CHAPTER XV
THE LAST OF THE "NANTUCKET"
Though the mate had removed some of the stores, much the largerportion was left on board, for the Nantucket had been provisioned fora long voyage. Yet Captain Hill saw fit to complain.
"It is fortunate that you didn't take all the stores, Mr. Holdfast,"he remarked, in a sarcastic tone.
The mate eyed the captain steadily.
"May I ask your meaning, Captain Hill?" he asked.
"I mean what I say, sir. I think my language requires no interpreter."
"Then I can only reply that it would have made no difference if I hadremoved all the provisions."
"You appear to forget that I am your superior officer," said thecaptain in a heat.
"I had no superior officer at the time I ordered the removal."
"You have now, at any rate."
"We are not at sea, Captain Hill. The vessel is wrecked, and alldistinctions are at an end. Now it is each for himself."
"So, sir, you defy my authority!" exclaimed the captain, lookingblack.
"I don't recognize it, that is all."
"You shall, sir!" retorted the captain, frowning. "You shall learn,also, that I have means to enforce it. I have nearly a dozen seamenunder me, and you have only the boy, Jack Pendleton."
"Captain Hill, all this is very foolish. We are ship-wrecked, and havetaken refuge on the same island. Instead of quarreling, we should helpeach other."
"So you presume to lecture me!" sneered the captain.
Mr. Holdfast didn't care to continue the dispute.
"I am ready to help you remove what you require," he said, quietly."It will be well to remove as much as possible today, for we may atany time have a storm, that will effectually put an end to our work."
"Very well, sir; I am glad you show a better spirit."
The mate was both annoyed and amused at this evident intention tothrow upon him the whole onus of the quarrel, but he did not care toreply. He and the two boys helped remove the stores, and it beingquite early, by noon several boatloads had been deposited on shore, tobe removed farther inland when there was a good opportunity. One thingMr. Holdfast noted with apprehension. There was a considerablequantity of brandy and other spirits in the captain's cabin, which hetook care to have included in the articles removed. Remembering thecaptain's weakness, he feared this might lead to trouble. But he didnot take it upon himself to remonstrate, knowing that in the state ofthe captain's feelings toward him it would be worse than useless.
By three o'clock about all the stores, with other needful articles,had been removed, and there was a large pile on the bluff.
"Captain, will you walk over and see my encampment?" asked Holdfast,now that there was leisure.
"Lead on, sir," said the captain, though not overpolitely. It was notfar away, and a short walk brought them in front of it.
"Perhaps you will feel inclined to settle near by," suggestedHoldfast.
"No, sir; I don't care to intrude upon you."
Eventually the captain selected a spot about half a mile away. Here anencampment was made, very similar to the mate's but on a larger scale.
"I am glad the captain is not close alongside," said Jack Pendleton.
"So am I," answered Harry, to whom this remark was made. "We arebetter off by ourselves."
"He would be sure to interfere with us. I saw him scowling at me morethan once this morning. You know he don't like me."
"Nor me, either, Jack. It will be well for both of us to keep out ofhis way."
To the great delight of Clinton, more of his "wardrobe," as he calledit, was brought ashore. For this he was indebted to the good-naturedpersistence of Harry, who, though amused at the vanity of the youngman from Brooklyn, felt disposed to gratify him in a harmless whim.
The two parties remained apart, the original company remaining withthe captain, while four passengers and Jack Pendleton stayed with themate. Captain Hill showed a disposition to claim Jack, but Holdfastsaid, quietly: "I think captain, Jack had better stay with me for thepresent, as he is company for Harry Vane."
The captain looked dissatisfied, but was too tired to remonstrate atthat time. He went to his own encampment, and indulged in liberalpotations of brandy, which had the effect of sending him to sleep.
That night a violent wind sprang up. It blew from the sea inland, andthough it did not affect the ship-wrecked parties or their encampmentseriously, on account of their being screened by the interveningbluff, it had another effect which a day or two previous might havebeen disasterous. The ill-fated Nantucket was driven with such forceagainst the reef that the strength of its hull was overtaxed. When themate went to the bluff in the morning to take an observation, he wasstartled to find in place of the wreck a confused debris of timbersand fragments of the wreck.
As the mate was surveying the scene of ruin, Jack and Harry joinedhim.
"Look there, my lads!" said Holdfast. "That's the last of the poor oldNantucket. She will never float again."
They had known this before, but it was now impressed upon their mindsforcibly, and a feeling of sadness came over the three.
