CHAPTER EIGHT.
The effect of the severe, though just, punishment inflicted on theboat's crew who had misbehaved themselves under the command of Lord FitzBarry was to produce much ill-will among a considerable number of thecrew, increased, as before, by Higson's instigations. The officers werenot aware, however, of what was taking place. The men, althoughsometimes exhibiting sulky looks when ordered about their duty,continued to perform it as usual. The two young volunteers, itappeared, had been better brought up than the generality of seamen.Both, from their earliest days, had been accustomed to offer up a prayerbefore turning in at night. This practice on board a man-of-war it wasvery difficult, if not almost impossible, to keep up. They agreed,however, that they would steal down when they could to the fore-part ofthe orlop deck, and there, in a quiet corner near the boatswain'sstore-room, they might have the opportunity of kneeling down together,and offering up their prayers in silence. This practice they hadcontinued unsuspected for some time. In those days such a thing wasalmost unheard of on board a man-of-war. At the present time, however,there are not only many praying seamen on board ship, but prayermeetings are often held, and a very considerable number of some ships'crews are now able to join them. On one occasion, after it had beenblowing hard, and the lads had been aloft for a considerable time, theywere both very weary, and after kneeling down and offering up theirprayers as usual, they leaned back, sitting on the coils of a cable,with the intention of talking together. In a short time, however, bothfell asleep. How long they slept they did not know, but they were awokeby hearing voices near them. Without difficulty they recognised thespeakers. Higson was among the principal of them. They listenedattentively. Had they been discovered, they felt sure, from what theyheard, that their lives would have paid the forfeit. It was proposed toseize the ship and put the officers on shore, or should they offer anyresistance to kill them, as had in another instance been done, and thenafter going on a buccaneering cruise, to carry the ship into an Americanport and sell her, the men hoping to get on shore to enjoy theirill-gotten booty.
A few years before this a large portion of the English fleet hadmutinied, but they had had many causes of complaint; still their crimewas inexcusable. Most of the ringleaders suffered punishment, and thecrews were pardoned. This lesson seemed to be lost, however, uponHigson and his associates. They had inflamed each other's minds withdescriptions of the pleasures they would enjoy on shore, and of thehardships they had at present to undergo. The young lads dared notmove. Every moment they expected to be discovered. Some of themutineers, more sanguine than the rest, expressed their determination towreak their vengeance upon those who had chiefly offended them, andyoung Lord Fitz Barry, with several others, were singled out to undergothe punishment of death. The first lieutenant also was to be amongtheir victims. The lads could not tell what hour it was, nor how longthey would have to remain in their present position. They dreaded thatthe mutineers would instantly go on deck and carry out their nefariousplans. Young Denham's chief wish was to hurry off and warn those whohad been chiefly threatened. "If the officers have time to show a boldfront, the men will not dare to act against them," he thought; "but ifthey are taken by surprise, the mutineers will treat them as wild beaststreat the animals which they have caught in their clutches, and will besure to tear them in pieces. If they once get the upper hand, they willkill them all, just as they did in the ship I have heard of, whenscarcely one officer was allowed to escape." At length they heard themorning watch called, and not till then did the mutineers leave theplace. The lads waited till they believed that everybody was on deck,and then cautiously climbing up the ladder, stole away to their ownhammocks. As the middle watch was only then turning in, they were notobserved, and they lay there till they concluded that all thosesurrounding them had gone to sleep. Denham then proposed going andwarning the officers. Ned Davis begged that he himself might go.
"No," said Denham, "I will go alone and tell the commander what I haveheard."
Denham had scarcely got as far as the door of the captain's cabin, nowoccupied by the first lieutenant, when the sentry stopped him.
"You cannot pass here," he said, putting him back as he, in hiseagerness, pressed on.
"But I tell you I have a matter of importance to speak to the commanderabout," said Denham boldly. "It will be at your own risk if you stopme."
"You can tell one of the other officers in the gun-room," said thesentry.
"No; it is for the commanding officer alone," responded Denham. "I willspeak to him only."
