SCENE 1.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1634, 23 December 1882, Page 1 (Supplement)

SCENE 1.

Fibb! A dismantled ship, mizzen-mast gone clean by the board, main-top-gallant-mast and spars cut away, together with the fore-topmast and upper-yards and timber. A veritable wreck;, she drifts before the gale. All day long the crew work steadily to rig jury-masts and yards; and by night have bent the main and fore-courses, fore-staysail and inner-jib. With these to steady her she answers her helm. The wind is well aft, and so far there is encouragement. And so night closes in. The men of the watch below, exhausted by the day's toil, are quickly asleep. Save for the moan of the wind through the cordage and what standing rigging is left, no sound is heard. A desolate spectacle ; a dispiriting hour. The cry arose high above the moaning oJE the wind through the cordage of the sjfop,; hushing the splash of the waters. Fire! And the dread worc^ passed from man to man and echcM fa the airj startling the

sleepers into wakefulness. In a few momenta all on board the Hesperus were aroused. The captain stood at his post on the after-deck. The chief officer was forward with beating heart and strained nerves seeking the truth — yet cool and steady. The men of the watch were clustered around him, while those awakened, tumbled half-dressed out of the forecastle. Prom the fore hatch a smoke came thick and fast ; and in the lull of the storm the quick and strained hearing of those who listened, caught the sound of the roaring of the flames below. " Whar is the trouble, Mr. Sampson ?" asked the captain, when the chief officer came aft. " Appears to be in the forehold, sir," answered the mate. "Big the engine, sir," said the captain, " and lay on the pumps. Send the carpenter aft." The order was obeyed. I " You'll jest set to work, Mr. Chips," said the skipper, " end bore a dozen holes or so in the deck. End look spry. Mathew." " Sir," answered the second mate. "Take your station here, sir," said the captain. With this he made his way down the booby-hatch with the view of ascertaining whether the waist of the ship had been attacked. Presently he came up, looking grave and anxious. He ordered the hatch to be put on. He looked aloft and scanned the sky. It was black and threatening, banked up to the north-west with masses of dull leadencolored clouds. He went forward. The carpenter had worked well. From a dozen holes bored into the deck, smoke, thick and heavy, issued forth. " Now, my lads," said the skipper, " turn to with a will. This is mighty awkward, and it ain't no time to spare yourselves." "Aye, aye, sir," cried the seamen, and with a song of encouragement they worked the pumps. The deck was soon flooded, and the water poured rapidly down the holes thiough the planks. A hose, leading from the donkeyengine, was passed through a hole broken through the cover of the fore-hatch; and streams of water were pumped into the hold. The launch was removed from its position over the main-hatch, which was uncovered ; quickly to be replaced, for the smoke belched lorth in suffocating clouds, and the momentary glimpse which those around obtained, revealed that the tire below had taken a strong hold upon the cargo. The skii^per bit his finger-nails. " It's awkward," said he, turning to the chief officer, " mighty awkward. What a man may call a finish to our troubles. First to lose almost every stick and spar in the ship, and then get grilled. It's awkward, sir. There's a heap of keiosene and sech like thar. Don't think we ken get the derned flames under, sir." " That's my idea," replied the mate, " and I think, sir, that while we do our best, we'd be wise to see to the boats." The skipper shrugged his shoulders, as he cast a glance to the westward. " Thar it is," said he, "if the gale holds, it'll be awkward, sir. Taint weather for a boating party," and he laughed silently. However, let us hope for the best. I shall set her course three points to the south, sir. Have the yards squared, if you please." With this he went aft and gave directions to the man at the wheel. The ship was put before the wind. " Wall Mat," said he to the second mate, " we're in a scrape, sir — that's a fact." " Well, uncle," answered the young man, " we must do our best to get out of it." " Thet's so, Mat," returned the skipper, clapping his nephew on the shoulder. " Thet's the way to take it. We must do our best, and no man can do more. Have the passengers turned out ?" " The ladies, I think, are asleep," was the answer. " But Mr Folingsby has just been, on deck." "Has he!" said the skipper, "and how does he take it." " As cool as a cucumber, sir," answered the young man. " Smoked his cigar ; said he supposed it would be all right, and then went below to turn in again." " Wall," laughed the skipper, " he's gilt Most of them Southern fellers air. But Mat, I rather reckon he'll pipe to another tune by daybreak. I wonder what the Doctor thinks of it," and again he laughed silently. The gale increased, as though in mockery of man's disaster. The ship, under jury canvas, drove before the blast, leaping from one huge wave to another, as though a, living creature, conscious of its peril, and seeking to escapei — uJ ,j^, r 3,v,j The night woie oil. The men worked