To that the spokesman made no reply, and what with the persuasion of the interpreter and the friendly demeanour of the captain the murmurers returned below, and the incident closed.
'They told me,' the interpreter said, 'that on coming here they did not expect to be longer than one week at sea, and had no idea that San Francisco was much farther than Shanghai.'
'I would take the precaution of securing the large gratings on all the hatches,' Mr. Sennit said. 'With them on, we could keep better watch against sudden surprise, and only allow a few men on deck at one time.'
'Well, I've been thinking of something of that sort myself,' the skipper replied; 'but just at present I think we had better let matters stand as they are. The fellows might make some disturbance about them. At the same time, Sennit, don't send any of our men aloft. They must remain handy for a call, and let them see that all the rifles in the forecastle are ready.'
Throughout that day the distressing calm continued, the barometer standing so high and steady that no immediate change could be anticipated, and on the following morning orders to reduce all rations fore and aft were issued.
The cook was also enjoined to be particularly careful of the way in which the rice for the emigrants was served, since from certain samples of that article shown by the interpreter, it was evident that the man had not been as careful in that direction as could have been desired.
However, the Chinamen made no disturbance, and, so far as outward appearance went, they seemed disposed to fall in with the new arrangements. All hands went about deck softly whistling for a breeze to end their troubles. But the outlook still remained of the same hopeless appearance. The sea, like a silvered mirror, flung back in dazzling brilliancy the powerful rays of an unclouded sun, and with endless groan of seams and timbers; the barque rolled on the windless waste of waters. The situation was fast becoming more and more serious. The 'Alert' had been caught in a tropical entanglement from which she could neither advance nor retire.
Then suddenly the long spell of anxiety was brought to a close, but in such an unexpected and startling manner as to almost overwhelm both vessel and crew.
At four o'clock one afternoon, Mr. Statten and his men took over control of the deck. About half an hour later, one of the hands directed attention toward a peculiar appearance just gathering far away on the port beam.
'There might be some wind in it, sir,' he said.