CHAPTER VI

SOME NEW EXPERIENCES

'All hands stow canvas!' Mr. Sennit sang out.

With a young ordinary seaman Jack helped to furl the fore royal. And, that being neatly accomplished, he then slid down to the topgallant yard, where two extra men had already arrived. But instead of remaining near the mast he was sent out to the yardarm, where, of course, the work was much lighter than at the 'bunt,' or centre part of the sail.

The upper and lower topsails were also stowed, and then the whole port watch 'lay down' to the fore yard, Jack being still shifted outside of the men. With a cheery--

'Yoh, ho, we'll all sling duff at the cook,'

the big sail was rolled up snugly on the yard, and the men were soon on deck.

With the furling of all the canvas the yards were correctly squared in their lifts and braces, the ropes were coiled on the belaying-pins, and a general 'knock off of work' followed the safe completion of the voyage.

Jack's attention was immediately directed toward the appearance of the country in which he had just arrived, and many emigrants also peered landward.

Moreton Bay was of considerable size, deep water and good anchorage being readily found anywhere, but of signs of habitations not a trace existed, and many people openly discussed the means of existence in such an apparently desolate spot.

The land all round seemed of a uniform flatness, and thickly covered with trees and undergrowth, while of the River Brisbane, or the city of that name beside which it was supposed to flow, not the slightest sign was visible.

But it was not long before black smoke was seen rising above the 'bush' some distance beyond the inner end of the bay, while out of the foliage there a small steamer suddenly emerged, and speedily made fast alongside the clipper.

She had brought down a quantity of fresh provisions, and, in the delight of soon enjoying them, all hands momentarily forgot about Queensland, or the likelihood of starvation in an uninhabited country.

Jack always believed that the supper of mutton chops, 'soft tack,' and good tea, partaken of that night was the sweetest he ever had, and much chatter went on between the three youngsters in their room.

'I say, Clewlin,' Wilton sang out, 'this is all right, you know; but do you like the sea?'

'Like it?' Jack cried, with mouth full of chop; 'why, there is nothing like it anywhere!'

'I hate it,' Wilton returned, 'and mean to give it up. It isn't anything so pleasant as I thought.'

'What's the matter with it?'

'Everything,' Wilton replied. 'First of all, there are those dreadful night watches--enough to kill anyone.'

'But you were no worse off than the others,' George Archer returned. 'Did you think the anchor would be dropped, and all hands turn in till daylight?'

'I certainly never expected that I should have to haul at the ropes just like the common men, and have my arms almost dragged out for no earthly reason that I could see. It's toil, toil all the time, and no amusements of any kind. I tell you I'm sick of the life, and shall leave it when a favourable chance comes.'

'The very best thing you could do,' Archer replied.

'And look at the food,' Wilton added; 'salt horse and pork so fat that only an Icelander would eat it. Why couldn't they give us something better?'

At that point of the discussion Jack was called aft, and received two letters and several newspapers directed to himself.

As he returned to the room the steamer, laden with most of the saloon passengers, sheered off, and in her Captain Thorne also went ashore.

Jack was soon eagerly reading his father's long letters, while an article in a Stonewell paper presently attracted his notice.

'I say, you fellows,' he sang out, 'here is a description of our departure from Stonewell Harbour. It's just splendid. The writer says that the "Silver Crown" was the handsomest ship that ever entered Stonewell Harbour. Oh, my! Why, he has put my name into print. Just listen, boys! The only son of our worthy fellow-townsman, Captain Clewlin, has had the good fortune to make his first voyage in the clipper, and to Master Jack we tender our hearty congratulations and best wishes for his steady advancement.'

The other two boys also received letters from home.

'What has become of Sorter?' Jack presently inquired. 'I haven't seen him since supper.'

'He's gone off in the steamer,' Archer whispered. 'Would you believe, boys, that just before he went he openly boasted to me of having stolen all that food from our house, and sold it to the people in the steerage? He must have been the most disreputable young scoundrel alive. He showed me a good deal of money. We are well rid of such a character.'

