by Oliver Optic
CHAPTER X.
THE CHIEF CONSPIRATOR.
Lieutenant Pillgrim rattled off the sentences in which he acknowledgedhis complicity with treason with a smile of malignant triumph on hisface. He gloated over his victim as the evil one might be supposed to doover a soul wrenched from truth and virtue. He believed that he hadSomers in a position where he could not betray him, or even resent histyranny.
For the first time Somers realized that he had been imprudent inexposing himself to the machinations of these evil men. Before he hadonly felt a little uncomfortably, and harbored a vague suspicion that,in attempting to overreach others, he had committed himself. He hadlearned in his babyhood that it is dangerous to play with fire, but hadnever believed it so fully as at this moment. He had touched the pitch,and felt that he had been defiled by it. Though his conscience keptassuring him he was innocent, and protesting against a harsh judgment,he could not help regretting that he had not exposed the villainsbefore he left Philadelphia, and permitted the consequences to take careof themselves.
But stronger than any other impression, at this eventful moment, was thefeeling that he was no match for men so deeply versed in treason andwickedness as Pillgrim and his confederates. He had played at the gameof strategy, and been beaten. While he thought he was leading them on toconfusion, they were actually entwining the meshes of the net aroundhim.
Mr. Pillgrim had just declared that he was the mysterious Coles. Somers,at first, found it very difficult to realize the fact. He had reallyseen Coles but once; but they had spent some hours together. At thattime Coles wore long, black whiskers, which concealed two thirds of hisface; Pillgrim wore no beard, not even a mustache. Coles was dressed inhomely garments; Pillgrim, in an elegant uniform. Coles's hair was shortand straight; Pillgrim's, long and curly at the ends.
In height, form, and proportions, they were the same; and the differencebetween Coles and Pillgrim was really nothing which might not have beenproduced with a razor, a pair of barber's shears, and the contrast ofdress. The familiarity of the lieutenant's expression, beforeunexplained, was now accounted for; and before his tyrant spoke again,Somers was satisfied that he actually stood in the presence of Coles.
Pillgrim stood with folded arms, gazing at his victim, and enjoying theconfusion which Somers could not conceal. The persecutor was a confidentman, and fully believed that he was master of the situation, and thatSomers would do anything he asked of him, even to going over into therebel ranks. He was mistaken; for Somers, deep as he felt that he was inhot water, would have chosen to hang at the fore yard-arm, rather thanbetray his country, or be false to her interests.
"You just now remarked that you should know Coles if you saw him,"sneered Pillgrim.
"I know you now," replied Somers, bitterly.
"I see you do; but you will know me better before we part."
"I know you well enough now. You are a rebel and a traitor; and what Isaid of Coles I say of you,--that you are the greatest villain that everwent unhung."
"I don't like that kind of language, Mr. Somers," replied Pillgrim, withentire coolness and self-possession. "It isn't the kind of languagewhich one gentleman should apply to another."
"Gentleman!" said Somers, with curling lip; "I applied it to a rebel anda traitor."
"In the present instance it is mutiny. I am your superior officer."
"You are out of place; you don't belong here."
"Your place is on the quarter deck of the Ben Nevis; and perhaps it willbe when she goes into commission as a Confederate cruiser."
"Never!" exclaimed Somers, with energy.
"My dear Mr. Somers, be prudent. Some of the officers might hear you."
"I don't care if they all hear me."
"You talk and act like a boy, Somers. I beg you to consider that yourneck and mine are in the same noose. If I hang, you hang with me."
Somers groaned, for he could not see where his vindication was to comefrom.
"You seem to understand your situation, and at the same time you appearto be quite willing to throw yourself into the fire. Let me call yourattention to the fact that fire will burn."
"Better burn or hang, than be a traitor."
"Be reasonable, Somers. I do not propose to ask anything of you whichwill compromise your position in the navy; but I repeat, you are mine."
"I don't understand you."
"I have told you my secret. You know that I am in the Confederateservice; that I have fitted out a vessel to cruise for Yankee ships. Iam willing you should know this, for you dare not violate myconfidence."
"Perhaps I dare."
"If you do, you are a dead man."
"Will you kill me?"
"If necessary."
"I have usually been able to defend myself," replied Somers, withdignity.
"I am not an assassin. A court martial will do all I wish done if youare not prudent and devoted, as you should be. The Confederate oath ofallegiance signed by you is good testimony."
"I didn't sign it. The signature is a forgery."
"My dear fellow, what possible difference does that make? It is welldone--is it not?"
"Perhaps it is. Where did you get it?"
"Langdon gave it to me."
"Did he sign my name to it?"
"Possibly; but even grant that I did it myself--what then?"
"You are a greater villain than I ever gave Coles the credit of being."
"Thank you!"
"Where is Langdon now?"
"In New York--where he can be reached if you make it necessary toconvene a court martial."
"Is he a naval officer?"
"Yes; he has been a Confederate agent in London for the past two years.Since the English have become a little particular about letting steamersout for the Confederates, he buys them on this side."
"What do you want of me, Mr.--Pillgrim? if that is your name?"
"That is my name. I don't want much of you."
"What?"
"I am not ready to tell you until you are in a proper frame of mind. Youare rather childish to-night. After you have thought the matter over,you will be a man, and be reasonable. Let me see: Garboard has theforenoon watch to-morrow, and we shall both be off duty after generalquarters. If you please, I will meet you at that time."
