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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Secret of the Sands, by Harry Collingwood
+
+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: The Secret of the Sands
+       The "Water Lily" and her Crew
+
+Author: Harry Collingwood
+
+Release Date: March 8, 2011 [EBook #35528]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECRET OF THE SANDS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+The Secret of the Sands
+The "Water Lily" and her Crew
+By Harry Collingwood
+Published by Griffith and Farran, London.
+This edition dated 1879.
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+The attention of the public has been directed, on more than one occasion
+within the last few years, to voyages of a more or less lengthy
+character, undertaken in craft of very small tonnage; and a great deal
+has been said and written concerning the foolhardiness of such
+undertakings.  This, however, is more apparent than real, though much
+must necessarily depend, in such voyages, on the adventurer's skill as a
+seaman and his nerve and self-possession in critical moments.  Almost,
+if not quite, as much will also depend upon the design, construction,
+and equipment of the craft in which such an adventure is undertaken; but
+where all these conditions are favourable, the actual danger may be
+reduced in quite a surprising degree.
+
+Such voyages, however, if of any considerable length, are sure to abound
+in adventure; and, in selecting one as the groundwork of my story, it
+has been my aim to endeavour at once to make it interesting and readable
+to those who have a liking for the sea and for nautical adventure, and
+to convey a few useful hints (gathered from my own experience)
+respecting the design and management of small craft, and of the
+precautions which are so absolutely necessary in the navigating of them.
+
+But it must be distinctly understood that, in selecting this subject, I
+have had no intention whatever of advocating, or recommending, such
+voyages, or of underrating the risks which, under the most favourable
+circumstances, they involve; my purpose has simply been to combine a
+little information with, I hope, a great deal of interest and amusement;
+and if my book serves but to while pleasantly away an idle hour or two
+for the general reader, or conveys a scrap of useful information to the
+young yachtsman, that purpose will be fully accomplished.
+
+Harry Collingwood.
+
+_October_, 1878.
+
+Volume One, Chapter I.
+
+THE WRECK.
+
+It was the last week in the month of November, 18--, when the event
+occurred which proved to be the _primum mobile_ of the following
+adventures.
+
+The weather, for some days previous, had been unusually boisterous for
+the time of year, and had culminated, on the morning on which my story
+opens, in a "November gale" from the south-west, exceeding in violence
+any previous gale within the memory of "the oldest inhabitant" of the
+locality.  This is saying a great deal, for I was at the time living in
+Weymouth, a most delightful summer resort, where, however, the feelings
+are likely to be more or less harrowed every winter by fearful wrecks on
+the far-famed and much-dreaded Chesil Beach, which connects the
+mis-named _island_ of Portland with the mainland.
+
+We had dined, as usual, at the primitive hour of one o'clock; and with
+Bob Trunnion--about whom I shall have more to say anon--I had turned out
+under the verandah to enjoy our post-prandial smoke, according to
+invariable usage.  My sister Ada would not permit us the indulgence of
+that luxury indoors, and no conceivable disturbance of the elements
+could compel us to forego it altogether.
+
+We were pacing the verandah side by side, quarter-deck fashion, with our
+hands behind our backs and our weeds between our teeth, making an
+occasional remark about the weather as the sheeted rain swept past us,
+and the trees in the distance and the leaf-denuded shrubs in the garden
+bowed before the fury of the blast, when a coastguardman, whom I had
+occasionally encountered and spoken to in my rambles, came running past,
+enveloped in oilskins and topped by a sou'-wester.
+
+As he went by, seeing us, he shouted, "Ship coming ashore in the West
+Bay, sir!" and was the next minute at the bottom of the hill, _en
+route_, as fast as his legs could carry him, for the town.
+
+Our house was situated in a pleasant suburb called Rodwell; the
+high-road which passed our door led direct to the Smallmouth Sands, at
+the farther extremity of which was the Chesil Beach; and we conjectured
+that the coastguardman had come from the beach along this road to give
+notice to the chief officer stationed in the town.
+
+To run indoors, don our foul-weather rigging, and notify my sister that
+we were off to the scene of the anticipated wreck, was the work of a
+moment.  The next we were in the road, inclined forward at an angle of
+forty-five degrees against the wind, and staggering slowly ahead in the
+direction of the sands.  The coastguardman had a fair wind of it, and
+was going a good eight knots when he passed us; but just at the top of
+the hill, as we were exposed to the full strength of the gale, we did
+not forge ahead at more than about one knot.  However, matters mended
+soon after, for we surmounted the brow of the hill, and began the
+descent on the opposite side; here the road took a slight bend, which
+brought the wind well abeam; so keeping close under the hedge to
+windward of us, we rattled away as fast as we could go.
+
+After nearly an hour's severe exertion we reached the beach.  The vessel
+which was expected to come on shore was a full-rigged ship, apparently
+of about eight hundred or a thousand tons, and evidently a foreigner, by
+her build and rig.  Some conjectured her to be French, some Spanish, and
+others avowed their belief that she was a German; but she was still too
+far off, and the weather too thick, to enable any one to form a clear
+judgment as to her nationality.
+
+"Whoever she is," said the chief boatman, "the skipper of her is a
+downright good seaman, and doesn't intend to lose his ship whilst he can
+do anything to save her.  He drove into the bay about two hours ago,
+sir," said he, turning to me, "and this is the second time that he's
+tried to fetch out again; but, Lord! he don't know this place so well as
+I do, or he'd be as sartain as I be that she'll never go outside o' the
+Bill o' Portland again.  The ship don't float that, with her sails
+alone, could get out of the bay, once she got into it, with the wind and
+tide the way it is now; and afore the tide turns he'll be knocked into
+matchwood, or my name's not Joe Grummet.  There he comes round again,"
+continued the man, who had kept his eye on the vessel all the time he
+was speaking; "but it's no good; he's more 'n a mile to leeward of where
+he fetched last time, and he'd better give it up and run her ashore
+whilst 'tis light enough to get the hands out of her, if so be as it
+please God to let any on 'em come ashore alive."
+
+The vessel had, as Grummet remarked, altered her course; running off
+rapidly before the wind, and consequently towards the land; and those
+who knew nothing about nautical matters would have supposed that her
+commander had at length given up the contest, and was about to run her
+on shore.
+
+But we knew better.  The vessel had merely been kept away in order to
+_wear_ her; _staying_ in such a tremendous gale and sea being utterly
+out of the question.  And as we watched we saw her come slowly to the
+wind on the opposite tack; her yards were braced sharp up, her sheets
+flattened in, and once more the battle for life was resumed against the
+hostile elements.
+
+But it was evident that the noble ship's career was ended.  The
+operation of _wearing_ had brought her into fearful proximity with the
+land; and though she carried reefed mainsail and foresail under
+close-reefed topsails, and fore and main topmast staysails, it was
+evident that she was driving to leeward at a frightful rate, and that
+the period of her existence must now be measured in minutes.
+
+"Now, lads! bear a hand!" shouted Grummet, "and let's signal her to run
+in here.  The beach is steeper here than anywhere within the next three
+or four mile; and if he happens to come in on the back of a sea, he'll
+run up pretty near high and dry; and we may get some of the poor souls
+ashore alive, and cheat Davy Jones out of the best part of his bargain
+this bout, anyway."
+
+A large red bandana handkerchief was produced and seized to the end of a
+boat-hook; this extempore flag and staff Grummet took in his hand, and,
+proceeding to the summit of the beach, commenced waving it to and fro,
+to attract the attention of the people on board the doomed ship.  She
+was now so close that we could see the two men at her wheel, and a man,
+whom we supposed to be the master, standing by the mizen rigging.
+
+Just abaft the mainmast, and huddled together under the shelter of the
+weather bulwarks, we could see some seven or eight more of her crew, and
+others were doubtless cowering elsewhere out of sight.
+
+Grummet waved his flag energetically from the crest of the beach, and
+the coastguardmen busied themselves in making such slight preparations
+as were in their power to assist the crew in escaping from the wreck.
+Several coils of line had been brought down to the beach; one man who
+announced himself to be a good swimmer, had secured an end of the
+smallest of these to his waist; he now stood prepared to divest himself
+of all his superfluous clothing at a moment's notice, and to attempt the
+hazardous experiment of rushing into the boiling surf, to drag out any
+poor unfortunate whom he might be able to reach.  Others were engaged in
+various ways in preparing themselves to render what assistance was in
+their power, when a cry from Grummet announced that the crisis had
+arrived; on looking up we saw that the stranger's fore-topmast had gone
+in the cap; and now hung to leeward, with the topsail and topmast
+staysail thrashing to ribbons; the latter threatening at every jerk to
+take the bowsprit out of the ship.  The foresail was also split from
+head to foot; and, even as we looked, the overstrained canvas gave way,
+and, fluttering for a moment in the furious gale, parted from the
+bolt-ropes, and came flying like a shred of cloud to leeward.
+
+The ship, thus deprived of her head-sail, luffed into the wind: and the
+moment that the rest of her canvas shook, away it came also, leaving her
+helpless and unmanageable, with the sea sweeping her deck fore and aft.
+
+"Now stand by, men," shouted Grummet, "and each one do his best for the
+poor souls; for they were never nearer to death's door than they will be
+in another two minutes.  If he had run her stem on to the beach they
+might have stood a chance; but I fear it is all over with them now, for
+she'll come ashore broadside on, and all on us knows what that means."
+
+Fortunately, the catastrophe had happened immediately to windward of
+that part of the beach on which we stood; a spot, as Grummet had
+observed, where the shipwrecked crew would have a better chance of
+reaching the shore alive than they would have had if stranded on any
+other part of it for some miles on either side; but the loss of their
+sails had rendered the prospect of their escape considerably less than
+it would have been had they been able to watch their chance, _sail_ the
+ship in on the crest of a wave, and so beach her.
+
+The next half minute or so was one of most intense and painful
+excitement to us spectators on shore.  Each man moved nearer to the
+water, and cast off some article of clothing, or gave a last look to the
+line, or a final adjustment to the life-buoy round his waist.  For
+myself, I had stripped off my jacket and waistcoat, and placed them,
+together with my hat, in the hands of my friend Bob, who could not swim;
+and I now stood with the end of a line, knotted into a bowline, in my
+hand, ready to do anything which the emergency of the moment might
+require.
+
+The master of the vessel appeared to be aware of our intention, and the
+meaning of the signal which Grummet had shown; and as it was now
+impossible to run the ship _stem_ on upon the beach, he did the next
+best thing; and waving his hand to the men who, like true seamen, still
+stuck to the wheel, they put the helm hard up, that she might come in
+stern on.
+
+The manoeuvre was partially successful; but unfortunately she came
+ashore between two seas; and the undertow of the one taking her stern,
+whilst the succeeding sea struck her bow, she fell broadside-to in an
+instant, her three masts went by the board, and the sea made a clean
+breach over her.
+
+One poor fellow was seen to leap overboard at the moment that the ship
+struck; and half-a-dozen of the men on the beach rushed down into the
+water, making frantic efforts to get at him.  But he could not swim; and
+those who tried to reach him were flung back, bruised and senseless,
+upon the beach, only to be dragged away again as the sea receded; and
+had it not been for the ropes and life-buoys round their waists, by
+which their comrades hauled them on shore, they must have lost their
+lives.  As it was, one of them, in some way or other, got out of the
+life-buoy, and we saw him swept away almost from our very feet.
+
+I was an expert swimmer; and as soon as I saw the poor fellow being
+swept away, I slipped my head and shoulders through the bowline knot I
+held in my hand, dashed into the surf, and, resorting to my usual
+tactics of diving through the breakers, managed to get hold of the man
+with one hand, while I raised the other above my head, as a signal to
+those on shore to haul away upon their end of the line.
+
+As soon as I felt the line tighten round me, I grasped the man round the
+body, and in another moment we were both on the beach, in the arms of
+those who had run down to meet us.  By these we were dragged up out of
+reach of the sea, and, on staggering to my feet, I had the satisfaction
+of seeing the man who had jumped overboard from the wreck being hauled
+on board again.
+
+Loud were the thanks and praises I received for my conduct in bringing
+the other on shore; but without waiting to listen to them, I hastily
+explained that I would try to take a line on board the wreck, as, if I
+could succeed in this, there might possibly be some chance of saving the
+major portion, if not the whole of the crew.  Accordingly I dashed into
+the surf once more; and at length, after the most superhuman efforts,
+though the distance was barely thirty yards, I reached the ship's side,
+and was drawn on board by a line which her crew threw to me.  The men
+crowded round me, rapidly talking in some language which I could not
+understand, and looking as much relieved as though I had the power of
+taking them all on my back at once, and swimming on shore with them.  I
+stood for a moment to recover my breath; and at the same time looked
+about to see what resources might be at my command.  I noticed a towing
+hawser coiled away upon what had originally been the deckhouse forward,
+but which was now stove in and battered almost out of recognition.  An
+eye was spliced in one end of this hawser; and taking it up, I signed to
+the men to pass it over the stump of the foremast.
+
+They understood me, and, seeing my object in wishing it done, they had
+it over in a twinkling; in another moment, they had the heavy coil
+capsized, the other end bent on to the line which I had brought on board
+with me, and were paying it rapidly over the side.
+
+As I turned to address the master of the vessel, who, I noticed as I was
+hauled up the side, was then standing at the break of the poop, issuing
+instructions to his crew, I saw him in the act of descending the
+poop-ladder, and I stepped towards him.  At this moment the ship was
+lifted up by a perfect mountain of a sea, and hove over on her
+beam-ends; all hands of us were flung violently to leeward; and before
+apparently any of us had time to recover our feet, another sea swept
+down upon us; there was a terrific--an ear-splitting crash, a wild,
+agonised cry, and I found myself clear of the wreck, struggling wildly
+for life, with the body of the master within arm's length of me.
+
+He was apparently dead, and floating face downwards; but I grasped him
+by the hair, turned him on his back, and struck out for the beach.
+Twice were we flung like corks upon the pebbles of the strand, and twice
+dragged off into deep water again by the merciless undertow.  The first
+time I dug my fingers, knees, and the toes of my boots into the pebbles,
+in the hope of bringing myself and my senseless charge to an anchor; but
+I might as well have attempted to grasp the air.  The whole of that
+portion of the beach which was exposed to the action of the sea was a
+vast moving mass, the shingle being alternately thrown up and sucked
+back again in tons, as the water hurled itself high upon the beach and
+then rushed back into the foaming abyss.
+
+The second time we were thrown up with such violence that I was stunned;
+but the third time the brave fellows on the beach, who had been making
+the most frantic efforts to get at us, would take no denial.  They
+watched their chance, and as they saw us again drifting in two, with
+ropes round their waists, rushed into the sea, grasped us, one each,
+firmly round the body; and, though they were lifted off their feet and
+dragged away to seaward like feathers by the retiring breaker, never let
+go their hold until we were hauled up high and dry, clear beyond the
+reach of the heaviest wave.
+
+The efforts made to restore me to consciousness were soon successful,
+but my fellow-sufferer, the master of the vessel, appeared to be
+seriously injured.  It was nearly half an hour before the faintest signs
+of returning animation were perceived; and when at length consciousness
+returned, the poor fellow appeared to be suffering the most excruciating
+agony.
+
+As soon as I was once more able to look about me, I found that the wave
+which had washed the master and me overboard, had broken the wreck in
+two just abaft the mainmast, flinging the stern portion much nearer the
+shore, whilst it had turned the other half fairly bottom up,
+precipitating, of course, all the poor fellows, who were so busy paying
+out the hawser, into the sea.  The people on the beach watched eagerly
+for their reappearance above water, but not one of them was ever seen
+again.  It afterwards transpired that there was not a swimmer amongst
+the entire crew, which, all told, amounted to fifteen hands.
+
+The intelligence of a wreck had attracted a large concourse of people to
+the spot, notwithstanding the discomfort attendant on being abroad in so
+violent a gale; and one gentleman had taken upon himself to despatch
+omnibuses from the town, well supplied with blankets, etc., for the
+relief and benefit of any poor sufferers who might reach the shore
+alive.  Into one of these vehicles the unfortunate master of the ship
+was now placed with the utmost care, a couch being extemporised for him
+in the bottom of the 'bus by piling together all the blankets which had
+been sent.  In spite, however, of the utmost care in driving, the jolts
+were frequent, and sometimes rather heavy, and the poor fellow's groans
+indicated such intensity of suffering, that by the time we were half way
+to town I decided I would take him to my own house, whereby he would be
+spared nearly half an hour of anguish.
+
+It fortunately happened that, just as I had come to this resolution, a
+gentleman rode up, and learning who we had inside, volunteered his
+services.  I immediately accepted them, desiring him to ride back to the
+town, and despatch to my house the ablest physician he could find.  When
+the 'bus drew up at our door, the doctor was there in readiness for his
+patient, whom we lifted out, apparently in the last stage of exhaustion,
+and carried carefully into the house and upstairs into my own room,
+where my sister (advertised by Bob, who had made the best of his way
+home on foot) had a cheerful fire blazing in the grate, hot water in
+abundance, and everything else ready that her womanly sympathy could
+suggest.
+
+Volume One, Chapter II.
+
+THE SECRET.
+
+The doctor remained with the sick man more than half an hour; and when I
+heard his footstep descending the staircase I went out and met him.
+
+"The poor fellow is sinking rapidly," said he, in reply to my inquiries;
+"he has received severe internal injuries, and is bleeding to death
+inwardly.  I can do nothing, absolutely _nothing_ for him.  Keep him
+quiet, and humour him as much as you can; excitement of any kind will
+only hasten his dissolution."  I cheerfully promised to do all I could
+for the dying man; and the doctor took his leave, promising to call
+again the last thing in the evening.
+
+As soon as the doctor was out of the house I went upstairs and into the
+sick-room, where I found the patient in bed, and Bob, with his boots
+off, gliding as quietly about the room as a trained hospital nurse,
+doing all he could to contribute to the comfort of his charge.
+
+The opening of the door attracted the sick man's attention, and he
+feebly turned his head in my direction.  As soon as he recognised me, he
+beckoned me to approach; and I drew a chair to the side of the bed,
+asking him how he felt.
+
+"Like one whose moments are numbered;" replied he in perfectly pure
+English, but with a sonorous ring in the articulation of the words,
+which betrayed the fact that he was not speaking in his mother tongue.
+"Senor," he continued, "I am dying; the doctor has candidly told me so,
+though I needed no such assurance from him.  The dreadful pangs which
+shoot through my tortured frame, are such as no man could long endure
+and live.  I am a true Catholic, senor, and I would fain see a priest,
+or some good man of my own creed; that I may confess, and clear my
+guilty soul from the stains which a life of sinful indulgence and
+contempt of Heaven's laws has polluted it with.  I know there are many
+of my faith in England, it may be that there are some in this place.
+Know you of any such?"
+
+I replied that there certainly was a Catholic church in the town, but it
+was situated at some distance from the house in which he now lay;
+consequently it would perhaps be an hour before the priest could be
+found and brought to him; "but," added I, "I will send for him
+forthwith, and until he arrive I will sit here and keep you company."
+
+So saying, I called Bob on one side, and directed him to proceed, as
+quickly as possible, into town, and bring the Reverend Father without a
+moment's delay, to the house.
+
+As soon as Bob had departed, I resumed my seat by the bedside.
+Extending his burning hand towards me, he clasped mine, and endeavoured
+to raise it to his lips.  "Senor," said he, "since it is the will of God
+that I am to die, I can but bow to that will in submission; but I would
+I could have been spared for a few years to testify my gratitude to you
+for your brave and noble efforts in behalf of my crew and myself--my
+poor people, my poor people," he sobbed--"all, all lost!"
+
+He was silent for nearly five minutes; and I took advantage of the
+opportunity to explain to him that what I had done was no more than any
+other Englishman would do if he had the power, under similar
+circumstances; that such conduct was thought nothing of among our
+nation; being regarded as simply a duty which each man owed to every
+other, in like circumstances of distress with his own.
+
+"I know--I know," replied he, "the English are as generous as they are
+brave; but still I would I had it in my power to express my thanks
+otherwise than in words.  But I am alone in the world which I am so soon
+to leave.  Not one have I of my own name or blood to whom I can bequeath
+my debt of gratitude; and when my ship went to pieces to-day (she was my
+own property, senor), I became a beggar.  I have not so much property
+left as will pay the expenses of my burial; and here I lie, indebted to
+a stranger, and that stranger a foreigner, for the shelter which covers
+my dying head, as I soon shall be for the coffin and the grave which
+await my lifeless clay."
+
+I was beginning to say something, with the intention of diverting his
+mind from so painful a train of thought, when he interrupted me eagerly.
+
+"And yet," continued he, "poor as I am, it is in my power to make you
+rich--ay, beyond the utmost scope of your imagination.  And I will, I
+_will_!  Why should I take this secret to the grave with me?  In a few
+hours I shall be beyond the want of earthly riches, but you, senor, are
+young, and look forward to a long life; doubtless, like other men, you
+have already indulged in many a bright day-dream which the possession of
+wealth would go far to realise.  Listen, gentil senor; I must be brief,
+for I feel that I have no time to lose.  I have been shipwrecked once
+before.  It is now nearly three years ago since I sailed from Valparaiso
+for Canton, whence we were to proceed to Bombay, and so home round the
+Cape of Good Hope.  I was then chief mate.  We met with nothing but
+calms for the first three weeks of our passage, after which the weather
+changed, and we had a succession of adverse gales until we were within
+fifteen degrees of the line.  Here we were worse off than ever, for at
+one moment we were lying in a glassy calm, and perhaps in five minutes
+afterwards were under close-reefed canvas, or possibly bare poles.  At
+length a furious squall threw the ship on her beam-ends, and we were
+compelled to cut away all three of her masts to save her from
+foundering.  And then the squall settled down into a perfect hurricane,
+and we could do nothing but suffer the ship to drive dead before it.
+Near midnight we were flung violently to the deck by a tremendous shock.
+The ship was on shore, dashing her bottom out upon the rocks.  And it
+was so dark, senor, that we were unable to see each other.  Oh! the
+horror of that night; it is as fresh upon me now as it was at the moment
+that it happened."
+
+The poor fellow's face was streaming with perspiration.  I begged he
+would not distress himself by recalling such painful recollections, but
+in spite of my remonstrance he continued his story.
+
+"The ship broke up beneath our feet, and I found myself swimming, I knew
+not where, in the midst of a quantity of floating wreck, to a piece of
+which I clung.  I was surrounded on every side by breakers; but not far
+from me I could perceive, by the absence of the phosphorescence, that
+the water was smooth.  I urged myself, and the plank to which I clung,
+in that direction, and soon reached the smooth water; after which I
+suffered myself to drift.  The water was quite warm, and I experienced
+no inconvenience whatever from my immersion.  After the lapse of perhaps
+an hour, possibly more, I felt the ground beneath my feet, and
+staggering out of the water, I flung myself upon the dry land, and,
+notwithstanding the howling of the wind and the roar of the breakers, I
+fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.
+
+"When I awoke the sun was beating fiercely down upon my uncovered head;
+the sky was cloudless; and a calm had succeeded to the gale of the night
+before.  I rose to my feet, and on looking about me, discovered that I
+had been cast upon one of those coral islands which so thickly stud some
+portions of the Pacific.  I was--as I am now--the only one who escaped
+the wreck alive.  The bodies of my shipmates lay scattered along the
+shore; and a long and arduous day was spent in burying them where they
+lay, in such shallow graves as I could scoop in the sand with the aid of
+a piece of splintered plank.  The beach was strewed with wreckage which
+had been washed over the reef and into the smooth water; and I was
+overjoyed to find amongst this the long-boat, perfectly uninjured.  In
+her I visited the scene of the wreck; and there, after diligent search,
+I found the means and a sufficiency of appropriate materials to enable
+me to fit her for a lengthened voyage.
+
+"I was more than two months on the island before my preparations were
+complete, for life was very enjoyable in that delightful spot, and I
+felt in no hurry to get away.  At length, whilst walking along the beach
+one evening, my attention was attracted to three or four pieces of old,
+worm-eaten, weather-worn timber, which I had often noticed before,
+projecting above the sand; and curiosity now impelled me to walk up to
+and examine them.  A careful scrutiny revealed to me that they formed
+part of the framework of a ship; and I resolved that I would return the
+next day and ascertain whether what I saw was merely a detached piece of
+wreck, or whether the entire hull lay there embedded in the sand.
+
+"The next morning I repaired to the spot, armed with a primitive
+substitute for a shovel, which I had contrived to manufacture, and an
+iron bolt, to serve the purpose of a crow-bar, which I had procured the
+previous night by burning it out of a piece of wreck.  I had worked for
+perhaps an hour, when I reached some planking, which I immediately
+recognised as the deck of the ship.  This I proceeded to clear of sand,
+uncovering the deck in an extending circle from the spot where I had
+first encountered it, until I had an area of about fifteen or sixteen
+feet laid bare.  And now I met with a breach in the deck; so instead of
+clearing away further, I began to dig down again; I toiled thus for four
+days, senor; by which time?  I had discovered that the wreck was that of
+a small vessel, of perhaps one hundred and thirty tons (though, small as
+she was, she had been built with a full poop); that she was a very
+ancient craft indeed; and that her cargo consisted of nothing but
+_gold_, senor, that is, with the solitary exception of a strong wooden
+box (which, even after so long an interment, offered considerable
+resistance to my efforts to open it), containing an assortment of what I
+took to be pebbles of different kinds, but which I afterwards found were
+unpolished gems.  Yes, senor; there lay the gold in ingots, each wrapped
+in matting, and each ingot as much in weight as I could well lift.  The
+matting was decayed in the first three or four tiers, and the metal
+discoloured almost to blackness; but towards the centre of the cargo
+(which is, probably, not more than twelve tiers deep altogether), the
+matting, though so rotten that it crumbled to dust as I touched it, had
+preserved the colour of the metal; and there it lay, bar after bar,
+gleaming with the dull yellow lustre peculiar to virgin gold.
+
+"I ballasted my boat entirely with ingots; selecting the most
+discoloured I could reach, so that they might be less easily
+recognisable as gold, and the risk I ran of being ultimately robbed of
+them reduced in the same proportion.  I also took a few of the pebbles
+(as I thought them) out of the box; after which I set to work to cover
+in the whole once more.  I completed my task by burning down the timbers
+which had at first attracted my attention (and which I found were a
+portion of her stern frame), so that nothing remained above the surface
+of the sand to betray the whereabouts of my treasure.  I then carefully
+marked the spot in such a manner that I could find it again; and
+completed my preparations for departure with all speed.
+
+"I had been at sea ten days, when I was taken ill.  Whether it was the
+effect of excitement or exposure I know not; but I fell into a raging
+fever, which left me almost at the point of death.  I was so weak that I
+had not strength to crawl to the water-cask; and the feeble efforts I
+made to reach it so exhausted me that at length I fell in a swoon to the
+bottom of the boat.  In this condition I was discovered by a passing
+ship, the crew of which took me on board; but, as a smart breeze
+happened to be blowing at the time, they would not wait to hoist in my
+boat; and she was set adrift with enough gold on board her to have
+purchased a principality.
+
+"Regrets were useless, and the loss, heavy as it was, troubled me
+little; I knew where to find sufficient to satisfy my utmost needs.  At
+length I reached home, and, by the merest accident, bethought myself one
+day of my pebbles.  I suspected they were valuable, or they would not
+have been found where they were.  Judge of my surprise when I learned
+that the four I had left (for I lost the rest somewhere) were worth a
+sufficient sum to enable me to do exactly what I wished; viz., buy a
+ship of my own.  I did so; and was on my way in her to my
+treasure-island, when the gale sprung up which has reduced me to my
+present condition.
+
+"And now, senor, I am about to put _you_ in possession of such
+information as will enable you to find my island.  It is in latitude
+about--S., and in longitude about--W., as nearly as I had the means of
+ascertaining; and is uninhabited, and, I should say, unknown; for during
+my entire stay there, I never observed one solitary sign of man's foot
+having ever pressed the soil.  You will readily recognise the island
+from the fact that it has a remarkable isolated group of seven cocoa-nut
+trees growing closely together on the extreme northernmost point of the
+island.  The central tree of this group, and one of the others, bears a
+mark (made by the removal of a piece of bark) as large as a man's two
+hands.  When you have identified these trees, walk away from them,
+keeping them _in one_, until you open, clear of the trees on the
+southern end of the island, a portion of the reef which you will observe
+just rising above the water's edge.  When you have done this, you will
+be standing, as nearly as possible, immediately above the hole in the
+deck of the wreck, through which I burrowed to her golden cargo."
+
+The Spaniard (for such I found him to be) then went on to describe the
+manner in which I should find the passage through the reef into the
+lagoon, giving me as much information as he could from memory of the
+various dangers to be avoided.  He had carefully prepared a chart of the
+channel before leaving the island; but this was on board the vessel he
+had just lost.
+
+I could see that the excitement produced by so much talking was
+fearfully reducing his strength, and I more than once endeavoured to
+persuade him to postpone the completion of his narrative, but he was
+sensible that he had but a short time to live, and so anxious was he to
+give me all the information necessary to enable me to discover this
+strangely buried treasure, that my endeavour to stop him did more harm
+even than the talking, so I was compelled perforce to suffer him to
+proceed.  And though I felt it my duty to urge him not to excite
+himself, I must confess that I was deeply interested to learn how I
+might become possessed of the wealth to which he had referred in such
+glowing terms; for since it was manifest that he could not live to enjoy
+it himself, and as he had declared he had no relative in the world, I
+thought I might as well become his heir.
+
+He continued to talk for some time longer, until he had explained to me
+everything he could think of which would facilitate my efforts to reach
+the buried treasure; and then, with a sigh of mingled exhaustion and
+relief, he closed his eyes, and seemed to sink into a half sleep, from
+which he roused himself at frequent intervals, to crave the refreshment
+of a draught of lemonade.
+
+At length the sound of carriage wheels was heard; and almost immediately
+afterwards Bob returned, accompanied by the Catholic priest.  The sick
+man opened his eyes, and feebly welcomed the good old man who had so
+readily answered his appeal for spiritual consolation.  I then retired,
+leaving them alone to engage in the most solemn rite appertaining to
+their religion.
+
+Rather more than an hour elapsed before I was recalled to the sick-room.
+When I stood once more at the bedside of the dying Spaniard, I saw that
+he had but a few minutes longer to live.  He was so weak, the clergyman
+said, that it was with the utmost difficulty he had succeeded in
+expressing his wish to see me again before he died.
+
+As I drew near his eye brightened, and a faint smile of welcome lighted
+up his face.  His lips moved, but so faint was the whisper which escaped
+them, that I was obliged to bow my face close to his ere I could
+distinguish the words.  With a painful effort he gasped, "Senor, promise
+me that, if you succeed, you will have two hundred masses said for my
+soul?"
+
+When I assured him that his request should be faithfully complied with,
+the contracted brow relaxed; the expression of anxiety vanished; and in
+its place a smile of satisfaction and perfect happiness slowly spread
+itself over the pinched and pallid features, where, the next moment, it
+was indelibly fixed by the hand of death.
+
+I have dwelt at such length upon this introductory episode of my story
+that I must now "turn the hands up and make sail" in earnest, for we
+have a voyage of many thousands of miles before us; and, like all
+thorough seamen, having once shipped for the voyage, we are impatience
+personified until the anchor is atrip, the canvas sheeted home, the
+watch set, and the lively little barkie dashing merrily away over the
+heaving billows, her snowy canvas gleaming in the setting sun, and the
+cliffs of Old England fast fading into purple mist astern.
+
+Volume One, Chapter III.
+
+BOB'S PROPOSITION.
+
+After we had reverently laid the Spaniard to rest in his alien grave, I
+gave my friend Bob a full and accurate account of all that had passed,
+showing him at the same time the copious notes I had, at the earliest
+opportunity, jotted down to assist and refresh my memory in case I
+should ever find myself in a position to seek the hidden treasure.
+
+But it is now necessary that I should introduce the _dramatis persona_
+who have already cast their shadows on the curtain; and this I will do
+with all possible brevity.
+
+"_Place aux dames_."  Ada Collingwood, my darling and only sister, was
+at this time approaching her seventeenth year, and was a dainty specimen
+of lovely girlhood just budding into still lovelier womanhood.  Her
+figure was petite, promising in due time to develop into the most
+faultless perfection of shape: and her laughing blue eyes and rich
+profusion of silky golden hair set off to perfection a face which,
+perhaps, no one would have dreamed of calling _beautiful_, any more than
+they would have dreamed of denying that it was charmingly piquant, and
+irresistibly _pretty_.  Her temper was equable; she was gifted with a
+rich flow of animal spirits, and a keen perception of the ludicrous,
+which would have upset the gravity of the most confirmed hypochondriac.
+
+Nevertheless, if occasion required it, her merry ringing laugh could be
+hushed, her joyous elasticity of movement could be subdued, and no one
+better than she could assume the _role_ of the sick-nurse, or the tender
+and sympathising confidante of distress.  And lastly, she adored, with a
+blind unreasoning idolatry for which there was no excuse, your humble
+servant, her unworthy brother.
+
+Of myself, it becomes me not to say very much.  I was just turned
+twenty-one: six feet high: and vanity whispered, in confirmation of my
+sister's energetic and oft-repeated assertions, a trifle more than
+moderately good-looking.  I was an only son (as my sister was an only
+daughter), and I had received my education at the Royal Naval School at
+Greenwich, with the understanding that I was to join my father on its
+completion, when he would continue and finish what is there so well
+begun, thus making me "every inch a sailor."
+
+On leaving school I joined my father (who was master and part owner of a
+fine dashing clipper), in the capacity of midshipman, and went some six
+or seven voyages with him: on the last of which, or rather a few days
+after its termination, I was seized with a violent attack of rheumatic
+fever, from which I had not recovered sufficiently to rejoin the ship by
+the time that she was once more ready for sea.  I was consequently left
+at home under Ada's care (my dear mother had been dead some years), to
+recover at leisure, and amuse myself as well as I could, until another
+voyage should be accomplished, and an opportunity once more offered for
+me to repossess myself of my quarters in the old familiar berth.  That
+opportunity never arrived, for at the time my story opens, my father had
+been two years "missing."  He sailed from Canton with the first cargo of
+the new season's teas, and from the moment that the good ship
+disappeared seaward she had never been heard of; not the faintest trace
+of a clue to the mystery of her fate having, so far, been discovered.
+
+Bob Trunnion was a middle-aged man, of medium stature, great personal
+strength, and no very marked pretensions to beauty; but he was as
+thorough an old sea-dog as ever looked upon salt water.  His visage was
+burnt to a deep brick-red by years of exposure to all sorts of weather;
+and his hair and beard, which had once been brown, were now changed to
+the hue of old oakum by the same process, except where, here and there,
+a slight sprinkling of grey discovered itself.  He had been a sailor
+almost all his life; having "crept in through the hawse-pipe" when he
+was only twelve years old; since when, by close application, and
+perseverance, he had gradually worked his way aft to the quarter-deck.
+He joined my father's ship as second mate, on the same voyage as I did,
+and on the following voyage took the chief mate's, berth, in place of a
+man whom my father was compelled to discharge for confirmed drunkenness.
+
+The last time that my poor father passed down Channel, outward-bound,
+Bob had the misfortune (as we thought it then), to fall off the poop and
+break his arm.  It was what the surgeons call a compound fracture, and
+certainly looked to be a very ugly one; so, as the ship happened at the
+time to be off Saint Alban's Head, my father ran into Weymouth roads,
+and sent Bob ashore to our house to be cured, and to bear me company;
+shipping in his stead the second mate, and picking up a new second mate
+somewhere about the town.
+
+Thus it happened that Bob and I, old shipmates as we were, happened to
+be both away from our ship when her mysterious fate overtook her.  As
+soon as we were both recovered, we sought and obtained berths, always in
+the same ship, for short voyages; returning home about once in every six
+weeks or two months, with the hope of hearing either that my father had
+returned, or that some news had arrived of him.  For the last twelve
+months we had abandoned the former hope, but the latter would probably
+be many years before it finally took its flight.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+This introduction and explanation are necessary to the understanding of
+what is to follow; and now, having fairly weathered them both, we may
+take up the thread of the story, and follow it out to the end without
+further interruption.
+
+I have already said that I took an early opportunity to give Bob a
+detailed account of the Spaniard's revelation to me.  This was on the
+evening of the day on which we laid the poor fellow in his grave; and I
+told my story while we and my sister were seated comfortably round the
+fire after tea, with the curtains drawn close, and everything made snug
+for the night.
+
+Bob listened with the utmost attention to my story (as did also my
+sister), occasionally requesting me to "say that again," as some point
+in the narrative was reached which he wished to bear particularly in
+mind; and when I had finished he sat for some time staring meditatively
+between the bars of the grate.
+
+At length, "Well, Harry, my lad, what do you intend to do?" said he.
+
+"That," replied I, "is just the point upon which I want your advice.  If
+this story be true--"
+
+"No fear about that," said Bob.  "It's true enough.  The thing's as
+plain and circumstantial as the ship's course when it's pricked off upon
+the chart.  There ain't a kink in the yarn from end to end; it's all
+coiled down as neat and snug as a new hawser in the ropemaker's yard;
+and besides, dyin' men don't spin yarns with no truth in 'em, just for
+divarsion's sake like."
+
+"Well," said I, "I am disposed, with you, to think that the story _is_
+quite true; the man could have no object in telling it if it were not
+so.  The question is, what is to be done in the matter?"
+
+"Done!" exclaimed Ada, "why, what _should_ be done, Harry, except that
+you go to this island, dig up the gold, bring it home, and live like a
+gentleman ever afterwards?"
+
+This was Ada's great ambition; that I should be placed in the position
+of a gentleman.  She had a theory--whence derived I know not--that it
+was my destiny to become a man of unbounded means; and that my life was
+to be passed in an atmosphere of splendour and luxury only equalled by
+that enjoyed by the most favoured heroes of the "Arabian Nights."  And
+this was an entirely disinterested feeling on her part too; for though
+she would often laughingly prophesy what would happen "when I should
+become a rich man," I never knew her to utter a word which suggested the
+idea that _she_ would in any way be a gainer by my acquisition of
+wealth.
+
+"More easily said than done, pet," replied I, patting her soft cheek.
+"What is to become of you whilst I am gone?"
+
+"Why, I shall stay here with Mrs Moseley (our housekeeper) until your
+return, and be the first to welcome you back," said she.
+
+"Well," replied I, "I think suitable arrangements for your comfort and
+safety could be made without much difficulty; but," said I, appealing to
+Bob, "how is this gold to be got at and brought home in safety?  I have
+not the means of purchasing a ship of my own; and if I had, do you think
+it would be safe to trust so much treasure with a crew, picked up though
+ever so carefully?"
+
+"Ah! now you 'pawls me," replied Bob, rubbing the back of his head
+reflectively.  "I've sailed with crews as you might ha' trusted with
+untold gold, at least I've thowt so at the time I was with 'em; but
+mayhap, if temptation was throwed in their way, they mightn't be able to
+stand out agin it; there's no gettin' to the bottom o' the heart o' man.
+As to the ship, that's easy enough.  If you ain't got the cash to
+_buy_, you can always _charter_?"
+
+"True," said I, "and if I could _make sure_ of finding a sufficient
+number of thorough good men, that is the course I should be inclined to
+pursue.  Do you think, Bob, that by diligent search we could find some
+six or eight really reliable men?  The craft need not be a large one,
+you know--"
+
+"There you've hit the solution of the enigmy, as the schoolmaster said,"
+replied Bob, bringing his clenched fist down upon my knee with an
+emphasis which impressed me for the remainder of the evening: "How much
+of that gold now do you reckon would make your fortune, lad? you're
+pretty good at figures; just cipher it up and let's hear?"
+
+"How much!" exclaimed I; "oh, a very small portion of the whole cargo
+would satisfy me if I had it here at this moment."
+
+"How much?" persisted Bob.  "Would a _ton_ of it be enough for you,
+boy?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," laughed I; "a ton of pure gold--why, what do you suppose
+that would be worth, Bob?"
+
+"Hain't much of a idee," replied he.
+
+"A ton of pure gold," said I, "is worth over one hundred thousand
+pounds, Bob; I believe one hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds is
+nearer it's value; though I cannot say for certain."
+
+"Then," said Bob, "if we can manage to get, say, a couple of tons of it
+home, you will be satisfied--eh?"
+
+"Perfectly," I replied; "but how do you propose to accomplish this?" for
+I saw he had a scheme to bring forward.
+
+"Nothing easier," replied Bob.  "Build a little craft big enough to
+accommodate the two of us; with room to stow away our grub and water,
+and the two tons of gold; and up anchor and away."
+
+"But," said I, "you forget that this island is somewhere in the Pacific.
+Such a craft as you speak of would be totally unfit for the voyage we
+contemplate."
+
+"Why?" inquired Bob.
+
+"Why?" repeated I, astonished at the question.  "Simply because we
+should never get across the Bay of Biscay in her, to say nothing of the
+remainder of the voyage."
+
+"Why not?" demanded Bob, rather pugnaciously.
+
+"Do you mean to say," I retorted, "that you can sit there and propose in
+cold blood such a hair-brained scheme as that we two should undertake a
+voyage to the Pacific in a mere _boat_?"
+
+"I do," replied Bob emphatically.  "That's a simple way out of all your
+difficulties.  The craft will be your own; there will be no risk of the
+crew rising upon us for the sake of our cargo; and nobody to say `What
+are we doing here?' or `What do you want there?'  Why, it will be a mere
+pleasure trip from end to end, all play and no work, leastways none to
+speak on!"
+
+"But, my dear fellow, _do_ be serious," protested I.  "You know, as well
+as I do, that we should be swamped the first time we fell in with a
+capful of wind."
+
+"Maybe we should, if we went to work like a couple of know-nothing
+land-lubbers," retorted Bob; "but if we went to work like seamen, as we
+are, I should like to know what's to purvent our sailing round the world
+if we like!  Answer me that."
+
+"Come, Bob, old man, let us hear the full extent of your proposition,"
+said I.  "I know that, whatever it may be, it will be the proposal of a
+thorough seaman, for if any one could carry out the wild scheme you have
+suggested, you are the man."
+
+"'Tain't such a very wild scheme neither," replied Bob.  "Answer me
+this.  How many people was saved from the _London_ when she foundered in
+the Bay of Biscay?"
+
+"Nineteen, if I remember rightly," replied I.
+
+"Very well; now if a small boat of about twenty-five feet long or
+thereabouts, _open_, mind you, from stem to starn, could live twenty
+hours with nineteen people in her, as the _London's_ pinnace did, in
+weather that the old ship herself couldn't stand up agin, how long will
+a full-decked boat of, say, thirty to thirty-five feet long, carefully
+constructed, and in good trim, live with only two men in her?  And
+warn't I," continued he, "nineteen days _alone_ in an open boat in the
+South Atlantic; and didn't I make a v'y'ge of a thousand miles in her
+afore I struck soundings at Saint Helena?"
+
+This last question referred to an adventure which had befallen Bob in
+his younger days, on an occasion when he had been cruelly deserted in a
+sinking ship by the rest of the crew, and had made his escape, as
+described by himself, after enduring unheard-of suffering.
+
+"Then," questioned I, "you seriously entertain the belief that the
+scheme you have suggested is practicable?"
+
+"With ease and comfort," replied Bob.  "Now look here, Harry.  You can
+afford to build a craft such as I have described, and fit her out for
+the v'y'ge, and still leave money enough at home to keep sauce-box here"
+(indicating Ada, who was to him as the apple of his eye) "comfortable
+and happy like till we come back.  You've a rare eye for a sea-boat, and
+mine ain't bad, for that matter; let's draught her out ourselves, since
+it's our own lives as we are going to trust in her; and if we don't turn
+out, between us, as pretty a sea-boat as ever floated, why, turn to and
+lay me up in ordinary for the rest of my days for a useless old hulk,
+that's all.  A boat thirty feet long, decked all over, and carefully
+designed, _can't_ sink, boy, because we can easily arrange matters so as
+to keep her dry inside; she'll ride as light as a gull and as dry as a
+bone when big ships is making bad weather of it, and as for the matter
+of capsizing, bein' run down, or cast away, why they're dangers as we
+are liable to in any ship, and must be guarded against in every craft,
+large or small; and our little barkie would carry comfortable all we
+should want for the v'y'ge, for we could touch here and there out and
+home to make good deficiencies, and we two are men enough to handle her
+in all weathers.  Rig her as a cutter, boy.  I was once't aboard a
+cutter yacht in a trip up the Mediterranean, and you've no idea what a
+handy rig it is, once you're used to it.  And the way them cutters 'll
+hug the wind--why 'twould make a difference of nigh on a couple of
+thousand miles, out and home, in the length of the passage."
+
+I began to be infected with Bob's enthusiasm.  The scheme, which had at
+first appeared to me as the very acme of fool-hardiness, now, under the
+influence of Bob's eloquence, gradually assumed an appearance of
+reasonableness, and a promising prospect of success, which was very
+fascinating.  Nevertheless, I could not but remember that the proposed
+voyage would take us into latitudes subject to the most frightful and
+sudden tempests, and I could not help thinking (as I pointed out to Bob)
+that our cockle-shell would stand but a poor chance in a cyclone or a
+black squall.
+
+"Look here, Harry, my boy," remarked Bob gravely, "as I propose to ship
+on this here v'y'ge as chief mate, I ain't likely to forget that there's
+such dangers as them you've just mentioned.  But suppose you was to cork
+up a bottle, or clap the lid on an empty biscuit-tin, and heave 'em
+overboard, do you think they'd live through one or t'other?  In course
+they would, because salt water can't get inside of 'em, and as long as
+they keep dry holds they'll float, let the weather be what it will, and
+so 'll our craft, for the same reason.  And when the weather's too bad
+to sail the barkie, we can heave her to, and when it's too bad for that
+we can _anchor_ her, my boy, go below, slide on the top of the
+companion, and turn in until the weather clears up."
+
+"But," said I, "we cannot anchor in the middle of the Atlantic.  Suppose
+we should be caught in a cyclone there, for instance?"
+
+"We _can_ anchor _there_, lad, with a _floating_ anchor, which will keep
+her head to wind; and with everything snug aloft and on deck, and a
+floating-anchor ahead with about sixty fathoms of cable veered out, she
+would ride out _in safety_ any gale that ever blew out of the heavens."
+
+This last remark closed the case, and secured a verdict for the
+defendant.  I _knew_ that every word Bob spoke was literally true, and
+the audacity of the enterprise so fascinated me that I resolved on the
+spot to undertake it, if it should be found, on going into details, that
+a craft, capable of being handled by our two selves, could stow away,
+without being overloaded, such provisions, etc., as we should need for
+the voyage.
+
+The following morning, immediately after breakfast, I got out my
+drawing-board, strained a sheet of paper upon it, and, with Bob at my
+side to give me the benefit of his opinion upon every line I traced upon
+the paper, set to in earnest to design the little craft in which we
+proposed to embark on our adventurous voyage.
+
+Before putting a line upon paper, however, we settled the plan of her
+internal arrangements.  It was our intention to make her lines as fine
+as her respective dimensions would permit; she was to be, in fact, a
+small _yacht_.  We knew that every vessel with sharp lines must
+necessarily be wet, unless the weights she would have to carry were all
+concentrated about her midship section, or broadest part, so we decided
+that as far as was practicable such should be the arrangement with us;
+and we knew that, if we could succeed in this, our barkie might be as
+sharp as we could make her, and still be dry and comfortable.  We
+accordingly prepared a list of our requirements, as far as we could
+think of them, calculated the space they and the ballast: would occupy,
+and then roughly sketched out the proposed lines.  These were altered,
+rearranged, and improved upon time after time, until at length we felt
+we had got them as near perfection as the dimensions of the boat and our
+own knowledge would carry us.  And I may as well say at once that
+throughout the entire voyage we never had the slightest reason to think
+our little vessel could be in any way improved upon by alteration.
+
+It is not probable that so long a voyage as ours will be often
+undertaken again in such a very small craft as we accomplished it in;
+but there are many men, I have no doubt, who would gladly receive a hint
+as to the most advantageous form for a small boat in which they might
+safely adventure, alone, or with a friend, a cruise, say round the
+British Isles, or across the Channel and along the French coast; and
+therefore, as this story is written for the amusement only of such
+people as love boats, I think I may venture to trespass so far on my
+readers' patience as to give such a hint in the shape of a brief
+description of the _Water Lily_, as Ada christened her.
+
+She was, then, thirty-six feet long, and twelve feet beam on the
+water-line; but, in designing her midship section, we caused her sides
+to swell out boldly _above_ water, so that her greatest beam was
+fourteen feet, at a point one foot six inches above the water-line.  At
+this point her side _tumbled home_ two inches as it was carried upwards
+to her deck, and from the same point the side curved quickly inwards and
+downwards until it met the water-line, when it swept under water with an
+almost imperceptible curve for some distance, and then took a moderately
+quick bend downwards to meet her keel.  This gave us a vessel in shape
+very much like the centre-board model of boat, but with a deep keel, and
+consequently great lateral resistance, and space low down in the hull
+for the stowage of ballast.  We thus secured a _very_ small
+displacement, a light buoyant hull, extraordinary stability, and a fair
+amount of _power_.
+
+The hull was divided into three compartments by bulkheads with wide
+doors which, if necessary, we could close _water-tight_.  In the _fore_
+compartment we decided to place _nothing_ except the smallest and
+lightest cooking-stove we could find.  In the midship compartment it was
+intended to stow our ballast, water-tank, provisions, the chain-cables,
+and in fact everything which we could possibly place there, leaving only
+a narrow passage amidships to pass to and fro.  The after compartment we
+intended to make our cabin, and there we arranged also to sling our
+hammocks.  It will easily be understood that there was not an inch of
+spare room anywhere; but as our lives would be spent almost entirely on
+deck, we did not mind that very much.
+
+Having designed our craft, the next question was, who should build her?
+Bob was strongly in favour of having her built in the town, so that we
+might oversee the laying of every plank, and the driving of every nail;
+but I knew there were firms who could safely be trusted to honestly put
+the best of work and material into the little vessel without being
+watched; and I determined to put her into the hands of a very celebrated
+firm of London boat builders.
+
+Accordingly, Bob and I ran up to town, taking my sister with us for a
+holiday, and on the morning after our arrival, having seen Ada safely
+disposed of for the day with some friends of ours, we two men set out
+for the building-yard.
+
+I placed our design in the hands of the principal, telling him at the
+same time that we wanted a boat of those dimensions, and, if possible,
+built on those lines, and that she was intended to keep at sea in _all_
+weathers.
+
+He looked rather surprised at the last stipulation; but after carefully
+examining the drawing, and asking us our reasons for certain little
+peculiarities of shape, he confessed that, as far as his experience
+went, he could frankly say he had never seen a model better adapted for
+the purpose.
+
+"And yet, gentlemen," said he, "she will be wonderfully fast, for, in
+the first place, her _hull_ is of such a shape that it will offer but a
+trifling resistance to forward motion; and, in the next place, these
+overhanging top-sides will give her such extraordinary stability, as
+soon as she begins to heel over, that you will be able to carry enormous
+sails."
+
+We were very glad to hear our own judgment thus confirmed by a man, part
+of whose business it was to form a correct opinion with respect to the
+points upon which he had touched, and we said as much.
+
+He took a great deal of interest in what must, after all, have been a
+very trifling matter to him; and both Bob and I had reason often
+afterwards to congratulate ourselves that we had confided the building
+of our boat to such good hands.
+
+He proposed that she should be _composite_ built; that is, that for the
+sake of lightness and strength combined, her frame should be of steel,
+with an inner skin of thin steel plate, and an outer planking of two
+thicknesses of mahogany.  The ribs were to be arranged _diagonally_,
+crossing the keel at an angle of forty-five degrees, and intersecting
+each other at right angles, thus converting her entire frame into a sort
+of lattice-work girder.
+
+It was arranged that all the fastenings of the inner thickness of
+planking should be of iron, whilst the outside planks should be secured
+with copper fastenings.  The utmost care was exercised (and, as
+experience proved, with complete success) to prevent the slightest
+approach to galvanic action, and one of the precautions taken was, I
+remember well, the painting of the inner planking with melted
+india-rubber, which was laid on coat after coat until there was about
+one-sixteenth of an inch of the rubber between the outer and inner
+planks.
+
+As we did not intend to sail until the following summer, the builder had
+about eight months in which to put our little ship together, a
+circumstance at Which he expressed great satisfaction, as he said it
+would enable him to pick and choose his materials, and put careful work
+into her.
+
+We arranged, at the same time, for the construction of a boat to take
+with us, as we felt that in the event of any untoward accident
+happening, we ought to have something to take to for the saving of our
+lives, and we knew also that there would be many occasions when we
+should require something to answer the purposes which a boat answers
+with regard to a ship.
+
+The designing of this boat was beset by difficulties, all originating in
+one, viz., want of space in which to stow her.  To think of carrying her
+on deck was out of the question, as the deck was not spacious enough, in
+the first place, to receive such a boat as we wanted; and even had it
+been, there was no chance of its remaining there; it would have been
+carried away by the first sea which swept over us.  We required
+something large enough to carry us both, and a stock of provisions in
+addition, so that should it be necessary to abandon the _Water Lily_, we
+might hope to reach land, or fall in with a ship.  We also wanted
+something that should be essentially a _life-boat_, whilst she should
+also be very fast.  How to obtain all these desiderata, and at the same
+time overcome the difficulty in respect to room, we knew not.  But,
+resolved not to be baffled, we set our wits to work, and at length
+schemed out a design of an exceedingly novel character, which proved in
+all respects a most brilliant success.
+
+Two hollow steel cylinders, of very thin metal, twenty-six feet long and
+one foot diameter in the centre, tapering gradually away to nothing at
+each end, were constructed in thirteen lengths of two feet each.  These
+lengths, being of different diameters, stowed one within the other, thus
+taking up very little room indeed.  In either end of each length was
+inserted a narrow band of metal thick enough to allow of a worm and
+screw, so that all the lengths of each cylinder could be screwed
+together perfectly water-tight.  A light steel framework of simple
+arrangement connected the two cylinders together, at a distance of six
+feet apart, with their centre lines parallel, and supported, at a height
+of two feet above the top of the cylinders a light stage ten feet long
+and six feet wide.  On the top of the stage, and connected with the
+framework, was a step for a mast, and a gammon-iron for a bowsprit, and
+underneath the stage was a centre-board which we could lower or raise at
+pleasure.  A broad rudder, fixed to the after-part of the stage,
+completed the design.
+
+We spent a fortnight in London, and, having witnessed the laying of the
+_Water Lily's_ keel, and inspected some of the timber which the builder
+proposed to use in her construction, I saw Ada safe home again, leaving
+Bob in London to look out for a ship, which, when I rejoined him a
+couple of days afterwards, he had found.
+
+We shipped in her for a voyage to Constantinople and Trebizond, which
+occupied us for eight months, and when we returned to London, on the
+termination of this voyage, we found the _Water Lily_ completed, with
+the exception of a few finishing touches, which the workmen were then
+giving her.
+
+Volume One, Chapter IV.
+
+OUR TRIAL TRIP.
+
+Mr Wood (as we will call him, for the sake of giving the gentleman a
+name) took us into his office, and there laid before us a sail draught,
+which he had carefully prepared for the guidance of the sailmaker, in
+making the _Water Lily's_ sails.
+
+"You have never told me, gentlemen," said he, "_why_ you are having this
+little craft built; but the great pains which you have taken in the
+preparation of her design, and the whole tenour of your remarks when
+giving us the order to build her, impressed me at the time with a
+conviction that her destiny is to be something beyond that of most
+vessels of her size.  As we proceeded with our work, I could not fail to
+be struck (as you will perhaps remember I was at my first glance at your
+drawing) with the fact, that whilst she is eminently calculated to prove
+a wonderfully fine little sea-boat, she is equally certain to develop
+most extraordinary sailing powers; and so great is the interest I take
+in her that I could not be satisfied with intrusting the preparation of
+her sail draught to any other than myself; for I foresee that she will,
+in all probability, become a `public character' so to speak, and in that
+capacity she will undoubtedly reflect great credit on her builders.  I
+have therefore calculated, with the utmost nicety, the proportion of her
+various sails, so that they may take effect to the greatest advantage;
+and this is the result of my labours," producing at the same time the
+drawing to which I have referred.
+
+I must confess that, for my own part, I was staggered at the enormous
+spread of canvas Mr Wood proposed to pile upon our little boat; but he
+declared that she would carry it with the greatest ease.  "In fact,"
+said he, "I have kept rather _within_ the limit of her powers, bearing
+in mind a remark you made to the effect that she would have to keep to
+sea _in all weathers_; and so confident am I that she is not
+over-sailed, that if you find I am wrong I undertake to bear all the
+expense of a new outfit of sails, and the necessary reduction of spars.
+With regard to your `boat' (though to my mind she looks much more like
+an ingeniously designed _raft_), the idea is so new that I cannot take
+it upon myself to utter an opinion about her, though I can see no reason
+why she should not be as fast as she undoubtedly is safe."
+
+We sent off the sail-drawing to Lapthorn of Gosport (determined to have
+the best made suit of sails it was possible to procure), with
+instructions to prepare them without delay, and then started off, by the
+first train, to Weymouth.
+
+I found my dear sister safe and well, and more lovely than ever; but her
+spirits were subdued by contemplation of the dangers attending the
+voyage upon which we were now so soon to embark.  The poor girl had been
+thinking of little else it seemed during our absence, until the
+liveliest alarm had taken the place of that confidence with which she
+had viewed the expedition when it was first broached.
+
+But Bob and I had talked matters over together in many a quiet
+night-watch, canvassing the various emergencies which might arise, and
+the best mode of meeting them; and we were now confident that, with only
+the ordinary perils of the ocean to contend with, our adventure was not
+only feasible, but that it would certainly be crowned with success.  And
+so we were well prepared to do battle with Ada's apprehensions, which we
+did so vigorously that we at length succeeded in restoring, in a great
+measure, the confidence she had lost.
+
+We arranged, after a considerable amount of discussion, that our own
+house should be let, furnished as it was, during my absence, and that my
+sister should take up her quarters with an aunt who resided on the
+Esplanade, Mrs Moseley accompanying her, with unlimited leave of
+absence from time to time to visit her own relatives.
+
+These arrangements completed, Bob and I set out for London again, to
+superintend the rigging of our boat and to bring her round to Weymouth,
+from whence we intended to take our final departure.
+
+On our arrival we found the little craft already in the water, with her
+mast stepped and her ballast (which was of lead, cast to fit the shape
+of her bottom) in.  A portion of her ballast, consisting of a piece of
+lead weighing five hundredweight, was let into her keel about the
+midship section, and this, with two tons of lead inside, we thought
+would prove sufficient, after our "cargo" was stowed.  Part of this
+cargo we intended to take from London with us, viz., the water-tank,
+filled, second suit of sails and flying-kites in the shape of spinnaker,
+jib-topsail, square-headed gaff-topsail, etc., also a four-pound rifle
+gun, with a stock of powder and shot, and a few percussion shells.
+
+These we decided to take in case of our being obliged to assume a
+warlike attitude towards any savages we might come into contact with, as
+we had heard that the natives of some of the Pacific islands are
+particularly ferocious, and require to be dealt with promptly.  We also
+provided ourselves with a couple of air-guns of improved construction
+and decidedly formidable character, four six-chambered revolving rifles,
+and the same number of revolver pistols, also a small but excellent
+chest of carpenter's tools, a medicine-chest, etc.
+
+But when these and our boat were all stowed away, there still remained
+more room than I expected in our midship compartment, and the little
+craft floated with her load-line nearly a foot above the waters edge.  I
+proposed ballasting her down to her proper depth with sand-bags, but Bob
+seemed anxious to test her sail-carrying powers light as she was, urging
+that though we should start well down in the water, she would lift as
+our provisions grew short; and it was desirable to know by experiment
+beforehand how far we could lighten her with safety.
+
+Our sails had arrived, and we proceeded to bend these forthwith, and set
+them; as the weather being fine, with light air, a very favourable
+opportunity offered for stretching them gently and uniformly.  We were
+as pleased with these sails as we were with the hull of our little
+craft.  They were perfect masterpieces of the sailmaker's art, the jibs
+being angulated, and the mainsail, square-headed gaff-topsail, and
+trysail being made with gored cloths.
+
+This latter arrangement was an extravagant one as to the amount of cloth
+used in the making of each sail, but we were more than repaid for it by
+the perfection of _set_ in the sails, which stood as flat as boards.
+Our storm-sails were made of stout canvas, and the fine-weather ones of
+American cotton canvas, a most beautiful material, extremely light, yet
+so close woven that not a breath of the faintest breeze was lost, and
+they were white as snow.
+
+Our standing rigging was of wire, this being lighter, and offering less
+windage than hemp-rigging of the same strength; but, in order to
+counteract its rigidity and give play to the spars, we adopted the
+expedient of connecting the dead-eyes to the chain-plates by a bolt and
+shackle arrangement, interposing a thick india-rubber-washer between the
+shackle and the bolt-head.  This plan answered most admirably, and I
+would strongly recommend it to all users of wire-rigging.  I am
+confident that, in a fresh breeze and a chopping sea, we gained fully a
+knot per hour in speed by it.
+
+Whilst our sails were stretching, Bob and I occupied our time in looking
+about us for a few things which we thought we could better obtain in
+London than anywhere else.  Amongst these was a couple of air mattresses
+for our hammocks, which, when fully inflated, were capable of sustaining
+the weight of three men each in the water.  Another article was a
+cooking-stove, the smallest, lightest, and most compact thing of the
+kind I ever saw.
+
+It had a boiler capable of heating a quart of water, and an oven large
+enough to bake a fowl, with kettle, saucepan, etc., for the top.  The
+grate proper was filled with fragments of some substance, the name of
+which I have forgotten, and underneath the grate was a sliding tray
+which held a six-wicked lamp.  The lamp being lighted and placed in
+position, speedily raised the substance in the grate to a state of
+incandescence, and there was our fire, which gave out a tremendous heat
+for the size of the grate.  As an aid to this stove, and an economiser
+of fuel, we purchased also a most extraordinary invention, which was
+named the "Norwegian cooking-stove" if I remember rightly.
+
+This was not a stove at all, though it performed the functions of one.
+It was simply a _box_, so constructed that it retained all the heat your
+dish might happen to contain when placed in it.  The mode of operation
+was to place your fowl or pie, or what not, in the oven until it was
+thoroughly hot through, then take it out, place it in the "Norwegian,"
+shut it up for two or three hours, take it out, and lo! your dinner was
+cooked to perfection.  The fuel which this affair saved us during the
+voyage would have bought a dozen of them.  We spent a week looking about
+for such things as these, and I am confident that, but for the economy
+of space which we were able to secure through the aid of these
+contrivances, our voyage must have come to a sudden and ignominious
+conclusion.
+
+At length we were all ataunto; sails stretched to perfection and
+properly bent, our _impedimenta_ all carefully and snugly stowed, and
+everything ready for a start.  At the instigation and through the
+kindness of some yachting friends of mine, I had been introduced to and
+was elected a member of the Royal--Yacht Club; so one fine morning
+towards the latter end of July we loosed our sails, set them, ran our
+Club burgee up to the mast-head and the ensign up to the peak, and made
+a start for Weymouth.  At the last moment Mr Wood, the builder of our
+little craft, came on board, saying that as he had nothing very pressing
+for the day, and was curious to see something of the way in which the
+_Water Lily_ behaved, he would take a passage with us as far as
+Gravesend, if we had no objection.
+
+We were only too pleased to have his company, and of course gave him a
+cordial welcome.  The moment he came on board we cast off our moorings,
+ran up the jib and foresail, and slid rapidly away from the shore.  The
+wind was moderately fresh from the northward, so we started under
+mainsail, foresail, and jib, but with the topmast lowered, as, being in
+very light trim, I did not think it advisable to run any risks by
+crowding sail upon the barkie.
