CHAPTER NINE.
RECOMMENDED TO SIR PETER PARKER.--JOIN CHATHAM WITH GRAMPUS AND TOMROCKETS--MY MESSMATE O'DRISCOLL.--APPOINTED TO COMMAND PIGOT TENDER.--CRUISE WITH O'DRISCOLL.--CHASE AND CAPTURE A SCHOONER.--FIND TWO LADIESON BOARD.--NEW STYLE OF EXISTENCE.--DISCOVER SKIPPER'S PLOT TO RE-TAKEHIS VESSEL.--MADELINE CARLYON AND MRS. TARLETON.--CAUGHT IN A HEAVYGALE.
One forenoon a midshipman from HMS Chatham came on board, with a letterfrom the admiral, Sir Peter Parker, to Captain Hudson. The Chatham wasat that time Sir Peter's flag-ship. The midshipman was of course askedbelow and pressed to stop for dinner. In a remarkably short space oftime he made himself at home with all hands. He had a very red head ofhair, very red eyes, and very red face indeed. I have never met aredder person, but he was far from ugly, and his countenance was brimfulof good-nature and humour. He and I quickly became friends. He caughtmy name.
"Faith, that's not a bad name you've got of your own," said he. "Mineis Patrick O'Driscoll. If it happens not to be particularly well knownto fame just yet, I purpose to make it as notorious as it was in thegood old days in my native land."
While O'Driscoll was entertaining us with some racy anecdotes I was sentfor by Captain Hudson into his cabin.
"Take a seat, Mr Hurry," said he, in his usual kind way. "I have anoffer to make which I hope will prove satisfactory to you. Sir PeterParker has applied to me for some mates and midshipmen, and I haveespecially named you, as I am sure you will do credit to myrecommendation. He has asked also for some of my people, and as youseem to have attached to you old Nol Grampus and Tom Rockets, they may,if they wish it, accompany you, for I like to see an officer withfollowers. It speaks well for both parties. I have not yet determinedwho else I shall send. I have recommended you because I have no doubtthat you will get a step by the change."
I warmly thanked my captain for the kind interest he had shown in mywelfare. And here let me pay a just tribute to the character of my oldcommander. A more kind-hearted gentleman, or a braver or better officernever walked the deck of a man-of-war. I was sorry to leave mymessmates of the Orpheus; but for the reason Captain Hudson gave me, theopportunity of serving under so distinguished an officer as Sir PeterParker was not to be lost. I will pass over all my leave-takings.Midshipmen are not much addicted to the sentimentals. Let me besupposed alongside the Chatham, accompanied by Nol Grampus, Tom Rockets,and the chest which contained all my worldly possessions. Thosepossessions were, by-the-bye, considerably decreased in quantity andvalue since I left my paternal mansion two years before.
On stepping on board I was met by my red-haired friend.
"Ah! Hurry, my boy, it's myself then is glad to see you!" he exclaimed,squeezing my fingers and wringing my hand with a vehemence almostsufficient to dislocate my wrist.
"Happy to meet you," I answered, not letting him discover that he hadhurt me.
This demonstrative mode of greeting was a trick of his, I found, to try,as he said, what people were made of. Sometimes, however, he caught aTartar to his cost. The Chatham's midshipmen were a more rollicking setthan my late shipmates. However, I knew comparatively but little ofthem, for, as it turned out, during the greater part of the time Ibelonged to the ship I was away on detached duty. Scarcely had I joinedher, when I was sent on shore in command of a party of men to clear atransport lying in Rhode Island. While I was engaged in this far frompleasant duty I had to put up at the Cat and Fiddle Tavern, kept by acertain Mrs Grimalkin. To cover her sympathy with the rebels she usedto exhibit on all public occasions an exuberance of loyalty which Ithought rather suspicious. By watching her narrowly I was not long indiscovering that she kept up a constant communication with the enemy,and gave them notice of all our proceedings. However, once knowingthis, I was on my guard, and used to amuse myself by telling her allsorts of wonderful tales of what we had done, and what it was proposedto do to bring the country to subjection. I hope that I was the meansalso of sending some of the American cruisers to look after merchantmenwhich had gone in totally different directions, and of making otherskeep clear of fleets which had no existence.
Mrs Grimalkin was a Dutch woman by extraction, and retained theappearance and many of the habits of her ancestors. Numberless were thepetticoats she wore, and unceasing were the ablutions which herclean-tiled floors received. She was in the main not a bad old soul,and I dare say she considered herself perfectly justified, inconsideration of the cause I served, in charging me a preposterousamount for my board and lodging while I resided under her roof.
