Harry Castlemon

“ At Hilo—the town has been devastated by a tidal wave since the Club visited it—they had their first view of a sport for which the natives of these islands are so famous—swimming with the surf-board. It was a fine, not to say a thrilling sight to see a party of men, some of whom were lying, others kneeling, and still others standing erect upon boards which seemed scarcely large enough to support their weight, shooting towards the beach with almost railroad speed, closely followed by a huge comber that seemed every instant to be on the point of overwhelming them. ”

“ He started up quickly, and saw Archie standing by the side of his bunk with his finger on his lips.
“Not a word above your breath for your life,” whispered the latter, whose face was as white as a sheet, and as he said it, he put something into Frank’s hand. It was one of Uncle Dick’s revolvers. “It is loaded and all ready for use,” whispered Archie. “I have done the worst part of the work. The men are on deck and waiting, and all you have to do is to tell them what your wishes are. I’m a little boy, am I, and you’re responsible for me, are you? ”

“ The magazines were emptied in a trice, and then the three hunters hastily ducked their heads and crouched close behind the walls of their hiding-place, holding their breath in dread suspense, and waiting for some of the wounded members of the troop to precipitate themselves into the shooting-hole. But nothing of the kind happened. All was still outside. They heard only the beating of their own hearts.
“We must have hit those we killed,” Fred ventured to whisper at last.
“Probably we did,” returned Archie. “We couldn’t have killed them unless we hit them.” ”

“ The young captain thought he had, and he did. The ruse was entirely successful. They passed the steamer a little after eleven o’clock. They could see the lights at her catheads, and hear the pounding of her paddle-wheels, but their own vessel was invisible in the darkness. There were no lamps to betray her to the watchful eyes of the steamer’s lookout, for those in the cabin were shut out from view by a tarpaulin which was thrown over the skylights, and the one in the binnacle threw out only sufficient light to show the face of the compass. ”

“ There were serpents so enormous that they could crush and swallow a deer or a human being, and others so numerous and deadly that more than thirty thousand people had died in one year from the effects of their bites. And, more wonderful than all, here was Uncle Dick, who had brought them safely through so many dangers, and who had met and vanquished all these monsters, and he was going straight back to the countries where they were to be found! ”

“ During the two years and more that had passed since the schooner left Bellville, a blow had never been struck on her deck, and never had an oath been heard there until these rescued men were brought aboard. The whole crew arose as one man, not to punish the offender for striking the petty officer, but to secure him before he could do any more mischief. But Waters was fairly aroused, and acted more like a mad brute than a human being. ”

“ The elephants’ teeth came in rapidly, the last gun was finally disposed of, and when the ivory had been packed away in the wagon, and guides and servants engaged, the travellers were ready to turn their faces homeward.
The last night they were to pass among the Griquas was spent by the boys in doing a little trading on their own account. They were strolling about, taking a last look at everything, and exchanging a few beads, and some brass and copper wire, for spears and war-clubs, when their attention was attracted by a commotion which suddenly arose in the upper end of the town. ”

“ The men belonging to the Stranger’s crew hung their heads, and would not look at him, and Archie, on his part, acted as though he did not recognize them.
“Couldn’t you make her go a little faster, captain?” asked Waters, who kept close at Frank’s side all the while. “We’re working for liberty, you know, and we don’t want to waste no time.”
“You’ll go faster presently,” answered Frank. “The breeze is freshening, and she’s got as much on now as she can stand. You must remember that we have only three men to work the topsails, and I don’t want to run any risks. ”

“ The campfire was burning brightly in the edge of the grove, and by the light it threw out the young hunter could see that Uncle Dick and his companion had just joined the rest of the party, who were busy making preparations for the night. The native servants, having built a small inclosure of thorn bushes, were driving the oxen into it and fastening them in; some of the boys were arranging the beds in the tent; and the others were tying the horses, which now began to come into the camp one after another. These intelligent animals never waited to be driven in at night as the oxen did. ”

“ Two of those young gentlemen you see there,” he added, directing the clerk’s attention toward the Club, who had withdrawn to the quarter-deck, “are nephews of the owner and captain.”
“I am delighted to hear it,” exclaimed the clerk, and it was evident that the schooner and her company arose in his estimation at once. At any rate, he dropped his patronizing air, and began to act and talk as if he considered Frank his equal. He no doubt thought that those who were able to travel around the world in their own vessel were deserving of respect, even though they were Americans. ”

“ It blew squarely from the northeast, and when it got so hard that it seemed as if wood and iron couldn’t stand it an instant longer, there came a calm quicker than you could say Jack Robinson, and there wasn’t a breath of air stirring. This lasted fifteen minutes, and then without any warning the wind began again with the most terrible screech I ever heard, and blew from the southwest as hard as ever. ”

“ Will he do?”
“Yes, he’ll do,” said Frank. “But now I want you to understand one thing before we go any further: I don’t claim to be a seaman, and if we are blown out of our course or crippled in any way, you mustn’t blame me for it.”
“Never mind that,” said Waters, quickly. “I know all about you. I know that you were master of a whaler, and that you commanded a Yankee gunboat during the war; so there must be something of the sailor about you. If you will do as well as you can, that’s all I ask, and me and you won’t have no words. ”

