CHAPTER XIII.
THE BRITISHERS.
After making the proposition that I allow him to escape, Benson gaveover holding any intercourse with Phil and me. According to orders, weallowed him to come out of the cage every day and pace to and fro on thedeck by way of exercise; but he did so in silence, and I was by no meansdisgruntled because he held his peace.
Master Hackett spent considerable time with us two lads while we were inport awaiting the enemy; but, after the conversation lately set down, hedid not indulge in any speculations which might arouse disagreeablethoughts in our minds. Perhaps he understood that, confined in the darkhold, we would quite naturally give ourselves more wholly up toreflection and foreboding than would be possible on the gun-deck, andbrooding over possible dangers while we were thus virtually alone wouldcause them to seem greater than they really were.
Whatever may have been his motive, I noted with satisfaction the factthat he spoke in a more cheery strain of the expected action, and on oneor two occasions even went so far as to predict that the _Essex_ wouldlive to carry the stars and stripes around the Horn again.
Both Phil and I had come to believe that when the Britishers did arriveto give us battle, he and I would be forced to remain below, guardingour prisoner, and again and again we questioned the wisdom of settingtwo to watch one when the frigate was really short-handed.
Despite the cowardly thoughts which we realized would come into ourminds as soon as an engagement was begun, we were sad because thereseemed to be no chance we should bear our share of it. It would havepleased both of us very decidedly if it could have been possible to sailthe _Essex_ into a home port without a severe fight; but since one mustcome, we were eager to perform our full part, whatever might be theresult, and this could not be done if we were forced to act as jailers.
However, this, like many another trouble, was of slight consequence whenthe decisive moment arrived, as we soon learned.
One morning when the men were beginning to believe that the informationregarding the Britishers having passed around Cape Horn was false,Master Hackett came below with every evidence of excitement on his faceand in his movements.
"The enemy are in the offin' at last!" he cried, slapping us two lads onthe back as if believing he had brought most glorious news.
"Can we see them from the deck?" Phil asked as he leaped toward theladder, for it was my time of duty.
"No, lad, not yet: but the _Junior_ is headin' for the harbor withsignals set that she has sighted the enemy, an' it won't be very longnow before we'll be showin' the _Phoebe_ what we're made of!"
Having said this much Master Hackett went swiftly on deck again, and Iwas left with my own fears and Oliver Benson for company.
I fully expected that he would try once more to persuade me into lettinghim escape, but fortunately for his own skin he said not a word, and Isat there silent and motionless, trying to picture my behavior in caseit should by some lucky chance be possible for me to bear a hand in theaction which seemed to be so near at hand.
The moments passed slowly yet quickly, and I believed that a full hourhad elapsed when Phil finally showed himself with excuses for havingstayed away so long.
"The _Junior_ is close alongside with her anchors down, and LieutenantDownes is with Captain Porter, most likely getting orders as to how hisship is to be handled during the engagement."
"Can you see the Britisher?" I asked breathlessly.
"Not yet; the boat's crew which brought the lieutenant on board saysthat they should be off the harbor in an hour at the longest."
"_They_ should be off the harbor. Is there more than one?"
"Ay, two, so it's reported, and Master Hackett says we'll tackle allthat come, even if it's a whole squadron."
"He is talking foolishly!" I cried petulantly. "It isn't reasonable tosuppose our commander will take any more chances than are absolutelynecessary."
"I can't say what he may do; but our people are wild with excitement,and if the decision was left to them I doubt not but that MasterHackett's statement would sound less improbable. Go on deck and have alook around; but give me a chance when the Britishers heave in sight."
I lost no time in acting on his proposition, and as I came into theopen air I saw Lieutenant McKnight approaching.
"Well, lads, your disagreeable work has come to an end for a time atleast, and I can't fancy that you'll be sorry."
I looked perplexed, as indeed I was, and my cousin added:--
"The prisoner will be sent on board the _Junior_ for a while."
"May I ask why, sir?"
"Because it would not be quite the proper treatment to keep him underfire. As soon as Lieutenant Downes comes on deck again some of our menwill be sent below to iron the fellow and bring him on deck fortransshipment."
I did not wait to hear more, or even to take a look around; but ranbelow with all speed to impart the cheering news to Phil.
On hearing what my cousin Stephen had said the lad was almost besidehimself with joy; but Benson was overpowered by rage. He tore and beatwith his fists at the bars of the cage, now crying out that we should bepaid off with interest for treating him in such a manner, and againbegging that we ask Captain Porter to allow him to remain on board.
There could be but one cause for his frenzy, which was that he hadreally made friends with some of the marines, and counted on theiraiding his escape during the excitement of a battle.
