Chapter 28 Chapter Thirteen Sea Adventures

Now it was no longer a matter of trying to get a ship a few strands or nautical miles away, but of jettisoning a sailboat caught in fire.On this boundless sea, with a glimmer of illusory hope, expecting to be rescued by other ships in this water area, what dangers a lonely, fragile boat will face! What was going on in the hold while Will Meads was hurrying through all the pre-abandonment preparations to haul the last boat over the side? ... Below the deck came the hoarse howls of people who were about to go to hell.The constant impact shook the front and rear hatches and the crew hatch.Who knows if the captives will pry these hatches open.Would it be possible to gouge a hole in the hull and end up slamming out to sea from the inside and climbing onto the deck? ...

As for the cause of the fire, the most likely hypothesis is that a barrel of alcohol was smashed.The alcohol that came out of the barrel was inadvertently ignited by the impudent Modern or someone else.Now the fire was spreading throughout the hold, from the front to the bulkhead separating the aft.Even if the fire stopped at the partition, the ship would not escape the danger of sinking, and before long, there would be only the wreckage of the ship floating on the sea. The boat was lowered from the tackle, and as soon as the cables had been secured along the ship, Will Meads let on board the necessary items, which were necessary for a possible long voyage.Louis-Claudilon and Albertus Levin disembarked, and they were handed two boxes of canned goods, two boxes of biscuits from the pantry, and finally alcohol, a portable coal stove, two pods of fresh water, and two sacks Coal, a small amount of tea, a few guns, some ammunition, and all necessary kitchen utensils.

Meanwhile, Tony Raynor and the others threw down the boat's rigging, a mast and ropes, a sail and yard, jib, four oars, rudder, a compass and antilles. Map of Scots Island.And some fishing line, since fishing is likely to be needed to supplement food. Mr. Pattenson was the first to step down into the boat.The poor man was exhausted by so many disasters.He could no longer think about his doomed cave snake, or his untranslatable Latin quotations! ...He was just worried about going out to sea in this little boat, and Will Miz threw on board some changes of clothes, a long oilskin overcoat with a hood, some blankets, and an oilcloth that would serve as a rain awning .

These preparations only took a quarter of an hour to complete.Howls grew louder through the flames, which had begun to consume rigging and masts. There was a constant fear of seeing some fugitive emerge on deck from the burning bilge, some ghost roasted and battered in the blazing fire. It's time to ditch the Spirit.Nothing was forgotten, and when it was Will Miz's turn to step down into the boat, Nils Alber said: "Where's our money?..." "Yes, the money is our benefactor's money," replied Will Miz, "and it must be rescued, or it will be lost with the ship that no longer exists! . . . "

Will Miz went into the cabin, took the money that was in the leader Pattenson's cabin, went back to the deck, stepped over the bulwark, went down into the boat and said: "push!" The cable let go of the boat and it sailed west. At this time, under the high temperature and pressure, the bilge of the ship exploded. The violent explosion lifted the foremast from the mast seat, and the foremast and all the sails suddenly fell to the port side of the ship.At the same time, the Ghost lurched to the left, jerked a bit, and then straightened again.The seawater doused the fire, but failed to get into the cabin.

None of Harry Markle's gang was on deck.They were either suffocated or unable to make a way through the smoke and fire. It was half past five in the afternoon.The wind is very stable, and sails can be hung on the boat. As long as the wind is stronger, the boat can move forward quickly with the wind.Tony Raynor and Magnu Anders also rigged jibs on the big sails.With Will Meads at the helm, the four oars were taken from the oarlocks and loaded into the boat.In order to obtain high speed as much as possible without threatening safety, everyone loosened the lower corner rope, and the rear crosswind pushed the boat to slide on the sea.

