CHAPTER VII

THE DANGERS OF TORRES STRAIT

'Fore crosstrees, there! Stand by to stow the royal.'

'Ay, ay, sir,' Jack sang out.

Within a few minutes the starboard studding-sails fluttered to the deck, and the topgallant sails and royals were clewed up, while coming up astern the brig also shortened sail, and cautiously approaching the wreck both vessels hove-to half a mile to windward.

The big German ship was abandoned, and must have been ashore several days.

However, having furled the fore royal Jack turned his attention toward the busy scene passing on the deck below, and keenly regretted that duty prevented a personal visit to the wreck. The hands were clearing away one of the boats, which was on the point of being lowered, when Captain Thorne himself hailed the masthead. 'Lay down from aloft,' he sang out. 'Look sharp!'

Jack seized the back-stay and slid to the deck, where, to his delight, he was ordered to join the boat, and immediately sat beside Mr. Statten.

A strong pull soon took them close to the wreck, which lay on a submerged reef some two fathoms below the surface, her decks sharply inclined at an angle of about fifty degrees, and the masts and yards still standing thrust out far beyond the hull, over which waves occasionally broke in jets of spray.

On closer approach Jack perceived that the entire surface of the reef was covered with coal, which had fallen through great holes in the lee-bilge of the vessel. On passing to leeward round her stern numerous casks of salted provisions and other floatable gear were drifting away before the wind. She was indeed a pitiable spectacle.

On getting alongside the mizen chains, the puzzling difficulty of how to reach her saloon immediately arose, for the deck stood like a huge wall, up which not even a sailor could climb, and Mr. Statten had been directed to search the cabin for any document likely to indicate what had become of the missing crew.

'I think I could reach it, sir!' Jack eagerly exclaimed.

'Well, bear a hand,' the mate replied. 'Those drifting casks are valuable, and might be saved.'

Seizing a favourable opportunity Jack sprang into the lee rigging, and nimbly climbing up its inner side presently succeeded in reaching the mizen top, crossed to windward, and with a wave of his cap to the 'Alert' he promptly descended the weather shrouds, and sliding down the steep deck reached the saloon skylight.

A few moments later he had swung himself into the cabin below, where nothing seemed disturbed. Nailed to the table was a piece of paper, which in good English stated that the whole crew had decided to attempt the passage of the strait in their boats, and if possible reach Turtle Island, at the opposite end, where it was known that British war-vessels frequently left provisions for those in distress. With that information Jack promptly returned to his companions.

'A mighty risky procedure,' Mr. Statten exclaimed, on perusal of the document. 'Suppose they are becalmed near any of the islands, and are seen by the savages? Those, however, might be passed during the night, and the boats could easily clear sunken reefs which larger vessels would strike.'

The boat pushed off, and Captain Thorne was informed of the note.

'We might save a lot of good gear, sir,' the mate added.

'No, no,' the old man replied. 'Our lives are much more important. I shan't lose a good wind for such rubbish. Hook on the boat-falls.'

So the boat was hoisted 'two blocks' in the davits, and again setting every inch of canvas that would draw, and quickly followed by the brig, away sped the barque, in a brave attempt to pass the most dangerous portion of the strait during daylight.

The decks being cleared up Jack enjoyed a substantial breakfast, and was then supplied with a quantity of biscuit for use during the day. Accompanied by Mr. Statten he returned to his former position at the masthead, with strict orders to keep watch and report all reefs in sight.

The position afforded an extensive range of vision, and it was not long before several streaks of white water under the port bow indicated coral just awash, while others were visible on the starboard beam. Between them, however, and as far as could be seen, the deep blue fairway remained unbroken; but when Jack 'shinned' up to the topgallant yard, he immediately perceived and reported the loom of land ahead.

'That's Thursday Island,' the mate replied. 'Keep close lookout for another, named Prince of Wales.'

Under her big press of sail the' Alert' raced along in grand style, but the brig was slowly dropping astern.

However, as plenty of good daylight would remain for several hours, not much notice was taken of her, and Jack became keenly interested in the beautiful scene spread out before him. Thursday Island was fast losing its cloud-like appearance, every portion of it being covered with trees and scrub, but no sign of habitation or natives was apparent.