Having cleared the transport, I returned on board. A few daysafterwards Sir Peter sent for me, and expressing his satisfactions withwhat he had observed of my conduct, appointed me to the command of thePigot tender, the officer who had hitherto had charge of her being onthe sick list. A midshipman's berth is a very jolly place, but stillthere is nothing like being captain of one's own ship, so thanking theadmiral for the good opinion he had formed of me, with a light heart Ihurried below to prepare for my change of quarters. I had not been thusengaged many minutes, when I was joined by O'Driscoll, with a broad grinon his countenance.
"Well, brother skipper," said he, "how do you feel with your newdignity?"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Why, faith, that I've got command of the `Lady Parker,' a very tidycraft, and that we are to cruise in company. Arrah, now--won't we havea jovial time of it, my jewel!"
"I hope so," said I; "if we don't happen to meet with poor Luscombe'sill-luck. There are two sides to every question, remember."
"Arrah, now. Never look at the reverse of a pleasing picture, Hurry,"he replied. "Because Luscombe met with ill-luck, we have a betterchance of good luck, do ye see. So now let's get aboard our respectiveships. I feel wonderfully grown since I received my appointment."
Luscombe, one of our master's mates, had, while in charge of a schooner,fitted out as a tender, been a short time before captured by the enemy,after losing all his men, while he himself had been severely wounded.
Our orders were to make the best of our way to Long Island Sound, wherewe were to deliver some despatches to HMS Syren, and then, aftercruising a week off Gay Head, to return to Rhode Island. Both ourvessels were ready for sea, so, having obtained leave to take Grampusand Tom Rockets with me, we pulled on board, and got under weigh. Afine breeze carried us to sea, and did not desert us till we made theshores of Long Island. We ran into the Sound and delivered ourdespatches on board the Syren. The spot wore a very different aspect tothat which it had borne when I was last there. Now the whole countrywas in possession of the royal troops, who were under the full beliefthat it was henceforward to remain their own. The reports were that thewhole of the American forces were completely disorganised anddisheartened, and that they would never again be able to make headagainst the royalists. The truth was what was supposed, but they had aman at their head who was a host in himself, and by his courage, hiswisdom, and energy, he made amends for all deficiencies. GeorgeWashington was truly the man who established the American Republic. Forthat great work he was especially appointed by Heaven. Unhappily, thepeople of whom he made a nation have too often since forgotten hisprecepts and example. The farther they have departed from it the lessdignified and respected they have been. But I am anticipating events.
O'Driscoll and I would have been right glad of an excuse to remain atNew York, but we had not even sprung a spar, and our craft were as tightas bottles, and our crews did not want a single dose of physic amongthem, so we were obliged to put to sea again that evening. We howevercontrived to pick up a round of beef, two legs of mutton, and a turkey,with a sack of potatoes, and some other vegetables, out of a bumboatwhich had come down to supply the Syren, and which we waylaid before shereached that ship. I must not forget also some soft tack, three dozenof bottled ale, and a cheese, which set us up in the comestible way forsome time. Just as we got to sea the wind veered round to the east andsouth-east, and with a favourable breeze, under easy sail, we
stood tothe northward. The next day O'Driscoll came aboard to dine with me. Ihad the turkey. The bird had made so many objections to remaining inthe coop into which I put him, that I was obliged to kill him. He wasconsequently rather tough, but midshipmen's teeth don't stand attrifles, and we made considerable progress in devouring him.
"This is very jolly, Captain Hurry," said O'Driscoll, pouring out forhimself a glass of foaming ale. "Here's to you, man, and I don't carehow long we're on our cruise."
"It will soon come to an end if this wind lasts," I remarked.
"Not a bit of it, if we're inclined to make it longer," he replied."Suppose now, a craft was to make her appearance in the south-east, weshould have to make sail after her, and it might be many a day before wegot back to port, do ye see. Do you twig, my boy, eh?"
"Oh, yes, O'Driscoll. I understand you perfectly," said I. "But thatsort of conduct does not exactly come up to my notion of our duty to theservice. We might get a long cruise, certainly, but I don't think weshould enjoy it, and we might just possibly fall into the hands of anenemy, and end it in a prison on shore."
"Ha! ha! ha! that would be an unpleasant termination to our independentcommands," he replied, laughing. "Well, I suppose to do our duty is thebest policy. I shouldn't like the catastrophe you picture so vividly."
