In bright weather at sea, a sail, invisible in the full flood of noon, becomes perceptible toward sunset. It is the reverse in the morning. In sight at gray dawn, the distant vessel6, though in reality approaching, recedes7 from view, as the sun rises higher and higher. This holds true, till its vicinity makes it readily fall within the ordinary scope of vision. And thus, too, here and there, with other distant things: the more light you throw on them, the more you obscure. Some revelations show best in a twilight8.
The sight of the stranger not a little surprised us. But brightening up, as if the encounter were welcome, Jarl looked happy and expectant. He quickly changed his demeanor9, however, upon perceiving that I was bent10 upon shunning11 a meeting.
Instantly our sails were struck; and calling upon Jarl, who was somewhat backward to obey, I shipped the oars12; and, both rowing, we stood away obliquely13 from our former course.
I divined that the vessel was a whaler; and hence, that by help of the glass, with which her look-outs must be momentarily sweeping14 the horizon, they might possibly have descried15 us; especially, as we were due east from the ship; a direction, which at sunset is the one most favorable for perceiving a far-off object at sea. Furthermore, our canvas was snow-white and conspicuous16. To be sure, we could not be certain what kind of a vessel it was; but whatever it might be, I, for one, had no mind to risk an encounter; for it was quite plain, that if the stranger came within hailing distance, there would be no resource but to link our fortunes with hers; whereas I — desired to pursue none but the Chamois'. As for the Skyeman, he kept looking wistfully over his shoulder; doubtless, praying Heaven, that we might not escape what I sought to avoid.
Now, upon a closer scrutiny17, being pretty well convinced that the stranger, after all, was steering18 a nearly westerly course—right away from us—we reset19 our sail; and as night fell, my Viking's entreaties20, seconded by my own curiosity, induced me to resume our original course; and so follow after the vessel, with a view of obtaining a nearer glimpse, without danger of detection. So, boldly we steered21 for the sail.
But not gaining much upon her, spite of the lightness of the breeze (a circumstance in our favor: the chase being a ship, and we but a boat), at my comrade's instigation, we added oars to sails, readily guiding our way by the former, though the helm was left to itself.
As we came nearer, it was plain that the vessel was no whaler; but a small, two-masted craft; in short, a brigantine. Her sails were in a state of unaccountable disarray22, only the foresail, mainsail, and jib being set. The first was much tattered23; and the jib was hoisted24 but half way up the stay, where it idly flapped, the breeze coming from over the taffrail. She continually yawed in her course; now almost presenting her broadside, then showing her stern.
Striking our sails once more, we lay on our oars, and watched her in the starlight. Still she swung from side to side, and still sailed on.
Not a little terrified at the sight, superstitious25 Jarl more than insinuated26 that the craft must be a gold-huntress, haunted. But I — told him, that if such were the case, we must board her, come gold or goblins. In reality, however, I began to think that she must have been abandoned by her crew; or else, that from sickness, those on board were incapable27 of managing her.
After a long and anxious reconnoiter, we came still nearer, using our oars, but very reluctantly on Jarl's part; who, while rowing, kept his eyes over his shoulder, as if about to beach the little Chamois on the back of a whale as of yore. Indeed, he seemed full as impatient to quit the vicinity of the vessel, as before he had been anxiously courting it.
Now, as the silent brigantine again swung round her broadside, I — hailed her loudly. No return. Again. But all was silent. With a few vigorous strokes, we closed with her, giving yet another unanswered hail; when, laying the Chamois right alongside, I clutched at the main-chains. Instantly we felt her dragging us along. Securing our craft by its painter, I sprang over the rail, followed by Jarl, who had snatched his harpoon28, his favorite arms. Long used with that weapon to overcome the monsters of the deep, he doubted not it would prove equally serviceable in any other encounter.
The deck was a complete litter. Tossed about were pearl oyster29 shells, husks of cocoa-nuts, empty casks, and cases. The deserted30 tiller was lashed31; which accounted for the vessel's yawing. But we could not conceive, how going large before the wind; the craft could, for any considerable time, at least, have guided herself without the help of a hand. Still, the breeze was light and steady.
Now, seeing the helm thus lashed, I could not but distrust the silence that prevailed. It conjured32 up the idea of miscreants33 concealed34 below, and meditating35 treachery; unscrupulous mutineers— Lascars, or Manilla-men; who, having murdered the Europeans of the crew, might not be willing to let strangers depart unmolested. Or yet worse, the entire ship's company might have been swept away by a fever, its infection still lurking36 in the poisoned hull37. And though the first conceit38, as the last, was a mere39 surmise40, it was nevertheless deemed prudent41 to secure the hatches, which for the present we accordingly barred down with the oars of our boat. This done, we went about the deck in search of water. And finding some in a clumsy cask, drank long and freely, and to our thirsty souls' content.
