The Missing Merchantman | Page 9

few belated excursionists came
rushing breathlessly down, and whilst they were scrambling for their
tickets the Flying Cloud, now within two miles of the town, was seen to
tack. The laggards hurried on board, the gang-plank was drawn ashore,
the ropes were cast off, the engines made a revolution or two astern to
cant the steamer's head toward the centre of the harbour, and then away
the excursion party went, the band on board at the same moment
striking up a lively tune.
By the time that the Victoria had reached the harbour's mouth Mr
Damerell was able to see that they had started at exactly the right time.
The Flying Cloud--a beautiful sight, as she now appeared broadside-on
to them, reaching across the bay, with the afternoon sun gleaming
brilliantly upon her immense spread of canvas--was slipping along
through the water at a speed of about six knots, and it was apparent she
would pass the breakwater-end at about the same moment as the
Victoria. But the excursion steamer's usual course was through the
opening in the breakwater, and not out round its end; and if she now
took that direction the trip would be spoiled, so far, at least, as Mr
Damerell and his daughter were concerned. The old gentleman looked
round, and saw that Captain Cosens, the veteran commodore of the
little pleasure fleet, was in command, and to him he determined to
make his wishes known. The captain was talking to some of his lady
passengers when Mr Damerell approached him, but looked up at once
and spoke on recognising an old friend.

"Good-morning, Mr Damerell," said he. "What fair wind blows you on
board the Victoria? It is not often that you favour us with your
company. A noble vessel that, isn't she?" indicating the Flying Cloud.
"I take it she is an Australian liner."
"Yes," said Mr Damerell, "that is the Flying Cloud, my son's ship, you
know, Captain--"
"What! your son aboard?" interrupted the commodore. "Starboard, Tom,
starboard a bit, boy! and pass as close to leeward of that ship as you
safely can. It's not often we have the opportunity to treat our passengers
to a sight of a clipper under all plain sail, so, as the water is smooth,
and we can do so with safety, we will do it to-day; it will be something
of a novelty for them. And perhaps," he added, his kindly grey eyes
beaming sympathetically, "you may be able to get another glimpse of
Ned as we pass. Come upon my bridge, Mr Damerell, you will see
better, and he will see you all the quicker too."
The ship and the steamer now rapidly approached each other; and soon
after passing the breakwater-end, the latter shot across the stern of the
former and ranged up on her lee quarter. The word to "ease her" was
passed below into the Victoria's engine-room; and Mr Damerell and
Eva had the opportunity of not only seeing, but also of exchanging a
few words with Ned, who had soon espied them on the steamer's bridge,
and had placed himself in the mizen-rigging for the purpose. The
pleasure party on board the steamer were meanwhile thoroughly
enjoying the unwonted sight which the Flying Cloud presented, with
her ponderous but shapely hull, lavishly adorned with gilding at the
bow and stern; her clean, well-ordered decks resplendent with glittering
brass-work, and polished teak and mahogany fittings; her handsome
boats, fresh painted, with the house-flag emblazoned on their bows, and
canvas covers neatly lashed over them from gunwale to gunwale; the
lofty masts, the orderly but intricate maze of standing and
running-rigging; and the towering spread of canvas which seemed to
reach almost to the clouds. Many of them had never in their lives
before seen a ship of any size under her canvas and fairly at sea; and
now they were brought into close proximity with one which was not

only "a clipper," but, as the affable captain of the steamer explained to
his numerous questioners, one of the finest, if not the largest, of that
class of vessels afloat. The little group of passengers on the poop,
seemingly so thoroughly comfortable and so completely at home,
naturally attracted a considerable amount of attention, the children
especially; and one enthusiastic lady on board the steamer was so
completely carried away by the influences of the moment, that she
tossed to little Percy Gaunt a basket of freshly- gathered flowers which
she happened to have with her, which the little fellow deftly caught,
and with a laughing "Thank you very much!" at once handed to his
mother. Then, the brief conversation between father and son being
brought to an end, the signal for "full speed" was given, and the
steamer drew ahead, the band on board