The Voyages of the Ranger and Crusader Part 15

Every one in the launch was soon eagerly looking out towards the land.

The cheering intelligence was announced to those in the cutter. They, however, had also seen the land, but were not so well informed about it as was Shafto. The boats now stood on, steering for the narrow pa.s.sage between the cliffs. Harry looked anxiously ahead. It seemed to him that the line of breakers ran directly across the pa.s.sage. If so, to attempt to enter would be hazardous in the extreme, although, in consequence of the wind leading directly in, the risk might be lessened; yet every instant the gale was increasing, and it was important to get without delay under shelter. He knew that there was a wide western entrance; but the wind might be blowing out of it, and a long time must pa.s.s before it could be reached. He hove to, therefore, till the cutter could come up, that he might consult with the boatswain.

"It's six of one and half-a-dozen of the other," answered Bollard; "the boats have shown what they can do, and I am ready to chance running in."

Harry could not conceal from himself the risk he was about to run; yet it might be greater should he continue at sea during the gale which was brewing. Giving, therefore, the helm to Lizard, he swarmed up the foremast, that he might the better examine the appearance of the entrance. It was sufficiently threatening to have deterred him under other circ.u.mstances from making the attempt to enter; yet as there appeared a narrow s.p.a.ce of dark water, a break in the line of foam, he resolved to stand on. On either side rose perpendicular cliffs; that on the north four or five hundred feet high, but that on the south considerably lower. The two boats stood on, the cutter keeping about a hundred fathoms astern of the launch. Harry placed Paul Lizard at the helm, he himself going forward, holding on by the foremast. The oars were got out, to be in readiness should any flaw come off the sh.o.r.e, and all hands not required to pull them, or tend the sheets, were ready with buckets to bail out the water should a sea come on board. Mrs Rumbelow had taken possession of the largest she could find, ever ready to set her companions a good example. She perhaps, as well as any one, knew the risk that must be run.

"Now, my dear ladies, and you soldiers' wives, don't be screaming out if a little drop of water cornea aboard; we'll soon send it back again; and in ten minutes or so we shall be safe at anchor. Just think how G.o.d has taken care of us heretofore, and He is not going to desert us now," she exclaimed, looking round on those to whom she spoke.

The gale was rapidly increasing; dark clouds were gathering overhead, from which ever and anon flashes of bright lightning darted forth, with crashing peals of thunder. The leaden-coloured waves danced up wildly on either side. The boats dashed on. The roaring of the breakers could be heard, as they leaped up madly against the frowning rocks. Harry kept his eye fixed on the spot of clear water ahead. On either hand of it rose up the white foaming wall of hissing waters, amid which the stoutest boats would have been in an instant overwhelmed. There was no possibility of turning back now; they must stand on, or their destruction would be inevitable. Harry, holding on to the mast with one hand, kept the other pointed in the direction Lizard was to steer. Many of those on board shut their eyes as they drew near the roaring breakers. The tide was running out strong. Such a wind as was then blowing would alone have enabled the boats to stem it. Tall basaltic cliffs rose up on either hand, while the foaming rollers, as they came in, appeared ready to engulf the two boats. Now the launch rose to the summit of a high sea, now downward she glided, the breakers hissing and foaming so close to her that it seemed impossible she could pa.s.s through the narrow opening between them in safety. Now a heavy ma.s.s of water came tumbling on board on the starboard side; now another fell over her on the other hand.

"Bail away, boys, bail away," cried Mr Rumbelow; and all who had buckets or cans exerted themselves to the utmost, down to young Broke, the water being hove out again as fast almost as it had come on board.

The launch flew on. Harry breathed more freely. She was already within the breakers; but the waters still kept leaping and tumbling about in a way which showed the rapid current running against them. Should they be becalmed under the cliffs, they might find it impossible to stem it.

w.i.l.l.y had been standing near Lizard; he now looked back anxiously for the cutter. Where was she? His heart sank. Had she been engulfed? A huge roller came roaring up astern. Presently she appeared on its summit, darting forward with the speed of an arrow; now she descended, gliding on towards the pa.s.sage the launch had just pa.s.sed through.

w.i.l.l.y could not help feeling intense anxiety about her. It seemed impossible that so small a boat could pa.s.s through so fierce a tumult of water in safety; yet in another instant she was gliding on through the pa.s.sage, and, shooting forward, was almost up to the launch.