We gave no attention to either his threats or entreaties; but it was awonderful relief when three men, headed by Master Hackett, came below,the latter telling us we were free to go on deck since there was nothingwe might do to aid them in their work.
I breathed freely for the first time since we had been given charge ofthe Britisher, when we stepped on the spar-deck and had a look around.
Within half a cable's length lay the _Essex Junior_, her boat alongsideour ship, and in the offing two British men-of-war standing directlyinto the harbor.
"I wonder if the fighting will be done while we lay at anchor?" I saidlike a simple that I was, and Phil replied with the air of one who iswiser than his comrade:--
"Certainly not. In the first place, Master Hackett says it is againstall the rules for ships to fight in a harbor belonging to a nation withwhich we are not at war. Then again, it is necessary to manoeuvre thefrigate while the fighting is going on, and to do that she must be onthe open ocean."
"I see no signs of our getting under way."
"Then you must be blind indeed! Notice the men; each is at his properstation, and on the gun-deck the ammunition has already been broughtout. Perhaps they have sanded the decks."
I turned away from him impatiently. Of what good was it to mention sucha sinister preparation as that? It quickened the blood in one's veins tosee the crew standing motionless, ready to execute on the instant thefirst order which should be given; and made the cold chills run down afellow's spine to think that measures were being taken to cover thatwhich represented the life of our people.
While I stood, half a coward and half eager to have a hand in the workabout to be done, Benson was brought up from below--literally broughtup, for he refused to lift hand or foot--and then dropped bodily intothe boat alongside.
Lieutenant Downes took his station in the stern-sheets, and the smallcraft was pulled quickly away, leaving us on the _Essex_ to meet thecoming enemy.
The wind fined down as the Britishers came into the harbor, the_Phoebe_ leading the way, and we had a good opportunity of examiningthem minutely.
I had taken a station by Master Hackett's side, and therefore came toknow a good many things which otherwise would have failed of attractingmy attention.
"They've taken on extra metal to meet us," the old sailor said with achuckle, as if such fact pleased him wonderfully. "Thirty longeighteens, sixteen 32-pound carronades, one howitzer, an' six 3-poundersin her tops. That's givin' us the credit of bein' good fighters, eventhough they do accuse us of not darin' to tackle anything but whalers."
"Did you ever see the other ship, Master Hackett?" I asked.
"Ay, lad, time and time again. She's the _Cherub_, a 20-gun ship; butnow she's carryin' twenty-eight in all--eighteen 32-pound carronadesbelow, with eight 24-pound carronades and two long nines above. Therecan't be less than two hundred men on board, an' take it all in all,we've got a decently tough job laid out for us; but we'll tackle it ingreat style, lad. Why, the fact that the Britishers don't care to meetus with such a frigate as the _Phoebe_ alone, is enough to stiffen thebackbone of every man jack belongin' to this 'ere craft."
As the leading ship came nearer we could see that her crew was atquarters, and more than one old sea-dog looked aft questioningly, as ifexpecting our captain would give the word to prepare for action.
Friendly port or not, it seemed very much as if the Britisher was makingready to give us a broadside without the courtesy of hailing.
Nearer and nearer came the _Phoebe_, forging ahead slowly, and when shewas less than a pistol shot distant her commander, Captain Hillyar,hailed, asking after Captain Porter's health as if the two were warmfriends.
NEARER AND NEARER CAME THE PHOEBE.]
Our commander answered politely, and then warned the Britisher that hewas coming too near.
"If you foul us, sir," Captain Porter cried, "there will necessarily bemuch confusion, and I cannot be answerable for the consequences."
"I certainly do not meditate making an attack, my dear sir," theBritisher replied with a bow; but there was that in his voice whichcaused me to believe he was not speaking the truth, and Master Hackettmuttered:--
"He'll take us if he gets into position, an' now's the time when ourcaptain should give him somethin' more'n soft talk. If I was in commandof this 'ere frigate I'd sink him off-hand."
At that moment the wind shifted, taking the _Phoebe_ suddenly aback,and her bow payed off directly upon the _Essex_.
It was as if they were minded to board us, and Captain Porter must havebelieved that such was the case, for suddenly came the command to callaway the boarders.
"Now we're in for it, lad!" Master Hackett cried gleefully as he ran tohis station, I following close by his side. "The Britisher counts onhavin' a scrimmage whether we're in a neutral port or not, an' I reckonwe're in the mood to give him all he wants!"
"I do not intend to board you, sir!" the British captain shouted when hesaw that we were ready for him, and Captain Porter replied with a warmththat pleased me wonderfully, considering the fact that at heart I am acoward:--
"If your ship fouls this frigate, sir, I shall open upon you, for I amfully prepared for action!"