'And he told me to tell you, Clewlin,' Charlie Wilton added, 'that if ever he met you on shore he would give you a licking.'

'I'd like to see him try it,' Jack laughed. 'He thought that because I wished to keep a promise to my father, I must be a coward; but he would find out his mistake.'

After dark a lamp was hung on the fore stay; watchmen patrolled the 'tween deck, and the three boys were soon enjoying the delights of an 'all night below.'

At six o'clock next morning the crew set to work washing the deck, and shortly after breakfast the little steamer returned.

She was speedily filled with emigrants, and for nearly a week the work of disembarkation continued.

At last the clipper was cleared of her living freight.

All the sails were sent down from aloft and stowed away, while the fittings of every cabin in the 'tween deck and steerage were carefully removed and sent ashore, and fetched good prices at auction.

Then the ship was thoroughly cleaned both inside and out, and the yards, masts, and hull were painted.

Jack Clewlin sent home a full description of his voyage, and the delights of sea life. One week later, during which the 'Merrie England' arrived, he experienced his first trip on an Australian river.

In one of the lifeboats, and accompanied by Readyman and a strong crew from the starboard watch, he speedily reached the inner end of the bay and the mouth of the Brisbane.

The twenty miles of somewhat narrow waterway--the river being low at the time--proved peculiarly fascinating, especially to men long confined on shipboard, and the winding course of the stream presently found them wholly land-locked amidst the most beautiful verdure, that sprang directly from the water, and grew in such wild luxuriance that not even the smallest particle of ground could be seen. Great tropical plants and large broad-leaved, glass-smooth fern-palms flourished beneath trees that never shed their leaves, but from which long strips of bark depended in fantastic profusion.

'It's wonderful pretty, Master Jack,' Readyman observed. 'The real handiwork of the Creator. And yet, I suppose, within a few years it will all have gone before the axe, and the enterprising advance of the settler?'

'It would be a pity to touch a leaf,' Jack replied.

After a long and steady pull up stream the boat came in sight of the first signs of civilisation.

On the left bank of the river a barn-like structure, which proved to be the general dépôt for all unmarried women landed from the ships, appeared.

On a hill behind it the new settlement of Brisbane was situated, while close at hand a large square-nosed ferry-boat, which was hauled to and fro across the stream by means of a chain cable, gave access to the opposite and apparently uninhabited bank of the river.

Leaving the lifeboat in charge of the ferry-man her crew soon reached the summit of the hill. With the exception of a few houses clustered round some Government buildings, a modest church and half a dozen dwellings standing on commanding positions, the embryo capital of Queensland appeared to be chiefly composed of roads and streets marked out for future occupation.

From many of their late emigrant friends the men received the heartiest welcome, and Jack speedily discovered that some of the people had already removed farther up-country, or had taken over possession of the plots of land apportioned by the Government to those paying their full passage money.

From the members of a former Stonewell family, with whom Jack was well acquainted, the lad received much kindness. Mr. H---- had already purchased some land on what would presently be the principal street, and while building operations continued the family lived in a small bark hut.

Through their assistance Readyman was enabled to secure excellent accommodation for himself and his young charge, and each found much to interest and amuse during their brief visit.

The older settlers never ceased inquiries about 'the old country,' as England was styled.

The most striking spectacle was a small band of about thirty wretched and dirty-looking 'black fellows,' or natives of the immense continent, who had recently arrived at the settlement. They had brought with them a solitary British seaman, who for upwards of twelve years had been wandering all over the country with the savages, and had, of course, become well acquainted with the habits and strange customs of his aboriginal companions. The man appeared in fairly good condition, but had almost forgotten his mother-tongue, and even such words as he still remembered were uttered in such a guttural manner as to be almost unrecognisable.

It appeared that while attempting the passage of Torres Strait his vessel had been wrecked, and out of a full company of twenty hands he alone had survived.

Neither he nor the natives could explain what had become of the others; but those competent to form an opinion believed that they had been speared and eaten by the cannibals.

