Peter Simple; and, The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2

by Frederick Marryat

  Chapter VII

  CONCLUSION

  We must now return to the other parties who have assisted in the acts ofthis little drama. Lord B., after paddling and paddling, the menrelieving each other in order to make head against the wind which wasoff shore, arrived about midnight at a small town in West Bay, fromwhence he took a chaise on to Portsmouth, taking it for granted that hisyacht would arrive as soon as, if not before himself, little imaginingthat it was in possession of the smugglers. There he remained three orfour days, when, becoming impatient, he applied to one of his friendswho had a yacht at Cowes, and sailed with him to look after his own.

  We left the _Happy-go-lucky_ chased by the revenue cutter. At first thesmuggler had the advantage before the wind; but, by degrees, the windwent round with the sun, and brought the revenue cutter to leeward: itwas then a chase on a wind, and the revenue cutter came fast up withher.

  Morrison, perceiving that he had no chance of escape, let run the ankersof brandy that he might not be condemned; but still he was in an awkwardsituation, as he had more men on board than allowed by Act ofParliament. He therefore stood on, notwithstanding the shot of thecutter went over and over him, hoping that a fog or night might enablehim to escape; but he had no such good fortune,--one of the shot carriedaway the head of his mast, and the _Happy-go-lucky's_ luck was all over.He was boarded and taken possession of; he asserted that the extra menwere only passengers; but, in the first place, they were dressed inseamen's clothes; and, in the second, as soon as the boat was aboard ofher, Appleboy had gone down to his gin-toddy, and was not to bedisturbed. The gentlemen smugglers therefore passed an uncomfortablenight; and the cutter going to Portland by daylight before Appleboy wasout of bed, they were taken on shore to the magistrate. Hautaineexplained the whole affair, and they were immediately released andtreated with respect; but they were not permitted to depart until theywere bound over to appear against the smugglers, and prove the brandyhaving been on board. They then set off for Portsmouth in the seamen'sclothes, having had quite enough of yachting for that season, MrOssulton declaring that he only wanted to get his luggage, and then hewould take care how he put himself again in the way of the shot of arevenue cruiser, or of sleeping a night on her decks.

  In the mean time Morrison and his men were locked up in the jail, theold man, as the key was turned on him, exclaiming, as he raised his footin vexation, "That cursed blue pigeon!"

  We will now return to the yacht.

  About an hour after Pickersgill had come on board, Corbett had made allhis arrangements and followed him. It was not advisable to remain atTorquay any longer, through fear of discovery; he, therefore, weighedthe anchor before dinner, and made sail.

  "What do you intend to do now, my lord?" said Mrs Lascelles.

  "I intend to run down to Cowes, anchor the yacht in the night; and anhour before daylight have you in my boat with all my men. I will takecare that you are in perfect safety, depend upon it, even if I run arisk. I should, indeed, be miserable, if, through my wild freaks, anyaccident should happen to Mrs Lascelles or Miss Ossulton."

  "I am very anxious about my father," observed Cecilia. "I trust that youwill keep your promise."

  "I always have hitherto, Miss Ossulton; have I not?"

  "Ours is but a short and strange acquaintance."

  "I grant it; but it will serve for you to talk about long after. I shalldisappear as suddenly as I have come--you will neither of you, in allprobability, ever see me again."

  The dinner was announced, and they sat down to table as before; but theelderly spinster refused to make her appearance; and Mrs Lascelles andCecilia, who thought she had been frightened enough, did not attempt toforce her. Pickersgill immediately yielded to these remonstrances, and,from that time she remained undisturbed in the ladies' cabin, meditatingover the indignity of having sat down to table, having drank wine, andbeen obliged to walk on shore, taking the arm of a smuggler, and appearin such a humiliating situation.

