Masterman Ready, or, The wreck of the Pacific

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Preface

I PROMISED my children to write a book for them. It was a hasty promise, for I never considered whether I was capable of so doing. On my requesting to know what kind of a book they would prefer, they said that they wished me to continue a work called the " Swiss Family Robinson," which had never been completed, and which, appeared peculiarly to interest them. I sent for the work and read it : it was originally written in German, translated into Frenph, and from French into English, — a very fair evidence of its merits as amusing to children ; but I found dii&culties which were to me insurmountable, and which decided me not to continue that work, but to write another in the same style ; and I mention this more with a view to prevent any accusation of plagiarism, than with any intent to depreciate the work referred to. I have said that it is very amusing ; but the fault which I find in it is, that it does not adhere to the probable, or even the possible, which should ever be the case in a book, even if fictitious, when written for children. I pass over the seamanship, or rather the want of it, which occasions impossibilities to be performed on board of the wreck, as that is not a matter of any consequence : as in the comedy, where, when people did not understand Greek, Irish did just as well, so it is with a large portion of the seamanship displayed in naval writings. But what compelled me to abandon the task was, that much ignorance, or carelessness, had been displayed in describing the vegetable and animal productions of the island on which the family had been wrecked. The island is viii PREFACE.

supposed to be far to the sonthward, near to Van Diemen's Land ; yet, in these temperate latitudes, we have not only plants, but animals, introduced which could only be found in the interior of Africa or the torrid zone, mixed up with those really indigenous to the climate. This was an error which I could not persuade myself to follow up. It is true that it is a child's book ; but I consider, for that very reason, it is necessary that the author should be particular in what may appear to be trifles, but which really are not, when it is remembered how strong the impressions are upon the juvenile mind. Fiction, when written for young people, should, at all events, be hosed upon truth ; and I could not continue a narrative under the objections which I have stated.

Whether I have succeeded or not in the construction of my own, is another question. I shall, however, take the opinions of the children, rather than of the critics, on this point My idea is, to show the practical man in Ready and the theoretical in the father of the family ; and, as the work advances, to enter more deeply into questions which may induce children to think, or, by raising their curiosity, stimulate them to seek for information.

Contents

CHAJTXB rial

I. — Ship before the Wind — Stormy Petrels — Character of Beady—

Description of the Ship and her Crew 1

Chapter II

Master William, whom wq hare introdaced to the reader, was the eldest boy of a family who were passengers on board, conBisting of the father, mother, and four children : his father was a Mr. ■ Seagrave, a very well-informed clever man, who having for many years held an office under government at Sydney, the principal town in New South Walea, was now returning from a leave of ahsence of three year^ He had purchased from the government several thousand acres of land ; it had since risen very much in value, and the sheep and cattle' which he had put on it were proving a source of great profit. His property had been well nuuu^ed by the person who had chai^ of it during hL^ absence in Sngland, and he waa now taking out with him a variety of articles of every description for its improvement, and for his own nse, such as furniture for his house, implements of ^riculture, seeds, plants, cattle, and many olier things too numerous to mention.

Mrs. Set^rave was an amiable wonum, but not in very strong

« ilASTERMAN READY.

health. The family consisted of William, who was the eldest, a clever steady boy, but, at the same time, full of mirth and humour ; Thomas, who was six years old, a very thoughtless but goodtempered boy, full of mischief, and always in a scrape ; Caroline, a little girl of seven years ; and Albert, a fine strong little fellow, who was not one year old : he was under the charge of a black girl who had come from the Cape of Good Hope to Sydney, and had followed Mrs. Seagrave to England, We have now mentioned all the people on board of the Pacific : perhaps we ought not to forget two shepherd's dogs, belonging to Mr. Seagrave, and a little terrier, which was a great favourite of Captain Osbom, to whom she belonged. And now we will proceed : — It was not until the fourth day from its commencement that the gale abated, and then it gradually subsided until it was nearly ft calm. The men who had been watching night after night during ilie gale, now brought all their clothes which had been drenched by the rain and spray, and hung them up in the rigging to dry j the sails also which had been furled, and had been saturated by the wet, were now loosened and spread out that they might not be mildewed. The wind blew mild and soft, the sea had gone down, and the ship was running through the water at the speed of about four miles an hour. Mrs. Seagrave, wrapped up in a cloak, was seated upon one of the arm- chests neai the stern of the ship, her husband and children were all with her enjoying the fine weather, when Captain Osbom, who had been taking an observation of the sun with his sextant, came up to them.

