CHAPTER ELEVEN.
THROUGH THE STORM.
"It's enough to make a man say he'll throw up the whole affair," criedUncle Paul, running his fingers in amongst his grizzly hair and givingit a savage tug.
"Uncle! Why, what's the matter now?"
"Yes, you may well say what's the matter now! Everything's the matter.The worry's almost maddening."
"What, is there anything fresh, uncle?"
"There, don't you take any notice, boy. I get regularly out of heart.There's always something wrong. It's as if we were never to be off.All these weary, weary months gone slowly dragging on."
"Why, uncle, they seem to me to go like lightning," cried Rodd.
"Oh, yes, of course. You are a boy, with plenty of time before you. Iam getting an old man, and with little time to spare to do all the workI want to. I seem to get not a bit farther."
"Why, you do, uncle. It's astonishing what a lot we have done. Let'ssee; it's just fifteen months since you bought the schooner."
"Fifteen, boy? You mean fifty."
"Fifteen, uncle; and she was nothing like finished then."
"No, and as soon as the men knew that she was sold, I believe they madeup their minds to spin the job out as long as they could."
"Oh, but, uncle, they did it all very beautifully; and see what a lot ofalterations you had made."
"Had made, indeed! Wasn't I led on into having them done by that oldscoundrel Chubb?"
"No, uncle. He always consulted with you first, and advised this andthat so as to make the vessel better."
"Humph!" grunted Uncle Paul.
"Then see what a lot you had done, fitting up the work-room, and thebottles and tanks, and getting in the dredging apparatus. It does seema long time to you, but see what a lot there was to do. You know youwere never satisfied."
"I was, sir! Don't you get accusing me of such things, Rodney. Yougrow more impertinent every day. Now put a regular check upon yourself,sir. If you are like this as a boy I don't know what you are going tobe when you grow to be a man."
"Well, uncle, I won't say another word about it."
"Ah! No sulking, sir! I command you to go on speaking at once."
"Very well, uncle; but you did say that you would have everything of thebest, and that nothing should be left undone, to hinder the expeditionfrom being successful."
"Did I say so, Rodd?"
"Why, yes, uncle, over and over again."
"Well, well, I did mean it. But I am getting quite out of heart. Everyday it seems as if there is something fresh to throw us back. Now it'sstores; now it's something else wants painting; now one of the crewwants a holiday, just at a time too when things are so nearly ready thatI might want to start at any moment."
"Well, I shall be glad when we do get off now, uncle," said the boythoughtfully.
"Then you had better give up thinking about it, boy. It looks to melike another six months before we can be ready."
"Oh no, uncle! Captain Chubb said to me yesterday that if I wanted toget anything else to take with me I must get it at once."
"Then don't you believe him, Rodd. He's a dilatory old impostor. Idon't believe he means for me to go at all. By the way, did you havethe men up and give them that big medicine chest?"
"Yes, uncle; the day before yesterday."
"Oh, and were those little casks of spirits got into the store-room?"
"Yes, uncle. I saw the men get them on board myself."
"That's right. But look here, Pickle; were you with them all the time?"
"Yes, uncle. You told me to be, before you went up to London."
"That's right, Rodd. But--er--did you--did you hear the men make anyremark about them?"
"No, uncle; but I saw them smell the bung-holes and look at one anotherand laugh."
"Humph!" said the doctor, smiling. "By the way, I think I'll go onboard now and have a look round. There are several things I want to seeto, those casks and kegs among the rest."
"They were all put just as you gave orders, uncle."
"Yes; but I want to test the spirits all the same. Here, we may as wellgo on board at once."
"Very well," cried the boy eagerly. "Is there any little thing we cantake with us?"
"No, my boy. As far as I am concerned, I think I can say everything isready."
It was not long before the doctor and his nephew were down at thelanding-place and being rowed across the harbour to where a beautifullytrim full-sized schooner lay moored to one of the great buoys; and oncoming alongside they were hailed by Captain Chubb, whose face seemed toshine with animation as he helped his chief on board.
"Morning, sir!" he cried. "I was just wishing that you would come onboard."
