Newton Forster; Or, The Merchant Service

by Frederick Marryat

  VOLUME ONE, CHAPTER ELEVEN.

  'Tis man's bold task the gen'rous strife to try, But in the hands of God is victory. ILIAD.

  Newton, and the other men who had been selected for the frigate, onboard of which they had been despatched (victualled the day discharged),were mustered on the quarter-deck by the first lieutenant, who askedthem the questions, whether they were bred to the sea, and could takethe helm and lead. Having noted down their answers, he stationed themaccordingly, and they were dismissed. Newton would again have appealed,but on reflection thought it advisable to await the arrival of thecaptain. Beds and blankets were not supplied that evening: the boatswere hoisted up, sentries on the gang ways supplied with ball-cartridgesto prevent desertion, and permission granted to the impressed men to"prick for the softest plank" which they could find for their night'srepose.

  At daylight the hands were turned up, the capstern manned, the frigateunmoored, and hove "short stay a-peak" on her anchor remaining down.The gig was sent on shore with two midshipmen, one to watch the men andprevent their desertion, while the other went up to the captain'slodgings to report her arrival: the topsails were loosed, sheeted home,and hoisted, the yards braced by, and Newton to his sorrow perceivedthat the captain's arrival would be the signal for immediate departure.The signalman, on the look-out with his glass, reported the gig comingoff with the captain; and in obedience to the orders he had received,the first-lieutenant immediately hove up, and the anchor having been"catted and fished," the frigate lay-to in the Sound. As soon as theboat came alongside, and the captain had been received with thecustomary honours, he desired sail to be made on her as soon as the boatwas hoisted up, and then descended to his cabin. In three minutesNewton perceived that all chance of release for the present was over;the courses and topgallant sails were set, and the frigate darted pastthe Ram Head at the rate of ten miles per hour.

  In about twenty minutes, after the messenger had been stowed away, thecables coiled in the tiers, and the ropes flemished down on deck, thecaptain made his appearance, and directed the first-lieutenant to sendaft the newly impressed men. In few words he pointed out to them thenecessity of their servitude; and concluded by recommending them toenter his majesty's service, and receive the bounty to which they wouldbecome entitled; observing, that the men who did so would raisethemselves in his good opinion, and as far as he had the power, wouldnot be forgotten by him, provided that their general good conductmerited his favour. Some few accepted the terms, but the most of thempositively refused. When Newton was addressed, he stated to the captainthat he was master of a vessel, and exempted by law from the impress.

  "It is easy to assert that," observed the captain; "but where are yourproofs? your youth almost denies what you affirm."

  "There are my papers, sir, my clearance from the Custom-house, and mybill of lading, which I had in my pocket, intending to sail a fewminutes after the time that I was impressed."

  "I observe," replied the captain, examining the papers, "they appear tobe all correct. What is your name?"

  "Newton Forster."

  "Then this is your signature?"

  "It is, sir."

  Mr Pittson, desire the clerk to bring up a pen and ink.

  The clerk made his appearance.--"Now, sign your name."--Newton obeyed,and his signature was compared with that on the bill of lading, by thecaptain and first-lieutenant.

  "Why did you not mention this before?" continued the captain.

  "I attempted several times, but was not permitted to speak." Newtonthen stated how he had been treated when impressed, and afterwards bythe officer commanding the cutter.

  "You certainly were exempted from the impress, if what you state istrue; and I believe it so to be," replied the captain.--"It is a hardcase; but what can I do? Here we are at sea, and likely to remain on acruise of several months. You cannot expect to eat the bread ofidleness on board of a man-of-war. You will do your duty wherever youare stationed. There is no disgrace in serving his majesty, in anycapacity. I tell you candidly, that although I would not have impressedyou myself, I am very glad that I have you on board; I wish I had fiftymore of the same sort, instead of the sweepings of the gaols, which I amobliged to mix up with prime seamen."

  "Perhaps, sir, you will have the kindness to send me back by the firsthomeward-bound vessel?"

  "No, that I cannot do; you are on the ship's books, and the case must bereferred to the Admiralty on our return: that it will be my duty toattend to, upon your application; but I hope before that you will haveentered into his majesty's service."

  "And in the mean time my poor father may starve," said Newton, with asigh, not addressing those around him, but giving utterance to histhoughts.

