Treasure
Treasure
[Illustration: THE TREASURE OF THE "MADRE DE DIOS"]
[Illustration: THE TREASURE OF THE "MADRE DE DIOS"]
"Then out with it," replied the Captain, and as the bulky chest appeared, carefully nailed and corded, it was seized upon by a gang of lusty seamen and conveyed to the water's edge, where a boat was lying in readiness to take it to theNeptune. Seven others followed before Captain 'Enery and the men, all looking warm with their exertions, emerged from the storehouse, and the door was carefully locked.
"Now to set the watches on board both vessels," said Captain Jeremy; then in an aside to Captain 'Enery, though loud enough for me to hear, "Are our men ashore? Good! Now to settle with the rogues."
"Master Hammond, will you go and warn the crews of both vessels to muster ashore to-night? The exceptions are named on this list," he continued, slipping a paper into my hands. "They are to remain on board and keep a careful watch. Warn them on theNeptuneof the precious nature of their trust."
I made my way to the shore, where a boat conveyed me to theGolden Hope. Then, having delivered Captain Jeremy's orders and detailed the watch party, I proceeded aboard theNeptune.
Here I was met at the gangway by Tompkins, the quartermaster, whom we knew to be one of the malcontents.
"Master Clemens is sick, sir," he reported, "and desires permission to be taken ashore."
"Let him go, by all means," I replied. "What's amiss?"
"I know not," answered the man, "though it seems of the nature of an ague."
Having had the crew mustered, I repeated Captain Jeremy's orders, and proceeded to read the names of the men who were to remain. There were sixteen of the latter, being five more than the watch on board theGolden Hope, and as I called the names their bearers replied, "Here, sir."
"Gadd--Jonathan Gadd?"
No answer.
"Jonathan Gadd," I repeated; "where is he?"
No one seemed to know.
"Beck, William?"
He, too, was absent, cause unknown.
So were two others, Wood and Hoit; it could only be by design, for there were only the malcontents of the crew remaining on board theNeptune. And under the charge of these rascals were the eight treasure chests.
Having carried out my instructions, I directed the boat's crew to row back to the shore, and having secured the little craft and removed her oars, the men followed me to the stockade.
It was now night, but the open space within the palisade was lit by the glare of a huge fire. Seated around on upturned casks, or sprawling on the ground, were as many of the crews of both brigs as could be spared, besides the garrison of the stockade; and, to my surprise, I recognized Joe Clemens, who had been sent ashore, presumably ill with the ague, and also the four men who ought, according to the list of names, to have been keeping watch on board theNeptune.
Having reported myself to Captain Jeremy, I walked over to where Clemens was seated, and asked him how he felt.
"Never better in my life, Master Hammond," was his astonishing reply; from which, coupled with the fact that the other absentees from theNeptunewere not ashamed to be seen away from their posts, I concluded that 'twas all part and parcel of Captain Jeremy's plans.
The casks of spirits had been broached, and with rousing song the men, to use Captain 'Enery's expression, "let themselves go". The firelight gleamed on their bronzed, hearty features, and cast fantastic shadows upon the encircling wooden fence, where, like ghostly shapes against the dark sky, stood the sentinels who had been posted to keep watch while their comrades feasted and caroused. The air was thick with the reek of burning logs and the odour of strong waters.
Yet, in contrast to the general festivity, Captain Jeremy and his officers maintained the strictest abstinence, though they applauded with the rest as a ballad went well, or joined in a volley of chaff when a seaman broke down in a partly forgotten song.
Frequently the Captain would slip quietly away and mount the parapet, whence he would gaze steadfastly across the harbour to where the anchor lamps of the two ships glimmered like stars on the point of setting.
It was well after midnight ere the fire had burnt itself low, and the glowing embers played on the faces of men who were too tired even to join in a chorus.
"My lads," exclaimed Captain Jeremy, "'tis too late to return on board. Make yourselves as comfortable as you can here, and report yourselves to me to-morrow at eight bells."
"Three cheers for Captain Miles!" shouted a hoarse voice, and the men, having expended their last remaining energy in paying this tribute to their popular chief, trooped off to rest in the barrack-like shelters that had been erected for the comfort of the little garrison.
When all was quiet, Captain Jeremy, 'Enery, Silas Touchstone, and I walked down to the beach, followed by the boat's crew, and were rowed off to theGolden Hope.
"Turn in now, Master Clifford," said Captain Jeremy, as we gained the deck; "you must be tired out with the day's excitement and the night's revelry."
He had donned his thick peajacket, so I knew that, though he had not slumbered on the previous night, he meant to keep on deck. Something was in the wind.
Tired as I was, I could not sleep. For hours I lay awake, listening to the dull roar of the breakers on the reef and the periodical notes of the ship's bell, which, with faithful precision, were repeated on board theNeptune; while, borne on the soft air, as the land breeze blew across the bay, I could distinguish the "All's well" of the men on guard at the stockade.
Overhead I could hear a measured tramp, as the two captains paced the deck, for they had left the quarter-deck and were patrolling the poop, talking in earnest tones, though their words were inaudible.
Six bells! Would sleep never come? I sprang out of my bunk, and walking over to one of the open stern ports, I leant out.
Grey dawn was beginning to glimmer in the east, and with it came the moaning of a rising wind. Barely distinguishable against the pale night mists, I could see the outlines of theNeptune. Did my eyes deceive me? Her sails had been shaken loose and were being sheeted home.
The footsteps overhead were still. The captains had ceased their monotonous walk. Had they, too, noticed the mysterious and unauthorized manoeuvre?
Even as I watched I heard the splash of the cut cable, and, listing over to the now stiff breeze, theNeptunebegan to forge ahead.
I waited no longer; but rushed on deck, and gained the poop just as Captain Jeremy hailed, in a voice like the bellowing of a bull:
"What are ye up to, ye rascals? Heave-to, I say, or I'll sink you!"
Still theNeptunecame on, moving with increasing pace as she drew farther from the lee of the land.
"Below there," shouted the master gunner, "stand to your guns!"