"Bah!" exclaimed Uncle Paul. "What wants doing now?"
"Nothing. Not as I know of."
"Oh, are you sure?" said Uncle Paul sarcastically, "Sartin, unless youhave got some more bottles or cranky tackle to be stowed away, sir."
"Oh, indeed," said Uncle Paul shortly. "You don't mean to say you havedone at last?"
"Me, sir? Why, I was ready six months ago, only you had always got somenew scheme you wanted fitted in."
"Ah, well, never mind about that now," cried Uncle Paul. "Then we mayset sail any day?"
"'Cept Friday, sir. The men wouldn't like that. To-night if you like."
"Ah, well, we won't go to-night," said the doctor.
"Only give your orders, sir," said the captain shortly. "Like to take alook round now? Fresh provisions are all on board."
"Oh no," said Uncle Paul, "I know it all by heart."
"Looks a beauty now, don't she, sir?"
"Oh yes, she looks very well. Here, Rodd, come down with me into thework-room."
The doctor strode off aft at once, the captain following slowly with theboy; and as their chief descended the cabin stairs Captain Chubb cockedhis eye at his young companion.
"Bit rusty this morning," he whispered.
"Yes; uncle's getting out of patience," whispered back Rodd.
"No wonder," said the captain. "Well, 'tarn't my fault. I never seesuch a doctor's shop and museum as he's made of the craft."
"Now, Rodney!" came from below sharply.
"Coming, uncle!" cried the boy, snatching at the brass rail, which, likeevery bit of metal about the beautiful vessel, shone as brightly as ifit were part of a yacht.
The doctor was standing at the foot of the stairs with his hand upon adoor, which he had just unlocked, and he led the way into a well-litportion of the vessel which had originally been intended for the stowageof cargo, but which was now fitted up with an endless number ofarrangements such as had been deemed necessary for the carrying out ofthe expedition.
One portion was like a chemical laboratory. Upon dresser-like tablesfitted against the bulkhead were rows of railed-in bottles and jars, andbeneath them new bright microscopes and other apparatus such as wouldgladden the heart of a naturalist. But the doctor gave merely a cursoryglance at these various objects, with whose arrangement he had long beenfamiliar, and made his way to where, set up on end upon a stout bench,were about a dozen specially made spirit casks, each fitted with its tapand a little receptacle hung beneath to catch any drops that might leakaway.
"Here, I want to test these," said the doctor; "and, by the way, askCaptain Chubb to step down."
There was no need, for almost at the same moment the captain's heavystep was heard upon the metal-covered cabin stairs.
"Anything I can do, sir?" he asked, in his gruff way.
"Yes, look here, captain," said the doctor, and he took a bright glassmeasure from where it hung by its foot in a little rack, safe fromfalling by the rolling of the vessel; "I was just going to test thesespirits, and I thought I should like you to be here."
"Hah!" said the captain. "I've thought a deal about all them littlebarrels put so handy there, ready on tap, and it's the only thing Idon't like, Dr Robson."
"Why?" said Un
cle Paul shortly.
"Why, it's just like this, sir. I have picked you out as sober a crewas ever went on a voyage, but sailors are sailors, sir, and I don'tthink it's right to be throwing temptation in their way."
"But this, my workshop, where I bottle my specimens, will always be keptunder lock and key."
"Nay!" snorted the captain.
"But I tell you it will," cried Uncle Paul. "Nobody will have anybusiness here but my nephew and me."
"That's what you mean," said the captain, "but how about times when youare busy, or forget and leave it open? Can't warrant always to keep itshut."
"Well," said Uncle Paul, with a curious smile, "I have thought of that,"and going to one of the little casks he turned the tap and let about acouple of tablespoonfuls of liquid that looked like filtered water flowinto the little glass measure, covering the bottom to about an inch indepth. "There," said the doctor, holding up the glass to the light;"just taste that, captain."
"Nay. I don't mind a drop of good rum at the proper season, but I don'tcare about spirits like that."
"I only want you to taste it," said the doctor. "It's too strong todrink."
"I know," said the captain. "Burns like fire."
"Just taste, but don't swallow it."
