THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE OHIO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7924, 1 February 1904, Page 1

THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE OHIO.

» • I (By KORAU.) iriXL Rights Reserved.} PART III.— ASHORE, CHAPTER I. DISASTERS NEVER COME SINGLY. The two boats left soon after daylight on their long voyage to Now Zealand, and all were in good spirits in consequence of tn© fine weather and their release from so long a confinement on board the drifting Ohio. Partinc messages were shouted to the small company left behind, and promises given that search steamers would be at once despatched to pick them up. The number on board tbe disabled vessel was now reduced to seven-the captain, his daughter, the chief engineer, boatswain, steward and two deck hands A fading of loneliness oppressed them the boats with their white sails had faded out of view, and tie two sailors brought their belongings to a cabin next Joe Sandiord s for the sake of companionship. The weather held fine for two daps, and then blew strongly from the wrest, and a cold rain set in which kept all below except the look-out man. This continued without a break for two whole days, and on the morning of the fourth it suddenly died down and gave place to a thick fog, so that they could not see twenty yards from tte vessel. About midday Captain Thornton sat with his daughter in the saloon, while Goodwin read aloud— they had now abandoned all pretence at formality, and lived together on equal terms— when the \boatswain put Ms bead in. "I wish, you would come on deck, captain ; I want to ses you very particular." • ' " Yes, Joe— l will be back soon, Mary — " and the captain rose to follow Sandford. .-,•»«• "Take your coat, father," cried Mary, reaching it down. " Don't stay out long ; it will be dinner time soon." 1 "Well, Joe, v what is it?" asked Thornton. , •, 1 j • "Come for'radto the fo'c's le-head, sir; there's something sounas uncommon like breakers." " I hope not, We'd stand a poor chance of keeping clear in this drifting hulk." Meanwhile Mary sat at the saloon table facing Goodwin, who had laid his book aside. "My father said the "boats would reach New 'Zealand in three days' time after leaving us ; that is two days ago. If they sent a steamer 1 in search at once, she mijht fall in with us at any moment— could that be what Joe came about ?" "There has not been nearly time enough, replied Goodwin, a look of dismay crossing his face. "They would have to go round by Stewart's Island." "■"Well, isn't there a harbour in Stewart's Island?" . ' % Not where steamers call. The nearest port is at the Bluff, and of course there may not bo a steamer, available just when they get there." "But one could be) telegraphed for." " The storm we had three days after they left might have driven tho boats to take shelter at Stewart's Island, and it is not easy to pick up a ,;: gifting steamer right out at sea— certainly not in such a fog as this." " Really, you talk as if you didn't wish them to find us," said Mary, smiling. "Gan you wonder? It will break up our happy party. This is just like a delightful picnic. I don't mind how. long it lasts," he answered, looking wistfully at her. "But you forget my father's anxiety," she replied with a ratter weak attempt at reproof. "There doesn't seem to be any danger, and he is not in the least to blame." "PVaps- not, but I don't suppose he finds this such a delightful picnic as we — I mean, as you do," and as Mary corrected herself Goodwin saw the colour rue to her cheeks. "Do you like it, too?" he asked, impulsively, and moving round to her side of the table. "lam afraid of Mr Pyke," replied Mary, evading a direct answer. "If he -wrere not here?" and Goodwin laid his hand on hers, but she started from him, for at this moment they were interrupted by the voice of Joe 1 calling, and Goodwin had to leave without her answer. "Well, Joe, what is it?" "We can hear breakers ahead," and as he- joined the others, Goodwin saw an anxious troubled look on all their faces. ' " Our only chance," said Thornton, "is to hoist all the sail we can, and try to sheer off. Those breakers sound on the port bow, and what wind there is blows from the right quarter." ' "We can do nought wi' them sea anchors out, sir." "No, you must cut the lines and let tnem go adrift. Quick now ! hoist all your for'ad canvas, it will take some time to get her head round with such a. light breeze and so little sail. I will watch the compass, it's the only certain way of telling when she turns in this dense fog," "and without a moment's loss of time all hands began to shake out the sails. "Cut away your line?!" shouted Thornton, directly the canvas was set. , This did not occupy a minute, and all stood watching the .captain's anxious face as he looked at the needle. The little group