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diff --git a/old/11409.txt b/old/11409.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..817dc13 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/11409.txt @@ -0,0 +1,18066 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Red Rover, by James Fenimore Cooper + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Red Rover + +Author: James Fenimore Cooper + +Release Date: March 2, 2004 [EBook #11409] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED ROVER *** + + + + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +THE RED ROVER. + +A Tale. + +By J. Fenimore Cooper. + +"Ye speak like honest men: pray God ye prove so" + +Complete In One Volume + + + + +Preface. + + + +The Writer felt it necessary, on a former occasion, to state, that, in +sketching his marine life, he did not deem himself obliged to adhere, very +closely, to the chronological order of nautical improvements. It is +believed that no very great violation of dates will be found in the +following pages. If any keen-eyed critic of the ocean, however, should +happen to detect a rope rove through the wrong leading-block, or a term +spelt in such a manner as to destroy its true sound, he is admonished of +the duty of ascribing the circumstances, in charity, to any thing but +ignorance on the part of a brother. It must be remembered that there is an +undue proportion of landsmen employed in the mechanical as well as the +more spiritual part of book-making; a fact which, in itself, accounts for +the numberless imperfections that still embarrass the respective +departments of the occupation. In due time, no doubt, a remedy will be +found for this crying evil; and then the world may hope to see the several +branches of the trade a little better ordered. The true Augustan age of +literature can never exist until works shall be as accurate, in their +typography, as a "log book," and as sententious, in their matter, as a +"watch-bill." + +On the less important point of the materials, which are very possibly used +to so little advantage in his present effort, the Writer does not intend +to be very communicative, if their truth be not apparent, by the manner in +which he has set forth the events in the tale itself, he must be content +to lie under the imputation of having disfigured it, by his own +clumsiness. All testimony must, in the nature of things, resolve itself +into three great classes--the positive, the negative, and the +circumstantial. The first and the last are universally admitted to be +entitled to the most consideration, since the third can only be resorted +to in the absence of the two others. Of the positive evidence of the +verity of its contents, the book itself is a striking proof. It is hoped, +also, that there is no want of circumstance to support this desirable +character. If these two opening points be admitted those who may be still +disposed to cavil are left to the full enjoyment of their negation, with +which the Writer wishes them just as much success as the question may +merit. + + + + +To W. B. Shubrick, Esquire, U. S. Navy. + +In submitting this hastily-composed and imperfect picture of a few scenes, +peculiar to the profession, to your notice, dear Shubrick, I trust much +more to your kind feelings than to any merit in the execution. Such as it +may be, however, the book is offered as another tribute to the constant +esteem and friendship of + +The Author. + + + + +The Red Rover. + + + + +Chapter I. + + + + Par. "Mars dote on you for his novices." + + _All's Well that ends Well._ + + +No one, who is familiar with the bustle and activity of an American +commercial town, would recognize, in the repose which now reigns in the +ancient mart of Rhode Island, a place that, in its day, has been ranked +amongst the most important ports along the whole line of our extended +coast. It would seem, at the first glance, that nature had expressly +fashioned the spot to anticipate the wants and to realize the wishes of +the mariner. Enjoying the four great requisites of a safe and commodious +haven, a placid basin, an outer harbour, and a convenient roadstead, with +a clear offing, Newport appeared, to the eyes of our European ancestors, +designed to shelter fleets and to nurse a race of hardy and expert seamen. +Though the latter anticipation has not been entirely disappointed, how +little has reality answered to expectation in respect to the former. A +successful rival has arisen, even in the immediate vicinity of this +seeming favourite of nature, to defeat all the calculations of mercantile +sagacity, and to add another to the thousand existing evidences "that the +wisdom of man is foolishness." + +There are few towns of any magnitude, within our broad territories, in +which so little change has been effected in half a century as in Newport. +Until the vast resources of the interior were developed the beautiful +island on which it stands was a chosen retreat of the affluent planters of +the south, from the heats and diseases of their burning climate. Here they +resorted in crowds, to breathe the invigorating breezes of the sea. +Subjects of the same government, the inhabitants of the Carolinas and of +Jamaica met here, in amity, to compare their respective habits and +policies, and to strengthen each other in a common delusion, which the +descendants of both, in the third generation, are beginning to perceive +and to regret. + +The communion left, on the simple and unpractised offspring of the +Puritans, its impression both of good and evil. The inhabitants of the +country, while they derived, from the intercourse, a portion of that bland +and graceful courtesy for which the gentry of the southern British +colonies were so distinguished did not fail to imbibe some of those +peculiar notions, concerning the distinctions in the races of men, for +which they are no less remarkable Rhode Island was the foremost among the +New England provinces to recede from the manners and opinions of their +simple ancestors. The first shock was given, through her, to that rigid +and ungracious deportment which was once believed a necessary concomitant +of true religion, a sort of outward pledge of the healthful condition of +the inward man; and it was also through her that the first palpable +departure was made from those purifying principles which might serve as an +apology for even far more repulsive exteriors. By a singular combination +of circumstances and qualities, which is, however, no less true than +perplexing, the merchants of Newport were becoming, at the same time, both +slave-dealers and gentlemen. + +Whatever might have been the moral condition of its proprietors at the +precise period of 1759, the island itself was never more enticing and +lovely. Its swelling crests were still crowned with the wood of +centuries; its little vales were then covered with the living verdure of +the north; and its unpretending but neat and comfortable villas lay +sheltered in groves, and embedded in flowers. The beauty and fertility of +the place gained for it a name which, probably, expressed far more than +was, at that early day, properly understood. The inhabitants of the +country styled their possessions the "Garden of America." Neither were +their guests, from the scorching plains of the south, reluctant to concede +so imposing a title to distinction. The appellation descended even to our +own time; nor was it entirely abandoned, until the traveller had the means +of contemplating the thousand broad and lovely vallies which, fifty years +ago, lay buried in the dense shadows of the forest. + +The date we have just named was a period fraught with the deepest interest +to the British possessions on this Continent. A bloody and vindictive war, +which had been commenced in defeat and disgrace, was about to end in +triumph. France was deprived of the last of her possessions on the main, +while the immense region which lay between the bay of Hudson and the +territories of Spain submitted to the power of England. The colonists had +shared largely in contributing to the success of the mother country. +Losses and contumely, that had been incurred by the besotting prejudices +of European commanders were beginning to be forgotten in the pride of +success. The blunders of Braddock, the indolence of Loudon, and the +impotency of Abercrombie, were repaired by the vigour of Amherst, and the +genius of Wolfe. In every quarter of the globe the arms of Britain were +triumphant. The loyal provincials were among the loudest in their +exultations and rejoicings; wilfully shutting their eyes to the scanty +meed of applause that a powerful people ever reluctantly bestows on its +dependants, as though love of glory, like avarice, increases by its means +of indulgence. + +The system of oppression and misrule, which hastened a separation that +sooner or later must have occurred, had not yet commenced. The mother +country, if not just, was still complaisant. Like all old and great +nations, she was indulging in the pleasing, but dangerous, enjoyment of +self-contemplation. The qualities and services of a race, who were +believed to be inferior, were, however, soon forgotten; or, if remembered, +it was in order to be misrepresented and vituperated. As this feeling +increased with the discontent of the civil dissensions, it led to still +more striking injustice, and greater folly. Men who, from their +observations, should have known better, were not ashamed to proclaim, even +in the highest council of the nation, their ignorance of the character of +a people with whom they had mingled their blood. Self-esteem gave value to +the opinions of fools. It was under this soothing infatuation that +veterans were heard to disgrace their noble profession, by boastings that +should have been hushed in the mouth of a soldier of the carpet; it was +under this infatuation that Burgoyne gave, in the Commons of England, that +memorable promise of marching from Quebec to Boston, with a force he saw +fit to name--a pledge that he afterwards redeemed by going over the same +ground, with twice the number of followers, as captives; and it was under +this infatuation that England subsequently threw away her hundred thousand +lives, and lavished her hundred millions of treasure. + +The history of that memorable struggle is familiar to every American. +Content with the knowledge that his country triumphed, he is willing to +let the glorious result take its proper place in the pages of history. He +sees that her empire rests on a broad and natural foundation, which needs +no support from venal pens; and, happily for his peace of mind, no less +than for his character, he feels that the prosperity of the Republic is +not to be sought in the degradation of surrounding nations. + +Our present purpose leads us back to the period of calm which preceded the +storm of the Revolution. In the early days of the month of October 1759, +Newport, like every other town in America, was filled with the mingled +sentiment of grief and joy. The inhabitants mourned the fall of Wolfe +while they triumphed in his victory. Quebec, the strong-hold of the +Canadas, and the last place of any importance held by a people whom they +had been educated to believe were their natural enemies, had just changed +its masters. That loyalty to the Crown of England, which endured so much +before the strange principle became extinct, was then at its height; and +probably the colonist was not to be found who did not, in some measure, +identify his own honour with the fancied glory of the head of the house of +Brunswick. The day on which the action of our tale commences had been +expressly set apart to manifest the sympathy of the good people of the +town, and its vicinity, in the success of the royal arms. It had opened, +as thousands of days have opened since, with the ringing of bells and the +firing of cannon; and the population had, at an early hour, poured into +the streets of the place, with that determined zeal in the cause of +merriment, which ordinarily makes preconcerted joy so dull an amusement. +The chosen orator of the day had exhibited his eloquence, in a sort of +prosaic monody in praise of the dead hero, and had sufficiently manifested +his loyalty, by laying the glory, not only of that sacrifice, but all that +had been reaped by so many thousands of his brave companions also, most +humbly at the foot of the throne. + +Content with these demonstrations of their allegiance the inhabitants +began to retire to their dwellings as the sun settled towards those +immense regions which then lay an endless and unexplored wilderness but +which now are teeming with the fruits and enjoyments of civilized life. +The countrymen from the environs, and even from the adjoining main were +beginning to turn their faces towards their distant homes, with that +frugal care which still distinguishes the inhabitants of the country even +in the midst of their greatest abandonment to pleasures, in order that the +approaching evening might not lead them into expenditures which were not +deemed germain to the proper feelings of the occasion. In short, the +excess of the hour was past, and each individual was returning into the +sober channels of his ordinary avocations, with an earnestness and +discretion which proved he was not altogether unmindful of the time that +had been squandered in the display of a spirit that he already appeared +half disposed to consider a little supererogatory. + +The sounds of the hammer, the axe, and the saw were again heard in the +place; the windows of more than one shop were half opened, as if its owner +had made a sort of compromise between his interests and his conscience; +and the masters of the only three inns in the town were to be seen +standing before their doors, regarding the retiring countrymen with eyes +that plainly betrayed they were seeking customers among a people who were +always much more ready to sell than to buy. A few noisy and thoughtless +seamen, belonging to the vessels in the haven, together with some half +dozen notorious tavern-hunters were, however, the sole fruits of all their +nods of recognition, inquiries into the welfare of wives and children, +and, in some instances, of open invitations to alight and drink. + +Worldly care, with a constant, though sometimes an oblique, look at the +future state, formed the great characteristic of all that people who then +dwelt in what were called the provinces of New-England. The business of +the day, however, was not forgotten though it was deemed unnecessary to +digest its proceedings in idleness, or over the bottle. The travellers +along the different roads that led into the interior of the island formed +themselves into little knots, in which the policy of the great national +events they had just been commemorating, and the manner they had been +treated by the different individuals selected to take the lead in the +offices of the day, were freely handled, though still with great deference +to the established reputations of the distinguished parties most +concerned. It was every where conceded that the prayers, which had been in +truth a little conversational and historical, were faultless and searching +exercises; and, on the whole, (though to this opinion there were some +clients of an advocate adverse to the orator, who were moderate +dissenters) it was established, that a more eloquent oration had never +issued from the mouth of man, than had that day been delivered in their +presence. Precisely in the same temper was the subject discussed by the +workmen on a ship, which was then building in the harbour, and which, in +the same spirit of provincial admiration that has since immortalized so +many edifices, bridges, and even individuals, within their several +precincts, was confidently affirmed to be the rarest specimen then extant +of the nice proportions of naval architecture! + +Of the orator himself it may be necessary to say a word, in order that so +remarkable an intellectual prodigy should fill his proper place in our +frail and short-lived catalogue of the worthies of that day. He was the +usual oracle of his neighbourhood, when a condensation of its ideas on any +great event, like the one just mentioned, became necessary. His learning +was justly computed, by comparison, to be of the most profound and erudite +character; and it was very truly affirmed to have astonished more than one +European scholar, who had been tempted, by a fame which, like heat, was +only the more intense from its being so confined, to grapple with him on +the arena of ancient literature. He was a man who knew how to improve +these high gifts to his exclusive advantage. In but one instance had he +ever been thrown enough off his guard to commit an act that had a tendency +to depress the reputation he had gained in this manner; and that was, in +permitting one of his laboured flights of eloquence to be printed; or, as +his more witty though less successful rival, the only other lawyer in the +place, expressed it, in suffering one of his _fugitive_ essays to be +_caught._ But even this experiment, whatever might have been its effects +abroad, served to confirm his renown at home. He now stood before his +admirers in all the dignity of types; and it was in vain for that +miserable tribe of "animalculae, who live by feeding on the body of +genius," to attempt to undermine a reputation that was embalmed in the +faith of so many parishes. The brochure was diligently scattered through +the provinces, lauded around the tea-pot, openly extolled in the +prints--by some kindred spirit, as was manifest in the striking similarity +of style--and by one believer, more zealous or perhaps more interested +than the rest, actually put on board the next ship which sailed for +"home," as England was then affectionately termed, enclosed in an envelope +which bore an address no less imposing than the Majesty of Britain. Its +effect on the straight-going mind of the dogmatic German, who then filled +the throne of the Conqueror, was never known, though they, who were in the +secret of the trans mission, long looked, in vain, for the signal reward +that was to follow so striking an exhibition of human intellect. + +Notwithstanding these high and beneficent gifts, their possessor was now +as unconsciously engaged in that portion of his professional labours which +bore the strongest resemblance to the occupation of a scrivener, as though +nature, in bestowing such rare endowments had denied him the phrenological +quality of self-esteem. A critical observer might, however, have seen, or +fancied that he saw, in the forced humility of his countenance, certain +gleamings of a triumph that should not properly be traced to the fall of +Quebec. The habit of appearing meek had, however, united with a frugal +regard for the precious and irreclaimable minutes, in producing this +extraordinary diligence in a pursuit of a character that was so humble, +when compared with his recent mental efforts. + +Leaving this gifted favourite of fortune and nature, we shall pass to an +entirely different individual, and to another quarter of the place. The +spot, to which we wish now to transport the reader, was neither more nor +less than the shop of a tailor, who did not disdain to perform the most +minute offices of his vocation in his own heedful person. The humble +edifice stood at no great distance from the water, in the skirts of the +town, and in such a situation as to enable its occupant to look out upon +the loveliness of the inner basin, and, through a vista cut by the element +between islands, even upon the lake-like scenery of the outer harbour. A +small, though little frequented wharf lay before his door, while a certain +air of negligence, and the absence of bustle, sufficiently manifested that +the place itself was not the immediate site of the much-boasted commercial +prosperity of the port. + +The afternoon was like a morning in spring, the breeze which occasionally +rippled the basin possessing that peculiarly bland influence which is so +often felt in the American autumn; and the worthy mechanic laboured at his +calling, seated on his shop board, at an open window, far better satisfied +with himself than many of those whose fortune it is to be placed in state, +beneath canopies of velvet and gold. On the outer side of the little +building, a tall, awkward, but vigorous and well-formed countryman was +lounging, with one shoulder placed against the side of the shop, as if his +legs found the task of supporting his heavy frame too grievous to be +endured with out assistance, seemingly in waiting for the completion of +the garment at which the other toiled, and with which he intended to adorn +the graces of his person, in an adjoining parish, on the succeeding +sabbath. + +In order to render the minutes shorter, and, possibly in indulgence to a +powerful propensity to talk, of which he who wielded the needle was +somewhat the subject, but few of the passing moments were suffered to +escape without a word from one or the other of the parties. As the subject +of their discourse had a direct reference to the principal matter of our +tale, we shall take leave to give such portions of it to the reader as we +deem most relevant to a clear exposition of that which is to follow. The +latter will always bear in mind, that he who worked was a man drawing into +the wane of life; that he bore about him the appearance of one who, either +from incompetency or from some fatality of fortune, had been doomed to +struggle through the world, keeping poverty from his residence only by the +aid of great industry and rigid frugality; and that the idler was a youth +of an age and condition that the acquisition of an entire set of +habiliments formed to him a sort of era in his adventures. + +"Yes." exclaimed the indefatigable shaper of cloth, with a species of +sigh which might have been equally construed into an evidence of the +fulness of his mental enjoyment, or of the excess of his bodily labours; +"yes, smarter sayings have seldom fallen from the lips of man, than such +as the squire pour'd out this very day. When he spoke of the plains of +father Abraham, and of the smoke and thunder of the battle, Pardon, it +stirred up such stomachy feelings in my bosom, that I verily believe I +could have had the heart to throw aside the thimble, and go forth myself, +to seek glory in battling in the cause of the King." + +The youth, whose Christian or 'given' name, as it is even now generally +termed in New-England, had been intended, by his pious sponsors, humbly to +express his future hopes, turned his head towards the heroic tailor, with +an expression of drollery about the eye, that proved nature had not been +niggardly in the gift of humour, however the quality was suppressed by the +restraints of a very peculiar manner, and no less peculiar education. + +"There's an opening now, neighbour Homespun, for an ambitious man," he +said, "sin' his Majesty has lost his stoutest general." + +"Yes, yes," returned the individual who, either in his youth or in his +age, had made so capital a blunder in the choice of a profession, "a fine +and promising chance it is for one who counts but five-and-twenty; most of +my day has gone by, and I must spend the rest of it here, where you see +me, between buckram and osnaburghs--who put the dye into your cloth, +Pardy? it is the best laid-in bark I've fingered this fall." + +"Let the old woman alone for giving the lasting colour to her web; I'll +engage, neighbour Homespun, provided you furnish the proper fit, there'll +not be a better dress'd lad on the island than my own mother's son! But, +sin' you cannot be a general good-man, you'll have the comfort of knowing +there'll be no more fighting without you. Every body agrees the French +won't hold out much longer, and then we must have a peace for want of +enemies." + +"So best, so best, boy; for one, who has seen so much of the horrors of +war as I, knows how to put a rational value on the blessings of +tranquillity!" + +"Then you ar'n't altogether unacquainted, good-man, with the new trade you +thought of setting up?" + +"I! I have been through five long and bloody wars, and I've reason to +thank God that I've gone through them all without a scratch so big as this +needle would make. Five long and bloody, ay, and I may say glorious wars, +have I liv'd through in safety!" + +"A perilous time it must have been for you, neighbour. But I don't +remember to have heard of more than two quarrels with the Frenchmen in my +day." + +"You are but a boy, compared to one who has seen the end of his third +score of years. Here is this war that is now so likely to be soon +ended--Heaven, which rules all things in wisdom, be praised for the same! +Then there was the business of '45, when the bold Warren sailed up and +down our coasts; a scourge to his Majesty's enemies, and a safeguard to +all the loyal subjects. Then, there was a business in Garmany, concerning +which we had awful accounts of battles fou't, in which men were mowed down +like grass falling before the scythe of a strong arm. That makes three. +The fourth was the rebellion of '15, of which I pretend not to have seen +much, being but a youth at the time; and the fifth was a dreadful rumour, +that was spread through the provinces, of a general rising among the +blacks and Indians, which was to sweep all us Christians into eternity at +a minute's warning!" + +"Well, I had always reckoned you for a home-staying and a peaceable man, +neighbour;" returned the admiring countryman; "nor did I ever dream that +you had seen such serious movings." + +"I have not boasted, Pardon, or I might have added other heavy matters to +the list. There was a great struggle in the East, no longer than the year +'32, for the Persian throne. You have read of the laws of the Medes and +the Persians: Well, for the very throne that gave forth those unalterable +laws was there a frightful struggle, in which blood ran like water; but, +as it was not in Christendom, I do not account it among my own +experiences; though I might have spoken of the Porteous mob with great +reason, as it took place in another portion of the very kingdom in which I +lived." + +"You must have journeyed much, and been stirring late and early, good-man, +to have seen all these things, and to have got no harm." + +"Yes, yes, I've been something of a traveller too, Pardy. Twice have I +been over land to Boston, and once have I sailed through the Great Sound +of Long Island, down to the town of York. It is an awful undertaking the +latter, as it respects the distance, and more especially because it is +needful to pass a place that is likened, by its name, to the entrance of +Tophet." + +"I have often heard the spot call'd 'Hell Gate' spoken of, and I may say, +too, that I know a man _well_ who has been through it twice; once in going +to York, and once in coming homeward." + +"He had enough of it, as I'll engage! Did he tell you of the pot which +tosses and roars as if the biggest of Beelzebub's fires was burning +beneath, and of the hog's-back over which the water pitches, as it may +tumble over the Great Falls of the West! Owing to reasonable skill in our +seamen, and uncommon resolution in the passengers, we happily made a good +time of it, through ourselves; though I care not who knows it, I will own +it is a severe trial to the courage to enter that same dreadful Strait. +We cast out our anchors at certain islands, which lie a few furlongs this +side the place, and sent the pinnace, with the captain and two stout +seamen, to reconnoitre the spot, in order to see if it were in a peaceful +state or not. The report being favourable, the passengers were landed, and +the vessel was got through, by the blessing of Heaven, in safety. We had +all reason to rejoice that the prayers of the congregation were asked +before we departed from the peace and security of our homes!" + +"You journeyed round the 'Gate' on foot?"--demanded the attentive boor. + +"Certain! It would have been a sinful and a blasphemous tempting of +Providence to have done otherwise, seeing that our duty called us to no +such sacrifice. But all that danger is gone by, and so I trust will that +of this bloody war, in which we have both been actors; and then I humbly +hope his sacred Majesty will have leisure to turn his royal mind to the +pirates who infest the coast, and to order some of his stout naval +captains to mete out to the rogues the treatment they are so fond of +giving unto others. It would be a joyful sight to my old eyes to see the +famous and long-hunted Red Rover brought into this very port, towing at +the poop of a King's cruiser." + +"And is it a desperate villain, he of whom you now make mention?" + +"He! There are many he's in that one, lawless ship, and bloody-minded and +nefarious thieves are they, to the smallest boy. It is heart-searching and +grievous, Pardy, to hear of their evil-doings on the high seas of the +King!" + +"I have often heard mention made of the Rover," returned the countryman; +"but never to enter into any of the intricate particulars of his knavery." + +"How should you, boy, who live up in the country, know so much of what is +passing on the great deep, as we who dwell in a port that is so much +resorted to by mariners! I am fearful you'll be making it late home, +Pardon," he added, glancing his eye at certain lines drawn on his +shop-board, by the aid of which he was enabled to note the progress of the +setting sun. "It is drawing towards the hour of five, and you have twice +that number of miles to go, before you can, by any manner of means, reach +the nearest boundary of your father's farm." + +"The road is plain, and the people honest," returned the countryman, who +cared not if it were midnight, provided he could be the bearer of tidings +of some dreadful sea robbery to the ears of those whom he well knew would +throng around him, at his return, to hear the tidings from the port. "And +is he, in truth, so much feared and sought for, as people say?" + +"Is he sought for! Is Tophet sought by a praying Christian? Few there are +on the mighty deep, let them even be as stout for, battle as was Joshua +the great Jewish captain, that would not rather behold the land than see +the top-gallants of that wicked pirate! Men fight for glory, Pardon, as I +may say I have seen, after living through so many wars, but none love to +meet an enemy who hoists a bloody flag at the first blow, and who is ready +to cast both parties into the air, when he finds the hand of Satan has no +longer power to help him." + +"If the rogue is so desperate," returned the youth straightening his +powerful limbs, with a look of rising pride, "why do not the Island and +the Plantations fit out a coaster in order to bring him in, that he might +get a sight of a wholesome gibbet? Let the drum beat on such a message +through our neighbourhood and I'll engage that it don't leave it without +one volunteer at least." + +"So much for not having seen war! Of what use would flails and pitch-forks +prove against men who have sold themselves to the devil? Often has the +Rover been seen at night, or just as the sun has been going down, by the +King's cruisers, who, having fairly surrounded the thieves, had good +reason to believe that they had them already in the bilboes; but, when the +morning has come, the prize was vanished, by fair means or by foul!" + +"And are the villains so bloody-minded that they are called 'Red?'" + +"Such is the title of their leader," returned the worthy tailor, who by +this time was swelling with the importance of possessing so interesting a +legend to communicate; "and such is also the name they give to his vessel; +because no man, who has put foot on board her, has ever come back to say +that she has a better or a worse; that is, no honest mariner or lucky +voyager. The ship is of the size of a King's sloop, they say, and of like +equipments and form; but she has miraculously escaped from the hands of +many a gallant frigate; and once, it is whispered for no loyal subject +would like to say such a scandalous thing openly, Pardon, that she lay +under the guns of a fifty for an hour, and seemingly, to all eyes, she +sunk like hammered lead to the bottom. But, just as every body was shaking +hands, and wishing his neighbour joy at so happy a punishment coming over +the knaves, a West-Indiaman came into port, that had been robbed by the +Rover on the morning after the night in which it was thought they had all +gone into eternity together. And what makes the matter worse, boy, while +the King's ship was careening with her keel out, to stop the holes of +cannon balls, the pirate was sailing up and down the coast, as sound as +the day that the wrights first turned her from their hands!" + +"Well, this is unheard of!" returned the countryman, on whom the tale was +beginning to make a sensible impression: "Is she a well-turned and comely +ship to the eye? or is it by any means certain that she is an actual +living vessel at all?" + +"Opinions differ. Some say, yes; some say, no. But I am well acquainted +with a man who travelled a week in company with a mariner, who passed +within a hundred feet of her, in a gale of wind. Lucky it was for them, +that the hand of the Lord was felt so powerfully on the deep, and that the +Rover had enough to do to keep his own ship from foundering. The +acquaintance of my friend had a good view of both vessel and captain, +therefore, in perfect safety. He said, that the pirate was a man maybe +half as big again as the tall preacher over on the main, with hair of the +colour of the sun in a fog, and eyes that no man would like to look upon a +second time. He saw him as plainly as I see you; for the knave stood in +the rigging of his ship, beckoning, with a hand as big as a coat-flap, for +the honest trader to keep off, in order that the two vessels might not do +one another damage by coming foul." + +"He was a bold mariner, that trader, to go so nigh such a merciless +rogue." + +"I warrant you, Pardon, it was desperately against his will! But it was on +a night so dark--" + +"Dark!" interrupted the other; by what contrivance then did he manage to +see so well?" + +"No man can say!" answered the tailor, "but see he did, just in the +manner, and the very things I have named to you. More than that, he took +good note of the vessel, that he might know her, if chance, or Providence, +should ever happen to throw her again into his way. She was a long, black +ship, lying low in the water, like a snake in the grass, with a desperate +wicked look, and altogether of dishonest dimensions. Then, every body says +that she appears to sail faster than the clouds above, seeming to care +little which way the wind blows, and that no one is a jot safer from her +speed than her honesty. According to all that I have heard, she is +something such a craft as yonder slaver, that has been lying the week +past, the Lord knows why, in our outer harbour." + +As the gossipping tailor had necessarily lost many precious moments, in +relating the preceding history he now set about redeeming them with the +utmost diligence, keeping time to the rapid movement of his needle-hand, +by corresponding jerks of his head and shoulders. In the meanwhile, the +bumpkin, whose wondering mind was by this time charged nearly to bursting +with what he had heard, turned his look towards the vessel the other had +pointed out, in order to get the only image that was now required, to +enable him to do fitting credit to so moving a tale, suitably engraved on +his imagination. There was necessarily a pause, while the respective +parties were thus severally occupied. It was suddenly broken by the +tailor, who clipped the thread with which he had just finished the +garment, cast every thing from his hands, threw his spectacles upon his +forehead, and, leaning his arms on his knees in such a manner as to form a +perfect labyrinth with the limbs, he stretched his body forward so far as +to lean out of the window, riveting his eyes also on the ship, which still +attracted the gaze of his companion. + +"Do you know, Pardy," he said, "that strange thoughts and cruel misgivings +have come over me concerning that very vessel? They say she is a slaver +come in for wood and water, and there she has been a week, and not a stick +bigger than an oar has gone up her side, and I'll engage that ten drops +from Jamaica have gone on board her, to one from the spring. Then you may +see she is anchored in such a way that but one of the guns from the +battery can touch her; whereas, had she been a real timid trader, she +would naturally have got into a place where, if a straggling picaroon +should come into the port, he would have found her in the very hottest of +the fire." + +"You have an ingenious turn with you, good-man," returned the wondering +countryman; "now a ship might have lain on the battery island itself, and +I would have hardly noticed the thing." + +"'Tis use and experience, Pardon, that makes men of us all. I should know +something of batteries, having seen so many wars, and I served a campaign +of a week, in that very fort, when the rumour came that the French were +sending cruisers from Louisburg down the coast. For that matter, my duty +was to stand sentinel over that very cannon; and, if I have done the thing +once, I have twenty times squinted along the piece, to see in what quarter +it would send its shot, provided such a calamity should arrive as that it +might become necessary to fire it loaded with real warlike balls." + +"And who are these?" demanded Pardon, with that species of sluggish +curiosity which had been awakened by the wonders related by the other: +"Are these mariners of the slaver, or are they idle Newporters?" + +"Them!" exclaimed the tailor; "sure enough, they are new-comers, and it +may be well to have a closer look at them in these troublesome times! +Here, Nab, take the garment, and press down the seams, you idle hussy; for +neighbour Hopkins is straitened for time, while your tongue is going like +a young lawyer's in a justice court. Don't be sparing of your elbow, girl; +for it's no India muslin that you'll have under the iron, but cloth that +would do to side a house with. Ah! your mother's loom, Pardy, robs the +seamster of many an honest job." + +Having thus transferred the remainder of the job from his own hands to +those of an awkward, pouting girl, who was compelled to abandon her gossip +with a neighbour, she went to obey his injunctions, he quickly removed +his own person, notwithstanding a miserable limp with which he had come +into the world, from the shop-board to the open air. As more important +characters are, however, about to be introduced to the reader, we shall +defer the ceremony to the opening of another chapter. + + + + +Chapter II. + + + + Sir Toby. "Excellent! I smell a device." + + _Twelfth Night._ + + +The strangers were three in number; for strangers the good-man Homespun, +who knew not only the names but most of the private history of every man +and woman within ten miles of his own residence immediately proclaimed +them to be, in a whisper to his companion; and strangers, too, of a +mysterious and threatening aspect. In order that others may have an +opportunity of judging of the probability of the latter conjecture, it +becomes necessary that a more minute account should be given of the +respective appearances of these individuals, who, unhappily for their +reputations, had the misfortune to be unknown to the gossipping tailor of +Newport. + +The one, by far the most imposing in his general mien, was a youth who had +apparently seen some six or seven-and-twenty seasons. That those seasons +had not been entirely made of sunny days, and nights of repose, was +betrayed by the tinges of brown which had been laid on his features, layer +after layer in such constant succession, as to have changed, to a deep +olive, a complexion which had once been fair, and through which the rich +blood was still mantling with the finest glow of vigorous health. His +features were rather noble and manly, than distingiushed for their +exactness and symmetry; his nose being far more bold and prominent than +regular in its form, with his brows projecting, and sufficiently marked to +give to the whole of the superior parts of his face that decided +intellectual expression which is already becoming so common to American +physiognomy. The mouth was firm and manly; and, while he muttered to +himself, with a meaning smile, as the curious tailor drew slowly nigher, +it discovered a set of glittering teeth, that shone the brighter from +being cased in so dark a setting. The hair was a jet black, in thick and +confused ringlets; the eyes were very little larger than common, gray, +and, though evidently of a changing expression, rather leaning to mildness +than severity. The form of this young man was of that happy size which so +singularly unites activity with strength. It seemed to be well knit, while +it was justly proportioned, and strikingly graceful. Though these several +personal qualifications were exhibited under the disadvantages of the +perfectly simple, though neat and rather tastefully disposed, attire of a +common mariner, they were sufficiently imposing to cause the suspicious +dealer in buckram to hesitate before he would venture to address the +stranger, whose eye appeared riveted, by a species of fascination, on the +reputed slaver in the outer harbour. A curl of the upper lip, and another +strange smile, in which scorn was mingled with his mutterings, decided the +vacillating mind of the good-man. Without venturing to disturb a reverie +that seemed so profound, he left the youth leaning against the head of the +pile where he had long been standing, perfectly unconscious of the +presence of any intruder, and turned a little hastily to examine the rest +of the party. + +One of the remaining two was a white man, and the other a negro. Both had +passed the middle age, and both in their appearances, furnished the +strongest proofs of long exposure to the severity of climate, and to +numberless tempests. They were dressed in the plain, weather-soiled, and +tarred habiliments of common seamen, and bore about their several persons +all the other unerring evidences of their peculiar profession. The former +was of a short, thick-set powerful frame, in which, by a happy ordering of +nature, a little confirmed perhaps by long habit, the strength was +principally seated about the broad and brawny shoulders, and strong sinewy +arms, as if, in the construction of the man, the inferior members had been +considered of little other use than to transfer the superior to the +different situations in which the former were to display their energies. +His head was in proportion to the more immediate members; the forehead +low, and nearly covered with hair; the eyes small, obstinate, sometimes +fierce, and often dull; the nose snub, coarse, and vulgar; the mouth large +and voracious; the teeth short, clean, and perfectly sound; and the chin +broad, manly, and even expressive. This singularly constructed personage +had taken his seat on an empty barrel, and, with folded arms, he sat +examining the often-mentioned slaver, occasionally favouring his +companion, the black, with such remarks as were suggested by his +observation and great experience. + +The negro occupied a more humble post; one better suited to his subdued +habits and inclinations. In stature, and the peculiar division of animal +force, there was a great resemblance between the two, with the exception +that the latter enjoyed the advantage in height, and even in proportions. +While nature had stamped on his lineaments those distinguishing marks +which characterize the race from which he sprung, she had not done it to +that revolting degree to which her displeasure against that stricken +people is often carried. His features were more elevated than common; his +eye was mild, easily excited to joy, and, like that of his companion, +sometimes humorous. His head was beginning to be sprinkled with gray, his +skin had lost the shining jet colour which had distinguished it in his +youth, and all his limbs and movements bespoke a man whose frame had been +equally indurated and stiffened by unremitted toil. He sat on a low stone, +and seemed intently employed in tossing pebbles into the air, and shewing +his dexterity by catching them in the hand from which they had just been +cast; an amusement which betrayed alike the natural tendency of his mind +to seek pleasure in trifles, and the absence of those more elevating +feelings which are the fruits of education. The process, however, +furnished a striking exhibition of the physical force of the negro. In +order to conduct this trivial pursuit without incumbrance, he had rolled +the sleeve of his light canvas jacket to the elbow, and laid bare an arm +that might have served as a model for the limb of Hercules. + +There was certainly nothing sufficiently imposing about the persons of +either of these individuals to repel the investigations of one as much +influenced by curiosity as our tailor. Instead, however, of yielding +directly to the strong impulse, the honest shaper of cloth chose to +conduct his advance in a manner that should afford to the bumpkin a +striking proof of his boasted sagacity. After making a sign of caution and +intelligence to the latter, he approached slowly from behind, with a light +step, that might give him an opportunity of overhearing any secret that +should unwittingly fall from either of the seamen. His forethought was +followed by no very important results, though it served to supply his +suspicions with all the additional testimony of the treachery of their +characters that could be furnished by evidence so simple as the mere sound +of their voices. As to the words themselves, though the good-man they +might well contain treason, he was compelled to acknowledge to himself +that it was so artfully concealed as to escape even his acute capacity We +leave the reader himself to judge of the correctness of both opinions. + +"This is a pretty bight of a basin, Guinea," observed the white, rolling +his tobacco in his mouth and turning his eyes, for the first time in many +minutes, from the vessel; "and a spot is it that a man, who lay on a +lee-shore without sticks, might be glad to see his craft in. Now do I call +myself something of a seaman, and yet I cannot weather upon the philosophy +of that fellow, in keeping his ship in the outer harbour, when he might +warp her into this mill-pond in half an hour. It gives his boats hard +duty, dusky S'ip; and that I call making foul weather of fair!" + +The negro had been christened Scipio Africanus, by a species of witticism +which was much more common to the Provinces than it is to the States of +America, and which filled so many of the meaner employments of the +country, in name at least, with the counterparts of the philosophers, +heroes, poets, and princes of Rome. To him it was a matter of small +moment, whether the vessel lay in the offing or in the port; and, without +discontinuing his childish amusement, he manifested the same, by replying, +with great indifference of manner,-- + +"I s'pose he t'ink all the water inside lie on a top." + +"I tell you, Guinea," returned the other, in a harsh, positive tone, "the +fellow is a know-nothing! Would any man, who understands the behaviour of +a ship, keep his craft in a roadstead, when he might tie her, head and +stern, in a basin like this?" + +"What he call roadstead?" interrupted the negro, seizing at once, with the +avidity of ignorance, on the little oversight of his adversary, in +confounding the outer harbour of Newport with the wilder anchorage below, +and with the usual indifference of all similar people to the more material +matter of whether the objection was at all germain to the point in +controversy; "I never hear 'em call anchoring ground, with land around it, +roadstead afore!" + +"Hark ye, mister Gold-coast," muttered the white, bending his head aside +in a threatening manner, though he still disdained to turn his eyes on his +humble adversary, "if you've no wish to wear your shins parcelled for the +next month, gather in the slack of your wit, and have an eye to the manner +in which you let it run again. Just tell me this; isn't a port a port? and +isn't an offing an offing?" + +As these were two propositions to which even the ingenuity of Scipio could +raise no objection, he wisely declined touching on either, contenting +himself with shaking his head in great self-complacency, and laughing as +heartily, at his imaginary triumph over his companion, as though he had +never known care, nor been the subject of wrong and humiliation, so long +and so patiently endured. + +"Ay, ay," grumbled the white, re-adjusting his person in its former +composed attitude, and again crossing the arms, which had been a little +separated, to give force to the menace against the tender member of the +black, "now you are piping the wind out of your throat like a flock of +long-shore crows, you think you've got the best of the matter. The Lord +made a nigger an unrational animal; and an experienced seaman, who has +doubled both Capes, and made all the head-lands atween Fundy and Horn, has +no right to waste his breath in teaching any of the breed! I tell you, +Scipio, since Scipio is your name on the ship's books, though I'll wager a +month's pay against a wooden boat-hook that your father was known at home +as Quashee, and your mother as Quasheeba--therefore do I tell you, Scipio +Africa--which is a name for all your colour, I believe--that yonder chap, +in the outer harbour of this here sea-port is no judge of an anchorage, or +he would drop a kedge mayhap hereaway, in a line with the southern end of +that there small matter of an island, and hauling his ship up to it, +fasten her to the spot with good hempen cables and iron mud-hooks. Now, +look you here, S'ip, at the reason of the matter," he continued, in a +manner which shewed that the little skirmish that had just passed was like +one of those sudden squalls of which they had both seen so many, and which +were usually so soon succeeded by corresponding seasons of calm; "look you +at the whole rationality of what I say. He has come into this anchorage +either for something or for nothing. I suppose you are ready to admit +that. If for nothing, he might have found that much outside, and I'll say +no more about it; but if for something, he could get it off easier, +provided the ship lay hereaway, just where I told you, boy, not a fathom +ahead or astern, than where she is now riding, though the article was no +heavier than a fresh handful of feathers for the captain's pillow. Now, if +you have any thing to gainsay the reason of this, why, I'm ready to hear +it as a reasonable man, and one who has not forgotten his manners in +learning his philosophy." + +"S'pose a wind come out fresh here, at nor-west," answered the other, +stretching his brawny arm towards the point of the compass he named, "and +a vessel want to get to sea in a hurry, how you t'ink he get her far +enough up to lay through the weather reach? Ha! you answer me dat; you +great scholar, misser Dick, but you never see ship go in wind's teeth, or +hear a monkey talk." + +"The black is right!" exclaimed the youth, who, it would seem, had +overheard the dispute, while he appeared otherwise engaged; "the slaver +has left his vessel in the outer harbour, knowing that the wind holds so +much to the westward at this season of the year; and then you see he +keeps his light spars aloft, although it is plain enough, by the manner in +which his sails are furled, that he is strong-handed Can you make out, +boys, whether he has an anchor under foot, or is he merely riding by a +single cable?" + +"The man must be a driveller, to lie in such a tides-way, without dropping +his stream, or at least a kedge, to steady the ship," returned the white, +with out appearing to think any thing more than the received practice of +seamen necessary to decide the point. "That he is no great judge of an +anchorage, I am ready to allow; but no man, who can keep things so snug +aloft, would think of fastening his ship, for any length of time, by a +single cable, to sheer starboard and port, like that kicking colt, tied to +the tree by a long halter, that we fell in with, in our passage over land +from Boston." + +"'Em got a stream down, and all a rest of he anchors stowed," said the +black, whose dark eye was glancing understandingly at the vessel, while he +still continued to east his pebbles into the air: "S'pose he jam a helm +hard a-port, misser Harry, and take a tide on he larboard bow, what you +t'ink make him kick and gallop about! Golly! I like to see Dick, without a +foot-rope, ride a colt tied to tree!" + +Again the negro enjoyed his humour, by shaking his head, as if his whole +soul was amused by the whimsical image his rude fancy had conjured, and +indulged in a hearty laugh; and again his white companion muttered certain +exceedingly heavy and sententious denunciations. The young man, who seemed +to enter very little into the quarrels and witticisms of his singular +associates, still kept his gaze intently fastened on the vessel, which to +him appeared for the moment, to be the subject of some extraordinary +interest. Shaking his own head, though in a far graver manner, as if his +doubts were drawing to a close, he added, as the boisterous merriment or +the negro ceased,-- + +"Yes, Scipio, you are right: he rides altogether by his stream, and he +keeps every thing in readiness for a sudden move. In ten minutes he would +carry his ship beyond the fire of the battery, provided he had but a +capful of wind." + +"You appear to be a judge in these matters," said an unknown voice behind +him. + +The youth turned suddenly on his heel, and then for the first time, was he +apprised of the presence of any intruders. The surprise, however, was not +confined to himself; for, as there was another newcomer to be added to the +company, the gossipping tailor was quite as much, or even more, the +subject of astonishment, than any of that party, whom he had been so +intently watching as to have prevented him from observing the approach of +still another utter stranger. + +The third individual was a man between thirty and forty, and of a mien and +attire not a little adapted to quicken the already active curiosity of the +good-man Homespun. His person was slight, but afforded the promise of +exceeding agility, and even of vigour, especially when contrasted with his +stature which was scarcely equal to the medium height of man. His skin had +been dazzling as that of woman though a deep red, which had taken +possession of the lower lineaments of his face, and which was particularly +conspicuous on the outline of a fine aquiline nose, served to destroy all +appearance of effeminacy. His hair was like his complexion, fair and fell +about his temples in rich, glossy, and exuberant curls; His mouth and chin +were beautiful in their formation; but the former was a little scornful +and the two together bore a decided character of voluptuousness. The eye +was blue, full without being prominent, and, though in common placid and +even soft, there were moments when it seemed a little unsettled and wild. +He wore a high conical hat, placed a little on one side, so as to give a +slightly rakish expression to his physiognomy, a riding frock of light +green, breeches of buck-skin, high boots, and spurs. In one of his hands +he carried a small whip, with which, when first seen, he was cutting the +air with an appearance of the utmost indifference to the surprise +occasioned by his sudden interruption. + +"I say, sir, you seem to be a judge in these matters," he repeated, when he +had endured the frowning examination of the young seaman quite as long as +comported with his own patience; "you speak like a man who feels he has a +right to give an opinion!" + +"Do you find it remarkable that one should not be ignorant of a profession +that he has diligently pursued for a whole life?" + +"Hum! I find it a little remarkable, that one, whose business is that of a +handicraft, should dignify his trade with such a sounding name as +_profession,_ We of the learned science of the law, and who enjoy the +particular smiles of the learned universities, can say no more!" + +"Then call it trade; for nothing in common with gentlemen of your craft is +acceptable to a seaman," retorted the young mariner, turning away from the +intruder with a disgust that he did not affect to conceal. + +"A lad of some metal!" muttered the other, with a rapid utterance and a +meaning smile. "Let not such a trifle as a word part us, friend. I confess +my ignorance of all maritime matters, and would gladly learn a little from +one as skilful as yourself in the noble--_profession_. I think you said +something concerning the manner in which yonder ship has an chored, and +of the condition in which they keep things alow and aloft?" + +"_Alow_ and aloft!" exclaimed the young sailor, facing his interrogator +with a stare that was quite as expressive as his recent disgust. + +"Alow and aloft!" calmly repeated the other. + +"I spoke of her neatness aloft, but do not affect to judge of things below +at this distance." + +"Then it was my error; but you will have pity on the ignorance of one who +is so new to the _profession_. As I have intimated, I am no more than an +unworthy barrister, in the service of his Majesty, expressly sent from +home on a particular errand. It it were not a pitiful pun, I might add, I +am not yet--judge." + +"No doubt you will soon arrive at that distinction," returned the other, +"if his Majesty's ministers have any just conceptions of modest merit; +unless, indeed you should happen to be prematurely"---- + +The youth bit his lip, made a haughty inclination of the head, and walked +leisurely up the wharf, followed with the same appearance of deliberation, +by the two seamen who had accompanied him in his visit to the place. The +stranger in green watched the whole movement with a calm and apparently an +amused eye, tapping his boot with his whip, and seeming to reflect like +one who would willingly find means to continue the discourse. + +"Hanged!" he at length uttered, as if to complete the sentence the other +had left unfinished. "It is droll enough that such a fellow should dare to +foretel so elevated a fate for _me_!" + +He was evidently preparing to follow the retiring party, when he felt a +hand laid a little unceremoniously on his arm, and his step was arrested. + +"One word in your ear, sir," said the attentive tailor, making a +significant sign that he had matters of importance to communicate: "A +single word, sir, since you are in the particular service of his Majesty. +Neighbour Pardon," he continued, with a dignified and patronising air, +"the sun is getting low, and you will make it late home, I fear. The girl +will give you the garment, and--God speed you! Say nothing of what you +have heard and seen, until you have word from me to that effect; for it is +seemly that two men, who have had so much experience in a war like this, +should not lack in discretion. Fare ye well, lad!--pass the good word to +the worthy farmer, your father, not forgetting a refreshing hint of +friendship to the thrifty housewife, your mother. Fare ye well, honest +youth; fare ye well!" + +Homespun, having thus disposed of his admiring companion, waited, with +much elevation of mien, until the gaping bumpkin had left the wharf, +before he again turned his look on the stranger in green. The latter had +continued standing in his tracks, with an air of undisturbed composure, +until he was once more addressed by the tailor, whose character and +dimensions he seemed to have taken in, at a single glance of his rapid +eye. + +"You say, sir, you are a servant of his Majesty?" demanded the latter, +determined to solve all doubts as to the other's claims on his confidence, +before he committed himself by any precipitate disclosure. + +"I may say more;--his familiar confident!" + +"It is an honour to converse with such a man, that I feel in every bone in +my body," returned the cripple, smoothing his scanty hairs, and bowing +nearly to the earth; "a high and loyal honour do I feel this gracious +privilege to be." + +"Such as it is, my friend, I take on myself in his Majesty's name, to bid +you welcome." + +"Such munificent condescension would open my whole heart, though treason, +and all other unrighteousness was locked up in it. I am happy, honoured +and I doubt not, honourable sir, to have this opportunity of proving my +zeal to the King, before one who will not fail to report my humble efforts +to his royal ears." + +"Speak freely," interrupted the stranger in green, with an air of princely +condescension; though one, less simple and less occupied with his own +budding honours than the tailor, might have easily discovered that he +began to grow weary of the other's prolix loyalty: "Speak without reserve, +friend; it is what we always do at court." Then, switching his boot with +his riding whip, he muttered to himself, as he swung his light frame on +his heel, with an indolent, indifferent air, "If the fellow swallows that, +he is as stupid as his own goose!" + +"I shall, sir, I shall; and a great proof of charity is it in one like +your noble self to listen. You see yonder tall ship, sir, in the outer +harbour of this loyal sea-port?" + +"I do; she seems to be an object of general attention among the worthy +lieges of the place." + +"Therein I conceive, sir, you have over-rated the sagacity of my townsmen. +She has been lying where you now see her for many days, and not a syllable +have I heard whispered against her character from mortal man, except +myself." + +"Indeed!" muttered the stranger, biting the handle of his whip, and +fastening his glittering eyes intently on the features of the good-man, +which were literally swelling with the importance of his discovery; "and +what may be the nature of _your_ suspicions?" + +"Why, sir, I maybe wrong--and God forgive me if I am--but this is no more +nor less than what has arisen in my mind on the subject. Yonder ship, and +her crew, bear the reputation of being innocent and harmless slavers, +among the good people of Newport and as such are they received and +welcomed in the place, the one to a safe and easy anchorage, and the +others among the taverners and shop-dealers. I would not have you imagine +that a single garment has ever gone from my fingers for one of all her +crew; no, let it be for ever remembered that the whole of their dealings +have been with the young tradesman named Tape, who entices customers to +barter, by backbiting and otherwise defiling the fair names of his betters +in the business: not a garment has been made by my hands for even the +smallest boy." + +"You are lucky," returned the stranger in green, "in being so well quit of +the knaves! and yet have you forgotten to name the particular offence with +which I am to charge them before the face of the King." + +"I am coming as fast as possible to the weighty matter. You must know, +worthy and commendable sir, that I am a man that has seen much, and +suffered much, in his Majesty's service. Five bloody and cruel wars have I +gone through, besides other adventures and experiences, such as becomes a +humble subject to suffer meekly and in silence." + +"All of which shall be directly communicated to the royal ear. And now, +worthy friend, relieve your mind, by a frank communication of your +suspicions." + +"Thanks, honourable sir; your goodness in my behalf cannot be forgotten, +though it shall never be said that any impatience to seek the relief you +mention hurried me into a light and improper manner of unburthening my +mind. You must know, honoured gentleman, that yesterday, as I sat alone, +at this very hour, on my board, reflecting in my thoughts--for the plain +reason that my envious neighbour had enticed all the newly arrived +customers to his own shop--well, sir, the head will be busy when the hands +are idle; there I sat, as I have briefly told you, reflecting in my +thoughts, like any other accountable being, on the calamities of life, +and on the great experiences that I have had in the wars. For you must +know, valiant gentleman, besides the affair in the land of the Medes and +Persians, and the Porteous mob in Edinbro', five cruel and bloody"---- + +"There is that in your air which sufficiently proclaims the soldier," +interrupted his listener, who evidently struggled to keep down his rising +impatience; "but, as my time is so precious, I would now more especially +hear what you have to say concerning yonder ship." + +"Yes, sir, one gets a military look after seeing numberless wars; and so, +happily for the need of both, I have now come to the part of my secret +which touches more particularly on the character of that vessel. There sat +I, reflecting on the manner in which the strange seamen had been deluded +by my tonguey neighbour--for, as you should know, sir, a desperate talker +is that Tape, and a younker who has seen but one war at the +utmost--therefore, was I thinking of the manner in which he had enticed my +lawful customers from my shop, when, as one thought is the father of +another, the following concluding reasoning, as our pious priest has it +weekly in his reviving and searching discourses, came uppermost in my +mind: If these mariners were honest and conscientious slavers, would they +overlook a labouring man with a large family, to pour their well-earned +gold into the lap of a common babbler? I proclaimed to myself at once, +sir, that they would not. I was bold to say the same in my own mind, and, +thereupon, I openly put the question to all in hearing, If they are not +slavers, what are they? A question which the King himself would, in his +royal wisdom, allow to be a question easier asked than answered; upon +which I replied, If the vessel be no fair-trading slaver, nor a common +cruiser of his Majesty, it is as tangible as the best man's reasoning, +that she may be neither more nor less than the ship of that nefarious +pirate the Red Rover." + +"The Red Rover!" exclaimed the stranger in green, with a start so natural +as to evidence that his dying interest in the tailor's narrative was +suddenly and powerfully revived. "That indeed would be a secret worth +having!--but why do you suppose the same?" + +"For sundry reasons, which I am now about to name, in their respective +order. In the first place, she is an armed ship, sir. In the second, she +is no lawful cruiser, or the same would be publicly known, and by no one +sooner than myself, inasmuch as it is seldom that I do not finger a penny +from the King's ships. In the third place, the burglarious and unfeeling +conduct of the few seamen who have landed from her go to prove it; and, +lastly, what is well proved may be considered as substantially established +These are what, sir, I should call the opening premises of my inferences, +all of which I hope you will properly lay before the royal mind of his +Majesty." + +The barrister in green listened to the somewhat wire-drawn deductions of +Homespun with great attention notwithstanding the confused and obscure +manner in which they were delivered by the aspiring tradesman. His keen +eye rolled quickly, and often, from the vessel to the countenance of his +companion; but several moments elapsed before he saw fit to make any +reply. The reckless gayety with which he had introduced himself, and which +he had hitherto maintained in the discourse, was entirely superseded by a +musing and abstracted air, which sufficiently proved, that, whatever +levity he might betray in common, he was far from being a stranger to deep +and absorbing thought. Suddenly throwing off his air of gravity, however, +he assumed one in which irony and sincerity were singularly blended and, +laying his hand familiarly on the shoulder of the expecting tailor, he +replied-- + +"You have communicated such matter as becometh a faithful and loyal +servant of the King. It is well known that a heavy price is set on the +head of the meanest follower of the Rover, and that a rich, ay, a splendid +reward will be the fortune of him who is the instrument of delivering the +whole knot of miscreants into the hands of the executioner. Indeed I know +not but some marked evidence of the royal pleasure might follow such a +service. There was Phipps, a man of humble origin, who received +knighthood--" + +"Knighthood!" echoed the tailor, in awful admiration. + +"Knighthood," coolly repeated the stranger; "honourable and chivalric +knighthood. What may have been the appellation you received from your +sponsors in baptism?" + +"My given name, gracious and grateful sir, is Hector." + +"And the house itself?--the distinctive appellation of the family?" + +"We have _always_ been called Homespun." + +"Sir Hector Homespun will sound as well as another! But to secure these +rewards, my friend, it is necessary to be discreet. I admire your +ingenuity, and am a convert to your logic. You have so entirely +demonstrated the truth of your suspicions, that I have no more doubt of +yonder vessel being the pirate, than I have of your wearing spurs, and +being called sir Hector. The two things are equally established in my +mind: but it is needful that we proceed in the matter with caution. I +understand you to say, that no one else has been enlightened by your +erudition in this affair?" + +"Not a soul. Tape himself is ready to swear that the crew are +conscientious slavers." + +"So best. We must first render conclusions certain; then to our reward. +Meet me at the hour of eleven this night, at yonder low point, where the +land juts into the outer harbour. From that stand will we make our +observations; and, having removed every doubt, let the morning produce a +discovery that shall ring from the Colony of the Bay to the settlements of +Oglethorpe. Until then we part; for it is not wise that we be longer seen +in conference. Remember silence, punctuality, and the favour of the King. +These are our watch-words." + +"Adieu, honourable gentlemen," said his companion making a reverence +nearly to the earth, as the other slightly touched his hat in passing. + +"Adieu, sir Hector," returned the stranger in green, with an affable smile +and a gracious wave of the hand. He then walked slowly up the wharf, and +disappeared behind the mansion of the Homespuns; leaving the head of that +ancient family, like many a predecessor and many a successor, so rapt in +the admiration of his own good fortune, and so blinded by his folly, that, +while physically he saw to the right and to the left as well as ever, his +mental vision was completely obscured in the clouds of ambition. + + + + +Chapter III. + + + + Alonzo. "Good boatswain, have care."--_Tempest._ + + +The instant the stranger had separated from the credulous tailor, he lost +his assumed air in one far more natural and sedate. Still it would seem +that thought was an unwonted, or an unwelcome tenant of his mind; for, +switching his boot with his little riding whip, he entered the principal +street of the place with a light step and a wandering eye. Though his look +was unsettled, few of the individuals, whom he passed, escaped his quick +glances; and it was quite apparent, from the hurried manner in which he +began to regard objects, that his mind was not less active than his body. +A stranger thus accoutred, and one bearing about his person so many +evidences of his recent acquaintance with the road, did not fail to +attract the attention of the provident publicans we have had occasion to +mention in our opening chapter. Declining the civilities of the most +favoured of the inn-keepers, he suffered his steps to be, oddly enough, +arrested by the one whose house was the usual haunt of the hangers-on of +the port. + +On entering the bar-room of this tavern, as it was called, but which in +the mother country would probably have aspired to be termed no more than a +pot-house he found the hospitable apartment thronged with its customary +revellers. A slight interruption was produced by the appearance of a guest +who was altogether superior, in mien and attire, to the ordinary customers +of the house, but it ceased the moment the stranger had thrown himself on +a bench, and intimated to the host the nature of his wants. As the latter +furnished the required draught, he made a sort of apology, which was +intended for the ears of all his customers nigh the stranger, for the +manner in which an individual, in the further end of the long narrow room, +not only monopolized the discourse, but appeared to extort the attention +of all within hearing to some portentous legend he was recounting. + +"It is the boatswain of the slaver in the outer harbour, squire," the +worthy disciple of Bacchus concluded; "a man who has followed the water +many a day, and who has seen sights and prodigies enough to fill a smart +volume. Old Bor'us the people call him, though his lawful name is Jack +Nightingale. Is the toddy to the squire's relish?" + +The stranger assented to the latter query, by smacking his lips, and +bowing, as he put down the nearly untouched draught. He then turned his +head, to examine the individual who might, by the manner in which he +declaimed, have been termed, in the language of the country, the second +"orator of the day." + +A stature which greatly exceeded six feet; enormous whiskers, that quite +concealed a moiety of his grim countenance; a scar, which was the memorial +of a badly healed gash, that had once threatened to divide that moiety in +quarters; limbs in proportion; the whole rendered striking by the dress of +a sea man; a long, tarnished silver chain, and a little whistle of the +same metal, served to render the individual in question sufficiently +remarkable. Without appearing to be in the smallest decree aware of the +entrance of one altogether so superior to the class of his usual auditors, +this son of the Ocean continued his narrative as follows, and in a voice +that seemed given to him by nature as if in very mockery of his musical +name; indeed, so very near did his tones approach to the low murmurings of +a bull, that some little practice was necessary to accustom the ear to the +strangely uttered words. + +"Well!" he continued, thrusting his brawny arm forth, with the fist +clenched, indicating the necessary point of the compass by the thumb; "the +coast of Guinea might have lain hereaway, and the wind you see, was dead +off shore, blowing in squalls, as a cat spits, all the same as if the old +fellow, who keeps it bagged for the use of us seamen, sometimes let the +stopper slip through his fingers, and was sometimes fetching it up again +with a double turn round the end of his sack.--You know what a sack is, +brother?" + +This abrupt question was put to the gaping bumpkin, already known to the +reader, who, with the nether garment just received from the tailor under +his arm, had lingered, to add the incidents of the present legend to the +stock of lore that he had already obtained for the ears of his kinsfolk in +the country. A general laugh, at the expense of the admiring Pardon +succeeded. Nightingale bestowed a knowing wink on one or two of his +familiars, and, profiting by the occasion, "to freshen his nip," as he +quaintly styled swallowing a pint of rum and water, he continued his +narrative by saying, in a sort of admonitory tone,-- + +"And the time may come when you will know what a round-turn is, too, if +you let go your hold of honesty. A man's neck was made, brother, to keep +his head above water, and not to be stretched out of shape like a pair of +badly fitted dead-eyes. Therefore have your reckoning worked up in season, +and the lead of conscience going, when you find yourself drifting on the +shoals of temptation." Then, rolling his tobacco in his mouth, he looked +boldly about him, like one who had acquitted himself of a moral +obligation, and continued: "Well, there lay the land, and, as I was +saying, the wind was here, at east-and-by-south or mayhap at +east-and-by-south-half-south, sometimes blowing like a fin-back in a +hurry, and sometimes leaving all the canvas chafing ag'in the rigging and +spars, as if a bolt of duck cost no more nor a rich man's blessing. I +didn't like the looks of the weather, seeing that there was altogether too +much unsartainty for a quiet watch, so I walked aft, in order to put +myself in the way of giving an opinion if-so-be such a thing should be +asked. You must know, brothers, that, according to my notions of religion +and behaviour, a man is not good for much, unless he has a full share of +manners; therefore I am never known to put my spoon into the captain's +mess, unless I am invited, for the plain reason, that my berth is +for'ard, and his'n aft. I do not say in which end of a ship the better man +is to be found; that is a matter concerning which men have different +opinions, though most judges in the business are agreed. But aft I walked, +to put myself in the way of giving an opinion, if one should be asked; nor +was it long before the thing came to pass just as I had foreseen. 'Mister +Nightingale,' says he; for our Captain is a gentleman, and never forgets +his behaviour on deck, or when any of the ship's company are at hand, +'_Mister_ Nightingale,' says he, 'what do you think of that rag of a +cloud, hereaway at the north-west?' says he. 'Why, sir,' says I, boldly, +for I'm never backward in speaking, when properly spoken to, so, 'why, +sir,' says I, 'saving your Honour's better judgment,'--which was all a +flam, for he was but a chicken to me in years and experience, but then I +never throw hot ashes to windward, or any thing else that is warm--so, +'sir,' says I, 'it is my advice to hand the three topsails and to stow the +jib. We are in no hurry; for the plain reason, that Guinea will be +to-morrow just where Guinea is to-night. As for keeping the ship steady in +these matters of squalls, we have the mainsail on her--'" + +"You should have furl'd your mainsail too," exclaimed a voice from behind, +that was quite as dogmatical, though a little less grum, than that of the +loquacious boatswain. + +"What know-nothing says that?" demanded Nightingale fiercely, as if all +his latent ire was excited by so rude and daring an interruption. + +"A man who has run Africa down, from Bon to Good-Hope, more than once, and +who knows a white squall from a rainbow," returned Dick Fid, edging his +short person stoutly towards his furious adversary, making his way through +the crowd by which the important personage of the boatswain was environed +by dint of his massive shoulders; "ay, brother, and a man, know-much or +know-nothing, who would never advise his officer to keep so much +after-sail on a ship, when there was the likelihood of the wind taking her +aback." + +To this bold vindication of an opinion which all present deemed to be so +audacious, there succeeded a general and loud murmur. Encouraged by this +evidence of his superior popularity, Nightingale was not slow, nor very +meek, with his retort; and then followed a clamorous concert, in which the +voices of the company in general served for the higher and shriller notes, +through which the bold and vigorous assertions, contradictions, and +opinions of the two principal disputants were heard running a +thorough-bass. + +For some time, no part of the discussion was very distinct, so great was +the confusion of tongues; and there were certain symptoms of an intention, +on the part of Fid and the boatswain, to settle their controversy by the +last appeal. During this moment of suspense, the former had squared his +firm-built frame in front of his gigantic opponent, and there were very +vehement passings and counter-passings, in the way of gestures from four +athletic arms, each of which was knobbed, like a fashionable rattan, with +a lump of bones, knuckles, and sinews, that threatened annihilation to any +thing that should oppose them. As the general clamour, however, gradually +abated, the chief reasoners began to be heard; and, as if content to rely +on their respective powers of eloquence, each gradually relinquished his +hostile attitude, and appeared disposed to maintain his ground by a member +scarcely less terrible than his brawny arm. + +"You are a bold seaman, brother," said Nightingale resuming his seat, +"and, if saying was doing, no doubt you would make a ship talk. But I, who +have seen fleets of two and three deckers--and that of all nations, +except your Mohawks, mayhap, whose cruisers I will confess never to have +fallen in with--lying as snug as so many white gulls, under reefed +mainsails, know how to take the strain off a ship, and to keep my +bulkheads in their places." + +"I deny the judgment of heaving-to a boat under her after square-sails," +retorted Dick. "Give her the stay-sails, if you will, and no harm done; +but a true seaman will never get a bagful of wind between his mainmast and +his lee-swifter, if-so-be he knows his business. But words are like +thunder, which rumbles aloft, without coming down a spar, as I have yet +seen; let us therefore put the question to some one who has been on the +water, and knows a little of life and of ships." + +"If the oldest admiral in his Majesty's fleet was here, he wouldn't be +backward in saying who is right and who is wrong. I say, brothers, if +there is a man among you all who has had the advantage of a sea education, +let him speak, in order that the truth of this matter may not be hid, like +a marling-spike jammed between a brace-block and a blackened yard." + +"Here, then, is the man," returned Fid; and, stretching out his arm, he +seized Scipio by the collar, and drew him, without ceremony, into the +centre of the circle, that had opened around the two disputants "There is +a man for you, who has made one more voyage between this and Africa than +myself, for the reason that he was born there. Now, answer as if you were +hallooing from a lee-earing, S'ip, under what sail would you heave-to a +ship, on the coast of your native country, with the danger of a white +squall at hand?" + +"I no heave-'em-to," said the black, "I make 'em scud." + +"Ay, boy; but, to be in readiness for the puff, would you jam her up under +a mainsail, or let her lie a little off under a fore course?" + +"Any fool know dat," returned Scipio, grumly and evidently tired already +of being thus catechised. + +"If you want 'em fall off, how you'm expect, in reason, he do it under a +main course? You answer me dat, misser Dick." + +"Gentlemen," said Nightingale, looking about him with an air of great +gravity, "I put it to your Honours, is it genteel behaviour to bring a +nigger, in this out-of-the-way fashion, to give an opinion in the teeth of +a white man?" + +This appeal to the wounded dignity of the company was answered by a common +murmur. Scipio, who was prepared to maintain, and would have maintained, +his professional opinion, after his positive and peculiar manner, against +any disputant, had not the heart to resist so general an evidence of the +impropriety of his presence. Without uttering a word in vindication or +apology, he folded his arms, and walked out of the house, with the +submission and meekness of one who had been too long trained in humility +to rebel. This desertion on the part of his companion was not, however, so +quietly acquiesced in by Fid, who found himself thus unexpectedly deprived +of the testimony of the black. He loudly remonstrated against his retreat; +but, finding it in vain, he crammed the end of several inches of tobacco +into his mouth, swearing, as he followed the African, and keeping his eye, +at the same time, firmly fastened on his adversary, that, in his opinion, +"the lad, if he was fairly skinned, would be found to be the whiter man of +the two." + +The triumph of the boatswain was now complete; nor was he at all sparing +of his exultation. + +"Gentlemen," he said, addressing himself, with an air of increased +confidence, to the motley audience who surrounded him, "you see that +reason is like a ship bearing down with studding-sails on both sides, +leaving a straight wake and no favours. Now, I scorn boasting, nor do I +know who the fellow is who has just sheered off, in time to save his +character, but this I will say, that the man is not to be found, between +Boston and the West Indies, who knows better than myself how to make a +ship walk, or how to make her stand still, provided I"-- + +The deep voice of Nightingale became suddenly hushed, and his eye was +riveted, by a sort of enchantment on the keen glance of the stranger in +green, whose countenance was now seen blended among the more vulgar faces +of the crowd. + +"Mayhap," continued the boatswain, swallowing his words, in the surprise +of seeing himself so unexpectedly confronted by so imposing an eye, +"mayhap this gentleman has some knowledge of the sea, and can decide the +matter in dispute." + +"We do not study naval tactics at the universities," returned the other +briskly, "though I will confess, from the little I have heard, I am +altogether in favour of _scudding._" + +He pronounced the latter word with an emphasis which rendered it +questionable if he did not mean to pun; the more especially as he threw +down his reckoning and instantly left the field to the quiet possession of +Nightingale. The latter, after a short pause, resumed his narrative, +though, either from weariness or some other cause, it was observed that +his voice was far less positive than before, and that his tale was cut +prematurely short. After completing his narrative and his grog, he +staggered to the beach, whither a boat was shortly after despatched to +convey him on board the ship, which, during all this time, had not ceased +to be the constant subject of the suspicious examination of the good-man +Homespun. + +In the mean while, the stranger in green had pursued his walk along the +main street of the town. Fid had given chase to the disconcerted Scipio, +grumbling as he went, and uttering no very delicate remarks on the +knowledge and seamanship of the boatswain. They soon joined company again, +the former changing his attack to the negro, whom he liberally abused, for +abandoning a point which he maintained was as simple, and as true, as +"that yonder bit of a schooner would make more way, going wing-and-wing, +than jammed up on a wind." + +Probably diverted with the touches of peculiar character he had detected +in this singular pair of confederates, or possibly led by his own wayward +humour, the stranger followed their footsteps. After turning from the +water, they mounted a hill, the latter a little in the rear of his pilots, +until he lost sight of them in a bend of the street, or rather road; for +by this time, they were past even the little suburbs of the town. +Quickening his steps, the barrister, as he had announced himself to be, +was glad to catch a glimpse of the two worthies, seated under a fence +several minutes after he had believed them lost. They were making a frugal +meal, off the contents of a little bag which the white had borne under his +arm and from which he now dispensed liberally to his companion, who had +taken his post sufficiently nigh to proclaim that perfect amity was +restored, though still a little in the back ground, in deference to the +superior condition which the other enjoyed through favour of his colour. +Approaching the spot, the stranger observed,-- + +"If you make so free with the bag, my lads, your third man may have to go +supperless to bed." + +"Who hails?" said Dick, looking up from his bone, with an expression much +like that of a mastiff when engaged at a similar employment. + +"I merely wished to remind you that you had another messmate," cavalierly +returned the other. + +"Will you take a cut, brother?" said the seaman, offering the bag, with +the liberality of a sailor, the moment he fancied there was an indirect +demand made on its contents. + +"You still mistake my meaning; on the wharf you had another companion." + +"Ay, ay; he is in the offing there, overhauling that bit of a light-house, +which is badly enough moored unless they mean it to shew the channel to +your ox-teams and inland traders; hereaway, gentlemen, where you see that +pile of stones which seems likely to be coming down shortly by-the-run." + +The stranger looked in the direction indicated by the other, and saw the +young mariner, to whom he had alluded, standing at the foot of a ruined +tower, which was crumbling under the slow operations of time, at no great +distance from the place where he stood. Throwing a handful of small change +to the seamen, he wished them a better meal, and crossed the fence, with +an apparent intention of examining the ruin also. + +"The lad is free with his coppers," said Dick, suspending the movements of +his teeth, to give the stranger another and a better look; "but, as they +will not grow where he has planted them, S'ip, you may turn them over to +my pocket. An off-handed and a free-handed chap that, Africa; but then +these law-dealers get all their pence of the devil, and they are sure of +more, when the shot begins to run low in the locker." + +Leaving the negro to collect the money, and to transfer it, as in duty +bound, to the hands of him who, if not his master, was at all times ready +and willing to exercise the authority of one, we shall follow the stranger +in his walk toward, the tottering edifice. There was little about the ruin +itself to attract the attention of one who, from his assertions, had +probably often enjoyed the opportunities of examining far more imposing +remains of former ages, on the other side of the Atlantic. It was a small +circular tower, which stood on rude pillars, connected by arches, and +might have been constructed, in the infancy of the country, as a place of +defence, though it is far more probable that it was a work of a less +warlike nature. More than half a century after the period of which we are +writing, this little edifice, peculiar in its form, its ruinous condition, +and its materials, has suddenly become the study and the theme of that +very learned sort of individual the American antiquarian. It is not +surprising that a ruin thus honoured should have become the object of many +a hot and erudite discussion. While the chivalrous in the arts and in the +antiquities of the country have been gallantly breaking their lances +around the mouldering walls, the less instructed and the less zealous have +regarded the combatants with the same species of wonder as they would have +manifested had they been present when the renowned knight of La Mancha +tilted against those other wind-mills so ingeniously described by the +immortal Cervantes. + +On reaching the place, the stranger in green gave his boot a smart blow +with the riding whip, as if to attract the attention of the abstracted +young sailor, and freely remarked,-- + +"A very pretty object this would be, if covered with ivy, to be seen +peeping through an opening in a wood. But I beg pardon; gentlemen of your +_profession_ have little to do with woods and crumbling stones. Yonder is +the tower," pointing to the tail masts of the ship in the outer harbour, +"you love to look on; and your only ruin is a wreck!" + +"You seem familiar with our tastes, sir," coldly returned the other. + +"It is by instinct, then; for it is certain I have had but little +opportunity of acquiring my knowledge by actual communion with any of +the--cloth; nor do I perceive that I am likely to be more fortunate at +present. Let us be frank, my friend, and talk in amity: What do you see +about this pile of stones, that can keep you so long from your study of +yonder noble and gallant ship?" + +"Did it then surprise you that a seaman out of employment should examine a +vessel that he finds to his mind, perhaps with an intention to ask for +service?" + +"Her commander must be a dull fellow, if he refuse it to so proper a lad! +But you seem to be too well instructed for any of the meaner births." + +"Births!" repeated the other, again fastening his eyes, with a singular +expression, on the stranger in green. + +"Births! It is your nautical word for 'situation, or; station;' is it not? +We know but little of the marine vocabulary, we barristers; but I think I +may venture on that as the true Doric. Am I justified by your authority?" + +"The word is certainly not yet obsolete; and, by a figure, it is as +certainly correct in the sense you used it." + +"Obsolete!" repeated the stranger in green, returning the meaning look he +had just received: "Is that the name of any part of a ship? Perhaps, by +_figure_, you mean figure-head; and, by _obsolete_, the long-boat!" + +The young seaman laughed; and, as if this sally had broken through the +barrier of his reserve, his manner lost much of its cold restraint during +the remainder of their conference. + +"It is just as plain," he said, "that you have been at sea, as it is that +I have been at school. Since we have both been so fortunate, we may afford +to be generous and cease speaking in parables. For instance, what think +you has been the object and use of this ruin, when it was in good +condition?" + +"In order to judge of that," returned the stranger in green, "it may be +necessary to examine it more closely. Let us ascend." + +As he spoke, the barrister mounted, by a crazy ladder, to the floor which +lay just above the crown of the arches, through which he passed by an open +trapdoor His companion hesitated to follow; but, observing that the other +expected him at the summit of the ladder, and that he very kindly pointed +out a defective round, he sprang forward, and went up the ascent with the +agility and steadiness peculiar to his calling. + +"Here we are!" exclaimed the stranger in green, looking about at the naked +walls, which were formed of such small and irregular stones as to give the +building the appearance of dangerous frailty, "with good oaken plank for +our deck, as you would say, and the sky for our roof, as we call the upper +part of a house at the universities. Now let us speak of things on the +lower world. A--a--; I forget what you said was your usual appellation--" + +"That might depend on circumstances. I have been known by different names +in different situations However, if you call me Wilder, I shall not fail +to answer." + +"Wilder!" a good name; though, I dare say, it would have been as true were +it Wildone. You young ship-boys have the character of being a little +erratic in your humours at times. How many tender hearts have you left to +sigh for your errors, amid shady bowers, while you have been +ploughing--that is the word, I believe--ploughing the salt-sea ocean?" + +"Few sigh for me," returned Wilder, thoughtfully, though he evidently +began to chafe a little under this free sort of catechism. "Let us now +return to our study of the tower. What think you has been its object?" + +"Its present use is plain, and its former use can be no great mystery. It +holds at this moment two light hearts; and, if I am not mistaken, as many +light heads, not overstocked with the stores of wisdom. Formerly it had +its granaries of corn, at least, and, I doubt not, certain little +quadrupeds, who were quite as light of fingers as we are of head and +heart. In plain English, it has been a mill" + +"There are those who think it had been a fortress." + +"Hum! The place might do, at need," returned he in green, casting a rapid +and peculiar glance around him. "But mill it has been, notwithstanding one +might wish it a nobler origin. The windy situation the pillars to keep off +the invading vermin, the shape, the air, the very complexion, prove it. +Whir-r-r, whir-r-r; there has been clatter enough here in time past, I +warrant you. Hist! It is not done yet!" + +Stepping lightly to one of the little perforations which had once served +as windows to the tower, he cautiously thrust his head through the +opening; and, after gazing there half a minute, he withdrew it again, +making a gesture to the attentive Wilder to be silent. The latter +complied; nor was it long before the nature of the interruption was +sufficiently explained. + +The silvery voice of woman was first heard at a little distance; and then, +as the speakers drew nigher the sounds arose directly from beneath, within +the very shadow of the tower. By a sort of tacit consent, Wilder and the +barrister chose spots favourable to the execution of such a purpose; and +each continued, during the time the visiters remained near the ruin, +examining their persons, unseen themselves, and we are sorry we must do so +much violence to the breeding of two such important characters in our +legend, amused and attentive listeners also to their conversation. + + + + +Chapter IV. + + + + "They fool me to the top of my bent."--_Hamlet._ + + +The party below consisted of four individuals all of whom were females. +One was a lady in the decline of her years; another was past the middle +age the third was on the very threshold of what is called "life," as it is +applied to intercourse with the world; and the fourth was a negress, who +might have seen some five-and-twenty revolutions of the seasons. The +latter, at that time, and in that country, of course appeared only in the +character of a humble, though perhaps favoured domestic. + +"And now, my child, that I have given you all the advice which +circumstances and your own excellent heart need," said the elderly lady, +among the first words that were distinctly intelligible to the listeners, +"I will change the ungracious office to one more agreeable. You will tell +your father of my continued affection, and of the promise he has given, +that you are to return once again, before we separate for the last time." + +This speech was addressed to the younger female, and was apparently +received with as much tenderness and sincerity as it was uttered. The one +who was addressed raised her eyes, which were glittering with tears she +evidently struggled to conceal, and answered in a voice that sounded in +the ears of the two youthful listeners like the notes of the Syren, so +very sweet and musical were its tones. + +"It is useless to remind me of a promise, my beloved aunt, which I have so +much interest in remembering," she said. "I hope for even more than you +have perhaps dared to wish; if my father does not return with me in the +spring, it shall not be for want of urging on my part." + +"Our good Wyllys will lend her aid," returned the aunt, smiling and +bowing to the third female, with that mixture of suavity and form which +was peculiar to the stately manners of the time, and which was rarely +neglected, when a superior addressed an inferior. "She is entitled to +command some interest with General Grayson, from her fidelity and +services." + +"She is entitled to everything that love and heart can give!" exclaimed +the niece, with a haste and earnestness that proclaimed how willingly she +would temper the formal politeness of the other by the warmth of her own +affectionate manner; "my father will scarcely refuse _her_ any thing." + +"And have we the assurance of Miss Wyllys that she will be in our +interests?" demanded the aunt, without permitting her own sense of +propriety to be overcome by the stronger feelings of her niece; "with so +powerful an ally, our league will be invincible." + +"I am so entirely of opinion, that the salubrious air of this healthful +island is of great importance to my young charge, Madam, that, were all +other considerations wanting, the little I can do to aid your wishes shall +be sure to be done." + +Wyllys spoke with dignity, and perhaps with some portion of that reserve +which distinguished all the communications between the wealthy and +high-born aunt and the salaried and dependent governess of her brother's +heiress. Still her manner was gentle, and the voice, like that of her +pupil, soft and strikingly feminine. + +"We may then consider the victory as achieved, as my late husband the +Rear-Admiral was accustomed to say. Admiral de Lacey, my dear Mrs Wyllys, +adopted it in early life as a maxim, by which all his future conduct was +governed, and by adhering to which he acquired no small share of his +professional reputation, that, in order to be successful, it was only +necessary to be determined one would be so;--a noble and inspiriting rule, +and one that could not fail to lead to those signal results which, as we +all know them, I need not mention." + +Wyllys bowed her head, in acknowledgment of the truth of the opinion, and +in testimony of the renown of the deceased Admiral; but did not think it +necessary to make any reply. Instead of allowing the subject to occupy her +mind any longer, she turned to her young pupil, and observed, speaking in +a voice and with a manner from which every appearance of restraint was +banished,-- + +"Gertrude, my love, you will have pleasure in returning to this charming +island, and to these cheering sea breezes." + +"And to my aunt!" exclaimed Gertrude. "I wish my father could be persuaded +to dispose of his estates in Carolina, and come northward, to reside the +whole year." + +"It is not quite as easy for an affluent proprietor to remove as you may +imagine, my child," returned Mrs de Lacey. "Much as I wish that some such +plan could be adopted, I never press my brother on the subject. Besides, I +am not certain, that, if we were ever to make another change in the +family, it would not be to return _home_ altogether. It is now more than a +century, Mrs Wyllys, since the Graysons came into the colonies, in a +moment of dissatisfaction with the government in England. My +great-grandfather sir Everard, was displeased with his second son, and the +dissension led my grandfather to the province of Carolina. But, as the +breach has long since been healed, I often think my brother and myself may +yet return to the halls of our ancestors. Much will, however, depend on +the manner in which we dispose of our treasure on this side of the +Atlantic." + +As the really well-meaning, though, perhaps, a little too much +self-satisfied lady concluded her remark, she glanced her eye at the +perfectly unconscious subject of the close of her speech. Gertrude had, as +usual, when her aunt chose to favour her governess with any of her family +reminiscences, turned her head aside, and was now offering her cheek, +burning with health, and perhaps a little with shame, to the cooling +influence of the evening breeze. The instant the voice of Mrs de Lacey had +ceased, she turned hastily to her companions; and, pointing to a +noble-looking ship, whose masts, as it lay in the inner harbour, were seen +rising above the roofs of the town, she exclaimed, as if glad to change +the subject in any manner,-- + +"And yonder gloomy prison is to be our home, dear Mrs Wyllys, for the next +month!" + +"I hope your dislike to the sea has magnified the time," mildly returned +her governess; "the passage between this place and Carolina has been often +made in a shorter period." + +"That it has been so done, I can testify," resumed the Admiral's widow, +adhering a little pertinaciously to a train of thoughts, which, once +thoroughly awakened in her bosom, was not easily diverted into another +channel, "since my late estimable and (I feel certain all who hear me will +acquiesce when I add) gallant husband once conducted a squadron of his +Royal Master, from one extremity of his Majesty's American dominions to +the other, in a time less than that named by my niece: It may have made +some difference in his speed that he was in pursuit of the enemies of his +King and country, but still the fact proves that the voyage can be made +within the month." + +"There is that dreadful Henlopen, with its sandy shoals and shipwrecks on +one hand, and that stream they call the Gulf on the other!" exclaimed +Gertrude, with a shudder, and a burst of natural female terror, which +makes timidity sometimes attractive, when exhibited in the person of youth +and beauty. "If it were not for Henlopen, and its gales, and its shoals, +and its gulfs, I could think only of the pleasure of meeting my father." + +Mrs Wyllys, who never encouraged her pupil in those, natural weaknesses, +however pretty and be coming they might appear to other eyes, turned with +a steady mien to the young lady, as she remarked, with a brevity and +decision that were intended to put the question of fear at rest for +ever,-- + +"If all the dangers you appear to apprehend existed in reality, the +passage would not be made daily or even hourly, in safety. You have often, +Madam, come from the Carolinas by sea, in company with Admiral de Lacey?" + +"Never," the widow promptly and a little drily remarked. "The water has +not agreed with my constitution, and I have never neglected to journey by +land. But then you know, Wyllys, as the consort and relict of a +flag-officer, it was not seemly that I should be ignorant of naval +science. I believe there are few ladies in the British empire who are more +familiar with ships, either singly or in squadron particularly the latter, +than myself. This in formation I have naturally acquired, as the companion +of an officer, whose fortune it was to lead fleets. I presume these are +matters of which you are profoundly ignorant." + +The calm, dignified countenance of Wyllys, on which it would seem as if +long cherished and painful recollections had left a settled, but mild +expression of sorrow, that rather tempered than destroyed the traces of +character which were still remarkable in her firm collected eye, became +clouded, for a moment, with a deeper shade of melancholy. After +hesitating, as if willing to change the subject, she replied,-- + +"I have not been altogether a stranger to the sea. It has been my lot to +have made many long, and some perilous voyages." + +"As a mere passenger. But we wives of sailors only, among our sex, can lay +claim to any real knowledge of the noble profession! What natural object +is there, or can there be," exclaimed the nautical dowager, in a burst of +professional enthusiasm, "finer than a stately ship breasting the billows, +as I have heard the Admiral say a thousand times, its taffrail ploughing +the main, and its cut-water gliding after, like a sinuous serpent pursuing +its shining wake, as a living creature choosing its path on the land, and +leaving the bone under its fore-foot, a beacon for those that follow? I +know not, my dear Wyllys, if I make myself intelligible to you, but, to my +instructed eye, this charming description conveys a picture of all that is +grand and beautiful!" + +The latent smile, on the countenance of the governess might have betrayed +that she was imagining the deceased Admiral had not been altogether devoid +of the waggery of his vocation, had not a slight noise, which sounded like +the rustling of the wind, but which in truth was suppressed laughter, +proceeded from the upper room of the tower. The words, "It is lovely!" +were still on the lips of the youthful Gertrude, who saw all the beauty of +the picture her aunt had essayed to describe, without descending to the +humble employment of verbal criticism. But her voice became hushed, and +her attitude that of startled attention:-- + +"Did you hear nothing?" she said. + +"The rats have not yet altogether deserted the mill," was the calm reply +of Wyllys. + +"Mill! my dear Mrs Wyllys, will you persist in calling this picturesque +ruin _a mill_?" + +"However fatal it may be to its charms, in the eyes of eighteen, I must +call it _a mill_." + +"Ruins are not so plenty in this country, my dear governess," returned her +pupil, laughing, while the ardour of her eye denoted how serious she was +in defending her favourite opinion, "as to justify us in robbing them of +any little claims to interest they may happen to possess." + +"Then, happier is the country! Ruins in a land are, like most of the signs +of decay in the human form, sad evidences of abuses and passions, which +have hastened the inroads of time. These provinces are like yourself, my +Gertrude, in their freshness and their youth, and, comparatively, in their +innocence also. Let us hope for both a long, an useful, and a happy +existence." + +"Thank you for myself, and for my country; but still I can never admit +this picturesque ruin has been _a mill_." + +"Whatever it may have been, it has long occupied its present place, and +has the appearance of continuing where it is much longer, which is more +than can be said of our prison, as you call yonder stately ship, in which +we are so soon to embark. Unless my eyes deceive me, Madam, those masts +are moving slowly past the chimnies of the town." + +"You are very right, Wyllys. The seamen are towing the vessel into the +outer harbour, where they will warp her fast to the anchors, and thus +secure her, until they shall be ready to unmake their sails, in order to +put to sea in the morning. This is a manoeuvre often performed, and one +which the Admiral has so clearly explained, that I should find little +difficulty in superintending it in my own person, were it suitable to my +sex and station." + +"This is, then, a hint that all our own preparations are not completed. +However lovely this spot may seem, Gertrude, we must now leave it, for +some months at least." + +"Yes," continued Mrs de Lacey, slowly following the footsteps of the +governess, who had already moved from beneath the ruin; "whole fleets have +often been towed to their anchors, and there warped, waiting for wind and +tide to serve. None of our sex know the dangers of the Ocean, but we who +have been bound in the closest of all ties to officers of rank and great +service; and none others can ever truly enjoy the real grandeur of the +ennobling profession. A charming object is a vessel cutting the waves with +her taffrail, and chasing her wake on the trackless waters, like a courser +that ever keeps in his path, though dashing madly on at the very top of +his speed!