CHAPTER XV

THE 'ALERT'S' LAST BERTH

'What is a thrummed sail, Readyman?' Jack inquired.

'Well, my son,' the quarter-master explained, 'the selected piece of canvas is worked into narrow pleats, and those are pierced with holes and filled by short ends of teazed oakum. In other words, it is a big mat placed against the injured spot, so that the material can work into the seams from outside. Our metal sheathing is nearly awash, and unless it has got strained by fire the mat won't be of much use.'

All the same, it was placed in position, and the water casks in the forehold were shifted farther aft, so as to raise the bow slightly above the surface of the sea.

One great advantage always remained with them, the sea kept perfectly smooth and the wind moderate. Of course, the pumps were always on the move, and the Chinamen worked with a will.

After an anxious four days Jack Clewlin from aloft sang out, 'Land, O!'

It presently became visible from the deck, and the old man decided to run to leeward.

It was a small but lofty island, perhaps twenty miles long by about eight or ten miles across, and it seemed to be covered with thickly-growing timber and dense undergrowth. The coast-line was bold and steep, but no reefs could be seen.

Within a couple of hours the 'Alert' had drawn well abreast of a precipitous headland, and was still striving to pass it, when suddenly everything aloft was taken flat aback by baffling winds from the shore. The sudden strain thus cast on all the head stays proved more than the good old barque could resist, and in a moment large quantities of water poured into the hold.

'She's done for, sir!' Mr. Sennit shouted from the forecastle-head. 'The bow has almost caved in.'

Captain Thorne remained perfectly calm.

'All hands loose everything,' he sang out. 'Get the Chinamen at the pumps. Bear a hand! Set the stu'n's'ls for'a'd. Carpenter and steward stand by to lower quarter-boats. We'll put her hard and fast yet, Sennit.'

The men raced aloft faster than ever in their lives. The Chinamen worked the pumps for all they were worth. Every stitch of canvas was set in less than ten minutes, and passing the point the steadily settling vessel ran toward a clear and level bit of sandy beach under her lee, which, however, she never reached.

The vessel was driven direct for a spot where she might rest in safety, and she certainly did her best to reach it. When some attention could be directed shoreward it was seen that she had entered a spacious bay, about four miles across, and deep water seemed to run right up to the sandy beach. From the latter she was still some distance away, and, of course, as the hull was forced deeper in the water the more did the leakage increase. At last the chain-plates were awash, and it became a matter of doubt if the shore could be reached.

'I don't think she'll do it, lad,' Readyman observed to his young friend. 'Anyhow, my son, we may not have far to swim. You must remain close to me, and we'll see it----'

A sudden striking of the hull on submerged rocks almost capsized Jack and his protector. The damaged foremast, with all attached, went over the bow. Mr. Sennit was pitched clean off the forecastle-head into the water, and thus was undoubtedly saved from being crushed to death beneath the falling spars. Most of the after masts were also snapped off by the force of the blow, but no one was injured. The hull was lifted clear of obstruction, and with a long downward glide finally took the ground in three fathoms of water.

Mr. Sennit was immediately assisted on board, none the worse of his unexpected dip, and Captain Thorne congratulated him on his fortunate escape.

The 'Alert,' with slight 'list' or inclination to port, was hard and fast fore and aft. Readyman and Jack Clewlin had no necessity to swim ashore. The main deck of the wreck remained clear of the water, and no inconvenience was occasioned to anyone on board.

'Well done, old girl!' the quarter-master exclaimed. 'You're fixed now, and did us a real good turn.'

'But it is hard lines, after being together so long,' Jack said.

'We may not part company yet,' Readyman added. 'I'd sooner live here than ashore. The old man managed that last scoot in a surprising way, Master Jack. Many another would have lost his head, and smothered all hands. I never saw a neater bit of seamanship. Part company? Well, sonny, when we lose sight of this island, I reckon it will be about time to talk of that, but not before. How can anyone tell that this place isn't swarming with niggers ready to bake us for breakfast? I'll stick to the old craft yet.'

'Do you know, Readyman, that we are just two years out?'

'Ay, ay, and when leaving Stonewell you or the dad never expected that through following the skipper you'd see so many parts of the world, and in the end become a second Robinson Crusoe, so to speak.'

'That's true,' Jack said; 'but now that I have been shipwrecked it does not feel half so exciting or splendid as reading of such things in a book. Indeed, Readyman, if my father could only know that I am alive and well, I should feel quite contented.'

'Well, lad, I don't see there's any use in looking at the affair like that. We might be rescued to-morrow, for all that any of us can tell. Even supposing we have to bunk it out here for a spell, it might just as well be done with a light as a heavy heart. Meeting trouble half-way ain't my motto at all; keep your heart up, sonny, and we'll pull through all right.'

As a matter of fact, Jack was not greatly distressed by the loss of the barque. What had impressed him much more seriously was the terrible end of the men with whom he had been so long associated, and whose cold-blooded murders had made such a lasting impression on his mind, since among a small body of men, cooped up together on board ship, the loss of a single life is keenly regretted long after his belongings have been put up to auction.

