CHAPTER SIX.
The midshipmen and their companions were in an unpleasant predicament.The pirates, after abusing them in no measured terms, ordered them, onthe peril of their lives, to remain where they were while theythemselves joined their companions, who were just commencing theirfeast. Old Charcoal, the black, soon appeared from the hole, andbeckoning to Croxton and Reuben, he bade them carry a huge stew-pot fullof viands, and place it in the midst of the pirates. The outlaws, whenthey had done this, ordered them to be off, and to wait till they wereagain wanted, and then set to in earnest, digging their long knives anddaggers into the pot, and ladling out its more liquid contents, somewith silver, and others with wooden spoons. It seemed a matter ofindifference to them which they used. Cases of champagne and claretwere soon broken open, and each man seized two or three bottles, fromwhich he drank, or poured the contents into silver flagons, which hedrained in a couple of draughts. Seasoned as were probably their heads,the result of these copious libations was soon apparent by the fierceroaths they uttered, their louder laughter, and the quarrels which beganto arise between those who apparently were strong friends a few minutespreviously.
The black had taken his seat on the ground near them; but though theyevery now and then handed him a jug of wine, Paul observed that hepoured the chief part of its contents on the ground. No long timepassed before the wine began to take effect on the greater part of thecrew. Some rose to their feet with their eyes glaring, and theirunsheathed knives in their hands, vociferating loudly. Blows wereexchanged, and wounds given, though on each occasion the combatants sankdown again, and applied themselves afresh to their wine-cups. Somesang, others shouted and fired off their pistols in the air, and othersagain got up and danced wildly round their companions, till, weariedwith their exertions, they reeled back to their former places. OldCharcoal shouted, and applauded, and clapped his hands with the rest.The day wore on--the orgies of the outlaws continued till the largernumber lay helpless and unconscious on the ground, surrounded by brokenbottles, though a few retained sufficient sense to reel towards the hut,where more comfortable couches than the ground could afford were to befound. The black followed, making a sign to Paul and his companions toremain where they were.
"He is our friend, sir, I am certain of it," said Paul to Devereux, whohad not observed the sign; "there is a chance for us of escaping."
"By what means?" asked Devereux. "We could not get their vessel out ofthe harbour."
"No, sir, but in one of their boats. Before they recover their senseswe might be far away out of sight of the island."
"Very good, Gerrard; but without knowing in what direction to steer wemight too probably float about till we were starved to death, orovertaken by another hurricane," answered Devereux, shaking his headmournfully.
"But perhaps we may find a chart on board the pirate vessel," suggestedO'Grady. "If Charcoal is really our friend, as I think he is, he willhelp us to get a chart, a compass, and provisions also. Hurrah! I feelquite in spirits at the thought that we shall get away."
"Be not over sanguine, young gentleman," observed old Croxton; "there'smany a slip between the cup and the lip, and it's well to be preparedfor reverses."
In spite of this warning, the boys remained as sanguine as ever, andanxiously waited the appearance of old Charcoal, who, at length, wasseen cautiously creeping out of the hut. He came along very fast on hisknees and hands. They were surprised to see him without his legs andcrutches, till he gave them to understand that the pirates had put themaway out of his reach. Paul's hopes were not to be disappointed; theblack had resolved to take the opportunity for which he had long beenwaiting, while his hard taskmasters were overcome by drunkenness, toescape from their power.
"They will make us all slaves, and keep us to work for them if we don'tescape," observed O'Grady. "I vote that we set about it at once."
"But I will try to get old Charcoal's legs and crutches first," saidPaul.
"And I will not go vidout my cher violin," cried Alphonse; "it has beenmy good friend very often. It may be again."
The poor black signified his wish to have his wooden supporters, andtogether the two boys set off running to the hut, while the rest of theparty, not to lose time, proceeded towards the schooner.
