CHAPTER IV.
_STATE OF HOSTILITIES, DISPOSITION OF THE PRIZE, ANOTHER MUTINY. FATE OFTHE LEADER. PLAN FOR LIBERATING THE PRISONERS. THE EXPEDITION. HAVANA.THE RESULT. THE MEETING OF FRIENDS. A NEW OFFICER._
|At the time the Constance left the port of Boston, hostilities werealready the result of the oppression of the British parliament uponthe American colonies; indeed the town was already besieged by thecontinental army under General Washington. The battles of Lexington,Concord, and Bunker Hill, had resulted in a general resort to arms,by every true hearted son of liberty. Although the commander-in-chief,General Howe, (Gen. Gage having been superceded) would not admit thathe was _besieged_, but spoke of his situation and that of the armyas laying in winter quarters only, yet he knew full well that allcommunication with the country was entirely cut off, and that even bywater he could not depend upon the safe arrival of provisions unlessunder strong convoy. His own table at the same time showing a lack offresh provisions, while the soldiers suffered both in this respect andfor the want of fuel, which was so scarce as to lead them to destroysmall wooden tenements and convert them into fire-wood. In fact theBritish garrison were suffering all the inconveniences of a besiegedtown. The Americans had already fitted out several privateers, poorlyarmed to be sure, but they were manned by young and indomitable spirits,whose determination and consciousness of the justice of their causerendered them almost invulnerable, and they did seem ever victorious.The captures they frequently made of provisions and ammunition were ofmaterial assistance to Washington and the army gathered upon theskirts of the town. They were but inefficiently supplied with food andclothing, and as to ammunition and implements of war; every articlethus captured was a perfect Godsend to their limited stock, while inmunitions of war their enemies had nothing to desire, their supply wasabundant.
We are not obliged to depend solely upon books of history and old mustyrecords for information relating to this important era in our nationalhistory, no. There are grey haired old men among us, whose eyes are notyet dim and whose spirits still burn bright; men who were early fosteredat the foundation of liberty, and who spilled their blood in theircountry’s cause. They will tell you of these things as having occurredin their day and generation, and in which they acted a part. They willtell you of the hardships and vicissitudes of a people struggling forfreedom, and of the almost incredible sufferings cheerfully enduredby all in furtherance of the great and holy cause in which they hadembarked.
When we realize the state of affairs at the time the brig left Boston,we shall see that Channing was fully justified in the capture of thevessel he had thus encountered. The captain of the barque was unpreparedfor such an enemy and had supposed the brig to be one of the rovingbuccaniers of the day, which crowded the tropical seas at that periodbut when he found that he had struck his flag to a privateer of theAmerican colonies as he was informed, his rage was absolutely unbounded;he was beside himself with passion.
‘I would rather have sunk where I lay, or have been taken by thefiercest pirate on the ocean than to have struck St. George’s flag to arebel,’ said he.
‘The matter was beyond your control,’ answered Captain Channing, ‘andyou certainly are no more to blame in the premises than you would be hadyou struck your flag to a buccanier as you had supposed.’
‘Poor consolation,’ said the enraged Englishman scornfully.
‘The very best I can offer nevertheless,’ was the answer.
‘And what do you propose to do with us now you have got possession,’asked the captain of the barque. ‘Hang us up, all at the yard arm? eh?’
‘You will be treated as prisoners of war, sir,’ was the mild reply.
The prisoners were being secured and continued below, when TerrenceMoony came aft to the quarter deck, where he stood with his hat off,twirling in his hands, endeavoring to attract the attention of hiscommander, who at length observing him asked:
‘Well, Terrence what’s in the wind now.’
‘Plase yer honor, I’ve a frind here wid your permission, as wants tojine the brig, sir,’ answered the Irishman.
‘A recruit?’ asked Channing, ‘and from among the prisoners; no,Terrence, we only want our own countrymen, unless indeed it may be oneof yours, who are most surely with us in heart at least.’
‘That’s jist it, your honor, he’s Irish to the back bone of him.’
‘If that’s the case, Terrence, and you will be responsible for hisgood behaviour, we will register his name and he shall be paid with therest.’
‘Oh, long life to ye’s and all sich,’ said Terrence.
The honest Hibernian actually danced with delight. He had by one ofthose singular freaks of fortune, which do sometimes occur, met amongthe prisoners an old school-mate, or rather townsman, for preciouslittle schooling had Terrence ever en-enjoyed. The man was very happy tojoin his comrade and to serve in the brig in behalf of the colonists.
