A Runaway Brig: or, An Accidental Cruise

"Pirates' treasure!" his father repeated in astonishment.

"What the lad says is a fact, sir;" and Bob stepped forward once more. "We had no way of findin' out how much it was worth; but there's altogether too big an amount for us to run the risk of lettin' strangers see the pile."

"Where is it?"

"At the camp, sir. I'll lead the way. Jim, you foller behind me an' let Joe bring up the rear."

Then Bob set out at such a rapid pace that there was but little opportunity for conversation until the entire distance had been traversed.

Joe and Jim built a huge camp-fire, and after Harry introduced his father to the three members of the party who were strangers, Bob pulled from beneath the mattresses one of the treasure bags.

"There are eighteen more jes' like that," he said, as he slashed the tarred canvas with his knife until the yellow coins fell in a golden stream at Mr. Vandyne's feet. "We haven't overhauled many of 'em; but one's a fair sample of the lot."

"Why, you've got a fortune here!" the gentleman cried in surprise as he assured himself that the pieces were gold and of large denomination. "Where and how did you find it?"

"It'll need a pretty long yarn to give you an understandin' of the whole cruise, an' we'll each do a share of the spinnin' so the thing will come out ship-shape," Bob said, as he began to fill a pipe, that his character of story-teller might be enacted properly. "You've got all night for the hearin', so there's no pertic'lar hurry. Harry shall begin, an' I'll chip in when he comes to the pickin' up of me after I'd thinned down pretty nearly to a ghost."

Perhaps Mr. Vandyne would have preferred to hear the story in fragments rather than at one sitting; but Bob was bent on spinning a yarn, and as there was no practicable alternative he was forced to submit.

Harry began without delay, Jim and Walter interrupting whenever he neglected to give all the details. The old sailor then related the particulars of the involuntary cruise up to the time Joe came aboard. He in turn told of the disaster to the Sea Bird, and Bob finished the story, which occupied considerably more than an hour in the telling.

"We shall have to let the crew know what you've got here, although there's no necessity of explaining where or how it was found, for they will be needed to take the bags aboard," Mr. Vandyne said, after the lengthy "yarn" had been spun. "There is no danger, for the schooner is commanded by a man in whom I have every confidence, and there won't be a piece missing when we arrive in New York."

"Now tell us how you knew where we were?" Harry asked.

"The party who came in search of the murderers gave your written story to the newspapers in Savannah, and it was copied all over the country."

Then Mr. Vandyne briefly related what had previously been done toward finding the boys.

When the Sally Walker failed to return it was supposed she had been blown out to sea, and every available craft was hired to search for the missing party. When a week passed without the hoped-for result, it seemed certain that all were dead, and they were mourned for until the newspaper articles appeared.

The remainder of the story was brief. Mr. Vandyne had just purchased the schooner-yacht Lorlie – the same craft which was now hove-to off the key – and in her he started for the Bahamas.

"What was the meaning of those pistol-shots we heard, sir?" Joe asked. "They sounded like a fight rather than a signal."

"I wanted to let you understand we were coming, and emptied my revolver at the same moment the captain did his. There was considerable noise, I'll admit; but knowing we should land in a few moments, I paid little attention to it at the time."

The sun was already sending forth heralds of his coming when the happy party exhausted their questions and explanations, and half an hour later the Lorlie was anchored in the cove, with the five who had passed through so many adventures eating a hearty breakfast in her luxuriously-furnished cabin.

After the meal had been concluded the work of taking the gold on board was begun, and before nine o'clock the yacht was slipping swiftly out of the harbor, heading for Nassau, all her white sails filled by a strong north-westerly breeze.

Instead of going directly to New York, it was Mr. Vandyne's intention to run down the shoal for the purpose of sending wreckers to the key, in the hope of saving such cargo from the Bonita as was on or near the island.

The three boys were standing aft as she passed the point where Walter had done duty as sentinel with such happy results, and it was very difficult for either to restrain his joy at thus bidding adieu to the key.