Just then the first lieutenant himself appeared at the door.
"I want to speak to you, sir," said Denham eagerly.
"Come in. What is it about?" inquired the first lieutenant.
"If you will go where no one else will hear me, I will tell you, sir."
The lieutenant retired into the inner cabin.
"Now, what is it, my lad?" he asked.
Denham then told him of the plot to which he had become privy, fortaking the ship from the officers. In later days such information wouldhave been laughed at, but unhappily in those days such occurrences hadbecome too frequent to allow the commanding officer to disbelieve hisstatements.
"Stay here, my lad," said the first lieutenant, "if you go forwardagain, and the men suspect you of having informed against them, you willbe among the first victims."
Arming himself with a brace of pistols, and taking his sword in hishand, he went into the gun-room. He here aroused the officers, andtelling them what he had heard, ordered them immediately to repair ondeck, sending some of them to call up the midshipmen and the warrantofficers. The marines were then ordered to muster on deck under arms,while several of the petty officers whom it was known could be trustedwere also called aft; a guard was then placed over the magazine, and thetwo after guns were hauled in and trained forward. These preparationswere made so suddenly and so quietly that even the watch on deck werescarcely aware of what was going forward. There was no time to lose,for while those preparations were going on, Ned Davis, who had been onthe watch, made his way aft with the information that a number of themen were collecting together forward, armed with all the weapons theycould lay hold of, and that from the threats they were uttering theyevidently intended to make a sudden dash aft, in the expectation ofsurprising the officers before they had left their berths. It was veryevident that they would have done so had it not been for the warningconveyed by Denham.
When the sun, as it does in those latitudes, suddenly burst above thewaters, and darkness rapidly gave place to daylight, the officers andthe marines were found drawn up on the quarter-deck, and the mutineerswho, at that moment, made a sudden rush aft along the main deck, foundthemselves confronted by a body of marines, who issued from thegun-room; others who came along the upper deck also saw that their plotwas discovered, and that they had not a hope of success. The drum thenbeat to quarters, and all hands were summoned on deck. The firstlieutenant now stepping forward, exclaimed, "What is it you want, mylads? if you are treated with injustice, say so. If you have anythingelse to complain of, let me know, but, as you see, your mutinousintentions are discovered, and let me tell you that those who are guiltywill receive the punishment which they merit." Not a man spoke inreturn for some time. At length several coming aft, declared they knewnothing about the intentions of the rest, when it was found that themutineers consisted chiefly of the Irish rebels who had been put onboard at Cork, and of a few smugglers and gaol-birds who had been wonover by Higson.
"Some of you will grace the yard-arm before long," observed the firstlieutenant, "but I intend to give you another trial. I have no wishthat any man should die for this day's work, however richly some of youmay deserve it. Those who prove faithful to their duty will find thatthey are rewarded, and those who act as traitors to their king andcountry will discover, too late, that they will not go unpunished. Nowpipe below."
The mutiny which at first threatened such serious consequences
, by thedetermination of the first lieutenant was then happily quelled, and theship soon after returned to Port Royal. Here Captain Falkner was foundsufficiently recovered to resume his command. The men soon discoveredthat he had been informed of the mutiny. He told the men so in veryexplicit terms. Adding--
"You have brought disgrace on yourselves, men, and on the ship, in a waywhich makes me ashamed of you, but I hope before long, that we shallfall in with an enemy, and that then I shall find you wipe it out, bythe gallantry of your conduct." The men on hearing these words, cheeredtheir captain, and from that day forth he had no cause to complain ofthe general conduct of the ship's company. They were continually on thelook-out for an enemy's cruiser. Several merchant vessels were takenand sent into port, and a small brig-of-war was captured, without havingfired a shot in her own defence. The midshipmen were always encouragedby their captain to exercise themselves by running aloft over themasthead, and sliding down by the different ropes which led on deck.Sometimes the game of follow my leader was played; the most active ladleading the way. Now to the mizen-mast-head, next to themain-topgallant-mast-head, and so on to the foremast, and finally,perhaps down to the bowsprit end. Now like monkeys, they were seen torun out on the yard-arms, and it seemed wonderful that they could, atthe rate they went, escape falling. On one occasion, during a game,both the midshipmen and the ship's boys were thus amusing themselves.Several of the top-men were on the main-top-mast yard. A sudden splashwas heard. "A man overboard!" was the cry. Quick as lightning a ship'sboy was seen gliding down a backstay. As he touched thehammock-nettings, instead of jumping down on deck, he plunged overboard.