The newly awakened members of our scanty crew passed through the fore hatchway in all states of clothing. They needed no second bidding, but, rushing to the guns, began to load.
Suddenly one of the gunlayers gave an exclamation of angry surprise.
"Spiked!" he shouted, with an oath.
"Same here," announced another, and a hasty examination revealed the unpleasant fact that every gun on the starboard side had an iron nail wedged into the touch-hole and broken off short.
Silas Touchstone disappeared, only to return with a box of armourer's tools. If anything was to be done it must be done speedily, for theNeptunewas now close to our quarter.
"Oh, for a single gun!" exclaimed Captain 'Enery. "We could wing her now."
Then, to my unspeakable dismay, I saw, gripping the weather-poop rail of theNeptune, the figure of my enemy, Ned Slater. He had proved his words concerning his friends on the ship by taking possession of her, thanks to the aid of the mutineers.
The light was now sufficiently strong to distinguish the hideous leer of insolent triumph on his features..
"Farewell, Captain Miles!" he shouted. "A thousand thanks for having handed over theMadretreasure, to say nothing of having provided the means to find the way out," and with an ostentatious flourish he displayed the well-known chart.
"May you be much beholden to it, you villain!" returned Captain Jeremy, and, laying hold of a musket, he fired at the double-dyed rogue.
Now, in all my experience I had never known Captain Jeremy to miss his mark at that comparatively short distance, and I fully expected to see the murderous thief fall dead on the deck. But the bullet went wide, so wide indeed that Slater never so much as ducked his head, which he would assuredly have done had it 'scaped him narrowly.
"Try again, Cap'n," came the taunting cry.
"I'll be even with you yet," shouted Captain Jeremy, as he proceeded to reload his piece.
Meanwhile our men worked their hardest to run one of the larboard guns over to the other side, but owing to the shortage of hands and the encumbered state of our decks 'twas evident that theNeptunewould be well out of range ere a single gun was in position to open fire.
Having passed well ahead of us, the disloyal brig smartly starboarded her helm and stood out for the open sea, followed by a desultory cannonade from the stockade, which, however, did little or no harm, though it proved that the men were fairly alert, in spite of their overnight carouse.
"She's off, right enough," exclaimed one of the men.
"And the treasure with her!" shouted another, in a paroxysm of rage. "Where's my share now? All lost! All lost!"
"Peace, you fool!" said Captain Jeremy sternly.
"If you have lost your share, have I not lost far more? Wait and see."
Presently most of the men who had been left in the stockade, having taken to the boats and the little sloop, came on board. Fury, disappointment, and despair were written on their faces as they gathered in the waist awaiting the orders that were not forthcoming.
"Aren't you going to weigh and chase 'em, Cap'n?" shouted one, with more zeal than discretion.
"Send away the long-boat, and we'll soon overhaul them," suggested another.
"With this sea running?" replied Captain Jeremy at length. "You would never make head way. Trust me and wait."
The crew could scarce believe their ears. Was the Captain overcome by the strain of the last few days? His pensive attitude seemed incomprehensible.
Yet Captain Jeremy was outwardly cool and collected as, glass in hand, he followed the course of the disappearingNeptune.
She was now on the bar, tossing, pitching, and rolling in the heavy breakers, for already the sea outside was running high and breaking over the shoals in one continuous field of snow-flecked foam. Yet the errant brig held slowly and truly on her course 'twixt the shallows that threatened her at half a cable's length to starboard and larboard.
She stood out close hauled on the larboard tack, the wind being due north, till she reached the bend in the channel that ran parallel with the shore. Here, being smartly handled, she turned and ran dead before the wind, her hull being lost to view from our decks by the intervening reef.
Instantly there was a scramble aloft, Captain Jeremy and I, with nearly a dozen men, gaining the main top, while the shrouds were alive with the discomfited crew as they watched from their lofty point of vantage the rapidly receding brig.
I glanced at Captain Jeremy. In spite of his coolness, I fancy his anxiety increased as theNeptuneran before the wind.
"Sink me," I heard him mutter, "she's hauling to the wind!"
This was indeed the case, but even as she did so she struck the fatal reef. The next instant she broached to, the rollers making clean breaches over her hull, and almost immediately her masts went by the board.
Then I understood, though imperfectly. Captain Jeremy, by altering the position of the clump of trees, had created a false landmark, and theNeptunehad fallen into the trap.
"There's an end to the treasure, anyway," exclaimed one of the men. "There won't be as much as a plank or a copper nail left ere night."
Having witnessed the destruction of the mutineers, Captain Jeremy descended to the deck and ordered the bos'n to pipe all hands. Then, mounting the poop, he faced the dejected men.
"My lads," he exclaimed in ringing tones, "I'll deceive you no longer. There is no need for discontent or vain regrets, for not one pennyworth of treasure is aboard yon craft. The whole of it is now lying in the storehouse on shore!"
For a full twenty seconds there was a lull or absolute silence; the men seemed unable to grasp the full significance of the words. Then, as the meaning dawned upon them, a roar of cheering burst from a hundred throats.
"If you pause to consider," continued the Captain, "you will see that I acted for the best, even though I had to practise a mild deceit on most of you. Knowing that the rogues on theNeptunewere in league with that villain Slater, I purposely caused the treasure chests, filled with stones, to be conveyed on board their craft. You will remember that at no time did I say the treasure was in those chests, but the rascals jumped at the bait. By so doing they have served a double purpose: we shall be troubled by them no more, and the loss of theNeptunehas relieved me of a great load of anxiety. How say you? What would they at home say if they saw me bringing back two ships, when I set sail with one only? I also see a way whereby those of you who were shipped as slaves aboard theNeptunecan return to your homes, or, if you will it, be set ashore at any port we touch, with your full share of the spoil of the captured buccaneer."
