Antony Waymouth; Or, The Gentlemen Adventurers

by William Henry Giles Kingston

  CHAPTER NINE.

  We left Antony Waymouth and his companions in misfortune on board theill-starred Lion, which was driving at furious speed across the widePacific. For many days no observation had been taken, for neither sunnor stars had been visible. One compass alone remained uninjured, andthat told them that their course was still easterly, and some began toassert that they would meet with no land till they struck on the vastcontinent of America. Would their crazy, battered bark float as long?Would their provisions and water hold out till they could reach somehospitable shore? No longer was the once docile ship under control; therudder had been carried away, and with the scant materials at theirdisposal they could not construct a new one, nor while the sea ran sohigh could they attempt to rig it. The foresail still stood and draggedthe ship forward, nor could it with safety be lowered, for without itshe might have broached to, and all on board have been swept from thedecks. By constant bailing and labouring at the pumps the leaks couldwith difficulty be kept under. Yet hope in the bosoms of Waymouth,Raymond, Ap Reece, and some of the braver spirits, was not extinct. Themore ignorant men, however, began to despair, and would, had not strictwatch been kept, have broken into the spirit-room and drunk till theybecame unconscious of all that was occurring around.

  The fever caught at Bantam had not yet left the crew, and many still laystruck down by it in their berths, while one or more continued every dayto be added to the list of victims. Not a day passed that one was notcarried off. No one knew who would next be called away. Seldom thatmore than one died in the day, yet that circumstance seemed to creategreater terror than had several died together. "Who has gone to-night?"was the question asked by the survivors as each morning they met on deckafter their troubled rest below. Thus gradually the crew diminished innumbers. How valueless appeared the wealth they had with so much toiland danger collected! Of the officers, Waymouth, Raymond, Carlingford,and Ap Reece, with Master Walker and the two young cabin-boys, were theonly ones who had hitherto escaped. All the rest whose names have notbeen mentioned in this chronicle had sunk under the fell disease.Honest Dick Lizard was among the survivors, and so likewise were Haggerand Soper, and several of the mutineers. Including them, of seamen,soldiers, and idlers or landsmen not a score and a half still lived.Master Walker had not exhorted in vain, and, abashed and confounded,many of the mutineers believed that they had by their crime brought downthe vengeance of Heaven on their heads.

  Still Hagger and others clung to the idea of possessing the gold, and,hoping that the ship would escape foundering, waited for an opportunityto make off with it, though not knowing whither they could go. They hadset their hearts on the gold, though, like the miser gloating over hishoard, they did not recollect how utterly without value it would beunless it could be exchanged for objects they might require.

  For many days the storm had continued without abating. With shortintervals of rest, every one on board had laboured at the pumps, and thefull, clear streams which flowed from the scuppers as the ship rolledfrom side to side showed the quantity of water which found an entrancebetween the planks. Now, as on she drove amidst mist and spray, dimoutlines might be seen of land, or seeming land, often high as ifcomposed of mountain-ranges, at other times low, like banks just risingabove the water. Some, however, deemed the forms but those of cloudseither floating high in the sky or resting on the ocean, and that couldthey have approached the spots where they were supposed to be, theywould have vanished from the sight.

  For several days no such appearances were observed; then, again, morewere seen, and once more the ship drove on without a break in the circleof the horizon. At length the storm gave signs of breaking--the seasbegan to lessen in height, and the wind to howl less shrilly through therigging of the remaining masts. Almost as suddenly as it had commenced,the tempest ceased, and the sea, no longer stirred by its power, wentrapidly down.

  Next day, as the sun rose brilliantly over the waste of waters, the windfell altogether. Not a ripple broke the glass-like surface of theocean; there was a perfect calm. Slowly at first the huge ship rolledfrom side to side, and then by degrees all movement ceased, and she laylike a log on the watery waste. No longer tossed to and fro, the planksbetween which the sea had found an entrance closed, and the pumps gainedtriumphantly on the leak. Waymouth, with his few surviving officers andfriends, stood on the deck of the shattered bark; the crew lay or satgrouped about forward.

