In the Wilds of Africa | Page 9

have lain in the
meantime--to answer for ourselves. I only wish I was as sure to give as
good an account of myself as he is."
"Be quick there!" cried the mate from the deck. "There is a breeze
coming up, I have a notion, and we shall have to trim sails. I wish to
get this business over first."
Kate had been keeping Natty by her side while this was going forward.

Two of the other men now came below and assisted to carry the
captain's body on deck, where my cousin Stanley had got his
prayer-book, and stood ready. The old boatswain had thrown a flag
over the body, now placed on a plank, one end of which projected out
of a port. While the funeral service of the Church of England was read,
not a sound was heard except the unrepressed sobs which burst from
poor Natty's bosom, and the creaking of the yards and blocks as the
brig moved imperceptibly from side to side. Then came the dull, sullen
sound of a plunge, as, old Barker lifting up the end of the plank, the
body slid off into the water. As I looked over the side I could see the
white shrouded figure descending into the depths of ocean. Just as it
disappeared, I caught sight of the dark form of a huge shark gliding
towards it; but I had hopes that it had sunk far below the creature's
reach before he could seize it.
"Stow away that plank," said the mate, the instant the captain's body
had been launched overboard. "I wish this breeze would come, though,"
he added, glancing round.
Still he gave no orders to heave the lead, as the late captain had advised.
I knew well enough that to remind him would only make him less
likely to do it, so I said nothing, though I kept looking over into the
water to see if there was any change of colour which might be produced
by our getting nearer the land. Now again came one of those sullen
flaps of the sails, showing that though we might seem to be at rest, the
vessel was occasionally moved by no gentle force; and I could
distinguish, as I looked eastward, a smooth undulation which seemed
rolling away in that direction. Still the sky remained obscured as before,
and a gauze-like mist hung over the ocean. The atmosphere felt hotter
and more oppressive than ever. The passengers remained on deck, for
the cabins were almost unbearable. The ladies were trying to read or
work, but Kate alone continued to ply her active fingers. Miss Rowley
scarcely turned a page, while little Bella kept looking with her large
blue eyes at poor Natty, who sat with his head resting on his hands,
utterly unable to recover himself. As I looked over the side I observed
that the undulations I have spoken of became more and more frequent,
on each occasion, as they passed, giving the brig a slow shake, and

making the sails flap loudly as before. The crew were talking together,
and, led by old Barker, were ranging the cable for anchoring, Mr Kydd
having disappeared below. Suddenly he returned on deck.
"Who ordered you to do that?" he exclaimed in an angry tone. "Did I
tell you I was going to bring the ship to an anchor?"
"No, sir," answered the boatswain; "but any one who is acquainted with
these parts must know that it is the only thing to be done to save the
brig and our lives. For who can tell that we may not be ashore any
moment!"
"You are a mutinous rascal," exclaimed Kydd. "I will not allow the brig
to be brought to an anchor till I see fit. We are fifty miles off the coast,
and more than that, perhaps."
"What, with fifty fathom only under our keel!" exclaimed the
boatswain. "What is the meaning, too, of these breakers away in the
south-east? Mr Kydd, we must anchor, and you ought to know it."
I looked out in the direction towards which the boatswain pointed. The
sun was already sinking into the ocean, and his rays lighted up a line of
foam, or what looked like it, in the south-east.
Kydd, on the boatswain's remark, broke out into a furious passion, and,
hurrying into his cabin, appeared again with a brace of pistols in his
hand. Placing them in his belt, he walked the deck, muttering
incoherently to himself. No one interfered. I felt unwilling to go below,
though the steward called me to supper. The sun had long
disappeared--the moon rose, and shed a bright silvery light upon the
ocean. It was perfectly calm; and as, on looking round, I could see no
breakers, nor hear their sound,