CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.

_The pinnace and the cracker._

From the time of discovering the pinnace, my desire of returning

to the vessel grew every moment more and more irresistible: but

one thing I saw was absolutely necessary, which was to collect

all my hands and go provided with sufficient strength to enable

me to get her out from the situation where we had found her the

day before. I therefore thought of taking with me the three boys:

I even wished that my wife should accompany us; but she had been

seized with such an horror of the perfidious element as she called

it, the sea, that she assured me the very attempt would make

her ill, and thus occasion her to be an additional trouble rather

than of use. I had some difficulty to prevail upon her to let

so many as three of the children go: she made me promise to return

the same evening, and on no account to pass another night on-board

the wreck: and to this I was, though with regret, obliged to

consent.

After breakfast then, we prepared for setting out, but not without

some sighing and mournful looks from my amiable partner. The

boys, on the contrary, were gay and on the alert, in the expectation

of the pleasure that awaited them; particularly Ernest, who had

not yet made a single voyage with us to the vessel. We took with

us an ample provision of boiled potatoes and cassave; and in

addition, arms and weapons of every kind. We embarked and reached

Safety Bay without the occurrence of any remarkable event: here

we thought it prudent to put on our cork jackets; we then scattered

some food for the geese and ducks which had taken up their abode

there, and soon after stepped gaily into our tub-raft, at the

same time fastening the new boat by a rope to her stern, so that

she could be drawn along. We put out for the current, though

not without considerable fear of finding that the wreck had entirely

disappeared. We soon, however, perceived that she still remained

firm between the rocks. Having got on-board, our first care was

to load our craft with different stores, that we might not return

without some acquisition of comfort for our establishment; and

then all on the wings of curiosity and ardour we repaired to

that part of the vessel called the bulk-head, which contained

the enviable prize, the pinnace. On further observation, it appeared

to me that the plan we had formed was subject to at least two

alarming and perhaps insurmountable difficulties: the one was

the situation of the pinnace in the ship; and the other was the

size and weight it would necessarily acquire when put together.

The inclosure in which she lay in pieces was far back in the

interior of the ship, and close upon the side which was in the

water, immediately under the officers’ cabin. Several inner timbers

of prodigious bulk and weight separated this inclosure from the

breach at which only we had been able to get on-board, and in

this part of the deck there was not sufficient space for us to

work at putting the pinnace together, or to give her room should

we succeed in completing our business. The breach also was too

narrow and too irregular to admit of her being launched from

this place, as we had done with our tub-raft. In short, the separate

pieces of the pinnace were too heavy for the possibility of our

removing them even with the assistance of our united strength.

What therefore was to be done? and how could we meet so formidable

a difficulty? I stood on the spot absorbed in deep reflection,

while the boys were running from place to place, conveying every

thing portable they could find, on-board the raft.

The cabinet which contained the pinnace was lighted by several

small fissures in the timbers, which after standing in the place

a few minutes to accustom the eye, enabled one to see sufficiently

to distinguish objects.

I discovered with pleasure that all the pieces of which she was

composed were so accurately arranged and numbered, that without

too much presumption, I might flatter myself with the hope of

being able effectually to collect and put them together, if I

could be allowed the necessary time, and could procure a convenient

place. I therefore, in spite of every disadvantage, decided on

the undertaking; and we immediately set about it. We proceeded, it

must be confessed, at first so slowly as to produce discouragement,

if the desire of possessing so admirable a little vessel, quite

new, perfectly safe, easy to conduct, and which might at some

future day be the means of our deliverance, had not at every

moment inspired us with new strength and ardour.

Evening, however, was fast approaching, and we had made but small

progress; we were obliged to think of our promise to my wife;

and though with reluctance, we left our occupation and re-embarked.

On reaching Safety Bay, we had the satisfaction of finding there

our kind steward and little Francis; they had been, during the

day, employed in some necessary arrangements for our living at

Tent-House as long as we should have occasion to continue the

excursions to the vessel: this she did to shorten the length

of the voyage, and that we might be always in sight of each other.

This new proof of her kind attention affected me in a lively

manner, and I could not sufficiently express the gratitude which

I felt, particularly as I knew the dislike she had conceived

to living in this spot. I presented her with the valuable cargo

we brought, which I knew would give her pleasure, and regretted

that I had no better recompense to offer for the voluntary sacrifice

she had made to my accommodation. I made the best display I could

of two casks of salted butter, three of flour, some small bags

of millet-seed and of rice, and a multitude of other articles

of utility and comfort for our establishment. My wife rewarded

me by the expression of her perfect satisfaction, and the whole

was removed to our storehouse at the rocks.