The wind now freshening, and the rent sails like to blow from the yards, we brought the brigantine to the wind, and brailed up the canvas. This left us at liberty to examine the craft, though, unfortunately, the night was growing hazy43.
All this while our boat was still towing alongside; and I was about to drop it astern, when Jarl, ever cautious, declared it safer where it was; since, if there were people on board, they would most likely be down in the cabin, from the dead-lights of which, mischief44 might be done to the Chamois.
It was then, that my comrade observed, that the brigantine had no boats, a circumstance most unusual in any sort of a vessel at sea. But marking this, I was exceedingly gratified. It seemed to indicate, as I had opined, that from some cause or other, she must have been abandoned of her crew. And in a good measure this dispelled45 my fears of foul46 play, and the apprehension47 of contagion48. Encouraged by these reflections, I now resolved to descend49, and explore the cabin, though sorely against Jarl's counsel. To be sure, as he earnestly said, this step might have been deferred50 till daylight; but it seemed too wearisome to wait. So bethinking me of our tinder-box and candles, I — sent him into the boat for them. Presently, two candles were lit; one of which the Skyeman tied up and down the barbed end of his harpoon; so that upon going below, the keen steel might not be far off, should the light be blown out by a dastard51.
Unfastening the cabin scuttle52, we stepped downward into the smallest and murkiest53 den42 in the world. The altar-like transom, surmounted54 by the closed dead-lights in the stem, together with the dim little sky- light overhead, and the somber55 aspect of every thing around, gave the place the air of some subterranean56 oratory57, say a Prayer Room of Peter the Hermit58. But coils of rigging, bolts of canvas, articles of clothing, and disorderly heaps of rubbish, harmonized not with this impression. Two doors, one on each side, led into wee little state- rooms, the berths59 of which also were littered. Among other things, was a large box, sheathed60 with iron and stoutly61 clamped, containing a keg partly filled with powder, the half of an old cutlass, a pouch62 of bullets, and a case for a sextant—a brass63 plate on the lid, with the maker's name. London. The broken blade of the cutlass was very rusty64 and stained; and the iron hilt bent in. It looked so tragical65 that I — thrust it out of sight.
Removing a small trap-door, opening into the space beneath, called the "run," we lighted upon sundry66 cutlasses and muskets67, lying together at sixes and sevens, as if pitched down in a hurry.
Casting round a hasty glance, and satisfying ourselves, that through the bulkhead of the cabin, there was no passage to the forward part of the hold, we caught up the muskets and cutlasses, the powder keg and the pouch of bullets, and bundling them on deck, prepared to visit the other end of the vessel. Previous to so doing, however, I — loaded a musket68, and belted a cutlass to my side. But my Viking preferred his harpoon.
In the forecastle reigned69 similar confusion. But there was a snug70 little lair71, cleared away in one corner, and furnished with a grass mat and bolster72, like those used among the Islanders of these seas. This little lair looked to us as if some leopard73 had crouched74 there. And as it turned out, we were not far from right. Forming one side of this retreat, was a sailor's chest, stoutly secured by a lock, and monstrous75 heavy withal. Regardless of Jarl's entreaties, I — managed to burst the lid; thereby76 revealing a motley assemblage of millinery, and outlandish knick-knacks of all sorts; together with sundry rude Calico contrivances, which though of unaccountable cut, nevertheless possessed77 a certain petticoatish air, and latitude78 of skirt, betokening79 them the habiliments of some feminine creature; most probably of the human species.
In this strong box, also, was a canvas bag, jingling80 with rusty old bell-buttons, gangrened copper81 bolts, and sheathing82 nails; damp, greenish Carolus dollars (true coin all), besides divers83 iron screws, and battered84, chisels85, and belaying-pins. Sounded on the chest lid, the dollars rang clear as convent bells. These were put aside by Jarl the sight of substantial dollars doing away, for the nonce, with his superstitious Misgivings86. True to his kingship, he loved true coin; though abroad on the sea, and no land but dollarless dominions87 ground, all this silver was worthless as charcoal88 or diamonds. Nearly one and the same thing, say the chemists; but tell that to the marines, say the illiterate89 Jews and the jewelers. Go, buy a house, or a ship, if you can, with your charcoal! Yea, all the woods in Canada charred90 down to cinders91 would not be worth the one famed Brazilian diamond, though no bigger than the egg of a carrier pigeon. Ah! but these chemists are liars92, and Sir Humphrey Davy a cheat. Many's the poor devil they've deluded93 into the charcoal business, who otherwise might have made his fortune with a mattock.
