CHAPTER VIII
PREPARATION FOR THE JOURNEY
GLENARVAN never lost much time between adopting an
idea and carrying it out. As soon as he consented to Paganel's proposition, he
gave immediate orders to make arrangements for the journey with as little delay
as possible.
The time of starting was fixed for the 22d of December,
the next day but one.
What results might not come out of this journey. The
presence of Harry Grant had become an indisputable fact,
and the chances of finding him had increased. Not that
anyone expected to discover the captain exactly on the 37th
parallel, which they intended strictly to follow, but they
might come upon his track, and at all events, they were going to the actual spot
where the wreck had occurred. That
was the principal point.
Besides, if Ayrton consented to join them and act as their
guide through the forests of the province of Victoria and
right to the eastern coast, they would have a fresh chance
of success. Glenarvan was sensible of this, and asked his
host whether he would have any great objection to his asking Ayrton to accompany
them, for he felt particularly desirous of securing the assistance of Harry
Grant's old companion.
Paddy O'Moore consented, though he would regret the
loss of his excellent servant.
"Well, then, Ayrton, will you come with us in our search
expedition?"
Ayrton did not reply immediately. He even showed
signs of hesitation; but at last, after due reflection, said,
"Yes, my Lord, I will go with you, and if I can not take
you to Captain Grant, I can at least take you to the very
place where his ship struck."
"Thanks, Ayrton."
"One question, my Lord."
"Well?"
"Where will you meet the Duncan again?"
"At Melbourne, unless we traverse the whole continent
from coast to coast."
"But the captain?"
"The captain will await my instructions in the port of
Melbourne."
"You may depend on me then, my Lord."
"I will, Ayrton."
The quartermaster was warmly thanked by the passengers of the
Duncan, and the children loaded him with
caresses. Everyone rejoiced in his decision except the
Irishman, who lost in him an intelligent and faithful helper.
But Paddy understood the importance Glenarvan attached
to the presence of the man, and submitted. The whole
party then returned to the ship, after arranging a rendezvous with Ayrton, and
ordering him to procure the necessary means of conveyance across the country.
When John Mangles supported the proposition of Paganel, he took for
granted that he should accompany the expedition. He began to speak to Glenarvan
at once about it,
and adduced all sorts of arguments to advance his cause -his devotion to Lady
Helena and his Lordship, how useful
could he be in organizing the party, and how useless on
board the
Duncan; everything, in fact, but the main reason,
and that he had no need to bring forward.
"I'll only ask you one question, John," said Glenarvan.
"Have you entire confidence in your chief officer?"
"Absolute," replied Mangles, "Tom Austin is a good
sailor. He will take the ship to her destination, see that
the repairs are skilfully executed, and bring her back on
the appointed day. Tom is a slave to duty and discipline.
Never would he take it upon himself to alter or retard the
execution of an order. Your Lordship may rely on him as
on myself."
"Very well then, John," replied Glenarvan. "You
shall go with us, for it would be advisable," he added,
smiling, "that you should be there when we find Mary
Grant's father."
"Oh! your Lordship," murmured John, turning pale.
He could say no more, but grasped Lord Glenarvan's hand.
Next day, John Mangles and the ship's carpenter, accompanied by sailors
carrying provisions, went back to Paddy
O'Moore's house to consult the Irishman about the best
method of transport. All the family met him, ready to
give their best help. Ayrton was there, and gave the
benefit of his experience.
On one point both he and Paddy agreed, that the journey
should be made in a bullock-wagon by the ladies, and that
the gentlemen should ride on horseback. Paddy could
furnish both bullocks and vehicle. The vehicle was a cart
twenty feet long, covered over by a tilt, and resting on four
large wheels without spokes or felloes, or iron tires — in a
word, plain wooden discs. The front and hinder part were
connected by means of a rude mechanical contrivance, which
did not allow of the vehicle turning quickly. There was a
pole in front thirty-five feet long, to which the bullocks
were to be yoked in couples. These animals were able to
draw both with head and neck, as their yoke was fastened
on the nape of the neck, and to this a collar was attached
by an iron peg. It required great skill to drive such a
long, narrow, shaky concern, and to guide such a team by
a goad; but Ayrton had served his apprenticeship to it on
the Irishman's farm, and Paddy could answer for his competency. The role of
conductor was therefore assigned
to him.