Jack enjoyed a splendid night's rest, the first he had had between white linen sheets since leaving home, and after breakfast next morning the 'liberty' men prepared to return to their ship. The stream was now in their favour, and the 'Silver Crown' was reached in less than half the time occupied on the upward journey.

Charlie Wilton and the remaining half of the starboard watch next went ashore. From what he had already said, Jack was not surprised to find that Charlie did not return, and he was not again seen. Of the four apprentices who had left Stonewell, two, Archer and Clewlin, alone remained, and even they were soon parted.

The clipper received orders to proceed to Bombay for a homeward freight of cotton. All the canvas was immediately 'bent,' and tacks, sheets, bunt-lines, and reef-tackles were rove off.

When those sailing preparations were completed a wholly unexpected turn of affairs suddenly placed young Jack in considerable difficulty, and occasioned him much anxiety.

Captain Thorne had been medically advised not to visit India, since, only two voyages before, he had contracted a dangerous illness at Bombay.

After long deliberation with his two officers, all three men had agreed to exchange places with the master and mates of a smaller vessel, belonging to the same firm, then in the bay.

She was only half the size of the clipper, and had come out with cargo, but she was nearly ready to sail for Newcastle, N.S.W., there to load coal for Java.

At last Jack decided to consult his old friend Readyman.

'I want to follow Captain Thorne,' he said.

'Well, my son,' the quarter-master replied, 'I certainly believe you are on the right tack. The skipper you know is better than the one you've had no dealings with. Putting that aside, sonny, you'd have a far better chance of learning your business in a small craft. In this clipper there are men enough to turn her inside out, so to say, and youngsters must stand aside, or teach themselves as best they may. You've had three months' experience, and can see that no one here takes much notice of others. Barring what I've tried to do, lad, there isn't another man to show you how to splice a rope-yarn. I believe your father spoke to Thorne, and he would naturally feel more interested than any stranger. Yes, lad, I should try to palaver the old man as soon as may be, and if you go I'll not be far astern.'

'Humph!' the captain grunted, on hearing Jack's tale. 'I do not see why you should leave so fine a vessel for one not half her size. But if you would really sooner come with me there is nothing to keep you away, only you must clearly understand, boy, that in a craft of that kind there are few hands, and you will have to take an ordinary seaman's place, and work as he would.'

'I don't mind that, sir,' Jack promptly replied. 'I wish to learn all I can before returning home.'

'Very good. Can you box the compass?'

'Yes, sir, and knot and splice ropes, too,' Jack proudly said.

'Who taught you?'

'Readyman, sir; he knew and sailed with my father.'

'Get your gear shifted immediately. I told your father I'd make either a lubber or a sailor of his boy.'

Jack needed no further incentive. 'I say, Archer,' he cried, on entering the deck-house, 'I'm off to the new vessel. Are you coming?'

'What! Into a cockle-shell like her? Not likely.'

Jack soon joined the new craft, which was a barque of nine hundred tons, named the 'Alert,' and into her Readyman also exchanged; but Archer, the elder apprentice, remained on the clipper.

For a few days Jack found himself cramped for 'elbow-room,' but his new quarters were far superior to those lately occupied, since he now lived aft in the fore cabin with the two officers and the steward.

A week later both vessels left Moreton Bay together, but although the 'Alert' was by no means a slow craft she could not keep pace with her larger consort, which raced away at great speed and soon disappeared. And that was the last Jack Clewlin ever saw of her.

Without noteworthy incident the barque arrived safely at Newcastle, which is situated near the mouth of the Hunter River, New South Wales, some sixty miles from Sydney. There she immediately proceeded to load coal for Batavia.

So busily employed were all hands that little opportunity for visiting the town was afforded. Some of the crew received a sound 'ducking' while attempting to walk the stout spars that kept the vessel clear of the river bank, so Jack wisely decided to remain on board.

The hold being filled, and the coal dust washed away, the sails were sent aloft and 'bent,' or fastened to the yards; at that work Jack took his place, his light weight being most suitable for the royal yards, while Readyman had shown him how the canvas should be secured. Indeed, what with his knowledge of splicing and knotting the ropes, and other valuable information imparted by his old friend, the mates soon perceived his eagerness to learn, and afforded him much more opportunity of speedy advance than would ever have occurred on the clipper.

