Part 2 (1/2)

”No, sir,” answered the boatswain; ”but any one who is acquainted with these parts must know that it is the only thing to be done to save the brig and our lives. For who can tell that we may not be ash.o.r.e any moment!”

”You are a mutinous rascal,” exclaimed Kydd. ”I will not allow the brig to be brought to an anchor till I see fit. We are fifty miles off the coast, and more than that, perhaps.”

”What, with fifty fathom only under our keel!” exclaimed the boatswain.

”What is the meaning, too, of these breakers away in the south-east?

Mr Kydd, we must anchor, and you ought to know it.”

I looked out in the direction towards which the boatswain pointed. The sun was already sinking into the ocean, and his rays lighted up a line of foam, or what looked like it, in the south-east.

Kydd, on the boatswain's remark, broke out into a furious pa.s.sion, and, hurrying into his cabin, appeared again with a brace of pistols in his hand. Placing them in his belt, he walked the deck, muttering incoherently to himself. No one interfered. I felt unwilling to go below, though the steward called me to supper. The sun had long disappeared--the moon rose, and shed a bright silvery light upon the ocean. It was perfectly calm; and as, on looking round, I could see no breakers, nor hear their sound, I at length turned in. I was too anxious, however, to sleep long. On going on deck and again looking out, there I saw, not a quarter of a mile off a black ledge of rocks rising some feet out of the water. The brig was drifting by them at a rate which showed how strong a current was running. What was my surprise to see a boat coming off from the rock. ”What is that?” I asked.

”Why, I have treated one mutinous rascal as I intend to treat you if you follow his example,” answered Kydd, who heard my question.

I was too much astonished to speak. After pacing the deck for a few minutes I went below to consult with Stanley.

”We must put him under arrest,” he said at length. ”But go on deck and learn how the men take the proceeding.”

On my return I found the boat alongside. The crew climbed on board.

Could they really have executed so barbarous an order! Great was my relief to find the boatswain among them.

”You rascals, I ordered you to land him on these rocks!” exclaimed Kydd, when he caught sight of the old man.

”So we did; and he ordered us to take him off again,” answered one of the crew. ”We have as good a right to obey him as you, Mr Kydd. If you was to die, like the captain and first mate, he's the only officer left to take charge of the brig.”

Kydd was a coward. This answer silenced him, and without uttering a word he went below.

The pa.s.sengers a.s.sembled at breakfast the next morning with anxious faces. They knew that something was very wrong, but could not exactly tell what. The calm continued. A thick mist hung over the ocean as on the previous day, the rocks were no longer in sight, the vessel floated tranquilly on the treacherous waters. Kydd had completely recovered himself. He had the awning spread, and with a smiling countenance invited the pa.s.sengers to come on deck, and tried to make himself agreeable to Miss Rowley. Some time thus pa.s.sed. At last I saw the boatswain and several of the men coming up.

”Mr Kydd,” said the former, ”I have to ask you whether you intend to anchor, and try to keep the s.h.i.+p out of danger or not?”

”Not till the land is in sight, and I see the necessity,” answered Kydd quite calmly. He said nothing more for a minute or so. Then suddenly he exclaimed in a furious tone, ”But I am not going to be dictated to by a set of mutinous scoundrels.” I need not repeat all his words.

Just at that moment I heard that peculiar low, suppressed roar which a seaman knows so well to indicate breakers I begged the mate to listen, telling him what I had heard, but he was deaf to reason, and declared he would only anchor when he saw fit. He seemed to have gone out of his mind, and I felt that I should be justified in a.s.sisting the crew in putting him under restraint; but he was in reality as much in his senses as ever, though under the influence of his pa.s.sion and obstinacy. Just at that moment another roller came in toward the brig from the westward, and the next instant all on deck were almost thrown off their feet. A blow was felt which made her shake fore and aft, and the water, which had hitherto not even rippled against her side, now broke over her in a shower of spray. The pa.s.sengers started up. Kate clasped her little sister round the neck, and seized the arm of her brother David, who was standing near her. ”What is the matter? what has happened?” shrieked out Miss Rowley in an att.i.tude expressive of her terror.

”We are on sh.o.r.e,” cried some of the men; ”that is what has happened.”

Such was too truly the case. The old captain's warnings had been neglected, and his prognostications were thus terribly fulfilled.

CHAPTER TWO.

WRECK OF THE ”OSPREY,” AND OUR ESCAPE.

Boastful as the mate had been, he turned deadly pale as he saw the dangerous position in which the brig was placed. When, however, she lay quiet--the sea not again breaking over her--he recovered himself. The crew meantime, led by Barker, had gone aloft, without his orders, to furl sails, the first thing under the circ.u.mstances to be done.

”Get the boats out,” he said at length. His voice had lost its usual authoritative tone. ”We must warp the vessel off.”

”No easy matter to do that,” observed the boatswain. ”I know what these banks are made of, and it will be a hard job to find holding ground.

Which way will you haul her off, sir?”