthly clefts of Greenland ice or in Vesuvius lava.  How the wild
+winds blow; they whip about me as the torn shreds of split sails lash
+the tossed ship they cling to.  A vile wind that has no doubt blown ere
+this through prison corridors and cells, and wards of hospitals, and
+ventilated them, and now comes blowing hither as innocent as fleeces.
+Out upon it!--it's tainted.  Were I the wind, I'd blow no more on such
+a wicked, miserable world.  I'd crawl somewhere to a cave, and slink
+there.  And yet, 'tis a noble and heroic thing, the wind! who ever
+conquered it?  In every fight it has the last and bitterest blow.  Run
+tilting at it, and you but run through it.  Ha! a coward wind that
+strikes stark naked men, but will not stand to receive a single blow.
+Even Ahab is a braver thing--a nobler thing than _that_.  Would now the
+wind but had a body; but all the things that most exasperate and
+outrage mortal man, all these things are bodiless, but only bodiless as
+objects, not as agents.  There's a most special, a most cunning, oh, a
+most malicious difference!  And yet, I say again, and swear it now,
+that there's something all glorious and gracious in the wind.  These
+warm Trade Winds, at least, that in the clear heavens blow straight on,
+in strong and steadfast, vigorous mildness; and veer not from their
+mark, however the baser currents of the sea may turn and tack, and
+mightiest Mississipies of the land swift and swerve about, uncertain
+where to go at last.  And by the eternal Poles! these same Trades that
+so directly blow my good ship on; these Trades, or something like
+them--something so unchangeable, and full as strong, blow my keeled
+soul along!  To it!  Aloft there!  What d'ye see?"
+
+"Nothing, sir."
+
+"Nothing! and noon at hand!  The doubloon goes a-begging!  See the sun!
+Aye, aye, it must be so.  I've oversailed him.  How, got the start?
+Aye, he's chasing _me_ now; not I, _him_--that's bad; I might have
+known it, too.  Fool! the lines--the harpoons he's towing.  Aye, aye, I
+have run him by last night.  About! about!  Come down, all of ye, but
+the regular lookouts!  Man the braces!"
+
+Steering as she had done, the wind had been somewhat on the _Pequod's_
+quarter, so that now being pointed in the reverse direction, the braced
+ship sailed hard upon the breeze as she rechurned the cream in her own
+white wake.
+
+"Against the wind he now steers for the open jaw," murmured Starbuck to
+himself, as he coiled the new-hauled mainbrace upon the rail.  "God
+keep us, but already my bones feel damp within me, and from the inside
+wet my flesh.  I misdoubt me that I disobey my God in obeying him!"
+
+"Stand by to sway me up!" cried Ahab, advancing to the hempen basket.
+"We should meet him soon."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," and straightway Starbuck did Ahab's bidding, and once
+more Ahab swung on high.
+
+A whole hour now passed; gold-beaten out to ages.  Time itself now held
+long breaths with keen suspense.  But at last, some three points off
+the weather bow, Ahab descried the spout again, and instantly from the
+three mast-heads three shrieks went up as if the tongues of fire had
+voiced it.
+
+"Forehead to forehead I meet thee, this third time, Moby Dick!  On deck
+there!--brace sharper up; crowd her into the wind's eye.  He's too far
+off to lower yet, Mr. Starbuck.  The sails shake!  Stand over that
+helmsman with a top-maul!  So, so; he travels fast, and I must down.
+But let me have one more good round look aloft here at the sea; there's
+time for that.  An old, old sight, and yet somehow so young; aye, and
+not changed a wink since I first saw it, a boy, from the sand-hills of
+Nantucket!  The same!--the same!--the same to Noah as to me.  There's a
+soft shower to leeward.  Such lovely leewardings!  They must lead
+somewhere--to something else than common land, more palmy than the
+palms.  Leeward! the white whale goes that way; look to windward, then;
+the better if the bitterer quarter.  But good bye, good bye, old
+mast-head!  What's this?--green? aye, tiny mosses in these warped
+cracks.  No such green weather stains on Ahab's head!  There's the
+difference now between man's old age and matter's.  But aye, old mast,
+we both grow old together; sound in our hulls, though, are we not my
+ship?  Aye, minus a leg, that's all.  By heaven this dead wood has the
+better of my live flesh every way.  I can't compare with it; and I've
+known some ships made of dead trees outlast the lives of men made of
+the most vital stuff of vital fathers.  What's that he said? he should
+still go before me, my pilot; and yet to be seen again?  But where?
+Will I have eyes at the bottom of the sea, supposing I descend those
+endless stairs? and all night I've been sailing from him, wherever he
+did sink to.  Aye, aye, like many more thou told'st direful truth as
+touching thyself, O Parsee; but, Ahab, there thy shot fell short.  Good
+by, mast-head--keep a good eye upon the whale, the while I'm gone.
+We'll talk to-morrow, nay, to-night, when the white whale lies down
+there, tied by head and tail."
+
+He gave the word! and still gazing round him, was steadily lowered
+through the cloven blue air to the deck.
+
+In due time the boats were lowered; but as standing in his shallop's
+stern, Ahab just hovered upon the point of the descent, he waved to the
+mate,--who held one of the tackle-ropes on deck--and bade him pause.
+
+"Starbuck!"
+
+"Sir?"
+
+"For the third time my soul's ship starts upon this voyage, Starbuck."
+
+"Aye, sir, thou wilt have it so."
+
+"Some ships sail from their ports, and ever afterwards are missing,
+Starbuck!"
+
+"Truth, sir: saddest truth."
+
+"Some men die at ebb tide; some at low water; some at the full of the
+flood;--and I feel now like a billow that's all one crested comb,
+Starbuck.  I am old;--shake hands with me, man."
+
+Their hands met; their eyes fastened; Starbuck's tears the glue.
+
+"Oh, my captain, my captain!--noble heart--go not--go not!--see, it's a
+brave man that weeps; how great the agony of the persuasion then!"
+
+"Lower away!"--cried Ahab, tossing the mate's arm from him.  "Stand by
+the crew!"
+
+In an instant the boat was pulling round close under the stern.
+
+"The sharks! the sharks!" cried a voice from the low cabin-window
+there; "O master, my master, come back!"
+
+But Ahab heard nothing; for his own voice was high-lifted then; and the
+boat leaped on.
+
+Yet the voice spake true; for scarce had he pushed from the ship, when
+numbers of sharks, seemingly rising from out the dark waters beneath
+the hull, maliciously snapped at the blades of the oars, every time
+they dipped in the water; and in this way accompanied the boat with
+their bites.  It is a thing not uncommonly happening to the whale-boats
+in those swarming seas; the sharks at times apparently following them
+in the same prescient way that vultures hover over the banners of
+marching regiments in the east.  But these were the first sharks that
+had been observed by the _Pequod_ since the White Whale had been first
+descried; and whether it was that Ahab's crew were all such
+tiger-yellow barbarians, and therefore their flesh more musky to the
+senses of the sharks--a matter sometimes well known to affect them,
+however it was, they seemed to follow that one boat without molesting
+the others.
+
+"Heart of wrought steel!" murmured Starbuck, gazing over the side and
+following with his eyes the receding boat--"canst thou yet ring boldly
+to that sight?--lowering thy keel among ravening sharks, and followed
+by them, open-mouthed to the chase; and this the critical third
+day?--For when three days flow together in one continuous intense
+pursuit; be sure the first is the morning, the second the noon, and the
+third the evening and the end of that thing--be that end what it may.
+Oh! my God! what is this that shoots through me, and leaves me so
+deadly calm, yet expectant,--fixed at the top of a shudder!  Future
+things swim before me, as in empty outlines and skeletons; all the past
+is somehow grown dim.  Mary, girl! thou fadest in pale glories behind
+me; boy!  I seem to see but thy eyes grown wondrous blue.  Strangest
+problems of life seem clearing; but clouds sweep between--Is my
+journey's end coming?  My legs feel faint; like his who has footed it
+all day.  Feel thy heart,--beats it yet?--Stir thyself,
+Starbuck!--stave it off--move, move! speak aloud!--Mast-head there.
+See ye my boy's hand on the hill?--Crazed;--aloft there!--keep thy
+keenest eye upon the boats:--mark well the whale!--Ho! again!--drive
+off that hawk! see! he pecks--he tears the vane"--pointing to the red
+flag flying at the main-truck--"Ha! he soars away with it!--Where's the
+old man now? sees't thou that sight, oh Ahab!--shudder, shudder!"
+
+The boats had not gone very far, when by a signal from the
+mast-heads--a downward pointed arm, Ahab knew that the whale had
+sounded; but intending to be near him at the next rising, he held on
+his way a little sideways from the vessel; the becharmed crew
+maintaining the profoundest silence, as the head-beat waves hammered
+and hammered against the opposing bow.
+
+"Drive, drive in your nails, oh ye waves! to their utter-most heads
+drive them in! ye but strike a thing without a lid; and no coffin and
+no hearse can be mine:--and hemp only can kill me!  Ha! ha!"
+
+Suddenly the waters around them slowly swelled in broad circles; then
+quickly upheaved, as if sideways sliding from a submerged berg of ice,
+swiftly rising to the surface.  A low rumbling sound was heard; a
+subterraneous hum; and then all held their breaths; as bedraggled with
+trailing ropes, and harpoons, and lances, a vast form shot lengthwise,
+but obliquely from the sea.  Shrouded in a thin drooping veil of mist,
+it hovered for a moment in the rainbowed air; and then fell swamping
+back into the deep.  Crushed thirty feet upwards, the waters flashed
+for an instant like heaps of fountains, then brokenly sank in a shower
+of flakes, leaving the circling surface creamed like new milk round the
+marble trunk of the whale.
+
+"Give way!" cried Ahab to the oarsmen, and the boats darted forward to
+the attack; but maddened by yesterday's fresh irons that corroded in
+him, Moby Dick seemed combinedly possessed by all the angels that fell
+from heaven.  The wide tiers of welded tendons overspreading his broad
+white forehead, beneath the transparent skin, looked knitted together;
+as head on, he came churning his tail among the boats; and once more
+flailed them apart; spilling out the irons and lances from the two
+mates' boats, and dashing in one side of the upper part of their bows,
+but leaving Ahab's almost without a scar.
+
+While Daggoo and Queequeg were stopping the strained planks; and as the
+whale swimming out from them, turned, and showed one entire flank as he
+shot by them again; at that moment a quick cry went up.  Lashed round
+and round to the fish's back; pinioned in the turns upon turns in
+which, during the past night, the whale had reeled the involutions of
+the lines around him, the half torn body of the Parsee was seen; his
+sable raiment frayed to shreds; his distended eyes turned full upon old
+Ahab.
+
+The harpoon dropped from his hand.
+
+"Befooled, befooled!"--drawing in a long lean breath--"Aye, Parsee!  I
+see thee again.--Aye, and thou goest before; and this, this then is the
+hearse that thou didst promise.  But I hold thee to the last letter of
+thy word.  Where is the second hearse?  Away, mates, to the ship! those
+boats are useless now; repair them if ye can in time, and return to me;
+if not, Ahab is enough to die--Down, men! the first thing that but
+offers to jump from this boat I stand in, that thing I harpoon.  Ye are
+not other men, but my arms and my legs; and so obey me.--Where's the
+whale? gone down again?"
+
+But he looked too nigh the boat; for as if bent upon escaping with the
+corpse he bore, and as if the particular place of the last encounter
+had been but a stage in his leeward voyage, Moby Dick was now again
+steadily swimming forward; and had almost passed the ship,--which thus
+far had been sailing in the contrary direction to him, though for the
+present her headway had been stopped.  He seemed swimming with his
+utmost velocity, and now only intent upon pursuing his own straight
+path in the sea.
+
+"Oh!  Ahab," cried Starbuck, "not too late is it, even now, the third
+day, to desist.  See!  Moby Dick seeks thee not.  It is thou, thou,
+that madly seekest him!"
+
+Setting sail to the rising wind, the lonely boat was swiftly impelled
+to leeward, by both oars and canvas.  And at last when Ahab was sliding
+by the vessel, so near as plainly to distinguish Starbuck's face as he
+leaned over the rail, he hailed him to turn the vessel about, and
+follow him, not too swiftly, at a judicious interval.  Glancing
+upwards, he saw Tashtego, Queequeg, and Daggoo, eagerly mounting to the
+three mast-heads; while the oarsmen were rocking in the two staved
+boats which had but just been hoisted to the side, and were busily at
+work in repairing them.  One after the other, through the portholes, as
+he sped, he also caught flying glimpses of Stubb and Flack, busying
+themselves on deck among bundles of new irons and lances.  As he saw
+all this; as he heard the hammers in the broken boats! far other
+hammers seemed driving a nail into his heart.  But he rallied.  And now
+marking that the vane or flag was gone from the mainmast-head, he
+shouted to Tashtego, who had just gained that perch, to descend again
+for another flag, and a hammer and nails, and so nail it to the mast.
+
+Whether fagged by the three days' running chase, and the resistance to
+his swimming in the knotted hamper he bore; or whether it was some
+latent deceitfulness and malice in him: whichever was true, the White
+Whale's way now began to abate, as it seemed, from the boat so rapidly
+nearing him once more; though indeed the whale's last start had not
+been so long a one as before.  And still as Ahab glided over the waves
+the unpitying sharks accompanied him; and so pertinaciously stuck to
+the boat; and so continually bit at the plying oars, that the blades
+became jagged and crunched, and left small splinters in the sea, at
+almost every dip.
+
+"Heed them not! those teeth but give new rowlocks to your oars.  Pull
+on! 'tis the better rest, the shark's jaw than the yielding water."
+
+"But at every bite, sir, the thin blades grow smaller and smaller!"
+
+"They will last long enough! pull on!--But who can tell"--he
+muttered--"whether these sharks swim to feast on the whale or on
+Ahab?--But pull on!  Aye, all alive, now--we near him.  The helm! take
+the helm; let me pass,"--and so saying, two of the oarsmen helped him
+forward to the bows of the still flying boat.
+
+At length as the craft was cast to one side, and ran ranging along with
+the White Whale's flank, he seemed strangely oblivious of its
+advance--as the whale sometimes will--and Ahab was fairly within the
+smoky mountain mist, which, thrown off from the whale's spout, curled
+round his great, Monadnock rump; he was even thus close to him; when,
+with body arched back, and both arms lengthwise high-lifted to the
+poise, he darted his fierce iron, and his far fiercer curse into the
+hated whale.  As both steel and curse sank to the socket, as if sucked
+into a morass, Moby Dick sideways writhed; spasmodically rolled his
+nigh flank against the bow, and, without staving a hole in it, so
+suddenly canted the boat over, that had it not been for the elevated
+part of the gunwale to which he then clung, Ahab would once more have
+been tossed into the sea.  As it was, three of the oarsmen--who
+foreknew not the precise instant of the dart, and were therefore
+unprepared for its effects--these were flung out; but so fell, that, in
+an instant two of them clutched the gunwale again, and rising to its
+level on a combining wave, hurled themselves bodily inboard again; the
+third man helplessly dropping astern, but still afloat and swimming.
+
+Almost simultaneously, with a mighty volition of ungraduated,
+instantaneous swiftness, the White Whale darted through the weltering
+sea.  But when Ahab cried out to the steersman to take new turns with
+the line, and hold it so; and commanded the crew to turn round on their
+seats, and tow the boat up to the mark; the moment the treacherous line
+felt that double strain and tug, it snapped in the empty air!
+
+"What breaks in me?  Some sinew cracks!--'tis whole again; oars! oars!
+Burst in upon him!"
+
+Hearing the tremendous rush of the sea-crashing boat, the whale wheeled
+round to present his blank forehead at bay; but in that evolution,
+catching sight of the nearing black hull of the ship; seemingly seeing
+in it the source of all his persecutions; bethinking it--it may be--a
+larger and nobler foe; of a sudden, he bore down upon its advancing
+prow, smiting his jaws amid fiery showers of foam.
+
+Ahab staggered; his hand smote his forehead.  "I grow blind; hands!
+stretch out before me that I may yet grope my way.  Is't night?"
+
+"The whale!  The ship!" cried the cringing oarsmen.
+
+"Oars! oars!  Slope downwards to thy depths, O sea, that ere it be
+forever too late, Ahab may slide this last, last time upon his mark!  I
+see: the ship! the ship!  Dash on, my men!  Will ye not save my ship?"
+
+But as the oarsmen violently forced their boat through the
+sledge-hammering seas, the before whale-smitten bow-ends of two planks
+burst through, and in an instant almost, the temporarily disabled boat
+lay nearly level with the waves; its halfwading, splashing crew, trying
+hard to stop the gap and bale out the pouring water.
+
+Meantime, for that one beholding instant, Tashtego's mast-head hammer
+remained suspended in his hand; and the red flag, half-wrapping him as
+with a plaid, then streamed itself straight out from him, as his own
+forward-flowing heart; while Starbuck and Stubb, standing upon the
+bowsprit beneath, caught sight of the down-coming monster just as soon
+as he.
+
+"The whale, the whale!  Up helm, up helm!  Oh, all ye sweet powers of
+air, now hug me close!  Let not Starbuck die, if die he must, in a
+woman's fainting fit.  Up helm, I say--ye fools, the jaw! the jaw!  Is
+this the end of all my bursting prayers? all my life-long fidelities?
+Oh, Ahab, Ahab, lo, thy work.  Steady! helmsman, steady.  Nay, nay! Up
+helm again!  He turns to meet us!  Oh, his unappeasable brow drives on
+towards one, whose duty tells him he cannot depart.  My God, stand by
+me now!"
+
+"Stand not by me, but stand under me, whoever you are that will now
+help Stubb; for Stubb, too, sticks here.  I grin at thee, thou grinning
+whale!  Who ever helped Stubb, or kept Stubb awake, but Stubb's own
+unwinking eye?  And now poor Stubb goes to bed upon a mattress that is
+all too soft; would it were stuffed with brushwood!  I grin at thee,
+thou grinning whale!  Look ye, sun, moon, and stars!  I call ye
+assassins of as good a fellow as ever spouted up his ghost.  For all
+that, I would yet ring glasses with ye, would ye but hand the cup!  Oh,
+oh! oh, oh! thou grinning whale, but there'll be plenty of gulping
+soon!  Why fly ye not, O Ahab!  For me, off shoes and jacket to it; let
+Stubb die in his drawers!  A most mouldy and over-salted death,
+though;--cherries! cherries! cherries!  Oh, Flask, for one red cherry
+ere we die!"
+
+"Cherries?  I only wish that we were where they grow.  Oh, Stubb, I
+hope my poor mother's drawn my part-pay ere this; if not, few coppers
+will now come to her, for the voyage is up."
+
+From the ship's bows, nearly all the seamen now hung inactive; hammers,
+bits of plank, lances, and harpoons, mechanically retained in their
+hands, just as they had darted from their various employments; all
+their enchanted eyes intent upon the whale, which from side to side
+strangely vibrating his predestinating head, sent a broad band of
+overspreading semicircular foam before him as he rushed.  Retribution,
+swift vengeance, eternal malice were in his whole aspect, and spite of
+all that mortal man could do, the solid white buttress of his forehead
+smote the ship's starboard bow, till men and timbers reeled.  Some fell
+flat upon their faces.  Like dislodged trucks, the heads of the
+harpooners aloft shook on their bull-like necks.  Through the breach,
+they heard the waters pour, as mountain torrents down a flume.
+
+"The ship!  The hearse!--the second hearse!" cried Ahab from the boat;
+"its wood could only be American!"
+
+Diving beneath the settling ship, the whale ran quivering along its
+keel; but turning under water, swiftly shot to the surface again, far
+off the other bow, but within a few yards of Ahab's boat, where, for a
+time, he lay quiescent.
+
+"I turn my body from the sun.  What ho, Tashtego! let me hear thy
+hammer.  Oh! ye three unsurrendered spires of mine; thou uncracked
+keel; and only god-bullied hull; thou firm deck, and haughty helm, and
+Pole-pointed prow,--death-glorious ship! must ye then perish, and
+without me?  Am I cut off from the last fond pride of meanest
+shipwrecked captains?  Oh, lonely death on lonely life!  Oh, now I feel
+my topmost greatness lies in my topmost grief.  Ho, ho! from all your
+furthest bounds, pour ye now in, ye bold billows of my whole fore-gone
+life, and top this one piled comber of my death!  Towards thee I roll,
+thou all-destroying but unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with
+thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last
+breath at thee.  Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool!
+and since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still
+chasing thee, though tied to thee, thou damned whale!  _Thus_, I give
+up the spear!"
+
+The harpoon was darted; the stricken whale flew forward; with igniting
+velocity the line ran through the groove;--ran foul.  Ahab stooped to
+clear it; he did clear it! but the flying turn caught him round the
+neck, and voicelessly as Turkish mutes bowstring their victim, he was
+shot out of the boat, ere the crew knew he was gone.  Next instant, the
+heavy eye-splice in the rope's final end flew out of the stark-empty
+tub, knocked down an oarsmen, and smiting the sea, disappeared in its
+depths.
+
+For an instant, the tranced boat's crew stood still; then turned.  "The
+ship!  Great God, where is the ship?"  Soon they through dim,
+bewildering mediums saw her sidelong fading phantom, as in the gaseous
+_Fata Morgana_; only the uppermost masts out of water; while fixed by
+infatuation, or fidelity, or fate, to their once lofty perches, the
+pagan harpooners still maintained their sinking lookouts on the sea.
+And now, concentric circles seized the lone boat itself, and all its
+crew, and each floating oar, and every lance-pole, and spinning,
+animate and inanimate, all round and round in one vortex, carried the
+smallest chip of the _Pequod_ out of sight.
+
+But as the last whelmings intermixingly poured themselves over the
+sunken head of the Indian at the mainmast, leaving a few inches of the
+erect spar yet visible, together with long streaming yards of the flag,
+which calmly undulated, with ironical coincidings, over the destroying
+billows they almost touched;--at that instant, a red arm and a hammer
+hovered backwardly uplifted in the open air, in the act of nailing the
+flag faster and yet faster to the subsiding spar.  A sky-hawk that
+tauntingly had followed the main-truck downwards from its natural home
+among the stars, pecking at the flag, and incommoding Tashtego there;
+this bird now chanced to intercept its broad fluttering wing between
+the hammer and the wood; and simultaneously feeling that ethereal
+thrill, the submerged savage beneath, in his death-gasp, kept his
+hammer frozen there; and so the bird of heaven, with arch-angelic
+shrieks, and his imperial beak thrust upwards, and his whole captive
+form folded in the flag of Ahab, went down with his ship, which, like
+Satan, would not sink to hell till she had dragged a living part of
+heaven along with her, and helmeted herself with it.
+
+Now small fowls flew screaming over the yet yawning gulf; a sullen
+white surf beat against its steep sides; then all collapsed, and the
+great shroud of the sea rolled on as it rolled five thousand years ago.
+
+
+
+[1] This motion is peculiar to the sperm whale.  It receives its
+designation (pitchpoling) from its being likened to that preliminary
+up-and-down poise of the whale-lance, in the exercise called
+pitchpoling previously described.  By this motion the whale must best
+and most comprehensively view whatever objects may be encircling him.
+
+
+
+
+THE CORVETTE _CLAYMORE_
+
+From "Ninety-three," BY VICTOR HUGO
+
+
+The corvette, instead of sailing south, in the direction of St.
+Catherine, headed to the north, then, veering towards the west, had
+boldly entered that arm of the sea between Sark and Jersey called the
+Passage of the Deroute.  There was then no lighthouse at any point on
+either coast.  It had been a clear sunset; the night was darker than
+summer nights usually are; it was moonlight, but large clouds, rather
+of the equinox than of the solstice overspread the sky, and, judging by
+appearances, the moon would not be visible until she reached the
+horizon at the moment of setting.  A few clouds hung low near the
+surface of the sea and covered it with vapor.
+
+All this darkness was favorable.  Gacquoil, the pilot, intended to
+leave Jersey on the left, Guernsey on the right, and by boldly sailing
+between Hanois and Dover, to reach some bay on the coast near St. Malo,
+a longer but safer route than the one through Minqulers; for the French
+coaster had standing orders to keep an unusually sharp lookout between
+St. Helier and Granville.
+
+If the wind were favorable, and nothing happened, by dint of setting
+all sail Gacquoil hoped to reach the coast of France at daybreak.
+
+All went well.  The corvette had just passed Gros Nez.  Towards nine
+o'clock the weather looked sullen, as the sailors express it, both wind
+and sea rising; but the wind was favorable, and the sea was rough, yet
+not heavy, the waves now and then dashing over the bow of the corvette.
+"The peasant" whom Lord Balcarras had called general, and whom the
+Prince de La Tour d'Auvergne had addressed as cousin, was a good
+sailor, and paced the deck of the corvette with calm dignity.  He did
+not seem to notice that she rocked considerably.  From time to time he
+took out of his waistcoat pocket a cake of chocolate, and breaking off
+a piece, munched it.  Though his hair was gray, his teeth were sound.
+
+He spoke to no one, except that from time to time he made a few concise
+remarks in an undertone to the captain, who listened to him
+deferentially, apparently regarding his passenger as the commander,
+rather than himself.  Unobserved in the fog, and skilfully piloted, the
+_Claymore_ coasted along the steep shore to the north of Jersey,
+hugging the land to avoid the formidable reef of Pierres-de-Leeq, which
+lies in the middle of the strait between Jersey and Sark.  Gacquoil, at
+the helm, sighting in turn Greve de Leeq, Gros Nez, and Plermont,
+making the corvette glide in among those chains of reefs, felt his way
+along to a certain extent but with the self-confidence of one familiar
+with the ways of the sea.
+
+The corvette had no light forward, fearing to betray its passage
+through these guarded waters.  They congratulated themselves on the
+fog.  The Grande Etape was reached; the mist was so dense that the
+lofty outlines of the Pinnacle were scarcely visible.  They heard it
+strike ten from the belfry of Saint-Ouen,--a sign that the wind was
+still aft.  All was going well; the sea grew rougher, because they were
+drawing near La Corbiere.
+
+A little after ten, the Count Boisberthelot and the Chevalier de la
+Vieuville escorted the man in the peasant garb to the door of his
+cabin, which was the captain's own room.  As he was about to enter, he
+remarked, lowering his voice:--
+
+"You understand the importance of keeping the secret, gentlemen.
+Silence up to the moment of explosion.  You are the only ones here who
+know my name."
+
+"We will carry it to the grave," replied Boisberthelot.
+
+"And for my part, I would not reveal it were I face to face with
+death," remarked the old man.
+
+And he entered his stateroom.
+
+The commander and the first officer returned on deck, and began to pace
+up and down side by side, talking as they walked.  The theme was
+evidently their passenger; and this was the substance of the
+conversation which the wind wafted through the darkness.  Boisberthelot
+grumbled half audibly to La Vieuville,--
+
+"It remains to be seen whether or no he is a leader."
+
+La Vieuville replied,--
+
+"Meanwhile he is a prince."
+
+"Almost."
+
+"A nobleman in France, but a prince in Brittany."
+
+"Like the Tremouilles and the Rohans."
+
+"With whom he is connected."
+
+Boisberthelot resumed,--
+
+"In France and in the carriages of the king he is a marquis,--as I am a
+count, and you a chevalier."
+
+"The carriages are far away!" exclaimed Vieuville.  "We are living in
+the time of the tumbril."
+
+A silence ensued.
+
+Boisberthelot went on,--
+
+"For lack of a French prince we take one from Brittany."
+
+"For lack of thrushes--No: since an eagle is not to be found, we take a
+crow."
+
+"I should prefer a vulture," remarked Boisberthelot.
+
+La Vieuville replied,--
+
+"Yes, indeed, with a beak and talons."
+
+"We shall see."
+
+"Yes," replied Vieuville, "it is time there was a leader.  I agree with
+Tinteniac,--a leader and gunpowder!  See here, commander, I know nearly
+all the possible and impossible leaders,--those of yesterday, those of
+to-day, and those of to-morrow.  Not one of them has the head required
+for war.  In this cursed Vendee a general is needed who would be a
+lawyer as well as a leader.  He must harass the enemy, dispute every
+bush, ditch, and stone; he must force unlucky quarrels upon him, and
+take advantage of everything; vigilant and pitiless, he must watch
+incessantly, slaughter freely, and make examples.  Now, in this army of
+peasants there are heroes, but no captains.  D'Elbee is a nonentity,
+Lescure an invalid; Bonchamps is merciful,--he is kind, and that
+implies folly; La Rochejaquelein is a superb sub-lieutenant; Silz is an
+officer good for the open field, but not suited for a war that needs a
+man of expedients; Cathelineau is a simple teamster; Stofflet is a
+crafty game-keeper; Berard is inefficient; Boulainvillers is absurd;
+Charette is horrible.  I make no mention of Gaston the barber.
+Mordemonbleu! what is the use of opposing revolution, and what is the
+difference between ourselves and the republicans, if we set barbers
+over the heads of noblemen!  The fact is, that this beastly revolution
+has contaminated all of us."
+
+"It is the itch of France."
+
+"It is the itch of the Tiers etat," rejoined Boisberthelot.  "England
+alone can help us."
+
+"And she will, captain, undoubtedly."
+
+"Meanwhile it is an ugly state of affairs."
+
+"Yes,--rustics everywhere.   A monarchy that has Stofflet, the
+game-keeper of M. de Maulevrier, for a commander has no reason to envy
+a republic whose minister is Pache, the son of the Duke de Castries'
+porter.  What men this Vendean war brings face to face.--on one side
+Santerre the brewer; on the other Gaston the hairdresser!"
+
+"My dear La Vieuville, I feel some respect for this Gaston.  He behaved
+well in his command of Guemenee.  He had three hundred Blues neatly
+shot after making them dig their own graves."
+
+"Well enough done; but I could have done quite as well as he."
+
+"Pardieu, to be sure; and I too."
+
+"The great feats of war," said Vieuville, "require noble blood in those
+who perform them.  These are matters for knights, and not for
+hairdressers."
+
+"But yet there are estimable men in this 'Third Estate,'" rejoined
+Vieuville.  "Take that watchmaker, Joly, for instance.  He was formerly
+a sergeant in a Flanders regiment; he becomes a Vendean chief and
+commander of a coast band.  He has a son, a republican; and while the
+father serves in the ranks of the Whites, the son serves in those of
+the Blues.  An encounter, a battle: the father captures the son and
+blows out his brains."
+
+"He did well," said La Vieuville.
+
+"A royalist Brutus," answered Boisberthelot.  "Nevertheless, it is
+unendurable to be under the command of a Coquereau, a Jean-Jean, a
+Moulin, a Focart, a Bouju, a Chouppes!"
+
+"My dear chevalier, the opposite party is quite as indignant.  We are
+crowded with plebeians; they have an excess of nobles.  Do you think
+the sansculottes like to be commanded by the Count de Canclaux, the
+Viscount de Miranda, the Viscount de Beauharnais, the Count de Valence,
+the Marquis de Custine, and the Duke de Biron?"
+
+"What a combination!"
+
+"And the Duke de Chartres!"
+
+"Son of Egalite.  By the way, when will he be king?"
+
+"Never!"
+
+"He aspires to the throne, and his very crimes serve to promote his
+interests."
+
+"And his vices will injure his cause," said Boisberthelot.
+
+Then, after another pause, he continued,--
+
+"Nevertheless, he was anxious to be reconciled.  He came to see the
+king.  I was at Versailles when some one spit on his back."
+
+"From the top of the grand staircase?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I am glad of it."
+
+"We called him Bourbon le Bourbeaux."
+
+"He is bald-headed; he has pimples; he is a regicide.  Poh!"
+
+And La Vieuville added:--
+
+"I was with him at Ouessant."
+
+"On the _Saint Esprit_?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Had he obeyed Admiral d'Orvillier's signal to keep to the windward, he
+would have prevented the English from passing."
+
+"True."
+
+"Was he really hidden in the bottom of the hold?"
+
+"No; but we must say so all the same."
+
+And La Vieuville burst out laughing.
+
+Boisberthelot continued:--
+
+"Fools are plentiful.  Look here, I have known this Boulainvilliers of
+whom you were speaking; I knew him well.  At first the peasants were
+armed with pikes; would you believe it, he took it into his head to
+form them into pike-men.  He wanted to drill them in crossing pikes and
+repelling a charge.  He dreamed of transforming these barbarians into
+regular soldiers.  He undertook to teach them how to round in the
+corners of their squares, and to mass battalions with hollow squares.
+He jabbered the antiquated military dialect to them; he called the
+chief of a squad a _cap d'escade_,--which was what corporals under
+Louis XIV, were called.  He persisted in forming a regiment of all
+those poachers.  He had regular companies whose sergeants ranged
+themselves in a circle every evening, and, receiving the sign and
+countersign from the colonel's sergeant, repeated it in a whisper to
+the lieutenant's sergeant, who repeated it to his next neighbor, who in
+his turn transmitted it to the next man, and so on from ear to ear
+until it reached the last man.  He cashiered an officer for not
+standing bareheaded to receive the watchword from the sergeant.  You
+may imagine how he succeeded.  This simpleton could not understand that
+peasants have to be led peasant fashion, and that it is impossible to
+transform rustics into soldiers.  Yes, I have known Boulainvilliers."
