 CHAPTER X Captain of the Pilgrim would not lose a moment in getting his ship under sail. His prime object was to land his passenger safely at Valparaiso, or some other American port, and to accomplish his purpose it was in the first place necessary that he should ascertain the skooner's rate of speed and the direction that she was taking. This information was to be attained really enough by means of the log and compass, and the result of each day's observations would be entered regularly on the chart. The log on board was a patent log, with a dial plate and a screw, by means of which the distance that is traveled can be measured accurately for any infinite time. It was an instrument so simple that the negroes were very soon taught its use. The slight error in the reckoning caused by the action of the currents could only be rectified by astronomical observations, which, as already had been stated, were beyond Dick's attainments to make. The idea more than once crossed Dick's mind whether he would not take the Pilgrim back again to New Zealand. The distance was considerably less than it was to America, and had the wind remained in the quarter once it had been blowing so long, it is more than likely he would have determined to retrace his course. But as the wind had now veered to the northwest, and there was every probability that it was settled for a time, he came to the conclusion that he had better take advantage of it and persevere in making his way towards the east. Accordingly, he lost no time in putting his ship before the wind. On a skoon in the fore mass usually carries four square sails, on the lower mass to fore sail, and on the top mass to top sail. On the top gallant, a top gallant sail and a deroyal. The main mass carries only a main sail and a top sail. Between the mass upon the four stays can be hoisted a triple tier or of triangular sails, while the bow strip with this jib boon will carry the three jibs. The jibs, the main sail, the main top sail, and the stay sails are all managed with comparative ease, because they can be hoisted from the deck without the necessity of ascending the mast to let fly the robins, by which they are fastened to the yards. With the sails on the fore mast it is altogether a more difficult business. In order either to unfurl them, to take them in or to reef them, it is necessary for a man to clamber up by the shrouds, either to the fore top or to the top gallant cross trees, and then smelting by loose ropes extended below the yards to hold on by one hand whilst he does his work with the other. The operation requires the like the head and arm of an experienced mariner, and when a fresh breeze has been blowing it is a casualty far before one common that a sailor confused by the flapping of the canvas and the pitching of the vessel should be blown overboard in the act. For the unpracticed Negroes the danger would necessarily be very great, however the wind at present was very moderate, and the ship plowed her way over the waves without any violent oscillations. At the time when Dick Sands, in obedience to the signal he received from Captain Hull, proceeded to make his way to the scene of the disaster, the pilgrim as she laid to was carrying only her jibs, main sail, fore sail, and fore top sail. In order therefore to put her as near as possible to the wind it had been nearly necessary to counter brace the fore sail yard, a maneuver in which the Negroes had rendered all the assistance that was necessary. It was requisite now to do something more, to enable him to get straight before the wind Dick wanted to increase his sail and was desirous of hoisting the top gallant, the whirl, the main top sail, and the stay sails. He was himself standing at the wheel. Now my man he shouted the Negroes, I want your help, do exactly as I tell you, bear away Tom, Tom looked puzzled, bear away, unfasten that rope I mean, and bat, come along, do the same as Tom. The men did what they were bitten. That's right, continued Dick, and calling to Hercules said, Now Hercules, a good strong pull. To give such a direction to Hercules was somewhat imprudent. The rigging creaked again under his giant strength. Gently, gently my good fellow, said Dick, laughing, you will have the mass down. I declare I hardly touch the rope, answered Hercules. One next time he was to only pretend to touch it, said Dick, and continuing his orders shouted, Now slacken, let fly, make fast, now brace in the yards. All right, that's capital. The yards were loosened, the four sails turned slowly round, and catching the breeze gave a slight impetus to the ship. Dick's next orders were for the gypsies to be set free, and then he called the men to the stern. Now, said he, we must look to the main mass, but take care of Hercules, not to have it down. I will be as careful as possible, Mr. Dick, submissively replied Hercules, as though he were afraid to commit himself to any rash promise. The maneuver was simple enough. The main sheet was gradually slacken. The great sail took the wind and added its powerful action to that of the four sails. The main top sail was next brought to bear. It was only clued up so that there was nothing to do except to pull the haliods, haul it aboard the tack, and unfurl it. But in pulling out the haliods, the muscular energy of Hercules, which was supplemented by that of Actaeon, not to forget Little Jack, who had volunteered his assistance, proved to be overpowering, and the rope snapped in two. All three of them, of course, fell flat upon the deck, but fortunately neither of them was hurt, and Jack laughed heartily at this tumble as an excellent joke. Up with you, cried Captain Dick. There's no harm done. Splice the rope and haul away more gently next time. It took but a few minutes to execute the order, and the pilgrim was soon sailing away rapidly, with her head to the east. Well done, my friend, said Dick, who had not left his post at the helm. You will be first-rate sailors before the end of the voyage. We shall do our best, as promised you, Captain Sands, replied Tom, making it a point to give the young commander his proper title. Mrs. Weldon also congratulated the new crew upon the success of their first attempt. I believe it was Master Jack who broke that rope, said Hercules, with a slight twinkle in his eye. He is very strong, I can tell you. Jack looked as though he thoroughly appreciated the compliment, and evidenced his satisfaction by giving his huge friend a hearty shake of the hand. There were still several sails that were not yet set. Running well before the wind as the pilgrim was, Dick nevertheless felt that the gallant royal and stay sails, if brought into service, would materially assist her progress, and he determined not to dispense with their help. The stay sails could be hoisted from below, but to bring the gallant and royal into play devented more experience than any of his crew had had. Knowing that he could not entrust the task to them, and yet resolved not to be balked of his wish to set them, he undertook the task himself. He first put Tom to the helm, showing him how to keep the schooner's head in the right direction, and having placed the other four of the royal and top gallant halyards, proceeded to mount the four mast. To clamber out the four shrouds and the top shrouds under the cross-trees was mere child's play to the act of apprentice. In a few minutes he had unfurled the top gallant sail, mounted to the royal yard, unfurled the royal, again reached the terrestries, and having caught hold of one of the starved backstays, had descended to the deck. There he gave the necessary directions, and the two sails were made fast, and both yards braced. Nor did this content him. The stay sails were set between the mast, and thus the pilgrim was running along, crowded to the full with all her canvas. The only additional sails which Dick could possibly have employed would have been some studying sails to Larbert, but as the setting of these was a matter of some difficulty, and they were not always readily struck in the case of a sudden squall, he contended himself without them. Again he took his place at the helm. The breeze was manifestly freshening, and the pilgrim, almost imperceptibly healing the starved, glided rampantly along the surface of the water, leaving behind her awake, smooth and clean, the bore prillion witness to the true adjustment of her water line. This is good progress, Mrs. Weldon, he said. May heaven grant the wind and weather may continue thus favorable. The lady in silence shook the boy's hand, and then worn out with the excitement of the past hours, went to her cabin, where she lay down and fell into a troubled dose. The new crew remained on watch. They were stationed on the forecastle, in readiness to make any alteration which the sails might require. But the wind was so steady and unshifting that no need arose for their services. And cousin Benedict, all this time where was he, and what had he been doing? He was sitting in this cabin, he had a magnifying glass in his hand, and was studying an articulata of the order of Thopter, an insect of the Plattidae family. Its characteristics are a roundish body, rather long wings, flat illiterate, and a head hidden by the throat thorax. He had been on deck at the time of the calamity. The ill-fated captain with the crew had been drowned before his very eyes, but he said nothing. Not that he was unmoved, to think that he was not struck with horror would be to libel his kind and pitying nature. His sympathy was aroused, especially for his cousin. He pressed her hand warmly as if he would assure her of his truest commiseration, but he said nothing. He hurried off towards his cabin, and who shall deny that it was devised some wonderfully energetic measures that he would take in consequence of this melancholy event. Passing the kitchen, however, he caught sight of Nogoro in the act of crushing a blotta, an American species of cockroach. He broke out in a storm of invective, and in tones of indignation demanded the surrender of the insect, which Nogoro made with cool contempt. In a moment kept in hold and his partners in death were all forgotten, the enthusiast had secured a prize with which he paced into his own little compartment, where he was soon absorbed in proving to his own satisfaction, in opposition to the opinion of other entomologists, that the blotta of their fraspid species, which are remarkable for their colors, differ in their habits from blotta of the ordinary sort. For the remainder of the day, perfect order reigned on board the pilgrim. Though they were unstable to shake off the sickening feeling of horror roused by the frightful disaster, and felt that they had sustained a startling shock, all the passengers seemed mechanically to fall into their usual routine. Dick Sands, though avowedly at the wheel, seemed to be everywhere, with an eye for everything, and his amateur crew obeyed him readily, and with the promptness of a willing activity. Nogoro made no further overt attempt to question the young captain's authority, but remained shut in his kitchen. Dick made no secret of determination to place the cook in close confinement, if he exhibited any future sign of insubordination. Hercules was ready to carry him off bodily to the hold, and Old Nan was equally ready to take his place in the cooking department. Probably Nogoro was aware of all this. At any rate, he did not seem disposed to give any further cause of offensive prison. As the day advanced, the wind continued to freshen, but no shifting to the sail seemed necessary. The pilgrim was running well, there was no need to diminish her spread of canvas. Masses solid, and rigging as strong as hers could stand a far heavier breeze. As a general rule, it is deemed prudent in case of a squall to shorten the sail at night, and especially to take in gallants and royal, but the weather prospects now were also promising and satisfactory. The Dick persuaded himself he was under no necessity to take this precaution, and he rather felt himself bound to take the strongest measures he could to expedite his reaching less unfrequited waters. He made up his mind, however, not to leave the deck at all that night. The Uncaptain made every effort to get an approximate reckoning of the scoondish progress. He heaved the log every half hour and duly registered the result of each successive examination. There were two compasses on board, one in the binocle, close under the eye of the helmsman, the other an inverted compass being attached to the raptors of the captain's cabin, so that without leaving his birth he could see whether the man in charge of the wheel was holding a proper course. Every vessel that is duly furnished for a lint and voyage has always not only two compasses, but two chronometers, one to correct the other. The pilgrim was not deficient in his respect, and Dick Sands made a strong point of admonishing his crew that they should take special care of the compasses, which under their present circumstances were of such supreme importance. A misfortune, however, was in store for them. On the night of the twelfth, while Dick was on watch, the compass in the cabin became detached from its fastening and fell on the floor. The accident was not discovered until the following morning. Whether the metal furrow that had attached the instrument to the raptors had become rusty, or whether it had been worn away by additional friction, it seemed impossible to settle. All that could be said was that the compass was broken beyond repair. Dick was extremely grieved at the loss, but he did not consider that anyone was to be blamed for the mishap, and could only resolve for the future to take extra care of the compass in the binocle. With the exception of this countertop, everything appeared to go unsatisfactory on board. Mrs. Weldon, reassured by Dick's confidence, every game much of her wanted calmness, and was besides ever supported by the sincere religious spirit. She and Dick had many a long conversation together. The ingenuous lie was always ready to take the kind and intelligent lady into his counsel, and day by day would point out to her on the chart the registers he made as the result of his dead reckoning. He would then try and satisfy her that under the profiling wind there could be no doubt they must arrive at the coast of South America. Moreover, he said that unless he was much mistaken they should sight the land at no great distance from Valparaiso. Mrs. Weldon had, in truth, no reason to question the correctness of Dick's representations. She showed that provided the wind remained in the same favorable quarter there was every prospect of their reaching land in safety. Nevertheless, at times she could not resist the misgiving that would arise when she contemplated what might be the result of a change of wind or a breaking of the weather. With the light-heartedness that belonged to his age, Jack soon fell back into his accustomed pursuits, and was to be seen merrily running out over the deck or romping with Dingo. At times it is true he missed the companionship of Dick, but his mother made him comprehend that now that Dick was captain his time was too much occupied to allow him any leisure for play, and the child quite understood that he must not interrupt his old friend in his new duties. The niggers performed their work with intelligence, and seemed to make rapid progress in the art of seamanship. Tom had been humane and speedy appointed, both swaying, and took one watch with Baton Austin, the alternate watch being discharged by Dick himself with Hercules and Actaeon. One of them steered so that the other two would have free to watch with the bowels. As a general rule, Dick's sense managed to remain at the wheel