was joined by Mary and Pyke, who had been attracted outside by the hasty orders to hoist sail, and they wer© soon informed of their critical position, a fact that was now self evident, for the hoarse murmur of breakers could be plainly heard. "That sail has no effect on her with the wind so much ahead," cried Thornton, after five minutes of anxious suspense. "I'd best get the boat out^ sir," replied Joe, running to the davits. "Yes, jit is our only chance. Bend those two ropes together, Goodwin, it will be better with a good long tow-line. It's a mercy' the sea is so calm. Will you watch the compass, Mr Pyke, while I lend a- hand with the boat?" The fog drifted across the ship in a very fine rain, making, thf decks wet and slippery, and soaking the cordage until it was heavy and stiff, which prevented the blocks working 'properly, and the sailors had to ease them, to get the boat down. Joe made the line fast to a ring in the stem sheets, and shipped the rudder, while Thornton arranged the rope, into a coil, so that it would not foul when paying out. Directly Goodwin had finished fastening the^two ends together/ he began to mount the'bulwarks. "Where are you going?" asked Mary, catchingi him by the jacket. .... ■ "In the boat." .• ■ "No, you mustn't!" she cried;, still detaining him. " Why not? They want oil the (strength in the boat." "I don't like being left ftJoW «ao pleaded, "at least, not with Mr PyW' "But your father is with, you-— we shall notjbe long «tway." "He will be busy with tho ship," m& turning to the captain she entreated, " Tell him to utay onboard?" "Yea, Goodwin, I. shall want yon te g^tud by tho tow-line and bear a hand with " Can't Mr Pyke. do that?'*. Dersisted

Goodwill, "Three men in that little boat won't do much with thia great vessel.". "Mr Pyke has cot recovered his strength, and is no good with ; ropes and sails. No, you must stop aboard," and) looking over the side he shouted, "All ready, JceJ" "Ay, ay, sir." "Shove off! Keep the bre«zevon your port beam, and I'll hail you when her head ia far enough round." In a moment the boat was swallowed up in the dense fog, and when the boatswain's cheery cries of encouragement were drowned by the roar of angry breakers, now close under their beam, they could only judge of the boat's progress by the tow-line, which slipped fast through Goodwin's fingers. " How's her head?" asked Thornton, hastening on to the bridge. • "2>!or'-west," replied Pyke, anxiously. "She hasn't hoved half a point, those sails have no effect." " The wind ia too much ahead ; once we can get her a little round they will begin to draw." " Why not take to.*he boat?" "What! Abandon the ship altogether? No, I couldn't; dp that." " The line is all out but a. few fathoms," shouted Goodwin, from the forecastle-head,, where he was quite invisible from the bridge. " All right, belay !" • At this moment Mary Thornton 6uddtenly emerged from the fog. "Where aibout is' the boat?" she asked. " Over there," said Goodwin, pointing to the sagging tow-line. " You should not be out in such weather." " I am. much too frightened to stay in the saloon by myself with Mr Pyke prowling about," she cried, having to raise her voice to make it iiearil above the thundering surf. "How dreadfully near that sounds, but I think we are passing it by." "Hush!" saiid Goodwin, placing a hand to his ear. "Isn't that another lot of breakers?" "Where?" ' s ' " Over there," he 3aid, pointing directly aft ; ." I must go and see: Here, give me your hand, she is beginning to pitch." He hurried Mary along t the main-deck and through the alley-way to the wheel-house right aft, where he stood, listening intently, while the stern rose amd fell under their feet, for the Ohio began to feel the ground swell. "Yes, those are breakers ; they seem to be all round us," and he stood for a moment looking into her startled eyes, which reflected* his anxiety only too plainly, for they were now in imminent peril. " I must tell the captain," and, returning, towards the bridge, he shouted at the top of his voice, " Breakers right aft !" . Those words had only just left Goodwin's lips when the ship struck, and, suddenly swinging round as on a pivot, she lay broadside to the weather. The shock threw them both down, but Goodwin grasped' a rope in time to prevent their being. hurled into the scuppers. Captain Thornton was not so fortunate. On hearing the alarm cry he descended to the main-deck, and had just left the ladder when a heavy sea ; breaking over the side as she heeled i . washed him oft his feet and broke his leg against an iron stanchion. Goodwin and 1 Mary struggled along the alley-way/ through which th c water rushed like a mill-race ; and, hearing Captain Thornton's cry for help, ran to his assistance.' With .great difficulty they dragged Thornton to the saloon and laid him on the floor, for the