Un capitaine de quinze ans. English Read online

  CHAPTER XIII.

  LAND AT LAST.

  It was not long before Dick's sanguine expectations were partiallyrealized, for on the very next day, which was the 27th, the barometerbegan to rise, not rapidly, but steadily, indicating that its elevationwould probably continue. The sea remained exceedingly rough, but theviolence of the wind, which had veered slightly towards the west, hadperceptibly diminished. The tempest had passed its greatest fury, andwas beginning to wear itself out.

  Not a sail, however, could yet be hoisted; the smallest show of canvaswould have been carried away in an instant; nevertheless Dick hopedthat before another twenty-four hours were over, the "Pilgrim" might beable to carry a storm-jib.

  In the course of the night the wind moderated still more and thepitching of the ship had so far diminished that the passengers began toreappear on deck. Mrs. Weldon was the first to leave her enforcedimprisonment. She was anxious to speak to Dick, whom she might haveexpected to find looking pale and wan after his almost superhumanexertions and loss of sleep. But she was mistaken; however much the ladmight suffer from the strain in after-years, at present he exhibited nosymptoms of failing energy.

  "Well, Captain Dick, how are you?" she said, as she advanced towardshim holding out her hand.

  Dick smiled.

  "You call me captain, Mrs. Weldon," he answered, "but you do not seemdisposed to submit implicitly to captain's orders. Did I not direct youto keep to your cabin?"

  "You have acquitted yourself like a man."]

  "You did," replied the lady; "but observing how much the storm hadabated, I could not resist the temptation to disobey you."

  "Yes, madam, the weather is far more promising; the barometer has notfallen since yesterday morning, and I really trust the worst is overnow."

  "Thank Heaven!" she replied, and after a few moments' silence, sheadded.--

  "But now, Dick, you must really take some rest; you may perhaps notknow how much you require it; but it is absolutely necessary."

  "Rest!" the boy repeated; "rest! I want no rest. I have only done myduty, and it will be time enough for me to concern myself about my ownrest, when I have seen my passengers in a place of safety."

  "You have acquitted yourself like a man," said Mrs. Weldon; "and youmay be assured that my husband, like myself, will never forget theservices you have rendered me. I shall urge upon him the request whichI am sure he will not refuse, that you shall have your studiescompleted, so that you may be made a captain for the firm."

  Tears of gratitude rose to Dick's eyes. He deprecated the praise thatwas lavished upon him, but rejoiced in the prospect that seemed openingupon his future. Mrs. Weldon assured him that he was dear as a son toher, and pressed a gentle kiss upon his forehead. The lad felt that hewas animated, if need be, to yet greater hardships in behalf of hisbenefactors, and resolved to prove himself even more worthy of theirconfidence.

  By the 29th, the wind had so far moderated that Dick thought he mightincrease the "Pilgrim's" speed by hoisting the foresail and topsail.

  "Now, my men, I have some work for you to-day," he said to the negroeswhen he came on deck at daybreak.

  "All right, captain," answered Hercules, "we are growing rusty for wantof something to do."

  "Why didn't you blow with your big mouth?" said little Jack; "you couldhave beaten the wind all to nothing."

  Dick laughed, and said, "Not a bad idea, Jack; if ever we get becalmed,we must get Hercules to blow into the sails."

  "I shall be most happy," retorted the giant, and he inflated his hugechecks till he was the very impersonation of Boreas himself.

  "But now to work!" cried Dick; "we have lost our topsail, and we mustcontrive to hoist another. Not an easy matter, I can tell you."

  "I dare say we shall manage it," replied Actaeon.

  "We must do our best," said Tom.

  "Can't I help?" inquired Jack.

  "Of course you can," answered Dick; "run along to the wheel, and assistBat."

  Jack strutted off, proud enough of his commission.