After the shrouds and backstays of the mast were ablaze, Will Meads and the others were half a mile away when the Spirit's other two masts suddenly fell.There was no mast on the Spirit, and she rolled over to port, floating on the water like a pontoon, never to be erected again.After that, the sea water gradually submerged all the ship walls.At this time, several people appeared on the ship that was about to submerge, including Harry Markle.Looking at the boat, which had gone far away and could not catch up, the hideous fellow let out a final howl of hysteria. The Spirit sank and disappeared into the deep sea. God gave the robbers on the Helifa the punishment they deserved, and the Spirit was left with only a few broken masts floating on the sea.

When the young students watched the Spirit sink, they couldn't restrain the sadness in their hearts, and their eyes were filled with tears. Twelve hours later, the storm had passed, and the situation was still dire. The boat was nine meters long from stem to post, and 1.6 meters wide, enough to accommodate eleven passengers. However, it had no deck, and there was no shelter from the wind and rain. Turbulent sea water might pour into the cabin. Between the stern post and the mast foot, however, Will Meads hung tarpaulins and braced them with the mast, so that a rain-proof shelter could be accommodated for three men.

Meanwhile, Louis Clodijon and Roger Hinsdal took precautions to keep compasses, biscuit boxes and tins of food covered in the cabin. All kinds of food moved to the boat, not counting the fish to be caught, can be eaten for about ten days.As for fresh water, not counting the rainwater that may be collected, there is enough to drink for a week. Is there any hope of returning to any of the Antilles or Bermuda within this period? ... It is difficult to be certain that the Spirit may have been thrown far out to sea, or exactly to the southeast.That's a long way from Bermuda.Therefore, Will Miz is trying to reach an island in the Antilles.Or an island off the coast of South America in Brazil, Venezuela, or Guyana.

Of course, it is better to base the hope of rescue on meeting a steamer. Such was the case on the afternoon of September 26.Night has fallen, and it will soon be dark.As the sun went down, the view over the horizon was really nice, to be exact, the east and west were shrouded in thick fog.The sea gradually calmed down, and layers of long waves rolled into the distance.The trade wind can still be felt gently blowing.This way the sail can still be stretched.Don't count on moonlight to illuminate the voyage, as it's a new moon.But among countless stars, the North Star shone above the northern horizon.