--" + +The reply of Mrs Wyllys was not audible to the covert listeners. Gertrude +had followed her companions; but, when at some little distance from the +tower, she paused, to take a parting look at its mouldering walls. A +profound stillness succeeded for more than a minute. + +"There is something in that pile of stones, Cassandra," she said to the +jet-black maiden at her elbow, "that could make me wish it had been +something more than a mill." + +"There rat in 'em," returned the literal and simple-minded black; "you +hear what Misse Wyllys say?" + +Gertrude turned, laughed, patted the dark cheek of her attendant with +fingers that looked like snow by the contrast, as if to chide her for +wishing to destroy the pleasing illusion she would so gladly harbour and +then bounded down the hill after her aunt and governess, like a joyous and +youthful Atalanta. + +The two singularly consorted listeners in the tower stood gazing, at +their respective look-outs, so long as the smallest glimpse of the flowing +robe of her light form was to be seen and then they turned to each other, +and stood confronted, the eyes of each endeavouring to read the expression +of his neighbour's countenance. + +"I am ready to make an affidavit before my Lord High Chancellor," suddenly +exclaimed the barrister, "that this has never been a mill!" + +"Your opinion has undergone a sudden change!" + +"I am open to conviction, as I hope to be a judge. The case has been +argued by a powerful advocate, and I have lived to see my error." + +"And yet there are rats in the place." + +"Land rats, or water rats?" quickly demanded the other, giving his +companion one of those startling and searching glances, which his keen eye +had so freely at command. + +"Both, I believe," was the dry and caustic reply; "certainly the former, +or the gentlemen of the long robe are much injured by report." + +The barrister laughed; nor did his temper appear in the slightest degree +ruffled at so free an allusion at his learned and honourable profession. + +"You gentlemen of the Ocean have such an honest and amusing frankness +about you," he said, "that I vow to God you are overwhelming. I am a +downright admirer of your noble calling, and something skilled in its +terms. What spectacle, for instance, can be finer than a noble ship +'stemming the waves with her taffrail,' and chasing her wake, like a racer +on the course!" + +"Leaving the 'bone in her mouth' under her stern, as a light-house for all +that come after!" + +Then, as if they found singular satisfaction in dwelling on these images +of the worthy relict of the gallant Admiral, they broke out simultaneously +into a fit of clamorous merriment, that caused the old ruin to ring, as +in its best days of windy power. The barrister was the first to regain his +self-command, for the mirth of the young mariner was joyous, and without +the least restraint. + +"But this is dangerous ground for any but a seaman's widow to touch," the +former observed, as suddenly causing his laughter to cease as he had +admitted of its indulgence. "The younger, she who is no lover of a mill, +is a rare and lovely creature! it would seem that she is the niece of the +nautical critic." + +The young manner ceased laughing in his turn, as though he were suddenly +convinced of the glaring impropriety of making so near a relative of the +fair vision he had seen the subject of his merriment. Whatever might have +been his secret thoughts, he was content with replying,-- + +"She so declared herself." + +"Tell me," said the barrister, walking close to the other, like one who +communicated an important secret in the question, "was there not something +remarkable searching, extraordinary, heart-touching, in the voice of her +they called Wyllys?" + +"Did you note it?" + +"It sounded to me like the tones of an oracle--the whisperings of +fancy--the very words of truth! It was a strange and persuasive voice!" + +"I confess I felt its influence, and in a way for which I cannot account!" + +"It amounts to infatuation!" returned the barrister pacing up and down the +little apartment, every trace of humour and irony having disappeared in a +look of settled and abstracted care. His companion appeared little +disposed to interrupt his meditations, but stood leaning against the naked +walls, himself the subject of deep and sorrowful reflection. At length the +former shook off his air of thought, with that startling quickness which +seemed common to his manner; he approached a window, and, directing the +attention of Wilder to the ship in the outer harbour, abruptly demanded,-- + +"Has all your interest in yon vessel ceased?" + +"Far from it; it is just such a boat as a seaman's eye most loves to +study!" + +"Will you venture to board her?" + +"At this hour? alone? I know not her commander, or her people." + +"There are other hours beside this, and a sailor is certain of a frank +reception from his messmates." + +"These slavers are not always willing to be boarded; they carry arms, and +know how to keep strangers at a distance." + +"Are there no watch-words, in the masonry of your trade, by which a +brother is known? Such terms as 'stemming the waves with the taffrail,' +for instance, or some of those knowing phrases we have lately heard?" + +Wilder kept his own keen look on the countenance of the other, as he thus +questioned him, and seemed to ponder long before he ventured on a reply. + +"Why do you demand all this of me?" he coldly asked. + +"Because, as I believe that 'faint heart never won fair lady,' so do I +believe that indecision never won a ship. You wish a situation, you say; +and, if I were an Admiral, I would make you my flag-captain. At the +assizes, when we wish a brief, we have our manner of letting the thing be +known. But perhaps I am talking too much at random for an utter stranger. +You will however remember, that, though it is the advice of a lawyer, it +is given gratuitously." + +"And is it the more to be relied on for such extraordinary liberality?" + +"Of that you must judge for yourself," said the stranger in green, very +deliberately putting his foot on the ladder, and descending, until no +part of his person but his head was seen. "Here I go, literally cutting +the waves with my taffrail," he added, as he descended backwards, and +seeming to take great pleasure in laying particular emphasis on the words. +"Adieu, my friend; if we do not meet again, I enjoin you never to forget +the rats in the Newport ruin." + +He disappeared as he concluded, and in another instant his light form was +on the ground. Turning with the most admirable coolness, he gave the +bottom of the ladder a trip with one of his feet, and laid the only means +of descent prostrate on the earth. Then, looking up at the wondering +Wilder, he nodded his head familiarly, repeated his adieu, and passed with +a swift step from beneath the arches. + +"This is extraordinary conduct," muttered Wilder who was by the process +left a prisoner in the ruin. After ascertaining that a fall from the trap +might endanger his legs, the young sailor ran to one of the windows of the +place, in order to reproach his treacherous comrade, or indeed to assure +himself that he was serious in thus deserting him. The barrister was +already out of hailing distance, and, before Wilder had time to decide on +what course to take, his active footsteps had led him into the skirts of +the town, among the buildings of which his person became immediately lost +to the eye. + +During all the time occupied by the foregoing scenes and dialogue, Fid and +the negro had been diligently discussing the contents of the bag, under +the fence where they were last seen. As the appetite of the former became +appeased, his didactic disposition returned, and, at the precise moment +when Wilder was left alone in the tower, he was intently engaged in +admonishing the black on the delicate subject, of behaviour in mixed +society. + +"And so you see, Guinea," he concluded, "in or der to keep a weather-helm +in company, you are never to throw all aback, and go stern foremost out of +a dispute, as you have this day seen fit to do According to my l'arning, +that Master Nightingale is better in a bar-room than in a squall; and if +you had just luffed-up on his quarter, when you saw me laying myself +athwart his hawse in the argument, you see we should have given him a +regular jam in the discourse, and then the fellow would have been shamed +in the eyes of all the by-standers. Who hails? what cook is sticking his +neighbour's pig now?" + +"Lor'! Misser Fid," cried the black, "here masser Harry, wid a head out of +port-hole, up dereaway in a light-house, singing-out like a marine in a +boat wid a plug out!" + +"Ay, ay, let him alone for hailing a top-gallant yard, or a +flying-jib-boom! The lad has a voice like a French horn, when he has a +mind to tune it! And what the devil is he manning the guns of that +weather-beaten wreck for? At all events, if he has to fight his craft +alone, there is no one to blame but himself, since he has gone to quarters +without beat of drum, or without, in any other manner, seeing fit to +muster his people." + +As Dick and the negro had both been making the best of their way towards +the ruin, from the moment they discovered the situation of their friend, +by this time they were within speaking distance of the spot itself. +Wilder, in those brief, pithy tones that distinguish the manner in which a +sea officer issues his orders, directed them to raise the ladder. When he +was liberated, he demanded, with a sufficiently significant air, if they +had observed the direction in which the stranger in green had made his +retreat? + +"Do you mean the chap in boots, who was for shoving his oar into another +man's rullock, a bit ago, on the small matter of wharf, hereaway, in a +range, over yonder house, bringing the north-east chimney to hear in a +line, with the mizen-top-gallant-mast-head of that ship they are warping +into the stream?" + +"The very same." + +"He made a slant on the wind until he had weathered yonder bit of a barn, +and then he tacked and stretched away off here to the east-and-by-south, +going large, and with studding sails alow and aloft, as I think, for he +made a devil of a head-way." + +"Follow," cried Wilder, starting forward in the direction indicated by +Fid, without waiting to hear any more of the other's characteristic +explanations. + +The search, however, was vain. Although they continued their inquiries +until long after the sun had set, no one could give them the smallest +tidings of what had become of the stranger in green. Some had seen him, +and marvelled at his singular costume, and bold and wandering look; but, +by all accounts, he had disappeared from the town as strangely and +mysteriously as he had entered it. + + + + +Chapter V. + + + + "Are you so brave! I'll have you talked with anon." _Coriolanus._ + + +The good people of the town of Newport sought their rest at an early hour. +They were remarkable for that temperance and discretion which, even to +this day, distinguish the manners of the inhabitants of New-England. By +ten, the door of every house in the place was closed for the night; and it +is quite probable, that, before another hour had passed, scarcely an eye +was open, among all those which, throughout the day, had been sufficiently +alert, not only to superintend the interests of their proper-owners, but +to spare some wholesome glances at the concerns of the rest of the +neighbourhood. + +The landlord of the "Foul Anchor," as the inn, where Fid and Nightingale +had so nearly come to blows, was called, scrupulously closed his doors at +eight; a sort of expiation, by which he endeavoured to atone, while he +slept, for any moral peccadillos that he might have committed during the +day. Indeed it was to be observed as a rule, that those who had the most +difficulty in maintaining their good name, on the score of temperance and +moderation, were the most rigid in withdrawing, in season, from the daily +cares of the world. The Admiral's widow had given no little scandal, in +her time, because lights were so often seen burning in her house long +after the hour prescribed by custom for their extinction. Indeed, there +were several other little particulars in which this good lady had rendered +herself obnoxious to the whispered remarks of some of her female +visitants. An Episcopalian herself, she was always observed to be employed +with her needle on the evenings of Saturdays, though by no means +distinguished for her ordinary industry. It was, however, a sort of manner +the good lady had of exhibiting her adherence to the belief that the night +of Sunday was the orthodox evening of the Sabbath. On this subject there +was, in truth, a species of silent warfare between herself and the wife of +the principal clergyman of the town. It resulted, happily, in no very +striking marks of hostility. The latter was content to retaliate by +bringing her work, on the evenings of Sundays to the house of the dowager, +and occasionally interrupting their discourse, by a diligent application +of the needle for some five or six minutes at a time. Against this +contamination Mrs de Lacey took no other precaution than to play with the +leaves of a prayer book, precisely on the principle that one uses holy +water to keep the devil at that distance which the Church has considered +safest for its proselytes. + +Let these matters be as they would, by ten o'clock on the night of the day +our tale commences, the town of Newport was as still as though it did not +contain a living soul. Watchmen there were none; for roguery had not yet +begun to thrive openly in the provinces. When, therefore, Wilder and his +two companions issued, at that hour, from their place of retirement into +the empty streets, they found them as still as if man had never trod +there. Not a candle was to be seen, nor the smallest evidence of human +life to be heard. It would seem our adventurers knew their errand well; +for, instead of knocking up any of the drowsy publicans to demand +admission, they held their way steadily to the water's side; Wilder +leading, Fid coming next, and Scipio, in conformity to all usage, bringing +up the rear, in his ordinary, quiet, submissive manner. + +At the margin of the water they found several small boats, moored under +the shelter of a neighbouring wharf. Wilder gave his companions their +directions, and walked to a place convenient for embarking. After waiting +the necessary time, the bows of two boats came to the land at the same +moment, one of which was governed by the hands of the negro, and the other +by those of Fid. + +"How's this?" demanded Wilder; "Is not one enough? There is some mistake +between you." + +"No mistake at all," responded Dick, suffering his oar to float on its +blade, and running his fingers into his hair, as if he was content with +his achievement "no more mistake than there is in taking the sun on a +clear day and in smooth water. Guinea is in the boat you hired; but a bad +bargain you made of it, as I thought at the time; and so, as 'better late +than never' is my rule, I have just been casting an eye over all the +craft; if this is not the tightest and fastest rowing clipper of them all, +then am I no judge; and yet the parish priest would tell you, if he were +here, that my father was a boat-builder, ay, and swear it too; that is to +say, if you paid him well for the same." + +"Fellow," returned Wilder, angrily, "you will one day induce me to turn +you adrift. Return the boat to the place where you found it, and see it +secured in the same manner as before." + +"Turn me adrift!" deliberately repeated Fid, "that would be cutting all +your weather lanyards at one blow, master Harry. Little good would come of +Scipio Africa and you, after I should part company. Have you ever fairly +logg'd the time we have sailed together?" + +"Ay, have I; but it is possible to break even a friendship of twenty +years." + +"Saving your presence, master Harry, I'll be d----d if I believe any such +thing. Here is Guinea, who is no better than a nigger, and therein far +from being a fitting messmate to a white man; but, being used to look at +his black face for four-and-twenty years, d'ye see, the colour has got +into my eye, and now it suits as well as another. Then, at sea, in a dark +night, it is not so easy a matter to tell the difference. No, no, I am not +tired of you yet, master Harry; and it is no trifle that shall part us." + +"Then, abandon your habit of making free with the property of others." + +"I abandon nothing. No man can say he ever knowed me to quit a deck while +a plank stuck to the beams; and shall I abandon, as you call it, my +rights? What is the mighty matter, that all hands must be called to see an +old sailor punished? You gave a lubberly fisherman, a fellow who has never +been in deeper water than his own line will sound you gave him, I say, a +glittering Spaniard, just for the use of a bit of a skiff for the night, +or, mayhap, for a small reach into the morning. Well, what does Dick do? +He says to himself--for d----e if he's any blab to run round a ship +grumbling at his officer--so he just says to himself, 'That's too much;' +and he looks about, to find the worth of it in some of the fisherman's +neighbours. Money can be eaten; and, what is better, it may be drunk; +therefore, it is not to be pitched overboard with the cook's ashes. I'll +warrant me, if the truth could be fairly come by, it would be found that, +as to the owners of this here yawl, and that there skiff, their mothers +are cousins, and that the dollar will go in snuff and strong drink among +the whole family--so, no great harm done, after all." + +Wilder made an impatient gesture to the other to obey, and walked up the +bank, while he had time to comply. Fid never disputed a positive and +distinct order, though he often took so much discretionary latitude in +executing those which were less precise. He did not hesitate, therefore, +to return the boat; but he did not carry his subordination so far as to do +it without complaint. When this act of justice was performed, Wilder +entered the skiff; and, seeing that his companions were seated at their +oars, he bade them to pull down the harbour, admonishing them, at the same +time, to make as little noise as possible. + +"The night I rowed you into Louisbourg, a-reconnoitring," said Fid, +thrusting his left hand into his bosom, while, with his right, he applied +sufficient force to the light oar to make the skiff glide swiftly over the +water--"that night we muffled every thing even to our tongues. When there +is occasion to put stoppers on the mouths of a boat's crew, why, I'm not +the man to gainsay it; but, as I am one of them that thinks tongues were +just as much made to talk with, as the sea was made to live on, I uphold +rational conversation in sober society. S'ip, you Guinea where are you +shoving the skiff to? hereaway lies the island, and you are for going into +yonder bit of a church." + +"Lay on your oars," interrupted Wilder; "let the boat drift by this +vessel." + +They were now in the act of passing the ship, which had been warping from +the wharfs to an anchorage and in which the young sailor had so +clandestinely heard that Mrs Wyllys and the fascinating Gertrude were to +embark, on the following morning, for the distant province of Carolina. As +the skiff floated past, Wilder examined the vessel, by the dim light of +the stars, with a seaman's eye. No part of her hull, her spars, or her +rigging, escaped his notice, and, when the whole became confounded, by the +distance, in one dark mass of shapeless matter, he leaned his head over +the side of his little bark, and mused long and deeply with himself. To +this abstraction Fid presumed to offer no interruption. It had the +appearance of professional duty; a subject that, in his eyes, was endowed +with a species of character that might be called sacred. Scipio was +habitually silent. After losing many minutes in the manner, Wilder +suddenly regained his recollection and abruptly observed,-- + +"It is a tall ship, and one that should make a long chase!" + +"That's as may be," returned the ready Fid. "Should that fellow get a free +wind, and his canvas all abroad, it might worry a King's cruiser to get +nigh enough to throw the iron on his decks; but jamm'd up close hauled, +why, I'd engage to lay on his weather quarter, with the saucy He--" + +"Boys," interrupted Wilder, "it is now proper that you dhould know +something of my future movements. We have been shipmates, I might almost +say messmates, for more than twenty years. I was better than an infant, +Fid, when you brought me to the commander of your ship, and not only was +instrumental in saving my life, but in putting me into a situation to make +an officer." + +"Ay, ay, you were no great matter, master Harry as to bulk; and a short +hammock served your turn as well as the captain's birth." + +"I owe you a heavy debt, Fid, for that one generous act, and something, I +may add, for your steady adherence to me since." + +"Why, yes, I've been pretty steady in my conduct master Harry, in this +here business, more particularly seeing that I have never let go my +grapplings, though you've so often sworn to turn me adrift. As for Guinea, +here, the chap makes fair weather with you, blow high or blow low, whereas +it is no hard matter to get up a squall between us, as might be seen in +that small affair about the boat;"-- + +"Say no more of it," interrupted Wilder, whose feelings appeared sensibly +touched, as his recollections ran over long-past and bitterly-remembered +scenes: "You know that little else than death can part us, unless indeed +you choose to quit me now. It is right that you should know that I am +engaged in a desperate pursuit, and one that may easily end in ruin to +myself and all who accompany me. I feel reluctant to separate from you, my +friends, for it may be a final parting, but, at the same time, you should +know all the danger." + +"Is there much more travelling by land?" bluntly demanded Fid. + +"No; the duty, such as it is, will be done entirely in the water." + +"Then bring forth your ship's books, and find room for such a mark as a +pair of crossed anchors, which stand for all the same as so many letters +reading 'Richard Fid.'" + +"But perhaps, when you know"---- + +"I want to know nothing about it, master Harry Haven't I sailed with you +often enough under sealed orders, to trust my old body once more in your +company without forgetting my duty? What say you Guinea? will you ship? or +shall we land you at once, on yonder bit of a low point, and leave you to +scrape acquaintance with the clams?" + +"'Em berry well off, here," muttered the perfectly contented negro. + +"Ay, ay, Guinea is like the launch of one of the coasters, always towing +in your wake, master Harry; whereas I am often luffing athwart your hawse, +or getting foul, in some fashion or other, on one of your quarters. +Howsomever, we are both shipped, as you see, in this here cruise, with the +particulars of which we are both well satisfied. So pass the word among +us, what is to be done next, and no more parley." + +"Remember the cautions you have already received returned Wilder, who saw +that the devotion of his followers was too infinite to need quickening, +and who knew, from long and perilous experience, how implicitly he might +rely on their fidelity, notwithstanding certain failings, that were +perhaps peculiar to their condition; remember what I have already given in +charge; and now pull directly for yon ship in the outer harbour." + +Fid and the black promptly complied; and the boat was soon skimming the +water between the little island and what might, by comparison, be called +the main. As they approached the vessel, the strokes of the oars were +moderated, and finally abandoned altogether, Wilder preferring to let the +skiff drop down with the tide upon the object he wished well to examine +before venturing to board. + +"Has not that ship her nettings triced to the rigging?" he demanded, in a +voice that was lowered to the tones necessary to escape observation, and +which betrayed, at the same time, the interest he took in the reply. + +"According to my sight, she has," returned Fid; "your slavers are a little +pricked by conscience, and are never over-bold, unless when they are +chasing a young nigger on the coast of Congo. Now, there is about as much +danger of a Frenchman's looking in here to-night, with this land breeze +and clear sky, as there is of my being made Lord High Admiral of England; +a thing not likely to come to pass soon, seeing that the King don't know a +great deal of my merit." + +"They are, to a certainty, ready to give a warm reception to any +boarders!" continued Wilder, who rarely paid much attention to the +amplifications with which Fid so often saw fit to embellish the discourse. +"It would be no easy matter to carry a ship thus prepared, if her people +were true to themselves." + +"I warrant ye there is a full quarter-watch at least sleeping among her +guns, at this very moment, with a bright look-out from her cat-heads and +taffrail. I was once on the weather fore-yard-arm of the Hebe, when I +made, hereaway to the south-west, a sail coming large upon us,"-- + +"Hist! they are stirring on her decks!" + +"To be sure they are. The cook is splitting a log; the captain has sung +out for his night-cap." + +The voice of Fid was lost in a summons from the ship, that sounded like +the roaring of some sea monster which had unexpectedly raised its head +above the water. The practised ears of our adventurers instantly +comprehended it to be, what it truly was, the manner in which it was not +unusual to hail a boat. Without taking time to ascertain that the plashing +of oars was to be heard in the distance. Wilder raised his form in the +skiff, and answered. + +"How now?" exclaimed the same strange voice; "there is no one victualled +aboard here that speaks thus. Whereaway are you, he that answers?" + +"A little on your larboard bow; here, in the shadow of the ship." + +"And what are ye about, within the sweep of my hawse?" + +"Cutting the waves with my taffrail," returned Wilder, after a moment's +hesitation. + +"What fool has broke adrift here!" muttered his interrogator. "Pass a +blunderbuss forward, and let us see if a civil answer can't be drawn from +the fellow." + +"Hold!" said a calm but authoritative voice from the most distant part of +the ship; "it is as it should be, let them approach." + +The man in the bows of the vessel bade them come along side, and then the +conversation ceased. Wilder had now an opportunity to discover, that, as +the hail had been intended for another boat, which was still at a +distance, he had answered prematurely. But, perceiving that it was too +late to retreat with safety, or perhaps only acting in conformity to his +original determination, he directed his companions to obey. + +"'Cutting the waves with the taffrail,' is not the civillest answer a man +can give to a hail," muttered Fid, as he dropped the blade of his oar into +the water; "nor is it a matter to be logged in a man's memory, that they +have taken offence at the same. Howsomever, master Harry, if they are so +minded as to make a quarrel about the thing, give them as good as they +send, and count on manly backers." + +No reply was made to this encouraging assurance for, by this time, the +skiff was within a few feet of the ship. Wilder ascended the side of the +vessel amid a deep, and, as he felt it to be, an ominous silence. The +night was dark, though enough light fell from the stars, that were here +and there visible, to render objects sufficiently distinct to the +practised eyes of a seaman. When our young adventurer touched the deck, he +cast a hurried and scrutinizing look about him, as if doubts and +impressions, which had long been harboured, were all to be resolved by +that first view. + +An ignorant landsman would have been struck with the order and symmetry +with which the tall spars rose towards the heavens, from the black mass of +the hull, and with the rigging that hung in the air, one dark line +crossing another, until all design seemed confounded in the confusion and +intricacy of the studied maze. But to Wilder these familiar objects +furnished no immediate attraction. His first rapid glance had, like that +of all seamen, it is true, been thrown upward, but it was instantly +succeeded by the brief, though keen, examination to which we have just +alluded. With the exception of one who, though his form was muffled in a +large sea-cloak, seemed to be an officer, not a living creature was to be +seen on the decks. On either side there was a dark, frowning battery, +arranged in the beautiful and imposing order of marine architecture; but +nowhere could he find a trace of the crowd of human beings which usually +throng the deck of an armed ship, or that was necessary to render the +engines effective. It might be that her people were in their hammocks, as +usual at that hour, but still it was customary to leave a sufficient +number on the watch, to look to the safety of the vessel. Finding himself +so unexpectedly confronted with a single individual, our adventurer began +to be sensible of the awkwardness of his situation, and of the necessity +of some explanation. + +"You are no doubt surprised, sir," he said, "at the lateness of the hour +that I have chosen for my visit." + +"You were certainly expected earlier," was the laconic answer. + +"Expected!" + +"Ay, expected. Have I not seen you, and your two companions who are in the +boat, reconnoitring us half the day, from the wharfs of the town, and even +from the old tower on the hill? What did all this curiosity foretel, but +an intention to come on board?" + +"This is odd, I will acknowledge!" exclaimed Wilder, in some secret alarm. +"And, then, you had notice of my intentions?" + +"Hark ye, friend," interrupted the other, indulging in a short, low laugh; +"from your outfit and appearance I think I am right in calling you a +seaman: Do you imagine that glasses were forgotten in the inventory of +this ship? or, do you fancy that we don't know how to use them?" + +"You must have strong reasons for looking so deeply into the movements of +strangers on the land." + +"Hum! Perhaps we expect our cargo from the country. But I suppose you have +not come so far in the dark to look at our manifest. You would see the +Captain?" + +"Do I not see him?" + +"Where?" demanded the other, with a start that manifested he stood in a +salutary awe of his superior. + +"In yourself." + +"I! I have not got so high in the books, though my time may come yet, some +fair day. Hark ye, friend; you passed under the stern of yonder ship, +which has been hauling into the stream, in coming out to us?" + +"Certainly; she lies, as you see, directly in my course." + +"A wholesome-looking craft that! and one well found, I warrant you. She +is quite ready to be off they tell me." + +"It would so seem: her sails are bent, and she floats like a ship that is +full." + +"Of what?" abruptly demanded the other. + +"Of articles mentioned in her manifest, no doubt. But you seem light +yourself: if you are to load at this port, it will be some days before you +put to sea." + +"Hum! I don't think we shall be long after our neighbour," the other +remarked, a little drily. Then, as if he might have said too much, he +added hastily, "We slavers carry little else, you know, than our shackles +and a few extra tierces of rice; the rest of our ballast is made up of +these guns, and the stuff to put into them." + +"And is it usual for ships in the trade to carry so heavy an armament?" + +"Perhaps it is, perhaps not. To own the truth, there is not much law on +the coast, and the strong arm often does as much as the right. Our owners, +therefore, I believe, think it quite as well there should be no lack of +guns and ammunition on board." + +"They should also give you people to work them." + +"They have forgotten that part of their wisdom, certainly." + +His words were nearly drowned by the same gruff voice that had brought-to +the skiff of Wilder, which sent another hoarse summons across the water, +rolling out sounds that were intended to say,-- + +"Boat, ahoy!" + +The answer was quick, short, and nautical; but it was rendered in a low +and cautious tone. The individual, with whom Wilder had been holding such +equivocating parlance, seemed embarrassed by the sudden interruption, and +a little at a loss to know how to conduct himself. He had already made a +motion towards leading his visiter to the cabin, when the sounds of oars +were heard clattering in a boat along side of the ship, announcing that he +was too late. Bidding the other remain where he was, he sprang to the +gangway, in order to receive those who had just arrived. + +By this sudden desertion, Wilder found himself in entire possession of +that part of the vessel where he stood. It gave him a better opportunity +to renew his examination, and to cast a scrutinizing eye also over the new +comers. + +Some five or six athletic-looking seamen ascended from the boat, in +profound silence. A short and whispered conference took place between them +and their officer, who appeared both to receive a report, and to +communicate an order. When these preliminary matters were ended, a line +was lowered, from a whip on the main-yard, the end evidently dropping into +the newly-arrived boat. In a moment, the burthen it was intended to +transfer to the ship was seen swinging in the air, midway between the +water and the spar. It then slowly descended, inclining inboard until it +was safely, and somewhat carefully, landed on the decks of the vessel. + +During the whole of this process, which in itself had nothing +extraordinary or out of the daily practice of large vessels in port, +Wilder had strained his eyes, until they appeared nearly ready to start +from their sockets. The black mass, which had been lifted from the boat, +seemed, while it lay against the background of sky, to possess the +proportions of the human form. The seamen gathered about this object After +much bustle, and a good deal of low conversation, the burthen or body, +whichever it might be called, was raised by the men, and the whole +disappeared together, behind the masts, boats, and guns which crowded the +forward part of the vessel. + +The whole event was of a character to attract the attention of Wilder. +His eye was not, however, so intently riveted on the groupe in the +gangway, as to prevent his detecting a dozen black objects, that were +suddenly thrust forward, from behind the spars and other dark masses of +the vessel. They might be blocks swinging in the air, but they bore also a +wonderful resemblance to human heads. The simultaneous manner in which +they both appeared and disappeared, served to confirm this impression; +nor, to confess the truth, had our adventurer any doubt that curiosity had +drawn so many inquiring countenances from their respective places of +concealment. He had not much leisure, however, to reflect on all these +little accompaniments of his situation, before he was rejoined by his +former companion, who, to all appearance, was again left, with himself, to +the entire possession of the deck. + +"You know the trouble of getting off the people from the shore," the +officer observed, "when a ship is ready to sail." + +"You seem to have a summary method of hoisting them in," returned Wilder. + +"Ah! you speak of the fellow on the whip? Your eyes are good, friend, to +tell a jack-knife from a marling-spike, at this distance. But the lad was +mutinous; that is, not absolutely mutinous--but, drunk. As mutinous as a +man can well be, who can neither speak, sit, nor stand." + +Then, as if as well content with his humour as with this simple +explanation, the other laughed and chuckled, in a manner that showed he +was in perfect good humour with himself. + +"But all this time you are left on deck," he quickly added, "and the +Captain is waiting your appearance in the cabin: Follow; I will be your +pilot." + +"Hold," said Wilder; "will it not be as well to announce my visit?" + +"He knows it already: Little takes place aboard, here, that does not +reach his ears before it gets into the log-book." + +Wilder made no further objection, but indicated his readiness to proceed. +The other led the way to the bulkhead which separated the principal cabin +from the quarter-deck of the ship; and, pointing to a door, he rather +whispered than said aloud,-- + +"Tap twice; if he answer, go in." + +Wilder did as he was directed. His first summons was either unheard or +disregarded. On repeating it, he was bid to enter. The young seaman opened +the door, with a crowd of sensations, that will find their solution in the +succeeding parts of our narrative and instantly stood, under the light of +a powerful lamp, in the presence of the stranger in green. + + + + +Chapter VI. + + + + ----"The good old plan, + That they should get, who have the power, + And they should keep, who can."--_Wordsworth._ + + +The apartment, in which our adventurer now found himself, afforded no bad +illustration of the character of its occupant. In its form, and +proportions it was a cabin of the usual size and arrangements; but, in its +furniture and equipments, it exhibited a singular admixture of luxury and +martial preparation. The lamp, which swung from the upper deck, was of +solid silver; and, though adapted to its present situation by mechanical +ingenuity, there was that, in its shape and ornaments, which betrayed it +had once been used before some shrine of a far more sacred character. +Massive candlesticks of the same precious metal, and which partook of the +same ecclesiastical formation, were on a venerable table, whose mahogany +was glittering with the polish of half a century, and whose gilded claws, +and carved supporters, bespoke an original destination very different from +the ordinary service of a ship. A couch, covered with cut velvet, stood +along the transom; while a divan, of blue silk, lay against the bulkhead +opposite, manifesting, by its fashion, its materials, and its piles of +pillows, that even Asia had been made to contribute to the ease of its +luxurious owner. In addition to these prominent articles, there were cut +glass, mirrors, plate, and even hangings; each of which, by something +peculiar in its fashion or materials, bespoke an origin different from +that of its neighbour. In short, splendour and elegance seemed to have +been much more consulted than propriety, or conformity in taste, in the +selection of most of those articles, which had been, oddly enough, made to +contribute to the caprice or to the comfort of their singular possessor. + +In the midst of this medley of wealth and luxury, appeared the frowning +appendages of war. The cabin included four of those dark cannon whose +weight and number had been first to catch the attention of Wilder. +Notwithstanding they were placed in such close proximity to the articles +of ease just enumerated, it only needed a seaman's eye to perceive that +they stood ready for instant service, and that five minutes of preparation +would strip the place of all its tinsel, and leave it a warm and well +protected battery. Pistols, sabres, half-pikes, boarding-axes and all the +minor implements of marine warfare, were arranged about the cabin in such +a manner as to aid in giving it an appearance of wild embellishment, +while, at the same time, each was convenient to the hand. + +Around the mast was placed a stand of muskets, and strong wooden bars, +that were evidently made to fit in brackets on either side of the door, +sufficiently showed that the bulkhead might easily be converted into a +barrier. The entire arrangement proclaimed that the cabin was considered +the citadel of the ship. In support of this latter opinion, appeared a +hatch, which evidently communicated with the apartments of the inferior +officers, and which also opened a direct passage into the magazine. These +dispositions, a little different from what he had been accustomed to see, +instantly struck the eye of Wilder, though leisure was not then given to +reflect on their uses and objects. + +There was a latent expression of satisfaction, something modified, +perhaps, by irony, on the countenance of the stranger in green, (for he +was still clad as when first introduced to the reader,) as he arose, on +the entrance of his visiter. The two stood several moments without +speaking, when the pretended barrister saw fit to break the awkward +silence. + +"To what happy circumstance is this ship indebted for the honour of such a +visit?" he demanded. + +"I believe I may answer, To the invitation of her Captain," Wilder +answered, with a steadiness and calmness equal to that displayed by the +other. + +"Did he show you his commission, in assuming that office? They say, at +sea, I believe, that no cruiser should be found without a commission." + +"And what say they at the universities on this material point?" + +"I see I may as well lay aside my gown, and own the marling-spike!" +returned the other, smiling, "There is something about the +trade--_profession_, though, I believe, is your favourite word--there is +something about the profession, which betrays us to each other. Yes, Mr +Wilder," he added with dignity motioning to his guest to imitate his +example, and take a seat, "I am, like yourself, a seaman bred and happy am +I to add, the Commander of this gallant vessel." + +"Then, must you admit that I have not intruded without a sufficient +warrant." + +"I confess the same. My ship has filled your eye agreeably; nor shall I be +slow to acknowledge, that I have seen enough about your air, and person, +to make me wish to be an older acquaintance. You want service?" + +"One should be ashamed of idleness in these stirring times." + +"It is well. This is an oddly-constructed world in which we live, Mr +Wilder! Some think themselves in danger, with a foundation beneath them no +less solid than _terra firma_, while others are content to trust their +fortunes on the sea. So, again, some there are who believe praying is the +business of man; and then come others who are sparing of their breath, and +take those favours for themselves which they have not always the leisure +or the inclination to ask for. No doubt you thought it prudent to inquire +into the nature of our trade, before you came hither in quest of +employment?" + +"You are said to be a slaver, among the townsmen of Newport." + +"They are never wrong, your village gossips! If witchcraft ever truly +existed on earth, the first of the cunning tribe has been a village +innkeeper; the second, its doctor; and the third, its priest. The right to +the fourth honour may be disputed between the barber and the +tailor.--Roderick!" + +The Captain accompanied the word by which he so unceremoniously +interrupted himself, by striking a light blow on a Chinese gong, which, +among other curiosities, was suspended from one of the beams of the upper +deck, within reach of his hand. + +"I say, Roderick, do you sleep?" + +A light and active boy darted out of one of the two little state-rooms +which were constructed on the quarters of the ship, and answered to the +summons by announcing his presence. + +"Has the boat returned?" + +The reply was in the affirmative. + +"And has she been successful?" + +"The General is in his room, sir, and can give you an answer better than +I." + +"Then, let the General appear, and report the result of his campaign." + +Wilder was by far too deeply interested, to break the sudden reverie into +which his companion had now evidently fallen, even by breathing as loud as +usual. The boy descended through the hatch like a serpent gliding into his +hole, or, rather, a fox darting into his burrow, and then a profound +stillness reigned in the cabin. The Commander of the ship leaned his head +on his hand, appearing utterly unconscious of the presence of any +stranger. The silence might have been of much longer duration, had it not +been interrupted by the appearance of a third person. A straight, rigid +form slowly elevated itself through the little hatchway, very much in the +manner that theatrical spectres are seen to make their appearance on the +stage, until about half of the person was visible, when it ceased to rise, +and turned its disciplined countenance on the Captain. + +"I wait for orders," said a mumbling voice, which issued from lips that +were hardly perceived to move. + +Wilder started as this unexpected individual appeared; nor was the +stranger wanting in an aspect sufficiently remarkable to produce surprise +in any spectator. The face was that of a man of fifty, with the lineaments +rather indurated than faded by time. Its colour was an uniform red, with +the exception of one of those expressive little fibrous tell-tales on each +cheek, which bear so striking a resemblance to the mazes of the vine, and +which would seem to be the true origin of the proverb which says that +"good wine needs no bush." The head was bald on its crown; but around +either ear was a mass of grizzled hair, pomatumed and combed into formal +military bristles. The neck was long, and supported by a black stock; the +shoulders, arms, and body were those of a man of tall stature; and the +whole were enveloped in an over-coat, which, though it had something +methodical in its fashion, was evidently intended as a sort of domino. The +Captain raised his head as the other spoke, exclaiming,-- + +"Ah! General, are you at your post? Did you find the land?" + +"Yes." + +"And the point?--and the man?" + +"Both." + +"And what did you?" + +"Obey orders." + +"That was right.--You are a jewel for an executive officer, General; and, +as such, I wear you near my heart. Did the fellow complain?" + +"He was gagged." + +"A summary method of closing remonstrance. It is as it should be, General; +as usual, you have merited my approbation." + +"Then reward me for it." + +"In what manner? You are already as high in rank as I can elevate you. The +next step must be knighthood." + +"Pshaw! my men are no better than militia. They want coats." + +"They shall have them. His Majesty's guards shall not be half so well +equipt. General, I wish you a good night." + +The figure descended, in the same rigid, spectral manner as it had risen +on the sight, leaving Wilder again alone with the Captain of the ship. The +latter seemed suddenly struck with the fact that this odd interview had +occurred in the presence of one who was nearly a stranger, and that, in +his eyes at least, it might appear to require some explanation. + +"My friend," he said, with an air something explanatory while it was at +the same time not a little naughty, "commands what, in a more regular +cruiser, would be called the 'marine guard.' He has gradually risen, by +service, from the rank of a subaltern, to the high station which he now +fills. You perceive he smells of the camp?" + +"More than of the ship. Is it usual for slavers to be so well provided +with military equipments? I find you armed at all points." + +"You would know more of us, before we proceed to drive our bargain?" the +Captain answered, with a smile. He then opened a little casket that stood +on the table, and drew from it a parchment, which he coolly handed to +Wilder, saying, as he did so, with one of the quick, searching glances of +his restless eye, "You will see, by that, we have 'letters of marque,' and +are duly authorized to fight the battles of the King, while we are +conducting our own more peaceable affairs." + +"This is the commission of a brig!" + +"True, true. I have given you the wrong paper. I believe you will find +this more accurate." + +"This is truly a commission for the 'good ship Seven Sisters;' but you +surely carry more than ten guns, and, then, these in your cabin throw nine +instead of four pound shot!" + +"Ah! you are as precise as though you had been the barrister, and I the +blundering seaman. I dare say you have heard of such a thing as stretching +a commission," continued the Captain drily, as he carelessly threw the +parchment back among a pile of similar documents. Then, rising from his +seat, he began to pace the cabin with quick steps, as he continued, "I +need not tell you, Mr Wilder, that ours is a hazardous pursuit. Some call +it lawless. But, as I am little addicted to theological disputes, we will +wave the question. You have not come here without knowing your errand." + +"I am in search of a birth." + +"Doubtless you have reflected well on the matter and know your own mind as +to the trade in which you would sail. In order that no time may be wasted +and that our dealings may be frank, as becomes two honest seamen, I will +confess to you, at once, that I have need of you. A brave and skilful man, +one older, though, I dare say, not better than yourself occupied that +larboard state-room, within the month; but, poor fellow, he is food for +fishes ere this." + +"He was drowned?" + +"Not he! He died in open battle with a King's ship!" + +"A King's ship! Have you then stretched your commission so far as to find +a warranty for giving battle to his Majesty's cruisers?" + +"Is there no King but George the Second! Perhaps she bore the white flag, +perhaps a Dane. But he was truly a gallant fellow; and there lies his +birth, as empty as the day he was carried from it, to be cast into the +sea. He was a man fit to succeed to the command, should an evil star shine +on my fate, I think I could die easier, were I to know this noble vessel +was to be transmitted to one who would make such use of her as should be." + +"Doubtless your owners would provide a successor in the event of such a +calamity." + +"My owners are very reasonable," returned the other, with a meaning smile, +while he cast another searching glance at his guest, which compelled +Wilder to lower his own eyes to the cabin floor; "they seldom trouble me +with importunities, or orders." + +"They are indulgent! I see that flags were not forgotten in your +inventory: Do they also give you permission to wear any one of all those +ensigns, as you may please?" + +As this question was put, the expressive and understanding looks of the +two seamen met. The Captain drew a flag from the half-open locker, where +it had caught the attention of his visiter, and, letting the roll unfold +itself on the deck, he answered,-- + +"This is the Lily of France, you see. No bad emblem of your stainless +Frenchman. An escutcheon of pretence without spot, but, nevertheless, a +little soiled by too much use. Here, you have the calculating Dutchman; +plain, substantial, and cheap. It is a flag I little like. If the ship be +of value, her owners are not often willing to dispose of her without a +price. This is your swaggering Hamburgher. He is rich in the possession of +one town, and makes his boast of it, in these towers. Of the rest of his +mighty possessions he wisely says nothing in his allegory These are the +Crescents of Turkey; a moon-struck nation, that believe themselves the +inheritors of heaven. Let them enjoy their birthright in peace; it is +seldom they are found looking for its blessings on the high seas--and +these, the little satellites that play about the mighty moon; your +Barbarians of Africa. I hold but little communion with these +wide-trowsered gentry, for they seldom deal in gainful traffic. And yet," +he added, glancing his eye at the silken divan before which Wilder was +seated, "I have met the rascals; nor have we parted entirely without +communication! Ah! here comes the man I like; your golden, gorgeous +Spaniard! This field of yellow reminds one of the riches of her mines; and +this Crown! one might fancy it of beaten gold, and stretch forth a hand to +grasp the treasure What a blazonry is this for a galleon! Here is the +humbler Portuguese; and yet is he not without a wealthy look. I have +often fancied there were true Brazilian diamonds in this kingly bauble. +Yonder crucifix, which you see hanging in pious proximity to my state-room +door, is a specimen of the sort I mean." Wilder turned his head, to throw +a look on the valuable emblem, that was really suspended from the +bulkhead, within a few inches of the spot the other named. After +satisfying his curiosity he was in the act of giving his attention again +to the flags, when he detected another of those penetrating, but stolen +glances with which his companion so often read the countenance of his +associates. It might have been that the Captain was endeavouring to +discover the effect his profuse display of wealth had produced on the mind +of his visiter. Let that be as it would, Wilder smiled; for, at that +moment, the idea first occurred that the ornaments of the cabin had been +thus studiously arranged with an expectation of his arrival, and with the +wish that their richness might strike his senses favourably. The other +caught the expression of his eye; and perhaps he mistook its meaning, when +he suffered his construction of what it said to animate him to pursue his +whimsical analysis of the flags, with an air still more cheerful and +vivacious than before. + +"These double-headed monsters are land birds and seldom risk a flight over +deep waters. They are not for me. Your hardy, valiant Dane; your sturdy +Swede; a nest of smaller fry," he continued, passing his hand rapidly over +a dozen little rolls as they lay, each in its own repository, "who spread +their bunting like larger states; and your luxurious Neapolitan. Ah! here +come the Keys of Heaven! This is a flag to die under! I lay yard-arm and +yard-arm, once, under that very bit of bunting, with a heavy corsair from +Algiers"-- + +"What! Did you choose to fight under the banners of the Church?" + +"In mere devotion. I pictured to myself the surprise that would overcome +the barbarian, when he should find that we did not go to prayers. We gave +him but a round or two, before he swore that Allah had decreed he might +surrender. There was a moment while I luffed-up on his weather-quarter, I +believe, that the Mussulman thought the whole of the holy Conclave was +afloat, and that the downfall of Mahomet and his offspring was ordained. I +provoked the conflict, I will confess, in showing him these peaceful Keys, +which he is dull enough to think open half the strong boxes of +Christendom." + +"When he had confessed his error, you let him go?" + +"Hum!--with my blessing. There was some interchange of commodities between +us, and then we parted. I left him smoking his pipe, in a heavy sea with +his fore-topmast over the side, his mizzenmast under his counter, and some +six or seven holes in his bottom, that let in the water just as fast as +the pumps discharged it. You see he was in a fair way to acquire his +portion of the inheritance. But Heaven had ordained it all, and he was +satisfied!" + +"And what flags are these which you have passed? They seem rich, and +many." + +"These are England; like herself, aristocratic, party-coloured, and a good +deal touched by humour. Here is bunting to note all ranks and conditions, +as if men were not made of the same flesh, and the people of one kingdom +might not all sail honestly under the same emblems. Here is my Lord High +Admiral; your St. George; your field of red, and of blue, as chance may +give you a leader, or the humour of the moment prevail; the stripes of +mother India, and the Royal Standard itself!" + +"The Royal Standard!" + +"Why not? A commander is termed a 'monarch in his ship.' Ay; this is the +Standard of the King and, what is more, it has been worn in presence of +an Admiral!" + +"This needs explanation!" exclaimed his listener who seemed to feel much +that sort of horror that a churchman would discover at the detection of +sacrilege. "To wear the Royal Standard in presence of a flag! We all know +how difficult, and even dangerous, it becomes, to sport a simple pennant, +with the eyes of a King's cruiser on us--" + +"I love to flaunt the rascals!" interrupted the other, with a smothered, +but bitter laugh. "There is pleasure in the thing!--In order to punish, +they must possess the power; an experiment often made, but never yet +successful. You understand balancing accounts with the law, by showing a +broad sheet of canvas! I need say no more." + +"And which of all these flags do you most use?" demanded Wilder, after a +moment of intense thought. + +"As to mere sailing, I am as whimsical as a girl in her teens in the +choice of her ribbons. I will often show you a dozen in a day. Many is the +worthy trader who has gone into port with his veritable account of this +Dutchman, or that Dane, with whom he has spoken in the offing. As to +fighting, though I have been known to indulge a humour, too, in that +particular, still is there one which I most affect." + +"And that is?----" + +The Captain kept his hand, for a moment, on the roll he had touched, and +seemed to read the very soul of his visiter, so intent and keen was his +look the while. Then, suffering the bunting to fall, a deep, blood-red +field, without relief or ornament of any sort, unfolded itself, as he +answered, with emphasis,-- + +"This." + +"That is the colour of a Rover!" + +"Ay, it is _red_! I like it better than your gloomy fields of black, with +death's heads, and other childish scare-crows. It threatens nothing; but +merely says, 'Such is the price at which I am to be bought.' Mr Wilder," +he added, losing the mixture of irony and pleasantry with which he had +supported the previous dialogue, in an air of authority, "We understand +each other. It is time that each should sail under his proper colours. I +need not tell you who I am." + +"I believe it is unnecessary," said Wilder. "If I can comprehend these +palpable signs, I stand in presence of--of--" + +"The Red Rover," continued the other, observing that he hesitated to +pronounce the appalling name. "It is true; and I hope this interview is +the commencement of a durable and firm friendship. I know not the secret +cause, but, from the moment of our meeting, a strong and indefinable +interest has drawn me towards you. Perhaps I felt the void which my +situation has drawn about me;--be that as it may, I receive you with a +longing heart and open arms." + +Though it must be very evident, from what-preceded this open avowal, that +Wilder was not ignorant of the character of the ship on board of which he +had just ventured, yet did he not receive the acknowledgment without +embarrassment. The reputation of this renowned freebooter, his daring, his +acts of liberality and licentiousness so frequently blended, and his +desperate disregard of life on all occasions, were probably crowding +together in the recollection of our more youthful adventurer, and caused +him to feel that species of responsible hesitation to which we are all +more or less subject on the occurrence of important events, be they ever +so much expected. + +"You have not mistaken my purpose, or my suspicions," he at length +answered, "for I own have come in search of this very ship. I accept the +service; and, from this moment, you will rate me in whatever station you +may think me best able to discharge my duty with credit." + +"You are next to myself. In the morning, the same shall be proclaimed on +the quarter-deck; and, in the event of my death, unless I am deceived in +my man, you will prove my successor. This may strike you as sudden +confidence. It is so, in part, I must acknowledge; but our shipping lists +cannot be opened, like those of the King, by beat of drum in the streets +of the metropolis; and, then, am I no judge of the human heart, if my +frank reliance on your faith does not, in itself, strengthen your good +feelings in my favour." + +"It does!" exclaimed Wilder, with sudden and deep emphasis. + +The Rover smiled calmly, as he continued,-- + +"Young gentlemen of your years are apt to carry no small portion of their +hearts in their hands. But, notwithstanding this seeming sympathy, in +order that you may have sufficient respect for the discretion of your +leader, it is necessary that I should say we have met before. I was +apprised of your intention to seek me out, and to offer to join me." + +"It is impossible!" cried Wilder, "No human being--" + +"Can ever be certain his secrets are safe," interrupted the other, "when +he carries a face as ingenuous as your own. It is but four-and-twenty +hours since you were in the good town of Boston." + +"I admit that much; but--" + +"You will soon admit the rest. You were too curious in your inquiries of +the dolt who declares he was robbed by us of his provisions and sails. The +false-tongued villain! It may be well for him to keep from my path, or he +may get a lesson that shall prick his honesty. Does he think such pitiful +game as he would induce me to spread a single inch of canvas, or even to +lower a boat into the sea!" + +"Is not his statement, then, true?" demanded Wilder, in a surprise he took +no pains to conceal. + +"True! Am I what report has made me? Look keenly at the monster, that +nothing may escape you," returned the Rover, with a hollow laugh, in which +scorn struggled to keep down the feelings of wounded pride. "Where are the +horns, and the cloven foot? Snuff the air: Is it not tainted with sulphur? +But enough of this. I knew of your inquiries, and liked your mien. In +short, you were my study; and, though my approaches were made with some +caution they were sufficiently nigh to effect the object. You pleased me, +Wilder; and I hope the satisfaction may be mutual." + +The newly engaged buccanier bowed to the compliment of his superior, and +appeared at some little loss for a reply: As if to get rid of the subject +at once, he hurriedly observed,-- + +"As we now understand each other, I will intrude no longer, but leave you +for the night, and return to my duty in the morning." + +"Leave me!" returned the Rover, stopping short on his walk, and fastening +his eye keenly on the other. "It is not usual for my officers to leave me +at this hour. A sailor should love his ship, and never sleep out of her, +unless on compulsion." + +"We may as well understand each other," said Wilder, quickly. "If it is to +be a slave, and, like one of the bolts, a fixture in the vessel, that you +need me, our bargain is at an end." + +"Hum! I admire your spirit, sir, much more than your discretion. You will +find me an attached friend and one who little likes a separation, however +short Is there not enough to content you here? I will not speak of such +low considerations as those which administer to the ordinary appetites. +But, you have been taught the value of reason; here are books--you have +taste; here is elegance--you are poor, here is wealth." + +"They amount to nothing, without liberty," coldly returned the other. + +"And what is this liberty you ask? I hope, young man, you would not so +soon betray the confidence you have just received! Our acquaintance is but +short, and I may have been too hasty in my faith." + +"I must return to the land," Wilder added, firmly, "if it be only to know +that I am intrusted, and am not a prisoner." + +"There is generous sentiment, or deep villany, in all this," resumed the +Rover, after a minute of deep thought. "I will believe the former. Declare +to me, that, while in the town of Newport, you will inform no soul of the +true character of this ship." + +"I will swear it," eagerly interrupted Wilder. + +"On this cross," rejoined the Rover, with a sarcastic laugh; "on this +diamond-mounted cross! No, sir," he added, with a proud curl of the lip, +as he cast the jewel contemptuously aside, "oaths are made for men who +need laws to keep them to their promises; I need no more than the clear +and unequivocal affirmation of a gentleman." + +"Then, plainly and unequivocally do I declare, that, while in Newport, I +will discover the character of this ship to no one, without your wish, or +order so to do. Nay more"-- + +"No more. It is wise to be sparing of our pledges, and to say no more than +the occasion requires. The time may come when you might do good to +yourself, without harming me, by being unfettered by a promise. In an +hour, you shall land; that time will be needed to make you acquainted with +the terms of your enlistment, and to grace my rolls with your +name.--Roderick," he added, again touching the gong, "you are wanted, +boy." + +The same active lad, that had made his appearance at the first summons, +ran up the steps from the cabin beneath, and announced his presence again +by his voice. + +"Roderick," continued the Rover, "this is my future lieutenant, and, of +course, your officer, and my friend. Will you take refreshment, sir? there +is little, that man needs, which Roderick cannot supply." + +"I thank you; I have need of none." + +"Then, have the goodness to follow the boy. He will show you into the +dining apartment beneath, and give you the written regulations. In an +hour, you will have digested the code, and by that time I shall be with +you. Throw the light more upon the ladder, boy; you can descend _without_ +a ladder though, it would seem, or I should not, at this moment, have the +pleasure of your company." + +The intelligent smile of the Rover was unanswered by any corresponding +evidence from the subject of his joke, that he found satisfaction in the +remembrance of the awkward situation in which he had been left in the +tower. The former caught the displeased expression of the other's +countenance, as he gravely prepared to follow the boy, who already stood +in the hatchway with a light. Advancing a step with the grace and tones of +sensitive breeding, he said quickly,-- + +"Mr Wilder, I owe you an apology for my seeming rudeness at parting on the +hill. Though I believed you mine, I was not sure of my acquisition. You +will readily see how necessary it might be, to one in my situation, to +throw off a companion at such a moment." + +Wilder turned, with a countenance from which every shade of displeasure +had vanished, and motioned to him to say no more. + +"It was awkward enough, certainly, to find one's self in such a prison; +but I feel the justice of what you say. I might have done the very thing +myself, if the same presence of mind were at hand to help me." + +"The good man, who grinds in the Newport ruin, must be in a sad way, since +all the rats are leaving his mill," cried the Rover gaily, as his +companion descended after the boy. Wilder now freely returned his open, +cordial laugh, and then, as he descended, the cabin was left to him who, a +few minutes before, had been found in its quiet possession. + + + + +Chapter VII. + + + + "The world affords no law to make thee rich; + Then be not poor, but break it, and take this." + _Apoth._ "My poverty, but not my will, consents." + + _Romeo and Juliet._ + + +The Rover arrested his step, as the other disappeared and stood for more +than a minute in an attitude of high and self-gratulating triumph. It was +quite apparent he was exulting in his success. But, though his intelligent +face betrayed the satisfaction of the inward man, it was illumined by no +expression of vulgar joy. It was the countenance of one who was suddenly +relieved from intense care, rather than that of a man who was greedy of +profiting by the services of others. Indeed, it would not have been +difficult, for a close and practised observer, to have detected a shade of +regret in the lightings of his seductive smile, or in the momentary +flashes of his changeful eye. The feeling, however, quickly passed away, +and his whole figure and countenance resumed the ordinary easy mien in +which he most indulged in his hours of retirement. + +After allowing sufficient time for the boy to conduct Wilder to the +necessary cabin, and to put him in possession of the regulations for the +police of the ship, the Captain again touched the gong, and once more +summoned the former to his presence. The lad had however, to approach the +elbow of his master, and to speak thrice, before the other was conscious +that he had answered his call. + +"Roderick," said the Rover, after a long pause, "are you there?" + +"I am here," returned a low, and seemingly a mournful voice. + +"Ah! you gave him the regulations?" + +"I did." + +"And he reads?" + +"He reads." + +"It is well. I would speak to the General. Roderick, you must have need of +rest; good night; let the General be summoned to a council, and--Good +night, Roderick." + +The boy made an assenting reply; but, instead of springing, with his +former alacrity, to execute the order he lingered a moment nigh his +master's chair. Failing, however, in his wish to catch his eye, he slowly +and reluctantly descended the stairs which led into the lower cabins, and +was seen no more. + +It is needless to describe the manner in which the General made his second +appearance. It differed in no particular from his former entree, except +that, on this occasion, the whole of his person was developed. He appeared +a tall, upright form, that was far from being destitute of natural grace +and proportions, but which had been so exquisitely drilled into +simultaneous movement, that the several members had so far lost the power +of volition, as to render it impossible for one to stir, without producing +some thing like a correspondent demonstration in all its fellows. This +rigid and well-regulated personage, after making a formal military bow to +his superior, helped himself to a chair, in which, after some little time +lost in preparation, he seated himself in silence. The Rover seemed +conscious of his presence; for he acknowledged his salute by a gentle +inclination of his own head; though he did not appear to think it +necessary to suspend his ruminations the more on that account. At length, +however, he turned short upon his companion, and said abruptly,-- + +"General, the campaign is not finished." + +"What remains? the field is won, and the enemy is a prisoner." + +"Ay, your part of the adventure is well achieved, but much of mine remains +to be done. You saw the youth in the lower cabin?" + +"I did." + +"And how find you his appearance?" + +"Maritime." + +"That is as much as to say, you like him not." + +"I like discipline." + +"I am much mistaken if you do not find him to your taste on the +quarter-deck. Let that be as it may, I have still a favour to ask of you!" + +"A favour!--it is getting late." + +"Did I say 'a favour?' there is duty to be yet done." + +"I wait your orders." + +"It is necessary that we use great precaution for, as you know"---- + +"I wait your orders," laconically repeated the other. + +The Rover compressed his mouth, and a scornful smile struggled about the +nether lip; but it changed into a look half bland, half authoritative, as +he continued,-- + +"You will find two seamen, in a skiff, alongside the ship; the one is +white, and the other is black. These men you will have conducted into the +vessel--into one of the forward state-rooms--and you will have them both +thoroughly intoxicated." + +"It shall be done," returned he who was called the General, rising, and +marching with long strides towards the door of the cabin. + +"Pause a moment," exclaimed the Rover; "what agent will you use?" + +"Nightingale has the strongest head but one in the ship." + +"He is too far gone already. I sent him ashore, to look about for any +straggling seamen who might like our service; and I found him in a tavern, +with all the fastenings off his tongue, declaiming like a lawyer who had +taken a fee from both parties Besides, he had a quarrel with one of these +very men, and it is probable they would get to blows in their cups." + +"I will do it myself. My night-cap is waiting for me; and it is only to +lace it a little tighter than common." + +The Rover seemed content with this assurance; for he expressed his +satisfaction with a familiar nod of the head. The soldier was now about to +depart, when he was again interrupted. + +"One thing more, General; there is your captive."-- + +"Shall I make him drunk too?" + +"By no means. Let him be conducted hither." + +The General made an ejaculation of assent, and left the cabin. "It were +weak," thought the Rover as he resumed his walk up and down the apartment, +"to trust too much to an ingenuous face and youthful enthusiasm. I am +deceived if the boy has not had reason to think himself disgusted with the +world, and ready to embark in any romantic enterprise but, still, to be +deceived might be fatal therefore will I be prudent, even to excess of +caution. He is tied in an extraordinary manner to these two seamen I would +I knew his history. But all that will come in proper time. The men must +remain as hostages for his own return, and for his faith. If he prove +false, why, they are seamen;--and many men are expended in this wild +service of ours! It is well arranged; and no suspicion of any plot on our +part will wound the sensitive pride of the boy, if he be, as I would +gladly think, a true man." + +Such was, in a great manner, the train of thought in which the Rover +indulged, for many minutes, after his military companion had left him. His +lips moved; smiles, and dark shades of thought, in turn, chased each other +from his speaking countenance, which betrayed all the sudden and violent +changes that denote the workings of a busy spirit within. While thus +engrossed in mind, his step became more rapid, and, at times, he +gesticulated a little extravagantly when he found himself, in a sudden +turn, unexpectedly confronted by a form that seemed to rise on his sight +like a vision. + +While most engaged in his own humours, two powerful seamen had, unheeded, +entered the cabin; and, after silently depositing a human figure in a +seat, they withdrew without speaking. It was before this personage that +the Rover now found himself. The gaze was mutual, long, and uninterrupted +by a syllable from either party. Surprise and indecision held the Rover +mute, while wonder and alarm appeared to have literally frozen the +faculties of the other. At length the former, suffering a quaint and +peculiar smile to gleam for a moment across his countenance, said +abruptly,-- + +"I welcome sir Hector Homespun!" + +The eyes of the confounded tailor--for it was no other than that garrulous +acquaintance of the reader who had fallen into the toils of the Rover--the +eyes of the good-man rolled from right to left, embracing, in their +wanderings, the medley of elegance and warlike preparation that they every +where met never failing to return, from each greedy look, to devour the +figure that stood before him. + +"I say, Welcome, sir Hector Homespun!" repeated the Rover. + +"The Lord will be lenient to the sins of a miserable father of seven small +children!" ejaculated the tailor. "It is but little, valiant Pirate, that +can be gotten from a hard-working, upright tradesman, who sits from the +rising to the setting sun, bent over his labour." + +"These are debasing terms for chivalry, sir Hector," interrupted the +Rover, laying his hand on the little riding whip, which had been thrown +carelessly on the cabin table, and, tapping the shoulder of the tailor +with the same, as though he were a sorcerer, and would disenchant the +other with the touch: "Cheer up, honest and loyal subject: Fortune has at +length ceased to frown: it is but a few hours since you complained that no +custom came to your shop from this vessel, and now are you in a fair way +to do the business of the whole ship." + +"Ah! honourable and magnanimous Rover," rejoined Homespun, whose fluency +returned with his senses, "I am an impoverished and undone man. My life +has been one of weary and probationary hardships. Five bloody and cruel +wars"---- + +"Enough. I have said that Fortune was just beginning to smile. Clothes are +as necessary to gentlemen of our profession as to the parish priest. You +shall not baste a seam without your reward. Behold!" he added, touching +the spring of a secret drawer, which flew open, and discovered a confused +pile of gold, in which the coins of nearly every Christian people were +blended, "we are not without the means of paying those who serve us +faithfully." + +The sudden exhibition of a horde of wealth, which not only greatly +exceeded any thing of the kind he had ever before witnessed, but which +actually surpassed his limited imaginative powers, was not without its +effect on the sensitive feelings of the good-man After feasting on the +sight, for the few moments that his companion left the treasure exposed to +view, he turned to the envied possessor of so much gold, and +demanded,--the tones of increased confidence gradually stealing into his +voice, as the inward man felt additional motives of encouragement,-- + +"And what am I expected to perform, mighty Seaman, for my portion of this +wealth?" + +"That which you daily perform on the land--to cut, to fashion, and to sew. +Perhaps, too, your talent at a masquerade dress may be taxed, from time to +time." + +"Ah! they are lawless and irreligious devices of the enemy, to lead men +into sin and worldly abominations But, worthy Mariner, there is my +disconsolate consort, Desire; though stricken in years, and given to wordy +strife, yet is she the lawful partner of my bosom, and the mother of a +numerous offspring." + +"She shall not want. This is an asylum for distressed husbands. Your men, +who have not force enough to command at home, come to my ship as to a city +of refuge. You will make the seventh who has found peace by fleeing to +this sanctuary. Their families are supported by ways best known to +ourselves, and all parties are content. This is not the least of my +benevolent acts." + +"It is praiseworthy and just, honourable Captain and I hope that Desire +and her offspring may not be forgotten. The labourer is surely worthy of +his hire and if, peradventure, I should toil in your behalf through +stress of compulsion, I hope the good and her young, may fatten on your +liberality." + +"You have my word; they shall not be neglected." + +"Perhaps, just Gentleman, if an allotment should be made in advance from +that stock of gold, the mind of my consort would be relieved, her +inquiries after my fate not so searching, and her spirit less troubled. I +have reason to understand the temper of Desire; and am well identified, +that, while the prospect of want is before her eyes, there will be a +clamour in Newport. Now that the Lord has graciously given me the hopes of +a respite, there can be no sin in wishing to enjoy it in peace." + +Although the Rover was far from believing, with his captive, that the +tongue of Desire could disturb the harmony of his ship, he was in the +humour to be indulgent. Touching the spring again, he took a handful of +the gold, and, extending it towards Homespun demanded,-- + +"Will you take the bounty, and the oath? The money will then be your own." + +"The Lord defend us from the evil one, and deliver us all from +temptation!" ejaculated the tailor: "Heroic Rover, I have a dread of the +law. Should any evil overcome you, in the shape of a King's cruiser, or a +tempest cast you on the land, there might be danger in being contaminated +too closely with your crew. Any little services which I may render, on +compulsion, will be overlooked, I humbly hope and I trust to your +magnanimity, honest and honourable Commander, that the same will not be +forgotten in the division of your upright earnings." + +"This is but the spirit of cabbaging, a little distorted muttered the +Rover, as he turned lightly on his heel, and tapped the gong, with an +impatience that sent the startling sound through every cranny of the ship. +Four or five heads were thrust in at the different doors of the cabin, +and the voice of one was heard, desiring to know the wishes of their +leader. + +"Take him to his hammock," was the quick, sudden order. + +The good-man Homespun, who, from fright or policy, appeared to be utterly +unable to move, was quickly lifted from his seat, and conveyed to the door +which communicated with the quarter-deck. + +"Pause," he exclaimed to his unceremonious bearers, as they were about to +transport him to the place designated by their Captain; "I have one word +yet to say. Honest and loyal Rebel, though I do not accept your service, +neither do I refuse it in an unseemly and irreverent manner. It is a sore +temptation, and I feel it at my fingers' ends. But a covenant may be made +between us, by which neither party shall be a loser, and in which the law +shall find no grounds of displeasure. I would wish, mighty Commodore, to +carry an honest name to my grave, and I would also wish to live out the +number of my days; for, after having passed with so much credit, and +unharmed, through five bloody and cruel wars"---- + +"Away with him!" was the stern and startling interruption. + +Homespun vanished, as though magic had been employed in transporting him, +and the Rover was again left to himself. His meditations were not +interrupted, for a long time, by human footstep or voice. That breathing +stillness, which unbending and stern discipline can alone impart, pervaded +the ship. A landsman, seated in the cabin, might have fancied himself, +although surrounded by a crew of lawless and violent men, in the solitude +of a deserted church, so suppressed, and deadened, were even those sounds +that were absolutely necessary. There were heard at times, it is true, the +high and harsh notes of some reveller who appeared to break forth in the +strains of a sea song, which, as they issued from the depths of the +vessel, and were not very musical in themselves, broke on the silence like +the first discordant strains of a new practitioner on a bugle. But even +these interruptions gradually grew less frequent, and finally became +inaudible. At length the Rover heard a hand fumbling about the handle of +the cabin door, and then his military friend once more made his +appearance. + +There was that in the step, the countenance, and the whole air of the +General, which proclaimed that his recent service, if successful, had not +been achieved entirely without personal hazard. The Rover, who had started +from his seat the moment he saw who had entered, instantly demanded his +report. + +"The white is so drunk, that he cannot lie down without holding on to the +mast; but the negro is either a cheat, or his head is made of flint." + +"I hope you have not too easily abandoned the design." + +"I would as soon batter a mountain! my retreat was not made a minute too +soon." + +The Rover fastened his eyes on the General, for a moment, in order to +assure himself of the precise condition of his subaltern, ere he +replied,-- + +"It is well. We will now retire for the night." + +The other carefully dressed his tall person, and brought his face in the +direction of the little hatchway so often named. Then, by a sort of +desperate effort, he essayed to march to the spot, with his customary +upright mien and military step. As one or two erratic movements, and +crossings of the legs, were not commented on by his Captain, the worthy +martinet descended the stairs, as he believed, with sufficient dignity; +the moral man not being in the precise state which is the best adapted to +discover any little blunders that might be made by his physical coadjutor. +The Rover looked at his watch; and after allowing sufficient time for the +deliberate retreat of the General, he stepped lightly on the stairs, and +descended also. + +The lower apartments of the vessel, though less striking in their +equipments than the upper cabin were arranged with great attention to +neatness and comfort. A few offices for the servants occupied the extreme +after-part of the ship, communicating by doors with the dining apartment +of the secondary officers; or, as it was called in technical language, the +"ward-room." On either side of this, again, were the state-rooms, an +imposing name, by which the dormitories of those who are entitled to the +honours of the quarter-deck are ever called. Forward of the ward-room, +came the apartments of the minor officers; and, immediately in front of +them, the corps of the individual who was called the General was lodged, +forming, by their discipline, a barrier between the more lawless seamen +and their superiors. + +There was little departure, in this disposition of the accommodations, +from the ordinary arrangements of vessels of war of the same description +and force as the "Rover;" but Wilder had not failed to remark that the +bulkheads which separated the cabins from the birth-deck, or the part +occupied by the crew, were far stouter than common, and that a small +howitzer was at hand, to be used, as a physician might say, internally, +should occasion require. The doors were of extraordinary strength, and the +means of barricadoing them resembled more a preparation for battle, than +the usual securities against petty encroachments on private property. +Muskets, blunderbusses, pistols, sabres, half-pikes, &c., were fixed to +the beams and carlings, or were made to serve as ornaments against the +different bulkheads, in a profusion that plainly told they were there as +much for use as for show. In short, to the eye of a seaman, the whole +betrayed a state of things, in which the superiors felt that their whole +security, against the violence and insubordination of their inferiors, +depended on their influence and their ability to resist, united; and that +the former had not deemed it prudent to neglect any of the precautions +which might aid their comparatively less powerful physical force. + +In the principal of the lower apartments, or the ward-room, the Rover +found his newly enlisted lieutenant apparently busy in studying the +regulations of the service in which he had just embarked. Approaching the +corner in which the latter had seated himself, the former said, in a +frank, encouraging, and even confidential manner,---- + +"I hope you find our laws sufficiently firm, Mr Wilder." + +"Want of firmness is not their fault; if the same quality can always be +observed in administering them, it is well," returned the other, rising to +salute his superior. "I have never found such rigid rules, even in"---- + +"Even in what, sir?" demanded the Rover, perceiving that his companion +hesitated. + +"I was about to say, 'Even in his Majesty's service,'" returned Wilder, +slightly colouring. "I know not whether it may be a fault, or a +recommendation, to have served in a King's ship." + +"It is the latter; at least I, for one, should think it so, since I +learned my trade in the same service." + +"In what ship?" eagerly interrupted Wilder. + +"In many," was the cold reply. "But, speaking of rigid rules, you will +soon perceive, that, in a service where there are no courts on shore to +protect us, nor any sister-cruisers to look after each other's welfare, no +small portion of power is necessarily vested in the Commander. You find my +authority a good deal extended." + +"A little unlimited," said Wilder, with a smile that might have passed +for ironical. + +"I hope you will have no occasion to say that it is arbitrarily executed," +returned the Rover, without observing, or perhaps without letting it +appear that he observed, the expression of his companion's countenance. +"But your hour is come, and you are now at liberty to land." + +The young man thanked him, with a courteous inclination of the head, and +expressed his readiness to go. As they ascended the ladder into the upper +cabin, the Captain expressed his regret that the hour, and the necessity +of preserving the incognito of his ship, would not permit him to send an +officer of his rank ashore in the manner he could wish. + +"But then there is the skiff, in which you came off, still alongside, and +your own two stout fellows will soon twitch you to yon point. A propos of +those two men, are they included in our arrangements?" + +"They have never quitted me since my childhood, and would not wish to do +it now." + +"It is a singular tie that unites two men, so oddly constituted, to one so +different, by habits and education, from themselves," returned the Rover, +glancing his eye keenly at the other, and withdrawing it the instant he +perceived his interest in the answer was observed. + +"It is," Wilder calmly replied; "but, as we are all seamen, the difference +is not so great as one would at first imagine. I will now join them, and +take an opportunity to let them, know that they are to serve in future +under your orders." + +The Rover suffered him to leave the cabin, following to the quarter-deck, +with a careless step, as if he had come abroad to breathe the open air of +the night. + +The weather had not changed, but it still continued dark, though mild. +The same stillness as before reigned on the decks of the ship; and +nowhere, with a solitary exception, was a human form to be seen, amid the +collection of dark objects that rose on the sight, all of which Wilder +well understood to be necessary fixtures in the vessel. The exception was +the same individual who had first received our adventurer, and who still +paced the quarter-deck, wrapped, as before, in a watch-coat. To this +personage the youth now addressed himself, announcing his intention +temporarily to quit the vessel. His communication was received with a +respect that satisfied him his new rank was already known, although, as it +would seem, it was to be made to succumb to the superior authority of the +Rover. + +"You know, sir, that no one, of whatever station, can leave the ship at +this hour, without an order from the Captain," was the calm, but steady +reply. + +"So I presume; but I have the order, and transmit it to you. I shall land +in my own boat." + +The other, seeing a figure within hearing, which he well knew to be that +of his Commander, waited an instant, to ascertain if what he heard was +true. Finding that no objection was made, nor any sign given, to the +contrary, he merely indicated the place where the other would find his +boat. + +"The men have left it!" exclaimed Wilder, stepping back in surprise, as he +was about to descend the vessel's side. + +"Have the rascals run?" + +"Sir, they have not run; neither are they rascals They are in this ship, +and must be found." + +The other waited, to witness the effect of these authoritative words, too, +on the individual, who still lingered in the shadow of a mast. As no +answer was, however, given from that quarter, he saw the necessity of +obedience. Intimating his intention to seek the men, he passed into the +forward parts of the vessel, leaving Wilder, as he thought, in the sole +possession of the quarter-deck. The latter was, however, soon undeceived. +The Rover, advancing carelessly to his side, made an allusion to the +condition of his vessel, in order to divert the thoughts of his new +lieutenant, who, by his hurried manner of pacing the deck, he saw, was +beginning to indulge in uneasy meditations. + +"A charming sea-boat, Mr Wilder," he continued, "and one that never throws +a drop of spray abaft her mainmast. She is just the craft a seaman loves; +easy on her rigging, and lively in a sea. I call her the 'Dolphin,' from +the manner in which she cuts the water; and, perhaps, because she has as +many colours as that fish, you will say--Jack must have a name for his +ship, you know, and I dislike your cut-throat appellations, your +'Spit-fires' and 'Bloody-murders.'" + +"You were fortunate in finding such a vessel. Was she built to your +orders?" + +"Few ships, under six hundred tons, sail from these colonies, that are not +built to serve my purposes," returned the Rover, with a smile; as if he +would cheer his companion, by displaying the mine of wealth that was +opening to him, through the new connexion he had made. "This vessel was +originally built for his Most Faithful Majesty; and, I believe, was either +intended as a present or a scourge to the Algerines; but--but she has +changed owners, as you see, and her fortune is a little altered; though +how, or why, is a trifle with which we will not, just now divert +ourselves. I have had her in port; she has undergone some improvements, +and is now altogether suited to a running trade." + +"You then venture, sometimes, inside the forts?" + +"When you have leisure, my private journal may afford some interest," the +other evasively replied. "I hope, Mr Wilder, you find this vessel in such +a state that a seaman need not blush for her?" + +"Her beauty and neatness first caught my eye, and induced me to make +closer inquiries into her character." + +"You were quick in seeing that she was kept at a single anchor!" returned +the other, laughing. "But I never risk any thing without a reason; not +even the loss of my ground tackle. It would be no great achievement, for +so warm a battery as this I carry, to silence yonder apology for a fort; +but, in doing it, we might receive an unfortunate hit, and therefore do I +keep ready for an instant departure." + +"It must be a little awkward, to fight in a war where one cannot lower his +flag in any emergency!" said Wilder; more like one who mused, than one who +intended to express the opinion aloud. + +"The bottom is always beneath us," was the laconic answer. "But to you I +may say, that I am, on principle, tender on my spars. They are examined +daily, like the heels of a racer; for it often happens that our valour +must be well-tempered by discretion." + +"And how, and where, do you refit, when damaged in a gale, or in a fight?" + +"Hum! We contrive to refit, sir, and to take the sea in tolerable +condition." + +He stopped; and Wilder, perceiving that he was not yet deemed entitled to +entire confidence, continued silent. In this pause, the officer returned, +followed by the black alone. A few words served to explain the condition +of Fid. It was very apparent that the young man was not only disappointed, +but that he was deeply mortified. The frank and ingenuous air, however, +with which he turned to the Rover, to apologize for the dereliction of his +follower, satisfied the latter that he was far from suspecting any +improper agency in bringing about his awkward condition. + +"You know the character of seamen too well, sir," he said, "to impute this +oversight to my poor fellow as a heinous fault. A better sailor never lay +on a yard, or stretched a ratlin, than Dick Fid; but I must allow he has +the quality of good fellowship to excess." + +"You are fortunate in having one man left you to pull the boat ashore," +carelessly returned the other. + +"I am more than equal to that little exertion myself nor do I like to +separate the men. With your permission, the black shall be birthed, too, +in the ship to-night." + +"As you please. Empty hammocks are not scarce among us, since the last +brush." + +Wilder then directed the negro to return to his messmate, and to watch +over him so long as he should be unable to look after himself. The black, +who was far from being as clear-headed as common, willingly complied. The +young man then took leave of his companions, and descended into the skiff. +As he pulled, with vigorous arms, away from the dark ship, his eyes were +cast upward, with a seaman's pleasure, on the-order and neatness of her +gear, and thence they fell on the frowning mass of the hull. A +light-built, compact form was seen standing on the heel of the bowsprit, +apparently watching his movements; and, notwithstanding the gloom of the +clouded star-light, he was enabled to detect, in the individual who took +so much apparent interest in his proceedings, the person of the Rover. + + + + +Chapter VIII. + + + + ----------------"What is yon gentleman?" + Nurse. "The son and heir of old Tiberio." + Juliet. "What's he that follows there, that would not dance?" + Nurse. "Marry, I know not." + + _Romeo and Juliet._ + + +The sun was just heaving up, out of the field of waters in which the blue +islands of Massachusetts lie, when the inhabitants of Newport were seen +opening their doors and windows, and preparing for the different +employments of the day, with the freshness and alacrity of people who had +wisely adhered to the natural allotments of time in seeking their rests, +or in pursuing their pleasures. The morning salutations passed cheerfully +from one to another, as each undid the slight fastenings of his shop; and +many a kind inquiry was made, and returned, after the condition of a +daughter's fever, or the rheumatism of some aged grandam. As the landlord +of the "Foul Anchor" was so wary in protecting the character of his house +from any unjust imputations of unseemly revelling, so was he among the +foremost in opening his doors, to catch any transient customer, who might +feel the necessity of washing away the damps of the past night, in some +invigorating stomachic This cordial was very generally taken in the +British provinces, under the various names of "bitters," "juleps," +"morning-drams," "fogmatics," &c., according as the situation of each +district appeared to require some particular preventive. The custom is +getting a little into disuse, it is true; but still it retains much of +that sacred character which it would seem is the concomitant of antiquity. +It is not a little extraordinary that this venerable and laudable +practice, of washing away the unwholesome impurities engendered in the +human system, at a time, when as it is entirely without any moral +protector, it is left exposed to the attacks of all the evils to which +flesh is heir, should subject the American to the witticisms of his +European brother. We are not among the least grateful to those foreign +philanthropists who take so deep an interest in our welfare as seldom to +let any republican foible pass, without applying to it, as it merits, the +caustic application of their purifying pens. We are, perhaps, the more +sensible of this generosity, because we have had so much occasion to +witness, that, so great is their zeal in behalf of our infant States, +(robust, and a little unmanageable perhaps, but still infant) they are +wont, in the warmth of their ardour, to reform Cis-atlantic sins, to +overlook not a few backslidings of their own. Numberless are the moral +missionaries that the mother country, for instance, has sent among us, on +these pious and benevolent errands. We can only regret that their efforts +have been crowned with so little success. It was our fortune to be +familiarly acquainted with one of these worthies, who never lost an +opportunity of declaiming, above all, against the infamy of the particular +practice to which we have just alluded. Indeed, so broad was the ground he +took, that he held it to be not only immoral, but, what was far worse, +ungenteel, to swallow any thing stronger than small beer, before the hour +allotted to dinner. After that important period, it was not only permitted +to assuage the previous mortifications of the flesh, but, so liberal did +he show himself in the orthodox indulgence, that he was regularly carried +to his bed at midnight, from which he as regularly issued, in the course +of the following morning, to discourse again on the thousand deformities +of premature drink. And here we would take occasion to say, that, as to +our own insignificant person, we eschew the abomination altogether; and +only regret that those of the two nations, who find pleasure in the +practice, could not come to some amicable understanding as to the precise +period, of the twenty-four hours, when it is permitted to such Christian +gentlemen as talk English to get drunk. That the negotiators who framed +the last treaty of amity should have overlooked this important moral +topic, is another evidence that both parties were so tired of an +unprofitable war as to patch up a peace in a hurry. It is not too late to +name a commission for this purpose; and, in order that the question may be +fairly treated on its merits, we presume to suggest to the Executive the +propriety of nominating, as our commissioner, some confirmed advocate of +the system of "juleps." It is believed our worthy and indulgent Mother can +have no difficulty in selecting a suitable opponent from the ranks of her +numerous and well-trained diplomatic corps. + +With this manifestation of our personal liberality, united to so much +interest in the proper, and we hope final, disposition of this important +question, we may be permitted to resume the narrative, without being set +down as advocates for morning stimulants, or evening intoxication; which +is a very just division of the whole subject, as we believe, from no very +limited observation. + +The landlord of the "Foul Anchor," then, was early a-foot, to gain an +honest penny from any of the supporters of the former system who might +chance to select his bar for their morning sacrifices to Bacchus, in +preference to that of his neighbour, he who endeavoured to entice the +lieges, by exhibiting a red-faced man, in a scarlet coat, that was called +the "Head of George the Second." It would seem that the commendable +activity of the alert publican was not to go without its reward. The tide +of custom set strongly, for the first half-hour, towards the haven of his +hospitable bar; nor did he appear entirely to abandon the hopes of a +further influx, even after the usual period of such arrivals began to +pass away. Finding, however, that his customers were beginning to depart, +on their several pursuits, he left his station, and appeared at the outer +door, with a hand in each pocket, as though he found a secret pleasure in +the merry jingling of their new tenants. A stranger, who had not entered +with the others, and who, of course, had not partaken of the customary +libations, was standing at a little distance, with a hand thrust into the +bosom of his vest, as if he were chiefly occupied with his own +reflections. This figure caught the understanding eye of the publican who +instantly conceived that no man, who had had recourse to the proper +morning stimulants, could wear so meditative a face at that early period +in the cares of the day, and that consequently something was yet to be +gained, by opening the path of direct communication between them. + +"A clean air this, friend, to brush away the damps of the night," he said, +snuffing the really delicious and invigorating breathings of a fine +October morning. "It is such purifiers as this, that gives our island its +character, and makes it perhaps the very healthest as it is universally +admitted to be the beautifullest spot in creation.--A stranger here, 'tis +likely?" + +"But quite lately arrived, sir," was the reply. + +"A sea-faring man, by your dress? and one in search of a ship, as I am +ready to qualify to;" continued the publican, chuckling, perhaps, at his +own penetration. "We have many such that passes hereaway; but people +mustn't think, because Newport is so flourishing a town, that births can +always be had for asking. Have you tried your luck yet in the Capital of +the Bay Province?" + +"I left Boston no later than the day before yesterday." + +"What, couldn't the proud townsfolk find you a ship! Ay, they are a mighty +people at talking, and it isn't often that they put their candle under +the bushel; and yet there are what I call good judges, who think +Narraganset Bay is in a fair way, shortly, to count as many sail as +Massachusetts. There, yonder, is a wholesome brig, that is going, within +the week, to turn her horses into rum and sugar; and here is a ship that +hauled into the stream no longer ago than yesterday sun-down. That is a +noble vessel and has cabins fit for a prince! She'll be off with the +change of the wind; and I dare say a good hand wouldn't go a-begging +aboard her just now. Then yonder is a slaver, off the fort, if you like a +cargo of wool-heads for your money." + +"And is it thought the ship in the inner harbour will sail with the first +wind?" demanded the stranger. + +"It is downright. My wife is a full cousin to the wife of the Collector's +clerk; and I have it straight that the papers are ready, and that nothing +but the wind detains them. I keep some short scores, you know, friend, +with the blue-jackets, and it behoves an honest man to look to his +interests in these hard times. Yes, there she lies; a well-known ship, the +'Royal Caroline.' She makes a regular v'yage once a year between the +Provinces and Bristol, touching here, out and home, to give us certain +supplies, and to wood and water; and then she goes home, or to the +Carolinas, as the case may be." + +"Pray, sir, has she much of an armament?" continued the stranger, who +began to lose his thoughtful air, in the more evident interest he was +beginning to lake in the discourse. + +"Yes, yes; she is not without a few bull-dogs, to bark in defence of her +own rights, and to say a word in support of his Majesty's honour, too; God +bless him! Judy! you Jude!" he shouted, at the top of his voice, to a +negro girl, who was gathering kindling-wood among the chips of a +ship-yard, "scamper over to neighbour Homespun's, and rattle away at his +bed-room windows: the man has overslept himself it is not common to hear +seven o'clock strike, and the thirsty tailor not appear for his bitters." + +A short cessation took place in the dialogue, while the wench was +executing her master's orders. The summons produced no other effect than +to draw a shrill reply from Desire, whose voice penetrated, through the +thin board coverings of the little dwelling as readily as sound would be +conveyed through a sieve. In another moment a window was opened, and the +worthy housewife thrust her disturbed visage into the fresh air of the +morning. + +"What next! what next!" demanded the offended and, as she was fain to +believe, neglected wife, under the impression that it was her truant +husband, making his tardy return to his domestic allegiance, who had thus +presumed to disturb her slumbers. "Is it not enough that you have eloped +from my bed and board, for a long night, but you must dare to break in on +the natural rest of a whole family, seven blessed children, without +counting their mother! O Hector! Hector! an example are you getting to be +to the young and giddy, and a warning will you yet prove to the +unthoughtful!" + +"Bring hither the black book," said the publican to his wife, who had been +drawn to a window by the lamentations of Desire; "I think the woman said +something about starting on a journey between two days; and, if such has +been the philosophy of the good-man, it behoves all honest people to look +into their accounts. Ay, as I live, Keziah, you have let the limping +beggar get seventeen and sixpence into arrears, and that for such trifles +as morning-drams and night-caps!" + +"You are wrathy, friend, without reason; the man has made a garment for +the boy at school, and found the"-- + +"Hush, good woman," interrupted her husband returning the book, and +making a sign for her to retire; "I dare say it will all come round in +proper Time, and the less noise we make about the backslidings of a +neighbour, the less will be said of our own transgressions. A worthy and +hard-working mechanic, sir," he continued, addressing the stranger "but a +man who could never get the sun to shine in at his windows, though, Heaven +knows, the glass is none too thick for such a blessing." + +"And do you imagine on evidence as slight as this we have seen, that such +a man has actually absconded?" + +"Why, it is a calamity that has befallen his betters!" returned the +publican, interlocking his fingers across the rotundity of his person, +with an air of grave consideration. "We inn-keepers--who live, as it were, +in plain sight of every man's secrets; for it is after a visit to us that +one is apt truly to open his heart--should know something of the affairs +of a neighbourhood. If the good-man Homespun could smooth down the temper +of his companion as easily as he lays a seam into its place, the thing +might not occur, but----Do you drink this morning, sir?" + +"A drop of your best." + +"As I was saying," continued the other, while he furnished his customer, +according to his desire, "if a tailor's goose would take the wrinkles out +of the ruffled temper of a woman, as it does out of the cloth; and then, +if, after it had done this task, a man might eat it, as he would yonder +bird hanging behind my bar--Perhaps you will have occasion to make your +dinner with us, too, sir?" + +"I cannot say I shall not," returned the stranger, paying for the dram he +had barely tasted; "it greatly depends on the result of my inquiries +concerning the different vessels in the port." + +"Then would I, though perfectly disinterested, as you know, sir, +recommend you to make this house your home, while you sojourn in the town. +It is the resort of most of the sea-faring men; and I may say this much of +myself, without conceit--No man can tell you more of what you want to +know, than the landlord of the 'Foul Anchor.'" + +"You advise an application to the Commander of this vessel, in the stream, +for a birth: Will she sail so soon as you have named?" + +"With the first wind. I know the whole history of the ship, from the day +they laid the blocks for her keel to the minute when she let her anchor go +where you now see her. The great Southern Heiress, General Grayson's fine +daughter, is to be a passenger she, and her overlooker, Government-lady, I +believe they call her--a Mrs Wyllys--are waiting for the signal, up here, +at the residence of Madam de Lacey; she that is the relict of the +Rear-Admiral of that name, who is full-sister to the General; and, +therefore, an aunt to the young lady, according to my reckoning. Many +people think the two fortunes will go together; in which case, he will be +not only a lucky man, but a rich one, who gets Miss Getty Gray son for a +wife." + +The stranger, who had maintained rather an indifferent manner during the +close of the foregoing dialogue appeared now disposed to enter into it, +with a degree of interest suited to the sex and condition of the present +subject of their discourse. After waiting to catch the last syllable that +the publican chose to expend his breath on, he demanded, a little +abruptly,-- + +"And you say the house near us, on the rising ground, is the residence of +Mrs de Lacey?" + +"If I did, I know nothing of the matter. By 'up here,' I mean half a mile +off. It is a place fit for a lady of her quality, and none of your elbowy +dwellings like these crowded about us. One may easily tell the house, by +its pretty blinds and its shades. I'll engage there are no such shades, in +all Europe, as them very trees that stand before the door of Madam de +Lacey." + +"It is very probable," muttered the stranger, who, not appearing quite as +sensitive in his provincial admiration as the publican, had already +relapsed into his former musing air. Instead of pushing the discourse, he +suddenly turned the subject, by making some common-place remark; and then, +repeating the probability of his being obliged to return, he walked +deliberately away, taking the direction of the residence of Mrs de Lacey. +The observing publican would, probably, have found sufficient matter for +observation, in this abrupt termination of the interview, had not Desire, +at that precise moment, broken out of her habitation, and diverted his +attention, by the peculiarly piquant manner in which she delineated the +character of her delinquent husband. + +The reader has probably, ere this, suspected that the individual who had +conferred with the publican, as a stranger, was not unknown to himself. It +was, in truth, no other than Wilder. But, in the completion of his own +secret purposes, the young mariner left the wordy war in his rear; and, +turning up the gentle ascent, against the side of which the town is built, +he proceeded towards the suburbs. + +It was not difficult to distinguish the house he sought, among a dozen +other similar retreats, by its "shades," as the innkeeper, in conformity +to a provincial use of the word, had termed a few really noble elms that +grew in the little court before its door. In order, however, to assure +himself that he was right, he confirmed his surmises by actual inquiry and +then continued thoughtfully on his path. The morning had, by this time, +fairly opened with every appearance of another of those fine bland, +autumnal days for which the climate is, or ought to be, so distinguished. +The little air there was, came from the south, fanning the face of our +adventurer as he occasionally paused, in his ascent, to gaze at the +different vessels in the harbour, like a mild breeze in June. In short, it +was just such a time as one, who is fond of strolling in the fields, is +apt to seize on with rapture, and which a seaman sets down as a day lost +in his reckoning. + +Wilder was first drawn from his musings by the sound of a dialogue that +came from persons who were evidently approaching. There was one voice, in +particular, that caused his blood to thrill, he knew not why, and which +appeared unaccountably, even to himself, to set in motion every latent +faculty of his system. Profiting, by the formation of the ground, he +sprang, unseen, up a little bank, and, approaching an angle in a low wall, +he found himself in the immediate proximity of the speakers. + +The wall enclosed the garden and pleasure-grounds of a mansion, that he +now perceived was the residence of Mrs de Lacey. A rustic summer-house +which, in the proper season, had been nearly buried in leaves and flowers, +stood at no great distance from the road. By its elevation and position, +it commanded a view of the town, the harbour, the isles of Massachusetts +to the east, those of the Providence Plantations to the west, and, to the +south, an illimitable expanse of ocean. As it had now lost its leafy +covering, there was no difficulty in looking directly into its centre, +through the rude pillars which supported its little dome. Here Wilder +discovered precisely the very party to whose conversation he had been a +listener the previous day, while caged, with the Rover, in the loft of the +ruin. Though the Admiral's widow and Mrs Wyllys were most in advance, +evidently addressing some one who was, like himself, in the public road, +the quick eye of the young sailor soon detected the more enticing person +of the blooming Gertrude, in the background. His observations were, +however, interrupted by a reply from the individual who as yet was unseen. +Directed by the voice, Wilder was next enabled to perceive the person of a +man in a green old age, who, seated on a stone by the way side, appeared +to be resting his weary limbs, while he answered to some interrogations +from the summer-house. Though his head was white, and the hand, which +grasped a long walking-staff, sometimes trembled, as its owner sought +additional support from its assistance, there was that in the costume, the +manner, and the voice of the speaker, which furnished sufficient evidence +of his having once been a veteran of the sea. + +"Lord! your Ladyship, Ma'am," he said, in tones that were getting +tremulous, even while they retained the deep characteristic intonations of +his profession, "we old sea-dogs never stop to look into an almanac, to +see which way the wind will come after the next thaw, before we put to +sea. It is enough for us, that the sailing orders are aboard, and that the +Captain has taken leave of his Lady." + +"Ah! the very words of the poor lamented Admiral!" exclaimed Mrs de Lacey, +who evidently found great satisfaction in pursuing the discourse with this +superannuated mariner. "And then you are of opinion, honest friend, that, +when a ship is ready, she should sail, whether the wind is"---- + +"Here is another follower of the sea, opportunely come to lend us his +advice," interrupted Gertrude, with a hurried air, as if to divert the +attention of her aunt from something very like a dogmatical termination of +an argument that had just occurred between her and Mrs Wyllys; "perhaps to +serve as an umpire." + +"True," said the latter. "Pray, what think you of the weather to-day, +sir? would it be profitable to sail in such a time, or not?" + +The young mariner reluctantly withdrew his eyes from the blushing +Gertrude, who, in her eagerness to point him out, had advanced to the +front, and was now shrinking back, timidly, to the centre of the building +again, like one who already repented of her temerity. He then fastened his +look on her who put the question; and so long and riveted was his gaze, +that she saw fit to repeat it, believing that what she had first said was +not properly understood. + +"There is little faith to be put in the weather, Madam," was the dilatory +reply. "A man has followed the sea to but little purpose who is tardy in +making that discovery." + +There was something so sweet and gentle, at the same time that it was +manly, in the voice of Wilder, that the ladies, by a common impulse, +seemed struck with its peculiarities. The neatness of his attire, which, +while it was strictly professional, was worn with an air of smartness, and +even of gentility, that rendered it difficult to suppose that he was not +entitled to lay claim to a higher station in society than that in which he +actually appeared, added to this impression. Bending her head, with a +manner that was intended to be polite, a little more perhaps in +self-respect than out of consideration to the other, as if in deference to +the equivocal character of his appearance, Mrs de Lacey resumed the +discourse. + +"These ladies," she said, "are about to embark in yonder ship, for the +province of Carolina, and we were consulting concerning the quarter in +which the wind will probably blow next. But, in such a vessel, it cannot +matter much, I should think, sir, whether the wind were fair or foul." + +"I think not," was the reply. "She looks to me like a ship that will not +do much, let the wind be as it may." + +"She has the reputation of being a very fast sailer.--Reputation! we know +she is such, having come from home to the Colonies in the incredibly short +passage of seven weeks! But seamen have their favourites and prejudices, I +believe, like us poor mortals ashore. You will therefore excuse me, if I +ask this honest veteran for an opinion on this particular point also. What +do you imagine, friend, to be the sailing qualities of yonder ship--she +with the peculiarly high top-gallant-booms, and such conspicuous +round-tops?" + +The lip of Wilder curled, and a smile struggled with the gravity of his +countenance; but he continued silent. On the other hand, the old mariner +arose, and appeared to examine the ship, like one who perfectly +comprehended the technical language of the Admiral's widow. + +"The ship in the inner harbour, your Ladyship," he answered, when his +examination was finished, "which is, I suppose, the vessel that Madam +means, is just such a ship as does a sailor's eye good to look on. A +gallant and a safe boat she is, as I will swear; and as to sailing, though +she may not be altogether a witch, yet is she a fast craft, or I'm no +judge of blue water, or of those that live on it." + +"Here is at once a difference of opinion!" exclaimed Mrs de Lacey. "I am +glad, however, you pronounce her safe; for, although seamen love a +fast-sailing vessel, these ladies will not like her the less for the +security. I presume, sir, you will not dispute her being _safe_." + +"The very quality I should most deny," was the laconic answer of Wilder. + +"It is remarkable! This is a veteran seaman, sir, and he appears to think +differently." + +"He may have seen more, in his time, than myself Madam; but I doubt +whether he can, just now see as well. This is something of a distance to +discover the merits or demerits of a ship: I have been higher." + +"Then you really think there is danger to be apprehended sir?" demanded +the soft voice of Gertrude whose fears had gotten the better of her +diffidence. + +"I do. Had I mother, or sister," touching his hat, and bowing to his fair +interrogator, as he uttered the latter word with much emphasis, "I would +hesitate to let her embark in that ship. On my honour Ladies, I do assure +you, that I think this very vessel in more danger than any ship which has +left, or probably will leave, a port in the Provinces this autumn." + +"This is extraordinary!" observed Mrs Wyllys. "It is not the character we +have received of the vessel, which has been greatly exaggerated, or she is +entitled to be considered as uncommonly convenient and safe. May I ask, +sir, on what circumstances you have founded this opinion?" + +"They are sufficiently plain. She is too lean in the harping, and too full +in the counter, to steer. Then, she in as wall-sided as a church, and +stows too much above the water-line. Besides this, she carries no +head-sail, but all the press upon her will be aft, which will jam her into +the wind, and, more than likely, throw her aback. The day will come when +that ship will go down stern foremost." + +His auditors listened to this opinion, which Wilder delivered in an +oracular and very decided manner, with that sort of secret faith, and +humble dependence, which the uninstructed are so apt to lend to the +initiated in the mysteries of any imposing profession. Neither of them had +certainly a very clear perception of his meaning; but there were, +apparently, danger and death in his very words Mrs de Lacey felt it +incumbent on her peculiar advantages, however, to manifest how well she +comprehended the subject. + +"These are certainly very serious evils!" she exclaimed. "It is quite +unaccountable that my agent should have neglected to mention them. Is +there any other particular quality, sir, that strikes your eye at this +distance, and which you deem alarming?" + +"Too many. You observe that her top-gallant masts are fidded abaft; none +of her lofty sails set flying; and then, Madam, she has depended on +bobstays and gammonings for the security of that very important part of a +vessel, the bowsprit." + +"Too true! too true!" said Mrs de Lacey, in a sort of professional horror. +"These things had escaped me; but I see them all, now they are mentioned. +Such neglect is highly culpable; more especially to rely on bobstays and +gammonings for the security of a bowsprit! Really, Mrs Wyllys, I can never +consent that my niece should embark in such a vessel." + +The calm, penetrating eye of Wyllys had been riveted on the countenance of +Wilder while he was speaking, and she now turned it, with undisturbed +serenity, on the Admiral's widow, to reply. + +"Perhaps the danger has been a little magnified," she observed. "Let us +inquire of this other seaman what he thinks on these several points.--And +do you see all these serious dangers to be apprehended, friend, in +trusting ourselves, at this season of the year, in a passage to the +Carolinas, aboard of yonder ship?" + +"Lord, Madam!" said the gray-headed mariner, with a chuckling laugh, +"these are new-fashioned faults and difficulties, if they be faults and +difficulties at all! In my time, such matters were never heard of; and I +confess I am so stupid as not to understand the half the young gentleman +has been saying." + +"It is some time, I fancy, old man, since you were last at sea," Wilder +coolly observed. + +"Some five or six years since the last time, and fifty since the first," +was the answer. + +"Then you do not see the same causes for apprehension?" Mrs Wyllys once +more demanded. + +"Old and worn out as I am, Lady, if her Captain will give me a birth +aboard her, I will thank him for the same as a favour." + +"Misery seeks any relief," said Mrs de Lacey, in an under tone, and +bestowing on her companions a significant glance. "I incline to the +opinion of the younger seaman; for he supports it with substantial, +professional reasons." + +Mrs Wyllys suspended her questions, just as long as complaisance to the +last speaker seemed to require and then she resumed them as follows, +addressing her next inquiry to Wilder. + +"And how do you explain this difference in judgment, between two men who +ought both to be so well qualified to decide right?" + +"I believe there is a well-known proverb which will answer that question," +returned the young man, smiling: "But some allowance must be made for the +improvements in ships; and, perhaps, some little deference to the stations +we have respectively filled on board them." + +"Both very true. Still, one would think the changes of half a dozen years +cannot be so very considerable, in a profession that is so exceedingly +ancient." + +"Your pardon, Madam. They require constant practice to know them. Now, I +dare say that yonder worthy old tar is ignorant of the manner in which a +ship, when pressed by her canvas, is made to 'cut the waves with her +taffrail.'" + +"Impossible!" cried the Admiral's widow; "the youngest and the meanest +mariner must have been struck with the beauty of such a spectacle." + +"Yes, yes," returned the old tar, who wore the air of an offended man, and +who, probably, had he been ignorant of any part of his art, was not just +then in the temper to confess it; "many is the proud ship that I have seen +doing the very same; and, as the lady says, a grand and comely sight it +is!" + +Wilder appeared confounded. He bit his lip, like one who was over-reached +either by excessive ignorance or exceeding cunning; but the +self-complacency of Mrs de Lacey spared him the necessity of an immediate +reply. + +"It would have been an extraordinary circumstance truly," she said, "that +a man should have grown white-headed on the seas, and never have been +struck with so noble a spectacle. But then, my honest tar, you appear to +be wrong in overlooking the striking faults in yonder ship, which this, +a--a--this gentleman has just, and so properly, named." + +"I do not call them faults, your Ladyship. Such is the way my late brave +and excellent Commander always had his own ship rigged; and I am bold to +say that a better seaman, or a more honest man, never served in his +Majesty's fleet." + +"And you have served the King! How was your beloved Commander named?" + +"How should he be! By us, who knew him well, he was called Fair-weather: +for it was always smooth water, and prosperous times, under his orders; +though, on shore, he was known as the gallant and victorious Rear-Admiral +de Lacey." + +"And did my late revered and skilful husband cause his ships to be rigged +in this manner?" said the widow, with a tremour in her voice, that bespoke +how much, and how truly, she was overcome by surprise and gratified pride. + +The aged tar lifted his bending frame from the stone, and bowed low, as +he answered,--"If I have the honour of seeing my Admiral's Lady, it will +prove a joyful sight to my old eyes. Sixteen years did I serve in his own +ship, and five more in the same squadron. I dare say your Ladyship may +have heard him speak of the captain of his main-top, Bob Bunt." + +"I dare say--I dare say--He loved to talk of those who served him +faithfully." + +"Ay, God bless him, and make his memory glorious! He was a kind officer, +and one that never forgot a friend, let it be that his duty kept him on a +yard or in the cabin. He was the sailor's friend, that very same Admiral!" + +"This is a grateful man," said Mrs de Lacey, wiping her eyes, "and I dare +say a competent judge of a vessel. And are you quite sure, worthy friend, +that my late revered husband had all his ships arranged like the one of +which we have been talking?" + +"Very sure, Madam; for, with my own hands, did I assist to rig them." + +"Even to the bobstays?" + +"And the gammonings, my Lady. Were the Admiral alive, and here, he would +call yon 'a safe and well-fitted ship,' as I am ready to swear." + +Mrs de Lacey turned, with an air of great dignity and entire decision, to +Wilder, as she continued,--"I have, then, made a small mistake in memory +which is not surprising, when one recollects, that he who taught me so +much of the profession is no longer here to continue his lessons. We are +much obliged to you, sir, for your opinion; but we must think that you +have over-rated the danger." + +"On my honour, Madam," interrupted Wilder laying his hand on his heart, +and speaking with singular emphasis, "I am sincere in what I say. I do +affirm, that I believe there will be great danger in embarking in yonder +ship; and I call Heaven to witness, that, in so saying, I am actuated by +no malice to her Commander, her owners, nor any connected with her." + +"We dare say, sir, you are very sincere: We only think you a little in +error," returned the Admiral's widow, with a commiserating, and what she +intended for a condescending, smile. "We are your debtors for your good +intentions, at least. Come, worthy veteran, we must not part here. You +will gain admission by knocking at my door; and we shall talk further of +these matters." + +Then, bowing to Wilder, she led the way up the garden, followed by all her +companions. The step of Mrs de Lacey was proud, like the tread of one +conscious of all her advantages; while that of Wyllys was slow, as if she +were buried in thought. Gertrude kept close to the side of the latter, +with her face hid beneath the shade of a gipsy hat. Wilder fancied that he +could discover the stolen and anxious glance that she threw back towards +one who had excited a decided emotion in her sensitive bosom though it was +a feeling no more attractive than alarm. He lingered until they were lost +amid the shrubbery. Then, turning to pour out his disappointment on his +brother tar, he found that the old man had made such good use of his time, +as to be entering the gate, most probably felicitating himself on the +prospect of reaping the reward of his recent adulation. + + + + +Chapter IX. + + + + "He ran this way, and leap'd this orchard wall."