CHAPTER ELEVEN.
ONCE MORE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.
When morning broke, gloomy and tempestuous, and we stood out from underthe lee of Cape Grisnez, so as to get a view of the coast, where we hadseen the Dutch anchor, great was our disappointment on discovering thatnot a mast was visible. It was very evident that, favoured by darkness,they had slipped out with the last of the flood, and were by this timeamid the sandbanks and shallows off the Flushing coast. The galeincreasing, we now threw out the order for the fleet to bear away andsteer for the Isle of Wight, under the shelter of which we at lengthbrought up. On counting our prizes, we found that we had captured noless than nineteen men-of-war, and not under fifty merchantmen, whichhad been carried to different ports. Three Dutch captains had beentaken prisoners and seven slain. Even though still suffering from hiswound, the admiral went on shore, not to take a part in the rejoicingswith which our victory was welcomed throughout the land, but to visitthe hospitals and see that the wounded men were properly cared for. Iaccompanied him from ward to ward. He had a land word for every one,and many an eye was filled with tears as he thanked them for the nobleway in which they had fought for their country, and the glorious victorythey had won.
Refusing to go home, though he required rest more than any one, hecontinued to superintend the repairs of the fleet.
I cannot dwell on the events which followed. We again sailed in Aprilwith a hundred ships for the Texel, where we drove the Dutch fleet backinto port, capturing fifty dogers. The admiral hearing that Van Tromphad gone northward, to convoy a fleet of merchantmen, we sailed inpursuit with part of the fleet, leaving Admiral Lawson in command of thelarger portion. Missing the Dutch, we once again steered southward,when just as June had commenced, a fast frigate brought intelligencethat Van Tromp had appeared in the Downs, and that another fierce battlewas hourly expected between him and the English fleet under AdmiralsPenn and Lawson.
Setting all sail, we pressed on before a northerly breeze, when thesound of firing reached our ears.
Robert Blake in the _Hampshire_ was ahead. How we envied him! Atlength, some way to the southward of Yarmouth, the two fleets of Englandand Holland appeared in sight, hotly engaged. With every stitch ofcanvas set below and aloft, he sailed on into action, firing hisbroadsides with terrific effect into the enemy's ships.
We followed, eager to engage, as did the rest of the squadron, and weresoon in the midst of it. Among the ships we perceived the _James_,Vice-Admiral Penn, alongside the well-known _Brederode_, with VanTromp's flag flying aloft. The Dutch had endeavoured to board the_James_, but were now being driven back, with fearful slaughter, andalready scores of British seamen, slashing and cutting with theirhangers, had gained her deck when a terrific explosion was heard. Uprose the deck of the Dutch ship, sending into the air the mangled formsof the boarders with the shivered fragments of planks.
The _James_ cast off from her foe, it being believed that Van Tromp withhis crew were about to founder, but the smoke clearing away, we saw themrushing up from below, with the admiral at their head. Before he couldbe captured, lowering a boat, he pulled away for a frigate which laynear, and was seen sailing through his fleet, assuring his followers ofhis wonderful escape.
But his efforts and those of his vice-admiral were in vain. Hardpressed by our ships, they ere long took to flight, and steered forOstend, leaving eleven of their men-of-war in our hands, besides sixsunk, two blown up, and one burnt, and nearly fourteen hundredprisoners, including a vice-admiral, two rear-admirals, and sixcaptains.
The battle was won, but so shattered were our ships that, unable topursue the enemy, we were compelled to put into harbour. Not until hesaw his fleet at anchor would Admiral Blake allow himself to be carriedon shore, when he invited me to accompany him to his country house ofKnoll, near Bridgwater.
Dick, I should have said, had been summoned home by his father, but Ibade farewell for a time to Lancelot, as also to old Martin, who, inspite of his years, preferred remaining on board to taking his ease onshore.
"Who knows but that the ship may be sent out to the Mediterranean, andif so, that I may have the chance of hearing of Mistress Audrey andMargaret, and Mr Kerridge and his daughter?" he said.
"For that reason I ought to remain," I answered; "but the admiral haspromised, should any ship sail for those parts, to let me go in her, andas he knows everything that takes place, I am not afraid of missing thechance.
"And very right, Master Ben, that you should take a holiday. You lookas thin as a line, and I have been afraid that you'd wear yourself outbefore your time."
So I set off with my noble patron. Great was the contrast which hislife in that quiet abode presented to the uproar of battle and tempest,in which so many of his days had of late been passed. His board wasfrugal. His mornings were passed among his books or in writing letters,in which I assisted him; a long walk when his strength was sufficientlyrestored through the green fields and woods; his evenings in the societyof a few chosen friends, when his conversation was chiefly on religiousmatters or on the affairs of state. To me the change was beneficial inthe extreme. I felt refreshed in mind and body, still my thoughts wereoften far away with my sister and friends, captives still, as Ibelieved, in Barbary.
