按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
In the course of this morning's work two or three apparently distant peals of thunder were heard； and the atmosphere suddenly became thick and foggy。 But as the SMEATON； our present tender； was moored at no great distance from the rock； the crew on board continued blowing with a horn； and occasionally fired a musket； so that the boats got to the ship without difficulty。
＇Thursday； 20th Aug。＇
The wind this morning inclined from the north…east； and the sky had a heavy and cloudy appearance； but the sea was smooth； though there was an undulating motion on； the surface； which indicated easterly winds； and occasioned a slight surf upon the rock。 But the boats found no difficulty in landing at the western creek at half…past seven； and； after a good tide's work； left it again about a quarter from eleven。 In the evening the artificers landed at half…past seven； and continued till half…past eight； having completed the fixing of the smith's forge； his vice； and a wooden board or bench； which were also batted to a ledge of the rock； to the great joy of all； under a salute of three hearty cheers。 From an oversight on the part of the smith； who had neglected to bring his tinder…box and matches from the vessel； the work was prevented from being continued for at least an hour longer。
The smith's shop was； of course； in OPEN SPACE： the large bellows were carried to and from the rock every tide； for the serviceable condition of which； together with the tinder…box； fuel； and embers of the former fire； the smith was held responsible。 Those who have been placed in situations to feel the inconveniency and want of this useful artisan； will be able to appreciate his value in a case like the present。 It often happened； to our annoyance and disappointment； in the early state of the work； when the smith was in the middle of a FAVOURITE HEAT in making some useful article； or in sharpening the tools； after the flood…tide had obliged the pickmen to strike work； a sea would come rolling over the rocks； dash out the fire； and endanger his indispensable implement； the bellows。 If the sea was smooth； while the smith often stood at work knee…deep in water； the tide rose by imperceptible degrees； first cooling the exterior of the fireplace； or hearth； and then quietly blackening and extinguishing the fire from below。 The writer has frequently been amused at the perplexing anxiety of the blacksmith when coaxing his fire and endeavouring to avert the effects of the rising tide。
＇Friday； 21st Aug。＇
Everything connected with the forge being now completed； the artificers found no want of sharp tools； and the work went forward with great alacrity and spirit。 It was also alleged that the rock had a more habitable appearance from the volumes of smoke which ascended from the smith's shop and the busy noise of his anvil； the operations of the masons； the movements of the boats； and shipping at a distance … all contributed to give life and activity to the scene。 This noise and traffic had； however； the effect of almost completely banishing the herd of seals which had hitherto frequented the rock as a resting…place during the period of low water。 The rock seemed to be peculiarly adapted to their habits； for； excepting two or three days at neap…tides； a part of it always dries at low water … at least； during the summer season … and as there was good fishing…ground in the neighbourhood； without a human being to disturb or molest them； it had become a very favourite residence of these amphibious animals； the writer having occasionally counted from fifty to sixty playing about the rock at a time。 But when they came to be disturbed every tide； and their seclusion was broken in upon by the kindling of great fires； together with the beating of hammers and picks during low water； after hovering about for a time； they changed their place； and seldom more than one or two were to be seen about the rock upon the more detached outlayers which dry partially； whence they seemed to look with that sort of curiosity which is observable in these animals when following a boat。
＇Saturday； 22nd Aug。＇
Hitherto the artificers had remained on board the SMEATON； which was made fast to one of the mooring buoys at a distance only of about a quarter of a mile from the rock； and； of course； a very great conveniency to the work。 Being so near； the seamen could never be mistaken as to the progress of the tide； or state of the sea upon the rock； nor could the boats be much at a loss to pull on board of the vessel during fog； or even in very rough weather； as she could be cast loose from her moorings at pleasure； and brought to the lee side of the rock。 But the SMEATON being only about forty register tons； her accommodations were extremely limited。 It may； therefore； be easily imagined that an addition of twenty…four persons to her own crew must have rendered the situation of those on board rather uncomfortable。 The only place for the men's hammocks on board being in the hold； they were unavoidably much crowded： and if the weather had required the hatches to be fastened down； so great a number of men could not possibly have been accommodated。 To add to this evil； the CO…BOOSE or cooking…place being upon deck； it would not have been possible to have cooked for so large a company in the event of bad weather。
The stock of water was now getting short； and some necessaries being also wanted for the floating light； the SMEATON was despatched for Arbroath； and the writer； with the artificers at the same time shifted their quarters from her to the floating light。
Although the rock barely made its appearance at this period of the tides till eight o'clock； yet； having now a full mile to row from the floating light to the rock； instead of about a quarter of a mile from the moorings of the SMEATON； it was necessary to be earlier astir； and to form different arrangements； breakfast was accordingly served up at seven o'clock this morning。 From the excessive motion of the floating light； the writer had looked forward rather with anxiety to the removal of the workmen to this ship。 Some among them； who had been congratulating themselves upon having become sea…hardy while on board the SMEATON； had a complete relapse upon returning to the floating light。 This was the case with the writer。 From the spacious and convenient berthage of the floating light； the exchange to the artificers was； in this respect； much for the better。 The boats were also commodious； measuring sixteen feet in length on the keel； so that； in fine weather； their complement of sitters was sixteen persons for each； with which； however； they were rather crowded； but she could not stow two boats of larger dimensions。 When there was what is called a breeze of wind； and a swell in the sea； the proper number for each boat could not； with propriety； be rated at more than twelve persons。
When the tide…bell rung the boats were hoisted out； and two active seamen were employed to keep them from receiving damage alongside。 The floating light being very buoyant； was so quick in her motions that when those who were about to step from her gunwale into a boat； placed themselves upon a cleat or step on the ship's side； w