CHAPTER THREE.
Several months had passed away, during which Stephen Battiscombe andRoger Willoughby had performed their duties in the counting-house atBristol much to the satisfaction of their employers. Roger had notabandoned his wish of going to sea, though he was too wise to give uphis present situation till a good opportunity should offer. He had,while passing along the quay, observed a house with a large woodenquadrant over the door, and on inquiry he found that a certainmaster-mariner, Captain Trickett, who gave lessons in astronomy andnavigation, resided there. He made bold to enter, and explaining hiswish to master the subjects the captain taught, soon entered into anarrangement to attend three evenings a week.
"I promise you, lad, before the winter is over, to turn you out as gooda navigator as Sir Francis Drake, Master John Hawkins, or any othersea-captain you may be pleased to name," said the old captain. "Giveyour mind to it, that is the first requisite; it is of little use for aninstructor to put information in one ear which pops out at the other assoon as it is received."
Captain Trickett was an enthusiast in his art, had been pilot in hisyouth to several expeditions which had gone forth from England toexplore foreign regions, and had many strange accounts to give of thebuccaneers and logwood cutters in the Caribbean Sea, where he himselfhad spent some time. Roger made considerable progress in his studies,and at length persuaded Stephen Battiscombe to accompany him.
"It would not be lost time if you also were to take some lessons andwere to try to master the subject; it is very interesting, and perchancesome day, if you have to sail on business to foreign lands, you may findthe knowledge you acquire of use," said Roger. "Captain Trickett tellsme that he has known instances where the officers of a ship have died,and no one on board remained capable of taking her into port."
Thus instigated, Stephen, who had a very good head for mathematics,readily attended the instruction of Captain Trickett, and following theCaptain's advice by giving his mind to the subject, soon acquired asmuch knowledge as Roger himself. On holidays, when the sun was up inthe sky, the Captain delighted to accompany his pupils to some openspace, where, with the aid of a false horizon, he could teach thempractically how to take an observation or to "shoot the sun," as hecalled it. The mode in which the two lads were employing themselvescame to the ears of the principals of the firm, who much approved oftheir diligence and industry.
"Would that we had others like you!" said Mr Kempson. "Our difficultyis to find men who combine knowledge of business with that of seamanshipand navigation. After a few voyages, if Captain Trickett does not speakof you in too laudatory terms, you will be able to take charge of a shipto sail either to the West Indies or to the North American plantations,or to the coast of Africa, or to the Levant. We will take care, in themeantime, that you have opportunities of exercising your skill."
Roger and Stephen thanked the worthy merchant for the approval he hadbestowed on them, and promised to continue as diligent as heretofore.
Roger often went down to the river to inquire what vessels had arrived,in the hopes of meeting with Captain Benbow, who he felt sure wouldreceive him on board his ship, but the _Benbow_ frigate did not make herappearance. He heard, however, that she had been met with bound for theThames, so that he had the satisfaction of knowing that she had escapedthe gale which caught her off the Dorsetshire coast. He was told,indeed, that she always traded between London and foreign ports, andthat there was very little probability of her putting into Bristol,unless she should obtain a cargo from any merchants connected with thatport, which was not likely, as they always reserved their freights forBristol vessels.
"I must hope for some other chance of meeting him," said Roger toStephen as they were walking home. "I do not think he can haveforgotten me, and he appeared to be a man who, having made a promise,would certainly keep to it, so that if I could fall in with his ship Ishould not hesitate to go on board and ask him to take me."
"You are very well off where you are," remarked Stephen, "and I wouldadvise you to stick to the desk till you have gained a thoroughknowledge of mercantile affairs. You may then have an opportunity ofturning them to good account, whereas at present you scarcely knowenough to be of much use to you."
Roger could not but acknowledge that this was the case, and he wiselydetermined to quell his impatience and to go on as he had begun.