An examination of the wreck showed that the sea did not quite reach the deck, and as it remained dry and cool the Chinamen were housed forward, and as the forecastle had been almost destroyed by the fire the crew was permitted to live aft. None of the hands seemed to think the position worthy of much remark, and settled down comfortably in their new quarters, as though nothing particularly exciting had occurred.

The long-boat, which was towing astern when the barque took the ground, received no injury, and as she was in good condition all necessary stores could be speedily removed. The two quarter-boats were also lowered and secured alongside.

After supper, lots were drawn for the night watching, and about eight o'clock the others turned in.

Next morning the work of salving the stores began. The three boats were in constant movement between the wreck and the beach, while under the orders of Mr. Statten the Chinamen set to work erecting tents, by means of the spars and sails landed.

'We dare not trust the old barque,' Captain Thorne said. 'If a gale from the westward arose, she would be soon broken up.'

Jack was placed in charge of one boat, and for some days he was busily employed.

All the rifles and ammunition were sent ashore, even before any of the provisions, for although the island appeared uninhabited, the skipper deemed it advisable to be prepared for all contingencies, until a thorough investigation proved that no anxiety need be entertained.

When the second mate had selected a good camping-ground he and the emigrants soon rigged up very respectable tents, the Chinamen being accommodated in one set apart for their exclusive use.

The stores that were stowed in the cabin of the barque were in good condition; but most unfortunately all the beef and pork casks had been so securely stowed in the hold that they could neither float to the surface nor be reached by the crew. On the other hand, the two 'harness-casks,' in which a fortnight's supply of meat was kept on deck, happened to be full, and they were put ashore. The big water-tank had not been injured by the grounding of the vessel, and it was three parts full. There was also a spring of excellent drinking water discovered on the island.

For about a week Captain Thorne and a few men remained on the wreck, but the others always slept in the tents ashore.

Bright and early next morning all hands were astir. The fires were replenished, and kettles were soon 'singing' away in merry tune; and as the 'Alert' could no longer be set on fire the Chinamen were allowed to cook their own food, and right well they did it, too. They never made the slightest disturbance, and apparently took the whole affair as a big relief from the monotony of life afloat, nor did any of them express the least dislike to detention on the lonely island.

The labour of salvage continued until everything worth removal had been sent ashore, and only the hull and lower masts of the 'Alert' remained above water. Then Captain Thorne took up his residence among his men, and a survey of the island was arranged.

'I shall take a few men with me and work across country,' he said. 'You might take the long-boat, Sennit, and by keeping along the shore endeavour to join me on the opposite side, and thus discover if there are natives about. I have no accurate knowledge of the place.'

'Ay, ay, sir,' the mate replied. 'I do not think you should travel unarmed.'

'Of course not,' the old man returned; 'there may be cannibals watching us now. We must strive to support each other if attacked.'

Having selected their men both leaders set off on their separate adventures.

Mr. Statten, Readyman, Jack Clewlin, and two of the crew remained behind to look after the camp and the Chinamen.

After dinner, and with the consent of the second mate, Readyman and his young friend set out on an expedition in search of fresh water. They took an opposite course to that of the skipper, and kept a good lookout for natives. Both carried rifles and ammunition. It was not long before Jack saw something like a path, apparently made by natives, trending off through the timber and scrub toward the centre of the island. He immediately warned his companion.

'There are people here, after all,' he said. 'Let us tell Mr. Statten.'

'Hold hard, sonny,' Readyman exclaimed. 'No need for alarm before you're sure that the danger does exist. Examine the marks closer, lad. Do you see anything at all resembling a human footprint?'

Jack stooped lower and examined the trail.

'No,' he said. 'There certainly is no appearance of such marks. Who made the track, Readyman?'

'That's exactly what I want you to find out for yourself. Suppose you had been cast ashore without shipmates, and had to discover everything for future guidance? Use your eyes, lad.'

Here and there Jack discovered that, on looking still closer at the trail, it seemed to be recently disturbed. Many little pieces of compressed and decaying leaves looked as if they had been just cut asunder, and the disturbed earth seemed freshly trodden. Then he perceived among the leaves what looked like a long coarse hair. A few yards farther along the track he reached a circular clearance of the short scrub, while numerous marks showed the recent presence of many four-footed and cloven-hoofed animals.

'Did you ever see anything like them before?' the quarter-master inquired.

'Cows' feet,' Jack said; 'but these are much smaller.'

'What's that hair you picked up?'

A swift gleam of intelligence was followed by a hearty laugh.

'I know, I know!' Jack cried. 'This hair is a bristle, and the marks have been made by wild pigs.

'Exactly, lad; and if I'm not much mistaken they've had a big fight amongst themselves hereabouts.'

'Let us try to shoot some of them, Readyman.'

