CHAPTER XXIII
The Perils of the Shoal
Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsomeembraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round myleg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize theirprey. The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep'shead, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard inlength.
Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideousbrute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union ofthe slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protrudingeyes and a formidable beak. That beak was slowly approaching mynaked flesh, to rend it asunder.
Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I beganswimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet freefoot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as Ihad all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized. Onceprone on those slippery rocks, my fate was sealed.
Then I bethought me of my knife, which I had thrust into my belt.Gripping it dagger-wise, I braced myself to overcome a sickeningsensation of fear, and plunged it to the hilt betwixt the eyes ofthe hideous creature.
'Twas only to be likened to cutting a leather bag filled withjelly--once the steel had ripped through the outer skin there seemedno resistance to the blade; yet, though a quantity of watery blood,mingled with a blackish froth, came from the wound, the octopusapparently lost none of its vitality. Its rage, if I may so term it,seemed to increase, for, quitting its hold on the rocks, it fastenedupon me with all its tentacles. I felt its snake-like embraceencircle my legs, while two of its members seized my left arm.Though I struck madly at its head to ward off the terrible,beak-like mouth, my efforts seemed unavailing. The pain of thehundreds of suckers was intense, and I felt my legs giving way underthe loathsome contraction of the creature's tentacles.
Suddenly the pressure seemed to relax, and redoubling my efforts, Isevered three of the arms with as many sweeps of my knife. Thus Ifreed the upper part of my body; after that it was a comparativelyeasy matter to cut off the other tentacles, though the remainingparts still clung to my legs like a hundred leeches.
Shudderingly I made my way towards a portion of the reef that nowlay exposed, keeping a wary eye on the seaweed lest another octopusshould be lurking in the rocky crevices.
Having completely emerged from the water, I cut off the adheringtentacles with my knife, for they would not become detached by othermeans. Wherever the suckers had touched my flesh a small red woundremained, so that my legs were one mass of livid spots, showingvividly against the white skin, my prolonged stay in the waterhaving well-nigh stopped the flow of my blood.
I rubbed my limbs vigorously, and began to consider how I shouldreach the shore, for the current had now ceased to ebb, as I couldtell by the absence of ripples over the submerged portion of theshoal.
Fearing a similar encounter with an octopus, I hesitated to wadeover the seaweed-covered rocks, till, realizing that the longer Iwaited the more exhausted I should become, and that I had traverseda considerable distance ere I was attacked, I took heart, and walkedas rapidly as I could towards the landward edge of the shoal.
I noticed that from this part of the reef the blackened wreck of thepirate vessel was immediately in line with the south-eastern end ofthe island, so that by taking advantage of the flood stream I shouldbe carried on to the ledge of rocks that extended betwixt the shoreand the wreck, whence up to half tide I could walk ashore.
But just as I was about to commit myself to the waves, I saw ablack, triangular object cutting through the water between me andthe higher portion of the shoal I had just left. It was the fin of ashark!
This ravenous monster had evidently got out of its bearings, for,though shark's often frequent shoal water in search of their prey,in this case there was barely sufficient depth for it to swim in.
Nevertheless, the shark had seen me, and was making straight for theplace where I stood. There was no help for it but to retrace mysteps to the now fast disappearing rocks, where I would have to makea desperate stand until there was enough water for the brute to cometo close quarters. And then--I shuddered at the thought of it.
I managed to evade the monster, for it floundered heavily in theshallows, lashing out with its tail, the noise of the blows soundinglike the report of a musket.
The water was now up to my ankles on the highest part of the reef.Often would I imagine that my foot touched the slimy tentacles of anoctopus, as the now increasing current caused the long tendrils ofseaweed to sweep against my legs; while many crabs of small sizewould dart swiftly in a sidelong motion over my toes.
All the while the shark, having found a pool of deeper water, wasswimming lazily to and fro, turning occasionally on its back. Icould then see its small, evil-looking eyes, as it marked itsanticipated prey.
In vain I sought for some stones to hurl at the monster--the face ofthe rock beneath the kelp was firm and solid.
Although the sun's rays had long since dried my scanty clothing, Ishivered with numbness, aye, and with fear. Bitterly did I regret myrashness in descending to that fatal ledge without my companion, yetvain were my regrets.
More than once I resolved to cast myself into the sea and, knife inhand, to do battle with the ferocious monster that awaited me.'Twould be victory or death, and even in the latter case it wouldthe sooner end my prolonged torments. Yet, as I looked at theglistening white monster, with its huge mouth armed with serratedrows of sharp teeth, I could not force myself to take the desperatestep.
"Ahoy!"
Surely my ears deceived me, or did I hear the faint sound of a hail?Looking round I saw, to my inexpressible joy and relief, a boatmaking towards the shoal. It was the same craft that I had seentaking soundings in the channel that morning.
Under the powerful strokes of the rowers the boat dashed to myrescue, the foam hissing at her bows as her sharp stem cleft thewater.
Then everything began to grow dim; I heard the report of a musket,and was barely conscious of the shark quivering on the surface ofthe water, with shattered jaws. Strong arms bore me to the boat, anddirectly I felt myself placed on the bottom boards a white mist swambefore my eyes, and I lost consciousness.
* * * * *
When I came to myself I was lying on my bunk in the cabin of the_Golden Hope_. Captain Jeremy, his head swathed in bandages, wassitting an a chair, with a chart spread out on the table in front ofhim. This surprised me not a little, for when I had last seen him hewas lying weak and helpless.
I tried to raise myself on my elbow, but the task was beyond mypower. Seeing this, Captain Jeremy got up and, coming over to mybed, gave me something to drink.
"That's better," he exclaimed encouragingly. "Now try to restawhile."
"But, sir," said I, so feebly that I could scarce realize 'twas myown voice, "how do I come to be here? Ah! I remember," and Ishuddered at the thought of my harrowing adventures.
"Not another word," he said imperatively, and as obediently as achild I fell asleep.
A few days later I was able to sit up, and then I learnt that I hadbeen unconscious for sixteen days, while anxiety for my conditionhad been largely responsible for Captain Jeremy's rapid recovery.
I knew the kindly Captain was burning with impatience to hear thestory of my misadventures, but he refrained from questioning me forquite another week.
"Are you really sure you're not dreaming?" he asked, when, in thecourse of my narrative, I related how I had found my captors to beNed Slater and the five other deserters.
"I would I had been," I replied. "Yet now I know, on the rogue's ownstatement, that he it was who slew my father."
"If I had only given heed to your suspicions!" returned CaptainJeremy grimly. "No matter, I'll lay them by the heels yet;" and atthe conclusion of my story, to which both he and Captain 'Enerylistened with the greatest interest, he expressed his intention ofgoing ashore and making a descent upon the villains' retreat.
/> This he accordingly did, but, though the cave was discovered and acareful search made in and around the place, the rogues hadvanished. I had often wondered how they managed to climb up from themouth of the cavern to the top of the cliff. This Captain Jeremyexplained. In the tunnel the searchers came across the trunk of asmall tree which had apparently been thrust out a little way, sothat by standing on it a man could climb up the perpendicular faceof the precipice by means of a series of notches cut in the rock.This done, he fastened a stout rope round a projecting ledge, sothat his companions could follow with ease. Beyond this the villainshad left no trace save, on careful examination, a dark stain thatwas found on the dusty floor, thus bearing out my statement that Ihad accounted for one of them at least.
I progressed slowly yet surely, and meanwhile Captain Jeremyrecovered his accustomed strength and health. At length, to theunbounded satisfaction of all hands, it was announced that, allpreparations being completed, an expedition into the interior of theisland would be made early in the following week.