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diff --git a/old/67829-0.txt b/old/67829-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 2c4ac53..0000000 --- a/old/67829-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7786 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Floating City and The Blockade -Runners, by Jules Verne - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: A Floating City and The Blockade Runners - -Author: Jules Verne - -Release Date: April 14, 2022 [eBook #67829] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Richard Hulse, Guus Snijders and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The - Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A FLOATING CITY AND THE -BLOCKADE RUNNERS *** - - - Transcriber’s note: - - This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical - effects. - Italics are delimited with the '_' character as _italic_. - The illustrations with a caption have been replaced with - [Illustration: caption]. - - -The few minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected. -Please see the transcriber’s notes at the end of this text for details -regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its -preparation. The full-page illustrations have been moved to more -appropriate locations. - -The Table of Contents was added by the transcriber. - - - - - [Illustration: ONE WOULD HAVE TAKEN HER FOR A SMALL ISLAND.] - - UNIFORM EDITION - ——— - - A FLOATING CITY - - AND - - THE BLOCKADE RUNNERS - - BY - - JULES VERNE - - - - ILLUSTRATED - - NEW YORK - - CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS - - 1904 - - - - - Table of contents. - - PAGE - Part 1: A Floating City - Chapter I. 1 - Chapter II. 6 - Chapter III. 14 - Chapter IV. 20 - Chapter V. 24 - Chapter VI. 28 - Chapter VII. 35 - Chapter VIII. 39 - Chapter IX. 47 - Chapter X. 52 - Chapter XI. 62 - Chapter XII. 65 - Chapter XIII. 71 - Chapter XIV. 75 - Chapter XV. 78 - Chapter XVI. 81 - Chapter XVII. 87 - Chapter XVIII. 90 - Chapter XIX. 94 - Chapter XX. 99 - Chapter XXI. 104 - Chapter XXII. 109 - Chapter XXIII. 115 - Chapter XXIV. 118 - Chapter XXV. 124 - Chapter XXVI. 129 - Chapter XXVII. 133 - Chapter XXVIII. 136 - Chapter XXIX. 140 - Chapter XXX. 145 - Chapter XXXI. 148 - Chapter XXXII. 152 - Chapter XXXIII. 157 - Chapter XXXIV. 164 - Chapter XXXV. 168 - Chapter XXXVI. 172 - Chapter XXXVII. 177 - Chapter XXXVIII. 185 - Chapter XXXIX. 193 - Part 2: The Blockade Runners 197 - - - - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - PAGE - One would have taken her for a small Island Frontispiece - Carpentering, Rigging, and Painting 6 - Then began the slow interminable Ascent 17 - Every Man at the capstan-bars was knocked down 22 - Soon we came in sight of Queenstown 29 - Captain Corsican and I bowed 30 - When a body rolled at my feet 40 - The waif was the hull of a ship 49 - “They,” said he, “are people from the Far West” 56 - I often see them leaning over the railings of the 61 - engine-rooms - He made an angry gesture, which I arrested 68 - “I see,” said Dr. Pitferge 76 - A fine-looking young fellow 85 - His back rounded, and his head muffled in a hood 91 - The Black Lady 96 - He treated Drake with supreme contempt 108 - Fabian went near to the cabin doors 113 - One of the sailors lying unconscious 122 - A troop of Minstrels 130 - “Do you accept that blow?” 132 - The Prayer for the Dead 147 - I remained on deck, watching the storm rise 152 - A small schooner was signalled to starboard 153 - I turned, and saw Ellen, pale as death 162 - The fog cleared off 174 - Nature has combined everything to astonish the eye 179 - The Cataract falling before us 187 - “Fabian! Fabian!” cried she, at last 191 - She plunged into the Clyde 199 - “The same,” replied the Skipper 208 - And soon disappeared 213 - “Captain!” exclaimed he 220 - Thank you, sir, thank you 232 - He saw distinctly 235 - The Squall 244 - Crockston was examining the horizon attentively 246 - Miss Halliburtt was standing on the poop 251 - “I promise you, Miss Jenny” 260 - Mr. Halliburtt? 271 - Jenny fell into her father’s arms 275 - He took the shell 282 - “Well, Uncle Vincent” 286 - - - - - A FLOATING CITY. - - ------- - - - CHAPTER I. - - -On the 18th of March, 1867, I arrived at Liverpool, intending to take a -berth simply as an amateur traveller on board the “Great Eastern,” which -in a few days was to sail for New York. I had sometimes thought of -paying a visit to North America, and was now tempted to cross the -Atlantic on board this gigantic boat. First of all the “Great Eastern,” -then the country celebrated by Cooper. - -This steam-ship is indeed a masterpiece of naval construction; more than -a vessel, it is a floating city, part of the country, detached from -English soil, which after having crossed the sea, unites itself to the -American Continent. I pictured to myself this enormous bulk borne on the -waves, her defiant struggle with the wind, her boldness before the -powerless sea, her indifference to the billows, her stability in the -midst of that element which tosses “Warriors” and “Solferinos” like -ship’s boats. But my imagination carried me no farther; all these things -I did indeed see during the passage, and many others which do not -exclusively belong to the maritime domain. If the “Great Eastern” is not -merely a nautical engine, but rather a microcosm, and carries a small -world with it, an observer will not be astonished to meet here, as on a -larger theatre, all the instincts, follies, and passions of human -nature. - -On leaving the station, I went to the Adelphi Hotel. The “Great Eastern” -was announced to sail on the 20th of March, and as I wished to witness -the last preparations, I asked permission of Captain Anderson, the -commander, to take my place on board immediately, which permission he -very obligingly granted. - -The next day I went down towards the basins which form a double line of -docks on the banks of the Mersey. The gate-keepers allowed me to go on -to Prince’s Landing-Stage, a kind of movable raft which rises and falls -with the tide, and is a landing place for the numerous boats which run -between Liverpool, and the opposite town of Birkenhead on the left bank -of the Mersey. - -The Mersey, like the Thames, is only an insignificant stream, unworthy -the name of river, although it falls into the sea. - -It is an immense depression of the land filled with water, in fact -nothing more than a hole, the depth of which allows it to receive ships -of the heaviest tonnage, such as the “Great Eastern,” to which almost -every other port in the world is closed. Thanks to this natural -condition, the streams of the Thames and the Mersey have seen two -immense commercial cities, London and Liverpool, built almost at their -mouths, and from a similar cause has Glasgow arisen on the Clyde. - -At Prince’s Landing-Stage, a small tug in the service of the “Great -Eastern” was getting up steam. I went on board and found it already -crowded with workmen and mechanics. As the clock in Victoria Tower -struck seven, the tender left her moorings and quickly ascended the -Mersey with the rising tide. - -Scarcely had we started, when I saw on the quay a tall young man, with -that aristocratic look which so distinguishes the English officer. I -thought I recognized in him a friend whom I had not seen for several -years, a captain in the Indian army; but I must have been mistaken, for -Captain Mac Elwin could not have left Bombay, as I ought to have known, -besides Mac Elwin was a gay, careless fellow, and a jovial companion, -but this person, if he resembled him in feature, seemed melancholy, and -as though burdened with a secret grief. Be it as it may, I had not time -to observe him more closely, for the tender was moving rapidly away, and -the impression founded on this resemblance soon vanished from my mind. - -The “Great Eastern” was anchored about three miles up the river, at a -depth equal to the height of the tallest houses in Liverpool. She was -not to be seen from Prince’s Stage, but I caught a glimpse of her -imposing bulk from the first bend in the river. - -One would have taken her for a small island, hardly discernible in the -mist. She appeared with her bows towards us, having swung round with the -tide; but soon the tender altered her course, and the whole length of -the steam-ship was presented to our view; she seemed what in fact she -was—enormous! Three or four colliers alongside were pouring their -cargoes of coal into her port-holes. Beside the “Great Eastern,” these -three-mast ships looked like barges; their chimneys did not even reach -the first line of light-ports in her hull; the yards of their -gallant-sails did not come up to her bulwarks. The giant could have -hoisted these ships on its davits like shore-boats. - -Meanwhile the tender approached the “Great Eastern,” whose chains were -violently strained by the pressure of the tide, and ranged up to the -foot of an immense winding staircase, on the larboard side. In this -position the deck of the tender was only on a level with the load -water-line of the steam-ship, to which line she would be depressed when -in full cargo, and which still emerged two yards. - -The workmen were now hurriedly disembarking and clambering up the -numerous steps which terminated at the fore-part of the ship. I, with -head upturned, and my body thrown back, surveyed the wheels of the -“Great Eastern,” like a tourist looking up at a high edifice. - -Seen from the side, these wheels looked narrow and contracted, although -their paddles were four yards broad, but in front they had a monumental -aspect. Their elegant fittings, the arrangements of the whole plan, the -stays crossing each other to support the division of the triple centre -rim, the radius of red spokes, the machinery half lost in the shadow of -the wide paddle-boards, all this impressed the mind, and awakened an -idea of some gigantic and mysterious power. - -With what force must these wooden paddles strike the waves which are now -gently breaking over them! what a boiling of water when this powerful -engine strikes it blow after blow! what a thundering noise engulfed in -this paddle-box cavern! when the “Great Eastern” goes at full speed, -under the pressure of wheels measuring fifty-three feet in diameter and -166 in circumference, weighing ninety tons, and making eleven -revolutions a minute. The tender had disembarked her crew; I stepped on -to the fluted iron steps, and in a few minutes had crossed the fore-part -of the “Great Eastern.” - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - -The deck was still nothing but an immense timber-yard given up to an -army of workmen. I could not believe I was on board a ship. Several -thousand men—workmen, crew, engineers, officers, mechanics, -lookers-on—mingled and jostled together without the least concern, some -on deck, others in the engine-room; here pacing the upper decks, there -scattered in the rigging, all in an indescribable pell-mell. Here -fly-wheel cranes were raising enormous pieces of cast-iron, there heavy -joists were hoisted by steam-windlasses; above the engine-rooms an iron -cylinder, a metal shaft in fact, was balanced. At the bows, the yards -creaked as the sails were hoisted; at the stern rose a scaffolding -which, doubtless, concealed some building in construction. Building, -fixing, carpentering, rigging, and painting, were going on in the midst -of the greatest disorder. - -[Illustration: CARPENTERING, RIGGING, AND PAINTING.] - -My luggage was already on board. I asked to see Captain Anderson, and -was told that he had not yet arrived; but one of the stewards undertook -to install me, and had my packages carried to one of the aft-cabins. - -“My good fellow,” said I to him, “the ‘Great Eastern’ was announced to -sail on the 20th of March, but is it possible that we can be ready in -twenty-four hours? Can you tell me when we may expect to leave -Liverpool?” - -But in this respect the steward knew no more than I did, and he left me -to myself. I then made up my mind to visit all the ins and outs of this -immense ant-hill, and began my walk like a tourist in a foreign town. A -black mire—that British mud which is so rarely absent from the pavement -of English towns—covered the deck of the steam-ship; dirty gutters wound -here and there. One might have thought oneself in the worst part of -Upper Thames Street, near London Bridge. I walked on, following the -upper decks towards the stern. Stretching on either side were two wide -streets, or rather boulevards, filled with a compact crowd; thus -walking, I came to the centre of the steam-ship between the paddles, -united by a double set of bridges. - -Here opened the pit containing the machinery of the paddle-wheels, and I -had an opportunity of looking at this admirable locomotive engine. About -fifty workmen were scattered on the metallic skylights, some clinging to -the long suction-pumps fixing the eccentric wheels, others hanging on -the cranks riveting iron wedges with enormous wrenches. After having -cast a rapid glance over these fitting works, I continued my walk till I -reached the bows, where the carpenters were finishing the decoration of -a large saloon called the “smoking-room,” a magnificent apartment with -fourteen windows; the ceiling white and gold, and wainscoted with -lemon-coloured panels. Then, after having crossed a small triangular -space at the bows, I reached the stem, which descends perpendicularly -into the water. - -Turning round from this extreme point, through an opening in the mists, -I saw the stern of the “Great Eastern” at a distance of more than two -hundred yards. - -I returned by the boulevards on the starboard side, avoiding contact -with the swaying pulleys and the ropes of the rigging, lashed in all -directions by the wind; now keeping out of the way, here of the blows of -a fly-wheel crane, and further on, of the flaming scoria which were -showering from a forge like a display of fireworks. I could hardly see -the tops of the masts, two hundred feet in height, which lost themselves -in the mist, increased by the black smoke from the tenders and colliers. - -After having passed the great hatchway of the engine-rooms, I observed a -“small hotel” on my left, and then the spacious side walls of a palace -surmounted by a terrace, the railings of which were being varnished. At -last I reached the stern of the steam-ship, and the place I had already -noticed where the scaffolding was erected. Here between the last small -deck cabin and the enormous gratings of the hatchways, above which rose -the four wheels of the rudder, some engineers had just finished placing -a steam-engine. The engine was composed of two horizontal cylinders, and -presented a system of pinions, levers, and blocks which seemed to me -very complicated. I did not understand at first for what it was -intended, but it appeared that here, as everywhere else, the -preparations were far from complete. - -And now, why all these delays? Why so many new arrangements on board the -“Great Eastern,” a comparatively new ship? The reason may be explained -in a few words. - -After twenty passages from England to America, one of which was marked -by very serious disasters, the use of the “Great Eastern” was -temporarily abandoned, and this immense ship, arranged to accommodate -passengers, seemed no longer good for anything. When the first attempt -to lay the Atlantic cable had failed,—partly because the number of ships -which carried it was insufficient—engineers thought of the “Great -Eastern.” She alone could store on board the 2100 miles of metallic -wire, weighing 4500 tons. She alone, thanks to her perfect indifference -to the sea, could unroll and immerse this immense cable. But special -arrangements were necessary for storing away the cable in the ship’s -hold. Two out of six boilers were removed, and one chimney out of three -belonging to the screw engine; in their places large tanks were placed -for the cable, which was immersed in water to preserve it from the -effects of variation of the atmosphere; the wire thus passed from these -tanks of water into the sea without suffering the least contact with the -air. - -The laying of the cable having been successfully accomplished, and the -object in view attained, the “Great Eastern” was once more left in her -costly idleness. A French company, called the “Great Eastern Company, -Limited,” was floated with a capital of 2,000,000 francs, with the -intention of employing the immense ship for the conveyance of passengers -across the Atlantic. Thus the reason for rearranging the ship to this -purpose, and the consequent necessity of filling up the tanks and -replacing the boilers, of enlarging the saloons in which so many people -were to live during the voyage, and of building extra dining saloons, -finally the arrangement of a thousand berths in the sides of the -gigantic hull. - -The “Great Eastern” was freighted to the amount of 25,000 francs a -month. Two contracts were arranged with G. Forrester and Co., of -Liverpool, the first to the amount of 538,750 francs, for making new -boilers for the screw; the second to the amount of 662,500 francs for -general repairs, and fixings on board. - -Before entering upon the last undertaking, the Board of Trade required -that the ship’s hull should undergo a strict examination. This costly -operation accomplished, a long crack in her exterior plates was -carefully repaired at a great expense, and the next proceeding was to -fix the new boilers; the driving main-shaft of the wheels, which had -been damaged during the last voyage, had to be replaced by a shaft, -provided with two eccentric wheels, which insured the solidity of this -important part. And now for the first time the “Great Eastern” was to be -steered by steam. - -It was for this delicate operation that the engineers intended the -engine which they had placed at the stern. The steersman standing on the -bridge between the signal apparatus of the wheels and the screw, has -before his eyes a dial provided with a moving needle, which tells him -every moment the position of his rudder. In order to modify it, he has -only to press his hand lightly on a small wheel, measuring hardly a foot -in diameter, and placed within his reach. Immediately the valves open, -the steam from the boilers rushes along the conducting tubes into the -two cylinders of the small engine, the pistons move rapidly, and the -rudder instantly obeys. If this plan succeeds, a man will be able to -direct the gigantic body of the “Great Eastern” with one finger. - -For five days operations continued with distracting activity. These -delays considerably affected the enterprise of the freighters, but the -contractors could do no more. The day for setting sail was irrevocably -settled for the 26th of March. The 25th still saw the deck strewn with -all kinds of tools. - -During this last day, however, little by little the gangways were -cleared, the scaffoldings were taken down, the fly-wheel cranes -disappeared, the fixing of the engines was accomplished, the last screws -and nails were driven in, the reservoirs filled with oil, and the last -slab rested on its metal mortise. This day the chief engineer tried the -boilers. The engine-rooms were full of steam; leaning over the hatchway, -enveloped in a hot mist, I could see nothing, but I heard the long -pistons groaning, and the huge cylinders noisily swaying to and fro on -their solid swing blocks. The muddy waters of the Mersey were lashed -into foam by the slowly revolving paddle-wheels; at the stern, the screw -beat the waves with its four blades; the two engines, entirely -independent of each other, were in complete working order. - -Towards five o’clock a small steamer, intended as a shore-boat for the -“Great Eastern,” came alongside. Her movable engine was first hoisted on -board by means of windlasses, but as for the steamer herself, she could -not be embarked. Her steel hull was so heavy that the davits to which it -was attached bent under the weight, undoubtedly this would not have -occurred had they supported them with lifts. Therefore they were obliged -to abandon the steamer, but there still remained on the “Great Eastern” -a string of sixteen boats hanging to the davits. - -Everything was finished by evening; not a trace of mud was visible on -the well-swept boulevards, for an army of sweepers had been at work. -There was a full cargo; provisions, goods, and coal filled the stewards’ -room, the store, and the coal houses. However, the steamer had not yet -sunk to the load water-line, and did not draw the necessary thirty-three -feet. It was an inconvenient position for the wheels, for the paddles -not being sufficiently immersed, caused a great diminution in the speed. - -Nevertheless it was possible to set sail, and I went to bed with the -hope of starting next day. I was not disappointed, for at break of dawn -I saw the English, French, and American flags floating from the masts. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - -The “Great Eastern” was indeed preparing to sail. Already volumes of -black smoke were issuing from the five chimneys, and hot steam filled -the engine-rooms. Some sailors were brightening up the four great -fog-cannons which were to salute Liverpool as we sailed by. The top-men -climbed the yards, disentangled the rigging, and tightened the shrouds -on the thick ropes fastened to the barricades. About eleven o’clock the -carpenters and painters put the finishing touches to their work, and -then embarked on board the tender which awaited them. As soon as there -was a sufficient pressure, the steam rushed into the cylinders of the -rudder engine, and the engineers had the pleasure of seeing that this -ingenious contrivance was an entire success. - -The weather was fine, with bright gleams of sunshine darting through the -rapidly-moving clouds. There must have been a strong breeze at sea, but -we did not feel it. - -The officers were all dispersed about the deck, making preparations for -getting under sail. The ship’s officers were composed of the Captain, -the first officer, two assistant officers, five lieutenants, of whom one -was a Frenchman, M. H——, and a volunteer who was also French. - -Captain Anderson holds a high place in the commercial marine of England. -It is to him we are indebted for the laying of the Transatlantic cable, -though it is true that if he succeeded where his predecessors had -failed, it was because he worked under more favourable circumstances, -having the “Great Eastern” at his command. Be it as it may, his success -gained for him the title of “Sir.” I found him to be a very agreeable -commander. He was a man of about fifty years of age, with that tawny -complexion which remains unchanged by weather or age; a thorough -Englishman, with a tall figure, a broad smiling face, and merry eyes; -walking with a quiet dignified step, his hands never in his pockets, -always irreproachably gloved and elegantly dressed, and invariably with -a little piece of his white handkerchief peeping out of the pocket of -his blue and gold-laced overcoat. - -The first officer presented a singular contrast to Captain Anderson, and -his appearance is easily described:—an active little man, with a very -sunburnt skin, a black beard almost covering his face, and legs which -defied every lurch of the vessel. A skilful, energetic seaman, he gave -his orders in a clear, decided tone, the boatswain repeating them with a -voice like the roaring of a hoarse lion. The second officer’s name was -W——: I think he was a naval officer, on board the “Great Eastern” by -special permission; he had all the appearance of a regular “Jack-tar.” - -Besides the ship officers, the engines were under the command of a chief -engineer, assisted by eight or ten engineering officers, and a battalion -of two hundred and fifty men, some stokers, others oilers, who hardly -ever left the engine-rooms. - -This army of men was well occupied night and day, having ten boilers -with ten furnaces and about a hundred fires to attend to. - -As for the crew of the steam-ship proper, what with quartermasters, -top-men, steersmen, and cabin-boys, it comprised about one hundred men, -and besides these, there were two hundred stewards employed for serving -the passengers. - -Every man was at his post; the pilot who was to conduct the vessel out -of the Mersey had been on board since the evening before. I saw also a -French pilot, who was to make the passage with us, and on her return to -take the steam-ship into anchorage at Brest. - -“I begin to think we shall sail to-day,” said I to Lieutenant H—. - -“We are only waiting for our passengers,” replied my countryman. - -“Are there many?” - -“Twelve or thirteen hundred.” - -At half-past eleven the tender was hailed, laden with passengers, who, -as I afterwards learnt, were Californians, Canadians, Americans, -Peruvians, English, Germans, and two or three Frenchmen. Among the most -distinguished were the celebrated Cyrus Field of New York, the -Honourable John Rose of Canada, the Honourable J. Mac Alpine of New -York, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Cohen of San Francisco, Mr. and Mrs. Whitney -of Montreal, Captain Mc Ph—— and his wife. Among the French was the -founder of the “Great Eastern Freight Company,” M. Jules D——, -representative of the “Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company,” -who had made a contribution of twenty thousand pounds to the fund. - -The tender ranged herself at the foot of a flight of steps, and then -began the slow, interminable ascent of passengers and luggage. - -The first care of each passenger, when he had once set foot on the -steamer, was to go and secure his place in the dining-room; his card, or -his name written on a scrap of paper, was enough to insure his -possession. - -[Illustration: THEN BEGAN THE SLOW INTERMINABLE ASCENT.] - -I remained on deck in order to notice all the details of embarkation. At -half-past twelve the luggage was all on board, and I saw thousands of -packages of every description, from chests large enough to contain a -suite of furniture, to elegant little travelling-cases and fanciful -American and English trunks, heaped together pell-mell. All these were -soon cleared from the deck, and stowed away in the store-rooms; workmen -and porters returned to the tender, which steered off, after having -blackened the side of the “Great Eastern” with her smoke. - -I was going back towards the bows, when suddenly I found myself face to -face with the young man I had seen on Prince’s Landing-Stage. He stopped -on seeing me, and held out his hand, which I warmly shook. - -“You, Fabian!” I cried. “You here?” - -“Even so, my dear friend.” - -“I was not mistaken, then; it was really you I saw on the quay a day or -two since.” - -“It is most likely,” replied Fabian, “but I did not see you.” - -“And you are going to America?” - -“Certainly! Do you think I could spend a month’s leave better than in -travelling?” - -“How fortunate that you thought of making your tour in the ‘Great -Eastern’!” - -“It was not chance at all, my dear fellow. I read in the newspaper that -you were one of the passengers; and as we have not met for some years -now, I came on board, in order to make the passage with you.” - -“Have you come from India?” - -“Yes, by the ‘Godavery,’ which arrived at Liverpool the day before -yesterday.” - -“And you are travelling, Fabian?” I asked, noticing his pale, sad face. - -“To divert my mind, if I can,” interrupted Captain Mac Elwin, warmly -pressing my hand. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - -Fabian left me, to look for his cabin, which, according to the ticket he -held in his hand, was number seventy-three of the grand saloon series. -At this moment large volumes of smoke curled from the chimneys; the -steam hissed with a deafening noise through the escape-pipes, and fell -in a fine rain over the deck; a noisy eddying of water announced that -the engines were at work. We were at last going to start. - -First of all the anchor had to be raised. The “Great Eastern” swung -round with the tide; all was now clear, and Captain Anderson was obliged -to choose this moment to set sail, for the width of the “Great Eastern” -did not allow of her turning round in the Mersey. He was more master of -his ship and more certain of guiding her skilfully in the midst of the -numerous boats always plying on the river when stemming the rapid -current than when driven by the ebb-tide; the least collision with this -gigantic body would have proved disastrous. - -To weigh anchor under these circumstances required considerable -exertion, for the pressure of the tide stretched the chains by which the -ship was moored, and besides this, a strong south-wester blew with full -force on her hull, so that it required powerful engines to hoist the -heavy anchors from their muddy beds. An anchor-boat, intended for this -purpose, had just stoppered on the chains, but the windlasses were not -sufficiently powerful, and they were obliged to use the steam apparatus -which the “Great Eastern” had at her disposal. - -At the bows was an engine of sixty-six horse-power. In order to raise -the anchors it was only necessary to send the steam from the boilers -into its cylinders to obtain immediately a considerable power, which -could be directly applied to the windlass on which the chains were -fastened. This was done; but powerful as it was, this engine was found -insufficient, and fifty of the crew were set to turn the capstan with -bars, thus the anchors were gradually drawn in, but it was slow work. - -I was on the poop at the bows with several other passengers at this -moment, watching the details of departure. Near me stood a traveller, -who frequently shrugged his shoulders impatiently, and did not spare -disparaging jokes on the tardiness of the work. He was a thin, nervous -little man, with quick, restless eyes: a physiognomist could easily see -that the things of this life always appeared on their funny side to this -philosopher of Democrates school, for his risible muscles were never -still for a moment; but without describing him further, I need only say -I found him a very pleasant fellow-traveller. - -“I thought until now, sir,” said he to me, “that engines were made to -help men, not men to help engines.” - -I was going to reply to this wise observation, when there was a loud -cry, and immediately my companion and I were hurled towards the bows; -every man at the capstan-bars was knocked down; some got up again, -others lay scattered on the deck. A catch had broken, and the capstan -being forced round by the frightful pressure of the chains, the men, -caught by the rebound, were struck violently on the head and chest. -Freed from their broken rope-bands, the capstan-bars flew in all -directions like grape-shot, killing four sailors, and wounding twelve -others; among the latter was the boatswain, a Scotchman from Dundee. - -The spectators hurried towards the unfortunate men, the wounded were -taken to the hospital at the stern; as for the four already dead, -preparations were immediately made to send them on shore: so lightly do -Anglo-Saxons regard death, that this event made very little impression -on board. These unhappy men, killed and wounded, were only tools, which -could be replaced at very little expense. The tender, already some -distance off, was hailed, and in a few minutes she was alongside. - -[Illustration: EVERY MAN AT THE CAPSTAN-BARS WAS KNOCKED DOWN.] - -I went towards the fore-part of the vessel, the staircase had not yet -been raised. The four corpses, enveloped in coverings, were let down, -and placed on the deck of the tender. One of the surgeons on board -embarked to go with them to Liverpool, with injunctions to rejoin the -“Great Eastern” as quickly as possible. The tender immediately sheered -off, and the sailors went to the bows, to wash the stains of blood from -the deck. - -I ought to add that one of the passengers, slightly wounded by the -breaking of the pinion, took advantage of this circumstance to leave by -the tender; he had already had enough of the “Great Eastern.” - -I watched the little boat going off full steam, and, turning round, I -heard my ironical fellow-traveller mutter,— - -“A good beginning for a voyage!” - -“A very bad one, sir,” said I. “To whom have I the honour of speaking?” - -“To Dr. Dean Pitferge.” - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - -The work of weighing anchors was resumed; with the help of the -anchor-boat the chains were eased, and the anchors at last left their -tenacious depths. A quarter past one sounded from the Birkenhead -clock-towers, the moment of departure could not be deferred, if it was -intended to make use of the tide. The captain and pilot went on the -foot-bridge; one lieutenant placed himself near the screw-signal -apparatus, another near that of the paddle-wheel, in case of the failure -of the steam-engine; four other steersmen watched at the stern, ready to -put in action the great wheels placed on the gratings of the hatchings. -The “Great Eastern,” making head against the current, was now only -waiting to descend the river with the ebb-tide. - -The order for departure was given, the paddles slowly struck the water, -the screw bubbled at the stern, and the enormous vessel began to move. - -The greater part of the passengers on the poop were gazing at the double -landscape of Liverpool and Birkenhead, studded with manufactory -chimneys. The Mersey, covered with ships, some lying at anchor, others -ascending and descending the river, offered only a winding passage for -our steam-ship. But under the hand of a pilot, sensible to the least -inclinations of her rudder, she glided through the narrow passages, like -a whale-boat beneath the oar of a vigorous steersman. At one time I -thought that we were going to run foul of a brig, which was drifting -across the stream, her bows nearly grazing the hull of the “Great -Eastern,” but a collision was avoided, and when from the height of the -upper deck I looked at this ship, which was not of less than seven or -eight hundred tons burden, she seemed to me no larger than the tiny -boats which children play with on the lakes of Regent’s Park or the -Serpentine. It was not long before the “Great Eastern” was opposite the -Liverpool landing-stages, but the four cannons which were to have -saluted the town, were silent out of respect to the dead, for the tender -was disembarking them at this moment; however, loud hurrahs replaced the -reports which are the last expressions of national politeness. -Immediately there was a vigorous clapping of hands and waving of -handkerchiefs, with all the enthusiasm with which the English hail the -departure of every vessel, be it only a simple yacht sailing round a -bay. But with what shouts they were answered! what echoes they called -forth from the quays! There were thousands of spectators on both the -Liverpool and Birkenhead sides, and boats laden with sight-seers swarmed -on the Mersey. The sailors manning the yards of the “Lord Clyde,” lying -at anchor opposite the docks, saluted the giant with their hearty -cheers. - -But even the noise of the cheering could not drown the frightful discord -of several bands playing at the same time. Flags were incessantly -hoisted in honour of the “Great Eastern,” but soon the cries grew faint -in the distance. Our steam-ship ranged near the “Tripoli,” a Cunard -emigrant-boat, which in spite of her 2000 tons burden looked like a mere -barge; then the houses grew fewer and more scattered on both shores, the -landscape was no longer blackened with smoke; and brick walls, with the -exception of some long regular buildings intended for workmen’s houses, -gave way to the open country, with pretty villas dotted here and there. -Our last salutation reached us from the platform of the lighthouse and -the walls of the bastion. - -At three o’clock the “Great Eastern” had crossed the bar of the Mersey, -and shaped her course down St. George’s Channel. There was a strong -sou’wester blowing, and a heavy swell on the sea, but the steam-ship did -not feel it. - -Towards four o’clock the Captain gave orders to heave to; the tender put -on full steam to rejoin us, as she was bringing back the doctor. When -the boat came alongside a rope-ladder was thrown out, by which he -ascended, not without some difficulty. Our more agile pilot slid down by -the same way into his boat, which was awaiting him, each rower provided -with a cork jacket. Some minutes after he went on board a charming -little schooner waiting to catch the breeze. - -Our course was immediately continued; under the pressure of the paddles -and the screw, the speed of the “Great Eastern” greatly increased; in -spite of the wind ahead, she neither rolled nor pitched. Soon the shades -of night stretched across the sea, and Holyhead Point was lost in the -darkness. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - -The next day, the 27th of March, the “Great Eastern” coasted along the -deeply-indented Irish shore. I had chosen my cabin at the bows; it was a -small room well lighted by two skylights. A second row of cabins -separated it from the first saloon, so that neither the noise of -conversation, nor the rattling of pianos, which were not wanting on -board, could reach me. It was an isolated cabin; the furniture consisted -of a sofa, a bedstead, and a toilet-table. - -The next morning at seven o’clock, having crossed the first two rooms, I -went on deck. A few passengers were already pacing the upper decks; an -almost imperceptible swell balanced the steamer; the wind, however, was -high, but the sea, protected by the coast, was comparatively calm. - -From the poop of the smoking-room, I perceived that long line of shore, -the continual verdure of which has won for it the name of “Emerald -Coast.” A few solitary houses, a string of tide-waiters, a wreath of -white smoke curling from between two hills, indicating the passing of a -train, an isolated signal-post making grimacing gestures to the vessels -at large, here and there animated the scene. - -The sea between us and the coast was of a dull green shade; there was a -fresh breeze blowing, mists floated above the water like spray. Numerous -vessels, brigs and schooners, were awaiting the tide; steamers puffing -away their black smoke were soon distanced by the “Great Eastern,” -although she was going at a very moderate speed. - -Soon we came in sight of Queenstown, a small “calling-place,” before -which several fishermen’s boats were at work. It is here that all ships -bound for Liverpool, whether steamers or sailing-ships, throw out their -despatch-bags, which are carried to Dublin in a few hours by an express -train always in readiness. From Dublin they are conveyed across the -channel to Holyhead by a fast steamer, so that despatches thus sent are -one day in advance of the most rapid Transatlantic steamers. - -[Illustration: SOON WE CAME IN SIGHT OF QUEENSTOWN.] - -About nine o’clock the bearings of the “Great Eastern” were -west-north-west. I was just going on deck, when I met Captain Mac Elwin, -accompanied by a friend, a tall, robust man, with a light beard and long -moustache which mingled with the whiskers and left the chin bare, after -the fashion of the day. This tall fellow was the exact type of an -English officer; his figure was erect without stiffness, his look calm, -his walk dignified but easy; his whole appearance seemed to indicate -unusual courage, and I was not mistaken in him. - -“My friend, Archibald Corsican,” said Fabian to me, “a captain in the -22nd regiment of the Indian army, like myself.” - -Thus introduced, Captain Corsican and I bowed. - -[Illustration: CAPTAIN CORSICAN AND I BOWED.] - -“We hardly saw each other yesterday, Fabian,” said I, shaking Captain -Mac Elwin’s hand, “we were in the bustle of departure, so that all I -know about you is that it was not chance which brought you on board the -‘Great Eastern.’ I must confess that if I have anything to do with your -decision—” - -“Undoubtedly, my dear fellow,” interrupted Fabian; “Captain Corsican and -I came to Liverpool with the intention of taking our berths on board the -‘China,’ a Cunard steamer, when we heard that the ‘Great Eastern’ was -going to attempt another passage from England to America; it was a -chance we might not get again, and learning that you were on board I did -not hesitate, as I had not seen you since we took that delightful trip -in the Scandinavian States three years ago; so now you know how it was -that the tender brought us here yesterday.” - -“My dear Fabian,” I replied, “I believe that neither Captain Corsican -nor yourself will regret your decision, as a passage across the Atlantic -in this huge boat cannot fail to be interesting even to you who are so -little used to the sea. But now let us talk about yourself. Your last -letter, and it is not more than six weeks since I received it, bore the -Bombay post-mark, so that I was justified in believing you were still -with your regiment.” - -“We were so three weeks ago,” said Fabian, “leading the half-military, -half-country life of Indian officers, employing most of our time in -hunting; my friend here is a famed tiger-killer; however, as we are both -single and without family ties, we thought we would let the poor wild -beasts of the peninsula rest for a time, while we came to Europe to -breathe a little of our native air. We obtained a year’s leave, and -travelling by way of the Red Sea, Suez, and France, we reached Old -England with the utmost possible speed.” - -“Old England,” said Captain Corsican, smiling; “we are there no longer, -Fabian; we are on board an English ship, but it is freighted by a French -company, and it is taking us to America; three different flags float -over our heads, signifying that we are treading on Franco-Anglo-American -boards.” - -“What does it matter,” replied Fabian, and a painful expression passed -over his face; “what does it matter, so long as it whiles away the time? -‘Movement is life;’ and it is well to be able to forget the past, and -kill the present by continual change. In a few days I shall be at New -York, where I hope to meet again my sister and her children, whom I have -not seen for several years; then we shall visit the great lakes, and -descend the Mississippi as far as New Orleans, where we shall look for -sport on the Amazon. From America we are going to Africa, where the -lions and elephants will make the Cape their ‘rendezvous,’ in order to -celebrate the arrival of Captain Corsican. Finally, we shall return and -impose on the Sepoys the caprices of the metropolis.” - -Fabian spoke with a nervous volubility, and his breast heaved; evidently -there was some great grief weighing on his mind, the cause of which I -was as yet ignorant of, but with which Archibald seemed to be well -acquainted. He evinced a warm friendship for Fabian, who was several -years younger than himself, treating him like a younger brother, with a -devotion which at times almost amounted to heroism. - -At this moment our conversation was interrupted by the sound of a horn, -which announced the half-past twelve lunch. Four times a day, to the -great satisfaction of the passengers, this shrill horn sounded: at -half-past eight for breakfast, half-past twelve for lunch, four o’clock -for dinner, and at seven for tea. In a few minutes the long streets were -deserted, and soon the tables in the immense saloons were filled with -guests. I succeeded in getting a place near Fabian and Captain Corsican. - -The dining-rooms were provided with four long rows of tables; the -glasses and bottles placed in swing-racks kept perfectly steady; the -roll of the steamer was almost imperceptible, so that the guests—men, -women, and children—could eat their lunch without any fear. Numerous -waiters were busy carrying round the tastily-arranged dishes, and -supplying the demands for wine and beer; the Californians certainly -distinguished themselves by their proclivities for champagne. Near her -husband sat an old laundress, who had found gold in the San Francisco -washing-tubs, emptying a bottle of champagne in no time; two or three -pale, delicate-looking young ladies were eagerly devouring slices of red -beef; and others discussing with evident satisfaction the merits of -rhubarb tart, &c. Every one worked away in the highest spirits; one -could have fancied oneself at a restaurant in the middle of Paris -instead of the open sea. - -Lunch over, the decks were again filled; people bowed and spoke to each -other in passing as formally as if they were walking in Hyde Park; -children played and ran about, throwing their balls and bowling hoops as -they might have done on the gravel walks of the Tuileries; the greater -part of the men walked up and down smoking; the ladies, seated on -folding-chairs, worked, read, or talked together, whilst the governesses -and nurses looked after the children. A few corpulent Americans swung -themselves backwards and forwards in their rocking-chairs; the ship’s -officers were continually passing to and fro, some going to their watch -on the bridge, others answering the absurd questions put to them by some -of the passengers; whilst the tones of an organ and two or three pianos -making a distracting discord, reached us through the lulls in the wind. - -About three o’clock a loud shouting was heard; the passengers crowded on -to the poop; the “Great Eastern” had ranged within two cable-lengths of -a vessel which she had overhauled. It was the “Propontis,” on her way to -New York, which was saluting the giant of the seas on her passage, which -compliment the giant returned. - -Land was still in sight at four o’clock, but hardly discernible through -the mist which had suddenly surrounded us. Soon we saw the light of -Fastenet Beacon, situated on an isolated rock. Night set in, during -which we must have doubled Cape Clear, the most southerly point of -Ireland. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - -I said that the length of the “Great Eastern” exceeded two hectometres. -For the benefit of those partial to comparisons, I will add that it is a -third longer than the “Pont des Arts;” in reality this steam-ship -measures 673 feet at the load water-line, between the perpendiculars; -the upper deck is 680 feet from stem to stern; that is to say, its -length is double that of the largest transatlantic steamers; its width -amidships is about 71 feet, and behind the paddles about 107 feet. - -The hull of the “Great Eastern” is proof against the most formidable -seas; it is double, and is composed of a number of cells placed between -the deck and hold; besides these, thirteen compartments, separated by -water-tight partitions, increase the security against fire or the inlet -of water. Ten thousand tons of iron were used in the construction of -this hull, and 3,000,000 rivets secured the iron plates on her sides. - -The “Great Eastern” draws 30 feet of water with a cargo of 28,500 tons, -and with a light cargo, from 20 to 30 feet. She is capable of receiving -10,000 passengers, so that out of the 373 principal districts in France, -274 are less populated than this floating sub-prefecture with its -average number of passengers. - -The lines of the “Great Eastern” are very elongated; her straight stem -is pierced with hawse-holes, through which the anchor-chains pass; no -signs of dents or protuberances are to be seen on her finely-cut bows, -but the slight sweep of her rounded stern somewhat mars the general -effect. - -From the deck rise six masts and five chimneys. The three masts in front -are the “fore-gigger” and the “fore-mast” (both of them mizen-masts) and -the “main-mast.” The last three astern are the “after-main-mast,” -“mizen-mast,” and “after-gigger.” The fore-masts and the main-masts -carry the schooner-sails, the top-sails, and the gallant-sails; the four -other masts are only rigged with ordinary sails; the whole forming 5400 -square yards of good canvas. On the spacious mastheads of the second and -third masts a band of soldiers could easily manœuvre. Of these six -masts, supported by shrouds and metallic back-stays, the second, third, -and fourth are made of sheet-iron, and are really masterpieces of -ironwork. At the base they measure 43 inches in diameter, and the -largest (the main-mast) rises to the height of 207 French feet, which is -higher than the towers of Notre Dame. - -As to the chimneys, the two belonging to the paddle-engine and the three -belonging to the screw, they are enormous cylinders, 90 feet high, -supported by chains fastened to the upper deck. - -The arrangements with regard to the interior are admirable. The -laundries and the crew’s berths are shut off at the fore-part, then come -the ladies’ saloon and a grand saloon ornamented with lustres, swinging -lamps, and pictures. These magnificent rooms are lighted by side -skylights, supported on elegant-gilded pillars, and communicate with the -upper deck by wide staircases with metallic steps and mahogany -balusters. - -On deck are arranged four rows of cabins separated by a passage, some -are reached by a landing, others on a lower story by private staircases. -At the stern the three immense dining-rooms run in the same direction as -the cabins, a passage leads from the saloons at the stern to those at -the bows round the paddle-engine, between its sheet-iron partitions and -the ship’s offices. - -The engines of the “Great Eastern” are justly considered as -masterpieces—I was going to say of clock-work, for there is nothing more -astonishing than to see this enormous machine working with the precision -and ease of a clock, a singular contrast to the screw, which works -rapidly and furiously, as though getting itself into a rage. - -Independently of these two engines, the “Great Eastern” possesses six -auxiliary ones to work the capstans, so that it is evident steam plays -an important part on board. - -Such is this steam-ship, without equal and known everywhere; which, -however, did not hinder a French captain from making this _naïve_ remark -in his log-book: “Passed a ship with six masts and five chimneys, -supposed to be the ‘Great Eastern.’” - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - -On Wednesday night the weather was very bad, my balance was strangely -variable, and I was obliged to lean with my knees and elbows against the -sideboard, to prevent myself from falling. Portmanteaus and bags came in -and out of my cabin; an unusual hubbub reigned in the adjoining saloon, -in which two or three hundred packages were making expeditions from one -end to the other, knocking the tables and chairs with loud crashes; -doors slammed, the boards creaked, the partitions made that groaning -noise peculiar to pine wood; bottles and glasses jingled together in -their racks, and a cataract of plates and dishes rolled about on the -pantry floors. I heard the irregular roaring of the screw, and the -wheels beating the water, sometimes entirely immersed, and at others -striking the empty air; by all these signs I concluded that the wind had -freshened, and the steam-ship was no longer indifferent to the billows. - -At six o’clock next morning, after passing a sleepless night, I got up -and dressed myself, as well as I could with one hand, while with the -other I clutched at the sides of my cabin, for without support it was -impossible to keep one’s feet, and I had quite a serious struggle to get -on my overcoat. I left my cabin, and helping myself with hands and feet -through the billows of luggage, I crossed the saloon, scrambling up the -stairs on my knees, like a Roman peasant devoutly climbing the steps of -the “Scala santa” of Pontius Pilate; and at last, reaching the deck, I -hung on firmly to the nearest kevel. - -No land in sight; we had doubled Cape Clear in the night, and around us -was that vast circumference bounded by the line, where water and sky -appear to meet. The slate-coloured sea broke in great foamless billows. -The “Great Eastern” struck amidships, and, supported by no sail, rolled -frightfully, her bare masts describing immense circles in the air. There -was no heaving to speak of, but the rolling was dreadful, it was -impossible to stand upright. The officer on watch, clinging to the -bridge, looked as if he was in a swing. - -From kevel to kevel, I managed to reach the paddles on the starboard -side, the deck was damp and slippery from the spray and mist: I was just -going to fasten myself to a stanchion of the bridge when a body rolled -at my feet. - -[Illustration: WHEN A BODY ROLLED AT MY FEET.] - -It was Dr. Pitferge, my quaint friend: he scrambled on to his knees, and -looking at me, said,— - -“That’s all right, the amplitude of the arc, described by the sides of -the ‘Great Eastern,’ is forty degrees; that is, twenty degrees below the -horizontal, and twenty above it.” - -“Indeed!” cried I, laughing, not at the observation, but at the -circumstances under which it was made. - -“Yes!” replied the Doctor. “During the oscillation the speed of the -sides is fifty-nine inches per second, a transatlantic boat half the -size takes but the same time to recover her equilibrium.” - -“Then,” replied I, “since that is the case, there is an excess of -stability in the ‘Great Eastern.’” - -“For her, yes, but not for her passengers,” answered Dean Pitferge -gaily, “for you see they come back to the horizontal quicker than they -care for.” - -The Doctor, delighted with his repartee, raised himself, and holding -each other up, we managed to reach a seat on the poop. Dean Pitferge had -come off very well, with only a few bruises, and I congratulated him on -his lucky escape, as he might have broken his neck. - -“Oh, it is not over yet,” said he; “there is more trouble coming.” - -“To us?” - -“To the steamer, and consequently to me, to us, and to all the -passengers.” - -“If you are speaking seriously, why did you come on board?” - -“To see what is going to happen, for I should not be at all ill-pleased -to witness a shipwreck!” replied the Doctor, looking at me knowingly. - -“Is this the first time you have been on board the ‘Great Eastern’?” - -“No, I have already made several voyages in her, to satisfy my -curiosity.” - -“You must not complain, then.” - -“I do not complain; I merely state facts, and patiently await the hour -of the catastrophe.” - -Was the Doctor making fun of me? I did not know what to think, his small -twinkling eyes looked very roguish; but I thought I would try him -further. - -“Doctor,” I said, “I do not know on what facts your painful prognostics -are founded, but allow me to remind you that the ‘Great Eastern’ has -crossed the Atlantic twenty times, and most of her passages have been -satisfactory.” - -“That’s of no consequence; this ship is bewitched, to use a common -expression, she cannot escape her fate; I know it, and therefore have no -confidence in her. Remember what difficulties the engineers had to -launch her; I believe even that Brunel, who built her, died from the -‘effects of the operation,’ as we doctors say.” - -“Ah, Doctor,” said I, “are you inclined to be a materialist?” - -“Why ask me that question?” - -“Because I have noticed that many who do not believe in God believe in -everything else, even in the evil eye.” - -“Make fun if you like, sir,” replied the Doctor, “but allow me to -continue my argument. The ‘Great Eastern’ has already ruined several -companies. Built for the purpose of carrying emigrants to Australia, she -has never once been there; intended to surpass the ocean steamers in -speed, she even remains inferior to them.” - -“From this,” said I, “it is to be concluded that—” - -“Listen a minute,” interrupted the Doctor. “Already one of her captains -has been drowned, and he one of the most skilful, for he knew how to -prevent this rolling by keeping the ship a little ahead of the waves.” - -“Ah, well!” said I, “the death of that able man is to be regretted.” - -“Then,” continued Dean Pitferge, without noticing my incredulity, -“strange stories are told about this ship; they say that a passenger who -lost his way in the hold of the ship, like a pioneer in the forests of -America, has never yet been found.” - -“Ah!” exclaimed I ironically, “there’s a fact!” - -“They say, also, that during the construction of the boilers an engineer -was melted by mistake in the steam-box.” - -“Bravo!” cried I; “the melted engineer! ‘È ben trovato.’ Do you believe -it, Doctor?” - -“I believe,” replied Pitferge, “I believe quite seriously that our -voyage began badly, and that it will end in the same manner.” - -“But the ‘Great Eastern’ is a solid structure,” I said, “and built so -firmly that she is able to resist the most furious seas like a solid -block.” - -“Solid she is, undoubtedly,” resumed the doctor; “but let her fall into -the hollow of the waves, and see if she will rise again. Maybe she is a -giant, but a giant whose strength is not in proportion to her size; her -engines are too feeble for her. Have you ever heard speak of her -nineteenth passage from Liverpool to New York?” - -“No, Doctor.” - -“Well, I was on board. We left Liverpool on a Tuesday, the 10th of -December; there were numerous passengers, and all full of confidence. -Everything went well so long as we were protected by the Irish coast -from the billows of the open sea; no rolling, no sea-sickness; the next -day, even, the same stability; the passengers were delighted. On the -12th, however, the wind freshened towards morning; the ‘Great Eastern,’ -heading the waves, rolled considerably; the passengers, men and women, -disappeared into the cabins. At four o’clock the wind blew a hurricane; -the furniture began to dance; a mirror in the saloon was broken by a -blow from the head of your humble servant; all the crockery was smashed -to atoms; there was a frightful uproar; eight shore-boats were torn from -the davits in one swoop. At this moment our situation was serious; the -paddle-wheel-engine had to be stopped; an enormous piece of lead, -displaced by a lurch of the vessel, threatened to fall into its -machinery; however, the screw continued to send us on. Soon the wheels -began turning again, but very slowly; one of them had been damaged -during the stoppage, and its spokes and paddles scraped the hull of the -ship. The engine had to be stopped again, and we had to content -ourselves with the screw. The night was fearful; the fury of the tempest -was redoubled; the ‘Great Eastern’ had fallen into the trough of the sea -and could not right herself; at break of day there was not a piece of -ironwork remaining on the wheels. They hoisted a few sails in order to -right the ship, but no sooner were they hoisted than they were carried -away; confusion reigned everywhere; the cable-chains, torn from their -beds, rolled from one side of the ship to the other; a cattle-pen was -knocked in, and a cow fell into the ladies’ saloon through the hatchway; -another misfortune was the breaking of the rudder-chock, so that -steering was no longer possible. Frightful crashes were heard; an oil -tank, weighing over three tons, had broken from its fixings, and, -rolling across the tween-decks, struck the sides alternately like a -battering-ram. Saturday passed in the midst of a general terror, the -ship in the trough of the sea all the time. Not until Sunday did the -wind begin to abate, an American engineer on board then succeeded in -fastening the chains on the rudder; we turned little by little, and the -‘Great Eastern’ righted herself. A week after we left Liverpool we -reached Queenstown. Now, who knows, sir, where we shall be in a week?” - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - -It must be confessed the Doctor’s words were not very comforting, the -passengers would not have heard them without shuddering. Was he joking, -or did he speak seriously? Was it, indeed true, that he went with the -“Great Eastern” in all her voyages, to be present at some catastrophe? -Every thing is possible for an eccentric, especially when he is English. - -However, the “Great Eastern” continued her course, tossing like a canoe, -and keeping strictly to the loxodromic line of steamers. It is well -known, that on a flat surface, the nearest way from one point to another -is by a straight line. On a sphere it is the curved line formed by the -circumference of great circles. Ships have an interest in following this -route, in order to make the shortest passage, but sailing vessels cannot -pursue this track against a head-wind, so that steamers alone are able -to maintain a direct course, and take the route of the great circles. -This is what the “Great Eastern” did, making a little for the -north-west. - -The rolling never ceased, that horrible sea-sickness, at the same time -contagious and epidemic, made rapid progress. Several of the passengers, -with wan, pallid faces, and sunken cheeks, remained on deck, in order to -breathe the fresh air, the greater part of them were furious at the -unlucky steam-ship, which was conducting herself like a mere buoy, and -at the freighter’s advertisements, which had stated that sea-sickness -was “unknown on board.” - -At nine o’clock in the morning an object three or four miles off was -signalled from the larboard quarter. Was it a waif, the carcass of a -whale, or the hull of a ship? As yet it was not distinguishable. A group -of convalescent passengers stood on the upper deck, at the bows, looking -at this waif which was floating three hundred miles from the nearest -land. - -Meanwhile the “Great Eastern” was bearing towards the object signalled; -all opera-glasses were promptly raised, and there was no lack of -conjecture. Between the Americans, and English, to whom every pretext -for a wager is welcome, betting at once commenced. Among the most -desperate of the betters I noticed a tall man, whose countenance struck -me as one of profound duplicity. His features were stamped with a look -of general hatred, which neither a physiognomist, nor physiologist could -mistake; his forehead was seamed with a deep furrow, his manner was at -the same time audacious and listless, his eyebrows nearly meeting, -partly concealed the stony eyes beneath, his shoulders were high and his -chin thrust forward, in fact all the indications of insolence and -knavery were united in his appearance. He spoke in loud pompous tones, -while some of his worthy associates laughed at his coarse jokes. This -personage pretended to recognize in the waif the carcass of a whale, and -he backed his opinion by heavy stakes, which soon found ready -acceptance. - -These wagers, amounting to several hundred dollars, he lost every one; -in fact, the waif was the hull of a ship; the steamer rapidly drew near -it, and we could already see the rusty copper of her keel. It was a -three-mast ship of about five or six hundred tons, deprived of her masts -and rigging, and lying on one side, with broken chains hanging from her -davits. - -[Illustration: THE WAIF WAS THE HULL OF A SHIP.] - -“Had this steam-ship been abandoned by her crew?” This was now the -prevailing question, however no one appeared on the deck, perhaps the -shipwrecked ones had taken refuge inside. I saw an object moving for -several moments at the bows, but it turned out to be only the remains of -the jib lashed to and fro by the wind. - -The hull was quite visible at the distance of half a mile; she was a -comparatively new ship, and in a perfect state of preservation; her -cargo, which had been shifted by the wind, obliged her to lie along on -her starboard side. - -The “Great Eastern” drew nearer, and, passing round, gave notice of her -presence by several shrill whistles; but the waif remained silent, and -unanimated; nothing was to be seen, not even a shore-boat from the -wrecked vessel was visible on the wide expanse of water. - -The crew had undoubtedly had time to leave her, but could they have -reached land, which was three hundred miles off? Could a frail boat live -on a sea like that which had rocked the “Great Eastern” so frightfully? -And when could this catastrophe have happened? It was evident that the -shipwreck had taken place farther west, for the wind and waves must have -driven the hull far out of her course. These questions were destined to -remain unanswered. - -When the steam-ship came alongside the stern of the wreck, I could read -distinctly the name “Lerida,” but the port she belonged to was not -given. - -A merchant-vessel or a man-of-war would have had no hesitation in -manning this hull which, undoubtedly, contained a valuable cargo, but as -the “Great Eastern” was on regular service, she could not take this waif -in tow for so many hundreds of miles; it was equally impossible to -return and take it to the nearest port. Therefore, to the great regret -of the sailors, it had to be abandoned, and it was soon a mere speck in -the distance. The group of passengers dispersed, some to the saloons, -others to their cabins, and even the lunch-bell failed to awaken the -slumberers, worn out by sea-sickness. About noon Captain Anderson -ordered sail to be hoisted, so that the ship, better supported, did not -roll so much. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - -In spite of the ship’s disorderly conduct, life on board was becoming -organized, for with the Anglo-Saxon nothing is more simple. The -steam-boat is his street and his house for the time being; the -Frenchman, on the contrary, always looks like a traveller. - -When the weather was favourable, the boulevards were thronged with -promenaders, who managed to maintain the perpendicular, in spite of the -ship’s motion, but with the peculiar gyrations of tipsy men. When the -passengers did not go on deck, they remained either in their private -sitting rooms or in the grand saloon, and then began the noisy discords -of pianos, all played at the same time, which, however, seemed not to -affect Saxon ears in the least. Among these amateurs, I noticed a tall, -bony woman, who must have been a good musician, for, in order to -facilitate reading her piece of music, she had marked all the notes with -a number, and the piano-keys with a number corresponding, so that if it -was note twenty-seven, she struck key twenty-seven, if fifty-three, key -fifty-three, and so on, perfectly indifferent to the noise around her, -or the sound of other pianos in the adjoining saloons, and her -equanimity was not even disturbed when some disagreeable little children -thumped with their fists on the unoccupied keys. - -Whilst this concert was going on, a bystander would carelessly take up -one of the books scattered here and there on the tables, and, having -found an interesting passage, would read it aloud, whilst his audience -listened good-humouredly, and complimented him with a flattering murmur -of applause. Newspapers were scattered on the sofas, generally American -and English, which always look old, although the pages have never been -cut; it is a very tiresome operation reading these great sheets, which -take up so much room, but the fashion being to leave them uncut, so they -remain. One day I had the patience to read the _New York Herald_ from -beginning to end under these circumstances, and judge if I was rewarded -for my trouble when I turned to the column headed “Private:” “M. X. begs -the pretty Miss Z——, whom he met yesterday in Twenty-fifth Street -omnibus, to come to him to-morrow, at his rooms, No. 17, St. Nicholas -Hotel; he wishes to speak of marriage with her.” What did the pretty -Miss Z— do? I don’t even care to know. - -I passed the whole of the afternoon in the grand saloon talking, and -observing what was going on about me. Conversation could not fail to be -interesting, for my friend Dean Pitferge was sitting near me. - -“Have you quite recovered from the effects of your tumble?” I asked him. - -“Perfectly,” replied he, “but it’s no go.” - -“What is no go? You?” - -“No, our steam-ship; the screw boilers are not working well; we cannot -get enough pressure.” - -“You are anxious, then, to get to New York?” - -“Not in the least, I speak as an engineer, that is all. I am very -comfortable here, and shall sincerely regret leaving this collection of -originals which chance has thrown together ... for my recreation.” - -“Originals!” cried I, looking at the passengers who crowded the saloon; -“but all those people are very much alike.” - -“Nonsense!” exclaimed the Doctor, “one can see you have hardly looked at -them, the species is the same, I allow, but in that species what a -variety there is! Just notice that group of men down there, with their -easy-going air, their legs stretched on the sofas, and hats screwed down -on their heads. They are Yankees, pure Yankees, from the small states of -Maine, Vermont, and Connecticut, the produce of New England. Energetic -and intelligent men, rather too much influenced by ‘the Reverends,’ and -who have the disagreeable fault of never putting their hands before -their mouths when they sneeze. Ah! my dear sir, they are true Saxons, -always keenly alive to a bargain; put two Yankees in a room together, -and in an hour they will each have gained ten dollars from the other.” - -“I will not ask how,” replied I, smiling at the Doctor, “but among them -I see a little man with a consequential air, looking like a -weather-cock, and dressed in a long overcoat, with rather short black -trousers,—who is that gentleman?” - -“He is a Protestant minister, a man of ‘importance’ in Massachusetts, -where he is going to join his wife, an ex-governess advantageously -implicated in a celebrated lawsuit.” - -“And that tall, gloomy-looking fellow, who seems to be absorbed in -calculation?” - -“That man calculates: in fact,” said the Doctor, “he is for ever -calculating.” - -“Problems?” - -“No, his fortune, he is a man of ‘importance,’ at any moment he knows -almost to a farthing what he is worth; he is rich, a fourth part of New -York is built on his land; a quarter of an hour ago he possessed -1,625,367 dollars and a half, but now he has only 1,625,367 dollars and -a quarter.” - -“How came this difference in his fortune?” - -“Well! he has just smoked a quarter-dollar cigar.” - -Doctor Dean Pitferge amused me with his clever repartees, so I pointed -out to him another group stowed away in a corner of the saloon. - -[Illustration: “THEY,” SAID HE, “ARE PEOPLE FROM THE FAR WEST.”] - -“They,” said he, “are people from the Far West, the tallest, who looks -like a head clerk, is a man of ‘importance,’ the head of a Chicago bank, -he always carries an album under his arm, with the principal views of -his beloved city. He is, and has reason to be, proud of a city founded -in a desert in 1836, which at the present day has a population of more -than 400,000 souls. Near him you see a Californian couple, the young -wife is delicate and charming, her well-polished husband was once a -plough-boy, who one fine day turned up some nuggets. That gentleman—” - -“Is a man of ‘importance,’” said I. - -“Undoubtedly,” replied the Doctor, “for his assets count by the -million.” - -“And pray who may this tall individual be, who moves his head backwards -and forwards like the pendulum of a clock?” - -“That person,” replied the Doctor, “is the celebrated Cockburn of -Rochester, the universal statistician, who has weighed, measured, -proportioned, and calculated everything. Question this harmless maniac, -he will tell you how much bread a man of fifty has eaten in his life, -and how many cubic feet of air he has breathed. He will tell you how -many volumes in quarto the words of a Temple lawyer would fill, and how -many miles the postman goes daily carrying nothing but love-letters; he -will tell you the number of widows who pass in one hour over London -Bridge, and what would be the height of a pile of sandwiches consumed by -the citizens of the Union in a year; he will tell you—” - -The Doctor, in his excitement, would have continued for a long time in -this strain, but other passengers passing us were attracted by the -inexhaustible stock of his original remarks. What different characters -there were in this crowd of passengers! not one idler, however, for one -does not go from one continent to the other without some serious motive. -The most part of them were undoubtedly going to seek their fortunes on -American ground, forgetting that at twenty years of age a Yankee has -made his fortune, and that at twenty-five he is already too old to begin -the struggle. - -Among these adventurers, inventors, and fortune-hunters, Dean Pitferge -pointed out to me some singularly interesting characters. Here was a -chemist, a rival of Dr. Liebig, who pretended to have discovered the art -of condensing all the nutritious parts of a cow into a meat-tablet, no -larger than a five-shilling piece. He was going to coin money out of the -cattle of the Pampas. Another, the inventor of a portable motive-power—a -steam horse in a watch-case—was going to exhibit his patent in New -England. Another, a Frenchman from the “Rue Chapon,” was carrying to -America 30,000 cardboard dolls, which said “papa” with a very successful -Yankee accent, and he had no doubt but that his fortune was made. - -But besides these originals, there were still others whose secrets we -could not guess; perhaps among them was some cashier flying from his -empty cash-box, and a detective making friends with him, only waiting -for the end of the passage to take him by the collar; perhaps also we -might have found in this crowd clever genii, who always find people -ready to believe in them, even when they advocate the affairs of “The -Oceanic Company for lighting Polynesia with gas,” or “The Royal Society -for making incombustible coal.” - -But at this moment my attention was attracted by the entrance of a young -couple who seemed to be under the influence of a precocious weariness. - -“They are Peruvians, my dear sir,” said the Doctor, “a couple married a -year ago, who have been to all parts of the world for their honeymoon. -They adored each other in Japan, loved in Australia, bore with one -another in India, bored each other in France, quarrelled in England, and -will undoubtedly separate in America.” - -“And,” said I, “who is that tall, haughty-looking man just coming in? -from his appearance I should take him for an officer.” - -“He is a Mormon,” replied the doctor, “an elder, Mr. Hatch, one of the -great preachers in the city of Saints. What a fine type of manhood he -is! Look at his proud eye, his noble countenance, and dignified bearing, -so different from the Yankee. Mr. Hatch is returning from Germany and -England, where he has preached Mormonism with great success, for there -are numbers of this sect in Europe, who are allowed to conform to the -laws of their country.” - -“Indeed!” said I; “I quite thought that polygamy was forbidden them in -Europe.” - -“Undoubtedly, my dear sir, but do not think that polygamy is obligatory -on Mormons; Brigham Young has his harem, because it suits him, but all -his followers do not imitate him, not even those dwelling on the banks -of the Salt Lake.” - -“Indeed! and Mr. Hatch?” - -“Mr. Hatch has only one wife, and he finds that quite enough; besides, -he proposes to explain his system in a meeting that he will hold one of -these evenings.” - -“The saloon will be filled.” - -“Yes,” said Pitferge, “if the gambling does not attract too many of the -audience; you know that they play in a room at the bows? There is an -Englishman there with an evil, disagreeable face, who seems to take the -lead among them, he is a bad man, with a detestable reputation. Have you -noticed him?” - -From the Doctor’s description, I had no doubt but that he was the same -man who that morning had made himself conspicuous by his foolish wagers -with regard to the waif. My opinion of him was not wrong. Dean Pitferge -told me his name was Harry Drake, and that he was the son of a merchant -at Calcutta, a gambler, a dissolute character, a duellist, and now that -he was almost ruined, he was most likely going to America to try a life -of adventures. “Such people,” added the Doctor, “always find followers -willing to flatter them, and this fellow has already formed his circle -of scamps, of which he is the centre. Among them I have noticed a little -short man, with a round face, a turned-up nose, wearing gold spectacles, -and having the appearance of a German Jew; he calls himself a doctor, on -the way to Quebec; but I take him for a low actor and one of Drake’s -admirers.” - -At this moment Dean Pitferge, who easily skipped from one subject to -another, nudged my elbow. I turned my head towards the saloon door: a -young man about twenty-eight, and a girl of seventeen, were coming in -arm in arm. - -“A newly-married pair?” asked I. - -“No,” replied the Doctor, in a softened tone, “an engaged couple, who -are only waiting for their arrival in New York to get married, they have -just made the tour of Europe, of course with their family’s consent, and -they know now that they are made for one another. Nice young people; it -is a pleasure to look at them. I often see them leaning over the -railings of the engine-rooms, counting the turns of the wheels, which do -not go half fast enough for their liking. Ah! sir, if our boilers were -heated like those two youthful hearts, see how our speed would -increase!” - -[Illustration: I OFTEN SEE THEM LEANING OVER THE RAILINGS OF THE -ENGINE-ROOM.] - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - -This day, at half-past twelve, a steersman posted up on the grand saloon -door the following observation:— - - Lat. 51° 15´ N. - Long. 18° 13´ W. - Dist.: Fastenet, 323 miles. - -This signified that at noon we were three hundred and twenty-three miles -from the Fastenet lighthouse, the last which we had passed on the Irish -coast, and at 51° 15´ north latitude, and 18° 13´ west longitude, from -the meridian of Greenwich. It was the ship’s bearing, which the captain -thus made known to the passengers every day. By consulting this bearing, -and referring it to a chart, the course of the “Great Eastern” might be -followed. Up to this time she had only made three hundred and twenty -miles in thirty-six hours, it was not satisfactory, for a steamer at its -ordinary speed does not go less than three hundred miles in twenty-four -hours. - -After having left the Doctor, I spent the rest of the day with Fabian; -we had gone to the stern, which Pitferge called “walking in the -country.” There alone, and leaning over the taffrail, we surveyed the -great expanse of water, while around us rose the briny vapours distilled -from the spray; small rainbows, formed by the refraction of the sun’s -rays, spanned the foaming waves. Below us, at a distance of forty feet, -the screw was beating the water with a tremendous force, making its -copper gleam in the midst of what appeared to be a vast conglomeration -of liquefied emeralds, the fleecy track extending as far as the eye -could reach, mingled in a milky path the foam from the screw, and the -paddle engines, whilst the white and black fringed plumage of the -sea-gulls flying above, cast rapid shadows over the sea. - -Fabian was looking at the magic of the waves without speaking. What did -he see in this liquid mirror, which gave scope to the most capricious -flights of imagination? Was some vanished face passing before his eyes, -and bidding him a last farewell? Did he see a drowning shadow in these -eddying waters? He seemed to me sadder than usual, and I dared not ask -him the cause of his grief. - -After the long separation which had estranged us from each other, it was -for him to confide in me, and for me to await his confidences. He had -told me as much of his past life as he wished me to know; his life in -the Indian garrison, his hunting, and adventures; but not a word had he -said of the emotions which swelled in his heart, or the cause of the -sighs which heaved his breast; undoubtedly Fabian was not one who tried -to lessen his grief by speaking of it, and therefore he suffered the -more. - -Thus we remained leaning over the sea, and as I turned my head I saw the -great paddles emerging under the regular action of the engine. - -Once Fabian said to me, “This track is indeed magnificent. One would -think that the waves were amusing themselves with tracing letters! Look -at the ‘l’s’ and ‘e’s’. Am I deceived? No, they are indeed always the -same letters.” - -Fabian’s excited imagination saw in these eddyings that which it wished -to see. But what could these letters signify? What remembrance did they -call forth in Fabian’s mind? The latter had resumed his silent -contemplation, when suddenly he said to me,— - -“Come to me, come; that gulf will draw me in!” - -“What is the matter with you, Fabian,” said I, taking him by both hands; -“what is the matter, my friend?” - -“I have here,” said he, pressing his hand on his heart, “I have here a -disease which will kill me.” - -“A disease?” said I to him, “a disease with no hope of cure?” - -“No hope.” - -And without another word Fabian went to the saloon, and then on to his -cabin. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - -The next day, Saturday, 30th of March, the weather was fine, and the sea -calm; our progress was more rapid, and the “Great Eastern” was now going -at the rate of twelve knots an hour. - -The wind had set south, and the first officer ordered the mizen and the -top-mast sails to be hoisted, so that the ship was perfectly steady. -Under this fine sunny sky the upper decks again became crowded; ladies -appeared in fresh costumes, some walking about, others sitting down—I -was going to say on the grass-plats beneath the shady trees, and the -children resumed their interrupted games. With a few soldiers in -uniform, strutting about with their hands in their pockets, one might -have fancied oneself on a French promenade. - -At noon, the weather being favourable, Captain Anderson and two officers -went on to the bridge, in order to take the sun’s altitude; each held a -sextant in his hand, and from time to time scanned the southern horizon, -towards which their horizon-glasses were inclined. - -“Noon,” exclaimed the Captain, after a short time. - -Immediately a steersman rang a bell on the bridge, and all the watches -on board were regulated by the statement which had just been made. - -Half-an-hour later, the following observation was posted up:— - - Lat. 51° 10´ N. - Long. 24° 13´ W. - Course, 227 miles. Distance 550. - -We had thus made two hundred and twenty-seven miles since noon the day -before. - -I did not see Fabian once during the day. Several times, uneasy about -his absence, I passed his cabin, and was convinced that he had not left -it. - -He must have wished to avoid the crowd on deck, and evidently sought to -isolate himself from this tumult. I met Captain Corsican, and for an -hour we walked on the poop. He often spoke of Fabian, and I could not -help telling him what had passed between Fabian and myself the evening -before. - -“Yes,” said Captain Corsican, with an emotion he did not try to -disguise. “Two years ago Fabian had the right to think himself the -happiest of men, and now he is the most unhappy.” Archibald Corsican -told me, in a few words, that at Bombay Fabian had known a charming -young girl, a Miss Hodges. He loved her, and was beloved by her. Nothing -seemed to hinder a marriage between Miss Hodges and Captain Mac Elwin; -when, by her father’s consent, the young girl’s hand was sought by the -son of a merchant at Calcutta. It was an old business affair, and -Hodges, a harsh, obstinate, and unfeeling man, who happened at this time -to be in a delicate position with his Calcutta correspondent, thinking -that the marriage would settle everything well, sacrificed his daughter -to the interests of his fortune. The poor child could not resist; they -put her hand into that of the man she did not and could not love, and -who, from all appearance, had no love for her. It was a mere business -transaction, and a barbarous deed. The husband carried off his wife the -day after they were married, and since then Fabian has never seen her -whom he has always loved. - -This story showed me clearly that the grief which seemed to oppress -Fabian was indeed serious. - -“What was the young girl’s name?” asked I of Captain Corsican. - -“Ellen Hodges,” replied he. - -“Ellen,—that name explains the letters which Fabian thought he saw -yesterday in the ship’s track. And what is the name of this poor young -woman’s husband?” said I to the Captain. - -“Harry Drake.” - -“Drake!” cried I, “but that man is on board.” - -“He here!” exclaimed Corsican, seizing my hand, and looking straight at -me. - -“Yes,” I replied, “he is on board.” - -“Heaven grant that they may not meet!” said the Captain gravely. -“Happily they do not know each other, at least Fabian does not know -Harry Drake; but that name uttered in his hearing would be enough to -cause an outburst.” - -I then related to Captain Corsican what I knew of Harry Drake, that is -to say, what Dr. Dean Pitferge had told me of him. I described him such -as he was, an insolent, noisy adventurer, already ruined by gambling, -and other vices, and ready to do anything to get money; at this moment -Harry Drake passed close to us; I pointed him out to the Captain, whose -eyes suddenly grew animated, and he made an angry gesture, which I -arrested. - -“Yes,” said he, “there is the face of a villain. But where is he going?” - -“To America, they say, to try and get by chance what he does not care to -work for.” - -“Poor Ellen!” murmured the Captain; “where is she now?” - -“Perhaps this wretch has abandoned her, or why should she not be on -board?” said Corsican, looking at me. - -[Illustration: HE MADE AN ANGRY GESTURE WHICH I ARRESTED.] - -This idea crossed my mind for the first time, but I rejected it. No; -Ellen was not, could not be on board; she could not have escaped Dr. -Pitferge’s inquisitive eye. No! she cannot have accompanied Drake on -this voyage! - -“May what you say be true, sir!” replied Captain Corsican; “for the -sight of that poor victim reduced to so much misery would be a terrible -blow to Fabian: I do not know what would happen, for Fabian is a man who -would kill Drake like a dog. I ask you, as a proof of your friendship, -never to lose sight of him; so that if anything should happen, one of us -may be near, to throw ourselves between him and his enemy. You -understand a duel must not take place between these two men. Alas! -neither here nor elsewhere. A woman cannot marry her husband’s murderer, -however unworthy that husband may have been.” - -I well understood Captain Corsican’s reason. Fabian could not be his own -justiciary. It was foreseeing, from a distance, coming events, but how -is it that the uncertainty of human things is so little taken into -account? A presentiment was boding in my mind. Could it be possible, -that in this common life on board, in this every-day mingling together, -that Drake’s noisy personality could remain unnoticed by Fabian? An -accident, a trifle, a mere name uttered, would it not bring them face to -face? Ah! how I longed to hasten the speed of the steamer which carried -them both! Before leaving Captain Corsican I promised to keep a watch on -our friend, and to observe Drake, whom on his part he engaged not to -lose sight of; then he shook my hand, and we parted. - -Towards evening a dense mist swept over the ocean, and the darkness was -intense. The brilliantly-lighted saloons contrasted singularly with the -blackness of the night. Waltzes and ballad songs followed each other; -all received with frantic applause, and even hurrahs were not wanting, -when the actor from T——, sitting at the piano, bawled his songs with the -self-possession of a strolling player. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - -The next day, the 31st of March, was Sunday. How would this day be kept -on board? Would it be the English or American Sunday, which closes the -“bars” and the “taps” during service hours; which withholds the -butcher’s hand from his victim; which keeps the baker’s shovel from the -oven; which causes a suspension of business; extinguishes the fires of -the manufactories; which closes the shops, opens the churches, and -moderates the speed of the railway trains, contrary to the customs in -France? Yes, it must be kept thus, or almost thus. - -First of all, during the service, although the weather was fine, and we -might have gained some knots, the Captain did not order the sails to be -hoisted, as it would have been “improper.” I thought myself very -fortunate that the screw was allowed to continue its work, and when I -inquired of a fierce Puritan the reason for this tolerance, “Sir,” said -he to me, “that which comes directly from God must be respected; the -wind is in His hand, the steam is in the power of man.” - -I was willing to content myself with this reason, and in the meantime -observed what was going on on board. - -All the crew were in full uniform, and dressed with extreme propriety. I -should not have been surprised to see the stokers working in black -clothes; the officers and engineers wore their finest uniforms, with -gilt buttons; their shoes shone with a British lustre, and rivalled -their glazed hats with an intense irradiation. All these good people -seemed to have hats and boots of a dazzling brightness. The Captain and -the first officer set the example, and with new gloves and military -attire, glittering and perfumed, they paced up and down the bridges -awaiting the hour for service. - -The sea was magnificent and resplendent beneath the first rays of a -spring sun; not a sail in sight. The “Great Eastern” occupied alone the -centre of the immense expanse. At ten o’clock the bell on deck tolled -slowly and at regular intervals; the ringer, who was a steersman, -dressed in his best, managed to obtain from this bell a kind of solemn, -religious tone, instead of the metallic peals with which it accompanied -the whistling of the boilers, when the ship was surrounded by fog. -Involuntarily one looked for the village steeple which was calling to -prayer. - -At this moment numerous groups appeared at the doors of the cabins, at -the bows and stern; the boulevards were soon filled with men, women, and -children carefully dressed for the occasion. Friends exchanged quiet -greetings; every one held a Prayer-book in his hand, and all were -waiting for the last bell which would announce the beginning of service. -I saw also piles of Bibles, which were to be distributed in the church, -heaped upon trays generally used for sandwiches. - -The church was the great saloon, formed by the upper deck at the stern, -the exterior of which, from its width and regularity of structure, -reminded one very much of the hotel of the Ministère des Finances, in -the Rue de Rivoli. I entered. Numbers of the faithful were already in -their places. A profound silence reigned among the congregation; the -officers occupied the apsis of the church, and, in the midst of them, -stood Captain Anderson, as pastor. My friend Dean Pitferge was near him, -his quick little eyes running over the whole assembly. I will venture to -say he was there more out of curiosity than anything else. - -At half-past ten the Captain rose, and the service began; he read a -chapter from the Old Testament. After each verse the congregation -murmured the one following; the shrill soprano voices of the women and -children distinctly separate from the baritone of the men. This Biblical -dialogue lasted for about half-an-hour, and the simple, at the same time -impressive ceremony, was performed with a puritanical gravity. Captain -Anderson assuming the office of pastor on board, in the midst of the -vast ocean, and speaking to a crowd of listeners, hanging, as it were, -over the verge of an abyss, claimed the respect and attention of the -most indifferent. It would have been well if the service had concluded -with the reading; but when the Captain had finished a speaker arose, who -could not fail to arouse feelings of violence and rebellion where -tolerance and meditation should reign. - -It was the reverend gentleman of whom I have before spoken—a little, -fidgety man, an intriguing Yankee; one of those ministers who exercise -such a powerful influence over the States of New England. His sermon was -already prepared, the occasion was good, and he intended to make use of -it. Would not the good Yorrick have done the same? I looked at Dean -Pitferge; the Doctor did not frown, but seemed inclined to try the -preacher’s zeal. - -The latter gravely buttoned his black overcoat, placed his silk cap on -the table, drew out his handkerchief, with which he touched his lips -lightly, and taking in the assembly at a glance— - -“In the beginning,” said he, “God created America, and rested on the -seventh day.”... - -Thereupon I reached the door. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - -At lunch Dean Pitferge told me that the reverend gentleman had admirably -enlarged on his text. Battering rams, armed forts, and submarine -torpedoes had figured in his discourse; as for himself, he was made -great by the greatness of America. If it pleases America to be thus -extolled, I have nothing to say. - -Entering the grand saloon, I read the following note:— - - Lat 50° 8´ N. - Long. 30° 44´ W. - Course, 255 miles. - -Always the same result. We had only made eleven hundred miles, including -the three hundred and ten between Fastenet and Liverpool, about a third -part of our voyage. During the remainder of the day officers, sailors, -and passengers continued to rest in accordance with established custom. -Not a piano sounded in the silent saloons; the chess-men did not leave -their box, or the cards their case; the billiard-room was deserted. I -had an opportunity this day to introduce Dean Pitferge to Captain -Corsican. My original very much amused the Captain by telling him the -stories whispered about the “Great Eastern.” He attempted to prove to -him that it was a bewitched ship, to which fatal misfortune must happen. -The yarn of the melted engineer greatly pleased the Captain, who, being -a Scotchman, was a lover of the marvellous, but he could not repress an -incredulous smile. - -[Illustration: “I SEE” SAID DR. PITFERGE.] - -“I see,” said Dr. Pitferge, “the Captain has not much faith in my -stories.” - -“Much! that is saying a great deal,” replied Corsican. - -“Will you believe me, Captain, if I affirm that this ship is haunted at -night?” asked the Doctor, in a serious tone. - -“Haunted!” cried the Captain; “what next? Ghosts? and you believe in -them?” - -“I believe,” replied Pitferge, “I believe what people who can be -depended on have told me. Now, I know some of the officers on watch, and -the sailors also, are quite unanimous on this point, that during the -darkness of the night a shadow, a vague form, walks the ship. How it -comes there they do not know, neither do they know how it disappears.” - -“By St. Dunstan!” exclaimed Captain Corsican, “we will watch it well -together.” - -“To-night?” asked the Doctor. - -“To-night, if you like; and you, sir,” added the Captain, turning to me, -“will you keep us company?” - -“No,” said I; “I do not wish to trouble the solitude of this phantom; -besides, I would rather think that our Doctor is joking.” - -“I am not joking,” replied the obstinate Pitferge. - -“Come, Doctor,” said I. “Do you really believe in the dead coming back -to the decks of ships?” - -“I believe in the dead who come to life again,” replied the Doctor, “and -this is the more astonishing as I am a physician.” - -“A physician!” cried the Captain, drawing back as if the word had made -him uneasy. - -“Don’t be alarmed, Captain,” said the Doctor, smiling, good-humouredly; -“I don’t practise while travelling.” - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - -The next day, the 1st of April, the aspect of the sea was truly -spring-like; it was as green as the meadows beneath the sun’s rays. This -April sunrise on the Atlantic was superb; the waves spread themselves -out voluptuously, while porpoises gambolled in the ship’s milky track. - -When I met Captain Corsican, he informed me that the ghost announced by -the Doctor had not thought proper to make its appearance. Undoubtedly, -the night was not dark enough for it. Then the idea crossed my mind that -it was a joke of Dean Pitferge’s, sanctioned by the 1st of April; for in -America, England, and France this custom is very popular. Mystifiers and -mystified were not wanting; some laughed, others were angry; I even -believe that blows were exchanged among some of the Saxons, but these -blows never ended in fighting; for it is well known that in England -duels are liable to very severe punishment; even officers and soldiers -are not allowed to fight under any pretext whatever. The homicide is -subject to the most painful and ignominious punishments. I remember the -Doctor telling me the name of an officer who was sent to a convict -prison, for ten years, for having mortally wounded his adversary in a -very honourable engagement. One can understand, that in face of this -severe law duels have entirely disappeared from British customs. - -The weather being so fine, a good observation could be made, which -resulted in the following statement: Lat. 48° 47´, and 36° 48´ W. L.; -dist., 250 miles only. The slowest of the Transatlantic steamers would -have had the right to offer to take us in tow. This state of things very -much annoyed Captain Anderson. The engineers attributed the failure of -pressure to the insufficient ventilation of the new furnaces; but for my -part, I thought that the diminution of speed was owing to the diameter -of the wheels having been imprudently made smaller. - -However, to-day, about two o’clock, there was an improvement in the -ship’s speed; it was the attitude of the two young lovers which revealed -this change to me. Leaning against the bulwarks, they murmured joyful -words, clapped their hands, and looked smilingly at the escape-pipes, -which were placed near the chimneys, the apertures of which were crowned -with a white wreath of vapour. The pressure had risen in the screw -boilers; as yet it was only a feeble breath of air, a wavering blast; -but our young friends drank it in eagerly with their eyes. No, not even -Denis Papin could have been more delighted, when he saw the steam half -raise the lid of his celebrated saucepan. - -“They smoke! they smoke!” cried the young lady, whilst a light breath -also escaped from her parted lips. - -“Let us go and look at the engine,” said the young man, placing her arm -in his. - -Dean Pitferge had joined me, and we followed the loving couple on to the -upper deck. - -“How beautiful is youth!” remarked the Doctor. - -“Yes,” said I, “youth affianced.” - -Soon we also were leaning over the railing of the engine-rooms. There, -in the deep abyss, at a distance of sixty feet below us, we saw the four -long horizontal pistons swaying one towards the other, and with each -movement moistened by drops of lubricating oil. - -In the meanwhile the young man had taken out his watch, and the girl, -leaning over his shoulder, followed the movement of the minute-hand, -whilst her lover counted the revolutions of the screw. - -“One minute,” said she. - -“Thirty-seven turns,” exclaimed the young man. - -“Thirty-seven and a half,” observed the Doctor, who had entered into the -work. - -“And a half,” cried the young lady. “You hear, Edward! Thank you, sir,” -said she, favouring the worthy Pitferge with one of her most pleasing -smiles. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - -Going back to the grand saloon, I saw the following programme posted on -the door:— - - - THIS NIGHT! - - PART FIRST - - “Ocean Time” Mr. Mac Alpine. - Song: “Beautiful Isle of the Sea” Mr. Ewing. - Reading Mr. Affleet. - Piano solo: “Chant du Berger” Mrs. Alloway. - Scotch Song Doctor T——. - - (Ten minutes interval.) - - - PART SECOND. - - Piano solo Mr. Paul V——. - Burlesque: “Lady of Lyons” Doctor T——. - Entertainment Sir James Anderson. - Song: “Happy Moment” Mr. Norville. - Song: “You Remember” Mr. Ewing. - - - FINALE. - - “GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.” - - -As may be seen, it was a complete concert, with a first part, entr’acte, -second part, and finale; but it seems there was something wanting in the -programme; for I heard some one mutter behind me, “What! no -Mendelssohn.” - -I turned, and saw that it was a steward, who thus protested against the -omission of his favourite music. - -I went on deck, and began to look for Mac Elwin. Corsican had just told -me that Fabian had left his cabin, and I wanted, without intruding -myself on him, to draw him out of his isolation. I found him at the -bows; we talked for some time, but he made no allusion to his past life. -At times he was silent and pensive, absorbed in his thoughts, no longer -listening to me, and pressing his breast, as if to restrain a painful -spasm. - -Whilst we were walking together, Harry Drake passed us several times, -always the same noisy, gesticulating man, obstructive as would be a -windmill in a ball-room. Was I mistaken? I could not say; for I had -already anticipated it in my mind; but it seemed to me that Harry Drake -stared at Fabian with a persistency which the latter must have noticed; -for he said to me,— - -“Who is that man?” - -“I don’t know,” I replied. - -“I don’t like his looks,” added Fabian. - -Put two ships in the open sea, without wind or tide, and, at last, they -will come together. Throw two planets into space, and they will fall one -on the other. Place two enemies in the midst of a crowd, and they will -inevitably meet; it is a fatality, a question of time, that is all. - -In the evening the concert took place according to the programme; the -grand saloon, filled with the audience, was brilliantly lighted. Through -the half-open hatchways might be seen the broad, sunburnt faces, and the -great black hands of the sailors; the doorways were crowded with -stewards; the greater part of the audience—men and women—were seated on -side sofas, and in the centre of the saloon, in arm-chairs and lounges, -all facing the piano, firmly fastened between the two doors, which -opened into the ladies’ saloon. From time to time a rolling motion -disturbed the audience; arm-chairs and folding-chairs glided about, a -kind of swell caused a similar undulatory movement to all; they caught -hold of one another silently, and without making any joke; but upon the -whole there was not much fear of falling, thanks to the subsidence. - -The concert opened with the “Ocean Times.” The “Ocean Times” was a daily -newspaper, political, commercial, and literary, which certain passengers -had started for the requirements on board. Americans and English took to -this sort of pastime; they wrote out their sheet during the day; and let -me say, that if the editors were not particular, as to the quality of -their articles, their readers were not more so. They were content with -little, even with “not enough.” - -This number for the 1st of April contained a “Great Eastern” leader—tame -enough, on general politics—also various facts quite uninteresting to a -Frenchman; articles on the money-markets, not particularly comic; -curious telegrams, and some rather insipid home news. After all this -kind of fun is only amusing to those who make it. The Honourable Mac -Alpine, a dogmatical American, read, with earnest gravity, some rather -dull lucubrations, which were received by his audience with great -applause. He finished his reading with the following news:— - -“It is announced that President Johnson has resigned in favour of -General Grant.” - -“It is said that Fernando Cortez is going to attack the Emperor Napoleon -the Third, piratically, out of revenge for the latter’s conquest of -Mexico.” - -“We are told for a certainty that Pope Pius IX. has designated the -Prince Imperial as his successor.” - -When the “Ocean Times” had been sufficiently applauded, the Honourable -Mr. Ewing, a fine-looking young fellow, with a tenor voice, warbled -“Beautiful Isle of the Sea,” with all the harshness of an English -throat. - -[Illustration: A FINE-LOOKING YOUNG FELLOW.] - -The “reading” appeared to me to have a questionable charm; it was simply -two or three pages of a book, read by a worthy Texian, who began in a -low voice, and gradually got higher and higher; he also was very much -applauded. - -The “Shepherd’s Song,” a piano solo, by Mrs. Alloway, and a Scotch song, -sung by Doctor T——, concluded the first part of the programme. - -After the ten minutes’ interval, during which some of the audience left -their seats, the second part of the concert began. The Frenchman, Paul -V——, played some charming waltzes, which were noisily encored. One of -the ship’s doctors on board, a very conceited young man, recited a -burlesque scene, a kind of parody on the “Lady of Lyons,” a drama very -much in vogue in England. - -The “burlesque” was succeeded by the “entertainment.” What had Sir James -Anderson prepared under this name? Was it a conference or a sermon? -Neither the one nor the other. Sir James Anderson rose smilingly, drew a -pack of cards from his pocket, turned back his white cuffs, and -performed some tricks, the simplicity of which was redeemed by the -graceful manner in which they were done. Hurrahs and applause. - -After the “Happy Moment,” and “You Remember,” sung by Mr. Norville and -Mr. Ewing, the programme announced “God Save the Queen;” but some -Americans begged Paul V——, as he was a Frenchman, to play the national -French Anthem. Immediately my agreeable countryman began the inevitable -“Partant pour la Syrie.” Energetic demands from a party of north-men, -who wished to hear the “Marseillaise,” and without being pressed -further, the obedient pianist, with a compliance which betokened rather -a musical facility than political convictions, vigorously attacked the -song of Rouget de l’Ile. - -This was the grand success of the evening, and the assembly, standing, -slowly sang the “National Anthem,” which prays God to bless the Queen. - -Upon the whole this soirée was as good as amateur soirées generally are; -that is to say, it was chiefly a success for the performers and their -friends. Fabian did not show himself there at all. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - -During Monday night the sea was very stormy. Once more the partitions -began creaking, and again the luggage made its way through the saloons. -When I went on deck, about seven o’clock in the morning, the wind had -freshened, and it was raining. The officer on watch had ordered the -sails to be taken in, so that the steam-ship, left without any support, -rolled dreadfully. All this day, the 2nd of April, the deck was -deserted, even the saloons were empty, for the passengers had taken -refuge in their cabins; and two-thirds of the guests were missing at -lunch and dinner. Whist was impossible, for the tables glided from under -the players’ hands. The chess-men were unmanageable. A few of the more -fearless stretched themselves on the sofas, reading or sleeping, as many -preferred to brave the rain on deck, where the sailors, in their -oil-skin jackets and glazed hats, were sedately pacing to and fro. The -first officer, well wrapped in his macintosh, and perched on the bridge, -was on watch, and in the midst of the hurricane his small eyes sparkled -with delight. This was what the little man loved, and the steamer rolled -to his liking. - -The water from the skies and sea mingled in a dense fog. The atmosphere -was grey, and birds flew screeching through the damp mists. At ten -o’clock a three-mast ship was hailed, sailing astern of us, but her -nationality could not be recognized. - -At about eleven o’clock the wind abated, and veered to the north-west. -The rain ceased, almost suddenly, blue sky appeared through the opening -in the clouds, the sun shone out again, and permitted a more or less -perfect observation to be made, which was posted up as follows:— - - Lat. 46° 29´ N. - Long. 42° 25´ W. - Dist., 356 miles. - -So that, although the pressure of the boilers had risen, the ship’s -speed had not increased; but this might be attributed to the westerly -wind, which caught the ship ahead, and considerably impeded her -progress. - -At two o’clock the fog grew dense again, the wind fell and rose at the -same time. The thickness of the fog was so intense that the officers on -the bridge could not see the men at the bows. These accumulated vapours -rising from the sea constitute the greatest danger of navigation. They -cause accidents which it is impossible to avoid, and a collision at sea -is more to be dreaded than a fire. - -Thus, in the midst of the fog, officers and sailors were obliged to keep -a strict watch, which soon proved to be necessary, for about three -o’clock a three-master appeared at less than two hundred yards from the -“Great Eastern,” her sails disabled by a gust of wind, and no longer -answering to her helm. The “Great Eastern” turned in time to avoid her, -thanks to the promptitude with which the men on watch warned the -steersman. These well-regulated signals are given by means of a bell, -fastened to the poop at the bows. One ring signifies ship ahead; two, -ship-starboard; three, ship a-larboard; and immediately the man at the -helm steers in order to avoid a collision. - -The wind did not abate until evening; however the rolling was nothing to -speak of, as the sea was protected by the Newfoundland heights. Another -entertainment, by Sir James Anderson, was announced for this day. At the -appointed hour the saloon was filled; but this time it had nothing to do -with cards. Sir James Anderson told us the history of the Transatlantic -Cable, which he had himself laid. He showed us photographs representing -the different engines used for the immersion. He sent round a model of -the splice which was used to fasten together the pieces of cable. -Finally, very justly merited, the three cheers with which his lecture -was received, a great part of which was meant for the Honourable Cyrus -Field, promoter of the enterprise, who was present on this occasion. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - -The next day, the 3rd of April, from early dawn the horizon wore that -peculiar aspect which the English call “blink.” It was of that misty -white colour which signifies that icebergs are not far distant; in fact -the “Great Eastern” was ploughing those seas on which float the first -blocks of ice detached from the icebergs in Davis’ Straits. A special -watch was kept, in order to avoid the rude collision with these enormous -blocks. - -There was a strong westerly wind blowing; strips of clouds, or rather -shreds of vapour, hung over the sea, through which glimpses of blue sky -appeared. A dull thudding noise came from the waves tossed by the wind, -and drops of water, seemingly pulverized, evaporated in foam. - -Neither Fabian, Captain Corsican, nor Doctor Pitferge had yet come on -deck, so I went towards the bows, where the junction of the bulwarks -formed a comfortable angle, a kind of retreat, in which like a hermit, -one could retire from the world. I took my place in this corner, sitting -on a skylight, and my feet resting on an enormous pulley; the wind being -dead ahead passed over without touching me. This was a good place for -reflection. From here I had a view of the whole immensity of the ship; I -could see the long slanting ropes of the rigging at the stern. On the -first level a top-man, hanging in the mizen-shrouds, held himself up -with one hand, whilst with the other he worked with a remarkable -dexterity. On the deck below him paced the officer on watch, peering -through the mists. On the bridge, at the stern, I caught a glimpse of an -officer, his back rounded, and his head muffled in a hood, struggling -against the gusts of wind. I could distinguish nothing of the sea, -except a bluish horizontal line discernible behind the paddles. Urged on -by her powerful engines, the narrow stem of the steam-ship cut the -waves, with a hissing sound, like that when the sides of a boiler are -heated by a roaring fire. But the colossal ship, with the wind ahead, -and borne on three waves, hardly felt the movement of the sea, which -would have shaken any other steamer with its pitchings. - -[Illustration: HIS BACK ROUNDED, AND HIS HEAD MUFFLED IN A HOOD.] - -At half-past twelve the notice stated that we were in 44° 53´ North -lat., and 47° 6´ W. long., and had made two hundred and twenty-seven -miles in twenty-four hours only. The young couple must have scolded the -wheels which did not turn, and the steam which was not at all strong -enough to please them. - -About three o’clock the sky, swept by the wind, cleared up; the line of -the horizon was once more clearly defined, the wind fell, but for a long -while the sea rose in great foam-crested billows. Such a gentle breeze -could not cause this swell; one might have said that the Atlantic was -still sulky. - -At twenty-five minutes to four a three-mast ship was hailed to larboard. -She hoisted her name; it was the “Illinois,” an American ship, on her -way to England. - -At this moment Lieutenant H—— informed me that we were passing Cape Race -point. We were now in the rich coasts where are obtained cod-fish, three -of which would suffice to supply England and America if all the roe were -hatched. The day passed without any remarkable occurrence; no accident -had as yet thrown Fabian and Harry Drake together, for the Captain and I -never lost sight of them. In the evening the same harmless amusement, -the same reading, and songs in the grand saloon called forth, as usual, -frantic applauses. As an extraordinary occurrence a lively discussion -broke out between a Northerner and a Texian. The latter demanded an -Emperor for the Southern States. Happily this political discussion, -which threatened to degenerate into a quarrel, was put an end to by the -timely arrival of an imaginary despatch, addressed to the “Ocean Times,” -and conceived in these terms: “Captain Semmes, Minister of War, has made -the South compensate for its ravages in Alabama.” - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - -Leaving the brilliantly lighted saloon I went on deck with Captain -Corsican. The night was dark; not a star in the firmament; an -impenetrable gloom surrounded the ship. The windows of the saloon shone -like the mouths of furnaces; the man on watch, heavily pacing the poop, -was scarcely discernible, but one could breathe the fresh air, and the -Captain inhaled it with expanded lungs. - -“I was stifled in the saloon,” said he; “here at least I can breathe. I -require my hundred cubic yards of pure air every twenty-four hours, or I -get half suffocated.” - -“Breathe, Captain, breathe at your ease,” said I to him; “the breeze -does not stint your wants. Oxygen is a good thing, but it must be -confessed Parisians and Londoners know it only by reputation.” - -“Yes,” replied the Captain, “and they prefer carbonic acid. Ah well! -every one to his liking; for my own part I detest it, even in -champagne.” - -Thus talking, we paced up and down the deck on the starboard side, -sheltered from the wind by the high partitions of the deck cabins. Great -wreaths of smoke, illuminated with sparks, curled from the black -chimneys; the noise of the engines accompanied the whistling of the wind -in the shrouds, which sounded like the cords of a harp. Mingling with -this hubbub, each quarter of an hour, came the cry of the sailors on -deck, “All’s well, all’s well.” - -In fact no precaution had been neglected to insure the safety of the -ship on these coasts frequented by icebergs. The Captain had a bucket of -water drawn every half-hour, in order to ascertain the temperature, and -if it had fallen one degree he immediately changed his course, for he -knew that the “Peruvian” had been seen but a fortnight since blocked up -by icebergs in this latitude; it was therefore a danger to be avoided. -His orders for night were to keep a strict look-out. He himself remained -on the bridge with an officer each side of him, one at the wheel signal, -the other at the screw; besides these a lieutenant and two men kept -watch on the poop, whilst a quarter-master with a sailor stood at the -stern; the passengers might therefore rest quietly. - -After noticing these arrangements we went back again to the stern, as we -had made up our minds to stay some time longer, walking on deck like -peaceful citizens taking an evening stroll in their town squares. - -The place seemed deserted. Soon, however, our eyes grew accustomed to -the darkness, and we perceived a man leaning perfectly motionless, with -his elbow on the railing. Corsican, after looking at him attentively for -some time, said to me,— - -“It is Fabian.” - -It was indeed Fabian. We recognized him, but absorbed as he was in a -profound contemplation he did not see us. His eyes were fixed on an -angle of the upper deck; I saw them gleam in the dark. What was he -looking at? How could he pierce this black gloom? I thought it better to -leave him to his reflections, but Captain Corsican went up to him. - -“Fabian,” said he. - -Fabian did not answer; he had not heard. Again Corsican called him. He -shuddered, and turned his head for a moment, saying,— - -“Hush.” - -Then with his hand he pointed to a shadow which was slowly moving at the -further end of the upper deck. It was this almost invisible figure that -Fabian was looking at, and smiling sadly he murmured,— - -“The black lady.” - -I shuddered. Captain Corsican took hold of my arm, and I felt that he -also was trembling. The same thought had struck us both. This shadow was -the apparition about which Dean Pitferge had spoken. - -[Illustration: THE BLACK LADY.] - -Fabian had relapsed into his dreamy contemplation. I, with a heaving -breast and awe-struck glance, looked at this human figure, the outline -of which was hardly discernible; but presently it became more defined. -It came forward, stopped, turned back, and then again advanced, seeming -to glide rather than walk. At ten steps from us it stood perfectly -still. I was then able to distinguish the figure of a slender female, -closely wrapped in a kind of brown burnous, and her face covered with a -thick veil. - -“A mad woman, a mad woman, is it not?” murmured Fabian. - -It was, indeed, a mad woman; but Fabian was not asking us: he was -speaking to himself. - -In the meantime the poor creature came still nearer to us. I thought I -could see her eyes sparkle through her veil, when they were fixed on -Fabian. She went up to him, Fabian started to his feet, electrified. The -veiled woman put her hand on her heart as though counting its pulsation, -then, gliding swiftly away, she disappeared behind the angle of the -upper deck. Fabian staggered, and fell on his knees, his hands stretched -out before him. - -“It is she,” he murmured. - -Then shaking his head,— - -“What an hallucination!” he added. - -Captain Corsican then took him by the hand. - -“Come, Fabian, come,” said he, and he led away his unhappy friend. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - -Corsican and I could no longer doubt but that it was Ellen, Fabian’s -betrothed, and Harry Drake’s wife. Chance had brought all three together -on the same ship. Fabian had not recognized her, although he had cried, -“It is she, it is she!” and how was it possible that he could have done -so? But he was not mistaken in saying, “A mad woman!” Ellen was mad, -undoubtedly; grief, despair, love frozen in her heart, contact with the -worthless man who had snatched her from Fabian, ruin, misery, and shame -had broken her spirit. It was on this subject that Corsican and I spoke -the following morning. We had no doubt as to the identity of the young -woman; it was Ellen, whom Harry Drake was dragging with him to the -American continent. The Captain’s eyes glowed with a dark fire at the -thought of this wretch, and I felt my heart stir within me. What were we -against the husband, the master? Nothing. But now, what was most -important, was to prevent another meeting between Fabian and Ellen, for -Fabian could not fail at last to recognize his betrothed, and thus the -catastrophe we wished to avoid would be brought about. - -At the same time we had reason to hope that these two poor creatures -would not see each other again, as the unhappy Ellen never appeared in -the daytime, either in the saloons or on the deck. Only at night, -perhaps eluding her gaoler, she came out to bathe herself in the damp -air, and demand of the wind a smooth passage. In four days, at the -latest, the “Great Eastern” must reach New York harbour; therefore we -might hope that accident would not dally with our watchfulness, and that -Fabian would not discover Ellen during this time; but we made our -calculations without thinking of events. - -The steamer’s course had been slightly altered in the night, three times -the ship, being in water twenty-seven degrees Fahrenheit—that is to say, -five degrees below zero, had been turned towards the south. There was no -longer any doubt of icebergs being very near, for the sky that morning -had a peculiarly brilliant aspect; the atmosphere was misty, and the -northern sky glittered with an intense reverberation, evidently produced -by the powerful reflection from the icebergs. There was a piercing wind, -and about ten o’clock the deck was powdered by a slight snow-fall; then -dense fog surrounded us, in which we gave warning of our approach, by -deafening whistles, which scared away the flocks of sea-gulls in the -ship’s yards. At half-past ten, the fog having cleared off, a screw -steamer appeared on the horizon, a-starboard, the white tops of her -chimneys indicating that she was an emigrant ship, belonging to the -Inman Company. - -Before lunch several of the passengers organized a pool, which could not -fail to please those fond of betting and gambling. The result of this -pool was not to be known for four days; it was what is called the -“pilot’s pool.” When a ship arrives at the land-falls every one knows -that a pilot comes on board; so they divide the twenty-four hours of the -day and night into forty-eight half-hours, or ninety-six quarters, -according to the number of the passengers. Each player stakes one -dollar, and draws one of the half or quarter hours: the winner of the -forty-eight or ninety-six dollars is the one during whose quarter of an -hour the pilot comes on board. From this it may be seen that the game is -very simple; it is not a race-course, but a quarter-of-an-hour race. - -It was a Canadian, the Honourable MacAlpine, who undertook the -management of the affair. He easily collected ninety-six players, -including several professed gamblers, not the least among those ready -for gain. I, following the general example, staked my dollar, and fate -allotted me the ninety-fourth quarter; it was a bad number, and one -which left me no chance of profit. The fact is, these divisions are -reckoned from noon to noon, so that there are night as well as day -quarters; and as it is very seldom that ships venture close in in the -dark, the chance of a pilot coming on board then is very small. However, -I easily consoled myself. Going down into the saloon, I saw a lecture -announced. The Utah missionary was going to hold a meeting on Mormonism; -a good opportunity for those wishing to initiate themselves in the -mysteries of the City of Saints; besides, this Elder, Mr. Hatch, was an -orator of no mean power. The execution could not fail to be worthy of -the work. The announcement of the conference was received very -favourably by the passengers. - -The observation posted up was as follows:— - - Lat. 42° 32´ N. - Long. 51° 59´ W. - Course, 254 miles. - -About three o’clock in the afternoon the steersman signaled a large -four-mast steamer, which slightly changed its course, in order to give -the “Great Eastern” its number. It was the “Atlanta,” one of the largest -boats running between London and New York, calling at Brest on the way. -After having saluted us, which we returned, in a short time she was out -of sight. - -At this moment Dean Pitferge, in a vexed tone, informed me that Mr. -Hatch’s lecture was forbidden, as the wives of the puritans on board did -not approve of their husbands becoming acquainted with the mysteries of -Mormonism. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - -At four o’clock, the sky, which had been overcast, cleared up, the sea -grew calm, and the ship was so steady, one might almost have thought -oneself on _terra firma_—this gave the passengers the idea of getting up -races. Epsom turf could not have afforded a better coursing-ground, and -as for horses, they were well replaced by pure Scotchmen, as good as any -“Gladiator,” or “La Touque.” The news soon spread, sportsmen immediately -hurried to the field. An Englishman, the Hon. J. Mac Carthy, was -appointed commissioner, and the competitors presented themselves without -delay. They were half a dozen sailors, kind of centaurs, man and horse -at the same time, all ready to try for the prize. - -The two boulevards formed the race-course, the runners were to go three -times round the ship, thus making a course of about 1300 yards, which -was quite enough. Soon the galleries were invaded by crowds of -spectators, all armed with opera-glasses. Some of them had hoisted the -“green sail,” no doubt to shelter themselves from the spray of the -Atlantic. Carriages were missing, I must confess, but not the rank, -where they might have ranged in file. Ladies in gay costumes were -hurrying on to the upper decks; the scene was charming. - -Fabian, Captain Corsican, Dr. Pitferge and I had taken our places on the -poop, which was what might be called the centre of action. Here the real -gentlemen riders were assembled; in front of us was the starting and -winning post. Betting soon began with a true British animation. -Considerable sums of money were staked, but only from the appearance of -the racers, whose qualifications had not as yet been inscribed in the -“stud-book.” It was not without uneasiness that I saw Harry Drake -interfering in the preparations with his usual audacity, discussing, -disputing, and settling affairs in a tone which admitted of no reply. -Happily, although Fabian had risked some pounds in the race, he appeared -quite indifferent to the noise; he kept himself aloof from the others, -and it was quite evident his thoughts were far off. - -Among the racers who offered themselves, two particularly attracted the -public attention. Wilmore, a small, thin, wiry Scotchman, with a broad -chest and sharp eyes, was one of the favourites; the other, an Irishman -named O’Kelly, a tall, supple fellow, balanced the chance with Wilmore, -in the eyes of connoisseurs. Three to one was asked on him, and for -myself partaking the general infatuation, I was going to risk a few -dollars on him, when the Doctor said to me,— - -“Choose the little one; believe me, the tall one is no go.” - -“What do you say?” - -“I say,” replied the Doctor, “that the tall one is not genuine; he may -have a certain amount of speed, but he has no bottom. The little one, on -the contrary, is of pure Scotch race; look how straight his body is on -his legs, and how broad and pliant his chest is; he is a man who will -lead more than once in the race. Bet on him, I tell you; you won’t -regret it.” - -I took the learned doctor’s advice, and bet on Wilmore; as to the other -four, they were not even discussed. - -They drew for places; chance favoured the Irishman, who had the -rope-side; the six runners were placed along the line, bounded by the -posts, so that there was no unfair start to be feared. - -The commissioner gave the signal, and the departure was hailed by a loud -hurrah. It was soon evident that Wilmore and O’Kelly were professional -runners; without taking any notice of their rivals, who passed them -breathless, they ran with their bodies thrown slightly forward, heads -very erect, arms tightly pressed against their chests, and holding their -fists firmly in front. - -In the second round O’Kelly and Wilmore were in a line, having distanced -their exhausted competitors. They obviously verified the Doctor’s -saying,— - -“It is not with the legs, but with the chest that one runs; ham-strings -are good, but lungs are better.” - -At the last turning but one the spectators again cheered their -favourites. Cries and hurrahs broke out on all sides. - -“The little one will win,” said Pitferge to me. “Look, he is not even -panting, and his rival is breathless.” - -Wilmore indeed looked calm and pale, whilst O’Kelly was steaming like a -damp hay-stack; he was “pumped out,” to use a sportsman’s slang -expression, but both of them kept the same line. At last they passed the -upper decks; the hatchway of the engine-rooms, the winning-post. - -“Hurrah! hurrah! for Wilmore,” cried some. - -“Hurrah! for O’Kelly,” chimed in others. - -“Wilmore has won.” - -“No, they are together.” - -The truth was Wilmore had won, but by hardly half a head so the -Honourable Mac Carthy decided. However, the discussion continued, and -even came to words. The partisans of the Irishman, and particularly -Harry Drake, maintained that it was a “dead heat,” and that they ought -to go again. - -But at this moment, urged by an irresistible impulse, Fabian went up to -Harry Drake, and said to him in a cold tone,— - -“You are wrong, sir, the winner was the Scotch sailor.” - -“What do you say?” he asked, in a threatening tone. - -“I say you are wrong,” answered Fabian quietly. - -“Undoubtedly,” retorted Drake, “because you bet on Wilmore.” - -“I was for O’Kelly, like yourself; I lost, and I have paid.” - -“Sir,” cried Drake, “do you pretend to teach me?