Читать книгу Pitcairn's Island. Sea Adventure Novel онлайн

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The spot selected for running the vessel ashore lay under the lofty crag, later called Ship-Landing Point, on the left side of the cove. Yielding the wheel to Young, Christian now went forward to direct the vessel’s course. It was a tense moment for all the Bounty’s company; men and women alike lined the bulwarks, gazing ahead across the narrowing strip of water. Martin, McCoy, and Quintal stood together on the larboard side.

Martin shook his head, gloomily. “Mark my word, mates! Many’s the time we’ll rue this day afore we’re done!”

Quintal thumped him on the back. “Over the side with ’ee, Isaac, and swim back to Tahiti if ye’ve a mind that way. I’m for stoppin’.”

“Aye, ye was easy won over, Matt Quintal,” Martin replied. “It’s all for the best, is it? We’ll see afore the year’s out.... God a mercy! There’s bottom!”

The vessel, still a quarter of a mile from shore, struck lightly. The rock could be seen, but it was at such a depth that it no more than scraped the hull gently; in a few seconds she was clear of it, but her end was near. Riding more and more violently to the onshore swell, she approached two rocks, barely awash and about four fathoms apart. A moment later the ground swell carried her swiftly forward, lifting her bow high, and she struck heavily.