The Wind Returns
That morning we found that the Acheron had snuck up on us in the night.
No wonder, I thought, since we were all celebrating last night.
My thoughts went to Peter and I smiled.
That day was spent staying ahead of the French ship, and when night we launched a strange contraption. It was a model of the top of a mast floating on barrels. It was Peter's job to be on it and light the lanterns attached to it.
He was pulled back in safely and the Surprise made her getaway. I spent that night alone with Peter, repeating what we had done before.
In the morning our ship was behind the Acheron. We sped after her, but as we neared Cape Horn a storm came up.
To be short, that night we lost Wharley and the Acheron.
We did round the Horn in the end, after going south into the harsh cold. When we were on the other side of the Horn, we caught a quiet spell. It was hot, humid, and too still.
Some of the men soon started saying that it was something to do with Hollum. I ignored their remarks and whispers about him.
One night he hurried in on some of us other Midshipmen talking and hid in a corner by the table. Peter accused him of skipping duty, but I knew that by the way he was all sweaty and scared it was not true. I gave him a drink and hurried off to find the Doctor.
Later that night I was on watch duty, and as I stared into the blackness, Hollum came up and put his hand on my shoulder. I turned arund in surprise.
"Oh, Mr. Hollum, it's just you," I said. "You gave me such a start."
We shared a few words and then stood in silence.
"You've always been so kind to me," he said. "Good-bye."
I watched in shock as he jumped overboard, a cannonball in his hands. I ran to the railing and watched him sink.
In the morning we had a short service for him. Captain Aubrey asked for his and the Lord's forgiveness for the wrongs we had done to Hollum. We all bowed our heads and prayed. When we looked back up the wind was in the sails.