—” - -But he did not finish his sentence, for Captain Corsican had interposed -between him and Fabian, with the intention of taking up the quarrel. He -treated Drake with supreme contempt, but evidently Drake would not pick -a quarrel with him; so when Corsican had finished, he crossed his arms, -and addressing himself to Fabian,— - -“This gentleman,” said he, with an evil smile, “this gentleman wants -some one to fight his battles for him.” - -Fabian grew pale, he would have sprung at Drake, but I held him back, -and the scoundrel’s companions dragged him away; not, however, before he -had cast a look of hatred at his enemy. - -Captain Corsican and I went below with Fabian, who contented himself by -saying, “The first opportunity I have, I will box that impudent fellow’s -ears.” - -[Illustration: HE TREATED DRAKE WITH SUPREME CONTEMPT.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - -From Thursday night to Saturday the “Great Eastern” was crossing the -Gulf Stream, the water of which is of a dark colour, the surface of the -current forcing its way against the waters of the Atlantic, is even -slightly convex. It is, in fact, a river running between two liquid -shores, and one of the largest in the world, for it reduces the Amazon -and Mississippi to mere brooks in comparison. - -This day, the 5th of April, began with a magnificent sunrise, the waves -glittered, and a warm south-west wind was wafted through the rigging. It -was the beginning of the fine weather; the sun, which had clothed the -fields of the continent with verdure, caused fresh costumes to bloom on -board. Vegetation is sometimes behind-hand, but fashion never. Soon the -Boulevards, filled with groups of promenaders, looked like the Champs -Elysées on a fine Sunday afternoon in May. - -I did not see Captain Corsican once that morning; wishing to hear of -Fabian, I went to his cabin, and knocked at the door, but getting no -answer I opened it and went in. Fabian was not there. I went on deck -again, but could find neither my friends nor the Doctor; the idea then -crossed my mind to find out where the unfortunate Ellen was confined. -What cabin did she occupy? Where had Drake shut her up? In whose care -was the poor creature left, when Drake abandoned her for whole days? -Most likely with some disinterested stewardess, or an indifferent nurse. -I wished to know how it was, not from any vain motive of curiosity, but -simply in Ellen and Fabian’s interest, if it was only to prevent a -meeting, always to be dreaded. - -I began my search with the cabin near the ladies’ saloon, and went along -the passages of both stories. This inspection was easy enough, as the -names of the occupants were written on each door, in order to facilitate -the steward’s work. I did not see Harry Drake’s name, but this did not -surprise me much, as I had no doubt he had preferred the more isolated -cabins at the stern. In matter of comfort, however, no difference -existed between the cabins at the bows and those at the stern, for the -_Freighters_ had only admitted one class of passengers. - -I next went towards the dining saloons, keeping carefully to the side -passages which wound between the double row of cabins. All these rooms -were occupied, and all had the name of the passengers outside, but Harry -Drake’s name was not to be seen. This time the absence of his name -astonished me, for I thought I had been all over our Floating City, and -I was not aware of any part more secluded than this. - -I inquired of a steward, who told me there were yet a hundred cabins -behind the dining saloons. - -“How do you get to them?” I asked. - -“By a staircase at the end of the upper deck.” - -“Thank you, and can you tell me which cabin Mr. Harry Drake occupies?” - -“I do not know, sir,” replied the steward. - -Again I went on deck, and following the steward’s direction at last came -to the door at the top of the stairs. This staircase did not lead to any -large saloons, but simply to a dimly-lighted landing, round which was -arranged a double row of cabins. Harry Drake could hardly have found a -more favourable place in which to hide Ellen. - -The greater part of the cabins were unoccupied. I went along the -landing, a few names were written on the doors, but only two or three at -the most. Harry Drake’s name was not among them, and as I had made a -very minute inspection of this compartment, I was very much disappointed -at my ill success. I was going away when suddenly a vague, almost -inaudible murmur caught my ear, it proceeded from the left side of the -passage. I went towards the place; the sounds, at first faint, grew -louder, and I distinguished a kind of plaintive song, or rather -melopœia, the words of which did not reach me. - -I listened; it was a woman singing, but in this unconscious voice one -could recognize a mournful wail. Might not this voice belong to the mad -woman? My presentiments could not deceive me. I went quietly nearer to -the cabin, which was numbered 775. It was the last in this dim passage, -and must have been lighted by the lowest light-ports in the hull of the -“Great Eastern;” there was no name on the door, and Harry Drake had no -desire that any one should know the place where he confined Ellen. - -I could not distinctly hear the voice of the unfortunate woman; her song -was only a string of unconnected sentences like one speaking in sleep, -but at the same time it was sweet and plaintive. - -Although I had no means of recognizing her identity, I had no doubt but -that it was Ellen singing. - -I listened for some minutes, and was just going away, when I heard a -step on the landing. Could it be Harry Drake? I did not wish him to find -me here, for Fabian and Ellen’s sake; fortunately I could get on deck, -without being seen, by a passage leading round the cabins. However, I -stopped to know who it really was that I had heard. The darkness -partially hid me, and standing behind an angle of the passage I could -see without being myself in sight. - -In the meantime the sound of the footsteps had ceased, and with it, as a -strange coincident, Ellen’s voice. I waited and soon the song began -again, and the boards creaked under a stealthy tread; I leaned forward -and, in the dim, uncertain light which glimmered through the cracks of -the cabin doors, I recognized Fabian. - -It was my unhappy friend! What instinct could have led him to this -place? Had he then discovered the young woman’s retreat before me? I did -not know what to think. Fabian slowly advanced along the passage, -listening, following the voice, as if it was a thread drawing him -unconsciously on, and in spite of himself. It seemed to me that the song -grew fainter as he approached, and that the thread thus held was about -to break. Fabian went quite near to the cabin doors and then stopped. - -How those sad accents must have rent his heart! and how his whole being -must have thrilled as he caught some tone in the voice, which reminded -him of the past! But how was it, ignorant as he was of Harry Drake being -on board, that he had any suspicion of Ellen’s presence? No, it was -impossible; he had only been attracted by the plaintive accents which -insensibly responded to the great grief weighing down his spirit. - -[Illustration: FABIAN WENT NEAR TO THE CABIN DOORS.] - -Fabian was still listening. What was he going to do? Would he call to -the mad woman? And what if Ellen suddenly appeared? Everything was -dangerous in this situation! However, Fabian came nearer still to the -door of her cabin; the song, which was growing fainter and fainter, -suddenly died away, and a piercing shriek was heard. - -Had Ellen, by a magnetic communication, felt him whom she loved so near -her? Fabian’s attitude was desperate; he had gathered himself up. Was he -going to break the door open? I thought he would, so I rushed up to him. - -He recognized me; I dragged him away, and he made no resistance, but -asked me in a hollow voice, “Do you know who that unhappy woman is?” - -“No, Fabian, no.” - -“It is the mad woman,” said he, in an unnatural voice, “but this madness -is not without remedy. I feel that a little devotion, a little love, -would cure the poor woman.” - -“Come, Fabian,” said I, “come away.” - -We went on deck, but Fabian did not utter another word. I did not leave -him, however, until he had reached his cabin. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - -Some moments later I met Captain Corsican, and told him of the scene I -had just witnessed. He understood, as well as I did, that the situation -of affairs was growing more and more serious. Ah! could I have foreseen -all that would happen, how I should have longed to hasten the speed of -the “Great Eastern,” and put the broad ocean between Fabian and Harry -Drake! - -On leaving each other, Captain Corsican and I agreed to watch the actors -in this drama more narrowly than ever. - -The “Australasian,” a Cunard steamer, running between Liverpool and New -York, was expected this day. She was to leave America on Wednesday -morning, and therefore would not be long before passing us. A watch was -kept; however, she did not come in sight. - -About eleven o’clock the English passengers organized a subscription on -behalf of the wounded on board, some of whom had not been able to leave -the hospital; among them was the boatswain, threatened with an incurable -lameness. There was soon a long list of signatures, not however, without -some objections having been raised. - -At noon a very exact observation was able to be made— - - Long. 58°, 37´ W. - Lat. 41° 41´ 11´ N. - Course, 257 miles. - -We had the latitude to a second. When the young engaged couple read the -notice they did not look remarkably pleased, and they had good reason to -be discontented with the steam. - -Before lunch, Captain Anderson wishing to divert the passengers from the -tedium of their long voyage, arranged some gymnastic exercises, which he -directed in person. About fifty unemployed men, each armed, like -himself, with a stick, imitated all his movements with a strict -exactitude. These improvised gymnasts, with their firm set mouths, -worked as methodically as a band of riflemen on parade. - -Another entertainment was announced for this evening. I was not present, -for the same amusement, night after night, only wearied me. A new paper, -a rival of the “Ocean Times,” was to be the great attraction. - -I passed the first hours of the night on deck; the sea heaved, and gave -warning of stormy weather, and although the sky was perfectly serene, -the rolling grew more emphasized. Lying on a seat of the upper deck, I -could admire the host of constellations with which the firmament was -bespangled, and although there are only 5000 stars, in the whole extent -of the celestial sphere, which are visible to the naked eye, this -evening I thought I could see millions. There, along the horizon, -trailed the tail of Pegasus, in all its zodiacal magnificence, like the -starry robe of the queen of fairies. The Pleiades ascended the celestial -heights with Gemini, who, in spite of their name, do not rise one after -the other, like the heroes of the fable. Taurus looked down on me with -his great fiery eye, whilst Vega, our future polar-star, shone -brilliantly, high up in the azure vault, and not far from her was the -circle of diamonds, which form the constellation of Corona Borealis. All -these stationary constellations seemed to move with the pitching of the -vessel, and in one lurch I saw the main-mast describe a distinct arc of -a circle from β, in the Great Bear, to Altair in the Eagle, whilst the -moon, already low in the heavens, dipped her crescent in the horizon. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - -The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled -frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about -with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again. The wind -had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in -those coasts where the sea is always rough. - -At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading -on to the upper decks. By clutching at the balusters, and taking -advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with -some difficulty managed to reach the poop. The place was deserted, if -one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge. The worthy man, with -his back rounded as a protection against the wind, was leaning against -the railing, with his right leg wound tightly round one of the rails. He -beckoned for me to go to him—with his head, of course, for he could not -spare his hands, which held him up against the violence of the tempest. -After several queer movements, twisting myself like an analide, I -reached the upper deck, where I buttressed myself, after the doctor’s -fashion. “We are in for it!” cried he to me; “this will last. Heigh ho! -this ‘Great Eastern!’ Just at the moment of arrival, a cyclone, a -veritable cyclone is commanded on purpose for her.” - -The Doctor spoke in broken sentences, for the wind cut short his words, -but I understood him; the word cyclone carried its explanation with it. - -It is well known that these whirlwinds, called hurricanes in the Indian -and Atlantic Oceans, tornadoes on the coast of Africa, simoons in the -desert, and typhoons in the Chinese Sea, are tempests of such formidable -power, that they imperil the largest ships. - -Now the “Great Eastern” was caught in a cyclone. How would this giant -make head against it? - -“Harm will come to her,” repeated Dean Pitferge. “Look, how she dives -into the billows.” - -This was, indeed, the exact position of the steam-ship, whose stern -disappeared beneath the mountains of waves, which swept violently -against her. It was not possible to see to any distance: there were all -the symptoms of a storm, which broke forth in its fury about seven -o’clock. The ocean heaved terrifically, the small undulations between -the large waves entirely disappeared under an overwhelming wind, the -foam-crested billows clashed together, in the wildest uproar, every -moment; the waves grew higher, and the “Great Eastern,” cutting through -them, pitched frightfully. - -“There are but two courses now to choose from,” said the Doctor, with -the self-possession of a seaman, “either to put the ship’s head on to -the waves, working with a minimum speed, or take flight and give up the -struggle with this baffling sea; but Captain Anderson will do neither -one thing nor the other.” - -“And why not?” I asked. - -“Because—” replied the doctor, “because something must happen.” - -Turning round, I saw the Captain, the first officer, and the chief -engineer, muffled in their macintoshes, and clutching at the railings of -the bridge; they were enveloped in spray from head to foot. The Captain -was smiling as usual, the first officer laughed, and showed his white -teeth, at the sight of the ship pitching enough to make one think the -masts and chimneys were coming down. - -Nevertheless I was really astonished at the Captain’s obstinacy. At -half-past seven, the aspect of the Atlantic was terrible; the sea swept -right across the deck at the bows. I watched this grand sight; this -struggle between the giant and the billows, and to a certain extent I -could sympathize with the Captain’s wilfulness; but I was forgetting -that the power of the sea is infinite, and that nothing made by the hand -of man can resist it; and, indeed, powerful as she was, our ship was at -last obliged to fly before the tempest. - -Suddenly, at about eight o’clock, a violent shock was felt, caused by a -formidable swoop of the sea, which struck the ship on her fore larboard -quarter. - -“That was not a box on the ear, it was a blow in the face,” said the -Doctor to me. - -And the blow had evidently bruised us, for spars appeared on the crests -of the waves. Was it part of our ship that was making off in this -manner, or the _débris_ of a wreck? - -On a sign from the Captain, the “Great Eastern” shifted her course, in -order to avoid the spars, which threatened to get entangled in the -paddles. Looking more attentively, I saw that the sea had carried off -the bulwarks on the larboard side, which were fifty feet above the -surface of the water; the jambs were broken, the taggers torn away, and -the shattered remnants of glass still trembled in their casements. The -“Great Eastern” had staggered beneath the shock, but she continued her -way with an indomitable audacity. It was necessary, as quickly as -possible, to remove the spars which encumbered the ship at the bows, and -in order to do this it was indispensable to avoid the sea, but the -steam-ship obstinately continued to make head against the waves. The -spirit of her captain seemed to animate her; he did not want to yield, -and yield he would not. An officer and some men were sent to the bows to -clear the deck. - -“Mind,” said the Doctor to me, “the moment of the catastrophe is not far -off.” - -The sailors went towards the bows, whilst we fastened ourselves to the -second mast, and looked through the spray, which fell in showers over us -with each wave. Suddenly there was another swoop more violent than the -first, and the sea poured through the barricading by the opened breach, -tore off an enormous sheet of cast-iron which covered the bit of the -bows, broke away the massive top of the hatchway leading to the crew’s -berths, and lashing against the starboard barricadings, swept them off -like the sheets of a sail. - -The men were knocked down; one of them, an officer, half-drowned, shook -his red whiskers, and picked himself up; then seeing one of the sailors -lying unconscious across an anchor, he hurried towards him, lifted him -on his shoulders and carried him away. At this moment the rest of the -crew escaped through the broken hatchway. There were three feet of water -in the tween-decks, new spars covered the sea, and amongst other things -several thousand of the dolls, which my countryman had thought to -acclimatize in America; these little bodies, torn from their cases by -the sea, danced on the summits of the waves, and under less serious -circumstances the sight would have been truly ludicrous. In the meantime -the inundation was gaining on us, large bodies of water were pouring in -through the opened gaps, and according to the engineer, the “Great -Eastern” shipped more than two thousand tons of water, enough to float a -frigate of the largest size. - -[Illustration: ONE OF THE SAILORS LYING UNCONSCIOUS.] - -“Well!” exclaimed the Doctor, whose hat had been blown off in the -hurricane, “to keep in this position is impossible; it is fool-hardy to -hold on any longer; we ought to take flight, the steam-ship going with -her battered stem ahead, is like a man swimming between two currents, -with his mouth open.” - -This Captain Anderson understood at last, for I saw him run to the -little wheel on the bridge which commanded the movement of the rudder, -the steam immediately rushed into the cylinders at the stern, and the -giant turning like a canoe made head towards the north, and fled before -the storm. - -At this moment, the Captain, generally so calm and self-possessed, cried -angrily,— - -“My ship is disgraced.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - - -Scarcely had the “Great Eastern” tacked and presented her stern to the -waves, than the pitching gave way to perfect steadiness; breakfast was -served, and the greater part of the passengers, reassured by the ship’s -stillness, came into the dining-rooms, and took their repast without -fear of another shock. Not a plate fell off the table, and not a glass -emptied its contents on to the cloth, although the racks had not even -been put up. But three quarters of an hour later the furniture was set -in motion again, and the crockery clattered together on the pantry -shelves, for the “Great Eastern” had resumed her westerly course, which -for the time had been interrupted. - -I went on deck again with Dr. Pitferge, who seeing the man belonging to -the dolls said to him,— - -“Your little people have been put to a severe test, sir; those poor -babies will never prattle in the United States.” - -“Pshaw!” replied the enterprising Parisian, “the stock was insured, and -my secret has not perished with it.” - -It was evident my countryman was not a man to be easily disheartened, he -bowed to us with a pleasant smile, and we continued our way to the -stern, where a steersman told us that the rudder-chains had been jammed -in the interval between the two swoops. - -“If that accident had happened when we were turning,” said Pitferge to -me, “I cannot say what would have become of us, for the sea would have -rushed in, in overwhelming torrents; the steam pumps have already begun -to reduce the water, but there is more coming yet.” - -“And what of the unfortunate sailor?” asked I of the Doctor. - -“He is severely wounded on his head, poor fellow! he is a young married -fisherman, the father of two children, and this is his first voyage. The -Doctor seems to think there is hope of his recovery, and that is what -makes me fear for him, but we shall soon see for ourselves. A report was -spread that several men had been washed overboard, but happily there was -no foundation for it.” - -“We have resumed our course at last,” said I. - -“Yes,” replied the Doctor, “the westerly course, against wind and tide, -there is no doubt about that,” added he, catching hold of a kevel to -prevent himself from rolling on the deck. “Do you know what I should do -with the ‘Great Eastern’ if she belonged to me? No. Well, I would make a -pleasure-boat of her, and charge 10,000 francs a head; there would only -be millionnaires on board, and people who were not pressed for time. I -would take a month or six weeks going from England to America; the ship -never against the waves, and the wind always ahead or astern; there -should be no rolling, no pitching, and I would pay a 100_F._ in any case -of sea-sickness.” - -“That is a practical idea,” said I. - -“Yes,” replied Pitferge, “there’s money to be gained or lost by that!” - -In the meantime the “Great Eastern” was slowly but steadily continuing -her way; the swell was frightful, but her straight stem cut the waves -regularly, and shipped no more water. It was no longer a metal mountain -making against a mountain of water, but as sedentary as a rock; the -“Great Eastern” received the billows with perfect indifference. The rain -fell in torrents, and we were obliged to take refuge under the eaves of -the grand saloon; with the shower the violence of the wind and sea -assuaged; the western sky grew clear, and the last black clouds vanished -in the opposite horizon; at ten o’clock the hurricane sent us a farewell -gust. - -At noon an observation was able to be made and was as follows:— - - Lat. 49° 50´, N. - Long. 61° 57´, W. - Course, 193 miles. - -This considerable diminution in the ship’s speed could only be -attributed to the tempest, which during the night and morning had -incessantly beaten against the ship, and a tempest so terrible that one -of the passengers, almost an inhabitant of the Atlantic, which he had -crossed forty-four times, declared he had never seen the like. The -engineer even said that during the storm, when the “Great Eastern” was -three days in the trough of the sea, the ship had never been attacked -with such violence, and it must be repeated that even if this admirable -steam-ship did go at an inferior speed, and rolled decidedly too much, -she nevertheless presented a sure security against the fury of the sea, -which she resisted like a block, owing to the perfect homogeneity of her -construction. - -But let me also say, however powerful she might be, it was not right to -expose her, without any reason whatever, to a baffling sea; for however -strong, however imposing a ship may appear, it is not “disgraced” -because it flies before the tempest. A commander ought always to -remember that a man’s life is worth more than the mere satisfaction of -his own pride. In any case, to be obstinate is blameable, and to be -wilful is dangerous. A recent incident in which a dreadful catastrophe -happened to a Transatlantic steamer shows us that a captain ought not to -struggle blindly against the sea, even when he sees the boat of a rival -company creeping ahead. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - -In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed -in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an -island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to -the Atlantic that which belonged to it. The rain had ceased and the wind -freshened again, but the sky, swept by the tempest, was clear. I stayed -several hours after dark walking on deck. Great floods of light poured -from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern -stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked -here and there by the luminous crests of the waves. The stars reflected -in the lactescent water appeared and disappeared, as though peering -through rapidly driving clouds. Night had spread her sombre covering far -and near; forward roared the thunder of the wheels, whilst beneath me I -heard the clanking of the rudder-chains. - -Going back to the saloon door I was surprised to see there a compact -crowd of spectators, and to hear vociferous applauses, for, in spite of -the day’s disasters, the entertainment was taking place as usual. Not a -thought of the wounded and, perhaps, dying sailor. The assembly seemed -highly animated, and loud hurrahs hailed the appearance of a troop of -minstrels on board the “Great Eastern.” The niggers—black, or blackened, -according to their origin—were no others than sailors in disguise. They -were dressed in cast-off trumpery, ornamented with sea-biscuits for -buttons; the opera-glasses which they sported were composed of two -bottles fastened together, and their jew’s-harps consisted of catgut -stretched on cork. These merry-andrews were amusing enough upon the -whole; they sang comic songs, and improvised a mixture of puns and -cock-and-bull stories. The uproarious cheers with which their -performances were greeted only made them increase their contortions and -grimaces, until one of them, as nimble as a monkey, finished the -performance by dancing the sailor’s hornpipe. - -[Illustration: A TROOP OF MINSTRELS.] - -However amusing the minstrels may have been, they had not succeeded in -attracting all the passengers. Numbers of them had flocked to their -usual haunt, the “smoking-room,” and were eagerly pressing round the -gaming-tables, where enormous stakes were being made, some defending -their acquisitions during the voyage, others trying to conquer fate by -making rash wagers at the last moment. The room was in a violent uproar, -one could hear the voice of the money agent crying the stakes, the oaths -of the losers, the clinking of gold, and the rustling of dollar-papers; -then there was a sudden lull, the uproar was silenced by a bold stake, -but as soon as the result was known the noise was redoubled. - -I very seldom entered the smoking-room, for I have a horror of gambling. -It is always a vulgar and often an unhealthy pastime, and it is a vice -which does not go alone; the man who gambles will find himself capable -of any evil. Here reigned Harry Drake in the midst of his parasites, -here also flourished those adventurers who were going to seek their -fortunes in America. I always avoided a meeting with these boisterous -men, so this evening I passed the door without going in, when my -attention was arrested by a violent outburst of cries and curses. I -listened, and, after a moment’s silence, to my great astonishment I -thought I could distinguish Fabian’s voice. What could he be doing in -this place? Had he come here to look for his enemy, and thus the -catastrophe, until now avoided, been brought about? - -I quickly pushed the door open: at this moment the uproar was at its -height. In the midst of the crowd of gamblers I saw Fabian standing -facing Harry Drake. I hurried towards him, Harry Drake had undoubtedly -grossly insulted him, for Fabian was aiming a blow with his fist at him, -and if it did not reach the place it was intended for, it was only -because Corsican suddenly appeared and stopped him with a quick gesture. - -But, addressing himself to his enemy, Fabian said, in a cold, sarcastic -tone,— - -“Do you accept that blow?” - -“Yes,” replied Drake, “and here is my card!” - -Thus, in spite of our efforts, an inevitable fatality had brought these -two deadly enemies together. It was too late to separate them now, -events must take their course. Captain Corsican looked at me, and I was -surprised to see sadness rather than annoyance in his eyes. - -[Illustration: “DO YOU ACCEPT THAT BLOW?”] - -In the meantime Fabian picked up the card which Harry Drake had thrown -on the table. He held it between the tips of his fingers as if loath to -touch it. Corsican was pale, and my heart beat wildly. At last Fabian -looked at the card, and read the name on it, then with a voice stifled -by passion he cried,— - -“Harry Drake! you! you! you!” - -“The same, Captain Mac Elwin,” quietly replied Fabian’s rival. - -We were not deceived, if Fabian was ignorant until now of Drake’s name, -the latter was only too well aware of Fabian’s presence on the “Great -Eastern.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - -The next day, at break of dawn, I went in search of Captain Corsican, -whom I found in the grand saloon. He had passed the night with Fabian, -who was still suffering from the shock which the name of Ellen’s husband -had given him. Did a secret intuition tell him that Drake was not alone -on board? Had Ellen’s presence been revealed to him by the appearance of -this man? Lastly, could he guess that the poor crazed woman was the -young girl whom he so fondly loved? Corsican could not say, for Fabian -had not uttered one word all night. - -Corsican resented Fabian’s wrongs with a kind of brotherly feeling. The -intrepid nature of the latter had from childhood irresistibly attracted -him, and he was now in the greatest despair. - -“I came in too late,” said he to me. “Before Fabian could have raised -his hand, I ought to have struck that wretch.” - -“Useless violence,” replied I. “Harry Drake would not have risked a -quarrel with you; he has a grudge against Fabian, and a meeting between -the two had become inevitable.” - -“You are right,” said the Captain. “That rascal has got what he wanted; -he knew Fabian, his past life, and his love. Perhaps Ellen, deprived of -reason, betrayed her secret thoughts, or, rather, did not Drake before -his marriage learn from the loyal young woman all he was ignorant of -regarding her past life? Urged by a base impulse, and finding himself in -contact with Fabian, he has waited for an opportunity in which he could -assume the part of the offended. This scoundrel ought to be a clever -duellist.” - -“Yes,” replied I. “He has already had three or four encounters of the -kind.” - -“My dear sir,” said the Captain, “it is not the duel in itself which I -fear for Fabian. Captain Mac Elwin is one of those who never trouble -themselves about danger, but it is the result of this engagement which -is to be dreaded. If Fabian were to kill this man, however vile he may -be, it would place an impossible barrier between Ellen and himself, and -Heaven knows, the unhappy woman needs a support, like Fabian, in the -state she now is.” - -“True,” said I; “whatever happens we can but hope that Harry Drake will -fall. Justice is on our side.” - -“Certainly,” replied the Captain, “but one cannot help feeling -distressed to think that even at the risk of my own life I could not -have spared Fabian this.” - -“Captain,” said I, taking the hand of this devoted friend, “Drake has -not sent his seconds yet, so that, although circumstances are against -us, I do not despair.” - -“Do you know any means of preventing the duel?” - -“None at present; at the same time, if the meeting must take place, it -seems to me that it can only do so in America, and before we get there, -chance, which has brought about this state of things, will, perhaps, -turn the scales in our favour.” - -Captain Corsican shook his head like a man who had no faith in the -efficacy of chance in human affairs. At this moment Fabian went up the -stairs leading to the deck. I only saw him for a moment, but I was -struck by the deadly pallor of his face. The wound had been reopened, -and it was sad to see him wandering aimlessly about, trying to avoid us. - -Even friendship may be troublesome at times, and Corsican and I thought -it better to respect his grief rather than interfere with him. But -suddenly Fabian turned, and coming towards us, said,— - -“The mad woman, was she! It was Ellen, was it not? Poor Ellen!” - -He was still doubtful, and went away without waiting for an answer, -which we had not the courage to give. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - - -At noon, Drake had not sent Fabian his seconds to my knowledge, and -these were preliminaries which could not be dispensed with, if Drake -determined to demand immediate satisfaction. Might we not take hope from -this delay? I knew that the Saxon race do not regard a debt of honour as -we do, and that duels had almost disappeared from English customs, for, -as I have already said, not only is there a severe law against -duellists, but, moreover, the public opinion is strongly averse to them. -At the same time, in this, which was an uncommon case, the engagement -had evidently been voluntarily sought for; the offended had, so to -speak, provoked the offender, and my reasonings always tended to the -same conclusion, that a meeting between Fabian and Harry Drake was -inevitable. - -The deck was at this moment crowded with passengers and crew returning -from service. - -At half-past twelve the observation resulted in the following note:— - - Lat. 40° 33´ N. - Long. 66° 24´ W. - Course, 214 miles. - -Thus the “Great Eastern” was only 348 miles from Sandy Hook Point, a -narrow tongue of land which forms the entrance to the New York harbour; -it would not be long before we were in American seas. - -I did not see Fabian in his usual place at lunch, but Drake was there, -and although talkative, he did not appear to be quite at his ease. Was -he trying to drown his fears in wine? I cannot say, but he indulged in -bountiful libations with his friends. Several times I saw him leering at -me, but insolent as he was, he dared not look me in the face. Was he -looking for Fabian among the crowd of guests? I noticed he left the -table abruptly before the meal was finished, and I got up immediately, -in order to observe him, but he went to his cabin and shut himself up -there. - -I went up on deck. Not a wave disturbed the calm surface of the sea, and -the sky was unsullied by a cloud; the two mirrors mutually reflected -their azure hue. I met Doctor Pitferge, who gave me bad news of the -wounded sailor. The invalid was getting worse, and, in spite of the -doctor’s assurance, it was difficult to think that he could recover. - -At four o’clock, a few minutes before dinner, a ship was hailed to -larboard. The first officer told me he thought it must be the “City of -Paris,” one of the finest steamers of the “Inman Company,” but he was -mistaken, for the steamer coming nearer, sent us her name, which was the -“Saxonia,” belonging to the “National Steamship Company.” For a few -minutes the two boats came alongside, within two or three cables’ length -of each other. The deck of the “Saxonia” was covered with passengers, -who saluted us with loud cheers. - -At five o’clock another ship on the horizon, but too far off for her -nationality to be recognized. This time it was undoubtedly the “City of -Paris.” This meeting with ships, and the salutation between the -Atlantic’s visitors, caused great excitement on board. One can -understand that as there is little difference between one ship and -another, the common danger of facing the uncertain element unites even -strangers by a friendly bond. - -At six o’clock a third ship appeared, the “Philadelphia,” one of the -Inman line, used for the transportation of emigrants from Liverpool to -New York. We were evidently in frequented seas, and land could not be -far off. How I longed to reach it! - -The “Europe,” a steamer belonging to the “Transatlantic Company,” -carrying passengers from Havre to New York, was expected, but she did -not come in sight, and had most likely taken a more northerly course. - -Night closed in about half-past seven. As the sun sank below the -horizon, the moon grew brighter and for some time hung shining in the -heavens. A prayer-meeting, held by Captain Anderson, interspersed with -hymns, lasted until nine o’clock. - -The day passed without either Captain Corsican or myself receiving a -visit from Drake’s seconds. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - - -The next day, Monday, the 8th of April, the weather was very fine. I -found the Doctor on deck basking in the sun. He came up to me. “Ah -well!” said he, “our poor sufferer died in the night. The doctor never -gave him up—oh, those doctors! they never will give in. This is the -fourth man we have lost since we left Liverpool, the fourth gone towards -paying the ‘Great Eastern’s’ debt, and we are not at the end of our -voyage yet.” - -“Poor fellow,” said I, “just as we are nearing port, and the American -coast almost in sight. What will become of his widow and little -children?” - -“Would you have it otherwise, my dear sir. It is the law, the great law! -we must die! We must give way to others. It is my opinion we die simply -because we are occupying a place which by rights belongs to another. Now -can you tell me how many people will have died during my existence if I -live to be sixty?” - -“I have no idea, Doctor.” - -“The calculation is simple enough,” resumed Dean Pitferge. “If I live -sixty years, I shall have been in the world 21,900 days, or 525,600 -hours, or 31,536,000 minutes, or lastly, 1,892,160,000 seconds, in round -numbers 2,000,000,000 seconds. Now in that time two thousand millions -individuals who were in the way of their successors will have died, and -when I have become inconvenient, I shall be put out of the way in the -same manner, so that the long and short of the matter is to put off -becoming inconvenient as long as possible.” - -The Doctor continued for some time arguing on this subject, tending to -prove to me a very simple theory, the mortality of human creatures. I -did not think it worth while to discuss the point with him, so I let him -have his say. Whilst we paced backwards and forwards, the Doctor -talking, and I listening, I noticed that the carpenters on board were -busy repairing the battered stem. If Captain Anderson did not wish to -arrive in New York with damages, the carpenters would have to hurry over -their work, for the “Great Eastern” was rapidly speeding through the -tranquil waters; this I understood from the lively demeanour of the -young lovers, who no longer thought of counting the turns of the wheels. -The long pistons expanded, and the enormous cylinders heaving on their -axle-swings, looked like a great peal of bells clanging together at -random. The wheels made eleven revolutions a minute, and the steam-ship -went at the rate of thirteen miles an hour. - -At noon the officers dispensed with making an observation; they knew -their situation by calculation, and land must be signalled before long. - -While I was walking on deck after lunch, Captain Corsican came up. I -saw, from the thoughtful expression on his face, that he had something -to tell me. - -“Fabian,” said he, “has received Drake’s seconds. I am to be his second, -and he begs me to ask you if you would kindly be present on the -occasion. He may rely on you?” - -“Yes, Captain; so all hope of deferring or preventing this meeting has -vanished?” - -“All hope.” - -“But tell me, how did the quarrel arise?” - -“A discussion about the play was a pretext for it, nothing else. The -fact is if Fabian was not aware who Harry Drake was, it is quite evident -he knew Fabian, and the name of Fabian is so odious to him that he would -gladly slay the man to whom it belongs.” - -“Who are Drake’s seconds?” I asked. - -“One of them is that actor—” - -“Doctor T——?” - -“Just so; the other is a Yankee I do not know.” - -“When are you to expect them?” - -“I am waiting for them here.” - -And just as he spoke I saw the seconds coming towards us. Doctor T—— -cleared his throat; he undoubtedly thought a great deal more of himself -as the representative of a rogue. His companion, another of Drake’s -associates, was one of those extraordinary merchants who has always for -sale anything you may ask him to buy. - -Doctor T—— spoke first, after making a very emphatic bow, which Captain -Corsican hardly condescended to acknowledge. - -“Gentlemen,” said Doctor T——, in a grave tone, “our friend Drake, a -gentleman whose merit and deportment cannot fail to be appreciated by -every one, has sent us to arrange a somewhat delicate affair with you; -that is to say, Captain Fabian Mac Elwin, to whom we first addressed -ourselves, referred us to you as his representative. I hope that we -shall be able to come to an understanding between ourselves worthy the -position of gentlemen touching the delicate object of our mission.” - -We made no reply, but allowed the gentleman to become embarrassed with -his delicacy. - -“Gentlemen,” continued he, “there is not the remotest doubt but that -Captain Mac Elwin is in the wrong. That gentleman has unreasonably, and -without the slightest pretext, questioned the honour of Harry Drake’s -proceedings in a matter of play, and without any provocation offered him -the greatest insult a gentleman could receive.” - -These honeyed words made the Captain impatient, he bit his moustache, -and could refrain speaking no longer. - -“Come to the point,” said he sharply to Doctor T——, whose speech he had -interrupted, “we don’t want so many words; the affair is simple enough; -Captain Mac Elwin raised his hand against Mr. Drake, your friend -accepted the blow, he assumes the part of the offended, and demands -satisfaction. He has the choice of arms. What next?” - -“Does Captain Mac Elwin accept the challenge?” asked the Doctor, baffled -by Corsican’s tone. - -“Decidedly.” - -“Our friend, Harry Drake, has chosen swords.” - -“Very well, and where is the engagement to take place? In New York?” - -“No, here on board.” - -“On board, be it so; at what time? To-morrow morning?” - -“This evening at six o’clock, at the end of the upper deck, which will -be deserted at that time.” - -“Very well.” - -Thus saying, the Captain took my arm, and turned his back on Dr. T——. - - - - - CHAPTER XXX. - - -It was no longer possible to put off the duel. Only a few hours -separated us from the moment when Fabian and Harry Drake must meet. What -could be the reason of this haste? How was it that Harry Drake had not -delayed the duel until he and his enemy had disembarked? Was it because -this ship, freighted by a French company, seemed to him the most -favourable ground for a meeting which must be a deadly struggle? Or -rather, might not Drake have a secret interest in freeing himself of -Fabian before the latter could set foot on the American continent, or -suspect the presence of Ellen on board, which he must have thought was -unknown to all save himself? Yes, it must have been for this reason. - -“Little matter, after all,” said the Captain; “far better to have it -over.” - -“Shall I ask Dr. Pitferge to be present at the duel as a doctor?” - -“Yes, it would be well to do so.” - -Corsican left me to go to Fabian. At this moment the bell on deck began -tolling, and when I inquired of a steersman the reason of this unusual -occurrence, he told me that it was for the burial of the sailor who had -died in the night, and that the sad ceremony was about to take place. -The sky, until now so clear, became overcast, and dark clouds loomed -threateningly in the south. - -At the sound of the bell the passengers flocked to the starboard side. -The bridges, paddle-boards, bulwarks, masts and shore-boats, hanging -from their davits, were crowded with spectators, the officers, sailors, -and stokers off duty, stood in ranks on deck. - -At two o’clock a group of sailors appeared at the far end of the upper -deck, they had left the hospital, and were passing the rudder-engine. -The corpse, sewn in a piece of sail and stretched on a board, with a -cannon ball at the feet, was carried by four men. The body, covered with -the British flag, and followed by the dead man’s comrades, slowly -advanced into the midst of the spectators, who uncovered their heads as -the procession passed. - -On their arrival at the starboard paddle-wheel, the corpse was deposited -on a landing of a staircase which terminated at the main deck. - -In front of the row of spectators, standing one above the other, were -Captain Anderson and his principal officers in full uniform. The -Captain, holding a prayer-book in his hand, took his hat off, and for -some minutes, during a profound silence, which not even the breeze -interrupted, he solemnly read the prayer for the dead, every word of -which was distinctly audible in the deathlike silence. - -[Illustration: THE PRAYER FOR THE DEAD.] - -On a sign from the Captain the body, released by the bearers, sank into -the sea. For one moment it floated on the surface, became upright, and -then disappeared in a circle of foam. - -At this moment the voice of the sailor on watch was heard crying “Land!” - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI. - - -The land announced at the moment when the sea was closing over the -corpse of the poor sailor was low-lying and of a yellow colour. This -line of slightly elevated downs was Long Island, a great sandy bank -enlivened with vegetation, which stretches along the American coast from -Montauk Point to Brooklyn, adjoining New York. Several yachts were -coasting along this island, which is covered with villas and -pleasure-houses, the favourite resorts of the New Yorkists. - -Every passenger waved his hand to the land so longed for after the -tedious voyage, which had not been exempt from painful accidents. Every -telescope was directed towards this first specimen of the American -continent, and each saw it under a different aspect. The Yankee beheld -in it his mother-land; the Southerner regarded these northern lands with -a kind of scorn, the scorn of the conquered for the conqueror; the -Canadian looked upon it as a man who had only one step to take to call -himself a citizen of the Union; the Californian in his mind’s eye -traversed the plains of the Far West, and crossing the Rocky Mountains -had already set foot on their inexhaustible mines. The Mormonite, with -elevated brow and scornful lip, hardly noticed these shores, but peered -beyond to where stood the City of the Saints on the borders of Salt -Lake, in the far-off deserts. As for the young lovers, this continent -was to them the Promised Land. - -In the meanwhile the sky was growing more and more threatening. A dark -line of clouds gathered in the zenith, and a suffocating heat penetrated -the atmosphere as though a July sun was shining directly above us. - -“Would you like me to astonish you?” said the Doctor, who had joined me -on the gangway. - -“Astonish me, Doctor?” - -“Well, then, we shall have a storm, perhaps a thunder-storm, before the -day is over.” - -“A thunder-storm in the month of April!” I cried. - -“The ‘Great Eastern’ does not trouble herself about seasons,” replied -Dean Pitferge, shrugging his shoulders. “It is a tempest called forth -expressly on her account. Look at the threatening aspect of those clouds -which cover the sky; they look like antediluvian animals, and before -long they will devour each other.” - -“I confess,” said I, “the sky looks stormy, and were it three months -later I should be of your opinion, but not at this time of year.” - -“I tell you,” replied the Doctor, growing animated, “the storm will -burst out before many hours are past. I feel it like a barometer. Look -at those vapours rising in a mass, observe that cirrus, those mares’ -tails which are blending together, and those thick circles which -surround the horizon. Soon there will be a rapid condensing of vapour, -which will consequently produce electricity. Besides the mercury has -suddenly fallen, and the prevailing wind is south-west, the only one -which can brew a storm in winter.” - -“Your observations may be very true, Doctor,” said I, not willing to -yield, “but who has ever witnessed a thunder-storm at this season, and -in this latitude?” - -“We have proof, sir, we have proof on record. Mild winters are often -marked by storms. You ought only to have lived in 1772, or even in 1824, -and you would have heard the roaring of the thunder, in the first -instance in February, and in the second in December. In the month of -January, 1837, a thunder-bolt fell near Drammen in Norway, and did -considerable mischief. Last year, in the month of February, -fishing-smacks from Tréport were struck by lightning. If I had time to -consult statistics I would soon put you to silence.” - -“Well, Doctor, since you will have it so, we shall soon see. At any -rate, you are not afraid of thunder?” - -“Not I,” replied the Doctor. “The thunder is my friend; better still, it -is my doctor.” - -“Your doctor?” - -“Most certainly. I was struck by lightning in my bed on the 13th July, -1867, at Kew, near London, and it cured me of paralysis in my right arm, -when the doctors had given up the case as hopeless.” - -“You must be joking.” - -“Not at all. It is an economical treatment by electricity. My dear sir, -there are many very authentic facts which prove that thunder surpasses -the most skilful physicians, and its intervention is truly marvellous in -apparently hopeless cases.” - -“Nevertheless,” said I, “I have little trust in your doctor, and would -not willingly consult him.” - -“Because you have never seen him at work. Stay; here is an instance -which I have heard of as occurring in 1817. A peasant in Connecticut, -who was suffering from asthma, supposed to be incurable, was struck by -lightning in a field, and radically cured.” - -In fact I believe the Doctor would have been capable of making the -thunder into pills. - -“Laugh, ignoramus!” said he to me. “You know nothing either of the -weather or medicine!” - - - - - CHAPTER XXXII. - - -Dean Pitferge left me, but I remained on deck, watching the storm rise. -Corsican was still closeted with Fabian, who was undoubtedly making some -arrangements in case of misfortune. I then remembered that he had a -sister in New York, and I shuddered at the thought that perhaps we -should have to carry to her the news of her brother’s death. I should -like to have seen Fabian, but I thought it better not to disturb either -him or Captain Corsican. - -[Illustration: I REMAINED ON DECK WATCHING THE STORM RISE.] - -At four o’clock we came in sight of land stretching before Long Island. -It was Fire Island. In the centre rose a lighthouse, which shone over -the surrounding land. The passengers again invaded the upper decks and -bridges. All eyes were strained towards the coast, distant about six -miles. They were waiting for the moment when the arrival of the pilot -should settle the great pool business. It may be thought that those who -had night quarters, and I was of the number, had given up all -pretensions, and that those with the day quarters, except those included -between four and six o’clock, had no longer any chance. Before night the -pilot would come on board and settle this affair, so that all the -interest was now concentrated in the seven or eight persons to whom fate -had attributed the next quarters. The latter were taking advantage of -their good luck—selling, buying, and reselling their chances, bartering -with such energy one might almost have fancied oneself in the Royal -Exchange. - -At sixteen minutes past four a small schooner, bearing towards the -steam-ship, was signalled to starboard. There was no longer any possible -doubt of its being the pilot’s boat, and he would be on board in -fourteen or fifteen minutes at the most. The struggle was now between -the possessors of the second and third quarters from four to five -o’clock. Demands and offers were made with renewed vivacity. Then absurd -wagers were laid even on the pilot’s person, the tenor of which I have -faithfully given. - -“Ten dollars that the pilot is married.” - -“Twenty that he is a widower.” - -“Thirty dollars that he has a moustache.” - -“Sixty that he has a wart on his nose.” - -“A hundred dollars that he will step on board with his right foot -first.” - -“He will smoke.” - -“He will have a pipe in his mouth.” - -“No! a cigar.” - -“No!” “Yes!” “No!” - -And twenty other wagers quite as ridiculous, which found those more -absurd still to accept them. - -[Illustration: A SMALL SCHOONER WAS SIGNALLED TO STARBOARD.] - -In the meanwhile the little schooner was sensibly approaching the -steam-ship, and we could distinguish her graceful proportions. These -charming little pilot-boats, of about fifty or sixty tons, are good -sea-boats, skimming over the water like sea-gulls. The schooner, -gracefully inclined, was bearing windward in spite of the breeze, which -had begun to freshen. Her mast and foresails stood out clearly against -the dark background of clouds, and the sea foamed beneath her bows. When -at two cables’ length from the “Great Eastern,” she suddenly veered and -launched a shore-boat. Captain Anderson gave orders to heave-to, and for -the first time during a fortnight the wheels of the screw were -motionless. A man got into the boat, which four sailors quickly pulled -to the steam-ship. A rope-ladder was thrown over the side of the giant -down to the pilot in his little nutshell, which the latter caught, and, -skilfully climbing, sprang on deck. - -He was received with joyous cries by the winners, and exclamations of -disappointment from the losers. The pool was regulated by the following -statements:— - -“The pilot was married.” - -“He had no wart on his nose.” - -“He had a light moustache.” - -“He had jumped on board with both feet.” - -“Lastly, it was thirty-six minutes past four o’clock when he set foot on -the deck of the ‘Great Eastern.’” - -The possessor of the thirty-third quarter thus gained the ninety-six -dollars, and it was Captain Corsican, who had hardly thought of the -unexpected gain. It was not long before he appeared on deck, and when -the pool was presented to him, he begged Captain Anderson to keep it for -the widow of the young sailor whose death had been caused by the inroad -of the sea. The Captain shook his hand without saying a word, but a -moment afterwards a sailor came up to Corsican, and, bowing awkwardly, -“Sir,” said he, “my mates have sent me to say that you are a very kind -gentleman, and they all thank you in the name of poor Wilson, who cannot -thank you for himself.” - -The Captain, moved by the rough sailor’s speech, silently pressed his -hand. - -As for the pilot, he was a man of short stature, with not much of the -sailor-look about him. He wore a glazed hat, black trousers, a brown -overcoat lined with red, and carried an umbrella. He was master on board -now. - -In springing on deck, before he went to the bridge, he had thrown a -bundle of papers among the passengers, who eagerly pounced on them. They -were European and American journals—the political and civil bonds which -again united the “Great Eastern” to the two continents. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - - -The storm was gathering, and a black arch of clouds had formed over our -heads; the atmosphere was misty; nature was evidently about to justify -Dr. Pitferge’s presentiments. The steam-ship had slackened her speed, -and the wheels only made three or four revolutions a minute; volumes of -white steam escaped from the half-open valves, the anchor-chains were -cleared, and the British flag floated from the main-mast; these -arrangements Captain Anderson had made preparatory to mooring. The -pilot, standing on the top of the starboard paddle, guided the -steam-ship through the narrow passages; but the tide was already -turning, so that the “Great Eastern” could not yet cross the bar of the -Hudson, and we must wait till next day. - -At a quarter to five by the pilot’s order the anchors were let go; the -chains rattled through the hawse-holes with a noise like thunder. I even -thought for a moment that the storm had burst forth. When the anchors -were firmly embedded in the sand, the “Great Eastern” swung round by the -ebb tide, remained motionless, and not a wave disturbed the surface of -the water. - -At this moment the steward’s trumpet sounded for the last time; it -called the passengers to their farewell dinner. The “Society of -Freighters” would be prodigal with the champagne, and no one wished to -be absent. An hour later the saloons were crowded with guests, and the -deck deserted. - -However, seven persons left their places unoccupied; the two -adversaries, who were going to stake their lives in a duel, the four -seconds, and the Doctor, who was to be present at the engagement. The -time and the place for the meeting had been well chosen; there was not a -creature on deck; the passengers were in the dining-rooms, the sailors -in their berths, the officers absorbed with their own particular -bottles, and not a steersman on board, for the ship was motionless at -anchor. - -At ten minutes past five the Doctor and I were joined by Fabian and -Captain Corsican. I had not seen Fabian since the scene in the -smoking-room. He seemed to me sad, but very calm. The thought of the -duel troubled him little, apparently; his mind was elsewhere, and his -eyes wandered restlessly in search of Ellen. He held out his hand to me -without saying a word. - -“Has not Harry Drake arrived?” asked the Captain of me. - -“Not yet,” I replied. - -“Let us go to the stern; that is the place of rendezvous.” - -Fabian, Captain Corsican, and I, walked along the upper decks; the sky -was growing dark; we heard the distant roar of thunder rumbling along -the horizon. It was like a monotonous bass, enlivened by the hips and -hurrahs issuing from the saloons; flashes of lightning darted through -the black clouds, and the atmosphere was powerfully charged with -electricity. - -At twenty minutes past five Harry Drake and his seconds made their -appearance. The gentlemen bowed to us, which honour we strictly -returned. Drake did not utter a word, but his face showed signs of -ill-concealed excitement. He cast a look of malignant hatred on Fabian; -but the latter, leaning against the hatchway, did not even see him; so -absorbed was he in a profound meditation, he seemed not yet to have -thought of the part he was to play in this drama. - -In the meanwhile Captain Corsican, addressing himself to the Yankee, one -of Drake’s seconds, asked him for the swords, which the latter presented -to him. They were battle swords, the basket-hilts of which entirely -protected the hand which held them. Corsican took them, bent, and -measured them, and then allowed the Yankee to choose. Whilst these -preparations were being made, Harry Drake had taken off his hat and -jacket, unbuttoned his shirt, and turned up his sleeves; then he seized -his sword, and I saw that he was left-handed, which gave him, accustomed -to right-handed antagonists, an unquestionable advantage. - -Fabian had not yet left the place where he was standing. One would have -thought that these preparations had nothing to do with him. Captain -Corsican went up to him, touched him, and showed him the sword. Fabian -looked at the glittering steel, and it seemed as if his memory came back -to him at that moment. - -He grasped his sword with a firm hand. - -“Right!” he murmured; “I remember!” - -Then he placed himself opposite Harry Drake, who immediately assumed the -defensive. - -“Proceed, gentlemen,” said the Captain. - -They immediately crossed swords. From the first clashing of steel, -several rapid passes on both sides, certain extrications, parries, and -thrusts proved to me the equality in strength of the opponents. I -augured well for Fabian. He was cool, self-possessed, and almost -indifferent to the struggle; certainly less affected by it than were his -own seconds. Harry Drake, on the contrary, scowled at him with flashing -eyes and clenched teeth, his head bent forward, and his whole -countenance indicative of a hatred which deprived him of all composure. -He had come there to kill, and kill he would. - -After the first engagement, which lasted some minutes, swords were -lowered. With the exception of a slight scratch on Fabian’s arm, neither -of the combatants had been wounded. They rested, and Drake wiped off the -perspiration with which his face was bathed. - -The storm now burst forth in all its fury. The thunder was continuous, -and broke out in loud deafening reports; the atmosphere was charged with -electricity to such an extent that the swords were gilded with luminous -crests, like lightning conductors in the midst of thunder clouds. - -After a few moments’ rest, Corsican again gave the signal to proceed, -and Fabian and Harry Drake again fell to work. - -This time the fight was much more animated; Fabian defending himself -with astounding calmness, Drake madly attacking him. Several times I -expected a stroke from Fabian, which was not even attempted. - -Suddenly, after some quick passes, Drake made a rapid stroke. I thought -that Fabian must have been struck in the chest, but, warding off the -blow, he struck Harry Drake’s sword smartly. The latter raised and -covered himself by a swift semi-circle; whilst the lightning rent the -clouds overhead. - -Suddenly, and without anything to explain this strange surrender of -himself, Fabian dropped his sword. Had he been mortally wounded without -our noticing it? The blood rushed wildly to my heart. Fabian’s eyes had -grown singularly animated. - -“Defend yourself,” roared Drake, drawing himself up like a tiger ready -to spring on to his prey. - -I thought that it was all over with Fabian, disarmed as he was. Corsican -threw himself between him and his enemy, to prevent the latter from -striking a defenceless man; but now Harry Drake in his turn stood -motionless. - -I turned, and saw Ellen, pale as death, her hands stretched out, coming -towards the duellists. Fabian, fascinated by this apparition, remained -perfectly still. - -“You! you!” cried Harry Drake to Ellen; “you here!” - -[Illustration: I TURNED, AND SAW ELLEN, PALE AS DEATH.] - -His uplifted blade gleamed as though on fire; one might have said it was -the sword of the archangel Michael in the hands of a demon. - -Suddenly a brilliant flash of lightning lit up the whole stern. I was -almost knocked down, and felt suffocated, for the air was filled with -sulphur; but by a powerful effort I regained my senses. - -I had fallen on one knee, but I got up and looked around. Ellen was -leaning on Fabian. Harry Drake seemed petrified, and remained in the -same position, but his face had grown black. - -Had the unhappy man been struck when attracting the lightning with his -blade? - -Ellen left Fabian, and went up to Drake with her face full of holy -compassion. She placed her hand on his shoulder; even this light touch -was enough to disturb the equilibrium, and Drake fell to the ground a -corpse. - -Ellen bent over the body, whilst we drew back terrified. The wretched -Harry Drake was dead. - -“Struck by lightning,” said Dean Pitferge, catching hold of my arm. -“Struck by lightning! Ah! will you not now believe in the intervention -of thunder?” - -Had Harry Drake indeed been struck by lightning as Dean Pitferge -affirmed, or rather, as the doctor on board said, had a blood-vessel -broken in his chest? I can only say there was nothing now but a corpse -before our eyes. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - - -The next day, Tuesday, the 9th of April, the “Great Eastern” weighed -anchor, and set sail to enter the Hudson, the pilot guiding her with an -unerring eye. The storm had spent itself in the night, and the last -black clouds disappeared below the horizon. The aspect of the sea was -enlivened by a flotilla of schooners, waiting along the coast for the -breeze. - -A small steamer came alongside, and we were boarded by the officer of -the New York sanitary commissioners. - -It was not long before we passed the light-boat which marks the channels -of the Hudson, and ranged near Sandy Hook Point, where a group of -spectators greeted us with a volley of hurrahs. - -When the “Great Eastern” had gone round the interior bay formed by Sandy -Hook Point, through the flotilla of fishing-smacks, I caught a glimpse -of the verdant heights of New Jersey, the enormous forts on the bay, -then the low line of the great city stretching between the Hudson and -East river. - -In another hour, after having ranged opposite the New York quays, the -“Great Eastern” was moored in the Hudson, and the anchors became -entangled in the submarine cable, which must necessarily be broken on -her departure. - -Then began the disembarkation of all my fellow-voyagers whom I should -never see again: Californians, Southerners, Mormonites, and the young -lovers. I was waiting for Fabian and Corsican. - -I had been obliged to inform Captain Anderson of the incidents relating -to the duel which had taken place on board. The doctors made their -report, and nothing whatever having been found wrong in the death of -Harry Drake, orders were given that the last duties might be rendered to -him on land. - -At this moment Cockburn, the statistician, who had not spoken to me the -whole of the voyage, came up and said,— - -“Do you know, sir, how many turns the wheels have made during our -passage?” - -“I do not, sir.” - -“One hundred thousand, seven hundred and twenty-three.” - -“Ah! really sir, and the screw?” - -“Six hundred and eight thousand, one hundred and thirty.” - -“I am much obliged to you, sir, for the information.” - -And the statistician left me without any farewell whatever. - -Fabian and Corsican joined me at this moment. Fabian pressed my hand -warmly. - -“Ellen,” said he to me, “Ellen will recover. Her reason came back to her -for a moment. Ah! God is just, and He will restore her wholly to us.” - -Whilst thus speaking, Fabian smiled as he thought of the future. As for -Captain Corsican, he kissed me heartily without any ceremony. - -“Good-bye, good-bye, we shall see you again,” he cried to me, when he -had taken his place in the tender where were Fabian and Ellen, under the -care of Mrs. R——, Captain Mac Elwin’s sister, who had come to meet her -brother. - -Then the tender sheered off, taking the first convoy of passengers to -the Custom House pier. - -I watched them as they went farther and farther away, and, seeing Ellen -sitting between Fabian and his sister, I could not doubt that care, -devotion, and love would restore to this poor mind the reason of which -grief had robbed it. - -Just then some one took hold of my arm, and I knew it was Dr. Pitferge. - -“Well,” said he, “and what is going to become of you?” - -“My idea was, Doctor, since the ‘Great Eastern’ remains a hundred and -ninety-two hours at New York, and as I must return with her, to spend -the hundred and ninety-two hours in America. Certainly it is but a week, -but a week well spent is, perhaps, long enough to see New York, the -Hudson, the Mohawk Valley, Lake Erie, Niagara, and all the country made -familiar by Cooper.” - -“Ah! you are going to the Niagara!” cried Dean Pitferge. “I’ll declare I -should not be sorry to see it again, and if my proposal does not seem -very disagreeable to you—” - -The worthy Doctor amused me with his crotchets. I had taken a fancy to -him, and here was a well-instructed guide placed at my service. - -“That’s settled, then,” said I to him. - -A quarter of an hour later we embarked on the tender and at three -o’clock were comfortably lodged in two rooms of Fifth Avenue Hotel. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXV. - - -A week to spend in America! The “Great Eastern” was to set sail on the -16th of April, and it was now the 9th, and three o’clock in the -afternoon, when I set foot on the land of the Union. A week! There are -furious tourists and express travellers who would probably find this -time enough to visit the whole of North America; but I had no such -pretention, not even to visit New York thoroughly, and to write, after -this extra rapid inspection, a book on the manners and customs of the -Americans. But the constitution and physical aspect of New York is soon -seen; it is hardly more varied than a chess-board. The streets, cut at -right angles, are called avenues when they are straight, and streets -when irregular. The numbers on the principal thoroughfares are a very -practical but monotonous arrangement. American cars run through all the -avenues. Any one who has seen one quarter of New York knows the whole of -the great city, except, perhaps, that intricacy of streets and confused -alleys appropriated by the commercial population. - -New York is built on a tongue of land, and all its activity is centred -on the end of that tongue; on either side extend the Hudson and East -River, arms of the sea, in fact, on which ships are seen and ferry-boats -ply, connecting the town on the right hand with Brooklyn, and on the -left with the shores of New Jersey. - -A single artery intersects the symmetrical quarters of New York, and -that is old Broadway, the Strand of London, and the Boulevard Montmartre -of Paris; hardly passable at its lower end, where it is crowded with -people, and almost deserted higher up; a street where sheds and marble -palaces are huddled together; a stream of carriages, omnibusses, cabs, -drays, and waggons, with the pavement for its banks, across which a -bridge has been thrown for the traffic of foot passengers. Broadway is -New York, and it was there that the Doctor and I walked until evening. - -After having dined at Fifth Avenue Hotel, I ended my day’s work by going -to the Barnum Theatre, where they were acting a play called “New York -Streets,” which attracted a large audience. In the fourth Act there was -a fire, and real fire-engines, worked by real firemen; hence the “great -attraction.” - -The next morning I left the Doctor to his own affairs, and agreed to -meet him at the hotel at two o’clock. My first proceeding was to go to -the Post Office, 51, Liberty Street, to get any letters awaiting me -there; then I went to No. 2, Bowling Green, at the bottom of Broadway, -the residence of the French consul, M. le Baron Gauldrée Boilleau, who -received me very kindly. From here I made my way to cash a draft at -Hoffman’s; lastly, I went to No. 25, Thirty-sixth Street, where resided -Mrs. R——, Fabian’s sister. I was impatient to get news of Ellen and my -two friends; and here I learnt that, following the Doctor’s advice, Mrs. -R——, Fabian, and Corsican had left New York, taking with them the young -lady, thinking that the air and quiet of the country might have a -beneficial effect on her. A line from Captain Corsican informed me of -this sudden departure. The kind fellow had been to Fifth Avenue Hotel -without meeting me, but he promised to keep me acquainted with their -whereabouts. They thought of stopping at the first place that attracted -Ellen’s attention, and, staying there as long as the charm lasted; he -hoped that I should not leave without bidding them a last farewell. Yes, -were it but for a few hours, I should be happy to see Ellen, Fabian, and -Corsican once again. But such are the drawbacks of travelling, hurried -as I was, they gone and I going, each our separate ways, it seemed -hardly likely I should see them again. - -At two o’clock I returned to the hotel, and found the Doctor in the -bar-room, which was full of people. It is a public hall, where -travellers and passers-by mingled together, finding gratis iced-water, -biscuits, and cheese. - -“Well, Doctor,” said I, “when shall we start?” - -“At six o’clock this evening.” - -“Shall we take the Hudson railroad?” - -“No; the ‘St. John;’ a wonderful steamer, another world—a ‘Great -Eastern’ of the river, one of those admirable locomotive engines which -go along with a will. I should have preferred showing you the Hudson by -daylight, but the ‘St. John’ only goes at night. To-morrow, at five -o’clock in the morning, we shall be at Albany. At six o’clock we shall -take the New York Central Railroad, and in the evening we shall sup at -Niagara Falls.” - -I did not discuss the Doctor’s programme, but accepted it willingly. - -The hotel lift hoisted us to our rooms, and some minutes later we -descended with our tourist knapsacks. A fly took us in a quarter of an -hour to the pier on the Hudson, before which was the “St. John,” the -chimneys of which were already crowned with wreaths of smoke. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVI. - - -The “St. John,” and its sister ship, the “Dean Richmond,” are two of the -finest steam-ships on the river. They are buildings rather than boats; -terraces rise one above another, with galleries and verandahs. One would -almost have thought it was a gardener’s floating plantation. There are -twenty flag-staffs, fastened with iron tressings, which consolidate the -whole building. The two enormous paddle-boxes are painted _al fresco_, -like the tympans in the Church of St. Mark, at Venice. Behind each wheel -rises the chimney of the two boilers, the latter placed outside, instead -of in the hull of the steam-ship, a good precaution in case of -explosion. In the centre, between the paddles, is the machinery, which -is very simple, consisting only of a single cylinder, a piston worked by -a long cross-beam, which rises and falls like the monstrous hammer of a -forge, and a single crank, communicating the movement to the axles of -the massive wheels. - -Passengers were already crowding on to the deck of the “St. John.” Dean -Pitferge and I went to secure a cabin; we got one which opened into an -immense saloon, a kind of gallery with a vaulted ceiling, supported by a -succession of Corinthian pillars. Comfort and luxury everywhere, -carpets, sofas, ottomans, paintings, mirrors, even gas, made in a small -gasometer on board. - -At this moment the gigantic engine trembled and began to work. I went on -to the upper terraces. At the stern was a gaily painted house, which was -the steersman’s room, where four strong men stood at the spokes of the -double rudder-wheel. After walking about for a few minutes, I went down -on to the deck, between the already heated boilers, from which light -blue flames were issuing. Of the Hudson I could see nothing. Night came, -and with it a fog thick enough to be cut. The “St. John” snorted in the -gloom like a true mastodon; we could hardly catch a glimpse of the -lights of the towns scattered along the banks of the river, or the -lanterns of ships ascending the dark water with shrill whistles. - -At eight o’clock I went into the saloon. The Doctor took me to have -supper at a magnificent restaurant placed between the decks, where we -were served by an army of black waiters. Dean Pitferge informed me that -the number of passengers on board was more than four thousand, reckoning -fifteen hundred emigrants stowed away in the lower part of the -steam-ship. Supper finished, we retired to our comfortable cabin. - -At eleven o’clock I was aroused by a slight shock. The “St. John” had -stopped. The captain, finding it impossible to proceed in the darkness, -had given orders to heave-to, and the enormous boat, moored in the -channel, slept tranquilly at anchor. - -At four o’clock in the morning the “St. John” resumed her course. I got -up and went out under one of the verandahs. The rain had ceased, the fog -cleared off, the water appeared, then the shores; the right bank, dotted -with green trees and shrubs, which gave it the appearance of a long -cemetery; in the background rose high hills, closing in the horizon by a -graceful line; the left bank, on the contrary, was flat and marshy. - -[Illustration: THE FOG CLEARED OFF.] - -Dr. Pitferge had just joined me under the verandah. - -“Good morning, friend,” said he, after having drawn a good breath of -air; “do you know we shall not be at Albany in time to catch the train, -thanks to that wretched fog. This will modify my programme.” - -“So much the worse, Doctor, for we must be economical with our time.” - -“Right; we may expect to reach Niagara Falls at night instead of in the -evening. That is not my fault, but we must be resigned.” - -The “St. John,” in fact, did not moor off the Albany quay before eight -o’clock. The train had left, so we were obliged to wait till half-past -one. In consequence of this delay we were able to visit the curious old -city, which forms the legislative centre of the State of New York: the -lower town, commercial and thickly populated, on the right bank of the -Hudson, and the high town, with its brick houses, public buildings, and -its very remarkable museum of fossils. One might almost have thought it -a large quarter of New York transported to the side of this hill, up -which it rises in the shape of an amphitheatre. - -At one o’clock, after having breakfasted, we went to the station, which -was without any barrier or officials. The train simply stopped in the -middle of the street, like an omnibus; one could get up and down at -pleasure. The cars communicate with each other by bridges, which allow -the traveller to go from one end of the train to the other. At the -appointed time, without seeing either a guard or a porter, without a -bell, without any warning, the brisk locomotive, a real gem of -workmanship, started, and we were whirled away at the speed of fifty -miles an hour. But instead of being boxed up, as one is in European -trains, we were at liberty to walk about, buy newspapers and books, -without waiting for stations. Refreshment buffets, bookstalls, -everything was at hand for the traveller. We were now crossing fields -without fences, and forests newly cleared, at the risk of a collision -with the felled trees; through new towns, seamed with rails, but still -wanting in houses; through cities adorned with the most poetic names of -ancient literature—Rome, Syracuse, and Palmyra. It was thus the Mohawk -Valley, the land of Fenimore, which belongs to the American novelist, as -does the land of Rob Roy to Walter Scott, glided before our eyes. For a -moment Lake Ontario, which Cooper has made the scene of action of his -master-work, sparkled on the horizon. All this theatre of the grand -epopee of Leather Stocking, formerly a savage country, is now a -civilized land. The Doctor did not appreciate the change, for he -persisted in calling me Hawk’s Eye, and would only answer to the name of -Chingachgook. - -At eleven o’clock at night we changed trains at Rochester; the spray -from the Tennessee cascades fell over the cars in showers. At two -o’clock in the morning, after having kept alongside the Niagara for -several leagues without seeing it, we arrived at the village of Niagara -Falls, and the Doctor conducted me to a magnificent hotel, grandly named -“Cataract House.