CHAPTER IX.
I am put in command of the Sparrow-Hawk--Am directed to take four Jacobite Gentlemen secretly on board--Run with them to Bordeaux--Land them in safety--Dine with the Governor--Meet with the Widow of the French Gentleman I had unfortunately killed--Am insulted by her second Husband--Agree to fight with him--Sail down the River and prepare for Action.
On our arrival, Captain Levee and I, as soon as we had got rid of thedust of travel, called upon the owner, who informed us that all thealterations in Captain Levee's vessel, which was a large lugger offourteen guns, and a hundred and twenty men, were complete, and thatmy vessel was also ready for me, and manned; but that I had better goon board and see if any thing else was required, or if there was anyalteration that I would propose. Captain Levee and I immediately wentdown to the wharf, alongside of which my vessel lay, that we mightexamine her now that she was fitted out as a vessel of war.
She had been a schooner in the Spanish trade, and had been capturedby Captain Levee, who had taken her out from under a battery as shelay at anchor, having just made her port from a voyage from SouthAmerica, being at that time laden with copper and cochineal--a mostvaluable prize she had proved--and as she was found to be a surprisingfast sailer, the owner had resolved to fit her out as a privateer.
She was not a large vessel, being of about a hundred and sixty tons,but she was very beautifully built. She was now armed with eight brassguns, of a calibre of six pounds each, four howitzers aft, and twocohorns on the taffrail.
"You have a very sweet little craft here, Elrington," said CaptainLevee, after he had walked all over her, and examined her below andaloft. "She will sail better than before, I should think, for she thenhad a very full cargo, and now her top hamper is a mere nothing. Didthe owner say how many men you had?"
"Fifty-four is, I believe, to be our full complement," I replied, "andI should think quite enough."
"Yes, if they are good men and true. You may do a great deal with thisvessel, for you see she draws so little water, that you may run inwhere I dare not venture. Come, we will now return to our lodgings,pack up, and each go on board of our vessels. We have had play enough,now to work again, and in good earnest."
"I was about to propose it myself," I replied, "for with a new vessel,officers and men not known to me, the sooner I am on board and withthem the better. It will take some time to get every thing andeverybody in their places."
"Spoken like a man who understands his business," replied CaptainLevee. "I wonder whether we shall be sent out together?"
"I can only say, that I hope so," I replied, "as I should profit muchby your experience, and hope to prove to you that, if necessary, Ishall not be a bad second."
And as I made this reply, we arrived at the house where we had lodged.
Captain Levee was a man, who, when once he had decided, was as rapidas lightning in execution. He sent for a dealer in horses, concluded abargain with him in five minutes, paid his lodgings and all demandsupon him, and before noon we were both on board of our respectivevessels. But, previous to the seamen coming up for our boxes, Iobserved to him, "I should wish, Levee, that you would let me know, ifit is only at a rough guess, what sum I may be indebted to you; as Imay be fortunate, and if so, it will be but fair to repay you themoney, although your kindness I cannot so easily return."
"I'll tell you exactly," said Levee. "If I take no prizes this cruise,and you do make money, why then we will, on our return, have anotherfrolic somewhere, and you shall stand treat. That will make us allsquare, if I am not fortunate; but if I am, I consider your pleasantcompany to have more than repaid me for any little expense I may haveincurred."
"You are very kind to say that," I replied; "but I hope you will befortunate, and not have to depend upon me."
"I hope so too," he replied, laughing. "If we come back safe andsound, we will take a trip to Bath--I am anxious to see the place."
I mention this conversation, Madam, that I may make you acquaintedwith the character of Captain Levee, and prove to you how worthy a manI had as a companion.
