Chapter XVI
News from home--A _fatigue_ party employed at Gibraltar--Moreparticulars in the life of Mr Chucks--A brush with the enemy--Acourt-martial and a lasting impression.
A few days afterwards, a cutter joined us from Plymouth, with orders forthe frigate to proceed forthwith to Gibraltar, where we should learn ourdestination. We were all very glad of this: for we had had quite enoughof cruising in the Bay of Biscay; and, as we understood that we were tobe stationed in the Mediterranean, we hoped to exchange gales of windand severe weather, for fine breezes and a bright sky. The cutterbrought out our letters and newspapers. I never felt more happy than Idid when I found one put into my hands. It is necessary to be far fromhome and friends, to feel the real delight of receiving a letter. I wentdown into the most solitary place in the steerage, that I might enjoy itwithout interruption. I cried with pleasure before I opened it, but Icried a great deal more with grief, after I had read the contents--formy eldest brother Tom was dead of a typhus fever. Poor Tom! when Icalled to mind what tricks he used to play me--how he used to borrow mymoney and never pay me--and how he used to thrash me and make me obeyhim, because he was my eldest brother--I shed a torrent of tears at hisloss; and then I reflected how miserable my poor mother must be, and Icried still more.
"What's the matter, spooney?" said O'Brien, coming up to me. "Who hasbeen licking you now?"
"O, nobody," replied I; "but my eldest brother Tom is dead, and I haveno other."
"Well, Peter, I dare say that your brother was a very good brother; butI'll tell you a secret. When you've lived long enough to have a beard toscrape at, you'll know better than to make a fuss about an elderbrother. But you're a good, innocent boy just now, so I won't thrash youfor it. Come, dry your eyes, Peter, and never mind it. We'll drink hishealth and long life to him, after supper, and then never think any moreabout it."
I was very melancholy for a few days; but it was so delightful runningdown the Portuguese and Spanish coasts, the weather was so warm, and thesea so smooth, that I am afraid I forgot my brother's death sooner thanI ought to have done; but my spirits were cheered up, and the novelty ofthe scene prevented me from thinking. Every one, too, was so gay andhappy, that I could not well be otherwise. In a fortnight, we anchoredin Gibraltar Bay, and the ship was stripped to refit. There was so muchduty to be done, that I did not like to go on shore. Indeed, Mr Falconhad refused some of my messmates, and I thought it better not to ask,although I was very anxious to see a place which was considered soextraordinary. One afternoon, I was looking over the gangway as thepeople were at supper, and Mr Falcon came up to me and said, "Well, MrSimple, what are you thinking of?" I replied, touching my hat, that Iwas wondering how they had cut out the solid rock into galleries, andthat they must be very curious.
"That is to say, that you are very curious to see them. Well, then,since you have been very attentive to your duty, and have not asked togo on shore, I will give you leave to go to-morrow morning and stay tillgun-fire."
I was very much pleased at this, as the officers had a generalinvitation to dine with the mess, and all who could obtain leave beingrequested to come, I was enabled to join the party. The first lieutenanthad excused himself on the plea of there being so much to attend to onboard; but most of the gun-room officers and some of the midshipmenobtained leave. We walked about the town and fortifications untildinner-time, and then we proceeded to the barracks. The dinner was verygood, and we were all very merry; but after the dessert had been broughtin, I slipped away with a young ensign, who took me all over thegalleries, and explained everything to me, which was a much better wayof employing my time than doing as the others did, which the reader willacknowledge. I was at the sally-port before gun-fire--the boat wasthere, but no officers made their appearance. The gun fired, thedrawbridge was hauled up, and I was afraid that I should be blamed; butthe boat was not ordered to shove off, as it was waiting forcommissioned officers. About an hour afterwards, when it was quite dark,the sentry pointed his arms and challenged a person advancing with, "Whocomes there?"--"Naval officer, drunk on a wheelbarrow," was the reply,in a loud singing voice. Upon which, the sentry recovered his arms,singing in return, "Pass naval officer, drunk on a wheelbarrow--andall's well!" and then appeared a soldier in his fatigue dress, wheelingdown the third lieutenant in a wheelbarrow, so tipsy that he could notstand or speak. Then the sentry challenged again, and the answer was,"Another naval officer, drunk on a wheelbarrow;" upon which the sentryreplied as before, "Pass, another naval officer, drunk on a wheelbarrow--and all's well." This was my friend O'Brien, almost as bad as thethird lieutenant; and so they continued for ten minutes, challenging andpassing, until they wheeled down the remainder of the party, with theexception of the second lieutenant, who walked arm and arm with theofficer who brought down the order for lowering the drawbridge. I wasmuch shocked, for I considered it very disgraceful; but I afterwards wastold, which certainly admitted of some excuse, that the mess werenotorious for never permitting any of their guests to leave the tablesober. They were all safely put into the boat, and I am glad to say, thefirst lieutenant was in bed and did not see them; but I could not helpacknowledging the truth of an observation made by one of the men as theofficers were handed into the boat, "I say, Bill, if _them_ were _we_,what a precious twisting we should get to-morrow at six bells!"