The crews of the two boats cheered each other as they thus found themselves in comparative safety, the sound of their voices echoing from cliff to cliff.

"Let us, my friends, return thanks to Heaven, which has so mercifully preserved us," said Mrs Morley, who had during the time sat with her two daughters gazing at the scene, apparently fearless and calm. They had been so living that they were prepared without flinching to encounter any danger which might meet them.

The wind blowing directly up the harbour, they ran on, no place appearing on either side where they could land. A small island was pa.s.sed a mile from the entrance, but its sh.o.r.es were rugged, and afforded no resting-place. On they advanced; point after point was pa.s.sed, still no sheltering bay had been seen where they could securely anchor. At length Harry perceived on the port bow a wide opening. It was the entrance, he hoped, to an inner harbour, where shelter might be found. He shouted to the boatswain that he would stand in.

"Cheer up! There's a harbour at last," cried Mrs Rumbelow, as she surveyed the entrance. The men kept the halyards in their hands, ready to lower the sails at a moment's notice; the oars were got out, prepared for any emergency. The boats glided on. Instead of the tumbling, hissing waters through which they had lately pa.s.sed, all was calm and smooth. On the right was a high bluff, with a reef running out from it.

On the left the land was more level, but everywhere covered with low, stunted trees; while the sh.o.r.es on either hand were fringed with black, rugged rocks, and ahead rose ranges of hills, some bare and bleak, towering to the sky, the nearest clothed thickly with brushwood. The harbour they had entered proved to be of considerable size, extending far up into the interior of the island. As they sailed on, numbers of seals appeared--some swimming round them, others resting on the rocks and gazing at the intruders to their domains with wondering eyes, evidently unaccustomed to the sight of human beings.

At length, after proceeding several miles up the harbour, which branched off in several directions, Harry observed a small bay on the right which promised to afford shelter to the boats. The sails were lowered, and he steered for it. A ledge running out on one side formed a natural landing-place. The launch pulled in, and the men jumped on sh.o.r.e. The cutter came close up astern, and the crews, rejoicing in having reached a harbour in safety, gave vent to their satisfaction in hearty cheers.

The whole party were soon on sh.o.r.e. Beyond the rocks on which they landed was a broad plot of gra.s.s land, sloping gradually upwards, bordered by a ma.s.s of underwood and stunted trees. In the distance rose several hills, some of considerable height; while opposite the bay the harbour had the appearance of a large lake, dotted here and there with wooded islands, and encircled by a belt of hilly country, covered with trees. On the opposite side of the outer harbour which they first entered Harry told them was Adams' or South Island; while, eastward, a broad estuary stretched away towards the ocean, forming the entrance to Carnley Harbour. Close to where they landed a beautiful stream of clear water came rushing down from the heights, making its way into the bay.

The moment it was seen most of the party rushed towards it, and in an instant were kneeling down by its side, taking it up with cups and cans, which the more provident had brought with them. w.i.l.l.y immediately ran back to the boat to secure a can and a small cup, with which, having filled, he hastened back to where Mrs Morley and her daughters, with poor Mrs Twopenny, were seated on the rocks. He saw that they, at all events, were not unmindful of G.o.d's protecting care, which had carried them through so many dangers, and that they were, with grateful hearts, offering their thanks to Him to whom their preservation was due. As they ceased, w.i.l.l.y approached them. The two young ladies were certainly not suffering less than others; but they would not touch the water till their mother and their invalid companion had quenched their thirst.

When they had done so, w.i.l.l.y could no longer resist placing the jug to his own lips.

"What, my boy," said Mrs Morley, "had you not first drunk of the water yourself?"

"No, how could I," said w.i.l.l.y, "when I knew how much you wanted it?"

w.i.l.l.y was amply rewarded with the smile the young ladies bestowed on him.

"That is indeed true chivalry," observed Emma Morley to her sister.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

THE "CRUSADER" IS DISABLED.