It required about ten days to complete my little schooner with everything that I considered requisite, and the politeness of the owner wasextremely gratifying. We were, however, but just complete, when theowner sent for me in a great hurry, and having taken me into a backroom next to the counting-house, he locked the door, and said--
"Captain Elrington, I have been offered a large sum to do a service tosome unfortunate people; but it is an affair which, for our own sakes,will demand the utmost secrecy: indeed, you will risk more than Ishall; but at the same time I trust you will not refuse to perform theservice, as I shall lose a considerable advantage. If you willundertake it, I shall not be ungrateful."
I replied that I was bound to him by many acts of kindness, and thathe might confide in my gratitude.
"Well, then," he replied, lowering his voice, "the fact is this; fourof the Jacobite party, who are hotly pursued, and for whose heads alarge reward is offered, have contrived to escape to this port, andare here concealed by their friends, who have applied to me to landthem at some port in France."
"I understand," I replied; "I will cheerfully execute the commission."
"I thank you, Captain Elrington; I expected no other answer from you.I would not put them on board Captain Levee's vessel for many reasons;but, at the same time, he knows that he is to sail to-morrow, and heshall wait for you and keep company with you till you have landedthem; after which you may concert your own measures with him, anddecide whether you cruise together or separate."
"Captain Levee will of course know that I have them on board?"
"Certainly; but it is to conceal these people from others in his ship,and not from him, that they are put on board of your vessel. At thesame time, I confess I have my private reasons as well, which I do notwish to make known. You can sail to-morrow?"
"I can sail to-night, if you wish," I replied.
"No; to-morrow night will be the time that I have fixed."
"At what time will they come on board?"
"I cannot reply to that till to-morrow. The fact is, that thegovernment people are on a hot scent; and there is a vessel of war inthe offing, I am told, ready to board any thing and every thing whichcomes out. Captain Levee will sail to-morrow morning, and will in allprobability be examined by the government vessel, which is, Iunderstand, a most rapid sailer."
"Will he submit to it?"
"Yes, he must; and I have given him positive orders not to make theleast attempt to evade her or prevent a search. He will then run toHolyhead, and lay-to there for you to join him, and you will proceedtogether to the port which the people taken on board shall direct,for that is a part of the agreement they have made with me."
"Then of course I am to evade the king's vessel?"
"Certainly; and I have no doubt but that you will be able so to do.Your vessel is so fleet, that there will be little difficulty: at allevents, you will do your best: but recollect, that although you mustmake every attempt to escape, you must not make any attempt atresistance--indeed, that would be useless against a vessel of suchforce. Should you be in a position which might enable them to boardyou, you must find some safe hiding-place for your passengers; for Ihardly need say, that if taken with them on board, the vessel will beconfiscated, and you will run some danger of your life. I have nothingmore to say to you just now, except that you may give out that CaptainLevee sails to-morrow, and that you are to follow him in ten days.Your powder is on board?"
"Yes; I got it on board as soon as we hauled out in the stream."
"Well, then, you will call here to-morrow morning about eleveno'clock, not before, and (I hardly need repeat it), but I againsay--secrecy,--as you value your life."
As soon as I had left the owner, I went down to the wharf, steppedinto the boat, and went on board Captain Levee's vessel, which, I haveomitted to state, was named the Arrow. I found him on board, and verybusy getting ready for sea.
"So you are off to-morrow, Levee?" said I, before all the people onthe deck.
"Yes," he replied.
"I wish I was, too; but I am to remain ten days longer, I find."
"I was in hopes we should have cruised together," replied CaptainLevee; "but we must do as our owner wishes. What detains you?--Ithought you were ready."
"I thought so too," I replied; "but we find that the head of themainmast is sprung, and we must have a new one. I have just come fromthe owner's, and must set to work at once, and get ready for shiftingour mast. So, fare you well, if I do not see you before you sail."
"I am to see the owner to-night," replied Levee. "Shall we not meetthen, and take a parting glass?"
"I fear not, but I will come if I can," I replied; "if not, success tothe Arrow!"
"And success to the Sparrow-Hawk!" replied Levee, "and God bless you,my good fellow."