"I have also another proposal to make. By their mutinous conduct those aboard theNeptunewould have forfeited their share in theMadretreasure had they lived, so that the amount to be distributed amongst the remaining members of the original crew of theGolden Hopeis considerably increased. Now, I am going to set aside the amount of those forfeited shares and divide it amongst you, irrespective of rank, or whether ye be the men who left Poole in theGolden Hopeor those who joined us off theNeptune; for 'twas by the hearty efforts of all hands here that we were enabled to lay hands on the treasure. Now, lads, I thank you one and all. It only remains to load up our precious cargo, get the ship ready for sea, and yo-ho! for old England."
When the applause that greeted the termination of Captain Jeremy's speech had subsided, a number of men, headed by Tom Cherry, elbowed their way through the dense crowd of their delighted comrades.
"Cap'n," exclaimed Cherry, "I've a favour to ask you."
"Say on," replied Captain Jeremy.
"Me and my mates here," said the sturdy seaman, "want to take the long-boat and row out to yon wreck. Maybe some of the poor chaps are still aboard."
"Nay," answered the Captain, a flush of anger overspreading his bronzed features. "They are but mutinous dogs; let them perish."
"They were our comrades, an', though it shames me to say it, my brother's son is with them," Cherry said doggedly. "If we pick 'em up we can send 'em off in the sloop, and they won't harm us any more."
"A boat would never live in such a sea," observed Captain Jeremy, with a sweep of his arm in the direction of the bar, where the breakers were tumbling in white, confused masses, for it was now blowing hard outside. Yet our Captain was certainly turning aside from his hard purpose.
"We are willing to take the risk, sir," pleaded the seaman earnestly. "I've not been brought up on the coast of Kent for nothing."
"Then go. But, mind you, one condition I make. Should you bring that murderous villain Ned Slater back alive, I'll run him up to the yardarm."
Tom Cherry touched his forelock and turned away, followed by his eight comrades. The long-boat was already alongside; so, tossing a mast and sail, an empty beaker, and a coil of grass rope into her, the dauntless men dropped over the side of theGolden Hopeand pushed off.
"You are quite certain of the channel, I hope, Cherry?" shouted Captain Jeremy.
"Yes, sir; and besides, there's enough water over the shoals for us."
"Not with this tumble outside; so be careful, and keep to the smoothest water."
"More food for the sharks," I heard a seaman say, as he watched the boat gather way.
Hoisting a mere rag of sail, the daring rescuers headed for the open, the boat speeding under the pressure of the howling wind, while Tom Cherry steered her adroitly to meet each threatening comber. At one moment we could see nearly the whole of the boat's bottom boards, as she climbed an immense wall of water; at another, only her long, lean quarters and stern, as she slid down the far side of the safely passed crest.
Once more we manned the rigging, and with eager eyes and apprehensive looks followed the hazardous fortunes of our humane comrades as they turned and ran down before the wind towards the wreck.
From my swaying perch on the main top--for even in this usually sheltered harbour a heavy "gush" caused theGolden Hopeto roll sluggishly--I had great difficulty in keeping the boat within the field of my telescope. The men had now stowed sail, and under oars were backing slowly towards the shatteredNeptune, the figure of Tom Cherry being clearly distinguishable as he stood, steering oar in hand, keeping the boat's stern to the towering crests.
By this time the after part of theNeptunehad completely disappeared, and the waist was fast breaking up under the relentless blows of the resistless breakers; yet through the cloud of spray that dashed over the fo'c'sle I could see the forms of some half a dozen helpless creatures hanging on to the frail protection afforded by the weather rail.
The men in the long-boat were now rowing their hardest to keep to windward of the wreck. They were evidently paying out the beaker by the grass warp in the hope of establishing a communication 'twixt the two craft. It was a life-or-death struggle with the elements--English courage and brawn pitted against the combined action of wind and sea. Which would win?
Suddenly a heavy rain squall came on, bearing down the crested waves with its weight, and obliterating everything within a quarter of a mile of us.
When the squall passed, a groan of dismay burst from our lips. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but a chaos of angry sea and sky. Both the wreck and the gallant long-boat had vanished.
For the rest of that fateful day the greatest despondency prevailed amongst our crew. The fate of their devoted comrades, whose lives had been thrown away in a useless attempt to save a worthless lot of mutineers, weighed heavily on their minds. Even the thought of the treasure being safe in our possession hardly asserted itself.
But with the morning there came a change. The storm, short and fierce, had blown itself out, and once more the tropical sun poured its scorching rays upon the gently heaving waters. Not only had theNeptunedisappeared from view, but the gale had swept away the few remaining fragments of the pirate shipBlack Arrow, so that another link with the adventurous past had been severed.
Seamen, from their constant exposure and peril, are ever ready to rise above their misfortunes, though these are not easily forgotten; and so it was with the crew of theGolden Hope. The dejected mien so observable on the preceding day gave place to a bustle of activity, for much had to be done ere we were ready to weigh anchor and set sail on our homeward voyage.
The brig had to be careened, so that as much as possible of the thick deposit of weeds and barnacles 'neath the waterline could be scraped off; while ashore great cauldrons of pitch bubbled over the fires, for much paying and caulking of seams had to be done ere theGolden Hopecould be deemed sufficiently seaworthy for her long voyage.
While the work was in progress Captain Jeremy ordered a party of men to remove the false landmark, and to place in the former position of the clump of trees a tall pole, surmounted by a large triangle conspicuously painted black and white. Without this mark it would be well-nigh impossible to get our correct bearings, and theGolden Hopewould doubtless share the fate of the ill-starredNeptuneunless we took the narrow channel by which theAntelopehad arrived. But this course would be impracticable with the winds prevailing at this time of the year, hence the importance of the newly erected pole.
At length the scraping and pitching of the brig's hull was completed, and theGolden Hoperode once more on an even keel. The work of transporting the treasure from the stockade was now carried out in earnest, and without mishap the whole of the precious stuff was safely stowed in theGolden Hope'sstrong room, under the poop deck.
This done, it was thought prudent to dismantle and evacuate the stockade.
