For the Term of His Natural Life
Page 98
The ominous calm which had brooded over the island during the dayhad given place to a smart breeze from the north-east, and though theschooner had been sheltered at her anchorage under the lee of the island(the "harbour" looked nearly due south), when once fairly out to sea,Blunt saw it would be impossible to put back in the teeth of the gale.Haply, however, the full fury of the storm would not overtake them tillthey had gained sea-room.
Rufus Dawes, exhausted with the excitement through which he had passed,had slept for two or three hours, when he was awakened by the motionof the vessel going on the other tack. He rose to his feet, and foundhimself in complete darkness. Overhead was the noise of trampling feet,and he could distinguish the hoarse tones of Blunt bellowing orders.Astonished at the absence of the moonlight which had so lately silveredthe sea, he flung open the cabin window and looked out. As we have said,the cabin allotted to North was one of the two stern cabins, and from itthe convict had a full view of the approaching storm.
The sight was one of wild grandeur. The huge, black cloud which hung inthe horizon had changed its shape. Instead of a curtain it was an arch.Beneath this vast and magnificent portal shone a dull phosphoriclight. Across this livid space pale flashes of sheet-lightning passednoiselessly. Behind it was a dull and threatening murmur, made up of thegrumbling of thunder, the falling of rain, and the roar of contendingwind and water. The lights of the prison-island had disappeared, sorapid had been the progress of the schooner under the steady breeze, andthe ocean stretched around, black and desolate. Gazing upon this gloomyexpanse, Rufus Dawes observed a strange phenomenon--lightning appearedto burst upwards from the sullen bosom of the sea. At intervals, thedarkly-rolling waves flashed fire, and streaks of flame shot upwards.The wind increased in violence, and the arch of light was fringedwith rain. A dull, red glow hung around, like the reflection of aconflagration. Suddenly, a tremendous peal of thunder, accompanied bya terrific downfall of rain, rattled along the sky. The arch of lightdisappeared, as though some invisible hand had shut the slide of a giantlantern. A great wall of water rushed roaring over the level plain ofthe sea, and with an indescribable medley of sounds, in which tonesof horror, triumph, and torture were blended, the cyclone swooped uponthem.
Rufus Dawes comprehended that the elements had come to save or destroyhim. In that awful instant the natural powers of the man rose equalto the occasion. In a few hours his fate would be decided, and it wasnecessary that he should take all precaution. One of two events seemedinevitable; he would either be drowned where he lay, or, should thevessel weather the storm, he would be forced upon the deck, and thedesperate imposture he had attempted be discovered. For the momentdespair overwhelmed him, and he contemplated the raging sea as thoughhe would cast himself into it, and thus end his troubles. The tones ofa woman's voice recalled him to himself. Cautiously unlocking the cabindoor, he peered out. The cuddy was lighted by a swinging lamp whichrevealed Sylvia questioning one of the women concerning the storm. AsRufus Dawes looked, he saw her glance, with an air half of hope, halfof fear, towards the door behind which he lurked, and he understood thatshe expected to see the chaplain. Locking the door, he proceeded hastilyto dress himself in North's clothes. He would wait until his aid wasabsolutely required, and then rush out. In the darkness, Sylvia wouldmistake him for the priest. He could convey her to the boat--if recourseto the boats should be rendered necessary--and then take the hazard ofhis fortune. While she was in danger, his place was near by.