Colonel Jeffery was not at all satisfied with the state of affairs, as
regarded the disappointment of Mr. Thornhill, for whom he entertained a
sincere regard, both on account of the private estimation in which he
held him, and on account of actual services rendered to Thornhill by
him. Not to detain Johanna Oakley in the Temple-gardens, he had stopped
his narrative, completely at the point when what concerned her had
ceased, and had said nothing of much danger which the ship "Neptune" and
its crew and passengers had gone through, after Mr. Thornhill had been
taken on board with his dog. The fact is, the storm which he had
mentioned was only the first of a series of gales of wind that buffeted
the ship about for some weeks, doing it much damage, and enforcing
almost the necessity of putting in somewhere for repairs. But a glance
at the map will be sufficient to show that, situated as the "Neptune"
was, the nearest port at which they could at all expect assistance, was
the British Colony, at the Cape of Good Hope; but such was the contrary
nature of the winds and waves, that just upon the evening of a
tempestuous day, they found themselves bearing down close in shore, on
the eastern coast of Madagascar. There was much apprehension that the
vessel would strike on a rocky shore; but the water was deep, and the
vessel rode well; there was a squall, and they let go both anchors to
secure the vessel, as they were so close in shore, lest they should be
driven in and stranded. It was fortunate they had so secured themselves,
for the gale while it lasted blew half a hurricane, and the ship lost
some of her mast, and some other trifling damage, which, however,
entailed upon them the necessity of remaining there a few days, to cut
timber to repair their masts, and to obtain a few supplies. There is but
little to interest a general reader in the description of a gale. Order
after order was given until the masts and spars went one by one, and
then the orders for clearing the wreck were given. There was much work
to be done, and but little pleasure in doing it, for it was wet and
miserable while it lasted, and there was the danger of being driven upon
a lee shore, and knocked to pieces upon the rocks. This danger was
averted, and they anchored safe at a very short distance from the shore
in comparative security. "We are safe now," remarked the captain, as he gave his second in
command charge of the deck, and approached Mr. Thornhill and Colonel
Jeffery. "I am happy it is so," replied Jeffery. "Well, captain," said Mr. Thornhill, "I am glad we have done with being
knocked about; we are anchored, and the water here appears smooth
enough." "It is so, and I dare say it will remain so; it is a beautiful basin of
water--deep and good anchorage; but you see it is not large enough to
make a fine harbour." "True; but it is rocky." "It is, and that may make it sometimes dangerous, though I don't know
that it would be so in some gales. The sea may beat in at the opening,
which is deep enough for anything to enter--even Noah's ark would enter
easily enough." "What will you do now?" "Stay here a day or so, and send boats ashore to cut some pine trees, to
refit the ship with masts." "You have no staves, then?" "Not enough for such a purpose; and we never do go out stored with such
things." "You obtain them wherever you may go to." "Yes, any part of the world will furnish them in some shape or other." "When you send ashore, will you permit me to accompany the boat's crew?" said Jeffery. "Certainly; but the natives of this country are violent and intractable,
and should you get into any row with them, there is every probability of
your being captured, or some bodily injury done you." "But I will take care to avoid all that." "Very well, colonel, you shall be welcome to go." "I must beg the same permission," said Mr. Thornhill, "for I should much
like to see the country, as well as to have some acquaintance with the
natives themselves." "By no means trust yourself alone with them," said the captain, "for if
you live you will have cause to repent it--depend upon what I say." "I will," said Thornhill; "I will go nowhere but where the boat's
company goes." "You will be safe then." "But do you apprehend any hostile attack from the natives?" inquired
Colonel Jeffery. "No, I do not expect it; but such things have happened before to-day,
and I have seen them when least expected, though I have been on this
coast before, and yet I never met with any ill-treatment; but there have
been many who have touched on this coast, who have had a brush with the
natives and come off second best, the natives generally retiring when
the ship's company muster strong in number, and calling out the chiefs,
who come down in great force, that we may not conquer them." *       *       *       *       *

The next morning the boats were ordered out to go ashore with crews,
prepared for cutting timber, and obtaining such staves as the ship was
in want of. With these boats old Thornhill and Colonel Jeffery went both
of them on board, and after a short ride they reached the shore of
Madagascar. It was a beautiful country, and one in which vegetables
appear luxuriant and abundant, and the party in search of timber for
shipbuilding purposes soon came to some lordly monarchs of the forest,
which would have made vessels of themselves. But this was not what was
wanted; but where the trees grew thicker and taller, they began to cut
some tall pine-trees down. This was the wood they most desired; in fact,
it was exactly what they wanted; but they hardly got through a few such
trees, when the natives came down upon them, apparently to reconnoitre. At first they were quiet and tractable enough, but anxious to see and
inspect everything, being very inquisitive and curious. However, that
was easily borne, but at length they became more numerous, and began to
pilfer all they could lay their hands upon, which, of course brought
resentment, and, after some time, a blow or two was exchanged. Colonel
Jeffery was forward, and endeavouring to prevent some violence being
offered to one of the wood-cutters; in fact, he was interposing himself
between the two contending parties, and tried to restore order and
peace, but several armed natives rushed suddenly upon him, secured him,
and were hurrying him away to death before any one could stir in his
behalf. His doom appeared certain, for, had they succeeded, they would
have cruelly and brutally murdered him. However, just at that moment aid
was at hand, and Mr. Thornhill, seeing how matters stood, seized a
musket from one of the sailors, and rushed after the natives who had
Colonel Jeffery. There were three of them, two others had gone on to
apprise, it was presumed, the chiefs.