'* Well, Master Tommy, you are very glad that the gale is over ? "

** I didn't care," replied Tommy, " only I spilt all my soup. But Juno tumbled off her chair, and rolled away with the baby, till papa picked them both up."

" It was a mercy that poor Albert was not killed," observed Mrs. Seagrave.

"And so he might have been, if Juno had not thought only of him and nothing at all about herself," replied Mr. Seagrave.

" That's very true, sir," replied Captain Oobom. " She saved the child, and, I fear, hurt herself."

** I thump my head very hard," said Juno, smiling.

'* Yes, and it's lucky that you have a good thick woolly coat over it," replied Captain Osbom, laughing. ** Never mind, Juno, you are a good girl"

B.OUULUS AND REMUS. T

" It ia 12 o'clock bj &a mm, at," said Mackintosh, the fint mat«, to the captain.

"Then bring me np tlie latitude, Hr, Hackintosh, while I work ont the longitude from the sights which I took this moming. In fire minnte^ Mr Se^[raTe, I nhall be readj to prick off over our place OD tbe chart"

" Here are the dogs come np on deck," said William ; " I dare saj they are as glad of Ilia fine weather as we are^ Come here, Bomolns 1 Here, Remns ! — Bemns ! "

"Well, sir" eaid Ready, who was standing by Oiem with his quadrant in hia band, " I should like to ask yon a question. Those df^s of yours have two reiy odd names which I never Heard before. "Wbo were Romulus and Remus 1 "

" Romulus and Bemus," repKed Mr. Sei^rave, " were the names of two shepherds, brothers, who in ancient days founded the city of Rome, which eveutnally became the largest and most celebrated empire in the world. They were tbe fiiat kings of Rome, and reigned together.

. *^ And tliej were snckled by a wolf, Beady," continued William ; "what do yon think of that?"

"It was a qneer kind of wet nnrse, Master William," replied Ready.

"And Romulus killed Remus," said William.

" No wonder, after the way he was brought up. Master William," answered Ready ; " but why did he kill him ?" . ^^ For jumping too high," replied William, laughing.

"Is Master William joking?" said Ready, appealing to Mr* Seagrave.

''Yes, he is and he is not. History says that Remus afiPronted Romulus by leaping over a wall he had raised, and Romulus, in his anger, took away his life ; but the history of early days is not to be depended upon."

" No, nor the brothers either, it appears," replied Ready ; " however, it is the old story — two of a trade can never agree. One sometimes hears of Rome now — is that the eame place ? "

"Yes," replied William, "it is the remains of the old city."

" Well, one lives and learns," said Ready ; " I have learnt something to-day, which every one, will to the last day of his life, if he will only ask questions. I'm an old man, and perhaps don't know much, except in the seafaring way ; but I should have known much less if I did not ask for information, and was not ashamed to acknowledge my ignorance ; that's the way to learn. Master William."

" Very good advice. Ready — ^and, William, I hope you will profit by it," said Mr. Seagrave ; " never be ashamed to ask the meaning of what you do not understand."

" I always do, papa. Do I not ask you questions. Ready ? "

"Yes, you do, and very clever questions for a boy of your age, Master William ; and I only wish that I could answer them better than I can sometimes."

" I should like to go down now, my dear," said Mrs. Seagrave ; " perhaps Ready will see the baby down safe."

" That I will, Ma'am," said Ready, putting his quadrant on the capstem : " now, Juno, give me the child, and go down first ; — stem foremost, you stupid girl ! how often do I tell you that ? Some day or another you will come down with a run."

" And break my. head," said Juno.

" Yes, or break your arm ; and then who is to hold the child ? "

TABLE MOUNT Am^ 9

As goon as they were all down in the cabin, the ^ptain and Mr. Seagrave marked the position of the vessel on the chart, and found that they were one hundred and thirty miles from the Cape of Qood Hope.

" If the wind holds, we shall be in to-morrow," said Mr. Seagrave to his wife. " Juno, perhaps you may see your father and mother."

Poor Juno shook her head, and a tear or two stole down her dark cheek. With a mournful face she told them, that her father and mother belonged to a Dutch boor, who had gone with them many miles into the interior : she had been parted from them when quite a little child, and had been left at Cape Town,

" But you are free now, Juno," said Mrs. Seagrave ; " you have been to England, and whoever puts his foot on shore in England, becomes from that moment free."

"Yes, Missy, I free ; but still I have no fader or moder," replied Juno, weeping. But little Albert patted her cheek, and she was soon smiling again, and playing with the little boy.