"Nay--Well, I'll do that. But it looks like physic."
The speaker just dipped his fore-finger into the liquid, and touched hislips, to cry angrily--
"Why, it's pison!"
"No," said the doctor; "proof alcohol for preserving my specimens. Ifby accident any of the men taste that they won't want any more, willthey?"
"Don't know," said the captain. "Maybe they'd water it down."
"Fill that measure with water, Rodd," said the doctor.
The boy took the glass to a big stone filter covered with basketwork,and filled the measure to the brim.
"Now try it, captain," said the doctor.
This time with a scowl of dislike, the captain raised the glass to hislips, but set it down again quickly and hurried to a little leaden sinkin one corner of the laboratory.
"Worse than ever, doctor."
"Well, do you think the men will water that down?"
"Not they! One taste will be quite enough."
"You don't think I need label those casks `Temptation,' do you?"
"Nay, sir. If you want to be honest to the lads, I should put `Pison'upon them in big letters."
"I would," said the doctor dryly, "but, as you say, sailors are sailors,and I don't think they'd believe it if I did."
"What have you put in it, sir?"
"Ah! that's my secret, Captain Chubb."
"Well, I hope none of the lads will touch it; but it's sperrits, youknow. Won't answer for it that if one of them was helping you to bottleup some of them things as we shall fish up when we gets into theTropics, he wouldn't be trying a sip."
"I shouldn't be surprised either," said the doctor, "but if he did hewouldn't do it again."
The skipper looked at him sharply.
"Don't mean that, do you, sir?" he cried.
"Indeed, but I do," replied the doctor.
"Going too far," growled the skipper. "Look here, doctor; I've fellinto all your ways like a man, and have helped to drill the chaps intohandling your tackle, which is outside an able seaman's dooties; but Idon't like this 'ere a bit."
"I can't help that," said the doctor, bristling up. "I shall of coursetell them that they must not touch this stuff, of which no doubt I shalluse a great deal, and it will be in direct opposition to my orders ifthey give way to the temptation."
"Right enough," said the skipper, "but seamen's weak--like babies insome things--and a good skipper has to be like a father to them, to keepthem out of mischief. Don't know no better, doctor. You do, and it'stoo strong, sir; it's too strong."
"Then let them leave it alone," said the doctor hotly.
"That's right, sir, but maybe they won't. Don't mean to say that I amstupid over them, but when I get a good crew I like to take care ofthem. Here, I'm getting out of breath. Can't make long speeches. Cutit short."
"Then say no more about it," said the doctor.
"Nay, it won't do. Taking out a good crew of smart lads. Want to bringthem all back, not leave none of them sewed up in their hammocks andsunk in the sea with a shot at their heels. Look here, sir; how many ofthem there kegs have you doctored?"
"All of them. Why, my good fellow, you don't think I have put poisonin, do you?"
"Said you had."
"Pooh! Nonsense! My boy Rodd and I tried experiments to see how nastywe could make the spirits without being dangerous. There's nothingthere that would hurt a man; only you mustn't tell them so."
"Oh-h-h! That's another pair of shoes, as the Frenchies say;" and theskipper went up on deck.
"Thick-head!" growled the doctor. "Did he fancy I was going to kill aman for meddling? Bah!"
"He did, uncle. He doesn't know you yet."
"Well, I suppose not, my boy, but I am beginning to think that we aregetting to know the crew pretty well by heart. Well, all we want now isa favourable wind, then we will hoist our sailing flag; and then--off."
"For how long, uncle?"
"Ah, that's more than I can say, Rodd, my boy. We'll see what luck wehave, and how the stores last out. We'll get started, and leave therest."
Two days later the start had been made, with everything as ready as thecombined efforts of the doctor's and Captain Chubb's experience couldcontrive, and with his face all smiles Dr Robson stood beside Rodd,watching the receding shore as they, to use the skipper's words, bowleddown Channel.
"Good luck to us, Pickle, my boy!" cried the doctor. "It's been a longweary time of preparation, but it has been worth it. We have got asplendid captain--a man in whom I can thoroughly trust, and a crew of assmart, handy, useful fellows as I could have wished for."