The ship remained in Gibraltar Bay about three weeks, during which timewe had refitted the rigging fore and aft, restowed and cleaned the hold,and painted outside. She never looked more beautiful than she did when,in obedience to our orders, we made sail to join the admiral. We passedEuropa Point with a fair wind, and at sunset we were sixty miles fromthe Rock, yet it was distinctly to be seen, like a blue cloud, but theoutline perfectly correct. I mention this, as perhaps my reader wouldnot have believed that it was possible to see land at such a distance.We steered for Cape de Gatte, and we were next day close in shore. I wasvery much delighted with the Spanish coast, mountain upon mountain, hillupon hill, covered with vines nearly to their summits. We might havegone on shore at some places, for at that time we were friendly withthe Spaniards, but the captain was in too great a hurry to join theadmiral. We had very light winds, and a day or two afterwards we wereoff Valencia, nearly becalmed. I was on the gangway, looking through atelescope at the houses and gardens round the city, when Mr Chucks, theboatswain, came up to me. "Mr Simple, oblige me with that glass amoment; I wish to see if a building remains there, which I have somereason to remember."
"What, were you ever on shore there?"
"Yes I was, Mr Simple, and nearly _stranded_, but I got off againwithout much damage."
"How do you mean--were you wrecked, then?"
"Not my ship, Mr Simple, but my peace of mind was for some time; butit's many years ago, when I was first made boatswain of a corvette(during this conversation he was looking through the telescope); yes,there it is," said he; "I have it in the field. Look, Mr Simple, do yousee a small church, with a spire of glazed tiles, shining like aneedle?"
"Yes, I do."
"Well, then, just above it, a little to the right, there is a long whitehouse, with four small windows--below the grove of orange-trees."
"I see it," replied I; "but what about that house, Mr Chucks?"
"Why, thereby hangs a tale," replied he, giving a sigh, which raised andthen lowered the frill of his shirt at least six inches.
"Why, what is the mystery, Mr Chucks?"
"I'll tell you, Mr Simple. With one who lived in that house, I was forthe first, and for the last time, in love."
"Indeed! I should like very much to hear the story."
"So you shall, Mr Simple, but I must beg that you will not mention it,as young gentlemen are apt to quiz; and I think that being quizzed hurtsmy authority with the men. It is now about sixteen years back--we werethen on good terms with the Spaniards, as we are now. I was then littlemore than thirty years old, and had just received my warrant asboatswain. I was considered a well-looking young man at that time,alth
ough lately I have, to a certain degree, got the better of that."
"Well, I consider you a remarkably good-looking man now, Mr Chucks."
