The Golden Rock Part 22

"You have heard the Captain's suggestion, madam," said Commins, turning to Miss Anstrade, "which seems to me very important, and which, if carried out, would have a most valuable bearing on our chance of success. With that s.h.i.+p and its cargo in our hands we could, with confidence, ask for every a.s.sistance from the national commanders ash.o.r.e and afloat."

Miss Anstrade knitted her brows as she looked at the speaker.

"You know my wish," she said wearily, "is to reach Rio as soon as possible. I understand you to say that the cargo of yonder s.h.i.+p would realise a fortune, and it seems to me if I demanded from my struggling countrymen money in return for services, they would be under no indebtedness to me. If we are to weaken our strength to save that s.h.i.+p I would prefer to give it up without any question of reward."

"But you have no objection to the crew sharing in any prize money that may be offered," said Commins quickly, with a side glance at the Captain.

"None whatever," she said coolly.

"And you consent to our saving the s.h.i.+p?"

"I suppose so, though I clearly see my opinion would not be considered if it were opposed to the step."

"Not so, madam," said Captain Pardoe. "That s.h.i.+p and its cargo should realise 90,000 pounds, but if you say leave it, I will send her to the bottom, so that she shall not fall into the enemy's hands."

"Do as you wish," she said, with a sad smile, and turned away with a sigh.

The Captain and Mr Commins continued eagerly to discuss the matter, while Hume, who had been standing near with Webster, plucked the latter by the sleeve to draw him aside.

"Well, what do you think of this new scheme?"

"I don't know that I like it over well, but I judge the temptation would prove a strong one for the Captain. It is a big stroke of luck, after all."

"The Captain appears to be rather keen upon money making."

"I suppose he is," said Webster slowly; "and so are most men when they have the chance. Would you say there was any sentiment about the skipper?"

"As little as there is about that twelve-pounder."

"That's where you lose your compa.s.s," said Webster gravely. "For fifteen years the Captain's dream has been to save money enough to make a home for his future wife, my sister, Hume. When I was a boy at school he was courting her--a fine, high-spirited fellow, with a way about him that won everybody's goodwill. I have marked him grow more silent and stern as the years went by, and I have seen my sister's gaiety grow into a sweet and tender patience; but never a word of marriage from him. He was waiting for his fortune, and twice he made it and lost it, once after ten years in the merchant service, when he was wrecked, and once after running a blockade, when he was captured and imprisoned by the Peruvians. ''Tis coming, love,' he would say; 'a house for you and a little farmyard for me, down in the old county.' Poor little Loo! I think I see her now sitting, as sometimes she would when the housework was done, with her hands in her lap, looking wistfully into the future.

G.o.d grant her wishes may be fulfilled!"

"I say no more about the Captain," said Frank warmly, "except to echo your prayer. For his sake I hope this plan will carry through well, but after what you said of Commins I am suspicious. He may have some design in dividing our strength."

"No doubt he has, but he might as safely light a cigar at a volcano as attempt to win over any of our men."

The Captain's voice here rang out:

"Mr Webster, we will lay by till morning. Take all the men on board and get it as s.h.i.+pshape as possible. Find, if you can, the supercargo's manifesto, and if you can't, then make a rough inventory of the cargo."

The _Swift_ was laid alongside the _Irene_, on her weather side, and moored fore and aft, the smoothness of the sea permitting this. In this position the low funnels did not rise above the lofty side of the steamer, and she was completely hidden from the view of any vessel coming up on the starboard side. Her fires were damped down, steam shut off, and the engineer and his staff were soon busy in the engine-room of the _Irene_, while the Quartermaster, with his men, smartly cleared away the litter in readiness for the carpenters.

So the work went briskly on, and in the quiet of the evening, in the presence of all the crew, the body of the dead sailor lad, sewn up in a sail-cloth, was committed to the deep sea, the ba.s.s voice of the Captain ringing out solemnly in the impressive silence. And when the last eddy had died away the Captain s.h.i.+vered and drew his hand across his brow.

Maybe the summons for him also had already sounded, and he paced the deck long into the night.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

THE SEA FIGHT.

