The Settlers: A Tale of Virginia, Page 3

  CHAPTER THREE.

  At length a gun was fired from the admiral's ship,--the signal for thefleet to weigh anchor. It was at once repeated by a whole salvo fromCaptain. Layton's battery, discharged according to the captain'sdirections by Barnaby, who had been left as guardian of the house andproperty, the owner deeming it possible that he might some day return tohis own home. The wind had veered round to the north-east, and blew afresh breeze, which it was hoped would speedily waft them across theocean. The _Sea Venture_ took the lead, the _Rainbow_ following closeastern, and the other vessels in their different order of sailing. Thusthe fleet glided on. The blue Lizard, growing dimmer and dimmer; sankbeneath the ocean; the Land's End was lost to sight, and the fleet,guided by the wondrous compass, sped onward, chasing the sun in itscourse. For several days the wind continued fair, the ocean calm, andall on board looked forward to a speedy termination of their voyage.Audley watched with interest the _Rainbow_ as she kept her course,sometimes drawing close enough to enable him to see Mistress Cicely onher deck. It is possible that her young mate might have done his best,by pressing on sail, to keep her there, in order that he himself mighthave the satisfaction of seeing Mistress Lettice, with her mother andother ladies seated on the high poop of the admiral's ship, under anawning spread to shelter them; for the wind being light and aft, the sunbeat down with no slight force, and few would willingly have remainedlong exposed to its burning rays. The sea, just crisped over withwavelets, glittered brightly, and ever and anon huge fish rose to thesurface and gambolled round the ships, wondering what strange monstershad come to invade their watery domain. Gilbert, Oliver, and Fentonwere in the mean time busying themselves about their duties. Gilberthad undertaken to instruct his younger companions in such nauticalknowledge as he possessed: Ned was an apt pupil, and he hoped to do nodiscredit to the name of his honoured father.

  "I had expected on coming to sea to meet the huge waves towering as highas the mastheads, and strong winds, and thunder and lightning; but thelife we lead in this calm weather is so pleasant and easy that I shouldsoon grow weary of it," observed Fenton.

  "Wait a bit," answered Gilbert; "my experience is not very great, but Ican tell you that the ocean is not always in its present humour, andthat we may have another account to give before we reach the shores ofVirginia."

  Still the fine weather continued; and at length so completely did thewind fall that the ships lay rolling their sides slowly to and fro,their tall masts reflected in the mirror-like ocean, it being necessaryeven for the boats to be lowered to keep them apart. The opportunitywas taken by many to visit each other's ships. Vaughan went with hisbrother on board the _Rainbow_, and Mistress Cicely welcomed him in away which made him wish that he might continue the voyage with her; buthe remembered that his mother and sister were on board the _SeaVenture_, and that duty required him to be with them, that, should anymishap occur, he might be at his post to protect them as far as he hadthe power. Roger Layton received a similar welcome from Lettice;although he had not spoken to her, she was perfectly well acquaintedwith the state of his heart, and knowing that he was equally wellacquainted with hers, she remained satisfied that God would order allfor the best. Mistress Audley was well pleased with the young sailor;she had discerned his good qualities, and the wealth he would inheritfrom his father was sufficient for the position in life she desired forher daughter. There is an old saying that "the course of true lovenever did run smooth;" in this instance it seemed, however, that theproverb was not to prove a correct one.

  As darkness was coming on, the admiral ordered the boats to return totheir respective ships, and the lights in the lanterns on the stern ofthe _Sea Venture_ were kindled for the guidance of the fleet at night.Towards morning there was a change in the weather. Dark clouds werechasing each other rapidly across the sky; the sea, of a leaden hue,tossed and tumbled with foaming crests; the seamen were busy aloftfurling sails, and the ships, which had hitherto kept close together,now, for safety's sake, separated widely. The wind whistled in theshrouds; the waves dashed against the lofty sides of the _Sea Venture_,whose fortunes we must now follow. Still the stout ship kept hercourse, under reduced canvas.

  "I told you, Ned, that it was not always calm and sunshine," observedGilbert, while he and his friends clung to the weather-bulwarks as theship plunged into the heavy seas. "I wonder how the other ships arefaring? Let us climb into the main-rigging and see."

  Fenton, Oliver, and he did as proposed, and holding on to the shroudsthey gazed over the storm-tossed ocean. Every instant the wind wasincreasing in strength, and the waves in height, amid which the otherships were seen tossing and tumbling, thrown, as it were from sea tosea, with but a small amount of canvas to steady them, and even then itseemed as much as they could bear.