"Thank you, Mr Simple, but nothing improves by age, that I know of,except rum. I used to dress very smart, and 'cut the boatswain' when Iwas on shore: and perhaps I had not lost so much of the polish I hadpicked up in good society. One evening, I was walking in the Plaza, whenI saw a female ahead, who appeared to be the prettiest moulded littlevessel that I ever cast my eyes on. I followed in her wake, and examinedher: such a clean run I never beheld--so neat, too, in all her rigging--everything so nicely stowed under hatches. And then, she sailed along insuch a style, at one moment lifting so lightly, just like a frigate,with her topsails on the caps, that can't help going along. At anothertime, as she turned a corner sharp up in the wind--wake as straight asan arrow--no leeway--I made all sail to sheer alongside of her, and,when under quarter, examined her close. Never saw such a fine swell inthe counter, and all so trim--no ropes towing overboard. Well, MrSimple, I said to myself, 'D--n it, if her figurehead and bows befinished off by the same builder, she's perfect.' So I shot ahead, andyawed a little--caught a peep at her through her veil, and saw two blackeyes--as bright as beads, and as large as damsons. I saw quite enough,and not wishing to frighten her, I dropped astern. Shortly afterwardsshe altered her course, steering for that white house. Just as she wasabreast of it, and I playing about her weather quarter, the priests cameby in procession, taking the _host_ to somebody who was dying. My littlefrigate lowered her top-gallant sails out of respect, as other nationsused to do, and ought now, and be d----d to them, whenever they passthe flag of old England--"
"How do you mean?" inquired I.
"I mean that she spread her white handkerchief, which fluttered in herhand as she went along, and knelt down upon it on one knee. I did thesame, because I was obliged to heave-to to keep my station, and Ithought, that if she saw me, it would please her. When she got up, I wason my legs also; but in my hurry I had not chosen a very clean place,and I found out, when I got up again, that my white jean trousers werein a shocking mess. The young lady turned round, and seeing mymisfortune, laughed, and then went into the white house, while I stoodthere like a fool, first looking at the door of the house, and then atmy trousers. However, I thought that I might make it the means of beingacquainted with her, so I went to the door and knocked. An old gentlemanin a large cloak, who was her father, came out; I pointed to mytrousers, and requested him in Spanish to allow me a little water toclean them. The daughter then came from within, and told her father howthe accident had happened. The old gentleman was surprised that anEnglish officer was so good a Christian, and appeared to be pleased. Heasked me very politely to come in, and sent an old woman for some water.I observed that he was smoking a bit of paper, and having veryfortunately about a couple of dozen of real Havannahs in my pocket (forI never smoke anything else, Mr Simple, it being my opinion that nogentleman can), I took them out, and begged his acceptance of them. Hiseyes glistened at the sight of them, but he refused to take more thanone; however, I insisted upon his taking the whole bundle, telling himthat I had plenty more on board, reserving one for myself, that I mightsmoke it with him. He then requested me to sit down, and the old womanbrought some sour wine, which I declared was very good, although it mademe quite ill afterwards. He inquired of me whether I was a goodChristian. I replied that I was. I knew that he meant a Catholic, forthey call us heretics, Mr Simple. The daughter then came in without herveil, and she was perfection; but I did not look at her, or pay her anyattention after the first salutation, I was so afraid of making the oldgentleman suspicious. He then asked what I was--what sort of officer--was I captain? I replied that I was not. Was I 'tenente? which meanslieutenant; I answered that I was not, again, but with an air ofcontempt, as if I was something better. What was I, then? I did not knowthe Spanish for boatswain, and, to tell the truth, I was ashamed of mycondition. I knew that there was an officer in Spain called corregidor,which means a corrector in English, or one who punishes. Now I thoughtthat quite near enough for my purpose, and I replied that I was thecorregidor. Now, Mr Simple, a corregidor in Spain is a person of rankand consequence, so they imagined that I must be the same, and theyappeared to be pleased. The young lady then inquired if I was of goodfamily--whether I was a gentleman or not. I replied that I hoped so. Iremained with them for half-an-hour more, when my segar was finished; Ithen rose, and thanking the old gentleman for his civility, begged thatI might be allowed to bring him a few more segars, and took my leave.The daughter opened the street door, and I could not refrain from takingher hand and kissing it--"
"Where's Mr Chucks? call the boatswain there forward," hallooed out thelieutenant.
"Here I am, sir," replied Mr Chucks, hastening aft, and leaving me andhis story.
"The captain of the maintop reports the breast backstay much chafed inthe serving. Go up and examine it," said the first lieutenant.
"Yes, sir," replied the boatswain, who immediately went up the rigging.
"And, Mr Simple, attend to the men scraping the spots off thequarter-deck."
"Yes, sir," replied I; and thus our conversation was broken up.
