His handcuffs were the first consideration. At first he saw no method of removing them, and feared that he should thus be baffled in the very outset; but upon a closer scrutiny9 he discovered that the irons could be slipped off and on at pleasure, with very little effort or inconvenience, merely by squeezing his hands through them, — this species of manacle being altogether ineffectual in confining young persons, in whom the smaller bones readily yield to pressure. He now untied10 his feet, and, leaving the cord in such a manner that it could easily be readjusted in the event of any person’s coming down, proceeded to examine the bulkhead where it joined the berth. The partition here was of soft pine board, an inch thick, and he saw that he should have little trouble in cutting his way through. A voice was now heard at the forecastle companion-way, and he had just time to put his right hand into its handcuff (the left had not been removed) and to draw the rope in a slipknot around his ankle, when Dirk Peters came below, followed by Tiger, who immediately leaped into the berth and lay down. The dog had been brought on board by Augustus, who knew my attachment12 to the animal, and thought it would give me pleasure to have him with me during the voyage. He went up to our house for him immediately after first taking me into the hold, but did not think of mentioning the circumstance upon his bringing the watch. Since the mutiny, Augustus had not seen him before his appearance with Dirk Peters, and had given him up for lost, supposing him to have been thrown overboard by some of the malignant13 villains14 belonging to the mate’s gang. It appeared afterward15 that he had crawled into a hole beneath a whale-boat, from which, not having room to turn round, he could not extricate16 himself. Peters at last let him out, and, with a species of good feeling which my friend knew well how to appreciate, had now brought him to him in the forecastle as a companion, leaving at the same time some salt junk and potatoes, with a can of water, he then went on deck, promising17 to come down with something more to eat on the next day.
When he had gone, Augustus freed both hands from the manacles and unfastened his feet. He then turned down the head of the mattress18 on which he had been lying, and with his penknife (for the ruffians had not thought it worth while to search him) commenced cutting vigorously across one of the partition planks20, as closely as possible to the floor of the berth. He chose to cut here, because, if suddenly interrupted, he would be able to conceal21 what had been done by letting the head of the mattress fall into its proper position. For the remainder of the day, however, no disturbance22 occurred, and by night he had completely divided the plank19. It should here be observed that none of the crew occupied the forecastle as a sleeping-place, living altogether in the cabin since the mutiny, drinking the wines and feasting on the sea-stores of Captain Barnard, and giving no more heed23 than was absolutely necessary to the navigation of the brig. These circumstances proved fortunate both for myself and Augustus; for, had matters been otherwise, he would have found it impossible to reach me. As it was, he proceeded with confidence in his design. It was near daybreak, however, before he completed the second division of the board (which was about a foot above the first cut), thus making an aperture24 quite large enough to admit his passage through with facility to the main orlop deck. Having got here, he made his way with but little trouble to the lower main hatch, although in so doing he had to scramble25 over tiers of oil-casks piled nearly as high as the upper deck, there being barely room enough left for his body. Upon reaching the hatch he found that Tiger had followed him below, squeezing between two rows of the casks. It was now too late, however, to attempt getting to me before dawn, as the chief difficulty lay in passing through the close stowage in the lower hold. He therefore resolved to return, and wait till the next night. With this design, he proceeded to loosen the hatch, so that he might have as little detention26 as possible when he should come again. No sooner had he loosened it than Tiger sprang eagerly to the small opening produced, snuffed for a moment, and then uttered a long whine27, scratching at the same time, as if anxious to remove the covering with his paws. There could be no doubt, from his behaviour, that he was aware of my being in the hold, and Augustus thought it possible that he would be able to get to me if he put him down. He now hit upon the expedient28 of sending the note, as it was especially desirable that I should make no attempt at forcing my way out at least under existing circumstances, and there could be no certainty of his getting to me himself on the morrow as he intended. After-events proved how fortunate it was that the idea occurred to him as it did; for, had it not been for the receipt of the note, I should undoubtedly29 have fallen upon some plan, however desperate, of alarming the crew, and both our lives would most probably have been sacrificed in consequence.
Having concluded to write, the difficulty was now to procure30 the mate. rials for so doing. An old toothpick was soon made into a pen; and this by means of feeling altogether, for the between-decks was as dark as pitch. Paper enough was obtained from the back of a letter — a duplicate of the forged letter from Mr. Ross. This had been the original draught31; but the handwriting not being sufficiently32 well imitated, Augustus had written another, thrusting the first, by good fortune, into his coat-pocket, where it was now most opportunely33 discovered. Ink alone was thus wanting, and a substitute was immediately found for this by means of a slight incision34 with the pen-knife on the back of a finger just above the nail — a copious35 flow of blood ensuing, as usual, from wounds in that vicinity. The note was now written, as well as it could be in the dark and under the circumstances. It briefly36 explained that a mutiny had taken place; that Captain Barnard was set adrift; and that I might expect immediate11 relief as far as provisions were concerned, but must not venture upon making any disturbance. It concluded with these words: “I have scrawled37 this with blood — your life depends upon lying close.”