One thing I must say in O'Driscoll's favour, though his fertile brainconceived all sorts of mischief, he was very ready to abandon any of hisproposals when he found that others objected to them. Though hot enoughat times, and ready enough to fight anybody and everybody who came inhis way, his anger was as quickly appeased. Thus also he was easilypersuaded by me to adhere to the letter of his instructions, and, inperfect good-humour with all the world, he accompanied me on deck tosmoke our cigars. It was one of those lovely days, which occurfrequently in autumn in that part of the world, called by the Americansthe Indian summer. A thin, gauze-like mist hung over the face of thedeep--scarcely dense enough, however, to mitigate the heat of the sun'srays, which, darting forth from the pure, blue sky, sparkled brightly onthe crisply curling wavelets, stirred up by a light southerly breeze.Everything gave promise of a continuance of fine weather, and so, liketwo pachas, we sat on the deck, calmly contemplating with philosophicindifference all sublunary affairs. Not another sail was to be seenwithin the circle of our horizon besides our two small craft, so that aswe had nothing else with which to compare ourselves, we were content tobelieve that we were two very important personages indeed. We had ourcoffee brought to us in due form. It was not a common beverage amongmidshipmen, certainly in those days, but Tom had learned to make it wellof a Spanish seaman on board the Orpheus. We finished our repast withmore than one glass of grog apiece, but not sufficient, I am happy tosay, to risk the equilibrium of either our minds or bodies. While wewere discussing the seaman's favourite beverage, O'Driscoll indulged me,and by necessity my ship's company, with some of his choicest songs,trolled forth in a full, clear voice, and the liquor loosening themuscles of his tongue, every word came forth with the richest brogue ofhis native land. At first the people listened attentively as they satforward. Then they by degrees crept up nearer and nearer, till atlength Pat Doolan, a compatriot of the minstrel, seemingly unable anylonger to contain himself, burst forth into the full chorus of one ofthe songs. To stop him would have been impossible. The poor fellowflung his whole soul into the melody. What a flood of recollections--oflong pent-up feelings--it brought back! Sooner than hold silence hewould have jumped overboard, I believe. The example was infectious.One by one the rest of the crew took up the strain. Not one but had thespirit of melody within him; and there we were, officers and crew, allsinging away together like mad people, or as if our lives depended onthe noise we made.
At sun-down we hove-to, and O'Driscoll returned on board his own vessel,insisting on my returning his visit the next day. The weather provingcalm, I was enabled to fulfil my engagement, and a merry time we had ofit. So pleasant did I find this sort of life, that I began to persuademyself that there would be no outrageous impropriety in acceding toO'Driscoll's proposal to lengthen our voyage. Two days thus passedpleasantly away, during which we made but little progress in our voyage.We might possibly by carrying a greater press of sail have made more,but we were, as I have observed, in no hurry to bring it to an end.
On the morning of the 14th, as I lay fast asleep in my cot, it havingbeen my middle watch, I felt my shoulder shaken, while a rough voiceexclaimed--
"There's a sail in sight, Mr Hurry, sir, on the lee-bow. She's the cutof an American merchantman."
Looking up, I saw the weather-beaten countenance of Nol Grampus bendingover me.
"Keep her away, and make all sail in chase," I answered, springing up;"I'll be on deck in a trice."
I was not many seconds behind old Nol. The Lady Parker was on ourweather-quarter. Her people had not been so quick-sighted as we were,but when they saw us making sail, they did the same. Away we both wentin hot pursuit of the stranger, which proved to be a schooner. When shemade us out she apparently took fright, and likewise set every stitch ofcanvas she could carry to escape.
There is nothing so exciting as a chase, whether on shore or afloat.Next to it is a race. Here we had both combined, for we wanted to catchthe enemy and to beat the Lady Parker. The breeze freshened, but thePigot looked up to her canvas famously; and sweeter to our ears than anymusic just then was the loud gush of the yielding waters as they wereparted by the sharp bows of my little craft.
"You are a darling now!" cried old Nol, as he looked up at the canvas,ever and anon, to see that each sail drew its best. "Just show us whatyour heels can do this time, at all events." The schooner seemed tounderstand him, and went faster and faster. We were somewhat distancingthe Lady Parker, and coming up with the chase.
"If the breeze holds, sir, we shall be within gun-shot in half an hour,and then there'll be but little chance for that small hooker there,"observed Grampus, chuckling. She was a bigger vessel than the Pigot,by-the-bye.
"It's just possible that one of the enemy's cruisers may heave in sight,and spoil our sport before then," said I; "such a thing has occurredbefore now, and there are plenty of them in these seas."
"The more call for speed, then, sir," replied Nol. "Hurrah--blow yourbest, good breeze, and don't stint us."