"That settles it," said Harry, giving expression to a common feeling."We are prisoners on the island now, and no mistake."
"When we leave here, it won't be on the Nantucket, anyway," said Jack.
"It is lucky this happened after we had brought our stock ofprovisions ashore," said the mate.
"Let us go down and see what these kegs and boxes contain," suggestedHarry.
So the three descended to the reef, and began to examine the articlesthrown ashore. For the most part they were of little value, thoughhere and there were articles that might prove useful.
"Couldn't we make a raft out of the timbers of the old ship?" askedJack.
"That is worth thinking of, though a raft would not do for a longvoyage," said Holdfast. "No, but we might be picked up."
"When the captain's party is awake it will be well for us to haul theloose timbers up to a place of safety."
"Here's Clinton's trunk," said Harry, bending over and recognizing theinitials. "Here is the name, 'M. C., Brooklyn.' He will be overjoyed.Suppose we take it up between us."
No opposition being made by Mr. Holdfast, the boys took the trunk upbetween them, preceding the mate. They had just reached the summit ofthe bluff.
"Put down that trunk!" said a stern voice.
Looking up, the boys saw that the speaker was Captain Hill.
The captain's face was of dull, brick-red, and it was clear that hehad already been drinking, early as it was. Naturally the boys, onhearing his voice, put down the trunk in their surprise, but theymaintained their position, one on each side of it. Of the two, Jackwas the more impressed, having been one of the crew, and subject tothe captain's authority on shipboard. Harry, as a passenger, felt moreindependent. Indeed, he was indignant, and ready to resist what hethought uncalled-for interference on the part of the captain.
"This is Mr. Clinton's trunk," he said. "We are going to carry it tohim."
"Do you dare to dispute my authority?" roared the captain, his redface becoming still redder.
"I don't see what you have to do with the trunk," answered Harry,boldly.
"This to me!" shrieked the captain, looking as if he were going tohave a fit of apoplexy. "Do you know who I am?"
"You were the captain of the Nantucket," said Harry, quietly.
The captain, notwithstanding his inebriated condition, did not fail tonotice that Harry used the past tense.
"I am still the captain of the Nantucket, as I mean to show you," heretorted.
"Then, sir, you are captain of a wreck that has gone to pieces."
Captain Hill upon this looked at the fragments of the unfortunateship, and for the first time took in what had happened.
"It doesn't matter," said he, after a brief pause, "I am in commandhere, and"--here he interpolated an oath--"I don't allow anyinterference with my authority."
"You ar
e not captain of Mr. Clinton's trunk," said Harry, in aspirited tone. "Jack, let us carry it along."
This was too much for the captain. With a look of fury on his face, hedashed toward Harry, and there is no doubt that our hero was inserious danger. He paled slightly, for he knew he was no match for thetall, sinewy captain, and was half regretting his independence when hefelt himself drawn forcibly to one side, and in his place stood themate, sternly eyeing the infuriated captain.
"What do you want to do, Captain Hill?" he asked.
"To crush that young viper!" shouted the captain, fiercely.
"You shall not harm a hair of his head!"
By this time the captain's wrath had been diverted to the mate. Hestruck out with his right hand, intending to fell him to the ground,but, the mate swerving, he fell from the force of his abortive blow,and, being under the influence of his morning potations, could notimmediately rise.
"Boys," said Mr. Holdfast, "you may take hold of the trunk again andgo on with it. Don't be afraid. If the captain makes any attempt toassault you, he will have me to deal with."
Harry and Jack did as directed. Jack, however, could not help feelinga little nervous, his old fear of the captain asserting itself. ButHarry, confident in the protection of his good friend, the mate, wasquite unconcerned.
Mr. Holdfast walked on beside them.
"The captain seems disposed to make trouble," he said. "He fanciesthat he is captain of this island, as he was chief officer of theNantucket. I shall convince him of his mistake."
"I hope you won't get into any trouble on my account, Mr. Holdfast,"said Harry, considerately.
"Thank you, my lad; but Tom Holdfast doesn't propose to let any manwalk over him, even if it is his old skipper. Now that the ship isgone, Captain Hill has no more authority here than I have."
As the captain fell, his head came in contact with a timber with suchviolence that, combined with his condition, he was forced to lie wherehe fell for over an hour.
As the boys emerged upon the bluff with the trunk, Clinton, who hadjust got up, recognized it, and ran up to them, his face beaming withdelight.
"Oh, Mr. Vane!" he said, "have you really brought my trunk? You areawfully kind."