The ordnance was removed and taken aboard the brig; the powder, of which we had a considerable reserve, was carefully stowed in her magazines. Silas Touchstone had proposed to destroy the stockade and the buildings within it by fire, but to this proposal Captain Jeremy refused to give his consent, observing that they might be useful to any castaways who might have the misfortune to land on the island.
The small craft that had been taken from the buccaneers after their rout by Silas Touchstone were beached as far as possible in the most secluded part of the harbour. Though the wind and the sun would ere long reduce them to mere wrecks, Captain Jeremy, in his humanity, thought they might also be of service to others.
Then, having watered the ship, filling all the available barricoes in addition to the tanks, for we knew not whether to make straight for home or to put into Port Royal, we prepared to spend our last night in the harbour of Treasure Island. Accordingly, having, as we thought, finally severed our connection with the shore, we hoisted in our boats, preparatory to making a start at dawn.
About an hour after sunset I was pacing the deck, when I heard a hail from shore: "Golden Hope, ahoy!"
Several of the watch on deck also caught the cry, but, too astonished to reply, they crowded to the bulwarks and listened with awestruck feelings for a repetition of the hail.
Again the shout, "Golden Hope, ahoy!" pierced the darkness.
"Who can it be?" muttered one of the men. "All hands are aboard, for they were mustered just before eight bells."
"I like it not," replied another, with a shudder. "'Tis the ghosts of the slain men. We'll never reach home after this."
"Run and tell the Cap'n," suggested a third, with more good sense than his comrades.
Just as Captain Jeremy came on deck the hail was again repeated.
"Who are ye, and what d'ye want?" shouted our Captain. He, too, was puzzled by the mysterious cry. Something was shouted in reply, but the words were unintelligible.
"Lower away a boat," ordered Captain Jeremy curtly.
The men moved aft to obey, obviously with reluctance.
"What are ye afraid of?" demanded our commander. "I'll go ashore in her. Take arms and a lantern, and we'll soon sift this business."
The boat was lowered and the falls cleared, and the men, tumbling into her, brought her round to the gangway. Here Captain Jeremy stepped into the stern sheets, whither I followed, eager to solve the mystery.
When within twenty yards of the shore the boat was turned till her stern pointed landwards. Captain Jeremy stood up, striving by the aid of the lantern that one of the men held behind him to penetrate the darkness. I could distinguish a knot of men close to the water's edge.
"Who are ye, and what d'ye want?" repeated Captain Jeremy.
"We've come back," replied a voice that I failed to recognize. Then, after a pause, it continued: "Tom Cherry and the long-boat's crew."
"Run her ashore, men," shouted Captain Jeremy excitedly, and as the boat's forepart grounded on the shingle our men jumped out to welcome those who we thought were dead.
They were all present, nine all told, but with what a change in their appearance! Even the yellow light of the lantern failed to disguise the pale, gaunt features of Tom Cherry and his men. Their clothes were in rags, and shoes they had none, though most of the poor fellows had their feet bound with strips of cloth.
"The boat's safe enow, sir," exclaimed Cherry feebly, as he raised his hand to the salute with an effort. "She's----"
"Never mind that," replied our Captain. "Get aboard as fast as you can, and don't say another word till you are fed and rested."
'Twas easy to order the men to hasten aboard the boat, but so weak were they that they had to be assisted over the gunwale, while, to get them over the side of theGolden Hope, a bos'n's chair had to be rigged. At length they were safely aboard, where it was painful to see the poor wretches devour the food that was given them. Had they had their will, they would assuredly have killed themselves by their ravenousness; but having supplied them with small quantities of broth, Captain Jeremy ordered them to be placed in their hammocks and fed again in an hour's time.
The return of Cherry and the long-boat's crew prevented our sailing at the appointed time, for since their craft was, according to the gallant coxswain, "safe and sound", Captain Jeremy decided to bring it back to the ship, as it was the most useful boat we carried.
The sufferers recovered sufficiently by the morning to tell us of their hazardous adventures. When caught by the squall they were swept to leeward of theNeptunejust as she disappeared, but were unable to save any of the mutineers. Every moment they expected to find themselves struggling in the water, for the boat was being carried right over the shoals, on which the breakers were falling heavily. But for the presence of mind of Tom Cherry, who ordered the mast and sail to be lashed to the grass rope and thrown overboard, so that the boat's head was kept to the crested waves, the long-boat would not have kept afloat. As it was, this floating anchor acted as a kind of breakwater, much of the force of the waves being expended ere they passed under the boat. Even then several seas broke over it, necessitating continuous bailing.
Ere the rain squall ceased they had been carried past the south-western extremity of the island, where, being more under the lee of the land, and the sea being deeper, the waves did not run so high. Nevertheless, in their exhausted condition, they could not make headway, and when two oars broke they were compelled to let themselves drift, riding in comparative safety to their sea anchor.
During the night the wind dropped and the sea subsided, but being without a compass and unable to see the island in the darkness, they had to drift about till nearly two hours after midnight. Then, the sky becoming clear, they were enabled to take a rough bearing by the stars. Dawn found them with the island nearly below the horizon, but after five hours' hard and laborious pulling they managed to land at a little cove at the south end.
Here they found a path leading northwards, and after several hours' walk, during which time they made a sorry meal of berries and water, they recognized their road as being the same as we had taken when we recovered the treasure. After great privations, and filled with fears that theGolden Hopehad sailed, they managed to struggle through the forest by the path we had made during our first expedition into the interior, and arrived at the shore, having lost their way more than once in the intense darkness.
During the day one of our boats was dispatched to bring back the long-boat. As Cherry had reported, she was practically undamaged, and with a favourable breeze both craft were alongside the brig well before sunset.
At daybreak on the following morning the welcome order to weigh was given, and as the capstan revolved to the cheery song of the seamen the anchor came home, after an acquaintance of nearly two years with the bed of the bay.
The wind had again backed, and blew lightly from the north'ard, so that it was unwise to attempt to beat through the shorter and more recently discovered channel that passed inside the shoal on which I had had such a hazardous adventure.
Nevertheless, we negotiated the bends of the other passage in safety, thanks to the replacement of the navigation mark on shore, though everyone was anxious till the lead gave a depth of forty fathoms.
