I wont get grumpy, returned Dominick with sudden energy, patting the boys head. It is quite clear that a good feed and a long rest were all you required to set up your plucky little spirit again.
Dom, said Pauline, who had been looking intently at the wreck, is there not something like a line of white close to the wreck?
Ay, there is, replied Dominick, his countenance again becoming grave; it is a line of breakers, through which it will be very difficult to steer our little boat.
Steer, Dom, exclaimed Otto, with a look of surprise; how can you talk of steering at all, without oar or helm?
I must make one of the floor-planks do for both, returned Dominick.
I say, continued the boy, Im horribly hungry. Maynt I have just a bite or two more?
Stay, Im thinking, replied the other.
Think fast then, please, for the wolf inside of me is howling.
The result of Dominicks thinking was that he resolved to consume as much of their stock of provisions as possible in one meal, in order to secure all the strength that was available by such means, and thus fit them for the coming struggle with the surf. For, said he, if we get capsized far from the shore, we have no chance of reaching it by swimming in our present weak condition. Our only plan is to get up all the strength we can by means of food. So here goes!
He untied the bundle as he spoke, and spread the contents on his knees. Ottowho was, indeed, a plucky little fellow, and either did not realise or did not fear the danger that lay before himcommenced to eat with almost jovial avidity. Indeed, all three showed that they had benefited greatly by what they had already eaten, and now, for the first time during many days, consumed what they considered a full and satisfactory meal, while they drifted slowly but steadily towards the land.
As they neared it, the heavy mass on the horizon, which they had taken for a bank of clouds, became more distinct. A light haze cleared away and showed it to be an island, to which the sandbank formed a barrier reef; but any interest that might have been aroused by this discovery was absorbed by present anxiety, for the white and gleaming surf warned them that a serious and critical moment in their lives was fast approaching. Pauline was awed into silence, and even Ottos countenance became gradually solemnised.
Chapter Two.
Wrecked on a Reef
The coral reefs, which in various shapes and sizes stud the Southern seas, are sometimes rendered almost unapproachable by the immense waves which fall upon them. Even in the calmest weather these huge breakers may be seen falling with prolonged roar on the beach. The lightest undulation on the sea, which might almost escape observation away from land, takes the form of a grand, quiet billow as it draws near to an islet or reef, and finally, coming majestically on, like a wall of rolling crystal, breaks the silence suddenly by its thunderous fall, and gives to the sands a temporary fringe of pure white foam.
To ride in on the crest of one such roller on a piece of board and leap upon the shore, is a feat peculiar to South Sea islanders, who are trained to the water from earliest infancy. To do the same thing in a small boat, without oars, without strength, without experience, almost without courage, is a feat that no South Sea islander would attempt, and the necessity for performing which might cause the hair of any islanders head to stand on end.
That Dominick Rigondas hair did not stand on end, as he sat there with pale cheeks and compressed lips, was probably due to the fact that he had thrust his straw hat tightly down on his brows.
As the boat drew nearer to the reef, both Pauline and Otto had risen, in the strength of their hearty meal, and were now seated on the thwarts of the boat. Their brother had selected the thickest floor-plank, and cut it roughly into the form of an oar with a clasp-knife. He now sat with it over the stern, sculling gentlyvery gently, however, for he reserved the little strength that remained to him for the critical moment.
The undulations of the sea, which had rocked them hitherto so softly, had by that time assumed a decided form and force, so that the boat rose on the oily back of each billow that passed under it, and slid back into a watery hollow, to be relifted by each successive wave.
You look very anxious, said Pauline, clasping her hands on her knee, and gazing earnestly in her brothers face.
I cannot help it, returned Dominick, curtly.
Is our danger then so great?
Dominick only half admitted that it was. He did not wish to alarm her, and tried to smile as he said that the struggle would be briefit would soon be over.
But tell me, where lies the danger? persisted Pauline. I do not quite see it.
Where ignorance is bliss, dear, tis folly to be wise, returned Dominick, with an unsuccessful effort to look more at ease.
Nay, brother, but I am not ignorant that danger existsonly ignorant as to the amount and nature of it. Surely there cannot be much risk in pushing our boat through that white foam that lines the shore with so soft a fringe.