--_Shakspeare._ + + +Wilder retired from the field like a defeated man. Accident, or, as he was +willing to term it, the sycophancy of the old mariner, had counteracted +his own little artifice; and he was now left without the remotest chance +of being again favoured with such another opportunity of effecting his +purpose. We shall not, at this period of the narrative, enter into a +detail of the feelings and policy which induced our adventurer to plot +against the apparent interests of those with whom he had so recently +associated himself; it is enough, for our present object, that the facts +themselves should be distinctly set before the reader. + +The return of the disappointed young sailor, towards the town, was moody +and slow. More than once he stopped short in the descent, and fastened his +eyes, for minutes together, on the different vessels in the harbour. But, +in these frequent-halts, no evidence of the particular interest he took in +any one of the ships escaped him. Perhaps his gaze at the Southern trader +was longer, and more earnest, than at any other; though his eye, at times, +wandered curiously, and even anxiously, over every craft that lay within +the shelter of the haven. + +The customary hour for exertion had now arrived, and the sounds of labour +were beginning to be heard, issuing from every quarter of the place. The +songs of the mariners were rising on the calm of the morning with their +peculiar, long-drawn intonations. The ship in the inner harbour was among +the first to furnish this proof of the industry of her people, and of her +approaching departure. It was only as these movements caught his eye, +that Wilder seemed to be thoroughly awakened from his abstraction, and to +pursue his observations with an undivided mind. He saw the seamen ascend +the rigging, in that lazy manner which is so strongly contrasted by their +activity in moments of need; and here and there a human form was showing +itself on the black and ponderous yards. In a few moments, the +fore-topsail fell, from its compact compass on the yard, into graceful and +careless festoons. This, the attentive Wilder well knew, was, among all +trading vessels, the signal of sailing. In a few more minutes, the lower +angles of this important sail were drawn to the, extremities of the +corresponding spar beneath; and then the heavy yard was seen slowly +ascending the mast, dragging after it the opening folds of the sail, until +the latter was tightened at all its edges, and displayed itself in one +broad, snow-white sheet of canvas. Against this wide surface the light +currents of air fell, and as often receded; the sail bellying and +collapsing in a manner to show that, as yet, they were powerless. At this +point the preparations appeared suspended, as if the mariners, having thus +invited the breeze, were awaiting to see if their invocation was likely to +be attended with success. + +It was perhaps but a natural transition for him, who so closely observed +these indications of departure in the ship so often named, to turn his +eyes on the vessel which lay without the fort, in order to witness the +effect so manifest a signal had produced in her, also. But the closest and +the keenest scrutiny could have detected no sign of any bond of interest +between the two. While the firmer was making the movements just described, +the latter lay at her anchors without the smallest proof that man existed +within the mass of her black and inanimate hull. So quiet and motionless +did she seem, that one, who had never been instructed in the matter, +might readily have believed her a fixture in the sea, some symmetrical and +enormous excrescence thrown up by the waves, with its mazes of lines and +pointed fingers, or one of those fantastic monsters that are believed to +exist in the bottom of the ocean, darkened by the fogs and tempests of +ages. But, to the understanding eye of Wilder, she exhibited a very +different spectacle. He easily saw, through all this apparently drowsy +quietude, those signs of readiness which a seaman only might discover. The +cable, instead of stretching in a long declining line towards the water +was "short," or nearly "up and down," as it is equally termed in technical +language, just "scope" enough being allowed out-board to resist the power +of the lively tide, which acted on the deep keel of the vessel. All her +boats were in the water, and so disposed and prepared, as to convince him +they were in a state to be employed in towing, in the shortest possible +time. Not a sail, nor a yard, was out of its place, undergoing those +repairs and examinations which the mariner is wont to make so often, when +lying within the security of a suitable haven, nor was there a single rope +wanting, amid the hundreds which interlaced the blue sky that formed the +background of the picture, that might be necessary, in bringing every art +of facilitating motion into instant use. In short, the vessel, while +seeming least prepared, was most in a condition to move, or, if necessary, +to resort to her means of offence and defence. The boarding-nettings, it +is true, were triced to the rigging, as on the previous day; but a +sufficient apology was to be found for this act of extreme caution, in the +war, which exposed her to attacks from the light French cruisers, that so +often ranged, from the islands of the West-Indies, along the whole coast +of the Continent, and in the position the ship had taken, without the +ordinary defences of the harbour. In this state, the vessel, to one who +knew her real character, appeared like some beast of prey, or venomous +reptile, that lay in an assumed lethargy, to delude the unconscious victim +within the limits of its leap, or nigh enough to receive the deadly blow +of its fangs. + +Wilder shook his head, in a manner which said plainly enough how well he +understood this treacherous tranquillity, and continued his walk towards +the town, with the same deliberate step as before. He had whiled away many +minutes unconsciously, and would probably have lost the reckoning of as +many more, had not his attention been suddenly diverted by a slight touch +on the shoulder. Starting at this unexpected diversion, he turned, and +saw, that, in his dilatory progress, he had been overtaken by the seaman +whom he had last seen in that very society in which he would have given so +much to have been included himself. + +"Your young limbs should carry you ahead, Master," said the latter, when +he had succeeded in attracting the attention of Wilder, "like a 'Mudian +going with a clean full, and yet I have fore-reached upon you with my old +legs, in such a manner as to bring us again within hail." + +"Perhaps you enjoy the extraordinary advantage of 'cutting the waves with +your taffrail,'" returned Wilder, with a sneer. "There can be no +accounting for the head-way one makes, when sailing in that remarkable +manner." + +"I see, brother, you are offended that I followed your motions, though, in +so doing, I did no more than obey a signal of your own setting. Did you +expect an old sea-dog like me, who has stood his watch so long in a +flag-ship, to confess ignorance in any matter that of right belongs to +blue water? How the devil was I to know that there is not some sort of +craft, among the thousands that are getting into fashion, which sails +best stern foremost? They say a ship is modelled from a fish; and, if such +be the case, it is only to make one after the fashion of a crab, or an +oyster, to have the very thing you named." + +"It is well, old man. You have had your reward, I suppose, in a handsome +present from the Admiral's widow, and you may now lie-by for a season, +without caring much as to the manner in which they build their ships in +future. Pray, do you intend to shape your course much further down this +hill?" + +"Until I get to the bottom." + +"I am glad of it, friend, for it is my especial intention to go up it +again. As we say at sea, when our conversation is ended, 'A good time to +you!'" + +The old seaman laughed, in his chuckling manner, when he saw the young man +turn abruptly on his heel, and begin to retrace the very ground along +which he had just before descended. + +"Ah! you have never sailed with a Rear-Admiral," he said, as he continued +his own course in the former direction, picking his way with a care suited +to his age and infirmities. "No, there is no getting the finish, even at +sea, without a cruise or two under a flag, and that at the mizzen, too!" + +"Intolerable old hypocrite!" muttered Wilder between his teeth. "The +rascal has seen better days, and is now perverting his knowledge to juggle +a foolish woman, to his profit. I am well quit of the knave, who, I dare +say, has adopted lying for his trade, now labour is unproductive. I will +go back The coast is quite clear, and who can say what may happen next?" + +Most of the foregoing paragraph was actually uttered in the suppressed +manner already described, while the rest was merely meditated, which, +considering the fact that our adventurer had no auditor, was quite as +well as if he had spoken it through a trumpet. The expectation thus +vaguely expressed, however, was not likely to be soon realized. Wilder +sauntered up the hill, endeavouring to assume the unconcerned air of an +idler, if by chance his return should excite attention; but, though he +lingered long in open view of the windows of Mrs de Lacey's villa, he was +not able to catch another glimpse of its tenants. There were very evident +symptoms of the approaching journey, in the trunks and packages that left +the building for the town, and in the hurried and busy manner of the few +servants that he occasionally saw; but it would seem that the principal +personages of the establishment had withdrawn into the secret recesses of +the building, probably for the very natural purpose of confidential +communion and affectionate leave-taking. He was turning, vexed and +disappointed, from his anxious and fruitless watch, when he once more +heard female voices on the inner side of the low wall against which he had +been leaning. The sounds approached; nor was it long before his quick ears +again recognized the musical voice of Gertrude. + +"It is tormenting ourselves, without sufficient reason, my dear Madam," +she said, as the speakers drew sufficiently nigh to be distinctly +overheard, "to allow any thing that may have fallen from such a--such an +individual, to make the slightest impression." + +"I feel the justice of what you say, my love," returned the mournful voice +of her governess, "and yet am I so weak as to be unable entirely to shake +off a sort of superstitious feeling on this subject. Gertrude, would you +not wish to see that youth again?" + +"Me, Ma'am!" exclaimed her eleve, in a sort of alarm. "Why should you, or +I, wish to see an utter stranger again? and one so low--not low +perhaps--but one who is surely not altogether a very suitable companion +for"-- + +"Well-born ladies, you would say. And why do you imagine the young man to +be so much our inferior?" + +Wilder thought there was a melody in the intonations of the youthful voice +of the maiden, which in some measure excused the personality, as she +answered. + +"I am certainly not so fastidious in my notions of birth and station as +aunt de Lacey," she said, laughing; "but I should forget some of your own +instructions, dear Mrs Wyllys, did I not feel that education and manners +make a sensible difference in the opinions and characters of all us poor +mortals." + +"Very true, my child. But I confess I saw or heard nothing that induces me +to believe the young man, of whom we are speaking, either uneducated or +vulgar. On the contrary, his language and pronunciation were those of a +gentleman, and his air was quite suited to his utterance. He had the frank +and simple manner of his profession; but you are not now to learn that +youths of the first families in the provinces, or even in the kingdom, are +often placed in the service of the marine." + +"But they are officers, dear Madam: this--this individual wore the dress +of a common mariner." + +"Not altogether. It was finer in its quality, and more tasteful in its +fashion, than is customary. I have known Admirals do the same in their +moments of relaxation. Sailors of condition often love to carry about them +the testimonials of their profession, without any of the trappings of +their rank." + +"You then think he was an officer--perhaps in the King's service?" + +"He might well have been so, though the fact, that there is no cruiser in +the port, would seem to contradict it. But it was not so trifling a +circumstance that awakened the unaccountable interest that I feel. +Gertrude, my love, it was my fortune to have been much with seamen in +early life. I seldom see one of that age, and of that spirited and manly +mien, without feeling emotion. But I tire you; let us talk of other +things." + +"Not in the least, dear Madam," Gertrude hurriedly interrupted. "Since you +think the stranger a gentleman, there can be no harm--that is, it is not +quite so improper, I believe--to speak of him. Can there then be the +danger he would make us think in trusting ourselves in a ship of which we +have so good a report?" + +"There was a strange, I had almost said wild, admixture of irony and +concern in his manner, that is inexplicable! He certainly uttered nonsense +part of the time: but, then, he did not appear to do it without a serious +object. Gertrude, you are not as familiar with nautical expressions as +myself: and perhaps you are ignorant that your good aunt, in her +admiration of a profession that she has certainly a right to love, +sometimes makes"---- + +"I know it--I know it; at least I often think so," the other interrupted, +in a manner which plainly manifested that she found no pleasure in +dwelling on the disagreeable subject. "It was exceedingly presuming Madam, +in a stranger, however, to amuse himself, if he did it, with so amiable +and so trivial a weakness, if indeed weakness it be." + +"It was," Mrs Wyllys steadily continued--she having, very evidently, such +other matter in her thoughts as to be a little inattentive to the +sensitive feelings of her companion;--"and yet he did not appear to me +like one of those empty minds that find a pleasure in exposing the follies +of others. You may remember, Gertrude, that yesterday, while at the ruin, +Mrs de Lacey made some remarks expressive of her admiration of a ship +under sail." + +"Yes, yes, I remember them," said the niece, a little impatiently. + +"One of her terms was particularly incorrect, as I happened to know from +my own familiarity with the language of sailors." + +"I thought as much, by the expression of your eye," returned Gertrude; +"but"-- + +"Listen, my love. It certainly was not remarkable that a lady should make +a trifling error in the use of so peculiar a language, but it is singular +that a seaman himself should commit the same fault in precisely the same +words. This did the youth of whom we are speaking; and, what is no less +surprising the old man assented to the same, just as if they had been +correctly uttered." + +"Perhaps," said Gertrude, in a low tone, "they may have heard, that +attachment to this description of conversation is a foible of Mrs de +Lacey. I am sure, after this, dear Madam, you cannot any longer consider +the stranger a gentleman!" + +"I should think no more about it, love, were it not for a feeling I can +neither account for nor define. I would I could again see him!" + +A slight exclamation from her companion interrupted her words; and, the +next instant, the subject of her thoughts leaped the wall, apparently in +quest of the rattan that had fallen at the feet of Gertrude, and +occasioned her alarm. After apologizing for his intrusion on the private +grounds of Mrs de Lacey, and recovering his lost property, Wilder was +slowly preparing to retire, as if nothing had happened. There was a +softness and delicacy in his manner during the first moment of his +appearance, which was probably intended to convince the younger of the +ladies that he was not entirely without some claims to the title she had +so recently denied him, and which was certainly not without its effect. +The countenance of Mrs Wyllys was pale, and her lip quivered, though the +steadiness of her voice proved it was not with alarm, as she hastily +said,--"Remain a moment, sir, if need does not require your presence +elsewhere. There is something so remarkable in this meeting, that I could +wish to improve it." + +Wilder bowed, and again faced the ladies, whom he had just been about to +quit, like one who felt he had no right to intrude a moment longer than +had been necessary to recover that which had been lost by his pretended +awkwardness. When Mrs Wyllys found that her wish was so unexpectedly +realized, she hesitated as to the manner in which she should next proceed. + +"I have been thus bold, sir," she said, in some embarrassment, "on account +of the opinion you so lately expressed concerning the vessel which now +lies ready to put to sea, the instant, she is favoured with a wind." + +"'The Royal Caroline?'" Wilder carelessly replied. + +"That is her name, I believe." + +"I hope, Madam, that nothing which I have said," he hastily continued, +"will have an effect to prejudice you against the ship. I will pledge +myself that she is made of excellent materials, and then I have not the +least doubt but she is very ably commanded." + +"And yet have you not hesitated to say, that you consider a passage in +this very vessel more dangerous than one in any other ship that will +probably leave a port of the Provinces in many months to come." + +"I did," answered Wilder, with a manner not to be mistaken. + +"Will you explain your reasons for this opinion?" + +"If I remember rightly, I gave them to the lady whom I had the honour to +see an hour ago." + +"That individual, sir, is no longer here," was the grave reply of Wyllys; +"neither is she to trust her person in the vessel. This young lady and +myself, with our attendants, will be the only passengers." + +"I understood it so," returned Wilder, keeping his thoughtful gaze riveted +on the speaking countenance of the deeply interested Gertrude. + +"And, now that there is no apprehension of any mistake, may I ask you to +repeat the reasons why you think there will be danger in embarking in the +'Royal Caroline?'" + +Wilder started, and even had the grace to colour, as he met the calm and +attentive look of Mrs Wyllys's searching, but placid eye. + +"You would not have me repeat, Madam," he stammered, "what I have already +said on the subject?" + +"I would not, sir; once will suffice for such an explanation; still am I +persuaded you have other reasons for your words." + +"It is exceedingly difficult for a seaman to speak of ships in any other +than technical language, which must be the next thing to being +unintelligible to one of your sex and condition. You have never been at +sea, Madam?" + +"Very often, sir." + +"Then may I hope, possibly, to make myself understood. You must be +conscious, Madam, that no small part of the safety of a ship depends on +the very material point of keeping her right side uppermost sailors call +it 'making her stand up.' Now I need not say, I am quite sure, to a lady +of your intelligence, that, if the 'Caroline' fall on her beam there will +be imminent hazard to all on board." + +"Nothing can be clearer; but would not the same risk be incurred in any +other vessel?" + +"Without doubt, if any other vessel should trip. But I have pursued my +profession for many years, without meeting with such a misfortune, but +once. Then, the fastenings of the bowsprit"-- + +"Are good as ever came from the hand of rigger," said a voice behind +them. + +The whole party turned; and beheld, at a little distance, the old seaman +already introduced, mounted on some object on the other side of the wall, +against which he was very coolly leaning, and whence he overlooked the +whole of the interior of the grounds. + +"I have been at the water side to look at the boat, at the wish of Madam +de Lacey, the widow of my late noble Commander and Admiral; and, let other +men think as they may, I am ready to swear that the 'Royal Caroline' has +as well secured a bowsprit as any ship that carries the British flag! Ay, +nor is that all I will say in her favour; she is throughout neatly and +lightly sparred, and has no more of a wall-side than the walls of yonder +church tumble-home. I am an old man, and my reckoning has got to the last +leaf of the log-book; therefore it is little interest that I have, or can +have, in this brig or that schooner, but this much will I say, which is, +that it is just as wicked, and as little likely to be forgiven, to speak +scandal of a wholesome and stout ship, as it is to talk amiss of mortal +Christian." + +The old man spoke with energy, and a great show of honest indignation, +which did not fail to make an impression on the ladies, at the same time +that it brought certain ungrateful admonitions to the conscience of the +understanding Wilder. + +"You perceive, sir," said Mrs Wyllys, after waiting in vain for the reply +of the young seaman, "that it is very possible for two men, of equal +advantages, to disagree on a professional point. Which am I to believe?" + +"Whichever your own excellent sense should tell you is most likely to be +correct. I repeat, and in a sincerity to whose truth I call Heaven to +witness, that no mother or sister of mine should, with my consent, embark +in the 'Caroline.'" + +"This is incomprehensible!" said Mrs Wyllys, turning to Gertrude, and +speaking only for her ear. "My reason tells me we have been trifled with +by this young man; and yet are his protestations so earnest, and +apparently so sincere, that I cannot shake off the impression they have +made. To which of the two, my love, do you feel most inclined to yield +your credence?" + +"You know how very ignorant I am, dear Madam, of all these things," said +Gertrude, dropping her eyes to the faded sprig she was plucking; "but, to +me, that old wretch has a very presuming and vicious look." + +"You then think the younger most entitled to our belief?" + +"Why not; since you, also, think he is a gentleman?" + +"I know not that his superior situation in life entitles him to greater +credit. Men often obtain such advantages only to abuse them.--I am afraid, +sir," continued Mrs Wyllys, turning to the expecting Wilder, "that unless +you see fit to be more frank, we shall be compelled to refuse you our +faith, and still persevere in our intention to profit, by the opportunity +of the 'Royal Caroline,' to get to the Carolinas." + +"From the bottom of my heart, Madam, do I regret the determination." + +"It may still be in your power to change it, by being explicit." + +Wilder appeared to muse, and once or twice his lips moved, as if he were +about to speak. Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude awaited his intentions with +intense interest; but, after a long and seemingly hesitating pause, he +disappointed both, by saying,-- + +"I am sorry that I have not the ability to make myself better understood. +It can only be the fault of my dullness; for I again affirm that the +danger is as apparent to my eyes as the sun at noon day." + +"Then we must continue blind, sir," returned Mrs Wyllys, with a cold +salute. "I thank you for your good and kind intentions, but you cannot +blame us for not consenting to follow advice which is buried in so much +obscurity. Although in our own grounds, we shall be pardoned the rudeness +of leaving you. The hour appointed for our departure has now arrived." + +Wilder returned the grave bow of Mrs Wyllys with one quite as formal as +her own; though he bent with greater grace, and with more cordiality, to +the deep but hurried curtesy of Gertrude Grayson. He remained in the +precise spot, however, in which they left him, until he saw them enter the +villa; and he even fancied he could catch the anxious expression of +another timid glance which the latter threw in his direction, as her light +form appeared to float from before his sight. Placing one hand on the +wall, the young sailor then leaped into the highway. As his feet struck +the ground, the slight shock seemed to awake him from his abstraction, and +he became conscious that he stood within six feet of the old mariner, who +had now twice stepped so rudely between him and the object he had so much +at heart, The latter did not allow him time to give utterance to his +disappointment; for he was the first himself to speak. + +"Come, brother," he said, in friendly, confidential tones, and shaking his +head, like one who wished to show to his companion that he was aware of +the deception he had attempted to practise; "come, brother, you have stood +far enough on this tack, and it is time to try another. Ay, I've been +young myself in my time, and I know what a hard matter it is to give the +devil a wide birth, when there is fun to be found in sailing in his +company: But old age brings us to our reckonings; and, when the life is +getting on short allowance with a poor fellow, he begins to think of being +sparing of his tricks, just as water is saved in a ship, when the calms +set in, after it has been spilt about decks like rain, for weeks and +months on end. Thought comes with gray hairs, and no one is the worse for +providing a little of it among his other small stores." + +"I had hoped, when I gave you the bottom of the hill, and took the top +myself," returned Wilder, without even deigning to look at his +disagreeable companion, "that we had parted company for ever. As you seem, +however, to prefer the high ground, I leave you to enjoy it at your +leisure; I shall descend into the town." + +The old man shuffled after him, with a gait that rendered it difficult for +Wilder, who was by this time in a fast walk, to outstrip him, without +resorting to the undignified expedient of an actual flight. Vexed alike +with himself and his tormentor, he was tempted to offer some violence to +the latter; and then, recalled to his reccollection by the dangerous +impulse he moderated his pace, and continued his route with a calm +determination to be superior to any emotions that such a pitiful object +could excite. + +"You were going under such a press of sail, young Master," said the +stubborn old mariner, who still kept a pace or two in his rear, "that I +had to set every thing to hold way with you; but you now seem to be +getting reasonable, and we may as well lighten the passage by a little +profitable talk. You had nearly made the oldish lady believe the good ship +'Royal Caroline' was the flying Dutchman!" + +"And why did you see fit to undeceive her?" bluntly demanded Wilder. + +"Would you have a man, who has followed blue water fifty years, +scandalize wood and iron after so wild a manner? The character of a ship +is as dear to an old sea-dog, as the character of his wife or his +sweetheart." + +"Hark ye, friend; you live, I suppose, like other people, by eating and +drinking?" + +"A little of the first, and a good deal of the last," returned the other, +with a chuckle. + +"And you get both, like most seaman, by hard work, great risk, and the +severest exposure?" + +"Hum! 'Making our money like horses, and spending it like asses!'--that is +said to be the way with us all." + +"Now, then, have you an opportunity of making some with less labour; you +may spend it to suit your own fancy. Will you engage in my service for a +few hours, with this for your bounty, and as much more for wages, provided +you deal honestly?" + +The old man stretched out a hand, and took the guinea which Wilder had +showed over his shoulder, without appearing to deem it at all necessary to +face his recruit. + +"It's no sham!" said the latter, stopping to ring the metal on a stone. + +"'Tis gold, as pure as ever came from the Mint." + +The other very coolly pocketed the coin; and then, with a certain hardened +and decided way, as if he were now ready for any thing, he demanded,-- + +"What hen-roost am I to rob for this?" + +"You are to do no such pitiful act; you have only to perform a little of +that which, I fancy, you are no stranger to: Can you keep a false log?" + +"Ay; and swear to it, on occasion. I understand you. You are tired of +twisting the truth like a new laid rope, and you wish to turn the job over +to me." + +"Something so. You must unsay all you have said concerning yonder ship; +and, as you have had running enough to get on the weather-side of Mrs de +Lacey, you must improve your advantage, by making matters a little worse +than I have represented them to be. Tell me, that I may judge of your +qualifications, did you in truth, ever sail with the worthy Rear-Admiral?" + +"As I am an honest and religious Christian, I never heard of the honest +old man before yesterday. Oh! you may trust me in these matters! I am no +likely to spoil a history for want of facts." + +"I think you will do. Now listen to my plan."-- + +"Stop, worthy messmate," interrupted the other: "'Stones can hear,' they +say on shore: we sailors know that the pumps have ears on board a ship; +have you ever seen such a place as the 'Foul Anchor' tavern, in this +town?" + +"I have been there." + +"I hope you like it well enough to go again. Here we will part. You shall +haul on the wind, being the lightest sailer, and make a stretch or two +among these houses, until you are well to windward of yonder church. You +will then have plain sailing down upon hearty Joe Joram's, where is to be +found as snug an anchorage, for an honest trader, as at any inn in the +Colonies. I will keep away down this hill, and, considering the difference +in our rate of sailing, we shall not be long after one another in port." + +"And what is to be gained by so much manoeuvring? Can you listen to +nothing which is not steeped in rum?" + +"You offend me by the word. You shall see what it is to send a sober +messenger on your errands, when the time comes. But, suppose we are seen +speaking to each other on the highway--why, as you are in such low repute +just now, I shall lose my character with the ladies altogether." + +"There may be reason in that. Hasten, then to meet me; for, as they spoke +of embarking soon, there is not a minute to lose." + +"No fear of their breaking ground so suddenly," returned the old man, +holding the palm of his hand above his head to catch the wind. "There is +not yet air enough to cool the burning cheeks of that young beauty; and, +depend on it, the signal will not be given to them until the sea breeze is +fairly come in." + +Wilder waved his hand, and stepped lightly along the road the other had +indicated to him, ruminating on the figure which the fresh and youthful +charms of Gertrude had extorted from one even as old and as coarse as his +new ally. His companion followed his person for a moment, with an amused +look, and an ironical cast of the eye; and then he also quickened his +pace, in order to reach the place of rendezvous in sufficient season. + + + + +Chapter X. + + + + "Forewarn him, that he use no scurrilous words." + + _Winter's Tale._ + + +As Wilder approached the "Foul Anchor," he beheld every symptom of some +powerful excitement existing within the bosom of the hitherto peaceful +town. More than half the women, and perhaps one fourth of all the men, +within a reasonable proximity to that well known inn, were assembled +before its door, listening to one of the former sex, who declaimed in +tones so shrill and penetrating as not to leave the proprietors of the +curious and attentive countenances, in the outer circle of the crowd, the +smallest rational ground of complaint on the score of impartiality. Our +adventurer hesitated, with the sudden consciousness of one but newly +embarked in such enterprises as that in which he had so recently enlisted, +when he first saw these signs of commotion; nor did he determine to +proceed until he caught a glimpse of his aged confederate, elbowing his +way through the mass of bodies, with a perseverance and energy that +promised to bring him right speedily into the very presence of her who +uttered such loud and piercing plaints. Encouraged by this example, the +young man advanced, but was content to take his position, for a moment, in +a situation that left him entire command of his limbs and, consequently, +in a condition to make a timely retreat, should the latter measure prove +at all expedient. + +"I call on you, Earthly Potter, and you, Preserved Green, and you, +Faithful Wanton," cried Desire, as he came within hearing, pausing to +catch a morsel of breath, before she proceeded in her affecting appeal to +the neighbourhood; "and you too, Upright Crook, and you too, Relent Flint, +and you, Wealthy Poor, to be witnesses and testimonials in my behalf. You, +and all and each of you, can qualify if need should be, that I have ever +been a slaving and loving consort of this man who has deserted me in my +age, leaving so many of his own children on my hands, to feed and to rear, +besides"-- + +"What certainty is it," interrupted the landlord of the "Foul Anchor" most +inopportunely, "that the good-man has absconded? It was a merry day the +one that is just gone, and it is quite in reason to believe your husband +was, like some others I can name--a thing I shall not be so unwise as to +do--a little of what I call how-come-ye-so, and that his nap holds on +longer than common. I'll engage we shall all see the honest tailor +creeping out of some of the barns shortly, as fresh and as ready for his +bitters as if he had not wet his throat with cold water since the last +time of general rej'icing." + +A low but pretty general laugh followed this effort of tavern wit, though +it failed in exciting even a smile on the disturbed visage of Desire, +which, by its doleful outline, appeared to have taken leave of all its +risible properties for ever. + +"Not he, not he," exclaimed the disconsolate consort of the good-man; "he +has not the heart to get himself courageous, in loyal drinking, on such an +occasion as a merry-making on account of his Majesty's glory; he was a man +altogether for work; and it is chiefly for his hard labour that I have +reason to complain. After being so long used to rely on his toil, it is a +sore cross to a dependant woman to be thrown suddenly and altogether on +herself for support. But I'll be revenged on him, if there's law to be +found in Rhode Island, or in the Providence Plantations! Let him dare to +keep his pitiful image out of my sight the lawful time, and then, when he +returns, he shall find himself, as many a vagabond has been before him, +without wife, as he will be without house to lay his graceless head +in."[1] Then, catching a glimpse of the inquiring face of the old seaman, +who by this time had worked his way to her very side, she abruptly added, +"Here is a stranger in the place, and one who has lately arrived! Did you +meet a straggling runaway, friend, in your journey hither?" + + [Footnote 1: It would seem, from this declaration, that certain legal + antiquarians, who have contended that the community is indebted to + Desire for the unceremonious manner of clipping the nuptial knot, which + is so well known to exist, even to this hour, in the community of which + she was a member, are entirely in the wrong. It evidently did not take + its rise in her example, since she clearly alludes to it, as a means + before resorted to by me injured innocents of her own sex.] + +"I had too much trouble in navigating my old hulk on dry land, to log the +name and rate of every craft I fell in with," returned the other, with +infinite composure; "and yet, now you speak of such a thing, I do remember +to have come within hail of a poor fellow, just about the beginning of the +morning-watch somewhere hereaway, up in the bushes between this town and +the bit of a ferry that carries one on to the main." + +"What sort of a man was he?" demanded five or six anxious voices, in a +breath; among which the tones of Desire, however, maintained their +supremacy rising above those of all the others, like the strains of a +first-rate artist flourishing a quaver above the more modest thrills of +the rest of the troupe. + +"What sort of a man! Why a fellow with his arms rigged athwart ship, and +his legs stepped like those of all other Christians, to be sure: but, now +you speak of it, I remember that he had a bit of a sheep-shank in one of +his legs, and rolled a good deal as he went ahead." + +"It was he!" added the same chorus of voices. Five or six of the speakers +instantly stole slyly out of the throng, with the commendable intention of +hurrying after the delinquent, in order to secure the payment of certain +small balances of account, in which the unhappy and much traduced good-man +stood indebted to the several parties. Had we leisure to record the manner +in which these praiseworthy efforts, to save an honest penny, were +conducted the reader might find much subject of amusement in the secret +diligence with which each worthy tradesman endeavoured to outwit his +neighbour, on the occasion, as well as in the cunning subterfuges which +were adopted to veil their real designs, when all met at the ferry, +deceived and disappointed in their object As Desire, however, had neither +legal demand on, nor hope of favour from, her truant husband, she was +content to pursue, on the spot, such further inquiries in behalf of the +fugitive as she saw fit to make. It is possible the pleasures of freedom, +in the shape of the contemplated divorce, were already floating before her +active mind, with the soothing perspective of second nuptials, backed by +the influence of such another picture as might be drawn from the +recollections of her first love; the whole having a manifest tendency to +pacify her awakened spirit, and to give a certain portion of directness +and energy to her subsequent interrogatories. + +"Had he a thieving look?" she demanded, without attending to the manner in +which she was so suddenly deserted by all those who had just expressed the +strongest sympathy in her loss. "Was he a man that had the air of a +sneaking runaway?" + +"As for his head-piece, I will not engage to give very true account," +returned the old mariner though he had the look of one who had been kept a +good deal of his time, in the lee scuppers. If should give an opinion, the +poor devil has had too much"-- + +"Idle time, you would say; yes, yes; it has been his misfortune to be out +of work a good deal latterly and wickedness has got into his head, for +want of something better to think of. Too much"-- + +"Wife," interrupted the old man, emphatically. Another general, and far +less equivocal laugh, at the expense of Desire, succeeded this blunt +declaration Nothing intimidated by such a manifest assent to the opinion +of the hardy seaman, the undaunted virago resumed,-- + +"Ah! you little know the suffering and forbearance I have endured with the +man in so many long years. Had the fellow you met the look of one who had +left an injured woman behind him?" + +"I can't say there was any thing about him which said, in so many words, +that the woman he had left at her moorings was more or less injured;" +returned the tar, with commendable discrimination, "but there was enough +about him to show, that, however and wherever he may have stowed his wife, +if wife she was, he had not seen fit to leave all her outfit at home. The +man had plenty of female toggery around his neck; I suppose he found it +more agreeable than her arms." + +"What!" exclaimed Desire, looking aghast; "has he dared to rob me! What +had he of mine? not the gold beads!" + +"I'll not swear they were no sham." + +"The villain!" continued the enraged termagant, catching her breath like a +person that had just been submerged in water longer than is agreeable to +human nature, and forcing her way through the crowd, with such vigour as +soon to be in a situation to fly to her secret hordes, in order to +ascertain the extent of her misfortune; "the sacrilegious villain! to rob +the wife of his bosom, the mother of his own children, and"-- + +"Well, well," again interrupted the landlord of the 'Foul Anchor,' with +his unseasonable voice, "I never before heard the good-man suspected of +roguery, though the neighbourhood was ever backward in calling him +chicken-hearted." + +The old seaman looked the publican full in the face, with much meaning in +his eye, as he answered,-- + +"If the honest tailor never robbed any but that virago, there would be no +great thieving sin to be laid to his account; for every bead he had about +him wouldn't serve to pay his ferryage. I could carry all the gold on his +neck in my eye, and see none the worse for its company. But it is a shame +to stop the entrance into a licensed tavern, with such a mob, as if it +were an embargoed port; and so I nave sent the woman after her valuables, +and all the idlers, as you see, in her wake." + +Joe Joram gazed on the speaker like a man enthralled by some mysterious +charm; neither answering nor altering the direction of his eye, for near a +minute. Then, suddenly breaking out in a deep and powerful laugh, as if he +were not backward in enjoying the artifice, which certainly had produced +the effect of removing the crowd from his own door to that of the absent +tailor, he flourished his arm in the way of greeting, and +exclaimed,--"Welcome, tarry Bob; welcome, old boy, welcome! From what +cloud have you fallen? and before what wind have you been running, that +Newport is again your harbour?" + +"Too many questions to be answered in an open roadstead, friend Joram; and +altogether too dry a subject for a husky conversation. When I am birthed +in one of your inner cabins, with a mug of flip and a kid of good Rhode +Island beef within grappling distance, why, as many questions as you +choose, and as many answers, you know, as suits my appetite." + +"And who's to pay the piper, honest Bob? whose ship's purser will pay your +check now?" continued the publican, showing the old sailor in, however, +with a readiness that seemed to contradict the doubt, expressed by his +words, of any reward for such extraordinary civility. + +"Who?" interrupted the other, displaying the money so lately received from +Wilder, in such a manner that it might be seen by the few by-standers who +remained, as though he would himself furnish a sufficient apology for the +distinguished manner in which he was received; "who but this gentleman? I +can boast of being backed by the countenance of his Sacred Majesty +himself, God bless him!" + +"God bless him!" echoed several of the loyal lieges; and that too in a +place which has since heard such very different cries, and where the +words would now excite nearly as much surprise, though far less alarm, +than an earthquake. + +"God bless him!" repeated Joram, opening the door of an inner room, and +pointing the way to his customer, "and all that are favored with his +countenance! Walk in, old Bob, and you shall soon grapple with half an +ox." + +Wilder, who had approached the outer door of the tavern as the mob +receded, witnessed the retreat of the two worthies into the recesses of +the house, and immediately entered the bar-room himself. While +deliberating on the manner in which he should arrive at a communication +with his new confederate, without attracting too much attention to so odd +an association, the landlord returned in person to relieve him. After +casting a hasty glance around the apartment, his look settled on our +adventurer, whom he approached in a manner half-doubting, half-decided. + +"What success, sir, in looking for a ship?" he demanded now recognizing, +for the first time, the stranger with whom he had before held converse +that morning. "More hands than places to employ them?" + +"I am not sure it will so prove. In my walk on the hill, I met an old +seaman, who"-- + +"Hum!" interrupted the publican, with an intelligible though stolen, sign +to follow. "You will find it more convenient, sir, to take your breakfast +in another room." Wilder followed his conductor, who left the public +apartment by a different door from that by which he had led his other +guest into the interior of the house, wondering at the air of mystery that +the innkeeper saw fit to assume on the occasion. After leading him by a +circuitous passage. The latter showed Wilder, in profound silence, up a +private stair-way, into the very attic of the building. Here he rapped +lightly at a door, and was bid to enter, by a voice that caused our +adventurer to start by its deepness and severity. On finding him self, +however, in a low and confined room, he saw no other occupant than the +seaman who had just been greeted by the publican as an old acquaintance +and by a name to which he might, by his attire, well lay claim to be +entitled--that of tarry Bob. While Wilder was staring about him, a good +deal surprised at the situation in which he was placed, the landlord +retired, and he found himself alone with his confederate. The latter was +already engaged in discussing the fragment of the ox, just mentioned, and +in quaffing of some liquid that seemed equally adapted to his taste, +although sufficient time had not certainly been allowed to prepare the +beverage he had seen fit to order. Without allowing his visiter leisure +for much further reflection, the old mariner made a motion to him to take +the only vacant chair in the room, while he continued his employment on +the surloin with as much assiduity as though no interruption had taken +place. + +"Honest Joe Joram always makes a friend of his butcher," he said, after +ending a draught that threatened to drain the mug to the bottom. "There is +such a flavour about his beef, that one might mistake it for the fin of a +halibut. You have been in foreign parts, shipmate, or I may call you +'messmate,' since we are both anchored nigh the same kid--but you have +doubtless been in foreign countries?" + +"Often; I should else be but a miserable seaman." + +"Then, tell me frankly, have you ever been in the kingdom that can furnish +such rations--fish, flesh, fowl, and fruits--as this very noble land of +America, in which we are now both moored? and in which I suppose we both +of us were born?" + +"It would be carrying the love of home a little too far, to believe in +such universal superiority," returned Wilder, willing to divert the +conversation from his real object, until he had time to arrange his ideas, +and assure himself he had no other auditor but his visible companion. "It +is generally admitted that England excels us in all these articles." + +"By whom? by your know-nothings and bold talkers. But I, a man who has +seen the four quarters of the earth, and no small part of the water +besides, give the lie to such empty boasters. We are colonies, friend, we +are colonies; and it is as bold in a colony to tell the mother that it has +the advantage, in this or that particular, as it would be in a foremast +Jack to tell his officer he was wrong, though he knew it to be true. I am +but a poor man, Mr--By what name may I call your Honour?" + +"Me! my name?--Harris." + +"I am but a poor man, Mr Harris; but I have had charge of a watch in my +time, old and rusty as I seem, nor have I spent so many long nights on +deck without keeping thoughts at work, though I may not have overhaul'd as +much philosophy, in so doing, as a paid parish priest, or a fee'd lawyer. +Let me tell you, it is a disheartening thing to be nothing but a dweller +in a colony. It keeps down the pride and spirit of a man, and lends a hand +in making him what his masters would be glad to have him. I shall say +nothing of fruits, and meats, and other eatables, that come from the land +of which both you and I have heard and know too much, unless it be to +point to yonder sun, and then to ask the question, whether you think King +George has the power to make it shine on the bit of an island where he +lives, as it shines here in his broad provinces of America?" + +"Certainly not: and yet you know that every one allows that the +productions of England are so much superior"-- + +"Ay, ay; a colony always sails under the lee of its mother. Talk does it +all, friend Harris. Talk, talk, talk; a man can talk himself into a fever, +or set a ship's company by the ears. He can talk a cherry into a peach, or +a flounder into a whale. Now here is the whole of this long coast of +America, and all her rivers, and lakes, and brooks, swarming with such +treasures as any man might fatten on, and yet his Majesty's servants, who +come among us, talk of their turbots, and their sole, and their carp, as +if the Lord had only made such fish, and the devil had let the others slip +through his fingers, without asking leave." + +Wilder turned, and fastened a look of surprise on the old man, who +continued to eat, however, as if he had uttered nothing but what might be +considered as a matter of course opinion. + +"You are more attached to your birth-place than loyal, friend," said the +young mariner, a little austerely. + +"I am not fish-loyal at least. What the Lord made, one may speak of, I +hope, without offence. As to the Government, that is a rope twisted by the +hands of man, and"-- + +"And what?" demanded Wilder, perceiving that the other hesitated. + +"Hum! Why, I fancy man will undo his own work, when he can find nothing +better to busy himself in. No harm in saying that either, I hope?" + +"So much, that I must call your attention to the business that has brought +us together. You have not go soon forgotten the earnest-money you +received?" + +The old sailor shoved the dish from before him, and, folding his arms, he +looked his companion full in the eye, as he calmly answered,-- + +"When I am fairly enlisted in a service, I am a man to be counted on. I +hope you sail under the same colors, friend Harris?" + +"It would be dishonest to be otherwise. There is one thing you will +excuse, before I proceed to detail my plans and wishes: I must take +occasion to examine this closet, in order to be sure that we are actually +alone." + +"You will find little there except the toggery of some of honest Joe's +female gender. As the door is not fastened with any extraordinary care, +you have only to look for yourself, since seeing is believing." + +Wilder did not seem disposed to wait for this permission; he opened the +door, even while the other was speaking, and, finding that the closet +actually contained little else than the articles named by his companion, +he turned away, like a man who was disappointed. + +"Were you alone when I entered?" he demanded, after a thoughtful pause of +a moment. + +"Honest Joram, and yourself." + +"But no one else?" + +"None that I saw," returned the other, with a manner that betrayed a +slight uneasiness; "if you think otherwise, let us overhaul the room. +Should my hand fall on a listener, the salute will not be light." + +"Hold--answer me one question; who bade me enter?" + +Tarry Bob, who had arisen with a good deal of alacrity, now reflected in +his turn for an instant, and then he closed his musing, by indulging in a +low laugh. + +"Ah! I see that you have got your ideas a little jammed. A man cannot talk +the same, with a small portion of ox in his mouth, as though his tongue +had as much sea-room as a ship four-and-twenty hours out." + +"Then, you spoke?" + +"I'll swear to that much," returned Bob, resuming his seat like one who +had settled the whole affair to his entire satisfaction; "and now, friend +Harris, if you are ready to lay bare your mind, I'm just as ready to look +at it." + +Wilder did not appear to be quite as well content with the explanation as +his companion, but he drew a chair, and prepared to open his subject. + +"I am not to tell you, friend, after what you have heard and seen, that I +have no very strong desire that the lady with whom we have both spoken +this morning, and her companion, should, sail in the 'Royal Caroline.' I +suppose it is enough for our purposes that you should know the fact; the +reason why I prefer they should remain where they are, can be of no moment +as to the duty you are to undertake." + +"You need not tell an old seaman how to gather in the slack of a running +idea!" cried Bob, chuckling and winking at his companion in a way that +displeased the latter by its familiarity; "I have not lived fifty years on +blue water, to mistake it for the skies." + +"You then fancy, sir, that my motive is no secret to you?" + +"It needs no spy-glass to see, that, while the old people say, 'Go,' the +young people would like to stay where they are." + +"You do both of the young people much injustice then; for, until +yesterday, I never laid eyes on the person you mean." + +"Ah! I see how it is; the owners of the 'Caroline' have not been so civil +as they ought, and you are paying them a small debt of thanks!" + +"That is possibly a means of retaliation that might suit your taste," said +Wilder, gravely; "but which is not much in accordance with mine. The whole +of the parties are utter strangers to me." + +"Hum! Then I suppose you belong to the vessel in the outer harbour; and, +though you don't hate your enemies, you love your friends. We must +contrive the means to coax the ladies to take passage in the slaver." + +"God forbid!" + +"God forbid! Now I think, friend Harris, you set up the backstays of your +conscience a little too taught. Though I cannot, and do not, agree with +you in all you have said concerning the 'Royal Caroline,' I see no reason +to doubt but we shall have but one mind about the other vessel. I call her +a wholesome looking and well proportioned craft, and one that a King might +sail in with comfort." + +"I deny it not; still I like her not." + +"Well, I am glad of that; and, since the matter is fairly before us, +master Harris, I have a word or two to say concerning that very ship. I am +an old sea-dog, and one not easily blinded in matters of the trade. Do you +not find something, that is not in character for an honest trader, in the +manner in which they have laid that vessel at her anchors, without the +fort, and the sleepy look she bears, at the same time that any one may see +she is not built to catch oysters, or to carry cattle to the islands?" + +"As you have said, I think her a wholesome and a tight-built ship. Of what +evil practice, however, do you suspect her?--perhaps she robs the +revenue?" + +"Hum! I am not sure it would be pleasant to smuggle in such a vessel, +though your contraband is a merry trade, after all. She has a pretty +battery, as well as one can see from this distance." + +"I dare say her owners are not tired of her yet and would gladly keep her +from falling into the hands of the French." + +"Well, well, I may be wrong; but, unless sight is going with my years, all +is not as it would be on board that slaver, provided her papers were true, +and she had the lawful name to her letters of marque. What think you, +honest Joe, in this matter?" + +Wilder turned, impatiently, and found that the landlord had entered the +room, with a step so as to have escaped his attention, which had been +drawn to his companion with a force that the reader will readily +comprehend. The air of surprise, with which Joram regarded the speaker, +was certainly not affected; for the question was repeated, and in still +more definite terms, before he saw fit to reply. + +"I ask you, honest Joe, if you think the slaver, in the outer harbour of +this port, a true man?" + +"You come across one, Bob, in your bold way, with such startling +questions," returned the publican, casting his eyes obliquely around him, +as if he would fain make sure of the character of the audience to which he +spoke, "such stirring opinions, that really I am often non-plushed to know +how to get the ideas together, to make a saving answer." + +"It is droll enough, truly, to see the landlord of the 'Foul Anchor' +dumb-foundered," returned the old man, with perfect composure in mien and +eye. "I ask you, if you do not suspect something wrong about that slaver?" + +"Wrong! Good heavens, mister Robert, recollect what you are saying. I +would not, for the custom of his Majesty's Lord High Admiral, have any +discouraging words be uttered in my house against the reputation of any +virtuous and fair-dealing slavers! The Lord protect me from blacking the +character of any honest subject of the King!" + +"Do you see nothing wrong, worthy and tender Joram, about the ship in the +outer harbour?" repeated mister Robert, without moving eye, limb, or +muscle. + +"Well, since you press me so hard for an opinion and seeing that you are a +customer who pays freely for what he orders, I will say, that, if there is +any thing unreasonable, or even illegal, in the deportment of the +gentlemen"-- + +"You sail so nigh the wind, friend Joram," coolly interrupted the old +man, "as to keep every thing shaking. Just bethink you of a plain answer: +Have you seen any thing wrong about the slaver?" + +"Nothing, on my conscience, then," said the publican, puffing not unlike a +cetaceous fish that had come to the surface to breathe; "as I am an +unworthy sinner, sitting under the preaching of good and faithful Dr +Dogma, nothing--nothing" + +"No! Then are you a duller man than I had rated you at! Do you _suspect_ +nothing?" + +"Heaven protect me from suspicions! The devil besets all our minds with +doubts; but weak, and evil inclined, is he who submits to them. The +officers and crew of that ship are free drinkers, and as generous as +princes: Moreover, as they never forget to clear the score before they +leave the house, I call them--honest!" + +"And I call them--pirates!" + +"Pirates!" echoed Joram, fastening his eye, with marked distrust, on the +countenance of the attentive Wilder. "'Pirate' is a harsh word, mister +Robert, and should not be thrown in any gentleman's face without testimony +enough to clear one in an action of defamation, should such a thing get +fairly before twelve sworn and conscientious men. But I suppose you know +what you say, and before whom you say it." + +"I do; and now, as it seems that your opinion in this matter amounts to +just nothing at all, you will please" + +"To do any thing you order," cried Joram, very evidently delighted to +change the subject. + +"To go and ask the customers below if they are dry," continued the other, +beckoning for the publican to retire by the way he entered, with the air +of one who felt certain of being obeyed. As soon as the door was closed on +the retiring landlord, he turned to his remaining companion, and +continued, "You seem as much struck aback as unbelieving Joe himself, at +what you have just heard." + +"It is a harsh suspicion, and should be well supported, old man, before +you venture to repeat it. What pirate has lately been heard of on this +coast?" + +"There is the well-known Red Rover," returned the other, dropping his +voice, and casting a furtive look around him, as if even he thought +extraordinary caution was necessary in uttering the formidable name. + +'But he is said to keep chiefly in the Caribbean Sea." + +"He is a man to be any where, and every where. The King would pay him well +who put the rogue into the hands of the law." + +"A thing easier planned than executed," Wilder thoughtfully answered. + +"That is as it may be. I am an old fellow, and fitter to point out the way +than to go ahead. But you are like a newly fitted ship, with all your +rigging tight, and your spars without a warp in them. What say you to make +your fortune by selling the knaves to the King? It is only giving the +devil his own a few months sooner or later." + +Wilder started, and turned away from his companion like one who was little +pleased by the manner in which he expressed himself. Perceiving the +necessity of a reply, however, he demanded,-- + +"And what reason have you for believing your suspicions true? or what +means have you for effecting your object, if true, in the absence of the +royal cruisers?" + +"I cannot swear that I am right; but, if sailing on the wrong tack, we can +only go about, when we find out the mistake. As to means, I confess they +are easier named than mustered." + +"Go, go; this is idle talk; a mere whim of your old brain," said Wilder, +coldly; "and the less said the soonest mended. All this time we are +forgetting our proper business. I am half inclined to think, mister +Robert, you are holding out false lights, in order to get rid of the duty +for which you are already half paid." + +There was a look of satisfaction in the countenance of the old tar, while +Wilder was speaking, that might have struck his companion, had not the +young man risen, while speaking, to pace the narrow room, with a +thoughtful and hurried step. + +"Well, well," the former rejoined, endeavouring to disguise his evident +contentment, in his customary selfish, but shrewd expression, "I am an old +dreamer, and often have I thought myself swimming in the sea when I have +been safe moored on dry land! I believe there must soon be a reckoning +with the devil, in order that each may take his share of my poor carcass, +and I be left the Captain of my own ship. Now for your Honour's orders." + +Wilder returned to his seat, and disposed himself to give the necessary +instructions to his confederate, in order that he might counteract all he +had already said in favour of the outward-bound vessel. + + + + +Chapter XI. + + + + ----"The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient;--three thousand, + ducats;--I think I may take his bond."--_Merchant of Venice._ + + +As the day advanced, the appearances of a fresh sea breeze setting in +gradually grew stronger; and, with the increase of the wind, were to be +seen all the symptoms of an intention to leave the harbour on the part of +the Bristol trader. The sailing of a large ship was an event of much more +importance in an American port, sixty years ago, than at the present +hour, when a score is frequently seen to arrive and depart from one haven +in a single day. Although claiming to be inhabitants of one of the +principal towns of the colony, the good people of Newport did not witness +the movements on board the "Caroline" with that species of indolent regard +which is the fruit of satiety in sights as well as in graver things, and +with which, in the course of time, the evolutions of even a fleet come to +be contemplated On the contrary, the wharves were crowded with boys, and +indeed with idlers of every growth. Even many of the more considerate and +industrious of the citizens were seen loosening the close grasp they +usually kept on the precious minutes, and allowing them to escape +uncounted, though not entirely unheeded, as they yielded to the ascendency +of curiosity over interest, and strayed from their shops, and their +work-yards, to gaze upon the noble spectacle of a moving ship. + +The tardy manner in which the crew of the "Caroline" made their +preparations, however, exhausted the patience of more than one time-saving +citizen. Quite as many of the better sort of the spectators had left the +wharves as still remained, and yet the vessel spread to the breeze but the +solitary sheet of canvas which has been already named. Instead of +answering the wishes of hundreds of weary eyes, the noble ship was seen +sheering about her anchor, inclining from the passing wind, as her bows +were alternately turned to the right and to the left, like a restless +courser restrained by the grasp of the groom, chafing his bit, and with +difficulty keeping those limbs upon the earth with which he is shortly to +bound around the ring. After more than an hour of unaccountable delay, a +rumour was spread among the crowd that an accident had occurred, by which +some important individual, belonging to the complement of the vessel, was +severely injured. But this rumour passed away also, and was nearly +forgotten, when a sheet of flame was seen issuing from a bow-port of the +"Caroline," driving before it a cloud of curling and mounting smoke, and +which was succeeded by the instant roar of a discharge of artillery. A +bustle, like that which usually precedes the immediate announcement of any +long attended event, took place among the weary expectants on the land, +and every one now felt certain, that, what ever might have occurred, it +was settled that the ship should proceed. + +Of all this delay, the several movements on board, the subsequent signal +of sailing, and of the impatience in the crowd, Wilder had been a grave +and close observer. Posted with his back against the upright fluke of a +condemned anchor, on a wharf a little apart from that occupied by most of +the other spectators, he had remained an hour in the same position +scarcely bending his look to his right hand or to his left. When the gun +was fired he started, not with the nervous impulse which had made a +hundred others do precisely the same thing, but to turn an anxious and +rapid glance along the streets that came within the range of his eye. From +this hasty and uneasy examination, he soon returned into his former +reclining posture, though the wandering of his glances and the whole +expression of his meaning countenance would have told an observer that +some event, to which the young manner looked forward with excessive +interest, was on the eve of its consummation As minute after minute, +however, rolled by, his composure was gradually restored, and a smile of +satisfaction lighted his features, while his lips moved like those of a +man who expressed his pleasure in a soliloquy. It was in the midst of +these agreeable meditations, that the sound of many voices met his ears; +and, turning, he saw a large party within a few yards of where he stood. +He was not slow to detect among them the forms of Mrs Wyllys and +Gertrude, attired in such a manner as to leave no doubt that they were at +length on the eve of embarking. + +A cloud, driving before the sun, does not produce a greater change in the +aspect of the earth, than was wrought in the expression of Wilder's +countenance by this unexpected sight. He was just implicitly relying on +the success of an artifice, which though sufficiently shallow, he +flattered himself was deep enough to act on the timidity and credulity of +woman; and, now, was he suddenly awoke from his self-gratulation, to prove +the utter disappointment of his hopes. Muttering a suppressed but deep +execration against the perfidy of his confederate, he shrunk as much as +possible behind the fluke of the anchor, and fastened his eyes sullenly on +the ship. + +The party which accompanied the travellers to the water side was, like all +other parties made to take leave of valued friends, taciturn and restless. +Those who spoke, did so with a rapid and impatient utterance, as though +they wished to hurry the very separation they regretted; and the features +of those who said nothing looked full of meaning. Wilder heard several +affectionate and warm-hearted wishes given, and promises extorted, from +youthful voices, all of which were answered in the soft and mournful tones +of Gertrude, and yet he obstinately refused to bend even a stolen look in +the direction of the speakers. + +At length, a footstep, within a few feet of him, induced a hasty glance +aside. His eye met that of Mrs Wyllys. The lady started, as well as our +young mariner, at the sudden recognition; but, recovering her +self-possession, she observed, with admirable coolness,-- + +"You perceive, sir, that we are not to be deterred from an enterprise +once undertaken, by ordinary dangers." + +"I hope you may not have reason, Madam, to repent your courage." + +A short, but painfully thoughtful pause succeeded, on the part of Mrs +Wyllys. Casting a look behind her, in order to ascertain that she was not +overheard, she drew a step nigher to the youth, and said, in a voice even +lower than before,-- + +"It is not yet too late: Give me but the shadow of a reason for what you +have said, and I will wait for another ship. My feelings are foolishly +inclined to believe you, young man, though my judgment tells me there is +but too much probability that you trifle with our womanish fears." + +"Trifle! On such a matter I would trifle with none of your sex; and least +of all with you!" + +"This is extraordinary! For a stranger it is inexplicable Have you a fact, +or a reason, which I can plead to the friends of my young charge?" + +"You know them already." + +"Then, sir, am I compelled, against my will, to believe your motive is one +that you have some powerful considerations for wishing to conceal," coolly +returned the disappointed and even mortified governess "For your own sake, +I hope it is not unworthy I thank you for all that is well intended; if +you have spoken aught which is otherwise, I forgive it." + +They parted, with the restraint of people who feel that distrust exists +between them. Wilder again shrunk behind his cover, maintaining a proud +position and a countenance that was grave to austerity. His situation, +however, compelled him to become an auditor of most of what was now said. + +The principal speaker, as was meet on such an occasion was Mrs de Lacey, +whose voice was often raised in sage admonitions and professional opinions +blended in a manner that all would admire, though none of her sex, but +they who had enjoyed the singular good fortune of sharing in the intimate +confidence of a flag-officer, might ever hope to imitate. + +"And now, my dearest niece," concluded the relict of the Rear-Admiral, +after exhausting her breath, and her store of wisdom, in numberless +exhortations to be careful of her health, to write often to repeat the +actual words of her private message to her brother the General, to keep +below in gales of wind, to be particular in the account of any +extraordinary sight she might have the good fortune to behold in the +passage, and, in short, in all other matters likely to grow out of such a +leave-taking "and now, my dearest niece, I commit you to the mighty deep, +and One far mightier--to Him who made it. Banish from your thoughts all +recollections of any thing you may have heard concerning the imperfections +of the 'Royal Caroline;' for the opinion of the aged seaman, who sailed +with the lamented Admiral, assures me they are all founded in mistake." +["The treacherous villain!" muttered Wilder.] "Who spoke?" said Mrs de +Lacey; but, receiving no reply, she continued; "His opinion is also +exactly in accordance with my own, on more mature reflection. To be sure, +it is a culpable neglect to depend on bobstays and gammonings for the +security of the bowsprit, but still even this is an oversight which, as my +old friend has just told me, may be remedied by 'preventers and lashings.' +I have written a note to the Master,--Gertrude, my dear, be careful ever +to call the Master of the ship _Mister_ Nichols; for none, but such as +bear his Majesty's commission, are entitled to be termed _Captains;_ it is +an honourable station, and should always be treated with reverence, it +being, in fact, next in rank to a flag-officer,--I have written a note to +the Master on the subject, and he will see the neglect repaired and so, my +love, God bless you; take the best possible care of yourself; write me by +even opportunity; remember my kindest love to your father and be very +minute in your description of the whales." + +The eyes of the worthy and kind-hearted widow were filled with tears as +she ended; and there was a touch of nature, in the tremour of her voice, +that produced a sympathetic feeling in all who heard her words. The final +parting took place under the impression of these kind emotions; and, +before another minute, the oars of the boat, which bore the travellers to +the ship, were heard in the water. + +Wilder listened to the well-known sounds with a feverish interest, that he +possibly might have found it difficult to explain even to himself. A light +touch on the elbow first drew his attention from the disagreeable subject. +Surprised at the circumstance, he faced the intruder, who appeared to be a +lad of apparently some fifteen years. A second look was necessary to tell +the abstracted young mariner that he again saw the attendant of the Rover; +he who has already been introduced in our pages under the name of +Roderick. + +"Your pleasure?" he demanded, when his amazement at being thus interrupted +in his meditations, had a little subsided. + +"I am directed to put these orders into your own hands," was the answer. + +"Orders!" repeated the young man, with a curling lip. "The authority +should be respected which issues its mandates through such a messenger." + +"The authority is one that it has ever proved dangerous to disobey," +gravely returned the boy. + +"Indeed! Then will I look into the contents with out delay, lest I fall +into some fatal negligence. Are you bid to wait an answer?" + +On raising his eyes from the note the other had given him, after breaking +its seal, the young man found that the messenger had already vanished. +Perceiving how useless it would be to pursue so light a form, amid the +mazes of lumber that loaded the wharf, and most of the adjacent shore, he +opened the letter and read as follows:-- + + "An accident has disabled the Master of the outward-bound ship called + the 'Royal Caroline!' Her consignee is reluctant to intrust her to the + officer next in rank; but sail she must. I find she has credit for her + speed. If you have any credentials of _character_ and _competency_, + profit by the occasion, and earn the station you are finally destined to + fill. You have been named to some who are interested, and you have been + sought diligently. If this reach you in season, be on the alert, and be + decided. Show no surprise at any co-operation you may unexpectedly meet. + My agents are more numerous than you had believed. The reason is + obvious; gold is yellow, though I am + + "RED." + +The signature, the matter, and the style of this letter, left Wilder in no +doubt as to its author. Casting a glance around him, he sprang into a +skiff; and, before the boat of the travellers had reached the ship, that +of Wilder had skimmed the water over half the distance between her and the +land. As he plied his skulls with vigorous and skilful arms, he soon stood +upon her decks. Forcing his way among the crowd of attendants from the +shore, that are apt to cumber a departing ship, he reached the part of the +vessel where a circle of busy and anxious faces told him he should find +those most concerned in her fate. Until now, he had hardly breathed +clearly, much less reflected on the character of his sudden enterprise. It +was too late, however, to retreat, had he been so disposed, or to abandon +his purpose, without incurring the hazard of exciting dangerous +suspicions A single instant served to recal his thoughts, ere he +demanded,-- + +"Do I see the owner of the 'Caroline?'" + +"The ship is consigned to our house," returned a sedate, deliberate, and +shrewd-looking individual, in the attire of a wealthy, but also of a +thrifty, trader. + +"I have heard that you have need of an experienced officer." + +"Experienced officers are comfortable things to an owner in a vessel of +value," returned the merchant. "I hope the 'Caroline' is not without her +portion." + +"But I had heard, one to supply her Commander's place, for a time, was +greatly needed?" + +"If her Commander were incapable of doing his duty, such a thing might +certainly come to pass. Are you seeking a birth?" + +"I have come to apply for the vacancy." + +"It would have been wiser, had you first ascertained there existed a +vacancy to fill. But you have not come to ask authority, in such a ship as +this, without sufficient testimony of your ability and fitness?" + +"I hope these documents may prove satisfactory," said Wilder, placing in +his hands a couple of unsealed letters. + +During the time the other was reading the certificates for such they +proved to be, his shrewd eye was looking over his spectacles at the +subject of their contents, and returning to the paper, in alternate +glances, in such a way as to render it very evident that he was +endeavouring to assure himself of the fidelity of the words he read, by +actual observation. + +"Hum! This is certainly very excellent testimony in your favour, young +gentleman; and--coming, as it does, from two so respectable and affluent +houses as Spriggs, Boggs and Tweed, and Hammer and Hacket--entitled to +great credit. A richer and broader bottomed firm than the former, is not +to be found in all his Majesty's colonies; and I have great respect for +the latter, though envious people do say that they over-trade a little." + +"Since, then, you esteem them so highly, I shall not be considered hasty +in presuming on their friendship." + +"Not at all, not at all, Mr a--a"--glancing his eye again into one of the +letters; "ay--Mr Wilder; there is never any presumption in a fair offer, +in a matter of business. Without offers to sell and offers to buy, our +property would never change hands, sir, ha! ha! ha! never change to a +profit, you know, young gentleman." + +"I am aware of the truth of what you say, and therefore I beg leave to +repeat my offer." + +"All perfectly fair and perfectly reasonable. But you cannot expect us, Mr +Wilder, to make a vacancy expressly for you to fill, though it must be +admitted that your papers are excellent--as good as the note of Spriggs, +Boggs and Tweed themselves--not to make a vacancy expressly" + +"I had supposed the Master of the ship so seriously injured"-- + +"Injured, but not seriously," interrupted the wary consignee, glancing his +eye around at sundry shippers, and one or two spectators, who were within +ear-shot; "injured certainly, but not so much as to quit the vessel. No, +no, gentlemen; the good ship 'Royal Caroline' proceeds on her voyage, as +usual, under the care of that old and well-tried mariner, Nicholas +Nichols." + +"Then, sir, am I sorry to have intruded on your time at so busy a moment," +said Wilder, bowing with a disappointed air, and falling back a step, as +if about to withdraw. + +"Not so hasty--not so hasty; bargains are not to be concluded, young man, +as you let a sail fall from the yard. It is possible that your services +may be of use, though not perhaps in the responsible situation of Master. +At what rate do you value the title of 'Captain?'" + +"I care little for the name, provided the trust and the authority are +mine." + +"A very sensible youth!" muttered the discreet merchant; "and one who +knows how to distinguish between the shadow and the substance! A gentleman +of your good sense and character must know, however, that the reward is +always proportioned to the nominal dignity. If I were acting for myself, +in this business, the case would be materially changed, but, as an agent, +it is a duty to consult the interest of my principal." + +"The reward is of no account," said Wilder, with an eagerness that might +have over-reached itself, had not the individual with whom he was +bargaining fastened his thoughts on the means of cheapening the other's +services, with a steadiness from which they rarely swerved, when bent on +so commendable an object as saving: "I seek for service." + +"Then service you shall have; nor will you find us niggardly in the +operation. You cannot expect an advance, for a run of no more than a +month; nor any perquisites in the way of stowage, since the ship is now +full to her hatches; nor, indeed, any great price in the shape of wages, +since we take you chiefly to accommodate so worthy a youth, and to honour +the recommendations of so respectable a house as Spriggs, Boggs and Tweed; +but you will find us liberal, excessive liberal. Stay--how know we that +you are the person named in the invoi--I should say, recommendation?" + +"Does not the fact of possessing the letters establish my character?" + +"It might in peaceable times; when the realm was not scourged by war. A +description of the person should have accompanied the documents, like a +letter of advice with the bill. As we take you at some risk in this +matter, you are not to be surprised that the price will be affected by the +circumstance. We are liberal; I believe no house in the colonies pays more +liberally; but then we have a character for prudence to lose." + +"I have already said, sir, that the price shall not interrupt our +bargain." + +"Good: There is pleasure in transacting business on such liberal and +honourable views! And yet I wish a notarial seal, or a description of the +person, had accompanied the letters. This is the signature of Robert +Tweed; I know it well, and would be glad to see it at the bottom of a +promissory note for ten thousand pounds; that is, with a responsible +endorser; but the uncertainty is much against your pecuniary interest, +young man, since we become, as it were, underwriters that you are the +individual named." + +"In order that your mind may be at ease on the subject, Mr Bale," said a +voice from among the little circle that was listening, with characteristic +interest, to the progress of the bargain, "I can testify, or, should it be +necessary, qualify to the person of the gentleman." + +Wilder turned in some haste, and in no little astonishment, to discover +the acquaintance whom chance had thrown in so extraordinary, and possibly +in so disagreeable a manner, across his path; and that, too, in a portion +of the country where he wished to believe himself an entire stranger. To +his utter amazement, he found that the new speaker was no other than the +landlord of the "Foul Anchor."--Honest Joe stood with a perfectly composed +look, and with a face that might readily have been trusted to confront a +far more imposing tribunal, awaiting the result of his testimony on the +seemingly wavering mind of the consignee. + +"Ah! you have lodged the gentleman for a time and you can testify that he +is a punctual paymaster and a civil inmate. But I want documents fit to be +filed with the correspondence of the owners _at home_". + +"I know not what sort of testimony you think fit for such good company," +returned the unmoved publican holding up his hand with an air of admirable +innocence; "but, if the sworn declaration of a housekeeper is of the sort +you need, you are a magistrate and may begin to say over the words at +once." + +"Not I, not I, man. Though a magistrate, the oath is informal, and would +not be binding in law. But what do you know of the person in question?" + +"That he is as good a seaman, for his years, as any in the colonies. There +may be some of more practice and greater experience; I dare say such are +to be found; but as to activity, watchfulness, and prudence, it would be +hard to find his equal--especially for prudence." + +"You then are quite certain that this person is the individual named in +these papers?" + +Joram received the certificates with the same admirable coolness he had +maintained from the commencement and prepared to read them with the most +scrupulous care. In order to effect this necessary operation, he had to +put on his spectacles, (for the landlord of the "Foul Anchor" was in the +wane of life), and Wilder fancied that he stood, during the process, a +notable example of how respectable depravity may become, in appearance, +when supported by a reverend air. + +"This is all very true, Mr Bale," continued the publican, removing his +glasses, and returning the papers. "They have forgotten to say any thing +of the manner in which he saved the 'Lively Nancy,' off Hatteras, and how +he run the 'Peggy and Dolly' over the Savannah bar, without a pilot, +blowing great guns from the northward and eastward at the time; but I, who +followed the water, as you know, in my younger days, have often heard both +circumstances mentioned among sea-faring men, and I am a judge of the +difficulty. I have an interest in this ship, neighbour Bale, (for though a +rich man, and I a poor one, we are nevertheless neighbours)--I say I have +an interest in this ship; since she is a vessel that seldom quits Newport +without leaving something to jingle in my pocket, or I should not be here +to-day, to see her lift her anchor." + +As the publican concluded, he gave audible evidence that his visit had not +gone unrewarded, by raising a music that was no less agreeable to the ears +of the thrifty merchant than to his own. The two worthies laughed in an +understanding way, and like two men who had found a particular profit in +their intercourse with the "Royal Caroline." The latter then beckoned +Wilder apart, and, after a little further preliminary discourse, the terms +of the young mariner's engagement were finally settled. The true Master of +the ship was to remain on board, both as a security for the insurance, and +in order to preserve her reputation; but it was frankly admitted that his +hurt, which was no less than a broken leg, and which the surgeons were +then setting, would probably keep him below for a month to come. During +the time he was kept from his duty, his functions were to be filled, in +effect, by our adventurer. These arrangements occupied another hour of +time, and then the consignee left the vessel, perfectly satisfied with the +prudent and frugal manner in which he had discharged his duty towards his +principal. Before stepping into the boat, however, with a view to be +equally careful of his own interests, he took an opportunity to request +the publican to make a proper and legal affidavit of all that he knew, "of +his own knowledge," concerning the officer just engaged Honest Joram was +liberal of his promises; but, as he saw no motive, now that all was so +happily effected, for incurring useless risks, he contrived to evade their +fulfilment, finding, no doubt, his apology for this breach of faith in the +absolute poverty of his information, when the subject came to be duly +considered, and construed literally by the terms required. + +It is unnecessary to relate the bustle, the reparation of half-forgotten, +and consequently neglected business, the duns, good wishes, injunctions to +execute commissions in some distant port, and all the confused, and +seemingly interminable, duties that crowd themselves into the last ten +minutes that precede the sailing of a merchant vessel, more especially if +she is fortunate, or rather unfortunate enough to have passengers. A +certain class of men quit a vessel, in such a situation, with the +reluctance that they would part with any other well established means of +profit, creeping down her sides as lazily as the leech, filled to +repletion, rolls from his bloody repast. The common seaman, with an +attention divided by the orders of the pilot and the adieus of +acquaintances, runs in every direction but the right one, and, perhaps at +the only time in his life, seems ignorant of the uses of the ropes he has +so long been accustomed to handle. Notwithstanding all these vexatious +delays, and customary incumbrances, the "Royal Caroline" finally got rid +of all her visitors but one, and Wilder was enabled to indulge in a +pleasure that a seaman alone can appreciate--that clear decks and an +orderly ship's company. + + + + +Chapter XII. + + + + "Good: Speak to the mariners: Fall to't yarely, or we run ourselves + aground."--_Tempest._ + + +A good deal of the day had been wasted during the time occupied by the +scenes just related. The breeze had come in steady, but far from fresh. So +soon, however, as Wilder found himself left without the molestation of +idlers from the shore, and the busy interposition of the consignee, he +cast his eyes about him, with the intention of immediately submitting the +ship to its power. Sending for the pilot, he communicated his +determination, and withdrew himself to a part of the deck whence he might +take a proper survey of the materials of his new command, and where he +might reflect on the unexpected and extraordinary situation in which he +found himself. + +The "Royal Caroline" was not entirely without pretensions to the lofty +name she bore. She was a vessel of that happy size in which comfort and +convenience had been equally consulted. The letter of the Rover affirmed +she had a reputation for her speed; and her young and intelligent +Commander saw, with great inward satisfaction, that she was not destitute +of the means of enabling him to exhibit all her finest properties. A +healthy, active, and skilful crew, justly proportioned spars, little +top-hamper, and an excellent trim, with a superabundance of light sails, +offered all the advantages his experience could suggest. His eye lighted, +as it glanced rapidly over these several particulars of his command, and +his lips moved like those of a man who uttered an inward self-gratulation, +or who indulged in some vaunt, that propriety suggested should go no +farther than his own thoughts. + +By this time, the crew, under the orders of the pilot, were assembled at +the windlass, and had commenced heaving-in upon the cable. The labour was +of a nature to exhibit their individual powers, as well as their +collective force, to the greatest advantage. Their motion was +simultaneous, quick, and full of muscle. The cry was clear and cheerful. +As if to feel his influence, our adventurer lifted his own voice, amid the +song of the mariners, in one of those sudden and inspiriting calls with +which a sea officer is wont to encourage his people. His utterance was +deep, animated, and full of authority. The seamen started like mettled +coursers when they first hear the signal, each man casting a glance behind +him, as though he would scan the qualities of his new superior Wilder +smiled, like one satisfied with his success; and, turning to pace the +quarter-deck, he found himself once more confronted by the calm, +considerate but certainly astonished eye of Mrs Wyllys. + +"After the opinions you were pleased to express of this vessel," said the +lady, in a manner of the coldest irony, "I did not expect to find you +filling a place of such responsibility here." + +"You probably knew, Madam," returned the young mariner, "that a sad +accident had happened to her Master?" + +"I did; and I had heard that another officer had been found, temporarily, +to supply his place. Still, I should presume, that, on reflection, you +will not think it remarkable I am amazed in finding who this person is." + +"Perhaps, Madam, you may have conceived, from our conversations, an +unfavourable opinion of my professional skill. But I hope that on this +head you will place your mind at ease; for"---- + +"You are doubtless a master of the art! it would seem, at least, that no +trifling danger can deter you from seeking proper opportunities to display +this knowledge. Are we to have the pleasure of your company during the +whole passage, or do you leave us at the mouth of the port?" + +"I am engaged to conduct the ship to the end of her voyage." + +"We may then hope that the danger you either saw or imagined is lessened +in your judgment, otherwise you would not be so ready to encounter it in +our company." + +"You do me injustice, Madam," returned Wilder, with warmth, glancing his +eye unconsciously towards the grave, but deeply attentive Gertrude, as he +spoke; "there is no danger that I would not cheerfully encounter, to save +you, or this young lady, from harm." + +"Even this young lady must be sensible of your chivalry!" Then, losing the +constrained manner with which, until now, she had maintained the discourse +in one more natural, and one far more in consonance with her usually mild +and thoughtful mien, Mrs. Wyllys continued, "You have a powerful advocate, +young man, in the unaccountable interest which I feel in your truth; an +interest that my reason would fain condemn. As the ship must need your +services, I will no longer detain you. Opportunities cannot be wanting to +enable us to judge both of your inclination and ability to serve us. +Gertrude, my love, females are usually considered as incumbrances in a +vessel; more particularly when there is any delicate duty to perform, like +this before us." + +Gertrude started, blushed, and proceeded, after her governess, to the +opposite side of the quarter-deck followed by an expressive look from our +adventurer which seemed to say, he considered her presence any thing else +but an incumbrance. As the ladies immediately took a position apart from +every body, and one where they were least in the way of working the ship, +at the same time that they could command an entire view of all her +manoeuvres the disappointed sailor was obliged to cut short a +communication which he would gladly have continued until compelled to take +the charge of the vessel from the hands of the pilot. By this time, +however, the anchor was a-weigh, and the seamen were already actively +engaged in the process of making sail. Wilder lent himself, with feverish +excitement, to the duty; and, taking the words from the officer who was +issuing the necessary orders, he assumed the immediate superintendence in +person. + +As sheet after sheet of canvas fell from the yards, and was distended by +the complicated mechanism, the interest that a seaman ever takes in his +vessel began to gain the ascendancy over all other feelings By the time +every thing was set, from the royals down, and the ship was cast with her +head towards the harbour's mouth, our adventurer had probably forgotten +(for the moment only, it is true) that he was a stranger among those he +was in so extraordinary a manner selected to command, and how precious a +stake was intrusted to his firmness and decision. After every thing was +set to advantage, alow and aloft, and the ship was brought close upon the +wind, his eye scanned every yard and sail, from the truck to the hull, and +concluded by casting a glance along the outer side of the vessel, in order +to see that not even the smallest rope was in the water to impede her +progress. A small skiff, occupied by a boy, was towing under the lee, and, +as the mass of the vessel began to move, it was skipping along the surface +of the water, light and buoyant as a feather. Perceiving that it was a +boat belonging to the shore, Wilder walked forward, and demanded its +owner. A mate pointed to Joram, who at that moment ascended from the +interior of the vessel, where he had been settling the balance due from a +delinquent, or, what was in his eyes the same thing, a departing debtor. + +The sight of this man recalled Wilder to a recollection of all that had +occurred that morning, and of the whole delicacy of the task he had +undertaken to perform. But the publican, whose ideas appeared always +concentrated when occupied on the subject of gain, seemed troubled by no +particular emotions at the interview. He approached the young mariner and, +saluting him by the title of "Captain," bade him a good voyage, with those +customary wish es which seamen express, when about to separate on such an +occasion. + +"A lucky trip you have made of it, Captain Wilder," he concluded, "and I +hope your passage will be short. You'll not be without a breeze this +afternoon; and, by stretching well over towards Montauck you'll be able to +make such an offing, on the other tack, as to run the coast down in the +morning. If I am any judge of the weather, the wind will have more easting +in it, than you may happen to find to your fancy." + +"And how long do you think my voyage is likely to last?" demanded Wilder, +dropping his voice so low as to reach no ears but those of the publican. + +Joram cast a furtive glance aside; and, perceiving that they were alone, +he suffered an expression of hardened cunning to take possession of a +countenance that ordinarily seemed set in dull, physical contentment, as +he replied, laying a finger on his nose while speaking,-- + +"Didn't I tender the consignee a beautiful oath, master Wilder?" + +"You certainly exceeded my expectations with your promptitude, and"-- + +"Information!" added the landlord of the 'Foul Anchor,' perceiving the +other a little at a loss for a word; "yes, I have always been remarkable +for the activity of my mind in these small matters; but, when a man once +knows a thing thoroughly, it is a great folly to spend his breath in too +many words." + +"It is certainly a great advantage to be so well instructed. I suppose +you improve your knowledge to a good account." + +"Ah! bless me, master Wilder, what would become of us all, in these +difficult times, if we did not turn an honest penny in every way that +offers? I have brought up several fine children in credit, and it sha'n't +be my fault if I don't leave them something too, besides my good name. +Well, well; they say, 'A nimble sixpence is as good as a lazy shilling;' +but give me the man who don't stand shilly-shally when a friend has need +of his good word, or a lift from his hand. You always know where to find +such a man; as our politicians say, after they have gone through thick and +thin in the cause, be it right or be it wrong." + +"Very commendable principles! and such as will surely be the means of +exalting you in the world sooner or later! But you forget to answer my +question: Will the passage be long, or short?" + +"Heaven bless you, master Wilder! Is it for a poor publican, like me, to +tell the Master of this noble ship which way the wind will blow next? +There is the worthy and notable Commander Nichols, lying in his state-room +below, he could do any thing with the vessel; and why am I to expect that +a gentleman so well recommended as yourself will do less? I expect to hear +that you have made a famous run, and have done credit to the good word I +have had occasion to say in your favour." + +Wilder execrated, in his heart, the wary cunning of the rogue with whom he +was compelled, for the moment, to be in league; for he saw plainly that a +determination not to commit himself a tittle further than he might +conceive to be absolutely necessary, was likely to render Joram too +circumspect, to answer his own immediate wishes. After hesitating a +moment, in order to reflect, he continued hastily,-- + +"You see that the ship is gathering way too fast to admit of trifling. +You know of the letter I received this morning?" + +"Bless me, Captain Wilder! Do you take me for a postmaster? How should I +know what letters arrive at Newport, and what stop on the main?" + +"As timid a villain as he is thorough!" muttered the young mariner. "But +this much you may surely say, Am I to be followed immediately? or is it +expected that I should detain the ship in the offing, under any pretence +that I can devise?" + +"Heaven keep you, young gentleman! These are strange questions, to come +from one who is fresh off the sea, to a man that has done no more than +look at it from the land, these five-and-twenty years. According to my +memory, sir, you will keep the ship about south until you are clear of the +islands; and then you must make your calculations according to the wind, +in order not to get into the Gulf, where, you know, the stream will be +setting you one way, while your orders say, 'Go another.'" + +"Luff! mind your luff, sir!" cried the pilot, in a stern voice, to the man +at the helm; "luff you can; on no account go to leeward of the slaver!" + +Both Wilder and the publican started, as if they found something alarming +in the name of the vessel just alluded to; and the former pointed to the +skiff, as he said,-- + +"Unless you wish to go to sea with us, Mr Joram, it is time your boat held +its master." + +"Ay, ay, I see you are fairly under way, and I must leave you, however +much I like your company," returned the landlord of the 'Foul Anchor,' +bustling over the side, and getting into his skiff in the best manner he +could. "Well, boys, a good time to ye; a plenty of wind, and of the right +sort; a safe passage out, and a quick return. Cast off." + +His order was obeyed; the light skiff, no longer impelled by the ship, +immediately deviated from its course; and, after making a little circuit, +it became stationary, while the mass of the vessel passed on, with the +steadiness of an elephant from whose back a butterfly had just taken its +flight. Wilder followed the boat with his eyes, for a moment; but his +thoughts were recalled by the voice of the pilot, who again called, from +the forward part of the ship,-- + +"Let the light sails lift a little, boy; let her lift keep every inch you +can, or you'll not weather the slaver. Luff, I say, sir; luff." + +"The slaver!" muttered our adventurer, hastening to a part of the ship +whence he could command a view of that important, and to him doubly +interesting ship; "ay, the slaver! it may be difficult, indeed to weather +upon the slaver!" + +He had unconsciously placed himself near Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude; the +latter of whom was leaning on the rail of the quarter-deck, regarding the +strange vessel at anchor, with a pleasure far from unnatural to her years +and sex. + +"You may laugh at me, and call me fickle, and perhaps credulous, dear Mrs +Wyllys," the unsuspecting girl cried, just as Wilder had taken the +foregoing position, "but I wish we were well out of this 'Royal Caroline,' +and that our passage was to be made in yonder beautiful ship!" + +"It is indeed a beautiful ship!" returned Wyllys; "but I know not that it +would be safer, or more comfortable, than the one we are in." + +"With what symmetry and order the ropes are arranged! and how like a bird +it floats upon the water!" + +"Had you particularized the duck, the comparison would have been exactly +nautical," said the governess, smiling mournfully; "you show capabilities +my love, to be one day a seaman's wife." + +Gertrude blushed a little; and, turning back her head to answer in the +playful vein of her governess, her eye met the riveted look of Wilder, +fastened on herself. The colour on her cheek deepened to a carnation, and +she was mute; the large gipsy hat she wore serving to conceal both her +face and the confusion which so deeply suffused it. + +"You make no answer, child, as if you reflected seriously on the chances," +continued Mrs Wyllys, whose thoughtful and abstracted mien, however, +sufficiently proved she scarcely knew what she uttered. + +"The sea is too unstable an element for my taste," Gertrude coldly +answered. "Pray tell me, Mrs Wyllys, is the vessel we are approaching a +King's ship? She has a warlike, not to say a threatening exterior." + +"The pilot has twice called her a slaver." + +"A slaver! How deceitful then is all her beauty and symmetry! I will never +trust to appearances again, since so lovely an object can be devoted to so +vile a purpose." + +"Deceitful indeed!" exclaimed Wilder aloud, under an impulse that he found +as irresistible as it was involuntary. "I will take upon myself to say, +that a more treacherous vessel does not float the ocean than yonder finely +proportioned and admirably equipped"---- + +"Slaver," added Mrs Wyllys, who had time to turn, and to look all her +astonishment, before the young man appeared disposed to finish his own +sentence. + +"Slaver;" he said with emphasis, bowing at the same time, as if he would +thank her for the word. + +After this interruption, a profound silence occurred Mrs Wyllys studied +the disturbed features of the young man, for a moment, with a countenance +that denoted a singular, though a complicated, interest; and then she +gravely bent her eyes on the water, deeply occupied with intense, if not +painful reflection The light symmetrical form of Gertrude continued +leaning on the rail, it is true, but Wilder was unable to catch another +glimpse of her averted and shadowed lineaments. In the mean while, events, +that were of a character to withdraw his attention entirely from even so +pleasing a study, were hastening to their accomplishment. + +The ship had, by this time, passed between the little island and the point +whence Homespun had embarked, and might now be said to have fairly left +the inner harbour. The slaver lay directly in her track, and every man in +the vessel was gazing with deep interest, in order to see whether they +might yet hope to pass on her weather-beam. The measure was desirable; +because a seaman has a pride in keeping on the honourable side of every +thing he encounters but chiefly because, from the position of the +stranger, it would be the means of preventing the necessity of tacking +before the "Caroline" should reach a point more advantageous for such a +manoeuvre. The reader will, however, readily understand that the interest +of hear new Commander took its rise in far different feelings from those +of professional pride, or momentary convenience. + +Wilder felt, in every nerve, the probability that a crisis was at hand. It +will be remembered that he was profoundly ignorant of the immediate +intentions of the Rover. As the fort was not in a state for present +service, it would not be difficult for the latter to seize upon his prey +in open view of the townsmen and bear it off, in contempt of their feeble +means of defence. The position of the two ships was favourable to such an +enterprise. Unprepared, find unsuspecting, the "Caroline," at no time a +natch for her powerful adversary, must fall an easy victim; nor would +there be much reason to apprehend that a single shot from the battery +could reach them, before the captor, and his prize, would be at such a +distance as to render the blow next to impotent if not utterly innocuous. +The wild and audacious character of such an enterprise was in full +accordance with the reputation of the desperate freebooter on whose +caprice, alone, the act now seemed solely to depend. + +Under these impressions, and with the prospect of such a speedy +termination to his new-born authority it is not to be considered wonderful +that our adventurer awaited the result with an interest far exceeding that +of any of those by whom he was surrounded He walked into the waist of the +ship, and endeavoured to read the plan of his secret confederates by some +of those indications that are familiar to a seaman. Not the smallest sign +of any intention to depart, or in any manner to change her position, was, +however, discoverable in the pretended slaver. She lay in the same deep, +beautiful, but treacherous quiet, as that in which she had reposed +throughout the whole of the eventful morning. But a solitary individual +could be seen amid the mazes of her rigging, or along the wide reach of +all her spars. It was a seaman seated on the extremity of a lower yard, +where he appeared to busy himself with one of those repairs that are so +constantly required in the gear of a large ship. As the man was placed on +the weather side of his own vessel, Wilder instantly conceived the idea +that he was thus stationed to cast a grapnel into the rigging of the +"Caroline," should such a measure become necessary, in order to bring the +two ships foul of each other. With a view to prevent so rude an encounter, +he instantly determined to defeat the plan. Calling to the pilot, he told +him the attempt to pass to windward was of very doubtful success, and +reminded him that the safer way would be to go to leeward. + +"No fear, no fear, Captain," returned the stubborn conductor of the ship, +who, as his authority was so brief, was only the more jealous of its +unrestrained exercise, and who, like an usurper of the throne, felt a +jealousy of the more legitimate power which he had temporarily +dispossessed; "no fear of me, Captain. I have trolled over this ground +oftener than you have crossed the ocean, and I know the name of every rock +on the bottom, as well as the town-crier knows the streets of Newport. Let +her luff, boy; luff her into the very eye of the wind; luff, you can"---- + +"You have the ship shivering as it is, sir," said Wilder, sternly: "Should +you get us foul of the slaver who is to pay the cost?" + +"I am a general underwriter," returned the opinionated pilot; "my wife +shall mend every hole I make in your sails, with a needle no bigger than a +hair, and with such a palm as a fairy's thimble!" + +"This is fine talking, sir, but you are already losing the ship's way; +and, before you have ended your boasts, she will be as fast in irons as a +condemned thief. Keep the sails full, boy; keep them a rap full, sir." + +"Ay, ay, keep her a good full," echoed the pilot, who, as the difficulty +of passing to windward became at each instant more obvious, evidently +began to waver in his resolution. "Keep her full-and-by,--I have always +told you full-and-by,--I don't know, Captain, seeing that the wind has +hauled a little, but we shall have to pass to leeward yet; but you will +acknowledge, that, in such case, we shall be obliged to go about." + +Now, in point of fact, the wind, though a little lighter than it had been, +was, if anything, a trifle more favourable; nor had Wilder ever, in any +manner, denied that the ship would not have to tack, some twenty minutes +sooner, by going to leeward of the other vessel, than if she had +succeeded in her delicate experiment of passing on the more honourable +side; but, as the vulgarest minds are always the most reluctant to confess +their blunders, the discomfited pilot was disposed to qualify the +concession he found himself compelled to make, by some salvo of the sort, +that he might not lessen his reputation for foresight, among his auditors. + +"Keep her away at once," cried Wilder, who was beginning to change the +tones of remonstrance for those of command; "keep the ship away, sir, +while you have room to do it, or, by the"---- + +His lips became motionless; for his eye happened to fall on the pale, +speaking, and anxious countenance of Gertrude. + +"I believe it must be done, seeing that the wind is hauling. Hard up, boy, +and run her under the stern of the ship at anchor. Hold! keep your luff +again; eat into the wind to the bone, boy; lift again; let the light sails +lift. The slaver has run a warp directly across our track. If there's law +in the Plantations, I'll have her Captain before the Courts for this!" + +"What means the fellow?" demanded Wilder, jumping hastily on a gun, in +order to get a better view. + +His mate pointed to the lee-quarter of the other vessel, where, sure +enough, a large rope was seen whipping the water, as though in the very +process of being extended. The truth instantly flashed on the mind of our +young mariner. The Rover lay secret-moored with a spring, with a view to +bring; his guns more readily to bear upon the battery, should his defence +become necessary, and he now profited, by the circumstance, in order to +prevent the trader from passing to leeward. The whole arrangement excited +a good deal of surprise, and not a few execrations among the officers of +the "Caroline;" though none but her Commander had the smallest twinkling +of the real reason why the kedge had thus been laid, and why a warp was so +awkwardly stretched across their path. Of the whole number, the pilot +alone saw cause to rejoice in the circumstance. He had, in fact, got the +ship in such a situation, as to render it nearly as difficult to proceed +in one way as in the other; and he was now furnished with a sufficient +justification, should any accident occur, in the course of the exceedingly +critical manoeuvre, from whose execution there was now no retreat. + +"This is an extraordinary liberty to take in the mouth of a harbour," +muttered Wilder, when his eyes put him in possession of the fact just +related. "You must shove her by to windward, pilot; there is no remedy." + +"I wash my hands of the consequences, as I call all on board to witness," +returned the other, with the air of a deeply offended man, though secretly +glad of the appearance of being driven to the very measure he was a minute +before so obstinately bent on executing, "Law must be called in here, if +sticks are snapped, or rigging parted. Luff to a hair, boy; luff her short +into the wind, and try a half-board." + +The man at the helm obeyed the order. Releasing his hold of its spokes, +the wheel made a quick evolution; and the ship, feeling a fresh impulse of +the wind, turned her head heavily towards the quarter whence it came, the +canvas fluttering with a noise like that produced by a flock of water-fowl +just taking wing. But, met by the helm again, she soon fell off as before, +powerless from having lost her way, and settling bodily down toward the +fancied slaver, impelled by the air, which seemed, however, to have lost +much of its force, at the critical instant it was most needed. + +The situation of the "Caroline" was one which a seaman will readily +understand. She had forged so far ahead as to lie directly on the +weather-beam of the stranger, but too near to enable her to fall-off in +the least, without imminent danger that the vessels would come foul. The +wind was inconstant, sometimes blowing in puffs, while at moments there +was a perfect lull. As the ship felt the former, her tall masts bent +gracefully towards the slaver, as if to make the parting salute; but, +relieved from the momentary pressure of the inconstant air, she as often +rolled heavily to windward, without advancing a foot. The effect of each +change, however, was to bring her still nigher to her dangerous neighbour, +until it became evident, to the judgment of the youngest seaman in the +vessel, that nothing but a sudden shift of wind could enable her to pass +ahead, the more especially as the tide was on the change. + +As the inferior officers of the "Caroline" were not delicate in their +commentaries on the dulness which had brought them into so awkward and so +mortifying a position, the pilot endeavoured to conceal his own vexation, +by the number and vociferousness of his orders. From blustering, he soon +passed into confusion, until the men themselves stood idle, not knowing +which of the uncertain and contradictory mandates they received ought to +be first obeyed. In the mean time, Wilder had folded his arms with an +appearance of entire composure, and taken his station near his female +passengers. Mrs Wyllys closely studied his eye, with the wish of +ascertaining, by its expression, the nature and extent of their danger, if +danger there might be, in the approaching collision of two ships in water +that was perfectly smooth, and where one was stationary and the motion of +the other scarcely perceptible. The stern, determined look she saw +settling about the brow of the young man excited an uneasiness that she +would not otherwise have felt, perhaps, under circumstances that, in +themselves, bore no very vivid appearance of hazard. + +"Have we aught to apprehend, sir?" demanded the governess, endeavouring to +conceal from her charge the nature of her own disquietude. + +"I told you, Madam, the 'Caroline' would prove an unlucky ship." + +Both females regarded the peculiarly bitter smile with which Wilder made +this reply as an evil omen, and Gertrude clung to her companion as to one +on whom she had long been accustomed to lean. + +"Why do not the mariners of the slaver appear, to assist us--to keep us +from coming too nigh?" anxiously exclaimed the latter. + +"Why do they not, indeed! but we shall see them, I think, ere long." + +"You speak and look, young man, as if you thought there would be danger in +the interview!" + +"Keep near to me," returned Wilder, in tones that were nearly smothered by +the manner in which he compressed his lips. "In every event, keep as nigh +my person as possible." + +"Haul the spanker-boom to windward," shouted the pilot; "lower away the +boats, and tow the ship's head round--clear away the stream anchor--aft +gib-sheet--board main tack, again." + +The astonished men stood like statues, not knowing whither to turn, some +calling to the rest to do this or that, and some as loudly countermanding +the order; when an authoritative voice was heard calmly to say,-- + +"Silence in the ship." + +The tones-were of that sort which, while they denote the self-possession +of the speaker, never fail to inspire the inferior with a portion of the +confidence of him who commands. Every face was turned towards the quarter +of the vessel whence the sound proceeded, as if each ear was ready to +catch the smallest additional mandate. Wilder was standing on the head of +the capstan, where he could command a full view on every side of him. With +a quiet and understanding glance, he had made himself a perfect master of +the situation of his ship. His eye was at the instant fixed anxiously on +the slaver, as if it would pierce the treacherous calm which still reigned +on all about her, in order to know how far his exertions might be +permitted to be useful. But it appeared as if the stranger lay like some +enchanted vessel on the water, not a human form even appearing about all +her complicated machinery, except the seaman already named, who still +continued his employment, as though the "Caroline" was not within a +hundred miles of the place where he sat. The lips of Wilder moved: it +might be in bitterness; it might be in satisfaction; for, a smile of the +most equivocal nature lighted his features, as he continued, in the same +deep, commanding voice as before,-- + +"Throw all aback--lay every thing flat to the masts, forward and aft." + +"Ay!" echoed the pilot, "lay every thing flat to the masts." + +"Is there a shove-boat alongside the ship?" demanded our adventurer. + +The answer, from a dozen voices, was in the affirmative. + +"Show that pilot into her." + +"This is an unlawful order," exclaimed the other, "and I forbid any voice +but mine to be obeyed." + +"_Throw_ him in," sternly repeated Wilder. + +Amid the bustle and exertion of bracing round the yards, the resistance of +the pilot produced little or no sensation. He was soon raised on the +extended arms of the two mates; and, after exhibiting his limbs in sundry +contortions in the air, he was dropped into the boat, with as little +ceremony as though he had been a billet of wood. The end of the painter +was cast after him; and then the discomfited guide was left, with singular +indifference, to his own meditations. + +In the mean time, the order of Wilder had been executed. Those vast sheets +of canvas which, a moment before, had been either fluttering in the air, +or were bellying inward or outward, as they touched or filled, as it is +technically called, were now all pressing against their respective masts, +impelling the vessel to retrace her mistaken path. The manoeuvre required +the utmost attention, and the nicest delicacy in its direction. But her +young Commander proved himself, in every particular, competent to his +task. Here, a sail was lifted; there, another was brought with a flatter +surface to the air; now, the lighter canvas was spread; and now it +disappeared, like thin vapour suddenly dispelled by the sun. The voice of +Wilder, throughout, though calm, was breathing with authority. The ship +itself seemed, like an animated being, conscious that her destinies were +reposed in different, and more intelligent, hands than before. Obedient to +the new impulse they had received the immense cloud of canvas, with all +its tall forest of spars and rigging, rolled to and fro; and then, having +overcome the state of comparative rest in which it had been lying, the +vessel heavily yielded to the pressure, and began to recede. + +Throughout the whole of the time necessary to extricate the "Caroline," +the attention of Wilder was divided between his own ship and his +inexplicable neighbour. Not a sound was heard to issue from the imposing +and death-like stillness of the latter. Not a single anxious countenance, +not even one lurking eye, was to be detected, at any of the numerous +outlets by which the inmates of an armed vessel can look abroad upon the +deep. The seaman on the yard continued his labour, like a man unconscious +of any thing but his own existence. There however, a slow, though nearly +imperceptible, motion in the ship itself, which was apparently made, like +the lazy movement of a slumbering whale, more by listless volition, than +through any agency of human hands. + +Not the smallest of these changes escaped the keen and understanding +examination of Wilder. He saw that, as his own ship retired, the side of +the slaver was gradually exposed to the "Caroline." The muzzles of the +threatening guns gaped constantly on his vessel, as the eye of the +crouching tiger follows the movement of its prey; and at no time, while +nearest, did there exist a single instant that the decks of the latter +ship could not have been swept, by a general discharge from the battery of +the former. At each successive order issued from his own lips, our +adventurer turned his eye, with increasng interest, to ascertain whether +he would be permitted to execute it; and never did he feel certain that he +was left to the sole management of the "Caroline" until he found that she +had backed from her dangerous proximity to the other; and that, obedient +to a new disposition of her sails, she was falling off, before the light +air, in a place where he could hold her entirely at command. + +Finding that the tide was getting unfavourable and the wind too light to +stem it, the sails were then drawn to her yards in festoons, and an anchor +was dropped to the bottom. + + + + +Chapter XIII. + + + + "What have here? A man, or a fish?"