  "I wonder which is the _Rainbow_," continued Gilbert; "Vaughan andLettice will be watching her with no small anxiety. See, there theystand on the poop-deck, straining their eyes towards the ship theysuppose to be her: truly, I should grieve were any misfortune to happento those on board."

  "So should I," said Fenton; "but it is a hard matter to make out whichis the _Rainbow_, though I thought that I could distinguish her from therest."

  Every moment the gale increased, and the seas rose higher and higher;six strong men were at the helm, but even then with difficulty could theship be steered. The sails were closely furled, with the exception of asmall foretopsail, and away the stout ship flew--now dipping into onesea, the foaming crest of which came rushing over the deck, now risingto the summit of another. Still Lettice, with her brother's arm roundher waist to secure her, stood on the poop; her face was pale, thoughnot with alarm for herself or those with her so much as for the_Rainbow_, for she naturally thought "if such is the buffeting our largeship is receiving, what must be the condition of so small a bark as the_Rainbow_," towards which ship her and her brother's eyes were cast, asthey supposed. Those who could have distinguished one ship from theother were busy in attending to their respective duties.

  Gilbert and his messmates still kept their post; they, too, werewatching, as they believed, the _Rainbow_, which was endeavouring, as itseemed, to set more canvas, to bear up for the Admiral. Now sheappeared sinking into the deep trough of the sea, now tossed uphelplessly to the summit of another, again to descend, when her hullcould scarcely be distinguished amid the masses of foam which dancedmadly round her. As she lay deep down in the watery valley a huge searolled over her deck, and she did not rise again on the other side. Acry escaped from the three lads: "She's gone! she's gone!"--echoed bymany on deck.

  Lettice, with straining eyes, gazed at the spot where the ship had been.Vaughan, his heart torn with anguish, endeavoured to support her, butcould ill restrain his own feelings, believing as he did that Cicely hadperished. The admiral had seen what had occurred, and with gentle forceconveyed her to the cabin, where she could receive from her mother thatcomfort she needed so much; while the governor with friendly sympathy,taking Vaughan's arm, endeavoured to calm his agitation and prevent himfrom madly leaping into the sea.

  "Oh, steer the ship to their assistance! We must go and help them,"shouted Vaughan, not knowing what he said.

  "The attempt were vain," said the captain; "long ere we could reach thespot where yonder ship has gone down, all who were on board her willhave perished;" and he made a sign to the governor, and others standinground to carry the young man below. They succeeded, Vaughan moving likeone in a dream. The admiral assured Lettice and her brother that it waspossible the ship they had seen go down was not the _Rainbow_, forthough small compared to their own ship, she was a stout, well-builtbark, and might contend successfully with even a worse storm than wasthen blowing; adding that one of the vessels seen in the distance bore agreat resemblance to her; indeed, by every means in his power, heendeavoured to restore their spirits. He was compelled, however, soonto leave them, to attend to the navigation of the ship. He and CaptainNewport held an earnest consultation, for the fierce st
orm, instead ofgiving signs of abating, was hourly gaining strength.

  The wind, which first came from the north-east, now shifted suddenlyround, greatly increasing the height of the seas, and fearfullystraining the labouring vessel.

  Night coming on, the other ships were lost to sight; no one could tellin what direction they had gone. Those who were inclined to look atmatters in the darkest light believed that they had foundered. Not fora moment did the brave admiral leave the deck. Now, the rain pouringdown, all was pitchy darkness; and then suddenly a vivid flash oflightning showed the whole deck, and the pallid faces of the crew--foreven the stoutest-hearted looked pale; and well they might, for theraging seas threatened every instant to engulf them. Few men surroundedby such horrors can face death unappalled.

  Thus that dreadful night passed on. But matters had not come to theworst; the admiral sat on the deck, conning the ship, endeavouring withall the nautical skill he possessed, in which no man surpassed him, tokeep her before the wind. The carpenter, who had been below to soundthe well, rushed up, a flash of lightning exhibiting his countenancepale as death. "We've sprung a fearful leak, sir," he exclaimed; "it'smy belief that the oakum is washed out of the seams, for already thewater is rising above the ballast."

  "Then hasten with your crew, search out where the worst leaks exist, andstrive to stop them," said the admiral, calmly; "man the pumps, and letothers be told off with buckets to bale out the water. We must not giveway to despair; often have men been in a worse condition on board ship,and by persevering efforts have preserved their lives."