We passed an entire week in this arduous undertaking of the pinnace.

I embarked regularly every morning with my three sons, and returned

every evening, and never without some small addition to our stores.

We were now so accustomed to this manner of proceeding, that

my wife bade us good bye without concern, and we, on our parts,

left Tent-House without anxiety; she even had the courage to

go several times, with no companion but her little Francis, to

Falcon’s Stream, to feed and take care of the poultry, and to

bring back potatoes for our use. As night successively returned,

we had a thousand interesting things to tell each other, and

the pleasure of being together was much increased by these short

separations: we even enjoyed with a better appetite the excellent

supper our kind hostess at all times took care to prepare for

us.

At length the pinnace was completed, and in a condition to be

launched: the question now was, how to manage this remaining

difficulty. She was an elegant little vessel, perfect in every

part: she had a small neat deck; and her mast and sails were

no less exact and perfect than those of a little brig. It was

probable she would sail well, from the lightness of her construction,

and in consequence, drawing but little water. We had pitched

and towed all the seams, that nothing might be wanting for her

complete appearance: we had even taken the superfluous pains

of further embellishing by mounting her with two small cannon

of about a pound weight; and, in imitation of larger vessels,

had fastened them to the deck with chains. But in spite of the

delight we felt in contemplating a commodious little vessel,

formed for usefulness in all its parts, and the work, as it were,

of our own industry, yet the great difficulty still remained:

the said commodious, charming little vessel still stood fast,

inclosed within four walls; nor could I conceive of a means of

getting her out. To support the idea of so much time and labour

bestowed for no end or advantage, was absolutely impossible;

to effect a passage through the outer side of the vessel, by

means of our united industry in the use of all the utensils we

had secured, seemed to present a prospect of exertions beyond

the reach of man, even if not attended with dangers the most

threatening and alarming. We now examined if it might be practicable

to cut away all intervening timbers, to which, from the nature

of the breach, we had easier access; but should we even succeed

in this attempt, the upper timbers being, in consequence of the

inclined position of the ship, on a level with the water, our

labour would be unavailing: besides, we had neither strength

nor time for such a proceeding; from one moment to another, a

storm might arise and engulf the ship, timber, pinnace, ourselves,

and all. Despairing, then, of being able to find a means consistent

with the sober rules of art, my impatient fancy inspired the

thought of a project, which, if subjected to the experiment,

must necessarily be attended with hazards and dangers of a tremendous

nature.

I had found on-board, a strong iron mortar, such as is used in

kitchens. I took a thick oak plank, and nailed to a certain part

of it some large iron hooks: with a knife I cut a groove along

the middle of the plank. I sent the boys to fetch some match-wood

from the hold, and I cut a piece sufficiently long to continue

burning at least two hours. I placed this train in the groove

of my plank: I filled the mortar with gun-powder, and then laid

the plank, thus furnished, upon it, having previously pitched

the mortar all round; and, lastly, I made the whole fast to the spot

with strong chains crossed by means of the hooks in every direction.

Thus I accomplished a sort of cracker, from which I expected

to effect a happy conclusion. I hung this infernally-contrived

machine against the side of the bulk-head next the sea, having

taken previous care to choose a spot in which its action could

not affect the pinnace. When the whole was arranged, I set fire

to the match, the end of which projected far enough beyond the

plank to allow us sufficient time to escape. I now hurried on-board

the raft, into which I had previously sent the boys before applying

a light to the match; and who, though they had assisted in forming

the cracker, had no suspicion of the use for which it was intended,

and believing all the while it concealed some subject of amusement

for their next trip to the vessel. I confess I had purposely

avoided giving them the true explanation, from the fear of the

entire failure of my project, or that the vessel, pinnace, and

all that it contained, might in consequence be blown up in a

moment. I had naturally, therefore, some reluctance to announce

myself before the time, as the author of so many disasters.

On our arrival at Tent-House, I immediately put the raft in a

certain order, that she might be in readiness to return speedily

to the wreck, when the noise produced by the cracker should have

informed me that my scheme had taken effect. We set busily to

work in emptying her; and during the occupation, our ears were

assailed with the noise of an explosion of such violence, that

my wife and the boys, who were ignorant of the cause, were so

dreadfully alarmed as instantly to abandon their employment.

