A SAILOR’S CHRISTMAS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3711, 21 December 1912, Page 19

A SAILOR’S CHRISTMAS.

the, treasurer. 1 ‘lf I had been attending to the job I should have packed most of those things in the furnace.” All parliamentary procedure was now cast to the winds. They talkeu when and to whom they pleased. “I had no right to do anything cfthe kind,”-the packer defended. “And I.had no reason to assume that you wen Id send me trash to pack. 1 ' “That’s right too!” came a voice. “I will give a word of oxpi i.i ri(u. Madam President, and then I am through— with this bju'rel and all others.” “Oh, no!” soothed the president; “you’ll pack another one for us some time and we will do better.” “Indeed I won’t! Imi through! Well, as I say, I left mv Christmas work while the rest of you were doing yours, and came down Mere to pick this barrel. I was in a great luiry. and when I saw all these boxes and neat-looking packages I put them in without undoing anything. It vas not my business to pass judgment on the things you had sent in.” Then in answer to mimerous d>-so!•rimers: “You didn’t send them ?” Well, somebody did. Who it was I don’t know and nobody else does. The sexton doesn’t, for I asked him.’’ There was a settling down from strained positions in various parts of the room. “When I sent off the barrel I considered that my part was done.” “As it certainly was,” said the pre sident. “Our thanks are due Mrs. Hall for her work, at any rate. The thing that I most deeply deplore and cannot understand is that this barrel should have been sent out with freight unpaid. We never do that. I gave my personal cheek—a blank one to be Idled out as was necessary—for this very purpose. That was my contribution.”

“And I have just returned it to you. It is in that envelope on the table. The truth of the matter is that I forgot I had the check until after the barrel was gone. Anyway, it seemed to me they ought to be willing to pay freight on a valuable box such as I supposed this was.”

“Do you send off your own Christmas gifts that way?” asked the plainspoken treasurer. E Mrs Hall sat down indignantly.

“We’ll have to get another treasurer/’ whispered one lady to another.

“Mrs Outcault is too blunt for any use.”

“She hits the nail on the head, though.” “Yes, but she splits the wood in doing it! lam going to Mrs Hall’s relief. Madam President, I think the lady who did our packing has entirely vindicated herself. We may as well own up to the truth. W € "'ere so full of our own concerns that we gave no need to the call in any intelligent way. I, for one, never thought of at once.” The lady who had forgotten to send in the description of the minister’s family rose with elaboration. "1 should like ir. call the lady's attention to the fact that “Evil is wrought by want of thought As well as by want of heart.” Tliis sally brought forth a general laugh, which is as good as a barrel of oil for troubled waters. “Well, ladies, what will you do with the situation—and the barrel?”

“Madam President” — a lady was recognised who seldom spoke, but always to the point— “out of the mouth of this barrel we stand convicted of selfish indifference and base desertion of those we have promised to stand by. I move that we send to this family a box. a r?al one. that shall be worthv of this church and commensurate with their needs.” There were a dozen seconds. “I don’t know that they would accept it.” suggested the chair. “Tell them this was intended for a rummage sal?,’’ came from the right-. “Or the Salvation Army,” from the left.

