CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.
IN WHICH OUR HERO AND GASCOIGNE OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, ANDDID FEEL WHAT MIGHT BE CALLED MIDSHIPMITE COMPUNCTION.
The _Aurora_ continued three weeks at Palermo, during which the mostactive search had been made for the remainder of the galley-slaves, andsome few had been captured, but still Don Silvio, and a considerablenumber, were at large; and it was said that they had returned to thefastnesses in the mountains. Our hero was constantly on shore at DonRebiera's house, and, after what had passed, he was now looked upon assoon to become a member of the family. The difference of religion wasoverlooked by Don Rebiera and the relations--by all but the confessor,Father Thomaso, who now began to agitate and fulminate into the ears ofthe Donna Rebiera all the pains and penalties attending hereticalconnection, such as excommunication and utter damnation. The effects ofhis remonstrances were soon visible, and Jack found that there wasconstraint on the part of the old lady, tears on the part of Agnes, andall father confessors heartily wished at the devil ten times a day onthe part of Don Philip and his brother. At last he wormed the truth outof Agnes, who told her tale, and wept bitterly.
"Ned, I don't much like the appearance of things," observed Jack; "Imust get rid of that Father Thomaso."
"You'll find that rather difficult," observed Gascoigne; "besides, ifyou get rid of him you would have his place filled up with another."
"He has frightened that poor old woman into the dismals, and she has thepains of purgatory on her already. I shall go and talk to Mesty."
"How can Mesty help you?"
"I don't know, but you can't; so, for want of better advice, I'll trythe Ashantee."
Our hero went to Mesty, and laid the difficult affair open to him.
"I see," said Mesty, showing his filed teeth, "you want him skull."
"No, I don't, Mesty; but I want him out of the way."
"How dat possible, Massa Easy?--ship sail day after to-morrow. Now'pose I ab time, I soon manage all dat. Stop a little."
"Confound it! but there's no stopping," replied Jack.
"Suppose, Massa Easy, you get leave go on shore--not come off again."
"That will be deserting, Mesty."
"By holy poker, I ab it--you go on shore and break your leg."
"Break my leg!--break my leave, you mean?"
"No, Massa Easy--you break your leg--den captain leave you shore, andleave me take care of you."
"But why should I break my leg, and how am I to break my leg?"
"Only pretend break leg, Massa Easy. Go talk Massa Don Philip, hemanage all dat.--Suppose man break his leg in seven pieces, it is notpossible to take him board."
"Seven pieces, Mesty! that's rather too many. However, I'll think ofthis."
Jack then went back and consulted Gascoigne, who approved of Mesty'sadvice, and thought the scheme feasible.
"If we could only pretend that we were thrown out of a caricola, youbreak your leg, a compound fracture of course--I break my arm--both lefton shore at sick quarters, with Mesty to take care of us."
"Capital indeed," replied Jack; "I really would not mind it if it reallytook place; at all events we'll overturn the caricola."
"But shall we get leave the last day?"
"Yes, it's two days since I have been on shore, for I have not liked togo to Don Rebiera's since what Agnes told me. Besides, my clothes areall on shore, and that will be an excuse for a few hours."
Our two midshipmen applied for leave the next morning to be off in theafternoon. The first lieutenant gave them permission. They hastened tothe hotel, sent for Don Philip, and made him a party to their plan. Hereadily promised his assistance, for he had resolved that our heroshould marry his sister, and was fearful of the effect of his absence,coupled with Friar Thomaso's influence over his mother. He went to thesurgeon of his regiment, who immediately entered into the scheme.