  The captain turned away, and paced the quarter-deck with thefirst-lieutenant. At last he was overheard to say--"It's a very hardcase, certainly. Forster, can you navigate?" continued the captain,addressing Newton.

  "Yes, sir, I can work up a dead reckoning, and take the sun's altitude."

  "Very well, that will do.--Mr Pittson, you may dismiss them. Are theyput into messes?"

  "All, sir."

  "It's twelve o'clock, sir," said the master, touching his hat, with hisquadrant in his hand.

  "Make it so, and pipe to dinner."

  Newton was stationed in the foretop. In a few days the awkwardnessarising from the novelty of the scene and from the superior dimensionsof every variety of equipment on board of the frigate, compared to thesmall craft to which he had been accustomed, passed away. The orderwhich was exacted to preserve discipline, the precision with which thetime was regulated, the knowledge of the duty allotted to him, soon madehim feel that no more was exacted than what could easily be performed,and that there was no hardship in serving on board of a man-of-war; theonly hardship was, the manner in which he had been brought there.Although he often sighed as he thought of his father and mother, he didhis duty cheerfully, and was soon distinguished as a most promisingyoung sailor.

  Captain Northfleet was a humane and good officer, and hisfirst-lieutenant followed in his steps, and equally deserved thecharacter. Before the ship's company had been six weeks together, theywere in a tolerable state of discipline; and proved such to be the case,by acknowledging that they were happy. This, added to the constantexcitement of chasing and capturing the vessels of the enemy with theanticipation of prize-money, soon made most of those who had beenimpressed, forget what had occurred, or cease to lament it as ahardship. The continual exercise of the guns was invariably followed upby a general wish that they might fall in with an enemy of equal force,to ascertain whether such constant drilling had been thrown away uponthem. The Terpsichore received supplies of provisions and water fromother ships, and for nine months continued a successful cruise.

  Several prizes had already been captured, and sent home to England. Thecomplement of the frigate was materially reduced by so many absentees,although some of her men had been brought out to her by other vessels,when a strange sail was discovered from the mast-head. A few hourssufficed to bring the swift Terpsichore alongside of the stranger, whofirst hoisted, and then immediately hauled down the tricoloured flag intoken of submission. She proved to be a French brig, bound to the Capeof Good Hope, with ammunition and government stores. Thethird-lieutenant, and all the midshipmen who could navigate, werealready away; and this prize proving valuable, Captain Northfleetresolved to send her in. The difficulty relative to a prize-master wasremoved by the first-lieutenant, who recommended Newton Forster. Tothis suggestion the Captain acceeded; and Newton, with five men, and twoFrench prisoners to assist, was put on board of the Estelle, withwritten instructions to repair to Plymouth, and, upon his arrival there,deliver up the prize to the agent, and report himself to the admiral.

  Captain Northfleet also returned to Newton the papers of his sloop, andgave him a letter to the admiral, stating the hardship of his case. Atthe same time that he informed him of the contents of his letter, herecommended Newton to continue in
the service, promising that, if hetook the vessel safe into port, he would put him on the quarterdeck, asone of the mates of the frigate. Newton thanked Captain Northfleet forhis good intentions; and, requesting permission to reflect upon hisproposal, took his leave, and in a few minutes was on board of theEstelle.

  There was a buoyancy of spirits in Newton when he once more foundhimself clear of the frigate. He acknowledged that he had been welltreated, and that he had not been unhappy; but still it was emancipationfrom forced servitude. It is hard to please where there are so manymasters; and petty tyranny will exist, and cause much discontent beforeit is discovered, even where the best discipline prevails. Theimperious behaviour of the young midshipmen, who assume the samedespotic sway which is exercised over themselves, as soon as theirsuperiors are out of sight and hearing, was often extremely galling toNewton Forster, and it frequently required much forbearance not toretort. However in strict justice this might be warranted, disciplinewould not permit it, and it would have been attended with severepunishment. It was therefore with a feeling of delight, that Newtonfound himself his own master, and watched the hull and canvass of theTerpsichore, as they gradually sunk below the horizon.