“Madam President”—it was the lady whose cheeks had flamed at sight of the opera cloak —“I feel that I, for for one, have been taught a lesson in giving that will last me the rest of iny life. I should like to say as much to" this brave woman in a note tucked in the pocket of a warm new cloak for herself. I think I can make that acknowledgment so humbly that she will accept the gift.” There was a soft clapping of hands. “That’s it, Madam President 1 Let as own up to these people that we see this thing as we have never seen it before, and that we are their debtors for the awakening.” “Madam President”—this was the donor of one of the vests, hut she felt sure now that nobody would ever know it —“I will add to Mrs Caffrey’s cloak a new overcoat for the minister. I give it as a thank-offering.” This lady’s husband had recently recovered from a severe illness and this was erroneously taken as a touching allusion to that fact. _ The bidding was lively now. The sjerit of giving had taken possession of the First Church, 'and a burning desire to <=->t themselves right. _ The secretary was kept busy, for it was to he no haphazard work this time. “Maadm President”— it was the treasurer’s voice— “as you know, 1 don't believe in missionary boxes — they are too often substitutes for the salary we haven’t paid—and [ have said that I would never contribute to one; but I’ve got to put- in five pounds of candy for those children if my principles go smash ” Here there was loud and prolonged applause from all present. •■’Sow, ladies,” said the chair, when ihe shower of books-, to vs. etc., pree ini fated by this offer had subsided, “who will volunteer to pack this T foresee that it will be quite tx task. Then up rose the Lady who had packed the barrel. “I’ll pack the box. I said I wouldn’t, but I will. If Mrs OutcauH’s manciples have gone to smash it isn’t worth while for mo to try to hold on to mine! And—l will pay the freight mvs r lf —a trespassoffering. Xo. M"dam President; I don’t want your check.” When the merriment had subsided the treasurer took the floor.

“Madam President and ladies. I want to five a word of warning. V'e will all feel very self-righteous when we go home, and there’s danger in it. This box will be sent in a spasm ox generosity as the barrel was sent m a spasm of indifference. Put let me tell you that nothing worth living can he supported on spasms. If any of you see now that the time has c-ome to pay dollars instead of duds, and are willing Ho live up to l your knowledge, hold' up your pocket-books!” From all over the house went up purses and hags of silver, leather, and filigree. “Thank the Lord! Your conversion is genuine!” cried the treasurer. “But give me your checks before you go I”

The beaming president rose. “You have disposed of the situation beautifully, ladies. But the barrel remains.

“Have Christmas at home? D’ye think we shall?” wistfully murmured one of the hardly entreated lads crouching under the break of the poop Of the four-masted sailing ship “Smintheiis,” which, under a heavy press of canvas, was tearing homeward before a westerly gale bound to Hamburg from Iquique. She was about midway between Corvo and the Lizard, and the date was the 15th of December. Not much, margin, you- will admit, for getting home from Hamburg even liad they been in a cargo steamer; but you must remember that these were boys of the twentieth century, whose ideas of time and space had been very considerably keyed up. Still, the ship, in spite of being foul, was making a good twelve knots, and with the persistence of winter westerlies to hear in mind, with good luck and plenty of pluck on the part of the skipper,,it might even happen. In the forecastle there was little discussion on the subject. The fellows there were mostly wastrels or foreigners, whose ideas of the comfort and happiness of an English Christmas do not count. Besides, there were only ten of them in that great “four-post-er”—the real crew were the premium apprentices, youngsters from good middle-class homes who were learning a noble profession, and incidentally providing the means whereby the ship could he sailed at all with any profit to her owners. Bless their hearts, they were too young to be bitter or pessimistic, although they had already learned to curse their lot in good old shellback fashion, and to smile sardonically when anyone quoted some popular novelist on the joys of seafaring. Especially was this the case with James Cochrane, the lad who had uttered the first sentence in this- story. Bright, bold, and adventurous, the only son of his father, be bad worried his" folks until they had given way to his desire and entered him as a cadet in the “Conway” at Liverpool. There lie had enjoyed himself hugely, going home at the end of each term more firmly convinced than ever that the sea was the only career for him, and caring less about his father’s hobby which was that of advanced mechanics, motor-engines and the various applications of them being the chief. He was a man of considerable fortune,

and able to gratify his bent, but perhaps that was not too good for his familv.

In James's case, however, this carelessness* on the part of hrs father about anything that didn’t got m the way of his hobbies was, from- the boy’s point of view, a pure delight, for when his training was over he was bound apprentice for three years m the “Smintheus” at a large premium. A splendid outfit was provided for him and away he went to become what we have found him.

But he and the whole eight of his churns were tremendously keen on getting home for Christmas. The prospect of it had cheered them in the darkest days when they -saw themselves doing practically all the work of the ship, and the gang of ineptitudes forward, by virtue of foul language and swagger, as well as uselessness, having easy times. It was true that the food was not so bad -as it might li&ve boon, would htivc been a few short years ago, but it was far from being decent; and as to any of thy common amenities of life, such as they had always been accustomed to, there were none, they simply did not exist.

