“i’ll man withhold! a pale one near him stands.” swash · a pale one near him stands.”...

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“Hesleeps;butdreamsofmassygold, Andheapsofpearl.Hestretch’dhishands— Hehearsavoice—

“I’ll man withhold!

A pale one near him stands.” —Dana.

Itwasnearnight-fallwhentheSwashanchoredamongthelowandsmallisletsmentioned.Rosehadbeenondeck,asthevesselapproachedthissingularandsolitaryhaven,watchingthemovementsofthoseonboard,aswellastheappearanceofobjectsontheland,withtheinteresthersituationwouldbe-likelytoawaken.Shesawthelightandmanageablecraftglidethroughthenarrowandcrookedpassagesthatledintotheport,theprocessofanchoring,andthesceneoftranquilsolitudethatsucceeded;eachfollowingtheotherasbyalawofnature.Thelight-housenextattractedherattention,and,assoonasthesundisappeared,hereyeswerefastenedon the lantern, in expectation of beholding the watchful and warning fires gleaming there,togivethemarinernoticeofthepositionofthedangersthatsurroundedtheplace.Minutewentbyafterminute,however,andthecustomaryilluminationseemedtobeforgotten.

“Whyisnotthislightshining?”RoseaskedofMulford,astheyoungmancamenearher,afterhavingdischargedhisdutyinhelpingtomoorthevessel,andinclearingthe decks. “All the light-houses we have passed, and they have been fifty, have shown brightlightsatthishour,butthis.”

Part 1: Chapter 5

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Jack Tier: Part 1, Chapter 5

“Icannotexplainit;norhaveIthesmallestnotionwhereweare.Ihavebeenaloft,andtherewasnothinginsightbutthisclusteroflowislets,farornear.Ididfancy,foramoment,Isawaspecklikeadistantsail,offhere,tothenorthwardandeastward,butIratherthinkitwasagull,orsomeothersea-birdglancingupwardonthewing.ImentionedittothecaptainwhenIcamedown,andheappearedtobelieveitamistake.Ihavewatchedthatlight-houseclosely,too,eversincewecamein,andIhavenotseenthesmallestsignoflifeaboutit.Itisaltogetheranextraordinaryplace!”

“Onesuitedtoactsofvillany,Ifear,Harry!”“Ofthatweshallbebetterjudgesto-morrow.You,atleast,haveonevigilant

friend,whowilldiesoonerthanharmshallcometoyou.IbelieveSpiketobethoroughlyunprincipled;stillheknowshecangosofarandnofurther,andhasawholesomedreadofthelaw.Butthecircumstancethatthereshouldbesuchaportasthis,witharegularlight-house,andnopersonnearthelast,issomuchoutofthecommonway,thatIdonotknowwhattomakeofit.”

“Perhapsthelight-housekeeperisafraidtoshowhimself,inthepresenceoftheSwash?”

“Thatcanhardlybe,forvesselsmustoftenentertheport,ifportitcanbecalled.ButSpikeisasmuchconcernedatthecircumstancethatthelampsarenotlighted,asanyofuscanbe.Look,heisabouttovisitthebuildingintheboat,accompaniedbytwoofhisoldestsea-dogs.”

“Whymightwenotraisetheanchor,andsailoutofthisplace,leavingSpikeashore?”suggestedRose,withmoredecisionandspiritthandiscretion.

“Forthesimplereasonthattheactwouldbepiracy,evenifIcouldgettherestofthepeopletoobeymyorders,ascertainlyIcouldnot.No,Rose:you,andyouraunt,andBiddy,however,mightlandatthesebuildings,andrefusetoreturn,Spikehavingnoauthorityoverhispassengers.”

“Stillhewouldhavethepowertomakeuscomebacktohisbrig.Look,hehasleftthevessel’sside,andisgoingdirectlytowardthelight-house.”

Mulfordmadenoimmediateanswer,butremainedatRose’sside,watchingthemovementsofthecaptain.Thelastpulleddirectlytotheisletwiththebuildings,adistanceofonlyafewhundredfeet,thelight-housebeingconstructedonarockyislandthatwasnearlyinthecentreofthecluster,mostprobablytoprotectitfromtheravagesofthewaves.Thefact,however,proved,asMulforddidnotfailtosuggesttohiscompanion,thatthebeaconhadbeenerectedlesstoguidevesselsintothehaven,thantowarnmarinersatadistance,ofthepositionofthewholegroup.

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In less than five minutes after he had landed, Spike himself was seen in the lantern, intheactoflightingitslamps.Inaveryshorttimetheplacewasinabrilliantblaze,reflectors and all the other parts of the machinery of the place performing their duties as regularlyasiftendedbytheusualkeeper.SoonafterSpikereturnedonboard,andtheanchor-watchwasset.Theneverybodysoughttherestthatitwascustomarytotakeatthathour.

Mulfordwasondeckwiththeappearanceofthesun;buthefoundthatSpikehadprecededhim,hadgoneashoreagain,hadextinguishedthelamps,andwascomingalongsideofthebrigonhisreturn.Aminutelaterthecaptaincameovertheside.

“Youwererightaboutyoursail,lastnight,a’terall,Mr.Mulford,”saidSpike,oncomingaft.“Theresheis,sureenough;andweshallhaveheralongsidetostrikecargooutandin,bythetimethepeoplehavegottheirbreakfasts.”

AsSpikepointedtowardthelight-housewhilespeaking,thematechangedhispositionalittle,andsawthataschoonerwascomingdowntowardtheisletsbeforethewind.Mulfordnowbegantounderstandthemotivesofthecaptain’sproceedings,thoughagooddealyetremainedveiledinmystery.Hecouldnottellwherethebrigwas,nordidheknowpreciselywhysomanyexpedientswereadoptedtoconcealthetransfer of a cargo as simple as that of flour. But he who was in the secret left but little time for reflection; for swallowing a hasty breakfast on deck, he issued orders enough tohismatetogivehimquiteasmuchdutyashecouldperform,whenheagainenteredtheyawl,andpulledtowardthestranger.

Rosesoonappearedondeck,andshenaturallybegantoquestionHarryconcerningtheirpositionandprospects.Hewasconfessinghisignorance,aswellaslamentingit,when his companion’s sweet face suddenly flushed. She advanced a step eagerly toward theopenwindowofSpike’sstate-room,thencompressedherfull,richunder-lipwiththeivoryofherupperteeth,andstoodasingleinstant,abeautifulstatueofirresolutioninstigatedbyspirit.Thelastqualityprevailed;andMulfordwasreallystartledwhenhesawRoseadvancequitetothewindow,thrustinanarm,andturntowardhimwithhisownsextantinherhand.Duringthecourseofthepassageout,theyoungmanhadtaughtRosetoassisthiminobservingthelongitude;andshewasnowreadytorepeatthepractice.Notamomentwaslostinexecutingherintention.Sightswerehad,andtheinstrumentwasreturnedtoitsplacewithoutattractingtheattentionofthemen,whowereallbusyingettinguppurchases,andinmakingtheothernecessarydispositionsfor discharging the flour. The observations answered the purpose, though somewhat imperfectlymade.Mulfordhadatolerablenotionoftheirlatitude,havingkeptthe

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brig’sruninhisheadsincequittingYutacan;andhenowfoundthattheirlongitudewasabout83degreeswestfromGreenwich.Afterascertainingthisfact,aglanceatthe open chart, which lay on Spike’s desk, satisfied him that the vessel was anchored withinthegroupoftheDryTortugas,oratthewesternterminationofthewell-known,formidable,andextensiveFloridaReef.Hehadneverbeeninthatpartoftheworldbefore,buthadheardenoughinsea-gossip,andhadreadenoughinbooks,tobeatonceapprisedofthetruecharacteroftheirsituation.TheisletswereAmerican;thelight-housewasAmerican;andthehaveninwhichtheSwashlaywastheveryspotinthe contemplation of government for an outer man-of-war harbour, where fleets might rendezvousinthefuturewarsofthatportionoftheworld.Henowsawplainlyenoughthesignsoftheexistenceofavastreef,ashortdistancetothesouthwardofthevessel,thatformedaspeciesofsea-wall,ormole,toprotecttheportagainstthewavesofthegulfinthatdirection.Thisreefheknewtobemilesinwidth.