"A shark! a shark!" was heard, uttered in tones of horror by severalvoices on deck. The order was given to lower a boat. Gratings and oarsand spars were hove overboard. A short way from the ship, a young fairface was seen floating upwards, while Charles Denham, who it appearedhad sprung overboard, was striking out rapidly towards him. Theattention of all on board was directed to the spot. Had it not been forfear of the voracious monster of the deep, many might have jumpedoverboard to assist, still they shouted and kept throwing in things, todistract, if possible, the attention of the shark, from the lad in thewater. Denham knowing well the enemy he had to contend with, continuedstriking the water with all his might with his feet, as he swam forward,shouting at the same time. But young Lord Fitz Barry, for it was he whohad tumbled overboard, lay perfectly unconscious, and it seemed tooprobable would become a prey to the monster. Already its dark fin wasseen not far off, but the boat had now touched the water, and an eagercrew was pulling towards the lads. Denham's hand was already under thehead of the young lord, whom he supported, while he struck out with hisfeet and other hand. A shark, however ferocious, will seldom attack aperson who is in constant movement, and by his shouts and splashing,Denham thus contrived to keep the monster at a distance. The boatapproached. Those in the bows leant over to drag in the young lord.
"Never mind me," exclaimed Denham, as he helped to lift him into theboat.
"But we must mind you," answered a man, "or that brute will have youeven now."
Denham's hands were on the gunnel of the boat, when the black fin, at ashort distance off, disappeared under the water. A strong, tall topmanwas standing in the boat. He leaned over, and seizing Denham in hisarms lifted him up; but scarcely had his feet got above the surface,when the monster's enormous pair of jaws were seen to rise close to it.Young Denham was saved, but few have run a greater risk of losing theirlives. In the meantime the young lord lay unconscious in the bow of theboat.
"We must get him on board at once," exclaimed the officer who had comein her. "He is alive though, and must be put under the doctor's care."
The boat immediately returned on board.
It was found that Lord Fitz Barry had fallen upon his side when droppinginto the water, and that the whole of that part of his body was for thetime paralysed. Still, in a short time he returned to consciousness,but some time elapsed before he had recovered. His chief anxiety seemedto be to express his gratitude to the lad who had saved him. Denhammodestly replied that he had only done his duty, though he was notinsensible of the young lord's kind feelings.
When Lord Fitz Barry was sufficiently recovered the captain invited him,as was the custom, to dine at his table, and the subject of his fall wasalluded to.
"If you can do me a favour, sir," he observed, "and in any way rewardthe boy who saved my life, I should indeed be grateful. There issomething in him which prevents me from venturing to offer him money. Iam sure he would prize promotion of some sort more than anything else.He seems to me as he walks the deck to be superior to all the otherlads, and to be more like a gentleman than any of them."
"We will keep an eye on him, Fitz Barry," answered the captain, with asmile. "I have watched him on many occasions; and if I understandrightly, this is not the first time he has rendered you a service. Whatdo you say? Shall we place him on the quarter-deck? What would yourmessmates say to that?"
"There is not one of them who would not be pleased, sir," answered theyoung lord. "They all think well of him; and since that boat affair,when, I believe, if it had not have been for him, those villains wouldhave hurled me overboard, they have all wished that he would get somereward."
"He was the lad, sir, who gave me the information of the intendedmutiny, so that really, I believe, he was the means of preserving allour lives, and preventing fearful disgrace being brought upon theservice," observed the first lieutenant.