  It was evident to the officers that no longer had they power to guidetheir ship, and it was proposed to build a boat and in her seek someisland where at all events they might find food and water, and no longerbe the sport of the elements.

  Waymouth shook his head.

  "I in no wise object, gentlemen and dear friends, to build a boat," heobserved. "By her means we may guide our ship into a port; but while aplank of her holds together, I, her captain, can by no means desert her.Others may do as they judge convenient--I will not counsel; but mymaxim has ever been to stay by the ship to the last."

  "And I, dear friend, will stay by you!" exclaimed Raymond, steppingforward and grasping Waymouth's hand. "We are in the power ofProvidence, and if it is thought fit that we die on some foreign strandwhy should we complain? Or, if not, the means will be found by whichonce more we may visit our native shores."

  "Well spoken and truly," said Master Walker. "I, too, will abide withour brave captain and share his fortunes."

  "I never thought of doing otherwise," cried Ap Reece, "for, to say thetruth, I was sure that the knaves who would have deserted him would notbe worth caring for."

  The two cabin-boys declared that their only wish was to remain withtheir brave captain.

  A boat, however, must be built as the surest means of guiding the shipinto a harbour or to an anchorage, and at once all hands set to work toaccomplish the object. Planks, and ribs, and nails enough for thepurpose were found, and all worked most diligently. There was noidleness now. No one showed greater zeal than Peter Hagger and hisformer associates. Waymouth, in the generosity of his heart, believedthat he was desirous of making amends for his former misconduct.

  The boat was of good size, so that she might, if it was required, carryall hands, either should the ship be about to sink, or be driven againstrocks, or cast on shore. Masts and sails were fitted to her, and longsweeps, at each of which two men might pull. She was speedily ready,and with reason, for no one could tell at what moment she might bewanted.

  "I hope that we may not want her to carry us all, for it would be abrave thing to take back the good ship, if so be we may find a harbourof refuge to refit," observed the captain as he contemplated the boatjust completed.

  The storm had continued long, but it seemed as if the calm was about tocontinue for a still longer period. Day after day the sun rose and sheda hot glare over the glass-like surface of the ocean; but there thestorm-battered ship lay like a deserted wreck, scarcely capable ofholding human beings, so forlorn and helpless she looked. Hopeless wasthe attempt to rig jury-masts, for not a spar remained of a sizesufficient to bear a sail. Exertions, however, were made to build arudder, by which, when the breeze returned, the ship might be guidedfree from any dangers which might appear ahead, or steered towards apromising anchorage. Materials, however, were scanty, and littleexpectation was entertained that it would stand any rough usage of thesea. Death, in taking away so many of the crew, had left fewer mouthsto feed, and thus there appeared to be a sufficiency of provisions tolast for many months, and of water there were many casks full.

  Strange to narrate, the fever at length, in spite of the calm, hadquitted the ship; those who had last been taken ill were recovering, andthe spirits of all somewhat revived. They expected deliverance of somesort, though they could not tell whence it might come. Some had spokenwith seamen who had sailed with the famous Sir Francis Drake, and theytold of beautiful islands with lofty hills, and fountains of brightwaters, and groves of cocoa-nuts, and many trees with delicious fruits,and roots of various desc
riptions fit for food, so easy of cultivationthat the happy natives lived at ease without the necessity of labour.They failed not, also, to tell of other advantages peculiarly attractiveto the taste of seamen. It is not surprising that the delights offeredby a life in one of these happy islands became the constant theme ofconversation among the seamen, till they began to persuade themselves,that, although their gold might be of little value, they might passtheir days with no small amount of contentment.

  Few on board felt their situation more painfully than Edward Raymond.For the sake of one he dearly loved he had become an adventurer that hemight make his fortune. He had obtained the wealth he coveted, and nowit appeared that he was doomed never to enjoy it.