They both occasionally received letters from home, which seldom,however, contained much matter of interest except to themselves. Morefrequently news came from London of important public matters. Theyheard of the Rye-house Plot, of the fall of Shaftesbury and of hisescape to Holland, the execution of Russell and Sydney, the death ofEssex by his own hand in the Tower, to escape the fate awaiting him.Roger took but little interest in politics; Stephen, on the contrary,was always eager to read the _News-Letter_ when it arrived from thecapital. He mourned over the banishment of the Duke of Monmouth, who,after the discovery of the Rye-house Plot, though forgiven by the King,thought it prudent to retire to Holland; and he was indignant at hearingof the way the Duke of York was ruling Scotland, of the odious laws hehad passed, and of the barbarous punishments he caused to be inflicted,often himself being present when prisoners were subjected to torture.It was said that he watched the agony of the sufferers as if it affordedhim intense satisfaction.
"His tyrannical proceedings show clearly how he intends to governEngland. Should he succeed to the throne of England, he must never beallowed to mount it," exclaimed Stephen. "He will not be content tillhe has crushed out our civil and religious liberties, which the bestblood of our country has been shed to obtain. Would that when thegallant Duke of Monmouth came to the west, the thousands who greeted himhad banded together and marched to London to insist on the exclusion ofthe Duke of York and the nomination of Monmouth as heir to his father."
"Such a proceeding could scarcely have succeeded without bloodshed,"observed Roger.
"Better to have shed a few streamlets then than the rivers which mayhave to flow should the tyrant gain the throne," answered Stephen.
The opinions of Stephen Battiscombe were held by a good many others,although, like wise men, when they could not benefit the cause they didnot utter them in public. Bristol having had fighting enough in formeryears, they did not again wish to see war brought to her gates. Stephenmight at present safely entertain his opinions, but there seemed nochance just then of his having an opportunity of practically acting onthem.
The summer had commenced, when one morning Mr Kempson sent for Stephen.
"You know, Battiscombe, that we have a new vessel, the _Dolphin_,fitting out in the river, and judging from the intelligence you haveshown and your aptitude for business that you will be well suited forthe office, we propose sending you out as supercargo, and as young RogerWilloughby has given us satisfaction, we think of letting him go ascabin-boy that he may assist you. Are you willing to undertake theoffice?"
"With all my heart," answered Stephen; "and I can answer for Willoughby,who will, I know, be delighted, for he has long wished to go to sea."
"We will consider that matter settled, then," said Mr Kempson. "Hereis a list of the cargo we intend shipping, and you and Willoughby willgo on board to-morrow morning, and note each case and bale as it islowered into the hold. You will also be supplied with samples of allthe goods, so that you will be well acquainted with the articles underyour charge. I will give you further directions by and by. In themeantime you can see about young Willoughby's outfit and your own, andtell Mr Tape the tailor to send in the account to us."
Stephen was highly pleased with the complimentary way the senior partnerspoke to him, and he was about to leave the room eager to tell Roger thegood news, when a strongly-built black-bearded man entered.
"Stay, Battiscombe," said the senior partner; "I will take thisopportunity of introducing you to Captain Roberts, who commands the_Dolphin_, as you will be shipmates for some months, or longer."
"Happy to make the young gentleman's acquaint
ance," said the Captain,putting out his hand and giving Stephen a grip which nearly wrung hisfingers off; "hope we shall get on well together. I came up here, MrKempson, to say that the ship is ready to take in cargo as soon as youare ready to ship it."
"We may say to-morrow, then, and Mr Battiscombe, with young Willoughbyto assist him, will go on board and take charge of the cargo."
As the Captain had some further business to transact with Mr Kempson,Stephen took his leave, and hurried out to tell Roger, who was justleaving the counting-house for the day.
"What, are we really to be off soon!" exclaimed the latter. "I canscarcely believe the good news you tell me. I little thought when I gotoff my high stool, that it was the last time I was to mount it, for Isuppose that the _Dolphin_ will sail as soon as the cargo is received onboard."
