登陆注册
20042100000016

第16章 CHAPTER XII(2)

The other passengers, in common with the crew, are still in entire ignorance of the extremity of peril to which we are exposed, although they are all aware that there is fire in the hold. As soon as the fact was announced, Mr. Kear, after communicating to Curtis his instructions that he thought he should have the fire immediately extinguished, and intimat- ing that he held him responsible for all contingencies that might happen, retired to his cabin, where he has remained ever since, fully occupied in collecting and packing together the more cherished articles of his property and without the semblance of a care or a thought for his unfortunate wife, whose condition, in spite of her ludicrous complaints, was truly pitiable. Miss Herbey, however, is unrelaxing in her attentions, and the unremitted diligence with which she fulfills her offices of duty, commands my highest ad- miration.

OCTOBER 23. -- This morning, Captain Huntly sent for Curtis into his cabin, and the mate has since made me ac- quainted with what passed between them.

"Curtis," began the captain, his haggard eye betraying only too plainly some mental derangement, "I am a sailor, am I not?"

"Certainly, captain," was the prompt acquiescence of the mate.

"I do not know how it is," continued the captain, "but I seem bewildered; I can not recollect anything. Are we not bound for Liverpool? Ah! yes! of course. And have we kept a northeasterly direction since we left?"

"No, sir, according to your orders we have been sailing southeast, and here we are in the tropics."

"And what is the name of the ship?"

"The Chancellor, sir."

"Yes, yes, the Chancellor, so it is. Well, Curtis, I really can't take her back to the north. I hate the sea, the very sight of it makes me ill, I would much rather not leave my cabin."

Curtis went on to tell me how he had tried to persuade him that with a little time and care he would soon recover his indisposition, and feel himself again; but the captain had in- terrupted him by saying:

"Well, well; we shall see by-and-by; but for the present you must take this for my positive order; you must, from this time, at once take the command of the ship, and act just as if I were not on board. Under present circum- stances, I can do nothing. My brain is all in a whirl, you can not tell what I am suffering;" and the unfortunate man pressed both his hands convulsively against his forehead.

"I weighed the matter carefully for a moment," added Curtis, "and seeing what his condition too truly was, I ac- quiesced in all that he required and withdrew, promising him that all his orders should be obeyed."

After hearing these particulars, I could not help remark- ing how fortunate it was that the captain had resigned of his own accord, for although he might not be actually in- sane, it was very evident that his brain was in a very morbid condition.

"I succeeded him at a very critical moment," said Curtis thoughtfully; "but I shall endeavor to do my duty."

A short time afterward he sent for his boatswain and or- dered him to assemble the crew at the foot of the main-mast.

As soon as the men were together, he addressed them very calmly, but very firmly.

"My men," he said, "I have to tell you that Captain Huntly, on account of the dangerous situation in which cir- cumstances have placed us, and for other reasons known to myself, has thought right to resign his command to me.

From this time forward, I am captain of this vessel."

Thus quietly and simply was the change effected, and we have the satisfaction of knowing that the Chancellor is now under the command of a conscientious, energetic man, who will shirk nothing that he believes to be for our common good. M. Letourneur, Andre, Mr. Falsten, and myself im- mediately offered him our best wishes, in which Lieutenant Walter and the boatswain most cordially joined.

The ship still holds her course southwest, and Curtis crowds on all sail and makes as speedily as possible for the nearest of the Lesser Antilles.

同类推荐
  • 赠别前蔚州契苾使君

    赠别前蔚州契苾使君

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • The Young Forester

    The Young Forester

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 艺舟双楫

    艺舟双楫

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说莲华眼陀罗尼经

    佛说莲华眼陀罗尼经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 仪礼注疏

    仪礼注疏

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 西部大开发系列丛书:西部生态环境

    西部大开发系列丛书:西部生态环境

    实施西部大开发战略,是以江泽民同志为核心的党中央站在历史和政治的高度,统揽全局,审时度势,面向新世纪做出的重大决策,充分显示了第三代中央领导集体率领全国人民实现中华民族伟大复兴,把建设有中国特色社会主义的伟大事业全面推向21世纪的气魄和胆略。很明显,实施这个战略决策,将给西部地区带来巨大的经济活力和发展动力,也必将对于全国未来数十年的改革、发展、稳定发挥重大的历史性作用,同时也必将在国际政治经济生活中产生重大影响。
  • 为你倾尽平生慷慨

    为你倾尽平生慷慨

    岁月冗长,我才明白不是所有的念念不忘都能听到回响。
  • 阎罗战天

    阎罗战天

    阎王要你三更死,谁敢留你到五更?仙帝魔神又怎样,天地往生我做主,轮回盘上有你名~我是阎君,尔等还不速速来拜!
  • 英雄联盟之穿越归来

    英雄联盟之穿越归来

    苏逸是个英雄联盟玩家,可是不幸被人暗杀,上天眷顾再回人世,不过这已经不是他所熟知世界了,而是英雄联盟的世界,于是他在在瓦洛兰开始新的生活,后宫越来越大。
  • 华严经海印道场忏仪

    华严经海印道场忏仪

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 无缘亦无奈

    无缘亦无奈

    她是万物的主宰者,守护着万物,掌控着万物,
  • 三国之风云

    三国之风云

    看前世历史系大学生徐仲穿越到三国乱世中,是怎样一步一步的崛起!(新人上路,不喜勿喷!!!)
  • 轮转的世界

    轮转的世界

    没有缘由,凡是皆有因果。让大家评价一下。还不够吗
  • 天道大择

    天道大择

    魔族入侵千年后,九州之中,却迎来了一场始料未及的大劫,一块昌盛繁荣的大陆,因此毁灭,武者人人自危,时光荏苒,魔族又将复苏?重犯九州?毁灭的废墟之上,孤岛之中,一个青年读着古籍,目光眺望远方......九州漫天繁星,辰星不落!凌辰星,少时,自灾变发生后,在流金荒岛上渡过了十载寒秋,是天才?还是废物?但无论如何,他的征程,从这里,开始,属于他的,崛起征程!
  • 玄机天书

    玄机天书

    简介一场灾难,让赵天宇失去家园与最亲近的人,自己也被大火烧得体无完肤,无意中得知灾难发生的真相以及妹妹还存活在世的消息,无奈自己却深陷险境,走投无路之下纵身跳下悬崖。在深渊中醒来,却发现是一处绝地,无意中得到大机缘,懵懵懂懂的初涉修炼之道,被烧伤的皮肤重生,而且体魄及神识都变得比以往更加强健。通过不懈努力,赵天宇走出生天,踏上复仇与寻亲的路......一身浩然气,独闯江湖路。谈笑间,强弩灰飞烟灭。