The door of the hut was opened. Paul and Alphonse stepped incautiously, for any noise might arouse the sleepers. They looked aboutfor the crutches; they were placed across the rafters in the centre ofthe hut. A tall man standing on the table had put them there. Paul sawthat even with the help of Alphonse he could not reach up so high; buthe was not to be defeated--so going to the wall he put his feet on hiscompanion's shoulders, and climbing up he reached the beam, along whichhe clambered, till he got hold of the crutches, and then he handed themdown to Alphonse, and fortunately without making any noise. The latterwas now anxious to find his fiddle, for it was nowhere to be seen. Atlength, with almost a groan of despair, the young Frenchman pointed toit. A pirate had appropriated the case for a pillow. Was he to leaveit? No!--he would perish first! Fortunately the man was among the mostdrunken, and was sleeping heavily. They agreed by signs to withdraw it,and to substitute something else. A bundle of flags had been overlookedin a corner. It might serve their purpose yet. It was hazardous work.Alphonse drew his dirk, which he had retained; but Paul implored him bya look to put it up again.
"If he does awake, only say that you want your fiddle-case to play atune; he won't mind that," he whispered.
Paul went on one side, and gently lifted the pirate's head with one handwhile with the other he held the bundle of flags to shove under it asAlphonse gently pulled away the case. All depended on the movementbeing regular. A sudden jerk would have awakened the man, who was afierce-looking ruffian. One of his hands lay over the hilt of hisdagger, which he seemed capable of using with effect at a moment'snotice. The manoeuvre required great nerve and courage, scarcely to beexpected in such young lads. It was not found wanting in them. Withintense satisfaction Paul let the outlaw's head sink on the soft pillow.The man uttered a few inarticulate sounds, but gave no other signs ofawaking. The boys held their breath, and for a minute dared not movelest they should make any noise which might even at the last arouse theman, or disturb any of the other sleepers. At last they crept silentlyaway, picking up Charcoal's crutches on the way, and made their escapeout of the hut. Darkness was coming on. It would have been well tohave had daylight to get clear of the island. As soon as they had got alittle distance from the hut, they set off running to overtake theircompanions. Charcoal was as delighted to get back his wooden legs andcrutches as Alphonse was to recover his fiddle. They had to proceedcautiously as they passed the sleepers, and still more so when theyentered the boat, lest the sound of an oar in the rowlock, or its splashin the water, might alarm them. One of the boats in which the pirateshad come on shore was selected for the voyage; but they had first tovisit the vessel to obtain the various articles they required. Theyquickly scrambled on board, and even the black showed a wonderfulagility in getting up the side. On going below, he lighted a lanternwith which to search for the articles they required. There would havebeen no difficulty in deciding on the character of the the vessel by thegorgeous and yet rude and tasteless style in which the chief cabin wasfurnished. Pictures of saints and silver ornaments were nailed againstthe bulkheads, interspersed with arms of all sorts, and rich silks andflags, while the furniture showed that it had been taken from vessels ofvarious sorts--for there were damask-covered sofas, and rosewoodcabinets, with deal three-legged stools, and a rough oak table; andhanging to the beams above, or in the racks against the sides, werebattered pewter mugs and plates, mixed with silver tankards and salvers,and other utensils of the same precious metal. The party, however, hadno time to pay attention to any of these things, or to wish even topossess themselves of any of them. They were only anxious to find thearticles which would facilitate their escape. In a receptacle for allsorts of stores a ship's compass w
as found; but that without a chart,and oil for the lamp, would be of little use. Nearly the whole ship hadbeen searched through and no chart could be found.
"We must find one though, unless the black knows the direction in whichwe should steer," exclaimed Devereux.
"Let us ascertain if he does. Does he know what we are looking for,though?"
O'Grady got Charcoal to come to the table, and drawing with a piece ofchalk a chart on it something like the West Indies, pointed to one spotwhere he supposed they were, and then to others, and demanded by signshow they should get there. The black clapped his hands, and beganlooking about the cabins as a terrier hunts for a rat.
In a cabin evidently used by the captain from the greater number ofweapons hung up in it, and its richer furniture, Charcoal discovered alocker hitherto overlooked. It was locked; but without ceremony it wasbroken open.
"Robbing thieves is no robbery, I hope," observed O'Grady, as he lent ahand.
"Necessity has no law, I've heard say, at all events," said Devereux.
