The Lighthouse

by R. M. Ballantyne

  CHAPTER TWELVE.

  BELL ROCK BILLOWS--AN UNEXPECTED VISIT--A DISASTER AND A RESCUE.

  It is pleasant, it is profoundly enjoyable, to sit on the margin of thesea during the dead calm that not unfrequently succeeds a wild storm,and watch the gentle undulations of the glass-like surface, which thevery gulls seem to be disinclined to ruffle with their wings as theydescend to hover above their own reflected images.

  It is pleasant to watch this from the shore, where the waves fall in lowmurmuring ripples, or from the ship's deck, far out upon the sea, wherethere is no sound of water save the laving of the vessel's bow as sherises and sinks in the broad-backed swell; but there is something morethan pleasant, there is, something deeply and peculiarly interesting, inthe same scene when viewed from such a position as the Bell Rock; forthere, owing to the position of the rock and the depth of water aroundit, the observer beholds, at the same moment, the presence, as it were,of storm and calm.

  The largest waves there are seen immediately after a storm has passedaway, not during its continuance, no matter how furious the gale mayhave been, for the rushing wind has a tendency to blow down the waves,so to speak, and prevent their rising to their utmost height. It iswhen the storm is over that the swell rises; but as this swell appearsonly like large undulations, it does not impress the beholder with itsmagnitude until it draws near to the rock and begins to feel thechecking influence of the bottom of the sea. The upper part of theswell, having then greater velocity than the lower parts assumes moreand more the form of a billow. As it comes on it towers up like a greatgreen wall of glittering glass, moving with a grand, solemn motion,which does not at first give the idea of much force or impetus. As itnears the rock, however, its height (probably fifteen or twenty feet)becomes apparent; its velocity increases; the top, with what may betermed gentle rapidity, rushes in advance of the base; its dark greenside becomes concave; the upper edge lips over, then curls majesticallydownwards, as if bowing to a superior power, and a gleam of lightflashes for a moment on the curling top. As yet there is no sound; allhas occurred in the profound silence of the calm, but another instantand there is a mighty crash--a deafening roar; the great wall of waterhas fallen, and a very sea of churning foam comes leaping, bursting,spouting over rocks and ledges, carrying all before it with a tremendoussweep that seems to be absolutely irresistible until it meets the higherledges of rock, when it is hurled back, and retires with a watery hissthat suggests the idea of baffled rage.

  But it is not conquered. With the calm majesty of unalterabledetermination, wave after wave comes on, in slow, regular succession,like the inexhaustible battalions of an unconquerable foe, to meet witha similar repulse again and again.

  There is, however, this peculiar difference between the waves on theordinary seashore and the billows on the Bell Rock, that the latter,unlike the former, are not always defeated. The spectator on shoreplants his foot confidently at the very edge of the mighty sea, knowingthat "thus far it may come, but no farther." On the Bell Rock therising tide makes the conflict, for a time, more equal. Now, the rockstands proudly above the sea: anon the sea sweeps furiously over therock with a roar of "Victory!"

  Thus the war goes on, and thus the tide of battle daily and nightly ebbsand flows all the year round.

  But when the cunning hand of man began to interfere, the aspect ofthings was changed, the sea was forced to succumb, and the rock, once adreaded enemy, became a servant of the human race. True, the formerrages in rebellion still, and the latter, although compelled to upholdthe light that warns against itself, continues its perpetual warfarewith the sea; but both are effectually conquered by means of thewonderful intelligence that God has given to man, and the sea for morethan half a century has vainly beat against the massive tower whosefoundation is on the Bell Rock.

  But all this savours somewhat of anticipation. Let us return to RubyBrand, in whose interest we have gone into this long digression; for heit was who gazed intently at the mingled scene of storm and calm whichwe have attempted to describe, and it was he who thought out most of theideas which we have endeavoured to convey.

  Ruby had lent a hand to work the pump at the foundation-pit thatmorning. After a good spell at it he took his turn of rest, and, inorder to enjoy it fully, went as far out as he could upon the seawardledges, and sat down on a piece of rock to watch the waves.

  While seated there, Robert Selkirk came and sat down beside him.Selkirk was the principal builder, and ultimately laid every stone ofthe lighthouse with his own hand. He was a sedate, quiet man, but fullof energy and perseverance. When the stones were landed faster thanthey could be built into their places, he and Bremner, as well as someof the other builders, used to work on until the rising tide reachedtheir waists.

  "It's a grand sight, Ruby," said Selkirk, as a larger wave than usualfell, and came rushing in torrents of foam up to their feet, sending alittle of the spray over their heads.

  "It is indeed a glorious sight," said Ruby. "If I had nothing to do, Ibelieve I could sit here all day just looking at the waves andthinking."