+
+We found, as I had expected, that on an even keel she was crank, though
+hot to the extent I had anticipated; but as she began to heel over her
+overhanging topside supported her; so that, as the breeze freshened
+(which it did gradually), the more she lay down to it the stiffer she
+became.
+
+As our confidence in her stability and sail-carrying powers thus became
+established, we grew anxious to try her paces, and forthwith got her
+topmast on end, the rigging set up, and put the square-headed
+gaff-topsail upon her.  This was a very large sail for the size of the
+vessel, though, like the mainsail, it was not particularly high in the
+_hoist_; but both sails were very much peaked, the gaff-topsail so much
+so that the yard was almost straight up and down.
+
+With the setting of our big topsail an immediate and very marked
+improvement in speed became manifest.  Before this we had been darting
+along at a very respectable speed, passing some smart-looking schooners
+as though they had been at anchor; but now the little craft fairly
+rushed through the water, making it hiss and smoke under her sharp bows,
+and leaving a long wake of bubbles behind her.  She heeled over still
+more of course, but it was with a steady kind of resistance to the force
+of the wind which did finally away with any lurking fears we might have
+had that we were over-sparred or over-sailed.
+
+We hove our patent log, and found that we were spinning along a good
+eight knots through the water; and indeed we came up with, and passed
+with ease, several vessels which were being towed down the river.  Bob
+and I were enchanted, and Mr Wood scarcely less so; and when, shortly
+after luncheon, he stepped into the boat which he had hailed to put him
+on shore at Gravesend, he said, "I am sure the little craft will come
+with credit out of the ordeal through which you are going to put her,
+whatever it may be; so, gentlemen, I hope you will favour me on your
+return with a full account of your and her adventures."
+
+We took leave of him with a hearty shake of the hand, and a faithful
+promise that we would do so (a promise which I intend to fulfil by
+sending him a handsomely-bound copy of this "log" as soon as printed);
+let draw the fore-sheet, and resumed our course down the river.
+
+We met with no adventure worthy of record on our passage down, unless I
+except the amusement we derived from the chagrin of the crew of a French
+steamer bound to Havre, who, to their amazement, found that the little
+English yacht, by cutting off corners, skimming across shoals, and
+similar manoeuvres, was slowly drawing ahead of them; and though, after
+passing Sheerness, she gradually crept ahead of us at first, yet as the
+wind freshened, and we continued to "carry on" until the water was over
+our deck on the lee side half way up to the companion, we actually
+overtook and passed her, until, to escape an ignominious defeat, she set
+her own sails, and so drew away from us.
+
+By eight o'clock that night we were off the North Foreland, bowling
+along at a slashing pace, with our mainsail boomed out to starboard, and
+our spinnaker set on the port side, jib and foresail stowed.
+
+It was a glorious summer evening, and there was every prospect of its
+being a fine night; the aneroid evinced, if anything, a tendency to
+rise, and there was a good slice of the moon left, though he would be
+rather late in rising, so we determined to keep going all night.
+
+By ten o'clock we were flying through the Downs; and very ticklish work
+it was to thread in and out between the ships at anchor there and those
+beating up, without experiencing a jibe, but by dint of a sharp look-out
+we did it.
+
+By midnight we were off Dover, and here we took in the spinnaker, jibbed
+the boom over to port, and set our jib and foresail.  Bob wanted the
+spinnaker set again on the starboard side; but I would not agree to
+this, as, though we had both been on deck hitherto, he insisted on
+taking the middle watch alone, while I went below for a four hours'
+sleep, and I did not think it prudent to leave him alone with so large
+and unmanageable a sail.
+
+I wanted to take in the gaff-topsail also, but Bob would not hear of
+such a thing.  He insisted that she was under easy and manageable
+canvas, and that there was nothing like making a passage while we had
+the opportunity.  In this sentiment I fully agreed with him; but still I
+thought it better to err on the safe side, at least for the present,
+until we had become better acquainted with the capabilities of the
+craft.  But Bob was obdurate, and at last I had to give in and rest
+content with the assurance that he would give me timely warning if it
+should become necessary to shorten sail.
+
+When I came on deck at four o'clock I found we were just off Dungeness,
+and in the midst of an outward-bound fleet of ships of all sizes and
+almost all nations.  The wind appeared to have freshened somewhat during
+Bob's watch; but the morning was beautifully clear and fine; and, as our
+spars seemed to bear with the utmost ease the sail we were carrying, I
+thought we might venture to try the effect of a little extra "muslin."
+
+Accordingly, before relieving Bob at the tiller, I roused out our
+spinnaker again; and as we had hauled up a couple of points for Beechy
+Head just as I came on deck, I got it to the bowsprit-end and set it,
+with its sheet led aft to the main-boom end, in place of the jib, which,
+with the foresail, I stowed.  Bob then went below and turned in, first
+giving me strict injunctions to call him at "seven bells," that he might
+turn out and prepare breakfast, for it now appeared that he intended to
+unite the functions of chief mate and cook and steward, on the voyage we
+had just started upon so auspiciously.
+
+The substitution of the spinnaker for the jib and foresail made a very
+great difference in our rate of sailing.  When I first came on deck I
+noticed some distance astern a splendid clipper-ship, bowling along with
+every stitch of canvas set that would draw, up to skysails and royal
+studding-sails.  By the time I had got my spinnaker set she was abreast
+of us, about half a mile outside and consequently to leeward.  But _now_
+she was unable to draw away from us an inch, so great was our speed
+through the smooth water; and when Bob came on deck at "seven bells,"
+she still lay as nearly as possible in the same position with regard to
+us as when he went below.
+
+"Phew!" whistled he, as his eye fell on her, "so the big chap has found
+his match, has he, in a craft the size of his own long-boat.  My eyes!
+Harry, but this here _is_ a little flyer, and no mistake.  Why the
+post-office people 'll be wanting us to carry their mails for 'em if so
+be as they gets to hear on us, eh, lad?"
+
+Closing this remark with a chuckle of intense satisfaction and a leer at
+our big neighbour, Bob dived below again; and shortly afterwards a
+frizzling sound from forward, and an odour strongly suggestive of bacon
+and eggs, which was wafted upwards from the companion, informed me that
+he had entered upon the duties of the less dignified but equally
+important part of his combined self-appointment.
+
+We made a hearty breakfast off the aforesaid bacon and eggs, with _soft
+tack_ laid in the day before, and washed all down with some most
+excellent coffee, in the concoction of which beverage Bob was an adept,
+and then, as soon as he had washed up, and put matters to rights in his
+pantry, and made arrangements for dinner, I went below and turned in
+until noon.
+
+When I went upon deck again, I found that the breeze had softened down
+very considerably, and we were slipping along barely five knots through
+the water.  Our big neighbour, the ship, could do nothing with us in
+such light airs, and he was now a good six miles astern.
+
+During the afternoon, the wind dropped still more, and by eight o'clock
+in the evening we had little more than steerage-way.
+
+The water was absolutely without a ripple; our sails flapped, the
+main-boom swung inboard with every heave of the little craft over the
+long, gentle undulations of the ground-swell; and the different vessels
+in sight were heading to all points of the compass.
+
+It was, to all appearance, stark calm; yet there must have have been a
+light though imperceptible air, for on looking over the bows there was a
+smooth unbroken ripple stretching away on each side, showing that we
+were moving through the water still, though very gently; and the fact
+that the little craft answered her helm was additional testimony to the
+same effect.
+
+During the night a little air came out from off the land, and we mended
+our pace somewhat; but it was not until the following noon that we got
+fairly abreast of Saint Catherine's Point.
+
+About eight o'clock the same evening, the wind still being light, we
+were abreast of the Needles; about a couple of miles to the westward of
+them, and apparently steering pretty nearly the same course as
+ourselves, we saw a cutter yacht about our own size.
+
+By midnight we were abreast of Durlstone Head, and had gained so much
+upon the other cutter that we could make out that she had a large and
+apparently a very merry party on board.  Hearty peals of laughter came
+frequently across the water towards us from her, and occasionally a
+song, generally with a good rattling chorus.
+
+We continued to creep up to her, and at length got abreast of and so
+near her that, with the advantage of a good run, an active man might
+have leaped from one vessel to the other.
+
+As we ranged up alongside, a most aristocratic-looking man stepped to
+leeward, and, grasping lightly with one hand the aftermost shroud, while
+with the other he slightly lifted his straw hat in salute, he inquired:
+
+"What cutter is that?"
+
+"The _Water Lily_, Royal--Yacht Club," replied I.  "What cutter is
+that?"
+
+"The _Emerald_, Royal Victoria," answered our new acquaintance.  "You
+have a singularly fast vessel under you," continued he; "I believe I may
+say she is the first that ever passed me in such weather as this.  I
+have hitherto thought that, in light winds, the _Emerald_ has not her
+match afloat; yet you are stealing through my lee as if we were at
+anchor.  I presume, by the course you are steering, that you are, like
+ourselves, bound to Weymouth.  If so, I should like to step on board you
+when we arrive, if you will allow me.  I am curious to see a little more
+of the craft that is able to slip away from us as you are doing, in our
+own weather.  I am Lord --," he explained, thinking, I suppose, that we
+should like to know who it was who thus invited himself on board a
+perfect stranger.
+
+I shouted back (for we were by this time some distance ahead of the
+_Emerald_) that I should be happy to see his lordship on board whenever
+he pleased to come; and then the conversation ceased, the distance
+between the two vessels having become too great to permit of its being
+continued with comfort.
+
+It was now Bob's watch below; but the night was so very close that he
+had brought his bed on deck, and was preparing to "turn in" on the
+weather side of the companion for his four hours' sleep.  As he arranged
+the bedding to his satisfaction, he cast his eyes frequently astern to
+the _Emerald_, whose sails gleamed ghostly in the feeble light of the
+moon, which, in her third quarter, was just rising.
+
+"By George, Harry," exclaimed he, "if they _Emeralds_ bain't shifting
+topsails, I'm a miserable sinner!  Ay, there goes his `ballooner' aloft.
+His lordship don't like the looks of our tail, seemin'ly; but I doubt
+whether, in this light breeze, his big topsail will enable him to catch
+us.  My eyes! how we _did_ slip through his lee, sure enough!  Tell ye
+what, Harry lad; that topsail of our'n is a good un--a _rare_ good un
+for a reach, and in a moderate breeze; but we ought to have a
+`ballooner' for running off the wind in light weather--a whacking big
+un, with a `jack' as long as the bowsprit, and a yard as long as the
+lower-mast.  I'm beginning to think we are under-sparred and
+under-sailed."
+
+I could scarcely agree with Bob in this.  It is true that in fine
+weather we could carry considerably more canvas than we had; but I had a
+thought for the heavy weather also, and I knew that as soon as it came
+on to blow we should find our present sails quite as large as we could
+manage.  Nevertheless, I made up my mind that we _would_ have a
+balloon-topsail, as the voyage would be a long one, and it was possible
+that we might have spells of light winds for days together, when such a
+sail could be carried to the utmost advantage.
+
+Notwithstanding the change of topsails, we still continued to creep away
+from the _Emerald_, and when we let go our anchor in Weymouth Roads,
+about six o'clock the next morning, she was still a good three miles
+outside of us; the wind had, in the meantime, fallen away so light, that
+it was not until after we had breakfasted that she drifted slowly in and
+brought up close to us.
+
+Shortly afterwards, Lord--came on board, accompanied by two or three
+friends; and his astonishment was great when he found that we only
+mustered two hands, all told.  He noticed the absence of a boat from our
+decks, and inquired whether we had lost ours, and was still more
+astonished when we informed him that it was taken to pieces and stowed
+snugly away below.
+
+This led to a request that he might be allowed to see it; and gradually
+it all came out that we were bound on nothing less than a voyage to the
+Pacific.
+
+He was by no means inquisitive; his questions were merely such as one
+yachtsman would naturally put to another.  But we knew beforehand that
+it would be difficult to conceal the fact that we were not merely
+cruising for pleasure; so we had come to the conclusion that it would be
+best to put a bold face upon the matter, and state at once that we were
+going a long trip; and Bob had proposed that, in the event of any
+questions being asked, we should give out that we were going to seek for
+some traces of my father.
+
+To this I willingly agreed, as I really meant, if possible, to endeavour
+to find some clue to his fate; though I could not help acknowledging to
+myself that, if we _did_ make any discoveries, it would be by the merest
+accident.
+
+Lord--seemed to be singularly struck with the model of the _Water Lily_;
+the only fault he found with her being the deficiency of head-room
+below.  This fault, however, was inseparable from her peculiar shape,
+for, as I have already stated, she had a very shallow body, and a flat
+floor; and although she drew seven feet of water aft, her depth below
+her platform was entirely taken up with the ballast and water-tank,
+leaving only a height of four feet between the top of the platform and
+the under side of the beams; she was, in short, an exceedingly small
+craft for her tonnage.
+
+We went ashore in his lordship's boat at his invitation; and as I
+casually mentioned that I meant on the morrow to put our "boat" together
+and give her a trial, he very kindly offered to accompany us in the
+_Emerald_.
+
+My sister was, of course, delighted to see us both, and equally
+delighted to hear how thoroughly satisfied we were with our little
+vessel.  It was evident that she had not quite conquered her
+apprehensions on the score of our long voyage in so small a craft; but
+our eulogiums upon the _Water Lily's_ many good qualities were so
+enthusiastic, and the confidence we expressed in her sea-going powers so
+thorough, that Ada soon came to regard the voyage as in no degree more
+perilous than it would have been if undertaken in a vessel of four or
+five hundred tons.
+
+We did not think it necessary to point out to her that we should
+probably be exposed to many perils besides those of the sea; and so the
+dear girl became satisfied, and learned to contemplate our speedy
+departure with comparative equanimity.
+
+The next morning we made arrangements with a boatman for the hire of his
+punt during the short time that we intended to remain in Weymouth, as we
+wished our tubular boat to come into use only when we had no other to
+fall back upon.
+
+Having struck our bargain, Bob and I jumped into the hired punt, and
+rowed off to the _Water Lily_, which lay at anchor in the roadstead.
+
+It was necessary to pass close to the _Emerald_ to reach our own craft,
+and as we pulled under her stern, Lord--hailed us to know whether we
+still intended to make our trial trip, and, if so, how long it would be
+ere we should be ready.
+
+I replied that I hoped to be ready in about an hour, whereupon his
+lordship jumped into his boat to pay a visit to the post-office, saying
+he would be back in time to go out with us.
+
+As soon as we got on board the _Water Lily_, we got our tubes on deck,
+screwed the different sections together, and launched them overboard.
+The framework connecting the two tubes together, and supporting the
+stage or deck, was next fixed; then the deck itself, which was in three
+pieces, and so contrived that, when properly put together and laid in
+its place, a single bolt secured the whole immovably.  Our centre-board
+and rudder were soon in their places, and nothing remained but to step
+the mast and bowsprit, set up the rigging, bend sails, and be off.
+
+These latter operations took but a very short time, as every device had
+been adopted which would facilitate the boat's equipment; and, having
+timed ourselves, we found that our boat was ready and under weigh
+_within_ an hour of the time at which we had first begun to work at her.
+We considered this very smart work, but we hoped to shorten the time
+considerably after a little practice.
+
+We took a few turns in the bay, whilst the _Emerald_ was getting under
+weigh, and tried a few manoeuvres with perfect success.  There was only
+one thing about which we had any doubt, and that was whether she would
+_stay_ or no.  In the smooth water close to the shore (the wind was
+strong, from the south-west that day) she tacked beautifully,
+head-reaching a long way in stays; and later on in the day we found that
+in this respect rough water made very little difference to her, owing to
+the peculiar shape of her tubes.
+
+It was blowing a strong breeze from the south-west, as I have already
+said, and we took down a reef in our mainsail, whilst the _Emerald_
+started under trysail and jib, keeping her mainsail stowed so as not to
+run away from us.
+
+We intended to run out round the _Shambles_ light-ship and back; but as
+soon as I got clear of the bay, and from under the lee of the _Nothe_, I
+hauled sharp upon a wind to test the stability of my craft.  To my
+astonishment, she did not appear to feel the effect of the wind at all,
+except as it tended to urge her through the water.  She skimmed along
+very fast, but stood quite upright.  Under these circumstances we, of
+course, shook our reef out and bore up for a run away to leeward.
+
+The _Emerald_ could do nothing with us at this game, much to the chagrin
+of her noble owner; so she was obliged to in trysail and set her
+mainsail, whilst we hove-to and waited for her.  But even after her
+mainsail was set we had the advantage of her.
+
+She was a regular racer--long, lean, and deep in the water; whilst we
+floated entirely upon the surface, the tubes being exactly half
+submerged, as we noticed when we first started.  The consequence was
+that we skimmed along like a feather, whilst the _Emerald_ had to
+displace many tons of water with every foot of progress which she made.
+
+We passed through the opening in the magnificent breakwater which
+shelters the roadstead at Portland, and soon afterwards began to feel
+the heave of the Channel.  Our tube-boat rushed along over the crests of
+the waves with a very easy and steady motion, but the _Emerald_ started
+rolling; and as we drew farther off the land, and got more into the
+influence of the rough water, this rolling motion became so violent that
+her boom had to be topped up pretty high to prevent it from dipping and
+dragging in the water every time she rolled to leeward.
+
+Bob sat watching her attentively for some time, and at length--
+
+"Aren't this here _Emerald_ the little eight-tonner as took so many
+prizes last year in the regattas?" said he.
+
+I replied that she was.
+
+"Well," said he, "we beat her all to nothing in a calm, or next door to
+it, last night in the _Lily_, and I'm thinking we could run her under
+water in a breeze like this here, with such a jump of a sea as we shall
+get when we rounds to on our road back.  What's your idee, my lad?"
+
+"I think we could," replied I.  "She is so long and narrow that she must
+be a regular wet one close-hauled, as I expect we shall see shortly.  If
+I remember rightly, all her prizes were won in light winds or smooth
+water; and though I do not believe we could do anything with her in a
+staggering whole-sail breeze in _smooth_ water, I fancy we could give a
+good account of her in a Channel match.  But you must bear in mind, Bob,
+that the _Lily_ is the larger craft of the two."
+
+"That I deny," retorted Bob.  "Heavier we may be as to tonnage,
+accordin' to the way tonnage is measured; but she's got double our
+power.  I'll bet my 'lowance of grog for the next month to come that
+she's got good seven ton or more of lead stowed away under her cabin
+floor; whilst we've got two, besides the trifle in our keel; and
+_power_, as you know well, Harry, is what tells in a breeze.  Take us
+all round, and, in spite of our difference of tonnage, I reckon we're
+pretty much of a size, and consequently a very fair match, so far as
+that goes.  I should like to be alongside of her in the _Lily_ in such a
+breeze and such water as this."
+
+By this time we were close to the light-ship, still leading, and in
+another minute we shot under her stern and hauled up on the port tack.
+We now felt the full strength of the breeze, and I was somewhat alarmed
+to find how fresh it was blowing.  But we were as stiff as a house, and
+could have carried half as much sail again, had there been more to set.
+We lowered our centre-board just before hauling up, and now we found
+ourselves tearing along in a manner which perfectly astounded me.
+
+Our long, slender, pointed tubes appeared to offer no resistance
+whatever to our passage through the water.  The motion was delightfully
+easy and gentle, the tubes piercing the body of each wave, as it rolled
+towards us, without the slightest shock, and lifting us gently and
+easily over the cap of it just as it seemed upon the point of coming in
+upon our deck.  There was not an atom of spray; we were as dry going to
+windward as when running free.
+
+With the _Emerald_ it was very different.  Her huge mainsail was almost
+too much for her now that she was hauled close upon a wind; and as we
+looked astern, we could see her taking plunge after plunge, and sending
+her sharp bows clear through the seas at every dive, until her jib and
+foresail were wet half way up to their heads, whilst her lee-rail was
+completely buried in the boiling surge.
+
+Now that we were close-hauled, the _Emerald_ walked up to us, though by
+no means so rapidly as might have been expected.  There was no
+comparison between the powers of the two craft, yet, though we certainly
+dropped to leeward a little more than she did, it was _only_ a little;
+and the difference in our speeds was very trifling, considering the
+great difference in size between the cutter and ourselves.
+
+About a quarter of an hour after we rounded the light-ship, the
+_Emerald_ passed us close to windward.  She presented a most beautiful
+sight, at least to a nautical eye, as she swept by.  She was heeling
+over to such an extent that the water was up over her deck, on the lee
+side, nearly to the skylights and companion; and her immense sails were
+driving her so irresistibly through the short, jumping seas, that she
+had no time to rise to each as she met it.  Her bowsprit plunged deeply
+into the advancing wave, her sharp bows cleft it asunder, and then, as
+they rose through it, amidst a blinding shower of spray, the water
+shipped forward, rushed foaming aft and to leeward like a swollen
+mountain torrent, until it mingled with the water which flooded her
+decks to leeward.
+
+As soon as she was past us, her crew hauled down a couple of reefs in
+her mainsail, and set a smaller jib.  This, of course, relieved her very
+materially, and, if anything, rather increased than diminished her
+speed, as she kept sailing round and round us with ease, until we were
+well over towards Weymouth Roads once more, and it had become perfectly
+evident that we needed no looking after.
+
+As soon as he was quite satisfied of this, Lord--made the best of his
+way to the anchorage, and brought up, having had such a dusting as ought
+to have satisfied him for some time to come.
+
+As for Bob and myself, we were as pleased with our novel boat as it was
+possible to be.  She proved to be a perfect success in every way; and
+when we took the tubes to pieces to stow them away, we found that, so
+accurately had the joints been made, that not a drop of water had
+penetrated to the interior of either.
+
+One alteration, however, we resolved to make, and that was in the size
+of the sails.  The boat was stiff enough to carry much larger sails than
+we had provided for her; and as we did not know but that a time _might_
+come when speed would be a matter of the most vital importance to us, we
+determined to furnish her with sails as large as it was prudent to
+carry.
+
+We also decided to alter her rig somewhat, by substituting what is known
+among the initiated as a "sliding gunter" for a gaff-mainsail.  This
+gives you a mainsail and jib-headed topsail in one, whilst it does away
+with the gaff altogether, whereby you obtain a much flatter standing
+sail; indeed, when this sail is properly cut (and it is not a difficult
+sail to shape), there is nothing to beat it in this respect.
+
+Accordingly, we despatched an order to Lapthorn that night for the new
+suit of sails, and also for a balloon-topsail for the _Water Lily_, the
+dimensions of which satisfied even Bob, greedy as he was for canvas.
+
+Meantime, the remainder of our stores were ordered, received, and
+shipped, and ten days after our arrival in Weymouth Roads we had
+everything on board which we could think of as necessary or likely to be
+in any degree useful to us on our voyage.
+
+But when all was shipped, we found we had made a mistake somewhere in
+our calculations, and not only had rather more room than we expected,
+but our little craft still floated rather higher than her regular
+load-line.  We therefore took in half a ton more lead ballast, which
+brought her down to within an inch of her proper trim, and with that we
+determined to rest satisfied.
+
+Volume One, Chapter V.
+
+A GALE IN THE BAY OF BISCAY.
+
+On the evening of Wednesday, August 8th, 18--, having wished all our
+friends good-bye, and pressed my last kiss upon the lips of my sobbing
+sister, I ran hastily down the flight of stone steps before my aunt's
+front door, crossed the road, and walked briskly down the Esplanade
+until I overtook Bob, who had gone on before me; we then proceeded
+together to the New Quay end, found the man of whom we had hired our
+punt, paid him his money, and got him to row us on board the _Water
+Lily_.
+
+We had arranged to start at daybreak on the following morning; but as we
+pulled off to the cutter we remarked that there was a nice little breeze
+blowing from the westward, and as the evening was beautifully fine and
+clear, with the promise of a brilliant starlight when the night should
+have fully set in, the idea occurred to us both that we might just as
+well be getting on down Channel at once, as be lying at anchor all
+night.
+
+Accordingly, as soon as we got on board, we loosed and set our canvas,
+hove up our anchor, and in half an hour afterwards were slipping through
+the opening in the Portland Breakwater.
+
+In little more than half an hour after that we were clear of the dreaded
+Bill, when, noticing that a small drain of flood-tide was still making,
+we hauled our wind on the port tack, and stood in towards Bridport for
+an hour; then tacked again, and stood out towards mid-Channel, so as to
+obtain the full benefit of the ebb-tide, which by this time had begun to
+make.
+
+By "six bells," or seven o'clock, on the following morning we were
+abreast the Start, about six miles distant.  We stood on until eight
+o'clock, when we tacked again towards the land, having now a flood-tide
+against us, and had breakfast.
+
+By noon we were in Plymouth Sound, when we made a short leg to the
+southward until we could weather Rame Head; then went about once more,
+stretched across Whitesand Bay until the ebb-tide began to make again,
+and then again hove about and stood to the southward and westward, on
+the starboard tack.
+
+At six o'clock that evening we passed the Lizard lighthouse, distant two
+and a half miles, and here we _took our departure_.
+
+For the benefit of those who may be ignorant of the meaning of this
+expression, I may as well explain that the commander of a vessel _takes
+his departure_ from the last _well-known_ point of land he expects to
+see before launching into mid-ocean, by noting, as accurately as he
+possibly can, its compass-bearing and distance from his ship at a
+particular hour.
+
+With these data he is enabled to lay down upon his chart the exact
+position of his ship at that hour, and from this spot the _skip's
+reckoning_ commences.  The courses she steers, and the number of _knots_
+or nautical miles (sixty of which are equal to sixty-nine and a half
+English miles) she sails every hour, together with certain other items
+of information, such as the direction of the wind, the direction and
+speed of the currents, if any, which she passes through, and the state
+of the weather, the _lee-way_ the ship makes, etc., etc., are all
+entered in the log-book; and at noon every day, by means of certain
+simple calculations, the ship's position is ascertained from these
+particulars.
+
+The entering of all these particulars in the log-book is termed _keeping
+the dead reckoning_, and the working out of the calculations just
+referred to is called _working up the day's work_.
+
+This, however, only gives the ship's position _approximately_, because
+it is difficult to judge _accurately_ of the amount of lee-way which a
+ship makes, and it is not at all times easy to detect the presence of
+currents, both of which produce a certain amount of deviation from the
+apparent course of the ship.
+
+To correct, therefore, all errors of this kind, which are otherwise
+impossible to detect when the ship is out of sight of land, various
+observations of the sun, moon, or stars are taken, whereby the _exact_
+latitude or longitude (or sometimes both together) of the ship at the
+moment of observation is ascertained.
+
+This short lesson in navigation over, we will now rejoin the _Water
+Lily_, which we left at six p.m. off the Lizard, on the starboard tack.
+
+It was my "eight hours out" that night, and when I took the tiller at
+eight o'clock we were dashing along a good honest eight knots, under
+whole canvas and a jib-headed gaff-topsail.  The night was as fine as
+the previous one, but with a little more wind, and we were just
+beginning to get within the influence of the Atlantic swell.  There was
+no sea on, but the long, majestic, heaving swell was sweeping with
+stately motion towards the Channel, rising like low hills on either side
+of us as our little barkie sank between them, and gleaming coldly, like
+polished steel, where the moon's rays fell upon their crests.  But the
+little _Lily_ sprang gaily onward upon her course, mounting the watery
+ridges and gliding down into the liquid valleys with the ease and grace
+of a sea-bird, and without throwing so much as a drop of water upon her
+deck.
+
+The serenity and beauty of the night, the brilliancy of the stars which
+studded the deep purple vault above me, and the gentle murmur of the
+wind through the cutters rigging, combined to produce a sensation of
+solemnity almost amounting to melancholy within me, and my thoughts flew
+back to the beloved sister I had so recently parted with, wondering
+whether she was at that moment thinking of me, or whether we should ever
+meet again, and, if so, how long hence and under what circumstances; and
+so on, and so on, until I was recalled to myself by a sprinkling of
+spray upon my cheek, whereupon I awoke, in the first place, to the fact
+that the breeze had so far freshened that the _Lily_ was flying through
+the water with her lee gunwale pretty well under; and, in the second, to
+the knowledge that I had outstayed my watch a good half hour.
+
+I lost no time in calling Bob, and as soon as he came upon deck we got
+our gaff-topsail down and our topmast housed.
+
+I then went below and turned in; but I had time, before leaving the
+deck, to notice that we went through the water quite as fast (if not a
+trifle faster), now that our lee gunwale was just awash, as we did when
+it was buried a couple of planks up the deck in water.
+
+When Bob called me at the expiration of his watch, I found, on going on
+deck, that the wind had continued to freshen all through the four hours
+I had been below, and it was now blowing quite a strong breeze.  It had
+gradually hauled round to about north-west, too, which brought it well
+upon our starboard quarter, and we were flying along at a tremendous
+pace, with all our sheets eased well off.
+
+But although by this change we were running _off_ the wind, and
+consequently did not feel its full force, I decided to take down a
+single reef in the mainsail, and shift the jib; for there was a windy
+look in the sky that seemed to promise a very strong blow shortly.  I
+did not wish to disturb Bob when perhaps about half way through his four
+hours' sleep, so I got him to assist me in making my preparations before
+he left the deck.  And the promise was amply fulfilled as the sun rose
+higher in the sky, the wind freshening rapidly, but hauling still
+farther round from the northward as it did so.
+
+By the time that Bob came on deck again, at seven bells, to prepare
+breakfast, I had my hands full.  The sea was fast getting up, and I
+began to tremble for my spars and gear.  The glass had fallen rather
+suddenly, and altogether there seemed to be every prospect of a regular
+summer gale.
+
+Bob was of the same opinion as myself in this respect, so we decided to
+get everything snug and in readiness for the blow before thinking of
+breakfast.
+
+This was rather a ticklish job, for it was now blowing far too strong to
+round-to and shorten sail, and it required something more than
+freshwater seamanship to get our big mainsail in without getting into
+trouble.  But Bob seemed perfectly at home.  He set the
+weather-topping-lift up hand-taut, and took a turn with the lee one;
+then dropped the peak of the mainsail until the end of the gaff was
+pressing against the lee-lift; triced the tack right up to the throat;
+then let run the throat-halliards, and hauled down the throat of the
+sail by the tack tripping-line; whilst I rounded in upon the main-sheet.
+Then, by lowering away the peak, and carefully gathering in the canvas
+as it came down, we got our big sail snugly down without any trouble.
+This we carefully stowed and covered up with its coat.
+
+Next, Bob got the jib in, close-reefed the bowsprit, and set the
+smallest or _storm_ jib, with its sheet eased well off.  I hauled in the
+weather fore-sheet until it was just in the wake of the mast, and our
+little barkie was then left to take care of herself whilst we got the
+trysail bent and set.
+
+This done, we filled away again upon our course, with reduced speed, it
+is true, but very comfortably indeed.
+
+It was well we took these precautions when we did, for by noon that day
+it had hardened down into a regular summer gale, with a really
+formidable sea for so small a craft.  Still, we continued to run away
+very nearly dead before it, and that too without deviating from our
+proper course.
+
+I managed, with the utmost difficulty, in consequence of the violent
+motion of the boat, to get an observation at noon, by which I found that
+we had run, since six o'clock on the previous evening, a distance of no
+less than one hundred and sixty-four miles.  This placed us at about the
+entrance to the Bay of Biscay, which we were thus running into in a gale
+of wind.  Still, I did not experience the slightest degree of alarm: our
+little craft was behaving beautifully--_angelically_, Bob termed it, and
+really it almost merited the expression.  As she fell away into the
+trough of the sea, our low sails would become almost becalmed under the
+lee of the following wave; but as she lifted with it, the wind would
+again fill them out, and she would dart away again just in time to
+escape the mishap of being _pooped_ by its breaking and hissing crest.
+
+At four p.m. I again succeeded in obtaining an observation, this time
+for the longitude.  On working it up, we proved to be rather to leeward
+of our proper track; so we hauled up a point or so, and at six o'clock
+decided to try what she was like when hove-to.
+
+Watching an opportunity, we brought her to the wind on the starboard
+tack, first stowing our foresail, and found, to our great delight, that
+she rode like a gull.  Beyond an occasional shower of spray, she shipped
+not a drop of water, although the gale was still increasing, and the sea
+rising rapidly.
+
+We took a reef in our trysail, afterwards hoisting the gaff as high as
+it would go, so as to avoid, as much as possible, being becalmed in the
+trough of the sea, and then we were snug for the night.
+
+Bob was a veteran seaman, and I had been in many a heavy blow before
+this--in gales, in fact, to which this was a mere nothing, comparatively
+speaking; yet neither of us could help feeling impressed--and for myself
+I may say somewhat awe-stricken--at the sublimity of the scene as the
+evening closed in.  Hitherto, our experiences of gales of wind had come
+to us with a good, wholesome ship under our feet; but now we found
+ourselves face to face with one in a mere _boat_, little more than a toy
+craft.  The sea, though nothing like as high as I had frequently seen it
+before, now wore a more formidable aspect than I could ever have
+believed possible.  The hackneyed expression of "running mountains high"
+seemed strictly applicable; and I fairly own to having experienced, for,
+I believe, the first time in my life, a qualm or two of _fear_ on that
+night.
+
+The liquid hills, their foaming ridges as high as the top of our
+lower-mast, swept down upon us with an impetuous fury which seemed
+irresistible; and the effect was further heightened, as darkness closed
+around us, by the phosphorescent glare and gleam of their breaking
+crests.  But the _Lily_ rose lightly and buoyantly to each as it rushed
+down upon her, surmounting its crest in a blinding shower of spray, and
+then settling easily into the trough between it and the next one.
+
+The roaring of the gale, too, and the angry hiss of the storm-lashed
+waters, contributed their quota to the feeling of awe with which we
+looked abroad from our pigmy ark.
+
+But confidence returned after a while, as we watched the ease with which
+the little craft overrode the seas; and when I at length turned into my
+hammock, it was with a sense of security I could not have believed
+possible a couple of hours before.
+
+We hoisted a carefully-trimmed and brilliant lamp well up on our
+fore-stay as soon as night closed in, for we were in the track of the
+outward-bound ships going to the southward, and should one of these
+gentlemen come booming down upon us before the gale during the night, it
+would be rather difficult to avoid him.
+
+It was well that we took this precaution, for no less than five passed
+us in Bob's watch, and three more in mine, one of them coming near
+enough to hail; but what he said it was impossible for me to hear, the
+howling of the wind and the hissing of the water so close to me utterly
+drowning the words.
+
+I conjectured, however, that it was some inquiry as to whether we wanted
+assistance of any kind, and on the strength of this supposition I roared
+back at the top of my voice:
+
+"All right; very comfortable."
+
+A figure in the mizzen-rigging waved his hand, and the noble craft (she
+looked like an Australian liner, and was carrying topmast and lower
+stunsails) swept onward, and was soon afterwards swallowed up in the
+darkness and mist.
+
+The falling in with so tiny a craft so far at sea, and in a gale of
+wind, and the announcement that she was "all right and very
+comfortable," must have been rather a novel experience for them, I
+imagine.
+
+About noon next day the gale broke, and by four o'clock the wind had
+gone down sufficiently to justify us in making sail and filling away
+upon our course once more.  This we did by setting our reefed mainsail,
+foresail, and Number 2 jib.  The wind had continued to haul round too,
+and was now pretty steady at about north-east.  This rapidly smoothed
+the water down, so that we had a comparatively quiet night; and the wind
+continuing to drop, we shook out our reefs next morning at eight bells,
+and got the big jib and small gaff-topsail upon her.
+
+The evening but one following we got a glimpse of Cape Finisterre about
+six o'clock, and this enabled us to corroborate our position.  From this
+point we shaped a course for Madeira, and after a splendid run of seven
+days from the Lizard and eight from Weymouth we arrived at Funchal at
+half-past five o'clock on the Wednesday evening following that on which
+I took leave of my dear sister.
+
+As Bob was busy below getting tea, and I was stowing the canvas, a
+steamer came in with a flag flying, which, on taking a look at it
+through the glass, I recognised as the distinguishing flag of the Cape
+mail-boats, so I left everything just as it was, dashed down below, and
+penned a few hasty lines home, giving a brief outline of our adventures
+so far, and taking care not to lay too much stress upon the gale, whilst
+I was equally careful to do full justice to the _Water Lily's_ sea-going
+qualities, that my sister's apprehensions might be as much allayed as
+possible.
+
+As soon as I had finished and sealed the epistle I joined Bob upon deck
+to assist him in putting our novel boat together, which done, we pulled
+on board the mail-boat, where we were very kindly received; and I gave
+my letter into the hands of the captain, who promised (and faithfully
+redeemed his promise too) to post it on his arrival home.
+
+I afterwards found that he reported us also, so that the _Water Lily_
+duly appeared in the "shipping" columns of the various papers, and my
+yachting friends thus got an inkling of our success thus far.
+
+I shall not attempt any description of Madeira, or indeed of any other
+of the well-known spots at which we touched.  The places have been so
+often and so fully described in the many books of travel which have been
+written, that any further description, or at all events such description
+as I could give, is quite superfluous.  It will suffice for me merely to
+say that Bob and I spent three days stretching our somewhat cramped
+limbs in this most lovely island, and discussing which route we should
+take to the Pacific.
+
+We had often discussed this question before; but it was with a feeling
+of indifference which precluded our arriving at any definite and
+absolute decision upon the matter.  It was now, however, time that this
+point was settled, as it would affect our course soon after leaving the
+island, or, at all events, when we came to the Cape de Verdes.
+
+The eastern route would be much longer than the western; but I felt
+disposed to adopt it, in the belief that we should be favoured with much
+better weather.  I entertained a very wholesome dread of the "Horn"--the
+notorious "Cape of Storms."  Bob, on the other hand, was all for the
+western route.
+
+"I'm willin' to allow," observed he, "that a trip round the Horn ain't
+like a day's cruise in the Solent--all pleasuring; but I've knowed ships
+to come round under r'yal stunsails, and that more than once.  The place
+is bad enough; but, like many another thing, not so black as it's
+painted.  It's got a bad name, and that, we know, sticks to a place or
+to a body through thick and thin.  I've been round five times, twice
+outward-bound and three times homeward, and we always had plenty of
+wind; but only once did I round it in a reg'lar gale, and then, had the
+_Lily_ been there, I'll lay my grog for the rest of the v'yage she'd
+have made better weather of it than the old barkie I was aboard of.
+It's risky, I know; but so's the whole trip for that matter, though, so
+far, by what I've seen of the little craft, I'd as lieve be aboard _her_
+in a gale of wind as I would be in ere a ship that ever was launched.
+She's cramped for room, and when you've said that you've said all as any
+man can say ag'in her.  Besides, see how 'twill shorten the v'yage.
+Once round the Horn and you're there, as you may say, or next door to
+it.  And then, there's `Magellan;' if, when we get down about there,
+things don't look promising for a trip round outside of everything, ram
+her through the Straits.  I've been through 'em once, and an ugly enough
+passage it was too, blowing a whole gale; but there's _thousands_ of
+places where the _Lily_ would lie as snug as if she was in dock, but
+where a large ship dursen't venture for her life."
+
+I yielded, as I generally did in such matters, to Bob's judgment; and it
+was settled that the _Water Lily_ should brave Cape Horn with all its
+perils.  On the fourth day of our stay at Funchal we filled up our
+water-tank, made a few additions to our stores (among others, a small
+stock of the famous wine produced by the island); and towards evening
+stood out to sea again, with our main-boom well garnished with bunches
+of bananas and nets of various kinds of fruits; the wind at the time
+being light, from about east-south-east, with a fine settled look about
+the weather.  This lasted us for four days, and ran us fairly into the
+"trades," and on the third day following, just as the sun was dipping
+beneath the horizon, we sighted Saint Antonio, the westernmost of the
+Cape Verde Islands.
+
+The "trades" were blowing very moderately as it happened, and the
+weather was as fine as heart could wish, with a nearly full moon into
+the bargain, so we were able to carry not only a jib-headed topsail, but
+also our spinnaker at the bowsprit-end; and under this canvas the little
+beauty made uncommonly short miles of it, tripping along like a rustic
+belle going to her first ball.  We fell in with several homeward-bound
+ships, all of whom we requested to report us on their arrival as "all
+well."  So fine a run had we from the Cape de Verdes, that on the
+morning of the fifth day after sighting them we ran into the "doldrums"
+or region of calms and light variable airs which prevail about the line.
+
+Here our light duck did us valuable service, for though the wind soon
+fell so light that it became imperceptible to us, and not a ripple
+disturbed the glassy surface of the water, by getting our enormous
+balloon gaff-topsail aloft we managed to catch enough wind from
+_somewhere_ to fan us along at the rate of nearly three knots.  True,
+the breeze was very variable, our boom being sometimes on one side and
+sometimes on the other, sometimes square out (at least as far as the
+little air of wind had power to project it), and sometimes hauled close
+in as the flaws headed us, and broke us off two or three points one side
+or the other of our course.  But, in spite of the baffling airs, such
+good progress did we make, that by two o'clock that afternoon we were
+gliding slowly through a fleet of about forty sail of vessels which were
+so completely becalmed that they were heading in all directions, utterly
+without steerage-way.
+
+We reported ourselves to such as we passed within hail of, and finally,
+about four o'clock, ranged up alongside of and boarded a beautiful
+little barque of about three hundred and fifty tons, whose monkey-poop
+we saw full of passengers (some of whom were ladies), regarding us with
+die utmost curiosity as we approached.  She turned out to be from Natal,
+bound to London; and her captain (a perfect gentleman both in appearance
+and manner) not only promised to report us, but gave us a hearty welcome
+on board, and so cordial an invitation to dinner that there was no
+resisting it.
+
+Our story, or at least as much of it as we chose to tell (which was
+simply that we were taking the cruise partly as an adventure, and partly
+with the object of seeking intelligence of my father), was of course
+soon drawn out of us; and, naturally enough, it excited the liveliest
+astonishment in the minds of our hearers, and soon got all over the
+ship.  We excited some curiosity on board the other ships too, for no
+less than four captains lowered their boats and pulled alongside to
+learn where the pigmy cutter had sprung from.
+
+The little craft was regarded with the greatest curiosity and
+admiration, especially by the ladies (who are of course good judges of
+the model of a vessel), some of them declaring that they would be
+_delighted_ (with strong emphasis) to make a voyage in such a little
+_darling_ of a yacht.
+
+We mustered quite a strong party at the dinner-table, what with the
+regular party, the four visiting captains (who were also pressed to
+stay), and our two selves, and a very merry one withal.  _We_
+contributed to the dessert from our stock on the main-boom; and they
+only who have enjoyed it can say what a luxury is fresh fruit on the
+line, especially when one has been a long time on board a ship.
+
+The skipper produced unlimited champagne (of which, for a wonder, he
+still had a very fair stock) in honour of the occasion, and "a
+prosperous voyage, and success to the _Water Lily_" was drunk over and
+over again that evening.  We kept it up until nearly midnight, the poop
+being converted into a ball-room by merely hanging a few lamps in the
+mizzen-rigging; the orchestra consisting of one of the seamen, who
+played the concertina better than I ever heard it played before or
+since.
+
+The weather being as I have described it, with out any signs of a
+change, such a departure from the ordinary routine of the ship was
+permissible, and I have no doubt everybody on board was glad enough of
+an occurrence which gave such an excuse for breaking in upon the
+monotony of the voyage.
+
+Tedious enough they must have found it, for it appeared that they had
+already been becalmed five days, and had not altered their position as
+many miles; and there seemed every prospect of their being becalmed five
+days more, for the glass was as steady as if the mercury had been solid.
+
+At last we visitors made signs of moving.  The captains of the other
+vessels ordered their crews into their boats, and I was just about going
+over the side on my way to our small cabin to write a hasty line to Ada
+(our kind host having promised to post my letter for me immediately on
+his arrival), when a seaman stepped up to me, and with the usual
+nautical scrape of the foot and a respectful "Beg pardon, sir,"
+intimated a desire to speak to me.
+
+"There's a strange yarn going the rounds of this here craft's fo'c'sle,"
+said he, "about your bein' on a sort of v'yage of discovery a'ter your
+father, sir."
+
+I said, "Certainly; it was perfectly true."
+
+"Well, sir," said he, "maybe I might be able to help you in your search.
+It needs no prophet to tell that you are Captain Collingwood's son,
+when a man gets a fair squint at your figure-head, axing your pardon,
+sir, for my boldness; and if you'll just give me your word that nothing
+I may say shall tell agin me, I'll tell you all I knows about it, and
+gladly too; for I sailed with your father, sir, and a kinder skipper or
+a better seaman never trod a deck than he was, as I've had good reason
+to know."
+
+"_Was_?" exclaimed I, with a sudden sinking of heart.
+
+"And is still, for aught I know, sir; at least I hope so; there's no
+reason why he mayn't be still alive," replied the man, fully
+understanding all the meaning of my exclamation.
+
+"Thank God for that," replied I fervently.  "But why is this strange
+pledge required?  Surely, fellow, you will not have the temerity to tell
+_me_--his son--that he has been the victim of any foul play?  If so--"
+
+"Not on my part, sir, I'll take my Bible oath," said he.  "What I did I
+was _forced_ to do to save my own life.  Gladly would I have helped the
+skipper if I could; but what can one man do agin a whole ship's crew."
+
+"_Much_, if he have the will," replied I.  "I will give no pledge
+whatever, beyond this.  Tell me your story, and if I find you were
+powerless to prevent the evil which I begin to suspect has befallen my
+poor father, you have nothing to fear; but if I find that you have in
+any way aided--"
+
+"Never, sir.  If I could have had my will the skipper would not be
+where, I suppose, he is now; but you shall hear all I have to say, and
+then judge for yourself whether I could prevent anything that happened
+or no."
+
+Volume One, Chapter VI.
+
+THE FATE OF THE "AMAZON."
+
+The man who, in this unexpected manner, brought me intelligence of my
+father, belonged to the crew of one of the visiting captains' boats, and
+a word or two of explanation was sufficient to procure the delay in the
+boat's departure necessary to permit the fellow to tell his story.
+
+In order to be a little more alone, Bob (who was, in a few words, made
+acquainted with the facts of the case), the seaman, and I went down over
+the side to the _Water Lily's_ deck, when, as soon as we had comfortably
+bestowed ourselves, the man thus began:
+
+"You must know, gentlemen, to commence with, that I was shipped, among
+others, on board the _Amazon_ at Canton.  Dysentery was awful bad among
+the crews just at that time, and no less than seven was ashore from our
+old barkie bad, when she left.  Two chaps run as soon as she got in, and
+couldn't be found agin; so there was nine berths in the fo'c'sle to be
+filled when she was ready to sail.  As I was sayin', I was one of the
+new hands shipped.  Englishmen was scarce somehow just then, and the
+skipper had to take what he could get.  Consequence was, he shipped
+three Portuguese, a Spaniard, a Greek, two Frenchmen, and a Yankee,
+besides myself.  The third mate was ashore bad, and the second mate had
+died, so the Yankee (who seemed a smartish sort of chap) was made second
+mate, and one of the old fo'c'sle men was put into the third mate's
+berth.  When we got aboard, we found the hatches on, and all ready for a
+start, and that same a'ternoon we unmoored, and away we went.
+
+"We was the first ship as went away with any of the new teas, and the
+skipper was awful anxious for a quick run home.  We carried on night and
+day; but the weather was light with us, and we didn't get along half as
+such a smart ship ought to ha' done, for she was a reg'lar flyer, as
+perhaps you gentlemen both knows.
+
+"Well, we hadn't been out above a week when, whether 'twas worryin' at
+the light winds, or what 'twas I can't say, but the poor skipper was
+laid on his beam-ends with fever, and it took the chief mate all his
+time to prevent his jumping overboard.  However, it didn't seem to
+matter so much, so far as the ship was consarned, for the Yankee second
+mate turned out to be a first-rate navigator, and he in a way took
+charge of the craft.
+
+"Well, gentlemen, how it all came about, I can't say, for I never
+noticed anything wrong.  True, some of the chaps talked a bit queer to
+me at times; but I thought 'twas all a bit of a flam; but, howsomever,
+one fine night my Yankee gentleman and the new hands takes the ship.  At
+eight bells in the first watch, the watch below was called; and as soon
+as they came on deck three on 'em goes straight over and jines the
+mutineers without a word; so it was clear as 'twas all planned afore
+among 'em.  That left only three whites out of the plot--the Lascars had
+all been bribed or frightened into jining in with t'others--and, out of
+us three, two was lying on deck, lashed hands and heels together when I
+come up through the fore scuttle.
+
+"The minute my foot touched the deck, I was tripped up and secured
+before I was fairly awake, and stowed alongside of the two other chaps.
+Then my noble Yankee, he steps up and stands in front of us three, and
+he says, says he, `Now you chaps, you see how it is; we've got the ship
+and we means to keep her; and we've made up our minds to do a little bit
+of pirating; make our fortunes; and then cut the sea and live like
+gentlemen for the rest of our days ashore.  If you've a mind to jine us,
+well and good; if not, there's a plank sticking over the bows, and I'll
+be obliged to trouble you to take a short walk on it for the benefit of
+your constitooshuns.  You've got five minutes allowed to make up your
+minds.'
+
+"When the time was up, one of the chaps was unlashed, and the Yankee
+asks him what he intends to do.
+
+"`I'll walk that--plank, if I must,' says he; `but I hope I'm too honest
+to turn my hand to your--pirating,' says he.
+
+"`All right,' says the Yankee; `just as you please; there's no
+compulsion; only if you're so confounded honest,' says he, `you'll have
+to leave this here ship,' says he, `for we can't afford the room to stow
+away sich a bulky article as honesty.  That's your road, and a pleasant
+passage to ye,' says he, pointin' to the plank.
+
+"Poor Bill--I can see him now, it seems to me--he stood for about half a
+minute looking far away into the moonlit sky, thinking of his friends,
+maybe, if he had any; and then, without a word, he steps to the rail,
+puts his hands upon it, jumps up on to the top of the bulwarks, and next
+minute there was a splash alongside, and he was gone.
+
+"T'other chap was then cast adrift, and _he_ was asked the same
+question.
+
+"`I've sailed with Bill,' says he, `for nigh on six years, and never
+knew a truer-hearted shipmate, or a better seaman,' says he; `and since
+it _must_ be, here goes,' says he, `to take our last cruise in company.'
+
+"And he too jumps upon the rail just as Bill did, and, without waitin' a
+second, launches himself overboard a'ter him.
+
+"It was now my turn.  I'd been thinking matters over in my mind whilst
+all this was going on; and I'll confess I found it hard to make up my
+mind to die.  `Whilst there's life there's hope,' thinks I; `and it can
+but come to a launch over the side at last, if the worst comes to the
+worst,' so when they asked me what I intended to do, says I, `Tell me,
+first of all, what's become of the skipper?' says I.
+
+"`He's below in his bunk,' says the Yankee, `and the mate with him, and
+there they're welcome to stay so long as they don't interfere with us,'
+says he, `and I'll take good care they don't,' says he.  `But what's
+that to do with you?'
+
+"`Well,' says I, `I likes the skipper; he's been a good friend to me,
+and I couldn't be content to see harm come to him.  If you'll promise to
+shove him ashore all safe,' says I, `I don't mind taking a hand in your
+little game.'
+
+"`Very sensible indeed,' says the Yankee; `you've a darned sight better
+notions in your head than they two stupid cusses as has just gone over
+the side with nothin' to ballast 'em but their--honesty,' says he; `and
+as for the skipper--make your mind easy.  We've no grudge agin him; all
+we wants is the ship; and now we've got her, we means to put the skipper
+and the mate both ashore somewheres where they can be snug and
+comfortable like together, but where there'll be no chance of our
+hearin' anything more from 'em for the rest of their lives.'
+
+"And that's the way it was all settled," continued the man.  "I made up
+my mind I'd never do no pirating if I could help it; and I thought maybe
+if I stuck to the craft, I might be able to help the skipper a bit
+somehow, and if ever I got a chance, why, I'd make a clean run for it,
+and I reckoned I should find a way to do that the first port we touched
+at.
+
+"Well, as soon as matters was arranged, the Yankee takes the command,
+and makes the Greek chief mate; the watches was divided, the course
+altered, and away we goes to the east'ard, on the starboard tack, with a
+taut bowline and everything set as would draw, from the skysails down.
+One hand is told off from each watch to keep a look out in the cabin;
+and the steward has his orders to do everything he could for the poor
+skipper.  He had a hard time of it, poor man, for when he was getting
+better, and the truth couldn't any longer be kept from him, the mate
+told him what had happened, and the news took him so completely aback
+that he got as bad as ever again, and the wonder is that he didn't slip
+his cables altogether.  However, he managed to hold on to 'em, and at
+last the fever left him; but he was that weak he hadn't strength to turn
+over in his berth without help.
+
+"All this time we were going to the east'ard, or about east-south-east,
+with everything set that the spars would bear.  At last, about a month
+or maybe five weeks after the mutiny--I didn't keep much account of the
+time--we fetches up, all standing, one dark night, upon a coral reef,
+before we knowed where we was.  There warn't much sea on, and we
+happened to touch where there was nearly water enough to float us; so we
+bumped and thumped gradually right over the reef into deep water--at
+least about ten fathoms--on t'other side.  The well was sounded, and we
+found five feet of water in the hold; so, as there was land of some sort
+close aboard of us, the Yankee rams her straight on to it to save her
+from sinking under us.
+
+"When daylight broke, we found ourselves oh the sandy beach of a small
+island, with reefs all round us; but a space of about a quarter to half
+a mile of clear water everywhere between the reefs and the island.
+
+"The cargo was roused out, and the ship examined, as well as it could be
+done, to learn the extent of the damage, for the Yankee talked about
+careening her to repair her bottom; but we soon found that the job was
+too much for us.  So we stayed on the island about a week, fitting out
+the launch and the pinnace; and when all was ready, and everything
+stowed in the boats that it was thought we should want, we made sail to
+the nor'ard and east'ard; not, however, until the rest of the boats had
+been destroyed, and the skipper and mate made all snug and comfortable
+like in a tent ashore."
+
+"Then you were inhuman enough," exclaimed I, "to leave my poor father,
+sick as he was, on a desert island?"
+
+"He was better off there than he would ha' been with us," replied the
+man.  "The island was a first-rate spot, with cocoa-nuts and bananas,
+and lots of other fruits, no end; plenty of fresh water, and the bulk of
+the ship's stores to draw from.  It was a _lovely_ spot; lots of shade,
+pure air, and pretty nigh everything a man could want, what with the
+stores, and the fruit, and so on.  He _must_ have died, had we taken him
+away in the boats, for the sun beat down upon us _awful_, and the heat
+was reflected back from the surface of the water to that extent we was
+nearly roasted.
+
+"Well, we'd been to sea nigh on to three weeks, and was getting pretty
+short of water, though we touched at a couple of islands and filled up
+again, on our way, when one evening--there wasn't a breath of air
+blowing--we sighted a sail to the nor'ard of us.  She was becalmed, like
+ourselves.
+
+"The Yankee takes a good long look at her, or at least at her
+to'gallants'ls, which was all we could see, and then tells us he'd made
+up his mind to have a slap at the chap during the night.  We carefully
+took her bearings, dowsed our canvas, and pulled leisurely towards her.
+At last, when we thought we were beginning to near her, we muffled our
+oars, and then paddled on again, both boats within oar's length of each
+other.
+
+"We pulled for about an hour, and then waited for some sign of her
+whereabouts--for we reckoned we must be close aboard of her--but it was
+that dark you couldn't see the length of your nose.  After waiting a
+goodish spell--none of us speaking a word for fear of giving an alarm--
+we hears eight bells struck, somewhere away upon our port quarter.
+
+"We had passed her, so we pulled very quietly round and just paddled in
+the direction we thought she was lying.  In about five minutes the
+Yankee says, `I see her,' says he; and we stopped paddling.  The pinnace
+was hanging on astern of us, so's we shouldn't lose one another in the
+dark; and she was hauled up, the men in her told what to do, and the
+ship pointed out to them; and then we pulled away very quietly again.
+
+"By this time we could just make out a dim something towering up in the
+darkness, which we knew to be her sails.  In another minute our boat was
+alongside on her starboard quarter, and the pinnace on her larboard
+quarter; we shinned up her low sides, and before the watch on deck could
+rub their eyelids open, we had her.
+
+"She turned out to be a little Yankee brig, with a cargo of sandalwood,
+and was bound to Canton.
+
+"Some of her crew joined us, the rest--the poor skipper and the first
+mate among 'em--was hove overboard, and the sharks had a good meal.  She
+mounted four sixes, and had a well-stocked arm-chest, so that, with the
+arms we brought with us from the old _Amazon_, we was pretty well off.
+We mustered a good strong crew too--twenty-nine altogether, counting the
+Lascars--so, as the brig was a beautiful model, and, we soon found,
+sailed like a witch, our skipper decided to set up for a pirate at once.
+
+"Well, gentlemen, it kept stark calm for two whole days after we'd took
+the brig, and Johnson--that was the Yankee's name, Edward Johnson--he
+kept us all busy during that time disguising the craft, by painting the
+hull and spars afresh, and such like; and the carpenter he was sent over
+the starn on a stage to fix a plank over the name, on which he'd carved
+a lot of flourishes and such like, and the word _Albatross_, which was
+what Johnson had re-christened her, and by the time we'd finished, her
+own builder wouldn't have knowed her.
+
+"After everything was finished to his satisfaction, he calls us all aft,
+and tells us that he'd been thinking matters over, and he'd decided to
+take the ship to Hong-Kong, and get rid of the sandalwood there, and get
+a lot of things that was wanted to complete our outfit, and make us fit
+for a good long cruise.
+
+"Accordin'ly as soon as the breeze sprang up, away we goes, never
+falling in with anything as Johnson thought it worth his while to meddle
+with all the way.
+
+"We had a pretty quick run, for the brig sailed quite wonderful; and all
+the while I was turning over in my mind how to get away.  I intended to
+take the first chance as offered, as soon as we got in; but Johnson was
+a 'cute chap, none of us was let out of the ship any more'n he could
+help, and then only they as he knowed he could trust.
+
+"At last the cargo was out and the ballast in, the brig cleared for the
+South Pacific, and everything ready for sailing next morning, and I'd
+had no chance to get away, and I was beginning to think things were
+looking queer with me.  But I didn't give up all hope, for I knowed a
+chance _might_ offer at the last minute, if I was but ready to take it.
+
+"Some time during the night I woke up and went on deck for a minute or
+two, and found it as black as pitch.  There wasn't a soul moving in the
+ship.  I don't know where the anchor watch was, stowed away asleep
+somewheres, likely.  Anyhow, _I_ thought to myself that now was my
+chance, so, without waiting another minute, I climbs over the bows, and
+lets myself quietly down into the water by the cable.  As soon as I was
+adrift, I lets the tide take me, for I was afraid of makin' so much as a
+splash whilst I was near the ship.  I drifted astern for about five
+minutes, and then struck out.  I hadn't taken no bearings, and didn't
+know where the shore was; but I saw a few lights, and I shaped a course
+for them.
+
+"But after I'd swam about a matter of twenty minutes I found I was
+farther away from 'em than I was when I started; and then the thought
+flashed into my mind that the tide must be on the ebb, and that I was
+going out to sea.  I was so took aback that I went under.  But I didn't
+feel like giving up without I was obliged; so I struggled to the top of
+the water again, and then turned over on my back to think matters over a
+bit.  But I didn't find much encouragement that way; and I was beginning
+to think it was all up with me--'specially as I was getting pretty
+tired--when I heard a sound some distance away, like a coil of rope hove
+down on deck.
+
+"I started to swim in the direction of the sound, and after perhaps
+about five minutes I makes out something away on my port bow.  I gives a
+shout as loud as I could, and that sends me under again; so I soon found
+that game wouldn't answer.
+
+"However I stretched out as hard as I could, and got alongside; but
+there warn't nothing to take hold of, and she slips past me.  I was too
+done up to sing out again; but I starts to swim after her, when I
+strikes my head against something, and it turns out to be a boat towing
+astern.  I got hold of the gunnel, and managed somehow to get aboard,
+and then down I goes into the bottom of her, too exhausted to do
+anything.
+
+"I dropped off to sleep pretty soon, and was only woke up when the chaps
+came to hoist their boat in.
+
+"The craft turned out to be a coasting junk, bound to Shanghai, as I
+managed to make out, but not another syllable could I understand of
+their lingo or they of mine 'twould seem.
+
+"Blest if the very next night we wasn't run down by something or other--
+I never knowed what 'twas, for they hadn't the good manners to stop and
+pick us up.
+
+"The mainmast of the junk was knocked out of her in the smash, and I
+managed to get hold of it and lash myself to it, just in the eyes of the
+rigging.  The yard happened to be undermost, and so I had a pretty good
+berth.
+
+"I floated about on that--spar for four days and nights without a bit or
+drop of anything, and then my senses broke adrift, and I knew nothing
+more of what happened to me for some time.
+
+"When I came to myself I found I was on board a Dutch ship,
+homeward-bound.  It turned out that they passed close to my spar, and
+seein' me lashed to it they picked me up.
+
+"At least so I made it out; but I knew no Dutch, and there was only one
+chap aboard that thought he knowed English; but Lord bless ye,
+gentlemen, _I_ couldn't make top nor tail of what he said.  I managed to
+make out hows'ever that I'd had a narrow squeak of it, and that's about
+all.
+
+"By the time I was able to get about on deck again, we was well out in
+the Indian Ocean, and everything seemed going on all right; but, as it
+turned out, it was all _wrong_, for early one morning we makes land
+ahead, the wind bein' light and dead on shore.
+
+"The skipper hauled sharp up on the port tack to try and claw off; but a
+current had got hold of us, and away we sagged to leeward, do what we
+would, and at last we had to anchor.
+
+"By-and-by the breeze freshened; but we was in a very ugly berth, and
+the skipper didn't like to make a move.
+
+"However, we didn't have a chance to settle the matter for ourselves,
+for just about sunset the old barkie struck adrift, and, before we could
+get the canvas on her, she was in among the rocks and bilged.
+
+"We all got ashore, there bein' no great matter of a sea running, and,
+to make a long story short, was made prisoners by the natives.  What
+become of the rest of the hands I never knowed--they may be there yet
+for all I can say.  An old chap picked me out, and made a sort of
+servant of me, and, on the whole, I had pretty easy times of it.  I got
+to find out, at last, that I was somewhere on the island of Madagascar.
+
+"I stayed here nigh on two years, I reckon; but at last I got a chance
+to steal a canoe and slip off to a small craft that was becalmed in the
+offing.  She was luckier than the Dutchman, as we got a breeze off the
+land about an hour after I boarded her.
+
+"She was bound to the Cape, and there I left her, shipping the very same
+day in the craft I now belong to, and sailing for home the same
+a'ternoon."
+
+"Well," said I, as soon as the man had finished, "if your story is
+true--and I see no reason to doubt it--_you_ at least are blameless as
+far as the wrong done to my father is concerned.  The only question now
+is, whereabouts is the island on which he was left?"
+
+"Ah, sir," replied he, "that's more'n I can tell.  I _did_ hear Johnson
+mention the latitude and longitude of it once; but I'm blest if I can
+remember 'em now."
+
+I was determined, however, to get _some_ clue if possible, however faint
+it might be; and I took him into our little cabin, and spread a chart of
+the Pacific on the table.  Then I got him to recall, as nearly as he
+could, the courses and distances steered by the _Amazon_ until the time
+of her wreck.
+
+We managed to trace her as far as the north-western extremity of New
+Guinea, the man happening to remember hearing Johnson point out some
+land in sight as the Cape of Good Hope.
+
+This must manifestly have been the headland of that name on the
+north-west coast of New Guinea; but from this point he became
+bewildered.  He remembered passing a great many islands after sighting
+this headland, however, and was of opinion that the average courses
+steered were about south-east, and he thought it was nearly a month
+afterwards when the ship was lost.
+
+This placed the scene of the wreck on one of the islands in the large
+group in which we expected to find our treasure-island.
+
+I questioned the fellow until I found I had extracted really every
+particle of information it was in his power to give, and then, after
+rewarding him for his information, I let him go.