Therewaslittletimeforspeculation,Spikesoonbringingthestrangeschoonerdirectlyalongsideofthebrig.Thetwovesselsimmediatelybecameasceneofactivity,one discharging, and the other receiving the flour as fast as it could be struck out of theholdoftheSwashandlowereduponthedeckoftheschooner.Mulford,however,had practised a little artifice, as the stranger entered the haven, which drew down upon himananathemaortwofromSpike,assoonastheywerealone.Thematehadsetthebrig’sensign,andthiscompelledthestrangertobemarkedlyrude,ortoanswerthecompliment. Accordingly he had shown the ancient flag of Spain. For thus extorting anationalsymbolfromtheschooner,thematewassharplyrebukedatasuitablemoment,thoughnothingcouldhavebeenmoreforbearingthanthedeportmentofhiscommander when they first met.

WhenSpikereturnedtohisownvessel,hewasaccompaniedbyadark-looking,well-dressed,anddecidedlygentleman-likepersonage,whomheaddressedindifferently,inhisveryimperfectSpanish,asDonWan,(DonJuan,orJohn,)orSeñor Montefalderon. By the latter appellation he even saw fit to introduce the very respectable-lookingstrangertohismate.ThisstrangerspokeEnglishwell,thoughwithanaccent.

“Don Wan has taken all the flour, Mr. Mulford, and intends shoving it over into Cuba,withouttroublingthecustom-house,Ibelieve;butthatisnotamattertogiveusanyconcern,youknow.”

Thewink,andtheknowinglookbywhichthisspeechwasaccompanied,seemedparticularlydisagreeabletoDonJuan,whonowpaidhiscomplimentstoRose,withno

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littlesurprisebetrayedinhiscountenance,butwiththeeaseandreserveofagentleman.Mulford thought it strange that a smuggler of flour should be so polished a personage, though his duty did not admit of his bestowing much attention on the little trifling of theinterviewthatsucceeded.

Foraboutanhourtheworkwentsteadilyandrapidlyon.DuringthattimeMulfordwasseveraltimesonboardtheschooner,as,indeed,wasJosh,JackTier,andothersbelongingtotheSwash.TheSpanishvesselwasBaltimore,orclipperbuilt,withatrunk-cabin,andhadeveryappearanceofsailingfast.Mulfordwasstruckwithhermodel,and,whileonboardofher,hepassedbothforwardandafttoexamineit.Thiswassonaturalinaseaman,thatSpike,whilehenotedtheproceeding,tookitingoodpart.Heevencalledouttohismate,fromhisownquarter-deck,toadmirethisorthatpointintheschooner’sconstruction.Asiscustomarywiththevesselsofsouthernnations,thisstrangerwasfullofmen,buttheycontinuedattheirwork,somehalfdozenofbrawnynegroesamongthem,shoutingtheirsongsastheyswayedatthefalls,nooneappearingtomanifestjealousyorconcern.AtlengthTiercamenearthemate,andsaid,

“UncleSamwillnotbepleasedwhenhehearsthereasonthatthekeeperisnotinhislight-house.”

“Andwhatisthatreason,Jack?Ifyouknowit,tellittome.”“Goaftandlookdownthecompanion-way,maty,andseeitforyourself.”Mulforddidgoaft,andhemadeanoccasiontolookdownintotheschooner’s

cabin,wherehecaughtaglimpseofthepersonsofamanandaboy,whomheatoncesupposedhadbeentakenfromthelight-house.Thisonefactofitselfdoubledhisdistrust of the character of Spike’s proceedings. There was no sufficient apparent reason whyameresmugglershouldcareaboutthepresenceofanindividualmoreorlessinaforeignport.Everythingthathadoccurred,lookedlikepre-concertbetweenthebrigandtheschooner;andthematewasjustbeginningtoentertainthestrongestdistrustthattheirvesselwasholdingtreasonablecommunicationwiththeenemy,whenanaccidentremovedalldoubtonthesubject,fromhisownmindatleast.Spikehad,onceortwice,givenhisopinionthattheweatherwastreacherous,andurgedthepeopleofbothcraftstoextraordinaryexertions,inorderthatthevesselsmightgetclearofeachotherassoonaspossible.Thisappealhadsetvariousexpedientsinmotiontosecondthemoreregularworkofthepurchases.Amongotherthings,plankshadbeenlaidfromonevesseltotheother,andbarrelswererolledalongthemwithverylittleattentiontothespeedorthedirection.Severalhadfallenontheschooner’sdeckwithrudeshocks,butnodamagewasdone,untilone,ofwhichthehoopshadnotbeenproperlysecured,

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metwithafall,andburstnearlyatMulford’sfeet.Itwasattheprecisemomentwhenthematewasreturning,fromtakinghisglanceintothecabin,towardthesideoftheSwash.Awhitecloudarose,andhalfadozenoftheschooner’speoplesprangforbuckets,kids,ordishes,inordertosecureenoughofthecontentsofthebrokenbarrelto furnish them with a meal. At first nothing was visible but the white cloud that succeededthefall,andthescramblingsailorsinitsmidst.Nosooner,however,hadtheairgottobealittleclear,thanMulfordsawanobjectlyingincentreofthewreck,thatheatoncerecognisedforakegofthegunpowder!Thecaptainoftheschoonerseizedthiskeg,gaveaknowinglookatMulford,anddisappearedintheholdofhisownvessel,carryingwithhim,whatwasoutofallquestion,amostmaterialpartofthetruecargooftheSwash.

At the moment when the flour-barrel burst, Spike was below, in close conference withhisSpanish,orMexicanguest;andthewreckbeingsosoonclearedaway,itisprobablethatheneverheardoftheaccident.Asforthetwocrews,theylaughedalittleamongthemselvesattherevelationwhichhadbeenmade,aswellasatthemanner;buttooldsea-dogslikethem,itwasamatterofverylittlemoment,whetherthecargowas, in reality, flour or gunpowder. In a few minutes the affair seemed to be forgotten. InthecourseofanotherhourtheSwashwaslight,havingnothinginherbutsomepig-lead,whichsheusedforballast,whiletheschoonerwasloadedtoherhatches,andfull.Spikenowsentaboat,withorderstodropakedgeaboutahundredyardsfromtheplacewherehisownbriglay.Theschoonerwarpeduptothiskedge,anddropped an anchor of her own, leaving a very short range of cable out, it being a flat calm.Ordinarily,thetradesprevailattheDryTortugas,andallalongtheFloridaReef.Sometimes,indeed,thisbreezesweepsacrossthewholewidthoftheGulfofMexico,blowinghome,asitiscalled—reachingeventothecoastofTexas.Itissubject,however,tooccasionalinterruptionseverywhere,varyingmanypointsinitsdirection,andoccasionallyceasingentirely.Thelatterwastheconditionoftheweatheraboutnoononthisday,orwhentheschoonerhauledofffromthebrig,andwassecuredatherownanchor.

“Mr.Mulford,”saidSpike,“Idonotlikethestateoftheatmosphere.D’yeseethatfiery streak along the western horizon—well, sir, as the sun gets nearer to that streak, there’llbetrouble,orI’mnojudgeofweather.”

“Yousurelydonotimagine,CaptainSpike,thatthesunwillbeanynearertothatfiery streak, as you call it, when he is about to set, than he is at this moment?” answered themate,smiling.

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“I’msureofonething,youngman,andthatis,thatoldheadsarebetterthanyoungones.Whatamanhasonceseen,hemayexpecttoseeagain,ifthesameleadingsignsoffer.Mantheboat,sir,andcarryoutthekedge,whichisstillinit,andlayitoffhere,aboutthreep’intsonourlarboardbow.”

MulfordhadaprofoundrespectforSpike’sseamanship,whateverhemightthinkofhisprinciples.Theorderwasconsequentlyobeyed.Thematewasthendirectedtosenddownvariousarticlesoutofthetop,andtogetthetop-gallantandroyalyardsondeck.Spikecarriedhisprecautionssofar,astohavethemainsaillowered,itordinarilybrailingatthatseasonoftheyear,withastandinggaff.Withthisdispositioncompleted,thecaptainseemedmoreathisease,andwentbelowtojoinSeñorMontefalderoninasiesta.TheMexican,forsuch,intruth,wasthenationalcharacteroftheowneroftheschooner,hadprecededhiminthisindulgence;andmostofthepeopleofthebrighavinglaidthemselvesdowntosleepundertheheatofthehour,MulfordsoonenjoyedanotherfavourableopportunityforaprivateconferencewithRose.

