over the vast fields of created things, without ...

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Thegullhasfoundherplaceonshore; Thesungonedownagaintorest; Andallisstillbutocean’sroar; Therestandsthemanunbless’d. Butsee,hemoves—heturns,asaskingwhere Hismates?Whylookshewiththatpiteousstare?

—Dana.

Superstitionwouldseemtobeaconsequenceofastateofbeing,inwhichsomuchisshadowedforth,whilesolittleisaccuratelyknown.Ourfar-reachingthoughtsrangeover the vast fields of created things, without penetrating to the secret cause of the existenceofevenabladeofgrass.Wecananalyzeallsubstancesthatarebroughtintoour crucibles, tell their combinations and tendencies, give a scientific history of their formation,sofarasitisconnectedwithsecondaryfacts,theirproperties,andtheiruses; but in each and all, there is a latent natural cause, that baffles all our inquiries, and tellsusthatwearemerelymen.Thisisjustastrueinmorals,asinphysics—nomanlivingbeingequaltoattainingtheveryfaiththatisnecessarytohissalvation,withoutthespecialaidofthespiritofthegodhead;andevenwiththatmightysupport,trustingimplicitlyforallthatisconnectedwithafuturethatwearetaughttobelieveiseternal,to“thesubstanceofthingshopedfor,andtheevidenceofthingsunseen.”Inaword,this earthly probation of ours, was intended for finite beings, in the sense of our present existence,leavingfarmoretobeconjectured,thanisunderstood.

Ignoranceandsuperstitioneverbearaclose,andevenamathematicalrelationtoeachother.Thedegreesoftheone,areregulatedbythedegreesoftheother.He

Part 2: Chapter 5

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Jack Tier: Part 2, Chapter 5

whoknowstheleastbelievesthemost;whilehewhohasseenthemost,withouttheintelligencetocomprehendthatwhichhehasseen,feels,perhaps,thestrongestinclinationtoreferthosethingswhichtohimaremysteries,tothesupernaturalandmarvellous.Sailorshavebeen,fromtimeimmemorial,moredisposedthanmenoftheirclassontheland,toindulgeinthisweakness,whichisprobablyheightenedbythecircumstanceoftheirlivingconstantlyandvividlyinthepresenceofpowersthatmenaceequallytheirlivesandtheirmeans,withoutbeinginanymannersubjecttotheircontrol.

Spike,foraseamanofhisdegreeofeducation,wasnotparticularlyaddictedtotheweaknesstowhichwehavejustalluded.Nevertheless,hewasnotaltogetherfreefromit;andrecentcircumstancescontributedtodisposehimsomuchthemoretoadmitafeelingwhich,likesinitself,iseverthemostapttoinsinuateitselfatmomentsofextraordinarymoralimbecility,andthroughtheopeningsleftbyprevioustransgression.Ashisbrigstoodofffromthelight,thecaptainpacedthedeck,greatlydisturbedbywhathadjustpassed,andunabletoaccountforit.TheboatofthePoughkeepsiewasentirelyconcealedbytheislet,andthereexistingnoobviousmotiveforwishingtoreturn,inordertocomeatthetruth,notathoughttothateffect,foronemoment,crossedthemindofthesmuggler.Sofarfromthis,indeed,werehiswishes,thattheMollydidnotseemtohimtogohalfasfastasusual,inhiskeendesiretogetfurtherandfurtherfromaspotwheresuchstrangeincidentshadoccurred.

Asforthemenforward,noargumentwaswantingtomakethembelievethatsomethingsupernaturalhadjustpassedbeforetheireyes.Itwasknowntothemall,thatMulfordhadbeenleftonanakedrock,somethirtymilesfromthatspot;anditwasnoteasytounderstandhowhecouldnowbeattheDryTortugas,planted,asitmightbe,onpurposetoshowhimselftothebrig,againstthetower,inthebrightmoonlight,“likeapictur’hungupforhisoldshipmatestolookat.”

Sombrewerethetalesthatwererelatedthatnightamongthem,manyofwhichrelatedtothesufferingsofmenabandonedondesertislands;andallofwhichbordered,moreorless,onthesupernatural.ThecrewconnectedthedisappearanceoftheboatwithMulford’sapparition,thoughthelogicalinferencewouldhavebeen,thatthebodywhichrequiredplankstotransportit,couldscarcelybeclassedwithanythingoftheworldofspirits.Thelinksinarguments,however,areseldomrespectedbytheilliterateandvulgar,whojumptotheirconclusions,incasesofthemarvellous,muchaspoliticians find an expression of the common mind in the prepared opinions of the few whospeakforthem,totallydisregardingthedissentingsilenceofthemillion.While

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the men were first comparing their opinions on that which, to them, seemed to be so extraordinary,theSeñorMontefalderonjoinedthecaptaininhiswalk,anddroppedintoadiscoursetouchingtheeventswhichhadattendedtheirdeparturefromthehavenoftheDryTortugas.Inthisconversation,DonJuanmostadmirablypreservedhiscountenance,aswellashisself-command,effectuallypreventingthesuspicionofanyknowledgeonhispart,thatwasnotcommontothemboth.

“Youdidleavetheportwiththesalutesobserved,”theMexicancommenced,withtheslightestaccentofaforeigner,orjustenoughtoshowthathewasnotspeakinginhismothertongue;“salutespaidandreturned.”

“Doyoucallthatsaluting,DonWan?Tome,thatinfernalshotsoundedmorelikeanecho,thananythingelse.”

“Andtowhatdoyouascribeit,DonEsteban?”“IwishIcouldanswerthatquestion.SometimesIbegintowishIhadnotleftmy

mateonthatnakedrock.”“Thereisstilltimetorepairthelastwrong;weshallgowithinafewmilesofthe

placewheretheSeñorEnriquewasleft;andIcantaketheyawl,withtwomen,andgoinsearchofhim,whileyouareatworkonthewreck.”

“Doyoubelieveitpossiblethathecanbestillthere?”demandedSpike,lookingsuddenlyandintentlyathiscompanion,whilehismindwasstrangelyagitatedbetweenhatredanddread.“Ifheisthere,whoandwhatwashethatweallsawsoplainlyatthefootofthelight-house?”

“Howshouldhehavelefttherock?Hewaswithoutfoodorwater;andnoman,inallhisvigour,couldswimthisdistance.Iseenomeansofhisgettinghere.”

“Unlesssomewrecker,orturtler,fellinwithhim,andtookhimoff.Ay,ay,DonWan;Ilefthimthatmuchofachance,atleast.NomancansayImurderedmymate.”

“Iamnotaware,DonEsteban,thatanyonehassaidsohardathingofyou.Still,wehaveseenneitherwreckernorturtlersincewehavebeenhere;andthatlessenstheexcellentchanceyouleftDonEnrique.”

“Thereisnooccasion,señor,tobesoparticular,”growledSpike,alittlesullenly,inreply.“Thechance,Isay,wasagoodone,whenyouconsiderhowmanyofthemdevilsofwreckershangaboutthesereefs.Letthisbrigonlygetfastonarock,andtheywouldturnup,likesharks,allaroundus,eachwithhismawopenforsalvage.Butthisisneitherherenorthere;whatpuzzlesme,waswhatwesawatthelight,halfanhoursince, and the musket that was fired back at us! I know that the figure at the foot of the tower did not fire, for my eye was on him from first to last; and he had no arms. You

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wereontheislandagoodbit,andmusthaveknownifthelight-housekeeperwasthereornot,DonWan?”

“Thelight-housekeeperwasthere,DonEsteban—buthewasinhisgrave.”“Ay,ay,one,Iknow,wasdrowned,andburiedwiththerestofthem;theremight,

however,havebeenmorethanone.YousawnoneofthepeoplethathadgonetoKeyWest,inoraboutthehouse,DonWan?”

“None.IfanypersonshavelefttheTortugastogotoKeyWest,withinafewdays,notoneofthemhasyetreturned.”

“SoIsupposed.No,itcanbenoneofthem.ThenIsawhisfaceasplainlyaseverIsawitbymoon-light,fromaft,for’ard.Whatisyouropinionaboutseeingthedeadwalkonthe’arth,DonWan?”

“ThatIhaveneverseenanysuchthingmyself,DonEsteban,andconsequentlyknownothingaboutit.”