In even less time than Grampus had predicted, we got the schooner withinrange of our guns. I half expected to see her haul her wind and showfight. We began to blaze away with our bow-chasers, but she stoodsteadily on, taking not the slightest notice of us. Rockets and I hadboth tried our hands at a shot, but without effect, so I sent him to thehelm, and called Grampus forward, to see what he could do. More thanonce he looked along the gun without firing. "Here goes," he at lengthexclaimed, applying the match. I watched eagerly. Away flew the shot--it struck. I could see the splinters fly, and down came by the run themain-topmast of the chase. All hands gave a grand hurrah. Still thechase stood on. In a short time, however, we saw that there was someconfusion on board. The ensign was hauled down--then run up, and thenhauled down again.
Just as we fancied that she was going to heave-to, up went the ensignonce more, and the hands were seen going aloft, to clear away the wreckof the top-mast.
"What can the fellow be about?" said I; "he cannot hope to escape us."
"Perhaps, sir, he sees a big friend ahead, whom he thinks will come tohis assistance," observed Grampus.
"We must give him another dose, then, to stop him before his friendappears. Fire low this time!" I exclaimed, for my blood was up at thethoughts of his escaping us. We yawed a little so as to bring all ourstarboard guns to bear. The shot took effect, and there appeared moreconfusion than before on deck. "Let them have it again," I sung out;"this time they must give in!" The guns were loaded, and our peoplewere about to fire, when, as I was looking through my telescope, I sawtwo figures rush on deck, and which instantly made me arrest the orderto fire. They were women. By their ges
tures they were evidentlyendeavouring to persuade the crew to continue their endeavours to escapeor to yield at once. Which it was I could not determine, but while theyremained on deck I could not bring myself again to fire on the vessel.I hoped that we should be able to capture her without doing her furtherinjury. On we stood, therefore, as before. The ladies remained ondeck. I kept my eye on them, intending to fire at the schooner'srigging the moment they went below. I told Grampus my reason for notfiring. "That's right, sir," he answered warmly; "no man who's fit tobe a man ever hurts a woman if he can help it, whether old or young, orwhatever her nation--or black or white. And they, d'ye see, bless theirhearts, repays us; for no matter where it is, if a man is sick orwounded, or in distress, they are always ready to help him and nurse himand pity him--bless them, says I. I don't know what we should dowithout them."
The two ladies kept their posts, walking the deck, and every now andthen stopping and eyeing us--taking our distance, I thought. We wererapidly decreasing it, however, and to me it appeared that the chase hadvery little chance of escaping. I must own that I was now doublyanxious to come up with her. All sorts of romantic ideas came crowdinginto my imagination, and I quite forgot that, after all, the petticoatsmight belong to the skipper's double-fisted wife and rosy-cheeked,loud-voiced daughter. Still, whatever they were, I would not for worldshave run the risk of hurting them.
As time sped away the more eager did I become to solve the problem.When my eye began to ache with watching the chase, Nol took the glass.I had had my breakfast brought on deck. I ate my dinner there also. Iwas just washing down the cold salt junk and biscuit with a glass of rumand water, when Grampus exclaimed--
"The petticoats has wapperated, sir--that they has."
I jumped up, overturning my glass of swizzle, and putting the helm tostarboard, sung--
"Fire away, but high, my lads--take care, now."
Grampus had handed me the glass and hurried to a gun. Never was there abetter marksman. His eye coolly glanced along the iron tube. He fired.The schooner's fore-yard was shot away in the slings, and directlyafterwards her fore-top-mast went tumbling over her bows.
"Hurrah!" shouted Nol, "we've got her now, my lads."
I watched through my glass. The females did not return on deck. I onlyhoped that they were not frightened at the mischief we had committed.The chase was now a complete wreck aloft. Still her ensign was keptflying at her peak. Just, however, as I was about to yaw once more, itwas hauled down, and she was luffed up into the wind. We were very soonup with her. Heaving-to just to windward of her, I ordered a boat to belowered, and, with Tom Rockets and two other hands, pulled aboard. Idirected Grampus to keep a very sharp watch on the movements of theschooner, should I go below, for the rebels were up to so many tricksthat it was necessary to be prepared for them.
As I stepped on the deck of the prize, I was met by a man whom I took tobe the master. He was a tall, lank man, and one of the mostmelancholy-looking beings I ever beheld. I looked round for thefemales.
"If they belong to our thread-paper friend here, the chances are thattheir attractions are but small," I thought to myself. Still I was verycurious to see them.
"Well, Mr Officer," said the master, without giving me time to speak,"if it's any satisfaction to you, you'll understand that you've ruined ahard-working man with a large family by this capture, and frightenednearly to death two females aboard here."
