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Throwing our tubs of powder on deck, we gladly ran to obey the order, joined by Martin Shobbrok, who, amid the bloody strife, had escaped unscathed. Meantime the two victorious frigates had hove to and were lowering their boats, ready to send on board and take possession of their prize. "What shall we do now?" asked Dick, as the boats were coming alongside.
Nub at once volunteered his services. "I hope by that time to have one of the bows finished," said Walter, "and I will go and shoot game, while Mr Shobbrok, Dan, and Alice continue working away at the house."
"Neber fear, Mr Shobbrok," he answered. "If I get tired I can rest on one of dose casks, or perhaps I find some spar or piece of timber which keep me up;" and before the mate or Walter could stop him, Nub had slipped off into the sea on the opposite side to that to which the raft was secured, so that Alice did not see him. Nub struck out boldly, and made rapid way.
The mate in vain endeavoured with his single oar so to manage the boat as to come up with it, and in the violent efforts he made, his oar almost broke in two. The helpless voyagers now floated on the wild waters deprived of the means of urging on their boat. "What are we to do, Mr Shobbrok?" asked Walter, as the mate stepped aft and sat down by the side of the young people.
He at the same time sent Lancelot and me. "I intend to let you return with your friends, as you require rest after the hard work you have gone through," he said in a kind tone. "You must also take charge of Martin Shobbrok, whose great age and failing strength unfits him for active service.
"The whales are not far off, and we shall soon be back with a prize." The men in their eagerness had shoved off and were giving way. Walter sprang aft to the side of the mate, who was steering. "You won't be angry with me, Mr Shobbrok," he said; "I promise not to come again, if you object." "I trust that no accident will happen, my boy," answered the mate.
"It's an empty cask," he exclaimed; "and will serve to rest one of us, though it will not assist us while towing the chest." They swam towards it, and found that it was a large empty cask probably one which had floated out of the American whaler which had gone down. "Now, Mr Shobbrok, you get on de cask; you want rest more dan I do," said Nub. "But take care dat you not roll round and round.
"I only hope it good to eat; and de sooner me cut some blubber and cook it, de better. Mr Shobbrok, you got tinder-box and flint and steel?" "Yes," answered the mate, "I always carry them; though, as we cannot light a fire on the raft, I have hitherto made no use of them. But how do you propose lighting one on the top of the whale, Nub?"
"There is One above who alone has the power to do so. We are only the instruments in His hands." "But we do what we can, though," said Nub, sitting up; "and now I tink the wind begin to fall, and we get out de oars." "We had better take some food first," said the mate. "The young people must be hungry, and I am pretty sharp set myself." "What you like to have, Mr Shobbrok?
They then went down to the beach to search for more shell-fish, while Mr Shobbrok remained at the camp to watch the fire. He and the doctor put their heads together to invent various traps, with which they hoped to catch some of the numerous birds flitting about the woods, or any of the smaller quadrupeds inhabiting the neighbourhood.
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