  Under Dick's directions, the negroes commenced their somewhat difficulttask. The new topsail, rolled up, had first of all to be hoisted, andthen to be made fast to the yard; but so adroitly did the crew carryout their orders, that in less than an hour the sail was properly setand flying with a couple of reefs. The foresail and second jib, whichhad been taken down before the tempest, were hoisted again, and beforeten o'clock the "Pilgrim" was running along under the three sails whichDick considered were as much as it was prudent to carry. Even at herpresent speed, the schooner, he reckoned, would be within sight of theAmerican shore in about ten days. It was an immense relief to him tofind that she was no longer at the mercy of the waves, and when he sawthe sails properly set he returned in good spirits to his post at thehelm, not forgetting to thank the temporary helmsman for his services,nor omitting his acknowledgment to Master Jack, who received thecompliment with becoming gravity.

  Although the clouds continued to travel all the next day with greatrapidity they were very much broken, and alternately the "Pilgrim" wasbathed in sunlight and enveloped in vapours, which rolled on towardsthe east. As the weather cleared, the hatchways were opened in order toventilate the ship, and the outer air was allowed again to penetratenot only the hold, but the cabin and crew's quarters The wet sails werehung out to dry, the deck was washed down, for Dick Sands was anxiousnot to bring his ship into port without having "finished her toilet,"and he found that his crew could very well spare a few hours daily toget her into proper trim.

  They both examined the outspread chart.]

  Notwithstanding the loss of the log, Dick had sufficient experience tobe able to make an approximate estimate of the schooner's progress, andafter having pointed out to Mrs. Weldon what he imagined was the"Pilgrim's" true position, he told her that it was his firm impressionthat land would be sighted in little more than a week.

  "And upon what part of South America do you reckon we are likely tofind ourselves?" she asked.

  "That is more than I dare venture to promise," replied Dick; "but Ishould think somewhere hereabouts."

  He was pointing on the chart to the long shore-line of Chili and Peru.

  They both examined the outspread chart with still closer attention.

  "Here, you see," resumed Dick, "here is the island we have just left;we left it in the west; the wind has not shifted; we must expect tocome in sight of land, pretty nearly due east of it. The coast hasplenty of harbours. From any one of them you will be able easily to getto San Francisco. You know, I dare say, that the Pacific NavigationCompany's steamers touch at all the principal ports. From any of themyou will be sure to get direct passage to California."

  "But do you mean," asked Mrs. Weldon, "that you are not going yourselfto take the schooner to San Francisco?"

  "Not direct," replied the young captain; "I want to see you safe onshore and satisfactorily on your homeward way. When that is done, Ishall hope to get competent officers to take the ship to Valparaiso,where she will discharge her cargo, as Captain Hull intended; andafterwards I shall work our way back to San Francisco."

  "Ah, well; we will see all about that in due time." Mrs. Weldon said,smiling; and, after a short pause, added, "At one time, Dick, youseemed to have rather a dread of the shore."

  "Quite true," answered Dick; "but now I am in hopes we may fall in withsome passing vessel; we want to have a confirmation as to our trueposition. I cannot tell you how surprised I am that we have not comeacross a single vessel. But when we near the land we shall be able toget a pilot."

  "But what will happen if we fail to get a pilot?" was Mrs. Weldon'sinquiry. She was anxious to learn how far the lad was prepared to meetany emergency.

  With unhesitating promptness Dick replied,--

  "Why, then, unless the weather takes the control of the ship out of myhands, I must patiently follow the coast until I come to a harbour ofrefuge. But if the wind should freshen, I should have to adopt othermeasures."

&
nbsp; "What then, Dick, what then?" persisted Mrs. Weldon.

  The boy's brow knitted itself together in resolution, and he saiddeliberately,--

  "I should run the ship aground."

  Mrs. Weldon started.

  "However," Dick continued, "there is no reason to apprehend this. Theweather has mended and is likely to mend. And why should we fear aboutfinding a pilot? Let us hope all will be well."

  Mrs. Weldon at least had satisfied herself on one point. She hadascertained that although Dick did not anticipate disaster, yet he wasprepared in the case of emergency to resort to measures from which anybut the most experienced seaman would shrink.

  But although Dick's equanimity had been successful in allaying anymisgivings on Mrs. Weldon's part, it must be owned that the conditionof the atmosphere caused him very serious uneasiness.