I shook hands with my kind friend, and went over the side of thelugger into my boat, and then pulled for my own vessel. As soon as Igot on board, I sent for the officers and men, and said to them--
"We are to shift our mainmast for one that is three feet longer, andmust work hard, that we may be able to sail as soon as possible. Icannot allow any of you to go on shore till the work is finished; whenit is done, you will have leave as before till we sail."
That afternoon I sent down the topsail-yard and topmast, unbent themainsail, main-topsail, and gaff--sent down the topmast andrunning-rigging on deck--cast loose the lanyards of the lower rigging,and quite dismantled the mainmast, so as to make it appear as if wewere about to haul to the wharf and take it out. The men all remainedon board, expecting that we should shift our berth the next day.
On the following morning I laid out a warp to the wharf, as ifintending to haul in; and at the time appointed, I went on shore tothe owner, and told him what I had done.
"But," he said, "I find that you will have to sail this night as soonas it is dark. How will you get ready?"
I replied that at nightfall I would immediately replace every thing,and in an hour would be ready for sea.
"If such be the case, you have done well, Mr. Elrington, and I thankyou for your zeal on my behalf, which I shall not forget. Every thinghas been arranged, and you must come up here with some of your seamenas soon as you are ready to sail. Your men, or rather four of them,must remain in the house. The four gentlemen who are to be embarkedwill be dressed, in seamen's attire, and will carry down their boxesand trunks as if they were your men taking your things on board. Youwill then remain a little distance from the wharf in the boat tillyour own men come down, and if there is no discovery you will takethem on board with you; if, on the contrary, there is any suspicion,and the officers of the government are on the watch, and stop yourmen, you will then push off with the passengers, slip your cable if itis necessary, and make all sail for Holyhead, where you will fall inwith the Arrow, which will be waiting there for you. Is the Arrowstill in sight?"
"No," I replied; "she was out of sight more than an hour ago, and fromour masthead we could see the top-gallant sails of the vessel of warbearing N.N.W."
"Keep a look-out upon her, and see how she bears at dark," replied theowner, "for you must not fall in with her if possible. I think you hadbetter return on board now, that you may keep your people quiet."
When I arrived on board the schooner, I told my officers that I didnot think that we should shift the mast as proposed, and that everything must be got ready for refitting. I did not choose to say more,but I added that I was to go on shore in the evening to smoke a pipewith the owner, and then I should know for certain. I employed the menduring the whole of the day in doing every thing in preparation whichcould be done without exciting suspicion; and as soon as it was dark Icalled the men aft, and told them that I thought it was very likely,from the Arrow not having made her appearance, that we might be sentto join her immediately, and that I wished them to rig the mainmast,and make every thing ready for an immediate start, promising them toserve out some liquor if they worked well. This was sufficient, and inlittle more than an hour the mast was secured, the rigging allcomplete, and the sails ready for bending. I then ordered the boat tobe manned, and telling the officers that they were to bend the sails,and have every thing ready for weighing on my return on board, whichwould be in an hour, or thereabouts, I pulled on shore, and went up tothe owner's, taking four men with me, and leaving three men in theboat. I ordered these three men to remain till the others came downwith my trunks and effects, and not to leave the boat on anyconsideration.
When I arrived at the owner's, I told him what I had done, and hecommended my arrangements. In the back room I found four gentlemendressed in seamen's clothing, and as there was no time to be lost,they immediately shouldered the trunks and valises; desiring my ownmen to remain with the owner to bring down any thing that he mightwish to send on board, I left them in the counting-house. Thegentlemen followed me with their loads down to the boat, and when Igot there the men told me that some people had come down and askedwhose boat it was, and why they were lying there, and that they hadtold the people that the captain had taken four men with him to bringdown his things, and that they were waiting for him; so it was luckythat I said to my men what I did.