"Little doubt about that," said Stephen. "The sooner we see to gettingour outfits the better."
"I have brought a good store of things from home," said Roger.
"You have outgrown a good lot of them, I should think," remarkedStephen; "and we will at once pay a visit to Mr Tape, who will knowmore or less what you require."
"But how are they to be paid for?" asked Roger.
"Mr Kempson will settle that," said Stephen.
"He is very kind and generous, and I am grateful to him," said Roger.
They at once carried out their intentions.
The following morning by daybreak they went on board the _Dolphin_. Asnone of the cargo had arrived, they had time to look over the ship, andto take a glance round the cabin which was to be their home for somemonths to come. It was fitted up with several berths, besides a statecabin intended for the Captain's use. There were arms of various sorts,such as musketoons, pistols, pikes, and hangers, fixed against theafter-bulkhead, and there was a table in the centre, surrounded bystrong wooden chairs. There was not much in the way of ornament,everything seemed intended for use.
While they were there the Captain, who had come on board, entered thecabin. "Glad to see you so soon, young gentlemen," he observed; "it isthe early bird that gets the worm," as they say. "I thought that weshould very likely have to wait for you, but now when the cargo comesdown we may begin stowing away at once."
In a short time a number of trucks arrived on the wharf, bringing balesand packages, which the crew began hoisting on board with the help of acrane and whips. The process was a somewhat long one compared to therapid way in which vessels are laden at the present day. Stephen andRoger had plenty of time to note each bale, package, and cask before itwas lowered into the hold, it being Roger's business to see where eachwas stowed, so that they might be got at when required. They worked ondiligently, knocking off only for a short time to dine, so that in theafternoon, when Mr Kempson came down, they had made good progress. Hecommended them accordingly. Roger, as he looked at the pile of goods,wondered how room could be found for them on board, yet after all thecases had been stowed away in the capacious hold, there was plenty ofroom left for more. In three days, however, the cargo was complete, thehatches were put on and fastened down, and Captain Roberts announcedthat he was ready for sea. Stephen and Roger had but little time to gettheir things, to run round and bid their friends farewell; their lastvisit was to Captain Trickett.
"Farewell, my boys, and a prosperous voyage to you!" he said, as heshook their hands warmly. "You may meet with adventures, some not aspleasant as you would desire, but stick to your duty, never say die, andhope for the best."
That evening the _Dolphin_ began to drop down the river with the tide.She was a fine vessel, not so large, Roger thought, as the _Benbow_frigate, but she had three masts, with a long mizzen-yard, on which atriangular sail was set. She was deep-waisted, with a high poop, andtopgallant forecastle, from beneath each of which two guns were soplaced that should boarders gain the deck, they would be quickly shotdown. She had, besides, eight guns pointing out at the sides, and wasable to defend herself against any ordinary enemies; indeed, in thosedays when pirates and buccaneers abounded, it was necessary for merchantvessels which had rich freights to guard to be well-armed, especiallywhen they sailed alone, without convoy of a man-of-war. As the wind wasfrom the northward, as soon as they got clear of the Severn all sail washoisted, and they stood down the British Channel, and Roger walked thedeck with no little satisfaction at finding himself at length on boardship. The following day they were out of sight of land. When Roger sawthe Captain and his mates bring up their quadrants on deck just beforenoon to make an observation, he brought up his, and began in amethodical way to make preparations for taking one also.
"What, youngster, have you been at sea before?" asked the Captain.
"No, sir, but I have studied navigation, and I want to put my knowledgeinto practice."
"Well, now is the time; let us see how you do it."
Roger "shot the sun" in very good style; not only did that, but rapidlyworked out the calculation on a small piece of paper, and it exactlyagreed with that taken by the Captain, who looked well pleased, but itdiffered from that of one of the mates, who had made a mistake.
"You will do, my boy," said Captain Roberts. "I will try you with otherobservations by and by. Where did you get your knowledge?" Roger toldhim. "What, from old Trickett? No wonder you are correct; there is nota better navigator in Bristol."
