Part 58 (2/2)
Besides, her upper works were strong and sound, but below she was too evidently of a very different character, like th Adair urged Saint Maur to go on shore
”I don't hide fro of considerable danger--some, if not all of us, may be lost,” said the captain ”I want you to return home to assume your title and property, and to enjoy your life for many years, and to benefit the peasantry on your estate by doing all the good you can I a on in life, and at the best cannot expect to enjoy , however, that the captain could say would induce the young lord to quit the shi+p
”I know the bar as well as any one There exists a channel, though a narrow one, through which I think I can take her,” he answered
Adair at last consented; preparations were erous spot Adair ordered the men to take breakfast, and then all went to their stations The whole of the creere on deck except the engineers, who of course had to reines
There was no tiher than it had ever done before Steaineer reported that all was ready beloo of the best hands were sent to the wheel The crew stood some forward, some aft, where most of the officers were stationed Desmond took his post by the side of the captain, whence he could direct the helmsmen All on board felt it to be an awful tiround, would go to pieces, and that the sea breaking over her would wash all hands from her decks Desmond, however, assured the captain that he had no such fear; even should the shi+p not cross the bar, she would run far enough over it to escape the full force of the breakers, besides which, at present they were very moderate, and were not likely to injure her materially
The anchor was now hove up, the fore-topsail only was set to assist in steering her, and she was headed in towards the mouth of the harbour
Onwards she seemed to fly towards it Many even of the stoutest held their breath The boats were all waiting inside the harbour's mouth, to render assistance should it be necessary To a stranger on the shore watching the approaching shi+p, she appeared as triave indication of her rotten condition below Pat Casey and Peter were standing together
”Shall we get in an' put the ould boat to rights, or shall we stick on the bar an' see her knocked to pieces?” asked Pat of his companion
”Me tink, Massa Pat, dat if de shi+p stick on de rocks hio to pieces, and dat it better for hiet 'shore while hienerally
”Silence, fore and aft!” sang out the captain, as the harbour's mouth was approached All on board turned their eyes towards the white line of foam which stretched across it Desmond pointed out to the helmsmen the exact spot for which they were to steer He had not to give another order; no one spoke The smooth water could be seen inside Would the shi+p ever float on it?
Full stealided like an arroards its mark Already the outer barrier was reached where the water broke, hissing and foaed; then there came a crash, her masts quivered, and all knew that the noble shi+p was devoted to destruction A roller caain she reater force than before Once ain to descend with a crash which was heard and felt froh her botto to work until the rapidly rising water rushi+ng in, put out the fires The engineer, having thoughtfully turned off the stea, his duty done, appeared on deck to announce to the captain that the engines had stopped
”I see that they have,” said Adair, s, even at the moment so sad to a captain who had just seen his shi+p wrecked The vessel was evidently immovable, and even had the rollers come in with sufficient force to lift her, she must have sunk immediately in deep water Crash succeeded crash, as the rocks burst through her planks, but not a cheek blanched, not an eye quailed, not a cry was heard, not a man deserted his station
The rollers continued to tu close under her ste for ould next take place At last he was satisfied that the lives coe were safe
”My lads,” he exclaiain on the ocean; but you still form her crew, and whether on board or on shore, I aood discipline you have hitherto et all we can out of her
We may be discovered and taken off in a feeeks, or we may have to remain months here As we must be prepared for the latter alternative, we must husband our provisions and stores I hear that the harbour is full of fish, and that there are goats on the island, and, what is of more consequence, that water is to be found, so that we need have no fear of starving The rest all depends upon yourselves We may be a very happy shi+p's co, or we rumble and are discontented I don't expect that of you, and I's on the bright side”
The crew gave three hearty cheers, and Adair directing the first lieutenant to su them with the numberless articles which still reot out By the doctor's advice four e and other apparatus pertaining to his trade, that the engineerssalt water into fresh The sails and ropes were also sent on shore, and indeed every article likely to prove of service which the shi+p contained The captain and Desmond, with several of the principal officers, still reive thee of weather threaten and make it advisable for them to quit the shi+p
Fortunately the weather continued fine and the wind mostly blew off the land, so that the boats were able to ply backwards and forwards all day long One of the assistant-surgeons, who had only lately come to sea, declared that he should not have believed it possible that the shi+p could have contained the multitudinous articles he saw landed; he had no idea where they could all have been stoay In that latitude the winter was likely to prove severe, and as it was approaching, it was important not only to land stores and provisions, but to house the party comfortably
For the latter purpose, Adair went on shore for the first ti street, with blocks on either side, while a cross road ran at right angles with the main one
One block formed the barracks of the marines, another a hospital The captain's own house was at the top of the street, and opposite to it one for the lieutenants, another for the rest of the ward-room officers, and a third on their side of the way for the ht on each side, for the seamen Another was put up for the petty officers, the stokers had one for themselves, and the officers'
servants one At the top of the street, so that it could be seen fros flying over it, and a very tasty-looking affair it was The walls were partly composed of stone, partly of turf, roofed over with canvas The roof of Captain Adair's house was also lined with canvas, as were the walls, and divided by partitions
Soret that there were no ladies aed to you,” observed Charley Roy, who had joined the _Empress_, and was now senior mate on board ”I suspect that they would rather rerand piano, a ball-roo there was called the grand hotel, and it was frequented by all ranks, froeant of marines down to the stokers and shi+p's boys Liquor in very small quantities and atered could be obtained there, as could tea and coffee, and various beverages, such as ginger beer, which the doctor continued to redients in his possession, and which was highly appreciated in hot weather The sergeant of marines was a temperance man, and persuaded half his own corps and fully a third of the blue-jackets to sign the pledge, which, as they had not the , was very faithfully kept Thus not a et on as ithout liquor as they could with it, became very steady, sober men The officers did their best not only to keep the runs of insubordination He had long been known on board as ”Grumpy dick” No sooner had he set his foot on shore than he asserted that he was a free er work
”Very well, my fine fellow,” said the captain ”If all hands side with you, the officers and I shall have to do what you ought to do to keep you all and ourselves alive But if not, you shall as surely taste the cat as our stout shi+p lies there on the rocks Sleep upon it, and let ”