"Well, I do not like to make such promotions in a hurry," answered thecaptain; "but from what I have heard of the lad, if he is found topossess a fair amount of education, I shall be very glad to offer himthe opportunity of being placed on the quarter-deck."
"But he looks to me such a clever fellow," said Lord Fitz Barry, "that Iam sure he would soon learn to read and write, if he cannot now."
The captain talked the matter over for some time with the firstlieutenant, and it was arranged that the young volunteer shouldforthwith be placed in the midshipman's berth. To Fitz Barry's infinitesatisfaction, next morning, after divisions, while all the officers wereassembled on the quarter-deck, Charles Denham was summoned aft.
"Charles Denham is, I believe, your name," said the captain. "You haveon more than one occasion done good service since you joined this ship,besides which, your general conduct is unexceptionable. The other day,at the risk of your own life, you saved that of young Lord Fitz Barry.Now, I believe, had it been the youngest boy in the ship, you would havedone the same; but Lord Fitz Barry is very anxious, as I am, that youshould receive some mark to show you that your conduct is appreciated.He is not able to reward you himself, I therefore ask you whether forthe future you would like to walk the quarter-deck as an officer.Through his Majesty's bounty you will have the means of doing so, and Ishall have myself the satisfaction of aiding you to support your newrank. To no one else need you be indebted, and I hope in a short timethat you will, by obtaining promotion, be independent of any aid beyondwhat you yourself can obtain."
Then turning to the midshipmen, he asked them whether they would be gladto receive the young sailor among them as a messmate. Three cheers wasthe answer given by the warm-hearted lads.
"We are very sure that he will not only do us credit, but gain honourfor our berth," exclaimed several of them; and again they cheered theirnew messmate warmly.
It would be impossible to describe Denham's feelings, and perhaps fewamong them knew how anxious he had been to obtain the rank which was nowbestowed upon him. But few days had passed since Denham had put on auniform, and walked the quarter-deck as a midshipman, and yet in mannerand appearance he was fully equal to any of his messmates. He carriedon all his duties with the air of a young officer, and evidentlyunderstood them thoroughly. By his manners and conduct on alloccasions, he quickly won his way in the esteem of his messmates, whilehis rise did not excite the envy of those below him. Ned Davis did notappear to wish to leav
e the position he himself occupied. Indeed, heseemed rather anxious to be an humble follower of the young midshipmanthan to be raised to an equality with him.
Some months had passed away, and several very gallant actions had beenperformed by the officers and crew of the _Cynthia_, mostly incutting-out expeditions, when Denham behaved with great gallantry. Ashe was much stronger, and more active than Fitz Barry, he alwaysconstituted himself the protector of the young lord whenever it was hisduty to take a part in any of these expeditions.
On one occasion the frigate was off one of the French islands, and in aharbour protected by a fort on either side, several privateers and otherarmed vessels were discovered at anchor. As they were craft likely todo much damage to English merchant shipping, Captain Falkner resolved,though it was an undertaking of considerable risk, to cut them out. Hestood off from the land towards evening, so as to give the Frenchmen theidea that he had gone away altogether. As evening approached, however,he once more stood back for the harbour. They hoped to avoid theobservations of the sentries in the forts. Full directions were givento officers in charge of each boat. The larger vessels were to beassailed first, and two boats were to board one vessel on either quarterat the same moment. Mr Evans had directed Denham to attack the samevessel that he proposed boarding. There were six boats, so that threeprivateers would be attacked simultaneously. Mr Evans judged, by thismeans, that the enemy's attention being distracted, they would beprevented from coming to each other's assistance. A light breeze blewout of the harbour, which would enable them, as soon as the cables werecut, to carry the vessels off without difficulty. Not a word wasspoken. The muffled oars sent forth no sound till the boats pulled upbefore the forts. Denham's heart beat high. He knew that he should nowhave an opportunity of distinguishing himself, especially under the eyeof the first lieutenant, who had hitherto always proved his friend.Gradually, through the gloom of night, the masts and spars