What can it be?—what is the matter?—what can have happened? cried

all at once. It must be cannon. It is perhaps the captain and

the ship’s company who have found their way hither! Or can it

be some vessel in distress? Can we go to its relief?

_Mother._—The sound appeared to come in the direction of the

wreck; perhaps she has blown up. Were you careful of not leaving

any light which could communicate with gun-powder?—From the bottom

of her heart she made this last suggestion, for she desired nothing

more earnestly than that the vessel should be annihilated, and

thus an end be put to our repeated visits.

_Father._—If this is the case, said I, we had better return

immediately, and convince ourselves of the fact.—Who will be

of the party?

I, I, I, cried the boys; and the three young rogues lost not

a moment in jumping into their tubs, whither I soon followed

them, after having whispered a few words to my wife, somewhat

tending to explain, but still more to tranquillise her mind during

the trip we had now to engage in.

We rowed out of the bay with more rapidity than on any former

occasion; curiosity gave strength to our arms. When the vessel

was in sight, I observed with pleasure that no change had taken

place in the part of her which faced Tent-House; and that no

sign of smoke appeared: we advanced, therefore, in excellent

spirits; but instead of rowing, as usual, straight to the breach,

we proceeded round to the side, on the inside of which we had

placed the cracker. The horrible scene of devastation we had

caused now broke upon our sight. The greater part of the ship’s

side was shivered to pieces; innumerable splinters covered the

surface of the water; the whole exhibited a scene of terrible

destruction, in the midst of which presented itself our elegant

pinnace, entirely free from injury! I could not refrain from

the liveliest exclamations of joy, which excited the surprise

of the boys, who had felt the disposition such a spectacle naturally

inspired, of being dejected at the sight of so melancholy an event.

They fixed their eyes upon me with the utmost astonishment.—Now

then she is ours, cried I—the elegant little pinnace is ours!

for nothing is now more easy than to launch her. Come, boys,

jump upon her deck, and let us see how quickly we can get her

down upon the water.

_Fritz._—Ah! now I understand you, father, you have yourself

blown up the side of the ship with that machine you contrived

in our last visit, that we might be able to get out the pinnace;

but how does it happen that so much of the ship is blown away?

_Father._—I will explain all this to you when I have convinced

myself that the pinnace is not injured, and that there is no

danger of any of the fire remaining on-board: let us well examine.

We entered by the new breach, and had soon reason to be satisfied

that the pinnace had wholly escaped from injury, and that the

fire was entirely extinguished. The mortar, however, and pieces

of the chain, had been driven forcibly into the opposite side

of the inclosure. Having now every reason to be satisfied and

tranquil, I explained to the boys the nature of a cracker, the

manner of its operation, and the important service for which

I was indebted to the old mortar.

I now attentively examined the breach we had thus effected, and

next the pinnace. I perceived that it would be easy, with the

help of the crow and the lever, to lower her into the water.

In putting her together, I had used the precaution of placing

the keel on rollers, that we might not experience the same difficulty

as we had formerly done in launching our tub-raft. Before letting

her go, however, I fastened the end of a long thick rope to her

head, and the other end to the most solid part of the wreck,

for fear of her being carried out too far. We put our whole ingenuity

and strength to this undertaking, and soon enjoyed the pleasure

of seeing our pretty pinnace descend gracefully into the sea;

the rope keeping her sufficiently near, and enabling us to draw

her close to the spot where I was loading the tub-boat, and where

for that purpose I had lodged a pulley on a projecting beam,

from which I was enabled also to advance with the completing

of the necessary masts and sails for our new barge. I endeavoured

to recollect minutely all the information I had ever possessed

on the art of equipping a vessel; and our pinnace was shortly

in a condition to set sail.

On this occasion a spirit of military affairs was awakened in

the minds of my young flock, which was never after extinguished.