  While the gale lasted the ship was driving onward, and might in realitybe approaching home, but now she was motionless, and it seemed that thusshe might remain till their food should be exhausted and all should die,and the rigging should rot, and the bulwarks and decks decay, and atlength the ship herself go down into the depths of the sea. That suchhad been the fate of many a stout ship with her gallant crew there couldbe no doubt. Waymouth fully believing, however, that some island wouldbe reached ere long where provisions and water could be obtained, had inno way stinted the crew of their usual allowance. One day, however, thecarpenter desired to speak with him. His countenance, expressive ofconsternation, showed that something was very wrong.

  "What ails it with thee?" asked the captain, concealing his own anxiety.

  "An' it please your honour, the casks which I deemed full of water haveleaked till not a drop in most of them remains," was the appallinganswer. "We have not water for another three days."

  "Bad news indeed, Master Auger, but, ere three days are over, maybe weshall reach some green island where there will be no lack of water andother things to refresh the men," answered the captain calmly. "Makenot the news public, however. We must lessen the allowance, and trustthat a good Providence will send us relief."

  More than ever was a breeze prayed for. All on board were placed on anallowance of water sufficient only to moisten their parched tongues; yeteven thus, as the calm continued, it appeared too likely that it wouldaltogether fail. Gladly would the hapless crew have given all the goldon board the Lion for a few casks of the precious fluid. Waymouth madeevery effort to keep them employed. A great object was to ascertain thesituation of the chief leaks; and this by perseverance he was enabled todo, as well as to stop them. By making the men constantly bathe heprevented them feeling so much as they might have done the want of freshwater; but, in spite of all his watchful care, there were some badhearts among the crew who did not cease to plot against him. For atime, notwithstanding all their trials and hardships, the bold GentlemenAdventurers kept up a gallant appearance; but now, at length, theirsufferings began to tell upon them, and their sunken eyes, hollowcheeks, and haggard looks told plainly what they endured. No longer inbrave attire with elastic step they paced the deck, but unshaven andwith unarranged garments they leaned against the bulwarks, or slowlydragged their feet for a few minutes where they were wont to walk sobriskly.

  With longing eyes the horizon was scanned for the signs of a comingbreeze. The wind came at last from the west, and once more the shipmoved slowly through the water. Hope revived. For two days shecontinued her course, towing after her the boat which had been launchedduring the calm in readiness for use. Again the fitful breeze ceased,and the ship lay motionless as before. A slight breeze came, and cloudsassembled, and showers fell. The grateful rain was collected in sailsand buckets, and saved by every means, and afforded important relief toall remaining on board. So light was the wind that it scarce moved theheavy ship through the water. Three more days passed, and once againthe ship began to move. More and more rapidly she glided along towardsthe east.

  "America will be reached at last, friends, and then it will be hard ifsome Spaniard fall not in our way whom we may compel to convoy us backto Old England," observed Waymouth as he watched the progress of theship through the water.

  Once more the hearts of all on board revived; and well might they, forthe sea was calm, the air pure, and the sun shone brightly from out ofthe blue firmament. Of provisions there were sufficient to last forsome time, and the water, if husbanded with good care, might hold outtill more rain should fall. The want, however, of fresh meat andvegetables began to tell, and that scourge of mariners, the scurvy, madeits appearance. More than ever, therefore, did Waymouth desire to meetwith some green island where his crew might refresh. The pleasantbreeze continued, and wafted the ship along at moderate speed.

  So limited was the number of officers that Waymouth took his watch likethe rest. He had been on deck all the afternoon. Edward Raymond tookthe first night watch. He walked the deck thinking of home. Should heever return there? Should he ever be united to her he loved? Hebelieved in her truth and constancy, and until she received undoubtedproof of his fate, she would not believe him lost. What a solace, whata pure delight was it to him to think of her, of her bright love, of allher noble qualities! He pitied his friend, and wished that he, too, hadbefore he left England fixed his affections on one worthy of him. Hiswatch at length was out, and he was relieved by Carlingford. Theboatswain had appeared to be so completely contrite that he had beenallowed to return to his duty, and was to have the morning watch.