of thevessels to be attacked rose up before them. Leaving the line, hefollowed the boat of the first lieutenant towards a large brig which laymoored furthest out in the harbour. They were on the point of hookingon when shouts arose from her deck. They found that they werediscovered; but this did not hinder them from an attempt to board.Before the Frenchmen could tell which part of the vessel they were aboutto attack, they sprang up the sides of the brig, and threw themselves onboard. Part of the French crew having had no time to arm themselves,fled before them to the fore-part of the vessel, where, however, havingrallied, they again rushed aft, and a furious hand-to-hand encountertook place. Fitz Barry had followed Denham on board, and the younglord, pistol in hand, was advancing by the side of his messmate. Led byMr Evans, the English crew dashed forward till they reached theforecastle, where the French, apparently determined to resist to thelast, fought bravely. Once more they pushed the English hard.Pistol-shots were rapidly exchanged, and the clash of cutlasses washeard, echoed from the decks of the other vessels, which were now alsofiercely attacked. Some of the French crew who had gone down below nowappeared on deck fully armed, and it appeared very doubtful whether evenEnglish courage, and English determination, would succeed in overcomingthe enemy. The struggle continued. Again the enemy, led by a hugeFrenchman, who appeared to be one of their officers, drove back theEnglish some feet along the deck. He had singled out Mr Evans, thefirst lieutenant, apparently with the intention of cutting him down,being evidently himself a first-rate swordsman. Already the Englishlieutenant's guard was thrown down, and the Frenchman had lifted hiscutlass and was about to bring it down on his head, when Denham sprangforward and discharged his pistol at the Frenchman. The bullet struckhim on the right arm and the weapon fell to the deck. Mr Evans,recovering his sword, gave him a thrust, which sent him backwards amonghis men. The fall of their leader discouraged the French, who givingway, the English found themselves in possession of the brig. The cable,as had been agreed upon, was immediately cut. Hands were sent aloft toloose the fore-topsail, and the head of the prize coming round, she wassteered out towards the mouth of the harbour. Denham now had time tolook around and ascertain what had become of Lord Fitz Barry, who wasnowhere to be seen. He made inquiries of the men to learn when they hadlast seen him. No one knew. They had observed him on deck standingclose to his brother midshipman, but after that, no one could give anaccount of him. Denham began to be greatly alarmed, fearing that theyoung lord had been thrown overboard, or that he might in the melee havefallen down below; but at that moment he was unable to make any furtherinquiries; for, as the mouth of the harbour was approached, the forts oneither side opened their fire on the prize. Although the brig offered abetter mark than the boats would have done, still, as the nightcontinued very dark, and no noise was made on board, the gunners in theforts could not ascertain in which direction to fire. The Frenchprisoners were as eager as the English to keep quiet, because the shotswhich fell on board were as likely to injure them as to hurt theircaptors. The same reason perhaps prevented them from attempting toregain the vessel while the English were engaged in steering her out ofthe harbour. At length she was got clear and stood for the frigate,which now showed a bright light for her guidance; the firing havinggiven her notice that the exploit had been attempted, although CaptainFalkner, at that time, could not have told whether it had beensuccessful or not. Mr Evans now directed that the lantern should belighted, in order that the French prisoners might be secured, and thatit might be seen what damage had been done to the vessel. While goinground the decks with a lantern, Denham discovered between the guns theform of his young messmate. A feeling of dread came over his heart.Could he have been killed and fallen down there? He lifted him up, andanxiously examined his countenance.
"Speak, speak. Fitz Barry," he exclaimed eagerly. "Do tell me if youare hurt, or where you have been wounded."
"Yes, I am hurt, somewhat badly I am afraid," answered Fitz Barry, atlength, in a faint voice. "I was thrown down there by the Frenchmen wewere fighting with, and I was unable after that to move. I did not liketo cry out, remembering that we were passing the fort; and soon afterthat, I suppose, I fainted."
"I thank heaven that you are able to speak thus," said Denham, "and weshall soon be on board the frigate, and the doctor will look to yourhurts."