The crew of the prize consisted of fourteen seamen with three officers.One of the latter was killed outright during the engagement and three ofthe former. Captain Channing had learned a lesson by his former cruisingthat he would not soon forget. He now divided the crew of his prize,placing half in each vessel under close confinement. There were twoamong them who represented themselves to be Americans, and who willinglyaccepted the proposition to join the crew of the brig. Channing couldpoorly afford to spare his first mate Jack Herbert, but he concluded toplace him in command of the barque, with six of the crew of the brig towork her, assisted by the two Americans just named as having joined thevictors. This being done Herbert was ordered to keep as near as possibleto the brig, that both might act in concert when it should be foundnecessary.
The ‘George of Bristol’ proved to be a rich prize. She had a large storeof small arms, and ammunition, besides a considerable sum of moneyin specie, with a light cargo of fruit and was bound for the port ofBoston, having just taken in her cargo.
Both vessels now stood for the island of Cuba. Channing, who wasunacquainted in these seas, was fortunate enough to find a couple oftrusty men among his crew, who had been for several years in the WestIndia trade as seamen. These men proved of great service to him on thisoccasion in the capacity of pilots.
The day after the capture of the barque, Channing stood by the taffrailof the Constance looking towards the barque which was following in hiswake, when suddenly he observed a commotion on the deck, and taking hisglass he could easily discern that there was a fight or some unusualcommotion at least. The topsails of the brig were thrown aback, thevessel hove to, and entering a boat, Channing pulled towards the barque,which was now coming up to where the Constance lay. As he reached herside, he overheard the loud voices of the crew in contention, and a cryfor help or mercy, from some on deck. The crew were evidently somuch engaged that they had not observed the approach of Channing, whoactually ascended the side of the prize before he was observed. What washis surprise to find Jack Herbert, his first mate, and whom he had justplaced in command of the barque, bound and bleeding upon the deck,while two of the men he had detailed from his own crew stood over himto protect him from further violence from the remainder of the crew!He leaped upon the deck between the two parties with a pistol in eitherhand and a face upon which determination of character shone out like astar.
‘Mutiny?’ said he half enquiringly.
‘Why you see, your honor--’ ventured one of the men.
‘Peace then,’ said Channing, ‘who made you spokesman for this ship?’
‘We thought, your honor,’ commenced another.
‘Stay, fellow, no excuse, there is none. Unbind that man,’ he said ina voice so low and musical that one would have thought it was a farcebeing rehearsed instead of a scene of blood. But those about him saw byblue eye that watched their every movement that they _must_ obey. Themate was quickly unbound, and the men shrunk cowering away from thespot, gathering in a knot forward, and the most disaffected grumblingaloud. Suddenly one of this latter number, as if determined to do s
omemischief, sprang off to the tiller rope, and taking a knife from hispocket was about to sever it, when Channing whose quick eye had followedhim said: ‘Hold there, what would you do?’
‘You ain’t old enough, sir, according to my reckoning,’ said the maninsolently, ‘to command two vessels at the same time.’
‘Hold there, I say,’ continued Channing ‘cut that rope and you severyour own existence. Now cut if you will,’ said he levelling a pistol atthe man.
This man was one of the crew taken in the prize, and who had falselyrepresented himself to be an American. He now paused for a single momentas if undecided and then cut the rope, which caused the ship to broachto at once: but it was the death signal of the mutineer. Channing,taking a step or two towards him, sent a ball direct to his heart, theman gave a terrific scream of agony and pain, and leaped into the sea acorpse.
‘Who is there here that wishes to share that man’s fate? Who will makehimself an example for the rest?’ said Channing, still in the same lowmusical tone of voice, while his eyes shone like living fire, and hisfinger rested on the trigger of another pistol. Two or three of the mennow fell upon their knees and implored forgiveness.
‘You richly deserve the yard arm,’ he said.
‘Spare us,’ they cried; one or two having got a glimpse of their latecompanion who still floated along side, were trembling with fear.
‘That will depend upon your future conduct,’ was the answer.
Channing soon learned that the Englishman whom he had just shot was thecause of all the trouble and that he had by his oily tongue seducedthe rest from their duty. They falling upon Herbert when he was off hisguard had bound him. At the moment of Channing’s arrival on board theywere discussing the propriety of taking the mate’s life, and were aboutto release the prisoners who were below. The two who stood over the matewere not in the plot and were determined to protect him as far as wasin their power. The mutineers were carried on board the Constanceand exchanged for an equal number of her crew, whereupon Channingimmediately liberated them, telling them as he did so, that if theywished to try any such game under his eye, they were at liberty tocommence as soon as they had made up their minds, to a like fate withtheir late companion. But they understood with whom they had to deal,and strove by their ready compliance with every order, and their zealto perform their duty, to show that they really regretted their lateconduct.