  "Thinkin'?" repeated Selkirk, in a musing tone of voice. "Can ye tell,lad, what ye think about when you're lookin' at the waves?"

  Ruby smiled at the oddness of the question.

  "Well," said he, "I don't think I ever thought of that before."

  "Ah, but _I_ have!" said the other, "an' I've come to the conclusionthat for the most part we don't think, properly speakin', at all; thatour thoughts, so to speak, think for us; that they just take the bit intheir teeth and go rumblin' and tumblin' about anyhow or nohow!"

  Ruby knitted his brows and pondered. He was one of those men who, whenthey don't understand a thing, hold their tongues and think.

  "And," continued Selkirk, "it's curious to observe what a lot o'nonsense one thinks too when one is lookin' at the waves. Many a time Ihave pulled myself up, thinkin' the most astonishin' stuff ye couldimagine."

  "I would hardly have expected this of such a grave kind o' man as you,"said Ruby.

  "Mayhap not. It is not always the gravest looking that have the gravestthoughts."

  "But you don't mean to say that you never think sense," continued Ruby,"when you sit looking at the waves?"

  "By no means," returned his companion; "I'm only talking of the way inwhich one's thoughts will wander. Sometimes I think seriously enough.Sometimes I think it strange that men can look at such a scene as that,and scarcely bestow a thought upon Him who made it."

  "Speak for yourself, friend," said Ruby, somewhat quickly; "how know youthat other men don't think about their Creator when they look at Hisworks?"

  "Because," returned Selkirk, "I find that I so seldom do so myself, evenalthough I wish to and often try to; and I hold that every man, nomatter what he is or feels, is one of a class who think and feel as hedoes; also, because many people, especially Christians, have told methat they have had the same experience to a large extent; also, andchiefly, because, as far as unbelieving man is concerned, the Bibletells me that `God is not in all his thoughts.' But, Ruby, I did notmake the remark as a slur upon men in general, I merely spoke of afact,--an unfortunate fact,--that it is not natural to us, and not easy,to rise from nature to nature's God, and I thought you would agree withme."

  "I believe you are right," said Ruby, half-ashamed of the petulance ofhis reply; "at any rate, I confess you are right as far as I amconcerned."

  As Selkirk and Ruby were both fond of discussion, they continued thissubject some time longer, and there is no saying how far they would havegone down into the abstruse depths of theology, had not their conversebeen interrupted by the appearance of a boat rowing towards the rock.

  "Is yonder craft a fishing boat, think you?" said Ruby, rising andpointing to it.

  "Like enough, lad. Mayhap it's the pilot's, only it's too soon for himto be off again with letters. Maybe it's visitors to the rock, for Isee something like a woman's bonnet."

  As there was only one woman in the world at
that time as far as Ruby wasconcerned (of course putting his mother out of the question!), it willnot surprise the reader to be told that the youth started, that hischeek reddened a little, and his heart beat somewhat faster than usual.He immediately smiled, however, at the absurdity of supposing itpossible that the woman in the boat could be Minnie, and as theblacksmith shouted to him at that moment, he turned on his heel andleaped from ledge to ledge of rock until he gained his wonted place atthe forge.

  Soon he was busy wielding the fore-hammer, causing the sparks to flyabout himself and his comrade in showers, while the anvil rang out itsmerry peal.

  Meanwhile the boat drew near. It turned out to be a party of visitors,who had come off from Arbroath to see the operations at the Bell Rock.They had been brought off by Spink, the pilot, and numbered only three--namely, a tall soldier-like man, a stout sailor-like man, and a youngwoman with--yes,--with golden hair.

  Poor Ruby almost leaped over the forge when he raised his eyes from hiswork and caught sight of Minnie's sweet face. Minnie had recognised herlover before the boat reached the rock, for he stood on an elevatedledge, and the work in which he was engaged, swinging the large hammerround his shoulder, rendered him very conspicuous. She had studiouslyconcealed her face from him until quite close, when, looking himstraight in the eyes without the least sign of recognition, she turnedaway.

  We have said that the first glance Ruby obtained caused him to leapnearly over the forge; the second created such a revulsion of feelingthat he let the fore-hammer fall.

  "Hallo! Got a spark in yer eye?" enquired Dove, looking up anxiously.

  It flashed across Ruby at that instant that the look given him by Minniewas meant to warn him not to take any notice of her, so he answered thesmith's query with "No, no; I've only let the hammer fall, don't yousee? Get on, old boy, an don't let the metal cool."

  The smith continued his work without further remark, and Ruby assisted,resolving in his own mind to be a little more guarded as to theexpression of his feelings.

  Meanwhile Mr Stevenson received the visitors, and showed them over theworks, pointing out the peculiarities thereof, and the difficulties thatstood in the way.