+
+As soon as he was gone, I wrote a hasty note to my sister, cautiously
+conveying to her the intelligence that we had obtained a faint trace of
+the _Amazon's_ fate; a trace which, I added, we intended to follow up as
+far as we could, and having sealed and addressed my missive, I hurried
+up over the barque's side, and placed it in her captain's hands, and
+then took leave of him with a hearty shake of the hand and many good
+wishes on his part that we might have a safe and pleasant voyage.
+
+It was time we were off, for a gentle breeze was springing up, and all
+parties were anxious to avail themselves of it to the utmost extent.
+
+As soon as we had once more got all our light canvas spread, Bob,
+instead of turning in as he had a right to do, it being his watch below,
+came and sat down beside me, and we began to discuss the strange story
+to which we had so lately listened.
+
+"It has enabled me definitely to make up my mind upon one point, which I
+will now confess has troubled me not a little," said I, "and that is
+your proposal to go round, the `Horn,' Bob.  Ever since we settled upon
+that route, I have been thinking of the great risks we must run by
+adopting such a course, and I really think that, but for this, I should
+have hauled sharp up upon the port tack as soon as we fell in with the
+south-east trades.  _Now_, however, I feel so anxious about my father,
+and his condition, that I would incur double the amount of risk, if need
+were, in order to reach the Pacific as soon as possible, and, Bob, we
+must find _him_ before we give a thought to the treasure."
+
+"Right you are," exclaimed Bob heartily; "and there's my hand upon it,
+Harry, my lad.  The treasure can wait; but it may be of the greatest
+consequence to the skipper to be found as soon as possible.  He may be
+ill, or tormented by a parcel of cannibal savages, or a thousand things
+may be happening to him to make it important for him to have a couple of
+trustworthy hands like ourselves added to his crew as soon as may be.
+So shove the huzzey's nose as straight for the Cape as she'll look, and
+let's get that part of the job over as soon as we can.  And as to the
+_danger_ of the expl'ite, we'll weather it somehow.  The little beauty
+has showed us already what she can do, and with a couple of prime
+seamen--which I take it no man will deny _we_ are--to handle her, take
+my word for it, she'll carry us round as safe as e'er a craft that
+floats."
+
+"There's another thing I've been thinking of within the last hour,"
+continued I.  "We talked of going into Buenos Ayres when we first made
+up our minds to take the route round the Horn; but even that short
+detention I should now like to avoid if possible.  Want of water is
+really the only cause which would _compel_ us to call there, though I
+confess I should like to write a line to Ada from thence, to let her
+know we had safely reached so far--"
+
+"As to the first," interrupted Bob, "I feel no consarn whatever.  We are
+pretty certain to fall in with heavy rains afore we get very far south;
+and if the wind happens to be light we can easily spread one of the
+sails so as to catch the water, and one good heavy thunder-shower would
+fill our tank for us, and as to letters, why, we shall perhaps have such
+another chance as this here that we've just had, and that disposes of
+the second difficulty.  If we _don't_ get any rain before, there's a
+splendid harbour on the southernmost side of the Gulf of Saint Matias,
+hereaway on our starboard bow, somewheres about two or three days' sail
+to the south'ard of Buenos Ayres, and we can fill up our water there.
+I've been into the place once, and a fine snug anchorage it is."
+
+This was a great relief to me, for in my present feverish state of
+excitement it seemed to me that any stoppage, unless absolutely
+unavoidable, would be more than I could endure.
+
+By this time it was Bob's watch on deck; but I felt that it would be
+utterly impossible to sleep if I turned in, so I insisted that he should
+go below instead, and, after some argument, he consented.
+
+In about ten minutes more, certain sounds arising through the companion
+told me that my friend was too thorough a seaman to be kept awake by
+excitement, and I found myself alone and at liberty to indulge in the
+new hopes which had so lately been awakened within my breast.
+
+Volume One, Chapter VII.
+
+THE SEA-SERPENT.
+
+The breeze, though it continued light and rather baffling at times,
+still held when the sun rose next morning; and on looking astern, I
+found that the homeward-bound ships had all disappeared; and of the
+outward-bound craft, our light heels had enabled us to get so far ahead
+that the topsails of the nearest were already dipping.  Of course light
+winds and smooth water made exactly our kind of weather; and the
+enormous spread of our lighter sails caused the little craft to slip
+through the water in quite an extraordinary manner, whenever we could
+show them.  There was just enough wind to barely ruffle the surface of
+the gently swelling ocean, yet our patent log told us we were going
+rather over six knots, mainly through the persuasive influence of our
+spinnaker and gigantic balloon-topsail.
+
+At noon our observations showed that we were nearly a degree south of
+the line; and I began to be sanguine that the breeze we now had would
+run us into the trades.  In this, however, I was disappointed; for about
+sundown the wind fell so light that we barely had steerage-way.  All
+night long it continued the same, and the greater part of next day; and
+for about sixteen hours I considered that we did not advance more than a
+knot per hour.
+
+Towards the close of that afternoon, however, when I came on deck to
+take the first dog-watch, Bob directed my attention to the appearance of
+the sky in the south-eastern quarter, announcing it as his opinion that
+there was a look of the trades about it.  And so it proved, for the
+breeze gradually freshened, and drew more round from the eastward, and
+by eight bells we were doing our nine knots, with a nice fresh breeze.
+
+This was doubtless the first of the south-east trade-wind; for by
+midnight it had so far freshened that, for the sake of our spars, it
+became necessary to take in our spinnaker and balloon-topsail, and to
+substitute for them the working jib and our jib-headed topsail.  Even
+this would have been deemed perilous sail for so tiny a craft by most
+persons; but we were by this time thoroughly acquainted with the _Lily_
+and knew that she would carry with ease all the canvas that her spars
+would bear.
+
+Nothing particular occurred for the next two days.  The wind held, and
+continued to blow with a force which was, for us, a good, staggering
+breeze, but without much sea; and we kept flying to the southward at a
+pace which left even my impatience no reason for complaint.
+
+On the second day after getting the breeze, we passed the Brazilian
+mail-boat near enough to show our number in the yacht-list, and to ask
+him, by signal, to report us "all well."
+
+The next morning it was my watch on deck until noon.  Bob had cleared
+away the breakfast, carefully washing up everything, and stowing it
+away; and had been in his hammock about an hour.
+
+I was enjoying the fresh beauty of the morning, and the exultant feeling
+excited by our rapid motion; and picturing to my imagination the delight
+with which my father would welcome the appearance of our snowy canvas--
+when we should heave in sight, when my visions were dispersed by a loud,
+cracking sound like the report of a rifle, from some distance away on
+our weather-bow.  I looked in that direction, and caught a momentary
+glimpse of some distant object whirling in the air, and immediately
+afterwards the sound was repeated.
+
+I stood up to get a better view over the low ridges of the sea, and at
+the same instant caught sight of what looked like a jet of steam rising
+out of the ocean.
+
+"There she blows!" exclaimed I, involuntarily aloud.
+
+Again up whirled the object I had before observed; again it descended,
+and again came the rifle-like report I knew in an instant now what it
+was.  An unfortunate whale had fallen in with his inveterate enemy, a
+"thresher," and had been forthwith attacked.  I could plainly
+distinguish the huge creature plunging along at a great rate, and at an
+angle of about forty-five degrees with our course; so that he was
+standing in such a direction as would take him across our bows.
+
+From the persistent manner in which he remained at the surface, I came
+to the conclusion that he had a second enemy to contend with in the
+shape of a sword-fish.  Indeed, the way in which he began to plunge
+about, soon put the matter almost beyond a doubt I was turning over in
+my mind whether I should call Bob to see this sight, when the whale,
+with a mighty effort, flung his huge bulk completely out of the water,
+to a height of, I should say, fifteen or twenty feet; and, sure enough,
+hanging to him was a large sword-fish, with his beak driven deep into
+the muscles about the root of the persecuted animal's tail.
+
+I shouted to Bob to come on deck at once, for we had neared each other
+so much by this time, that I had an excellent view of the combat.  And,
+moreover, it struck me that a slight deviation in the course of the
+combatants might bring them within extremely unpleasant proximity to the
+little _Lily_, and I thought it might be prudent to have Bob on deck.
+
+He was up in an instant, not waiting to perform the almost superfluous
+ceremony of dressing, and there we both stood, so intensely absorbed in
+the interest of the exciting spectacle that the little craft was almost
+left to take care of herself.
+
+The whale had got very nearly straight ahead of us by this time, and not
+more than half a mile distant Bob went forward, and stood leaning
+against the mast, to get a somewhat better view.  Suddenly, the chase
+bore sharply up, and dashed away at tremendous speed in exactly the
+opposite direction to that which he had been pursuing before.  Almost at
+the same instant Bob shrieked in a shrill unnatural tone of voice:
+
+"Luff!  Harry--luff! round with her for the Lord's sake!  Oh, my God!"
+
+Down went the helm, and up flew the little _Lily_ into the wind, and I
+was just stooping to let go the head-sheets (which led aft), when I
+caught a glimpse of Bob's face, white and drawn with horror, and his
+eyes--almost starting out of his head--staring fixedly at something
+apparently broad on our starboard bow.
+
+I looked, naturally, in the same direction myself, and never to my dying
+day shall I forget the frightful, appalling object which met my gaze.
+
+At a distance of not more than three cables' lengths from us, rushing
+through the water at a speed equal to that of a railway train, and
+lashing the water into foam with the rapid movement of his huge
+convolutions, a monstrous serpent appeared, darting towards the wretched
+persecuted whale.
+
+His vast head and fully twenty feet of his body towered nearly erect
+above the water, and I believe I am not exaggerating, nay, that I am
+_within_ the mark when I say that the remaining portion of his body, to
+the tail, was at _least six_ times that length.
+
+His head was shaped much like that of a python, and his enormous jaws,
+which he frequently opened, disclosed a formidable array of strong sharp
+fangs.  His body was of a deep dead brown, broadly marked with irregular
+stripes and rings of pale stone-colour; and he emitted a strong musky
+odour, which, even at our distance from him, was almost overpowering.
+
+Once, when he was closest to us, he turned his head in our direction,
+and for one dread moment he paused, seeming to gather his folds together
+as though about to dart upon us, and the bitterness of a frightful death
+thrilled through me.
+
+The next instant he sped on once more at still greater speed, and before
+another minute passed the whale was overtaken.
+
+The ocean was, for a single instant, lashed into the semblance of a
+boiling caldron, we saw a rapid whirling movement of the creature's
+enormous coils, and then followed the deep bellowing cries of the
+tortured whale, and the crunching sound of its crushing bones.
+
+During the minute or two which had passed since our helm was put down,
+the _Lily_ had been lying to on the starboard tack; our head-sheets
+still remaining fast on the starboard side.
+
+The seizure of the whale awoke me, as from a horrible nightmare, to the
+fearful peril to which we still remained exposed; and I jammed the helm
+hard up, and wore the craft sharp round on her heel until dead before
+the wind, when I eased off the main-sheet, and we hurried as fast as the
+wind would take us away from the spot.  As soon as we had got the _Water
+Lily_ round, and were fairly running away from our dangerous neighbour,
+we both, with one accord, turned a look astern, to ascertain the
+condition of things in that quarter.
+
+The serpent and the whale had both disappeared.  Doubtless the former
+had sunk with his prey to those profound depths which form his usual
+habitat, there to enjoy his meal undisturbed.
+
+"Well," at last exclaimed Bob, "I've been knocking about at sea now nigh
+on thirty year; and many's the strange sight these good-looking eyes of
+mine have looked upon in that time; but this here sarpent beats all.
+_I_ never seed the likes of the thing afore, and I don't care if I never
+sees it agin.  I've heern tell of such things bein' fallen in with,
+sartaintly; but I never could meet with a man as had actually seed the
+beast with his own eyes; and I put it all down as a yarn for the
+marines.  But seein' is believin'; and we've had a good look at him, and
+no mistake.  I'm quite satisfied; I don't want to see no more to make me
+a believer in sich things."
+
+"No," replied I; "it was impossible to make any mistake, with such a
+view as we obtained of the creature; and I shall henceforward be far
+more ready than I have hitherto been to give credit to the accounts
+which are occasionally published of such appearances.  I do not at all
+expect that _we_ shall be believed when we make known our adventure, any
+more than others have been; but that will not alter the facts of the
+case.  The almost universal scepticism with which announcements of such
+creatures' appearances are treated is, after all, not very difficult to
+account for.  They doubtless inhabit only the extreme depths of the
+ocean, and are probably endowed with the means of sustaining life whilst
+sunk for long periods--if not for an indefinite time--at those depths;
+it is easy, therefore (supposing such to be the case) to understand that
+it may be quite opposed to the creature's habits to appear at the
+surface _at all_; and that, when it does so, it will be--as, indeed, we
+have every reason to suppose--at very lengthened intervals; and then,
+probably, only in consequence of some unusually disturbing influence.
+The opportunities of seeing the reptile must necessarily, under such
+circumstances, be extremely few; and it is quite possible, or rather I
+should say, very likely, that many of its visits to the upper world have
+been entirely unwitnessed.  In the present instance, for example, no
+eyes but ours were witnesses of the scene which so lately took place;
+and had we been but a dozen miles from the spot, it would have passed
+unnoticed even by us.  And my observation of mankind, Bob, has led me to
+the conclusion that the race are extremely sceptical as to the existence
+of everything but what is _well_ known."
+
+"Very true, Harry, my lad," returned Bob; "you reels it all off just
+like a book, and therein you shows the advantages of larning.  I knows
+by my own feelin's how difficult 'tis to believe a thing a man don't
+understand.  But it seems to me, `to return to the practical'--as I've
+heard the poor old skipper say--that we might as well haul up on our
+course agin now; and I'll go and look after the dinner; for I shall be
+afraid to go to sleep agin for the next fortnight; that blamed old
+sarpent 'll ha'nt me like a nightmare now, if I so much as shut my eyes
+for five minutes."
+
+The sheets were flattened in, and the little craft's jaunty bowsprit
+once more pointed southward; whilst Bob dived below, and in a few
+minutes more a thin wreath of smoke issuing from the galley-funnel
+betrayed his whereabouts, and his occupation.
+
+Suddenly he reappeared at the companion, and with a serious countenance
+remarked:
+
+"I say, Harry, lad, I s'pose there's no chance of that devil,"--with a
+jerk of the thumb in the direction of our weather quarter--"getting a
+sniff of our dinner, and making sail in chase, is there?"
+
+I assured him that, in my belief, there was a strong probability that
+the serpent was, at that moment, perhaps _miles_ deep in the ocean,
+banqueting royally on the dead whale; and, seeing the reasonableness of
+this supposition, he retired, satisfied.
+
+Nothing further occurred that day to disturb us.  We continued to bowl
+away to the southward; and as we kept our canvas a good rap full, the
+little barkie tripped along a good honest nine knots every hour.  The
+weather was as fine as we could possibly wish, with every appearance of
+being thoroughly settled; and there seemed to be a good promise of our
+making an exceptionally rapid passage.
+
+It was my eight hours out that night; and when Bob relieved me at
+midnight the sky was as clear as a bell; and, though there was no moon,
+the stars were shining brilliantly, and with that mellow lustre so
+peculiar to the tropics.
+
+Bob declared he was glad to be on deck again, for he had been tormented,
+all his watch below, by "that villainous sarpent;" visions of which so
+disturbed his restless slumbers that it was a real comfort to have the
+craft to look after, and something to occupy his mind, I anticipated no
+such disturbing influence myself; for though I candidly confess I was
+awfully frightened at the moment, the effect had passed away almost with
+the disappearance of the monster; and the cool freshness of the night
+breeze had induced a feeling of drowsiness, particularly welcome to a
+man about to retire to his hammock.
+
+In less than five minutes I was fast asleep.  When I awoke, which I did
+without being called, I was surprised to find the sun streaming down
+through the skylight; and still more so when I observed that we seemed
+to have gone about during the night.  The _Water Lily_ was now certainly
+on the starboard tack; whereas, when I turned in, we were on the port
+tack.
+
+"It _can't_ be a change of wind, here in the heart of the trades,"
+thought I.  "What can Bob be about? and why has he allowed me to overrun
+my watch.  Surely the old fellow was not _afraid_ to come below, and
+turn in?  Hallo!  Bob ahoy! what's wrong on deck?" shouted I, springing
+out of my hammock.
+
+Just as I did so, I heard the mainsail fluttering, as though the boat
+had luffed into the wind; and at the same moment I caught sight, through
+the companion-way, of the vacant tiller swinging about.
+
+"Gone forward to shift the jib," thought I; and I jumped on deck to lend
+a hand.
+
+_Bob was nowhere to be seen_.
+
+"Good heavens!" exclaimed I, "what dreadful thing has happened?"
+
+I thought of the sea-serpent for one moment, but dismissed the idea the
+next, as being both too horrible and too unlikely.
+
+The creature could hardly have approached without giving Bob the alarm,
+which I knew he would have instantly communicated to me.
+
+At that moment my eyes fell upon the main-boom, and I missed the
+life-buoy which we kept suspended from it in readiness for any sudden
+emergency.  Bob then had gone overboard, taking the life-buoy with him,
+and that too upon an impulse so sudden that there had been no time or
+opportunity to arouse me.
+
+The _Lily_ was indeed hove-to, as I had observed when I first awoke; but
+it was with _both_ jib and fore-sheet to windward.  The probability was
+then that, on Bob quitting the helm, she had flown up into the wind
+until her head-sails were taken aback, when she would, of course, or
+_most probably_, pay off on the opposite tack, and remain hove-to.  This
+must necessarily have happened _at least_ four hours ago (it was now
+eight o'clock), because had Bob been on deck at eight bells, he would,
+of course, have called me.  And during all this time the boat had been
+sailing away from him, not very rapidly it is true, being hove-to, but
+probably at a rate of at least three knots an hour.  What might not have
+happened to the poor fellow in that time?  He was a splendid swimmer, I
+knew, having acquired the art on our last voyage, and well able to take
+care of himself in the water; and there was very little sea on.
+Besides, I felt pretty certain he had the life-buoy; and, with its
+assistance, I knew he could keep himself afloat in such weather until
+worn out with exhaustion from want of food.  But there were other perils
+than that of drowning; and, if attacked by a shark, what chance had he?
+
+These thoughts flashed through my mind whilst busily employed in taking
+the necessary steps to return in search of him, for I had no idea of
+continuing the voyage without making such a search, indeed it would have
+been impossible.  And my chances of success were not so meagre as might
+at first sight be supposed.
+
+In the first place, knowing how difficult it would be to see such an
+object as a life-buoy, even with a man in it, at any great distance,
+from so low an elevation as our deck, I had taken the precaution to have
+each buoy fitted with a contrivance for hoisting a signal.
+
+This consisted of a small bundle of jointed rods, which could be put
+together like a fishing-rod, and on the topmost of these was a white
+flag two feet square.  On the buoy itself was firmly lashed a step
+similar to the "bucket" (I believe it is called) in which a
+carriage-whip is placed when not in use by the driver.  The rods, taken
+to pieces, were securely lashed in a compact bundle to the buoy, and the
+bucket was a fixture.  Thus, if Bob had the life-buoy, he also had the
+means of indicating his whereabouts, and that, too, at a considerable
+distance.  And I knew pretty nearly in what direction I ought to steer,
+in order to take the most effectual means of finding him.
+
+Whilst hove-to, the _Lily's_ course or drift was, on the whole, as
+nearly as possible at right angles to the direction of the wind.  It
+only remained then to turn her round and keep the wind directly abeam,
+and I should be going back pretty nearly over the same ground I had been
+traversing since Bob went overboard.
+
+Accordingly, I lost no time in getting the _Lily_ round, when I once
+more hove her to, and went aloft to the cross-trees with my glass to see
+if the white flag were visible.
+
+A long and anxious scrutiny followed, but without any discovery.  I did
+not feel any very great disappointment at this, for I thought it very
+probable I was too far away to discover so small an object, even with
+the aid of my glass.
+
+Once satisfied that it was nowhere to be seen, I quickly descended to
+the deck, trimmed the sheets flowing, and away the little craft bounded
+over the bright flashing sea.
+
+I stood on for an hour exactly, when I once more hauled the fore-sheet
+to windward, and went aloft with my glass again.
+
+My first look was ahead, first with the naked eye, and then with the
+glass; but not a speck could I discern to break the monotony of the
+blue-grey of the sea, except an occasional curling foam-crest I next
+carefully swept the ocean from forward round to windward, thinking I
+might have run too far off the wind.
+
+Once or twice I thought I detected a flickering of something white, but
+it instantly disappeared again; and I was obliged to believe it was only
+the foam of a breaking wave.  I was about to descend once more to the
+deck, when it occurred to me to take a glance to leeward.  I once more
+levelled my glass, and swept it over the surface of the sea; but again I
+could see nothing.  I reluctantly closed it, slung it over my shoulder,
+and swung myself off the cross-trees to go down by the mast-hoops, when
+my eye was arrested for a moment by what I _knew_ at once to be the
+flag.
+
+Almost as I caught sight of it, I lost it again; and as the craft was
+constantly falling off or coming up again into the wind, I hardly knew
+exactly in what point to look for it.  However, I regained by position
+upon the cross-trees, levelling my glass, rather inconveniently, on the
+fore side of the topmast, to clear the topsail, and presently I caught
+it again.
+
+Yes, there it was, sure enough, about three miles dead to leeward; and
+what was more, I could not only see the flag, but also the buoy, and Bob
+in it.  He seemed to be waving his arms about in a most frantic manner,
+and making a tremendous splashing, doubtless, I thought, with the view
+of making his position more apparent, as, of course, he could see the
+cutter, and knew I must be looking for him.
+
+I slipped down on deck, quick as lightning, triced up the main tack just
+high enough to enable me to see under the foot of the sail; and squared
+dead away before the wind.
+
+Ten minutes afterwards I caught a glimpse of the flag right ahead, as
+the boat rose on a sea; and then I edged away, taking room to run up
+alongside him on the port tack with my head-sheets to windward.  I could
+now see Bob away on the port bow, every time the _Lily_ rose on the top
+of a wave; and he was still, to my great surprise, splashing away
+furiously; and now I caught the sound of his voice, shouting.
+
+"Surely," thought I, "the poor fellow has not become insane through the
+dreadful strain to which his nerves have been subjected!"
+
+A minute later the cause of his strange behaviour became apparent.  A
+dark object of triangular shape appeared, moving in narrow circles round
+the spot where poor Bob was floating; disappearing at frequent
+intervals, and then the splashing became more frantically vigorous than
+ever.  It was a shark that was thus blockading Bob, and the splashing
+was resorted to to frighten the creature from attacking him.
+
+I carefully measured my distance, and exactly at the right moment jammed
+my helm hard down, hauling in the main-sheet as I did so.
+
+The _Lily_ shot into the wind, just clearing the buoy by a
+hair's-breadth.  I sprang to the rigging, stooped down, and seized Bob's
+extended hand with mine as he came alongside, and then, exerting all the
+strength I could command, I fairly jerked him out of the water upon
+deck, just as the shark had apparently made up his mind to be no longer
+denied.
+
+With such impetuosity did he make his rush that his snout rose a good
+two feet fairly above our gunwale; and had not the impetus with which I
+jerked Bob out of the water been sufficient to fetch him clear inboard,
+the shark would have had him after all.  As it was, we got a glance into
+his open jaws, and at his six rows of teeth, the remembrance of which
+makes me shudder to this day.
+
+As the shark disappeared with a savage whisk of the tail, poor Bob
+turned to me; his lips quivered convulsively for a moment in an effort
+to speak, and then he fell to the deck in a dead faint.
+
+Two or three buckets of water dashed in his face, and a glass of neat
+brandy, however, soon restored him, and it was almost pitiful to listen
+to the poor fellow's heartfelt and reiterated expressions of gratitude
+for his rescue, "Ever since about half an hour after sunrise was that
+incarnate devil alongside of me," exclaimed he; "and hadn't it been for
+my seeing the cutter's sails, and knowin' as you was on the look-out for
+me, I _must_ have give in.  Human natur' couldn't hold out agin that
+sort of thing for long.  And now, I feel that weak and done up, that a
+child might pitch me overboard agin, if he was so minded, I do believe."
+
+The life-buoy came aboard again with Bob; so I unshipped the
+signal-staff and took it to pieces, made it up in a bundle once more,
+stopped it to the buoy, and slung the buoy itself in its old position on
+the boom.
+
+The cutter was still hove-to, and I allowed her to remain so, whilst I
+went forward to see to the breakfast, Bob meanwhile changing his wet
+clothes for dry ones, and hanging the former in the rigging to dry.
+
+I was still busy over the cookery, when Bob came into the forecastle,
+and observed:
+
+"I say, Harry, there's that spiteful devil still alongside, and with a
+most onchristian longing to make a breakfast off of your old shipmate,
+I'll go bail!  Couldn't we contrive somehow to put a stopper on his
+tormentin' purpensities?"
+
+"Ay, ay, Bob, old man!" replied I; "I think we may manage to do that
+without much difficulty.  You get one of the air-guns out of the
+beckets, whilst I look after this coffee--it's just on the boil--and
+we'll try the virtues of cold lead upon his constitution, and the powers
+of the gun at the same time."
+
+As soon as I could leave the coffee, I got a piece of pork out of our
+small harness cask, and lashed it to a piece of line, whilst Bob, under
+my directions, charged the gun.  This done, the pork was hung just
+outside the taffrail, and full in the shark's view, but not in the
+water; and I lay down on deck with the gun ready for my gentleman,
+should he make a rush.
+
+This, however, he seemed indisposed to do; eyeing the bait longingly,
+but keeping at a respectful distance.  Gradually this distance
+shortened, however, and he finally ventured close under the boat's
+stern, and within about three feet of the pork.
+
+I kept the gun levelled at him, aiming at his eye; and now, having him
+so close, and so directly under me, I thought there was little fear of
+the bullet being diverted from its proper direction by the water, so I
+fired.
+
+The lead sped true; the blood spirted from the creature's eye, and with
+a tremendous spring he threw himself backward, only to roll over on his
+back with a convulsive writhe or two ere he floated motionless and dead.
+
+"So much for bullyin' honest seamen when they has the misfortin' to walk
+overboard," observed Bob, eyeing the carcase with much complacency.  "I
+shall feel more comfortable like, now I knows as _your_ cruise is over
+for good and all."
+
+"Walk overboard, Bob!" exclaimed I.  "You surely do not mean to say you
+_walked_ overboard?"
+
+"'Twas little else, my lad.  But I'll tell ye all about it whilst we're
+getting our breakfast stowed under hatches; for I'll be bound you're
+longing to hear the rights of the story."
+
+"That indeed I am, old fellow; so come along below, and let us get the
+yarn and our breakfasts at once; I am longing for both."
+
+Having taken a look all round, to see that nothing was in sight, we went
+below and seated ourselves at the cabin-table, and Bob forthwith
+proceeded with his story.
+
+Volume One, Chapter VIII.
+
+BOB'S DREAM.
+
+"You'll maybe remember," commenced Bob, "that when I came upon deck last
+night to take my watch, I mentioned that I was glad enough to be out of
+my hammock, and away from the tormentin' dreams I'd had of that--
+sarpent!
+
+"Well, and I was too--I felt better and calmer like the minute I set
+foot upon the deck; and, as soon as you was gone below, I makes myself
+comfortable in the chair" (a low deck-chair in which we used frequently
+to sit whilst steering), "takes the tiller-rope in my hand, sets the
+little craft's course by a star, and starts thinking how pleased the
+skipper will be when he sees his son and his old mate turning up some
+fine morning at the anchorage which, I doubt not, lies just under his
+parlour window.
+
+"I got thinking and thinking, until it seemed to me as I could see the
+`old man' as plain as I can see you now, coming down between the trees,
+with his hand held out, and his face all smiling and joyful like, and I
+steps forward to give him a hearty shake of the fin, when all of a
+suddent he changes into that infarnal old sarpent, and at me he comes,
+with his eyes glaring, and his jaws wide open.
+
+"You may take your oath, Harry, I warn't long in stays.  Round I comes
+like a top, and away I scuds dead afore the wind; and he--the sarpent, I
+mean--arter me.  It seemed to me as the faster I tried to run, the less
+headway I made; and presently he was close aboard of me.
+
+"There was a great rock just ahead of me; and I makes a _tremenjous_
+jump to get behind it, when whack goes my head agin the main-boom with
+that force it fairly stunned me, and afore I could recover myself I lost
+my balance, and overboard I goes.
+
+"I felt myself going, and flung out my hands to save myself naterally,
+and by that means I managed to get hold of the becket of the life-buoy,
+which in course broke adrift from the boom, and came overboard with me.
+
+"Well, I didn't seem to know where I was or what I was doin' for a
+minute or two; and then the cold water revived me.  I slips my arm
+through the buoy, and takes a look round for the cutter.
+
+"I must have run her pretty nigh dead off the wind in my sleep, for I
+could see her almost straight to leeward of me, still standin' on, but
+comin' slowly to the wind.
+
+"She was a good quarter of a mile away from me, and I thinks as how I
+might still have a chance of fetching her agin, if she gets to luffing
+into the wind, and losing her way, so I strikes out a'ter her.
+
+"But, Lord bless ye!  Harry, you've no idea how the little hussy slips
+along, until you comes to be overboard, swimming in her wake.
+
+"It seemed to me as though she'd _never_ come to, and all the while she
+was walking away to the tune of a good seven knots.
+
+"At last when I rose on the top of a sea, I sees as she was in stays;
+and `All right,' thinks I, `Harry's come on deck and missed me, and he's
+comin' back a'ter me.'  But I soon saw as she'd run into the wind, and
+hove herself to, and that most likely you was still fast asleep in your
+hammock.
+
+"I next tried to cut her off by swimming in the direction that she was
+heading, but after about half an hour's hard tusslin' I knowed it was no
+use; she fore-reached upon me as if I was at anchor.  So I give the job
+up, and lay-to in the buoy for a rest, for I'd put out all my strength
+in chase, and was pretty nigh done up.
+
+"I knowed you'd miss me some time in the morning, and that you'd miss
+the buoy too, and I felt sartain that you'd come back to look me up, so
+I sets to work to get my signal-pole on end and the flag flyin', all
+ready for daylight.
+
+"I watched the little barkie fairly out of sight, and then I began to
+feel lonesome like, and I'll own that most oncomfortable thoughts came
+into my head about the sea-sarpent; but, strange as you may think it, I
+never give a thought to the sharks.
+
+"I thought as day were never going to break agin; but at last I sees it
+light up a bit away to the east'ard, and it got grad'ally brighter and
+brighter; and presently I sees the sun just showin' above the horizon.
+
+"Then I felt a little bit more cheerful and satisfied like, for I knowed
+you'd soon be stirring, and I should have you back on the look-out for
+me.
+
+"Of course I gave a good look all round as soon as there was light
+enough to see properly; but there warn't so much as a gull in sight, and
+away to the nor'ard and east'ard where I knowed you was, the sun dazzled
+my eyes so's I couldn't see.
+
+"Well, 'twas just as I'd caught a glimpse, as I thought, of the peak of
+the _Lily's_ gaff-topsail, that I sees, about fifty fathom away, the fin
+of that--shark scullin' quietly along.  I kept pretty still, you may
+swear, hoping he'd pass me.  But--not he.  Down goes his helm, and he
+takes a sheer my way, and I thought it was all up with me.
+
+"He ranged up alongside as quiet as you please, hows'ever, and just
+dodged round and round me, off and on, as if he didn't quite know what I
+was made of.
+
+"I expect it was the flutterin' of the flag overhead as he didn't
+understand; but, any way, he kept very quiet and peaceable for a good
+long spell, and I was beginnin' to hope he wouldn't have no truck with
+me.  And, to cheer me up still more, I sees the little _Lily_ coming
+back to look for her chief mate.
+
+"If you'll believe me, Harry, I'm of opinion that devil saw you comin'
+as well as myself, and that he knowed he'd have to make up his mind
+pretty soon, or lose me altogether, for he began to swim round me now
+tolerable smart, and presently he makes a dive.
+
+"I'd made up my mind what to do as soon as he took to that game; and I
+starts splashing hands and legs all I knowed, and shouting too, like
+fury; and presently he comes up again.
+
+"Well, the chap kept me that busy, I hadn't a minute to spare; and when
+you ranged up alongside I was that tired out I didn't know how to make
+another splash."
+
+"So much for going to sleep in your watch on deck, Master Bob," said I,
+as the mate brought his yarn to a conclusion.
+
+"Ay! more shame to me that I should ever have done such a thing,"
+replied he, greatly crestfallen; "but I lay the blame of the whole
+consarn, from beginnin' to end, on that--sarpent, though no amount of
+sarpents will excuse a man fallin' asleep in his watch, more especially
+when he has charge of the deck."
+
+"Well," said I, "you have been pretty well punished for your fault, old
+man, at all events.  But `all's well that ends well;' and I am heartily
+glad that you are so well out of the scrape.  And now, I shall insist on
+your going to your hammock for the rest of the day, and I'll take care
+of the craft.  In fact she will almost steer herself in this weather, so
+I shall manage very well indeed.  Only don't have any more dreams which
+will cause you to jump overboard, please, for I really cannot afford to
+lose you."
+
+The poor old fellow was so exhausted that, though he protested against
+the proposed arrangement, I could see he was glad enough to avail
+himself of it; and after a feeble attempt at remonstrance, he yielded to
+my persuasions, and turned in, and was quickly in a sound refreshing
+sleep.
+
+Nothing further of importance occurred for several days to break the
+monotony of the voyage.
+
+We continued to make good way to the southward, and ten days after
+crossing the line we lost the south-east trade-winds, and ran into a
+light southerly breeze.  As we still had a very fair quantity of water
+on board, and indulged in good hopes of getting rain enough, shortly, to
+fill our tank up, without the necessity of putting in anywhere, and as
+the chances were very great that, as we got farther to the southward, we
+should meet with westerly winds, I determined to stand to the southward
+and westward, close-hauled, of course, on the port tack, so that
+_should_ the wind come from the westward, as we expected, we should be
+in a good weatherly position; whilst, if we were disappointed in the
+matter of rain, we should have the land close aboard, and could run in
+and fill up.
+
+The southerly wind lasted us a couple of days, and then veered gradually
+round to about south-west.  As this broke us off considerably from our
+course, we hove the cutter about, and were then able to lie about
+south-and-by-east, a good rap full.  The wind now freshened
+considerably, and we had it stronger than at any time since leaving
+England, except in the gale in the Bay of Biscay, so that we were
+reduced to double-reefed mainsail, reefed foresail, and number three
+jib.  Under this canvas the little _Lily_ made very excellent weather of
+it, though the incessant showers of spray which she threw over herself
+necessitated the constant use of our macintoshes whilst on deck, and
+this we found extremely inconvenient, from their warmth.
+
+However, as we had been wonderfully favoured in the matter of weather so
+far, we had no right to grumble if we were now treated to a few of the
+inconveniences of such a voyage as ours.  Though still making very good
+way, we were not getting on so fast as we had been, our low canvas, and
+the heavy sea (for a craft of our size) which began to get up, not
+permitting us to do more than our seven knots.
+
+Still, this was remarkably good work, and we ought to have been
+perfectly satisfied; but the little barkie had stepped out at such a
+rattling pace all the earlier part of the voyage that we could not be
+contented with any reduction in speed.
+
+This lasted for five days, and then, about one p.m., the wind suddenly
+dropped altogether, and left us tumbling helplessly about without even
+steerage-way.  The sky had gradually become overcast, and the air
+suffocatingly close, and when I went below to look at the aneroid, I
+found it had gone back considerably.  This might mean only a
+thunderstorm, or it might mean something much worse, so we set to work
+to prepare for whatever might come.  The mainsail was stowed and the
+cover put on, the foresail hauled down and unbent, and the trysail bent,
+reefed, and stowed, to be set or not as circumstances might require.
+
+As it turned out it was only a thunderstorm, but it was a regular
+tropical one whilst it lasted.  The rain came down in _sheets_, without
+a breath of wind; and we not only filled our tank, but also every
+available cask, can, and empty bottle we had on board, and as this was
+done long before the rain was over (though the thunderstorm soon passed
+off), Bob and I stripped, and enjoyed to our heart's content the
+unwonted luxury of a wash from head to foot in the most deliriously soft
+water, after which we roused out our dirty clothes, and had a regular
+good washing-day.
+
+The rain lasted about three hours, and then cleared away as rapidly as
+it had come on, leaving the air beautifully fresh and pure, the sea
+beaten down until nothing but a long, lazy swell remained of the late
+breeze, and ourselves refreshed beyond description by our soap and water
+bath.  The sun came out again, clear and strong, drying our washing in
+about half an hour, and to complete the good work, a nice, steady wind
+from the north-east sprang up, and sent us bowling merrily along upon
+our course once more, with all our flying-kites aloft to woo the welcome
+breeze, the glass beginning to rise again immediately that the
+thunderstorm was over.
+
+Two nights after this, the wind still holding favourable, though rather
+fresher, so that our spars had as much as they could do, notwithstanding
+our preventer backstays, to bear the strain of our enormous spinnaker
+and balloon gaff-topsail, and the little _Water Lily_ flying along at--
+as our patent log told us--over thirteen knots, we dashed past a
+half-consumed hencoop, a few charred pieces of planking, and some
+half-burnt spars, all of which had the appearance of having been but a
+short time in the water.
+
+The spars were those of a ship of about a thousand tons; and we came to
+the conclusion that it was one of those melancholy cases in which the
+good ship, after perhaps successfully battling with a hundred storms, is
+made to succumb at last to that terrible foe to seamen, a fire, ignited
+by the merest and apparently most trivial of accidents.  But the reader
+will see, further on, that we had but too good reason to alter this
+opinion.
+
+We passed this wreckage about the middle of the second dog-watch, while
+Bob and I were discussing the propriety of shortening sail somewhat for
+the night; but as the breeze seemed disposed to grow lighter rather than
+otherwise, we decided to let everything stand for the present.
+
+When Bob called me at midnight, however, the wind had hauled so far
+round from the eastward that it became necessary to shift the spinnaker
+to the bowsprit-end; and this we accordingly did.
+
+The wind had fallen much lighter while I was below, it continued to drop
+all my watch, and when I turned out next morning there was barely enough
+of it to fan us along at about three knots.
+
+As the sun rose higher it died away altogether, and it was as much as we
+could do, through the day, to keep the cutter's head in the right
+direction.  This would have been wearisome work in the tropics; but we
+had been out of them for some days, and were getting well to the
+southward, and the air began to feel quite fresh and chilly at night; so
+much so, indeed, that for the last night or two Bob and I had found our
+thick pilot jackets a very great comfort.
+
+At last, by the time that tea was ready, the _Lily_ was "boxing the
+compass," having lost steerage-way altogether; so, as our big sails were
+no use, we took them in, and stowed them away, not knowing from whence
+or how strong the breeze might next come.
+
+We took a good look all round at the weather, and then left the _Lily_
+to take care of herself, whilst we went below to our evening meal.  This
+over, we both went on deck again to smoke our pipes, and have a chat
+until eight bells.  It may be thought that two men situated as we were
+would soon exhaust all available topics of conversation; but this was by
+no means the case.
+
+Bob, though he had no education but that pertaining to his profession,
+was a profound thinker, and he often amused and sometimes startled me by
+the originality of his remarks.
+
+He had knocked about the world a good deal, and had the knack of not
+only a quick observation, but also of being able to clearly and
+accurately recall what he had seen, and the impressions thereby produced
+upon himself.
+
+He was expatiating, on this occasion, on the charms of nature, of which
+he was an enthusiastic admirer, the subject having been suggested by the
+beauty of the sunset which we had both been watching, and I was
+thoroughly enjoying the rugged eloquence with which the scene had
+inspired him, when we were startled by a long, low, wailing cry which
+rang out upon the still air, apparently not half a dozen fathoms from
+us, making our blood curdle and our hair stiffen with, horror at its
+unearthly and thrilling cadence.
+
+We looked earnestly and eagerly in the direction from which the cry had
+seemed to proceed, but nothing was visible in that or, indeed, in any
+other direction.
+
+The sun had set, and the grey of evening was deepening over the glassy
+surface of the water; but there was still light enough reflected from
+the sky to have enabled us to see any object within sight almost as
+distinctly as in broad day, but not an object of any description could
+we see, not even a solitary albatross.
+
+We had carefully scanned, as far as was possible, the entire visible
+surface of the ocean, and had turned inquiringly towards each other,
+when once more rang out that mysterious cry, this time apparently close
+under our stern.
+
+We turned, unutterably horror-stricken, in that direction, but there was
+_nothing_.  Seamen are, as a rule, as brave as lions; but anything
+mysterious and unaccountable completely cowes them, and such, I confess,
+was now the case with us.
+
+The cry was too sharp and loud to have proceeded from any distance; and
+there was no visible explanation of it.  It was not repeated a third
+time, I am happy to say; and I wish never to hear anything like it
+again.  What it was, or whence it came, we never knew, and I was, and am
+to this day, utterly unable to account for it.  I have since been
+informed that such sounds have occasionally been heard at sea by others
+as well as ourselves, but never with the result of any discovery as to
+their origin.
+
+During the next three days we had nothing but light variable winds, and
+calms.
+
+On the morning of the fourth day, at daybreak, we made a sail directly
+ahead.  At this time we had a nice little breeze, and were going about
+six knots.
+
+As we neared her, we noticed that she was hove-to, her courses brailed
+up, and her topgallant yards on the caps.  When close to her, it struck
+us that something must be the matter on board, for not a soul could we
+see about her decks.  The vessel herself too--a full-rigged ship of
+about fourteen hundred tons--struck us as being unusually deep in the
+water.  There being no sea on, we decided to run alongside and board
+her, thinking she might possibly prove derelict.  We did so,
+accordingly, rounding to under her stern, and ranging up alongside on
+her lee quarter; having first, however, taken in our gaff-topsail and
+lowered our topmast, so as not to foul her rigging.
+
+As we came gently alongside, an exclamation escaped Bob, who was
+standing forward, ready to heave a line on board or jump up the side
+with it, according to circumstances.
+
+"Here's been some cursed foul play here, by the look of it, Harry,"
+exclaimed he; "mutiny and murder, I should judge, by this," pointing to
+the scuppers of the ship, from which blood had evidently been flowing,
+large semi-coagulated gouts still adhering to the sides of the vessel,
+and about the mouths of the scupper-holes.  The vessel being, as I have
+said, very low in the water, we had no difficulty whatever in boarding
+her; both, springing up the side at the same moment, each with the end
+of a line in our hands.
+
+Good heavens! what a sight met our horrified gaze as we leaped down upon
+the ship's deck!
+
+Some three or four and twenty corpses lay there, with the blood still
+slowly oozing in a few instances from wounds in various parts of their
+bodies.
+
+The wounds were mostly inflicted by cutlasses and pistol-shots; but two
+of the bodies, apparently those of officers, had the heads almost
+severed from the trunks, the gashes having been evidently inflicted by a
+keener weapon than a ship's cutlass.  These bodies had the arms lashed
+tightly behind the back.
+
+Too horror-stricken to speak a word, I walked aft, Bob following me, and
+entered the cabin, which was on deck, and from which I thought I heard a
+groan issuing.  On entering, the first object I saw was the body of a
+young man, about four and twenty years of age, lying close across the
+doorway, and covered with wounds.  His left arm was almost completely
+cut through; a long gash had laid his forehead open from above the right
+temple to the left eyebrow; a pistol-bullet had entered his forehead
+nearly fair between the eyes; and blood had evidently flowed copiously
+from his right breast.  This body lay across three others, dressed in
+the usual attire of seamen.
+
+On a sofa, which stretched entirely across the after-part of the cabin,
+lay the body of a young and most beautiful girl, her night-dress torn to
+shreds, and her fair skin disfigured by deep blue marks, and smeared
+with blood, indicating but too clearly that she had been the victim of
+most atrocious outrages.
+
+And lastly, under the cabin-table, lay another body, from which, whilst
+we stood gazing in speechless horror at these evidences of diabolical
+atrocity, a faint groan issued.
+
+Bob assisted me to draw the sufferer from under the table; and we then
+saw that he was an old man, grey-haired, and dressed in fine blue cloth
+garnished with gilt buttons, and a stripe of gold lace round the cuffs
+of the jacket; no doubt the master of the vessel Bob drew the corpse of
+the young girl somewhat aside, spreading the table-cover over the body
+reverently, to hide the naked limbs; and then, between us, we placed the
+wounded man on the sofa.
+
+The cabin had, notwithstanding the ghastly appearance it presented, been
+the scene of a wild carouse, for the table was covered with glasses and
+wine and spirit bottles, and broken bottles and glasses littered the
+floor.  I searched among the contents of the table until I found a
+bottle only partly empty, and from this I poured out a glass of its
+contents, which proved to be port, and managed with considerable
+difficulty to get a small quantity of the wine down the wounded man's
+throat.  The skylight was open, and the air coming down through it in a
+cool gentle breeze, assisted the wine in restoring him to consciousness.
+He opened his eyes, and gazed round him vacantly for a moment or so,
+and then memory returned, and he burst violently into tears.  We soothed
+him as well as we could, assuring him that we were friends, and that we
+would not leave him; and in a minute or two he recovered strength and
+composure enough to speak.
+
+"Thank you, gentlemen, thank you," said he, "but my time here is very
+short, and your well-meant efforts for my relief are not only useless,
+but they also increase my suffering.  You are, I presume, from some ship
+which has come up with us since those fiends left.  Kindly prop me up a
+little higher on the sofa, gentlemen, if you please, and I will
+endeavour to tell you what has happened before I pass away."
+
+We did so; and as we were making his position as easy as we could for
+him, his eye fell upon the body of the young girl, and once more his
+tears burst forth, mingled with prayers for her, and the most bitter
+curses upon her destroyers.
+
+He raised one hand to his face as though to brush his tears away, and we
+then noticed for the first time--horror upon horror!--that his fingers
+had all been cut, or rather _hacked_ out, at the knuckle-joints, the
+wounds still slowly bleeding.
+
+He saw our looks of compassion, and said, as if in reply:
+
+"Ah, gentlemen, willingly would I have submitted to be torn limb from
+limb by the demons, had they but spared my poor Rose--my darling, my
+only daughter."
+
+After another short pause, he began:
+
+"It was about midnight, last night, that we noticed a sail ahead of us,
+which was duly reported.  There was not very much wind at the time, and
+she did not near us until about six bells.  As she closed with us, her
+movements became so suspicious that I ordered the arm-chest on deck,
+called all hands, and served out the pistols and cutlasses to them.
+
+"Our suspicions were very shortly confirmed, for when she was within a
+cable's length of us she sheered suddenly alongside, and about fifty men
+leaped from her on to our deck.  Our poor fellows gave them a warm
+reception; but they were all quickly cut down, and in about three
+minutes the pirates had the ship.  They immediately began to plunder
+her, and a band of the most ruffianly of them, headed by their captain,
+made for the cabin.  Seeing that all was lost, my son--his body lies at
+the door there--and I rushed in here, to make a desperate stand in
+defence of my daughter.
+
+"The poor fellow killed three of them, whilst I severely wounded others;
+but he was shot down, and I fell, exhausted with the wounds I had
+already received.  My poor girl was soon discovered and dragged from her
+berth.
+
+"The chief then questioned me as to our cargo, where we were from, and
+so on; and believing that treasure was concealed somewhere in the ship,
+he mutilated me thus," holding up his fingerless hands, "to force me to
+reveal its hiding-place.  We had none, but he would not be convinced;
+and finding bodily torture of no avail to extract from me the
+information it was not in my power to give, the monster--oh, gentlemen!
+my poor, poor girl, my innocent, my gentle Rose--I _cannot_ say it.
+
+"Thank God! she soon died--of shame and a broken heart, doubtless; for
+even _they_ seemed unwilling to stain their weapons with her blood.
+Would that they _had_; would that _I_ had been able so to steel my heart
+as to have slain her, rather than that I should have seen what I did;
+for they first bound me, and then placed me so that I could see all.  As
+soon as they found that she was dead, they ransacked the cabin, turned
+out the lockers, and drank and sang, until the mate, I suppose, of the
+pirate came in and reported that everything of value was transferred to
+the brig; when the leader--whom I once or twice heard addressed
+as Johnson"--Bob and I started and looked at each other
+expressively--"ordered the ship to be scuttled, and for all hands but
+those employed on the work to return to the brig.  They then left the
+cabin; and, about half an hour afterwards, I believe, they left the
+ship.  She cannot--float ver--very much--longer; but I shall--shall be--
+gone before--"
+
+His voice had been gradually growing weaker and weaker as he approached
+the end of his narrative, and now failed altogether.  I tore open the
+front of his shirt to ascertain if his heart still beat, and now saw
+that he had received, in addition to other wounds, a shot through the
+chest.
+
+There was no blood; but he, no doubt, bled internally.  I could detect
+not the faintest flutter of the heart, so we laid him gently down on the
+sofa.  As we did so, a small stream of blood trickled out of his mouth,
+he sighed heavily, and his jaw dropped.
+
+Seeing that he was dead, we left the cabin, and stepped out once more
+into the bright sunshine.  We noticed that, even during the short time
+we had been on board, the vessel had settled considerably in the water.
+
+It was evidently quite time we were off; but we first went all round the
+deck, examining carefully each body, to see if either exhibited the
+least sign of life; but all were utterly beyond the reach of our help.
+We accordingly cast off, and returned on board the _Water Lily_, making
+all the sail we could, to get as speedily as possible away from the
+scene of such diabolical atrocities.
+
+We were about four miles distant from the ship, when we observed her
+roll once or twice slowly and heavily; her stern rose, and, her bows
+disappearing beneath the water, she gradually became almost
+perpendicular, when she paused for a moment and then sank gently out of
+sight.
+
+The moment that Johnson's name was mentioned, the same idea flashed into
+both our minds; that this was the same man, and probably the same ship,
+of which we had so lately heard.  The captain spoke of the pirate vessel
+as a brig; and we felt no manner of doubt that she was the _Albatross_.
+
+So then these men, the men who had showed such base treachery to my
+father, were still at large, and in full prosecution of their villainous
+designs.  And not only so, but they were in the same quarter of the
+globe as ourselves, and manifestly at no very great distance.
+
+We felt no difficulty whatever now in attaching a very different and
+much more sinister significance to the charred fragments of wreck we had
+lately passed.  Our little craft would of course be but a poor prize to
+these rascals; but since they seemed so to luxuriate in cruelty it
+behoved us to give them as wide a berth as possible.
+
+The presence of this craft, and that, too, in our immediate vicinity,
+was a source of the greatest anxiety to us; so much so, that we took in
+our gaff-topsail, and housed our topmast, to show but a low spread of
+canvas; and one or other of us remained posted at the mast-head all day,
+on the look-out, so as, if possible, to sight her before being seen
+ourselves, should it happen that we were both proceeding in the same
+direction, or on such courses as would bring us together.
+
+We maintained this ceaseless watch for the pirate brig for four days,
+when, judging from the experience we had already obtained of our sailing
+powers in fine weather as compared with those of other vessels that we
+had fallen in with, we came to the conclusion that all immediate danger
+of a _rencontre_ with her was past; and we accordingly relaxed our
+vigilance, and allowed ourselves some rest, which, by this time, we
+greatly needed.
+
+About noon on the seventh day after boarding the ship scuttled by the
+pirates (the name of which I forgot to mention was the _Massachusetts_,
+of New York), land appeared ahead.  It was the Falkland group of barren
+and desolate islands in the vicinity of Cape Horn.  As we had been
+expecting, the wind now drew round from the westward, fresh, though not
+so much so as to prevent our showing a jib-headed gaff-topsail to it.
+Under this sail the little _Water Lily_ made most excellent way; going a
+good eight knots through the water, close-hauled, and against a very
+respectable head sea.  As the day drew on, the wind freshened; and,
+though we carried on as long as we dared, wishing to get round the
+dreaded Cape as quickly as possible, we were obliged at sunset to take
+our topsail in, in order to save our topmast.
+
+By breakfast-time next morning it became necessary to further reduce our
+canvas, and we accordingly took down a reef in our mainsail.  The
+question now arose whether it would be better to go round outside of
+everything, or to attempt the Straits of Magellan.  We hove the little
+craft to, and went below and carefully examined the chart; discussing,
+as we did so, the comparative advantages and disadvantages of the two
+routes.
+
+Bob had experience of both; and he seemed to feel that in the present
+state of the weather, and with the wind as it was, we were likely to
+make a quicker passage by going on to the southward, and passing round
+the Horn, I was of the same opinion, by no means liking the intricacies
+of the navigation of the Straits, or the violent tides which our sailing
+directions told us swept through them.
+
+We accordingly filled away again, carrying on, notwithstanding the still
+freshening breeze, until the little _Water Lily_ seemed alternately to
+threaten diving to the bottom with us or taking flight altogether into
+the air.  We were nearly blinded by the copious showers of spray which
+flew over us, and our mainsail was wet to its very peak; yet it was a
+real pleasure to see the ease and lightness with which the boat skimmed
+over the now formidable and angry sea.
+
+About four bells in the morning watch, we passed within three miles of
+the easternmost end of Staten Island.  An hour later, the breeze
+freshened upon us so fiercely that we saw it would be dangerous to
+trifle with it any longer; so we hauled down our mainsail and stowed it;
+and bent and set the trysail in its place, single-reefed.  This change
+proved a very great relief to the little craft, the sway and leverage of
+the heavy main-boom having made her plunge tremendously; whereas, now,
+she went along without shipping a drop of water beyond the spray which
+she of course still continued to throw over herself.
+
+It was whilst we were busy shifting our after canvas that the little
+_Lily_ experienced perhaps one of the most narrow escapes of the whole
+voyage.  We were too much occupied with our work to keep a very bright
+look-out; indeed, we considered that, beyond the state of the weather,
+there was nothing to demand our attention.
+
+We had just completed the bending of the trysail, when away to windward
+of us, not more than a quarter of a mile distant, we observed a large
+ship running down directly upon us before the wind, under topgallant
+stunsails.
+
+The _Lily_ was almost stationary at the time; and the ship was heading
+as straight as she possibly could for us.  How the trysail went up, it
+is impossible for me to say; we pulled like demons, and it seemed to
+rise instantaneously into its place, fully set.  I sprang aft, and put
+the helm hard up, to gather way; and we had just begun to draw through
+the water, when the ship took a sheer as though to cross our bows.  I
+kept the tiller jammed hard over, and eased away the trysail sheet,
+intending to wear; when the ship took another sheer directly towards us.
+
+She was now close aboard of us, and not a soul could I see on the
+look-out Bob rushed aft, with his eye on the ship's bowsprit, evidently
+prepared for a spring; whilst I shifted the tiller and flattened in the
+trysail sheet once more.  That saved us.  The cutter luffed just in
+time, and shot literally from beneath the ship's bows.  So close were
+we, that had the stranger been _pitching_ instead of _'scending_ at the
+moment, her jibboom-end must have passed through the peak of our
+trysail.
+
+It may seem to the uninitiated an easy matter to keep out of an
+approaching ship's way, by simply observing the precise direction in
+which she is steering; but, as a matter of fact, a ship, when running
+before the wind, sails in anything but a straight line, _sheering_ first
+one way and then another, and it is quite impossible for a spectator to
+judge with accuracy in which direction she will sheer at a given moment;
+hence the danger in which we so unexpectedly found ourselves.
+
+Volume One, Chapter IX.
+
+A CAPE HORN GALE.
+
+We stood on to the southward and westward during the remainder of that
+day, the wind continuing still to freshen, and the sea getting up with
+most fearful rapidity.  The glass fell slowly too, and there appeared to
+be every prospect of our getting a taste of the quality of the weather
+for which Cape Horn is so notorious.
+
+As the sun set, the veil of cloud-wrack which had obscured the heavens
+all day was rent asunder in the western quarter, and we caught a glimpse
+of the great luminary hanging upon the verge of the horizon like a ball
+of molten copper.
+
+His level beams shot for a few moments across the broad expanse of the
+heaving and wildly-leaping waters, tinging the wave-crests immediately
+in his wake with deep blood-red, whilst all around elsewhere the angry
+ocean was darkest indigo.  A few rays shot upward, gleaming wildly among
+the flying scud, and then the orb of day sank into the ocean, shooting
+abroad as he did so a sudden baleful crimson glare, which gradually died
+out in the gloom of increasing storm and coming night.
+
+Bob stood by my side watching the wild scene I have so feebly described,
+and as the sun disappeared, he turned to me and remarked:
+
+"My eyes, Harry! what d'ye think of that, lad?  To my mind it needs no
+prophet to tell us with that afore our eyes that we're booked for a
+reg'lar thorough-bred Cape Horn gale of wind; and my advice as chief
+mate of this here barkie is, that we makes her just as snug as we knows
+how, for, depend upon it, afore morning we shall have as thorough a
+trial of her sea-goin' qualities as we're likely to want for many a day
+to come."
+
+"My own idea, Bob," replied I; "I have seldom seen a wilder sunset, and
+if it does not mean wind, and plenty of it too, all my weather-lore must
+go for nothing, and I shall have to turn to and learn everything over
+afresh."
+
+"Ay, ay! you may say that," returned he, "and I the same; but we've both
+knocked about too many years at sea to make any mistake in our reading
+when Natur' opens so plain a page of her book for us as yond; so the
+sooner we turns to the better, say I, or we shall have the darkness upon
+us afore we're ready for it.  Thank God, we've plenty of sea-room; so
+let's rouse up that floating-anchor contrivance of yourn, my lad, for,
+depend upon it, if ever the _Lily_ is likely to need the consarn she
+will to-night."
+
+This floating-anchor I will describe for the benefit of those who may
+not have seen such a thing, for it is a most useful affair, and no small
+craft should undertake a long cruise without one.  Ours was formed of
+two flat bars of iron, each ten feet in length, riveted together in the
+centre in such a way that they would either fold flat one upon the other
+(for convenience of stowage), or open out at right angles, forming a
+cross of four equal arms.
+
+In each end of each bar was a hole capable of taking a good stout rope
+swifter, which was set up taut when the bars were opened, so as to keep
+them spread at right angles.  Four other holes were punched, two in each
+bar, about midway between each end and the centre rivet; these were for
+the reception of a crowfoot.
+
+As soon as the bars were spread open, and the swifter passed and set up,
+a square sheet of the stoutest canvas, painted, was spread over them,
+the edges laced to the swifter with a stout lacing, and the crowfoot
+toggled through the intermediate holes in the bars and corresponding
+holes in the canvas.
+
+A buoy was then attached to the end of one arm to float the anchor, with
+a sufficient amount of buoy-rope to allow it to sink to the requisite
+depth; the end of the cable was shackled into the thimble of the
+crowfoot, the buoy streamed overboard, and the anchor let go.
+
+I may as well state here, that for the economisation of space the buoy
+for floating our anchor was an india-rubber ball, made of the same
+materials as an ordinary air-cushion, and distended in the same way.
+This was enclosed in a strong net of three-strand sinnet, which net was
+attached to the buoy-rope.
+
+We hove the craft to whilst we were preparing the anchor, and glad
+enough was I when it was ready; for by this time the sea was running so
+high and breaking so heavily that I was afraid once or twice, when we
+were caught broadside-to, that we should be capsized.
+
+We let go the anchor with only two fathoms of buoy-rope, so as to sink
+it just deep enough to keep us head to sea without materially
+interfering with the craft's drift, as we thought we should ride all the
+easier for such an arrangement, and so it proved.
+
+As soon as the anchor was let go, we got our head-sail in, ran in the
+bowsprit, and got our topmast on deck; the trysail was close-reefed, and
+the sheet trimmed amidships, the anchor-light hoisted well up on the
+fore-stay, and our preparations for the night were complete.
+
+By this time it was blowing tremendously heavy, and the howling of the
+gale overhead, the shriek of the wind through our scanty rigging, and
+the hiss of the foaming water around us mingled into such a deafening
+sound that Bob and I had fairly to _shout_, even when close alongside of
+each other, to make ourselves heard.  And then it began to thunder and
+lighten heavily, still further increasing the wild and impressive
+grandeur of the scene upon which we gazed in awe-struck admiration.
+
+At one moment all would be deep black pitchy night, lighted up only by
+the pale unearthly shimmer of some foaming wave-crest as it rolled
+menacingly down upon us, gleaming with phosphorescent light; anon the
+canopy above would be rent asunder by the vivid lightning-flash, and for
+an instant the vast whirling forms of the torn and shredded clouds would
+be revealed, with a momentary vision of the writhing, leaping, and
+storm-driven waters beneath them, illumined by the ghastly glare of the
+levin-brand, and stricken into sudden rigidity by the rapidity of the
+flash.
+
+We stayed on deck for about an hour after our anchor was let go,
+watching this grand manifestation of the power of the Deity, sublime as
+terrible, terrible as sublime; and then, finding that no improvement
+suggested itself in our arrangements, and that the _Lily_ rode like a
+cork over the mountain-billows--though occasionally the comb of a more
+than usually heavy sea would curl in over the bows and send a foaming
+cataract of water aft and out over her taffrail--we descended to the
+cabin to get our suppers, for which, by this time, we were quite ready.
+
+So easy was the motion of the little craft that when we got below we
+found no difficulty whatever in boiling the water, and making ourselves
+a cup of good strong tea.  While discussing this refreshing beverage and
+a few biscuits, we arrived at the conclusion that as we had done all it
+was possible to do for the safety of the boat, it was useless to keep a
+watch through the night, and that we would, therefore, take advantage of
+the opportunity to get a good undisturbed night's rest, leaving the
+"sweet little cherub that sits up aloft" to look out.
+
+Accordingly, as soon as our meal was over, I left Bob to straighten up
+below, while I went on deck to take a last look round and see that
+everything was snug and as it should be, and our light burning brightly.
+
+I found everything satisfactory, except that it seemed to be blowing
+harder than ever; however I could not help that, so I went below again,
+closing the companion after me; and we both turned in, chatted awhile,
+listened to the roaring of the gale and the occasional heavy wash of
+water along the deck, and finally dropped off to sleep.
+
+I awoke two or three times during the night, and once I turned out and
+pushed the slide of the companion far enough back to put my head
+outside; but the night was still as black as pitch, it was blowing
+harder if anything than before, and the air was full of spindrift and
+scudwater; so I pushed over the slide again, and tumbled once more into
+my comfortable hammock, very vividly impressed both with a sense of our
+helplessness in the midst of such a heavy gale, and also with the
+comparative degrees of comfort between the decks and the cabin.
+
+Bob was the first to make a muster in the morning; and his first act,
+like mine during the night, was to take a look out upon deck.
+
+"Blowing hard enough to blow the devil's horns off," I heard him
+exclaim, "and as thick as a hedge.  And, my precious eyes! what a sea!
+come up and take a look at it, Harry, boy; I never see'd nothing like it
+all the years I've been afloat.  Hurrah, young un! _that's_ your sort,"
+as the cutter rose fearfully near to the perpendicular in surmounting
+the crest of a sea, and then slid down, down, down into the trough,
+until it seemed as though she would sink to the very ocean's bed.  "And
+_don't_ the little hussy behave beautifully!  She's as floaty as a gull,
+Hal; and drier than e'er a seventy-four that ever was launched would be
+in a sea like this.  Now, what lubber comes here with his eyes sealed up
+instead of looking before him?  Jump up, Harry; quick, boy! we are in a
+mess here, and no mistake.  No, no; it's all right, he'll clear us a'ter
+all.  No thanks to him though, for there's not a soul--ah! so you're
+beginning to wake up at last, eh!"
+
+Here I put my head up through the companion, alongside of Bob's lovely
+phiz, and saw within forty fathoms of us, over the ridge of a sea, and
+broad on our port beam, the topmast-heads of a brig.  As we both rose
+together on the same sea, her sails first, and then her hull, came into
+view.
+
+She was not a large vessel; about two hundred tons or thereabouts,
+apparently; painted all black down to her copper, excepting a narrow red
+ribbon which marked the line of her sheer.