  The determined way in which the admiral spoke somewhat restored theconfidence of the crew; some with lanterns in their hands crept into thewings on either side of the ship, close to the ribs, searching everycorner, and listening attentively to discover the place where the waterentered. Others, like galley-slaves, stripped to the waist, went to thepumps, and worked away with that desperate energy which men exhibit whenthey believe that their lives depend on the efforts they are making.Several of the leaks were found, but still the water came rushing in onall sides. The carpenter again reported that it was still rising, and,from the quantities of bread brought up, that the chief leak must be inthe bread-room. Here he once more made search, but failed to discoverthe spot at which the water entered. The officers of all ranks exertingthemselves to the utmost, the men followed their example, while thepassengers offered to labour with them. Vaughan Audley found the taskhe, with others, had undertaken, a great relief to his grief andanxiety; with Gilbert and young Fenton, he was working now away at thepumps; now he was standing one of the line formed to pass the buckets upfrom below. Even the women desired to take their share in the work.All on board were divided into three parties--while one party labouredat the pumps, or passed up the buckets for an hour at a time, theothers, exhausted by their exertions, lay down to rest. An officerstood ready to give the signal as soon as the time arrived for theworking party to be relieved.

  Daylight at length returned, but showed no improvement in the weather;the wind blew as furiously as ever. Not for a moment had the braveadmiral left his post. Just before noon a prodigious sea came rollingtowards the ship, and, breaking over her bow, washed fore and aft,filling her from the hatches up to the spar-deck. For some time itappeared impossible that she could shake herself clear of the mass ofwater, which, as it rushed aft, dashed the men from the helm, forcingthe tiller out of their hands, and tossed them helplessly from side toside. It seemed a wonder that none were carried overboard or receivedmortal injury. The admiral, too, was thrown from his seat and, as wereseveral officers round him, cast with his face on the deck. Still,while endeavouring to recover himself, he shouted to others of the crew,who flew to the helm and prevented the ship from broaching to. Thoughshe was running at the time under bare poles at the rate of scarcelyless than eight knots an hour, for a moment the violence of the shockstopped her way, and many thinking that she had struck on a rock,shouted out, "We are lost! we are lost!"

  "Not yet, my brave fellows," cried the admiral; "while there is lifethere is hope! The ship is still swimming: all hands to theirstations."

  Another voice was heard clear and clarion-toned amid the howling of thestorm, as the voices of God's ministers should sound at alltimes:--"Turn to Him who calmed the tempest on the sea of Galilee. Whyare ye affrighted, oh ye of little faith? Trust to Him all powerful tosave, not your frail bodies only from the perils of the deep, but yourimmortal souls from just condemnation. Turn ye, turn ye! why will yedie? He calls to you; He beseeches you. Trust to Him! trust to Him!"

  He who spoke was the good chaplain, Master Hunt, who had beenceaselessly supporting the sorely-tried ones below with words of comfortfrom the book of life, and who had now come on deck to perform his dutyto the fainting crew.

  The men, thus encouraged, returned to their duty, and worked away withthe same vigour as before. Even during this fearful time neitherVaughan nor Gilbert had quitted the pump at which they were labouring.Though Vaughan, believing that Cicely was lost, cared little for life,yet he thought of his mother and sister, and felt that it was his dutyat all events to labour for their sakes.

  "Don't give way brother," cried Gilbert, "our mother has often said thatGod watches over us, and if it is His good will He can preserve us evennow. The carpenter has just stopped another leak, and I heard him saythat he hoped the rest might be got at. We may be thankful that we havestrength to work."

  "Spell, oh!" was soon after this cried, and a fresh party hurrying fromthe cabins and from the more sheltered spots where they had thrownthemselves down to rest, came to relieve those who had been working forthe last hour. Thus two days went by, but the storm abated not; no landwas in sight; few indeed on board knew whither they were driving; allthey could do was to labour on, and then to lie down in order to gainfresh strength for renewed labours. Sometimes the wind came from thenorth; then shifted to the north-east, often in an instant veering twoor three points, and almost half round the compass. The brave admiraldid his best to steer west by south, but that was no easy matter. Inspite of all on board, as the water was still increasing, he gave ordersto lighten the ship by throwing overboard numerous casks of beer, oil,cider and wine, which to those who loved their liquor was sadly trying;but just then life to them was dearer than aught else. The hold beingfilled, scarcely any fresh water or beer could be got at, nor could afire be lighted in the cook-room to dress their meat. Thus, thirsty andfamished, the crew had to toil from day to day, while such refreshmentas sleep could have afforded was well-nigh denied them.