There were no springs to the wagon, and, consequently,
it was not likely to be very comfortable; but, such as it was,
they had to take it. But if the rough construction could
not be altered, John Mangles resolved that the interior
should be made as easy as possible. His first care was to
divide it into two compartments by a wooden partition.
The back one was intended for the provisions and luggage,
and M. Olbinett's portable kitchen. The front was set
apart especially for the ladies, and, under the carpenter's
hands, was to be speedily converted into a comfortable
room, covered with a thick carpet, and fitted up with a toilet
table and two couches. Thick leather curtains shut in this
apartment, and protected the occupants from the chilliness
of the nights. In case of necessity, the gentlemen might
shelter themselves here, when the violent rains came on,
but a tent was to be their usual resting-place when the caravan camped for the
night. John Mangles exercised all his
ingenuity in furnishing the small space with everything
that the two ladies could possibly require, and he succeeded
so well, that neither Lady Helena nor Mary had much reason to regret leaving
their cosy cabins on board the Duncan.
For the rest of the party, the preparations were soon
made, for they needed much less. Strong horses were provided for Lord Glenarvan,
Paganel, Robert Grant,
McNabbs, and John Mangles; also for the two sailors,
Wilson and Mulrady, who were to accompany their captain.
Ayrton's place was, of course, to be in front of the wagon,
and M. Olbinett, who did not much care for equitation,
was to make room for himself among the baggage. Horses
and bullocks were grazing in the Irishman's meadows, ready
to fetch at a moment's notice.
After all arrangements were made, and the carpenter set
to work, John Mangles escorted the Irishman and his family
back to the vessel, for Paddy wished to return the visit of
Lord Glenarvan. Ayrton thought proper to go too, and
about four o'clock the party came over the side of the Duncan.
They were received with open arms. Glenarvan would
not be outstripped in politeness, and invited his visitors to
stop and dine. His hospitality was willingly accepted.
Paddy was quite amazed at the splendor of the saloon, and
was loud in admiration of the fitting up of the cabins, and
the carpets and hangings, as well as of the polished maplewood of the upper
deck. Ayrton's approbation was much
less hearty, for he considered it mere costly superfluity.
But when he examined the yacht with a sailor's eye, the
quartermaster of the Britannia was as enthusiastic about it
as Paddy. He went down into the hold, inspected the
screw department and the engine-room, examining the engine thoroughly, and
inquired about its power and consumption. He explored the coal-bunkers, the
store-room, the
powder-store, and armory, in which last he seemed to be
particularly attracted by a cannon mounted on the forecastle. Glenarvan saw he
had to do with a man who understood such matters, as was evident from his
questions.
Ayrton concluded his investigations by a survey of the
masts and rigging.
"You have a fine vessel, my Lord," he said after his
curiosity was satisfied.
"A good one, and that is best," replied Glenarvan.
"And what is her tonnage?"
"Two hundred and ten tons."
"I don't think I am far out," continued Ayrton, "in
judging her speed at fifteen knots. I should say she could
do that easily."
"Say seventeen," put in John Mangles, "and you've hit
the mark."
"Seventeen!" exclaimed the quartermaster. "Why,
not a man-of-war — not the best among them, I mean -could chase her!"
"Not one," replied Mangles. "The Duncan is a regular
racing yacht, and would never let herself be beaten."
"Even at sailing?" asked Ayrton.
"Even at sailing."
"Well, my Lord, and you too, captain," returned Ayrton,
"allow a sailor who knows what a ship is worth, to compliment you on yours."