  The wind remained uncomfortably high, and the barometer gave veryominous indications that it would ere long freshen still more. Dickdreaded that the time was about to return in which once again he mustreduce his vessel to a state of bare poles; but so intense was hisaversion to having his ship so wrested as it were from his ownmanagement, that he determined to carry the topsail till it was all butcarried away by the force of the blast. Concerned, moreover, for thesafety of his masts, the loss of which he acknowledged must be fatal,he had the shrouds well overhauled and the backstays considerablytightened.

  More than once another contingency occurred to his mind, and gave himsome anxiety. He could not overlook the possibility of the windchanging all round. What should he do in such a case? He would ofcourse endeavour by all means to get the schooner on by incessanttacking; but was there not the certainty of a most hazardous delay? andworse than this, was there not a likelihood of the "Pilgrim" being onceagain driven far out to sea?

  Happily these forebodings were not realized. The wind, after choppingabout for several days, at one time blowing from the north, and atanother from the south, finally settled down into a stiffish gale fromthe west, which did nothing worse than severely strain the masts.

  In this weary but hopeful endurance time passed on. The 5th of Aprilhad arrived. It was more than two months since the "Pilgrim" hadquitted New Zealand; it was true that during the first three weeks ofher voyage she had been impeded by protracted calms and contrary winds;but since that time her speed had been rapid, the very tempests haddriven her forwards with unwonted velocity; she had never failed tohave her bow towards the land, and yet land seemed as remote as ever;the coast line was retreating as they approached it. What could be thesolution of the mystery?

  From the cross-trees one or other of the negroes was kept incessantlyon the watch. Dick Sands himself, telescope in hand, would repeatedlyascend in the hope of beholding some lofty peak of the Andes emergingfrom the mists that hung over the horizon. But all in vain.

  False alarms were given more than once. Sometimes Tom, sometimesHercules, or one of the others would be sure that a distant speck theyhad descried was assuredly a mountain ridge; but the vapours werecontinually gathering in such fantastic forms that their unexperiencedeyes were soon deceived, and they seldom had to wait long before theirfond delusion was all dispelled.

  At last, the expected longing was fulfilled. At eight o'clock onemorning the mists seemed broken up with unusual rapidity, and thehorizon was singularly clear. Dick had hardly gone aloft when his voicerung out,--

  "Land! Land ahead!"

  As if summoned by a spell, every one was on deck in an instant: Mrs.Weldon, sanguine of a speedy end to the general anxiety; little Jack,gratified at a new object of curiosity; Cousin Benedict, alreadyscenting a new field for entomological investigation; old Nan; and thenegroes, eager to set foot upon American soil; all, with the exceptionof Negoro, all were on deck; but the cook did not stir from hissolitude, or betray any sympathy with the general excitement.

  Whatever hesitation there might be at first soon passed away; one afteranother soon distinguished the shore they were approaching, and in halfan hour there was no room for the most sceptical to doubt that Dick wasright. There was land not far ahead.

  A few miles to the east there was a long low-lying coast; the chain ofthe Andes ought to be visible; but it was obscured, of course, by theintervening clouds.

  The "Pilgrim" bore down rapidly towards the land, and in a short timeits configuration could be plainly made out. Towards the north-east thecoast terminated in a headland of moderate height sheltering a kind ofroadstead; on the south-east it stretched out in a long and narrowtongue. The Andes were still wanting to the scene; they must besomewhere in the background; but at present, strange to say, there wasonly a succession of low cliffs with some trees standing out againstthe sky. No human habitation, no harbour, not even an indication of ariver-mouth, could anywhere be seen.

  The wind remained brisk, and the schooner was driving directly towardsthe land, with sails shortened as seemed desirable; but Dick realizedto himself the fact that he was utterly incapable of altering hercourse. With eager eyes he scrutinized his situation. Straight aheadwas a reef over which the waves were curling, and around which the surfmust be tremendous. It could hardly be more than a mile away. The windseemed brisker than before.