We hastened to put the trunks into the boat, and to get in ourselvesafter we had received this intelligence, and then I shoved off fromthe wharf, and laid about a stone's throw distant for my other men. Atlast we heard them coming down, and shortly afterwards we perceivedthat they were stopped by other people, and in altercation with them.I knew then that the officers were on the alert, and would discoverthe stratagem, and therefore desired my men and the gentlemen, who hadeach taken an oar in readiness, to give way and pull for the schooner.As we did so, the king's officers on search who had stopped my fourmen came down to the wharf and ordered us to come back, but we made noreply. As soon as we were alongside, we hoisted the things out of theboat, veered her astern by a tow-rope, slipped the cable, and madesail. Fortunately it was very dark, and we were very alert in ourmovements. We could perceive lights at the wharf as we sailed out ofthe river, and it was clear that we had had a narrow escape; but Ifelt no alarm on account of the owner, as I knew that although theymight suspect, they could prove nothing. When about three miles out wehove to, hoisted in the boat, and shaped our course.
All I had now to fear was the falling in with the ship of war in theoffing, and I placed men to keep a sharp look-out in every direction,and told the officers that it was necessary that we should avoid her.When last seen, about an hour before dark, she was well to windward,and as the wind was from the northward, she would probably sail fasterthan we could, as a schooner does not sail so well free as on a wind.We had run out about four hours, and were steering our course forHolyhead, when suddenly we perceived the ship of war close to us, andto leeward. She had been lying with her mainsail to the mast, but sheevidently had made us out, for she filled and set top-gallant sails.
I immediately hauled my wind, and as soon as she had way, she tackedand followed in pursuit, being then right astern of us, about half amile off. It was very dark, and I knew that as our sails were set, andwe bore from her, it would be difficult for her to keep us in sight,as we only presented what we call the feather-edge of our sails toher. I therefore steered on under all sail, and finding that theschooner weathered on her, I kept her away a little, so as to retainthe same bearings, and to leave her faster.
In an hour we could not make out the ship, and were therefore certainthat she could not see us; so, as I wanted to get clear of her, and beat Holyhead as soon as possible, I lowered down all the sails and putmy helm up, so as to cross her and run to leeward under bare poles,while she continued her windward chase. This stratagem answered, andwe saw no more of her; for, two hours afterwards, we fell in with theArrow, and, hailing her, we both made sail down the Bristol Channel asfast as we could, and at daybreak there was no vessel in sight, and ofcourse we had nothing more to fear from the Liverpool cruiser.
As we now sailed rapidly along in company, with the wind on ourquarter, it was high time for me to look to my passengers, who hadremained on deck in perfect silence from the time that they had comeon board. I therefore went up to them, and apologized for not havingas yet paid them that attention that I should have wished to have doneunder other circumstances.
"Captain," replied the oldest of them, with a courteous salute, "youhave paid us every attention; you have been extremely active in savingour lives, and we return you our sincere thanks."
"Yes, indeed," replied a young and handsome man who stood next him,"Mr. Elrington has saved us from the toils of our enemies; but nowthat we are in no fear from that quarter, I must tell him that we havehardly had a mouthful of food for twenty-four hours, and if he wishesto save our lives a second time, it will be by ordering a goodbreakfast to be prepared for us."
"Campbell speaks the truth, my dear Sir," said the one who had firstspoken. "We have lately gained the knowledge of what it is to hungerand thirst; and we all join in his request."
"You shall not wait long," I replied; "I will be up again in a momentor two." I went down into the cabin, and ordering my servant to put onthe table a large piece of pressed Hamburg beef, a cold pie of variousflesh and fowl combined, some bread and cheese, and some bottles ofbrandy and usquebaugh, I then went up again, and requested them all todescend. Hungry they certainly were, and it was incredible thequantity that they devoured. I should have imagined that they had notbeen fed for a week; and I thought that if they were to consume atthat rate, my stock would never last out, and the sooner they werelanded the better. As soon as they left off eating, and had finishedtwo bottles of usquebaugh, I said to them, "Gentlemen, my orders areto land you at any port of France that you should prefer. Have youmade up your minds as to which it shall be, for it will be necessarythat we shape a course according to your decision?"