The canvas of the barque swelled out splendidly in the fresh fair wind, mounds of foam rolled away from beneath the bow, while over all was an unclouded sky of brilliant blue.

Prince of Wales Island also hove in sight, and when the barque was nearly abreast of it Jack saw a white signal being energetically waved by someone ashore, and he immediately warned his companion.

'It might be a sign from the missing crew,' Mr. Statten said. He hailed the deck.

Captain Thorne promptly altered his course and stood in nearer to the island, where three white specks that lay up on a yellow beach proved to be European-built boats.

The barque's crew became excited respecting the fate of the Germans, since only the bearer of the signal could be seen. Suddenly the report of sharp musketry firing from behind some thick scrub was heard.

Almost immediately several men were seen slowly retreating towards the boats. They were followed by many naked savages, hurling long spears and short pieces of bent wood.

'The whites are fighting for their lives!' Captain Thorne sang out. 'We must save them.'

The islanders were striving to surround their victims, and the firing almost ceased, as if the ammunition were failing.

The crisp, short orders of the captain rang fore and aft. 'Port watch for'a'd, starboard watch aft,' he cried. 'In with the stu'n's'ls, sir. Clear away the anchor and chain. Bear a hand, now. Lead-line into the main chains. Let fly all royal and topgallant halyards. Have both quarter-boats ready for lowering. Fore crosstrees, there! Lay down from aloft! Stand by the braces, men.'

Mr. Sennit hastened forward, and soon had the anchor and cable ready to let go, the studding-sails came down smartly, the royal and topgallant halyards were let fly, and under easy canvas the 'Alert' drew nearer shore.

All that while the Germans near the beach--for they proved to be the missing crew--were making desperate exertions to reach the boats, and having exhausted nearly all their cartridges, took to hurling stones, or anything they could find, at the yelling savages, who still maintained a stubborn front, and caused several casualties by spear and club.

'What water have you now?' the captain cried.

'A quarter less five!' the leadsman sang out.

'Let go the anchor for'a'd!'

Through the hawse-pipe coil after coil of cable flew, and the barque swung head to wind. Before she had lost all way, both boats were lowered, manned by strong armed crews, and, braving all subsequent rebuke, Jack Clewlin promptly took a seat beside the second mate.

'You should not have come, boy,' the latter said.

'I can mind the boat, sir,' Jack returned.

With right goodwill the men lay back on their oars, and cheers greeted the almost surrounded Germans. Directly the boats struck the beach all hands jumped ashore, and immediately arranged themselves into watches under the respective leaders.

Mr. Sennit dashed toward the right wing of the foe, and with his men the second mate rushed toward the opposite extremity, both parties firing as rapidly as their weapons could be reloaded. The yelling cannibals speedily wavered, and sought cover among the adjacent scrub and trees. But the Germans were still vigorously assailed by a centre knot of the foe, whereupon both British watches united, and pouring in an almost continuous volley of lead speedily relieved the situation. The savages suddenly retreated, but not before they had carried off the whole of their dead and wounded.

So closely had Jack Clewlin followed the fortunes of his friends on shore that the approach of further assistance was not noticed. For the brig, on seeing her consort shorten sail and bear up for the island, immediately followed, and sent men to the rescue.

Perhaps it was their timely arrival which ended the fray. At anyrate, the savages were not again seen, but several of their spears were secured as trophies of the struggle.

On hasty examination it was discovered that the Germans had suffered serious loss. Four of them were found dead among the scrub, while six others had been more or less severely wounded. What the uninjured had dreaded more than the spears were the short pieces of bent and blackened wood, known as 'boomerangs,' for when those were thrown with force the result was astonishing. They could easily kill any small animal or bird without losing momentum, and would return to the point of discharge. Two of the men had been killed by them, but in those cases the weapons lost further power on striking such heavy obstacles.

A recall signal on the 'Alert' attracted attention.

'All aboard!' Mr. Sennit sang out. 'We can do no more, and must not lose the fair wind.'

The boats on the beach were refloated. The wounded and dead were placed in them, and all hands proceeded to rejoin their vessels, not one of the rescuers having been injured.