"When I get my ship I won't come within a hundred miles of this place," Jim said emphatically; and his companions were quite positive it would not give them any pleasure to return.

Swiftly the gallant yacht sped on, bowing her long, tapering spars to the ocean swell, until the key was hardly more than a spot of blue on the horizon, and the accidental cruise was well-nigh at an end.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

NASSAU

The three boys and Joe were given quarters in the yacht's cabin, but nothing Mr. Vandyne could say would induce Bob to remain aft.

"For an old shell-back like me the only place is the fo'castle," he said in reply to all their arguments. "It don't stand to reason that a sailor would be comfortable anywhere else, an' I'd be like a fish out of water if I couldn't go on watch with the others of my kind."

"But what's the use of working when father expects you to be his guest?" Harry asked; and Bob replied, with a hearty laugh:

"Workin'? Why it's nothin' more'n the rarest kind of a lark to help handle a craft like this! She's fitter for a gold frame an' hung up as a' ornament than to carry sich old barnacles as me! Bless you, lad, I wouldn't miss my trick at the wheel on a beauty like this any sooner'n I'd lose the gold we've had so much trouble in the savin'!"

Mr. Vandyne recognized the fact that the voyage would indeed be a disagreeable one to the old sailor if he was forced to play the part of passenger, and nothing more was said on the subject, although both Harry and Walter tried in vain many times afterward to coax him into the cabin at meal time.

It may be supposed that the boys had experienced so many trials on the sea that they simply looked forward to being on land once more, surrounded by the comforts of home; but this was not so. The Lorlie was in every respect a beautiful craft, and sailing in her was so different from what it had been on the brig that it seemed almost like another kind of traveling. This, in connection with the fact that all mental troubles were banished, served to make the short trip to Nassau most enjoyable.

It would be necessary for Mr. Vandyne to remain at this port two or three days in order to complete the preparations for saving the Bonita's cargo; but no one thought of taking up quarters on shore when it was possible to live so comfortably aboard the yacht.

And now a word is necessary to explain why Harry's father interested himself in this work, which at first thought would seem too trifling to cause an extension of the cruise when Mrs. Vandyne and Mrs. Morse were anxiously waiting to greet once more the sons whom they had mourned as dead. This explanation seems to be the final link in the chain of mysterious or unaccountable occurrences which went to make up the career of the runaway brig.

Mr. Vandyne owned one-third of the Bonita, and the first intimation he had of her abandonment was through the newspaper article which apprised him of his son's safety; therefore his business in Nassau was concerning the saving of his own property. It did seem remarkable, however, that Harry had been carried off by one of his father's vessels which at the time was supposed to be half-way across the Atlantic.

"I am confident that Bob's theory as to the reason for her abandonment is the correct one," Mr. Vandyne said shortly after leaving the key, when they were discussing the matter, "and my reason for the belief is founded on a similar accident which happened to one of the first vessels I ever owned. She was bound to Genoa from New Orleans, also with a cargo of alcohol. One day during moderately fine weather there was a sudden explosion in the hold, which burst the tarpaulin and shattered the hatch. The captain saw dense volumes of what he thought smoke, and ordered all hands to abandon ship. They did get into the boats, but before casting off had the same experience you had, and the ship was saved. In the Bonita's case I have no doubt but that the boats foundered shortly after the crew left, although possibly they were picked up by some outward-bound craft, and we shall hear from them later."

It was necessary for those who had been taken from the key to spend no small amount of time on shore giving evidence concerning the loss of the brig, that there might be no delay regarding payment of the insurance; and while attending to these matters they met an old acquaintance to whom they were deeply indebted.

This was none other than the captain of the schooner which had visited the island in search of the murderers, and who gave the information leading to their rescue.

"I was jes' thinkin' I'd run across the shoals an' see how you was gettin' on," he said, after a hearty greeting; "but I reckoned you had the steamer patched up before I got back from the States."