all night. Five or six hours sleep in the daytime suffice for him, and during the time when he was lying down he entrusted the wheel to Tom, or Bat, who under his instructions had become very fair helmsman. Although in these unfrequent waters there was little chance of running foul of any other vessel, Dick invariably took the precaution of lighting his signals, carrying a green light to starboard and a red light to port. His exertions, however, were a great strain upon him, and sometimes during the night his fatigue would induce a heavy drowsiness, and he steered as it were by instinct more than by attention. On the night of the thirteenth he was so utterly worn out that he was obliged to ask Tom to relieve him at the helm, whilst he went down for a few hours rest. Actaeon and Hercules remained on watch on the forecastle. The night was very dark, the sky was covered with heavy clouds that were deformed in the chill evening air, and the sails on the top mats were lost in the obscurity. At the stern the lamps on either side of the binocle cast a faint reflection on the metal mountings of the wheel, leaving the deck generally in complete darkness. Towards three o'clock in the morning Tom was getting so heavy with sleepiness that he was almost unconscious. His eye, long fixed steadily on the compass, lost its power or vision, and he fell into a dose from which it would require more than a slight disturbance to arouse him. Meantime a light shadow glided stealthily along the deck, creeping gradually up to the binocle. Negror put some down something heavy that he had brought in his hand. He stole a keen and rapid glance at the dial of the compass, and made his way back, unseen and unheard, as he had come. Almost immediately afterwards Tom awakened from his slumber. His eye fell instinctively on the compass, and he saw in a moment that the ship was out of a proper course. By a turn of the helm he brought ahead to what he was supposed to be the east, but he was mistaken. During his brief interval of unconsciousness a piece of iron had been deposited beneath the magnetic needle, which by this means had been diverted thirty degrees to the right, and instead of putting due north, inclined forward towards northeast, consequently it came to pass to the pilgrim, so froze by her young commander to be making good headway due east, was in reality under the brisk northwest breeze, speeding along towards the southeast. CHAPTER XI. ROUGH WEATHER During the ensuing week nothing particular occurred on board. The breeze still freshened, and the pilgrim made on the average one hundred and sixty miles, every twenty-four hours. The speed was as great as could be expected from a craft of her size. Dick grew more and more sanguine in his anticipations that it could not be long before the schooner would cross the track at the mail-packets, plying between the eastern and western hemispheres. He had made up his mind to hail the first passing vessel, and either to transfer his passengers, or what perhaps would be better still, to borrow a few sailors, and it might be an officer to work the pilgrim to shore. He could not help, however, a growing sense of astonishment, when day after day passed, and yet there was no ship to be signaled. He kept the most vigorous lookout, but all to no purpose. Three voyages before had he mailed to the whale fisheries, and his experience made him sure that he ought now to be sighting some English or American vessel on its way between the equator and Cape Horn. Very different how I was the true position of the pilgrim from what Dick supposed. Not only had the ship been carried far out of her direct course by currents, the force of which there were no means of estimating, but from the moment when the compass had been tampered with by Nagoro, the steering itself had put the vessel all astray. Unconscious of both of these elements of disturbance, Dick Sands was convinced that they were proceeding steadily eastwards, and was perpetually encouraging Mrs. Weldon and himself by the insurance that they would very soon arrive within view of the American coast, again and again asserting that his sole concern was for his passengers, and that for his own safety he had no anxiety. But think, Dick, said the lady. What a position you would have been in if you had not had your passengers. You would have been alone with that terrible Nagoro. You would have been rather alarmed then. I should have taken good care to put it out of Nagoro's power to do me any mischief. And then I should have worked the ship by myself, answered the lad Stoutly. His very pluck gave it his will to renewed confidence. She was a woman with wonderful powers of endurance, and it was only when she thought of her little son that she had any feeling of despair. Yet even this endeavor to conceal, and Dick's undaunted courage helped her. Although the youth of the Apprentice did not allow him to pretend to any advanced scientific knowledge, he had the proverbial weather eye of the sailor. He was not only very keen in noticing any change in the aspect of the sky, but he had learned from Captain Hull, who was a clever meteorologist to draw correct conclusions from the indications of the barometer. The captain, indeed, having taken the trouble to make him learn, by heart, the general rules which are laid down in Vauder Pierre's Dictionnaire illustre. There are seven of these rules. 1. If after a long period of fine weather the barometer falls suddenly and continuously, although the mercury may be descending for two or three days before, there is an apparent change in the atmosphere. There will ultimately be rain, and the longer has been time between the first depression and the commencement of the rain, the longer the rain may be expected to last. 2. Vice versa. If after a long period of wet weather the barometer begins to rise slow and steadily, fine weather will ensue, and the longer the time between the first rising of the mercury and the commencement of the fine weather, the longer the fine weather may be expected to last. 3. If immediately after the fall or rise of the mercury a change of weather ensues, the change will be of no long continuance. 4. A gradual rise for two or three days during which rain forecasts fine weather, but if there will be a fall immediately on the rival to fine weather it will not be for long. This rule holds also conversely. 5. In spring and autumn a sudden fall indicates rain, and in the summer it is very hot if foretells a storm. In the winter after a period of steady frost, a fall prognosticates a change of wind with rain and hail, whilst a rise announces the approach of snow. 6. Rapid oscillations of the mercury either way are not to be interpreted as indicating either wet or dry weather of any duration. Continuance of either fair or foul weather is forecast only by a prolonged and steady rise or fall beforehand. 7. At the end of autumn, after a period of wind and rain, a rise may be expected to be followed by north wind and frost. Not merely had Dick got these rules by rote, but he had tested them by his own observations and had become singly trustworthy in his forecast of the weather. He made a point of consulting the barometer several times every day, and although to all appearances the sky indicated that the fine weather was settled, it did not escape his observation that on the twentieth the mercury showed a tendency to fall. Dick knew the rain, if it came, would be accompanied by wind, an opinion in which he was very soon confirmed by the breeze freshening till the air was displaced at the rate of nearly sixty feet a second or more than forty miles an hour, and he recognized the necessity of at once shortening a sail. He had already had used the precaution to take in the royal, the main top sail, and the flying jib, but he now at once resolved likewise to take in the top gallon and to have a couple of reefs in the four top sail. To an inexperienced crew, the last operation was far from easy, but there was no symptom of shrinking from it. Followed by Batt and Austin, Dick mounted the rigging of the four mast, and with little trouble got to the top gallon. Had the weather been less unpromising, he would have been inclined to leave the two yards as they were, but anticipating the ultimate necessity of being obliged to lower the mast, he unrigged them and let them bounce down to the deck. He knew well enough that in the event of the gale rising as he expected, the lowering the mast as well as the shortening of sail would contribute to diminish the strain and stress upon the vessel. It was the work of two hours to get this preliminary operation over. There still remained the task of taking in the reefs in the top sail. The pilgrim in one respect differed from most modern vessels. She did not carry a double four top, which would very much have diminished the difficulty attending the reefing. It was consequently necessary to proceed as before, to mount the rigging, by main force to haul in the flapping canvas, and to make the fastening secure. But critical and dangerous as the task was, it was successfully accomplished, and the three young men, having descended safely to the deck, had the satisfaction of seeing the schooner run easily before the wind, which had further increased till it was blowing a stiff gale. For three days the gale continued brisk and hard, yet without any variation in its direction. But all along the barometer was falling. The mercury sank to twenty-eight degrees without symptom of recovery. The sky was becoming overcast. Clouds, thick and lowering, obscured the sun, and it was difficult to make out where it rose or where it set. Dick did his best to keep up his courage, but he could not disguise from himself that there was cause for uneasiness. He took no more rest than was absolutely necessary, and what repose he allowed himself, he always took on deck. He maintained a calm exterior, but he was really tortured with anxiety. Although the violence of the wind seemed to lull a while, Dick did not suffer himself to be betrayed in any false security. He knew only too well what to expect, and after a brief interval of comparative quiet, the gale returned, and the waves began to run very high. About four o'clock one afternoon, Nagoro, a must-unusual thing for him, emerged from his kitchen and sulked to the floor. Dingo was fast asleep and did not make his ordinary growl by way of greeting to his enemy. For half an hour Nagoro stood motionless, and apparently surveying the horizon. The heavy waves rolled past. They were higher than the condition of the wind warranted, their magnitude would nest to a storm passing in the west, and there was every reason to suspect that the pilgrim might be caught by its violence. Nagoro looked long at the water. He then raised his eyes and scanned the sky. Above and below he might read threatening signs. The upper stratum of cloud was traveling far more rapidly than that beneath, in an indication that air-long the masses of vapor would descend, and coming in contact with the inferior current would change the gale into a tempest, which probably would increase to a hurricane. It might be from ignorance, or it might be from indifference, but there was no indication of alarm on the face of Nagoro. On the other hand, there might be seen a sort of smile curling on his lip. After thus gazing above him and around him, he clambered onto the balsprit, and made his way by degrees to the very ground, Geminings. Again he rested and looked about him as if to explore the horizon. After a while he clambered back on deck, and soon stealthily retreated to his own quarters. No doubt there was much to cause concern in the general aspect of the weather, but there was one point in which they never failed to congratulate each other, that the direction of the wind had never changed, and consequently must be carrying them in the desired course. Unless a storm should overtake them, they could continue their prison navigation without peril, and with every prospect of fighting a port, upon the shore where they might put it, such were their mutual and acknowledged hopes, but Dick secretly felt the misgiving less. Without a pilot, he might in his ignorance fail to find a harbor of refuge. Nevertheless, he would not suffer himself to meet trouble halfway, and kept up his spirits under the conviction that if difficulties came, he should be strengthened to grapple with them, or make his escape. Time passed on, and the 9th of March arrived, without material change in the condition of the atmosphere. The sky remained heavily burdened, and the wind, which occasionally had abated for a few hours, had always returned with at least its form of violence. The occasional rising of the Mercury never encouraged Dick to anticipate a permanent improvement in the weather, and he discerned only two plainly the brighter times of prison were not to be looked for. A startling alarm had more than once been caused by the sudden breaking of storms in which thunderbolts had seen to fall within a few cable lengths of the schooner. On these occasions the torrents of rain had been so heavy that the ship had appeared to be in the very midst of a whirlpool of vapor, and that was impossible to see a yard ahead. The pilgrim pitched and rowed frightfully. Fortunately Mrs. Walden could bear the motion without much personal inconvenience. A consequently was able to devote her attention to her little boy, who was a miserable sufferer. Cousin Benedict was as undisturbed as the cockroaches he was investigating. He hardly noticed the increasing madness of either wind or wave, but went on with his studies as calmly as if he were in his own comfortable museum at San Francisco. Moreover, it was fortunate that the Negroes did not suffer to any great degree from seeking sickness, and consequently were able to assist their captain in his arduous task. Dick was far too experienced to sailor himself to be inconvenienced by any oscillations of the vessel, however violent. The pilgrim still made good headway, and Dick, although he was aware that ultimately it would probably be necessary again to shorten sail, was anxious to postpone making any alteration before he was absolutely obliged. Surely he reasoned with himself the land could not now be far away. He had calculated his speed. He had kept a diligent reckoning on the chart. Surely the shore must be almost in sight. He would not trust his crew to keep watch. He was aware how easily their inexperienced eyes would be misled, and how they might mistake a distant cloud bank for the land they coveted to see. He kept watch for himself. His own gaze was ever fixed upon the horizon, and in the eagerness of his expectation he would rapidly mount to the cross-trees to get a wider range of vision, but land was not to be seen. Next day as Dick was standing at the bow, alternately considering the canvas which his ship carried and the aspect presented by the sky, Mrs. Walden approached him without his noticing her. She caught some muttered expressions of bewodiment that fell from his lips and asked him whether he could see anything. He lowered the telescope which he had been holding in his hand and answered, No, Mrs. Walden. I cannot see anything, and as this Hyatt perplexes me so sorely, I cannot understand why we have not already come inside of land. It is nearly a month since we lost our poor dear captain. There has been no delay in our progress, no stoppage in our rate of speed. I cannot make it out. How far were we from land when we lost the captain? I am sure I am not far out in saying that we were scarcely more than 4500 miles from the shores of America. And at what rate have we been sailing? Not much less than nine score knots a day. How long then do you reckon, Dick, we