with feverish energy, until the dawn broke through the leaden clouds to the eastward, and fei-oagM relief. A»d yetii woaid have fcee» , hard to say wherefore ; since daylight served only to show how hopeless was the position. The fire had gained the victory. It was felt that no effort on the part of man could control it ; and the crew suddenly, and by one impulse, abandoned the pumps, and going, forward, stood sullen and listless in silent groups. The skipper noted this with a hard laugh. " Wall," said he, " I can't blame you, , Taint no use kickin' against the pricks, says> ( the Book, and I reclcon taint much use ; squirtin' water on a fire as is ied by a thousand tins or so of kerosene. It's awkward though, — deuced awkward. Good raornin' ma'am," and the captain took otf his hat and bowed to a lady who, enveloped in shawls, pale and agitated, scrambled on to the poop, supported by a stout little man, habited in a gorgeous dressing gown. She staggered towards him. " What is this, Captain Osgood? " she gasped, " Are we in danger ?" " Wall," answered the skipper, steadying her with a strong hold. " It's awkward ma'am— thet's a fact. Yes, mighty awkward. But mebbe the weather '11 hold up, and we'll fetch through after all." "Sir," cried the woman, I insist upon knowing the worst." Osgood shrugged his shoulders. " Wall ma'am, the worst couldn't wall be bettered, I'm thinkin. The Hesperus is afire. It's awkward, darned awkward, but — thar, neow she's off, doctor." The lady had swooned in the little fat man's arms. " Bedad !" cried the latter, " it's meself doesn't wondther Cap'en. As ye say, it's awkward, devilish awkward. Be afther lendin' me a hand to carry her into the cabin. Faith I it's wontherful how heavy these delicate craytures are," and with this, assisted by the skipper, he carried his charge down the cuddy steps and into the cabin. " Queer critters, Mat," said the captain, returned to his. post, — " mighty queer. Neow, I'd give a heap o' dollars, boy, ef them fe-male» wasn't aboard. It's awkward sir, mighty ! awkward." " What do you reckon on doing, uncle ?" asked the lad. " Wait and watch, boy. Fortunately the ' Hesperus is an iron ship. I never sailed in one before, and never took to 'em, as you know ; but it's darned lucky this craft aint of good oak or teak. Else reckon we shouldn't see much chance. Thar'a the fire Mat. Jerusalem it's a comin' to a crisis." He pointed to the fore hatch. The flames had broken through, and now thrust forth their tongues licking the air, as serpents might. A subdued groan arose from the i crew. They crowded aft. u We'll have to take to the boats sir," said one — a tall sinister-looking man. "Itis no use staying to be roasted. What say, boys ?" " Aye, aye," was the cry in response, " the boats boys. 'Tis our only chance."

"Wall," said the captain," erydu^hinkso;take it. But I tell you, that the f boat Vint^ built as 'd live in that sea," and he jerked his thumb towards the waves, which, lashed to fury by the vtind, hurled themselves aloft, and, rushing onward, swelled into mountains. " Better drown than burn Sir," said the first mate. " Hurry up boys, with some beakers of water and biscuit. No toggery mind. 'Tis a bare chance, and we mus'nt lessen it by taking lumber aboard." The men set to work with a will. The long boat was soon launched, only to be dashed to pieces ; while four men who had been lowered with her, were swept into eternity. The skipper looked on, but said never a word. A young man of some twenty years of age, now stood beside him. He was cool and composed, and smoked a cigar with as indifferent an air as he might have worn in his club. Little impressed by the destruction of the long boat, the men proceeded to launch the cutter which was of considerable size, and had great beam. " If any of the boats can live in that sea," said the skipper, " thar she is — neow let her run aft, Mr. Sampson, and mebbe you'll be able to get aboard safe and sound." lie said this with the greatest imaginable coolness. The Jire, which had now burst through the hatch, and was creeping toward the forecastle — the wind boing aft — was watched by him with as little apparent concern as he might have shown as a spectator of an ordinary street conflagration. The mate did as advised, and the boat was run astern, two men being in charge of her. With difficulty they were enabled to steer her clear of the mountainous waves, which followed in the wake of the ship. Presently, the crew gathered round the stern lail, prepared to drop hand under hand into the boat. The skipper's nephew took the wheel. Each man shook hands with their captain. They knew right well, how little chance of escape there was for themselves, and deemed that even less existed for those who iemained on board the ship. "Good bye, Sampson," said the captain, "if you should get clear, tell 'em I stuck to my ship," and he wrung the mate's hand. The latter was too moved to speak. Ho beckoned to the men in the boat, which was hauled as close under the run of the stern as was safe ; and then, each man in succession to the number of eighteen successfully got aboard. At a signal, the skipper cast off the painter; the boat diopped astern; the ship sailed ahead, and soon, miles lay between those who but a few moments before, had been