CHAPTER IIL

Thb next morning the Pacific arrived at the Cape and anchored in Table Bay.

" Why do they call this Table Bay, Ready 1 " said William.

" I suppose it's because they call that great mountain the Table Mountain, Master William ; you see how flat the mountain is on the top."

" Yes, it is quite as flat as a table."

" Yes, and sometimes you will see the white clouds rolling down over the top of it in a very curious manner, and that the sailors call spreading the tablecloth : it is a sign of bad weather."

" Then I hope they will not spread the tablecloth while we are here. Ready," said William, "for I shall certainly have no appetite. We have had bad weather enough already, and mamma suffers so much from it. What a pretty place it is ! "

" We shall remain here two days, sir," said Captain Osborii to Mr. Seagrave, "if you and Mrs. Seagrave would like to go on shore."

10 UASTBSUAN EEADy.

" I will go down and ask Mia Seagrave," said her huBbasd, who ' want down the ladder, followed bj William.

Upon the qaestion beii^ put to Mrs. Seagmve, shs replied that ■he was quite satisfied with the ship having no motion, and did not feel herself equal to going on shore ; it was therefore decided that she should remain on board with the two younger children, and tha^ on the following day, Mr. Seagrave shonld take William and Tcmmiy to see Cape Town, and return on board before night

The next morning, Captain Osbom lowered down one of the lai^ boats, and Mr. Seagrave, accompanied by Captain Osborn, went on shore with William and Tommy. Tommy had promised his mamma to he very good ; but that he always did, and almost always foi^t his promise directly he was ont of sight. As soon as they landedt they went np to a gentleman's house, with whom Captain Osbom was acquainted. They stayed for a few minutes to drink a glass of lemonade, for it was very warm ; and then it was proposed that they should go to the Company'H Gardens and see the wild beasts which wars confined there, at which William was much delighted, and Tommy clapped his hands with joy.

BOTANIC QARDENS. 11

" What are the CompaiiT's Gardens, papa I " inqniTed William.

" They were made by the Dntch East India Company, at the time that the Cape of Good Hope was in their possession. They are, properly speaking, Botanical Gardens ; but, at the same time, the wild animals are kept there. Formerly there were a great many, bat they have not been paid attention to lately, for we have plenty of these aTiimulB in England now."

" What shall we see 1 " eaid Tummy.

"Yfinwill eee lions, Tommy, a great many in a largo den together," ■aid Captain Osbom.

" Oh ! I want to see a lion."

" You must not go too near them, recollect."

" No, I won't," said Tommy.

As Boon as they entered the gates, Tommy escaped from Captain Osbom, and ran away in hia hurry to see the lions ; but Captain Osbom caught him again, and held him fast by the hand.

" Here is a pair of very strenge birds," said the gentleman who accompanied them ; " they are called Secretaries, on account of the feathera which hang behind their heads, as the feather of a pen doe? when a clerk puts it behind his eai : bnt they are veiy nfieful, fir

12 MAS TEEM AN BEADY.

they ore snake-killers ; indeed, they would, if they could, live altogether npon snakes, which they are very great enemies to, never letting one escape. They strike them with their feet, and with such force as to kill them immediately."

• " Are there many snakes in this conntry ? " inqnired WiUiam. ^"Yes, and very venomous snakes," replied Mr. Seagrave, "so that these birds are very useful in destroying them. You observe, William, that the Almighty, in his wisdom, has so arranged it that no animal (especially of a noxious kind) shall be multiplied to excess, but kept under by being preyed upon by some other ; indeed, wherever in any country an animal exists in any quantity, there is generally found another animal which destroys it. The Secretary inhabits this country where snakes exist in numbers, that it may destroy them : in England the bird would be of little value."

" But some animals are too large or too fierce to be destroyed by others, papa ; for instance, the elephant and the lion."

^' Very true ; but these larger animals do not breed so fast, and therefore their numbers do not increase so rapidly. For instance, a pair of elephants will not have more than one young one in the space of two years or more ; while the rabbits, which are preyed upon and the food of so many other beasts as well as birds, would increase enormously, if they were not destroyed. I have read that a pair of rabbits, from themselves and their progeny also breeding so fast, will arrive to many hundreds in the course of a single year. Examine through the whole of creation, and you will find that there is an unerring hand, which invariably preserves the balance exact j and that there are no more mouths than for which food is provided, although accidental circumstances may for a time occasion a slight alteration."

