Читать книгу Пятнадцатилетний капитан / Dick Sand. A Captain at Fifteen. Уровень 2 - Жюль Верн, Жуль Верн - Страница 14

Dick’s sanguine expectations were partially realized. The sea remained exceedingly rough, but the violence of the wind perceptibly diminished.

Mrs. Weldon was the first to leave her imprisonment. She was anxious to speak to Dick.

“Well, Captain Dick, how are you?” she said, as she advanced towards him holding out her hand.

Dick smiled.

“You call me captain, Mrs. Weldon,” he answered, “but you do not submit to captain’s orders. Did I not direct you to keep to your cabin?”

“You did,” replied the lady; “but I could not resist the temptation to disobey you.”

“Yes, madam, I really trust the worst is over now.”

“Thank Heaven!” she replied, and after a few moments’ silence, she added,

“But now, Dick, you must really take some rest; it is absolutely necessary.”

“Rest!” the boy repeated; “rest! I want no rest. I only did my duty.”

“You act like a man,” said Mrs. Weldon; “and my husband, like myself, will never forget your services. I am sure he will not refuse, that you will complete your studies, and you will become a captain.”

Tears of gratitude rose to Dick’s eyes. Mrs. Weldon assured him that he was dear as a son to her, and pressed a gentle kiss upon his forehead.

“Now, my men, I have some work for you today,” he said to the negroes when he came on deck at daybreak.

“All right, captain,” answered Hercules.

“Why didn’t you blow with your big mouth?” said little Jack. “You could have beaten the wind all to nothing.”

Dick laughed, and said, “Not a bad idea, Jack!”

“I’ll be most happy,” retorted the giant, and he inflated his huge checks.

“But now to work!” cried Dick; “we must hoist another topsail. Not an easy matter, I can tell you.”

“I dare say we’ll manage it,” replied Acteon.

“Can’t I help?” inquired Jack.

“Of course you can,” answered Dick; “run along to the wheel, and assist Bat.”

Under Dick’s directions, the negroes commenced their difficult task.

Although the clouds continued to travel all the next day with great rapidity, the “Pilgrim” was bathed in sunlight. The weather cleared.

“Upon what part of South America will we find ourselves?” asked Mrs. Weldon.

“I think somewhere hereabouts,” replied Dick.

He was pointing on the chart to the long shore-line of Chili and Peru. They both examined the chart with attention.

“Here, you see,” resumed Dick, “here is the island; we must see the land soon. The coast has plenty of harbours. From any one of them you will be able easily to get to San Francisco.”

“Ah, well; we will see all this,” Mrs. Weldon said, smiling.

It was the 5th of April. More than two months ago the “Pilgrim” quitted New Zealand. Sometimes Tom, sometimes Hercules, or one of the others were sure that a distant speck was a mountain ridge; but their delusion was dispelled.

At last, at eight o’clock one morning the horizon was clear. Dick’s voice rung out, – “Land! Land ahead!”

Every one was on deck in an instant: Mrs. Weldon, little Jack, Cousin Benedict, old Nan, and the negroes; all, with the exception of Negoro, all were on deck.

They soon distinguished the shore they were approaching. There was land not far ahead! A few miles to the east there was a long coast.

The “Pilgrim” was going rapidly towards the land. But they saw no human habitation, no harbour.

The wind remained brisk, and the schooner was driving directly towards the land. With eager eyes Dick scrutinized his situation. Straight ahead was a reef. The wind seemed brisker than before.

Dick went quickly aft and took the helm. He did not speak a word.

Dingo was trotting up and down the deck. Was it possible that the animal recognized the coast?

The howling of the dog attracted Negoro’s attention; the man emerged from his cabin. Mrs. Weldon, who was watching him, saw a flush rise to his face[23].

She did not mention it to Dick, who, at that moment, left the helm, and came and stood beside her. In a few moments he turned round to Mrs. Weldon, and said quietly, – “Mrs. Weldon, I am disappointed. I hoped to get the schooner into yonder cove; but there is no chance now. In half an hour the schooner will be upon that reef. I must run it aground. It will be utter destruction to the ship, but there is no choice. Your safety is the first and paramount consideration.”

“Do you mean that there is no other course, Dick?”

“None whatever,” said Dick decidedly.

“It must be as you will,” she said.

Dick steered the schooner right into the narrow channel; the sea was furious. There was a sudden shock. An enormous wave caught the ship. The masts fell, fortunately without injury to any one on board. But the vessel was foundering. In less than ten minutes the “Pilgrim’s” captain, crew, and passengers were all landed at the foot of the cliff.