"I do not intend to board you, sir!" Captain Hillyar cried again; butall the while the _Phoebe_ was creeping nearer to us.
"Stand ready, boarders!" Captain Porter shouted, giving no further heedto the Britisher's announcement. "Get away the instant she touches us,and once on her decks you know your duty!"
By this time the jib-boom of the _Phoebe_ was across our forecastle, andthe ship in such a position that we might have sunk her before the_Cherub_ could come near enough to take part in the work. Master Hacketthad already laid hold of the spar, and I was alongside of him, never foran instant remembering that I should have been frightened. Phil, a hugecutlass in his hands, was looking about for a place on which to leap;and, taking it all in all, if I had been capable of connected thought, Iwould have said that neither ship could avoid an action.
Fortunately--there were many aboard us who would say_unfortunately_--the two frigates did not come into actual contact, and,seeing that he had put his ship into a most dangerous situation, CaptainHillyar began shouting:--
"It is all an accident, sir! I have no intention of opening anengagement!"
While he spoke he waved his hands, the better to attract attention, andotherwise behaved much like a man who is afraid after he has voluntarilygot himself into a bad scrape.
Captain Porter gave the word for our men to retire from theforecastle-deck, and the Britisher slowly drifted by, her captain bowingand waving his hat, as well he might, considering the fact that ourcommander would have been justified in sinking him while it was notpossible for him to strike a blow.
How our men raved and stormed when the Englishman went by to the innerharbor uninjured; but they took precious good care that our commanderdid not hear their angry words.
Then, after the _Cherub_ passed us and joined the _Phoebe_ at a berthnearer the town, leaving our men at liberty to do as they pleased, whata noisy confab went on among the deck lawyers! All were agreed that weshould have sunk the Britisher; that the boarders should have been sentaway because by coming across us there was every indication that theenemy intended mischief; and again, that there can be but one meaningwhen a man-of-war approaches with her crew at quarters.
I do not think the men were actually enraged with Captain Porter for nothaving taken advantage of the opportunity; but they blamed him severelyfor accepting the apology instead of beginning an action which couldhave had but one ending, owing to the fact that the _Phoebe_ wouldsurely have been sunk before her consort could creep up.
"Mark my words!" one of the old barnacles shouted. "Captain Porterwon't find the Britisher so willin' to let him sneak out of a smallhole; an' if the time ever comes when he can get at us unfairly, we maycount on his doin' it."
"That's the solemn truth!" half a dozen voices shouted, and I askedMaster Hackett to tell me exactly what he thought of the whole affair.
"Well," the old man said slowly and thoughtfully, "I don't feel calledupon to rough into our commander simply because he acted the part of agentleman. That man Hillyar is a bully, or he'd never come into theharbor with his men at quarters, an' I'll lay all my prize money againsta herrin', that if he'd found us unprepared, his boarders would havebeen called away in short order."
"Then you think he really meant to attack us?" Phil, who had just comeup, asked.
"What else could he have counted on doin'? He was takin' the chances ofgettin' the advantage in some way; but his consort didn't keep quite asnear as he'd have liked, an' then when the ship was taken aback, hefound himself at our mercy. If he wasn't up to mischief, why should hehave come so close alongside before luffin'? Captain Porter wouldn't befooled by the fine words thrown aboard the _Essex_ when the Britisherwas quakin' in his boots; but he acted the gentleman, as sailors alwaysshould, an' I ain't the man to blame him, though I do wish he could haveseen it in his way to rake the _Phoebe_ when she'd come into such abeautiful position for the work!"
The people aboard the _Essex Junior_ were in quite as high a state ofexcitement as were we. When word was passed for the boarders, LieutenantDownes began warping his ship alongside the frigate in order that hemight have a hand in the scrimmage, and now the _Junior_ was so nearthat we could talk in whispers to her crew, who still overhung the rail.
I suppose Captain Porter knew full well how disappointed our people werebecause of having lost such a fine opportunity. He went below, callingsome of the lieutenants after him, and it is in my mind that he did sosimply in order that our old shellbacks might have a chance to easetheir hearts by hard words.
The Britishers were at anchor, therefore all hands knew we would nothave an encounter for some time to come; and after each man had talkedhimself hoarse over the matter, we began to turn our attention to otherthings.
Phil and I were eager to learn if Benson would be kept safely on boardthe _Junior_, and questioned some of her men regarding the villain.