"Mr. Elrington, on that point we would wish to advise with you. Ihardly need say that our object is to escape, and that falling in withand being captured by a ship of war, and there are many out in pursuitof us and other unfortunate adherents to the house of Stuart, would beextremely disagreeable, as our heads and our bodies would certainlypart company, if we were taken. Now, which port do you think we shouldbe most likely to reach with least chance of interruption?"
"I think," I replied, "as you pay me the compliment to ask my opinion,that it would be better to run down the Bay of Biscay, and then put inthe port of Bordeaux, or any other, where you could be landed insafety; and my reason is this: the Channel is full of cruisers lookingafter those of your party who are attempting to escape; and my vesselwill be chased and searched. Now, although we might sail faster thanany one vessel in the Channel, yet it is very possible that in runningaway from one, we may fall into the jaws of another. And besides, weare two privateers, and cruising off Bordeaux will excite nosuspicion, as it is a favourite cruising-ground; so that, if we wereboarded, there would be little danger of discovery; but, of course, aslong as I can prevent that, by taking to my heels, I shall not beboarded by any one. The only objection to what I propose is, that youwill be confined longer in a vessel than you may like, or than youwould be if you were to gain a nearer port."
"I agree with the captain of the vessel," said a grave-lookingpersonage, who had not yet spoken, and whom I afterwards discovered tobe a Catholic priest, "the stanchest adherent to the cause could nothave given better advice, and I should recommend that it be followed."
The others were of the same opinion; and, in consequence, I edged theschooner down to the Arrow, and hailed Captain Levee, stating that wewere to run to Bordeaux. After that I prepared for them sleepingaccommodations as well as I could, and on my making apologies, theylaughed, and told me such stories of their hardships during theirescape, that I was not surprised at their not being difficult. I foundout their names by their addressing one another, to be Campbell,M'Intyre, Ferguson, and M'Donald; all of them very refined gentlemen,and of excellent discourse. They were very merry, and laughed at allthat they had suffered; sang Jacobite songs, as they were termed, andcertainly did not spare my locker of wine. The wind continued fair,and we met with no interruption, and on the fourth evening, at dusk,we made the mouth of the Garonne, and then hove to, with our heads offshore, for the night. Captain Levee then came on board, and Iintroduced him to my passengers. To my surprise, after someconversation, he said--
"I have now escorted Captain Elrington, according to the orders Ireceived, and shall return to Liverpool as soon as possible; if,therefore, gentlemen, you have any letters to send to your friendsannouncing your safety, I shall be most happy to present them in anyway you may suggest as most advisable."
That Captain Levee had some object in saying this, I was quitecertain; and therefore I made no remark. The passengers thanked himfor his proposal; and, being provided with writing materials, they allwrote to their friends, and put their letters into Captain Levee'shands, who then bade them farewell, and went on deck with me.
"Of course, you were not serious in what you said, Captain Levee?" Iinquired, as we walked forward.
"No," he replied; "but I considered it prudent to make them believeso. Although Englishmen, they are enemies to our country, so far asthey are enemies to our government, and, of course, wish no harm tothe French, who have so warmly supported them. Now, if they knew thatI remained here waiting for your coming out of the river, they wouldsay so, and I might lose the chance of a good prize, as nothing wouldsail, if they knew that the coast was not clear. Now, I shall partcompany with you in an hour, and make all sail for England, as theymay suppose, but without fail, to-morrow night I shall be off hereagain, about five leagues from the port, with my sails furled;therefore, stay in the river as long as they will let you, as, whileyou are in port with the flag of truce, vessels may sail out."