The weather changed that night, and we had a succession of rain andbaffling winds for six or seven days, during which I had no opportunityof hearing the remainder of the boatswain's history. We joined the fleetoff Toulon, closed the admiral's ship, and the captain went on board topay his respects. When he returned, we found out, through the firstlieutenant, that we were to remain with the fleet until the arrival ofanother frigate, expected in about a fortnight, and then the admiral hadpromised that we should have a cruise. The second day after we hadjoined, we were ordered to form part of the in-shore squadron,consisting of two line-of-battle ships and four frigates. The Frenchfleet used to come out and manoeuvre within range of their batteries,or, if they proceeded further from the shore, they took good care thatthey had a leading wind to return again into port. We had been in-shoreabout a week, every day running close in, and counting the French fleetin the harbour, to see that they were all safe, and reporting it to theadmiral by signal, when one fine morning, the whole of the Frenchvessels were perceived to hoist their topsails, and in less than an hourthey were under weigh, and came out of the harbour. We were alwaysprepared for action, night and day, and, indeed, often exchanged a shotor two with the batteries when we reconnoitred; the in-shore squadroncould not, of course, cope with the whole French fleet, and our own wasabout twelve miles in the offing, but the captain of the line-of-battleship who commanded us, hove-to, as if in defiance, hoping to entice themfurther out. This was not very easy to do, as the French knew that ashift of wind might put it out of their power to refuse an action, whichwas what they would avoid, and what we were so anxious to bring about. Isay we, speaking of the English, not of myself, for to tell the truth, Iwas not so very anxious. I was not exactly afraid, but I had anunpleasant sensation at the noise of a cannon-ball, which I had not asyet got over. However, four of the French frigates made sail towards us,and hove-to, when within four miles, three or four line-of-battle shipsfollowing them as if to support them. Our captain made signal forpermission to close the enemy, which was granted, with our pennants, andthose of another frigate. We immediately made all sail, beat toquarters, put out the fires, and opened the magazines. The Frenchline-of-battle ships perceiving that only two of our frigates were sentagainst their four, hove-to at about the same distance from theirfrigates, as our line-of-battle ships and other frigates were from us.In the meantime our main fleet continued to work in shore under a pressof sail, and the French main fleet also gradually approached thedetached ships. The whole scene reminded me of the tournaments I hadread of; it was a challenge in the lists, only that the enemy were twoto one; a fair acknowledgment on their parts of our superiority. Inabout an hour we closed so near, that the French frigates made sail andcommenced firing. We reserved our fire until within a quarter of a mile,when we poured our broadside into
the headmost frigate, exchanging withher on opposite tacks. The _Sea-horse_, who followed, also gave her abroadside. In this way we exchanged broadsides with the whole four, andwe had the best of it, for they could not load so fast as we could. Wewere both ready again for the frigates as they passed us, but they werenot ready with their broadside for the _Sea-horse_, who followed us veryclosely, so that they had two broadsides each, and we had only four inthe _Diomede_, the _Sea-horse_ not having one. Our rigging was cut up agreat deal, and we had six or seven men wounded, but none killed. TheFrench frigates suffered more, and their admiral perceiving that theywere cut up a good deal, made a signal of recall. In the meantime we hadboth tacked, and were ranging up on the weather quarter of the sternmostfrigate: the line-of-battle ships perceiving this, ran down with thewind, two points free, to support their frigates, and our in-shoresquadron made all sail to support us, nearly laying up for where wewere. But the wind was what is called at sea a soldier's wind, that is,blowing so that the ships could lie either way, so as to run out or intothe harbour, and the French frigates, in obedience to their orders, madesail for their fleet in-shore, the line-of-battle ships coming out tosupport them. But our captain would not give it up, although we allcontinued to near the French line-of-battle ships every minute--we ranin with the frigates, exchanging broadsides with them as fast as wecould. One of them lost her foretopmast, and dropped astern, and wehoped to cut her off, but the others shortened sail to support her. Thiscontinued for about twenty minutes, when the French line-of-battle shipswere not more than a mile from us, and our own commodore had made thesignal of our recall, for he thought that we should be overpowered andtaken. But the _Sea-horse_, who saw the recall up, did not repeat it,and our captain was determined not to see it, and ordered the signal-mannot to look that way. The action continued, two of the French frigateswere cut to pieces, and complete wrecks, when the French line-of-battleships commenced firing. It was then high time to be off. We each of uspoured in another broadside, and then wore round for our own squadron,which was about four miles off, and rather to leeward, standing in toour assistance. As we wore round, our main-topmast, which