“Harry,”commencedthelatter,assoonastheywerealone;“Ihavemuchtotellyou.WhileyouhavebeenabsentIhaveoverheardaconversationbetweenthisSpanishgentlemanandSpike,thatshowsthelastisintreatywiththeotherforthesaleofthebrig.Spikeextolledhisvesseltotheskies,whileDonWan,ashecallshim,complainsthatthebrigisold,andcannotlastlong;towhichSpikeanswered‘tobesuresheisold,SeñorMontefalderon,butshewilllastaslongasyourwar,andunderaboldcaptainmightbemadetoreturnhercostahundredfold!’Whatwarcanhemean,andtowhatdoessuchadiscoursetend?”

“ThewaralludestothewarnowexistingbetweenAmericaandMexico,andthemoneytobemadeistobeplunderedatsea,fromourownmerchant-vessels.IfDonJuanMontefalderonisreallyintreatyforthepurchaseofthebrig,itistoconvertherintoaMexicancruiser,eitherpublicorprivate.”

“ButthiswouldbetreasononthepartofSpike!”“Notmoresothansupplyingtheenemywithgunpowder,ashehasjustbeendoing.

Ihaveascertainedthereasonhewassounwillingtobeoverhauledbytherevenuesteamer,aswellasthereasonwhytherevenuesteamerwishedsoearnestlytooverhaulus. Each barrel of flour contains another of gunpowder, and that has been sold to this Señor Montefalderon, who is doubtless an officer of the Mexican government, and no smuggler.”

“HehasbeenatNewYork,thisverysummer,Iknow,”continuedRose,“forhespokeofhisvisit,andmadesuchotherremarks,asleavesnodoubtthatSpikeexpected

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to find him here, on this very day of the month. He also paid Spike a large sum of moneyindoubloons,andtookbackthebagtohisschooner,whenhehaddoneso,aftershowingthecaptainenoughwaslefttopayforthebrigcouldtheyonlyagreeonthetermsoftheirbargain.”

“Ay,ay;itisallplainenoughnow,Spikehasdeterminedonadesperatepushforfortune,andforeseeingitmightnotsoonbeinhispowertoreturntoNewYorkinsafety,hehasincludedhisdesignsonyouandyourfortune,intheplot.”

“My fortune! the trifle I possess can scarcely be called a fortune, Harry!”“ItwouldbeafortunetoSpike,Rose;andIshallbehonestenoughtoownit

wouldbeafortunetome.Isaythisfrankly,forIdobelieveyouthinktoowellofmetosupposethatIseekyouforanyotherreasonthantheardentloveIbearyourpersonandcharacter;butafactisnottobedeniedbecauseitmayleadcertainpersonstodistrustourmotives.Spikeispoor,likemyself;andthebrigisnotonlygettingtobeveryold,butshehasbeenlosingmoneyforthelasttwelvemonths.”

Mulford and Rose now conversed long and confidentially, on their situation and prospects. The mate neither magnified nor concealed the dangers of both; but freelypointedouttherisktohimself,inbeingonboardavesselthatwasaidingandcomfortingtheenemy.Itwasdeterminedbetweentherethatbothwouldquitthebrigthemomentanopportunityoffered;andthemateevenwentsofarastoproposeanattempttoescapeinoneoftheboats,althoughhemightincurthehazardsofadoubleaccusation,thoseofmutinyandlarceny,formakingtheexperiment.Unfortunately,neitherRose,norheraunt,norBiddy,norJackTierhadseenthebarrelofpowder,andneithercouldtestifyastothetruecharacterofSpike’sconnectionwiththeschooner.Itwasmanifestlynecessary,therefore,independentlyoftherisksthatmightberunby“beardingthelioninhisden,”toproceedwithgreatintelligenceandcaution.

ThisdialoguebetweenHarryandRose,occurredjustaftertheturnintheday,andlastedfullyanhour.Eachhadbeentoomuchinterestedtoobservetheheavens,but,astheywereonthepointofseparating,Rosepointedouttohercompaniontheunusualand most menacing aspect of the sky in the western horizon. It appeared as if a fiery heatwasglowingthere,behindacurtainofblackvapour;andwhatrendereditmoreremarkable,wasthecircumstancethatanextraordinarydegreeofplacidityprevailedinallotherpartsoftheheavens.Mulfordscarceknewwhattomakeofit;hisexperiencenotgoingsofarastoenablehimtoexplainthenovelandalarmingappearance.Hesteppedonagun,andgazedaroundhimforamoment.Therelaytheschooner,withoutabeingvisibleonboardofher,andtherestoodthelight-house,gloomyinits

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desertionandsolitude.Thebirdsaloneseemedtobealiveandconsciousofwhatwasapproaching.Theywereallonthewing,wheelingwildlyintheair,andscreamingdiscordantly,asbelongedtotheirhabits.Theyoungmanleapedoffthegun,gavealoudcalltoSpike,atthecompanion-way,andsprangforwardtocallallhands.

Oneminuteonlywaslost,wheneveryseamanonboardtheSwash,fromthecaptaintoJackTier,wasondeck.MulfordmetSpikeatthecabindoor,andpointedtoward the fiery column, that was booming down upon the anchorage, with a velocity anddirectionthatwouldnowadmitofnomisinterpretation.Foroneinstantthatsturdyoldseamanstoodaghast;gazingattheenemyasoneconsciousofhisimpotencymighthavebeensupposedtoquailbeforeanassaultthatheforesawmustproveirresistible.Thenhisnativespirit,andmostofalltheeffectsoftraining,begantoshowthemselvesinhim,andhebecameatonce,notonlythemanagain,buttheresolute,practised,andreadycommander.

“Comeafttothespring,men—”heshouted—“claponthespring,Mr.Mulford,andbringthebrigheadtowind.”

Thisorderwasobeyedasseamenbestobey,incasesofsuddenandextremeemergency;orwithintelligence,aptitudeandpower.Thebrighadswungnearlyround,in the desired direction, when the tornado struck her. It will be difficult, we do not knowbutitisimpossible,togiveaclearandaccurateaccountofwhatfollowed.Asmost of our readers have doubtless felt how great is the power of the wind, whiffling andpressingdifferentways,insuddenandpassinggusts,theyhaveonlytoimaginethis power increased many, many fold, and the baffling currents made furious, as it mightbe,bymeetingwithresistance,toformsomenotionoftheappallingstrengthandfrightfulinconstancywithwhichitblewforaboutaminute.

NotwithstandingthecircumstanceofSpike’sprecautionhadgreatlylessenedthedanger,everymanonthedeckoftheSwashbelievedthebrigwasgonewhentheguststruckher.Overshewent,infact,untilthewatercamepouringinaboveherhalf-ports,likesomanylittlecascades,andspoutingupthroughherscupper-holes,resemblingthe blowing of young whales. It was the whiffling energy of the tornado that alone savedher.Asifdisappointedinnotdestroyingitsintendedvictimatoneswoop,thetornado“letup”initspressure,likeadexterouswrestler,makingafreshanddesperateefforttooverturnthevessel,byaslightvariationinitscourse.ThatchangesavedtheSwash.Sherighted,andevenrolledintheotherdirection,orwhatmightbecalledtowindward, with her decks full of water. For a minute longer these baffling, changing gustscontinued,eachcausingthebrigtobowlikeareedtotheirpower,onelifting

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asanotherpressedherdown,andthentheweight,orthemoredangerouspartofthetornado was passed, though it continued to blow heavily, always in whiffling blasts, severalminuteslonger.

Duringtheweightofthegust,noonehadleisure,orindeedinclinationtolooktoaughtbeyonditseffectonthebrig.Hadonebeenotherwisedisposed,theattemptwouldhave been useless, for the wind had filled the air with spray, and near the islets even with sand. The lurid but fiery tinge, too, interposed a veil that no human eye could penetrate. Asthetornadopassedonward,however,andthewindslulled,theairagainbecameclear,and in five minutes after the moment when the Swashlaynearlyonherside,withherloweryard-armactuallywithinafewfeetofthewater,allwasstillandplacidaroundher,asoneisaccustomedtoseetheoceaninacalm,ofasummer’safternoon.Thenitwasthatthosewhohadbeeninsuchextremejeopardycouldbreathefreelyandlookaboutthem.OnboardtheSwashallwaswell—notarope-yarnhadparted,oraneyeboltdrawn.ThetimelyprecautionsofSpikehadsavedhisbrig,andgreatwashisjoythereat.

