Пятнадцатилетний капитан / Dick Sand. A Captain at Fifteen. Уровень 2

“Now, my men, I have some work for you today,” he said to the negroes when he came on deck at daybreak.

“All right, captain,” answered Hercules.

“Why didn’t you blow with your big mouth?” said little Jack. “You could have beaten the wind all to nothing.”

Dick laughed, and said, “Not a bad idea, Jack!”

“I’ll be most happy,” retorted the giant, and he inflated his huge checks.

“But now to work!” cried Dick; “we must hoist another topsail. Not an easy matter, I can tell you.

”

“I dare say we’ll manage it,” replied Acteon.

“Can’t I help?” inquired Jack.

“Of course you can,” answered Dick; “run along to the wheel, and assist Bat.”

Under Dick’s directions, the negroes commenced their difficult task.

Although the clouds continued to travel all the next day with great rapidity, the “Pilgrim” was bathed in sunlight. The weather cleared.

“Upon what part of South America will we find ourselves?” asked Mrs. Weldon.

“I think somewhere hereabouts,” replied Dick.

He was pointing on the chart to the long shore-line of Chili and Peru. They both examined the chart with attention.

“Here, you see,” resumed Dick, “here is the island; we must see the land soon. The coast has plenty of harbours. From any one of them you will be able easily to get to San Francisco.”

“Ah, well; we will see all this,” Mrs. Weldon said, smiling.

It was the 5th of April. More than two months ago the “Pilgrim” quitted New Zealand.

Sometimes Tom, sometimes Hercules, or one of the others were sure that a distant speck was a mountain ridge; but their delusion was dispelled.

At last, at eight o’clock one morning the horizon was clear. Dick’s voice rung out, – “Land! Land ahead!”

Every one was on deck in an instant: Mrs. Weldon, little Jack, Cousin Benedict, old Nan, and the negroes; all, with the exception of Negoro, all were on deck.

They soon distinguished the shore they were approaching.

There was land not far ahead! A few miles to the east there was a long coast.

The “Pilgrim” was going rapidly towards the land. But they saw no human habitation, no harbour.

The wind remained brisk, and the schooner was driving directly towards the land. With eager eyes Dick scrutinized his situation. Straight ahead was a reef. The wind seemed brisker than before.

Dick went quickly aft and took the helm. He did not speak a word.