+
+They walked along a few steps, each one engrossed in his own thoughts.
+
+Then the conversation was resumed:--
+
+"By the way, has the report of Dampierre's death been confirmed?"
+
+"Yes, commander."
+
+"Before Conde?"
+
+"At the camp of Pamars; he was hit by a cannonball."
+
+Boisberthelot sighed.
+
+"Count Dampierre,--another of our men, who took sides with them."
+
+"May he prosper wherever he may be!" said Vieuville.
+
+"And the ladies,--where are they?"
+
+"At Trieste."
+
+"Still there?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Ah, this republic!" exclaimed La Vieuville.  "What havoc from so
+slight a cause!  To think that this revolution was the result of a
+deficit of only a few millions!"
+
+"Insignificant beginnings are not always to be trusted."
+
+"Everything goes wrong," replied La Vieuville.
+
+"Yes; La Rouarie is dead.  Du Dresnay is an idiot.  What wretched
+leaders are all those bishops,--this Coucy, bishop of La Rochelle;
+Beaupoll Saint-Aulaire, bishop of Poitiers; Mercy, bishop of Luzon, a
+lover of Madame de l'Eschasserie----"
+
+"Whose name is Servanteau, you know, commander.  Eschasserie is the
+name of an estate."
+
+"And that false bishop of Agra, who is a cure of I know not what!"
+
+"Of Dol.  His name is Guillot de Folleville.  But then he is brave, and
+knows how to fight."
+
+"Priests when one needs soldiers! bishops who are no bishops at all!
+generals who are no generals!"
+
+La Vieuville interrupted Boisberthelot.
+
+"Have you the _Moniteur_ in your stateroom, commander?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What are they giving now in Paris?"
+
+"'Adele and Pauline' and 'La Caverne.'"
+
+"I should like to see that."
+
+"You may.  We shall be in Paris in a month."
+
+Boisberthelot thought a moment, and then added:
+
+"At the latest,--so Mr. Windham told Lord Hood."
+
+"Then, commander, I take it affairs are not going so very badly?"
+
+"All would go well, provided that the Breton war were well managed."
+
+De Vieuville shook his head.
+
+"Commander," he said, "are we to land the marines?"
+
+"Certainly, if the coast is friendly, but not otherwise.  In some cases
+war must force the gates; in others it can slip through them.  Civil
+war must always keep a false key in its pocket.  We will do all we can;
+but one must have a chief."
+
+And Boisberthelot added thoughtfully,--
+
+"What do you think of the Chevalier de Dieuzie, La Vieuville?"
+
+"Do you mean the younger?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"For a commander?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"He is only good for a pitched battle in the open field.  It is only
+the peasant who knows the underbrush."
+
+"In that case, you may as well resign yourself to Generals Stofflet and
+Cathelineau."
+
+La Vieuville mediated for a moment; then he said,--
+
+"What we need is a prince,--a French prince, a prince of the blood, a
+real prince."
+
+"How can that be?  He who says 'prince'----"
+
+"Says 'coward.'  I know it, commander.  But we need him for the
+impression he would produce upon the herd."
+
+"My dear chevalier, the princes don't care to come."
+
+"We will do without them."
+
+Boisberthelot pressed his hand mechanically against his forehead, as if
+striving to evoke an idea.  He resumed,--
+
+"Then let us try this general."
+
+"He is a great nobleman."
+
+"Do you think he will do?"
+
+"If he is one of the right sort," said La Vieuville.
+
+"You mean relentless?" said Boisberthelot.
+
+The count and the chevalier looked at each other.
+
+"Monsieur Boisberthelot, you have defined the meaning of the word.
+Relentless,--yes, that's what we need.  This is a war that shows no
+mercy.  The blood-thirsty are in the ascendant.  The regicides have
+beheaded Louis XVI; we will quarter the regicides.  Yes, the general we
+need is General Relentless.  In Anjou and Upper Poitou the leaders play
+the magnanimous; they trifle with generosity, and they are always
+defeated.  In the Marais and the country of Retz, where the leaders are
+ferocious, everything goes bravely forward.  It is because Charette is
+fierce that he stands his ground against Parrein,--hyena pitted against
+hyena."
+
+Boisberthelot had no time to answer.  Vieuville's words were suddenly
+cut short by a desperate cry, and at the same instant they heard a
+noise unlike all other sounds.  This cry and the unusual sounds came
+from the interior of the vessel.
+
+The captain and the lieutenant rushed to the gun-deck, but were unable
+to enter.  All the gunners came running up, beside themselves with
+terror.
+
+A frightful thing had just happened.
+
+One of the carronades of the battery, a twenty-four pound cannon, had
+become loose.
+
+This is perhaps the most dreadful thing that can take place at sea.
+Nothing more terrible can happen to a man-of-war under full sail.
+
+A cannon that breaks loose from its fastenings is suddenly transformed
+into a supernatural beast.  It is a monster developed from a machine.
+This mass runs along on its wheels as easily as a billiard ball; it
+rolls with the rolling, pitches with the pitching, comes and goes,
+stops, seems to meditate, begins anew, darts like an arrow from one end
+of the ship to the other, whirls around, turns aside, evades, rears,
+hits out, crushes, kills, exterminates.  It is a ram battering a wall
+at its own pleasure.  Moreover, the battering-ram is iron, the wall is
+wood.  It is matter set free; one might say that this eternal slave is
+wreaking its vengeance; it would seem as though the evil in what we
+call inanimate objects had found vent and suddenly burst forth; it has
+the air of having lost its patience, and of taking a mysterious, dull
+revenge; nothing is so inexorable as the rage of the inanimate.  The
+mad mass leaps like a panther; it has the weight of an elephant, the
+agility of a mouse, the obstinacy of the axe; it takes one by surprise,
+like the surge of the sea; it flashes like lightning; it is deaf as the
+tomb; it weighs ten thousand pounds, and it bounds like a child's ball;
+it whirls as it advances, and the circles it describes are intersected
+by right angles.  And what help is there?  How can it be overcome?  A
+calm succeeds the tempest, a cyclone passes over, a wind dies away, we
+replace the broken mass, we check the leak, we extinguish the fire; but
+what is to be done with this enormous bronze beast?  How can it be
+subdued?  You can reason with a mastiff, take a bull by surprise,
+fascinate a snake, frighten a tiger, mollify a lion; but there is no
+resource with the monster known as a loosened gun.  You cannot kill
+it,--it is already dead; and yet it lives.  It breathes a sinister life
+bestowed on it by the Infinite.  The plank beneath sways it to and fro;
+it is moved by the ship; the sea lifts the ship, and the wind keeps the
+sea in motion.  This destroyer is a toy.  Its terrible vitality is fed
+by the ship, the waves, and the wind, each lending its aid.  What is to
+be done with this complication?  How fetter this monstrous mechanism of
+shipwreck?  How foresee its coming and goings, its recoils, its halts,
+its shocks?  Any one of those blows may stave in the side of the
+vessel.  How can one guard against these terrible gyrations?  One has
+to do with a projectile that reflects, that has ideas, and changes its
+direction at any moment.  How can one arrest an object in its course,
+whose onslaught must be avoided?  The dreadful cannon rushes about,
+advances, recedes, strikes to right and to left, flies here and there,
+baffles their attempts at capture, sweeps away obstacles, crushing men
+like flies.
+
+The extreme danger of the situation comes from the unsteadiness of the
+deck.  How is one to cope with the caprices of an inclined plane?  The
+ship had within its depths, so to speak, imprisoned lightning
+struggling for escape; something like the rumbling of thunder during an
+earthquake.  In an instant the crew was on its feet.  It was the chief
+gunner's fault, who had neglected to fasten the screw-nut of the
+breeching chain, and had not thoroughly chocked the four trucks of the
+carronade, which allowed play to the frame and the bottom of the
+gun-carriage, thereby disarranging the two platforms and parting the
+breeching.  The lashings were broken, so that the gun was no longer
+firm on its carriage.  The stationary breeching which prevents the
+recoil was not in use at that time.  As a wave struck the ship's side
+the cannon, insufficiently secured, had receded, and having broken its
+chain, began to wander threateningly over the deck.  In order to get an
+idea of this strange sliding, fancy a drop of water sliding down a pane
+of glass.
+
+When the fastening broke, the gunners were in the battery, singly and
+in groups, clearing the ship for action.  The carronade, thrown forward
+by the pitching, dashed into a group of men, killing four of them at
+the first blow; then, hurled back by the rolling, it cut in two an
+unfortunate fifth man, and struck and dismounted one of the guns of the
+larboard battery.  Hence the cry of distress which had been heard.  All
+the men rushed to the ladder.  The gun-deck was empty in the twinkling
+of an eye.
+
+The monstrous gun was left to itself.  It was its own mistress, and
+mistress of the ship.  It could do with it whatsoever it wished.  This
+crew, accustomed to laugh in battle, now trembled.  It would be
+impossible to describe their terror.
+
+Captain Boisberthelot and Lieutenant la Vieuville, brave men though
+they were, paused at the top of the ladder, silent, pale, and
+undecided, looking down on the deck.  Some one pushed them aside with
+his elbow, and descended.  It was their passenger, the peasant, the man
+about whom they were talking a moment ago.
+
+Having reached the bottom of the ladder he halted.
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+The cannon was rolling to and fro on the deck.  It might have been
+called the living chariot of the Apocalypse.  A dim wavering of lights
+and shadows was added to this spectacle by the marine lantern, swinging
+under the deck.  The outlines of the cannon were indistinguishable, by
+reason of the rapidity of its motion; sometimes it looked black when
+the light shone upon it, then again it would cast pale, glimmering
+reflections in the darkness.
+
+It was still pursuing its work of destruction.  It had already
+shattered four other pieces, and made two breaches in the ship's side,
+fortunately above the waterline, but which would leak in case of rough
+weather.  It rushed frantically against the timbers; the stout riders
+resisted,--curved timbers have great strength; but one could hear them
+crack under this tremendous assault brought to bear simultaneously on
+every side, with a certain omnipresence truly appalling.
+
+A bullet shaken in a bottle could not produce sharper or more rapid
+sounds.  The four wheels were passing and repassing over the dead
+bodies, cutting and tearing them to pieces, and the five corpses had
+become five trunks rolling hither and thither; the heads seemed to cry
+out; streams of blood flowed over the deck, following the motion of the
+ship.  The ceiling, damaged in several places, had begun to give way.
+The whole ship was filled with a dreadful tumult.
+
+The captain, who had rapidly recovered his self-possession, had given
+orders to throw down the hatchway all that could abate the rage and
+check the mad onslaught of this infuriated gun; mattresses, hammocks,
+spare sails, coils of rope, the bags of the crew, and bales of false
+assignats, with which the corvette was laden,--that infamous stratagem
+of English origin being considered a fair trick in war.
+
+But what availed these rags?  No one dared to go down to arrange them,
+and in a few moments they were reduced to lint.
+
+There was just sea enough to render this accident as complete as
+possible.  A tempest would have been welcome.  It might have upset the
+cannon, and which its four wheels once in the air, it could easily have
+been mastered.  Meanwhile the havoc increased.  There were even
+incisions and fractures in the masts, that stood like pillars grounded
+firmly in the keel, and piercing the several decks of the vessel.  The
+mizzen-mast was split, and even the main-mast was damaged by the
+convulsive blows of the cannon.  The destruction of the battery still
+went on.  Ten out of the thirty pieces were useless.  The fractures in
+the side increased, and the corvette began to leak.
+
+The old passenger, who had descended to the gun-deck, looked like one
+carved in stone as he stood motionless at the foot of the stairs and
+glanced sternly over the devastation.  It would have been impossible to
+move a step upon the deck.
+
+Each bound of the liberated carronade seemed to threaten the
+destruction of the ship.  But a few moments longer, and shipwreck would
+be inevitable.
+
+They must either overcome this calamity or perish; some decisive action
+must be taken.  But what?
+
+What a combatant was this carronade!
+
+Here was this mad creature to be arrested, this flash of lightning to
+be seized, this thunderbolt to be crushed.  Boisberthelot said to
+Vieuville:--
+
+"Do you believe in God, chevalier?"
+
+"Yes and no, sometimes I do!" replied La Vieuville.
+
+"In a tempest?"
+
+"Yes, and in moments like these."
+
+"Truly God alone can save us," said Boisberthelot.
+
+All were silent, leaving the carronade to its horrible uproar.
+
+The waves beating the ship from without answered the blows of the
+cannon within, very much like a couple of hammers striking In turn.
+
+Suddenly in the midst of this inaccessible circus, where the escaped
+cannon was tossing from side to side, a man appeared, grasping an iron
+bar.  It was the author of the catastrophe, the chief gunner, whose
+criminal negligence had caused the accident,--the captain of the gun.
+Having brought about the evil, his intention was to repair it.  Holding
+a handspike in one hand, and in the other a tiller rope with the
+slip-noose in it, he had jumped through the hatchway to the deck below.
+
+Then began a terrible struggle; a titanic spectacle; a combat between
+cannon and cannoneer; a contest between mind and matter; a duel between
+man and the inanimate.  The man stood in one corner in an attitude of
+expectancy, leaning on the rider and holding in his hands the bar and
+the rope; calm, livid, and tragic, he stood firmly on his legs, that
+were like two pillars of steel.
+
+He was waiting for the cannon to approach him.
+
+The gunner knew his piece, and he felt as though it must know him.
+They had lived together a long time.  How often had he put his hand in
+its mouth.  It was his domestic monster.  He began to talk to it as he
+would to a dog.  "Come," said he.  Possibly he loved it.
+
+He seemed to wish for its coming, and yet its approach meant sure
+destruction for him.  How to avoid being crushed was the question.  All
+looked on in terror.
+
+Not a breath was drawn freely, except perhaps by the old man, who
+remained on the gun-deck gazing sternly on the two combatants.
+
+He himself was in danger of being crushed by the piece; still he did
+not move.
+
+Beneath them the blind sea had command of the battle.  When, in the act
+of accepting this awful hand-to-hand struggle, the gunner approached to
+challenge the cannon, it happened that the surging sea held the gun
+motionless for an instant, as though stupefied.  "Come on!" said the
+man.  It seemed to listen.
+
+Suddenly it leaped towards him.  The man dodged.  Then the struggle
+began,--a contest unheard of; the fragile wrestling with the
+invulnerable; the human warrior attacking the brazen beast; blind force
+on the one side, soul on the other.
+
+All this was in the shadow.  It was like an indistinct vision of a
+miracle.
+
+A soul!--strangely enough it seemed as if a soul existed within the
+cannon, but one consumed with hate and rage.  The blind thing seemed to
+have eyes.  It appeared as though the monster were watching the man.
+There was, or at least one might have supposed it, cunning in this
+mass.  It also chose its opportunity.  It was as though a gigantic
+insect of iron was endowed with the will of a demon.  Now and then this
+colossal grass-hopper would strike the low ceiling of the gun-deck,
+then falling back on its four wheels, like a tiger on all fours, rush
+upon the man.  He--supple, agile, adroit--writhed like a serpent before
+these lightning movements.  He avoided encounters; but the blows from
+which he escaped fell with destructive force upon the vessel.  A piece
+of broken chain remained attached to the carronade.  This bit of chain
+had twisted in some incomprehensible way around the breech button.
+
+One end of the chain was fastened to the gun-carriage; the other end
+thrashed wildly around, aggravating the danger with every bound of the
+cannon.  The screw held it as in a clenched hand, and this chain,
+multiplying the strokes of the battering-ram by those of the thong,
+made a terrible whirlwind around the gun,--a lash of iron in a fist of
+brass.  This chain complicated the combat.
+
+Despite all this, the man fought.  He even attacked the cannon at
+times, crawling along by the side of the ship and clutching his
+handspike and the rope; the cannon seemed to understand his movements,
+and fled as though suspecting a trap.  The man, nothing daunted,
+pursued his chase.
+
+Such a struggle must necessarily be brief.  Suddenly the cannon seemed
+to say to itself: Now, then, there must be an end to this.  And it
+stopped.  A crisis was felt to be at hand.  The cannon, as if in
+suspense, seemed to meditate, or--for to all intents and purposes it
+was a living creature--it really did meditate, some furious design.
+All at once it rushed on the gunner, who sprang aside with a laugh,
+crying out, "Try it again!" as the cannon passed him.  The gun in its
+fury smashed one of the larboard carronades; then, by the invisible
+sling in which it seemed to be held, it was thrown to the starboard,
+towards the man, who escaped.  Three carronades were crushed by its
+onslaught; then, as though blind and besides itself it turned from the
+man, and rolled from stern to stem, splintering the latter, and causing
+a breach in the walls of the prow.  The gunner took refuge at the foot
+of the ladder, a short distance from the old man, who stood watching.
+He held his handspike in readiness.  The cannon seemed aware of it, and
+without taking the trouble to turn, it rushed backward on the man, as
+swift as the blow of an axe.  The gunner, if driven up against the side
+of the ship, would be lost.
+
+One cry arose from the crew.
+
+The old passenger--who until this moment had stood motionless--sprang
+forward more swiftly than all those mad swirls.  He had seized a bale
+of the false assignats, and at the risk of being crushed succeeded in
+throwing it between the wheels of the carronade.  This decisive and
+perilous manoeuvre could not have been executed with more precision and
+adroitness by an adept in all the exercises given in the work of
+Durosel's "Manual of Naval Gunnery."
+
+The bale had the effect of a plug.  A pebble may block a log; a branch
+sometimes changes the course of an avalanche.  The carronade stumbled,
+and the gunner, availing himself of the perilous opportunity, thrust
+his iron bar between the spokes of the back wheels.  Pitching forward,
+the cannon stopped; and the man, using his bar for a lever, rocked it
+backward and forward.  The heavy mass upset, with the resonant sound of
+a bell that crashes in its fall.  The man, reeking with perspiration,
+threw himself upon it, and passed the slip-noose of the tiller-rope
+around the neck of the defeated monster.
+
+The combat was ended.  The man had conquered.  The ant had overcome the
+mastodon; the pygmy had imprisoned the thunderbolt.
+
+The soldiers and sailors applauded.
+
+The crew rushed forward with chains and cables, and in an instant the
+cannon was secured.
+
+Saluting the passenger, the gunner exclaimed,--
+
+"Sir, you have saved my life!"
+
+The old man had resumed his impassible attitude, and made no reply.
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+The man had conquered; but it might be affirmed that the cannon also
+had gained a victory.  Immediate shipwreck was averted; but the
+corvette was still in danger.  The injuries the ship had sustained
+seemed irreparable.  There were five breaches in the sides, one of
+them--a very large one--in the bow, and twenty carronades out of thirty
+lay shattered in their frames.  The recaptured gun, which had been
+secured by a chain, was itself disabled.  The screw of the
+breech-button being wrenched, it would consequently be impossible to
+level the cannon.  The battery was reduced to nine guns; there was a
+leakage in the hold.  All these damages must be repaired without loss
+of time, and the pumps set in operation.  Now that the gun-deck had
+become visible, it was frightful to look upon.  The interior of a mad
+elephant's cage could not have been more thoroughly devastated.
+However important it might be for the corvette to avoid observation,
+the care for its immediate safety was still more imperative.  They were
+obliged to light the deck with lanterns placed at intervals along the
+sides.
+
+In the meantime, while this tragic entertainment had lasted, the crew,
+entirely absorbed by a question of life and death, had not noticed what
+was going on outside of the ship.  The fog had thickened, the weather
+had changed, the wind had driven the vessel at will; they were out of
+their course, in full sight of Jersey and Guernsey, much farther to the
+south than they ought to have been, and confronting a tumultuous sea.
+The big waves kissed the wounded sides of the corvette with kisses that
+savored of danger.  The heaving of the sea grew threatening; the wind
+had risen to a gale; a squall, perhaps a tempest, was brewing.  One
+could not see four oars' length before one.
+
+While the crew made haste with their temporary repairs on the gun-deck,
+stopping the leaks and setting up the cannons that had escaped
+uninjured, the old passenger returned to the deck.
+
+He stood leaning against the main-mast.
+
+He had taken no notice of what was going on in the ship.  The Chevalier
+de la Vieuville had drawn up the marines on either side of the
+main-mast, and at a signal-whistle of the boatswain the sailors, who
+had been busy in the rigging, stood up on the yards.  Count
+Boisberthelot approached the passenger.  The captain was followed by a
+man, who, haggard and panting, with his dress in disorder, still wore
+on his countenance an expression of content.
+
+It was the gunner who had so opportunely displayed his power as a tamer
+of monsters, and gained the victory over the cannon.
+
+The count made a military salute to the old man in the peasant garb,
+and said to him:--
+
+"Here is the man, general."
+
+The gunner, with downcast eyes, stood erect in a military attitude.
+
+"General," resumed Count Boisberthelot, "considering what this man has
+done, do you not think that his superiors have a duty to perform?"
+
+"I think so," replied the old man.
+
+"Be so good as to give your orders," resumed Boisberthelot.
+
+"It is for you to give them; you are the captain."
+
+"But you are the general," answered Boisberthelot.
+
+The old man looked at the gunner.
+
+"Step forward," he said.
+
+The gunner advanced a step.
+
+Turning to Count Boisberthelot, the old man removed the cross of Saint
+Louis from the captain's breast, and fastened it on the jacket of the
+gunner.  The sailors cheered, and the marines presented arms.
+
+Then pointing to the bewildered gunner he added:
+
+"Now let the man be shot!"
+
+Stupor took the place of applause.
+
+Then, amid a tomb-like silence, the old man, raising his voice, said:--
+
+"The ship has been endangered by an act of carelessness, and may even
+yet be lost.  It is all the same whether one be at sea or face to face
+with the enemy.  A ship at sea is like an army in battle.  The tempest,
+though unseen, is ever present; the sea is an ambush.  Death is the fit
+penalty for every fault committed when facing the enemy.  There is no
+fault that can be retrieved.  Courage must be rewarded and negligence
+be punished."
+
+These words fell one after the other slowly and gravely, with a certain
+implacable rhythm, like the strokes of the axe upon an oak-tree.
+Looking at the soldiers, the old man added,--
+
+"Do your duty!"
+
+The man on whose breast shone the cross of Saint Louis bowed his head,
+and at a sign of Count Boisberthelot two sailors went down to the
+gun-deck, and presently returned bringing the hammock-shroud, the two
+sailors were accompanied by the ship's chaplain, who since the
+departure had been engaged in saying prayers in the officers' quarters.
+A sergeant detached from the ranks twelve soldiers, whom he arranged in
+two rows, six men in a row.  The gunner placed himself between the two
+lines.  The chaplain, holding a crucifix, advanced and took his place
+beside the man.  "March!" came from the lips of the sergeant; and the
+platoon slowly moved towards the bow, followed by two sailors carrying
+the shroud.
+
+A gloomy silence fell on the corvette.  In the distance a hurricane was
+blowing.  A few moments later, a report echoed through the gloom; one
+flash, and all was still.  Then came the splash of a body falling into
+the water.  The old passenger, still leaning against the mainmast, his
+hands crossed on his breast, seemed lost in thought.  Boisberthelot,
+pointing towards him with the forefinger of his left hand, remarked in
+an undertone to La Vieuville,--
+
+"The Vendee has found a leader."
+
+
+
+
+THE MERCHANTS' CUP
+
+From "Broken Stowage," BY DAVID W. BONE
+
+
+I
+
+"Fatty" Reid burst into the half-deck with a whoop of exultation.
+"Come out, boys," he yelled.  "Come out and see what luck!  The _James
+Flint_ comin' down the river, loaded and ready for sea!  Who-oop!  What
+price the _Hilda_ now for the Merchants' Cup?"
+
+"Oh, come off," said big Jones.  "Come off with your Merchants' Cup.
+Th' _James Flint's_ a sure thing, and she wasn't more than half-loaded
+when we were up at Crockett on Sunday!"
+
+"Well, there she comes anyway!  _James Flint_, sure enough!  Grade's
+house-flag up, and the Stars and Stripes!"
+
+We hustled on deck and looked over by the Sacramento's mouth.  "Fatty"
+was right.  A big barque was towing down beyond San Pedro.  The _James
+Flint_!  Nothing else in 'Frisco harbour had spars like hers; no ship
+was as trim and clean as the big Yankee clipper that Bully Nathan
+commanded.  The sails were all aloft, the boats aboard.  She was ready
+to put to sea.
+
+Our cries brought the captain and mate on deck, and the sight of the
+outward-bounder made old man Burke's face beam like a nor'west moon.
+
+"A chance for ye now, byes," he shouted.  "An open race, bedad!  Ye've
+nothin' t' be afraid of if th' _James Flint_ goes t' sea by Saturday!"
+
+Great was our joy at the prospect of the Yankee's sailing.  The 'Frisco
+Merchants' Cup was to be rowed for on Saturday.  It was a mile-and-half
+race for ships' boats, and three wins held the Cup for good.  Twice, on
+previous years, the _Hilda's_ trim gig had shot over the line--a
+handsome winner.  If we won again, the Cup was ours for keeps!  But
+there were strong opponents to be met this time.  The _James Flint_ was
+the most formidable.  It was open word that Bully Nathan was keen on
+winning the trophy.  Every one knew that he had deliberately sought out
+boatmen when the whalers came in from the north.  Those who had seen
+the Yankee's crew at work in their snaky carvel-built boat said that no
+one else was in it.  What chance had we boys in our clinker-built
+against the thews and sinews of trained whalemen?  It was no wonder
+that we slapped our thighs at the prospect of a more open race.
+
+Still, even with the Yankee gone, there were others in the running.
+There was the _Rhondda_ that held the Cup for the year, having won when
+we were somewhere off the Horn; then the _Hedwig Rickmers_--a Bremen
+four-master--which had not before competed, but whose green-painted gig
+was out for practice morning and night.  We felt easy about the
+_Rhondda_ (for had we not, time and again, shown them our stern on the
+long pull from Green St. to the outer anchorage?), but the Germans were
+different.  Try as we might, we could never pull off a spurt with them.
+No one knew for certain what they could do, only old Schenke, their
+skipper, and he held his tongue wisely.
+
+The _James Flint_ came around the bend, and our eager eyes followed her
+as she steered after the tug.  She was making for the outer anchorage,
+where the laden ships lie in readiness for a good start off.
+
+"Th' wind's 'bout west outside," said Jones.  "A 'dead muzzler'!
+She'll not put t' sea tonight, even if she has all her 'crowd' aboard."
+
+"No, worse luck! mebbe she'll lie over till Saturday after all.  They
+say Bully's dead set on getting th' Cup.  He might hang back. . . .
+Some excuse--short-handed or something!"  Gregson was the one for
+"croaking."
+
+"No hands?" said Fatty.  "Huh!  How could he be short-handed when
+everybody knows that Daly's boardin'-house is chock-full of fightin'
+Dutchmen?  No, no!  It'll be the sack for Mister Bully B. Nathan if he
+lets a capful o' fair wind go by and his anchor down.  Gracie's agents
+'ll watch that!"
+
+"Well!  He's here for th' night, anyway. . . .  There goes her mudhook!"
+
+We watched her great anchor go hurtling from the bows and heard the
+roar of chain cable as she paid out and swung round to the tide.
+
+"Come roun', yo' boys dere!  Yo' doan' want no tea, eh?"  The nigger
+cook, beating tattoo on a saucepan lid, called us back to affairs of
+the moment, and we sat down to our scanty meal in high spirits,
+talking--all at one time--of our chances of the Cup.
+
+The _Hilda_ had been three months at San Francisco, waiting for the
+wheat crop and a profitable charter.  We had come up from Australia,
+and most of our crew, having little wages due to them, had deserted
+soon after our arrival.  Only we apprentices and the sail-maker
+remained, and we had work enough to set our muscles up in the heavy
+harbour jobs.  Trimming coal and shovelling ballast may not be
+scientific training, but it is grand work for the back and shoulders.
+
+We were in good trim for rowing.  The old man had given us every
+opportunity, and nothing he could do was wanting to make us fit.  Day
+and daily we had set our stroke up by the long pull from the anchorage
+to the wharves, old Burke coaching and encouraging, checking and
+speeding us, till we worked well together.  Only last Sunday he had
+taken us out of our way, up the creek, to where we could see the flag
+at the _Rhondda's_ masthead.  The old man said nothing, but well we
+knew he was thinking of how the square of blue silk, with Californian
+emblem worked in white, would look at his trim little _Hilda's_
+fore-truck!  This flag accompanied the Cup, and now (if only the Yankee
+and his hired whalemen were safely at sea) we had hopes of seeing it at
+our masthead again.
+
+Tea over--still excited talk went on.  Some one recalled the last time
+we had overhauled and passed the _Rhondda's_ gig.
+
+"It's all very well your bucking about beating the _Rhondda_," said
+Gregson; "but don't think we're going to have it all our own way!
+Mebbe they were 'playing 'possum' when we came by that time!"
+
+"Maybe," said Jones.  "There's Peters and H. Dobson in her crew.  Good
+men!  Both rowed in the Worcester boat that left the Conways' at the
+start, three years ago. . . .  And what about the _Rickmers_? . . . .
+No, no!  It won't do to be too cocksure! . . . .  Eh, Takia?"
+
+Takia was our cox-n, a small wiry Jap.  Nothing great in inches, but a
+demon for good steering and timing a stroke.  He was serving his
+apprenticeship with us and had been a year in the _Hilda_.  Brute
+strength was not one of his points, but none was keener or more active
+in the rigging than our little Jap.
+
+He smiled,--he always smiled,--he found it the easiest way of speaking
+English.  "Oh, yes," he said.  "Little cocksu'--good!  Too much
+cocksu'--no good!"
+
+We laughed at the wisdom of the East.
+
+"Talk about being cocky," said Gregson; "you should hear Captain
+Schenke bragging about the way he brought the _Hedwig Rickmers_ out.  I
+heard 'em and the old man at it in the ship-chandler's yesterday.
+Hot . . . .  Look here, you chaps!  I don't think the old man cares so
+much to win the Cup as to beat Schenke!  The big 'squarehead' is always
+ramming it down Burke's throat how he brought his barque out from
+Liverpool in a hundred and five days, while the _Hilda_ took ten days
+more on her last run out!"
+
+"That's so, I guess," said Jones.  (Jones had the Yankee "touch.")
+"Old Burke would dearly love to put a spoke in his wheel, but it'll
+take some doing.  They say that Schenke has got a friend down from
+Sacramento--gym.-instructor or something to a college up there.  He'll
+be training the 'Dutchy' crew like blazes.  They'll give us a hot time,
+I'll bet!"
+
+Gregson rose to go on deck.  "Oh, well," he said, "it won't be so bad
+if the _James Flint_ only lifts his hook by Saturday.  Here's one
+bloomin' _hombre_ that funks racin' a fancy whaler! . . .  An' doesn't
+care who knows it, either!"
+
+
+II
+
+Thursday passed--and now Friday--still there was no sign of the wind
+changing, and the big Yankee barque lay quietly at anchor over by the
+Presidio.
+
+When the butcher came off from the shore with the day's stores, we
+eagerly questioned him about the prospects of the _James Flint's_
+sailing.  "_Huh_!  I guess yew're nat the only 'citizens' that air
+concarned 'bout that!" he said.  "They're talkin' 'bout nuthin' else on
+every 'lime-juicer' in the Bay! . . . .  An' th' _Rickmers_!  Gee!
+Schenkie's had his eye glued ter th' long telescope ever since
+daybreak, watchin' fer th' _Flint_ heavin' up anchor!"
+
+The butcher had varied information to give us.  Now it was that Bully
+Nathan had telegraphed to his New York owners for permission to remain
+in port over Sunday.  Then again, Bully was on the point of being
+dismissed his ship for not taking full advantage of a puff of nor'-west
+wind that came and went on Thursday night.
+
+. . . The _Flint_ was short of men! . . .  The Flint had a full crew
+aboard!  Rumours and rumours!  "All sorts o' talk," said the butcher;
+"but I know this fer certain--she's got all her stores aboard.  Gosh!
+I guess--she--has!  I don't like to wish nobody no harm, byes, but I
+hope Bully Nathan's first chop 'll choke him, fer th' way he done me
+over the beef! . . .  Scorch 'im!"
+
+In the forenoon we dropped the gig and put out for practice.  Old Burke
+and the mate came after us in the dinghy, the old man shouting
+instruction and encouragement through his megaphone as we rowed a
+course or spurted hard for a furious three minutes.  Others were out on
+the same ploy, and the backwaters of the Bay had each a lash of oars to
+stir their tideless depths.  Near us the green boat of the _Rickmers_
+thrashed up and down in style.  Time and again we drew across--"just
+for a friendly spurt"--but the "Dutchies" were not giving anything
+away, and sheered off as we approached.  We spent an hour or more at
+practice and were rowing leisurely back to the ship when the green boat
+overhauled us, then slowed to her skipper's orders.
+
+"How you vass, Cabtin Burke?" said Schenke, an enormous fair-headed
+Teuton, powerful-looking, but run sadly to fat in his elder years.