ought to be arriving at the coast? Under six and twenty days, said replied Dick, he paused before he spoke again, then added, But what mystifies me even more than our failing to sight the land is this. We have not come across a single vessel, and yet vessels without number are always traversing these seas. But do you not think, inquired Mrs. Walden, that you have made some error in your reckoning? Is your speed really what you have supposed? Impossible, met him, replied Dick, with an error of dignity. Impossible that I should have fallen into error. The log has been consulted without fail every half hour. I am about to have it lowered now, and I want to take to show you that we are at this present moment making ten miles an hour, which would give considerably over two hundred miles a day. He then called out to Tom. Tom, lower the log. The old man was quite accustomed to the duty. The log was fastened to the line and thrown overboard. It ran out regularly for about five and twenty fathoms, when all it wants the line slackened in Tom's hand. It is broken, cried Tom. The court is broken. Broken? exclaimed Dick. Good heavens! We have lost the log. It was too true. The log was gone. Tom, during the rope, Dick took it up and examined. It had not broken at his point of union with the log. It had given way in the middle. It had placed with the strands in some unaccountable way, had worn strangely thin. Dick's agony of mind, in spite of his effort to be calm, was intensely great. A suspicion of foul play involuntarily occurred to him. He knew that the rope had been a first-rate make. He knew that it had been quite sound when used before, but he could prove nothing. He could only mourn over the loss which committed him to the sole remaining compass at his only guide. That compass, too, although he knew it not, was misleading him entirely. Mrs. Walden sighed as she witnessed the grief which the loss manifestly caused for Dick. But in pure sympathy she said nothing and retired thoughtfully to her cabin. It was no longer possible to reckon the rate of progress, but there was no doubt that the pilgrim continued to maintain at least her previous speed. Before another four and twenty hours had passed, the barometer had fallen still lower, and the wind was threatening to rise to a velocity of sixty miles. Resolved to be on the safe side, Dick deterred not only to strike the top gallon and the main top mass, but to take in all the lower sails. Indeed, he began to be aware that no time was to be lost. The operation would not be done in a moment, and the storm was approaching. Dick made Tom take the helm. He ascended the shrouds with Beth, Austin, and Action, making hercules stay on Dick to slacken the haliods as required. By dint of arduous exertion and at no little risk of being thrown overboard by the rolling of the ship, they succeeded in lowering the two mass. The four-top sail was then reefed, and the four-sail entirely struck, so that the only canvas that the schooner carried was the reefed four-top and the one-stay. These, however, made her run with a terrific speed. Early on the morning of the twelfth, Dick noted with alarm that the perometer had not ceased to fall, and now registered only 27.9 degrees. The tempest had to continue to increase, till it was unsafe for the ship to carry any canvas at all. The order was given for the top sail to be taken in, but it was too late. A violent gust carried the sail completely away, and Austin, who had made his way to the four-top yard, was struck by the flying sheet, and although he was not seriously hurt, he was obliged at once to return to deck. Dick's sands became more uneasy than ever. He was tortured by apprehensions of reefs outlying the shore, to which he imagined he must now be close, but he could discern no rocks to justify his fears, and return to take his place at the helm. The next moment Nagora appeared on deck. He pointed mysteriously to the far off horizon, as though he discerned some object, as a mountain there, and looking round with a malevolent smile, immediately left the deck, and went back to his cabin. End of Part I Chapter 11 CHAPTER XII of Dick's Sands, The Boy Captain This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Alex C. Tlander, Davis, California Dick's Sands, The Boy Captain, by Jules Verne Translated by Ellen E. Fruehr Part I Chapter XII Hope Revived The wind had now increased to a hurricane. It had veered to the southwest and had attained a velocity a little short of ninety miles an hour. On land the most substantial of erections could without difficulty have withstood its violence, and a vessel anchored in a roadstead must have been torn from its moorings and cast ashore. The memorable storm that had devastated the island of Guadalupe on the twenty-fifth of July, 1825, when heavy cannon were lifted from the carriages, could scarcely have been more furious, and it was only her ability before the blast and the solidity of her structure that gave the pilgrim a hope of surviving the tempest. A few minutes after the top sail had been lost, the small jib was carried away. Dick's Sands contemplated the possibility of throwing out a storm-jib, made of extra-strong canvas, as a means of bringing the ship a little more under his control, but abandoned the idea as useless. It was therefore under bare poles that the pilgrim was driven along, but in spite of the lack of canvas, the whole mass and rigging gave sufficient purchase to the wind, and the progress of the schooner was prejudicially rapid. Sometimes, indeed, he seemed to be literally lifted from the water and scutted on, scarcely skimming its surface. The rolling was fearful. Ornormous ways followed in quick succession, as they travelled faster than the ship. There was the perpetual risk of one of them catching her astern. Without sail, there were no means of escaping that peril by increase of speed. The adroit management of the helm was the only chance of avoiding the hazardous shocks, and even this repeatedly failed. To prevent his being washed overboard, Dick lashed himself to his place at the wheel by rope around his waist, and made Tom and Bette keep close at hand, ready to give him assistance in case of emergency. Hercules and Actaeon, clean to the bit, kept watch of the bow. Mrs. Weldon and her party, at Dick's special request, remained inside the stern cabin, although the lady, for her own part, would much rather have stayed on Dick. She had, however, yielded to the representation that she would thus be exposing herself to unnecessary danger. The hatch-boys were hermetically closed, and it was to be hoped that they would withstand the heavy sea that was dashing over them, only let one of them give way to the pressure and the vessel must inevitably fill and found her. It was a matter of congratulation that the stowage had been done very carefully, so that notwithstanding all the lurchings of the ship, the cargo did not shift in the least. The heroic young commander had still further curtailed his periods of rest, and it was only at the urgent entreaty of Mrs. Weldon, who feared that he would exhaust himself by his vigilance, that he was induced to lie down for a few hours' sleep on the night of the thirteenth. After Tom and Bat had been left alone at the wheel they were, somewhat to their surprise, joined by N'Goro, who very rarely came after. He seemed inclined to enter into conversation, but found little encouragement to talk on the part either of Tom or his son. All at once a violent roll the ship threw him off his feet, and he would have gone overboard if he had not been saved by falling against the binocle. Old Tom was in a frantic state of alarm lest the compass should be broken. He uttered a cry of consternation so loud that it roused Dick from the slight slumber into which he had fallen in the cabin, and he rushed to the Dick. N'Goro had not only regained his feet, but had managed successfully to conceal the bit of iron which he had regained extracted from beneath the binocle where he had himself laid out. Now that the wind had shifted to the southwest it suited his machinations that the magnetic needle should indicate his true direction. How now? asked Dick eagerly. What is the meaning of all this noise? Tom explained how the cook had fallen against the binocle, and how he had been terrified lest the compass should be injured. Dick's heart sank at the thought of losing his sole remaining compass, and his anxiety portrayed itself in his countenance as he knelt down to examine his condition. But he breathed freely as he ascertained that the instrument had to sustain no damage. By the dim light he saw the needle resting on its two concentric circles and felt his fears at once relieved. Of course he was quite unconscious of the fact that the removal of the bit of iron had made the magnet change its pointing. The incident, however, excited his biggest giving, although he felt that N'Goro could not be held responsible for an accidental fall. The very presence of the man in such a place at such a time perplexed him. And what brings you here this hour of the night, he asked? That's not your business, retorted N'Goro insolently. It is my business, replied Dick resolutely, and I mean to have an answer. What brought you here? N'Goro answered silently that he knew of no rule to prevent his going where he liked and when he liked. No rule? cried Dick. Then I make the rule now. From this time forward I make the rule that you shall never come a stern. Do you understand? Rouse from his accustomed dogginess, the man seemed to make a threatening movement. Quick as lightning, Dick Sands drew a revolver from his pocket. N'Goro, one act, one word of insubordination, and I blew out your brains. N'Goro had no time to reply. Before he could speak, he was bowed down towards the deck by an irresistible weight. Hercules had grasped him by the shoulder. Shall I put him overboard, Captain? He will make a meal for the fishes. They are not very particular what they eat, said the Negro, with a grin of content. Not yet, quietly the answer, Dick. The giant removed his hand, and N'Goro stood upright again and began to retreat to his quarters, muttering, however, as he passed Hercules, you cursed nigger, you shall pay for this. The discovery was now made that the wind apparently had taken a sudden shift at no less than 45 degrees. But what occasion, Dick, the greatest perplexity was that there was nothing in the condition of the sea to correspond with the alteration in the current of the air. Instead of being directly a stern, wind and waves were now beating on the larbid. Progress in this way must necessarily be full of danger, and Dick was obliged to bring a ship up at least four points before he got us traded before the tempest. The young captain felt that he must be more than ever on the alert. He could not shake out the suspicion that N'Goro had been concerned in the loss of the first compass, and had some further designs upon the second. Still, he was utterly at a loss to imagine what possible motive the man could have for so criminal an act of malevolence, as there was no plausible reason to be assigned, why he would not be as anxious as all the rest to reach the coast of America. The suspicion continued, however, to haunt him, and when he mentioned it to Mrs. Weldon, he found that a similar feeling of distress had agitated her, although she, like himself, was altogether unable to allege a likely motive why the cook should contemplate so strange an act of mischief. It was determined that a strict surveillance should be kept upon all the fellow's movements. N'Goro, however, manifested no inclination to disobey the captain's preemptory order. He kept strictly to his own part of the ship, but as N'Goro was now regularly courted on the stern, there was a probably sure guaranteed that the cook would not be found wandering much in that direction. A week passed, and still the tempest showed no sign of abating. The barometer continued to fall, and not once did a period of common weather afforded an opportunity of carrying sail. The pilgrim still made their way northeast. Her speed could not be less than two hundred miles in twenty-four hours, but no land appeared. Fastest was the range of the American continent, extending for 120 degrees between the Atlantic and the Pacific. It was no way to be discerned. Was he dreaming? Was he mad? Dick would be prepared to ask himself. Had he been sailing in a wrong direction? Had he failed to steer a right? But no. He was convinced there was no error in his steering. Although he could not actually see it for the mist, he knew that day after day the sun rose before him, and that it set behind him. Yet he was constrained in bewilderment to ask what had become the low shores of America upon which, when they came in sight, there was only too great a fear the ship would be dashed. What had become of them? Where were they? Wither had this incessant hurricane driven them. Why did not the expected coast appear? To all these bewildering inquiries Dick could find no answer except to imagine that his compass had misled him. Yet he was powerless to put his own misgivings to the test. He deplored more than ever the destruction of the duplicate instrument which would have checked his registers. He studied his chart, but all in vain, the position in which he found himself as the result in a digorous treachery seemed to baffle him the more, the more he tried to solve the mystery. The days were passing on in this chronic state of anxiety when one morning about eight o'clock, Hercules, who was on watch of the floor, suddenly shouted Land! Dick sands a little reliance upon the negro's inexperienced eye, but hurried forward to the bow. Where's the land? he cried, his voice being scarcely audible above the howling of the tempest. There! Look there! said Hercules, nodding his head and pointing over the larbid side to the northeast. Dick could see nothing. Mrs. Walden had heard the shout. Unable to restrain her interest, she had left her cabin and was at Dick's side. He uttered an expression of surprise at seeing her, but could not hear anything she said as her voice was unable to rise above the roaring of the elements. She stood, her whole being as it were, concentrated in the power of vision and scanned the horizon in the direction indicated by Hercules, but all to no purpose. Suddenly, however, after a while Dick raised his hand. Yes, he said. Yes, sure enough, yonder his land. He clung with excitement to the netting, and Mrs. Walden, supported by Hercules, strained her eyes yet more vehemently to get a glimpse of a shore which she had begun to despair of ever reaching. Beyond a doubt, an elevated peak was there. It must be about ten miles to Leawood, a break in the clouds soon left it more distinct. Some promontory it must be upon the American coast. Without sails, of course, the pilgrim had no chance of bearing down direct upon it, but at least there was every reason to believe that she would soon reach some other portion of the shore. Perhaps before noon, certainly in a few hours, they must be close to land. The pitching of the ship made it impossible for Mrs. Walden to keep safe footing on the Dick. Accordingly, out of sight from Dick, Hercules led her back again to her cabin. Dick did never remain long of the bow, but went thoughtfully back to the wheel. He had indeed a tremendous responsibility before him. Here was the land, the land for which they had longed so eagerly, and now that their anticipations were on the point of being realized, what was there, with the hurricane driving them on towards it, to prevent that land being their destruction. What measures could he partake to prevent the schooner being dashed to pieces against it? At the