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Though Captain Westerway warned them that the voyage might prove boisterous, and not without danger, still Charles was anxious to reach the colony, that he might begin the life of a settler, and write home to relieve the anxiety of his family.
The helm of the stranger was put down, and with her headsails backed against the masts, she lay, hove to. Captain Westerway imitated the manoeuvre, and the "Crusader" likewise became almost stationary. Scarcely even now crediting what they had seen, and feeling as if they were in a dream, the two sisters watched the stranger. A boat was lowered.
The wretched man looked up with pale cheeks and staring eyes. "I dare not, I dare not," he answered. "But will you not save me, Captain Westerway?" "Save you! I want you to save yourself!" said the captain, taking him by the shoulder. "Come, get in there, and hold tight;" and the captain lifted the trembling wretch, and forced him into the cradle.
"Well, Captain Westerway, as you are an old friend, I will grant any favour you like to ask; so just out with it, and don't stand on ceremony," said Neptune, in a familiar, easy way.
Captain Westerway had wished to obtain another first mate in the place of Bill Windy, but he had been unsuccessful. The second mate was a young man, and though a fair sailor, was not as trustworthy a navigator as the captain desired; thus, consequently, throwing more labour and responsibility on him.
Harry felt that it was important for him to return to the settlement, in order to make preparations for the support of so many people, or he would gladly have remained with Captain Westerway, to assist him in getting stores from the wreck, and seeing what could be done to build another vessel, as had been proposed.
There were two young men, Tom Loftus and Jack Ivyleaf by name, going out as settlers. With the former, who was gentlemanly and pleasing, Charles Dicey soon became intimate. "I wonder what he is like," said Emily to her sister May. "His name sounds well, but of course that is no guide. Captain Westerway says an agent took his passage, and that he knows nothing about him."
"There is a boat," he exclaimed; "where can she come from?" "She is the cutter, depend on it, which those scoundrels ran away with," answered Windy. "They may mean mischief. Call the captain and the watch below; it's as well to be prepared for them." Captain Westerway and all hands were quickly on deck.
Bill Windy and Charles had continued their walk for some time, when the mate, looking to windward, exclaimed, "It's high time to shorten sail, or we shall have the masts whipped out of the ship. Boy, call the captain! Hands aloft two reefs in the topsails." The crew were running up the rigging, when Captain Westerway made his appearance.
Before he had time to issue any orders the main topgallant mast was carried away, dragging the fore-topmast, and with it the jibboom. Still the ship did not rise she was on her beam-ends. Captain Westerway and Bill Windy were on deck in an instant. The watch below came hurrying up without being summoned. Every one knew what had occurred. "Cut away the mizen-mast, Windy," cried the captain.
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