Next day Stephen brought out his quadrant and did justice to hisinstructor, he also receiving a due amount of praise from the Captain.The mates looked rather jealous at the two youngsters, who had neverbefore been to sea, who took observations as well as they could. Beforethe _Dolphin_ had got half-way across the Bay of Biscay it fell calm,and she lay laving her sides in the smooth water, as the swell, which isseldom wanting there, passed under her keel. For many hours she did notmove her position; the big mizzen, which had been flapping with reportslike thunder, was furled; the other sails were brailed up. Roger, whowas always of a social disposition, took the opportunity of having atalk with some of the crew. Among them was a black, who, although stillvery young, being scarcely more than a boy, had met with many strangeadventures,--among others, he had been made prisoner by the Moors. Hecould talk Arabic, he said, as well as English, which was not, by theby, very correctly. He was called Jack Jumbo on board, but he preferredbeing called Felix, a name, he told Roger, some gentlemen had given himbecause he was always a merry fellow. He hinted that he had been aprince in his own country, but he had been carried away at an early age;he did not know much about it. Roger took a great liking to him, forfrom his intelligence and good disposition he was a better companionthan the rough seamen who formed the crew of the _Dolphin_. The onlyother person who need be named was Sam Stokes, an old sailor who hadfought under Blake and Admiral Penn, had made half a dozen voyages toVirginia and the West India Islands, besides to many others in differentparts of the world. He was rough enough to look at, being the colour ofmahogany, his countenance wrinkled and furrowed by strong winds and hotsuns. He was quiet in his manners, seemed kind-hearted, with plenty ofsense under his bald head and its fringe of grizzled hair. He was anexcellent seaman, and took a pleasure in instructing Roger, who alwayswent to him when he wanted information. He would tell him not only howto do a thing, but the why and the wherefore each thing was done, sothat Roger made rapid progress under his tuition. Of the mates andboatswain little need be said; they were tolerable seamen, but the firsttwo were but poor navigators, and the boatswain could not take anobservation or work a day's work, being unable to read or write, thoughhe was the best seaman of the three. The crew were rough-and-readyfellows, were tolerably obedient when they were well treated and liquorwas kept out of their way; but if anything was done to displease them,they were ready to grumble and try to right themselves after their ownfashion. The two mates and the boatswain, who constituted the officersof the ship, were somewhat jealous of Stephen and Roger, whom theyconsidered unduly favoured by the owners. Neither of them, however,took any notice of this. Roger's great object had been
from the firstto master all the details of seamanship. From morning till night he wasat work getting the seamen to show him how to knot and splice, to steerand reef; whenever sail was to be made or taken in he was always on theyard, and as active as any one, so that he soon gained the respect ofthe seamen. It was a great advantage to him and Stephen to have fineweather for so long a period, though they made but slow progress ontheir voyage, but it enabled them to gain experience far more easilythan they would have done had the sea been rough and the ship tumblingabout. Owing to light and contrary winds, five weeks had passed beforethe _Dolphin_ got into the latitude of the Straits, nearly a hundredmiles to the westward of them.
"When, Captain Roberts, think you, shall we be into the Mediterranean?"asked Stephen, who had been examining the chart.
"That must depend on the way the wind blows," answered the Captain. "Ithas been out of temper with us for a precious long time, and I cannotsay when it is likely to get into a better humour."
The Captain was right not to be too sanguine; before an hour had passedthe wind shifted to the east-north-east. The _Dolphin_, close-hauledunder larboard tack, stood towards the African coast.
"What about Algerine corsairs, the Sallee rovers?" asked Roger.
"If we fall in with any of the gentry, as our business is to trade notto fight, we must run if we can; but if they come up with us, we mustshow what British pluck can do, and beat them off," said the Captain.
"As little honour is to be gained, we may hope not to encounter any ofthe gentlemen," said Stephen.