'I'd like to, my son, but don't forget that the boars are always savage, and regular demons to fight. Let me go first.'

In silence, and with great caution against sudden attack by cannibals, both friends continued to follow the track that led them deeper and deeper into the forest. The light still remained fairly good, while the track held an upward course. At last they came suddenly on a great wall of rock rising almost perpendicularly before them. At the same moment Readyman pulled up so abruptly that Jack, walking close behind, stumbled against him.

Without speaking the quarter-master pointed toward a spot at the base of the cliff, and following the direction Jack immediately perceived a large number of small pigs fast asleep in their comfortable quarters, apparently unaware of impending danger.

'Stand behind a tree, and take your choice of a good fat one,' Readyman whispered. 'Mind you don't waste a shot. I'll get under cover also, and see if we can bring home a couple of good porkers. Should you see a boar look wild, mind you get out of his road as quickly as possible. If I'm attacked, I'll shin up one of the trees.'

Each sportsman took his chosen position. The happily snoring pigs never stirred until suddenly a stronger whiff of wind from Jack's direction set a savage-looking but somewhat diminutive boar on its feet. A sharp squeal of warning aroused the rest of the animals. The boar snorted angrily, and with head bent close to the ground flew directly toward the tree behind which Jack stood, with rifle ready to let fly as soon as he felt certain of hitting the animal. All that while some thirty or forty pigs of various sizes and ages stood motionless, awaiting the result of their leader's onslaught.

From behind one tree a deafening noise arose, a cloud of smoke partly obscured the outlook, but before it had time to clear off a similar noise came from another tree. One of their fattest and most cheery comrades lay stiff in their midst, while the leader, in whom the utmost confidence had always been placed, limped badly on three legs, and from another blood flowed. Nevertheless, he was still full of fight, and made desperate attempts to inflict serious if not fatal injuries on Jack Clewlin. Round the foot of the tree Jack dodged his deadly foe, and on one occasion he got in a stunning blow of the rifle stock on the hard head of the boar. The next moment he was beyond reach of the sharp and gleaming tusks, which would have ripped up his leg like paper; but the gun had been dropped.

All that while Readyman was waiting his opportunity to deal a fatal blow, and when he fired the infuriated pig dropped dead without a squeal.

'Climb down, my son,' the quarter-master whispered. 'You got well out of that scrape. Let us have another shot at the crowd before they clear out.'

The pigs, apparently fascinated, remained motionless. Jack speedily recovered, and re-charged his rifle, and within a couple of seconds as many more pigs fell to the shots of the sportsmen. Thus brought to a sense of their own imminent danger, the remaining animals dashed off into the thick woods and disappeared.

With their spoils of the fight both men returned to camp. Mr. Statten had heard the firing, yet felt that as no one sang out for assistance nothing need be feared; but he mustered all the Chinamen, and made ready to repel a possible native attack.

All hands were agreeably surprised by the arrival of so much fresh food, and with the tough old boar, as their share of the meat the pigtails hastened back to their quarters to enjoy a good meal.

It was almost dark before Mr. Sennit with the long-boat returned to camp; but of Captain Thorne and his party no information was forthcoming.

'I've seen nothing of them all day,' the mate said. 'Perhaps there are natives on the island,' Mr. Statten observed. 'The captain may have been lured into some trap.'

'Well, I thought he had returned,' the mate replied. 'We cannot leave him adrift all night. Come along, some of you, and let us discover the truth. Don't forget your guns, boys.'

Everyone in camp wished to join him, but taking Readyman, Jack Clewlin, and one hand, he immediately set out on the trail of the missing men. By the time that they had covered a quarter of a mile the darkness rendered progress difficult. In spite of that, however, Mr. Sennit led the way, and the almost invisible track began to ascend. Still advancing, they came out suddenly on the summit of a high ridge, and in the opposite valley heard the discharge of a rifle.

'That comes from the captain!' Mr. Sennit exclaimed. 'We'll soon find out what may be wrong.'

He discharged his piece to announce the proximity of friends, and then casting about for some trace of the path, discovered that it took a sharp easterly turn, and finally went downward over the ridge.

'It seems almost madness to follow it in the dark,' the mate said. 'Anyhow, where they went safely we can chance a slight fall. Let us rope ourselves together, and Clewlin, being the lightest, must take the lead.'

Down they went without accident, and within half an hour Captain Thorne and his party were found.

'One of my men has broken his leg,' the skipper explained. 'We have had to carry him all the afternoon.'

'We only heard your signal after reaching the top of the hill, sir,' Mr. Sennit said.

'Did you discover anything in the long-boat, Sennit?'

'No, sir. The place seems uninhabited.'

'Except for wild pigs, of which there are many,' Captain Thorne returned. 'From certain signs, however, I'm led to think that not long ago the place must have been somewhat thickly dotted with villages. They have all been burned.'

'Probably by native enemies, sir,' the mate said.

'No, Sennit, but by "black-birders" who have stolen the people.'