They continued their walk xmtil they came to the den of the lions. It was a large place, inclosed with a strong and high wall of stone, with only one window to it for the visitors to look at them, as it was open above. This window was wide, and with strong iron bars running from the top to the bottom ; but the width between the bars was such that a lion could put his paw out with ease ; and they were therefore cautioned not to go too near. It was a fine sight to see eight or ten of these noble-looking animals lying down in various attitudes, quite indifferent apparently to the people outside — basking in the sun, and slowly moving their tufted tails to

TOMMY at DANGER. 13

and fro. William examined them at a respectful distance from the bais ; and so did Tommy, who had bis moulh open with astonlBhment, in which there was at first not a little fear mixed, hnt he soon got holder. The gentleman who had accompanied them, and who had heen long at the Cape, was relating to Mr. Seagrave and Captain Osbom. some very cnriona anfiodotes ahont tie lion. William and they were so interested, that they did not perceive that Tommy had slipped back to the grated window of their den. Tommy looked at the lions, and then he wanted to make them move ahouti there was one fine full-grown young lion, about three years old, who was lying down nearest to the window ; and Tommy took np a stone and threw it at him : the lion appeared not to notice it, for he did not move, althongh he fixed his eyes upon Tommy ; so Tommy became more brave, and threw another, and then another, approaching each time nearer to the bars of the window.

All of a sadden the lion gave a tremendons roar, and sprang at Tommy, bonndii^ against the iron bars of the cage with such force that, had they not been very strong, it mnst have broken them. Aa it was, they shook and rattled so that pieces of mortar felt from the stonea. Tommy shrieked ; and, fortunately for himself, fell hack and tnmbled Lead over heels, or the lion's paws wonld have reached him. Captain Osborn and Mr. Seagrave ran np to Tommy, and picked him up : he roared with fright as soon as he could fetch his breath, while the lion stood at the bars, lashing his tail, snarling and showing his enormous fangs.

*' Take me away — take me on board the ship,*' cried Tommy, who was terribly frightened.

" What did you do, Tommy t " said Captain Osborn.

"I won't throw any more stones, Mr. Lion; I won*t indeed," cried Tommy, looking terrified towards the animal,

Mr. Seagrave scolded Tommy well for his foolish conduct, and by degrees he became more composed ; but he did not recover himself until they had walked some distance away from the lion's den.

They then looked at the other animals which were to be seen ; Tommy keeping a most respectful distance from every one of them. He wouldn't even go near to a Carpe sheep with a broad tail.

When they had seen everything, they went back to the gentleman^s house to dinner ; and, after dinner, they returned on board, when Tommy *s adventure with the lion was told to his mother, who declared that she never should be able to trust him out of her sight

Chapter IV

The following morning the fresh water and provisions were received on board, and once more the Pacific stretched her broad canvas to the winds, and there was every prospect of a rapid voyage, as for many days she continued her passage with a fair wind and flowing sheet. But this did not continue : it fell calm, and remained so for nearly three days, during which not a breath of wind was to be seen on the wide expanse of water ; all nature appeared as if in repose, except that now and then an albatross would drop down at some distance from the stem of the vessel, and, as he swam lazily along with his wings half furled, pick up the fragments of food which had been thrown over the side.

" What great bird is that. Ready ? " inquired William.

'' It is an albatross, Master William, the largest sea-bird we have. Their wings are very long. I have seen, them shot, and they have

WONDERFUL PROVISION OF NATURE. IS

measured eleven f»et from the tip of one wing to the tip of the otlwr ffhen the wings have been spread out."

" It is the first one that I have seea," said William.

"Because you seldom meet them north of the Cape, ur : people do Eaj that they go to sleep on the wing, halandng themselves high up in the air."

"Papa," said William, tonuiig to Mr. Se^iave, who stood bj, "whjr ia it that one bird can swim and another cannot 1 Yuu recollect when Tommy drove the hens into the large pond, they flounced abont, and their feathers became wet, and would support them no longer, and then they were drowned. Now, how does a sea bird contrive to remnin so long on the water?"

"Becaiiee a sea-bird, Williiim, is provided with a sort of oil on purpose to anoint the outside of its feathers, and this oil prevents the water from penetrating them. Hove you not observed the ducks on shore dreFsing their feathers with their bills? They were then using this oil to moke their feathers walerprooL"

" How odd ! "

"Don't eay how odd, William ; that is not nn expression to use

16 HAS TERM AN READY.

when we talk of the wonderful provisions made by the Almighty hand, who neglects not the meanest of his creatures — say rather, Ylgw wonderful I "

" That's very true, sir," observed Ready ; " but still you must not be too hard upon Master William, for I have heard many a grown-up man make use of the same expression."

