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Journegan, the second officer, made the last but not least of the select four who had elected to stay aboard with Sackett to take in the ship and get salvage.
When he shook hands, the tears ran down out of his little eyes and trickled over his bushy beard to the deck. "I wishes ye all the best o' luck," said he, and he fumbled in his pocket for a moment, letting a small piece of paper escape and flutter to the deck. I stooped and picked it up, glancing at the writing on it. The words were: Mrs. William Sackett, 25 Prince St., E.C., London, Eng.
The proprietor said the man had given the name of Spence, but he heard two of the sailors call him Sackett. The following evening the general and his staff dined at the beautiful home of one of the old and wealthy residents, and towards nine o'clock Mr. Stuyvesant asked his general's permission to withdraw, as he had two calls to make before returning aboard ship. They were to sail at dawn.
While we were below, Chips, after cutting Andrews adrift, tried to find out where the leak was located. The vessel's hold was so full of water, however, that he gave up the search. Only a survey of her bilge outside would help clear up matters, and allow work upon it. Captain Sackett had taken an observation and had figured himself out to be within six hundred miles of Cape Town.
I think your girl is giving you good advice, Captain Sackett." "I think you heard me state just how I felt about the matter, Mr. Andrews," replied the captain. "If you're disposed to quit, you can go in the boat." "Oh, no," said the ruffian, "I intend to stay." And he lent such emphasis to the last word that Sackett gave him a sharp glance to see if he meant anything more.
"Don't seem to be in much of a hurry, hey?" said our captain, with his drawl. "We've been working steadily all night at the pumps, sir, hopin' to keep her afloat, sir. The old man I beg pardon, Captain Sackett, says as he'll not abandon her while she swims. The rest of us have permission to go, sir." "Is her cargo of any particular value, then?" "Yes, sir. It's palm oil and valuable woods.
"We'll stand by you, if you wish, and help you to carry out any orders." "I don't think it will be necessary," answered Sackett. "However, if anything disagreeable happens, I trust you will do what you may for the welfare of my daughter, sir. You understand how much she is at the mercy of these ruffians, should anything happen to me." "I will pass my word, sir," I answered.
He was, indeed, a desperate ruffian, whose life was already forfeited, but Sackett never flinched for a moment. The dull night of the southern ocean was closing around the scene on the Sovereign's deck, making the faces of the men indistinct in the gloom. The Englishmen stood a little apart from ours, but all looked at the captain as he walked up to Andrews.
I went on deck, and Chips, Jim, and the men went below to get something to eat. Sackett was standing at the break of the poop as I came up, and his daughter stood beside him. They were evidently in earnest conversation over the scene below, for as I drew near, Miss Sackett turned to me and said with some show of contempt in her voice:
Sackett stood with our friend Thompson, better known in the Antipodes as Jackwell, the burglar. As I watched him standing there pointing to us, I thought of poor Jim. "Wheel down," I heard Trunnell bawl as the ship came within fifty fathom. "Slack away that lee brace; steady your wheel." Before the ship's headway had slackened we had out the oars and were rowing for her.
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