--_The Tempest._ + + +The "Caroline" now lay within a cable's length of the supposed slaver. In +dismissing the pilot, Wilder had assumed a responsibility from which a +seaman usually shrinks, since, in the case of any untoward accident in +leaving the port, it would involve a loss of insurance, and his own +probable punishment. How far he had been influenced, in taking so decided +a step, by a knowledge of his being beyond or above, the reach of the law, +will probably be made manifest in the course of the narrative; the only +immediate effect of the measure, was, to draw the whole of his attention, +which had before been so much divided between his passengers and the ship, +to the care of the latter. But, so soon as his vessel was secured, for a +time at least, and his mind was no longer excited by the expectation of a +scene of immediate violence, our adventurer found leisure to return to his +former, though (to so thorough a seaman) scarcely more agreeable +occupation. The success of his delicate manoeuvre had imparted to his +countenance a glow of something very like triumph; and his step, as he +advanced towards Mrs. Wyllys and Gertrude, was that of a man who enjoyed +the consciousness of having acquitted himself dexterously, in +circumstances that required no small exhibition of professional skill. At +least, such was the construction the former lady put upon his kindling eye +and exulting air; though the latter might, possibly be disposed to judge +of his motives with greater indulgence. Perhaps both were ignorant of the +secret reasons of his self-felicitation; and it is possible that a +sentiment, of a far more generous nature than either of them could +imagine, had a full share of its influence in his present feelings. + +Be this as it might, Wilder no sooner saw that the "Caroline" was swinging +to her anchor, and that his services were of no further immediate use, +than he sought an opportunity to renew a conversation which had hitherto +been so vague, and so often interrupted. Mrs Wyllys had long been viewing +the neighbouring vessel with a steady look; nor did she now turn her gaze +from the motionless and silent object, until the young mariner was near +her person. She was then the first to speak. + +"Yonder vessel must possess an extraordinary, not to say an insensible, +crew!" exclaimed the governess in a tone bordering on astonishment. "If +such things were, it would not be difficult to fancy her a spectre-ship." + +"She is truly an admirably proportioned and a beautifully equipped +trader!" + +"Did my apprehensions deceive me? or were we in actual danger of getting +the two vessels entangled?" + +"There was certainly some reason for apprehension; but you see we are +safe." + +"For which we have to thank your skill. The manner in which you have just +extricated us from the late danger, has a direct tendency to contradict +all that you were pleased to foretel of that which is to come." + +"I well know, Madam, that my conduct may bear an unfavourable +construction, but"-- + +"You thought it no harm to laugh at the weakness of three credulous +females," continued Mrs Wyllys, smiling. "Well, you have had your +amusement; and now. I hope, you will be more disposed to pity what is said +to be a natural infirmity of woman's mind." + +As the governess concluded, she glanced her eye at Gertrude, with an +expression that seemed to say it would be cruel, now, to trifle further +with the apprehensions of one so innocent and so young. The look of Wilder +followed her own; and when he answered it was with a sincerity that was +well calculated to carry conviction in its tones. + +"On the faith which a gentleman owes to all your sex, Madam, what I have +already told you I still continue to believe." + +"The gammonings and the top-gallant-masts!" + +"No, no," interrupted the young mariner, slightly laughing, and at the +same time colouring a good deal; "perhaps not all of that. But neither +mother, wife, nor sister of mine, should make this passage in the 'Royal +Caroline.'" + +"Your look, your voice, and your air of good faith, make a strange +contradiction to your words, young man; for, while the former almost tempt +me to believe you honest, the latter have not a shade of reason to support +them. Perhaps I ought to be ashamed of such a weakness, and yet I will +acknowledge that the mysterious quiet, which seems to have settled for +ever on yonder ship, has excited an inexplicable uneasiness, that may in +some way be connected with her character.--She is certainly a slaver?" + +"She is certainly beautiful!" exclaimed Gertrude. + +"Very beautiful!" Wilder gravely rejoined. + +"There is a man still seated on one of her yards who appears to be +entranced in his occupation," continued Mrs Wyllys, leaning her chin +thoughtfully on her hand, as she gazed at the object of which she was +speaking. "Not once, during the time we were in so much danger of getting +the ships entangled, did that seaman bestow so much as a stolen glance +towards us. He resembles the solitary individual in the city of the +transformed; for not another mortal is there to keep him company, so far +as we may discover." + +"Perhaps his comrades sleep," said Gertrude. + +"Sleep! Mariners do not sleep in an hour and a day like this! Tell me, Mr +Wilder, (you that are a seaman should know), is it usual for the crew to +sleep when a strange vessel is so nigh--near even to touching, I might +almost say?" + +"It is not." + +"I thought as much; for I am not an entire novice in matters of your +daring, your hardy, your _noble_ profession!" returned the governess, with +deep emphasis "And, had we gone foul of the slaver, do you think her crew +would have maintained their apathy?" + +"I think not, Madam." + +"There is something, in all this assumed tranquillity, which might induce +one to suspect the worst of her character. Is it known that any of her +crew have had communication with the town, since her arrival?" + +"It is." + +"I have heard that false colours have been seen on the coast, and that +ships have been plundered, and their people and passengers maltreated, +during the past summer. It is even thought that the famous Rover has tired +of his excesses on the Spanish Main, and that a vessel was not long since +seen in the Caribbean sea, which was thought to be the cruiser of that +desperate pirate!" + +Wilder made no reply. His eyes, which had been fastened steadily, though +respectfully, on those of the speaker, fell to the deck, and he appeared +to await whatever her further pleasure might choose to utter. The +governess mused a moment; and then, with a change in the expression of her +countenance which proved that her suspicion of the truth was too light to +continue without further and better confirmation, she added,-- + +"After all, the occupation of a slaver is bad enough, and unhappily by far +too probable, to render it necessary to attribute any worse character to +the stranger. I would I knew the motive of your singular assertions, Mr +Wilder?" + +"I cannot better explain them, Madam: unless my manner produces its +effect, I fail altogether in my intentions, which at least are sincere." + +"Is not the risk lessened by your presence?" + +"Lessened, but not removed." + +Until now, Gertrude had rather listened, as if unavoidably, than seemed to +make one of the party. But here she turned quickly, and perhaps a little +impatiently, to Wilder, and, while her cheeks glowed she demanded, with a +smile that might have brought even a more obdurate man to his +confession,-- + +"Is it forbidden to be more explicit?" + +The young Commander hesitated, perhaps as much to dwell upon the ingenuous +features of the speaker, as to decide upon his answer. The colour mounted +into his own embrowned cheek, and his eye lighted with a gleam of open +pleasure; then, as though suddenly reminded that he was delaying to reply, +he said,-- + +"I am certain, that, in relying on your discretion, I shall be safe." + +"Doubt it not," returned Mrs Wyllys. "In no event shall you ever be +betrayed." + +"Betrayed! For myself, Madam, I have little fear. If you suspect me of +personal apprehension you do me great injustice." + +"We suspect you of nothing unworthy," said Gertrude hastily, "but--we are +very anxious for ourselves." + +"Then will I relieve your uneasiness, though at the expense of"---- + +A call, from one of the mates to the other, arrested his words for the +moment, and drew his attention to the neighbouring ship. + +"The slaver's people have just found out that their ship is not made to +put in a glass case, to be looked at by women and children," cried the +speaker in tones loud enough to send his words into the fore-top, where +the messmate he addressed was attending to some especial duty. + +"Ay, ay," was the answer; "seeing us in motion, has put him in mind of his +next voyage. They keep watch aboard the fellow, like the sun in Greenland +six months on deck, and six months below!" + +The witticism produced, as usual, a laugh among the seamen, who continued +their remarks in a similar vein, but in tones more suited to the deference +due to their superiors. + +The eyes, however, of Wilder had fastened themselves on the other ship. +The man so long seated on the end of the main-yard had disappeared, and +another sailor was deliberately walking along the opposite quarter of the +same spar, steadying himself by the boom, and holding in one hand the end +of a rope, which he was apparently about to reeve in the place where it +properly belonged. The first glance told Wilder that the latter was Fid, +who was so far recovered from his debauch as to tread the giddy height +with as much, if not greater, steadiness than he would have rolled along +the ground, had his duty called him to terra firma. The countenance of the +young man, which, an instant before, had been flushed with excitement, and +which was beaming with the pleasure of an opening confidence, changed +directly to a look of gloom and reserve. Mrs Wyllys who had lost no shade +of the varying expression of his face, resumed the discourse, with some +earnestness, where he had seen fit so abruptly to break it off. + +"You would relieve us," she said, "at the expense of"---- + +"Life, Madam; but not of honour." + +"Gertrude, we can now retire to our cabin," observed Mrs Wyllys, with an +air of cold displeasure, in which disappointment was a good deal mingled +with resentment at the trifling of which she believed herself the subject. +The eye of Gertrude was no less averted and distant than that of her +governess, while the tint that gave lustre to its beam was brighter, if +not quite so resentful. As the two moved past the silent Wilder, each +dropped a distant salute, and then our adventurer found himself the sole +occupant of the quarter-deck. While his crew were busied in coiling ropes, +and clearing the decks, their young Commander leaned his head on the +taffrail, (that part of the vessel which the good relict of the +Rear-Admiral had so strangely confounded with a very different object in +the other end of the ship), remaining for many minutes in an attitude of +deep abstraction. From this reverie he was at length aroused, by a sound +like that produced by the lifting and falling of a light oar into the +water. Believing himself about to be annoyed by visiters from the land, he +raised his head, and cast a dissatisfied glance over the vessel's side, to +see who was approaching. + +A light skiff, such as is commonly used by fishermen in the bays and +shallow waters of America, was lying within ten feet of the ship, and in a +position where it was necessary to take some little pains in order to +observe it. It was occupied by a single man, whose back was towards the +vessel, and who was apparently abroad on the ordinary business of the +owner of such a boat. + +"Are you in search of rudder-fish, my friend, that you hang so closely +under my counter?" demanded Wilder. "The bay is said to be full of +delicious bass, and other scaly gentlemen, that would far better repay +your trouble." + +"He is well paid who gets the bite he baits for," returned the other, +turning his head, and exhibiting the cunning eye and chuckling countenance +of old Bob Bunt, as Wilder's recent and treacherous confederate had +announced his name to be. + +"How now! Dare you trust yourself with me, in five-fathom water, after the +villanous trick you have seen fit"-- + +"Hist! noble Captain, hist!" interrupted Bob, holding up a finger, to +repress the other's animation, and intimating, by a sign, that their +conference must be held in lower tones; "there is no need to call all +hands to help us through a little chat. In what way have I fallen to +leeward of your favour, Captain?" + +"In what way, sirrah! Did you not receive money, to give such a character +of this ship to the ladies as (you said yourself) would make them sooner +pass the night in a churchyard, than trust foot on board her?" + +"Something of the sort passed between us, Captain; but you forgot one half +of the conditions, and I overlooked the other; and I need not tell so +expert a navigator, that two halves make a whole. No wonder, therefore, +that the affair dropt through between us." + +"How! Do you add falsehood to perfidy? What part of my engagement did I +neglect?" + +"What part!" returned the pretended fisherman, leisurely drawing in a +line, which the quick eye of Wilder saw, though abundantly provided with +lead at the end, was destitute of the equally material implement--the +hook; "What part, Captain! No less a particular than the second guinea." + +"It was to have been the reward of a service done, and not an earnest, +like its fellow, to induce you to undertake the duty." + +"Ah! you have helped me to the very word I wanted. I fancied it was not in +earnest, like the one I got, and so I left the job half finished." + +"Half finished, scoundrel! you never commenced what you swore so stoutly +to perform." + +"Now are you on as wrong a course, my Master, as if you steered due east +to get to the Pole. I religiously performed one half my undertaking; and, +you will acknowledge, I was only half paid." + +"You would find it difficult to prove that you even did that little." + +"Let us look into the log. I enlisted to walk up the hill as far as the +dwelling of the good Admiral's widow, and there to make certain +alterations in my sentiments, which it is not necessary to speak of +between us." + +"Which you did not make; but, on the contrary, which you thwarted, by +telling an exactly contradictory tale." + +"True." + +"True! knave?--Were justice done you, an acquaintance with a rope's end +would be a merited reward." + +"A squall of words!--If your ship steer as wild as your ideas, Captain, +you will make a crooked passage to the south. Do you not think it an +easier matter, for an old man like me, to tell a few lies than to climb +yonder long and heavy hill? In strict justice, more than half my duty was +done when I got into the presence of the believing widow; and when I +concluded to refuse the half of the reward that was unpaid, and to take +bounty from t'other side." + +"Villain!" exclaimed Wilder, a little blinded by resentment, "even your +years shall no longer protect you from punishment. Forward, there! send a +crew into the jolly boat, sir, and bring me this old fellow in the skiff +on board the ship. Pay no attention to his outcries; I have an account to +settle with him, that cannot be balanced without a little noise." + +The mate, to whom this order was addressed, and who had answered the hail, +jumped on the rail, where he got sight of the craft he was commanded to +chase. In less than a minute he was in the boat, with four men, and +pulling round the bows of the ship, in order to get on the side necessary +to effect his object. The self-styled Bob Bunt gave one or two strokes +with his skulls, and sent, the skiff some twenty or thirty fathoms off, +where he lay, chuckling like a man who saw only the success of his +cunning, without any apparent apprehensions of the consequences. But, the +moment the boat appeared in view, he laid himself to the work with +vigorous arms, and soon convinced the spectators that his capture was not +to be achieved without abundant difficulty. + +For some little time, it was doubtful what course the fugitive meant to +take; for he kept whirling and turning in swift and sudden circles, +completely confusing and baffling his pursuers, by his skilful and light +evolutions. But, soon tiring of this taunting amusement, or perhaps +apprehensive of exhausting his own strength, which was powerfully and most +dexterously exerted, it was not long before he darted off in a perfectly +straight line, taking the direction of the "Rover." + +The chase now grew hot and earnest, exciting the clamour and applause of +most of the nautical spectators The result, for a time, seemed doubtful; +but, if any thing, the jolly boat, though some distance astern, began to +gain, as it gradually overcame the resistance of the water. In a very few +minutes, however, the skiff shot under the stern of the other ship, and +disappeared, bringing the hull of the vessel in a line with the "Caroline" +and its course. The pursuers were not long in taking the same direction +and then the seamen of the latter ship began, laughingly to climb the +rigging, in order to command a further view, over the intervening object. + +Nothing, however, was to be seen beyond but water, and the still more +distant island, with its little fort. In a few minutes, the crew of the +jolly boat were observed pulling back in their path, returning slowly, +like men who were disappointed. All crowded to the side of the ship, in +order to hear the termination of the adventure; the noisy assemblage even +drawing the two passengers from the cabin to the deck. Instead, however, +of meeting the questions of their shipmates with the usual wordy narrative +of men of their condition, the crew of the boat wore startled and +bewildered looks. Their officer sprang to the deck without speaking, and +immediately sought his Commander. + +"The skiff was too light for you, Mr Nighthead," Wilder calmly observed, +as the other approached, having never moved, himself, from the place where +he had been standing during the whole proceeding. + +"Too light, sir! Are you acquainted with the man who pulled it?" + +"Not particularly well: I only know him for a knave." + +"He should be one, since he is of the family of the devil!" + +"I will not take on myself to say he is as bad as you appear to think, +though I have little reason to believe he has any honesty to cast into the +sea. What has become of him?" + +"A question easily asked, but hard to answer. In the first place, though +an old and a gray-headed fellow, he twitched his skiff along as if it +floated in air. We were not a minute, or two at the most, behind him; but, +when we got on the other side of the slaver, boat and man had vanished!" + +"He doubled her bows while you were crossing the stern." + +"Did you see him, then?" + +"I confess we did not." + +"It could not be, sir; since we pulled far enough ahead to examine on both +sides at once; besides, the people of the slaver knew nothing of him." + +"You saw the slaver's people?" + +"I should have said her man; for there is seemingly but one hand on board +her." + +"And how was he employed?" + +"He was seated in the chains, and seem'd to have been asleep. It is a lazy +ship, sir; and one that takes more money from her owners, I fancy, than it +ever returns!" + +"It may be so. Well, let the rogue escape. There is the prospect of a +breeze coming in from the sea, Mr Earing; we will get our topsails to the +mast-heads again, and be in readiness for it. I could like yet to see the +sun set in the water." + +The mates and the crew went cheerfully to their task, though many a +curious question was asked, by the wondering seamen, of their shipmates +who had been in the boat, and many a solemn answer was given, while they +were again spreading the canvas, to invite the breeze. Wilder turned, in +the mean time, to Mrs Wyllys, who had been an auditor of his short +conversation with the mate. + +"You perceive, Madam," he said, "that our voyage does not commence without +its omens." + +"When you tell me, inexplicable young man, with the air of singular +sincerity you sometimes possess, that we are unwise in trusting to the +ocean, I am half inclined to put faith in what you say; but when you +attempt to enforce your advice with the machinery of witchcraft, you only +induce me to proceed." + +"Man the windlass!" cried Wilder, with a look that seemed to tell his +companions, If you are so stout of heart, the opportunity to show your +resolution shall not be wanting. "Man the windlass there! We will try the +breeze again, and work the ship into the offing while there is light." + +The clattering of handspikes preceded the mariners song. Then the heavy +labour, by which the ponderous iron was lifted from the bottom, was again +resumed, and, in a few more minutes, the ship was once more released from +her hold upon the land. + +The wind soon came fresh off the ocean, charged with the saline dampness +of the element. As the air fell upon the distended and balanced sails, the +ship bowed to the welcome guest; and then, rising gracefully from its low +inclination, the breeze was heard singing, through the maze of rigging, +the music that is ever grateful to a seaman's ear. The welcome sounds, and +the freshness of the peculiar air gave additional energy to the movements +of the men. The anchor was stowed, the ship cast, the lighter sails set, +the courses had fallen, and the bows of the "Caroline" were throwing the +spray before her, ere another ten minutes had gone by. + +Wilder had now undertaken himself the task of running his vessel between +the islands of Connannicut and Rhode. Fortunately for the heavy +responsibility he had assumed, the channel was not difficult and the wind +had veered so far to the east as to give him a favourable opportunity, +after making a short stretch to windward, of laying through in a single +reach. But this stretch would bring him under the necessity of passing +very near the "Rover," or of losing no small portion of his 'vantage +ground. He did not hesitate. When the vessel was as nigh the weather shore +as his busy lead told him was prudent the ship was tacked, and her head +laid directly towards the still motionless and seemingly unobservant +slaver. + +The approach of the "Caroline" was far more propitious than before. The +wind was steady, and her crew held her in hand, as a skilful rider governs +the action of a fiery and mettled steed. Still the passage was not made +without exciting a breathless interest in every soul in the Bristol +trader. Each individual had his own secret cause of curiosity. To the +seamen, the strange ship began to be the subject of wonder; the governess, +and her ward, scarce knew the reasons of their emotions; while Wilder was +but too well instructed in the nature of the hazard that all but himself +were running. As before the man at the wheel was about to indulge his +nautical pride, by going to windward; but, although the experiment would +now have been attended with but little hazard, he was commanded to proceed +differently. + +"Pass the slaver's lee-beam, sir," said Wilder to him, with a gesture of +authority; and then the young Captain went himself to lean on the +weather-rail, like every other idler on board, to examine the object they +were so fast approaching. As the "Caroline" came boldly up, seeming to +bear the breeze before her, the sighing of the wind, as it murmured +through the rigging of the stranger, was the only sound that issued from +her. Not a single human face, not even a secret and curious eye, was any +where to be seen. The passage was of course rapid, and, as the two +vessels, for an instant, lay with heads and sterns nearly equal, Wilder +thought it was to be made without the slightest notice from the imaginary +slaver. But he was mistaken. A light, active form, in the undress attire +of a naval officer, sprang upon the taffrail, and waved a sea-cap in +salute. The instant the fair hair was blowing about the countenance of +this individual, Wilder recognized the quick, keen eye and features of the +Rover. + +"Think you the wind will hold here, sir?" shouted the latter, at the top +of his voice. + +"It has come in fresh enough to be steady," was the answer. + +"A wise mariner would get all his easting in time to me, there is a smack +of West-Indies about it." + +"You believe we shall have it more at south?" + +"I do: But a taught bow-line, for the night, will carry you clear." + +By this time the "Caroline" had swept by, and she was now luffing, across +the slaver's bows, into her course again. The figure on the taffrail waved +high the sea-cap in adieu, and disappeared. + +"Is it possible that such a man can traffic in human beings!" exclaimed +Gertrude, when the sounds of both voices had ceased. + +Receiving no reply, she turned quickly, to regard her companion. The +governess was standing like a being entranced, with her eyes looking on +vacancy for they had not changed their direction since the motion of the +vessel had carried her beyond the countenance of the stranger. As Gertrude +took her hand, and repeated the question, the recollection of Mrs Wyllys +returned. Passing her own hand over her brow, with a bewildered air, she +forced a smile as she said,-- + +"The meeting of vessels, or the renewal of any maritime experience, never +fails to revive my earliest recollections, love. But surely that was an +extraordinary being, who has at length shown himself in the slaver!" + +"For a slaver, most extraordinary!" + +Wyllys leaned her head on her hand for an instant, and then turned to seek +the person of Wilder. The young mariner was standing near, studying the +expression of her countenance, with an interest scarcely less remarkable +than her own air of thought. + +"Tell me, young man, is yonder individual the Commander of the slaver?" + +"He is." + +"You know him?" + +"We have met." + +"And he is called----" + +"The Master of yon ship. I know no other name." + +"Gertrude, we will seek our cabin. When the land is leaving us, Mr Wilder +will have the goodness to let us know." + +The latter bowed his assent, and the ladies then left the deck. The +"Caroline" had now the prospect of getting speedily to sea. In order to +effect this object, Wilder had every thing, that would draw, set to the +utmost advantage. One hundred times, at least, however, did he turn his +head, to steal a look at the vessel he had left behind. She ever lay as +when they passed--a regular, beautiful but motionless object, in the bay. +From each of these furtive examinations, our adventurer invariably cast an +excited and impatient glance at the sails of his own ship; ordering this +to be drawn tighter to the spar beneath, or that to be more distended +along its mast. + +The effect of so much solicitude, united with so much skill, was to urge +the Bristol trader through her element at a rate she had rarely, if ever, +surpassed It was not long before the land ceased to be seen on her two +beams, and then it was only to be traced in the blue islands in their +rear, or in a long, dim horizon, to the north and west, where the limits +of the vast Continent stretches for countless leagues. The passengers were +now summoned to take their parting look at the land, and the officers were +seen noting their departures. Just before the day shut in, and ere the +islands were entirely sunk into the waves, Wilder ascended to an upper +yard bearing in his hand a glass. His gaze, towards the haven he had +left, was long, anxious, and abstracted. But his descent was distinguished +by a more quiet eye, and a calmer mien. A smile, like that of success +played about his lips; and he gave his orders clearly, in a cheerful, +encouraging voice. They were obeyed as briskly. The elder mariners pointed +to the seas, as they cut through them, and affirmed that never had the +"Caroline" made such progress. The mates cast the log, and nodded their +approbation as one announced to the other the unwonted speed of the ship. +In short, content and hilarity reigned on board; for it was deemed that +their passage was commenced under such auspices as would lead it to a +speedy and a prosperous termination. In the midst of these encouraging +omens, the sun dipped into the sea, illuming, as it fell, a wide reach of +the chill and gloomy element. Then the shades of the hour began to gather +over the vast surface of the illimitable waste. + + + + +Chapter XIV. + + + + "So foul and fair a day I have not seen."--_Macbeth._ + + +The first watch of the night was marked by no change. Wilder had joined +his passengers, cheerful, and with that air of enjoyment which every +officer of the sea is more or less wont to exhibit, when he has disengaged +his vessel from the dangers of the land, and has fairly launched her on +the trackless and fathomless abyss of the ocean. He no longer alluded to +the hazards of the passage, but strove, by the thousand nameless +assiduities which his station enabled him to man fest, to expel all +recollection of had passed from their minds. Mrs Wyllys lent herself to +his evident efforts to remove their apprehensions and one, ignorant of +what had occurred between them, would have thought the little party, +around the evening's repast, was a contented and unsuspecting group of +travellers, who had commenced their enterprise under the happiest +auguries. + +Still there was that, in the thoughtful eye and clouded brow of the +governess, as at times she turned her bewildered look on our adventurer, +which denoted a mind far from being at ease. She listened to the gay and +peculiar, because professional, sallies of the young mariner, with smiles +that were indulgent while they were melancholy, as though his youthful +spirits, exhibited as they were by touches of a humour that was thoroughly +and quaintly nautical recalled familiar, but sad, images to her fancy +Gertrude had less alloy in her pleasure. Home, with a beloved and +indulgent father, were before her; and she felt, while the ship yielded to +each fresh impulse of the wind, as if another of those weary miles which +had so long separated them, was already conquered. + +During these short but pleasant hours, the adventurer who had been so +oddly called into the command of the Bristol trader, appeared in a new +character. Though his conversation was characterized by the frank +manliness of a seaman, it was, nevertheless tempered by the delicacy of +perfect breeding. The beautiful mouth of Gertrude often struggled to +conceal the smiles which played around her lips and dimpled her cheeks, +like a soft air ruffling the surface of some limpid spring; and once or +twice, when the humour of Wilder came unexpectedly across her youthful +fancy, she was compelled to yield to the impulses of an irresistible +merriment. + +One hour of the free intercourse of a ship can do more towards softening +the cold exterior in which the world encrusts the best of human feelings, +than weeks of the unmeaning ceremonies of the land. He who has not felt +this truth, would do well to distrust his own companionable qualities. It +would seem that man, when he finds himself in the solitude of the ocean, +feels the deepest how great is his dependancy on others for happiness. +Then it is that he yields to sentiments with which he trifled, in the +wantonness of abundance, and is glad to seek relief in the sympathies of +his kind. A community of hazard makes a community of interest, whether +person or property composes the stake. Perhaps a meta-physical and a too +literal, reasoner might add, that, as in such situations each one is +conscious the condition and fortunes of his neighbour are the mere indexes +of his own, they acquire value in his eyes from their affinity to himself. +If this conclusion be true, Providence has happily so constituted the best +of the species, that the sordid feeling is too latent to be discovered; +and least of all was any one of the three, who passed the first hours of +the night around the cabin table of the "Royal Caroline," to be included +in so selfish a class. The nature of the intercourse, which had rendered +the first hours of their acquaintance so singularly equivocal, appeared to +be forgotten in the freedom of the moment; or, if it were remembered at +all, it merely served to give the young seaman additional interest in the +eyes of the females, as much by the mystery of the circumstances as by the +evident concern he had manifested in their behalf. + +The bell had struck eight; and the hoarse long-drawn call, which summoned +the sleepers to the deck, was heard, before either of the party seemed +aware of the lateness of the hour. + +"It is the middle watch," said Wilder, smiling at he observed that +Gertrude started at the strange sounds, and sat listening, like a timid +doe that catches the note of the hunter's horn. "We seamen are not always +musical, as you may judge by the strains of the spokesman on this +occasion. There are, however, ears in the ship to whom his notes are even +more discordant than to your own." + +"You mean the sleepers?" said Mrs Wyllys. + +"I mean the watch below. There is nothing so sweet to the foremast mariner +as his sleep; for it is the most precarious of all his enjoyments: on the +other hand, perhaps, it is the most treacherous companion the Commander +knows." + +"And why is the rest of the superior so much less grateful than that of +the common man?" + +"Because he pillows his head on responsibility." + +"You are young, Mr Wilder, for a trust like this you bear." + +"It is a service which makes us all prematurely old." + +"Then, why not quit it?" said Gertrude, a little hastily. + +"Quit it!" he replied, gazing at her intently, for an instant, while he +suspended his reply. "It would be to me like quitting the air we breathe." + +"Have you so long been devoted to your profession?" resumed Mrs Wyllys, +bending her thoughtful eye, from the ingenuous countenance of her pupil, +once more towards the features of him she addressed. + +"I have reason to think I was born on the sea." + +"Think! You surely know your birth-place." + +"We are all of us dependant on the testimony of others," said Wilder, +smiling, "for the account of that important event. My earliest +recollections are blended with the sight of the ocean, and I can hardly +say that I am a creature of the land at all." + +"You have, at least, been fortunate in those who have had the charge to +watch over your education and your younger days." + +"I have!" he answered, with strong emphasis. Then, after shading his face +an instant with his hands, he arose, and added, with a melancholy smile: +"And now to my last duty for the twenty four hours. Have you a disposition +to look at the night? So skilful and so stout a sailor should not seek her +birth, without passing an opinion on the weather." + +The governess took his offered arm, and, with his aid, ascended the stairs +of the cabin in silence, each seemingly finding sufficient employment in +meditation. She was followed by the more youthful, and therefore more +active Gertrude, who joined them as they stood together, on the weather +side of the quarter-deck. + +The night was rather misty than dark. A full and bright moon had arisen; +but it pursued its path, through the heavens, behind a body of dusky +clouds, that was much too dense for any borrowed rays to penetrate. Here +and there, a straggling gleam appeared to find its way through a covering +of vapour less dense than the rest, and fell upon the water like the dim +illumination of a distant taper. As the wind was fresh and easterly, the +sea seemed to throw upward from its agitated surface, more light, than it +received; long lines of white, glittering foam following each other, and +lending, at moments, a distinctness to the surface of the waters, that the +heavens themselves wanted. The ship was bowed low on its side; and, as it +entered each rolling swell of the ocean, a wide crescent of foam was +driven ahead, as if the element gambolled along its path. But, though the +time was propitious, the wind not absolutely adverse, and the heavens +rather gloomy than threatening, an uncertain (and, to a landsman, it might +seem an unnatural) light gave to the view a character of the wildest +loneliness. + +Gertrude shuddered, on reaching the deck, while she murmured an expression +of strange delight. Even Mrs Wyllys gazed upon the dark waves, that were +heaving and setting in the horizon, around which was shed most of that +radiance that seemed so supernatural, with a deep conviction that she was +now entirely in the hands of the Being who had created the waters and the +land. But Wilder looked upon the scene as one fastens his gaze on a placid +sky. To him the view possessed neither novelty, nor dread, nor charm. Not +so, however, with his more youthful and slightly enthusiastic companion. +After the first sensations of awe had a little subsided, she exclaimed, in +the fullest ardour of admiration,-- + +"One such sight would repay a month of imprisonment in a ship! You must +find deep enjoyment in these scenes, Mr Wilder; you, who have them always +at command." + +"Yes, yes; there is pleasure to be found in them, without doubt, I would +that the wind had veer'd a point or two! I like not that sky, nor yonder +misty horizon, nor this breeze hanging so dead at east." + +"The vessel makes great progress," returned Mrs Wyllys, calmly, observing +that the young man spoke without consciousness, and fearing the effect of +his words on the mind of her pupil. "If we are going on our course, there +is the appearance of a quick and prosperous passage." + +"True!" exclaimed Wilder, as though he had just become conscious of her +presence. "Quite probable and very true. Mr Earing, the air is getting too +heavy for that duck. Hand all your top-gallant sails, and haul the ship up +closer. Should the wind hang here at east-with-southing, we may want what +offing we can get." + +The mate replied in the prompt and obedient manner which seamen use to +their superiors; and; lifter scanning the signs of the weather for a +moment, he promptly proceeded to see the order executed. While the men +were on the yards furling the light canvas, the females walked apart, +leaving the young Commander to the uninterrupted discharge of his duty. +But Wilder, so far from deeming it necessary to lend his attention to so +ordinary a service, the moment after he had spoken, seemed perfectly +unconscious that the mandate had issued from his mouth. He stood on the +precise spot where the view of the ocean and the heavens had first caught +his eye, and his gaze still continued fastened on the aspect of the two +elements. His look was always in the direction of the wind, which, though +far from a gale, often fell upon the sails of the ship in heavy and sullen +puffs. After a long and anxious examination, the young mariner muttered +his thoughts to himself, and commenced pacing the deck with rapid +footsteps. Still he would make sudden and short pauses, and again rivet +his gaze on the point of the compass whence the blasts came sweeping +across the waste of waters; as though he distrusted the weather, and would +fain cause his keen glance to penetrate the gloom of night, in order to +relieve some painful doubts. At length his step became arrested, in one of +those quick turns that he made at each end of his narrow walk. Mrs Wyllys +and Gertrude stood nigh, and were enabled to read something of the anxious +character of his countenance, as his eye became suddenly fastened on a +distant point of the ocean, though in a quarter exactly opposite to that +whither his former looks had been directed. + +"Do you so much distrust the weather?" asked the governess, when she +thought his examination had endured long enough to become ominous of evil. + +"One looks not to leeward for the signs of the weather, in a breeze like +this," was the answer. + +"What see you, then, to fasten your eye on thus intently?" + +Wilder slowly raised his arm, and was about to point with his finger, +when the limb suddenly fell again. + +"It was delusion!" he muttered, turning quickly on his heel, and pacing +the deck still more rapidly than ever. + +His companions watched the extraordinary, and apparently unconscious, +movements of the young Commander, with amazement, and not without a little +secret dismay. Their own looks wandered over the expanse of troubled water +to leeward, but nowhere could they see more than the tossing element, +capped with those ridges of garish foam which served only to make the +chilling waste more dreary and imposing. + +"We see nothing," said Gertrude, when Wilder again stopped in his walk, +and once more gazed, as before, on the seeming void. + +"Look!" he answered, directing their eyes with his finger: "Is there +nothing there?" + +"Nothing." + +"You look into the sea. Here, just where the heavens and the waters meet; +along that streak of misty light, into which the waves are tossing +themselves, like little hillocks on the land. There; now 'tis smooth +again, and my eyes did not deceive me. By heavens, it is a ship!" + +"Sail, ho!" shouted a voice, from out atop, which sounded in the ears of +our adventurer like the croaking of some sinister spirit, sweeping across +the deep. + +"Whereaway?" was the stern demand. + +"Here on our lee-quarter, sir," returned the seaman at the top of his +voice. "I make her out a ship close-hauled; but, for an hour past, she has +looked more like mist than a vessel." + +"Ay, he is right," muttered Wilder; "and yet 'tis a strange thing that a +ship should be just there." + +"And why stranger than that we are here?" + +"Why!" said the young man, regarding Mrs Wyllys, who had put this +question, with a perfectly unconscious eye. "I say, 'tis strange she +should be there. I would she were steering northward." + +"But you give no reason. Are we always to have warnings from you," she +continued, with a smile, "without reasons? Do you deem us so utterly +unworthy of a reason? or do you think us incapable of thought on a subject +connected with the sea? You have failed to make the essay, and are too +quick to decide. Try us this once. We may possibly deceive your +expectations." + +Wilder laughed faintly, and bowed, as if he recollected himself. Still he +entered into no explanation; but again turned his gaze on the quarter of +the ocean where the strange sail was said to be. The females followed his +example, but ever with the same want of success. As Gertrude expressed her +disappointment aloud, the soft tones of the complainant found their way to +the ears of our adventurer. + +"You see the streak of dim light," he said, again pointing across the +waste. "The clouds have lifted a little there, but the spray of the sea is +floating between us and the opening. Her spars look like the delicate work +of a spider, against the sky, and yet you see there are all the +proportions, with the three masts, of a noble ship." + +Aided by these minute directions, Gertrude at length caught a glimpse of +the faint object, and soon succeeded in giving the true direction to the +look of her governess also. Nothing was visible but the dim outline, not +unaptly described by Wilder himself assembling a spider's web. + +"It must be a ship!" said Mrs Wyllys; "but at a vast distance." + +"Hum! Would it were farther. I could wish that vessel any where but +there." + +"And why not there? Have you reason to dread an enemy has been waiting for +us in this particular spot?" + +"No: Still I like not her position. Would to God the were going north!" + +"It is some vessel from the port of New York steering to his Majesty's +islands in the Caribbean sea." + +"Not so," said Wilder, shaking his head; "no vessel, from under the +heights of Never-sink, could gain that offing with a wind like this!" + +"It is then some ship going into the same place, or perhaps bound for one +of the bays of the Middle Colonies!" + +"Her road would be too plain to be mistaken. See; the stranger is close +upon a wind." + +"It may be a trader, or a cruiser coming _from_ one of the places I have +named." + +"Neither. The wind has had too much northing, the last two days, for +that." + +"It is a vessel that we have overtaken, and which has come out of the +waters of Long Island Sound." + +"That, indeed, may we yet hope," muttered Wilder in a smothered voice. + +The governess, who had put the foregoing questions in order to extract +from the Commander of the "Caroline" the information he so pertinaciously +withheld, had now exhausted all her own knowledge on the subject, and was +compelled to await his further pleasure in the matter, or resort to the +less equivocal means of direct interrogation. But the busy state of +Wilder's thoughts left her no immediate opportunity to pursue the subject. +He soon summoned the officer of the watch to his councils, and they +consulted together, apart, for many minutes. The hardy, but far from +quick witted, seaman who tilled the second station in the ship saw nothing +so remarkable in the appearance of a strange sail, in the precise spot +where the dim and nearly aerial image of the unknown vessel was still +visible; nor did he hesitate to pronounce her some honest trader bent, +like themselves, on her purpose of lawful commerce. It would seem that his +Commander thought otherwise, as will appear by the short dialogue that +passed between them. + +"Is it not extraordinary that she should be just there?" demanded Wilder, +after they had, each in turn, made a closer examination of the faint +object, by the aid of an excellent night-glass. + +"She would be better off, here," returned the literal seaman, who only had +an eye for the nautical situation of the stranger; "and we should be none +the worse for being a dozen leagues more to the eastward, ourselves. If +the wind holds here at east-by-south-half-south we shall have need of all +that offing. I got jammed once between Hatteras and the Gulf"-- + +"But, do you not perceive that she is where no vessel could or ought to +be, unless she has run exactly the same course with ourselves?" +interrupted Wilder. "Nothing, from any harbour south of New York, could +have such northing, as the wind has been; while nothing, from the Colony +of York would stand on this tack, if bound east; or would be here, if +going southward." + +The plain-going ideas of the honest mate were open to a reasoning which +the reader may find a little obscure: for his mind contained a sort of +chart of the ocean, to which he could at any time refer, with a proper +discrimination between the various winds, and all the different points of +the compass. When properly directed, he was not slow to see, as a mariner, +the probable justice of his young Commander's inferences; and then +wonder, in its turn began to take possession of his more obtuse faculties. + +"It is downright unnatural, truly, that the fellow should be there!" he +replied, shaking his head, but meaning no more than that it was entirely +out of the order of nautical propriety; "I see the philosophy of what you +say, Captain Wilder; and little do I know how to explain it. It is a ship, +to a mortal certainty!" + +"Of that there is no doubt. But a ship most strangely placed!" + +"I doubled the Good-Hope in the year '46," continued the other, "and saw a +vessel lying, as it might be, here, on our weather-bow--which is just +opposite to this fellow, since he is on our lee-quarter--but there I saw a +ship standing for an hour across our fore-foot, and yet, though we set the +azimuth, not a degree did he budge, starboard or larboard, during all that +time, which, as it was heavy weather, was, to say the least, something out +of the common order." + +"It was remarkable!" returned Wilder, with an air so vacant, as to prove +that he rather communed with himself than attended to his companion. + +"There are mariners who say that the flying Dutchman cruises off that +Cape, and that he often gets on the weather side of a stranger, and bears +down upon him, like a ship about to lay him aboard. Many is the King's +cruiser, as they say, that has turned her hands up from a sweet sleep, +when the look-outs have seen a double decker coming down in the night, +with ports up, and batteries lighted but then this can't be any such craft +as the Dutchman, since she is, at the most, no more than a large sloop of +war, if a cruiser at all." + +"No, no," said Wilder, "this can never be the Dutchman." + +"Yon vessel shows no lights; and, for that matter, she has such a misty +look, that one might well question its being a ship at all. Then, again, +the Dutchman is always seen to windward, and the strange sail we have here +lies broad upon our lee-quarter!" + +"It is no Dutchman," said Wilder, drawing a long breath, like a man +awaking from a trance. "Main topmast-cross-trees, there!" + +The man who was stationed aloft answered to this hail in the customary +manner, the short conversation that succeeded being necessarily maintained +in shouts, rather than in speeches. + +"How long have you seen the stranger?" was the first demand of Wilder. + +"I have just come aloft, sir; but the man I relieved tells me more than an +hour." + +"And has the man you relieved come down? or what is that I see sitting on +the lee side of the mast-head?" + +"'Tis Bob Brace, sir; who says he cannot sleep, and so he stays upon the +yard to keep me company." + +"Send the man down. I would speak to him." + +While the wakeful seaman was descending the rigging, the two officers +continued silent, each seeming to find sufficient occupation in musing on +what had already passed. + +"And why are you not in your hammock?" said Wilder, a little sternly, to +the man who, in obedience to his order, had descended to the quarter-deck. + +"I am not sleep-bound, your Honour, and therefore I had the mind to pass +another hour aloft." + +"And why are you, who have two night-watches to keep already, so willing +to enlist in a third?" + +"To own the truth, sir, my mind has been a little misgiving about this +passage, since the moment we lifted our anchor." + +Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude, who were auditors, insensibly drew nigher, to +listen, with a species of interest which betrayed itself by the thrilling +of nerves, and an accelerated movement of the pulse. + +"And you have your doubts, sir!" exclaimed the Captain, in a tone of +slight contempt. "Pray, may I ask what you have seen, on board here, to +make you distrust the ship." + +"No harm in asking, your Honour," returned the seaman, crushing the hat he +held between two hands that had a gripe like a couple of vices, "and so I +hope there is none in answering. I pulled an oar in the boat after the old +man this morning, and I cannot say I like the manner in which he got from +the chase. Then, there is something in the ship to leeward that comes +athwart my fancy like a drag, and I confess, your Honour, that I should +make but little head-way in a nap, though I should try the swing of a +hammock." + +"How long is it since you made the ship to leeward?" gravely demanded +Wilder. + +"I will not swear that a real living ship has been made out at all, sir. +Something I did see, just before the bell struck seven, and there it is, +just as clear and just as dim, to be seen now by them that have good +eyes." + +"And how did she bear when you first saw her?" + +"Two or three points more toward the beam than it is now." + +"Then we are passing her!" exclaimed Wilder, with a pleasure too evident +to be concealed. + +"No, your Honour, no. You forget, sir, the ship has come closer to the +wind since the middle watch was set." + +"True," returned his young Commander, in a tone of disappointment; "true, +very true. And her bearing has not changed since you first made her?" + +"Not by compass, sir. It is a quick boat that, or would never hold such +way with the 'Royal Caroline,' and that too upon a stiffened bow-line, +which every body knows is the real play of this ship." + +"Go, get you to your hammock. In the morning we may have a better look at +the fellow." + +"And--you hear me, sir," added the attentive mate, "do not keep the men's +eyes open below, with a tale as long as the short cable, but take your own +natural rest, and leave all others, that have clear consciences, to do the +same." + +"Mr Earing," said Wilder, as the seaman reluctantly proceeded towards his +place of rest, "we will bring the ship upon the other tack, and get more +easting, while the land is so far from us. This course will be setting us +upon Hatteras. Besides"---- + +"Yes, sir," the mate replied, observing his superior to hesitate, "as you +were saying,--besides, no one can foretel the length of a gale, nor the +real quarter it may come from." + +"Precisely. No one can answer for the weather. The men are scarcely in +their hammocks; turn them up at once, sir, before their eyes are heavy, +and we will bring the ship's head the other way." + +The mate instantly sounded the well-known cry, which summoned the watch +below to the assistance of their shipmates on the deck. Little delay +occurred, and not a word was uttered, but the short, authoritative +mandates which Wilder saw fit to deliver from his own lips. No longer +pressed up against the wind, the ship, obedient to her helm, gracefully +began to incline her head from the waves, and to bring the wind abeam. +Then, instead of breasting and mounting the endless hillocks, like a being +that toiled heavily along its path, she fell into the trough of the sea, +from which she issued like a courser, who, have conquered an ascent, +shoots along the track with redoubled velocity. For an instant the wind +appear ed to have lulled, though the wide ridge of foam which rolled +along on each side the vessel's bows, sufficiently proclaimed that she was +skimming lightly before it. In another moment, the tall spars began to +incline again to the west, and the vessel came swooping up to the wind, +until her plunges and shocks against the seas were renewed as violently as +before. When every yard and sheet were properly trimmed to meet the new +position of the vessel, Wilder turned anxiously to get a glimpse of the +stranger. A minute was lost in ascertaining the precise spot where he +ought to appear; for, in such a chaos of water, and with no guide but the +judgment, the eye was apt to deceive itself, by referring to the nearer +and more familiar objects by which the spectator was surrounded. + +"The stranger has vanished!" said Earing, with a voice in whose tones +mental relief and distrust were both, at the same moment, oddly +manifesting themselves. + +"He should be on this quarter; but I confess I see him not!" + +"Ay, ay, sir; this is the way that the midnight cruiser off the Hope is +said to come and go. There are men who have seen that vessel shut in by a +fog, in as fine a star-light night as was ever met in a southern latitude. +But then this cannot be the Dutchman, since it is so many long leagues +from the pitch of the Cape to the coast of North-America. + +"Here he lies; and, by heaven! he has already gone about!" cried Wilder. + +The truth of what our young adventurer had just affirmed was indeed now +sufficiently evident to the eye of any seaman. The same diminutive and +misty tracery, as before, was to be seen on the light background of the +threatening horizon, looking not unlike the faintest shadows cast upon +some brighter surface by the deception of the phantasmagoria. But to the +mariners, who so well knew how to distinguish between the different lines +of her masts, it was very evident that her course had been suddenly and +dexterously changed, and that she was now steering no longer to the south +and west, but, like themselves, holding her way towards the north-east. +The fact appeared to make a sensible impression on them all; though +probably, had their reasons been sifted, they would have been found to be +entirely different. + +"That ship has truly tacked!" Earing exclaimed, after a long, meditative +pause, and with a voice in which distrust, or rather awe, was beginning to +get the ascendancy. "Long as I have followed the sea, have I never before +seen a vessel tack against such a head-beating sea. He must have been all +shaking in the wind, when we gave him the last look, or we should not have +lost sight of him." + +"A lively and quick-working vessel might do it," said Wilder; "especially +if strong handed." + +"Ay, the hand of Beelzebub is always strong; and a light job would he make +of it, in forcing even a dull craft to sail." + +"Mr Earing," interrupted Wilder, "we will pack upon the 'Caroline,' and +try our sailing with this taunting stranger. Get the main tack aboard, and +set the top-gallant-sail." + +The slow-minded mate would have remonstrated against the order, had he +dared; but there was that, in the calm, subdued, but deep tones of his +young Commander, which admonished him of the hazard. He was not wrong, +however, in considering the duty he was now to perform as one not without +some risk. The ship was already moving under quite as much canvas as he +deemed it prudent to show at such an hour, and with so many threatening +symptoms of heavier weather hanging about the horizon. The necessary +orders were, however, repeated as promptly as they had been given. The +seamen had already begun to consider the stranger, and to converse among +themselves concerning his appearance and situation; and they obeyed with +an alacrity that might perhaps have been traced to a secret but common +wish to escape from his vicinity. The sails were successively and speedily +set; and then each man folded his arms, and stood gazing steadily and +intently at the shadowy object to leeward, in order to witness the effect +of the change. + +The "Royal Caroline" seemed, like her crew, sensible of the necessity of +increasing her speed. As she felt the pressure of the broad sheets of +canvas that had just been distended, the ship bowed lower, and appeared to +recline on the bed of water which rose under her lee nearly to the +scuppers. On the other side, the dark planks, and polished copper, lay +bare for many feet, though often washed by the waves that came sweeping +along her length, green and angrily, still capped, as usual, with crests +of lucid foam. The shocks, as the vessel tilted against the billows, were +becoming every moment more severe; and, from each encounter, a bright +cloud of spray arose, which either fell glittering on the deck, or drove, +in brilliant mist, across the rolling water, far to leeward. + +Wilder long watched the ship, with an excited mien, but with all the +intelligence of a seaman. Once or twice, when she trembled, and appeared +to stop, in her violent encounter with a wave, as suddenly as though she +had struck a rock, his lips severed, and he was about to give the order to +reduce the sail; but a glance at the misty looking image on the western +horizon seemed ever to cause his mind to change its purpose. Like a +desperate adventurer, who had cast his fortunes on some hazardous +experiment, he appeared to await the issue with a resolution that was as +haughty as it was unconquerable. + +"That topmast is bending like a whip," muttered the careful Earing, at +his elbow. + +"Let it go; we have spare spars to put in its place," was the answer. + +"I have always found the 'Caroline' leaky after she has been strained by +driving her against the sea." + +"We have our pumps." + +"True, sir; but, in my poor judgment, it is idle to think of outsailing a +craft that the devil commands if he does not altogether handle it." + +"One will never know that, Mr Earing, till he tries." + +"We gave the Dutchman a chance of that sort; and, I must say, we not only +had the most canvas spread, but much the best of the wind: And what good +did it all do? there he lay, under his three topsails driver, and jib; and +we, with studding sails alow and aloft, couldn't alter his bearing a +foot." + +"The Dutchman is never seen in a northern latitude." + +"Well, I cannot say he is," returned Earing, in a sort of compelled +resignation; "but he who has put that flyer off the Cape may have found +the cruise so profitable, as to wish to send another ship into these +seas." + +Wilder made no reply. He had either humoured the superstitious +apprehension of his mate enough, or his mind was too intent on its +principal object, to dwell longer on a foreign subject. + +Notwithstanding the seas that met her advance, in such quick succession as +greatly to retard her progress the Bristol trader had soon toiled her way +through a league of the troubled element. At every plunge she took, the +bow divided a mass of water, that appeared, at each instant, to become +more vast and more violent in its rushing; and more than once the +struggling hull was nearly buried forward, in some wave which it had +equal difficulty in mounting or penetrating. + +The mariners narrowly watched the smallest movements of their vessel. Not +a man left her deck, for hours. The superstitious awe, which had taken +such deep hold of the untutored faculties of the chief mate, had not been +slow to extend its influence to the meanest of her crew. Even the accident +which had befallen their former Commander, and the sudden and mysterious +manner in which the young officer, who now trod the quarter-deck, so +singularly firm and calm, under circumstances deemed so imposing, had +their influence in heightening the wild impression The impunity with which +the "Caroline" bore such a press of canvas, under the circumstances in +which she was placed, added to their kindling admiration; and, ere Wilder +had determined, in his own mind, on the powers of his ship, in comparison +with those of the vessel that so strangely hung in the horizon, he was +himself becoming the subject of unnatural and revolting suspicions to his +own crew. + + + +Chapter XV. + + + + ----"I' the name of truth, + Are ye fantastical, or that indeed + Which outwardly ye show?"--_Macbeth._ + + +The division of employment that is found in Europe, and which brings, in +its train, a peculiar and corresponding limitation of ideas, has never yet +existed in our country. If our artisans have, in consequence been less +perfect in their several handicrafts, they have ever been remarkable for +intelligence of a more general character. Superstition is however, a +quality that seems indigenous to the ocean. Few common mariners are exempt +from its influence, in a greater or less degree; though it is found to +exist, among the seamen of different people, in forms that are tempered by +their respective national habits and peculiar opinions. The sailor of the +Baltic has his secret rites, and his manner of propitiating the gods of +the wind; the Mediterranean mariner tears his hair, and kneels before the +shrine of some impotent saint, when his own hand might better do the +service he implores; while the more skilful Englishman sees the spirits of +the dead in the storm, and hears the cries of a lost messmate in the gusts +that sweep the waste he navigates. Even the better instructed and still +more reasoning American has not been able to shake entirely off the secret +influence of a sentiment that seems the concomitant of his condition. + +There is a majesty, in the might of the great deep that has a tendency to +keep open the avenues of that dependant credulity which more or less +besets the mind of every man, however he may have fortified his intellect +by thought. With the firmament above him, and wandering on an interminable +waste of water, the less gifted seaman is tempted, at every step of his +pilgrimage, to seek the relief of some propitious omen. The few which are +supported by scientific causes give support to the many that have their +origin only in his own excited and doubting temperament. The gambols of +the dolphin, the earnest and busy passage of the porpoise, the ponderous +sporting of the unwieldy whale, and the screams of the marine birds, have +all, like the signs of the ancient soothsayers, their attendant +consequences of good or evil. The confusion between things which are +explicable, and things which are not, gradually brings the mind of the +mariner to a state in which any exciting and unnatural sentiment is +welcome, if it be or no other reason than that, like the vast element on +which he passes his life, it bears the impression of what is thought a +supernatural, because it is an incomprehensible, power. + +The crew of the "Royal Caroline" had not even the advantage of being +natives of a land where necessity and habit have united to bring every +man's faculties into exercise, to a certain extent at least. They were all +from that distant island that has been, and still continues to be, the +hive of nations, which are probably fated to carry her name to a time when +the sight of her fallen power shall be sought as a curiosity, like the +remains of a city in a desert. + +The whole events of that day of which we are now writing had a tendency to +arouse the latent superstition of these men. It has already been said, +that the calamity which had befallen their former Commander, and the +manner in which a stranger had succeeded to his authority, had their +influence in increasing their disposition to doubt. The sail to leeward +appeared most inopportunely for the character of our adventurer, who had +not yet enjoyed a fitting opportunity to secure the confidence of his +inferiors, before such untoward circumstances occurred as threatened to +deprive him of it for ever. + +There has existed but one occasion for introducing to the reader the mate +who filled the station in the ship next to that of Earing. He was called +Nighthead; a name that was, in some measure, indicative of a certain misty +obscurity that beset his superior member. The qualities of his mind may be +appreciated by the few reflections he saw fit to make on the escape of the +old mariner whom Wilder had intended to visit with a portion of his +indignation. This individual, as he was but one degree removed from the +common men in situation, so was he every way qualified to maintain that +association with the crew which was, in some measure, necessary between +them. His influence among them was commensurate to his opportunities of +intercourse, and his sentiments were very generally received with a +portion of that deference which is thought to be due to the opinions of an +oracle. + +After the ship had been worn, and during the time that Wilder, with a view +to lose sight of his unwelcome neighbour, was endeavouring to urge her +through the seas in the manner already described, this stubborn and +mystified tar remained in the waist of the vessel, surrounded by a few of +the older and more experienced seamen, holding converse on the remarkable +appearance of the phantom to leeward, and of the extraordinary manner in +which their unknown officer saw fit to attest the enduring qualities of +their own vessel. We shall commence our relation of the dialogue at a +point where Nighthead saw fit to discontinue his distant inuendos, in +order to deal more directly with the subject he had under discussion. + +"I have heard it said, by older sea-faring men than any in this ship," he +continued, "that the devil has been known to send one of his mates aboard +a lawful trader, to lead her astray among shoals and quicksands, in order +that he might make a wreck, and get his share of the salvage, among the +souls of the people. What man can say who gets into the cabin, when an +unknown name stands first in the shipping list of a vessel?" + +"The stranger is shut in by a cloud!" exclaimed one of the mariners, who, +while he listened to the philosophy of his officer, still kept an eye +riveted on the mysterious object to leeward. + +"Ay, ay; it would occasion no surprise to see that craft steering into the +moon! Luck is like a fly-block and its yard: when one goes up, the other +comes down. They say the red-coats ashore have had their turn of fortune, +and it is time we honest seamen look out for our squalls. I have doubled +the Horn, brothers, in a King's ship, and I have seen the bright cloud +that never sets, and have held a living corposant in my own hand: But +these are things which any man may look on, who will go upon a yard in a +gale, or ship aboard a Southseaman: Still, I pronounce it uncommon for a +vessel to see her shadow in the haze, as we have ours at this moment for +there it comes again!--hereaway, between the after-shroud and the +backstay--or for a trader to carry sail in a fashion that would make every +knee in a bomb-ketch work like a tooth-brush fiddling across a passenger's +mouth, after he had had a smart bout with the sea sickness." + +"And yet the lad holds the ship in hand," said the oldest of all the +seamen, who kept his gaze fastened on the proceedings of Wilder; "he is +driving her through it in a mad manner, I will allow; but yet, so far, he +has not parted a yarn." + +"Yarns!" repeated the mate, in a tone of strong contempt; "what signify +yarns, when the whole cable is to snap, and in such a fashion as to leave +no hope for the anchor, except in a buoy rope? Hark ye, old Bill; the +devil never finishes his jobs by halves: What is to happen will happen +bodily; and no easing-off, as if you were lowering the Captain's lady into +a boat, and he on deck to see fair play." + +"Mr Nighthead knows how to keep a ship's reckoning in all weathers!" said +another, whose manner sufficiently announced the dependance he himself +placed on the capacity of the second mate. + +"And no credit to me for the same. I have seen all services, and handled +every rig, from a lugger to a double-decker! Few men can say more in their +own favour than myself; for the little I know has been got by much +hardship, and small schooling. But what matters information, or even +seamanship against witchcraft, or the workings of one whom I don't choose +to name, seeing that there is no use in offending any gentleman +unnecessarily? I say, brothers that this ship is packed upon in a fashion +that no prudent seaman ought to, or would, allow." + +A general murmur announced that most, if not all, of his hearers accorded +in his opinion. + +"Let us examine calmly and reasonably, and in a manner becoming +enlightened Englishmen, into the whole state of the case," the mate +continued, casting an eye obliquely over his shoulder, perhaps to make +sure that the individual, of whose displeasure he stood in such salutary +awe, was not actually at his elbow. "We are all of us, to a man, +native-born islanders, without a drop of foreign blood among us; not so +much as a Scotchman or an Irishman in the ship. Let us therefore look into +the philosophy of this affair, with that sort of judgment which becomes +our breeding. In the first place, here is honest Nicholas Nichols slips +from this here water-cask, and breaks me a leg! Now, brothers, I've known +men to fall from tops and yards, and lighter damage done. But what matters +it, to a certain person, how far he throws his man, since he has only to +lift a finger to get us all hanged? Then, comes me aboard here a stranger, +with a look of the colonies about him, and none of your plain-dealing, +out-and-out, smooth English faces, such as a man can cover with the flat +of his hand."-- + +"The lad is well enough to the eye," interrupted the old mariner. + +"Ay, therein lies the whole deviltry of this matter! He is good-looking, I +grant ye; but it is not such good-looking as an Englishman loves. There is +a meaning about him that I don't like; for I never likes too much meaning +in a man's countenance, seeing that it is not always easy to understand +what he would be doing. Then, this stranger gets to be Master of the ship, +or, what is the same thing, next to Master; while he who should be on +deck giving his orders, in a time like this, is lying in his birth unable +to tack himself, much less to put the vessel about; and yet no man can say +how the thing came to pass." + +"He drove a bargain with the consignee for the station, and right glad did +the cunning merchant seem to get so tight a youth to take charge of the +'Caroline.'" + +"Ah! a merchant is, like the rest of us, made of nothing better than clay; +and, what is worse, it is seldom that, in putting him together, he is +dampened with salt water. Many is the trader that has douzed his +spectacles, and shut his account-books, to step aside to over-reach his +neighbour, and then come back to find that he has over-reached himself. Mr +Bale, no doubt, thought he was doing the clever thing for the owners, when +he shipped this Mr Wilder; but then, perhaps, he did not know that the +vessel was sold to ------ It becomes a plain-going seaman to have a +respect for all he sails under; so I will not, unnecessarily, name the +person who, I believe, has got, whether he came by it in a fair purchase +or not, no small right in this vessel." + +"I have never seen a ship got out of irons more handsomely than he handled +the 'Caroline' this very morning." + +Nighthead now indulged in a low, but what to his listeners appeared to be +an exceedingly meaning, laugh. + +"When a ship has a certain sort of Captain, one is not to be surprised at +any thing," he answered the instant his significant merriment had ceased. +"For my own part, I shipped to go from Bristol to the Carolinas and +Jamaica, touching at Newport out and home; and I will say, boldly, I have +no wish to go any where else. As to backing the 'Caroline' from her +awkward birth alongside the slaver, why it was well done; most too well +for so young a manner. Had I done the thing myself, it could not have been +much better. But what think you, brothers of the old man in the skiff? +There was a chase, and an escape, such as few old sea-dogs have the +fortune to behold! I have heard of a smuggler that was chased a hundred +times by his Majesty's cutters, in the chops of the Channel, and which +always had a fog handy to run into, but out of which no man could truly +say he ever saw her come again! This skiff may have plied between the land +and that Guernseyman, for any thing I know to the contrary; but it is not +a boat I wish to pull a scull in." + +"That _was_ a remarkable flight!" exclaimed the elder seaman, whose faith +in the character of our adventurer began to give way gradually, before +such an accumulation of testimony. + +"I call it so; though other men may possibly know better than I, who have +only followed the water five-and-thirty years. Then, here is the sea +getting up, in an unaccountable manner! and look at these rags of clouds, +which darken the heavens! and yet there is light enough, coming from the +ocean, for a good scholar to read by!" + +"I've often seen the weather as it is now." + +"Ay, who has not? It is seldom that any man, let him come from what part +he will, makes his first voyage as Captain. Let who will be out to-night +upon the water, I'll engage he has been there before. I have seen worse +looking skies, and even worse looking water, than this; but I never knew +any good come of either. The night I was wreck'd in the bay of"---- + +"In the waist there!" cried the calm, authoritative tones of Wilder. + +Had a warning voice arisen from the turbulent and rushing ocean itself, it +would not have sounded more alarming, in the startled ears of the +conscious seamen, than this sudden hail. Their young Commander found it +necessary to repeat it, before even Nighthead, the proper and official +spokesman, could muster resolution to answer. + +"Get the fore-top-gallant-sail on the ship, sir," continued Wilder, when +the customary reply let him know that he had been heard. + +The mate and his companions regarded each other, for a moment, in dull +admiration; and many a melancholy shake of the head was exchanged, before +one of the party threw himself into the weather-rigging, and proceeded +aloft, with a doubting mind, in order to loosen the sail in question. + +There was certainly enough, in the desperate manner with which Wilder +pressed the canvas on the vessel, to excite distrust, either of his +intentions or judgment, in the opinions of men less influenced by +superstition than those it was now his lot to command. It had long been +apparent to Earing, and his more ignorant, and consequently more +obstinate, brother officer, that their young superior had the same desire +to escape from the spectral-looking ship, which so strangely followed +their movements, as they had themselves. They only differed in the mode; +but this difference was so very material, that the two mates consulted +together apart, and then Earing, something stimulated by the hardy +opinions of his coadjutor, approached his Commander, with the +determination of delivering the results of their united judgments, with +that sort of directness which he thought the occasion now demanded. But +there was that in the steady eye and imposing mien of Wilder, that caused +him to touch on the dangerous subject with a discretion and circumlocution +that were a little remarkable for the individual. He stood watching the +effect of the sail recently spread for several minutes, before he even +presumed to open his mouth. But a terrible encounter, between the vessel +and a wave that lifted its angry crest apparently some dozen feet above +the approaching bows, gave him courage to proceed, by admonishing him +afresh of the danger of continuing silent. + +"I do not see that we drop the stranger, though the ship is wallowing +through the water so heavily," he commenced, determined to be as +circumspect as possible in his advances. + +Wilder bent another of his frequent glances on the misty object in the +horizon, and then turned his frowning eye towards the point whence the +wind proceeded, as if he would defy its heaviest blasts; he, however, made +no answer. + +"We have ever found the crew discontented at the pumps, sir," resumed the +other, after a pause sufficient for the reply he in vain expected; "I need +not tell an officer, who knows his duty so well, that seamen rarely love +their pumps." + +"Whatever I may find necessary to order, Mr Earing, this ship's company +will find it necessary to execute." + +There was a deep settled air of authority, in the manner with which this +tardy answer was given, that did not fail of its impression. Earing +recoiled a step, with a submissive manner, and affected to be lost in +consulting the driving masses of the clouds; then, summoning his +resolution, he attempted to renew the attack in a different quarter. + +"Is it your deliberate opinion, Captain Wilder," he said, using the title +to which the claim of our adventurer might well be questioned, with a view +to propitiate him; "is it then your deliberate opinion that the 'Royal +Caroline' can, by any human means, be made to drop yonder vessel?" + +"I fear not," returned the young man, drawing a breath so long, that all +his secret concern seemed struggling in his breast for utterance. + +"And, sir, with proper submission to your better education and authority +in this ship, I _know_ not. I have often seen these matches tried in my +time; and well do I know that nothing is gained by straining a vessel, +with the hope of getting to windward of one of these flyers!" + +"Take you the glass, Earing, and tell me under what canvas the stranger +holds his way, and what may be his distance," said Wilder, thoughtfully, +and without appearing to advert at all to what the other had just +observed. + +The honest and well-meaning mate deposed his hat on the quarter-deck, and, +with an air of great respect, did as he was desired. Nor did he deem it +necessary to give a precipitate answer to either of the interrogatories. +When, however, his look had been long, grave, and deeply absorbed, he +closed the glass with the palm of his broad hand, and replied, with the +manner of one whose opinion was sufficiently matured. + +"If yonder sail had been built and fitted like other mortal craft," he +said, "I should not be backward in pronouncing her a full-rigged ship, +under three single-reefed topsails, courses, spanker, and jib." + +"Has she no more?" + +"To that I would qualify, provided an opportunity were given me to make +sure that she is, in all respects, as other vessels are." + +"And yet, Earing, with all this press of canvas, by the compass we have +not left her a foot." + +"Lord, sir," returned the mate, shaking his head, like one who was well +convinced of the folly of such efforts, "if you should split every cloth +in the main-course, by carrying on the ship you will never alter the +bearings of that craft an inch, till the sun rises! Then, indeed, such as +have eyes, that are good enough, might perhaps see her sailing about +among the clouds; though it has never been my fortune be it bad or be it +good, to fall in with one of these cruisers after the day has fairly +dawned." + +"And the distance?" said Wilder; "you have not yet spoken of her +distance." + +"That is much as people choose to measure. She may be here, nigh enough to +toss a biscuit into our tops; or she may be there, where she seems to be, +hull down in the horizon." + +"But, if where she seems to be?" + +"Why, she _seems_ to be a vessel of about six hundred tons; and, judging +from appearances only, a man might be tempted to say she was a couple of +leagues, more or less, under our lee." + +"I put her at the same! Six miles to windward is not a little advantage, +in a hard chase. By heavens, Earing, I'll drive the 'Caroline' out of +water but I'll leave him!" + +"That might be done, if the ship had wings like a curlew, or a sea-gull; +but, as it is, I think we are more likely to drive her under." + +"She bears her canvas well, so far. You know not what the boat can do, +when urged." + +"I have seen her sailed in all weathers, Captain Wilder, but"---- + +His mouth was suddenly closed. A vast black wave reared itself between the +ship and the eastern horizon, and came rolling onward, seeming to threaten +to ingulf all before it. Even Wilder watched the shock with breathless +anxiety, conscious, for the moment that he had exceeded the bounds of +sound discretion in urging his ship so powerfully against such a mass of +water. The sea broke a few fathoms from the bows of the "Caroline," and +sent its surge in a flood of foam upon her decks. For half a minute the +forward part of the vessel disappeared, as though, unable to mount the +swell, it were striving to go through it, and then she heavily emerged, +gemmed with a million of the scintillating insects of the ocean. The ship +had stopped, trembling in every joint, throughout her massive and powerful +frame, like some affrighted courser; and, when she resumed her course, it +was with a moderation that appeared to warn those who governed her +movements of their indiscretion. + +Earing faced his Commander in silence, perfectly conscious that nothing he +could utter contained an argument like this. The seamen no longer +hesitated to mutter their disapprobation aloud, and many a prophetic +opinion was ventured concerning the consequences of such reckless risks. +To all this Wilder turned a deaf or an insensible ear. Firm in his own +secret purpose, he would have braved a greater hazard to accomplish his +object. But a distinct though smothered shriek, from the stern of the +vessel, reminded him of the fears of others. Turning quickly on his heel, +he approached the still trembling Gertrude and her governess, who had both +been, throughout the whole of those long and tedious hours, inobtrusive +but deeply interested, observers of his smallest movements. + +"The vessel bore that shock so well, I have great reliance on her powers," +he said in a soothing voice, but with words that were intended to lull her +into a blind security. "With a firm ship, a thorough seaman is never at a +loss!" + +"Mr Wilder," returned the governess, "I have seen much of this terrible +element on which you live. It is therefore vain to think of deceiving me I +know that you are urging the ship beyond what is usual. Have you +sufficient motive for this hardihood?" + +"Madam,--I have!" + +"And is it, like so many of your motives, to continue locked for ever in +your own breast? or may we, who are equal participators in its +consequences, claim to share equally in the reason?" + +"Since you know so much of the profession," returned the young man, +slightly laughing, but in tones that were rendered perhaps more alarming +by the sounds produced in the unnatural effort, "you need not be told, +that, in order to get a ship to windward, it is necessary to spread her +canvas." + +"You can, at least, answer one of my questions more directly: Is this wind +sufficiently favourable to pass the dangerous shoals of the Hatteras?" + +"I doubt it." + +"Then, why not go to the place whence we came?" + +"Will you consent to return?" demanded the youth, with the swiftness of +thought. + +"I would go to my father," said Gertrude, with a rapidity so nearly +resembling his own, that the ardent girl appeared to want breath to utter +the little she said. + +"And I am willing, Mr Wilder, to abandon the ship entirely," calmly +resumed the governess. "I require no explanation of all your mysterious +warnings; restore us to our friends in Newport, and no further questions +shall ever be asked." + +"It might be done!" muttered our adventurer; "it might be done!--A few +busy hours would do it, with this wind.--Mr Earing!"-- + +The mate was instantly at his elbow. Wilder pointed to the dim object to +leeward; and, handing him the glass, desired that he would take another +view. Each looked, in his turn, long and closely. + +"He shows no more sail!" said the Commander impatiently, when his own +prolonged gaze was ended. + +"Not a cloth, sir. But what matters it, to such a craft, how much canvas +is spread, or how the wind blows?" + +"Earing, I think there is too much southing in this breeze; and there is +more brewing in yonder streak of dusky clouds on our beam. Let the ship +fall off a couple of points, or more, and take the strain off the spars, +by a pull upon the weather braces." + +The simple-minded mate heard the order with an astonishment he did not +care to conceal. There needed no explanation, to teach his experienced +faculties that the effect would be to go over the same track they had just +passed, and that it was, in substance abandoning the objects of the +voyage. He presumed to defer his compliance, in order to remonstrate. + +"I hope there is no offence for an elderly seaman, like myself, Captain +Wilder, in venturing an opinion on the weather," he said. "When the pocket +of the owner is interested, my judgment approves of going about, for I +have no taste for land that the wind blows on, instead of off. But, by +easing the ship with a reef or two, she would be jogging sea ward; and all +we gain would be clear gain; because it is so much off the Hatteras. +Besides, who can say that to-morrow, or the next day, we sha'n't have, a +puff out of America, here at north-west?" + +"A couple of points fall off, and a pull upon your weather braces," said +Wilder, with startling quickness. + +It would have exceeded the peaceful and submissive temperament of the +honest Earing, to have delayed any longer. The orders were given to the +inferiors; and, as a matter of course, they were obeyed--though +ill-suppressed and portentous sounds of discontent at the undetermined, +and seemingly unreasonable changes in their officer's mind might been +heard issuing from the mouths of Nighthead, and other veterans of the +crew. + +But to all these symptoms of disaffection Wilder remained, as before, +utterly indifferent. If he heard them at all, he either disdained to yield +them any notice, or, guided by a temporizing policy, he chose to appear +unconscious of their import. In the mean time, the vessel, like a bird +whose wing had wearied with struggling against the tempest, and which +inclines from the gale to dart along an easier course, glided swiftly +away, quartering the crests of the waves, or sinking gracefully into their +troughs, as she yielded to the force of a wind that was now made to be +favourable. The sea rolled on, in a direction that was no longer adverse +to her course; and, as she receded from the breeze, the quantity of sail +she had spread was no longer found trying to her powers of endurance. +Still she had, in the opinion of all her crew, quite enough canvas exposed +to a night of such a portentous aspect. But not so, in the judgment of the +stranger who was charged with the guidance of her destinies. In a voice +that still admonished his inferiors of the danger of disobedience he +commanded several broad sheets of studding-sails to be set, in quick +succession. Urged by these new impulses, the ship went careering over the +waves; leaving a train of foam, in her track, that rivalled, in its volume +and brightness, the tumbling summit of the largest swell. + +When sail after sail had been set, until even Wilder was obliged to +confess to himself that the "Royal Caroline," staunch as she was, would +bear no more, our adventurer began to pace the deck again, and to cast his +eyes about him, in order to watch the fruits of his new experiment. The +change in the course of the Bristol trader had made a corresponding change +in the apparent direction of the stranger who yet floated in the horizon +like a diminutive and misty shadow. Still the unerring compass told the +watchful mariner, that she continued to maintain the same relative +position as when first seen. No effort, on the part of Wilder, could +apparently alter her bearing an inch. Another hour soon passed away, +during which, as the log told him, the "Caroline" had rolled through more +than three leagues of water, and still there lay the stranger in the west, +as though it were merely a lessened shadow of herself, cast by the +"Caroline" upon the distant and dusky clouds. An alteration in his course +exposed a broader surface of his canvas to the eyes of the spectators, but +in nothing else was there any visible change. If his sails had been +materially increased, the distance and the obscurity prevented even the +understanding Earing from detecting it. Perhaps the excited mind of the +worthy mate was too much disposed to believe in the miraculous powers +possessed by his unaccountable neighbour, to admit of the full exercise of +his experienced faculties on the occasion; but even Wilder, who vexed his +sight, in often-repeated examinations, was obliged to confess to himself, +that the stranger seemed to glide, across the waste of waters, more like a +body floating in the air, than a ship resorting to the ordinary expedients +of mariners. + +Mrs Wyllys and her charge had, by this time, retired to their cabin; the +former secretly felicitating herself on the prospect of soon quitting a +vessel that had commenced its voyage under such sinister circumstances as +to have deranged the equilibrium of even her well-governed and +highly-disciplined mind. Gertrude was left in ignorance of the change. To +her uninstructed eye, all appeared the same on the wilderness of the +ocean; Wilder having it in his power to alter the direction of his vessel +as often as he pleased, without his fairer and more youthful passenger +being any the wiser for the same. + +Not so, however, with the intelligent Commander of the "Caroline" +himself. To him there was neither obscurity nor doubt, in the midst of his +midnight path. His eye had long been familiar with every star that rose +from out the waving bed of the sea, to set in another dark and ragged +outline of the element; nor was there a blast, that swept across the +ocean, that his burning cheek could not tell from what quarter of the +heavens it poured out its power. He knew, and understood, each inclination +made by the bows of his ship; his mind kept even pace with her windings +and turnings, in all her trackless wanderings; and he had little need to +consult any of the accessories of his art, to tell him what course to +steer, or in what manner to guide the movements of the nice machine he +governed. Still was he unable to explain the extraordinary evolutions of +the stranger. His smallest change seemed rather anticipated than followed; +and his hopes of eluding a vigilance, that proved so watchful, was baffled +by a facility of manoeuvring, and a superiority of sailing, that really +began to assume, even to his intelligent eyes, the appearance of some +unaccountable agency. + +While our adventurer was engaged in the gloomy musings that such +impressions were not ill adapted to excite, the heavens and the sea began +to exhibit another aspect. The bright streak which had so long hung along +the eastern horizon, as though the curtain of the firmament had been +slightly opened to admit a passage for the winds, was now suddenly closed; +and heavy masses of black clouds began to gather in that quarter, until +vast volumes of the vapour were piled upon the water, blending the two +elements in one. On the other hand, the dark canopy lifted in the west, +and a long belt of lurid light was shed over the view. In this flood of +bright and portentous mist the stranger still floated, though there were +moments when his faint and fanciful outlines seemed to be melting into +thin air. + + + + +Chapter XVI. + + + + ---"Yet again? What do you here? Shal we give o'er, an drown? Have you a + mind to sink?"--_Tempest._ + + +Our watchful adventurer was not blind to these well-known and sinister +omens. No sooner did the peculiar atmosphere, by which the mysterious +image that he so often examined was suddenly surrounded, catch his eye, +than his voice was heard in the clear, powerful, and exciting notes of +warning. + +"Stand by," he called aloud, "to in all studding sails! Down with them!" +he added, scarcely giving his former words time to reach the ears of his +subordinates. "Down with every rag of them, fore and aft the ship! Man the +top-gallant clew-lines, Mr Earing. Clew up, and clew down! In with every +thing, cheerily, men! In!" + +This was a language to which the crew of the "Caroline" were no strangers, +and one which was doubly welcome; since the meanest seaman of them all had +long thought that his unknown Commander had been heedlessly trifling with +the safety of the vessel, by the hardy manner in which he disregarded the +wild symptoms of the weather. But they undervalued the keen-eyed vigilance +of Wilder. He had certainly driven the Bristol trader through the water at +a rate she had never been known to have gone before; but, thus far, the +facts themselves attested in his favour, since no injury was the +consequence of what they deemed his temerity. At the quick, sudden order +just given, however, the whole ship was instantly in an uproar. A dozen +seamen called to each other, from different parts of the vessel each +striving to lift his voice above the roaring ocean; and there was every +appearance of a general and inextricable confusion; but the same +authority which had aroused them, thus unexpectedly, into activity, +produced order, from their ill-directed though vigorous efforts. + +Wilder had spoken, to awaken the drowsy, and to excite the torpid. The +instant he found each man on the alert, he resumed his orders, with a +calmness that gave a direction to the powers of all, but still with an +energy that he well knew was called for by the occasion. The enormous +sheets of duck, which had looked like so many light clouds in the murky +and threatening heavens, were soon seen fluttering wildly, as they +descended from their high places; and, in a few minutes, the ship was +reduced to the action of her more secure and heavier canvas. To effect +this object, every man in the ship had exerted his powers to the utmost, +under the guidance of the steady but rapid mandates of their Commander. +Then followed a short and apprehensive breathing pause. Every eye was +turned towards the quarter where the ominous signs had been discovered; +and each individual endeavoured to read their import, with an intelligence +correspondent to the degree of skill he might have acquired, during his +particular period of service, on that treacherous element which was now +his home. + +The dim tracery of the stranger's form had been swallowed by the flood of +misty light, which, by this time, rolled along the sea like drifting +vapour, semi-pellucid, preternatural, and seemingly tangible. The ocean +itself appeared admonished that a quick and violent change was nigh. The +waves had ceased to break in their former foaming and brilliant crests, +but black masses of the water were seen lifting their surly summits +against the eastern horizon, no longer relieved by their scintillating +brightness, or shedding their own peculiar and lucid atmosphere around +them. The breeze which had been so fresh, and which had even blown, at +times, with a force that nearly amounted to a little gale, was lulling and +becoming uncertain, as though awed by the more violent power that was +gathering along the borders of the sea, in the direction of the +neighbouring continent. Each moment, the eastern puffs of air lost their +strength, and became more and more feeble, until, in an incredibly short +period, the heavy sails were heard flapping against the masts--a frightful +and ominous calm succeeding. At this instant, a glancing, flashing gleam +lighted the fearful obscurity of the ocean; and a roar, like that of a +sudden burst of thunder, bellowed along the waters. The seamen turned +their startled looks on each other, and stood stupid, as though a warning +had been given, from the heavens themselves, of what was to follow. But +their calm and more sagacious Commander put a different construction on +the signal. His lip curled, in high professional pride, and his mouth +moved rapidly while he muttered to himself, with a species of scorn,-- + +"Does he think we sleep? Ay, he has got it himself and would open our eyes +to what is coming! What does he imagine we have been about, since the +middle watch was set?" + +Then, Wilder made a swift turn or two on the quarter-deck, never ceasing +to bend his quick glances from one quarter of the heavens to another; from +the black and lulling water on which his vessel was rolling, to the sails; +and from his silent and profoundly expectant crew, to the dim lines of +spars that were waving above his head, like so many pencils tracing their +curvilinear and wanton images over the murky volumes of the superincumbent +clouds. + +"Lay the after-yards square!" he said, in a voice which was heard by every +man on deck, though his words were apparently spoken but little above his +breath. Even the creaking of the blocks, as the spars came slowly and +heavily round to the indicated position, contributed to the imposing +character of the moment, and sounded, in the ears of all the instructed +listeners, like notes of fearful preparation. + +"Haul up the courses!" resumed Wilder, after a thoughtful, brief interval, +with the same eloquent calmness of manner. Then, taking another glance at +the threatening horizon, he added, with emphasis, "Furl them--furl them +both: Away aloft, and hand your courses," he continued, in a shout; "roll +them up, cheerily; in with them, boys, cheerily; in!" + +The conscious seamen took their impulses from the tones of their +Commander. In a moment, twenty dark forms were seen leaping up the +rigging, with the alacrity of so many quadrupeds; and, in another minute, +the vast and powerful sheets of canvas were effectually rendered harmless, +by securing them in tight rolls to their respective spars. The men +descended as swiftly as they had mounted to the yards; and then succeeded +another short and breathing pause. At this moment, a candle would have +sent its flame perpendicularly towards the heavens. The ship, missing the +steadying power of the wind, rolled heavily in the troughs of the seas, +which, however began to be more diminutive, at each instant, as though the +startled element was recalling, into the security of its own vast bosom, +that portion of its particles which had, just before, been permitted to +gambol so madly over its surface. The water washed sullenly along the side +of the ship, or, as she labouring rose from one of her frequent falls into +the hollows of the waves, it shot back into the ocean from her decks, in +numberless little glittering cascades. Every hue of the heavens, every +sound of the element, and each dusky and anxious countenance that was +visible, helped to proclaim the intense interest of the moment. It was in +this brief interval of expectation, and inactivity, that the mates again +approached their Commander. + +"It is an awful night, Captain Wilder!" said Earing presuming on his rank +to be the first of the two to speak. + +"I have known far less notice given of a shift of wind," was the steady +answer. + +"We have had time to gather in our kites, 'tis true, sir; but there are +signs and warnings, that come with this change, at which the oldest seaman +has reason to take heed!" + +"Yes," continued Nighthead, in a voice that sounded hoarse and powerful, +even amid the fearful accessories of that scene; "yes, it is no trifling +commission that can call people, that I shall not name, out upon the water +in such a night as this. It was in just such weather that I saw the +'Vesuvius' ketch go to a place so deep, that her own mortar would not have +bein able to have sent a bomb into the open air, had hands and fire been +there fit to let it off!" + +"Ay; and it was in such a time that the Greenlandman was cast upon the +Orkneys, in as flat a calm as ever lay on the sea." + +"Gentlemen," said Wilder, with a peculiar and perhaps an ironical emphasis +on the word, "what is it you would have? There is not a breath of air +stirring, and the ship is naked to her topsails!" + +It would have been difficult for either of the two malcontents to have +given a very satisfactory answer to this question. Both were secretly +goaded by mysterious and superstitious apprehensions, that were powerfully +aided by the more real and intelligible aspect of the night; but neither +had so far for gotten his manhood, and his professional pride, as to lay +bare the full extent of his own weakness, at a moment when he was liable +to be called upon for the exhibition of qualities of a far more positive +and determined character. Still, the feeling that was uppermost betrayed +itself in the reply of Earing, though in an indirect and covert manner. + +"Yes, the vessel is snug enough now," he said, "though eye-sight has shown +us all it is no easy matter to drive a freighted ship though the water as +fast as one of your flying craft can go, aboard of which no man can say, +who stands at the helm, by what compass she steers, or what is her +draught!" + +"Ay," resumed Nighthead, "I call the 'Caroline' fast for an honest trader, +and few square-rigged boats are there, who do not wear the pennants of the +King, that can eat her out of the wind, or bring her into their wake, with +studding-sails abroad. But this is a time, and an hour, to make a seaman +think. Look at yon hazy light, here, in with the land, that is coming so +fast down upon us, and then tell me whether it comes from the coast of +America, or whether it comes from out of the stranger who has been so long +running under our lee, but who has got, or is fast getting, the wind of us +at last, and yet none here can say how, or why. I have just this much, and +no more, to say: Give me for consort a craft whose Captain I know, or give +me none!" + +"Such is your taste, Mr Nighthead," said Wilder, coldly; "mine may, by +some accident, be very different." + +"Yes, yes," observed the more cautious and prudent Earing, "in time of +war, and with letters of marque aboard, a man may honestly hope the sail +he sees should have a stranger for her master; or otherwise he would never +fall in with an enemy. But though an Englishman born myself, I should +rather give the ship in that mist a clear sea, seeing that I neither know +her nation nor her cruise. Ah, Captain Wilder, yonder is an awful sight +for the morning watch! Often, and often, have I seen the sun rise ill the +east, and no harm done; but little good can come of a day when the light +first breaks in the west. Cheerfully would I give the owners the last +month's pay, hard as I have earned it with my toil, did I but know under +what flag yonder stranger sails." + +"Frenchman, Don, or Devil, yonder he comes!" cried Wilder. Then, turning +towards the silent an attentive crew, he shouted, in a voice that was +appalling by its vehemence and warning, "Let run the after halyards! round +with the fore-yard! round with it, men, with a will!" + +These were cries that the startled crew perfectly understood. Every nerve +and muscle were exerted to execute the orders, in time to be in readiness +for the approaching tempest. No man spoke; but each expended the utmost of +his power and skill in direct and manly efforts. Nor was there, in verity, +a moment to lose, or a particle of human strength expended here, without a +sufficient object. + +The lucid and fearful-looking mist, which, for the last quarter of an +hour, had been gathering in the north-west, was now driving down upon them +with the speed of a race-horse. The air had already lost the damp and +peculiar feeling of an easterly breeze; and little eddies were beginning +to flutter among the masts--precursors of the coming squall. Then, a +rushing, roaring sound was heard moaning along the ocean, whose surface +was first dimpled, next ruffled, and finally covered, with one sheet of +clear, white, and spotless foam. At the next moment the power of the wind +fell full upon the inert and labouring Bristol trader. + +As the gust approached, Wilder had seized the slight opportunity, afforded +by the changeful puffs of air, to get the ship as much as possible before +the wind; but the sluggish movement of the vessel met neither the wishes +of his own impatience nor the exigencies of the moment. Her bows had +slowly and heavily fallen off from the north, leaving her precisely in a +situation to receive the first shock on her broadside. Happy it was, for +all who had life at risk in that defenceless vessel, that she was not +fated to receive the whole weight of the tempest at a blow. The sails +fluttered and trembled on their massive yards, bellying and collapsing +alternately for a minute, and then the rushing wind swept over them in a +hurricane. + +The "Caroline" received the blast like a stout and buoyant ship, yielding +readily to its impulse, until her side lay nearly incumbent on the element +in which she floated; and then, as if the fearful fabric were conscious of +its jeopardy, it seemed to lift its reclining masts again, struggling to +work its way heavily through the water. + +"Keep the helm a-weather! Jam it a-weather, for your life!" shouted +Wilder, amid the roar of the gust. + +The veteran seaman at the wheel obeyed the order with steadiness, but in +vain he kept his eyes riveted on the margin of his head sail, in order to +watch the manner the ship would obey its power. Twice more, in as many +moments, the tall masts fell towards the horizon, waving as often +gracefully upward and then they yielded to the mighty pressure of the +wind, until the whole machine lay prostrate on the water. + +"Reflect!" said Wilder, seizing the bewildered Earing by the arm, as the +latter rushed madly up the steep of the deck; "it is our duty to be calm: +Bring hither an axe." + +Quick as the thought which gave the order, the admonished mate complied, +jumping into the mizzen-channels of the ship, to execute, with his own +hands, the mandate that he well knew must follow. + +"Shall I cut?" he demanded, with uplifted arms, and in a voice that +atoned for his momentary confusion, by its steadiness and force. + +"Hold! Does the ship mind her helm at all?" + +"Not an inch, sir." + +"Then cut," Wilder clearly and calmly added. + +A single blow sufficed for the discharge of the momentary act. Extended to +the utmost powers of endurance, by the vast weight it upheld, the lanyard +struck by Earing no sooner parted, than each of its fellows snapped in +succession, leaving the mast dependant on itself alone for the support of +all its ponderous and complicated hamper. The cracking of the wood came +next; and then the rigging fell, like a tree that had been sapped at its +foundation, the little distance that still existed between it and the sea. + +"Does she fall off?" instantly called Wilder to the observant seaman at +the wheel. + +"She yielded a little, sir; but this new squall is bringing her up again." + +"Shall I cut?" shouted Earing from the main rigging whither he had leaped, +like a tiger who had bounded on his prey. + +"Cut!" was the answer. + +A loud and imposing crash soon succeeded this order, though not before +several heavy blows had been struck into the massive mast itself. As +before, the seas received the tumbling maze of spars, rigging and sails; +the vessel surging, at the same instant from its recumbent position, and +rolling far and heavily to windward. + +"She rights! she rights!" exclaimed twenty voices which had been hitherto +mute, in a suspense that involved life and death. + +"Keep her dead away!" added the still calm but deeply authoritative voice +of the young Commander "Stand by to furl the fore-topsail--let it hang a +moment to drag the ship clear of the wreck--cut cut--cheerily, +men--hatchets and knives--cut _with_ all, and cut _off_ all!" + +As the men now worked with the freshened vigour of revived hope, the ropes +that still confined the fallen spars to the vessel were quickly severed; +and the "Caroline," by this time dead before the gale, appeared barely to +touch the foam that covered the sea, like a bird that was swift upon the +wing skimming the waters. The wind came over the waste in gusts that +rumbled like distant thunder, and with a power that seemed to threaten to +lift the ship and its contents from its proper element, to deliver it to +one still more variable and treacherous. As a prudent and sagacious seaman +had let fly the halyards of the solitary sail that remained, at the moment +when the squall approached, the loosened but lowered topsail was now +distended in a manner that threatened to drag after it the only mast which +still stood. Wilder instantly saw the necessity of getting rid of this +sail, and he also saw the utter impossibility of securing it. Calling +Earing to his side, he pointed out the danger, and gave the necessary +order. + +"Yon spar cannot stand such shocks much longer," he concluded; "and, +should it go over the bows, some fatal blow might be given to the ship at +the rate she is moving. A man or two must be sent aloft to cut the sail +from the yards." + +"The stick is bending like a willow whip," returned the mate, "and the +lower mast itself is sprung. There would be great danger in trusting a +life in that top, while such wild squalls as these are breathing around +us." + +"You may be right," returned Wilder, with a sudden conviction of the truth +of what the other had said: "Stay you then here; and, if any thing befal +me, try to get the vessel into port as far north as the Capes of Virginia, +at least;--on no account attempt Hatteras, in the present condition +of"---- + +"What would you do, Captain Wilder?" interrupted the mate laying his hand +powerfully on the shoulder of his Commander, who, he observed, had already +thrown his sea-cap on the deck, and was preparing to divest himself of +some of his outer garments. + +"I go aloft, to ease the mast of that topsail, without which we lose the +spar, and possibly the ship." + +"Ay, ay, I see that plain enough; but, shall it be said, Another did the +duty of Edward Earing? It is your business to carry the vessel into the +Capes of Virginia, and mine to cut the topsail adrift. If harm comes to +me, why, put it in the log, with a word or two about the manner in which I +played my part: That is always the best and most proper epitaph for a +sailor." + +Wilder made no resistance, but resumed his watchful and reflecting +attitude, with the simplicity of one who had been too long trained to the +discharge of certain obligations himself, to manifest surprise that +another should acknowledge their imperative character. In the mean time, +Earing proceeded steadily to perform what he had just promised. Passing +into the waist of the ship, he provided himself with a suitable hatchet, +and then, without speaking a syllable to any of the mute but attentive +seamen, he sprang into the fore-rigging, every strand and rope-yarn of +which was tightened by the strain nearly to snapping. The understanding +eyes of his observers comprehended his intention; and, with precisely the +same pride of station as had urged him to the dangerous undertaking, four +or five of the older mariners jumped upon the ratlings, to mount with him +into an air that apparently teemed with a hundred hurricanes. + +"Lie down out of that fore-rigging," shouted Wilder, through a +deck-trumpet; "lie down; all, but the mate, lie down!" His words were +borne past the inattentive ears of the excited and mortified followers of +Earing, but they failed of their effect. Each man was too much bent on his +own earnest purpose to listen to the sounds of recall. In less than a +minute, the whole were scattered along the yards, prepared to obey the +signal of their officer. The mate cast a look about him; and, perceiving +that the time was comparatively favourable, he struck a blow upon the +large rope that confined one of the angles of the distended and bursting +sail to the lower yard. The effect was much the same as would be produced +by knocking away the key-stone of an ill-cemented arch. The canvas broke +from all its fastenings with a loud explosion, and, for an instant, was +seen sailing in the air ahead of the ship, as though sustained on the +wings of an eagle. The vessel rose on a sluggish wave--the lingering +remains of the former breeze--and then settled heavily over the rolling +surge, borne down alike by its own weight and the renewed violence of the +gusts. At this critical instant while the seamen aloft were still gazing +in the direction in which the little cloud of canvas had disappeared, a +lanyard of the lower rigging parted with a crack that even reached the +ears of Wilder. + +"Lie down!" he shouted fearfully through his trumpet; "down by the +backstays; down for your lives; every man of you, down!" + +A solitary individual, of them all, profited by the warning, and was seen +gliding towards the deck with the velocity of the wind. But rope parted +after rope, and the fatal snapping of the wood instantly followed. For a +moment, the towering maze tottered, and seemed to wave towards every +quarter of the heavens; and then, yielding to the movements of the hull, +the whole fell, with a heavy crash, into the sea. Each cord, lanyard, or +stay snapped, when it received the strain of its new position, as though +it had been made of thread, leaving the naked and despoiled hull of the +"Caroline" to drive onward before the tempest, as if nothing had occurred +to impede its progress. + +A mute and eloquent pause succeeded this disaster It appeared as if the +elements themselves were appeased by their work, and something like a +momentary lull in the awful rushing of the winds might have been fancied. +Wilder sprang to the side of the vessel, and distinctly beheld the +victims, who still clung to their frail support. He even saw Earing waving +his hand, in adieu, with a seaman's heart, and like a man who not only +felt how desperate was his situation, but one who knew how to meet his +fate with resignation. Then the wreck of spars, with all who clung to it, +was swallowed up in the body of the frightful, preternatural-looking mist +which extended on every side of them, from the ocean to the clouds. + +"Stand by, to clear away a boat!" shouted Wilder, without pausing to think +of the impossibility of one's swimming, or of effecting the least good, in +so violent a tornado. + +But the amazed and confounded seamen who remained needed not instruction +in this matter. No man moved, nor was the smallest symptom of obedience +given. The mariners looked wildly around them, each endeavouring to trace, +in the dusky countenance of the other, his opinion of the extent of the +evil; but not a mouth was opened among them all. + +"It is too late--it is too late!" murmured Wilder to himself; "human skill +and human efforts could not save them!" + +"Sail, ho!" Nighthead muttered at his elbow, in a voice that teemed with a +species of superstitious awe. + +"Let him come on," returned his young Commander bitterly; "the mischief is +ready finished to his hands!" + +"Should yon be a mortal ship, it is our duty to the owners and the +passengers to speak her, if a man can make his voice heard in this +tempest," the second mate continued, pointing, through the haze at the dim +object that was certainly at hand. + +"Speak her!