shipmates. The ca2?tain watched the boat through his glass. " She makes good weather Mat," said he, 41 God send they may live out the ga/e. I'll go below, and see the women. Hallo you black nigger ! hey they left you behind ? " and he turned to a full blood negro who had came on the deck, and now stood watching the boat. He laughed and showed his white teeth. " Guess Cap, I left urn behind. No sab ! cap'en stick to ship, cook stand by urn too. Guess dats right, sah, anyhow. The captain glanced at his nephew. "D'ye hear that, Mat, " said he, " hyars a a nigger teachin' the almighty white a lesson on duty. Wall sir, I'm glad. Mebbe Hannibal, you might be able to give us suthin to eat. I'm hungered, that's a fact." " Yes sah ! Breakfast loady sah. Dam hot sah in de galley — but nebber mind. Dis child 'ccustomed to de heat — Yah I yah!" and he laughed again. It was a ciuious spectacle this ; the flames were licking the foremast, and spreading towards the bow of the ship, as she ran before the wind ; the while those on board watched their progress so calmly. The young man of whom I have spoken, now addressed the cai> tain. " What do you propose to do, Captain Osgood?" said he, iliclung the ash from his cigar. " Keep afloat Mr. Folingsby, as long as I can. I hey a notion the tire may burn ilself eout. There ain't much amidships to ketch hold on, and when the ile is consumed sir, mebbe the fire '11 woik eout. But it's hard to say. Fortunately them lower masts is iron. I ne^ertook to the notion afore. Ef they'd ha' been of wood, it'd ha' been awkward sir, — darned awkward. But -we'll go below and hey a snack. Keep her full, Mat, till I relieve you." With this, the skipper descended to the cabin, followed by Mr. Folingsby. The lady who had swooned, bad recoveied her senses, and now lay exhausted on a couch at the stein end of the cabin. Kneeling by her side was a young giil of some sixteen years of age, while a handsome Mulatto wench .stood by, with smelling salts, and other restoratives. The doctor was compounding a tonic. Hannibal was arranging bieakfast. The captain advanced to the prostiate woman. "Ncow don't you take on niann," said he kindly. "We ain't whipped yet. The danger ain't by no moans so great as you think-, and I'd a sight sooner be aboard hyar than with them scared lubbers in the cutter." But the lady only moaned, and with a shudder hid her face in the pillows of the couch. The young girl looked up at the skipper. Such a noble face ! Daik and oval, lighted up by clear brown eyes, from which truth and honesty shone eloquently; her hair smoothed back fiom hei low, broad, and straight brow, and gatheied in thick coils above her aichcd and giaceful neck; her features of the Greek type ; the expression of her face wholly that of the dignity of puiity — Helen Vigors possessed a face such as is not often met with. And as she arose, and stood before the captain, the supple graces of her form were fittingly remarked as proper to the beauty of her face. A lovely creature, as Mr. Folingsby thought, if eyes ever spoke the truth; for his shone with the light of admiration and love, as they dwelt upon the splendour of her beauty. She .smiled as she took the rough hand of the skipper in her own dainty palms. "I do not fear, captain," said she. " I do not think we shall be lost." "Thets right, Miss Helen," was the answer. " There's an old sayin', ' Never say die while thars a shot in the locker,' and I've a many in mine yet. Neow, tiy and eat suthin'. You must keep up your sperits. The gale's dying deown, end that's all in our favour. Come neow, hey suthin' to eat. Can't face difficulties unless you're primed, miss. It's awkward, derned awkward, but I'm agoin' to fight, I am, and I guess I'll whip the trouble." With this, he quietly led the girl to the table, and seating her, insisted that she should partake of some of the dishes which Hannibal; under such extraordinary difficulties, had prepared. " Why," suddenly cried the skipper, setting down his knife and fork. "Do tell ! Tomorrow is Christmas Day." " Yes, massa," grinned Hannibal, as he served Helen with some hot cakes. " Thet's so, sah. To-morrow is Christmas Day." "Be jabersl" cried the doctor, "and so it is ! Well now, I'm thinkin' we'll go without our plum puddin', anyway." "Not so, sah," ejaculated the negro, with dignity. "Gue3s dis chile knows his business. Please Gad, sah, Christmas puddin' to-morrow, sah. If ship float, dis chile cook urn. If no float, wall den, dis chile no cook urn. Yah! yah!" and he scuttled away/ to the galley to bring a new dish. The skipper stepped to the «abin stair and looked forth : " Wind lulls, doc," said he cheerily. "We'll hey a smooth sea and light breeze afore night. I guess you'll hey to lay out and loosen sail. We're shorthanded." " What me, is it ?" cried the doctor, aghast. "Be my sowl, I think it would be layin 1 me out with a vengeance." "Anyway, I see hope afore us," said the skipper, " for which," and he bowed his head reverently, "let us thank Him who gave us all things." He was silent for a few moments. Helen covered her face with her hands and breathed a prayer,. The doctor looked moved — and even the half-unconscious woman on the couch caught the inspiration of the skipper's (hought, and murmured & supplication for