Masterman Ready; Or, The Wreck of the Pacific

by Frederick Marryat

  CHAPTER FORTY ONE.

  For several days after, they were employed in clearing away the stumpsof the cocoa-nut trees in the winding path to the storehouse; and assoon as that work was finished, Ready put up a lightning-conductor atthe side of the storehouse, like the one which he had put up near to thecottage. They had now got through all the work that they had arrangedto do during the rainy season. The ewes had lambed, but both the sheepand the goats began to suffer for want of pasture. For a week they hadno rain, and the sun burst out very powerfully; and Ready was of opinionthat the rainy season was now over. William had become quite strongagain, and he was very impatient that they should commence the survey ofthe island. After a great deal of consultation, it was at last settled,that Ready and William should make the first survey to the southward,and then return and report what they had discovered. This was decidedupon on the Saturday evening, and on the Monday morning they were tostart. The knapsacks were got ready, and well filled with boiled saltpork, and flat cakes of bread. They were each to have a musket andammunition, and a blanket was folded up to carry on the shoulders, thatthey might sleep on it at night. Ready did not forget his compass, orthe small axes, for them to blaze the trees as they went through thewood.

  The whole of Saturday was occupied in making their preparations. Aftersupper, Ready said, "Now, William, before we start on our travels, Ithink I may as well wind up my history. I haven't a great deal more totell, as my good fortune did not last long; and after my remaining solong in a French prison, my life was one continued chapter of from badto worse. Our ship was soon ready, and we sailed with convoy forBarbadoes. Sanders proved a good navigator, and from him, before wearrived at Barbadoes, I gained all the knowledge which I required toenable me to command and navigate my vessel. Sanders attempted to renewour serious conversation, but my property had made me vain; and now thatI felt I could do without his assistance, I not only kept him at adistance, but assumed the superior. This was a very ungrateful returnfor his kindness to me; but it is too often the case in this world.Sanders was very much annoyed, and on our arrival at Barbadoes, he toldme that it was his intention to quit the vessel. I replied veryhaughtily, that he might do as he pleased; the fact is, I was anxious toget rid of him, merely because I was under obligations to him. Well,sir, Sanders left me, and I felt quite happy at his departure. My shipwas soon with a full cargo of sugar on board of her, and we waited forconvoy to England. When at Barbadoes, I had an opportunity to buy fourbrass guns, which I mounted on deck, and had a good supply of ammunitionon board. I was very proud of my vessel, as she had proved in thevoyage out to be a very fast sailer: indeed, she sailed better than someof the men-of-war which convoyed us; and now that I had guns on board, Iconsidered myself quite safe from any of the enemies' privateers. Whilewe were waiting for convoy, which was not expected for a fortnight, itblew a very heavy gale, and my ship, as well as others, dragged theiranchors, and were driven out of Carlisle Bay. We were obliged to makesail to beat into the bay again, it still blowing very fresh. What withbeing tired waiting so long for convoy, and the knowledge that arrivingbefore the other West Indiamen would be very advantageous, I made up mymind that, instead of beating up into the bay again, I would run forEngland without protection, trusting to the fast sailing of my vesseland the guns which I had on board. I forgot at the time that theinsurance on the vessel was made in England as `sailing with convoy,'and that my sailing without would render the insurance void, if anymisfortune occurred. Well, sir, I made sail for England, and for threeweeks everything went on well. We saw very few vessels, and those whichdid chase us could not come up with us; but as we were running with afair wind up channel, and I had made sure of being in port before night,a French privateer hove in sight and gave chase. We were obliged tohaul our wind, and it blowing very fast, we carried away our main-topmast. This accident was fatal; the privateer came alongside of us andlaid us by the board, and that night I was in a French prison, and, Imay say, a pauper; for the insurance of the vessel was void, from myhaving sailed without convoy. I felt that I had no one to thank butmyself for the unfortunate position I was in; at all events, I wasseverely punished, for I remained a prisoner for nearly six years. Icontrived to escape with three or four others; we suffered dreadfully,and at last arrived in England, in a Swedish vessel, without money, oreven clothes that would keep out the weather. Of course, I had nothingto do but to look out for a berth on board of a ship, and I tried forthat of second mate, but without success; I was too ragged and lookedtoo miserable; so I determined, as I was starving, to go before themast. There was a fine vessel in the port; I went on board to offermyself; the mate went down to the captain, who came on deck, and whoshould he be but Sanders? I hoped that he would not remember me, but hedid immediately, and held out his hand. I never did feel so ashamed inmy life as I did then. Sanders perceived it, and asked me down into thecabin. I then told him all that had happened, and he appeared to forgetthat I had behaved so ill to him; he offered me a berth on board, andmoney in advance to fit me out. But if he would not remember myconduct, I could not forget it, and I told him so, and begged hisforgiveness. Well, sir, that good man, as long as he lived, was myfriend. I became his second mate before he died, and we were again veryintimate. My misfortunes had humbled me, and I once more read the Biblewith him; and I have, I trust, done so ever since. When he died, Icontinued second mate for some time, and then was displaced. Sincethat, I have always been as a common seaman on board of differentvessels; but I have been well treated and respected, and I may add, Ihave not been unhappy, for I felt that property would have only led meinto follies, and have made me forget, that in this world we are to liveso as to prepare ourselves for another. Now, William, you have thehistory of Masterman Ready; and I hope that there are portions of itwhich may prove useful to you. To-morrow we must be off betimes, and aswe are all to breakfast early together, why, I think the sooner we go tobed the better."

  "Very true," replied Mr Seagrave, "William, dear, bring me the Bible."