  All this time three pumps were kept working, and not for a moment didthey cease baling out with their buckets, barricoes, and kettles.Still, notwithstanding their utmost exertions, the ship had now ten feetof water in her hold, and had they for a single watch ceased to pump,she must have foundered. At length the admiral gave the order to heaveoverboard the guns; it was a desperate remedy, for should the shipsurvive the gale and an enemy be met with, she must helplessly yield; agreater trial to her brave crew than any they had encountered. Oneafter one, the tackles cast off, the guns were sent plunging into theocean. Relieved of their weight, the ship floated somewhat morebuoyantly.

  "We have done our best," exclaimed the brave admiral. "One moreresource remains to us, we must cut away the masts."

  All knew that this was indeed a desperate remedy, for the huge shipwould thus float a mere log on the water, waiting if, by God's goodprovidence, some other vessel might bear down to their relief. But ofthat there was little prospect; still their lives might thus beprolonged a few short hours, and true men know that it is their duty tostruggle to the last, and trust to God for their preservation.

  All this time no observation had been taken, for neither was the sun tobe seen by day, nor the stars by night. Gilbert and Fenton, with youngOliver, had after their exertions turned in for a short time: even thehowling of the tempest, the dashing of the waves, and the terriblecondition of the shattered ship did
not prevent them from sleeping.Summoned by the boatswain's hoarse cry, they again hastened on deck toattend to their duty. The admiral was there, and as they were standingnear him, they saw him gaze up at the main-mast head.

  "Gilbert, Gilbert, what can that be?" exclaimed Oliver.

  Gilbert looked in the direction his messmate pointed, and there he saw asmall round light, like a faint tremulous star, streaming along andsparkling brightly, now bursting into a blaze, now resuming its roundform; sometimes running up and down the shrouds, now along the main-yardto the very end, there remaining for an instant, and then returning asif about to settle on the mast-head, then again descending once more toperform the same journey as before. The eyes of all on deck weredirected towards it; some exclaimed that it was the demon of the stormcome to warn them that their minutes were numbered.

  "My friends," cried the admiral, "if it were an evil spirit it would notcome to warn men to prepare for death. To my mind it is of the samenature as the lightning, but harmless. Several times before have I seenit, and on each occasion the storm has shortly after broken. If sentfor any purpose, it is to encourage us to persevere, and to assure usthat ere long the wind will abate, and we shall gain the mastery overour ship. To the pumps, my friends, to the pumps! and keep the bucketsmoving."

  The admiral's brave words restored new life to the well-nigh exhaustedcrew; once more the pumps were worked vigorously, and the buckets werepassed rapidly from below. At dawn the admiral himself was seenascending the rigging. For a few minutes he remained at the masthead;then he waved his hat, and shouted, "Land! land!" At that joyful crymany who had fallen asleep in the cabins or other sheltered parts of theship, overcome with fatigue, were aroused, and hurrying on deck, gazedanxiously towards the shore on which they hoped to find that safetydenied to them by the ocean. Again they went to the pumps, and oncemore set to work to bale with buckets, barricoes, and kettles,endeavouring to keep the ship afloat till a place of safety should bereached.

  The admiral remained still longer watching the distant shore, towardswhich he ordered the ship to be steered. As she approached, numeroussmall islands were seen ahead: the sight revived the spirits of all onboard. The leadsman was ordered to sound as the ship ran on; firstthirteen fathoms of water were found, then seven. Some spoke ofanchoring, but the admiral, though he would gladly have saved the ship,knew full well that she would not float many hours longer. Again heascended the mast, and looking out saw a spot between two high rocks,towards which he ordered the helmsman to steer. The foresail only wasset, to prevent the ship from striking with too great force. Thepassengers and crew were collected on deck; still to the last the pumpswere kept going, and the buckets were worked, lest she might foundereven before she could reach the shore. It was now known that they hadarrived at the stormy Bermoothes, or as some call them the "Devil'sIslands," owing to the fearful storms which rage round them, and thenumerous dangers they present to navigators.

  Islands, many hundreds in number, extended three or four leagues oneither side of the one towards which the ship's course was directed.Trees could now be discerned on it waving to and fro in the wind: but asthe ship sped on the force of the waves decreased, and as she graduallygot under the shelter of the islands, the water became sufficientlysmooth to encourage the hope that she would not go to pieces when sheshould strike the shore. But then the crew asked each other "were theyabout to be thrown on a desolate island, where neither food nor watercould be found?"