--passengers!" muttered Wilder, involuntarily repeating his +words. "No; any thing is better than speaking her. Do you see the vessel +that is driving down upon us so fast?" he sternly demanded of the watchful +seaman who still clung to the wheel of the "Caroline." + +"Ay, ay, sir," was the brief, professional reply. + +"Give her a birth--sheer away hard to port--perhaps he may pass us in the +gloom, now we are no higher than our decks. Give the ship a broad sheer, I +say, sir." + +The same laconic answer as before was given and, for a few moments, the +Bristol trader was seen diverging a little from the line in which the +other approached; but a second glance assured Wilder that the attempt was +useless. The strange ship (and every man on board felt certain it was the +same that had so long been seen hanging in the north-western horizon) came +on, through the mist, with a swiftness that nearly equalled the velocity +of the tempestuous winds themselves. Not a thread of canvas was seen on +board her. Each line of spars, even to the tapering and delicate +top-gallant-masts, was in its place, preserving the beauty and symmetry of +the whole fabric; but nowhere was the smallest fragment of a sail opened +to the gale. Under her bows rolled a volume of foam, that was even +discernible amid the universal agitation of the ocean; and, as she came +within sound, the sullen roar of the water might have been likened to the +noise of a cascade. At first, the spectators on the decks of the +"Caroline" believed they were not seen, and some of the men called madly +for lights, in order that the disasters of the night might not terminate +in the dreaded encounter. + +"No!" exclaimed Wilder; "too many see us there already!" + +"No, no," muttered Nighthead; "no fear but we are seen; and by such eyes, +too, as never yet looked out of mortal head!" + +The seamen paused. In another instant, the long-seen and mysterious ship +was within a hundred feet of them. The very power of that wind, which was +wont usually to raise the billows, now pressed the element, with the +weight of mountains, into its bed. The sea was every where a sheet of +froth, but no water swelled above the level of the surface. The instant a +wave lifted itself from the security of the vast depths, the fluid was +borne away before the tornado in driving, glittering spray. Along this +frothy but comparatively motionless surface, then, the stranger came +booming, with the steadiness and grandeur with which a dark cloud is seen +to sail before the hurricane. No sign of life was any where discovered +about her. If men looked out, from their secret places, upon the +straitened and discomfited wreck of the Bristol trader, it was covertly, +and as darkly as the tempest before which they drove. Wilder held his +breath, for the moment the stranger drew nighest, in the very excess of +suspense; but, as he saw no signal of recognition, no human form, nor any +intention to arrest, if possible, the furious career of the other, a smile +of exultation gleamed across his countenance, and his lips moved rapidly, +as though he found pleasure in being abandoned to his distress. The +stranger drove by, like a dark vision and, ere another minute, her form +was beginning to grow less distinct, in a thickening body of the spray to +leeward. + +"She is going out of sight in the mist!" exclaimed Wilder, when he drew +his breath, after the fearful suspense of the few last moments. + +"Ay, in mist, or clouds," responded Nighthead, who now kept obstinately at +his elbow, watching with the most jealous distrust, the smallest movement +of his unknown Commander. + +"In the heavens, or in the sea, I care not, provided she be gone." + +"Most seamen would rejoice to see a strange sail, from the hull of a +vessel shaved to the deck like this." + +"Men often court their destruction, from ignorance of their own interests. +Let him drive on, say I, and pray I! He goes four feet to our one; and now +I ask no better favour than that this hurricane may blow until the sun +shall rise." + +Nighthead started, and cast an oblique glance which resembled +denunciation, at his companion. To his blunted faculties, and +superstitious mind, there was profanity in thus invoking the tempest, at a +moment when the winds seemed already to be pouring out their utmost wrath. + +"This is a heavy squall, I will allow," he said, "and such an one as many +mariners pass whole lives without seeing; but he knows little of the sea +who thinks there is not more wind where this comes from." + +"Let it blow!" cried the other, striking his hands together a little +wildly; "I pray only for wind!" + +All the doubts of Nighthead, as to the character of the young stranger who +had so unaccountably got possession of the office of Nicholas Nichols, if, +indeed, any remained, were now removed. He walked forward among the silent +and thoughtful crew with the air of a man whose opinion was settled. +Wilder, however, paid no attention to the movements of his subordinate, +but continued pacing the deck for hours; now casting his eyes at the +heavens or now sending frequent and anxious glances around the limited +horizon, while the "Royal Caroline" still continued drifting before the +wind, a shorn and naked wreck. + + + + +Chapter XVII. + + + + "Sit still, and hear the last of our sea sorrow."--_Shakspeare_ + + +The weight of the tempest had been felt at that hapless moment when Earing +and his unfortunate companions were precipitated from their giddy +elevation into the sea. Though the wind continued to blow long after this +fatal event, it was with a constantly diminishing power. As the gale +decreased the sea began to rise, and the vessel to labour in proportion. +Then followed two hours of anxious watchfulness on the part of Wilder, +during which the whole of his professional knowledge was needed in order +to keep the despoiled hull of the Bristol trader from becoming a prey to +the greedy waters. His consummate skill, however, proved equal to the task +that was required at his hands; and, just as the symptoms of day were +becoming visible along the east, both wind and waves were rapidly +subsiding together. During the whole of this doubtful period our +adventurer did not receive the smallest assistance from any of the crew, +with the exception of two experienced seamen whom he had previously +stationed at the wheel. But to this neglect he was indifferent; since +little more was required than his own judgment, seconded, as it faithfully +was, by the exertions of the manners more immediately under his eye. + +The day dawned on a scene entirely different from that which had marked +the tempestuous deformity of the night. The whole fury of the winds +appear ed to have been expended in their precocious effort. From the +moderate gale, to which they had fallen by the end of the middle watch, +they further altered to a vacillating breeze; and, ere the sun had risen, +the changeful air had subsided into a flat calm. The sea went down as +suddenly as the power which had raised, it vanished; and, by the time the +broad golden light of the sun was shed fairly and fully upon the unstable +element, it lay unruffled and polished, though still gently heaving in +swells so long and heavy as to resemble the placid respiration of a +sleeping infant. + +The hour was still early, and the serene appearance of the sky and the +ocean gave every promise of a day which might be passed in devising the +expedients necessary to bring the ship again, in some measure, under the +command of her people. + +"Sound the pumps," said Wilder, observing that the crew were appearing +from the different places in which they had bestowed their cares and their +persons together, during the later hours of the night. + +"Do you hear me, sir?" he added sternly, observing that no one moved to +obey his order. "Let the pumps be sounded, and the ship cleared of every +inch of water." + +Nighthead, to whom Wilder had now addressed himself, regarded his +Commander with an oblique ind sullen eye, and then exchanged singularly +intelligent glances with his comrades, before he saw fit to make the +smallest motion towards compliance. But there was that, in the +authoritative mien of his superior, which finally induced him to comply. +The dilatory manner in which the seamen performed the duty was quickened, +however, as the rod ascended, and the well-known signs of a formidable +leak met their eyes. The experiment was repeated with greater activity, +and with far more precision. + +"If witchcraft can clear the hold of a ship that is already half full of +water," said Nighthead, casting another sullen glance towards the +attentive Wilder "the sooner it is done the better; for the whole cunning +of something more than a bungler in the same will be needed, in order to +make the pumps of the 'Royal Caroline' suck!" + +"Does the ship leak?" demanded his superior with a quickness of utterance +which sufficiently proclaimed how important he deemed the intelligence. + +"Yesterday, I would have boldly put my name to the articles of any craft +that floats the ocean; and had the Captain asked me if I understood her +nature and character, as certain as that my name is Francis Nighthead, I +should have told him, yes. But I find that the oldest seaman may still +learn something of the water; though it should be got in crossing a ferry +in a flat." + +"What mean you, sir?" demanded Wilder, who, for the first time, began to +note the mutinous looks assumed by his mate, no less than the threatening +manner in which he was seconded by the crew. "Have the pumps rigged +without delay, and clear the ship of the water." + +Nighthead slowly complied with the former part of this order; and, in a +few moments, every thing was arranged to commence the necessary, and, as +it would seem, urgent duty of pumping. But no man lifted his hand to the +laborious employment. The quick eye of Wilder, who had now taken the +alarm, was not slow in detecting this reluctance; and he repeated the +order more sternly, calling to two of the seamen, by name, to set the +example of obedience. The men hesitated, giving an opportunity to the mate +to confirm them, by his voice, in their mutinous intentions. + +"What need of hands to work a pump in a vessel like this?" he said, with +a coarse laugh, but in which secret terror struggled strangely with open +malice. "After what we have all seen this night, none here will be amazed, +should the vessel begin to spout out the brine like a breathing whale." + +"What am I to understand by this hesitation, and by this language?" said +Wilder, approaching Nighthead with a firm step, and an eye too proud to +quail before the plainest symptoms of insubordination. "Is it you, sir, +who should be foremost in exertion at a moment like this, who dare to set +an example of disobedience?" + +The mate recoiled a pace, and his lips moved, still he uttered no audible +reply. Wilder once more bade him, in a calm and authoritative tone, lay +his own hands to the brake. Nighthead then found his voice, in time to +make a flat refusal; and, at the next moment, he was felled to the feet of +his indignant Commander, by a blow he had neither the address nor the +power to resist. This act of decision was succeeded by one single moment +of breathless, wavering silence among the crew; and then the common cry, +and the general rush of every man upon our defenceless and solitary +adventurer, were the signals that open hostility had commenced. A shriek +from the quarter-deck arrested their efforts; just as a dozen hands were +laid violently upon the person of Wilder, and, for the moment, occasioned +a truce. It was the fearful cry of Gertrude, which possessed even the +influence to still the savage intentions of a set of beings so rude and so +unnurtured as those whose passions had just been awakened into fierce +activity. Wilder was released; and all eyes turned, by a common impulse, +in the direction of the sound. + +During the more momentous hours of the past night, the very existence of +the passengers below had been forgotten by most of those whose duty kept +them to the deck. If they had been recalled at all to the recollection of +any, it was at those fleeting moments when the mind of the young mariner, +who directed the movements of the ship, found leisure to catch stolen +glimpses of softer scenes than the wild warring of the elements that was +so actively raging before his eyes. Nighthead had named them, as he would +have made allusion to a part of the cargo, but their fate had little +influence on his hardened nature. Mrs Wyllys and her charge had therefore +remained below during the whole period, perfectly unapprised of the +disasters of the intervening time. Buried in the recesses of their births, +they had heard the roaring of the winds, and the incessant washing of the +waters; but these usual accompaniments of a storm had served to conceal +the crashing of masts, and the hoarse cries of the mariners. For the +moments of terrible suspense while the Bristol trader lay on her side, the +better informed governess had, indeed, some fearful glimmerings of the +truth; but, conscious of her uselessness and unwilling to alarm her less +instructed companion she had sufficient self-command to be mute. The +subsequent silence, and comparative calm, induced her to believe that she +had been mistaken in her apprehensions; and, long ere morning dawned, both +she and Gertrude had sunk into sweet and refreshing slumbers. They had +risen and mounted to the deck together, and were still in the first burst +of their wonder at the desolation which met their gaze, when the +long-meditated attack on Wilder was made. + +"What means this awful change?" demanded Mrs Wyllys, with a lip that +quivered, and a cheek which, notwithstanding the extraordinary power she +possessed over her feelings, was blanched to the colour of death. + +The eye of Wilder was glowing, and his brow dark as those heavens from +which they had just so happily escaped, as he answered, menacing his +assailants with an arm,-- + +"It means mutiny, Madam; rascally, cowardly mutiny!" + +"Could mutiny strip a vessel of her masts, and leave her a helpless log +upon the sea?" + +"Hark ye, Madam!" roughly interrupted the mate 'to you I will speak +freely; for it is well known who you are, and that you came on board the +'Caroline' a paying passenger. This night have I seen the heavens and the +ocean behave as I have never seen them behave before. Ships have been +running afore the wind, light and buoyant as corks, with all their spars +stepped and steady, when other ships have been shaved of every mast as +close as the razor sweeps the chin. Cruisers have been fallen in with, +sailing without living hands to work them; and, all together, no man here +has ever before passed a middle watch like the one gone by." + +"And what has this to do with the violence I have just witnessed? Is the +vessel fated to endure every evil!--Can _you_ explain this, Mr Wilder?" + +"You cannot say, at least, you had no warning of danger," returned Wilder, +smiling bitterly. + +"Ay, the devil is obliged to be honest on compulsion," resumed the mate. +"Each of his imps sails with his orders; and, thank Heaven! however he may +be minded to overlook the same, he has neither courage nor power to do it. +Otherwise, a peaceful voyage would be such a rarity, in these unsettled +times, that few men would be found hardy enough to venture on the water +for a livelihood.--A warning! Ay, we will own you gave us open and +frequent warning. It was a notice, that the consignee should not have +overlooked, when Nicholas Nichols met with the hurt, as the anchor was +leaving the bottom I never knew an accident happen at such a time and no +evil come of it. Then, had we a warning with the old man in the boat; +besides the never-failing ill luck of sending the pilot violently out of +the ship. As if all this wasn't enough, instead of taking a hint, and +lying peaceably at our anchors, we got the ship under way, and left a safe +and friendly harbour of a Friday, of all the days in a week![2] So far +from being surprised at what has happened, I only wonder at finding myself +still a living man; the reason of which is simply this, that I have given +my faith where faith only is due, and not to unknown mariners and strange +Commanders. Had Edward Earing done the same, he might still have had a +plank between him and the bottom; but, though half inclined to believe in +the truth, he had, after all, too much leaning to superstition and +credulity." + + [Footnote 2: The superstition, that Friday is an evil day, was not + peculiar to Nighthead; it prevails, more or less, among seamen to this + hour. An intelligent merchant of Connecticut had a desire to do his part + in eradicating an impression that is sometimes inconvenient. He caused + the keel of a vessel to be laid on a Friday; she was launched on a + Friday; named the "Friday;" and sailed on her first voyage on a Friday. + Unfortunately for the success of this well-intentioned experiment, + neither vessel nor crew were ever again heard of!] + +This laboured and characteristic profession of faith in the mate, though +sufficiently intelligible to Wilder, was still a perfect enigma to his +female listeners. But Nighthead had not formed his resolution by halves, +neither had he gone thus far, with any intention to stop short of the +completion of his whole design. In a very few summary words, he explained +to Mrs Wyllys the desolate condition of the ship, and the utter +improbability that she could continue to float many hours; since actual +observation had told him that her lower hold was already half full of +water. + +"And what is then to be done?" demanded the governess, casting a glance of +bitter distress towards the pallid and attentive Gertrude. "Is there no +sail in sight, to take us from the wreck? or must we perish in our +helplessness!" + +"God-protect us from anymore strange sails!" exclaimed the surly +Nighthead. "There we have the pinnace hanging at the stern, and here must +be land at some forty leagues to the north-west. Water and food are +plenty, and twelve, stout hands can soon pull a boat to the continent of +America; that is, always provided, America is left where it was seen no +later than at the sun-set of yesterday." + +"You then propose to abandon the vessel?" + +"I do. The interest of the owners is dear to all good seamen, but life is +sweeter than gold." + +"The will of heaven be done! But surely you meditate no violence against +this gentleman, who, I am quite certain, has governed the vessel, in very +critical circumstances, with a discretion far beyond his years!" + +Nighthead muttered his intentions, whatever they might be, to himself; and +then he walked apart, apparently to confer with the men, who already +seemed but too well disposed to second any of his views, however mistaken +or lawless. During the few moments of suspense that succeeded, Wilder +stood silent and composed, a smile of something like scorn struggling +about his lip, and maintaining the air rather of one who had power to +decide on the fortunes of others, than of a man whose own fate was most +probably at that very moment in discussion. When the dull minds of the +seamen had arrived at their conclusion, the mate advanced to proclaim the +result. Indeed, words were unnecessary, in order to make known a very +material part of their decision; for a party of the men proceeded +instantly to lower the stern-boat into the water, while others set about +supplying it with the necessary means of subsistence. + +"There is room for all the Christians in the ship to stow themselves in +this pinnace," resumed Nighthead; "and as for those that place their +dependance on any particular persons, why, let them call for aid where +they have been used to receive it." + +"From all which I am to infer that it is your intention," said Wilder, +calmly, "to abandon the wreck and your duty?" + +The half-awed but still resentful mate returned a look in which fear and +triumph struggled for the mastery, as he answered,-- + +"You, who know how to sail a ship without a crew, can never want a boat! +Besides, you shall never say to your friends, whoever they may be, that we +leave you without the means of reaching the land, if you are indeed a +land-bird at all. There is the launch." + +"There is the launch! but well do you know, that, without masts, all your +united strengths could not lift it from the deck; else would it not be +left." + +"They that took the masts out of the 'Caroline' can put them in again," +rejoined a grinning seaman; "it will not be an hour after we leave you, +before a sheer-hulk will come alongside, to step the spars again, and then +you may go cruise in company." + +Wilder appeared to be superior to any reply. He began to pace the deck, +thoughtful, it is true, but still composed, and entirely self-possessed. +In the mean time, as a common desire to quit the wreck as soon as possible +actuated all the men, their preparations advanced with incredible +activity. The wondering and alarmed females had hardly time to think +clearly on the extraordinary situation in which they found themselves, +before they saw the form of the helpless Master borne past them to the +boat; and, in another minute, they were summoned to take their places at +his side. + +Thus imperiously called upon to act, they began to feel the necessity of +decision. Remonstrances, they feared, would be useless; for the fierce and +malignant looks which were cast, from time to time, at Wilder, as the +labour proceeded, proclaimed the danger of awakening such obstinate and +ignorant minds into renewed acts of violence. The governess bethought her +of an appeal to the wounded man, but the look of wild care which he had +cast about him, on being lifted to the deck, and the expression of bodily +and mental pain that gleamed across his rugged features, as he buried them +in the blankets by which he was enveloped, but too plainly announced that +little assistance was, in his present condition, to be expected from him. + +"What remains for us to do?" she at length demanded of the seemingly +insensible object of her concern. + +"I would I knew!" he answered quickly, casting a keen but hurried glance +around the whole horizon. "It is not improbable that they should reach the +shore. Four-and-twenty hours of calm will assure it." + +"And if otherwise?" + +"A blow at north-west, or from any quarter off the land, will prove their +ruin." + +"But the ship?" + +"If deserted, she must sink." + +"Then will I speak in your favour to these hearts of flint! I know not why +I feel such interest in your welfare, inexplicable young man, but much +would I suffer rather than believe that you incurred this peril." + +"Stop, dearest Madam," said Wilder, respectfully arresting her movement +with his hand. "I cannot leave the vessel." + +"We know not yet. The most stubborn natures may be subdued; even ignorance +can be made to open its ears at the voice of entreaty. I may prevail." + +"There is one temper to be quelled--one reason to convince--one prejudice +to conquer, over which you have no power." + +"Whose is that?" + +"My own." + +"What mean you, sir? Surely you are not weak enough to suffer resentment +against such beings to goad you to an act of madness?" + +"Do I seem mad?" demanded Wilder. "The feeling by which I am governed may +be false, but, such as it is, it is grafted on my habits, my opinions; I +will say, my principles. Honour forbids me to quit a ship that I command, +while a plank of her is afloat." + +"Of what use can a single arm prove at such a crisis?". + +"None," he answered, with a melancholy smile. "I must die, in order that +others, who may be serviceable hereafter, should do their duty." + +Both Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude stood regarding his kindling eye, but +otherwise placid countenance, with looks whose concern amounted to horror. +The former read, in the very composure of his mien, the unalterable +character of his resolution; and the latter shuddering as the prospect of +the cruel fate which awaited him crowded on her mind, felt a glow about +her own youthful heart that almost tempted her to believe his +self-devotion commendable. But the governess saw new reasons for +apprehension in the determination of Wilder. If she had hitherto felt +reluctance to trust herself and her ward with a band such as that which +now possessed the sole authority, it was more than doubly increased by the +rude and noisy summons she received to hasten and take her place among +them. + +"Would to Heaven I knew in what manner to choose!" she exclaimed. "Speak +to us, young man, as you would counsel mother and sister." + +"Were I so fortunate as to possess relatives so near and dear," returned +the other, with emphasis "nothing should separate us at a time like this." + +"Is there hope for those who remain on the wreck?" + +"But little." + +"And in the boat?" + +It was near a minute before Wilder made any answer. He again turned his +look around the bright and broad horizon, and he appeared to study the +heavens, in the direction of the distant Continent, with infinite care. No +omen that could indicate the probable character of the weather escaped his +vigilance while his countenance reflected all the various emotions by +which he was governed, as he gazed. + +"As I am a man, Madam," he answered with fervour "and one who is bound not +only to counsel but to protect your sex, I distrust the time. I think the +chance of being seen by some passing sail equal to the probability that +those who adventure in the pinnace will ever reach the land." + +"Then let us remain," said Gertrude, the blood, for the first time since +her re-appearance on deck, rushing into her colourless cheeks, until they +appeared charged to fulness. "I like not the wretches who would be our +companions in that boat." + +"Away, away!" impatiently shouted Nighthead "Each minute of light is a +week of life to us all, and every moment of calm, a year. Away, away, or +we leave you!" + +Mrs Wyllys answered not, but she stood the image of doubt and painful +indecision. Then the plash of oars was heard in the water, and at the next +moment the pinnace was seen gliding over the element, impelled by the +strong arms of six powerful rowers. + +"Stay!" shrieked the governess, no longer undetermined; "receive my child, +though you abandon me!" + +A wave of the hand, and an indistinct rumbling in the coarse tones of the +mate, were the only answers given to her appeal. A long, deep, and +breathing silence followed among the deserted. The grim countenances of +the seamen in the pinnace soon became confused and indistinct; and then +the boat itself began to lessen on the eye, until it seemed no more than a +dark and distant speck, rising and falling with the flow and reflux of the +blue waters. During all this time, not even a whispered word was spoken. +Each of the party gazed, until sight grew dim, at the receding object; and +it was only when his organs refused to convey the tiny image to his brain, +that Wilder himself shook off the impression of the sort of trance into +which he had fallen. His look became bent on his companions, and he +pressed his hand upon his forehead, as though his brain were bewildered by +the deep responsibility he had assumed in advising them to remain. But the +sickening apprehension quickly passed away, leaving in its place a firmer +mind, and a resolution too often tried in scenes of doubtful issue, to be +long or easily shaken from its calmness and self-possession. + +"They are gone!" he exclaimed, breathing long and heavily, like one whose +respiration had been unnaturally suspended. + +"They are gone!" echoed the governess, turning an eye, that was +contracting with the intensity or her care, on the marble-like and +motionless form of her pupil "There is no longer any hope." + +The look that Wilder bestowed, on the same silent out lovely statue, was +scarcely less expressive than "he gaze of her who had nurtured the infancy +of the Southern Heiress, in innocence and love. His brow grew thoughtful, +and his lips became compressed, while all the resources of his fertile +imagination and long experience gathered in his mind, in engrossing +intense reflection. + +"Is there hope?" demanded the governess, who was watching the change of +his working countenance, with an attention that never swerved. + +The gloom passed away from his swarthy features, and the smile that +lighted them was like the radiance of the sun, as it breaks through the +blackest vapours of the drifting gust. + +"There is!" he said with firmness; "our case is far from desperate." + +"Then, may He who rules the ocean and the land receive the praise!" cried +the grateful governess giving vent to her long-suppressed agony in a flood +of tears. + +Gertrude cast herself upon the neck of Mrs Wyllys, and for a minute their +unrestrained emotions were mingled. + +"And now, my dearest Madam," said Gertrude, leaving the arms of her +governess, "let us trust to the skill of Mr Wilder; he has foreseen and +foretold this danger; equally well may he predict our safety." + +"Foreseen and foretold!" returned the other, in a manner to show that her +faith in the professional prescience of the stranger was not altogether so +unbounded as that of her more youthful and ardent companion. "No mortal +could have foreseen this awful calamity; and least of all, foreseeing it, +would he have sought to incur its danger! Mr Wilder, I will not annoy you +with requests for explanations that might now be useless, but you will not +refuse to communicate your grounds of hope." + +Wilder hastened to relieve a curiosity that he well knew must be as +painful as it was natural. The mutineers had left the largest, and much +the safest, of the two boats belonging to the wreck, from a desire to +improve the calm, well knowing that hours of severe labour would be +necessary to launch it, from the place it occupied between the stumps of +the two principal masts, into the ocean. This operation, which might have +been executed in a few minutes with the ordinary purchases of the ship, +would have required all their strength united, and that, too, to be +exercised with a discretion and care that would have consumed too many of +those moments which they rightly deemed to be so precious at that wild and +unstable season of the year. Into this little ark Wilder proposed to +convey such articles of comfort and necessity as he might hastily collect +from the abandoned vessel; and then, entering it with his companions, to +await the critical instant when the wreck should sink from beneath them. + +"Call you this hope?" exclaimed Mrs Wyllys, when his short explanation was +ended, her cheek again blanching with disappointment. "I have heard that +the gulf, which foundering vessels leave, swallows all lesser objects that +are floating nigh!" + +"It sometimes happens. For worlds I would not deceive you; and I now say +that I think our chance for escape equal to that of being ingulfed with +the vessel." + +"This is terrible!" murmured the governess, "but the will of Heaven be +done! Cannot ingenuity supply the place of strength, and the boat be cast +from the decks before the fatal moment arrives?" + +Wilder shook his head in an unequivocal negative. + +"We are not so weak as you may think us," said Gertrude. "Give a direction +to our efforts, and let us see what may yet be done. Here is Cassandra," +she added--turning to the black girl already introduced to the reader, who +stood behind her young and ardent mistress, with the mantle and shawls of +the latter thrown over her arm, as if about to attend her on an excursion +for the morning--"here is Cassandra who alone has nearly the strength of a +man." + +"Had she the strength of twenty, I should despair of launching the boat +without the aid of machinery But we lose time in words; I will go below, +in order to judge of the probable duration of our doubt and then to our +preparations. Even you, fair and fragile as you seem, lovely being, may +aid in the latter." + +He then pointed out such lighter objects as would be necessary to their +comfort, should they be so fortunate as to get clear of the wreck, and +advised their being put into the boat without delay. While the three +females were thus usefully employed, he descended into the hold of the +ship, in order to note the increase of the water, and make his +calculations on the time that would elapse before the sinking fabric must +entirely disappear. The fact proved their case to be more alarming than +even Wilder had been led to expect. Stripped of her masts, the vessel had +laboured so heavily as to open many of her seams; and, as the upper works +began to settle beneath the level of the ocean, the influx of the element +was increasing with frightful rapidity. As the young manner gazed about +him with an understanding eye, he cursed, in the bitterness of his heart, +the ignorance and superstition that had caused the desertion of the +remainder of the crew. There existed, in reality, no evil that exertion +and skill could not have remedied; but, deprived of all aid, he at once +saw the folly of even attempting to procrastinate a catastrophe that was +now unavoidable. Returning with a heavy heart to the deck, he immediately +set about those dispositions which were necessary to afford them the +smallest chance of escape. + +While his companions deadened the sense of apprehension by their light but +equally necessary employment Wilder stepped the two masts of the boat, and +properly disposed of the sails, and those other implements that might be +useful in the event of success Thus occupied, a couple of hours flew by, +as though minutes were compressed into moments. At the expiration of that +period, his labour had ceased. He then cut the gripes that had kept the +launch in its place when the ship was in motion, leaving it standing +upright on its wooden beds, but in no other manner connected with the +hull, which, by this time, had settled so low as to create the +apprehension, that, at any moment, it might sink from beneath them. After +this measure of precaution was taken, the females were summoned to the +boat, lest the crisis might be nearer than he supposed; for he well knew +that a foundering ship was, like a tottering wall, liable at any moment to +yield to the impulse of the downward pressure. He then commenced the +scarcely less necessary operation of selection among the chaos of articles +with which the ill-directed zeal of his companions had so cumbered the +boat, that there was hardly room left in which they might dispose of their +more precious persons. Notwithstanding the often repeated and vociferous +remonstrances of the negress, boxes, trunks, and packages flew from either +side of the launch, as though Wilder had no consideration for the comfort +and care of that fair being in whose behalf Cassandra, unheeded, like her +ancient namesake of Troy, lifted her voice so often in the tones of +remonstrance. The boat was soon cleared of what, under their +circumstances, was literally lumber; leaving, however, far more than +enough to meet all their wants, and not a few of their comforts, in the +event that the elements should accord the permission to use them. + +Then, and not till then, did Wilder relax in his exertions. He had +arranged his sails, ready to be hoisted in an instant; he had carefully +examined that no straggling rope connected the boat to the wreck, to draw +them under with the foundering mass; and he had assured himself that food, +water, compass, and the imperfect instruments that were then in use to +ascertain the position of a ship, were all carefully disposed of in their +several places, and ready to his hand. When all was in this state of +preparation, he disposed of himself in the stern of the boat, and +endeavoured, by the composure of his manner, to inspire his less resolute +companions with a portion of his own firmness. + +The bright sun-shine was sleeping in a thousand places on every side of +the silent and deserted wreck. The sea had subsided to such a state of +utter rest, that it was only at long intervals that the huge and helpless +mass on which the ark of the expectants lay was lifted from its dull +quietude, to roll heavily, for a moment, in the washing waters, and then +to settle lower into the greedy and absorbing element. Still the +disappearance of the hull was slow, and even tedious, to those who looked +forward with such impatience to its total immersion, as to the crisis of +their own fortunes. + +During these hours of weary and awful suspense, the discourse, between the +watchers, though conducted in tones of confidence, and often of +tenderness, was broken by long intervals of deep and musing silence. Each +forbore to dwell upon the danger of their situation, in consideration of +the feelings of the rest; but neither could conceal the imminent risk they +ran, from that jealous watchfulness of love of life which was common to +them all. In this manner, minutes, hours, and the day itself, rolled by, +and the darkness was seen stealing along the deep, gradually narrowing the +boundary of their view towards the east, until the whole of the empty +scene was limited to a little dusky circle around the spot on which they +lay. To this change succeeded another fearful hour, during which it +appeared that death was about to visit them, environed by its most +revolting horrors. The heavy plunge of the wallowing whale, as he cast his +huge form upon the surface of the sea, was heard, accompanied by the mimic +blowings of a hundred imitators, that followed in the train of the +monarch of the ocean. It appeared to the alarmed and feverish imagination +of Gertrude, that the brine was giving up all its monsters; and, +notwithstanding the calm assurances of Wilder, that these accustomed +sounds were rather the harbingers of peace than signs of any new danger, +they filled her mind with images of the secret recesses over which they +seemed suspended by a thread, and painted them replete with the disgusting +inhabitants of the caverns of the great deep. The intelligent seaman +himself was startled, when he saw, on the surface of the water, the dark +fins of the voracious shark stealing around the wreck, apprised, by his +instinct, that the contents of the devoted vessel were shortly to become +the prey of his tribe. Then came the moon, with its mild and deceptive +light, to throw the delusion of its glow on the varying but ever frightful +scene. + +"See," said Wilder, as the luminary lifted its pale and melancholy orb out +of the bed of the ocean; "we shall have light for our hazardous launch!" + +"Is it at hand?" demanded Mrs Wyllys, with all the resolution of manner +she could assume in so trying a situation. + +"It is--the ship has already brought her scuppers to the water. Sometimes +a vessel will float until saturated with the brine. If ours sink at all, +it will be soon." + +"If at all! Is there then hope that she can float?" + +"None!" said Wilder, pausing to listen to the hollow and threatening +sounds which issued from the depths of the vessel, as the water broke +through her divisions, in passing from side to side, and which sounded +like the groaning of some heavy monster in the last agony of nature. +"None; she is already losing her level!" + +His companions saw the change; but, not for the empire of the world, could +either of them have uttered a syllable. Another low, threatening, +rumbling sound was heard, and then the pent air beneath blew up the +forward part of the deck, with an explosion like that of a gun. + +"Now grasp the ropes I have given you!" cried Wilder, breathless with his +eagerness to speak. + +His words were smothered by the rushing and gurgling of waters. The vessel +made a plunge like a dying whale; and, raising its stern high into the +air, glided into the depths of the sea, like the leviathan seeking his +secret places. The motionless boat was lifted with the ship, until it +stood in an attitude fearfully approaching to the perpendicular. As the +wreck descended, the bows of the launch met the element, burying +themselves nearly to filling; but, buoyant and light, it rose again, and, +struck powerfully on the stern by the settling mass, the little ark shot +ahead, as though it had been driven by the hand of man. Still, as the +water rushed into the vortex, every thing within its influence yielded to +the suction; and, at the next instant, the launch was seen darting down +the declivity, as if eager to follow the vast machine, of which it had so +long formed a dependant, through the same gaping whirlpool, to the bottom. +Then it rose, rocking, to the surface; and, for a moment, was tossed and +whirled like a bubble circling in the eddies of a pool. After which, the +ocean moaned, and slept again; the moon-beams playing across its +treacherous bosom, sweetly and calm, as the rays are seen to quiver on a +lake that is embedded in sheltering mountains. + + + + +Chapter XVIII. + + + + --"Every day, some sailor's wife, + The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, + Have just our theme of woe."--_Tempest._ + + +"We are safe!" said Wilder, who had stood, amid the violence of the +struggle, with his person firmly braced against a mast, steadily watching +the manner of their escape. "Thus far, at least, are we safe; for which +may Heaven alone be praised, since no art of mine could avail us a +feather." + +The females had buried their faces in the folds of the vestments and +clothes on which they were sitting; nor did even the governess raise her +countenance until twice assured by her companion that the imminency of the +risk was past. Another minute went by, during which Mrs Wyllys and +Gertrude were rendering their thanksgivings, in a manner and in words less +equivocal than the expression which had just broken from the lips of the +young seaman. When this grateful duty was performed, they stood erect, as +if emboldened, by the offering, to look their situation more steadily in +the face. + +On every side lay the seemingly illimitable waste of waters. To them, +their small and frail tenement was the world. So long as the ship, sinking +and dangerous as she was, remained beneath them, there had appeared to be +a barrier between their existence and the ocean. But one minute had +deprived them of even this failing support, and they now found themselves +cast upon the sea in a vessel that might be likened to one of the bubbles +of the element. Gertrude felt, at that instant, as though she would have +given half her hopes in life for the mere sight of that vast and nearly +untenanted Continent which stretched for so many thousands of miles along +the west, and kept the world of waters to their limits. + +But the rush of emotions that so properly belonged to their forlorn +condition soon subsided, and their thoughts returned to the study of the +means necessary to their further safety. Wilder had, however anticipated +these feelings; and, even before Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude had recovered +their recollections, he was occupied, aided by the ready hands of the +terrified but loquacious Cassandra, in arranging the contents of the boat +in such a manner as would enable her to move through the element with the +least possible resistance. + +"With a well-trimmed ship, and a fair breeze," cried our adventurer, +cheerfully, so soon as his little job was ended, "we may yet hope to reach +the land in one day and another night. I have seen the hour when, in this +good launch, I would not have hesitated to run the length of the American +coast, provided"-- + +"You have forgotten your provided," said Gertrude observing that he +hesitated, probably from a reluctance to express any exception to the +opinion, which might increase the fears of his companions. + +"Provided it were two months earlier in the year," he added, in a tone of +less confidence. + +"The season is, then, against us: It only requires the greater resolution +in ourselves!" + +Wilder turned his head to regard the fair speaker, whose pale and placid +countenance, as the moon silvered her fine features, expressed any thing +but the courage to endure the hardships he so well knew she was liable to +encounter, before they might hope to gain the Continent. After musing a +moment, he lifted his open hand towards the south-west, and held its palm +some little time to the air of the night. + +"Any thing is better than idleness, for people in our condition," he +said. "There are some symptoms of the breeze coming in this quarter; I +will be ready to meet it." + +He then spread his two lug-sails; and, trimming aft the sheets, placed +himself at the helm, like one who expected his services there might be +shortly needed. The result did not disappoint his expectations. Ere Long, +the light canvas of the boat began to flutter; and then, as he brought the +bows in the proper direction, the little vessel commenced moving slowly +along its blind and watery path. + +The wind soon came fresher upon the sails, heavily charged with the +dampness of the hour. Wilder urged the latter reason as a motive for the +females to seek their rest beneath a little canopy of tarpaulings, which +his foresight had also provided, and on mattresses he had brought from the +ship Perceiving that their protector wished to be alone, Mrs Wyllys and +her pupil did as desired; and, in a few minutes, if not asleep, no one +could have told that any other than our adventurer had possession of the +solitary launch. + +The middle hour of the night went by, without any material change in the +prospects of those whose fate so much depended on the precarious influence +of the weather. The wind had freshened to a smart breeze; and, by the +calculations of Wilder, he had already moved across many leagues of ocean, +directly in a line for the eastern end of that long and narrow isle that +separates the waters which wash the shores of Connecticut from those of +the open sea. The minutes flew swiftly by; for the time was propitious and +the thoughts of the young seaman were busy with the recollections of a +short but adventurous life. At moments he leaned forward, as if he would +catch the gentle respiration of one who slept beneath the dark and rude +canopy, and as though he might distinguish the soft breathings of her +slumbers from those of her companions. Then would his form fall back into +its seat, and his lip curl, or even move, as he gave inward utterance to +the wayward fancies of his imagination. But at no time, not even in the +midst of his greatest abandonment to reverie and thought, did he forget +the constant, and nearly instinctive, duties of his station. A rapid +glance at the heavens, an oblique look at the compass, and an occasional, +but more protracted, examination of the pale face of the melancholy moon, +were the usual directions taken by his practised eyes. The latter was +still in the zenith; and his brow began again to contract, as he saw that +she was shining through an atmosphere without a haze. He would have liked +better to have seen even those portentous and watery circles by which she +is so often environed and which are thought to foretel the tempest, than +the hard and dry medium through which her beams fell so clear upon the +face of the waters. The humidity with which the breeze had commenced was +also gone; and, in its place, the quick, sensitive organs of the seaman +detected the often grateful, though at that moment unwelcome, taint of the +land. All these were signs that the airs from the Continent were about to +prevail, and (as he dreaded, from certain wild-looking, long, narrow +clouds, that were gathering over the western horizon) to prevail with a +power conformable to the turbulent season of the year. + +If any doubt had existed in the mind of Wilder as to the accuracy of his +prognostics, it would have been solved about the commencement of the +morning watch. At that hour the inconstant breeze began again to die; and, +even before its last breathing was felt upon the flapping canvas, it was +met by counter currents from the west. Our adventurer saw at once that the +struggle was now truly to commence, and he made his dispositions +accordingly. The square sheets of duck, which had so long been exposed to +the mild airs of the south, were reduced to one third their original size, +by double reefs; and several of the more cumbrous of the remaining +articles such as were of doubtful use to persons in their situation, were +cast, without pausing to hesitate, into the sea. Nor was this care without +a sufficient object. The air soon came sighing heavily over the deep from +the north-west, bringing with it the chilling asperity of the inhospitable +regions of the Canadas. + +"Ah! well do I know you," muttered Wilder, as the first puff of this +unwelcome wind struck his sails, and forced the little boat to bend to its +power in passing; "well do I know you, with your fresh-water flavour and +your smell of the land! Would to God you had blown your fill upon the +lakes, without coming down to drive many a weary seaman back upon his +wake, and to eke out a voyage, already too long, by your bitter colds and +steady obstinacy!" + +"Do you speak?" said Gertrude, half appearing from beneath her canopy, and +then shrinking back, shivering, into its cover again, as she felt the +influence in the change of air. + +"Sleep, Lady, sleep," he answered, as though he liked not, at such a +moment, to be disturbed by even her soft and silvery voice. + +"Is there new danger?" asked the maiden, stepping lightly from the +mattress, as if she would not disturb the repose of her governess. "You +need not fear to tell me the worst: I am a soldier's child!" + +He pointed to the signs so well comprehended by himself, but continued +silent. + +"I feel that the wind is colder than it was," she said, "but I see no +other change." + +"And do you know whither the boat is going?" + +"To the land, I think. You assured us of that, and I do not believe you +would willingly deceive." + +"You do me justice; and, as a proof of it, I will now tell you that you +are mistaken. I know that to your eyes all points of the compass, on this +void, must seem the same; but I cannot thus easily deceive myself." + +"And we are not sailing for our homes?" + +"So far from it, that, should this course continue we must cross the whole +Atlantic before your eyes could again see land." + +Gertrude made no reply, but retired, in sorrow, to the side of her +governess. In the mean time, Wilder again left to himself, began to +consult his compass and the direction of the wind. Perceiving that he +might approach nearer to the continent of America by changing the position +of the boat, he wore round, and brought its head as nigh up to the +south-west as the wind would permit. + +But there was little hope in this trifling change. At each minute, the +power of the breeze was increasing until it soon freshened to a degree +that compelled him to furl his after-sail. The slumbering ocean was not +long in awakening; and, by the time the launch was snug under a +close-reefed fore-sail, the boat was rising on dark and ever-growing +waves, or sinking into the momentary calm of deep furrows, whence it rose +again, to feel the rapidly increasing power of the blasts. The dashing of +the waters, and the rushing of the wind, which now began to sweep heavily +across the blue waste, quickly drew the females to the side of our +adventurer. To their hurried and anxious questions he made considerate but +brief replies, like a man who felt that the time was far better suited to +action than to words. + +In this manner the last lingering minutes of the night went by, loaded +with a care that each moment rendered heavier, and which each successive +freshening of the breeze had a tendency to render doubly anxious. The day +came, only to bestow more distinctness on the cheerless prospect. The +waves were looking green and angrily, while, here and there, large crests +of foam were beginning to break on their summits--the certain evidence +that a conflict betwixt the elements was at hand. Then came the sun over +the ragged margin of the eastern horizon, climbing slowly into the blue +arch above, which lay clear, chilling, distinct, and entirely without a +cloud. + +Wilder noted all these changes of the hour with a closeness that proved +how critical he deemed their case. He seemed rather to consult the signs +of the heavens than to regard the tossings and rushings of the water, +which dashed against the side of his little vessel in a mariner that, to +the eyes of his companions, often appeared to threaten their total +destruction. To the latter he was too much accustomed, to anticipate the +true moment of alarm, though to less instructed senses it might already +seem so dangerous. It was to him as is the thunder, when compared to the +lightning, in the mind of the philosopher; or rather he knew, that, if +harm might come from the one on which he floated, its ability to injure +must first be called into action by the power of the sister element. + +"What think you of our case now?" asked Mrs Wyllys, keeping her look +closely fastened on his countenance, as if she would rather trust its +expression than even to his words for the answer. + +"So long as the wind continues thus, we may yet hope to keep within the +route of ships to and from the great northern ports; but, if it freshen to +a gale, and the sea begin to break with violence. I doubt the ability of +this boat to lie-to." + +"Then our resource must be in endeavouring to run before the gale." + +"Then must we scud." + +"What would be our direction, in such an event?" demanded Gertrude, to +whose mind, in the agitation of the ocean and the naked view on every +hand, all idea of places and distances was lost, in the most inextricable +confusion. + +"In such an event," returned our adventurer, regarding her with a look in +which commiseration and indefinite concern were so singularly mingled, +that her own mild gaze was changed into a timid and furtive glance, "in +such an event, we should be leaving that land it is so important to +reach." + +"What 'em 'ere?" cried Cassandra, whose large dark eyes were rolling on +every side of her, with a curiosity that no care or sense of danger could +extinguish; "'em berry big fish on a water?" + +"It is a boat!" cried Wilder, springing upon a thwart, to catch a glimpse +of a dark object that was driving on the glittering crest of a wave, +within a hundred feet of the spot where the launch itself was struggling +through the brine. "What ho!--boat, ahoy!--holloa there!--boat, ahoy!" + +The deep breathing of the wind swept by them, but no human sound responded +to his shout. They had already fallen, between two seas, into a deep vale +of water, where the narrow view extended no farther than the dark and +rolling barriers on either side. + +"Merciful Providence!" exclaimed the governess, "can there be others as +unhappy as ourselves!" + +"It was a boat, or my sight is not true as usual," returned Wilder, still +keeping his stand, to watch the moment when he might catch another view. +His wish was quickly realized. He had trusted the helm, for the moment, to +the hands of Cassandra, who suffered the launch to vary a little from its +course. The words were still on his lips, when the same black object came +sweeping down the wave to windward, and a pinnace, bottom upwards, washed +past them in the trough. Then followed a shriek from the negress, who +abandoned the tiller, and, sinking on her knees, hid her face in her +hands. Wilder instinctively caught the helm, as he bent his face in the +direction whence the revolting eye of Cassandra had been turned. A grim +human form was seen, erect, and half exposed, advancing in the midst of +the broken crest which was still covering the dark declivity to windward +with foam. For a moment, it stood with the brine dripping from the +drenched locks, like some being that had issued from the deep to turn its +frightful features on the spectators; and then the lifeless body of a +drowned man drove past the launch, which, at the next minute, rose to the +summit of the wave, to sink into another vale where no such terrifying +object floated. + +Not only Wilder, but Gertrude and Mrs Wyllys. had seen this startling +spectacle so nigh them as to recognize the countenance of Nighthead, +rendered still more stern and forbidding than ever, in the impression left +by death. But neither spoke, nor gave any other evidence of their +intelligence. Wilder hoped that his companions had at least escaped the +shock of recognizing the victim; and the females themselves saw, in the +hapless fortune of the mutineer too much of their own probable though more +protracted fate, to be able to give vent to the horror each felt so +deeply, in words. For some time, the elements alone were heard sighing a +sort of hoarse requiem over the victims of their conflict. + +"The pinnace has filled!" Wilder at length observed, when he saw, by the +pallid features and meaning eyes of his companions, it was in vain to +affect reserve on the subject any longer. "Their boat was frail, and +loaded to the water's edge." + +"Think you all are lost?" observed Mrs Wyllys, in a voice that scarcely +amounted to a whisper. + +"There is no hope for any! Gladly would I part with an arm, for the +assistance of the poorest of those misguided seamen, who have hurried on +their evil fortune by their own disobedience and ignorance." + +"And, of all the happy and thoughtless human beings who lately left the +harbour of Newport, in a vessel that has so long been the boast of +mariners, we alone remain!" + +"There is not another: This boat, and its contents are the sole memorials +of the 'Royal Caroline!'" + +"It was not within the ken of human Knowledge to foresee this evil," +continued the governess, fastening her eye on the countenance of Wilder, +as though she would ask a question which conscience told her, at the same +time, betrayed a portion of that very superstition which had hastened the +fate of the rude being they had so lately passed. + +"It was not." + +"And the danger, to which you so often and so inexplicably alluded, had no +reference to this we have incurred?" + +"It had not." + +"It has gone, with the change in our situation?" + +"I hope it has." + +"See!" interrupted Gertrude, laying a hand, in her haste, on the arm of +Wilder. "Heaven be praised! yonder is something at last to relieve the +view." + +"It is a ship!" exclaimed her governess; but, an envious wave lifting its +green side between them and the object, they sunk into a trough, as though +the vision had been placed momentarily before their eyes, merely to taunt +them with its image. The quick glance of Wilder had caught, however, a +glimpse of the tracery against the heavens, as they descended. When the +boat rose again, his look was properly directed, and he was enabled to be +certain of the reality of the vessel. Wave succeeded wave, and moments +followed moments, during which the stranger was given to their gaze, and +as often disappeared, as the launch unavoidably fell into the troughs of +the seas. These short and hasty glimpses sufficed, however, to convey all +that was necessary to the eye of a man who had been nurtured on that +element, where circumstances now exacted of him such constant and +unequivocal evidences of his skill. + +At the distance of a mile, there was in fact a ship to be seen, rolling +and pitching gracefully, and without any apparent effort, on those waves +through which the launch was struggling with such difficulty. A solitary +sail was set, to steady the vessel, and that so reduced, by reefs, as to +look like a little snowy cloud amid the dark maze of rigging and spars. At +times, her long and tapering masts appeared pointing to the zenith, or +even rolling as if inclining against the wind; and then, again, with slow +and graceful sweeps, they seemed to fall towards the ruffled surface of +the ocean, as though about to seek refuge from their endless motion, in +the bosom of the agitated element itself. There were moments when the +long, low, and black hull was seen distinctly resting on the summit of a +sea, and glittering in the sun-beams, as the water washed from her sides; +and then, as boat and vessel sunk together, all was lost to the eye, even +to the attenuated lines of her tallest and most delicate spars. + +Both Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude bowed their faces to their knees, when +assured of the truth of their hopes, and poured out their gratitude in +silent and secret thanksgivings. The joy of Cassandra was more clamorous, +and less restrained. The simple negress laughed, shed tears, and exulted +in the most touching manner, on the prospect that was now offered for the +escape of her young mistress and herself from a death that the recent +sight had set before her imagination in the most frightful form. But no +answering look of congratulation was to be traced in the contracting and +anxious eye of their companion. + +"Now," said Mrs Wyllys, seizing his hand in both her own, "may we hope to +be delivered; and then shall we be allowed, brave and excellent young man, +some opportunity of proving to you how highly we esteem your services." + +Wilder permitted the burst of her feelings with a species of bewildered +care, but he neither spoke, nor in any other manner exhibited the smallest +sympathy in her joy. + +"Surely you are not grieved, Mr Wilder," added the wondering Gertrude, +"that the prospect of escape from these awful waves is at length so +mercifully held forth to us!" + +"I would gladly die to shelter you from harm," returned the young sailor; +"but"-- + +"This is not a time for any thing but gratitude and rejoicing," +interrupted the governess; "I cannot hearken to any cold exceptions now; +what mean you with that 'but?'" + +"It may be not so easy as you think to reach yon ship--the gale may +prevent--in short, many is the vessel that is seen at sea which cannot be +spoken." + +"Happily, such is not our cruel fortune. I understand considerate and +generous youth, your wish to dampen hopes that may possibly be yet +thwarted, but I have too long, and too often, trusted this dangerous +element, not to know that he who has the wind can speak, or not, as he +pleases." + +"You are right in saying we are to windward Madam; and, were I in a ship, +nothing would be easier than to run within hail of the stranger.--That +ship is certainly lying-to, and yet the gale is not fresh enough to bring +so stout a vessel to so short canvas." + +"They see us, then, and await our arrival." + +"No, no: Thank God, we are not yet seen! This little rag of ours is +blended with the spray. They take it for a gull, or a comb of the sea, for +the moment it is in view." + +"And do you thank Heaven for this!" exclaimed Gertrude, regarding the +anxious Wilder with a wonder that her more cautious governess had the +power to restrain. + +"Did I thank Heaven for not being seen! I may have mistaken the object of +my thanks: It is an armed ship!" + +"Perhaps a cruiser of the King's! We are the more likely to meet with a +welcome reception! Delay not to hoist some signal, lest they increase +their sail, and leave us." + +"You forget that the enemy is often found upon our coast. This might prove +a Frenchman!" + +"I have no fears of a generous enemy. Even a pirate would give shelter, +and welcome, to females in such distress." + +A long and profound silence succeeded. Wilder still stood upon the thwart, +straining his eyes to read each sign that a seaman understands; nor did he +appear to find much pleasure in the task. + +"We will drift ahead," he said, "and, as the ship is lying on a different +tack, we may yet gain a position that will leave us masters of our future +movements." + +To this his companions knew not well how to make any objections. Mrs +Wyllys was so much struck with the remarkable air of coldness with which +he met this prospect of refuge against the forlorn condition in which he +had just before confessed they were placed, that she was much more +disposed to ponder on the cause, than to trouble him with questions which +she had the discernment to see would be useless. Gertrude wondered, while +she was disposed to think he might be right, though she knew not why. +Cassandra alone was rebellious. She lifted her voice in loud objections +against a moment's delay, assuring the abstracted and perfectly +inattentive young seaman, that, should any evil come to her young mistress +by his obstinacy, General Grayson would be angered; and then she left him +to reflect on the results of a displeasure that to her simple mind teemed +with all the danger that could attend the anger of a monarch. Provoked by +his contumacious disregard of her remonstrances, the negress, forgetting +all her respect, in blindness in behalf of her whom she not only loved, +but had been taught to reverence, seized the boat-hook, and, unperceived +by Wilder, fastened to it, with dexterity, one of the linen cloths that +had been brought from the wreck, and exposed it, far above the diminished +sail, for a couple of minutes, ere her device had caught the eyes of +either of her companions. Then, indeed she lowered the signal, in haste, +before the dark and frowning look of Wilder. But, short as was the triumph +of the negress, it was crowned with complete success. + +The restrained silence, which is so apt to succeed a sudden burst of +displeasure, was still reigning in the boat, when a cloud of smoke broke +out of the side of the ship, as she lay on the summit of a wave; and then +came the deadened roar of artillery struggling heavily up against the +wind. + +"It is now too late to hesitate," said Mrs Wyllys; "we are seen, let the +stranger be friend or enemy." + +Wilder did not answer, but continued to profit, by each opportunity, to +watch the movements of the stranger. In another moment, the spars were +seen receding from the breeze, and, in a couple of minutes more, the head +of the ship was changed to the direction in which they lay. Then appeared +four or five broader sheets of canvas in different parts of the +complicated machinery, while the vessel bowed to the gale, as though she +inclined still lower before its power. At moments, as she mounted on a +sea, her bows seemed issuing from the element altogether and high jets of +spray were cast into the air, glittering in the sun, as the white +particles scattered in the breeze, or fell in gems upon the sails and +rigging, "It is now too late, indeed;" murmured our adventurer bearing up +the helm of his own little craft, and letting its sheet glide through his +hands, until the sail was bagging with the breeze nearly to bursting. The +boat, which had so long been labouring through the water, with a wish to +cling as nigh as possible to the Continent, flew over the seas, leaving a +long trail of foam behind it; and, before either of the females had +regained their entire self-possession, she was floating in the comparative +calm that was created by the hull of a large vessel. A light active form +stood in the rigging of the ship, issuing the necessary orders to a +hundred seamen; and, in the midst of the confusion and alarm that such a +scene was likely to cause in the bosom of woman, Gertrude and Mrs Wyllys, +with their two companions, were transferred in safety to the decks of the +stranger. The moment they and their effects were secured the launch was +cut adrift, like useless lumber. Twenty mariners were then seen climbing +among the ropes; and sail after sail was opened still wider, until bearing +the vast folds of all her canvas spread, the vessel was urged along the +trackless course, like a swift cloud drifting through the thin medium of +the upper air. + + + + +Chapter XIX. + + + + "Now let it work: Mischief, thou art afoot, + Take then what course thou wilt!"--_Shakspeare_ + + +When the velocity with which the vessel flew before the wind is properly +considered, the reader will not be surprised to learn, that, with the +change of a week in the time from that with which the foregoing incidents +close, we are enabled to open the scene of the present chapter in a very +different quarter of the same sea. It is unnecessary to follow the "Rover" +in the windings of that devious and apparently often uncertain course, +during which his keel furrowed more than a thousand miles of ocean, and +during which more than one cruiser of the King was skilfully eluded, and +sundry less dangerous encounters avoided, as much from inclination as any +other visible cause. It is quite sufficient for our purpose to lift the +curtain, which must conceal her movements for a time, to expose the +gallant vessel in a milder climate, and, when the season of the year is +considered, in a more propitious sea. + +Exactly seven days after Gertrude and her governess became the inmates of +a ship whose character it is no longer necessary to conceal from the +reader, the sun rose upon her flapping sails, symmetrical spars, and dark +hull, within sight of a few, low, small and rocky islands. The colour of +the element would have told a seaman, had no mound of blue land been seen +issuing out of the world of waters, that the bottom of the sea was +approaching nigher than common to its surface, and that it was necessary +to guard against the well-known and dreaded dangers of the coast. Wind +there was none; for she vacillating and uncertain air which, from time to +time, distended for an instant the lighter canvas of the vessel, deserved +to be merely termed the breathings of a morning, which was breaking upon +the main, soft, mild, and seemingly so bland as to impart to the ocean the +placid character of a sleeping lake. + +Everything having life in the ship was already up and stirring. Fifty +stout and healthy-looking seamen were hanging in different parts of her +rigging, some laughing, and holding low converse with messmates who lay +indolently on the neighbouring spars, and others leisurely performing the +light and trivial duty that was the ostensible employment of the moment. +More than as many others loitered carelessly about the decks below, +somewhat similarly engaged; the whole wearing much the appearance of men +who were set to perform certain immaterial tasks, more to escape the +imputation of idleness than from any actual necessity that the same should +be executed. The quarter-deck, the hallowed spot of every vessel that may +pretend to either discipline or its semblance, was differently occupied +though by a set of beings who could lay no greater claim to activity or +interest. In short, the vessel partook of the character of the ocean and +of the weather, both of which seemed reserving their powers to some more +suitable occasion for their display. + +Three or four young (and, considering the nature of their service, far +from unpleasant-looking) men appeared in a sort of undress nautical +uniform, in which the fashion of no people in particular was very +studiously consulted. Notwithstanding the apparent calm that reigned on +all around them, each of these individuals bore a short straight dirk at +his girdle; and, as one of them bent over the side of the vessel, the +handle of a little pistol was discovered through an opening in the folds +of his professional frock. There were, however, no other immediate signs +of distrust, whence an observer might infer that this armed precaution was +more than the usual custom of the vessel. A couple of grim and callous +looking sentinels, who were attired and accoutred like soldiers of the +land, and who, contrary to marine usage, were posted on the line which +separated the resorting place of the officers from the forward part of the +deck, bespoke additional caution. But, still, all these arrangements were +regarded by the seamen with incurious eyes--a certain proof that use had +long rendered them familiar. + +The individual who has been introduced to the reader under the +high-sounding title of "General," stood upright and rigid as one of the +masts of the ship, studying, with a critical eye, the equipments of his +two mercenaries, and apparently as regardless of what was passing around +him as though he literally considered himself a fixture in the vessel. One +form, however, was to be distinguished from all around it, by the dignity +of its mien and the air of authority that breathed even in the repose of +its attitude. It was the Rover, who stood alone, none presuming to +approach the spot where he had chosen to plant his light but graceful and +imposing person. There was ever an expression of stern investigation in +his quick wandering eye, as it roved from object to object in the +equipment of the vessel; and at moments, as his look appeared fastened on +some one of the light fleecy clouds that floated in the blue vacuum above +him, there gathered about his brow a gloom like that which is thought to +be the shadowing of intense thought. Indeed, so dark and threatening did +this lowering of the eye become, at times, that the fair hair which broke +out in ringlets from beneath a black velvet sea-cap, from whose top +depended a tassel of gold, could no longer impart to his countenance the +gentleness which it sometimes was seen to express. As though he disdained +concealment, and wished to announce the nature of the power he wielded, +he wore his pistols openly in a leathern belt, that was made to cross a +frock of blue, delicately edged with gold, and through which he had +thrust, with the same disregard of concealment, a light and curved Turkish +yattagan, with a straight stiletto, which, by the chasings of its handle, +had probably originally come from the manufactory of some Italian artisan. + +On the deck of the poop, overlooking the rest and retired from the crowd +beneath them, stood Mrs Wyllys and her charge, neither of whom announced +in the slightest degree, by eye or air, that anxiety which might readily +be supposed natural to females who found themselves in a condition so +critical as in the company of lawless freebooters. On the contrary, while +the former pointed out to the latter the hillock of pale blue which rose +from the water, like a dark and strongly defined cloud in the distance, +hope was strongly blended with the ordinarily placid expression of her +features. She also called to Wilder, in a cheerful voice; and the youth, +who had long been standing, with a sort of jealous watchfulness, at the +foot of the ladder which led from the quarter-deck, was at her side in an +instant. + +"I am telling Gertrude," said the governess, with those tones of +confidence which had been created by the dangers they had incurred +together, "that yonder is her home, and that, when the breeze shall be +felt, we may speedily hope to reach it; but the wilfully timid girl +insists that she cannot believe her senses, after the frightful risks we +have run, until, at least, she shall see the dwelling of her childhood, +and the face of her father. You have often been on this coast before, Mr +Wilder?" + +"Often, Madam." + +"Then, you can tell us what is the distant land we see." + +"Land!" repeated our adventurer, affecting a look of surprise; "is there +then land in view?" + +"Is there land in view! Have not hours gone by since the same was +proclaimed from the masts?" + +"It may be so: We seamen are dull after a night of watching, and often +hear but little of that which passes." + +There was a quick, suspicious glance from the eye of the governess, as if +she apprehended, she knew not what, ere she continued,-- + +"Has the sight of the cheerful, blessed soil of America so soon lost its +charm in your eye, that you approach it with an air so heedless? The +infatuation of men of your profession, in favour of so dangerous and so +treacherous an element, is an enigma I never could explain." + +"Do seamen, then, love their calling with so devoted an affection?" +demanded Gertrude, in a haste that she might have found embarrassing to +explain. + +"It is a folly of which we are often accused," rejoined Wilder, turning +his eye on the speaker, and smiling in a manner that had lost every shade +of reserve. + +"And justly?" + +"I fear, justly." + +"Ay!" exclaimed Mrs Wyllys, with an emphasis that was remarkable for the +tone of soft and yet bitter regret with which it was uttered; "often +better than their quiet and peaceful homes!" + +Gertrude pursued the idea no further; but her line full eye fell upon the +deck, as though she reflected deeply on a perversity of taste which could +render man so insensible to domestic pleasures, and incline him to court +the wild dangers of the ocean. + +"I, at least, am free from the latter charge," exclaimed Wilder: "To me a +ship has always been a home." + +"And much of my life, too, has been wasted in one," continued the +governess, who evidently was pursuing, in the recesses of her own mind, +some images of a time long past. "Happy and miserable alike, have been the +hours that I have passed upon the sea! Nor is this the first King's ship +in which it has been my fortune to be thrown. And yet the customs seem +changed since those days I mention, or else memory is beginning to lose +some of the impressions of an age when memory is apt to be most tenacious. +Is it usual, Mr Wilder, to admit an utter stranger, like yourself, to +exercise authority in a vessel of war?" + +"Certainly not." + +"And yet have you been acting, as far as my weak judgment teaches, as +second here, since the moment we entered this vessel, wrecked and helpless +fugitives from the waves." + +Our adventurer again averted his eye, and evidently searched for words, +ere he replied,-- + +"A commission is always respected: Mine procured for me the consideration +you have witnessed." + +"You are then an officer of the Crown?" + +"Would any other authority be respected in a vessel of the Crown? Death +had left a vacancy in the second station of this--cruiser. Fortunately for +the wants of the service, perhaps for myself, I was at hand to fill it." + +"But, tell me farther," continued the governess, who appeared disposed to +profit by the occasion to solve more doubts than one, "is it usual for the +officers of a vessel of war to appear armed among their crew, in the +manner I see here?" + +"It is the pleasure of our Commander." + +"That Commander is evidently a skilful seaman, but one whose caprices and +tastes are as extraordinary as I find his mien. I have surely seen him +before; and, it would seem, but lately." + +Mrs Wyllys then became silent for several minutes. During the whole time, +her eye never averted its gaze from the form of the calm and motionless +being, who still maintained his attitude of repose, aloof from all that +throng whom he had the address to make so entirely dependant on his +authority. It seemed, for these few minutes, that the organs of the +governess drunk in the smallest peculiarity of his person, and as if they +would never tire of their gaze. Then, drawing a heavy and relieving +breath, she once more remembered that she was not alone, and that others +were silently, but observantly, awaiting the operation of her secret +thoughts. Without manifesting any embarrassment, however, at an absence of +mind that was far too common to surprise her pupil, the governess resumed +the discourse where she had herself dropped it, bending her look again on +Wilder. + +"Is Captain Heidegger, then, long of your acquaintance?" she demanded. + +"We have met before." + +"It should be a name of German origin, by the sound. Certain I am that it +is new to me. The time has been when few officers, of his rank, in the +service of the King, were unknown to me, at least in name. Is his family +of long standing in England?" + +"That is a question he may better answer himself," said Wilder, glad to +perceive that the subject of their discourse was approaching them, with +the air of one who felt that none in that vessel might presume to dispute +his right to mingle in any discourse that should please his fancy. "For +the moment, Madam, my duty calls me elsewhere." + +Wilder evidently withdrew with reluctance; and, had suspicion been active +in the breasts of either of his companions, they would not have failed to +note the glance of distrust with which he watched the manner that his +Commander assumed in paying the salutations of the morning. There was +nothing, however, in the air of the Rover that should have given ground to +such jealous vigilance. On the contrary his manner, for the moment, was +cold and abstracted he appeared to mingle in their discourse, much more +from a sense of the obligations of hospitality than from any satisfaction +that he might have been thought to derive from the intercourse. Still, his +deportment was kind, and his voice bland as the airs that were wafted from +the healthful islands in view. + +"There is a sight"--he said, pointing towards the low blue ridges of the +land--"that forms the lands-man's delight, and the seaman's terror." + +"Are, then, seamen thus averse to the view of regions where so many +millions of their fellow creatures find pleasure in dwelling?" demanded +Gertrude, (to whom he more particularly addressed his words), with a +frankness that would, in itself, have sufficiently proved no glimmerings +of his real character had ever dawned on her own spotless and unsuspicious +mind. + +"Miss Grayson included," he returned, with a slight bow, and a smile, in +which, perhaps, irony was concealed by playfulness. "After the risk you +have so lately run, even I, confirmed and obstinate sea-monster as I am, +have no reason to complain of your distaste for our element. And yet, you +see, it is not entirely without its charms. No lake, that lies within the +limits of yon Continent, can be more calm and sweet than is this bit of +ocean. Were we a few degrees more southward, I would show you landscapes +of rock and mountain--of bays, and hillsides sprinkled with verdure--of +tumbling whales, and lazy fishermen, and distant cottages, and lagging +sails--such as would make a figure even in pages that the bright eye of +lady might love to read." + +"And yet for most of this would you be indebted to the land. In return +for your picture, I would take you north, and show you black and +threatening clouds--a green and angry sea--shipwrecks and +shoals--cottages, hillsides, and mountains, in the imagination only of the +drowning man--and sails bleached by waters that contain the voracious +shark, or the disgusting polypus." + +Gertrude had answered in his own vein; but it was too evident, by her pale +cheek, and a slight tremour about her full, rich lip, that memory was also +busy with its frightful images. The quick-searching eye of the Rover was +not slow to detect the change. As though he would banish every +recollection that might give her pain, he artfully, but delicately, gave a +new direction to the discourse. + +"There are people who think the sea has no amusements," he said. "To a +pining, home-sick, sea-sick miserable, this may well be true; but the man +who has spirit enough to keep down the qualms of the animal may tell a +different tale. We have our balls regularly, for instance; and there are +artists on board this ship, who, though they cannot, perhaps, make as +accurate a right angle with their legs as the first dancer of a leaping +ballet, can go through their figures in a gale of wind; which is more than +can be said of the highest jumper of them all on shore." + +"A ball, without females, would, at least, be thought an unsocial +amusement, with us uninstructed people of terra firma." + +"Hum! It might be better for a lady or two Then, have we our theatre: +Farce, comedy, and the buskin, take their turns to help along the time. +You fellow, that you see lying on the fore-topsail-yard like an indolent +serpent basking on the branch of a tree, will 'roar you as gently as any +sucking dove!' And here is a votary of Momus, who would raise a smile on +the lips of a sea-sick friar: I believe I can say no more in his +commendation." + +"All this is well in the description," returned Mrs Wyllys; "but +something is due to the merit of the--poet, or, painter shall I term you?" + +"Neither, but a grave and veritable chronologer. However, since you doubt, +and since you are so new to the ocean"-- + +"Pardon me!" the lady gravely interrupted, "I am, on the contrary, one who +has seen much of it." + +The Rover, who had rather suffered his unsettled glances to wander over +the youthful countenance of Gertrude than towards her companion, now bent +his eyes on the last speaker, where he kept them fastened so long as to +create some little embarrassment in the subject of his gaze. + +"You seem surprised that the time of a female should have been thus +employed," she observed, with a view to arouse his attention to the +impropriety of his observation. + +"We were speaking of the sea, if I remember," he continued, like a man +that was suddenly awakened from a deep reverie. "Ay, I know it was of the +sea; for I had grown boastful in my panegyrics: I had told you that this +ship was faster than"-- + +"Nothing!" exclaimed Gertrude, laughing at his blunder. "You were playing +Master of Ceremonies at a nautical ball!" + +"Will you figure in a minuet? Shall I honour my boards with the graces of +your person?" + +"Me, sir? and with whom? the gentleman who knows so well the manner of +keeping his feet in a gale?" + +"You were about to relieve any doubts we might have concerning the +amusements of seamen," said the governess, reproving the too playful +spirit of her pupil, by a glance of her own grave eye. + +"Ay, it was the humour of the moment, nor will I balk it." + +He then turned towards Wilder, who had posted himself within ear-shot of +what was passing, and continued,-- + +"These ladies doubt our gaiety, Mr Wilder. Let the boatswain give the +magical wind of his call, and pass the word 'To mischief' among the +people." + +Our adventurer bowed his acquiescence, and issued the necessary order. In +a few moments, the precise individual who has already made acquaintance +with the reader, in the bar-room of the "Foul Anchor," appeared in the +centre of the vessel, near the main hatchway, decorated, as before, with +his silver chain and whistle, and accompanied by two mates who were +humbler scholars of the same gruff school. Then rose a long, shrill +whistle from the instrument of Nightingale, who, when the sound had died +away on the ear, uttered, in his deepest and least sonorous tones,-- + +"All hands to mischief, ahoy!" + +We have before had occasion to liken these sounds to the muttering of a +bull, nor shall we at present see fit to disturb the comparison, since no +other similitude so apt, presents itself. The example of the boatswain was +followed by each of his mates in turn, and then the summons was deemed +sufficient. However unintelligible and grum the call might sound in the +musical ears of Gertrude, they produced no unpleasant effects on the +organs of a majority of those who heard them. When the first swelling and +protracted note of the call mounted on the still air, each idle and +extended young seaman, as he lay stretched upon a spar, or hung dangling +from a ratling lifted his head, to catch the words that were to follow, as +an obedient spaniel pricks his ears to catch the tones of his master. But +no sooner had the emphatic word, which preceded the long-drawn and +customary exclamation with which Nightingale closed his summons, been +pronounced, than the low murmur of voices, which had so long been +maintained among the men, broke out in a simultaneous and common shout. +In an instant, every symptom of lethargy disappeared in a general and +extraordinary activity. The young and nimble topmen bounded like leaping +animals, into the rigging of their respective masts, and were seen +ascending the shaking ladders of ropes as so many squirrels would hasten +to their holes at the signal of alarm. The graver and heavier seamen of +the forecastle, the still more important quarter-gunners and +quarter-masters, the less instructed and half-startled waisters, and the +raw and actually alarmed after-guard, all hurried, by a sort of instinct, +to their several points; the more practised to plot mischief against their +shipmates, and the less intelligent to concert their means of defence. + +In an instant, the tops and yards were ringing with laughter and +loudly-uttered jokes, as each exulting mariner aloft proclaimed his device +to his fellows, or urged his own inventions, at the expense of some less +ingenious mode of annoyance. On the other hand, the distrustful and often +repeated glances that were thrown upward, from the men who had clustered +on the quarter-deck and around the foot of the mainmast sufficiently +proclaimed the diffidence with which the novices on deck were about to +enter into the contest of practical wit that was about to commence. The +steady and more earnest seamen forward, however, maintained their places, +with a species of stern resolution which manifestly proved the reliance +they had on their physical force, and their long familiarity with all the +humours, no less than with the dangers, of the ocean. + +There was another little cluster of men, who assembled, in the midst of +the general clamour and confusion, with a haste and steadiness that +announced, at the same time, both a consciousness of the entire necessity +of unity on the present occasion, and habit of acting in concert. These +were the drilled and military dependants of the General, between whom, +and the less artificial seamen, there existed not only an antipathy that +might almost be called instinctive, but which, for obvious reasons had +been so strongly encouraged in the vessel of which we write, as often to +manifest itself in turbulent and nearly mutinous broils. About twenty in +number, they collected quickly; and, although obliged to dispense with +their fire-arms in such an amusement, there was a sternness, in the visage +of each of the whiskered worthies, that showed how readily he could appeal +to the bayonet that was suspended from his shoulder, should need demand +it. Their Commander himself withdrew, with the rest of the officers to the +poop, in order that no incumbrance might be given, by their presence, to +the freedom of the sports to which they had resigned the rest of the +vessel. + +A couple of minutes might have been lost in producing the different +changes we have just related But, so soon as the topmen were sure that no +unfortunate laggard of their party was within reach of the resentment of +the different groupes beneath, they commenced complying literally with the +summons of the boatswain, by plotting mischief. + +Sundry buckets, most of which had been provided for the extinction of +fire, were quickly seen pendant from as many whips on the outer extremity +of the different yards descending towards the sea. In spite of the awkward +opposition of the men below, these leathern vessels were speedily filled, +and in the hands of those who had sent them down. Many was the gaping +waister, and rigid marine, who now made a more familiar acquaintance with +the element on which he floated than suited either his convenience or his +humour. So long as the jokes were confined to these semi-initiated +individuals, the top men enjoyed their fun with impunity; but, the in +stant the dignity of a quarter-gunner's person was invaded, the whole +gang of petty officers and forecastle-men rose in a body to meet the +insult, with a readiness and dexterity that manifested how much at home +the elder mariners were with all that belonged to their art. A little +engine was transferred to the head, and was then brought to bear on the +nearest top, like a well-planted battery clearing the way for the opening +battle. The laughing and chattering topmen were soon dispersed: some +ascending beyond the power of the engine, and others retreating into the +neighbouring top, along ropes, and across giddy heights, that would have +seemed impracticable to any animal less agile than a squirrel. + +The marines were now summoned, by the successful and malicious mariners, +forward, to improve their advantage. Thoroughly drenched already, and +eager to resent their wrongs, a half-dozen of the soldiers, led on by a +corporal, the coating of whose powdered poll had been converted into a +sort of paste by too great an intimacy with a bucket of water, essayed to +mount the rigging; an exploit to them much more arduous than to enter a +breach. The waggish quarter-gunners and quarter-masters, satisfied with +their own success, stimulated them to the enterprise; and Nightingale and +his mates, while they rolled their tongues into their cheeks, gave forth, +with their whistles, the cheering sound of "heave away!" The sight of +these adventurers, slowly and cautiously mounting the rigging, acted very +much, on the scattered topmen, in the manner that the appearance of so +many flies, in the immediate vicinity of a web, is known to act on their +concealed and rapacious enemies. The sailors aloft saw, by expressive +glances from them below, that a soldier was considered legal game. No +sooner, therefore, had the latter fairly entered into the toils, than +twenty topmen rushed out upon them, in order to make sure of their +prizes. In an incredibly short time, this important result was achieved. +Two or three of the aspiring adventurers were lashed where they had been +found, utterly unable to make any resistance in a spot where instinct +itself seemed to urge them to devote both hands to the necessary duty of +holding fast; while the rest were transferred, by the means of whips, to +different spars, very much as a light sail or a yard would have been +swayed into its place. + +In the midst of the clamorous rejoicings that attended this success, one +individual made himself conspicuous for the gravity and business-like air +with which he performed his part of the comedy. Seated on the outer end of +a lower yard, with as much steadiness as though he had been placed on an +ottoman, he was intently occupied in examining into the condition of a +captive, who had been run up at his feet, with an order from the waggish +captain of the top, "to turn him in for a jewel-block;" a name that +appears to have been taken from the precious stones that are so often seen +pendant from the ears of the other sex. + +"Ay, ay," muttered this deliberate and grave-looking tar, who was no other +than Richard Fid "the stropping you've sent with the fellow is none of the +best; and, if he squeaks so now, what will he do when you come to reeve a +rope through him! By the Lord, masters, you should have furnished the lad +a better outfit, if you meant to send him into good company aloft. Here +are more holes in his jacket than there are cabin windows to a Chinese +junk. Hilloa!--on deck there!--you Guinea, pick me up a tailor, and send +him aloft, to keep the wind out of this waister's tarpauling." + +The athletic African, who had been posted on the forecastle for his vast +strength, cast an eye upward, and, with both arms thrust into his bosom, +he rolled along the deck, with just as serious a mien as though he had +been sent on a duty of the greatest import. The uproar over his head had +drawn a most helpless-looking mortal from a retired corner of the +birth-deck, to the ladder of the forward hatch, where, with a body half +above the combings, a skein of strong coarse thread around his neck, a +piece of bees-wax in one hand, and a needle in the other, he stood staring +about him, with just that sort of bewildered air that a Chinese mandarin +would manifest, were he to be suddenly initiated in the mysteries of the +ballet. On this object the eye of Scipio fell. Stretching out an arm, he +cast him upon his shoulder; and, before the startled subject of his attack +knew into whose hands he had fallen, a hook was passed beneath the +waistband of his trowsers, and he was half way between the water and the +spar, on his way to join the considerate Fid. + +"Have a care lest you let the man fall into the sea!" cried Wilder +sternly, from his stand on the distant poop. + +"He'm tailor, masser Harry," returned the black, without altering a +muscle; "if a clothes no 'trong, he nobody blame but heself." + +During this brief parlance, the good-man Homespun had safely arrived at +the termination of his lofty flight. Here he was suitably received by Fid, +who raised him to his side; and, having placed him comfortably between the +yard and the boom, he proceeded to secure him by a lashing that would give +the tailor the proper disposition of his hands. + +"Bouse a bit on this waister!" called Richard, when he had properly +secured the good-man; "so; belay all that." + +He then put one foot on the neck of his prisoner, and, seizing his lower +member as it swung uppermost, he coolly placed it in the lap of the +awe-struck tailor. + +"There, friend," he said, "handle your needle and palm now, as if you +were at job-work. Your knowing handicraft always begins with the +foundation wherein he makes sure that his upper gear will stand." + +"The Lord protect me, and all other sinful mortals, from an untimely end!" +exclaimed Homespun, gazing at the vacant view from his giddy elevation, +with a sensation a little resembling that with which the aeronaut, in his +first experiment, regards the prospect beneath. + +"Settle away this waister," again called Fid; "he interrupts rational +conversation by his noise; and, as his gear is condemned by this here +tailor, why, you may turn him over to the purser for a new outfit." + +The real motive, however, for getting rid of his pendant companion was a +twinkling of humanity, that still glimmered through the rough humour of +the tar, who well knew that his prisoner must hang where he did, at some +little expense of bodily ease. As soon as his request was complied with, +he turned to the good-man, to renew the discourse, with just as much +composure as though they were both seated on the deck, or as if a dozen +practical jokes, of the same character, were not in the process of +enactment, in as many different parts of the vessel. + +"What makes you open your eyes, brother, in this port-hole fashion?" +commenced the topman. "This is all water that you see about you, except +that hommoc of blue in the eastern board, which is a morsel of upland in +the Bahamas, d'ye see." + +"A sinful and presuming world is this we live in!" returned the good-man; +"nor can any one tell at what moment his life is to be taken from him. +Five bloody and cruel wars have I lived to see in safety and yet am I +reserved to meet this disgraceful and profane end at last." + +"Well, since you've had your luck in the wars, you've the less reason to +grumble at the bit of a surge you may have felt in your garments, as they +run you up to this here yard-arm. I say, brother, I've known stouter +fellows take the same ride, who never knew when or how they got down +again." + +Homespun, who did not more than half comprehend the allusion of Fid, now +regarded him in a way that announced some little desire for an +explanation, mingled with great admiration of the unconcern with which his +companion maintained his position, without the smallest aid from any thing +but his self-balancing powers. + +"I say, brother," resumed Fid, "that many a stout seaman has been whipt up +to the end of a yard, who has started by the signal of a gun, and who has +staid there just as long as the president of a court-martial was pleased +to believe might be necessary to improve his honesty!" + +"It would be a fearful and frightful trifling with Providence, in the +least offending and conscientious mariner, to take such awful punishments +in vain, by acting them in his sports; but doubly so do I pronounce it in +the crew of a ship on which no man can say at what hour retribution and +compunction are to alight. It seems to me unwise to tempt Providence by +such provocating exhibitions." + +Fid cast a glance of far more than usual significance at the good-man, and +even postponed his reply, until he had freshened his ideas by an ample +addition to the morsel of weed which he had kept all along thrust into one +of his cheeks. Then, casting his eyes about him, in order to see that none +of his noisy and riotous companions, of the top, were within ear-shot, he +fastened a still more meaning look on the countenance of the tailor, as he +responded,-- + +"Hark ye, brother; whatever may be the other good points of Richard Fid, +his friends cannot say he is much of a scholar. This being the case, he +has not seen fit to ask a look at the sailing orders, on coming aboard +this wholesome vessel. I suppose, howsomever, that they can be forthcoming +at need, and that no honest man need be ashamed to be found cruising under +the same." + +"Ah! Heaven protect such unoffending innocents as serve here against their +will, when the allotted time of the cruiser shall be filled!" returned +Homespun. "I take it, however, that you, as a sea-faring and understanding +man, have not entered into this enterprise without receiving the bounty, +and knowing the whole nature of the service." + +"The devil a bit have I entered at all, either in the 'Enterprise' or in +the 'Dolphin,' as they call this same craft. There is master Harry, the +lad on the poop there, he who hails a yard as soft as a bull-whale roars; +I follow his signals, d'ye see; and it is seldom that I bother him with +questions as to what tack he means to lay his boat on next." + +"What! would you sell your soul in this manner to Beelzebub; and that, +too, without a price?" + +"I say, friend, it may be as well to overhaul your ideas, before you let +them slip, in this no-man's fashion, from your tongue. I would wish to +treat a gentleman, who has come aloft to pay me a visit, with such +civility as may do credit to my top, though the crew be at mischief, d'ye +see. But an officer like him I follow has a name of his own, without +stopping to borrow one of the person you've just seen fit to name. I scorn +such a pitiful thing as a threat, but a man of your years needn't be told, +that it is just as easy to go down from this here spar as it was to come +up to it." + +The tailor cast a glance beneath him into the brine, and hastened to do +away the unfavourable impression which his last unfortunate interrogation +had so evidently left on the mind of his brawny associate. + +"Heaven forbid that I should call any one but by their given and family +names, as the law commands," he said; "I meant merely to inquire, if you +would follow the gentleman you serve to so unseemly and pernicious a place +as a gibbet?" + +Fid ruminated some little time, before he saw fit to reply to so sweeping +a query. During this unusual process, he agitated the weed, with which his +mouth was nearly gorged, with great industry; and then, terminating both +processes, by casting a jet of the juice nearly to the sprit-sail-yard, he +said, in a very decided tone,-- + +"If I wouldn't, may I be d--d! After sailing in company for +four-and-twenty years, I should be no better than a sneak, to part +company, because such a trifle as a gallows hove in sight." + +"The pay of such a service should be both generous and punctual, and the +cheer of the most encouraging character," the good-man observed, in a way +that manifested he should not be displeased were he to receive a reply. +Fid was in no disposition to balk his curiosity, but rather deemed himself +bound, since he had once entered on the subject, to leave no part of it in +obscurity. + +"As for the pay, d'ye see," he said, "it is seaman's wages. I should +despise myself to take less than falls to the share of the best +foremast-hand in a ship, since it would be all the same as owning that I +got my deserts. But master Harry has a way of his own in rating men's +services; and if his ideas get jamm'd in an affair of this sort, it is no +marling-spike that I handle which can loosen them. I once just named the +propriety of getting me a quarter-master's birth; but devil the bit would +he be doing the thing, seeing, as he says himself, that I have a fashion +of getting a little hazy at times, which would only be putting me in +danger of disgrace; since every body knows that the higher a monkey climbs +in the rigging of a ship, the easier every body on deck can see that he +has a tail. Then, as to cheer, it is sea man's fare; sometimes a cut to +spare for a friend and sometimes a hungry stomach." + +"But then there are often divisions of the--a--a--the-prize-money, in this +successful cruiser?" demanded the good-man, averting his face as he spoke, +perhaps from a consciousness that it might betray an unseemly interest in +the answer. "I dare say, you receive amends for all your sufferings, when +the purser gives forth the spoils." + +"Hark ye, brother," said Fid, again assuming a look of significance, "can +you tell me where the Admiralty Court sits which condemns her prizes?" + +The good-man returned the glance, with interest; but an extraordinary +uproar, in another part of the vessel, cut short the dialogue, just as +there was a rational probability it might lead to some consolatory +explanations between the parties. + +As the action of the tale is shortly to be set in motion again, we shall +refer the cause of the commotion to the opening of the succeeding chapter. + + + + +Chapter XX. + + + + --"Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: + They have been up these two days."--_King Henry VI._ + + +While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the +fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of +tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere. The +contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the +top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination. Blows +had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the +former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on +an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to +be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success. Nightingale, +however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of +propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice. +A long, shrill whistle, with the words, "Good humour, ahoy!" had hitherto +served to keep down the rising tempers of the different parties, when the +joke bore too hard on the high-spirited soldier, or the revengeful, though +perhaps less mettlesome, member of the after-guard. But an oversight on +the part of him who in common kept so vigilant an eye on the movements of +all beneath his orders, had nearly led to results of a far more serious +nature. + +No sooner had the crew commenced the different rough sports we have just +related, than the vein which had induced the Rover to loosen the reins of +discipline, for the moment, seemed suddenly to subside. The gay and +cheerful air that he had maintained in his dialogue with his female guests +(or prisoners, whichever he might be disposed to consider them) had +disappeared, in a thoughtful and clouded brow. His eye no longer lighted +with those glimmerings of wayward and sarcastic humour in which he much +loved to indulge, but its expression became painfully settled and austere. +It was evident that his mind had relapsed into one of those brooding +reveries that so often obscured his playful and vivacious mien, as a +shadow darkens the golden tints of the field of ripe and waving corn. + +While most of those who were not actors in the noisy and humorous +achievements of the crew steadily regarded the same, some with wonder, +others with distrust, and all with more or less of the humour of the hour, +the Rover, to all appearance, was quite unconscious of all that was going +on before his face. It is true, that at times he raised his eyes to the +active beings who clung like squirrels to the ropes, or suffered them to +fall on the duller movements of the men below; but it was always with a +vacancy which proved that the image they carried to the brain was dim and +illusory. The looks he cast, from time to time, on Mrs Wyllys and her fail +and deeply interested pupil, betrayed the workings of the temper of the +inward man. It was only in these brief but comprehensive glances that the +feelings by which he was governed might have been, in any manner, traced +to their origin. Still would the nicest observer have been puzzled, if not +baffled, in endeavouring to pronounce on the entire character of the +emotions uppermost in his mind. At instants, it might have been fancied +that some unholy and licentious passion was getting the ascendancy; and +then, as his eye ran rapidly over the chaste and matronly, though still +attractive, countenance of the governess, no imagination was necessary to +read the look of doubt, as well as respect, with which he gazed. + +It was while thus occupied that the sports proceeded sometimes humorous, +and forcing smiles even from the lips of the half-terrified Gertrude, but +always tending to that violence, and outbreaking of anger, which might, at +any moment, set at naught the discipline of a vessel in which no other +means to enforce authority existed, than such as its officers could, on +the instant, command. Water had been so lavishly expended, that the decks +were running with the fluid, even more than one flight of spray having +invaded the privileged precincts of the poop. Every ordinary device of +similar scenes had been resorted to, by the men aloft, to annoy their less +advantageously posted shipmates beneath; and such means of retaliation had +been adopted as use or facility rendered obvious. Here, a hog and a +waister were seen swinging against each other, pendant beneath a top; +there, a marine, lashed in the rigging, was obliged to suffer the +manipulation of a pet monkey, which drilled to the duty, and armed with a +comb, was posted on his shoulder, with an air as grave, and an eye as +observant, as though he had been regularly educated in the art of the +perruquier; and, every where, some coarse and practical joke proclaimed +the licentious liberty which had been momentarily accorded to a set of +beings who were, in common, kept in that restraint which comfort, no less +than safety, requires for the well-ordering of an armed ship. + +In the midst of the noise and turbulence, a voice was heard, apparently +issuing from the ocean, hailing the vessel by name, with the aid of a +speaking-trumpet that had been applied to the outer circumference of a +hawse hole. + +"Who speaks the 'Dolphin?'" demanded Wilder in reply, when he perceived +that the summons had fallen on the dull ears of his Commander, without +recalling him to the recollection of what was in action. + +"Father Neptune is under your fore-foot." + +"What wills' the God?" + +"He has heard that certain strangers have come into his dominions, and he +wishes leave to come aboard the saucy 'Dolphin,' to inquire into their +errands, and to overhaul the log-book of their characters." + +"He is welcome. Show the old man aboard through the head; he is too +experienced a sailor to wish to come in by the cabin windows." + +Here the parlance ceased; for Wilder turned upon his heel, as though he +were already disgusted with his part of the mummery. + +An athletic seaman soon appeared, seemingly issuing from the element whose +deity he aspired to personate. Mops, dripping with brine, supplied the +place of hoary locks; gulf-weed, of which acres were floating within a +league of the ship, composed a sort of negligent mantle; and in his hand +he bore a trident made of three marling-spikes properly arranged and borne +on the staff of a half-pike. Thus accoutred, the God of the Ocean, who was +no less a personage than the captain of the forecastle, advanced with a +suitable air of dignity, along the deck attended by a train of bearded +water-nymphs and naiades, in a costume no less grotesque than his own. +Arrived on the quarter-deck, in front of the position occupied by the +officers, the principal personage saluted the groupe with a wave of his +sceptre, and resumed the discourse as follows; Wilder, from the continued +abstraction of his Commander, finding himself under the necessity of +maintaining one portion of the dialogue. + +"A wholesome and prettily-rigged boat have you come out in this time, my +son; and one well tilled with a noble set of my children. How long might +it be since you left the land?" + +"Some eight days ago." + +"Hardly time enough to give the green ones the use of their sea legs. I +shall be able to find them, by the manner in which they hold on in a +calm." [Here the General, who was standing with a scornful and averted +eye, let go his hold of a mizzen-shroud, which he had grasped for no other +visible reason than to render his person utterly immoveable; Neptune +smiled, and continued.] "I sha'n't ask concerning the port you are last +from, seeing that the Newport soundings are still hanging about the flukes +of your anchors. I hope you haven't brought out many fresh hands with you, +for I smell the stock-fish aboard a Baltic-man, who is coming down with +the trades, and who can't be more than a hundred leagues from this; I +shall therefore have but little time to overhaul your people, in order to +give them their papers." + +"You see them all before you. So skilful a mariner as Neptune needs no +advice when or how to tell a seaman." + +"I shall then begin with this gentleman," continued the waggish head of +the forecastle, turning towards the still motionless chief of the marines. +"There is a strong look of the land about him; and I should like to know +how many hours it is since he first floated over blue water." + +"I believe he has made many voyages; and I dare say has long since paid +the proper tribute to your Majesty." + +"Well, well; the thing is like enough, tho'f I will say I have known +scholars make better use of their time, if he has been so long on the +water as you pretend. How is it with these ladies?" + +"Both have been at sea before, and have a right to pass without a +question," resumed Wilder, a little hastily. + +"The youngest is comely enough to have been born in my dominions," said +the gallant Sovereign of the Sea; "but no one can refuse to answer a hail +that comes straight from the mouth of Old Neptune; so, if it makes no +great difference in your Honour's reckoning, I will just beg the young +woman to do her own talking." Then, without paying the least attention to +the angry glance that shot from the eye of Wilder, the sturdy +representative of the God addressed himself directly to Gertrude. "If, as +report goes of you, my pretty damsel, you have seen blue water before this +passage, you may be able to recollect the name of the vessel, and some +other small particulars of the run?" + +The face of our heroine changed its colour from red to pale, as rapidly, +and as glowingly, as the evening sky flushes, and returns to its +pearl-like loveliness; but she kept down her feelings sufficiently to +answer, with an air of entire self-possession,-- + +"Were I to enter into all these little particulars, it would detain you +from more worthy subjects. Perhaps this certificate will convince you that +I am no novice on the sea." As she spoke, a guinea fell from her white +hand into the broad and extended palm of her interrogator. + +"I can only account for my not remembering your Ladyship, by the great +extent and heavy nature of my business," returned the audacious freebooter +bowing with an air of rude politeness as he pocketed the offering. "Had I +looked into my books before I came aboard this here ship, I should have +seen through the mistake at once; for I now remember that I ordered one of +my limners to take your pretty face, in order that I might show it to my +wife at home. The fellow did it well enough, in the shell of an East-India +oyster; I will have a copy set in coral, and sent to your husband, +whenever you may see fit to choose one." + +Then, repeating his bow, with a scrape of the foot, he turned to the +governess, in order to continue his examination. + +"And you, Madam." he said, "is this the first rime you have ever come into +my dominions, or not?" + +"Neither the first, nor the twentieth; I have often seen your Majesty +before." + +"An old acquaintance! In what latitude might it be that we first fell in +with each other?" + +"I believe I first enjoyed that honour, quite thirty years since, under +the Equator." + +"Ay, ay, I'm often there, looking out for India-men and your +homeward-bound Brazil traders. I boarded a particularly great number that +very season but can't say I remember your countenance." + +"I fear that thirty years have made some changes in it," returned the +governess, with a smile, which, though mournful, was far too dignified in +its melancholy to induce the suspicion that she regretted a loss so vain +as that of her personal charms. "I was in a vessel of the King, and one +that was a little remarkable by its size, since it was of three decks." + +The God received the guinea, which was now secretly offered, but it would +seem that success had quickened his covetousness; for, instead of +returning thanks, he rather appeared to manifest a disposition to increase +the amount of the bribe. + +"All this may be just as your Ladyship says," he rejoined; "but the +interest of my kingdom, and a large family at home, make it necessary that +I should look sharp to my rights. Was there a flag in the vessel?" + +"There was." + +"Then, it is likely they hoisted it, as usual, at the end of the +jib-boom?" + +"It was hoisted, as is usual with a Vice-Admiral, at the fore." + +"Well answered, for petticoats!" muttered the Deity, a little baffled in +his artifice. "It is d----d queer, saving your Ladyship's presence, that I +should have forgotten such a ship: Was there any thing of the +extraordinary sort, that one would be likely to remember?" + +The features of the governess had already lost their forced pleasantry, in +a shade of grave reflection and her eye was evidently fastened on vacancy +us she answered, to all appearance like one who thought aloud.