This slip of paper being tied upon the dog, he was now put down the hatchway, and Augustus made the best of his way back to the forecastle, where be found no reason to believe that any of the crew had been in his absence. To conceal the hole in the partition, he drove his knife in just above it, and hung up a pea-jacket which he found in the berth. His handcuffs were then replaced, and also the rope around his ankles.
These arrangements were scarcely completed when Dirk Peters came below, very drunk, but in excellent humour, and bringing with him my friend’s allowance of provision for the day. This consisted of a dozen large Irish potatoes roasted, and a pitcher38 of water. He sat for some time on a chest by the berth, and talked freely about the mate and the general concerns of the brig. His demeanour was exceedingly capricious, and even grotesque39. At one time Augustus was much alarmed by odd conduct. At last, however, he went on deck, muttering a promise to bring his prisoner a good dinner on the morrow. During the day two of the crew (harpooners) came down, accompanied by the cook, all three in nearly the last stage of intoxication40. Like Peters, they made no scruple41 of talking unreservedly about their plans. It appeared that they were much divided among themselves as to their ultimate course, agreeing in no point, except the attack on the ship from the Cape42 Verd Islands, with which they were in hourly expectation of meeting. As far as could be ascertained44, the mutiny had not been brought about altogether for the sake of booty; a private pique45 of the chief mate’s against Captain Barnard having been the main instigation. There now seemed to be two principal factions46 among the crew — one headed by the mate, the other by the cook. The former party were for seizing the first suitable vessel47 which should present itself, and equipping it at some of the West India Islands for a piratical cruise. The latter division, however, which was the stronger, and included Dirk Peters among its partisans48, were bent upon pursuing the course originally laid out for the brig into the South Pacific; there either to take whale, or act otherwise, as circumstances should suggest. The representations of Peters, who had frequently visited these regions, had great weight, apparently49, with the mutineers, wavering, as they were, between half-engendered notions of profit and pleasure. He dwelt on the world of novelty and amusement to be found among the innumerable islands of the Pacific, on the perfect security and freedom from all restraint to be enjoyed, but, more particularly, on the deliciousness of the climate, on the abundant means of good living, and on the voluptuous50 beauty of the women. As yet, nothing had been absolutely determined51 upon; but the pictures of the hybrid52 line-manager were taking strong hold upon the ardent53 imaginations of the seamen54, and there was every possibility that his intentions would be finally carried into effect.
The three men went away in about an hour, and no one else entered the forecastle all day. Augustus lay quiet until nearly night. He then freed himself from the rope and irons, and prepared for his attempt. A bottle was found in one of the berths55, and this he filled with water from the pitcher left by Peters, storing his pockets at the same time with cold potatoes. To his great joy he also came across a lantern, with a small piece of tallow candle in it. This he could light at any moment, as be had in his possession a box of phosphorus matches. When it was quite dark, he got through the hole in the bulkhead, having taken the precaution to arrange the bedclothes in the berth so as to convey the idea of a person covered up. When through, he hung up the pea-jacket on his knife, as before, to conceal the aperture — this manoeuvre56 being easily effected, as he did not readjust the piece of plank taken out until afterward. He was now on the main orlop deck, and proceeded to make his way, as before, between the upper deck and the oil-casks to the main hatchway. Having reached this, he lit the piece of candle, and descended57, groping with extreme difficulty among the compact stowage of the hold. In a few moments he became alarmed at the insufferable stench and the closeness of the atmosphere. He could not think it possible that I had survived my confinement58 for so long a period breathing so oppressive an air. He called my name repeatedly, but I made him no reply, and his apprehensions59 seemed thus to be confirmed. The brig was rolling violently, and there was so much noise in consequence, that it was useless to listen for any weak sound, such as those of my breathing or snoring. He threw open the lantern, and held it as high as possible, whenever an opportunity occurred, in order that, by observing the light, I might, if alive, be aware that succor60 was approaching. Still nothing was heard from me, and the supposition of my death began to assume the character of certainty. He determined, nevertheless, to force a passage, if possible, to the box, and at least ascertain43 beyond a doubt the truth of his surmises61. He pushed on for some time in a most pitiable state of anxiety, until, at length, he found the pathway utterly62 blocked up, and that there was no possibility of making any farther way by the course in which he had set out. Overcome now by his feelings, he threw himself among the lumber63 in despair, and wept like a child. It was at this period that he heard the crash occasioned by the bottle which I had thrown down. Fortunate, indeed, was it that the incident occurred — for, upon this incident, trivial as it appears, the thread of my destiny depended. Many years elapsed, however, before I was aware of this fact. A natural shame and regret for his weakness and indecision prevented Augustus from confiding64 to me at once what a more intimate and unreserved communion afterward induced him to reveal. Upon finding his further progress in the hold impeded65 by obstacles which he could not overcome, he had resolved to abandon his attempt at reaching me, and return at once to the forecastle. Before condemning66 him entirely67 on this head, the harassing68 circumstances which embarrassed him should be taken into consideration. The night was fast wearing away, and his absence from the forecastle might be discovered; and indeed would necessarily be so, if be should fail to get back to the berth by daybreak. His candle was expiring in the socket69, and there would be the greatest difficulty in retracing70 his way to the hatchway in the dark. It must be allowed, too, that he had every good reason to believe me dead; in which event no benefit could result to me from his reaching the box, and a world of danger would be encountered to no purpose by himself. He had repeatedly called, and I had made him no answer. I had been now eleven days and nights with no more water than that contained in the jug which he had left with me — a supply which it was not at all probable I had boarded in the beginning of my confinement, as I had every cause to expect a speedy release. The atmosphere of the hold, too, must have appeared to him, coming from the comparatively open air of the steerage, of a nature absolutely poisonous, and by far more intolerable than it had seemed to me upon my first taking up my quarters in the box — the hatchways at that time having been constantly open for many months previous. Add to these considerations that of the scene of bloodshed and terror so lately witnessed by my friend; his confinement, privations, and narrow escapes from death, together with the frail71 and equivocal tenure72 by which he still existed — circumstances all so well calculated to prostrate73 every energy of mind — and the reader will be easily brought, as I have been, to regard his apparent falling off in friendship and in faith with sentiments rather of sorrow than of anger.