  Presently he came towards the forge, and said, "Brand, the stoutgentleman there wishes to speak to you. He says he knew you inArbroath. You can spare him for a few minutes, I suppose, Mr Dove?"

  "Well, yes, but not for long," replied the smith. "The tide will soonbe up, and I've enough to do to get through with all these."

  Ruby flung down his hammer at the first word, and hastened to the ledgeof rock where the visitors were standing, as far apart from the workmenas the space of the rock would admit of.

  The stout gentleman was no other than his uncle, Captain Ogilvy, who puthis finger to his lips as his nephew approached, and gave him a look ofmystery that was quite sufficient to put the latter on his guard. Hetherefore went forward, pulled off his cap, and bowed respectfully toMinnie, who replied with a stiff curtsy, a slight smile, and a decidedblush.

  Although Ruby now felt convinced that they were all acting a part, hecould scarcely bear this cold reception. His impulse was to seizeMinnie in his arms; but he did not even get the comfort of a cold shakeof the hand.

  "Nephy," said the captain in a hoarse whisper, putting his face close tothat of Ruby, "mum's the word! Silence, mystery, an' all that sort o'thing. Don't appear to be an old friend, lad; and as to Minnie here--

  "`O no, we never mention her, Her name it's never heard.'

  "Allow me to introduce you to Major Stewart, whose house you broke into,you know, Ruby, when:--

  "`All in the Downs the fleet was moored,'

  "At least when the _Termagant_ was waitin' for you to go aboard."

  Here the captain winked and gave Ruby a facetious poke in the ribs,which was not quite in harmony with the ignorance of each other he wasendeavouring to inculcate.

  "Young man," said the major quietly, "we have come off to tell you thateverything is in a prosperous state as regards the investigation intoyour innocence--the private investigation I mean, for the authoritieshappily know nothing of your being here. Captain Ogilvy has made me hisconfidant in this matter, and from what he tells me I am convinced thatyou had nothing to do with this robbery. Excuse me if I now add thatthe sight of your face deepens this conviction."

  Ruby bowed to the compliment.

  "We were anxious to write at once to the captain of the vessel in whichyou sailed," continued the major, "but you omitted to leave his fullname and address when you left. We were afraid to write to you, lestyour name on the letter might attract attention, and induce a prematurearrest. Hence our visit to the rock to-day. Please to write theaddress in this pocket-book."

  The major handed Ruby a small green pocket-book as he spoke, in whichthe latter wrote the full name and address of his late skipper.

  "Now, nephy," said the captain, "we must, I'm sorry to say, bid ye goodday, and ask you to return to your work, for it won't do to rousesuspicion, lad. Only keep quiet here, and do yer dooty--`Englandexpects _every_ man to do his dooty'--and as sure as your name's Rubyall will be shipshape in a few weeks."

  "I thank you sincerely," said Ruby, addressing the major, but looking atMinnie.

  Captain Ogilvy, observing this, and fearing some display of feeling thatwould be recognised by the workmen, who were becoming surprised at thelength of the interview, placed himself between Minnie and her lover.

  "No, no, Ruby," said he, solemnly. "I'm sorry for ye, lad, but it won'tdo. Patience is a virtue, which, taken at the flood, leads on tofortune."

  "My mother?" said Ruby, wishing to prolong the interview.

  "Is well," said the captain. "Now, goodbye, lad, and be off."

  "Goodbye, Minnie," cried Ruby, stepping forward suddenly and seizing thegirl's hand; then, wheeling quickly round, he sprang over the rocks, andreturned to his post.

  "Ha! it's time," cried the smith. "I thought you would never be donemakin' love to that there girl. Come, blaze away!"

  Ruby felt so nettled by the necessity that was laid upon him of takingno notice of Minnie, that he seized the handle of the bellowspassionately, and at the first puff blew nearly all the fire away.

  "Hallo! messmate," cried the smith, clearing the dust from his eyes;"what on airth ails ye? You've blowed the whole consarn out!"

  Ruby made no reply, but, scraping together the embers, heaped them upand blew more gently.

  In a short time the visitors re-entered their boat, and rowed out of thecreek in which it had been lying.

  Ruby became so exasperated at not being able even to watch the boatgoing away, that he showered terrific blows on the mass of metal thesmith was turning rapidly on the anvil.

  "Not so fast, lad; not so fast," cried Dove hurriedly.

  Ruby's chafing spirit blew up just at that point; he hit the iron acrack that knocked it as flat as a pancake, and then threw down thehammer and deliberately gazed in the direction of the boat.

  The sight that met his eyes appalled him. The boat had been lying inthe inlet named Port Stevenson. It had to pass out to the open seathrough _Wilson's Track_, and past a small outlying rock named _Gray'sRock_--known more familiarly among the men as _Johnny Gray_. The boatwas nearing this point, when the sea, which had been rising for sometime, burst completely over the seaward ledges, and swept the boat highagainst the rocks on the left. The men had scarcely got her again intothe track when another tremendous billow, such as we have alreadydescribed, swept over the rocks again and swamped the boat, which, beingheavily ballasted, sank at once to the bottom of the pool.