The tranquil existence the admiral was enjoying was greatly disturbed bythe news of another complete victory gained over the Dutch by AdmiralsMonk, Penn, and Lawson. The battle had lasted, like the former, forwell-nigh three days. It was the last Van Tromp was destined to fight.
On the third day, while still leading on his fleet, a musket ballentered his heart, and his captain hearing of his death took to flight,pursued by the victors, who, it is sad to say, had received orders fromMonk to give no quarter, but to destroy every ship and their haplesscrews as they were overtaken. The captains and their crews, however,disregarding the sanguinary order, picked up several hundred Dutchmenfrom their sinking ships.
I was thankful to get a letter from Lancelot describing the fight,assuring me of his and Martin's safety. Ere long we heard of thearrival of ambassadors from the States General, sueing for peace, whenamong other matters they agreed to lower their flag to that of Englandwhenever it should be seen flying. I must pass over several months,when once more Admiral Blake went afloat in command of a fleet oftwenty-four sail, and hoisted his flag on board the _Saint George_, anew ship of sixty guns and three hundred and fifty men. Lancelot andMartin had joined her, and Dick soon after came on board, havingobtained leave from his father once more to go afloat. We three werethus again united. Great was our satisfaction to learn that theMediterranean was the ultimate destination of the fleet, though itsother objects, for political reasons, were not made known.
At the same time that we sailed, another still larger fleet went downChannel under command of Admiral Penn, having General Venables and abody of troops on board. Its destination was the West Indies, where itwas to attack the colonies of Spain, while we were to capture anddestroy her fleets on her coasts. This work, however, was not tocommence for the present. We having reached the roadstead of Cadiz,found there a Dutch fleet. No sooner was the red-cross seen flying fromour mastheads, than the Dutch admiral lowered his flag.
"The Hollanders have learned a lesson they are not in a hurry toforget," observed the admiral, as he walked the deck, while we came toan anchor.
A French squadron paid our flag the same respect, while on shore theadmiral was treated with every possible consideration by the Spanishauthorities, as well as by the officials of all nations.
While here we received information that many more vessels had beencaptured by the Barbary States. The Pope and Grand Duke of Tuscany alsohad given offence to the Commonwealth, by allowing Prince Rupert to sellhis prizes in their ports.
Those combative monks, the Knights of Malta, also sworn foes to thosethey chose to call heretics, had captured several English merchantmen,while the Duke of Guise was threatening Naples, which State, then inalliance with England, it was
deemed important to protect.
We had work enough thus cut out for us, and as soon as provisions hadbeen obtained we sailed, and passing through the Straits of Gibraltarwithout molestation, we directed our course for Naples.
We there found that the Duke of Guise had taken his departure, but inwhat direction we could not discover. We therefore steered northwardalong the coast of Italy until we came off Leghorn. Dropping anchor,the admiral sent an envoy to the Duke of Tuscany, demanding redress tothe owners of such vessels as had been sold by the corsair princes.
The Duke hesitated, declaring that he must refer the matter to the Popeof Rome, at which the admiral, smiling scornfully, observed that "it wasnot the Pope's business, and that he would presently have to look outfor himself."
We had just before received intelligence of the alarm our appearance hadcaused in Rome. Monks had been walking in procession, many persons hadbeen burying their treasures, and the wealthy had fled from the city,believing that ere long it would be pillaged by the English.
The Grand Duke, not wishing to have Leghorn battered down, yielded tothe demands of our admiral, who then despatched the envoy to the Pope.In vain that priestly potentate endeavoured to excuse himself, but hissubjects had undoubtedly bought the illegal prizes, and at last, toavoid the threatened consequences of refusal, he sent the money demandedon board, twenty thousand pistoles, "which," as the admiral observed,"was probably the first cash which had ever been transferred from thePapal coffers to the treasury of England."
This was not the only satisfactory task performed by our admiral. Hewrote to the Grand Duke, urging him in forcible terms to permit theEnglish and other Protestants settled in his domains liberty to keep theBible in their houses, and to follow their own form of worship, aprivilege which had hitherto been denied them.
While we lay off Leghorn two Algerine cruisers came in with a flag oftruce, bringing a number of English captives liberated by the Dey inorder to appease the wrath of the English.
"It is well," said our admiral, as he received the liberated persons;"but let the Dey understand while an Englishman remains in bonds I shallnot be content."