The _Dolphin_ had been standing on to the south-east, a course whichwould take her some way to the southward of the Straits. CaptainRoberts said he hoped that a tack or two would enable him to fetch theStraits, and once through them, that they should get a fair wind up theMediterranean. Evening was approaching when the look-out from aloftshouted, "A sail on the weather-bow."
"What does she look like?" asked the Captain.
"She's a large craft, standing to the south-west, under all sail."
The stranger's course would bring her directly down upon the _Dolphin_.Captain Roberts was provided with a telescope, an instrument not longintroduced at sea, which many merchant vessels did not possess. Takingit with him, for he was not willing to intrust to the hands of any oneelse, he went aloft, steadying it against the mast; while he stood inthe maintop, he took a long gaze at the stranger. Returning on deck, heimmediately ordered the ship to be kept away, so as to bring her beforethe wind. All sail which she could possibly carry was set, some hangingdown from the yards, rigged across the bowsprit to the very water, whilestud-sails were rigged out on the foremast, and the sheet of the hugemizzen was eased off, and the sail bulged out with the fresheningbreeze.
"What do you think of the stranger, sir?" asked Stephen of the Captain.
"I deem her to be an Algerine, one of those piratical craft we were butjust now speaking of. She's a large ship, more than twice our size, andprobably carries heavy guns, and four or five times as many men as wedo; we might beat her off, and if she comes up to us, that is what wemust try to do, but it will be wiser to keep ahead of her. We shallsoon see which is the fastest craft, and what chance we have of runningout of her sight. We have the advantage of night coming on, and duringthe darkness we must alter our course so as to give her the slip." Allhands were on deck at their stations, ready to shorten sail should it benecessary. Many an eye was turned towards the stranger to ascertain ifshe was getting nearer.
"What do you think about it, Sam?" asked Roger of the old sailor.
"Yonder craft is light, and we are heavily laden, though I will allowthat the _Dolphin_ slips along at a good rate; but there is no doubtthat she is gaining on us, though a stern chase is a long one. We maykeep ahead of her for some hours to come, always provided we do notcarry anything away."
"But if she does come up with us, what shall we have to do?" askedRoger.
"Beat her off, of course, though we have only eight guns, and may be shecarries twenty or more; we must work ours twice as fast as she doeshers. I know those Algerine cut-throats of yore; and if they are metbravely, they quickly show the white feather. It is only when theChristians cry out `Peccavi!' and seem inclined to give in, that theybecome wonderfully brave, and shout and shriek and wave their scimitars.I was with the brave Captain Harman, aboard the twenty-six-gun ship_Guernsey_, with a crew of a hundred and ten men all told, when we fellin up the Straits with an Algerine man-of-war, carrying fifty guns andfive hundred men, called the _White Horse_. She stood down upon us,under all sail, having the weather-gauge, and as soon as she got withingunshot began blazing away. Several times she attempted to board, butwe drove back her cut-throat crew, though the rest of her people wereblazing away at us with musketry from her poop and forecastle. Ibelieve we should have taken her, but our captain received three musketballs in his body, and was nearly knocked over by a gunshot; still hewould not go below, and remained on deck till he sank from loss ofblood. Our first lieutenant then took the command, and we continuedengaging for another hour or more, till we had lost nine killed andthree times as many wounded, for no one ever thought of giving in--thatmeant having our throats cut or being carried off into slavery; but atlast the Algerine hauled off. Our rigging was too much cut about toallow us to follow, so she got away with the loss of not far short of athird of her crew, I suspect, from the number we saw hove overboard.Our brave captain died three days afterwards from the effects of hiswounds, and the first lieutenant was promoted, as he deserved to be.Now, it is my belief that if we do not capture yonder craft, should sheattack us, we may beat her off just as we did the _White Horse_."
Old Sam told this story in a loud voice, so that his shipmates mighthear and be encouraged to resist to the last.
Captain Roberts walked the poop, every now and then taking a glance atthe stranger through his telescope. Stephen and Roger joined him there.He looked calm and determined.