“So I supposed; I find it hard to believe it, I do. It may be a warning to keep us from-cominganymoretotheDryTortugas;andImustsayIhavelittleheartforreturning to this place, after all that has fell out here. We can go to the wreck, fish up thedoubloons,andbeoffforYucatan.Onceinoneofyourports,ImakenoquestionthatthemeritsoftheMollywillmakethemselvesunderstood,andthatweshallsoonagreeonaprice.”

“Whatusecouldweputthebrigto,DonEsteban,ifwehadherallreadyforsea?”“That is a strange question to ask in time of war! Give me such a craft as the Molly,

withsixtyoreightymenonboardher,inawarlikethis,andher’arnin’sshouldnotfallshortofhalfamillionwithinatwelvemonth.”

“Couldweengageyoutotakechargeofher,DonEsteban?”“Thatwouldbeticklishwork,DonWan.Butwecansee.Nooneknowswhathe

will do until he is tried. In for a penny, in for a pound. A fellow never knows! Ha! ha! ha! Don Wan, we live in a strange world—yes, in a strange world.”

“Weliveinstrangetimes,DonEsteban,asthesituationofmypoorcountryproves.But let us talk this matter over a little more in confidence.”

Andtheydidthusdiscussthesubject.Itwasasingularspectacletoseeanhonourableman,onefullofzealofthepurestnatureinbehalfofhisowncountry,soundingatraitorastothetermsonwhichhemightbeinducedtodoalltheharmhecould,tothosewhoclaimedhisallegiance.Suchsights,however,areoftenseen;ourownespecialobjectstoofrequentlyblindingustotheobligationsthatweowemorality,sofarasnottobeinstrumentalineffectingevenwhatweconceivetobegood,by

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questionableagencies.ButtheSeñorMontefalderonkeptinview,principally,hisdesiretobeusefultoMexico,blendedalittletoostrongly,perhaps,withthewishesofamanwhowasbornnearthesun,toavengehiswrongs,realorfancied.

WhilethisdialoguewasgoingonbetweenSpikeandhispassenger,astheypacedthequarter-deck,onequiteascharacteristicoccurredinthegalley,withintwentyfeetofthem—Simon,thecook,andJosh,thesteward,beingtheinterlocutors.Astheytalkedsecrets,theyconferredtogetherwithcloseddoors,thoughfewwereeverdisposedtoencounterthesmoke,grease,andfumesoftheirnarrowdomains,unlesscalledthitherbyhunger.

“Whatyout’inkofdismatterJosh?”demandedSimon,whoseskullhavingthewell-knowndensityofhisrace,didnotletinternalideasout,orexternalideasinasreadilyasmostmen’s.“Ouryoungmatewasatdelight-housebeyondallcontrowersy;andhowcanhebedenondatrockoveryonder,too?”

“Datisimposserbul,”answeredJosh;“dereforeIsaysitisn’ttrue.Isurposesyouknowdatwhatisimposserbulisn’ttrue,Simon.Nobodycan’tbeoutyonderanddownhereatdesametime.Datisimposserbul,Simon.ButwhatIwantstointermatetoyou,will explain all dis difficulty; and it do show de raal super’ority of a coloured man over de white poperlation. Now, you mark my words, cook, and be full of admiration! Jack Tier came back along wid de Mexican gentle’em, in my anchor-watch, dis very night! You see, in de first place, ebbery t’ing come to pass in nigger’s watch.”

Herethetwodark-skinnedworthieshaw-haw’dtotheirheart’scontent;laughingvery much as a magistrate or a minister of the gospel might be fancied to laugh, the first timehesawaclownatacircus.Themerrimentofanegrowillhaveitscourse,inspiteofghosts,orofanythingelse;andneitherthecooknorthestewarddreamedofputtinginanothersyllable,untiltheirlaughwasfairlyanddulyended.Thenthecookmadehisremarks.

“HowJackTiercomin’backexplainderdifferculty,Josh?”askedSimon.“Didn’tJackgoawaywidMissRoseanddemate,indeboatdatgotadrift,you

know,inJack’swatchondeck?”Herethenegroeslaughedagain,theirimaginationshappeningtopictureto

each, at the same instant, the mystification about the boat; Biddy having told Josh in confidence, the manner in which the party had returned to the brig, while he and Simon wereasleep;whichfactthestewardhadalreadycommunicatedtothecook.Tothesetwobeings,ofanorderinnaturedifferentfromallaroundthem,andofasimplicityandofhabitsthatscarceplacedthemonalevelwiththeintelligenceofthehumblestwhite

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man,allthesecircumstanceshadasortofmysteriousconnection,outofwhichpeepedmuchthemostconspicuouslytotheirfaculties,theabsurdityofthecaptain’simaginingthataboathadgotadrift,whichhad,intruth,beentakenawaybyhumanhands.Accordingly,theylaugheditout;andwhentheyhaddonelaughing,theyreturnedagaintothematterbeforethemwithrenewedinterestinthesubject.

“Well,howalldatexplaindisdifferculty?”repeatedSimon.“Indiswerymanner,cook,”returnedthesteward,withalittledignityinhis

manner.“Ebberyt’ingdependonunderstandin’,Is’poseyouknow.IfMr.MulfordgottakenoffdatrockbyMissRoseandJackTier,widdeboat,anddendeycomesherealtogedder;anddenJackTier,hegetonboardandtellBiddyalldismatter,anddenBiddytellJosh,anddenJoshtelldecook—whatforyousurprise,youblackdebbil,onebit?”

“Dat all!” exclaimed Simon.“Datjustall—datebberybitofit,don’tIsay.”Here Simon burst into such a fit of loud laughter, that it induced Spike himself

toshoveasidethegalley-door,andthrusthisownfrowningvisageintothedarkholewithin,toinquirethecause.

“What’sthemeaningofthisuproar?”demandedthecaptain,allthemoreexcitedbecausehefeltthatthingshadreachedapassthatwouldnotpermithimtolaughhimself.“DoyoufancyyourselfontheHook,orattheFivePoints?”

TheHookandtheFivePointsaretwopiecesoftabooedterritorywithinthelimitsofthegoodtownofManhattan,thataregettingtoberenownedfortheirrascalityandorgies.Theyprobablywantnothingbuttheproclamationofagovernorinvindicationoftheirprinciples,annexedtoapardonofsomeoftheirunfortunatechildren,torenderbothclassical.Ifwecontinuetomakemuchfurtherprogressinpoliticallogic,andinthesamedirectionasthatinwhichwehavealreadyproceededsofar,neitherwillprobablylongbeinwantofthisillustration.Votescanbegivenbythevirtuouscitizensofboththesepurlieus,aswellasbythevirtuouscitizensoftheanti-rentdistricts,andvotes contain the essence of all such principles, as well as of their glorification.

“DoyoufancyyourselvesontheHook,orattheFivePoints?”demandedSpike,angrily.

“Lor’, no sir!” answered Simon, laughing at each pause with all his heart. “Only laughsalittleatghost—datall,sir.”

“Laugh at ghost! Is that a subject to laugh at? Have a care, you black rascal, or he willvisityouinyourgalleyhere,whenyouwillleastwanttoseehim.”

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“Nocaremuchforhim,sir,”returnedSimon,laughingawayashardasever.“Sichaghostoughtn’ttoskearlittlebaby.”

“Suchaghost?Andwhatdoyouknowofthisghostmorethananyother?”“Well,Iseedhim,Cap’inSpike;andwhatabodysees,heisacquaintedwid.”“YousawanimagethatlookedasmuchlikeMr.Mulford,mylatemate,asone

timber-headinthisbrigislikeanother.”“Yes,sir,helikeenough—mustsaydat—sowerylike,couldn’tseeany

difference.”As Simon concluded this remark, he burst out into another fit of laughter, in which

Joshjoinedhim,heartandsoul,asitmightbe.Theuninitiatedreaderisnottoimaginethelaughterofthoseblackstobeverynoisy,ortoberaisedonasharp,highkey.Theycouldmakethewelkinring,insuddenburstsofmerriment,onoccasion;but,atatimelikethis,theyrathercausedtheirdiversiontobedevelopedbysoundsthatcamefromthedepthsoftheirchests.Agleamofsuspicionthattheseblackswereacquaintedwithsomefactthatitmightbewellforhimtoknow,shotacrossthemindofSpike;buthewasturnedfromfurtherinquirybyaremarkofDonJuan,whointimatedthatthemirthofsuchpersonsneverhadmuchmeaningtoit,expressingatthesametimeadesiretopursuethemoreimportantsubjectinwhichtheywereengaged.Admonishingtheblackstobemoreguardedintheirmanifestationsofmerriment,thecaptainclosedthedooronthem,andresumedhiswalkupanddownthequarter-deck.Assoonaslefttothemselves, the blacks broke out afresh, though in a way so guarded, as to confine their mirthtothegalley.

