Part 45 (1/2)
THE BELLONA AND EMPRESS SAIL FOR ADEN--PART COMPANY--BELLONA FALLS IN WITH A MERCHANTMAN IN DISTRESS--A GLEAM OF HOPE--TOUCHES AT THE CAPE AND ADEN, AND PROCEEDS UP THE RED SEA--THE BELLONA REACHES ANNESLEY BAY-- JACK AND TOM LAND AT ZULLA--VISIT THE BRITISH CAMP--EXTENSIVE OPERATIONS GOING FORWARD--MARCH COMMENCED--INTERVIEW BETWEEN SIR ROBERT NAPIER AND THE PRINCE OF TIGRE--THE BRITISH ARMY ADVANCES TO ATTACK MAGDALA-- ENCOUNTERS THEODORE'S FORCES--DEFEAT OF THE ABYSSINIANS--THEODORE SENDS LIEUTENANT PRIDEAUX TO SIR ROBERT--ANXIOUS NEGOTIATIONS--THE CAPTIVES RELEASED--MOST OF THEODORE'S TROOPS LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS--THE KING HOLDS OUT--MAGDALA STORMED--THEODORE SHOOTS HIMSELF--THE FORTRESS DESTROYED-- RETURN MARCH--THE BELLONA SAILS FOR ADEN
The _Bellona_ and _Ee round the Cape of Good Hope Adair had, to the last land, expected to hear of his nephew, Lord Saint Maur, but although he had instituted every possible inquiry, no news had come of him
He had hoped, should Gerald have been carried off by the shi+p which ran down the yacht, that he would have got on board some homeward-bound vessel or have landed at some port from whence he could send word of his safety, which he would certainly have done, knowing the deep anxiety which must be felt about him, not only by his uncle, but by hisin company, Jack and Adair were seldonal They had, before crossing the line, ht of each other, though they fully expected to , as their course was the same and both shi+ps sailed or steamed at a pretty equal rate On board the _Bellona_, which shi+p we must accompany, a look-out was kept for the _Empress_, as Jack had no doubt that she was ahead But day after day the sun rose and set and she did not appear The _Bellona_ had reached almost to the latitude of Saint Helena, when it came on a dead calm, and as there appeared every prospect of its continuance, Jack unwillingly-- as he had been charged to husband his coal--got up steah the cal dawned, the look-out froht on the starboard bow Archie Gordon, who, as first lieutenant, was paddling about with his trousers tucked up and his feet bare, superintending the process of holystoning and washi+ng decks, inquired the appearance of the stranger, hoping that she ht prove to be the _Empress_
”She looks as if she had one She has just hoisted a signal of distress half h”
To this went aloft with his spy-glass to have a look at the stranger Being satisfied that she was really in distress, on co Alick to inform the captain, and asked leave to steer for her
Jack, quickly co on deck, ordered the shi+p to be headed up towards the stranger As the _Bellona_ approached, her battered condition becaone, her bulwarks stove in, and she lay a mere wreck on the water; a few people only were seen on her deck, and even through the telescopes directed at theard as they stood leaning over the bulwarks gazing at the approachinglowered, Toside the wreck
”What shi+p is that?” he asked, as he pulled up
”The _Argo_, Captain Robson, fro In Heaven's Dame, I trust you can render us assistance,” said the man, in a hollow voice ”We are short of provisions, and consu of thirst, and scarcely strong enough to keep the puive you all the help we can,” said To up on deck, where the spectacle which met his view convinced him of the truth of the master's statement Five of the hands, whose countenances showed the sufferings they had endured, orking away at the puth they possessed, the clear streae a; while several others lay about the deck, exhausted from their previous exertions A few only re this, without further inquiries sent young Alick back in the boat with a report of the state of the shi+p, requesting that the carpenter and his crew and so as far as possible the daht quickly be sent
”Water! oh, water! Let us have water first!” cried the master
The men bent to their oars, and quickly reached the _Bellona_ Two other boats were immediately lowered, and into Alick's, which was the first ready, a cask of water was at once put, hich he and several additional hands returned to the merchantman
The fresh hands juht of which the thirsty crew rushed aft Tom, who stood by while the contents were drawn up, was about to hand the cup to the master He took it and hurried below
”It's for his wife,” observed one of the men; ”she's very bad”
Two boys, whose looks betrayed their sufferings, cahs as they poured the refreshi+ng liquid down their throats The other erly drank a draught of water
”Thank Heaven!” he ejaculated ”It has restored new strength to ain upon us ”
”Let yourthe way to the pumps, which he with his people manned
Meantime Alick took his place at the cask and served out more water to the master and his men, who appeared still far fro of the condition of the merchantman's crew, sent the doctor, who now stepped on board
”Stop,the quantity of water the”Youas pure water”
”Will you come below and see my poor wife, sir?” said the master, in an anxious tone
The doctor at once descended with him Meantime the provisions were handed up; some cans of hot cocoa and biscuit The crew stood round like school children, waiting to be supplied with their food, with difficulty restraining their eagerness until the cups of cocoa were handed to theical effect, and even those stretched on the deck now ed to move about
Some spars had been towed off fro up a jury-mast, while the carpenter and his creent below to try and find the leak, and see what could be done to stop it
The energetic pu of the man-of-war'ssearch the carpenter sent up to say he had discovered the worst leak and was already at work stopping it