  It was this sight that met the horrified eyes of Ruby when he looked up.

  He vaulted over the bellows like an antelope, and, rushing over _Smith'sLedge_ and _Trinity Ledge_, sprang across _Port Boyle_, and dived headforemost into _Neill's Pool_ before any of the other men, who made ageneral rush, could reach the spot.

  A few powerful strokes brought Ruby to the place where the ma
jor and thecaptain, neither of whom could swim, were struggling in the water. Hedived at once below these unfortunates, and almost in a second,reappeared with Minnie in his arms.

  A few seconds sufficed to bring him to _Smith's Ledge_, where several ofhis comrades hauled him and his burden beyond the reach of the nextwave, and where, a moment or two later, the major and captain with thecrew of the boat were landed in safety.

  To bear the light form of Minnie in his strong arms to the highest anddriest part of the rock were the work of a few moments to Ruby. Briefthough those moments were, however, they were precious to the youthbeyond all human powers of calculation, for Minnie recovered partialconsciousness, and fancying, doubtless, that she was still in danger,flung her arms round his neck, and grasped him convulsively. Reader, wetell you in confidence that if Ruby had at that moment been laid on therack and torn limb from limb, he would have cheered out his lifetriumphantly. It was not only that he knew she loved him--_that_ heknew before,--but he had saved the life of the girl he loved, and ahigher terrestrial happiness can scarcely be attained by man.

  Laying her down as gently as a mother would her first-born, Ruby placeda coat under her head, and bade his comrades stand back and give herair. It was fortunate for him that one of the foremen, who understoodwhat to do, came up at this moment, and ordered him to leave off chafingthe girl's hand with his wet fists, and go get some water boiled at theforge if he wanted to do her good.

  Second words were not needed. The bellows were soon blowing, and thefire glowed in a way that it had not done since the works at the BellRock began. Before the water quite boiled some tea was put in, and,with a degree of speed that would have roused the jealousy of any livingwaiter, a cup of tea was presented to Minnie, who had recovered almostat the moment Ruby left her.

  She drank a little, and then closing her eyes, moved her lips silentlyfor a few seconds.

  Captain Ogilvy, who had attended her with the utmost assiduity andtenderness as soon as he had wrung the water out of his own garments,here took an opportunity of hastily pouring something into the cup outof a small flask. When Minnie looked up again and smiled, he presentedher with the cup. She thanked him, and drank a mouthful or two beforeperceiving that it had been tampered with.

  "There's something in it," she said hurriedly.

  "So there is, my pet," said the captain, with a benignant smile, "alittle nectar, that will do you more good than all the tea. Come now,don't shake your head, but down with it all, like a good child."

  But Minnie was proof against persuasion, and refused to taste any more.

  "Who was it that saved me, uncle?" (She had got into the way of callingthe captain "uncle.")

  "Ruby Brand did it, my darlin'," said the old man with a look of pride."Ah! you're better now; stay, don't attempt to rise."

  "Yes, yes, uncle," she said, getting up and looking round, "it is timethat we should go now; we have a long way to go, you know. Where is theboat?"

  "The boat, my precious, is at the bottom of the sea."

  As he said this, he pointed to the mast, half of which was seen risingout of the pool where the boat had gone down.

  "But you don't need to mind," continued the captain, "for they're goin'to send us in one o' their own boats aboord the floatin' lightship,where we'll get a change o' clothes an' somethin' to eat."

  As he spoke, one of the sailors came forward and announced that the boatwas ready, so the captain and the major assisted Minnie into the boat,which soon pushed off with part of the workmen from the rock. It was tobe sent back for the remainder of the crew, by which time the tide wouldrender it necessary that all should leave.

  Ruby purposely kept away from the group while they were embarking, andafter they were gone proceeded to resume work.

  "You took a smart dive that time, lad," observed Joe Dumsby as they wentalong.

  "Not more than anyone would do for a girl," said Ruby.

  "An' such a purty wan, too," said O'Connor. "Ah! av she's not Irish,she should ha' bin."

  "Ye're a lucky chap to hae sic a chance," observed John Watt.

  "Make up to her, lad," said Forsyth; "I think she couldn't refuse yeafter doin' her such service."

  "Time enough to chaff after work is over," cried Ruby with a laugh, ashe turned up his sleeves, and, seizing the hammer, began, as his friendDove said, "to work himself dry."

  In a few minutes, work was resumed, and for another hour all continuedbusy as bees, cutting and pounding at the flinty surface of the BellRock.