Not a sail, however, could yet be hoisted9; the smallest show of canvas would have been carried away in an instant; nevertheless Dick hoped that before another twenty-four hours were over, the "Pilgrim" might be able to carry a storm-jib.
In the course of the night the wind moderated still more and the pitching of the ship had so far diminished that the passengers began to reappear on deck. Mrs. Weldon was the first to leave her enforced imprisonment10. She was anxious to speak to Dick, whom she might have expected to find looking pale and wan11 after his almost superhuman exertions12 and loss of sleep. But she was mistaken; however much the lad might suffer from the strain in after-years, at present he exhibited no symptoms of failing energy.
"Well, Captain Dick, how are you?" she said, as she advanced towards him holding out her hand.
Dick smiled.
"You call me captain, Mrs. Weldon," he answered, "but you do not seem disposed to submit implicitly13 to
[Illustration: "You have acquitted14 yourself like a man."]
captain's orders. Did I not direct you to keep to your cabin?"
"You did," replied the lady; "but observing how much the storm had abated15, I could not resist the temptation to disobey you."
"Yes, madam, the weather is far more promising16; the barometer has not fallen since yesterday morning, and I really trust the worst is over now."
"Thank Heaven!" she replied, and after a few moments' silence, she added.-
"But now, Dick, you must really take some rest; you may perhaps not know how much you require it; but it is absolutely necessary."
"Rest!" the boy repeated; "rest! I want no rest. I have only done my duty, and it will be time enough for me to concern myself about my own rest, when I have seen my passengers in a place of safety."
"You have acquitted yourself like a man," said Mrs. Weldon; "and you may be assured that my husband, like myself, will never forget the services you have rendered me. I shall urge upon him the request which I am sure he will not refuse, that you shall have your studies completed, so that you may be made a captain for the firm."
Tears of gratitude17 rose to Dick's eyes. He deprecated the praise that was lavished18 upon him, but rejoiced in the prospect19 that seemed opening upon his future. Mrs. Weldon assured him that he was dear as a son to her, and pressed a gentle kiss upon his forehead. The lad felt that he was animated20, if need be, to yet greater hardships in behalf of his benefactors21, and resolved to prove himself even more worthy22 of their confidence.
By the 29th, the wind had so far moderated that Dick thought he might increase the "Pilgrim's" speed by hoisting23 the foresail and topsail.
"Now, my men, I have some work for you to-day," he said to the negroes when he came on deck at daybreak.
"All right, captain," answered Hercules, "we are growing rusty24 for want of something to do."
"Why didn't you blow with your big mouth?" said little Jack25; "you could have beaten the wind all to nothing."
Dick laughed, and said, "Not a bad idea, Jack; if ever we get becalmed, we must get Hercules to blow into the sails."
"I shall be most happy," retorted the giant, and he inflated26 his huge checks till he was the very impersonation of Boreas himself.
"But now to work!" cried Dick; "we have lost our topsail, and we must contrive27 to hoist8 another. Not an easy matter, I can tell you."
"I dare say we shall manage it," replied Actæon.
"We must do our best," said Tom.
"Can't I help?" inquired Jack.
"Of course you can," answered Dick; "run along to the wheel, and assist Bat."
Jack strutted28 off, proud enough of his commission.
Under Dick's directions, the negroes commenced their somewhat difficult task. The new topsail, rolled up, had first of all to be hoisted, and then to be made fast to the yard; but so adroitly29 did the crew carry out their orders, that in less than an hour the sail was properly set and flying with a couple of reefs. The foresail and second jib, which had been taken down before the tempest, were hoisted again, and before ten o'clock the "Pilgrim" was running along under the three sails which Dick considered were as much as it was prudent30 to carry. Even at her present speed, the schooner31, he reckoned, would be within sight of the American shore in about ten days. It was an immense relief to him to find that she was no longer at the mercy of the waves, and when he saw the sails properly set he returned in good spirits to his post at the helm, not forgetting to thank the temporary helmsman for his services, nor omitting his acknowledgment to Master Jack, who received the compliment with becoming gravity.