Everything that could be required was at length discovered, and placedin the boat alongside, except one thing. They had shoved off, and weregliding noiselessly down the lagoon, when Paul, feeling his throatsomewhat parched with the excitement he had gone through, asked Reubenfor a mug of water from a cask he saw at his feet. Reuben tapped it.It was empty. To go without water would be destruction. There was noneon board the vessel. An expedition to the fountain must be undertaken.Reuben and Croxton volunteered to go, as did O'Grady. They had,however, first to return to the schooner to get more casks. There was afearful risk of waking up the sleeping men near whom they had to pass.Not a word was spoken by either party. While one proceeded on theirexpedition, the other sat still as death in the boat. Paul wished thathe had gone also, for he was very anxious about his friends; he couldnot help fearing that should the pirates be awakened they would at oncefire at strangers moving near them. It appeared to him a very long timesince they had left the boat. He asked Devereux if he might go insearch of them, as he feared that they might have lost their way.
"They will be here soon," was the answer; "they have no light weight tocarry between them."
The time seemed longer perhaps than it really was. At length footstepswere heard.
"Here they come," said Devereux, and some figures emerged from thedarkness. They must be their friends; the pirates would have approachedwith cries and threats of vengeance. O'Grady led the way, staggeringunder the weight of a cask; the men followed with still heavier burdens.
"We must be off; we heard the fellows talking in the hut," he whispered.Not another word was spoken; it was a moment for prompt action, if theywould save their lives, for if captured by the pirates they would betreated with scant ceremony or mercy. The black took the helm; indeed,he alone knew anything of the shape of the lagoon, or of the passagewhich led from it to the sea. There were oars for each of the party.They pulled on in perfect silence, placing their handkerchiefs in therowlocks to lessen the noise of the oars. There were numerous turns inthe lagoon, which prevented them at first from feeling the wind. Afterpulling some way, however, they discovered that a strong gale wasblowing directly into the mouth of the lagoon. It must have sprung upafter they had visited the schooner, or they would have felt it before.A loud roar of breakers was heard, and the white surf could be seenbreaking wildly over the surrounding reefs.
"We are in a trap, I fear," remarked O'Grady.
They were the first words which had been spoken since they embarked.There was no danger now of their being heard.
"Let us ascertain what the black thinks," said Devereux.
This was no easy matter in the darkness. He seemed disposed, at allevents, to proceed, for he continued steering towards the sea. Therocks on either side were tolerably high, with numerous indentations,miniature bays, and inlets on either side. The boat now began to feelthe seas as they rolled in. It seemed high time to stop unless theywere to attempt passing through the rollers which came roaring in withincreasing rapidity towards them. Suddenly the black touched Devereux'sarm, and made a sign to him to cease rowing. He waited for a fewminutes. They were full of suspense. Then he shook his head, and againsigned for the starboard oars to pull round, and running back a littleway, he took the boat into a small inlet, where she lay quiet, shelteredby the high rocks. The disappointment was very great. It would clearlyhave been suicidal to have attempted passing through the surf. It wouldbe better to face the anger of the pirates. Poor Charcoal was most tobe pitied. They would hang or shoot him, or beat him to death to acertainty.
"Could we not land him, and perhaps the pirates would not find out thathe assisted in our attempt to escape?" suggested O'Grady.
"You forget, Mr O'Grady, that he could not have got his crutcheswithout our help," observed Paul.
"The wind may moderate, and we may yet be away before daylight,"remarked Devereux. "We could not leave him behind."
The question had not, however, been put to the black; indeed it wasdifficult to ascertain his wishes. He kept his seat, and made no sign.This made them hope that he still expected to get out of the lagoonbefore daylight. It was possible that the pirates might take todrinking again as soon as they awoke; and if so, more time would beobtained for their escape. These and similar speculations served tooccupy the thoughts of the party as the dark hours of night passed by.Still the wind blew, and the seas, as they dashed over the coral reefsand broke on the sandy beach, roared as loud as before. The black madeno sign of moving; indeed they all knew it would be useless. At length,with sinking hearts, they saw the first pale streaks of dawn appear.There is but little twilight in those southern latitudes; but the firstharbinger of day is speedily followed by the glorious luminary himself,and the whole world is bathed with light.
"I wonder if it's pleasant," soliloquised O'Grady. "I don't knowwhether I should prefer being hung or having my throat cut."
"Hush," said Devereux, "see the black is signing to you not to speak."