An hour later the highest peak of Treasure Island had vanished 'neath the horizon. We were homeward bound.
That same day the wind, hitherto mainly from the north'ard, suddenly changed, and blew freshly from the south-west. Nevertheless, as we were in the joint current caused by the union of the North Equatorial and the Canaries' Stream, our progress was slow.
Neither could we hope for long to be favoured by the breeze, as we were in the zone of the north-east Trades; so Captain Jeremy decided to skirt the windward side of the Lesser Antilles and the Bahama Islands, and thus gain the double advantage of the Gulf Stream and the prevailing south-westerly winds off the coast of North America. Having progressed thus far, the proposal at one time talked of to repair to Port Royal was given over, and our first place of call was to be the Bermudas.
'Enery was now relegated to the post of first mate. He seemed quite content with the reversal of his position, since he hoped, should he reach England safely, to purchase an interest in a ship, and sail in command.
I do not believe that there was a discontented man on the ship. Thanks to our good fortune, the individual share of the treasure would be considerable, and everyone was in high glee; and as each hour brought us nearer to Old England's shores, the men's spirits rose to such an extent that I wondered what they would be like when they set foot in Poole once more.
On the third day of our homeward voyage we were sailing close-hauled on the larboard tack, with the island of Barbuda just visible away to windward.
The day was hot and sultry, and, the breeze being light, theGolden Hopewas barely doing more than two knots.
Suddenly there was a shout from the look-out on the fo'c'sle that a small craft was in sight. As this served to break the monotony, there was a rush for'ard to see what kind of vessel it might be.
"It's a deserted boat," exclaimed Clemens, who had snatched up a telescope. "At least, I can perceive no one in her."
As theGolden Hopewas heading almost straight for the derelict, a very slight alteration in her course would bring her close alongside, so Captain Jeremy ordered this to be effected.
"There's a man in her, a-lyin' with his head over the side," shouted a seaman. "I can see him moving his arm."
"That is so," assented Captain Jeremy, after a prolonged examination through his glass. "A survivor of some wreck, I expect. Anyway, he'll be as dead as a marline-spike before we get alongside, if he remain like that, with the sun pouring on him."
"He's dead, right enough," said 'Enery, after a while. "'Tis the tossing of the boat that makes him move."
'Enery was right. Hanging over the gunwale, with one arm trailing in the water, was the corpse of a man. We could not see his face, but the nape of the neck was blackened from exposure to the sun. The arm moved sluggishly with every roll of the little craft, giving the corpse the appearance of being alive.
"Poor fellow! Starved to death, I take it," said Touchstone softly. "I've seen that sort of thing before to-day. Shall we run alongside, sir?"
"Aye," replied Captain Jeremy. "We might just as well, in case we can do anything."
Silence fell upon the crew as theGolden Hopecrept slowly towards the floating monument of an ocean tragedy, till all at once the master gunner shouted:
"By Jove, that's one of our chests!"
We were now near enough to see over the gunwale as the boat rolled in the oily swell. Lashed amidships, 'twixt two of the thwarts, was one of the boxes we had made, ostensibly for the storing of theMadretreasure. Then, like lightning, the truth flashed across my mind: I was gazing at the corpse of Ned Slater.
The chest told a silent tale. The villain must have begun loading the boat directly theNeptunestruck the reef; then, seeing that the ship was doomed, he sprang into the little craft, basely deserting his companions in crime. By some means the boat had escaped being swamped, and, offering little resistance to the wind, had been carried by the current in a northerly direction. When the gale died away, Slater must have prised open the lid of the chest to bloat over its contents, only to find a load of stones within. Either through the fury of his baffled hopes, or through the stern necessity of lightening the little craft, he had hurled the valueless cargo overboard, for the chest was empty. Helpless, and blown far from land, the villain had died a horrible death from slow starvation.
Springing into the fore chains, 'Enery, with boat-hook in hand, caught at the gunwale of the boat as it slowly drifted alongside. He made a sign to a couple of seamen, who, understanding, brought a heavy shot wrapped up in a piece of canvas. Nimbly dropping into the boat, one of the men quickly fastened the weight to the body of the ill-fated wretch; then, staving a plank with an axe, he sprang back into our fore chains.
'Enery disengaged the boat-hook, and ere theGolden Hopehad drifted clear the boat sank beneath the waters of the Atlantic, and the body of my father's murderer disappeared from view till the time when the sea shall give up the dead that are in it.
I was glad that 'Enery had behaved thus. He had acted generously to the memory of a man who had done his best to raise his hand against every member of our crew. The rogue had paid the penalty and had received his deserts, though in my calmer moments I rejoiced that he had not met his death at my hands.
Soon after this gruesome incident we picked up a steady breeze that enabled us to make rapid progress, and seven days after leaving Treasure Island we crossed the Tropic of Cancer.
It was all plain sailing till we were within a few hundred miles of the Bermudas, when a heavy gale caused the main topmast of theGolden Hopeto spring.
In this crippled condition the brig crawled into the harbour on whose shores the principal settlements are built, but ere we could effect repairs an awful hurricane, the worst I have ever met, or hope to meet, burst over the islands.
The storm came on quite suddenly, and almost before we had time to strike our still-standing fore-topmast, and veer out all our cable. Even in the comparatively sheltered harbour where we lay the sea was churned into a seething cauldron of foam, whilst ashore the damage was terrific. The lightly built huts of the settlers were unroofed and most of the trees blown down; and so great was the havoc wrought that 'twas a matter of difficulty to get our damaged topmast repaired till nearly six weeks after the storm.
While lying in harbour we learnt from an outward bound West Indiaman that things at home were in a very unsettled state, for almost all men were dissatisfied with King James.
Yet--so suspicious had Englishmen become of each other--we could gather no definite information, though many hints were thrown out concerning what we might expect to find on our arrival at home.
At length, on the second day of October, 1688, we weighed and set sail on the last stage of our homeward voyage, and late on the forenoon of the following day the last of the low-lying Bermudas was lost to view.
