Nor was this the only tuition which they strove for. During a succession of calms, they asked permission to borrow the dinghy, which was readily granted them, and our lads, accompanied by a young cabin passenger who knew the rudiments of swimming, took long lessons in the art, not forgetting to practise treading water for long periods at a time; this latter accomplishment was, their instructor told them, under certain circumstances more useful to learn perfectly than the simple one of swimming. He himself usually stayed in the boat, whilst the brothers were paddling, as sharks were about, so it was said, though none were seen on these occasions.
Before the calm weather ceased, the brothers found that they could keep up with the ship, when she was just moving, for long periods at a time.
No bad weather of any consequence was met with, until off the “Crozets,” when a stiff gale came on, accompanied by a violent thunderstorm. These storms and gales continued for several days, obliging the captain to take the ship south of Tasmania instead of going through Bass’s Straits.
Whilst rounding the Tasmanian coast, they exchanged signals, “All’s well,” with a homeward-bound ship.
It was on the eighty-fourth day out, and when nearing their port, that an ominous-looking bank of black clouds showed itself astern. This was early in the morning; by noon they were enveloped in partial darkness, with wind and sea increasing in fury; at night both elements had risen to a terrific pitch.
Tim told his brother that he had seen the captain consult his glass many times, and on the last occasion shake his head, “and he looked awful solemn, Mat,” he added.
The wreck of the Young Austral.
“It does seem hard, too,” said Mat, “just when we expected to land.”
The storm raged for three days and as many nights; the days seemed as the nights in their utter darkness; no reckoning could be taken; any sail they attempted to get on the ship was at once blown clean out of the bolt-holes. Captain and officers consulted together frequently, poring over the chart.