Our two midshipmen got into a caricola, rattled up and down the streets,and perceiving Captain Wilson at his window flogged the horse into agallop: when abreast of the barracks Jack ran the wheel against a bank,and threw himself and Gascoigne out. Midshipmen are never hurt by theseaccidents, but fortunately for the success of the enterprise their faceswere cut and bruised. Don Philip was standing by: he called the men topick up our two scamps, carried them into the barracks, and sent for thesurgeons, who undressed them, put Jack's left leg into a multitude ofsplints, and did the same to Gascoigne's arm. They were then put tobed, their contused faces with the blood, left _in statu quo_, while DonPhilip sent an orderly, as from the commandant, to Captain Wilson, toacquaint him that two of his officers had been thrown out of a caricola,and were lying dangerously hurt at the barracks.
"Good heavens, it must be Mr Easy and Mr Gascoigne!" said CaptainWilson, when the intelligence was communicated; "I saw them gallopingdown the street like two madmen just now. Coxswain, take the gig onboard and tell the surgeon to come on shore immediately, and bring himup to me at the barracks."
Captain Wilson then put on his hat, buckled on his sword, and hastenedto ascertain the extent of the injury. Don Philip kept out of the way,but the captain was ushered into the room by one of the officers, wherehe found, in two beds, our two midshipmen stretched out, the surgeon ofthe forces and the regimental surgeon in consultation between them,while attendants were standing by each bed with restoratives. Themedical gentlemen saluted Captain Wilson, and looked very grave, talkedabout fractures, contusions, injuries, in the most interminable manner--hoped that Mr Easy would recover--but had doubts. The other gentlemanmight do well with care; that is, as far as his arm was concerned, butthere appeared to be a concussion of the brain. Captain Wilson lookedat the cut and blood-smeared faces of the two young men, and waited withanxiety the arrival of his own surgeon, who came at last, puffing withthe haste he had made, and received the report of the brothers of thefaculty.
The leg of Mr Easy fractured in two places--had been set--boneprotruding--impossible to move him. Gascoigne, arm, compound fracture--concussion of the brain not certain. Now, that all this would have beendiscovered to be false if the surgeon had been able to examine, is true;but how could he not credit the surgeon of the forces and the regimentalsurgeon, and how could he put the young men to fresh tortures byremoving splints and unsetting limbs? Politeness, if nothing else,prevented his so doing, for it would have been as much as to say thateither he did not credit their report, or that he doubted their skill.He looked at our hero and his companion, who kept their eyes closed, andbreathed heavily with their mouths open, put on a grave face as well ashis brothers in the art, and reported to Captain Wilson.
"But when can they be moved, Mr Daly?" inquired the latter; "I cannotwait; we must sail to-morrow, or the next day at the farthest."
The surgeon, as in duty bound, put the question to the others, whoreplied that there would be great risk in removing before the fever,which might be expected the next day, and which might last ten days; butthat Captain Wilson had better not think of removing them, as theyshould have every care and attention where they were and could rejointhe ship at Malta. Mr Daly, the surgeon, agreed that this would be themost prudent step, and Captain Wilson then gave his consent.
That being settled, he walked up to the bed of Gascoigne, and spoke tohim; but Gascoigne knew that he was to have a concussion of the brain,and he made no reply, nor gave any signs of knowing that Captain Wilsonwas near him. He then went to our hero, who, at the sound of CaptainWilson's voice, slowly opened his eyes without moving his head, andappeared to recognise him.
"Are you in much pain, Easy?" said the captain kindly.
Easy closed his eyes again, and murmured, "Mesty, Mesty!"
"He wants his servant, the ship's corporal, sir," said the surgeon.
"Well," replied Captain Wilson, "he had better have him: he is afaithful fellow, and will nurse him well. When you go on board, MrDaly, desire the first lieutenant to send Mesty on shore with MrGascoigne's and Mr Easy's chests, and his own bag and h
ammock. Goodheavens! I would not for a thousand pounds that this accident hadoccurred. Poor foolish boys--they run in couples, and if one's in ascrape the other is sure to share it. Gentlemen, I return you manythanks for your kindness, and I must accept of your promised care for myunfortunate officers. I sail to-morrow at daylight. You will oblige meby informing their friends, the Rebieras, of their mischance, as I amsure they will contribute all they can to their comfort." So saying,Captain Wilson bowed and quitted the room, followed by the surgeon.