-- + +"I can, at this moment, see the arch and roguish manner with which that +wayward boy, who then had but eight years, over-reached the cunning of the +mimic Neptune, and retaliated for his devices, by turning the laugh of all +on board on his own head!" + +"Was he but eight?" demanded a deep voice at her elbow. + +"Eight in years, but maturer in artifice," returned Mrs Wyllys, seeming to +awake from a trance, as she turned her eyes full upon the face of the +Rover. + +"Well, well," interrupted the captain of the forecastle who cared not to +continue 'an inquiry in which his dreaded Commander saw fit to take a +part, "I dare say it is all right. I will look into my journal if I find +it so, well--if not, why, it's only giving the ship a head-wind, until +I've overhauled the Dane, and then it will be all in good time to receive +the balance of the fee." + +So saying, the God hurried past the officers, and turned his attention to +the marine guard, who had grouped themselves in a body, secretly aware of +the necessity each man might be under of receiving support from his +fellows, in so searching a scrutiny Perfectly familiar with the career +each individual among them had run, in his present lawless profession and +secretly apprehensive that his authority might be forced suddenly from +him, the chief of the forecastle selected a raw landsman from among them, +bidding his attendants to drag the victim forward, where he believed they +might act the cruel revels he contemplated with less danger of +interruption. Already irritated by the laughs which had been created at +their expense, and resolute to defend their comrade the marines resisted. +A long, clamorous, and angry dispute succeeded, during which each party +maintained its right to pursue the course it had adopted. From words the +disputants were not long in passing to the signs of hostilities. It was +while the peace of the ship hung, as it were, suspended by a hair, that +the General saw fit to express the disgust of such an outrage upon +discipline, which had, throughout the whole scene, possessed his mind. + +"I protest against this riotous and unmilitary procedure," he said, +addressing himself to his still abstracted and thoughtful superior. "I +have taught my men, I trust, the proper spirit of soldiers, and there is +no greater disgrace can happen to one of them than to lay hands on him, +except it be in the regular and wholesome way of a cat.--I give open +warning to all, that, if a finger is put upon one of my bullies, unless, +as I have said, in the way of discipline, it will be answered with a +blow." + +As the General had not essayed to smother his voice, it was heard by his +followers, and produced the effect which might have been expected. A +vigorous thrust from the fist of the sergeant drew mortal blood from the +visage of the God of the Sea, and at once established his terrestrial +origin. Thus compelled to support his manhood, in more senses than one, +the stout seaman returned the salutation, with such additional +embellishments as the exigencies of the moment seemed to require. Such an +interchange of civilities, between two so prominent personages, was the +signal of general hostilities among their respective followers. The uproar +that attended the onset, had caught the attention of Fid, who, the instant +he saw the nature of the sports below, abandoned his companion on the +yard, and slid downwards to the deck by the aid of a backstay, with about +as much facility as that caricature of man, the monkey, could have +performed the same manoeuvre. His example was followed by all the topmen; +and in less than a minute, there was every appearance that the audacious +marines would be borne down by the sheer force of numbers. But, stout in +their resolution, and bitter in their hostility, these drilled and +resentful warriors, instead of seeking refuge in flight, fell back upon +each other, for support. Bayonets were seen gleaming in the sun; while +some of the seamen, in the exterior of the crowd, were already laying +their hands on the half-pikes that formed a warlike ornament to the foot +of the mast. + +"Hold! stand back, every man of you!" cried Wilder, dashing into the +centre of the throng, and forcing them aside, with a haste that was +possibly quickened by the recollection of the increased danger that would +surround the unprotected females, should the bands of subordination be +once fairly broken among so lawless and desperate a crew. "On your lives, +fall back, and obey. And you, sir, who claim to be so good a soldier, I +call on you to bid your men refrain." + +The General, however disgusted he might have been by the previous scene, +had too many important interests involved in the interior peace of the +vessel not to exert himself at this appeal. He was seconded by all the +inferior officers, who well knew that their lives, as well as their +comfort, depended on staying the torrent that had so unexpectedly broken +loose. But they only proved how hard it is to uphold an authority that is +not established on the foundation of legitimate power. Neptune had cast +aside his masquerade; and, backed by all his stout forecastle men, was +evidently preparing for a conflict that might speedily give him greater +pretensions to immortal nature than those he had just rejected. Until now, +the officers, partly by threats and partly by remonstrances, had so far +controlled the outbreaking, that the time had been passed rather in +preparations than in violence. But the marines had seized their arms; +while two crowded masses of the mariners were forming on either side of +the mainmast, abundantly provided with spikes, and such other weapons as +the bars and handspikes of the vessel afforded. One or two of the cooler +heads among the latter had even proceeded so far as to clear away a gun, +which they were pointing inboard in a direction that might have swept a +moiety of the quarter-deck. In short, the broil had just reached that pass +when another blow, struck from either side, must have given up the vessel +to plunder and massacre. The danger of such a crisis was heightened by the +bitter taunts that broke forth from fifty profane lips, which were only +opened to lavish the coarsest revilings on the persons and characters of +their respective enemies. + +During the five minutes that might have flown by in such sinister and +threatening symptoms of insubordination the individual who was chiefly +interested in the maintenance of discipline had manifested the most +extraordinary indifference, or rather unconsciousness to all that was +passing so near him. With his arms folded on his breast, and his eyes +fastened on the placid sea, he stood motionless as the mast near which he +had placed his person. Long accustomed to the noise of scenes similar to +the one he had himself provoked, he heard, in the confused sounds which +rose unheeded on his ear, no more than the commotion which ordinarily +attended the license of the hour. + +His subordinates in command, however, were far more active. Wilder had +already beaten back the boldest of the seamen, and a space was cleared +between the hostile parties, into which his assistants threw themselves, +with the haste of men who knew how much was required at their hands. This +momentary success might have been pushed too far; for, believing that the +spirit of mutiny was subdued, our adventurer was proceeding to improve his +advantage by seizing the most audacious of the offenders when his prisoner +was immediately torn from his grasp by twenty of his confederates. + +"Who's this, that sets himself up for a Commodore aboard the 'Dolphin!'" +exclaimed a voice in the crowd, at a most unhappy moment for the authority +of the new lieutenant. "In what fashion did he come, aboard us? or, in +what service did he learn his trade?" + +"Ay, ay," continued another sinister voice, "where is the Bristol trader +he was to lead into our net, and for which we lost so many of the best +days in the season, at a lazy anchor?" + +Then broke forth a general and simultaneous murmur which, had such +testimony been wanting, would in itself have manifested that the unknown +officer was scarcely more fortunate in his present than in his recent +service. Both parties united in condemning his interference; and from both +sides were heard scornful opinions of his origin, mingled with certain +fierce denunciations against his person. Nothing daunted by such palpable +evidences of the danger of his situation, our adventurer answered to their +taunts with the most scornful smiles, challenging a single individual of +them all to dare to step forth, and maintain his words by suitable +actions. + +"Hear him!" exclaimed his auditors.--"He speaks like a King's officer in +chase of a smuggler!" cried one.--"Ay, he's a bold'un in a calm," said a +second.--"He's a Jonah, that has slipp'd into the cabin windows!" cried a +third; "and, while he stays in the 'Dolphin,' luck will keep upon our +weather-beam"--"Into the sea with him! overboard with the upstart! into +the sea with him! where he'll find that a bolder and a better man has gone +before him!" shouted a dozen at once; some of whom immediately gave very +unequivocal demonstrations of an intention to put their threat in +execution. But two forms instantly sprang from the crowd, and threw +themselves, like angry lions, between Wilder and his foes. The one, who +was foremost in the rescue, faced short upon the advancing seamen, and +with a blow from an arm that was irresistible, level led the +representative of Neptune to his feet, as though he had been a mere waxen +image of a man The other was not slow to imitate his example; and, as the +throng receded before this secession from its own numbers, the latter, who +was Fid, flourished a fist that was as big as the head of a sizeable +infant, while he loudly vociferated,-- + +"Away with ye, ye lubbers! away with ye! Would you run foul of a single +man, and he an officer and such an officer as ye never set eyes on be +fore, except, mayhap, in the fashion that a cat looks upon a king? I +should like to see the man, among ye all, who can handle a heavy ship, in +a narrow channel, as I have seen master Harry here handle the saucy"-- + +"Stand back," cried Wilder, forcing himself between his defenders and his +foes. "Stand back, I say, and leave me alone to meet the audacious +villains. + +"Overboard with him! overboard with them all!" cried the seamen, "he and +his knaves together!" + +"Will you remain silent, and see murder done before your eyes?" exclaimed +Mrs Wyllys, rushing from her place of retreat, and laying a hand eagerly +on the arm of the Rover. + +He started like one who was awakened suddenly from a light sleep, looking +her full and intently in the eye. + +"See!" she added, pointing to the violent throng below, where every sign +of an increased commotion was exhibiting itself. "See, they kill your +officer, and there is none to help him!" + +The look of faded marble, which had so long been seated on his features, +vanished, as his eye passed quickly over the scene. The organs took in the +whole nature of the action at the glance; and, with the intelligence, the +blood came rushing into every vein and fibre of his indignant face. +Seizing a rope, which hung from the yard above his head, he swung his +person off the poop, and fell lightly into the very centre of the crowd. +Both parties fell back, while a sudden and breathing silence succeeded to +a clamour that a moment before would have drowned the roar of a cataract. +Making a haughty and repelling motion with his arm, he spoke, and in a +voice that, if any change could be noted, was even pitched on a key less +high and threatening than common. But the lowest and the deepest of its +intonations reached the most distant ear, and no one who heard was left to +doubt its meaning. + +"Mutiny!" he said, in a tone that strangely balanced between irony and +scorn; "open, violent, and blood-seeking mutiny! Are ye tired of your +lives, my men? Is there one, among ye all, who is willing to make himself +an example for the good of the rest? If there be, let him lift a hand, a +finger, a hair: Let him speak, look me in the eye, or dare to show that +life is in him, by sign, breath, or motion!" + +He paused; and so general and absorbing was the spell produced by his +presence and his mien, that, in all that crowd of fierce and excited +spirits, there was not one so bold as to presume to brave his anger +Sailors and marines stood alike, passive, humbled and obedient, as faulty +children, when arraigned before an authority from which they feel, in +every fibre, that escape is impossible. Perceiving that no voice answered, +no limb moved, nor even an eye among them all was bold enough to meet his +own steady but glowing look, he continued, in the same deep and commanding +tone,-- + +"It is well: Reason has come of the latest; but, happily for ye all, it +has returned Fall back, fall back, I say; you taint the +quarter-deck."--The men receded a pace or two on every side of him.--"Let +those arms be stacked; it will be time to use them when I proclaim the +need. And you, fellows, who have been so bold as to lift a pike without an +order have a care they do not burn your hands."--A dozen staves fell upon +the deck together.--"Is there a drummer in this ship? let him appear!" + +A terrified and cringing-looking being presented himself, having found his +instrument by a sort of desperate instinct. + +"Now speak aloud, and let me know at once whether I command a crew of +orderly and obedient men, or a set of miscreants, that require some +purifying before I trust them." + +The first few taps of the drum sufficed to tell the men they heard the +"beat to quarters." Without hesitating a reluctant moment, the crowd +dissolved, and each of the delinquents stole silently to his station; the +crew of the gun that had been turned inward managing to thrust it through +its port again, with a dexterity that might have availed them greatly in +time of combat. Throughout the whole affair, the Rover had manifested +neither anger nor impatience. Deep and settled scorn, with a high reliance +on himself had, indeed, been exhibited in the proud curl of his lip, and +in the spelling of his form, but not, for an instant, did it seem that he +had suffered his ire to get the mastery of his reason. And, now that he +had recalled his crew to their duty, he appeared no more elated with his +success than he had been daunted by the storm which, a minute before, had +threatened the utter dissolution of his authority. Instead of pursuing his +further purpose in haste, he awaited the observance of the minutest form +which etiquette, as well as use, had rendered customary on such occasions. + +The officers approached, and reported their several divisions in readiness +to engage, with exactly the same regularity as if an enemy had been in +sight. The topmen and sail-trimmers were enumerated, and found prepared; +shot-plugs and stoppers were handled: the magazine was even opened; the +arm chests emptied of their contents; and, in short, far more than the +ordinary preparations of an every day exercise was observed. + +"Let the yards be slung; the sheets and halyards stoppered," he said to +the first lieutenant, who now displayed as intimate an acquaintance with +the military as he had hitherto discovered with the nautical part of his +profession; "Give the boarders their pikes and boarding-axes, sir; we will +now show these fellows that we dare to trust them with arms!" + +These several orders were obeyed to the letter, and then succeeded that +deep and grave silence which renders a crew, at quarters, a sight so +imposing even to those who have witnessed it from their boyhood. In this +manner, the skilful leader of this band of desperate marauders knew how to +curb their violence with the fetters of discipline. When he believed their +minds brought within the proper limits, by the situation of restraint in +which he had placed them, where they well knew that a word, or even a +look, of offence would be met by an instant as well as an awful +punishment, he walked apart with Wilder, of whom he demanded an +explanation of what had passed. + +Whatever might have been the natural tendency of our adventurer to mercy, +he had not been educated on the sea to look with lenity on the crime of +mutiny. Had his recent escape from the wreck of the Bristol trader been +already banished from his mind, the impressions of a whole life still +remained to teach the necessity of keeping tight those cords which +experience has so often proved are absolutely necessary to quell such +turbulent bands, when removed from the pale of society, the influence of +woman, and when excited by the constant collision of tempers rudely +provoked, and equally disposed to violence Though he "set down naught in +malice," it is certain that he did "nothing; extenuate," in the account +he rendered. The whole of the facts were laid before the Rover in the +direct, unvarnished language of truth. + +"One cannot keep these fellows to their duty by preaching," returned the +irregular chief, when the other had done. "We have no 'Execution Dock for +our delinquents, no 'yellow flag' for fleets to gaze at, no grave and +wise-looking courts to thumb a book or two, and end by saying, 'Hang +him.'--The rascals knew my eye was off them. Once before, they turned my +vessel into a living evidence of that passage in the Testament which +teaches humility to all, by telling us, 'that the last shall be first, and +the first last.' I found a dozen roundabouts drinking and making free with +the liquors of the cabin, and all the officers prisoners forward--a state +of things, as you will allow, a little subversive of decency as well as +decorum!" + +"I am amazed you should have succeeded in restoring discipline!" + +"I got among them single-handed, and with no other aid than a boat from +the shore; but I ask no more than a place for my foot, and room for an +arm, to keep a thousand such spirits in order. Now they know me, it is +rare we misunderstand each other." + +"You must have punished severely!" + +"There was justice done.--Mr Wilder, I fear you find our service a little +irregular; but a month of experience will put you on a level with us, and +remove all danger of such another scene." As the Rover spoke, he faced his +recruit, with a countenance that endeavoured to be cheerful, but whose +gaiety could force itself no further than a frightful smile. "Come," he +quickly added, "this time, I set the mischief afoot myself; and, as you +see we are completely masters, we may afford to be lenient. Besides," he +continued, glancing his eyes towards the place where Mrs Wyllys and +Gertrude still remained in deep suspense awaiting his decision, "it may be +well to consult the sex of our guests at such a moment." + +Then, leaving his subordinate, the Rover advanced to the centre of the +quarter-deck, whither he immediately summoned the principal offenders. The +men listened to his rebukes, which were not altogether free from +admonitory warnings of what might be the consequences of a similar +transgression, like creatures who stood in presence of a being of a nature +superior to their own. Though he spoke in his usual quiet tone, the lowest +of his syllables went into the ears of the most distant of the crew; and, +when his brief lesson was ended, the men stood before him not only like +delinquents who had been reproved though pardoned, but with the air of +criminals who were as much condemned by their own consciousness as by the +general voice. Among them all was only one seaman who, perhaps from past +service was emboldened to venture a syllable in his own justification. + +"As for the matter with the marines," he said "your Honour knows there is +little love between us, though certain it is a quarter-deck is no place to +settle our begrudgings; but, as to the gentleman who has seen fit to step +into the shoes of"---- + +"It is my pleasure that he should remain there," hastily interrupted his +Commander. "Of his merit I alone can judge." + +"Well, well, since it is your pleasure, sir, why, no man can dispute it. +But no account has been rendered of the Bristol-man, and great +expectations were had aboard here from that very ship. Your Honour is a +reasonable gentleman, and will not be surprised that people, who are on +the look-out for an outward-bound West-Indiaman, should be unwilling to +take up with a battered and empty launch, in her stead." + +"Ay, sir, if I will it, you shall take an oar, a tiler a thole, for your +portion. No more of this You saw the condition of his ship with your own +eyes; and where is the seaman who has not, on some evil day, been +compelled to admit that his art is nothing, when the elements are against +him? Who saved this ship, in the very gust that has robbed us of our +prize? Was it your skill? or was it that of a man who has often done it +before, and who may one day leave you to your ignorance to manage your own +interests? It is enough that I believe him faithful. There is no time to +convince your dulness of the propriety of all that's done. Away, and send +me the two men who so nobly stepped between their officer and mutiny." + +Then came Fid, followed by the negro, rolling along the deck, and thumbing +his hat with one hand, while the other sought an awkward retreat in a part +of his vestments. + +"You have done well, my lad; you and your messmate"---- + +"No messmate, your Honour, seeing that he is a nigger," interrupted Fid. +"The chap messes with the other blacks, but we take a pull at the can, now +and then, in company." + +"Your friend, then, if you prefer that term." + +"Ay, ay, sir; we are friendly enough at odd times, though a breeze often +springs up between us. Guinea has a d--d awkward fashion of luffing up in +his talk; and your Honour knows it isn't always comfortable to a white man +to be driven to leeward by a black. I tell him it is inconvenient. He is a +good enough fellow in the main, howsomever, sir; and, as he is just an +African bred and born, I hope you'll be good enough to overlook his little +failings." + +"Were I otherwise disposed," returned the Rover, "his steadiness and +activity to-day would plead in his favour." + +"Yes, yes, sir, he is somewhat steady, which is more than I can always +say in my own behalf. Then as for seamanship, there are few men who are +his betters; I wish your Honour would take the trouble to walk forward, +and look at the heart he turned in the mainstay, no later than the last +calm; it takes the strain as easy as a small sin sits upon a rich man's +conscience." + +"I am satisfied with your description; you call him Guinea?" + +"Call him by any thing along that coast; for he is noway particular, +seeing he was never christened, and knows nothing at all of the bearings +and distances of religion. His lawful name is S'ip, or Shipio Africa, +taken, as I suppose, from the circumstance that he was first shipp'd from +that quarter of the world. But, as respects names, the fellow is as meek +as a lamb; you may call him any thing, provided you don't call him too +late to his grog." + +All this time, the African stood, rolling his large dark eyes in every +direction except towards the speakers, perfectly content that his +long-tried shipmate should serve as his interpreter. The spirit which had, +so recently, been awakened in the Rover seemed already to be subsiding; +for the haughty frown, which had gathered on his brow, was dissipating in +a look which bore rather the character of curiosity than any fiercer +emotion. + +"You have sailed long in company, my lads," he carelessly continued, +addressing his words to neither of them in particular. + +"Full and by, in many a gale, and many a calm, your Honour. 'Tis +four-and-twenty years the last equinox, Guinea, since master Harry fell +across our hawse; and, then, we had been together three years n the +'Thunderer,' besides the run we made round the Horn, in the 'Bay' +privateer." + +"Ah! you have been four-and-twenty years with Mr Wilder? It is not so +remarkable that you should set a value on his life." + +"I should as soon think of setting a price on the King's crown!" +interrupted the straight-going seaman "I overheard the lads, d'ye see, +sir, just plotting to throw the three of us overboard, and so we thought +it time to say something in our own favour and, words not always being at +hand, the black saw fit to fill up the time with something that might +answer the turn quite as well. No, no, he is no great talker, that Guinea; +nor, for that matter, can I say much in my own favour in this particular; +but, seeing that we clapp'd a stopper on their movements, your Honour will +allow that we did as well as if we had spoken as smartly as a young +midshipman fresh from college, who is always for hailing a top in Latin, +you know, sir, for want of understanding the proper language." + +The Rover smiled, and he glanced his eye aside, apparently in quest of the +form of our adventurer. Not seeing him at hand, he was tempted to push his +covert inquiries a little further, though too much governed, by +self-respect, to let the intense curiosity by which he was influenced +escape him in any direct and manifest interrogation. But an instant's +recollection recalled him to himself, and he discarded the idea as +unworthy of his character. + +"Your services shall not be forgotten. Here is gold," he said, offering a +handful of the metal to the negro, as the one nearest his own person. "You +will divide it, like honest shipmates; and you may ever rely on my +protection." + +Scipio drew back, and, with a motion of his elbow, replied,-- + +"His Honour will give 'em masser Harry." + +"Your master Harry has it of his own, lad; he has no need of money." + +"A S'ip no need 'em eider." + +"You will please to overlook the fellow's manners sir," said Fid, very +coolly interposing his own hand, and just as deliberately pocketing the +offering "but I needn't tell as old a seaman as your Honour, that Guinea +is no country to scrape down the seams of a man's behaviour in. +Howsomever, I can say this much for him, which is, that he thanks your +Honour just as heartily as if you had given him twice the sum. Make a bow +to his Honour, boy, and do some credit to the company you have kept. And +now, since this little difficulty about the money is gotten over, by my +presence of mind, with your Honour's leave, I'll just step aloft, and cast +loose the lashings of that bit of a tailor on the larboard fore-yard-arm. +The chap was never made for a topman as you may see, sir, by the fashion +in which he crosses his lower stanchions. That fellow will make a carrick +bend with his legs as easily as I could do the same with a yarn of white +line!" + +The Rover signed for him to retire; and, turning where he stood, he found +himself confronted by Wilder. The eyes of the confederates met; and a +slight colour bespoke the consciousness of the former Regaining his +self-possession on the instant, however, he smilingly alluded to the +character of Fid; and then, with an air of authority, he directed his +lieutenant to have the "retreat from quarters" beat. + +The guns were secured, the stoppers loosened, the magazine closed, the +ports lashed, and the crew withdrew to their several ordinary duties, like +men whose violence had been completely subdued by the triumphant influence +of a master spirit. The Rover then disappeared from the deck, which, for a +time, was left to the care of an officer of the proper station. + + + + +Chapter XXI. + + + + Thief. "'Tis in the malice of mankind, that he thus advises us not to + have us thrive in our mystery."--_Timon of Athens._ + + +Throughout the whole of that day, no change occurred in the weather. The +sleeping ocean lay like a waving and glittering mirror, smooth and +polished on its surface, though, as usual, the long rising and falling of +a heavy ground-swell announced the commotion that was in action within +some distant horizon. From the time that he left the deck, until the sun +laved its burnished orb in the sea, the individual, who so well knew how +to keep alive his authority among the untamed tempers that he governed, +was seen no more. Satisfied with his victory, he no longer seemed to +apprehend that it was possible any should be bold enough to dare to plot +the overthrow of his power. This apparent confidence in himself did not +fail to impress his people favourably. As no neglect of duty was +overlooked, nor any offence left to go unpunished, an eye, that was not +seen, was believed by the crew to be ever on them, and an invisible hand +was thought to be at all times uplifted, ready to strike or to reward. It +was by a similar system of energy in moments of need, and of forbearance +when authority was irksome, that this extraordinary man had so long +succeeded, as well in keeping down domestic treason, as in eluding the +utmost address and industry of his open enemies. + +When the watch was set for the night, however, and the ship lay in the +customary silence of the hour, the form of the Rover was again seen +walking swiftly to and fro across the poop, of which he was now the +solitary occupant. The vessel had drifted in the stream of the Gulf so far +to the northward, that the little mound of blue had long sunk below the +edge of the ocean; and she was again surrounded, so far as human eye +might see, by an interminable world of water. As not a breath of air was +stirring, the sails had been handed, the tall and naked spars rearing +themselves, in the gloom of the evening, like those of a ship which rested +at her anchors. In short, it was one of those hours of entire repose that +the elements occasionally grant to such adventurers as trust their +fortunes to the capricious government of the treacherous and unstable +winds. + +Even the men, whose duty it was to be on the alert, were emboldened, by +the general tranquillity, to become careless on their watch, and to cast +their persons between the guns, or on different portions of the vessel, +seeking that rest which the forms of discipline and good order prohibited +them from enjoying in their hammocks. Here and there, indeed, the head of +a drowsy officer was seen nodding with the lazy heaving of the ship, as he +leaned against the bulwarks, or rested his person on the carriage of some +gun that was placed beyond the sacred limits of the quarter-deck One form +alone stood erect, vigilant, and evidently maintaining a watchful eye over +the whole This was Wilder, whose turn to keep the deck had again arrived, +in the regular division of the service of the officers. + +For two hours, not the slightest communication occurred between the Rover +and his lieutenant. Both rather avoided than sought the intercourse; for +each had his own secret sources of serious meditation At the end of that +period of silence, the former stopped short in his walk, and looked long +and steadily at the still motionless figure on the deck beneath him. + +"Mr Wilder," he at length said, "the air is fresher on this poop, and more +free from the impurities of the vessel: Will you ascend?" + +The other complied; and, for several minutes they walked silently, and +with even steps, together, as seamen are wont to move in the hours of +deep night. + +"We had a troublesome morning, Wilder," the Rover resumed, unconsciously +betraying the subject of his thoughts, and speaking always in a voice so +guarded, that no ears, but his to whom he addressed himself, might embrace +the sound: "Were you ever so near that pretty precipice, a mutiny, +before?" + +"The man who is hit is nigher to danger than he who feels the wind of the +ball." + +"Ah! you have then been bearded in your ship! Give yourself no uneasiness +on account of the personal animosity which a few of the fellows saw fit to +manifest against yourself. I am acquainted with their most secret +thoughts, as you shall shortly know." + +"I confess, that, in your place, I should sleep on a thorny pillow, with +such evidences of the temper of my men before my mind. A few hours of +disorder might deliver the vessel, on any day, into the hands of the +Government, and your own life to"---- + +"The executioner! And why not yours?" demandeded the Rover, so quickly, as +to give, in a slight degree, an air of distrust to his manner. "But the +eye that has often seen battles seldom winks. Mine has too often, and too +steadily, looked danger in the face to be alarmed at the sight of a King's +pennant. Besides it is not usual for us to be much on this ticklish coast; +the islands, and the Spanish Main, are less dangerous cruising grounds." + +"And yet have yon ventured here at a time when success against the enemy +has given the Admiral leisure to employ a powerful force in your pursuit." + +"I had a reason for it. It is not always easy to separate the Commander +from the man. If I have temporarily forgotten the obligations of the +former in the wishes of the latter, so far, at least, harm has not come of +it. I may have tired of chasing your indolent Don, and of driving guarda +costas into port. This life of ours is full of excitement which I love to +me, there is interest even in a mutiny!" + +"I like not treason. In this particular, I confess myself like the boor +who loses his resolution in the dark. While the enemy is in view, I hope +you will find me true as other men; but sleeping over a mine is not an +amusement to my taste." + +"So much for want of practice! Hazard is hazard come in what shape it may; +and the human mind can as readily be taught to be indifferent to secret +machinations as to open risk. Hush! Struck the bell six, or seven?" + +"Seven. You see the men slumber, as before. Instinct would wake them, were +their hour at hand." + +"'Tis well. I feared the time had passed. Yes, Wilder, I love suspense; it +keeps the faculties from dying, and throws a man upon the better +principles of his nature. Perhaps I owe it to a wayward spirit, but, to +me, there is enjoyment in an adverse wind.'" + +"And, in a calm?" + +"Calms may have their charms for your quiet spirits; but in them there is +nothing to be overcome. One cannot stir the elements, though one may +counteract their workings." + +"You have not entered on this trade of yours "-- + +"Yours!" + +"I might, now, have said 'of ours,' since I too have become a Rover." + +"You are still in your noviciate," resumed the other, whose quick mind had +already passed the point at which the conversation had arrived; "and high +enjoyment had I in being the one who shrived you in your wishes. You +manifested a skill in playing round your subject, without touching it, +which gives me hopes of an apt scholar." + +"But no penitent, I trust." + +"That as it may be; we are all liable to our moments of weakness, when we +look on life as book men paint it, and think of being probationers where +we are put to enjoy. Yes, I angled for you as the fisherman plays with the +trout. Nor did I overlook the danger of deception. You were faithful on +the whole; though I protest against your ever again acting so much against +my interests as to intrigue to keep the game from coming to my net." + +"When, and how, have I done this? You have yourself admitted"---- + +"That the 'Royal Caroline' was prettily handled, and wrecked by the will +of Heaven. I speak of nobler quarries, now, than such as any hawk may fly +at. Are you a woman-hater, that you would fain have frightened the +noble-minded woman, and the sweet girl, who are beneath our feet at this +minute, from enjoying the high privilege of your company?" + +"Was it treacherous, to wish to save a woman from a fate like that, for +instance, which hung over them both this very day? For, while your +authority exists in this ship, I do not think there can be danger, even to +her who is so lovely." + +"By heavens, Wilder, you do me no more than justice. Before harm should +come to that fair innocent with this hand would I put the match into the +magazine, and send her, all spotless as she is, to the place from which +she seems to have fallen." + +Our adventurer listened greedily to these words, though he little liked +the strong language of admiration with which the Rover was pleased to +clothe his generous sentiment. + +"How knew you of my wish to serve them?" he demanded, after a pause, which +neither seemed in any hurry to break. + +"Could I mistake your language? I thought it enough when spoken." + +"Spoken!" exclaimed Wilder, in surprise. "Perhaps part of my confession +was then made when I least believed it." + +The Rover did not answer; but his companion saw, by the meaning smile +which played about his lip, that he had been the dupe of an audacious and +completely successful masquerade. Startled, perhaps at discovering how +intricate were the toils into which he had rushed, and possibly vexed at +being so thoroughly over-reached, he made several turns across the deck +before he again spoke. + +"I confess myself deceived," he at length said, "and henceforth I shall +submit to you as a master from whom one may learn, but who can never be +surpassed. The landlord of the 'Foul Anchor,' at least, acted in his +proper person, whoever might have been the aged seaman?" + +"Honest Joe Joram! An useful man to a distressed mariner, you must allow. +How liked you the Newport pilot?" + +"Was he an agent too?" + +"For the job merely. I trust such knaves no further than their own eyes +can see. But, hist! Heard you nothing?" + +"I thought a rope had fallen in the water." + +"Ay, it is so. Now you shall find how thoroughly I overlook these +turbulent gentlemen." + +The Rover then cut short the dialogue, which was growing deeply +interesting to his companion, and moved, with a light step, to the stern, +over which he hung, for a few moments, by himself, like a man who found a +pleasure in gazing at the dark surface of the sea. But a slight noise, +like that produced by agitated ropes, caught the ear of his companion, who +instantly placed himself at the side of his Commander, where he did not +wait long without gaining another proof of the manner in which he, as well +as all the rest of the crew, were circumvented by the devices of their +leader. + +A man was guardedly, and, from his situation, with some difficulty, moving +round the quarter of the ship by the aid of the ropes and mouldings, +which afforded him sufficient means to effect his object. He, however, +soon reached a stern ladder, where he stood suspended, and evidently +endeavouring to discern which of the two forms, that were overlooking his +proceedings, was that of the individual he sought. + +"Are you there, Davis?" said the Rover, in a voice but little above a +whisper, first laying his hand lightly on Wilder, as though he would tell +him to attend. "I fear you have been seen or heard." + +"No fear of that, your Honour. I got out at the port by the cabin +bulkhead; and the after-guard are all as sound asleep as if they had the +watch below." + +"It is well. What news bring you from the people?" + +"Lord! your Honour may tell them to go to church, and the stoutest sea-dog +of them all wouldn't dare to say he had forgotten his prayers." + +"You think them in a better temper than they were?" + +"I know it, sir: Not but what the will to work mischief is to be found in +two or three of the men, but they dare not trust each other. Your Honour +has such winning ways with you, that one never knows when he is on safe +grounds in setting up to be master." + +"Ay, this is ever the way with your disorganizers," muttered the Rover, +just loud enough to be heard by Wilder. "A little more honesty, than they +possess, is just wanted, in order that each may enjoy the faith of his +neighbour. And how did the fellows receive the lenity? Did I well? or must +the morning bring its punishment?" + +"It is better as it stands, sir. The people know whose memory is good, and +they talk already of the danger of adding another reckoning to this they +feel certain you have not forgotten. There is the captain of the +forecastle, who is a little bitter, as usual, and the more so just now, +on account of the knock-down he got from the list of the black." + +"Ay, he is ever troublesome; a settling day must come at last with the +rogue." + +"It will be a small matter to expend him in boat-service sir; and the +ship's company will be all the better for his absence." + +"Well, well; no more of him," interrupted the Rover, a little impatiently, +as if he liked not that his companion should look too deeply into the +policy of his government, so early in his initiation. "I will see to him. +If I mistake not, fellow, you over-acted your own part to-day, and were a +little too forward in leading on the trouble." + +"I hope your Honour will remember that the crew had been piped to +mischief; besides, there could be no great harm in washing the powder off +a few marines." + +"Ay, but you pressed the point after your officer had seen fit to +interfere. Be wary in future, lest you make the acting too true to nature, +and you get applauded in a manner quite as well performed." + +The fellow promised caution and amendment; and then he was dismissed, with +his reward in gold, and with an injunction to be secret in his return. So +soon as the interview was ended, the Rover and Wilder resumed their walk; +the former having made sure that no evesdropper had been at hand to steal +into his mysterious connexion with the spy. The silence was again long, +thoughtful, and deep. + +"Good ears" (recommenced the Rover) "are nearly as important, in a ship +like this, as a stout heart. The rogues forward must not be permitted to +eat of the fruit of knowledge, lest we, who are in the cabins, die." + +"This is a perilous service in which we are embarked," observed his +companion, by a sort of involuntary exposure of his secret thoughts. + +The Rover remained silent, making many turns across the deck, before he +again opened his lips. When he spoke, it was in a voice so bland and +gentle, that his words sounded more like the admonitory tones of a +considerate friend, than like the language of a man who had long been +associated with a set of beings so rude and unprincipled as those with +whom he was now seen. + +"You are still on the threshold of your life, Mr Wilder," he said, "and it +is all before you to choose the path on which you will go. As yet, you +have been present at no violation of what the world calls its laws; nor is +it too late to say you never will be. I may have been selfish in my wish +to gain you; but try me; and you will find that self, though often active, +cannot, nor does not, long hold its dominion over my mind. Say but the +word, and you are free; it is easy to destroy the little evidence which +exists of your having made one of my crew. The land is not far beyond that +streak of fading light; before to-morrow's sun shall set, your foot may +tread it." + +"Then, why not both? If this irregular life be evil for me, it is the same +for you. Could I hope"-- + +"What would you say?" calmly demanded the Rover, after waiting +sufficiently long to be sure his companion hesitated to continue. "Speak +freely; your words are for the ears of a friend." + +"Then, as a friend will I unbosom myself. You say, the land is here in the +west. It would be easy for you and I, men nurtured on the sea, to lower +this boat into the water; and, profiting by the darkness, long ere our +absence could be known, we should be lost to the eye of any who might seek +us." + +"Whither would you steer?" + +"To the shores of America, where shelter and peace might be found in a +thousand secret places." + +"Would you have a man, who has so long lived a prince among his +followers, become a beggar in a land of strangers?" + +"But you have gold. Are we not masters here? Who is there that might dare +even to watch our movements, until we were pleased ourselves to throw off +the authority with which we are clothed? Ere the middle watch was set, all +might be done." + +"Alone! Would you go alone?" + +"No--not entirely--that is--it would scarcely become us, as men, to desert +the females to the brutal power of those we should leave behind." + +"And would it become us, as men, to desert those who put faith in our +fidelity? Mr Wilder, your proposal would make me a villain! Lawless, in +the opinion of the world, have I long been; but a traitor to my faith and +plighted word, never! The hour may come when the beings whose world is in +this ship shall part; but the separation must be open, voluntary, and +manly. You never knew what drew me into the haunts of man, when we first +met in the town of Boston?" + +"Never," returned Wilder, in a tone of deep disappointment + +"Listen, and you shall hear. A sturdy follower had fallen into the hands +of the minions of the law. It was necessary to save him. He was a man I +little loved, but he was one who had ever been honest, after his opinions. +I could not desert the victim; nor could any but I effect his escape. Gold +and artifice succeeded; and the fellow is now here, to sing the praises of +his Commander to the crew. Could I forfeit a good name, obtained at so +much hazard?" + +"You would forfeit the good opinions of knaves, to gain a reputation among +those whose commendations are an honour." + +"I know not. You little understand the nature of man, if you are now to +learn that he has pride in maintaining a reputation for even vice, when +he has once purchased notoriety by its exhibition. Besides, I am not +fitted for the world, as it is found among your dependant colonists." + +"You claim your birth, perhaps, in the mother country?" + +"I am no better than a poor provincial, sir; an humble satellite of the +mighty sun. You have seen my flags, Mr Wilder:--but there was one wanting +among them all; ay, and one which, had it existed, it would have been my +pride, my glory, to have upheld with my heart's best blood!" + +"I know not what you mean." + +"I need not tell a seaman, like you, how many noble rivers pour their +waters into the sea along this coast of which we have been speaking--how +many wide and commodious havens abound there--or how many sails whiten the +ocean, that are manned by men who first drew breath on that spacious and +peaceful soil." + +"Surely I know the advantages of the country you mean." + +"I fear not!" quickly returned the Rover. "Were they known, as they should +be, by you and others like you, the flag I mentioned would soon be found +in every sea; nor would the natives of our country have to succumb to the +hirelings of a foreign prince. + +"I will not affect to misunderstand your meaning for I have known others +as visionary as yourself in fancying that such an event may arrive." + +"May!--As certain as that star will settle in the ocean, or that day is to +succeed to night, it _must._ Had that flag been abroad, Mr Wilder, no man +would have ever heard the name of the Red Rover." + +"The King has a service of his own, and it is open to all his subjects +alike." + +"I could be a subject of a King; but to be the subject of a subject, +Wilder, exceeds the bounds of my poor patience. I was educated, I might +almost have said born, in one of his vessels; and how often have I been +made to feel, in bitterness, that an ocean separated my birth-place from +the footstool of his throne! Would you think it, sir? one of his +Commanders dared to couple the name of my country with an epithet I will +not wound your ear by repeating!" + +"I hope you taught the scoundrel manners." + +The Rover faced his companion, and there was a ghastly smile on his +speaking features, as he answered-- + +"He never repeated the offence! 'Twas his blood or mine; and dearly did he +pay the forfeit of his brutality!" + +"You fought like men, and fortune favoured the injured party?" + +"We fought, sir.--But I had dared to raise my hand against a native of the +holy isle!--It is enough, Mr Wilder; the King rendered a faithful subject +desperate, and he has had reason to repent it. Enough for the present; +another time I may say more.--Good night." + +Wilder saw the figure of his companion descend the ladder to the +quarter-deck; and then was he left to pursue the current of his thoughts, +alone, during the remainder of a watch which to his impatience seemed +without an end. + + + + +Chapter XXII. + + + + "She made good view of me; indeed so much, + That sure, methought, her eyes had lost her tongue, + For she did speak in starts, distractedly." + + _Twelfth Night._ + + +Though most of the crew of the "Dolphin" slept, either in their hammocks +or among the guns, there were bright and anxious eyes still open in a +different part of the vessel. The Rover had relinquished his cabin to Mrs +Wyllys and Gertrude, from the moment they entered the ship; and we shall +shift the scene to that apartment, (already sufficiently described to +render the reader familiar with the objects it contained), resuming the +action of the tale at an early part of the discourse just related in the +preceding chapter. + +It will not be necessary to dwell upon the feelings with which the female +inmates of the vessel had witnessed the disturbances of that day; the +conjectures and suspicions to which they gave rise may be apparent in what +is about to follow. A mild, soft light fell from the lamp of wrought and +massive silver that was suspended from the upper deck, obliquely upon the +painfully pensive countenance of the governess, while a few of its +strongest rays lighted the youthful bloom, though less expressive because +less meditative lineaments, of her companion. The background was occupied, +like a dark shadow in a picture, by the dusky form of the slumbering +Cassandra. At the moment when we see fit to lift the curtain on this quiet +scene of our drama, the pupil was speaking, seeking, in the averted eyes +of her instructress, that answer to her question which the tongue of the +latter appeared reluctant to accord. + +"I repeat, my dearest Madam," said Gertrude, "that the fashion of these +ornaments, no less than their materials, is extraordinary in a ship." + +"And what would you infer from the same?" + +"I know not. Still I would that we were safe in the house of my father." + +"God grant it! It may be imprudent to be longer silent.--Gertrude, +frightful, horrible suspicions have been engendered in my mind by what we +have this day witnessed." + +The cheek of the maiden blanched, and the pupil of her soft eye +contracted, with alarm, while she seemed to demand an explanation with +every disturbed lineament of her countenance. + +"I have long been familiar with the usages of a vessel of war," continued +the governess, who had only paused in order to review the causes of her +suspicions in her own mind; "but never have I seen such customs as, each +hour, unfold themselves in this vessel." + +"Of what do you suspect her?" + +The look of deep, engrossing, maternal anxiety, that the lovely +interrogator received in reply to this question, might have startled one +whose mind had been more accustomed to muse on the depravity of human +nature than the spotless being who received it; but to Gertrude it +conveyed no more than a general and vague sensation of alarm. + +"Why do you thus regard me, my governess--my mother?" she exclaimed, +bending forward, and laying a hand imploringly on the arm of the other, as +if she would arouse her from a trance. + +"Yes, I will speak: It is safer that you know the worst, than that your +innocence should be liable to be abused. I distrust the character of this +ship, and of all that belong to her." + +"All!" repeated her pupil, gazing fearfully, and a little wildly, around. + +"Yes; of all" + +"There may be wicked and evil-intentioned men n his Majesty's fleet; but +we are surely safe from them, since fear of punishment, if not fear of +disgrace will be our protector." + +"I dread lest we find that the lawless spirits, who harbour here, submit +to no laws except those of their own enacting, nor acknowledge any +authority but that which exists among themselves." + +"This would make them pirates!" + +"And pirates, I fear, we shall find them." + +"Pirates? What! all?" + +"Even all. Where one is guilty of such a crime, it is clear that the +associates cannot be free from suspicion." + +"But, dear Madam, we know that one among them, at least, is innocent; +since he came with ourselves and under circumstances that will not admit +of deception." + +"I know not. There are different degrees of turpitude, as there are +different tempers to commit it! I fear that all who may lay claim to be +honest, in this vessel, are here assembled." + +The eyes of Gertrude sunk to the floor, and her lips quivered, partly in a +tremour she could not control and perhaps in part through an emotion that +she found inexplicable to herself. + +"Since we know whence our late companion came," she said, in an under +tone, "I think you do him wrong, however right your suspicions may prove +as to the rest." + +"I may be wrong as to him, but it is important that we know the worst. +Command yourself, my love; our attendant ascends; some knowledge of the +truth may be gained from him." + +Mrs Wyllys gave her pupil an expressive sign to compose her features, +while she herself resumed her usual, pensive air, with a calmness of mien +that might have deceived one far more practised than the boy, who now +came slowly into the cabin. Gertrude buried her face in a part of her +attire, while the former addressed the individual who had just entered in +a tone equally divided between kindness and concern. + +"Roderick, child," she commenced, "your eyelids are getting heavy. This +service of a ship must be new to you?" + +"It is so old as to keep me from sleeping on my watch," coldly returned +the boy. + +"A careful mother would be better for one of your years, than the school +of the boatswain. What is your age, Roderick?" + +"I have seen years enough to be both wiser and better," he answered, not +without a shade of thought settling on his brow. "Another month will make +me twenty." + +"Twenty! you trifle with my curiosity, urchin." + +"Did I say twenty, Madam! Fifteen would be nearer to the truth." + +"I believe you well. And how many of those years have you passed upon the +water?" + +"But two, in truth; though I often think them ten; and yet there are times +when they seem but a day!" + +"You are romantic early, boy. And how like you the trade of war?" + +"War!" + +"Of war. I speak plainly, do I not? Those who serve in a vessel that is +constructed expressly for battle, follow the trade of war." + +"Oh! yes; war is certainly our trade." + +"And have you yet seen any of its horrors? Has this ship been in combat +since your service?" + +"This ship!" + +"Surely this ship: Have you ever sailed in any other?" + +"Never." + +"Then, it is of this ship that one must question you. Is prize-money +plenty among your crew?" + +"Abundant; they never want." + +"Then the vessel and Captain are both favourites. The sailor loves the +ship and Commander that give him an active life." + +"Ay, Madam; our lives are active here. And some there are among us, too, +who love both ship and Commander." + +"And have you mother, or friend, to profit by your earnings?" + +"Have I"-- + +Struck with the tone of stupor with which the boy responded to her +queries, the governess turned her head, to read, in a rapid glance, the +language of his countenance. He stood in a sort of senseless amazement +looking her full in the face, but with an eye far too vacant to prove that +he was sensible of the image that filled it. + +"Tell me, Roderick," she continued, careful not to alarm his jealousy by +any sudden allusion to his manner; "tell me of this life of yours. You +find it merry?" + +"I find it sad." + +"'Tis strange. The young ship-boys are ever among the merriest of mortals. +Perhaps your office! treats you with severity." + +No answer was given. + +"I am then right: Your Captain is a tyrant?" + +"You are wrong: Never has he said harsh or unkind word to me." + +"Ah! then he is gentle and kind. You are very happy, Roderick." + +"I--happy, Madam!" + +"I speak plainly, and in English--happy." + +"Oh! yes, we are all very happy here." + +"It is well. A discontented ship is no paradise. And you are often in +port, Roderick, to taste the sweets of the land?" + +"I care but little for the land, Madam, could I only have friends in the +ship that love me." + +"And have you not? Is not Mr Wilder your friend?" + +"I know but little of him; I never saw him before"-- + +"When, Roderick?" + +"Before we met in Newport." + +"In Newport?" + +"Surely you know we both came from Newport, last." + +"Ah! I comprehend you. Then, your acquaintance with Mr Wilder commenced at +Newport? It was while your ship was lying off the fort?" + +"It was. I carried him the order to take command of the Bristol trader. He +had only joined us the night before." + +"So lately! It was a young acquaintance indeed. But I suppose your +Commander knew his merits?" + +"It is so hoped among the people. But"-- + +"You were speaking, Roderick." + +"None here dare question the Captain for his reasons. Even _I_ am obliged +to be mute." + +"Even _you_!" exclaimed Mrs Wyllys, in a surprise that for the moment +overcame her self-restraint. But the thought in which the boy was lost +appeared to prevent his observing the sudden change in her manner. Indeed, +so little did he know what was passing, that the governess touched the +hand of Gertrude, and silently pointed out the insensible figure of the +lad, without the slightest apprehension that the movement would be +observed. + +"What think you, Roderick," continued his interrogator "would he refuse to +answer _us_ also?" + +The boy started; and, as consciousness shot into his glance, it fell upon +the soft and speaking countenance of Gertrude. + +"Though her beauty be so rare," he answered with vehemence, "let her not +prize it too highly. Woman cannot tame his temper!" + +"Is he then so hard of heart? Think you that a question from this fair one +would be denied?" + +"Hear me, Lady," he said, with an earnestness that was no less remarkable +than the plaintive softness of the tones in which he spoke; "I have seen +more, in the last two crowded years of my life, than many youths would +witness between childhood and the age of man. This is no place for +innocence and beauty. Oh! quit the ship, if you leave it as you came, +without a deck to lay your head under!" + +"It may be too late to follow such advice," Mrs Wyllys gravely replied, +glancing her eye at the silent Gertrude as she spoke. "But tell me more of +this extraordinary vessel. Roderick, you were not born to fill the station +in which I find you?" + +The boy shook his head, but remained with downcast eyes, apparently not +disposed to answer further on such a subject. + +"How is it that I find the 'Dolphin' bearing different hues to-day from +what she did yesterday? and why is it that neither then, nor now, does she +resemble in her paint, the slaver of Newport harbour?" + +"And why is it," returned the boy, with a smile in which melancholy +struggled powerfully with bitterness "that none can look into the secret +heart of him who makes those changes at will? If all remained the same, +but the paint of the ship, one might still be happy in her!" + +"Then, Roderick, you are not happy: Shall I intercede with Captain +Heidegger for your discharge?" + +"I could never wish to serve another." + +"How! Do you complain, and yet embrace your fetters?" + +"I complain not." + +The governess eyed him closely; and, after a moment's pause, she +continued,-- + +"Is it usual to see such riotous conduct among the crew as we have this +day witnessed?" + +"It is not. You have little to fear from the people; he who brought them +under knows how to keep them down." + +"They are enlisted by order of the King?" + +"The King! Yes, he is surely a King who has no equal." + +"But they dared to threaten the life of Mr Wilder. Is a seaman, in a +King's ship, usually so bold?" + +The boy glanced a look at Mrs Wyllys; as if he would say, he understood +her affected ignorance of the character of the vessel, but again he chose +to continue silent. + +"Think you, Roderick," continued the governess, who no longer deemed it +necessary to pursue her covert inquiries on that particular subject; +"think you, Roderick, that the Rov--that is, that Captain Heidegger will +suffer us to land at the first port which offers?" + +"Many have been passed since you reached the ship." + +"Ay, many that are inconvenient; but, when one shall be gained where his +pursuits will allow his ship to enter?" + +"Such places are not common." + +"But, should it occur, do you not think he will permit us to land? We have +gold to pay him for his trouble." + +"He cares not for gold. I never ask him for it; that he does not fill my +hand." + +"You must be happy, then. Plenty of gold will compensate for a cold look +at times." + +"Never!" returned the boy, with quickness and energy. "Had I the ship +filled with the dross, I would give it all to bring a look of kindness +into his eye." + +Mrs Wyllys started, no less at the fervid manner of the lad than at the +language. Rising from her seat, she approached nigher to him, and in a +situation where the light of the lamp fell full upon his lineaments. She +saw the large drop that broke out from beneath a long and silken lash, to +roll down a cheek which, though embrowned by the sun, was deepening with a +flush that gradually stole into it, as her own gaze became more settled; +and then her eyes fell slowly and keenly along the person of the lad, +until they reached even the delicate feet, that seemed barely able to +uphold him. The usually pensive and mild countenance of the governess +changed to a look of cold regard, and her whole form appeared to elevate +itself, in chaste matronly dignity, as she sternly asked,-- + +"Boy, have you a mother?" + +"I know not," was the answer that came from lips that scarcely severed to +permit the smothered sounds to escape. + +"It is enough; another time I will speak further to you. Cassandra will in +future do the service of this cabin; when I have need of you, the gong +shall be touched." + +The head of Roderick fell nearly to his bosom He shrunk from before that +cold and searching eye which followed his form, until it had disappeared +through the hatch, and whose look was then bent rapidly, and not without a +shade of alarm, on the face of the wondering but silent Gertrude. + +A gentle tap at the door broke in upon the flood of reflection which was +crowding on the mind of the governess. She gave the customary answer; and, +before time was allowed for any interchange of ideas between her and her +pupil, the Rover entered. + + + + +Chapter XXIII. + + + + "I melt, and am not of stronger earth than others."--_Coriolanus_ + + +The females received their visiter with a restraint which will be easily +understood when the subject of their recent conversation is recollected. +The sinking of Gertrude's form was deep and hurried, but her governess +maintained the coldness of her air with greater self-composure. Still, +there was a gleaming of powerful anxiety in the watchful glance that she +threw towards her guest, as though she would divine the motive of the +visit by the wanderings of his changeful eye, even before his lips had +parted in the customary salute. + +The countenance of the Rover himself was thoughtful to gravity. He bowed +as he came within the influence of the lamp, and his voice was heard +muttering some low and hasty syllables, that conveyed no meaning to the +ears of his listeners. Indeed, so great was the abstraction in which he +was lost, that he had evidently prepared to throw his person on the vacant +divan, without explanation or apology, like one who took possession of his +own; though recollection returned just in time to prevent this breach of +decorum. Smiling, and repeating his bow, with a still deeper inclination, +he advanced with perfect self-possession to the table, where he expressed +his fears that Mrs Wyllys might deem his visit unseasonable or perhaps not +announced with sufficient ceremony. During this short introduction his +voice was bland as woman's, and his mien courteous, as though he actually +felt himself an intruder in the cabin of a vessel in which he was +literally a monarch. + +"But, unseasonable as is the hour," he continued, "I should have gone to +my cott with a consciousness of not having discharged all the duties of an +attentive and considerate host, had I forgotten to reassure you of the +tranquillity of the ship, after the scene you have this day witnessed. I +have pleasure in saying, that the humour of my people is already expended, +and that lambs, in their nightly folds, are not more placid than they are +at this minute in their hammocks." + +"The authority that so promptly quelled the disturbance is happily ever +present to protect us," returned the cautious governess; "we repose +entirely on your discretion and generosity." + +"You have not misplaced your confidence. From the danger of mutiny, at +least, you are exempt." + +"And from all others, I trust." + +"This is a wild and fickle element we dwell on," he answered, while he +bowed an acknowledgment for the politeness, and took the seat to which the +other invited him by a motion of the hand; "but you know its character, +and need not be told that we seamen are seldom certain of any of our +movements I loosened the cords of discipline myself to-day," he added, +after a moment's pause, "and in some measure invited the broil that +followed: But it is passed, like the hurricane and the squall; and the +ocean is not now smoother than the tempers of my knaves." + +"I have often witnessed these rude sports in vessels of the King; but I do +not remember to have known any more serious result than the settlement of +some ancient quarrel, or some odd freak of nautical humour, which has +commonly proved as harmless as it has been quaint." + +"Ay; but the ship which often runs the hazards of the shoals gets wrecked +at last," muttered the Rover "I rarely give the quarter-deck up to the +people, without keeping a vigilant watch on their humours; +but--to-day"---- + +"You were speaking of to-day." + +"Neptune, with his coarse devices, is no stranger to you, Madam." + +"I have seen the God in times past." + +"'Twas thus I understood it;--under the line?" + +"And elsewhere." + +"Elsewhere!" repeated the other, in a tone of disappointment. "Ay, the +sturdy despot is to be found in every sea; and hundreds of ships, and +ships of size too, are to be seen scorching in the calms of the equator. +It was idle to give the subject a second thought." + +"You have been pleased to observe something that has escaped my ear." + +The Rover started; for he had rather muttered than spoken the preceding +sentence aloud. Casting a swift and searching glance around him, as it +might be to assure himself that no impertinent listener had found means to +pry into the mysteries of a mind he seldom saw fit to lay open to the free +examination of his associates, he regained his self-possession on the +instant, and resumed the discourse with a manner as undisturbed as if it +had received no interruption. + +"Yes, I had forgotten that your sex is often as timorous as it is fair," +he added, with a smile so insinuating and gentle, that the governess cast +an involuntary and uneasy glance towards her charge, "or I might have been +earlier with my assurance of safety." + +"It is welcome even now." + +"And your young and gentle friend," he continued, bowing openly to +Gertrude, though he still addressed his words to the governess; "her +slumbers will not be the heavier for what has passed." + +"The innocent seldom find an uneasy pillow." + +"There is a holy and unsearchable mystery in that truth: The innocent +pillow their heads in quiet! Would to God the guilty might find some +refuge, too, against the sting of thought! But we live in a world, and a +time, when men cannot be sure even of themselves." + +He then paused, and looked about him, with a smile so haggard, that the +anxious governess unconsciously drew nigher to her pupil, like one who +sought, and was willing to yield, protection against the uncertain designs +of a maniac. Her visiter, however, remained in a silence so long and deep, +that she felt the necessity of removing the awkward embarrassment of their +situation, by speaking herself. + +"Do you find Mr Wilder as much inclined to mercy as yourself?" she asked. +"There would be merit in his forbearance, since he appeared to be the +particular object of the anger of the mutineers." + +"And yet you saw he was not without his friends. You witnessed the +devotion of the men who stood forth in his behalf?" + +"I did: and find it remarkable that he should have been able, in so short +a time, to conquer thus completely two so stubborn natures." + +"Four-and-twenty years make not an acquaintance of a day!" + +"And does their friendship bear so old a date?" + +"I have heard that time counted between them. It is very certain the youth +is bound to those uncouth companions of his by some extraordinary tie. +Perhaps this is not the first of their services." + +Mrs Wyllys looked grieved. Although prepared to believe that Wilder was a +secret agent of the Rover, she had endeavoured to hope his connexion with +the freebooters was susceptible of some explanation more favourable to his +character. However he might be implicated in the common guilt of those who +pursued the hazards of the reckless fortunes of that proscribed ship, it +was evident he bore a heart too generous to wish to see her, and her young +and guileless charge, the victims of the licentiousness of his associates. +His repeated and mysterious warnings no longer needed explanation. Indeed, +all that had been dark and inexplicable, both in the previous and +unaccountable glimmerings of her own mind, and in the extraordinary +conduct of the inmates of the ship, was at each instant becoming capable +of solution. She now remembered, in the person and countenance of the +Rover, the form and features of the individual who had spoken the passing +Bristol trader, from the rigging of the slaver--a form which had +unaccountably haunted her imagination, during her residence in his ship, +like an image recalled from some dim and distant period. Then she saw at +once the difficulty that Wilder might prove in laying open a secret in +which not only his life was involved, but which, to a mind that was not +hardened in vice, involved a penalty not less severe--that of the loss of +their esteem. In short, a good deal of that which the reader has found no +difficulty in comprehending was also becoming clear to the faculties of +the governess though much still remained obscured in doubts, that she +could neither solve nor yet entirely banish from her thoughts. On all +these several points she had leisure to cast a rapid glance; for her +guest, or host, whichever he might be called, seemed in nowise disposed to +interrupt her short and melancholy reverie. + +"It is wonderful," Mrs Wyllys at length resumed, "that beings so uncouth +should be influenced by the same attachments as those which unite the +educated and the refined." + +"It is wonderful, as you say," returned the other like one awakening from +a dream. "I would give a thousand of the brightest guineas that ever came +from the mint of George II. to know the private history of that youth." + +"Is he then a stranger to you?" demanded Gertrude with the quickness of +thought. + +The Rover turned an eye on her, that was vacant for the moment, but into +which consciousness and expression began to steal as he gazed, until the +foot of the governess was visibly trembling with the nervous excitement +that pervaded her entire frame. + +"Who shall pretend to know the heart of man!" he answered, again inclining +his head as it might be in acknowledgment of her perfect right to far +deeper homage. "All are strangers, till we can read their most secret +thoughts." + +"To pry into the mysteries of the human mind, is a privilege which few +possess," coldly remarked the governess. "The world must be often tried, +and thoroughly known, before we may pretend to judge of the motives of any +around us." + +"And yet it is a pleasant world to those who have the heart to make it +merry," cried the Rover, with one of those startling transitions which +marked his manner. "To him who is stout enough to follow the bent of his +humour, all is easy. Do you know, that the true secret of the philosopher +is not in living for ever, but in living while you may. He who dies at +fifty, after a fill of pleasure, has had more of life than he who drags +his feet through a century, bearing the burden of the world's caprices, +and afraid to speak above his breath, lest, forsooth, his neighbour should +find that his words were evil." + +"And yet are there some who find their pleasure in pursuing the practices +of virtue." + +"'Tis lovely in your sex to say it," he answered with an air that the +sensitive governess fancied was gleaming with the growing licentiousness +of a free booter. She would now gladly have, dismissed her visiter; but a +certain flashing of the eye, and a manner that was becoming gay by a +species of unnatural effort, admonished her of the danger of offending one +who acknowledged no law but his own will. Assuming a tone and a manner +that were kind, while they upheld the dignity of her sex, and pointing to +sundry instruments of music that formed part of the heterogeneous +furniture of the cabin, she adroitly turned the discourse, by saying,-- + +"One whose mind can be softened by harmony and whose feelings are so +evidently alive to the in fluence of sweet sounds, should not decry the +pleasures of virtue. This flute, and yon guitar, both call you master." + +"And, because of these flimsy evidences about my person, you are willing +to give me credit for the accomplishments you mention! Here is another +mistake of miserable mortality! Seeming is the everyday robe of honesty. +Why not give me credit for kneeling, morning and night, before yon +glittering bauble?" he added, pointing to the diamond crucifix which hung, +as usual, near the door of his own apartment. + +"I hope, at least, that the Being, whose memory is intended to be revived +by that image, is not without your homage. In the pride of his strength +and prosperity, man may think lightly of the consolations that can flow +from a power superior to humanity: but those who have oftenest proved +their value feel deepest the reverence which is their due." + +The look of the governess had been averted from her companion; but, filled +with the profound sentiment she uttered, her mild reflecting eye turned to +him again, as, in a tone that was subdued, in respect for the mighty Being +whose attributes filled her mind, she uttered the above simple sentiment. +The gaze she met was earnest and thoughtful as her own. Lifting a finger +he laid it on her arm, with a motion so light as to be scarcely +perceptible, while he asked,-- + +"Think you we are to blame, if our temperaments incline more to evil than +power is given to resist?" + +"It is only those who attempt to walk the path of life alone that stumble. +I shall not offend your manhood if I ask, do you never commune with your +God?" + +"It is long since that name has been heard in this vessel, Lady, except to +aid in that miserable scoffing and profanity which simpler language made +too dull, But what is He, that unknown Deity, more than what man, in his +ingenuity, has seen fit to make him?" + +"'The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God,'" she answered, in a +voice so firm, that it startled even the ears of one so long accustomed to +the turbulence and grandeur of his wild profession. "'Gird up now thy +loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where +wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare if thou hast +understanding.'" + +The Rover gazed long and silently on the flushed countenance of the +speaker. Bending his face in an unconscious manner aside, he said aloud, +evidently rather giving utterance to his thoughts than pursuing the +discourse,-- + +"Now, is there nothing more in this than what I have often heard, and yet +does it come over my feelings with the freshness of native air!" Then +rising, he approached his mild and dignified companion, adding, in tones +but little above a whisper, "Lady repeat those words; change not a +syllable, nor vary the slightest intonation of the voice, I pray thee." + +Though amazed, and secretly alarmed at the request, Mrs Wyllys complied; +delivering the holy language of the inspired writers with a fervour that +found its support in the strength of her own emotions. Her auditor +listened like a being enthralled. For near a minute, neither eye nor +attitude was changed, but he stood at the feet of her who had so simply +and so powerfully asserted the majesty of God, as motionless as the mast +that rose behind him through the decks of that vessel which he had so long +devoted to the purposes of his lawless life. It was long after her accents +had ceased to fall on his ear, that he drew a deep respiration, and once +again opened his lips to speak. + +"This is re-treading the path of life at a stride." he said, suffering his +hand to fall upon that of his companion. "I know not why pulses, which in +common are like iron, beat so wildly and irregularly now. Lady, this +little and feeble hand might check a temper that has so often braved the +power of"-- + +His words suddenly ceased; for, as his eye unconsciously followed his +hand, it rested on the still delicate, but no longer youthful, member of +the governess Drawing a sigh, like one who felt himself awakened from an +agreeable though complete illusion he turned away, leaving his sentence +unfinished. + +"You would have music!" he recklessly exclaimed aloud. "Then music shall +be heard, though its symphony be rung upon a gong!" + +As he spoke, the wayward and vacillating being we have been attempting to +describe struck the instrument he named three blows, so quick and +powerfully, as to drown all other sensations in the confusion produced by +the echoing din. Though deeply mortified that he had so quickly escaped +from the influence she had partially acquired, and secretly displeased at +the unceremonious manner in which he had seen fit to announce his +independence again, the governess was aware of the necessity of concealing +her sentiments. + +"This is certainly not the harmony I invited," she said, so soon as the +overwhelming sounds had ceased to fill the ship; "nor do I think it of a +quality to favour the slumbers of those who seek their rest." + +"Fear nothing for them. The seaman sleeps with his ear near the port +whence the cannon bellows, and awakes at the call of the boatswain's +whistle. He is too deeply schooled in habit, to think he has heard more +than a note of the flute; stronger and fuller than common, if you will, +but still a sound that has no interest for him. Another tap would have +sounded the alarm of fire; but these three touches say no more than music. +It was the signal for the band. The night is still, and favourable for +their art, and we will listen to sweet sounds awhile." + +His words were scarcely uttered before the low chords of wind instruments +were heard without, where the men had probably stationed themselves by +some previous order of their Captain. The Rover smiled, as if he exulted +in this prompt proof of the sort of despotic or rather magical power he +wielded; and, throwing his form on the divan, he sat listening to the +sounds which followed. + +The strains which now rose upon the night, and which spread themselves +soft and melodiously abroad upon the water, would in truth have done +credit to far more regular artists. The air was wild and melancholy and +perhaps it was the more in accordance with the present humour of the man +for whose ear it was created. Then, losing the former character the whole +power of the music was concentrated in softer and still gentler sounds, as +if the genius who had given birth to the melody had been pouring out the +feelings of his soul in pathos. The temper of the Rover's mind answered to +the changing expression of the music; and, when the strains were sweetest +and most touching, he even bowed his head like one who wept. + +Though secretly under the influence of the harmony themselves, Mrs Wyllys +and her pupil could but gaze on the singularly constituted being into +whose hands their evil fortune had seen fit to cast them. The former was +filled with admiration at the fearful contrariety of those passions which +could reveal themselves, in the same individual, under so very different +and so dangerous forms; while the latter, judging with the indulgence and +sympathy of her years, was willing to believe that a man whose emotions +could be thus easily and kindly excited was rather the victim of +circumstances than the creator of his own luckless fortune. + +"There is Italy in those strains," said the Rover, when the last chord had +died upon his ear; "sweet, indolent, luxurious, forgetful Italy! It has +never been your chance, Madam, to visit that land, so mighty in its +recollections, and so impotent in its actual condition?" + +The governess made no reply; but, bowing her head, in turn, her companions +believed she was submitting also to the influence of the music. At length, +as though impelled by another changeful impulse, the Rover advanced +towards Gertrude, and, addressing her with a courtesy that would have done +credit to a very different scene, he said, in the laboured language that +characterised the politeness of the age,-- + +"One who in common speaks music should not have neglected the gifts of +nature. You sing?" + +Had Gertrude possessed the power he affected to believe, her voice would +have denied its services at his call. Bending to his compliment, she +murmured her apologies in words that were barely audible. He listened +intently; but, without pressing a point that it was easy to see was +unwelcome, he turned away, gave the gong a light but startling tap. + +"Roderick," he continued, when the gentle foot step of the lad was heard +upon the stairs that led into the cabin below, "do you sleep?" + +The answer was slow and smothered; and, of course, in the negative. + +"Apollo was not absent at the birth of Roderick, Madam. The lad can raise +such sounds as have been known to melt the stubborn feelings of a seaman. +Go, place yourself by the cabin door, good Roderick, and bid the music run +a low accompaniment to your words." + +The boy obeyed, stationing his slight form so much in shadow, that the +expression of his working countenance was not visible to those who sat +within the stronger light of the lamp. The instruments then commenced a +gentle symphony, which was soon ended; and twice had they begun the air, +but still no voice was heard to mingle in the harmony. + +"Words, Roderick, words; we are but dull interpreters of the meaning of +yon flutes." + +Thus admonished of his duty, the boy began to sing in a full, rich +contralto voice, which betrayed a tremour, however, that evidently formed +no part of the air. His words, so far as they might be distinguished, ran +as follows:-- + + "The land was lying broad and fair + Behind the western sea; + And holy solitude was there, + And sweetest liberty. + + The lingering sun, at ev'ning, hung + A glorious orb, divinely beaming + On silent lake and tree; + And ruddy light was o'er all streaming, + Mark, man! for thee; + O'er valley, lake, and tree! + + And now a thousand maidens stray, + Or range the echoing groves; + While, flutt'ring near, on pinions gay, + Fan twice ten thousand loves, + In that soft clime, at even time, + Hope says"---- + +"Enough of this, Roderick," impatiently interrupted his master. "There is +too much of the Corydon in that song for the humour of a manner. Sing us +of the sea and its pleasures, boy; and roll out the strains in such a +fashion as may suit a sailor's fancy." + +The lad continued mute, perhaps in disinclination to the task, perhaps +from utter inability to comply. + +"What, Roderick! does the muse desert thee? or is memory getting dull? You +see the child is wilful in his melody, and must sing of loves and sunshine +or he fails. Now touch us a stronger chord my men, and put life into your +cadences, while I troll a sea air for the honour of the ship." + +The band took the humour of the moment from their master, (for surely he +well deserved the name), sounding a powerful and graceful symphony, to +prepare the listeners for the song of the Rover. Those treacherous and +beguiling tones which so often stole into his voice when, speaking, did +not mislead expectation as to its powers. It proved to be at the same time +rich, full, deep, and melodious. Favoured by these material advantages, +and aided by an exquisite ear, he rolled out the following stanzas in a +manner that was singularly divided between that of the reveller and the +man of sentiment. The words were probably original; for they both smacked +strongly of his own profession, and were not entirely without a touch of +the peculiar taste of the individual + + All hands, unmoor! unmoor + Hark to the hoarse, but welcome sound, + Startling the seaman's sweetest slumbers. + The groaning capstan's labouring round, + The cheerful fife's enliv'ning numbers;. + And ling'ring idlers join the brawl, + And merry ship-boys swell the call, + All hands, unmoor! unmoor! + + The cry is, "A sail! a sail!" + Brace high each nerve to dare the fight, + And boldly steer to seek the foeman; + One secret prayer to aid the right, + And many a secret thought to woman + Now spread the flutt'ring canvas wide, + And dash the foaming sea aside; + The cry's, "A sail! a sail!" + + Three cheers for victory! + Hush'd be each plaint o'er fallen brave; + Still ev'ry sigh to messmate given; + The seaman's tomb is in the wave; + The hero's latest hope is heaven! + High lift the voice in revelry! + Gay raise the song, the shout, the glee; + Three cheers for victory! + +So soon as he had ended this song, and without waiting to listen if any +words of compliment were to succeed an effort that might lay claim to +great excellence both in tones and execution, he arose; and, desiring his +guests to command the services of his band at pleasure, he wished them +"soft repose and pleasant dreams," and then coolly descended into the +lower apartments, apparently for the night. Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude, +notwithstanding both had been amused, or rather seduced, by the interest +thrown around a manner that was so wayward, while it was never gross, felt +a sensation, as he disappeared, like that produced by breathing a freer +air, after having been too long compelled to respire the pent atmosphere +of a dungeon. The former regarded her pupil with eyes in which open +affection struggled with deep inward solicitude; but neither spoke, since +a slight movement near the door of the cabin reminded them they were not +alone. + +"Would you have further music, Madam?" asked Roderick, in a smothered +voice, stealing timidly out of the shadow as he spoke; "I will sing you to +sleep if you will; but I am choaked when he bids me thus be merry against +my feelings." + +The brow of the governess had already contracted, and she was evidently +preparing herself to give a stern and repulsive answer; but, as the +plaintive tones, and shrinking, submissive form of the other, pleaded +strongly to her heart, the frown passed away, leaving in its place a mild +reproving look, like that which chastens the frown of maternal concern. + +"Roderick," she said, "I thought we should have seen you no more +to-night!" + +"You heard the gong. Although he can be so gay, and can raise such +thrilling sounds in his pleasanter moments, you have never yet listened to +him in anger." + +"And is his anger, then, so very fearful?" + +"Perhaps to me it is more frightful than to others, but I find nothing so +terrible as a word of his, when his mind is moody." + +"He is then harsh to you?" + +"Never." + +"You contradict yourself, Roderick. He is, and he is not. Have you not +said how terrible you find his moody language?" + +"Yes; for I find it changed. Once he was never thoughtful, or out of +humour, but latterly he is not himself." + +Mrs Wyllys did not answer. The language of the boy was certainly much more +intelligible to herself than to her young and attentive, but unsuspecting, +companion; for, while she motioned to the lad to retire, Gertrude +manifested a desire to gratify the curious interest she felt in the life +and manners of the freebooter. The signal, however, was authoritatively +repeated, and the lad slowly, and quite evidently with reluctance, +withdrew. + +The governess and her pupil then retired into their own state-room; and, +after devoting many minutes to those nightly offerings and petitions which +neither ever suffered any circumstances to cause them to neglect, they +slept in the consciousness of innocence and in the hope of an +all-powerful protection. Though the bell of the ship regularly sounded the +hours throughout the watches of the night, scarcely another sound arose, +during the darkness, to disturb the calm which seemed to have settled +equally on the ocean and all that floated on its bosom. + + + + +Chapter XXIV. + + + + --"But, for the miracle, + I mean our preservation, few in millions + Can speak like us."--_Tempest._ + + +The "Dolphin" might well have been likened to a slumbering beast of prey, +during those moments of treacherous calm. But as nature limits the period +of repose to the creatures of the animal world, so it would seem that the +inactivity of the freebooters was not doomed to any long continuance. With +the morning sun a breeze came over the water, breathing the flavour of the +land, to set the sluggish ship again in motion. Throughout all that day, +with a wide reach of canvas spreading along her booms, her course was held +towards the south. Watch succeeded watch, and night came after day, and +still no change was made in her direction. Then the blue islands were seen +heaving up, one after another, out of the sea. The prisoners of the Rover, +for thus the females were now constrained to consider themselves, silently +watched each hillock of green that the vessel glided past, each naked and +sandy key, or each mountain side, until, by the calculations of the +governess, they were already steering amid the western Archipelago. + +During all this time no question was asked which in the smallest manner +betrayed to the Rover the consciousness of his guests that he was not +conducting them towards the promised port of the Continent. Gertrude wept +over the sorrow her father would feel, when he should believe her fate +involved in that of the unfortunate Bristol trader; but her tears flowed +in private, or were freely poured upon the sympathizing bosom of her +governess. Wilder she avoided, with an intuitive consciousness that he was +no longer the character she had wished to believe, but to all in the ship +she struggled to maintain an equal air and a serene eye. In this +deportment, far safer than any impotent entreaties might have proved, she +was strongly supported by her governess, whose knowledge of mankind had +early taught her that virtue was never so imposing, in the moments of +trial, as when it knew best how to maintain its equanimity. On the other +hand, both the Commander of the ship and his lieutenant sought no other +communication with the inmates of the cabin, than courtesy appeared +absolutely to require. + +The former, as though repenting already of having laid so bare the +capricious humours of his mind, drew gradually into himself, neither +seeking nor permitting familiarity with any; while the latter appeared +perfectly conscious of the constrained mien of the governess, and of the +altered though still pitying eye of her pupil. Little explanation was +necessary to acquaint Wilder with the reasons of this change. Instead of +seeking the means to vindicate his character, however, he rather imitated +their reserve. Little else was wanting to assure his former friends of the +nature of his pursuits; for even Mrs Wyllys admitted to her charge, that +he acted like one in whom depravity had not yet made such progress as to +have destroyed that consciousness which is ever the surest test of +innocence. + +We shall not detain the narrative, to dwell upon the natural regrets in +which Gertrude indulged, as this sad conviction forced itself upon her +understanding, nor to relate the gentle wishes in which she did not think +it wrong to indulge, that one, who certainly was master of so many manly +and generous qualities, might soon be made to see the error of his life, +and to return to a course for which even her cold and nicely judging +governess allowed nature had so eminently endowed him. Perhaps the kind +emotions that had been awakened in her bosom, by the events of the last +fortnight, were not content to exhibit themselves in wishes alone, and +that petitions more personal, and even more fervent than common, mingled +in her prayers; but this is a veil which it is not our province to raise, +the heart of one so pure and so ingenuous being the best repository for +its own gentle feelings. + +For several days the ship had been contending with the unvarying winds of +those regions. Instead of struggling, however, like a cumbered trader, to +gain some given port, the "Rover" suddenly altered her course, and glided +through one of the many passages that offered, with the ease of a bird +that is settling swiftly to its nest. A hundred different sails were seen +steering among the islands, but all were avoided alike; the policy of the +freebooters teaching them the necessity of moderation, in a sea so crowded +with vessels of war. After the vessel had shot through one of the straits +which divide the chain of the Antilles, she issued in safety on the more +open sea which separates them from the Spanish Main. The moment the +passage was effected, and a broad and clear horizon was seen stretching on +every side of them, a manifest alteration occurred in the mien of every +individual of the crew. The brow of the Rover himself lost its +contraction; and the look of care, which had wrapped the whole man in a +mantle of reserve, disappeared, leaving him the reckless wayward being we +have more than once described. Even the men, whose vigilance had needed no +quickening in running the gauntlet of the cruisers which were known to +swarm in the narrower seas, appeared to breathe a freer air, and sounds of +merriment and thoughtless gaiety were once more heard in a place over +which the gloom of distrust had been so long and so heavily cast. + +On the other hand, the governess saw new ground for uneasiness in the +course the vessel was taking. While the islands were in view, she had +hoped, and surely not without reason, that their captor only awaited a +suitable occasion to place them in safety within the influence of the laws +of some of the colonial governments. Her own observation told her there +was so much of what was once good, if not noble, mingled with the +lawlessness of the two principal individuals in the vessel, that she saw +nothing that was visionary in such an expectation. Even the tales of the +time, which recounted the desperate acts of the freebooter, with not a +little of wild and fanciful exaggeration, did not forget to include +numberless striking instances of marked, and even chivalrous generosity. +In short, he bore the character of one who, while he declared himself the +enemy of all, knew how to distinguish between the weak and the strong, and +who often found as much gratification in repairing the wrongs of the +former, as in humbling the pride of the latter. + +But all her agreeable anticipations from this quarter were forgotten when +the last island of the groupe sunk into the sea behind them, and the ship +lay alone on an ocean which showed not another object above its surface. +As if now ready to lay aside the mask the Rover ordered the sails to be +reduced, and, neglecting the favourable breeze, the vessel to be brought +to the wind. In a word, as if no object called for the immediate attention +of her crew, the "Dolphin" came to a stand, in the midst of the water her +officers and people abandoning themselves to their pleasures, or to +idleness, as whim or inclination dictated. + +"I had hoped that your convenience would have permitted us to land in some +of his Majesty's islands," said Mrs Wyllys, speaking for the first time +since her suspicions had been awakened on the subject of her quitting the +ship, and addressing her words to the self-styled Captain Heidegger, just +after the order to heave-to the vessel had been obeyed. "I fear you find +it irksome to be so long dispossessed of your cabin." + +"It cannot be better occupied," he rather evasively replied; though the +observant and anxious governess fancied his eye was bolder, and his air +under less restraint, than when she had before dwelt on the same topic. +"If custom did not require that a ship should wear the colours of some +people, mine should always sport those of the fair." + +"And, as it is?"---- + +"As it is, I hoist the emblems that belong to the service I am in." + +"In fifteen days, that you have been troubled with my presence, it has +never been my good fortune to see those colours set." + +"No!" exclaimed the Rover, glancing his eye at her, as if to penetrate her +thoughts: "Then shall the uncertainty cease on the sixteenth.--Who's +there, abaft?" + +"No one better nor worse than Richard Fid," returned the individual in +question, lifting his head from out a locker, into which it had been +thrust, as though its owner searched for some mislaid implement, and who +added a little quickly, when he ascertained by whom he was addressed, "and +always at your Honour's orders." + +"Ah! 'Tis the friend of _our_ friend," the Rover observed to Mrs Wyllys, +with an emphasis which the other understood. "He shall be my interpreter. +Come hither, lad; I have a word to exchange with you." + +"A thousand at your service, sir," returned Richard unhesitatingly +complying; "for, though no great talker, I have always something uppermost +in my mind, which can be laid hold of at need." + +"I hope you find that your hammock swings easily in my ship?" + +"I'll not deny it, your Honour; for an easier craft, especially upon a +bow-line, might be hard to find." + +"And the cruise?--I hope you also find the cruise such as a seaman loves." + +"D'ye see, sir, I was sent from home with little schooling, and so I +seldom make so free as to pretend to read the Captain's orders." + +"But still you have your inclinations," said Mrs. Wyllys, firmly, as +though determined to push the investigation even further than her +companion had intended. + +"I can't say that I'm wanting in natural feeling, your Ladyship," returned +Fid, endeavouring to manifest his admiration of the sex, by the awkward +bow he made to the governess as its representative, "tho'f crosses and +mishaps have come athwart me as well as better men. I thought as strong a +splice was laid, between me and Kate Whiffle, as was ever turned into a +sheet-cable; but then came the law, with its regulations and shipping +articles, luffing short athwart my happiness, and making a wreck at once +of all the poor girl's hopes, and a Flemish account of my comfort." + +"It was proved that she had another husband?" said the Rover, nodding his +head, understandingly. + +"Four, your Honour. The girl had a love of company, and it grieved her to +the heart to see an empty house: But then, as it was seldom more than one +of us could be in port at a time, there was no such need to make the noise +they did about the trifle. But envy did it all, sir; envy, and the +greediness of the land-sharks. Had every woman in the parish as many +husbands as Kate, the devil a bit would they have taken up the precious +time of judge and jury, in looking into the manner in which a wench like +her kept a quiet household." + +"And, since that unfortunate repulse, you have kept yourself altogether +out of the hands of matrimony?" + +"Ay, ay; _since_, your Honour," returned Fid, giving his Commander another +of those droll looks, in which a peculiar cunning struggled with a more +direct and straight-going honesty, "_since_, as you say rightly, sir; +though they talked of a small matter of a bargain that I had made with +another woman, myself; but, in overhauling the affair, they found, that, +as the shipping articles with poor Kate wouldn't hold together, why, they +could make nothing at all of me; so I was white-washed like a queen's +parlour and sent adrift." + +"And all this occurred after your acquaintance with Mr Wilder?" + +"Afore, your Honour; afore. I was but a younker in the time of it, seeing +that it is four-and-twenty years, come May next, since I have been towing +at the stern of master Harry. But then, as I have had a sort of family of +my own, since that day, why, the less need, you know, to be birthing +myself again in any other man's hammock." + +"You were saying, it is four-and-twenty years," interrupted Mrs Wyllys, +"since you made the acquaintance of Mr Wilder?" + +"Acquaintance! Lord, my Lady, little did he know of acquaintances at that +time; though, bless him! the lad has had occasion to remember it often +enough since." + +"The meeting of two men, of so singular merit, must have been somewhat +remarkable," observed the Rover. + +"It was, for that matter, remarkable enough, your Honour; though, as to +the merit, notwithstanding master Harry is often for overhauling that part +of the account, I've set it down for just nothing at all." + +"I confess, that, in a case where two men, both of whom are so well +qualified to judge, are of different opinions, I feel at a loss to know +which can have the right. Perhaps, by the aid of the facts, I might form a +truer judgment." + +"Your Honour forgets the Guinea, who is altogether of my mind in the +matter, seeing no great merit in the thing either. But, as you are saying, +sir, reading the log is the only true way to know how fast a ship can go; +and so, if this Lady and your Honour have a mind to come at the truth of +the affair why, you have only to say as much, and I will put it all before +you in creditable language." + +"Ah! there is reason in your proposition," returned the Rover, motioning +to his companion to follow to a part of the poop where they were less +exposed to the observations of inquisitive eyes. "Now, place the whole +clearly before us; and then you may consider the merits of the question +disposed of definitively." + +Fid was far from discovering the smallest reluctance to enter on the +required detail; and, by the time he had cleared his throat, freshened his +supply of the weed, and otherwise disposed himself to proceed Mrs Wyllys +had so far conquered her reluctance to pry clandestinely into the secrets +of others, as to yield to a curiosity which she found unconquerable and to +take the seat to which her companion invited her by a gesture of his hand. + +"I was sent early to sea, your Honour, by my father," commenced Fid, after +these little preliminaries had been duly observed, "who was, like myself, +a man that passed more of his time on the water than on dry ground; +though, as he was nothing more than a fisherman, he generally kept the +land aboard which is, after all, little better than living on it +altogether Howsomever, when I went, I made a broad offing at once, +fetching up on the other side of the Horn, the very first passage I made; +which was no small journey for a new beginner; but then, as I was only +eight years old"---- + +"Eight! you are now speaking of yourself," interrupted the disappointed +governess. + +"Certain, Madam; and, though genteeler people might be talked of, it would +be hard to turn the conversation on any man who knows better how to rig or +how to strip a ship. I was beginning at the right end of my story; but, as +I fancied your Ladyship might not choose to waste time in hearing +concerning my father and mother, I cut the matter short, by striking in at +eight years old, overlooking all about my birth and name, and such other +matters as are usually logged, in a fashion out of all reason, in your +everyday sort of narratives." + +"Proceed," she rejoined, with a species of compelled resignation. + +"My mind is pretty much like a ship that is about to slip off its ways," +resumed Fid. "If she makes a fair start, and there is neither jam nor +dry-rub, smack see goes into the water, like a sail let run in a calm; +but, if she once brings up, a good deal of labour is to be gone through to +set her in motion again. Now, in order to wedge up my ideas, and to get +the story slushed, so that I can slip through it with ease, it is needful +to overrun the part which I have just let go; which is, how my father was +a fisherman, and how I doubled the Horn--Ah! here I have it again, clear +of kinks, fake above fake, like a well-coiled cable; so that I can pay it +out as easily as the boatswain's yeoman can lay his hand on a bit of +ratling stuff. Well, I doubled the Horn, as I was saying, and might have +been the matter of four years cruising about among the islands and seas of +those parts, which were none of the best known then, or for that matter, +now. After this, I served in his Majesty's fleet a whole war, and got as +much honour as I could stow beneath hatches. Well, then, I fell in with +the Guinea--the black, my Lady, that you see turning in a new +clue-garnet-block for the starboard clue of the fore-course." + +"Ay; then you fell in with the African," said the Rover. + +"Then we made our acquaintance; and, although his colour is no whiter than +the back of a whale, I care not who knows it, after master Harry, there is +no man living who has an honester way with him, or in whose company I take +greater satisfaction. To be sure, your Honour, the fellow is something +contradictory and has a great opinion of his strength and thinks his equal +is not to be found at a weather-earing or in the bunt of a topsail; but +then he is no better than a black, and one is not to be too particular in +looking into the faults of such as are not actually his fellow creatures." + +"No, no; that would be uncharitable in the extreme." + +"The very words the chaplain used to let fly aboard the 'Brunswick!' It is +a great thing to have schooling, your Honour; since, if it does nothing +else, it fits a man for a boatswain, and puts him in the track of steering +the shortest course to heaven. But, as I was saying, there was I and +Guinea shipmates and in a reasonable way friends, for five years more; and +then the time arrived when we met with the mishap of the wreck in the +West-Indies." + +"What wreck?" demanded his officer. + +"I beg your Honour's pardon; I never swing my head-yards till I'm sure +the ship won't luff back into the wind; and, before I tell the particulars +of the wreck, I will overrun my ideas, to see that nothing is forgotten +that should of right be first mentioned." + +The Rover, who saw, by the uneasy glances that she cast aside, and by the +expression of her countenance how impatient his companion was becoming for +a sequel that approached so tardily, and how much she dreaded an +interruption, made a significant sign to her to permit the straight-going +tar to take his own course, as the best means of coming at the facts they +both longed so much to hear. Left to himself, Fid soon took the necessary +review of the transactions, in his own quaint manner; and, having happily +found that nothing which he considered as germain to the present relation +was omitted, he proceeded at once to the more material, and what was to +his auditors by far the most interesting, portion of his narrative. + +"Well, as I was telling your Honour," he continued, "Guinea was then a +maintopman, and I was stationed in the same place aboard the 'Proserpine,' +a quick-going two-and-thirty, when we fell in with a bit of a smuggler, +between the islands and the Spanish Main; and so the Captain made a prize +of her, and ordered her into port; for which I have always supposed, as he +was a sensible man, he had his orders. But this is neither here nor there, +seeing that the craft had got to the end of her rope, and foundered in a +heavy hurricane that came over us, mayhap a couple of days' run to leeward +of our haven. Well, she was a small boat; and, as she took it into her +mind to roll over on her side before she went to sleep, the master's mate +in charge, and three others, slid off her decks to the bottom of the sea, +as I have always had reason to believe, never having heard any thing to +the contrary. It was here that Guinea first served me the good turn; for, +though we had often before shared hunger and thirst together, this was +the first time he ever jumped overboard to keep me from taking in salt +water like a fish." + +"He kept you from drowning with the rest?" + +"I'll not say just that much, your Honour; for there is no knowing what +lucky accident might have done the same good turn for me. Howsomever, +seeing that I can swim no better nor worse than a double-headed shot, I +have always been willing to give the black credit for as much, though +little has ever been said between us on the subject; for no other reason, +as I can see, than that settling-day has not yet come. Well, we contrived +to get the boat afloat, and enough into it to keep soul and body together, +and made the best of our way for the land, seeing that the cruise was, to +all useful purposes, over in that smuggler. I needn't be particular in +telling this lady of the nature of boat-duty, as she has lately had some +experience in that way herself; but I can tell her this much: Had it not +been for that boat in which the black and myself spent the better part of +ten days, she would have fared but badly in her own navigation." + +"Explain your meaning." + +"My meaning is plain enough, your Honour, which is, that little else than +the handy way of master Harry in a boat could have kept the Bristol +trader's launch above water, the day we fell in with it." + +"But in what manner was your own shipwreck connected with the safety of Mr +Wilder?" demanded the governess, unable any longer to await the dilatory +explanation of the prolix seaman. + +"In a very plain and natural fashion, my Lady, as you will say yourself, +when you come to hear the pitiful part of my tale. Well, there were I and +Guinea, rowing about in the ocean, on short allowance of all things but +work, for two nights and a day, heading-in for the islands; for, though no +great navigators, we could smell the land, and so we pulled away lustily, +when you consider it was a race in which life was the wager, until we +made, in the pride of the morning, as it might be here, at +east-and-by-south a ship under bare poles; if a vessel can be called bare +that had nothing better than the stumps of her three masts standing, and +they without rope or rag to tell one her rig or nation. Howsomever, as +there were three naked sticks left, I have always put her down for a +full-rigged ship; and, when we got nigh enough to take a look at her hull, +I made bold to say she was of English build." + +"You boarded her," observed the Rover. + +"A small task that, your Honour, since a starved dog was the whole crew +she could muster to keep us off. It was a solemn sight when we got on her +decks, and one that bears hard on my manhood," continued Fid, with an air +that grew more serious as he proceeded, "whenever I have occasion to +overhaul the log-book of memory." + +"You found her people suffering of want!" + +"We found a noble ship, as helpless as a halibut in a tub. There she lay, +a craft of some four hundred tons, water-logged, and motionless as a +church. It always gives me great reflection, sir, when I see a noble +vessel brought to such a strait; for one may liken her to a man who has +been docked of his fins, and who is getting to be good for little else +than to be set upon a cat-head to look out for squalls." + +"The ship was then deserted?" + +"Ay, the people had left her, sir, or had been washed away in the gust +that had laid her over. I never could come at the truth of them +particulars. The dog had been mischievous, I conclude, about the decks; +and so he had been lashed to a timber head, the which saved his life, +since, happily for him he found himself on the weather-side when the hull +righted a little, after her spars gave way. Well, sir there was the dog, +and not much else, as we could see, though we spent half a day in +rummaging round, in order to pick up any small matter that might be +useful; but then, as the entrance to the hold and cabin was full of water, +why, we made no great affair of the salvage, after all." + +"And then you left the wreck?" + +"Not yet, your Honour. While knocking about among the bits of rigging and +lumber above board, says Guinea, says he, 'Mister Dick, I hear some one +making their plaints below.' Now, I had heard the same noises myself, sir; +but had set them down as the spirits of the people moaning over their +losses, and had said nothing of the same, for fear of stirring up the +superstition of the black; for the best of them are no better than +superstitious niggers, my Lady; so I said nothing of what I had heard, +until he saw fit to broach the subject himself. Then we both turned-to to +listening with a will; and sure enough the groans began to take a human +sound. It was a good while, howsomever, before I could make up whether it +was any thing more than the complaining of the hulk itself; for you know, +my Lady, that a ship which is about to sink makes her lamentations just +like any other living thing." + +"I do, I do," returned the governess, shuddering. "I have heard them, and +never will my memory lose the recollection of the sounds." + +"Ay, I thought you might know something of the same, and solemn groans +they are: But, as the hulk kept rolling on the top of the sea, and no +further signs of her going down, I began to think it best to cut into her +abaft, in order to make sure that some miserable wretch had not been +caught in his hammock at the time she went over. Well, good will, and an +axe, soon let us into the secret of the moans." + +"You found a child?" + +"And its mother, my Lady. As good luck would have it, they were in a +birth on the weather-side and as yet the water had not reached them. But +pent air and hunger had nearly proved as bad as the brine. The lady was in +the agony when we got her out; and as to the boy, proud and strong as you +now see him there on yonder gun, my Lady, he was just so miserable, that +it was no small matter to make him swallow the drop of wine and water that +the Lord had left us, in order, as I have often thought since, to bring +him up to be, as he at this moment is, the pride of the ocean!" + +"But, the mother?" + +"The mother had given the only morsel of biscuit she had to the child, and +was dying, in order that the urchin might live. I never could get rightly +into the meaning of the thing, my Lady, why a woman, who is no better than +a Lascar in matters of strength, nor any better than a booby in respect of +courage, should be able to let go her hold of life in this quiet fashion, +when many a stout mariner would be fighting for each mouthful of air the +Lord might see fit to give. But there she was, white as the sail on which +the storm has long beaten, and limber as a pennant in a calm, with her +poor skinny arm around the lad, holding in her hand the very mouthful that +might have kept her own soul in the body a little longer." + +"What did she, when you brought her to the light?" + +"What did she!" repeated Fid, whose voice was getting thick and husky, +"why, she did a d----d honest thing; she gave the boy the crumb, and +motioned as well as a dying woman could, that we should have an eye over +him, till the cruise of life was up." + +"And was that all?" + +"I have always thought she prayed; for something passed between her and +one who was not to be seen, if a man might judge by the fashion in which +her eyes were turned aloft, and her lips moved. I hope, among others, she +put in a good word for one Richard Fid; for certain she had as little need +to be asking for herself as any body. But no man will ever know what she +said, seeing that her mouth was shut from that time for ever after." + +"She died!" + +"Sorry am I to say it. But the poor lady was past swallowing when she came +into our hands, and then it was but little we had to offer her. A quart of +water, with mayhap a gill of wine, a biscuit, and a handful of rice, was +no great allowance for two hearty men to pull a boat some seventy leagues +within the tropics. Howsomever, when we found no more was to be got from +the wreck, and that, since the air had escaped by the hole we had cut, she +was settling fast, we thought it best to get out of her: and sure enough +we were none too soon, seeing that she went under just as we had twitched +our jolly-boat clear of the suction." + +"And the boy--the poor deserted child!" exclaimed the governess, whose +eyes had now filled to over-flowing. + +"There you are all aback, my Lady. Instead of deserting him, we brought +him away with us, as we did the only other living creature to be found +about the wreck. But we had still a long journey before us, and, to make +the matter worse, we were out of the track of the traders. So I put it +down as a case for a council of all hands, which was no more than I and +the black, since the lad was too weak to talk and little could he have +said otherwise in our situation. So I begun myself, saying, says I, +'Guinea, we must eat either this here dog, or this here boy. If we eat the +boy, we shall be no better than the people in your own country, who, you +know, my Lady, are cannibals; but if we eat the dog, poor as he is we may +make out to keep soul and body together, and to give the child the other +matters.'