The _Swift_ had been almost deserted, as the larger decks of the _Irene_ offered an irresistible attraction, and when the work was abandoned at dusk the crew took possession of the forecastle, while Miss Anstrade, with Hume and Webster, lingered on the p.o.o.p, after surrendering the main-deck amids.h.i.+ps to the Captain, who preferred his own company. Mr Commins, alone for choice, remained on the catcher, and for a long time the glow of his cigar could be seen under the small awning, while Juarez, over whom he had offered to keep strict watch, lay near, under the shadow of a lamp, smoking cigarettes. The Brazilian Captain had never been permitted to appear on deck when Miss Anstrade was there, and his close confinement below had not improved his naturally brutal nature, but he had tamed his temper down to the point of almost abject humility in imploring the Captain to let him on deck. Now the guttural tones of his voice could be heard as he made occasionally a few remarks to Mr Commins, the only man who cared to hold converse with him.

The night was beautiful, the dark vault of the sky gloriously gemmed down to the dark belt of the horizon, while out of the intense black of the sea there gleamed, near at hand, swordlike flashes of phosph.o.r.escent fire from predatory fish, and between the sea and the sky there was no living thing to break the brooding silence. The men, glad of the opportunity to stretch their legs, were soon asleep, and, except for an occasional murmur of voices from the three on the p.o.o.p and the rough burr of Juarez at intervals, there was no sound on board. The swell of the sea rising and sinking between the catcher and the _Irene_ made a soft ripple, followed by a deep sigh, having a power in its melancholy music to draw Miss Anstrade to the port side, where she had leant with her elbows on the rail, until at the dim sight of Juarez she started back with a shudder of revulsion and sought the remoter side.

There the three of them leant, the efforts of the two men to talk to the girl between them gradually lessening to complete silence. She had changed greatly since the excitement of the wild rush to Madeira, had grown listless, the womanhood in her revolting against the strain and burden she had rashly imposed on herself, and at each sign of helplessness the two young men had felt more tender towards her, trying, each in his own way, to show their sympathy. They had talked often together about the object of the voyage, and, sanguine though they were with the ardour of youth, they could see nothing but disaster before them, while the desperate nature of the enterprise had also come home to her. Presently, with a moan, she thrust her hands forward:

"There is nothing but failure before me, and perhaps death."

"You are over-worn," said Frank gently; "and, indeed, the _Swift_ is too rough a boat for a lady."

"Ay, that it is, Miss Laura," said Webster, "and, as for talk of failure or death, they are for us to prove, and not for you, who are made for better things. This steamer has been thrown across us by the mercy of Providence, and it is your duty almost to accept the gift, and embark in it for a safe port."

"I despise myself," she said wearily; "but I have no courage and no hope, and shudder at the thought of remaining on the _Swift_. I cannot understand it."

"I think I can," said Frank, in a low tone. "You have been mistaken in yourself, and your presence on board, in contrast with the grim s.h.i.+p, has seemed to me a sort of marvel. You are fitted for better things."

"You mean I have no strength of purpose," she said slowly. "And do you expect me to relinquish this enterprise, to go back without striking one blow, to surrender to my weakness, and for ever be a victim of my cowardice, haunted by a memory, and lashed by my conscience? No--no-- never!"

She threw her head up proudly.

"You may go to safety in this s.h.i.+p; but--I--I will do what I have said."

"You mistake us," said Hume; "neither Mr Webster nor myself asks you to give up the enterprise. We have no thought of turning from it; but we do think strongly that you should not share in the work and worry of it.

It is not fair to you; it is unjust to us."

"Unjust, sir--how?"

"Madam, you may not know it, but every man on board the _Swift_ thinks more of you than of his own safety, and if they all knew you were ash.o.r.e they would be happier in working out your purpose."

"You are right there, Frank," said Webster. "We'd go into action with a laugh if you were not aboard, madam, but every sh.e.l.l would make our hearts beat with fear if you were with us."

"Ah! my friends," she answered with emotion, "you make my sorrow all the greater to think I should have brought you to this, and be myself so fearful of the end. Forgive me, but I am proud and weak by turns. Oh, if I had the courage of a man!"

"You are better as you are," said Frank. "Your weakness has more power over us than if you never winced or wavered."

Suddenly she stood back and looked at them, laughing low.

"What is it?"

"It has occurred to me, gentlemen, that you are both to remain on the _Irene_."

"Yes, madam; but why does that amuse you?" said Frank helplessly.

"And so you have been scheming to have my company. I am sure I am greatly charmed, and would be more if you had not pretended an anxiety for my safety."

"Pretended, madam!" gasped Webster. "I'll see the Captain hanged before I leave the _Swift_. He can sail this old tub himself, so that he takes you with her."