As soon as the door was closed the two midshipmen turned their headsround and looked at each other, but they were afraid to speak at first,in case of the return of the surgeon. As soon as it was announced tothem that Captain Wilson and Mr Daly were outside the barrack gates ourhero commenced--"Do you know, Ned, that my conscience smites me, and ifit had not been that I should have betrayed those who wish to oblige us,when poor Captain Wilson appeared so much hurt and annoyed at ouraccident, I was very near getting up and telling him of the imposition,to relieve his mind."
"I agree with you, Jack, and I felt much the same--but what's donecannot be undone. We must now keep up the imposition for the sake ofthose who, to help us, have deceived him."
"I don't think that you would find an English surgeon who would haveconsented to such an imposition."
"No, that is certain; but after all, it is an imposition that has hurtnobody."
"Oh, I do not wish to moralise--but I repent of my share in the deceit;and had it to be done over again I would not consent to it."
"Not even for ---? but I won't mention her name in barracks."
"I don't know," replied Jack; "but let's say no more about it, and thankthese gentlemen for their kindness."
"Yes, but we must keep it up until we see the _Aurora_ under all sail."
"And longer too," replied Jack; "we must not let the affair get windeven on shore. We must not recover quickly, but still appear torecover. Don Rebiera and his wife must be deceived. I have a plot inmy head, but I cannot work it out clear until I see Mesty."
Don Philip now came in. He had seen Captain Wilson, who had requestedhim to look after the two invalids, and stated his intention to sail thenext morning. They consulted with him, and it was agreed that no oneshould be acquainted with the real fact but his brother Martin, and thatall Palermo should be as much deceived as Captain Wilson, for if not, itwould put Father Thomaso on the _qui vive_, and make him fulminate morethan ever. Our midshipmen ate an excellent dinner, and then remained inbed conversing till it was time to go to sleep; but long before that,Mesty had made his appearance with their clothes. The eyes of theAshantee said all that was necessary--he never spoke a word, butunlashed his hammock and lay down in a corner, and they were soon allthree asleep.
The next morning Captain Wilson called to ascertain how our hero and hiscompanion were, but the room had been darkened, and he could not seetheir faces plainly. Easy thanked him for his kindness in allowingMesty to attend them, and having received his orders as to their joiningthe ship as soon as they recovered, and having promised to be verycautious in their behaviour and keep out of all scrapes, he wished thema speedy recovery, and departed.
In little more than half an hour afterwards, Mesty, who had been peepingout of the shutters, suddenly threw them open with a loud laugh.
The _Aurora_ was under way, with studding sails below and aloft,standing out of the roads. Jack and Gascoigne got up, threw off thesplints, and danced about in their shirts. As soon as they were quietagain, Mesty said in a grave tone, "Den why you stay at sea, MassaEasy?"
"Very true, Mesty, I've asked myself that question often enough lately;because I'm a fool, I suppose."
"And I, because I can't help it," replied Gascoigne; "never mind, we areon shore now, and I look for a famous cruise."
"But first we must see what the ground is we are to cruise on," repliedJack; "so, Mesty, let us have a palaver, as they say in your country."
The two midshipmen got into their beds, and Mesty sat on the chestbetween them, looking as grave as a judge. The question was, how to getrid of the padre Thomaso. Was he to be thrown over the molehead to thefishes--or his skull broke--was Mesty's knife to be resorted to--was heto be kidnapped or poisoned--or were fair means to be employed--persuasion, bribery? Every one knows how difficult it is to get rid ofa priest.