Louis Clodijon and his classmates proposed to start paddling and replace them every hour.Will Miz reminded them not to do this kind of overtiring thing, it is best to manage their physical strength reasonably. "The wind is blowing smoothly," he said, "it looks like it can blow further. If the wind is calm and you want to speed up to chase a boat, then it's time to paddle..." "Val," asked Roger Hinsdale, "how far do you think the nearest land is?" "At least four hundred nautical miles..." "How far can our little boat sail in an average wind?" Louis Clodillon asked again. "One day and one night is about sixty nautical miles." "So we're sailing for seven or eight days?" "Yes," replied Will Miz, "unless we meet a ship that will save us in the meantime..." This would be the luckiest possibility, and perhaps the most promising. "Anyway, Val," continued Louis Clodiron, "don't give in to us. . . . If the wind dies, we will always obey your orders..." "I know that, young gentlemen," replied Will Meads, "and I'm not disappointed that we were all rescued! . . . It's no use wasting your strength when you don't need it . . . You lay down under the tarpaulin Or go to the cabin and sleep for a while... I will wake you if necessary... I think the night will be safe..." "You don't want one of us left by the horns of the sail? . . . " proposed Axel Wickburn. "That's not necessary, Mr. Axel, I can handle everything by myself... I repeat to you, if the wind forces us to lower the sails and we have to row, I will call you... Believe me Me, go cover yourself with a blanket and sleep until dawn!" The young lads did what Will Miz suggested.Two of them slipped under the awning and slept next to Mr. Pattenson, while the others lay down on stools in the cabin, and all of them fell asleep after a while. Will Meads was alone in the stern, with one hand at the helm and the other ready to loosen or tame the jib or jib horns.A small lamp illuminated the compass placed before him, to show him the way, and to see if the boat had strayed from its intended course. Hour after hour passed like this, and Will Miz did not sleep for a moment.Too much thinking, too much worry made him restless.But backed by his unwavering faith in God, he did not despair.He stood astern of the little boat now as he had stood on the poop of the Spirit the night before, and steered it with one strong hand as he steered the big one.But this was no longer the sturdy vessel that had carried him and his young companions, it was only a lonely, stormy boat, carrying a week's worth of food for the uncertain voyage Dates, all unforeseen changes and all the perils of the sea. The breeze was always mild and steady, so that Will Miz had no reason to wake the little adults, yet they were not sleeping soundly, and many times one or the other sat up and asked him what was going on. "Everything's fine...everything's going well," he answered them. After making a friendly gesture, they slipped back into the blankets and fell asleep. At dawn everyone was up, even Mr. Pattenson squeezed out from under the awning and sat in the front of the boat. The weather was fine, the sun rose slowly from the misty sea horizon, and thousands of rays shot into the sky. Gusts of strong wind blew across the sea, setting off layers of waves, hitting the boat and making a slapping sound. First, Tony Raynor was in charge of preparing breakfast, as he had done on the Spirit, as was his custom, and the tea was heated on the portable stove, and biscuits were taken from a chest, and fresh water was added with a few drops of brandy. Roger Hinsdale said to Will Miz at this time: "Now it's your turn to go to bed... you must go to bed if you're going to steer at night." "You must go to sleep," Louis Cloduillon repeated. Will Meads checked the horizon with his eyes and saw that the water was calm and the wind was blowing evenly. "I'm going to sleep for two hours," he replied. Magnu Anders was at the helm, and Will Miz, after a few words to him, went over and lay down under the awning. Two hours later, Will Miz came out of the awning as he said, and went back to the stern. After he confirmed that the boat was still on course, he began to observe the weather and the sea again. There was no change in the weather, it was clear and the sun was slowly rising towards the meridian.The temperature will be unbearable if the cool breeze does not moderate the temperature reflected in the water. Although the sight can reach very far away, everyone still can see neither the shadow of the white sail nor a wisp of black smoke.Small telescopes searched in vain over the open sea. Usually, at this time of year, from Bermuda in the north to the West Indies in the west, you can always see British ships, French ships, American ships, and German ships sailing in this sea area.Rarely does a day go by without ships passing by. So Will Meads wondered if the storm might have dragged the Spirit far out to sea where he hadn't expected it.And such a distance cannot be traversed in less than two or three weeks! ...And before that, the food reserves on board will be exhausted! ... After that, only a small amount of food can be obtained by fishing, and the rain can be used to relieve the torment of thirst! Will Meads kept these troubling thoughts to himself, and his feigned confidence was beginning to falter. The whole morning passed without any change.An auxiliary sail was hoisted on a small pole, and the speed of the boat was increased by a favorable wind. The second lunch was not as simple as the first. There were biscuits, bacon, vegetables and tea that could be reheated.Mr. Pattenson was used to the situation and ate with relish.And his young companions were gobbling it up.But Will Miz was in pain, thinking of the terrible contingencies ahead, if the voyage was prolonged... In the afternoon, the students dragged the fishing line to the stern of the boat, caught all kinds of fish, cooked them with sea water, and added variety to the