"Don't worry your heads about him," one of the crew replied with a grin."We've got no bloomin' marines here, an' every man jack of us has itwell in mind that he's to get what's due him this time. He'll stay wherehe is until we make the home port, unless it so be that some of hisfriends overhaul us."
"Is there a brig aboard the _Junior_?" I asked.
"We've got what answers much the same purpose. He's ironed, an' madefast to a stanchion."
"How long are you to keep him?"
"Until you'
ve given that Britisher the floggin' he deserves, an' oughtto have had half an hour ago. Don't fear the Yankee-seller will give usthe slip; an' if you're feelin' lonesome on his account, come aboard an'see him now an' then."
"No, thank you, we've had all we want of that fellow, although we'drather take him on board if there's any chance of his getting overboardin the harbor," I replied with a laugh, feeling much relieved in mind atknowing that we were not to be burdened with him again immediately.
Simply to show that we of the frigate were not the only ones whobelieved Captain Hillyar had not spoken the truth when he apologizedfor coming alongside, I want to set down here that which was written bythe historian Lossing many years after the occurrence, while I have beentrying to put this yarn into something like proper shape for reading:--
He says: "It was afterward generally believed that Hillyar had positiveorders to attack the _Essex_, even in a neutral South American port, andthat his intentions were hostile, until the moment when he discoveredhis imminent peril in the power of the gallant American."
Twenty-four hours later the British ships stood out to sea, having takenon board whatever supplies they needed, and you may be certain they gaveus a wide berth while passing. Our crew was at quarters, ready for anykind of a trick they might attempt; but Captain Hillyar had had quiteenough of running us down; one experience was sufficient to show himthat Yankee sailors in an unfriendly port are not easily caught napping.
Now all hands were certain the _Phoebe_ would speedily show herwillingness to engage us, for she was the heavier craft, and we remainedwith our nerves strung to their highest tension until it was shownplainly that the Britisher did not intend to tackle us except at thatmoment when it would be possible for her to take us at a disadvantage.
On the day after the two ships left the harbor we stood boldly out, withgood reason to expect that a ship carrying so much metal as did the_Phoebe_ would not hesitate to attack us even though the _Essex Junior_was near at hand; but, if you please, that valiant Captain Hillyar hadno idea of fighting us on anywhere near even terms. His ship wassuperior to ours by at least twenty-five per cent, and yet when we wereoutside, ready for a fair battle, he refused to fight until the _Cherub_was in position to share a full half of the scrimmage.
It is not to be supposed that our commander would engage against boththe Britishers, if it could be avoided. He was ready enough to show themof what stuff his crew was made; but did not propose to do so when itwas impossible we could even so much as hold our own.
The days went by until four weeks had passed, we ready to fight the_Phoebe_ alone, and Captain Hillyar showing the white feather on everyoccasion when an engagement was possible and the Cherub chanced to be ata distance.
Our men chafed and fumed at the cowardice, as we called it, but all invain; and one day I asked Master Hackett flatly if he believed CaptainHillyar was afraid to tackle us.
"No, lad, I don't," he replied promptly. "It's showin' yourself a foolto claim that all the Yankees are brave, an' all the Britishers cowards.The commander of the _Phoebe_ has had his orders to capture or sink us.He and his consort together can readily do it, an' considerin' that he'sgot us bottled up where we've no choice as to comin' out, he counts tohold the advantage. From his standpoint it's all right, an' I'm notcertain but that our commander would do much the same thing if thetables were turned."
It wasn't all idleness with us, however, as we waited for a chance toengage one or the other of the enemy singly.
Time and again we got under way as if determined to tackle them both,and, standing out of the harbor, gave the Britishers an opportunity ofmeasuring speed with us. We might have shirked a battle by leaving the_Essex Junior_ to her fate; but Captain Porter did not count on doingone or the other.
Each time we stirred up the Englishmen we came back to our anchorageagain, as much as to say that we would leave in company with ourconsort, or not at all.
One day I overheard little Midshipman David Farragut talking withLieutenant McKnight about a boat expedition which was to be sent outsome dark night for the purpose of capturing the _Cherub_, and I burnedto make one of the party; but when I spoke of it to my cousin hereproved me sharply, saying that it was not seemly for boys to belistening to the conversations of their superiors.
Now, I never looked upon midshipmen as my superiors. Of course theylived aft, and ordered the other boys, and old men for that matter,about in the most ferocious manner; but it seemed as if the lieutenantwas stretching matters when he allowed that thirteen-year-old DavidFarragut's conversation should not be listened to by such as me, eventhough he was the captain's adopted son.
However, nothing came of the boat expedition, and perhaps no one saveMidshipman Farragut seriously thought of such a rash venture.