Joe related briefly their misadventures on the key, and also the particulars of the rescue, concluding by asking if the red-nosed man and his companions had been captured.

"I'm mighty glad that what we did in Savannah brought your friends on. I'd been blamin' myself for not stoppin' here when we come back; but as things turned out, a delay of two hours would 'a' given them villains the chance of showin' us their heels."

"Then you caught 'em?" Bob asked eagerly.

"That's jes' what we did, an' no mistake, though it was a close shave. We was comin' down past Egg Key, with a full breeze, when I saw a yawl edgin' inshore, like as if her crew wanted to get out of sight. None of us expected that gang was aboard, knowin' as how they'd stole your brig; but I thought it wouldn't do any harm to cut in between them and the land. Two hours later an' they'd 'a' been on the shoals, where we couldn't follow."

"Did they show fight?" Bob asked.

"They attempted to, but we was fixed for jes' sich a crowd. When we hove-to not fifty yards off, an' showed the muzzles of half a dozen rifles, every one of 'em quieted down like lambs. We clapped irons on the gang, an' next day they were here in jail. It was hard work to prove the murder on 'em, although everybody knew they did it. They were sentenced yesterday to twenty years' imprisonment, an' us who live around here feel a good deal more easy in mind, because it wasn't safe for a man to travel very far alone while they were free."

Then the captain insisted on the boys going with him to the coral-reefs, where the spongers were at work, and a very pleasant afternoon did they spend.

There were to be seen, by aid of a glass, sponges of all varieties, from the "sheep's wool" and "velvet" to the bright scarlet "gloves," which grow in the shape of huge hands, and owe their peculiar color to the insects which build them. Reef-sponges, yet covered with their manufacturers and black as a coal; wire sponges, and gray ones, fashioned in the form of a cup; sponges of all shapes and hues, until the shoal looked like a garden of brilliantly-colored flowers which had been suddenly inundated.

The boys collected a huge store of curious things, among which was no small amount of purple and yellow fans, stars and trees of coral, which is so much more beautiful when living, and in the sea, than the dried specimens we see on land.

The day's pleasuring was brought to a close by a visit to the sponge-yard, where the Captain's guests learned very much about this branch of industry, which in the Bahamas alone gives employment to several thousand persons and five or six hundred vessels.

It was very like a revelation to them when the hospitable Captain explained that there were several grades of each variety of sheep-wool, white-reef, dark-reef, abaco, velvet, grass, boat, hard-head, yellow and glove sponges, all worth from five to ten cents per pound by the quantity; and, also, that when first taken from the water a sponge is useless for mechanical or domestic purposes.

Probably every boy knows that a sponge, as we see it, is only the skeleton of an organism. When first gathered it is covered with a thick, black, gelatinous substance which must be removed. Then it is sorted, clipped, soaked in lime-water, and dried in the sun before being compressed into hundred-pound packages.

It would be impossible to learn all that is really interesting concerning the sponge in one short article, or during a single visit to the yards; and Jim was so impressed with this fact that he said to Harry, when the latter hurried him away because the yacht's boat was waiting for them:

"The first thing I buy out of my share of the money will be a book about these things, an' then I'll know a good deal more than I do now."

On the third day after their arrival the boys saw a freighting-schooner, with a large crew of men, set sail for the key on which they had lived so long, to save what was left of the Bonita and her cargo.

This completed the business for which they had visited Nassau – the wreckers being instructed to carry their find to New York – and word was given that every one should be ready for an early start homeward next morning.

"You've had adventures enough for one year, and can well afford to study hard until next summer," Mr. Vandyne said as he announced the early departure of the Lorlie; and, hearing the words, a troubled look came over Jim's face.

"We're ready for any amount of work at school after our accidental cruise," Harry replied promptly; "but what is to become of Jim?"

"He will go home, of course, after receiving his share of the pirates' treasure."

"But he hasn't a relative in the world, and it seems too bad for him to go on board the Mary Walker now that he has money enough to pay for a good education."