Inthemidstoftheinfernaldinofthetornado,screamshadascendedfromthecabin,andtheinstanthecouldquitthedeckwithpropriety,Mulfordsprangbelow,inordertoascertaintheircause.Heapprehendedthatsomeofthefemaleshadbeendriventoleewardwhenthebrigwentover,andthatpartoftheluggageorfurniturehadfallenonthem.Inthemaincabin,thematefoundSeñorMontefalderonjustquittinghisberth,composed,gentleman-like,andcollected.Joshwasbracedinacornernearlygreywithfear,whileJackTier still lay on the cabin floor, at the last point to which he had rolled. One word sufficed to letDonJuanknowthatthegusthadpassed,andthebrigwassafe,whenMulfordtappedatthedooroftheinnercabin.Roseappeared,pale,butcalmandunhurt.

“Isanyoneinjured?”askedtheyoungman,hismindrelievedatonce,assoonashesawthatshewhomostoccupiedhisthoughtswassafe;“weheardscreamsfromthiscabin.”

“MyauntandBiddyhavebeenfrightened,”answeredRose,“butneitherhasbeenhurt.Oh,Harry,whatterriblethinghashappenedtous?Iheardtheroaringof—”

“’Twasatornado,”interruptedMulfordeagerly,“but’tisover.’Twasoneofthosesuddenandtremendousguststhatsometimesoccurwithinthetropics,inwhichthe danger is usually in the first shock. If no one is injured in this cabin, no one is injuredatall.”

“Oh,Mr.Mulford—dearMr.Mulford!”exclaimedtherelict,fromthecornerintowhichshehadbeenfollowedandjammedbyBiddy,“Oh,Mr.Mulford,arewefounderedornot?”

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“Heavenbepraised,not,mydearma’am,thoughwecamenearertoitthanIeverwasbefore.”

“Arewecap-asided?”“Northat,Mrs.Budd;thebrigisasuprightasachurch.”“Upright!”repeatedBiddy,inhercustomaryaccent,—“isitasachurch?Sure,

then,Mr.Mate,’tisaPresbyterianchurchthatyoumane,andthatisalwaystotterin’.”“Catholic,orDutch—nochurchinYorkismorecompletelyupanddownthanthe

brigatthismoment.”“Getoffofme—getoffofme,Biddy,andletmerise,”saidthewidow,with

dignity.“ThedangerisoverIsee,and,aswereturnourthanksforit,wehavetheconsolationofknowingthatwehavedoneourduty.Itisincumbentonall,atsuchmoments,tobeattheirposts,andtosetexamplesofdecisionandprudence.”

AsMulfordsawallwaswellinthecabin,hehastenedondeck,followedbySeñorMontefalderon.Justastheyemergedfromthecompanion-way,Spikewashailingtheforecastle.

“Forecastle,there,”hecried,standingonthetrunkhimselfashedidso,andmovingfromsidetoside,asiftocatchaglimpseofsomeobjectahead.

“Sir,”camebackfromanoldsalt,whowascoilinguprigginginthatseatofseamanship.

“Where-awayistheschooner?Sheoughttobedeadaheadofus,aswetendnow—butblastmeifIcanseeasmuchashermast-heads.”

Atthissuggestion,adozenmensprangupongunsorotherobjects,tolookforthevesselinquestion.Theoldsaltforward,however,hadmuchthebestchance,forhesteppedontheheelofthebowsprit,andwalkedasfaroutastheknight-heads,tocommandthewhole view ahead of the brig. There he stood half a minute, looking first on one side of the head-gear,thentheother,whenhegavehistrousersahitch,putafreshquidinhismouth,andcalledoutinavoicealmostashoarseasthetempest,thathadjustgoneby,

“Theschoonerhasgonedownatheranchor,sir.There’sherbuoywatchingstill,asifnothinghadhappened;butasforthecraftitself,there’snotsomuchasabloodyyard-arm,ormast-headofhertobeseen!”

Thisnewsproducedasensationinthebrigatonce,asmaybesupposed.EvenSeñorMontefalderon,aquiet,gentleman-likeperson,altogethersuperiorindeportmenttothebustleandfussthatusuallymarksthemannersofpersonsintrade,wasdisturbed;fortohimtheblowwasheavyindeed.Whetherhewereactingforhimself,orwasanagentoftheMexicangovernment,thelosswasmuchthesame.

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“Tomisrightenough,”putinSpike,rathercoollyforthecircumstances—“thatthereschoonerofyournhasfoundered,DonWan,asanyonecansee.Shemusthavecap-sized and filled, for I obsarved they had left the hatches off, meaning, no doubt, to makeanendofthestorageassoonastheyhaddonesleeping.”

“Andwhathasbecomeofallhermen,DonEsteban?”forsotheMexicanpolitelycalledhiscompanion.“Haveallmypoorcountrymenperishedinthisdisaster?”

“Ifeartheyhave,DonWan;forIseenohead,asofanyoneswimming.Thevessellay so near that island next to it, that a poor swimmer would have no difficulty in reachingtheplace;butthereisnolivingthingtobeseen.Butmantheboat,men;wewillgotothespot,Señor,andexamineforourselves.”

Thereweretwoboatsinthewater,andalong-sideofthebrig.OnewastheSwash’syawl, a small but convenient craft, while the other was much larger, fitted with a sail,andhadalltheappearanceofhavingbeenbuilttowithstandbreezesandseas.Mulford felt perfectly satisfied, the moment he saw this boat, which had come into thehavenintowoftheschooner,thatithadbeenoriginallyintheserviceofthelight-housekeeper.Astherewasaverygeneraldesireamongthoseonthequarter-decktogototheassistanceoftheschooner,Spikeorderedbothboatsmanned,jumpingintotheyawlhimself,accompaniedbyDonJuanMontefalderon,andtellingMulfordtofollowwiththelargercraft,bringingwithhimasmanyofthefemalesasmightchoosetoaccompanyhim.AsMrs.Buddthoughtitincumbentonhertobeactiveinsuchascene,alldidgo,includingBiddy,thoughwithgreatreluctanceonthepartofRose.

With the buoy for a guide, Spike had no difficulty in finding the spot where the schoonerlay.Shehadscarcelyshiftedherberthintheleast,therehavingbeennotimefor her even to swing to the gust, but she had probably cap-sized at the first blast, filled, andgonedowninstantly.Thewaterwasnearlyasclearasthecalm,mildatmosphereofthetropics;anditwasalmostaseasytodiscernthevessel,andallherhamper,asif she lay on a beach. She had sunk as she filled, or on her side, and still continued in thatposition.Asthewaterwaslittlemorethanthreefathomsdeep,theuppersidewassubmergedbutafewinches,andheryard-armswouldhavebeenoutofthewater,butforthecircumstancethattheyardshadcantedunderthepressure.

At first, no sign was seen of any of those who had been on board this ill-fated schoonerwhenshewentdown.Itwasknownthattwenty-onesoulswereinher,includingthemanandtheboywhohadbelongedtothelight-house.Astheboatmovedslowlyoverthissadruin,however,ahorribleandstartlingspectaclecameinview.Twobodieswereseen,withinafewfeetofthesurfaceofthewater,onegrasped

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inthearmsoftheother,inthegripeofdespair.Themanheldinthegrasp,waskeptbeneaththewatersolelybythedeath-lockofhiscompanion,whowashimselfheldwhere he floated, by the circumstance that one of his feet was entangled in a rope. Thestrugglecouldnothavebeenlongover,forthetwobodieswereslowlysettlingtoward the bottom when first seen. It is probable that both these men had more than oncerisentothesurfaceintheirdreadfulstruggle.Spikeseizedaboat-hook,andmadeanefforttocatchtheclothesofthenearestbody,butineffectually,bothsinkingtothesandsbeneath,lifeless,andwithoutmotion.Therebeingnosharksinsight,Mulfordvolunteeredtodiveandfastenalinetooneoftheseunfortunatemen,whomDonJuandeclaredatoncewastheschooner’scaptain.Somelittletimewaslostinprocuringalead-linefromthebrig,whentheleadwasdroppedalongsideofthedrowned.Providedwithanotherpieceofthesamesortofline,whichhadasmallrunningbowlinearoundthatwhichwasfastenedtothelead,thematemadehisplunge,andwentdownwithgreatvigourofarm.Itrequiredresolutionandsteadinesstodescendsofarintosaltwater;butHarrysucceeded,androsewiththebodies,whichcameupwiththeslightestimpulse.Allwereimmediatelygotintotheboat,andawaythelatterwenttowardthelight-house,whichwasnearerandmoreeasyofaccessthanthebrig.