  Waymouth had slept longer than usual. He knew not how it was. Morethan once he had tried to arouse himself, and had again fallen off intoslumber; while his cabin-boy had neglected to call him at the properhour. At length he sprang up, and, dressing with the rapidity of aseaman, he hastened on deck. He gazed for a moment around with muteastonishment. No officer stood ready to receive him, not a man was tobe seen on deck. The sails were lowered, and the ship lay motionlesslike a log upon the water. He looked astern; the boat was gone. Adreadful suspicion flashed across his mind: he was deserted. Yet couldthis be possible? Surely no. Raymond, his long-tried friend, the soulof honour--he would not have left him! Carlingford, the gallant seaman!Master Walker the minister, he surely was no hypocrite. Ap Reece,though hot-headed, was warm-hearted and true as steel. He shouted,again and again, "All hands on deck! all hands on deck! Your captaincalls!" There was no reply. Was it fancy? A sound came forward.Before going there, he shouted once more down the after-hatchway. Hehad got down about half the length of the deck when Raymond's voicearrested him. He for some moments could with difficulty comprehend whathad happened. He, too, had likewise only just then awoke from anunusually sound sleep. Together they hastened forward. There lay,bound and gagged, Mr Carlingford, Dick Lizard, and several of the crew.They had all felt unusually drowsy on their watch. Suddenly they hadbeen set upon by Hagger, Soper, and the wretches who had mutinied andbeen pardoned, and, before they could offer any resistance, they wereall knocked down, prevented from crying out, and bound hand and foot.Several of the watch below were treated in the same manner, and withoutdelay chests of treasure and provisions had been got up from the holdand placed in the boat, and the mutineers, leaping into her, afterlowering the sails, had quitted the ship. For some time afterwardsthere had been a breeze, so that the sails in the boat must much haveaided them in getting to a distance. Waymouth on hearing this at oncesuspected the whole plan of the treacherous plot which had been sosuccessfully carried out. The mutineers had obtained some narcotic,with which he and his officers and the loyal part of the crew had beendrugged, and thus the watch on deck had been easily overpowered, andallowed them time to load the boat with all they desired and to maketheir escape. The rest of the officers were found below, unconscious ofwhat had happened; and Ap Reece, on awaking and examining his medicinestores, discovered that certain drugs had been abstracted which werecalculated to produce sleep.

  "Let the villains go. I wish them no further evil than their own deedswill assuredly produce," said the captain.

  "Add, my brother, that they may be led to see the error of their waysand repent," said Master Walker.
"They have souls, and those souls areprecious; never let us forget that."

  A theft of far greater value than that of the gold was the two casks ofwater, one only, partly consumed, being left.

  "It behooves us to husband this with even greater care than before,though we may be thankful that we have fewer mouths to consume it," wasthe only remark made by the captain.

  Still the truth must be said. The hearts of those left could not butburn with indignation at the treachery of their late shipmates. It wassoon discovered to be even greater than at first supposed; for as soonas the sails were again set and hands were sent to the helm, it wasfound that the newly constructed rudder had been cut adrift, and thatthe ship was once more left without the means of being guided so as toescape a threatened danger or to enter a friendly port. Yet there wasfaith in the hearts of those brave men in God's mercy, which hadpreserved them hitherto so long, not in their own strength and wisdom,which they had found so utterly to fail them, and they did not despair.