As our hero and Gascoigne were not Italians, they thought that briberywould be the more English-like way of doing the thing; so they composeda letter, to be delivered by Mesty to the friar, in which Jack offeredto Father Thomaso the moderate sum of one thousand dollars, provided hewould allow the marriage to proceed, and not frighten the old lady withecclesiastical squibs and crackers.
As Mesty was often on shore with Jack, and knew the friar very well bysight, it was agreed that the letter should be confided to his charge;but, as it was not consistent that a person in such a state as our herowas represented to be should sit up and write letters, the delivery wasdeferred for a few days, when, after waiting that time, Mesty deliveredthe letter to the friar, and made signs that he was to take back theanswer. The friar beckoned him that he was to accompany him to hisroom, where he read the letter, and then again made signs to him tofollow him. The friar led the way to his monastery, and as soon asMesty was in his cell, he summoned another who could speak English toact as interpreter.
"Is your master recovering?"
"Yes," replied Mesty, "he is at present doing well."
"Have you served him long?"
"No," replied Mesty.
"Are you very fond of him? does he treat you well, give you plenty ofmoney?"
At these questions, the artful black conceived that there was somethingin the wind, and he therefore very quietly replied, "I do not care muchfor him."
The friar fixed his keen eye upon Mesty, and perceived there was asavage look about the black, from which he augured that he was a man whowould suit his purpose.
"Your master offers me a thousand dollars; would you wish to gain thismoney for yourself?"
Mesty grinned and showed his sharp-filed teeth.
"It would make me a rich man in my own country."
"It would," replied the friar; "now you shall have it, if you will onlygive your master a small powder."
"I understand," replied Mesty; "hab those things in my country."
"Well--do you consent?--if so, I will write the letter to get themoney."
"Suppose they find me out?" replied Mesty.
"You will be safe, and you shall be sent away as soon as possible--say,will you consent?"
"The whole thousand dollars?"
"Every one of them."
"Den give me the powder?"
"Stay a little," replied the friar, who went out of the cell, and, inabout ten minutes, returned with an answer to our hero's letter and apaper containing a grayish powder.
"Give him this in his soup or anything--spread it on his meat, or mix itup with his sugar if he eats an orange."
"I see," replied Mesty.
"The dollars shall be yours. I swear it on the holy cross."
Mesty grinned horribly, took his credentials, and then asked, "When Icome again?"
"As soon as you have received the money bring it to me at DonRebiera's--then give the powder: as soon as it is given you must let meknow, for you must not remain in Palermo. I will myself conduct you toa place of safety."
Mesty then quitted the cell and was shown out of the monastery.
"By de holy poker he one damn rascal!" muttered Mesty, as he was once inthe open air. "But stop a little."
The Ashantee soon arrived at the barracks, and repeated the whole of theconference between him and the Friar Thomaso.
"It must be poison, of course," observed Gascoigne; "suppose we try itupon some animal?"
"No, Massa Gascoigne," replied Mesty, "I try it myself, by-and-bye. Nowwhat we do?"
"I must give you the order for the thousand dollars, Mesty," repliedJack. "The rascal here writ
es to me that for that sum he will consentnot only not to oppose me, but agrees to assist my cause; but the greatquestion is, whether he will keep his word with you, Mesty; if not, Ishall lose my money. So therefore we must now have another palaver andargue the point."
The point was argued between Jack and Gascoigne. A thousand dollars wasa large sum, but Jack's father was a philosopher. After many _pros_ and_cons_, it was as last decided that the money should be given to Mesty;but that Mesty should state, when he took the money to the friar, thathe had administered the powder, and claim it when he presented it.
The next day the order for the money was given to Mesty, and he went tothe Friar Thomaso with it. The friar hastened with Mesty to themonastery and sent for the interpreter.
"You have given it?" inquired the friar.
"Yes--not one hour ago. Here de order for de money."
"You must run for the money before he is dead, for the powder is veryrapid."
"And me," replied Mesty, apparently much alarmed, "where am I to go?"
