A True Hero: A Story of the Days of William PennKingston, William Henry Giles
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A True Hero: A Story of the Days of William Penn
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Historical fiction; Quakers -- Fiction
As the crew were nearly worn out with pumping, and the water,
notwithstanding, still gained on the ship, the captain determined to
take the _Amity_ into the harbour of which Bill Rullock spoke. The ship
was therefore kept away for the island, Bill Rullock taking charge of
her as pilot. He at once showed by his calm manner and the steady
course he steered that he knew well what he was about. As the ship drew
nearer the island, it appeared to be larger and higher than was at first
supposed, and covered with cocoa-nut and other trees. Rounding a point,
a narrow opening appeared. The ship's head was directed toward it, and,
guided by the old seaman, she passed safely through it, though it seemed
as if an active man could have leaped on shore from either side. So
clear, too, was the water, that the bottom could be seen below the
ship's keel. The order to "furl sails" was given, and the ship came to
an anchor in a broad lagoon, where she could lie secure from the
fiercest hurricanes of those regions. On one side was a sandy beach,
where the old sailor assured the captain the ship could be placed on
shore with safety, when her damages might be examined. The trees came
close down to the water's edge, and among them were seen several huts,
and ruins of huts, showing that the spot had at one time been inhabited,
but no persons appeared. Hauled up on shore, too, were several boats,
one or two in good repair, but the others considerably damaged. Broken
anchors, spars, pieces of cable, and other ship's gear lay scattered
about, confirming the account given by old Rullock. As there was no
time to be lost, the passengers immediately went on shore, and they and
the crew set to work to land their goods as well as the cargo, that the
ship, being lightened, might be hauled up for repair. The ruined huts
were repaired, and others were built, so as to afford shelter to the
passengers while this operation was going on. Every one worked with a
will, with the exception of two or three, Jonas Ford being one of them.
He grumbled greatly at having the voyage thus prolonged, and not ceasing
to blame the captain for the ship having failed to reach the Delaware at
the time expected. From a slight elevation near the harbour, a view of
the whole sea on that side of the island could be obtained. Old Rullock
had not been quite easy since their arrival. He had found evident
traces of a late visit of persons to the island, and he confided to
Wenlock his fears that should the vessel which had chased them have
escaped, she might possibly come into that harbour to repair damages.
One morning, soon after daybreak, and before the men were called to
their work, Rullock came hurrying into the village. Wenlock was the
first person he met.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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