Accompanied by a large brig and a full-rigged ship, the 'Alert' put to sea, all three vessels being bound to Java.

The 'Alert' soon made a good offing, and to Jack's extreme satisfaction Captain Thorne ordered him to relieve the helmsman, whose greater strength was needed to cat-head and secure the anchor. Under the watchful eye of the master himself, the young helmsman attained such proficiency in the art of steering, that when one of the crew presently fell ill the lad was able to take his place.

Of that advance no one felt prouder than Readyman. 'It's all through learning the compass, lad,' he said. 'You've moved into the best vessel to learn your business, and the old man means that you shall.'

'The mate says we are going through Torres Strait,' Jack said.

'A mighty rough spot, Master Jack,' Readyman replied. 'I've never been there, but a mate of mine once sailed that way, and was no more seen. It's full of coral reefs and islands, and some cannibals, I'm told, and woe betide the craft that runs ashore.'

'I hope we shall have better luck,' Jack returned.

That afternoon some signalling passed between the 'Alert' and the brig which had come out with her from the river, and it was then arranged that both should keep together while passing through Torres Strait, the ninety miles wide channel lying between Cape York in Australia and the shores of New Guinea.

Of the ship they took no notice, partly because she was a German, and partly owing to her keeping a more off-shore course.

The weather continued delightful, and for many days the two vessels sailed along the mainland, passed Moreton Bay, and the new settlement farther north known as Rockhampton. At last they were abreast of the southern end of that wonderful marine formation named the Great Barrier Reef, which, an almost unbroken line of coral, extends southward from Cape York for a distance of fourteen hundred miles.

This remarkable structure varies considerably in its distance from the mainland. At places toward the north it is not more than ten or twelve miles off, but farther south, and especially toward its end, it is as much as one hundred miles away, while the channel between it and the shore can be navigated with ease. Its seaward face rises almost perpendicularly from the ocean, and in some places narrow passages admit small craft.

For Jack Clewlin the new life on which he had ventured was daily becoming more and more interesting, and he and Readyman never regretted the change.

Day by day both vessels kept well together, the brig sometimes forging far ahead in the light winds, while on other occasions the barque easily passed her in strong breezes. At last they reached the northern end of the Great Reef, it and the main coast being visible; and, having left some islands astern, the entrance of the dreaded strait was found.

The utmost vigilance was now maintained. To the vast delight of all hands, a splendid fair wind began to freshen, just as the dawn of a beautiful morning showed eastward.

The captain came on deck, in hope of running through the most dangerous portion of the coral-obstructed waterway before dark. Every inch of canvas was immediately set, and to assist the lookout at the bow Jack Clewlin was sent to the masthead.

Until then he had had little experience of coral reefs, but would now speedily find himself well-nigh beset by them. Yet in point of danger those awash, and consequently visible, were as nothing in comparison with others hidden a few feet beneath the surface, and steadily pushed upward by their minute builders.

He had just made himself comfortable on the fore topgallant-yard, when, far ahead and slightly off the port bow, a small black object, with the faint but curious tracery of what looked like the masts and rigging of a vessel, appeared.

As no canvas could be seen, Jack naturally concluded that she was at anchor, and he immediately reported the discovery.

'Ay, ay,' Mr. Statten sang out. 'How far off?'

'About ten miles, sir,' Jack replied.

The officer was soon beside him in the crosstrees, and through his glasses peered at the stranger. Then he began to laugh.

'Oh yes, she's "anchored," sure enough, and likely to remain there a spell,' he said. 'It's the big German, Clewlin, hard and fast on a reef. She has evidently been trying to make a fast passage, and come to grief in the dark.'

'Is there anyone on board, sir?'

'I cannot tell just yet. Anyhow, her colours are at the gaff-end, but she lies very badly.'

Telling Jack to remain where he was, the mate hastened on deck, and signalling the brig, which was farther astern, the 'Alert' bore down to make inquiry.