Itisprobablethatoneoftheseunfortunatemenmighthavebeenrevivedunderjudicioustreatment;buthewasnotfatedtoreceiveit.Spike,whoknewnothingofsuchmatters,undertooktodirecteverything,and,insteadofhavingrecoursetowarmthandgentletreatment,heorderedthebodiestoberolledonacask,suspendedthembytheheels,andresortedtoasortofpracticethatmighthavedestroyedwellmen,insteadofresuscitatingthoseinwhomthevitalsparkwasdormant,ifnotactuallyextinct.

Twohourslater,Rose,seatedinherowncabin,unavoidablyoverheardthefollowingdialogue,whichpassedinEnglish,alanguagethatSeñorMontefalderonspokeperfectlywell,ashasbeensaid.

“Well, Señor,” said Spike, “I hope this little accident will not prevent our final trade.Youwillwantthebrignow,totaketheschooner’splace.”

“AndhowamItopayyouforthebrig,SeñorSpike,evenifIbuyher?”“I’llventur’toguessthereisplentyofmoneyinMexico.Thoughtheydosaythe

governmentissobackwardaboutpaying,Ihavealwaysfoundyoupunctual,andamnotafraidtoputfaithinyouag’in.”

“ButIhavenolongeranymoneytopayyouhalfinhand,asIdidforthepowder,whenlastinNewYork.”

“ThebagwasprettywelllinedwithdoubloonswhenIsawitlast,Señor.”

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“Anddoyouknowwherethatbagis;andwherethereisanotherthatholdsthesamesum?”

Spikestarted,andhemusedinsilencesomelittletime,ereheagainspoke.“Ihadforgotten,”heatlengthanswered.“Thegoldmusthaveallgonedowninthe

schooner,alongwiththepowder!”“Andthepoormen!”“Why,asforthemen,Señor,moremaybehadfortheasking;butpowderand

doubloons will be hard to find, when most wanted. Then the men were poor men, accordin’tomyideesofwhatanableseamanshouldbe,ortheyneverwouldhavelettheirschoonerturnturtlewiththemasshedid.”

“Wewilltalkofthemoney,DonEsteban,ifyouplease,”saidtheMexican,withreserve.

“Withallmyheart,DonWan—nothingismoreagreeabletomethanmoney.Howmanyofthemdoubloonsshallfalltomyshare,ifIraisetheschoonerandputyouinpossessionofyourcraftagain?”

“Canthatbedone,Señor?”demandedDonJuanearnestly.“Aseamancandoalmostanything,inthatway,DonWan,ifyouwillgivehimtime

and means. For one-half the doubloons I can find in the wrack, the job shall be done.”“Youcanhavethem,”answeredDonJuan,quietly,agooddealsurprisedthatSpike

should deem it necessary to offer him any part of the sum he might find. “As for the powder,Isupposethatislosttomycountry.”

“Not at all, Don Wan. The flour is well packed around it, and I don’t expect it would take any harm in a month. I shall not only turn over the flour to you, just as if nothing had happened, but I shall put four first-rate hands aboard your schooner, who willtakeherintoportforyou,withagooddealmoresartaintythanfortyofthemenyouhad.Mymateisaprimenavigator.”

Thisconcludedthebargain,everywordofwhichwasheardbyRose,andeverywordofwhichshedidnotfailtocommunicatetoMulford,themomenttherewasanopportunity.Theyoungmanhearditwithgreatinterest,tellingRosethatheshoulddoallhecouldtoassistinraisingtheschooner,inthehopethatsomethingmightturnuptoenablehimtoescapeinher,takingoffRoseandheraunt.AsforhiscarryingherintoaMexicanport,letthemtrusthimforthat!Agreeablytothearrangement,ordersweregiventhatafternoontocommencethenecessarypreparationsforthework,andconsiderableprogresswasmadeinthembythetimetheSwash’speoplewereorderedtoknockoffworkforthenight.

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Afterthesunhadset,thereactioninthecurrentsagaincommenced,anditblewforafewhoursheavily,duringthenight.Towardmorning,however,itmoderated,andwhenthesunre-appeareditscarcelyeverdiffuseditsraysoveramorepeacefulorquietday.Spikecausedallhandstobecalled,andimmediatelysetabouttheimportantbusinesshehadbeforehim.

Inorderthatthevesselmightbeasfreeaspossible,JackTierwasdirectedtoskullthefemalesashore,inthebrig’syawl;SeñorMontefalderon,amanofpolishedmanners,aswemaintainisveryapttobethecasewithMexicangentlemen,whatevermaybetheopinionofthisgoodrepubliconthesubjectjustatthismoment,askedpermissiontobeoftheparty.MulfordfoundanopportunitytobegRose,iftheylandedatthelight,toreconnoitretheplacewell,withaviewtoascertainwhatfacilitiesitcouldaffordinanattempttoescape.Theydidlandatthelight,andgladenoughwere Mrs. Budd, Rose and Biddy to place their feet on terra firma after so long a confinement to the narrow limits of a vessel.

“Well,”saidJackTier,astheywalkeduptothespotwherethebuildingsstood,“thisisarumplaceforalight’us,MissRose,andIdon’twonderthekeeperandhismess-mateshasclearedout.”

“Iamverysorrytosay,”observedSeñorMontefalderon,whosecountenanceexpressedtheconcernhereallyfelt,“thatthekeeperandhisonlycompanion,aboy,wereonboardtheschooner,andhaveperishedinher,incommonwithsomanyofmypoorcountrymen.Therearethegravesoftwowhomweburiedherelastevening,aftervaineffortstorestorethemtolife!”

“Whatadreadfulcatastropheithasbeen,Señor,”saidRose,whosesweetcountenanceeloquentlyexpressedthehorrorandregretshesonaturallyfelt—“Twentyfellow-beingshurriedintoeternitywithoutevenaninstantforprayer!”

“Youfeelforthem,Señorita—itisnaturalyoushould,anditisnaturalthatI,theircountrymanandleader,shouldfeelforthem,also.IdonotknowwhatGodhasinreserveformyunfortunatecountry!Wemayhavecruelandunscrupulousmenamongus,Señorita,butwehavethousandswhoarejust,andbrave,andhonourable.”

“SoMr.Mulfordtellsme,Señor;andhehasbeenmuchinyourports,onthewestcoast.”

“Ilikethatyoungman,andwondernotalittleathisandyoursituationinthisbrig—”rejoinedtheMexican,droppinghisvoicesoasnottobeheardbytheircompanions,astheywalkedalittleaheadofMrs.BuddandBiddy.“TheSeñorSpikeisscarcelyworthytobehiscommanderoryourguardian.”

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“Yet you find him worthy of your intercourse and trust, Don Juan?”TheMexicanshruggedhisshoulders,andsmiledequivocally;still,inamelancholy

manner.Itwouldseemhedidnotdeemitwisetopushthisbranchofthesubjectfurther,sinceheturnedtoanother.

“IliketheSeñorMulford,”heresumed,“forhisgeneraldeportmentandprinciples,sofarasIcanjudgeofhimonsoshortanacquaintance.”

“Excuseme,Señor,”interruptedRose,hurriedly—“butyouneversawhimuntilyoumethimhere.”

“Never—Iunderstandyou,Señorita,andcandofulljusticetotheyoungman’scharacter.Iamwillingtothinkhedidnotknowtheerrandofhisvessel,orIshouldnothaveseenhimnow.ButwhatImostlikehimfor,isthis:Lastnight,duringthegale,heandIwalkedthedecktogether,foranhour.WetalkedofMexico,andofthiswar,sounfortunateformycountryalready,andwhichmaybecomestillmoreso,whenheutteredthisnoblesentiment—‘Mycountryismorepowerfulthanyours,SeñorMontefalderon,’hesaid,‘andinthisithasbeenmorefavouredbyGod.Youhavesufferedfromambitiousrulers,andfrommilitaryrule,whilewehavebeenadvancingunder the arts of peace, favoured by a most beneficent Providence. As for this war, I knowbutlittleaboutit,thoughIdaresaytheMexicangovernmentmayhavebeenwronginsomethingsthatitmighthavecontrolledandsomethatitmightnot—butletright be where it will, I am sorry to see a nation that has taken so firm a stand in favour ofpopulargovernment,presseduponsohardbyanotherthatissupposedtobethegreatsupportofsuchprinciples.AmericaandMexicoareneighbours,andoughttobefriends;andwhileIdonot,cannotblamemyowncountryforpursuingthewarwithvigour,nothingwouldpleasememorethantohearpeaceproclaimed.’”