He spoke in a slow, drawling tone, but there was something in it whichmade me fully believe him.
"It cannot be helped. I do but my duty," I answered.
"Your duty, sir! Is it the duty of a man, a gentleman, to attack theweak and the oppressed?" said a deep voice close to my ear.
The melancholy skipper had not spoken, the tones were too feminine forhim. I turned, and saw standing near me a lady who had evidently justascended from the cabin. I started. She was something so unlike what Ihad expected to see. Her figure, though slight, was tall andcommanding, and a black dress set off the brilliant whiteness of hercomplexion. Her dark eyes flashed with fire as she spoke. Her featuresalso, I saw, were very handsome. I have not often been abashed, such afeeling does not usually run in the blood of the Hurrys, but I was onthis occasion completely taken aback. I felt that I should have likedto have jumped into my boat and pulled back to my own craft withoutsaying a word. However, I mustered courage to speak.
"Pardon me, madam," I stuttered out, "I obey the commands of my lawfulsovereign, though those commands are, I own, often painful."
"The excuse all mercenaries make," said the lady, with bitter scorn inher voice. "And now, sir, that we are your captives, may I ask what youpurpose doing with us?"
This question was rather a poser. I could not let the prize go free,and yet I had no wish to detain any women as prisoners.
"I cannot answer the question at once, madam," I replied; "but I will domy best to land you as soon as possible at the nearest point I am ableto reach, to wherever you may wish to go."
I thought this would satisfy the lady, but not a bit of it.
"Oh, then, we are to be compelled to leave the vessel in which we havetaken a passage and to be delayed on an errand of importance becauseGeorge of Brunswick chooses to try and force unjust laws down thethroats of a free people!"
"The fortune of war, madam," I replied, my choler rising somewhat at herremarks; still I did not forget she was a lady, and that I was anofficer and a gentleman.
"Such as brigands might be ashamed of," she replied. "Then, sir, we areto consider ourselves as your prisoners?"
"Not a moment longer than I can help it, I assure you, madam," Ianswered, rather inclined to be amused than angry, and hoping to piqueher by my replies. "You are free to go in any direction you pleasedirectly you have an opportunity."
"You speak mockingly, sir," she said, apparently determined not to be ongood terms with me.
I was anxious to bring the conversation to a conclusion without beingrude to her; she was very evidently a lady, and probably accustomed tobe treated with attention. My curiosity also was excited to know whoher companion could be. We had seen two females on board, and she hadused the word "we" several times as if her companion was her equal;whether older or younger was the question. She herself had theappearance and air of a matron who, though past the bloom of youth,still retained much of her beauty. Bowing to her again, I turned to themelancholy-faced master and inquired the particulars of his cargo, wherehe was from, and where bound to. He was from Boston, with a cargo ofnotions bound for Philadelphia.
"Well, then, captain, I'll step below, just to have a look at yourpapers," said I, trying to appear as unconcerned as possible. "Thenwe'll get the wreck of your masts cleared away and take you in tow. Youand your mate with two hands will go on board my vessel, the rest willremain here to help work this craft."
He saw that my orders were not to be disputed, though he prepared toobey them with no very good grace. I had no fear of any trick beingplayed me, for the Lady Parker was fast coming up to the scene ofaction, or I should not have trusted either the lank master or thelovely dame. I hailed Grampus to send another boat aboard, and whileshe was coming I dived below, disregarding the black looks both of themaster and the lady. I certainly was not prepared for the vision ofloveliness which broke on my sight when I opened the door of the cabin.I somehow or other had taken it into my head that the lady on deck wasthe youngest of the two persons we had seen, and I expected accordinglyto find a stout, elderly dame acting as her chaperone or attendant.Instead, however, there, half-reclining on a sofa, and reading, orpretending to read, was a young and lovely girl. The lady on deckpossessed somewhat of a stern beauty; hers was of the most perfectfeminine softness. She was fair, with light-brown hair, and a richcolour on her cheeks, and eyes so full and lustrous that they piercedthrough and through me at once. I was very glad she did not ask me todo anything I ought not to have done, for as Adam was easily tempted byEve, I fear me much that I shoul
d not have had the resolution to refuseany request she might have made. I stood for a minute at the door,looking, I daresay, very stupid, and silent as a post. At last Iblundered out--
"I beg pardon, miss; I came to see the ship's papers; I hope that Idon't inconvenience you."
"Oh, no, sir, as the ship is, I conclude, in your power, and thepassengers are your prisoners, we can only be grateful for any courtesyyou show us," she answered; and oh! what a sweet, soft, musical voiceshe spoke in!
