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Updated: May 6, 2025
Captain Westerway informed those who had come round from London that he expected to remain in that magnificent harbour three days at all events, and perhaps longer, before finally bidding farewell to Old England.
Frequently as the ship rolled, the ends of her yards flicked off the crest of the waves which rose up on either side. For several days the ship ran on, the gale in no way moderating. They wisely entreated them not to make the attempt. "No, no, young ladies," said Captain Westerway, "you had better stay where you are.
As Harry surveyed her, he was well pleased with her appearance. She was a stout little schooner of about 30 tons, and he felt satisfied to entrust his friends on board her, especially under the guidance of such experienced seamen as Captain Westerway and Bill Windy.
As he spoke, the natives were seen running down the hill towards the canoes. The boat had returned and taken on board several of the water-casks. "The water will be dearly purchased if we wait to allow these savages to overtake us. Shove off, shove off!" Captain Westerway was on deck, surprised to see the boat coming back. Willy was standing near him.
In vain the captain and his mates shouted to the men, their voices were drowned by the loud uproar of the waves, the howling and whistling of the wind in the rigging, the creaking of the bulk-heads, the flapping of the canvas, the complaining of the masts and spars. A fierce hurricane was blowing, such as Captain Westerway said he had never before encountered in those seas.
"Captain Westerway, these people are not to be trifled with." "We will slip the cable, then," said the captain. "It is better to lose that than be cut off, as several vessels have been, by these people." The headsails quickly filled, the wind blew out of the harbour; the after-sails were set, and the "Young Crusader" glided rapidly towards the ocean.
Captain Westerway was in hopes that, by going in, even though no settlers might be there, he would be enabled to obtain a supply of water, as well as wild-fowl or other birds, to support the people till some more hospitable place could be reached.
So you see, Captain Westerway, your loss is our gain; for had you not come in, months or years might have passed before we could have made our escape, and the anxiety of our friends have been relieved." The morning was too tempestuous to allow the boat to make the passage to the settlement.
"Make fast the boat and lend them a hand," said Captain Westerway, and the three men were helped up the schooner's side. They were found to be two of the emigrants and one of the seamen who had mutinied. They appeared thoroughly humbled and wretched. As soon as they had taken a little food, they gave an account of their sufferings.
Besides the captain, only one trembling wretch remained. He clung frantically to the bulwarks, afraid of quitting his hold, and trusting himself to the cradle. "Come, Mr Mawson," exclaimed Captain Westerway, "I am hauling the cradle back for the last time, and if you do not go, before many minutes you will be carried off by the sea, and no power on earth can help you."
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