“Cap’in Spike t’ink dat a ghost!” exclaimed Simon, with contempt.“Guess if he see raal ghost, he find ’e difference,” answered Josh. “One look at raal

speritwort’twoatdisobject.”Simon’seyesnowopenedliketwosaucers,andtheygleamed,bythelightof

thelamptheyhad,likedarkballsofcondensedcuriosity,blendedwithawe,onhiscompanion.

“Youebberseehim,Josh?”heasked,glancingovereachshoulderhurriedly,asitmightbe,tomakesurethathecouldnotsee“him,”too.

“Howyout’inkIgetsofardownthewaleoflife,Simon,andnebberseesichat’ing? I seed t’ree of the crew of the ‘Maria Sheffington,’ that was drowned by deir boat’s cap-sizin’, when we lay at Gibraltar, jest as plain as I see you now. Then—”

ButitisunnecessarytorepeatJosh’sexperiencesinthisway,withwhichhecontinuedtoentertainandterrifySimonforthenexthalf-hour.Thisisjustthe

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differencebetweenignoranceandknowledge.WhileSpikehimself,andeverymaninhisbrigwhobelongedforward,hadstrongmisgivingsastotheearthlycharacterof the figure they had seen at the foot of the light-house, these negroes laughed at theirdelusion,becausetheyhappenedtobeinthesecretofMulford’sescapefromtherock,andofthatofhisactualpresenceattheTortugas.When,however,thesamesuperstitiousfeelingwasbroughttobearoncircumstancesthatlaywithoutthesphereoftheirexactinformation,theybecamejustasdependentandhelplessasallaroundthem;moreso,indeed,inasmuchastheirprevioushabitsandopinionsdisposedthemtoamoreprofoundcredulity.

ItwasmidnightbeforeanyofthecrewoftheSwashsoughttheirrestthatnight.Thecaptainhadtoremindthemthatadayofextraordinarytoilwasbeforethem,erehecouldgetoneeventoquitthedeck;andwhentheydidgobelow,itwastocontinuetodiscussthesubjectofwhattheyhadseenattheDryTortugas.Itappearedtobetheprevalentopinionamongthepeople,thatthelateeventforebodedeviltotheSwash,andlongasmostofthesemenhadservedinthebrig,andmuchastheyhadbecomeattachedtoher,hadshegoneintoportthatnight,nearlyeverymanforwardwouldhaverunbeforemorning.Butfatigueandwonder,atlength,producedtheireffect,andthevesselwassilentaswasusualatthathour.Spikehimselflaydowninhisclothes,ashehaddoneeversinceMulfordhadlefthim;andthebrigcontinuedtotossthesprayfromherbows,assheboregallantlyupagainstthetrades,workingherwaytowindward.Thelightwasfoundtobeofgreatservice,asitindicatedthepositionofthereef,thoughitgraduallysunkinthewesternhorizon,untilnearmorningitfellentirelybelowit.

At this hour Spike appeared on deck again, where, for the first time since their interviewonthemorningofHarry’sandRose’sescape,helaidhiseyesonJackTier.Thelittledumpling-lookingfellowwasstandinginthewaist,withhisarmsfoldedsailor-fashion,ascomposedlyasifnothinghadoccurredtorenderhismeetingwiththecaptainanywayofadoubtfulcharacter.Spikeapproachednearthepersonofthesteward,whomhesurveyedfromheadtofoot,withasortofcontemptuoussuperiority,erehespoke.

“So,MasterTier,”atlengththecaptaincommenced,“youhavedeignedtoturnoutatlast,haveyou?Ihopetheday’sdutyyou’veforgotten,willhelptopayforthelight-houseboat,thatIunderstandyou’velostforme,also.”

“What signifies a great clumsy boat that the brig could n’t hoist in nor tow,” answeredJack,coolly,turningshortroundatthesametime,butnotcondescendingto

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“uncoil”hisarmsashedidso,amarkofindifferencethatwouldprobablyhavehelpedtomystifythecaptain,hadheevenactuallysuspectedthatanythingwaswrongbeyondthesupposedaccidenttotheboatinquestion.“Ifyouhadhadtheboatastarn,CaptainSpike, an order would have been given to cut it adrift the first time the brig made sail onthewind.”

“Nobodyknows,Jack;thatboatwouldhavebeenveryusefultouswhileatworkaboutthewreck.Younevereventurnedoutthismorningtoletmeknowwherethatcraft lay, as you promised to do, but left us to find it out by our wits.”

“Therewasnooccasionformytellin’youanythingaboutit,sir,whenthemast-headswastobeseenabovewater.AssoonasIheardthatthem’eremast-headswasoutofwater,Iturnedoverandwenttosleepuponit.Amancan’tbeonthedoctor’slistandondutyatthesametime.”

Spikelookedhardatthelittlesteward,buthemadenofurtherallusiontohisbeingoffduty,ortohisfailingtostandpilottothebrigasshecamethroughthepassageinquestoftheschooner’sremains.Thefactwas,thathehaddiscoveredthemast-headshimself,justashewasonthepointoforderingJacktobecalled,havingallowedhimtoremaininhisberthtothelastmomentafterhiswatch,accordingtoaspeciesofimpliedfaiththatisseldomdisregardedamongseamen.Oncebusiedonthewreck,Jackwasforgotten,havinglittletodoincommonwithanyoneonboard,butthatwhichthecaptaintermedthe“women’smess.”

“Comeaft,Jack,”resumedSpike,afteraconsiderablepause,duringthewholeofwhichhehadstoodregardingthelittlestewardasifstudyinghisperson,andthroughthathischaracter.“Comeafttothetrunk;Iwishtocatechiseyouabit.”

“Catechise!” repeated Tier, in an under tone, as he followed the captain to the place mentioned. “It’s a long time since I’ve done anything at that!”

“Ay,comehither,”resumedSpike,seatinghimselfathiseaseonthetrunk,whileJackstoodnearby,hisarmsstillfolded,andhisrotundlittleformasimmovable,undertheplungesthatthelivelybrigmadeintothehead-seasthatshewasobligedtomeet,asifatimber-headinthevesselitself.“Youkeepyoursea-legswell,Jack,shortastheyare.”

“Nowonderforthat,CaptainSpike;forthelasttwentyyearsI’vescarcepassedatwelvemonthashore;andwhatIdidbeforethat,noonecanbettertellthanyourself,sincewewastengoodyearsshipmates.”

“Soyousay,Jack,thoughIdonotrememberyouaswellasyouseemtorememberme.Doyounotmakethetimetoolong?”

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“Notaday,sir.Tengoodandhappyyearsdidwesailtogether,CaptainSpike;andallthattimeinthisvery—”

“Hush—h-u-s-h, man, hush! There is no need of telling the Molly’sagetoeverybody.Imaywishtosellhersomeday,andthenhergreatexperiencewillbenorecommendation.YoushouldrecollectthattheMollyisafemale,andtheladiesdonotlike to hear of their ages after five-and-twenty.”

Jackmadenoanswer,buthedroppedhisarmstotheirnaturalposition,seemingtowaitthe captain’s communication, first referring to his tobacco-box and taking a fresh quid.

“Ifyouwaswithmeinthebrig,Jack,atthetimeyoumention,”continuedSpike,afteranotherlongandthoughtfulpause,“youmustremembermanylittlethingsthatIdon’twishtohaveknown;especiallywhileMrs.Buddandherhandsomenieceisaboardhere.”

“Iunderstandyou,CaptainSpike.Theladiesshalll’arnnomorefrommethantheyknowalready.”

“Thank’eforthatJack—thank’ewithallmyheart.Shipmatesofourstandingought to be fast friends; and so you’ll find me, if you’ll only sail under the true colours, myman.”

AtthatmomentJacklongedtoletthecaptainknowhowstrenuouslyhehadinsistedthatverynightonrejoininghisvessel;andthisatatime,too,whenthebrigwasfallingintodisrepute.Butthishecouldnotdo,withoutbetrayingthesecretofthelovers—sohechosetosaynothing.

“Thereisnouseinblabbingallamanknows,andthegalleyisasadplacefortalking. Galley news is poor news, I suppose you know, Jack.”

“I’ve hear’n say as much on board o’ man-of-war. It’s a great place for the officers tomeetandtalk,andsmoke,inUncleSam’scrafts;andwhatabodyhearsinsuchplaces,isprettymuchnewspaperstuff,Idosuppose.”

