He looked seawards. The flood-tide was making, and the wavelets were lapping against the edge of the serrated reef. The boat was still aground. Her anchor warp4 had not tautened, so that it was obvious that she had not shifted her position on the top of the previous high water.
The wind had piped down considerably5, but was now blowing softly from the west'ard. During the night the breeze had veered6 completely round from east to west.
"Just our luck!" thought Peter. "Now we have fetched Madagascar after beating for hours against it, the wind shifts round. It would have saved us hours if it had been in this quarter for the last twenty-four hours. However, here we are, so I mustn't grouse7."
None of his companions showed signs of stirring. Silence reigned8 in the tents. The scent9 of the morning air was mingled10 with the pleasing reek11 of the camp-fire. Farther along the coast a number of seagulls were hovering12 over some object and screeching13, as they warily14 circled round the coveted15 piece of flotsam.
From where Peter stood, the landscape was rather limited. Less than a mile to the nor'ard a bluff17 of about two hundred feet in height served as the boundary of his vision in that direction. Southward the wall of cliffs terminated abruptly18 at a distance of about a quarter of a mile. Evidently beyond that the coastline receded19, unless the light were insufficient20 to enable the more distant land to be seen.
"May as well stretch my legs," thought Peter. "I'll have a shot at getting to the top of the cliffs and see what's doing. I wonder how far it is to the nearest village?"
He had to walk a hundred yards along the beach before he found a likely means of ascent21—a narrow gorge22 through which a clear stream dashed rapidly. Yet the rivulet23 never met the sea direct. The water, although of considerable volume, simply soaked into the sand and disappeared.
"We shan't need to go slow with the drinking-water," he said to himself, as he gathered a double handful of the cool, sparkling fluid and held it to his lips. "By Jove, isn't that a treat after water from a boat's keg. Well, here goes."
The ascent was steep but fairly easy. Nevertheless Mostyn was so out of training, from a pedestrian point of view, that his muscles ached and his limbs grew stiff long before he arrived at the top.
At length, breathless and weary, he gained the summit and threw himself at full length upon the grass.
After a while he stood up and looked around. The sun was just rising—and it appeared to rise out of the sea. From where he stood, Peter could see right across the ground from west to east and from north to south; and, save where the tall bluff cut the skyline, sea and sky formed a complete circular horizon.
Peter gave a gasp24 of astonishment25. Instead of finding himself, as he had expected, upon one of the largest islands of the world, he was on a sea-girt piece of land barely three miles in length and two in breadth. In vain he looked for other land. The extent of his view, assuming that the point on which he stood was two hundred feet above the sea-level, was a distance of roughly twenty miles, and, except for the island upon which the boat had stranded26, there was nothing in sight but sky and sea.
"So much for Madagascar," ejaculated the Wireless27 Officer. "I'm a rotten bad navigator. Wonder where this show is, and if it is inhabited."
For the most part the island consisted of a fairly level plateau covered with scrub. The southern part was well wooded with palms, while the course of the little stream was marked by a double line of reeds.
In vain Peter looked for signs of human habitation. Not so much as a solitary28 column of smoke marked the presence of any inhabitants.
"This is out of the frying-pan into the fire with a vengeance," said the Wireless Officer to himself. "We've plenty of fresh water, it is true, but precious little to eat. And the boat is beyond repair with the limited means at our disposal. Fire, did I say? We can obtain that, so the possibility of having to eat raw or sun-dried fish is removed."
By this time the rest of the temporary sojourners on the island were astir. From his lofty point of vantage Peter could see the three Mohammedans at their devotions at some distance from the tents. Mrs. Shallop was actually out and about, and had deigned29 to fetch a balerful of water. Miss Baird had thrown fresh driftwood and kelp on the fire, and was apparently30 undertaking31 the frying of some of the fish. Propped32 up on a roll of painted canvas was Preston, slowly and steadily33 gutting34 the herrings before grilling35 them in front of the fire.
"Hello, old man!" exclaimed Peter, when he rejoined the others and had greeted Miss Baird. "Feeling better?"
"Much thanks," replied the Acting36 Chief. "Soon be O.K., I hope. And what have you been doing, Sparks?"
"Taking my bearings," said Mostyn. "My festive37 chum, I've made a hash of things. We're on an island."