" They were not better taught when they were young, Ready."

" Perhaps so, sir ; and Master William should be thankful that he has a father who does take the trouble. But here comes Juno to tell you that tea is ready."

On the third day of the calm, the barometer fell so low as to induce Captain Osbom to believe that they should have a severe gale, and every preparation was made to meet it, should it come on. Nor was he mistaken : towards midnight the clouds gathered up fast, and as they gathered up in thick piles, heaped one over the other, the lightning darted through them in every direction ; and as the clouds rose up, so did the wind, but at first only in heavy gusts, and then lulling again to a calm.

" Ready," said Captain Osbom, " how do you think we shall have the wind ? "

" Why, Captain Osbom, to tell you the truth, I don't think it will be steady to one point long. It may at first blow hard from the north, but it's my idea it will shiit soon to some other quarter, and blow still harder."

" What think you. Mackintosh 1 ^

"Well' have plenty of it, and a long steady gale, that's my notion ; and the sooner we ship the dead lights the better."

Mr. Seagrave, with William, happened to be standing by at the time of this conversation, and at the term dead lights Willy's face expressed some anxiety. Ready perceived it, and said —

" That's a foolish name they give to the shutters which go over the cabin-windows to prevent the water from breaking into the cabin when a vessel sails before the wind ; you know we had them on the last time that we had a gale, so don't you go down to frighten your mother by telling her that the dead lights are shipped."

" I was not afraid. Ready, but I was thinking of my mother, I acknowledge ; she has been so very weak these last two days."

" But, Ready," said Captain Osbom, " why do you think that we shall have a shift of wind ? "

STUPTOltS OF A STORM. 17

" Well, I dos't know ; pethapa I was wnmg," replied the old man, " and Mr. Mackintoeh u r^ht : the wind does seem to come steady &om the north-east, that's certain ; " and Heady iralked away to the binnacle, and looked at the compass. Mr. Seagiave and William then went below, and Mr. Mackintosh went forward to give his orders. As soon as they were all gone, Beady went ap i^ain to Captain Osbom, and Baid, —

" Captain Osbom, it's not for me to contradict Mr. Mackintosh, but that's of little consequence in a time like this : I shonld hare held fo my opinion, had it not been that the gentleman pa^^senger and his son were standing by, but now, aa the coast ia clear, I tell you that we shall have uomething worse than a gale of wind. I hays been in these latitndes before, and I am an old eeaman as you know. There's ■omething in the air, and there has been something during the last three days of calm, which reminds me too well of what I have seen here before ; and I am sure that we shall have little better than a hurricane, as far as wind goes — and worse in one point, that it will last much longer than hurricanes generally do. I have been watching, and even the birds tell me so, and they are told by their nature, which is never mistaken. That calm has been nothing more than a repose of the winds previous to their being roused up to do their worst ; and that is my real opinion."

" Well, and I'm inclined to agree with you, Ready, so we must send top-gallant yards down on deck, and all the small sails and lumber out of the tops. Get the try-sail aft and bent, and lower down the gaflf. I will go forward."

They had no time to lose : their preparations were hardly complete before the wind had settled to a fierce gale from the north-east The sea rose rapidly ; topsail after topsail was furled ; and by dusk the Pacific was flying through the water with the wind on her quarter, under reefed foresail and storm staysail. It was with difficulty that three men at the wheel could keep the helm, such were the blows which the vessel received from the heavy seas on the quarter. Not one seaman in the ship took advantage of his watch below to go to sleep that night, careless as they generally are ; the storm was too dreadful. About three o'clock in the morning the wind suddenly subsided ; it was but for a minute or two, and then it again burst on. the vessel from another quarter of the compass, as Ready had foretold, splitting the foresail into fragments, which lashed and flogged the wind till they were torn away by it, and carried far to leeward. The heavens above were of a pitchy darkness, and the only light was from the creaming foam of the sea on every side. The shift of wind, which had been to the west-north-west, compelled them to alter the course of the vessel, for they had no chance but to scud, as they now did, under bare poles ; but in consequence of the sea having taken its run from the former wind, which had been north-east, it was, as sailors call it, cross^ and every minute the waves poured over the ship, sweeping all before their weight of waters. One poor man was washed overboard, and any attempt made to save him would have been unavailing. Captain Osborn was standing by the weather gunnel, holding on by one of the belaying pins, when he said to Mackintosh, who was near him,