“Ay,ay,that’sit;nottobethoughtofhalf-an-hourafterithasbeenspoken.Here’sadoubloonforyou,Jack;andallforthesakeofoldtimes.Now,tellme,mylittlefellow,howdotheladiescomeon?Doesn’tMissRosegetoverhermourningonaccountofthemate?Aren’twetohavethepleasureofseein’herondecksoon?”

“Ican’tanswerforthemindsandfanciesofyoungwomen,CaptainSpike.Theyaredifficult to understand; and I would rather not meddle with what I can’t understand.”

“Poh,poh,man;youmustgetoverthat.Youmightbeofgreatusetome,Jack,inaverydelicateaffair—foryouknowhowitiswithwomen;theymustbehandledasamanwouldhandlethisbrigamongbreakers;Rose,inpartic’lar,isasskittishasacolt.”

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“StephenSpike,”saidJack,solemnly,butonsolowakeythatitentirelychangedhisusuallyharshandcrackedvoicetoonethatsoundedsoft,ifnotabsolutelypleasant,“doyouneverthinkofhereafter?Yourdaysarealmostrun;averyfewyears,inyourcallingitmaybeaveryfewweeks,orafewhours,andtimewillbedonewithyou,andetarnitywillcommence.—Doyouneverthinkofahereafter?”

Spikestartedtohisfeet,gazingatJackintently;thenhewipedtheperspirationfromhisface,andbegantopacethedeckrapidly,mutteringtohimself—“thishasbeena most accursed night! First the mate, and now this! Blast me, but I thought it was a voice from the grave! Graves! Can’t they keep those that belong to them, or have rocks andwavesnograves?”

Whatmorepassedthroughthemindofthecaptainmustremainasecret,forhekept it to himself; nor did he take any further notice of his companion. Jack, finding thathewasunobserved,passedquietlybelow,andtooktheplaceinhisberth,whichhehadonlytemporarilyabandoned.

Justasthedaydawned,theSwashreachedthevicinityofthewreckagain.Sailwasshortened,andthebrigstoodinuntilnearenoughforthepurposeofhercommander,whenshewashove-to,sonearthemast-headsthat,byloweringtheyawl,alinewassentouttothefore-mast,andthebrigwashauledclosealongside.Thedirectionofthereef at that point formed a lee; and the vessel lay in water sufficiently smooth for her object.

Thiswasdonesoonafterthesunhadrisen,andSpikenoworderedallhandscalled,andbeganhisoperationsinearnest.Bysoundingcarefullyaroundtheschoonerwhenlasthere,hehadascertainedhersituationtohisentiresatisfaction.Shehadsettledonashelfofthereef,insuchapositionthatherbowslayinasortofcradle,whilehersternwasseveralfeetnearertothesurfacethantheoppositeextremity.Thislastfactwasapparent,indeed,bythemaststhemselves,thelowermastaftbeingseveralfeetoutofwater,whilethefore-mastwasentirelyburied,leavingnothingbutthefore-topmastexposed.OnthesegreatpremisesSpikehadlaidthefoundationofthepracticalproblemheintendedtosolve.

No expectation existed of ever getting the schooner afloat again. All that Spike andtheSeñorMontefalderonnowaimedat,wastoobtainthedoubloons,whichtheformerthoughtcouldbegotatinthefollowingmanner.Heknewthatitwouldbemucheasierhandlingthewreck,sofarasitsgravitywasconcerned,whilethehullcontinuedsubmerged. He also knew that one end could be raised with a comparatively trifling effort,solongastheotherrestedontherock.Underthesecircumstances,therefore,he

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proposedmerelytogetslingsaroundtheafterbodyoftheschooner,asnearherstern-post,indeed,aswouldbesafe,andtoraisethatextremityofthevesseltothesurface,leavingmostoftheweightofthecrafttorestonthebows.Thedifferencebetweenthepowernecessarytoeffectthismuch,andthatwhichwouldberequiredtoraisethewholewreck,wouldbelikethedifferenceinpowernecessarytoturnoveralogwithoneendrestingontheground,andturningthesamelogbyliftingitbodilyinthearms,andturningitintheair.Withthesternonceabovewater,itwouldbeeasytocomeatthebagofdoubloons,whichJackTierhadplacedinalockerabovethetransoms.

The first thing was to secure the brig properly, in order that she might bear the necessarystrain.Thiswasdoneverymuchashasbeendescribedalready,intheaccountofthemannerinwhichshewassecuredandsupportedinordertoraisetheschoonerattheDryTortugas.Ananchorwaslaidabreastandtowindward,andpurchaseswerebroughttothemasts,asbefore.ThenthebightofthechainbroughtfromtheTortugas,wasbroughtundertheschooner’skeel,andcounter-purchases,leadingfromboththefore-mastandmain-mastofthebrig,werebroughttoit,andsettaut.Spikenowcarefullyexaminedallhisfastenings,lookingtohiscablesaswellashismechanicalpoweraloft,heavinginuponthis,andveeringoutuponthat,inordertobringtheMollysquaretoherwork;afterwhichheorderedthepeopletoknock-offfortheirdinners.Bythattime,itwashighnoon.

WhileStephenSpikewasthusemployedonthewreck,mattersandthingswerenotneglectedattheTortugas.ThePoughkeepsiehadnosooneranchored,thanWallacewentonboardandmadehisreport.Capt.MullthensentforMulford,withwhomhehad a long personal conference. This officer was getting grey, and consequently he had acquired experience. It was evident to Harry, at first, that he was regarded as one whohadbeenwillinglyengagedinanunlawfulpursuit,butwhohadabandonedittopushdearerinterestsinanotherquarter.Itwassometimebeforethecommanderofthesloop-of-warcoulddivesthimselfofthisopinion,thoughitgraduallygavewaybeforethefranknessofthemate’smanner,andthemanliness,simplicity,andjusticeofhissentiments. Perhaps Rose had some influence also in bringing about this favourable change.

Wallacedidnotfailtoletitbeknownthatturtle-soupwastobehadashore;andmanywastheguestourheroinehadtosupplywiththatagreeablecompound,inthecourseofthemorning.JackTierhadmanifestedsomuchskillinthepreparationofthedish,thatitsreputationsoonextendedtothecabin,andthecaptainwasinducedtoland,inordertoascertainhowfarrumourwasorwasnotaliar,onthisinteresting

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occasion.Soamplewasthecustom,indeed,thatWallacehadtheconsiderationtosendoneoftheward-roomservantstothelight-house,inordertorelieveRosefromadutythatwasgettingtobealittleirksome.Shewas“seeingcompany”asabride,inanovelandratherunpleasantmanner;anditwasinconsequenceofasuggestionofthe“ship’sgentleman,”thattheremainsoftheturtleweretransferredtothevessel,andwereputintothecoppers,secundumartem,bytheregularcooks.

Itwasafterticklinghispalatewithabowlofthesoup,andenjoyingahalf-hour’sconversation with Rose, that Capt. Mull summoned Harry to a final consultation on the subjectoftheirfutureproceedings.BythistimethecommanderofthePoughkeepsiewasinabetterhumourwithhisnewacquaintance,moredisposedtobelievehim,andinfinitely more inclined to listen to his suggestions and advice, than he had been in their previousinterviews.Wallacewaspresentinhischaracterof“ship’sgentleman,”or,ashaving nothing to do, while his senior, the first lieutenant, was working like a horse on boardthevessel,intheexecutionofhisroundofdailyduties.

Atthisconsultation,thepartiescameintoarightunderstandingofeachother’sviews and characters. Capt. Mull was slow to yield his confidence, but when he did bestow it, he bestowed it sailor-fashion, or with all his heart. Satisfied at last that he had to do with a young man of honour, and one who was true to the flag, he consulted freely with our mate, asked his advice, and was greatly influenced in the formation of his final decision by the opinions that Harry modestly advanced, maintaining them, however,withsolidarguments,andreasonsthateveryseamancouldcomprehend.