  The Estelle was a fine vessel, and her cargo not being all composed ofheavy materials, was sufficiently light on the water to sail well. Atthe time of her capture, they were, by the reckoning of the frigate,about fourteen hundred miles from the Lizard. In a fortnight,therefore, with the wind at all propitious, Newton hoped to set his footupon his native land. He crowded all the sail which prudence wouldallow; and, with the wind upon his quarter, steered his course forEngland.

  The men sent with him in the brig consisted of two able seamen, andthree of the gang which had been collected from the gaols and broughtround from the eastward. Captain Northfleet spared the former, as itwas necessary that a part of the crew should be able to steer andnavigate the vessel; the latter, with the sincere hope of never seeingthem again, taking it for granted that they would run away as soon asthey arrived at Plymouth. With the two prisoners, they were sufficientto work the vessel.

  During the first ten days the wind was generally in their favour, andthe brig was not far off from the chops of the Channel, when a lowraking vessel was perceived bearing down upon them from the North West.Newton had no glass; but as she neared to within three miles, the vesselwore the appearance of a privateer schooner; but whether an enemy ornot, it was impossible to decide. The Estelle had two small brass gunson her forecastle; and Newton, to ascertain the nation to which theprivateer belonged, hoisted the French ensign and fired a gun. In aminute the privateer hoisted English colours; but as she continued tobear down upon them, Newton, not feeling secure, rove his studding sailgear, and made all preparation for running before the wind, which heknew to be the brig's best point of sailing. The privateer hadapproached to within two miles, when Roberts, one of the seamen, gavehis decided opinion that she was a French vessel, pointing out theslight varieties in the rigging and build of the vessel, which would nothave been apparent to any one but a thorough-bred seaman.

  "We'd better up helm, and get the sail upon her. If she be French,she'll soon show herself by firing at us."

  Newton was of the same opinion. The brig was put before the wind, andgradually all her canvass was spread. The privateer immediately shookout all her reefs, set her lofty sails, hoisted French colours, and, ina few minutes, a shot whizzed through the rigging of the Estelle, andpitched into the water ahead of them.

  "I thought so," cried Roberts. "It's a Johnny Crapeau. A starn chaseis a long chase, anyhow. The brig sails well, and there ain't more thantwo hours daylight; so Monsieur must be quick, or we'll give him theslip yet."

  The privateer was now within a mile of them; both vessels had "got theirway;" and their respective powers of sailing were to be ascertained. Inhalf an hour the privateer had neared to three quarters of a mile.

  "I think our little guns will soon reach her," observed Newton."Williams, give me the helm. Go forward with Roberts and the men, androuse them aft. Be smart, my lads, for she has the heels of us."

  "Come along," said Roberts. "You, Collins, why don't you stir?--do youwish to see the inside of a French prison?"

  "No," replied Collins, sauntering forward, "not particularly."

  "Only by way of a change, I suppose," observed Thompson, another of theconvicts. "You have been in every gaol in England, to my knowledge--havn't you, Ben?"

  "Mayhap I have," replied Collins; "but one gentleman should neverinterfere with the consarns of another. I warn't whipped at thecart-tail, as you were, last Lancaster 'sizes."

  "No; but you had a taste of it on board of the Terpsichore. Ben, youaren't forgot that?" retorted Hillson, the other of the three characterswho had been sent with Newton.

  In a few minutes the guns were run aft, and the ammunition brought ondeck. Newton then gave the helm to Williams, and served one gun; whileRoberts took charge of the other. The privateer had continued to nearthem, and was now within their range. A smart fire was kept up on her,which she returned with her superior metal.

  After the firing had commenced, the approach of the privateer was insome degree checked. The guns fired from the stern of the Estelleassisted her velocity through the water; while, on the contrary, theprivateer, being obliged to yaw from her course that her guns mightbear, and firing from the bow, her impetus was checked. Still theprivateer had the advantage in sailing, and slowly neared the brig.

  "There's no need of your coming aft so close upon us," said Roberts tothe two Frenchmen who had been sent on board; "go forward, and keep outof the way. That 'ere chap is after mischief; he had his eye upon the_amminition_," continued the sailor to Newton. "Go forward--d'ye hear?or I'll split your damned French skull with the handspike."

  "Don't touch him, Roberts," said Newton.