I was quickly followed below by the master, who proceeded to hand me outhis papers from a well-battered tin case.
"You are, I conclude, Mr Saul Cobb, master of the `Crab' schooner--notmuch like a crab though, by the way she went through the water," said I,running my eyes over the papers. "All well and good, Mr Cobb. We willtake the `Crab' in tow as far as Rhode Island, where Sir Peter Parker,the English admiral, will decide what is to be done with her. Yourpassengers, I have no doubt, will be landed at Newport, and a safeconduct will be granted them in whatever direction they may wish toproceed."
I looked up as I spoke, and bowed to the young lady. I found her eyesfixed on me, though she very quickly withdrew them, and I could not helpfancying, vain puppy that I was! that a slight blush tinged her cheeks.
"I trust, madam," said I, "that we shall be able to make arrangementssatisfactory under the painful circumstances of the case to you and thelady who is with you."
"She is my aunt," she answered quickly. "But I fear that it will bedifficult to make amends to her for the inconvenience to which she mustbe put and the bitter disappointment she feels. She was called to thebedside of a brother she believes to be dying from his wounds, and therebeing no one else whose assistance she could claim, I accompanied her.We hoped to have landed to-morrow. Could you not still manage to put uson shore?"
She looked up with such a beautiful, earnest expression that I instantlybegan to consider whether I could not by some possibility do as sherequested. As the result of my reflections I replied--
"I am sorry to say I cannot do so. I dare not so far depart from myvery clear line of duty; still, any accommodation I can afford you andyour aunt will, I am sure, be sanctioned by the admiral."
"You are very kind indeed, sir," said the young lady. "I would not askany officer to neglect his duty to the king he serves; I should despisehim if he did."
She had risen from her seat, and stood resting her left hand on thetable, while her right was slightly raised to give expression to hersentiments.
"Ho, ho!" I thought, "your politics do not agree, then, with those ofyour aunt."
I looked up into her face. I could not help it. How beautiful andanimated she looked! Her figure was not tall, though exquisitelyproportioned and rounded as if she enjoyed excellent health, and hadbeen subject to very few of the cares and disappointments of life. In aword, I thought her a perfect heroine, and so she was. I could not helpcongratulating myself at the idea of having her society on board thetender for at least the next two days, and perhaps longer, and I mustown that I was in no hurry to finish looking over the papers of theCrab, though for the life of me I could not have told a word of theircontents.
"Well, mister, are you satisfied now?"
The harsh, grating sounds of Captain Cobb's voice, for he it was whospoke, recalled me to myself.
"Yes, yes," I answered. "Turn your hands up and get a hawser secured onboard with plenty of scope."
I then once more addressed the young lady--
"I must beg you and your aunt to come on board my schooner. This vesselis not in a safe condition for you to remain in her. I will, believeme, endeavour to do everything to secure your comfort and to mitigatethe annoyance you must of course feel. I will go on deck and endeavourto persuade your aunt to do what is necessary."
"I wish you would," she answered. "I am afraid that you will have nolittle difficulty, though."
I left the young lady preparing in a very methodical way to pack up herthings to remove on board the tender, while I, with no littletrepidation, went on deck to address the aunt. The Lady Parker was fastcoming up, and I wanted to make all arrangements before O'Driscoll'sappearance.
The lady, as I expected, at first refused positively to leave the vesselshe was on board of unless by force. I assured her that she wouldremain at very great risk to her own life and that of her niece, shouldbad weather come on, and I assured her that I would spare no pains tosecure her comfort, and I pledged my honour that she would be as safeunder my protection as she had been under that of Captain Cobb."Besides, Captain Cobb himself will be on board my vessel, madam."
"In that case, sir, I will act according to your commands," said thelady, with one of her bitter smiles.
As they had no attendant, she and her niece were some time in putting uptheir things, and though I offered my services they were stifflydeclined by the elder lady. However, under the counteracting influencesof her sweet niece I felt that I could bear a large amount of sournessfrom her.
At last I got them safely into the boat and on board the tender,together with Mr Cobb and his mate and two of his men. The rest Ijudged that I could safely leave where they were to help work the prize.I sent Grampus on board her to take charge, and we had the hawsersecured when O'Driscoll came up. I had no particular wish just then forhis company, though I could not for the world have shown any jealousy ofhim, so I signalised him that all was right and that I was going to makesail for Rhode Island. He, however, had seen the ladies on my deck, andhe would have been unlike any Irishman I ever met had he not desired toknow more about them. He accordingly signalised me in return not tomake sail till he had held some private communication with me, and veryquickly he was on board. After he had made a most profound bow to thetwo ladies and looked a thousand unutterable things, he seized me by thearm and led me forward.