MulfordknewtheplansofSpikebymeansofhisowncommunicationswiththeSeñorMontefalderon.Onceacquaintedwiththeprojectsofhisoldcommander,itwaseasyforhimtocalculatethetimeitwouldrequiretoputtheminexecution,withthemeansthatweretobefoundonboardtheSwash.“Itwilltakethebriguntilnearmorning,”hesaid,“tobeatuptotheplacewherethewrecklies.Spikewillwaitforlighttocommenceoperations,andseveralhourswillbenecessarytomoorthebrig,andgetouttheanchorswithwhichhewillthinkitnecessarytostayhismasts.Thenhewillhookon,andhemaypartlyraisethehullbeforenightreturn.Morethanthishecanneverdo;anditwouldnotsurprisemewerehemerelytogeteverythingreadyforheavingonhispurchasesto-morrow,andsuspendfurtherproceedingsuntilthenextday,inpreferencetohavingsoheavyastrainonhissparsallnight.Hehasnottheforce,however,tocarryonsuchdutytoaverylatehour;andyoumaycountwithperfectsecurity,CaptainMull,onhisbeingfoundalongsideofthewreckatsunrisethenextdayafterto-morrow,inallprobabilitywithhisanchorsdown,andfasttothe

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wreck.Bytimingyourownarrivalwell,nothingwillbeeasierthantogethimfairlyunderyourguns,andonceunderyourguns,thebrigmustgiveup.Whenyouchasedheroutofthisveryport,afewdayssince,youwouldhavebroughtherupcouldyouhavekeptherwithinrangeofthoseterribleshellstenminuteslonger.”

“Youwouldthenadvisemynotsailingfromthisplaceimmediately,”saidMull.“Itwillbequitetimeenoughtogetunderwaylateintheafternoon,andthenunder

shortcanvas.Tenhourswillbeampletimeforthisshiptobeatuptothatpassagein,anditwillbeimprudenttoarrivetoosoon;nordoIsupposeyouwillwishtobeplayingroundthereefinthedark.”

TothejusticeofallthisCapt.Mullassented;andtheplanofproceedingswasdeliberatelyandintelligentlyformed.AsitwasnecessaryforMulfordtogointheship,in order to act as pilot, no one else on board knowing exactly where to find the wreck, thecommanderofthePoughkeepsiehadthecivilitytooffertheyoungcouplethehospitalitiesofhisowncabin,withoneofhisstate-rooms.ThisofferHarrygratefullyaccepted,itbeingunderstoodthattheshipwouldlandthematKeyWest,assoonasthecontemplateddutywasexecuted.Rosefeltsomuchanxietyaboutheraunt,thatanyother arrangement would scarcely have pacified her fears.

Inconsequenceofthesearrangements,thePoughkeepsielayquietlyatheranchorsuntilnearsunset.Intheintervalherboatswereoutinalldirections,partiesoftheofficers visiting the islet where the powder had exploded, and the islet where the tent, erectedfortheuseofthefemales,wasstillstanding.Asforthelight-houseisland,anorderofCapt.Mull’spreventeditfrombeingcrowdedinamannerunpleasanttoRose,as might otherwise have been the case. The few officers who did land there, however, appearedmuchstruckwiththeingenuoussimplicityandbeautyofthebride,andamanlyinterestinherwelfarewascreatedamongthemall,principallybymeansoftherepresentations of the second lieutenant and the chaplain. About five o’clock she went offtotheship,accompaniedbyHarry,andwashoistedonboardinthemannerusuallypractisedbyvesselsofwarwhichhavenoaccommodation-ladderrigged.Rosewasimmediatelyinstalledinherstate-room,whereshefoundeveryconveniencenecessarytoacomfortablethoughsmallapartment.

Itwasquitelateintheafternoon,whentheboatswainandhismatepiped“allhandsupanchor!” Harry hastened into the state-room for his charming bride, anxious to show her the movementsofavesselofwaronsuchanoccasion.Muchasshehadseenoftheocean,andofavessel,withinthelastfewweeks,Rosenowfoundthatshehadyetagreatdealtolearn,andthatashipofwarhadmanypointstodistinguishherfromavesselengagedincommerce.

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ThePoughkeepsiewasonlyasloop-of-war,oracorvette,inconstruction,numberofherguns,andrate;butshewasashipofthedimensionsofanold-fashionedfrigate,measuringaboutonethousandtons.Thefrigatesofwhichwereadhalfacenturysince,wereseldomeveraslargeasthis,thoughtheyweredifferentlybuiltinhavingaregulargun-deck,oronearmeddeckthatwasentirelycovered,withanotheraboveit;andonthequarter-deckandforecastleofthelastofwhichwerealsobatteriesoflighterguns.Tothecontraryofallthis,thePoughkeepsiehadbutonearmeddeck,andonthatonlytwentyguns.Thesepieces,however,wereofunusuallyheavycalibre,throwingthirty-twopoundshot,withtheexceptionofthePaixhans,orColumbiads,whichthrowshotofeventwicethatweight.Thevesselhadacrewoftwohundredsouls,alltold;andshehadthespars,anchors,andotherequipmentsofalightfrigate.

InanothergreatparticulardidthePoughkeepsiedifferfromthecorvette-builtvesselsthatweresomuchinfavouratthebeginningofthecentury;aspeciesofcraftobtainedfromtheFrench,whohavetaughttheworldsomuchinconnectionwithnaval science, and who, after building some of the best vessels that ever floated, have failedinknowinghowtohandlethem,thoughnotalwaysinthat.ThePoughkeepsie,whileshehadnospar,orupperdeck,properlyspeaking,hadapoopandatopgallant-forecastle.Withinthelastwerethecabinsandotheraccommodationsofthecaptain;anarrangementthatwasnecessaryforacraftofherconstruction,thatcarriedsomanyofficers, and so large a crew. Without it, sufficient space would not be had for the uses ofthelast.Onegunofasidewasinthemaincabin,therebeingaveryneatandamplyspaciousafter-cabinbetweenthestate-rooms,asisordinarilythecaseinallvesselsfromthesizeoffrigatesuptothatofthree-deckers.Itmaybewelltoexplainhere,whileonthissubjectofconstruction,thatinnavalparlance,ashipiscalledasingle-deckedvessel;atwo-decker,orathree-decker,notfromthenumberofdeckssheactuallypossesses,butfromthenumberofgun-decksthatshehas,orofthosethatarefullyarmed.Thusafrigatehasfourdecks,thespar,gun,berth,andorlop(orhaul-up)decks;butsheiscalleda“single-deckedship,”fromthecircumstancethatonlyoneofthesefourdeckshasacompleterangeofbatteries.Thetwo-deckerhastwoofthesefully armed decks, and the three-deckers three; though, in fact, the two-decker has five, andthethree-deckersixdecks.Askingpardonforthislittledigression,whichwetrustwillbefoundusefultoaportionofourreaders,wereturntothenarrative.

HarryconductedRosetothepoopofthePoughkeepsie,whereshemightenjoythebestviewoftheoperationofgettingsolargeacraftunderway,man-of-warfashion.Thedetailsweremysteries,ofcourse,andRoseknewnomoreoftheprocessbywhich

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thechainwasbroughttothecapstan,bytheinterventionofwhatiscalledamessenger,thanifshehadnotbeenpresent.Shesawtwohundredmendistributedaboutthevessel,someatthecapstan,someontheforecastle,someinthetops,andothersinthewaist,and she heard the order to “heave round.” Then the shrill fife commenced the lively air of “the girl I left behind me,” rather more from a habit in the fifer, than from any great regretsforthegirlsleftattheDryTortugas,aswasbetrayedtoMulfordbythesmilesof the officers, and the glances they cast at Rose. As for the latter, she knew nothing oftheair,andwasquiteunconsciousofthesortofparodythatthegentlemenofthequarter-deckfancieditconveyedonherownsituation.

Rosewasprincipallystruckwiththequietthatprevailedintheship,CaptainMullbeing a silent man himself, and insisting on having a quiet vessel. The first lieutenant was not a noisy officer, and from these two, everybody else on board received their cues. A simple “all ready, sir,” uttered by the first to the captain, in a common tone of voice,answeredbya“verywell,sir,getyouranchor,”inthesametone,seteverythinginmotion.“Stampandgo,”soonfollowed,andtakingthewholescenetogether,Rosefelta strange excitement come over her. There were the shrill, animating music of the fife; thestampingtimeofthemenatthebars;theperceptiblemotionoftheship,asshedrewaheadtoheranchor,andnowandthenthecallbetweenWallace,whostoodbetweentheknight-heads,ascommander-in-chiefontheforecastle,(thesecondlieutenant’sstationwhenthecaptaindoesnottakethetrumpet,asveryrarelyhappens,)andthe“executiveofficer” aft, was “carrying on duty,” all conspiring to produce this effect. At length, and itwasbutaminuteortwofromthetimewhenthe“stampandgo”commenced,Wallacecalledout“ashortstay-peak,sir.”“Heaveandpull,”followed,andthemenlefttheirbars.