Somers considered a moment, and assented to the proposition. Pillgrimbade him good night, and retired to his own state-room, apparentlywithout a fear that his victim would struggle in the trap into which hehad fallen.
"And into the counsels of the ungodly enter thou not." This text rang inthe mind of Somers, as though some mighty prophet were thundering itinto his ears. He felt that he had already plunged deep enough into thepit of treason, and he was anxious to get away from it before he wasscorched by the fire, and before the smell of fire clung to hisgarments.
For half an hour the fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua sat at his desk,in deep thought. Though in the matter of which he was thinking, he hadnot sinned against his country, or the moral law, he was sorelytroubled. He could not conceal from himself the fact that he was afraidof Pillgrim. The dread of having his name connected with any treasonabletransaction was hard to overcome. That oath of allegiance, with hissignature forged upon it, haunted him like an evil demon. He felt moretimid and fearful than ever before in his life. His faith in Him whodoeth all things well, seemed to be momentarily shaken, and he washardly willing to do justly, and leave the consequences to themselves.
He felt weak, and being conscious of his weakness, he looked upward forstrength. Leaning on his desk, he prayed for wisdom to know the right,and for the power to do it. He was in earnest; and though his prayer wasnot spoken, it moved his soul down to the depths of his spiritual being.
Three bells struck while he was thus engaged. He rose from the desk, andwalked up and down the state-room several times. Suddenly he stoppedshort. A great thought struck him. In an instant it became a greatresolution. Before it had time to grow cold, he put on his coat and cap,and went out into t
he ward-room. Mr. Transit, the master, Mr. Grynbock,the paymaster, and Dr. De Plesion, the surgeon, were there, discussingthe anticipated attacks on Mobile and Wilmington. Somers felt nointerest in the conversation at this time. He went on deck, where hefound Captain Cascabel and the first lieutenant, smoking their cigars.Waiting till the captain went below, he touched his cap to Mr.Hackleford.
"Mr. Somers?"
"Yes, sir."
"Not turned in, Mr. Somers? You have the mid-watch."
"If you will excuse me, sir, for coming to you at such a time, I wish tohave half an hour's conversation with you."
"With me?" said Mr. Hackleford, apparently much surprised at such arequest at such an hour.
"Yes, sir. It is a matter of the utmost consequence, or I would not havementioned it at this time."
"Very well, Mr. Somers; I am ready to hear you."
"Excuse me, sir; I would rather not introduce the matter on deck."
"Well, come to my state-room."
"To my state-room, if you please, Mr. Hackleford."
"Why not mine?"
"I am afraid the person most deeply concerned will overhear me. His roomis next to yours."
"Mr. Pillgrim?" exclaimed the first lieutenant.
"Yes, sir."
"Mr. Somers, I have a high regard for you as an officer and a gentleman,and I am not unacquainted with your past history. I hope you havenothing to say which will reflect on a brother officer."
"I have, sir."
"Then I advise you to think well before you speak."
"I am entirely prepared to speak, sir."
"Complaints against superior officers, Mr. Somers, are ratherdangerous."
"It is not personal, sir, though I may be the sufferer for making it."
Mr. Hackleford led the way down to the ward-room. The officers hadretired to their apartments, and there was no one to see them enter thestate-room. As it was now nearly ten o'clock, when all officers' lightsmust be extinguished, Somers formally asked and obtained permission toburn his lamp till eleven o'clock. The first lieutenant entered theroom, and Somers closed the door.
"Mr. Hackleford, may I trouble you to read this statement?" said Somers,as he handed out the paper he had so carefully prepared.
The first lieutenant adjusted his eye-glass, and read the statementthrough, asking an explanation of two or three points as he proceeded.He was deeply absorbed in the narrative, which was drawn up with theutmost minuteness.
"This is an infernal scheme, Mr. Somers. I hope you did not permit thevessel to sail without giving information of her character."
"The Ben Nevis sailed from New York before I could do anything or say aword," said Somers, exhibiting Langdon's letter.
"That was bad. You should have spoken before."
"My paper explains my reasons for keeping still. Perhaps I was wrong,sir, but I did the best I knew how."
"And this vessel is bound to Mobile. We may pick her up."
"The note says she is bound to Mobile; but it is not true. That is ablind to deceive me."
"Why should they wish to deceive you, after giving you theirconfidence."
"I don't know the reason."
"But what has all this to do with Mr. Pillgrim?" asked Mr. Hackleford.
"Mr. Pillgrim is the person spoken of in that paper as Coles."
"Impossible!" ejaculated Mr. Hackleford, springing to his feet.
"I shall be able to prove it by to-morrow, sir."
Somers then gave him the substance of the conversation between himselfand Mr. Pillgrim.
"Why, this Coles wants something of you."
"Yes, sir; but I don't know what. He engaged to meet me here at fourbells in the forenoon watch to-morrow, when he will tell me what hewants."
"Very well, Mr. Somers; meet him as agreed. You have played your partwell. When you come together, you must yield the point; lead him along,and you will bag him,--and the vessel, I hope."
"The Ben Nevis will sail from St. John July 4, for Wilmington."
"Ah, then she is about even with the Chatauqua. I would give a year'spay for the privilege of catching her."
Until eleven o'clock the two officers consulted charts, and figured upthe time of the Ben Nevis.