Ohio listed: over to port at a steep angle, and she struck the sandbank again and again as the rollers lifted her. " Are you much hurt, father?" cried Mary in an agonised voice, as ehe knelt beside him. " I think my leg is broken. Go and' help them with the boat, Goodwin." " Let me try to set your leg first." " No, no ! > Don't delay an. instant ! The boat is our only chance now." Goodwin could not ignore so urgent an appeal. He exchanged a parting look with the weeping girl, and hurried towards the forecastle. The vessel was now surrounded by seething water z which he <;ould" just discern through the driving fog, but fortunately ti^ waves were not high, as this part of the sand-bank was sheltered by the \reef which they had jusfc passed: He climbed on to the. forecastle, wherie he found the tow-line hanging down the vessel's side. ■ • "Boat ahoy;" he shouted, guessing by the slack rope that she must be returning, and he 'began to haul it .in to help them. It came quite easily; but presently, with a cry 'of surprise on his lips, he stood with the broken end in his hand. " The line has parted," he cried aloud ; ," the> won't know which way to steer through the fog," and at intervals he shouted 1 "Boat ahoy!" No answer canne to his call, and he ran back to tell the captain what •hadi happened. ■■ ";. '■'■■■ ' -' '"■■■' ' " That's a bad job ; the hea,yy lurch when wo struck must; have broken the <rope. Go up and ring the bell; it will guide them to .-. Goodwin did 'so, and kept- up the ringing

until after dark, but, feeing no sign whatever of the boat, he lighted the ship's lanterns and returned to the saloon. Captain Thornton, with Pyke's assistance, had got into his bunk, whore they succeeded in setting! his leg after a fashion, and put it into splints, but lie suffered; much pain. Mary then assisted the ycung man to prepare their belated dinner, but Pyke eyed them suspiciously during the whole time, and he never once left the saloon. Mary gave Goodwin one or two warning glances, but, as she avoided 1 any approach to private conversation, he did not discover "what it was that troubled her, and 1 every few minutes •he went out to ring the bell in case the boat should com© within hearing. The meal passed off in silence, for, though the young people had much to say, their tongues wer-e tied in the presence of the jealous engineer. Goodwin could see by Mary's manner that she wished to tell him something, and wracked his brains for o plan by which ; he could get rid of Pyke. "Will you ring the bell' while I clear away the" dinner?" he said at last, feeling desperate. " No ; while 'the captain is laid 1 up I shall keep watch over his daughter." "Well, if you won't ring the bell clear away the things ; it's unreasonable to expect me to do both." "I shan't do any flunkey's work," said Pyke, angrily. " And mmdi what you say ; I'm not accustomod to be ordered about by common servants." " Mr GoodAvin is no common servant, and is quite right in asking you to take a share of the work," cried Mary, indignantly. "•No, I see through his little game-," said the engineer, malevolently. li I won't have a common dish-washer taking liberties with my affianced wife." "I aon not your affianced wife," rejoined Mary, turning crimson. " Will 3 r ou deny promising to marry me when we reached London?" "I retracted that; promise in the presence of my father, and with his consent," replied Mary, vehementty, and walking towards her father's cabin, she added, "I will never marry you." "Won't you'/" muttered Pyke; "we'll see about that." 3S£^3* CHAPTEE 11. HATRED. "I am afraid of the engineer doing Mr Goodwin an injury," said Mar.y, after she had informed her father of the'scene in the saloon ; " he looked so vindictive." ' "There is not, much fear of that, tmy dear. Goodwin is not quarrelsome, and, besides, he is the stronger man." " But I don't think Mr Pyke would stop at any crime, he hates him so." " Well, he has not gone further than words go far. I" should advise your^ not speaking to him." "Oh, yes, he has> father; remember how he tortured him in the stoke-room. I think we ought to keep Mr Pyke out of the saloon altogether; he 'behaves like a madman." ".You magnify the danger; and that would be rather a high-handed proceeding. He has not even threatened violence, much less attempted it. 1 You had better stay in here to-night ; the door, can be locked if you fear 'his forcing an entrance. I expect the bo's'n back to-morrow." "Is there no fear of tho .ship breaking up?" " Not unless the wind changes to the north ; she seems to have settled firmly down in the sand. There was no water in the well when Goodwin, tried it an hour .ago, and I will ask him, to do so. again presently." Pyke made no attempt to enter the captain's cabin, nor. did he interfere with Goodwin, though Jie would neither help him in the saloon