“ThatisjustlikeHarryMulford,”saidRose,thoughtfully,assoonashercompanionceasedtospeak.“Idowish,Señor,thattherecouldbenouseforthispowder,thatisnowburiedinthesea.”

DonJuanMontefalderonsmiled,andseemedalittlesurprisedthatthefairyoungthing at his side should have known of the treacherous contents of the flour-barrels. No doubthefounditinexplicable,thatpersonslikeRoseandMulfordshould,seemingly,beunitedwithonelikeSpike;buthewastoowellbred,and,indeed,tooeffectuallymystified, to push the subject further than might be discreet.

Bythistimetheywereneartheentranceofthelighthouse,intowhichthewholepartyentered,inasortofmuteaweatitssilenceandsolitude.AtSeñorMontefalderon’sinvitation,theyascendedtothelantern,whencetheycouldcommand

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awideandfairviewofthesurroundingwaters.Thereefwasmuchmoreapparentfromthatelevationthanfrombelow;andRosecouldseethatnumbersofitsrockswerebare,whileonotherpartsofittherewastheappearanceofmanyfeetofwater.Rosegazedatitwithlongingeyes,for,fromafewremarksthathadfallenfromMulford,shesuspectedhehadhopesofescapingamongitschannelsandcoral.

Astheydescendedandwalkedthroughthebuildings,Rosealsotookgoodheedofthe supplies the place afforded. There were flour, and beef, and pork, and many other of the common articles of food, as well as water in a cistern, that caught it as it flowed fromtheroofofthedwelling.Waterwasalsotobefoundincasks—nothinglikeaspringorawellexistingamongthoseislets.AllthesethingsRosenoted,puttingthemasideinhermemoryforreadyreferencehereafter.

Inthemeantimethemarinerswerenotidle.Spikemovedhisbrig,andmooredher,headandstern,alongsideofthewreck,beforethepeoplegottheirbreakfasts.Assoonasthatmealwasended,bothcaptainandmatesetabouttheirdutyinearnest.Mulfordcarriedoutananchorontheoff-sideoftheSwash,anddroppeditatadistanceofabouteightyfathomsfromthevessel’sbeam.Purchaseswerebroughtfrombothmast-headsofthebrigtothechainofthisanchor,andwerehoveuponuntilthevesselwasgivenaheelofmorethanastreak,andthecablewastolerablytaut.Otherpurchasesweregotupopposite,andoverhauleddown,inreadinesstotakeholdoftheschooner’smasts.Theanchoroftheschoonerwasweighedbyitsbuoy-rope,andthechain,afterbeingrovethroughtheupperoroppositehawse-hole,broughtinonboardtheSwash.Anotherchainwasdroppedastern,insuchaway,thatwhentheschoonercameupright,itwouldbesuretopassbeneathherkeel,somesixoreightfeetfromtherudder.Slingswerethensunkoverthemast-heads,andthepurchaseswerehookedon.Hourswereconsumedinthesepreliminarylabours,andthepeoplewenttodinnerassoonastheywerecompleted.

Whenthemenhaddined,Spikebroughtoneofhispurchasestothewindlass,andtheothertothecapstan,thoughnotuntileachwasbowsedtautbyhand;afewminuteshavingbroughtthestrainsofaroneverything,astoenableaseaman,likeSpike,toformsomejudgmentofthelikelihoodthathispreventersandpurchaseswouldstand.Somechangeswerefoundnecessarytoequalizethestrain,but,onthewhole,thecaptain was satisfied with his work, and the crew were soon ordered to “heave-away; thewindlassbest.”

Inthecourseofhalfanhourthehullofthevessel,whichlayonitsbilge,begantoturnonitskeel,andtheheadsofthesparstoriseabovethewater.Thiswastheeasiest

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partoftheprocess,allthatwasrequiredofthepurchasesbeingtoturnoveramasswhichrestedonthesandsofthebay.Aidedbythelongleversaffordedbythespars,theworkadvancedsorapidly,that,injustonehour’stimeafterhispeoplehadbeguntoheave,Spikehadthepleasuretoseetheschoonerstandingupright,alongsideofhisownbrig,thoughstillsunktothebottom.Thewreckwassecuredinthisposition,bymeansofguysandpreventers,inorderthatitmightnotagaincant,whentheorderwasissuedtohookontheslingsthatweretoraiseittothesurface.Theseslingswerethechainsoftheschooner,oneofwhichwentunderherkeel,whilefortheotherthecaptaintrustedtothestrengthofthetwohawse-holes,havingpassedthecableoutofoneandinattheother,inawaytoservehispurposes,ashasjustbeenstated.

Whenallwasready,Spikemusteredhiscrew,andmadeaspeech.Hetoldthementhathewasaboutajobthatwasoutoftheusuallineoftheirduty,andthatheknewtheyhadarighttoexpectextrapayforsuchextrawork.Theschoonercontainedmoney,andhisobjectwastogetatit.Ifhesucceeded,theirrewardwouldbeadoubloonaman,whichwouldbeearningmorethanamonth’swagesbytwenty-fourhours’work.Thiswasenough.Themenwantedtohearnomore;buttheycheeredtheircommander,andsetabouttheirtaskinthehappiestdispositionpossible.

The reader will understand that the object to be first achieved, was to raise a vessel, with a hold filled with flour and gunpowder, from off the bottom of the bay to its surface.Asshestood,thedeckofthisvesselwasaboutsixfeetunderwater,andeveryone will understand that her weight, so long as it was submerged in a fluid as dense as thatofthesea,wouldbemuchmoremanageablethanifsuspendedinair.Thebarrels,forinstance,werenotmuchheavierthanthewatertheydisplaced,andthewoodworkofthevesselitself,was,onthewhole,positivelylighterthantheelementinwhichithadsunk.Asforthewaterinthehold,thatwasofthesameweightasthewaterontheoutsideofthecraft,andtherehadnotbeenmuchtocarrytheschoonerdown,besideheriron,thesparsthatwereoutofwater,andherballast.Thislast,sometenortwelvetons in weight, was in fact the principal difficulty, and alone induced Spike to have any doubtsabouthiseventualsuccess.Therewasnoforeseeingtheresultuntilhehadmadeatrial,however;andtheorderwasagaingivento“heaveaway.”

To the infinite satisfaction of the Swash’screw,theweightwasfoundquitemanageable,solongasthehullremainedbeneaththewater.Mulford,withthreeorfourassistants,waskeptonboardtheschoonerlighteningher,bygettingtheotheranchoroffherbows,andthrowingthedifferentobjectsoverboard,oronthedecksofthebrig.Bythetimethebulwarksreachedthesurface,asmuchwasgainedinthisway,aswas

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lostbyhavingsomuchofthelighterwoodworkriseabovethewater.Asamatterofcourse,however,theweightincreasedasthevesselrose,andmoreespeciallyasthelowerportionofthespars,thebowsprit,boom,etc.,frombeingbuoyantassistants,becamesomuchdeadweighttobelifted.

Spikekeptawatchfuleyeonhisspars,andtheextrasupportshehadgiventhem.Hewasmoving,thewholetime,frompointtopoint,feelingshroudsandback-stays,andpreventers,inordertoascertainthedegreeofstrainoneach,orexamininghowthepurchasesstood.Asforthecrew,theycheeredattheirtoil,incessantly,passingfromcapstanbarstothehandspikes,andviceversa.They,too,feltthattheirtaskwasincreasing in resistance as it advanced, and now found it more difficult to gain an inch, than it had been at first to gain a foot. They seemed, indeed, to be heaving their own vesselout,insteadofheavingtheothercraftup,anditwasnotlongbeforetheyhadtheSwashheelingovertowardthewreckseveralstreaks.Thestrain,moreover,oneverything,becamenotonlysevere,butsomewhatmenacing.Everyshroud,back-stay,andpreventerwasastautasabarofiron,andthechain-cablethatledtotheanchorplantedoffabeam,wasasstraightasifthebrigwereridingbyitinagaleofwind.Oneortwoominoussurgesaloft,too,hadbeenheard,and,thoughnomorethanstrapsandslingssettlingintotheirplacesunderhardstrains,theyservedtoremindthecrewthatdangermightcomefromthatquarter.Suchwasthestateofthings,whenSpikecalledoutto“heaveandpall,”thathemighttakealookattheconditionofthewreck.