+"You t'ink you get a chanst now, _hein_? . . .  Now de Yankee is goin'
+avay!"  He pointed over to the Presidio, where the _Flint_ lay at
+anchor.  We followed the line of his fat forefinger.  At anchor, yes,
+but the anchor nearly a-weigh.  Her flags were hoisted, the blue peter
+fluttering at the fore, and the _Active_ tug was passing a hawser
+aboard, getting ready to tow her out.  The smoke from the tugboat's
+funnel was whirling and blowing over the low forts that guard the
+Golden Gates.  Good luck!  A fine nor'-west breeze had come that would
+lift our dreaded rival far to the south'ard on her way round Cape Horn!
+
+Schenke saw the pleased look with which old Burke regarded the Yankee's
+preparations for departure.
+
+"Goot bizness, eh?" he said.  "You t'ink you fly de flack on de _Hilda_
+nex' _Sonndag_, Cabtin?  Veil!  Ah wish you goot look, but you dond't
+got it all de same!"
+
+"Oh, well, Captain Schenke, we can but thry," said the old man.  "We
+can but thry, sorr! . . .  Shure, she's a foine boat--that o'
+yours. . . .  An' likely-looking lads, too!"  No one could but admire
+the well-set figures of the German crew as they stroked easily beside
+us.
+
+"_Schweinehunden_," said Schenke brutally.  We noticed more than one
+stolid face darkling as they glanced aside.  Schenke had the name of a
+"hard case."  "_Schweinehunden_," he said again.  "Dey dond't like de
+hard vork, Cabtin. . . .  Dey dond't like it--but ve takes der Coop,
+all de same!  Dey pulls goot und strong, oder"--he rasped a short
+sentence in rapid Low German--"Shermans dond't be beat by no durn
+lime-juicer, _nein_!"
+
+Old Burke grinned.  "Cocky as ever, Captain Schenke!  Bedad now, since
+ye had the luck of ye're last passage there's no limit to ye!"
+
+"Luck!  Luck!  Alvays de luck mit you, Cabtin!"
+
+"An' whatt ilse? . . .  Sure, if I hadn't struck a bilt of calms an'
+had more than me share of head winds off the Horn, I'd have given ye a
+day or two mesilf!"
+
+"Ho!  Ho!  Ho!  _Das ist gut_!"  The green boat rocked with Schenke's
+merriment.  He laughed from his feet up--every inch of him shook with
+emotion.  "Ho!  Ho!  Hoo!  _Das ist ganz gut_.  You t'ink you beat de
+_Hedwig Rickmers_ too, Cabtin?  You beat 'm mit dot putty leetle
+barque?  You beat 'm mit de _Hilda_, _nichtwahr_?"
+
+"Well, no," said our old man.  "I don't exactly say I beat the
+_Rickmers_, but if I had the luck o' winds that ye had, bedad, I'd
+crack th' _Hilda_ out in a hundred an' five days too!"
+
+"Now, dot is not drue, Cabtin!  _Aber ganz und gar nicht_!  You know
+you haf bedder look von de vind as Ah got.  Ah sail mein sheep!  Ah
+dond't vait for de fair winds nor not'ings!"
+
+"No," said Burke, "but ye get 'em, all the same.  Everybody knows ye've
+th' divil's own luck, Schenke!"
+
+"Und so you vas!  Look now, Cabtin Burke.  You t'nk you got so fast a
+sheep as mein, eh?  Veil!  Ah gif you a chanst to make money.  Ah bet
+you feefty dollars to tventig, Ah take mein sheep home quicker as you
+vass!"
+
+"Done wit' ye," said stout old 'Paddy' Burke, though well he know the
+big German barque could sail round the little _Hilda_.  "Fifty dollars
+to twenty, Captain Schenke, an' moind y've said it!"
+
+The green boat sheered off and forged ahead, Schenke laughing and
+waving his hand derisively.  When they had pulled out of earshot, the
+old man turned ruefully to the mate: "Five pounds clean t'rown away,
+mister!  Foine I know the _Rickmers_ can baate us, but I wasn't goin'
+t' let that ould 'squarehead' have it all his own way!  Divil th' fear!"
+
+We swung under the _Hilda's_ stern and hooked on to the gangway.  The
+old man stepped out, climbed a pace or two, then came back.
+
+"Look ye here, byes," he said, "I'll give ye foive dollars a man--an' a
+day's 'liberty' t' spind it--if ye only baate th' 'Dutchmen.' . . .
+Let th' Cup go where it will!"
+
+
+III
+
+The Bay of San Francisco is certainly one of the finest natural
+harbours in the world, let Sydney and Rio and Falmouth all contest the
+claim.  Land-locked to every wind that blows, with only a narrow
+channel open to the sea, the navies of the world could lie peacefully
+together in its sheltered waters.  The coast that environs the harbour
+abounds in natural beauties, but of all the wooded creeks--fair
+stretches of undulating downs--or stately curves of winding river, none
+surpasses the little bay formed by the turn of Benita, the northern
+postern of the Golden Gates.  Here is the little township of Sancilito,
+with its pretty white houses nestling among the dark green of the
+deeply wooded slopes.  In the bay there is good anchorage for a limited
+number of vessels, and fortunate were they who manned the tall ships
+that lay there, swinging ebb and flood, waiting for a burthen of golden
+grain.
+
+On Saturday the little bay was crowded by a muster of varied craft.
+The ships at anchor were "dressed" to the mastheads with gaily-coloured
+flags.  Huge ferryboats passed slowly up and down, their tiers of decks
+crowded with sightseers.  Tug-boats and launches darted about, clearing
+the course, or convoying racing boats to the starting lines.  Ships'
+boats of all kinds were massed together close inshore: gigs and
+pinnaces, lean whaleboats, squat dinghys, even high-sided ocean
+lifeboats with their sombre broad belts of ribbed cork.  A gay scene of
+colour and animation.  A fine turn-out to see the fortune of the
+Merchants' Cup.
+
+At two the Regatta began.  A race for longshore craft showed that the
+boarding-house "crimps" were as skillful at boatman's work as at
+inducing sailormen to desert their ships.  Then two outriggers flashed
+by, contesting a heat for a College race.  We in the _Hilda's_ gig lay
+handily at the starting line and soon were called out.  There were nine
+entries for the Cup, and the judges had decided to run three heats.  We
+were drawn in the first, and, together with the _Ardlea's_ and
+_Compton's_ gigs, went out to be inspected.  The boats had to race in
+sea-service conditions, no lightening was allowed.  At the challenge of
+the judges we showed our gear.  "Spare oar--right!  Rowlocks--right!
+Sea-anchor--right!  Bottom boards and stern grating--right.  Painter,
+ten fathoms; hemp. . . .  A bit short there, _Compton_!  Eh? . . .
+Oh--all right," said the official, and we manoeuvred into position, our
+sterns held in by the guard-boats.  Some of the ships' captains had
+engaged a steam-launch to follow the heats, and old Burke was there
+with his trumpet, shouting encouragement already.
+
+"Air yew ready?"
+
+A pause: then, pistol shot!  We struck water and laid out!  Our task
+was not difficult.  The _Ardlea's_ gig was broad-bowed and heavy; they
+had no chance; but the _Compton's_ gave us a stiff pull to more than
+midway.  Had they been like us, three months at boat-work, we had not
+pulled so easily up to the mark, but their ship was just in from
+Liverpool, and they were in poor condition for a mile and a half at
+pressure.  We won easily, and scarce had cheered the losers before the
+launch came fussing up.
+
+"Come aboard, Takia," shouted old Burke.  "Ye come down wit' me an' see
+what shape the German makes.  He's drawn wit' th' _Rhondda_ in this
+heat!"
+
+Takia bundled aboard the launch and we hauled inshore to watch the
+race.  There was a delay at the start.  Schenke, _nichts verstehen_, as
+he said, was for sending his boat away without a painter or spare gear.
+He was pulled up by the judges, and had to borrow.
+
+Now they were ready.  The _Rickmers_ outside, _Rhondda_ in the middle
+berth, and the neat little _Slieve Donard_ inshore.  At the start the
+Rhonddas came fair away from the German boat, but even at the distance
+we could see that the "Dutchmen" were well in hand.  At midway the
+_Rhondda_ was leading by a length, still going strong, but they had
+shot their bolt, and the green boat was surely pulling up.  The _Slieve
+Donard_, after an unsteady course, had given up.  Soon we could hear
+old Schenke roaring oaths and orders, as his launch came flying on in
+the wake of the speeding boats.
+
+The Germans spurted.
+
+We yelled encouragement to the Rhonddas.  "Give 'em beans, old
+sons! . . ."
+
+"_Rhondda_!  _Rhondda_! . . .  Shake 'er up"  Gallantly the white boat
+strove to keep her place, but the greens were too strong.  With a rush,
+they took the lead and held it to the finish, though two lengths from
+the line their stroke faltered, the swing was gone, and they were
+dabbling feebly when the shot rang out.
+
+"A grand race," said every one around.  "A grand race"--but old Burke
+had something to say when he steamed up to put our cox'n among us.
+"Byes, byes," he said, "if there had been twinty yards more the
+_Rhondda_ would have won.  Now d'ye moind, Takia, ye divil . . . d'ye
+moind!  Keep th' byes in hand till I give ye th' wurrd! . . .  An' whin
+ye get th' wurrd, byes! . . .  Oh, Saints!  Shake her up when ye get
+th' wurrd!"
+
+The third heat was closely contested.  All three boats, two Liverpool
+barques and a Nova Scotiaman, came on steadily together.  A clean race,
+rowed from start to finish, and the _Tuebrook_ winning by a short
+length.
+
+The afternoon was well spent when we stripped for the final, and took
+up our positions on the line.  How big and muscular the Germans looked!
+How well the green boat sat the water!  With what inward quakings we
+noted the clean fine lines of stem and stern! . . .  Of the _Tuebrook_
+we had no fear.  We knew they could never stand the pace the Germans
+would set.  Could we?
+
+Old Burke, though in a fever of excitement when we came to the line,
+had little to say.  "Keep the byes in hand, Takia--till ye get th'
+wurrd," was all he muttered.  We swung our oar-blades forward.
+
+"Ready?" The starter challenged us.
+
+Suddenly Takia yelped!  We struck and lay back as the shot rang out!  A
+stroke gained!  Takia had taken the flash; the others the report!
+
+The Jap's clever start gave us confidence and a lead.  Big Jones at
+stroke worked us up to better the advantage.  The green boat sheered a
+little, then steadied and came on, keeping to us, though nearly a
+length astern.  The _Tuebrook_ had made a bad start, but was thrashing
+away pluckily in the rear.
+
+So we hammered at it for a third of the course, when Takia took charge.
+Since his famous start he had left us to take stroke as Jones pressed
+us, but now he saw signs of the waver that comes after the first
+furious burst--shifting grip or change of foothold.
+
+"'_Trok_!--'_trok_!--'_trok_!" he muttered, and steadied the pace.
+"'_Troke_!--'_troke_!--'_troke_!" in monotone, good for soothing
+tension.
+
+Past midway the green boat came away.  The ring of the German's
+rowlocks rose to treble pitch.  Slowly they drew up, working at top
+speed.  Now they were level--level! and Takia still droning
+"'_troke_!--'_troke_!--'_troke_!"--as if the lead was ours!
+
+Wild outcry came from the crowd as the green boat forged ahead!  Deep
+roars from Schenke somewhere in the rear!  Now, labouring still to
+Takia's '_troke_!--'_troke_! we had the foam of the German's stern wash
+at our blades!  "Come away, _Hilda's_!" . . .  "_Shake her up,
+there_!" . . .  "_Hilda-h_!  _Hilda-h_!"--Takia took no outward heed of
+the cries.  He was staring stolidly ahead, bending to the pulse of the
+boat.  No outward heed--but '_troke_!--'_troke_! came faster from his
+lips.  We strained, almost holding the Germans' ensign at level with
+our bow pennant.
+
+Loud over the wild yells of the crowd we heard the voice we knew--old
+Burke's bull-roar: "Let 'er rip, Taki'!  Let 'er rip, bye!"
+
+Takia's eyes gleamed as he sped us up--up--up!  '_Troke_ became a yelp
+like a wounded dog's.  He crouched, standing, in the sternsheets, and
+lashed us up to a furious thrash of oars!  Still quicker! . . .  The
+eyes of him glared at each of us, as if daring us to fail!  The yelp
+became a scream as we drew level--the Germans still at top speed.
+"_Up_!  _Up_!  _Up_!" yells Takia, little yellow devil with a white
+froth at his lips!  "_Up_!  _Up_!  _Up_!" swaying unsteadily to meet
+the furious urging.
+
+The ring of the German rowlocks deepens--deepens--we see the green bow
+at our blades again.  Her number two falters--jars--recovers again--and
+pulls stubbornly on.  Their "shot" is fired!  They can do no more!
+Done!
+
+And so are we!  Takia drops the yoke ropes and leans forward on the
+gunwale!  Oars jar together!  Big Jones bends forward with his mouth
+wide--wide!  Done!
+
+But not before a hush--a solitary pistol shot--then roar of voices and
+shrilling of steamer syrens tell us that the Cup is ours!
+
+
+IV
+
+A month later there was a stir in the western seaports.  No longer the
+ships lay swinging idly at their moorings.  The harvest of grain was
+ready for the carriers, and every day sail was spread to the free wind
+outside the Golden Gates, and laden ships went speeding on their
+homeward voyages.  The days of boat-races and pleasant time-passing
+harbour jobs were gone; it was now work--work--to get the ship ready
+for her burden, and, swaying the great sails aloft, to rig harness for
+the power that was to bear us home.  From early morning till late
+evening we were kept hard at it; for Captain Burke and the mate were as
+keen on getting the _Hilda_ to sea after her long stay in port as they
+were on jockeying us up to win the Cup.  Often, when we turned to in
+the morning, we would find a new shipmate ready to bear a hand with us.
+The old man believed in picking up a likely man when he offered.  Long
+experience of Pacific ports had taught him how difficult it is to get a
+crew at the last moment.
+
+So when at length the cargo was stowed, we were quite ready to go to
+sea, while many others--the _Hedwig Rickmers_ among them--were waiting
+for men.
+
+On the day before sailing a number of the ship captains were gathered
+together in the chandler's store, talking of freights and passages, and
+speculating on the runs they hoped to make.  Burke and Schencke were
+the loudest talkers, for we were both bound to Falmouth "for orders,"
+and the _Rickmers_ would probably sail three days after we had gone.
+
+"Vat 'bout dot bett you make mit me, Cabtin?" said Schenke.  "Dot is
+all recht, no?"
+
+"Oh, yess," answered the old man, but without enthusiasm.  "That
+stands."
+
+"Hoo!  Hoo!  Hoo!  Tventig dollars to feefty--dot you goes home quicker
+as me, no?" Schencke turned to the other men.  "Vat you tinks,
+yenthelmen?  Ah tinks Ah sbend der tventig dollars now--so sure Ah
+vass."
+
+The others laughed.  "Man, man," said Findlayson of the _Rhondda_.
+"You don't tell me Burke's been fool enough to take that bet.  Hoo!
+You haven't the ghost of a chance, Burke."
+
+"Och, ye never know," said the now doleful sportsman.  "Ye never know
+ye're luck."
+
+"Look here, Cabtin," said Schencke (good-humoured by the unspoken
+tribute to his vessel's sailing powers)--"Ah gif you a chanst.  Ah make
+de bett dis vay--look.  Ve goes to Falmouth--you _und_ me, _hein_?
+Now, de first who comes on de shore vins de money.  Dot vill gif you
+t'ree days' start, no?"
+
+"That's more like it," said the other captains.  "I wish you luck,
+Burke," said Findlayson.  "Good luck--you'll need it too--if you are to
+be home before the big German."
+
+So the bet was made.
+
+At daybreak next morning we put out to sea.  The good luck that the
+_Rhondda_ wished us came our way from the very first.  When the tug
+left us we set sail to a fine fair wind, and soon were bowling along in
+style.  We found the nor'-east Trades with little seeking; strong
+Trades, too, that lifted us to the Line almost before the harbour dust
+was blown from our masts and spars.  There calms fell on us for a few
+days, but we drifted south in the right current, and in less than forty
+days had run into the "westerlies" and were bearing away for the Horn.
+
+Old Burke was "cracking on" for all the _Hilda_ could carry canvas.
+Every morning when he came on deck the first question to the mate would
+be: "Any ships in sight, mister?" . . .  "Any ships astern," he meant,
+for his first glance was always to where the big green four-master
+might be expected to heave in sight.  Then, when nothing was reported,
+he would begin his day-long strut up and down the poop, whistling
+"Garryowen" and rubbing his hands.
+
+Nor was the joy at our good progress his alone.  We in the half-deck
+knew of the bet, and were keen that the ship which carried the
+Merchants' Cup should not be overhauled by the runner-up!  We had made
+a fetish of the trophy so hardly won.  The Cup itself was safely stowed
+in the ship's strong chest, but the old man had let us have custody of
+the flag.  Big Jones had particular charge of it; and it had been a
+custom while in 'Frisco to exhibit it on the Saturday nights to
+admiring and envious friends from other ships.  This custom we
+continued when at sea.  True, there were no visitors to set us up and
+swear what lusty chaps we were, but we could frank one another and say,
+"If you hadn't done this or that, we would never have won the race."
+
+On a breezy Saturday evening we were busy at these rites.  The _Hilda_
+was doing well before a steady nor'-west wind, but the weather--though
+nothing misty--was dark as a pall.  Thick clouds overcast the sky, and
+there seemed no dividing line between the darkling sea and the windy
+banks that shrouded the horizon.  A dirty night was in prospect; the
+weather would thicken later; but that made the modest comforts of the
+half-deck seem more inviting by comparison; and we came together for
+our weekly "sing-song"--all but Gregson, whose turn it was to stand the
+lookout on the fo'c'sle-head.
+
+The flag was brought out and hung up--Jones standing by to see that no
+pipe-lights were brought near--and we ranted at "Ye Mariners of
+England" till the mate sent word that further din would mean a
+"work-up" job for all of us.
+
+Little we thought that we mariners would soon be facing dangers as
+great as any we so glibly sang about.  Even as we sang, the _Hilda_ was
+speeding on a fatal course!  Across her track the almost submerged hull
+of a derelict lay drifting.  Black night veiled the danger from the
+keenest eyes.
+
+A frenzied order from the poop put a stunning period to our merriment.
+"Helm up, f'r God's sake! . . .  _Up_!--_oh God_!--_Up_! _Up_!"  A
+furious impact dashed us to the deck.  Staggering, bruised, and
+bleeding, we struggled to our feet.  Outside the yells of fear-stricken
+men mingled with hoarse orders, the crash of spars hurtling from aloft
+vied with the thunder of canvas, as the doomed barque swung round
+broadside to the wind and sea.
+
+Even in that dread moment Jones had heed of his precious flag.  As we
+flew to the door, he tore the flag down, stuffing it in his jumper as
+he joined us at the boats.
+
+There was no time to hoist out the life-boats--it was pinnace and gig
+or nothing.  Already the bows were low in the water.  "She goes.  She
+goes!" yelled some one.  "Oh, Christ!  She's going!"
+
+We bore frantically on the tackles that linked the gig, swung her out,
+and lowered by the run; the mate had the pinnace in the water, men were
+swarming into her.  As the gig struck water, the barque heeled to the
+rail awash.  We crowded in, old Burke the last to leave her, and pushed
+off.  Our once stately _Hilda_ reeled in a swirl of broken water, and
+the deep sea took her!
+
+Sailor work!  No more than ten minutes between "Ye Mariners" and the
+foundering of our barque!
+
+We lay awhile with hearts too full for words; then the pinnace drew
+near, and the mate called the men.  All there but one!
+"Gregson!" . . .  No Gregson!  The bosun knew.  He had seen what was
+Gregson lying still under the wreck of the topmost spars.
+
+The captain and mate conferred long together.  We had no sail in the
+gig, but the larger boat was fully equipped.  "It's the only chance,
+mister," said Burke at last.  "No food--no water!  We can't hold out
+for long.  Get sail on your boat and stand an hour or two to the
+east'ard.  Ye may fall in with a ship; she w'was right in th' track
+whin she s-struck.  We can but lie to in th' gig an' pray that a ship
+comes by."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."  They stepped the mast and hoisted sail.  "Good-bye
+all: God bless ye, captain," they said as the canvas swelled.  "Keep
+heart!"  For a time we heard their voices shouting us God-speed--then
+silence came!
+
+
+V
+
+Daybreak!
+
+Thank God the bitter night was past.  Out of the east the
+long-looked-for light grew on us, as we lay to sea-anchor, lurching
+unsteadily in the teeth of wind and driving rain.  At the first grey
+break we scanned the now misty horizon.  There was no sign of the
+pinnace; no God-sent sail in all the dreary round!
+
+We crouched on the bottom boards of the little gig and gave way to
+gloomy thoughts.  What else could be when we were alone and adrift on
+the broad Pacific, without food or water, in a tiny gig already
+perilously deep with the burden of eight of us?  What a difference to
+the gay day when we manned the same little boat and set out in pride to
+the contest!  Here was the same spare oar that we held up to the
+judges--the long oar that Jones was now swaying over the stern, keeping
+her head to the wind and sea!  Out there in the tumbling water the
+sea-anchor held its place; the ten fathoms of good hemp "painter" was
+straining at the bows!
+
+The same boat!  The same gear!  The same crew, but how different!  A
+crew of bent heads and wearied limbs!  Listless-eyed, despairing!  A
+ghastly crew, with black care riding in the heaving boat with us!
+
+Poor old Burke had hardly spoken since his last order to the mate to
+sail the pinnace to the east in search of help.  When anything was put
+to him, he would say, "Aye, aye, b'ye," and take no further heed.  He
+was utterly crushed by the disaster that had come so suddenly on the
+heels of his "good luck."  He sat staring stonily ahead, deaf to our
+hopes and fears.
+
+Water we had in plenty as the day wore on.  The rain-soaked clothes of
+us were sufficient for the time, but soon hunger came and added a
+physical pain to the torture of our doubt.  Again and again we stood up
+on the reeling thwarts and looked wildly around the sea-line.  No
+pinnace--no ship--nothing!  Nothing, only sea and sky, and circling
+sea-birds that came to mock at our misery with their plaintive cries.
+
+A bitter night!  A no less cruel day!  Dark came on us again, chill and
+windy, and the salt spray cutting at us like a whiplash.
+
+Boo-m-m!
+
+Big Jones stood up in the stern-sheets, swaying unsteadily.  "D'ye hear
+anything there? . . .  Like a gun?"
+
+A gun?  Gun? . . .  Nothing new! . . .  We had been hearing guns,
+seeing sails--in our minds--all the day!  All day . . . guns . . . and
+sail!  Boom-m-m-m!
+
+"Gun!  Oh God . . . a gun!  Capt'n, a gun, d'ye hear!  Hay--Hay-H.  Out
+oars, there!  A gun!"  Hoarse in excitement Jones shook the old man and
+called at his ear.  "Aye, aye, b'ye.  Aye, aye," said the broken old
+man, seeming without understanding.
+
+Jones ceased trying to rouse him, and, running out the steering oar,
+called on us to haul the sea-anchor aboard.  We lay to our oars,
+listening for a further gunfire.
+
+Whooo-o. . . .  Boom-m-m.
+
+A rocket!  They were looking for us then!  The pinnace must have been
+picked up!  A cheer--what a cheer!--came brokenly from our lips; and we
+lashed furiously at the oars, steering to where a glare in the mist had
+come with the last report.
+
+Roused by the thrash of our oars, the old man sat up.  "Whatt now,
+b'ye?  Whatt now?"
+
+"Ship firin' rockets, sir," said Jones.  "Rockets . . . no mistake."
+As he spoke, another coloured streamer went flaming through the eastern
+sky.  "Give way, there!  We'll miss her if she's running south!  Give
+way, all!"  The glare of the rocket put heart into our broken old
+skipper.  "Steady now, b'yes," he said, with something of his old
+enthusiasm.
+
+We laboured steadily at the oars, but our strength was gone.  The sea
+too, that we had thought moderate when lying to sea-anchor, came at us
+broadside on and set our light boat to a furious dance.  Wave crests
+broke and lashed aboard, the reeling boat was soon awash, and the spare
+men had to bale frantically to keep her afloat.  But terror of the ship
+running south from us nerved our wearied arms, and we kept doggedly
+swinging the oars.  Soon we made out the vessel's sidelight--the gleam
+of her starboard light, that showed that she was hauled to the wind,
+not running south as we had feared.  They could not see on such a
+night, we had nothing to make a signal, but the faint green flame gave
+us heart in our distress.
+
+The old man, himself again, was now steering, giving us Big Jones to
+bear at the oars.  As we drew on we made out the loom of the vessel's
+sails--a big ship under topsails only, and sailing slowly to the west.
+We pulled down wind to cross her course, shouting together as we rowed.
+Would they never hear?  . . .  Again! . . .  Again!
+
+Suddenly there came a hail from the ship, a roar of orders, rattle of
+blocks and gear, the yards swung round and she layed up in the wind,
+while the ghostly glare of a blue light lit up the sea around.
+
+A crowd of men were gathered at the waist, now shouting and cheering as
+we laboured painfully into the circle of vivid light.  Among them a big
+man (huge he looked in that uncanny glare) roared encouragement in
+hoarse gutturals.
+
+Old Schenke?  The _Hedwig Rickmers_?
+
+Aye--Schenke!  But a different Schenke to the big, blustering,
+overbearing "Square-head" we had known in 'Frisco.  Schenke as kind as
+a brother--a brother of the sea indeed.  Big, fat, honest Schenke,
+passing his huge arm through that of our broken old skipper, leading
+him aft to his own bed, and silencing his faltering story by words of
+cheer.  "_Ach, du lieber Gott_!  It is all right, no?  All right,
+Cabtin, now you come on board.  Ah know all 'bout it! . . .  Ah pick de
+oder boat up in de morning, und dey tells me.  You come af mit me,
+Cabtin. . . .  Goot, no?"
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+"Ninety-six days, Schenke, and here we are at the mouth of the
+Channel!"  Old Burke had a note of regret in the saying.  "Ninety-six
+days!  Sure, this ship o' yours can sail.  With a bit o' luck, now,
+ye'll be in Falmouth under the hundred."
+
+"So.  If de vind holds goot.  Oh, de _Hedwig Rickmers_ is a goot sheep,
+no?  But if Ah dond't get de crew of de poor lettle _Hilda_ to work
+mein sheep, Ah dond't t'ink ve comes home so quick as hundert days,
+no?'"
+
+"God bless us, man.  Shure, it's the least they cud do, now.  An' you
+kaaping' us in food an' drink an' clothes, bedad--all the time."
+
+"Vat Ah do, Cabtin.  Ah leaf you starfe, no?"
+
+"Oh.  Some men would have put into the Falklands and landed----"
+
+"Und spoil a goot bassage, eh?  Ach nein.  More better to go on.  You
+know dese men Ah get in 'Frisco is no goot.  Dem "hoodlums," they
+dond't know de sailorman vork.  But your beoble is all recht, eh!
+Gott!  If Ah dond't haf dem here, it is small sail ve can carry on de
+sheep."
+
+"Och, now, ye just say that, Schenke, ye just say that!  But it's glad
+I am if we're any use t' ye."
+
+"Hundert days to Falmouth, eh?" Schenke grinned as he said it.  "Vat
+'bout dot bett now, Cabtin?"
+
+"Oh that," said Burke queerly.  "You win, of course.  I'm not quite
+broke yet, Captain Schenke.  I'll pay the twenty dollars all right."
+
+"No, no.  De bett is not von.  No?  De bett vass--'who is de first on
+shore come,' _Heim_?  Goot.  Ven de sheep comes to Falmouth ve goes on
+shore, you und me, together.  Like dis, eh?"  He seized Burke by the
+arm and made a motion that they two should thus step out together.
+
+Burke, shamefacedly, said: "Aye, aye, b'ye."
+
+"Ah dond't care about de bett," continued the big German.  "De bett is
+noting, but, look here, Cabtin--Ah tell you Ah look to vin dot
+Merchants' Cup.  _Gott_!  Ah vass _verrickt_ ven your boys come in
+first.  Ach so!  Und now de Cup iss at de bottom of de Pacific."  He
+sighed regretfully.  "_Gott_!  I van't t' be de first Sherman to vin
+dot Cup too!"
+
+The mate of the _Rickmers_ came on the poop and said something to his
+captain.  Schenke turned to the old man in some wonderment. . . .  "Vat
+dis is, eh?  My mate tell me dot your boys is want to speak mit me.
+Vat it is, Cabtin?  No troubles I hope?"
+
+Burke looked as surprised as the other.  "Send them up, Heinrich," he
+said.  We, the crew of the _Hilda's_ gig, filed on to the poop, looking
+as hot and uncomfortable as proper sailorfolk should do when they come
+on a deputation.  Jones headed us, and he carried a parcel under his
+arm.
+
+"Captain Schenke," he said.  "We are all here--the crew of the
+_Hilda's_ gig, that you picked up when--when--we were in a bad way.
+All here but poor Gregson."
+
+The big lad's voice broke as he spoke of his lost watchmate.  "An, if
+he was here he would want t' thank ye too for the way you've done by
+us.  I can't say any more, Captain Schenke--but we want you to take a
+small present from us--the crew of the _Hilda's_ gig."  He held out the
+parcel.
+
+Only half understanding the lad's broken words, Schenke took the parcel
+and opened it.  "_Ach Gott_ _Lieber Gott_," he said, and turned to show
+the gift to old Burke.  Tears stood in the big "squarehead's" eyes;
+stood, and rolled unchecked down his fat cheeks.  Tears of pleasure!
+Tears of pity!  Stretched between his hands was a weather-beaten flag,
+its white emblem stained and begrimed by sea-water!
+
+A tattered square of blue silk--the flag of the Merchants' Cup!
+
+
+
+
+A STORM AND A RESCUE
+
+From "The Wreck of the Grosvenor" BY W. CLARK RUSSELL
+
+
+All that night it blew terribly hard, and raised as wild and raging a
+sea as ever I remember hearing or seeing described.  During my
+watch--that is, from midnight until four o'clock--the wind veered a
+couple of points, but had gone back again only to blow harder; just as
+though it had stepped out of its way a trifle to catch extra breath.
+
+I was quite worn out by the time my turn came to go below; and though
+the vessel was groaning like a live creature in its death agonies, and
+the seas thumping against her with such shocks as kept me thinking that
+she was striking hard ground, I fell asleep as soon as my head touched
+the pillow, and never moved until routed out by Duckling four hours
+afterward.
+
+All this time the gale had not bated a jot of its violence, and the
+ship labored so heavily that I had the utmost difficulty in getting out
+of the cuddy on to the poop.  When I say that the decks fore and aft
+were streaming wet, I convey no notion of the truth: the main deck was
+simply _afloat_, and every time the ship rolled, the water on her deck
+rushed in a wave against the bulwarks and shot high in the air, to
+mingle sometimes with fresh and heavy inroads of the sea, both falling
+back upon the deck with the boom of a gun.
+
+I had already ascertained from Duckling that the well had been sounded
+and the ship found dry; and therefore, since we were tight below, it
+mattered little what water was shipped above, as the hatches were
+securely battened down fore and aft, and the mast-coats unwrung.  But
+still she labored under the serious disadvantage of being overloaded;
+and the result was, her fore parts were being incessantly swept by seas
+which at times completely hid her forecastle in spray.
+
+Shortly after breakfast, Captain Coxon sent me forward to dispatch a
+couple of hands on to the jib-boom to snug the inner jib, which looked
+to be rather shakily stowed.  I managed to dodge the water on the
+main-deck by waiting until it rolled to the starboard scuppers and then
+cutting ahead as fast as I could; but just as I got upon the
+forecastle, I was saluted by a green sea which carried me off my legs,
+and would have swept me down on the main-deck had I not held on stoutly
+with both hands to one of the fore-shrouds.  The water nearly drowned
+me, and kept me sneezing and coughing for ten minutes afterward.  But
+it did me no further mischief; for I was incased in good oilskins and
+sou'-wester, which kept me as dry as a bone inside.
+
+Two ordinary seamen got upon the jib-boom, and I bade them keep a good
+hold, for the ship sometimes danced her figurehead under water and
+buried her sprit-sail-yard; and when she sunk her stern, her flying
+jib-boom stood up like the mizzenmast.  I waited until this job of
+snugging the sail was finished, and then made haste to get off the
+forecastle, where the seas flew so continuously and heavily that had I
+not kept a sharp lookout, I should several times have been knocked
+overboard.
+
+Partly out of curiosity and partly with a wish to hearten the men, I
+looked into the forecastle before going aft.  There were sliding-doors
+let into the entrance on either side the windlass, but one of them was
+kept half open to admit air, the forescuttle above being closed.  The
+darkness here was made visible by an oil lamp,--in shape resembling a
+tin coffee-pot with a wick in the spout,--which burned black and
+smokily.  The deck was up to my ankles in water, which gurgled over the
+pile of swabs that lay at the open entrance.  It took my eye some
+moments to distinguish objects in the gloom; and then by degrees the
+strange interior was revealed.  A number of hammocks were swung against
+the upper deck and around the forecastle were two rows of bunks, one
+atop the other.  Here and there were sea-chests lashed to the deck; and
+these, with the huge windlass, a range of chain cable, lengths of rope,
+odds and ends of pots and dishes, with here a pair of breeches hanging
+from a hammock, and there a row of oilskins swinging from a
+beam,--pretty well made up all the furniture that met my eye.
