CHAPTER XV
THE WRECK
Captain Morris’ face underwent a variety of startling changes at the bold assertion of Jack Marcy.
Will Bertram could see them by the lamplight through the open door of the inner cabin and was amazed at the bold charge the boatswain had made.
“Do you know what you are saying?” began the Captain.
“Perfectly. The ship is in danger.”
“We can’t help that.”
“And a leak.”
“Then it must be attended to.”
“You are right, Captain Morris, and if you and your mate do not immediately set about repairing your evil work I will tell the crew all.”
Morris’ usually red face had grown very pale.
“You say there is a leak?” he said, after a pause.
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“In the hold, where you and your mate were two hours since, and where I overheard your plot to sink the ship and trust to the long boat to get ashore.”
“And you imagine the crew would believe this story if you told it to them?”
“I do if I added some further information I have obtained.”
“What is that?”
“The real fate of the crew of the Albatross.”
At these words, a horrible pallor crossed Morris’ face.
There was a crash, and the light in the cabin went suddenly out.
A heavy blow seemed struck, and then the mate’s voice fell on Will’s hearing:
“He knows too much, Captain.”
“For our safety, yes. Ha! what’s that?”
There was a violent lurch of the ship as the Captain spoke.
The next moment he and the mate rushed past Will to the deck.
The latter, alarmed at the wild tossing of the ship, followed them.
The deck of the Golden Moose was a scene of indescribable confusion.
The skies were of inky blackness, the sea lashed into a mad fury by a terrific gale.
It is doubtful if the captain and the mate anticipated such a tempest, for, as the new boatswain announced that the ship was becoming water-logged, both men seemed terribly frightened.
Each moment the condition of the ship became worse. It tossed in the trough of the sea and then on the crest of the waves.
Tom Dalton, pale and excited, had reached Will Bertram’s side, and both clung to a rope to escape being swept off the deck.
“We shall all go down,” quavered Tom. “See, Will, they are pulling off the longboat.”
“And Jack Marcy is below. Follow me, Tom. The captain and mate intend to leave him behind.”
Both boys hurried into the cabin. Will groped his way to the inner compartment.
It was locked!
He had no thought now of personal safety, but, suspenseful for the rescue of their staunch friend, bade Tom help him.
Together they endeavored to force the locked door. Will beat at it with a chair, kicked at it, flung his body against it.
The door gave way at last.
“Jack! Jack!” he cried, groping his way about blindly in the darkness.
A lurch of the ship sent him to one side of the cabin.
As he fell his hand came in contact with a prostrate form.
“It is Jack, and he is insensible,” he murmured, concernedly. “Tom! Tom!”
“I’m here, Will.”
“Hurry on deck.”
“What for?”
“To tell the crew that Jack Marcy is lying here helpless and in peril.”
“How did he come here?” asked Tom, curiously.
“Never mind now. The captain and mate locked him in. Quick, tell the men.”
Tom disappeared.
A minute later he came rushing down wildly.
“Oh, Will! Will!” he cried, frantically.
“What has happened?”
“We are left behind. The captain and the crew have left in the longboat, and have deserted the ship.”
Comentarios