very moment when the promontory was just a breast of them, the grower appeared on Dick. He nodded to the peak familiarly, as he might have saluted a familiar friend and retired as stealthily as he had come. Two hours later, and the promontory was lying to the dervored wake. Dick sensed that he would relax his watchfulness, but he had failed to discover any further indications of a coastline. His propellicicity could only increase. The horizon was clear, the Andes ought to be distinct. There would be a conspicuous twenty miles or more away. Dick took up his telescope again and again. He scrutinized the eastern horizon with minutest care, but there was nothing to be seen, and as the afternoon waned away the last glimpse had been taken of the promontory that had awakened their expectation. It had vanished utterly from their gaze. No indication of shore could be seen for the pilgrim's dick. Dick sensed out of her side, mingled amazement and relief. He went into Mrs. Walden's cabin where she was standing with her party. It was only an island, he said. Only an island. How? Why? What island? What do you mean? cried Mrs. Walden incredulously. What island can it be? The chart perhaps will tell us, replied Dick. And hurrying off to his own cabin, he immediately returned with the chart in his hands. After studying it attentively for a few minutes he said, There, Mrs. Walden, the land we have just passed, I should suppose must be that little speck in the midst of the Pacific. It must be Easter Island. At least there seems to be no other land which possibly it could be. And do you say, inquired Mrs. Walden, that we have left it quite behind us? Yes, entirely, almost to winward. Mrs. Walden commenced a searching scrutiny of the map that was outspread before her. How far is this, she said, after bending a considerable time over the chart? How far is this from the coast of America? Thirty-five degrees, answered Dick. Somewhere about twenty-five hundred miles. Whatever do you mean, rejoined the lady astonished. If the pilgrim is still twenty-five hundred miles from shore, she has positively made no progress at all. Impossible! In thoughtful perplexity Dick passed his hand across his brow. He did not know what to say. After an interval of silence he said, I have no account to give for the strange delay. It is inexplicable to myself, except upon that one hypothesis which I cannot resist, that the readings of the compass somehow or other have been wrong. He relapsed into the silence, then brightening up he added, But thank God, at least we have now the satisfaction in knowing where we really are. We are no longer lost upon the wide Pacific. If only this hurricane will cease, long as the distance seems, we are on our proper course to the shores of America. The tone of confidence with which the useful captain spoke had the effect of inspiring new hope into all who hurt him. Their spirits rose into their sanguine mood, it seemed as if they were approaching to the end of all their troubles, and in hardly more to do than to await the turning of the tide, to bring them into a glad proximity to port. Easter Island, of which the true name is Vaihu, was discovered by David in 1686, and visited by Cook and Leprous. It lies in latitude twenty-seven degrees south and longitude a hundred and twelve degrees east. Consequently, it was evident that during the raging of the hurricane the schooner had been driven northwards no less than fifteen degrees. Far away, however, as she was from shore, the wind could hardly fail within ten days to carry her within sight of land, and then if the storm had worn itself out, as probably it would, the frugal would again hoist sail and make her way into some port with safety. Anyhow, the discovery of his true position restored a spirit of confidence to Dick Sands, and he anticipated the time when he should no longer be drifting helplessly before the storm. To say the truth, the pilgrim had suffered very little from the prolonged fury of the weather. His damage she had sustained was limited at the loss of the top sail and the small jib, which could be easily replaced. The caulking of the seams remained thoroughly sound and no drop of water had found its way into the hold. The pumps, too, were perfectly free. Dick Sands did not fear for the stability of his ship. His only anxiety was to lest the weather should not moderate in time. Only that the wind subside and the schooner once more would be under his control. But he never forgot that the ordering of the winds and waves were in the hands of the great disposer of all. CHAPTER XIII. LAND AT LAST It was not long before Dick's sanguine expectations were partially realized, for on the very next day, which was the 27th, the perometer began to rise, not rapidly, but steadily, indicating that its elevation would probably continue. The sea remained exceedingly rough, but the violence of the winds, which had veered slightly towards the west, had perceptively diminished. The tempest had passed its greatest fury and was beginning to wear itself out. Not a sail, however, could yet be hoisted. The smallest show of canvas would have been carried away in an instant. Nevertheless, Dick hoped that before another twenty-four hours were over, the pilgrim might be able to carry a storm-jib. In the course of the night, the wind moderated still more, and the pitching of the ship had so far diminished that the passengers began to reappear on Dick. Mrs. Weldon was the first to leave her enforced imprisonment. She was anxious to speak to Dick, whom she might have expected to find looking pale on one after his almost superhuman exertions and loss of sleep. But she was mistaken. However much the lab might suffer from the strain in after years, at present he exhibited no symptoms of failing energy. Well, Captain Dick, how are you, she said, as she advanced towards him holding out her hand. Dick smiled. You call me Captain, Mrs. Weldon, he answered, but you do not seem to dispose to submit implicitly to the captain's orders. Did I not direct you to keep to your cabin? You did, replied the lady, but observing how much the storm had abated, I could not resist the temptation to disobey you. Yes, madam, the weather is far more promising. The barometer has not fallen since yesterday morning, and I really trust the worst is over now. Thank heaven, she replied, and after a few moments silent she added, but now, Dick, you must really take some rest. You may perhaps not know how much it will require it, but it is absolutely necessary. Rest, the bore repeated? Rest? I want no rest. I have only done my duty, and it will be time enough for me to concern myself about my own rest when I have seen my passengers in the face of safety. You have acquitted yourself like a man, said Mrs. Weldon, and you may be assured that my husband, like myself, will never forget the services you have rendered me. I shall urge upon him the request which I am sure he will not refuse, that you shall have your studies completed so that you may be made a captain for the firm. Tears of gratitude rose to Dick's eyes. He deprecated the praise that was lavished upon him, but rejoined in the prospect the seemed opening upon his future. Mrs. Weldon assured him that he was dear as a son to her, and pressed a gentle kiss upon his forehead. The lad felt that he was animated, if need be, to yet greater hardships in behalf of his benefactors, and resolved to prove himself even more worthy of their confidence. By the twenty-ninth the wind had so far moderated that Dick thought he might increase the pilgrim's speed by horsing the fore-sail and top-sail. Now, my men, I have some work for you today, he said to the meagreers when he came on deck at daybreak. All right, captain, answered Hercules. We are growing rusty for want of something to do. Why didn't you blow with your big mouth? said little Jack. You could have beaten the wind to all to nothing. Dick laughed and said, Not a bad idea, Jack. If ever we get becalmed, we must get Hercules to blow into the sails. I shall be most happy, retorted the giant, and he inflated his huge cheeks till he was the very impersonation of Boreas himself. But now to work, cried Dick. We have lost our top-sail, and we must contrive to hoist another. Not an easy matter, I can tell you. I daresay we shall manage it, replied Actian. We must do our best, said Tom. Can't I help, inquired Jack? Of course you can, answered Dick. Run along to the wheel and assist Spat. Jack strutted off, proud enough of his commission. Under Dick's directions the negro's commenced their somewhat difficult task. The two top-sail, rolled up, had first of all to be hoisted, and then to be made fast to the yard. But so adorably did the crew carry out their orders, that in less than an hour the sail was properly set and flying with a couple of reefs. The four sail and second jib, which had been taken down before the tempest, were hoisted again. And before ten o'clock the pilgrim was running along under the three sails which Dick considered were as much as it was prudent to carry. Even at a present speed, the scooter, he reckoned, would be within sight of the American shore in about ten days. It was an immense relief to him to find that she was no longer at the mercy of the waves. And when he saw the sails properly set he returned in good spirits to his post at the helm, not forgetting to thank the temporary helensman for his services, nor omitting his acknowledgement to Master Jack, who received the compliment with becoming gravity. Although the clouds continued to travel all the next day with great rapidity, they were very much broken. And ultimately the program was bathed in sunlight and enveloped in vapors, which rolled on towards the east. As the weather cleared the hatchways were opened in order to ventilate the ship, and the outer air was allowed again to penetrate not only the hold, but the cabin and crew's quarters. The wet sails were hung out to dry, the deck was washed down, for Dick Sands was anxious not to bring his ship into port without having finished her toilet, and he found that his crew could very well spare a few hours daily to get her into proper trim. Notwithstanding the loss of the log, Dick had sufficient experience to be able to make an approximate estimate of the scooter's progress, and after having pointed out to Mrs. Walden what he imagined was the pilgrim's true position, he told her that it was his fervent impression that land would be sited in a little more than a week. And upon what part of South America do you reckon we were likely to find ourselves? She asked. That is more than I dare venture to promise, replied Dick. But I should think somewhere out of hereabouts. He was pointing the chart to the long shoreline of Chile and Peru. They both examined the outspread chart with still closer attention. Here, you see, resumed Dick. Here is the island we have just left. We left it in the west, the wind has not shifted. We must expect to come inside the land, pretty nearly due east of it. The coast is plenty of harbors. From any one of them you will be able easily to get to San Francisco. You know I dare say that the Pacific Navigation Company's steamers touch at all the principal ports. From any of them you will be sure to get direct passage to California. But do you mean, as Mrs. Walden, that you are not going yourself to take the scooter to San Francisco? Not directly, replied the young captain. I want to see you safe on shore and satisfactorily on your homewood way. When that is done, I shall hope to get competent officers to take the ship to Valparaiso, where she will discharge her cargo, as Captain Hull intended, and afterwards I shall work our way back to San Francisco. Ah, well, we will see all about that in due time, Mrs. Walden said, smiling. And after a short pause, added, At one time, Dick, you seem to have rather a dread of the shore. Quite true, answered Dick, but now I am in hopes we may fall in with some passing vessel. We want to have a confirmation as to our true position. I cannot tell you how surprised I am that we have not come across a single vessel. But when we near the land, we shall be able to get a pilot. But what will happen if we fail to get a pilot, was Mrs. Walden's inquiry. She was anxious to learn how far the lad was prepared to meet any emergency. Within the hesitating propness, Dick replied, Why then, unless the weather takes the control of the ship out of my hands, I must patiently follow the coast until I come to a harbor of refuge. But at the windshow freshen, I should have to adopt other measures. What then, Dick, what then, persistent Mrs. Walden? The boys' brow knitted itself to get it in resolution, and he said deliberately, I should run the ship aground. Mrs. Walden started. However, Dick continued, there is no reason to apprehend this. The weather has mended and is likely to mend, and why should we fear about finding a pilot? Let us hope all will be well. Mrs. Walden at least had satisfied herself on one point. She had ascertained that although Dick did not anticipate disaster, yet he was prepared, in the case of emergency, to resort to measures from which any but the most experienced semen would shrink. But although Dick's equanimity had been successful in laying any misgivings on Mrs. Walden's part, it must be owned that the condition of the atmosphere caused him very serious uneasiness. The wind remained uncomfortably high, and the barometer gave very ominous indications that it would air long freshened still more. Dick dreaded that the time was about to return, in which once again he must reduce his vessel to a state of bare poles. But so intense was his aversion to having his ship so rested as it were, from his own management, that he determined to carry the top sail till it was all but carried away by the force of the blast. Concern wore over for the safety of his mass, the loss of which he acknowledged must be fatal. He had the shrouds well overhauled, and the backstays considerably tightened. More than once another contingency occurred to his mind and gave him some anxiety. He could not overlook the possibility of the wind changing all round. What should he do in such a case? He would, of course, endeavor, by all means to get the scooter on by incest and tacking, but was there not the certainty of a most hazardous delay? And worse than this was there not a likelihood of the pilgrim being once again during far out to sea. Happily these forebodings will not realize. The wind, after chopping about for several days, at one time blowing from the north and at another from the south, finally settled down into a stiffish gale from the west, which did nothing worse than severely strain the mass. In this weary but hopefully endurance time passed on. The 5th of April had arrived. It was more than two months since the pilgrim had acquitted New Zealand. It was true that during the first weeks of her voyage she had been impeded by protracted comms and contrary winds. But since that time her speed had been rapid. The very tempest had driven her fores with unwanted velocity. She had never failed to have her bowed towards the land and yet land seen as remote as ever. The close line was retreating as they approached it. What could be the solution to mystery? From the cross-trees one or other of the negroes was kept incessantly on the watch. Dick Sands himself, telescope and ham, would repeatedly ascend in the hope of holding some lofty peak of the Andes emerging from the mist that hung over the horizon but all in vain. False alarms were given more than once. Sometimes Tom, sometimes Hercules, or one of the others would be sure that a distant speck they had described was assuredly a mountain ridge. But the vapours were continually grabbing