+
+The whole of the crew were below.  Some of the men lay smoking in their
+bunks, others in their hammocks with their boots over the edge; one was
+patching a coat, another greasing his boots; others were seated in a
+group talking; while under the lamp were a couple of men playing at
+cards upon a chest, three or four watching and holding on by the
+hammocks over their heads.
+
+A man, lying in his bunk with his face toward me, started up and sent
+his legs, incased in blanket trousers and brown woolen stockings,
+flying out.
+
+"Here's Mr. Royle, mates!" he called out.  "Let's ask him the name of
+the port the captain means to touch at for proper food, for we aren't
+goin' to wait much longer."
+
+"Don't ask me any questions of that kind, my lads," I replied promptly,
+seeing a general movement of heads in the bunks and hammocks.  "I'd
+give you proper victuals if I had the ordering of them; and I have
+spoken to Captain Coxon about you, and I am sure he will see this
+matter put to rights."
+
+I had difficulty in making my voice heard, for the striking of the seas
+against the ship's bows filled the place with an overwhelming volume of
+sound; and the hollow, deafening thunder was increased by the uproar of
+the ship's straining timbers.
+
+"Who the devil thinks," said a voice from a hammock, "that we're going
+to let ourselves be grinded as we was last night without proper wittles
+to support us?  I'd rather have signed articles for a coal-barge, with
+drowned rats to eat from Gravesend to Whitstable, than shipped in this
+here cursed vessel, where the bread's just fit to make savages retch!"
+
+I had not bargained for this, but had merely meant to address them
+cheerily, with a few words of approval of the smart way in which they
+had worked the ship in the night.  Seeing that my presence would do no
+good, I turned about and left the forecastle, hearing, as I came away,
+one of the Dutchmen cry out:--
+
+"Look here, Mister Rile, vill you be pleashed to ssay when we are to
+hov' something to eat?--for by Gott! ve vill kill te dom pigs in the
+long-boat if the skipper don't mindt--so look out!"
+
+As ill-luck would have it, Captain Coxon was at the break of the poop,
+and saw me come out of the forecastle.  He waited until he had got me
+alongside of him, when he asked me what I was doing among the men.
+
+"I looked in to give them a good word for the work they did last
+night," I answered.
+
+"And who asked you to give them a good word, as you call it?"
+
+"I have never had to wait for orders to encourage a crew."
+
+"Mind what you are about, sir!" he exclaimed, in a voice tremulous with
+rage.  "I see through your game, and I'll put a stopper upon it that
+you won't like."
+
+"What game, sir?  Let me have your meaning."
+
+"An infernal mutinous game!" he roared.  "Don't talk to me, sir!  I
+know you!  I've had my eye upon you!  You'll play false if you can, and
+are trying to smother up your d--d rebel meanings with genteel airs!
+Get away, sir!" he bellowed, stamping his foot.  "Get away aft!  You're
+a lumping useless incumbrance!  But by thunder!  I'll give you two for
+every one you try to give me!  So stand by!"
+
+And apparently half mad with his rage, he staggered away in the very
+direction in which he had told me to go, and stood near the wheel,
+glaring upon me with a white face, which looked indescribably
+malevolent in the fur cap and ear-protectors that ornamented it.
+
+I was terribly vexed by this rudeness, which I was powerless to resist,
+and regretted my indiscretion in entering the forecastle after the
+politic resolutions I had formed.  However, Captain Coxon's ferocity
+was nothing new to me; truly I believed he was not quite right in his
+mind, and expected, as in former cases, that he would come round a bit
+by-and-by when his insane temper had passed.  Still his insinuations
+were highly dangerous, not to speak of their offensiveness.  It was no
+joke to be charged, even by a madman, with striving to arouse the crew
+to mutiny.  Nevertheless I tried to console myself as best I could by
+reflecting that he could not prove his charges; that I need only to
+endure his insolence for a few weeks, and that there was always a law
+to vindicate me and punish him, should his evil temper betray him into
+any acts of cruelty against me.
+
+The gale, at times the severest that I was ever in, lasted three days;
+during which the ship drove something like eighty miles to the
+northwest.  The sea on the afternoon of the third day was appalling:
+had the ship attempted to run, she would have been pooped and smothered
+in a minute; but lying close, she rode fairly well, though there were
+moments when I held my breath as she sunk in a hollow like a coal-mine,
+filled with the astounding noise of boiling water,--really believing
+that the immense waves which came hurtling towards us with solid,
+sharp, transparent ridges, out of which the wind tore lumps of water
+and flung them through the rigging of the ship, must overwhelm the
+vessel before she could rise to it.
+
+The fury of the tempest and the violence of the sea, which the boldest
+could not contemplate without feeling that the ship was every moment in
+more or less peril, kept the crew subdued; and they eat as best they
+could the provisions, without complaint.  However, it needed nothing
+less than a storm to keep them quiet: for on the second day a sea
+extinguished the galley fire, and until the gale abated no cooking
+could be done; so that the men had to put up with cold water and
+biscuit.  Hence all hands were thrown upon the ship's bread for two
+days; and the badness of it, therefore, was made even more apparent
+than heretofore, when its wormy moldiness was in some degree qualified
+by the nauseousness of bad salt pork and beef and the sickly flavor of
+damaged tea.
+
+As I had anticipated, the captain came round a little a few hours after
+his insulting attack upon me.  I think his temper frightened him when
+it had reference to me.  Like others of his breed, he was a bit of a
+cur at the bottom.  My character was a trifle beyond him; and he was
+ignorant enough to hate and fear what he could not understand.  Be this
+as it may, he made some rough attempts at a rude kind of politeness
+when I went below to get some grog, and condescended to say that when I
+had been to sea as long as he, I would know that the most ungrateful
+rascals in the world were sailors; that every crew he had sailed with
+had always taken care to invent some grievance to growl over: either
+the provisions were bad, or the work too heavy, or the ship
+unseaworthy; and that long ago he had made up his mind never to pay
+attention to their complaints, since no sooner would one wrong be
+redressed than another would be coined and shoved under his nose.
+
+I took this opportunity of assuring him that I had never willingly
+listened to the complaints of the men, and that I was always annoyed
+when they spoke to me about the provisions, as I had nothing whatever
+to do with that matter; and that so far from my wishing to stir up the
+men into rebellion, my conduct had been uniformly influenced by the
+desire to conciliate them and represent their conditions as very
+tolerable, so as to repress any tendency to disaffection which they
+might foment among themselves.
+
+To this he made no reply, and soon we parted; but all the next day he
+was sullen again, and never addressed me save to give an order.
+
+On the evening of the third day the gale broke; the glass had risen
+since the morning; but until the first dogwatch the wind did not bate
+one iota of its violence, and the horizon still retained its stormy and
+threatening aspect.  The clouds then broke in the west, and the setting
+sun shone forth with deep crimson light upon the wilderness of
+mountainous waters.  The wind fell quickly, then went round to the west
+and blew freshly; but there was a remarkable softness and sweetness in
+the feel and taste of it.
+
+A couple of reefs were at once shaken out of the main-topsail, and a
+sail made.  By midnight the heavy sea had subsided into a deep, long,
+rolling swell, still (strangely enough) coming from the south; but the
+fresh westerly wind held the ship steady, and for the first time for
+nearly a hundred hours we were able to move about the decks with
+comparative comfort.  Early the next morning the watch were set to wash
+down and clear up the decks; and when I left my cabin at eight o'clock,
+I found the weather bright and warm, with a blue sky shining among
+heavy, white, April-looking clouds, and the ship making seven knots
+under all plain sail.  The decks were dry and comfortable, and the ship
+had a habitable and civilized look, by reason of the row of clothes
+hung by the seamen to dry on the forecastle.
+
+It was half past nine o'clock, and I was standing near the taffrail
+looking at a shoal of porpoises playing some hundreds of feet astern,
+when the man who was steering asked me to look in the direction to
+which he pointed--that was, a little to the right of the bowsprit--and
+say if there was anything to be seen there; for he had caught sight of
+something black upon the horizon twice, but could not detect it now.
+
+I turned my eyes toward the quarter of the sea indicated, but could
+discern nothing whatever; and telling him that what he had seen was
+probably a wave, which, standing higher than his fellows, will
+sometimes show black a long distance off, walked to the fore part of
+the poop.
+
+The breeze still held good; and the vessel was slipping easily through
+the water, though the southerly swell made her roll and at times shook
+the wind out of the sails.  The skipper had gone to lie down,--being
+pretty well exhausted, I daresay; for he had kept the deck for the
+greater part of three nights running.  Duckling was also below.  Most
+of my watch were on the forecastle, sitting or lying in the sun, which
+shone very warm upon the decks; the hens under the long-boat were
+chattering briskly, and the cocks crowing, and the pigs grunting, with
+the comfort of the warmth.
+
+Suddenly, as the ship rose, I distinctly beheld something black out
+away upon the horizon, showing just under the foot of the foresail.  It
+vanished instantly; but I was not satisfied, and went for the glass
+which lay upon the brackets just under the companion.  I then told the
+man who was steering to keep her away a couple of points for a few
+moments; and resting the glass against the mizzen-royal backstay,
+pointed it toward the place where I had seen the black object.
+
+For some moments nothing but sea or sky filled the field of the glass
+as the ship rose and fell; but all at once there leaped into this field
+the hull of a ship, deep as her main-chains in the water, which came
+and went before my eye as the long seas lifted or dropped in the
+foreground.  I managed to keep her sufficiently long in view to
+perceive that she was totally dismasted.
+
+"It's a wreck," said I, turning to the man: "let her come to again and
+luff a point.  There may be living creatures aboard of her."
+
+Knowing what sort of man Captain Coxon was, I do not think that I
+should have had the hardihood to luff the ship a point out of her
+course had it involved the bracing of the yards; for the songs of the
+men would certainly have brought him on deck, and I might have provoked
+some ugly insolence.  But the ship was going free, and would head more
+westerly without occasioning further change than slightly slackening
+the weather-braces of the upper yards.  This I did quietly; and the
+dismantled hull was brought right dead on end with our flying jib-boom.
+The men now caught sight of her, and began to stare and point; but did
+not sing out, as they saw by the telescope in my hand that I perceived
+her.  The breeze unhappily began to slacken somewhat, owing perhaps to
+the gathering heat of the sun; our pace fell off: and a full hour
+passed before we brought the wreck near enough to see her
+permanently,--for up to this she had been constantly vanishing under
+the rise of the swell.  She was now about two miles off, and I took a
+long and steady look at her through the telescope.  It was a black hull
+with painted ports.  The deck was flush fore and aft, and there was a
+good-sized house just before where the mainmast should have been.  This
+house was uninjured, though the galley was split up, and to starboard
+stood up in splinters like the stump of a tree struck by lightning.  No
+boats could be seen aboard of her.  Her jib-boom was gone, and so were
+all three masts,--clean cut off at the deck, as though a hand-saw had
+done it; but the mizzenmast was alongside, held by the shrouds and
+backstays, and the port main and fore shrouds streamed like serpents
+from her chains into the water.  I reckoned at once that she must be
+loaded with timber, for she never could keep afloat at that depth with
+any other kind of cargo in her.
+
+She made a most mournful and piteous object in the sunlight, sluggishly
+rolling to the swell which ran in transparent volumes over her sides
+and foamed around the deck-house.  Once when her stern rose, I read the
+name _Cecilia_ in broad white letters.
+
+I was gazing intently, in the effort to witness some indication of
+living thing on board, when, to my mingled consternation and horror, I
+witnessed an arm projecting through the window of the deck-house and
+frantically waving what resembled a white handkerchief.  As none of the
+men called out, I judged the signal was not perceptible to the naked
+eye; and in my excitement I shouted, "There's a living man on board of
+her, my lads!" dropped the glass, and ran aft to call the captain.
+
+I met him coming up the companion ladder.  The first thing he said was,
+"You're out of your course," and looked up at the sails.
+
+"There's a wreck yonder," I cried, pointing eagerly, "with a man on
+board signaling to us."
+
+"Get me the glass," he said sulkily; and I picked it up and handed it
+to him.
+
+He looked at the wreck for some moments; and addressing the man at the
+wheel, exclaimed, making a movement with his hand, "Keep her away!
+Where in the devil are you steering to?"
+
+"Good heaven!" I ejaculated: "there's a man on board--there may be
+others!"
+
+"Damnation!" he exclaimed between his teeth: "what do you mean by
+interfering with me?  Keep her away!" he roared out.
+
+During this time we had drawn sufficiently near to the wreck to enable
+the sharper-sighted among the hands to remark the signal, and they were
+calling out that there was somebody flying a handkerchief aboard the
+hull.
+
+"Captain Coxon," said I, with as firm a voice as I could command,--for
+I was nearly in as great a rage as he, and rendered insensible to all
+consequences by his inhumanity,--"if you bear away and leave that man
+yonder to sink with that wreck when he can be saved with very little
+trouble, you will become as much a murderer as any ruffian who stabs a
+man asleep."
+
+When I had said this, Coxon turned black in the face with passion.  His
+eyes protruded, his hands and fingers worked as though he were under
+some electrical process, and I saw for the first time in my life a
+sight I had always laughed at as a bit of impossible novelist
+description,--a mouth foaming with rage.  He rushed aft, just over
+Duckling's cabin, and stamped with all his might.
+
+"Now," thought I, "they may try to murder me!"  And without a word I
+pulled off my coat, seized a belaying-pin, and stood ready; resolved
+that happen what might, I would give the first man who should lay his
+fingers on me something to remember me by while he had breath in his
+body.
+
+The men, not quite understanding what was happening, but seeing that a
+"row" was taking place, came to the forecastle and advanced by degrees
+along the main-deck.  Among them I noticed the cook, muttering to one
+or the other who stood near.
+
+Mr. Duckling, awakened by the violent clattering over his head, came
+running up the companion-way with a bewildered, sleepy look in his
+face.  The captain grasped him by the arm, and pointing to me, cried
+out with an oath that "that villain was breeding a mutiny on board, and
+he believed wanted to murder him and Duckling."
+
+I at once answered, "Nothing of the kind!  There is a man miserably
+perishing on board that sinking wreck, Mr. Duckling, and he ought to be
+saved.  My lads!" I cried, addressing the men on the main-deck, "is
+there a sailor among you all who would have the heart to leave that man
+yonder without an effort to rescue him?"
+
+"No, sir!" shouted one of them.  "We'll save the man; and if the
+skipper refuses, we'll make him!"
+
+"Luff!" I called to the man at the wheel.
+
+"Luff at your peril!" screamed the skipper.
+
+"Aft here, some hands," I cried, "and lay the mainyard aback.  Let go
+the port main-braces!"
+
+The captain came running toward me.
+
+"By the living God!" I cried in a fury, grasping the heavy brass
+belaying-pin, "if you come within a foot of me, Captain Coxon, I'll
+dash your brains out!"
+
+My attitude, my enraged face and menacing gesture, produced the desired
+effect.  He stopped dead, turned a ghastly white, and looked round at
+Duckling.
+
+"What do you mean by this (etc.) conduct, you (etc.) mutinous
+scoundrels?" roared Duckling, with a volley of foul language.
+
+"Give him one for himself if he says too much, Mr. Royle!" sung out
+some hoarse voice on the main-deck; "we'll back yer!"  And then came
+cries of "They're a cursed pair o' murderers!"  "Who run the smack
+down?"  "Who lets men drown?"  "Who starves honest men?"  This last
+exclamation was followed by a roar.
+
+The whole of the crew were now on deck, having been aroused by our
+voices.  Some of them were looking on with a grin, others with an
+expression of fierce curiosity.  It was at once understood that I was
+making a stand against the captain and chief mate; and a single glance
+at them assured me that by one word I could set the whole of them on
+fire to do my bidding, even to shedding blood.
+
+In the meantime, the man at the wheel had luffed until the weather
+leeches were flat and the ship scarcely moving.  And at this moment,
+that the skipper might know their meaning, a couple of hands jumped aft
+and let go the weather main-braces.  I took care to keep my eyes on
+Coxon and the mate, fully prepared for any attack that one or both
+might make on me.  Duckling eyed me furiously but in silence, evidently
+baffled by my resolute air and the position of the men.  Then he said
+something to the captain, who looked exhausted and white and haggard
+with his useless passion.  They walked over to the lee side of the
+poop; and after a short conference, the captain to my surprise went
+below, and Duckling came forward.
+
+"There's no objection," he said, "to your saving the man's life, if you
+want.  Lower away the starboard quarter-boat,--and you go along in
+her," he added to me, uttering the last words in such a thick voice
+that I thought he was choking.
+
+"Come along, some of you!" I cried out, hastily putting on my coat; and
+in less than a minute I was in the boat with the rudder and thole-pins
+shipped, and four hands ready to out oars as soon as we touched the
+water.
+
+Duckling began to fumble at one end of the boat's falls.
+
+"Don't let him lower away!" roared out one of the men in the boat.
+"He'll let us go with a run.  He'd like to see us drowned!"
+
+Duckling fell back, scowling with fury; and shoving his head over as
+the boat sunk quietly into the water, he discharged a volley of
+execrations at us, saying that he would shoot some of us, if he swung
+for it, before he was done, and especially applying a heap of abusive
+terms to me.
+
+The fellow pulling the bow oar laughed in his face; and another shouted
+out, "We'll teach you to say your prayers yet, you ugly old sinner!"
+
+We got away from the ship's side cleverly, and in a short time were
+rowing fast for the wreck.  The excitement under which I labored made
+me reckless of the issue of this adventure.  The sight of the lonely
+man upon the wreck, coupled with the unmanly, brutal intention of Coxon
+to leave him to his fate, had goaded me into a state of mind infuriate
+enough to have done and dared anything to _compel_ Coxon to save him.
+He might call it mutiny, but I called it humanity; and I was prepared
+to stand or fall by my theory.  The hate the crew had for their captain
+and chief mate was quite strong enough to guarantee me against any foul
+play on the part of Coxon; otherwise I might have prepared myself to
+see the ship fill and stand away, and leave us alone on the sea with
+the wreck.  One of the men in the boat suggested this; but another
+immediately answered, "They'd pitch the skipper overboard if he gave
+such an order, and glad o' the chance.  There's no love for 'em among
+us, I can tell you; and by ----! there'll be bloody work done aboard
+the _Grosvenor_ if things aren't mended soon, as you'll see."
+
+They all four pulled at their oars savagely as these words were spoken;
+and I never saw such sullen and ferocious expressions on men's faces as
+came into theirs, as they fixed their eyes as with one accord upon the
+ship.  _She_, deep as she was, looked a beautiful model on the mighty
+surface of the water, rolling with marvelous grace to the swell, the
+strength and volume of which made me feel my littleness and weakness as
+it lifted the small boat with irresistible power.  There was wind
+enough to keep her sails full upon her graceful, slender masts, and the
+brass-work upon her deck flashed brilliantly as she rolled from side to
+side.
+
+Strange contrast, to look from her to the broken and desolate picture
+ahead!  My eyes were riveted upon it now with new and intense emotion,
+for by this time I could discern that the person who was waving to us
+was a female,--woman or girl I could not yet make out,--and that her
+hair was like a veil of gold behind her swaying arm.
+
+"It's a woman!" I cried in my excitement; "it's no man at all.  Pull
+smartly, my lads! pull smartly, for God's sake!"
+
+The men gave way stoutly, and the swell favoring us, we were soon close
+to the wreck.  The girl, as I now perceived she was, waved her
+handkerchief wildly as we approached; but my attention was occupied in
+considering how we could best board the wreck without injury to the
+boat.  She lay broadside to us, with her stern on our right, and was
+not only rolling heavily with wallowing, squelching movements, but was
+swirling the heavy mizzenmast that lay alongside through the water each
+time she went over to starboard; so that it was necessary to approach
+her with the greatest caution to prevent our boat from being stove in.
+Another element of danger was the great flood of water which she took
+in over her shattered bulwarks, first on this side, then on that,
+discharging the torrent again into the sea as she rolled.  This water
+came from her like a cataract, and in a second would fill and sink the
+boat, unless extreme care were taken to keep clear of it.
+
+I waved my hat to the poor girl, to let her know that we saw her and
+had come to save her, and steered the boat right around the wreck, that
+I might observe the most practical point for boarding her.
+
+She appeared to be a vessel of about seven hundred tons.  The falling
+of her masts had crushed her port bulwarks level with the deck, and
+part of her starboard bulwarks was also smashed to pieces.  Her wheel
+was gone, and the heavy seas that had swept her deck had carried away
+capstans, binnacle, hatchway gratings, pumps--everything, in short, but
+the deck-house and the remnants of the galley.  I particularly noticed
+a strong iron boat's-davit twisted up like a corkscrew.  She was full
+of water, and lay as deep as her main-chains; but her bows stood high,
+and her fore-chains were out of the sea.  It was miraculous to see her
+keep afloat as the long swell rolled over her in a cruel, foaming
+succession of waves.
+
+Though these plain details impressed themselves upon my memory, I did
+not seem to notice anything, in the anxiety that possessed me to rescue
+the lonely creature in the deck-house.  It would have been impossible
+to keep a footing upon the main-deck without a life-line or something
+to hold on by; and seeing this, and forming my resolutions rapidly, I
+ordered the man in the bow of the boat to throw in his oar and exchange
+places with me, and head the boat for the starboard port-chains.  As we
+approached I stood up with one foot planted on the gunwale ready to
+spring; the broken shrouds were streaming aft and alongside, so that if
+I missed the jump and fell into the water there was plenty of stuff to
+catch hold of.
+
+"Gently--'vast rowing--ready to back astern smartly!" I cried as we
+approached.  I waited a moment: the hull rolled toward us, and the
+succeeding swell threw up our boat; the deck, though all aslant, was on
+a line with my feet.  I sprung with all my strength, and got well upon
+the deck, but fell heavily as I reached it.  However, I was up again in
+a moment, and ran forward out of the water.
+
+Here was a heap of gear--stay-sail, and jib-halyards, and other ropes,
+some of the ends swarming overboard.  I hauled in one of these ends,
+but found I could not clear the raffle; but looking round, I perceived
+a couple of coils of line--spare stun'-sail tacks or halyards I took
+them to be--lying close against the foot of the bowsprit.  I
+immediately seized the end of one of these coils, and flung it into the
+boat, telling them to drop clear of the wreck astern; and when they
+found they had backed as far as the length of the line permitted, I
+bent on the end of the other coil, and paid that out until the boat was
+some fathoms astern.  I then made my end fast, and sung out to one of
+the men to get on board by the starboard mizzen-chains, and to bring
+the end of the line with him.  After waiting a few minutes, the boat
+being hidden, I saw the fellow come scrambling over the side with a red
+face, his clothes and hair streaming, he having fallen overboard.  He
+shook himself like a dog, and crawled with the line, on his hands and
+knees, a short distance forward, then hauled the line taut and made it
+fast.
+
+"Tell them to bring the boat round here," I cried, "and lay off on
+their oars until we are ready.  And you get hold of this line and work
+yourself up to me."
+
+Saying which, I advanced along the deck, clinging tightly with both
+hands.  It very providentially happened that the door of the deck-house
+faced the forecastle within a few feet of where the remains of the
+galley stood.  There would be, therefore, less risk in opening it than
+had it faced beamwise: for the water, as it broke against the sides of
+the house, disparted clear of the fore and after parts; that is, the
+great bulk of it ran clear, though of course a foot's depth of it as
+least surged against the door.
+
+I called out to the girl to open the door quickly, as it slid in
+grooves like a panel, and was not to be stirred from the outside.  The
+poor creature appeared mad; and I repeated my request three times
+without inducing her to leave the window.  Then, not believing that she
+understood me, I cried out, "Are you English?"
+
+"Yes," she replied.  "For God's sake, save us!"
+
+"I cannot get you through that window," I exclaimed.  "Rouse yourself
+and open that door, and I will save you."
+
+She now seemed to comprehend, and drew in her head.  By this time the
+man out of the boat had succeeded in sliding along the rope to where I
+stood, though the poor devil was nearly drowned on the road; for when
+about half-way, the hull took in a lump of swell which swept him right
+off his legs, and he was swung hard a-starboard, holding on for his
+life.  However, he recovered himself smartly when the water was gone,
+and came along hand over fist, snorting and cursing in wonderful style.
+
+Meanwhile, though I kept a firm hold of the life-line, I took care to
+stand where the inroads of water were not heavy, waiting impatiently
+for the door to open.  It shook in the grooves, tried by a feeble hand;
+then a desperate effort was made, and it slid a couple of inches.
+
+"That will do!" I shouted.  "Now then, my lad, catch hold of me with
+one hand, and the line with the other."
+
+The fellow took a firm grip of my monkey-jacket, and I made for the
+door.  The water washed up to my knees, but I soon inserted my fingers
+in the crevice of the door and thrust it open.
+
+The house was a single compartment, though I had expected to find it
+divided into two.  In the centre was a table that traveled on
+stanchions from the roof to the deck, On either side were a couple of
+bunks.  The girl stood near the door.  In a bunk to the left of the
+door lay an old man with white hair.  Prostrate on his back, on the
+deck, with his arms stretched against his ears, was the corpse of a
+man, well dressed; and in a bunk on the right sat a sailor, who, when
+he saw me, yelled out and snapped his fingers, making horrible grimaces.
+
+Such, in brief, was the _coup d'oeil_ of that weird interior as it met
+my eyes.
+
+I seized the girl by the arm.
+
+"You first," said I.  "Come; there is no time to be lost."
+
+But she shrunk back, pressing against the door with her hand to prevent
+me from pulling her, crying in a husky voice, and looking at the old
+man with the white hair, "My father first! my father first!"
+
+"You shall all be saved, but you must obey me.  Quickly now!" I
+exclaimed passionately; for a heavy sea at that moment flooded the
+ship, and a rush of water swamped the house through the open door and
+washed the corpse on the deck up into a corner.
+
+Grasping her firmly, I lifted her off her feet, and went staggering to
+the life-rope, slinging her light body over my shoulder as I went.
+Assisted by my man, I gained the bow of the wreck, and hailing the
+boat, ordered it alongside.
+
+"One of you," cried I, "stand ready to receive this lady when I give
+the signal."
+
+I then told the man who was with me to jump into the forechains, which
+he instantly did.  The wreck lurched heavily to port.  "Stand by, my
+lads!" I shouted.  Over she came again, with the water swooping along
+the maindeck: The boat rose high, and the forechains were submerged to
+the height of the man's knees.  "Now!" I called, and lifted the girl
+over.  She was seized by the man in the chains, and pushed toward the
+boat; the fellow standing in the bow of the boat caught her, and at the
+same moment down sunk the boat, and the wreck rolled wearily over.  But
+the girl was safe.
+
+"Hurrah, my lad!" I sung out.  "Up with you,--there are others
+remaining;" and I went sprawling along the line to the deck-house,
+there to encounter another rush of water, which washed as high as my
+thighs, and fetched me such a thump in the stomach that I thought I
+must have died of suffocation.
+
+I was glad to find that the old man had got out of his bunk, and was
+standing at the door.
+
+"Is my poor girl safe, sir?" he exclaimed, with the same huskiness of
+voice that had grated so unpleasantly in the girl's tone.
+
+"Quite safe; come along."
+
+"Thanks be to Almighty God!" he ejaculated, and burst into tears.
+
+I seized hold of his thin cold hands, but shifted my fingers to catch
+him by the coat collar, so as to exert more power over him; and handed
+him along the deck, telling my companion to lay hold of the seaman and
+fetch him away smartly.  We managed to escape the water, for the poor
+old gentleman bestirred himself very nimbly, and I helped him over the
+fore-chains; and when the boat rose, tumbled him into her without
+ceremony.  I saw the daughter leap toward him and clasp him in her
+arms; but I was soon again scrambling on to the deck, having heard
+cries from my man, accompanied with several loud curses, mingled with
+dreadful yells.
+
+"He's bitten me, sir!" cried by companion, hauling himself away from
+the deck-house.  "He's roaring mad."
+
+"It can't be helped," I answered.  "We must get him out."
+
+He saw me pushing along the life-line, plucked up heart, and went with
+myself through a sousing sea to the door.  I caught a glimpse of a
+white face glaring at me from the interior: in a second a figure shot
+out, fled with incredible speed toward the bow, and leaped into the sea
+just where our boat lay.
+
+"They'll pick him up," I exclaimed.  "Stop a second;"  and I entered
+the house and stooped over the figure of the man on the deck.
+
+I was not familiar with death, and yet I knew it was here.  I cannot
+describe the signs in his face; but such as they were, they told me the
+truth.  I noticed a ring upon his finger, and that his clothes were
+good.  His hair was black, and his features well shaped, though his
+face had a half-convulsed expression, as if something frightful had
+appeared to him, and he had died of the sight of it.
+
+"This wreck must be his coffin," I said.  "He is a corpse.  We can do
+no more."
+
+We scrambled for the last time along the life-line and got into the
+fore-chains; but to our consternation, saw the boat rowing away from
+the wreck.  However, the fit of rage and terror that possessed me
+lasted but a moment or two; for I now saw they were giving chase to the
+madman, who was swimming steadily away.  Two of the men rowed, and the
+third hung over the bows, ready to grasp the miserable wretch.  The
+_Grosvenor_ stood steady, about a mile off, with her mainyards backed;
+and just as the fellow over the boat's bows caught hold of the
+swimmer's hair, the ensign was run up on board the ship and dipped
+three times.
+
+"Bring him along!" I shouted.  "They'll be off without us if we don't
+bear a hand."
+
+They nearly capsized the boat as they dragged the lunatic, streaming
+like a drowned rat, out of the water; and one of the sailors tumbled
+him over on his back, and knelt upon him, while he took some turns with
+the boat's painter round his body, arms and legs.  The boat then came
+alongside; and watching our opportunity, we jumped into her and shoved
+off.
+
+I had now leisure to examine the persons whom we had saved.
+
+They--father and daughter, as I judged them by the girl's exclamation
+on the wreck--sat in the stern-sheets, their hands locked.  The old man
+seemed nearly insensible; leaning backward with his chin on his breast
+and his eyes partially closed.  I feared he was dying; but could do no
+good until we reached the _Grosvenor_, as we had no spirits in the boat.
+
+The girl appeared to be about twenty years of age; very fair, her hair
+of golden straw color, which hung wet and streaky down her back and
+over her shoulders, though a portion of it was held by a comb.  She was
+deadly pale, and her lips blue; and in her fine eyes was such a look of
+mingled horror and rapture as she cast them around her,--first glancing
+at me, then at the wreck, then at the _Grosvenor_,--that the memory of
+it will last me to my death.  Her dress, of some dark material, was
+soaked with salt water up to her hips, and she shivered and moaned
+incessantly, though the sun beat so warmly upon us that the thwarts
+were hot to the hand.
+
+The mad sailor lay at the bottom of the boat, looking straight into the
+sky.  He was a horrid-looking object, with his streaming hair, pasty
+features, and red beard, his naked shanks and feet protruding through
+his soaking, clinging trousers, which figured his shin-bones as though
+they clothed a skeleton.  Now and again he would give himself a wild
+twirl and yelp out fiercely; but he was well-nigh spent with his swim,
+and on the whole was quiet enough.
+
+I said to the girl, "How long have you been in this dreadful position?"
+
+"Since yesterday morning," she answered, in a choking voice painful to
+hear, and gulping after each word.  "We have not had a drop of water to
+drink since the night before last.  He is mad with thirst, for he drank
+the water on the deck;" and she pointed to the man in the bottom of the
+boat.
+
+"My God!" I cried to the men, "do you hear her?  They have not drunk
+water for two days!  For the love of God, give way!"
+
+They bent their backs to the oars, and the boat foamed over the long
+swell.  The wind was astern and helped us.  I did not speak again to
+the poor girl; for it was cruel to make her talk, when the words
+lacerated her throat as though they were pieces of burning iron.
+
+After twenty minutes, which seemed as many hours, we reached the
+vessel.  The crew pressing round the gangway cheered when they saw we
+had brought people from the wreck.  Duckling and the skipper watched us
+grimly from the poop.
+
+"Now then, my lads," I cried, "up with this lady first.  Some of you on
+deck get water ready, as these people are dying of thirst."
+
+In a few minutes, both the girl and the old man were handed over the
+gangway.  I cut the boat's painter adrift from the ringbolt so that we
+could ship the madman without loosening his bonds, and he was hoisted
+up like a bale of goods.  Then four of us got out of the boat, leaving
+one to drop her under the davits and hook on the falls.
+
+At this moment a horrible scene took place.
+
+The old man, tottering on the arms of two seamen, was being led into
+the cuddy, followed by the girl, who walked unaided.  The madman, in
+the grasp of the big sailor named Johnson, stood near the gangway; and
+as I scrambled on deck, one of the men was holding a pannikin full of
+water to his face.  The poor wretch was shrinking away from it, with
+his eyes half out of their sockets; but suddenly tearing his arm with a
+violent effort from the rope that bound him, he seized the pannikin and
+bit clean through the tin; after which, throwing back his head, he
+swallowed the whole draught dashed the pannikin down, his face turned
+black and he fell dead on the deck.