--So Guinea, he says, says he, 'I've no occasion for food at all; +give 'em to the boy,' says he, 'seeing that he is little, and has need of +strength.' Howsomever, master Harry took no great fancy to the dog, which +we soon finished between us; for the plain reason that he was so thin. +After that, we had a hungry time of it ourselves; for, had we not kept up +the life in the lad, you know, it would have slipt through our fingers." + +"And you fed the child, though fasting yourselves?" + +"No, we wer'n't altogether idle, my Lady, seeing that we kept our teeth +jogging on the skin of the dog, though I will not say that the food was +over savoury. And then, as we had no occasion to lose time in eating, we +kept the oars going so much the livelier. Well, we got in at one of the +islands after a time, though neither I nor the nigger had much to boast of +as to strength or weight when we made the first kitchen we fell in with." + +"And the child?" + +"Oh! he was doing well enough; for, as the doctors afterwards told us, the +short allowance on which he was put did him no harm." + +"You sought his friends?" + +"Why, as for that matter, my Lady, so far as I have been able to discover, +he was with his best friends already. We had neither chart nor bearings by +which we knew how to steer in search of his family. His name he called +master Harry, by which it is clear he was a gentleman born, as indeed any +one may see by looking at him; but not another word could I learn of his +relations or country, except that, as he spoke the English language, and +was found in an English ship, there is a natural reason to believe he is +of English build himself." + +"Did you not learn the name of the ship?" demanded the attentive Rover, +in whose countenance the traces of a lively interest were very distinctly +discernible. + +"Why, as to that matter, your Honour, schools were scarce in my part of +the country; and in Africa, you know, there is no great matter of +learning; so that, had her name been out of water, which it was not, we +might have been bothered to read it. Howsomever, there was a horse-bucket +kicking about her decks, and which, as luck would have it, got jammed-in +with the pumps in such a fashion that it did not go overboard until we +took it with us. Well, this bucket had a name painted on it; and, after we +had leisure for the thing, I got Guinea, who has a natural turn at +tattooing, to rub it into my arm in gunpowder, as the handiest way of +logging these small particulars. Your Honour shall see what the black has +made of it." + +So saying, Fid very coolly doffed his jacket, and laid bare, to the elbow, +one of his brawny arms, on which the blue impression was still very +plainly visible Although the letters were rudely imitated, it was not +difficult to read, in the skin, the words "Ark, of Lynnhaven." + +"Here, then, you had a clue at once to find the relatives of the boy," +observed the Rover, after he had deciphered the letters. + +"It seems not, your Honour; for we took the child with us aboard the +'Proserpine,' and our worthy Captain carried sail hard after the people; +but no one could give any tidings of such a craft as the 'Ark, of +Lynnhaven;' and, after a twelvemonth, or more, we were obliged to give up +the chase." + +"Could the child give no account of his friends?" demanded the governess. + +"But little, my Lady; for the reason he knew but little about himself. So +we gave the matter over altogether; I, and Guinea, and the Captain, and +all of us, turning-to to educate the boy. He got his seamanship of the +black and myself, and mayhap some little of his manners also; and his +navigation and Latin of the Captain, who proved his friend till such a +time as he was able to take care of himself, and, for that matter, some +years afterwards." + +"And how long did Mr Wilder continue in a King's ship?" asked the Rover, +in a careless and apparently indifferent manner. + +"Long enough to learn all that is taught there, your Honour," was the +evasive reply. + +"He came to be an officer, I suppose?" + +"If he didn't, the King had the worst of the bargain.--But what is this I +see hereaway, atween the backstay and the vang? It looks like a sail; or +is it only a gull flapping his wings before he rises?" + +"Sail, ho!" called the look-out from the mast head. "Sail, ho!" was echoed +from a top and from the deck; the glittering though distant object having +struck a dozen vigilant eyes at the same instant. The Rover was compelled +to lend his attention to a summons so often repeated; and Fid profited by +the circumstance to quit the poop, with the hurry of one who was not sorry +for the interruption. Then the governess arose too, and, thoughtful and +melancholy she sought the privacy of her cabin. + + + +Chapter XXV. + + + + "Their preparation is to-day by sea." _--Anthony and Cleopatra._ + + +"Sail, ho!" in the little frequented sea in which the "Rover" lay, was a +cry that quickened every dull pulsation in the bosoms of her crew. Many +weeks had now, according to their method of calculation, been entirely +lost in the visionary and profitless plans of their chief. They were not +of a temper to reason on the fatality which had forced the Bristol trader +from their toils; it was enough, for their rough natures, that the rich +spoil had escaped them. Without examining for the causes of this loss, as +has been already seen, they had been but too well disposed to visit their +disappointment on the head of the innocent officer who was charged with +the care of a vessel that they already considered a prize. Here, then, was +at length an opportunity to repair their loss. The stranger was about to +encounter them in a part of the ocean where succour was nearly hopeless, +and where time might be afforded to profit, to the utmost, by any success +that the freebooters should obtain. Every man in the ship seemed sensible +of these advantages; and, as the words sounded from mast to yard, and from +yard to deck, they were taken up in cheerful echos from fifty mouths, +which repeated the cry, until it was heard issuing from the inmost +recesses of the vessel. + +The Rover himself manifested more than usual satisfaction at this prospect +of a capture. He was quite aware of the necessity of some brilliant or of +some profitable exploit, to curb the rising tempers of his men; and long +experience had taught him that he could ever draw the cords of discipline +the tightest in moments that appeared the most to require the exercise of +his own high courage and consummate skill. He walked forward, therefore, +among his people, with a countenance that was no longer buried in reserve, +speaking to several, whom he addressed by name, and of whom he did not +even disdain to ask opinions concerning the character of the distant sail. +When a sort of implied assurance that their recent offences were +overlooked had thus been given, he summoned Wilder, the General, and one +or two others of the superior officers, to the poop, where they all +disposed themselves, to make more particular and more certain observations, +by the aid of a half-dozen excellent glasses. + +Many minutes were now passed in silent and intense scrutiny. The day was +cloudless, the wind fresh, without being heavy, the sea long, even, and +far from high, and, in short, all things combined, as far as is ever seen +on the restless ocean, not only to aid their examination, but to favour +those subsequent evolutions which each instant rendered more probable +would become necessary. + +"It is a ship!" exclaimed the Rover, lowering his glass, the first to +proclaim the result of his long and close inspection. + +"It is a ship!" echoed the General, across whose disciplined features a +ray of something like animated satisfaction was making an effort to +display itself. + +"A full-rigged ship!" continued a third, relieving his eye in turn, and +answering to the grim smile of the soldier. + +"There must be something to hold up all those lofty spars," resumed their +Commander. "A hull of price is beneath.--But you say nothing, Mr Wilder! +You make her out"---- + +"A ship of size," returned our adventurer, who, though hitherto silent, +had been far from the least interested in his investigations. "Does my +glass deceive me--or"---- + +"Or what, sir?" + +"I see her to the heads of her courses." + +"You see her as I do. It is a tall ship on an easy bow-line, with every +thing set that will draw. And she is standing hitherward. Her lower sails +have lifted within five minutes." + +"I thought as much. But"---- + +"But what, sir? There can be little doubt but she is heading +north-and-east. Since she is so kind as to spare us the pains of a chase, +we will not hurry our movements. Let her come on. How like you the manner +of the stranger's advance, General?" + +"Unmilitary, but enticing! There is a look of the mines about her very +royals." + +"And you, gentlemen, do you also see the fashion of a galleon in her upper +sails?" + +"'Tis not unreasonable to believe it," answered one of the inferiors. "The +Dons are said to run this passage often, in order to escape speaking us +gentlemen, who sail with roving commissions." + +"Ah! your Don is a prince of the earth! There is charity in lightening his +golden burden, or the man would sink under it, as did the Roman matron +under the pressure of the Sabine shields. I think you see no such gilded +beauty in the stranger, Mr Wilder." + +"It is a heavy ship!" + +"The more likely to bear a noble freight. You are new, sir, to this merry +trade of ours, or you would know that size is a quality we always esteem +in our visitors. If they carry pennants, we leave them to meditate on the +many 'slips which exist between the cup and the lip;' and, if stored with +metal no more dangerous than that of Potosi, they generally sail the +faster after passing a few hours in our company." + +"Is not the stranger making signals?" demanded Wilder, thoughtfully. + +"Is he so quick to see us! A good look-out must be had, when a vessel, +that is merely steadied by her stay-sails, can be seen so far. Vigilance +is a never-failing sign of value!" + +A pause succeeded, during which all the glasses, in imitation of that of +Wilder, were again raised in the direction of the stranger. Different +opinions were given; some affirming, and some doubting, the fact of the +signals. The Rover himself was silent, though his observation was keen, +and long continued. + +"We have wearied oar eyes till sight is getting dim," he said. "I have +found the use of trying fresh organs when my own have refused to serve me. +Come hither, lad," he continued, addressing a man who was executing some +delicate job in seamanship on the poop, at no great distance from the spot +where the groupe of officers had placed themselves; "come hither: Tell me +what you make of the sail in the south-western board." + +The man proved to be Scipio, who had been chosen for his expertness, to +perform the task in question. Placing his cap on the deck, in a reverence +even deeper than that which the seaman usually manifests toward his +superior, he lifted the glass in one hand, while with the other he covered +the eye that had at the moment no occasion for the use of its vision. But +no sooner did the wandering instrument fall on the distant object, than he +dropped it again, and fastened his look, in a sort of stupid admiration, +on Wilder. + +"Did you see the sail?" demanded the Rover. + +"Masser can see him wid he naked eye." + +"Ay, but what make you of him by the aid of the glass?" + +"He'm ship, sir." + +"True. On what course?" + +"He got he starboard tacks aboard, sir." + +"Still true. But has he signals abroad?" + +"He'm got t'ree new cloths in he maintop-gallant royal, sir." + +"His vessel is all the better for the repairs. Did you see his flags?" + +"He'm show no flag, masser." + +"I thought as much myself. Go forward, lad--stay--one often gets a true +idea by seeking it where it is not thought to exist. Of what size do you +take the stranger to be?" + +"He'm just seven hundred and fifty tons, masser." + +"How's this! The tongue of your negro, Mr. Wilder, is as exact as a +carpenter's rule. The fellow speaks of the size of a vessel, that is hull +down, with an air as authoritative as a runner of the King's customs could +pronounce on the same, after she had been submitted to the office +admeasurement." + +"You will have consideration for the ignorance of the black; men of his +unfortunate state are seldom skilful in answering interrogatories." + +"Ignorance!" repeated the Rover, glancing his eye uneasily, and with a +rapidity peculiar to himself, from one to the other, and from both to the +rising object in the horizon: "Skilful! I know not: The man has no air of +doubt.--You think her tonnage to be precisely that which you have said?" + +The large dark eyes of Scipio roiled, in turn, from his new Commander to +his ancient master, while, for a moment, his faculties appeared to be lost +in inextricable confusion. But the uncertainty continued only for a +moment. He no sooner read the frown that was gathering deeply over the +brow of the latter, than the air of confidence with which he had +pronounced his former opinion vanished in a look of obstinacy so settled, +that one might well have despaired of ever driving, or enticing, him again +to seem to think. + +"I ask you, if the stranger may not be a dozen tons larger or smaller than +what you have named?" continued the Rover, when he found his former +question was not likely to be soon answered. + +"He'm just as masser wish 'em," returned Scipio. + +"I wish him a thousand; since he will then prove the richer prize." + +"I s'pose he'm quite a t'ousand, sir." + +"Or a snug ship of three hundred, if lined with gold, might do." + +"He look berry like a t'ree hundred." + +"To me it seems a brig." + +"I t'ink him brig too, masser." + +"Or possibly, after all, the stranger may prove a schooner, with many +lofty and light sails." + +"A schooner often carry a royal," returned the black, resolute to +acquiesce in all the other said. + +"Who knows it is a sail at all! Forward there! It may be well to have more +opinions than one on so weighty a matter. Forward there! send the +foretop-man that is called Fid upon the poop. Your companions are so +intelligent and so faithful, Mr. Wilder, that you are not to be surprised +if I shew an undue desire for their information." + +Wilder compressed his lips, and the rest of the groupe manifested a good +deal of amazement; but the latter had been too long accustomed to the +caprice of their Commander, and the former was too wise, to speak at a +moment when his humour seemed at the highest. The topman, however, was not +long in making his appearance, and then the chief saw fit again to break +the silence. + +"And you think it questionable whether it be a sail at all?" he continued. + +"He'm sartain nothing but a fly-away," returned the obstinate black. + +"You hear what your friend the negro says, master Fid; he thinks that +yonder object, which is lifting so fast to leeward, is not a sail." + +As the topman saw no sufficient reason for concealing his astonishment at +this wild opinion, it was manifested with all the embellishments with +which the individual in question usually set forth any of his more visible +emotions. After casting a short glance in the direction of the sail, in +order to assure himself there had been no deception, he turned his eyes in +great disgust on Scipio, as if he would vindicate the credit of the +association at the expense of some little contempt for the ignorance of +his companion. + +"What the devil do you take it for, Guinea? a church?" + +"I t'ink he'm church," responded the acquiescent black. + +"Lord help the dark-skinned fool! Your Honour knows that conscience is +d----nab-y overlooked in Africa, and will not judge the nigger hardly for +any little blunder he may make in the account of his religion. But the +fellow is a thorough seaman, and should know a top-gallant-sail from a +weathercock. Now, look you, S'ip, for the credit of your friends, if +you've no great pride on your own behalf, just tell his"---- + +"It is of no account," interrupted the Rover. "Take you this glass, and +pass an opinion on the sail in sight yourself." + +Fid scraped his foot, and made a low bow, in acknowledgment of the +compliment; and then, depositing his little tarpaulin hat on the deck of +the poop, he very composedly, and, as he flattered himself, very +understandingly, disposed of his person to take the desired view. The gaze +of the topman was far longer than had been that of his black companion; +and it is to be presumed, in consequence, much more accurate. Instead, +however, of venturing any sudden opinion, when his eye was wearied, he +lowered the glass, and with it his head, standing long in the attitude of +one whose thoughts had received some subject of deep cogitation. During +the process of thinking, the weed was diligently rolled over his tongue, +and one hand was stuck a-kimbo into his side, as if he would brace all his +faculties to support some extraordinary mental effort. + +"I wait your opinion," resumed his attentive Commander, when he thought +sufficient time had been allowed to mature the opinion even of Richard +Fid. + +"Will your Honour just tell me what day of the month this here may be, +and mayhap, at the same time, the day of the week too, if it shouldn't be +giving too much trouble?" + +His two questions were directly answered. + +"We had the wind at east-with-southing, the first day out, and then it +chopped in the night, and blew great guns at north-west, where it held for +the matter of a week. After which there was an Irishman's hurricane, right +up and down, for a day; then we got into these here trades, which have +stood as steady as a ship's chaplain over a punch bowl, ever since."---- + +Here the topman closed his soliloquy, in order to agitate the tobacco +again, it being impossible to conduct the process of chewing and talking +at one and the same time. + +"What of the stranger?" demanded the Rover, a little impatiently. + +"It's no church, that's certain, your Honour," said Fid, very decidedly. + +"Has he signals flying?" + +"He may be speaking with his flags, but it needs a better scholar than +Richard Fid to know what he would say. To my eye, there are three new +cloths in his main-top-gallant-royal, but no bunting abroad." + +"The man is happy in having so good a sail. Mr Wilder, do _you_ too see +the darker cloths in question?" + +"There is certainly something which might be taken for canvas newer than +the rest. I believe I first mistook the same, as the sun fell brightest on +the sail, for the signals I named." + +"Then we are not seen, and may lie quiet for a while, though we enjoy the +advantage of measuring the stranger, foot by foot--even to the new cloths +in his royal!" + +The Rover spoke in a tone that was strangely divided between sarcasm and +thought. He then made an impatient gesture to the seamen to quit the poop. +When they were alone, he turned to his silent and respectful officers, +continuing, in a manner that was grave, while it was conciliatory,---- + +"Gentlemen," he said, "our idle time is past, and fortune has at length +brought activity into our track. Whether the ship in sight be of just +seven hundred and fifty tons, is more than I can pretend to pronounce, but +something there is which any seaman may know. But the squareness of her +upper-yards, the symmetry with which they are trimmed, and the press of +canvass she bears on the wind, I pronounce her to be a vessel of war. Do +any differ from my opinion? Mr. Wilder, speak." + +"I feel the truth of all your reasons, and think with you." + +A shade of gloomy distrust, which had gathered over the brow of the Rover +during the foregoing scene, lighted a little as he listened to the direct +and frank avowal of his lieutenant. + +"You believe she bears a pennant? I like this manliness of reply. Then +comes another question. Shall we fight her?" + +To this interrogatory it was not so easy to give a decisive answer. Each +officer consulted the opinions of his comrades, in their eyes, until their +leader saw fit to make his application still more personal. + +"Now, General, this is a question peculiarly fitted for your wisdom," he +resumed: "Shall we give battle to a pennant? or shall we spread our wings, +and fly?" + +"My bullies are not drilled to the retreat. Give them any other work to +do, and I will answer for their steadiness." + +"But shall we venture, without a reason?" + +"The Spaniard often sends his bullion home under cover of a cruiser's +guns," observed one of the inferiors, who rarely found pleasure in any +risk that did not infer its correspondent benefit. "We may feel the +stranger; if he carries more than his guns, he will betray it by his +reluctance to speak, but if poor, we shall find him fierce as a half-fed +tiger." + +"There is sense in your counsel, Brace, and it shall be regarded. Go then, +gentlemen, to your several duties. We'll pass the half hour that may be +needed, before his hull shall rise, in looking to our gear, and +overhauling the guns. As it is not decided to fight, let what is done be +done without display. My people must see no receding from a resolution +taken." + +The groupe then separated, each man preparing to undertake the task that +more especially belonged to the situation that he filled in the ship. +Wilder was about to retire with the rest, but a significant sign drew him +to the side of his chief, who continued on the poop alone with his new +confederate. + +"The monotony of our lives is now likely to be interrupted, Mr Wilder," +commenced the former, first glancing his eye around, to make sure they +were alone. "I have seen enough of your spirit and steadiness, to be sure, +that, should accident disable me to conduct the fortunes of these people, +my authority will fall into firm and able hands." + +"Should such a calamity befall us, I hope it may be found that your +expectations shall not be deceived." + +"I have confidence, sir; and, where a brave man reposes his confidence, he +has a right to hope it will not be abused. I speak in reason." + +"I acknowledge the justice of your words." + +"I would, Wilder, that we had known each other earlier. But what matters +vain regrets! These fellows of yours are keen of sight to note those +cloths so soon!" + +"'Tis just the observation of people of their class. The nicer +distinctions which marked the cruiser came first from yourself!" + +"And then the 'seven hundred and fifty tons of the black!--It was giving +an opinion with great decision." + +"It is the quality of ignorance to be positive." + +"You say truly. Cast an eye at the stranger, and tell me how he comes on." + +Wilder obeyed, seemingly glad to be relieved from a discourse that he +might have found embarrassing. Many moments were passed before he dropped +the glass, during which time not a syllable fell from the lips of his +companion. When he turned, however, to deliver the result of his +observations, he met an eye, that seemed to pierce his soul, fastened on +his countenance. Colouring highly, as if he resented the suspicion +betrayed by the act, Wilder closed his half-open lips, and continued +silent. + +"And the ship?" deeply demanded the Rover. + +"The ship has already raised her courses; in a few more minutes we shall +see the hull." + +"It is a swift vessel! She is standing directly for us." + +"I think not. Her head is lying more at east." + +"It may be well to make certain of that fact. You are right," he +continued, after taking a look himself at the approaching cloud of canvas; +"you are very right. As yet we are not seen. Forward there! haul down that +head stay-sail; we will steady the ship by her yards. Now let him look +with all his eyes; they must be good to see these naked spars at such a +distance." + +Our adventurer made no reply, assenting to the truth of what the other had +said by a simple inclination of his head. They then resumed the walk to +and fro in their narrow limits, neither manifesting, however, any anxiety +to renew the discourse. + +"We are in good condition for the alternative of flight or combat," the +Rover at length observed, while he cast a rapid look over the preparations +which had been unostentatiously in progress from the moment when the +officers dispersed. "Now will I confess, Wilder, a secret pleasure in the +belief that yonder audacious fool carries the boasted commission of the +German who wears the Crown of Britain. Should he prove more than man may +dare attempt, I will flout him; though prudence shall check any further +attempts; and, should he prove an equal, would it not gladden your eyes to +see St. George come drooping to the water?" + +"I thought that men in our pursuit left honour to silly heads, and that we +seldom struck a blow that was not intended to ring on a metal more +precious than iron." + +"'Tis the character the world gives; but I, for one, would rather lower +the pride of the minions of King George than possess the power of +unlocking his treasury! Said I well, General?" he added, as the individual +he named approached; "said I well, in asserting there was glorious +pleasure in making a pennant trail upon the sea?" + +"We fight for victory," returned the martinet. "I am ready to engage at a +minute's notice." + +"Prompt and decided, as a soldier.--Now tell me, General, if Fortune, or +Chance, or Providence, whichever of the powers you may acknowledge for a +leader were to give you the option of enjoyments, in what would you find +your deepest satisfaction?" + +The soldier seemed to ruminate, ere he answered,---- + +"I have often thought, that, were I commander of things on earth, I +should, backed by a dozen of my stoutest bullies, charge at the door of +that cave which was entered by the tailor's boy, him they call Aladdin." + +"The genuine aspirations of a freebooter! In such case, the magic trees +would soon be disburdened of their fruit. Still it might prove an +inglorious victory, since incantations and charms are the weapons of the +combatants. Call you honour nothing?" + +"Hum! I fought for honour half of a reasonably long life, and found myself +as light at the close of all my dangers as at the beginning. Honour and I +have shaken hands, unless it be the honour of coming off conqueror. I have +a strong disgust of defeat, but am always ready to sell the mere honour of +the victory cheap." + +"Well, let it pass. The quality of the service is much the same, find the +motive where you will.--How now! who has dared to let yonder +top-gallant-sail fly?" + +The startling change in the voice of the Rover caused all within hearing +of his words to tremble. Deep, anxious, and threatening displeasure was in +all its tones, and each man cast his eyes upwards, to see on whose devoted +head the weight of the dreaded indignation of their chief was about to +fall. As there was little but naked spars and tightened ropes to obstruct +the view, all became, at the same instant, apprized of the truth. Fid was +standing on the head of that topmast which belonged to the particular +portion of the vessel where he was stationed, and the sail in question was +fluttering, with all its gear loosened far and high in the wind. His +hearing had probably been drowned by the heavy flapping of the canvas; +for, instead of lending his ears to the deep powerful call just mentioned, +he rather stood contemplating his work, than exhibiting any anxiety as to +the effect it might produce on the minds of those beneath him. But a +second warning came in tones too terrible to be any longer disregarded by +ears even as dull as those of the offender. + +"By whose order have you dared to loosen the sail?" demanded the Rover. + +"By the order of King Wind, your Honour. The best seaman must give in, +when a squall gets the upper hand." + +"Furl it! away aloft, and furl it!" shouted the excited leader. "Roll it +up; and send the fellow down who has been so bold as to own any authority +but my own in this ship, though it were that of a hurricane." + +A dozen nimble topmen ascended to the assistance of Fid. In another +minute, the unruly canvas was secured, and Richard himself was on his way +to the poop. During this brief interval, the brow of the Rover was dark +and angry as the surface of the element on which he lived, when blackened +by the tempest. Wilder, who had never before seen his new Commander thus +excited, began to tremble for the fate of his ancient comrade, and drew +nigher, as the latter approached, to intercede in his favour, should the +circumstances seem to require such an interposition. + +"And why is this?" the still stern and angry leader demanded of the +offender. "Why is it that you, whom I have had such recent reason to +applaud, should dare to let fly a sail, at a moment when it is important +to keep the ship naked?" + +"Your Honour will admit that his rations sometimes slips through the best +man's fingers, and why not a bit of canvas?" deliberately returned the +delinquent "If I took a turn too many of the gasket off the yard, it is a +fault I am ready to answer for." + +"You say true, and dearly shall you pay the forfeit Take him to the +gangway, and let him make acquaintance with the cat." + +"No new acquaintance, your Honour, seeing that we have met before, and +that, too, for matters which I had reason to hide my head for; whereas, +here, it may be many blows, and little shame." + +"May I intercede in behalf of the offender?" interrupted Wilder, with +earnestness and haste. "He is often blundering, but rarely would he err, +had he as much knowledge as good-will." + +"Say nothing about it, master Harry," returned the topman, with a peculiar +glance of his eye. "The sail has been flying finely, and it is now too +late to deny it: and so, I suppose, the fact must be scored on the back of +Richard Fid, as you would put any other misfortune into the log." + +"I would he might be pardoned. I can venture to promise, in his name, +'twill be the last offence"-- + +"Let it be forgotten," returned the Rover, struggling powerfully to +conquer his passion. "I will not disturb our harmony at such a moment, Mr +Wilder, by refusing so small a boon: but you need not be told to what evil +such negligence might lead. Give me the glass again; I will see if the +fluttering canvas has escaped the eye of the stranger." + +The topman bestowed a stolen but exulting glance on Wilder, and then the +latter motioned the other hastily away, turning himself to join his +Commander in the examination. + + + + +Chapter XXVI. + + + + "As I am an honest man, he looks pale: Art thou sick, or angry?" + + _Much ado about Nothing._ + + +The approach of the strange sail was becoming rapidly more and more +visible to the naked eye. The little speck of white, which had first been +seen on the margin of the sea, resembling some gull floating on the summit +of a wave, had gradually arisen during the last half hour, until a tall +pyramid of canvas was reared on the water. As Wilder bent his look again +on this growing object, the Rover put a glass into his hands, with an +expression of feature which the other understood to say, "You may perceive +that the carelessness of your dependant has already betrayed us!" Still +the look was one rather of regret than of reproach; nor did a single +syllable of the tongue confirm the meaning language of the eye. On the +contrary, it would seem that his Commander was anxious to preserve their +recent amicable compact inviolate; for, when the young mariner attempted +an awkward explanation of the probable causes of the blunder of Fid, he +was met by a quiet gesture, which said, in a sufficiently intelligible +language, that the offence was already pardoned. + +"Our neighbour keeps a good look-out, as you may see," observed the other. +"He has tacked, and is laying boldly up across our fore-foot. Well, let +him come on; we shall soon get a look at his battery, and then may we come +to our conclusion as to the nature of the intercourse we are to hold." + +"If you permit the stranger to near us, it might be difficult to throw him +off the chase, should we be glad to get rid of him." + +"It must be a fast-going vessel to which the 'Dolphin' cannot spare a +top-gallant-sail." + +"I know not, sir. The sail in sight is swift on the wind, and it is to be +believed that she is no duller off. I have rarely known a vessel rise so +rapidly as she has done since first we made her." + +The youth spoke with such earnestness, as to draw the attention of his +companion from the object he was studying to the countenance of the +speaker. + +"Mr Wilder," he said quickly, and with an air of decision, "you know the +ship?" + +"I'll not deny it. If my opinion be true, she will be found too heavy for +the 'Dolphin,' and a vessel that offers little inducement for us to +attempt to carry." + +"Her size?" + +"You heard it from the black." + +"Your followers know her also?" + +"It would be difficult to deceive a topman in the cut and trim of sails +among which he has passed months, nay years." + +"I understand the 'new cloths' in her top-gallant-royal! Mr Wilder, your +departure from that vessel has been recent?" + +"As my arrival in this." + +The Rover continued silent for several minutes communing with his own +thoughts. His companion made no offer to disturb his meditations; though +the furtive glances, he often cast in the direction of the other's musing +eye, betrayed some little anxiety to learn the result of his +self-communication. + +"And her guns?" at length his Commander abruptly demanded. + +"She numbers four more than the 'Dolphin.'" + +"The metal?" + +"Is still heavier. In every particular is she a ship a size above your +own." + +"Doubtless she is the property of the King?" + +"She is." + +"Then shall she change her masters. By heaven she shall be mine!" + +Wilder shook his head, answering only with an incredulous smile. + +"You doubt it," resumed the Rover. "Come hither, and look upon that deck. +Can he whom you so lately quitted muster fellows like these, to do his +biddings?" + +The crew of the 'Dolphin' had been chosen, by one who thoroughly +understood the character of a seaman, from among all the different people +of the Christian world. There was not a maritime nation in Europe which +had not its representative among; that band of turbulent and desperate +spirits. Even the descendant of the aboriginal possessors of America had +been made to abandon the habits and opinions of his progenitors, to become +a wanderer on that element which had laved the shores of his native land +for ages, without exciting a wish to penetrate its mysteries in the +bosoms of his simple-minded ancestry. All had been suited, by lives of +wild adventure, on the two elements, for their present lawless pursuits +and, directed by the mind which had known how to obtain and to continue +its despotic ascendancy over their efforts, they truly formed a most +dangerous and (considering their numbers) resistless crew. Their Commander +smiled in exultation, as he watched the evident reflection with which his +companion contemplated the indifference, or fierce joy, which different +individuals among them exhibited at the appearance of an approaching +conflict. Even the rawest of their numbers, the luckless waisters and +after-guard, were apparently as confident of victory as those whose +audacity might plead the apology of uniform and often repeated success. + +"Count you these for nothing?" asked the Rover, at the elbow of his +lieutenant, after allowing him time to embrace the whole of the grim band +with his eye. "See! here is a Dane, ponderous and steady as the gun at +which I shall shortly place him. You may cut him limb from limb, and yet +will he stand like a tower, until the last stone of the foundation has +been sapped. And, here, we have his neighbours, the, Swede and the Russ, +fit companions for managing the same piece; which, I'll answer, shall not +be silent, while a man of them all is left to apply a match, or handle a +sponge. Yonder is a square-built athletic mariner, from one of the Free +Towns. He prefers our liberty to that of his native city; and you shall +find that the venerable Hanseatic institutions shall give way sooner than +he be known to quit the spot I give him to defend. Here, you see a brace +of Englishmen; and, though they come from the island that I love so +little, better men at need will not be often found. Feed them, and flog +them, and I pledge myself to their swaggering, and their courage. D'ye see +that thought ful-looking, bony miscreant, that has a look of godliness in +the midst of all his villany? That fellow fish'd for herring till he got a +taste of beef, when his stomach revolted at its ancient fare; and then the +ambition of becoming rich got uppermost. He is a Scot, from one of the +lochs of the North." + +"Will he fight?" + +"For money--the honour of the Macs--and his religion. He is a reasoning +fellow, after all: and I like to have him on my own side in a quarrel. Ah! +yonder is the boy for a charge. I once told him to cut a rope in a hurry, +and he severed it above his head, instead of beneath his feet, taking a +flight from a lower yard into the sea, as a reward for the exploit. But, +then, he always extols his presence of mind in not drowning! Now are his +ideas in a hot ferment; and, if the truth could be known, I would wager a +handsome venture, that the sail in sight is, by some mysterious process, +magnified to six in his fertile fancy." + +"He must be thinking, then, of escape." + +"Far from it; he is rather plotting the means of surrounding them with the +'Dolphin.' To your true Hibernian, escape is the last idea that gives him +an uneasy moment. You see the pensive-looking, sallow mortal, at his +elbow. That is a man who will fight with a sort of sentiment. There is a +touch of chivalry in him, which might be worked into heroism if one had +but the opportunity and the inclination. As it is, he will not fail to +show a spark of the true Castilian. His companion has come from the Rock +of Lisbon; I should trust him unwillingly, did I not know that little +opportunity of taking pay from the enemy is given here. Ah! here is a lad +for a dance of a Sunday. You see him, at this moment, with foot and tongue +going together. That is a creature of contradictions. He wants for neither +wit nor good-nature, but still he might cut your throat on an occasion. +There is a strange medley of ferocity and bonhommie about the animal. I +shall put him among the boarders; for we shall not be at blows a minute +before his impatience will be for carrying every thing by a coup-de-main." + +"And who is the seaman at his elbow, that apparently is occupied in +divesting his person of some superfluous garments?" demanded Wilder, +irresistibly attracted, by the manner of the Rover, to pursue the subject. + +"An economical Dutchman. He calculates that it is just as wise to be +killed in an old jacket as in a new one; and has probably said as much to +his Gascon neighbour, who is, however, resolved to die decently, if die he +must. The former has happily commenced his preparations for the combat in +good season, or the enemy might defeat us before he would be in readiness. +Did it rest between these two worthies to decide this quarrel, the +mercurial Frenchman would defeat his neighbour of Holland, before the +latter believed the battle had commenced; but, should he let the happy +moment pass, rely on it, the Dutchman would give him trouble. Forget you, +Wilder, that the day has been when the countrymen of that slow-moving and +heavy-moulded fellow swept the narrow seas with a broom at their +mast-heads?" + +The Rover smiled wildly as he spoke, and what he said he uttered with +bitter emphasis. To his companion however, there appeared no such grounds +of unnatural exultation, in recalling the success of a foreign enemy, and +he was content to assent to the truth of the historical fact with a simple +inclination of his head. As if he even found pain in this confession, and +would gladly be rid of the mortifying reflection altogether, he rejoined, +in some apparent haste,-- + +"You have overlooked the two tall seamen, who are making out the rig of +the stranger with so much gravity of observation." + +"Ay, those are men that came from a land in which we both feel some +interest. The sea is not more unstable than are those rogues in their +knavery. Their minds are but half made up to piracy.--'Tis a coarse word, +Mr Wilder, but I fear we earn it. But these rascals make a reservation of +grace in the midst of all their villainy." + +"They regard the stranger as if they saw reason to distrust the wisdom of +letting him approach so near." + +"Ah! they are renowned calculators. I fear they have detected the four +supernumerary guns you mentioned; for their vision seems supernatural in +affairs which touch their interests. But you see there is brawn and sinew +in the fellows; and, what is better, there are heads which teach them to +turn those advantages to account." + +"You think they fail in spirit?" + +"Hum! It might be dangerous to try it on any point they deemed material. +They are no quarrellers about words, and seldom lose sight of certain +musty maxims, which they pretend come from a volume that I fear you and I +do not study too intently. It is not often that they strike a blow for +mere chivalry; and, were they so inclined, the rogues are too much +disposed to logic, to mistake, like your black, the 'Dolphin' for a +church. Still, if they see reason, in their puissant judgments, to engage, +mark me, the two guns they command will do better service than all the +rest of the battery. But, should they think otherwise, it would occasion +no surprise were I to receive a proposition to spare the powder for some +more profitable adventure. Honour, forsooth! the miscreants are too well +grounded in polemics to mistake the point of honour in a pursuit like +ours. But we chatter of trifles, when it is time to think of serious +things. Mr Wilder, we will now show our canvas." + +The manner of the Rover changed as suddenly as his language. Losing the +air of sarcastic levity in which he had been indulging, in a mien better +suited to maintain the authority he wielded, he walked aside, while his +subordinate proceeded to issue the orders necessary to enforce his +commands. Nightingale sounded the usual summons, lifting his hoarse voice +in the cry of "All hands make sail, ahoy!" + +Until now, the people of the "Dolphin" had made their observations on the +sail, that was growing so rapidly above the waters, according to their +several humours. Some had exulted in the prospect of a capture; others, +more practised in the ways of their Commander, had deemed the probability +of their coming in collision at all with the stranger a point far from +settled; while a few, more accustomed to reflection, shook their heads as +the stranger drew nigher, as if they believed he was already within a +distance that might be attended with too much hazard. Still, as they were +ignorant alike of those secret sources of information which the chief had +so frequently proved he possessed, to an extent that often seemed +miraculous, the whole were content patiently to await his decision. But, +when the cry above mentioned was heard, it was answered by an activity so +general and so cheerful, as to prove it was entirely welcome. Order now +followed order in quick succession, from the mouth of Wilder, who, in +virtue of his station, was the proper executive officer for the moment. + +As both lieutenant and crew appeared animated by the same spirit, it was +not long before the naked spars of the "Dolphin" were clothed in vast +volumes of spotless snow-white canvas. Sail had fallen after sail, and +yard after yard had been raised to the summit of its mast, until the +vessel bowed before the breeze, rolling to and fro, but still held +stationary by the position of her yards. When all was in readiness to +proceed, on whichever course might be deemed necessary, Wilder ascended +again to the poop, in order to announce the fact to his superior. He found +the Rover attentively considering the stranger, whose hull had by this +time risen out of the sea, and exhibited a long, dotted, yellow line, +which the eye of every man in the ship well knew to contain the ports +whence the guns that marked her particular force were made to issue. Mrs +Wyllys, accompanied by Gertrude, stood nigh, thoughtful, as usual, but +permitting no occurrence of the slightest moment to escape her vigilance. + +"We are ready to gather way on the ship," said Wilder; "we wait merely for +the course." + +The Rover started, and drew closer to his subordinate before he gave an +answer. Then, looking him full and intently in the eye, he demanded,-- + +"You are certain that you know yon vessel, Mr Wilder?" + +"Certain," was the calm reply. + +"It is a royal cruiser," said the governess, with the swiftness of +thought. + +"It is. I have already pronounced her to be so." + +"Mr Wilder," resumed the Rover, "we will try her speed. Let the courses +fall, and fill your forward sails." + +The young mariner made an acknowledgment of obedience, and proceeded to +execute the wishes of his Commander. There was an eagerness, and perhaps a +trepidation, in the voice of Wilder, as he issued the necessary orders, +that was in remarkable contrast to the deep-toned calmness which +characterized the utterance of the Rover. The unusual intonations did not +entirely escape the ears of some of the elder seamen; and looks of +peculiar meaning were exchanged among them, as they paused to catch his +words. But obedience followed these unwonted sounds, as it had been +accustomed to succeed the more imposing utterance of their own +long-dreaded chief. The head-yards were swung, the sails were distended +with the breeze, and the mass, which had so long been inert, began to +divide the waters, as it heavily overcame the state of rest in which it +had reposed. The ship soon attained its velocity; and then the contest +between the two rival vessels became one of deep and engrossing interest. + +By this time the stranger was within a half league, directly under the lee +of the "Dolphin." Closer and more accurate observation had satisfied every +understanding eye in the latter ship of the force and character of their +neighbour. The rays of a bright sun fell clear upon her broadside, while +the shadow of her sails was thrown far across the waters, in a direction +opposite to their own. There were moments when the eye, aided by the +glass, could penetrate through the open ports into the interior of the +hull, catching fleeting and delusory glimpses of the movements within. A +few human forms were distinctly visible in different parts of her rigging; +but, in all other respects, the repose of high order and perfect +discipline was discernible on all about her. + +When the Rover heard the sounds of the parted waters, and saw the little +jets of spray that the bows of his own gallant ship cast before her, he +signed to his lieutenant to ascend to the place which he still occupied on +the poop. For many minutes, his eye was on the strange sail, in close and +intelligent contemplation of her powers. + +"Mr Wilder," he at length said, speaking like one whose doubts on some +perplexing point were finally removed, "I have seen that cruiser before." + +"It is probable; she has roamed over most of the waters of the Atlantic." + +"Ay, this is not the first of our meetings! a little paint has changed her +exterior, but I think I know the manner in which they have stepped her +masts." + +"They are thought to rake more than is usual." + +"They are thought to do it, with reason. Did you serve long aboard her?" + +"Years." + +"And you left her"---- + +"To join you." + +"Tell me, Wilder, did they treat you, too, as one of an inferior order? +Ha! was your merit called 'provincial?' Did they read America in all you +did?" + +"I left her, Captain Heidegger." + +"Ay, they gave you reason. For once they have done me an act of kindness. +But you were in her during the equinox of March?" + +Wilder made a slight bow of assent. + +"I thought as much. And you fought a stranger in the gale? Winds, ocean, +and man were all at work together." + +"It is true. We knew you, and thought for a time that your hour had come." + +"I like your frankness. We have sought each other's lives like men, and we +shall prove the truer friends, now that amity is established between us. I +will not ask you further of that adventure, Wilder; for favour, in my +service, is not to be bought by treachery to that you have quitted. It is +sufficient that you now sail under my flag." + +"What is that flag?" demanded a mild but firm voice, at his elbow. + +The Rover turned suddenly, and again met the riveted, calm, and searching +eye of the governess. The gleamings of some strangely contradictory +passions crossed his features, and then his whole countenance changed to +that look of bland courtesy which he most affected when addressing his +captives. + +"Here speaks a female, to remind two mariners of their duty!" he +exclaimed. "We have forgotten the civility of showing the stranger our +bunting. Let it be set, Mr Wilder, that we may omit none of the +observances of nautical etiquette." + +"The ship in sight carries a naked gaft." + +"No matter; we shall be foremost in courtesy, Let the colours be shown." + +Wilder opened the little locker which contained the flags most in use, but +hesitated which to select, out of a dozen that lay in large rolls within +the different compartments. + +"I hardly know which of these ensigns it is your pleasure to show," he +said, in a manner that appeared sufficiently like putting a question. + +"Try him with the heavy-moulded Dutchman. The Commander of so noble a ship +should understand all Christian tongues." + +The lieutenant made a sign to the quarter-master on duty; and, in another +minute, the flag of the United Provinces was waving at the peak of the +"Dolphin." The two officers narrowly watched its effect on the stranger, +who refused, however, to make any answering sign to the false signal they +had just exhibited. + +"The stranger sees we have a hull that was never made for the shoals of +Holland. Perhaps he knows us?" said the Rover, glancing at the same time a +look of inquiry at his companion. + +"I think not. Paint is too freely used in the 'Dolphin,' for even her +friends to be certain of her countenance." + +"She is a coquettish ship, we will allow," returned the Rover, smiling. +"Try him with the Portuguese: Let us see if Brazil diamonds have favour in +his eyes." + +The colours already set were lowered, and, in their place, the emblem of +the house of Braganza was loosened to the breeze. Still the stranger +pursued his course in sullen inattention, eating closer and closer to the +wind, as it is termed in nautical language, in order to lessen the +distance between him and his chase as much as possible. + +"An ally cannot move him," said the Rover "Now let him see the taunting +drapeau blanc." + +Wilder complied in silence. The flag of Portugal was hauled to the deck, +and the white field of France was given to the air. The ensign had hardly +fluttered in its elevated position, before a broad glossy blazonry, rose, +like some enormous bird taking wing from the deck of the stranger, and +opened its folds in graceful waves at his gaft. The same instant, a column +of smoke issued from his bows, and had sailed backward through his +rigging, ere the report of the gun of defiance found its way, against the +fresh breeze of the trades, to the ears of the "Dolphin's" crew. + +"So much for national amity!" dryly observed the Rover. "He is mute to the +Dutchman, and to the crown of Braganza; but the very bile is stirred +within him at the sight of a table-cloth! Let him contemplate the colours +he loves so little, Mr Wilder when we are tired of showing them, our +lockers may furnish another." + +It would seem, however, that the sight of the flag; which the Rover now +chose to bear, produced some such effect on his neighbour as the moleta of +the nimble banderillo is known to excite in the enraged bull. Sundry +smaller sails, which could do but little good, but which answered the +purpose of appearing to wish to quicken his speed, were instantly set +aboard the stranger; and not a brace, or a bow-line, was suffered to +escape without an additional pull. In short, he wore the air of the +courser who receives the useless blows of the jockey, when already at the +top of his speed, and when any further excitement is as fruitless as his +own additional exertions. Still there seemed but little need of such +supererogatory efforts. By this time, the two vessels were fairly trying +there powers of sailing, and with no visible advantage in favour of +either. Although the "Dolphin" was renowned for her speed, the stranger +manifested no inferiority that the keenest scrutiny might detect. The ship +of the freebooter was already bending to the breeze, and the jets of spray +before her were cast still higher and further in advance; but each impulse +of the wind was equally felt by the stranger, and her movement over the +heaving waters seemed to be as rapid and as graceful as that of her rival. + +"Yon ship parts the water as a swallow cuts the air," observed the chief +of the freebooters to the youth, who still kept at his elbow, endeavouring +to conceal an uneasiness which was increasing at each instant. "Has she a +name for speed?" + +"The curlew is scarcely faster. Are we not already nigh enough, for men +who cruise with commissions no better than our own pleasure?" + +The Rover glanced a look of impatient suspicion at the countenance of his +companion; but its expression changed to a smile of haughty audacity, as +he answered,-- + +"Let him equal the eagle in his highest and swiftest flight, he shall find +us no laggards on the wing! Why this reluctance to be within a mile of a +vessel of the Crown?" + +"Because I know her force, and the hopeless character of a contest with an +enemy so superior," returned Wilder, firmly. "Captain Heidegger, you +cannot fight yon ship with success; and, unless instant use be made of the +distance which still exists between us, you cannot escape her. Indeed, I +know not but it is already too late to attempt the latter." + +"Such, sir, is the opinion of one who overrates the powers of his enemy, +because use, and much talking, have taught him to reverence it as +something more than human. Mr Wilder, none are so daring or so modest, as +those who have long been accustomed to place their dependence on their +own exertions. I have been nigher to a flag even, and yet you see I +continue to keep on this mortal coil." + +"Hark! 'Tis a drum. The stranger is going to his guns." + +The Rover listened a moment, and was able to catch the well-known beat +which calls the people of a vessel of war to quarters. First casting a +glance upward at his sails, and then throwing a general and critical look +on all and every thing which came within the influence of his command, he +calmly answered,-- + +"We will imitate his example, Mr Wilder. Let the order be given." + +Until now, the crew of the "Dolphin" had either been occupied in such +necessary duties as had been assigned them, or were engaged in gazing with +curious eyes at the ship which so eagerly sought to draw as near as +possible to their own dangerous vessel. The low but continued hum of +voices, sounds such alone as discipline permitted, had afforded the only +evidence of the interest they took in the scene; but, the instant the +first tap on the drum was heard, each groupe severed, and every man +repaired, with bustling activity, to his well-known station. The stir +among the crew was but of a moment's continuance, and it was succeeded by +the breathing stillness which has already been noticed in our pages on a +similar occasion. The officers, however, were seen making hasty, but +strict, inquiries into the conditions of their several commands; while the +munitions of war, that were quickly drawn from their places of deposit, +announced a preparation more serious than ordinary. The Rover himself had +disappeared; but it was not long before he was again seen at his elevated +look-out accoutred for the conflict that appeared to approach, employed, +as ever, in studying the properties, the force, and the evolutions of his +advancing antagonist. Those who knew him best, however, said that the +question of combat was not yet decided in his mind; and hundreds of eager +glances were thrown in the direction of his contracting eye, as if to +penetrate the mystery in which he still chose to conceal his purpose. He +had thrown aside the sea-cap, and stood with the fair hair blowing about a +brow that seemed formed to give birth to thoughts far nobler than those +which apparently had occupied his life, while a species of leathern helmet +lay at his feet, the garniture of which was of a nature to lend an +unnatural fierceness to the countenance of its wearer. Whenever this +boarding-cap was worn, all in the ship were given to understand that the +moment of serious strife was at hand; but, as yet, that never-failing +evidence of the hostile intention of their leader was unnoticed. + +In the mean time, each officer had examined into, and reported, the state +of his division; and then, by a sort of implied permission on the part of +their superiors, the death-like calm, which had hitherto reigned among the +people, was allowed to be broken by suppressed but earnest discourse; the +calculating chief permitting this departure from the usual rules of more +regular cruisers, in order to come at the temper of the crew, on which so +much of the success of his desperate enterprises so frequently depended. + + + + +Chapter XXVII. + + + + ----"For he made me mad, + To see him shine so brisk, and smell so sweet, + And talk so like a waiting gentlewoman."---- + + _King Henry IV_ + + +The moment was now one of high and earnest excitement. Each individual, +who was charged with a portion of the subordinate authority of the ship, +had examined into the state of his command, with that engrossing care +which always deepens as responsibility draws nigher to the proofs of its +being worthily bestowed. The voice of the harsh master had ceased to +inquire into the state of those several ropes and chains that were deemed +vital to the safety of the vessel; each chief of a battery had assured and +re-assured himself that his artillery was ready for instant, and the most +effective, service; extra ammunition had already issued from its dark and +secret repository; and even the hum of dialogue had ceased, in the more +engrossing and all-absorbing interest of the scene. Still the quick and +ever-changing glance of the Rover could detect no reason to distrust the +firmness of his people. They were grave, as are ever the bravest and +steadiest in the hour of trial; but their gravity was mingled with no +signs of concern. It seemed rather like the effect of desperate and +concentrated resolution, such as braces the human mind to efforts which +exceed the ordinary daring of martial enterprise. To this cheering +exhibition of the humour of his crew the wary and sagacious leader saw but +three exceptions; they were found in the persons of his lieutenant and his +two remarkable associates. + +It has been seen that the bearing of Wilder was not altogether such as +became one of his rank in a moment of great trial. The keen, jealous +glances of the Rover had studied and re-studied his manner, without +arriving at any satisfactory conclusion as to its real cause. The colour +was as fresh on the cheeks of the youth, and his limbs were as firm as in +the hours of entire security; but the unsettled wandering of his eye, and +an air of doubt and indecision which pervaded a mien that ought to display +qualities so opposite, gave his Commander cause for deep reflection. As if +to find an explanation of the enigma in the deportment of the associates +of Wilder, his look sought the persons of Fid and the negro. They were +both stationed at the piece nearest to the place he himself occupied, the +former filling the station of captain of the gun. + +The ribs of the ship itself were not firmer in their places than was the +attitude of the topman, as he occasionally squinted along the massive iron +tube over which he was placed in command; nor was that familiar and +paternal care, which distinguishes the seaman's interest in his particular +trust, wanting in his manner. Still, an air of broad and inexplicable +surprise had possession of his rugged lineaments; and ever, as his look +wandered from the countenance of Wilder to their adversary, it was not +difficult to discover that he marvelled to find the two in opposition. He +neither commented on, nor complained, however, of an occurrence he +evidently found so extraordinary, but appeared perfectly disposed to +pursue the spirit of that well-known maxim of the mariner which teaches +the obedient tar "to obey orders, though he break owners." Every portion +of the athletic form of the negro was motionless, except his eyes. These +large, jet-black orbs, however rolled incessantly, like the more dogmatic +organs of the topman, from Wilder to the strange sail, seeming to drink in +fresh draughts of astonishment at each new look. + +Struck by these evident manifestations of some extraordinary and yet +common sentiment between the two, the Rover profited by his own position, +and the distance of the lieutenant, to address them. Leaning over the +slight rail that separated the break of the poop from the quarter-deck, he +said, in that familiar manner which the Commander is most wont to use to +his inferiors when their services are becoming of the greatest +importance,-- + +"I hope, master Fid, they have put you at a gun that knows how to speak." + +"There is not a smoother bore, nor a wider mouth, in the ship, your +Honour, than these of 'Blazing Billy,'" returned the topman, giving the +subject of his commendations an affectionate slap. "All I ask is a clean +spunge and a tight wad. Guinea score a foul anchor, in your own fashion, +on a half dozen of the shot; and, after the matter is all over, they who +live through it may go aboard the enemy, and see in what manner Richard +Fid has planted his seed." + +"You are not new in action, master Fid?" + +"Lord bless your Honour! gunpowder is no more than dry tobacco in my +nostrils! tho'f I will say" + +"You were going to add"---- + +"That sometimes I find myself shifted over, in these here affairs," +returned the topman, glancing his eye first at the flag of France, and +then at the distant emblem of England, "like a jib-boom rigged, abaft, for +a jury to the spanker. I suppose master Harry has it all in his pocket, in +black and white; but this much I will say, that, if I must throw stones, I +should rather see them break a neighbour's crockery than that of my own +mother.--I say, Guinea, score a couple more of the shot; since, if the +play is to be acted, I've a mind the 'Blazing Billy' should do something +creditable for the honour of her good name." + +The Rover drew back, thoughtful and silent. He then caught a look from +Wilder, whom he again beckoned to approach. + +"Mr Wilder," he said, in a tone of kindness, "I comprehend your feelings. +All have not offended alike in yonder vessel, and you would rather your +service against that haughty flag should commence with some other ship. +There is little else but empty honour to be gained in the conflict--in +tenderness to your feelings, I will avoid it." + +"It is too late," said Wilder, with a melancholy shake of the head. + +"You shall see your error. The experiment may cost us a broadside, but it +shall succeed. Go, descend with our guests to a place of safety; and, by +the time you return, the scene shall have undergone a change." + +Wilder eagerly disappeared in the cabin, whither Mrs Wyllys had already +withdrawn; and, after communicating the intentions of his Commander to +avoid an action, he conducted them into the depths of the vessel, in order +that no casualty might arrive to imbitter his recollections of the hour. +This grateful duty promptly and solicitously performed, our adventurer +again sought the deck, with the velocity of thought. + +Notwithstanding his absence had seemed but of a moment, the scene had +indeed changed in all its hostile images. In place of the flag of France, +he found the ensign of England floating at the peak of the "Dolphin," and +a quick and intelligible exchange of lesser signals in active operation +between the two vessels. Of all that cloud of canvas which had so lately +borne down the vessel of the Rover, her top sails alone remained distended +to the yards; the remainder was hanging in festoons, and fluttering +loosely before a favourable breeze. The ship itself was running directly +for the stranger, who, in turn, was sullenly securing his lofty sails, +like one who was disappointed in a high-prized and expected object. + +"Now is yon fellow sorry to believe him a friend whom he had lately +supposed an enemy," said the Rover, directing the attention of his +lieutenant to the confiding manner with which their neighbour suffered +himself to be deceived by his surreptitiously obtained signals. "It is a +tempting offer; but I pass it, Wilder for your sake." + +The gaze of the lieutenant seemed bewildered, but he made no reply. +Indeed, but little time was given for deliberation or discourse. The +"Dolphin" rolled swiftly along her path, and each moment dissipated the +mist in which distance had enveloped the lesser objects on board the +stranger. Guns, blocks, ropes, bolts, men, and even features, became +plainly visible, in rapid succession, as the water that divided them was +parted by the bows of the lawless ship. In a few short minutes, the +stranger, having secured most of his lighter canvas, came sweeping up to +the wind; and then, as his after-sails, squared for the purpose, took the +breeze on their outer surface, the mass of his hull became stationary. + +The people of the "Dolphin" had so far imitated the confiding credulity of +the deceived cruiser of the Crown, as to furl all their loftiest duck, +each man employed in the service trusting implicitly to the discretion and +daring of the singular being whose pleasure it was to bring their ship +into so hazardous a proximity to a powerful enemy--qualities that had been +known to avail them in circumstances of even greater delicacy than those +in which they were now placed. With this air of audacious confidence, the +dreaded Rover came gliding down upon her unsuspecting neighbour, until +within a few hundred feet of her weather-beam, when she too, with a +graceful curve in her course, bore up against the breeze, and came to a +state of rest. But Wilder, who regarded all the movements of his superior +in silent amazement, was not slow in observing that the head of the +"Dolphin" was laid a different way from that of the other, and that her +progress had been arrested by the counteracting position of her +head-yards; a circumstance that afforded the advantage of a quicker +command of the ship, should need require a sudden recourse to the guns. + +The "Dolphin" was still drifting slowly under the last influence of her +recent motion, when the customary hoarse and nearly unintelligible summons +came over the water, demanding her appellation and character. The Rover +applied his trumpet to his lips, with a meaning glance that was directed +towards his lieutenant, and returned the name of a ship, in the service of +the King, that was known to be of the size and force of his own vessel. + +"Ay, ay," returned a voice from out of the other ship, "'twas so I made +out your signals." + +The hail was then reciprocated, and the name of the royal cruiser given in +return, followed by an invitation from her Commander, to his brother in +authority to visit his superior. + +Thus far, no more had occurred than was usual between seamen in the same +service; but the affair was rapidly arriving at a point that most men +would have found too embarrassing for further deception. Still the +observant eye of Wilder detected no hesitation or doubt in the manner of +his chief. The beat of the drum was heard from the cruiser, announcing the +"retreat from quarters;" and, with perfect composure, he directed the same +signal to be given for his own people to retire from their guns. In short, +five minutes established every appearance of entire confidence and amity +between two vessels which would have soon been at deadly strife, had the +true character of one been known to the other. In this state of the +doubtful game he played, and with the invitation still ringing in the +ears of Wilder, the Rover motioned his lieutenant to his side. + +"You hear that I am desired to visit my senior in the service of his +Majesty," he said, with a smile of irony playing about his scornful lip. +"Is it your pleasure to be of the party?" + +The start with which Wilder received this hardy proposal was far too +natural to proceed from any counterfeited emotion. + +"You are not so mad as to run the risk!" he exclaimed when words were at +command. + +"If you fear for yourself, I can go alone." + +"Fear!" echoed the youth, a bright flush giving an additional glow to the +flashing of his kindling eye. "It is not fear, Captain Heidegger, but +prudence, that tells me to keep concealed. My presence would betray the +character of this ship. You forget that I am known to all in yonder +cruiser." + +"I had indeed forgotten that portion of the plot. Then remain, while I go +to play upon the credulity of his Majesty's Captain." + +Without waiting for an answer, the Rover led the way below, signing for +his companion to follow. A few moments sufficed to arrange the fair golden +locks that imparted such a look of youth and vivacity to the countenance +of the former. The undress, fanciful frock he wore in common was exchanged +for the attire of one of his assumed rank and service, which had been made +to fit his person with the nicest care, and with perhaps a coxcomical +attention to the proportions of his really fine person; and in all other +things was he speedily equipped for the disguise he chose to affect. No +sooner were these alterations in his appearance completed, (and they were +effected with a brevity and readiness that manifested much practice in +similar artifices,) than he disposed himself to proceed on the intended +experiment. + +"Truer and quicker eyes have been deceived," he coolly observed, turning +his glance from a mirror to the countenance of his lieutenant, as he +spoke, "than those which embellish the countenance of Captain Bignall." + +"You know him, then?" + +"Mr Wilder, my business imposes the necessity of knowing much that other +men overlook. Now is this adventure, which, by your features, I perceive +you deem so forlorn in its hopes of success, one of easy achievement. I am +convinced that not an officer or man on board the 'Dart' has ever seen the +ship whose name I have chosen to usurp. She is too fresh from the stocks +to incur that risk. Then is there little probability that I, in my other +self, shall be compelled to acknowledge acquaintance with any of her +officers; for you well know that years have passed since your late ship +has been in Europe; and, by running your eye over these books, you will +perceive I am that favoured mortal, the son of a Lord, and have not only +grown into command, but into manhood, since her departure from home." + +"These are certainly favouring circumstances, and such as I had not the +sagacity to detect.--But why incur the risk at all?" + +"Why! Perhaps there is a deep-laid scheme to learn if the prize would +repay the loss of her capture; perhaps----it is my humour. There is +fearful excitement in the adventure." + +"And there is fearful danger." + +"I never count the price of these enjoyments.--Wilder," he added, turning +to him with a look of frank and courteous confidence, "I place life and +honour in your keeping; for to me it would be dishonour to desert the +interests of my crew." + +"The trust shall be respected," repeated our adventurer in a tone so deep +and choaked as to be nearly unintelligible. + +Regarding the still ingenuous countenance of his companion intently for +an instant, the Rover smiled as if he approved of the pledge, waved his +hand in adieu, and, turning, was about to leave the cabin but a third +form, at that moment, caught his wandering glance. Laying a hand lightly +on the shoulder of the boy, whose form was placed somewhat obtrusively in +his way, he demanded, a little sternly. + +"Roderick, what means this preparation?" + +"To follow my master to the boat." + +"Boy, thy service is not needed." + +"It is rarely wanted of late." + +"Why should I add unnecessarily to the risk of lives, where no good can +attend the hazard?" + +"In risking your own, you risk all to me," was the answer, given in a tone +so resigned, and yet so faltering that the tremulous and nearly smothered +sounds caught no ears but those for whom they were intended. + +The Rover for a time replied not. His hand still kept its place on the +shoulder of the boy, whose working features his riveted eye read, as the +organ is sometimes wont to endeavour to penetrate the mystery of the human +heart. + +"Roderick," he at length said, in a milder and a a kinder voice, "your lot +shall be mine; we go together." + +Then, dashing his hand hastily across his brow the wayward chief ascended +the ladder, attended by the lad, and followed by the individual in whose +faith he reposed so great a trust. The step with which the Rover trod his +deck was firm, and the bearing of his form as steady as though he felt no +hazard in his undertaking. His look passed, with a seaman's care, from +sail to sail; and not a brace, yard, or bow-line escaped the quick +understanding glances he cast about him, before he proceeded to the side, +in order to enter a boat which he had already ordered to be in waiting. A +glimmering of distrust and hesitation was now, for the first time, +discoverable through the haughty and bold decision of his features. For a +moment his foot lingered on the ladder. "Davis," he said sternly to the +individual whom, by his own experience he knew to be so long practised in +treachery "leave the boat. Send me the gruff captain of the forecastle in +his place. So bold a talker, in common, should know how to be silent at +need." + +The exchange was instantly made; for no one, there, was ever known to +dispute a mandate that was uttered with the air of authority he then wore. +A deeply intent attitude of thought succeeded, and then every shadow of +care vanished from that brow, on which a look of high and generous +confidence was seated, as he added,-- + +"Wilder, adieu! I leave you Captain of my people and master of my fate: +Certain I am that both trusts are reposed in worthy hands." + +Without waiting for reply, as if he scorned the vain ceremony of idle +assurances, he descended swiftly to the boat, which at the next instant +was pulling boldly towards the King's cruiser. The brief interval which +succeeded, between the departure of the adventurers and their arrival at +the hostile ship, was one of intense and absorbing suspense on the part of +all whom they had left behind. The individual most interested in the +event, however, betrayed neither in eye nor movement any of the anxiety +which so intently beset the minds of his followers. He mounted the side of +his enemy amid the honours due to his imaginary rank, with a +self-possession and ease that might readily have been mistaken, by those +who believe these fancied qualities have a real existence, for the grace +and dignity of lofty recollections and high birth. His reception, by the +honest veteran whose long and hard services had received but a meager +reward in the vessel he commanded, was frank, manly, and seaman-like. No +sooner had the usual greetings passed, than the latter conducted his guest +into his own apartments. + +"Find such a birth, Captain Howard, as suits your inclination," said the +unceremonious old seaman, seating himself as frankly as he invited his +companion to imitate his example. "A gentleman of your extraordinary merit +must be reluctant to lose time in useless words, though you are so +young--young for the pretty command it is your good fortune to enjoy!" + +"On the contrary, I do assure you I begin to feel myself quite an +antediluvian," returned the Rover coolly placing himself at the opposite +side of the table, where he might, from time to time, look his +half-disgusted companion full in the eye: "Would you imagine it, sir? I +shall have reached the age of three-and-twenty, if I live through the +day." + +"I had given you a few more years, young gentleman; but London can ripen +the human face as speedily as the Equator." + +"You never said truer words, sir. Of all cruising grounds, Heaven defend +me from that of St. James's! I do assure you, Bignall, the service is +quite sufficient to wear out the strongest constitution. There were +moments when I really thought I should have died that humble, disagreeable +mortal--a lieutenant!" + +"Your disease would then have been a galloping consumption!" muttered the +indignant old seaman. "They have sent you out in a pretty boat at last, +Captain Howard." + +"She's bearable, Bignall, but frightfully small. I told my father, that, +if the First Lord didn't speedily regenerate the service, by building more +comfortable vessels, the navy would get altogether into vulgar hands. +Don't you find the motion excessively annoying in these single-deck'd +ships, Bignall?" + +"When a man has been tossing up and down for five-and-forty years, +Captain Howard," returned his host, stroking his gray locks, for want of +some other manner of suppressing his ire, "he gets to be indifferent +whether his ship pitches a foot more or a foot less." + +"Ah! that, I dare say, is what one calls philosophical equanimity, though +little to my humour. But, after this cruise, I am to be posted; and then I +shall make interest for a guard-ship in the Thames; every thing goes by +interest now-a-days, you know, Big-nail." + +The honest old tar swallowed his displeasure as well as he could; and, as +the most effectual means of keeping himself in a condition to do credit to +his own hospitality, he hastened to change the subject. + +"I hope, among other new fashions, Captain Howard," he said, "the flag of +Old England continues to fly over the Admiralty. You wore the colours of +Louis so long this morning, that another half hour might have brought us +to loggerheads." + +"Oh! that was an excellent military ruse! I shall certainly write the +particulars of that deception home." + +"Do so; do so, sir; you may get knighthood for the exploit." + +"Horrible, Bignall! my Lady mother would faint at the suggestion. Nothing +so low has been in the family, I do assure you, since the time when +chivalry was genteel." + +"Well, well, Captain Howard, it was happy for us both that you got rid of +your Gallic humour so soon; for a little more time would have drawn a +broadside from me. By heavens, sir, the guns of this ship would have gone +off of themselves, in another five minutes!" + +"It is quite happy as it is.--What do you find to amuse you (yawning) in +this dull quarter of the world, Bignall?" + +"Why, sir, what between his Majesty's enemies, the care of my ship, and +the company of my officers, I find few heavy moments." + +"Ah! your officers: True, you _must_ have officers on board; though, I +suppose, they are a little oldish to be agreeable to _you_. Will you +favour me with a sight of the list?" + +The Commander of the 'Dart' did as he was requested, putting the +quarter-bill of his ship into the hands of his unknown enemy, with an eye +that was far too honest to condescend to bestow even a look on a being so +much despised. + +"What a list of thorough 'mouthers! All Yarmouth, and Plymouth, and +Portsmouth, and Exmouth names, I do affirm. Here are Smiths enough to do +the iron-work of the whole ship. Ha! here is a fellow that might do good +service in a deluge. Who may be this Henry Ark, that I find rated as your +first lieutenant?" + +"A youth who wants but a few drops of your blood, Captain Howard, to be +one day at the head of his Majesty's fleet." + +"If he be then so extraordinary for his merit, Captain Bignall, may I +presume on your politeness to ask him to favour us with his society. I +always give my lieutenant half an hour of a morning--if he be genteel." + +"Poor boy! God knows where he is to be found at this moment. The noble +fellow has embarked, of his own accord, on a most dangerous service, and I +am as ignorant as yourself of his success. Remonstrance and even +entreaties, were of no avail. The Admiral had great need of a suitable +agent, and the good of the nation demanded the risk; then, you know, men +of humble birth must earn their preferment in cruising elsewhere than at +St. James's; for the brave lad is indebted to a wreck, in which he was +found an infant, for the very name you find so singular." + +"He is, however, still borne upon your books as first lieutenant?" + +"And I hope ever will be, until he shall get the ship he so well +merits.--Good Heaven! are you ill Captain Howard? Boy, a tumbler of grog +here." + +"I thank you, sir," returned the Rover, smiling calmly, and rejecting the +offered beverage, as the blood returned into his features, with a violence +that threatened to break through the ordinary boundaries of its currents. +"It is no more than an ailing I inherit from my mother. We call it, in our +family, the 'de Vere ivory;' for no other reason, that I could ever learn, +than that one of my female ancestors was particularly startled, in a +delicate situation, you know, by an elephant's tooth. I am told it has +rather an amiable look, while it lasts." + +"It has the look of a man who is fitter for his mother's nursery than a +gale of wind. But I am glad it is so soon over." + +"No one wears the same face long now-a-days, Bignall.--And so this Mr Ark +is not any body, after all. + +"I know not what you call 'any body,' sir; but, if sterling courage, great +professional merit, and stern loyalty, count for any thing on your late +cruising grounds, Captain Howard, Henry Ark will soon be in command of a +frigate." + +"Perhaps, if one only knew exactly on what to found his claims," continued +the Rover, with a smile so kind, and a voice so insinuating, that they +half counteracted the effect of his assumed manner, "a word might be +dropped, in a letter home, that should do the youth no harm." + +"I would to Heaven I dare but reveal the nature of the service he is on!" +eagerly returned the warm-hearted old seaman, who was as quick to forget, +as he was sudden to feel, disgust. "You may, however, safely say, from his +general character, that it is honourable, hazardous, and has the entire +good of his Majesty's subjects in view. Indeed, an hour has scarcely gone +by since I thought that, it was completely successful.--Do you often set +your lofty sails, Captain Howard, while the heavier canvas is rolled upon +the yards? To me, a ship clothed in that style looks something like a man +with his coat on, before he has cased his legs in the lower garment." + +"You allude to the accident of my maintop-gallant-sail getting loose when +you first made me?" + +"I mean no other. We had caught a glimpse of your spars with the glass; +but had lost you altogether, when the flying duck met the eye of a +look-out. To say the least, it, was remarkable, and it might have proved +an awkward circumstance." + +"Ah! I often do things in that way, in order to be odd. It is a sign of +cleverness to be odd, you know.--But I, too, am sent into these seas on a +special errand." + +"Such as what?" bluntly demanded his companion with an uneasiness about +his frowning eye that he was far too simple-minded to conceal. + +"To look for a ship that will certainly give me a famous lift, should I +have the good luck to fall in with her. For some time, I took you for the +very gentle man I was in search of; and I do assure you, if your signals +had not been so very unexceptionable, something serious might have +happened between us." + +"And pray, sir, for whom did you take me?" + +"For no other than that notorious knave the Red Rover." + +"The devil you did! And do yon suppose, Captain Howard, there is a pirate +afloat who carries such hamper above his head as is to be found aboard the +Dart?' Such a set to her sails--such a step to her masts--and such a trim +to her hull? I hope, for the honour of your vessel, sir, that the mistake +went no further than the Captain?" + +"Until we got within leading distance of the signals, at least a moiety +of the better opinions in my ship was dead against you, Bignall, I give +you my declaration. You've really been so long from home, that the 'Dart' +is getting quite a roving look. You may not be sensible of it, but I +assure you of the fact merely as a friend." + +"And, perhaps, since you did me the honour to mistake my vessel for a +freebooter," returned the old tar, smothering his ire in a look of +facetious irony, which changed the expression of his mouth to a grim grin, +"you might have conceited this honest gentleman here to be no other than +Beelzebub." + +As he spoke, the Commander of the ship, which had borne so odious an +imputation, directed the eyes of his companion to the form of a third +individual, who had entered the cabin with the freedom of a privileged +person, but with a tread so light as to be inaudible. As this unexpected +form met the quick, impatient glance of the pretended officer of the +Crown, he arose involuntarily, and, for half a minute, that admirable +command of muscle and nerve, which had served him so well in maintaining +his masquerade, appeared entirely to desert him. The loss of +self-possession, however, was but for a time so short as to attract no +notice; and he coolly returned the salutations of an aged man, of a meek +and subdued look, with that air of blandness and courtesy which he so well +knew how to assume. + +"This gentleman is your chaplain, sir, I presume, by his clerical attire," +he said, after he had exchanged bows with the stranger. + +"He is, sir--a worthy and honest man, whom I am not ashamed to call my +friend. After a separation of thirty years, the Admiral has been good +enough to lend him to me for the cruise; and, though my ship is none of +the largest, I believe he finds himself as comfortable in her as he would +aboard the flag.--This gentleman, Doctor, is the _honourable_ Captain +Howard, of his Majesty's ship 'Antelope.' I need not expatiate on his +remarkable merit, since the command he bears, at his years, is a +sufficient testimony on that important particular." + +There was a look of bewildered surprise in the gaze of the divine, when +his glance first fell upon the features of the pretended scion of +nobility; but it was far less striking than had been that of the subject +of his gaze, and of much shorter continuance. He again bowed meekly, and +with that deep reverence which long use begets, even in the +best-intentioned minds, when brought in contact with the fancied +superiority of hereditary rank; but he did not appear to consider the +occasion one that required he should say more than the customary words of +salutation. The Rover turned calmly to his veteran companion, and +continued the discourse. + +"Captain Bignall," he said, again wearing that grace of manner which +became him so well, "it is my duty to follow your motions in this +interview. I will now return to my ship; and if, as I begin to suspect we +are in these seas on a similar errand, we can concert at our leisure a +system of co-operation, which, properly matured by your experience, may +serve to bring about the common end we have in view." + +Greatly mollified by this concession to his years and to his rank, the +Commander of the "Dart" pressed his hospitalities warmly on his guest, +winding up his civilities by an invitation to join in a marine feast at an +hour somewhat later in the day. All the former offers were politely +declined, while the latter was accepted; the invited making the invitation +itself an excuse that he should return to his own vessel in order that he +might select such of his officers as he should deem most worthy of +participating in the dainties of the promised banquet. The veteran and +really meritorious Bignall, notwithstanding the ordinary sturdy blustering +of his character, had served too long in indigence and comparative +obscurity not to feel some of the longings of human nature for his +hard-earned and protracted preferment. He consequently kept, in the midst +of all his native and manly honesty, a saving-eye on the means of +accomplishing this material object. It is to occasion no surprise, +therefore, that his parting from the supposed son of a powerful champion +at Court was more amicable than had been the meeting. The Rover was bowed, +from the cabin to the deck, with at least an appearance of returning +good-will. On reaching the latter, a hurried, suspicious, and perhaps an +uneasy glance was thrown from his restless eyes on all those faces that +were grouped around the gangway, by which he was about to leave the ship; +but their expression instantly became calm again, and a little +supercilious withal, in order to do no discredit to the part in the comedy +which it was his present humour to enact. Then, shaking the worthy and +thoroughly-deceived old seaman heartily by the hand, he touched his hat, +with an air half-haughty, half-condescending to his inferiors. He was in +the act of descending into the boat, when the chaplain was seen to whisper +something, with great earnestness, in the ear of his Captain. The +Commander hastened to recall his departing guest, desiring him, with +startling gravity to lend him his private attention for another moment +Suffering himself to be led apart by the two the Rover stood awaiting +their pleasure, with a coolness of demeanour that, under the peculiar +circumstances of his case, did signal credit to his nerves. + +"Captain Howard," resumed the warm-hearted Bignall, "have you a gentleman +of the cloth in your vessel?" + +"Two, sir," was the ready answer. + +"Two! It is rare to find a supernumerary priest in a man of war! But, I +suppose, Court influence could give the fellow a bishop," muttered the +other. "You are fortunate in this particular, young gentle man, since I am +indebted to inclination, rather than to custom, for the society of my +worthy friend here he has, however, made a point that I should include the +reverend gentleman--I should say gentle_men_--in the invitation." + +"You shall have all the divinity of _my_ ship, Big nail, on my faith." + +"I believe I was particular in naming your first lieutenant." + +"Oh! dead or alive, he shall surely be of your party," returned the Rover, +with a suddenness and vehemence of utterance that occasioned both his +auditors to start with surprise. "You may not find him an ark to rest your +weary foot on; but, such as he is, he is entirely at your service. And +now, once more, I salute you." + +Bowing again, he proceeded, with his former deliberate air, over the +gangway, keeping his eye riveted on the lofty gear of the "Dart," as he +descended her side, with much that sort of expression with which a +petit-maitre is apt to regard the fashion of the garments of one newly +arrived from the provinces. His superior repeated his invitation with +warmth, and waved his hand in a frank but temporary adieu; thus +unconsciously suffering the man to escape him whose capture would have +purchased the long postponed and still distant advantages for whose +possession he secretly pined, with all the withering longings his hope +cruelly deferred. + + + + +Chapter XXVIII. + + + + ----"Let them accuse me by invention; I will answer in mine + honour."--_Coriolanus._ + + +"Yes!" muttered the Rover, with bitter irony, as his boat rowed under the +stern of the cruiser of the Crown; "yes! I, and my officers, will taste of +your banquet! But the viands shall be such as these hirelings of the King +shall little relish!--Pull with a will, my men, pull; in an hour, you +shall rummage the store-rooms of that fool, for your reward!" + +The greedy freebooters who manned the oars could scarcely restrain their +shouts, in order to maintain that air of moderation which policy still +imposed but they gave vent to their excitement, in redoubled efforts in +propelling the pinnace. In another minute the adventurers were all in +safety again under the sheltering guns of the "Dolphin." + +His people gathered, from the haughty gleamings that were flashing from +the eyes of the Rover, as his foot once more touched the deck of his own +ship, that the period of some momentous action was at hand. For an +instant, he lingered on the quarter-deck surveying, with a sort of stern +joy, the sturdy materials of his lawless command; and then, without +speaking, he abruptly entered his proper cabin either forgetful that he +had conceded its use to others or, in the present excited state of his +mind, utterly indifferent to the change. A sudden and tremendous blow on +the gong announced to the alarmed females, who had ventured from their +secret place, under the present amicable appearances between the two +ships, not only his presence, but his humour. + +"Let the first lieutenant be told I await him," was the stern order that +followed the appearance of the attendant he had summoned. + +During the short period which elapsed before his mandate could be obeyed, +the Rover seemed struggling with an emotion that choaked him. But when the +door of the cabin was opened, and Wilder stood before him, the most +suspicious and closest observer might have sought in vain any evidence of +the fierce passion which in reality agitated the inward man. With the +recovery of his self-command, returned a recollection of the manner of his +intrusion into a place which he had himself ordained should be privileged. +It was then that he first sought the shrinking forms of the females, and +hastened to relieve the terror that was too plainly to be seen in their +countenances, by words of apology and explanation. + +"In the hurry of an interview with a friend," he said, "I may have +forgotten that I am host to even such guests as it is my happiness to +entertain, though it be done so very indifferently." + +"Spare your civilities, sir," said Mrs Wyllys, with dignity: "In order to +make us less sensible of any intrusion, be pleased to act the master +here." + +The Rover first saw the ladies seated; and then, like one who appeared to +think the occasion might excuse any little departure from customary forms, +he signed, with a smile of high courtesy, to his lieutenant to imitate +their example. + +"His Majesty's artisans have sent worse ships than the 'Dart' upon the +ocean, Wilder," he commenced, with a significant look, as if he intended +that the other should supply all the meaning that his words did not +express; "but his ministers might have selected a more observant +individual for the command." + +"Captain Bignall has the reputation of a brave and an honest man." + +"Ay! He should deserve it; for, strip him of these qualities, and little +would remain. He gives me to understand that he is especially sent into +this latitude in quest of a ship that we have all heard of, either in +good or in evil report; I speak of the Red Rover!'" + +The involuntary start of Mrs Wyllys, and the sudden manner in which +Gertrude grasped the arm of her governess, were certainly seen by the last +speaker but in no degree did his manner betray the consciousness of such +an observation. His self-possession was admirably emulated by his male +companion, who answered, with a composure that no jealousy could have seen +was assumed,-- + +"His cruise will be hazardous, not to say without success." + +"It may prove both. And yet he has lofty expectations of the results." + +"He probably labours under the common error as to the character of the man +he seeks." + +"In what does he mistake?" + +"In supposing that he will encounter an ordinary freebooter--one coarse, +rapacious, ignorant, and inexorable like others of"---- + +"Of what, sir?" + +"I would have said, of his class; but a mariner like him we speak of forms +the head of his own order." + +"We will call him, then, by his popular name, Mr Wilder--a rover. But, +answer me, is it not remarkable that so aged and experienced a seaman +should come to this little frequented sea in quest of a ship whose +pursuits should call her into more bustling scenes?" + +"He may have traced her through the narrow passages of the islands, and +followed on the course she has last been seen steering." + +"He may indeed," returned the Rover, musing intently "Your thorough +mariner knows how to calculate the chances of winds and currents, as the +bird finds its way in air. Still a description of the ship should be +needed for a clue." + +The eyes of Wilder, not withstanding every effort to the contrary, sunk +before the piercing gaze they encountered, as he answered,-- + +"Perhaps he is not without that knowledge, too." + +"Perhaps not. Indeed, he gave me reason to believe he has an agent in the +secrets of his enemy. Nay, he expressly avowed the same, and acknowledged +that his prospects of success depended on the skill and information of +that individual, who no doubt has his private means of communicating what +he learns of the movements of those with whom he serves." + +"Did he name him?" + +"He did." + +"It was?"---- + +"Henry--Ark, _alias_ Wilder." + +"It is vain to attempt denial," said our adventurer rising, with an air of +pride that he intended should conceal the uneasy sensation that in truth +beset him; "I find you know me." + +"For a false traitor, sir." + +"Captain Heidegger, you are safe, here, in using these reproachful terms." + +The Rover struggled, and struggled successfully, to keep down the risings +of his temper; but the effort lent to his countenance gleamings of fierce +and bitter scorn. + +"You will communicate that fact also to your superiors," he said, with +taunting irony. "The monster of the seas, he who plunders defenceless +fishermen ravages unprotected coasts, and eludes the flag of King George, +as other serpents steal into their caves at the footstep of man, is safe +in speaking his mind, backed by a hundred and fifty freebooters, and in +the security of his own cabin. Perhaps he knows too, that he is breathing +in the atmosphere of peaceful and peace-making woman." + +But the first surprise of the subject of his scorn had passed, and he was +neither to be goaded into retort nor terrified into entreaties. Folding +his arms with calmness, Wilder simply replied,-- + +"I have incurred this risk, in order to drive a scourge from the ocean, +which had baffled all other attempts at its extermination. I knew the +hazard, and shall not shrink from its penalty." + +"You shall not, sir!" returned the Rover, striking the gong again with a +finger that appeared to carry in its touch the weight of a giant. "Let the +negro, and the topman his companion, be secured in irons, and, on no +account, permit them to communicate, by word or signal, with the other +ship."--When the agent of his punishments, who had entered at the +well-known summons, had retired, he again turned to the firm and +motionless form that stood before him, and continued: "Mr Wilder, there is +a law which binds this community, into which you have so treacherously +stolen, together, that would consign you, and your miserable confederates, +to the yard-arm the instant your true character should be known to my +people. I have but to open that door, and to pronounce the nature of your +treason, in order to give you up to the tender mercies of the crew." + +"You will not! no, you will not!" cried a voice at his elbow, which +thrilled on even all his iron nerves. "You have forgotten the ties which +bind man to his fellows, but cruelty is not natural to your heart. By all +the recollections of your earliest and happiest days; by the tenderness +and pity which watched your childhood; by that holy and omniscient Being +who suffers not a hair of the innocent to go unrevenged, I conjure you to +pause, before you forget your own awful responsibility. No! you will +not--cannot--dare not be so merciless!" + +"What fate did he contemplate for me and my followers, when he entered on +this insidious design?" hoarsely demanded the Rover. + +"The laws of God and man are with him," you continued the governess, +quailing not, as her own contracting eye met the stern gaze which she +confronted. "'Tis reason that speaks in my voice; 'tis mercy which I know +is pleading at your heart. The cause, the motive, sanctify his acts; while +your career can find justification in the laws neither of heaven nor +earth." + +"This is bold language to sound in the ears of a blood-seeking, +remorseless pirate!" said the other, looking about him with a smile so +proud and conscious that it seemed to proclaim how plainly he saw that the +speaker relied on the very reverse of the qualities he named. + +"It is the language of truth; and ears like yours cannot be deaf to the +sounds. If"---- + +"Lady, cease," interrupted the Rover, stretching his arm towards her with +calmness and dignity. "My resolution was formed on the instant; and no +remonstrance nor apprehension of the consequence, can change it. Mr +Wilder, you are free. If you have not served me as faithfully as I once +expected, you have taught me a lesson in the art of physiognomy, which +shall leave me a wiser man for tho rest of my days." + +The conscious Wilder stood self-condemned and humbled. The strugglings +which stirred his inmost soul were easily to be read in the workings of a +countenance that was no longer masked in artifice, but which was deeply +charged with shame and sorrow The conflict lasted, however, but for a +moment. + +"Perhaps you know not the extent of my object, Captain Heidegger," he +said; "it embraced the forfeit of your life, and the destruction, or +dispersion, of your crew." + +"According to the established usages of that portion of the world which, +having the power, oppresses the remainder, it did. Go, sir; rejoin your +proper ship; I repeat, you are free." + +"I cannot leave you, Captain Heidegger without one word of +justification." + +"What! can the hunted, denounced, and condemned freebooter command an +explanation! Is even his good opinion necessary to a virtuous servant of +the Crown!" + +"Use such terms of triumph and reproach as suit your pleasure, sir," +returned the other, reddening to the temples as he spoke; "to me your +language can now convey no offence; still would I not leave you without +removing part of the odium which you think I merit." + +"Speak freely. Sir, you are my guest." + +Although the most cutting revilings could not have wounded the repentant +Wilder so deeply as this generous conduct, he so far subdued his feelings +as to continue,-- + +"You are not now to learn," he said, "that vulgar rumour has given a +colour to your conduct and character which is not of a quality to command +the esteem of men." + +"You may find leisure to deepen the tints," hastily interrupted his +listener, though the emotion which trembled in his voice plainly denoted +how deeply he felt the wound which was given by a world he affected to +despise. + +"If called upon to speak at all, my words shall be those of truth, Captain +Heidegger. But is it surprising, that, filled with the ardour of a service +that you once thought honourable yourself, I should be found willing to +risk life, and even to play the hypocrite in order to achieve an object +that would not only have been rewarded, but approved, had it been +successful? With such sentiments I embarked on the enterprise; but, as +Heaven is my judge, your manly confidence had half disarmed me before my +foot had hardly crossed your threshold." + +"And yet you turned not back?" + +"There might have been powerful reasons to the contrary," resumed the +defendant, unconsciously glancing his eyes at the females as he spoke. "I +kept my faith at Newport; and, had my two followers then been released +from your ship, foot of mine should never have entered her again," + +"Young man, I am willing to believe you. I think I penetrate your motives. +You have played a delicate game; and, instead of repining, you will one +day rejoice that it has been fruitless. Go, sir; a boal shall attend you +to the 'Dart'." + +"Deceive not yourself, Captain Heidegger, in believing that any generosity +of yours can shut my eyes to my proper duty. The instant I am seen by the +Commander of the ship you name, your character will be betrayed." + +"I expect it." + +"Nor will my hand be idle in the struggle that must follow. I may die, +here, a victim to my mistake if you please; but, the moment I am released, +I become your enemy." + +"Wilder!" exclaimed the Rover, grasping his hand, with a smile that +partook of the wild peculiarity of the action, "we should have been +acquainted earlier! But regret is idle. Go; should my people learn the +truth, any remonstrances of mine would be like whispers in a whirlwind." + +"When last I joined the 'Dolphin,' I did not come alone." + +"Is it not enough," rejoined the Rover, coldly recoiling for a step, "that +I offer liberty and life?" + +"Of what service can a being, fair, helpless, and unfortunate as this, be +in a ship devoted to pursuits like those of the 'Dolphin?'" + +"Am I to be cut off for ever from communion with the best of my kind! Go, +sir; leave me the image of virtue, at least, though I may be wanting in +its substance." + +"Captain Heidegger, once, in the warmth of your better feelings, you +pronounced a pledge in favour of these females, which I hope came deep +from the heart." + +"I understand you, sir. What I then said is not, and shall not, be +forgotten. But whither would you lead your companions? Is not one vessel +on the high seas as safe as another? Am I to be deprived of every means of +making friends unto myself? Leave me sir--go--you may linger until my +permission to depart cannot avail you." + +"I shall never desert my charge," said Wilder, firmly. + +"Mr. Wilder--or I should rather call you Lieutenant Ark, I +believe"--returned the Rover, "you may trifle with my good nature till the +moment of your own security shall be past." + +"Act your will on me: I die at my post, or go accompanied by those with +whom I came." + +"Sir, the acquaintance of which you boast is not older than my own. How +know you that they prefer you for their protector? I have deceived myself, +and done poor justice to my own intentions, if they have found cause for +complaints, since their happiness or comfort has been in my keeping. +Speak, fair one; which will you for a protector?" + +"Leave me, leave me!" exclaimed Gertrude, veiling her eyes, in terror, +from the insidious smile with which he approached her, as she would have +avoided the attractive glance of a basilisk. "Oh! if you have pity in your +heart, let us quit your ship!" + +Notwithstanding the vast self-command which the being she so ungovernably +and spontaneously repelled had in common over his feelings, no effort +could repress the look of deep and humiliating mortification with which he +heard her. A cold and haggard smile gleamed over his features, as he +murmured, in a voice which he in vain endeavoured to smother,-- + +"I have purchased this disgust from all my species and dearly must the +penalty be paid!--Lady, you and your lovely ward are the mistresses of +your own acts. This ship, and this cabin, are at your command; or, if you +elect to quit both, others will receive you." + +"Safety for our sex is only to be found beneath the fostering protection +of the laws," said Mrs Wyllys "Would to God!"---- + +"Enough!" he interrupted, "you shall accompany your friend. The ship will +not be emptier than my heart, when all have left me." + +"Did you call?" asked a low voice at his elbow, in tones so plaintive and +mild, that they could not fail to catch his ear. + +"Roderick," he hurriedly replied, "you will find occupation below. Leave +us, good Roderick. For a while, leave me." + +Then, as if anxious to close the scene as speedily as possible, he gave +another of his signals on the gong. An order was given to convey Fid and +the black into a boat, whither he also sent the scanty baggage of his +female guests. So soon as these brief arrangements were completed, he +handed the governess with studied courtesy, through his wondering people, +to the side, and saw her safely seated, with her ward and Wilder, in the +pinnace. The oars were manned by the two seamen, and a silent adieu was +given by a wave of his hand; after which he disappeared from those to whom +their present release seemed as imaginary and unreal as had appeared their +late captivity. + +The threat of the interference of the crew of the "Dolphin" was, however, +still ringing in the ears of Wilder. He made an impatient gesture to his +attendants to ply their oars, cautiously steering the boat on such a +course as should soonest lead her from beneath the guns of the +freebooters. While passing under the stern of the "Dolphin," a hoarse +hail was sent across the waters, and the voice of the Rover was heard +speaking to the Commander of the "Dart." + +"I send you a party of your guests," he said; "and, among them, all the +divinity of my ship." + +The passage was short; nor was time given for any of the liberated to +arrange their thoughts, before it became necessary to ascend the side of +the cruiser of the Crown. + +"Heaven help us!" exclaimed Bignall, catching a glimpse of the sex of his +visiters through a port "Heaven help us both, Parson! That young hair +brained fellow has sent us a brace of petticoats aboard; and these the +profane reprobate calls his divinities! One may easily guess where he has +picked up such quality; but cheer up, Doctor; one may honestly forget the +cloth in five fathom water, you know." + +The facetious laugh of the old Commander of the "Dart" betrayed that he +was more than half disposed to overlook the fancied presumption of his +audacious inferior; furnishing a sort of pledge, to all who heard it, that +no undue scruples should defeat the hilarity of the moment. But when +Gertrude, flushed with the excitement of the scene through which she had +just passed, and beaming with a loveliness that derived so much of its +character from its innocence, appeared on his deck, the veteran rubbed +his-eyes in an amazement which could not have been greatly surpassed, had +one of that species of beings the Rover had named actually fallen at his +feet from the skies. + +"The heartless scoundrel!" cried the worthy tar, "to lead astray one so +young and so lovely! Ha! as I live, my own lieutenant! How's this, Mr Ark! +have we fallen on the days of miracles?" + +An exclamation, which came deep from the heart the governess, and a low +and mournful echo from the lips of the divine, interrupted the further +expression of his indignation and his wonder. + +"Captain Bignall," observed the former, pointing to the tottering form +which was leaning on Wilder for support, "on my life, you are mistaken in +the character of this lady. It is more than twenty years since we last +met, but I pledge my own character for the purity and truth of hers." + +"Lead me to the cabin," murmured Mrs Wyllys. "Gertrude, my love, where are +we? Lead me to some secret place." + +Her request was complied with; the whole group retiring in a body from +before the sight of the spectators who thronged the deck. Here the deeply +agitated governess regained a portion of her self-command, and then her +wandering gaze sought the meek, concerned countenance of the chaplain. + +"This is a tardy and heart-rending meeting," she said, pressing the hand +he gave her to her lips. "Gertrude, in this gentleman you see the divine +that united me to the man who once formed the pride and happiness of my +existence." + +"Mourn not his loss," whispered the reverend priest, bending over her +chair, with the interest of a parent. "He was taken from you at an early +hour; but he died as all who loved him might have wished. + +"And none was left to bear, in remembrance of his qualities, his proud +name to posterity! Tell me, good Merton, is not the hand of Providence +visible in this dispensation? Ought I not to humble myself before it, as a +just punishment of my disobedience to an affectionate, though too +obdurate, parent?" + +"None may presume to pry into the mysteries of he righteous government +that orders all things. Enough for us, that we learn to submit to the will +of Him who rules, without questioning his justice." + +"But," continued the governess, in tones so husky as to betray how +powerfully she felt the temptation to forget his admonition, "would not +one life have sufficed? was I to be deprived of all?" + +"Madam, reflect! What has been done was done in wisdom, as I trust it was +in mercy." + +"You say truly. I will forget all of the sad events, but their application +to myself And you, worthy and benevolent Merton, where and how have been +passed your days, since the time of which we speak?" + +"I am but a low and humble shepherd of a truant flock," returned the meek +chaplain, with a sigh. "Many distant seas have I visited, and many strange +faces, and stranger natures, has it been my lot to encounter in my +pilgrimage. I am but lately returned, from the east, into the hemisphere +where I first drew breath; and, by permission of our superiors, I came to +pass a month in the vessel of a companion, whose friendship bears even an +older date than our own." + +"Ay, ay, Madam," returned the worthy Bignall, whose feelings had been not +a little disturbed by the previous scene; "it is near half a century since +the Parson and I were boys together, and we have been rubbing up old +recollections on the cruise. Happy am I that a lady of so commendable +qualities has come to make one of our party." + +"In this lady you see the daughter of the late Captain----, and the relict +of the son of our ancient Commander, Rear-Admiral de Lacey," hastily +resumed the divine, as though he knew the well-meaning honesty of his +friend was more to be trusted than his discretion. + +"I knew them both; and brave men and thorough seamen were the pair! The +lady was welcome as your friend, Merton; but she is doubly so, as the +widow and child of the gentlemen you name." + +"De Lacey!" murmured an agitated voice in the ear of the governess. + +"The law gives me a title to bear that name," returned she whom we shall +still continue to call by her assumed appellation, folding her weeping +pupil long and affectionately to her bosom. "The veil is unexpectedly +withdrawn, my love, nor shall concealment be longer affected. My father +was the Captain of the flag-ship. Necessity compelled him to leave me more +in the society of your young relative than he would have done, could he +have foreseen the consequences. But I knew both his pride and his poverty +too well, to dare to make him arbiter of my fate, after the alternative +became, to my inexperienced imagination worse than even his anger. We were +privately united by this gentleman, and neither of our parents knew of the +connexion. Death"-- + +The voice of the widow became choaked, and she made a sign to the +chaplain, as if she would have him continue the tale. + +"Mr de Lacey and his father-in-law fell in the same battle, within a short +month of the ceremony," add ed the subdued voice of Merton. "Even you, +dearest Madam, never knew the melancholy particulars of their end. I was a +solitary witness of their deaths for to me were they both consigned, amid +the confusion of the battle. Their blood was mingled; and your parent, in +blessing the young hero, unconsciously blessed his son." + +"Oh! I deceived his noble nature, and dearly have I paid the penalty!" +exclaimed the self-abased widow. "Tell me, Merton, did he ever know of my +marriage?" + +"He did not. Mr de Lacey died first, and upon his bosom, for he loved him +ever as a child; but other thoughts than useless explanations were then +uppermost in their minds." + +"Gertrude," said the governess, in hollow, repentant tones, "there is no +peace for our feeble sex but in submission; no happiness but in +obedience." + +"It is over now," whispered the weeping girl; "all over, and forgotten. I +am your child--your own Gertrude--the creature of your formation." + +"Harry Ark!" exclaimed Bignall, clearing his throat with a hem so vigorous +as to carry the sound to the outer deck, seizing the arm of his entranced +lieutenant, and dragging him from the scene while he spoke. "What the +devil besets the boy! You forget that, all this time, I am as ignorant of +your own adventures as is his Majesty's prime minister of navigation Why +do I see you, here, a visitor from a royal cruiser, when I thought you +were playing the mock pirate? and how came that harum-scarum twig of +nobility in possession of so goodly a company, as well as of so brave a +ship?" + +Wilder drew a long and deep breath, like one that awakes from a pleasing +dream, reluctantly suffering himself to be forced from a spot where he +fondly felt that he could have continued, without weariness, for ever. + + + + +Chapter XXIX. + + + + "Let them achieve me, and then sell my bones."