Things looked promising.
They had approached close inshore to the rocky wall of the cliff; and, if it had seemed formidable at a distance, it looked ten times more imposing now that only a few hundred yards of sea divided them from it.
Its bold precipitous face appeared to ascend right up into the clouds, while the counterscarp, or base, seemed to dive abruptly into the deep without a slope. It was really just like a gigantic iron wall, straight up and down and quite even in contour, without a fissure or break as far as could be seen; and the surf made such a thundering din as it dashed fretfully against the lower part of the cliff, that it was almost impossible for the shipwrecked voyagers to hear each other speak.
Indeed, the whole scene could not but force their imagination to picture what might be their fate should a storm arise just then and give them over into the power of the billows. These were only in play now, so to speak; but if their demeanour changed to one of dreadful earnest, the mad waves would easily toss them as high and as savagely as they did the yeasty fragments of spindrift, which circled up into the air like snowflakes--flung off from the tops of the breakers after each unsuccessful onslaught on the rocky barrier that balked their endeavours to annihilate it.
However, there was little fear of such a catastrophe at present. Thanks to the aid of the current, combined with the towing powers of the jolly- boat's crew--the sail having been found useless in the little wind there was and lowered again--the raft was proceeding steadily along at the rate of some three miles an hour; keeping all the while at a safe distance from the cliffs, in order to avoid any undertow, and rapidly losing the hull of the _Nancy Bell_--albeit, the flag of the ship could yet be seen distinctly far away astern to seaward, fluttering in the slight breeze that expanded its folds.
Each moment, too, the coast on the starboard hand rose up nearer and nearer, closing in sharply with that to port, thus showing that they were approaching the embouchure which Mr Meldrum had marked out. Soon, a little more exertion on the part of the rowers would decide whether the naval officer had judged rightly or wrongly as to there being a bay there--a veritable "harbour of refuge" it would be for them.
"I guess, mister," said Mr Lathrope, who had been for some time quieter than usual, "that air animile ain't far off its roosting peg; and whar he lands I kalkerlate we can dew too."
As he spoke, the American pointed out a species of black shag or cormorant, which had evidently been on a fishing expedition and was returning home with the fruits of his spoil in his bill for the delectation of the home circle.
"You are very likely right," said Mr Meldrum. "That sort of sea-fowl generally selects a flat shore for its habitat, in preference to high places--just as the penguins do, so that they may the sooner tumble into the water when desirous of taking to that element. I would not be surprised to find a landing-place as soon as we round that further point of the cliff, where the line of surf seems to end. Stretch out with those oars, men," he added, speaking in a louder tone to those in the jolly-boat. "One more long pull altogether and we'll be able to get ashore."
"Aye, aye, sorr; go it, my hearties," sang out Mr McCarthy; and, the hands, giving a responsive cheer and putting their backs into each stroke, made the boat race along--dragging the raft behind it at a speed that caused it to rock from side to side, and slightly startle the ladies, while the boat, too, shipped a little water that came in over the bows as it dipped forward from the jerk of the tow-rope.
At length the limit of the cliff line was reached. It terminated as abruptly as it rose from the water; for, when the boat had pulled past the last of the breakers, a long narrow fiord or inlet of the sea opened before the eager eyes of the castaways, stretching far inland and bordered on each side by shelving slopes of hills that from their shape must have been composed of the same basaltic rock as that of the cliffs, although now completely covered with snow. A sight that pleased them more, however, was a broad beach of black sand--extending up to the slope of the higher land--on which they could ground the raft in safety.
It was the very thing they sought!
"Hooray boys!" exclaimed the first mate, taking off his cap and waving it round his head in excitement. "Sure an' we've rached the land at last!"
A shout of joy came from all, in sympathetic response.
A few strokes more, and the jolly-boat had touched the shore; when, the men jumping out, and those on the raft following suit, although the water was icy cold and almost up to their arm-pits, the raft was quickly hauled up close to the beach and everybody scrambled on shore. Even Mrs Major Negus was so delighted to stand once more on _terra firma_ that she did not mind getting her feet wet for once, and was almost one of the first to jump off the raft.
"Thank God!" exclaimed Mr Meldrum as he stood up in the centre of the group, taking off his hat reverently in acknowledgment of the divine mercy of that watchful providence which had guided them safely through all the perils of the deep and now permitted them to land without harm-- the untaught seamen around him appearing to sympathise with his heartfelt thanksgiving as they, too, bowed their heads in silence; while Kate fell upon her knees also in an ecstasy of gratitude to Him who ruled the wind and waves and had protected them to the last!
Then, all began to look about them. However, as they surveyed the strange scene, they found to their surprise that they were not the only inhabitants of "Desolation Island," as Captain Cook so aptly named, when he first saw the place, the land which had been previously discovered by Monsieur de Kerguelen.