Although a great deal remained to be done, in order to get the schooner to float, agreatdealhadalreadybeendone.Herpreciseconditionwasasfollows:Havingnocabinwindows,thewaterhadenteredher,whenshecapsized,bytheonlyfouraperturesherconstructionpossessed.Thesewerethecompanion-way,orcabin-doors;thesky-light;themain-hatch,orthelargeinletamid-ships,bywhichcargowentupanddown;andthebooby-hatch,whichwasthecounterpartofthecompanion-way,forward;beingintendedtoadmitofingresstotheforecastle,theapartmentofthecrew.Eachofthese hatch-ways, or orifices, had the usual defences of “coamings,” strong frame-work aroundtheirmargins.Thesecoamingsrosesixoreightinchesabovethedeck,andansweredthedoublepurposeofstrengtheningthevessel,inapart,thatwithoutthemwouldbeweakerhancommon,andofpreventinganywaterthatmightbewashingaboutthedecksfromrunningbelow.Assoon,therefore,asthesethreeapertures,ortheircoamings,couldberaisedabovethelevelofthewaterofthebasin,alldangerofthevessel’sreceivinganyfurthertributeofthatsortfromtheoceanwouldbeover.Itwastothisend,consequently,thatSpike’seffortshadbeenlatterlydirected,though

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theyhadonlyinpartsucceeded.Theschoonerpossessedagooddealofsheer,asitistermed;or,hertwoextremitiesrosenearlyafootabovehercentre,whenonanevenkeel. This had brought her extremities first to the surface, and it was the additional weightwhichhadconsequentlybeenbroughtintotheairthathadsomuchincreasedthestrain,andinducedSpiketopause.Thedeckforward,asfaraftastheforemast,andaftasfarforwardasthecentreofthetrunk,ortothesky-light,wasabovethewater,oratleastawash;whilealltherestofitwascovered.Inthevicinityofthemain-hatchtherewereseveralinchesofwater;enoughindeedtoleavetheupperedgeofthecoamingssubmergedbyaboutaninch.Toraisethekeelthatinchbymeansofthepurchases,Spikewellknewwouldcosthimmorelabour,andwouldincurmoreriskthanallthathadbeendonepreviously,andhepausedbeforehewouldattemptit.

Themenwerenowcalledfromthebrigandorderedtocomeonboardtheschooner.Spikeascertainedbyactualmeasurementhowmuchwaswantedtobringthecoamingsofthemain-hatchabovethewater,untilwhich,heknew,pumpingandbailingwouldbeuseless.Hefounditwasquiteaninch,andwasatagreatlosstoknowhowthatinchshouldbeobtained.Mulfordadvisedanothertrialwiththehandspikesandbars,buttothisSpikewouldnotconsent.Hebelievedthatthemastsofthebrighadalreadyasmuchpressureonthemastheywouldbear.Thematenextproposedgettingthemainboomoffthevessel,andtolightenthecraftbycuttingawayherbowspritandmasts.Thecaptainwaswellenoughdisposedtodothis,buthedoubtedwhetheritwouldmeetwiththeapprobationof“DonWan,”whowasstillashorewithRoseandheraunt,andwhoprobablylookedforwardtorecoveringhisgunpowderbymeansofthoseveryspars.Atlengththecarpenterhituponaplanthatwasadopted.

Thisplanwasverysimple,thoughithaditsowningenuity.Itwillberememberedthatwatercouldnowonlyenterthevessel’sholdatthemain-hatch,alltheotherhatchwayshavingtheircoamingsabovetheelement.Thecarpenterproposed,therefore,thatthemain-hatches,whichhadbeenoffwhenthetornadooccurred,butwhichhadbeen found on deck when the vessel righted, should now be put on, oakum being first laidalongintheirrabbetings,andthatthecracksshouldbestuffedwithadditionaloakum,toexcludeasmuchwateraspossible.Hethoughtthattwoorthreemen,byusingcaulkingironsfortenminutes,wouldmakethehatch-waysotightthatverylittlewaterwouldpenetrate.Whilethiswasdoing,hehimselfwouldboreasmanyholesforwardandaftashecould,withatwoinchauger,outofwhichthewatertheninthevesselwouldbecertaintorun.Spikewasdelightedwiththisproject,andgavethenecessaryordersonthespot.

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ThismuchmustbesaidofthecrewoftheMollySwash—whatevertheydidintheirownprofession,theydidintelligentlyandwell.Onthepresentoccasiontheymaintainedtheirclaimtothischaracter,andwerebothactiveandexpert.Thehatchesweresoonon,and,inanimperfectmanner,caulked.Whilethiswasdoing,thecarpentergotintoaboat,andgoingundertheschooner’sbows,whereawholeplankwasoutofwater,hechoseaspotbetweentwoofthetimbers,andboredaholeasnearthe surface of the water as he dared to do. Not satisfied with one hole, however, he boredmany—choosingbothsidesofthevesseltomakethem,andputtingsomeaftaswellasforward.Inaword,inthecourseoftwentyminutestheschoonerwastappedinatleastadozenplaces,andjetsofwater,twoinchesindiameter,werespoutingfromheroneachbow,andundereachquarter.

SpikeandMulfordnotedtheeffect.Somewater,doubtless,stillworkeditselfintothe vessel about the main-hatch, but that more flowed from her by means of the outlets justnamed,wasquiteapparent.Afterclosewatchingattheoutletsforsometime,Spikewasconvincedthattheschoonerwasslowlyrising,theintensestrainthatstillcamefromthebrigproducingthateffectasthevesselgraduallybecamelighter.Bytheendofhalfanhour,therecouldbenolongeranydoubt,theholes,whichhadbeenboredwithinaninchofthewater,beingnowfullytwoinchesaboveit.Theaugerwasappliedanew,stillnearertothesurfaceofthesea,andasfreshoutletsweremade,thosethatbegantomanifestadulnessintheirstreamswerecarefullyplugged.

Spikenowthoughtitwastimetotakealookatthestateofthingsondeck.Here,tohisjoy,heascertainedthatthecoamingshadactuallyrisenalittleabovethewater.Thereader is not to suppose by this rising of the vessel, that she had become sufficiently buoyant, in consequence of the water that had run out of her, to float of herself. This wasfarfrombeingthecase;buttheconstantupwardpressurefromthebrig,which,onmechanicalprinciples,tendedconstantlytobringthatcraftupright,hadtheeffecttolifttheschoonerasthelatterwasgraduallyrelievedfromtheweightthatpressedhertowardthebottom.

Thehatcheswerenextremoved,whenitwasfoundthatthewaterintheschooner’sholdhadsofarlowered,astoleaveavacantspaceofquiteafootbetweenthelowestpartofthedeckanditssurface.Towardthetwoextremitiesofthevesselthisspacenecessarilywasmuchincreased,inconsequenceofthesheer.Menwerenowsentintothe hatchway with orders to hook on to the flour-barrels—a whip having been rigged in readinesstohoistthemondeck.Atthesametimegangsweresenttothepumps,thoughSpikestilldependedforgettingridofthewatersomewhatontheauger—thecarpenter

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continuingtoboreandplughisholesasnewopportunitiesoffered,andtheoldoutletsbecameuseless.Itwastruethisexpedientwouldsooncease,forthewaterhavingfounditslevelinthevessel’shold,wasverynearlyonalevelalsowiththatontheoutside.Bailingalsowascommenced,bothforwardandaft.

Spike’snextmaterialadvantagewasobtainedbymeansofthecargo.Bythetimethesunhadset,fullytwohundredbarrelshadbeenrolledintothehatchway,andpassedondeck,whenceabouthalfofthemweresentinthelighthouseboattothenearestislet,andtheremainderweretransferredtothedeckofthebrig.TheselastwereplacedontheoffsideoftheSwash,andaidedinbringinghernearerupright.Agreatdealwasgainedingettingridofthesebarrels.Thewaterintheschoonerloweredjustasmuchasthespacetheyhadoccupied,andthevesselwasrelievedatonceoftwentytonsinweight.

