The boat was then hoisted on
board and the anchor weighed; which latter operation cost us great
labour and much time, as the anchor was so heavy that we could not move
it without the aid of my complex machinery of blocks and pulleys. A
steady breeze was blowing off shore when we set sail, at a little
before sunset. It swept us quickly past the reef and out to sea. The
shore grew rapidly more indistinct as the shades of evening fell, while
our clipper bark bounded lightly over the waves. Slowly the mountain
top sank on the horizon, until it became a mere speck. In another
moment the sun and the Coral Island sank together into the broad bosom
of the Pacific.
Chapter XXX
The voyage--The island, and a consultation in which danger is
scouted as a thing unworthy of consideration--Rats and cats--The native
teacher--Awful revelations--Wonderful effects of Christianity.
Our voyage during the next two weeks was most interesting and
prosperous. The breeze continued generally fair, and at all times
enabled us to lie our course; for being, as I have said before,
clipper-built, the pirate schooner could lie very close to the wind and
make little leeway. We had no difficulty now in managing our sails, for
Jack was heavy and powerful, while Peterkin was active as a kitten.
Still, however, we were a very insufficient crew for such a vessel, and
if any one had proposed to us to make such a voyage in it before we had
been forced to go through so many hardships from necessity, we would
have turned away with pity from the individual making such proposal as
from a madman.
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