Then they had breakfast--a very plain meal, as might be supposed. Someof the sailors came over from the other camp, and one of them askedMr. Holdfast if he had seen the captain.
"You will find him on the beach," answered the mate. "He has beencarrying too much sail, I think," he added, dryly.
After a while the captain picked himself up, and gazed moodily at thewreck, of which so little remained. Then, the events of the morningrecurring to him, he frowned savagely, and, turning toward the bluff,he shook his fist angrily in the direction of the mate's encampment.
CHAPTER XVI
CONCLUSION
Among the sailors was an Italian named Francesco. Probably he hadanother name, but no one knew what it was. In fact, a sailor's lastname is very little used. He was a man of middle height, very swarthy,with bright, black eyes, not unpopular, for the most part, but with aviolent temper. His chief fault was a love of strong drink. On boardthe Nantucket grog had been served to the crew; and with that he hadbeen content. But at the time of the wreck no spirits had been savedbut the captain's stock of brandy. Francesco felt this to be a greathardship. More than any other sailor he felt the need of his usualstimulant. It was very tantalizing to him to see the captain partakingof his private stock of brandy while he was compelled to get along onwater.
"The captain is too mucha selfish," he said one day to afellow-sailor. "He should share his brandy with the men."
Ben Brady, the sailor to whom he was speaking, shrugged his shoulders.
"I think I will try some of the captain's brandy when he is away,"said Francesco, slyly.
"If you do, you will get into trouble. The captain will half murderyou if he finds it out."
"He is not captain now--we are all equal--all comrades. We are not onze sheep."
"Take my advice, Francesco, and leave the brandy alone."
Francesco did not reply, but he became more and more bent on hisdesign.
He watched the captain, and ascertained where he kept his secretstore. Then he watched his opportunity to help himself. It was sometime before he had an opportunity to do so unobserved, but at lengththe chance came.
The first draught brought light to his eyes, and made him smack hislips with enjoyment. It was so long since he had tasted the forbiddennectar that he drank again and again. Finally he found himselfovercome by his potations, and sank upon the ground in a drunkenstupor.
He was getting over the effects when, to his ill-luck, the captainreturned from his usual solitary ramble.
"He has been at my brandy!" Captain Hill said to himself, with flamingeyes. "The fool shall pay dearly for his temerity."
He advanced hastily to the prostrate man, and administered a severekick, which at once aroused the half-stupefied man.
Francesco looked up with alarm, for the captain was a much larger andstronger man than himself.
"Pardon, signor captain," he entreated.
"You have been drinking my brandy, you beast," said Captain Hill,furiously.
I draw a veil over the brutal treatment poor Francesco received. Whenit was over he crawled away, beaten and humiliated, but in his eyethere was a dangerous light that boded no good to the captain.
Presently Francesco began to absent himself. Where he went no one knewor cared, but he, too, would be away all day. His small, black eyesglowed with smoldering fires of hatred whenever he looked at thecaptain, but his looks were always furtive, and so for the most partescaped observation.
One day Captain Hill stood in contemplation on the edge of aprecipitous bluff, looking seaward. His hands were folded, and helooked thoughtful. His back was turned, so he could not, therefore,see a figure stealthily approaching, the face distorted by murderoushate, the hand holding a long, slender knife. Fate was approaching himin the person of a deadly enemy. He did not know that day by dayFrancesco had dogged his steps, watching for the opportunity which hadat last come.
So stealthy was the pace, and so silent the approach of the foe, thatthe captain believed himself wholly alone till he felt a sharp lunge,as the stiletto entered his back between his shoulders. He staggered,but turned suddenly, all his senses now on the alert, and discoveredwho had assailed him.
"Ha! it is you!" he exclaimed wrathfully, seizing the Italian by thethroat. "Dog, what would you do?"
"Kill you!" hissed the Italian, and with the remnant of his strengthhe thrust the knife farther into his enemy's body.
The captain turned white, and he staggered, still standing on thebrink of the precipice.
Perceiving it, and not thinking of his own danger, Francesco gave hima push, and losing his balance the captain fell over the edge, adistance of sixty feet, upon the jagged rocks beneath. But not alone!Still retaining his fierce clutch upon the Italian's throat, themurderer, too, fell with him, and both were stretched in an instant,mangled and lifeless, at the bottom of the precipice.
When night came, and neither returned, it was thought singular, butthe night was dark, and they were unprovided with lanterns, so thatthe search was postponed till morning. It was only after a search ofseveral hours that the two were found.