had been badlywounded, fell over the side, and the French perceiving this, made allsail, with the hope of capturing us; but the _Sea-horse_ remained withus, and we threw up in the wind, and raked them until they were withintwo cables' lengths of us. Then we stood on for our own ships; at lastone of the line-of-battle ships, which sailed as well as the frigates,came abreast of us, and poured in a broadside, which brought everythingabout our ears, and I thought we must be taken; but on the contrary,although we lost several men, the captain said to the first lieutenant,"Now, if they only wait a little longer, they are nabbed, as sure asfate." Just at this moment, our own line-of-battle ships opened theirfire, and then the tables were turned. The French tacked, and stood inas fast as they could, followed by the in-shore squadron, with theexception of our ship, which was too much crippled to chase them. One oftheir frigates had taken in tow the other, who had lost her top-mast,and our squadron came up with her very fast. The English fleet were alsowithin three miles, standing in, and the French fleet standing out, tothe assistance of the other ships which had been engaged. I thought, andso did everybody, that there would be a general action, but we weredisappointed; the frigate which towed the other, finding that she couldnot escape, cast her off, and left her to her fate, which was to hauldown her colours to the commodore of the in-shore squadron. The chasewas continued until the whole of the French vessels were close undertheir batteries, and then our fleet returned to its station with theprize, which proved to be the _Narcisse_, of thirty-six guns, Captain LePelleteon. Our captain obtained a great deal of credit for his gallantbehaviour. We had three men killed, and Robinson, the midshipman, andten men wounded, some of them severely. I think this action cured me ofmy fear of a cannon-ball, for during the few days we remained with thefleet, we often were fired at when we reconnoitred, but I did not careanything for them. About the time she was expected, the frigate joined,and we had permission to part company. But before I proceed with thehistory of our cruise, I shall mention the circumstances attending acourt-martial, which took place during the time that we were with thefleet, our captain having been recalled from the in-shore squadron tosit as one of the members. I was the midshipman appointed to thecaptain's gig, and remained on board of the admiral's ship during thewhole of the time that the court was sitting. Two seamen, one anEnglishman, and the other a Frenchman, were tried for desertion from oneof our frigates. They had left their ship about three months, when thefrigate captured a French privateer, and found them on board as part ofher crew. For the Englishman, of course, there was no defence; hemerited the punishment of death, to which he was immediately sentenced.There may be some excuse for desertion, when we consider that the seamenare taken into the service by force, but there could be none forfighting against his country. But the case of the Frenchman wasdifferent. He was born and bred in France, had been one of the crew ofthe French gunboats at Cadiz, where he had been made a prisoner by theSpaniards, and expecting his throat to be cut every day, had contrivedto escape on board of the frigate lying in the harbour, and entered intoour service, I really believe to save his life. He was nearly two yearsin the frigate before he could find an opportunity of deserting fromher, and returning to France, when he joined the French privateer.During the time that he was in the frigate, he bore an excellentcharacter. The greatest point against him was, that on his arrival atGibraltar he had been offered, and had received the bounty. When theEnglishman was asked what he had to say in his defence, he replied thathe had been pressed out of an American ship, that he was an Americanborn, and that he had never taken the bounty. But this was not true. Thedefence of the Frenchman was considered so very good for a person in hisstation of life, that I obtained a copy of it, which ran as follows:--
"Mr President, and Officers of the Honourable Court;--It is with thegreatest humility that I venture to address you. I shall be very brief,nor shall I attempt to disprove the charges which have been made againstme, but confine myself to a few facts, the consideration of which will,I trust, operate upon your feelings in mitigation of the punishment towhich I may be sentenced for my fault--a fault which proceeded, not fromany evil motive, but from an ardent love for my country. I am by birth aFrenchman; my life has been spent in the service of France until a fewmonths after the revolution in Spain, when I, together with those whocomposed the French squadron at Cadiz, was made a prisoner. Thehardships and cruel usage which I endured became insupportable. Ieffected my escape, and after wandering about the town for two or threedays, in hourly expectation of being assassinated, the fate of too manyof my unfortunate countrymen; desperate from famine, and perceiving noother chance of escaping from the town, I was reduced to the necessityof offering myself as a volunteer on board of an English frigate. Idared not, as I ought to have done, acknowledge myself to have been aprisoner, from the dread of being delivered up to the Spaniards. Duringthe period that I served on board of your frigate, I confidently relyupon the captain and the officers for my character.