"Yes, uncle; and haven't they taken to all the arrangements about thetackle!"
"Yes, Pickle. They have all proved themselves not only eager andactive, but as much interested as so many boys. Splendid fellows; andold Chubb knows how to handle them too. Fetch my glass up, Pickle.Let's have a look at the old country as long as we can."
Rodd darted off to the cabin hatch, but he staggered once or twice, forthe schooner as she rose and fell kept on careening a little over toleeward, and in passing one of the sailors--a fine bluff-looking youngfellow--the man smiled.
"Here, what are you grinning at, Joe Cross?" cried Rodd, who, after manymonths of intercourse with the crew, was fully acquainted with all, andknew a good many of their peculiarities.
"Oh, not at you, Mr Harding, sir. It was a little bit of a snigger atyour boots."
"What!" cried Rodd.
"Just a little guffaw, sir. You see, the deck's as white as a holystonewill make it, and your boots is black, and black and white never didagree. It's beginning to get a bit fresh, sir, and if I was you I'dstriddle a bit, so as to take a bit better hold of the deck with yourfootsies. I shouldn't like to see you come down hard."
"Oh, I shan't come down," said Rodd confidently; but as he was speakingthe schooner gave a sudden pitch which sent the boy into the sailor'sarms.
"Avast there!" cried the man. "Steady, sir!--Steady it is! There, letme stand you up again on your pins. You mustn't do that, or you'll havethe lads thinking you're a himmidge, or a statty, a-tumbling off yourshelf."
"Thank you. I am all right now," said Rodd. "My boots are quite new,and the soles are slippery."
"I see, sir, but it wasn't all that. You see, our Sally's been tied upby the nose for so many months in harbour yonder, that now she's runningfree she can't hold herself in. Ketch hold of the rail, sir. That'syour sort! There she goes again, larking like a young kitten."
"I didn't know she'd dance about like this on a fine day," said Roddrather breathlessly.
"Bless your heart, sir, this arn't nothing to what she can do. See howshe's skipping along now. Aren't it lov
ely?"
"Well, yes, I suppose so," said Rodd; "but if it's like this in fineweather, what's it going to be in a storm?"
"Why, ever so much livelier, sir. She'll dance over the waves like acork. She's a beauty, that's what she is. Mustn't mind her being a bitsaucy. There's nothing that floats like a Salcombe schooner, and Inever heard of one as sank yet."
"Yes, uncle; back directly!" cried the boy; and he made his way onwardto the cabin stairs without mishap, and re-appeared directly afterwardswith the doctor's big telescope under his arm, to make his way as wellas he could to where Uncle Paul was standing forward at the side withhis left arm round one of the stays.
"Walk straight, boy--walk straight!" cried the doctor, laughing. "Whatmade you zigzag about like that?"
"Didn't want to come down on the deck and break the glass, uncle," saidRodd rather sulkily. "The schooner oughtn't to dance about like this,ought she?"
"Oh, yes. It's no more than the lugger used to do when we have been outfishing."
"Oh, yes, uncle; and she's so much bigger too. Besides, we were sittingdown then, and here one has to stand."
"You can sit down if you like," said Uncle Paul.
"What, and have the sailors laugh at me? That I won't! I want to getused to it as soon as I can."
"Then go and get used to it," said Uncle Paul. "You can't do better. Ishould like to do the same, but a man can't hop about at fifty, or more,like a boy at fifteen."
"Why, uncle, I am nearly eighteen."
"Then go and behave like it, boy. Look at the sailors. They keep theirfeet well enough, without seeming as if they are going to rushoverboard."
"Oh, I shall soon get used to it, uncle," cried Rodd.
But instead of improving that day his progress about the deck wasdecidedly retrograde, for as the time went on and the Channel openedout, the wind from the north-west grew fresher and fresher, and thecaptain from time to time kept the men busy taking in a reef here and areef there.
Topgallant sails came down; flying jib was hauled in; and towardsevening, as she span along as fast or faster than ever, not above halfthe amount of canvas was spread that she had skimmed under earlier inthe day.
