按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
dark as pitch。 Paper enough was obtained from the back of a letter… a
duplicate of the forged letter from Mr。 Ross。 This had been the
original draught； but the handwriting not being sufficiently well
imitated； Augustus had written another； thrusting the first； by good
fortune； into his coat…pocket； where it was now most opportunely
discovered。 Ink alone was thus wanting； and a substitute was
immediately found for this by means of a slight incision with the
pen…knife on the back of a finger just above the nail… a copious flow
of blood ensuing； as usual； from wounds in that vicinity。 The note
was now written； as well as it could be in the dark and under the
circumstances。 It briefly explained that a mutiny had taken place；
that Captain Barnard was set adrift； and that I might expect
immediate relief as far as provisions were concerned； but must not
venture upon making any disturbance。 It concluded with these words：
〃_I have scrawled this with blood… your life depends upon lying
close。_〃
This slip of paper being tied upon the dog； he was now put down
the hatchway； and Augustus made the best of his way back to the
forecastle； where be found no reason to believe that any of the crew
had been in his absence。 To conceal the hole in the partition； he
drove his knife in just above it； and hung up a pea…jacket which he
found in the berth。 His handcuffs were then replaced； and also the
rope around his ankles。
These arrangements were scarcely completed when Dirk Peters came
below； very drunk； but in excellent humour； and bringing with him my
friend's allowance of provision for the day。 This consisted of a
dozen large Irish potatoes roasted； and a pitcher of water。 He sat
for some time on a chest by the berth； and talked freely about the
mate and the general concerns of the brig。 His demeanour was
exceedingly capricious； and even grotesque。 At one time Augustus was
much alarmed by odd conduct。 At last； however； he went on deck；
muttering a promise to bring his prisoner a good dinner on the
morrow。 During the day two of the crew （harpooners） came down；
accompanied by the cook； all three in nearly the last stage of
intoxication。 Like Peters； they made no scruple of talking
unreservedly about their plans。 It appeared that they were much
divided among themselves as to their ultimate course； agreeing in no
point； except the attack on the ship from the Cape Verd Islands； with
which they were in hourly expectation of meeting。 As far as could be
ascertained； the mutiny had not been brought about altogether for the
sake of booty； a private pique of the chief mate's against Captain
Barnard having been the main instigation。 There now seemed to be two
principal factions among the crew… one headed by the mate； the other
by the cook。 The former party were for seizing the first suitable
vessel which should present itself； and equipping it at some of the
West India Islands for a piratical cruise。 The latter division；
however； which was the stronger； and included Dirk Peters among its
partisans； were bent upon pursuing the course originally laid out for
the brig into the South Pacific； there either to take whale； or act
otherwise； as circumstances should suggest。 The representations of
Peters； who had frequently visited these regions； had great weight；
apparently； with the mutineers； wavering； as they were； between
half…engendered notions of profit and pleasure。 He dwelt on the world
of novelty and amusement to be found among the innumerable islands of
the Pacific； on the perfect security and freedom from all restraint
to be enjoyed； but； more particularly； on the deliciousness of the
climate； on the abundant means of good living； and on the voluptuous
beauty of the women。 As yet； nothing had been absolutely determined
upon； but the pictures of the hybrid line…manager were taking strong
hold upon the ardent imaginations of the seamen； and there was every
possibility that his intentions would be finally carried into effect。
The three men went away in about an hour； and no one else entered
the forecastle all day。 Augustus lay quiet until nearly night。 He
then freed himself from the rope and irons； and prepared for his
attempt。 A bottle was found in one of the berths； and this he filled
with water from the pitcher left by Peters； storing his pockets at
the same time with cold potatoes。 To his great joy he also came
across a lantern； with a small piece of tallow candle in it。 This he
could light at any moment； as be had in his possession a box of
phosphorus matches。 When it was quite dark； he got through the hole
in the bulkhead； having taken the precaution to arrange the
bedclothes in the berth so as to convey the idea of a person covered
up。 When through； he hung up the pea…jacket on his knife； as before；
to conceal the aperture… this manoeuvre being easily effected； as he
did not readjust the piece of plank taken out until afterward。 He was
now on the main orlop deck； and proceeded to make his way； as before；
between the upper deck and the oil…casks to the main hatchway。 Having
reached this； he lit the piece of candle； and descended； groping with
extreme difficulty among the compact stowage of the hold。 In a few
moments he became alarmed at the insufferable stench and the
closeness of the atmosphere。 He could not think it possible that I
had survived my confinement for so long a period breathing so
oppressive an air。 He called my name repeatedly； but I made him no
reply； and his apprehensions seemed thus to be confirmed。 The brig
was rolling violently； and there was so much noise in consequence；
that it was useless to listen for any weak sound； such as those of my
breathing or snoring。 He threw open the lantern； and held it as high
as possible； whenever an opportunity occurred； in order that； by
observing the light； I might； if alive； be aware that succor was
approaching。 Still nothing was heard from me； and the supposition of
my death began to assume the character of certainty。 He determined；
nevertheless； to force a passage； if possible； to the box； and at
least ascertain beyond a doubt the truth of his surmises。 He pushed
on for some time in a most pitiable state of anxiety； until； at
length； he found the pathway utterly blocked up； and that there was
no possibility of making any farther way by the course in which he
had set out。 Overcome now by his feelings； he threw himself among the
lumber in despair； and wept like a child。 It was at this period that
he heard the crash occasioned by the bottle which I had thrown down。
Fortunate； indeed； was it that the incident occurred… for； upon this
incident； trivial as it appears； the thread of my destiny depended。
Many years elapsed； however； before I was aware of this fact。 A
natural shame and regret for his weakness and indecision prevented
Augustus from confiding to me at once what a more intimate and
unreserved communion afterward induced him to reveal。 Upon finding
his further progress in the hold impeded by obstacles which he could
not overcome； he had resolved to abandon his attempt at reaching me；
and return at once to the forecastle。 Before condemning him entirely
on this head； the ha