The log on board was a patent log, with a dial-plate and screw, by means of which the distance that is travelled can be measured accurately3 for any definite time; it was an instrument so simple that the negroes were very soon taught its use. The slight error in the reckoning caused by the action of the currents could only be rectified4 by astronomical5 observations, which, as already has been stated, were beyond Dick's attainments6 to make.
The idea more than once crossed Dick's mind whether he would not take the "Pilgrim" back again to New Zealand; the distance was considerably7 less than it was to America, and had the wind remained in the quarter whence it had been blowing so long, it is more than likely he would have determined8 to retrace9 his course. But as the wind had now veered10 to the north-west, and there was every probability that it was settled for a time, he came to the conclusion that he had better take advantage of it and persevere11 in making his way towards the east. Accordingly he lost no time in putting his ship before the wind.
On a schooner the fore-mast usually carries four square sails; on the lower mast a fore-sail; on the top-mast a top-sail; on the top-gallant12 a top-gallant-sail and a royal. The main-mast carries only a main-sail and a top-sail. Between the masts upon the fore-stays can be hoisted13 a triple tier of triangular14 sails; while the bowsprit with its jib-boom will carry the three jibs.
The jibs, the main-sail, the main-top-sail and the staysails are all managed with comparative ease, because they can be hoisted from the deck without the necessity of ascending15 the mast to let fly the robbins, by which they are fastened to the yards. With the sails on the fore-mast it is altogether a more difficult business. In order either to unfurl them, to take them in, or to reef them, it is necessary for a man to clamber up by the shrouds16, either to the fore-top, or to the top-gallant cross-trees, and thence mounting by loose ropes, extended below the yards, to hold on by one hand whilst he does his work with the other. The operation requires alike the head and arm of an experienced mariner17; and when a fresh breeze has been blowing, it is a casualty far from uncommon18 that a sailor, confused by the flapping of the canvas and the pitching of the vessel19, should be blown overboard in the act. For the unpractised negroes the danger would necessarily be very great. However, the wind at present was very moderate, and the ship ploughed her way over the waves without any violent oscillations.
At the time when Dick Sands, in obedience20 to the signal he received from Captain Hull21, proceeded to make his way to the scene of the disaster, the "Pilgrim," as she lay to, was carrying only her jibs, main-sail, fore-sail, and fore-top-sail. In order, therefore, to put her as near as possible to the wind, it had been merely necessary to counter-brace23 the fore-sail yard, a manoeuvre24 in which the negroes had rendered all the assistance that was necessary. It was requisite25 now to do something more. To enable him to get straight before the wind Dick wanted to increase his sail, and was desirous of hoisting26 the top-gallant, the royal, the main-top-sail, and the stay-sails.
He was himself standing27 at the wheel.
"Now, my men," he shouted to the negroes; "I want your help. Do exactly as I tell you. Bear away, Tom!"
Tom looked puzzled.
"Bear away! unfasten that rope, I mean. And, Bat, come along; do the same as Tom."
The men did what they were bidden.
"That's right!" continued Dick, and calling to Hercules, said,-
"Now, Hercules; a good strong pull!"
To give such a direction to Hercules was somewhat imprudent; the rigging creaked again under his giant strength.
"Gently, gently, my good fellow!" said Dick, laughing; "you will have the mast down."
"I declare I hardly touched the rope," answered Hercules.
"Well, next time, you must only pretend to touch it," said Dick; and, continuing his orders, shouted, "Now slacken! let fly! make fast! now brace in the yards! all right! that's capital!"
The yards were loosened, the foresails turned slowly round, and, catching29 the breeze, gave a slight impetus30 to the ship. Dick's next orders were for the jib-sheets to be set free, and then he called the men to the stern.
"Now," said he; "we must look to the main-mast; but take care, Hercules, not to have it down."
"I will be as careful as possible, Mr. Dick," submissively replied Hercules, as though he were afraid to commit himself to any rash promise.
The manoeuvre was simple enough. The main-sheet was gradually slackened, the great sail took the wind and added its powerful action to that of the fore-sails. The main-top-sail was next brought to bear; it was only clewed up, so that there was nothing to do except to pull the halyards, haul it aboard the tack31, and unfurl it. But in pulling at the halyards the muscular energy of Hercules, which was supplemented by that of Actæon, not to forget little Jack32, who had volunteered his assistance, proved to be overpowering, and the rope snapped in two. All three of them, of course, fell flat upon the deck; but fortunately neither of them was hurt, and Jack laughed heartily33 at his tumble as an excellent joke.
"Up with you!" cried Captain Dick; "there's no harm done; splice34 the rope, and haul away more gently next time."
It took but a few minutes to execute the order, and the "Pilgrim" was soon sailing away rapidly with her head to the east.
"Well done, my friends!" said Dick, who had not left his post at the helm; "you will be first-rate sailors before the end of the voyage."
"We shall do our best, I promise you, Captain Sands," replied Tom, making it a point to give the young commander his proper title.
Mrs. Weldon also congratulated the new crew upon the success of their first attempt.
"I believe it was Master Jack who broke that rope," said Hercules, with a sly twinkle in his eye; "he is very strong, I can tell you."
Jack looked as though he thoroughly35 appreciated the compliment, and evidenced his satisfaction by giving his huge friend a hearty36 shake of the hand.
There were still several sails that were not yet set. Running well before the wind as the "Pilgrim" was, Dick nevertheless felt that the gallant, royal, and stay-sails, if brought into service, would materially assist her progress, and he determined not to dispense37 with their help. The stay-sails could be hoisted from below, but to bring the gallant and royal into play demanded more experience than any of his crew had had. Knowing that he could not entrust38 the task to them, and yet resolved not to be baulked of his wish to set them, he undertook the task himself. He first put Tom to the helm, showing him how
[Illustration: All three of them fell flat upon the deck.]
to keep the schooner's head in the right direction, and having placed the other four at the royal and top-gallant halyards, proceeded to mount the foremast.
To clamber up the foreshrouds and the top-shrouds on to the cross-trees was mere22 child's play to the active apprentice39. In a few minutes he had unfurled the top-gallant-sail, mounted to the royal-yard, unfurled the royal, again reached the cross-trees, and having caught hold of one of the starboard backstays, had descended40 to the deck; there he gave the necessary directions, and the two sails were made fast, and both yards braced41.
Nor did this content him. The stay-sails were set between the masts, and thus the "Pilgrim" was running along, crowded to the full, with all her canvas. The only additional sails which Dick could possibly have employed would have been some studding-sails to larboard, but as the setting of these was a matter of some difficulty, and they were not always readily struck in the case of a sudden squall, he contented42 himself without them.
Again he took his place at the helm. The breeze was manifestly freshening, and the "Pilgrim," almost imperceptibly heeling to starboard, glided43 rapidly along the surface of the water, leaving behind her a wake, smooth and clean, that bore plain witness to the true adjustment of her water-line.
"This is good progress, Mrs. Weldon," he said; "may Heaven grant the wind and weather may continue thus favourable44!"
The lady, in silence, shook the boy's hand; and then, worn-out with the excitement of the past hours, went to her cabin, where she lay down and fell into a troubled doze45.
The new crew remained on watch. They were stationed on the forecastle, in readiness to make any alteration46 which the sails might require, but the wind was so steady and unshifting that no need arose for their services.
And Cousin Benedict? all this time, where was he? and what had he been doing?
He was sitting in his cabin; he had a magnifying-glass in his hand and was studying an articulata of the order orthoptera, an insect of the Blattidae family; its characteristics are a roundish body, rather long wings, flat elytra, and a head hidden by the prothorax. He had been on deck at the time of the
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