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVII. - - -The Niagara is not a stream, not even a river; it is simply a weir -sluice, a canal thirty-six miles long, which empties the waters of the -Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie into the Ontario. The -difference in the level of these last two lakes is three hundred and -forty feet; this difference uniformly proportioned the whole of the -width would hardly have created a “rapid;” but the Falls alone absorb -half the difference in level, whence their formidable power. - -This Niagarine trench separates the United States from Canada. Its right -bank is American and its left English; on one side policemen, on the -other not the shadow of one. - -On the morning of the 12th of April, at break of day, the Doctor and I -walked down the wide street of Niagara Falls, which is the name of the -village situated on the banks of the Falls. It is a kind of small -watering-place, three hundred miles from Albany, built in a healthy and -charming situation, provided with sumptuous hotels and comfortable -villas, which the Yankees and Canadians frequent in the season. The -weather was magnificent, the sun warmed the cold atmosphere, a dull, -distant roar was heard, and I saw vapours on the horizon which could not -be clouds. - -“Is that the Fall?” I asked of the Doctor. - -“Patience!” replied Pitferge. - -In a few minutes we were on the banks of the Niagara. The river was -flowing peacefully along; it was clear, and not deep, with numerous -projections of grey rock emerging here and there. The roar of the -cataract grew louder and louder, but as yet we could not see it. A -wooden bridge, supported by iron arches, united the left bank to an -island in the midst of the current; on to this bridge the Doctor led me. -Above, stretched the river as far as the eye could reach; down the -stream, that is to say on our right, the first unevenness of a rapid was -noticeable; then, at half a mile from the bridge, the earth suddenly -gave way, and clouds of spray filled the air. This was the American -fall, which we could not see. Beyond, on the Canadian side, lay a -peaceful country, with hills, villas, and bare trees. - -“don’t look! don’t look!” cried the Doctor to me; “reserve yourself, -shut your eyes, and do not open them until I tell you!” - -I hardly listened to my original, but continued to look. The bridge -crossed, we set foot on the island known as Goat Island. It is a piece -of land of about seventy acres, covered with trees, and intersected with -lovely avenues with carriage drives. It is like a bouquet thrown between -the American and Canadian Falls, separated from the shore by a distance -of three hundred yards. We ran under the great trees, climbed the -slopes, and went down the steps; the thundering roar of the falls was -redoubled, and the air saturated with spray. - -“Look!” cried the Doctor. - -Coming from behind a mass of rock, the Niagara appeared in all its -splendour. At this spot it meets with a sharp angle of land, and falling -round it, forms the Canadian cascade, called the “Horse-shoe Fall,” -which falls from a height of one hundred and fifty-eight feet, and is -two miles broad. - -[Illustration: NATURE HAS COMBINED EVERYTHING TO ASTONISH THE EYE] - -In this, one of the most beautiful spots in the world, Nature has -combined everything to astonish the eye. The fall of the Niagara -singularly favours the effects of light and shade; the sunbeams falling -on the water, capriciously diversify the colour; and those who have seen -this effect, must admit that it is without parallel. In fact, near Goat -Island the foam is white; it is then a fall of snow, or a heap of melted -silver, pouring into the abyss. In the centre of the cataract the colour -of the water is a most beautiful sea-green, which indicates its depth, -so that the “Detroit,” a ship drawing twenty feet and launched on the -current, was able to descend the falls without grazing. Towards the -Canadian shore the whirlpool, on the contrary, looks like metal shining -beneath the luminous rays, and it is melted gold which is now poured -into the gulf. Below, the river is invisible from the vapours which rise -over it. I caught glimpses, however, of enormous blocks of ice -accumulated by the cold of winter; they take the form of monsters, -which, with open jaws, hourly absorb the hundred millions of tons poured -into them by the inexhaustible Niagara. Half a mile below the cataract -the river again became tranquil, and presented a smooth surface, which -the winds of April had not yet been able to ruffle. - -“And now for the middle of the torrent,” said the Doctor to me. - -I could not imagine what the Doctor meant by those words, until he -pointed to a tower built on the edge of a rock some hundred feet from -the shore, almost overhanging the precipice. This monument, raised in -1833, by a certain audacious being, one Judge Porter, is called the -“Terrapin Tower.” - -We went down the steps of Goat Island, and, coming to the height of the -upper course of the Niagara, I saw a bridge, or rather some planks, -thrown from one rock to the other, which united the tower with the banks -of the river. The bridge was but a few feet from the abyss, and below it -roared the torrent. We ventured on these planks, and in a few minutes -reached the rock which supported Terrapin Tower. This round tower, -forty-five feet in height, is built of stone, with a circular balcony at -its summit, and a roof covered with red stucco. The winding staircase, -on which thousands of names are cut, is wooden. Once at the top of the -tower, there is nothing to do but cling to the balcony and look. - -The tower is in the midst of the cataract. From its summit the eye -plunges into the depths of the abyss, and peers into the very jaws of -the ice monsters, as they swallow the torrent. One feels the rock -tremble which supports it. It is impossible to hear anything but the -roaring of the surging water. The spray rises to the top of the -monument, and splendid rainbows are formed by the sun shining on the -vapourized water. - -By a simple optical illusion, the tower seems to move with a frightful -rapidity, but, happily, in the opposite direction to the fall, for, with -the contrary illusion, it would be impossible to look at the gulf from -giddiness. - -Breathless and shivering, we went for a moment inside the top landing of -the tower, and it was then that the Doctor took the opportunity of -saying to me,— - -“This Terrapin Tower, my dear sir, will some day fall into the abyss, -and perhaps sooner than is expected.” - -“Ah! indeed!” - -“There is no doubt about it. The great Canadian Fall recedes insensibly, -but still, it recedes. The tower, when it was first built in 1833, was -much farther from the cataract. Geologists say that the fall, in the -space of thirty-five thousand years, will be found at Queenstown, seven -miles up the stream. According to Mr. Bakewell, it recedes a yard in a -year; but according to Sir Charles Lyell one foot only. The time will -come when the rock which supports the tower, worn away by the water, -will glide down the Falls of the cataract. Well, my dear sir, remember -this: the day when the Terrapin Tower falls, there will be some -eccentrics who will descend the Niagara with it.” - -I looked at the Doctor, as if to ask him if he would be of that number, -but he signed for me to follow him, and we went out again to look at the -“Horse-shoe Fall,” and the surrounding country. We could now distinguish -the American Fall, slightly curtailed and separated by a projection of -the island, where there is another small central cataract one hundred -feet wide; the American cascade, equally fine, falls perpendicularly. -Its height is one hundred and sixty-four feet. But in order to have a -good view of it it is necessary to stand facing it, on the Canadian -side. - -All day we wandered on the banks of the Niagara, irresistibly drawn back -to the tower, where the roar of the water, the spray, the sunlight -playing on the vapours, the excitement, and the briny odour of the -cataract, holds you in a perpetual ecstasy. Then we went back to Goat -Island to get the Fall from every point of view, without ever being -wearied of looking at it. The Doctor would have taken me to see the -“Grotto of Winds,” hollowed out underneath the central Fall, but access -to it was not allowed, on account of the frequent falling away of the -rocks. - -At five o’clock we went back to the hotel, and after a hasty dinner, -served in the American fashion, we returned to Goat Island. The Doctor -wished to go and see the “Three Sisters,” charming little islets -scattered at the head of the island; then, with the return of evening, -he led me back to the tottering rock of Terrapin Tower. - -The last rays of the setting sun had disappeared behind the grey hills, -and the moon shed her soft clear light over the landscape. The shadow of -the tower stretched across the abyss; farther down the stream the water -glided silently along, crowned with a light mist. The Canadian shore, -already plunged in darkness, contrasted vividly with the moon-lit banks -of Goat Island, and the village of Niagara Falls. Below us, the gulf, -magnified by the uncertain light, looked like a bottomless abyss, in -which roared the formidable torrent. What effect! What artist could ever -depict such a scene, either with the pen or paint-brush? For some -minutes a moving light appeared on the horizon; it was the signal light -of a train crossing the Niagara bridge at a distance of two miles from -us. Here we remained silent and motionless on the top of the tower until -midnight, leaning over the waters which possessed such a fascination. -Once, when the moon-beams caught the liquid dust at a certain angle, I -had a glimpse of a milky band of transparent ribbon trembling in the -shadows. It was a lunar rainbow, a pale irradiation of the queen of the -night, whose soft light was refracted through the mist of the cataract. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVIII. - - -The next day, the 13th of April, the Doctor’s programme announced a -visit to the Canadian shore. We had only to follow the heights of the -bank of the Niagara for two miles to reach the suspension bridge. We -started at seven o’clock in the morning. From the winding path on the -right bank we could see the tranquil waters of the river, which no -longer felt the perturbation of its fall. - -At half-past seven we reached the suspension bridge. It is the bridge, -on which the Great Western and New York Central Railroads meet, and the -only one which gives access to Canada on the confines of the State of -New York. This suspension bridge is formed of two platforms; the upper -one for trains, and the lower for carriages and pedestrians. Imagination -seems to lose itself in contemplating this stupendous work. This -viaduct, over which trains can pass, suspended at a height of two -hundred and fifty feet above the Niagara, again transformed into a rapid -at this spot. This suspension bridge, built by John A. Roebling, of -Trenton (New Jersey), is eight hundred feet long, and twenty-four wide; -the iron props fastened to the shore prevent it from swinging; the -chains which support it, formed of four thousand wires, are ten inches -in diameter, and can bear a weight of twelve thousand four hundred tons. -The bridge itself weighs but eight hundred tons, and cost five hundred -thousand dollars. Just as we reached the centre a train passed over our -heads, and we felt the platform bend under its weight. - -It is a little below this bridge that Blondin crossed the Niagara, on a -rope stretched from one shore to the other, and not, as is generally -supposed, across the falls. However, the undertaking was none the less -perilous; but if Blondin astonished us by his daring, what must we think -of his friend who accompanied him, riding on his back during this aerial -promenade? - -“Perhaps he was a glutton,” said the Doctor, “and Blondin made wonderful -omelets on his tight-rope.” - -We were now on Canadian ground, and we walked up the left bank of the -Niagara, in order to see the Falls under a new aspect. Half an hour -later we reached the English hotel, where the Doctor ordered our -breakfast, whilst I glanced through the “Travellers’ Book,” where -figured several thousand names: among the most celebrated I noticed the -following:—Robert Peel, Lady Franklin, Comte de Paris, Duc de Chartres, -Prince de Joinville, Louis Napoleon (1846), Prince and Princess -Napoleon, Barnum (with his address), Maurice Sand (1865), Agassis -(1854), Almonte, Prince Hohenlohe, Rothschild, Bertin (Paris), Lady -Elgin, Burkhardt (1832), &c. - -“And now let us go under the Falls,” said the Doctor to me, when we had -finished breakfast. - -I followed Dean Pitferge. A negro conducted us to the dressing-room, -where we were provided with waterproof trousers, macintoshes, and glazed -hats. Thus equipped, our guide led us down a slippery path, obstructed -by sharp-edged stones, to the lower level of the Niagara. Then we passed -behind the great fall through clouds of spray, the cataract falling -before us like the curtain of a theatre before the actors. But what a -theatre! Soaked, blinded, deafened, we could neither see nor hear in -this cavern as hermetically closed by the liquid sheets of the cataract -as though Nature had sealed it in by a wall of granite. - -[Illustration: THE CATARACT FALLING BEFORE US.] - -At nine o’clock we returned to the hotel, where they relieved us of our -streaming clothes. Going back again to the bank, I uttered a cry of -surprise and joy,— - -“Captain Corsican!” - -The Captain heard, and came towards me. - -“You here!” he cried; “what a pleasure to see you again!” - -“And Fabian? and Ellen?” I asked, shaking both his hands. - -“They are here, and going on as well as possible; Fabian full of hope, -almost merry; and our poor Ellen little by little regaining reason.” - -“But how is it that I meet you at the Niagara?” - -“The Niagara,” repeated Corsican. “Well, it is the principal resort of -English and Americans in the warm months. They come here to breathe, to -be cured by the sublime spectacle of the Falls. Our Ellen seemed to be -struck at first sight by this glorious scenery, and we have come to stay -on the banks of the Niagara. You see that villa, ‘Clifton House,’ in the -midst of those trees, half way up the hill; that is where we all live, -with Mrs. R——, Fabian’s sister, who is devoted to our poor friend.” - -“Has Ellen recognized Fabian?” I asked. - -“No, not yet,” replied the Captain. “You are aware, however, that at the -moment when Drake was struck dead, Ellen had a brief interval of -consciousness. Her reason became clear in the gloom which surrounded -her, but this did not last long. At the same time, since we brought her -to breathe this fresh air in this quiet place, the doctor has discovered -a sensible improvement in her condition. She is calm, her sleep is -tranquil, but there is a look in her eyes as though she were trying to -think of something past or present.” - -“Ah, my dear friend!” cried I, “you will cure her; but where are Fabian -and his betrothed?” - -“Look!” said Corsican, and he pointed towards the shore of the Niagara. - -In the direction indicated by the Captain I saw Fabian, who had not yet -noticed us. He was standing on a rock, and a few feet in front of him -sat Ellen perfectly motionless, Fabian watching her all the time. This -spot on the left bank is known by the name of “Table Rock.” It is a kind -of rocky promontory jutting out into the river, which roars at a -distance of four hundred feet below. Formerly it was more extensive, but -the crumbling away of large pieces of rock has now reduced it to a -surface a few yards square. - -Ellen seemed absorbed in speechless ecstasy. From this place the aspect -of the Falls is “most sublime,” as say the guides, and they are right. -It gives a view of two cataracts; on the right the “Canadian Fall,” the -crest of which, crowned with vapours, shuts in the horizon on one side, -like the horizon of the sea. In front is the “American Fall,” and above, -the elegant village of Niagara Falls, half hidden in the trees; on the -left, the whole perspective of the river flowing rapidly between its -high banks, and below the torrent struggling against the overthrown -icebergs. - -Corsican, the Doctor, and I went towards Table Rock, but I did not want -to disturb Fabian. Ellen was as motionless as a statue. What impression -was this scene making on her mind? Was reason gradually coming back to -her under the influence of the grand spectacle? Suddenly I saw Fabian -step towards her. Ellen had risen quickly, and was going near to the -abyss, with her arms extended towards the gulf; but all at once she -stopped, and passed her hand rapidly across her forehead, as if she -would drive away some thought. Fabian, pale as death, but -self-possessed, with one bound placed himself between Ellen and the -chasm; the latter shook back her fair hair, and her graceful figure -staggered. Did she see Fabian? No. One would have said it was a dead -person coming back to being, and looking round for life! - -Captain Corsican and I dared not move, although, being so near the -abyss, we dreaded some catastrophe; but the Doctor kept us back. - -“Let Fabian alone,” said he. - -I heard the sobs which escaped from the young woman’s heaving breast, -the inarticulate words which came from her lips; she seemed as though -she were trying to speak, but could not. At last she uttered these -words:— - -“My God! my God! where am I, where am I?” - -She was conscious that some one was near her, for she half turned round, -and her whole face seemed transfigured. There was a new light in her -eyes, as she saw Fabian, trembling and speechless, standing before her -with outstretched arms. - -[Illustration: “FABIAN! FABIAN!” CRIED SHE, “AT LAST.”] - -“Fabian! Fabian!” cried she, at last. - -Fabian caught her in his arms, where she fell in an unconscious state. -He uttered a piercing cry, thinking that Ellen was dead, but the Doctor -interposed. - -“Don’t be alarmed,” said he; “this crisis, on the contrary, will be the -means of saving her!” - -Ellen was carried to Clifton House and put to bed, where she recovered -consciousness and slept peacefully. - -Fabian, encouraged by the Doctor, was full of hope. Ellen had recognized -him! Coming back to us, he said to me,— - -“We shall save her, we shall save her! Every day I watch her coming back -to life. To-day, to-morrow, perhaps she will be restored to me. Ah! the -just God be praised! We will stay here as long as it is necessary for -her, shall we not, Archibald?” - -The Captain clasped Fabian in his arms; then the latter turned to the -Doctor and me. He loaded us with thanks, and inspired us with the hope -which filled his breast, and never was there better reason for -hope—Ellen’s recovery was near at hand. - -But we must be starting, and there was hardly an hour for us to reach -Niagara Falls. Ellen was still sleeping when we left our dear friends. -Fabian and Corsican bid us a last farewell, after having promised we -should have news of Ellen by telegram, and at noon we left Clifton -House. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIX. - - -Some minutes later we were descending a long flight of steps on the -Canadian side, which led to the banks of the river, covered with huge -sheets of ice. Here a boat was waiting to take us to “America.” One -passenger had already taken his place in it. He was an engineer from -Kentucky, and acquainted the Doctor with his name and profession. We -embarked without loss of time, and by dint of steering, so as to avoid -the blocks of ice, reached the middle of the river, where the current -offered a clear passage. From here we had a last view of the magnificent -Niagara cataract. Our companion observed it with a thoughtful air. - -“Is it not grand, sir? Is it not magnificent?” said I to him. - -“Yes,” replied he; “but what a waste of mechanical force, and what a -mill might be turned with such a fall as that!” - -Never did I feel more inclined to pitch an engineer into the water! - -On the other bank a small and almost vertical railroad, worked by a rope -on the American side, hoisted us to the top. At half-past one we took -the express, which put us down at Buffalo at a quarter past two. After -visiting this large new town, and tasting the water of Lake Erie, we -again took the New York Central Railway at six o’clock in the evening. -The next day, on leaving the comfortable beds of a “sleeping car,” we -found ourselves at Albany, and the Hudson Railroad, which runs along the -left bank of the river, brought us to New York a few hours later. - -The next day, the 15th of April, in company with the indefatigable -Doctor, I went over the city, East River, and Brooklyn. In the evening I -bade farewell to the good Dean Pitferge, and I felt, in leaving him, -that I left a friend. - -Tuesday, the 16th of April, was the day fixed for the departure of the -“Great Eastern.” At eleven o’clock I went to Thirty-seventh pier, where -the tender was to await the passengers. It was already filled with -people and luggage when I embarked. Just as the tender was leaving the -quay some one caught hold of my arm, and turning round I saw Dr. -Pitferge. - -“You!” I cried; “and are you going back to Europe?” - -“Yes, my dear sir.” - -“By the ‘Great Eastern’?” - -“Undoubtedly,” replied the amiable original, smiling; “I have considered -the matter, and have come to the conclusion that I must go. Only think, -this may be the ‘Great Eastern’s’ _last voyage; the one which she will -never complete_.” - -The bell for departure had rung, when one of the waiters from Fifth -Avenue Hotel came running up to me, and put a telegram into my hands, -dated from Niagara Falls:—“Ellen has awakened; her reason has entirely -returned to her,” said Captain Corsican, “and the doctor has every hope -of her recovery.” - -I communicated this good news to Dean Pitferge. - -“Every hope for her indeed! every hope!” said my fellow-traveller, in a -sarcastic tone. “I also have every hope for her, but what good does that -do? Any one may have great hopes for you, for me, for all of us, but at -the same time he may be just as much wrong as right.”... - -Twelve days later we reached Brest, and the day following Paris. The -return passage was made without any misfortune, to the great displeasure -of Dean Pitferge, who always expected to see the great ship wrecked. - -And now, when I am sitting at my own table, if I had not my daily notes -before me, I should think that the “Great Eastern,” that floating city -in which I lived for a month, the meeting of Ellen and Fabian, the -peerless Niagara, all these were the visions of a dream. Ah! how -delightful is travelling, “even when one does return,” in spite of what -the Doctor may say to the contrary. - -For eight months I heard nothing of my original, but one day the post -brought me a letter, covered with many-coloured stamps, which began with -these words:— - -“On board the ‘Corinquay,’ Auckland Rocks. At last we have been -shipwrecked.” - -And ended thus:— - -“Was never in better health.” - - “Very heartily yours, - DEAN PITFERGE.” - - - - - END OF “A FLOATING CITY.” - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - THE BLOCKADE RUNNERS. - - ------- - - - - - Table of contents - - Chapter Title Page - Chapter I. The “Dolphin.” 197 - Chapter II. Getting under sail. 206 - Chapter III. 215 - Chapter IV. Crockston’s trick. 225 - Chapter V. The shot from the “Iroquois,” and 235 - miss Jenny’s arguments. - Chapter VI. Sullivan Island channel. 244 - Chapter VII. A southern general. 252 - Chapter VIII. The escape. 260 - Chapter IX. Between two fires. 273 - Chapter X. St. Mungo. 284 - - - - - CHAPTER I. - THE “DOLPHIN.” - - -The Clyde was the first river whose waters were lashed into foam by a -steam-boat. It was in 1812, when the steamer called the “Comet” ran -between Glasgow and Greenock, at the speed of six miles an hour. Since -that time more than a million of steamers or packet-boats have plied -this Scotch river, and the inhabitants of Glasgow must be as familiar as -any people with the wonders of steam navigation. - -However, on the 3rd of December, 1862, an immense crowd, composed of -ship-owners, merchants, manufacturers, workmen, sailors, women, and -children, thronged the muddy streets of Glasgow, all going in the -direction of Kelvin Dock, the large ship-building premises belonging to -Messrs. Tod and Mac Gregor. This last name especially proves that the -descendants of the famous Highlanders have become manufacturers, and -that they have made workmen of all the vassals of the old clan -chieftains. - -Kelvin Dock is situated a few minutes’ walk from the town, on the right -bank of the Clyde. Soon the immense timber-yards were thronged with -spectators; not a part of the quay, not a wall of the wharf, not a -factory roof, showed an unoccupied place; the river itself was covered -with craft of all descriptions, and the heights of Govan, on the left -bank, swarmed with spectators. - -There was, however, nothing extraordinary in the event about to take -place; it was nothing but the launching of a ship, and this was an -every-day affair with the people of Glasgow. Had the “Dolphin,” then—for -that was the name of the ship built by Messrs. Tod and Mac Gregor—some -special peculiarity? To tell the truth it had none. - -It was a large ship, about 1500 tons, in which everything combined to -obtain superior speed. Her engines, of 500 horse-power, were from the -workshops of Lancefield Forge; they worked two screws, one on either -side the stern-post, completely independent of each other. As for the -depth of water the “Dolphin” would draw, it must be very inconsiderable; -connoisseurs were not deceived, and they concluded rightly that this -ship was destined for shallow straits. But all these particulars could -not in any way justify the eagerness of the people: taken altogether the -“Dolphin” was nothing more or less than an ordinary ship. Would her -launching present some mechanical difficulty to be overcome? Not any -more than usual. The Clyde had received many a ship of heavier tonnage, -and the launching of the “Dolphin” would take place in the usual manner. - -In fact, when the water was calm, the moment the ebb-tide set in, the -workmen began to operate. Their mallets kept perfect time falling on the -wedges meant to raise the ship’s keel: soon a shudder ran through the -whole of her massive structure; although she had only been slightly -raised, one could see that she shook, and then gradually began to glide -down the well-greased wedges, and in a few moments she plunged into the -Clyde. Her stern struck the muddy bed of the river, then she raised -herself on the top of a gigantic wave, and, carried forward by her -start, would have been dashed against the quay of the Govan -timber-yards, if her anchors had not restrained her. - -[Illustration: SHE PLUNGED INTO THE CLYDE.] - -The launch had been perfectly successful, the “Dolphin” swayed quietly -on the waters of the Clyde, all the spectators clapped their hands when -she took possession of her natural element, and loud hurrahs arose from -either bank. - -But wherefore these cries and this applause? Undoubtedly the most eager -of the spectators would have been at a loss to explain the reason of his -enthusiasm. What was the cause, then, of the lively interest excited by -this ship? Simply the mystery which shrouded her destination; it was not -known to what kind of commerce she was to be appropriated, and in -questioning different groups the diversity of opinion on this important -subject was indeed astonishing. - -However, the best informed, at least those who pretended to be so, -agreed in saying that the steamer was going to take part in the terrible -war which was then ravaging the United States of America, but more than -this they did not know, and whether the “Dolphin” was a privateer, a -transport ship, or an addition to the Federal marine, was what no one -could tell. - -“Hurrah!” cried one, affirming that the “Dolphin” had been built for the -Southern States. - -“Hip! hip! hip!” cried another, swearing that never had a faster boat -crossed to the American coasts. - -Thus its destination was unknown, and in order to obtain any reliable -information one must be an intimate friend, or, at any rate, an -acquaintance of Vincent Playfair and Co., of Glasgow. - -A rich, powerful, intelligent house of business was that of Vincent -Playfair and Co., in a social sense, an old and honourable family, -descended from those tobacco lords who built the finest quarters of the -town. These clever merchants, by an act of the Union, had founded the -first Glasgow warehouse for dealing in tobacco from Virginia and -Maryland. Immense fortunes were realized; mills and foundries sprang up -in all parts, and in a few years the prosperity of the city attained its -height. - -The house of Playfair remained faithful to the enterprising spirit of -its ancestors, it entered into the most daring schemes, and maintained -the honour of English commerce. The principal, Vincent Playfair, a man -of fifty, with a temperament essentially practical and decided, although -somewhat daring, was a genuine shipowner. Nothing affected him beyond -commercial questions, not even the political side of the transactions, -otherwise he was a perfectly loyal and honest man. - -However, he could not lay claim to the idea of building and fitting up -the “Dolphin;” she belonged to his nephew, James Playfair, a fine young -man of thirty, the boldest skipper of the British merchant marine. - -It was one day at the Tontine coffee-room under the arcades of the -Town-hall, that James Playfair, after having impatiently scanned the -American journal, disclosed to his uncle an adventurous scheme. - -“Uncle Vincent,” said he, coming to the point at once, “there are two -millions of pounds to be gained in less than a month.” - -“And what to risk?” asked Uncle Vincent. - -“A ship and a cargo.” - -“Nothing else?” - -“Nothing, except the crew and the captain, and that does not reckon for -much.” - -“Let us see,” said Uncle Vincent. - -“It is all seen,” replied James Playfair. “You have read the _Tribune_, -the _New York Herald_, the _Times_, the _Richmond Inquirer_, the -_American Review_?” - -“Scores of times, nephew.” - -“You believe, like me, that the war of the United States will last a -long time still?” - -“A very long time.” - -“You know how much this struggle will affect the interests of England, -and especially those of Glasgow?” - -“And more especially still the house of Playfair and Co.,” replied Uncle -Vincent. - -“Theirs especially,” added the young Captain. - -“I worry myself about it every day, James, and I cannot think without -terror of the commercial disasters which this war may produce; not but -that the house of Playfair is firmly established, nephew; at the same -time it has correspondents which may fail. Ah! those Americans, -slave-holders or abolitionists, I have no faith in them!” - -If Vincent Playfair was wrong in thus speaking with respect to the great -principles of humanity, always and everywhere superior to personal -interests, he was, nevertheless, right in a commercial point of view. -The most important material was failing at Glasgow, the cotton famine -became every day more threatening, thousands of workmen were reduced to -live upon public charity. Glasgow possessed 25,000 looms, by which -625,000 yards of cotton were spun daily; that is to say, fifty millions -of pounds yearly. From these numbers it may be guessed what disturbances -were caused in the commercial part of the town, when the raw material -failed altogether. Failures were hourly taking place, the manufactories -were closed, and the workmen were dying of starvation. - -It was the sight of this great misery which had put the idea of his bold -enterprise into James Playfair’s head. - -“I will go for cotton, and will get it, cost what it may.” - -But as he also was a merchant as well as his uncle Vincent, he resolved -to carry out his plan by way of exchange, and to make his proposition -under the guise of a commercial enterprise. - -“Uncle Vincent,” said he, “this is my idea.” - -“Well, James?” - -“It is simply this; we will have a ship built of superior sailing -qualities and great bulk.” - -“That is quite possible.” - -“We will load her with ammunition of war, provisions, and clothes.” - -“Just so.” - -“I will take the command of this steamer, I will defy all the ships of -the Federal marine for speed, and I will run the blockade of one of the -southern ports.” - -“You must make a good bargain for your cargo with the Confederates, who -will be in need of it,” said his uncle. - -“And I shall return laden with cotton.” - -“Which they will give you for nothing.” - -“As you say, uncle. Will it answer?” - -“It will; but shall you be able to get there?” - -“I shall, if I have a good ship.” - -“One can be made on purpose. But the crew?” - -“Oh, I will find them. I do not want many men; enough to work with, that -is all. It is not a question of fighting with the Federals, but -distancing them.” - -“They shall be distanced,” said uncle Vincent, in a peremptory tone; -“but now, tell me, James, to what port of the American coast do you -think of going?” - -“Up to now, uncle, ships have run the blockade of New Orleans, -Wilmington, and Savannah, but I think of going straight to Charleston; -no English boat has yet been able to penetrate into the harbour, except -the ‘Bermuda.’ I will do like her, and if my ship draws but very little -water, I shall be able to go where the Federalists will not be able to -follow.” - -“The fact is,” said Uncle Vincent, “Charleston is overwhelmed with -cotton; they are even burning it to get rid of it.” - -“Yes,” replied James; “besides, the town is almost invested, Beauregard -is running short of provisions, and he will pay me a golden price for my -cargo!” - -“Well, nephew! and when will you start?” - -“In six months; I must have the long winter nights to aid me.” - -“It shall be as you wish, nephew.” - -“It is settled, then, uncle?” - -“Settled!” - -“Shall it be kept quiet?” - -“Yes; better so.” - -And this is how it was that five months later the steamer “Dolphin” was -launched from the Kelvin Dock timber-yards, and no one knew her real -destination. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - “GETTING UNDER SAIL.” - - -The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was -nothing to do but fit her up. She carried three schooner-masts, an -almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind -to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines. - -Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf -of the Clyde. Which was the most satisfied, builder or captain, it is -impossible to say. The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the -patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as -yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained. The -“Dolphin” would certainly have gained by several lengths in a sailing -match with the fastest opponent. - -The loading was begun on the 25th of December, the steamer having ranged -along the steamboat-quay a little below Glasgow Bridge, the last which -stretches across the Clyde before its mouth. Here the wharfs were heaped -with a heavy cargo of clothes, ammunition, and provisions, which were -rapidly carried to the hold of the “Dolphin.” The nature of this cargo -betrayed the mysterious destination of the ship, and the house of -Playfair could no longer keep it secret; besides, the “Dolphin” must not -be long before she started. No American cruiser had been signalled in -English waters; and, then, when the question of getting the crew came, -how was it possible to keep silent any longer? They could not embark -them even, without informing the men whither they were bound, for, after -all, it was a matter of life and death, and when one risks one’s life, -at least it is satisfactory to know how and wherefore. - -However, this prospect hindered no one; the pay was good, and every one -had a share in the speculation, so that a great number of the finest -sailors soon presented themselves. James Playfair was only embarrassed -which to choose, but he chose well, and in twenty-four hours his -muster-roll bore the names of thirty sailors, who would have done honour -to her Majesty’s yacht. - -The departure was settled for the 3rd of January; on the 31st of -December the “Dolphin” was ready, her hold full of ammunition and -provisions, and nothing was keeping her now. - -The skipper went on board on the 2nd of January, and was giving a last -look round his ship with a Captain’s eye, when a man presented himself -at the fore part of the “Dolphin,” and asked to speak with the Captain. -One of the sailors led him on to the poop. - -He was a strong, hearty-looking fellow, with broad shoulders and ruddy -face, the simple expression of which ill concealed a depth of wit and -mirth. He did not seem to be accustomed to a seafaring life and looked -about him with the air of a man little used to being on board a ship; -however, he assumed the manner of a Jack-tar, looking up at the rigging -of the “Dolphin,” and waddling in true sailor fashion. - -When he had reached the Captain, he looked fixedly at him and said, -“Captain James Playfair?” - -“The same,” replied the skipper. “What do you want with me?” - -“To join your ship.” - -“There is no room; the crew is already complete.” - -“Oh, one man, more or less, will not be in the way; quite the contrary.” - -“You think so?” said James Playfair, giving a sidelong glance at his -questioner. - -“I am sure of it,” replied the sailor. - -“But who are you?” asked the Captain. - -“A rough sailor, with two strong arms, which, I can tell you, are not to -be despised on board a ship, and which I now have the honour of putting -at your service.” - -“But there are other ships besides the ‘Dolphin,’ and other captains -besides James Playfair. Why do you come here?” - -“Because it is on board the ‘Dolphin’ that I wish to serve, and under -the orders of Captain James Playfair.” - -“I do not want you.” - -“There is always need of a strong man, and if to prove my strength you -will try me with three or four of the strongest fellows of your crew, I -am ready.” - -“That will do,” replied James Playfair. “And what is your name?” - -“Crockston, at your service.” - -[Illustration: “THE SAME,” REPLIED THE SKIPPER.] - -The Captain made a few steps backwards in order to get a better view of -the giant, who presented himself in this odd fashion. The height, the -build, and the look of the sailor did not deny his pretensions to -strength. - -“Where have you sailed?” asked Playfair of him. - -“A little everywhere.” - -“And do you know where the ‘Dolphin’ is bound for?” - -“Yes; and that is what tempts me.” - -“Ah, well! I have no mind to let a fellow of your stamp escape me. Go -and find the first mate, and get him to enrol you.” - -Having said this the Captain expected to see the man turn on his heel -and run to the bows, but he was mistaken. Crockston did not stir. - -“Well! did you hear me?” asked the Captain. - -“Yes, but it is not all,” replied the sailor, “I have something else to -ask you.” - -“Ah! You are wasting my time,” replied James sharply; “I have not a -moment to lose in talking.” - -“I shall not keep you long,” replied Crockston, “two words more and that -is all; I was going to tell you that I have a nephew.” - -“He has a fine uncle, then,” interrupted James Playfair. - -“Hah! Hah!” laughed Crockston. - -“Have you finished?” asked the Captain, very impatiently. - -“Well, this is what I have to say, when one takes the uncle, the nephew -comes into the bargain.” - -“Ah! indeed!” - -“Yes, that is the custom, the one does not go without the other.” - -“And what is this nephew of yours?” - -“A lad of fifteen whom I am going to train to the sea; he is willing to -learn, and will make a fine sailor some day.” - -“How now, Master Crockston,” cried James Playfair; “do you think the -‘Dolphin’ is a training-school for cabin-boys?” - -“Don’t let us speak ill of cabin-boys; there was one of them who became -Admiral Nelson, and another Admiral Franklin.” - -“Upon my honour, friend,” replied James Playfair, “you have a way of -speaking which I like; bring your nephew, but if I don’t find the uncle -the hearty fellow he pretends to be, he will have some business with me. -Go, and be back in an hour.” - -Crockston did not want to be told twice; he bowed awkwardly to the -Captain of the “Dolphin,” and went on to the quay. An hour afterwards he -came on board with his nephew, a boy of fourteen or fifteen, rather -delicate and weakly-looking, with a timid and astonished air, which -showed that he did not possess his uncle’s self-possession and vigorous -corporeal qualities. Crockston was even obliged to encourage him by such -words as these:— - -“Come,” said he, “don’t be frightened, they are not going to eat us, -besides there is yet time to return.” - -“No, no,” replied the young man, “and may God protect us!” - -The same day the sailor Crockston and his nephew were inscribed in the -muster-roll of the “Dolphin.” - -The next morning, at five o’clock, the fires of the steamer were well -fed, the deck trembled under the vibrations of the boiler, and the steam -rushed hissing through the escape-pipes. The hour of departure had -arrived. - -A considerable crowd in spite of the early hour flocked on the quays and -on Glasgow Bridge, they had come to salute the bold steamer for the last -time. Vincent Playfair was there to say good-bye to Captain James, but -he conducted himself on this occasion like a Roman of the good old -times. His was a heroic countenance, and the two loud kisses with which -he gratified his nephew were the indication of a strong mind. - -“Go, James,” said he to the young Captain, “go quickly, and come back -quicker still; above all, don’t abuse your position. Sell at a good -price, make a good bargain, and you will have your uncle’s esteem.” - -On this recommendation, borrowed from the manual of the perfect -merchant, the uncle and nephew separated, and all the visitors left the -boat. - -At this moment Crockston and John Stiggs stood together on the -forecastle, while the former remarked to his nephew, “This is well, this -is well; before two o’clock we shall be at sea, and I have a good -opinion of a voyage which begins like this.” - -For reply the novice pressed Crockston’s hand. - -James Playfair then gave the orders for departure. - -“Have we pressure on?” he asked of his mate. - -“Yes, Captain,” replied Mr. Mathew. - -“Well, then, weigh anchor.” - -This was immediately done, and the screws began to move. The “Dolphin” -trembled, passed between the ships in the port, and soon disappeared -from the sight of the people, who shouted their last hurrahs. - -[Illustration: AND SOON DISAPPEARED.] - -The descent of the Clyde was easily accomplished, one might almost say -that this river had been made by the hand of man, and even by the hand -of a master. For sixty years, thanks to the dredges and constant -dragging it has gained fifteen feet in depth, and its breadth has been -tripled between the quays and the town. Soon the forests of masts and -chimneys were lost in the smoke and fog; the noise of the foundry -hammers, and the hatchets of the timber-yards grew fainter in the -distance. After the village of Patrick had been passed the factories -gave way to country houses and villas. The “Dolphin,” slackening her -speed, sailed between the dykes which carry the river above the shores, -and often through very narrow channel, which, however, is only a small -inconvenience for a navigable river, for, after all, depth is of more -importance than width. The steamer, guided by one of those excellent -pilots from the Irish sea, passed without hesitation between floating -buoys, stone columns, and _biggings_, surmounted with lighthouses, which -mark the entrance to the channel. Beyond the town of Renfrew, at the -foot of Kilpatrick hills, the Clyde grew wider. Then came Bouling Bay, -at the end of which opens the mouth of the canal which joins Edinburgh -to Glasgow. Lastly, at the height of four hundred feet from the ground, -was seen the outline of Dumbarton Castle, almost indiscernible through -the mists, and soon the harbour-boats of Glasgow were rocked on the -waves which the “Dolphin” caused. Some miles farther on Greenock, the -birthplace of James Watt, was passed: the “Dolphin” now found herself at -the mouth of the Clyde, and at the entrance of the gulf by which it -empties its waters into the Northern Ocean. Here the first undulations -of the sea were felt, and the steamer ranged along the picturesque coast -of the Isle of Arran. At last the promontory of Cantyre, which runs out -into the channel, was doubled; the Isle of Rattelin was hailed, the -pilot returned by a shore-boat to his cutter, which was cruising in the -open sea; the “Dolphin” returning to her Captain’s authority, took a -less frequented route round the north of Ireland, and soon, having lost -sight of the last European land, found herself in the open ocean. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - -The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, -but good working men, and that was all she wanted. These brave, -determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a -fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to -defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two -small swivel signal-guns. - -The “Dolphin” shot bravely across the water, and fulfilled the utmost -expectations of both builder and captain. Soon she passed the limit of -British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was -free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack -her beneath the English flag. Followed she might be, and prevented from -forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair -sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be -pursued. - -Howbeit a careful watch was kept on board, and in spite of the extreme -cold a man was always in the rigging ready to signal the smallest sail -that appeared on the horizon. When evening came, Captain James gave the -most precise orders to Mr. Mathew. - -“Don’t leave the man on watch too long in the rigging, the cold may -seize him, and in that case it is impossible to keep a good look-out; -change your men often.” - -“I understand, Captain,” replied Mr. Mathew. - -“Try Crockston for that work; the fellow pretends to have excellent -sight; it must be put to trial; put him on the morning watch, he will -have the morning mists to see through. If anything particular happens -call me.” - -This said, James Playfair went to his cabin. Mr. Mathew called -Crockston, and told him the Captain’s orders. - -“To-morrow, at six o’clock,” said he, “you are to relieve watch of the -main-masthead.” - -For reply, Crockston gave a decided grunt, but Mr. Mathew had hardly -turned his back when the sailor muttered some incomprehensible words, -and then cried,— - -“What on earth did he say about the main-mast?” - -At this moment his nephew, John Stiggs, joined him on the forecastle. - -“Well, my good Crockston,” said he. - -“It’s all right, all right,” said the seaman, with a forced smile; -“there is only one thing, this wretched boat shakes herself like a dog -coming out of the water, and it makes my head confused.” - -“Dear Crockston, and it is for my sake.” - -“For you and him,” replied Crockston, “but not a word about that, John; -trust in God, and He will not forsake you.” - -So saying, John Stiggs and Crockston went to the sailor’s berth, but the -sailor did not lie down before he had seen the young novice comfortably -settled in the narrow cabin which he had got for him. - -The next day, at six o’clock in the morning, Crockston got up to go to -his place; he went on deck, where the first officer ordered him to go up -into the rigging, and keep good watch. - -At these words the sailor seemed undecided what to do; then making up -his mind, he went towards the bows of the “Dolphin.” - -“Well, where are you off to now?” cried Mr. Mathew. - -“Where you sent me,” answered Crockston. - -“I told you to go to the main-mast.” - -“And I am going there,” replied the sailor, in an unconcerned tone, -continuing his way to the poop. - -“Are you a fool?” cried Mr. Mathew, impatiently; “you are looking for -the bars of the main on the fore-mast. You are like a cockney, who -doesn’t know how to twist a cat-o’-nine-tails, or make a splice. On -board what ship can you have been, man? The main-mast, stupid, the -main-mast!” - -The sailors who had run up to hear what was going on, burst out -laughing, when they saw Crockston’s disconcerted look, as he went back -to the forecastle. - -“So,” said he, looking up the mast, the top of which was quite invisible -through the morning mists; “so, am I to climb up here?” - -“Yes,” replied Mr. Mathew, “and hurry yourself! By St. Patrick a Federal -ship would have time to get her bowsprit fast in our rigging before that -lazy fellow could get to his post. Will you go up?” - -Without a word, Crockston got on the bulwarks with some difficulty; then -he began to climb the rigging with most visible awkwardness, like a man -who did not know how to make use of his hands or feet. When he had -reached the top-gallant, instead of springing lightly on to it, he -remained motionless, clinging to the ropes, as if he had been seized -with giddiness. Mr. Mathew, irritated by his stupidity ordered him to -come down immediately. - -“That fellow there,” said he to the boatswain, “has never been a sailor -in his life. Johnston, just go and see what he has in his bundle.” - -The boatswain made haste to the sailor’s berth. - -In the meantime Crockston was with difficulty coming down again, but his -foot having slipped, he slid down the rope he had hold of, and fell -heavily on the deck. - -“Clumsy blockhead! land-lubber!” cried Mr. Mathew, by way of -consolation. “What did you come to do on board the ‘Dolphin’! Ah! you -entered as an able seaman, and you cannot even distinguish the main from -the fore-mast! I shall have a little talk with you.” - -Crockston made no attempt to speak; he bent his back like a man resigned -for anything he might have to bear; just then the boatswain returned. - -“This,” said he to the first officer, “is all that I have found; a -suspicious portfolio with letters.” - -“Give them here,” said Mr. Mathew. “Letters with Federal stamps! Mr. -Halliburtt, of Boston! An abolitionist! a Federalist! Wretch! you are -nothing but a traitor, and have sneaked on board to betray us! Never -mind, you will be paid for your trouble with the cat-o’-nine-tails! -Boatswain, call the Captain, and you others, just keep an eye on that -rogue there.” - -Crockston received these compliments with a hideous grimace, but he did -not open his lips. They had fastened him to the capstan, and he could -move neither hand nor foot. - -A few minutes later James Playfair came out of his cabin and went to the -forecastle, where Mr. Mathew immediately acquainted him with the details -of the case. - -“What have you to say?” asked James Playfair, scarcely able to restrain -his anger. - -“Nothing,” replied Crockston. - -“And what did you come on board my ship for?” - -“Nothing.” - -“And what do you expect from me now?” - -“Nothing.” - -“Who are you? An American, as these letters seem to prove?” - -Crockston did not answer. - -“Boatswain,” said James Playfair, “fifty lashes with the -cat-o’-nine-tails to loosen his tongue. Will that be enough, Crockston?” - -“It will remain to be seen,” replied John Stiggs’ uncle without moving a -muscle. - -“Now then, come along, men,” said the boatswain. - -At this order, two strong sailors stripped Crockston of his woollen -jersey; they had already seized the formidable weapon, and laid it -across the prisoner’s shoulders, when the novice, John Stiggs, pale and -agitated, hurried on deck. - -“Captain!” exclaimed he. - -“Ah! the nephew!” remarked James Playfair. - -“Captain,” repeated the novice, with a violent effort to steady his -voice, “I will tell you what Crockston does not want to say. I will hide -it no longer; yes, he is American, and so am I; we are both enemies of -the slave-holders, but not traitors come on board to betray the -‘Dolphin’ into the hands of the Federalists.” - -“What did you come to do, then?” asked the Captain, in a severe tone, -examining the novice attentively. The latter hesitated a few seconds -before replying, then he said, “Captain, I should like to speak to you -in private.” - -[Illustration: “CAPTAIN!” EXCLAIMED HE.] - -Whilst John Stiggs made this request, James Playfair did not cease to -look carefully at him; the sweet young face of the novice, his -peculiarly gentle voice, the delicacy and whiteness of his hands, hardly -disguised by paint, the large eyes, the animation of which could not -hide their tenderness—all this together gave rise to a certain suspicion -in the Captain’s mind. When John Stiggs had made his request, Playfair -glanced fixedly at Crockston, who shrugged his shoulders; then he -fastened a questioning look on the novice, which the latter could not -withstand, and said simply to him, “Come.” - -John Stiggs followed the Captain on to the poop, and then James -Playfair, opening the door of his cabin, said to the novice, whose -cheeks were pale with emotion, “Be so kind as to walk in, miss.” - -John, thus addressed, blushed violently, and two tears rolled -involuntarily down his cheeks. - -“Don’t be alarmed, miss,” said James Playfair, in a gentle voice, “but -be so good as to tell me how I come to have the honour of having you on -board?” - -The young girl hesitated a moment, then reassured by the Captain’s look, -she made up her mind to speak. - -“Sir,” said she, “I wanted to join my father at Charleston; the town is -besieged by land and blockaded by sea. I knew not how to get there, when -I heard that the ‘Dolphin’ meant to force the blockade. I came on board -your ship, and I beg you to forgive me if I acted without your consent, -which you would have refused me.” - -“Certainly,” said James Playfair. - -“I did well, then, not to ask you,” resumed the young girl, with a -firmer voice. - -The Captain crossed his arms, walked round his cabin, and then came -back. - -“What is your name?” said he. - -“Jenny Halliburtt.” - -“Your father, if I remember rightly the address on the letters, is he -not from Boston?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“And a Northerner is thus in a southern town in the thickest of the -war?” - -“My father is a prisoner; he was at Charleston when the first shot of -the Civil War was fired, and the troops of the Union driven from Fort -Sumter by the Confederates. My father’s opinions exposed him to the -hatred of the Slavist part, and by the order of General Beauregard he -was imprisoned. I was then in England, living with a relation who has -just died, and left alone with no help but that of Crockston, our -faithful servant, I wished to go to my father and share his prison with -him.” - -“What was Mr. Halliburtt, then?” asked James Playfair. - -“A loyal and brave journalist,” replied Jenny proudly, one of the -noblest editors of the “Tribune,” and the one who was the boldest in -defending the cause of the negroes. - -“An abolitionist,” cried the Captain angrily; “one of those men, who, -under the vain pretence of abolishing slavery, have deluged their -country with blood and ruin.” - -“Sir!” replied Jenny Halliburtt, growing pale, “you are insulting my -father; you must not forget that I stand alone to defend him.” - -The young Captain blushed scarlet; anger mingled with shame struggled in -his breast; perhaps he would have answered the young girl, but he -succeeded in restraining himself, and opening the door of the cabin, he -called “Boatswain!” - -The boatswain came to him directly. - -“This cabin will henceforward belong to Miss Jenny Halliburtt; have a -cot made ready for me at the end of the poop; that’s all I want.” - -The boatswain looked with a stupefied stare at the young novice -addressed in a feminine name, but on a sign from James Playfair he went -out. - -“And now, miss, you are at home,” said the young Captain of the -“Dolphin.” Then he retired. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - CROCKSTON’s TRICK. - - -It was not long before the whole crew knew Miss Halliburtt’s story, -which Crockston was no longer hindered from telling. By the Captain’s -orders he was released from the capstan, and the cat-o’-nine-tails -returned to its place. - -“A pretty animal,” said Crockston, “especially when it shows its velvety -paws.” - -As soon as he was free, he went down to the sailors’ berths, found a -small portmanteau, and carried it to Miss Jenny; the young girl was now -able to resume her feminine attire, but she remained in her cabin, and -did not again appear on deck. - -As for Crockston, it was well and duly agreed that, as he was no more a -sailor than a horse-guard, he should be exempt from all duty on board. - -In the meanwhile the “Dolphin,” with her twin screws cutting the waves, -sped rapidly across the Atlantic, and there was nothing now to do but -keep a strict look out. The day following the discovery of Miss Jenny’s -identity, James Playfair paced the deck at the poop with a rapid step; -he had made no attempt to see the young girl and resume the conversation -of the day before. - -Whilst he was walking to and fro, Crockston passed him several times, -looking at him askant with a satisfied grin; he evidently wanted to -speak to the Captain, and at last his persistent manner attracted the -attention of the latter, who said to him, somewhat impatiently,— - -“How now, what do you want? You are turning round me like a swimmer -round a buoy: when are you going to leave off?” - -“Excuse me, Captain,” answered Crockston, winking, “I wanted to speak to -you.” - -“Speak, then.” - -“Oh, it is nothing very much, I only wanted to tell you frankly that you -are a good fellow at bottom.” - -“Why at bottom?” - -“At bottom and surface also.” - -“I don’t want your compliments.” - -“I am not complimenting you, I shall wait to do that when you have gone -to the end.” - -“To what end?” - -“To the end of your task.” - -“Ah! I have a task to fulfil?” - -“Decidedly, you have taken the young girl and myself on board; good. You -have given up your cabin to Miss Halliburtt; good. You released me from -the cat-o’-nine-tails; nothing could be better. You are going to take us -straight to Charleston; that’s delightful, but it is not all.” - -“How not all?” cried James Playfair, amazed at Crockston’s boldness. - -“No, certainly not,” replied the latter, with a knowing look, “the -father is prisoner there.” - -“Well, what about that?” - -“Well, the father must be rescued.” - -“Rescue Miss Halliburtt’s father?” - -“Most certainly, and it is worth risking something for such a noble man -and courageous citizen as he.” - -“Master Crockston,” said James Playfair, frowning, “I am not in the -humour for your jokes, so have a care what you say.” - -“You misunderstand me, Captain,” said the American. “I am not joking in -the least, but speaking quite seriously. What I have proposed may at -first seem very absurd to you; when you have thought it over you will -see that you cannot do otherwise.” - -“What, do you mean that I must deliver Mr. Halliburtt?” - -“Just so, you can demand his release of General Beauregard, who will not -refuse you.” - -“But if he does refuse me?” - -“In that case,” replied Crockston, in a deliberate tone, “we must use -stronger measures, and carry off the prisoner by force.” - -“So,” cried James Playfair, who was beginning to get angry, “so, not -content with passing through the Federal fleets and forcing the blockade -of Charleston, I must run out to sea again from under the cannon of the -forts, and this to deliver a gentleman I know nothing of, one of those -Abolitionists whom I detest, one of those journalists who shed ink -instead of their blood!” - -“Oh! it is but a cannon-shot more or less!” added Crockston. - -“Master Crockston,” said James Playfair, “mind what I say; if ever you -mention this affair again to me, I will send you to the hold for the -rest of the passage, to teach you manners.” - -Thus saying the Captain dismissed the American, who went off murmuring, -“Ah, well, I am not altogether displeased with this conversation: at any -rate, the affair is broached; it will do, it will do!” - -James Playfair had hardly meant it when he said an Abolitionist whom I -detest; he did not in the least side with the Federals, but he did not -wish to admit that the question of slavery was the predominant reason -for the civil war of the United States, in spite of President Lincoln’s -formal declaration. Did he then think that the Southern States, eight -out of thirty-six, were right in separating when they had been -voluntarily united? Not so; he detested the Northerners, and that was -all; he detested them as brothers separated from the common family—true -Englishmen—who had thought it right to do what he, James Playfair, -disapproved of with regard to the United States: these were the -political opinions of the Captain of the “Dolphin.” But more than this, -the American war interfered with him personally, and he had a grudge -against those who had caused this war; one can understand, then, how he -would receive a proposition to deliver an Abolitionist, thus bringing -down on him the Confederates, with whom he pretended to do business. - -However, Crockston’s insinuation did not fail to disturb him, he cast -the thought from him, but it returned unceasingly to his mind, and when -Miss Jenny came on deck the next day for a few minutes, he dared not -look her in the face. - -And really it was a great pity, for this young girl with the fair hair -and sweet, intelligent face deserved to be looked at by a young man of -thirty. But James felt embarrassed in her presence; he felt that this -charming creature who had been educated in the school of misfortune -possessed a strong and generous soul; he understood that his silence -towards her inferred a refusal to acquiesce in her dearest wishes; -besides, Miss Jenny never looked out for James Playfair, neither did she -avoid him. Thus for the first few days they spoke little or not at all -to each other. Miss Halliburtt scarcely ever left her cabin, and it is -certain she would never have addressed herself to the Captain of the -“Dolphin” if it had not been for Crockston’s strategy, which brought -both parties together. - -The worthy American was a faithful servant of the Halliburtt family, he -had been brought up in his master’s house and his devotion knew no -bounds. His good sense equalled his courage and energy, and, as has been -seen, he had a way of looking things straight in the face. He was very -seldom discouraged, and could generally find a way out of the most -intricate dangers with a wonderful skill. - -This honest fellow had taken it into his head to deliver Mr. Halliburtt, -to employ the Captain’s ship, and the Captain himself for this purpose, -and to return with him to England. Such was his intention, so long as -the young girl had no other object than to rejoin her father and share -his captivity. It was this Crockston tried to make the Captain -understand, as we have seen, but the enemy had not yet surrendered, on -the contrary. - -“Now,” said he, “it is absolutely necessary that Miss Jenny and the -Captain come to an understanding; if they are going to be sulky like -this all the passage we shall get nothing done: they must speak, -discuss; let them dispute even, so long as they talk, and I’ll be hanged -if during their conversation James Playfair does not propose himself -what he refused me to-day.” - -But when Crockston saw that the young girl and the young man avoided -each other, he began to be perplexed. - -“We must look sharp,” said he to himself, and the morning of the fourth -day he entered Miss Halliburtt’s cabin, rubbing his hands with an air of -perfect satisfaction. - -“Good news!” cried he, “good news! You will never guess what the Captain -has proposed to me. A very noble young man he is. Now try.” - -“Ah!” replied Jenny, whose heart beat violently, “has he proposed to—” - -“To deliver Mr. Halliburtt, to carry him off from the Confederates, and -bring him to England.” - -“Is it true?” cried Jenny. - -“It is, as I say, miss. What a good-hearted man this James Playfair is! -These English are either all good or all bad. Ah! he may reckon on my -gratitude, and I am ready to cut myself in pieces if it would please -him.” - -Jenny’s joy was profound on hearing Crockston’s words. Deliver her -father! she had never dared to think of such a plan, and the Captain of -the “Dolphin” was going to risk his ship and crew! - -“That’s what he is,” added Crockston; “and this, Miss Jenny, is well -worth an acknowledgment from you.” - -“More than an acknowledgment,” cried the young girl; “a lasting -friendship!” - -And immediately she left the cabin to find James Playfair, and express -to him the sentiments which flowed from her heart. - -“Getting on by degrees,” muttered the American. - -James Playfair was pacing to and fro on the poop, and, as may be -thought, he was very much surprised, not to say amazed, to see the young -girl go up to him, her eyes moist with grateful tears, and holding out -her hand to him saying,— - -“Thank you, sir, thank you for your kindness, which I should never have -dared to expect from a stranger.” - -“Miss,” replied the Captain, as if he understood nothing of what she was -talking, and could not understand, “I do not know—” - -“Nevertheless, sir, you are going to brave many dangers, perhaps -compromise your interests for me, and you have done so much already in -offering me on board an hospitality to which I have no right whatever—” - -“Pardon me, Miss Jenny,” interrupted James Playfair, “but I protest -again I do not understand your words; I have acted towards you as any -well-bred man would towards a lady, and my conduct deserves neither so -many thanks nor so much gratitude.” - -“Mr. Playfair,” said Jenny, “it is useless to pretend any longer; -Crockston has told me all!” - -“Ah!” said the Captain, “Crockston has told you all, then I understand -less than ever the reason for your leaving your cabin, and saying these -words which—” - -[Illustration: “THANK YOU, SIR, THANK YOU.”] - -Whilst speaking the Captain felt very much embarrassed; he remembered -the rough way in which he had received the American’s overtures, but -Jenny, fortunately for him, did not give him time for further -explanation; she interrupted him, holding out her hand and saying,— - -“Mr. James, I had no other object in coming on board your ship except to -go to Charleston, and there, however cruel the slave-holders may be, -they will not refuse to let a poor girl share her father’s prison, that -was all; I had never thought of a return as possible; but since you are -so generous as to wish for my father’s deliverance, since you will -attempt everything to save him, be assured you have my deepest -gratitude.” - -James did not know what to do or what part to assume; he bit his lip; he -dared not take the hand offered him; he saw perfectly that Crockston had -compromised him, so that escape was impossible; at the same time he had -no thoughts of delivering Mr. Halliburtt, and getting complicated in a -disagreeable business: but how dash to the ground the hope which had -arisen in this poor girl’s heart? How refuse the hand which she held out -to him with a feeling of such profound friendship? How change to tears -of grief the tears of gratitude which filled her eyes? - -So the young man tried to reply evasively, in a manner which would -insure his liberty of action for the future. - -“Miss Jenny,” said he, “rest assured I will do everything in my power -for—” - -And he took the little hand in both of his, but with the gentle pressure -he felt his heart melt and his head grow confused: words to express his -thoughts failed him. He stammered out some incoherent words,— - -“Miss—Miss Jenny—for you—” - -Crockston, who was watching him, rubbed his hands, grinning and -repeating to himself,— - -“It will come! it will come! it has come!” - -How James Playfair would have managed to extricate himself from his -embarrassing position no one knows, but fortunately for him, if not for -the “Dolphin,” the man on watch was heard crying,— - -“Ahoy, officer of the watch!” - -“What now?” asked Mr. Mathew. - -“A sail to windward!” - -James Playfair, leaving the young girl, immediately sprang to the -shrouds of the main-mast. - - - - - CHAPTER V - THE SHOT FROM THE “IROQUOIS,” AND MISS JENNY’s ARGUMENTS. - - -Until now the navigation of the “Dolphin” had been very fortunate. Not -one ship had been signalled before the sail hailed by the man on watch. - -The “Dolphin” was then in 32° 51´ latitude and 57° 43´west longitude. -For forty-eight hours a fog which now began to rise had covered the -ocean. If this mist favoured the “Dolphin” by hiding her course, it also -prevented any observations at a distance being made, and, without being -aware of it, she might be sailing side by side, so to speak, with the -ships she wished most to avoid. - -Now this is just what had happened, and when the ship was signalled she -was only three miles to windward. - -When James Playfair had reached the bars, he saw distinctly, through an -opening in the mist, a large Federal corvette in full pursuit of the -“Dolphin.” - -[Illustration: HE SAW DISTINCTLY.] - -After having carefully examined her, the Captain came down on deck -again, and called to the first officer. - -“Mr. Mathew,” said he, “what do you think of this ship?” - -“I think, Captain, that it is a Federal cruiser, which suspects our -intentions.” - -“There is no possible doubt of her nationality,” said James Playfair. -“Look!” - -At this moment the starry flag of the North United States appeared on -the gaff-yards of the corvette, and the latter asserted her colours with -a cannon-shot. - -“An invitation to show ours,” said Mr. Mathew. “Well, let us show them; -there is nothing to be ashamed of.” - -“What’s the good?” replied James Playfair. “Our flag will hardly protect -us, and it will not hinder those people from paying us a visit? No; let -us go ahead.” - -“And go quickly,” replied Mr. Mathew, “for if my eyes do not deceive me, -I have already seen that corvette lying off Liverpool, where she went to -watch the ships in building: my name is not Mathew, if that is not ‘The -Iroquois’ on her taffrail.” - -“And is she fast?” - -“One of the fastest vessels of the Federal marine.” - -“What guns does she carry?” - -“Eight.” - -“Pooh.” - -“Oh, don’t shrug your shoulders, Captain,” said Mr. Mathew, in a serious -tone; “two out of those eight guns are rifled, one is a sixty-pounder on -the forecastle, and the other a hundred-pounder on deck.” - -“Upon my soul!” exclaimed James Playfair, “they are Parrott’s, and will -carry three miles.” - -“Yes, and farther than that, Captain.” - -“Ah, well! Mr. Mathew, let their guns be sixty or only four-pounders, -and let them carry three miles or five hundred yards, it is all the same -if we can go fast enough to avoid their shot. We will show this -‘Iroquois’ how a ship can go when she is built on purpose to go. Have -the fires well banked up, Mr. Mathew.” - -The first officer gave the Captain’s orders to the engineer, and soon -volumes of black smoke curled from the steamer’s chimneys. - -This proceeding did not seem to please the corvette, for she made the -“Dolphin” the signal to lie to, but James Playfair paid no attention to -this warning, and did not change his ship’s course. - -“Now,” said he, “we shall see what the ‘Iroquois’ will do; there is a -fine opportunity for her to try her guns, go ahead full speed!” - -“Good!” exclaimed Mr. Mathew; “she will not be long in saluting us.” - -Returning to the poop, the Captain saw Miss Halliburtt sitting quietly -near the bulwarks. - -“Miss Jenny,” said he, “we shall probably be chased by that corvette you -see to windward, and as she will speak to us with shot, I beg to offer -you my arm to take you to your cabin again.” - -“Thank you, very much, Mr. Playfair,” replied the young girl, looking at -him, “but I am not afraid of cannon-shots.” - -“However, miss, in spite of the distance, there may be some danger.” - -“Oh, I was not brought up to be fearful; they accustom us to everything -in America, and I assure you that the shot from the ‘Iroquois’ will not -make me lower my head.” - -“You are brave, Miss Jenny.” - -“Let us admit, then, that I am brave, and allow me to stay by you.” - -“I can refuse you nothing, Miss Halliburtt,” replied the Captain, -looking at the young girl’s calm face. - -These words were hardly uttered when they saw a line of white smoke -issue from the bulwarks of the corvette; before the report had reached -the “Dolphin” a projectile whizzed through the air in the direction of -the steamer. - -At about twenty fathoms from the “Dolphin” the shot, the speed of which -had sensibly lessened, skimmed over the surface of the waves, marking -its passage by a series of water-jets; then, with another burst, it -rebounded to a certain height, passed over the “Dolphin,” grazing the -mizen-yards on the starboard side, fell at thirty fathoms beyond, and -was buried in the waves. - -“By Jove!” exclaimed James Playfair, “we must get along; another slap -like that is not to be waited for.” - -“Oh!” exclaimed Mr. Mathew, “they will take some time to reload such -pieces.” - -“Upon my honour, it is an interesting sight,” said Crockston, who, with -arms crossed, stood perfectly at his ease looking at the scene, “and to -say they are friends who send such brandy-balls!” - -“Ah! that’s you,” cried James Playfair, scanning the American from head -to foot. - -“It is me, Captain,” replied the American, undisturbed. “I have come to -see how these brave Federals fire; not badly, in truth, not badly.” - -The Captain was going to answer Crockston sharply, but at this moment a -second shot struck the sea on the starboard side. - -“Good,” cried James Playfair, “we have already gained two cables on this -‘Iroquois.’ Your friends sail like a buoy; do you hear, Master -Crockston?” - -“I will not say they don’t,” replied the American, “and for the first -time in my life it does not fail to please me.” - -A third shot fell still farther astern, and in less than ten minutes the -“Dolphin” was out of range of the corvette’s guns. - -“So much for patent-logs, Mr. Mathew,” said James Playfair; “thanks to -those shot we know how to rate our speed. Now have the fires lowered; it -is not worth while to waste our coal uselessly.” - -“It is a good ship that you command,” said Miss Halliburtt to the young -Captain. - -“Yes, Miss Jenny, my good ‘Dolphin,’ makes her seventeen knots, and -before the day is over, we shall have lost sight of that corvette.” - -James Playfair did not exaggerate the sailing qualities of his ship, and -the sun had not set before the masts of the American ship had -disappeared below the horizon. - -This incident allowed the Captain to see Miss Halliburtt’s character in -a new light; besides, the ice was broken, henceforward, during the whole -of the voyage, the interviews between the Captain and his passenger were -frequent and prolonged; he found her to be a young girl, calm, strong, -thoughtful, and intelligent, speaking with great ease, having her own -ideas about everything, and expressing her thoughts with a conviction -which unconsciously penetrated James Playfair’s heart. - -She loved her country, she was zealous in the great cause of the Union, -and expressed herself on the civil war in the United States with an -enthusiasm of which no other woman would have been capable. Thus it -happened, more than once, that James Playfair found it difficult to -answer her, even when questions purely mercantile arose in connexion -with the war: Miss Jenny attacked them none the less vigorously, and -would come to no other terms whatever. At first James argued a great -deal, and tried to uphold the Confederates against the Federals, to -prove that the Secessionists were in the right, and that if the people -were united voluntarily they might separate in the same manner. But the -young girl would not yield on this point; she demonstrated that the -question of slavery was predominant in the struggle between the North -and South Americans, that it was far more a war in the cause of morals -and humanity than politics, and James could make no answer. Besides, -during these discussions, which he listened to attentively, it is -difficult to say whether he was more touched by Miss Halliburtt’s -arguments, or the charming manner in which she spoke; but at last he was -obliged to acknowledge, among other things, that slavery was the -principal feature in the war, that it must be put an end to decisively, -and the last horrors of barbarous times abolished. - -It has been said that the political opinions of the Captain did not -trouble him much. He would have sacrificed his most serious opinion -before such enticing arguments and under like circumstances; he made a -good bargain of his ideas for the same reason, but at last he was -attacked in his tenderest point: this was the question of the traffic in -which the “Dolphin” was being employed, and, consequently, the -ammunition which was being carried to the Confederates. - -“Yes, Mr. James,” said Miss Halliburtt, “gratitude does not hinder me -from speaking with perfect frankness; on the contrary, you are a brave -seaman, a clever merchant, the house of Playfair is noted for its -respectability; but in this case it fails in its principles, and follows -a trade unworthy of it.” - -“How!” cried James, “the house of Playfair ought not to attempt such a -commercial enterprise?” - -“No! it is taking ammunition to the unhappy creatures in revolt against -the government of their country, and it is lending arms to a bad cause.” - -“Upon my honour, Miss Jenny, I will not discuss the fight of the -Confederates with you; I will only answer you with one word: I am a -merchant, and as such I only occupy myself with the interests of my -house; I look for gain wherever there is an opportunity of getting it.” - -“That is precisely what is to be blamed, Mr. James,” replied the young -girl; “profit does not excuse it; thus, when you supply arms to the -Southerners, with which to continue a criminal war, you are quite as -guilty as when you sell opium to the Chinese, which stupefies them.” - -“Oh! for once, Miss Jenny, this is too much, and I cannot admit—” - -“No; what I say is just, and when you consider it, when you understand -the part you are playing, when you think of the results for which you -are responsible, you will yield to me in this point, as in so many -others.” - -James Playfair was dumbfoundered at these words; he left the young girl, -a prey to angry thoughts, for he felt his powerlessness to answer; then -he sulked like a child for half an hour, and an hour later he returned -to the singular young girl who could overwhelm him with convincing -arguments, with quite a pleasant smile. - -In short, however it may have come about, and although he would not -acknowledge it to himself, Captain James Playfair belonged to himself no -longer, he was no longer commander-in-chief on board his own ship. - -Thus, to Crockston’s great joy, Mr. Halliburtt’s affairs appeared to be -in a good way; the Captain seemed to have decided to undertake -everything in his power to deliver Miss Jenny’s father, and for this he -would be obliged to compromise the “Dolphin,” his cargo, his crew, and -incur the displeasure of his worthy uncle Vincent. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - SULLIVAN ISLAND CHANNEL. - - -Two days after the meeting with the “Iroquois,” the “Dolphin” found -herself abreast of the Bermudas, where she was assailed by a violent -squall. These isles are frequently visited by hurricanes, and are -celebrated for shipwrecks. It is here that Shakspeare has placed the -exciting scene of his drama, “The Tempest,” in which Ariel and Caliban -dispute for the empire of the floods. - -The squall was frightful; James Playfair thought once of running for one -of the Bermudas, where the English had a military post: it would have -been a sad waste of time, and therefore especially to be regretted; -happily the “Dolphin” behaved herself wonderfully well in the storm, and -after flying a whole day before the tempest, she was able to resume her -course towards the American coast. - -[Illustration: THE SQUALL.] - -But if James Playfair had been pleased with his ship, he had not been -less delighted with the young girl’s bravery; Miss Halliburtt had passed -the worst hours of the storm at his side, and James knew that a -profound, imperious, irresistible love had taken possession of his whole -being. - -“Yes,” said he, “this brave girl is mistress on board; she turns me like -the sea a ship in distress—I feel that I am foundering! What will Uncle -Vincent say? Ah! poor nature, I am sure that if Jenny asked me to throw -all this cursed cargo into the sea, I should do it without hesitating, -for love of her.” - -Happily for the firm of Playfair and Co., Miss Halliburtt did not demand -this sacrifice; nevertheless, the poor Captain had been taken captive, -and Crockston, who read his heart like an open book, rubbed his hands -gleefully. - -“We will hold him fast!” he muttered to himself, “and before a week has -passed my master will be quietly installed in one of the best cabins of -the ‘Dolphin.’” - -As for Miss Jenny, did she perceive the feelings which she inspired? did -she allow herself to share them? No one could say, and James Playfair -least of all; the young girl kept a perfect reserve, and her secret -remained deeply buried in her heart. - -But whilst love was making such progress in the heart of the young -Captain, the “Dolphin” sped with no less rapidity towards Charleston. - -On the 13th of January, the watch signalled land ten miles to the west. -It was a low-lying coast, and almost blended with the line of the sea in -the distance. Crockston was examining the horizon attentively, and about -nine o’clock in the morning he cried,— - -“Charleston lighthouse!” - -[Illustration: CROCKSTON WAS EXAMINING THE HORIZON ATTENTIVELY.] - -Now that the bearings of the “Dolphin” were set, James Playfair had but -one thing to do, to decide by which channel he would run into Charleston -Bay. - -“If we meet with no obstacles,” said he, “before three o’clock we shall -be in safety in the docks of the port.” - -The town of Charleston is situated on the banks of an estuary seven -miles long and two broad, called Charleston Harbour, the entrance to -which is rather difficult. It is enclosed between Morris Island on the -south, and Sullivan Island on the north. At the time when the “Dolphin” -attempted to force the blockade Morris Island already belonged to the -Federal troops, and General Gillmore had caused batteries to be erected -overlooking the harbour. Sullivan Island, on the contrary, was in the -hands of the Confederates, who were also in possession of Moultrie Fort, -situated at the extremity of the island; therefore it would be -advantageous to the “Dolphin” to go as close as possible to the northern -shores to avoid the firing from the forts on Morris Island. - -Five channels led into the estuary, Sullivan Island Channel, the -Northern Channel, the Overall Channel, the Principal Channel, and -lastly, the Lawford Channel; but it was useless for strangers, unless -they had skilful pilots on board, or ships drawing less than seven feet -of water to attempt this last; as for Northern and Overall Channels, -they were in range of the Federalist batteries, so that it was no good -thinking of them. If James Playfair could have had his choice, he would -have taken his steamer through the Principal Channel, which was the -best, and the bearings of which were easy to follow; but it was -necessary to yield to circumstances, and to decide according to the -event. Besides, the Captain of the “Dolphin” knew perfectly all the -secrets of this bay, its dangers, the depths of its water at low tide, -and its currents, so that he was able to steer his ship with the -greatest safety as soon as he entered one of these narrow straits. The -great question was to get there. - -Now this work demanded an experienced seaman, and one who knew exactly -the qualities of the “Dolphin.” - -In fact two Federal frigates were now cruising in the Charleston waters. -Mr. Mathew soon drew James Playfair’s attention to them. - -“They are preparing to ask us what we want on these shores,” said he. - -“Ah, well! we won’t answer them,” replied the Captain, “and they will -not get their curiosity satisfied.” - -In the meanwhile the cruisers were coming on full steam towards the -“Dolphin,” who continued her course, taking care to keep out of range of -their guns. But in order to gain time James Playfair made for the -south-west, wishing to put the enemies’ ships off their guard; the -latter must have thought that the “Dolphin” intended to make for Morris -Island Channel. Now there they had batteries and guns, a single shot -from which would have been enough to sink the English ship; so the -Federals allowed the “Dolphin” to run towards the south-west, contenting -themselves by observing her without following closely. - -Thus for an hour the respective situations of the ships did not change, -for James Playfair, wishing to deceive the cruisers as to the course of -the “Dolphin,” had caused the fires to be moderated, so that the speed -was decreased. However, from the thick volumes of smoke which escaped -from the chimneys, it might have been thought that he was trying to get -his maximum pressure, and, consequently, his maximum of rapidity. - -“They will be slightly astonished presently,” said James Playfair, “when -they see us slip through their fingers!” - -In fact, when the Captain saw that he was near enough to Morris Island, -and before a line of guns, the range of which he did not know, he turned -his rudder quickly, and the ship resumed her northerly course, leaving -the cruisers two miles to windward of her; the latter seeing this -manœuvre understood the steamer’s object, and began to pursue her in -earnest, but it was too late. The “Dolphin” doubled her speed under the -action of the screws, and distanced them rapidly. Going nearer to the -coast, a few shell were sent after her as an acquittal of conscience, -but the Federals were outdone, for their projectiles did not reach half -way. At eleven o’clock in the morning, the steamer ranging near Sullivan -Island, thanks to her small draft, entered the narrow strait full steam; -there she was in safety, for no Federalist cruiser dared follow her in -this channel, the depth of which, on an average, was only eleven feet at -low tide. - -“How?” cried Crockston, “and is that the only difficulty?” - -“Oh! oh! Master Crockston,” said James Playfair, “the difficulty is not -in entering, but in getting out again.” - -“Nonsense!” replied the American, “that does not make me at all uneasy; -with a boat like the ‘Dolphin’ and a Captain like Mr. James Playfair, -one can go where one likes, and come out in the same manner.” - -Nevertheless, James Playfair, with telescope in his hand, was -attentively examining the route to be followed. He had before him -excellent coasting guides, with which he could go ahead without any -difficulty or hesitation. - -Once his ship was safely in the narrow channel which runs the length of -Sullivan Island, James steered bearing towards the middle of Fort -Moultrie as far as the Pinckney Castle, situated on the isolated island -of Shute’s Folly; on the other side rose Fort Johnson, a little way to -the north of Fort Sumter. - -At this moment the steamer was saluted by some shot which did not reach -her, from the batteries on Morris Island. She continued her course -without any deviation, passed before Moultrieville, situated at the -extremity of Sullivan Island, and entered the bay. - -Soon Fort Sumter on the left protected her from the batteries of the -Federalists. - -This fort, so celebrated in the civil war, is situated three miles and a -half from Charleston, and about a mile from each side of the bay: it is -nearly pentagonal in form, built on an artificial island of -Massachusetts granite, it took ten years to construct and cost more than -900,000 dollars. - -It was from this fort, on the 13th of April, 1861, that Anderson and the -Federal troops were driven, and it was against it that the first shot of -the Confederates was fired. It is impossible to estimate the