  "No, I won't touch him, if he keeps out of my way. Do you hear?--goforward!" cried Roberts to the Frenchman, waving his hand.

  The Frenchman answered with a sneer and a smile, and was turning to obeythe order, when a shot from the privateer cut him nearly in two. Theother Frenchman, who was close to him, made a rapid descent into thecabin.

  "That was well meant, any how," observed Roberts, looking at the deadbody; "but it wasn't meant for him. Shall I toss him overboard?"

  "No, no--let him lie. If they capture us, they will perceive it wastheir own doing."

  "Well, then, I'll only haul him into the lee-scuppers, out of the way."

  Another shot from the privateer passed through the cabin windows, andwent forward into the hold. The French prisoner ran on deck with asmuch haste as before he had run below.

  "Ay, it will be your turn next, my cock," cried Roberts, who had beenremoving the body to the gunnel. "Now, let me try my luck again," andhe hastened to his gun. Newton fired before Roberts was ready. Thetopsail-sheet of the schooner was divided by the shot, and the sail flewout before the yard.

  "That's a good two cables' length in our favour," cried Roberts. "Nowfor me." Roberts fired his gun, and was more fortunate; his shot struckaway the fore-top-gallant mast, while the royal and top-gallant-sailfell before the topsail.

  "Well done, my little piece of brass!" said Roberts, slapping the gunfamiliarly on the breech; "only get us out of our scrape, and I'llpolish you as bright as silver!"

  Whether the gun understood him or not, or, what is more probable, theshort distance between the brig and the privateer, made it moreeffective, more mischief took place in the sails and rigging of theschooner. Her topsail-sheet was, however, soon re-bent, the sail reset,and her other casualties made good. She ceased firing her long gun, andat dusk had crept up to within a quarter of a mile, and commenced aheavy fire of musketry upon the brig.

  "This is rather warm work," observed Williams at the helm, pointing to abullet-hole through his jacket.

  "Rather too warm," observed Collins, the convict. "I don't see why weare to risk our lives for our paltry share of pr
ize-money. I vote forhauling down the colours."

  "Not yet," said Newton, "not yet, my lads. Let us try a few shotsmore."

  "Try!--to be sure," rejoined Roberts, "didn't I say before, that a starnchase was a long one."

  "That only makes the matter worse," replied Collins; "for while we areto be peppered this way, I think the shorter the chase the better.However, you may do as you please, but I'm not so fond of it;--so here'sdown below to the fore-peak!"

  "Ben, you're a sensible chap, and gives good advice; we'll just followyou," said Hillson.

  "Birds of a feather always flock together; so, Ben, I'm of your party,"added Thompson.

  The convicts then descended forward out of the fire of the musketry,while Newton and Roberts continued to load and fire, and Williamssteered the brig. The Frenchman had already found his way below again,before the convicts.

  The schooner was within two cables' length, and the fire of the musketrywas most galling; each of the English seamen had received slight wounds,when, just as it was dark, one of the shot from the brig proved moreeffective. The main-boom of the schooner was either cut in two, or somuch injured as to oblige them to lower her mainsail, The brig nowincreased her distance fast, and in a few minutes they lost sight of theschooner in the darkness of the night.

  "Huzza!" cried Roberts, "didn't I tell you that a starn chase was a longone?"

  Not a star was to be seen; the darkness was intense, and Newtonconsulted with Williams and Roberts, as to what was their best plan ofproceeding. It was agreed to haul up for a quarter of an hour, thenfurl all, and allow the privateer to pass them. This was put inexecution; the convicts, now that there was no more firing, coming totheir assistance. The next morning the weather proved hazy, and theschooner, who had evidently crowded sail in pursuit of them, was nowhereto be seen.

  Newton and his crew congratulated themselves upon their escape, andagain shaped their course for the Channel. The wind would not allowthem to keep clear of Ushant, and two days afterwards they made theFrench coast, near to that island. The next morning they had a slant ofwind, which enabled them to lay her head up for Plymouth, andanticipated that in another twenty-four hours they would be in safety.Such, however, was not their good fortune; about noon a schooner hove insight to leeward, and it was soon ascertained to be the same vessel fromwhich they had previously escaped. Before dusk she was close to them;and Newton, aware of the impossibility of resistance, hove-to, as asignal of surrender.