The Voyages of the Ranger and Crusader Part 8

He hailed the men aloft, and desired them to look out. No one could see the boat; and neither the lifebuoy nor the young sailor, who, it was supposed, had got hold of it, were anywhere to be seen. The captain continued looking out for some time, ordering those aloft also to keep a bright look-out. At length he gave the order to brace round the yards, and the ship once more gathered way. "We must not give them up yet; so I will wear ship, and run over the ground we have pa.s.sed."

While this manoeuvre was being carried out the Miss Diceys and several other ladies, followed by Mrs Clagget, appeared on deck.

"What is the matter, captain?" exclaimed the latter. "They tell me that a man has fallen overboard, and that a boat has gone to look for him.

How could you let a boat go away while the sea is tumbling about in this terrible fashion; and, pray, who has gone in her? Ah, Mr Paget, I am glad to see you have not risked your life. But where is Charles Dicey?

Just like him, to do such a madcap trick. My dear girls, your brother jumped into the boat to pick up a silly man who tumbled overboard, and they cannot find him or any of those who went with him."

"Our brother!" exclaimed Emily and May in a tone of alarm. "Where is the boat? Oh! do tell us, Captain Westerway; we do not see her."

"We are somewhat anxious about the boat, I confess, Miss Dicey," said Mr Paget, approaching Emily and May; "but still we may hope to find her. In this mountainous sea she might be easily concealed between the waves, though at no great distance."

In vain, however, every one on board kept looking out for the missing boat. The ship was standing back exactly over the spot where she had been lowered. The only sign of her was a broken oar, which tossed up and down--for a moment was seen, and then disappeared. Mrs Clagget continued to abuse Charles for his foolhardiness, as she called it.

"Poor young man, I wish he had not gone," said the good captain; "but it was a brave deed. I ought not to have allowed the boat to be lowered; but I could not bear to let one of my fellows perish without an attempt to save him; and I thought that lifeboat could be trusted."

"Very wrong in all concerned," exclaimed Mrs Clagget. "But surely, captain, you don't think poor Charles is really lost, and your worthy mate too. I had a great respect for that honest man."

"Indeed, madam, I fear such is the case," said the captain with a sigh; "and I trust you will do your best to console those dear young ladies.

It will break their hearts, I am afraid, for it is easy to see what affection they have for their brother."

Emily and May were, as may be supposed, almost stricken down by grief when they were told, though as cautiously as possible by Mr Paget, of what had occurred. Not till night had arrived, and all hopes had been abandoned, could they be induced to leave the deck. They stood with their hands clasped together, looking out over the tossing sea as though they expected the boat which contained him they loved so much would appear again in sight.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

THE "RANGER'S" BOATS ARE SENT AWAY.

THE PUMPS DISABLED--THE WOMEN PLACED IN BOATS--YOUNGER OFFICERS AND BOYS SENT AWAY--THE CAPTAIN AND COLONEL REMAIN--THE CAPTAIN'S LETTER--CHILD SAVED BY YOUNG BROKE--SHIP DRIVING ON LAUNCH--ESCAPE OF LAUNCH--VOYAGE IN BOATS COMMENCED--LAST SIGHT OF "RANGER"--MRS RUMBELOW ENCOURAGES HER COMPANIONS--BOATS RUNNING BEFORE THE GALE--MRS MORLEY'S GRIEF--A CABIN FORMED FOR THE WOMEN--A SEA BREAKS ON BOARD--SEARCH FOR PROVISIONS-- FIRST NIGHT IN THE BOAT--HARRY SHAFTO AT THE HELM--THE WEATHER MODERATES--IMPOSSIBILITY OF RETURNING TO THE SHIP--SCARCITY OF WATER-- THE DOCTOR MANUFACTURES A STILL--VARIOUS PROVISIONS DISCOVERED.

Dreary as was the night, it was happily of no long duration. Daylight again appeared; but the scene was as forlorn and threatening as that of the previous morning.

While the first-lieutenant and Harry Shafto, and some of the other officers, were engaged in examining the boats and clearing them of lumber, the purser was busily employed in collecting provisions, and separating those of various description, so that each boat might be supplied with a sufficiency, in due proportion.

"The boats will not carry a quarter of our number," observed Harry to the first-lieutenant.

"No, Shafto," was the answer. "We know that. The captain has decided who is to go in each of them. Then we who remain must form rafts, and do the best we can to save our lives."

"Should the ship sink beneath us!" observed Harry. "I fear, in this cold and stormy sea, that a raft would be of no real service, though it might prolong our existence for a few hours."

"We, however, must do our best to preserve the lives of the poor people committed to our charge," said Mr Tobin.

"We certainly must do that, if possible," said Harry; "and it seems to me that the sea has gone down a little since daybreak; I have been watching it anxiously."

"I agree with you, Shafto," replied Mr Tobin. "The wind has lessened considerably within the last half-hour, and though we may not be able to keep the old ship afloat, there is a better prospect of the boats escaping."

Some time was occupied in getting the boats ready; oars, masts, and sails were put into each; tackles were rove for hoisting them out; but Commander Newcombe was unwilling to give the order to lower them while there seemed a prospect of the ship floating and the sea going down.