Mr. Vandyne questioned the young fisherman at great length, and then he said:

"You will be able to do as you choose, because the accidental cruise has made all hands moderately wealthy; therefore I am not offering anything like charity when I say you can live with Harry until some permanent arrangement is made. We will have a legal guardian appointed, that the money shall not be squandered, and you need not feel much anxiety as to the future until the time comes when you decide upon an occupation."

Jim tried to thank Mr. Vandyne, but failed signally; and to hide his confusion he scuttled off to the forecastle, where he told Bob the good news, concluding by saying:

"I'm through bein' rope's-ended by a crew of fishermen whenever they feel a little grouty, an' you jes' bet I'll study hard, now I've got a chance. But how will I ever see you ag'in?"

"Why, bless you, lad, I'm goin' to stay close 'round there – sorter in the same family. Mr. Vandyne is a ship-owner, an' has plenty of work for an old shell-back like me. Joe an' I have both signed with him, an' whenever you want to know anything what can't be found in books, jes' shape a course for the docks an' ask Bob Brace."

CHAPTER XXXIV.

NEW YORK

Of the voyage to New York it is hardly necessary to speak, because nothing of an exciting or an interesting nature occurred. The wind favored the Lorlie to such an extent that not a rope was started from the time of leaving Nassau until she crossed the bar at Sandy Hook. The trip was as devoid of incident as the previous one in the Bonita had been filled with dangers and sorrows; and two hours after the yacht dropped anchor off Staten Island, Harry and Walter were clasped in their mothers' arms.

The accidental cruise in a runaway brig was ended at last; and, fortunately, no harm had come from what at one time seemed certain would be attended with gravest dangers.

It only remains now to chronicle the events which immediately followed their arrival; not because of any relation to the story already told, but owing to the influence they may exercise upon the future movements of the three boys.

First, and at present the most important, is, How much treasure did they bring home?

Mr. Vandyne was forced to engage the services of an expert money-changer in order to learn this fact himself; and, to the surprise of all, it was found that the bags averaged a trifle more than eighteen thousand dollars apiece, making a grand total of three hundred and forty-two thousand six hundred dollars. This was divided equally among the five who had been imprisoned on the key, and for the first time in his life Bob Brace enjoyed the distinction of being what he called "a blooming capitalist."

It was no longer necessary for either the old sailor or Joe to do any very hard work; but as both preferred some kind of employment, and that which Mr. Vandyne offered was exactly suited to their ideas of ease, if not luxury, they concluded to hold to the agreement already made.

While the money was being divided, Bob insisted very strongly that Harry's father should take a certain amount to repay him for the voyage to the Bahamas; but this was refused in such a decided manner as to leave no opportunity for discussion.

"The treasure belongs to those who found it!" the merchant said; "and as I made the trip for the purpose of rescuing my son, there can be no question of payment. Yet I did have a reasonably profitable cruise, in addition to finding Harry. You were able to prove the loss of the Bonita, thus giving me an opportunity of claiming the insurance many months sooner than it could otherwise have been done; and, besides, I am expecting to realize something from salvage on the cargo."

Bob and Joe decided to invest a portion of their share of the treasure in a vessel, and Mr. Vandyne agreed to act as their agent in the transaction.

Three days after the arrival of the Lorlie the rescued party were engaged in their business, or pleasure, much as if they had never seen an island on the Bahama shoal.

Jim was living at Harry's home, and Mr. Vandyne was to be his guardian as soon as the necessary formalities could he complied with. Walter was at home, within a block of his friend, while the other two members of the party who had taken an accidental cruise were busily engaged in Mr. Vandyne's service.

On the fourth day after the Lorlie cast anchor off Staten Island the three boys went to the docks for the purpose of paying Bob and Joe a visit, and then the old sailor proposed such a scheme as met with the unqualified approval of all.

"I want you lads to look at a little steam yacht that's layin' at the next pier," Bob said; and as a matter of course the boys were more than willing to make such inspection, since, after their late experience, anything in the way of boats or vessels had a new interest for them.

