CHAPTER SEVEN.
THE MYSTERY BECOMES MORE AND MORE INTERESTING, AND I DETERMINE TO FINDIT OUT.--PRYING AFTER THINGS LOCKED UP, I AM LOCKED UP MYSELF.--FLEMINGPROVES TO ME THAT HIS ADVICE WAS GOOD WHEN HE RECOMMENDED ME TO LEARN TOSWIM.
On our arrival off the Medway, I had just gone down to bed and wasundressing, when I heard Fleming come on deck and haul up the boat. Ilooked up the hatchway; it was very dark, but I could perceive Marableshand him the bag and handkerchief, with which he pulled on shore. Hedid not return until the next morning at daylight, when I met him as hecame up the side. "Well, Jacob," said he, "you've caught me, I've beenon shore to see my sweetheart; but you boys ought to know nothing aboutthese things. Make the boat fast, there's a good lad."
When we were one night discharging our cargo, which was for government,I heard voices alongside. From habit, the least noise now awoke me: aboat striking the side was certain so to do. It was then about twelveo'clock. I looked up the hatchway, perceived two men come on board andenter the cabin with packages. They remained there about ten minutes,and then, escorted to the side by Fleming, left the barge. When thebarge was cleared, we hauled off to return, and in three days were againalongside of Mr Drummond's wharf. The kindness both of Marables and ofFleming had been very great. They lived in a style very superior towhat they could be expected to do, and I fared well in consequence.
On our arrival at the wharf, Marables came up to me, and said, "Now,Jacob, as I have honestly told you the secret, I hope you won't ruin meby saying a word to Mr Drummond." I had before made up my mind to saynothing to my master until my suspicions were confirmed, and I thereforegave my promise; but I had also resolved to impart my suspicions, aswell as what I had seen, to the old Dominie. On the third day after ourarrival I walked out to the school, and acquainted him with all that hadpassed, and asked him for his advice.
"Jacob," said he, "thou hast done well, but thou mightest have donebetter; hadst thou not given thy promise, which is sacred, I would havetaken thee to Mr Drummond, that thou mightest impart the whole,instanter. I like it not. Evil deeds are done in darkness. _Noctempeccatis et fraudibus objice nubem_. Still, as thou sayest, nought isyet proved. Watch, therefore, Jacob--watch carefully over thy master'sinterests, and the interests of society at large. It is thy duty, I maysay, _Vigilare noctesque diesque_. It may be as Marables hath said--andall may be accounted for; still, I say, be careful, and be honest."
I followed the suggestions of the Dominie: we were soon laden withanother cargo of bricks, to be delivered at the same place, andproceeded on our voyage. Marables and Fleming, finding that I had notsaid a word to Mr Drummond, treated me with every kindness. Flemingonce offered me money, which I refused, saying that I had no use for it.I was on the best terms with them, at the same time that I took noticeof all that passed, without offering a remark to excite theirsuspicions. But not to be too prolix, it will suffice to say that wemade many trips during several months, and that during that time I madethe following observations:--that Fleming went on shore at night atcertain places, taking with him bags and bundles; that he generallyreturned with others, which were taken into the cabin; that sometimespeople came off at night, and remained some time in the cabin with him;and that all this took place when it was supposed that I was asleep.The cabin was invariably locked when the barge was lying at the wharfs,if Fleming was on shore, and at no time was I permitted to enter it.Marables was a complete cipher in Fleming's hands, who orderedeverything as he pleased; and in the conversations which took placebefore me, with much less restraint than at first, there appeared to beno idea of Fleming's leaving us. As I felt convinced that there was nochance of discovery without further efforts on my part, and mysuspicions increasing daily, I resolved upon running some hazard. Mychief wish was to get into the cabin and examine its contents; but thiswas not easy, and would, in all probability, be a dangerous attempt.One night I came on deck in my shirt. We were at anchor offRotherhithe: it was a dark night, with a drizzling rain. I washastening below, when I perceived a light still burning in the cabin,and heard the voices of Marables and Fleming. I thought this a goodopportunity, and having no shoes, walked softly on the wet deck to thecabin-door, which opened forward, and peeped through the crevices.Marables and Fleming were sitting opposite each other at the littletable. There were some papers before them, and they were dividing somemoney. Marables expostulated at his share not being sufficient, andFleming laughed and told him he had earned no more. Fearful of beingdiscovered, I made a silent retreat, and gained my bed. It was wellthat I had made the resolution; for just as I was putting my head belowthe hatch, and drawing it over the scuttle, the door was thrown open andFleming came out, I pondered over this circumstance, and the remark ofFleming that Marables had not earned any more, and I felt convinced thatthe story told me by Marables relative to Fleming was all false. Thisconviction stimulated me more than ever to discover the secret, and manyand many a night did I watch, with a hope of being able to examine thecabin; but it was to no purpose, either Fleming or Marables was alwayson board. I continued to report to the Dominie all I had discovered,and he agreed at last that it was better that I should not say anythingto Mr Drummond until there was the fullest proof of the nature of theirproceedings.