"Madagascar is an island," remarked Preston. "So why make a song about it?"
"This isn't Madagascar," replied Peter. "It's a small island. A fellow ought to be able to walk right round it in a couple of hours comfortably."
Preston tried to whistle and failed miserably38. The attempt was still too painful.
"You seem fond of putting boats ashore40 on small islands, old man," he remarked. "How about grub? Seen anything in the edible41 line?"
"A few coco-palms," announced Mostyn. "I didn't investigate. We may strike oil."
"I'd rather strike grub," rejoined the Acting Chief. "Well, there's one blessing—we've cigarettes."
Breakfast consisted of biscuits, fresh water, and fried fish. It was meagre fare, but the hungry castaways relished42 it. They could have eaten more, but Peter kept an iron hand on the biscuits, and fried fish without biscuits was neither satisfying nor appetizing.
The meal over, Mostyn set all hands—Preston excepted, by reason of his injuries—to work. He meant to keep everybody employed—even Mrs. Shallop. Idleness breeds discontent and discord43, and he had no wish to have either.
The first task was to carry the tents and the small kit44 at their disposal to the high ground beyond the edge of the cliffs. Peter and the lascars managed the spars and canvas between them, while Olive and Mrs. Shallop carried up the lighter45 gear. Once she made up her mind that she had to work, Mrs. Shallop became quite energetic, finding her way up the cliff-path with tolerable speed in spite of her bulk. By ten in the morning the whole of the stuff brought ashore had been taken to a spot a hundred and fifty feet above the sea-level, and placed in a sheltered hollow within easy distance of the little stream that Peter had discovered.
While the two Lascars were setting up the tents, Peter and Mahmed constructed a stretcher in order to get Preston to the new camp.
The Acting Chief was practically helpless. At first it was thought that his injuries were confined to his head; but after he had been brought ashore his legs were found to have been crushed, and from the knees downwards46 the limbs were devoid47 of any sensation of pain, and the muscles incapable48 of responding to the dictates49 of his will.
It required twenty minutes of hard yet cautious work to carry Preston to the top of the cliffs, in spite of the fact that the path was fairly easy for an unencumbered person. The difficulty was for the bearers to keep their burden in a horizontal position, and at the same time maintain their footing. For the greater part of the ascent Mahmed was crouching50 and holding his end of the stretcher within a few inches of the ground, while Peter was supporting his end on his shoulders and cautiously feeling his way, since it was impossible for him to see where he was treading.
At length Preston was brought to the camp and placed in one of the tents, while his bearers, hot and well nigh exhausted51, threw themselves at full length in order to rest and regain52 their breath.
The next step was to salve the boat. This task required all available hands, for the craft was heavily built of elm.
By dint53 of strenuous54 exertions55 the boat was lifted clear of the jagged coral, and dragged along the ledge56 and up the sandy beach well above high-water mark.
"That will do for the present," decided57 Mostyn. "She won't hurt there. We'll have to patch her up and resume our voyage as soon as possible."
He spoke58 sanguinely59, but in his mind he realized that the task was practically beyond the small resources at their command. With the exception of a small rusty60 hatchet61, that was discovered under the floor of the after locker62, a knife, and a marline-spike, there were no tools available for the extensive repairs necessary to make the boat again seaworthy.
The time for the midday meal came round only too soon. Feeling like a miser39 compelled to disgorge his treasured hoard63, Peter served out more of his carefully husbanded biscuits. These were augmented64 by coconuts65, which Mahmed and the lascars had obtained from some palms growing close to the camp. Up to the present there were no indications of the presence of bread-fruit trees, but, as Olive remarked, there was a good deal of the island to be explored.
"What's the time, Miss Baird, please?" inquired Preston.
The girl consulted her watch.
"Five minutes to twelve, Mr. Preston."
"Thank you," rejoined the Acting Chief, then, after a slight pause, "is your watch fairly accurate?"
Olive shook her head.
"I never possessed66 a fairly accurate watch," she replied. "Mine gains about a minute a day, and every time I wind it I put it back a minute. It was set by ship's time on the day the West Barbican sank."
"Why so anxious to know the time, old man?" inquired Mostyn. "You haven't to go on watch."