Justafterthesunhadset,SeñorDonJuanMontefalderonandhispartyreturnedonboard.Theyhadstaidontheislandtothelastmoment,atRose’srequest,forshehadtakenascloseanobservationofeverythingaspossible,inordertoascertainifanymeansofconcealmentexisted,intheeventofheraunt,Biddy,andherselfquittingthebrig.Theisletswerealltoonakedandtoosmall,however;andshewascompelledtoreturntotheSwash,withoutanyhopesderivedfromthisquarter.

SpikehadjustdirectedthepeopletogettheirsuppersastheMexicancameonboard.Togethertheydescendedtotheschooner’sdeck,wheretheyhadalongbutsecretconference.SeñorMontefalderonwasacalm,quietandreasonableman,andwhilehefeltasonewouldbeapttofeelwhohadrecentlyseensomanyassociatessweptsuddenlyoutofexistence,thelatecatastrophedidnotintheleastunmanhim.ItistoomuchthehabitoftheAmericanpeopletoreceivetheirimpressionsfromnewspapers, which throw off their articles unreflectingly, and often ignorantly, as cronesinpetticoatsuttertheirgossip.Inaword,theopinionsthusobtainedareverymuchonalevel,invalue,withthethoughtsofthosewhoaresaidtothinkaloud,andwhogiveutterancetoallthecruditiesandtrivialrumoursthatmayhappentoreachtheirears.Inthismanner,weapprehend,veryfalsenotionsofourneighboursofMexicohavebecomecirculatedamongus.Thatnationisamixedrace,andhasnecessarilythevariouscharacteristicsofsuchanorigin,anditisunfortunatelylittleinfluenced by the diffusion of intelligence which certainly exists here. Although an enemy,itoughttobeacknowledged,however,thatevenMexicohasherredeemingpoints.Anglo-Saxonsasweare,wehavenodesireunnecessarilytoillustratethatverymarkedfeatureintheAnglo-Saxoncharacter,whichpromptsthemotherstockto

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calumniateallwhoopposeit,butwouldratheradoptsomeofthatchivalrouscourtesyofwhichsomuchthatisloftyandcommendableistobefoundamongthedescendantsofOldSpain.

TheSeñorMontefalderonwasearnestlyengagedinwhatheconceivedtobethecauseofhiscountry.Itwasscarcelypossibletobringtogethertwomenimpelledby motives more distinct than Spike and this gentleman. The first was acting under impulses of the lowest and most grovelling nature; while the last was influenced by motivesofthehighest.HowevermuchMexicomay,andhas,weakenedhercausebyherownpunicfaith,instability,militaryoppression,andpoliticalrevolutions,givingto the Texans in particular ample justification for their revolt, it was not probable that DonJuanMontefalderonsawtheforceofalltheargumentsthatacasuistofordinaryingenuitycouldcertainlyadduceagainsthiscountry;foritisamostunusualthingtofind a man anywhere, who is willing to admit that the positions of an opponent are good.Hesawintheeventsoftheday,aprovincewrestedfromhisnation;and,inhisreasoningonthesubject,entirelyoverlookingthenumerousoccasionsonwhichhisown fluctuating government had given sufficient justification, not to say motives, to theirpowerfulneighbourstotakethelawintotheirownhands,andredressthemselves,hefanciedallthathasoccurredwaspreviouslyplanned;insteadofregardingit,asittrulyis,asmerelytheresultofpoliticaleventsthatnomancouldhaveforeseen,thatnomanhadoriginallyimagined,orthatanymancouldcontrol.

DonJuanunderstoodSpikecompletely,andquitejustlyappreciatednotonlyhischaracter,buthiscapabilities.Theiracquaintancewasnotofaday,thoughithadeverbeenmarkedbythatsingularcombinationofcautionandreliancethatisapttocharacterizetheintercoursebetweentheknaveandthehonestman,whencircumstances compel not only communication, but, to a certain extent, confidence. Theynowpacedthedeckoftheschooner,sidebyside,forfullyanhour,duringwhichtimethepriceofthevessel,themeans,andthemodeofpaymentandtransfer,werefullysettledbetweenthem.

“Butwhatwillyoudowithyourpassengers,DonEsteban?”askedtheMexicanpleasantly,whenthemorematerialpointswereadjusted.“Ifeelagreatinterestintheyoungladyinparticular,whoisacharmingseñorita,andwhotellsmethatherauntbroughtherthisvoyageonaccountofherhealth.Shelooksmuchtoobloomingtobeoutofhealth,andifshewere,thisisasingularvoyageforaninvalidtomake!”

“Youdon’tunderstandhumannatur’yet,altogether,Isee,DonWan,”answeredSpike,chucklingandwinking.“AsyouandIarenotonlygoodfriends,butwhata

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bodymaycalloldfriends,I’llletyouintoasecretinthisaffair,wellknowingthatyou’llnotbetrayit.It’squitetruethattheoldwomanthinkshernieceisapulmonary,astheycallit,andthatthisv’y’geisrecommendedforher,butthegalisashealthyasshe’shandsom’.”

“Herconstitution,then,mustbeveryexcellent,foritisseldomIhaveseensocharmingayoungwoman.Butiftheauntismisledinthismatter,howhasitbeenwiththeniece?”

Spikedidnotanswerinwords,butheleereduponhiscompanion,andhewinked.“Youmeantobeunderstoodthatyouareinintelligencewitheachother,Isuppose,

DonEsteban,”returnedtheSeñorMontefalderon,whodidnotlikethecaptain’smanner,andwaswillingtodropthediscourse.

Spike then informed his companion, in confidence, that he and Rose were affianced, though without the aunt’s knowledge,—that he intended to marry the niecethemomenthereachedaMexicanportwiththebrig,andthatitwastheirjointintentiontosettleinthecountry.Headdedthattheaffairrequiredmanagement,ashisintendedhadproperty,andexpectedmore,andhebeggedDonJuantoaidhim,asthingsdrewneartoacrisis.TheMexicanevadedananswer,andthediscoursedropped.

Themoonwasnowshining,andwouldcontinuetothrowitspalelightoverthescene for two or three hours longer. Spike profited by the circumstance to continue the work of lightening the schooner. One of the first things done next was to get up the dead, and to remove them to the boat. This melancholy office occupied an hour, the bodiesbeinglandedontheislet,nearthepowder,andthereinterredinthesands.DonJuanMontefalderonattendedonthisoccasion,andrepeatedsomeprayersoverthegraves,ashehaddoneinthemorning,inthecasesofthetwowhohadbeenburiednearthelight-house.

Whilethismelancholydutywasinthecourseofperformance,thatofpumpingandbailingwascontinued,undertheimmediatepersonalsuperintendenceofMulford.Itwould not be easy to define, with perfect clearness, the conflicting feelings by which themateoftheSwashwasnowimpelled.HehadnolongeranydoubtonthesubjectofSpike’streason,andhaditnotbeenforRose,hewouldnothavehesitatedamomentaboutmakingoffinthelight-houseboatforKeyWest,inordertoreportallthathadpassedtotheauthorities.ButnotonlyRosewasthere,andtobecaredfor,butwhatwas far more difficult to get along with, her aunt was with her. It is true, Mrs. Budd was no longer Spike’s dupe; but under any circumstances she was a difficult subject tomanage,andmostespeciallysoinallmattersthatrelatedtothesea.Thenthe

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young man submitted, more or less, to the strange influence which a fine craft almost invariablyobtainsoverthosethatbelongtoher.HedidnotliketheideaofdesertingtheSwash,attheverymomenthewouldnothavehesitatedaboutpunishingherownerforhismanymisdeeds.Inaword,Harrywastoomuchofatarnottofeeladeepreluctancetoturnagainsthiscruise,orhisvoyage,howevermucheithermightbecondemnedbyhisjudgment,orevenbyhisprinciples.

Itwasquitenineo’clockwhentheSeñorMontefalderonandSpikereturnedfromburyingthedead.Nosoonerdidthelastputhisfootonthedeckofhisownvessel,thanhefeltthefallofoneofthepurchaseswhichhadbeenemployedinraisingtheschooner. It was so far slack as to satisfy him that the latter now floated by her own buoyancy,thoughitmightbewelltoletallstanduntilmorning,forthepurposesofsecurity.Thusapprisedoftheconditionofthetwovessels,hegavethewelcomeorderto“knockoffforthenight.”

“i’ll man withhold! a pale one near him stands.” swash · a pale one near him stands.”...

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