Every now and then too there was a loud smack against the bows, and ashower of spray made the deck glisten for a few minutes; but it rapidlydried up again, and as the schooner careened over and dashed along, Roddstood aft, looking back through the foam to see how the waves camecurling along after them, as if in full chase of the beautiful littlevessel and seeking to leap aboard.
The sun had gone down in a bronzy red bank of clouds, and after beingbelow to the cabin tea Rodd had eagerly hurried on deck again, to findthat the sea around was beginning to look wild and strange.
Whether he made for Josiah Cross, or Joe, as he was generally called,came up to him, Rodd did not know, but as he stood with one arm over therail he soon found himself in conversation.
"Are we going to have a storm?" he said.
"Well, I dunno, sir, about storm. More wind coming."
"How do you know?"
"How do I know, sir?" cried the man. "Why, if you come to that, I don'tknow. Seem to feel it like. I don't say as it will. Wind's nor'-westnow, and has been all day, but I shouldn't wonder if it chopped rightround, and then--"
"There'll be a storm," said Rodd eagerly.
"Well, I don't say that, sir; but like enough there will be more windthan we want to use, and we might have to put back."
"What, now that we have started at last?" cried Rodd.
The man nodded.
"Oh, that would be vexatious," cried Rodd, "to find ourselves back inPlymouth again!"
"There, you wouldn't do that, my lad," said the man. "If we did have toput back, I should say the skipper would run for Penzance. But there,the wind hasn't chopped round yet, and it's just as likely to fall as itgets dark and we will get our orders to hoist more sail."
But the sailor's first ideas proved to be right, and not only did thewind veer round, but it increased in force and became so contrary andshifty that during the night it began to blow a perfect hurricane, andgave Captain Chubb a good opportunity of proving that he was nofine-weather sailor.
It proved to be a bright night, being nearly full moon, with greatflocculent silvery and black clouds scudding at a tremendous rate acrossthe planet, while one minute the schooner's rigging was shadowed inblack upon the white, wet deck, at another all was gloom, with the windshrieking through the rigging, and the _Maid of Salcombe_ proving thetruth of the sailor's words, as she was literally dancing about; like acork.
"Hadn't you better come below, Rodd?" said the doctor.
"No, uncle; don't ask me. I couldn't sleep, and I want to look at thestorm. It's so grand."
"Grand? Well, yes," said the doctor; "but we could have dispensed withits grandeur, and it seems very unlucky that after all these weeks ofglorious weather it should have turned like this. Ah, here's CaptainChubb. Well, captain," he continued, "where are we making for? Mount'sBay?"
"No. Give it up. Nasty rocky bit about there, so I laid her head forPlymouth; but we shan't get in there to-night."
"Where then?" asked the doctor. "Wouldn't it be better to run for theopen sea?"
"No," said the skipper shortly. "This wind's come to stay, and we mustget into port for a bit. We don't want to get into the Bay of Biscay Owith weather like this. It's going to be a regular sou'-wester."
"What port shall we make for, then?" asked the doctor, while Rodd caughtall he could of the conversation, as the wind kept coming in gusts andseemed to snatch the words and carry them overboard in an instant."Havre," grunted the captain laconically. There was silence for sometime, for it became too hard work to talk, but in one of the intervalsbetween two gusts, a few words were spoken, the doctor asking theskipper if he was satisfied with the behaviour of the schooner.
"Oh yes," He grunted; "she's right enough."
"You are not disappointed, then?"
"No. Bit too lively. Wants some more cargo or ballast to give hersteadiness; but she'll be all right." All the same this was anexperience very different from anything that Rodd had had before, and itwas not without a severe buffeting that in the early dawn of the morningCaptain Chubb had succeeded in laying the little vessel's head offHavre, so that, taking advantage of a temporary sinking of the wind, hewas able to run her safely into the French port, and this at a time whenit was a friendly harbour, the British arms having triumphed everywhere,the French king being once more upon the throne, and he who had beenspoken of for so long as the Ogre of Elba now lying duly watched andguarded far away to the south, within the rockbound coast of SaintHelena.
The Ocean Cat's Paw: The Story of a Strange Cruise Page 11