"Stay on board of her, then, Ayrton," said Glenarvan;
"it rests with yourself to call it yours."
"I will think of it, my Lord," was all Ayrton's reply.
Just then M. Olbinett came to announce dinner, and his
Lordship repaired with his guests to the saloon.
"That Ayrton is an intelligent man," said Paganel to
the Major.
"Too intelligent!" muttered McNabbs, who, without
any apparent reason, had taken a great dislike to the face
and manners of the quartermaster.
During the dinner, Ayrton gave some interesting details
about the Australian continent, which he knew perfectly.
He asked how many sailors were going to accompany
the expedition, and seemed astonished to hear that only
two were going. He advised Glenarvan to take all his best
men, and even urged him to do it, which advice, by the
way, ought to have removed the Major's suspicion.
"But," said Glenarvan, "our journey is not dangerous,
is it?"
"Not at all," replied Ayrton, quickly.
"Well then, we'll have all the men we can on board.
Hands will be wanted to work the ship, and to help in the
repairs. Besides, it is of the utmost importance that she
should meet us to the very day, at whatever place may be
ultimately selected. Consequently, we must not lessen her
crew."
Ayrton said nothing more, as if convinced his Lordship
was right.
When evening came, Scotch and Irish separated. Ayrton and Paddy O'Moore
and family returned home. Horses
and wagons were to be ready the next day, and eight o'clock
in the morning was fixed for starting.
Lady Helena and Mary Grant soon made their preparations. They had less to
do than Jacques Paganel, for he
spent half the night in arranging, and wiping, and rubbing
up the lenses of his telescope. Of course, next morning
he slept on till the Major's stentorian voice roused him.
The luggage was already conveyed to the farm, thanks
to John Mangles, and a boat was waiting to take the passengers. They were soon
seated, and the young captain
gave his final orders to Tom Austin, his chief officer. He
impressed upon him that he was to wait at Melbourne for
Lord Glenarvan's commands, and to obey them scrupulously, whatever they might
be.
The old sailor told John he might rely on him, and, in
the name of the men, begged to offer his Lordship their
best wishes for the success of this new expedition.
A storm of hurrahs burst forth from the yacht as the
boat rowed off. In ten minutes the shore was reached, and
a quarter of an hour afterward the Irishman's farm. All
was ready. Lady Helena was enchanted with her installation. The huge chariot,
with its primitive wheels and massive planks, pleased her particularly. The six
bullocks,
yoked in pairs, had a patriarchal air about them which took
her fancy. Ayrton, goad in hand, stood waiting the orders
of this new master.
"My word," said Paganel, "this is a famous vehicle; it
beats all the mail-coaches in the world. I don't know a
better fashion of traveling than in a mountebank's caravan
— a movable house, which goes or stops wherever you
please. What can one wish better? The Samaratians understood that, and never
traveled in any other way."
"Monsieur Paganel," said Lady Helena, "I hope I shall
have the pleasure of seeing you in my salons."
"Assuredly, madam, I should count it an honor. Have
you fixed the day?"
"I shall be at home every day to my friends," replied
Lady Helena; "and you are —"
"The most devoted among them all," interrupted Paganel, gaily.
These mutual compliments were interrupted by the arrival of the seven
horses, saddled and ready. They were
brought by Paddy's sons, and Lord Glenarvan paid the sum
stipulated for his various purchases, adding his cordial
thanks, which the worthy Irishman valued at least as much
as his golden guineas.
The signal was given to start, and Lady Helena and Mary
took their places in the reserved compartment. Ayrton
seated himself in front, and Olbinett scrambled in among
the luggage. The rest of the party, well armed with carbines and revolvers,
mounted their horses. Ayrton gave a
peculiar cry, and his team set off. The wagon shook and
the planks creaked, and the axles grated in the naves of the
wheels; and before long the hospitable farm of the Irishman was out of sight.