FEVER STILL ON BOARD--PLANS FOR THE FUTURE--EMILY AND MAY ATTEND THE SICK--MRS CLAGGET'S SUSPICIONS--SCENE ON DECK OF EMIGRANT SHIP--LAND IN SIGHT--ARRIVAL AT CAPE TOWN--"CRUSADER" AGAIN READY FOR SEA--"CRUSADER"

MEETS ANOTHER SHIP--CHARLES AND BILL WINDY ON BOARD--THE LOST ONE RECOVERED--CHARLES NARRATES HIS ADVENTURES--SEAMAN OVERBOARD RECOVERED-- ATTEMPTS TO FOLLOW THE SHIP--SHIP LOST SIGHT OF--WITHOUT FOOD OR WATER IN BOAT--WINDY KEEPS UP THE MEN'S SPIRITS--THEY STEER FOR TRINIDADA-- LONG VOYAGE IN PROSPECT--SUFFERINGS FROM HUNGER AND THIRST--PICKED UP BY HOMEWARD BOUND SHIP--GET ON BOARD SHIP BOUND FOR THE CAPE--END OF CHARLIE'S NARRATIVE--"CRUSADER" STANDS TO THE SOUTH--A GALE COMES ON-- TREMENDOUS SEAS--SAIL BLOWN FROM BOLTROPES--MRS CLAGGET'S TONGUE IN THE STORM--MRS CLAGGET BEGS THE CAPTAIN TO CHANGE HIS COURSE--SHIP THROWN ON HER BEAM-ENDS--THE MASTS CUT AWAY--THE "CRUSADER" SPRINGS A LEAK.

The "Crusader" having sailed sufficiently far south to obtain the a.s.sistance of the prevailing westerly winds, once more, with studding-sails on either side, glided rapidly over the ocean towards the southern end of Africa.

Besides the sickness which still prevailed, she had run short of water, in consequence of her long detention in the calms of the Tropics; and this made it doubly necessary for her to touch at the Cape, in order to obtain a fresh supply before she continued her course across the Southern Ocean.

Proudly as she sailed on, how different were the spirits of those on board to what they had been at the commencement of the voyage. Jack Ivyleaf no longer spouted or sang his comic songs. The poor steerage pa.s.sengers mourned for their lost friends. The seamen talked over the good qualities of Bill Windy, the late mate, who was a general favourite with them. The captain sincerely grieved for him, and felt his loss acutely. But Emma and May Dicey, perhaps more than any one else, had cause to mourn for their brother. Mr Paget endeavoured, with the most delicate attention, to comfort them; and even Mrs Clagget's manner softened when she attempted to soothe the grief of the poor girls.

Still her tongue would keep wagging, and they would frequently have been glad had she kept silence.

"You see, my dear Emily, you and May have been deprived of your brother, and I know what it is to lose a person one loves. When poor dear Mr Clagget was taken from me, I thought my heart would break; but it didn't, you see, and I got over my grief in time. Now, according to my idea, it is wise to make the best of everything; and what I propose is, when we reach New Zealand, that we should set up house together. You cannot live alone, that's very certain, and I have no wish to reside by myself. It is but natural, and right and proper, that an old friend of your family, as I am, should remain with you, and afford you that protection which you so much require."

Notwithstanding Mrs Clagget's kind intentions, neither Emily nor May had any wish to have the sound of her tongue always in their ears. They talked over her proposal, but agreed that they would rather do anything than be compelled to accept it. Mr Paget did not offer any advice on the subject, considering that there would be time enough to discuss the matter when they were nearer New Zealand. He probably thought that they would, when there, find some more desirable friend than the talkative lady appeared to be. What was pa.s.sing in his own mind, indeed, he did not reveal. There were still so many sick on board that the young ladies' services were almost as much required in attending to them as at first. In this occupation they found their best solace. After two or three days, they had aroused themselves to attend to their self-imposed duties. They were now never idle, although tears unbidden often came into their eyes when they thought of their young brother, cut off so suddenly in his youth and strength. They endeavoured, on such occasions, to turn their minds to the duties they had in hand, and, to the casual observer, they appeared very soon to have recovered from their loss.

"I have an idea," said Mrs Clagget to the lady who occupied the next cabin to hers, "that it won't be long after we arrive in New Zealand before my friend Emily replaces poor dear Charles. I should have given those two girls credit for having more feeling; but ah, my dear Mrs Jones, there's wonderful elasticity in the spirits of youth. I am sure such was my case, when I was a girl--down one moment, up the next; weeping and sighing, laughing and dancing, within a few minutes. I was still in my youth when I was deprived of my dear Mr Clagget, and, as I was telling them the other day, I thought my heart would break; but I bore my loss with wonderful equanimity."

