CHAPTER XVI
THE GALE
Throughout the night the stiff little craft gallantly breasted thewaves, making a much better passage than she had done on her outwardvoyage, and at sunrise the highest peak of McKay's Island appearedabove the horizon.
But with the rising of the sun the wind increased in force, and an hourlater it was blowing half a gale, and dead astern.
Trembling on the crest of a huge wave, then sliding with a sickeningsensation down the green slope into the trough, the little craft heldon her course, steered by Andy's sinewy arm.
Mr. McKay, unable to keep his eyes open, lay deep in slumber upon oneof the bunks.
Ellerton, propped up by cushions, was kept awake by the motion of theboat, every lurch causing his wound to pain horribly.
"Another couple of hours will find us home, Hoppy, old man," exclaimedTerence cheerily, as he entered the cabin. "But it does blow."
"So I should think," replied Ellerton. "But how is she behaving?"
"Like a cork; we've only had the tail end of a couple of seas aboard.Well, cheer up! Make yourself at home and wish you were," and withthis pleasantry Terence returned to keep Andy company.
Each time the yawl breasted the summit of a wave, the peak of McKay'sIsland could be seen rearing its head above the waste of storm-tossedwaters. Each time it did so it appeared to be getting nearer.
Andy knew that there was danger ahead, but he forebore to mention thefact to his chum.
The "back-wash" from the terrible reef, with its accompaniment of atumble of dangerous cross-seas, had to be encountered, and the riskypassage through the coral barrier made at all costs.
For half-an-hour more the seas, though high, were comparativelyregular, but at the expiration of that time the dinghy, which was beingtowed astern, was filled by a vicious comber. The dead weight of thewater-logged craft caused the stout painter to snap like pack-thread,and the next instant the tender was lost to view in the turmoil offoaming water.
"Can't we go back for her?" shouted Terence, for the howling of thewind made ordinary conversation inaudible.
"Impossible!" replied his chum. "She would be swamped before we hauledto the wind. Besides, the dinghy's done for."
"It's a rotten look-out. We shall miss her."
"Yes," assented Andy. "But it can't be helped. Look here, Terence,now we are going through a patch of broken water. I can see it a mileor so ahead. We may have a few seas on board, so lash yourself to thiscleat and stand by with the bucket. You may have to bale for allyou're worth."
Terence closed the cabin-doors. Fortunately they were close-fittingand comparatively watertight; but, on the other hand, the cockpit wasnot a self-emptying one. Whatever quantity of water broke over had tobe baled out.
"We'll have one of those cans of kerosene out of that locker,"continued Andy.
"Going to start the motor?"
"No; to throw oil on the sea. Kerosene's not very heavy, but it's allwe have. Now, stand by, here it comes."
Only a mile now separated the yawl from the entrance to the lagoon ofMcKay's Island, but every yard of that mile was beset with dangers.
Andy gripped the tiller, and braced himself for the ordeal. He hadbeen the chief workman in the task of converting the boat into herpresent form, and now his handiwork was to be put to the test. Afaulty piece of wood, a defective screw, an unsound rope--and theirlives would have to answer for it.
With a dull roar a white-crested wave broke over the fore-deck, buryingthe little yawl as far as the mainmast; then ere she could recoverherself another comber came like a cataract over the lee quarter. Wellit was that both lads had taken the precaution of lashing themselveson, otherwise they might have been swept clean out of the well.
Andy, wellnigh breathless--for he had been hit in the side by thetiller as the boat attempted to broach to--retained sufficient presenceof mind to thrust the helm up and enable the craft to meet the nextfollowing wave stern on.
"Bale!" he shouted. "Bale for your life!" and seizing the kerosene canthat was floating from side to side of the cockpit, he splayed aquantity of oil over each quarter.
Terence, who was thrown in every direction as far as his tether wouldallow, struggled manfully with the bucket, but could hardly cope withthe frequent showers of spray that literally played over the boat fromevery point of the compass.
The helmsman noticed, with feelings of deepest concern, that the yawlhad made considerable headway since entering the zone of broken water,and it would be touch-and-go whether they could avoid being carried onto the lee side of the coral reef.