The craft to which Bob and Joe led the party fully merited the praise which was bestowed so unstintedly. Her name was the Sea Foam, and she lie so jauntily on the water that one could but say it was in every way applicable to her.

"Fifty-five foot keel, nine foot beam, compound engines, sound as a dollar, and guaranteed to make fourteen knots an hour," Joe said, as he pointed to the little steamer. "She's the most perfect thing of her kind I ever saw."

The boys were not satisfied with gazing at her from the pier, but clambered on board, and a view of her interior arrangements only served to strengthen the good opinion formed by a single glance at the graceful lines of the hull.

The Sea Foam had a roomy after-cabin handsomely but not expensively furnished, on either side of which were four bunks, separated from the saloon by heavy draperies. Swinging lamps and trays, large mirrors, the polished woods and the shining metal-work gave an air of beauty and homeliness to this portion of the steamer such as the boys thought very charming.

Then the engine-room was visited, and although the three younger members of the party were not judges of machinery they could understand that Joe's words of praise were merited.

The forward cabin, which also served as dining-room, contained four bunks, and leading from it was as complete and convenient a galley and pantry as the most fastidious cook could have desired.

"Well, what do you think of her?" Bob asked, when the inspection was concluded.

"She's the handsomest craft I ever saw," Harry replied enthusiastically. "Who owns her?"

"A gentleman whose office is near your father's, and he wants to sell her. She's cheap at the price – three thousand – and my idea is that you boys couldn't do better than buy her. Then, next summer when you want to go off on a good time, Joe'll ship as engineer, I'll be crew, an' you'll only need a cook. She looks like a first-class sea-boat fit for any water."

It is needless to add that the boys were highly excited by this proposition; but as it was impossible to say that the purchase could be made until Mr. Vandyne and Mr. Morse had been consulted, Harry and Walter started for the former's office at full speed, leaving the remainder of the party on board until their return.

"Want to buy the Sea Foam, eh?" Mr. Vandyne said, when Harry pantingly asked him to come and look at the little steamer. "I examined her yesterday, and thought she would be a good pleasure-boat for you boys. Considering the fact that you've got more than money enough to make the purchase, I see no good reason why it shouldn't be done. I'll send a note to the owner, and you had better run down the bay on a trial trip. Tell Bob and Joe to stop work and go with you. Remember that while on the yacht the old sailor is to be obeyed as he was at the island."

To get an order for the dock-master to deliver the Sea Foam to the parties named in Mr. Vandyne's note it was only necessary to walk a short distance, and in less than an hour after first seeing the yacht all hands were on board, steaming down the bay at a trifle more than a fifteen-knot rate.

One trip was sufficient to convince the boys that the little craft was essential to their happiness, and even Bob and Joe were so pleased with her that it is quite probable they might have been tempted to purchase her themselves in case the young capitalists had not decided in favor of the scheme.

"A two-weeks'-old baby might steer her if it knew enough," Bob said approvingly, as he stood at the wheel in the snug little pilot-house; "an' as for speed, why there's mighty few can touch her. We're gettin' a decently heavy swell now, an' her deck is as dry as a bone."

"Would you dare to go from here to the Bahamas in her?" Walter asked.

"Dare? Why, lad, she'd live in weather that would swamp many a bigger craft. You can cruise from here to South America in her, an' be a blessed sight more comfortable than ever we were on the old Bonita."

Joe had even more to say in the Sea Foam's favor than Bob, and he insisted stoutly that it was nothing more than play to act the part of engineer.

All this praise was needless, however, for the intending purchasers were more than pleased with the little craft, and their report to Mr. Vandyne was coupled with such urgent entreaties for him to close the bargain before any one else could take advantage of the offer that by noon of the next day she was transferred to Messrs. Vandyne, Morse & Libby.

These young gentlemen are already making preparations to spend next summer on board the Sea Foam, and when they start it is safe to say the cruise will not be accidental.

THE END