Brave Old Salt; or, Life on the Quarter Deck: A Story of the Great Rebellion

by Oliver Optic

  CHAPTER XV.

  THE PRISONER IN THE CABIN.

  Mr. Pillgrim's wound, as such injuries are regarded in the army andnavy, was a mere scratch; but it might have been very sore, and mighthave ached severely. The traitor did not even mention it in hisinterview with Somers, for the sore in his mind was much more serious.His victim had now become his tyrant; not implacable or vindictive, butfirm and unyielding in the discharge of his duty.

  Somers went on deck, satisfied himself in regard to the course of thesteamer, then visited the engine-room, and other parts of the vessel,until he had assured himself that everything was right. It was a fine,clear night, and when the port watch came on deck, he went below, andlay down on the broad sofa, which extended across the after part of thecabin. He was tired enough to sleep, and he did sleep till the starboardwatch was called in the morning.

  He was a prudent and zealous commander, and he hastened on deck at onceto make sure that his charge was still safe. The weather continued fine,and every man was at his post. He scrutinized the log slate, andquestioned the officer of the deck. Everything had been correctly done;nothing had happened, and nothing was likely to happen. There wasnothing for him to do but sleep, and he returned to his couch in thecabin, to complete his nap.

  The sentinel at the door of the prisoner's state-room was still inposition. The guard was relieved every two hours, and the door wassecured on the outside by a padlock, which had been put on by thearmorer after the vessel was captured. Of course there could be no doubtin regard to the safety of the prisoner.

  Somers went to sleep again, satisfied that he had neglected noprecautions to insure the safety of the vessel and the prisoner. Themovements of the steward in the cabin awoke him at six o'clock. He hadslept away all his fatigue, and when he looked out through the sternlights upon a smooth sea, brightened by the morning sun, all his anxietyleft him. It was hardly possible that any accident could interfere withthe safe arrival of the prize at her destined port.

  As he rose from the sofa, the corporal of marines relieved the sentry atthe prisoner's door.

  "Marine," said Somers, as the man passed him on his way out of thecabin.

  The sentinel stopped and touched his cap.

  "How is the prisoner?"

  "I haven't heard anything of him, sir, during my beat," replied themarine.

  "Isn't he up yet?"

  "I didn't hear him, sir. He's a heavy sleeper, I should say, for I don'tthink he moved while I was on guard."

  As Somers had the key of the padlock in his pocket, he was satisfied itwas all right with the prisoner, and he went on deck. At seven bells,when his breakfast was brought down, he directed the steward to give Mr.Pillgrim his morning meal, handing the key of the state-room to thecorporal.

  The door was opened, and the marine entered the little room. Somers satdown at the table to eat his breakfast. He was blessed with a goodappetite, and some "'am and heggs," which the steward particularlyrecommended, looked very inviting. But he had hardly satisfied himselfthat the steward had not overrated the quality of his viands, before hisattention was attracted by an exclamation from the corporal of marines.

  "What's the matter?" demanded Somers, rising from the table, and rushingto the state-room.

  "Mr. Pillgrim is not here, sir," replied the man.

  "Not here!"

  "No, sir."

  "He can't be far off."

  Somers entered the state-room. Certainly the prisoner was not there; norwas there any indication of the means by which he had departed. Thepartitions between this and the adjoining state-rooms were undisturbed.The door had been securely locked, and the key was in the pocket of thecommanding officer. The traitor could not have crawled through thebull's eye which lighted the room, for it was not more than nine inchesin diameter.

  The marines who had been on guard during the night were summoned. Theyall told the same story; not a sound had been heard in the room. Boththe master's mates who had kept the watches on deck were examined, butthey had no information to communicate.

  "This is very remarkable," said Somers to his first officer.

  "Very remarkable," replied Mr. Hudson, who seemed to be even morebewildered than his commander.

  "Where is Captain Walmsley?" asked Somers of the steward.

  "I don't know, sir. I 'aven't seen him since 'e hate his supper lastnight."

  "See if he is in his state-room, steward."

  He was not in his state-room. His bed had not been occupied; no one hadseen him since the Ben Nevis parted company with the Chatauqua.

  "Are there any boats missing, Mr. Hudson?" continued Somers.

  "No, sir; the steamer had two quarter-boats, and a life-boat forward.They are all in their places."

  "Wasn't there a dingy, or a jolly-boat, at the stern?"

  "No, sir; I am sure that no boat is missing."

  "Then of course the prisoner must be on board."

  "No doubt of that, Mr. Somers. In my opinion he has concealed himself inthe hold, and intends to escape after we go into port."

  "But how could he get into the hold?"

  "That is more than I know, sir. He isn't in his state-room; he wouldn'thave jumped overboard forty miles from land."

  "He must be found before we make the capes," said Somers, who could nothelp thinking how "cheap" he should feel if compelled to report theescape of his prisoner to the department.

  He returned to the table and finished his breakfast, as a matter ofnecessity now,--for man must eat,--rather than of inclination. TheScotch ham seemed to have lost its fine flavor, and it was really a pitythat he had not completed his repast before the escape of Pillgrim wasdiscovered. But Somers was satisfied that the traitor was still onboard, and he was determined to find him, even if he had to throw thevaluable cargo of the Ben Nevis overboard, in order to effect hispurpose.