Lancelot and I eagerly questioned the freed captives, in the hopes ofpossibly gaining information about our friends; but they replied thatthe distance between the two States was so great that they were awareonly of the fact that many English were held captive in Tunis. Theadmiral had from the first promised that he would pay that pirate city avisit, and use every means to discover and liberate our friends. We nowhoped that he would without delay carry out his intention. But anotherdisappointment occurred. Just as we were about to sail, the plaguebrought from the Levant broke out on board, and the admiral himself wasstricken down by the fell disease. Others suffered, and for many weeks,until the admiral recovered, we were unable to sail.
Although with the cold of winter the disease disappeared, a storm keptus still longer at anchor; but at length the wind proving favourable wesailed for Tunis, and ere long came in sight of its two powerful castlesof Goletta and Porto Ferino. Bringing up beyond reach of their guns,the admiral despatched a messenger to the Dey, demanding the release ofall prisoners and the restoration of the numerous prizes latelycaptured, or their value if destroyed.
The Dey in return sent an envoy on board the _Saint George_, who, thoughhe professed to wish for peace, declared that his master would not giveup the prizes.
While negotiations were going on, we sailed close up to the castle ofPorto Ferino, piloted by Lieutenant Aylett, that the admiral mightobtain an idea of its strength. He then (the envoy being sent on shore)sailed away with the larger ships, leaving Captain Stayner with thesmaller frigates to watch the entrance of the harbour.
Lancelot and I could not help expressing our disappointment to eachother; we soon found, however, that the admiral had no intention ofabandoning the undertaking, but that it was necessary to obtainprovisions before we commenced operations, our stock having run short.
We now steered for Cagliari in Sardinia, where we lay while vessels weredespatched in all directions to obtain bread, and the ships in harbourwere being refitted. Our hearts beat high when once more the tallminarets and domes of the pirate city appeared in sight, for we made nodoubt that the Dey would yield, and that we should ere long recover ourfriends. Again the admiral sent an officer on shore, repeating hisformer demands and requesting water for his ships.
The Dey insolently replied that "there stood his castles of Porto Ferinoand Goletta, and until the English could carry them off in their ships,nothing should they have from him."
"Let the Dey understand that such conduct shall not go unpunished,"answered the admiral to the barbarian envoy, his anger rising, and hisusually calm eye flashing fire; "God has given water to all Hiscreatures, and the sin which one commits who refuses it to another isgreat indeed."
No sooner had the envoy taken his departure than, to the surprise ofall, the admiral ordered the fleet to sail away from the harbour, notleaving a ship behind.
"Can the admiral really intend thus to allow the pirates to escape withimpunity?" said Dick to Lancelot and me, as we watched the Moorish cityrecede from our eyes. "I much fear that your relatives will be left tolanguish in hopeless captivity."
"Have you sailed so many years with our good commander, and yet canfancy such a thing?" exclaimed Martin, who overheard the remark."Depend upon it, he has his reasons, and I shrewdly guess wishes tothrow the pirates off their guard. Rest assured before long we shallget a nearer sight of Tunis than we have hitherto had."
Notwithstanding what Martin said, we steered on until we once moreentered the Bay of Cagliari. We had good reason, however, to believethat the admiral intended after all to attack Tunis. Orders were issuedto all the ships to prepare for some severe work.
At length, after well-nigh a week had passed, we made the signal toweigh anchor, and the whole fleet before a light northerly breeze stoodunder full sail towards the Bay of Tunis.
Just as the evening of the 3rd of April, 1655, was approaching, we stoodinto the bay, where we brought up, the now well-known towers andminarets of Tunis in sight. The night which came on might be the lastwe knew for many a brave fellow. It was spent in preparation for thework we were destined to undertake the next day. Ere the sun rose a gunfrom the flag-ship was fired as a signal to the crews of the whole fleetto offer up prayer to Almighty God for protection and success in thestruggle about to commence in our righteous cause.
It was a solemn time. Not a sound was heard except the yokes of theministers until those of the congregations joined in prayer, or burstforth into a hymn of praise to the all-powerful One whose protectionthey sought. Then rising from our knees we weighed anchor, the sailswere let fall, the guns run out, and, led by the _Newcastle_, which wasquickly followed by other frigates, the big ships stood into theharbour. Of these the _Saint Andrew_ was the first. Close astern camethe _Plymouth_, and we in the _Saint George_ followed in her wake, notcasting anchor until we had got within musket shot of the batteries, norwas a shot fired until we had furled sails.