"If I can, I intend to avoid fighting," he said; "but if we areattacked, I know I can rely on you two, as I have seen what stuff youare made of. You will do your best to keep the crew at their guns; andshould anything happen to me, you will fight the ship as long as thereis a shot in the locker or a charge of powder remains. I wish I hadmore confidence in my mates; but I am afraid that they have not thehearts of chickens, though they are good seamen, for I have been tryingto make them understand that it is safer to fight than to yield, for ifwe give in, one and all of us will be knocked on the head or carriedinto slavery, so that it will be far better to let the ship sink underus than to strike our colours."
Stephen and Roger fully agreed with the Captain, and promised to dotheir best to keep their men at the guns. At length the sun went down,his last rays shining on the lofty canvas of the stranger, now about twomiles astern; still the _Dolphin_ might keep ahead. Darkness came on,but with the darkness the chance of escaping increased. At length thedim outline of their pursuer alone could be seen against the sky. Thoseon board the _Dolphin_ well knew that while she was visible to them,they must also be seen by her, and that it would be useless to attemptaltering their course. They therefore kept on as before. The Captainkept his eye upon her, hoping that some change of the atmosphere mightoccur to hide her from sight, but that dark phantom-like form grew moreand more distinct.
"My lads," cried the Captain, "before another half-hour has passed shewill be up with us. Have your matches ready, and fire as soon as I givethe word; do not wait for further orders, but load as fast as you can,and blaze away at her hull. The Moors, if I mistake not, will soon havehad enough of it; they are not fond of attacking vessels when they meetwith opposition."
Roger felt his heart beat quick when shortly after this he saw theship's white-spread sails, towering towards the sky, come ranging up ontheir quarter.
"Down with the helm," cried the Captain. "Now, lads, fire!" The_Dolphin_ sent a raking broadside aboard the Algerine, and the helmbeing immediately put up again, she stood on her fo
rmer course. Shrieksand cries and groans came from the deck of the enemy, followedimmediately by a broadside intended to rake the _Dolphin_. Thoughseveral shot came on board, no one was hurt. Captain Roberts knew,however, that he could not expect to execute the same manoeuvre with thelike success. In a short time the Algerine was close abreast of her.All the _Dolphin's_ guns had been run over to the same side, and werenow fired as rapidly as the crew could load and run them out. Theenemy, however, were not idle, and their shot came crashing aboard;first one man was shot down, then another, still the British crewcheered, and kept blazing away. This sort of work had been going on forsome time, when the Captain shouted, "Look out, lads! Boarders; repelboarders!" And the Algerine was seen ranging up so as to fallalongside, her rigging crowded with figures, arms and weapons waving,showing their eagerness for the fight. In another minute there came aloud crash, and a number of her crew, led by their captain. Most ofthem were cut down, others driven overboard, or back into their ship,the grappling-irons were cast loose, while the _Dolphin_ rushed forwardon her former course. Still her after-guns were plied vigorously,though the enemy, again ranging up abreast, fired her broadsides inreturn. As far as Roger could perceive, the mates behaved well,assisting the men to work the guns. The Captain continued to cheer themon, and presently Roger, who was standing not far off, blazing away withhis musket, saw him stagger, hurried to his assistance barely in time tosave him before he fell on the deck.
"Are you hurt, sir?" he asked.
"I am afraid somewhat badly. Do not let the men know it. Help me tothe bulwarks, where I can hold on."
He called Stephen, who was also loading and firing as fast as he could,to come and help him. The Captain continued, wounded as he was, tocheer on the men. Several more broadsides were exchanged, the bulletsall the time flying about like hail, when the pirate's bows were seen tobe turning from them. Presently she hauled her wind, and stood away tothe southward. The British crew on this raised a hearty cheer as theysent a few last shot flying after her. Scarcely had the shout died awaythan the brave Captain sank down on the deck.
"We must carry him below and see to his wounds," said Stephen, and Rogercalled Sam Stokes and another man to their assistance.