  The wind was light, and they made but little progress, and were notabreast of Portland till the second day, when another yacht appeared insight, and the two vessels slowly neared until in the afternoon theywere within four miles of each other. It then fell a dead calm--signalswere thrown out by the other yacht, but could not be distinguished, and,for the last time, they sat down to dinner. Three days' companionship onboard of a vessel, cooped up together, and having no one else toconverse with, will produce intimacy; and Pickersgill was a young man ofso much originality and information, that he was listened to withpleasure. He never attempted to advance beyond the line of strictdecorum and politeness; and his companion was equally unpresuming.Situated as they were, and feeling what must have been the case had theyfallen into other hands, both Cecilia and Mrs Lascelles felt some degreeof gratitude towards him; and, although anxious to be relieved from sostrange a position, they had gradually acquired a perfect confidence inhim, and this had produced a degree of familiarity, on their parts,although never ventured upon by the smuggler. As Corbett was at thetable, one of the men came down and made a sign. Corbett shortly afterquitted the table and went on deck. "I wish, my lord, you would come upa moment, and see if you can make this flag out," said Corbett, giving asignificant nod to Pickersgill. "Excuse me, ladies, one moment," saidPickersgill, who went on deck.

  "It is the boat of the yacht coming on board," said Corbett; "and LordB. is in the stern-sheets with the gentleman who was with him."

  "And how many men in the boat?--let me see--only four. Well, let hislordship and his friend come: when they are on the deck, have the menready in case of accident; but if you can manage to tell the boat's crewthat they are to go on board again, and get rid of them that way, somuch the better. Arrange this with Adams, and then come down again--hislordship must see us all at dinner."

  Pickersgill then descended, and Corbett had hardly time to give hisdirections and to resume his seat, before his lordship and Mr Stewartpulled up alongside and jumped on deck. There was no one to receive thembut the seamen, and those whom they did not know. They looked round inamazement; at last his lordship said to Adams, who stood forward,

  "What men are you?"

  "Belong to the yacht, ye'r honour."

  Lord B. heard laughing in the cabin; he would not wait to interrogatethe men; he walked aft, followed by Mr Stewart, looked down theskylight, and perceived his daughter and Mrs Lascelles with, as hesupposed, Hautaine and Ossulton.

  Pickersgill had heard the boat rub the side, and the sound of the feeton deck, and he talked the more loudly, that the ladies might be caughtby Lord B. as they were. He heard their feet at the skylight, and knewthat they could hear what passed; and at that moment he proposed to theladies that as this was their last meeting at table they should all takea glass of champagne to drink to "their happy meeting with Lord B." Thiswas a toast which they did not refuse. Maddox poured out the wine, andthey were all bowing to each other, when his lordship, who had come downthe ladder, walked into the cabin, followed by Mr Stewart. Ceciliaperceived her father; the champagne-glass dropped from her hand--sheflew into his arms, and burst into tears.

  "Who would not be a father, Mrs Lascelles?" said Pickersgill, quietlyseating himself, after having first risen to receive Lord B.

  "And pray, whom may I have the honour of finding established here?" saidLord B., in an angry tone, speaking over his daughter's head, who stilllay in his arms. "By heavens, yes?--Stewart, it is the smuggling captaindressed out."

  "Even so, my lord," replied Pickersgill. "You abandoned your yacht tocapture me; you left these ladies in a vessel crippled for want of men;they might have been lost. I have returned good for evil by coming onboard with my own people, and taking charge of them. This night, Iexpected to have anchored your vessel in Cowes, and have left them insafety."

  "By the--" cried Stewart.

  "Stop, sir, if you please!" cried Pickersgill; "recollect you have oncealready attacked one who never offended. Oblige me by refraining fromintemperate language; for I tell
you I will not put up with it.Recollect, sir, that I have refrained from that, and also from takingadvantage of you when you were in my power. Recollect, sir, also, thatthe yacht is still in possession of the smugglers, and that you are inno condition to insult with impunity. My lord, allow me to observe, thatwe men are too hot of temperament to argue, or listen coolly. With yourpermission, your friend, and my friend, and I, will repair on deck,leaving you to hear from your daughter and that lady all that haspassed. After that, my lord, I shall be most happy to hear anythingwhich your lordship may please to say."

  "Upon my word--" commenced Mr Stewart.

  "Mr Stewart," interrupted Cecilia Ossulton, "I request your silence;nay, more, if ever we are again to sail in the same vessel together, I_insist_ upon it."

  "Your lordship will oblige me by enforcing Miss Ossulton's request,"said Mrs Lascelles.

  Mr Stewart was dumbfounded, no wonder, to find the ladies siding withthe smuggler.