During the next three weeks nothing untoward occurred. TheGolden Hopepursued her course over a seemingly boundless ocean, with never a sail to break the skyline, till, when, according to our reckoning, we were within ninety miles of Land's End, I was aroused just after midnight by the shout:
"A light on the starboard bow."
Gleaming faintly through the darkness, I could distinguish a small column of flame, apparently ten miles away, which faded and waxed stronger at close intervals.
"What d'ye make of it, sir?" asked 'Enery, as he and Captain Jeremy mounted the poop ladder to get a better view of the mysterious light.
"Make of it? Why, it can be but one thing. 'Tis a ship on fire."
Within an hour or so we had approached sufficiently near to the conflagration to prove the truth of Captain Jeremy's assertion.
It was a large vessel burning from bow to stern, the flames mounting to a tremendous height and casting a lurid glow on a thick column of smoke that blew miles to leeward. The masts and spars of the ship were still standing, though licked by the devouring fire, while her double line of ports shone like a line of gigantic glow-worms.
Even at the distance we were from her we could hear the crackling of the burning woodwork, and the subdued roar of the flames as they issued from the bowels of that floating inferno.
"Near enough!" exclaimed Captain Jeremy. "'Twill not do to get to leeward of her. Heave-to and lower away a boat; we may be able to render assistance, though I fear 'tis too late."
These orders were promptly carried out, and theGolden Hopewas brought-to at about three-quarters of a mile from the burning ship. 'Enery, with a willing crew, took one of the quarter-boats and rowed boldly towards the vessel, while lanterns were hung on our rigging and guns were fired at frequent intervals to attract the attention of any boat-load of survivors that might have managed to effect an escape.
Spellbound, I, with the rest of our remaining crew, watched the conquering progress of the devouring element. Yard after yard came crashing down from aloft, the blazing timber plunging into the sea with a loud hiss as the flames were extinguished in the water. The tarred and hempen shrouds, long since severed at the deadeyes, were dangling like fiery serpents from the swaying masts; while ever and anon the shotted guns of her broadside would discharge their dangerous contents, the balls ricochetting on the surface of the sea with a series of fountain-like jets. Some of the shots passed unpleasantly close to theGolden Hope, and orders were given to forge ahead till we were well in line with the stern of the burning ship, where, being still to windward, we were in no danger.
Meanwhile we could perceive 'Enery and his men pulling slowly round the ship at a respectful distance, the shot whizzing well over their heads; and though the mate was to be seen standing up in the stern sheets and carefully examining whatever floating piece of wreckage they came across, we knew that none of the unfortunate crew had been taken into the boat. If still alive, where were they?
The roar of our ordnance, fired at regular intervals, added to the din; yet this signal seemed useless, for no strange craft was to be seen rowing for the shelter offered by theGolden Hope.
Suddenly, with a loud crash, the foremast of the vessel went by the board, and lay, still burning fiercely, across the fo'c'sle. The mainmast soon followed, but, falling clear of the ship, it drifted close alongside, the damp timber still emitting a dense cloud of smoke.
By now the vessel had burned almost to the water's edge amidships, and crash after crash could be heard as the guns plunged through the burning planks into the hold. The fo'c'sle and poop still reared themselves high above the sea, the latter surmounted by a pillar of fire that encircled the mizen-mast.
Suddenly the dazzling glare of the flames was eclipsed by a flash so brilliant that I was obliged to close my eyes to shut out its brightness. Then came the deafening roar of an explosion, and opening my eyes, I saw the air filled with flying pieces of shattered timber. The magazine had taken fire.
Almost immediately the fire was extinguished; a thick cloud of smoke hovered over the spot where the ship had been, while aloft a thousand fitful streaks of light marked the downward course of the burning timbers that had been shot up to an immense height.
For a full half minute the meteor-like flight continued, till the hiss of the last of the burning timbers ceased and a great darkness, intensified by the sudden cessation of the glare, overspread the agitated sea.
We were now considerably concerned for the safety of 'Enery and the boat's crew, for they were exposed to a great danger from the falling wreckage, till the gleam of the boat's lantern showed that they were at least still afloat.
At length the men rowed back to the brig, having sustained no damage, though their faces were blackened with the smoke and particles of dust that enveloped everything within half a mile of the burning vessel.
"No sign of anyone," reported 'Enery, as he came over the side, "though they may have taken to the boats long before we arrived."
"That's true," assented Captain Jeremy, "so keep the signal guns firing till dawn."
"'Tis well that there's no sea running," said the mate. "A few hours in an open boat will do no harm on a night like this, e'en though the air is sharp."
"Not if we pick them up," added Captain Jeremy; "but I should not wonder if they have already shaped a course for land. Yet do you keep the brig hove-to till daylight."
The day broke with a red, angry sky that betokened foul weather. The wind, hitherto light, began to strengthen, and an ominous swell presaged rough water within a few miles of us.
Sunrise revealed no trace of the boats of the ill-fated ship, so, ordering theGolden Hopeto be again placed on her course, Captain Jeremy retired to his cabin to enjoy a well-earned repose.
Hardly had he turned in when, just as seven bells was striking, the look-out reported four boats ahead.
Instantly there was a rush to see what manner of craft they were, and it was soon evident that they were indeed the boats from the burning ship.
By this time there was a fairly high sea running, and the boats, having perceived our approach, had turned and lay on their oars, with their bows facing us, the men giving an occasional stroke to keep the boats so that they met the rollers bows on.
"She was no ordinary trader," observed Silas Touchstone, pointing to the little flotilla. "Yon boats are crowded to excess. There's a couple of hundred aboard 'em, or I'm a Dutchman."
"They would never reach land with the wind piping up as it is doing," said Captain Jeremy, who had been roused from his cabin, giving a hasty glance to windward. "Stand by to shorten sail."
Already three of the boats had shipped several seas, for we could see the men bailing vigorously. There was not a moment to be lost.
