Part 14 (1/2)

After studying it attentively for a few minutes, he said,-

”There, Mrs. Weldon; the land we have just pa.s.sed, I should suppose must be that little speck in the midst of the Pacific. It must be Easter Island. At least, there seems to be no other land which possibly it could be.”

”And do you say,” inquired Mrs. Weldon, ”that we have left it quite behind us?”

”Yes, entirely; almost to windward.”

Mrs. Weldon commenced a searching scrutiny of the map that was outspread before her.

”How far is this,” she said, after bending a considerable time over the chart; ”how far is this from the coast of America?”

”Thirty-five degrees,” answered d.i.c.k; ”somewhere about 2500 miles.”

”What ever do you mean?” rejoined the lady astonished; ”if the 'Pilgrim' is still 2500 miles from sh.o.r.e, she has positively made no progress at all. Impossible!”

In thoughtful perplexity, d.i.c.k pa.s.sed his hand across his brow. He did not know what to say. After an interval of silence, he said,-

”I have no account to give for the strange delay. It is inexplicable to myself, except upon that one hypothesis, which I cannot resist, that the readings of the compa.s.s, somehow or other, have been wrong.”

He relapsed into silence. Then, brightening up, he added,-

”But, thank G.o.d! at least we have now the satisfaction of knowing where we really are; we are no longer lost upon the wide Pacific; if only this hurricane will cease, long as the distance seems, we are on our proper course to the sh.o.r.es of America.”

The tone of confidence with which the youthful captain spoke had the effect of inspiring new hope into all who heard him; their spirits rose, and to their sanguine mood it seemed as if they were approaching to the end of all their troubles, and had hardly more to do than to await the turning of a tide to bring them into a glad proximity to port.

Easter Island, of which the true name is Vai-Hoo, was discovered by David in 1686 and visited by Cook and Laperouse. It lies in lat. 27 S., and long. 112 E.; consequently, it was evident that during the raging of the hurricane the schooner had been driven northwards no less than fifteen degrees. Far away, however, as she was from sh.o.r.e, the wind could hardly fail within ten days to carry her within sight of land; and then, if the storm had worn itself out, (as probably it would,) the ”Pilgrim” would again hoist sail, and make her way into some port with safety. Anyhow, the discovery of his true position restored a spirit of confidence to d.i.c.k Sands, and he antic.i.p.ated the time when he should no longer be drifting helplessly before the storm.

To say the truth, the ”Pilgrim” had suffered very little from the prolonged fury of the weather. The damage she had sustained was limited to the loss of the topsail and the small jib, which could be easily replaced. The caulking of the seams remained thoroughly sound, and no drop of water had found its way into the hold. The pumps, too, were perfectly free. d.i.c.k Sands did not fear for the stability of his s.h.i.+p; his only anxiety was lest the weather should not moderate in time. Only let the wind subside, and the schooner once more would be under his control; but he never forgot that the ordering of the winds and waves were in the hands of the Great Disposer of all.

CHAPTER XIII.

LAND AT LAST.

It was not long before d.i.c.k's sanguine expectations were partially realized, for on the very next day, which was the 27th, the barometer began to rise, not rapidly, but steadily, indicating that its elevation would probably continue. The sea remained exceedingly rough, but the violence of the wind, which had veered slightly towards the west, had perceptibly diminished. The tempest had pa.s.sed its greatest fury, and was beginning to wear itself out.

Not a sail, however, could yet be hoisted; the smallest show of canvas would have been carried away in an instant; nevertheless d.i.c.k hoped that before another twenty-four hours were over, the ”Pilgrim” might be able to carry a storm-jib.

In the course of the night the wind moderated still more and the pitching of the s.h.i.+p had so far diminished that the pa.s.sengers began to reappear on deck. Mrs. Weldon was the first to leave her enforced imprisonment. She was anxious to speak to d.i.c.k, whom she might have expected to find looking pale and wan after his almost superhuman exertions and loss of sleep. But she was mistaken; however much the lad might suffer from the strain in after-years, at present he exhibited no symptoms of failing energy.

”Well, Captain d.i.c.k, how are you?” she said, as she advanced towards him holding out her hand.

d.i.c.k smiled.

”You call me captain, Mrs. Weldon,” he answered, ”but you do not seem disposed to submit implicitly to

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”You have acquitted yourself like a man.”]

captain's orders. Did I not direct you to keep to your cabin?”

”You did,” replied the lady; ”but observing how much the storm had abated, I could not resist the temptation to disobey you.”