"As soon as you bring the money here, you must go back to the barracks.Remain there till he is dead, and then return here. I will have allready, and take you, as soon as it is dusk, to a monastery of our orderin the mountains, where no one will think of looking for you till theaffair is blown over; and then I will find you a passage in some vesselout of the island."
Mesty hastened for the money, and taking it in a large bag to themonastery, delivered it to the friar's charge, and then returned to thebarracks to Easy and Gascoigne. It was agreed that he should go withthe friar, who would probably remain away some time; indeed, Mestyinsisted upon so doing. Mesty stayed two hours, and then returned aboutdusk to the monastery, and reported the death of our hero. He remainedthere until it was dark, and then the friar ordered him to tie the bagof dollars to his saddle-bow. They mounted two mules, which stoodalready caparisoned, and quitted Palermo.
In the morning, Don Philip, as usual, made his appearance, and told ourhero that the friar had been summoned away by the abbot, and would notreturn for some time.
"I came to tell you this news," said Don Philip, "as I thought it wouldplease you; the sooner you are now well, the better. I mean to proposeyour both being removed to my father's palazzo, and then you can recoveryour lost ground during the confessor's absence."
"And I have the means," replied Jack, showing the friar's letter. DonPhilip read it with astonishment, but was still more surprised when heheard the whole story from Jack. He was for a time silent: at last hesaid:
"I am sorry for your poor black."
"Why so?" replied Jack.
"You will never see him again, depend upon it. A thousand dollars wouldsign the death-warrant of a thousand blacks; but there is anotherreason--they will put him out of the way that he may not give evidence.Where is the powder?"
"Mesty has it; he would not part with it."
"He is a shrewd fellow, that black; he may be too much for the friar,"replied Don Philip.
"He means mischief, I'm sure," replied Gascoigne.
"Still I feel a great deal of alarm about him," replied Easy; "I wishnow that I had not let him go."
"Are you sure that he went?"
"No, I am not; but the friar told him that he should take him to themountains as soon as it was dark."
"And probably he will," replied Don Philip, "as the best place to getrid of him. However, the whole of this story must be told both to myfather and my mother; to the former that he may take the right measures,and to my mother that it may open her eyes. Give me the copy of theletter you wrote to the friar, and then I shall have it all."
The report of the accident which had occurred to Easy and Gascoigne hadbeen spread and fully believed throughout Palermo. Indeed, as usual, ithad been magnified, and asserted that they could not recover. To Agnesonly had the case been imparted in confidence by Don Philip, for herdistress at the first intelligence had been so great that her brothercould not conceal it.
Two days after Don Philip had made his parents acquainted with thevillainy of the friar, the midshipmen were transported to the palazzo,much to the surprise of everybody, and much to the renown of thesurgeons, who were indemnified for their duplicity and falsehood by anamazing extension of their credit as skilful men.
After their arrival at the palazzo, Don Rebiera was also entrusted withthe secret, but it went no further. As now there was no particularhurry for our hero to get well, he was contented and happy in thesociety of Agnes and her parents; the old lady, after she had beeninformed of the conduct of Friar Thomaso, having turned round in ourhero's favour, and made a vow never to have a confessor in the houseagain. Jack and Gascoigne were now as happy as could be; all theiralarm was about Mesty, for whose return they were most anxious.
To Don Rebiera Jack made known formally his intentions with regard toAgnes. He fully satisfied him as to his qualifications and hisproperty, and Don Rebiera was fully aware of his debt of gratitude toour hero. But all he required was the consent of Jack's father, anduntil this was obtained, he would not consent to the marriage takingplace. Jack attempted to argue the point; his father, he said, hadmarried without consulting him, and therefore he had a right to marrywithout consulting his father. But Don Rebiera, not having anyacquaintance with the rights of man and equality, did not feel the fullforce of Jack's argument, and made it a _sine qua non_ that his parentsshould write and consent to the alliance before it took place.
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