Groping again into the chest, we brought to light a queer little hair trunk, very bald and rickety. At every corner was a mighty94 clamp, the weight of which had no doubt debilitated95 the box. It was jealously secured with a padlock, almost as big as itself; so that it was almost a question, which was meant to be security to the other. Prying96 at it hard, we at length effected an entrance; but saw no golden moidores, no ruddy doubloons; nothing under heaven but three pewter mugs, such as are used in a ship's cabin, several brass screws, and brass plates, which must have belonged to a quadrant; together with a famous lot of glass beads97, and brass rings; while, pasted on the inside of the cover, was a little colored print, representing the harlots, the shameless hussies, having a fine time with the Prodigal98 Son.
It should have been mentioned ere now, that while we were busy in the forecastle, we were several times startled by strange sounds aloft. And just after, crashing into the little hair trunk, down came a great top-block, right through the scuttle, narrowly missing my Viking's crown; a much stronger article, by the way, than your goldsmiths turn out in these days. This startled us much; particularly Jarl, as one might suppose; but accustomed to the strange creakings and wheezings of the masts and yards of old vessels99 at sea, and having many a time dodged100 stray blocks accidentally falling from aloft, I thought little more of the matter; though my comrade seemed to think the noises somewhat different from any thing of that kind he had even heard before.
After a little more turning over of the rubbish in the forecastle, and much marveling thereat, we ascended101 to the deck; where we found every thing so silent, that, as we moved toward the taffrail, the Skyeman unconsciously addressed me in a whisper.
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1
oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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notches
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| n.（边缘或表面上的）V型痕迹( notch的名词复数 )；刻痕；水平；等级 | |
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loom
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| n.织布机，织机；v.隐现，(危险、忧虑等)迫近 | |
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rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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6
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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7
recedes
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的第三人称单数 )；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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8
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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9
demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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11
shunning
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的现在分词 ) | |
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12
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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13
obliquely
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| adv.斜； 倾斜； 间接； 不光明正大 | |
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14
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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15
descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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16
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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17
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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18
steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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19
reset
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| v.重新安排，复位；n.重新放置；重放之物 | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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21
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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22
disarray
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| n.混乱，紊乱，凌乱 | |
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23
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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24
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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25
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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insinuated
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| v.暗示( insinuate的过去式和过去分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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27
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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28
harpoon
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| n.鱼叉；vt.用鱼叉叉，用鱼叉捕获 | |
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29
oyster
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| n.牡蛎；沉默寡言的人 | |
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30
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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31
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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32
conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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miscreants
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| n.恶棍，歹徒( miscreant的名词复数 ) | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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40
surmise
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| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
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41
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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42
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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43
hazy
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| adj.有薄雾的，朦胧的；不肯定的，模糊的 | |
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44
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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45
dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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47
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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48
contagion
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| n.(通过接触的疾病)传染；蔓延 | |
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49
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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50
deferred
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| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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51
dastard
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| n.卑怯之人，懦夫；adj.怯懦的，畏缩的 | |
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52
scuttle
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| v.急赶，疾走，逃避；n.天窗；舷窗 | |
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53
murkiest
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| adj.阴暗的( murky的最高级 )；昏暗的；（指水）脏的；混浊的 | |
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54
surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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55
somber
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| adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的 | |
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subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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57
oratory
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| n.演讲术；词藻华丽的言辞 | |
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58
hermit
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| n.隐士，修道者；隐居 | |
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berths
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| n.（船、列车等的）卧铺( berth的名词复数 )；（船舶的）停泊位或锚位；差事；船台vt.v.停泊( berth的第三人称单数 )；占铺位 | |
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60
sheathed
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| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
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61
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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62
pouch
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| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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63
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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64
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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tragical
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| adj. 悲剧的, 悲剧性的 | |
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66
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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67
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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69
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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70
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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71
lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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72
bolster
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| n.枕垫；v.支持，鼓励 | |
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73
leopard
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| n.豹 | |
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74
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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75
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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76
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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77
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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betokening
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的现在分词 ) | |
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80
jingling
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| 叮当声 | |
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81
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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82
sheathing
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| n.覆盖物，罩子v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的现在分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
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divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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84
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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85
chisels
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| n.凿子，錾子( chisel的名词复数 )；口凿 | |
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86
misgivings
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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87
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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88
charcoal
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| n.炭，木炭，生物炭 | |
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89
illiterate
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| adj.文盲的；无知的；n.文盲 | |
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90
charred
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| v.把…烧成炭( char的过去式)；烧焦 | |
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91
cinders
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| n.煤渣( cinder的名词复数 )；炭渣；煤渣路；煤渣跑道 | |
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92
liars
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| 说谎者( liar的名词复数 ) | |
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93
deluded
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| v.欺骗，哄骗( delude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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95
debilitated
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| adj.疲惫不堪的，操劳过度的v.使（人或人的身体）非常虚弱( debilitate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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96
prying
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| adj.爱打听的v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的现在分词 )；撬开 | |
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97
beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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98
prodigal
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| adj.浪费的，挥霍的，放荡的 | |
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99
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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100
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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101
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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