  Towards evening a breeze arose, and once more they were wafted onward inthe same direction as before. Such means as seamen have often used wereemployed to guide the ship, by towing several boards, weighted at oneend, astern; but they only served to keep her head in one direction.All night long they sailed calmly on. When morning broke there was acry, "Land, land on the larboard bow!" The sun arose, the blue seasparkled brightly, and a lovely island appeared, with yellow sandfringed by palms and numerous graceful trees and shrubs, and picturesquehills covered with wood, and waterfalls dashing down amid rocks, andpure streams flowing towards the ocean, and blue mountains risingtowards the sky in the distance. The ship glided on, nearing the shore.Should she cast anchor there? A boat was seen ahead. It was their ownboat, carried off by the mutineers. There was a calm spot between therocks; the boat ran in. The ship's course would carry her clear of theland unless great efforts were made to guide her in. They watched withanxiety the proceedings of those in the boat. From amid the beautifulgroves numerous bands of natives rushed out. Their skins were dark;their hair strangely dressed. They had bows and large clubs in theirhands. Those in the boat made signs to show that they desired to befriendly, but the dark-skinned natives disregarded them. The seamenendeavoured to shove off, but the savages, sending a thick flight ofarrows, rushed into the water and seized the boat. The hapless crew invain endeavoured to defend themselves. The savages surrounded them,grappled with them, tore them from the boat with uplifted clubs, and eremany seconds had passed their brains were scattered on the sands. Theremaining crew of the Lion gazed with horror on the scene. Not one oftheir late shipmates remained alive. Truly had retribution speedilyovertaken them.

  Quickly, however, the savages were seen to be launching canoes of largedimensions, each capable of containing three to five score of men. Itwas evident that pursuit was intended. The Lion's guns might have putthem to the rout, but her powder had been well-nigh expended, and thelittle that remained had been greatly damaged by the water.

  Had the ship been under proper government, she might, it was supposed,have run down the canoes, or, at all events, have avoided them, and notallowed them to come alongside; but as it was, there appeared greatprobability that the fate of the mutineers might be theirs. Still, likebrave men, they felt that they had to do their best and leave the restto Providence. Thus, with the little powder they possessed fit for use,four of the after-guns and a number of the small arms were loaded, andthey continued their course. Should any reef be in the way on which itshould be their fate to strike, they knew that their fate must besealed. They could see the black savages making violent and threateninggesticulations as they laboured at forcing their canoes into the water.Happily the operation was a long one. The canoes when afloat appearedeven larger than on shore; they were like two large boats united by onewide deck or platform, with one mast. On this a vast sail of mattingwas set, and over the water they glided at a rapid rate. The warriorson board meantime were brandishing their weapons, and leaping, anddancing, and shouting. More and more canoes were launched till a wholefleet was in pursuit of the Lion, which glided on in silence as ifunconscious of their presence. A fair breeze had been blowing--it beganto increase. The farther the Lion got from the land the stronger itblew; the sea, too, became rougher and rougher. The canoes were closelyapproaching, for in the smooth water they sailed three times as fast asthe Lion. Their numbers were overwhelming. Should they persevere, eventhe Lion's shot would avail nothing against them. Waymouth ordered thatnot a gun should be fired till he should give the word. On came thefoe. The leading canoes were almost up to the Lion, but, no longersteady, she began to roll and pitch in the rising sea. Still eager fortheir prey, the savages persevered. The headmost darted alongside. TheLion's guns were depressed. "Fire, my brave men! Fire down into them!"cried Waymouth, setting the example and bringing down a savage, who, byhis appearance and gestures, seemed to be a chief. Not a shot wasthrown away. Some of the savages who were climbing up the ship's sideswere driven back, but others, as the canoes came up, succeeded them.More and more were coming on. Just then a heavy squall struck the ship.Like a restive steed she gave a plunge forward, then rolled from sideto side, shaking herself clear of the canoes surrounding her. Thesavages were driven from their hold; the canoes were thrown one upon theother, and on sprang the gallant Lion free from her foes. Herafter-guns played upon them for a few minutes, but when, baffled andconfused, they showed no signs of pursuing, the English ceased firing,and the ship pursued her course unmolested. Grateful as they were fortheir preservation, it was tantalising to the crew to sail away fromthat seemingly lovely shore where water and the vegetables they so muchneeded might be procured in abundance.

  "Were it not for the light of gospel truth we might be such as theyare," observed Master Walker, pointing at the island. "See the earth inthat sweet spot as God hath made it, and see man in those savages as sinhas made him, and as he will continue till that blessed light irradiateshis mind and heart."