It was now nearly high tide, and the cruel ridges were covered,although in the trough of the heavier waves the jagged lines ofglistening coral showed themselves above the smother of foam.
Andy tried his best to keep the boat's head towards the channel, but invain. She had lost ground, and was driving straight for the reef. Onechance alone remained. He must put the yawl about and endeavour toclaw-off the treacherous reef.
Like a top the little craft responded to the shift of the helm. For afew brief seconds the reefed head-sail slatted violently in the howlingwind; then, to the accompaniment of another tremendous sea, the yawlstaggered on her fresh course.
Andy's idea was to sail round to the lee side of the island and cruiseabout in the shelter of the reef till the gale moderated; but a fewmoments sufficed to show him that the spread of canvas--already as muchas the vessel could carry--was not sufficient to take her to windward.She was drifting broadside on to the reef.
"Quick, Terry!" he shouted. "Tell them to stand by and make a rushdirectly you open the cabin door. The yawl's done for. She'll besmashed to splinters in five minutes."
Mr. McKay received the appalling intelligence fairly calmly. He atonce proceeded to fasten a lifebelt round Ellerton's practicallyhelpless form, and then did a like service to Quexo. Nor did he forgetthe prisoner, Blight. But, on sliding back the fo'c'sle hatch, hefound the man lying senseless on the floor. Either he had faintedthrough sheer fright, or he had been stunned by being thrown againstone of the lockers, and bound hand and foot, had been unable to helphimself.
Blight was no feather-weight, but in spite of the plunging and rollingof the doomed craft, Mr. McKay gripped him with one hand and draggedhis senseless body into the cabin. Then, cutting his bonds, hecompleted his work of mercy by lashing the sole remaining lifebeltround the body of his would-be murderer.
"You've nothing to put on," gasped Ellerton.
"True; but I have my strength," was the reply, as Mr. McKay stealthilygirded on a leather belt in which hung a formidable sheath-knife. Itwas not the thought of being cast on the waters that troubled him.Death, should it come, would be swift and merciful. But should theysurvive the dangers of the reef there was the probability of fargreater peril.
Though he forbore to mention the fact to Ellerton, Mr. McKay thought ofthe sharks, and with a fervent unspoken prayer to save them from thesecreatures, he stood ready for the cabin door to be opened.
Meanwhile Terence and Andy had cut themselves free from their lashings.Twenty yards away the reef showed its teeth as if waiting for its prey.
Then with a noise like the rattle of musketry, which drowned thethunder of the breakers, the staysail burst asunder, and the yawl, inspite of the helmsman's efforts, flew up into the wind.
Down in the trough of a murderous sea she sank. A rapid glance asternshowed the glistening reef towering several feet above the littlecraft, the white foam pouring down the honeycombed ridges as if therock were baring itself to strike a harder blow.
"The door!" gasped Andy, as a gigantic roller bore down upon the reef.
Terence unfastened the cabin door, and as Mr. McKay appeared, holdingEllerton and Quexo in his powerful grip, the yawl seemed to stand onend. Then, borne on the breast of the roller, the little craft wastossed like a cork right over the rocks, her keel scraping the lee sideof the reef by barely a yard!
The next inst
ant the vessel was rolling sluggishly in the sullen swellwithin the lagoon, with two feet of water in her cabin, yet stillafloat and in comparative safety.
"Don't wait to bale out!" shouted Andy. "You take the helm, pater.Run her up into the wind and we'll anchor."
The ground swell inside the lagoon was too great to allow the yawl torun alongside the usual jetty. They would have to wait till low tide,when the reef would be sufficiently exposed to serve as a breakwater.
Quickly Andy and Terence made their way for'ard to let go the anchor.
When within a couple of hundred yards of the beach the yawl was againput head to wind, and with a splash the anchor plunged to the bottom ofthe lagoon. But just as Andy was checking the out-rushing cable, asudden blow from the staysail caught him unawares, and the next instanthe was struggling in the sea.