I should think not, broke in the pert and inexperienced Otto; why, Pina, (thus he abridged his sisters name), theres as much danger, I should think, in pushing through a tub of soap-suds.
Come, Dom, returned the girl, explain it to me; for if you dont point out where the danger really lies, if you leave me in this state of partial ignorance, I shall be filled with alarm instead of bliss from this moment till we reach the shore.
Well, well, sister, said Dominick, when thus urged; if you must have it, I will explain.
He went on to show that when the boat came near the shore the waves would grasp it, instead of letting it slip back; would carry it swiftly in on their crests, so that the great difficulty in such a case would be to keep the boats head pointing to the land, and if he failed to do so, they would infallibly be overturned and have to swim ashore.
Well, that would be unpleasant, Dom, said the ignorant, as well as innocent, Pauline, but it would not matter much, for we can all swimthanks to you for insisting on teaching us long ago.
We will try our best, said Dominick, who thereupon relapsed into silence, wisely resolving to let his sister retain all the bliss of ignorance that was possible under the circumstances.
Indeed, there was not much more time for conversation, for the power of the waves was beginning to be felt by the little craft, and the clumsy oar did not act with as much precision or force as was desirable, while Dominicks weakness rendered the steering difficult. Pauline now began to realise the danger somewhat more clearly from experience, and even Otto showed symptoms of surprise that amounted very nearly to alarm, as the boat at one point made a sudden rush on a wave-top as if it meant to try a race with it, and then as suddenly slipped back into the hollow behind, as if it had been disheartened, feeling that there was no chance.
At last they reached the point of greatest danger. The huge waves, as we have said, commenced out at sea in long, gentle undulations. Nearer the shore they advanced in the shape of glassy walls, one after another, like successive lines of indomitable infantry in time of war. Further in, the tops of these waves began to gurgle and foam, and gather real, instead of seeming, motion, as they rushed towards their fall. It was here that the boat showed symptoms of becoming unmanageable.
Why, the waters beginning to boil! exclaimed Otto, in some anxiety.
Hold on, boy, and keep quiet, said his brother.
As he spoke, the water gurgled up, so that it seemed as if about to pour inboard all round. At the same time the boat made a rush shoreward as if suddenly endowed with life. Dominick struggled manfully to keep the stern to the sea. He succeeded, but in another moment the boat slipped back. It had not been fairly caught, and the wave passed on to fall with a roar like thunder a hundred yards or so ahead.
The next will do it, said Dominick, with an anxious glance behind, where a crystal wall was coming grandly onunnaturally high, it seemed to them, owing to their position in the hollow.
No need to tell Otto now to hold on! No need to explain difficulty or danger to Pauline! As her brother stood at the oar, quivering as much from weakness as exertion, she understood it all. But she was brave, and she could swim. This latter fact lent her additional confidence. Best of all, she had faith in God, and her spirit was calmed, for, whether life or death lay before her, she knew that her soul was safe.
As Dominick had prophesied, the next wave took them fairly in its grasp. For a few moments the water hissed and gurgled round them. The steersman seemed to lose control for a second or two, but quickly recovered. Then there was a bound, as if the boat had been shot from a catapult, and the billow fell. A tremendous roar, tumultuous foam all round, increasing speed! The land appeared to be rushing at them, when Dominicks oar snapped suddenly, and he went overboard. A shriek from Pauline and a shout from Otto rose high above the din of raging water, as the boat broached-to and hurled its remaining occupants into the sea.
Even in that trying moment Dominick did not lose presence of mind. He could swim and dive like a water-rat. Pushing towards his brother and sister, who were heading bravely for the shore, he shouted, Dig your fingers and toes deep into the sand, and hold on for life, if (he corrected himself) when you gain the beach.
It was well they were forewarned, and that they were constitutionally obedient. A few minutes later, and they were all swept up high on the beach in a wilderness of foam. The return of that wilderness was like the rushing of a millrace. Sand, stones, sticks, and seaweed went back with it in dire confusion. Prone on their knees, with fingers and toes fixed, and heads down, the brothers and sister met the rush. It was almost too much for them. A moment more, and strength as well as breath would have failed; but the danger passed, and Dominick sprang to his feet.