Mr Evans had the satisfaction of observing two other vessels followinghim out of the harbour, while a bright light which burst forth some wayup it showed that the other boats had had time to set some merchantmenon fire. War is a fearful thing at all times, but more sad even is itwhen it compels the destruction of private property.
No one, however, would have objected to the destruction of privateers.It is pretty well agreed they partake more of the character of piratesthan honourable combatants; their only object is to rob the merchantmenof the enemy, so as to become themselves the possessors of their richfreight. They do not fight for honour or glory, and they care as littlefor the good of their country. It is true, however, that theprivateers, by injuring the commerce of the enemy, frequently make thatenemy more anxious to come to terms, but in most cases both parties areengaged in the same infamous system; both equally suffer, and bothincrease the horrors and sufferings of warfare.
When morning dawned, the prizes were found collected round the frigate.Denham's first care was to get the wounded young midshipman conveyed onboard, that the doctor might immediately look at his hurts. He did notattempt to conceal his sorrow and anxiety. He seemed to feel that itwas from his carelessness by some means or other the poor lad had beeninjured. Mr Evans had a very different account to give of him,however, and at once generously informed Captain Falkner that it was tohis nerve and courage that he himself owed his life.
The Frenchmen were removed on board the frigate, and an English prizecrew being placed on board each of the prizes, they and their captorsteered a course for Jamaica. Captain Falkner offered to place Denhamin command of one of the prizes, but his anxiety for young Lord FitzBarry made him beg that he might be allowed to remain on board thefrigate
.
A considerable time had passed since the arrival of the _Cynthia_ on thestation. A season dreaded by all navigators of those seas was nowapproaching--the hurricane season. Fearful is the devastation oftenproduced on shore and on the ocean at that period. Not many yearsbefore several line of battle ships and other vessels had eitherfoundered with their crews, or had been driven on shore, where thelarger number of the men belonging to them had perished. CaptainFalkner was anxious, therefore, to get back without delay to Port Royalharbour. They were, however, within a couple of days' sail of Jamaicawhen the frigate was becalmed; during the middle of the day, although athick mist overspread the sky and hid the rays of the sun, the heat wasexcessive. Below the ship was like an oven, on deck not a breath of airwas to be obtained. The men, in their white shirts and trousers, movedlanguidly about, literally gasping for breath. The sails hung uselesslydown against the masts, and the frigate's head went slowly round andround, now pointing in one direction and now in another, though it wasdifficult to say by what power she was moved.
The heat affected young Barry greatly. Denham sat by his side wheneverhe could leave his duty on deck, anxiously watching his friend. NedDavis also came where the wounded midshipman lay, and begged that hemight be allowed to take Denham's place by his side. It was curious toobserve how Denham had won the lad's affection and admiration. Thereseemed to have been no previous tie between them; they had met, it wasunderstood, for the first time as shipmates on board the merchantmanfrom which they had volunteered, and it was possible neither of themknew much about each other's previous history. No nurse could haveadministered the medicine prescribed by the doctor with more care andregularity than did Denham and his volunteer assistant.
"I hope I shall not die," said Fitz Barry, taking his hand, "I want verymuch again to see my kind father, and my dear little sister Nora, whom Ihave told you about, and my cousin Sophy; and do you know, I think Ishall see them before long. The last letter I got from home, my fathertold me that he expected to obtain an appointment as governor of one ofthe West India islands. It is not a thing he would have accepted underordinary circumstances, but the truth is, I suspect, that it has beenvery expensive living in Ireland for the last few years, and he thinksit will be wise to economise a little. I do not know much about thesethings; he has supplied me liberally with money, and that is all I haveto think about. I believe Captain Falkner expects to see him out here,for he spoke of him the other day, and you know, I do not mind tellingyou, that I believe our skipper is going to marry Sophy one of thesedays. I am sure you would like her and my sister if you ever were tosee them. I do not know which you would like best. Nora is a verysweet little girl, or at least, by the bye, she must have grown since Ileft home a good deal. She is older than I am rather, and so fair andgentle, but she has not the spirit of Sophy, or her cleverness; Sophy isa wonderfully clever girl, she draws so well. She used to make suchbeautiful portraits of people. However, I must not praise her too much,or you may possibly be disappointed."