The crew were now piped to breakfast, as if nothing particular was occurring. The spirits of all on board were somewhat raised by observing the evident improvement in the weather. The carpenter reported that the water was gaining less rapidly on the pumps, but still it was gaining. Another sail, however, was got up from below, fothered like the last, and pa.s.sed with ropes under the ship's bottom. It produced a more satisfactory result than the former ones; still, after another hour had pa.s.sed, the water continued coming in faster than it could be pumped out. The commander and Colonel Morley were seen earnestly consulting together. They were joined by the first-lieutenant.

"The winch of the starboard pump has broken, and the pump is disabled, sir," he said, in as calm a tone as he could a.s.sume.

"That settles the question," said the commander. "Colonel, we must do our duty. I see no prospect of keeping the ship afloat much longer. If we delay, she may go down with all on board, and the chance of saving some will be lost."

"I agree with you, captain," said the colonel.

"We need not let the people know this, though," observed Commander Newcombe. "Those who go in the boats may be allowed to suppose that the ship will be kept afloat better without them. Mr Tobin, hoist out the boats at once. The women and children must be divided among them. I have settled who is to go in each. Colonel, you will accompany your wife and daughters."

"I have a higher duty, sir, though I thank you for the offer. I remain with my men," answered Colonel Morley in a firm tone.

"And I remain with you and the ship, sir," said Mr Tobin; "and I believe you will find that most of the other officers desire to do the same."

"I will direct the junior officers of my regiment to draw lots who is to go," said Colonel Morley.

Some little time was occupied in making these and similar arrangements.

The three officers then separated, to perform the duties they had undertaken. While the naval officers were superintending the lowering of the boats, an undertaking of great difficulty and risk, Colonel Morley entered the cabin, and having summoned the officers around him, he informed them of the determination which had been arrived at. He spoke in a low, calm voice, so that he might not be overheard by his wife and daughters, or the other ladies. The captains at once declined drawing lots.

"Twopenny is the only married man among us," said Captain Power; "he must accompany his wife."

The lieutenants, when they heard that the colonel intended to remain, at once decided to stay by him and their men. The ensigns, with the exception of poor Holt, who was still in his cabin, were inclined to decide as their superior officers had already done.

"No, my lads," said the colonel, "you are young, and may have many years of life before you. I must insist on your obeying my commands."

The lots were quickly drawn, and Ensign Holt was declared to have the option of going. He had been watching the proceeding with staring eyes and a look of intense anxiety and dread, fully believing, apparently, that he should be among those to remain. The excitement was too much for his nerves. As his name was p.r.o.nounced, he sank down on the deck without uttering a word. Captain Power kindly raised him up. An almost idiotic expression had come over the young officer's countenance, and he scarcely seemed aware of what was occurring.

"Come, Holt, bestir yourself," said the captain. "Pack up anything you may especially wish to take with you. The boats will soon be shoving off."

The poor young ensign looked wildly about him for a moment, and then hurrying into his cabin, began to pack up a huge portmanteau, tumbling all sorts of articles into it. He was thus engaged when he heard his name called, and, leaving it behind him, rushed on deck. The colonel meantime addressed the officers.

"Gentlemen, we have still our duty to perform," he said. "Desperate as appears our condition, I do not despair; and, at all events, I am confident that none of you will flinch from what requires to be done.

Every one will take his turn at the pumps as long as the ship remains above water; and now I will muster the men. Let the roll be beat."

The roll of the drum was directly afterwards heard echoing along the decks, and all the men not employed at the pumps fell in. The married men, with the drummers, were ordered to prepare to go in the boats. The crews of each were then mustered aft, and sentries stationed to prevent any others from entering them.

Now came the most trying moment of all. While the commander was standing on the break of the p.o.o.p, and issuing his final orders, Harry Shafto, followed by w.i.l.l.y Dicey, came up to him.

"I hope, sir, you will allow me to remain on board," he said; "and though Dicey wishes to prefer the same request, I trust you will refuse it in his case."

"I certainly shall do so," answered the commander, "as I also shall refuse yours. I have decided that you are to take command of the launch. I know you to be an excellent boat sailor, and I can confidently entrust her to your care."

"I thank you heartily, sir," said Harry. "I would most willingly remain with you; but I know my duty."

"Then go into the boat, and be ready to receive the ladies and women who will be sent into her, and take young Dicey with you." He stopped for a moment, then drawing a letter from his breast pocket, he added, "Here, take this despatch also, and preserve it, if possible. It is addressed to the Lords of the Admiralty. I have said what it was my duty to say with regard to the conduct of the officers and ship's company, and the admirable behaviour of the troops. I have recommended also to the consideration of their Lordships my poor old mother and only surviving sister. I trust my country will look after them, as they depend on me for their support; and if I die, it will be in the performance of my duty. I have no other claim than that. I tell you the contents, that you may be able to repeat them to their Lordships should you reach England and the letter be lost."

The commander now called over the names of the officers he had selected to take charge of the boats and of the men who were to form their crews, and they were ordered into them; and to each was allotted the supply of provisions and stores which had been prepared. The cooper had been engaged in filling the few casks which could be found with water out of some of the b.u.t.ts on deck. These were divided among the boats. A compa.s.s was placed in each, and a chart, as also a quadrant and other nautical instruments for the launch and each of the cutters; lanterns, candles, and several other stores were not forgotten.

"Fowling-pieces will be of use," observed Captain Power. "Here is mine, Twopenny;" "and mine", "and mine," added the other officers, bringing them up from their cabins. "Don't forget the powder and shot." A supply in tin cases was soon provided.

While the seamen were performing their various duties, the soldiers stood, drawn up along the deck, with their officers, as if on parade.