登陆注册
15475900000022

第22章 CHAPTER IX(2)

The man was interrupted by a yell from Jack. Could the crew have heard it? At any rate, it was too late for them to beat back from the line of breakers which gleamed white in the darkness.

But it was not, as might be supposed, a last effort of Ryan's to warn the doomed ship. He now had his back to the sea. His companions turned also, and gazed at a spot situated about half a mile inland.

It was Dundonald Castle. A long flame twisted and bent under the gale, on the summit of the old tower.

"The Fire-Maiden!" cried the superstitious men in terror.

Clearly, it needed a good strong imagination to find any human likeness in that flame. Waving in the wind like a luminous flag, it seemed sometimes to fly round the tower, as if it was just going out, and a moment after it was seen again dancing on its blue point.

"The Fire-Maiden! the Fire-Maiden!" cried the terrified fishermen and peasants.

All was then explained. The ship, having lost her reckoning in the fog, had taken this flame on the top of Dundonald Castle for the Irvine light.

She thought herself at the entrance of the Firth, ten miles to the north, when she was really running on a shore which offered no refuge.

What could be done to save her, if there was still time? It was too late. A frightful crash was heard above the tumult of the elements.

The vessel had struck. The white line of surf was broken for an instant; she heeled over on her side and lay among the rocks.

At the same time, by a strange coincidence, the long flame disappeared, as if it had been swept away by a violent gust. Earth, sea, and sky were plunged in complete darkness.

"The Fire-Maiden!" shouted Ryan, for the last time, as the apparition, which he and his companions believed supernatural, disappeared.

But then the courage of these superstitious Scotchmen, which had failed before a fancied danger, returned in face of a real one, which they were ready to brave in order to save their fellow-creatures. The tempest did not deter them.

As heroic as they had before been credulous, fastening ropes round their waists, they rushed into the waves to the aid of those on the wreck.

Happily, they succeeded in their endeavors, although some--and bold Jack Ryan was among the number--were severely wounded on the rocks.

But the captain of the vessel and the eight sailors who composed his crew were hauled up, safe and sound, on the beach.

The ship was the Norwegian brig MOTALA, laden with timber, and bound for Glasgow. Of the MOTALA herself nothing remained but a few spars, washed up by the waves, and dashed among the rocks on the beach.

Jack Ryan and three of his companions, wounded like himself, were carried into a room of Melrose Farm, where every care was lavished on them. Ryan was the most hurt, for when with the rope round his waist he had rushed into the sea, the waves had almost immediately dashed him back against the rocks.

He was brought, indeed, very nearly lifeless on to the beach.

The brave fellow was therefore confined to bed for several days, to his great disgust. However, as soon as he was given permission to sing as much as he liked, he bore his trouble patiently, and the farm echoed all day with his jovial voice.

But from this adventure he imbibed a more lively sentiment of fear with regard to brownies and other goblins who amuse themselves by plaguing mankind, and he made them responsible for the catastrophe of the Motala. It would have been vain to try and convince him that the Fire-Maidens did not exist, and that the flame, so suddenly appearing among the ruins, was but a natural phenomenon. No reasoning could make him believe it.

His companions were, if possible, more obstinate than he in their credulity. According to them, one of the Fire-Maidens had maliciously attracted the MOTALA to the coast. As to wishing to punish her, as well try to bring the tempest to justice!

The magistrates might order what arrests they pleased, but a flame cannot be imprisoned, an impalpable being can't be handcuffed.

It must be acknowledged that the researches which were ultimately made gave ground, at least in appearance, to this superstitious way of explaining the facts.

The inquiry was made with great care. Officials came to Dundonald Castle, and they proceeded to conduct a most vigorous search.

The magistrate wished first to ascertain if the ground bore any footprints, which could be attributed to other than goblins' feet.

It was impossible to find the least trace, whether old or new.

Moreover, the earth, still damp from the rain of the day before, would have preserved the least vestige.

The result of all this was, that the magistrates only got for their trouble a new legend added to so many others--a legend which would be perpetuated by the remembrance of the catastrophe of the MOTALA, and indisputably confirm the truth of the apparition of the Fire-Maidens.

A hearty fellow like Jack Ryan, with so strong a constitution, could not be long confined to his bed. A few sprains and bruises were not quite enough to keep him on his back longer than he liked.

