登陆注册
5241400000016

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
热门推荐
  • 三身梵赞

    三身梵赞

    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。
  • 鉴堂一禅师语录

    鉴堂一禅师语录

    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。
  • 梅香笺

    梅香笺

    飞雪漫天,梅开极妍,削竹为笺,系之于简,书尽你我生世情缘,纵情深缘浅,不许你如烟。快穿部分从第三卷第一章开始,也就是第45章无巧不书(1)。快穿之前写得有些凌乱,看不下去的直接跳到后面看或者点叉吧……
  • 这世界唯一的你

    这世界唯一的你

    我们已不再年轻,终于可以一意孤行。这是自由极光的第九本书,不同于以往任何一本。在这本书里,你会遇到这样一些人,他么闪闪发光,从此你再也不能将他们忘记。叹为观止的“奇葩”故事,声色犬马,流光溢彩;惊为天人的先生与小姐,奇诡美丽,人生离奇。这个世界的组成,除了无趣的“正常人”,还有值得被人一提再提的“他们”。我们捕捉他们,嘲笑他们,谈论他们,偶尔还羡慕他们,但其实我们都做过他们。其实,那些后来被称为“奇葩”的人,最开始也都是踩着七彩云朵而来照亮过整个世界。不同的故事、不同的你我、不同的回忆,送给你,迷恋过去的你、假装坚强的你、总是觉得自己不够好的你:不要试图去讨好这个世界,你是这世界唯一的你。
  • 口供

    口供

    李富泉的案子侦破之后,石韬再也没有谈论过一句这个案子,不管是在何种情况下。有时,哪怕参与侦办这个案子的民警们,或队里的其他民警谈起这个案子,石韬都会突然厉声查问起其中某个人的工作,从而将他们的谈话中断。看来,这个案件的侦破不但没有像其他案件一样给他带来成就感,反而成为他的一块心病,甚至禁忌。时间长了,这个案件渐渐被大家埋葬在了记忆的深处。只在极偶然的情况下,比如在石韬看到某个电视节目的时候,会忽然触发他的某根神经,引起一阵愣怔。
  • Struts & Frets

    Struts & Frets

    Music is in Sammy's blood. His grandfather was a jazz musician, and Sammy's indie rock band could be huge one day—if they don't self-destruct first. Winning the upcoming Battle of the Bands would justify all their compromises and reassure Sammy that his life's dream could become a reality. But practices are hard to schedule when Sammy's grandfather is sick and getting worse, his mother is too busy to help either of them, and his best friend may want to be his girlfriend. Told in a voice that's honest and wry, Struts & Frets will resonate not only with teenage musicians but also with anyone who ever sat up all night listening to a favorite album, wondering if they'd ever find their place in the world.
  • 率性篇

    率性篇

    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。
  • 小公主(中小学生必读丛书)

    小公主(中小学生必读丛书)

    常驻印度的英国上尉克鲁先生把唯一的女儿萨拉送到了伦敦的一所贵族学校,学校校长明钦女士竭力巴结他们,将萨拉捧成了学校的“招牌学生”,把她当成公主一样尊敬。克鲁上尉因和朋友投资钻石矿失利而染病去世,势利的明钦女士把萨拉赶到阁楼做女佣,萨拉饱尝了周围势利之人的冷眼以及各种折磨,但她都以乐观的心态面对,依然表现得像个公主。两年后,克鲁上尉的朋友找到了萨拉,并告知萨拉钻石矿已恢复生产,萨拉终于摆脱了明钦女士的压迫,变成了真正的“公主”。
  • 穿越铠甲之我是蛟龙

    穿越铠甲之我是蛟龙

    一觉醒来,林凡竟然发现自己穿越到了五行铠甲世界里面,不仅如此自己还成为了一名异能兽,还能够吞噬其他铠甲,这下爽歪歪了!吊打异能兽,掌控暗影界,吊打铠甲勇士!打爆铠甲勇士,吸收炼化。(本故事及人物纯属虚构,如有雷同,纯属巧合,切勿模仿。)
  • 名家名作精选:鲁迅小说(学生阅读经典)

    名家名作精选:鲁迅小说(学生阅读经典)

    诗歌,抒放我们的浪漫情怀;散文,倾诉我们的心灵密语;小说,容纳我们的英雄梦想。每一种文体,都有它不一样的魅力。《名家名作精选》系列收录了22位著名作家的经典之作,这里有他们的离合悲欢,苦辣酸甜,他们为青春歌唱,为爱情幽伤,在特别的岁月写下了特别的文字。让我们随他们的笔迹再回味一遍青涩年代,再温习一遍陈年旧事,让我们再感动一次……