+
+She was hove-to on the port tack under a storm-staysail, and her
+topgallant-masts were down on deck.  Everything was very trim and
+man-o'-war-like on board her; but no government dockyard ever turned out
+such a beautiful model as she was.
+
+When I first caught sight of her, she was heading directly for us; but
+as we watched her, her head paid off, and she swept slowly down across
+our stern, near enough for us to have hove a biscuit on board her.
+
+Some ten or a dozen heads peered curiously at us over her weather
+bulwarks as she drove slowly past us, and one man aft on the
+quarter-deck, the officer of the watch apparently, seized a trumpet to
+hail us; but whether he did so or not, or, if he did, what he said, we
+neither of us knew; for at that moment we both sank once more into the
+trough with a perfect mountain of water between us, until we lost sight
+of him altogether for a moment, even to his mast-heads.
+
+I took the glass, which we always kept slung in beckets in the
+companion-way, open and adjusted ready for immediate use, and as she
+rose once more into view I applied it to my eye, and the first thing
+which caught my attention was her name, painted on her stern, which was
+now towards us.
+
+"The _Albatross_ by all that's unlucky!" exclaimed I.
+
+"Blest if we mightn't have guessed as much if we'd been in a guessin'
+humour," ejaculated Bob.  "Honest-going merchant ships ain't so plaguy
+careful of their spars as that chap--leastways, not such small fry as he
+is.  Pity but what they was, I often says; but where d'ye find a skipper
+who'll be bothered to send down his top hamper every time it pipes up a
+bit of a breeze?  No; `Let it stand if "'twill," is the word, and if
+"'twon't," let it blow away,' But the chap is a real good seaman, Harry,
+no man'll deny that; look how snug he's got everything; and all hauled
+taut and coiled down neat and reg'lar man-o'-war fashion I'll be bound."
+
+We got, I think, a clearer idea of the tremendous strength of the gale
+by watching the brig than we did even by the motions of our own little
+craft.  She was tossed about like the merest cockle-shell, and every
+time that she rose upon the crest of a sea, the wind took her rag of a
+staysail, distending it as though it would tear it clean out of the
+bolt-ropes, and heeling the vessel over until we could see the whole of
+her bottom nearly down to her keel; and then her sharp bows would cleave
+the wave-crest in a perfect cataract of foam and spray, and away she
+would settle down once more with a heavy weather-roll into the trough.
+
+"Well," exclaimed Bob, as we lost sight of her in the driving scud,
+"she's a pretty sea-boat is yon brig; but I'm blest if the little _Lily_
+don't beat her even at that game.  What say you, Harry; ain't she
+proving true the very words I spoke that night when we first began to
+talk about this here v'yage?"
+
+"Indeed she is, Bob," I answered; "I am as surprised as I am delighted
+at her behaviour; I could never have believed, without seeing it myself,
+that so small a craft would even live in such weather, much less be as
+comfortable as she is.  But I don't like _that_," continued I, as the
+comb of a tremendous sea came curling in over our bows, fairly
+smothering the little craft in foam for a moment, though she came up
+immediately afterwards, "shaking her feathers" like a duck.  "I'm afraid
+one of these gentlemen will be starting our skylight or companion for
+us; and that would be a very serious matter."
+
+"Never fear," returned Bob confidently.  "Our bit of a windlass and the
+mast breaks the force of it before it reaches the skylight.  And that
+idee of yours in having it rounded at the fore end is a capital one; it
+turns the water off each side almost like the stem of a ship, besides
+bein' stronger than a square-shaped consarn.  At the same time, all this
+water coming in on deck don't do no _good_ if it don't do no _harm_; but
+how's it to be pervented?"
+
+"I have an idea," said I, "and it's worth a trial.  It can do no harm,
+and if it fails we are no worse off than we were before."
+
+So saying, I dived below and got out a bottle of oil, through the cork
+of which I bored three or four holes with a corkscrew, but left the cork
+in.  To the neck of the bottle I made fast the end of about a fathom of
+marline, and then, going forward, I made fast the other end of the
+marline to one of the links of the chain-cable by which we were riding
+to our floating-anchor.
+
+I then sung out to Bob to give her a few fathoms more chain, and as he
+did so I hove the bottle overboard.
+
+In about five minutes the success of my experiment became manifest.  The
+oil leaked slowly out through the holes I had bored in the cork, and,
+diffusing itself on the surface of the water, caused the seas to sweep
+by us either without breaking at all, or, if they _did_ break, it was
+with such diminished force that no more water came on board.
+
+I had heard of "oil on troubled waters" before, but at the time that I
+did so I never expected to put its virtues to so thoroughly practical a
+test.
+
+We went below and got breakfast under weigh; and whilst discussing the
+meal, our conversation naturally turned upon the appearance of the
+_Albatross_.
+
+"There can be no question, I fear, as to its being that scoundrel
+Johnson and his gang of desperadoes," said I, half hoping to hear Bob
+dispute the probability.
+
+But he was quite of my opinion.
+
+"No, no," said he, "that's the scamp, never a doubt of it.  _I_ noticed
+the name on his starn; but there warn't no name of a port where he hails
+from, for the simple reason that he hails from nowhere in particular.
+Besides, a man with half an eye could tell by looking at that craft that
+she's strong handed.  Depend on't, Harry, there's too many hammocks in
+her fo'c'stle for an honest trader.  And, worst luck, she's bound the
+same road as ourselves--at least, she's going round the Horn; but a'ter
+she gets round it's not so easy to say what course she may steer.  We
+must hope she's on the look-out for some stray Spaniard or other coming
+down the coast; for if we falls in with her ag'in, she'll have some'at
+to say to us, mark my words."
+
+"You surely do not suppose the man will condescend to give such a pigmy
+as ourselves a thought, do you?"
+
+"That's just what he's doing at this identical moment, it's my opinion,"
+returned Bob.  "He is not fool enough to suppose we're down here
+somewheres off the Horn, in this cockle-shell, on a pleasure trip; and
+that we're not come down here to trade he also knows pretty well, or we
+should have a craft big enough to stow away something like a paying
+cargo; and if we're here for neither one nor t'other of them objects,
+he'll want to know what we _are_ here for; and, depend upon it, he won't
+be happy till he's found out.  So take my advice, Harry, and, if we fall
+in with him again, let's give him a wide berth."
+
+"Decidedly; I shall do so if possible," returned I.  "But that may prove
+no such easy matter with so smart a vessel as he has under his feet."
+
+"Not in heavy weather, certainly," said Bob; "but give us weather in
+which we can carry a topsail, even if it's no more nor a jib-header, and
+I'll say, `Catch who catch can!'  Why, we can lay a good two p'ints
+closer to the wind than he can, and still keep a good clean full; and
+the square-rigged craft that can beat us in going to wind'ard must be an
+out-and-out flyer, and no mistake.  We must keep a bright look-out, and
+not be caught napping, that's all; and give _everything_ a good wide
+berth till we're pretty certain of what it is."
+
+"Well," said I, "I trust we shall not fall in with him again.  The
+Pacific is a pretty big place, and it's not so easy to find a craft in
+it when you don't know where to look for her.  If we _do_ meet with him
+again, we must do all we can to avoid him, and hope for the best."
+
+"Ay, ay," returned Bob, "`hope for the best and prepare for the worst'
+is a good maxim for any man.  It takes him clear of many a difficulty,
+and enables him to lay his course on the v'yage of life clean full, and
+with slack bowlines.  As for this here Johnson, I'd ask nothing better
+than to have him just out of gun-shot under our lee, with a nice breeze,
+and not too much sea for the little _Lily_, and then let him catch us if
+he's man enough for the job."
+
+I certainly could not echo this wish of Bob's; but it was satisfactory
+to find that he had such great confidence in the boat and in her ability
+to escape from the _Albatross_, so I allowed him to remain in
+undisturbed enjoyment of his own opinion, especially as it seemed to
+afford him considerable entertainment, and went on deck to take another
+look at the weather.
+
+There was no sign of the gale breaking; in fact it seemed to be scarcely
+at its height, for away to windward it looked as dirty and as full of
+wind as ever; and the sea was something awful to contemplate.  It
+looked, of course, worse to us than it would to those on the deck of a
+large ship; but even allowing for that, it was unquestionably running
+far higher than anything I had ever seen before.
+
+I have read somewhere that scientific men assert that even in the
+heaviest gales and in mid-ocean the sea never attains a greater height
+than twenty feet from trough to crest; but with all due respect to them
+and their science-founded opinions, I take leave to assert that they are
+in this instance mistaken.
+
+An intelligent sailor (and I modestly claim to be at least this much) is
+as capable of judging the height of a sea as the most scientific of
+mortals; and I am confident of this, that _many_ of the seas I watched
+that morning ran as high as our cross-trees, which were a trifle over
+thirty feet above the surface of the water.
+
+Indeed, to satisfy myself _thoroughly_ upon this point I climbed so high
+(with the utmost difficulty, and at very great risk of being blown
+overboard), and whilst looking over the cross-trees, I saw the crest of
+more than one sea rearing itself between my eye and the horizon.
+
+So far the _Water Lily_ had weathered the gale scatheless; there was not
+so much as a rope-yarn out of its place or carried away; and as there
+seemed to be no greater danger than there had been through the night,
+and as I had taken a good look round when aloft without seeing anything,
+we both went below to enjoy the comfort of the cabin, for on deck
+everything was cold, wet, and dismal in the extreme.
+
+I was anxious to get a sight of the sun at noon, if possible, so as to
+ascertain our exact latitude.  I knew we were not very far to the
+southward of Staten; and I did not know but there might be a current
+setting us toward it, in which case we might find ourselves very
+awkwardly situated.
+
+It looked half inclined to break away two or three times during the
+morning; but as mid-day approached it became as bad as ever; and I had
+the vexation of seeing noon pass by without so much as a momentary
+glimpse of the sun.
+
+Towards evening, therefore, I took advantage of an exceptionally clear
+moment, and again scrambled aloft and took a thorough good look all
+round, and especially to the northward.  There was nothing in sight; and
+with this I was obliged to rest satisfied.
+
+We noticed just about this time that the seas were beginning to break on
+board again, so I concluded that our bottle of oil was exhausted, and
+accordingly got out another, and having bored holes in the cork, as I
+had done with the first, it was bent on to the cable, more cable paid
+out, and we again rode all the easier.  Our anchor-light was trimmed and
+lighted and hoisted up, and we went below to our tea, or _supper_, as
+sailors generally term it.
+
+We had found the day dreadfully tedious, cooped up as we were in our low
+cabin, and a meal was a most welcome break in the monotony.  We sat long
+over this one, therefore, prolonging it to its utmost extent; and when
+it was over, we both turned to and cleared up the wreck.
+
+By the time that all was done it was intensely dark; but, before
+settling down below for the night, we both put our heads up through the
+companion, to take a last look round.
+
+Bob was rather beforehand with me, and he had no sooner put his head
+outside than he pulled it in again, exclaiming, in an awe-struck tone:
+
+"Look here, Harry; what d'ye think of this?"
+
+I looked in the direction he indicated, and there upon our lower
+mast-head, and also upon the trysail gaff-end, was a globe of pale,
+sickly green light, which wavered to and fro, lengthening out and
+flattening in again as the cutter tossed wildly over the mountainous
+seas.
+
+It had not the appearance of flame, but rather of highly luminous mist,
+brilliant at the core, and softening off and becoming more dim as the
+circumference of the globe was reached; and it emitted a feeble and
+unearthly light of no great power.
+
+I had never seen such a thing before, but I had often heard of it, and I
+recognised our strange visitors at once as _corposants_, or "lamps of
+Saint Elmo," as they are called by the seamen of the Mediterranean;
+though our own sailors call them by the less dignified name of "Davy
+Jones' lanterns."
+
+"What d'ye think of bein' boarded by the likes of that?" again queried
+Bob, in a hoarse whisper.  "Old Davy is out on a cruise to-night, I
+reckon; and it looks as though he meant to pay _us_ a visit, by his
+h'isting them two lanterns of hisn in our rigging.  Did ye ever see
+anything like it afore, Harry, lad?"
+
+"Never," replied I, "but I have often heard them spoken of, old man; and
+though they certainly _are_ rather queer to look at, they are easily
+accounted for.  I have heard it said that they are the result of a
+peculiar electrical condition of the atmosphere, and that the
+electricity, attracted by any such points as the yard-arms or mast-heads
+of a ship, accumulates there until it becomes visible in the form we are
+now looking at."
+
+"And is the light never visible except at the end of a spar?" queried
+Bob.
+
+"I believe not," I replied; "but--"
+
+"Then sail he!" exclaimed Bob excitedly, pointing in the direction of
+our starboard bow.
+
+I looked in the direction he indicated, but was too late: we were on the
+very summit of a wave at the moment that Bob spoke, but were now
+settling into the trough.  As we rose to the next sea, however, I not
+only saw the ghostly light, but also got an indistinct view of the ship
+herself.
+
+She was fearfully close, but appeared to be at the moment sheering away
+from us.  She looked long enough for a three-masted vessel, but one mast
+only was standing, evidently the mainmast.  The corposant appeared to
+have attached itself to the stump of her foremast, which had been
+carried away about fifteen or twenty feet from the deck; and I thought
+her bowsprit seemed also to be missing.
+
+She was scudding under close-reefed maintop-sail, and, from her sluggish
+movements, was evidently very much overloaded, or, what I thought more
+probable, had a great deal of water in her.  I was the more inclined to
+this opinion from the peculiar character of her motions.
+
+As she rose on the back of a sea, her stern seemed at first to be
+_pinned down_, as it were, until it appeared as though the following
+wave would run clean over her; but gradually her stern rose until it was
+a considerable height above the water, whilst her bow in its turn seemed
+weighed down, as would be the case with a large body of water rushing
+from aft forward.
+
+They evidently saw our light, for a faint hail of "ahoy!" came down the
+wind to us from her.
+
+"In distress and wants assistance, by the look of it," remarked Bob.
+"But, poor chaps, it's little of that we can give 'em.  Heaven and
+'arth! look at that, Harry."
+
+As he spoke, the ship, which was rushing forward furiously on the back
+of a sea, suddenly sheered wildly to port, until she lay broadside-to;
+the crest of the sea overtook her, and, breaking on board her in one
+vast volume of wildly flashing foam, threw her down upon her beam-ends,
+and, as it swept over her, her mast declined more and more towards the
+water, until it lay submerged.
+
+Then, as we gazed in speechless horror at the dreadful catastrophe, a
+loud, piercing shriek rang out clear and shrill above the hoarse
+diapason of the howling tempest.  She rolled completely bottom upwards,
+and then disappeared.
+
+"Broached to, and capsized!" ejaculated we both in the same breath.
+
+"Jump below, Bob, and rouse up a coil of line, whilst I get the
+life-buoys ready," exclaimed I, after a single moment's pause to collect
+my scattered faculties.
+
+In an instant I had all four of the buoys ready, and two of them bent on
+to the longest rope-ends I could lay my hands on, and, in another, that
+glorious Bob appeared with a coil of ratline on his shoulder and a
+lighted blue-light in his hand.
+
+The stops were cut and the ends of the coil cleared in no time, and the
+two remaining buoys bent on, while Bob held the blue-light aloft at
+arm's length, for the double purpose of throwing the light as far as
+possible over the water, and also to indicate our whereabouts to any
+strong swimmer who might be struggling for his life among the mountain
+surges, and to guide him to our tiny ark of refuge.
+
+For nearly an hour did we peer anxiously into the gloom, in the hope of
+seeing some poor soul within reach of such assistance as it was in our
+power to afford, but in vain; there is no doubt that the vessel sucked
+all hands down with her when she sank into her watery grave.
+
+When at last we reluctantly desisted from our efforts, and were in the
+act of securing the life-buoys once more, Bob cast his eyes aloft, and
+called my attention to the fact that the corposants had disappeared.
+
+"Depend on't, Harry," quoth he, "them lanterns didn't come aboard of us
+for nothing.  They mightn't have meant mischief for _us_ exactly--for
+you can't always read Old Davy's signs aright; but you see they _did_
+mean mischief, and plenty of it too, for they no sooner appears aloft
+than a fine ship and her crew goes down close alongside of us; and as
+soon as that bit of work was over, away they go somewhere else to light
+up the scene of further devilry, I make no manner of doubt."
+
+It was utterly in vain that I attempted to argue the honest fellow out
+of his belief that their appearance was a portent of disaster, for his
+mind was deeply imbued with all those superstitious notions which appear
+to take such peculiarly firm hold on the ideas of sailors; and against
+superstitions of lifelong duration, argument and reason are of but
+little avail.
+
+As may readily be believed, our slumbers that night, after witnessing so
+distressing a scene, were anything but sound.  Bob and I were up and
+down between the deck and the cabin at least half a dozen times before
+morning, and it was with a sense of unutterable relief that, as day
+broke, we found that the gale was breaking also.
+
+By the time that breakfast was over there was a sensible diminution in
+the force of the wind, and by noon it cleared away sufficiently overhead
+to enable me to get an observation, not a particularly good one
+certainly--the sea was running far too high for that; but it enabled me
+to ascertain that we were at least sixty miles to the southward of
+Staten.
+
+About four p.m. I got a very much better observation for my longitude,
+and I found by it that our drift had not been anything like so great as
+I had calculated it would be.  This I thought might possibly arise from
+our being in a weather-setting current.
+
+There was still rather too much of both wind and sea to make us disposed
+to get under way that night, but we managed to get the craft up to the
+buoy of our floating-anchor, which we weighed and let go again with five
+fathoms of buoy-rope.
+
+This was to prevent as much as possible any further drift to leeward,
+and to take full advantage of the current, the existence of which we
+suspected.
+
+Next morning, however, the weather had so far moderated that, tired of
+our long inaction, we resolved to make a start once more, so shaking the
+reefs out of the trysail, and rigging our bowsprit out far enough to set
+a small jib, we got our floating-anchor in, and stood away to the
+southward and westward, with the wind out from about west-nor'-west.
+
+Volume One, Chapter X.
+
+CHASED BY PIRATES.
+
+The weather now rapidly became finer, and the ocean, no longer lashed
+into fury by the breath of the tempest, subsided once more into long
+regular undulations.  The wind hauled gradually more round from the
+northward too, and blew warm and balmy; a most welcome change after the
+raw and chilly weather we had lately experienced.
+
+We once more cracked on sail upon the little _Water Lily_; and on the
+morning following that upon which we filled away upon our course,
+finding by observation that we were well clear of the Cape, and that we
+had plenty of room even should the wind once more back round from
+the westward, we hauled close-up, and stood away on a
+nor'-west-and-by-westerly course.
+
+Nothing of importance occurred for more than a week.  The weather
+continued settled, and the glass stood high; the wind was out at about
+north, and sufficiently moderate to permit of our carrying our
+jib-headed topsail; and day after day we flew forward upon our course,
+seldom making less than ten knots in the hour, and occasionally reaching
+as high as thirteen.
+
+We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now
+considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.  We
+were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little
+barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her
+seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future
+danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
+
+One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the
+preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our
+square-headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of
+the small one.
+
+But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards
+were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.  No sailor,
+if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes
+aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the
+halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept
+the horizon carefully around.
+
+"Sail ho!" shouted I, as I caught a glimpse of the royals of a vessel
+gleaming snowy white in the brilliant sunshine far away in the
+south-western board.
+
+"Where away?" shouted Bob.
+
+"Broad on our lee-bow," I answered, still clinging to the thin wire
+topmast shrouds.
+
+"What d'ye make her out to be, Harry, my lad?" was the next question.
+
+"Either a barque or a brig," answered I; "the latter I am inclined to
+believe, though he is still too far away for his mizzen-mast to show, if
+he has one."
+
+"Why d'ye think it's a brig, Harry?" queried Bob.
+
+"His canvas looks too small for that of a barque," replied I, as I slid
+down on deck, having seen all that it was possible to see at present.
+
+"Then it's that--_Albatross_ again, for a thousand," ejaculated Bob in a
+tone of deep disgust.  "That's just the p'int where he might reasonably
+be looked for.  He made sail long enough afore we did, a'ter the gale
+had blowed itself out, and consequently got a good long leg to the
+west'ard of us; but as we've been steering perhaps a couple of p'ints
+higher than he has for most of the time since, we've overhauled him; and
+now he's come round to go to the nor'ard, and we've fallen in with him
+once more."
+
+I was inclined to take the same view of the matter that Bob did.  It is
+true that when once a ship passes out of sight at sea you can never be
+sure of her exact position afterwards; yet, under certain circumstances,
+taking the direction of the wind and the state of the weather as data
+upon which to base your argument, and, in conjunction with these, the
+course the vessel was steering when last seen, or the part of the world
+to which you have reason to believe she is bound, it is astonishing how
+near a guess may be and is not unfrequently made as to her whereabouts.
+
+Now we knew that the _Albatross_ was bound to the Pacific when we last
+saw her, because she was then hove-to, evidently with the intention of
+maintaining as weatherly a position as possible.  Had she been bound to
+the eastward, the weather was not so bad at that time as to have
+prevented her scudding before it, which she undoubtedly would have done
+under such circumstances, making a fair wind of it.
+
+At the same time there was of course a possibility of our being mistaken
+as to the craft in sight being the pirate brig, it being by no means an
+unusual thing for vessels as small as she was, or even smaller, to
+venture round the Cape.
+
+"Well," said I, "perhaps it will be safest, Bob, to assume for the
+present that this brig _is_ the _Albatross_.  What, under such
+circumstances, is your advice?"
+
+"Which of us has the weather-gage, d'ye think?" queried Bob.
+
+"It is rather difficult to decide at present," I replied.  "Much depends
+upon which of us is the fastest.  If we are both going at about the same
+speed, I should say we shall pass extremely close to her."
+
+"How is she heading, Harry?" was the next question.
+
+"To the northward, rather edging down towards us, if anything," I
+thought.
+
+"Ay, ay," chuckled Bob, "it ain't _every_ craft as can stick her
+bowsprit into the wind's eye like this here little barkie.  Now I dare
+swear he's jammed hard up upon a taut bowline, and here _we_ are going
+as close to the wind as he is, and every thread ramping full.  Take hold
+of her a minute, Hal, and let's see what these old eyes of mine can tell
+us about the stranger."
+
+I took hold of the tiller, and Bob went aloft with the deliberation of
+the seaman who is in no particular hurry.  Having reached the
+cross-trees, he stood upon them, with one hand grasping the
+peak-halliards to steady himself, whilst with the other he shaded his
+eyes.
+
+"I see her, I see her," he exclaimed; "we're raising her fast, Harry, my
+boy; and in another half hour or so we shall see her from the deck."
+
+He then went as high as the yard of the topsail, and clung there for a
+good five minutes, reading all the signs which a seaman sees in the
+almost imperceptible peculiarities of rig, shape of sails, etc.  Having
+satisfied himself, he descended deliberately to the deck, evidently
+ruminating deeply.
+
+"Now I'll tell ye what I think of the matter, Harry," said he, as he
+came aft and seated himself beside me.  "There's a familiar sort of a
+look with that craft away yonder; I seems to recognise her as some'at
+I've seen afore; and I've no moral doubt in the world but what it's that
+villain Johnson, although we can't be _sartain_ of it until we gets a
+nearer look at her.  And I've an idee that, if anything, it's _we_
+that's got the weather-gage; and if so, by all means keep it, even if we
+has to run the gauntlet of her broadside for a minute or two.  Once
+let's be to wind'ard, and in such weather as this I wouldn't fear the
+smartest _square-rigged_ craft that ever was launched.  We could lead
+'em no end of a dance, and then give 'em the slip a'terwards when we was
+tired of the fun.  So my advice is to luff up as close as you can; not
+_too_ close ye know, lad; let her go through it; but spring your luff
+all as you can get, and let's try what our friend yonder is made of.  As
+long as we're to _leeward_ of him the game is _his_; but let's get to
+_wind'ard_ of him and it's _ours_ to do what we like with it."
+
+I had it in my mind to take in all the canvas and lie _perdu_ until the
+brig had crossed our course and was well out of our road to the
+northward; but that would still be leaving him the weather-gage; and I
+saw fully as clearly as Bob did the advantage of obtaining this, if
+possible; so on we stood, boldly, lying a good point higher than we had
+been before steering, yet keeping every sail a good clean full, and
+drawing to perfection.
+
+The wind, however, was dropping fast; and by the time that the sun was
+on the meridian we were not going more than five knots.  This made me
+extremely anxious; more particularly as the stranger proved a remarkably
+fast vessel; so much so, that it still remained a matter of doubt which
+of us would cross the other.
+
+Bob, on the other hand, was delighted beyond measure, stoutly avowing
+that the falling breeze was little, if anything, short of a divine
+manifestation in our favour.  He declared himself ready to stake all he
+was possessed of in the world (and if the brig should turn out to be the
+pirate, he actually _was_ staking his life) on our speed as against that
+of the stranger in light winds, and was already chuckling in
+anticipation over that craft's discomfiture.
+
+She was within about five miles of us, still maintaining her relative
+position of about four points on our lee-bow, when Bob served dinner on
+deck, as was our custom in fine weather.
+
+We were very busy with the viands, keeping one eye always on the brig
+however, when we noticed something fluttering over her taffrail; and the
+next moment a flag of some sort floated up to her peak.
+
+I was at the tiller; so Bob took the glass, and levelling it at the
+brig, gave her a more thorough scrutiny than we had bestowed upon her at
+all hitherto.
+
+"The stars and stripes, and a pennant!" exclaimed he, with his eye still
+at the tube.
+
+"Lord bless us for the two pretty innocents he takes us for, Harry; but
+there, of course he don't know as we've got his character and all about
+him at our fingers' ends.  Well, anyhow, we won't be behindhand with him
+in the matter of politeness;" and therewith Master Bob dived below,
+returning in a moment with our ensign and club burgee in his hand, which
+he bent to their respective halliards and ran them up--the one to our
+gaff-end, and the other to our mast-head.
+
+As we had by this time finished our meal, Bob cleared the things away,
+muttering something about having "plenty to do afore long besides eating
+and drinking."
+
+Our colours had not been displayed above a minute, when four small balls
+were seen ascending to the brig's main royal-mast-head, where they broke
+abroad and waved lazily out in the failing breeze as a signal.
+
+Bob at once assumed the duties of signal-officer, by once more taking a
+peep through the glass.
+
+"Commercial code pennant," said he; and then he read out the flags
+beneath it.
+
+"Run down and fetch up the signal-book," said I.
+
+He did so; we turned up the signal, and read, "Come under my lee; I wish
+to speak you."
+
+"Thank 'ee!" ejaculated Bob, "not if we can help it, Mister Johnson.  I
+reckon 'twould be about the most onprofitable conwersation as ever the
+crew of this here cutter took a part in.  We've got our own wholesome
+planks to walk, aboard here, when we wants any of that sort of exercise;
+and though there's not much to boast of in the way of room, I dare say
+there's more of _that_ than we'd find on the plank _you'd_ give us for a
+parade ground.  Seems to me, Hal, as we're bringing him nearer abeam
+than he was a while ago; ain't it so?"
+
+"You are right, Bob," I replied, glancing at the compass; "he is more
+than a point farther aft than he was a quarter of an hour ago; but is it
+not possible that we are giving ourselves needless uneasiness?  That
+craft certainly has a look of the _Albatross_; but we are not sure that
+it is her after all."
+
+"D'ye notice his maintopmast-staysail, Harry?" returned he; "cut like a
+trysail, and set on a stay that leads down just clear of his fore-top
+and into the slings of his fore-yard.  How many vessels will ye see with
+a sail shaped like that?  Yet I noticed that _his_ was the other day.
+And there's the red ribbon round him too; in fact, it's the _Albatross_
+all over," concluded he, with the glass once more at his eye.
+
+It was but too evident that Bob was right.  I had been hoping that the
+general resemblance of the brig in sight to the _Albatross_ was purely
+accidental; but she was now within less than three miles of us; and,
+even without the aid of the telescope, certain features, if I may so
+term them, were recognisable, which identified her beyond all question
+as the pirate brig.
+
+"What shall we do about answering his signal, Bob?" said I.
+
+"Let it fly as it is, _un_-answered," he replied composedly.  "Look
+where we're dropping him to; in another quarter of an hour we shall have
+him fairly on our lee-beam, and that too out of gun-shot, unless, as is
+most likely the case, he's got a long gun; but if he _has_, we're a
+small mark to fire at, and we'll soon slip out of range even of that."
+
+It was by this time perfectly manifest that whatever he might be able to
+do in a breeze, he had no chance with us in a light air like the
+present; and I entertained strong hopes of being able to slip past him
+unscathed, when I felt sanguine of our ability to get fairly away from
+him in a chase dead to windward.
+
+But he evidently had no notion of letting us have our own way in this
+matter, without a pretty vigorous protest on his part; for as we were
+still watching him, we saw the brig slowly luff into the wind; his
+fore-sheet was raised for a moment, a flash of flame and a puff of white
+smoke darted suddenly from his forecastle, and then we saw the jets
+spouting up where the shot struck the water, as it came ricocheting
+towards us.  He had aimed apparently so as to throw the shot across our
+fore-foot; but it fell short by about fifty feet.
+
+"Do that again, you lubber!" exclaimed Bob, contemptuously
+apostrophising the brig.  "Three more such fool's tricks as that, and
+we'll say good-bye t'ye without ever having been within range.  See how
+long it takes him to pay off ag'in, Harry; very near lost his way
+altogether, when he'd a had to box her off with his head-yards; and by
+the time he'd done that we should be well clear of him.  Well, I _did_
+think the man had more sense than to do the like of that."
+
+Friend Johnson evidently saw his mistake as clearly as we did, for he
+fired no more until we had crept up fairly ahead of him.  Just as we
+were crossing his bows, however, and had got his masts in one--by which
+time he had drawn considerably nearer us--the brig _fell off_ a little,
+not to repeat her former error, and again came the flash, the smoke, and
+the ringing report.
+
+"Here it comes straight for us this time, and no mistake," exclaimed
+Bob, as the water-jets again marked the course of the shot.  "Scaldings!
+out of the road all of us that's got thin skulls," continued he, as the
+shot came skipping across the water in such long bounds as showed we
+were within range.  "Well missed!" added he, as the shot struck the
+water close to us, and bounded fairly over the boat, passing close
+beneath the main-boom and the foot of the mainsail, without injuring so
+much as a rope-yarn.
+
+"That's his long gun, Bob," said I; "his broadside guns would never
+reach so far as this, and though we're just now in rather warm quarters,
+we shall be out of range again very soon; and then, I think, we need
+give ourselves no further trouble concerning him.  Any way, you've got
+something very like the fulfilment of the wish you expressed the other
+day."
+
+"Ay, ay, that's true, Hal, I have," answered he, with a quiet laugh;
+"and I _do_ own it's a great satisfaction to me that we're carcumventin'
+the chap this 'a way.  I'll warrant he's walking the quarter-deck at
+this minute fit to bite his fingers off wi' vexation at our slipping
+past him in this style."
+
+Here another shot from the brig came bounding after us; but we offered
+him a much smaller mark than before, inasmuch as he was now nearly dead
+astern of us, and we consequently presented an _end_ instead of a
+broadside view to him.
+
+The shot shaved us pretty close to windward nevertheless, striking the
+water for the last time just short of our taffrail, and scurrying along
+and ploughing up the surface close enough to give us a pretty copious
+shower-bath of spray ere it finally sank just ahead of us.
+
+The next shot, which quickly followed, passed almost as close to
+leeward; and the third came straight enough, but fell just short of us.
+
+After this he fired no more.
+
+"Very cleverly managed, I call that, Harry," said Bob, as soon as we
+found ourselves once more out of range.  "We can now take things
+quietly; and as it's your watch below, I'd recommend you to turn in and
+get a bit of a snooze.  It's your eight hours out to-night, my lad, and
+if the breeze should happen to freshen about sundown, and that chap
+comes after us--and, by the piper, he means that same, for I'm blest if
+he isn't in stays--you'll need to keep both eyes open all your watch."
+
+This was good advice, and I at once proceeded to adopt it, cautioning
+Bob to be sure to call me without delay in the event of any further
+complication arising.
+
+I had not been below above two minutes when I heard his voice shouting
+to me to come on deck again.  Wondering what was now in the wind, I
+sprang up the short companion-ladder, and my eye at once falling upon
+the brig (which was now dead astern of us, heading in the same direction
+as ourselves, though not lying so close to the wind), I saw in a moment
+that our troubles were not yet by any means over.
+
+The wind had by this time fallen so light that we were not making above
+three knots' way through the water, whilst the pirate appeared barely to
+have steerage-way--in fact, his canvas was flapping to the mast with
+every sluggish roll which the vessel took over the long, scarcely
+perceptible swell.
+
+Friend Johnson was evidently greatly nettled at our having slipped so
+handsomely through his fingers as we had, and seemed determined to have
+a word or two with us yet, whether we would or no; for he had lowered
+one of his boats, and she was just leaving the vessel in chase.
+
+I took the glass, and counted six men at the oars, besides one or two (I
+could not be sure which) in the stern-sheets.
+
+This was serious indeed; for a light boat, propelled by six good
+oarsmen, would go about two feet to our one at our then rate of sailing,
+and must necessarily soon overhaul us.
+
+Our case appeared pretty nearly desperate; but a seaman never gives up
+"whilst there is a shot in the locker," or a fresh expedient to be
+tried.  So I directed Bob to keep the cutter away about three points,
+and then lash the tiller, and lend me a hand to get our balloon canvas
+set.
+
+The topsail was shifted in next to no time, and then we got the
+spinnaker to the bowsprit-end, leading the sheet aft to the main-boom;
+after which we took in our jib and stopped it along the bowsprit, ready
+for setting again at a moment's notice, and hauled down our staysail.
+
+This additional spread of canvas, coupled with the fact that we were
+running far enough off the wind to permit of its drawing well, made a
+perceptible difference in our speed--quite a knot, I considered, and Bob
+agreed with me.
+
+"Now, what's the next thing to be done, Harry?" inquired he, as soon as
+we had completed our task of shifting the sails.  "This is all very well
+as far as it goes, but yon boat is overhauling us at every stroke of the
+oars, and we've only _postponed_ the pleasure of an introduction to the
+chaps, unless the breeze happens to freshen up a trifle, of which I sees
+no signs just at present."
+
+"I've made up my mind," I replied.  "We _must not_ be taken, Bob.  I
+feel convinced that our lives would not be worth an hour's purchase, if
+we fell into the hands of that villain; but, even supposing he _were_ to
+stop short of murder, his malignity would doubtless prompt him to
+destroy the little _Lily_; and by such an act all our past efforts would
+be nullified, and our future success rendered extremely doubtful.  We
+must _fight_ Robert, my man, now that we can no longer run; so let's get
+our gun up and rigged without further delay.  By the time that we have
+it ready, they will be within range; and I think we may persuade them to
+turn back yet."
+
+"So be it," replied Bob gleefully.  "I'd always rather fight than run
+away, Harry, lad--at least, when it's anything like a fair match; so
+let's rouse up the pop-gun and have a shy at 'em."
+
+This gun was, as I think I have mentioned before, a four-pound rifled
+piece, which was specially made to my order by an eminent firm.  It was
+a most beautiful little weapon, exquisitely finished; was a
+breech-loader, and threw a solid shot about a mile, and a shell nearly
+half as far again.  It was mounted on a swivel or pivot, which we had
+the means of firmly fixing to the deck.
+
+We got it out and upon deck, and soon had it mounted and ready for
+service.  Bob took the tiller, desiring me to work the gun, as I was not
+only a more practised artillerist than he, but knew also how to handle a
+breech-loader, and I had the knack somehow of shooting straight.
+
+I had it loaded, and was in the act of levelling it, when Bob said,
+"Suppose we was to let them chaps get a bit nearer, Hal, afore we opens
+fire.  I've a notion that if we gets 'em well away from the brig, and
+well within range of our little barker there, we might give 'em such a
+peppering afore they could get clear of us ag'in as would sicken 'em of
+having any more to do with us.  Perhaps it mightn't be quite onpossible
+to destr'y the boat altogether, and then there's seven or eight good
+hands wiped off the chap's books.  This here ain't like a ordinary
+enemy, you see, lad--he's a sort of general enemy to all mankind; and
+the more harm we can do to _him_, the more good we'll be doing the rest
+of the world."
+
+It sounded rather like cold-blooded barbarity, this proposal of Bob's to
+attempt the _destruction_ instead of the _repulse_ of the boat in
+pursuit of us, but every word he said in support of his proposition was
+strictly true; and indeed some such idea had been present in my own
+mind, so I withheld my fire for a time.
+
+At length, however, they were within half a mile of us, and I thought we
+might now fairly commence operations.  I carefully levelled the piece
+accordingly, and desiring Bob to sit well out of the line of fire and
+steer as steadily as possible, I watched the heave of the cutter, and
+pulled the trigger-line.
+
+The shot sped straight for the boat, but, striking the water just before
+it reached her, bounded dear over her and into the sea beyond.  There
+was a shout from the people in the boat, and we could see that they
+stretched to their oars with doubled exertion.
+
+"Straight as it could go, Harry, lad, but _rather_ too much elevation;
+try 'em again, boy, and look smart about it too, for they're giving way
+as if the devil was behind 'em."
+
+"Which he probably _is_, if they did but know it, Bob," returned I.
+"Keep cool, old man; there's no hurry; you attend to the steering of the
+craft, I'll undertake to cool their courage for them before they're very
+much older."
+
+"Ay, ay," retorted Bob, "keep cool it is; but it's getting to be rather
+ticklish work, lad, ain't it?"
+
+I was too busy with the gun to reply just then, and in another moment I
+fired once more.  This time we saw the splinters fly from the bows of
+the boat, and one of the oarsmen sprang from his seat and fell back into
+the arms of the man behind him.
+
+There was a moment of confusion with them, and then we saw one of the
+men in the stern-sheets (there _were_ two of them) step along the
+thwarts and take the injured man's place.  This looked like a fixed
+determination to come alongside at any price, so I this time inserted a
+shell instead of a solid shot, which I had before been firing.
+
+Once more, after a very careful aim, the little piece rang out, and
+again the shot reached its mark; this time with terrible effect, for the
+shell exploded as it passed through the boat's thin planking, and the
+fragments, continuing their flight forward, told so severely, among the
+crew that it appeared as if they were _all_ more or less hurt.  We saw
+four fall from the thwarts, at all events, and all hands ceased pulling,
+whilst three of the oars slipped unnoticed overboard.
+
+I unrove the spinnaker-sheet from the main-boom before the astonished
+Bob knew what I was about, let go the halliards, and let the sail down
+by the run; and then jumped to the jib halliards and hoisted the sail
+like lightning.
+
+"Now," shouted I, "luff you may, Bob, and let's heave the craft to, and
+finish the job for them."
+
+As I said this, Bob put his helm down, whilst I hauled the jib sheet to
+windward, and then I sprang aft again to the gun.
+
+By this time they had taken to their oars again, but there were only two
+of them pulling: a sure indication of the extent to which our last shot
+had told.  They were turning the boat round to pull back to the ship,
+and seeing this I felt some compunction about firing on them again, and
+said so.
+
+"Don't be such a soft-hearted donkey, Harry lad," retorted Bob.  "Settle
+the whole lot if you can, boy; it'll only be so many skulking cutthroats
+the less in the world.  _My_ idee is that every one of them chaps as we
+can finish off is one honest man's life saved; so give 'em another of
+them shells, my boy.  They _do_ seem wonderful persuaders, small as they
+be."
+
+I accordingly loaded again, and fired; but, probably from excitement,
+fired too high, and the missile flew harmlessly over the boat.
+
+The next time I was more careful, aiming with the utmost deliberation.
+At length I pulled the trigger-line, and immediately leapt to my feet to
+watch for the result.
+
+The shell struck the boat's stern fairly amidships, and close to the
+water-line; there was an explosion, but both the oarsmen appeared to be
+unhurt.  Almost immediately, however, one of them sprang aft and
+crouched down, doing something that we could not make out.
+
+I took the glass, and then saw that a large gap had been made by the
+explosion of the shell, through which the water was doubtless pouring
+rapidly.
+
+There was a movement among the wounded men; and one man jumped upon a
+thwart and waved his hat to the brig, evidently as a signal of distress.
+Her captain had of course been watching us all this time, and seemed to
+have conjectured that his people were getting the worst of it, for we
+now saw that he had a second boat in the water; and on taking a look at
+the brig through the glass, we observed that he had a tackle on his main
+yard-arm, with which he was hoisting out a gun to put into the boat.
+
+"It is time we were off once more, Bob," I remarked, as soon as I saw
+this; "so another shot at our friends here, and then we'll fill away."
+
+The boat was very much disabled, and appeared to be sinking gradually,
+notwithstanding their efforts to keep her afloat, for they were now
+baling rapidly; but I thought it best to make sure of her, so once more
+loaded and fired.
+
+The shell passed through her stern this time also, and exploded; there
+was a shrill scream from more than one agonised throat, and the baling
+and pulling ceased altogether; every man in her was wounded, if not
+killed outright.
+
+Satisfied with our work of destruction, and not particularly caring to
+expose ourselves to the fire of the gun in the other boat, which was no
+doubt much heavier than our own toy of a weapon, we filled away; and I
+once more swayed up the spinnaker forward, desiring Bob to keep just
+sufficiently away to permit of our balloon canvas fully drawing, but no
+more.
+
+As soon as I had got the spinnaker set, I took the glass and had a good
+look at the boat we had beaten off.  She was nearly full of water, her
+gunwale being but an inch or two above the surface.
+
+I saw three or four figures rouse themselves on board her, and
+recommence baling feebly; but their efforts were useless; she sank lower
+and lower, and at length rolled heavily bottom upwards, throwing her
+wounded crew into the water.
+
+Almost immediately there was a furious splashing, and by the aid of the
+glass I distinctly saw the dorsal fins of several sharks darting here
+and there among them, whilst over the glassy surface of the water a
+shriek or two came faintly towards us.
+
+In less than a minute all was over with the miserable wretches; the
+voracious sharks made short work of it with them, tearing living and
+dead alike to pieces in their eagerness to obtain a share of the prey.
+
+At the moment that this tragic scene was enacting, the second boat was
+about half way between the brig and those to whose assistance she was
+hastening; and her crew had a nearer and more distinct view of the
+horrible details of the catastrophe than we had.
+
+They paused for a moment on their oars as though paralysed with horror;
+and then with a vengeful shout gave way more energetically than before.
+
+But I felt little apprehension on their account; the dying breeze had
+revived somewhat, and the _Lily_ was now stealing along, though with
+scarcely a ripple at her sharp bows, about five knots; and the water
+looked rather darker to windward, as though the wind was inclined to
+come still stronger.
+
+The pirates tugged at their oars with might and main, passing within
+oar's length of the wreck of the first boat, when they again raised a
+furious yell, straining away at their stout ash blades until they made
+them bend like willow wands.
+
+They gained on us considerably within the first ten minutes or quarter
+of an hour; and I saw some of the crew preparing to fire the gun which
+was mounted in the boat's bows.  Judging that more powder would have to
+be burned after all, I once more loaded our little piece, charging with
+shell as before; and whilst I was doing this our pursuers opened fire
+upon us.
+
+They miscalculated their distance, however, or the powers of their gun;
+for the shot fell considerably short of us, much to Bob's delight, to
+which he gave expression by the utterance of a few remarks of such
+biting sarcasm and raillery that they would infallibly have still
+further incensed the individuals to whom they were addressed could they
+but have heard them.
+
+I too was _very_ glad to see the shot fall short, for it placed us on
+somewhat more equal terms than I had dared to hope.  The boat was a
+large one, probably their launch, and pulled ten oars; and there were
+three men in the bows working the gun, and the coxswain aft steering,
+making altogether fourteen hands--very heavy odds.
+
+But then, on the other hand, the boat was heavy, and her crew, after
+their already long pull, could not maintain the violent exertions they
+were now putting forth very much longer; and a very trifling abatement
+in that direction would enable us to slip away from them after all; and,
+moreover, as they were now within range of our gun (which, being rifled,
+threw a shot much farther than their smooth-bore), there was a
+possibility of our being able so far to disable them as to compel them
+to give up the chase.
+
+I accordingly levelled the breech-loader, and then waited for a
+favourable opportunity to fire.  At length it came.  The shell entered
+the starboard bow of the pursuing boat, about midway between her gunwale
+and her water-line; and immediately, to our great surprise, there was a
+violent explosion on board her.
+
+A vivid flash of flame darted upward and outward; the sides of the boat
+appeared to be violently wrenched apart at their junction with the stem;
+the gun and its carriage rose heavily in the air about ten feet, and
+fell with a tremendous splash into the sea; and oars and men were flung
+wildly about, many of them being blown fairly overboard, whilst a dense
+cloud of smoke arose, and for a moment hid everything from our view.
+
+When it cleared away, there floated the wreck of the boat, just awash;
+and there too, among the struggling crew in the water, darted to and fro
+the fins of the terrible sharks, very probably the same monsters who had
+so recently feasted on their shipmates.  Our shell had taken most
+fearful effect, igniting their ammunition, and thus blowing their boat
+to pieces at our first discharge.
+
+Volume One, Chapter XI.
+
+THE CHASE DIVERTED.
+
+There was an awful suddenness about the destruction of this second boat
+and her crew which almost appalled us, and it was with considerably
+sobered feelings that, after a dead silence of a few minutes, we
+proceeded to discuss the character of our next movements.
+
+Our proper course was about north-west, that being the bearing of the
+point, the latitude and longitude of which had been given us as that of
+the treasure-island.
+
+Our charts showed no island exactly at that spot, but there were many at
+very short distances from it; indeed it was situated almost in the very
+heart of that extensive group of islets known as the Low Archipelago;
+and when talking the matter over before, we had decided that it was
+quite possible we should be obliged to take a somewhat extended cruise
+among these islands, and to examine several of them before coming upon
+the one of which we were in search.
+
+Under these circumstances we came to the conclusion that it would be
+unadvisable to give the pirates any indication of our true destination
+by steering on our proper course as long as they were in sight, for the
+destruction of their two boats, with the loss of their crews, would
+undoubtedly kindle such a desire for vengeance in the breasts of the
+survivors as, in all likelihood, to prompt them to go a good bit out of
+their way, if necessary, to get it.
+
+So, after a long debate and a careful examination of the chart, which I
+brought on deck for the purpose, we decided to bear away on a course as
+though bound to New Zealand.
+
+This took us about a point farther off the wind than we had been
+steering for the last few hours; but we did not trouble much about that,
+as we hoped to give the brig the slip some time during the ensuing
+night.
+
+Accordingly we bore away upon the course decided on; the sails were
+trimmed with the utmost nicety, and then, it being about the time for
+our evening meal, I took the tiller, while Bob went below to look after
+the kettle.
+
+The brig was by this time about six or seven miles astern of us, and was
+steering directly after us, with apparently every stitch of canvas set
+that would draw.  I lashed the tiller for a moment, and jumped down
+below for my sextant, with which I returned to the deck, and carefully
+set him by it, with the view of ascertaining just before dark whether he
+had gained anything on us, or we on him, in the interim.
+
+Tea being ready, Bob served it on deck; and whilst we leisurely
+discussed the meal, we talked over our chances of dodging our pursuer
+during the night.
+
+Unfortunately, these now appeared to be rather slender; for there was
+not a cloud to be seen, and the moon, well advanced in her second
+quarter, was already visible in the deep sapphire of the eastern sky ere
+the west had well begun to glow with the rich warm hues of sunset.  And
+to add to our difficulty in this respect, the wind again fell lighter,
+and ere long died completely away.
+
+The sun went down in calm and cloudless splendour; the golden glories of
+the west deepened into rich crimson, then faded into purple, and from
+purple into warm grey; the brief twilight quickly deepened into night,
+and the moon, "sweet regent of the sky," shed her soft silvery beams
+abroad over the tranquil ocean; while the larger stars added their
+mellow radiance to beautify the scene.
+
+There was not the faintest breath of wind to ruffle the mirror-like
+surface of the long glassy swells as they undulated sluggishly beneath
+us; and the flap of our canvas, the pattering of the reef-points, the
+creaking of the main-boom, and the occasional "_cheep, cheep_" of the
+rudder upon its pintles, served but to mark and emphasise the deep calm
+of sleeping Nature.
+
+It was a glorious night--a night of such exquisite loveliness as is
+perhaps never witnessed except when far away from land; but, situated as
+we were, greatly as we admired its beauty, we would rather have
+witnessed a sky traversed by fast-flying clouds, and would gladly have
+exchanged the tender silence which brooded around us for the singing of
+the wind through our rigging and the hissing sound of the rapidly
+following surges.
+
+We walked fore and aft on our short deck, one on each side, smoking our
+pipes and whistling for a breeze, and pausing occasionally to listen for
+the roll of oars in their rowlocks, or their plash in the water; for we
+did not know what new trick our neighbour astern might feel disposed to
+play us, though we both thought it improbable he would send another boat
+away--at all events, whilst we maintained our present distance from him.
+
+He was distinctly visible in the bright moonlight, and of course we kept
+a watchful eye upon him; but we could detect no signs aboard of him to
+give us any uneasiness.
+
+At length, just about eight bells, as Bob was preparing to go below, I
+noticed that the shimmer of the moonbeams, which had hitherto played in
+but a few wavering streaks over the surface of the water close to us,
+was now revealing itself on the horizon, spreading gradually abroad on
+each side of the point at which it had first appeared, and slowly
+advancing over the surface of the ocean towards us.
+
+"Here comes the breeze, Bob!"  I exclaimed.  "Stay on deck a few minutes
+longer until we can see what is to be the order of the night.  See,
+there it comes, away out from the eastward; and the brig is already
+squaring away his yards, as though he felt the first faint puffs.  Ay,"
+continued I, as I took a look at him through the glass, "there go his
+stunsail-booms, and there go his stunsails to boot.  Now the rascal will
+run down to us with the first of the breeze, and perhaps have us under
+his guns before we can catch a breath of it.  Cast loose this
+spinnaker-boom, old man, and let's get it rigged out and the sail set in
+readiness for the breeze when it comes.  If we can only get it before he
+comes within range of us, I believe we can walk away from him even in a
+run to leeward, provided we don't have the breeze _too_ strong."
+
+We worked with a will, the reader may be sure, and soon had the huge
+sail set on the starboard side, whilst the main-boom was guyed out to
+port.
+
+We then went all round the deck, taking a pull at the halliards where
+necessary; and then, though a heavy dew was falling, we got up a small
+hand-pump and some hose we had provided ourselves with, and gave the
+sails a thorough wetting.
+
+The brig ran down to within about a couple of miles of us before the
+first faint cat's-paws came stealing over the water towards us; then the
+balloon-topsail filled, collapsed, and filled again, the spinnaker
+ceased its rustle, and there was a gentle surge as the light strain
+first came upon the spars and rigging; the tiller began to vibrate
+beneath my hand, a long ripple spread itself out from each bow, and the
+_Water Lily_ began once more to slip gaily away.
+
+I got Bob to give a look to our preventers, in case it should become a
+matter of sheer _carrying on_, and then sent him below, as it had been a
+day of excitement for him, and, consequently, of fatigue.
+
+The breeze gradually freshened, the water hissed and sparkled away from
+our sharp bows, and the swirling eddies in our wake told a cheering tale
+as to the speed with which we were flying over the surface of the now
+crisply-ruffled ocean; and before my watch was out, I had the
+satisfaction of seeing that we were certainly drawing away from our
+persevering enemy, the broad, flat model of the _Lily_ being as
+favourable to her sailing powers before the wind as her deep keel was
+when close-hauled.
+
+I called Bob at midnight, and strictly cautioned him to give me timely
+notice if the breeze freshened sufficiently to necessitate a reduction
+of canvas, or if anything occurred rendering my presence on deck
+desirable; and then I dived below, flung off my clothes, and tumbled
+into my hammock, and "in the twinkling of a purser's lantern" was fast
+asleep.
+
+When I went on deck again at four o'clock I found that the breeze had
+freshened very considerably during my watch below, and under other
+circumstances I should most certainly have taken in the spinnaker and
+shifted topsails; but though we had dropped the brig considerably, he
+still hung most pertinaciously in our wake, so there was nothing for it
+but still to carry on.
+
+The craft must have been a splendid sailer, for, though by this time we
+were going close upon sixteen knots, we had not increased our distance
+from her much more than four miles during the time I had been below.
+
+Nothing worthy of note occurred during my watch.  The wind appeared to
+have reached the limits of its strength, and now blew steadily, with
+sufficient force to try our spars and gear to their utmost, but not
+quite strong enough to carry anything away, and we continued to increase
+our distance from the brig.
+
+At seven bells I called Bob, who set about the preparations for
+breakfast, and great were our mutual congratulations over that meal at
+the now thoroughly-established fact that, fast as the _Albatross_
+undoubtedly was, she was no match for the little _Water Lily_ in
+ordinary weather.
+
+As soon as breakfast was over and the things cleared away, I got an
+observation for the longitude, and then went below to have a nap,
+desiring Bob to call me at seven bells, that I might take a meridian
+altitude.
+
+He did so, and as soon as I came on deck with my sextant, he said, "Look
+there, Harry, what d'ye think of that?  I wouldn't call ye when I first
+made 'em out, as it only wanted half an hour to seven bells, and I
+knowed you'd feel a bit tired after yesterday.  But _ain't_ it a
+wonderful sight?"
+
+As he spoke he pointed away to a little on our starboard bow, and
+stooping down in order to see under the foot of the spinnaker, I there
+beheld what was indeed to me a wonderful sight.  Away nearly as far as
+we could see, upon the verge of the horizon, appeared a vast herd or
+"school" of whales, spouting in all directions and indulging in the most
+extraordinary gambols, each apparently striving to outvie the others in
+the feat of leaping entirely out of the water.
+
+I am afraid to make anything like a positive statement as to the heights
+achieved by some of the monsters, but it really appeared to me that a
+few of them rose nearly, if not quite, five and twenty feet into the
+air, descending again with a splash which reminded me of some of the
+torpedo experiments I had witnessed when staying for a few days at
+Portsmouth.
+
+I was careful to get my observation, which I rapidly worked out, and
+entered in the log; after which I relieved Bob at the tiller, whilst he
+went below to see to the dinner.
+
+As he descended the short companion-ladder he turned round and observed
+with a comical look, "I say, Harry, I hope there ain't no stray sarpents
+knocking about in this here neighbourhood; 'twould be uncommon awk'ard
+for us to have one of they chaps waiting for us ahead and that infarnal
+brig still in sight astarn."
+
+Just as dinner made its appearance I descried a sail about two points on
+our starboard bow.  It was a vessel under single-reefed topsails,
+heading to the southward, and consequently standing across our bows.
+
+She was too far off for us to make out anything but the heads of her
+sails from the deck, but as soon as I saw her I resigned the tiller to
+Bob and went up as far as the cross-trees to have a better look at her.
+
+From thence I made her out to be a barque apparently close-hauled on the
+port tack; but of what nationality she might be we were yet too far
+distant from her to decide, though I thought from the cut of her sails
+that she was English.
+
+I was still standing upon the cross-trees, shouting my observations to
+Bob, when I noticed a commotion amongst the herd of whales, which we
+were by this time fast nearing, and bringing my glass to bear, I at
+length made out three boats pulling towards them.
+
+The whales were evidently rather doubtful as to the intentions of these
+boats, though we were not.  We saw at once that the stranger was a
+whaler, and that these were her boats despatched in chase.
+
+The whales came swimming leisurely to windward with the boats in hot
+pursuit.  What to do was now the question with us.  We ought most
+certainly to advise the whalers of the character of the brig, but it
+would never do to shorten sail and deviate anything considerable from
+our course with this object.
+
+We should very probably be taken before we could accomplish our purpose,
+and in that event we should sacrifice ourselves without doing the others
+any good.  However, as a preliminary, we displayed our ensign, and as
+the boats were coming almost directly towards us, I sheered sufficiently
+out of our course to pass within hail of the leader.
+
+We were now running through the very thickest of the herd, and it was
+rather nervous work, for with a single lash of its mighty tail any one
+of the monsters might have destroyed us; and with such a cloud of canvas
+as we were carrying the deviations from our course which we dared to
+make were very trifling.
+
+Had we luffed, for example, high enough for our spinnaker to jibe, the
+craft would probably have "turned the turtle" with us; or, if we had
+proved fortunate enough to escape this, we should most certainly have
+made a clean sweep of the spars.
+
+We were almost within hail of the leading boat when she fastened to an
+enormous whale.  The creature dived instantly, taking out line at a
+tremendous rate, but still continuing on its original course.
+
+This brought the boat close past us on our starboard side, the crew
+sitting with their oars apeak, and the water foaming a good foot above
+the level of the boat's bows as she was towed furiously along.
+
+I took the trumpet in my hand, and as she dashed past, I hailed, "The
+brig astern is a pirate; cut adrift and rejoin your ship as soon as
+possible."
+
+The boat-steerer waved his hand, but they made no attempt to free
+themselves from the whale, and I feared they had not clearly understood
+me; though I saw the men turning to each other as though comparing notes
+on the communication I had made, and the boat-steerer shaded his eyes
+with his hand as he took a hasty look at the rapidly approaching brig.
+
+The two other boats, meanwhile, were pulling away to the southward in
+pursuit of a couple of gigantic whales which had separated from the rest
+of the herd, and which, from the pace at which they were travelling,
+seemed likely to lead their pursuers a pretty dance.  It was quite out
+of our power to convey any warning to those, and I was most reluctantly
+compelled to stand on upon our original course, or dead to leeward.
+
+Presently the whale which was struck turned sharp round, and came
+tearing back over the ground he had just traversed.  I felt more than
+half inclined to take as broad a sheer as I dared out of his way; I did
+not at all like the look of him as he came foaming down towards us.
+
+But the desire to repeat my warning was stronger even than my fear of
+the whale; and, watching him narrowly as he came up, I directed Bob how
+to steer, and the instant he was past us, Bob eased down the helm, and
+we sheered towards the boat he had in tow.
+
+I stood by with the trumpet as before, but it was unnecessary, for as
+they came alongside, the boat-steerer sheered our way, whilst the crew
+rapidly paid out line, by which means the whale-boat's speed was so
+reduced that we had time to communicate before she passed ahead.
+
+"Cutter ahoy!" hailed the boat-steerer as we rushed along within twenty
+feet of each other; "what was that you said just now?"
+
+"The brig astern of us is a pirate," I replied; "she fired upon us
+yesterday at mid-day, and has been in chase ever since.  I would advise
+you to rejoin your ship before she comes up if possible.  Your skipper
+will need all his hands on board if she ranges alongside."
+
+"The devil!" ejaculated he in reply.  "You don't seem hit anywhere,"
+glancing aloft at our taper spars and snowy canvas, which showed no
+wounds or shot-holes to vouch for the truth of my statement.
+
+"No," answered I; "he only had time to fire five shots at us before we
+slipped past him to windward, and we escaped untouched."
+
+"Hang it!" he exclaimed, in a tone of vexation; "I don't like to lose
+this fine fish that we're fast to; but we shall have to let him go, no
+doubt of that; but how the devil am I to recall the other boats?"
+
+"I will fire our gun to attract their attention," I replied, "and you
+can make any signal you think most likely to effect your object."
+
+"Thank 'ee," returned he; "I shall be obliged if you will."
+
+And then he signalled to the men who had charge of the line, and they
+gradually reduced the speed at which it ran out, and finally held all
+fast with an extra turn round the bollard, and away the boat dashed once
+more.
+
+I charged the gun (which still remained mounted on deck) with a blank
+cartridge, and duly greasing the muzzle to increase the report, fired.
+The crew of the whale-boat tossed their oars on end, and kept them so
+for a few minutes, or until it was seen that the other boats had
+abandoned the chase, and were pulling back toward them.
+
+The crew of the boat which was fast to the whale were knowing enough not
+to cut themselves adrift so long as their prize towed them in the
+direction they wished to go; and, as he seemed to have started for a
+regular long run to leeward, they appeared to stand a very fair chance
+of being towed almost alongside their ship.
+
+She had been making short stretches to windward ever since we first
+sighted her, and we were by this time within a couple of miles of her.
+From her motions we judged that the people left on board to work her had
+heard the report of our gun, and had witnessed the recall of the other
+two boats, and perhaps suspected that something was wrong somewhere, for
+she was now plainly manoeuvring to close with all three of the boats as
+quickly as possible.
+
+The whale, meanwhile, had been running in such a direction as to cross
+the barque's bows about a quarter of a mile distant, and he actually ran
+far enough to enable the crew of the boat which had fastened to him to
+cut themselves adrift when fairly in their ship's course; so that, in a
+very few minutes after the stroke of the keen tomahawk had severed their
+tow-line, they were alongside, and the boat was run up to the davits.
+
+So smart were the crew of the whaler in picking up their boat, that they
+must have swung their main-yard the moment the frail craft was hooked
+on, without waiting until she was actually hoisted up.
+
+The barque had scarcely begun to gather way before the hands were in her
+rigging, and next moment they were laying out on both topsail-yards and
+turning out the reefs; although the breeze was so strong that,
+half-loaded as she was, she was careening almost gunwale to.
+
+We passed close under her stern; and her skipper, as we drew near,
+walked aft to the taffrail and hailed us.
+
+"Thank you, sir, for your information; please report us and this
+circumstance; God knows whether we shall escape the rascals or no."
+
+I waved my hand, to signify that I understood and would comply with his
+request; noting, as I did so, the name and the port of registry of the
+vessel, which were painted on her stern in white letters: "The
+_Kingfisher_, of Hull."
+
+Scarcely were we past her, when we saw a small red flag go fluttering up
+to her main-topgallant-mast-head; a signal, as we supposed, to hurry the
+other boats back.  The poor fellows were awkwardly situated.
+
+Had they been hull-down to the northward or the southward, the pirates
+might possibly, in the eagerness of their desire for vengeance upon us,
+have allowed her to pass on unmolested; but now that the barque lay
+almost directly within their path, we dared not hope for any such
+display of forbearance.
+
+There were many stores on board a well-found whaler which would be most
+useful to men situated like the desperadoes on board the brig; and they
+would scarcely forego the opportunity of making the acquisition for the
+sake of continuing to chase a craft which was indubitably walking away
+from them fast, and which must run them out of sight altogether in a few
+hours more, unless some accident occurred to place her within their
+power.
+
+We watched the proceedings of the two vessels with the most absorbing
+interest, as may well be supposed.  The _Lily_ was very quickly far
+enough to leeward of the barque to enable us to see the two boats clear
+of his bow; and we noticed that their crews were pulling with might and
+main.
+
+But in about ten minutes' time they were once more shut in by the
+intervention of their vessel's hull between us and them; and before they
+could open out astern of her, the barque went in stays, having
+apparently stood on far enough to fetch her boats on the next tack.
+
+The brig had in the interim run down to within about four miles of the
+whaler, and was still flying along, dead before the wind, with
+everything set, up to topgallant stunsails on both sides; and no sign
+had so far revealed itself on board her by which we could judge of the
+intention of her crew.
+
+By the time that she had run another mile, we saw the whaler's main-yard
+once more thrown aback; an indication that she was about to pick up her
+other two boats; and there now appeared to be a strong probability that
+she would have time to hoist them in and be off again, before the pirate
+could approach her within gun-shot.
+
+The situation became eminently exciting; and so anxious was I that the
+whaler should have every chance of making her escape, that I directed
+Bob to let go our spinnaker out-haul, and allow the traveller to run in
+along the boom, in the hope that, by leading the pirates to believe it
+had become necessary for us to shorten sail, they might be tempted,
+after all, to keep on in chase of us, instead of interfering with the
+barque.
+
+It would have afforded us almost unmitigated satisfaction to have seen
+them continue the chase, for we now felt perfectly satisfied that in
+moderate weather we had the heels of the _Albatross_, both close-hauled
+and running free, and could we succeed in decoying them far enough to
+leeward to permit of the whaler making good his escape, I was willing to
+trust to the future for the means of ultimately shaking our vindictive
+pursuer off.