It was on the 27th day of February when we believed the time had comefor the battle; when Captain Hillyar gave every evidence of beingwilling to meet us singly.
The _Cherub_ was fully a league to windward when the _Phoebe_ ran intoward the entrance to the harbor, and hoisted a banner on which werethe words, "God and Our Country; British Sailors' Best Rights: TraitorsOffend Both." Then she fired a gun to windward, giving as plain a signalas sailormen could that she was ready for action.
You may well believe that we did not spend many minutes in getting underway, and on the _Essex_ was flying a banner with this motto, one whichwe had run up many times before when coaxing the Britishers to stand uplike men:--
"Free Trade and Sailors' Rights!"
It seems that the sail-makers had been at work on another banner, for aswe came out of the harbor a second was run up to the masthead of the_Essex_, and on it in bold letters were the words:--
"God, Our Country, and Liberty; Tyrants Offend Them."
Our crew was at quarters, Phil and I among the rest, with the officersin fighting trim on the quarter-deck, and I heard little MidshipmanFarragut say to one of the lieutenants:--
"This time we've got them, and we'll show how Yankees fight!"
I took a fancy to the lad from that moment, although I had seen butlittle of him previous to this last visit at Valparaiso; and even thoughhe was a Spaniard by birth, it did not surprise me to hear him claim tobe a Yankee, although he had no right to the name save by grace of hisadopted father, our commander.
The crew cheered lustily when the _Phoebe_ stood her ground until wewere within range, and every man was worked up to the highest pitch ofexcitement as the order was given for us to let fly a broadside.
The cheers were changed to groans and yells a moment later, however, forthe Britisher, instead of returning our fire, ran down and joined herconsort.
After that, even Master Hackett allowed there must be a strain ofcowardly blood in the make-up of Captain Hillyar.
Once more I set down what another[4] has written, this time concerningthe trick the Britisher played us that day:--
"This conduct excited a good deal of feeling among the officers of the_Essex_, who rightly judged that the challenge should not have beengiven if it was not the intention of the enemy to engage singly. Takingall these circumstances in connection, there can be little question thatCaptain Hillyar had been positively instructed not to fight the _Essex_alone, if he could possibly avoid it. As he bore the character of a goodand brave officer, it is not easy to find any other reasonable solutionof the course he pursued. His challenge off the port was probablyintended as a ruse to get the _Essex_ into his power; for demonstrationsof this nature are not subject to the severe laws which regulate moreprecise defiances to combat."
Well, we went back to our anchorage again, not in the best of spirits,for we believed firmly that we could whip the _Phoebe_ in a fair fight,and every man jack among us, including several of the officers, hadharsh words in his mouth regarding the British captain, Hillyar.
Within a very few days after this Captain Porter learned that otherEnglish frigates were working their way up to Valparaiso; and when theblockade should be stronger, it was almost positive both our sh
ips wouldfall prizes to the enemy.
All this we heard from the marines, as a matter of course, and finallythey brought that information which aroused us to the highest pitch oncemore.
It was said by these eavesdroppers that there had been a consultationof officers in Captain Porter's cabin, and it had been decided that webend all our energies to giving the _Essex Junior_ an opportunity ofescape, while we would remain and take the brunt of the fight.
On some day in the near future, when the wind should be strong andfavorable, we were to put out as if willing to meet both the Britishers.The _Essex_ could outsail them, as had been proven several timesalready, and she was to run two or three leagues off the coast, knowingfull well that the enemy would follow.
When we were hull down in the distance, the _Essex Junior_ would getunder way, and do her prettiest at doubling the Horn without runningafoul of a British frigate.
Surely, it seemed as if that plan would work without a hitch, so our oldsea-dogs argued, for the _Phoebe_ and _Cherub_ must follow us, sinceneither of them was willing to meet us singly, and they could not runthe chance of waiting for the _Junior_, because we might be trying tosave our own skins, which would not seem improbable in view of the factthat the frigate was the more valuable ship of the two.
By such a course we would not be bringing the matter to an issue as faras the _Essex_ was concerned; but it would open the way for the_Junior_ to make a home port and give tidings of us who were ready toventure all rather than have it believed we dared not stand up to a shipof our size, or even two of them.
Now we thought and talked of nothing save the scheme to outwit theBritisher, and it is safe to say that never a crew watched the sky moreintently than did we, for a strong, favoring wind was to be the signalfor getting under way, as we knew by this time from the officers as wellas the marines.
We were to make a venture which might bring us to grief; but we believedfirmly that the _Junior_ would get safely out of the scrape.
FOOTNOTE:
[4] J. Fenimore Cooper.
With Porter in the Essex Page 14