And they had experienced shockingly bad weather all the passage except just in the heart of the trades. In the doldrums it liad been, according to the sailor’s curse, /‘light winds and variables, heavy rain, big ropes and small blocks,”' while the southerly weather had only just managed to keep up its evil reputation and competition with a North Atlantic, winter. Only one thing was lacking to- complete their dislike of the life they were leading—bad and bullying officers. That they were spared, for tiie captain and three mates were gentlemen, as Well as prime seamen all, who endured the hardships' of their present position in this oversparred, undermanned steel barge of 3000 tons as one of the necessary evils of the thorny road upward to their desired goal, the command of a first-class steamship. Remembering the condition of his ship in respect of the weakness of her crew, perhaps Captain Stoddart was too daring in the way he was carrying'sail, He knew of course that rigging and canvas and the steel tubes which were his spars were of the very best, and that if 'the wind held steady she would carry them almost in a hurricane. But if it became necessary to shorten sail in a hurry, disaster was almost hound to follow, since all hands were not more than sufficient to handle the enormous area of canvas on one mast at a time. .. Indeed, for any emergency they were far too weak; for, though almost every detail of the ship’s gear was as modern as could

(By Frank T. Bullen, F.R.G.S.)

well be, and she carried a donkey boiler and engine, there was never any steam power available except in harbor. Even had there been it could not have compensated for the cruel undermanning in a- square-rigged ship. Nevertheless, the good and staunch vessel rushed on, answering to her utmost the thrust of the mighty and increasing gale. Day after day sped by, until by the captain’s dead reckoning,, the “Smintheus” was off the Start in mid-Channel. But no observation had been possible for five days, and, eager as they all were to get home, they began to realise the tremendous risk they were taking in thus blindly carrying on. Like dim unsubstantial wraiths, other vessels, mostly . steamships, flitted by in the smother, bad at the liest of times to peer through, but almost opaque at night, and rendered nerve-shattering by the horrible discord of the various sirens and foghorns competing with the roar of the gale.

Now, in all their modern equipment. Thomson’s patent sounding machine had no place, and so to get a deep sounding it was necessary to heave-to. To do this they must needs shorten sail and then, if they could make it again in such a gale, "which was problematical, several hours must he wasted. Ah ! it is no amusing thing to handle a huge undermanned sailing ship in Channel during a gale, and in winter the task becomes superhuman. Still, tills precaution had to be taken, and the vast Inbev began. It would be useless to describe it. for only an oldfashioned sailor would understand the technical terms, and anyhow it would meet with the fate of the story told in unintelligible dialect. No we must- pass over the great struggle, and renew our story with the sliip shorn of half her wings, slowed down thereby to a bare seve h'ovs, but with the satisfying knowledge of the depth of vat u- and the furl r f bottom duly entered in the log. Again Janies Cochrane and his particular chum, Walter AVrieon, forg-u.hered in the middle watch Under the bleak ol the poop. They were aeli;:ig in eiery limb, they were foul for want of a bath;, indeed, I.>ov looked I:be yom.g ragamuffins. But- tnere was n sense of manhood abr.it them, of having tasted the stern delights of - man’s fiercest conflicts with the elements,