“ Uncle Dick’s instructions to the workmen had been faithfully obeyed, and the Club could hardly believe that she was the same vessel that had been driven, waterlogged and helpless, upon the shores of that inhospitable island away off in the Pacific. She looked just as she did on the day she came from the hands of the men who built her.
Shortly after she came to anchor there liberty was granted to the blue jackets, and then there was fun indeed around Mr. Wilbur’s house. A sailor always wants to ride when he comes ashore, and there were horses enough on the station to mount every one of them. ”

“ When they arrived in sight of the principal island, and had approached within a mile of the beach, Uncle Dick said to Frank:
“The natives of course know by this time that we are coming, and to show them that we are prepared to take care of ourselves, wouldn’t it be a good plan to kick up a little dust out there with a thirty-pound shot?”
“I think it would,” answered Frank. “As our vessel is small, they will know that we have a small crew, and the noise of a shell or two whistling through the trees may save us from an attack if we lie at anchor all night.” ”

“ Frank repeated the conversation he had had with the captain, adding:
“You know his heart is set on going to Natal, and I believe that was one reason why he undertook this voyage. He has often told me that he would go a long distance just to see a wild elephant once more. If we waste much more time on our journey we can’t stay a great while in Africa. Uncle Dick’s wishes ought to be respected.”
“Of course they must be,” said Archie, quickly. “Well, I’d as soon go to Australia as to Japan. Perhaps we’ll have a chance to knock over a kangaroo, and that’s an animal I’ve never seen yet.” ”

“ Propelled by favoring breezes the Stranger sped rapidly on her way, stopping now and then at some point of interest long enough to allow the boys to stretch their cramped limbs on shore, a privilege of which they were always glad to avail themselves. Eugene found ample opportunity to try his new Henry rifle on the various species of birds and animals with which some of the islands abounded, and the others collected such a supply of curiosities, in the shape of weapons and ornaments, which they purchased from the natives, that the cabin of the Stranger soon began to look like a little museum. ”

“ They could not obtain the slightest glimpse of him.
“It must be a lion,” whispered Fred. “You know Uncle Dick told us that he has heard lions drinking within ten yards of him, and couldn’t see them. They can’t be seen in the dark.”
“But they make a very loud noise in drinking,” said Archie, “and this animal we can scarcely hear. It must be something else.”
“I can see him now,” said Eugene, as he pushed his double-barrel slowly and cautiously over the bank. “Be ready to give him a broadside in case I don’t kill him at the first shot. I am not accustomed to shooting in the dark, you know.” ”

“ If you’re satisfied with everything, captain, you might as well go on deck and take charge.”
“Of course I am not satisfied,” answered Frank, “but I don’t see that anything better can be done under the circumstances. What shall I do if my crew refuse to obey my orders?”
158“Oh, they’ll obey your orders. Just show me the man that don’t start when he’s spoke to, and I’ll show you somebody who will hurt himself against these bones,” said Waters, doubling up his huge fist and flourishing it above his head. “I ain’t a sailor, but I’m a bully overseer, and I’ll keep the men straight, I bet you. ”

“ As soon as she was fairly brought up with her head to the waves, a squad of men was sent to the pumps, and the boys tottered back, and supporting themselves by the first objects they could lay hold of, panted loudly. They were almost exhausted.
“Mr. Baldwin,” said Uncle Dick, “have a fire started in the galley without a minute’s delay, and see that the doctor serves up the best he’s got in the lockers to these weary men. We’ll be the better for a cup of hot coffee.” ”

“ The schooner rapidly approached the town, and at one o’clock dropped anchor at the stern of a large English steamer, which she followed into the harbor. The gig was called away at once, and Uncle Dick got in and was pulled ashore. An hour elapsed, and at the end of that time a large yawl, which was slowly propelled by two men, was seen approaching the schooner. It came alongside, and a fashionably dressed, kid-gloved young gentleman about Frank’s age, seized the man-ropes that were handed to him and was assisted to the deck. ”

“ He knew that his prisoners would not permit themselves to be carried back to Hobart Town if they could help it, and if the opportunity were presented, they would make a desperate effort to regain control of the schooner. If Frank had had full confidence in his crew, he would have felt no uneasiness whatever; but there were the three foremast hands, who had once betrayed their trust! True, they had repented, 203and assisted him in securing the convicts; but might they not also repent of that act, and try to undo it? There was no dependence to be placed in such men. ”

“ Me and Bob, one of us, will be on deck all the time, to see that things go on smooth and easy, like they had oughter do. We are working for liberty, mind you, and we can’t have no foolishness from nobody. Everything depends on you, captain, and it may comfort you to know that we’ll have our eyes on you night and day. You can’t make a move that we won’t see.”
“I am glad you told me,” said Frank. “I always like to know what I have to expect. ”

“ Oh, because there’s trouble brewing between the Dutch farmers, who are called Boers, and their sworn enemies, the Griquas; and when they get at swords’ points, as they do about twice every year, they make it very unpleasant for travellers, and especially for traders. They are so cowardly that they seldom come to blows, but if they catch a stranger in their country, he is almost sure to suffer. Each side is afraid that he will lend aid and comfort to the other, and consequently both treat him as an enemy. ”

“ This one is no more than a chip in a millpond.”
“An element that sometimes exerts a force of six thousand pounds to the square foot, and which has been known to move great rocks weighing forty tons and over, is a terrible enemy to do battle with,” replied Frank.
“I am afraid the poor fellows are all gone, and that our boats will be of no use out there,” said Uncle Dick, “I can’t see anybody.”
“I can,” exclaimed Archie, who had kept his glass directed toward the ship. “Don’t you see his head bobbing up and down with that mast, or spar, or whatever it is? ”