"Yes; but then you are a wonderful woman," observed Mrs Jones, who had long since become weary of her neighbour's loquacity, and did not observe that the Miss Diceys showed any want of feeling at the loss they had suffered.

Although at first unwilling to encounter their fellow-pa.s.sengers, the two poor girls, feeling the importance of taking the fresh air, used to come on deck at night, where they would stand, their hands clasped together, watching the beautiful constellations, and gazing over the dark ocean which they believed to be their beloved brother's grave. The other pa.s.sengers, respecting their grief, kept aloof from them, and allowed them the part of the deck they chose to themselves. The old captain and Mr Paget were the only people who spoke to them on such occasions, and then only to advise them to retire to their cabins, when the late hour made it desirable. Sometimes, notwithstanding this, Emily lingered, and Mr Paget, finding that he was not intruding on her sorrows, stood by her side, offering such subjects of consolation as he thought likely to produce a good impression upon her mind. Emily felt very grateful to him, and was thankful that she and her sister had a friend on whose calm judgment and sympathy they could so thoroughly rely.

The "Crusader" sailed on towards the east before a steady breeze. Often for days together not a sheet nor tack was started; the crew had seldom to go aloft, except to serve some of the rigging, or to keep the usual lookout.

Although the sickness on board did not increase, the captain still considered it necessary to put into Simon's Bay for water. One fine calm morning, the pa.s.sengers were scattered about in groups on deck, the women belonging to the steerage attending to various domestic concerns, the mothers dressing and nursing their children, the girls working or pretending to work with their needles. Three or four of the men were helping the cooks, some were mending their shoes, others were tailoring, a few of both s.e.xes were reading, a greater number arguing some knotty point, or smoking their pipes, and several were sitting listlessly with their hands between their knees, already wishing that the voyage was over, and that they were once more engaged in the occupations to which they had been accustomed. The crew were all busy in their various duties about the ship. The captain was not a person to allow his men to be idle. The carpenter was at his bench, scattering white shavings around him; several were at work with heaps of oak.u.m, spinning yarns.

The sailmakers, with canvas spread before them, were plying their needles; others were making mats, or splicing or knotting ropes. The painters, with their pots and brushes, were giving touches to the bulwarks and other parts where the paint had been rubbed off; and every particle of bra.s.s was getting a fresh polish from the ship's boys, who whistled as they worked. The cabin pa.s.sengers were collected under the awning on the p.o.o.p. In one part, Mr and Mrs Bolton, with their children around them, were holding school; the younger ladies were reading or working. Mr James Joel was laying down the law on some agricultural subject to the young farmer, Luke Gravel. Tom Loftus and Jack Ivyleaf were smoking their cigars, and arranging some plan of proceeding which Jack had proposed as certain of success. Mrs Clagget, though with work in her hands, had forgot all about it in her eagerness to employ her tongue on her reluctant hearer, poor Mrs Jones. Emily and May were reading together a book which Mr Paget had lent them. He had wisely judged that the best way to restore their spirits was to draw them off from themselves. He was standing near them, doing nothing, an unusual occurrence for him. Now and then he glanced over the page, and made some remark, and though perhaps he was not aware of it, he continued watching Emily's countenance as she read.

"I thought so before, and now I am sure," whispered Mrs Clagget to her companion. "Well, it's the best thing that could happen."

"But is he going to settle in New Zealand?" asked Mrs Jones. "He is a mere traveller I fancy, or perhaps he has a wife already."

"I think too highly of him to suppose that," said Mrs Clagget; "though, to be sure, I do wish he would talk more about himself. I like a person to be communicative; those reticent people always puzzle me."

Such was the state of affairs on board the "Crusader" when a voice was heard from aloft shouting the welcome cry of "Land ho! Land on the port bow!" In an instant every one was on the alert, looking out in the direction indicated; but though it could be seen from the mast-head, a considerable time pa.s.sed before it was visible from the deck.