We were masters of a vessel mounted with two cannon, and furnished

amply with guns and pistols! This was at once to be invincible,

and in a condition for resisting and destroying the largest fleet

the savages could bring upon us! In the height of exultation

it was even almost wished they might assail us! For my own part,

I answered their young enthusiasm with pious prayers that we

might ever escape such a calamity as the being compelled to use

our fire arms. Night surprised us before we had finished our

work, and we accordingly prepared for our return to Tent-House,

after drawing the pinnace close under the vessel’s side. We arrived

in safety, and took great care, as had been previously agreed

on, not to mention our new and invaluable booty to the good mother,

till we could surprise her with the sight of it in a state of

entire completeness. In answer, therefore, to her inquiries as

to the noise she heard, we told her that a barrel of gun-powder

had taken fire, and had shivered to pieces a small part of the

ship. We relied that no suspicion of the secret would occur to

her mind, should she even have the fancy of looking at the vessel

through the glass, as she sometimes did; for the pinnace lay

so as to be concealed by the immense bulk of the ship’s body.

Two whole days more were spent in completely equipping and loading

the beautiful little barge we had now secured. When she was ready

for sailing, I found it impossible to resist the earnest importunity

of the boys, who, as a recompense for the industry and discretion

they had employed, claimed my permission to salute their mother,

on their approach to Tent House, with two discharges of cannon. These

accordingly were loaded, and the two youngest placed themselves,

with a lighted match in hand, close to the touch-holes, to be

in readiness. Fritz stood at the mast to manage the ropes and

cables, while I took my station at the rudder. These matters

being adjusted, we put off with sensations of lively joy, which

was demonstrated by loud huzzas and suitable gesticulation. The

wind was favourable; and so brisk, that we glided with the rapidity

of a bird along the mirror of the waters: and while my young

ones were transported with pleasure by the velocity of the motion,

I could not myself refrain from shuddering at the thought of

some possible disaster.

[Illustration: Fritz at the same time discharged his pistols

and all joined instantly in three loud huzzas]

Our old friend the tub-raft had been deeply loaded and fastened

to the pinnace, and it now followed as an accompanying boat to

a superior vessel. We took down our large sail as soon as we

found ourselves at the entrance of the Bay of Safety, to have

the greater command in directing the barge; and soon, the smaller

ones were lowered one by one, that we might the more securely

avoid being thrown with violence upon the rocks so prevalent

along the coast: thus, proceeding at a slower rate, we had greater

facilities for managing the important affair of the discharge

of the cannon. Arrived within a certain distance—“_Fire_”—cried

commander Fritz. The rocks behind Tent-House returned the sound.

—“_Fire_”—said Fritz again.—Ernest and Jack obeyed, and the echoes

again majestically replied. Fritz at the same moment had discharged

his two pistols, and all joined instantly in three loud huzzas.

Welcome! welcome! dear ones, was the answer from the anxious

mother, almost breathless with astonishment and joy! Welcome,

cried also little Francis with his feeble voice, as he stood

clinging to her side, and not well knowing whether he was to

be sad or merry! We now tried to push to shore with our oars

in a particular direction, that we might have the protection

of a projecting mass of rocks, and my wife and little Francis

hastened to the spot to receive us: Ah, dear deceitful ones!

cried she, throwing herself upon my neck and heartily embracing

me, what a fright have you, and your cannon, and your little

ship thrown me into! I saw it advancing rapidly towards us, and

was unable to conceive from whence it could come, or what it

might have on board: I stole with Francis behind the rocks, and

when I heard the firing, I was near sinking to the ground with

terror; if I had not the moment after heard your voices, God

knows where we should have run to—but come, the cruel moment

is now over, and thanks to Heaven I have you once again in safety!

But tell me where you got so unhoped-for a prize as this neat

charming little vessel? In good truth it would really almost

tempt me to venture once more on a sea voyage, especially if

she would promise to convey us back to our dear country! I foresee

of what use she will be to us, and for her sake I think that

I must try to forgive the many sins of absence you have committed

against me.

Fritz now invited his mother to get on-board, and gave her his

assistance. When they had all stepped upon the deck, they entreated

for permission to salute, by again discharging the cannon, and

at the same moment to confer on the pinnace the name of their

mother—_The Elizabeth_.

My wife was particularly gratified by these our late adventures;

she applauded our skill and perseverance: but do not, said she,

imagine that I bestow so much commendation without the hope of

some return in kind: on the contrary, it is now my turn to claim

from you, for myself and little Francis, the same sort of agreeable

recompense; for we have not, I assure you, remained idle while

the rest were so actively employed for the common benefit.—No,

not so; little Francis and his mother found means to be doing

something also, though not at this moment prepared to furnish

such unquestionable proofs as you, by your salutations of cannon,

&c.: but wait a little, good friends, and our proofs shall hereafter

be apparent in some dishes of excellent vegetables which we shall

be able to regale you with.—It depends, to say the truth, only

on yourselves, dear ones, to go with me and see what we have

done.