"Tell the mate to stand on till he loses sight of the pirate, and thenhaul to the northward," whispered the Captain in a faint voice. Hecould say no more. As soon as he was placed in his berth, Stephen andRoger did their best to doctor him, but they were unaccustomed tosurgical operations.
"Let me see what I can do," said Sam. "I have had half-a-dozen bulletsin my body during my time, and seen hundreds of men wounded, so I oughtto have a little notion." So he set to work in a methodical way todiscover what had become of the bullet which had entered the Captain'sside. He managed to find it, and, what was of great consequence, thecloth which had been carried in at the same time, and got them out, thenstopped the blood and bound up the wound.
"Cannot say how he will do, but I have done my best, and can do nomore," observed old Sam as he left the cabin to look after some of hiswounded messmates.
Three men had been killed and five wounded out of the crew, whichgreatly reduced their strength. The first mate, who now took command,hauled up to the northward, as the Captain had directed him. As the_Dolphin_ had been running for so many hours out of her course, she wasconsiderably to the southward of the Straits, though the mate assertedthat they would be able to fetch the entrance of the Straits if the windheld the following day. Nothing more was seen of the Algerine duringthe night, and hopes were entertained that she would not again attemptto molest them. The Captain, notwithstanding that the bullet had beenextracted, continued in a very weak state, and almost unconscious.Stephen and Roger, not trusting to the mate's navigation, got out thechart, marked down the course they had run to the best of theirknowledge, and the next morning took an observation, which placed the_Dolphin_ considerably to the southward. Whereon the mate asserted thatshe was much nearer the coast, in fact she had been sailing almostparallel with it for a considerable distance, and soon after noon he putthe ship about and steered due east.
"I think, sir, that to sight the rock of Gibraltar we should be steeringnorth-east," observed Stephen, pointing to the chart.
"Ho, ho, young man, you fancy that you understand navigation better thanI do," said the mate. "Just keep your remarks to yourself till Irequest you to make them."
Stephen could say no more, but he and Roger agreed, when the first matewent below, they would try to get the second to alter the ship's course.The first mate seemed to suspect their intentions, for he remained ondeck, and when the wind drew more from the east which it did shortlyafter noon, kept the ship away to the south-east.
"The fellow will be running us on shore, or we shall be falling in withsome Sallee rovers, for we cannot be far off their coast by this time,"said Stephen. "I think we had better have a talk with Sam Stokes, andhear his opinion."
Sam, although no navigator, was perfectly inclined to agree with them.
"If the Captain was himself, we might get orders to put you underarrest, for it might be a serious affair if we did so and fell in with aman-of-war; we should be accused of mutiny and intending to turnpirates," observed Sam.
Roger, however, was strongly of opinion that they ought to make the mateagain tack to the northward. They again spoke to him on the subject,and warned him of the danger he was running. He laughed scornfully, andagain told them to mind their own business, asserting that they hadnothing whatever to do with the navigation of the ship. On this theyapplied to the second mate and boatswain, and did their best to alarmthem. They were still speaking on the subject, and had some hope ofsuccess, when the first mate came up and inquired what they were talkingabout.
"This is mutiny, downright mutiny!" he exclaimed, and without more adohe ordered the second mate and boatswain to lash their arms behind themand carry them into the cabin.
"I do not wish to be hard with you, but I will not have my authoritydisputed, and you youngsters will remain there till I can prove to youthat I am right and you are wrong."
Though they protested loudly at this treatment, the mate would notlisten to them; they had therefore to submit. In the evening Jumbobrought supper to them, but he said that he was ordered not to hold anyconversation, but to come away again as soon as he had placed the supperbefore them.
"But how is the ship going; what course is she steering?" asked Stephen.
"Bery well as far as me make out," answered Jumbo. "Sometimes steereast-south-east, sometimes south-east."
"Well, tell the men that that course will carry us on shore beforedaylight to-morrow morning," said Stephen.
