Roy and the other men followed. Adair now jumped on board, and made his way to the stern sheets. The bow-men shoved, off without waiting for orders, and bending to their oars the gig was soon across the bar.
Saint Maur and Roy were too much out of breath to speak. Indeed, Adair himself forgot to ask the reason of the signals they had heard; as, while steering for the bar, and casting a momentary glance over his shoulders, he saw the whole island rocking to and fro, and not only steam and smoke, but flames bursting forth from several fissures. Even now neither he nor his men were in safety: for should the island sink, the rafts and boats would be drawn into the vortex; or should it blow up, as seemed very likely, the fragments would too probably fall down and crush them, or create so violent a commotion of the ocean that they would scarcely escape being overwhelmed. Steering for the heaviest raft, he joined another boat in towing her. As yet they were under the lee of the island, and their sails were of no use. Long paddles had been formed for the use of the men on the rafts, who worked energetically, as the boats, heavily laden as they were, were unable to make much headway.
Roy, who had been hitherto panting too much to speak, now recovering himself, exclaimed--
"A sail, sir! a sail! We saw her standing towards the island. She"s a steamer, I think, though I could not make out her funnel. I caught sight of a wreath of white smoke hanging above her masthead."
"Too probably she"s only pa.s.sing," said Adair.
"No, sir, she was standing steadily this way; and the heads of her courses had already risen above the horizon. We left the flag flying, so if the hill doesn"t come toppling down, she will see that, and know that there is some one on the rock. Perhaps she is coming expressly to look after us."
"Thank Heaven!" cried Adair, in a voice choking with emotion, for the first time the calm composure he had hitherto exhibited giving way. "My poor people will be saved!"
The joyful news soon spread from boat to boat and raft to raft. At length feeling the wind, sail was set, and the little squadron steered a course as close to it as was possible, not to near the ship, but to get further off from the island. As soon as they had gained what Adair considered a safe distance, he ordered the first lieutenant, who was in one of the boats, to cast off and stand towards the stranger, whose topsails by that time could be seen. He had now only earnestly to pray that the weather would continue calm until they were all on board.
Meantime he had cast many an anxious glance towards the land, which seemed, at the distance they were now from it, to be at rest, though the rumbling sounds which reached them and the thick clouds of smoke and flame ascending, showed them that they had good reason to be thankful that they had escaped it.
The first lieutenant"s boat was eagerly watched as she glided rapidly over the smooth water. At last her white speck of canvas disappeared beneath the horizon, and a further period elapsed.
The stranger was p.r.o.nounced by the cut of her canvas to be a British man-of-war. At last she was seen to change her course, and to stand directly for the rafts. Soon afterwards the glorious ensign of England blew out at her peak. The sight was welcomed by a cheer from the whole crew. There could be no doubt that the first lieutenant had got on board. On she came until she approached, when her canvas was reduced.
"Hurrah! she"s the _Bellona_!" exclaimed Saint Maur and Adair at the same moment. They both knew her, and in another minute they recognised Captain Rogers and several old friends. Adair and Desmond, springing up the side, were heartily welcomed.
"We have come expressly to look for you," said Jack, as he grasped their hands, and he told them of the information he had received from the master of the Australian trader. The _Bellona"s_ boats had been lowered and now approached to take off the crew from the rafts, as well as the provisions and water.
"We have arrived in the nick of time," said Jack; "but as your island now seems tolerably quiet, we may as well remove the stores, the men"s bags, and your own things, which it will be a pity to lose, and I shall be glad to leave some of these boats which we cannot take away."
The _Bellona_ accordingly steamed on towards the entrance of the harbour, keeping, as may be supposed, at a safe distance in case of a sudden outbreak. By this time the smoke and flames had disappeared, and the boats pulled in, piloted by Adair and his officers.
The blue-jackets were highly delighted at recovering their bags, and the marines their kits, which had of necessity been left behind. The boats which Saint Maur and Rip had found when they landed were hauled high up on the beach and covered over with canvas to protect them from the weather. The more valuable stores were carried off, though provisions and other articles were left which might afford a.s.sistance to the sufferers of any ship which might be wrecked on the island.
The _Bellona_ steered directly for the Cape, in a short time, as the wind became fair, making all sail. That night the watch on deck declared that they saw a bright glare in the sky above the rock and that a low rumbling noise was heard coming from the same direction. Whether or not Virginia Island had blown up remained a matter of doubt, and Captain Rogers did not think that with two ships" companies on board it was his duty to return and ascertain the fact.
Crowded as they were, both officers and men were as happy as could be under such circ.u.mstances, and wonderful were the yarns which the crew of the _Empress_ had to spin, none of the facts which had occurred losing in the narration, besides which there were many more to describe which are not chronicled in this history.