  After gazing awhile, Dick seemed to have come to a sudden resolution.He went quickly aft and took the helm. He had seen a little cove, andhad made up his mind that he would try and make his way into it. He didnot speak a word; he knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken;he was aware from the white foam, that there was shallow water oneither hand; but he kept the secret of the peril to himself, and soughtno counsel in coming to his fixed resolve.

  Dingo had been trotting up and down the deck. All at once he bounded tothe fore, and broke out into a piteous howl. It roused Dick from hisanxious cogitations. Was it possible that the animal recognized thecoast? It almost seemed as if it brought back some painful associations.

  The howling of the dog had manifestly attracted Negoro's attention; theman emerged from his cabin, and, regardless of the dog, stood close tothe netting; but although he gazed at the surf, it did not seem tooccasion him any alarm. Mrs. Weldon, who was watching him, fancied shesaw a flush rise to his face, which involuntarily suggested the thoughtto her mind that Negoro had seen the place before.

  Either she had no time or no wish to express what had struck her, forshe did not mention it to Dick, who, at that moment, left the helm, andcame and stood beside her.

  Dick looked as if he were taking a lingering farewell of the cove pastwhich they were being carried beyond his power to help.

  In a few moments he turned round to Mrs. Weldon, and said quietly,--

  "Mrs. Weldon, I am disappointed. I hoped to get the schooner intoyonder cove; but there is no chance now; if nothing is done, in half anhour she will be upon that reef. I have but one alternative left. Imust run her aground. It will be utter destruction to the ship, butthere is no choice. Your safety is the first and paramountconsideration."

  "Do you mean that there is no other course to be taken, Dick?"

  "None whatever," said Dick decidedly.

  "It must be as you will," she said.

  Forthwith ensued the agitating preparations for stranding. Mrs. Weldon,Jack, Cousin Benedict, and Nan were provided with life belts, whileDick and the negroes made themselves ready for being dashed into thewaves. Every precaution that the emergency admitted was duly taken.Mrs. Weldon was entrusted to the special charge of Hercules; Dick madehimself responsible for doing all he could for little Jack; CousinBenedict, who was tolerably calm, was handed over to Bat and Austin;while Actaeon promised to look after Nan. Negoro's nonchalance impliedthat he was quite capable of shifting for himself.

  Dick had the forethought also to order about a dozen barrels of theircargo to be brought in front, so that when the "Pilgrim" struck, theoil escaping and floating on the waves would temporarily lull theirfury, and make smoother water for the passage of the ship.

  After satisfying himself that there was no other measure to be taken toam
eliorate the peril, Dick Sands returned to the helm. The schooner wasall but upon the reef, and only a few cables' length from the shore;her starboard quarter indeed was already bathed in the seething foam,and any instant the keel might be expected to grate upon theunder-lying rock. Presently a change of colour in the water wasobserved; it revealed a passage between the rocks. Dick gave the wheela turn; he saw the chance of getting aground nearer to the shore thanhe had dared to hope, and he made the most of it. He steered theschooner right into the narrow channel; the sea was furious, and dashedvehemently upon the crags on either hand.

  The sea was furious, and dashed vehemently upon thecrags on either hand]

  "Now, my lads!" he cried to his crew, "now's your time; out with youroil! let it run!"

  Ready for the order, the negroes poured out the oil, and the ragingwaters were stilled as if by magic. A few moments more and perchancethey would rage more vehemently than ever. But for the instant theywere lulled.

  The "Pilgrim," meanwhile, had glided onwards, and made dead for theadjacent shore. There was a sudden shock. Caught by an enormous wavethe schooner had been hurled aground; her masts had fallen, fortunatelywithout injury to any one on board. But the vessel had partedamidships, and was foundering; the water was rushing irresistibly intothe hold.

  The shore, however, was not half a cable's length away; there was alow, dark ridge of rocks that was united to the beach; it affordedample means of rescue, and in less than ten minutes the "Pilgrim's"captain, crew, and passengers were all landed, with their lives, at thefoot of the overhanging cliff.