+
+In further prosecution of this project, as soon as Bob had got the
+spinnaker in, I lashed the tiller for a moment and jumped forward to
+assist him in getting in our enormous balloon-topsail, which I foresaw
+would have to be taken off the craft shortly if we wished to save the
+topmast, the wind being rather on the increase and our rigging already
+strained to the tension of harp-strings.  This done, we found time to
+take another look at the whaler.
+
+His main-yard was just swinging as we turned our glances in his
+direction, and then his bows fell off until he headed about north-west;
+his men springing into the rigging and scurrying away aloft to loose
+topgallant-sails; one hand meantime laying out on the jibboom to loose
+the flying-jib.
+
+Away went the jolly old craft in magnificent style, heading about
+north-west, and evidently upon her best point of sailing.  She crossed
+our stern, shutting out the pirate brig for a moment, and we fully
+expected that when that craft next appeared we should see her hauled up
+in chase; but nothing of the kind; on she came, still heading direct for
+us, and I began to hope that our plan of luring her on to follow us was
+about to prove successful.
+
+Two or three minutes, which seemed like ages to us, elapsed; and then,
+all in a moment, his stunsails (or _studding_-sails, as I ought more
+correctly to spell the word) collapsed, and fluttered wildly for a few
+seconds in the breeze, and disappeared; his royal-halliards were let go,
+and the sails rolled up and furled; and as he hauled up to follow the
+barque, his foresail lifted and there was a flash, a puff of white
+smoke, and before the report had time to drive down to us we saw the
+shot skipping along from wave to wave, as a polite intimation to the
+barque to heave to.
+
+But the whaling skipper was not the man to give up without a struggle.
+He had no studding-sails, but he was heading in such a direction that
+the brig could not use hers while following him, and it seemed that he
+trusted to his light trim to enable him to get clear.
+
+Gun after gun was now rapidly fired by the pirates, but they were not
+yet within range, though it was only too evident that they would be
+before very long, and I greatly feared that the barque's chances of
+escape were remarkably small.
+
+In about an hour they both disappeared in the north-western board; but,
+when last seen, the barque was still carrying on, with the pirate
+banging away at her most perseveringly with his long gun.
+
+"Thank goodness, we're shut of the blackguards at last!" exclaimed Bob,
+as the sails of the two craft sank below the horizon; "though I'm
+duberous it's a poor look out for them whalin' chaps.  If the poor
+beggars gets caught, it's small marcy as they'll have showed 'em, unless
+there's any on 'em white-livered enough to jine the brig to save their
+lives.  Skipper Johnson won't be partic'lar amiable, I reckon, a'ter the
+loss of his two boats' crews yesterday--two-and-twenty hands, all told;
+and I don't suppose as he's the man to mind much _who_ he has his
+revenge upon, so long's he _gets_ it.  But what's to be our next move,
+lad, now we're once more all alone by ourselves?"
+
+"I've been thinking about that," I replied.  "I do not expect the
+pirates will trouble their heads about us any more, now that they have
+lost sight of us; but they _may_, and it will be just as well to provide
+against any such contingency.  If they resume the chase, they will most
+probably look for us somewhere on the course we were steering when last
+seen, or else to the northward.  There is nothing to take us to the
+southward, so that is the most improbable direction, in my opinion, in
+which they are likely to look for us; and that, therefore, is the
+direction in which I propose to steer.  Let us make the craft snug, and
+stand away to the southward and eastward, full and by, and at eight
+o'clock to-morrow morning we will go about and make a leg to the
+northward and eastward for perhaps twenty-four hours.  This will place
+us well to windward, and in about the last spot in the world where he
+would think of looking for us.  What do you think of the plan, Bob?"
+
+"Fust rate," responded that worthy; "a regular traverse, and about the
+most in-and-out bit of carcumvention as the ingenuity o' man could
+invent.  Let's set about it at once, my lad; and by the time as we've
+cleared up a bit, and made things comfortable, it'll be time to see
+about gettin' tea."
+
+We accordingly set about "making things comfortable" forthwith.  The
+balloon-topsail was carefully rolled up and put away, the spinnaker
+(which we had only allowed to run in close to the mast, and had hastily
+secured with a stop or two) ditto, and our topmast housed; the
+spinnaker-boom was run in, unrigged, and secured, and we then gibed the
+mainsail over, and stood away, close-hauled, about south-east, the
+little _Lily_ staggering along in regular racing style under whole lower
+canvas, when by rights, with the amount of wind we had, we ought to have
+had at least _one_ reef down, and the Number 1 jib shifted for Number 2.
+
+However, we were used to carrying on by this time, and had become so
+thoroughly intimate with the cutter's sail-carrying powers that we knew
+we might safely give her all the canvas her spars would bear.
+
+By the time that all was done, and our gun (which we did not think it
+worth while to dismount and stow away again for the present) carefully
+covered over with its painted canvas coat, the sun was on the verge of
+the horizon, the weather having a settled appearance, with a promise of
+the breeze holding good through the night.
+
+END OF VOLUME ONE.
+
+Volume Two, Chapter I.
+
+THE WRECK OF THE COPERNICUS.
+
+At eight o'clock next morning, nothing having occurred during the night
+worthy of record, we went about and stood away about north-east on the
+starboard tack.  The wind continued fresh, but steady, and we averaged
+quite thirteen knots during the whole of the next twenty-four hours.
+
+Having carried out our plan for eluding the brig, and being by this time
+well to windward of the spot where we parted company with her, I
+considered we might now with safety bear away upon our course, which we
+accordingly did directly after breakfast, setting our balloon
+gaff-topsail once more, and getting the spinnaker to the bowsprit-end
+again.
+
+This additional canvas had the effect of increasing our speed to fully
+sixteen knots; and the alteration of our course produced a corresponding
+and very agreeable change in the motion of the yacht; the quick jerky
+plunge of a vessel digging into a head-sea being exchanged for a long
+easy swinging roll, which was far more conducive to comfort, especially
+as we now enjoyed the added luxury of a dry deck.
+
+Three days passed utterly devoid of incident, except that the wind
+gradually hauled far enough aft to enable us to shift our spinnaker from
+the bowsprit-end to the starboard side; and once more we were flying
+along upon our course with the wind nearly dead fair, and every stitch
+of canvas spread that we had the means of packing upon the little craft.
+
+With our low hull, we must have presented the appearance of a snow-white
+pyramid, gliding, unsupported, over the surface of the ocean.  On the
+morning of the fourth day, as I came upon deck at seven-bells to relieve
+Bob, whilst he looked after breakfast, the old fellow said, "Here,
+Harry, your eyes are younger than mine; what d'ye make this out to be
+away here broad upon our starboard-bow?"
+
+I looked in the direction indicated, and saw what appeared to be the
+stumps of three spars just showing above the horizon.  I took the glass,
+and went aloft as far as the crosstrees, and from that "coign of
+'vantage" made out that they were the lower masts of a full-rigged ship
+of considerable size; for I could see the three lower yards with long
+streamers of canvas fluttering from them.
+
+The topmasts were carried away close to the caps and hung over the side,
+with topgallant-masts, yards, sails, etc., still attached, a great
+tangled mass of wreck.  There was no signal of distress flying on board
+so far as I could see, so I concluded that the vessel was derelict; but
+as it would not take us very much out of our way, and as we were in no
+great hurry, I resolved to haul up and take a nearer look at her.
+
+Accordingly, having advised Bob of what I had seen and of my intention,
+we took in the spinnaker and gaff-topsail, lowered the topmast, and then
+hauled up for the stranger.
+
+An hour afterwards we were near enough to make out that she was a most
+beautiful craft of about eighteen hundred tons register, with very
+little the matter with her apparently, except that she had been
+dismasted, doubtless in some sudden squall.
+
+We saw but one boat at her davits, and that was the one at her starboard
+quarter, which had been smashed completely in two by the wreck of the
+mizzen-topmast in its fall; we therefore concluded that the crew, seized
+by an unaccountable panic, had left her.
+
+We were within a quarter of a mile of the vessel, when a solitary
+figure, that of a female, appeared upon her lofty poop.  She no sooner
+saw us approaching than she waved her handkerchief to us vehemently, to
+which we responded by waving our hats; when, seeing that her signal had
+been observed, she sank down upon the lid of the skylight, and seemed to
+give way to a violent flood of tears.
+
+"Why, damn me if it don't look as if the mean cowardly crew have been
+and desarted the poor thing," exclaimed Bob with unusual vehemence, as
+we noticed that the figure never moved as though to direct the attention
+of others to our approach.
+
+It looks very like it, I replied; but we shall soon see.  It will be an
+awkward matter to board, however, with all that wreck dangling about to
+leeward.  Stand by to ease the jib-sheet up, as I put the helm down.
+
+Another minute, and we were hove to on the ship's lee quarter, as near
+as we dared approach.
+
+The young girl (for such we now saw her to be) had by this time so far
+recovered her composure as to rise up once more and approach the
+lee-side of the deck.
+
+Taking off my hat, and making my best bow, I hailed, "Are you all alone
+on board there?"
+
+"Yes, oh yes," she replied, in the sweetest voice I had ever heard; "I
+have been quite alone for more than a week.  Pray, pray do not go away
+and leave me again, sir.  I have been nearly mad, and I shall die if I
+remain alone here much longer."
+
+"Make your mind quite easy, my dear young lady," I replied; "we
+certainly will not leave you, come what may.  But it will be very
+difficult for us to get on board, with those spars swaying about; and
+the attempt to do so may occupy much time.  But do not suffer the
+slightest apprehension; we will get you off the wreck somehow, never
+fear.  After all," I remarked, half to her and half to Bob, "I believe
+the quickest way out of the difficulty will be for me to jump overboard
+and swim alongside; there are plenty of ropes-ends hanging over the side
+to help me on board."
+
+"Oh no, sir!" she exclaimed eagerly, "indeed you must do nothing of the
+kind.  There is an immense shark down there," pointing under the
+counter; "he has scarcely left the ship a moment since the sailors went
+away."
+
+This was awkward.  There seemed no chance of being able to get on board
+to leeward, the whole of the ship's starboard side being completely
+encumbered with wreck; and there was far too much sea to permit of our
+running alongside to windward.
+
+I took a careful glance at the gear aloft, and then made up my mind what
+to do.
+
+The ship's fore-yard was lying nearly square, the yard-arms projecting
+several feet beyond the ship's sides, and I decided to board, by means
+of the fore-brace, to windward.
+
+I hailed the young girl, telling her what to do to assist me, and then
+set about making preparations for leaving the _Water Lily_ in Bob's sole
+charge for a while.
+
+We took a double reef in the mainsail, and took the jib in altogether,
+running in the jib-boom also.  This placed the craft under handy canvas
+for one man to work, and, at the same time, prevented the possibility of
+the jib-boom being carried away.  We also got our cork-fenders upon
+deck, in case of unavoidably dropping alongside, and were then ready to
+make the proposed experiment.
+
+The young girl had, meantime, made the lee fore-brace fast, and had then
+gone over to windward and cast off the running part of the
+weather-brace, which she threw overboard.
+
+I now hailed again, telling her what we were about to do, and then
+signed to Bob to put the helm up.
+
+The cutter fell off until she was dead before the wind, when we gibed
+her and hauled again to the wind on the starboard tack, so as to cross
+the ship's stern at a sufficient distance to insure the success of our
+contemplated manoeuvre.
+
+Bob was a splendid helmsman, or I should have hesitated about attempting
+the feat we were now going to put in practice, as the slightest
+nervousness or want of tact on his part would have resulted in very
+serious damage to the _Lily_, if it did not actually cause her total
+destruction.  But I had full confidence in his skill; and, moreover, was
+there not a woman to be rescued from a position which might at any
+moment become one of the most imminent peril, even if it were not so
+already?
+
+So, as soon as we were far enough to windward, I signed to Bob to put
+down the helm, and round the little craft came like a top, and away we
+flew down towards the ship's weather-side, going well free, but with the
+sheets flattened in, all ready to luff and claw off to windward the
+moment I had got hold of the brace.
+
+Down we swept direct for the ship's weather-quarter, the fair girl
+standing again upon the poop and watching our motions with the most
+overwhelming anxiety.
+
+At exactly the right instant, Bob eased his helm gently down, and the
+cutter shot along the ship's lofty side within ten feet of it.  I stood
+just forward of the rigging, ready to seize the brace the moment it came
+within reach, and in another instant I had it.
+
+Shouting to Bob to luff, I swung myself off into the air, and made the
+best of my way aloft hand over hand.
+
+It had been my original intention to ascend to the yard-arm, and, laying
+in from thence, descend the fore-rigging to the deck; but, pausing for a
+moment, in my anxiety to see whether Bob would scrape dear--which he
+very cleverly did, having kept good way on the boat--I found that, aided
+by the roll of the vessel, I might easily swing myself in upon her rail.
+
+This I soon managed, landing upon the deck to find myself confronted by
+the most lovely little creature you can imagine, who extended both her
+hands impulsively to me as she exclaimed, "Oh, welcome, sir, welcome!
+and a thousand thousand thanks for coming to my help! and at such danger
+too!  How can I ever repay you?"
+
+"I am more than repaid already," replied I, "for the very slight trouble
+I have taken, by the happiness of finding it in my power to rescue you
+from your present situation.  The first thing to be done," I continued,
+"is to provide for the safety of my little craft, after which we shall
+have ample time, I hope, to make suitable arrangements for transferring
+you on board her.  Ah! a lucky thought," continued I, as I saw the
+sounding-rod and line attached to the fife-rail, "let us see what water
+the craft has in her."
+
+I sounded, and found there was barely two feet of water in the hold, so
+it was evident that the vessel was perfectly tight and seaworthy, except
+as to the damage aloft.
+
+Bob had by this time passed ahead and to leeward, and was now
+approaching on our lee quarter once more.  I waited until he was within
+hail, and then told him to heave-to well clear of the ship, as I
+proposed to cut adrift all the wreck, a task which I thought I could
+manage without very much difficulty, and which when done would enable
+the _Water Lily_ to come alongside to leeward.
+
+He waved his hand in reply, and the fore-sheet being already to
+windward, he left the cutter to take care of herself, while he seated
+himself composedly in a deck-chair to smoke his pipe and watch my
+proceedings.
+
+I soon found a tomahawk, and, armed with this, I went up the
+mizzen-rigging, intending to work my way forward.  It was hard work
+single-handed; but by noon I had succeeded in clearing the whole mass
+away, and the ship soon drifted free of it, leaving her upper spars a
+confused floating mass upon the water.
+
+As soon as this was done, I got an eight-inch hawser off the top of the
+house forward, and managed with considerable labour to get it coiled
+down afresh upon the poop.  I then bent on a heaving-line to one end of
+the hawser, which, by this means, I got to the cutter, when we moored
+her securely astern of the ship.
+
+Bob then came on board up a rope which I had lashed to the mizzen
+boom-end for his accommodation; and we found time to look around us.
+
+As soon as our fair hostess saw me fairly at work upon the wreck aloft,
+she had betaken herself to the galley and I saw her from time to time,
+during the intervals of my labour, busying herself in sundry culinary
+operations; and she now came upon the poop where Bob and I were
+standing, and announced that dinner was ready, adding, "And I am sure
+you must stand in need of it after your hard morning's work."
+
+I thanked her and said, "But before we go below, permit me to introduce
+myself.  My name," raising my hat and bowing, "is Henry Collingwood, and
+I am the owner of the small craft now hanging on astern.  This,"
+indicating Bob, who took off his hat and made a most elaborate "scrape,"
+"is my friend and well-tried shipmate, Robert Trunnion, who, with
+myself, will do all we can to make you comfortable on board the cutter,
+and will stand by you to the death if need be, until we have placed you
+in perfect safety."
+
+The fair girl seemed much affected by my speech, but bowing most
+gracefully in return, she said, "And my name is Ella Brand.  I have been
+left alone in this ship by what I cannot but believe was a dreadful
+mistake, and I accept your hospitality and help as frankly as you have
+offered it.  And now, gentlemen, that we are properly introduced," with
+a gay laugh, "permit me to conduct you to the cabin.  Come, pussy."
+
+This last invitation was bestowed upon a pretty little playful kitten
+which had been following the girl about the ship all the morning.
+
+When we entered the cabin which, as is the case in most large ships, was
+on deck, we found a most sumptuous meal prepared.  Whatever other
+dangers the little fairy might have been exposed to, it was quite
+evident that Miss Brand had been in no immediate danger of starving.
+
+Like a sensible girl she had obtained access to the ship's stores, and
+was evidently well acquainted with the most approved methods of
+preparing food for human consumption.  The meal was a thoroughly
+pleasant one, for we were all happy; she, that assistance had come to
+her, and we, that it had been our good fortune to bestow it.
+
+Whilst sitting at table the sweet little creature gave us her history,
+and recounted the circumstances which had placed her in her present
+position; but as there was nothing very remarkable in either, I shall
+give both in a condensed form, as I have a most wholesome dread of
+wearying my readers.
+
+She told us that she was an only child, and that for the last ten years
+she had been a resident in Canton, whither her father had proceeded to
+take possession of a lucrative appointment.  After a residence of five
+years there, her mother died; and her father, who was passionately
+attached to his wife, seemed never to have recovered from the blow.
+
+Five years more passed away, and the husband followed his fondly-loved
+companion, dying (so Ella asserted sobbingly) of no disease in
+particular, but of a gradual wasting away, the result, as she believed,
+of a slowly breaking heart.
+
+She thus found herself left alone and almost friendless in a strange
+land, and, after taking counsel with such friends as her father had
+made, she had, with their assistance, disposed of everything, and had
+taken passage in the _Copernicus_ to London, in the faint hope of being
+able to find some friends of her mother's of whom she had heard, but had
+never seen, her mother having contracted what is termed a
+_mesalliance_--in other words, a love-match with one whom her friends
+chose to consider infinitely beneath her in social position.
+
+The ship was bound home by way of Cape Horn, having to call at the
+Sandwich Islands and Buenos Ayres on her way; and all had gone well
+until eight days before, when, it appeared, the ship was struck by a
+sudden squall some time during the night, thrown on her beam-ends, and
+dismasted; and as Ella had remained, during the whole time, cowering and
+terrified in her berth, she supposed the crew had gone away in the
+boats, forgetting her in their hurry and panic.
+
+As soon as the squall was over, the ship had gradually righted again;
+and when she went on deck next morning, she found everything in a state
+of wreck and confusion, and herself, and her pet kitten, and a few fowls
+in the coops, the only living things on board.
+
+Her story ended, Bob and I expressed our sympathy for her friendless
+condition, and repeated our protestations of devotion, for both of which
+we were thanked anew, so sweetly that we could have gone on making
+promises for the rest of the day with the prospect of such a reward at
+the end of it.
+
+I am not good at personal description, so I shall not attempt
+elaborately to describe Ella Brand.
+
+Imagine a _petite demoiselle_ of seventeen years of age, of almost
+fairy-like proportions, faultlessly formed, with most lovely features,
+and a delicate little exquisitely poised head, crowned with a luxuriance
+of rich chestnut hair, which, apparently defying all its owner's efforts
+to control, flowed in a profusion of soft sheeny waves over her
+beautiful shoulders and down to her taper waist.
+
+Her eyes were clear hazel, large and soft as those of a gazelle; her
+lips full and beautifully curved; and the expression of her sweet face
+confiding as that of a child; while her manner was a most fascinating
+combination of the innocent frankness of childhood with the more subtle
+and graceful refinement of a modest and educated woman.
+
+Her temper, as we soon found, was perfect; and she was gifted with a
+genial flow of spirits, which not only made their owner light-hearted
+and happy, but conferred happiness upon all who had the good fortune to
+be thrown in her society.
+
+Dinner ended, Bob and I adjourned to the deck to make preparations for
+transferring our fair young guest to the _Water Lily_, so as to be
+fairly away from the wreck again before nightfall.
+
+As soon as we were out of the cabin, Bob observed:
+
+"I call the falling in with this here _wrack_" (so he pronounced the
+word) "downright providential, Harry.  Here we has, fust of all, the
+very great pleasure of being of sarvice to a most charming young 'oman;
+and next, we has a chance of filling up our stores and water--and not
+afore 'twas time, too, for I bethought me this morning of seeing how our
+tank stood, and I'm blest if we ain't a'most at our last drop.  It's
+lucky there's plenty of it aboard here.  I sees more water-casks about
+the deck than will supply all as we wants; and I think our first job had
+better be to get the hose and pump under weigh, and fill up our water;
+a'ter which we can soon strike a few odds and ends into the cutter such
+as'll be useful, and then the sooner we're off the better."
+
+We set to work with a will and Ella coming on deck at the moment, I
+requested her to pack her boxes in readiness for sending them over the
+side, asking her, at the same time, whether it would take her long.
+
+She replied briskly, Oh, no; she had brought hardly anything with her--
+only three large boxes and one small one.
+
+Only!  A chest apiece held Bob's and my own stock of clothing, and we
+considered ourselves opulently supplied; and here was a young girl who
+had brought hardly anything with her--only such few trifles as she could
+stow away in three large boxes and one small one.  The three large
+boxes, by the way, turned out to be considerably larger than either of
+our sea-chests, and the small one would have sufficed for a seaman on a
+three years' voyage.
+
+We did not hesitate about helping ourselves freely to the best the ship
+afforded, judging that it was highly improbable she would ever reach a
+port, unless fallen in with and taken possession of by an exceptionally
+strong-handed vessel (and even then our petty appropriations would never
+be missed); and we laid in a liberal stock of dainties of various kinds,
+for the especial benefit of our lady passenger, which we should never
+have dreamed of taking on our own account.  We also transferred one
+coop, with as many fowls as it would conveniently accommodate, to the
+cutter; and I made free with a very handsome swinging-cot which I found
+in the captain's cabin, also for our passenger's use, together with a
+good stock of bedding.
+
+All these we collected together on the lee-side of the deck; and when
+everything was ready, we got the cutter alongside, and, with
+considerable difficulty, got them over the side and down on her deck.
+
+Bob went on board the _Water Lily_ to receive them and stow them away as
+I lowered them down, and at length all was ready, and it only remained
+to get Ella herself on board and shove off.
+
+We had less difficulty with her than I expected.  She was rather
+nervous; but, nevertheless, she seated herself courageously with her
+beloved kitten in her lap, in the bo'sun's chair I had rigged for her
+accommodation, and held on tight, shutting her eyes as she swung off the
+ship's bulwarks, until she felt Bob's brawny arms receive her on the
+deck of the cutter.
+
+I then quickly followed; the fasts were cast off, and we wore round and
+stood away once more upon our course just as the sun dipped below the
+horizon.
+
+Our first task was to crowd all the canvas we could muster upon the
+yacht, to make up for the day's delay; and when Ella came up from the
+cabin, whither she had gone upon an exploring expedition, she expressed
+the greatest surprise and a little alarm at the change we had wrought in
+the _Water Lily's_ appearance.
+
+She could not understand, she said, how so small a vessel could support
+such a towering spread of canvas as she now saw courting the fresh
+evening breeze.
+
+The presence of our fair guest on board made certain alterations
+necessary in the internal arrangements of the cutter, and I left Bob at
+the helm in animated conversation with Ella, whilst I went below to
+effect them.  Our cooking-stove was shifted aft, and the whole of the
+fore-compartment was thus left free for the accommodation of the young
+lady; and I at once converted it into a sleeping apartment for her by
+swinging her cot there.
+
+I selected this part of the vessel for this purpose, as it was the only
+one in which she would be entirely uninterrupted by our passage to and
+fro; and it was a nice light and _roomy_ apartment, in proportion to the
+size of the vessel, there being nothing in it, and having a large
+circular plate of very thick roughened plate-glass let into the deck
+above.
+
+Having made the place as comfortable as our resources permitted, I
+returned to the deck and relieved Bob at the tiller, desiring him to
+look after the arrangements for tea.
+
+Our guest was sitting close by in one of our deck-chairs, which Bob had
+gallantly offered her, and hearing me speak of tea, and understanding
+that friend Robert was about to turn cook, she started up with childlike
+impetuosity and said, "That is my work now; come along, Mr Trunnion,
+and show me your pantry, and where you keep all your things, and I will
+soon have your tea ready for you."
+
+I protested against this, as did Bob, both of us declaring that we could
+not possibly consent to her being troubled with the cooking or anything
+else; but she drew herself up in a pretty wilful way and said, "Not let
+me do the cooking?  Indeed, but you must; I insist on it.  Why it is
+woman's peculiar province to attend to the cooking always.  Men never
+understand how to cook properly they have neither tact nor patience for
+it.  They dress food, but women cook it; and I will soon prove to you
+how great a difference there is between the two.  Now you must let me
+have my own way just this once, please," turning coaxingly to me, as she
+saw that I was about to make a further protest, and then, when I had
+reluctantly consented, she turned to Bob, and said, "Come along, Bob--
+Mr Trunnion, I mean; I really beg your pardon--you shall help me this
+time, and afterwards I shall know exactly where to find everything," and
+the strangely-contrasted pair dived below, Bob grinning from ear to ear
+with delight at his novel situation.
+
+"Reminds me of little `sauce-box'," (my sister), "this do," he murmured
+gleefully, as he followed his fair companion below.
+
+In rather over half an hour I was invited into the cabin to the evening
+meal, Bob taking my place at the tiller meanwhile; and when I descended
+I found that a change had indeed taken place in the aspect of culinary
+affairs.
+
+A snow-white tablecloth was spread, having been routed out from the
+deepest recesses of my chest, where it, in company with others, had lain
+in undisturbed repose since the commencement of the voyage, and upon it
+was spread a variety of dainties of various kinds, the produce of our
+raid upon the _Copernicus's_ provision lockers; and, of all things in
+the world, a plentiful supply of delicious little cakes, smoking hot,
+which Miss Ella's own dainty hands had prepared.
+
+The tea too, instead of being boiled in the kettle as was our usual
+practice, had been prepared in accordance with the most approved rules,
+and was certainly a very different beverage from what we had been in the
+habit of drinking; and, altogether, the meal was a perfect Epicurean
+feast compared with what we were accustomed to.
+
+Ella presided, doing the honours of the small table with the grace of a
+princess, and I began to feel as though I had suddenly become an
+inhabitant of fairy-land.
+
+As soon as my meal was over I relieved Bob, and he went below for his
+share of the good things; and though Miss Ella had been very demure with
+me, I soon discovered, by the peals of musical laughter which, mingled
+with Bob's gruffer cachinnations, floated up through the companion, that
+the two had completely broken the ice between them.
+
+As soon as the remains of the meal had been cleared away, and the wants
+of her pet kitten attended to, the little lady came on deck and
+commenced an animated conversation with Bob and me, as we smoked the
+pipe of peace (Ella declaring that she quite liked the odour of
+tobacco), asking a thousand questions, and full of wonder that such a
+"dear little tiny yacht" had come all the way from England.
+
+She was most anxious to try her hand at steering, which she thought she
+could do quite well; and I promised I would instruct her at a more
+favourable opportunity, explaining that we were just then so
+circumstanced that none but _experienced_ helmsmen could be trusted with
+the tiller, it being more difficult to steer properly when running
+before the wind than at any other time.
+
+"But it _looks_ quite easy," she persisted, "to hold that handle.  _You_
+do not move it much, and surely I could do the little you are doing.  I
+used to steer the _Copernicus_ sometimes, but she never _would_ go
+straight with _me_; and it was _so_ tiring to keep turning that great
+wheel round."
+
+Bob laughed joyously at this quaint speech, and proceeded laboriously to
+hold forth on the science of the helmsman, interlarding his lecture
+copiously with nautical illustrations and sea phrases, which were so
+much Greek to his pupil, who listened with an open-eyed earnestness
+which was most entertaining.
+
+She heard Bob with the utmost patience and attention until he had
+utterly exhausted his entire stock of precepts, when she thanked him as
+courteously and sweetly as though she had understood every word of it;
+and then electrified us both, and set me off into a fit of perfectly
+uncontrollable laughter, by asking him, in the same breath, to sing her
+a song.
+
+Whatever Bob's accomplishments might be, singing was certainly not one
+of them.  He could hail the fore-royal-yard from the taffrail in a gale
+of wind, and make himself pretty plainly heard too; but when it came to
+trolling forth a ditty, he had no more voice than a raven; and my sister
+had often thrown him into a state of the most comical distress by
+proffering a similar request to that now made by his new friend.
+
+As soon as she found that Bob really could not sing, she tried me; and,
+as I was considered to have a very tolerable voice, I immediately
+complied, giving her "Tom Bowling" and a few more of Dibdin's fine old
+sea-songs, as well as one or two more frequently heard in a
+drawing-room, which I had learnt under my sister's able tuition.
+
+She then sang us a few favourites of her own in a sweet clear soprano,
+and with a depth of feeling for the sentiment of the song which is but
+too seldom heard in the performances of amateurs.
+
+About ten o'clock she wished us "good-night," and retired to her cot;
+and Bob then also went below and turned in, it being his "eight hours
+in" that night, and I was left to perform the rest of my watch alone.
+
+The next morning, Bob turned out of his own accord, and made a
+surreptitious attempt to resume the duties of the _cuisine_; but at the
+first rattle of the cups and saucers he was hailed from the
+fore-compartment and ordered to desist at his peril, and in a very short
+time the little fairy appeared, blooming and fresh as the morning, and
+Master Bob received such a lecture that he was fain from that time
+forward to leave the cookery department entirely in her hands, and he
+retired discomfited to the deck, and began forthwith to wash down.
+
+A permanent improvement now occurred in our style of living, and we
+began to enjoy many little comforts which, it is true, we never had
+missed, but which were singularly welcome nevertheless; and altogether
+we found ourselves vastly gainers by the presence of the sweet little
+creature on board.
+
+She quickly learned to take the chronometer time for my observations,
+and that, too, with a precision which Bob himself could not surpass; and
+in a very short time she could steer as well as either of us, which was
+an immense advantage when shortening or making sail.  Add to all this
+the amusement we derived from her incessant lively prattle, and the
+additional cheerfulness thus infused into our daily life, and the reader
+will agree with me, I think, that it was a lucky day for us when we
+first fell in with little Ella Brand.
+
+Volume Two, Chapter II.
+
+A MIRACLE.
+
+By the time that our fair guest had been on board a week or ten days,
+she had put me in possession of probably every circumstance of
+importance which had occurred in her past history, and had also touched
+lightly upon her future, which, notwithstanding the natural buoyancy of
+her temperament, she seemed to regard with considerable apprehension.
+
+It appeared that, in the first place, she had but a very imperfect idea
+as to the whereabouts of her relatives in England.  She knew that her
+grand-father had a place somewhere down in Leicestershire, and she
+thought he also had a house in town; but, as her mother had never heard
+from him since her marriage, Ella had been utterly unable to find any
+clue to the old gentleman's address, after a most thorough search
+through such papers belonging to her parents as had fallen into her
+hands after her father's death.
+
+Then, bearing in mind many conversations between her parents which had
+occurred in her presence, she felt the gravest doubt as to whether any
+of her relatives, when found, would even condescend so far as to
+acknowledge her as a relative, much less assist her in any way.  She
+inclined to the opinion that they would not, and there were many
+circumstances to justify this sentiment, notably one which had occurred
+a short time previous to the departure of her parents from England.
+
+Her father was at the time suffering from nervous debility and severe
+mental depression, the result of over-work and incessant anxiety; and to
+such a deplorable condition was he reduced that, for a considerable
+time, he was completely incapacitated for work of any kind.
+
+The family resources dwindled to a low ebb, the process being materially
+hastened by heavy doctors' bills and other expenses connected with Mr
+Brand's condition, and the wife and mother found herself almost at her
+wit's-end to provide necessaries for her husband and child, utterly
+forgetful of herself all the time.  At last, in sheer desperation, she
+wrote to her father describing her position, and entreating that
+assistance which he could so bountifully bestow--and her letter remained
+unanswered.  She then wrote to her mother, and this time the letter was
+returned unopened.
+
+She then tried her two brothers in succession, and finally her sister,
+and all her attempts to communicate with these unnatural relatives were
+treated with the same cold blooded silence.  Matters would soon have
+crone hard indeed with the Brand family had not a former suitor of Mrs
+Brand's (who had been rejected in favour of the man she afterwards took
+for her husband) chivalrously came forward at this juncture, not only
+relieving their immediate necessities, but also using all his influence,
+which was potent, to obtain for Mr Brand the appointment which the poor
+fellow held until his death.
+
+"And supposing," said I, after listening to this disheartening
+recital--"supposing that your relatives will _not_ help you, have you
+any plans laid to meet such a contingency?  `Hope for the best and
+provide for the worst' is a favourite motto of your friend Bob; and I
+really think it is singularly applicable in your case."
+
+"No," she replied rather despondently; "no very definite plan, that is.
+I am fairly well educated, I believe.  Dear mamma was most accomplished,
+I have often heard papa say, and she taught me everything she knew.  I
+speak French, German, and Italian, and seem to have a natural aptitude
+for music; and I sketch a little in water-colours.  I have all my
+materials with me, and a few sketches which I may perhaps be able to
+sell when I reach home--I will let you see them some day--and I think I
+may perhaps be able to get a situation as governess, or maintain myself
+respectably by teaching music and drawing.  And then, you know, I am not
+absolutely destitute.  I have about twenty pounds with me, and I sent
+home three hundred, the proceeds of the sale of our furniture, to
+England; and some friends of poor papa's in Canton say they are sure he
+must have some money invested somewhere, and they have promised to find
+out if it really is so, and to realise it for me: and I have given them
+the necessary powers to do so; so you see I shall not land in England
+actually a beggar."
+
+"God forbid!"  I earnestly ejaculated.  "With regard to your landing in
+England, I ought perhaps to tell you that you must not hope to do so
+very soon.  We are now in a part of the world quite out of the usual
+track of ships, and I fear it may be some time before we shall fall in
+with any, and when we do, it is questionable whether they will be quite
+the class of vessel you would like to make the voyage home in.  My great
+hope is that we may soon fall in with a sandal-wood trader, in which
+case you would have an opportunity of returning to China, and
+re-shipping from thence home."
+
+"I hope we shall," she responded; rather dolefully, I thought.  "You
+have been very good to me, and"--her eyes welling up with tears--"I
+shall never forget you; but I know my presence must be a great
+inconvenience and embarrassment to you."
+
+"Pray stop!"  I interrupted.  "You are under the greatest
+misapprehension if you suppose your presence on board the _Water Lily_
+is any other than a source of the most unqualified gratification to her
+crew.  You are evidently quite ignorant of the beneficent influences of
+your presence here, or you would never have spoken of it as an
+inconvenience.  Your departure will occasion us the keenest regret
+whenever it takes place, and were it not that our cramped accommodations
+must occasion you very considerable discomfort, I should rejoice at
+almost any circumstance which would necessitate your remaining with us
+for the rest of the voyage."
+
+"Do you really mean it?" she exclaimed, her sweet face brightening up at
+once.  "Oh, I am _so_ glad!  Do you know I have thought your anxiety to
+meet with a ship arose from my being in your way, and troublesome?  And
+you are really willing to let me remain, and go home with you?  How very
+kind it is of you!  I will be quite good, and do whatever you tell me;
+and, indeed, I will not cause you the least bit of trouble.  And"--her
+face clouding over again for a moment--"I so dread arriving in England
+an utter stranger, and having to search, quite unassisted, for
+grandpapa; and it would be _so_ dreadful if he were to turn me away from
+his doors.  And I should feel, oh! miserably friendless and lonely if I
+had really to go about from place to place seeking for a situation, or
+trying to get pupils.  But if you will let me stay here and go home with
+you, I shall not feel it so much, for I am sure you will help me in my
+search for my friends; and it is so delightful"--brightening up
+again--"to be dancing over this bright, sparkling sea day after day, in
+this dear little yacht, and to see the kind faces of that darling old
+original Bob and--and--and--the kitten."
+
+"And the fowls," I suggested demurely.  "But, in electing to remain on
+board the _Water Lily_, you must bear in mind, my dear Miss Brand, that
+it is not always with us as it is at present.  Just now we are fortunate
+in the enjoyment of a fair wind and smooth sea, but we have been exposed
+to many dangers since we left England, and it is only reasonable to
+suppose we shall have to encounter many more before we return; and if
+you went home in a larger vessel, if you did not escape them altogether,
+they would probably bring less discomfort in their train than they will
+here."
+
+"What would you advise me to do?" she asked, looking ruefully up into my
+face.
+
+"Well," I replied, "since you ask me, my advice is this.  If we fall in
+with a comfortable ship, bound to England, or to any port whence you can
+trans-ship for England, go in her if the ship is _not_ comfortable, and
+it comes to a choice of inconveniences, you can be guided by your own
+judgment, but do not leave us until you are sure of gaining some
+advantage by the change."
+
+So it was settled.  That same afternoon, as I was lying down on the
+lockers in our little cabin aft, I overheard the following conversation
+on deck, between Bob and Ella.
+
+"Bob," said Ella (she soon dropped the Mr in his case, but it was still
+"Mr Collingwood" to me)--"Bob, are we likely to meet any ships very
+soon, do you think?"
+
+"Ships!" echoed Bob, in consternation; "no, missie, I hopes not.  You
+surely ain't tired of the little _Lily_ yet, are ye?"
+
+"No, indeed," replied Ella; "and I hope you are not tired of _me_.  Tell
+me, Bob, am I very much trouble here, or very much in the way?"
+
+"_Trouble! in the way_!" repeated Bob; "Well, I'm--"--then a strong
+inspiration between the teeth, as though to draw back the forcible
+expression quivering on his lips--"but there, it's because you don't
+know what you're sayin' of, that you talks that a'way.  What put that
+notion into your pretty little head?"
+
+"Harry--Mr Collingwood, I mean--seems anxious that I should go home in
+some other vessel," Ella replied, dolefully.
+
+"Well, now, that's news, that is," answered Bob.  "Since when has he
+taken that idee into his head?"
+
+"We were talking about it this morning," said Ella; "and he said it
+would be more dangerous for me to go home in the _Water Lily_ than in a
+large ship.  _Is_ the _Water Lily_ dangerous, Bob?"
+
+"Dangerous!" exclaimed Bob, in a tone of angry scorn.  "Was she
+dangerous in that blow off the Horn, when a big ship capsized and went
+down with all hands, close alongside of us?  Was she dangerous when we
+had that bit of a brush with the pirates?  If she hadn't been the little
+beauty that she is she'd ha' gone down in the gale, and a'terwards ha'
+been made a prize of by the cut-throats."  (Bob, in his angry
+vindication of the cutter's character, was wholly oblivious of the
+"bull" he had perpetrated, and Ella seemed too much interested to notice
+it.) "Dangerous! why, what's the boy thinking about, to take away the
+little barkie's character that a'way?"
+
+"I wish, Bob, you would not keep calling Ha--Mr Collingwood, a _boy_ he
+is quite as much a man as you are, though of course not so old.  I don't
+like--I don't think it sounds respectful," exclaimed Ella rather
+petulantly.
+
+"Not call him a boy?" echoed Bob; "why what _should_ I call him then
+missie?  In course, now you comes to mention it, I knows as he _is_ a
+man, and an uncommon fine speciment too; but, Lord, when I knowed him
+fust he was quite a dapper young sprig; and it comes nat'ral-like to
+speak of him as a boy.  Hows'ever," continued he apologetically, "in
+course, since you don't like it, I won't call him a boy no more.  What
+_shall_ I call him, so please your ladyship?"
+
+"Now you are laughing at me, you horrid old creature," said Ella, with a
+little stamp of passion upon the deck; "and I never said I did not like
+it, I merely said that it did not sound respectful.  Why do you not call
+him captain?"
+
+"Why not, indeed?" answered Bob.  "He's got as good a right to be called
+`skipper' as e'er a man as ever walked a deck; and dash my old wig if I
+ain't a good mind to do it, too my eyes! how he would stare.  'Twould be
+as good as a pantomime to see him;" and the worthy old fellow chuckled
+gleefully as his fancy conjured up the look of surprise which he knew
+such a title on his lips would evoke from me.
+
+"I declare," exclaimed Ella in a tone of great vexation, "you are the
+most provoking--But there, never mind, Bob dear, I do not mean it; you
+are very kind to me, and must not take any notice of my foolish
+speeches.  And so you really think the _Water Lily_ is _not_ dangerous?
+Why then should Mr Collingwood wish me to leave her?  He told me this
+morning that he should be sorry if I did so, and yet he seems unwilling
+to let me stay."
+
+Don't you believe it, little one, I heard Bob answer.  "He don't want ye
+to go; it's some kind of conscientious scruple as he's got into his head
+that makes him talk that a'way.  Between you and me"--here his voice
+sank to a kind of confidential growl, but I distinctly heard every word,
+nevertheless--"it's my idee that he's got some sort of a notion as we
+may yet fall in with that infarnal _Albatross_ ag'in; but, if we do,
+we've got chances of getting away from the chap that large ships
+haven't; and for my part, if I must be in their blackguard
+neighbourhood, I'd a deal rather be in the _Lily_ than in a large ship.
+Their best chance of getting the weather-gage of _us_ is by surprise;
+but in a little barkie like this here we larns the knack of sleeping
+with one eye open, and they'll have to be oncommon 'cute that surprises
+us."
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Ella, "I hope and pray that we may not see those
+wretches; it would be dreadful beyond description to fall into their
+hands.  Do you think Mr Collingwood would send me away if I said I did
+not want to go?"
+
+"Not he, dearie," answered Bob; "why, can't ye see that he--But there, I
+mustn't tell tales out of school.  If we gets a _good_ chance, perhaps
+it _might_ be as well for ye to take advantage of it; but we ain't going
+to get it, so I lives in hopes of having your sweet face to brighten us
+up for the rest of this here v'yage.  But it's eight bells, and time to
+rouse the `skipper,' so just step down, dearie, will ye, and give him a
+call."
+
+Why he should send Ella to call me when he had a voice capable of making
+the little craft's whole interior ring again, I could not imagine; but
+as her light step touched the ladder I closed my eyes, feeling somehow
+that I would rather the sweet little thing should not know I had
+overheard the conversation just past.
+
+I had scarcely composed my features when she stood beside me.  I had the
+feeling that she was stooping over me, and I certainly felt her warm
+breath upon my face for an instant; then she seemed to draw back again,
+and I heard a soft whisper of Harry.  Then there came a light touch upon
+my arm, and she said, much louder, "Mr Collingwood, it is eight bells."
+
+"Ay, ay," I answered, rubbing my eyes.  Then I started to my feet, but
+the little fairy had gone fluttering away forward, so I took my sextant
+and went on deck.  In a minute or two she reappeared, and, seeing me
+with the sextant in my hand, opened the chronometer and got the slate,
+in readiness for taking the time.
+
+I obtained three most excellent sights, and from them worked up my
+longitude.  I had obtained an accurate observation for my latitude at
+noon, and, on going below and laying off our position on the chart, I
+had the satisfaction of seeing that we were drawing well in with the
+islands, and that, if the breeze lasted, we should be fairly within the
+group by evening next day.
+
+When I announced this intelligence to my companions, they were both
+delighted, Ella especially, she having seen no land since leaving the
+Sandwich Islands, which, she declared, was "_ages_ ago."  The last land
+we had seen was Staten Island, though we caught the _loom_ of land, or
+thought we did, when about abreast of the western end of Magellan
+Straits.
+
+We were all longing for a run ashore; and, as I had resolved to
+thoroughly search the group, from end to end if need be, for traces of
+my father, I decided that we would commence with the eastern end,
+examining every island which in the slightest degree answered to the
+description given us of the spot on which the _Amazon_ had been cast
+away.
+
+Our little lady guest spent much of her time on deck--sitting in a
+deck-chair, within easy conversational range of whichever had the
+tiller: and she favoured me with her company during the whole of the
+first watch (it being my eight hours out that night); but she was
+unusually silent gazing in an absent, dreamy manner for the most of the
+time, far away over the tranquil starlit sea, and softly humming a bar
+or two of some of her favourite songs occasionally.  I made one or two
+attempts to draw her into conversation, fearing she was in low spirits,
+but she answered at random and in monosyllables; and, seeing after a
+while that I had no chance, I gave it up.
+
+The next morning, when Bob came on deck to wash down, I said Bob, "what
+is the matter with Miss Brand? have you any idea?"
+
+He looked curiously at me for a moment, and then said:
+
+"Matter?  Nothing, as I knows on.  What _should_ be the matter with the
+little dearie?"
+
+"Nothing _should_ be the matter with her," I answered, rather tartly
+perhaps; "but she seemed unusually silent and unlike herself last night
+and, as you seem pretty deep in her confidence, I thought you might know
+the cause."
+
+"Ay, ay," he returned; "she _do_ speak pretty free to me, I'll allow
+which I accounts for by my being an old man--at least, _she_ seems to
+think me so, if I may judge by what she said yesterday and as to knowing
+the cause of her being out of sorts like, perhaps I do, and perhaps I
+don't.  I has my suspicions, and pretty strong ones they be, too; but it
+ain't for the likes of me to say a word.  Axe no questions, Harry, my
+lad, but just leave things to work themselves out; she'll be all right
+again shortly, you take my word for it."
+
+"Is she ill, do you think, Bob?"  I inquired in some anxiety.
+
+"Ill? do she look like it?" queried he with a loud laugh.  "No, no,
+she's well enough; but women's most oncommon difficult to understand,
+boy; and the only way is to let 'em alone and take no notice when they
+seems queer.  Now, don't axe me no questions, for I don't know anything
+about it, and what I _guess_ I ain't going to tell."
+
+What the old fellow surmised it was quite impossible for me to imagine,
+and equally impossible to extract from him, for he was as stubborn as a
+mule; and if he made up his mind to a certain course nothing earthly had
+the power of turning him from it; so, with the unpleasant sensation that
+there was a mystery somewhere, I was obliged to hold my tongue and
+console myself with the reflection that, at all events, it could be
+nothing which concerned me personally.
+
+Shortly after the conversation Ella made her appearance at the head of
+the companion-ladder, and, bidding us both a cheery "Good-morning,"
+summoned me to breakfast.
+
+As soon as the coffee was poured out, and we had fairly commenced the
+meal, she said, "If you ever have any secrets to discuss, Mr
+Collingwood, I would advise you to seek some other place than the deck
+of the _Water Lily_.  You sailors appear to have the habit of talking
+loudly in the open air, and I was awakened by your voices this morning,
+and quite unintentionally heard much, if not all, of your conversation.
+I am sorry that my quiet mood of last night should have given you any
+uneasiness, but I hope you will be relieved when I assure you that there
+was nothing whatever the matter with me.  I am singularly susceptible to
+surrounding influences; and the solemn beauty of the night excited
+within me a feeling of--not sadness altogether, but of gravity almost
+amounting to it, which has now entirely passed away.  Your best plan
+will be to follow Bob's advice, and take no notice of my varying moods,
+for they really have no significance.  I have not the least idea what it
+is that the worthy fellow suspects as being the matter with me; but,
+whatever it is, he is quite mistaken, for I am happy to say I am
+perfectly well both in body and mind."
+
+I felt greatly relieved at this explanation, and said so; and Ella, as
+though to make up for her silence of the previous night, was rattling
+away in a more lively strain than ever, when Bob shouted from the deck,
+"Land ho!"
+
+"Where away?" queried I, springing to my feet, and leaving my breakfast
+unfinished.
+
+"Right ahead, and up among the clouds, by all that's wonderful!"
+answered Bob.
+
+I put my head above the companion, and there, sure enough, directly
+ahead, and about ten or twelve degrees above the horizon, appeared an
+island apparently floating in the air.  It was low and, judging from a
+small grove of trees which distinctly appeared, of no great extent.  I
+took the glass, but through it everything presented a wavering
+appearance, as though the island and all upon it consisted of an
+infinite number of separate and distinct particles, each revolving in a
+spiral direction upwards.  I called Ella on deck to see the singular
+phenomenon, for it was a more perfect example of mirage than I had ever
+before witnessed or could have believed possible.  As we continued to
+gaze upon the curious spectacle a faint foamy appearance revealed itself
+between us and the island, but still in the sky; and about half an hour
+afterwards this distinctly took the form of flying spray from breakers
+beating upon a reef.  The mirage lasted rather more than an hour, and
+then faded gradually away.
+
+"How far d'ye reckon that island is away, Harry, lad?" queried Bob, when
+we had finished breakfast and were all mustered on deck once more.
+
+"Really," said I, "it is a very difficult matter to decide.  By my
+reckoning we ought not to see it until about three this afternoon, with
+the wind as it is; and I hope we _shall_ see it by that time, so as to
+get inside the reef to-night.  If it looks very enticing we will stay
+there a few days, and give the little craft an overhaul in hull, spars,
+and rigging; and Miss Brand will have an opportunity of getting a few
+runs on shore meanwhile, and perhaps a little fruit as a change of
+diet."
+
+My reckoning proved correct, for about three o'clock that afternoon, as
+I was sitting aft with the tiller-ropes in my hand, I saw the tops of
+the cocoa-nut trees appearing above the horizon.  As I did not wish to
+disturb Bob (not feeling sure of our being able to lie at anchor all
+night without a watch), I requested Ella--who, as usual, was _assisting_
+to keep the watch on deck--to take the tiller whilst I shortened sail.
+The spinnaker and gaff-topsail were got in and rolled up, the
+spinnaker-boom run in and topped up, and by the time that eight bells
+had struck, and Bob had come on deck, we were near enough to render it
+necessary to haul up and look out for a passage through the reef.
+
+At first sight it seemed as though we were not to be permitted to
+approach the island, for an unbroken line of heavy surf extended north
+and south to a distance of fully nine miles, completely barring our
+passing through the eastern side of the reef; and I began to believe
+that if a channel existed at all (and I felt sure there must be one
+somewhere), it must lie on the western side.  However, I did not want to
+run to leeward if I could help it, for though the _Lily_, being
+fore-and-aft rigged, was better suited to turning to windward in a
+narrow passage than any other class of vessel, I did not wish to risk
+the boat by the performance of such a hazardous operation, for I had
+heard that the channels through these reefs were, some of them, so
+contracted that there was positively _no_ room for even a small vessel
+to tack in many of the reaches.  So I made a bowline in the end of the
+gaff-topsail halliards, and went aloft in it, with the intention of
+remaining there, if need be, to con the craft in.
+
+We had hauled to the wind on the starboard tack, with our head to the
+northward, and the _Water Lily_ was now, with her fore-sheet to
+windward, jogging quietly along towards the northern extremity of the
+island.  I kept a careful watch on the reef close to leeward, but we
+traversed its whole extent to the northward without any sign of a
+channel revealing itself, so I shouted to Bob to go round and stand to
+the southward again.
+
+From my elevated position I was enabled to make a tolerably complete
+examination of the island, which exhibited no traces whatever, as far as
+I could see, of being inhabited.  It appeared to be about six miles in
+length by about three in width at the widest part, though its coast-line
+was very irregular, and, in some places, I estimated that it was not
+much more than half that width.
+
+It trended about north-north-east and south-south-west, and was very
+low, no part rising apparently much higher than forty or fifty feet
+above the level of the sea; whilst for the most part it did not appear
+to be higher than perhaps ten or twelve feet.  Vegetation was extremely
+luxuriant, a small grove of cocoa-nuts occupying a very nearly central
+position, but on the western side of the island; whilst the remaining
+portion was pretty thickly covered with less lofty trees, the ground
+being clothed with deliciously fresh green turf, and an endless variety
+of shrubs.
+
+A narrow strip of clean white sand bordered the whole island, and
+outside of this again extended the placid waters of the lagoon, barely
+ruffled by the evening breeze.  This lagoon was, as my readers will
+probably know, the belt of water which surrounded the island,
+intervening between it and the encircling coral-reef on which the heavy
+swell expended all its force, without being able to reach and disturb
+the still water inside.
+
+We were within a mile and a half of the southern extremity of the
+island, when I detected a thin line of unbroken water tortuously
+threading its way across the reef, and extending clear into the lagoon.
+Its mouth would never have been observed from our deck, or indeed from
+the deck of a ship, for the channel entered the reef at an acute angle;
+and the surf broke so heavily upon the outside and overlapping ledge
+that the foam and spray were carried quite across the narrow opening,
+and mingled with the broken water on the opposite side.
+
+But from my elevation I could see that there the channel was, and having
+satisfied myself, as we drew down towards it, that it was unbroken, I
+decided to run in through it.
+
+Had the _Lily_ been a moderately large vessel or square-rigged, she
+could not have been taken through, for there was one point about midway
+across the reef where I believed the passage could not exceed thirty
+feet in width, and it was at a very awkward bend; and there were so many
+sharp _turnings_ (to use a shore phrase) that a square-rigged vessel's
+yards could not have been handled rapidly enough to meet her frequent
+and quickly succeeding changes of direction.  But it was very different
+with us.
+
+I directed Bob to haul aft his weather-jib-sheet and lee-fore-sheet,
+thus providing for the keeping of one of the head-sails always full, and
+to trim his mainsail with a moderately flowing sheet; after which he
+might leave the canvas to take care of itself, whilst he gave his
+undivided attention to the helm.
+
+This was soon done, and we bore away in the direction I indicated.  The
+look-out ahead from the deck must have been alarming enough, for great
+as was Bob's confidence in my judgment, and steady as were his nerves,
+he could not forbear hailing me.
+
+"I hope, Harry," shouted he, "that you're quite sartain about that there
+passage.  I sees nothing ahead, or anywheres else for that matter, on
+either bow but surf; and mind ye, lad, if we but touches _once_, the
+little barkie 'll be knocked into match-wood.  We may still claw off if
+there's any doubt."
+
+"Port, hard!" answered I, "too intent on the channel to enter into any
+explanation just then.  Steady!"
+
+"Steady!" responded Bob.  You stay close to me, dearie, so's to be
+within reach if anything happens, and mind you don't get knocked
+overboard with the boom.  Ah! all right; I sees the opening.
+
+The _Water Lily_ shot in past the overlapping ledge; and my companions
+on deck were treated to a copious shower-bath of spray for a few
+seconds, and then we began to feel the shelter of the reef.
+
+We shot along the first reach, and soon approached a sharp elbow.
+
+"Look out on deck!"  I shouted; "we are about to jibe and you, Bob,
+stand by to give her the helm smartly.  Steady starboard! now starboard
+hard! ram the helm down! so, steady!  Now port a little! steady again!
+luff you may, handsomely not too close!  And now stand by for a
+half-board!  Luff! let her come up! luff and shake her! so!  Now hard
+up!"
+
+And so on, and so on.  Luff, and keep her away; then jibing; now on one
+tack, now on another; until, after about ten minutes of most ticklish
+navigation, the cutter shot clear of the reef, and glided rapidly over
+the smooth water of the lagoon.
+
+Bob let draw his jib-sheet, and we stood away towards the southern
+extremity of the island, which we soon rounded; I remaining still aloft
+to look out for any sunken rocks that might chance to be lying about.
+But the bottom was quite clear, the sand being distinctly visible from
+my post at the mast-head.
+
+We were now on the western side of the island, and I observed that the
+grove of cocoa-nut trees before referred to stood upon the border of a
+pretty little bay, or cove rather, for it was very small; and as this
+spot promised very snug anchorage close to the shore, I directed Bob to
+steer for it, and then descended to the deck and got the anchor over the
+bows in readiness for letting go.
+
+As we drew closer to the land, our sails became partially becalmed under
+the lee of the trees and shrubs which densely covered the southern end
+of the island, whilst the water was undisturbed by the faintest ripple
+save that which streamed away on each side of our sharp bow.
+
+As I stood forward, looking down into the clear transparency of the cool
+green depths, I could discern here and there a few large branches of
+splendid coral projecting through the sand, with multitudes of
+strangely-formed fishes darting round and about them; and in one spot I
+observed what appeared to be a small bed of oysters, of which I
+instantly took the bearings, resolving to pay it a visit and try for a
+few.
+
+At length we slid gently into our little cove.  Bob put his helm down
+the cutter luffed into the wind, and, as soon as her way was deadened
+sufficiently, I let run the anchor; after which, with one accord, Bob
+and I took off our hats and gave three joyous cheers.  It was the first
+time we had brought up since leaving Madeira.
+
+We soon had our canvas furled, and, whilst Ella busied herself with the
+preparations for tea.  Bob and I got our "boat" on deck, and set about
+putting her together.
+
+Whilst thus engaged, my companion remarked, "Well, Harry, I must say I
+didn't like the looks of things, for a minute or two, whilst we was
+running down upon the reef outside; but you piloted us in in capital
+style.  Did ye happen to think, however, how we're going to get out
+ag'in, now that we're here?"
+
+"Certainly I did," replied I.  "You surely do not imagine that I would
+run in here, without being satisfied beforehand that we could get out
+again all right.  There was no time for explanation whilst I was aloft;
+but, just before I caught sight of the channel through which we entered,
+I distinctly saw one on _this_ side of the island, through which we
+could have beaten the little craft without much difficulty.  It appeared
+to have only two reaches, and I think we might have laid up one of them
+on the port tack, and the other on the starboard tack; and as to getting
+out, it will be a run with the wind free all the way.  But what do you
+think of our berth?"
+
+"Snug and comfortable as heart could wish," responded he, with an accent
+of keen enjoyment; "and I _do_ hope as you'll give us all, and the
+little craft, a holiday of a day or two, now we're here.  'Twon't do any
+of us any harm; and I really feels as though I could go ashore and lie
+down under the shade of them trees all day, and do nothing but just
+enjoy the rest and the coolness, and ease my old eyes by looking up at
+the beautiful green leaves, with the clear blue sky peeping between 'em
+here and there."
+
+I had a very similar feeling; for, though the island had nothing very
+specially attractive about it, to us who had looked on nothing but sky
+and sea for so long, it appeared but little short of a paradise.  So I
+very readily acquiesced in his proposal, the more so as I felt that our
+health would be very greatly benefited by the change.
+
+By the time that we had our boat put together and hanging astern by her
+painter, tea was ready; so, after a comfortable ablution, by way of
+bringing the day's work to a close, we all seated ourselves at the small
+cabin-table, and discussed our meal with a luxurious enjoyment of the
+perfect steadiness of the cutter, and of the absence of all anxiety of
+every kind, which was quite a novelty.  We finished the meal by
+lamplight, and then adjourned to the deck, where, as was our regular
+custom.  Bob and I smoked our evening pipes.
+
+Those only who have endured the monotony of a long sea-voyage can
+understand the pleasure with which we regarded our surroundings, and
+compared them with those of many an evening past.  The night had
+completely closed in, and the deep, unclouded, purple vault above was
+thickly studded with stars, which, unlike those in the northern
+hemisphere, instead of _glittering_ spark-like and cold, beamed with the
+deep, mellow lustre of the softest lamps, each being clearly reflected
+in the mirror-like surface of the unruffled lagoon.
+
+We were, as I believe I have said before, on the western or lee-side of
+the island, so completely sheltered from the wind by the
+thick-clustering trees and shrubs which covered its surface, that only
+the faintest zephyr could approach us, though it swept briskly through
+the topmost branches of the cocoa-nuts, gently agitating their leaves,
+and producing a soft rustling sound, above which the loud roar of the
+surf beating on the reef to windward could be distinctly heard.
+Mingling with this, there issued from the shore a continuous chirping
+and singing from innumerable multitudes of insects, which, swelling
+shrill and high, merged into one vast wave of sound, which completely
+filled the air.  Tens of thousands of fire-flies flitted to and fro,
+their tiny sparks gleaming brilliantly against the dark background of
+dense foliage; and, if we looked over the side for a moment, we saw the
+deep obscurity of the tranquil ocean constantly flashing into sudden
+brightness, as a long trail of pale phosphorescent sparks, or a
+momentary halo, betrayed the movement of some finny denizen of the deep.
+
+We remained on deck until nearly midnight, when, having observed nothing
+whatever to excite the slightest apprehension as to our absolute safety,
+we resolved to dispense with the formality of a watch and therefore all
+retired below, with an understanding that the morrow was to be observed
+as a strict holiday by all hands.
+
+Volume Two, Chapter III.
+
+AT CLOSE QUARTERS WITH A SHARK.
+
+I awoke soon after sunrise the next morning, and, calling Bob, in
+accordance with an arrangement made overnight, we both jumped on board
+the boat, and, pulling to the opposite side of a tiny headland about a
+mile away, stripped and plunged overboard, where we swam and dived, and
+wallowed about in the deliciously cool element for a good half-hour,
+enjoying our bath as thoroughly as though we were a couple of
+school-boys playing truant.  We were strongly tempted to make a small
+preliminary exploring excursion inland after this, but Miss Ella had
+solemnly bound us both down not to do so without her; so we returned to
+the _Water Lily_ instead, wonderfully refreshed and invigorated by our
+dip, and quite ready for the early breakfast which was to form the first
+regular feature in the programme for the day.
+
+As we rowed back to the cutter, I embraced the opportunity to pass once
+more over the spot where I thought I had observed the oyster-bed and, on
+reaching it, and peering down in the shadow of the boat, I found I was
+right there lay beneath us a bed of several yards extent of what I felt
+sure were oysters.
+
+We described a short circuit round our little craft before stepping on
+board again; and I felt so ashamed of her dingy, weather-beaten
+appearance, that I resolved she should have a fresh coat of paint before
+she went outside again.  This we decided she should receive next day, I
+undertaking to wield the paintbrush whilst Bob employed himself in
+overhauling the rigging and examining the spars.
+
+Breakfast was soon disposed of, as we were all equally eager to stand
+once more on mother earth; and then, Bob providing himself with a few
+biscuits, whilst I did the same, adding a few knick-knacks for my fair
+companion, we jumped into the boat, and in a very few minutes reached
+the shore.
+
+The painter was made fast to the stem of a stout shrub which grew close
+to the water's edge; and then Bob went straight towards the widest patch
+of shade, and the softest turf he could find, and flung himself
+forthwith upon the ground, asserting that it was his fixed intention to
+remain there for the rest of the day, and enjoy his holiday in
+accordance with his own peculiar notions.
+
+After a few vain attempts to persuade him that he would find it much
+more pleasant to accompany us in a ramble over the island, we gave him
+up to his own devices; and, Ella accepting the support of my arm, we
+strolled slowly away.
+
+Our steps were directed, in the first instance, towards the northern end
+of the island; our path being sometimes over the short tender grass with
+which the ground was thickly clad, and at others along the sandy beach,
+to which we were occasionally compelled to diverge in consequence of the
+dense undergrowth, through which it would have been impossible for my
+companion to force her way.
+
+We picked up several very beautiful shells on the beach, and Ella
+promised herself a long ramble before leaving the island, expressly for
+the purpose of collecting a few of the choicest varieties.
+
+I was rather disappointed to find such a scarcity of fruit, there being
+none, as far as we could discover, beyond the cocoa-nuts and a few wild
+figs the latter rather insipid to the taste, though still a welcome
+change after the food we had all been accustomed to.
+
+Ella very thoughtfully collected a little of this fruit for Bob, when we
+chanced to meet with a tree bearing figs of a superior flavour to the
+average, and I promised her that on our return I would secure a few
+cocoa-nuts, and treat her to a draught of the delightfully refreshing
+cool new milk.  We found walking to be far more fatiguing than we had
+expected, after being pent up so long on shipboard, and I think I found
+it even more so than my companion, she having had until recently the
+comparatively wide range of a ship's deck upon which to take exercise;
+whilst we of the _Water Lily_ could only boast of "a fisherman's walk,
+two steps, and overboard."
+
+I kept a sharp look-out for fresh water, intending to entirely refill
+our tank and casks; and Ella was equally anxious for such a discovery,
+as she gave me notice that she intended to hold a grand wash; desiring
+me, at the same time, to make up a bundle of all my soiled linen, etc.,
+and deliver it over to her.  This I, of course, flatly refused to do,
+assuring her that I was fully equal to the task of doing my own washing,
+and that I never would consent to her descending to the performance of
+so menial a task for me.
+
+"What!" said she, releasing my arm to speak with the greater energy,
+"not allow me to wash a few shirts and socks for you, and your
+pocket-handkerchiefs?  Indeed, but you _must_; it is woman's peculiar
+province to wash clothes.  Men never wash properly: they either half do
+it or else beat to pieces whatever they may be washing in the vain
+endeavour to properly purify it.  Now you _must_ let me have my own way
+just this once, please."