which had lifted them up to a much higher plane of life than that experienced, by any fellows of their age, or even two or three years older, ashore. Again the topic was Christmas. But this time there was a hopeless tone in the younger voice. He said : “It’s all up with our Christmas at home now, Walter. I suppose there never was a hope really when we lost so much time in the doldrums; but, oh ! I did want to be with ’em all at home this Christmas. I feel as if I’m not half civilised now' after this voyage. And when I think of all I’ve given up for it I’m dead ashamed of myself. Besides, there’s another thing ” But here he paused as if the subject was too private to broach. As indeed it was, for .it concerned another person who loomed even larger in liis thoughts than father and mother. The elder lad replied wearily, “I know, and I don’t feel any happier for knowing. But I must confess I didn’t- lose hope until two or three davs ago. and" I know that the old man didn’t, for I heard him talking about it only three nights past. Still, she’s so foul that it takes a .gale of wind t-o drive her ten knots under all canvas, and now of course she’s only creeping. Got to, for we’re getting into narrow water and eve just can t handle her smartly.” Thenceforward as if by tacit consent there was no mention of Christmas in the hoys’ house; it was accepted that they would probably spend the festive season in almost cxictlv the same fashion as they were going on now, and that was very grumpily indeed. They could hardly got up the usual enthusiasm of the homewardbounder after a long voyage, so great was their disappointment. But they sc their teeth and did their duty in a fashion to have gladdened the lteaits of their preceptors in the “Con wav and “Worcester,” for they came from hoi,h ships, only it is certain that both Captains Broadbent and Earxer would ha-e resented the way 'n •-Inch these lads were being used to supply the place of seamen for no other purpose than that of saving money.

Steadily they drove up-channel, seeing nothing but an occasional dim shape, flitting past in the gloom, and suffering many things from the bleak cold weather so suddenly coming upon them after the heat of the tropics. Of all their troubles, however, the one they hated worst was the heaving-to to get a cast of the lead, with all the extra labor and delay it entailed. They didn’t growl, of course —that was the privilege of the fellows forward, who did so little and talked so much—hut non s the less they felt terribly angry at it. and grew more and more certain that it would eventually bring disaster even if the neglect might be fatal. Their fears were justified, for on Christmas Eve ..at about three in the afternon, just as the lad on the forecastle head had called oxit * Watch there! Watchand flung the deepsea lead from him, a- vast shape reared out of the gloom' and smote them upon the broadside, cutting the big ship almost. fairly in halves. There was a horrible uproar of falling spars and

crausliing steel, but no sound of men’s voices to be distinguished, and when the confusion had died away the assailing steamer liad disappeared. There was no time to think, and as for getting the boats adrift; that never occurred to them, for they knew too well the condition oHtliose boats and tlioir fastenings . to suppose such a thing possible even with ten, times their present brief space. Fortunately the up-to-date builders of this vessel bad fitted her with a couple of patent life-rafts- which were buoyant with compressed air and only needed the lashings cutting to be -ready for use. Therefore it came to pass that, when the “Simntlieus” quietly departed from a world that had no further use for her, twelve out of her complement of twenty-four souls remained above water on one of these life-rafts, and, save that they were furiously whirled about by the eddies when the vessel departed below, were safe for the present.

