Masterman Ready; Or, The Wreck of the Pacific
Page 61
CHAPTER SIXTY ONE.
As they could have a very good view of the canoes from where the oldhouse stood, Ready examined them with his glass every time that hereturned from rolling up a cask to the stockade. Every one worked hard;even Mrs Seagrave did all she could, either assisting in rolling thecasks, or carrying up what she was able to lift. In an hour they hadgot into the stockade all that they most cared for, and the canoes werestill about six or seven miles off.
"We have a good hour before they arrive, sir," said Ready, "and eventhen the reefs will puzzle them not a little; I doubt if they aredisembarked under two hours. We have plenty of time for all we wish todo. Juno, go for the wheels, and William, come down with the spear, andwe will have some of the turtle into the stockade. Mr Seagrave, I donot require your assistance, so if you will have the kindness to get outthe muskets, and examine the flints, it will be as well."
"Yes; and then you have to load them," replied Mrs Seagrave. "Juno andI can do that at all events, ready for you to fire them."
"An excellent idea, madam," replied Ready.
In half an hour six turtles were brought up by Juno and William, andthen Ready followed them into the stockade.
They then rolled the casks, and upheaded them by the sides of thestockade, and fixed up deal planks to stand upon, just high enough toenable them to see over the top of the palisades, and to fire at theenemy. Mrs Seagrave had been shown how to load a musket, and Juno wasnow taught the same.
"Now, sir, we are all prepared," said Ready, "and Madam and Juno can goand look a little after the children, and get breakfast."
As soon as the children were dressed, Mr Seagrave called Ready, who wasoutside, watching the canoes, and they went to their morning devotions,and prayed heartily for succour in this time of need. They thenbreakfasted in haste; for, as may be supposed, they were almost tooanxious to eat.
"This suspense is worse than all," said Mrs Seagrave. "I wish now thatthey were come."
"Shall I go to Ready and hear his report, my dear?--I will not be awaythree minutes."
In a short time Mr Seagrave returned, saying that the canoes were closeto the beach, that the savages evidently had a knowledge of the passagesthrough the reefs, as they had steered right in, and had lowered theirsails; that Ready and William were on the look-out, but concealed behindthe cocoa-nut trees.
"I hope they will not stay out too long."
"No fear of that, my dear Selina; but they had better watch theirmotions to the last minute."
During this conversation between Mr and Mrs Seagrave within thestockade, William and Ready were watching the motions of the savages, alarge portion of whom had landed out of ten of the canoes, and theothers were following their example as fast as they could, forcing theirway through the reefs. The savages were all painted, with theirwar-cloaks and feathers on, and armed with spears and clubs, evidentlyhaving come with no peaceable intentions.
William, who had taken the telescope to examine them more minutely, saidto Ready, "What a fierce, cruel set of wretches they appear to be; ifthey overpower us they will certainly kill us!"
"Of that there is no doubt, William; but we must fight hard, and not letthem overpower us. Kill us they certainly will, and I am not sure thatthey may not eat us afterwards; but that is of little consequence."
William replied in a determined tone, "I'll fight as long as I havebreath in my body; but, Ready, they are coming up as fast as they can."
"Yes; we must wait no longer. Come, William."
"I thought I saw another vessel under sail, out away by the gardenpoint, Ready, just as we turned away."
"Very likely, sir, a canoe which has separated from the others duringthe night. Come, quick, William, they have begun to yell."
Another half-minute, and they arrived at the door of the stockade; theyentered, shut the door, and then barricaded it with the cocoa-nut poleswhich they had fitted to the inner door-posts.