  "I am obliged to you ladies for your interference," said Pickersgill;"for, although I have the means of enforcing conditions, I should besorry to avail myself of them. I wait for his lordship's reply."

  Lord B. was very much surprised. He wished for an explanation; he bowedwith _hauteur_. Everybody appeared to be in a false position; even he,Lord B., somehow or another had bowed to a smuggler.

  Pickersgill and Stewart went on deck, walking up and down, crossing eachother without speaking, but reminding you of two dogs who both areanxious to fight, but have been restrained by the voice of theirmasters. Corbett followed, and talked in a low tone to Pickersgill;Stewart went over to leeward to see if the boat was still alongside, butit had long before returned to the yacht. Miss Ossulton had heard herbrother's voice, but did not come out of the after-cabin; she wished tobe magnificent and, at the same time, she was not sure whether all wasright, Phoebe having informed her that there was nobody with her brotherand Mr Stewart, and that the smugglers still had the command of thevessel. After a while, Pickersgill and Corbett went down forward, andreturned dressed in the smuggler's clothes, when they resumed their walkon the deck.

  In the mean time, it was dark; the cutter flew along the coast; and theNeedles' lights were on the larboard bow. The conversation betweenCecilia, Mrs Lascelles, and her father, was long. When all had beendetailed, and the conduct of Pickersgill duly represented, Lord B.acknowledged that, by attacking the smuggler, he had laid himself opento retaliation; that Pickersgill had shown a great deal of forbearancein every instance; and, after all, had he not gone on board the yachtshe might have been lost, with only three seamen on board. He was amusedwith the smuggling and the fright of his sister; still more with thegentlemen being sent to Cherbourg, and much consoled that he was not theonly one to be laughed at. He was also much pleased with Pickersgill'sintention of leaving the yacht safe in Cowes harbour, his respect to theproperty on board, and his conduct to the ladies. On the whole, he feltgrateful to Pickersgill; and where there is gratitude there is alwaysgood will.

  "But who can he be?" said Mrs Lascelles; "his name he acknowledges notto be Pickersgill; and he told me confidentially that he was of goodfamily."

  "Confidentially, my dear Mrs Lascelles!" said Lord B.

  "Oh, yes! we are both his confidants. Are we not, Cecilia?"

  "Upon my honour, Mrs Lascelles, this smuggler appears to have made animpression which many have attempted in vain."

  Mrs Lascelles did not reply to that remark, but said, "Now, my lord, youmust decide--and I trust you will to oblige us--treat him as he hastreated us, with the greatest respect and kindness."

  "Why should you suppose otherwise?" replied Lord B.; "it is not only mywish but my interest so to do. He may take us over to France to-night,or anywhere else. Has he not possession of the vessel?"

  "Yes," replied Cecilia; "but we flatter ourselves that we have _thecommand_. Shall we call him down, papa?"

  "Ring for Maddox. Maddox, tell Mr Pickersgill, who is on deck, that Iwish to speak with him, and shall be obliged by his stepping down intothe cabin."

  "Who, my lord? What? _Him_?"

  "Yes, _him_," replied Cecilia, laughing.

  "Must I call him, my lord, now, miss?"

  "You may do as you please, Maddox; but recollect, he is still inpossession of the vessel," replied Cecilia.

  "Then, with your lordship's permission, I will; it's the safest way."

  The smuggler entered the cabin; the ladies started as he appeared in hisrough costume, with his throat open, and his loose black handkerchief.He was the _beau ideal_ of a handsome sailor.

  "Your lordship wishes to communicate with me?"

  "Mr Pickersgill, I feel that you have had cause of enmity against me,and that you have behaved with forbearance. I thank you for yourconsiderate treatment of the ladies; and I assure you, that I feel noresentment for what has passed."

  "My lord, I am quite satisfied with what you have said; and I only hopethat, in future, you will not interfere with a poor smuggler, who may bestriving, by a life of danger and privation, to procure subsistence forhimself and, perhaps, his family. I stated to these ladies my intentionof anchoring the yacht this night at Cowes, and leaving her as soon asshe was in safety. Your unexpected presence will only make thisdifference, which is, that I must previously obtain your lordship'sassurance that those with you will allow me and my men to quit herwithout molestation, after we have performed this service."