The captain ordered the seamen to the starboard braces, and in an instant, the deck, before so quiet, was full of bustle and life. The ship was hauled up to the north, and at length the bold outline of the Cape of Good Hope came into view. Before evening the "Crusader"

anch.o.r.ed in Simon's Bay.

The captain at once went on sh.o.r.e, and returned with the satisfactory intelligence that the pa.s.sengers would be allowed to land on the following morning, though they would be kept in quarantine till all fear of infection had pa.s.sed away. This would detain the ship for some time; but it was hoped that the residence on sh.o.r.e, with the advantages of an abundant supply of fresh vegetables, would restore the sick to health.

Mrs Clagget was very indignant on finding that she would not be allowed to visit the town, nor to travel into the country. She had, however, to submit to regulations which were for the good of all. All the pa.s.sengers were indeed compelled to land, as it was considered necessary thoroughly to fumigate every part of the "Crusader," an operation which could not be carried on while they remained on board. When released from quarantine, the Miss Diceys met with much sympathy from the inhabitants of Cape Town, who had heard of the loss of the boat. Mr Paget was received with great attention by the princ.i.p.al people in the place.

"I am sure he must be somebody," observed Mrs Clagget, when she heard of it. "I have always remarked a peculiarly aristocratic air about him." However, as Mr Paget himself did not speak of any of his acquaintances, the good lady began to doubt whether the report was true.

At length the "Crusader" was declared to be again ready for sea, the steerage pa.s.sengers were removed on board, and the following day the rest again occupied their cabins. Captain Westerway had wished to obtain another first mate in the place of Bill Windy, but he had been unsuccessful. The second mate was a young man, and though a fair sailor, was not as trustworthy a navigator as the captain desired; thus, consequently, throwing more labour and responsibility on him. Once more the sails were loosed, the anchor hove up, and the "Crusader" stood out of Simon's Bay, the captain hoping to get a good offing before nightfall. Sail after sail was loosed; and close-hauled, with the wind to the westward, she glided swiftly over the blue sea. While the pa.s.sengers were on deck watching the receding sh.o.r.es, a shout was heard that another ship was approaching under all sail, right ahead. Their attention was turned towards the stranger. She was an object to be admired, as, the sun glancing on her wide spread of canvas, she heeled gracefully over to the breeze. The two ships rapidly neared each other, the "Crusader" keeping to windward. Closer and closer they drew; it seemed, indeed, as if they were about to run into each other. The stranger, however, slightly deviated from the course on which she had been steering, and then keeping as before, showed that she intended to pa.s.s as near as possible to leeward of the "Crusader." The pa.s.sengers of the latter ship hurried to the side nearest her, and a number of people were seen on board, some holding on to the shrouds, others leaning over the bulwarks.

"Why, as I'm a live man, there's our mate, Bill Windy," exclaimed one of the "Crusader's" seamen, "and there's d.i.c.k Hansom, and Tom Bowline, I do believe! Yes, it's Tom himself!"

Emily and May heard these exclamations, and, eagerly gazing with beating hearts, they saw their brother Charles in the main rigging. They looked and looked again, scarcely trusting their eyes; but there could be no mistake. He waved his hand; he had seen them, and Bill Windy discovered them also.

"Heave to," cried the mate, "and we will come aboard you."

The two ships glided by each other. The helm of the stranger was put down, and with her headsails backed against the masts, she lay, hove to.

Captain Westerway imitated the manoeuvre, and the "Crusader" likewise became almost stationary. Scarcely even now crediting what they had seen, and feeling as if they were in a dream, the two sisters watched the stranger. A boat was lowered. Several people jumped into her, and she rapidly approached. In a few minutes their dear brother Charles, for whom they had so long grieved as lost, was in their arms. May hung about his neck, and kissed him again and again. Bill Windy and the rest of the boat's crew received the hearty greetings of their shipmates.

The good captain, with a tear in his eye, warmly shook his mate by the hand. "I would rather see you here alive and well, my dear fellow, than be told I had a fortune of a hundred thousand pounds left me, and need no longer knock about the salt ocean. I had given you up as gone for ever, Bill."

"I knew that you would do your best to look for us, captain," answered the mate, "and that it was no fault of yours that you didn't pick us up.

We had a narrow squeak for it; but we had saved poor Tom, and that cheered us during the dangerous time we had to go through."