  When Somers had worried down his breakfast, he went on deck to detailparties to engage in the search. The hatches were taken off, and Mr.Hudson was directed to examine the hold, while Somers himself, with themarines and a couple of seamen, went to the cabin for the purpose oftracing the fugitive from his starting-point. This appeared to be noeasy matter, for as yet there was not the slightest clew to his means ofegress.

  Somers opened the door of the state-room, which had been occupied by theprisoner, and there, to his utter astonishment and confusion, he sawPillgrim, sitting on a stool, and looking as composed as though nothinghad happened. Somers could hardly believe the evidence of his own eyes.

  "Good morning, Mr. Somers," said the traitor. "I am happy to see you. Iwas just thinking it was about breakfast time."

  "Haven't you had your breakfast yet?" asked Somers, who deemed it bestto talk at random.

  "How should I? You lock the door, and confine me to a very limitedsphere of observation. I hope you don't intend to starve me."

  "O, no, by no means. I thought it likely you had breakfasted while onyour travels."

  "On my travels?" said the prisoner, inquiringly.

  "You have been out of your room."

  "I?"

  Pillgrim opened his eyes, and seemed to be astonished.

  "Certainly you have. When we opened the door half an hour since, youwere not here. Perhaps you will not object to telling me where you havebeen."

  "I have not been out of my state-room, as you must be aware."

  "But you have," replied Somers, stoutly.

  "Am I to infer that you accuse me of lying, Mr. Somers?" demanded thetraitor, with an exhibition of dignity.

  "I accuse you of nothing; I only say you have been out of yourstate-room."

  "But I say I have not. I am your prisoner: it is hardly magnanimous toinsult me in my present situation."

  "Are you ready for your breakfast?" asked Somers, unwilling to pursuethe conversation on that tack.

  "A hungry man is always ready for his breakfast. My misfortunes have notimpaired my appetite. I am ready for my breakfast."

  Somers directed the steward to bring
the prisoner his morning meal.

  "Mr. Somers, may I beg the favor of half an hour's conversation withyou, when I have done my breakfast?" added Pillgrim.

  "It is hardly necessary."

  "Excuse me; it is absolutely necessary for your comfort and safety aswell as mine."

  "Under such a threat, I shall certainly decline," replied Somers,coldly.

  "I intended no threat. Send these people away, and I will speak."

  "You may speak or be silent, as you please."

  Somers stationed a marine at the door, and sent the others away,retiring himself to the farther end of the cabin. He was sorely puzzledto know how the prisoner had got out of his state-room, and why he hadreturned. He concluded that the opening of the hold had induced thelatter step, but the former was still enveloped in mystery. Hedetermined to give the prisoner another room, and make a more carefulsearch in the one he now occupied.

  When Pillgrim had done his breakfast, Somers called a couple of marines,and ordered them to put the prisoner in the aftermost room. The hasp andpadlock were then transferred to the occupied room.

  "Mr. Somers," said Pillgrim, as he was about to lock the door, "I shouldlike to speak with you."

  The tone was gentlemanly, and even supplicating, and Somers entered theroom, closing the door behind him; but he was careful to cock hisrevolver as he did so, for the prisoner was a desperate man.

  "I am ready to hear you."

  "It is well you are."

  "If you have any threats to make, I will not remain."

  "Let me speak only the truth," said Pillgrim, as he looked at his watch."In twenty minutes from now, we shall all be in kingdom come."

  There was a malignant smile on the face of the traitor as he spoke, andit was plain to Somers that the villain did not speak without a cause.

  "Somers, you have beaten me in the last game we played. I shall beat inthe next one."

  "I told you I did not come here to listen to threats."

  "You will be a dead man in seventeen minutes, Somers," continuedPillgrim, glancing at his watch again. "I could not deny myself thesatisfaction of informing you of the fact. But, Somers, you will havethe pleasure of knowing that I shall share your fate."

  "What do you mean, you villain?" demanded Somers, horrified by thethought suggested by the traitor's words.

  "Gently, my dear fellow. Don't use hard words. But I am glad to see youare moved. Ah, Somers, I have you now," said the wretch, in mockingtones.

  "Speak!" roared Somers, drawing his pistol.

  "Shoot me, Somers. I will thank you if you will. It is better to be shotdead, than to be blown up, mangled, and then, after enduring a moment oran hour of agony, to be drowned. Fire, Somers!"

  He restored the revolver to his belt, appalled by the terrible picturewhich the villain painted.

  "Somers, I did leave my state-room. I was not willing to acknowledge itbefore your crew."

  "How?"

  "I have not time to explain. There are but ten minutes of life left toyou and me. We will not waste them in what is of so little consequenceto either of us. You know of what the cargo of the Ben Nevis iscomposed?"

  "I do--of arms, ammunition, and provisions."

  "Correct; the ammunition is stowed in the after part of the ship--underus, in fact. Captain Walmsley and myself have laid a train by which thevessel will be blown up when four bells strike. It wants five minutes ofthe time. Captain Walmsley is in a position where he can hear the bell,"continued Pillgrim with perfect coolness.

  "Marine," said Somers, opening the door.

  "Here, sir," responded the man.

  "Pass the word for the quartermaster to strike four bells, instantly,"added the young commander. "I am ready, Mr. Pillgrim."

  The traitor looked aghast.