Part 5 (1/2)

News now reached us but rarely; indeed, our little town, which had lately been so famous, seemed almost forgotten. Audrey and I, having recovered from the grief caused by the loss of our father, were very happy in our new home.

Mr Kerridge and Mr Harvey had arranged our affairs, so that we were not dependent upon others. At the same time it was necessary that I should have a profession. My inclinations prompted me to follow that of my father, but my friends found it difficult to settle with whom I should be sent to sea. Both Lancelot and d.i.c.k declared that they would go with me, though their fathers were not very willing that they should engage in so dangerous a calling. One day, the weather being fine, Lancelot proposed that we should make a trip to Dartmouth, taking Martin s...o...b..ok, now our constant companion, with us. Storing our boat with provisions for the voyage, we made sail.

We had a fine run to that beautiful little harbour, and having gone on sh.o.r.e, we spent more time than we had intended in purchasing various articles which were not to be procured at Lyme.

It was somewhat late in the evening when we stood out again, but as there was a moon we expected no difficulty in finding our way back; scarcely, however, had we got well out of the harbour than the wind s.h.i.+fted to the eastward, but as the tide was in our favour we agreed that by making a long leg to the southward we should fetch Lyme on the next tack.

To our disappointment, just as we were going about, the wind veered three points to the northward, and we found it blowing directly in our teeth. Unwilling to be defeated, we continued standing out to sea, expecting that when we went about we should be almost abreast of Lyme.

In a short time, however, the sky became covered with thick clouds, the wind came in fitful gusts, and the hitherto calm ocean was broken into foam-covered waves.

We reduced our sail as much as possible, and Martin, as the most experienced, took the helm. The night became darker and darker. We had no compa.s.s, and no land could be seen. Still, supposing that the wind was now remaining steady, we stood on, our stout boat riding buoyantly over the increasing seas. Martin at length expressed his fear that the wind had gone back to its old quarter, and judging by the heavy foam-crested seas which came rolling on, that we were no longer under shelter of the land.

We kept up our spirits, though I guessed by the tone of Martin's voice that he was far from happy at our position. The tide, too, we knew by this time must have turned, and we should be unable to fetch Lyme.

We might, we agreed, run back to Dartmouth, but the attempt to find the entrance of the harbour in the darkness of the night would be difficult, if not dangerous.

Though Martin steered as well as the best of seamen, the rising seas came was.h.i.+ng over our bows, and we all had to turn to and bale out the boat. This prevented us from thinking of the danger we were in.

At length, not without risk, putting an oar out, we got the boat round, and stood, as we supposed, towards the sh.o.r.e. By this time we were wet through to the skin, and in spite of our exertions our teeth were chattering with cold.

”I hope Mistress Margaret will have some bowls of hot porridge ready for us when we get in,” said Lancelot.

”Oh, don't talk of that,” observed d.i.c.k. ”Let us get in first. Shall we ever reach the sh.o.r.e, Martin, do you think?”

”That's as G.o.d wills, Master d.i.c.k,” answered Martin. ”It's our business to do our best.”

Just then a sudden blast almost laid the boat over. Martin saved her by luffing-up. Scarcely had he done so than we saw a dark object away on the starboard hand.

”That's a s.h.i.+p; she's standing directly down upon us,” cried Martin.

”Shout, lads, shout at the tops of your voices.”

We all shrieked out, joining Martin's deep ba.s.s, which rose above the howling of the storm. The next instant there came a crash, our boat had been run down, but before she sank, having been happily struck by the bow, and not by the stern of the s.h.i.+p, we found ourselves alongside, when Martin, seizing me by the arm and catching hold of the fore-chains, hauled me up as the boat disappeared beneath our feet. We hung there for a few seconds before we were discovered, though I caught sight of several figures leaning over the side. I uttered a cry of sorrow as I thought that my two friends were lost. In vain I looked down for them.

The next instant several willing hands a.s.sisted Martin and me on board.

”Oh, save d.i.c.k and Lancelot,” I cried out. ”Lower a boat; pick them up; don't let them perish.”

My heart bounded with joy when I heard Lancelot's voice.

”Here I am, safe and sound,” he cried out, running forward and shaking me by the hand, ”thanks to our friends here, who hove me a rope just as I was sinking.”

”And d.i.c.k, where is d.i.c.k?” I said.

”The youngster is on board, but he got a knock on the head. He's coming round though,” said a voice from the afterpart of the s.h.i.+p.

Martin, Lancelot, and I hurried aft, where we found d.i.c.k lying on the deck, supported by a seaman, who seemed as wet as he was. We were told that the gallant fellow had fastened a rope round his waist, plunged overboard and picked up d.i.c.k just as he was being washed by astern.

d.i.c.k quickly came to.

”Where is the boat!” he asked, lifting up his head.