The anchors of both vessels were promptly cat-headed. The German boats were sunk, and the dead were buried at sea, so that they should not fall into the hands of the cannibals.

The cause of all the trouble was not far to seek. The wrecked crew, finding their supply of water running short, and unaware of the savage character of the islanders, had gone ashore to fill their casks, with the result described.

On reaching the 'Alert' Jack Clewlin expected nothing less than a severe reprimand from his captain. Of such, however, there was no sign, and the lad felt relieved. On the other hand, Readyman expressed strong approval of his conduct.

'You did quite right, my son,' he said. 'Act so, and never hang back from any duty. Make it a firm resolve always to be on the spot, or at the yardarm, when required, and even should you not know exactly how the work ought to be done, you will mostly find a good man alongside to show you.'

'I hope the captain is not angry,' Jack observed.

'Not he, lad. You needn't trouble about that. When you go wrong, he'll pretty soon pull you up all astanding.'

'The natives lost a number of men, Readyman; I saw several of them fall at the edge of the bush.'

'Sarve them right, Master Jack. They will know better next time. They couldn't have seen our vessels coming along, and so thought they had the game to themselves.'

Accompanied by the second mate, Jack presently regained his old place at the fore topmast head, and shortly after clearing the island he perceived a milky-hued patch of water right ahead.

'A submerged and uncharted reef!' Mr. Statten exclaimed. Through his glasses he peered at the obstacle, and then perceiving how the deep blue channel should be followed, gave the true course to the captain from a small compass which he carried.

'Steady at that, sir,' he sang out, as the barque swung away on her new course. 'All clear ahead. No more off.'

The 'Alert' raced along in grand style, and as there were no more reefs to trouble them Jack and his companion enjoyed a good meal of biscuit and salt pork.

Away astern the brig was hard pressed to hold her own, and the islands speedily disappeared. The barque was soon abreast of the sea-covered reef, which looked to be about three fathoms below the surface, and she passed so close along one side that the line of deep and shallow water was distinctly defined, the whole structure appearing like a huge white wall rising in the blue water.

'And every portion of it is built by minute insects,' Mr. Statten observed. 'Year after year the work proceeds without cessation, till, on contact with the air, the builders die. Then drifting débris lodges and rots in the crevices, birds resting there drop seeds, which take root and flourish, and in that way most of the Pacific islands were formed.'

'And that reef will be one some day,' Jack replied.

'Yes, and probably inhabited by such savages as we fought just now,' the mate added. 'They quarrel among themselves, and the weakest goes to some new place.'

'Look, sir,' Jack cried, and pointed ahead, 'there are more reefs just awash.'

Mr. Statten peered through his glasses. 'Why,' he said, 'we seem to be sailing into a nest of them. Shin up to the topgallant-yard, and tell me where the channel lies.'

Jack was soon seated on his old perch, and thus elevated, could see for several miles past the obstructions. A good clear 'lead' through them was also visible, and as the vessel still decreased her distance, the foaming ridges seemed to widen out considerably, so that what at first appeared a particularly dangerous channel presently proved to be quite safe, and through it the 'Alert' passed without the slightest difficulty.

'The brig will have to hurry up,' Mr. Statten said. 'The afternoon is slipping away, and she's a long way astern.'

'But the moon's at the full, sir,' Jack observed.

'Why, you're becoming a regular old shellback,' the mate laughed. 'I expect it's bred in the bone.'

'That is what my father said when I wished to go to sea,' Jack exclaimed. 'What does it mean?'

'That you are a sailor born and bred, and the son of one.'

They remained aloft throughout the afternoon, while the captain kept close watch on the steering, and just after sundown a small island appeared off the starboard bow.

'We are safe now,' the captain sang out. 'One hundred and ten miles since daylight. It's first-rate. Lay down from aloft.'

Jack and the mate enjoyed a good supper that night, and the barque was hove-to till daylight, so as to discover what had happened to the brig.

The night passed uneventfully. In the grey of coming dawn the brig was seen making desperate endeavour to overhaul her companion, and presently reported an almost miraculous escape from destruction while sailing through the last series of reefs.