The cabin was now the sole object of my thoughts, and many were theschemes resolved in my mind to obtain an entrance. Fatima never covetedadmission to the dreadful chamber of Bluebeard as I did to ascertain thesecrets of this hidden receptacle. One night Fleming had quitted thebarge, and I ascended from my dormitory. Marables was on deck, sittingupon the water-cask, with his elbow resting on the gunwale, his handsupporting his head, as if in deep thought. The cabin-doors wereclosed, but the light still remained in it. I watched for some time,and perceiving that Marables did not move, walked gently up to him. Hewas fast asleep; I waited for some little time alongside of him. Atlast he snored. It was an opportunity not to be lost. I crept to thecabin-door; it was not locked. Although I did not fear the wrath ofMarables, in case of discovery, as I did that of Fleming, it was stillwith a beating heart and a tremulous hand that I gently opened the door,pausing before I entered, to ascertain if Marables were disturbed. Hemoved not, and I entered, closing the door after me. I caught up thelight, and held it in my hand as I hung over the table. On each sidewere the two bed-places of Marables and Fleming, which I had before thenhad many a partial glimpse of. In front of the two bed-places were twolockers to sit down upon. I tried them--they were not fast--theycontained their clothes. At the after part of the cabin were threecupboards; I opened the centre one; it contained crockery, glass, andknives and forks. I tried the one on the starboard side; it was locked,but the key was in it. I turned it gently, but being a good lock, itsnapped loud. I paused in fear--but Marables still slept. The cupboardhad three shelves, and every shelf was loaded with silver spoons, forks,and every variety of plate, mixed with watches, bracelets, and ornamentsof every description. There was, I perceived, a label on each, with apeculiar mark. Wishing to have an accurate survey, and encouraged by mydiscovery, I turned to the cupboard opposite, on the larboard side, andI opened it. It contained silk handkerchiefs in every variety, laceveils, and various other articles of value; on the lower shelf were laidthree pairs of pistols. I was now satisfied, and closing the lastcupboard, which had not been locked, was about to retreat, when Irecollected that I had not re-locked the first cupboard, and that theymight not, by finding it open, suspect my visit, I turned the key. Itmade a louder snap than before. I heard Marables start from his slumberon deck; in a moment I blew out the lamp, and remained quiet. Marablesgot up, took a turn or two, looked at the cabin doors, which were shut,and opened them a little. Perceiving that the lamp had, as he thought,gone out, he shut them again, and, to my consternation, turned the key.There I was, locked up, until the arrival of Fleming--then to be left tohis mercy. I hardly knew how to act: at last I resolved upon calling toMarables, as I dreaded his anger less than Flemi
ng's. Then it occurredto me that Marables might come in, feel for the lamp to re-light it, andthat, as he came in on one side of the cabin, I might, in the dark,escape by the other. This all but forlorn hope prevented me for sometime from applying to him. At last I made up my mind that I would, andran from the locker to call through the door, when I heard the sound ofoars. I paused again--loitered--the boat was alongside, and I heardFleming jump upon the deck.
"Quick," said he to Marables, as he came to the cabin-door, and tried toopen it; "We've no time to lose--we must get up the sacks and sinkeverything. Two of them have 'peached, and the fence will bediscovered."
He took the keys from Marables and opened the door; I had replaced thelamp upon the table. Fleming entered, took a seat on the locker on thelarboard side, and felt for the lamp. Marables followed him, and satdown on the starboard locker;--escape was impossible. With a throbbingheart I sat in silence, watching my fate. In the meantime, Fleming hadtaken out of his pocket his phosphorus match box. I heard the tin toppulled open--even the slight rustling of the one match selected wasperceived. Another second it was withdrawn from the bottle, and a wildflame of light illumined the deck cabin, and discovered me to theirview. Staggered at my appearance, the match fell from Fleming's hand,and all was dark as before; but there was no more to be gained bydarkness--I had been discovered.
"Jacob!" cried Marables.
"Will not live to tell the tale," added Fleming, with a firm voice, ashe put another match into the bottle, and then relighted the lamp."Come," said Fleming, fiercely; "out of the cabin immediately."
I prepared to obey him. Fleming went out, and I was following him roundhis side of the table, when Marables interposed.
"Stop: Fleming, what is that you mean to do?"
"Silence him!" retorted Fleming.
"But not murder him, surely?" cried Marables, trembling from head tofoot. "You will not, dare not, do that."
"What is it that I dare not do, Marables? but it is useless to talk; itis now his life or mine. One must be sacrificed, and I will not die yetto please him."