+
+I still refused, and added laughingly: "It seems to me to be a part of
+your creed that `it is woman's peculiar province' to do certain things
+for men; and that, if she is not at hand to do it, it cannot be done at
+all, or at all events in a satisfactory manner.  I remember your urging
+the plea that `it is woman's peculiar province' to cook, as a means
+whereby to gain my consent to your taking charge of that department; and
+very grateful am I to you for so doing, for we have enjoyed our meals as
+we never did before; but as to your doing any washing but your own, I
+cannot and _will_ not consent to it."
+
+"But _why_ not?" she persisted.  "Woman was created as a help-meet for
+man; and I am sure you will admit that our sex is more thoroughly
+qualified for the performance of certain duties than is man; and, where
+that is distinctly the case, it seems to me to point naturally to the
+conclusion that such duties form a part of her share of the work
+necessary for the comfort and happiness of the race.  Of course I would
+not offer to wash for you or for myself, if we were in a large ship and
+with proper servants to do such work; but in our present circumstances I
+see nothing whatever of a menial or degrading character in it."
+
+"Perhaps not," I replied.  "I cannot enter quite so deeply as you do
+into the question.  I can only say that the idea is too repugnant for me
+to consent to any such division of the `necessary work' so please say no
+more about it, for my mind is made up, and I can be as stubborn as Bob
+himself upon occasion."
+
+"I quite believe you," she retorted, half playfully and half disposed to
+be angry, "though I do not consider Bob stubborn at all.  _He_ always
+lets me do whatever I like; and what an original character he is.  Do
+you know, I quite admire him.  He is somewhat rough and unpolished, I
+admit, but he is as gentle to me as was my own dear mamma; and I hold to
+the opinion that a man who is gentle and courteous to women is a man of
+sterling worth, let his manner be as uncouth as it may.  I believe that
+gentleness and courtesy to our sex is the _first_ and most
+distinguishing mark of nature's nobility.  But why do you permit him to
+be so familiar and disrespectful in his manner of addressing you?"
+
+"I do not consider him in the slightest decree disrespectful," I
+replied.  "He is much older than I am, and a man of far wider
+experience, at all events in all matters connected with our profession;
+and that, and our long and severely-tried friendship, abundantly
+justifies the familiarity of his mode of address.  I dislike formality
+with every one except strangers.  It is all very well as a means of
+keeping at a distance those you dislike and have no desire to become
+intimate with, but it is a rather formidable barrier to friendship."
+
+"So I think, responded Ella with animation.  I _do_ so wish--"
+
+"What?"  I inquired.  She hesitated a little and blushed a great deal,
+and then, apparently with some effort, replied:
+
+"Well, I wish you would exchange the formal `Miss Brand' for the more
+friendly and familiar `Ella;' that is, if you consider me worthy of your
+friendship."
+
+"I will indeed," I replied, "with very great pleasure, if you will
+permit me to do so; and I trust that you, in return, will call me, as I
+love to be called by all my friends--Harry."
+
+"Very well," she replied gaily, "I will; that is, as long as you are
+good to me, and do not displease me in any way.  The sign of my
+sovereign displeasure will be a return to the formality of `Mr
+Collingwood.'"
+
+We chatted blithely on after this upon all sorts of subjects, and I was
+both surprised and delighted at the depth and extent of my companion's
+information.  She had evidently read much, and, what was more to the
+purpose, had selected her reading with sound judgment, storing her mind
+abundantly with useful facts which she always had ready for production
+in support of an argument, or by way of illustration, and she frequently
+graced her conversation with choice quotations, introduced in the best
+taste and with a manner as far as possible removed from anything like
+affectation or pedantry.  I was charmed beyond measure, and over and
+over again thanked the lucky accident which had rendered it my good
+fortune to be put upon terms of such close intimacy with so fascinating
+a little creature.
+
+At length we completed our tour of the northern end of the island,
+returning by way of the eastern shore, until we were abreast the clump
+of cocoa-nut trees; when we struck inland; and, after a somewhat
+tortuous course between the thick-growing shrubs, reached the beach on
+our own side once more.
+
+Unfortunately for Ella's projected laundry operations, we had not been
+able to discover the slightest sign of a spring of fresh water anywhere.
+
+When we arrived opposite the point where the _Water Lily_ rode
+peacefully at anchor, Bob was nowhere to be seen.  The boat still
+remained moored to the shrub, as we had left her, so I concluded that he
+had grown tired of inactivity and had gone off, in the opposite
+direction to ourselves, for a stroll.  I therefore proposed to Ella that
+she should rest awhile upon the soft, velvety turf, whilst I returned to
+the cutter for a piece of rope, to aid me in my ascent after the
+cocoa-nuts.
+
+The rope was soon obtained; and, returning to the shore, I passed it in
+a loose band round the trunk of one of the trees, leaving room in the
+band for the introduction of my own body.
+
+By bearing against this whilst I raised my feet and then slipping the
+band up the tree, I was easily and quickly enabled to reach the fruit,
+from which I selected an abundant supply of the finest specimens and
+flung them to the ground.
+
+Whilst thus engaged Bob hove in sight, and when I reached the ground
+again he reported that, having soon grown tired of doing nothing, he had
+started away on a walk to the southward, about half an hour after we
+left him, and had gone to the extreme end of the island; that he had
+enjoyed his walk amazingly, was excessively tired, and, like ourselves,
+had failed to find any fresh water.
+
+Under these circumstances poor little Ella was compelled to postpone her
+washing-day, I promising that she should have the necessary time allowed
+her at the first suitable island we happened to reach.
+
+By this time the dinner-hour was approaching, and Ella desired to be put
+on board the cutter to make the few slight preparations for the meal
+which were necessary.
+
+As soon as we had put her on board and whilst she was thus engaged, I
+took Bob away with me in the boat to try for a few oysters.  We had no
+means of trawling for them; but I estimated that they lay in not more
+than about two and a half fathoms of water, and I considered myself
+quite diver enough to reach that distance.
+
+As soon as we arrived at the spot I stripped and plunged in, taking down
+with me an old canvas clothes-bag, which I slung round my neck.
+
+I soon found that I had been deceived, by the crystal transparency of
+the water, into underestimating the depth.  It was fully four fathoms to
+the bottom; and this, together with the difficulty I experienced in
+keeping the mouth of the bag open, necessitated four plunges before I
+had obtained half the bag full.  There was not time to do more just
+then, so I dressed, the bag was hauled up, and we returned with our
+prize to the cutter.
+
+We resolved to commence dinner with a course of oysters, and I forthwith
+proceeded to open some, a task which gave me a very considerable amount
+of difficulty.
+
+Imagine, if you can, my surprise and delight when on opening the second
+oyster I found that it contained several small pearls; the third was
+opened, and it also contained several the fourth had none, but the fifth
+on being opened revealed three beauties, each as large as the top of my
+middle finger.  To be brief, I was soon satisfied that I had stumbled
+upon a bed of pearl-oysters, about half of the bivalves yielding when
+opened more or less pearls, the greater quantity being small, such as
+are set in rings; but several good-sized pearls were also found, and one
+magnificent fellow, as large as a cherry.
+
+As may easily be imagined, we were all excitement after this; and I
+proposed that, as soon as dinner was over, we should move the cutter
+down and anchor her upon the bed, and devote the remainder of the
+afternoon to systematic pearl-fishing.  The proposition was rapturously
+received, Ella declaring that she had often read of pearl-fishing, and
+should very much like to witness the operation.
+
+Accordingly, dinner was no sooner over than we weighed and stood down to
+the spot under our jib, and having reached it the cutter was anchored as
+nearly as possible over the centre of the bed.  I had hit upon a plan by
+which, I thought, some of my difficulties of the morning might be got
+over; and, as soon as we were brought up, Bob and I got our
+floating-anchor on deck, stretched the canvas upon it, and rigging out
+our spinnaker-boom, a rope was passed through the sheave in the outer
+end of it, and bent to the crowfoot of the floating-anchor, which thus
+hung suspended, like a large tray, over the water.  It was then lowered
+to the bottom; a small pig of ballast was got on deck and slung to
+another rope's-end, and I then went below and changed my dress for an
+old white shirt and duck trousers, buckling a belt round my waist, to
+which, as it happened, a strong sharp sheath-knife was attached.
+
+Being now ready to descend I looked over the side, and satisfied myself
+that our floating-anchor lay all right at the bottom, and in such a
+manner as properly to perform its new functions as a tray.  I then
+slipped over the side into the water, grasping firmly the rope to which
+the piece of ballast was attached; and, having well filled my lungs with
+air, I waved my disengaged hand.  Bob let go the rope, and the ballast
+draped me swiftly to the bottom.
+
+Still retaining my hold upon the sinker with one hand, I now rapidly
+shovelled the oysters into my "tray" with the other, as long as I could
+hold my breath; and I was satisfied, at the first experiment, that my
+expedient was a complete success, thrice as many oysters being deposited
+in the tray at one dive as I had obtained altogether in the morning.
+
+I soon had to rise to get a fresh inhalation; but by hauling up the
+sinker every time, so as to have the benefit of its assistance in taking
+me to the bottom, I was enabled to reserve all my breath and energy for
+my work at the oysters; and so successful was I, that, in three
+descents, I managed to place upon the tray as many oysters as it would
+hold.  It was now hauled up, its contents carefully transferred to the
+cutter's deck, and the anchor or tray again lowered to the bottom.
+
+This operation had been repeated five times, with the result that a
+goodly pile of bivalves now graced the deck; and I had crone down a
+second time on the sixth _round_ (if I may so express myself), when
+suddenly a dark shadow fell upon the spot on which I was at work.  I
+glanced upward, and, to my unspeakable horror, saw an enormous shark
+floating motionless within a fathom of, and directly above, me.
+
+Why he did not attack me at once I could not imagine but I conjecture
+that it was because, lying flat upon the ground as I was, he had not
+room to turn, as sharks invariably do when seizing their prey.  My blood
+seemed fairly to congeal in my veins as I realised my appalling
+position.
+
+I _must_ rise to the surface in a very few seconds or drown where I was;
+and I felt convinced that the moment I was far enough from the bottom to
+permit of the monster making his rush, he would do so.
+
+Suddenly, the remembrance of my sheath-knife flashed across my brain.
+There was no time to hesitate; my powers of endurance were almost
+utterly exhausted, and I felt that I could hold my breath but a second
+or two longer so I quickly drew the knife, and darting suddenly upwards,
+succeeded in grasping the shark with my left hand by his starboard fin,
+whilst with my right I plunged my weapon to the hilt in his gleaming
+white belly, extending my arm to its full length as I did so, and thus
+inflicting a wound nearly or quite two feet in length.
+
+Remembering the wonderful vitality of the shark, I did not content
+myself with this; but thrusting my armed hand into the gaping wound, I
+drew the knife two or three times rapidly across his interior
+arrangements, inflicting such severe injuries that in less than a minute
+after I rose to the surface blood-stained from head to foot, and
+speechless with exhaustion, the shark also appeared, floating dead
+within a dozen yards of the cutter.
+
+Bob's strong and ready hand was promptly extended to assist me in over
+the cutter's low gunwale but so thoroughly exhausted was I, that I felt
+utterly unable to make the slightest effort in aid of my shipmate's
+exertions, and he was obliged to drag me bodily inboard, where, after an
+unavailing effort to stand, I sank upon the deck, gasping for breath,
+and utterly unable to utter a word.
+
+Ella's eager face blanched deadly white at the horrifying spectacle I
+presented as I lay prone at her feet, my once white clothing now deeply
+imbued with blood, and I thought she would have fainted; but she
+struggled bravely against the weakness, though she could not repress a
+violent shudder, which thrilled through her from head to foot.
+
+Sinking to her knees at my side, she gently raised me until my head
+rested upon her throbbing breast, and gazing upon my face with a look
+expressive of the deepest anxiety, she inquired, "Where are you hurt,
+Harry?  Is it much?  Are you in _very_ great pain?"
+
+I made a powerful but unavailing effort to reply, when seeing my lips
+move, but without any sound issuing from them, she suddenly lost her
+self-control, and shrieking, "He is dying, Bob; dying, I tell you.  Oh!
+what can we do to save him?" burst into an overwhelming passion of tears
+and clasping me convulsively to her bosom, she sobbed forth wild prayers
+for mercy, mingled with the tenderest and most endearing epithets that
+ever sprang from the heart of a passionately loving woman to her lips.
+
+Surprised beyond all power of expression, and almost overwhelmed with
+delight at this utterly unexpected betrayal of her feeling for me, I
+could not suffer her to continue; so having by this time somewhat
+recovered my breath, I gasped out, "I am not hurt, Ella; indeed I am
+not; I was only overcome for the moment with exhaustion; pray calm
+yourself."
+
+"Not hurt!" she exclaimed eagerly; "not injured at all?  Thank God, oh,
+thank God for that!  But--was it kind, sir--was it like a gentleman, to
+permit me to be surprised into such expressions as those which have just
+escaped my lips?  How can I ever hold up my head again in your presence,
+or look you in the face?"
+
+"Hush, Ella, darling," I whispered.  "Do not distress yourself, I
+entreat you.  I have much to say to you, and what has just passed has
+but precipitated matters a little.  Retire below for a short time, and
+calm your agitated feelings; and this evening I will ask you to favour
+me with a few minutes of your society on shore, when I will enter into
+such explanations as I trust will prove entirely satisfactory, and have
+the effect of completely healing your wounded sensibility.
+
+"Why," continued I cheerily, "that is well; the roses are already
+returning to your cheeks, and by the time that I have been down once or
+twice more, and have secured another--"
+
+"Merciful Heaven!" she exclaimed, in horrified accents, "do I hear
+aright?  Is it possible you can be mad enough to contemplate going into
+the water again, after having so narrowly escaped from such a horrible
+death?  You _must_ not, Harry and you _will_ not, if you entertain the
+slightest feeling of--of--friendship for me.  Indeed, I could not bear
+it; another shock, such as I have just received, would kill me.  _Pray_
+have some little compassion upon me."
+
+"Enough, Ella, and more than enough, I answered, deeply moved.
+Henceforward your wishes are law to me and, since you object to my going
+overboard again, I promise you faithfully that I will not do so.  Now go
+below, dear, and lie down for a short time, whilst Bob and I take the
+cutter back to her old moorings."
+
+As soon as she was out of sight, Bob, who had stood patiently on one
+side whilst the above _denouement_ was taking place, approached, and,
+extending his hand, exclaimed:
+
+"Now that the little beauty has done with ye, lad, give an old friend a
+shake of your flipper.  I'm right down glad to see ye well and hearty,
+my dear boy," he continued, with strong emotion.
+
+"We both saw that doubly and everlastingly damned brute range up and
+take a berth close above ye; and, to own the plain, honest truth, I put
+ye down as good as done for.  There warn't no time to do anything by way
+of warning ye, or lending ye a hand anyways; for, afore I could collect
+my scattered wits, we saw ye let go the sinker, and next minute the
+water alongside was like a biling pot; and then we seed the blood, and
+damn me if I didn't turn that sick and queer I couldn't see a thing,
+just for a moment; and when I hauled ye aboard, I couldn't for the life
+of me tell whether you was dead or alive.  Now let's get up them few
+h'isters that was like to have cost us all so dear, and get away from
+the spot as soon as we can."
+
+We were not very long in getting the remainder of the oysters on board,
+and soon afterwards we had the cutter back at her old berth.  Our first
+task, as soon as the craft was at anchor again, was to transfer our
+booty to the shore, where we spread them out on a large tarpaulin on the
+sand to die.  The method pursued by the regular pearl-fishers, I
+believe, is to allow the fish to remain until they are in an advanced
+stage of decay, when the pearls are sought for amongst the putrid mass.
+I felt no inclination, however, for such a task, and, moreover, did not
+care to expend so much time as this process involved.  I conjectured
+that, the fish once dead, they might be opened with comparatively little
+difficulty; and I thought that by the time our overhaul and painting was
+completed, the oysters would be in a fit state for operating upon.
+
+Ella now reappeared on deck somewhat more composed, though there was
+still a slight nervous flutter perceptible in her movements.  I took
+advantage of her presence on deck to remark casually that I would now go
+below and change my dress, and cleanse myself from the traces of my
+recent encounter, which I forthwith did; and when I had refreshed myself
+with a copious ablution, I really felt very little the worse for my
+adventure.  Indeed, I believe that I was less discomposed by it than
+either of the others.
+
+After tea was over, I took occasion to remind Ella that I had somewhat
+to say to her, and requested her to accompany me on shore and take a
+short walk on the beach, that I might speak without being embarrassed by
+Bob's presence.
+
+She stepped silently into the boat, and in a few minutes more we stood
+together on the strand.  Taking the arm which I offered her, she said:
+
+"Now, Harry, what is it you wish to say to me?"
+
+"Simply this," I replied.  "From the nature of my occupation I have had,
+as you may suppose, but very few opportunities of associating with your
+sex.  With the solitary exception of my sister, I cannot say that I am
+intimately acquainted with any woman; and I am an utter stranger to
+everything relating to womankind.  I know nothing whatever of their
+characteristics, and have not the slightest idea of how they are likely
+to be influenced by powerful emotions.  It may be that, under such
+circumstances, they sometimes utter words of which they are wholly
+unconscious, and which have not the most remote relation to their actual
+sentiments.  If this really be the case, a man of honour, chancing to
+hear such words escape the lips of a lady, will forthwith forget that
+they were ever uttered.  This I am prepared to do with regard to the
+words spoken by you this afternoon, Ella, if you wish me to understand
+that they had no meaning.  True, it will dispel a brief but blissful
+dream in which I have dared to indulge for a short hour or two: but what
+right have I to suppose that I have awakened within your breast any
+sentiment beyond that of the merest friendship, if I may dare to aspire
+even to that, especially when I take into consideration the shortness of
+the time you have known me?  It has been but a few days, I know but
+almost from the moment that we met upon the deck of the _Copernicus_, a
+new and hitherto unknown feeling has animated me; it has grown with
+every hour of my life since then, and, without analysing its nature, I
+have permitted it to strengthen until it has become a part of my very
+life itself; a feeling which I must perforce still continue to cherish--
+whether for weal or for woe, it is for _you_ to say--as long as life
+remains.  In saying that I never analysed this feeling I am stating what
+is strictly true; but in that dread moment this afternoon, when I
+unexpectedly found myself face to face with death in one of its most
+dreadful forms"--my companion shuddered violently--"in that terrible
+moment, I say, the discovery flashed upon me that the feeling to which I
+have referred is _love_, the most passionate, devoted, idolising love.
+Tell me, Ella, tell me, my darling, may I dare to hope that at some time
+in the distant future, when you shall have had opportunities of becoming
+better acquainted with me--"
+
+"Cease, Harry," the dear girl interrupted with deep emotion, "cease, I
+pray you, to agitate yourself with causeless fears.  Why should I
+hesitate--after having already given such unequivocal expression to my
+feelings to avow that, like yourself, I have loved almost from the first
+moment of our meeting.  I know not whether now, or at any future time,
+you will deem my heart too easily won; but, if you do, remember that the
+advantage has been from the first all on your side.  You appeared as my
+deliverer from a situation of peculiar trial to a young and delicately
+brought-up girl, and of peril the nature and extent of which you are
+better able to realise than I am to tell, so, in judging me, you must
+not forget to take into consideration, and give me the benefit of, the
+peculiar circumstances of the case.  And whether lightly won or not, you
+shall find, dear Harry, that my love is not the less sincere and loyal
+on that account for _never_ was there a truer or more devoted wife than
+I will be to you, if it please God to permit us to become united."
+
+And saying this, my little darling turned, and with unaffected confiding
+simplicity, wound her soft arms about my neck, and raised her sweet lips
+to mine.
+
+The conversation which followed, deeply interesting as it was to the
+parties engaged, need not be reproduced here suffice it to say that the
+insight I thus obtained of Ella's character and disposition amply
+justified the sudden and precipitate step I had taken.  That it _was_
+precipitate I could not and did not attempt to conceal from myself, and
+that it would have been highly imprudent under ordinary circumstances
+thus to connect myself by so binding a tie as betrothal to one of whose
+very existence I was ignorant but a short fortnight before, I was also
+fully aware; but, after all, marriage is, to a very great extent, a
+lottery and one can never be really certain, until after the nuptial
+knot has been tied, whether one has drawn a prize or a blank.
+
+There are some women in whom a fresh trait of character is always
+revealing itself, so that, just when you think you have at last
+succeeded in thoroughly understanding them, you discover that you are
+just as far off any reliable knowledge of their character as ever.
+
+But with Ella it was very different.  There was a childlike openness and
+ingenuousness of manner about her which quickly revealed to the
+observer, not only the salient points, but also the finer gradations of
+her character and temperament; and I believe that I had a clearer
+insight into both at the time that I thus hastily offered myself, than
+many men who do the same thing after an acquaintance of a "season," and
+with such knowledge as they are able to pick up by meeting their charmer
+at balls, picnics, canters in the "Row," and what not.
+
+At length we returned to the cutter, where we found Bob, with his pipe
+still between his teeth, sitting aft fast asleep.  I wished Ella
+"good-night," and then roused Master Bob up; and whilst we smoked a
+final pipe together, communicated my good fortune to him.
+
+"Ay, ay!" said he, as soon as I had told him, "you may thank `Jack
+Shark' for having it come upon ye so soon, lad; it was _bound_ to come
+sooner or later.  I've seed it clearer and clearer every day, but it
+warn't for me to say a word one way or t'other; but the narrer squeak
+you had for it this a'ternoon just took the little lady flat aback, and
+afore she could pay off, you see, she let run a whole string of lovin'
+words that there warn't no way of hauling aboard and coiling down out of
+sight ag'in; and so she hadn't no ch'ice but just to haul down her
+colours as soon as you opened fire.  Well, you've made a pretty prize,
+Harry, and I congratulate ye with all my heart.  A trimmer model, or one
+better ballasted with the right sort of feelin's and idees, no man need
+wish to sail the v'y'ge of life in company with, and as to her being
+fond of ye, why, she couldn't help showing of it, try all she would.
+She couldn't talk of nothing else from morning to night but you.  It
+don't matter what the conversation started with, whether 'twas ships, or
+flyin'-fish, or hurricanes, waterspouts--_anything_ in heaven or airth,
+she'd bring it all round in a sort of great-circle-sailing fashion to
+you.  And now that you've got her, lad, I hope as you'll be able to sail
+her properly.  Women is very ticklish craft to handle, you must hear in
+mind; as tender in a squall as a racin' cutter with all her flyin'-kites
+aloft; and you'll have to keep a sharp look-out to win'ard, and have the
+halliards and sheets all ready for lettin' run at a moment's notice, or
+you'll maybe get something ser'ous carried away, or have a reg'lar
+downright wrack altogether afore you knows where you are."
+
+I could not help smiling at this characteristic speech of congratulation
+and caution of Bob's, to which I of course made a suitable reply and
+then shaking hands, we went below and tumbled into our respective
+hammocks.
+
+Volume Two, Chapter IV.
+
+THE LILY AMONG BREAKERS.
+
+The next morning we were up betimes, and that Ella might be removed from
+the scene of dirt and confusion which the cutter would present during
+the day, our first act was to convey on shore the necessary rear and
+materials for the preparation and consumption of our meals there, it
+being anticipated that one day would suffice for all we intended to do
+just then.
+
+By the time that we had done so and had returned to the cutter, Ella
+made her appearance on deck, meeting me affectionately, and then turning
+to thank Bob for the congratulations the honest and warm-hearted fellow
+saw fit to offer on the occasion.  These over, I pulled the dear girl
+ashore, and she forthwith set about seeking for a favourable spot where
+to spread the tablecloth upon the sward, and to arrange her equipage, a
+fire having already been lighted and the kettle suspended over it,
+gipsy-fashion, from three crossed sticks.
+
+Whilst she was thus engaged I returned on board, and routed out our
+small stock of paints, and set to work mixing them, whilst Bob, having
+already washed down inboard, busied himself in casting off and easing up
+the rigging preparatory to a regular overhaul, the first thing after
+breakfast.
+
+As soon as the meal was ready, Ella came down to the beach and waved her
+pocket-handkerchief, the signal agreed upon; and we pulled ashore and
+took a hasty meal, it being understood that the day would be a busy one,
+I being desirous of finishing all before sunset, so as to make a start
+again next day, there being nothing to detain us or to make it worth our
+while to prolong our stay where we then were.
+
+Breakfast over, Bob and I pulled back to the cutter, where we at once
+commenced work in earnest, leaving Ella to amuse herself by strolling
+along the shore and making her proposed collection of shells.  By
+dinner-time I succeeded in finishing the painting, giving the craft not
+only a coat of black from her rail down to the copper, with a white
+stripe or ribbon round the ornamental groove cut for that purpose in the
+covering-board, but also a coat of pale stone-colour all round the
+inside of her low bulwarks, as well as a touch of varnish on the teak
+and mahogany-fittings of the deck.
+
+This left me free to assist Bob in the afternoon, and such good progress
+did we make that by sunset the rigging had been overhauled and lifted,
+the mast-head examined in the eyes of the rigging, new service put on
+where required, and everything got back into its place again, the
+lanyards all set up, and the mainsail rebent, which it badly required.
+
+We then had a good wash and adjourned to the shore, where we found our
+fair companion awaiting us with tea all ready, and a collection of most
+beautiful shells to exhibit, the fruits of her day's gathering.  As soon
+as the meal was over, everything was transported on board again, and put
+in its place; and I then rejoined Ella, who remained on shore, and we
+had a very enjoyable ramble, enlivened with such conversation as lovers
+delight in.
+
+The next morning, as soon as breakfast was over, we all adjourned to the
+shore once more; and whilst Ella, at my recommendation, took another
+stroll about the island.  Bob and I set to work upon the oysters.  They
+were all dead by this time, of course, and not only so, but in such a
+condition that it taxed our resolution to the utmost to go through with
+the task about which we had set ourselves.
+
+But what will man not do for the sake of wealth?  It is true, we both
+felt sanguine about finding our treasure-island; and if the account we
+had received of it was true, there was more wealth there than we had the
+means of taking away with us; still we could not resist the temptation
+to secure this, comparatively speaking, small windfall that had come in
+our way, so we persevered; and we certainly had no reason to be
+dissatisfied with our reward.
+
+When all was over we found that our acquisition amounted to about a
+quart-measure full of seed-pearls, and a similar measure full of pearls
+of a large size, ranging from the size of peas to, in one instance, a
+splendid fellow fully as large as a pigeon's egg, many others being
+nearly as fine.
+
+This task occupied us all the morning, and when it was finished we
+returned to the cutter, and at once set about taking our boat to pieces
+and stowing her away below.
+
+This done, we took dinner, immediately after which Bob and I got the
+canvas set, hove up our anchor, and stood away for the western passage
+through the reef.
+
+This passage was much wider than the one by which we had entered, and
+not nearly so crooked; and as we were just within the influence of the
+trade-winds, and it trended generally in a westerly direction, we had a
+fair wind through, so we had no difficulty whatever in passing out
+between the reefs, which we did under easy sail jetting the gaff-topsail
+and spinnaker upon the craft, however, as soon as we were fairly
+outside.
+
+The wind was blowing fresh, but steady, from about south-east, and as
+our course was west-north-west, we flew merrily away very nearly dead
+before the wind, with our spinnaker boomed out to port.
+
+Bob took the afternoon watch, and I retired below and lay down, as it
+was my eight hours out that night.
+
+Ella remained on deck chatting gaily with Bob, and busying herself with
+some mysterious bit of sewing, and I soon dropped off into a doze.
+
+Nothing of importance occurred for the remainder of that day, nor during
+the next.
+
+Ella now regularly kept the first night-watch with me, whenever it was
+my eight hours out, and many a pleasant chat did we have together; and
+more and more reason did I see for congratulating myself upon my choice
+of a bride, hasty as that choice had been.
+
+Now that we had had an explanation, and there no longer existed any
+reason for the fair girl's concealing her ardent attachment to me, many
+little puzzling peculiarities and contradictions, which I had before
+observed in her conduct, disappeared; and I found her society more
+charming and her conversation more frank and enjoyable every day.
+
+There was not a particle of coquettishness, or nonsense of any kind
+about her, and she made no hesitation whatever about acknowledging
+frankly yet modestly, the warmth of her affection.
+
+She questioned me eagerly, and with the utmost interest, about my
+father; and I saw with delight that there was already springing up
+within her breast a feeling of regard for him, simply _because_ he
+happened to be my father, which promised, with but a little
+encouragement, to blossom into deep affection.
+
+In the prospect of finding the treasure she also exhibited an interest,
+but it was nothing in comparison with the other.
+
+On one occasion, for example, when in speaking of it, I endeavoured to
+explain to her that there was no absolute _certainty_ of our being able
+to find it, and that if we failed I should be compelled of necessity to
+return to my own profession as a means of support, she replied, "Well,
+Harry, dear, I really _do_ hope you _will_ find it, for it would be very
+hard to have you away from me for many months at a time, or indeed at
+all but I could reconcile myself to that if we only happen to be
+fortunate enough to find your dear father, so that I might have the
+satisfaction of knowing that when my darling was absent from me, he
+would be with a beloved parent."
+
+She was not at all insensible to the advantages of wealth; but I could
+see, in many little ways, that she was quite sincere in the statement
+she often made, that she would willingly sacrifice our chances of
+securing the gold for the certainty of discovering my father.
+
+When I went on deck at seven-bells, in answer to Bob's call, on the
+morning but one succeeding the day of our departure from the island, I
+found that the wind had dropped almost to a dead calm, the _Lily_ making
+no more than about three knots; and that there was a heavy sultry
+feeling in the air, quite different from the usual freshness of the sea
+breeze.  A thin and almost impalpable vapour was spread over the entire
+firmament, like a curtain, and away to the eastward a heavy bank of dark
+menacing cloud was slowly rising above the horizon.
+
+A glance at the aneroid, which was fixed in the companion-way, so as to
+be visible to the helmsman, revealed the fact that the pointer of the
+instrument had gone considerably back; and this, together with the
+threatening aspect of the heavens, made me fear that we were about to
+have a very unpleasant break in the fine weather we had been favoured
+with since entering the Pacific.
+
+"I don't like the looks of things, Harry," said Bob, as I glanced round
+at the aspect of our surroundings; "that glass there has gone back a
+good inch within the hour, and this light-flying stuff overhead has
+sprung from Lord knows where within the last ten minutes; and that bank
+down yonder seems to me to be working about in a way that's altogether
+onaccountable, and looks very much as though 'twas breeding mischief.
+I'd ha' called ye before, lad, but it's only within these ten minutes
+that there's been anything out of the way about the look of the
+weather."
+
+"It has a threatening look about it, certainly," I replied, "and we will
+not waste a moment in getting the canvas off the craft, and in making
+her snug for whatever may befall.  Leave the tiller to take care of
+itself, Bob, and in with the gaff-topsail, whilst I hand the spinnaker.
+Never mind about rolling them up; we can do that by-and-by, if we have
+time.  So that's well.  Now settle away the peak halliards, or--here,
+let me have them, and I will lower away both peak and throat, whilst you
+gather in the sail.  Now roll it snugly up, and stow it securely, and
+put the cover on, whilst I get in the jib and lower the topmast.  Be as
+lively as you like, Bob; we shall have none too much time, by the look
+of things astern.  Now we may yet roll up these sails and get them out
+of the way below, if we are smart.  You do that, whilst I close-reef the
+foresail.  I hope that whatever is coming will not last long; for we are
+in rather an ugly berth here among so many islands, and it may not be an
+easy matter to avoid them if we are obliged to scud, as I expect we
+shall be."
+
+We worked with a will, and in a quarter of an hour had the craft
+stripped, with the exception of a close-reefed foresail, and her topmast
+lowered.  All the time that we were working, the heavy bank astern had
+been rising and spreading itself over the heavens like a dark canopy,
+the vast mass of vapour of which it was composed writhing and twisting
+like the contortions of a wounded snake; and by the time that our
+preparations were complete, the entire sky was overspread, with the
+exception of a low strip away on the western horizon, which was rapidly
+lessening, even as we looked upon it.
+
+The interposition of this vast curtain of vapour between us and the sky
+caused an awful semi-darkness to fall upon the scene, and this was still
+further increased by the presence of a kind of smoky mist, which now
+filled the air, rendering everything so obscure that it was difficult to
+see further than a mile on either side.
+
+Ella now came upon deck to announce that breakfast was ready, but we had
+something else to occupy our attention just then; and the fair girl
+placed her arm in mine, and gazed with us in silence at the
+awe-inspiring scene.
+
+The wind had died away altogether, but the inky sea exhibited a singular
+and alarming appearance, leaping into low waves which had no run in any
+direction, and which presented more the appearance of what we see on the
+surface of a simmering caldron than anything else to which I can compare
+it.
+
+Suddenly a blinding flash of lightning rent the canopy overhead, and
+simultaneously came the cracking, rattling crash of the thunder.  I
+directed Ella to retire below, and not to attempt returning to the deck
+unless I called her, advising her also to get her breakfast at once, and
+clear everything away, if she wished to save the crockery, as I expected
+we should soon have more of both wind and sea than we wanted.
+
+I then closed the cabin doors and drew over the slide, and well it was
+that I did so; for at that moment there came another flash, another
+deafening, stunning peal, and then the floodgates of heaven were opened,
+and the rain descended in such blinding sheets that our deck was in less
+than a minute full to the low rail, notwithstanding that there was an
+inch of clear space all round the craft, between bulwarks and
+covering-board, to enable her to free herself rapidly of water.
+
+This lasted perhaps five minutes, and then the rain ceased as suddenly
+as it had come on.  It was, to compare great things with small, like the
+emptying of a bucket of water.  It was a deluge whilst it lasted, and it
+ceased as suddenly as would the shower from a bucket when its contents
+had all fallen to the ground.
+
+Another minute or two of suspense succeeded, and then a pale,
+primrose-coloured streak appeared on the horizon to the eastward,
+rapidly increasing in size, and a hollow moaning sound gradually became
+audible in the air.  I did not like it at all.  I was sure something out
+of the common was about to happen, and I desired Bob to go forward and
+haul down the foresail, and stow it.
+
+He had just done this, and was coming aft again, when he sung out, "Here
+it comes at last, Harry; stand by the tiller."  I looked, and away
+astern, right and left, far as the eye could reach, was a rapidly
+advancing and widening streak of white foam.  On it came, outstripping
+in speed the fastest express train, the sea in front of it inky black,
+whilst behind it was all as white as milk.  I sat down on deck, bracing
+my feet against the companion, and desired Bob to do the same and it was
+well we did so, or I verily believe we should have been blown overboard.
+
+The hurricane struck us fairly astern, and I fully expected to see the
+mast go clean out of the cutter, whilst the foam boiled up over the
+taffrail and surged inboard, filling our decks, and piling; over us in a
+truly alarming manner.  However, our rigging was all first-rate, and
+stood the tremendous strain bravely and, the laws of nature asserting
+their supremacy even in this wild scene, the little _Lily_ rose and
+shook herself clear of the water which had swept in over her, and then
+away she flew, at a perfectly frightful speed, dead before it.
+
+Had she been of the usual model, her bows would have been forced under
+by the enormous pressure of the wind behind, and she would have gone
+down head foremost; but, sharp as were her water-lines, her bows curved
+boldly out above water, and thus afforded her a support forward, which
+now proved her salvation.
+
+The first fierceness of the gust lasted perhaps five minutes, possibly
+not so much, but it is difficult to measure time on such occasions as
+these, and then we got the strength of the gale proper.  I thought it
+blew pretty hard off Cape Horn, but it was a trifle compared with this.
+
+The sea remained perfectly smooth, for the simple reason that it _could
+not_ get up.  The tops of the surges, as they rose, were taken by the
+wind and swept off as neatly as you would cut a flower from its stalk
+with a riding-switch, and the air was filled completely with this scud
+water, rendering it so thick that it was impossible to see a cable's
+length ahead.
+
+As all immediate danger was for the present over, I now desired Bob to
+push back the companion slide, leaving the doors still closed however,
+and go below and get a mouthful of something to eat, as I did not know
+what call might yet be made upon our energies, and it was desirable that
+we should not allow ourselves to become exhausted from want of food.
+
+As soon as he had snatched a hasty meal, he relieved me, and I went
+below in my turn, when I found that Ella had contrived to keep some
+coffee hot for us, as well as a supply of the cakes or rolls which she
+was so fond of making; and the dear girl, pale and terrified as she was,
+took her place at the table, attending to my wants with true womanly
+assiduity and self-forgetfulness.
+
+She earnestly entreated to be allowed to accompany me on deck, and share
+whatever danger there might be, but this of course I would not allow,
+asserting, a little ungallantly, I fear, that she could do no good
+there, and would only be in the way.  I gave her permission, however, to
+stand in the companion-way and look abroad upon the strange scene,
+providing that she wrapped herself well up, and put on my macintosh to
+prevent becoming wet through, and this concession she gratefully
+accepted.
+
+Hour after hour we flew before the fury of the gale, my anxiety
+increasing with every mile that we travelled, for my chart told me that
+a group of islands lay directly ahead as we were then steering; and I
+knew, by my reckoning, that we must be drawing fearfully close to them,
+if indeed we were not already actually among them.
+
+The wind had moderated, to a certain extent, from its first terrific
+violence, but it was still blowing far too hard to permit of our
+rounding-to, and making use of our floating-anchor; any attempt to do so
+must inevitably have resulted in the craft "turning the turtle" with us,
+and I had, therefore, no choice but to keep scudding.
+
+The sea began to get up, too, now, and followed us in a very menacing
+manner, the huge foaming crests rearing high above our taffrail, and
+threatening every moment to fall on board.  So great did this danger at
+last become, that I reluctantly directed Bob to go forward and set the
+foresail (which I had close-reefed before it was stowed) upon the craft.
+
+This, in such weather, and with only one hand to do the work, promised
+to be a task of no ordinary difficulty; but Bob was the man to do it if
+any one could, and he set about the work with all the care and skill of
+which he was master.
+
+I sheered the cutter about one point to port to keep the sail steadily
+drawing; and, the sheets being carefully trimmed, the old fellow took
+the halliards in one hand, knelt down upon the sail, and cast off the
+stops by which it was secured.  He then steadied the halliards taut,
+sprang to the weather-side of the deck, and swayed away, catching a turn
+under a belaying-pin the moment the sail was up.
+
+It almost set itself, and by Bob's careful management it was filled and
+drawing without a single flap, which would at that moment have insured
+its destruction.
+
+The effect of the exhibition of this mere shred of canvas was such a
+material acceleration of speed that we were no longer in any great
+danger of being "pooped;" but, on the other hand, we were now rushing
+with the greater impetuosity down upon the dangers which, I had too much
+reason to fear, awaited us ahead.
+
+Indeed, I had abundant confirmation of these fears within the next
+half-hour, for we soon afterwards dashed past an extensive reef--over
+which the sea boiled and seethed with terrific violence--at so short a
+distance that, but for our slight alteration of course when the foresail
+was set, we must have plunged headlong upon it.  To add to my anxiety,
+it still continued thick as ever, rendering it utterly impossible to see
+above a cable's length, or two at the utmost, on any side of us.
+
+So anxious did I at last become, that I was on the point of resigning
+the helm to Bob, that I might go below to consult the chart, and
+ascertain as nearly as I could our exact position, when suddenly,
+directly ahead, appeared a wild waste of boiling foaming surf, swirling,
+seething, and leaping high in the air, where it became instantly
+dissipated in the form of a dense driving mist.
+
+I glanced wildly to port and to starboard, vainly hoping I should see
+clear unbroken water on one side or the other, though we were already
+too near the breakers to escape them.  But far as the eye could
+penetrate the dense atmosphere on either side, stretched the remorseless
+breakers, and in another minute we were among them.
+
+On first catching sight of the broken water, I had pointed to the
+companion in which Ella still stood; and Bob, seeing the action, caught
+my meaning in a moment, and with rather scant ceremony, thrust the poor
+little girl's head below and drew the slide close over.
+
+At the same instant I thought I detected a spot where the sea was
+breaking somewhat less madly than elsewhere, and I gave the cutter a
+strong sheer to starboard, that we might enter the surf at that point,
+it being my opinion that then lay the deepest water.
+
+I had no hope of escaping, but the instinct of self-preservation
+asserted itself, as it always will, and prompted me to avail myself of
+even the slenderest and most doubtful chance in our favour.
+
+The cutter heeled violently down, burying her lee gunwale half-deck high
+in the seething water, and I thought for a moment that she was going
+over altogether with us; the foresail jibed with a loud flap, and blew
+clear and clean out of the bolt-rope, and at the same instant the _Water
+Lily_ plunged wildly into the boiling surf.
+
+I braced myself for the shock which I expected would instantly follow,
+accompanied by the crashing in of the poor little craft's timbers, but
+she did not touch.
+
+The water tumbled on board forward, aft, everywhere, and Bob and I were
+frequently standing waist deep; and still the cutter rushed furiously
+on, all my efforts and energies now being directed to keeping as much as
+possible in those parts where the sea broke with least violence.
+
+After the first half-minute or so, finding that we did not strike, hope
+faintly revived within me, especially as the cutter suddenly shot into a
+belt of unbroken water.
+
+Down this channel we rushed, sheering now to port, now to starboard, as
+we followed its windings, the water becoming smoother with every fathom
+we proceeded.
+
+I began to hope that our troubles were coming to an end, when suddenly
+the channel took a quick bend to windward, and without sail upon the
+boat it became impossible to follow it.
+
+Selecting, as before, that part where the surf broke least heavily, I
+was fain therefore once again to let the little _Lily_ drive into the
+white water, and the next moment we touched, though but lightly.
+
+Another perilous quarter of a mile was run, and then, the air being
+rather clearer, I saw, some distance ahead, beyond the now much reduced
+surf, clear water again; but there was an unbroken barrier of foam
+between us and it, and from its appearance I greatly feared that the
+reef rose everywhere in that direction dangerously near to the surface.
+
+There was not much to choose in the way of a course just then, so I
+steered for the nearest point of the new channel, and was just
+congratulating myself that we should reach it without touching again,
+when we plunged into the thickest of the foam, struck heavily, and
+sheered broadside to, heeling over so violently that Bob lost his
+footing and his hold together, and fell into the sea to leeward.
+
+The main-sheet was lying coiled upon the deck under my hand, and I threw
+it over to him bodily.  He fortunately caught it, and, exerting his
+utmost strength, succeeded in clambering on board again.
+
+As he did so, a huge roller came foaming and tumbling towards us,
+striking our upturned side so violently that it hove us fairly over on
+our beam-ends, whilst it lifted us clear of the ledge to which we had
+hung, and launched us into the unbroken water to leeward.
+
+Once clear of the ledge, the little craft instantly righted, and I put
+the helm hard up.  We soon paid off, and swept away to leeward once
+more; but we were now in a good broad channel, with comparatively smooth
+water, and I saw, with satisfaction, that the surf on each side of us
+was becoming less and less heavy every minute.
+
+Five minutes might have elapsed perhaps after we last struck, when I saw
+land looming through the haze ahead, and soon afterwards we found
+ourselves clear of the reefs altogether--inside of them, that is--and
+floating on the comparatively smooth surface of an extensive lagoon.
+
+High land now distinctly appeared ahead of us, and we shortly discovered
+that it formed a portion of an island of considerable size, the northern
+end of which lay about three points on our starboard-bow.
+
+Towards this point I at once directed the head of the cutter, with the
+object of getting under a lee as quickly as possible, and, if
+practicable, into a berth which would permit of our careening our poor
+little craft and examining into the extent of her damage.  I directed
+Bob to open the companion now, as I was fearful that Ella might have
+received some injury when the cutter was hove on her beam-ends; but, to
+my great joy, as soon as the doors were thrown back, there she was,
+clinging desperately to the ladder, terribly frightened, but unhurt, as
+she assured me, beyond a few unimportant bruises.
+
+As we neared the northern extremity of the island, towards which I was
+steering, we found that it terminated in an almost perpendicular cliff
+of some fifty or sixty feet in height, constituting the northern part of
+the base of a high hill, rising almost to the dignity of a mountain,
+which was thickly-wooded almost to its summit, and to the very verge of
+the cliffs, close under which we were now gliding swiftly along.
+
+As my eye ranged over the northern face of these cliffs, which we had by
+this time opened, I detected a rather singular break in them at a
+particular point; and, curiosity prompting me, I sheered the cutter a
+little closer to get a nearer view of it.
+
+Approaching still nearer, it seemed to me that this break extended quite
+to the water's edge; but it was not until we were almost past it that I
+felt convinced not only that this was the case, but that there actually
+was a bay or cove of some sort inside it.
+
+This discovery was made barely in time to enable me to jam my helm
+hard-a-starboard and just fetch the opening, through which in about five
+minutes afterwards we gently slid, finding ourselves in the midst of a
+deep basin of almost perfect circular form, so completely landlocked and
+with such a narrow and artfully-concealed entrance that it was not until
+we were within a biscuit-throw of the rocks that I felt absolutely
+certain there, really existed a passage at all.
+
+The basin, as I have already said, was of circular form, and I judged it
+to be about a mile in diameter.  The entrance was at the most northerly
+point in its circumference; at which spot, as I afterwards ascertained
+by sounding, there was nearly forty fathoms of water, though the horns
+or cusps of the encircling cliffs approached each other so closely that
+it would have been impossible to take even a small square-rigged vessel
+through without bracing her yards sharp fore and aft, and a craft of say
+a couple of hundred tons could not have been carried through at all.
+
+At the entrance the cliffs rose almost perpendicularly out of the water,
+both outside and inside, terminating in a wedge on either side.
+
+From this point, however, they gradually widened away in the form of a
+gently-rising plateau, out of which two spurs of the mountain sprang,
+one on each side of the basin.
+
+Between these spurs or shoulders lay a ravine, which sloped evenly down
+from the level of the plateau on each side until it terminated, at the
+southern extremity of the basin, in a beach of fine sand.  This ravine
+lay, of course, directly ahead of us as we entered; and its smooth,
+lawn-like surface, swelling gradually upwards towards the mountain in
+the rear and the plateaus on each side, formed a truly lovely picture
+under any circumstances, and especially to us who had, within the last
+hour, been battling with a stormy sea.
+
+Its central portion, for perhaps a mile in length and a quarter of that
+width, was luxuriantly clothed with the freshest verdure, but was quite
+destitute of trees.
+
+Beyond these limits, however, the whole face of the country was
+thickly-wooded, cocoa-nuts and bananas being conspicuously abundant.
+The beach ran about three-fourths round the basin, being broadest
+immediately in front of the ravine and gradually narrowing away to
+nothing at about a mile's distance on either side.
+
+At the western extremity of the beach a beautiful cascade tumbled over
+the edge of the cliff upon a low rocky platform below, from whence it
+dispersed itself into the sea.
+
+I took the glass, and carefully swept the entire ravine with it to
+ascertain whether there were any indications that the island was
+inhabited, for I felt convinced that were it so this lovely spot would
+be the first selected as a place of abode.  But for all that I could see
+no human foot had ever pressed the soil, and I felt encouraged to go
+close in and anchor; though, before doing anything else, I determined to
+make a voyage of discovery inland, and settle the question as to the
+existence or nonexistence of inhabitants.
+
+If it should really prove that we had this lovely island all to
+ourselves, nothing could possibly be better suited to our purpose of
+careening the cutter: for I found, by repeated casts of the lead, that
+the water shoaled with almost mathematical regularity as we approached
+the beach.
+
+On shooting through the narrow entrance we had found ourselves almost
+becalmed under the lofty cliffs, though the gale still howled overhead,
+so, having made up my mind as to the berth in which I would place the
+cutter, I desired Bob to get the jib on her, and under this short canvas
+we slid quietly across the basin to our anchorage, bringing up in three
+fathoms.
+
+We immediately got our boat out and put her together and, as soon as she
+was ready, I took a double-barrelled shot-gun, and got Bob to put me
+ashore, leaving him to take care of Ella and the cutter, and telling him
+that in the event of anything transpiring to render his assistance
+necessary I would fire both barrels quickly one after the other, and not
+otherwise.
+
+If a distant view of the country was attractive, it was, upon a closer
+inspection, perfectly enchanting, everything having the appearance
+rather of the happiest effects of landscape-gardening than of an unaided
+effort of nature.  The ground, which from a distance appeared almost too
+regular for perfect beauty, I found to be finely broken; and on each
+side, as I walked up the ravine, were constantly recurring elevations
+and declivities, ornamented with fine clumps of tropical trees.
+
+Besides the cocoa-nuts and bananas, I found plantains, figs, breadfruit,
+pine-apples, superior in size and flavour to any that I had ever before
+met with, and a large variety of other fruits with the names and
+qualities of which I was unacquainted.
+
+Innumerable birds of the most beautiful plumage sported among the trees,
+and a few of them sang very sweetly, but for the most part the sounds
+which they emitted were quite unlike any that I had heard before.
+
+I saw no traces of animals or reptiles, great or small and none whatever
+of man.
+
+I walked quite to the head of the ravine, and then turned off to the
+right, with the object of passing round the base of the mountain; but,
+after an hour's walk, I found that I had my labour for my pains, for I
+came out upon the edge of the cliff on the north-western side of the
+island, and now discovered that at that spot it not only extended for
+some distance to the southward, but swept round the northern base of the
+mountain inland, rising sheer like a wall for quite a hundred feet.
+After searching unavailingly for some time for a point at which it might
+be possible for me to pass, I was obliged to give it up and retrace my
+steps.
+
+Reaching the head of the ravine once more, I now struck off to the left
+with the intention of passing round to the eastward.  Another walk of
+about an hour, during which my progress was much impeded, as it had been
+on the opposite side, by the dense undergrowth, and I came out upon a
+small platform on the extreme eastern side of the mountain.  This
+platform terminated on my left at the edge of the cliff, and ahead it
+gradually narrowed until there was barely room for a man to pass, and
+not then unless he had remarkably steady nerves: for on the right rose a
+perpendicular precipice, and on the left was the cliff-edge, with the
+lagoon nearly two hundred feet below.  From my present position I was
+now able to see that this ledge was the only available point of passage
+from the northern to the southern side of the island unless one chose
+fairly to scale the mountain, which I was convinced would be a work of
+considerable difficulty, on account of the thickness of the bush or
+undergrowth.
+
+Along this narrow ledge, then, I proceeded to take my way and, after a
+perilous journey of half a mile, came out upon safe ground once more.
+Half an hour afterwards I reached the southern side of the island, and
+clambering with considerable difficulty to the top of a precipitous
+knoll, I obtained an uninterrupted view of the whole southern side of
+the island.  It extended from the point upon which I stood a distance of
+quite twelve miles, running nearly due north and south, and was divided
+pretty evenly by a ridge or spur of the mountain, which passed down its
+entire length.
+
+The island varied considerably in width, being irregularly shaped
+somewhat like a diamond or lozenge, with numerous bays and creeks on its
+western side, but none whatever on the east.  It was well wooded
+throughout, and presented a magnificent park-like appearance.
+
+I had brought my most powerful glass with me, and from the commanding
+elevation upon which I stood, I now carefully swept the entire island as
+far as the range of my glass permitted, but without detecting the
+slightest trace of inhabitants.
+
+Greatly gratified at the perfect security which this promised, I now
+retraced my steps, as the sun, which had burst through the clouds, was
+by this time approaching the horizon; and in about a couple of hours I
+found myself once more on board the cutter, where I was joyously
+welcomed by my companions, who had both begun to feel very uneasy at my
+prolonged absence.
+
+Of course I did not fail to take back with me a plentiful supply of
+fruit, upon which we regaled ourselves luxuriously after a late dinner,
+during which I gave a detailed report of my explorations.
+
+So satisfactory was this, that my companions were both delighted when I
+announced my intention of remaining there for a sufficient length of
+time to careen and examine the cutter and as this would of course
+necessitate the taking of everything movable out of her, it was arranged
+that we should commence our work next morning by rigging-up a couple of
+tents on shore, in which to take up our quarters until the cutter was
+once more ready to receive us.
+
+Volume Two, Chapter V.
+
+ATTACKED BY SAVAGES.
+
+When I awoke next morning the sun was just appearing above the cliffs
+which bounded our basin on its eastern side, the sky was cloudless, and
+the trade-wind had once more resumed its supremacy, sweeping in a gentle
+breeze over the tree-crowned summits of the cliffs, though down in the
+basin we only felt the mildest zephyr.
+
+Calling Bob, who was still sound asleep, I proceeded to the deck to
+enjoy the balmy freshness of the morning and await his appearance; and
+as soon as he joined me we both jumped into the boat, armed with soap
+and towel, and directed our steps to the cascade, which was hidden from
+our present berth by a slight projection of the face of the intervening
+cliff.
+
+When we arrived at the spot we found that instead of falling sheer from
+the top of the cliff to the bottom, as it appeared from the basin to do,
+it was arrested at several points in its fall, by which the force of the
+descending water was so much broken that I thought we might safely
+venture to place ourselves beneath it, and thus obtain a most
+magnificent shower-bath.
+
+The rock upon which it fell had gradually been hollowed away by the
+action of the descending water, and presented the appearance of a
+gigantic shallow bowl, of nearly thirty feet in diameter, brim-full of
+the purest crystal water, which gushed away over the western or lower
+edge into the sea.  The depth varied regularly from a few inches round
+the edge to about three feet immediately under the cascade, and the
+whole formed a most princely bath.
+
+We lost no time in stripping and plunging in, when, after indulging in a
+thorough ablution, I ventured upon the shower experiment.  The shock was
+tremendous, and as much as ever I could bear; but its after effects were
+delicious.  I felt braced and strengthened, refreshed, and ready for
+anything; but more especially for a good breakfast, which of course we
+found awaiting us in due course when we returned to the cutter.
+
+As soon as the meal was over Ella packed up the washing she was so
+anxious about, and I put her and Bob ashore, the latter trudging happily
+along by the side of his light-hearted companion, and bearing her bundle
+on his shoulder.  I then returned to the cutter, hove up the anchor, and
+ran her in under her jib, until she gently took the ground, when I set
+about mooring her stem and stern to the beach with warps made fast to
+stakes firmly driven into the sand.
+
+Bob soon returned, and we then unbent the mainsail, struck the topmast,
+cast adrift the boom and gaff, and ran in the bowsprit and unrigged it;
+and, then, transporting these spars and all our sails to the beach, we
+rigged up a couple of small but comfortable enough tents, into which we
+transferred our several belongings, and such necessaries as we expected
+we should require during our short experiment in camp life.  We at the
+same time availed ourselves of so fine an opportunity as was now
+afforded us, to thoroughly air our spare suit of sails.
+
+It took up the entire day to clear the cutter of everything, ballast
+included; and, even then, we were compelled to leave our large
+water-tank on board, from sheer inability to get it out of the craft
+without breaking up her deck, which, of course, we could not think of
+doing.
+
+We succeeded, however, after a great deal of difficulty and trouble, in
+shoring it firmly up close to the deck beams (having first of all, of
+course, pumped all the water out) and this left us sufficient room to
+get at the ballast, though with none to spare.
+
+With everything out of her, the cutter floated a good three feet
+lighter, and we at once hauled her in as close to the shore as she would
+come, so as to work at her, if need be, without the boat, simply
+standing in the water.
+
+The next morning we ran our anchor the necessary distance away out to
+seaward, broad upon our starboard beam, brought the cable on board, and
+hooked it to the throat halyards, taking a good look, first of all, to
+our shore fasts.
+
+It was easy work heaving her down for the first half-hour but as soon as
+we got her fairly down upon her bilge, we obtained an idea of how stiff
+the little craft was, even without an ounce of ballast in her.
+
+We hove and hove until everything cracked again; and I really was afraid
+at one time that we should either spring the mast or carry its head away
+altogether, but we succeeded at last in getting her past the point of
+greatest resistance, without meeting with any casualty, and after that
+she came down pretty easily.
+
+An hour and a half of hard work saw us, at length, with the cutter keel
+out, and an anxious scrutiny of her bottom immediately followed.
+
+To our intense satisfaction, we now saw that she had struck, on both
+occasions, on that portion of her keel which was loaded with lead, two
+dints in the metal being distinctly visible.  One was very trifling; the
+other was a jagged notch of some five inches in depth, the lead being
+bent upwards and outwards to starboard in a kind of lip.
+
+Beyond these there were no other injuries even of the slightest kind
+visible, at least on the port side, and the copper was as unwrinkled as
+the day it was put on.
+
+Half-an-hour's work with the hammer put the keel completely to rights
+again; and whilst I busied myself about this, Bob employed himself in
+diligently scouring the copper, and would not be satisfied until he had
+made it almost as bright as gold.
+
+I had very great hopes that we should find the starboard side in an
+equally undamaged condition; but we determined, whilst we were about it,
+to make our overhaul complete, so, as soon as dinner was over, we swung
+the craft, and hove her down again, and soon had the gratification of
+finding our hopes confirmed.
+
+The copper on the starboard side, of course, received its due share of
+scouring, for the sake of uniformity; and about an hour before sunset,
+the tackles were eased up, and the little craft floated on an even keel
+once more, with her slight damages made good, and everything in as
+perfect condition (the ordinary wear and tear excepted) as when she came
+out of the builders' hands.
+
+The next day was devoted to a thorough cleansing of the little craft's
+interior, fore and aft, so favourable an opportunity not being likely to
+offer again until after our return to England, unless, indeed, we really
+should prove fortunate enough to find our treasure; but she required it
+even now, so we gave it her, finishing off with a coat of paint.
+
+Before leaving her for the night, we unscrewed all the dead-lights in
+the deck, took off the skylight-top, and left the companion wide open,
+so as to ensure a thorough draught through her, this answering the
+double purpose of drying the paint and removing its objectionable odour.
+
+The following day saw us as busy as ever, getting things back into their
+places, filling up our water, etc.; but we did not strike our tents that
+day, a stronger smell than was quite agreeable still remaining from the
+new paint.
+
+To fill up our time, therefore, we turned to upon our fire-arms, and
+gave them a thorough cleaning up, so that they might be in perfect
+order, and ready for service at a moment's notice.
+
+We were up betimes next morning; and, after our matutinal bath and a
+good breakfast, dowsed the tents, got our spars on board and in their
+places, bent the sails, and put the few finishing touches which were
+necessary to make the cutter all ready for sea once more.
+
+This done, it was time to see about finding a way out from among the
+numerous reefs which girt the island, as we believed, entirely round.
+
+We had come through, or, rather, over them once, it is true, but it was
+in a fashion that I should have been very sorry to see repeated; and on
+that occasion we had no choice; but as I had no fancy for the little
+craft's again _scraping_ such rude acquaintance with the rocks, I
+resolved to take the boat and make a trip in her along the western side
+of the island, in search of a safe channel to sea.
+
+Accordingly, Bob and I got the light spars and sails of the boat out,
+rigged and stepped the former, bent the latter, and then we all sat down
+to an early dinner.
+
+It was my original intention to have gone away alone, but Ella begged so
+hard to be allowed to come with me that I had not the heart to refuse
+her, especially as there was no sufficient reason for so doing.  So I
+consented, promising her that after our exploration was over, if time
+permitted, she should have a ramble on shore, on the southern side of
+the mountain, when we would lay in a sea-stock of fruit at the same
+time.
+
+Bob said he would accompany us, and try his luck with the fishing-lines,
+whilst Ella and I took our proposed stroll; and to this also there
+seemed no objection, as the cutter was in a berth where the hardest gale
+that ever blew could not have endangered her safety in the slightest
+decree.
+
+Accordingly, as soon as the meal was over, we shoved off, some instinct
+prompting me, at the last moment, to take one of our revolving rifles
+and a small supply of cartridges with me.  We soon slid out of the cove,
+and shortly afterwards rounded the north-western extremity of the
+island.
+
+This was the first trial of our _sliding-gunter_ mainsail upon our
+singularly-constructed boat; and Bob and I were thrown into perfect
+raptures at the truly marvellous speed with which it propelled the craft
+along.  The _Water Lily_ was wonderfully fast; but in smooth water and
+light winds, her boat would have sailed round and round her.
+
+We skimmed rapidly along the edge of the western reef, and when we had
+run about four miles to the southward, found a good wide break, which
+looked as though it led out to sea.  I up with the helm at once, and
+away we darted almost dead before the wind, down through it.
+
+It was rather a circumbendibus sort of affair, and somewhat narrow in
+places, though everywhere there was sufficient room to work the _Lily_
+in; and after a run of about half an hour, we shot out between two
+overhanging ledges, the extremities of which showed about six feet above
+water, and found ourselves rising and falling on the long swell of the
+open ocean.
+
+So far, so good, and we now hove about to retrace our steps, I noticing,
+as we passed in between the two ledges I have mentioned, that the rock,
+instead of being of coral formation, appeared to be composed of a
+lava-like substance; and I then became confirmed in an impression, which
+had crossed my mind once or twice before, that this island was certainly
+of volcanic origin, and that the mountain had once been the crater of an
+active volcano.
+
+And the conformation of the summit seemed also to suggest this, for it
+did not taper away to a cone, but appeared to form a flat tableland of
+some extent; this, however, might perhaps have proved on inspection to
+be hollow, the flat appearance of the top resulting merely from
+regularity in the height of the crater walls.
+
+In about an hour after re-entering the passage through the reef, our
+boat grounded gently on the beach, on the western side of the island.  I
+leaped ashore, and assisted Ella to land, desiring Bob, as I shoved the
+boat off into deep water again, to meet us in the bay which I expected
+he would find behind a low headland which lay about three miles to the
+southward of us.
+
+Ella took possession of my arm now, quite as a matter of course, without
+waiting for me to offer its support, and together we sauntered leisurely
+along in the grateful shade of the trees and giant plants with which we
+were surrounded.
+
+For the first half-hour or so, we had eyes for nothing but the varied
+beauties of nature which lay spread before us in such luxuriant
+prodigality.
+
+The forms of the trees and plants were, for the most part, new to us,
+but all were beautiful; and the occasional glimpses of scenery which
+presented themselves through unexpected avenues, made glorious by the
+adornment of all these varied forms and colours in foliage and flowers,
+and enlivened by the presence of thousands of birds of brilliant
+plumage, darting through the air like living gems, seemed like an
+absolute realisation of fairy-land or Eden.
+
+Time passed swiftly away with us in the enjoyment of so much loveliness,
+especially as we made frequent pauses to admire at our leisure some more
+than usually bewitching scene; and I was in the act of remarking to my
+companion that Bob would certainly think we were lost in the woods, when
+she exclaimed in a startled voice:
+
+"Oh, Harry! there is an animal of some sort following us.  I have
+noticed the bushes moving rather strangely behind us once or twice
+already, but I did not like to say anything, fearing you would think me
+foolish and nervous; but this instant I distinctly saw a dark object
+glide swiftly behind that large aloe-like shrub with the beautiful
+purple blossoms, that we stood admiring so long."
+
+"An animal?"  I exclaimed.  "Impossible, darling; you must surely be
+mistaken.  No animals are likely to be on an island like this.  How
+could they ever have come here, unless provided with wings?"
+
+"That I cannot say," she replied; "but I am convinced I was not
+mistaken."
+
+"Stay here a moment then," said I; "I will go back and see whether any
+creature really _is_ lurking there, as you seem to think."
+
+"Oh no, Harry, dear! please do not," she exclaimed; "I feel so
+dreadfully nervous, though I know it is very foolish.  But it has
+startled me, and I shall not feel at ease again until we are in the
+boat.  Let us hasten forward as rapidly as possible, please, for I
+cannot enjoy the walk any longer."
+
+"Come, then," said I, "we will go on at once; and since this animal is
+behind us, you had better walk on a pace or two ahead of me."
+
+We now stepped briskly forward, my companion evidently suffering from a
+violent attack of nervous agitation.