From the beach, the land rose up on both sides of the fiord in a gentle slope to the hills above, which latter were broken away in some places, forming flat level tables of basaltic debris that had tumbled from the tops of the cliffs; and, these stretches of table-land being under the lee of the hills, were sheltered from the snow that otherwise covered every place in sight, valley and mountain peak alike.
On these tables of bare black ground, numerous colonies of penguins had established themselves--the tenants already in possession of the island, to prove that it was not altogether deserted.
The birds were standing about in crowds in the queerest and most ungainly attitudes in the world, croaking and barking, according to their usual wont, at the unexpected visitors who had so unceremoniously come to disturb the quietude of their island home. They looked excessively funny, waddling about awkwardly on their short legs and flapping their wings as if grumbling at the intrusion, much resembling a lot of little dumpy old women with grey tippets on; and Maurice Negus and Florry Meldrum went into fits of laughter at their appearance.
The penguins were not very busy at that time of year evidently.
They were simply idling about the beach and "loafing," as if they had nothing particular to do but gossip with each other as to what meant the outlandish creatures, who had invaded their territory. Occasionally, two or three would proceed out together to fish in the quiet waters of the creek, and these would pass another party coming back from the same errand, when they would croak a greeting; but the majority did nothing but strut about from one position to another in order to stare the better at the intruders--an inspection which, it need hardly be told, the latter returned with an equal interest.
However, the survivors from the _Nancy Bell_ had a good deal to do besides watching the penguins, for it was now late in the afternoon and growing dark, with the wind rising again. A few premonitory scattered flakes of snow, too, that fell flutteringly down in a half hesitating way every now and then, pointed out what the weather might be expected to be bye and bye and reminded them that it would be just as well for them to be under shelter of some sort before night came on to interrupt their labours.
A word from Mr Meldrum was sufficient, the first mate then giving the necessary orders for setting the whole party to work.
"All hands shift cargo!" he cried, stepping back upon the raft; when, the men following him, he divided them into two gangs, the first of whom he directed to carry out Mr Meldrum's instructions under Frank Harness, while the second remained with him to remove the stores on to the beach, where Mr Adams supervised their landing. But, before anything else was done, the cot containing poor Captain Dinks--the only one who had not as yet been ashore--was carefully lifted up from the raft and transported to a spot high up from the water and shielded by a spur of the hills on the right from the winds. This Mr Meldrum had selected as a favourable place for their camp, and Snowball was already engaged there in building up a fire with some wood that he had fortunately brought from the wreck--for not a scrap of brush or twig, or the sign of any tree, could be seen in the neighbourhood of the fiord, nor a single bit of drift on the beach!
The stores being all landed and piled up on the shore some little distance beyond high-water mark, Mr McCarthy's portion of the crew then proceeded to take the raft to pieces and carry up the timbers of which it was composed likewise to a place of safety, for fear lest the waves should bear them away in the night-time when the tide again came in; besides which, the material was wanted for other purposes--as Mr Meldrum had foreseen when causing the raft to be constructed--although it was now too late in the day to utilise it to that end, for, even while they were landing the things, the evening had closed in and it was nearly dark.
Meanwhile, the second body of men, working under Frank Harness's direction and Mr Meldrum's personal supervision, were equally industrious.
The site for the camp having been chosen, a couple of the largest spars that had been brought ashore on the raft were erected as uprights, some twenty feet apart, close under the scarp of the cliff; and a block and running tackle having been previously attached to the top of each of these, a third spar was hoisted up and lashed across them at right angles. After this, a spare top-sail, which had been brought with them in the jolly-boat, was pulled over the framework; and, the ends of this being tied down by the reef points to stout pegs driven in the ground, the structure formed a good sized tent which would do well for temporary accommodation for a night or two. Of course, something more substantial would be required if the shipwrecked people were forced to remain long on the island--which, indeed, seemed more than probable, considering the time of year, and the faint hope of their rescue by any whaling vessel before the month of November.
"I guess it air prime," said Mr Lathrope, looking at the tent with much satisfaction as he walked round it. He evidently took considerable pride in the construction, in which, indeed, he had some share, his experience "out west" having been of great use in suggesting the shape and location of the shelter.
"Yes," replied Mr Meldrum, who was still busy at work on the details.
"I think it will do till we can rig up something better."
"Wa-ll, all you've got to do neow, I guess," said the other, "is to stretch a rope across the hull consarn, and fix up a blanket or two to screen off the femmels from the menfolk; and the thing's done slick and handsome."
"Right!" responded Mr Meldrum, taking his advice and dividing the tent across into two portions, one of which was reserved for the ladies; when, the spare bedding and blankets having been brought up from the raft, the improvised apartments were made to look as comfortable as circumstances permitted. Really, the interior, on being lighted up by the ship's lanterns, which had not been forgotten, appeared quite cosy, especially when Snowball's fire, which was now burning up briskly from the chips shovelled on to it, could be seen sparkling and leaping up in spurts of flame through the open flap that had been left to serve for a doorway.