"Nor will I, blessings on his honest face," answered O'Grady, whosespirits nothing could daunt. "But I propose that before we put ournecks into the noose we have our breakfast. We shall have ample timefor that before those honest gentlemen we left drunk last night will beup and looking for us."
The proposition met with universal approval, and in another instant allhands were busily employed in discussing a substantial breakfast ofbiscuit, dried meat, and fish, washed down by claret in as quiet amanner as if they were out on a pleasant picnic party. When it wasover, some of the party scrambled up the rocks to ascertain if any ofthe pirates were yet on foot; but no one was to be seen moving on shore.It was possible that the pirates might suppose that they had alreadymade their escape, and thus not take the trouble of looking for them.It was clearly their best chance to remain quiet, and so they allreturned on board and lay down in the bottom of the boat. The day, asthe night had done, passed slowly on. Their hopes again rose; theymight remain concealed till night, and then make their escape, shouldthe gale abate.
"We have reason to be thankful that we are not outside now," observedold Croxton, who had said little all the time; "no boat could live inthe sea there is running."
"If we are discovered we may still fight for it," observed Reuben Cole."We are a match for a few score of such buccaneering scoundrels as theyare, I hope."
"I will play them one tune on my cher violin; they will not hang us ifthey hear that going," said Alphonse, evidently perfectly in earnest.
"We'll fight, undoubtedly, my friends," said Devereux. "If we aretaken, we will make the best of it, and may even then save our liveswithout dishonour."
It was past noon. They judged from the continued roar that the force ofthe gale had in no way decreased, and that nothing could be gained byleaving their rocky shelter. Not a sound from the hut had reached them,when suddenly a loud shout reached their ears. It startled most of theparty, who, overcome by the heat, had fallen asleep. Again
and againthe shout was repeated in tones of anger. There could be no doubt thatthe pirates had discovered their flight, and were searching for them.They were still at some distance, and might not look into the creekwhere the boats lay hid. If, however, they were to follow in a boat,they would scarcely pass by the mouth of the creek without exploring it.Paul, as the most active of the party, was directed to climb up therock to try and ascertain in what direction the pirates were roaming.He clambered up the rock, concealing himself as much as possible by theprojecting portions. He saw in the far distance on the level groundfigures moving rapidly about; but only a small part of the island wasvisible. It was evident that those whose voices had been heard musthave come much nearer. He came down and made his report.
"Hurrah! it never occurred to us before that we took the only boat theyhad on shore, and that those thieves of the world can't get aboard theirvessel again," cried O'Grady, in great glee. "There are someugly-looking monsters in the lagoon, sharks or alligators, and it's justthat they don't like swimming off lest they should make a breakfast forsome of those pretty creatures."
"Should your idea be correct, there is another chance for us; but theywill not be long before they build a raft and get on board," saidDevereux.
"Oh, by the pipers, but I wish that we had remained on board, and foughtthe thieves from their own craft," cried O'Grady. "We might have pickedthem off as they appeared on the shore one by one, and carried her outof the harbour in triumph. Would it be too late to go back to try thatsame just at once?"
"Too late to go back, except we wish to be picked off ourselves, yesindeed," said Devereux. "And hark! there is the sound of oars comingdown the lagoon; the villains have got on board, and are in search ofus. If we are silent, we may still avoid them."
The whole party remained still as death. The boat came nearer andnearer. She passed the mouth of the creek, and went down to theentrance of the lagoon. Those in her were apparently satisfied thattheir prisoners had escaped, for the splash of their oars, and theirvoices as they talked loudly, were again heard as they pulled up thelagoon. Paul and his companions breathed more freely under the beliefthat they had escaped their enemies. Poor Charcoal sat perfectly still,though he moved his large eyes about with an uneasy glance upwards andaround on every side. He ate and drank with the rest, but made noattempt to communicate to others what was passing in his mind. The daywas drawing on, when Paul, who, with the rest of the party, had droppedoff into a drowsy state of unconsciousness, was aroused by a shout ofderisive laughter, and a voice exclaiming:
"Ah, ah! my masters, you thought to escape us, did you? and you're likemice in a trap, and you'll find that you've cats with precious sharpclaws to deal with."