Theprocessofmakingsailsucceeded.Therewasno“lettingfall”afore-topsailhere,asonboardamerchant-man,butallthecanvasdroppedfromtheyards,intofestoons,atthesameinstant.Thenthethreetopsailsweresheetedhomeandhoisted,allatonce,andallinasingleminuteoftime;theyardswerecounter-braced,andthecapstan-barswereagainmanned.Intwomoreminutesitwas“heaveandshe’supanddown.”Then“heaveandinsight,”and“heaveandpullagain.”Thecat-fallwasready,and it was “hook on,” when the fife seemed to turn its attention to another subject as themencattedtheanchor.Literally,allthiswasdoneinlesstimethanwehavetakentowriteitdownin,andinverylittlemoretimethanthereaderhaswastedinperusingwhatwehaveherewritten.

ThePoughkeepsiewasnow“freeofbottom,”asitiscalled,withheranchorcatted and fished, and her position maintained in the basin where she lay, by the

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counter-bracingofheryards,andthecounteractingforceofthewindonhersails.Itonly remained to “fill away,” by bracing her head-yards sharp up, when the vast mass overcameitsinertia,andbegantomovethroughthewater.Asthiswasdone,thejibandspankerwereset.Thetwomostbeautifulthingswithwhichweareacquainted,areagracefulandhigh-bredwomanenteringorquittingadrawing-room,moreparticularlythelast,andaman-of-warleavingheranchorageinamoderatebreeze,andwhennothurriedfortime.Onthepresentoccasion,CaptainMullwasinnohaste,andtheshippassedouttowindwardofthelight,astheSwashhaddonethepreviousnight,under her three topsails, spanker and jib, with the light sails loose and flowing, and the courseshanginginthebrails.

Agreatdealissaidconcerningthedefectiveconstructionofthelightcruisersofthenavy,oflateyears,andcomplaintsaremadethattheywillnotsail,asAmericancruisersoughttosail,andwerewonttosailinoldtimes.Thattherehasbeensomegroundforthesecomplaints,webelieve;thoughtheevilhasbeengreatlyexaggerated,andsomeexplanationmaybegiven,wethink,eveninthecasesinwhichthestricturesare not altogether without justification. The trim of a light, sharp vessel is easily deranged; and officers, in their desire to command as much as possible, often get their vesselsofthisclasstoodeep.Theyare,generally,forthesortofcruiser,over-sparred,over-manned,andover-provisioned;consequently,toodeep.Werecollectacaseinwhichoneofthesedelicatecraft,ahalf-riggedbrig,wasmuchabusedfor“havinglosthersailing.”Shedid,indeed,loseherfore-yard,and,afterthat,shesailedlikeawitch, until she got a new one! If the facts were inquired into, in the spirit which ought togovernsuchinquiries,itwouldbefoundthatevenmostofthemuch-abused“tensloops”provedtobebettervesselsthancommon.TheSt.Louis,theVincennes,theConcord, the Fairfield, the Boston, and the Falmouth, are instances of what we mean. InbehalfoftheWarren,andtheLexington,webelievenodiscreetmanwaseverheardtoutteronesyllable,exceptaswholesomecrafts.ButthePoughkeepsiewasaverydifferentsortofvesselfromanyofthe“tensloops.”Shewaseverywayagoodship,and,asJackexpressedit,was“agoodgoer.”Themostseverenauticalcriticcouldscarcelyhavefoundafaultinher,asshepassedoutbetweentheislets,ontheeveningofthedaymentioned,inthesortofundresswehavedescribed.Thewholescene,indeed,wasimpressive,andofsingularmaritimecharacteristics.

Thelittleisletsscatteredabout,low,sandy,anduntenanted,weretheonlylandinsight—allelsewastheboundlesswasteofwaters.Thesolitarylightroselikeanaquaticmonument,asifpurposelytogiveitscharactertotheview.CaptainMullhadcaused

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itslampstobetrimmedandlightedfortheveryreasonthathadinducedSpiketodothesamething,andthedimstartheypresentedwasjuststrugglingintoexistence,asitmight be, as the briliance left by the setting sun was gradually diminished, and finally disappeared.Asfortheship,thehullappeareddark,glossy,andgraceful,asisusualwithavesselofwar.Hersailswereinsoftcontrasttothecolourofthehull,andtheyofferedthevarietyanddivergencefromstraightlineswhicharethoughtnecessarytoperfect beauty. Those that were set, presented the symmetry in their trim, the flatness intheirhoist,andthebreadththatdistinguishaman-of-war;whilethosethatwereloose, floated in the air in every wave and cloud-like swell, that we so often see in light canvasthatisreleasedfromtheyardsinafreshbreeze.Theshiphadanundresslookfromthiscircumstance,butitwassuchanundressasdenotesthemanorwomanoftheworld.Thisundressappearancewasincreasedbythepipingdownofthehammocks,whichleftthenettingsloose,andwithanegligentbutstillknowinglookaboutthem.

Whenhalfamilefromtheislets,themain-yardwasbracedaback,andthemaintopsailwaslaidtothemast.Assoonastheshiphadlostherway,twoorthreeboatsthathadbeentowingastern,eachwithitsboat-sitter,orkeeper,init,werehauledupalongside,ortothequarters,were“hookedon,”and“runup”tothewhistlingofthecall.Allwasdoneatonce,andallwasdoneinacoupleofminutes.Assoonaseffected,the maintopsail was again filled, and away the ship glided.

Captain Mull was not in the habit of holding many consultations with his officers. Iftherebewisdomina“multitudeofcounsellors,”hewasofopinionitwasnotonboardaman-of-war.Napoleonisreportedtohavesaidthatonebadgeneralwasbetterthantwogoodones;meaningthatoneheadtoanarmy,thoughofinferiorquality,isbetterthanahydraofSolomons,orCæsars.CaptainMullwasmuchofthesamewayofthinking,seldomtroublinghissubordinateswithanythingbutorders.Heinterferedverylittlewith“workingWilly,”thoughhesaweffectuallythathedidhisduty.“Theship’sgentleman”mightenjoyhisjokeasmuchashepleased,solongashechosehistimeandplacewithdiscretion,butinthecaptain’spresencejokingwasnottolerated,unlessitwereafterdinner,athisowntable,andinhisowncabin.Eventhereitwasnotpreciselysuchjokingastookplacedaily,nottosayhourly,inthemidshipmen’smesses.

Inmakinguphismindastothemodeofproceedingonthepresentoccasion,therefore,CaptainMull,whilehehadheardallthatMulfordhadtotellhim,andhadevenencouragedWallacetogivehisopinions,madeuphisdecisionforhimself.AfterlearningallthatHarryhadtocommunicate,hemadehisowncalculationsastotime

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anddistance,andquietlydeterminedtocarrywholesailontheshipforthenextfourhours.Thishedidasthewisestcourseofmakingsureofgettingtowindwardwhilehecould,andknowingthatthevesselcouldbebroughtundershortcanvasatanymomentwhenitmightbedeemednecessary.Thelightwasabeacontolethimknowhisdistancewithalmostmathematicalprecision.Itcouldbeseensomanymilesatsea,eachmilebeingestimatedbysomanyfeetofelevation,andhavingtakenthatelevation,hewassureofhisdistancefromtheglitteringobject,solongasitcouldbeseenfromhisownpoop.Itwasalsoofusebylettinghimknowtherangeofthereef,thoughCaptainMull,unlikeSpike,haddeterminedtomakeonelegofftothenorthwardandeastwarduntilhehadbroughtthelightnearlytothehorizon,andthentomakeanothertothesouthwardandeastward,believingthatthelaststretchwouldbringhimtothereef,almostasfartowindwardashedesiredtobe.Infurtheranceofthisplan,thesheetsofthedifferentsailsweredrawnhome,assoonastheboatswerein,andthePoughkeepsie,bendingalittletothebreeze,gallantlydashedthewavesaside,asshewentthroughandoverthem,atarateofnotlessthantengoodknotsinthehour.Assoonasallthesearrangementsweremade,thewatchwentbelow,andfromthattimethroughoutthenight,theshipofferednothingbutthequietmannerinwhichordinarydutyiscarriedoninawell-regulatedvesselofwaratsea,betweenthehoursofsunandsun.Leavingthegoodcrafttopursueherwaywithspeedandcertainty,wemustnowreturntotheSwash.

