Moon (at the helm). I say, Hixom—Is not our craft a seaboat and no mistake? She steers herself. See how she answers to the least touch of the helm, and cuts the water like a dolphin. Never did I see her in better trim. Sometimes she seems to me a thing of life, that knows the value of her precious freight, and anxious to see its effect on merry England. How she plunges forward in the fall of the swell, like a racehorse at the winning post.
Hixom. We may well be proud of her. We have never chased a thing of any size or rig, we did not overhaul. Lord! we could sail round any ship of Spain, or through the very midst of her Navy. But this was a wary dodge of our General, to take the round of the Globe. We are safe to bring our prize home now. What think you, Bill Noble?
Noble. As for the little craft herself, I never trod the deck of the like of her. She was well named the “Pelican.” And now, in respect of what she carries—a freight as never was entrusted to a wooden plank before, fitly benamed the “Golden Hind.” As to landing it safe at Hamoaz—for the matter of speed or fighting, I should not much mind. But it was never my experience to see the canvas all spread in an unknown sea, at night. I have been to China with the Portuguese and I know these channels are dangerous!
Moon. Lord, I am anxious to see Old Plymouth, and hear the shouting when the Rovers salute us sailing up the Sound, with our bunting all abroad.—It would be a pity to shorten sail.
Hixom. There’s no danger messmates. We have open sea room—the moon is up.—How brilliant she rises, and rapid, in these latitudes! It’s all fair weather with us now. (Bump! bump!)
All (crying out in alarm). What’s that? Did you hear? What’s that?
Another bump; and the Vessel sticks fast.
Noble. Oh!—My God! I expected this! My wife!—my children! I shall never see them more (wringing his hands in distraction).
Screams of alarm among the deck watch: “We are sinking”—“We are lost”—“She’s on a rock”—“Get out the boats”—“Call the General—Call all hands.” The crew is rushing up on deck. Great confusion.
Drake. Silence in the ship! Get out an anchor astern, and heave her off! Boatswain! All hands to quarters!