United States or Mauritius ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
With scrupulous adherence to their original plan, they have taken care that nothing of their encampment shall be visible from the water; tent, boat-timbers everything are screened on the water side by a thick curtain of evergreens. Their fire is always out during the day, and so there is no tell-tale smoke to betray them. Soon Captain Gancy observes what further allays apprehension.
In due time, arriving in Tierra del Fuego, the three natives were left there, with every provision made for their future subsistence. Since then nearly four years have elapsed, and lo! the result. Perhaps never were good intentions more thoroughly brought to nought, nor clearer proofs given of their frustration, than these that Henry Chester and Ned Gancy have now before their eyes.
"Ay, let us hope that," rejoins the skipper, "and pray for it, as we shall." The promise is made in all seriousness, Captain Gancy being a religious man.
But even under the diminished spread of canvas the barque is distressed beyond what she can bear, and Captain Gancy is about to order a further reduction of canvas, when, looking westward in which direction he has been all along anxiously on the watch he sees what sends a shiver through his frame: three huge rollers, whose height and steepness tell him the Calypso is about to be tried to the very utmost of her strength.
They are too large for the gulls to lift and carry away; hence a crowd of the birds are buffeting their wings in conflict above them. "A bit of rare good luck for us!" cries young Gancy, dropping a pair of oars he has shouldered. "Come, Harry! we'll go a-fishing, too."
"Because," answers the young Englishman, "they are Jemmy Button's people, and I'd be loth to believe him ungrateful after our experience with his old companions, and from what I remember of him. What do you think, Ned?" "I agree with you entirely," replied the younger Gancy. "Wal, young masters, thet may all be, an' I'd be only too pleased to be-hope it'll turn out so.
They will soon be at nearer range, and the gig's people, absolutely without means of protection, sit in fear and trembling. Still the rowers, bracing hearts and arms, pull manfully on. But Captain Gancy is appalled as another stone plashes in the water close to the boat's side, while a third, striking the mast, drops down among them.
They are about starting off, when Mrs Gancy says interrogatively, "Why shouldn't we go too?" meaning herself and Leoline, as the daughter is prettily named. "Yes, papa," urges the young girl; "you'll take us with you, won't you?" With a glance up the hill, to see whether the climb be not too difficult, he answers, "Certainly, dear; I've no objection.
While still watching the birds at their game of grab, the spectators observe that the kelp-bed has become darker in certain places, as though from the weeds being piled up in swathes. "It's lowering to ebb-tide," remarks Captain Gancy, in reply to an interrogation from his wife, "and the rocks are awash. They'll soon be above water, I take it."
By this time the mud-larks have scuttled off, the big one, who had recovered his feet, making after them, and all speedily disappearing. The three gipsy-looking creatures go too, leaving their protectors, Henry Chester and Ned Gancy, to explain things to him who has caused the stampede.
Word Of The Day