Dick Sands - the boy captain (1882) (14764749945)

Identifier: dicksandsboycapt00vern (find matches)
Title: Dick Sands : the boy captain
Year: 1882 (1880s)
Authors: Verne, Jules, 1828-1905
Subjects:
Publisher: London : Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington
Contributing Library: Information and Library Science Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Digitizing Sponsor: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill



Text Appearing Before Image:
ck looked as if he were taking a lingering farewell ofthe cove past which they were being carried beyond hispower to help. In a few moments he turned round to Mrs. Weldon, andsaid quietly,— Mrs. Weldon, I am disappointed. I hoped to get theschooner into yonder cove ; but there is no chance now;if nothing is done, in half an hour she will be upon that reef.I have but one alternative left. I must run her aground.It will be utter destruction to the ship, but there is no choice.Your safety is the first and paramount consideration. Do you mean that there is no other course to be taken,Dick? None whatever, said Dick decidedly. It must be as you will, she said. Forthwith ensued the agitating preparations for stranding.Mrs. Weldon, Jack, Cousin Benedict, and Nan were pro-vided with life-belts, while Dick and the negroes madethemselves ready for being dashed into the waves. Everyprecaution that the emergency admitted was duly taken.Mrs. Weldon was entrusted to the special charge of Hercules;
Text Appearing After Image:
The sea was furious, and dashed vehemently upon the crags on either hand. LAND AT LAST. 129 Dick made himself responsible for doing all he could forlittle Jack ; Cousin Benedict, who was tolerably calm, washanded over to Bat and Austin ; while Action promised tolook after Nan. Negoros nonchalance implied that he wasquite capable of shifting for himself. Dick had the forethought also to order about a dozenbarrels of their cargo to be carried forward, so that whenthe Pilgrim struck, the oil escaping and floating on thewaves would temporarily lull their fury, and make smootherwater for the passage of the ship. After satisfying himself that there was no other measureto be taken to ameliorate the peril, Dick Sands returned tothe helm. The schooner was all but upon the reef, andonly a few cables length from the shore ; her starboard bowindeed was already bathed in the seething foam, and anyinstant the keel might be expected to grate upon the under-lying rock. Presently a change of colour in