"You shall not--by God, Fleming, you shall not!" cried Marables, seizinghold of my other arm, and holding me tight.
I added my resistance to that of Marables; when Fleming, perceiving thatwe should be masters, took a pistol from his pocket, and struck Marablesa blow on the head, which rendered him senseless. Throwing away thepistol, he dragged me out of the cabin. I was strong, but he was verypowerful; my resistance availed me nothing: by degrees he forced me tothe side of the barge, and lifting me in his arms, dashed me into thedark and rapidly flowing water. It was fortunate for me that the threatof Fleming, upon our first meeting, had induced me to practise swimming,and still more fortunate that I was not encumbered with any otherclothes than my shirt, in which I had come on deck. As it was, I wascarried away by the tide for some time before I could rise, and at sucha distance that Fleming, who probably watched, did not perceive that Icame up again. Still, I had but little hopes of saving myself in a darknight, and at nearly a quarter of a mile from shore. I struggled tokeep myself afloat, when I heard the sound of oars; a second or two moreand I saw them over my head. I grasped at and seized the last, as theothers passed me, crying "Help!"
"What the devil! Oars, my men; here's somebody overboard," cried theman, whose oar I had seized.
They stopped pulling; he dragged in his oar till he could lay hold ofme, and then they hauled me into the boat. I was exhausted with coldand my energetic struggles in the water; and it was not until they hadwrapped me up in a great-coat, and poured some spirits down my throat;that I could speak. They inquired to which of the craft I belonged.
"The Folly barge."
"The very one we are searching for. Where about is she, my lad?"
I directed them: the boat was a large wherry, pulling six oars,belonging to the river police. The officer in the stern sheets, whosteered her, then said, "How came you overboard?"
"I was thrown overboard," replied I, "by a man called Fleming."
"The name he goes by," cried the officer. "Give way, my lads. There'smurder, it appears, as well as other charges."
In a quarter of an hour we were alongside--the officer and four mensprang out of the boat, leaving the other two with directions for me toremain in the boat. Cold and miserable as I was, I was too muchinterested in the scene not to rise up from the stern sheets, and payattention to what passed. When the officer and his men gained the deck,they were met by Fleming in the advance, and Marables about a yard ortwo behind.
"What's all this?" cried Fleming, boldly. "Are you river pirates, cometo plunder us?"
"Not exactly," replied the officer; "but we are just come to overhaulyou. Deliver up the key of your cabin," continued he, after trying thedoor and finding it locked.
"With all my heart, if you prove yourselves authorised to search,"replied Fleming; "but you'll find no smuggled spirits here, I can tellyou. Marables, hand them the key; I see that they belong to the riverguard."
Marables, who had never spoken, handed the key to the officer, who,opening a dark lanthorn, went down into the cabin and proceeded in hissearch, leaving two of the men to take charge of Fleming and Marables.But his search was in vain; he could find nothing, and he came out ondeck.
"Well," said Fleming, sarcastically, "have you made a seizure?"
"Wait a little," said the officer; "how many men have you in thisbarge?"
"You see them," replied Fleming.
"Yes; but you have a boy; where is he?"
"We have no boy," replied Fleming; "two men are quite enough for thiscraft."
"Still I ask you, what has become of the boy? for a boy was on yourdecks this afternoon."
"If there was one, I presume he has gone on shore again."
"Answer me another question; which of you threw him overboard?"
At this query of the officer, Fleming started, while Marables cried out,"It was not I; I would have saved him. O that the boy were here toprove it!"
"I am here, Marables," said I, coming on deck, "and I am witness thatyou tried to save me, until you were struck senseless by that ruffian,Fleming, who threw me overboard, that I might not give evidence as tothe silver and gold which I found in the cabin; and which I overheardhim tell you must be put into sacks and sunk, as two of the men had'peached."
Fleming, when he saw me, turned round, as if not to look at me. Hisface I could not see; but after remaining a few seconds in thatposition, he held out his hands in silence for the handcuffs, which theofficer had already taken out of his pocket. Marables, on the contrary,sprang forward as soon as I had finished speaking, and caught me in hisarms.
"My fine, honest boy! I thank God--I thank God! All that he has saidis true, sir. You will find the goods sunk astern, and the buoy-rope tothem fastened to the lower pintle of the rudder. Jacob, thank God, youare safe! I little thought to see you again. There, sir," continued heto the officer, holding out his hands, "I deserve it all. I had notstrength of mind enough to be honest."
The handcuffs were put on Marables as well as on Fleming, and theofficer, allowing me time to go down and put on my clothes, hauled upthe sacks containing the valuables, and leaving two hands in charge ofthe barge, rowed ashore with us all in the boat. It was then aboutthree o'clock in the morning, and I was very glad when we arrived at thereceiving-house, and I was permitted to warm myself before the fire. Assoon as I was comfortable, I laid down on the bench and fell fastasleep.
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