"Never you mind, old son," rejoined the Acting Chief. "In due course I'll enlighten your mind on the subject, but until then—nothin' doin'."
For the next ten minutes conversation drifted into other channels. Peter had almost forgotten about the mysterious inquiries67 of Mr. Preston, when the latter inquired abruptly:
"What do you think is our position, Sparks?"
"About fifty miles west of Madagascar," replied Peter.
The Acting Chief shook his head.
"Wrong, my festive. Absolutely out of it," he stated with conviction. "Say a hundred and fifty miles to the south'ard of Cape16 St. Mary—that's the southern-most point of Madagascar—and you won't be far out."
"But, why——?" began the astonished Wireless Officer.
"Hold on," continued Preston. "It's now mid-summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Consequently the sun must be overhead, or nearly so, on the Tropic of Capricorn. Here, at midday, it's roughly five degrees north of our zenith. That means we're well south of the island you were making for."
"But how's that?" demanded Mostyn. "I steered68 due east, and when the wind headed us I tacked70 for equal periods."
"Maybe you did," rejoined the Acting Chief drily. "You don't know the deviation71 of the boat's compass. Neither do I, for that matter. It might be points out on an easterly course. Again, there's a strong current setting southward through the Mozambique Channel. Another and by no means inconsiderable factor is that almost every boat when close-hauled sails faster on one tack69 than the other. The net result is that, unconsciously, you were faced well to the south-east instead of making due east. However, here we are, and we must make the best of it. Everything considered, old man, you haven't done so badly."
By dusk everything was in order so far as their limited resources permitted, even to the extent of building a light breastwork on the windward side of the camp to protect the tents from storms from seaward. The strenuous labours had kept the castaways' minds so fully occupied that they had had no time to think about their difficulties.
Tired in body, yet cheerful in mind, they slept the sleep that only the healthy can enjoy.
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1
streaks
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| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
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cramped
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| a.狭窄的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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warp
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| vt.弄歪，使翘曲，使不正常，歪曲，使有偏见 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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veered
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| v.（尤指交通工具）改变方向或路线( veer的过去式和过去分词 )；（指谈话内容、人的行为或观点）突然改变；（指风） （在北半球按顺时针方向、在南半球按逆时针方向）逐渐转向；风向顺时针转 | |
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7
grouse
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| n.松鸡；v.牢骚，诉苦 | |
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reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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9
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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10
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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11
reek
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| v.发出臭气；n.恶臭 | |
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12
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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13
screeching
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的现在分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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18
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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receded
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的过去式和过去分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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20
insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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gorge
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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rivulet
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| n.小溪，小河 | |
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gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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stranded
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| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
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wireless
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| adj.无线的；n.无线电 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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deigned
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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propped
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| 支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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34
gutting
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| n.去内脏v.毁坏（建筑物等）的内部( gut的现在分词 )；取出…的内脏 | |
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35
grilling
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| v.烧烤( grill的现在分词 )；拷问，盘问 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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miser
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| n.守财奴，吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly) | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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41
edible
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| n.食品，食物；adj.可食用的 | |
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42
relished
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| v.欣赏( relish的过去式和过去分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
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43
discord
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| n.不和，意见不合，争论，（音乐）不和谐 | |
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44
kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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45
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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46
downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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47
devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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48
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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49
dictates
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| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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50
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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51
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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52
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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53
dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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54
strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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55
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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56
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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58
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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59
sanguinely
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| 乐观的，充满希望的； 面色红润的； 血红色的 | |
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60
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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61
hatchet
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| n.短柄小斧；v.扼杀 | |
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62
locker
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| n.更衣箱，储物柜，冷藏室，上锁的人 | |
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63
hoard
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| n./v.窖藏，贮存，囤积 | |
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64
Augmented
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| adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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65
coconuts
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| n.椰子( coconut的名词复数 )；椰肉，椰果 | |
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66
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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67
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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68
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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69
tack
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| n.大头钉；假缝，粗缝 | |
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70
tacked
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| 用平头钉钉( tack的过去式和过去分词 )； 附加，增补； 帆船抢风行驶，用粗线脚缝 | |
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71
deviation
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| n.背离，偏离；偏差，偏向；离题 | |
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