in such fantastic forms that their unexperienced eyes were soon deceived and they seldom had to wait long before their fond illusion was all dispelled. At last the expected longing was fulfilled. At eight o'clock one morning the mist seemed broken up with unusual rapidity and the horizon was singularly here. Dick had hardly gone aloft when his voice rung out. Land! Land ahead! As if summoned by a spell everyone was on deck in an instant. Mrs. Walden sang when of a speedy end to the general anxiety. Little Jack gratified at a new object of curiosity. Cousin Benedict already sent to a new field for entomological investigation. Old Nan and the negroes ego to set foot upon American soil. All with the exception of Nagora all were on deck. But the cook did not stir from his solitude or betray any sympathy with a general excitement. Whatever heavy citation there might be at first soon passed away. One after another soon distinguished the shore they were approaching. And in half an hour there was no room for the most skeptical of the doubt that Dick was right. There was land not far ahead. A few miles to the east there was a long low-lying coast. The chain of the Andes ought to be visible but it was obscured of course by the intervening clouds. The pilgrim bore down rapidly towards the land and in a short time its configuration could be plainly made out. Towards the northeast the coast terminated in a headland of moderate height sheltering a kind of roadstead. On the southeast it stretched out in a long and narrow tongue. The Andes were still waiting to be seen. They must be somewhere in the background. But at present strange to say there was only a succession of low cliffs with some trees standing out against the sky. No human habitation no harbor not even an indication of a river-mouth could anywhere be seen. The wind remained brisk and the schooner was driving directly towards the land with sails shortened as seemed desirable but Dick realized to himself the fact that he was utterly incapable of altering her course. With eager eyes he scrutinized his situation. Straight ahead was a reef of which the waves were curling and around which the surf must be tremendous. It could hardly be more than a mile away. The wind seemed brisker than before. After gazing a while Dick seemed to have come to a sudden resolution. He went quickly aft and took the helm. He had seen a little cove and had made up his mind that he would try and make his way into it. He did not speak a word. He knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken. He was aware from the white foam that there was shallow water on either hand. But he kept the secret of the peril to himself and sought no counsel in coming to his fixed resolve. Dingo had been trotting up and down the deck all at once he bound it to the floor and broke out in a piteous howl. It roused Dick from his anxious cogitations. Was it possible that the animal recognized the coast? It almost seemed as if it brought back some painful associations. The howling of the dog had manifestly attracted Nagora's attention. The man emerged from his cabin and regardless of the dog stood close to the netting. But although he gazed at the surf it did not seem to occasion him any alarm. Mrs. Bowden who was watching him fancies as his hour flashed rise to his face which involuntarily suggested a thought to her mind that Nagora had seen the place before. Either she had no time or wished no wish to express what had struck her or she did not mention it to Dick who at that moment left the helm and came into beside her. Dick looked as if he were taking a lingering farewell of the cove past which they were being carried beyond his power to help. In a few moments he turned round to Mrs. Bowden and said quietly, Mrs. Bowden I am disappointed. I hope to get the scooter into yarn or cove but there is no chance now. If nothing is done in half an hour she'll be upon that reef. I have one alternative left. I must run her ground. It will be uttered destruction to the ship but there is no choice. Her safety is the first and paramount consideration. Do you mean that there is no other course to be taken, Dick? None whatever, said Dick decidedly. It must be as your will, she said. Fourth we then sued the agitating preparations for stranding. Mrs. Bowden, Jack, Cousin Benedict, and Nan were provided with life belts while Dick and the Negro has made themselves ready for being dashed into the waves. Every precaution that the emergency admitted was duly taken. Mrs. Bowden was entrusted into the special charge of Hercules. Dick made himself responsible for doing all he could for little Jack. Cousin Benedict, who was tolerably calm, was handed over to Bet and Austin while Actium promised to look after Nan. Negro's nonchalance implied that he was quite capable of shifting for himself. Dick had the forethought also to order about a dozen barrels of their cargo to be brought in front so that when the pilgrim struck, the oil escaping and flitting on the waves would temporarily lull their fury and make smooth the water for the passage of the ship. After satisfying himself that there was no other measure to be taken to ameliorate the peril, Dick Sands returned to the helm. The schooner was all but put upon the reef and only a few cables lensed from the shore. A starboard quarter, indeed, was already bathed in the seething foam and any instant the keel might be expected to grade upon the underlying rock. Presently a change of color in the water was observed. It revealed a passage between the rocks. Dick gave the wheel a turn and he saw the chance of getting a ground nearer to the shore than he dared to hope and he made the most of it. He steered the schooner right into the narrow channel. The sea was furious and dashed vehemently upon the craxom out of hand. Now, my lads, he cried to his crew. Now is your time. Out with your oil. Let it run. Ready for the order the negroes poured out the oil and the raging waters were still as if by magic. A few moments more and per chance they would rage more vehemently than ever. But for the instant they were lulled, the pilgrim, meanwhile, had glided onwards and made dead for the adjacent shore. There was a sudden shock, caught by an enormous wave the schoon had been hurled aground. Her mass had fallen, fortunately without injury to anyone on board. But the vessel had parted amid ships and was foundering. The water was rushing irresistibly into the hold. The shore, however, was not half the cables lent away. There was a low, dark ridge of rocks that was united to the beach. It afforded ample means of rescue, and in less than ten minutes the pilgrims, captain, crew, and passengers were all landed where there lies at the foot of the overhanging cliff. End of Part I. CHAPTER XIII Recording by Alex C. Tillander Davis, California www.alexcitillander.com Part I. CHAPTER XIV OF DICK SANS THE BOY CAPTAIN This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Alex C. Tillander Davis, California Dick Sands the Boy Captain by Jules Verne translated by Ellen E. Fruehr Part I. CHAPTER XIV ASURE Thus after a voyage of seventy-four days the pilgrim had stranded. Mrs. Walden and her fellow voyages joined in thanksgiving to the Cayenne Providence that had brought them ashore, not upon one of the solitary islands of Polynesia, but upon a solid continent, from almost any part of which there would be no difficulty in getting home. The ship was totally lost. She was lying in the surf, a hopeless wreck, and few must be the hours that would have lapsed before she would be broken up in scattered fragments. It was impossible to save her. Notwithstanding that Dick Sands bewailed the loss of a valuable ship and her cargo to the owner, he had the satisfaction of knowing that he had been instrumental in saving what was far more precious, the lives of the owner's wife and son. It was impossible to do more than hazard her conjecture, as to the part of the South American coast on which the pilgrim had been cast. Dick imagined that it must be somewhere on the coast of Peru. After sighting Easter Island, he knew that the United Action of the Equatorial Current and the brisk wind must have had the effect of driving the schooner far northward, and he formed his conclusion accordingly. Be the true position, however, what it might, it was all important that it should be accurately ascertained as soon as possible. If it were really in Peru, he would not be long in finding his way to one of the numerous ports and villages that lie along the coast. But the shore here was quite a desert. A narrow strip of beach, strewn with boulders, was enclosed by a cliff of no great height, in which, at irregular intervals, deep funnels appeared as chasms in the rock. Here and there a gentle slope led to the top. About a quarter of a mile to the north was the mouth of a little river which had not been visible from the sea. Its banks were overhung by a number of rhizophora, a species of mangrove entirely distinct from that indigenous to India. It was soon ascertained that the summit of the cliff was clothed by a dense forest, extending far away in undulations of Virger to the mountains in the background. Had Cousin Benedict been a botanist, he could not have failed to find a new and interesting field for his researches. There were lofty baobabs to which an extraordinary longevity has often been erroneously ascribed, with bark resembling Egyptian cyanide, there were white pines, tamarins, pepper plants of peculiar species, and numerous other plants unfamiliar to the eye of a native of the north. But strange to say there was not a single specimen of the extensive family of palms of which more than a thousand varieties are scattered in profusion in so many quarters of the globe. Above the shore hovered a large number of screeching birds, mostly of the Swallow Tribe, their black plumage shot with steely blue, and shading off to a light brown at the top of the head. Now and then a few partridges of a grayish color rose on wing, their necks entirely bare feathers. The fearless manner in which the various birds all allowed themselves to be approached, Mamys' Walden and Dick, both wonder if the shores upon which they had been thrown were not so deserted that the sound of firearms was not known. On the edge of the reefs some pelicans of the species known as Pelicanus minor were busily filling their pouches with tiny fish, and some gulls coming in from the open sea began to soak around the wreck. With these exceptions not a living creature appeared in sight. Benedict, no doubt, could have discovered many entomological novelties among the foliage, but these could give no more information on the birds as to the name of their habitat. Neither north nor south nor towards the forest was that trace of rising smoke or any footprint or other sign to indicate the presence of a human being. Dick's surprise was very great. He knew that the proximity of a native would have made Dingo bark aloud, but the dog gave no warning. He was running backwards and forwards, his tail lowered, and his nose close to the ground. Now and again he uttered a deep growl. Look at Dingo, said Mrs. Walden. How strange he is. He seems to be trying to discover a lost scent. After watching the dog for a time, she spoke again. Look too, at Nagoro. He and the dog seem to be on the same purpose. As to Nagoro, said Dick, I cannot concern myself with him now. He must do as he pleases. I have no further control over him. His service expires with the loss of the ship. Nagoro was in fact walking to and fro, surveying the shore with the air of a man who was trying to recall some past experience to his recollection. His dog, Tass Eternity, was too well known for anyone to think of questioning him. Everyone was accustomed to let him go his own way, and when Dick noticed that he had gone towards the little river and had disappeared behind the cliff, he thought no more about him. Dingo likewise had quite forgotten his enemy and desisted from his growling. The first necessity for the shipwreck party was to find a temporary shelter where they might take some refreshment. There was no lack of provisions. Independently of the resources of the land, the ebbing tide had left upon the rocks the great bulk of the pilgrim's stores, and the negroes had already collected several kegs of biscuit and a number of cases of preserved meat besides a variety of other supplies. Although they rescued, they carefully piled up above the high water mark. As nothing appeared to be injured by the sea water, the victualing of the party all seemed to be satisfactory secure for the interval which must elapse, and they all believed it would not belong, before they reached one of the villages which they presumed were close at hand. Dick, moreover, took the precaution of sending herklies to get a small supply of fresh water from the river hard by, and the good-natured fellow returned carrying a whole barrel full on his shoulder. Plenty of fuel was lying about, and whenever they wanted to light a fire they were sure of having an abundance of dead wood and the roots of the old mangroves. Old Tom and embedded smoker always carried a tinder box in his pocket. This had been too tightly fastened to be affected by the moisture and could always produce a spark upon occasion. Still they must have a shelter. Without some rest it was impossible to start upon a tour of exploration. Accordingly, all interests were directed towards ascertaining where the necessary repose could be obtained. The honour of discovering where the desired retreat could be found fell to the lot of little Jack. Trotting about at the foot of the cliff he came upon one of those grottoes which are constantly being found hollowed out in the rock by the vehement action of the waves in time of tempest. Here, look here! cried the child. Here is the place. What on Jack? answered his mother. Your lucky discovery is just what we wanted. If we were going to stay here any time, we should have to do the same as the Swiss family Robinson and name the spot after you. It was hardly more than twelve or fourteen feet square, and yet the grotto seemed to Jack to be a gigantic cavern. But narrow as its limits were, it was capacious enough to receive the entire party. It was a great satisfaction to Mrs Weldon to observe that it was perfectly dry, and as the moon was just about her first quarter there was no likelihood of her tide rising to the foot of the cliff. At any rate, it was resolved that they might take up their quarters there for a few hours. Shortly after one o'clock the whole party were seated upon a carpet of seaweed round over past consisting of preserved meat, biscuit, and water flavoured with a few drops of rum, of which Bant had saved a quart bottle from the wreck. Even Nagora had returned and joined the group. Probably he had not cared to venture alone along the bank of the stream into the forest. He sat listening as it seemed indifferently to the various plans for the future that were being discussed and did not open his mouth either way of a monstrance or suggestion. Dingo was not forgotten and had his share of food duly given him outside the grotto where he was keeping guard. When the meal was ended Mrs Weldon passing her arms around Jack, who was lounging half asleep with excitement and fatigue at her side, was the first to speak. My dear Dick, she said, is the name of us all. Let me thank you for your services you have rendered us in our tedious time of difficulty. As you have been our captain at sea, let me beg you to be our guide upon land. We shall have perfect confidence in your judgment and await your instructions as to what our next proceeding shall be. All eyes were turned upon Dick. Even the gore appeared to be roused to