-
Articles/Ads
Article THE FIRST CRUISE OF THE " VIXEN." ← Page 16 of 23 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The First Cruise Of The " Vixen."
their bodies in the maxvs of the ground sharks , hundreds of which we saxv lingering around the spot ; I suppose they scented the young felloAv AVC found in the fore-cabin . " I shuddered . Sea-sickness is not the only apprehension that attends a cruise .
"It appears , " continued the officer , "that this schooner sailed from Lisbon about five xveeks ago , and as the crew spent some time in the harbour , it was thought that by bringing the body here it might be identified ; it has been brought ashore , and to-morroxv xvill be deposited at the British Consulate ; when , shoidd it turn out to be some one of importance , perhaps xve
shall receive orders from home to go to Mogador , and knoxv the reason why . " "You say you have brought the body ashore , " said Tom ; " xvhere is it now ?" " Up-stairs , " replied the lieutenant . " Up-stairs ! " we rose xiith one accord ; and I confess I
tinned pale . The story had interested , although it terrified me ; but the presence , almost the contact , of this victim , seemed to bring the scene to my A'ery eyes . AVe Avere silent for a moment , AA'hen Tom asked if it Avere possible to see the corpse . " Certainly , " replied the surgeon , who was one of the party ; " it is under my charge for the present . To-morrow , indeed , it must be publicly exhibited , to invite recognition . Come , I will
shoxv you the xvay . " All rose , except myself ; an inexpressible terror , a feeling of paralysing presentiment xvithheld me . After pausing a moment , and directing a glance of invitation toxvards me , the party left the room . I sat alone ; for the first time in my life I xvas in the presence
of a terrible calamity , and I felt that xvhich I candidly attributed to coxvardice . The picture of the minder rose up before me ; I saw the unhappy , helpless crew hexvn doxvn , and cast OA'erboard Avithout mercy ; I beheld every hideous detail until the A'essel Avas left alone Avith the rustling trees , manned by that solitary corpse , into Avhose pallid face the Aviry little clog gazed
Avith that wondering , intelligent eye ; ancl then he would bark , and Avhine , or start aAvay xvith a quick bound of joy , thinking to attract by his merriment the xvonted caress or cheering word ; but not receiving either , the poor brute would stand axA-hile uncertain , then sloxA'ly creep to Ms master ' s head , and lying doxvn beside it , xvait for death . A loud xx'hine axA'oke me xvith a start of terror from my reverie ; on the floor before me , and gazing into my face , sat a
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The First Cruise Of The " Vixen."
their bodies in the maxvs of the ground sharks , hundreds of which we saxv lingering around the spot ; I suppose they scented the young felloAv AVC found in the fore-cabin . " I shuddered . Sea-sickness is not the only apprehension that attends a cruise .
"It appears , " continued the officer , "that this schooner sailed from Lisbon about five xveeks ago , and as the crew spent some time in the harbour , it was thought that by bringing the body here it might be identified ; it has been brought ashore , and to-morroxv xvill be deposited at the British Consulate ; when , shoidd it turn out to be some one of importance , perhaps xve
shall receive orders from home to go to Mogador , and knoxv the reason why . " "You say you have brought the body ashore , " said Tom ; " xvhere is it now ?" " Up-stairs , " replied the lieutenant . " Up-stairs ! " we rose xiith one accord ; and I confess I
tinned pale . The story had interested , although it terrified me ; but the presence , almost the contact , of this victim , seemed to bring the scene to my A'ery eyes . AVe Avere silent for a moment , AA'hen Tom asked if it Avere possible to see the corpse . " Certainly , " replied the surgeon , who was one of the party ; " it is under my charge for the present . To-morrow , indeed , it must be publicly exhibited , to invite recognition . Come , I will
shoxv you the xvay . " All rose , except myself ; an inexpressible terror , a feeling of paralysing presentiment xvithheld me . After pausing a moment , and directing a glance of invitation toxvards me , the party left the room . I sat alone ; for the first time in my life I xvas in the presence
of a terrible calamity , and I felt that xvhich I candidly attributed to coxvardice . The picture of the minder rose up before me ; I saw the unhappy , helpless crew hexvn doxvn , and cast OA'erboard Avithout mercy ; I beheld every hideous detail until the A'essel Avas left alone Avith the rustling trees , manned by that solitary corpse , into Avhose pallid face the Aviry little clog gazed
Avith that wondering , intelligent eye ; ancl then he would bark , and Avhine , or start aAvay xvith a quick bound of joy , thinking to attract by his merriment the xvonted caress or cheering word ; but not receiving either , the poor brute would stand axA-hile uncertain , then sloxA'ly creep to Ms master ' s head , and lying doxvn beside it , xvait for death . A loud xx'hine axA'oke me xvith a start of terror from my reverie ; on the floor before me , and gazing into my face , sat a