Denham told Fitz Barry that he should very much like to be introduced tohis relations; "but you know," he observed, "I am afraid they will thinkvery little of me when they hear that I was a boy before the mast. Itell you, Barry, we are messmates, and therefore it is right that weshould be equal; but from what I have learned, that will not do onshore; people think there a good deal about the difference of rank, andif I was to make my appearance among some of those great people, theymight treat me in a way that I should not at all like. I have becomevery proud, I am afraid, since I have been placed on the quarter-deck,not for myself, perhaps, so much, but for the honour of the rank I bear,for the cloth, even though I am as yet but a midshipman."
Fitz Barry smiled faintly, and answered languidly, "O, no fear of that;I am sure my father and Sophy are not a bit proud; and as to Nora, Idon't think she has a particle of that sort of thing in her; so whenthey come, you must promise to let me make you known to them."
Denham did not wish to appear to refuse his friend, at the same time heresolved not in any way to push himself forward. The conversationappeared to be doing Fitz Barry good. Though severely injured by thethrust of a pike in his side, and a blow on his head, which had knockedhim down, the doctor assured Captain Falkner that he did not considerthe boy's life in any peril.
Captain Falkner and Mr Evans were holding a consultation on the deck.Directly afterwards the latter shouted, "All hands on deck, and shortensail."
The men came rapidly tumbling up from below, some looking roundastonished at hearing the order, seeing that the dog-vane was stillhanging up and down the rigging. They sprang immediately aloft and thesails were rapidly furled.
"Starboard the helm," shouted the lieutenant, gazing round the horizonas he did so. "Closely reef the fore-topsail," he added; "man thefore-topsail braces."
The fore-topsail was the only sail now set. At that instant a dark linewas seen sweeping rapidly over the water. As it approached it seemed torise as it were above the surface and break into feathery-topped seas.On it came. A fierce blast struck the ship on the starboard side, andshe heeled over till the guns on the other side dipped in the water.Quickly recovering herself, however, the fore-topsail being braced sharpup, her head "paid off" before the wind. Once more the topsail wassquared, and away she flew before the wind. Wonderful was the change.A few minutes before the sea appeared as smooth as polished glass; nowit was one mass of broken waves, leaping and dancing madly around. Onflew the frigate. The captain and master went below to examine thechart, and to see the direction in which she was driving. It might haveavailed them little, however, for it seemed impossible to steer herduring the fierce gale which blew in any other direction than directlybefore it. On she went, the wind rapidly increasing; the seas rosehigher and higher, and in a short time a fierce hurricane was raging.The stern-ports were secured, the hatches were battened down, and everypreparation made to prepare her for the worst. Probably in a short timeshe would not be able to run before the gale.
"We have a clear sea before us," observed the captain to the master, asthey leaned over the chart to which the former pointed; "that, unlessthe wind shifts, gives us a better hope of escaping. The ship, too,considering the number of years she has been at sea, is in a good state,and I do not think we need fear her springing a leak."
The master seemed to agree with Captain Falkner, and once more theytogether returned on deck.
Denham, all the time he had been in the West Indies, had neverencountered such a hurricane. He gazed with admiration, allied withawe, on the vast seas which now rose up on every side around them. Thestout frigate was tossed about as if she had been a cockle-shell, yet onshe flew unharmed, now sinking into the deep trough of the sea, nowrising to the summit of a mountainous billow.
"I wish Fitz Barry had been able to come on deck; he was saying theother day how he should like to witness a real hurricane," he observedto one of his messmates.
"Oh, Fitz Barry fancies a great many things; but I wonder whether hewould like the reality of this," was the answer.
"He has as brave and true a heart as ever lived," answered Denhamwarmly. "Depend upon it, there is more in him than some of yousuppose."