So astonished were the barbarians that their artillery remained mute.It was not for long; we setting the example, every ship opened with herbroadside, to which the pirates speedily replied, their shot comingcrashing on board through our bulwarks, or tearing their way between ourmasts and rigging. And now commenced the most tremendous din and uproarour ears had ever heard, the echoes of the guns reverberating among thecrumbling walls and falling houses.
For two hours the battle raged, the sky obscured, and the castles andbatteries almost concealed by the dense masses of smoke, on which alurid glare was reflected by the flames belched forth from the guns.The smoke blown in the faces of the pirates tended to conceal the shipsfrom their sight, and prevented them aiming their pieces with accuracy.Not for an instant did our fire slacken, until the guns in the batterieswere dismounted or burst, or the gunners killed or driven from theirpost.
Within us, higher up the harbour, lay
a squadron of nine stout ships.While the bombardment was taking place the admiral called Captain Stokesto his side.
"Now is the time to carry out your plan," he said.
"You, Bracewell and Kerridge, may accompany Captain Stokes," he added.Each ship had before received an order, at a certain time to send herlong-boat with a picked crew, bringing torches, hand-grenades, and othercombustibles.
They now arrived. We took our places in the long-boat of the _SaintGeorge_, and Captain Stokes at once led the way towards the piratesquadron.
For some time we were concealed by the clouds of smoke from the sight ofour enemies, and only such shot as passed over the ships came near us,but as we got farther up the harbour we were perceived and assailed byshowers of bullets and round shot, fired at us from the corsairs. Wepulled on, however, until we were alongside them. The torches were thenlighted, and without a moment's delay we began to heave them into theports of the pirate vessels.
So unexpected was the proceeding, that every ship was set on fire foreand aft, before the crew on deck had perceived what had occurred, and ina few moments the flames were bursting through the hatchways and ports,and encircling the masts and spars. In vain the pirates made the mostfrantic efforts to extinguish the fire, wherever they were seenlabouring with buckets, the broadsides of the frigates which came up toour assistance drove them away and compelled them to leap overboard.Now every one of the ships was burning furiously, the flames forminghuge pyramids of fire.
Leaving them to their fate, which all the efforts of the pirates couldnot avert, protected by the frigates, we pulled back to the _SaintGeorge_ to report that the whole of the corsair squadron of nine largeships was utterly destroyed; and as we rowed away, first one and thentwo or three together blew up with a tremendous explosion, scatteringtheir fragments far and wide, while their keels sank to the bottom ofthe harbour.
CHAPTER TWELVE.
THE CAPTIVES RESCUED--BLAKE'S EXPLOITS AND DEATH.
Lancelot and I had formed a plan with Lieutenant Aylett, by which wedeemed that it would be possible, though no more than possible, torecover our two sisters, Mr Kerridge, and Margaret. We had askedpermission of the admiral to undertake it. He pointed out the thedangers we must encounter.
"Far be it from me ever to refuse my sanction to so righteous anobject," he added; "such volunteers as you can obtain may go, and heavenprosper you."
When our design was made known on board the _Saint George_ and_Hampshire_ we might have obtained the whole of the crews of both ships,as well, indeed, as those of the rest of the fleet. On consultingCaptain Blake, however, he advised us to take only fifty men; thirtyfrom the flag-ship and the _Hampshire_, and the remainder from among theothers of the fleet. We calculated that the whole of the warlike partof the population of Tunis would have been summoned to the defence ofthe castles and batteries. It was our intention to land while theaction continued about three miles from the city, at a spot with whichLieutenant Aylett was acquainted, and from thence he know the road tothe residence of the old chief who held our friends captives. We might,he believed, reach the house and be back again to the boats before theDey could gain intelligence of our expedition, and send any force ofstrength sufficient to oppose us. Dick, of course, was of the party,and old Martin was as eager as any of the younger men to go; but wetried to persuade him to remain on board, fearing that the fatigue ofour march would be more than he could endure. He entreated so hard,however, to be allowed to take part in the recovery of Mistress Audreythat we gave way, and with hanger by his side, pistols in his belt, anda musket over his shoulder, he prepared for the expedition.
While the cannonade was still going forward, we put off in two boats,which kept on the larboard side of one of the frigates, despatched forthe service, so that we were unseen from the town. As soon as we hadgot near the landing-place, the frigate tacked and hove to, while we,pulling rapidly in, leaped on shore, and the boats returned to thefrigate, which sailed back as if to rejoin the fleet, but according toorders was ready again to put about to receive us, should our expeditionprove successful, on our return.
Led by Lieutenant Aylett, we set out on our march at as fast a rate asour feet could move. Old Martin kept alongside me, showing the activityof many a younger man; fearing, however, that his strength would fail, Ibegged him to let me carry his musket.