+
+I did not believe she had seen anything, and imputed her feeling to the
+rather depressing sense of solitude which one is sometimes apt to
+experience when wandering in a thickly-wooded locality.  Nevertheless, I
+took the precaution to glance at my rifle, and satisfy myself that all
+its chambers were loaded, and also to verify the locality of my
+cartridges.
+
+We had proceeded in this way perhaps five minutes, and had just emerged
+from among the trees upon an open lawn-like level of green sward which
+sloped gently to the beach, there about half a mile distant, when
+something hissed close past me; and the next moment I saw an arrow
+quivering in the earth, a few yards beyond.
+
+"Savages!"  I exclaimed, and I felt my blood curdle and my heart sink
+like lead for a moment, as I realised the dreadful nature of the danger
+to which my poor little darling was thus suddenly exposed.
+
+I turned abruptly, but could see no sign of a living creature near; and,
+with such cheering words as I could find for the moment, I urged Ella to
+hasten her steps towards the open, where I should be upon more even
+terms with the enemy.
+
+Poor child! she needed no urging; she would have taken to headlong
+flight had I not restrained her: for I felt certain that such an action
+would immediately be followed by a perfect shower of arrows were the
+savages in force.
+
+We had not advanced half a dozen yards before I felt a sharp stinging
+sensation in my left arm; it was pierced by an arrow.  I looked round
+again, but the foe remained invisible, and there was nothing for it but
+to push on.  The next instant three or four more long slender shafts
+hissed past us, confirming my fears and increasing my apprehensions for
+my companion's safety.
+
+She saw that I was wounded, and would have stopped to render me
+assistance, but time was valuable now, and moments as precious as years
+would be under other circumstances so I only urged her to press forward
+as fast as she could without actually running.
+
+On we sped, and again came another flight of arrows, one of which
+pierced me in the fleshy part of the thigh, whilst two passed through
+Ella's flowing skirts, but happily without doing the dear girl any
+injury.
+
+I suffered a few moments to elapse, and then suddenly faced about,
+bringing my rifle to my shoulder as I did so; and there, in the centre
+of the path between the trees, which we had just quitted, knelt a savage
+upon one knee, in the act of drawing his bow.
+
+I was always very fond of shooting, and had acquired the reputation of
+being a good snap-shot among the rabbits, and my skill now stood me in
+good stead.
+
+The kneeling figure was instantly covered; I pulled the trigger, and he
+leapt convulsively to his feet, staggered forward, and fell upon his
+face.  I had no sooner fired than some twenty natives sprang from their
+cover, and ran towards us.  They seemed, I thought, to have seen
+fire-arms before, for their advance was made with the confidence of
+those who know that their enemy has just emptied his piece; but they
+were about to make the acquaintance of a new and terrible weapon, of the
+properties of which they were doubtless hitherto ignorant.
+
+Levelling again, I fired at the foremost, and then quickly turned my
+piece upon one close beside him.  The reports rang out sharp and clear
+one close upon the other, and both the savages fell.  Their companions
+paused an instant in evident surprise; and that pause proved a serious,
+if not fatal, matter to a fourth, whom I immediately afterwards brought
+down.
+
+This was too much for them.  They saw that to stand exposed to view was
+to court death, and with a yell of disappointed rage, they sprang back
+into cover.
+
+I instantly profited by this retrograde movement on the part of the
+enemy to make a push for the beach, hoping that Bob would hear the
+rifle-shots (especially the double report, which I had arranged with him
+on a former occasion should be a signal of warning or a call for
+assistance), and hasten to the rendezvous which was now clearly within
+sight, or would be as soon as uncovered by an extensive screen of bush
+which lay a couple of hundred yards on our right.
+
+I also reloaded with all dispatch the emptied chambers of my rifle, with
+which I hoped to be able to keep the savages at bay until we were fairly
+afloat once more.
+
+But the fight was by no means over yet, for we had not gone far when a
+shower of at least thirty arrows flew about us from a point on our left,
+showing that the savages were following us up under cover, evidently
+with the intention of heading us, if possible.
+
+I was wounded thrice by this discharge: one arrow sticking in the back
+of my neck, and causing me the greatest uneasiness, a second lodging in
+my left shoulder, and a third completely piercing the calf of my leg.  I
+succeeded in removing some of these annoyances by thrusting them right
+through the flesh, breaking off the heads, and drawing out the broken
+shafts; but those in my neck and shoulder were firmly imbedded in the
+muscles, and I found I could not remove them without some sort of
+surgical assistance.
+
+Ella had fortunately escaped again, and as soon as I had rid myself as
+far as I could of the arrows, we pressed on once more, I keeping as much
+between my companion and the cover of the foe as was possible.  The poor
+girl was nearly fainting with terror, but she made a brave effort to
+keep up her spirits, and really behaved wonderfully well.
+
+There was now a pause of a minute or two in the attack, and this enabled
+us to reach a point where we were not only nearly out of range of the
+arrows, but where we were also enabled to get a clear view of our goal.
+
+We passed beyond the cover of the intervening bush, and there lay the
+beach, with no less than fifteen canoes drawn up on it.  They were of
+various sizes, some large enough to carry perhaps thirty men, others not
+capable of accommodating more than four or six.
+
+The headland I had indicated to Bob lay about a mile on our right; but
+the boat was nowhere to be seen.  Fortunately there seemed to be no one
+left in charge of the canoes, and I at once made up my mind to take the
+smallest (if I could succeed in gaining the beach), and push off in it,
+and finish the fight afloat, trusting that Bob would yet arrive in time
+to lend us his aid in effecting our escape.
+
+I told Ella, in a few hasty words, what I intended, directing her to get
+into the smallest canoe the moment we reached the beach, and then lie
+down flat in the bottom of it.  We hurried forward, for increasing
+weakness and an occasional swimming of objects before my sight, warned
+me that my strength was rapidly failing with the blood which was
+trickling from my wounds.
+
+I had just communicated my intentions to Ella, when I saw something
+passing swiftly along beyond the low point which formed the northern
+extremity of the bay, which I knew at once to be the head of the boat's
+mainsail, and presently she shot clear of the land, and headed well up
+for the very spot where the canoes lay.
+
+The savages no doubt saw her too, for a shower of arrows was immediately
+let fly at us; but by this time we were out of their range.  A second
+shower followed, but with no greater success; and then, with a savage
+yell, at least a hundred blacks sprang forth into the open, apparently
+_determined_ to prevent our escape.
+
+I at once faced round, for, though we were beyond the reach of their
+arrows, they were by no means beyond the reach of my bullets; and,
+quickly levelling my rifle, I took deliberate aim, calling on Ella to
+make the best of her way to the canoes as I did so, covered the nearest
+savage and fired.  Without lowering the rifle from my shoulder, I
+quickly selected another mark, which, in my haste and eagerness, I
+missed, hitting a man close behind him however, so that my shot was not
+thrown away; then another, and another, and a fifth.
+
+This checked their rush, and a sixth shot stopped them altogether.  My
+rifle was now empty.  I glanced over my shoulder, and saw that Ella was
+within a few yards of the canoe I had indicated, and that Bob was coming
+up at a rattling pace; so I suddenly dropped the rifle from my shoulder,
+and turned and ran for the beach as fast as my now rapidly failing
+strength would permit, reloading as I ran.
+
+This, as I expected, proved the signal for a general chase, the savages
+rushing after me two feet to my one, uttering the most terrific cries
+and yells, brandishing their clubs and spears, and sending an occasional
+arrow after me.
+
+I was soon unpleasantly informed that I was once more within reach of
+their missiles, one of the arrows entering my left shoulder and piercing
+the shoulder-bone, a second sticking in my left arm, close to the former
+wound, and three entering my right leg almost simultaneously, taking
+effect about six inches above the knee.  I still staggered on, however,
+and, in about two minutes more, which spread themselves out to the
+length of ages in that exhausting and agonising race, I reached the
+canoe in which Ella had already placed herself as I had directed.
+
+I had succeeded in reloading all six chambers of my rifle, and I now
+turned to open fire upon my pursuers once more, in the hope of checking
+them long enough to get the craft afloat.  As I did so, the whole earth
+appeared to rock and heave about me; my eyes became dizzy and my sight
+failed, so that I could see nothing but a vast dark crowd of savage
+faces scowling upon me, and surging to and fro before my reeling vision.
+
+Into this heaving crowd I discharged the contents of my rifle rapidly,
+but without any attempt at aim, and then turning and flinging the
+now-useless weapon into the canoe, I concentrated all my fast fleeting
+energies into one supreme effort to launch her.
+
+I faintly heard Bob's shout of encouragement, and earnestly prayed that
+he might succeed in saving my darling.  I felt that _I_ was lost, and,
+as the cheering cry rang across the water, I threw myself with all my
+weight against the light craft, which was already half afloat, braced
+myself against the stem, and felt her move.  A spear at this instant
+pierced me in the back; but its effect for the moment was but to
+stimulate me further, and with another violent effort I succeeded in
+getting her fairly afloat.
+
+I saw, or fancied I saw, the boat within a few yards' distance, and Bob
+in her, with a rope in his hand ready to heave and plunging heavily into
+the clear cool sparkling water, I gave the canoe one final desperate
+outward impulse, and at the same moment felt a crashing, stunning blow
+at the back of my head--a million stars seemed to dance before my
+darkening eyes--a momentary feeling of the intensest agony surged
+through my brain and I sank insensible into the ankle-deep wavelets
+which came rippling merrily up to the shore, Ella's despairing shriek
+ringing in my ears as the last faint glimmering spark of consciousness
+faded away.
+
+When consciousness at length returned, it was accompanied by a sensation
+of almost unendurable agony from my numerous smarting, inflamed, and
+stiffening wounds; and to this was added the torture of a burning
+thirst.
+
+I was lying, completely naked, upon the scorching sand, a few yards
+distant from the water's edge, whither I had been dragged, apparently
+for the purpose of being stripped of the poor spoil of my clothing.
+
+The sun, now nearing the horizon, poured his fiery beams full upon me,
+still further increasing the tortures from which I was suffering; but I
+believe that to this circumstance alone am I indebted for my
+preservation from death, for the glowing rays dried and hardened the
+blood as it oozed from my wounds, and thus prevented my bleeding to
+death.
+
+To my great surprise, I was entirely alone.  The sand around me was
+impressed with numerous footprints from unshod feet; and, on looking
+more intently about me, I saw that they had all left me in the direction
+of the beach, and the canoes were gone.
+
+This circumstance excited within me anew the direst apprehensions; for I
+had not the slightest doubt that the savages were away in pursuit of the
+boat, and I every moment dreaded to see her reappear, and to hear the
+triumphant shouts proclaiming our enemies' success.
+
+But the moments, laden with excruciating mental and bodily torture, wore
+slowly away, and nothing appeared to disturb or break in upon the
+solitude which surrounded me; and now, urged by the desire for a cooler
+spot, I sought to drag my agonised frame from the burning sand to the
+cool, fresh, verdant greensward, which was but a few yards distant.
+
+Slowly, and writhing at every movement with the keenest anguish, I
+crawled foot by foot upwards along the beach, and at length, after half
+an hour of intense torment, sank utterly exhausted upon the utmost verge
+of the grass-covered plain.
+
+My exertions caused all my wounds to burst open afresh, and I now became
+aware that I had received several in addition to those inflicted in the
+fight; these last being doubtless the result of wanton cruelty and
+savage delight on the part of my enemies at finding me in their power.
+
+But I was still as far as ever from the means of slaking my burning
+thirst, for there was not a drop of fresh water within miles of me, as
+far as I knew; and had there been, my strength was by this time so
+completely gone that I could not have crawled another half-dozen yards
+to save my life, or even to quench that thirst which was now to me
+almost worse than death.
+
+Stern, stubborn endurance was therefore my only resource, and I sank
+back upon the cool grass to await, in bitter helplessness, the death
+which I felt must soon come to my relief.
+
+I now relapsed into a state of semi-consciousness, my thoughts wandering
+away from my present condition and fixing themselves, with strange
+pertinacity, upon subjects of the most trifling import; now plunging
+into vague speculations, and anon indulging in all sorts of fantastic
+fancies, as fever began to assume its burning sway over my tortured
+frame.
+
+From this state I was aroused by hearing a joyous shout in the tones of
+Bob's well-remembered voice; and, raising myself with difficulty, only
+to sink back in utter feebleness, I caught a momentary glimpse of the
+boat in the act of grounding on the beach.
+
+In a few brief seconds more Ella and Bob were beside me, the former
+raising my head upon her knee, and gazing into my face with an
+expression of the fondest pity and concern, as her fingers swept the
+hair gently off my forehead, wet with the clammy dew of suffering.
+
+Bob, too, knelt at my side, uttering expressions of sympathy and
+encouragement, expressed, as usual, with true nautical figurativeness of
+speech.  Seeing that I was conscious, however, he speedily changed his
+discourse, and informed me that it was necessary I should be immediately
+removed; for, though he had succeeded in decoying the whole of the
+savages away in pursuit of the boat, and had led them to such a distance
+as to admit of his evading them and returning in search of me, they were
+still in chase, and no time must be lost in getting away from the
+present spot, and returning to the cutter, or we should again be brought
+into dangerous proximity with them.
+
+Having explained thus far, therefore, he at once proceeded to raise me
+in his powerful arms; and though he did so with the utmost gentleness,
+the agony attending the movement was so intense that I swooned away.
+
+When I recovered, we were afloat and under way, standing off, with
+flowing sheets, for the headland I have mentioned as forming the
+northern extremity of the bay.
+
+Ella was seated on the boat's platform or deck, with my head in her lap,
+and was bathing my face and neck with her pocket-handkerchief, wetted
+from a pannikin of water which stood by her side, and which was supplied
+from a small breaker we had brought with us.
+
+As soon as I opened my eyes the dear girl bent over me, and asked, with
+the tenderest solicitude, whether I felt any better.
+
+"Yes, darling," I answered; "but, for the love of mercy, pray give me
+some water.  I am dying for want of it."
+
+She handed the pannikin to Bob, who immediately filled it, my eyes
+drinking in, in eager anticipation, every cool, sparkling drop of the
+precious liquid, as it gurgled crystal-clear out of the bung-hole of the
+breaker; the next moment the pannikin was drained to the bottom, and I
+was craving for more.  Oh, what a delicious draught was that to my
+parched and burning lips and throat!
+
+Surely the man who first dreamed of nectar must have been thinking of
+water, clear and cool, tasted under similar circumstances to those in
+which I was then placed.  My thirst at length temporarily assuaged, Ella
+once more resumed the bathing of my wounds, tearing up the skirt of her
+white cotton dress to bind them up with afterwards.  I begged her to
+desist, alluding as delicately as I could to my naked condition, and the
+shock to her modesty which it must occasion and assured her I could and
+would wait until we reached the cutter, when Bob would have leisure to
+attend to me and enact the part of surgeon.
+
+"I know what you mean, Harry, love," she answered; "but do not feel any
+distress on my account.  I am, I trust, as truly and perfectly modest as
+any woman living; you will never have the slightest reason to complain
+of me in that respect.  And you know, dear, that to the pure in thought
+all things are pure; and I can look, as I have already looked, upon your
+naked body, without one thought save that of sorrow and deepest pity for
+the cruel wounds with which it is covered.  My modesty is not of the
+spurious kind which would cause me to turn away my face and hide it with
+simulated blushes, leaving those gaping wounds to remain uncared for;
+and I hope you will not think the worse of me if I say that I intend,
+not only to dress every one of them _now_, but as often as they require
+it, until, with God's blessing, you are completely restored.  And am I
+not your promised wife?  That alone, and apart from any abstract
+question of humanity, is sufficient to justify my resolve, in my own
+eyes, as I trust it will in yours, dearest.  Bob is well enough, he is a
+dear old fellow in many ways; but utterly unfitted to exercise the
+delicacy and care, and ungifted with the lightness of touch, necessary
+in your case.  Besides, it is woman's peculiar province to--What are you
+smiling at?  Ah!  I know.  You are laughing at what you have styled my
+`pet phrase' but never mind!  I am rejoiced to see that you _can_ smile
+at _anything_ in the midst of your pain, my poor darling."
+
+We were by this time rounding the point, and the savages had been
+visible some five minutes about three miles to the southward, paddling
+away most furiously, so Bob said, in the vain hope of overtaking the
+swift boat.
+
+It was not a very long journey from this point back to the cove, in
+which the _Water Lily_ was lying, and in about three quarters of an hour
+we were alongside.
+
+To transfer me on board and below was a most painful operation, and I
+again swooned away soon recovering, however, under Ella's gentle
+ministrations.  To my surprise I found she had caused me to be placed in
+her own cot forward, a proceeding against which I at once protested as
+strenuously as my feeble powers would allow.
+
+"Dearest, dearest Harry," said she, leaning over me, and pressing her
+quivering lips passionately to mine, "do not, I pray you, exhaust
+yourself and distress me by saying a single word.  You are far better
+here than you would be in your hammock.  There you would have no room to
+turn, whilst here you have plenty there it is close and stifling hot,
+whilst here there is a cool and refreshing draught from the open
+deck-light; and here, too, I shall have more room to move round and get
+at your numerous wounds to dress them.  And here I can remain at your
+side and watch you constantly, whilst I could not do so very well in the
+other cabin, without turning poor Bob out of it altogether."
+
+"But," said I, "I protest against your devoting yourself to me so
+completely as these arrangements imply; you will be ill--"
+
+"Not another word, Harry," she interrupted, stopping my lips with a
+kiss; I will not listen to it.  I am already your wife in the sight of
+God, and He knows that no wife can love more fondly than I do; so in
+this dreadful time I shall perform all a wife's duties towards you,
+dearest, as in that way only is there any hope of saving you.  You are
+now still under the influence of excitement, and do not know the extent
+of your injuries; but you will find all that out by-and-by, when you
+become more calm, and then you will need the most vigilant watching and
+the utmost care to save you from sinking under the effects of
+exhaustion.
+
+"Oh!  Ella, what can I do to repay you for all this?"  I exclaimed,
+deeply moved by the dear twirl's devotion.
+
+"Live, Harry," she replied passionately; "live, my dearest; recover, and
+bless your poor little Ella with such love as her heart now feels for
+you.  But this will never do," she added quickly, and with a powerful
+effort to regain her self-control; "I must lose no time in getting these
+dreadful wounds bound up, for they are all bleeding afresh; and,
+remember, I forbid you to speak another word."
+
+It was time, for I was so utterly exhausted that I felt doubtful whether
+I should ever recover; so I lay passive whilst Ella tripped about,
+procuring basins of warm water, bathing my wounds, and binding them up
+carefully and tenderly with soft lint and ample bandages.  I had heard
+Bob's heavy tread bustling about on the deck above for a short time, but
+I now missed it, and endeavoured to inquire where he was gone; this,
+however, my nurse would not permit, assuring me that I should learn all
+that it was necessary to know in due time, and when I was stronger and
+better able to listen.
+
+The work of dressing my injuries was a long and tedious one, for I had
+no less than seventeen wounds in different parts of my body, the most
+serious of which were the spear-wound in my back, and three, close
+together, in my right breast; the blow at the back of my head; the
+arrow-wounds in my neck and left shoulder where the weapons had been
+dragged violently out, lacerating the flesh terribly, no doubt when I
+was stripped; and a spear-thrust in my right thigh, which completely
+pierced the limb and seemed to have severed some important artery, from
+the quantity of blood which gushed from it and deluged the bed on which
+I lay.
+
+It was quite dark, or as dark as it _could_ be with a full moon riding
+in cloudless beauty overhead, before the painful task was over; but the
+soothing effects of the bathing and the bland and cooling properties of
+the ointment applied to my smarting wounds were such that I soon felt at
+ease and free from pain, compared with what my condition had been an
+hour or two before, and I sank into a feverish doze, in the midst of
+which I still remained conscious of the frequent application of cool wet
+cloths to my burning brow, and of the constant moistening of my parched
+lips with a cool refreshing beverage of some kind.
+
+Gradually I dropped off into a sounder sleep, from which I awoke but
+once in the night, to find my gentle nurse half-sitting, half-reclining,
+in a chair beside my cot, fast asleep, with one soft round arm
+encircling my neck and her fair head resting on the pillow close to my
+own.
+
+Volume Two, Chapter VI.
+
+IMPORTANT NEWS.
+
+The next day I was in a raging delirium, and for nearly a week did I
+remain utterly unconscious of all that surrounded me, entirely
+engrossing the attention of my companions, and taxing their energies and
+ingenuity to the utmost to prevent my leaping out of the cot or doing
+myself some injury, in the unnatural strength and violence of the fever
+which burned within me.
+
+At length their unremitting care and watchfulness were rewarded by
+seeing me fall into a deep sleep, in which I remained all night and
+until the next morning was far advanced; and when I awoke reason had
+resumed her sway.  I knew them both, and could answer their affectionate
+inquiries by a faint pressure of the hand or a feeble whisper, but
+beyond this I had no power to go.
+
+Ella, poor child! looked terribly pale and careworn, as well she might,
+for I afterwards learned that during the whole of that fearful time she
+had never once lain down to rest; such sleep as she had been able to
+obtain being snatched at uncertain intervals in a chair by the side of
+my cot.  Bob had, of course, insisted sturdily and stubbornly on
+performing his full share of the watching but my poor little darling
+could not even then tear herself away, though she was able to do but
+little beyond supplying my incessant demands for water, it being utterly
+impossible during the whole time to renew any of the bandages.
+
+And now ensued the terrible state of exhaustion and utter prostration
+consequent on my great loss of blood and the fever which had so long
+been devouring me.  I had not strength even to raise my hand without
+assistance, and as to turning myself, I might as well have attempted to
+fly.
+
+For nine days did I thus lie hovering between life and death, my
+weakness being such that my wounds had to be dressed one at a time and
+at intervals; and the very pressure of the sheet--the only cover it had
+been possible to throw over me from the time that I was first brought on
+board--seemed almost more than I could endure.
+
+At length, however, the assiduous care and ceaseless attention which
+were bestowed upon me had their effect, and I began to rally and, the
+turning-point once passed, soon mended rapidly.
+
+The moment that my recovery seemed at all probable Bob got the tents
+rigged up ashore again; and, one fine morning when I appeared a little
+stronger than usual, and seemed able to bear the removal, I was
+transferred to the boat and thence to the shore where my own hammock,
+carefully slung and provided with clean linen, awaited me.  The change
+from the confinement of the small cabin to the tent, the fresh and balmy
+air, scent-laden from the adjacent groves, and, above all, the view from
+the open end of the tent of the clear sparkling water gently ruffled by
+the passing breeze, with the tree-crowned, sunlighted cliffs on either
+side, did more for me than the most skilful doctor or the most potent
+drugs could have effected, and I felt that I was drawing in new life
+with every inhalation.
+
+I now slept much and soundly, the effect, no doubt, of the fresh, cool
+air which was freely admitted to the interior of the tent; and when I
+was not sleeping I was generally eating, Ella exerting all her
+ingenuity, which was great, in the concoction of light, tempting dishes,
+to provoke my languid appetite.
+
+Bob, too, was indefatigable in his exertions in my behalf; now ranging
+the woods with his air-gun, in search of a species of pigeon which he
+had discovered; anon going away in the canoe (in which Ella had escaped,
+and which he had contrived to retain) to the rocks, and bringing in
+sundry delicately-flavoured fish; and then off to the woods again for
+fruit, of which the island afforded any quantity of various kinds.
+
+As I progressed toward recovery, so did Ella regain in a measure her
+former cheerfulness of manner, which intense anxiety had greatly
+subdued; and now that she was once more able to take her natural rest,
+the roses speedily returned to her cheeks, and her eyes began to resume
+their former brightness.
+
+At length the day arrived when I was considered strong enough to listen
+to Bob's story, and be made acquainted with all that had occurred since
+the disastrous afternoon of our walk on the south side of the island.
+
+You must know, he began, "that as soon as I left you and your precious
+little dearie here ashore, I went straight away back to the channel, and
+anchored the craft in a bit of a nook in the first reach, where I
+thought as I should find some sport.  Well, I didn't get so much as a
+nibble, and, at last--whether 'twas the heat of the sun, or what 'twas,
+I can't tell ye--I dropped clean off to sleep.  How long I slept I can't
+say, but I was woke up by the tug-tugging of the line, which I'd made
+fast with two or three turns round my finger.  I started to haul in, and
+had got my fish very nigh out of water, when he broke away, and I lost
+him.  I was just baiting my hook afresh, when I thought I heard your
+rifle; and I fancied I'd overstayed my time, and that you was firing a
+signal to jine company.  So I rouses up my killick, and makes sail; and
+whilst I was doing it, I hears two reports, one close upon t'other.  I
+guessed at once't that something was amiss; so I crowds all sail upon
+the craft, and steers as straight as she would go for the p'int.  Whilst
+I was running down towards it I fancied I heard a shout, though I
+couldn't be sure, but you may depend upon it I was now pretty anxious to
+get round the pint, and see where you was and what was going on.  As
+soon as I cleared it, I sees you and dearie hurryin' towards the beach,
+as though somethin' was amiss, but what it was I couldn't at first make
+out, until I see'd the blackies jump out of the bushes, and then I
+knowed at once what a reg'lar fix you was in.  I see'd ye fire at 'em,
+lad, and bring 'em up with a round turn, and my fingers was just all of
+a itch to be alongside of ye with one of them same revolvin' rifles in
+my fist, though I'm, a'ter all, no great matter of a shot.  Well, I
+see'd ye run, and I see'd the little lady here step into the canoe and
+lie down and then in course I knowed what you was after, so I shapes a
+course accordin'.  You knows what foller'd, lad, but you don't know, and
+I can't tell ye, what I felt when I saw ye struck down almost within
+reach of my arm, and dragged away by them incarnate devils.  It seemed
+to me as though every mother's son of 'em was fighting for the first
+blow at ye, and I give ye fairly up for lost, sartain.  But there warn't
+much time for thinkin', for some of 'em started to launch their canoes
+at once't in chase of dearie here, and I only had jist time to sheer
+alongside and take the craft in tow, when they was afloat and a'ter us.
+I stood away to the south'ard, hardly knowing what I was doin', and soon
+ran away from 'em hand over hand.  I was getting little miss here out of
+the canoe into the boat the best way I could, for she'd fainted, when
+the idee comes into my old head that if I could but entice the whole lot
+of 'em to chase me, I might lead 'em far enough away to give 'em the
+slip and run back and get your body--for I never doubted but what you
+was dead.  So I goes for'ard and lets run the main-halliards, and down
+comes the sail, accidental like.  The niggers gives a shout as soon as
+they sees this, and I hauls my wind as though I couldn't go no further
+to leeward without my mainsail; and, sure enough, the trick answered to
+perfection, for the whole posse of 'em comes scurryin' down to the
+beach, launches their canoes, and shoves off, paddling like mad to the
+south'ard, to cut me off.  `All right, my hearties, go it,' says I,
+`but,' says I, `you haven't the pleasure of knowin' a sartain Robert
+Trunnion,' says I, `if you supposes as you're going to circumvent him
+that a'way.'  So I lets 'em come well up with me, and the nearer they
+got, the louder they yells, and the harder they paddles; and you might
+ha' thought by the row that all hell had broke loose, as perhaps it had,
+or them devils wouldn't ha' been there.  Well, I'd got the
+main-halliards led aft to where I was sittin', and as they closed, I
+gently sways the sail up, a few inches at a time, and keeps grad'lly
+away, until we was all spinnin' away dead to the south'ard, they
+paddlin' like fury, and I just keepin' far enough ahead to be out of
+range of their harrers.  We'd run, I s'pose, a matter of four knots,
+when I sees that the reef sinks lower and lower below the water and by
+the time that we had gone another couple of miles, there was unbroken
+water all over it.  So I edges easily away to the west'ard, they
+following, till we'd got an offing of about four miles from the shore,
+and there was a tidyish jump of a sea for 'em to paddle ag'in, though I
+know'd 'twould make no matter of difference to the boat; and then I
+gives the tiller to the little lady, who'd come round ag'in, goes
+for'ard and h'ists the sail full up, and then hauls sharp up and goes
+about, keeping as straight away for the bay ag'in as I dared for the
+reef.  The devils set up another yell at this, and round they goes like
+tops, heading about east, to cut me off; but I soon seed as they was
+pretty well done up--for I'd kept 'em paddlin' all they knowed, in the
+hopes of coming up with me--and I felt satisfied as I'd be able to get
+back in time to get your body and be off ag'in afore they could overhaul
+me.  Well, you knows that part of the story too; so it needs no telling.
+Directly you was in your cot, I rouses the gun out of the cutter into
+the boat, takes a goodish lot of cartridges, shot and shell with me, and
+out I goes agin, fallin' in with the rascals just off the nor'-western
+end of the cliffs.  They was hugging the shore pretty close, and I was
+dreadful afraid as they knowed the cove, and was bound in there.  So as
+I'd loaded the gun afore starting, I just gives 'em a shell, right into
+the thick of 'em, and that seemed to sicken 'em all at once; for they
+ups helm, and away they goes faster even than they'd come, and I a'ter
+'em.  The first thing I did was to get between them and the land and as
+soon as they see'd that there warn't no chance of gettin' ashore and
+takin' to their cursed woods ag'in, away they all goes helter-skelter
+for our passage, and directly they was fairly in it, I heaves the boat
+to, loads the gun ag'in, and a'ter 'em once more, for I was determined
+that I'd drive 'em fairly out to sea, and then blow 'em all to hell,
+where they come from and--to make a long story short--that's just what I
+did, lad, bearing down upon a canoe until I _couldn't_ miss her, and
+then plumping a shell into her at one eend and out at t'other.  I tarred
+the whole lot with the same brush, except one little craft with only
+four hands in her, and she I chased clean out to sea altogether, givin'
+'em a shot close past 'em, as a freshener of their energies, just as I
+hauled my wind; and if ever they gets back to their own country--
+wherever 'tis--I'll bet my life they'll never be for coming to _this
+here_ island ag'in."
+
+Such was Bob's story, and such the end of the adventure, for though we
+remained at the island nearly seven weeks, we never saw any further
+signs of savages.
+
+In about a month from the date of the adventure I had so far recovered
+as to be able to hobble about a little, a few yards only at a time; and
+then I began to regain strength rapidly.  By the end of the following
+week I was able, with the assistance of Bob's strong arm, to get as far
+as the cascade every morning, and take a bath; and this, too, helped me
+on wonderfully towards entire convalescence.  My wounds had closed, and
+were by this time so far scarred over that I was able to dispense with
+all dressing and bandages, and we began to talk about making another
+start, finally arranging to do so as soon as the new moon attained her
+first quarter, which would be in another fortnight.
+
+It was, I believe, on the Sunday following this arrangement that Bob set
+off the first thing after breakfast to attempt an ascent of the
+mountain, he having discovered, as he believed, a spot at which an
+active man with good nerves might surmount the natural impediments which
+existed near the base.
+
+I cautioned him to be very careful for our sakes as well as his own, for
+I was still too weak to afford him any very effectual assistance in the
+event of a mishap and a broken limb halfway up the mountain-side would
+have been death to him just at that time.
+
+Ella and I were, of course, society for each other, and we wandered
+about the lawn-like ravine and reposed at frequent intervals beneath the
+grateful shade of the trees, in blissful oblivion of the passage of
+time, waiting quite contentedly until Master Bob chose to rejoin us,
+which he faithfully promised he would in time for dinner.
+
+At length, however, the position of the sun in the western heavens
+warned us that the hour named was long past, and I proposed a walk as
+far as the head of the ravine, hoping to meet the truant returning.  We
+walked slowly, my strength not yet being sufficient to permit of very
+active exertion, and by the time that we reached the point aimed at, the
+entire landscape was flooded in the lovely pinky-purplish haze which
+immediately precedes sunset.  Still no Bob made his appearance, and I
+began to grow seriously alarmed.  We waited another half-hour, and then,
+just as the sun was about to disappear in the purple western wave, and
+we had made up our minds to return to the cutter, thinking he might
+possibly have passed down the ravine on its opposite side, he made his
+appearance.
+
+To my surprise, he seemed singularly uncommunicative, and we could get
+but little out of him beyond the fact that he had, with very great
+difficulty, reached the summit, and found my conjecture as to its being
+an extinct crater correct.  He thawed a little during dinner, and
+volunteered the information that he had seen land far away on the
+southern board--nearly or quite a hundred miles distant, he supposed--
+and had seen the loom of land to the westward, or about west-north-west,
+and also to the northward.  He was of opinion, he said, that our late
+enemies had come from the land seen to the southward and were bound
+north, touching at our island on their way, on some marauding excursion,
+as he had been able completely to sweep the island in every direction
+from the commanding elevation of the mountain-top, and had detected no
+sign whatever of "niggers" in any direction.  With this he dropped the
+subject and adverted to my condition, questioning me solicitously--
+unusually so, I fancied--as to how I felt, the extent of my strength,
+where we had been, and what we had seen.  He was particularly curious on
+this latter point, and asked the same question so repeatedly that Ella
+made some laughing remark, I forget what, upon it, and he carefully
+avoided any further repetition of it for the remainder of the evening,
+at least as long as Ella was with us.
+
+When at length she retired to her own tent for the night, however, he
+became more communicative.  I was already undressed and in my hammock,
+and he was sitting smoking beside me, and after a silence of some ten
+minutes or a quarter of an hour, during which he seemed to be ruminating
+deeply, he began.
+
+"I've something to tell ye, lad," said he, knocking the ashes
+contemplatively out of his pipe as he spoke, "but dash my ugly old wig
+if I'm at all sartain that I ought to say anything about it to-night,
+seeing as it can't do much good, and might only be upsetting of ye for
+the night; but your head's better nor mine in matters of this sort, and
+I confess I should like to have your idees upon the subject afore I
+sleep.  Maybe they'll in a way mark out a course upon which my idees can
+travel a good bit of a way betwixt this and morning, and even that
+much'll be an advantage gained.  The fact is that I've see'd something
+as I didn't expect to see whilst I was away up aloft there--" pointing
+with the stem of his pipe backwards over his shoulder toward the
+mountain--"and the sight has disturbed me a little and set me thinkin' a
+good deal."
+
+"Indeed," said I, "what have you seen, Bob?  You must perforce tell me
+all about it now, for you have excited both my curiosity and my
+apprehensions."
+
+"Not much need for the last, boy, I hope and believe," answered he, "but
+it's best perhaps as you should know at once--so, without any further
+palaver, the _Albatross_, the pirate brig, is inside the reef, and is
+lying at anchor at this very moment in the bay where you was so near
+losing the number of your mess."
+
+"The _Albatross_!" exclaimed I "nonsense, Bob; surely you must be
+mistaken!  Is it not some whaler, think you, come in to water!"
+
+"No, no," said he; "it's no whaler, Harry.  Whalers wouldn't come so far
+within the group as this here island.  And when did ye ever know me
+mistaken about a vessel as has given us such good reason to remember her
+as this here brig?  I knowed her the minute I set eyes on her: firstly,
+by a patch in her foresail, as you might ha' noticed the last time we
+see her nextly, by the shape of her main-topmast-staysail; and, thirdly
+and lastly, by the whull look of her, which enables a seaman to
+recognise a ship in the same way as one of your 'long-shore folks
+recognises an acquaintance in the street when they see him, though he
+may be dressed exactly like a score of other people within hail.  And
+what's more, I can make a pretty near guess as to what's become of that
+whaler that he went a'ter when he found we wasn't to be had, for I see
+he's got three of the chap's whale-boats, to replace the two as was
+expended in our little trifle of a brush, no doubt."
+
+"This is important news, indeed," said I "and news that provides matter
+for very serious reflection.  What do you suppose has brought them in
+here, Bob?  Did you see anything by which you could form an opinion?"
+
+"Yes," replied he, "I did.  Want of water may be one thing but it's my
+idee that they've come in here to give their craft an overhaul, for
+they'd no sooner let go their anchor than they outs boats, and one watch
+pulls ashore and turns to building huts on the green, whilst t'other
+watch sends down t'gallan' yards and masts, and unbends the sails and
+sends 'em all down on deck."
+
+"Then they are likely to make a pretty long stay," said I, "and, in that
+case, we may be discovered at any moment."
+
+"That they're likely to stay here some time I'll not deny," returned
+Bob; "but I don't feel partic'lar oneasy about bein' discovered.  It's
+like enough as some on 'em may take the fancy in their heads to scale
+this here bit of a mountain; but I've made it my business to give the
+place a reg'lar overhaul this a'ternoon, and the thing _can't_ be done
+from the south'ard--not without ladders, that is, and good long uns at
+that; and I've found out, too, that though you may get round to t'other
+side of the mountain from here, you can't get down to the level ground
+beyond.  I never see such a place, it's nothing but precipices one atop
+of t'other; and there's one place I come to which one man might defend
+ag'in just as many as ever like to come a'ter him, by just standin'
+behind a sort of wall in the cliff and shoving of 'em over the edge as
+they tried to get round it.  No, no; you make your mind easy on that
+p'int, lad we ain't to be got at except 'tis by water, and I reckon
+they'll be all too busy to spare a boat's crew to come the length of
+this; and if they did, it's a thousand chances to one that they'd never
+find the openin' into this here cove.  Why I run past it myself the day
+as we brought you in here wounded, and I'd never have found it if I
+hadn't knowed just where to look for it.  So it's my opinion as we may
+stay here quiet and comfortable enough so long as we've a mind to; and
+then, when we're tired of waitin', we can slip out quietly in the night,
+and nobody be any the wiser.  So much for that.  Now for an idee that's
+come into my head, and that I can't get rid of noways.  Wouldn't it be a
+pretty trick to sarve these chaps, if we was to take the brig and carry
+her out to sea under their noses, leavin' of 'em here to amuse
+themselves the best way they could?"
+
+"It _would_ be a pretty trick indeed," I replied, "if it were possible
+but at this moment I cannot see how it is to be done.  The difficulties
+in the way of its accomplishment are too many for only a couple of men
+to overcome.  Were we half-a-dozen, or even four, we might perhaps do
+it; but we could never get her out clear of the reefs by our two selves.
+Besides, before we could get the canvas on her, they would be alongside
+of us in their boats, even if the watch, which they will of course leave
+on board, were overpowered."
+
+"I don't reckon as they'll keep much of a watch aboard her where she's
+lying," returned Bob.  "She's as safe as if she was in harbour, not
+more'n a mile from the beach, and on the lee-side of the island; and as
+to gettin' her out, you've only to stand to the south'ard under
+fore-and-aft canvas, and it's my belief as she'd fetch out clear of the
+reef from where she's lyin' in one tack.  You recollect as I told ye
+that the reef dipped as it went to the south'ard?  Well, it's my opinion
+as there'd be water for her over it by the time she was far enough south
+to make it worth while to think about heaving of her about.  That's the
+road as she came in by."
+
+"If that is the case, perhaps it _might_ be done, then, if we could
+contrive to gain possession of their boats first of all," said I "but
+what is to become of the cutter in the meantime?  I've no fancy for
+leaving her here to fall into their hands; and to speak the truth, now
+that she has brought us so well thus far.  I should like to finish the
+voyage in her.  No, if such a thing were attempted at all it would be
+attended with the utmost risk, and could only be successful in the event
+of our being able to _steal_ on board; and the cutter is not suitable
+for such service.  But I'll tell you what has just occurred to me.
+There is just a bare possibility of our being able to steal on board in
+the canoe some dark night, and set fire to the brig; and then come back
+here, get the cutter under weigh, and be off at once.  But this even can
+only be done in the event of there being no one left on board at night,
+and this I consider very unlikely."
+
+"That's the plan!" exclaimed Bob, with enthusiasm.  "Burn the craft
+afore their eyes, and leave 'em to get off in their boats, if they
+like."
+
+"Not so," said I.  "If this scheme is undertaken at all, I should
+certainly do it effectually.  Take their boats away, and burn the brig,
+and here they must remain prisoners for a considerable time at least;
+for this island is quite out of the route of all honest craft, ourselves
+perhaps excepted."
+
+"Better and better still!" exclaimed Bob, in high glee.  "Now, I never
+should ha' thought of that, because, somehow, it seems cruel and
+unnat'ral like to burn sich a beauty of a craft as that there brig; but
+it's the proper plan, Hal--there's no doubt of that.  We two _couldn't_
+take care of both the brig and the cutter in anything but the very
+finest of weather; and it's better to burn the craft, beauty as she is,
+than that them villains should misuse her to rob and murder honest
+seamen, and do worse to their wives and darters.  Curse 'em!  I shan't
+forget in a hurry that poor young thing as we see lying dead in the
+cabin of that American ship; and I'd burn the finest craft as ever was
+launched, afore they should have the chance to commit another sich a
+piece of devilish villainy.  Now, Harry, lad, mind me, we _do_ this here
+little piece of work.  You've got hold of the eend of the right coil of
+idees, and I can see as your heart's set upon it; and I, Robert
+Trunnion, am the man as'll back ye up in it through thick and thin, and
+there's my hand upon it.  You get well and strong as fast as you knows
+how, and I'll go aloft there every day, and keep my eye upon 'em all day
+long, and see what 'tis they intends doing; and the first chance we has,
+mark me, the job's _done_.  Now, let's blow the light out, and get a
+good night's sleep upon it."
+
+Bob suited the action to the word, and in less than ten minutes I had
+auricular evidence that, as far as the sleep was concerned, he was
+carrying his precept most thoroughly into practice.
+
+On the following morning, as soon as breakfast was over, Bob and I set
+off up the ravine, my companion providing himself with our best
+telescope, a few biscuits, and a flask of weak grog, as it was his
+intention to remain on the summit of the mountain the entire day
+watching the motions of the pirates, unless he happened to see anything
+rendering an earlier return advisable.
+
+I did not feel quite so easy in my mind as Bob did with regard to the
+chances of a boat being detached to examine the island, and, in such an
+event, of our cove escaping detection; so I arranged with him that, if
+he observed anything of the kind, he was to fly his handkerchief from
+the branch of an isolated tree which grew on a small projecting platform
+near the summit, and which was quite visible both from the cutter and
+the ravine, but was hidden by the mountain-top itself from the pirates;
+and I decided that, if the signal were displayed, I would convey Ella to
+the spot he had spoken of on the previous evening as capable of being so
+easily defended, and would then return to the cutter, try the effect of
+a shell or two upon the boat if she appeared within the cove, and
+afterwards, if need be, retire to the place of Ella's concealment, and
+make a stand there.
+
+In furtherance of this arrangement I got Bob to show me the spot, which
+I found, on personal inspection, to be fully as impregnable as he had
+declared it to be; and I also ascertained, as he had done, that it was
+quite impossible to get round the mountain by land.
+
+We then separated, Bob making the best of his way up the mountain-side,
+and I returning to the shore, loading myself, as I went, with the finest
+and choicest fruit I could find.
+
+I was met, about halfway up the ravine, by Ella, and we both strolled
+quietly back to the beach together, my fair companion following my
+example, and loading herself with fruit.
+
+When we reached the beach, I set about striking the tents, and got the
+sails, spars, and lighter articles back on board the cutter, as there
+was now no knowing at what moment it might be necessary for us to be
+off; and this task, in my then weak condition, occupied me the greater
+part of the day--getting them on board, that is, and putting the spars
+in their places, rigging them, and bending the sails.
+
+By the time that I had finished, everything was back into its old berth,
+with the exception of about a couple of canoe-loads of heavy articles,
+which might be run on board in twenty minutes or half an hour, and then
+we should be ready to start at a moment's notice.
+
+I even contrived to take our tube-boat to pieces and stow her away
+below, though the tubes gave me some trouble in getting them inboard;
+but I managed this at last by parbuckling them up over the side with the
+aid of the throat-halliards.
+
+Of course I kept a strict watch on the tree near the summit all this
+time; but no signal fluttered from it, so I assumed that they were all
+too busy on board the brig to make explorations, relying on their
+numbers for safety in case of an attack; or else, that whatever
+explorations might be afoot were being conducted by land.
+
+At length everything was done that my unaided efforts could effect; and
+then, taking Ella on shore with me in the canoe, I set out for another
+walk up the ravine in quest of a little more fruit, to complete our
+sea-stock.  I was rather anxious to take as much of this as possible to
+sea with me, for I have always held the belief that the fruit which
+flourishes best in any particular climate, if partaken of in moderation,
+is beneficial to the health whilst breathing the air of that climate.
+
+Ella expressed her surprise once or twice during the day, both at the
+somewhat abrupt manner in which our encampment on shore was broken up,
+and at Bob's sudden predilection for so unsailorlike an amusement as
+mountain-climbing; but I answered her carelessly, anxious not to alarm
+the dear little girl by acquainting her with the fact that we had
+unexpectedly acquired such very undesirable neighbours.
+
+Near the head of the ravine, I was fortunate enough to come upon a
+banana-tree laden with exceptionally fine fruit, and I succeeded in
+possessing myself of two noble bunches of bananas which had arrived at
+exactly the right condition for cutting.  Each bunch was as heavy as I
+could well lift, and, having got them to the ground without bruising any
+of the fruit, I cut a strong stake, and placed it, with a bunch at each
+end, fair in the pathway which I knew Bob would take on his way to the
+beach, feeling certain he would know why it was placed there, and would
+bring it down with him.
+
+We then returned, cutting a few splendid pines and gathering a little
+breadfruit and a few figs as we went, and paddled back to the cutter,
+where Ella and I remained, fully occupied with each other, until it was
+quite dark, when, just as the little fairy was on the point of going
+below to see to the tea, I heard Bob's hail, and, jumping into the
+canoe, I soon joined him on the beach.
+
+"Well, Harry," said he, as I drew the light canoe up a foot or two on
+the beach, "it seems that you haven't been noways idle whilst I've been
+aloft there spying into the inimy's movements.  I hardly knowed what to
+make of it when I first found the tents struck and 'most everything
+gone.  But I'm glad in one sense that matters is so far for'ard, though
+I'm sorry in another; for I'm greatly afeared you've been working hard
+and have tired yourself, and there's just a chance of our havin' our
+hands full of work to-night.  I stumbled over these here bananas as I
+was coming down the ravine, and brought 'em along, as I s'pose it was
+intended I should."
+
+"Just so," I answered.  "Now let me hear the result of your day's
+observations.  I have amused myself, as you see, in getting as many of
+our things as I could back into the cutter; for I felt that, in the
+present condition of affairs, it may be imperatively necessary for us to
+be off at a moment's notice.  But I do not feel very much fatigued; I am
+picking up strength rapidly, and my experience of to-day has shown me
+that I am stronger than I really thought I was.  There are a few things
+still lying about here which were rather too heavy for me single-handed;
+but when these are on board and stowed away, we can be off at any
+moment."
+
+"So much the better," returned Bob.  "Let's get a few on 'em into the
+canoe to once't, and whilst we're working I can be telling ye what I've
+see'd from my perch up aloft there.  It won't take very long in the
+telling.  In the first place, two boats has been right to the south eend
+of the island.  They went away full o' men, and landed all hands,
+excepting a couple of men in each boat; and while the shore party was
+reg'lar beating the woods the boats paddled slowly back, keepin' close
+in shore, to take their shipmates off in case of anything going wrong,
+at least that was my idee.  Then I soon made out that another party was
+working their way to the nor'ard from their camp, giving this eend of
+the island a overhaul.  I see'd 'em often, crossing the open country
+between the different clumps of trees, and was able once or twice to
+hear faintly their shouts to one another.  This lot would ha' made me
+very oneasy, hadn't I give the place such a complete overhaul myself no
+later'n yesterday, for they seemed to be bent on getting up the bit of a
+mountain, and stood off and on, this way and that, as though they
+_wouldn't_ be beat; but they had to give it up at last and go back,
+though I make no manner of doubt as they've pretty well decided to come
+this way with a boat to-morrer, and finish their surwey of the island.
+So much for the shore gang.  They're all back in their camp by this
+time, and if they don't sleep without rocking it won't be for want of
+walking, and shouting, and hollering; and let me tell ye, lad, it's no
+joke to be fighting your way through thick bush for hours at a time, as
+most of them chaps have been doing this blessed hot day.
+
+"Now, as to the brig, it's my opinion as they means to careen her, just
+as we've done with our little barkie.  They've been working like
+galley-slaves aboard there all day, and have stripped her to her lower
+masts.  The sails are all gone ashore, for I saw 'em lowered over the
+side into the boats with these same two good-looking eyes of mine, but
+the spars is still aboard.  They've been striking out cargo wholesale,
+and, to my mind, in a most lubberly, unseamanlike fashion.  If it had
+been me, now, I should ha' built a raft with all the spars, and rafted
+the things ashore, but they've done everything with their boats; maybe,
+hows'ever, it's valyable stuff, and they didn't care to trust it to a
+raft.  It was a'most all boxes and bales, of all sorts and sizes, the
+pickings of many a good ship's cargo, I'll warrant.  Now I reckon that
+a'ter the work as this lot has got through to-day _they'll_ sleep pretty
+sound too, so it's my idee that we ain't likely to have a much better
+chance for playin' our little trick upon 'em than we shall have
+to-night.  They're all as tired as tired can be, you may take your oath
+upon that; and they'll sleep without any fear of savages, for the reason
+that they've give the island a pretty thorough overhaul without findin'
+any.  And to-morrow it may be too late for if so be as they comes this
+way in a boat, it won't do for us to be found here, and the chances is
+that we shall have to cut and run for it, without doing 'em a
+farthing's-worth of harm a'ter all.  The sails all being took ashore
+knocks my little plan for carryin' the brig off clean on the head, even
+if her spars was aloft to set 'em on, which they're not.  So I s'pose we
+shall have to burn the pretty little craft, if we're to do anything at
+all.  Now what say ye, lad?"
+
+"Simply, that whatever is to be attempted must be attempted to-night," I
+replied.  "The reasons for doing so are too obvious to need enumeration;
+so we will get our few traps on board, have tea, and then snatch what
+rest we can between this and midnight, when we must be stirring again.
+I would give a great deal to see this brilliantly starlit sky overcast,
+but we must take things as we find them, and only use the greater
+precautions.  Now I think we have as much in the canoe as she will
+safely carry, so let's shove off; we can come back for the remainder
+after tea.  And mind, Bob, not a word of this before Ella."
+
+"Trust me for that," returned Bob.  "Let the little dearie turn in and
+get her night's rest ondisturbed by any anxiety on your account.  We can
+slip off quietly at the right time, without her bein' a bit the wiser;
+and it'll be soon enough to talk about this here job when we've done
+it."
+
+We were by this time close alongside, and no more was said.  Everything
+was got out of the canoe and stowed in its proper place, and we then
+went to tea, getting the remainder of the goods on board and stowing
+them away immediately that the meal was over; after which Bob stretched
+himself out on the lockers below, and went to sleep, whilst Ella and I
+remained on deck until about ten o'clock.  I was glad when the dear girl
+wished me good-night and left me; for I could not but feel that,
+praiseworthy and righteous as was our proposed adventure, it was one
+which most seriously involved her safety and well-being, closely knit
+with ours as her fortunes were, and I could not conceal from myself,
+either, that we were about to run a tremendous risk, ignorant as we were
+of what the camp arrangements of the pirates were; and I wished to have
+time to reflect calmly upon all the risks we ran, and the best possible
+means of avoiding them, before setting out.  Everything would depend
+upon whether a watch were set on board the brig or not.  Bob was
+strongly of opinion that they left her to take care of herself at night,
+but I thought otherwise.
+
+Volume Two, Chapter VII.
+
+DESTRUCTION OF THE "ALBATROSS."
+
+I remained on deck until midnight, in anxious self-communion; and then,
+slipping off my light canvas shoes, went below and quietly aroused Bob.
+He instantly arose, and accompanied me, noiselessly and bare-footed, to
+the deck.  We had no tools or implements of any kind to hamper us, my
+sole provision for the expedition consisting of a couple of boxes of
+matches, which, with our sharp knives and a bottle of grog, I considered
+was all that we needed.
+
+I confess that my heart throbbed a little more rapidly than usual as our
+paddles dipped in the water, and the light canoe shot away from the
+cutter's side, but it was from a feeling that I was at that moment
+leaving, perhaps for ever, and to a terrible fate, one whom I loved more
+dearly than my own life, and that, too, without one word of farewell;
+rather than from personal apprehension.  I left a hastily-scrawled note
+in pencil on the cabin-table, to the effect that we had occasion to go
+away for a short time, but hoped to be back in time for breakfast, in
+case we should be delayed longer than we anticipated; but this was all.
+
+As soon as we were fairly out of the cove, I communicated my plans to
+Bob, impressing upon him all my arrangements, in case of contingencies
+requiring an alteration in my original plan; for, as soon as we were
+fairly at work, everything would have to be done, as far as possible, in
+absolute silence, and I did not wish to leave any explanations for a
+moment when, perhaps, a single word incautiously uttered might lead to
+our betrayal.
+
+We paddled on close under the cliffs, and in about half an hour reached
+the spot where the sandy beach on the western side of the island
+commenced.  Here we gently grounded the canoe, laid our paddles
+cautiously and noiselessly in, lifted the craft far enough up on the
+beach to prevent her floating away, and then, keeping as much within the
+shadow of the trees as we could, made the best of our way along the
+beach to the low point already mentioned as forming the northern
+extremity of the bay which had witnessed the fight with the savages, and
+in which the pirate brig now lay at anchor.
+
+There was no moon at this time, the young crescent having set some hours
+before; but the night was brilliantly starlit, and, though the light
+thus afforded was an assistance in one way, it was very much against us
+in another, materially increasing our chances of detection.
+
+Half an hour of rapid walking brought us to a point where I thought
+that, by striking inland, we might contrive to cut short across the neck
+of land forming the junction of the headland with the main, so to speak;
+and now the utmost caution became necessary.
+
+I warned Bob to avoid everything which had the remotest likeness to a
+branch or twig of any kind, the sudden sharp snapping of which would be
+sure to attract attention, I thought, though the air was filled with the
+chirping of millions of night insects of all kinds.
+
+At length we caught sight of the pirates' bivouac, and, almost at the
+same instant, saw a figure rise from the ground, stretch itself wearily,
+and throw a pile of branches upon the dying embers of the fire.
+
+This showed that, hard as their work of the previous day might have
+been, here was one wakeful individual, at all events, among them; and
+upon him we kept our anxious gaze intently riveted, watching his every
+motion with the closest scrutiny.
+
+We saw him walk to the outside of the circle, beyond the limits of the
+feeble light from the nearly extinguished fire, and peer earnestly into
+the darkness on every side, going all round the circle, and making the
+same careful inspection outwards in every direction; and, lastly, he
+walked down towards the beach far enough to satisfy himself that the
+boats (which we could just discern) were all right; when he returned,
+flung more wood on the fire, and then sat down close to windward of it,
+out of the way of the smoke, filled his pipe, and lighted it.
+
+Of course we took very good care to conceal ourselves effectually whilst
+this patrol of the camp was being made, and I embraced the opportunity
+to point out to Bob that all the boats seemed to be anchored at a few
+yards' distance from the beach, excepting a small punt, and she was
+drawn a foot or two up on the sand.
+
+The fire now began to blaze up brightly, and I thought this a favourable
+moment to proceed; for, whilst it afforded us a sufficiency of light to
+enable us to avoid such obstacles as roots of trees and twigs and
+branches of shrubs, it would dazzle the eyes of the lonely watcher, and
+effectually prevent his seeing anything beyond a few yards distant.
+
+I accordingly pulled Bob's sleeve to attract his attention, and,
+pointing to the punt, intimated to him that she must be our first object
+of attack.
+
+We now both rose to our feet once more, and, stealing as rapidly forward
+as we could, taking advantage of every little bit of cover that offered
+to pause and reconnoitre for a moment, reached, after about twenty
+minutes of breathless suspense, the half-stranded punt.  To our infinite
+chagrin, there were no oars in her, and without these we could do
+nothing.
+
+We now commenced a hurried consultation in cautious whispers as to what
+had better be done, keeping a wary eye upon the sleeping camp and its
+solitary watcher all the while.  Whilst we were doing this, I suddenly
+caught sight of a pair of short oars, which I knew in a moment must
+belong to the punt, reared against a tree in the very midst of the
+bivouac, and in the full light of the now brilliant fire, and within
+view of the watching seaman.
+
+I saw it was absolutely necessary that we should have those oars, so I
+pointed them out to Bob, and directed him to remain _perdu_, whilst I
+made an attempt to secure them.
+
+I then set off down the beach until I was far enough away to be able to
+walk across the open and into the shadow of the bush without being seen,
+which I succeeded in doing.  Once there I commenced a stealthy approach,
+putting each foot carefully and noiselessly to the ground, and not
+venturing to raise one until the other was firmly planted.  In this
+manner I contrived to make my way onward unobserved, and at last gained
+a cover behind the trunk of the tree against which the oars were
+standing.
+
+I now took as complete a survey of the bivouac as I could without
+exposing myself, and, counting heads, I found that there were no fewer
+than eighty-three sleeping pirates within a few yards of me, in addition
+to the man on watch.  He appeared to be, just at the moment, either in a
+fit of deep abstraction or a doze; so, without waiting for a better
+opportunity, I cautiously reached my arm round the tree-trunk, grasped
+one of the oars, and brought it round to my own side, without so much as
+the rustle of a leaf.  Emboldened by my success, I now tried for the
+second, which I also succeeded in securing.
+
+Taking an oar in each hand, I at once proceeded to retrace my steps,
+and, for the first stage, aimed at getting behind a tree which stood
+only about three yards distant.  I soon reached this spot, and on
+slipping behind the trunk, and taking a hasty glance backward, I was
+greatly alarmed at seeing the pirate on watch on his feet, looking
+intently in my direction, and shading his eyes with his hand.  I at once
+concluded that I had been seen, and waited in breathless expectancy for
+the shout which was to raise the entire crew upon me; but, instead of
+this, I heard, after a short pause, the voice of the man in soliloquy
+close to the tree against which the oars had been placed.
+
+"It's damned odd," I heard him mutter; "but I could have sworn that them
+paddles was standin' up ag'in this here tree, half-an-hour ago; what the
+hell's become of 'em?  Sure_ly_ none of the chaps is slipped off to have
+a yarn with old Steve; he won't thank 'em for disturbing of him at this
+time o' night, and rousing him out from between the guns, where I'll lay
+anything the old dormouse is snugly coiled away, instead of looking
+a'ter the brig, as is his dooty.  I'll just slip down to the beach, and
+see if the boats is all right."
+
+I crouched down behind the tree, and peeped cautiously round the bole;
+and there, sure enough, was my watchful gentleman sauntering down
+towards the boats.  I allowed him to get far enough away to prevent his
+seeing me if he suddenly turned round, and then quickly made my way
+along the edge of the sward, keeping within the shadow of the bush until
+I thought I was far enough away from the fire to permit of my cutting
+straight across to the punt as soon as the man was once more out of the
+way.
+
+I achieved this before the pirate reached the beach, and then stood
+anxiously watching for what might befall.  I did not fear for Bob; I
+knew that his eyes had been taking in everything which happened from the
+moment I left him, and I felt quite satisfied that he would not spoil
+our game by running any risk of discovery.  The pirate walked quietly
+on, and at length reached the punt, looked into her, probably for the
+missing oars, and then turned round and walked back again.  He had not
+advanced half-a-dozen paces before I saw him waving his arms violently I
+thought I heard a stilled cry, and then he fell heavily to the ground;
+and I saw another figure--Bob's--kneeling over him.  I at once started
+off as fast as I could run, taking the oars with me, and in about five
+minutes I stood by my companion's side.  He had got the man down on his
+face, and was busy lashing his arms firmly behind his back.  I forthwith
+assisted, and, between us, the unfortunate pirate was soon so securely
+bound, hand and foot, that it was impossible for him to move.
+
+"He can't sing out," whispered Bob, "for I've stuffed my han'kercher as
+far down his throat as I could get it, and have made all fast with a
+turn of his own necktie through his jaws with a reef knot at the back of
+his head.  He's safe enough till morning."
+
+So it appeared, and we therefore left him, with perfect unconcern, to
+his fate; lifted the light boat and carried her into the water until she
+was afloat, and then stepped noiselessly into her--Bob taking both oars,
+whilst I sat in the stern-sheets ready to take possession of the other
+boats.  They were moored at but a very short distance from the beach,
+one of them being anchored, and the rest hanging by their painters in a
+string, astern of her.  Bob backed the punt gently off until I had got
+hold of the painter of the anchored boat, which I easily raised, there
+being only a small boat-anchor attached to its end; this I carefully
+placed in the stern of the punt in such a position as to afford a secure
+hold, and then, taking an oar apiece, we pulled noiselessly and as
+quickly as we dared direct off shore, with the whole fleet of boats in
+tow astern of us.
+
+I considered that we were safe when we had attained an offing of
+half-a-mile, for I thought it very unlikely that the pirates would then
+attempt to overtake us by swimming--the only means of pursuit they now
+had--even if an alarm were given; but everything still remained
+perfectly tranquil, and continued so until we had rounded the low point
+so often mentioned after which, of course, we were unable to see
+anything which transpired in the bivouac.
+
+We decided to take the boats, five in number besides the punt, over to
+the mouth of the channel, and anchor them there until we could pick them
+up again on our way out in the cutter, and then go back after our canoe,
+so as to prevent the possibility of her falling into the hands of the
+pirates.  Whilst doing this, Bob volunteered an explanation of his
+motives for attacking the pirate.
+
+"I see'd all you done, Harry," he observed, "and thought as everything
+were going right, until that fool of a feller took it into his head to
+come down to the beach.  I stowed myself away as well as I could under
+the quarter of the punt--but if his eyes hadn't ha' been choked up with
+sleep he must ha' see'd me.  Hows'ever, he didn't, and when he turned
+round to go back, thinks I, `It wouldn't be a bad idee to put a stop to
+them wanderin' habits of yourn,' thinks I; `we should be in a pretty
+mess if you was to come down ag'in, afore we'd got fairly off with them
+there boats;' and almost afore I knowed what I intended to do, I'd crept
+up behind him and flung my arm tight round his neck, with my knee well
+into the small of his back, and down he comes.  He tried to sing out,
+but the minute he opened his mouth I rammed my handkercher down his
+throat, and that kept him as quiet as a mouse; and so he's like to be
+till morning, when I reckon he'll find hisself just about in the centre
+of a hobble, with these here boats all gone, and the brig afire fore and
+aft, please God.  D'ye think I did right, lad?"
+
+"Excellently," I replied; "nothing could possibly have been done better.
+Now, here we are, and there goes the anchor.  Now, let's stretch away
+as hard as we can for the canoe; we have been longer than I bargained
+for over this business, and we shall have daylight upon us before we are
+finished if we do not look sharp."
+
+I now told Bob what I had heard the pirate say, and that, from his
+remarks, I gathered that "old Steve" was the only man left on board the
+brig.
+
+I arranged with Bob that he was to answer in the event of the said "old
+Steve" hailing us as we went alongside, and directed him what to say, as
+Bob's phraseology was habitually seasoned far more highly with nautical
+slang than was my own, and he would, therefore, be less likely to be
+suspected in the carrying on of a haphazard conversation than myself.
+
+We soon reached the canoe, which lay just as we had left her, and,
+taking her in tow, we pulled away at once straight for the brig.
+
+In half an hour we reached her, and, contrary to the pirate's surmise,
+"old Steve" proved to be pretty broad awake.
+
+"Boat ahoy!" hailed he, as we approached.
+
+"Ay, ay!" answered Bob.  "Is that you, Steve?"
+
+"In course it is," replied that worthy.  "Who the hell are you, and what
+do you want off here at this no time o' night?"
+
+"Whisht!" returned Bob warningly.  "Belay all that, you old sinner;
+there's no need to let everybody know as two friends has brought ye off
+a bottle of grog and a bit of queerish kind of news.  Heave us a
+rope's-end, will ye? for it's that dark that hang me if I can find
+anything to make fast this here boat's painter to!"
+
+"Ay, ay," answered "Steve;" "look out--here ye are!  But who _are_ ye at
+all?  I can't make out your woice, damn me if I can!  And who's that
+with ye?"