"Considering that he is a lord he is all very well," answered Denham'smessmate. "In my opinion he has been over-petted and spoiled."
The frigate flew onward on her course. Provided none of her rigginggave way, and no leak was sprung, it seemed probable she would escapewithout any misfortune. But everything at the present moment appearedto depend upon the rigging and the seaworthiness of her hull. Still thecaptain and his officers often looked anxiously around. The fury of thehurricane was evidently increasing; it had not yet got to its height.The fore-topsail had hitherto stood, but as it tugged and tugged away itseemed as if it would fly from the bolt-ropes. The first lieutenantanxiously watched it. Should it be carried away it was scarcelypossible that another could be set, and though the ship might still scudunder bare poles, there
was a great risk of her broaching to, and if so,the seas breaking over her sides might disable her completely. Suddenlythere was a loud clap like that of thunder, and what looked for themoment like a white cloud was seen carried away before the blast. Itwas the fore-topsail which had been blown from the bolt-ropes. The fewshreds that remained were quickly wrapped round and round the yard,whence it would be no easy matter to cut them. Still the ship went onunder bare poles. At length night approached, and as darkness came onthe danger was greatly increased. Even flying as she was before thewind those on board could scarcely keep their feet, and more than oneremarked, "What must it be for poor people on shore? Why, half theplantations in Jamaica will be carried away."
"Worse still for those at sea who are on a lee shore," observed MrEvans. "Let us pray that we may not find ourselves in that position."
The men generally behaved very well during the awful scene, but therewere some skulkers who went below to hide themselves away. Among themwas John Higson. He had been bold and boasting in fine weather, but henow showed himself to be the coward he really was. The secondlieutenant, going his rounds on the lower deck, found him stowed away,hoping to be out of sight, with two or three others of the samecharacter. He instantly ordered them up on deck to do their duty,though they very unwillingly obeyed.
"Do you think that the hurricane will soon be over, master?" askedCaptain Falkner.
"Not for some hours, I fear," answered the master. "I have known such aone as this last twenty-four hours at least, and wonderful was themischief it did in that time. However, as long as we can keep her frombroaching to, we shall do well enough."
While he was speaking there was a fearful crash. Loud shrieks wereheard. The main-yard had been carried from the slings, as it fellcrushing several persons who stood below it.
Several of their messmates rushed to the spot to aid them. Four or fivewere killed, and others were sadly mangled. Still the frigate drove on.
"A sail ahead," shouted the look-out.
Glasses were turned in that direction, and a large ship was seen nowsinking in the trough of the sea, now rising to the summit of the waves.
"She is a line-of-battle ship, I think," said Mr Evans to CaptainFalkner, "and from the way she is rolling I fear she is in a badcondition."
The blast which had carried away the frigate's main-yard appeared to bethe last effort of the hurricane. The wind began to subside almost asrapidly as it commenced. In a short time, although the sea continuedraging fiercely, the wind had dropped to a moderate gale. The wreck ofthe yard having been cleared away, sail was once more made on thefrigate, and she steered towards the line-of-battle ship. As sheapproached every indication was observed that she had suffered fearfullyin the hurricane. Her ensign was hoisted reversed. The bowsprit andfore-topmast were gone, as was the mizen topmast, while it seemed as ifin an instant the main-topmast would follow the other masts. All thequarter boats seemed to have been carried away, and as the frigate drewnearer a signal was hoisted, which, on being interpreted, was--
"Come as close as you can; we have passengers on board, and areexpecting every instant to go down."
The roughness of the sea rendered the passage of boats between the twoships very dangerous. Still Captain Falkner determined to risk themwith the ordinary boats' crews; though, in such cases, volunteers areoften called for. He immediately answered the signal--
"We will send boats; be prepared to lower your passengers into them."
The first and second lieutenants went each to take command of a boat,and Denham was directed to take charge of one in the place of one of theother officers who was ill. While the boats were passing between thetwo ships, two men were employed in each to bale out the water whichbroke into them.
The Heir of Kilfinnan: A Tale of the Shore and Ocean Page 8