On hearing this unpleasant announcement, Paul looked up and saw ahideous hairy face, ten times more hideous than that of Charcoal,because, though that of a white man, so fierce and sneering, grinningdown upon them. The man, for man he was, though more like a huge baboonthan a human creature, levelled a blunderbuss at Devereux's head.
"If you allow your men to put out an oar, I will fire," he exclaimed."You cannot make your escape out to sea if you were to attempt it, andwe can give you employment enough on shore; so we don't intend to takeyour lives."
Devereux guessed pretty accurately the meaning of these last words.
"Death rather than slavery, lads," he cried; "out oars, and let us makean attempt for liberty."
Scarcely had he uttered the words, while all hands were getting outtheir oars, than the pirate pulled the trigger. The moments of theyoung midshipman's life would have been numbered, but the firearmflashed in the pan. With a curse at his failure, the man again primedhis piece; but the delay, short as it was, enabled the Englishmen to getaway out of the creek. The blunderbuss was fired, but its shot fellharmless. The report, however, served to call others of the pirates,who were searching for the fugitives, to the spot, and as the boatproceeded down again towards the mouth of the harbour, they were seenclambering along the rocks, shouting and gesticulating violently. Itbodied ill for the way they would treat their prisoners if they caughtthem. The mouth of the lagoon was reached, but the surf broke asfuriously as before. The pirates were approaching, having climbed alongover the rocks. Already their shot could almost reach the boat. Thesmall arms of those days carried no great distance. It would be madnessto attempt running the boat through the surf.
"What say you, friends, shall we make the attempt, or yield?" askedDevereux.
"Push through it," cried O'Grady and Reuben.
The black shook his head, and made a sign to them to pull round.
"Then let us get on a rock and fight it out; we might keep the piratesat bay for many a day, as long as our provisions last," cried O'Grady.
"There is one that will serve us, and the fellows may have no littledifficulty in dislodging us."
He pointed to a rock close to the mouth of the lagoon, some eighty or ahundred yards in circumference. The sea dashed against it on one side,breaking into masses of foam, and the sides were high, steep, andslippery, so that neither could a boat approach, nor could a landing beeffected; but on the other was a deep narrow inlet, scarcely wide enoughto allow a boat to enter. They pulled towards it, and, much to theirsatisfaction, discovered that they could just push in their boat. Assoon as they had secured her, they began carrying their water andprovisions to the top. The rock was full of deep crevices and hollows,amply large enough to shelter them thoroughly, while they couldcompletely command the passage, and destroy the crew of any boatattempting to enter. Scarcely had they made this arrangement, than apirate boat was seen coming down the harbour. The pirates on the rockspointed out to their companions where the Englishmen had taken refuge.Those in the boat seemed aware of the strength of the position, for theyceased rowing and held a consultation. The delay was of use to Devereuxand his followers. It gave him time to dispose of them to the bestadvantage, and allowed them to distribute their ammunition and to loadall their arms. They had fortunately brought a good supply of weaponsand ammunition from the pirate vessel, so that they were prepared tostand a siege, although the most sanguine had very little hope ofultimate success. The pirates, too, had loaded their arms, and oncemore they came on with loud shouts and threats of vengeance. Itappeared that they had only to climb up the rocks to wreak it on theheads of the small band. The task, however, was not so easy as itseemed, for the ocean itself favoured the brave defenders of the rock.There was but one spot at which, under ordinary circumstances, a boatcould land, and just at the moment that the pirates were about toapproach, a succession of huge rollers came tumbling in, surging roundthe rock, and threatening to dash the boat to pieces, unless she couldhit the mouth of the inlet into which the English had run.
"Be cool, my friends," said Devereux, "and do not throw a shot away; Iwill tell you when to fire."
A cheerful "Ay, ay, sir," was the reply from all, except from the black.He nodded his head, however, tapped the lock of his musket, and grinnedbroadly, intimating that he clearly understood what was said.
The pirate boat lay off the rock, but her crew dared not, it wasevident, pull in; and from the way she rocked about, it was impossibleto take anything like a steady aim from her. Devereux pointed out thesecircumstances to his companions, and ordered them to reserve their fire,and to shelter themselves as much as possible in the hollows of therock. It was well they obeyed, for the pirates, losing patience, beganfiring away as fast as they could load. The shot came pattering on theface of the rock, while some whistled by above the heads of thedefenders.