+
+"Not make out my woice!" retorted Bob.  "No, I s'pose you can't.  And I
+ain't surprised at it neither, considerin' the bushels of smoke as I've
+swallered from that fire ashore, and the thousands of muskeeters as has
+flied down my throat; so that's all right.  Here's the grog, old cock."
+
+"Steve" leaned over the bulwarks and seized the grog, and Bob and I both
+climbed the brig's side at the same instant.  In another moment "Steve"
+was on his back, with Bob's knee and his whole weight on his chest; and
+I was soon busy securing the prisoner with a piece of the rope which was
+lying about in any quantity on the deck.  This was quickly done, and the
+man gagged with a belaying-pin; after which we made a rapid tour of the
+deck, cabin, and forecastle, and satisfied ourselves that there was no
+one else on board to dispute or interfere with our actions.
+
+We decided to set the brief on fire in three places--forward, aft, and
+in midships--and we lost no time in making our preparations.  We found a
+lot of old sails in a locker at the fore end of the forecastle, and
+these we divided, taking away a sufficiency to kindle a good rousing
+fire in the hold; and over these, as soon as we had deposited them in a
+suitable position, as well as over those remaining in the locker, we
+poured a few buckets of tar from a cask we found abroach on deck.
+
+We had no fear about the craft not burning well, for she had a large
+quantity of combustible materials of all sorts in her hold; and we
+hastily made as large a heap of these as we could, so as to ensure her
+effectually taking fire.
+
+We then went into the cabin, and piled the bedding from all the berths
+upon the floor, heaping the chairs and table upon it, and pouring a
+copious libation of tar upon the whole.  We then put a light to it,
+staying long enough to see the mass burst into fierce flame; when we
+rushed on deck, and I dived into the hold, whilst Bob went into the
+forecastle, where we quickly kindled our respective heaps, and then as
+quickly returned to the deck.
+
+Thin clouds of smoke already poured up through the various openings of
+the deck, promising speedy and effectual destruction to the brig; so we
+had now nothing to do but get away from her, and return with all speed
+to the cutter.
+
+"Steve" was lowered over the side into the punt, Bob and I followed, and
+we at once pushed off for the cove, in the highest glee at having so
+successfully carried out our daring scheme.
+
+Daylight was just breaking as we pushed off, and by the time that we
+entered our cove the sun was above the horizon.
+
+We dropped the punt and canoe astern, and the sails being all bent and
+loose (I having made every possible preparation for an immediate start
+whilst waiting for the hour at which to set out upon our raid), we were
+under way and standing out of the cove in ten minutes more.
+
+Bob got our big gaff-topsail on the craft as we ran down towards the
+passage, and I kept a bright look-out for any signs of alarm in the
+pirate camp.  The camp itself we could not see, of course; but I
+expected to see men moving about on the shore.  Nor was I disappointed,
+for I soon descried a knot of figures standing upon the low point, which
+was the nearest land to the brig, watching, in apparent stupefaction,
+the progress of their vessel's destruction.
+
+The brig was by this time almost enveloped in flames, and had the entire
+crew been on board, they could then have done nothing to save her.
+
+We were quickly discovered, of course, and great was the confusion which
+our appearance seemed to excite; but I cared nothing about that--indeed,
+it was a part of my programme that the pirates should know to whom they
+were indebted for their present disaster.
+
+Very shortly a crowd of men appeared hurrying along the beach in our
+direction, and, as we bore away for the passage, they saluted us with a
+straggling musketry fire, more in impotent anger than for any harm it
+could do us, for the shot all fell very far short.
+
+When about a quarter of a mile from the entrance to the channel, I hove
+the cutter to, and we hauled the punt alongside, took out one of her
+oars, and cast "Steve" adrift from his lashings, leaving him to get
+ashore to his comrades as best he might with one oar.
+
+We then filled away once more, and ran down upon the boats, took them
+all in tow, and stood out through the channel.  Another volley of
+musketry betrayed the irritation of the pirates at the sight of our
+departure and the loss of their boats, to which Bob replied by giving
+three ironical cheers.
+
+At this juncture Ella appeared on deck, wonderfully surprised, of
+course, at all she saw, and I was at once called on to explain.  I did
+so, briefly narrating the circumstances of Bob's fortunate discovery of
+the arrival of the _Albatross_ at the island, of his having watched the
+crew all the previous day, of our plan, and of the manner in which it
+had been carried out, pointing to the burning brig as the issue of it
+all.
+
+"Oh!  Harry," exclaimed she, bursting into tears, "how _could_ you run
+such a fearful risk!  Only fancy, you two men venturing into the very
+centre of these dreadful people's camp, and without arms too!  Why what
+would have become of you if you had been taken?  Really, I could almost
+find it in my heart to be downright angry with you both.  I cannot
+understand men a bit.  They seem--some of them--to have been born
+absolutely devoid of the faculty of perception of danger, even when it
+is staring them in the face; and accordingly they rush into the midst of
+all sorts of perils, seemingly with a happy unconsciousness that they
+are doing so, and with a heedlessness as to consequences which is
+perfectly bewildering.  No--now do not try to coax me, Harry, for I
+really _am seriously_ angry with you.  And to think, too, of your being
+up all night, weak as you are!  I am surprised that you are not ill
+again.  Oh, Harry" (with fresh sobs), "how thankful I am that you are
+safe, and that I did not know anything of this until now!  And do not
+look grieved, darling; I did not mean what I said.  It was very naughty
+of me, I know, but I was frightened at the thought of the risks you have
+run, and how all this _might_ have ended.  Oh, mercy! what is that?"
+
+A shock, as if the cutter had struck upon a rock--a dull, heavy _boom_--
+and the fragments of the burning brig were scattered far and wide, to
+come pelting down again the next minute in a perfect shower of charred
+and splintered wood, spars, ropes, and the thousand-and-one other
+matters usually found on board a ship.  The brig's powder magazine had
+blown up.  A heavy cloud of dark smoke marked the spot where the
+explosion had taken place; and when it drifted away before the fresh
+morning breeze, one or two half-burnt timbers floating on the water were
+all that remained of the _Albatross_.
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed Bob, who was busy coiling down the various halliards,
+etc., "I've been expectin' that any time this past half-hour, and I only
+wonder it didn't happen afore.  Well, that's a good endin' to a good job
+well begun, and I reckon them chaps ashore there may's well make up
+their minds to stay where they be for the rest of their nat'ral lives,
+for they've neither ship nor boats, nor stuff to build 'em with either.
+I don't reckon there's many trees on yon island that'd be much use in a
+ship-buildin' yard."
+
+"No, said I.  I think we may safely consider that their career of crime
+and bloodshed is put an effectual stop to, for some time at least;
+unless, indeed, some unfortunate ship should come to the island, in
+which case they would have her to a certainty."
+
+"Ay," returned Bob, "but that's a very onlikely chance.  These here
+islands don't lie in the road to nowhere, and it may be years afore they
+sets eyes on a sail again after they loses sight of that good-lookin'
+topsail of ourn.  I s'pose they won't starve there, will they, lad?"
+
+"No," said I, "there is very little fear of that.  The island yields an
+abundance of fruit, as you know, amply sufficient for all their
+requirements; and they have their punt, which will serve them to go
+fishing on the lagoon, though she is too small for any of them to
+venture to leave the island in her.  So, on the whole, I think they are
+quite as well off as they deserve."
+
+We were by this time clear of the reef and in open water, so I went down
+to breakfast, leaving Bob at the tiller.  Ella was very penitent for her
+late "naughtiness", as she termed it, and was so lavish with her
+endearments, to make up for it, that I would very willingly have
+experienced such a "thunder-squall" every day of my life to have the air
+cleared afterwards in so agreeable a manner.
+
+When I returned to the deck, Bob asked me, previous to his going below
+to get his breakfast, what I intended to do with the boats and the
+canoe, all of which were in tow.  I had not thought very much about it,
+but now that the question was put, I decided to retain the canoe
+altogether.  She was so small and so light that I thought we could
+easily carry her on deck in anything but very bad weather, and,
+ordinarily, she would tow very comfortably astern.  If we could contrive
+to keep her, I thought, she would frequently save wear and tear in our
+tube-boat; and where a passage of a short distance across the calm
+surface of a lagoon, from the cutter to the shore, was all that was
+required, she would answer the purpose perfectly well.  As to the boats
+of the _Albatross_, I decided to tow them fairly out of sight of the
+island, and then abandon them; thus effectually precluding the
+possibility of their getting back into their owners' hands, the
+prevailing winds there being from about south-east, which would drive
+the boats ever farther and farther from the island.  We accordingly
+retained them in tow for the remainder of that day and all next night,
+and cast them adrift on the following morning.
+
+We were now within two days' easy sail of the spot which had been
+indicated to me as the position of the treasure-island and our thoughts
+naturally reverted to the question as to whether the treasure really
+existed or not; Bob feeling the utmost confidence that it would be found
+precisely as the dying Spaniard had described it, whilst I began to
+entertain grave doubts as to our success.  The important conversation in
+which the existence and position of the treasure were revealed was
+recalled, almost word for word, and the notes which I had made at the
+time were frequently referred to: and certainly everything seemed to
+abundantly justify Bob's confidence, whilst I was quite unable to point
+to a single word or circumstance tending to confirm my doubts; the fact
+is, I suppose, that as we drew nearer to our goal, and began to realise
+more fully the vast influence which the possession of the treasure would
+exercise upon our future, I must have been influenced by a feeling that
+it was "too good to be true."  There was so very decided an infusion of
+the romantic element into everything connected with the affair, that my
+matter-of-fact mind refused to accept the possibility that there might
+be truth in it after all.  I was young then, but I have now lived long
+enough and seen enough of the world to feel convinced that romance
+enters so largely into the ordinary circumstances of life, that any
+middle-aged man might easily furnish, from his own experience, materials
+for half-a-dozen sensation novels and I believe that no novel that was
+ever written is half as sensational as would be a minute and strictly
+true record of the incidents marking the life of such a man.  I have in
+my mind at this moment a man whose life and occupation has for many
+years been _apparently_ of the dullest and most commonplace description.
+To every one but myself he has appeared to be simply a thorough
+business-man, punctual to the minute--almost to the second--methodical,
+accurate, without a thought, apparently, for anything but business; his
+very conversation being brilliant only on matters connected with
+business; he is, in short, with those who know him pretty well, and even
+with his own kith and kin, about the very last man who would ever be
+supposed to know anything about romance, beyond its name.  Yet
+circumstances have revealed to me, beyond all possibility of cavil or
+doubt, that this man has been the hero of a romance, so thrilling, so
+startling, so very extraordinary in all its phases, that it would
+indubitably make the fortune of the great sensation novelist of the day
+forthwith, if that gentleman's fortune be not already made.
+
+But to return to the _Water Lily_.  On the evening of the day following
+that on which we sailed from the pirate's island, we found ourselves so
+near the reputed position of the treasure-island that I decided to heave
+the cutter to for the night, so as to avoid the possibility of running
+upon the outlying reef during the darkness.  Bob went aloft the last
+thing, after the sun had set and before darkness closed down upon the
+face of the tranquil ocean, but he could see nothing that he was able to
+identify with certainty as land.  On the extreme verge of the western
+horizon he saw, he said, something which _might_ be an island; but
+evening clouds, especially in fine weather and when low down on the
+horizon, sometimes assume such forms and hues that it is very difficult
+for even the most experienced mariner to decide whether what he is
+looking at is land or merely vapour, particularly when land is known or
+supposed to exist in the direction in which he is looking.
+
+We took in our spinnaker and gaff-topsail therefore, housed the topmast,
+lashed our helm a-lee, and hauled the fore-sheet over to windward,
+allowing; the jib-sheet to flow.  It was my eight hours in, that night:
+but it was so close below and the weather was so fine, that I brought my
+hammock on deck and turned in there, with a waterproof-rug rigged
+tent-fashion over me, to keep off the dew.
+
+Nothing occurred to disturb the tranquillity of the night; and next
+morning, as soon as breakfast was over, we filled away upon the cutter
+again and made sail upon our course.  Bob should have been in his
+hammock, or taking his rest in some other fashion, between
+breakfast-time and noon; but he was so anxious to catch a glimpse of the
+spot which had attracted us over so many thousand miles of ocean, and
+had led us to brave so many dangers, that he could not stay below, and
+he spent the entire morning at the crosstrees on the look-out.  I
+obtained a most excellent observation for longitude, about half-past
+nine that morning, and on working it up I found that we were barely
+twenty miles to the eastward of the point we were aiming for: and as we
+had hove the cutter about at midnight, so as to keep her as nearly as
+possible directly to windward of the spot, we ought to have been at
+anchor at noon.  But mile after mile was traversed, and still no land
+appeared rearing itself above the horizon, and at length the time
+arrived for me to take my meridian altitude.  This also was a very
+capital observation; and its result was that we found ourselves
+_exactly_ where the island was stated to be situated, with no land in
+sight in any direction from the mast-head.
+
+I must confess that, in spite of the doubts which had lately obtruded
+themselves upon my mind, I felt keenly disappointed; and as for Bob, he
+was so chop-fallen that he had not a word to say.
+
+It was not until I had carefully gone once more over my calculations of
+that day, and had verified the error in our chronometer for which I had
+made allowance, and had, in short, satisfied myself thoroughly that we
+actually were where we supposed ourselves to be, that I realised how
+strongly, notwithstanding my doubts, I had relied upon finding the
+island and its buried treasure.  So far as the primary object of the
+voyage was concerned, it appeared that it had been undertaken in vain;
+and had it not been for our accidental acquisition of intelligence
+respecting my father, we should now have been without an object for the
+further prosecution of the voyage, excepting that of returning home
+again as quickly as possible, to secure the best berths we could, and
+make up, as far as might be, for lost time.
+
+We had hove the cutter to whilst I was taking and working up my noon
+observation; and, as soon as we had fully realised our great
+disappointment, I got out the chart, and Bob and I pored over it for a
+full hour in the endeavour to fix upon the one island out of the many in
+the great Archipelago which was most likely to be the one upon which the
+_Amazon_ was cast away.  However, there were so many, all of which would
+answer equally well to the imperfect description which we had received,
+that we were at last obliged to give it up and revert to our original
+resolution of examining _all_ the likely places, in the hope that we
+should be more successful in our second search than we had proved in our
+first.
+
+We therefore filled away upon the cutter again, upon such a course as
+would take us up through the thickest cluster of islands; and, such is
+the elasticity of the human mind, before night closed down upon us we
+appeared to have almost forgotten everything connected with the
+treasure-island, and thought and spoke of nothing but the chances in
+favour of and against the finding of my father.
+
+Volume Two, Chapter VIII.
+
+MY FATHER.
+
+As the sun went down the wind fell light, and we did not average more
+than four knots an hour all through the three night-watches.  I was at
+first afraid that we were about to have another hurricane, as it is not
+usual for the breeze to fall so light as we had it just then in the
+trades.  But the glass was high and steady, and the weather looked
+settled, so I did not shorten sail; and when the sun rose next morning
+he brought the breeze up again somewhat fresher with him.
+
+It was my eight hours out that night; consequently I was on deck when
+day broke.  As morning dawned, and the obscurity of night yielded
+imperceptibly before the approaches of the great day-god, I became
+conscious that there was a break in the level of the horizon, about four
+points on my starboard-bow; and, watching this as it continued to grow
+lighter, I found that it was land, a small and low island apparently,
+about nine miles distant.
+
+I was rather surprised at this, as according to our chart, which was
+constructed from the most recent surveys, the nearest land was fully a
+day's sail distant to the westward.
+
+I decided to take a nearer look at the place, and as this would involve
+a deviation from the course which the cutter was then steering, and
+would necessitate a jibe, I left the helm for a moment with a couple of
+turns of the tiller-rope round the head of the tiller, and went forward
+to take in the spinnaker.
+
+Formerly we had considered it necessary that both Bob and I should be on
+deck when handling this large sail; but practice had by this time taught
+us both how to work the cutter alone, so that it was now only on
+occasions of emergency that either called the other to assist in making
+or shortening sail.
+
+As the _Water Lily_ drew in closer with the land, I made out that it was
+a small coral island, with the usual encircling reef and lagoon.  It
+seemed to be about two miles long, but, from the direction in which the
+cutter was approaching it, I was unable to judge of its width.
+
+I was soon near enough to distinguish the line of surf which betrayed
+the presence of the surrounding coral-reef, and I then called Bob to
+come on deck and take the helm, whilst I went aloft, as usual, to look
+out for a channel.
+
+When he came on deck--
+
+"Why, Harry, how's this?" he exclaimed.  "I thought you said there
+wasn't no land within a hundred and fifty mile of us last night, and
+here's as pretty a little spot, close aboard of us, as a man need wish
+to set his eyes upon."
+
+"I went by the chart," I answered, "and that showed a clear sea all
+about here.  But you can never rely upon a chart here, in the Pacific;
+what is clear sea at the time that a survey is being made, may very
+possibly be dotted with a score of such small islands as the one ahead
+in a very few years.  I have read that coral islands form very rapidly.
+This one, however, cannot be of such very recent growth, for there are
+full-grown cocoa-nuts upon it, as well as other trees; I am surprised
+that it is not shown on the chart."
+
+I said this as I was standing at the foot of the mast, and on the point
+of going aloft.  In a few seconds more I was standing on the crosstrees
+and examining the line of surf ahead for the narrow strip of unbroken
+water which would indicate the existence of a passage through the reef.
+As I stood thus, my gaze was arrested by the appearance of a small
+object in rapid motion across the bosom of the lagoon inside the reef,
+and a scrutiny of a few seconds was sufficient to satisfy me that it was
+a canoe.  Seating myself upon the crosstrees, that I might more
+conveniently use the glass which I had taken aloft with me, I quickly
+focussed the instrument and brought it to bear.  With its assistance, I
+was now enabled to discern that the canoe was a craft of about the same
+size as the one which we had towing astern, and it held three persons.
+The two who wielded the paddles were black, but, unless my eyes
+strangely deceived me, the third was a _white man_.
+
+I cannot attempt to describe the extraordinary feeling which came upon
+me at this discovery.
+
+"Can it be possible," thought I, "that this is the island upon which the
+_Amazon_ was cast away, and am I about to have the inexpressible joy of
+seeing my beloved father once more, and so unexpectedly as this?"  I
+again had recourse to the glass, and being now somewhat nearer, I no
+longer had any room for doubt; the individual who sat in the stern of
+the canoe, and who, I now saw, was steering the craft with a paddle,
+_was_ undoubtedly white.  I now observed, too, that the canoe was
+passing through an opening in the south-western edge of the reef.  The
+passage would have escaped my notice in the then position of the cutter,
+had it not been for seeing the canoe passing through it, for it was
+broadside-on to us, as it were, and the unbroken water was therefore not
+easily detected.  I turned my telescope upon the island, and now saw a
+thin film of light blue smoke, as from a wood fire, rising from among
+the trees; but there was no sign of a wreck of any description within
+view, and if anything of the kind existed, it must be on the other side
+of the island.
+
+The canoe was by this time in open water, and I saw that she was
+paddling along the edge of the reef towards us.  Bob now made her out
+from the deck, and hailed me, asking if I saw her.  I answered that I
+did, and, in an uncontrollable tumult of excitement, descended to the
+deck.  I directed Bob to keep the cutter away for the canoe, for,
+strangely enough, the thought never entered my head that her occupants
+might be enemies.  I ran down below and got up our club-ensign, which I
+hoisted at the peak, and as it blew out in the fresh morning breeze, we
+saw the figure in the stern of the canoe rise to his feet and wave his
+hat.  I took up my glass once more, and was now able to make out that
+this figure was tall, deeply bronzed by the sun, and had grey hair and a
+thick bushy grey beard.
+
+"That is a white man, Bob, in that canoe," said I excitedly.
+
+"A white man!" exclaimed Bob; "then it's the skipper, Harry, for a
+thousand pounds."
+
+"No such luck, Bob, I am afraid," replied I; "this man is grey-haired,
+and my poor father's hair was dark brown, if you recollect."
+
+"True," answered Bob; "but if not the skipper hisself, it may be
+somebody belonging to him."
+
+"That cannot be, either," I returned; "for according to the account we
+received from the seaman, there was no one left with him but the chief
+mate, who, I presume, was Winter--who, you will recollect, was put into
+your berth when you met with your accident; and Winter was quite a young
+man--scarcely thirty, I believe."
+
+"Well, whoever it may be, we shall soon find out all about him now, for
+we shall be alongside the little hooker in another five minutes,"
+remarked Bob philosophically, but with evident disappointment in the
+tone of his voice.
+
+This was true, for we were nearing the canoe fast.  I again had recourse
+to my telescope, and with its assistance, was now able to see with
+perfect distinctness the occupants of the canoe.  I scanned with the
+greatest intentness the features of him who was steering, and who was
+facing directly towards us; and as I did so, in a tumult of the most
+painful agitation and suspense, feature after feature once more became
+familiar, and notwithstanding the grey hair and beard, I at length
+recognised, with unspeakable joy, my father.
+
+"Hurrah!"  I shouted; "hurrah! it is he--it _is_ my father, Bob; and we
+have found him after all, and that when we little expected to do so.
+Thank God; oh! thank God!"
+
+"Amen," answered Bob, taking off his tarpaulin reverently for a moment,
+while the tears rolled down his weather-beaten cheeks.
+
+We took room, and rounded the cutter to, and as she came up into the
+wind, with all her canvas shaking, the natives vigorously plied their
+paddles, and with a few lusty strokes shot their light craft alongside.
+
+I went to the gangway, and held out my hand to assist my father in over
+our low bulwarks, whilst Bob hove the end of a coil of line into the
+canoe, shouting to the blacks, "Now then, darkies, look out, and catch a
+turn with this here rope's-end, will ye? for if you goes astarn, you'll
+have all your work afore ye to overhaul us and get alongside again."
+
+"Good Heaven! that voice--surely I should know it," murmured my father.
+"Thank you, sir.  Yours is the first sail I have seen for--Why, how is
+this?"
+
+I had been unable to control myself any longer; and, to my father's
+infinite surprise, he suddenly found himself in my embrace, and, as
+suddenly, recognised the tones of the voice which called him "father."
+
+I thought the dear old man would have fainted, but he rallied himself
+with a powerful effort, though it was some little time before he could
+speak.  At length--
+
+"My son! my noble boy Harry," exclaimed he.  "Great God!  Merciful
+Father!  I thank Thee for this great and unexpected mercy.  Little did I
+think, my dear boy, when I saw your white sails standing in for the
+island, what unexpected happiness awaited me.  And, if I mistake not,"
+added he, "this is my old friend and staunch shipmate, Robert Trunnion.
+This is indeed a happy day for me," grasping Bob's hand heartily, "a day
+I have despaired of ever seeing again.  But, tell me, what has happened,
+and how come you to be here in this small cockle-shell of a craft?  You
+surely cannot have been cast away, and have built her yourselves.  If
+you have, you are wonderfully good shipwrights.  And how came you to
+find out that I was here? or is this happy meeting the result of
+accident?  Everything is so surprising that I feel perfectly
+bewildered."
+
+"You shall know all, dear sir, in good time," I answered.  "The story is
+too long to be told in a breath.  Let us get inside, and come to an
+anchor; and as soon as we are sufficiently recovered from our present
+excitement to tell an intelligible tale, you shall know everything."
+
+"Well, well, so be it," answered my father; "and I suppose I had better
+play pilot in navigating this `seventy-four' of yours through the
+channel.  What water do you draw?"
+
+"Seven feet aft," I answered, "and she works to perfection; so you will
+have no difficulty with her."
+
+"So much the better," answered my father, "as it will be rather ticklish
+work.  Keep her well to windward, Robert; do not go closer than forty
+fathoms to the southern extremity of the surf.  And now, my dear boy,
+one word more.  How is your sister?"
+
+"Well; quite well, I am happy to say.  At least, she was so when we left
+England, little more than four months ago," I answered; "and so was
+everybody else in whom we are interested."
+
+"I am delighted beyond measure to hear it," returned my father; "this is
+_good_ news, better than I could have dared to hope.  Now keep her away,
+Robert.  Starboard your helm--hard a-starboard; so, steady now as you
+go.  Do you see the opening of the channel?  Steer as straight as you
+like for it.  This _will_ be a surprise for Winter, indeed."
+
+"He is still with you, then, dear sir?" said I.  "I trust he is in good
+health."
+
+"Yes, I am happy to say he is quite well," returned my father.  "Indeed
+we have neither of us had a day's illness since we have been on the
+island.  I was quite an invalid at the time that the ship was lost,
+certainly but I soon recovered, thanks to Winter's care and good
+nursing.  But how did you know of his being with me?"
+
+"We learned your whole story, from the time of your sailing for home up
+to the day of your being so shamefully abandoned," I replied, "and that
+by the merest accident.  We happened to fall in with one of the men whom
+you shipped at Canton, on board a vessel which we boarded on the line,
+on our passage out.  But here is some one with whom I must make you
+acquainted, dear sir," I continued, as Ella's fair head appeared at the
+companion.
+
+I then introduced her to my father, briefly narrating the circumstances
+under which she became a member of our little crew, and frankly
+explaining the relation in which we now stood towards each other.  When
+I had finished my explanation, my father took the dear little girl by
+the hand, kissed her on the forehead, and said a few kind words to
+relieve the embarrassment and agitation under which it was evident she
+was suffering; and I had the very great satisfaction of seeing that
+these two beings, in whom I was so warmly interested, were mutually
+impressed very favourably towards each other.
+
+We soon worked through the short passage in the reef, and then stood
+away to the westward, rounding the southern extremity of the island very
+shortly afterwards.  The moment that we cleared this point, and opened
+the western side of the island, Bob shouted, "Ah! there lies the dear
+old barkie, sure enough.  Look at her, Harry, lad.  She's sorely mauled
+about, poor old beauty, but I should still ha' knowed her anywheres, as
+far as these old eyes could see her."
+
+There, indeed, lay the wreck of the _Amazon_, close to the beach, about
+two miles off, and sorely mauled about she was; so much so, that I
+greatly doubted whether Bob would ever have identified her as our old
+ship, had not my father's presence, and the story we had already heard
+of her loss, assisted him.  Her three lower masts were still standing,
+but the whole of her upper works were gone, and I at first supposed that
+they had been used for fire-wood, until we opened up a tiny bay somewhat
+nearer us to the southward, and saw a small vessel in process of being
+built on the beach.
+
+"You have established a shipyard here, I see, sir," I remarked, as this
+object came in view.
+
+"Yes," answered my father; "but we have made but poor progress, so far.
+You will be of the greatest assistance to us, my dear boy--you and
+Robert here.  Since you have managed to turn out such a sweet little
+craft as this cutter, I shall be strongly inclined to pull our work to
+pieces and begin all over again afresh."
+
+"How do you mean, sir?"  I inquired.  "You surely do not imagine that
+Bob and I built this cutter?"
+
+"Did you not?" returned my father.  "Then where did you pick her up?"
+
+"She was built on the Thames," I replied; "and Bob and I have managed to
+bring her out here between us."
+
+My father was greatly surprised at hearing this, but as we were now
+approaching the anchorage, it was decided to defer all explanations
+until we could have an opportunity of proceeding with them in a
+straightforward fashion.  Sail was shortened, and in about ten minutes
+afterwards we dropped our anchor in a pretty little well-sheltered bay,
+within a couple of cables' length of the beach, and in full view of a
+neat little cottage constructed of bamboo, which stood on a lawn of
+about an acre in extent, environed with beautiful tropical trees and
+plants.
+
+Winter was down on the beach full of curiosity respecting the
+new-comers, and I will leave to the reader's imagination the surprise
+and delight with which he recognised in them two of his old shipmates.
+
+The two canoes conveyed all hands of us ashore, and my father, after
+welcoming us heartily to "his dominions" as we stepped from the canoes
+to the beach, gave his arm to Ella, and with me on his other side, and
+Bob and Winter following arm-in-arm astern, and the two natives bringing
+up the rear, we at once wended our way to the cottage, where we found
+that Winter had prepared a sumptuous breakfast in anticipation of our
+arrival.
+
+Whilst discussing this meal, I related, at my father's earnest
+solicitation, our whole story, commencing with an account of the wreck
+on Portland beach, and of the tale of the treasure-island told by the
+dying Spaniard, and then going on to relate how we had been induced, by
+a belief in this story, to build and fit out the _Water Lily_ and sail
+in her in search of the treasure, mentioning, in due course, our meeting
+with the seaman who had given us a clue to the _Amazon's_ fate, and of
+our resolve, therefore, to search the whole Archipelago, if need be, for
+the abandoned ones; and winding up with an account of our late
+achievement of the destruction of the _Albatross_, and of the consequent
+imprisonment of her crew upon the island we had so recently sailed from.
+
+Great was the surprise of my father and his companion as I proceeded,
+and frequent their comments and interruptions; but at last I got through
+with it, and then, of course, I became anxious, in my turn, to hear how
+matters had gone with my father and Winter during their long stay where
+they now were.
+
+"I have very little to tell," replied my father, in answer to my
+questions; "and that little I should not now be alive to relate, but for
+the unceasing care and attention of my friend and comrade, Winter, here,
+who refused to save himself from a possible lifetime of captivity on
+this island by deserting his commander.  He watched me all through a
+long and tedious illness, and, under God, was the means of saving my
+life for this happy moment.  We have never _quite_ despaired of being
+restored to home and friends, but latterly we have felt that our
+deliverance might be the work of years.  At first, we were kept buoyed
+up by the hope of being rescued by some passing vessel; but, though we
+have maintained a ceaseless watch, we have never sighted a single sail
+from the moment of our first arrival here until you hove in sight this
+morning.  All my charts and instruments of every description were
+carried off when the mutineers left in the boats, so that I have but a
+very remote idea of our actual whereabouts, but we must be in a very
+out-of-the-way corner of the globe, as indeed I now gather clearly from
+what you have told me.  Our first work, after my recovery, was the
+building of this hut: and then followed the preparation of a garden, a
+short distance inland from here, so that we might secure the means of
+existence.  As soon as this was completed to our satisfaction, we went
+to work upon the building of a small vessel; but our appliances were so
+inadequate to the task, that our progress has been excessively slow, as
+you may judge when I tell you that we have been at work now fully two
+years, and the craft is yet barely half-finished.  Latterly, indeed, we
+have got on somewhat better, for the two blacks--who, as far as I can
+learn from their signs and the few words of English they have picked up
+since being with us, were blown off their own island in a gale of wind,
+and came ashore here in the last stare of exhaustion--have been of the
+greatest assistance to us in the mere handling of heavy weights; and now
+that you have joined us, I think we may make short work of the remainder
+of the job."
+
+I was at first disposed to suggest the abandonment of the half-finished
+schooner (for such she was), but, on more mature consideration, I came
+to the conclusion that it would be better to finish her, on many
+accounts--the chief of which was that as we now mustered seven hands,
+all told, including the blacks, whom we could not leave behind, we
+should be uncomfortably crowded on board the cutter; and I doubted much
+whether we could find room to stow away, in so small a craft, a
+sufficiency of water, to say nothing of provisions for so large a party.
+
+The day was, of course, declared a high holiday on the island; and,
+after our mutual explanations had been fully given, we all--the whites,
+of course, that is--proceeded to the beach to inspect the craft on the
+stocks.  She was a much larger craft than the _Lily_, measuring fully
+thirty tons.  My father and Winter had given a great deal of care and
+attention to her design, and the result was a very pretty model, though
+her lines were by no means so fine as the cutter's.  She was immensely
+strong, owing to the fact that it was less laborious to build in the
+timbers just as they were taken from the _Amazon_, or only with such
+alterations as were imperatively necessary to bring them to the required
+shape, than it would have been to reduce them with the imperfect tools
+in the possession of the builders.  The whole of her framing was set up
+and secured, and the garboard and two adjacent streaks on each side
+bolted to and that was all.  I could easily understand, as I looked on
+her massive timbers, how great must have been the labour for two pair of
+hands to bring her even thus far forward; and, in addition to this,
+there was the pulling of it all to pieces, in the first instance, on
+board the parent ship, and the rafting of the materials down to the bay
+afterwards.
+
+After taking a good look at the craft, we shoved off in the canoes for
+the wreck, calling on board the cutter on our way, that my father and
+Winter might satisfy the curiosity they felt concerning the little craft
+which had so successfully traversed so many thousand miles of ocean.
+They were, naturally, delighted at everything they saw, and admired her
+model greatly: but were, nevertheless, loud in their expressions of
+wonder at what they termed our temerity in venturing on so long a voyage
+in such a mere boat.
+
+A quiet paddle of about half-an-hour took us alongside the wreck, which
+lay grounded in about ten feet of water, pretty much as she had been
+left by the mutineers.  We had no difficulty in boarding, a substantial
+accommodation-ladder having been constructed to facilitate so frequent
+an operation.  There was not much to see when we stood upon her deck--
+the whole of the poop having been removed to furnish materials for the
+schooner; but Bob and I naturally felt a deep interest in the ship which
+had formerly been our floating home, and as to whose fate we had for so
+long been in a state of such painful uncertainty.
+
+We remained on board about an hour, during which Ella insisted on having
+pointed out to her the exact spot which my old berth had formerly
+occupied; and then we returned to the shore and visited the garden,
+which had been formed in a small natural clearing within about a quarter
+of a mile of the house.  Here we found a goodly patch of wheat, almost
+ready for the sickle: a large plot of potatoes, which, my father said,
+grew but indifferently well in that climate a few other English
+vegetables, some yams, and several fruit-trees of various kinds,
+including the very useful breadfruit, which had been carefully selected
+and as carefully transplanted to their present position, where they had
+flourished amazingly under the not very efficient gardening skill which
+had been bestowed upon them by the two recluses.  Of animal food there
+was no lack, the small island being almost overrun by the many
+descendants of three pigs and half-a-dozen fowls, which the mutineers
+had, in an unaccountable paroxysm of generosity, left behind.
+
+The remainder of the day was spent in a tour quite over my father's
+limited dominions, Bob and Winter having, however, devoted the afternoon
+to the rigging-up of a couple of tents close alongside the hut, for the
+accommodation of us of the cutter's crew.  During our ramble, which Ella
+shared--though she at first wished to remain aloof, thinking my father
+and I might have private matters to discuss after so long a separation--
+the subject of the treasure-island again came uppermost; and my father
+seemed to be strongly of opinion that, in spite of our failure to find
+it, it really existed, and that our disappointment had arisen in some
+error as to its exact position.  For my own part, I hardly knew what to
+think.  I could not for a moment believe that the Spaniard, knowing
+himself to be a dying man, would tell a wanton and objectless falsehood;
+and I had never supposed him to be otherwise than in the full possession
+of his senses whilst relating his story.  But he had given the position
+of the island definitely, and, on our arrival at the latitude and
+longitude named, we had found no land at all.  True, there had been a
+certain amount of reservation in his statement.  He had given the
+position "as near as he could ascertain it," or in words to that effect;
+but, allowing the possibility of an error, that error was not likely to
+exceed a few miles, and I thought that, had the island really existed,
+we ought to have been able, at all events, to see it from our mast-head
+when in the position ascribed to it.
+
+We talked the matter over at some length--for no one is quite
+indifferent to the advantages accruing from the possession of wealth--
+but we could make nothing very satisfactory of it; so at last the
+subject was changed, and we discussed and arranged our plan of immediate
+operations, my father's longing for home being a thousand times
+increased now that he knew we had sent information home of the
+possibility of his still being in existence.  We all fully shared in his
+impatience, as I knew that Ada would soon begin to feel uneasy, if she
+were not already so, at the long period which had now elapsed since she
+could last have heard from or of us.  As for Winter, he was a Portland
+man, and the stories Bob told him of his kith and kin fully aroused his
+semi-dormant longings to see them all once more.
+
+The next morning, we all turned to with a will upon the schooner.  It
+happened that more materials were required from the wreck; and the
+obtaining of these, and the rafting of them down to the shipyard, had
+hitherto been a work involving the expenditure of much time and great
+labour, as, until the arrival of the two blacks in their canoe about six
+months before, my father had nothing in the shape of a boat, excepting a
+rude catamaran sort of an affair and after the acquisition of the canoe,
+though she was, of course, most useful for many purposes, the rafting
+down of the timbers and planking was almost as tedious and laborious an
+operation as ever, the canoe being too small and too light for towing
+purposes, and their usual mode of procedure had been to kedge down
+everything.
+
+But our arrival put an entirely new phase upon this part of the
+business.  We got out our tube-boat, and put her together and rigged
+her; and then we six men--four whites and the two natives, who were
+strong, active lads--manned her and the cutter, and proceeded to the
+wreck, where we combined our forces in taking apart such portions of the
+wreck as we thought most suitable for our purpose.
+
+By the middle of the afternoon two good-sized rafts were in the water,
+and the _Lily_ taking one of these in tow, and the tube-boat (which Bob
+insisted on christening as the _Ella_) the other, we got the whole down
+to the bay and moored to the beach in little more than an hour--a task
+which, my father declared had usually occupied him and Winter the best
+part of a day, and even then the amount of material transported had
+scarcely been a quarter as great as that now brought down.  So great,
+indeed, had been the additional assistance afforded by the two pairs of
+strong arms belonging to the cutter's crew, that we considered we now
+had a sufficiency of material to plank the schooner right up to her
+gunwale.
+
+I do not know whether I have mentioned it before or not, but, in fitting
+out the _Water Lily_, I had provided a very complete chest of
+carpenter's tools, so that we might have the means of effecting any
+necessary repairs to the cutter, as far as our skill would allow and
+these now came into play with excellent effect.
+
+We all worked in high spirits, for it was now no longer a doubtful
+question as to whether the schooner could be finished or not, the
+additional strength contributed by Bob and myself being found just
+sufficient to render manageable, and comparatively easy, work which had
+before proved too heavy for my father and Winter alone, or even when
+aided by the two natives.  These, I may as well now mention, were two
+lads of about eighteen years of age, and, having been treated very
+kindly from their first arrival by my father, proved very tractable and
+willing, and altogether very valuable aids in many respects.
+
+We were none of us very skilful in the handling of tools, and our work
+was, consequently, of no very highly finished character but everything
+was as strong as wood and iron could make it, and within a fortnight we
+had contrived, by dint of sheer hard work, to get the schooner planked
+right up.
+
+At first we had a great deal of difficulty with our fastenings, from
+want of a smith or a smith's forge; and this had been the greatest bar
+to my father's progress.  Ella was the means of helping us out of this
+difficulty, by suggesting an idea which I think would never have
+occurred to any of us men.  This was neither more nor less than the
+construction of a rude but efficient smith's hearth out of some old
+sheet and pig iron obtained from the wreck, and the manufacture of a
+bellows from some boards and stout tarpaulin, the nozzle being made of
+bamboo, and inserted into an orifice in the hearth which was packed
+air-tight with clay.  It was a clumsy contrivance certainly, but it
+answered our purpose well enough to save us a great deal of time and
+labour.
+
+The laying of the deck was our next task; and it took us another
+fortnight to do this, as we resolved that everything should be as well
+done as possible.  This was exclusive of the time occupied in fixing the
+combings of the hatch and fore-scuttle, cabin-companion, skylight, and
+other openings.  As we "got our hands in," however, we made more rapid
+progress; and, in little more than two months from the date of the
+_Water Lily's_ arrival, the hull of the schooner was completed and in
+readiness for the reception of her spars.  These we got out of the spars
+of the wreck, all of which had been sent down long before by my father
+and Winter, and carefully stored up for this very purpose.
+
+Another month saw these spars all shaped and fitted, and ready to be put
+into their places.  This had been the work of my father and myself,
+aided in the lifting, turning over, and shifting generally by the
+natives, Bob and Winter busying themselves meanwhile in the manufacture
+of a suit of sails from those belonging to the _Amazon_.  Our rigging
+was not very trustworthy, being manufactured, for the most part, out of
+the old rigging of the wreck; but there had been a good supply of new
+rope also on board, as a stand-by, and this we had used in, as far as it
+would go, in the most important parts.
+
+We decided to rig the craft complete upon the stocks, and then launch
+her, and tow her down alongside the wreck, to take in ballast, and her
+water-tanks, stores, etc.  This we accordingly did, finishing off
+everything, even to the bending of the sails; and four months to a day
+after the _Water Lily's_ arrival saw her caulked, her seams paid, her
+hull painted, and, in short, everything ready, even to wedging up, for
+launching.
+
+Volume Two, Chapter IX.
+
+THE TREASURE.
+
+This eventful day, it was unanimously agreed, should be observed as a
+strict holiday, no work except what was absolutely necessary beyond the
+launch being permissible.  Every preparation had been completed the day
+before, all of us having worked like galley-slaves to achieve this
+result, as soon as it became apparent that launching on this day might
+be possible.
+
+The morning dawned fair and serene, the sky was without a cloud, each
+quivering leaf and blade of grass glittered with diamond-like dew-drops,
+and the air was laden with the perfume of numberless flowers.  Nature
+appeared in fact to have arrayed herself in gala attire, in honour of
+the occasion.  Bob and Winter were up by daybreak to dress the schooner
+out with the flags of the old _Amazon_, in addition to a brand-new
+burgee--red, with a white border, and the name _Ada_, after my sister,
+in white letters--which floated gallantly in the breeze from the
+main-topmast-head, and which, I need scarcely inform the sagacious
+reader, was the work of Ella's skilful finders.  The cutter's flags were
+equally divided between her and the tube-boat, both craft being moored a
+short distance apart in the little bay.  Our gun, which had never been
+dismounted from the time of the fight with the pirate's boats, was
+loaded with a blank cartridge, well rammed down, and the muzzle
+plentifully greased to create a louder report, so that the schooner
+might be honoured with a salute as she took the water; and one of the
+blacks was stationed on board the _Water Lily_, with instructions to
+pull the trigger-line directly he saw the schooner fairly in motion on
+the ways.  A bottle of wine was also slung from the schooner's stem,
+that the ceremony of christening might not be shorn of its usual rite.
+
+This occupied the two mates until breakfast was ready, when we all sat
+down to the meal in most exuberant spirits.  As soon as it was over we
+all proceeded to the beach, and Bob climbed on board the craft, and took
+his station forward, in readiness to let go the anchor as soon as she
+had slid far enough off from the land.  Ella took up a position under
+the bows, supported by my father, who instructed her how to perform the
+ceremony of christening after the most approved fashion, whilst Winter
+and I stood by to knock away the spur-shores, and the second native
+launched and jumped into a canoe, to go alongside and fetch Bob ashore,
+as soon as his share of the duty was performed.
+
+When we had all taken our stations--
+
+"Is everybody ready?" inquired my father.
+
+A general "Ay, ay," was the response.  Ella took the bottle of wine in
+her hand, and Winter and I poised our hammers.
+
+"Then knock away with a will, lads!" exclaimed the skipper.
+
+A few lusty strokes brought the shores down, the schooner began to move,
+and Ella dashed the bottle against the craft's bows, exclaiming in a
+clear, silvery voice, as the wine dripped from the stem:
+
+"God bless the _Ada_, and send her success and prosperity!"
+
+We all took off our hats and cheered lustily as the schooner rushed down
+the ways and plunged stern foremost into the sparkling sea; the gun went
+off with a sharp _bang_, and the native gunner instantly, with a
+terrific yell, sprang over the side of the cutter, and struck out for
+the shore with all the vigour and activity that fear could impart to his
+movements.
+
+The schooner clove the water smoothly and easily as she drove astern
+when once fairly afloat, and held her way long enough to shoot far
+beyond her consorts at anchor in the bay.  As soon as her speed was
+sufficiently reduced, Bob let go his anchor, and we had the satisfaction
+of seeing that she floated lightly and on a perfectly even keel.
+
+As soon as Bob came on shore, he, of course, joined us, and lent his aid
+in admiring and praising our own handiwork, as is pretty generally the
+custom with all mortals, though some are not so ingenuous in the
+exhibition of their actual feelings as we were.  And I think we had very
+good reason for our admiration, for the craft was more than sightly, she
+was decidedly handsome, and we who had put her together were, after all,
+it must be remembered, only unskilled amateurs; and though I think I
+may, without undue vanity, say that we were all prime seamen, and knew
+perfectly well what constituted a handsome and wholesome craft, it is
+one thing to know this, and quite another to make your work correspond
+accurately with your ideas.
+
+When we had admired the schooner to our hearts' content, my father
+wished to know whether any one had any proposal to make as to the manner
+in which the remainder of the day should be spent.  It appeared, from
+the general silence which ensued that no one had; but on glancing at
+Ella, who remained beside him, I noticed an eager look in her face, as
+though she would like to speak, but was restrained by a feeling of
+timidity.
+
+"What is it, Ella?" inquired I.  If no one has anything better to
+propose, she replied, "I think a picnic would be very nice; and I would
+suggest that the natives be sent on by land, with everything necessary,
+to the northern end of the island, opposite the poor old _Amazon_, of
+which we are so soon to see the last, and that the rest of us take
+Harry's tube-boat, and sail in her quite round the island--which we
+new-comers have not seen very much of as yet--and stop at the point I
+have named."
+
+This, of course, we all cordially agreed to, though I could scarcely
+help smiling furtively at the idea of a picnic, when our lives had been
+a sort of continuous picnic affair ever since we had been on the island,
+though, it is true, our pastime had consisted principally of pretty hard
+work.
+
+However, I made no remark, and we all returned to the house, and
+proceeded to pack up the necessary viands, etc., and to start the
+"niggers," as Bob invariably termed our black aids, in the proposed
+direction.
+
+When everything was ready, however, it was found that there was more
+than we had the conscience to ask the poor fellows to carry, willing as
+they were; so Ella's programme was so far departed from as to send them
+by water in a canoe, instead of by land; and as soon as they were fairly
+away, we shoved off in the cutter's canoe, got on board the tube-boat,
+hauled up her grapnel, and made sail to the southward.
+
+Here another departure from the programme took place, for my father was
+curious to see how so singular a craft behaved in open water: so, as
+there was a nice fresh breeze blowing, and sufficient sea on outside to
+give him a fair idea of her qualities, we worked out through the channel
+as soon as we reached it, and sailed round the island _outside_ of
+everything first of all, resuming the original plan as soon as we came
+inside again.
+
+Both my father and Winter were much struck with the smooth and easy
+motion with which she took the seas, especially when going close-hauled
+to windward, the short, choppy head-sea which the breeze had knocked up
+having not the slightest perceptible retarding effect upon the sharp,
+gently-swelling tubes, which pierced the combing seas absolutely without
+any shock whatever; whereas a boat of the usual mould would have pitched
+and jerked into them, and half-blinded us and wholly wet us through with
+spray.  And they were quite as much surprised at her stiffness, for her
+amount of heel was barely perceptible, though we were driving her
+through it under whole canvas; whilst had we been in the _Water Lily_,
+with a proportionate amount of sail set, she would, stiff as she was,
+have been lying down gunwale under.
+
+So rapidly did she skim along over the water too, that, notwithstanding
+the extra distance traversed beyond that originally proposed, we were in
+ample time for the meal--luncheon or dinner, whichever we chose to call
+it--which it was arranged we should partake of picnic fashion in the
+open air.
+
+I was delighted to observe that both my father and Winter keenly enjoyed
+this short cruise outside.  It was the first time, excepting when my
+father came out to meet us and pilot us in, that either of them had been
+outside the reef; and that they were now fairly at sea, and with a
+staunch and good sea-boat under their feet, seemed an earnest of their
+easy escape almost more convincing than the fact that the vessel in
+which that escape was planned to be made was now actually in the water.
+
+Having made the tour of the island both outside and inside the reef, and
+admired its many beauties, we at length sat down to our meal in high
+spirits, and with appetites which enabled us to do the most ample
+justice to Ella's bounteous provision, which, it now appeared, had been
+in progress the whole of the previous day, in anticipation of some such
+arrangement as that which she had proposed.
+
+I had noticed an unusual flutter in the dear little girl's manner more
+than once during the morning, as well as considerable imperfectly
+repressed excitement; but I had said nothing to her about it,
+attributing it to that which had produced so much excitement of feeling
+among the rest of us, namely, the important event of the launch.  This
+feeling of excitement still continued to animate us; but, strangely
+enough, Ella seemed the least able of the party to control it, and it
+appeared to have the effect of agitating her nerves considerably.
+Moreover, she seemed to be singularly preoccupied over something,
+answering remarks at random--sometimes when she was not addressed at
+all--and then flushing up and apologising confusedly.
+
+When our meal was over, a few bottles from a small stock of
+carefully-hoarded wine, from the _Amazon's_ stores, were produced, and
+at Ella's especial request, we four men proceeded to regale ourselves,
+and assist digestion with "the fragrant weed."  The chief topic of
+conversation was, of course, the arrangements to be made for a speedy
+departure from the island.  It was decided that on the following day all
+hands should employ themselves in getting the schooner ballasted,
+provisioned and watered, and it was thought that, by hard work, all
+might be done in readiness for a departure at daybreak on the succeeding
+morning.  My father, Winter, and the two blacks, were to man the
+schooner, whilst Ella, Bob, and myself, were to continue in the cutter,
+and it was, of course, a settled thing that we were to keep company as
+long as it was possible.  We also decided upon certain rendezvous in
+case of being compelled, by bad weather, to part company at any
+particular part of the voyage.  These rendezvous, I may as well mention,
+were Melbourne, Cape Town, Saint Helena, Saint Antonio in the Cape de
+Verd Group, and Madeira.
+
+When this topic seemed pretty well exhausted, Ella remarked nervously,
+"It seems then, Harry, that you have quite given up the idea of making
+any further search for the treasure-island.  I have not heard it
+mentioned once for--oh! ever so long."
+
+"I fear we must think no more of that," I replied.  "When the story was
+first told to me, it seemed an easy matter to sail direct to the spot,
+but the fact that some mistake has occurred somewhere with regard to its
+position, has quite thrown us out, and to look for it among the numerous
+islands which constitute this archipelago would be somewhat like
+searching for a needle in a bundle of hay, and the chances of finding
+either the one or the other would be about equal, I should say.  If I
+only held a sufficient clue to warrant the slightest hope of success, I
+would willingly prosecute a search, but I do not."
+
+"Are you _quite sure_ that you do not?" she returned, still very
+nervously.  "Tell us the story all over again; perhaps some useful idea
+may suggest itself to one or other of us, if it is all gone carefully
+over once more."
+
+"Certainly I will," said I, "if it be only to gratify you, little one; I
+anticipate no further result.  You must know, then, Ella and gentlemen,
+that the Spaniard who told me this story was on his death-bed when he
+confided it to me.  He asserted that a treasure-ship lay buried in the
+sandy beach of a certain island here in the Pacific, and he not only
+gave me the latitude and longitude of the island, but he minutely
+described it, so that I might recognise it at once, and he also
+described certain marks whereby I might be able to fix upon the exact
+spot in the beach where the buried treasure-ship lay."
+
+And I suppose you have fixed upon your mind a kind of mental picture of
+this island, drawn from the description given you, said Ella, "and I
+presume you are of opinion that you would recognise the island in a
+moment, if you saw it?"
+
+"Exactly so," I answered.  "I can see it before me at this moment,"--
+shutting my eyes--"as distinctly as possible.  There it lies, about
+three miles away, with the surf beating all round it; and there, in bold
+relief against the clear blue sky, stands the isolated clump of seven
+cocoa-nut trees on the extreme northernmost point of the island."
+
+"Somewhat like these that we are sitting under at this moment?"
+interrupted Ella excitedly.
+
+"Ye-es," said I, "certainly somewhat like these.  It is curious now, but
+I never noticed until this moment that these trees are seven in number.
+If, now, any two of them were _marked_ in any way..."
+
+"Somewhat like this?" again interrupted Ella, as she started to her feet
+and placed her hand upon a very perceptible scar in the trunk of the
+central tree.
+
+We sprang to our feet as one man, infinitely more excited even than Ella
+was, and walked up to the tree and carefully examined the mark.  There
+was no mistake about it, the bark had been deeply cut away with a knife,
+and I cannot, for the life of me, say how it was that it had never
+attracted my attention, unless it be that the wound was now
+weather-stained, and by no means so conspicuous as I had pictured it in
+my mind; perhaps it was in a great measure due, too, to the fact that
+the island we were on, though answering accurately to the description
+given of the treasure-island, was quite unlike the picture my
+imagination had conjured up.
+
+"Now for the other mark," I exclaimed, "it is on one or other of the
+remaining six trees, if this really be--"
+
+"Here it is," again exclaimed Ella, darting to a tree which stood on the
+edge of the clump, and again pointing out a mark very similar to the
+first.
+
+Of the nature of this mark, too, there could be no possible doubt.  I
+seized a half-consumed stick from the embers of the expiring fire: and,
+getting the two marked trees in line, I walked away from them, keeping
+them in one, until I saw just clear of the trees and bushes on the
+southern extremity of the island, a small pinnacle of uncovered rock
+peering blackly out from among the snowy glittering surf.  I then drove
+the stick I held in my hand deep into the sandy beach, exclaiming, "Here
+lies the buried treasure-ship, if there be any truth in the story."
+
+"We'll soon set that question at rest," exclaimed Bob.  "Here, you two
+niggers, jump into this here canoe and paddle me down to the cutter as
+quick as you knows how.  I'm off a'ter they shovels as we laid in for
+this here very job," he explained, turning to me, "and I'll be back
+ag'in in next to no time."
+
+Whilst he was gone, I sought and obtained an explanation from Ella of
+the manner in which she had made this most important discovery.  It
+seemed that she had amused herself by wandering pretty nearly all over
+the island, whilst we were hard at work upon the schooner, and in one of
+her rambles her attention had been attracted to this very clump of
+trees.  Their number had impressed itself upon her, and, endeavouring to
+remember what it was she had heard or dreamed connected with seven
+cocoa-nut trees, the story of the treasure had suddenly flashed across
+her mind.  This led, of course, to an examination of the trees and the
+discovery of the marks upon them, on the day but one preceding the
+launch of the schooner; and, seeing that we were disposed to make the
+launching day a gala day, she decided to keep her own counsel until the
+arrival of the day itself, and to let the revelation of the discovery be
+made at such a time as still further to increase our reasons for
+rejoicing.  And upon this resolution had been based her plot for the
+picnic.
+
+"I am so delighted, Harry, dear," she added in conclusion, "that it is I
+who have made this discovery you cannot think what a pleasure it is to a
+woman to contribute to the happiness and prosperity of the man she
+loves.  And, beside this, there is the satisfaction of knowing that, if
+the wealth you have spoken of really lies buried here, and I have no
+doubt whatever that it does, you will now be under no necessity for
+following up a profession which must inevitably have involved long
+separations from me.  I am so happy, dearest, for I do not think I could
+have endured that."
+
+I was deeply affected by this and frequent other evidences of the warmth
+and strength of Ella's attachment to me, and of the confiding frankness
+with which she revealed it; and I believe most conscientiously that the
+greatest gratification I derived from the discovery of the treasure
+arose from a knowledge of the extended power it would bestow upon me to
+contribute to her happiness.
+
+Bob soon returned with a couple of shovels, and, springing ashore from
+the canoe, he handed one to Winter, and began at once to ply the other
+most vigorously himself, exclaiming as he did so:
+
+"There you are, my lad now fire away as hard as you like.  There's only
+a few feet of sand between us and gold enough to make all our fortin's a
+dozen times over, so let's rouse it up and have a look at it, without
+any more words."
+
+The two men worked with a will, and soon stood in a good-sized hole,
+about three feet deep, whilst the rest of us looked on at their labours
+with the keenest interest.  At length Winter's shovel struck upon
+something hard, and he announced the fact with a joyous shout.  Bob,
+however, still continued working away without meeting with any
+resistance.  A few more strokes of Winter's shovel laid bare a small
+patch of damp discoloured planking, a further proof, if we needed one,
+of the truth of the story.  Bob was still digging away as hard as ever.
+Presently he ceased digging, and began shovelling the loose sand off a
+piece of the deck or something else which he had got down to.  This was
+soon uncovered, and we then saw that it was a piece of _loose_ plank,
+which he and Winter succeeded between them in raising, and underneath it
+lay a dark, hollow cavity.  To work they both went once more, and in a
+short time three more loose planks were so far uncovered as to permit of
+their being removed.
+
+This accomplished, it was found that we had been so fortunate as to hit,
+at the first trial, upon the hole through which the Spaniard had
+penetrated to the innermost recesses of the ship.  A Creat deal of sand
+still remained to be cleared away, however, before we could get at the
+gold; and my father and I were on the point of relieving the two mates,
+when the natives, who had looked on at the operations with a great deal
+of interest and intelligence, stepped forward, and said, "No, no; now me
+work."  And though they had probably never seen shovels in their lives
+before, and were a little awkward at first in the handling of them, they
+soon got into the owing of it, and did their work as well as either of
+the others.  And so they kept on, spell and spell, the mates and the
+"niggers," neither party seeming willing that my father or I should
+share in the hard work; and in about an hour and a half, Bob's shovel
+suddenly struck sharply upon something harder than wood.  He and Winter
+were both working under the influence of powerful excitement, so it was
+not long before they had cleared away the sand sufficiently to enable
+them to lay hold of and drag forth an ingot, black and discoloured
+almost as rusty iron, but heavy enough to prove most satisfactorily that
+it was not that metal.  It was handed up, and I at once proceeded to
+scrape away with my strong clasp knife upon its surface, quickly
+establishing the fact that it was indeed the precious metal.
+
+This I considered sufficient for one day, especially as it had been
+agreed that it should be a holiday.  So, with considerable difficulty, I
+at length persuaded the two mates to come out of their hole, and rest
+after their violent exertions; and shortly afterwards our goods and
+chattels were packed up and put on board one of the canoes, in charge of
+the two natives, and the remainder of the party embarked in the
+tube-boat with the gold--thirteen ingots in all--that had been brought
+to light, the sails were hoisted, and we ran down to the anchorage in
+the bay with both canoes in tow.
+
+It would be difficult to express the satisfaction which all felt at this
+important discovery, but to Bob and me the satisfaction was peculiarly
+great, for we had now accomplished all that our most sanguine
+expectations had led us to hope for in projecting this adventurous
+voyage--more, indeed; for, as the reader is aware, when the subject was
+first mooted we had no hope of finding my father, having quite given him
+up as dead.
+
+The next day saw us hard at work again, and, not to dwell too long upon
+matters which may be passed over briefly, in three days we had the box
+of gems, and as much gold as we considered we could take.  The schooner
+was ballasted with it, taking in, as nearly as we could calculate,
+twenty tons, and the precious metal was also substituted for the lead
+ballast of the cutter.  The aperture in the deck of the buried ship was
+then carefully boarded over as before, the sand shovelled back into its
+place, and to time and the winds were left the work of completely
+eradicating all remaining traces of our labours.  Both craft were then
+fully provisioned and watered, abundant preparation having already been
+made, and on the morning following the completion of our final
+arrangements, both craft made sail from the island, the _Ada_ leading
+out through the channel, and stood away to the southward and westward
+under every stitch of canvas that would draw.  We soon found, however,
+that in moderate weather the _Water Lily_ could sail round and round the
+_Ada_, and we had to take in our topsail and haul down a reef in our
+mainsail to avoid running away from her altogether; it was only when it
+came to double-reefed canvas that her superior power told sufficiently
+to produce an equality in our speeds.  It seemed as though everything
+which we were to meet with in the shape of adventure had befallen us on
+the first half of our voyage, for day after day passed by without
+anything to distinguish it from the others, and after a quick and
+pleasant run, we reached Melbourne just in time to catch the
+homeward-bound mail, and to send a hurried letter to my sister,
+acquainting her with the agreeable intelligence of our double success.
+I here had an opportunity of acquainting the proper authorities with all
+the circumstances connected with the destruction of the pirate brig, and
+of the crew being imprisoned on the island, and I afterwards learned
+that a cruiser had been despatched to the spot, and that the entire band
+were captured, tried, condemned upon a mass of evidence, which was soon
+collected against them, and hanged.
+
+Here also I had the happiness of being united to the dear girl who had
+in so many ways proved herself worthy of my best and strongest love, and
+as our story--excepting that part of it which related to the finding of
+the treasure--had got wind, the sympathy and kind feeling shewn towards
+us by the warm-hearted colonists, was such as to convert our wedding-day
+almost into a day of public rejoicing.  All the ships, without
+exception, were dressed with flags, and there was a long article in one
+of the local papers headed, "Thrilling Romance of the Sea," in which the
+story of Ella's rescue from the wreck told with great affect.
+
+We remained at Melbourne about a week, and then made sail once more,
+still with favourable winds and fine weather, until we reached the Cape
+of Good Hope--which we did in little more than a month--when we
+encountered a very strong breeze from the southward and eastward, from
+which we were glad enough to take shelter behind the fine breakwater in
+the bay.  Here we again filled up provisions and water, and once more
+despatched letters home.
+
+By the time that we had done what we wanted, the gale was over, and we
+lost no time in making a fresh start.  We soon got into the south-east
+trades, and, as they happened to be blowing strong, we made the best of
+them, and did not attempt to stop at Saint Helena.  We were fortunate
+again in crossing the line, getting a little slant of wind, which
+carried us handsomely across the usually calm belt which so tries the
+patience of the homeward-bound seaman at that spot; and after a
+remarkably fine passage of thirty-nine days from Table Bay, we found
+ourselves at anchor in Funchal Roads.
+
+One of the canoes (both of which the schooner carried on deck) was got
+out, and my father and I went ashore to the post-office, where we found,
+as we expected, letters from my sister in answer to ours from Melbourne.
+My poor father was completely unmanned by the warmth of affection
+breathed forth in my sister's letter to him, and I was scarcely less so
+at the delight she manifested at our safety and success, and the warm
+sympathy with which she responded to the timid message my letter had
+conveyed to her from her unknown sister.
+
+We hurriedly got in a stock of wine, and once more made sail, and after
+a baffling passage of a fortnight, against head-winds and light airs and
+calms, reached Weymouth Bay on a most lovely evening in the last week of
+June, having accomplished our voyage round the world, with all its
+delays, in somewhat under eleven months.
+
+The moment that we were at anchor one of the canoes was got into the
+water, and my father, Ella, and I were paddled ashore by the two natives
+(who could now speak English tolerably well, and had accustomed
+themselves to the use of civilised clothing), Bob and Winter remaining
+on board their respective craft that night to take care of them.
+
+We landed at the flight of steps at the pier-end, and made the best of
+our way at once to my aunt's house.  My sister was there, eagerly
+expecting us; for it appeared that she had been on the Esplanade
+listening to the strains of the regimental band, and had recognised the
+_Water Lily_ as we drew in towards the anchorage.
+
+I will pass over in silence the rapturous meeting which ensued, for the
+feelings of all were of too deep and sacred a character for so
+inexperienced a pen as mine to deal with.  Suffice it to say that we all
+enjoyed on that evening one of those short seasons of perfect, unalloyed
+happiness which are occasionally permitted even here on earth.
+
+Little now remains to be told.  We succeeded, after a vast amount of
+hard work and difficulty, in turning our gold into cash and the proceeds
+were equally divided among us five whites; the result being, as I
+suppose, I need hardly say, a magnificent fortune to each.  Winter, like
+the honest fellow that he was, immediately married the girl who had
+consented to share his uncertain fortune as a seaman and the two blacks
+attached themselves, as a matter of course, to my father's
+establishment.  As for Bob, he asserted roundly that his gold would be
+of no use or value to him if I "turned him adrift," so he became, I need
+scarcely say with my hearty good-will, a fixture in my establishment;
+and his whole thoughts are now set on being made sailing-master of a
+fine schooner yacht which is building for me.
+
+I found out Ella's relations, and communicated the fact of her rescue
+from the wreck, and of her having become my wife; but I said nothing
+respecting our immense wealth, merely stating that I was possessed of a
+comfortable independency, as I wished to ascertain whether they were
+willing to receive her as a relative, on her own and her mother's
+account.  I regret, for the sake of human nature, to say that the
+interview was eminently unsatisfactory; and I left their house with a
+mental resolve that my wife should never, with my consent, enter the
+doors of such unnatural relatives.
+
+The End.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Secret of the Sands, by Harry Collingwood
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