curiosity as if he could know what he had to say. Dick did not speak for some moments. He was manifestly pondering what step he should advise. After a while he said, My own impression, Mrs Weldon, is that we have been cast ashore upon one of the least frequented parts of the coast of Peru, and that we are near the borders of the Pampas. In that case, I should conclude that we are at a considerable distance from any village. Now, I recommend that we stay here altogether for the coming night. Tomorrow morning, two of us can start off on an exploring expedition. I entertain but little doubt that natives will be met within ten or a dozen miles. Mrs Weldon looked doubtful. Plenty she thought unfavorably of the project of separating the party. She reflected for a considerable time and then asked, and who is to undertake the task of exploring? Frant was Dick's answer. Tom and I. And leave us here, suggested the lady. Yes, to take care of you, there will be Hercules, Bat, Actaeon, and Austin. Nagoro too, I presume, means to be reigned here, said Dick, glancing towards the cook. Perhaps, replied Nagoro, sparing as ever of his words. We shall take Dingo at it, Dick. Likely enough, he may be useful. At the sound of his name, the dog had entered the grotto, a short bark seen to testify as approval of Dick's proposal. Mrs Weldon was silent. She looked sad and thoughtful. It was hard to reconcile herself to the division of the party. She was aware that the separation would not be for long, but she could not suppress a certain feeling of nervousness. Was it not possible that some natives attracted by the Wreck would assault them in hopes of plunder? Every argument he could think of, Dick brought forward to reassure the lady. He told her that the Indians were perfectly harmless and entirely different to the savage tribes of Africa and Polynesia. There was no reason to apprehend any mischief, even if they should chance to encounter them, which was itself extremely unlikely. No doubt the separation would have its inconveniences, but they would be insignificant compared with the difficulty of traversing the country en masse. Tom and he would have far greater freedom if they went alone and could make their investigations much more thoroughly. Finally he promised that if within two days they failed to discover human habitation, they would return to the grotto forthwith. I confess, however, he added, that I have little expectation of being able to ascertain our true position until I have penetrated some distance into the country. There was nothing in Dick's representations but what commanding Mrs. Waterman's assent as reasonable. It was simply her own nervousness she acknowledged that made her hesitate, but it was only with extreme reluctance that she finally yielded to the proposition. And what, Mr. Benedict, is your opinion of my proposal? said Dick, turning to the entomologist. I answered Cousin Benedict, looking somewhat bewildered. Oh, I am agreeable to anything. I dare say I shall find some specimens. I think I will go and look at once. Take my advice and don't go far away, replied Dick. All right, I shall take care of myself. And don't be bringing back a lot of mosquitoes, said old Tom mischievously. With his box under his arm, the naturalist left the grotto. The girl followed almost immediately. He did not take the same direction as Benedict of the cliff, but for the second time bent his steps towards the river and proceeded along his bank till he was out of sight. It was not long before Jack's exertions told upon him and he fell into a sound sleep. Mrs. Woden having gently laid him on Nan's lap, wandered out, and made her way to the water's edge. She was soon joined by Dick and the Negroes who wanted to see whether it was possible to get to the pilgrim and secure any articles that might be serviceable for future use. The reef on which the schooner had stranded was now quite dry and the carcass of the vessel which had been partially covered at high water was lying in the midst of debris of the most promiscuous character. The wide difference between high and low water mark caused Dick's hands no little surprise. He knew that the tides on the shores of the Pacific were very inconsiderable. In his own mind, however, he came to the conclusion that the phenomenon was to be explained by the unusually high wind that had been blowing on the coast. Not without emotion could Mrs. Woden or indeed any of them behold the unfortunate ship upon which they had spent so many eventful days, lying, dismastered on her side. But there was little time for sentiment. If they wished to visit the hull before it finally went to pieces there must be no delay. Hoisted themselves by some loose rigging that was hanging from the deck, Dick and several of the Negroes contrived to make their way into the interior of the hull. Dick left his men to gather together all they could in the way of food and drink from the storeroom, and himself went straight to the stern cavern into which the water had not penetrated. Here he found four excellent per-day Remington rifles and a hundred cartridges, with these he determined to arm his party in case they should be attacked by Indians. He also chose six of the strongest of the cutlasses that are used for slicing up dead whales, and did not forget the little toy gun which was Jack's special property. Unexpectedly he found a pocket compass, which he was only too glad to appropriate. What a boonet would have been had he discovered it earlier. The ship's charts in the four cavern were too much injured by water to be of any further service. Nearly everything was either lost or spoiled, but the misfortune was not felt very acutely because there was ample provision for a few days. It seemed useless to murder themselves as more than was necessary. Dick hardly needed Mrs. Walden's advice to secure all the money that might be on board, but after the most diligent search he failed to discover more than five hundred dollars. This was a subject of perplexity. Mrs. Walden had a considerably larger sum than this, and Captain Hall was known always to keep a good reserve in hand. There was but one way to solve the mystery. Someone had been beforehand to the wreck. It could not be of any other Negroes, and not one of them had had for a moment left the grotto. Suspicion naturally fell upon Nogoro, who had been out alone upon the shore. But rose and cold blooded as the man was. Dick hardly knew why he should suspect him of the crime of theft. Nevertheless he deserved to cross examine him, and if need be, to have him searched as soon as he came back. The day wore on woods to its close. The sun was approaching the vernal equinox, and sank almost perpendicularly onto the horizon. Twilight was very short, and the rapidity with which darkness came on confirmed Dick and his belief that they had got a shore at some spot lying between the tropical capricorn and the equator. They all assembled in the grotto again for the purpose of getting some sleep. Another rough night coming on, said Tom, pointing to the heavy clouds that hung over the horizon. No doubt, Tom, and said Dick, and I think we may congratulate ourselves on being safe out of our poor ship. As the night could not be otherwise and very dark, it was a range that the Negroes should take their turns in keeping guard at the entrance of the grotto. Dingo also would be upon the alert. Benedict had not yet returned. Hercules shattered his name with the full strength of his capacious lungs, and shortly afterwards the entomologist was seen making his way down the face of the cliff at the imminent risk of breaking his neck. He was in a great rage. He had not found a single insect worth having. Scorpions, Scoloprendra, and other myriad of hoda were in the forest in abundance, but not one of these, of course, could be allowed a place in his collection. Have I come six thousand miles for this? He cried. Have I endured storm and shipwreck only to be cast where not a hexapod is to be seen? The country is detestable. I shall not stay in it in another hour. Ever gentle to his eccentricities, Mrs. Weldon sued him as she would a child. She told him that he had better take some rest now, and most likely he would have better luck tomorrow. Cousin Benedict had hardly been pacified when Tom remarked that Nagoro too had not returned. Never mind, said Bat. His room is as good as his company. I cannot say that I altogether think so. The man is no favorite of mine, but I like him better under my own eyes, said Mrs. Weldon. Perhaps he has his own reasons for keeping away, said Dick, and taking Mrs. Weldon aside, he communicated to her his suspicions of the fellow's dishonesty. He found that she coincided with him in her view of Nagoro's conduct, but she did not agree with him in his proposal to have him searched at once. If he returned, she should be convinced that he had deposited the money in some secret spot. And as there would be no proof of his guilt, it would be better to leave him, at least for a time, uninterrogated. Dick was convinced by her representations and promised to act upon her advice. Before they resigned themselves to sleep, they had repeatedly summoned Nagoro back. P.D. either could not or would not hear. Mrs. Weldon and Dick scarcely knew what to think, unless he had lost his way. It was unaccountable why he should be wandering about alone on a dark night in a strange country. Presently, Dingo was heard barking furiously. He had left the opening of the grotto and was eddively down at the water's edge. Imagining that Nagoro must be coming, Dick sent three of the Negroes in the direction of the river to meet him. But when they reached the bank, not a soul could be seen. And as Dingo was quiet again, they made their way back to the grotto. Excepting the man left on watch, they now all lay down, hoping to get some repose. Mrs. Weldon, however, could not sleep. The land for which he had sighted so ardently had been reached, but it had failed to give either the security or the comfort which he had anticipated. End of part the first. Chapter 14. Recording by Alex C. Tlander. Davis, California. www.alexcitelander.com Part the first. Chapter 15 of Dick Sands, The Boy Captain. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Alex C. Tlander. Davis, California. Dick Sands, The Boy Captain. By Jules Verne. Translated by Ellen E. Fruer. Part the first. Chapter 15. A stranger. At daybreak next morning, Austin, who had happened to be on guard, heard Dingo bark and noticed that he started up and ran towards the river. Arrounding the inmates of the grotto, he announced to them that someone was coming. It isn't Nagoro, said Tom. Dingo would bark a lot other than that if Nagoro were to be seen. Who then can it be, Mrs. Weldon, with an inquiring glance towards Dick? We must wait and see, Madam, replied Dick, quietly. Bidding bat, Austin, and Hercules followed his example. Dick Sands took up a cutlass and a rifle into the breach of which he slipped a cartridge. Thus armed, the four young men made their way towards the river bank. Tom and Akterum were left with Mrs. Weldon at the entrance of the grotto. The sun was just rising. It's rays, intercepted by the lofty range of mountains in the east, did not fall directly on the cliff. But the sea to its western horizon was sparkling in the sunbeams as the party marched along the shore. Dingo was motionless as a setter, but did not see sparking. It soon proved not to be his old enemy who was disturbing him. A man who was not Nagoro appeared round the angle of the cliff and advancing cautiously along the bank of the stream, seen by his churches to be endeavouring to pacify the dog, with which an encounter would incertainly have been by no means desirable. That's not Nagoro, said Hercules. No loss for any of us, muttered bat. You are right, replied Dick. Perhaps he is a native. Let us hope he may be able to tell us our whereabouts and save us the trouble of exploring. With their rifles on their shoulders, they advanced steadily towards the new arrival. The stranger, on becoming aware of their approach, manifested great surprise. He was apparently puzzled as to how they had reached the shore, for the pilgrim had been entirely broken up during the night, and the spars that were floating about had probably been too few and too scattered to attract his attention. His first attitude seemed to betray something of fear, and raising to his shoulder a gun that had been slung to his belt, he began to retrace his steps. The conciliatory grit gestures on the part of Dick quickly reassured him, and after a moment's hesitation he continued to advance. He was a man of about forty years of age, strongly built, with a keen, bright eye, grizzly hair and beard, and the complexion tanned as with constant exposure to the forest air. He wore a broad-brimmed hat, a kind of leather jerkin, or tunic, and long boots reaching nearly to his knees. To his high heels was fastened a pair of wide-rolled spurs, which clanked as he moved. Dick Sans in an instant saw that he was not looking upon one of the roving Indians of the Pampas, but upon one of those adventurers, often a very doubtful character, who are not unfrequently to be met with in the remotest quarters of the earth. Clearly this was neither an Indian nor a Spaniard. His erect, not to say rigid, deportment, and the reddish hue with which his hair and beard were streaked, betoken him to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. A conjecture which was at once confirmed when upon Dick's wishing him good morning, he replied in unmistakable English, with hardly a trace of foreign accent. Good morning, my young friend. He stepped forward and having shaken hands with Dick, nodded to all his companions. Are you English, he asked? No, we are Americans, replied Dick. North or south inquired the man. North, Dick answered. The information seemed to afford the stranger no little satisfaction, and he again rung Dick's hand with all the enthusiasm of a fellow countryman. And may I ask what brains you here, he continued? Before however Dick had time to reply, the stranger courtiously raised his hat and looking around, Dick saw that his bound was intended for Mrs. Weldon, who had just reached the riverbank. She proceeded to tell him the particulars of how they had been shipwrecked and how the vessel had gone to pieces on the reefs. A look of pity crossed the man's face as he listened, and he cast his eye as it might be involuntarily upon the sea in order to discern some vestiges of stranded ship. Ah, there is nothing to be seen of our poor schooner, said Dick mournfully. The last of her was broken up in the storm last night. And now, in to both Mrs. Weldon, can you tell us where we are? Where exclaimed the man with every indication of surprise at our question? Why on the coast of South America, of course. But on what part? Are we near Peru, Dick inquired eagerly? No, my lad, no. You are more to the south. You are on the coast of Bolivia, close to the borders of Chile. A good distance, I suppose, from Lima, asked Dick. From Lima, yes, a long way. Lima is far to the north. And what is the name of that promontory, Dick said, pointing to the adjacent headland? That I can vest is more than I am able to tell you, replied the stranger. For although I have traveled a great deal in the interior of the country, I have never before visited this part of the coast. Dick pondered an thoughtful silence over the information he had thus received. He had no reason to doubt his accuracy. According to his own reckoning, he would have expected to come ashore, somewhere between the latitudes of 27 degrees and 30 degrees. And by this stranger's showing, he had made the latitude 25 degrees. The discrepancy was not very