nor go out to ring the bell, but just sat brooding at the table. At midnight Mary looked in and asked' Goodwin to try the well. He .reported' it dry. "Mr Pyke!" called the captain, while the door 'stood open. "Will you pkase arrange to keep Watch with Goodwin. One can go op from twelve to four, and the other from four, to eight." " I'll keep the ( second watch," said the engineer, gruffly.' Goodwin sat in his cabin with the door open, going out every, fivi> minutes to look round and ring the bell ; but towards the end of his watch he could only keep • awake with a great effort, and fearing to go off altogether, he paced up and down on the hur-ricane-deck. The wind gradually died down ; when the fog suddenly lifted, and disclosed a waning moon, low in tho sky ; but on turning his head towards the south he was startled by seeing the black peak of a mountain, which seemed to hang right above the ship, the lower slopes encompassed by a snow-whit© cloud of mist. This unexpected sight so engaged his attention that it was some minutes before he cast his eyes down to the sea level, where he saw a sandy beach, interrupted by several black reefs ; and it looked so near, and the sea appeared so calm, that there would have ljeen no difficulty in landing from a boat. In vain he searched the shore for theirs, but the sight of this sheltered bay gave him hope that the boat's crew had) landed in safety, and if the weather only held clear till daylight they must see the Ohio,. Goodwin was debating jn his mind whether he ought to carry this news to the captain at once or wait till the end of his watch when he heard a. .step on the deck behind him, and, turning, encountered Mary. "Look at the land!" he cried, pointing to the mountain peak. She held her fingers to her lips, and, glancing round' apprehensively A whispered — " Don't speak so loud ; I'm afraid of Mr Pyke hearing us. I came up to warn you that he means mischief ; he has been behaving in a very odd way all night, creeping in and oat of the saloon and trying father's door." " I'm not afraid of him," replied Goodwin, taking both her hands in his, and looking down into her anxious face ; " the , man's a coward." *«=->- ' " But that is all the more reason for you to keep on your guard. I'm sure he's mad, and none are so cunning as the insane. Promise to lock your door and ; screw up the port when he is on th© watch?" " Yes, I'll do that. What is th© time? I must call him soon." It was a quarter, to four when) I left the cabin. I have not heard him moving for the last hour ; but I must go back, it would be dreadful if he caught us." "It's no business of Pyke's what you do !" said Goodwin, indignantly ; " but it was awfully good of you to come and warn me. I'm not afraid of anybody while you are near. me, Mary; you are my " " Hush, I hear his door opening," whispered, moving away from him, "go and ring the bell, it has not sounded this half hour, that is partly what brought me up," and she concealed herself behind a wind-shoot. Goodwin crossed the deck, and soon waked the night with a clamorous peal. While in the act he was accosted by Pyke. " Is that the way you keep watch? The bell has, not sounded! once during the last half-hour." ' • "There is no sign of the boat,", replied Goodwin, determined to keep the peace if possible. " See, the fog has lifted; we. are quite close to the land." . ' .-"Who was. that' l heard you talking to?" asked Pyk», suspiciously. "Is it four o'clock?" said Goodwin, purposely ignoring the question. "Who was it?" repeated Pyke; and; as Goodwin still refused to answer, he began to look round -the deck. ''Ah! there ehe is, I thought I was not mistaken," he cried on detecting Mary's Ekirt .behind the- wintiv. 3hoot. He darted forward t and seized her

roughly by the arm. "Come, below at once!" " You leave her alone 1" shouted Goodwin, running to her aid ; and in a moment he had set Mary free. "With a curse, Pyke sprang upon his rival, and so unexpectedly that he succeeded in bearing him to the deck. "Take care! he has a knife!" shrieked Mary, as she threw herself on his uplifted arm. The blow descended, but her timely interference saved Goodwin's life; for, grazing his cheek, the knife' struck the deck, and before Pyke could again raise his hand, Goodwin threw him off, and sprang to his feet. Then the engineer, in a mad frenzy, rushed at the girl, who fled before him round the deck. But Goodwin's blood -was now up ; and, seizing a deck-chair, ho brought it down with such force that he stretched Pyke senseless on the deck. "Has the brute hurt you?" he cried, taking Mary in his arms. "No, but throw away his knife — see! there it is on the deck." " The man must be mad," cried Goodwin, pitching it overboard. "I didn't expect him to rush at me like that." " I warned you that he was mad, and would stick at nothing to be revenged — have you killed him.?'' "No," replied Goodwin, "he is coming to." • " Come away 'before he recovers — he may have another knife." " Wait a bit, I'll get some cord. It isn't safe having a madman loose on the ship." " No, no ! don't attempt to bind him till the bo's'n comes bade. Seel he is> getting up," and she urged Goodwin towards the ladder. " We'll lock him out of the saloon, anyway," cried Goodwin. He bolted the door and then screwed up- the three port holes which overlooked the maindeck. " Now, we must tell your father about Pyke." "Oh!" exclaimed' Mary, with a sudden cry. "He has stabbed you ; there is blood on your neck,!' and she turned his face towards the light. "It is nothing, only a graze on any cheek." " Come into my father's cabin ; I'll wash away the blood, and plaster it up." ; During the process Captain Thornton, who had been alarmed by the commotion just over his head, was informed of Pyke's murderous assault and their proximity to the land-. He advised Goodwin not to go on deck again imtil daylight, as it might only lead to further encounters with Pyke. " You must have some sleep ; I will make up a bed for you in the saloon," and Mary brought a pillow and blankets'. "That is my business, Mary," whispered Goodwin, standing behind her, and he stretched out his arms and stayed her hands in the act of arranging his pillow. " No, you must do nothing tihore until to-morrow," she said, but, instead of trying to free her hands, she leant her head against his shoulder. '. "Yes, there is one thing I must do," he whispered in her ear as his cheek pressed her waving hair, and he stooped to kiss her. "Take care," she murmured.' But as Mary raised her face towards his, she glanced nervously round. " Look there !" shecried, starting from him, and pointing to the port-hole. . Goodwin looked z and saw two glittering eyes staring in. " It's that madman Pyke ; I wish I had tied him up ; we shall have no peace while he is at large." " Oh ! it gave me such a dreadful fright," gasped Mary. "What are you going to do?" "Draw the curtains." This did not detain Goodwin a minute ; and be advanced with outstretched arms to wish Mary good-night, when a bar of steel came crashing through the glass and struck the wall just opposite to where he had been standing. ' He dashed to the door, and his hand was on the bolt, when Mary flung her arms round hisn. " No, no, Charley ; you mustn't go out before daylight." "Let me go! I must stop that madman," but she only 'clung the tighter, and Captain Thornton's voice could be heard calling. " Come into my father's room ; Pyko can't molest us there. See! he is trying to unscrew the port." Picking up the steel bar, Goodwin struck at the introducing arm ; but Pyke withdrew it too quickly. "I'll put a stop to his getting in that way," said Goodwin, and with the bar he turned all the screws until they were jammed far too tightly to be loosened from the outside; and then he helped Mary to carry the bedding into her father's cabin. Though Pyke. could be heard wandering about the ship, he imade no further attempt to force an entrance^ and Goodwin, weary with incessant toil, was soon asleep. Mary kept watch, for she was far too nervous and frightened to sleep; and soon after daylight she noticed that the wind began to rise, and. it drove the rain against the cabin port. " I don't like hearing 1 the weather from that quarter," said Captain Thornton, for his port looked straight out to sea. " Have you heard nothing of the bo's'n? He ought to be back." " No, there hasn't been a sound on board during the last two hours. Shall I wake Mr Goodwin?" "Let the lad sleep, he had- a long day yesterday, and may want all his strength to take you ashore if this breeze bring Tip a sea." : " How could he get on shore?" "He'd have to swim." " But you can't swim with a broken leg?" " No, I must jiiat stay by . the Ohio whether I like it or not." "I'm sure he'd never leave you behind,. Father." " There would be no leaving behind. If a gale springs up, and there- is every appearance of one, she would break up in a few hours, and we would all go to the bottom together. No, he must get you ashore before it comes to that.' "I would never go without you, Father," said Mary, takingf his hand in both of hers, while the tears filled her eyes. "I am getting an old man, my dear," he replied, caressing her. "Itis no hardship for a sailor to die at his post z but it would make my last hours bitter to think that you were uselessly sacrificing yourself. You are young, with "all your life before you; and besides, it would imean the death of Charley— you see' I have guessed your secret as well as Pyke. He is not the man to leave the woman he loves behind." Mary did not answer; but her. colour rose as* she stooped to kiss the kind face, and a tear wetted his cheek. (To be continued' next Monday.)