He had not time to be ill.

Jack, therefore, soon got well. As soon as he was on his legs again, before resuming his work on the farm, he wished to go and visit his friend Harry, and learn why he had not come to the Irvine merry-making. He could not understand his absence, for Harry was not a man who would willingly promise and not perform.

It was unlikely, too, that the son of the old overman had not heard of the wreck of the MOTALA, as it was in all the papers.

He must know the part Jack had taken in it, and what had happened to him, and it was unlike Harry not to hasten to the farm and see how his old chum was going on.

As Harry had not come, there must have been something to prevent him.

Jack Ryan would as soon deny the existence of the Fire-Maidens as believe in Harry's indifference.

同类推荐
  • 渚宫秋思

    渚宫秋思

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 明伦汇编人事典老幼部

    明伦汇编人事典老幼部

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 赠海东僧

    赠海东僧

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 游城南记

    游城南记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 平汉录

    平汉录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 农妇养成:山里汉的小娇妻

    农妇养成:山里汉的小娇妻

    【新文:重生隐婚:冷情慕少,宠上瘾】一朝穿越,木双婉成了一枚普通农妇,种田喂猪不说还要生小孩,可问题是城里生活小半辈子的她连白菜籽都不认识。好在曾经玩过QQ农场,种菜、养猪还算会一点点。只是这个一身黝黑,还看起来不像好人的男人是谁?都说了要离她远点儿,怎么越走越近,还一不小心有了小包子?
  • 脏腑虚实标本用药式

    脏腑虚实标本用药式

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 三份痴心:迷茫的清晰

    三份痴心:迷茫的清晰

    迷茫的雾中,指引你走出去的,未必是心声。迷茫的人里,与你白头到老的,未必是心人。迷茫的情里,最终透彻清晰的,未必是自己。也许,你只是差了一点却足矣让别、人,有了篡夺的机会。
  • 搜山记

    搜山记

    般若连衣泣双花,我枝开时百枝杀
  • 觉醒者之王

    觉醒者之王

    简介:我们处在末法时代,神,佛,妖,魔可能只存在于神话故事中,但是他们真的消失了么。有一天我们身边的人突然觉醒了幻想中人的能力。“咦,你是觉醒者?我也是,你觉醒的是谁”“李靖!”“。。。。”“咦?你怎么不说话,你是什么!?”“。。哪吒”不止神,会魔法的哈利波特,阴阳师安倍晴明,甚至巫妖王阿尔萨斯!凡人有了他们的能力会有怎么样的精彩!?神魔觉醒的时代来了,林不语“这一次!我是主角!”看林不语斗天,斗地,斗人,斗己。“吾乃……!”
  • EXO时过境迁

    EXO时过境迁

    荏苒,遇见了谁/回忆,错过了谁/午后/所有的不快乐/都被炙热带过/于是/所有的思念都延伸为一句话/时过境迁,回首莫及/……
  • 燃烧纪元

    燃烧纪元

    这个世界在燃烧,每个人都高举手中的火把。我们站在和平生活的阴影中,从来不曾抬头仰望过璀璨星空。当烈火席卷世界,谁会站在最前端?这是一个男人,从一个世界来到另一个世界,从“面朝大海,春暖花开”到“我来,我见,我征服”的故事。
  • 前世今生:寻找邪魅夫君

    前世今生:寻找邪魅夫君

    她,本是二十一世纪的首席特工,一朝穿越,唤醒前世记忆。寻夫君,得神器;打神魔,斗苍穹……开她如何俯视苍生,笑看天下!
  • 七世之卿卿念晚

    七世之卿卿念晚

    祭台十年一跪换这七世情缘我踏遍九州寒芜燃起四海硝烟十步剑起长空三怒战起惊鸿只盼你回头再唤我一声“吾妻念晚。”
  • 民国初恋:容倾怀结

    民国初恋:容倾怀结

    民国混乱之时,重重迷雾笼罩在上海滩之上。她叫容轻;他叫祝怀节。因为一场谋杀案,两条平行线开始相交,两人怀着正义除恶之名,名震上海滩。如果一个被无数人仰慕的世家公子和一个小小的富家千金结下不解之缘,那么......