"The love of our country, although dormant for a time, will ultimatelybe roused, and peculiar circumstances occurred which rendered thefeeling irresistible. I returned to my duty, and for having so done, amI to be debarred from again returning to that country so dear to me--from again beholding my aged parents, who bless me in my absence--fromagain embracing my brothers and sisters--to end my days upon a scaffold;not for the crime which I did commit in entering into your service, butfor an act of duty and repentance--that of returning to my own? Allow meto observe, that the charge against me is not for entering your service,but for having deserted from it. For the former, not even my misery canbe brought forward but in extenuation; for the latter I have a proudconsciousness, which will, I trust, be my support in my extremity.
"Gentlemen, I earnestly entreat you to consider my situation, and I amsure that your generous hearts will pity me. Let that love of yourcountry, which now animates
your breasts, and induces you to risk yourlives and your all, now plead for me. Already has British humanity savedthousands of my countrymen from the rage of the Spaniards; let that samehumanity be extended now, and induce my judges to add one more to thelist of those who, although our nations are at war, if they are endowedwith feeling, can have but one sentiment towards their generous enemy--asentiment overpowering all other, that of a deep-felt gratitude."[1]
Whatever may have been the effect of the address upon the courtindividually, it appeared at the time to have none upon them as a body.Both the men were condemned to death, and the day after the morrow wasfixed for their execution. I watched the two prisoners as they went downthe side, to be conducted on board of their own ship. The Englishmanthrew himself down in the stern sheets of the boat, every minorconsideration apparently swallowed up in the thought of his approachingend; but the Frenchman, before he sat down, observing that the seat wasa little dirty, took out his silk handkerchief, and spread it on theseat, that he might not soil his nankeen trowsers.
I was ordered to attend the punishment on the day appointed. The sunshone so brightly, and the sky was so clear, the wind so gentle andmild, that it appeared hardly possible that it was to be a day of suchawe and misery to the two poor men, or of such melancholy to the fleetin general. I pulled up my boat with the others belonging to the shipsof the fleet, in obedience to the orders of the officer superintending,close to the fore-chains of the ship. In about half-an-hour afterwards,the prisoners made their appearance on the scaffold, the caps werepulled over their eyes, and the gun fired underneath them. When thesmoke rolled away, the Englishman was swinging at the yard-arm, but theFrenchman was not; he had made a spring when the gun fired, hoping tobreak his neck at once, and put an end to his misery; but he fell on theedge of the scaffold, where he lay. We thought that his rope had givenway, and it appeared that he did the same, for he made an enquiry, butthey returned him no answer. He was kept on the scaffold during thewhole hour that the Englishman remained suspended; his cap had beenremoved, and he looked occasionally at his fellow-sufferer. When thebody was lowered down, he considered that his time was come, andattempted to leap overboard. He was restrained and led aft, where hisreprieve was read to him and his arms were unbound. But the effect ofthe shock was too much for his mind; he fell down in a swoon, and whenhe recovered, his senses had left him, and I heard that he neverrecovered them, but was sent home to be confined as a maniac. I thought,and the result proved, that it was carried too far. It is not thecustom, when a man is reprieved, to tell him so, until after he is onthe scaffold, with the intention that his awful situation at the timemay make a lasting impression upon him during the remainder of his life;but, as a foreigner, he was not aware of our customs, and the hour ofintense feeling which he underwent was too much for his reason. I mustsay, that this circumstance was always a source of deep regret in thewhole fleet, and that his being a Frenchman, instead of an Englishman,increased the feeling of commiseration.
[Footnote 1: This is fact.--AUTHOR.]
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