than that, we shall have a tempest, or I don't know what's what.'
You could see the wind coming like the dust at Montredon; luckily
the captain understood his business. `Take in two reefs in the
tops'ls,' cried the captain; `let go the bowlin's, haul the brace,
lower the to'gall'nt sails, haul out the reef-tackles on the
yards.'"
"That was not enough for those latitudes," said the Englishman;
"I should have taken four reefs in the topsails and furled the
spanker."
His firm, sonorous, and unexpected voice made every one start.
Penelon put his hand over his eyes, and then stared at the man who
thus criticized the manoeuvres of his captain. "We did better than
that, sir," said the old sailor respectfully; "we put the helm up
to run before the tempest; ten minutes after we struck our tops'ls
and scudded under bare poles."
"The vessel was very old to risk that," said the Englishman.
"Eh, it was that that did the business; after pitching heavily
for twelve hours we sprung a leak. `Penelon,' said the captain, `I
think we are sinking, give me the helm, and go down into the hold.'
I gave him the helm, and descended; there was already three feet of
water. `All hands to the pumps!' I shouted; but it was too late,
and it seemed the more we pumped the more came in. `Ah,' said I,
after four hours' work, `since we are sinking, let us sink; we can
die but once.' `That's the example you set, Penelon,' cries the
captain; `very well, wait a minute.' He went into his cabin and
came back with a brace of pistols. `I will blow the brains out of
the first man who leaves the pump,' said he."
"Well done!" said the Englishman.
"There's nothing gives you so much courage as good reasons,"
continued the sailor; "and during that time the wind had abated,
and the sea gone down, but the water kept rising; not much, only
two inches an hour, but still it rose. Two inches an hour does not
seem much, but in twelve hours that makes two feet, and three we
had before, that makes five. `Come,' said the captain, `we havehad before, that makes five. `Come,' said the captain, `we have
done all in our power, and M. Morrel will have nothing to reproach
us with, we have tried to save the ship, let us now save ourselves.
To the boats, my lads, as quick as you can.' Now," continued
Penelon, "you see, M. Morrel, a sailor is attached to his ship, but
still more to his life, so we did not wait to be told twice; the
more so, that the ship was sinking under us, and seemed to say,
`Get along — save yourselves.' We soon launched the boat, and all
eight of us got into it. The captain descended last, or rather, he
did not descend, he would not quit the vessel; so I took him round
the waist, and threw him into the boat, and then I jumped after
him. It was time, for just as I jumped the deck burst with a noise
like the broadside of a man-of-war. Ten minutes after she pitched
forward, then the other way, spun round and round, and then good-by
to the Pharaon. As for us, we were three days without anything to
eat or drink, so that we began to think of drawing lots who should
feed the rest, when we saw La Gironde; we made signals of distress,
she perceived us, made for us, and took us all on board. There now,
M. Morrel, that's the whole truth, on the honor of a sailor; is not
it true, you fellows there?" A general murmur of approbation showed
that the narrator had faithfully detailed their misfortunes and
sufferings.
"Well, well," said M. Morrel, "I know there was no one in fault
but destiny. It was the will of God that this should happen,
blessed be his name. What wages are due to you?"
"Oh, don't let us talk of that, M. Morrel."
"Yes, but we will talk of it."
"Well, then, three months," said Penelon.
"Cocles, pay two hundred francs to each of these good fellows,"
said Morrel. "At another time," added be, "I should have said, Give
them, besides, two hundred francs over as a present; but times are
changed, and the little money that remains to me is not my
own."
Penelon turned to his companions, and exchanged a few words with
them.own."
Penelon turned to his companions, and exchanged a few words with
them.
"As for that, M. Morrel," said he, again turning his quid, "as
for that" —
"As for what?"
"The money."
"Well" —
"Well, we all say that fifty francs will be enough for us at
present, and that we will wait for the rest."
"Thanks, my friends, thanks!" cried Morrel gratefully; "take it
— take it; and if you can find another employer, enter his service;
you are free to do so." These last words produced a prodigious
effect on the seaman. Penelon nearly swallowed his quid;
fortunately he recovered. "What, M. Morrel!" said he in a low
voice, "you send us away; you are then angry with us!"
"No, no," said M. Morrel, "I am not angry, quite the contrary,
and I do not send you away; but I have no more ships, and therefore
I do not want any sailors."
"No more ships!" returned Penelon; "well, then, you'll build
some; we'll wait for you."
"I have no money to build ships with, Penelon," said the poor
owner mournfully, "so I cannot accept your kind offer."
"No more money? Then you must not pay us; we can scud, like the
Pharaon, under bare poles."
"Enough, enough!" cried Morrel, almost overpowered; "leave me, I
pray you; we shall meet again in a happier time. Emmanuel, go with
them, and see that my orders are executed."
"At least, we shall see each other again, M. Morrel?" asked
Penelon.
"Yes; I hope so, at least. Now go." He made a sign to Cocles,
who went first; the seamen followed him and Emmanuel brought up the
rear. "Now," said the owner to his wife and daughter, "leave me; I
wish to speak with this gentleman." And he glanced towards the
clerk of Thomson & French, who had remained motionless in the
corner during this scene, in which he had taken no part, except the
few words we have mentioned. The two women looked at this person
whose presence they had entirely forgotten, and retired; but, as
she left the apartment, Julie gave the stranger a supplicating
glance, to which he replied by a smile that an indifferent