We did not hesitate to comply, and jumped briskly out of the

pinnace for the purpose. Taking her little coadjutor Francis

by the hand, she led the way, and we followed in the gayest mood

imaginable. She conducted us up an ascent of one of our rocks,

and stopping at the spot where the cascade is formed from Jackal’s

river, she displayed to our astonished eyes a handsome and commodious

kitchen garden, laid out properly in beds and walks, and, as

she told us, every where sowed with the seed of useful plants.

This, said she, is the pretty exploit we have been engaged in,

if you will kindly think so of it. In this spot the earth is

so light, being principally composed of decayed leaves, that

Francis and I had no difficulty in working it, and then dividing

it into different compartments; one for potatoes, one for manioc, and

other smaller shares for lettuces of various kinds, not forgetting

to leave a due proportion to receive some plants of the sugar-cane.

You, dear husband, and Fritz, will easily find means to conduct

sufficient water hither from the cascade, by means of pipes of

bamboo, to keep the whole in health and vigour; and we shall

have a double source of pleasure from the general prosperity,

for both the eyes and the palate will be gratified. But you have not

yet seen all: there, on the slope of the rock, I have transplanted

some plants of the ananas. Between these, I have sowed some melon

seeds, which cannot fail to succeed, thus securely sheltered

and in so warm a soil: here is a plot allotted to pease and beans,

and this other for all sorts of cabbage. Round each bed or plot

I have sowed seeds of maize, on account of its tall and bushy

form, to serve as a border, which at the same time will protect

my young plants from the scorching heat of the sun.

I stood transported in the midst of so perfect an exhibition

of the kind zeal and persevering industry of this most amiable

of women! I could only exclaim, that I should never have believed in

the possibility of such a labour in so short a time, and particularly

with so much privacy as to leave me wholly unsuspicious of the

existence of such a project.

_Mother._—To confess the truth, I did not myself at first expect

to succeed, for which reason I resolved to say nothing of the

matter to any one, that I might not be put to the blush for my

presumption. But as I found my little calculations answer better

than I expected, I was encouraged, and the hope of surprising

you so agreeably, gave me new strength and activity. I, on my

part, however, had my suspicions that your daily visits to the

wreck were connected with some great mystery, which at a certain

time you would be prepared to unfold—So, mystery for mystery,

thought I; and thus, my love, it has turned out. Though acting

in different directions, one only object has been our mutual

aim—the substantial good of our beloved companions of the desert!

After a few jocose remarks with which we closed this conversation,

we moved towards Tent-House. This was one of our happiest days,

for we were all satisfied with ourselves and with each other;

we had conferred and received benefits, and I led my children

to observe the goodness of Providence, who renders even labour

a source of enjoyment, and makes our own happiness result from

that of the objects of our affection, and our pride to arise

from the commendations of which those objects may be deserving.

I had almost forgot though, said my wife, after a short pause,

one little reproach I had to make you: your trips to the vessel

have made you neglect the bundle of valuable fruit saplings we

laid together in mould at Falcon’s Stream; I fear they by this

time must be dying for want of being planted, though I took care

to water and cover them with branches. Let us go, my love, and

see about them.

I readily consented to so reasonable a proposal. I should have

been no less grieved than my wife, to see this charming acquisition

perish for want of care. We had reason on many accounts to return

quickly to Falcon’s Stream, where different matters required

our presence. We had now in possession the greater part of the

cargo of the vessel; but almost the whole of these treasures

were at present in the open air, and liable to injury from both

sun and rain.

My wife prepared with alertness for our walk; and the rather

from the aversion she had ever entertained, on account of the

intense heat, for Tent-House. We hastened to unload the boat,

and to place the cargo safely under shelter along with our other

stores.

The pinnace was anchored on the shore, and fastened with a rope,

by her head, to a stake. When all our stores were thus disposed

of, we began our journey to Falcon’s Stream, but not empty-handed;

we took with us every thing that seemed to be absolutely wanted

for comfort; and when brought together, it was really so much,

that both ourselves and our beasts of burthen had no easy task

to perform.