There was no fear of another out-break; the mutineers were subdued bothin deed and spirit. No one could blame the cap-taip for his conduct,nor did any one of his crew do so at heart. It was a critical moment, asingle mis-step would have lost all and perhaps have been the signal forhis own death. It was no time for blustering, but for cool and decidedaction, which reestablished his authority and showed the men that he wasone not to be trifled with. There was no passion displayed. Channing didnot loose his temper even for a moment. No, he spoke perhaps a key lowerthan was his wont, yet there was a fearful distinctness in his words tothose men, that was not to be mistaken.
Captain Channing did not purpose to enter the harbor of Havana with hisvessels, but proposed to seek a quiet anchorage outside, then enter theharbor at night with a chosen boat’s crew and attempt the release ofLovell and his companion in misery. The vessels were therefore broughtto anchorage without the harbor and hidden from observation by the riseof a friendly hill. Channing then sent for his first mate Jack Herbert,and it was agreed to make the attempt to release the prisoner thatnight.
‘You are sure you remember the ground?’ asked Channing of Herbert.
‘Every inch of it,’ said Herbert.
‘And the jailor’s ward?’
‘That’s at the entrance on the port side.’
‘You think you can pilot safely?’
‘Ay, sir, as to knowing the way.’
‘That’s all. I know your courage, Herbert.’
‘Thank ye, sir,’ said Jack.
‘Well then, I’ll take a boat this night at ten o’clock and pull roundinto the harbor with your six men well armed. First, we will divideourselves _here_, after landing--’ said Channing taking a little chartfrom his pocket which represented the prison and the contiguous grounds,drawn from memory by Herbert, and pointing to the back part of theprison. ‘We must divide our number here, and passing round each partyby different sides, manage to silence the sentinels that guard thedifferent angles. This must be done as silently as possible, no noiseyou understand, that would destroy all.’
‘Yes sir, and bring down the whole barracks upon us.’
The sentinels once silenced and entrance gained to the jailor’s ward, Ithink there will be no further trouble. Do you consider my plan a goodand practical one, Mr. Herbert?’
‘Just the thing, sir.’
‘Much will depend upon our discretion.’
‘Everything, sir.’
‘This must be impressed upon the men.’
‘I will drill them to a nicety, sir, before we start,’ said Herbert.‘One great advantage we shall have, these cursed Spanish sentinels,sleep half the time upon their posts, and if we arrive in lucky time, wemay catch them napping, and that would be half of the battle gained atthe outset, sir.’
‘Do you remember at what hour the guard is changed? asked Channing.
‘Let me think; at eight, twelve and four, I believe.’
‘We must manage to arrive at about one o’clock, A. M. The midnight guardwill be comfortably settled for the watch by that time,’ said Channing.
‘Just so, sir, the fellow will be snoring by that time I’ll be bound.’
‘I will select the men from the brig, Mr. Herbert, and you may come onboard, sir, at about half past nine well armed.’
‘Will one boat be enough, sir?’
‘Better for all purposes than two, and we must leave a respectable forcein charge of the prisoners, who need looking to.’
‘Very true, sir,’ replied Herbert.
‘I had rather have six chosen men, and they good ones, than three timesthe number to attempt such an enterprise with,’ said Channing.
Thus the captain and his second separated to meet again at the appointedhour for the hazardous undertaking.
The mild and beautiful climate of Cuba seems more like the Elysianfields of poetic birth, than the air that forms the islands of theocean. Beautiful indeed is the genial influence of the mild zephyrs thatbreathe over these pacific seas. As evening knelt and cast her broadmantle over land and sea, the two vessels lay side by side, close underthe lee of the island, while the young commander awaited with apparentimpatience the arrival of the hour for the commencement of the proposedenterprise. At length with the appointed hour came Herbert from on boardthe barque, and the men having been directed to their duty, were eachone supplied with arms, and the boat with Herbert at the helm, now layat the side of the brig awaiting the presence of Channing.
He soon made his appearance from the cabin, dressed in white pants anda becoming frock coat. About his waist was tied a heavy silk sash, intowhich was thrust a pair of boarding pistols, and at his side hung alight but servicable cutlass. He wore a graceful velvet cap uponhis head and looked the honest manly sailor that he was. He quicklydescended to the boat and assuming his seat in the stem, asked of Mr.Herbert:
‘Are the oars muffled, sir?’
‘Ay, aye, sir!’
‘And everything in order?’
‘Everything, sir, according to order.’
‘Stay,’ said Channing, ‘Steward, hand me the brace of pistols andcutlasses on the cabin table; these prisoners may require arms should werelease them.’
‘All ready, sir?’ asked Herbert, of the captain.
‘Yes sir.’
‘Cast off!’ said Herbert.
‘All clear, sir.’
‘Give way, men, steady, all together.’
These orders were given in quick succession, and promptly obeyed; andthe boat glanced on its errand with the speed of an arrow.