great. It was not more than might be accounted for by the action of the currents, which he knew he had been unable to estimate, more over the deserted character of the whole shore inclined in to believe more easily that he was in lower Bolivia. Whilst this conversation was going on, Mrs. Weldon, whose suspicion had been excited by Nagoro's disappearance, had been scrutinizing the stranger with the utmost attention, but she could not detect anything either in his manner or in his words to give her any cause to doubt his good faith. Pardon me, she said presently, but you do not seem to me to be a native of Peru. No, like yourself, I am an American, Mrs. He paused as if waiting to be told her name. The lady smiled and gave her name. He thanked her and continued, My name is Harris. I was born in South Carolina, but it is now 20 years since I left my home for the pompous of Bolivia. Imagine, therefore, how much pleasure it gives me to come across some countrymen of my own. Do you live in this part of the province, Mr. Harris, Mrs. Weldon asked? No, indeed, far away. I live down to the south, close to the borders of Chile. At present I am taking a journey north-eastwards to Atacama. Atacama, exclaimed Dick. Are we anywhere near the desert of Atacama? Yes, my young friend, rejoined Harris. It was just on the edge of it. It extends far beyond those mountains which you see on the horizon, and is one of the most curious and least explored parts of the continent. And are you traveling through it alone, Mr. Weldon inquired? Yes, quite alone. It is not the first time I have ever performed the journey. One of my brothers owns a large farm, the Hacienda of San Felice, about 200 miles from here, and I have occasion now and then to pay him business visits. After a moment's hesitation, as if he were weighing a sudden thought, he continued, I am on my way there now, and if you will accompany me, I can promise you a hearty welcome, and my brother will be most happy to do his best to provide you with means of conveyance to San Francisco. Mrs. Weldon had hardly began to express her thanks for the proposal when he said abruptly, Are these Negroes your slaves? Slaves, sir, replied Mrs. Weldon, drawing herself up proudly. We have no slaves in the United States. The south now long followed the example to the north. Slaveries abolished. I beg your pardon, madam. I had forgotten that the War of 1862 had solved that question. To seeing these fellows with you, I thought perhaps they might be in your service, he added, with a slight tone of irony. We are very proud to be of any service to Mrs. Weldon, Tom and her pose with dignity, but we are no man's property. It is true I was sold for a slave when I was six years old, but I have long since had my freedom, and so has my son. Bat here, and all his friends were born of free parents. Ah, well then, I have to congratulate you, replied Harris, in a manner that jarred very sensibly upon Mrs. Weldon's feelings. But she said nothing. Harris added, I can assure you that you are as safe here in Bolivia as you would be in New England. He had not finished speaking when Jack, followed by Nan, came out of the grotto. The child was rubbing his eyes, having only just awakened from his night's sleep. Catching sight of his mother, he dotted towards her. What a charming little boy, exclaimed Harris. He is my little son, said Mrs. Weldon, kissing the child by way of morning greeting. Ah, madam, I am sure you must have suffered doubly on his account. Well, though a little man let me kiss him too, but there was something in the stranger's appearance that did not take Jack's fancy, and he shrank back timidly to his mother's side. You must excuse him, sir. He is very shy. Nevermind, said Harris. We shall be better acquainted by and by. When we get to my brothers, he shall have a nice little pony to ride. But not even this tempting offer seemed to have any effect in coaxing Jack into a more genial mood. He kept fast hold of his mother's hand, and she somewhat vexed his behaviour, and anxious that no offense should be given to a man who appeared so friendly in his intentions, hastened to turn the conversation to another topic. Meantime, Dick Sands had been considering Harris' proposal. Upon the hold, a plan of making their way to the Hacienda of San Felice seemed to commend itself to his judgment, but he could not conceal from himself that a journey of two hundred miles across plains and forests, without any means of transport, would be extremely fatigued. Without expressing his doubts on this point, he was met with a reply. All that can be managed well enough, young man. Just round the corner of the cliff there I have a horse, which is quite at the disposal of the lady and her son, and by easy stages of ten miles or so a day it will do the rest of us no harm to travel on foot. Besides, he added, when I spoke of the journey being two hundred miles, I was thinking of following, as I usually do, the course of the river, but by taking a shortcut across a forest we may reduce the distance by nearly eighty miles. Mrs. Bolton was about to say how grateful she was, but Harris anticipated her. Not a word, Madam, I beg you. You cannot thank me better than by accepting my offer. I confess I have never crossed this forest, but I am so much accustomed to the pompous that I have little fear of losing my way. The only difficulty is in the matter of provisions, as I have only supplied myself with enough to carry me on to San Felice. As to provisions, replied Mrs. Bolton, we have enough and a spare, and we shall be more than willing to share everything with you. This is well, answered Harris. Then there can be no reason why we should not start at once. He was turning away with the intention of fetching his horse when Dick Sands detained him. True to his seamen's instincts the young sailor felt that he should be much more at ease on the seashore than traversing the heart of an unknown forest. Pardon me, Mr. Harris, he began, that instead of taking so long a journey across the desert of Atacama would it would not be far better for us to follow the coast either northwards or southwards until we reach the nearest seaport? A frown passed over Harris's countenance. I know very little about the coast, he answered, but I know enough to assure you that there is no town to the north within three or four hundred miles. Then why should we not go south? Presisted Dick, you would then have to travel the Chile, which is almost as far, and under your circumstances I should not advise you to skirt the pompous of the Argentine Republic. For my own part I could not accompany you. But do not the vessels which ply between Chile and Peru come with inside of this coast? In approach Mrs. Volden? No, madam, they keep out so far to see that there would not be the finished chance of you hailing one. You seem to have another question to ask, Mr. Harris, Mrs. Volden continued, addressing Dick, who still look rather doubtful. Dick replied that he was about to inquire at what port he would be likely to find a ship to convey their party to San Francisco. That I really cannot tell you my young friend rejoin Harris. I could only repeat my promise that we will furnish you with the means of conveyance from San Felicia to Atacama, when doubted out you will obtain all the information you require. I hope you will not think that Dick is insensible to your kindness, Mr. Harris, said Mrs. Volden, apologetically. On the contrary promptly observed Dick. I am fully appreciated. I only wish we had finished cast ashore upon a spot where we should have no need to intrude upon his generosity. I assure you, madam, it gives me unbattered pleasure to serve you in any way, said Harris. It is, as I have told you, not often that I come in contact with any of my own countrymen. Then we accept your offer as frankly as it is made, replied the lady, adding, but I cannot consent to provide you of your horse. I am a very good walker. So am I, said Harris, with a bow, and consequently I tend you and your little son to ride. I am used to long tramps through the pumpers. Besides, it is not at all unlikely that we shall come across some of the work people, belong to the hacianda. If so, they will be able to give us a mount. Convinced that it will not only be thwarting Mrs. Volden's wishes to throw any further impediment in the way, Dick San suppressed his desire to raise fresh obstacles and simply asked how soon they ought to start. This very day, at once, said Harris quickly. So soon, asked Dick. Yes, the rainy season begins in April and the sooner we are at San Felice, the better. The way through the forest is the safest as well as the shortest, for we shall be less likely to meet any of the nomad Indians who are notorious robbers. Without making any direct reply, Dick proceeded to instruct the Negroes to choose such of the positions as more easy of transport and to take them up into packages that everyone might carry a due share. Hercules, with his usual good nature, professed himself willing to carry the entire load. A proposal, however, to which Dick would not listen for a moment. You are a fine fellow, Hercules, said Harris, scrutinizing the giant with the eye of a connoisseur. You will be worth something in the African market. Those who want me now must catch me first, retorted Hercules with a grin. The services of all hands were enlisted and in a comparatively short time sufficient food was packed up to supply the party for about ten days March. You must allow us to show you what hospitality is in our power, said Mrs. Weldon, addressing her new acquaintance. Our breakfast will be ready in a quarter of an hour, and we shall be happy if you will join us. It will give me much pleasure, answered Harris, Gailey. I will employ the interval in fetching my horse, who has breakfast it already. I will accompany you, said Dick. By all means, my young friend, come with me, and I will show you the lower part of the river. While they were gone, Hercules would scent in search of Cousin Benedict, who was wandering on the top of the cliff in the quest of some wonderful insect, which, of course, was not to be found. Without asking his permission, Hercules unceremoniously brought him back to Mrs. Weldon, who explained how they were about to start upon a 10-days march into the interior of the country. The entomologist was quite satisfied with the arrangement, and declared himself ready for a march across the entire continent, as long as he was free to be adding to his collection on the way. Thus assured of her Cousins' acquiescence in her plans, Mrs. Weldon proceeded to prepare such a substantial meal, as she hoped would invigorate them all for the approaching journey. Harris and Dick Sands, meantime, had turned the corner of the cliff and walked about 300 paces along the shore, until they came to a tree to which a horse was tethered. The creature nade as it recognized its master. It was a strong-built animal, of a kind that Dick had not seen before. Although its long-necked and cropper, short loins, flat shoulders, and arched forehead indicated that it was of Arabian breed. Plenty of strength here, Harris said, as after unfastening the horse, he took it by the bridle and began to lead it along the shore. Dick may never reply. He was casting a hasty glance to the forest, which enclosed them on either hand. It was an unattractive sight, but he observed nothing to give him any particular ground for uneasiness. Turning round, he said abruptly, Did you meet a Portuguese last night, named Nagoro? Nagoro? Who is Nagoro? asked Harris, in a tone of surprise. He was our ship's cook, but he has disappeared. Drown, probably, said Harris indifferently. No, he was not drown. He was with us during the evening, but left afterwards. I thought perhaps he might have met him along the riverside as he came that way. No, said Harris. I saw no one. If your cook ventured along into the forest, most likely he has lost his way. It is possible we may pick him up upon our road. When they arrived at the grotto, they found breakfast duly prepared. Like the supper of the previous evening, it consisted mainly of corned beef and biscuit. Harris did ample justice to the repasse. There is no fear of our starving as we go, he observed Mrs. Walden. But I can hardly say so much for the unfortunate Portuguese your cook, of whom my young friend here has been speaking. Ah, has Dick been telling you about Nagoro? Mrs. Walden said. Dick explained that he had been inquiring whether Mr. Harris had happened to meet him in the direction he had come. I saw nothing of him, Harris repeated, and as he has deserted you, you need not give yourselves any concern about him. And apparently glad to turn this subject, he said, Now, madam, I am at your service. Shall we start it once? It was agreed that there was no cause for delay. Each one took up the package that had been assigned him. Mrs. Walden, with Hercules' help, mounted the horse, and jacked with his major gun slung across his shoulder, right in front of her. Without a thought of acknowledging the kindness of the good-natured stranger in providing him so enjoyable a ride, the heedless little fellow declared himself quite capable of guiding the gentleman's horse, and went to indulge him the bridle was put into his hand. He looked as proud as though he had been appointed leader of the whole caravan. End of Part I. CHAPTER XVI. OF DICK SANS THE BOY CAPTAIN. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Alexe Thelander, Davis, California. Dick Sands, The Boy Captain, by Jules Verne, translated by Ellen E. Fuhrer. Part I. CHAPTER XVI. THROUGH THE FOREST. Although there was no obvious cause for apprehension, it cannot be denied that it was with a certain degree of foreboding that Dick Sands first entered that dense forest, through which for the next 10 days there were to all to win their toilsome way. Mrs. Weldon, on the contrary, was full of confidence and hope. A woman and a mother, she might have been expected to be conscious of anxiety at the peril to which she might be exposing herself and her child, and doubtless she would have been sensible of alarm if her mind had not been fully satisfied upon two points. First, that the portion of the pompas that they were about to verse was little infested either by natives or by dangerous beasts. And secondly, that she was under the protection of a guide so trustworthy as she believed Harris to be. The interest of the forest was hardly more than 300 paces up the river. An order of march had been arranged which was to be observed as closely as possible throughout the journey. At the head of the troop were Harris and Dick Sands, one armed with his long gun, the other with his Remington. Next came Batt and Austin, each carrying a gun and a cutlass, that Mrs. Weldon and Jack on horseback, closely followed by Tom and Old Nan, while Actaeon with the fourth Remington and Hercules with a huge hatchet in his waist belt brought up the rear. Dingo had no special place in the procession, but wanted to enfrode his pleasure. Ever since he had been cast ashore, Dick had noticed a remarkable change in the dog's behavior. The animal was in a constant state of agitation, always apparently on the search for some lost scent and repeatedly giving bent to a low growl, which seemed to proceed from grief rather than from rage. As for Cousin Benedict, his movements were permitted to be nearly as erratic as Dingo's. Nothing but a leading string could possibly have kept him into the ranks. With his tin box under his arm and his butt a-fly-knit in his hand and his huge magnifying glass suspended from his neck, he would be sometimes far ahead, sometimes a long way behind, and at the risk of being attacked by some venomous snake would make frantic dashes into the tall grass whenever he aspired some attractive orthopterer or other insect which he thought might be honored by a place in his collection. In one hour after starting, Mrs. Bowden had called to him a dozen tines without the slightest effect. At last she told him seriously that if she would not give up chasing the insects at a distance, she should be obliged to take possession of his tin box. Take away my box, he cried, with as much horror as if she had threatened to tear out his vitals. Yes, your box and your net, too. My box and my net, but surely not my spectacles, almost shrieked the excited entomologist. Yes, and your spectacles as well, Adamus as well, demersalously. I am glad you reminded me of another means of reducing you to obedience. The triple penalty of which he was thus warned had the effect of keeping him from wandering away for the best part of the next hour. But he was soon once more missing from the ranks. He was manifestly incorrigable. The deprivation of box, net, and spectacles would, it was acknowledged, be utterly without avail to prevent him from rambling. Accordingly it was thought better to let him have his own way, especially as Hercules volunteered to keep his eye upon him and to endeavor to guard the worthy naturalist as carefully as he would himself protect some precious specimen of Lepidoptera. Further anxiety on his account was thus put to rest. In spite of Harris's confident assertions that they were a little likely to be molested by any of the Nomite Indians, the whole company rejoiced in feeling that they were well-armed and they resolved to keep in a compact body. The way across the forest could scarcely be called a path. It was, in fact, little more than the track of animals, and progress along it was necessarily very slow. Indeed it seemed impossible at the rate they started to accomplish more than five or six miles in the course of 12 hours. The weather was beautifully fine, the sun ascended nearly to the zenith, and its rays descending almost perpendicularly caused a degree of heat which, as Harris pointed out, would have been unendurable upon the open plain, but was here pleasantly tempered by the shelter of the foliage. Most of the trees were quite strange to them. To an experienced eye they were such as were remarkable more for their character than for their size. Here on one side was the Bohenia or Mountain Ebony. There on the other the Molompi or Tarocarpus, its trunk exuding large quantities of resin, and of which the strong light wood makes excellent ores or paddles. Further on were few sticks heavily charged with coloring matter and guaya combs, 12 feet in diameter, surpassing the ordinary kind in magnitude, yet far inferior in quality. Dick Sands kept perpetually asking Harris to tell him the names of all these trees and plants. Have you never been on the coast of South America before? replied Harris, without giving the explicit information that was sought. Never said Dick, never before, nor do I recollect ever having seen anyone who has. But surely you ever explored the coast of Columbia or Patagonia, Harris continued. Dick availed that he had never had the chance. But as Mrs. Baldwin never visited these parts, our countrymen I know are great travelers, no answer, Mrs. Baldwin. My husband's business called him occasionally to New Zealand, but I have accompanied him nowhere else. With this part of lower Bolivia we are totally unacquainted. Then, Madam, I can only assure you that you will see a most remarkable country, in every way a very striking contrast to the regions of Peru, Brazil, and the Argentine Republic. It is animal and vegetable products which fill a naturalist with unbounded wonder. May I not declare it a lucky chance that it has brought you here? Do not say chance, Mr. Harris, if you please. Well then, Madam, Providence, if you prefer it, said Harris, with the error of a man incapable of recognizing the distinction. After finding that there was no one amongst them who was acquainted in any way with the country through which they were traveling, Harris seemed to exhibit an evident pleasure in pointing out and describing by name the various wonders of the forest. Had Cousin Benedict's attainments included a knowledge of botany, he would have found himself in a fine field of researches, and might per chance have discovered novelties to which his own name could be appended in the catalogs of science. But he was no botanist, in fact, as a rural, he held all blossoms in aversion on the ground that they entrapped insects into their correlate and poisoned them sometimes with venomous juices. New and rare insects, however, seemed here about to be wanting. Occasionally the soil became marshy, and they had all to win their way over a perfect network of tiny rivulets that were affluence of the river from which they had started. Sometimes these rivulets were so wide that they could not be passed without a long search for some spot where they could be forted. Their banks were all very damp, and in many places abounded with a kind of ridge which Harris called by its proper name of Papyrus. As soon as the marshy district had been passed, the forest resumed its original aspect, the footway becoming narrow as ever. Harris pointed out some very fine ebony trees, larger than the common sort, and yielding a wood darker and more durable than what is ordinarily seen in the market. There were also more mango trees that might have been expected to this distance from the sea. A beautiful white lichen enveloped their trunks like a fir, but in spite of that luxuriant foliage and delicious fruit Harris said that there was not a native who would venture to propagate the species, as the superstition of the country is that Hoover plants a mango dies. At noon a halt was made for the purpose of rest and refreshment. During the afternoon they arrived at some gently rising ground, not the first slope of the hills, but an insulated plateau which appeared to unite mountains and plains, notwithstanding that the trees were far less crowded and more inclined to grow and detach groups, the numbers of herbaceous plants with which the soil was covered, rendered progress no less difficult than it was before. The general aspect of the scene was not unlike an East Indian jungle, less luxuriant indeed than in the lower valley of the river. The vegetation was far more abundant than that of the temperate zones, either the old or new continents. Indigo grew in great profusion and, according to Harris's representation, was the most encroaching plant in the whole country. No sooner he said was a field left untilled than it was overrun by this parasite which brang up the rank growth of thistles or nettles. One tree which might have been expected to be common in this part of the continent seemed entirely wanting. This was the cow Tuchuk, of the various trees in which Indio rubber is procured, such as the Ficus, Prianoids, the Castileoid, Elastica, the Kekropia, Paltata, the Calofra, Utilis, the Camararia, Latifolia, and especially the Siphonia, Elastica, all of which abound in the provinces of South America. Not a single specimen was to be seen. Dick had promised to show Jack an Indio rubber tree, and the child who had conjured up visions of squeaking dolls, balls, and other toys growing up upon its branches was loud and constant in its expressions of disappointment. Never mind, my little man, said Harris. Have patience, and you shall see hundreds of Indio rubber trees when you get to the Hacienda. And will they be nice and elastic? Asked Jack, whose ideas upon the subject were the vaguest order. Oh yes, there was stretch as long as you like, Harris answered, laughing. But here is something to amuse you, he added, as he spoke. He gathered a fruit that looked as tempting as a peach. You are quite sure that it is safe to give to him? Asked Mrs. Bulletin, anxiously. To satisfy you, madam, I will eat one first myself. The example he set was soon followed by all the rest. The fruit was a mango. That which has been so opportunally discovered was of the sort that ripens in March or April. There is a later kind which ripens in September. With his mouth full of juice, Jack's pronounced that it was very nice, but did not seem to be altogether diverted from his sense of disappointment, and not coming to an India rubber tree. Evidently, the little man thought himself rather injured. And Dick promised me some hummingbirds, too, he murmured. Plenty of hummingbirds for you when you get to the farm. Lots of them where my brother lives, said Harris. And to say the truth, there was nothing extravagant in the way the child's anticipations have been raised, for in Bolivia hummingbirds are found in great abundance. The Indians who weaved their plumage into all kinds of artistic designs have bestowed the most poetic epithets upon these gems of the feathered race. They called them rays of the sun and traces of the day star. At one time they were described them as king of flowers, at another as blossoms of heaven kissing blossoms of earth, or as the jewel that reflects the sunbeam. In fact, their imagination seems to have shaped a suitable distinction for almost every one of the 150 known species of this dazzling little beauty. But however numerous hummingbirds might be expected to be in the Bolivian forest, they proved scarce enough at present, and Jack had to contend himself with Harris's representations that they did not like solitude, but we found plentifully at San Felice, where they would be heard all day long humming like a spinning wheel. Already Jack said he longed to be there, a wish that was so unasked and echoed by all the rest that they resolved that no stopper should be allowed beyond what was absolutely indispensable. After a time the forest began to alter its aspect. The trees were even less crowded, opening now and then into wide glades, the soil cropping up above its carpet of verger, exhibited veins of rose granite and cyanite, like plates of lapis lazuli. On some of the higher ground the fleshy tubers of the Sarsperilla plant, growing in a hopeless entanglement, made progress a matter of still greater difficulty than in a narrow track through the dense forest. At sunset the travelers found that they had accomplished about eight miles from their starting point. They could not prognosticate what hardships might be in store for them on future days, but it was certain that the experience of the first day had been neither eventful nor very fatiguing. It was now unanimously agreed that they should make a halt for the night, and as little was to be apprehended from the attacks either man or beast, it was considered unnecessary to form anything like the regular encampment. One man on guard to be relieved every few hours was presumed to be sufficient. Admirable shelter was offered by an enormous mango, the spreading foliage of which formed a kind of natural veranda, sweeping the ground so thoroughly that anyone who chose could find sleeping quarters in its very branches. Simultaneously with the halting of the party there was heard a deafening tumult in the upper bowels. The mango was the roosting place of a colony of gray parrots, a noisy chorus of emperacious race of whose true characteristics the specimen seen in confinement in Europe give no true conception. The screeching and chattering was such a nuisance that Dick Sands wanted to fire a shot into the middle of them, but Harris seriously dissuaded him, urging that the port of fire or arms would only serve to reveal their own presence, whilst their greatest safety lay in perfect silence. Supper was prepared. There was little need of cooking. The meal as before consisted of preserved meat and biscuit. Fresh water, which they flavored with a few drops of rum, was attained from the own adjacent stream which trickled through the grass. By way of dessert they had an abundance of ripe mangoes, and the only drawback to their general enjoyment was the distal cordon outcry which the parrots kept up, as it were in protest against the invasion of what they held to be their own rightful domain. It was nearly dark when supper was ended. The evening shade crept slowly upwards to the tops of the trees, which soon stood out in sharp relief against the lighter background of the sky, while the stars one by one began to peep. The wind dropped and ceased to murmur through the foliage, to the general relief the parrots assisted for their clutter, and as nature hushed herself to rest she seemed to be inviting all her children to follow her example. Have we not better light a good large fire, ass dick? By no means, said Harris. The nights are not cold, and under this widespread mango the ground is not likely to be damp. Besides, as I have told you before, our best security consists in our taking care to attract no attention whatever from without. This is well done and interposed. It may be true enough that we have nothing to dread from the Indians, but is it certain that there are no dangerous quadrupeds against which we are bound to be upon our guard? Harris answered, I can positively assure you, madam, that there are no animals here but such as would be infinitely more afraid of you than you would be of them. Are there any woods without wild bees? says Jack. All woods are not alike, my boy, replied Harris. This wood is a great park, as the Indians say. Es como el pariso. It is like paradise. Jack persisted. There must be snakes and lions and tigers. Ask your mama, my boy, said Harris, whether she ever heard of lions and tigers in America. Mrs. Bowdoin was endeavouring to put her little boy at ease on this point when Cousin Benedict interposed, saying that although there were no lions or tigers, there were plenty of jaguars and planthers in the New World. And would they kill us to manage Jack eagerly? Is apprehensions once more aroused? Kill you, laugh, Harris, why your friend Hercules here could strangle them, two at a time, one in each hand. But please, don't let the panthers come nearer, he pleaded Jack, evidently alarmed. No, no, Master Jack, they shall not come near you. I will give them a good grip first, said the giant, displaying his two rows of huge white teeth. Dick Sands proposed that it should be the four younger Negroes who should be assigned the task of keeping watch during the night in attendance upon himself. But Actian insisted so strongly upon the necessity of Dick's having his full share of rest that the others were soon brought to the same conviction and Dick was obliged to yield. Jack valiantly announced his intention of taking one watch, but his sleepy eyelids made it only too plain that he did not know the extent of his own fatigue. I am sure there are wolves here, he said. Only such wolves as Dingo would swallow at a mouthful, said Harris. But I am sure there are wolves, he insisted, repeating the word wolves again and again, until he tumbled off to sleep against the side of old Nan. Mrs. Walton gave her little son a silent kiss. It was her loving good night. Cousin Benedict was missing, some little time before he had slipped away in search of Cocuyos or Fireflies, which he had heard were common in South America. Those singular insects emit a bright bluish light from two spots on the side of the thorax, and their colors are so brilliant that they are used as ornaments for ladies' headdresses. Hoping to secure some specimens for his box, Benedict would have wanted to an unlimited distance, but Hercules, faithful to his undertaking, soon discovered him, and he lists the naturalist protestations and vociferations, prominently escorted him back to the general rendezvous. Hercules himself was the first to keep watch, but with this exception the whole party in another hour were wrapped in peaceful slumber.