"I understand you, and will do all I can to assist your views, CaptainLevee. Now, we will go down again. I will give you a receipt for acoil of rope, which you will send your boat for, and write a letter tothe owners, after which you will wish me good bye, and make sail."
"Exactly," Captain Levee replied, who then ordered his boat to go fora coil of three inch, and bring it on board.
We then descended to the cabin, and I wrote a letter to the owner, andalso a receipt for the coil of rope, which I delivered to CaptainLevee. The boat soon returned from the lugger, the rope was taken onboard, and then Captain Levee wished me farewell, and made his politeadieus to the gentlemen who followed him on deck, and waited theretill he had hoisted in his boat, and made all sail.
"How long will she be before she arrives at Liverpool with thiswind?" inquired Mr. Campbell.
"She will carry her canvas night and day," I replied; "and, therefore,as she sails so fast, I should say in five or six days."
"Well, I am grateful that we have such an early and safe opportunityof communicating with our friends in England, we might have waited twomonths otherwise."
"Very true," replied the priest, "but Heaven has assisted our anxiouswishes. Let us be grateful for all things."
My passengers watched the lugger until she was nearly out of sight. Idare say that their thoughts were, that those on board of her weregoing to the country of their birth, from which they were exiles,probably for ever: they did not speak, but went down below, andretired to their beds. At daylight the next morning I ran the schoonerin; and as soon as I was within three miles of the coast, I hoistedthe white flag of truce, and stood for the mouth of the river Garonne.I perceived that the batteries were manned, but not a shot was fired,and we entered the river.
When we were a mile up the river, we were boarded by the Frenchauthorities, and my passengers, who had dressed themselves in theirproper costume, informed the officer in the boat who they were, uponwhich he was very polite, and calling a pilot out of the boat, theschooner was taken charge of by him, and we very soon afterwards,having wind and tide in our favour, were anchored alongside of twolarge merchant vessels and a French private
er of sixteen guns, which Iinstantly recognized as our old antagonist off Hispaniola, in theaction in which the Revenge was captured, and Captain Weatherall losthis life. However, I kept my knowledge to myself, as the Frenchofficer and the Jacobite gentleman were present. As soon as we hadanchored, the passengers were requested to go into the boat, and theFrench officer and I to accompany them, that I might report myself tothe governor, and we pulled away to the town, one of my boatsfollowing with the passengers' luggage.
On our landing, there was a great crowd assembled, and they lookedvery hard at me, as I was dressed in my lace coat and a cocked-uphat, also bound with broad gold lace. On our arrival in the presenceof the governor, we were received with much urbanity; and as I hadbrought the Jacobite gentlemen in my schooner, it was presumed that Iwas favourable to the cause, and I was very politely treated. Thegovernor invited us all to dine with him on that day. I made someexcuse, saying, that I was anxious to return to Liverpool; that Imight fit out for the coast of Africa, in which service I was to beemployed by my owners; but the passengers insisted upon my staying aday or two, and the governor added to their solicitations, his own.
I therefore accepted, not only because I was glad to have anopportunity to see so celebrated a town, but because it would meet theviews of Captain Levee. We took leave of the governor, and went to anhotel, and I then sent my boat on board for necessaries, and hired ahandsome apartment in the hotel. I had not been there half an hour,when the priest came to me and said, "Captain, you are not aware ofthe rank and consequence of the three gentlemen whom you have been sosuccessful in escorting to a place of safety. I am requested by themto make you a handsome remuneration for your kindness and skilfulconduct on this occasion."
"Sir," I replied, "that must not be. I am most happy in havingassisted in the escape of unfortunate gentlemen; and all the pleasureI feel at having so done would be destroyed if I were to accept ofwhat you offer. It is useless to repeat it; and if you do, I shallconsider it an insult, and immediately repair on board of my vessel.You will therefore tender my best thanks and my refusal, with ardentwishes for their future welfare."