"No, no, Mister Ben," he answered; "I care not, if we get MistressAudrey and Margaret back, whether I fall by the way. I have faced Deathin too many shapes to fear him now."
As to the character of the country through which we passed, I cannotdescribe it. I know that there were palm trees, and prickly pears, andother strange shrubs, and rocks covered with creepers, and here andthere fields of corn and plantations of fruit trees. We saw but fewpeople, and those women, children, or old men, who fled at our approachto hide themselves. Onwards we pushed, regardless of enemies who mightbe gathering behind--eager only to find the captives and to place themin our midst, when we were prepared to fight our way back against anyodds which might oppose us.
My heart bounded as if it would choke me when, on gaining the top of ahill, Lieutenant Aylett exclaimed, pointing ahead--
"There's old Mustapha's house!" but the next instant a sickening feelingcame over me, as I dreaded lest those we hoped to find might have beenremoved. Without halting for an instant, we rushed down the slope, andso divided our force that we might surround the building. Orders hadbeen given that not a shot should be fired lest we should wound ourfriends. In silence we dashed on, until we were close to the gates,when Lieutenant Aylett cried out--
"Open, open; we come as friends."
The bars were withdrawn, the gate swung back, when instead of a turbanedMoor, who should we see but old Margaret! She recognised us at once, aswe grasped hands.
"Where are my father and sister?" exclaimed Lancelot.
"Where is my dear Audrey?" I cried.
Before she could reply there arose such a shrieking and shouting fromthe farther end of the hall that we could scarcely hear her speak.
"Mr Kerridge is there," she at length said, pointing through an openinginto the garden, "and the young ladies are with Mrs Mustapha and theother women who are making all that hubbub there."
"Run, good Margaret, and tell them we are here," I exclaimed, whileLancelot, like a dutiful son, rushed out into the garden in search ofhis father.
Scarcely had he gone than the door at the other end of the hall opened,and two young boys, as they seemed, sprang towards us, followed byMargaret. The next instant I had Audrey in my arms, and was holding thehand of Mistress Cicely. In spite of their disguise and sunburntcheeks, I knew them directly, and in a few words explained how we hadcome to rescue them. They were less astonished than we expected, forthe sound of firing had reached their ears, and they guessed that eitherthe town or pirate ships had been attacked by a foreign squadron.
Margaret was eagerly talking to Martin, whose attention was moreoccupied by Audrey than by what she was saying. The moment his sense ofpropriety would allow, coming forward, he took her hand and poured outthe feelings of his heart at having recovered her.
Before many minutes had passed, the clashing of swords and Lancelot'svoice shouting for assistance reached our ears. Dick, followed byseveral of the men, rushed in the direction he had taken, when theyfound him defending himself from the attack of a sturdy old Moor andthree attendants, who, however, on seeing the British seamenapproaching, took to flight. The sailors pursued, and coming up withthe old Moor we were about to cut him down, when a man with a hoe in hishand sprang out from behind some bushes, exclaiming--
"Spare his life, friends; though he has kept me in slavery, and issomewhat a hard taskmaster, we should return good for evil."
Then, turning to the old Moor, he made a sign to him that he shouldremain quiet while he eagerly questioned the seamen. Lancelot by thistime had come up, and I saw him spring forward and embrace the stranger,who was, I had no doubt, his long-lost father, altho
ugh so greatlychanged that I had not recognised him.
Such he was, but as not a moment could be spared, after a few words hadbeen exchanged, we were summoned by Lieutenant Aylett to commence ourretreat. We did not stop to bid farewell to Mustapha and his family,but placing the two girls with Margaret in our midst, we recommenced ourmarch.
Not a moment did we halt, for we had many miles to travel before wecould reach the water, while at any instant we might be attacked byoverwhelming numbers of enraged Moors.
My fear was that the rescued ones, unaccustomed to rapid walking, mightsink from fatigue, but the joy of having recovered their liberty kept uptheir strength. The firing had ceased, but as we looked towards thecity we could see a cloud of smoke still hanging over it. The lastheight we had to cross was gained. The sea lay before us, when one ofthe men on our left flank shouted out he saw a large body of Moorsapproaching. We all soon saw them, and it seemed doubtful whether wecould reach the boats before they were upon us, but as we pushed on thefrigate came in view, standing close in with the shore, towards whichher guns were directed. The Moors were rushing on, and even at thatdistance we could hear their savage cries, when the frigate opened fireupon them, compelling them to beat a retreat, while we hastened down thehill and gained the boats which had just come in to receive us. Thefrigate was obliged to tack, but before the Moors could return we hadpulled away beyond the range of their muskets. We were soon on boardthe frigate, when our arrival caused no small astonishment as well asdelight, when it was discovered that we had rescued the captives, andstill more so when it was known who they were.