It being now eight bells, we hoisted our ensign, according to custom, and the sight of the Cross of St. George was hailed by a cheer that was faintly borne to our ears from the still distant boats. If the survivors had had any doubts as to our nationality, they were now set at rest.
"Hands shorten sail!" Hardly had the last notes of the bos'n's mate's whistle died away, when the topmen were flying away aloft; the courses were taken up, the topsail yards lowered, and slowly theGolden Hopebegan to lose way.
"Women and children too, by Jove!" ejaculated Captain Jeremy, as the boats made towards us. "'Tis well we are close to land, or we would be hard put to it to feed them."
"'Twill mean half rations, in any case," replied 'Enery, "though the men will not mind that."
"I'm sure they won't," assented the Captain. "But stand by; let the men prepare bowlines, or we'll never get the women aboard without mishap."
A long-boat, with most of its passengers huddled on the bottom boards, was the first to get alongside, and willing hands helped the weary men to climb our heaving sides. This done, 'twas easier for our people to board the boat and fix the bowlines round the waists of the female passengers; and without a hitch, though the frightened women made no little commotion, we had them safely aboard. The crew followed, and we having no further use for the boat, she was cast adrift.
The second and third boats were also relieved of their human loads and likewise sent adrift, but the fourth gave us more trouble.
Being handled with less skill than her consorts, she crashed broadside on to theGolden Hopejust as the brig was recovering from a heavy roll, with the result that some of the boat's planks were stove in and she commenced to fill.
In the confusion several of the passengers, despite the assurances of the officers and seamen in the boat, jumped to their feet, so that the already heavily laden craft was in imminent danger of capsizing.
Ropes were thrown from the towering sides of theGolden Hopeamidst a loud shout of "Women first!" Yet (though some excuse must be made for their cowardice) several of the men sprang for our bulwarks. Others, with more presence of mind, assisted in slipping the bowlines over the shoulders of the women; and as each one was hoisted aboard the danger of the boat being swamped became less.
Just as the last female passenger was being hauled up, the knot in the rope that held her became unhitched-no doubt 'twas a landlubber who tied it--and the next instant she was struggling in the sea.
It so happened that at that moment I was standing in the main chains with a coil of rope in my hands, ready to throw it into the boat.
Fastening one end of the line round my waist, and calling to some of our men to tail on to the other end, I took a flying leap into the water. In my haste I miscalculated the distance that the brig rolled, and ere I struck the surface I came into violent contact with the side of theGolden Hopeas she swung back to larboard.
Half-dazed with the blow and well-nigh breathless, I plunged, or rather rolled, into the water. The shock of the immersion recovered me some what, and I struck out to where I had seen the girl sink for the second time.
Guided by the bubbles that rose to the surface, I swam downwards for nearly two fathoms, till just beneath me I saw her feebly struggling form.
Grasping her by the hair--the only time I have ever served a woman thus--I reached the surface in a few strokes, and called to the men to haul handsomely on the rope. Then disengaging my hand and throwing my left arm tightly round the girl's waist, I waited for theGolden Hopeto come to the end of a roll, and shouted to the men to heave roundly. This they did, and in a trice we were on the deck of the brig.
By this time the work of rescuing the other occupants of the boat had been completed. The female passengers had been sent into the after cabins, there to be rigged out in motley garments of blankets, sailcloth, and what not. The male passengers were sent willy-nilly into the fo'c'sle, where they and the crew of the lost ship were accommodated with the spare clothing of our men. The captain of the vessel, a short, red-faced man, was almost beside himself at the loss of his vessel, asserting in no mild tones that she had been fired maliciously, and that he knew the culprit and would hand him up to justice at the first port we touched. Strangely enough, he uttered no expression of gratitude for the deliverance of the ship's company and passengers from the perils of the deep, nor did he seem sensible of the services we had rendered.
The ill-fated vessel was thePhoenixof London, bound for Richmond and other parts of Virginia with a full cargo and a great number of settlers, mostly men of means who were dissatisfied with the state of things at home, and hoped to live with greater freedom in the New World. Many of them had lost their all, yet the worst sufferers seemed by far the most stouthearted of the forlorn crowd.
ThePhoenixwas but four days out from the Downs when, just after sunset, the alarm of fire was raised, and soon dense volumes of smoke were seen issuing from the fore hatch, apparently from the lamp and oil room. Already the flames had taken a good hold, and in spite of the utmost efforts of the crew, aided by many of the passengers, the fire steadily gained, till just before midnight the order was given to abandon the ship.
Directly the whole of the passengers and crew were embarked, the boats pushed off and shaped a course for the Lizard, and having the burning ship 'twixt them and us, they were prevented by the thick cloud of smoke and the roar of the flames from seeing our lights or hearing our signal guns.
Daylight showed them our sails well down to the west'ard, so, on making sure that we were proceeding in their direction, they abandoned the attempt to reach land, and waited for us to come up. 'Twas as well they did so, for all were of the opinion that none of the boats would have reached shore.
Having been unable to change my saturated clothing, the after cabins being, as I have said, given over to the women, I borrowed some clothes from one of the men, putting on a thick pilot coat over all, for the air was raw, especially after our lengthy sojourn in the Tropics.
Then, to regain warmth, I began to pace the deck vigorously. In the midst of my walk the poop door opened, and a girl appeared. In spite of her quaint appearance--for she wore a skirt fashioned from a red blanket and a coat that belonged to Captain Jeremy--my heart gave a sudden bound, for I was face to face with my sister Constance!
The surprise and recognition were mutual. Only the untoward state of my sister's garments prevented her from throwing herself into my arms. As it was, she could only grasp my hand and exclaim:
"Oh, Clifford, you here! I thought you were dead long ago."
"Far from it," I replied, leading her to the shelter of the weather bulwarks, for the wind was now howling fiercely. "But tell me, how came you here?"
"'Tis a long story," she said, striving to keep back the tears of joy that welled to her eyes. "But why--oh, there's Captain Jeremy!"
And at that moment our Captain came down the poop ladder, to find, to his unbounded astonishment, that Constance was one of the rescued passengers.