  "I pledge you my word, Mr Pickersgill, and I thank you into the bargain.I trust you will allow me to offer some remuneration."

  "Most certainly not, my lord."

  "At all events, Mr Pickersgill, if, at any other time, I can be ofservice, you may command me."

  Pickersgill made no reply.

  "Surely, Mr Pickersgill,--"

  "Pickersgill! how I hate that name!" said the smuggler, musing. "I begyour lordship's pardon--if I may require your assistance for any of myunfortunate companions--"

  "Not for yourself, Mr Pickersgill?" said Mrs Lascelles.

  "Madam, I smuggle no more."

  "For the pleasure I feel in hearing that resolution, Mr Pickersgill,"said Cecilia, "take my hand and thanks."

  "And mine," said Mrs Lascelles, half crying.

  "And mine, too," said Lord B., rising up.

  Pickersgill passed the back of his hand across his eyes, turned round,and left the cabin.

  "I'm so happy!" said Mrs Lascelles, bursting into tears.

  "He's a magnificent fellow," observed Lord B. "Come, let us all go ondeck."

  "You have not seen my aunt, papa."

  "True; I'll go in to her, and then follow you."

  The ladies went upon deck. Cecilia entered into conversation with MrStewart, giving him a narrative of what had happened. Mrs Lascelles satabaft at the taffrail, with her pretty hand supporting her cheek,looking very much _a la Juliette_.

  "Mrs Lascelles," said Pickersgill, "before we part, allow me to observe,that it is _you_ who have induced me to give up my profession--"

  "Why me, Mr Pickersgill?"

  "You said that you did not like it."

  Mrs Lascelles felt the force of the compliment. "You said, just now,that you hated the name of Pickersgill: why do you call yourself so?"

  "It was my smuggling name, Mrs Lascelles."

  "And now, that you have left off smuggling, pray what may be the name weare to call you by?"

  "I cannot resume it till I have not only left this vessel, but shakenhands with, and bid farewell to, my companions; and by that time, MrsLascelles, I shall be away from you."

  "But I've a great curiosity to know it, and a lady's curiosity must begratified. You must call upon me some day, and tell it me. Here is myaddress."

  Pickersgill received the card with a low bow: and Lord B. coming ondeck, Mrs Lascelles hastened to meet him.

  The vessel was now passing the Bridge at the Needles, and the smugglerpiloted her on. As soon as they were clear and well inside, the wholeparty went down into the cabin, Lord B. requesting Pickersg
ill andCorbett to join him in a parting glass. Mr Stewart, who had received theaccount of what had passed from Cecilia, was very attentive toPickersgill, and took an opportunity of saying, that he was sorry thathe had said or done anything to annoy him. Every one recovered hisspirits; and all was good humour and mirth, because Miss Ossultonadhered to her resolution of not quitting the cabin till she could quitthe yacht. At ten o'clock the yacht was anchored. Pickersgill took hisleave of the honourable company, and went in his boat with his men; andLord B. was again in possession of his vessel, although he had not aship's company. Maddox recovered his usual tone; and the cook flourishedhis knife, swearing that he should like to see the smuggler who wouldagain order him to dress cutlets _a l'ombre Chinoise_.

  The yacht had remained three days at Cowes, when Lord B. received aletter from Pickersgill, stating that the men of his vessel had beencaptured, and would be condemned, in consequence of their having thegentlemen on board, who were bound to appear against them, to prove thatthey had sunk the brandy. Lord B. paid all the recognisances, and themen were liberated for want of evidence.

  It was about two years after this that Cecilia Ossulton, who was sittingat her work-table in deep mourning for her aunt, was presented with aletter by the butler. It was from her friend Mrs Lascelles, informingher that she was married again to a Mr Davenant, and intended to pay hera short visit on her way to the Continent. Mr and Mrs Davenant arrivedthe next day; and when the latter introduced her husband, she said toMiss Ossulton, "Look, Cecilia, dear, and tell me if you have ever seenDavenant before."

  Cecilia looked earnestly: "I have, indeed," cried she at last, extendingher hand with warmth; "and happy am I to meet with him again."

  For in Mr Davenant she recognised her old acquaintance, the captain ofthe _Happy-go-lucky_, Jack Pickersgill, the smuggler.

  THE END.