Part 39 (1/2)
”I thought that you had applied to your father before, and that he had refused to interfere,” said Rayner, taking no notice of Toard to hih; but it was my brother who answered the letter; and, as my father is a clever ain, and, for very sha a son of his a common shi+p's boy, would do as I wish Can't you tell the captain that, and perhaps he'll excuseain It's reat et my wrists out of these irons”
”You'll not do that,” answered Rayner, knowing very well that To his threat into execution; ”but I'll tell the first lieutenant what you say about your wish to see your fa the captain to remit your punishment I would advise you, whatever happens, to subood naave him some other sound advice before he returned on deck
Mr Saltwell shook his head when he heard what Rayner had to say
”The captain won't forgive him, you may depend upon that, Rayner,” he answered; ”desertionto others”
Rayner, fortunately for himself, was on shore when Tom underwent his punish it inflicted
The frigate had been surveyed, but what opinion had been forth the captain, who had gone on shore, returned, and,the shi+p's co to the surveyor's report, it would take soh repair, and that in the meantime he had been appointed to the couns, bound for the Mediterranean, and he should take his officers and creith hiht wish forabsent, and I hope by the tiate as ready for any duty she may be sent on, as you all, I am sure, will be”
A cheer was the reply to this address, and the next day the officers and crew of the _Thisbe_ went on board their new shi+p They had, however, first to get her ready for sea, and then to receive the stores on board, by which ti Jack Peek, had sufficiently recovered to join her
The _Bo her away across the Bay of Biscay with a northerly breeze She was a very different craft froh more than twice her size, not nearly so coagement, except attacked, and then to do his best to escape, as the stores she carried were of great value, and were hted supposed to be an eneed to escape from them, and arrived safe at Gibraltar Here she was joined by the _Ione_ frigate, and the two shi+ps sailed together, expecting to fall in with the fleet off Toulon
The two shi+ps lay almost becalmed in the Gulf of Lyons Several officers of the _Ione_, which was only a short distance off, had come on board, when Captain Martin advised theate
”I don't quite like the look of the weather,” he remarked ”I've seen the masts of a shi+p whipped out of her, when not five minutes before there was no ate's boat left the side and was seen pulling rapidly towards her Suddenly the cry was heard, ”All hands on deck to save shi+p!”
Those ere below, springing up, found the shi+p heeling over till her yard-ar over the deck, while the watch were engaged in letting fly tacks and sheets, lowering topsails, clewing up, and hauling down, blocks were rattling, sails shi+vering, the wind roaring, the sea leaping, hissing, and foahted, and away she flew before the furious blast, not having suffered any e
The _Ione_, however, could nowhere be seen Struck by the squall, she ht either have been dismasted or have capsized In the forht fall into the hands of the enemy; but, much as the captain desired it, he could not return to her assistance
Night ca and rolling about almost as much as she would have done in the Atlantic, so rapidly did the sea get up It took so, but as the shi+p was at a considerable distance froreat anxiety was felt for her safety
In thethe master reported that by his calculation they were about thirteen leagues south-east of Cape Saint Sebastian, on the Spanish coast
The wind had fallen with almost the saood deal of sea on It had now shi+fted
The first lieutenant was officer of the watch, and was superintending the operation of washi+ng decks
Rayner, and another midshi+p about, directing the men in their various duties
Our hero had just ca Mr Saltwell, when the latter looking forward, suddenly exclaimed, ”What can that smoke be?
Run and see where it comes from!”
As Rayner hurried forward he observed a thick volu out of the fore-hatchway, and immediately afterwards a similar ominous cloud ascended from the main hatchway Before he hadforward
The next moment the cry of ”Fire!” was raised, and the people ca up the hatchway in thefroo and inform the captain what has occurred,” said Mr Saltwell, in a calm tone ”Let the dru sound of the dru from all parts of the shi+p, hurried to their respective stations, where they stood, ready for their orders
Not a cry was heard Not an expression of alarm escaped from one of the men Scarcely a as spoken as they stood prepared to do their duty