--_Henry V._ + + +The Commander of the "Dart," and his bewildered lieutenant, had gained the +quarter-deck before either spoke again. The direction first taken by the +eyes of the latter was in quest of the neighbouring ship; nor was the look +entirely without that unsettled and vague expression which seems to +announce a momentary aberration of the faculties. But the vessel of the +Rover was in view, in all the palpable and beautiful proportions of her +admirable construction Instead of lying in a state of rest, as when he +left her, her head-yards had been swung, and, as the sails filled with the +breeze, the stately fabric had he gun to Marve gracefully, though with no +great velocity along the water. There was not the slightest appearance +however, of any attempt at escape in the evolution. On the contrary, the +loftier and lighter sails had all been furled, and men were at the moment +actively employed in sending to the deck those smaller spars which were +absolutely requisite in spreading the canvas that would be needed in +facilitating her flight. Wilder turned from the sight with a sickening +apprehension; for he well knew that these were the preparations that +skillful mariners are wont to make, when bent on desperate combat. + +"Ay, yonder goes your St. James's seaman, with his three topsails full, +and his mizzen out, as if he had already forgotten he is to dine with me, +and that his name is to be found at one end of the list of Commanders and +mine at the other," grumbled the displeased Bignall. "But we shall have +him coming round all in good time, I suppose, when his appetite tells him +the dinner hour. He might wear his colours in presence of a senior, too, +and no disgrace to his nobility. By the Lord, Harry Ark, he handles those +yards beautifully! I warrant you, now, some honest man's son is sent +aboard his ship for a dry nurse, in the shape of a first lieutenant, and +we shall have him vapouring, all dinner time, about 'how my ship does +this,' and 'I never suffer that.' Ha! is it not so, sir? He has a thorough +seaman for his First?" + +"Few men understand the profession better than does the Captain of yonder +vessel himself," returned Wilder. + +"The devil he does! You have been talking with him, Mr Ark, about these +matters, and he has got some of the fashions of the 'Dart.' I see into a +mystery as quick as another!" + +"I do assure you, Captain Bignall, there is no safety in confiding in the +ignorance of yonder extra ordinary man." + +"Ay, ay, I begin to overhaul his character. The young dog is a quiz, and +has been amusing himself with a sailor of what he calls the old school. Am +I right, sir? He has seen salt water before this cruise?" + +"He is almost a native of the seas; for more than thirty years has he +passed his time on them." + +"There, Harry Ark, he has done you handsomely. Now, I have his own +assertion for it, that he will not be three-and-twenty until to-morrow." + +"On my word, he has deceived you, sir." + +"I don't know, Mr Ark; that is a task much easier attempted than +performed. Threescore and four years add as much weight to a man's head as +to his heels! I may have undervalued the skill of the younker but, as to +his years, there can be no great mistake. But where the devil is the +fellow steering to? Has he need of a pinafore from his lady mother to come +on board of a man-of-war for his dinner?" + +"See! he is indeed standing from us!" exclaimed Wilder, with a rapidity +and delight that would have excited the suspicions of one more observant +than his Commander. + +"If I know the stern from the bows of a ship, what you say is truth," +returned the other, with some austerity. "Hark ye, Mr Ark, I've a mind to +furnish the coxcomb a lesson in respect for his superiors and give him a +row to whet his appetite. By the Lord, I will; and he may write home an +account of this manoeuvre, too, in his next despatches. Fill away the +after-yards, sir; fill away. Since this _honourable_ youth is disposed to +amuse himself with a sailing-match, he can take no offence that others are +in the same humour." + +The lieutenant of the watch, to whom the order was addressed, complied; +and, in another minute, the "Dart" was also beginning to move a-head, +though in a direction directly opposite to that taken by the "Dolphin." +The old man highly enjoyed his own decision, manifesting his +self-satisfaction by the infinite glee and deep chuckling of his manner. +He was too much occupied with the step he had just taken, to revert +immediately to the subject that had so recently been uppermost in his +mind; nor did the thought of pursuing the discourse occur to him, until +the two ships had left a broad field of water between them, as each moved, +with ease and steadiness, on its proper course. + +"Let him note that in his log-book, Mr Ark," the irritable old seaman then +resumed, returning to the spot which Wilder had not left during the +intervening time. "Though my cook has no great relish for a frog, they who +would taste of his skill must seek him. By the Lord, boy, he will have a +pull of it, if he undertake to come-to on that tack.--But how happens it +that you got into his ship? All that part of the cruise remains untold." + +"I have been wrecked, sir, since you received my last letter." + +"What! has Davy Jones got possession of the red gentleman at last?" + +"The misfortune occurred in a ship from Bristol, aboard which I was placed +as a sort of prize-master.--He certainly continues to stand slowly to the +northward!" + +"Let the young coxcomb go! he will have all the better appetite for his +supper. And so you were picked up by his Majesty's ship the 'Antelope.' +Ay, I see into the whole affair. You have only to give an old sea-dog his +course and compass, and he will find his way to port in the darkest night. +But how happened it that this Mr Howard affected to be ignorant of your +name, sir, when he saw it on the list of my officers?" + +"Ignorant! Did he seem ignorant? perhaps"-- + +"Say no more, my brave fellow, say no more," interrupted Wilder's +considerate but choleric Commander. "I nave met with such rebuffs myself; +but we are above them, sir, far above them and their impertinences +together. No man need be ashamed of having earned his commission, as you +and I have done, in fair weather and in foul. Zounds, boy, I have fed one +of the upstarts for a week, and then had him stare at a church across the +way, when I have fallen in with him in the streets of London, in a fashion +that might make a simple man believe the puppy knew for what it had been +built. Think no more of it, Harry; worse things have happened to myself, I +do assure you." + +"I went by my assumed name while in yonder ship," Wilder forced himself to +add. "Even the ladies who were the companions of my wreck, know me by no +other." + +"Ah! that was prudent; and, after all, the young sprig was not pretending +genteel ignorance. How now, master Fid; you are welcome back to the +Dart.'" + +"I've taken the liberty to say as much already to myself, your Honour," +resumed the topman, who was busying himself, near his two officers, in a +manner that seemed to invite their attention. "A wholesome craft is +yonder, and boldly is she commanded, and stoutly is she manned; but, for +my part, having a character to lose, it is more to my taste to sail in a +ship that can shew her commission, when properly called on for the same." + +The colour on Wilder's cheeks went and came like the flushings of the +evening sky, and his eyes were turned in every direction but that which +would have encountered the astonished gaze of his veteran friend. + +"I am not quite sure that I understand the meaning of the lad, Mr Ark. +Every officer, from the Captain to the boatswain, in the King's fleet, +that is, every man of common discretion, carries his authority to act as +such with him to sea, or he might find himself in a situation as awkward +as that of a pirate." + +"That is just what I said, sir; but schooling and long use have given your +Honour a better outfit in words. Guinea and I have often talked the matter +over together, and serious thoughts has it given to us both, more than +once, Captain Bignall. 'Suppose,' says I to the black, 'suppose one of his +Majesty's boats should happen to fall in with this here craft, and we +should come to loggerheads and matches,' says I, 'what would the like of +us two do in such a god-send?'--'Why,' says the black, 'we would stand to +our guns on the side of master Harry,' says he; nor did I gainsay the +same; but, saving his presence and your Honour's, I just took the liberty +to add, that, in my poor opinion, it would be much more comfortable to be +killed in an honest ship than on the deck of a buccaneer." + +"A buccaneer!" exclaimed his Commander, with eyes distended, and an open +mouth. + +"Captain Bignall," said Wilder, "I may have offended past forgiveness, in +remaining so long silent; but, when you hear my tale, there may be found +some passages that shall plead my apology. The vessel in sight is the ship +of the renowned Red Rover--nay listen, I conjure you by all that kindness +you have so long shewn me, and then censure as you will." + +The words of Wilder, aided as they were by an earnest and manly manner, +laid a restraint on the mounting indignation of the choleric old seaman. +He listened gravely and intently to the rapid but clear tale which his +lieutenant hastened to recount; and, ere the latter had done, he had more +than half entered into those grateful, and certainly generous, feelings +which had made the youth so reluctant to betray the obnoxious character of +a man who had dealt so liberally by himself. A few strong, and what might +be termed professional, exclamations of surprise and admiration, +occasionally interrupted the narrative; but, on the whole, he curbed his +impatience and his feelings, in a manner that was sufficiently remarkable, +when the temperament of the individual is duly considered. + +"This is wonderful indeed!" he exclaimed, as the other ended; "and a +thousand pities is it that so honest a fellow should be so arrant a knave. +But, Harry, we can never let him go at large after all, our loyalty and +our religion forbid it. We must tack ship, and stand after him; if fair +words won't bring him to reason, I see no other remedy than blows." + +"I fear it is no more than our duty, sir," returned the young man, with a +deep sigh. + +"It is a matter of religion.--And then the prating puppy, that he sent on +board me, is no Captain, after all! Still it was impossible to deceive me +as to the air and manner of a gentleman. I warrant me, some young +reprobate of a good family, or he would never have acted the sprig so +well. We must try to keep his name a secret, Mr Ark, in order that no +discredit should fall upon his friends. Our aristocratic columns, though +they get a little cracked and defaced, are, after all, the pillars of the +throne, and it does not become us to let vulgar eyes look too closely into +their unsoundness." + +"The individual who visited the 'Dart' was the Rover himself." + +"Ha! the Red Rover in my ship, nay, in my very presence!" exclaimed the +old tar, in a species of honest horror. "You are now pleased, sir, to +trifle with my good nature." + +"I should forget a thousand obligations, ere I could be so bold. On my +solemn asseveration, sir, it was no other." + +"This is unaccountable! extraordinary to a miracle! His disguise was very +complete, I will confess to deceive one so well skilled in the human +countenance. I saw nothing, sir, of his shaggy whiskers heard nothing of +his brutal voice, nor perceived any of those monstrous deformities which +are universally acknowledged to distinguish the man." + +"All of which are no more than the embellishments of vulgar rumour, I fear +me, sir, that the boldest and most dangerous of all our vices are often +found under the most pleasing exteriors." + +"But this is not even a man of inches, sir." + +"His body is not large, but it contains the spirit of a giant." + +"And do you believe yonder ship, Mr Ark, to be the vessel that fought us +in the equinox of March?" + +"I know it to be no other." + +"Hark ye, Harry, for your sake, I will deal generously by the rogue. He +once escaped me, by the loss of a topmast, and stress of weather; but we +have here a good working breeze, that a man may safely count on, and a +fine regular sea. He is therefore mine, so soon as I choose to make him +so;--for I do not think he has any serious intention to run." + +"I fear not," returned Wilder, unconsciously betraying his wishes in the +words. + +"Fight he cannot, with any hopes of success; and, as he seems to be +altogether a different sort of personage from what I had supposed, we will +try the merits of negotiation. Will you undertake to be the bearer of my +propositions?--or, perhaps, he might repent of his moderation." + +"I pledge myself for his faith," eagerly exclaimed Wilder "Let a gun be +fired to leeward. Mind, sir, all the tokens must be amicable--a flag of +truce set out at our main, and I will risk every hazard to lead him back +into the bosom of society." + +"By George, it would at least be acting a Christian part," returned the +Commander, after a moment's thought; "and, though we miss knighthood +below, lad, for our success, there will be better birth cleared for us +aloft." + +No sooner had the warm-hearted, and perhaps a little visionary, Captain of +the "Dart," and his lieutenant, determined on this measure, than they both +set eagerly about the means of insuring its success. The helm of the ship +was put a-lee; and, as her head came sweeping up into the wind, a sheet of +flame flashed from her leeward bow-port, sending the customary amicable +intimation across the water, that those who governed her movements would +communicate with the possessors of the vessel in sight. At the same +instant, a small flag, with a spotless field was seen floating at the +topmost elevation of all her spars, whilst the flag of England was lowered +from the gaff. A half minute of deep inquietude succeeded these signals, +in the bosoms of those who had ordered them to be made. Their suspense was +however speedily terminated. A cloud of smoke drove before the wind from +the vessel of the Rover, and then the smothered explosion of the answering +gun came dull upon their ears. A flag, similar to their own, was seen +floating, as it might be, like a dove fanning its wings, far above her +tops; but no emblem of any sort was borne at the spar, where the colours +which distinguish the national character of a cruiser are usually seen. + +"The fellow has the modesty to carry a naked gaff in our presence," said +Bignall, pointing out the circumstance to his companion, as an augury +favourable to their success. "We will stand for him until within a +reasonable distance, and then you shall take to the boat." + +In conformity with this determination, the "Dart" was brought on the other +tack, and several sails were set, in order to quicken her speed. When at +the distance of half cannon shot, Wilder suggested to his superior the +propriety of arresting their further progress in order to avoid the +appearance of hostilities. The boat was immediately lowered into the sea, +and manned; a flag of truce set in her bows: and the whole was reported +ready to receive the bearer of the message. + +"You may hand him this statement of our force, Mr Ark; for, as he is a +reasonable man, he will see the advantage it gives us," said the Captain, +after having exhausted his manifold and often repeated instructions. "I +think you may promise him indemnity for the past, provided he comply with +all my conditions; at all events, you will say that no influence shall be +spared to get a complete whitewashing for himself at least. God bless you, +boy! Take care to say nothing of the damages we received in the affair of +March last; for--ay--for the equinox was blowing heavy at the time, you +know. Adieu! and success attend you!" + +The boat shoved off from the side of the vessel as he ended, and in a few +moments the listening Wilder was borne far beyond the sound of any further +words of advisement. Our adventurer had sufficient time to reflect on the +extraordinary situation in which he now found himself, during the row to +the still distant ship. Once or twice, slight and uneasy glimmerings of +distrust, concerning the prudence of the step he was taking, beset his +mind; though a recollection of the lofty feeling of the man in whom he +confided ever presented itself in sufficient season to prevent the +apprehension from gaining any undue ascendency. Notwithstanding the +delicacy of his situation, that characteristic interest in his profession, +which is rarely dormant in the bosom of a thorough-bred seaman, was +strongly stimulated as he approached the vessel of the Rover. The perfect +symmetry of her spars the graceful heavings and settings of the whole +fabric is it rode, like a marine bird, on the long, regular swells of the +trades, and the graceful inclinations of the tapering masts, as they waved +across the blue canopy, which was interlaced by all the tracery of her +complicated tackle, was not lost on an eye that knew no less how to prize +the order of the whole than to admire the beauty of the object itself. +There is a high and exquisite taste, which the seaman attains in the study +of a machine that all have united to commend, which may be likened to the +sensibilities that the artist acquires by close and long contemplation of +the noblest monuments of antiquity. It teaches him to detect those +imperfections which would escape any less instructed eye; and it heightens +the pleasure with which a ship at sea is gazed at, by enabling the mind to +keep even pace with the enjoyment of the senses. It is this powerful (and +to a landsman incomprehensible) charm that forms the secret tie which +binds the mariner so closely to his vessel, and which often leads him to +prize her qualities as one would esteem the virtues of a friend, and +almost to be equally enamoured of the fair proportions of his ship and of +those of his mistress. Other men may have their different inanimate +subjects of admiration; but none of their feelings so thoroughly enter +into the composition of the being as the affection which the mariner +comes, in time, to feel for his vessel. It is his home, his theme of +constant and frequently of painful interest, his tabernacle and often his +source of pride and exultation. As she gratifies or disappoints his +high-wrought expectations in her speed or in the fight, mid shoals and +hurricanes, a character for good or luckless qualities is earned, which +are as often in reality due to the skill or ignorance of those who guide +her, as to any inherent properties of the fabric. Still does the ship +itself, in the eyes of the seaman, bear away the laurel of success, or +suffer the ignominy of defeat and misfortune; and, when the reverse +arrives, the result is merely regarded as some extraordinary departure +from the ordinary character of the vessel, as if the construction +possessed the powers of entire self-command and perfect volition. + +Though not so deeply imbued with that species of superstitious credulity, +on this subject, as the inferiors of his profession, Wilder was keenly +awake to most of the sensibilities of a mariner. So strongly, indeed, was +he alive to this feeling, on the present occasion, that for a moment he +forgot the critical nature of his errand, as he drew within plainer view +of a vessel that, with justice, might lay claim to be a jewel of the +ocean. + +"Lay on your oars, lads," he said, signing to his people to arrest the +progress of the boat; "lay on your oars! Did you ever see masts more +beautifully in line than those, master Fid, or sails that had a fairer +fit?" + +The topman, who rowed the stroke-oar of the pinnace cast a look over his +shoulder, and, stowing into one of his cheeks a lump that resembled a wad +laid by the side of its gun, he was not slow to answer, on an occasion +where his opinion was so directly demanded. + +"I care not who knows it," he said, "for, done by honest men or done by +knaves, I told the people on the forecastle of the; 'Dart,' in the first +five minutes after I got among them again, that they might be at Spithead +a month, and not see hamper so light, and yet so handy, as is seen aboard +that flyer. Her lower rigging is harpened-in, like the waist of Nell Dale +after she has had a fresh pull upon her stay-lanyards, and there isn't a +block, among them all, that seems bigger in its place than do the eyes of +the girl in her own good-looking countenance. That bit of a set that you +see to her fore-brace-block, was given by the hand of one Richard Fid; and +the heart on her main-stay was turned-in by Guinea, here; and, considering +he is a nigger, I call it ship-shape." + +"She is beautiful in every part!" said Wilder, drawing a long breath. +"Give way, my men, give way! Do you think I have come here to take the +soundings of the ocean?" + +The crew started at the hurried tones of their lieutenant and in another +minute the boat was at the side of the vessel. The stern and threatening +glances that Wilder encountered, as his foot touched the planks, caused +him to pause an instant, ere he advanced further amid the crew. But the +presence of the Rover himself, who stood, with his peculiar air of high +and imposing authority, on the quarter-deck, encouraged him to proceed, +after permitting a delay that was too slight to attract attention. His +lips were in the act of parting, when a sign from the other induced him to +remain silent, until they were both in the privacy of the cabin. + +"Suspicion is awake among my people, Mr Ark," commenced the Rover, when +they were thus retired, laying a marked and significant emphasis on the +name he used. "Suspicion is stirring, though, as yet, they hardly know +what to credit. The manoeuvres of the two ships have not been such as they +are wont to see, and voices are not wanting to whisper in their ears +matter that is somewhat injurious to your interests. You have not done +well, sir, in returning among us." + +"I came by the order of my superior, and under the sanction of a flag." + +"We are small reasoners in the legal distinction of the world, and may +mistake your rights in so novel a character. But," he immediately added, +with dignity, "if you bear a message, I may presume it is intended for my +ears." + +"And for no other. We are not alone, Captain Heidegger." + +"Heed not the boy; he is deaf at my will." + +"I could wish to communicate to you only the offers that I bear." + +"That mast is not more senseless than Roderick," said the other calmly, +but with decision. + +"Then must I speak at every hazard.--The Commander of yon ship, who bears +the commission of our royal master George the Second, has ordered me to +say thus much for your consideration: On condition that you will surrender +this vessel, with all her stores, armament, and warlike munitions, +uninjured he will content himself with taking ten hostages from your crew, +to be decided by lot, yourself, and one other of your officers, and either +to receive the remainder into the service of the King, or to suffer them +to disperse in pursuit of a calling more creditable, and, as it would now +appear, more safe." + +"This is the liberality of a prince! I should kneel and kiss the deck +before one whose lips utter such sounds of mercy!" + +"I repeat but the words of my superior," Wilder resumed. "For yourself, he +further promises, that his interest shall be exerted to procure a pardon, +on condition that you quit the seas, and renounce the name of Englishman +for ever." + +"The latter is done to his hands: But may I know the reason that such +lenity is shewn to one whose name has been so long proscribed of men?" + +"Captain Bignall has heard of your generous treatment of his officer, and +the delicacy that the daughter and widow of two ancient brethren in arms +have received at your hands. He confesses that rumour has not done entire +justice to your character." + +A mighty effort kept down the gleam of exultation that flashed across the +features of the listener, who, however, succeeded in continuing utterly +calm and immovable. + +"He has been deceived, sir"--he coldly resumed, as though he would +encourage the other to proceed. + +"That much is he free to acknowledge. A representation of this common +error, to the proper authorities, will have weight in procuring the +promised amnesty for the past, and, as he hopes, brighter prospects for +the future." + +"And does he urge no other motive than his pleasure why I should make this +violent change in all my habits, why I should renounce an element that has +become as necessary to me as the one I breathe and why, in particular, I +am to disclaim the vaunted privilege of calling myself a Briton?" + +"He does. This statement of a force, which you may freely examine with +your own eyes, if so disposed, must convince you of the hopelessness of +resistance, and will, he thinks, induce you to accept his offers." + +"And what is _your_ opinion?" the other demanded, with a meaning smile and +peculiar emphasis, as he extended a hand to receive the written statement. +"But I beg pardon," he hastily added, taking the look of gravity from the +countenance of his companion "I trifle, when the moment requires all our +seriousness." + +The eye of the Rover ran rapidly over the paper, resting itself, once or +twice, with a slight exhibition of interest, on particular points, that +seemed most to merit his attention. + +"You find the superiority such as I had already given you reason to +believe?" demanded Wilder, when the look of the other wandered from the +paper. + +"I do." + +"And may I now ask your decision on the offer?" + +"First, tell me what does your own heart advise? This is but the language +of another." + +"Captain Heidegger," said Wilder, colouring, "I will not attempt to +conceal, that, had this message depended solely on myself, it might have +been couched in different terms; but as one, who still deeply retains the +recollection of your generosity, as a man would not willingly induce even +an enemy to an act of dishonour, do I urge their acceptance. You will +excuse me, if I say, that, in my recent intercourse I have had reason to +believe you already perceive that neither the character you could wish to +earn, nor the content that all men crave, is to be found in your present +career." + +"I had not thought I entertained so close a casuist in Mr Henry Wilder. +Have you more to urge, sir?" + +"Nothing," returned the disappointed and grieved messenger of the "Dart." + +"Yes, yes, he has," said a low but eager voice at the elbow of the Rover, +which rather seemed to breathe out the syllables than dare to utter them +aloud; "he has not yet delivered the half of his commission, or sadly has +he forgotten the sacred trust!" + +"The boy is often a dreamer," interrupted the Rover, smiling, with a wild +and haggard look. "He sometimes gives form to his unmeaning thoughts, by +clothing them in words." + +"My thoughts are not unmeaning," continued Roderick, in a louder and far +bolder strain. "If his peace or happiness be dear to you, do not yet leave +him. Tell him of his high and honourable name of his youth; of that gentle +and virtuous being that he once so fondly loved, and whose memory, even +now, he worships. Speak to him of these, as you know how to speak; and, on +my life, his ear will not be deaf, his heart cannot be callous to your +words." + +"The urchin is mad!" + +"I am not mad; or, if maddened, it is by the crimes, the dangers, of those +I love. Oh! Mr Wilder, do not leave him. Since you have been among us, he +is nearer to what I know he once was, than formerly. Take away that +mistaken statement of your force; threats do but harden him: As a friend +admonish; but hope for nothing as a minister of vengeance. You know not +the fearful nature of the man, or you would not attempt to stop a torrent. +Now--now speak to him; for, see, his eye is already growing kinder." + +"It is in pity, boy, to witness how thy reason wavers." + +"Had it never swerved more than at this moment Walter, another need not be +called upon to speak between thee and me! My words would then have been +regarded, my voice would then have been loud enough to be heard. Why are +you dumb? a single happy syllable might now save him." + +"Wilder, the child is frightened by this counting of guns and numbering of +people. He fears the anger of your anointed master. Go; give him place in +your boat, and recommend him to the mercy of your superior." + +"Away, away!" cried Roderick. "I shall not, will not, cannot leave you. +Who is there left for me in this world but you?" + +"Yes," continued the Rover, whose forced calmness of expression had +changed to one of deep and melancholy musing; "it will indeed be better +thus. See, here is much gold; you will commend him to the care of that +admirable woman who already watches one scarcely less helpless, though +possibly less--" + +"Guilty! speak the word boldly, Walter. I have earned the epithet, and +shall not shrink to hear it spoken. Look," he said, taking the ponderous +bag which had been extended towards Wilder, and holding it high above his +head, in scorn, "this can I cast from me; but the tie which binds me to +you shall never be broken." + +As he spoke, the lad approached an open window of the cabin; a splash upon +the water was heard, and then a treasure, that might have furnished a +competence to moderate wishes, was lost for ever to the uses of those who +had created its value. The lieutenant of the "Dart" turned in haste to +deprecate the anger of the Rover; but his eye could trace, in the features +of the lawless chief, no other emotion than a pity which was discoverable +even through his calm and unmoved smile. + +"Roderick would make but a faithless treasurer," he said. "Still it is not +too late to restore him to his friends. The loss of the gold can be +repaired; but, should any serious calamity befall the boy, I might never +regain a perfect peace of mind." + +"Then keep him near yourself," murmured the lad, whose vehemence had +seemingly expended itself. "Go, Mr Wilder, go; your boat is waiting; a +longer stay will be without an object." + +"I fear it will!" returned our adventurer, who had not ceased, during the +previous dialogue, to keep his look fastened, in manly commiseration, on +the countenance of the boy; "I greatly fear it will!--Since I have come +the messenger of another, Captain Heidegger it is your province to supply +a fitting answer to my proposition." + +The Rover took him by the arm, and led him to a position whence they might +look upon the outer scene. Then, pointing upward at his spars, and making +his companion observe the small quantity of sail he carried, he simply +said, "Sir, you are a seaman and may judge of my intentions by this sight +I shall neither seek nor avoid your boasted cruiser of King George." + + + + +Chapter XXX. + + + + --"Front to front, + Bring thou this fiend---- + Within my sword's length set him; if he 'scape, + Heaven forgive him too!"--_Macbeth._ + + +"You have brought the grateful submission of the pirate to my offers!" +exclaimed the sanguine Commander of the "Dart" to his messenger, as the +foot of the latter once more touched his deck. + +"I bring nothing but defiance!" was the unexpected reply. + +"Did you exhibit my statement? Surely, Mr Ark so material a document was +not forgotten!" + +"Nothing was forgotten that the warmest interest in his safety could +suggest, Captain Bignall. Still the chief of yonder lawless ship refuses +to hearken to your conditions." + +"Perhaps, sir, he imagines that the 'Dart' is defective in some of her +spars," returned the hasty old seaman, compressing his lips, with a look +of wounded pride; "he may hope to escape by pressing the canvas on his own +light-heeled ship." + +"Does that look like flight?" demanded Wilder, extending an arm towards +the nearly naked spars and motionless hull of their neighbour. "The utmost +I can obtain is an assurance that he will not be the assailant." + +"'Fore George, he is a merciful youth! and one that should be commended +for his moderation! He will not run his disorderly, picarooning company +under the guns of a British man-of-war, because he owes a little reverence +to the flag of his master! Hark ye, Mr Ark, we will remember the +circumstance when questioned at the Old Bailey. Send the people to their +guns, sir, and ware the ship round, to put an end at once to this +foolery, or we shall have him sending a boat aboard to examine our +commissions." + +"Captain Bignall," said Wilder, leading his Commander still further from +the ears of their inferiors, "I may lay some little claim to merit for +services done under your own eyes, and in obedience to your orders. If my +former conduct may give me a title to presume to counsel one of your great +experience, suffer me to urge a short delay." + +"Delay! Does Henry Ark hesitate, when the enemies of his King, nay more, +the enemies of man, are daring him to his duty!" + +"Sir, you mistake me. I hesitate, in order that the flag under which we +sail may be free from stain, and not with any intent of avoiding the +combat. Our enemy, _my_ enemy knows that he has nothing now to expect, for +his past generosity, but kindness, should he become our captive. Still, +Captain Bignall, I ask for time, to prepare the 'Dart' for a conflict that +will try all her boasted powers, and to insure a victory that will not be +bought without a price." + +"But should he escape"-- + +"On my life he will not attempt it. I not only know the man, but how +formidable are his means of resistance. A short half hour will put us in +the necessary condition, and do no discredit either to our spirit or to +our prudence." + +The veteran yielded a reluctant consent, which was not, however, accorded +without much muttering concerning the disgrace a British man-of-war +incurred in not running alongside the boldest pirate that floated, and +blowing him out of water, with a single match. Wilder, who was accustomed +to the honest professional bravados that often formed a peculiar +embellishment to the really firm and manly resolution of the seamen of +that age, permitted him to make his plaints at will, while he busied +himself in a manner that he knew was now of the last importance and in a +duty that properly came under his more immediate inspection, in +consequence of the station he occupied. + +The "order for all hands to clear ship for action" was again given, and +received in the cheerful temper with which mariners are wont to welcome +any of the more important changes of their exciting profession. Little +remained, however, to be done; for most of the previous preparations had +still been left, as at the original meeting of the two vessels. Then came +the beat to quarters, and the more serious and fearful-looking +preparations for certain combat. After these several arrangements had been +completed, the crew at their guns, the sail-trimmers at the braces, and +the officers in their several batteries, the after-yards were swung, and +the ship once more put in motion. + +During this brief interval, the vessel of the Rover lay, at the distance +of half a mile, in a state of entire rest, without betraying the smallest +interest in the obvious movements of her hostile neighbour. When, however, +the "Dart" was seen yielding to the breeze, and gradually increasing her +velocity, until the water was gathering under her fore-foot in a little +rolling wave of foam, the bows of the other fell off from the direction of +the wind, the topsail was filled, and, in her turn, the hull was held in +command, by giving to it the impetus of motion. The "Dart" now set again +at her gaff that broad field which had been lowered during the conference, +and which had floated in triumph through the hazards and struggles of a +thousand combats. No answering emblem, however was exhibited from the peak +of her adversary. + +In this manner the two ships "gathered way," as it is expressed in +nautical language, watching each other with eyes as jealous as though they +had been two rival monsters of the great deep, each endeavouring to +conceal from his antagonist the evolution contemplated next. The earnest, +serious manner of Wilder had not failed to produce its influence on the +straight-minded seaman who commanded the 'Dart;' and, by this time, he was +as much disposed as his lieutenant to approach the conflict leisurely, and +with proper caution. + +The day had hitherto been cloudless, and a vault of purer blue never +canopied a waste of water, than the arch which had swept for hours above +the heads of our marine adventurers. But, as if nature frowned on their +present bloody designs, a dark, threatening mass of vapour was blending +the ocean with the sky, in a direction opposed to the steady currents of +the air, These well-known and ominous signs did not escape the vigilance +of those who manned the hostile vessels, but the danger was still deemed +too remote to interrupt the higher interests of the approaching combat. + +"We have a squall brewing in the west," said the experienced and wary +Bignall, pointing to the frowning symptoms as he spoke; "but we can handle +the pirate, and get all snug again, before it works its way up against +this breeze." + +Wilder assented; for, by this time, high professional pride was swelling +in his bosom also, and a generous rivalry was getting the mastery of +feelings that were possibly foreign to his duty, however natural they +might have been in one as open to kindness as himself. + +"The Rover is sending down even his lighter masts!" exclaimed the youth; +"it would seem that he greatly distrusts the weather." + +"We will not follow his example; for he will wish they were aloft again, +the moment we get him fairly under the play of our batteries. By George +our King, but he has a pretty moving boat under him. Let fall the +main-course, sir; down with it, or we shall have it night before we get +the rogue a-beam." + +The order was obeyed; and then the "Dart," feeling the powerful impulse, +quickened her speed like an animated being, that is freshly urged by its +apprehensions or its wishes. By this time, she had gained a position on +the weather-quarter of her adversary who had not manifested the smallest +desire to prevent her attaining so material an advantage. On the contrary, +while the "Dolphin" kept the same canvas spread, she continued to lighten +her top-hamper bringing as much of the weight as possible, from the +towering height of her tall masts, to the greater security of the hull. +Still, the distance between them was too great, in the opinion of Bignall, +to commence the contest, while the facility with which his adversary moved +a-head threatened to protract the important moment to an unreasonable +extent, or to reduce him to a crowd of sail that might prove embarrassing +while enveloped in the smoke, and pressed by the urgencies of the combat. + +"We will touch his pride, sir, since you think him a man of spirit," said +the veteran, to his faithful coadjutor: "Give him a weather-gun, and show +him another of his Master's ensigns." + +The roar of the piece, and the display of three more of the fields of +England, in quick succession, from different parts of the "Dart," failed +to produce the slightest evidence, even of observation, aboard their +seemingly insensible neighbour. The "Dolphin" still kept on her way, +occasionally swooping up gracefully to touch the wind, and then deviating +from her course again to leeward, as the porpoise is seen to turn aside +from his direction to snuff the breeze, while he lazily sports along his +briny path. + +"He will not be moved by any of the devices of lawful and ordinary +warfare," said Wilder, when he witnessed the indifference with which +their challenge had been received. + +"Then try him with a shot." + +A gun was now discharged from the side next the still receding "Dolphin." +The iron messenger was seen bounding along the surface of the sea, +skipping lightly from wave to wave, until it cast a little cloud of spray +upon the very deck of their enemy, as it boomed harmlessly past her hull. +Another, and yet another, followed, without in any manner extracting +signal or notice from the Rover. + +"How's this!" exclaimed the disappointed Bignall. "Has he a charm for his +ship, that all our shot sweep by him in rain! Master Fid, can you do +nothing for the credit of honest people, and the honour of a pennant? Let +us hear from your old favourite; in times past she used to speak to better +purpose." + +"Ay, ay, sir," returned the accommodating Richard who, in the sudden turns +of his fortune, found himself in authority over a much-loved and +long-cherished piece. "I christened the gun after Mistress Whiffle, your +Honour, for the same reason, that they both can do their own talking. Now, +stand aside, my lads, and let clattering Kate have a whisper in the +discourse." + +Richard, who had coolly taken his sight, while speaking, now deliberately +applied the match with his own hand, and, with a philosophy that was +sufficiently to be commended in a mercenary, sent what he boldly +pronounced to be "a thorough straight-goer" across the water, in the +direction of his recent associates. The usual moments of suspense +succeeded and then the torn fragments, which were seen scattered in the +air, announced that the shot had passed through the nettings of the +"Dolphin." The effect on the vessel of the Rover was instantaneous, and +nearly magical. A long stripe of cream-coloured canvas, which had been +artfully extended, from her stem to her stern, in a line with her guns, +disappeared as suddenly as a bird would shut its wings, leaving in its +place a broad blood-red belt, which was bristled with the armament of the +ship. At the same time, an ensign of a similar ominous colour, rose from +her poop, and, fluttering darkly and fiercely for a moment, it became +fixed at the end of the gaff. + +"Now I know him for the knave that he is!" cried the excited Bignall; +"and, see! he has thrown away his false paint, and shows the well-known +bloody side, from which he gets his name. Stand to your guns, my men! the +pirate is getting earnest." + +He was still speaking, when a sheet of bright flame glanced from out that +streak of red which was so well adapted to work upon the superstitious awe +of the common mariners, and was followed by the simultaneous explosion of +nearly a dozen wide-mouthed pieces of artillery. The startling change, +from inattention and indifference, to this act of bold and decided +hostility, produced a strong effect on the boldest heart on board the +King's cruiser. The momentary interval of suspense was passed in unchanged +attitudes and looks of deep attention; and then the rushing of the iron +storm was heard hurtling through the air, as it came fearfully on. The +crash that followed, mingled, as it was, with human groans, and succeeded +by the tearing of riven plank, and the scattering high of splinters, +ropes, blocks, and the implements of war, proclaimed the fatal accuracy of +the broadside. But the surprise, and, with it, the brief confusion, +endured but for an instant. The English shouted, and sent back a return to +the deadly assault they had just received, recovering manfully and +promptly from the shock which it had assuredly given. + +The ordinary and more regular cannonading of a naval combat succeeded. +Anxious to precipitate the issue, both ships pressed nigher to each other +the while, until, in a few moments, the two white canopies of smoke, that +were wreathing about their respective masts, were blended in one, marking +a solitary spot of strife, in the midst of a scene of broad and bright +tranquillity. The discharges of the cannon were hot, close, and incessant. +While the hostile parties, how ever, closely mutated each other in their +zeal in dealing out destruction, a peculiar difference marked the +distinction in character of the two crews. Loud, cheering shouts +accompanied each discharge from the lawful cruiser, while the people of +the rover did their murderous work amid the deep silence of desperation. + +The spirit and uproar of the scene soon quickened that blood, in the veins +of the veteran Bignall, which had begun to circulate a little slowly by +time. + +"The fellow has not forgotten his art!" he exclaimed as the effects of his +enemy's skill were getting but too manifest, in the rent sails, shivered +spars, and tottering masts of his own ship. "Had he but the commission of +the King in his pocket, one might call him a hero!" + +The emergency was too urgent to throw away the time in words. Wilder +answered only by cheering his own people to their fierce and laborious +task. The ships had now fallen off before the wind, and were running +parallel to each other, emitting sheets of flame, that were incessantly +glancing through immense volumes of smoke. The spars of the respective +vessels were alone visible, at brief and uncertain intervals. Many minutes +had thus passed, seeming to those engaged but a moment of time, when the +mariners of the "Dart" found that they no longer held their vessel in the +quick command, so necessary to their situation. The important circumstance +was instantly conveyed from the master to Wilder, and from Wilder to his +superior. A hasty consultation on the cause and consequences of this +unexpected event was the immediate and natural result. + +"See!" cried Wilder, "the sails are already banging against the masts +like rags; the explosions of the artillery have stilled the wind." + +"Hark!" answered the more experienced Bignall: "There goes the artillery +of heaven among our own guns.--The squall is already upon us--port the +helm, sir, and sheer the ship out of the smoke! Hard a-port with the helm, +sir, at once!--hard with it a-port I say." + +But the lazy motion of the vessel did not answer to the impatience of +those who directed her movements nor did it meet the pressing exigencies +of the moment. In the mean time, while Bignall, and the officers whose +duties kept them near his person, assisted by the sail-trimmers, were thus +occupied, the people in the batteries continued their murderous +employment. The roar of cannon was still constant, and nearly +overwhelming, though there were instants when the deep ominous mutterings +of the atmosphere were too distinctly audible to be mistaken. Still the +eye could lend no assistance to the hearing, in determining the judgment +of the mariners. Hulls, spars, and sails were alike enveloped in the +curling wreaths which wrapped heaven, air, vessels, and ocean, alike, in +one white, obscure, foggy mantle. Even the persons of the crew were merely +seen at instants, labouring at the guns, through brief and varying +openings. + +"I never knew the smoke pack so heavy on the clerk of a ship before," said +Bignall, with a concern that even his caution could not entirely repress. +"Keep the helm a-port--jam it hard, sir! By Heaven Mr Wilder, those knaves +well know they are struggling for their lives!" + +"The fight is all our own!" shouted the second lieutenant, from among the +guns, stanching, as he spoke, the blood of a severe splinter-wound in the +face, and far too intent on his own immediate occupation to have noticed +the signs of the weather. "He has not answered with a single gun, for near +a minute." + +"'Fore George, the rogues have enough!" exclaimed the delighted Bignall. +"Three cheers for vic----" + +"Hold, sir!" interrupted Wilder, with sufficient decision to check his +Commander's premature exultation; "on my life, our work is not so soon +ended. I think, indeed, his guns are silent;--but, see! the smoke is +beginning to lift. In a few more minutes, if our own fire should cease, +the view will be clear." + +A shout from the men in the batteries interrupted his words; and then came +a general cry that the pirates were sheering off. The exultation at this +fancied evidence of their superiority was, however, soon and fearfully +interrupted. A bright, vivid flash penetrated through the dense vapour +which still hung about them in a most extraordinary manner, and was +followed by a crash from the heavens, to which the Simultaneous explosion +of fifty pieces of artillery would have sounded feeble. + +"Call the people from their guns!" said Bignall, in those suppressed tones +that are only more portentous from their forced and unnatural calmness: +"Call them away at once, sir, and get the canvas in!" + +Wilder, startled more at the proximity and apparent weight of the squall +than at words to which he had been long accustomed, delayed not to give an +order that was seemingly so urgent. The men left their batteries, like +athletae retiring from the arena, some bleeding and faint, some still +fierce and angry, and all more or less excited by the furious scene in +which they had just been actors. Many sprung to the well-known ropes, +while others, as they ascended into the cloud which still hung on the +vessel became lost to the eye in her rigging. + +"Shall I reef, or furl?" demanded Wilder, standing with the trumpet at his +lips, ready to issue the necessary order. + +"Hold, sir; another minute will give us an opening." + +The lieutenant paused; for he was not slow to see that now, indeed, the +veil was about to be drawn from their real situation. The smoke, which had +lain upon their very decks, as though pressed down by the superincumbent +weight of the atmosphere first began to stir; was then seen eddying among +the masts; and, finally, whirled wildly away before a powerful current of +air. The view was, indeed, now all before them. + +In place of the glorious sun, and that bright, blue canopy which had lain +above them a short half-hour before, the heavens were clothed in one +immense black veil. The sea reflected the portentous colour, looking dark +and angrily. The waves had already lost their regular rise and fall, and +were tossing to and fro, as if awaiting the power that was to give them +direction and greater force. The flashes from the heavens were not in +quick succession; but the few that did break upon the gloominess of the +scene came in majesty, and with dazzling brightness. They were accompanied +by the terrific thunder of the tropics in which it is scarcely profanation +to fancy that the voice of One who made the universe is actually speaking +to the creatures of his hand. On every side, was the appearance of a +fierce and dangerous struggle in the elements. The vessel of the Rover was +running lightly before a breeze, which had already come fresh and fitful +from the cloud, with her sails reduced, and her people coolly, but +actively, employed in repairing the damages of the fight. + +Not a moment was to be lost in imitating the example of the wary +freebooters. The head of the "Dart" was hastily, and happily, got in a +direction contrary to the breeze; and, as she began to follow the course +taken by the "Dolphin," an attempt was made to gather her torn and nearly +useless causes to the yards. But precious minutes had been lost in the +smoky canopy, that might never be regained. The sea changed its colour +from a dark green to a glittering white; and then the fury of the gust was +heard rushing along the water with fearful rapidity, and with a violence +that could not he resisted. + +"Be lively, men!" shouted Bignall himself, in the exigency in which his +vessel was placed; "Roll up the cloth; in with it all--leave not a rag to +the squall! 'Fore George, Mr Wilder, but this wind is not playing with us; +cheer up the men to their work; speak to them cheerily, sir!" + +"Furl away!" shouted Wilder. "Cut, if too late, work away with knives and +teeth--down, every man of you, down--down for your lives, all!" + +There was that in the voice of the lieutenant which sounded in the ears of +his people like a supernatural cry. He had so recently witnessed a +calamity similar to that which again threatened him, that perhaps his +feelings lent a secret horror to the tones. A score of forms was seen +descending swiftly, through an atmosphere that appeared sensible to the +touch. Nor was their escape, which might be likened to the stooping of +birds that dart into their nest, too earnestly pressed. Stripped of all +its rigging, and already tottering under numerous wounds, the lofty and +overloaded spars yielded to the mighty force of the squall, tumbling in +succession towards the hull, until nothing stood but the three firmer, but +shorn and nearly useless, lower masts. By far the greater number of those +aloft reached the deck in time to insure their safety, though some there +were too stubborn, and still too much under the sullen influence of the +combat, to hearken to the words of warning. These victims of their own +obstinacy were seen clinging to the broken fragments of the spars, as the +"Dart," in a cloud of foam, drove away from the spot where they floated, +until their persons and their misery were alike swallowed in the distance. + +"It is the hand of God!" hoarsely exclaimed the veteran Bignall, while his +contracting eye drunk in the destruction of the wreck. "Mark me, Henry +Ark; I will forever testify that the guns of the pirate have not brought +us to this condition." + +Little disposed to seek the same miserable consolation as his Commander, +Wilder exerted himself in counteracting, so far as circumstances would +allow, an injury that he felt, however, at that moment to be irreparable. +Amid the howling of the gust, and the fearful crashing of the thunder, +with an atmosphere now lurid with the glare of lightning, and now nearly +obscured by the dark canopy of vapour, and with all the frightful +evidences of the fight still reeking and ghastly before their eyes, did +the crew of the British cruiser prove true to themselves and to their +ancient reputation. The voices of Bignall and his subordinates were heard +in the tempest, uttering those mandates which long, experience had +rendered familiar, or encouraging the people to their duty. But the strife +of the elements was happily of short continuance The squall soon swept +over the spot, leaving the currents of the trade rushing into their former +channels, and a sea that was rather stilled, than agitated by the +counteracting influence of the winds. + +But, as one danger passed away from before the eyes of the mariners of the +"Dart," another, scarcely less to be apprehended, forced itself upon their +attention, All recollection of the favours of the past, and every feeling +of gratitude, was banished from the mind of Wilder, by the mountings of +powerful professional pride, and that love of glory which becomes inherent +in the warrior, as he gazed on the untouched and beautiful symmetry of the +"Dolphin's" spars, and all the perfect, and still underanged, order of +her tackle. It seemed as if she bore a charmed fate, or that some +supernatural agency had been instrumental in preserving her unharmed, amid +the violence of a second hurricane. But cooler thought, and more impartial +reflection, compelled the internal acknowledgment, that the vigilance and +wise precautions of the remarkable individual who appeared not only to +govern her movements, but to control her fortunes, had their proper +influence in producing the result. + +Little leisure, however, was allowed to ruminate on these changes, or to +deprecate the advantage of their enemy. The vessel of the Rover had +already opened many broad sheets of canvas; and, as the return of the +regular breeze gave her the wind, her approach was rapid and unavoidable. + +"'Fore George, Mr Ark, luck is all on the dishonest side to-day," said the +veteran, so soon as he perceived by the direction which the "Dolphin" +took, that the encounter was likely to be renewed. "Send the people to +quarters again, and clear away the guns; for we are likely to have another +bout with the rogues." + +"I would advise a moment's delay," Wilder earnestly observed, when he +heard his Commander issuing an order to his people to prepare to deliver +their fire, the instant their enemy should come within a favourable +position. "Let me entreat you to delay; we know not what may be his +present intentions." + +"None shall put foot on the deck of the 'Dart,' without submitting to the +authority of her royal master," returned the stern old tar. "Give it to +him, my men! Scatter the rogues from their guns! and let them know the +danger of approaching a lion, though he should be crippled!" + +Wilder saw that remonstrance was now too late for a fresh broadside was +hurled from the "Dart," to defeat any generous intentions that the Rover +might entertain. The ship of the latter received the iron storm, while +advancing, and immediately deviated gracefully from her course, in such a +way as to prevent its repetition. Then she was seen sweeping towards the +bows of the nearly helpless cruiser of the King, and a hoarse summons was +heard ordering her ensign to be lowered. + +"Come on, ye villains!" shouted the excited Bignall "Come, and perform the +office with your own hands!" + +The graceful ship, as if sensible herself to the taunts of her enemy, +sprung nigher to the wind, and shot across the fore-foot of the "Dart," +delivering her fire, gun after gun, with deliberate and deadly accuracy, +full into that defenceless portion of her Antagonist. A crush like that of +meeting bodies followed and then fifty grim visages were seen entering the +scene of carnage, armed with the deadly weapons of personal conflict. The +shock of so close and so fatal a discharge had, for the moment, paralyzed +the efforts of the assailed; but no sooner did Bignall, and his +lieutenant, see the dark forms that issued from the smoke on their own +decks, than, with voices that had not even then lost their authority each +summoned a band of followers, backed by whom, they bravely dashed into the +opposite gang-ways of their ship, to stay the torrent. The first encounter +was fierce and fatal, both parties receding a little, to wait for succour +and recover breath." + +"Come on, ye murderous thieves!" cried the dauntless veteran, who stood +foremost in his own band, conspicuous by the locks of gray that floated +around his naked head, "well do ye know that heaven is with the right!" + +The grim freebooters in his front recoiled and opened; then came a sheet +of flame, from the side of the "Dolphin," through an empty port of her +adversary bearing in its centre a hundred deadly missiles. The sword of +Bignall was flourished furiously and wildly above his head, and his voice +was still heard crying, till the sounds rattled in his throat,-- + +"Come on, ye knaves! come on!--Harry--Harry Ark! O God!--Hurrah!" + +He fell like a log, and died the unwitting possessor of that very +commission for which he had toiled throughout a life of hardship and +danger. Until now Wilder had made good his quarter of the deck though +pressed by a band as fierce and daring as his own; but, at this fearful +crisis in the combat, a voice was heard in the melee, that thrilled on all +his nerves, and seemed even to carry its fearful influence over the minds +of his men. + +"Make way there, make way!" it said, in tones clear, deep, and breathing +with authority, "make way, and follow; no hand but mine shall lower that +vaunting flag!" + +"Stand to your faith, my men!" shouted Wilder in reply. Shouts, oaths, +imprecations, and groans formed a fearful accompaniment of the rude +encounter, which was, however, far too violent to continue long. Wilder +saw, with agony, that numbers and impetuosity were sweeping his supporters +from around him. Again and again he called them to the succour with his +voice, or stimulated them to daring by his example. + +Friend after friend fell at his feet, until he was driven to the utmost +extremity of the deck. Here he again rallied a little band, against which +several furious charges were made, in vain. + +"Ha!" exclaimed a voice he well knew; "death to all traitors! Spit the +spy, as you would a dog! Charge through them, my bullies; a halbert to the +hero who shall reach his heart!" + +"Avast, ye lubber!" returned the stern tones of the staunch Richard. "Here +are a white man and a nigger at your service, if you've need of a spit." + +"Two more of the gang!" continued the General aiming a blow that +threatened to immolate the topman as he spoke. + +A dark half-naked form was interposed to receive the descending blade, +which fell on the staff of a half-pike and severed it as though it had +been a reed. Nothing daunted by the defenceless state in which he found +himself, Scipio made his way to the front of Wilder, where, with a body +divested to the waist of every garment, and empty handed, he fought with +his brawny arms, like one who despised the cuts, thrusts and assaults, of +which his athletic frame immediately became the helpless subject. + +"Give it to 'em, right and left, Guinea," cried Fid: "here is one who will +come in as a backer, so soon as he has stopped the grog of the marine." + +The parries and science of the unfortunate General were at this moment set +at nought, by a blow from Richard, which broke down all his defences, +descending through cap and skull to the jaw. + +"Hold, murderers!" cried Wilder, who saw the numberless blows that were +falling on the defenceless body of the still undaunted black. "Strike +here! and spare an unarmed man!" + +The sight of our adventurer became confused, for he saw the negro fall, +dragging with him to the deck two of his assailants; and then a voice, +deep as the emotion which such a scene might create, appeared to utter in +the very portals of his ear,--"Our work is done! He that strikes another +blow makes an enemy of me." + + + + +Chapter XXXI. + + + + ----"Take him hence; + The whole world shall not save him."--_Cymbeline_ + + +The recent gust had not passed more fearfully and suddenly over the ship, +than the scene just related. But the smiling aspect of the tranquil sky, +and bright sun of the Caribbean sea, found no parallel in the horrors that +succeeded the combat. The momentary confusion which accompanied the fall +of Scipio soon disappeared, and Wilder was left to gaze on the wreck of +all the boasted powers of his cruiser, and on that waste of human life, +which had been the attendants of the struggle. The former has already been +sufficiently described; but a short account of the present state of the +actors may serve to elucidate the events that are to follow. + +Within a few yards of the place he was permitted to occupy himself, stood +the motionless form of the Rover. A second glance was necessary, however, +to recognise, in the grim visage to which the boarding-cap already +mentioned lent a look of artificial ferocity the usually bland countenance +of the individual. As the eye of Wilder roamed over the swelling, erect, +and still triumphant figure, it was difficult not to fancy that even the +stature had been suddenly and unaccountably increased. One hand rested on +the hilt of a yataghan, which, by the crimson drops that flowed along its +curved blade, had evidently done fatal service in the fray; and one foot +was placed, seemingly with supernatural weight, on that national emblem +which it had been his pride to lower. His eye was wandering sternly, but +understandingly, over the scene, though he spoke not, nor in any other +manner betrayed the deep interest he felt in the past. At his side, and +nearly within the circle of his arm stood the cowering form of the boy +Roderick, unprovided with weapon, his garments sprinkled with blood, his +eye contracted, wild, and fearful, and his face pallid as those in whom +the tide of life had just ceased to circulate. + +Here and there, were to be seen the wounded captives still sullen and +unconquered in spirit, while many of their scarcely less fortunate enemies +lay in their blood, around the deck, with such gleamings of ferocity on +their countenances as plainly denoted that the current of their +meditations was still running on vengeance. The uninjured and the slightly +wounded, of both bands, were already pursuing their different objects of +plunder or of secretion. + +But, so thorough was the discipline established by the leader of the +freebooters, so absolute his power, that blow had not been struck, nor +blood drawn, since the moment when his prohibitory mandate was heard. +There had been enough of destruction, however to have satisfied their most +gluttonous longings had human life been the sole object of the assault. +Wilder felt many a pang, as the marble-like features of humble friend or +faithful servitor came, one after another, under his recognition; but the +shock was greatest when his eye fell upon the rigid, and still frowning, +countenance of his veteran Commander. + +"Captain Heidegger," he said, struggling to maintain the fortitude which +became the moment; "the fortune of the day is yours: I ask mercy and +kindness in behalf of the survivors." + +"They shall be granted to those who, of right may claim them: I hope it +may be found that all are included in this promise." + +The voice of the Rover was solemn, and full of meaning; and it appeared to +convey more than the simple import of the words. Wilder might have nursed +long and vainly, however, on the equivocal manner in which he had been +answered, had not the approach of a body of the hostile crew, among whom +he instantly recognised the most prominent of the late mutineers of the +"Dolphin," speedily supplied a clue to the hidden meaning of their leader. + +"We claim the execution of our ancient laws!" sternly commenced the +foremost of the gang, addressing his chief with a brevity and an air of +fierceness which the late combat might well have generated, if not +excused. + +"What would you have?" + +"The lives of traitors" was the sullen answer. + +"You know the conditions of our service. If any such are in our power, let +them meet their fate." + +Had any doubt remained in the mind of Wilder, as to the meaning of these +terrible claimants of justice it would have vanished at the sullen, +ominous manner with which he and his two companions were immediately +dragged before the lawless chief. Though the love of life was strong and +active in his breast, it was not, even in that fearful moment, exhibited +in any deprecating or unmanly form. Not for an instant did his mind waver, +or his thoughts wander to any subterfuge, that might prove unworthy of his +profession or his former character. One anxious, inquiring look was +fastened on the eye of him whose power alone might save him. He witnessed +the short, severe struggle of regret that softened the rigid muscles of +the Rover's countenance, and then he saw the instant, cold, and calm +composure which settled on every one of its disciplined lineaments. He +knew, at once, that the feelings of the man were smothered in the duty of +the chief, and more was unnecessary to teach him the utter hopelessness of +his condition. Scorning to render his state degrading by useless +remonstrances, the youth remained where his accusers had seen fit to place +him--firm, motionless, and silent. + +"What would've have?" the Rover was at length heard to say, in a voice +that even his iron nerves scarce rendered deep and full-toned as common. +'What ask ye?" + +"Their lives!" + +"I understand you; go; they are at your mercy." + +Notwithstanding the horrors of the scene through which he had just passed, +and that high and lofty excitement which had sustained him through the +fight, the deliberate, solemn tones with which his judge delivered a +sentence that he knew consigned him to a hasty and ignominious death, +shook the frame of our adventurer nearly to insensibility. The blood +recoiled backward to his heart, and the sickening sensation that beset his +brain threatened to up-set his reason. But the shock passed, on the +instant leaving him erect, and seemingly proud and firm as ever, and +certainly with no evidence of mortal weakness that human eye could +discover. + +"For myself nothing is demanded," he said, with admirable steadiness. "I +know your self-enacted laws condemn me to a miserable fate; but for these +ignorant, confiding, faithful followers, I claim, nay beg, entreat, +implore your mercy; they knew not what they did, and"-- + +"Speak to these!" said the Rover, pointing, with an averted eye, to the +fierce knot by which he was surrounded: "These are your judges, and the +sole ministers of mercy." + +Strong and nearly unconquerable disgust was apparent in the manner of the +youth; but, with a mighty effort, he subdued it, and, turning to the crew, +continued,-- + +"Then even to these will I humble myself in petitions. Ye are men, and ye +are mariners"-- + +"Away with him!" exclaimed the croaking Nightingale; "he preaches! away +with him to the yard arm! away!" + +The shrill, long-drawn winding of the call which the callous boatswain +sounded in bitter mockery was answered by an echo from twenty voices, in +which the accents of nearly as many different people mingled in hoarse +discordancy, as they shouted,-- + +"To the yard-arm! away with the three! away!" + +Wilder cast a last glance of appeal at the Rover but he met no look, in +return, from a face that was intentionally averted. Then, with a burning +brain he felt himself rudely transferred from the quarter deck into the +centre and less privileged portion of the ship. The violence of the +passage, the hurried reeving of cords, and all the fearful preparations of +a nautical execution, appeared but the business of a moment, to him who +stood so near the verge of time. + +"A yellow flag for punishment!" bawled there vengeful captain of the +forecastle; "let the gentle man sail on his last cruise, under the rogue's +ensign!" + +"A yellow flag! a yellow flag!" echoed twenty taunting throats. "Down with +the Rover's ensign and up with the colours of the prevot-marshal! A yellow +flag! a yellow flag!" + +The hoarse laughter, and mocking merriment, with which this coarse device +was received, stirred the ire of Fid, who had submitted in silence, so +far, to the rude treatment he received, for no other reason than that he +thought his superior was the best qualified to utter the little which it +might be necessary to say. + +"Avast, ye villains!" he hotly exclaimed, prudence and moderation losing +their influence, under the excitement of scornful anger; "ye cut-throat, +lubberly villains! That ye are villains, is to be proved, in your teeth, +by your getting your sailing orders from the devil; and that ye are +lubbers, any man may see by the fashion in which ye have rove this cord +about my throat. A fine jam will ye make with a turn in your whip! But +ye'll all come to know how a man is to be decently hanged, ye rogues, ye +will. Ye'll all come honestly by the knowledge, in your day, ye will!" + +"Clear the turn, and run him up!" shouted one, two, three voices, in rapid +succession; "a clear whip, and a swift run to heaven!" + +Happily a fresh burst of riotous clamour, from one of the hatchways, +interrupted the intention; and then was heard the cry of,--- + +"A priest! a priest! Pipe the rogues to prayers, before they take their +dance on nothing!" + +The ferocious laughter with which the freebooters received this sneering +proposal, was hushed as suddenly as though One answered to their mockery, +from that mercy-seat whose power they so sacrilegiously braved, when a +deep, menacing voice was heard in their midst, saying,-- + +"By heaven, if touch, or look, be laid too boldly on a prisoner in this +ship, he who offends had better beg the fate ye give these miserable men, +than meet my anger. Stand off, I bid you, and let the chaplain approach!" + +Every bold hand was instantly withdrawn, and each profane lip was closed +in trembling silence, giving the terrified and horror-stricken subject of +their liberties room and opportunity to advance to the scene of +punishment. + +"See," said the Rover, in calmer but still deeply authoritative tones; +"you are a minister of God, and your office is sacred charity: If you have +aught to smooth the dying moment to fellow mortal, haste to impart it!" + +"In what have these offended?" demanded the divine, when power was given +to speak. + +"No matter; it is enough that their hour is near. If you would lift your +voice in prayer, fear nothing. The unusual sounds shall be welcome even +here. Ay, and these miscreants, who so boldly surround you, shall kneel, +and be mute, as beings whose souls are touched by the holy rite. Scoffers +shall be dumb, and unbelievers respectful, at my beck.--Speak freely!" + +"Scourge of the seas!" commenced the chaplain, across whose pallid +features a flash of holy excitement had cast its glow, "remorseless +violator of the laws of man! audacious contemner of the mandates of your +God! a fearful retribution shall avenge this crime. Is it not enough that +you have this day consigned so many to a sudden end, but your vengeance +must be glutted with more blood? Beware the hour when these things shall +be visited, in almighty power on your own devoted head!" + +"Look!" said the Rover, smiling, but with an expression that was haggard, +in spite of the unnatural exultation that struggled about his quivering +lip, "here are the evidences of the manner in which Heaven protects the +right!" + +"Though its awful justice be hidden in inscrutable wisdom for a time, +deceive not thyself; the hour is at hand when it shall be seen and felt in +majesty!" + +The voice of the chaplain became suddenly choaked, for his wandering eye +had fallen on the frowning countenance of Bignall, which, set in death, +lay but half concealed beneath that flag which the Rover himself had cast +upon the body. Then, summoning his energies, he continued, in the clear +and admonitory strain that befitted his sacred calling: "They tell me you +are but half lost to feeling for your kind; and, though the seeds of +better principles, of better days, are smothered in your heart, that they +still exist and might be quickened into goodly" + +"Peace! You speak in vain. To your duty with these men, or be silent." + +"Is their doom sealed?" + +"It is." + +"Who says it?" demanded a low voice at the elbow of the Rover, which, +coming upon his ear at that moment, thrilled upon his most latent nerve, +chasing the blood from his cheek to the secret recesses of his frame. But +the weakness had already passed away with the surprise, as he calmly, and +almost instantly answered,-- + +"The law." + +"The law!" repeated the governess. "Can they who set all order at +defiance, who despise each human regulation, talk of law! Say, it is +heartless, vindictive vengeance, if you will; but call it not by the +sacred name of law.--I wander from my object! They have told me of this +frightful scene, and I am come to offer ransom for the offenders. Name +your price, and let it be worthy of the subject we redeem; a grateful +parent shall freely give it all for the preserver of his child." + +"If gold will purchase the lives you wish," the other interrupted, with +the swiftness of thought, "it is here in hoards, and ready on the moment. +What say my people! Will they take ransom?" + +A short, brooding pause succeeded; and then a low, ominous murmur was +raised in the throng, announcing their reluctance to dispense with +vengeance. A scornful glance shot from the glowing eye of the Rover, +across the fierce countenances by which he was environed; his lips moved +with vehemence; but, as if he disdained further intercession, nothing was +uttered for the ear. Turning to the divine, he added, with all the former +composure of his wonderful manner,-- + +"Forget not your sacred office--time is leaving us." He was then moving +slowly aside, in imitation of the governess, who had already veiled her +features from the revolting scene, when Wilder addressed him. + +"For the service you would have done me, from my soul I thank you," he +said. "If you would know that I leave you in peace, give yet one solemn +assurance before I die." + +"To what?" + +"Promise, that they who came with me into your ship shall leave it +unharmed, and speedily." + +"Promise, Walter," said a solemn, smothered voice, in the throng. + +"I do." + +"I ask no more.--Now, Reverend Minister of God, perform thy holy office, +near my companions. Then ignorance may profit by your service. If I quit +this bright and glorious scene, without thought and gratitude to that +Being who, I humbly trust, has made me an heritor of still greater things, +I offend wittingly and without hope. But these may find consolation in +your prayers." + +Amid an awful and breathing silence, the chaplain approached the devoted +companions of Wilder. Their comparative insignificance had left them +unobserved during most of the foregoing scene; and material changes had +occurred, unheeded, in their situation. Fid was seated on the deck, his +collar unbuttoned, his neck encircled with the fatal cord, sustaining the +head of the nearly helpless black, which he had placed, with singular +tenderness and care, in his lap. + +"This man, at least, will disappoint the malice of his enemies," said the +divine, taking the hard hand of the negro into his own; "the termination +of his wrongs and his degradation approaches; he will soon be far beyond +the reach of human injustice.--Friend, by what name is your companion +known?" + +"It is little matter how you hail a dying man," returned Richard, with at +melancholy shake of the head. "He has commonly been entered on the ship's +books as Scipio Africa, coming, as he did, from the coast of Guinea; but, +if you call him S'ip, he will not be slow to understand." + +"Has he known baptism? Is he a Christian?" + +"If he be not, I don't know who the devil is!" responded Richard, with an +asperity that might be deemed a little unseasonable. "A man who serves his +country, is true to his messmate, and has no skulk about him, I call a +saint, so far as mere religion goes. I say, Guinea, my hearty, give the +chaplain a gripe of the fist, if you call yourself a Christian. A Spanish +windlass wouldn't give a stronger screw than the knuckles of that nigger +an hour ago; and, now, you see to what a giant may be brought." + +"His latter moment is indeed near. Shall I offer a prayer for the health +of the departing spirit?" + +"I don't know, I don't know!" answered Fid, gulping his words, and +uttering a hem, that was still deep and powerful, as in the brightest and +happiest of his days. "When there is so little time given to a poor fellow +to speak his mind in, it may be well to let him have a chance to do most +of the talking. Something may come uppermost which he would like to send +to his friends in Africa; in which case, we may as well be looking out for +a proper messenger. Hah! what is it, boy? You see he is already trying to +rowse something up out of his ideas." + +"Misser Fid--he'm take a collar," said the black, struggling for +utterance. + +"Ay, ay," returned Richard, again clearing his throat, and looking to the +right and left fiercely, as if he were seeking some object on which to +wreak his vengeance. "Ay, ay, Guinea; put your mind at ease on that point, +and for that matter on all others. You shall have a grave as deep as the +sea, and Christian burial, boy, if this here parson will stand by his +work. Any small message you may have for your friends shall be logg'd, and +put in the way of coming to their ears. You have had much foul weather in +your time, Guinea, and some squalls have whistled about your head, that +might have been spaced, mayhap, had your colour been a shade or two +lighter. For that matter, it may be that I have rode you down a little too +close myself, boy, when over-heated with the conceit of skin; for all +which may the Lord forgive me as freely as I hope you will do the same +thing!" + +The negro made a fruitless effort to rise, endeavouring to grasp the hand +of the other, saying, as he did so,-- + +"Misser Fid beg a pardon of a black man! Masser aloft forget he'm all, +misser Richard; he t'ink 'em no more." + +"It will be what I call a d----'d generous thing, if he does," returned +Richard, whose sorrow and whose conscience had stirred up his uncouth +feelings to an extraordinary degree. "There's the affair of slipping off +the wreck of the smuggler has never been properly settled atween us, +neither; and many other small services of like nature, for which, d'ye +see, I'll just thank you, while there is opportunity; for no one can say +whether we shall ever be borne again on the same ship's books." + +A feeble sign from his companion caused the topman to pause, while he +endeavoured to construe its meaning as well as he was able. With a +facility, that was in some degree owing to the character of the individual +his construction of the other's meaning was favourable to himself, as was +quite evident by the manner in which he resumed,-- + +"Well, well, mayhap we may. I suppose they birth the people there in some +such order as is done here below, in which case we may be put within +hailing distance, after all. Our sailing orders are both signed; though, +as you seem likely to slip your cable before these thieves are ready to +run me up, you will be getting the best of the wind. I shall not say much +concerning any signals it may be necessary to make, in order to make one +another out aloft taking it for granted that you will not overlook master +Harry, on account of the small advantage you may have in being the first +to shove off, intending myself to keep as close as possible in his wake, +which will give me the twofold advantage of knowing I am on the right +tack, and of falling in with you"-- + +"These are evil words, and fatal alike to your own future peace, and to +that of your unfortunate friend," interrupted the divine. "His reliance +must be placed on One, different in all his attributes from your officer, +to follow whom, or to consult whose frail conduct, would be the height of +madness. Place your faith on another"---- + +"If I do, may I be----" + +"Peace," said Wilder. "The black would speak to me." + +Scipio had turned his looks in the direction of his officer, and was +making another feeble effort towards extending his hand. As Wilder placed +the member within the grasp of the dying negro, the latter succeeded in +laying it on his lips, and then, flourishing with a convulsive movement +that herculean arm which he had so lately and so successfully brandished +in defence of his master, the limb stiffened and fell, though the eyes +still continued their affectionate and glaring gaze on that countenance he +had so long loved, and which, in the midst of all his long-endured wrongs, +had never refused to meet his look of love in kindness. A low murmur +followed this scene, and then complaints succeeded, in a louder strain, +till more than one voice was heard openly muttering its discontent that +vengeance should be so long delayed. + +"Away with them!" shouted an ill-omened voice from the throng. "Into the +sea with the carcass, and up with the living." + +"Avast!" burst out of the chest of Fid, with an awfulness and depth that +stayed even the daring; movements of that lawless moment. "Who dare to +cast a seaman into the brine, with the dying look standing in his lights, +and his last words still in his messmate's ears? Ha! would ye stopper the +fins of a man as ye would pin a lobster's claw! That for your fastenings +and your lubberly knots together!" The excited topman snapped the lines by +which his elbows had been imperfectly secured, while speaking and +immediately lashed the body of the black to his own, though his words +received no interruption from a process that was executed with all a +seaman's dexterity. "Where was the man in your lubberly crew that could +lay upon a yard with this here black, or haul upon a lee-earing, while he +held the weather-line? Could any one of ye all give up his rations, in +order that a sick messmate might fare the better? or work a double tide, +to spare the weak arm of a friend? Show me one who had as little dodge +under fire, as a sound mainmast, and I will show you all that is left of +his better. And now sway upon your whip, and thank God that the honest end +goes up, while the rogues are suffered to keep their footing for a time." + +"Sway away!" echoed Nightingale, seconding the hoarse sounds of his voice +by the winding of his call; "away with them to heaven." + +"Hold!" exclaimed the chaplain, happily arresting the cord before it had +yet done its fatal office. "For His sake, whose mercy may one day be +needed by the most hardened of ye all, give but another moment of time! +What mean these words! read I aright? 'Ark, of Lynnhaven!'" + +"Ay, ay," said Richard, loosening the rope a little, in order to speak +with greater freedom, and transferring the last morsel of the weed from +his box to his mouth, as he answered; "seeing you are an apt scholar, no +wonder you make it out so easily, though written by a hand that was always +better with a marling-spike than a quill." + +"But whence came the words? and why do you bear those names, thus written +indelibly in the skin? Patience, men! monsters! demons! Would ye deprive +the dying man of even a minute of that precious time which becomes so dear +to all, as life is leaving us?" + +"Give yet another minute!" said a deep voice from behind. + +"Whence come the words, I ask?" again the chaplain demanded. + +"They are neither more nor less than the manner in which a circumstance +was logged, which is now of no consequence, seeing that the cruise is +nearly up with all who are chiefly concerned. The black spoke of the +collar; but, then, he thought I might be staying in port, while he was +drifting between heaven and earth, in search of his last moorings." + +"Is there aught, here, that I should know?" interrupted the eager, +tremulous voice of Mrs Wyllys. "O Merton! why these questions? Has my +yearning been prophetic? Does nature give so mysterious a warning of its +claim!" + +"Hush, dearest Madam! your thoughts wander from probabilities, and my +faculties become confused.--'Ark, of Lynnhaven,' was the name of an estate +in the islands, belonging to a near and dear friend, and it was the place +where I received, and whence I sent to the main, the precious trust you +confided to my care. But"---- + +"Say on!" exclaimed the lady, rushing madly in front of Wilder, and +seizing the cord which, a moment before, had been tightened nearly to his +destruction stripping it from his throat, with a sort of supernatural +dexterity: "It was not, then, the name of a ship?" + +"A ship! surely not. But what mean these hopes?--these fears?" + +"The collar? the collar? speak; what of that collar?" + +"It means no great things, now, my Lady," returned Fid, very coolly +placing himself in the same condition as Wilder, by profiting by the +liberty of his arms, and loosening his own neck from the halter, +notwithstanding a movement made by some of the people to prevent it, which +was, however, staid by a look from their leader's eyes. "I will first cast +loose this here rope; seeing that it is neither decent, nor safe, for an +ignorant man, like me, to enter into such unknown navigation, a-head of +his officer. The collar was just the necklace of the dog, which is here to +be seen on the arm of poor Guinea, who was, in most respects, a man for +whose equal one might long look in vain." + +"Read it," said the governess, a film passing before her own eyes; "read +it," she added, motioning, with a quivering hand, to the divine to peruse +the inscription, that was distinctly legible on the plate of brass. + +"Holy Dispenser of good! what is this I see? 'Neptune, the property of +Paul de Lacey!'" + +A loud cry burst from the lips of the governess; her hands were clasped +one single instant upward, in that thanksgiving which oppressed her soul, +and then, as recollection returned, Wilder was pressed fondly, frantickly +to her bosom, while her voice was neard to say, in the piercing tones of +all-powerful nature,-- + +"My child! my child!--You will not--cannot--dare not, rob a long-stricken +and bereaved mother of her offspring. Give me back my son, my noble son! +and I will weary Heaven with prayers in your behalf. Ye are brave, and +cannot be deaf to mercy. Ye are men, who have lived in constant view of +God's majesty, and will not refuse to listen to this evidence of his +pleasure. Give me my child, and I yield all else. He is of a race long +honoured upon the seas, and no mariner will be deaf to his claims. The +widow of de Lacey, the daughter of ------ cries for mercy. Their united +blood is in his veins, and it will not be spilt by you! A mother bows +herself to the dust before you, to ask mercy for her offspring. Oh! give +me my child! my child!" + +As the words of the petitioner died upon the ear a stillness settled on +the place, that might have been likened to the holy calm which the +entrance of better feelings leaves upon the soul of the sinner. The grim +freebooters regarded each other in doubt; the workings of nature +manifesting themselves in the gleamings of even their stern and hardened +visages. Still, the desire for vengeance had got too firm a hold of their +minds to be dispossessed at a word. The result would vet have been +doubtful, had not one suddenly re-appeared in their midst who never +ordered in vain; and who knew how to guide, to quell, or to mount and +trample on their humours, as his own pleasure dictated. For half a minute, +he looked around him, his eye still following the circle, which receded as +he gazed, until even those longest accustomed to yield to his will began +to wonder at the extraordinary aspect in which it was now exhibited. The +gaze was wild and bewildered; and the face pallid as that of the +petitioning mother. Three times did the lips sever, before sound issued +from the caverns of his chest; then arose, on the attentive ears of the +breathless and listening crowd, a voice that seemed equally charged with +inward emotion and high authority. With a haughty gesture of the hand, and +a manner that was too well understood to be mistaken, he said,-- + +"Disperse! Ye know my justice; but ye know I will be obeyed. My pleasure +shall be known tomorrow." + + + + +Chapter XXXII. + + + + ----"This is he; + Who hath upon him still that natural stamp: + It was wise Nature's end in the donation, + To be his evidence now."--_Shakespeare._ + + +That morrow came; and, with it, an entire change, in the scene and +character of our tale. The "Dolphin" and the "Dart" were sailing in amity, +side by side; the latter again bearing the ensign of England, and the +former carrying a naked gaff. The injuries of the gust, and the combat, +had so far been repaired, that, to a common eye, each gallant vessel was +again prepared, equally to encounter the hazards of the ocean or of +warfare. A long, blue, hazy streak, to the north, proclaimed the proximity +of the land; and some three or four light coasters of that region, which +were sailing nigh, announced how little of hostility existed in the +present purposes of the freebooters. + +What those designs were, however, still remained a secret, buried in the +bosom of the Rover alone. + +Doubt, wonder, and distrust were, each in its turn, to be traced, not only +in the features of his captives, but in those of his own crew. Throughout +the whole of the long night, which had succeeded the events of the +important day just past, he had been seen to pace the poop in brooding +silence. The little he had uttered was merely to direct the movements of +the vessel; and when any ventured, with other design, to approach his +person, a sign, that none there dared to disregard, secured him the +solitude he wished. Once or twice, indeed, the boy Roderick was seen +hovering at his elbow, but it was as a guardian spirit would be fancied to +linger near the object of its care, unobtrusively, and, it might almost be +added, invisible. When, however, the sun came burnished and glorious, out +of the waters of the east a gun was fired, to bring a coaster to the side +of the "Dolphin;" and then it seemed that the curtain was to be raised on +the closing scene of the drama. With his crew assembled on the deck +beneath, and the principal personages among his captives beside him on the +poop, the Rover addressed the former. + +"Years have united us by a common fortune," he said: "We have long been +submissive to the same laws. If I have been prompt to punish, I have been +ready to obey. You cannot charge me with injustice. But the covenant is +now ended. I take back my pledge, and I return you your faiths. Nay, frown +not--hesitate not--murmur not! The compact ceases and our laws are ended. +Such were the conditions of the service. I give you your liberty, and +little do I claim in return. That you need have no grounds of reproach, I +bestow my treasure. See," he added, raising that bloody ensign with which +he had so often braved the power of the nations, and exhibiting beneath it +sacks of that metal which has so long governed the world; "see! This was +mine; it is now yours. It shall be put in yonder coaster: there I leave +you, to bestow it, yourselves, on those you may deem most worthy. Go; the +land is near. Disperse, for your own sakes: Nor hesitate; for, without me, +well do ye know that vessel of the King would be your master. The ship is +already mine, of all the rest, I claim these prisoners alone for my +portion. Farewell!" + +Silent amazement succeeded this unlooked-for address. There was, indeed, +for a moment, some disposition to rebel; but the measures of the Rover had +been too well taken for resistance. The "Dart" lay on their beam, with her +people at their guns, matches lighted, and a heavy battery. Unprepared, +without a leader, and surprised, opposition would have been madness. The +first astonishment had scarce abated, before each freebooter rushed to +secure his individual effects, and to transfer them to the deck of the +coaster. When all but the crew of a single boat had left the "Dolphin," +the promised gold was sent, and then the loaded craft was seen hastily +seeking the shelter of some secret creek. During this scene, the Rover had +again been silent as death. He next turned to Wilder; and, making a mighty +but successful effort to still his feelings, he added,-- + +"Now must we, too, part. I commend my wounded to your care. They are +necessarily with your surgeons. I know the trust I give you will not be +abused." + +"My word is the pledge of their safety," returned the young de Lacey. + +"I believe you.--Lady," he added, approaching the elder of the females, +with an air in which earnestness and hesitation strongly contended, "if a +proscribed and guilty man may still address you, grant yet a favour." + +"Name it; a mother's ear can never be deaf to him who has spared her +child." + +"When you petition Heaven for that child, then forget not there is another +being who may still profit by your prayers!--No more.--And now," he +continued looking about him like one who was determined to be equal to the +pang of the moment, however difficult it might prove, and surveying, with +an eye of painful regret, those naked decks which were so lately teeming +with scenes of life and revelry; "and now--ay--now we part! The boat +awaits you." + +Wilder had soon seen his mother and Gertrude into the pinnace; but he +still lingered on the deck himself. + +"And you!" he said, "what will become of you?" + +"I shall shortly be--forgotten.--Adieu!" + +The manner in which the Rover spoke forbade delay. The young man +hesitated, squeezed his hand, and left him. + +When Wilder found himself restored to his proper vessel, of which the +death of Bignall had left him in command, he immediately issued the order +to fill her sails, and to steer for the nearest haven of his country. So +long as sight could read the movements of the man who remained on the +decks of the "Dolphin" not a look was averted from the still motionless +object. She lay, with her maintop-sail to the mast, stationary as some +beautiful fabric placed there by fairy power, still lovely in her +proportions, and perfect in all her parts. A human form was seen swiftly +pacing her poop, and, by its side, glided one who looked like a lessened +shadow of that restless figure. At length distance swallowed these +indistinct images; and then the eye was wearied, in vain, to trace the +internal movements of the distant ship But doubt was soon ended. Suddenly +a streak of flame flashed from her decks, springing fiercely from sail to +sail. A vast cloud of smoke broke out of the hull, and then came the +deadened roar of artillery. To this succeeded, for a time, the awful, and +yet attractive spectacle of a burning ship. The whole was terminated by an +immense canopy of smoke, and an explosion that caused the sails of the +distant "Dart" to waver, as though the winds of the trades were deserting +their eternal direction. When the cloud had lifted from the ocean, an +empty waste of water was seen beneath; and none might mark the spot where +so lately had floated that beautiful specimen of human ingenuity. Some of +those who ascended to the upper masts of the cruiser, and were aided by +glasses, believed, indeed, they could discern a solitary speck upon the +sea; but whether it was a boat, or some fragment of the wreck, was never +known. + +From that time, the history of the dreaded Red Rover became gradually +lost, in the fresher incidents of those eventful seas. But the mariner, +long after was known to shorten the watches of the night, by recounting +scenes of mad enterprise that were thought to have occurred under his +auspices. Rumour did not fail to embellish and pervert them, until the +real character, and even name, of the individual were confounded with the +actors of other atrocities. Scenes of higher and more ennobling interest, +too, were occurring on the Western Continent, to efface the circumstances +of a legend that many deemed wild and improbable. The British colonies of +North America had revolted against the government of the Crown, and a +weary war was bringing the contest to a successful issue. Newport, the +opening scene of this tale, had been successively occupied by the arms of +the King, and by those of that monarch who had sent the chivalry of his +nation to aid in stripping his rival of her vast possessions. + +The beautiful haven had sheltered hostile fleets, and the peaceful villas +had often rung with the merriment of youthful soldiers. More than twenty +years, after the events just related, had been added to the long record of +time, when the island town witnessed the rejoicings of another festival. +The allied forces had compelled the most enterprising leader of the +British troops to yield himself and army captives to their numbers and +skill. The struggle was believed to be over, and the worthy townsmen had, +as usual, been loud in the manifestations of their pleasure. The +rejoicings, however, ceased with the day; and as night gathered over the +place, the little city was resuming its customary provincial tranquillity. +A gallant frigate, which lay in the very spot where the vessel of the +Rover has first been seen, had already lowered the gay assemblage of +friendly ensigns, which had been spread in the usual order of a gala day. +A flag of intermingled colours, and bearing a constellation of bright and +rising stars, alone was floating at her gaff. Just at this moment, another +cruiser, but one of far less magnitude, was seen entering the roadstead, +bearing also the friendly ensign of the new States. Headed by the tide, +and deserted by the breeze, she soon dropped an anchor, in the pass +between Connanicut and Rhodes, when a boat was seen making for the inner +harbour, impelled by the arms of six powerful rowers. As the barge +approached a retired and lonely wharf, a solitary observer of its +movements was enabled to see that it contained a curtained litter, and a +single female form. Before the curiosity which such a sight would be apt +to create, in the breast of one like the spectator mentioned, had time to +exercise itself in conjectures, the oars were tossed, the boat had touched +the piles, and, borne by the seamen, the litter, attended by the woman, +stood before him. + +"Tell me, I pray you," said a voice, in whose tones grief and resignation +were singularly combined, "if Captain Henry de Lacey, of the continental +marine, has a residence in this town of Newport?" + +"That has he," answered the aged man addressed by the female; "that has +he; or, as one might say, two; since yonder frigate is no less his than +the dwelling on the hill, just by." + +"Thou art too old to point us out the way; but, if grandchild, or idler of +any sort, be near, here is silver to reward him." + +"Lord help you, Lady!" returned the other, casting an oblique glance at +her appearance, as a sort of salvo for the term, and pocketing the +trifling piece she offered, with singular care; "Lord help you, Madam! old +though I am, and something worn down by hardships and marvellous +adventures, both by sea land, yet will I gladly do so small an office for +one of your condition. Follow, and you shall see that your pilot is not +altogether unused to the path." + +The old man turned, and was leading the way off the wharf, even before he +had completed the assurance of his boasted ability. The seamen and the +female followed; the latter walking sorrowfully and in silence by the side +of the litter. + +"If you have need of refreshment," said their guide, pointing over his +shoulder, "yonder is a well known inn, and one much frequented in its time +by mariners. Neighbour Joram and the 'Foul Anchor' have had a reputation +in their day, as well as the greatest warrior in the land; and, though +honest Joe is gathered-in for the general harvest, the house stands as +firm as the day he first entered it. A goodly end he made, and profitable +is it to the weak-minded sinner to keep such an example before his eyes!" + +A low, smothered sound issued from the litter but, though the guide +stopped to listen, it was succeeded by no other evidence of the character +of its tenant. + +"The sick man is in suffering," he resumed; "but bodily pain, and all +afflictions which we suffer in the flesh, must have their allotted time. I +have lived to see seven bloody and cruel wars, of which this, which now +rages, is, I humbly trust, to be the last. Of the wonders which I +witnessed, and the bodily dangers which I compassed, in the sixth, eye +hath never beheld, nor can tongue utter, their equal!" + +"Time hath dealt hardly by you, friend," meekly interrupted the female. +"This gold may add a few more comfortable days to those that are already +past." + +The cripple, for their conductor was lame as well as aged, received the +offering with gratitude, apparently too much occupied in estimating its +amount, to give any more of his immediate attention to the discourse. In +the deep silence that succeeded, the party reached the door of the villa +they sought. + +It was now night; the short twilight of the season having disappeared, +while the bearers of the litter had been ascending the hill. A loud rap +was given on the door by the guide; and then he was told that his services +were no longer needed. + +"I have seen much and hard service," he replied, "and well do I know that +the prudent manner does not dismiss the pilot, until the ship is safely +moored. Perhaps old Madam de Lacey is abroad, or the Captain himself may +not"---- + +"Enough; here is one who will answer all our questions." + +The portal was now, in truth, opened; and a man appeared on its threshold, +holding a light. The appearance of the porter was not, however, of the +most encouraging aspect. A certain air, which can neither be assumed nor +gotten rid of, proclaimed him a son of the ocean, while a wooden limb, +which served to prop a portion of his still square and athletic body, +sufficiently proved he was one who had not attained the experience of his +hardy calling without some bodily risk. His countenance, as he held the +light above his head, in order to scan the persons of the groupe without, +was dogmatic, scowling, and a little fierce. He was not long, however, in +recognizing the cripple, of whom he unceremoniously demanded the object of +what he was pleased to term "such a night squall." + +"Here is a wounded mariner," returned the female with tones so tremulous +that they instantly softened the heart of the nautical Cerberus, "who is +come to claim hospitality of a brother in the service; and shelter for the +night. We would speak with Captain Henry de Lacey." + +"Then you have struck soundings on the right coast, Madam," returned the +tar, "as master Paul here, will say in the name of his father, no less +than in that of the sweet lady his mother; not forgetting old madam his +grandam, who is no fresh-water fish herself, for that matter." + +"That he will," said a fine, manly youth of some seventeen years, who wore +the attire of one who was already in training for the seas, and who was +looking curiously over the shoulder of the elderly seaman. "I will +acquaint my father of the visit, and, Richard--do you seek out a proper +birth for our guests, without delay." + +This order, which was given with the air of one who had been accustomed to +act for himself, and to speak with authority, was instantly obeyed. The +apartment, selected by Richard, was the ordinary parlour of the dwelling. +Here, in a few moments, the litter was deposited; the bearers were then +dismissed and the female only was left, with its tenant and the rude +attendant, who had not hesitated to give them so frank a reception. The +latter busied himself in trimming the lights, and in replenishing a bright +wood fire; taking care, at the same time, that no unnecessary vacuum +should occur in the discourse, to render the brief interval, necessary for +the appearance of his superiors, tedious. During this state of things an +inner door was opened, the youth already named leading the way for the +three principal personages of the mansion. + +First came a middle-aged, athletic man, in the naval undress of a Captain +of the new States. His look was calm, and his step was still firm, though +time and exposure were beginning to sprinkle his head with gray. He wore +one arm in a sling, a proof that his service was still recent; on the +other leaned a lady, in whose matronly mien, but still blooming cheek and +bright eyes, were to be traced most of the ripened beauties of her sex. +Behind them followed a third, a female also, whose step was less elastic +but whose person continued to exhibit the evidences of a peaceful evening +to the troubled day of life. The three courteously saluted the stranger, +delicately refraining from making any precipitate allusion to the motive +of her visit. Their reserve seemed necessary; for, by the agitation which +shook the shattered frame of one who appeared as much sinking with grief +as infirmity, it was too apparent that the unknown lady needed a little +time to collect her energies and to arrange her thoughts. + +She wept long and bitterly, as though alone; nor did she essay to speak +until further silence would have become suspicious. Then, drying her eyes, +and with cheeks on which a bright, hectic spot was seated, her voice was +heard for the first time by her wondering hosts. + +"You may deem this visit an intrusion," she said; "but one, whose will is +my law, would be brought hither." + +"Wherefore?" asked the officer, with mildness, observing that her voice +was already choaked. + +"To die!" was the whispered, husky answer. + +A common start manifested the surprise of her auditors; and then the +gentleman arose, and approaching the litter, he gently drew aside a +curtain, exposing its hitherto unseen tenant to the examination of all in +the room. There was understanding in the look that met his gaze, though +death was but too plainly stamped on the pallid lineaments of the wounded +man. His eye alone seemed still to belong to earth; for, while all around +it appeared already to be sunk into the helplessness of the last stage of +human debility that was still bright, intelligent, and glowing--might +almost have been described as glaring. + +"Is there aught in which we can contribute to your comfort, or to your +wishes?" asked Captain de Lacey, after a long and solemn pause, during +which all around the litter had mournfully contemplated the sad spectacle +of sinking mortality. + +The smile of the dying man was ghastly, though tenderness and sorrow were +singularly and fearfully combined in its expression. He answered not; but +his eyes had wandered from face to face, until they became riveted, by a +species of charm, on the countenance of the oldest of the two females. His +gaze was met by a look as settled as his own; and so evident was the +powerful sympathy which existed between the two, that it could not escape +the observation of the spectators. + +"Mother!" said the officer, with affectionate concern; "my mother! what +troubles you?" + +"Henry--Gertrude," answered the venerable parent extending her arms to her +offspring, as if she asked support; "my children, your doors have been +opened to one who has a claim to enter them. Oh! it is in these terrible +moments, when passion is asleep and our weakness is most apparent, in +these moments of debility and disease, that nature so strongly manifests +its impression! I see it all in that fading countenance, in those sunken +features, where so little is left but the last lingering look of family +and kindred!" + +"Kindred!" exclaimed Captain de Lacey: "Of what affinity is our guest?" + +"A brother!" answered the lady, dropping her head on her bosom, as though +she had proclaimed a degree of consanguinity which gave pain no less than +pleasure. + +The stranger, too much overcome himself to speak, made a joyful gesture of +assent, but never averted a gaze that seemed destined to maintain its +direction so long as life should lend it intelligence. + +"A brother!" repeated her son, in unfeigned astonishment. "I knew you had +a brother: but I had thought him dead a boy." + +"'Twas so I long believed, myself; though frightful glimpses of the +contrary have often beset me; but now the truth is too plain, in that +fading visage and those fallen features, to be misunderstood. Poverty and +misfortune divided us. I suppose we thought each other dead." + +Another feeble gesture proclaimed the assent of the wounded man. + +"There is no further mystery. Henry, the stranger is thy uncle--my +brother--once my pupil!" + +"I could wish to see him under happier circumstances," returned the +officer, with a seaman's frankness; "but, as a kinsman, he is welcome. +Poverty, at least, shall no longer divide you." + +"Look, Henry--Gertrude!" added the mother, veiling her own eyes as she +spoke, "that face is no stranger to you. See ye not the sad ruins of one +ye both fear and love?" + +Wonder kept her children mute, though both looked until sight became +confused, so long and intense was their examination. Then a hollow sound, +which came from the chest of the stranger, caused them both to start; and, +as his low, but distinct enunciation rose on their ears, doubt and +perplexity vanished. + +"Wilder," he said, with an effort in which his utmost strength appeared +exerted, "I have come to ask the last office at your hands." + +"Captain Heidegger!" exclaimed the officer. + +"The Red Rover!" murmured the younger Mrs. de Lacey, involuntarily +recoiling a pace from the litter in alarm. + +"The Red Rover!" repeated her son, pressing nigher with ungovernable +curiosity. + +"Laid by the heels at last!" bluntly observed Fid stumping up towards the +groupe, without relinquishing the tongs, which he had kept in constant +use, as an apology for remaining in the presence. + +"I had long hid my repentance, and my shame, together," continued the +dying man, when the momentary surprise had a little abated; "but this war +drew me from my concealment. Our country needed us both, and both has she +had! You have served as one who never offended might serve; but a cause so +holy was not to be tarnished by a name like mine. May the little I have +done for good be remembered when the world speaks of the evil of my hands! +Sister--mother--pardon!" + +"May that God, who forms his creatures with such fearful natures, look +mercifully on all our weaknesses!" exclaimed the weeping Mrs de Lacey, +bowing to her knees, and lifting her hands and eyes to heaven "O brother, +brother! you have been trained in the holy mystery of your redemption, and +need not now be told on what Rock to place your hopes of pardon!" + +"Had I never forgotten those precepts, my name would still be known with +honour. But, Wilder!" he added with startling energy, "Wilder!--" + +All eyes were bent eagerly on the speaker. His hand was holding a roll on +which he had been reposing as on a pillow. With a supernatural effort, his +form arose on the litter; and, with both hands elevated above his head, he +let fall before him that blazonry of intermingled stripes, with its blue +field of rising stars, a glow of high exultation illumining each feature +of his face, as in his former day of pride. + +"Wilder!" he repeated, laughing hysterically, "we have triumphed!"--Then +he fell backward, without motion, the exulting lineaments settling in the +gloom of death, as shadows obscure the smiling brightness of the sun. + + + +The End. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Red Rover, by James Fenimore Cooper + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED ROVER *** + +***** This file should be named 11409.txt or 11409.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/4/0/11409/ + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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