It was a long pull from the anchorage of
the two vessels to the entranceof the harbor of Havana, but the time had been well calculated upon, andits mouth was reached at the desirable moment. The boat glided atonce from the open sea into the quiet land-locked harbor, withoutmolestation. They kept well in for the shore, and soon reached the spotselected for them to disembark at.
Here we cannot but pause to say a word of the broad and ever beautifulbay where a fleet of vessels may lay quietly at anchor, and whoseentrance will admit but a single ship at a time. Who has not heard ofthe celebrated Moro castle that to this day guards the mouth of theharbor of Havana? Who can ever forget the rough hoarse hail from ‘Moro’who has passed into the fairy-like basin beyond? The shores though notremarkably bold are yet very beautiful. The tall majestic palm andother tropical trees, the genial softness and beauty of the foliage andverdure, the rich glowing sky and fervid sun, all serve to remind youthat you are in a land of perpetual summer. You are carried back in yourimagination to the time in which the weary watching barque of Columbuswas first cheered by the soul thrilling cry of, ‘Land ho!’
And when the gallant adventurer and discoverer rested in peace beforethe sunny isle of Cuba!
Leaving only one of the crew in charge of the boat, Channing and hissecond officer crept quietly and unobserved to the prison, in whichLovell and his companion were confined; but as they neared its frowningwalls, the low call of the sleepy sentinel on the eastern angle washeard, ‘Who goes there?’
No answer was given to this summons while Herbert bade the men in awhisper to keep close.
‘I will silence this fellow,’ said he to Channing.
Herbert was soon close upon him creeping upon his hands and feet, andscarcely had the second challenge been uttered when he sprang upon thesoldier from behind, and placing his knee in the middle of his back,bent him instantly to the ground. In the next moment the sentinel’sneckcloth was pressed down his throat to prevent his giving the alarm,and at a preconcerted signal made by Herbert, the crew came to the spotand bound him. The other three soldiers were caught sleeping as hadbeen predicted, and each was secured and gagged without noise. They weretaken thus bound hand and foot, and placed in the little guard room infront of the prison under the care of one of the crew. The rest of theparty led by Herbert as guide and Channing their commander, sought theapartment of the old jailor, who was soon made to give up the keys,and directly the cell supposed to contain the two young Americans wasunlocked, when two men with their fa: ces covered with hair made theirappearance. Both immediately recognized Herbert, but he could hardlybelieve that the two miserable beings before him were his latecompanions, but he soon found that there could be no mistake on that,head at least, and he was soon clasped in their warm embrace.
‘So you have come at last,’ said Lovell after recovering from his excessof feeling.
‘I feared that once at home with the joys and comforts about you thatare found there, you would hardly remember us.’
‘You ought to have known better, Bill,’ said Herbert wiping his eyes.
‘True, I did you injustice; forgive me.’
And the two shook hands again, heartily, drying their eyes the while.
‘Come, we waste time,’ said Channing endeavoring to suppress hisemotions at the evident suffering manifest before him.
‘Whom have we here?’ asked Lovell pointing to Channing.
‘Oh! that’s the captain whom you owe everything, for I couldn’t havedone anything alone. Damme if I hadn’t forgot manners,’ said honest JackHerbert, ‘let me introduce you--Captain Channing, this is Mr. Lovell,sir, and this his companion whom you have come so far to liberate.’
‘Your servant, gentlemen,’ said Channing.
‘What could have induced such generosity,’ asked Lovell.
‘Nay, gentlemen,’ said Channing, ‘you must save your thanks for theperson who sent me, and remember that I am but an agent.’
‘Then you are a most faithful one,’ said Lovell as he warmly pressed thecaptain’s hand, which trembled in his grasp. ‘Does the dampness of theprison chill you, sir?’ asked Lovell, ‘we have got quite used to it.’
‘Come, come,’ said Channing, ‘we waste time, and in this place fromwhence escape is so desirable.’
The party hastened from the prison, the boat was quickly gained withoutmolestation and all being safely embarked they pulled quickly out of theharbor, for the place where the vessels lay. But the boat had hardly gotwithout the quiet harbor before they knew by the roll of the drum andthe sound of bustle and confusion that the alarm had been given. Butthey were safe now, and laughed at the sound of confusion that came totheir cars over the still bosom of the sea.
Having reached the brig in safety, they were soon embarked, and theanchors being weighed they stood out to sea at once. The first act ofCaptain Channing’s after arriving on board the Constance, and subsequentto a few necessary explanations relative to certain matters concerningthe brig, was to appoint William Lovell as his first mate and toproclaim him as such to his crew.
Fanny Campbell, The Female Pirate Captain: A Tale of The Revolution Page 4