"And now, I kalkerlate, it's time for grub," said the American when the tent was finished and the ladies' comfort provided for--Captain Dinks, still in his cot, being ensconced in a warm corner--"I hope that blessed darkey has got something good, for I feel powerful holler, I dew!"
He need not, however, have been in any doubt as to Snowball's capacity.
That worthy allowed nothing to interfere with the exercise of his culinary skill; so, when the first mate by Mr Meldrum's directions had "piped down" all hands, he had ready a repast which appeared to the hungry castaways more like a splendid banquet than an improvised meal, and one as well cooked as if Snowball had all the facilities of the galley on shipboard to prepare it. His chief dish was a well-seasoned "Irish stew," compounded of salt beef and preserved vegetables, which seemed on that cold evening a perfect _chef-d'oeuvre_, and would, as Mr Lathrope "guessed" after a third helping, have "made a man leave his grandmother for his wife's mother's aunt, any day!"
Soon after the meal was finished, night came on, when the snow began to fall heavily and the wind to blow piercingly from the north'ard and westward, just as it had done the evening before when the poor _Nancy Bell_ was struggling round Cape Saint Louis and rushing on to her doom; but the castaways happily were now sheltered from the inclemencies of the weather, and as they one and all nestled into their blankets as soon as bedtime came;--man and woman, Jack tar and landsman alike!--thanked God fervently that they were now no longer on board ship.
Towards morning, a slight alarm was created by some of the melted snow finding its way down upon the sleepers through the sail that served for the roofing of their tent; but this was soon remedied by lashing over it the old tarpaulin from off the cabin skylight, which, it may be recollected, was only thought of at the last moment, although such a useful article. The leak in the roof stopped, all turned to sleep again with the greater zest, enjoying such a night's rest as they had not had for the last week at sea--not a soul indeed waking up till long after daybreak, all were so dead tired out with the fatigue and anxiety they had undergone.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
NEARLY A CATASTROPHE!
SLept till long after daybreak, did they?
Why, it was getting on for noon when Mr McCarthy roused the crew from their unusually long caulk amongst the blankets in the corner of the tent reserved for them with his cheery call of "All hands ahoy! Tumble up there! tumble up!" coupled with the information that the sun was "scorching their eyes out"--which latter observation, it may be casually remarked, was a slight stretch of his imagination, considering the feeble power of the solar orb at that time of the year on the snow- covered wastes of Kerguelen Land!
Still, late or early as they might be in rising, the first point to which everybody turned their gaze on getting out into the open, was the little spot on the horizon to seaward where they had left the ship, where she had been last seen on the previous afternoon just as the evening was beginning to close in. Since they had quitted her, however, the wind had been blowing pretty stiffly all night, although it had calmed down again towards the morning; while the last thing they had heard, ere they had sunk into the sound dreamless sleep all had enjoyed through the complete exhaustion of their frames, had been the roaring noise of the breakers thundering against the base of the cliffs beyond their sheltering fiord. So, it was with but very faint hopes of perceiving the remains of the poor old _Nancy Bell's_ hull still fixed on the treacherous reef of her destruction, that they looked wistfully out into the offing!
But, lo and behold! in spite of all their forebodings, there in the distance they could yet dimly descry the stern section of the ill-fated vessel still intact, as far as they could judge with the naked eye, amidst the rocks; and about it the waves played and circled and the surf showered its spray. Above the wreck, too, there still fluttered feebly the flag which Mr Meldrum had attached to the stump of the mizzen-mast, as if defying the powers of the wind and the waters to destroy the gallant old ship and her belongings, strive how they might in all their majesty!
Every heart felt glad at the sight.
"It does me ra-al good, mister, it dew!" said Mr Lathrope to the first mate, who was intently watching the object of general interest, as if he could not take his eyes off it. "When I riz just neow, I felt kinder lonesome, a thinking we'd parted company with the old crittur fur ever and wouldn't never see her no more; but thar she is still as perky as ever, in spite of last night's gale, which I thought would ha' blown all her timbers to Jericho!"
"Ah, sorr!" replied Mr McCarthy with a heavy sigh and a troubled look in his usually merry twinkling grey eyes, "you'll never say another ship the likes of her again! If you'll belave me, Mister Lathrope, sorr, she'd sail ten knots on a bowline; and I'd like to know where you'd bate that now?"
"I'll not deny she had her good pints," said the American sympathisingly; "but I guess the poor thing'll soon be bruk up."
"Yes, son, more's the pity," responded the other; "sure an' I wish we had her safe ashore here and we'd save ivory plank of her."
"It wouldn't be a bad notion," observed Mr Meldrum, who just then came up to where the two were talking, "to take another trip out to the ship in the jolly-boat and see whether we could not land some more things that might be of use to us?"
"Sure the hould's gutted now enthirely," said the Irish mate sadly, "and the divil a hap'orth we'd get by going. Look at the say that's running, too; and considther the long pull out there and back again--not that I wouldn't be afther going, sorr, if you were to say the word!"