"Oh, you lucky dog, Poynder," said he, "to have fallen in with such aprize--that magnificent creature and that pretty little girl. Faith! Imust accompany you back to the admiral, just to see that you don't getinto any mischief. I should like to bask myself every morning in theirsmiles, even though it may be at a somewhat long distance."
I of course told him that he must do as he thought fit, but I wasn'tsorry when he tumbled into the boat to return to his own craft, andallowed me to prepare for the ladies' comfort on board mine. I ofcourse gave them up the entire cabin, and fitted up a sofa with sidesfor one of the ladies. What with canvas, and flags, and some planks, Ivery soon had some fair accommodation for them. My own cot I had slungin another part of the vessel. The younger lady, when she returned ondeck, after inspecting the arrangements I had made, thanked me with alook which made ample amends for all the trouble I had taken. The elderone did not deign to take any notice of the matter. I had been anxiousto know their names. I had seen that of Tarleton on one of the trunks,so I addressed the elder lady as Mrs Tarleton, which she seemed toacknowledge as her proper appellation, so I took the chance of beingright, and called the other Miss Tarleton; but she with a smileobserved--
"No; that is not my name. I am called Madeline Carlyon. That lady isthe wife of my mother's brother. She, as you see, is very stronglyopposed to the Royalist party. She has reason, for she has sufferedmuch from them. I am very much attached to her, for she is anexcellent, noble-minded person, though she has, as you see, herpeculiarities."
"And are you, Miss Carlyon, equally opposed to the Royalists?" I asked.
I felt that I was venturing on dangerous ground.
"Some of my family are Royalists, though some of them are in opposition,and are what you, I fear, would call rebels. I do not like the word."
"Nor do I," I answered warmly. "Though I am a naval officer, andfighting is my vocation, I wish that this dispute were settled. I wouldrather have any other enemies than those we are now fighting with."
"I am glad to hear you utter that sentiment, sir," said Mrs Tarleton,who had overheard the last part of our conversation, as she continuedher never
-ceasing walk on deck. "Cherish it, for it may producewholesome fruit in time to come."
The wind held fair, and with the prize in tow, and the Lady Parker,which could easily keep up with us in company, we steered a directcourse for the then small town of Newport, off which I hoped to find theadmiral. After the conversation I have described above, the ice in MrsTarleton's manner gradually thawed. She began to regard me with somedegree of interest, and to look on me simply as a misguided young manwhom she might hope to win over to the cause to which she herself was sowarmly attached. I certainly did my best to obtain her good opinion, aswell as that of her niece, and I felt that at all events I was winningthat of the latter.
Delightful and strange were the sensations I experienced as I leanedover the bulwarks by the side of that lovely girl, while we watched theblue sparkling wavelets, and I told her of the wonders of the deep, andnow and then threw in a description of some of the adventures I had gonethrough. It was, I repeat, fortunate for me that she was at heart aloyalist, or she would inevitably just then have converted me towhatever opinions she held. We watched the glorious sun descend intohis ocean bed in a golden radiance which suffused the whole western sky;and then the pale moon arose, and we stayed to gaze on its silvery beamsas they played over the calm waters of the ocean, just crisped intowavelets by the light easterly breeze which blew us on our way. It wasvery delightful. We were both of us very young, and veryunsophisticated. I had scarcely ever spoken to a young lady. The lastI had seen, and the impression she had made was not deep, was MissDeborah Doulass, the fair daughter of a retired linen-draper atFalmouth. The Poynders are in no way a phlegmatic race. The young ladywas not backward in appreciating my sentiments, and we might veryprobably have stood gazing at the ocean till the moon had gone to bedalso, when Miss Carlyon was summoned somewhat hastily by her aunt. Sheput out her hand, and as I pressed it I felt as if an electric shock hadrun through me. The elder lady drew her shawl round her, and, bowingstiffly, they retired one after the other down the companion-ladder.
I walked the deck for some time, all sorts of new sensations jumpingaway round my heart and in my head, and then I turned into the temporaryberth I had had rigged for myself in the hold, ordering Tom Rockets tokeep a sharp look-out, and to call me the moment he suspected even thatanything, however trifling, was going wrong. Close to my berth, anddivided only by a thin bulk-head, was the place where the prisoners weresleeping. They were all snoring away when I turned in, but after a timeI heard one of them give some grunts.
"Peter," said a voice. "Peter, are you awake, man?"
I knew by the grating harsh tones that it was that of the lank skipper.
"Yes, captain; I'm awake. What's your will?" was the answer.