The waves carried the lad clear of the vessel, and in spite of hisutmost efforts he was unable to regain the boat. His father hurled acoil of rope, but the line, being wet, became entangled and fell short.
Andy saw that it was impossible to swim back, so with a cheery wave ofhis arm he pointed towards the surf-beaten shore, and immediatelystruck out for land.
For an instant Mr. McKay intended to plunge into the sea and accompanyhis son on his perilous swim, till the thought of the possibility ofBlight recovering his senses occurred to him. With Ellerton and Quexodisabled, the margin of safety was not sufficient when only Terenceremained to guard the prisoner.
Both lads were surprised to see Mr. McKay rush into the flooded cabinand return with a rifle and a belt of ammunition.
"Don't alarm him," said Andy's father hurriedly. "But there may besharks about."
Placing the rifle on the fo'c'sle of the heaving vessel, Mr. McKaywatched the progress of the swimmer with the greatest concern, at thesame time keeping a sharp look-out for the expected appearance of thedreaded dorsal fin of one of the tigers of the deep.
Steadily Andy swam shorewards, keeping up a slow yet powerful sidestroke. Now he was in the grip of the ground swell. Once his feettouched bottom, but ere he could obtain a firm footing the "undertow"swept him backwards.
The next instant he was lost to sight in a white-capped roller. Thewave broke, then receded, but to the alarm of the anxious watchersthere were no signs of the swimmer.
Quickly the wide expanse of sand uncovered; then, just as anotherbreaker was preparing to launch itself upon the beach, Andy sprang tohis feet.
Knee-deep in water he rushed up the shelving shore, and managed tograsp a ledge of rock ere he was again overwhelmed by the mightytorrent. Fortunately he was able to retain his grasp, and directly therock uncovered he ran beyond the reach of the waves and sank exhaustedon the beach.
"He'll be all right in a minute," said Mr. McKay with a sigh of relief."Now, Ellerton, you had better stay here while we get rid of the water;the bunks must be saturated. Come on, Terence, we've been through agreat deal, and now, thank God, we are safely home; but all the same,we've plenty of work to do."
Thus exhorted, Terence assisted Mr. McKay to lower and stow themainsail and secure the fragment of the head sail that had caused somuch mischief.
This done, they plied buckets and balers till the level of the waterthey had shipped sank well beneath the floor-boards of the cabin. Theyawl was no longer sluggish, but rose buoyantly as each roller passedunder her.
"This is the second gale from this quarter," remarked Mr. McKay, asthey were partaking of a hastily cooked meal. "It's taught me alesson. Had our boat been in her usual dock she would have been dashedto pieces. At the first opportunity we'll lay down a heavy set ofmoorings and keep her afloat. Here, thanks to the reef, the seas cannever be really dangerous, though on shore they break heavily."
"When shall we be able to land, do you think?" asked Terence, for theshort, sharp motion of the boat as she pitched at her cable wasbeginning to prove distressing, both to him and Quexo.
"In a matter of three hours Andy will be able to launch the othertender. We will then lay out another anchor, so as to make doublysure, and get ashore. Is Andy still on the beach?"
Terence went out of the cabin, and on returning reported that his chumwas ascending the cliff path.
"Now we'll secure this fellow Blight once more. I see he's cominground," continued Mr. McKay.
Placing the prisoner again in the fo'c'sle he did not attempt to securehis arms and legs. He merely tied the man's thumbs with a piece ofstrong but fine cord, so that his arms were kept behind his back.Unless he attempted to struggle, the prisoner would feel but slightinconvenience, while this method was a perfect means of keeping him ina state of utter helplessness.
Shortly after this was done Mr. McKay went on deck "to have a lookround." Gazing landward, he saw Andy standing on the edge of the lowerterrace, striving to attract his attention by means of a handkerchieftied to a stick.
"There's Andy calling me up in the Morse code," said Mr. McKay. "Iwonder what's up? Terence, will you please hand me over thatsignalling flag from the for'ard port locker?"
Andy, though not an expert signaller, knew the Morse system fairlywell. Slowly he transmitted the startling message:
"_The house has been broken into!_"