The young ladies, although they had so long worn male attire, were farfrom feeling at ease on finding themselves among their countrymen, andthey entreated to be led below, to avoid the gaze of the seamen.
We should, we feared, have great difficulty in procuring suitablecostumes to enable them to appear with satisfaction in public.
"We must apply to the admiral to help us; he can do everything,"observed Lancelot. "So don't trouble yourself about the matter,Cicely."
As we stood towards the fleet we saw the line-of-battle ships getting uptheir anchors, and making sail away from the shore, from which not a gunwas now fired. One of the boats conveyed our party to the _SaintGeorge_, where the admiral received our friends with the greatestkindness, highly commending us for the way in which we had achieved ourundertaking. We found that he intended to inflict no furtherchastisement on the Dey of Tunis, it being considered that thedestruction of his fleet, the ruin of his forts, and the vast number ofmen who had been slain would induce him to refrain from interfering withEnglish interests in future.
Running along the coast we visited Tripoli, the Dey of which State,taught a lesson by the punishment the ruler of Tunis had received,showed every desire to be on terms of friendship with us. The fleetthen proceeded up the Adriatic to pay the Venetians a friendly visit.
Space does not permit me to describe that curious canal-intersectedcity, where the admiral was received with such honours as are accordedgenerally only to royal persons. Thanks to his generosity, Cicely andAudrey were here supplied with all the requisite articles of femaledress, which were sent on board the day after our arrival, so that theywere able to go on shore in their proper characters, and view thewonders of the city.
Leaving the Adriatic we again came off Tunis, when a white flag was seenflying from the castle of Porto Ferino. The Dey immediately acceded toall our demands, and signed a treaty affording advantageous terms to theEnglish.
Thence we stood across to Malta, where the haughty Templars, havingheard of the way in which our admiral had exacted reparation, not onlyfrom the Grand Duke, but from the Pope himself, at once succumbed anddelivered up the ships and their cargoes of which they had despoiled theEnglish merchants. This matter settled, we sailed across to Algiers,the pirate prince of which State immediately sent a present of cattle onboard the fleet, and undertook to liberate all English captives in hiscountry at a moderate ransom per head, they being, he observed, theproperty of private individuals who had purchased them from others,while he undertook never again to molest English traders. To theseterms the admiral consented, and in a few days a whole fleet of boatscame off, bringing numerous liberated slaves, a large portion of whomhad endured the sorrows of captivity for many years, the amount agreedon being paid over to their late masters.
While we lay close in with the shore, we observed one morning a numberof persons swimming off towards us. Just as they neared the sides ofthe ship, several boats, manned by turbaned Moors, were seen pullingaway in chase of the fugitives, who now, shouting out in Dutch,entreated us to take them on board.
Our seamen, regardless of the savage war we had lately waged with theHollanders, hurried to lower down ropes and to drag the swimmers onboard. Scarcely were they all on deck than the Algerine boats camealongside, and the Moors demanded the fugitives, affirming that theywere their own runaway slaves.
"What!" exclaimed Martin, "give up Christians who have once enjoyed thefreedom of an English man-of-war, even though they may be enemies, topirates and infidels. I don't believe any honest man on board willstand by and see that done. Just bundle the rascally Turks out of theship, and let them know that when once a man steps under our flag he isfree."
The Algerines, with looks of indignation, took their departure, butbefore long they returned with a message from the Dey, insisting on theterms of the new treaty, by which a certain ransom was to be paid forall liberated captives. On hearing this, Martin suggested that asubscription should be raised to pay the ransom of the Dutchmen. A boatbeing sent round from ship to ship, the necessary sum was sooncollected, the admiral himself paying in proportion to his rank. Whilewe lay off Algiers we heard of the fearful massacre of the Protestantsof the Vaudois valley by the soldiers of the Duke of Savoy.
The admiral had received instructions from the Protector to threaten thesouthern coast of France and Piedmont, should the Duke refuse to makeall the reparation in his power. The menace had its due effect, and theDuke gave a pledge not again to interfere with the Christian inhabitantsof those lovely valleys. We sailed for the Straits of Gibraltar,calling on the way at Malaga to obtain water and fresh provisions.While a party of our seamen were on shore at that place, a processioncarrying the Host, with banners and heathenish figures, passed throughthe streets, when they not only refused to bow, but mocked and jeered,at which the mob, urged on by a priest, savagely attacked them and drovethem back to the boats.