"After what you have said, Captain Elrington, I will, of course, notresume the offer. I will tell my fellow-passengers what you have said,and I am sure that they will, as I do, admire your high sense ofhonour."--The priest shook me by the hand, and then quitted myapartment. I did not see the other passengers till it was the hour togo to dine at the governor's, when they embraced me cordially, and theone calling himself Campbell said, "Should you ever be in distress ora prisoner in this country, recollect you have a friend who is readyto serve you. Here is an address to a lady, to whom you must write,and say that you wish the assistance of your passenger toBordeaux--that will be sufficient--I trust you may never require it."
We had a pleasant dinner at the governor's, and among the peopleinvited to meet us, I perceived the French captain of the privateer. Iknew him immediately, although he did not recognize me. We had someconversation together, and he spoke about his cruises in the WestIndies, and asked me whether I knew Captain Weatherall. I said therewas a Captain Weatherall who commanded the Revenge privateer, and whowas killed when his vessel was taken.
"Exactly," said the captain; "he was a brave man, and fought nobly,and so did all his people--they fought like devils."
"Yes," I replied, "they fought as long as they could, but CaptainWeatherall was very short-handed. He had but fifty-five men on boardat the commencement of the action."
"More than that, I'm sure," replied the French captain.
"He had not, I assure you," I replied; "he had lost so many in anattack on shore, and had so many away in prizes."
Our conversation had attracted general notice, and a French armyofficer observed, "Monsieur speaks so positively, that one wouldimagine that he was actually on board."
"And so I was, Sir," replied I, "and have my wounds to show for it. Iknew this officer immediately I saw him, for I was close to CaptainWeatherall at the time that this officer expostulated with him beforethe action; and I crossed my sword with him during the combat."
"You have convinced me that you were on board," replied the captain ofthe privateer, "by your mentioning the expostulations previous to thecombat taking place. I am delighted to have met with so brave anenemy, for every man on board that vessel was a hero."
The conversation was then general, and many particulars were asked;and I will do the French captain the justice to say, that he was verycorrect in all his statements, and neither vaunted his own success,nor did us less than justice.
The party then broke up to go to the theatre, and afterwards werepaired to the hotel. I remained there two days more, and on the lastof these two days I had promised to sup with the French captain of theprivateer, who had called upon me, and behaved very politely. Thefollowing day, after noon, when the tide served, I was to sail.Accordingly, after the theatre was over, I went with the Frenchcaptain to his house, in company with two or three more. Supper was onthe table when we arrived there, and we went into the room, waitingfor the presence of the captain's lady, who had not gone to thetheatre, and to whom I had not been introduced. After a few minutesshe made her appearance, and as she entered the room, I was struckwith her extreme beauty, although she was past the meridian of life. Ithought I had seen her face before, and as she came forward with herhusband, it at once rushed into my mind that she was the widow of theFrench gentleman who had so gallantly fought his vessel, and who fellby my hand--the lady who was nursing her son at the King's Hospital atJamaica, and who had been so inveterate against me. Our eyes met, andher cheeks flushed; she recognized me, and I coloured deeply as Ibowed to her. She was taken with a faintness, and fell back.Fortunately her husband received her in his arms.
"What is the matter, my love?" he said.
"Nothing; but I am taken with a vertigo," replied she; "it will go offdirectly. Make my excuses to the company, while I retire for a fewminutes."
Her husband went out of the room, and after a minute or two came back,saying that Madam was not well enough to return to the room, andbegged that they would admit her excuse, and sit down to supperwithout her. Whether his wife had informed him of who I was, I knownot; but nothing could exceed the civility of the French captaintowards me during the supper. We did not, however, remain very late,as the lady of the house was indisposed.
I found out, as I walked home with another French officer, that thecaptain of the privateer had fallen in with the French lady on herreturn from Jamaica, where her son died in the hospital, and hadmarried her; and that, moreover, unlike most French husbands, he wasmost ardently attached to her.
