records of a family of engineers(一个工程师的家庭)-第24章
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a night's quarters within a few hundred paces of the Bell Rock。
＇Wednesday； 19th Aug。＇
Being extremely anxious at this time to get forward with fixing the
smith's forge； on which the progress of the work at present depended； the
writer requested that he might be called at daybreak to learn the landing…
master's opinion of the weather from the appearance of the rising sun； a
criterion by which experienced seamen can generally judge pretty
accurately of the state of the weather for the following day。 About five
o'clock； on coming upon deck； the sun's upper limb or disc had just begun
to appear as if rising from the ocean； and in less than a minute he was seen
in the fullest splendour； but after a short interval he was enveloped in a
soft cloudy sky； which was considered emblematical of fine weather。 His
rays had not yet sufficiently dispelled the clouds which hid the land from
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view； and the Bell Rock being still overflowed； the whole was one expanse
of water。 This scene in itself was highly gratifying； and； when the
morning bell was tolled； we were gratified with the happy forebodings of
good weather and the expectation of having both a morning and an
evening tide's work on the rock。
The boat which the writer steered happened to be the last which
approached the rock at this tide； and； in standing up in the stern； while at
some distance； to see how the leading boat entered the creek； he was
astonished to observe something in the form of a human figure； in a
reclining posture； upon one of the ledges of the rock。 He immediately
steered the boat through a narrow entrance to the eastern harbour； with a
thousand unpleasant sensations in his mind。 He thought a vessel or boat
must have been wrecked upon the rock during the night； and it seemed
probable that the rock might be strewed with dead bodies； a spectacle
which could not fail to deter the artificers from returning so freely to their
work。 In the midst of these reveries the boat took the ground at an
improper landing…place； but； without waiting to push her off； he leapt upon
the rock； and making his way hastily to the spot which had privately given
him alarm； he had the satisfaction to ascertain that he had only been
deceived by the peculiar situation and aspect of the smith's anvil and block；
which very completely represented the appearance of a lifeless body upon
the rock。 The writer carefully suppressed his feelings； the simple
mention of which might have had a bad effect upon the artificers； and his
haste passed for an anxiety to examine the apparatus of the smith's forge；
left in an unfinished state at evening tide。
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
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
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；
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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 partial