On hearing this, the admiral sent a trumpeter on shore demanding, notthat the mob should be punished, but that the priest who had set them onshould be delivered up to him.
The governor replied that such a thing as giving up a Catholic priest toheretics had never been heard of, and that he had no power in the case.
On this the admiral replied, "If I fail to see that said priest on thedeck of the _Saint George_, before the lapse of three hours, I will burnyour city to the ground."
Within the specified time the priest appeared, when the admiral,summoning witnesses from both sides, heard the case, and decided thatthe seamen were wrong in mocking, even at the superstitious observancesof the natives, but that the priest was also wrong in taking the lawinto his own hands, instead of sending on board to complain, when theseamen would have been properly punished.
Satisfied that the priest had been placed at his mercy, the admiral,warning him for the future, sent him safely on shore.
On the fleet reaching Cadiz, the admiral finding that he was expected toremain on the coast of Spain to wait for the Silver fleet, offered MrKerridge and his party a passage home in the _Constant Warwick_, bywhich he was sending off despatches. He at the same time sent Lancelotand me.
"I intend to let you return with your friends, as you require rest afterthe hard work you have gone through," he said in a kind tone. "You mustalso take charge of Martin Shobbrok, whose great age and failingstrength unfits him for active service. Your names will remain on theboo
ks of the _Saint George_, and should any captures be made, you willobtain your due share of prize money."
We were both well-nigh overpowered by the admiral's kindness. Though Idesired to remain with him, I felt unwilling to be again separated fromAudrey as also from Cicely, as between us a warm attachment had sprungup, though I always before looked on her in the light of a sister.
"But you, sir," I observed, "require rest more than any other person inthe fleet."
The admiral smiled faintly as he replied, "While I have life and mycountry requires my services. I must remain afloat."
Of the homeward voyage I will not speak.
Once more the well-known Start appeared in sight, and the _ConstantWarwick_ steering for Lyme, we went on shore, thankful to heaven for oursafe return to our native land.
Mr Kerridge forthwith set about placing his affairs, which had sufferedfrom his long absence, in order, Lancelot and I assisting him.
Cicely promised to be mine when the war was over, as I acknowledged;should the admiral summon me, I could not refuse to go.
My sister Audrey had made the same promise to Lancelot; and the ladiescould not help laughing and archly remarking to one another that"although they had so long worn a certain pair of garments--consideredthe exclusive property of men--they were never again likely to put themon."
In the course of the summer Admiral Blake returned to England, but therewas no repose for him. In spite of his illness, and the suffering heendured from his wound, he was occupied day after day in visiting thedockyards and arsenals, forwarding the building and repairing of ships,and other duties of his station.
The Commonwealth was at war with Spain. Portugal had not fulfilled theterms of her treaty, especially that clause which secured the Englishfrom the supervision of the diabolical Inquisition, and other nationswere only waiting an opportunity to draw the sword against her.
Another fleet was consequently fitted out, and Admiral Blake, who hadhoisted his flag on board the _Naseby_, sent the summons Lancelot and Ihad expected to join her.
The admiral looked pale and ill, yet his spirits were as high as ever,and as the fleet sailed down Channel, and the white cliffs of OldEngland faded from sight, we little thought that he, our beloved chief,had looked his last on the land he loved so dearly.
I can but give a brief account of the important services rendered duringthe long cruise we had now commenced.
Passing down the coast of Portugal, the admiral sent a frigate up theTagus, demanding of the King of Portugal a complete fulfilment of theclauses of the late treaty. The effect of the message was satisfactoryin the extreme. Every clause was agreed to, and among others the rightof Englishmen to have Bibles and Protestant books in their houses,without thereby infringing the laws of the country.
Without stopping we pressed on to Cadiz, looking out for the Silverfleet, which had not arrived.
We here encountered a fearful storm, by which several of our ships weredamaged and compelled to return home, but yet the Spaniards would notventure out of port to fight us; and the admiral, leaving CaptainStayner in the _Speaker_, and six other ships to watch in the bay,sailed for Malaga, on which town we inflicted condign punishment inconsequence of the assistance the people had afforded to a Genoese andto a Sicilian galley which had taken part with the Spaniards against us.
On our return to Cadiz, we found to our infinite satisfaction thatCaptain Stayner's squadron had fallen in with the first division of theSilver fleet, and had sunk or captured every galleon containing treasureof immense value.
In the hopes of encountering the second division, the admiral remainedat sea the whole winter off Cadiz, notwithstanding the heavy gales weencountered. We were absent from our post a short time, during which wecame off Algiers to settle a dispute with the Dey, who, not forgettingthe punishment inflicted on Tunis, yielded to our demands without ashot.