+
+The big sailor sprung aside with an oath, forced from him by his
+terror; and from every looker-on there broke a groan.  They all shrunk
+away and stood staring with blanched faces.  Such a piteous sight as it
+was, lying doubled up, with the rope pinioning the miserable limbs, the
+teeth locked, and the right arm uptossed!
+
+"Aft here and get the quarter-boat hoisted up!" shouted Duckling,
+advancing on the poop; and seeing the man dead on the deck, he added,
+"Get a tarpaulin and cover him up, and let him lie on the fore-hatch."
+
+"Shall I tell the steward to serve out grog to the men who went with
+me?" I asked him.
+
+He stared at me contemptuously, and walked away without answering.
+
+
+
+
+THE SAILOR'S WIFE
+
+From "An Iceland Fisherman," BY PIERRE LOTI
+
+
+The Icelanders were all returning now.  Two ships came in the second
+day, four the next, and twelve during the following week.  And all
+through the country joy returned with them; and there was happiness for
+the wives and mothers, and junkets in the taverns where the beautiful
+barmaids of Paimpol served out drink to the fishers.
+
+The _Leopoldine_ was among the belated; there were yet another ten
+expected.  They would not be long now; and allowing a week's delay so
+as not to be disappointed, Gaud waited in happy, passionate joy for
+Yann, keeping their home bright and tidy for his return.  When
+everything was in good order there was nothing left for her to do; and
+besides, in her impatience, she could think of nothing else but her
+husband.
+
+Three more ships appeared; then another five.  There were only two
+lacking now.
+
+"Come, come," they said to her cheerily, "this year the _Leopoldine_
+and the _Marie-Jeanne_ will be the last, to pick up all the brooms
+fallen overboard from the other craft."
+
+Gaud laughed also.  She was more animated and beautiful than ever, in
+her great joy of expectancy.
+
+But the days succeeded one another without result.
+
+She still dressed up every day, and with a joyful look went down to the
+harbor to gossip with the other wives.  She said that this delay was
+but natural: was it not the same event every year?  These were such
+safe boats, and had such capital sailors.
+
+But when at home alone, at night, a nervous anxious shiver of
+apprehension would run through her whole frame.
+
+Was it right to be frightened already?  Was there even a single reason
+to be so?  but she began to tremble at the mere idea of grounds for
+being afraid.
+
+The 10th of September came.  How swiftly the days flew by!
+
+One morning--a true autumn morning, with cold mist falling over the
+earth in the rising sun--she sat under the porch of the chapel of the
+shipwrecked mariners, where the widows go to pray; with eyes fixed and
+glassy, and throbbing temples tightened as by an iron band.
+
+These sad morning mists had begun two days before; and on this
+particular day Gaud had awakened with a still more bitter uneasiness,
+caused by the forecast of advancing winter.  Why did this day, this
+hour, this very moment, seem to her more painful than the preceding?
+Often ships are delayed a fortnight; even a month, for that matter.
+
+But surely there was something different about this particular morning;
+for she had come to-day for the first time to sit in the porch of this
+chapel and read the names of the dead sailors, perished in their prime.
+
+  IN MEMORY OF
+  GAOS YVON
+  Lost at Sea
+
+  NEAR THE NORDEN-FJORD
+
+
+Like a great shudder, a gust of wind rose from the sea, and at the same
+time something fell like rain upon the roof above.  It was only the
+dead leaves, though;--many were blown in at the porch; the old
+wind-tossed trees of the graveyard were losing their foliage in this
+rising gale, and winter was marching nearer.
+
+      Lost at Sea
+    NEAR THE NORDEN-FJORD
+  In the storm of the 4th and 5th of August, 1880
+
+She read mechanically under the arch of the doorway; her eyes sought to
+pierce the distance over the sea.  That morning it was untraceable
+under the gray mist, and a dragging drapery of clouds overhung the
+horizon like a mourning veil.
+
+Another gust of wind, and other leaves danced in whirls.  A stronger
+gust still; as if the western storm which had strewn those dead over
+the sea wished to deface the very inscriptions which kept their names
+in memory with the living.
+
+Gaud looked with involuntary persistency at an empty space upon the
+wall which seemed to yawn expectant.  By a terrible impression, she was
+pursued by the thought of a fresh slab which might soon perhaps be
+placed there,--with another name which she did not even dare think of
+in such a spot.
+
+She felt cold, and remained seated on the granite bench, her head
+reclining against the stone wall.
+
+    NEAR THE NORDEN-FJORD
+  In the storm of the 4th and 5th of August, 1880
+    at the age of 23 years
+      _Requiescat in pace_!
+
+
+Then Iceland loomed up before her, with its little cemetery lighted up
+from below the sea-line by the midnight sun.  Suddenly, in the same
+empty space on the wall, with horrifying clearness she saw the fresh
+slab she was thinking of; a clear white one, with a skull and
+crossbones, and in a flash of foresight a name,--the worshiped name of
+"Yann Gaos"!  Then she suddenly and fearfully drew herself up straight
+and stiff, with a hoarse wild cry in her throat like a mad creature.
+
+Outside, the gray mist of the dawn fell over the land, and the dead
+leaves were again blown dancingly into the porch.
+
+Steps on the footpath!  Somebody was coming?  She rose, and quickly
+smoothed down her cap and composed her face.  Nearer drew the steps.
+She assumed the air of one who might be there by chance; for above all,
+she did not wish to appear yet like the widow of a shipwrecked mariner.
+
+It happened to be Fante Floury, the wife of the second mate of the
+_Leopoldine_.  She understood immediately what Gaud was doing there: it
+was useless to dissemble with her.  At first each woman stood
+speechless before the other.  They were angry and almost hated each
+other for having met holding a like sentiment of apprehension.
+
+"All the men of Treguier and Saint-Brieuc have been back for a week,"
+said Fante at last, in an unfeeling, muffled, half-irritated voice.
+
+She carried a blessed taper in her hand, to offer up a prayer.  Gaud
+did not wish yet to resort to that extreme resource of despairing
+wives.  Yet silently she entered the chapel behind Fante, and they
+knelt down together side by side like two sisters.
+
+To the _Star of the Sea_ they offered ardent imploring prayers, with
+their whole soul in them.  A sound of sobbing was alone heard, as their
+rapid tears swiftly fell upon the floor.  They rose together, more
+confident and softened.  Fante held up Gaud, who staggered; and taking
+her in her arms, kissed her.
+
+Wiping their eyes and smoothing their disheveled hair, they brushed off
+the salt dust from the flag-stones which had soiled their gowns, and
+went away in opposite directions without another word.
+
+This end of September was like another summer, only a little less
+lively.  The weather was so beautiful that had it not been for the dead
+leaves which fell upon the roads, one might have thought that June had
+come back again.  Husbands and sweethearts had all returned, and
+everywhere was the joy of a second springtime of love.
+
+At last, one day, one of the missing ships was signaled.  Which one was
+it?
+
+The groups of speechless and anxious women had rapidly formed on the
+cliff.  Gaud, pale and trembling, was there, by the side of her Yann's
+father.
+
+"I'm almost sure," said the old fisher, "I'm almost sure it's them.  A
+red rail and a topsail that clews up,--it's very like them, anyhow.
+What do you make it, Gaud?"
+
+"No, it isn't," he went on, with sudden discouragement: "we've made a
+mistake again; the boom isn't the same, and ours has a jigger-sail.
+Well, well, it isn't our boat this time, it's only the _Marie-Jeanne_.
+Never mind, my lass, surely they'll not be long now."
+
+But day followed day, and night succeeded night, with uninterrupted
+serenity.
+
+Gaud continued to dress up every day; like a poor crazed woman, always
+in fear of being taken for the widow of a shipwrecked sailor, feeling
+exasperated when others looked furtively and compassionately at her,
+and glancing aside so that she might not meet those glances which froze
+her very blood.
+
+She had fallen into the habit of going at the early morning right to
+the end of the headland, on the high cliffs of Pors-Even; passing
+behind Yann's old home, so as not to be seen by his mother or little
+sisters.  She went to the extreme point of the Ploubazlanec land, which
+is outlined in the shape of a reindeer's horn upon the gray waters of
+the Channel, and sat there all day long at the foot of the lonely cross
+which rises high above the immense waste of the ocean.  There are many
+of these crosses hereabout; they are set up on the most advanced cliffs
+of the sea-bound land, as if to implore mercy, and to calm that
+restless mysterious power which draws men away, never to give them
+back, and in preference retains the bravest and noblest.
+
+Around this cross stretches the evergreen waste, strewn with short
+rushes.  At this great height the sea air was very pure; it scarcely
+retained the briny odor of the weeds, but was perfumed with all the
+exquisite ripeness of September flowers.
+
+Far away, all the bays and inlets of the coast were firmly outlined,
+rising one above another; the land of Brittany terminated in jagged
+edges, which spread out far into the tranquil surface.
+
+Near at hand the reefs were numerous; but out beyond, nothing broke its
+polished mirror, from which arose a soft caressing ripple, light and
+intensified from the depths of its many bays.  Its horizon seemed so
+calm, and its depths so soft!  The great blue sepulchre of many Gaoses
+hid its inscrutable mystery; whilst the breezes, faint as human breath,
+wafted to and fro the perfume of the stunted gorse, which had bloomed
+again in the latest autumn sun.
+
+At regular hours the sea retreated, and great spaces were left
+uncovered everywhere, as if the Channel was slowly drying up; then with
+the same lazy slowness the waters rose again, and continued their
+everlasting coming without any heed of the dead.
+
+At the foot of the cross Gaud remained, surrounded by these tranquil
+mysteries, gazing ever before her until the night fell and she could
+see no more.
+
+September had passed.  The sorrowing wife took scarcely any
+nourishment, and could no longer sleep.
+
+She remained at home now, crouching low with her hands between her
+knees, her head thrown back and resting against the wall behind.  What
+was the good of getting up or going to bed now?  When she was
+thoroughly exhausted she threw herself, dressed, upon her bed.
+Otherwise she remained in the same position, chilled and benumbed; in
+her quiescent state, only her teeth chattered with the cold; she had
+that continual impression of a band of iron round her brows; her cheeks
+looked wasted; her mouth was dry, with a feverish taste, and at times a
+painful hoarse cry rose from her throat and was repeated in spasms,
+whilst her head beat backwards against the granite wall.  Or else she
+called Yann by his name in a low, tender voice, as if he were quite
+close to her; whispering words of love to her.
+
+Sometimes she occupied her brain with thoughts of quite insignificant
+things; for instance, she amused herself by watching the shadow of the
+china Virgin lengthen slowly over the high woodwork of the bed, as the
+sun went down.  And then the agonized thoughts returned more horribly;
+and her wailing cry broke out again as she beat her head against the
+wall.
+
+All the hours of the day passed; and all the hours of evening, and of
+night; and then the hours of the morning.  When she reckoned the time
+he ought to have been back, she was seized with a still greater terror;
+she wished to forget all dates and the very names of the days.
+
+Generally, there is some information concerning the wrecks off Iceland;
+those who return have seen the tragedy from afar, or else have found
+some wreckage or bodies, or have an indication to guess the rest.  But
+of the _Leopoldine_ nothing had been seen, and nothing was known.  The
+_Marie-Jeanne_ men--the last to have seen it on the 2d of August--said
+that she was to have gone on fishing farther towards the north; and
+beyond that the secret was unfathomable.
+
+Waiting, always waiting, and knowing nothing!  When would the time come
+when she need wait no longer?  She did not even know that; and now she
+almost wished that it might be soon.  Oh! if he were dead, let them at
+least have pity enough to tell her so!
+
+Oh to see her darling, as he was at this very moment,--that is, what
+was left of him!  If only the much-implored Virgin, or some other
+power, would do her the blessing to show her by second-sight her
+beloved! either living and working hard to return a rich man, or else
+as a corpse surrendered by the sea, so that she might at least know a
+certainty.
+
+Sometimes she was seized with the thought of a ship appearing suddenly
+upon the horizon: the _Leopoldine_ hastening home.  Then she would
+suddenly make an instinctive movement to rise, and rush to look out at
+the ocean, to see whether it were true.
+
+But she would fall back.  Alas! where was this _Leopoldine_ now?  Where
+could she be?  Out afar, at that awful distance of Iceland,--forsaken,
+crushed, and lost.
+
+All ended by a never-fading vision appearing to her,--an empty,
+sea-tossed wreck, slowly and gently rocked by the silent gray and
+rose-streaked sea; almost with soft mockery, in the midst of the vast
+calm of deadened waters.
+
+Two o'clock in the morning.
+
+It was at night especially that she kept attentive to approaching
+footsteps; at the slightest rumor or unaccustomed noise her temples
+vibrated: by dint of being strained to outward things, they had become
+fearfully sensitive.
+
+Two o'clock in the morning.  On this night as on others, with her hands
+clasped and her eyes wide open in the dark, she listened to the wind
+sweeping in never-ending tumult over the heath.
+
+Suddenly a man's footsteps hurried along the path!  At this hour who
+would pass now?  She drew herself up, stirred to the very soul, her
+heart ceasing to beat.
+
+Some one stopped before the door, and came up the small stone steps.
+
+He!--O God!--he!  Some one had knocked,--it could be no other than he!
+She was up now, barefooted; she, so feeble for the last few days, had
+sprung up as nimbly as a kitten, with her arms outstretched to wind
+round her darling.  Of course the _Leopoldine_ had arrived at night,
+and anchored in Pors-Even Bay, and he had rushed home; she arranged all
+this in her mind with the swiftness of lightning.  She tore the flesh
+off her fingers in her excitement to draw the bolt, which had stuck.
+
+"Eh?"
+
+She slowly moved backward, as if crushed, her head falling on her
+bosom.  Her beautiful insane dream was over.  She could just grasp that
+it was not her husband, her Yann, and that nothing of him, substantial
+or spiritual, had passed through the air; she felt plunged again into
+her deep abyss, to the lowest depths of her terrible despair.
+
+Poor Fantec--for it was he--stammered many excuses: his wife was very
+ill, and their child was choking in its cot, suddenly attacked with a
+malignant sore throat; so he had run over to beg for assistance on the
+road to fetch the doctor from Paimpol.
+
+What did all this matter to her?  She had gone mad in her own distress,
+and could give no thoughts to the troubles of others.  Huddled on a
+bench, she remained before him with fixed glazed eyes, like a dead
+woman's; without listening to him, or even answering at random or
+looking at him.  What to her was the speech the man was making?
+
+He understood it all, and guessed why the door had been opened so
+quickly to him; and feeling pity for the pain he had unwittingly
+caused, he stammered out an excuse.
+
+"Just so: he never ought to have disturbed her--her in particular."
+
+"I!" ejaculated Gaud quickly, "why should I not be disturbed
+particularly, Fantec?"
+
+Life had suddenly come back to her; for she did not wish to appear in
+despair before others.  Besides, she pitied him now; she dressed to
+accompany him, and found the strength to go and see to his little child.
+
+At four o'clock in the morning, when she returned to throw herself on
+the bed, sleep subdued her, for she was tired out.  But that moment of
+excessive joy had left an impression on her mind, which in spite of all
+was permanent; she awoke soon with a shudder, rising a little and
+partially recollecting--she knew not what.  News had come to her about
+her Yann.  In the midst of her confusion of ideas, she sought rapidly
+in her mind what it could be; but there was nothing save Fantec's
+interruption.
+
+For the second time she fell back into her terrible abyss, nothing
+changed in her morbid, hopeless waiting.
+
+Yet in that short, hopeful moment, she had felt him so near to her that
+it was as if his spirit had floated over the sea unto her,--what is
+called a foretoken (_pressigne_) in Breton land; and she listened still
+more attentively to the steps outside, trusting that some one might
+come to her to speak of him.
+
+Just as the day broke, Yann's father entered.  He took off his cap, and
+pushed back his splendid white locks, which were in curls like Yann's,
+sat down by Gaud's bedside.
+
+His heart ached heavily too; for Yann, his tall, handsome Yann, was his
+first-born, his favorite and his pride: but he did not despair yet.  He
+comforted Gaud in his own blunt, affectionate way.  To begin with,
+those who had last returned from Iceland spoke of the increasing dense
+fogs, which might well have delayed the vessel; and then too an idea
+struck him,--they might possibly have stopped at the distant Faroe
+Islands on their homeward course, whence letters were so long in
+traveling.  This had happened to him once forty years ago, and his own
+poor dead and gone mother had had a mass said for his soul.  The
+_Leopoldine_ was such a good boat,--next to new,--and her crew were
+such able-bodied seamen.
+
+Granny Moan stood by them shaking her head: the distress of her
+granddaughter had almost given her back her own strength and reason.
+She tidied up the place, glancing from time to time at the faded
+portrait of Sylvestre, which hung upon the granite wall with its anchor
+emblems and mourning-wreath of black bead-work.  Ever since the sea had
+robbed her of her own last offspring, she believed no longer in safe
+returns; she only prayed through fear, bearing Heaven a grudge in the
+bottom of her heart.
+
+But Gaud listened eagerly to these consoling reasonings; her large
+sunken eyes looked with deep tenderness out upon this old sire, who so
+much resembled her beloved one; merely to have him near her was like a
+hostage against death having taken the younger Gaos; and she felt
+reassured, nearer to her Yann.  Her tears fell softly and silently, and
+she repeated again her passionate prayers to the Star of the Sea.
+
+A delay out at those Islands to repair damages was a very likely event.
+She rose and brushed her hair, and then dressed as if she might fairly
+expect him.  All then was not lost, if a seaman, his own father, did
+not yet despair.  And for a few days she resumed looking out for him
+again.
+
+Autumn at last arrived,--a late autumn too,--its gloomy evenings making
+all things appear dark in the old cottage; and all the land looked
+sombre too.
+
+The very daylight seemed a sort of twilight; immeasurable clouds,
+passing slowly overhead, darkened the whole country at broad noon.  The
+wind blew constantly with the sound of a great cathedral organ at a
+distance, but playing profane, despairing dirges; at other times the
+noise came close to the door, like the howling of wild beasts.
+
+She had grown pale,--aye, blanched,--and bent more than ever; as if old
+age had already touched her with its featherless wing.  Often did she
+finger the wedding clothes of her Yann, folding them and unfolding them
+again and again like some maniac,--especially one of his blue woolen
+jerseys which still had preserved his shape: when she threw it gently
+on the table, it fell with the shoulders and chest well defined; so she
+placed it by itself in a shelf of their wardrobe, and left it there, so
+that it might forever rest unaltered.
+
+Every night the cold mists sank upon the land, as she gazed over the
+depressing heath through her little window, and watched the thin puffs
+of white smoke arise from the chimneys of other cottages scattered here
+and there on all sides.  There the husbands had returned, like
+wandering birds driven home by the frost.  Before their blazing hearths
+the evenings passed, cozy and warm; for the springtime of love had
+begun again in this land of North Sea fishermen.
+
+Still clinging to the thought of those islands where he might perhaps
+have lingered, she was buoyed up by a kind hope, and expected him home
+any day.
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+But he never returned.  One August night, out off gloomy Iceland,
+mingled with the furious clamor of the sea, his wedding with the sea
+was performed.  It had been his nurse; it had rocked him in his
+babyhood and had afterwards made him big and strong; then, in his
+superb manhood, it had taken him back again for itself alone.
+Profoundest mystery had surrounded this unhallowed union.  While it
+went on, dark curtains hung pall-like over it as if to conceal the
+ceremony, and the ghoul howled in an awful, deafening voice to stifle
+his cries.  He, thinking of Gaud, his sole, darling wife, had battled
+with giant strength against this deathly rival, until he at last
+surrendered, with a deep death-cry like the roar of a dying bull,
+through a mouth already filled with water; and his arms were stretched
+apart and stiffened forever.
+
+All those he had invited in days of old were present at his wedding.
+All except Sylvestre, who had gone to sleep in the enchanted gardens
+far, far away, at the other side of the earth.
+
+
+
+
+THE SALVING OF THE YAN-SHAN
+
+From "In Blue Waters," BY H. DE VERE STACKPOOLE
+
+
+I
+
+The _Heart of Ireland_ was spreading her wings to the north-west
+trades, making a good seven knots, with the coast of California a vague
+line on the horizon to port and all the blue Pacific before her.
+
+Captain Blood was aft with his mate, Billy Harman, leaning on the rail
+and watching the foam boosting away from the stern and flowing off in
+creamy lines on the swirl of the wake.  Ginnell, owner and captain of
+the _Heart of Ireland_, shanghaied and reduced to deck hand, was
+forward on the look-out, and one of the coolie crew was at the wheel.
+
+"I'm not given to meeting trouble half-way," said Blood, shifting his
+position and leaning with his left arm on the rail, "but it 'pears to
+me Pat Ginnell is taking his set down a mighty sight too easy.  He's
+got something up his sleeve."
+
+"So've we," replied Harman.  "What can he do?  He laid out to shanghai
+you, and by gum, he did it.  I don't say I didn't let him down crool,
+playin' into his hands and pretendin' to help and gettin' Captain Mike
+as a witness, but the fac' remains he got you aboard this hooker by
+foul play, shanghaied you were, and then you turns the tables on him,
+knocks the stuffin' out of him and turns him into a deck hand.  How's
+he to complain?  I'd start back to 'Frisco now and dare him to come
+ashore with his complaints.  We've got his ship, well, that's his
+fault.  He's no legs to stand on, that's truth.
+
+"Leavin' aside this little bisness, he's known as a crook from Benicia
+right to San Jose.  The bay stinks with him and his doin's; settin'
+Chinese sturgeon lines, Captain Mike said he was, and all but nailed,
+smugglin' and playin' up to the Greeks, and worse.  The Bayside's
+hungry to catch him an' stuff him in the penitentiary, and he hasn't no
+friends.  I'm no saint, I owns it, but I'm a plaster John the Baptis'
+to Ginnell, and I've got friends, so have you.  Well, what are you
+bothering about?"
+
+"Oh, I'm not bothering about the law," said Blood, "only about him.
+I'm going to keep my eye open and not be put asleep by his quiet
+ways--and I'd advise you to do the same."
+
+"Trust me," said Harman, "and more especial when we come to longsides
+with the _Yan-Shan_."
+
+Now the _Yan-Shan_ had started in life somewhere early in the nineties
+as a twelve hundred ton cargo boat in the Bullmer line; she had been
+christened the _Robert Bullmer_, and her first act when the dog-shores
+had been knocked away was a bull charge down the launching slip,
+resulting in the bursting of a hawser, the washing over of a boat and
+the drowning of two innocent spectators; her next was an attempt to
+butt the Eddystone over in a fog, and, being unbreakable, she might
+have succeeded only that she was going dead slow.  She drifted out of
+the Bullmer line on the wash of a law-suit owing to the ramming by her
+of a Cape boat in Las Palmas harbour; engaged herself in the fruit
+trade in the service of the Corona Capuella Syndicate, and got on to
+the Swimmer rocks with a cargo of Jamaica oranges, a broken screw shaft
+and a blown-off cylinder cover.  The ruined cargo, salvage and tow
+smashed the Syndicate, and the _Robert Bullmer_ found new occupations
+till the See-Yup-See Company of Canton picked her up, and,
+rechristening, used her for conveying coffins and coolies to the
+American seaboard.  They had sent her to Valdivia on some business, and
+on the return from the southern port to 'Frisco she had, true to her
+instincts and helped by a gale, run on San Juan, a scrap of an island
+north of the Channel Islands of the California coast.  Every soul had
+been lost with the exception of two Chinese coolies, who, drifting on a
+raft, had been picked up and brought to San Francisco.
+
+She had a general cargo and twenty thousand dollars in gold coin on
+board, but the coolies had declared her to be a total wreck, said, in
+fact, when they had last sighted her she was going to pieces.
+
+That was the yarn Harman heard through Clancy, with the intimation that
+the wreck was not worth two dollars, let alone the expenses of a
+salvage ship.
+
+The story had eaten into Harman's mind; he knew San Juan better than
+any man in 'Frisco, and he considered that a ship once ashore there
+would stick; then Ginnell turned up, and the luminous idea of inducing
+Ginnell to shanghai Blood so that Blood might with his, Harman's,
+assistance shanghai Ginnell and use the _Heart of Ireland_ for the
+picking of the _Yan-Shan's_ pocket, entered his mind.
+
+"It's just when we come alongside the _Yan-Shan_ we may find our worst
+bother," said Blood.
+
+"Which way?" asked Harman.
+
+"Well, they're pretty sure to send some sort of a wrecking expedition
+to try and salve some of the cargo, let alone those dollars."
+
+"See here," said Harman, "I had the news from Clancy that morning, and
+it had only just come to 'Frisco, it wasn't an hour old; we put the cap
+on Ginnell and were out of the Golden Gate before sundown same day.  A
+wrecking ship would take all of two days to get her legs under her,
+supposing anyone bought the wreck, so we have two days' start; we've
+been makin' seven knots and maybe a bit over, they won't make more.  So
+we have two days to our good when we get there."
+
+"They may start a quick ship out on the job," said Blood.
+
+"Well, now, there's where my knowledge comes in," said Harman.
+"There's only two salvage ships at present in 'Frisco, and rotten tubs
+they are.  One's the _Maryland_, she's most a divin' and dredgin' ship,
+ain't no good for this sort of work, sea-bottom scrapin' is all she's
+good for, and little she makes at it.  The other's the _Port of
+Amsterdam_, owned by Gunderman.  She's the ship they'd use; she's got
+steam winches and derricks 'nough to discharge the Ark, and stowage
+room to hold the cargo down to the last flea, but she's no good for
+more than eight knots; she steams like as if she'd a drogue behind her,
+because why?--she's got beam engines--she's that old, she's got beam
+engines in her.  I'm not denyin' there's somethin' to be said for them,
+but, there you are, there's no speed in them."
+
+"Well, beam engines or no beam engines, we'll have a pretty rough time
+if she comes down and catches us within a cable's length of the
+_Yan-Shan_," said Blood.  "However, there's no use in fetching trouble;
+let's go and have a look at the lazaret, I want to see how we stand for
+grub."
+
+Chop-stick Charlie was the name Blood had christened the coolie who
+acted as steward and cabin hand.  He called him now, and out of the
+opium-tinctured gloom of the fo'c'sle Charlie appeared, received his
+orders and led them to the lazaret.
+
+None of the crew had shown the slightest emotion on seeing Blood take
+over command of the schooner and Ginnell swabbing decks.  The fight,
+that had made Blood master of the _Heart of Ireland_ and Ginnell's
+revolver, had occurred in the cabin and out of sight of the coolies,
+but even had it been conducted in full view of them, it is doubtful
+whether they would have shown any feeling or lifted a hand in the
+matter.
+
+As long as their little privileges were regarded, as long as opium
+bubbled in the evening pipe, and pork, rice and potatoes were served
+out, one white skipper was the same as another to them.
+
+The overhaul of the stores took half an hour and was fairly
+satisfactory, and, when they came, on deck, Blood, telling Charlie to
+take Ginnell's place as lookout, called the latter down into the cabin.
+
+"We want to have a word with you," said Blood, whilst Harman took his
+seat on a bunk edge opposite him.
+
+"It's time you knew our minds and what we intend doing with the
+schooner and yourself."
+
+"Faith," said Ginnell, "I think it is."
+
+"I'm glad you agree.  Well, when you shanghaied me on board this old
+shark-boat of yours, there's little doubt as to what you intended doing
+with me.  Harman will tell you, for we've talked on the matter."
+
+"He'd a' worked you crool hard, fed you crool bad, and landed you after
+a six months' cruise doped or drunk, with two cents in your pocket and
+an affidavit up his sleeve that you'd tried to fire his ship," said
+Harman.  "I know the swab."
+
+Ginnell said nothing for a moment in answer to this soft impeachment,
+he was cutting himself a chew of tobacco; then at last he spoke:
+
+"I don't want no certifikit of character from either the pair of you,"
+said he.  "You've boned me ship and you've blacked me eye and you've
+near stove me ribs in sittin' on me chest and houldin' me revolver in
+me face; what I wants to know is your game.  Where's your profits to
+come from on this job?"
+
+"I'll tell you," replied Blood.  "There's a hooker called the
+_Yan-Shan_ piled on the rocks down the coast and we're going to leave
+our cards on her--savvy?"
+
+"Oh, Lord!" said Ginnell.
+
+"What's the matter now?" asked Harman.
+
+"What's the matter, d'you say?" cried Ginnell.  "Why, it's the
+_Yan-Shan_ I was after meself."
+
+Blood stared at the owner of the _Heart of Ireland_ for a moment, then
+he broke into a roar of laughter.
+
+"You don't mean to say you bought the wreck?" he asked.
+
+"Not me," replied Ginnell.  "Sure, where d'you think I'd be findin' the
+money to buy wrecks with?  I had news that mornin' she was lyin' there
+derelick, and I was just slippin' down the coast to have a look at her
+when you two spoiled me lay by takin' me ship."
+
+It was now that Harman began to laugh.
+
+"Well, if that don't beat all," said he.  "And maybe, since you were so
+keen on havin' a look at her, you've brought wreckin' tools with you in
+case they might come in handy?"
+
+"That's as may be," replied Ginnell.  "What you have got to worry about
+isn't wreckin' tools, but how to get rid of the boodle if it's there.
+Twenty thousand dollars, that's the figure."
+
+"So you know of the dollars?" said Blood.
+
+"Sure, what do you take me for?" asked Ginnell.  "D'you think I'd have
+bothered about the job only for the dollars?  What's the use of general
+cargo to the like of me?  Now what I'm thinkin' is this, you want a
+fence to help you to get rid of the stuff.  Supposin' you find it, how
+are you to cart this stuff ashore and bank it?  You'll be had, sure,
+but not if I'm at your back.  Now, gents, I'm willin' to wipe out all
+differences and help in the salvin' on shares, and I'll make it easy
+for you.  You'll each take seven thousand and I'll take the balance,
+and I won't charge nuthin' for the loan you've took of the _Heart of
+Ireland_.  It's a losin' game for me, but it's better than bein' done
+out entirely."
+
+Blood looked at Harman and Harman looked at Blood.  Then telling
+Ginnell that they would consider the matter, they went on deck to talk
+it over.
+
+There was truth in what Ginnell said.  They would want help in getting
+the coin ashore in safety, and unless they marooned or murdered
+Ginnell, he, if left out, would always be a witness to make trouble.
+Besides, though engaged on a somewhat shady business, neither Blood nor
+Harman were scoundrels.  Ginnell up to this had been paid out in his
+own coin, the slate was clean, and it pleased neither of them to take
+profit from this blackguard beyond what they considered their due.
+
+It was just this touch of finer feeling that excluded them from the
+category of rogues and made their persons worth considering and their
+doings worth recounting.
+
+"We'll give him what he asks," said Blood, when the consultation was
+over, "and mind you, I don't like giving it him one little bit, not on
+account of the money but because it seems to make us partners with that
+swab.  I tell you this, Billy Harman, I'd give half as much again if an
+honest man was dealing with us in this matter instead of Pat Ginnell."
+
+"And what honest man would deal with us?" asked the ingenuous Harman.
+"Lord! one might think the job we was on was tryin' to sell a laundry.
+It's safe enough, for who can say we didn't hit the wreck cruisin'
+round promiscuous, but it won't hold no frills in the way of Honesty
+and such.  Down with you, and close the bargain with that chap and tip
+him the wink that, though we're mugs enough to give him six thousand
+dollars for the loan of his old shark-boat, we're men enough to put a
+pistol bullet in his gizzard if he tries any games with us.  Down you
+go."
+
+Blood went.
+
+
+II
+
+Next morning, an hour after sunrise, through the blaze of light
+striking the Pacific across the far-off Californlan coast, San Juan
+showed like a flake of spar on the horizon to southward.
+
+The sea all there is of an impossible blueness, the Pacific blue
+deepened by the _Kuro Shiwo_ current, that mysterious river of the sea
+which floods up the coast of Japan, crosses the Pacific towards Alaska,
+and sweeps down the West American seaboard to fan out and lose itself
+away down somewhere off Chile.
+
+Harman judged the island to be twenty miles away, and as they were
+making six and a half knots, he reckoned to hit it in three hours if
+the wind held.
+
+They went down and had breakfast, and after the meal Ginnell, going to
+the locker where he had stowed the wrecking tools, fetched them out and
+laid them on deck.  There were two crow-bars and a jemmy, not to
+mention a flogging hammer, a rip saw, some monstrous big chisels and a
+shipwright's mallet.  They looked like a collection of burglar's
+implements from the land of Brobdingnag.
+
+"There you are," said Ginnell.  "You never know what you may want on a
+job like this, with bulkheads, maybe, to be cut through and chests
+broke open; get a spare sail, Misther Harman, and rowl the lot up in it
+so's they'll be aisier for thransport."
+
+He was excited, and the Irish in him came out when he was like that;
+also, as the most knowledgeable man in the business, he was taking the
+lead.  You never could have fancied from his cheerful manner and his
+appearance of boss that Blood was the real master of the situation, or
+that Blood, only a few days ago, had nearly pounded the life out of
+him, captured his revolver, and taken possession of the _Heart of
+Ireland_.