The crash of the bottle was distinctly heard, yet Augustus was not sure that it proceeded from the hold. The doubt, however, was sufficient inducement to persevere74. He clambered up nearly to the orlop deck by means of the stowage, and then, watching for a lull75 in the pitchings of the vessel, he called out to me in as loud a tone as he could command, regardless, for the moment, of being overheard by the crew. It will be remembered that on this occasion the voice reached me, but I was so entirely overcome by violent agitation76 as to be incapable77 of reply. Confident, now, that his worst apprehensions were well founded, be descended, with a view of getting back to the forecastle without loss of time. In his haste some small boxes were thrown down, the noise occasioned by which I heard, as will be recollected78. He had made considerable progress on his return when the fall of the knife again caused him to hesitate. He retraced79 his steps immediately, and, clambering up the stowage a second time, called out my name, loudly as before, having watched for a lull. This time I found voice to answer. Overjoyed at discovering me to be still alive, he now resolved to brave every difficulty and danger in reaching me. Having extricated80 himself as quickly as possible from the labyrinth81 of lumber by which he was hemmed82 in, he at length struck into an opening which promised better, and finally, after a series of struggles, arrived at the box in a state of utter exhaustion83.
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1
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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jug
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| n.(有柄，小口，可盛水等的)大壶，罐，盂 | |
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plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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vented
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| 表达，发泄（感情，尤指愤怒）( vent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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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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scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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untied
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| 松开，解开( untie的过去式和过去分词 )； 解除，使自由； 解决 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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mattress
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| n.床垫，床褥 | |
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plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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detention
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| n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下 | |
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whine
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| v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣 | |
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expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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opportunely
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| adv.恰好地，适时地 | |
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incision
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| n．切口，切开 | |
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copious
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| adj.丰富的，大量的 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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scrawled
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| 乱涂，潦草地写( scrawl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pitcher
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| n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手 | |
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grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pique
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| v.伤害…的自尊心，使生气 n.不满，生气 | |
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46
factions
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| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
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47
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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partisans
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| 游击队员( partisan的名词复数 )； 党人； 党羽； 帮伙 | |
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49
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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voluptuous
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| adj.肉欲的，骄奢淫逸的 | |
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51
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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52
hybrid
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| n.(动，植）杂种，混合物 | |
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53
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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54
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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55
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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56
manoeuvre
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| n.策略，调动；v.用策略，调动 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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58
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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succor
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| n.援助，帮助；v.给予帮助 | |
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surmises
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的第三人称单数 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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lumber
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| n.木材，木料；v.以破旧东西堆满；伐木；笨重移动 | |
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confiding
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| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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impeded
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| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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condemning
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| v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的现在分词 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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harassing
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| v.侵扰，骚扰( harass的现在分词 )；不断攻击（敌人） | |
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socket
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| n.窝，穴，孔，插座，插口 | |
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retracing
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| v.折回( retrace的现在分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
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71
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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tenure
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| n.终身职位；任期；(土地)保有权，保有期 | |
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prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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persevere
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| v.坚持，坚忍，不屈不挠 | |
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lull
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| v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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78
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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retraced
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| v.折回( retrace的过去式和过去分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
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80
extricated
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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labyrinth
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| n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路 | |
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82
hemmed
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| 缝…的褶边( hem的过去式和过去分词 )； 包围 | |
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exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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