"Steady, steady, boys!" cried Devereux. "Those pellets can do us noharm. We will keep our fire till it is wanted."
"They'll think that we don't fire because we are afraid, or have nopowder," said O'Grady.
"Let them think what they like; we'll show them presently that we'vepowder and shot, too, if they tempt us," answered Devereux.
Volley after volley was fired by the pirates with the same want of
result. No one was hit, though several of the bullets came near enoughto them to show the besieged that they must not depend upon escapingwith impunity. Before, they had wished the gale to moderate, now theyprayed that it might continue till nightfall, when they hoped thepirates would retire, and give them a chance of escaping. They were notdisappointed. Long before dark the enemy ceased firing, as wassupposed, because they had expended their ammunition, and away up thelagoon they went.
"Hurrah! Let us give three cheers for victory," cried O'Grady. "We'vebeaten them off, anyhow, without firing a shot."
To celebrate their bloodless victory, the party took a hearty meal, andthen, when night came on, each crouched down, with his musket by hisside, in his hole, to snatch a short sleep, to be prepared, should thegale cease, to escape. It was, of course, arranged that one at a timeshould keep watch. It appeared to Paul that the gale was abating, buthe very soon became unconscious of all sublunary affairs. He must haveslept some hours, for he felt greatly refreshed. The gale had ceased.He was surprised that, whosoever was on watch, had not summoned the restof the party. He was about to call out, when he found his shoulderclutched with a strong gripe, and looking up, he saw by the dim light ofa young moon, the same hideous face which had appeared on the top of therocks on the previous day, and a peal of derisive laughter broke forth,followed by the cries of his companions, as they found themselves in thepower of their enemies. Paul could scarcely help hoping and believingthat he was in a dream, till the truth flashed on his mind that thepirates, accustomed to practise every kind of trick, must haveapproached the rock with muffled oars, and have climbed up it while heand his companions were asleep, and surprised them. Such, indeed, wasthe case. Whichever of the party ought to have been awake hadundoubtedly dropped into forgetfulness, or the pirates must haveapproached in a wonderfully stealthy manner. English seamen, when theyhave fought bravely, as they always do, and have striven to the last,and are overpowered, do not struggle or bluster, but yield to theirdestiny with calmness and dignity.
"So you thought to escape us, did you?" exclaimed one of the pirates, ashe secured Devereux's hands. "What do you think you deserve, now, forrunning away with other people's property? Hanging is too good for you;that's the way you would have treated us, if we had been caught doingthe same thing to you--ha, ha!" And the man laughed at what heconsidered a very good joke. "But come along, mister officer, we'll tryyou by judge and jury all fair and shipshape to-morrow morning, and ifyou're found guilty, you'll have no cause to complain," added thepirate, as he in no ceremonious manner dragged the poor young midshipmandown the rock.
Paul found himself held tight by the savage who had at first seized him,and the whole party were quickly transferred to the boats, whichproceeded up the lagoon.
Paul found himself in the boat in which they had attempted to escape,seated next to Alphonse, who had managed to secure his fiddle-case.
"De music vil soften de savage breast, I have heard--I vill try," saidthe young Frenchman, stooping down to open the case, for their arms wereat liberty.
The pirates were amusing themselves by taunting and deriding theirprisoners, some in one language, some in another. Alphonse took nonotice of what was said--probably he understood but little. Paul feltthat he should like to jump up and attack them, but he wisely kept hisseat. Alphonse at length succeeded in getting out his bow and violin,and without saying a word, struck up a French tune.
"Hillo, you are a merry young chap," exclaimed one of the Englishpirates. "Scrape away, we don't hear much like that."
Alphonse played on without stopping.
"Ah, c'est de ma patrie--c'est de ma belle France," cried a Frenchmanfrom the bow of the boat, and Alphonse felt a hope that there was onenear who would befriend him. On landing, the prisoners, including poorold Charcoal, were marched up to the hut, into one end of which theywere thrust, and told that their brains would be blown out if they movedor spoke. This made but little difference. They could expect but onefate, and by no plan they could devise were they likely to escape it.