Although the clouds continued to travel all the next day with great rapidity they were very much broken, and alternately the "Pilgrim" was bathed in sunlight and enveloped32 in vapours, which rolled on towards the east. As the weather cleared, the hatchways were opened in
[Illustration: They both examined the outspread chart.]
order to ventilate the ship, and the outer air was allowed again to penetrate33 not only the hold, but the cabin and crew's quarters The wet sails were hung out to dry, the deck was washed down, for Dick Sands was anxious not to bring his ship into port without having "finished her toilet," and he found that his crew could very well spare a few hours daily to get her into proper trim.
Notwithstanding the loss of the log, Dick had sufficient experience to be able to make an approximate estimate of the schooner's progress, and after having pointed35 out to Mrs. Weldon what he imagined was the "Pilgrim's" true position, he told her that it was his firm impression that land would be sighted in little more than a week.
"And upon what part of South America do you reckon we are likely to find ourselves?" she asked.
"That is more than I dare venture to promise," replied Dick; "but I should think somewhere hereabouts."
He was pointing on the chart to the long shore-line of Chili36 and Peru.
They both examined the outspread chart with still closer attention.
"Here, you see," resumed Dick, "here is the island we have just left; we left it in the west; the wind has not shifted; we must expect to come in sight of land, pretty nearly due east of it. The coast has plenty of harbours. From any one of them you will be able easily to get to San Francisco. You know, I dare say, that the Pacific Navigation Company's steamers touch at all the principal ports. From any of them you will be sure to get direct passage to California."
"But do you mean," asked Mrs. Weldon, "that you are not going yourself to take the schooner to San Francisco?"
"Not direct," replied the young captain; "I want to see you safe on shore and satisfactorily on your homeward way. When that is done, I shall hope to get competent officers to take the ship to Valparaiso, where she will discharge her cargo37, as Captain Hull38 intended; and afterwards I shall work our way back to San Francisco."
"Ah, well; we will see all about that in due time." Mrs. Weldon said, smiling; and, after a short pause, added, "At one time, Dick, you seemed to have rather a dread39 of the shore."
"Quite true," answered Dick; "but now I am in hopes we may fall in with some passing vessel40; we want to have a confirmation41 as to our true position. I cannot tell you how surprised I am that we have not come across a single vessel. But when we near the land we shall be able to get a pilot."
"But what will happen if we fail to get a pilot?" was Mrs. Weldon's inquiry42. She was anxious to learn how far the lad was prepared to meet any emergency.
With unhesitating promptness Dick replied,-
"Why, then, unless the weather takes the control of the ship out of my hands, I must patiently follow the coast until I come to a harbour of refuge. But if the wind should freshen, I should have to adopt other measures."
"What then, Dick, what then?" persisted Mrs. Weldon.
The boy's brow knitted itself together in resolution, and he said deliberately,-
"I should run the ship aground."
Mrs. Weldon started.
"However," Dick continued, "there is no reason to apprehend43 this. The weather has mended and is likely to mend. And why should we fear about finding a pilot? Let us hope all will be well."
Mrs. Weldon at least had satisfied herself on one point. She had ascertained44 that although Dick did not anticipate disaster, yet he was prepared in the case of emergency to resort to measures from which any but the most experienced seaman45 would shrink.
But although Dick's equanimity46 had been successful in allaying47 any misgivings48 on Mrs. Weldon's part, it must be owned that the condition of the atmosphere caused him very serious uneasiness.
The wind remained uncomfortably high, and the barometer gave very ominous49 indications that it would ere long freshen still more. Dick dreaded50 that the time was about to return in which once again he must reduce his vessel to a state of bare poles; but so intense was his aversion to having his ship so
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CHAPTER XII. HOPE REVIVED.
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