  The admiral had descried two high rocks at a short distance apart, nearwhich the water seemed smoother than at any other part. He now directedthe course of the ship towards it; not a moment was to be lost, for thewater was rapidly rising higher and higher in the hold. He warned thoseon deck to beware, lest the ship striking suddenly, the masts might falland crush those below them. Vaughan on this led Mistress Audley and hissister back into the cabin, but Gilbert declared that as an officer hemust run the risk of whatever might happen. All waited with suspensefor the expected shock; the minutes seemed hours; every instant theobjects on shore became more and more distinct--the rocks, the beach,the trees beyond, and here and there gentle slopes; but no mountains, oreven hills worthy of the name.

  Vaughan endeavoured to encourage his mother and Lettice, as well as theother ladies and children. Presently there came a grating sound, butthe ship glided on till she finally stopped, and then there came ashout, "We are safe! we are safe!" Vaughan, on rushing on deck foundthat the ship had glided on to a sandbank, while the shore of an islandappeared little more than half a mile away, offering an easy landing tothe storm-tossed voyagers. Thanksgivings arose from many a heart onboard for their preservation; but others, it must be owned, thought onlyhow they might most quickly get on shore.

  The admiral forthwith ordered the boats to be lowered, directing CaptainNewport to summon those by name who were to go in them. The governor,as was right, went in the first, with all the women and children. As nosigns of natives had been seen, it was not feared that opposition wouldbe met with; nevertheless, the smaller boats were sent first to pilotthe way. Vaughan and two other gentlemen passengers were requested toaccompany the governor, in order to assist in taking care of the ladies.They were watched with some anxiety as they took their departure.

  The passage to the shore was accomplished without difficulty, and theboats entered a beautiful little bay, with a sandy beach, where thepassengers easily landed. "Let us return thanks to Heaven for ourpreservation," exclaimed the good chaplain, as they stepped on shore;when all kneeling down, led by one who prayed not only with the lips butwith his whole heart, they lifted up their voices to Him to whose mightyarm they gratefully acknowledged their preservation alone was due. Theboats being immediately sent back to the ship, in a few trips the wholeof those on board were landed. As there was still sufficient daylight,the boats were then again despatched to bring away provisions, as wellas the carpenter's tools and other articles of the greatest necessity,including some sails for tents, that the ladies and the governor and theother older persons might have shelter for the night. The rest, bycutting down branches, made huts for themselves, with beds of leaves;and thus, as soon as supper had been taken--the first quiet meal theyhad enjoyed since the storm began--the whole of the worn-out crew andpassengers lay down to sleep, with the exception of those told off tokeep watch. Probably, ere many minutes were over, the weary sentriesalso closed their eyes. But a God of mercy watched over the shipwreckedcompany, and no harm befell them.

  The next morning being calm and beautiful, the boats were sent off tobring more provisions and other articles which could be saved from thewreck. Thus they were employed all day, while those who remained onshore, when not unloading the boats, were engaged in erecting huts. Aday of toil was succeeded by another night of rest; all worked willinglyunder the able directions of the governor, the admiral, and CaptainNewport. To assist in the more rapid landing of the cargo, a raft wasconstructed, and in a short time everything the ship contained was takenout of her. This being done, she was completely unrigged, when thesails and ropes and spars were landed. They then proceeded to pull theship herself to pieces for the purpose of building another vessel inwhich to continue the voyage to Virginia, should no assistance be sentfrom thence in the mean time to them. It was a task of great labour,but the admiral setting the example, and working himself as hard as anyof the men, the others were fain to labour also. Gilbert, young Dane,and Fenton acted as his assistants, and were proud of the praises hebestowed upon them for their diligence and perseverance. Vaughan workedas hard on shore, assisting the governor, who superintended the erectionof the storehouse, and the huts in which all might find shelter; and ina short time a village sprang up.

  The ladies were not idle, doing their best to fit up their own housesand those of their friends. Under other circumstances Lettice andVaughan would have been contented and happy; but the dreadful thoughtthat the _Rainbow_ had been lost, in spite of the assurances of theadmiral, constantly oc
curred to them. Mistress Audley did her best tocomfort her daughter, but the rose left Lettice's cheek, though shesought for strength to support her sorrow, whence strength alone can beobtained.