The _Bellona_, immediately on her arrival in Simon"s Bay, was ordered home, where Captain Adair and his officers would have, of course, to undergo the usual court-martial for the loss of the _Empress_. Scarcely had she dropped her anchor, when, in one of the first boats which came off, was seen a stout military man, accompanied by two ladies. Shortly after, Major Bubsby and the two Misses Bubsby ascended the side. Jack, who was never wanting in politeness, whatever were his feelings, stood ready to receive them.
"My dear Captain Rogers," exclaimed the major, grasping him by the hand, "I was at the telegraph station when you made your number, and I immediately hurried down to welcome you, picking up Eugenia and Angelica on the way. Will you do me a favour?"
"What is it?" inquired Jack.
"Yes, it is a favour; I will acknowledge it as a favour if you grant it.
Will you convey Mrs Bubsby and myself with our two dear daughters to England? You must know that I was compelled to resign my command, and I do not find my stay here as pleasant as I should wish."
Billy Blueblazes, who was standing behind the captain, observed Miss Angelica casting loving glances towards him. "Heaven forbid that the captain should grant the major"s request," he said to himself.
He need have had no fear on that score. Jack as politely as possible declined, and did not even invite the major and the Misses Bubsby below.
"You must understand, Major Bubsby, that I have the officers and part of the ship"s company of the _Empress_ to carry home, so that we have not an inch to spare. I cannot turn them out of the only berths I have to offer, and you and your daughters would not like to sling up your hammocks on the lower deck."
"I did not expect this of you, Captain Rogers," said the major, an angry frown gathering on his brow.
"Hard-hearted man!" murmured Miss Angelica.
But Jack was deaf to all they could say, and felt very much inclined to order the master-at-arms to escort his visitors, _nolens volens_, down the side. They at last made a virtue of necessity, and returned to their boat.
Billy heaved a sigh of relief as he watched them pulling towards the sh.o.r.e. It was the last he or his captain ever saw or heard of Major Bubsby and his daughters, the major"s name disappearing soon afterwards from the army list. Lord Saint Maur, of course, went home in the _Bellona_. He was accompanied by Rip and Snarley, the former begging that he might enter his service as valet. Old England was reached at last, when Captain Rogers made the pleasing discovery that he had become an admiral by seniority.
In a very short time, telegrams having conveyed the joyful intelligence of the arrival of the ship with Captain Adair and Lord Saint Maur on board, Julia and Lucy, the former accompanied by her fair daughters, arrived at Southsea, which had so often before witnessed their grievous partings and happy meetings. This, as may be supposed, was one of the happiest. Captain Adair was honourably acquitted for the loss of the _Empress_. Though he did not again obtain a ship, he accompanied the expedition to Cooma.s.sie, and took an active part in an exploit which redounded so greatly to the honour of the troops, blue-jackets, and marines engaged in it, as well as to that of its n.o.ble leader, proving what stern discipline and courage can effect, even in the most pestiferous of climates and against hosts of brave foes.
Lord Saint Maur, shortly after his return home, married Miss Lucy Rogers, and Archie Gordon became the husband of another of Jack"s daughters. Tom was supposed to be a confirmed bachelor, notwithstanding his early susceptibilities to female attractions, until, on going over to pay a visit to his old shipmate at Kilcullin Castle, he there met the Misses McMahon, the youngest of whom he married. Billy Blueblazes, who came to act the part of his best man, fell head over ears in love with the eldest--not the first Englishman under similar circ.u.mstances who has been captivated by one of Erin"s fair daughters, and she, discovering attractions which satisfied her, and the counsellor ascertaining that he was heir to a good estate, no objections were raised, and Billy became a happy benedict, quitting the service as a retired commander.
Tim Nolan and Pat Casey made their appearance at the castle one day, "just," as they said, "to see how his lordship was getting on."
"What are you going to do with yourselves, my good fellows?" asked Lord Saint Maur.
They twirled their hats and sc.r.a.ped their feet and acknowledged that they had not quite settled, except that they had made up their minds not to go to sea again.
On this Lord Saint Maur offered them cottages rent free, and employment on board his yacht in summer, and charge of his boats on the river which ran through his estate.
Jerry Bird obtained a pension and settled near Admiral Rogers, while Peter became butler to Billy Blueblazes. Indeed, a satisfactory account can be given of all the friends who have played a part in this history.
Soon after his return from Africa Captain Adair obtained his flag, and the "Three Admirals" remain, as they had been in their youth and through the whole of their career, the firmest friends, and, though they themselves are shelved, take the warmest interest in the glorious service in which they spent their lives, and in the welfare of their younger relatives and former followers.