It was some time ere we dispensed with small talk and entered into the more important details of our respective adventures, when Captain Jeremy listened with rapt attention to my sister's narrative, occasionally giving vent to a hearty exclamation of approval as she told her story.
"You would hardly realize the consternation that your disappearance caused. At first our uncle thought you had left the house by stealth in order to go fishing, and promised you a warm reception on your return. But when evening came and you did not return, we began to grow anxious----"
"There you are," exclaimed Captain Jeremy. "Did I not say you were a young rascal, when you were found in the hold? Didst give a single thought to your worthy relative's distress?"
"There was a hue and cry raised, but though the countryside was searched most diligently, not a trace of you was found. A month or so later a lad's body was found in the Lym stream, and though 'twas well-nigh unrecognizable, our uncle was convinced 'twas yours. At any rate, he came to the conclusion that you had been drowned while swimming in the river, and the body was buried as that of Clifford Hammond."
"Then another misfortune came. Uncle John was thrown from his horse near Buckland Rings, and received such severe injuries to his head that in less than a week he died. Thus I was left without a relative in England. In my distress I thought of our mother's brother's wife, whom I knew to be living somewhere in Virginia; and being, as I thought, without a single tie at home, I resolved to adventure myself in the New World. With this object in view I went to see Lawyer Thompson of Lymington, who had, as you know, the ordering of our affairs. He approved of my resolve, but urged me to wait until definite news could be obtained of our relative's whereabouts. Accordingly a letter was sent by the hand of one Captain Joseph Bennett, whose shipPrudencewas about to sail for the port of Richmond."
"Four months later I had a reply, brought by the same Captain Bennett, to the effect that Mistress Green, our maternal aunt, would be glad to receive me."
"ThePrudencewas timed to sail again from Gravesend on the following Thursday week, and having made arrangements for my passage, I prepared for the hazardous journey."
"At length I bade farewell to the home of my childhood. Lawyer Thompson accompanied me as far as Southampton, whence the coach was to carry me to London. It was a tedious two days' journey, with the best part of another day's ride to Gravesend."
"On arriving at the latter place I found, to my consternation, that thePrudencehad sailed on a special voyage to Hull, and would not be back for another fortnight."
"There was nothing to do but wait, and by good fortune I found a comfortable lodging at the house of one Mistress Thetwell. But once again I was doomed to disappointment. ThePrudencenever returned to the Thames--she was lost, with all her crew, off Yarmouth--so I was obliged to wait at Gravesend until such time as I could find a ship that was sailing for Virginia."
"While awaiting this opportunity I chanced one day to be taking the air along the Rochester road, when I heard the sound of a horse galloping behind me. I turned, and saw a mettlesome nag bolting down the highway, while, clinging desperately to the animal's mane, was a girl of about my own age."
"As you know, Clifford, I was always used to horses, so as the brute rushed by I caught at the dangling bridle. The nag carried me some distance, and just as I had mastered him he trod on my foot. The pain was intense, and I was barely conscious of seeing the girl slip from the saddle ere I swooned."
"When I recovered my senses I found myself in a strange bed, with a motherly lady watching me."
"She was Mistress Farndale, wife of a wealthy landowner, and it was her daughter Winifred whose horse I had helped to stop. All the members of the family were kind to me beyond measure, and, hearing my story, proposed that I should stay as a companion to Winifred till an opportunity occurred for me to take ship. And, strange to say, I felt perfectly contented and happy, actually hoping that that opportunity was yet a long way off."
"At length Master Farndale, for having spoken too openly in favour of Archbishop Sancroft, was threatened with arrest; so, having disposed of most of his property, he took ship for Virginia, having previously made arrangements for his family to follow directly he had prepared a suitable home for them."
"Thus I was able to carry out my original intentions, without having to undergo the grief of parting from my newly found friends, when we took passage on thePhoenix. There were Mistress Farndale, Rupert and Gerald, her sons; and Winifred and myself, together with a maid."
"I need not relate what happened on our unfortunate voyage, for you already know of it; but when we were being taken on board this ship from the boat Winifred fell into the sea, and someone rescued her----"
"Lucky lad! Lucky lad!" exclaimed Captain Jeremy, bringing his open hand down heavily on my back, to my great confusion. Then, as Constance was at a loss to understand this sudden outburst, he explained: "You see, Mistress Constance, 'twas your brother who jumped after her. Sink me! 'twas a plucky action, for he was like to have had his head crushed like an eggshell by the ship's side. But I must away, for 'tis about time we made a landfall." So saying, he hurried on to the poop, leaving us to continue our conversation.
"I, too, have news for you," said I. "Constance, we are now rich, for theMadretreasure has been found. It is on board this very ship."
"How much is it worth?" she asked, with true feminine curiosity.
"Nay, I cannot say to a certainty, yet 'tis enough for us to be for ever free from monetary difficulties."
Then I related all the principal incidents of our voyage, not omitting the terrible fate of my father's murderer, till our conversation was interrupted by the welcome cry of "Land--ho!"
From the poop I gazed once more upon the shores of Old England, after an absence of three years, for on our larboard bow I could discern the dark, lofty outlines of the Lizard, the southernmost headland of our isle.
TheGolden Hopewas now bowling along under easy canvas at a good six knots, and ere night the dreaded Eddystone, rearing its ugly reef above the breakers, was well abeam, and the rugged Devon coast away on our larboard bow. Should this breeze continue, to-morrow's eve would find us safe in Poole Harbour.
Just before sunset most of the rescued passengers, having recovered from their harrowing experience, came on deck, and Constance immediately gave me an introduction to Mistress Farndale and her daughter.
Presently we were joined by Rupert and Gerald Farndale, whose acquaintance I had made earlier in the day; and together we formed quite a happy party, talking under the break of the poop deck until it was quite dark.
Then the ladies retired, while I, lying in a hammock slung under the crowded fo'c'sle, dreamed of Constance and Winifred, till I was awakened by the violent ringing of the ship's bell and the hoarse order, "Put your helm up, or we'll be run down!"