After the captain's death two distinct camps were still maintained,but the most cordial relations existed between them. At the suggestionof the mate, an inventory was made of the stock of provisions, and toeach camp was assigned an amount proportioned to the number of menwhich it contained.
There was no immediate prospect of want. Still, the more prudentregarded with anxiety the steady diminution of the stock remaining,and an attempt to eke them out by fresh fish caught off the island.But the inevitable day was only postponed. At length only a week'sprovisions remained. The condition was becoming serious.
"What shall we do?" was the question put to Mr. Holdfast, who was nowlooked upon by all as their leader
and chief.
Upon this the mate called a general meeting of all upon the island,sailors and passengers alike.
"My friends," he said, "it is useless to conceal our situation. We arenearly out of provisions, and though we may manage to subsist upon thefish we catch, and other esculents native to this spot, it will be adaily fight against starvation. I have been asked what we are to do. Iprefer rather to call for suggestions from you. What have you tosuggest?"
"In my view there are two courses open to us," said Mr. Stubbs,finding that no one else appeared to have anything to propose. "Wemust remain here and eat the rest of our provisions, but there seemsvery little chance of our attracting the attention of any passingvessel. We appear to be out of the ordinary course. Of course, it ispossible that some ship may have passed the island without attractingour notice. What is your opinion, Mr. Holdfast?"
"The flag of the Nantucket, as you know, has floated night and dayfrom a pole erected on a high bluff," said the mate. "The chances arethat if any vessel had come sufficiently near it would have attractedattention, and led to a boat being lowered, and an exploring partysent thither."
"While we've got any provisions left," said the boatswain, "let ustake the boats, and pull out to sea. We can go where the ships are,and then we'll have some chance. They'll never find us here,leastways, such is my opinion."
"My friends," said the mate, "you have heard the proposal made by theboatswain. All who are in favor of it will please raise their righthand."
All voted in the affirmative.
"My friends," said Mr. Holdfast, "it seems to be the unanimoussentiment that we leave the island, and sail out far enough to be inthe course of passing vessels. I concur in the expediency of thisstep, and am ready to command one of the boats. Mr. Harrison willcommand the other."
"How soon shall we start?" asked a passenger.
"The sooner the better! To-morrow morning, if it is pleasant."
This decision pleased all. Something was to be done, and hope wasrekindled in the breasts of all. Heretofore they had been living on,without hope or prospect of release. Now they were to set out boldly,and though there was the possibility of failure, there was also achance of deliverance.
No sooner was the decision made than all hands went to work to preparefor embarking.
In the appointment of passengers, Mr. Holdfast, who commanded the longboat, retained Harry, the professor and Clinton. Six sailors,including Jack Pendleton, made up the complement.
"I am glad you are going to be with us, Jack," said Harry, joyfully."I shouldn't like to be separated from you."
"Nor I from you, Harry," returned Jack.
At eight o'clock the next morning they started. As the island faded inthe distance, all looked back thoughtfully at their sometime home.
Three days the boats floated about on the bosom of the ocean--threedays and nights of anxiety, during which no sail was visible. But atlength a ship was sighted.
"In one way or another we must try to attract attention," said themate.
Not to protract the reader's suspense, let me say that by great goodfortune the mate of the approaching ship, in sweeping the ocean withhis glass caught sight of the two boats, and changed the course of thevessel so as to fall in with them.
"Who are you?" he hailed.
"Shipwrecked sailors and passengers of the ship Nantucket," was theanswer of Mr. Holdfast.
They were taken on board, and discovered that the vessel was thePhocis, from New York, bound for Melbourne.
"We shall reach our destination after all, then, professor," saidHarry, "and you will be able to give your entertainments as you atfirst proposed."
Professor Hemenway shook his head.
"I shall take the first steamer home," he said. "My wife will beanxious about me, and even now is in doubt whether I am alive or dead.You can return with me, if you like."
"No," answered Harry. "After the trouble I have had in getting toAustralia, I mean to stay long enough to see what sort of a country itis. I think I can make a living in one way or another, and if I can't,I will send to America for the money I have there."
In due time they reached Melbourne, without further mischance. Harryinduced Jack to remain with him, but Mr. Clinton, with a new stock oftrousers, purchased in Melbourne, returned to America on the samesteamer with the professor.
Here we leave Harry and Jack to pursue their course to such eminenceas they may desire from the characteristics they have portrayed inthis narrative.
THE END
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