Captain Spike had found the mooring of his brig a much more difficult task, on thisoccasion,thanonthatofhisformerattempttoraisetheschooner.Thenhehadtoliftthewreckbodily,andheknewthatlayingtheSwashafewfeetfurtheraheadorastern,couldbeofnogreatmoment,inasmuchasthemomenttheschoonerwasoffthebottom,shewouldswinginperpendicularlytothepurchases.Butnowoneendoftheschooner,herbows,wastoremainfast,anditbecameofimportancetobecertainthatthepurchasesweresoplacedastobringtheleaststrainonthemastswhiletheyactedmostdirectlyontheafterbodyofthevesseltobelifted.ThispointgaveSpikemoretroublethanhehadanticipated.Fullyonehalfoftheremainderoftheday,evenafterhehadbeguntoheaveuponhispurchases,wasspentinrectifyingmistakesinconnectionwiththismatter,andingettingupadditionalsecuritiestohismasts.

In one respect Spike had, from the first, made a good disposition. The masts ofthebrigrakedmaterially,andbybringingtheheadoftheSwashinthedirectionoftheschooner,heconvertedthisfact,whichmightotherwisehavebeenofgreatdisadvantage,intoacircumstancethatwasfavourable.Inconsequenceofthebrig’s

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havingbeenthusmoored,thestrain,whichnecessarilyledforward,camenearlyinalinewiththemasts,andthelatterweremuchbetterabletosupportit.Notwithstandingthisadvantage,however,itwasfoundexpedienttogetuppreventer-stays,andtogivethesparsalltheadditionalsupportcouldbeconvenientlybestowed.Hourswerepassedinmakingthesepreliminary,oritmightbebettertosay,secondaryarrangements.

It was past five in the afternoon when the people of the Swashbegantoheaveontheir purchases as finally disposed. After much creaking, and the settling of straps and lashingsintotheirplaces,itwasfoundthateverythingstood,andtheworkwenton.IntenminutesSpikefoundhehadtheweightoftheschooner,sofarasheshouldbeobligedtosustainitatall,untilthesternroseabovethesurface;andhefeltreasonablysecureofthedoubloons.Furtherthanthishedidnotintendtomakeanyexperimentonher,theSeñorMontefalderonhavingabandonedallideaofrecoveringthevesselitself,nowsomuchofthecargowaslost.Thepowderwasmostlyconsumed,andthatwhichremainedinthehullmust,bythistime,beinjuredbydampness,ifnotruined.SoreasonedDonJuanatleast.

Astheutmostcarewasnecessary,thecapstanandwind-lassweremadetodotheirseveraldutieswithgreatcaution.Asinchbyinchwasgained,theextrasupportsofthemastswereexamined,anditwasfoundthatamuchheavierstrainnowcameonthemaststhanwhentheschoonerwasraisedbefore.Thiswasaltogetherowingtothedirectioninwhichitcame,andtothefactthattheanchorplantedoffabeamwasnotofasmuchuseasontheformeroccasion,inconsequenceofitsnotlyingsomuchinastraightlinewiththedirectionofthepurchases.Spikebegantohavemisgivingsonaccountofhismasts,andthissomuchthemorebecausethewindappearedtohaulalittlefurthertothenorthward,andtheweathertolookunsettled.Shouldaswellrollintothebightofthereefwherethebriglay,byraisingthehullalittletoorudely,therewouldbetheimminentdangerofatleastspringing,ifnotofabsolutelycarryingawayboththeprincipalspars.Itwasthereforenecessarytoresorttoextraordinaryprecautions,inordertoobviatethisdanger.

Thecaptainwasindebtedtohisboatswain,whowasnowinfactactingashismate,forthesuggestionoftheplannextadopted.Twoofthelargestsparesparsofthebrigweregotout,withtheirheadssecurelylashedtothelinksofthechainbywhichthewreckwassuspended,oneoneachsideoftheschooner.Pig-ironandshotwerelashedtotheheelsofthesespars,whichcarriedthemtothebottom.Asthesparswereofagreaterlengththanwasnecessarytoreachtherock,theynecessarilylayataninclination,whichwaslessenedeveryinchtheafterbodyofthewreckwasraised,thusformingpropstothehulloftheschooner.

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Spikewasdelightedwiththesuccessofthisscheme,ofwhichhewasassuredbyasingleexperimentinheaving.Aftergettingthesparswellplantedattheirheels,heevenorderedthementoslackenthepurchasesalittle,andfoundthathecouldactuallyrelievethebrigfromthestrain,bycausingthewrecktobesupportedaltogetherbytheseshores.Thiswasavastrelieffromthecaresoftheapproachingnight,andindeedalonepreventedthenecessityofthework’sgoingonwithoutinterruption,orrest,untiltheendwasobtained.

ThepeopleoftheSwashwerejustassuredofthecomfortablefactrelated,asthePoughkeepsiewaspassingoutfromamongtheisletsoftheDryTortugas.Theyimagined themselves happy in having thus made a sufficient provision against the mostformidableofallthedangersthatbesetthem,attheverymomentwhenthebestlaidplanfortheirdestructionwasonthepointofbeingexecuted.Inthisrespect,theyresembledmillionsofothersoftheirfellows,whohangsuspendedoverthevastabyssofeternity,totallyunconsciousoftheirretrievablecharacterofthefallthatissosoontooccur.Spike,ashasbeenjuststated,washighlypleasedwithhisownexpedient,andhepointeditoutwithexultationtotheSeñorMontefalderon,assoonasitwascompleted.

“A nicer fit was never made by a Lunnun leg-maker, Don Wan,” the captain cried, aftergoingovertheexplanationsconnectedwiththeshores—“thereshestands,atanangle of fifty, with two as good limbs under her as a body could wish. I could now cast offeverything,andleavethewreckinwhattheycall‘statuquo,’which,Isuppose,meansonitspins,likeastatue.Thetafferelisnotsixinchesbelowthesurfaceofthewater,andhalfanhourofheavingwillbringthestarninsight.”

“Yourworkseemsingeniouslycontrivedtogetuponeextremityofthevessel,DonEsteban,”returnedtheMexican;“butareyouquitecertainthatthedoubloonsareinher?”

Thisquestionwasputbecausethefunctionaryofagovernmentinwhichmoneywasveryapttostickinpassingfromhandtohandwasnaturallysuspicious,andhefound it difficult to believe that Mulford, Jack Tier, and even Biddy, under all the circumstances,hadnotpaidspecialattentiontotheirowninterests.

“Thebagwasplacedinoneofthetransom-lockersbeforetheschoonercapsized,”returnedthecaptain,“asJackTierinformsme;ifso,itremainstherestill.Eventhesharkswillnottouchgold,DonWan.”

“WoulditnotbewelltocallJack,andhearhisaccountofthematteroncemore,nowweappeartobesoneartheEldoradoofourwishes?”

Spikeassented,andJackwassummonedtothequarter-deck.Thelittlefellowhadscarceshowedhimselfthroughouttheday,andhenowmadehisappearancewithaslowstep,andreluctantly.

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“You’vemadenomistakeaboutthem’eredoubloons,Itakeit,MasterTier?”saidSpike,inaverynauticalsortofstyleofaddressinganinferior.“Youknowthemtobeinoneofthetransom-lockers?”

Jackmountedonthebreechofoneoftheguns,andlookedoverthebulwarksatthedispositionsthathadbeenmadeaboutthewreck.Thetaffereloftheschooneractuallycameinsight,whenalittleswellpassedoverit,leavingitforaninstantinthetrough.Thestewardthuscaughtaglimpseagainofthecraftonboardwhichhehadseensomuchhazard,andheshookhisheadandseemedtobethinkingofanythingbutthequestionwhichhadjustbeenputtohim.

“Well,aboutthatgold?”askedSpike,impatiently.“Thesightofthatcrafthasbroughtotherthoughtsthangoldintomymind,Captain

Spike,”answeredJack,gravely,“anditwouldbewellforallusmariners,ifwethoughtlessofgoldandmoreofthedangerswerun.ForhoursandhoursdidIstandoveretarnity,onthebottomofthatschooner,DonWan,holdin’mylife,asitmightbe,atthemarcyofafewbubblesofair.”

“Whathasallthattodowiththegold?Haveyoudeceivedmeaboutthatlocker,littlerascal?”

“No,sir,I’venotdeceivedyou—no,CaptainSpike,no.Thebagisintheuppertransom-locker,onthestarboardside.ThereIputitwithmyownhands,andagoodliftit was; and there you’ll find it, if you’ll cut through the quarter-deck at the spot I can p’intouttoyou.”