+
+The schooner carried a whale-boat, and this was now got in readiness
+for lowering, with provisions and water for the landing-party, and when
+that was done the island, now only four miles distant, showed up fine,
+a sheer splinter of volcanic rock standing up from the sea and creamed
+about with foam.
+
+Not a sign of a wreck was to be seen, though Ginnell's glasses were
+powerful enough to show up every detail from the rock fissures to the
+roosting gulls.
+
+Gloom fell upon the party, with the exception of Harman.
+
+"It'll be on the other side if it's there at all," said he.  "She'd
+have been coming up from the s'uthard, and if the gale was behind her
+it would have taken her right on to the rocks; she couldn't be on this
+side, anyhow, because why?--there's nuthin' to hold her.  It's a mile
+deep water off them cliffs, but on the other side it shoals gradual
+from tide marks to ten fathoms water, which holds for a quarter of a
+mile--keep her as she is, you could scrape them cliffs with a
+battleship without danger of groundin'."
+
+After a minute or two, he took the wheel himself and steered her whilst
+the fellows stood by the halyards ready to let go at a moment's notice.
+
+It was an impressive place, this north side of the island of San Juan;
+the heavy swell came up smacking right on to the sheer cliff wall,
+jetting green water and foam yards high to the snore and boom of caves
+and cut outs in the rock.  Gulls haunted the place.  The black petrel,
+the Western gull and the black-footed albatross all were to be found
+here; long lines of white gulls marked the cliff edges, and far above,
+in the dazzling azure of the sky, a Farallone cormorant circled like
+the spirit of the place, challenging the newcomers with its cry.
+
+Harman shifted his helm, and the _Heart of Ireland_ with main boom
+swinging to port came gliding past the western rocks and opening the
+sea to southward where, far on the horizon, lovely in the morning light
+like vast ships under press of sail, the San Lucas Islands lay remote
+in the morning splendour.
+
+Away to port the line of the Californian coast showed beyond the heave
+of the sea from Point Arguello to Point Conception, and to starboard
+and west of the San Lucas's a dot in the sun-dazzle marked the peaks of
+the island of San Nicolas.
+
+Then, as the _Heart of Ireland_ came around and the full view of the
+south of San Juan burst upon them, the wreck piled on the rocks came in
+sight, and, anchored quarter of a mile off the shore--a Chinese junk!
+
+"Well, I'm damned," said Harman.
+
+Ginnell, seizing his glasses, rushed forward and looked through them at
+the wreck.
+
+"It's swarmin' with chows," cried he, coming aft.  "They seem to have
+only just landed, be the look of them.  Keep her as she goes and be
+ready with the anchor there forrard; we'll scupper them yet.  Mr.
+Harman, be plazed to fetch up that linth of lead pipe you'll find on
+the cabin flure be the door.  Capt'in, will you see with Charlie here
+to the boat while I get the anchor ready for droppin'; them coolies is
+all thumbs."
+
+He went forward, and the _Heart of Ireland_, with the wind spilling out
+of her mainsail, came along over the heaving blue swell, satin-smooth
+here in the shelter of the island.
+
+Truly the _Yan-Shan_, late _Robert Bullmer_, had made a masterpiece of
+her last business; she had come stem on, lifted by the piling sea, and
+had hit the rocks, smashing every bow-plate from the keel to within a
+yard or two of the gunnel, then a wave had taken her under the stern
+and lifted her and flung her broadside on just as she now lay, pinned
+to her position by the rock horns that had gored her side, and showing
+a space of her rust-red bottom to the sun.
+
+The water was squattering among the rocks right up to her, the
+phosphor-bronze propeller showed a single blade cocked crookedly at the
+end of the broken screw shaft; rudder there was none, the funnel was
+gone, spar deck and bridge were in wrack and ruin, whilst the cowl of a
+bent ventilator turned seaward seemed contemplating with a languid air
+the beauty of the morning and the view of the far distant San Lucas
+Islands.
+
+The _Heart of Ireland_ picked up a berth inside the junk, and as the
+rasp and rattle of the anchor chain came back in faint echoes from the
+cliff, a gong on the junk woke to life and began to snarl and roar its
+warning to the fellows on the wreck.
+
+"Down with the boat," cried Ginnell.  With the "linth of lead pipe," a
+most formidable weapon, sticking from his pocket, he ran to help with
+the falls; the whaleboat smacked the water, the crew tumbled in, and,
+with Ginnell in the bow, it started for the shore.
+
+The gong had done its work.  The fellows who had been crawling like
+ants over the dead body of the _Yan-Shan_ came slithering down on
+ropes, appeared running and stumbling over the rocks abaft the stern,
+some hauling along sacks of loot, others brandishing sticks or bits of
+timber, and all shouting and clamouring with a noise like gulls whose
+nests are being raided.
+
+There was a small scrap of shingly beach off which the Chinamen's scow
+was lying anchored with a stone and with a China boy for anchor watch.
+The whale-boat passed the scow, dashed nose end up the shelving beach,
+and the next moment Ginnell and his linth of lead pipe was amongst the
+Chinamen, whilst Blood, following him, was firing his revolver over
+their heads.  Harman, with a crowbar carried at the level, was aiming
+straight at the belly of the biggest of the foe, when they parted right
+and left, dropping everything, beaten before they were touched, and
+making for the water over the rocks.
+
+Swimming like rats, they made for the scow, scrambled on board her,
+howked up the anchor stone and shot out the oars.
+
+"They're off for the junk," cried Ginnell.  "Faith, that was a clane
+bit of work; look at thim rowin' as if the divil was after thim."
+
+They were, literally, and now on board the junk they were hauling the
+boat in, shaking out the lateen sail and dragging up the anchor as
+though a hundred pair of hands were at work instead of twenty.
+
+Then, as the huge sail bellied gently to the wind and the junk broke
+the violet breeze shadow beyond the calm of the sheltered water, a
+voice came over the sea, a voice like the clamour of a hundred gulls,
+thin, rending, fierce as the sound of tearing calico.
+
+"Shout away, me boys," said Ginnell.  "You've got the shout and we've
+got the boodle, and good day to ye."
+
+
+III
+
+He turned with the others to examine the contents of the sacks dropped
+by the vanquished ones and lying amongst the rocks.  They were old
+gunny bags and they were stuffed with all sorts of rubbish and
+valuables, musical instruments, bits of old metal, cabin curtains, and
+even cans of bully beef--there was no sign of dollars.
+
+"The fools were so busy picking up everything they could find lying
+about, they hadn't time to search for the real stuff," said Blood.
+"Didn't know of it."
+
+"Well," said Ginnell, "stick the ould truck back in the bags with the
+insthruments; we'll sort it out when we get aboard and fling the
+rubbish over and keep what's worth keepin'."
+
+Helped by the coolies, they refilled the bags and left them in position
+for carrying off, and then, led by Ginnell, they made round the stern
+of the wreck to the port side.
+
+Now, on the sea side the _Yan-Shan_ presented a bad enough picture of
+desolation and destruction, but here on the land side the sight was
+terrific.
+
+The great yellow funnel had crashed over on to the rocks and lay with
+lengths of the guys still adhering to it; a quarter boat with bottom
+half out had gone the way of the funnel; crabs were crawling over all
+sorts of raffle, broken spars, canvas from the bridge screen and
+woodwork of the chart-house, whilst all forward of amidships the
+plates, beaten and twisted and ripped apart, showed cargo, held, or in
+the act of escaping.  One big packing case, free of the ship, had
+resolved itself into staves round its once contents, a piano that
+appeared perfectly uninjured.
+
+A rope ladder hung from the bulwarks amidships, and up it Ginnell went,
+followed by the others, reaching a roofless passage that had once been
+the part alley-way.
+
+Here on the slanting deck one got a full picture of the ruin that had
+come on the ship; the masts were gone, as well as the funnel; boats,
+ventilators--with the exception of the twisted cowl looking
+seaward--bridge, chart-house, all had vanished wholly or in part, a
+picture made more impressive by the calm blue sky overhead and the
+brilliancy of the sunlight.
+
+The locking bars had been removed from the cover of the fore hatch and
+the hatch opened, evidently by the Chinese in search of plunder.
+Ginnell scarcely turned an eye on it before he made aft, followed by
+the others, he reached the saloon companion-way and dived down it.
+
+If the confusion on deck was bad, it was worse below.  The cabin doors
+on either side were either open or off their hinges, bunk bedding,
+mattresses, an open and rifled valise, some women's clothes, an empty
+cigar-box and a cage with a dead canary in it lay on the floor.
+
+The place looked as if an army of pillagers had been at work for days,
+and the sight struck a chill to the hearts of the beholders.
+
+"We're dished," said Ginnell.  "Quick, boys, if the stuff's anywhere
+it'll be in the old man's cabin, there's no mail room in a packet like
+this.  If it's not there, we're done."
+
+They found the captain's cabin, they found his papers tossed about, his
+cash-box open and empty, and a strong box clamped to the deck by the
+bunk in the same condition.  They found, to complete the business, an
+English sovereign on the floor in a corner.
+
+Ginnell sat down on the edge of the bunk.
+
+"They've got the dollars," said he.  "That's why they legged it so
+quick and--we let them go.  Twenty thousand dollars in gold coin and we
+let them go.  Tear an' ages!  Afther them!"  He sprang from the bunk
+and dashed through the saloon, followed by the others.  On deck they
+strained their eyes seaward towards a brown spot on the blue far, far
+away to the sou'-west.  It was the junk making a soldier's wind of it,
+every inch of sail spread.  Judging by the distance she had covered,
+she must have been making at least eight knots, and the Heart of
+Ireland under similar wind conditions was incapable of more than seven.
+
+"No good chasing her," said Blood.
+
+"Not a happorth," replied Ginnell.  Then the quarrel began.
+
+"If you hadn't held us pokin' over them old sacks on the rocks there
+we'd maybe have had a chance of over-haulin' her," said Ginnell.
+
+"Sacks," cried Blood, "what are you talking about; it was you who let
+them go, shouting good day to them and telling them we'd got the
+boodle!"
+
+"Boodle, b'g-d!" cried Ginnell.  "You're a nice chap to talk about
+boodle.  You did me in an' collared me boat, and now you're let down
+proper, and serve you right."
+
+Blood was about to reply in kind, when the dispute was cut short by a
+loud yell from the engine-room hatch.
+
+Harman, having satisfied himself with a glance that all was up with the
+junk, had gone poking about and entered the engine-room hatchway.  He
+now appeared, shouting like a maniac.
+
+"The dollars," he cried, "two dead Chinkies an' the dollars."
+
+He vanished again with a shout, they rushed to the hatch, and there, on
+the steel grating leading to the ladder, curled together like two cats
+that had died in battle, lay the Chinamen, Harman kneeling beside them,
+his hands at work on the neck of a tied sack that chinked as he shook
+it with the glorious rich, mellow sound that gold in bulk and gold in
+specie alone can give.
+
+The lanyard came away, and Harman, plunging his big hand in, produced
+it filled with British sovereigns.
+
+Not one of them moved or said a word for a moment, then Ginnell
+suddenly squatted down on the grating beside Harman, and, taking a
+sovereign between finger and thumb gingerly, as though he feared it
+might burn him, examined it with a laugh.  Then he bit it, spun it in
+the air, caught it in his left hand and brought his great right palm
+down on it with a bang.
+
+"Hids or tails!" cried Ginnell.  "Hids I win, tails you lose."  He gave
+a coarse laugh as he opened his palm, where the coin lay tail up.
+
+"Hids it is," he cried, then he tossed it back into the bag and rose to
+his feet.
+
+"Come on, boys," said he, "let's bring the stuff down to the saloon and
+count it."
+
+"Better get it aboard," said Blood.
+
+Harman looked up.  The grin on his face stamped by the finding of the
+gold was still there, and in the light coming through the hatch his
+forehead showed beaded with sweat.
+
+"I'm with Ginnell," said he, "let's get down to the saloon for an
+overhaul.  I can't wait whiles we row off to the schooner.  I wants to
+feel the stuff and I wants to divide it, b'g-d, right off and now.
+Boys, we're rich, we sure are.  It's the stroke of my life, and I can't
+wait for no rowin' on board no schooners before we divide up."
+
+"Come on, then," said Blood.
+
+The sack was much bigger than its contents, so there was plenty of grip
+for him as he seized one corner.  Then, Harman grasping it by the neck,
+they lugged it out and along the deck and down the saloon companionway,
+Ginnell following.
+
+The Chinese had opened nearly all the cabin port-holes for the sake of
+light to assist them in their plundering, and now as Blood and Harman
+placed the sack on the slanting saloon table, the crying of gulls came
+clearly and derisively from the cliffs outside, mixed with the hush of
+the sea and the boost of the swell as it broke creaming and squattering
+among the rocks.  The lackadaisical ventilator cowl, which took an
+occasional movement from stray puffs of air, added its voice now and
+then, whining and complaining like some lost yet inconsiderable soul.
+
+No other sound could be heard as the three men ranged themselves,
+Ginnell on the starboard, and Blood and Harman on the port side of the
+table.
+
+The swivel seats, though all aslant, were practicable, and Harman was
+in the act of taking his place in the seat he had chosen when Ginnell
+interposed.
+
+"One moment, Mr. Harman," said the owner of the _Heart of Ireland_.
+"I've a word to say to you and Mr. Blood--sure, I beg your pardon--I
+mane Capt'in Blood."
+
+"Well," said Blood, grasping a chair-back.  "What have you to say?"
+
+"Only this," replied Ginnell with a grin.  "I've got back me revolver."
+
+Blood clapped his hand to his pocket.  It was empty.
+
+"I picked your pocket of it," said Ginnell, producing the weapon, "two
+minits back; you fired three shots over the heads of them chows and
+there's three ca'tridges left in her.  I can hit a dollar at twinty
+long paces.  Move an inch either the one or other of you, and I'll lay
+your brains on the table fornint you."
+
+They did not move, for they knew that he was in earnest.  They knew
+that if they moved he would begin to shoot, and if he began to shoot he
+would finish the job, leave their corpses on the floor, and sail off
+with the dollars and his Chinese crew in perfect safety.  There were no
+witnesses.
+
+"Now," said Ginnell, "what the pair of you have to do is this.  Misther
+Harman, you'll go into that cabin behind you, climb on the upper bunk,
+stick your head through the port-hole and shout to the coolies down
+below there with the boat to come up.  It'll take two men to get them
+dollars on deck and down to the wather side.  When you've done that,
+the pair of you will walk into the ould man's cabin an' say your
+prayers, thanking the saints you've got off so easy, whiles I puts the
+bolt on you till the dollars are away.  And remimber this, one word or
+kick from you and I shoot--the Chinamen will never tell."
+
+"See here," said Harman.
+
+"One word!" shouted Ginnell, suddenly dropping the mask of urbanity and
+levelling the pistol.
+
+It was as though the tiger-cat in his grimy soul had suddenly burst
+bonds and mastered him.  His finger pressed on the trigger and the next
+moment Harman's brains, or what he had of them, might have been
+literally forenint him on the table, when suddenly, tremendous as the
+last trumpet, paralysing as the inrush of a body of armed men, booing
+and bellowing back from the cliffs in a hundred echoes came a
+voice--the blast of a ship's syren.
+
+"Huroop, Hirrip, Hurop, Haar--Haar--Haar!"
+
+Ginnell's arm fell.  Harman, forgetting everything, turned, dashed into
+the cabin behind him, climbed on the upper bunk, and stuck his head
+through the port-hole.
+
+Then he dashed back into the saloon.
+
+"It's the _Port of Amsterdam_," cried Harman, "It's the salvage ship,
+she's there droppin' her anchor; we're done, we're dished--and we
+foolin' like this and they crawlin' up on us."
+
+"And you said she'd only do eight knots!" cried Blood.
+
+Ginnell flung the revolver on the floor.  Every trace of the recent
+occurrence had vanished, and the three men thought no more of one
+another than a man thinks of petty matters in the face of dissolution.
+Gunderman was outside, that was enough for them.
+
+"Boys," said Ginnell, "ain't there no way out with them dollars?
+S'pose we howk them ashore?"
+
+"Cliffs two hundred foot high," said Harman, "not a chanst.  We're
+dished."
+
+Said Blood: "There's only one thing left.  We'll walk the dollars down
+to the boat and row off with them.  Of course we'll be stopped; still,
+there's the chance that Gunderman may be drunk or something.  It's one
+chance in a hundred billion--it's the only one."
+
+But Gunderman was not drunk, nor were his boat party; and the
+court-martial he held on the beach in broken English and with the sack
+of coin beside him as chief witness would form a bright page of
+literature had one time to record it.
+
+Ginnell, as owner of the _Heart of Ireland_, received the whole brunt
+of the storm; there was no hearing for him when, true to himself, he
+tried to cast the onus of the business on Blood and Harman.  He was
+told to get out and be thankful he was not brought back to 'Frisco in
+irons, and he obeyed instructions, rowing off to the schooner, he and
+Harman and Blood, a melancholy party with the exception of Blood, who
+was talking to Harman with extreme animation on the subject of beam
+engines.
+
+On deck it was Blood who gave orders for hauling up the anchor and
+setting sail.  He had recaptured the revolver.
+
+
+
+
+THE DERELICT _NEPTUNE_*
+
+From "Spun Gold," BY MORGAN ROBERTSON
+
+*Reprinted by courtesy of Harper & Brothers.
+
+
+Across the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Guinea to Cape St. Roque
+moves a great body of water--the Main Equatorial Current--which can be
+considered the motive power, or mainspring, of the whole Atlantic
+current system, as it obtains its motion directly from the ever-acting
+push of the tradewinds.  At Cape St. Roque this broad current splits
+into two parts, one turning north, the other south.  The northern part
+contracts, increases its speed, and, passing up the northern coast of
+South America as the Guiana Current, enters through the Caribbean Sea
+into the Gulf of Mexico, where it circles around to the northward;
+then, colored a deep blue from the fine river silt of the Mississippi,
+and heated from its long surface exposure under a tropical sun to an
+average temperature of eighty degrees, it emerges into the Florida
+Channel as the Gulf Stream.
+
+From here it travels northeast, following the trend of the coast line,
+until, off Cape Hatteras, it splits into three divisions, one of which,
+the westernmost, keeps on to lose its warmth and life in Baffin's Bay.
+Another impinges on the Hebrides, and is no more recognizable as a
+current; and the third, the eastern and largest part of the divided
+stream, makes a wide sweep to the east and south, enclosing the Azores
+and the deadwater called the Sargasso Sea, then, as the African
+Current, runs down the coast until, just below the Canary Isles, it
+merges into the Lesser Equatorial Current, which, parallel to the
+parent stream, and separated from it by a narrow band of backwater,
+travels west and filters through the West Indies, making puzzling
+combinations with the tides, and finally bearing so heavily on the
+young Gulf Stream as to give to it the sharp turn to the northward
+through the Florida Channel.
+
+In the South Atlantic, the portion of the Main Equatorial Current split
+off by Cape St. Roque and directed south leaves the coast at Cape Frio,
+and at the latitude of the River Plate assumes a due easterly
+direction, crossing the ocean as the Southern Connecting Current.  At
+the Cape of Good Hope it meets the cold, northeasterly Cape Horn
+Current, and with it passes up the coast of Africa to join the
+Equatorial Current at the starting-point in the Gulf of Guinea, the
+whole constituting a circulatory system of ocean rivers, of speed value
+varying from eighteen to ninety miles a day.
+
+On a bright morning in November, 1894, a curious-looking craft floated
+into the branch current which, skirting Cuba, flows westward through
+the Bahama Channel.  A man standing on the highest of two points
+enclosing a small bay near Cape Maisi, after a critical examination
+through a telescope, disappeared from the rocks, and in a few moments a
+light boat, of the model used by whalers, emerged from the mouth of the
+bay, containing this man and another.  In the boat also was a coil of
+rope.
+
+The one who had inspected the craft from the rocks was a tall young
+fellow, dressed in flannel shirt and trousers, the latter held in place
+by a cartridge-belt, such as is used by the American cowboy.  To this
+was hung a heavy revolver.  On his head was a broad-brimmed cork
+helmet, much soiled, and resembling in shape the Mexican sombrero.
+Beneath this head-gear was a mass of brown hair, which showed a
+non-acquaintance with barbers for, perhaps, months, and under this hair
+a sun-tanned face, lighted by serious gray eyes.  The most noticeable
+feature of this face was the extreme arching of the eyebrows--a
+never-failing index of the highest form of courage.  It was a face that
+would please.  The face of the other was equally pleasing in its way.
+It was red, round, and jolly, with twinkling eyes, the whole borrowing
+a certain dignity from closely cut white hair and mustaches.  The man
+was about fifty, dressed and armed like the other.
+
+"What do you want of pistols, Boston?" he said to the younger man.
+"One might think this an old-fashioned, piratical cutting out."
+
+"Oh, I don't know, Doc.  It's best to have them.  That hulk may be full
+of Spaniards, and the whole thing nothing but a trick to draw us out.
+But she looks like a derelict.  I don't see how she got into this
+channel, unless she drifted up past Cape Maisi from the southward,
+having come in with the Guiana Current.  It's all rocks and shoals to
+the eastward."
+
+The boat, under the impulse of their oars, soon passed the fringing
+reef and came in sight of the strange craft, which lay about a mile
+east and half a mile off shore.  "You see," resumed the younger man,
+called Boston, "there's a back-water inside Point Mulas, and if she
+gets into it she may come ashore right here."
+
+"Where we can loot her.  Nice business for a respectable practitioner
+like me to be engaged in!  Doctor Bryce, of Havana, consorting with
+Fenians from Canada, exiled German socialists, Cuban horse-thieves who
+would be hung in a week if they went to Texas, and a long-legged sailor
+man who calls himself a retired naval officer, but who looks like a
+pirate; and all shouting for _Cuba Libre_!  _Cuba Libre_!  It's plunder
+you want."
+
+"But none of us ever manufactured dynamite," answered Boston, with a
+grin.  "How long did they have you in Moro Castle, Doc?"
+
+"Eight months," snapped the doctor, his face clouding.  "Eight months
+in that rathole, with the loss of my property and practice--all for
+devotion to science.  I was on the brink of the most important and
+beneficent discovery in explosives the world ever dreamed of.  Yes,
+sir, 'twould have made me famous and stopped all warfare."
+
+"The captain told me this morning that he'd heard from Marti," said
+Boston, after an interval.  "Good news, he said, but that's all I
+learned.  Maybe it's from Gomez.  If he'll only take hold again we can
+chase the Spanish off the island now.  Then we'll put some of your
+stuff under Moro and lift it off the earth."
+
+In a short time, details of the craft ahead, hitherto hidden by
+distance, began to show.  There was no sign of life aboard; her spars
+were gone, with the exception of the foremast, broken at the hounds,
+and she seemed to be of about a thousand tons burden, colored a mixed
+brown and dingy gray, which, as they drew near, was shown as the action
+of iron rust on black and lead-colored paint.  Here and there were
+outlines of painted ports.  Under the stump of a shattered bowsprit
+projected from between bluff bows a weather-worn figurehead,
+representing the god of the sea.  Above on the bows were wooden-stocked
+anchors stowed inboard, and aft on the quarters were iron davits with
+blocks intact--but no falls.  In a few of the dead-eyes in the channels
+could be seen frayed rope-yarns, rotten with age, and, with the stump
+of the foremast, the wooden stocks of the anchors, and the teak-wood
+rail, of a bleached gray color.  On the round stern, as they pulled
+under it, they spelled, in raised letters, flecked here and there with
+discolored gilt, the name "Neptune, of London."  Unkempt and forsaken,
+she had come in from the mysterious sea to tell her story.
+
+The climbed the channels, fastened the painter, and peered over the
+rail.  There was no one in sight, and they sprang down, finding
+themselves on a deck that was soft and spongy with time and weather.
+
+"She's an old tub," said Boston, scanning the gray fabric fore and aft;
+"one of the first iron ships built, I should think.  They housed the
+crew under the t'gallant forecastle.  See the doors forward, there?
+And she has a full-decked cabin--that's old style.  Hatches are all
+battened down, but I doubt if this tarpaulin holds water."  He stepped
+on the main hatch, brought his weight on the ball of one foot, and
+turned around.  The canvas crumbled to threads, showing the wood
+beneath.  "Let's go below.  If there were any Spaniards here they'd
+have shown themselves before this."  The cabin doors were latched but
+not locked, and they opened them.
+
+"Hold on," said the doctor, "this cabin may have been closed for years,
+and generated poisonous gases.  Open that upper door, Boston."
+
+Boston ran up the shaky poop ladder and opened the companion-way above,
+which let a stream of the fresh morning air and sunshine into the
+cabin, then, after a moment or two, descended and joined the other, who
+had entered from the main-deck.  They were in an ordinary ship's cabin,
+surrounded by staterooms, and with the usual swinging lamp and tray;
+but the table, chairs, and floor were covered with fine dust.
+
+"Where the deuce do you get so much dust at sea?" coughed the doctor.
+
+"Nobody knows, Doc.  Let's hunt for the manifest and the articles.
+This must have been the skipper's room."  They entered the largest
+stateroom, and Boston opened an old-fashioned desk.  Among the
+discolored documents it contained, he found one and handed it to the
+doctor.  "Articles," he said; "look at it."  Soon he took out another.
+"I've got it.  Now we'll find what she has in her hold, and if it's
+worth bothering about."
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed the doctor; "this paper is dated 1844, fifty
+years ago."  Boston looked over his shoulder.
+
+"That's so; she signed her crew at Boston, too.  Where has she been all
+this time?  Let's see this one."
+
+The manifest was short, and stated that her cargo was 3000 barrels of
+lime, 8000 kids of tallow, and 2500 carboys of acid, 1700 of which were
+sulphuric, the rest of nitric acid.  "That cargo won't be much good to
+us, Doc.  I'd hope to find something we could use.  Let's find the
+log-book, and see what happened to her."  Boston rummaged what seemed
+to be the first-mate's room.  "Plenty of duds here," he said; "but
+they're ready to fall to pieces.  Here's the log."
+
+He returned with the book, and, seated at the dusty table, they turned
+the yellow leaves.  "First departure, Highland Light, March 10, 1844,"
+read Boston.  "We'll look in the remarks column."
+
+Nothing but the ordinary incidents of a voyage were found until they
+reached the date June 1st, where entry was made of the ship being
+"caught aback" and dismasted off the Cape of Good Hope in a sudden
+gale.  Then followed daily "remarks" of the southeasterly drift of the
+ship, the extreme cold (which, with the continuance of the bad weather,
+prevented saving the wreck for jury-masts), and the fact that no sails
+were sighted.
+
+June 6th told of her being locked in soft, slushy ice, and still being
+pressed southward by the never-ending gale; June 10th said that the ice
+was hard, and at June 15th was the terrible entry: "Fire in the hold!"
+
+On June 16th was entered this: "Kept hatches battened down and stopped
+all air-holes, but the deck is too hot to stand on, and getting hotter.
+Crew insist on lowering the boats and pulling them northward over the
+ice to open water in hopes of being picked up.  Good-bye."  In the
+position columns of this date the latitude was given as 62 degrees 44
+minutes S. and the longitude as 30 degrees 50 minutes E.  There were no
+more entries.
+
+"What tragedy docs this tell of?" said the doctor.  "They left this
+ship in the ice fifty years ago.  Who can tell if they were saved?"
+
+"Who indeed?" said Boston.  "The mate hadn't much hope.  He said
+'Good-bye.'  But one thing is certain; we are the first to board her
+since.  I take it she stayed down there in the ice until she drifted
+around the Pole, and thawed out where she could catch the Cape Horn
+current, which took her up to the Hope.  Then she came up with the
+South African Current till she got into the Equatorial drift, then
+west, and up with the Guiana Current into the Caribbean Sea to the
+southward of us, and this morning the flood-tide brought her through.
+It isn't a question of winds; they're too variable.  It's currents,
+though it may have taken her years to get here.  But the surprising
+part of it is that she hasn't been boarded.  Let's look in the hold and
+see what the fire has done."
+
+When they boarded the hulk, the sky, with the exception of a filmy haze
+overhanging the eastern end of the island, was clear.  Now, as they
+emerged from the cabin, this haze had solidified and was coming--one of
+the black and vicious squalls of the West India seas.
+
+"No man can tell what wind there is in them," remarked Boston, as he
+viewed it.  "But it's pretty close to the water, and dropping rain.
+Hold on, there, Doc.  Stay aboard.  We couldn't pull ashore in the
+teeth of it."  The doctor had made a spasmodic leap to the rail.  "If
+the chains were shackled on, we might drop one of the hooks and hold
+her; but it's two hours work for a full crew."
+
+"But we're likely to be blown away, aren't we?" asked the doctor.
+
+"Not far.  I don't think it'll last long.  We'll make the boat fast
+astern and get out of the wet."  They did so, and entered the cabin.
+Soon the squall, coming with a shock like that of a solid blow, struck
+the hulk broadside to and careened her.  From the cabin door they
+watched the nearly horizontal rain as it swished across the deck, and
+listened to the screaming of the wind, which prevented all
+conversation.  Silently they waited--one hour--two hours--then Boston
+said: "This is getting serious.  It's no squall.  If it wasn't so late
+in the season I'd call it a hurricane.  I'm going on deck."
+
+He climbed the companionway stairs to the poop, and shut the scuttle
+behind him--for the rain was flooding the cabin--then looked around.
+The shore and horizon were hidden by a dense wall of gray, which seemed
+not a hundred feet distant.   From to windward this wall was detaching
+great waves or sheets of almost solid water, which bombarded the ship
+in successive blows, to be then lost in the gray whirl to leeward.
+Overhead was the same dismal hue, marked by hurrying masses of darker
+cloud, and below was a sea of froth, white and flat; for no waves could
+rise their heads in that wind.  Drenched to the skin, he tried the
+wheel and found it free in its movements.  In front of it was a
+substantial binnacle, and within a compass, which, though sluggish, as
+from a well-worn pivot, was practically in good condition.  "Blowing us
+about nor'west by west," he muttered, as he looked at it--"straight up
+the coast.  It's better than the beach in this weather, but may land us
+in Havana."  He examined he boat.  It was full of water, and tailing to
+windward, held by its painter.  Making sure that this was fast, he went
+down.
+
+"Doc," he said, as he squeezed the water from his limp cork helmet and
+flattened it on the table, "have you any objections to being rescued by
+some craft going into Havana?"
+
+"I have--decided objections."
+
+"So have I; but this wind is blowing us there--sideways.  Now, such a
+blow as this, at this time of year, will last three days at least, and
+I've an idea that it'll haul gradually to the south, and west towards
+the end of it.  Where'll we be then?  Either piled up on one of the
+Bahama keys or interviewed by the Spaniards.  Now I've been thinking of
+a scheme on deck.  We can't get back to camp for a while--that's
+settled.  This iron hull is worth something, and if we can take it into
+an American port we can claim salvage.  Key West is the nearest, but
+Fernandina is the surest.  We've got a stump of a foremast and a rudder
+and a compass.  If we can get some kind of sail up forward and bring
+her 'fore the wind, we can steer any course within thirty degrees of
+the wind line."
+
+"But I can't steer.  And how long will this voyage take?  What will we
+eat?"
+
+"Yes, you can steer--good enough.  And, of course, it depends on food,
+and water, too.  We'd better catch some of this that's going to waste."
+
+In what had been the steward's storeroom they found a harness-cask with
+bones and dry rust in the bottom.  "It's salt meat, I suppose," said
+the doctor, "reduced to its elements."  With the handles of their
+pistols they carefully hammered down the rusty hoops over the shrunken
+staves, which were well preserved by the brine they had once held, and
+taking the cask on deck, cleaned it thoroughly under the scuppers--or
+drain-holes--of the poop, and let it stand under the stream of water to
+swell and sweeten itself.
+
+"If we find more casks we'll catch some more," said Boston; "but that
+will last us two weeks.  Now we'll hunt for her stores.  I've eaten
+salt-horse twenty years old, but I can't vouch for what we may find
+here."  They examined all the rooms adjacent to the cabin, but found
+nothing.
+
+"Where's the lazarette in this kind of a ship?" asked Boston.  "The
+cabin runs right aft to the stern.  It must be below us."  He found
+that the carpet was not tacked to the floor, and, raising the after
+end, discovered a hatch, or trap-door, which he lifted.  Below, when
+their eyes were accustomed to the darkness, they saw boxes and
+barrels--all covered with the same fine dust which filled the cabin.
+
+"Don't go down there, yet, Boston," said the doctor.  "It may be full
+of carbonic acid gas.  She's been afire, you know.  Wait."  He tore a
+strip from some bedding in one of the rooms, and, lighting one end by
+means of a flint and steel which he carried, lowered the smouldering
+rag until it rested on the pile below.  It did not go out.
+
+"Safe enough, Boston," he remarked.  "But you go down; you're younger."
+
+Boston smiled and sprang down on the pile, from which he passed up a
+box.  "Looks like tinned stuff, Doc.  Open it, and I'll look over here."
+
+The doctor smashed the box with his foot, and found, as the other had
+thought, that it contained cylindrical cans; but the labels were faded
+with age.  Opening one with his jack-knife, he tasted the contents.  It
+was a mixture of meat and a fluid, called by sailors "soup-and-bully,"
+and as fresh and sweet as though canned the day before.