quantity of -iron and lead which the Federals showered down upon it. However, it -resisted for almost three years, but a few months after the passage of -the “Dolphin,” it fell beneath General Gillmore’s three hundred-pounders -on Morris Island. - -But at this time it was in all its strength, and the Confederate flag -floated proudly above it. - -Once past the fort the town of Charleston appeared lying between Ashley -and Cooper rivers. - -James Playfair threaded his way through the buoys which mark the -entrance of the channel, leaving behind the Charleston lighthouse -visible above Morris Island. He had hoisted the English flag, and made -his way with wonderful rapidity through the narrow channels. When he had -passed the Quarantine buoy, he advanced freely into the centre of the -bay. Miss Halliburtt was standing on the poop, looking at the town where -her father was kept prisoner, and her eyes filled with tears. - -At last the steamer’s speed was moderated by the Captain’s orders; the -“Dolphin” ranged along the end of the south and east batteries, and was -soon moored at the quay of the North Commercial Wharf. - -[Illustration: MISS HALLIBURTT WAS STANDING ON THE POOP.] - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - A SOUTHERN GENERAL. - - -The “Dolphin” on arriving at the Charleston quay, had been saluted by -the cheers of a large crowd. The inhabitants of this town, strictly -blockaded by sea, were not accustomed to visits from European ships. -They asked each other, not without astonishment, what this great -steamer, proudly bearing the English flag, had come to do in their -waters; but when they learned the object of her voyage, and why she had -just forced the passage Sullivan, when the report spread that she -carried a cargo of smuggled ammunition, the cheers and joyful cries were -redoubled. - -James Playfair, without losing a moment, entered into negotiation with -General Beauregard, the military commander of the town. The latter -eagerly received the young Captain of the “Dolphin,” who had arrived in -time to provide the soldiers with the clothes and ammunition they were -so much in want of. It was agreed that the unloading of the ship should -take place immediately, and numerous hands came to help the English -sailors. - -Before quitting his ship James Playfair had received from Miss -Halliburtt the most pressing injunctions with regard to her father, and -the Captain had placed himself entirely at the young girl’s service. - -“Miss Jenny,” he had said, “you may rely on me; I will do the utmost in -my power to save your father, but I hope this business will not present -many difficulties; I shall go and see General Beauregard to-day, and -without asking him at once for Mr. Halliburtt’s liberty, I shall learn -in what situation he is, whether he is on bail, or a prisoner.” - -“My poor father!” replied Jenny, sighing; “he little thinks his daughter -is so near him. Oh that I could fly into his arms!” - -“A little patience, Miss Jenny, you will soon embrace your father. Rely -upon my acting with the most entire devotion, but also with prudence and -consideration.” - -This is why James Playfair, after having delivered the cargo of the -“Dolphin” up to the General, and bargained for an immense stock of -cotton, faithful to his promise, turned the conversation to the events -of the day. - -“So,” said he, “you believe in the triumph of the slave-holders?” - -“I do not for a moment doubt of our final success, and as regards -Charleston, Lee’s army will soon relieve it: besides, what do you expect -from the Abolitionists? admitting that which will never be, that the -commercial towns of Virginia, the two Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, fall -under their power, what then? Will they be masters of a country they can -never occupy? No, certainly not; and for my part if they are ever -victorious they shall pay dearly for it.” - -“And you are quite sure of your soldiers?” asked the Captain; “you are -not afraid that Charleston will grow weary of a siege which is ruining -her?” - -“No, I do not fear treason; besides, the traitors would be punished -remorselessly, and I would destroy the town itself by sword or fire if I -discovered the least Unionist movement. Jefferson Davis confided -Charleston to me, and you may be sure that Charleston is in safe hands.” - -“Have you any Federal prisoners?” asked James Playfair, coming to the -interesting object of the conversation. - -“Yes, Captain,” replied the General, “it was at Charleston that the -first shot of separation was fired. The Abolitionists who were here -attempted to resist, and after being defeated they have been kept as -prisoners of war.” - -“And have you many?” - -“About a hundred.” - -“Free in the town?” - -“They were until I discovered a plot formed by them: their chief -succeeded in establishing a communication with the besiegers, who were -thus informed of the situation of affairs in the town. I was then -obliged to lock up these dangerous guests, and several of them will only -leave their prison to ascend the slope of the citadel, where ten -confederate balls will reward them for their federalism.” - -“What! to be shot!” cried the young man, shuddering involuntarily. - -“Yes, and their chief first of all. He is a very dangerous man to have -in a besieged town. I have sent his letters to the President at -Richmond, and before a week is passed his sentence will be irrevocably -passed.” - -“Who is this man you speak of,” asked James Playfair, with an assumed -carelessness. - -“A journalist from Boston, a violent Abolitionist with the confounded -spirit of Lincoln.” - -“And his name?” - -“Jonathan Halliburtt.” - -“Poor wretch!” exclaimed James, suppressing his emotion; “whatever he -may have done one cannot help pitying him. And you think that he will be -shot?” - -“I am sure of it,” replied Beauregard. “What can you expect? War is war, -one must defend oneself as best one can.” - -“Well, it is nothing to me,” said the Captain; “I shall be far enough -away when this execution takes place.” - -“What! you are thinking of going away already.” - -“Yes, General, business must be attended to; as soon as my cargo of -cotton is on board I shall be out to sea again. I was fortunate enough -to enter the bay, but the difficulty is in getting out again. The -‘Dolphin’ is a good ship; she can beat any of the Federal ships for -speed, but she does not pretend to distance cannon-balls, and a shell in -her hull or engine would seriously affect my enterprise.” - -“As you please, Captain,” replied Beauregard; “I have no advice to give -you under such circumstances. You are doing your business, and you are -right. I should act in the same manner were I in your place; besides a -stay at Charleston is not very pleasant, and a harbour where shells are -falling three days out of four is not a safe shelter for your ship; so -you will set sail when you please; but can you tell me what is the -number and the force of the Federal ships cruising before Charleston?” - -James Playfair did his best to answer the General, and took leave of him -on the best of terms; then he returned to the “Dolphin” very thoughtful -and very depressed from what he had just heard. - -“What shall I say to Miss Jenny? ought I to tell her of Mr. Halliburtt’s -terrible situation? or would it be better to keep her in ignorance of -the trial which is awaiting her? Poor child!” - -He had not gone fifty steps from the governor’s house when he ran -against Crockston: the worthy American had been watching for him since -his departure. - -“Well, Captain?” - -James Playfair looked steadily at Crockston, and the latter soon -understood he had no favourable news to give him. - -“Have you seen Beauregard?” he asked. - -“Yes,” replied James Playfair. - -“And have you spoken to him about Mr. Halliburtt?” - -“No! it was he who spoke to me about him.” - -“Well, Captain?” - -“Well! I may as well tell you everything, Crockston.” - -“Everything, Captain.” - -“General Beauregard has told me that your master will be shot within a -week.” - -At this news any one else but Crockston would have grown furious or -given way to bursts of grief, but the American, who feared nothing, only -said, with almost a smile on his lips,— - -“Pooh! what does it matter?” - -“How! what does it matter?” cried James Playfair; “I tell you that Mr. -Halliburtt will be shot within a week, and you answer, what does it -matter?” - -“And I mean it—if in six days he is on board the ‘Dolphin,’ and if in -seven days the ‘Dolphin’ is on the open sea.” - -“Right!” exclaimed the Captain, pressing Crockston’s hand. “I -understand, my good fellow, you have got some pluck; and for myself, in -spite of Uncle Vincent, I would throw myself overboard for Miss Jenny.” - -“No one need be thrown overboard,” replied the American, “only the fish -would gain by that: the most important business now is to deliver Mr. -Halliburtt.” - -“But you must know that it will be difficult to do so.” - -“Pooh!” exclaimed Crockston. - -“It is a question of communicating with a prisoner strictly guarded.” - -“Certainly.” - -“And to bring about an almost miraculous escape.” - -“Nonsense,” exclaimed Crockston; “a prisoner thinks more of escaping -than his guardian thinks of keeping him; that’s why, thanks to our help, -Mr. Halliburtt will be saved.” - -“You are right, Crockston.” - -“Always right.” - -“But now what will you do? there must be some plan; and there are -precautions to be taken.” - -“I will think about it.” - -“But when Miss Jenny learns that her father is condemned to death, and -that the order for his execution may come any day—” - -“She will know nothing about it, that is all.” - -“Yes, it will be better for her and for us to tell her nothing.” - -“Where is Mr. Halliburtt imprisoned?” asked Crockston. - -“In the citadel,” replied James Playfair. - -“Just so!—On board now?” - -“On board, Crockston!” - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - THE ESCAPE. - - -Miss Jenny, sitting at the poop of the “Dolphin,” was anxiously waiting -the captain’s return; when the latter went up to her she could not utter -a word, but her eyes questioned James Playfair more eagerly than her -lips could have done. The latter, with Crockston’s help, informed the -young girl of the facts relating to her father’s imprisonment. He said -that he had carefully broached the subject of the prisoners of war to -Beauregard, but as the General did not seem disposed at all in their -favour, he had thought it better to say no more about it, but think the -matter over again. - -“Since Mr. Halliburtt is not free in the town, his escape will be more -difficult; but I will finish my task, and I promise you, Miss Jenny, -that the ‘Dolphin’ shall not leave Charleston, without having your -father on board.” - -“Thank you, Mr. James; I thank you with my whole heart.” - -[Illustration: “I PROMISE YOU, MISS JENNY.”] - -At these words James Playfair felt a thrill of joy through his whole -being. - -He approached the young girl with moist eyes and quivering lips; perhaps -he was going to make an avowal of the sentiments he could no longer -repress, when Crockston interfered,— - -“This is no time for grieving,” said he; “we must go to work, and -consider what to do.” - -“Have you any plan, Crockston?” asked the young girl. - -“I always have a plan,” replied the American; “it is my peculiarity.” - -“But a good one?” said James Playfair. - -“Excellent! and all the ministers in Washington could not devise a -better; it is almost as good as if Mr. Halliburtt was already on board.” - -Crockston spoke with such perfect assurance, at the same time with such -simplicity, that it must have been the most incredulous person who could -doubt his words. - -“We are listening, Crockston,” said James Playfair. - -“Good! You, Captain, will go to General Beauregard, and ask a favour of -him which he will not refuse you.” - -“And what is that?” - -“You will tell him that you have on board a tiresome subject, a scamp -who has been very troublesome during the voyage, and excited the crew to -revolt. You will ask of him permission to shut him up in the citadel; at -the same time on the condition that he shall return to the ship on her -departure, in order to be taken back to England, to be delivered over to -the justice of his country.” - -“Good!” said James Playfair, half smiling, “I will do all that, and -Beauregard will grant my request very willingly.” - -“I am perfectly sure of it,” replied the American. - -“But,” resumed Playfair, “one thing is wanting.” - -“What is that?” - -“The scamp.” - -“He is before you, Captain.” - -“What, the rebellious subject?—” - -“Is myself; don’t trouble yourself about that.” - -“Oh! you brave, generous heart,” cried Jenny, pressing the American’s -rough hands between her small white palms. - -“Go, Crockston,” said James Playfair; “I understand you, my friend; and -I only regret one thing, that is, that I cannot take your place.” - -“Every one his part,” replied Crockston; “if you put yourself in my -place you would be very much embarrassed, which I shall not be; you will -have enough to do later on to get out of the harbour under the fire of -the Feds and Rebs, which, for my part, I should manage very badly.” - -“Well, Crockston, go on.” - -“Once in the citadel—I know it—I shall see what to do, and rest assured -I shall do my best; in the meanwhile, you will be getting your cargo on -board.” - -“Oh! business is now a very unimportant detail,” said the Captain. - -“Not at all! and what would your uncle Vincent say to that? We must join -sentiment with work; it will prevent suspicion; but do it quickly. Can -you be ready in six days?” - -“Yes.” - -“Well, let the ‘Dolphin’ be ready to start on the 22nd.” - -“She shall be ready.” - -“On the evening of the 22nd of January, you understand, send a -shore-boat with your best men to White Point, at the end of the town; -wait there till nine o’clock, and then you will see Mr. Halliburtt and -your servant.” - -“But how will you manage to effect Mr. Halliburtt’s deliverance, and -also escape yourself?” - -“That’s my look-out.” - -“Dear Crockston, you are going to risk your life then, to save my -father!” - -“Don’t be uneasy, Miss Jenny, I shall risk absolutely nothing, you may -believe me.” - -“Well,” asked James Playfair, “when must I have you locked up?” - -“To-day—you understand—I demoralize your crew; there is no time to be -lost.” - -“Would you like any money? it may be of use to you in the citadel.” - -“Money to buy the gaoler! Oh, no! it would be a poor bargain; when one -goes there the gaoler keeps the money and the prisoner! No! I have surer -means than that; however, a few dollars may be useful; one must be able -to drink, if needs be.” - -“And intoxicate the gaoler.” - -“No, an intoxicated gaoler would spoil everything. No, I tell you I have -an idea, let me work it out.” - -“Here, my good fellow, are ten dollars.” - -“It is too much, but I will return what is over.” - -“Well, then, are you ready?” - -“Quite ready to be a downright rogue.” - -“Let us go to work then.” - -“Crockston,” said the young girl, in a faltering voice, “you are the -best man on earth.” - -“I know it,”replied the American, laughing good-humouredly. “By-the-bye, -Captain, an important item.” - -“What is that?” - -“If the General proposes to hang your rebel—you know that military men -like sharp work—” - -“Well, Crockston?” - -“Well, you will say that you must think about it.” - -“I promise you I will.” - -The same day to the great astonishment of the crew, who were not in the -secret, Crockston with his feet and hands in irons was taken on shore by -a dozen sailors, and half-an-hour after, by Captain James Playfair’s -request, he was led through the streets of the town, and in spite of his -resistance was imprisoned in the citadel. - -During this and the following days the unloading of the “Dolphin” was -rapidly accomplished; the steam cranes lifted out the European cargo to -make room for the native goods. The people of Charleston, who were -present at this interesting work, helped the sailors, whom they held in -great respect, but the Captain did not leave the brave fellows much time -for receiving compliments; he was constantly behind them, and urged them -on with a feverish activity, the reason of which the sailors could not -suspect. - -Three days later, on the 18th of January, the first bales of cotton -began to be packed in the hold; although James Playfair troubled himself -no more about it, the firm of Playfair and Co. were making an excellent -bargain, having obtained the cotton which encumbered the Charleston -wharves at very far less than its value. - -In the meantime no news had been heard of Crockston. Jenny without -saying anything about it was a prey to incessant fears, her pale face -spoke for her, and James Playfair endeavoured his utmost to ease her -mind. - -“I have all confidence in Crockston,” said he, “he is a devoted servant, -as you must know better than I do, Miss Jenny. You must make yourself -quite at ease; believe me, in three days you will be folded in your -father’s arms.” - -“Ah! Mr. James,” cried the young girl, “how can I ever repay you for -such devotion? How shall we ever be able to thank you?” - -“I will tell you when we are in English seas,” replied the young -Captain. - -Jenny raised her tearful face to him for a moment, then her eyelids -drooped, and she went back to her cabin. - -James Playfair hoped that the young girl would know nothing of her -father’s terrible situation until he was in safety, but she was apprized -of the truth by the involuntary indiscretion of a sailor. - -The reply from the Richmond cabinet had arrived by a courier who had -been able to pass the line of outposts; the reply contained Jonathan -Halliburtt’s death-warrant. The news of the approaching execution was -not long in spreading through the town, and it was brought on board by -one of the sailors of the “Dolphin;” the man told the Captain, without -thinking that Miss Halliburtt was within hearing; the young girl uttered -a piercing cry, and fell unconscious on the deck. James Playfair carried -her to her cabin, but the most assiduous care was necessary to restore -her to life. - -When she opened her eyes again, she saw the young Captain, who, with a -finger on his lips, enjoined absolute silence. With difficulty she -repressed the outburst of her grief, and James Playfair, leaning towards -her, said gently,— - -“Jenny, in two hours your father will be in safety near you, or I shall -have perished in endeavouring to save him!” - -Then he left the cabin, saying to himself, “And now he must be carried -off at any price, since I must pay for his liberty with my own life and -that of my crew.” - -The hour for action had arrived, the loading of the cotton cargo had -been finished since morning; in two hours the ship would be ready to -start. - -James Playfair had left the North Commercial Wharf and gone into the -roadstead, so that he was ready to make use of the tide, which would be -high at nine o’clock in the evening. - -It was seven o’clock when James left the young girl, and began to make -preparations for departure. Until the present time the secret had been -strictly kept between himself, Crockston, and Jenny; but now he thought -it wise to inform Mr. Mathew of the situation of affairs, and he did so -immediately. - -“Very well, sir,” replied Mr. Mathew, without making the least remark, -“and nine o’clock is the time?” - -“Nine o’clock, and have the fires lit immediately, and the steam got -up.” - -“It shall be done, Captain.” - -“The ‘Dolphin’ may remain at anchor; we will cut our moorings and sheer -off, without losing a moment.” - -“Just so.” - -“Have a lantern placed at the main-mast-head; the night is dark, and -will be foggy; we must not risk losing our way in returning; you had -better have the bell for starting rung at nine o’clock.” - -“Your orders shall be punctually attended to, Captain.” - -“And now, Mr. Mathew, have a shore-boat manned with six of our best men; -I am going to set out directly for ‘White Point.’ I leave Miss Jenny in -your charge, and may God protect us!” - -“May God protect us!” repeated the first officer. - -Then he immediately gave the necessary orders for the fires to be -lighted, and the shore-boat provided with men. In a few minutes the boat -was ready, and James Playfair, after bidding Jenny good-bye, stepped -into it, whilst at the same time, he saw volumes of black smoke issuing -from the chimneys of the ship, and losing itself in the fog. - -The darkness was profound; the wind had fallen, and in the perfect -silence the waters seemed to slumber in the immense harbour, whilst a -few uncertain lights glimmered through the mist. James Playfair had -taken his place at the rudder, and with a steady hand he guided his boat -towards White Point. It was a distance of about two miles; during the -day James had taken his bearings perfectly, so that he was able to make -direct for Charleston Point. - -Eight o’clock struck from the church of St. Philip when the shore-boat -ran aground at White Point. - -There was an hour to wait before the exact time fixed by Crockston; the -quay was deserted, with the exception of the sentinel pacing to and fro -on the south and east batteries. James Playfair grew impatient, and the -minutes seemed hours to him. - -At half-past eight he heard the sound of approaching steps; he left his -men with their oars clear and ready to start, and went himself to see -who it was; but he had not gone ten feet when he met a band of -coast-guards, in all about twenty men. James drew his revolver from his -waist, deciding to make use of it, if needs be; but what could he do -against these soldiers, who were coming on to the quay? - -The leader came up to him, and seeing the boat, asked,— - -“Whose craft is that?” - -“It is a shore-boat belonging to the ‘Dolphin,’” replied the young man. - -“And who are you?” - -“Captain James Playfair.” - -“I thought you had already started, and were now in the Charleston -channels.” - -“I am ready to start. I ought even now to be on my way, but—” - -“But—” persisted the coast-guard. - -A bright idea shot through James’s mind, and he answered,— - -“One of my sailors is locked up in the citadel, and to tell the truth I -had almost forgotten him; fortunately I thought of him in time, and I -have sent my men to bring him.” - -“Ah! that troublesome fellow; you wish to take him back to England?” - -“Yes.” - -“He might as well be hung here as there,” said the coast-guard, laughing -at his joke. - -“So I think,” said James Playfair, “but it is better to have the thing -done in the regular way.” - -“Not much chance of that, Captain, when you have to face the Morris -Island batteries.” - -“Don’t alarm yourself. I got in and I’ll get out again.” - -“Prosperous voyage to you!” - -“Thank you.” - -With this the men went off, and the shore was left silent. - -At this moment nine o’clock struck; it was the appointed moment. James -felt his heart beat violently: a whistle was heard; he replied to it, -then he waited, listening, with his hand up to enjoin perfect silence on -the sailors; a man appeared enveloped in a large cloak, and looking from -one side to another, James ran up to him. - -[Illustration: MR. HALLIBURTT?] - -“Mr. Halliburtt?” - -“I am he,” replied the man with the cloak. - -“God be praised!” cried James Playfair; “embark without losing a minute. -Where is Crockston?” - -“Crockston!” exclaimed Mr. Halliburtt, amazed. “What do you mean?” - -“The man who has saved you and brought you here was your servant -Crockston.” - -“The man who came with me was the gaoler from the citadel,” replied Mr. -Halliburtt. - -“The gaoler!” cried James Playfair. - -Evidently he knew nothing about it, and a thousand fears crowded in his -mind. - -“Quite right, the gaoler,” cried a well-known voice; “the gaoler is -sleeping like a top in my cell.” - -“Crockston! you! can it be you?” exclaimed Mr. Halliburtt. - -“No time to talk now, master; we will explain everything to you -afterwards; it is a question of life or death. Get in quick!” - -The three men took their places in the boat. - -“Push off!” cried the captain. - -Immediately the six oars dipped into the water; the boat darted like a -fish through the waters of Charleston Harbour. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - “BETWEEN TWO FIRES.” - - -The boat, pulled by six robust oarsmen, flew over the water. The fog was -growing dense, and it was with difficulty that James Playfair succeeded -in keeping to the line of his bearings. Crockston sat at the bows, and -Mr. Halliburtt at the stern next the Captain. The prisoner, only now -informed of the presence of his servant, wished to speak to him, but the -latter enjoined silence. - -However, a few minutes later, when they were in the middle of the -harbour, Crockston determined to speak knowing what thoughts were -uppermost in Mr. Halliburtt’s mind. - -“Yes, my dear master,” said he, “the gaoler is in my place in the cell, -where I gave him two smart blows, one on the head and the other on the -stomach, to act as a sleeping draught, and this when he was bringing me -my supper; there is gratitude for you. I took his clothes and his keys, -found you, and let you out of the citadel, under the soldiers’ noses. -That is all I have done.” - -“But my daughter?—” asked Mr. Halliburtt. - -“Is on board the ship which is going to take you to England.” - -“My daughter there! there!” cried the American, springing from his seat. - -“Silence!” replied Crockston, “a few minutes, and we shall be saved.” - -The boat flew through the darkness, but James Playfair was obliged to -steer rather by guess, as the lanterns of the “Dolphin” were no longer -visible through the fog. He was undecided what direction to follow, and -the darkness was so great that the rowers could not even see to the end -of their oars. - -“Well, Mr. James?” said Crockston. - -“We must have made more than a mile and a half,” replied the Captain. -“You don’t see anything, Crockston?” - -“Nothing; nevertheless I have good eyes, but we shall get there all -right. They don’t suspect anything out there.” - -These words were hardly finished when the flash of a gun gleamed for an -instant through the darkness, and vanished in the mist. - -“A signal!” cried James Playfair. - -“Whew!” exclaimed Crockston, “it must have come from the citadel. Let us -wait.” - -A second, then a third shot was fired in the direction of the first, and -almost the same signal was repeated a mile in front of the shore-boat. - -“That is from Fort Sumter,” cried Crockston, “and it is the signal of -escape. Urge on the men; everything is discovered.” - -“Pull for your lives, my men!” cried James Playfair, urging on the -sailors, “those gun-shots cleared my route. ‘The Dolphin’ is eight -hundred yards ahead of us. Stop! I hear the bell on board. Hurrah, there -it is again! Twenty pounds for you if we are back in five minutes!” - -The boat skimmed over the waves under the sailors’ powerful oars. A -cannon boomed in the direction of the town. Crockston heard a ball whiz -past them. - -The bell on the “Dolphin” was ringing loudly. A few more strokes and the -boat was alongside. A few more seconds and Jenny fell into her father’s -arms. - -[Illustration: JENNY FELL INTO HER FATHER’s ARMS.] - -The shore-boat was immediately raised, and James Playfair sprang on to -the poop. - -“Is the steam up, Mr. Mathew?” - -“Yes, Captain.” - -“Have the moorings cut at once.” - -A few minutes later the two screws carried the steamer towards the -principal channel, away from Fort Sumter. - -“Mr. Mathew,” said James, “we must not think of taking the Sullivan -Island channel; we should run directly under the Confederate guns. Let -us go as near as possible to the right side of the harbour out of range -of the Federal batteries. Have you a safe man at the helm?” - -“Yes, Captain.” - -“Have the lanterns and the fires on deck extinguished; there is a great -deal too much light, but we cannot help the reflection from the -engine-rooms.” - -During this conversation the “Dolphin” was going at a great speed; but -in altering her course to keep to the right side of the Charleston -Harbour she was obliged to enter a channel which took her for a moment -near Fort Sumter; and when scarcely half a mile off all the guns bearing -on her were discharged at the same time, and a shower of shot and shell -passed in front of the “Dolphin” with a thundering report. - -“Too soon, stupids,” cried James Playfair, with a burst of laughter. -“Make haste, make haste, Mr. Engineer! We shall get between two fires.” - -The stokers fed the furnaces, and the “Dolphin” trembled all over with -the effort of the engine as if she was on the point of exploding. - -At this moment a second report was heard, and another shower of balls -whizzed behind the “Dolphin.” - -“Too late, stupids,” cried the young Captain, with a regular roar. - -Then Crockston, who was standing on the poop, cried, “That’s one passed. -A few minutes more, and we shall have done with the Rebs.” - -“Then do you think we have nothing more to fear from Fort Sumter?” asked -James. - -“Nothing at all, but everything from Fort Moultrie, at the end of -Sullivan Island; but they will only get a chance at us for half a -minute, and then they must choose their time well, and shoot straight if -they want to reach us. We are getting near.” - -“Right; the position of Fort Moultrie will allow us to go straight for -the principal channel. Fire away then, fire away!” - -At the same moment, and as if in obedience to James Playfair, the fort -was illuminated by a triple line of lightning. A frightful crash was -heard; then a crackling sound on board the steamer. - -“Touched this time!” exclaimed Crockston. - -“Mr. Mathew!” cried the Captain to his second, who was stationed at the -bows, “what has been damaged?” - -“The bowsprit broken.” - -“Any wounded?” - -“No, Captain.” - -“Well, then, the masts may go to Jericho. Straight into the pass! -Straight! and steer towards the island.” - -“We have passed the Rebs!” cried Crockston; “and if we must have balls -in our hull, I would much rather have the Northerners’; they are more -easily digested.” - -In fact, the “Dolphin” could not yet consider herself out of danger; for -if Morris Island was not fortified with the formidable pieces of -artillery which were placed there a few months later, nevertheless its -guns and mortars could easily have sunk a ship like the “Dolphin.” - -The alarm had been given to the Federals on the island, and to the -blockading squadron, by the firing from Forts Sumter and Moultrie. The -besiegers could not make out the reason of this night attack; it did not -seem to be directed against them. However, they were obliged to consider -it so, and were ready to reply. - -It occupied James Playfair’s thoughts whilst making towards the passes -of Morris Island; and he had reason to fear, for in a quarter of an -hour’s time lights gleamed rapidly through the darkness. A shower of -small shell fell round the steamer, scattering the water over her -bulwarks; some of them even struck the deck of the “Dolphin,” but not on -their points, which saved the ship from certain ruin. In fact, these -shell, as it was afterwards discovered, could break into a hundred -fragments, and each cover a superficial area of a hundred and twenty -square feet with Greek fire, which would burn for twenty minutes, and -nothing could extinguish it. One of these shell alone could set a ship -on fire. Fortunately for the “Dolphin,” they were a new invention, and -as yet far from perfect. Once thrown into the air, a false rotary -movement kept them inclined, and, when falling, instead of striking on -their points, where is the percussion apparatus, they fell flat. This -defect in construction alone saved the “Dolphin.” The falling of these -shells did her little harm, and under the pressure of her over-heated -boilers she continued to advance into the pass. - -At this moment, and in spite of his orders, Mr. Halliburtt and his -daughter went to James Playfair on the poop; the latter urged them to -return to their cabins, but Jenny declared that she would remain by the -Captain. As for Mr. Halliburtt, who had just learnt all the noble -conduct of his deliverer, he pressed his hand without being able to -utter a word. - -The “Dolphin” was speeding rapidly towards the open sea. There were only -three miles more before she would be in the waters of the Atlantic; if -the pass was free at its entrance, she was saved. James Playfair was -wonderfully well acquainted with all the secrets of Charleston Bay, and -he guided his ship through the darkness with an unerring hand. He was -beginning to think his daring enterprise successful, when a sailor on -the forecastle cried,— - -“A ship!” - -“A ship?” cried James. - -“Yes, on the larboard side.” - -The fog had cleared off, and a large frigate was seen making towards the -pass, in order to obstruct the passage of the “Dolphin.” It was -necessary, cost what it might, to distance her, and urge the -steam-engine to an increase of speed, or all was lost. - -“Port the helm at once!” cried the Captain. - -Then he sprang on to the bridge above the engine. By his orders one of -the screws was stopped, and under the action of the other the “Dolphin,” -veering with an extraordinary rapidity avoided running foul of the -frigate, and advanced like her to the entrance of the pass. It was now a -question of speed. - -James Playfair understood that in this lay his own safety, Miss Jenny’s, -her father’s, and that of all his crew. - -The frigate was considerably in advance of the “Dolphin.” It was evident -from the volumes of black smoke issuing from her chimneys that she was -getting up her steam. James Playfair was not the man to be left in the -background. - -“How are the engines?” cried he to the engineer. - -“At the maximum speed,” replied the latter; “the steam is escaping by -all the valves.” - -“Fasten them down,” ordered the Captain. - -And his orders were executed at the risk of blowing up the ship. - -The “Dolphin” again increased her speed; the pistons worked with -frightful rapidity; the metal plates on which the engine was placed -trembled under the terrific force of their blows. It was a sight to make -the boldest shudder. - -“More pressure!” cried James Playfair; “put on more pressure!” - -“Impossible!” replied the engineer; “the valves are tightly closed; our -furnaces are full up to the mouths.” - -“What difference! Fill them with cotton soaked in spirits; we must pass -that frigate at any price.” - -At these words the most daring of the sailors looked at each other, but -did not hesitate. Some bales of cotton were thrown into the engine-room, -a barrel of spirits broached over them, and this expensive fuel placed, -not without danger, in the red-hot furnaces. The stokers could no longer -hear each other speak for the roaring of the flames. Soon the metal -plates of the furnaces became red-hot; the pistons worked like the -pistons of a locomotive; the steam-gauge showed a frightful tension; the -steamer flew over the water; her boards creaked, and her chimneys threw -out volumes of smoke mingled with flames. She was going at a headlong -speed, but, nevertheless, she was gaining on the frigate—passed her, -distanced her, and in ten minutes was out of the channel. - -“Saved!” cried the Captain. - -“Saved!” echoed the crew, clapping their hands. - -Already the Charleston beacon was disappearing in the south-west; the -sound of firing from the batteries grew fainter, and it might with -reason be thought that the danger was all past, when a shell from a -gun-boat cruising at large was hurled whizzing through the air. It was -easy to trace its course, thanks to the line of fire which followed it. - -Then was a moment of anxiety impossible to describe, every one was -silent, and each watched fearfully the arch described by the projectile. -Nothing could be done to escape it, and in a few seconds it fell with a -frightful noise on the fore-deck of the “Dolphin.” - -The terrified sailors crowded to the stern, and no one dared move a -step, whilst the shell was burning with a brisk crackle. - -But one brave man alone among them ran up to the formidable weapon of -destruction. It was Crockston; he took the shell in his strong arms, -whilst showers of sparks were falling from it; then, with a superhuman -effort, he threw it overboard. - -Hardly had the shell reached the surface of the water when it burst with -a frightful report. - -“Hurrah! hurrah!” cried the whole crew of the “Dolphin” unanimously, -whilst Crockston rubbed his hands. - -[Illustration: HE TOOK THE SHELL.] - -Some time later the steamer sped rapidly through the waters of the -Atlantic; the American coast disappeared in the darkness, and the -distant lights which shot across the horizon indicated that the attack -was general between the batteries of Morris Island and the forts of -Charleston Harbor. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - ST. MUNGO. - - -The next day at sunrise the American coast had disappeared; not a ship -was visible on the horizon, and the “Dolphin,” moderating the frightful -rapidity of her speed, made quietly towards the Bermudas. - -It is useless to recount the passage across the Atlantic, which was -marked by no accidents, and ten days after the departure from Queenstown -the French coast was hailed. - -What passed between the Captain and the young girl may be imagined, even -by the least observant individuals. How could Mr. Halliburtt acknowledge -the devotion and courage of his deliverer, if it was not by making him -the happiest of men? James Playfair did not wait for English seas to -declare to the father and daughter the sentiments which overflowed his -heart, and, if Crockston is to be believed, Miss Jenny received his -confession with a happiness she did not try to conceal. - -Thus it happened that on the 14th of February, 18—, a numerous crowd was -collected in the dim aisles of St. Mungo, the old cathedral of Glasgow. -There were seamen, merchants, manufacturers, magistrates, and some of -every denomination, gathered here. There was Miss Jenny in bridal array, -and beside her the worthy Crockston, resplendent in apple-green clothes, -with gold buttons, whilst Uncle Vincent stood proudly by his nephew. - -In short, they were celebrating the marriage of James Playfair, of the -firm of Vincent Playfair and Co., of Glasgow, with Miss Jenny -Halliburtt, of Boston. - -The ceremony was accomplished amidst great pomp. Every one knew the -history of the “Dolphin,” and every one thought the young Captain well -recompensed for his devotion. He alone said that his reward was greater -than he deserved. - -In the evening there was a grand ball and banquet at Uncle Vincent’s -house, with a large distribution of shillings to the crowd collected in -Gordon Street. Crockston did ample justice to this memorable feast, -while keeping himself perfectly within bounds. - -Every one was happy at this wedding; some at their own happiness, and -others at the happiness around them, which is not always the case at -ceremonies of this kind. - -Late in the evening, when the guests had retired, James Playfair took -his uncle’s hand. - -“Well, Uncle Vincent,” said he to him. - -“Well, Nephew James?” - -“Are you pleased with the charming cargo I brought you on board the -‘Dolphin’?” continued Captain Playfair, showing him his brave young -wife. - -“I am quite satisfied,” replied the worthy merchant; “I have sold my -cotton at three hundred and seventy-five per cent. profit.” - -[Illustration: “WELL, UNCLE VINCENT.”] - - - - - THE END. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Transcriber’s Note - - Where hyphenation occurs on a line break, the decision to - retain or remove is based on occurrences elsewhere in the - text. - - The errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s have been - corrected, and are noted here. The references are to the - page and line in the original text. - - Errors in punctuation and quotes have been silently - restored. - - - reference correction original text - - 12.4 enterprise the enterpri[z]e of the freighters - - 16.19 top-men quartermasters, top[ ]men, steersmen - - 25.4 steam-ship winding passage for our steam[ ]ship. - - illus26 CAPSTAN-BARS EVERY MAN AT THE CAPSTAN[ ]BARS - - 37.14 skylights side sky[-]lights, supported on - - 37.15 upper deck with the upper[-]deck by wide - - 45.15 ironwork not a piece of iron[-]work remaining - - 48.15 upper deck passengers stood on the upper[-]deck - - 56.31 statistician the universal [statician] - - 73.4 upper deck the upper[-]deck at the stern - - 80.11 upper deck couple on to the upper[-]deck. - - 89.11 ahead One ring signifies ship a[-]head - - 91.20 ahead with the wind a[-]head, and - - 105.6 upper deck on to the upper[-]decks; the scene - - 113.7 cracks glimmered through the [creaks] - - 117.7 Pleiades The [Peliades] ascended the celestial - - 119.2 'eel' in twisting myself like an [analide] - another edition - - 119.2b upper deck I reached the upper[-]deck, - - 126.3 a head charge 10,000 francs a[]head - - 127.13 homogeneity owing to the perfect [homogenity] - - 134.20 Mac Elwin Captain [McElwin] is one of - - 144.31 upper deck at the end of the upper[-]deck, - - 146.13 shore boats masts and shore[-]boats, hanging from - - 150.18 1772 have lived in [1172], or even in 1824 - - 154.31 rope-ladder A rope[ ]ladder was thrown over - - 157.9 main-mast from the [mainmast]; these arrangements - - 165.21 statistician Cockburn, the [statician], who had - - 166.3 statistician And the [statician] left me - - 169.12 Montmartre the Boulevard [Montmatre] of Paris - - 186.3 Trenton Tren[d]on (New Jersey) - - 198.24 500 horse-power 500[-]horse[ ]power, were from - - 204.35 Wilmington Orleans, Wil[l]mington, and Savannah - - 204.36 Charleston going straight to Charlesto[w]n - - 205.4 Charleston Charlesto[w]n is overwhelmed - - 216.27 some so[ ]me incomprehensible words - - 217.35 fore-mast the main on the fore[]mast. - - 219.9 fore-mast from the fore[]mast! - - 246.7 lighthouse “Charleston light[-]house!” - - 249.28 ahead could go a[-]head without any - - 249.29 was Once his ship [was] safely in the - - 250.1 Pinckney Pickney Castle - - 268.21 main-mast-head placed at the [mainmast-head] - - 271.36 Halliburtt citadel, replied Mr. Halliburt[t] - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A FLOATING CITY AND THE -BLOCKADE RUNNERS *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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