Up, up! and run! he shouted, as he caught Pauline round the waist and dragged her on. Otto needed no help. They were barely in time. The succeeding wave roared after them as if maddened at having lost its prey, and the foaming water was up with them, and almost round their knees, ere its fury was quite spent.
Safe! exclaimed Dominick.
Thank God! murmured Pauline, as she sank exhausted on the sand.
Otto, who had never seen his sister in such a state before, ran to her, and, kneeling down, anxiously seized one of her hands.
Never fear, lad, said his brother in reassuring tones, shell soon come round. Lend a hand to lift her.
They bore the fainting girl up the beach, and laid her on a grassy spot under a bush. And now Dominick was glad to find that he had been mistaken in supposing that the coral reef was a mere sandbank, destitute of vegetation. Indeed, before landing, he had observed that there were a few trees on the highest part of it. He now perceived that there was quite a little grove of cocoa-nut palms, with a thicket of underwood around them, which, if not extensive, was at all events comparatively dense. He pointed out the fact to Otto, who was chafing his sisters hands.
Ay, responded Otto, and the island on the other side must be a goodish big one, for I got a glimpse of it through the trees as we came rushing in on that monstrous wave.
In a short time Pauline recovered, and Dominick returned to the waters edge with Otto.
Our first care must be, he said, to save our little boat if we can, for it is the only means we have of escaping from this island.
Escaping! repeated Otto, in surprise. I dont want to escape from it, Dom.
Indeed! why not?
Why, because Ive dreamed about being cast on a desolate island hundreds of times, and Ive read about Robinson Crusoe, and all the other Crusoes, and Ive longed to be cast on one, and now I am cast on one, so I dont want to escape. Itll be the greatest fun in the world. I only hope I wont wake up, as usual, to find that its all a dream!
Dominick laughed (not scornfully, by any means) at the boys enthusiasm; nevertheless he had strong sympathy with him, for the period had not passed so long ago when he himself entertained a very vivid impression of the romance of such a situation, and he did not trouble his mind about the stern realities.
I sincerely hope it may come up to your expectations, Otto, my boy; nevertheless we must secure the boat for fishing purposes, even though we dont try to escape in it.
For fishing! why, we have neither hooks nor lines.
True, lad; but we have got fingers and brains. It strikes me that we shall have occasion to use all our powers and possessions if we are not to starve here, for the reef seems to have very little vegetation on it, and there is sure to be a lagoon of water on the other side, separating it from the island beyond.
I wonder if there is fresh water on the reef, said Otto, with a very sudden look of solemnity and pursing of the mouth.
You may well ask that. I hope there is. We will go and settle the point the moment we have secured the boat, if
He stopped, for he saw at that moment that the sea had taken good care to secure the boat to itself as a plaything. Having dashed it into small pieces, it was by that time busily engaged in tossing these about among the foam, now hurling the splinters high upon the shore, anon sending up long watery tongues to lick them back, and then casting them under the incoming rollers, to be further reduced into what is usually styled matchwood.
There was a small bay close at hand, where the sandy beach was strewn with rocks, in which the sea appeared to play this game with unusual vigour. It was a sort of hospital for marine incurables, into which the sea cast its broken toys when tired of smashing them up, and left them there to rot.
Regarding this spot with a thoughtful look, Dominick remarked that the wreck which lay on the rocks off the tail of the island was by no means the first that had taken place there.
And wont be the last, I fancy, said Otto.
Probably not. Indeed, from the appearance of this bay, and the fact that an ocean current drifted us towards the spot, I should think that the island is a particularly dangerous one for vessels. But come, well go see how Pina gets on, and then proceed to examine our new home.
Returning to the place where Pauline had been left, they found the poor girl wringing the water out of her dress. The news of the fate of the little boat did not seem to affect her much, she did not fully appreciate the loss, and was more taken up with the idea of thankfulness for deliverance from death.
May I not go with you? she asked, on hearing that her brothers were going to search for water.
Certainly. I thought you might perhaps prefer to rest, and dry your clothes in the sun, replied Dominick.
Walking will dry them better, said Pina. Besides, I have quite recovered.