Part 5 (1/2)

”By means of one of the derricks,” replied Ellerton promptly.

”Quite so; but where is the power required to turn the winches to come from? We've no steam at our command, you know, and these winches are not adapted to manual power.”

The apprentice's face clouded; he thought for a few minutes, then--

”We can top one of the derricks and rig up a tackle, sir.”

”Good!” replied Mr. McKay. ”But what is the weight of the boat?”

”Ours on the _Tophet_ weighed twelve hundredweight; this one is about the same size.”

”Then rig a gun tackle, and the four of you will manage the job, I think.”

Accordingly two large double blocks were obtained and the rope rove ready for use. One of the blocks was secured to the cud of the derrick, which was then hoisted to an angle of about forty-five degrees. This took time, but at length everything was ready for the crucial test.

”Now, all together!”

The three lads and the mulatto tailed on to the rope. The blocks squeaked as the strain began to tell; the cutter began to lift, then--cras.h.!.+

Flat on their backs fell the four lads; high in the air jerked the disengaged lower block. The slings to which it had been fastened had snapped.

Slowly the victims regained their feet, Andy rubbing a tender portion of his anatomy, Terence gasping for breath, for Andy's head had well-nigh winded him. Ellerton was clapping his hands to a rapidly rising b.u.mp on the back of his head, while Quexo, whose skull was as hard as iron, was hopping all over the deck, rubbing his s.h.i.+ns, that had saved the apprentice's head at the mulatto's expense.

”Try again, boys!” shouted Andy. ”Everything on board this blessed craft seems rotten!”

A new span was placed in position, and the tackle again manned, and this time their efforts were crowned with success. The cutter rose slowly in the air, till it hung fire five feet above the shattered bulwarks.

”Belay, there! Man the guy-rope!”

The derrick swung outboard, till the cutter was poised above the water and well clear of the sloping sides of the hull.

”Lower away handsomely.”

Slowly the boat dipped, till at length she rode, sheltered under the lee of her stranded parent, upon the bosom of the ocean.

”Capital!” exclaimed Mr. McKay, as his son swarmed down the rope, disengaged the tackle, and allowed the cutter a generous length of painter.

Then the work of loading her was begun. It was decided that for the first trip nothing more than was absolutely necessary for immediate use was to be taken, until it was settled where their camp was to be fixed, and whether the island had any inhabitants.

”A small barrico of water will be sufficient, though I am certain there are springs amongst those trees,” said Ellerton. His sense of responsibility was hourly increasing. ”A barrel of flour, some tinned goods, canvas and rope for a tent.”

”Not forgetting hatchets, knives, and firearms,” added Mr. McKay.

”Firearms?”

”Aye; one never knows how the natives--if there be natives on the island--will greet us. Most of the Pacific Islanders are fairly peaceable, thanks to missionary enterprise and the fear of a visit from a wars.h.i.+p; yet cannibalism still exists. I have known instances of the crews of small 'pearlers' being treacherously surprised, killed, and eaten. So get hold of the arms; you'll probably find the key of the captain's cabin in the chart-house; if not, burst open the door.”

Ellerton departed upon his errand, and presently returned with the news that there was no trace of the key. ”Here is a s.e.xtant and a bundle of charts, however,” he added. ”They are bound to be useful, although I cannot understand the meaning of the depths on the chart.”

”They are in 'brazas,' equal to about five and a half English feet.

But, as you say, the charts will be of extreme importance to us.”