登陆注册
15458000000032

第32章 CHAPTER XXIV

CURTIS RESOLVES TO ABANDON THE SHIP

DECEMBER 4. -- The first attempt at mutiny being thus happily suppressed, it is to be hoped that Curtis will succeed as well in future. An insubordinate crew would render us powerless indeed.

Throughout the night the pumps were kept, without respite, steadily at work, but without producing the least sensible benefit. The ship became so water-logged and heavy that she hardly rose at all to the waves, which con- sequently often washed over the deck and contributed their part toward aggravating our case. Our situation was rapidly becoming as terrible as it had been when the fire was raging in the midst of us; and the prospect of being swallowed by the devouring billows was no less formidable than that of perishing in the flames.

Curtis kept the men up to the mark, and, willing or unwill- ing, they had no alternative but to work on as best they might; but in spite of all their efforts, the water perpetually rose, till, at length, the men in the hold who were passing the buckets found themselves immersed up to their waists, and were obliged to come on deck.

This morning, after a somewhat protracted consultation with Walter and the boatswain, Curtis resolved to abandon the ship. The only remaining boat was far too small to hold us all, and it would therefore be necessary to construct a raft that should carry those who could not find room in her.

Dowlas, the carpenter, Mr. Falsten, and ten sailors were told off to put the raft in hand, the rest of the crew being ordered to continue their work assiduously at the pumps, until the time came and everything was ready for embarkation.

Hatchet or saw in hand, the carpenter and his assistants made a beginning without delay, by cutting and trimming the spare yards and extra spars to a proper length. These were then lowered into the sea -- which was propitiously calm -- so as to favor the operation (which otherwise would have been very difficult) of lashing them together into a firm framework, about forty feet long and twenty-five feet wide, upon which the platform was to be supported.

I kept my own place steadily at the pumps, and Andre Le- tourneur worked at my side. I often noticed his father glance at him sorrowfully, as though he wondered what would become of him if he had to struggle with waves to which even the strongest man could hardly fail to succumb.

But come what may, his father will never forsake him, and I myself shall not be wanting in rendering him whatever assistance I can.

Mrs. Kear, who had been for some time in a state of drowsy unconsciousness, was not informed of the immediate danger; but when Miss Herbey, looking somewhat pale with fatigue, paid one of her flying visits to the deck, I warned her to take every precaution for herself, and to be ready for any emergency.

"Thank you, doctor, I am always ready," she cheerfully replied, and returned to her duties below. I saw Andre follow the young girl with his eyes, and a look of melancholy interest passed over his countenance.

Toward eight o'clock in the evening the framework for the raft was almost complete, and the men were lower- ing empty barrels, which had first been securely bunged, and were lashing them to the woodwork to insure its floating.

Two hours later and suddenly there arose the startling cry, "We are sinking! we are sinking!"

Up to the poop rushed Mr. Kear, followed immediately by Falsten and Miss Herbey, who were bearing the inan- imate form of Mrs. Kear. Curtis ran to his cabin, instantly returning with a chart, a sextant, and a compass in his hand.

The scene that followed will ever be engraven in my memory; the cries of distress, the general confusion, the frantic rush of the sailors toward the raft that was not yet ready to support them, can never be forgotten. The whole period of my life seemed to be concentrated into that terrible moment when the planks bent below my feet and the ocean yawned beneath me.

Some of the sailors had taken their delusive refuge in the shrouds, and I was preparing to follow them when a hand was laid upon my shoulder.. Turning round I beheld M.

Letourneur, with tears in his eyes, pointing toward his son.

"Yes, my friend," I said, pressing his hand, "we will save him, if possible."

But Curtis had already caught hold of the young man, and was hurrying him to the main-mast shrouds, when the Chancellor, which had been scudding along rapidly with the wind, stopped suddenly, with a violent shock, and began to settle. The sea rose over my ankles, and almost instinc- tively I clutched at the nearest rope. All at once, when it seemed all over, the ship ceased to sink, and hung motionless in mid-ocean.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 重生之超级杀手

    重生之超级杀手

    一个不冷血不无情的杀手,重生之后的他,找回了幼年时代丢失的记忆,本来只想低调修炼和生活的他,却因为一些难以割舍的人和事,不得不勇往直前……
  • 穿越之逆世恋

    穿越之逆世恋

    她,叫邓雪,却长着与自己的偶像明星苏仪相似的的面孔.一天,苏仪突然失踪,她却意外被当作苏仪,意外成了个大明星,邂逅高冷总裁高易,当高易爱上这个娇气萝莉,他与她将会发生怎样的奇缘,当高易与邓雪在一起时,什么原因又使苏仪突然出现当?这个假身份被突然揭穿。邓雪应该如何选择?当她得知自己的真实身份时,有该如何选择?且看她如何叱咤风云.
  • 凤铃儿

    凤铃儿

    她,从小父母就相继去世,一个人无依无靠的生活,她有着绝美的容颜,为了活着,整天打扮成乞丐的样子在街上乞讨,还时不时偷人钱财,你认为她这是在行窃吗?他,一个外表冷漠,绝情,神秘和长得很妖孽的男人,他在她的眼中是一个危险的男人,她自认为可以偷走所有的东西,可是她发现却偷走不了他的心。她,就是凤铃儿,而他,是她心中的一辈子。
  • 三国杀之江山美女一锅煮

    三国杀之江山美女一锅煮

    坐拥江山执掌天下,你想要吗?天下美人任君挑选,你心动吗?想,当然想。那好,只要你愿意,那么本不可能的事在这个三国的动荡世界,一切都有可能。是的,当你网罗天下英雄征战沙场逐鹿天下时,那么以后美女会是你的,江山会是你的,财富也都会是你的。只要你愿意,在这个世界里,天地为炉,热血为火,激情为高汤,把那江山,美女尽皆一锅煮了,而你就是那个美味享用者。
  • 逆袭天后

    逆袭天后

    “听说你想演戏?陪我一晚如何?”“???????你别是个傻子吧?”一入娱圈深似海,从此小白不复来,且看傻白甜如何手撕渣男,扶持正义……《逆袭天后》全新改编回归。[不知道你们有没有忘记我]
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 极至元阳

    极至元阳

    “复仇少年”天生淬体,异血阳气,被亲人发现,想杀人夺血。巧遇校花,猛闯阴界,得入奇遇,炼化阳火,金刚淬骨,泰坦之心,回归校园,捧为校草,严惩校霸,泡各种妹,等级规划(太白、子虚、淬元、心元、空元、空门、煞紫、元域、仙人、上仙、(仙、魔、妖)尊皇境)(神皇)以下略书群:588953608
  • 神级营养师

    神级营养师

    夏良哲:“相对于厨师这个称呼,我更愿意倾向我是一名营养师。”愿我一生,有你有她,世界那么大,边走边爱。ps:本书1v1,种马请绕道,有问题都可以在书评区留言。
  • 绝代废材倾天下

    绝代废材倾天下

    一个杀手被自己的亲人背叛,然后穿越重生到了古代会发生些什么事情呢?
  • 战天圣尊

    战天圣尊

    战天本是一个孤儿,穿越到祖龙大陆,获得逆天传承九转祖龙诀,觉醒圣尊武魂祖龙,开始了他的逆天之旅,各方天才为之颤抖。。。。整个大陆为之疯狂。