Part 21 (1/2)
”If such is the case, we will make their acquaintance,” observed the doctor, and they descended into the bay. They hurried towards the hut.
On reaching the entrance, even the doctor started back. Part of the roof had been blown off, allowing the light to strike down into the interior. On a rude bed, raised a couple of feet from the ground, lay the body of a man. He was fully clothed, but the eyeless skull and parchment-like cheeks showed that he had been long dead. He was dressed as a seaman. A sou'-wester was on his head, and a woollen m.u.f.fler round his neck, while a blue serge vest and a dark jacket and trousers clothed his body. Several pairs of woollen socks and stockings were on his feet, one of which was tied up with rags, as if it had received some injury. His legs were crossed, and the arms and fingers stretched out straight on either side. Had it not been for the light which struck down on the head, the body lay in so natural a position that the man might have been supposed to be asleep. Close by was a small heap of limpet and mussel sh.e.l.ls, and within his reach were two bottles--one was empty, but the other was full of water. Another object attracted their attention. It was a piece of slate, on which were scratched several zigzag marks, which had apparently been formed by the hand of the dying man, who had probably in his last moments attempted to write his name and give some account of his sad history.
The doctor, after examining the body for some minutes, observed, ”He has died of hunger, poor fellow. Probably he belonged to the crew of some hapless vessel wrecked near this, the survivors of whom were taken off by the s.h.i.+p we saw this morning. Poor fellow, we must come back and bury him another day, but we must delay no longer.”
The sad spectacle they had just witnessed made the explorers turn their thoughts from themselves.
They pushed on as fast as they could go, but were often nearly dropping with fatigue. Marshes had to be pa.s.sed, and frequently they were plunging across boggy ground, running the risk every instant of sticking or sinking beneath it; several streams were forded, and rugged heights climbed similar to those they had traversed on the previous day.
Just before sunset they stopped to dig a quant.i.ty of roots, which the doctor was anxious to carry with him, while Captain Twopenny shot several birds. While w.i.l.l.y was hunting about, he heard a low clattering sound. Searching more narrowly, he found in a small bush a large nest with five young birds. ”Here, here,” he cried to Peter, who ran up.
”Why, I do believe they are parrots. They are nearly fledged. How delighted the Miss Morleys will be to have them.”
”But how can we carry them?” said Peter.
”See, I will tie them up in my handkerchief, and sling them round my neck,” said w.i.l.l.y, securing the nest as he proposed. The young parrots were, as may be supposed, a constant care to him for the rest of the journey. Peter every now and then looked into the handkerchief as it hung at his back, declaring that the birds were getting on very well, only opening their mouths as if they wanted to be fed. They seemed to like the berries which had been found, and meeting with another bush, Peter collected a supply to feed them with.
At length it grew so dark that they could with difficulty see their way.
They were about to encamp, when w.i.l.l.y caught sight of the lights in the village, far below them. Just then they got into a seal-track, along which they proceeded.
”Look out, Peter, lest we should find a lion in the path,” said w.i.l.l.y.
He had scarcely spoken when a bellow was heard close to them. It was repeated in all directions.
”I don't quite like it,” exclaimed Peter. ”Can those horrible noises really be made only by seals?”
”No doubt about that,” said the doctor. ”They are not likely to attack us, and the best thing we can do is to push on.”
To those not aware of the cause, the loud bellows which resounded through the woods would have indeed seemed terrific. Once or twice one of the monsters was seen scrambling among the bushes, but was soon out of sight, and none appeared to be combatively disposed.
At length the lower ground was reached, and in a short time they were welcomed by their friends at the village.
Harry Shafto was especially thankful when he received the report of the doctor; and it was arranged that the next morning, as soon as some more spades could be manufactured, a party should set out to dig roots, while Captain Twopenny volunteered to lead another in search of hogs.
”At all events, I trust we need have no fear of dying of starvation,”
Harry remarked in a tone which showed the relief he felt. ”Had it not been for you, doctor, however, I confess we should have been badly off.”
w.i.l.l.y awoke at early dawn to feed his parrots, which were chattering away at his ear. As soon as breakfast was over, he took them up to the Miss Morleys. ”I have brought an addition to your menagerie,” he said, exhibiting his prizes; ”but as they are nearly fledged, you must find some means of preventing them from flying away.”
”Oh, I hope we may tame them sufficiently to make them wish to stay with us,” said Emma. ”What pretty little lively creatures. We are so much obliged to you, Mr Dicey.”
”Perhaps Mrs Twopenny would like to have one,” said f.a.n.n.y. ”And do you not wish to retain one yourself?”
”I am afraid that I should not have time to attend to it,” said w.i.l.l.y.
”But I will take one to Mrs Twopenny; and if you will bring up one for me, I should like to carry it home with me for my sisters.” Mrs Morley, who heard the remark, smiled faintly. She was thinking, perhaps, of the little probability there was of their ever returning to the sh.o.r.es of England.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
A s.h.i.+P!
THE ISLAND FLAG--EXPEDITION TO ESTABLISH A LOOK-OUT PLACE--CUTTER PROCEEDS DOWN THE HARBOUR--PIERCE ATTACK OF SEALS--TIPPO SAHIB PUT TO FLIGHT--FLAGSTAFF SET UP--LOOKOUT HUT ERECTED--NIGHT IN THE HUT--THE BOATSWAIN'S YARNS--HARRY PUTS OFF TO RETURN--BLOWING HARD--BOAT IN DANGER--RETURN TO LOOKOUT POINT--THE STORM RAGES--PETER WRAPS HIMSELF IN THE FLAG--ANXIETY ABOUT THE BOAT--HUT ON FIRE--ATTEMPTS TO SAVE HUT-- Pa.s.s NIGHT BY THE FIRE--A s.h.i.+P SEEN.