"I'll tell you what I've been thinking of," said the captain in a verylow voice, evidently getting near the person he was addressing. "Itwouldn't be a hard matter to take this craft, and make off with her.She is short-handed. We have four stout fellows, and the woman I makesure would help us. I'd undertake, while he is caterwauling away withthe young gal, to knock that young sprig of an officer overboard. Thenwe'd cast off the hawser, and let the `Crab' go adrift. They needn'tknow it was done on purpose; and while the other king's ship was lookingafter her to pick her up, we'd have a fine start. At all events, thiscraft has the best pair of heels, and she would never come up with usagain. What do you say, Peter, to this?"
"I'm your man, captain," answered the mate chuckling. "There's four toseven, and that's no great odds if we choose our time. We can count, Iguess, on the woman if you put her up to the trick. It may be a job todo that, though."
"No fear on that score," observed Captain Cobb. "By the look of the skywhen the sun went down, there'll be a breeze before to-morrow night.Just do you talk to Ahab and Silas, and I'll see about the rest."
The voices of the speakers sank so low after this that I could not catchanother word.
"Thank you, gentlemen," said I to myself. "I've had that trickattempted to be played on me before now; but I didn't think that you, mymelancholy-looking friend, were up to it. However--forewarned,fore-armed--I'll be ready for you. I suspect that Mrs Tarleton willnot be a little enraged when she hears the part she is to play in thedrama. She'll wither up the poor skipper into a mummy when she seeshim."
I could scarcely refrain from laughing aloud at the idea. I waited tillthe two conspirators ceased speaking, and as I believed had gone againto sleep; and then I noiselessly left my berth and went on deck. I hadmy own pistols ready, and I sent Rockets to arm himself and the rest ofthe people.
In the morning, when the lank skipper and his people came on deck, theylooked somewhat dismayed at the appearance we presented. I, however,said nothing, and treated him as if I was totally ignorant of his kindintentions towards me. I was, however, preparing to speak to him, inthe presence of Mrs Tarleton, hoping to enjoy her indignation and hisdismay; but the sight of Miss Carlyon put everything I was going to sayout of my head, as I sprang to the companion-hatch to hand her on deck.How bright and beaming was the smile which irradiated her countenance!While she was near, I scarcely had it in my heart even to frighten thepoor skipper, and certainly not to hurt him, even had he attempted tocarry out his kind intentions towards me. She looked about her,enjoying the sight of the blue sparkling sea and the fresh breeze.
"It is very beautiful," said she at length.
"Very!" said I, but if she had asked me to say what I thought sobeautiful it would have made her blush. She did not remark a bank ofblack clouds away to the eastward. I did, and was sorry to see them,for I thought how much discomfort a gale would cause her. The lankskipper saw them also, and probably hoped for an opportunity to carryhis pleasant little plot into execution. I determined at once to spoilit. I had somewhat prepared Miss Carlyon, by telling her that I knew ofthe existence of a plan to take the vessel from me, but made very lightof it that I might not frighten her. Calling Captain Cobb aft, whileMrs Tarleton was on deck, I looked him full in the face, and recountedthe whole particulars of the plan he had concocted.
"And do you know, madam, our worthy friend not only expects you toapprove of his project, but to help him carry it into execution, whetherby the aid of the bowl or dagger I do not know; perhaps he expects youto help in smothering us with pillows while we are fast asleep."
Never was a man more completely taken aback than was Mr Saul Cobb onthat occasion, nor was his confusion lessened by the address of thelady.
"You wretched, miserable being! do you fancy that because I am a patriotI would consort with murderers, whose sole idea is how they may makemoney without a thought how they may best serve their country?"
Her attitude, expression, and manner, more than her words, expressed thevehemence of her feelings; and the skipper, without attempting to excusehimself, turned round and, bolting forward, dived down below to hide hishead in darkness. I told Rockets to keep an eye on him, for I thoughthe might do some mischief.
"You, sir, will, I am sure, acquit me of approving even in the remotestway of such a scheme," said the lady.
I assured her that I did, and I felt that I had, from the way I hadtaken the matter, gained a yet further step in her good graces. I thensent Rockets to tell the skipper that, should he attempt to make anysuch demonstration as he had proposed, I should forthwith be compelledto blow out his brains; but that, if he behaved well, I would pass thematter over. I felt very sure that he would give me no further trouble.
Scarcely had I thus settled this affair than down came the gale on uswith a fury unexpected. I shortened sail, lengthened our hawser to theutmost, and then went to try and make the ladies comfortable in thecabin. Still, notwithstanding all my responsibilities and troubles, Ihad never before felt so happy and proud in my life.
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