dinner. Night fell again, and before the sun set, there was still no shadow of sail.Louis Clodiillon and his classmates went to bed as they had done the night before.Will Miz steered the helm until daybreak. The next day, September 28, the wind was very weak between sunset and sunrise, but gradually increased as the sun rose, and the auxiliary sails had to be lowered and furled in the morning.The speed of the boat was getting faster and faster, and the sea was rushing into the front of the boat. Considering that the mainsail must be retracted, Will Meads didn't go to sleep for his two hours. The sky was blue and cloudless, and the wind seemed to be blowing harder.After the autumnal equinox, although the sun is no longer directly in the head, the oblique rays are still quite hot.Since we can only rely on rainwater to replenish half of the fresh water that has been consumed, it is very necessary to arrange the drinking of fresh water reasonably. We have no complaints about the quantitative control of each person's fresh water drinking. Near three o'clock that afternoon there was a puff of black smoke rising to the northeast, and one hoped to encounter a ship. This hope was fleeting, because the freighter appeared at a distance of ten miles from the boat, and it was impossible for the boat to attract its attention.Will Miz quickly confirmed that the ship would not meet them. An hour later the big ship overtook the small boat, and after a while, all you could see was the wind-blown smoke. Tony Raynor, Huber Perkins and Alberta Lewin caught some more fish before dinner.Like the day before, the fish was boiled and eaten.In addition, it is also necessary to consider saving coal. The next day the boat sailed on in almost the same weather, except that the wind was blowing somewhat to the north, so that the corner ropes had to be loosened, and the rear crosswind pushed the boat forward. The speed of the boat did not slow down, but it rolled from time to time, so that the gunnels always brushed the water. While Tony Raynor let go the mainsail horns, Will Meads supported the boat with the rudder and let go when the boat was about to take in the water. What Will Miz had feared had finally emerged, and anxieties he had tried to hide were beginning to unsettle his young companions. First of all, Mr. Pattenson, who was not endowed with great stamina and seemed unable to hold on as he had hitherto, not because seasickness knocked him down, but because fever and accompanying thirst made him He couldn't stand it.To quench his thirst, each willingly gave him his share of fresh water.Although everyone is running out of water.If he continued to be weak, if he talked nonsense—in fact, he was already slurring words from time to time—what was to be done with him? . . . and Axel Wickburn and Huber Perkins were afflicted with the same infirmity, they could no longer sit upright on their stools, their pale faces, their sunken eyes, their glazed eyes, all Both showed that they were exhausted.They had to lie down with Mr. Pattenson. During the nights of September 29th and 30th, Will Miz's anxiety only increased.Fortunately, Roger Hinsdale and Magnu Anders are still energetic until now, and can continue to share this anxiety with him.But to make matters worse, the wind, which had been favorable for sailing, was showing signs of weakening. The most worrying thing is that everyone cannot predict when this calm and windless state will end.The ship's provisions were dwindling every day, and pints of fresh water were soon to be left, and if the voyage were to be delayed, they would be deprived of water...   The boat abandoned the Smart on the night of September 26th.For four days, the boat has been drifting on this vast sea.When Louis Clodijon asked how many nautical miles remained, Will Meads pointed to the west and said: "About one hundred and fifty nautical miles..." "One hundred and fifty..." cried John Howard, "but we haven't found land yet..." "Will there be land here?..." Nils Alber muttered. Will Miz said that the land was there, but he couldn't estimate how far it was! In fact, if the food can be eaten for a few more days, the remaining fresh water can only be used for two days and two nights unless it rains. Rather, clear skies discouraged any hope for that.The wind blowing to the north did not bring a cloud.The boat had to drift southwards, but in this direction it was impossible to reach the coast of America, but the wide ocean led all the way to the Antarctic Sea. Also, during the night of October 3rd and 4th, the wind died down, and at dawn the sails beat against the masts. How disappointed are the eyes of strong-willed and indomitable people who cast their eyes on this boundless sea! With folded palms, facing God, Will Miz could only utter a final cry: "God, . . . God! . . . have mercy on us!" The day has not changed, as always.Constant paddling is a must in this unbearable heat.Only Louis Clodijon, Tony Reynolds, John Howard and Magnu Anders can do it now.Others were lying in the cabin with fatigue and fever, and they were about to run out of water... However, in order to inspire his young companions, Will Miz still maintained a strong perseverance.He only left the helm when it was time for him to row.He hoped that the wind would blow again, but God couldn't do it!The few clouds in the sky dispersed almost quickly, and the mainsail no longer flapped against the mast. The reason why it remained on the mast was that it could block the blazing sun's rays. This situation cannot continue any longer! During the night of October 1st and 2nd, several poor children began to talk nonsense.They were yelling... calling for their mothers... they would have jumped into the sea under the influence of horrible hallucinations if it hadn't been for Will Miz's constant watch... It's finally dawn again, can't someone come and put an end to their suffering? ... Suddenly, a cry was heard, which came from the lips of Louis Clodiron. "Boat!"