"Me tink dey break dis nigger's head if he stop talking," said Jumbo,hurrying away in a great fright.
As their arms had been released, as soon as they had had their supper,being pretty well tired with the exertions which they had made theprevious night, they lay down, and in spite of the danger theyconsidered the ship was in.
After some time Roger woke, and going to the door of the cabin, found tohis surprise that Jumbo had not locked it. Anxious to know how the shipwas steering, he went up on deck, hoping not to be perceived by eitherof the mates. Getting a glimpse at the compass, he found that the shipwas still steering south-east, and that the wind had become very light;the boatswain had charge of the deck. He knew by examining the sailingdirections that strong currents set in towards the coast thereabouts,and should the wind shift to the westward, he even fancied, as he lookedover the bulwarks, that he could see the distant land. He accordinglywent back to Stephen, and rousing him up, asked him to come on deck.Stephen immediately hurried up with him.
"If the wind shifts to the westward, it will not be long before we areon the shore," said Stephen boldly to the boatswain.
"Who told you?" asked the boatswain in a somewhat anxious tone.
"My own sense," answered Stephen.
Scarcely had he spoken than the wind, which had dropped alm
ost to acalm, shifted suddenly to the westward, and began to blow withconsiderable force.
"All hands shorten sail," shouted the boatswain, and the crew cametumbling up from below. The mates turned out of their berths, and thefirst mate looked with much astonishment at the state of affairs. Themate now saw that the ship's head must be put to the northward, andunder diminished canvas he endeavoured to haul off shore. The wind blewharder and harder. Not half-an-hour had elapsed when a loud gratingsound was heard.
"Down with the helm!" shouted the mate. It was too late; the ship wouldnot come about, but drove on till she stuck hard and fast with herbroadside to the sea. Stephen and Roger hurried into the cabin tosecure some important papers, also to see what could be done for thepoor Captain, should the ship go to pieces. They had fancied himunconscious, but he had been aroused by the sound of the ship striking,the meaning of which he knew too well.
"Battiscombe," he said, "help me on deck. I know what has happened, andthat mate of mine has been the cause of it. I must see what can bedone."
Though he was very weak they did as he directed them. His appearancetended to restore order.
"Men," he said, in as loud a voice as he could speak, "your lives dependupon obeying my directions. Battiscombe, you and Willoughby lower aboat, and carry a line ashore with you. Take Stokes and Jumbo with you.The rest of us must remain and try to get the ship afloat."
They did as he told them. The boat being lowered, they carried a longrope so as to form a communication with the shore, that should the worstcome, those who remained on board might have a chance of gaining it.They had got within fifty fathoms, when a roller came in and capsizedthe boat, and sent them all struggling into the water. Stephen, who wasa good swimmer, struck out, calling to Roger and the rest to follow him,and in a few seconds his feet touched the sand. He scrambled out, buton looking round, what was his horror not to discover Roger! He saw SamStokes and Jumbo strike out for the land. He gazed for a moment towardswhere the boat had been capsized, when he saw a head and arms rise amidthe surf. Darting forward, he breasted the waves, and soon caught holdof the person he had seen. It was Roger, who, on being hauled on shore,quickly came to himself. Together they managed to rescue the seamen,but the boat was knocked to pieces, and the end of the rope lost. Theycould now neither return nor help those on board to reach the shore.The wind was increasing, clouds covered the sky, and they lost sight ofthe vessel in the thick spray and darkness. Roger proposed lighting afire as a signal to those on board, but no driftwood could bediscovered, and the fierce gale would soon have scattered the ashes hadthey made the attempt. They shouted at the top of their voices.
"It is no use in exhausting your strength," observed old Sam. "In theteeth of this hurricane our voices cannot travel half the distance tothe wreck."
Finding at length that they could do nothing on the beach, they soughtfor shelter under the lee of a sandhill, where, being exhausted by theirexertions, they soon fell asleep.
Roger Willoughby: A Story of the Times of Benbow Page 3