+
+"We're all right, Boston," he called down the hatch.  "Here's as good a
+dish as I've tasted for months.  Ready cooked, too."
+
+Boston soon appeared.  "There are some beef or pork barrels over in the
+wing," he said, "and plenty of this canned stuff.  I don't know what
+good the salt meat is.  The barrels seem tight, but we won't need to
+broach one for a while.  There's a bag of coffee--gone to dust, and
+some hard bread that isn't fit to eat; but this'll do."  He picked up
+the open can.
+
+"Boston," said the doctor, "if those barrels contain meat, we'll find
+it cooked--boiled in its own brine, like this."
+
+"Isn't it strange," said Boston, as he tasted the contents of the can,
+"that this stuff should keep so long?"
+
+"Not at all.  It was cooked thoroughly by the heat, and then frozen.
+If your barrels haven't burst from the expansion of the brine under the
+heat or cold, you'll find the meat just as good."
+
+"But rather salty, if I'm a judge of salt-horse.  Now, where's the
+sail-locker?  We want a sail on that foremast.  It must be forward."
+
+In the forecastle they found sailor's chests and clothing in all stages
+of ruin, but none of the spare sails that ships carry.  In the
+boatswain's locker, in one corner of the forecastle, however, they
+found some iron-strapped blocks in fairly good condition, which Boston
+noted.  Then they opened the main-hatch, and discovered a mixed pile of
+boxes, some showing protruding necks of large bottles, or carboys,
+others nothing but the circular opening.  Here and there in the tangled
+heap were sections of canvas sails--rolled and unrolled, but all yellow
+and worthless.  They closed the hatch and returned to the cabin, where
+they could converse.
+
+"They stowed their spare canvas in the 'tween-deck on top of the
+cargo," said Boston; "and the carboys--"
+
+"And the carboys burst from the heat and ruined the sails," broke in
+the doctor.  "But another question is, what became of that acid?"
+
+"If it's not in the 'tween-deck yet, it must be in the hold--leaked
+through the hatches."
+
+"I hope it hasn't reached the iron in the hull, Boston, my boy.  It
+takes a long time for cold acids to act on iron after the first
+oxidation, but in fifty years mixed nitric and sulphuric will do lots
+of work."
+
+"No fear, Doc; it had done its work when you were in your cradle.
+What'll we do for canvas?  We must get this craft before the wind.
+How'll the carpet do?"  Boston lifted the edge, and tried the fabric in
+his fingers.  "It'll go," he said; "we'll double it.  I'll hunt for a
+palm-and-needle and some twine."  These articles he found in the mate's
+room.  "The twine's no better than yarn," said he, "but we'll use four
+parts."
+
+Together they doubled the carpet diagonally, and with long stitches
+joined the edges.  Then Boston sewed into each corner a thimble--an
+iron ring--and they had a triangular sail of about twelve feet hoist.
+"It hasn't been exposed to the action of the air like the ropes in the
+locker forward," said Boston, as he arose and took off the palm; "and
+perhaps it'll last till she pays off.  Then we can steer.  You get the
+big pulley-blocks from the locker, Doc, and I'll get the rope from the
+boat.  It's lucky I thought to bring it; I expected to lift things out
+of the hold with it."
+
+At the risk of his life Boston obtained the coil from the boat, while
+the doctor brought the blocks.  Then, together, they rove off a tackle.
+With the handles of their pistols they knocked bunk-boards to pieces
+and saved the nails; then Boston climbed the foremast, as a painter
+climbs a steeple--by nailing successive billets of wood above his head
+for steps.  Next he hauled up and secured the tackle to the forward
+side of the mast, with which they pulled up the upper corner of their
+sail, after lashing the lower corners to the windlass and fiferail.
+
+It stood the pressure, and the hulk paid slowly off and gathered
+headway.  Boston took the wheel and steadied her at northwest by
+west--dead before the wind--while the doctor, at his request, brought
+the open can of soup and lubricated the wheel-screw with the only
+substitute for oil at their command; for the screw worked hard with the
+rust of fifty years.
+
+Their improvised sail, pressed steadily on but one side, had held
+together, but now, with the first flap as the gale caught it from
+another direction, appeared a rent; with the next flap the rag went to
+pieces.
+
+"Let her go!" sang out Boston gleefully; "we can steer now.  Come here,
+Doc, and learn to steer."
+
+The doctor came; and when he left that wheel, three days later, he had
+learned.  For the wind had blown a continuous gale the whole of this
+time, which, with the ugly sea raised as the ship left the lee of the
+land, necessitated the presence of both men at the helm.  Only
+occasionally was there a lull during which one of them could rush below
+and return with a can of soup.  During one of these lulls Boston had
+examined the boat, towing half out of water, and concluded that a short
+painter was best with a water-logged boat, had reinforced it with a few
+turns of his rope from forward.  In the three days they had sighted no
+craft except such as their own--helpless--hove-to or scudding.
+
+Boston had judged rightly in regard to the wind.  It had hauled slowly
+to the southward, allowing him to make the course he wished--through
+the Bahama and up the Florida Channel with the wind over the stern.
+During the day he could guide himself by landmarks, but at night, with
+a darkened binnacle, he could only steer blindly on with the wind at
+his back.  The storm centre, at first to the south of Cuba, had made a
+wide circle, concentric with the curving course of the ship, and when
+the latter had reached the upper end of the Florida channel, had
+spurted ahead and whirled out to sea across her bows.  It was then that
+the undiminished gale, blowing nearly west, had caused Boston, in
+despair, to throw the wheel down and bring the ship into the trough of
+the sea--to drift.  Then the two wet, exhausted, hollow-eyed men slept
+the sleep that none but sailors and soldiers know; and when they
+awakened, twelve hours later, stiff and sore, it was to look out on a
+calm, starlit evening, with an eastern moon silvering the surface of
+the long, northbound rollers, and showing in sharp relief a dark
+horizon, on which there was no sign of land or sail.
+
+They satisfied their hunger; then Boston, with a rusty iron pot from
+the galley, to which he fastened the end of his rope, dipped up some of
+the water from over the side.  It was warm to the touch, and, aware
+that they were in the Gulf Stream, they crawled under the musty bedding
+in the cabin berths and slept through the night.  In the morning there
+was no promise of the easterly wind that Boston hoped would come to
+blow them to port, and they secured their boat--reeving off
+davit-tackles, and with the plug out, pulling it up, one end at a time,
+while the water drained out through the hole in the bottom.
+
+"Now, Boston," said the doctor, "here we are, as you say, on the outer
+edge of the Gulf Stream, drifting out into the broad Atlantic at the
+rate of four miles an hour.  We've got to make the best of it until
+something comes along; so you hunt through that store-room and see what
+else there is to eat, and I'll examine the cargo.  I want to know where
+that acid went."
+
+They opened all the hatches, and while Boston descended to the
+lazarette, the doctor, with his trousers rolled up, climbed down the
+notched steps in a stanchion.  In a short time he came up with a yellow
+substance in his hand, which he washed thoroughly with fresh water in
+Boston's improvised draw-bucket, and placed in the sun to dry.  Then he
+returned to the 'tween-deck.  After a while, Boston, rummaging the
+lazarette, heard him calling through the bulkhead, and joined him.
+
+"Look here, Boston," said the doctor; "I've cleared away the muck over
+this hatch.  It's 'corked,' as you sailormen call it.  Help me get it
+up."
+
+They dug the compacted oakum from the seams with their knives, and by
+iron rings in each corner, now eaten with rust to almost the thinness
+of wire, they lifted the hatch.  Below was a filthy-looking layer of
+whitish substance, protruding from which were charred, half-burned
+staves.  First they repeated the experiment with the smouldering rag,
+and finding that it burned, as before, they descended.  The whitish
+substance was hard enough to bear their weight, and they looked around.
+Overhead, hung to the under side of the deck and extending the length
+of the hold, were wooden tanks, charred, and in some places burned
+through.
+
+"She must have been built for a passenger or troop ship," said Boston.
+"Those tanks would water a regiment."
+
+"Boston," answered the doctor, irrelevantly, "will you climb up and
+bring down an oar from the boat?  Carry it down--don't throw it, my
+boy."  Boston obliged him, and the doctor, picking his way forward,
+then aft, struck each tank with the oar.  "Empty--all of them," he said.
+
+He dug out with his knife a piece of the whitish substance under foot,
+and examined it closely in the light from the hatch.
+
+"Boston," he said, impressively, "this ship was loaded with lime,
+tallow, and acids--acids above, lime and tallow down here.  This stuff
+is neither; it is lime-soap.  And, moreover, it had not been touched by
+acids."  The doctor's ruddy face was ashen.
+
+"Well?" asked Boston.
+
+"Lime soap is formed by the cauticizing action of lime on tallow in the
+presence of water and heat.  It is easy to understand this fire.  One
+of those tanks leaked and dribbled down on the cargo, attacking the
+lime--which was stowed underneath, as all these staves we see on top
+are from tallow-kids.  The heat generated by the slaking lime set fire
+to the barrels in contact, which in turn set fire to others, and they
+burned until the air was exhausted, and then went out.  See, they are
+but partly consumed.  There was intense heat in this hold, and
+expansion of the water in all the tanks.  Are tanks at sea filled to
+the top?"
+
+"Chock full, and a cap screwed down on the upper end of the pipes."
+
+"As I thought.  The expanding water burst every tank in the hold, and
+the cargo was deluged with water, which attacked every lime barrel in
+the bottom layer, at least.  Result--the bursting of those barrels from
+the ebullition of slaking lime, the melting of the tallow--which could
+not burn long in the closed-up-space--and the mixing of it in the
+interstices of the lime barrels with water and lime--a boiling hot
+mess.  What happens under such conditions?"
+
+"Give it up," said Boston, laconically.
+
+"Lime soap is formed, which rises, and the water beneath is in time all
+taken up by the lime."
+
+"But what of it?" interrupted the other.
+
+"Wait.  I see that this hold and the 'tween-deck are lined with wood.
+Is that customary in iron ships?"
+
+"Not now.  It used to be a notion that an iron skin damaged the cargo;
+so the first iron ships were ceiled with wood."
+
+"Are there any drains in the 'tween-deck to let water out, in case it
+gets into that deck from above--a sea, for instance?"
+
+"Yes, always; three or four scupper-holes each side amidships.  They
+lead the water into the bilges, where the pumps can reach it."
+
+"I found up there," continued the doctor, "a large piece of wood, badly
+charred by acid for half its length, charred to a lesser degree for the
+rest.  It was oval in cross section, and the largest end was charred
+most."
+
+"Scupper plug.  I suppose they plugged the 'tween-deck scuppers to keep
+any water they might ship out of the bilges and away from the lime."
+
+"Yes, and those plugs remained in place for days, if not weeks or
+months, after the carboys burst, as indicated by the greater charring
+of the larger end of the plug.  I burrowed under the debris, and found
+the hole which that plug fitted.  It was worked loose, or knocked out
+of the hole by some internal movement of the broken carboys, perhaps.
+At any rate, it came out, after remaining in place long enough for the
+acids to become thoroughly mixed and for the hull to cool down.  She
+was in the ice, remember.  Boston, the mixed acid went down that hole,
+or others like it.  Where is it now?"
+
+"I suppose," said Boston, thoughtfully, "that it soaked up into the
+hold, through the skin."
+
+"Exactly.  The skin is calked with oakum, is it not?" Boston nodded.
+
+"That oakum would contract with the charring action, as did the oakum
+in the hatch, and every drop of that acid--ten thousand gallons, as I
+have figured--has filtered up into the hold, with the exception of what
+remained between the frames under the skin.  Have you ever studied
+organic chemistry?"
+
+"Slightly."
+
+"Then you can follow me.  When tallow is saponified there is formed,
+from the palmitin, stearin, and olein contained, with the cauticizing
+agent--in this case, lime--a soap.  But there are two ends to every
+equation, and at the bottom of this immense soap vat, held in solution
+by the water, which would afterwards be taken up by the surplus lime,
+was the other end of this equation; and as the yield from tallow of
+this other product is about thirty per cent., and as we start with
+eight thousand fifty-pound kids--four hundred thousand pounds--all of
+which has disappeared, we know that, sticking to the skin and sides of
+the barrels down here, is--or was once--one hundred and twenty thousand
+pounds, or sixty tons, of the other end of the equation--glycerine!"
+
+"Do you mean, Doc," asked Boston, with a startled look, "that--"
+
+"I mean," said the doctor, emphatically, "that the first thing the
+acids--mixed in the 'tween-deck to just about the right proportions,
+mind you--would attack, on oozing through the skin, would be this
+glycerine; and the certain product of this union under intense
+cold--this hull was frozen in the ice, remember--would be
+nitro-glycerine; and, as the yield of the explosive is two hundred and
+twenty per cent. of the glycerine, we can be morally sure that in the
+bottom of this hold, each minute globule of it held firmly in a hard
+matrix of sulphate or nitrate of calcium--which would be formed next
+when the acids met the hydrates and carbonates of lime--is over one
+hundred and thirty tons of nitro-glycerine, all the more explosive from
+not being washed of free acids.  Come up on deck.  I'll show you
+something else."
+
+Limp and nerveless, Boston followed the doctor.  This question was
+beyond his seamanship.
+
+The doctor brought the yellow substance--now well dried.  "I found
+plenty of this in the 'tween-deck," he said; "and I should judge they
+used it to pack between the carboy boxes.  It was once cotton-batting.
+It is now, since I have washed it, a very good sample of gun-cotton.
+Get me a hammer--crowbar--something hard."
+
+Boston brought a marline-spike from the locker, and the doctor, tearing
+off a small piece of the substance and placing it on the iron barrel of
+a gipsy-winch, gave it a hard blow with the marline spike, which was
+nearly torn from his hand by the explosion that followed.
+
+"We have in the 'tween-deck," said the doctor, as he turned, "about
+twice as many pounds of this stuff as they used to pack the carboys
+with; and, like the nitro-glycerine, is the more easily exploded from
+the impurities and free acids.  I washed this for safe handling.
+Boston, we are adrift on a floating bomb that would pulverize the rock
+of Gibraltar!"
+
+"But, doctor," asked Boston, as he leaned against the rail for support,
+"wouldn't there be evolution of heat from the action of the acids on
+the lime--enough to explode the nitro-glycerine just formed?"
+
+"The best proof that it did not explode is the fact that this hull
+still floats.  The action was too slow, and it was very cold down
+there.  But I can't yet account for the acids left in the bilges.  What
+have they been doing all these fifty years?"
+
+Boston found a sounding-rod in the locker, which he scraped bright with
+his knife, then, unlaying a strand of the rope for a line, sounded the
+pump-well.  The rod came up dry, but with a slight discoloration on the
+lower end, which Boston showed to the doctor.
+
+"The acids have expended themselves on the iron frames and plates.  How
+thick are they?"
+
+"Plates, about five-eighths of an inch; frames, like railroad iron."
+
+"This hull is a shell!  We won't get much salvage.  Get up some kind of
+distress signal, Boston."  Somehow the doctor was now the master-spirit.
+
+A flag was nailed to the mast, union down, to be blown to pieces with
+the first breeze; then another, and another, until the flag locker was
+exhausted.  Next they hung out, piece after piece, all they could spare
+of the rotten bedding, until that too was exhausted.  Then they found,
+in a locker of their boat, a flag of Free Cuba, which they decided not
+to waste, but to hang out only when a sail appeared.
+
+But no sail appeared, and the craft, buffeted by gales and seas,
+drifted eastward, while the days became weeks, and the weeks became
+months.  Twice she entered the Sargasso Sea--the graveyard of
+derelicts--to be blown out by friendly gales and resume her travels.
+Occasional rains replenished the stock of fresh water, but the food
+they found at first, with the exception of some cans of fruit, was all
+that came to light; for the salt meat was leathery, and crumbled to a
+salty dust on exposure to the air.  After a while their stomachs
+revolted at the diet of cold soup, and they ate only when hunger
+compelled them.
+
+At first they had stood watch-and-watch, but the lonely horror of the
+long night vigils in the constant apprehension of instant death had
+affected them alike, and they gave it up, sleeping and watching
+together.  They had taken care of their boat and provisioned it, ready
+to lower and pull into the track of any craft that might approach.  But
+it was four months from the beginning of this strange voyage when the
+two men, gaunt and hungry--with ruined digestions and shattered
+nerves--saw, with joy which may be imagined, the first land and the
+first sail that gladdened their eyes after the storm in the Florida
+Channel.
+
+A fierce gale from the southwest had been driving them, broadside on,
+in the trough of the sea, for the whole of the preceding day and night;
+and the land they now saw appeared to them a dark, ragged line of blue,
+early in the morning.  Boston could only surmise that it was the coast
+of Portugal or Spain.  The sail--which lay between them and the land,
+about three miles to leeward--proved to be the try-sail of a black
+craft, hove-to, with bows nearly towards them.
+
+Boston climbed the foremast with their only flag and secured it; then,
+from the high poop-deck, they watched the other craft, plunging and
+wallowing in the immense Atlantic combers, often raising her forefoot
+into plain view, again descending with a dive that hid the whole
+forward half in a white cloud of spume.
+
+"If she was a steamer I'd call her a cruiser," said Boston; "one of
+England's black ones, with a storm-sail on her military mainmast.  She
+has a ram bow, and--yes, sponsors and guns.  That's what she is, with
+her funnels and bridge carried away."
+
+"Isn't she right in our track, Boston?" asked the doctor, excitedly.
+"Hadn't she better get out of our way?"
+
+"She's got steam up--a full head; sec the escape-jet?  She isn't
+helpless.  If she don't launch a boat, we'll take to ours and board
+her."
+
+The distance lessened rapidly--the cruiser plunging up and down in the
+same spot, the derelict heaving to leeward in great, swinging leaps, as
+the successive seas caught her, each one leaving her half a length
+farther on.  Soon they could make out the figures of men.
+
+"Take us off," screamed the doctor, waving his arms, "and get out of
+our way!"
+
+"We'll clear her," said Boston; "see, she's started her engine."
+
+As they drifted down on the weather-side of the cruiser they shouted
+repeatedly words of supplication and warning.  They were answered by a
+solid shot from a secondary gun, which flew over their heads.  At the
+same time, the ensign of Spain was run up on the flag-staff.
+
+"They're Spanish, Boston.  They're firing on us.  Into that boat with
+you!  If a shot hits our cargo, we won't know what struck us."
+
+They sprang into the boat, which luckily hung on the lee side, and
+cleared the falls--fastened and coiled in the bow and stern.  Often
+during their long voyage they had rehearsed the launching of the boat
+in a seaway--an operation requiring quick and concerted action.
+
+"Ready, Doc?" sang out Boston.  "One, two, three--let go!"  The falls
+overhauled with a whir, and the falling boat, striking an uprising sea
+with a smack, sank with it.  When it raised they unhooked the tackle
+blocks, and pushed off with the oars just as a second shot hummed over
+their heads.
+
+"Pull, Boston; pull hard--straight to windward!" cried the doctor.
+
+The tight whaleboat shipped no water, and though they were pulling in
+the teeth of a furious gale, the hulk was drifting away from them, so,
+in a short time, they were separated from their late home by a full
+quarter-mile of angry sea.  The cruiser had forged ahead in plain view,
+and, as they looked, took in the try-sail.
+
+"She's going to wear," said Boston.  "See, she's paying off."
+
+"I don't know what 'wearing' means, Boston," panted the doctor, "but I
+know the Spanish nature.  She's going to ram that hundred and thirty
+tons of nitro.  Don't stop.  Pull away.  Hold on, there; hold on, you
+fools!" he shouted.  "That's a torpedo; keep away from her!"
+
+Forgetting his own injunction to "pull away," the doctor stood up,
+waving his oar frantically, and Boston assisted.  But if their shouts
+and gestures were understood aboard the cruiser, they were ignored.
+She slowly turned in a wide curve and headed straight for the _Neptune_
+which had drifted to leeward of her.
+
+What was in the minds of the officers on that cruiser's deck will never
+be known.  Cruisers of all nations hold roving commissions in regard to
+derelicts, and it is fitting and proper for one of them to gently prod
+a "vagrant of the sea" with the steel prow and send her below to
+trouble no more.  But it may be that the sight of the Cuban flag,
+floating defiantly in the gale, had something to do with the full speed
+at which the Spanish ship approached.  When but half a length separated
+the two craft, a heavy sea lifted the bow of the cruiser high in air;
+then it sank, and the sharp steel ram came down like a butcher's
+cleaver on the side of the derelict.
+
+A great semicircular wall of red shut out the gray of the sea and sky
+to leeward, and for an instant the horrified men in the boat saw--as
+people see by a lightning flash--dark lines radiating from the centre
+of this red wall, and near this centre poised on end in mid-air, with
+deck and sponsons still intact, a bowless, bottomless remnant of the
+cruiser.  Then, and before the remnant sank into the vortex beneath,
+the spectacle went out in the darkness of unconsciousness; for a
+report, as of concentrated thunder, struck them down.  A great wave had
+left the crater-like depression in the sea, which threw the boat on
+end, and with the inward rush of surrounding water rose a mighty gray
+cone, which then subsided to a hollow, while another wave followed the
+first.  Again and again this gray pillar rose and fell, each subsidence
+marked by the sending forth of a wave.  And long before these
+concentric waves had lost themselves in the battle with the
+storm-driven combers from the ocean, the half-filled boat, with her
+unconscious passengers, had drifted over the spot where lay the
+shattered remnant, which, with the splintered fragments of wood and
+iron strewn on the surface and bottom of the sea for a mile around, and
+the lessening cloud of dust in the air, was all that was left of the
+derelict _Neptune_ and one of the finest cruisers in the Spanish navy.
+
+A few days later, two exhausted, half-starved men pulled a whaleboat up
+to the steps of the wharf at Cadiz, where they told some lies and sold
+their boat.  Six months after, these two men, sitting at a camp-fire of
+the Cuban army, read from a discolored newspaper, brought ashore with
+the last supplies, the following:
+
+"By cable to the 'Herald.'
+
+"CADIZ, March 13, 1895.--Anxiety for the safety of the _Reina Regente_
+has grown rapidly to-day, and this evening it is feared, generally,
+that she went down with her four hundred and twenty souls in the storm
+which swept the southern coast on Sunday night and Monday morning.
+Despatches from Gibraltar say that pieces of a boat and several
+semaphore flags belonging to the cruiser came ashore at Ceuta and
+Tarifa this afternoon."
+
+
+
+
+THE TERRIBLE SOLOMONS*
+
+From "South Sea Tales," BY JACK LONDON
+
+*Reprinted by courtesy of the Macmillan Co.
+
+
+There is no gainsaying that the Solomons are a hard-bitten bunch of
+islands.  On the other hand, there are worse places in the world.  But
+to the new chum who has no constitutional understanding of men and life
+in the rough, the Solomons may indeed prove terrible.
+
+It is true that fever and dysentery are perpetually on the walk-about,
+that loathsome skin diseases abound, that the air is saturated with a
+poison that bites into every pore, cut, or abrasion and plants
+malignant ulcers, and that many strong men who escape dying there
+return as wrecks to their own countries.  It is also true that the
+natives of the Solomons are a wild lot, with a hearty appetite for
+human flesh and a fad for collecting human heads.  Their highest
+instinct of sportsmanship is to catch a man with his back turned and to
+smite him a cunning blow with a tomahawk that severs the spinal column
+at the base of the brain.  It is equally true that on some islands,
+such as Malaita, the profit and loss account of social intercourse is
+calculated in homicides.  Heads are a medium of exchange, and white
+heads are extremely valuable.  Very often a dozen villages make a
+jack-pot, which they fatten moon by moon, against the time when some
+brave warrior presents a white man's head, fresh and gory, and claims
+the pot.
+
+All the foregoing, is quite true, and yet there are white men who have
+lived in the Solomons a score of years and who feel homesick when they
+go away from them.  A man needs only to be careful--and lucky--to live
+a long time in the Solomons; but he must also be of the right sort.  He
+must have the hall-mark of the inevitable white man stamped upon his
+soul.  He must be inevitable.  He must have a certain grand
+carelessness of odds, a certain colossal self-satisfaction, and a
+racial egotism that convinces him that one white is better than a
+thousand niggers every day in the week, and that on Sunday he is able
+to clean out two thousand niggers.  For such are the things that have
+made the white man inevitable.  Oh, and one other thing--the white man
+who wishes to be inevitable, must not merely despise the lesser breeds
+and think a lot of himself; he must also fail to be too long on
+imagination.  He must not understand too well the instincts, customs
+and mental processes of the blacks, the yellows, and the browns; for it
+is not in such fashion that the white race has tramped its royal road
+around the world.
+
+Bertie Arkwright was not inevitable.  He was too sensitive, too finely
+strung, and he possessed too much imagination.  The world was too much
+with him.  He projected himself too quiveringly into his environment.
+Therefore, the last place in the world for him to come was the
+Solomons.  He did not come, expecting to stay.  A five-weeks' stop-over
+between steamers, he decided, would satisfy the call of the primitive
+he felt thrumming the strings of his being.  At least, so he told the
+lady tourists on the Makembo, though in different terms; and they
+worshipped him as a hero, for they were lady tourists and they would
+know only the safety of the steamer's deck as she threaded her way
+through the Solomons.
+
+There was another man on board, of whom the ladies took no notice.  He
+was a little shriveled wisp of a man, with a withered skin the color of
+mahogany.  His name on the passenger list does not matter, but his
+other name, Captain Malu, was a name for niggers to conjure with, and
+to scare naughty pickaninnies to righteousness, from New Hanover to the
+New Hebrides.  He had farmed savages and savagery, and from fever and
+hardship, the crack of Sniders and the lash of the overseers, had
+wrested five millions of money in the form of beche-de-mer, sandalwood,
+pearl-shell and turtle-shell, ivory nuts and copra, grasslands, trading
+stations, and plantations.  Captain Malu's little finger, which was
+broken, had more inevitableness in it than Bertie Arkwright's whole
+carcass.  But then, the lady tourists had nothing by which to judge
+save appearances, and Bertie certainly was a fine-looking man.
+
+Bertie talked with Captain Malu in the smoking-room, confiding to him
+his intention of seeing life red and bleeding in the Solomons.  Captain
+Malu agreed that the intention was ambitious and honorable.  It was not
+until several days later that he became interested in Bertie, when that
+young adventurer insisted on showing him an automatic 44-calibre
+pistol.  Bertie explained the mechanism and demonstrated by slipping a
+loaded magazine up the hollow butt.
+
+"It is so simple," he said.  He shot the outer barrel back along the
+inner one.  "That loads it, and cocks it, you see.  And then all I have
+to do is pull the trigger, eight times, as fast as I can quiver my
+finger.  See that safety clutch.  That's what I like about it.  It is
+safe.  It is positively fool-proof."  He slipped out the magazine.
+"You see how safe it is."
+
+As he held it in his hand, the muzzle came in line with Captain Malu's
+stomach.  Captain Malu's blue eyes looked at it unswervingly.
+
+"Would you mind pointing it in some other direction?" he asked.
+
+"It's perfectly safe," Bertie assured him.  "I withdrew the magazine.
+It's not loaded now, you know."
+
+"A gun is always loaded."
+
+"But this one isn't."
+
+"Turn it away just the same."
+
+Captain Malu's voice was flat and metallic and low, but his eyes never
+left the muzzle until the line of it was drawn past him and away from
+him.
+
+"I'll bet a fiver it isn't loaded," Bertie proposed warmly.
+
+The other shook his head.
+
+"Then I'll show you."
+
+Bertie started to put the muzzle to his own temple with the evident
+intention of pulling the trigger.
+
+"Just a second," Captain Malu said quietly, reaching out his hand.
+"Let me look at it."
+
+He pointed it seaward and pulled the trigger.  A heavy explosion
+followed, instantaneous with the sharp click of the mechanism that
+flipped a hot and smoking cartridge sidewise along the deck.  Bertie's
+jaw dropped in amazement.
+
+"I slipped the barrel back once, didn't I?" he explained.  "It was
+silly of me, I must say."
+
+He giggled flabbily, and sat down in a steamer chair.  The blood had
+ebbed from his face, exposing dark circles under his eyes.  His hands
+were trembling and unable to guide the shaking cigarette to his lips.
+The world was too much with him, and he saw himself with dripping
+brains prone upon the deck.
+
+"Really," he said, ". . . really."
+
+"It's a pretty weapon," said Captain Malu, returning the automatic to
+him.
+
+The Commissioner was on board the _Makembo_, returning from Sydney, and
+by his permission a stop was made at Ugi to land a missionary.  And at
+Ugi lay the ketch _Arla_, Captain Hansen, skipper.  Now the _Arla_ was
+one of many vessels owned by Captain Malu, and it was at his suggestion
+and by his invitation that Bertie went aboard the _Arla_ as guest for a
+four-days' recruiting cruise on the coast of Malaita.  Thereafter the
+_Arla_ would drop him at Reminge Plantation (also owned by Captain
+Malu), where Bertie could remain for a week, and then be sent over to
+Tulgal, the seat of government, where he would become the
+Commissioner's guest.  Captain Malu was responsible for two other
+suggestions, which given, he disappears from this narrative.  One was
+to Captain Hansen, the other to Mr. Harriwell, manager of Reminge
+Plantation.  Both suggestions were similar in tenor, namely, to give
+Mr. Bertram Arkwright an insight into the rawness and redness of life
+in the Solomons.  Also, it is whispered that Captain Malu mentioned
+that a case of Scotch would be coincidental with any particularly
+gorgeous insight Mr. Arkwright might receive.
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+"Yes, Svartz always was too pig-headed.  You see, he took four of his
+boat's crew to Tulagi to be flogged--officially, you know--then started
+back with them in the whale-boat.  It was pretty squally, and the boat
+capsized just outside.  Swartz was the only one drowned.  Of course it
+was an accident."
+
+"Was it?  Really?" Bertie asked, only half-interested, staring hard at
+the black man at the wheel.
+
+Ugi had dropped astern, and the _Arla_ was sliding along through a
+summer sea toward the wooded ranges of Malaita.  The helmsman who so
+attracted Bertie's eyes sported a tenpenny nail, stuck skewerwise
+through his nose.  About his neck was string of pants buttons.  Thrust
+through holes in his ears were a can-opener, the broken handle of a
+tooth-brush, a clay pipe, the brass wheel of an alarm clock, and
+several Winchester rifle cartridges.  On his chest, suspended from
+around his neck hung the half of a china plate.  Some forty similarly
+apparelled blacks lay about the deck, fifteen of which were boat's
+crew, the remainder being fresh labor recruits.
+
+"Of course it was an accident," spoke up the _Arla's_ mate, Jacobs, a
+slender, dark-eyed man who looked more a professor than a sailor.
+"Johnny Bedlip nearly had the same kind of accident.  He was bringing
+back several from a flogging, when they capsized him.  But he knew how
+to swim as well as they, and two of them were drowned.  He used a
+boat-stretcher and a revolver.  Of course it was an accident."
+
+"Quite common, them accidents," remarked the skipper.  "You see that
+man at the wheel, Mr. Arkwright?  He's a man-eater.  Six months ago, he
+and the rest of the boat's crew drowned the then captain of the _Arla_.
+They did it on deck, sir, right aft there by the mizzen-traveller."
+
+"The deck was in a shocking state," said the mate.
+
+"Do I understanad--?" Bertie began.
+
+"Yes, just that," said Captain Hansen.  "It was accidental drowning."
+
+"But on deck--?"
+
+"Just so.  I don't mind telling you, in confidence, of course, that
+they used an axe."
+
+"This present crew of yours?"
+
+Captain Hansen nodded.
+
+"The other skipper always was too careless," explained the mate.  "He
+but just turned his back, when they let him have it."
+
+"We haven't any show down here," was the skipper's complaint.  "The
+government protects a nigger against a white every time.  You can't
+shoot first.  You've got to give the nigger first shot, or else the
+government calls it murder and you go to Fiji.  That's why there's so
+many drowning accidents."
+
+Dinner was called, and Bertie and the skipper went below, leaving the
+mate to watch on deck.
+
+"Keep an eye out for that black devil, Auiki," was the skipper's
+parting caution.  "I haven't liked his looks for several days."
+
+"Right O," said the mate.
+
+Dinner was part way along, and the skipper was in the middle of his
+story of the cutting out of the _Scottish Chiefs_.
+
+"Yes," he was saying, "she was the finest vessel on the coast.  But
+when she missed stays, and before ever she hit the reef, the canoes
+started for her.  There were five white men, a crew of twenty Santa
+Cruz boys and Samoans, and only the super-cargo escaped.  Besides,
+there were sixty recruits.  They were all kai-kai'd.  Kaikai?--oh, I
+beg your pardon.  I mean they were eaten.  Then there was the _James
+Edwards_, a dandy-rigged--"
+
+But at that moment there was a sharp oath from the mate on deck and a
+chorus of savage cries.  A revolver went off three times, and then was
+heard a loud splash.  Captain Hansen had sprung up the companionway on
+the instant, and Bertie's eyes had been fascinated by a glimpse of him
+drawing his revolver as he sprung.  Bertie went up more circumspectly,
+hesitating before he put his head above the companionway slide.  But
+nothing happened.  The mate was shaking with excitement, his revolver
+in his hand.  Once he startled, and half-jumped around, as if danger
+threatened his back.