Thisinformationseemedtogivearenewedenergytoallthenativecupidityofthecaptain,whocalledthemenfromtheirsuppers,andorderedthemtocommenceheavinganew.Thewordwaspassedtothecrewthat“itwasnowfordoubloons,”andtheywenttothebarsandhandspikes,notwithstandingthesunhadset,cheerfullyandcheering.

AllSpike’sexpedientsadmirablyansweredtheintendedpurposes.Thesternoftheschoonerrosegradually,andateachlifttheheelsoftheshoresdroppedinmoreperpendicularly, carried by the weights attached to them, and the spars stood as firm propstosecureallthatwasgained.Inaquarterofanhour,mostofthatpartofthesternwhich was within five or six feet of the tafferel, rose above the water, coming fairly in view.

Spike now shouted to the men to “pall!” then he directed the falls to be very graduallyeasedoff,inordertoascertainiftheshoreswouldstilldotheirduty.Theexperimentwassuccessful,andpresentlythewreckstoodinitsuprightposition,

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sustainedentirelybythetwospars.Asthelastwerenownearlyperpendicular,theywerecapableofbearingaveryheavyweight,andSpikewassoanxioustorelievehisownbrigfromthestrainshehadbeenenduring,thatheorderedthelashingsoftheblocks to be loosened, trusting to his shores to do their duty. Against this confidence theboatswainventuredaremonstrance,butthegoldwastooneartoallowthecaptaintolistenorreply.Thecarpenterwasorderedoveronthewreckwithhistools,whileSpike,theSeñorMontefalderon,andtwomentorowtheboatandkeepitsteady,wentintheyawltowatchtheprogressofthework.JackTierwasorderedtostandinthechains,andtopointout,asnearlyaspossible,theplacewherethecarpenterwastocut.

When all was ready, Spike gave the word, and the chips began to fly. By the use of thesawandtheaxe,aholelargeenoughtoadmittwoorthreemenatatime,wassoonmadeinthedeck,andthesoundingforthemuch-covetedlockercommenced.Bythistime,itwasquitedark;andalanternwaspasseddownfromthebrig,inordertoenablethosewhosearchedforthelockertosee.Spikehadbreastedtheyawlcloseuptothehole,whereitwasheldbythemen,whilethecaptainhimselfpassedthelanternandhisownheadintotheopeningtoreconnoitre.

“Ay, it’s all right!” cried the voice of the captain from within his cell-like cavity. “I canjustseethelidofthelockerthatJackmeans,andweshallsoonhavewhatwearea’ter.Carpenter,youmayaswellslipoffyourclothesatonce,andgoinside;Iwillpointouttoyou the place where to find the locker. You’re certain, Jack, it was the starboard locker?”

“Ay,ay,sir,thestarboardlocker,andnoother.”Thecarpenterhadsoongotintothehole,asnakedaswhenhewasborn.Itwasa

gloomy-lookingplaceforamantodescendintoatthathour,thelightfromthelanternbeingnogreatmatter,andhalfthetimeitwasshadedbythemannerinwhichSpikewascompelledtoholdit.

“Takecareandgetagoodfooting,carpenter,”saidthecaptain,inakindertonethancommon,“beforeyouletgowithyourhands;butIsupposeyoucanswim,asamatterofcourse?”

“No,sir,notastroke—Inevercouldmakeoutinthewateratall.”“Havethemore’care,then.HadIknownasmuch,Iwouldhavesentanotherhand

down;butmindyourfooting.Moretotheleft,man—moretotheleft.Thatisthelidofthelocker—yourhandisonit;whydoyounotopenit?”

“Itisswelledbythewater,sir,andwillneedachisel,orsometoolofthatsort.Justcallouttooneofthemen,sir,ifyouplease,topassmeachiselfrommytool-chest.Agoodstoutonewillbebest.”

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Thisorderwasgiven,and,duringthedelayitcaused,Spikeencouragedthecarpentertobecool,andabovealltomindhisfooting.Hisowneagernesstogetatthegoldwassogreatthathekepthisheadinatthehole,completelycuttingoffthemanwithinfromallcommunicationwiththeouterworld.

“What’sthematterwithyou?”demandedSpike,alittlesternly.“Youshiver,andyetthewatercannotbecoldinthislatitude.No,myhandmakesitjusttherightwarmthtobepleasant.”

“It’snotthewater,CaptainSpike—Iwishtheywouldcomewiththechisel.Didyou hear nothing, sir? I’m certain I did!”

“Hear!—What is there here to be heard, unless there may be some fish inside, thrashingabouttogetoutofthevessel’shold?”

“IamsureIheardsomethinglikeagroan,CaptainSpike.Iwishyouwouldletmecome out, sir, and I’ll go for the chisel myself; them men will never find it.”

“Stay where you are, coward! are you afraid of dead men standing against walls? Stay where you are. Ah! here is the chisel—now let us see what you can do with it.”

“IamcertainIheardanothergroan,CaptainSpike.Icannotwork,sir.I’mofnousehere—doletmecomeout,sir,andsendahanddownthatcanswim.”

Spikeutteredaterriblemaledictiononthemiserablecarpenter,onewedonotcareto repeat; then he cast the light of the lantern full in the man’s face. The quivering flesh, thepallidface,andthewholecountenancewroughtupalmosttoafrenzyofterror,astonished,aswellasalarmedhim.

“Whatailsyou,man?”saidthecaptaininavoiceofthunder.“Clapinthechisel,orI’ll hurl you off into the water. There is nothing here, dead or alive, to harm ye!”

“The groan, sir—I hear it again! Do let me come out, Captain Spike.”Spikehimself,thistime,heardwhatevenhetookforagroan.Itcamefromthe

depths of the vessel, apparently, and was sufficiently distinct and audible. Astonished, yetappalled,hethrusthisshouldersintotheaperture,asiftodarethedemonthattormentedhim,andwasmetbythecarpenterendeavouringtoescape.Inthestrugglethatensued,thelanternwasdroppedintothewater,leavingthehalf-frenziedcombatants contending in the dark. The groan was renewed, when the truth flashed on themindsofboth.

“The shores! The shores!” exclaimed the carpenter from within. “The shores!” repeatedSpike,throwinghimselfbackintotheboat,andshoutingtohismento“seeall clear of the wreck!” The grating of one of the shores on the coral beneath was now heardplainerthanever,andthelowerextremityslippedoutward,notastern,ashad

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beenapprehended,lettingthewreckslowlysettletothebottomagain.Onepiercingshriekarosefromthenarrowcavitywithin;thenthegurglingofwaterintotheaperturewasheard,whennaughtofsoundcouldbedistinguishedbutthesullenandsteadywashofthewavesofthegulfovertherocksofthereef.

Theimpressionmadebythisaccidentwasmostprofound.Afatalityappearedtoattendthebrig;andmostofthemenconnectedthesadoccurrenceofthisnightwiththestrangeappearanceofthepreviousevening.EventheSeñorMontefalderonwasdisposedtoabandonthedoubloons,andheurgedSpiketomakethebestofhiswayforYucatan,toseekafriendlyharbour.Thecaptainwavered,butavaricewastoostrongapassioninhimtobeeasilydivertedfromitsobject,andherefusedtogiveuphispurpose.

Asthewreckwasentirelyfreefromthebrigwhenitwentdownforthethirdtime,noinjurywassustainedbythelastonthisoccasion.Byrenewingthelashings,everythingwouldbereadytobegintheworkanew—andthis,Spikewasresolvedtoattemptinthemorning.Themenweretoomuchfatigued,anditwastoodarktothinkofpushingmattersanyfurtherthatnight;anditwasveryquestionablewhethertheycouldhavebeengottowork.Orderswereconsequentlygivenforallhandstoturnin,thecaptain,relievedbyDonJuanandJackTier,havingarrangedtokeepthewatchesofthenight.

“Thisisasadaccident,DonEsteban,”observedtheMexican,asheandSpikepaced the quarter-deck together, just before the last turned in; “a sad accident! My miserable schooner seems to be deserted by its patron saint. Then your poor carpenter!”

“Yes,hewasagoodfellowenoughwithasaw,oranadze,”answeredSpike,yawning.“Butwegetusedtosuchthingsatsea.It’sneithermorenorlessthanacarpenter expended. Good night, Señor Don Wan; in the morning we’ll be at that gold ag’in.”

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