When the morning came, some biscuit was given them, and the black wasordered to go and bring them water. This gave them hopes that they werenot, at all events, to be murdered forthwith. The pirates all themorning were either asleep or very sulky, but at noon, having spread asupply of provisions in the shade and broached a cask of wine, theybecame merry, and one of them, the ugly hirsute fellow before described,proposed as an amusement, that they should try the prisoners and punishthem afterwards according to their deserts. The proposal was receivedwith great applause, and Devereux and his companions were ordered toappear before their captors. The pirate captain was the judge, and twoof the officers undertook to be counsel for the defendants. The case,however, was made out very clearly against them, and except extenuatingcircumstances, they had nothing to plead in their favour. Poor Charcoalhad still less chance of escape.
"He is guilty of ingratitude, of robbery, of rebellion and high treason,for either of which he deserves hanging, and hanged he shall beforthwith," cried the judge, draining off a jug of wine. "We couldn'tbefore have done without him, but now one of you can take his place.You are a stout fellow," he added, addressing Reuben Cole. "Are youinclined to save your life and to work honestly for your bread?"
"To work for you, so as to let you hang that poor dumb fellow, Charcoal?No, that I'm not, yer scoundrels," he exclaimed vehemently. "If youtouch a hair of his head, you'll not get a stroke of work out of me aslong as you live unhung."
This reply excited the laughter rather than the anger of the crew. Thesame question was put to Devereux and Croxton, and answers to the sameeffect were given. Still the voice of the majority was for hanging theblack. He, meantime, stood resting on his crutches, the mostunconcerned of all the actors in the scene.
"Well, then, the young Frenchman shall hang him," cried the hairysavage, with a grin, seizing poor Alphonse by the arm. "Or stay--theother two youngsters shall perform the office, while mounseer shallfiddle him out of the world while we dance to the tune."
"No, you villains; I vill not play, if you hurt one hair of dat poorman's head," exclaimed Alphonse, starting up with unusual animation. "Ivill play from morn to night, and you shall dance and sing as much asyou vill, but if you hang him, I vill casser mon cher violin intopieces, and it vill never play more--dere!"
His address was received with much applause by many of the party, and,encouraged by it, he seized his violin and commenced playing,vigorously, one of his most animating tunes. The effect wasinstantaneous. Many of the pirates leaped to their feet and begandancing furiously one by one; even the more morose joined them, and oldCharcoal took the opportunity of hobbling off to get out of their sight,hoping that if he could escape for a day or two, they might possiblyforget their evil intentions with regard to him. Still, Devereux knewthat, from their treacherous nature, as soon as the dance was over, theywere very likely, for the sake of the amusement, to hang him and hiselder companions, at all events, and to make slaves of O'Grady, Paul,and Alphonse. While the excitement was at its height, the pirates, withtheir frantic gestures and loud shrieks and cries, appearing more like atroop of demons than human beings, a large boat was seen coming up theharbour, pulled at a rapid rate. Her crew leaped on shore, and thepirates rushed to meet them. A few words overheard by Paul served toexplain their errand.
"Our craft was sunk--we were pursued by a British man-of-war. Hardlyescaped them. Some of our fellows taken prisoners. Are certain tobetray us and to bring the enemy down here. Not a moment is to be lost.Our only chance is to escape to sea."
From what he heard, Paul guessed that the new comers were part of thecrew of a consort of the pirate schooner, and he thought it probablethat the pirates might carry him and his companions off as hostages. Hetherefore hastened to Devereux, who was at a little distance, and toldhim what he had heard. Devereux fully agreed with him, and before thepirates had time to recover from the excitement into which the news hadthrow
n them, he and his companions, separating so as not to exciteobservation, walked quietly away till they were out of sight of thepirates. They then, once more meeting, set off running as hard as theycould go towards the extreme end of the island. Before long, as theyhalted to take breath, they had the satisfaction of seeing sail made onthe schooner, and presently she glided down with a fair wind towards theentrance of the lagoon. Before, however, she reached it, Paul, as heturned his eyes towards the west, caught sight of another sailapproaching from that direction. He pointed it out to his companions.
"She is a square-rigged ship," cried Devereux; "a man-of-war, too, if Imistake not, come in search of the pirates. Unless their craft is avery fast one, their career will soon be brought to an end."
Paul Gerrard, the Cabin Boy Page 6