+
+"One of the natives fell overboard," he was saying, in a queer tense
+voice.  "He couldn't swim."
+
+"Who was it?" the skipper demanded.
+
+"Auiki," was the answer.
+
+"But I say, you know, I heard shots," Bertie said, in trembling
+eagerness, for he scented adventure, and adventure that was happily
+over with.
+
+The mate whirled upon him, snarling:
+
+"It's a damned lie.  There ain't been a shot fired.  The nigger fell
+overboard."
+
+Captain Hansen regarded Bertie with unblinking, lack-lustre eyes.
+
+"I--I thought--" Bertie was beginning.
+
+"Shots?  Did you hear any shots, Mr. Jacobs?"
+
+"Not a shot," replied Mr. Jacobs.
+
+The skipper looked at his guest triumphantly, and said:
+
+"Evidently an accident.  Let us go down, Mr. Arkwright, and finish
+dinner."
+
+Bertie slept that night in the captain's cabin, a tiny stateroom off
+the main-cabin.  The for'ard bulkhead was decorated with a stand of
+rifles.  Over the bunk were three more rifles.  Under the bunk was a
+big drawer, which when he pulled it out, he found filled with
+ammunition dynamite, and several boxes of detonators.  He elected to
+take the settee on the opposite side.  Lying conspicuously on the small
+table, was the _Arla's_ log.  Bertie did not know that it had been
+especially prepared for the occasion by Captain Malu, and he read
+therein how on September 21, two boat's crew had fallen overboard and
+been drowned.  Bertie read between the lines and knew better.  He read
+how the _Arla's_ whale-boat had been bushwacked at Sulu and had lost
+three men; of how the skipper discovered the cook stewing human flesh
+on the galley fire--flesh purchased by the boat's crew ashore in Fui;
+of how an accidental discharge of dynamite, while signalling, had
+killed another boat's crew; of night attacks; ports fled from between
+the dawns; attacks by bushmen in mangrove swamps and by fleets of
+salt-water men in the larger passages.  One item that occurred with
+monotonous frequency was death by dysentery.  He noticed with alarm
+that two white men had so died--guests, like himself on the _Arla_.
+
+"I say, you know," Bertie said next day to Captain Hansen.  "I've been
+glancing through your log."
+
+The skipper displayed quick vexation that the log had been left lying
+about.
+
+"And all that dysentery, you know, that's all rot, just like the
+accidental drownings," Bertie continued.  "What does dysentery really
+stand for?"
+
+The skipper openly admired his guest's acumen, stiffened himself to
+make indignant denial, then gracefully surrendered.
+
+"You see, it's like this, Mr. Arkwright.  These islands have got a bad
+enough name as it is.  It's getting harder every day to sign on white
+men.  Suppose a man is killed.  The company has to pay through the nose
+for another man to take the job.  But if the man merely dies of
+sickness, it's all right.  The new chums don't mind disease.  What they
+draw the line at is being murdered.  I thought the skipper of the
+_Arla_ had died of dysentery when I took his billet.  Then it was too
+late.  I'd signed the contract."
+
+"Besides," said Mr. Jacobs, "there's altogether too many accidental
+drownings anyway.  It don't look right.  It's the fault of the
+government.  A white man hasn't a chance to defend himself from the
+niggers."
+
+"Yes, look at the _Princess_ and that Yankee mate," the skipper took up
+the tale.  "She carried five white men besides a government agent.  The
+captain, the agent, and the supercargo were ashore in the two boats.
+They were killed to the last man.  The mate and bosun, with about
+fifteen of the crew--Samoans and Tongans--were on board.  A crowd of
+niggers came off from the shore.  First thing the mate knew, the bosun
+and the crew were killed in the first rush.  The mate grabbed three
+cartridge-belts and two Winchesters and skinned up to the cross-trees.
+He was the sole survivor, and you can't blame him for being mad.  He
+pumped one rifle till it got so hot he couldn't hold it, then he pumped
+the other.  The deck was black with niggers.  He cleaned them out.  He
+dropped them as they went over the rail, and he dropped them as fast as
+they picked up their paddles.  Then they jumped into the water and
+started to swim for it, and, being mad, he got half a dozen more.  And
+what did he get for it?"
+
+"Seven years in Fiji," snapped the mate.
+
+"The government said he wasn't justified in shooting after they'd taken
+to the water," the skipper explained.
+
+"And that's why they die of dysentery nowadays," the mate added.
+
+"Just fancy," said Bertie, as he felt a longing for the cruise to be
+over.
+
+Later on in the day he interviewed the black who had been pointed out
+to him as a cannibal.  This fellow's name was Sumasai.  He had spent
+three years on a Queensland plantation.  He had been to Samoa, and
+Fiji, and Sydney; and as a boat's crew had been on recruiting schooners
+through New Britain, New Ireland, New Guinea, and the Admiralties.
+Also, he was a wag, and he had taken a line on his skipper's conduct.
+Yes, he had eaten many men.  How many?  He could not remember the
+tally.  Yes, white men, too; they were very good, unless they were
+sick.  He had once eaten a sick one.
+
+"My word!" he cried, at the recollection.  "Me sick plenty along him.
+My belly walk about too much."
+
+Bertie shuddered, and asked about heads.  Yes, Sumasai had several
+hidden ashore, in good condition, sun-dried, and smoke-cured.  One was
+of the captain of a schooner.  It had long whiskers.  He would sell it
+for two quid.  Black men's heads he would sell for one quid.  He had
+some pickaninny heads, in poor condition, that he would let go for ten
+bob.
+
+Five minutes afterward, Bertie found himself sitting on the
+companionway-slide alongside a black with a horrible skin disease.  He
+sheered off, and on inquiry was told that it was leprosy.  He hurried
+below and washed himself with antiseptic soap.  He took many antiseptic
+washes in the course of the day, for every native on board was
+afflicted with malignant ulcers of one sort or another.
+
+As the _Arla_ drew in to an anchorage in the midst of mangrove swamps,
+a double row of barbed wire was stretched around above her rail.  That
+looked like business and when Bertie saw the shore canoes alongside,
+armed with spears, bows and arrows, and Sniders, he wished more
+earnestly than ever that the cruise was over.
+
+That evening the natives were slow in leaving the ship at sundown.  A
+number of them checked the mate when he ordered them ashore.
+
+"Never mind, I'll fix them," said Captain Hansen, diving below.
+
+When he came back, he showed Bertie a stick of dynamite attached to a
+fish-hook.  Now it happens that a paper-wrapped bottle of chlorodyne
+with a piece of harmless fuse projecting can fool anybody.  It fooled
+Bertie, and it fooled the natives.  When Captain Hansen lighted the
+fuse and hooked the fish-hook into the tail-end of a native's
+loin-cloth, that native was smitten with so ardent a desire for the
+shore that he forgot to shed the loin-cloth.  He started for'ard, the
+fuse sizzling and spluttering at his rear, the natives in his path
+taking headers over the barbed wire at every jump.  Bertie was
+horror-stricken.  So was Captain Hansen.  He had forgotten his
+twenty-five recruits, on each of which he had paid thirty shillings
+advance.  They went over the side along with the shore-dwelling folk
+and followed by him who trailed the sizzling chlorodyne bottle.
+
+Bertie did not see the bottle go off; but the mate opportunely
+discharging a stick of real dynamite aft where it would harm nobody,
+Bertie would have sworn in any admiralty court to a nigger blown to
+flinders.
+
+The flight of the twenty-five recruits had actually cost the _Arla_
+forty pounds, and, since they had taken to the bush, there was no hope
+of recovering them.  The skipper and his mate proceeded to drown their
+sorrow in cold tea.  The cold tea was in whiskey bottles, so Bertie did
+not know it was cold tea they were mopping up.  All he knew was that
+the two men got very drunk and argued eloquently and at length as to
+whether the exploded nigger should be reported as a case of dysentery
+or as an accidental drowning.  When they snored off to sleep, he was
+the only white man left, and he kept a perilous watch till dawn, in
+fear of an attack from shore and an uprising of the crew.
+
+Three more days the _Arla_ spent on the coast, and three more nights
+the skipper and the mate drank overfondly of cold tea, leaving Bertie
+to keep watch.  They knew he could be depended upon, while he was
+equally certain that if he lived, he would report their drunken conduct
+to Captain Malu.  Then the _Arla_ dropped anchor at Reminge Plantation,
+on Guadalcanar, and Bertie landed on the beach with a sigh of relief
+and shook hands with the manager.  Mr. Harriwell was ready for him.
+
+"Now you mustn't be alarmed if some of our fellows seem downcast," Mr.
+Harriwell said, having drawn him aside in confidence.  "There's been
+talk of an outbreak, and two or three suspicious signs I'm willing to
+admit, but personally I think it's all poppycock."
+
+"How--how many blacks have you on the plantation?" Bertie asked, with a
+sinking heart.
+
+"We're working four hundred just now," replied Mr. Harriwell,
+cheerfully; "but the three of us, with you, of course, and the skipper
+and mate of the _Arla_, can handle them all right."
+
+Bertie turned to meet one McTavish, the storekeeper, who scarcely
+acknowledged the introduction, such was his eagerness to present his
+resignation.
+
+"It being that I'm a married man, Mr. Harriwell, I can't very well
+afford to remain on longer.  Trouble is working up, as plain as the
+nose on your face.  The niggers are going to break out, and there'll be
+another Hohono horror here."
+
+"What's a Hohono horror?" Bertie asked, after the storekeeper had been
+persuaded to remain until the end of the month.
+
+"Oh, he means Hohono Plantation, on Ysabel," said the manager.  "The
+niggers killed the five white men ashore, captured the schooner, killed
+the captain and mate, and escaped in a body to Malaita.  But I always
+said they were careless on Hohono.  They won't catch us napping here.
+Come along, Mr. Arkwright, and see our view from the veranda."
+
+Bertie was too busy wondering how he could get away to Tulagi to the
+Commissioner's house, to see much of the view.  He was still wondering,
+when a rifle exploded very near to him behind his back.  At the same
+moment his arm was nearly dislocated, so eagerly did Mr. Harriwell drag
+him indoors.
+
+"I say, old man, that was a close shave," said the manager, pawing him
+over to see if he had been hit.  "I can't tell you how sorry I am.  But
+it was broad daylight, and I never dreamed."
+
+Bertie was beginning to turn pale.
+
+"They got the other manager that way," McTavish vouchsafed.  "And a
+dashed fine chap he was.  Blew his brains out all over the veranda.
+You noticed that dark stain there between the steps and the door?"
+
+Bertie was ripe for the cocktail which Mr. Harriwell pitched in and
+compounded for him; but before he could drink it, a man in riding
+trousers and puttees entered.
+
+"What's the matter now?" the manager asked, after one look at the
+newcomer's face.  "Is the river up again?"
+
+"River be blowed--it's the niggers.  Stepped out of the cane-grass not
+a dozen feet away, and whopped at me.  It was a Snider, and he shot
+from the hip.  Now what I want to know is where'd he get the Snider?
+Oh, I beg your pardon.  Glad to know you, Mr. Arkwright."
+
+"Mr. Brown is my assistant," explained Mr. Harriwell.  "And now let's
+have that drink."
+
+"But where'd he get that Snider?" Mr. Brown insisted.  "I always
+objected to keeping those guns on the premises?"
+
+"They're still there," Mr. Harriwell said, with a show of heat.
+
+Mr. Brown smiled incredulously.
+
+"Come along and see," said the manager.
+
+Bertie joined the procession into the office, where Mr. Harriwell
+pointed triumphantly at a big packing-case in a dusty corner.
+
+"Well, then, where did the beggar get that Snider?" harped Mr. Brown.
+
+But just then McTavish lifted the packing-case.  The manager started
+then tore off the lid.  The case was empty.  They gazed at one another
+in horrified silence.  Harriwell dropped wearily.
+
+Then McVeigh cursed.
+
+"What I contended all along--the house-boys are not to be trusted."
+
+"It does look serious," Harriwell admitted, "but we'll come through it
+all right.  What the sanguinary niggers need is a shaking up.  Will you
+gentlemen please bring your rifles to dinner, and will you, Mr. Brown,
+kindly prepare forty or fifty sticks of dynamite.  Make the fuses good
+and short.  We'll give them a lesson.  And now, gentlemen, dinner is
+served."
+
+One thing that Bertie detested was rice and curry, so it happened that
+he alone partook of an inviting omelet.  He had quite finished his
+plate, when Harriwell helped himself to the omelet.  One mouthful, he
+tasted, then spat out vociferously.
+
+"That's the second time," McTavish announced ominously.
+
+Harriwell was still hawking and spitting.
+
+"Second time, what?" Bertie quavered.
+
+"Poison," was the answer.  "That cook will be hanged yet."
+
+"That's the way the bookkeeper went out at Cape Marsh," Brown spoke up.
+"Died horribly.  They said on the _Jessie_ that they heard him
+screaming three miles away."
+
+"I'll put the cook in irons," sputtered Harriwell.  "Fortunately we
+discovered it in time."
+
+Bertie sat paralysed.  There was no color in his face.  He attempted to
+speak, but only an inarticulate gurgle resulted.  All eyed him
+anxiously.
+
+"Don't say it, don't say it," McTavish cried in a tense voice.
+
+"Yes, I ate it, plenty of it, a whole plateful!" Bertie cried
+explosively, like a diver suddenly regaining breath.
+
+The awful silence continued half a minute longer, and he read his fate
+in their eyes.
+
+"Maybe it wasn't poison after all," said Harriwell, dismally.
+
+"Call in the cook," said Brown.
+
+In came the cook, a grinning black boy, nose-spiked and ear-plugged.
+
+"Here, you, Wi-wi, what name that?" Harriwell bellowed, pointing
+accusingly at the omelet.
+
+Wi-wi was very naturally frightened and embarrassed.
+
+"Him good fella kai-kai," he murmured apologetically.
+
+"Make him eat it," suggested McTavish.  "That's a proper test."
+
+Harriwell filled a spoon with the stuff and jumped for the cook, who
+fled in panic.
+
+"That settles it," was Brown's solemn pronouncement.  "He won't eat it."
+
+"Mr. Brown, will you please go and put the irons on him?"  Harriwell
+turned cheerfully to Bertie.  "It's all right, old man, the
+Commissioner will deal with him, and if you die, depend upon it, he
+will be hanged."
+
+"Don't think the government'll do it," objected McTavish.
+
+"But gentlemen, gentlemen," Bertie cried.  "In the meantime think of
+me."
+
+Harriwell shrugged his shoulders pityingly.
+
+"Sorry, old man, but it's a native poison, and there are no known
+antidotes for native poisons.  Try and compose yourself, and if----"
+
+Two sharp reports of a rifle from without, interrupted the discourse,
+and Brown, entering, reloaded his rifle and sat down to table.
+
+"The cook's dead," he said.  "Fever.  A rather sudden attack."
+
+"I was just telling Mr. Arkwright that there are no antidotes for
+native poisons----"
+
+"Except gin," said Brown.
+
+Harriwell called himself an absent-minded idiot and rushed for the gin
+bottle.
+
+"Neat, man, neat," he warned Bertie, who gulped down a tumbler
+two-thirds full of the raw spirits, and coughed and choked from the
+angry bite of it till the tears ran down his cheeks.
+
+Harriwell took his pulse and temperature, made a show of looking out
+for him, and doubted that the omelet had been poisoned.  Brown and
+McTavish also doubted; but Bertie discerned an insincere ring in their
+voices.  His appetite had left him, and he took his own pulse
+stealthily under the table.  There was no question but what it was
+increasing, but he failed to ascribe it to the gin he had taken.
+McTavish, rifle in hand, went out on the veranda to reconnoitre.
+
+"They're massing up at the cook-house," was his report.  "And they've
+no end of Sniders.  My idea is to sneak around on the other side and
+take them in flank.  Strike the first blow, you know.  Will you come
+along, Brown?"
+
+Harriwell ate on steadily, while Bertie discovered that his pulse had
+leaped up five beats.  Nevertheless, he could not help jumping when the
+rifles began to go off.  Above the scattering of Sniders could be heard
+the pumping of Brown's and McTavish's Winchesters--all against a
+background of demoniacal screeching and yelling.
+
+"They've got them on the run," Harriwell remarked, as voices and
+gunshots faded away in the distance.
+
+Scarcely were Brown and McTavish back at the table when the latter
+reconnoitred.
+
+"They've got dynamite," he said.
+
+"Then let's charge them with dynamite," Harriwell proposed.
+
+Thrusting half a dozen sticks each into their pockets and equipping
+themselves with lighted cigars, they started for the door.  And just
+then it happened.  They blamed McTavish for it afterward, and he
+admitted that the charge had been a trifle excessive.  But at any rate
+it went off under the house, which lifted up corner-wise and settled
+back on its foundations.  Half the china on the table was shattered,
+while the eight-day clock stopped.  Yelling for vengeance, the three
+men rushed out into the night, and the bombardment began.
+
+When they returned, there was no Bertie.  He had dragged himself away
+to the office, barricaded himself in, and sunk upon the floor in a
+gin-soaked nightmare, wherein he died a thousand deaths while the
+valorous fight went on around him.  In the morning, sick and headachy
+from the gin, he crawled out to find the sun still in the sky and God
+presumably in heaven, for his hosts were alive and uninjured.
+
+Harriwell pressed him to stay on longer, but Bertie insisted on sailing
+immediately on the _Arla_ for Tulagi, where, until the following
+steamer day, he stuck close by the Commissioner's house.  There were
+lady tourists on the outgoing steamer, and Bertie was again a hero,
+while Captain Malu, as usual, passed unnoticed.  But Captain Malu sent
+back from Sydney two cases of the best Scotch whiskey on the market,
+for he was not able to make up his mind as to whether it was Captain
+Hansen or Mr. Harriwell who had given Bertie Arkwright the more
+gorgeous insight into life in the Solomons.
+
+
+
+
+EL DORADO
+
+From "A Tarpaulin Muster," BY JOHN MASEFIELD
+
+
+The night had fallen over the harbour before the winch began to rattle.
+The stars came out, calm and golden, shaking little tracks in the sea.
+In the tiers of ships shone the riding-lights.  To the westward, where
+the Point jutted out, the great golden light of Negra winked and
+glimmered as it revolved.  It was a beat continually, like the marching
+of an army, along the line of the coast.  In one of the tiers of ships
+there was a sing-song.  A crew had gathered on the forecastle head, to
+beat their pannikins to the stars.  The words of their song floated out
+into the darkness, full of a haunting beauty which thrilled and
+satisfied me.  There was something in the night, in the air, in the
+beauty of the town, and in the sweetness of the sailors' singing, which
+made me sorry to be leaving.  I should have liked to have gone ashore
+again, to the _Calle del Inca_, where the cafes and taverns stood.  I
+should have liked to have seen those stately pale women, in their black
+robes, with the scarlet roses in their hair, swaying slowly on the
+stage to the clicking of the castenets.  I should have liked to have
+taken part in another wild dance among the tables of the wine shops.  I
+was sorry to be leaving.
+
+When the winch began to clank, as the cable was hove in, I gathered up
+my lead-line, and went to the leadsman's dicky, or little projecting
+platform, on the starboard side.  I was to be the leadsman that night,
+and as we should soon be moving, I made the breast-rope secure, and
+stood by.
+
+Presently the bell of the engine-room clanged, and there came a wash
+abaft as the screws thrashed.  The ship trembled, as the turbulent
+trampling of the engines shook her.  The bell clanged again; the water
+below me gleamed and whitened; the dark body of the steamer, with her
+lines of lit ports, swept slowly across the lights in the harbour.  The
+trampling of the engines steadied, and took to itself a rhythm.  We
+were off.  I cast an eye astern at the little town I was so sad to
+leave, and caught a glimpse of a path of churned water, broadening
+astern of us.  A voice sounded from the promenade deck behind me.  "Zat
+light, what you call 'eem?"
+
+I could not answer.  My orders were to keep strict silence.  The point
+of an umbrella took me sharply below the shoulders.  "What you call
+'eem--zat light?  Ze light zere?"
+
+I wondered if I could swing my lead on to him; it was worth trying.
+Again came the umbrella; and again the bell of the engine-room clanged.
+
+"Are you ready there with the lead?" came the mate's voice above me.
+"All ready with the lead, sir."  "What have we now?"  I gathered
+forward and swung the lead.  I could not reach the umbrella-man, even
+with my spare line.  Once, twice, thrice I swung, and pitched the
+plummet well forward into the bow wash.
+
+"By the deep, eight, sir."
+
+Again the bell clanged; the ship seemed to tremble and stop.  "Another
+cast now, quickly."  "And a half, seven, sir."  As I hauled in, I again
+tasted the umbrella, and another question came to me: "What 'ave you
+do?  Why 'ave you do zat?"  I swore under my breath.  "Are you asleep
+there leadsman?"  The mate was biting his finger-ends.  I sent the lead
+viciously into the sea.  "Quarter less seven, sir."  "Another cast,
+smartly, now."  Rapidly I hauled in, humming an old ballad to myself.
+"We'll have the ship ashore," I repeated.  There was a step on the deck
+behind me, and again came the voice, "Ze man, ze man zere what 'ave he
+do?  Why 'ave 'e go like so?"  "Won't you pass further aft, sir?" said
+a suave voice.  "You're interrup'in' the leadsman."  It was one of the
+quartermasters.  Once again the lead flew forward.  "By the mark,
+seven, sir."
+
+There was a pause; then came the voice again.  "I go zees way," said
+the quartermaster.  The steps of the umbrella-man passed away aft.
+"Zees way," said the quartermaster, under his breath, "zees way!  You
+gaw-dem Dago!"  I could have hugged the fellow.
+
+"What now?" said the old man, leaning over from the bridge.  I cast
+again.  "And a half, eight, sir."
+
+"We're clear," said the voice above me.   "Speed ahead, Mr. Jenkins."
+I gathered up my line.  The engine-room bell clanged once more; the
+ship seemed to leap suddenly forward.  In a few seconds, even as I
+coiled my line, the bow wash broadened to a roaring water.  The white
+of it glimmered and boiled, and spun away from us streaked with fires.
+Across the stars above us the mists from the smoke-stack stretched in a
+broad cloud.  Below me the engines trampled thunderously.  Ahead there
+were the lights, and the figure of the look-out, and the rush and hurry
+of the water.  Astern, far astern already, were the port, the ships at
+anchor, and the winking light on the Point.  A bugle abaft called the
+passengers to dinner, and I watched them as they went from their
+cabins.  A lady, in blue gown, with a shawl round her head, was talking
+to a man in evening dress.  "Isn't it interesting," she remarked, "to
+hear them making the soundings?"  The white shirt was politely
+non-committal.  "Aft there, two of you," said a hard voice, "and trice
+the ladder up.  Smartly now."  The lady in the blue dress stopped to
+watch us.
+
+I did not see the umbrella-man again until the next day, when I passed
+him on the hurricane deck.  He was looking at the coast through a pair
+of binoculars.  We were running to the north, in perfect Pacific
+weather, under a soft blue sky that was patrolled by little soft white
+clouds.  The land lay broad to starboard, a land of yellow hills with
+surf-beaten outliers of black reef.  Here and there we passed villages
+in the watered valleys, each with its whitewashed church and copper
+smeltry.  The umbrella-man was looking beyond these, at the hills.
+
+He was a little man, this man who had prodded me, with a long, pale
+face and pale eyes, a long reddish beard, and hair rather darker, both
+hair and beard being sparse.  He was a fidgety person, always twitching
+with his hands, and he walked with something of a strut, as though the
+earth belonged to him.  He snapped-to the case of his binoculars as
+though he had sheathed a sword.
+
+Later in the day, after supper, in the second dog-watch, as I sat
+smoking on the fore-coamings, he came up to me and spoke to me.  "You
+know zees coas'?" he asked.  Yes, I knew the coast.  "What you zink?"
+he asked; "you like 'eem?"  No, I didn't like 'eem.  "Ah," he said,
+"You 'ave been wizzin?"  I asked him what he meant.  "Wizzin," he
+repeated, "wizzen, in ze contry.  You 'ave know ze land, ze peoples?"
+I growled that I had been within, to Lima, and to Santiago, and that I
+had been ashore at the Chincha Islands.  "Ah," he said, with a strange
+quickening of interest, "you 'ave been to Lima; you like 'eem?"  No, I
+had not.  "I go wizzen," he said proudly.  "It is because I go; zat is
+why I ask.  Zere is few 'ave gone wizzen."  An old quartermaster walked
+up to us.  "There's very few come back, sir," he said.  "Them
+Indians----"  "Ah, ze Indians," said the little man scornfully, "ze
+Indians; I zeenk nozzin of ze Indians."  "Beg pardon, sir," said the
+old sailor, "They're a tough crowd, them copper fellers."  "I no
+understan';" said the Frenchman.  "They pickle people's heads," said
+the old sailor, "in the sand or somethin'.  They keep for ever pretty
+near when once they're pickled.  They pickle every one's head and sell
+'em in Lima: I've knowed 'em get a matter of three pound for a good
+head."  "Heads?" said another sailor.  "I had one myself once.  I got
+it at Tacna, but it wasn't properly pickled or something--it was a
+red-headed beggar the chap as owned it--I had to throw it away.  It got
+too strong for the crowd," he explained.  "Ah zose Indians," said the
+Frenchman.  "I 'ave 'eard; zey tell me, zey tell me at Valparaiso.  But
+ah, it ees a fool; it ees a fool; zere is no Indians."  "Beg pardon,
+sir," said the old sailor, "but if you go up among them jokers, you'll
+have to look slippy with a gun, sir,"  "Ah, a gon," he answered, "a
+gon.  I was not to be bozzered wiz a gon.  I 'ave what you call
+'eem--peestol."  He produced a boy's derringer, which might have cost
+about ten dollars, Spanish dollars, in the pawnshops of Santiago.
+"Peestol," murmured a sailor, gasping, as he shambled forward to laugh,
+"peestol, the gawdem Dago's balmy."
+
+During the next few days I saw the Frenchman frequently.  He was a
+wonder to us, and his plans were discussed at every meal, and in every
+watch below.  In the dog-watches he would come forward, with his
+eternal questions: "What is wizzin?  In ze contry?"  We would tell him,
+"Indians, or highwaymen," or "a push of highbinders;" and he would
+answer: "It ees nozzin, it ees a fool."  Once he asked us if we had
+heard of any gold being found "wizzen."  "Gold?" said one of us.
+"Gold?  O' course there's gold, any God's quantity.  Them Incas ate
+gold; they're buried in it."  "'Ave you know zem, ze Incas?" he asked
+eagerly.  "I seen a tomb of theirs once," said the sailor; "it were in
+a cove, like the fo'c'sle yonder, and full of knittin'-needles."  "What
+is zem?" said the Frenchman.  The sailor shambled below to his chest,
+and returned with a handful of little sticks round which some balls of
+coloured threads were bound.  "Knittin'-needles," said the sailor.
+"Them ain't no knittin'-needles.  Writin'?  How could them be writin'?
+Well, I heard tell once," replied the other.  "It ees zeir way of
+writing," said the Frenchman; "I 'ave seen; zat is zeir way of writing;
+ze knots is zeir letters."  "Bleedin' funny letters, I call 'em," said
+the needles-theorist.  "You and your needles," said the other.  "Now,
+what d'ye call 'em?"  The bell upon the bridge clanged.  "Eight bells,"
+said the company; "aft to muster, boys."  The bugle at the saloon-door
+announced supper.
+
+We were getting pretty well to the north--Mollendo, or
+thereabouts--when I had my last conversation with the Frenchman.  He
+came up to me one night, as I sat on the deck to leeward of the winch,
+keeping the first watch as snugly as I could.  "You know zees coast
+long?" he asked.  I had not.  Then came the never-ceasing, "'Ave you
+know of ze Incas?"  Yes, lot of general talk; and I had seen Incas
+curios, mostly earthware, in every port in Peru.  "You 'ave seen gold?"
+No; there was never any gold.  The Spaniards made a pretty general
+average of any gold there was.  "It ees a fool," he answered.  "I tell
+you," he went on, "it ees a fool.  Zay have say zat; zey 'ave all say
+zat; it ees a fool.  Zere is gold.  Zere is a hundred million pounds;
+zere is twenty tousan' million dollars; zere is El Dorado.  Beyond ze
+mountains zere is El Dorado; zere is a town of gold.  Zay say zere is
+no gold?  Zere is.  I go to find ze gold; zat is what I do; I fin' ze
+gold, I, Paul Bac."  "Alone?" I asked.  "I, Paul Bac," he answered.
+
+I looked at him a moment.  He was a little red-haired man, slightly
+made, but alert and active-looking.  He knew no Spanish, no Indian
+dialects, and he had no comrade.  I told him that I thought he didn't
+know what he was doing.  "Ha!" he said.  "Listen: I go to Payta; I go
+by train to Chito; zen I reach ze Morona River; from zere I reach
+Marinha.  Listen: El Dorado is between ze Caqueta and ze Putumayo
+Rivers, in ze forest."  I would have asked him how he knew, but I had
+to break away to relieve the lookout.  I wished the little man good
+night; I never spoke with him again.
+
+I thought of him all that watch, as I kept scanning the seas.  I should
+be going up and down, I thought, landing passengers through surf, or
+swaying bananas out of launches, or crying the sounds as we came to
+moorings.  He would be going on under the stars, full of unquenchable
+hope, stumbling on the bones of kings.  He would be wading across bogs,
+through rivers and swamps, through unutterable and deathly places,
+singing some songs, and thinking of the golden city.  He was a pilgrim,
+a poet, a person to reverence.  And if he got there, if he found El
+Dorado--but that was absurd.  I thought of him sadly, with the feeling
+that he had learned how to live, and that he would die by applying his
+knowledge.  I wondered how he would die.  He would be alone there, in
+the tangle, stumbling across creepers.  The poisoned blow-pipe, from
+the long, polished blow-pipe, such as I had seen in the museums.  He
+would fall on his face, among the jungle.  Then the silent Indian would
+hack off his head with a flint, and pickle it for the Lima markets.  He
+would never get to the Caqueta.  Or perhaps he would be caught in an
+electric storm, an aire, as they call them, and be stricken down among
+the hills on his way to Chito.  More probably he would die of hunger or
+thirst, as so many had died before him.  I remembered a cowboy whom I
+had found under a thorn bush in the Argentine.  Paul Bac would be like
+that cowboy; he would run short of water, and kill his horse for the
+blood, and then go mad and die.
+
+I was in my bunk when he went ashore at Payta, but a fellow in the
+other watch told me how he left the ship.  There was a discussion in
+the forecastle that night as to the way the heads were prepared.  Some
+said it was sand; some said it was the leaf of the puro bush; one or
+two held out for a mixture of pepper and nitrate.  One man speculated
+as to the probable price the head would fetch; and the general vote was
+for two pounds, or two pounds ten.  "It wouldn't give me no pleasure,"
+said one of us, "to have that ginger-nob in my chest."  "Nor me, it
+wouldn't," said another; "I draw the line at having a corpse on my
+tobacker."  "And I do," said several.  Clearly the Frenchman was
+destined for a town museum.
+
+It was more than a year after that I heard of the end of the El Dorado
+hunter.  I was in New York when I heard it, serving behind the bar of a
+saloon.  One evening, as I was mixing cocktails, I heard myself hailed
+by a customer; and there was Billy Neeld, one of our quartermasters,
+just come ashore from an Atlantic Transport boat.  We had a drink
+together, and yarned of old times.  The names of our old shipmates were
+like incantations.  The breathing of them brought the past before us;
+the past which was so recent, yet so far away; the past which is so
+dear to a sailor and so depressing to a landsman.  So and so was dead,
+and Jimmy had gone among the Islands, and Dick had pulled out for home
+because "he couldn't stick that Mr. Jenkins."  Very few of them
+remained on the Coast; the brothers of the Coast are a shifty crowd.
+
+"D'ye remember the Frenchman," I asked, "the man who was always asking
+about the Incas?"  "The ginger-headed feller?"  "Yes, a little fellow."
+"A red-headed, ambitious little runt?  I remember him," said Billy; "he
+left us at Payta, the time we fouled the launch."  "That's the man," I
+said; "have you heard anything of him?"  "Oh, he's dead all right,"
+said Billy.  "His mother came out after him; there was a piece in the
+Chile _Times_ about him."  "He was killed, I suppose?"  "Yes, them
+Indians got him, somewhere in Ecuador, Tommy Hains told me.  They got
+his head back, though.  It was being sold in the streets; his old
+mother offered a reward, and the Dagoes got it back for her.  He's dead
+all right, he is; he might ha' known as much, going alone among them
+Indians.  Dead?  I guess he is dead; none but a red-headed runt'd have
+been such a lunk as to try it."  "He was an ambitious lad," I said.
+"Yes," said Billy, "he was.  Them ambitious fellers, they want the
+earth, and they get their blooming heads pickled; that's what they get
+by it.  Here's happy days, young feller."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Great Sea Stories, by Various
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