On our return towards the Straits, we relieved Tangiers, then aPortuguese settlement, closely invested by the Moors, whom our gunsdrove away and dispersed. Returning to Cadiz we again endeavoured, butin vain, to draw out the Spanish fleet, and while we lay off and on theharbour, news came from undoubted sources that the second Silver fleet,hearing of the disaster to the first, was afraid of continuing thehomeward voyage, and had put into Santa Cruz, a port of one of theCanary Islands.
Thither the admiral resolved to sail with his fleet, now numbering byarrivals from England about twenty-five large ships and frigates.
On the morning of the 19th of April, 1657, the frigate sent on aheadbrought intelligence that the Silver fleet, together with severalmen-of-war and merchant vessels, were at anchor in the bay of SantaCruz, guarded by castles and batteries of immense strength.Notwithstanding, the wind being favourable, the admiral resolved toattack at once, and the fleet under all sail stood in, Rear-admiralStayner, with a portion, being directed to assail the galleons, whilethe admiral himself assaulted the batteries.
The Spaniards, their ships formed in a semicircle, believing that ourdefeat was certain, opened a tremendous fire, which every British shipreturned with terrible effect to the enemy.
In a few minutes the action became general, equalling in fury any whichwe had ever fought. So well was our artillery plied, that many of theguns in the castles and batteries were ere long silenced, when, leavinga few frigates to keep them in play, the admiral sailed on to theassistance of the gallant Stayner, and now with our united guns weplayed havoc among the Spaniards. Ship after ship was set on fire,while two proud galleons had already sunk, and by two o'clock of thateventful day not a mast remained above water--the whole of the Silverfleet was destroyed.
No sooner was the work performed than the wind shifted to thesouth-west, enabling every one of our ships to sail out again, beyondrange of the castle guns. Not one was missing, and we had only fiftymen killed and a hundred and fifty wounded in this most gallant exploit.
Some of the most damaged ships were sent home, while we returned to thecoast of Spain, where we found the Spaniards eager to make peace inorder to avoid future disasters.
Thence we sailed for Salee, to compel the corsairs of that State torestore their Christian captives to freedom. At the appearance of ourred-cross banner the Moorish chief sent an envoy on board, promising tocomply with all the admiral's demands. In one week every Christiancaptive in the country was on board our ships. Water and suchprovisions as we required had been received, and a treaty of peace hadbeen signed, but, alas! we who were with him saw that the admiral's dayswere numbered.
After looking into the Tagus, our canvas was spread for England.Onwards we pressed under all sail. Often during the voyage he expressedthe hope that he might see again his native land. The Lizard wassighted. Soon Ram Head was rounded, and an officer from the deck cameinto the cabin to announce to us, who with sad hearts were standinground the death-bed of our beloved chief, that Plymouth itself was insight.
Stretching out his arms, he sought to rise, but his strength had failed.His eyes gazed upwards, his lips murmured a prayer, and then, when,from the expression of his noble countenance, we saw that his spirit hadfled, even the stoutest-hearted amongst us burst into tears, sobbinglike little children. Deep, honest grief was marked on the faces of thevast crowds which had gathered on the shores to welcome the returninghero.
I need not speak of the magnificent funeral ordered by the Protector tolay at rest in Westminster Abbey the honoured remains of the greatest ofEngland's admirals.
Among the mourners stood a grey-haired veteran, leaning on a staff tosupport his tottering steps.
"Alack, alack! Master Ben, it is a sad day, and little did my eyes wishto see it," murmured Martin. "I followed his father to the grave, butlittle did I expect to outlive his noble son. I knows, howsumdever,that it won't be for long, and I am ready, when the Lord wills, todepart."
Old Martin's words were prophetic. He returned with Lancelot and I toLyme, and in a few days the old sailor took to his bed, from which henever rose. We mourned for
him sincerely, feeling that we had lost atrue and faithful friend. But he was spared from witnessing thedegradation of our country.
Three years passed. The great Protector himself was dead. His son hadretired into private life, and Charles Stuart came back to gain eternalinfamy by a thousand vile deeds, not the least among which was to orderthe body of the great admiral to be exhumed and to be cast into a holedug near the back door of one of the prebendaries of the abbey.
After the death of my patron, I for a short time only went to sea.Dick, who had hitherto remained afloat, came back to be present whenLancelot and I married, and having himself taken a wife, he settled nearus in the neighbourhood of Lyme. It was not from lack of my talking ofthem if our children were not well versed in the deeds of the greatadmiral which I have briefly narrated in the preceding pages.
THE END.
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