I had breakfasted the next morning, and packed up my clothespreparatory to going on board, and had just returned from a visit ofleave-taking with the governor, when who should walk up into myapartment but the French captain of the privateer, accompanied bythree or four French officers of the army. I perceived by his lookswhen he entered that he was a little excited, but I met him cordially.He began a conversation about his action with Captain Weatherall, andinstead of speaking handsomely as he had done before, he usedexpressions which I considered offensive, and I at once took him up byobserving that being under a flag of truce, it was impossible for meto notice what he said.
"No," he replied; "but I wish we were once more on the high seastogether, for I have a little debt of gratitude to pay off."
"Well," I replied, "you may have; and I should not be sorry to giveyou an opportunity, if it were possible."
"May I inquire whether you intend to go home as a cartel, and carryyour flag of truce to Liverpool?"
"No, Sir," I replied; "I shall haul down my flag of truce as soon as Iam out of gun-shot of your batteries. I understand what you mean, Sir.It is very true that your vessel carries nearly double the number ofmen and guns that mine does, but nevertheless I shall haul down myflag of truce, as I say I will."
"Not if I follow you down the river, I presume?" he said with a sortof sneer.
; "Follow me, if you dare," I cried; "you will meet with your master,depend upon it."
"Sacre!" replied he, in a passion, "I will blow you out of the water;and if I take you I will hang you for a pirate."
"Not the last, certainly," I said coolly.
"Look you, Sir," he cried, shutting his fist upon the palm of hisother hand, "if I take you, I will hang you; and if you take me, youmay serve me in the same way. Is it a bargain, or are you a coward?"
"Gentlemen," I said to the officers present, "you must feel that yourcountryman is not behaving well. He has insulted me grossly. I will,however, consent to his terms on one condition, which is, that he willpermit one of you, after he has sailed, to make known the conditionsupon which we fight to his wife; and that one of you will pledge mehis honour that he will impart these conditions as soon as we aregone."
"Agree to do so--pledge yourself to do so, Xavier," cried the Frenchcaptain to one of the officers present.
"Since you wish it, certainly," he said.
"You pledge yourself to make the conditions known to Madam, as soon aswe have sailed?"
"I do, upon the honour of an officer and a gentleman," replied he,"painful as it will be to me."
"Then, captain," I replied, "I agree to your conditions, and one orthe other of us shall hang."
You may suppose, Madam, that I must have been in a state of greatirritation to have consented to such terms. I was so, and could notbrook such insult in the presence of the French officers. Moreover, asyou will observe, in my conversation I did not commit myself in anyway. There was nothing dishonourable. I told him that I should hauldown my flag of truce, and I also told him that he would meet with hismaster, which was true enough, as he would meet with the Arrow,commanded by Captain Levee, as well as with my vessel; while hethought that he would have to fight with my inferior vessel alone,and, making sure of conquest, he purposely insulted me, to make meaccept such conditions as would administer to the revenge of his wife,who had evidently worked him up to act in such a manner; and Iaccepted them, because I hoped the fate would be his if Captain Leveejoined me, and if not, I was determined that I never would be takenalive.
After I had agreed to his conditions, they all took a very ceremoniousleave, and I bowed them out with great mock humility. I then badefarewell to my passengers, who lodged in the same hotel, and went downto my boat, and pulled on board. As soon as the tide served, the pilotcame on board, and we got under weigh. I observed a great bustle, anda hurrying to and fro of boats on board of the French privateer, andwe had not gone above two miles down the river, before I perceived themen were aloft and lowering her sails. I told my officers that I hadreceived a challenge from the French privateer, and had accepted it,and that we must get every thing ready for action. They were muchastonished at this, as the disparity of force was so great, but theywent cheerfully to their duty, as did the men, among whom the news wassoon spread.
The Privateer's-Man, One hundred Years Ago Page 9