Exactly fifteen minutes from the time of striking, according to AVilson (who was the methodical boy and carried a. watch with an illuminated face) had elapsed when the mate called tho muster on the raft and found it to consist of himself, second and third mates, bos’n and eight apprentices. After ascertaining who were there, each relapsed into his own thoughts, which were principally concerned with holding on; for the sea tossed them about heavily. But everyone knew that their chances were extremely small, as night was coming on apace, and they were in no case to bear the rigour of the weather. So night fell upon them—black, dense darkness, only enlightened by the breaking seas which washed over them and seemed at every fresh wave to carry away a large portion of their already low stock of vitality. So fierce was the night that it benumbed all the faculties and made speech impossible. until after what seemed the lapse of many hours the sound of _ a bell, low, solemn, but clear, was distinctly heard. It sent a thrill of reviving hope through them all, for even in their denumber mental condition they recognised the voice of the bellbuoy, full of hope to them, however melancholy to landsmen. Simultaneously they were aware that the weather" was moderating, and one by one they stretched their stiffened soddened limbs and stared about them. Suddenly from the hoarse throat oi the bos’n burst a choking cry, “Ligln close aboard!” Yes, it was, they all saw it, so near that it seemed to tower over their heads. Its movements were very erratic, however, though how much to itself, they, could not know. But that it was no ship's light they were assured : it was far too brilliant for that; and besides, no other lights were visible. Still, whatever it was, j it meant hope of being saved, and | straining their parched and cracking throats they all yelled their loudest, ■ then listened with painful intensity for j a reply.- | ""None came, hut suddenly a huge black form materialised in the darkness, and they felt the impact of their raft against a massive steel body. There were chains dependent from it, by means of which all of them swarmed upwards and presently dropped upon a bare steel deck from the centre of which a tower-like erection sprang bearing the tremendous light they had seen, which showed its blaze eveij minute for five seconds. There were four hatches all securely fastened down but nothing else to break the bare monotony of that bleak deck-space, which might have belonged to a vessel of two hundred tons. The experienced seamen knew by the feel of her that she was at anchor, but there was no sign of-windlass or cable. Slie was just a bare hull without any fittings whatever except that curious tower in the centre of her from which at regular intervals flashed the great brilliance which enabled them to see the barrenness around. Somewhere abeno their heads, too, swung the bell with its solemn tolling, invisible of course right under the light, but answering to -every heave of the fast falling sea. Having ascertained these things the wet and chilled little crowd lelt horribly downcast and lonely; but Mr. Saunders, the chief officer, recovering himself first, cried in a cheerful voice: “Qome, boys, let’s huddle all together under the lee of the bulwarks', She’s evidently an automatic lightship .a sort of exaggerated light and bellbuoy, and all the gear is below, whore sea thie',es can’t get at it. But she must be close to' the fairway, and in these narrow waters we’re hardly likely to be many hours without sighting something when tiie day comes. It ain’t a very merry Christmas, and that’s a -fact; but, oh, boys, how much worse it might ha’ been, and perhaps our poor shipmates ’’ . . He stopped there, for it was far from his thoughts to say anything that could add to the depression which naturally existed, but with a cheery “Snuggle together, boys/’ crouched in under the cold bulwarks, sunk hie.head on his chest, and prepared to endure until the dawn, judging it ..to be now about two in the, morning. All the others clustered in upon him, tightly embracing one another and nerving themselves to, endure, but not hopelessly. for the -mate’s words had sunk in and the stars were peeping out. In spite of the utter strangeness of their situation and the absence of any shelter,’ they actually dozed, comforted slightly bv the animal heat generated. And thus the dark ho mi s supped away more easily than would appear possible, the extraordinary ’antics rr the strange craft they were aboard of easing down as the sea moderated to a gentle, soothing motion which was neither pitching nor rolling, but a

combination of both, without the jerks that a short-anchored vessel gives in a sea-way.

Daylight broke and showed them each other, a. pitiful, forlorn little group. Their eyes instinctively sought tho tower above them, and they saw that the light had gone out. That serried so strange that at first they feared that someone had been on board, turned it out, and departed without knowing of their presence. That idea only just flashed through their minds, though, for they knew its almost absolute impossibility. And besides, living at this period they were prepared to believe almost any miracle of science.

“It’s very wonderful,” said Mr. Parker, the second mate, “about that light, and I’d take more interest in it if we could be automaticallv supplied with some breakfast. I’m nearly famished.”

“You always were a chap of original ideas,” mused the mate, “fancy that thought striking you. Might have occurred to any of us. eh, boys? I think, perhaps, it’d be more to the purpose if some of us swarmed up that tower thing and had a, good look round.”

Instantly they all sprang to their feet, and all fell down again, so cramped and stiff were they. But they were all young and m robust bodily healtli, wherefore it was not long before the cramp had sufficiently eased to allow three of them to climb, which the complicated lattice work of the tower enabled them to do with ease. And one of them, reaching the great bell, seized one of the four clappers which hung around it and hammered it vigorously, making a deafening din, calculated to arrest the attention of any passing vessel and cause her to turn aside. But there was nothing in sight all around. TVs! what was that? Not a/word cam;- ;roiii any of them, they were too full oi amazement, as something like a vast dragon-fly appeared against the blue sky coining towards them with the speed of an express train. Gaspingly they watched it, saw the tiny human sitting beneath the wings in a cobweb-like framework, heard the rattle of the engine as tire aeroplane sped away. Then James, who was aloft, cried out. “Look out for the boats! That chap's flying the Channel. There’ll be someone watching him. surely. My people told me ill a letter something about these flights going on, and that’s a flying machine.” Confused noises rose from the deck, where all had se?n the wonderful manbird, and were volubly discussing it. almost forgetting the clamorous needs of their bodies in their amazing sight. But Billy Trevor aloft recommenced hisi sliivaree of the bell, while the other three lads aloft strained their eyes in the direction from which the aeroplane bad come, hoping to see the form of some vessel. Presently James shouted:

“What’s that? Billy, stop that row for a minute and look over there! D’ye see it, Phil, almost like a. wave,

only steadier? Whatever it is. it's coming ”

“I see it,” shouted Billy and Phil together, “it’s a boat of sorts, goin’ like the devil. An’ look! there’s two more.”

"~By this time they wore all so wildly excited that when they shouted their news to the deck they wore not understood. It didn’t matter, for the "’hole crowd began swarming upwards, while Billy attacked the bell again with greater vigor than ever, and Phil helped him on the other side. With parted, cracking lips they noted that the central boat of the three was coming straight towards them, just a gmy low streak with a huge stern wave showing lier speed, but neither funnel nor mast, in fact a motor-yacht. Nearer and nearer she came, and as she showed the three strange figures behind her breakwater all the poor fellows yelled, . “Help ! help !” at the pitcli of their lunge.

. She stopped—dead it seined to them, and gently sheered alongside, while the other two sped on their way, following the aeroplane. » Very curt and concise were the explanations which followed; and one by one the rescued

men and lads, their very hearts trembling with excitement, crept down from their inhospitable shelter, and into the tiny quarters of the “Nereid." .

There was hot soup, and hot milk, just enough to soothe the aching mouths and throats; while the vessel almost like a sentient thing, turned upon her heel and sped back again for Dover.

The rescuers seemed none too well pleased,’ in fact they revived the gratitude of. their guests very grumpily, and the leader said:

• “You may thank your lucky stars the gale took off, or you wouldn’t be here." - . .

Then he relapsed into silence, whilethe rescued ones, understanding slightly what the feelings of their hosts were at being thus prevented from see- v ing the outcome of the flight, said no more, but -just settled down to enjoy the new glow 'of life within them and the knowledge that they were heading for home at the rate of nearly thirty miles an hour.

So great was the reaction that they all fell asleep, nor awakened until they were at the steps within Dover Harbor. The day was so gloriously fine that quite a little crowd had gathered to see them come in, and when the news of the rescue spread there was a scene of tremendous excitement. It was increased when James, swinging on to the pier, grabbed frantically, at a big man in motor clothing, shouting almost hysterically. “Dad. Dad!” It was indeed Mr. Cochrane, who, largely interested in the aeroplane trials, was owner of the motor-boat which had brought the shipwrecked ones ashore and was here awaiting its return. Almost beside? himself with ;joy. he extended a royal welcome to all his son’s shipmates, inviting them to his hotel and ordering a magnificent spread for dinner. He did more :he provided them with clothes, sending off swift messengers in sundry directions for that purpose; and after they had revelled in the luxury of a warm bath and were in every respect com-fortable-looking ho led -the way into the dining-room, where all the guests had assembled to do them honor.

Long and enjoyable were the festivities which followed, fitly crowned by a wireless message to the effect that all the other chaps had been picked up by a homeward-bound liner. _ A scene of wildest, most enthusiastic joy followed, but when it had subsided Mr Saunders was heard to say:

“Well, at any rate we’ve had quite an up-to-date sailor’s Christmas, with a happier ending than most."

At least I think it loomed : I can’t See well at night, can you?

“ ’Tis I.” she cried, “look out!’’ and lie On his fond bosom caught her— I fancy—’twas the girl he caught, .Or else a jug of water.

Next night again, I think, he came, His love in ballads croaking— Or else he stayed at home and cursed The pa that gave the soaking.