diff options
Diffstat (limited to '21396.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 21396.txt | 19145 |
1 files changed, 19145 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/21396.txt b/21396.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a5dfb71 --- /dev/null +++ b/21396.txt @@ -0,0 +1,19145 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Three Lieutenants, by W.H.G. Kingston + +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 Three Lieutenants + +Author: W.H.G. Kingston + +Illustrator: Archibald Webb + +Release Date: May 8, 2007 [EBook #21396] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE THREE LIEUTENANTS *** + + + + +Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England + + + + +The Three Lieutenants, Life in the Royal Navy in the 1860s, by W.H.G. +Kingston. + +________________________________________________________________________ + +This is the second in Kingston's tetralogy that begins with The Three +Midshipmen, and ends with The Three Admirals. These books were among +the first written by Kingston, and were published serially in weekly +magazines. Kingston's reputation was made by these books, that first +appeared about 1860, and dealt with an officer's life in the Navy at +about that time. + +By an extraordinary co-incidence, the three young men who had met as +midshipmen, get postings that enable them to keep their friendships live +when they are lieutenants. Another old friend is Admiral Triton, who, +though retired, takes a great an interest in the careers of the young +men. + +This is actually quite a long book, but it is full of adventures, and +you will love it. + +________________________________________________________________________ + +THE THREE LIEUTENANTS, LIFE IN THE ROYAL NAVY IN THE 1860s, BY W.H.G. +KINGSTON. + + +CHAPTER ONE. + +LIEUTENANT JACK ROGERS AT HOME--HIS BROTHER TOM RESOLVES TO FOLLOW IN +HIS WAKE--HIS OLD SHIPMATES DISCUSSED--LETTER FROM TERENCE ADAIR +DESCRIPTIVE OF HIS FAMILY--ADMIRAL TRITON PLEADS TOM'S CAUSE--THE +ADMIRAL'S ADVICE TO TOM--LEAVING HOME. + +"Really, Jack, that uniform is excessively becoming. Do oblige us by +standing up as if you were on the quarter-deck of your ship and hailing +the main-top. I do not remember ever having seen a naval officer above +the rank of a midshipman in uniform before. Do you, Lucy?" + +"Only once, at a Twelfth-night party at Foxica, to which you did not go, +when Lady Darlington persuaded Admiral Triton to rig himself out, as he +called it, for our amusement, in a naval suit of the time of Benbow, +belonging to her great-grandfather. I prefer Jack in his uniform, I +own, and he looks infinitely better in it than he does in top-boots and +a hunting-coat, when he is eclipsed by many of the young farmers who +have not two ideas to string together." + +These remarks were made in the presence of Jack Rogers by his young and +pretty sisters, Mary and Lucy, soon after his return home from China, on +his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, when one morning he entered the +breakfast-room, dressed in a bran-new uniform, which, with inward +satisfaction, he had put on at their request, that he might exhibit it +to them. It set off to advantage his manly, well-knit figure, at which +no one could look without seeing that he must possess ample strength of +limb and muscle. An honest, kind heart beamed through a somewhat broad, +very sun-burnt countenance. His features were good, though, and his +head was well set on a wide pair of shoulders, which made him look +shorter than he really was, not that he could boast of being a man of +inches. Take him for all in all, Jack Rogers was a thoroughly good +specimen of the British naval officer. Of course his sisters admired +him--what sisters would not?--but their admiration was surpassed by that +of his youngest brother, Tom, who was firmly of opinion that there never +had been and never could be anybody like him; yet Tom was Jack in +miniature, and the portrait of Jack, taken just before he went to sea, +was frequently supposed to be that of Tom. At school (Tom went to Eagle +House, which, though old Rowley had retired to enjoy a well-earned +"otium cum dignitate" in his native Cumberland, still kept up its +ancient character under an able master) his great delight was to talk of +the sayings and doings of "my brother Jack," and to read extracts from +the accounts of the latter, which from time to time came home. Tom's +schoolfellows knew almost as much about Jack's adventures as those who, +in subsequent years, read them in print, and they all agreed that he +must be a first-rate chap. + +"I should think so, indeed," said Tom, in a tone of confidence. "If you +were just to see him once you'd say I am right, and my great wonder is, +that the Lords of the Admiralty don't make him a post-captain right off +at once. They couldn't help themselves if they knew him as well as I +do." + +Thus admiring Jack, it was natural that Tom should have resolved to +follow in his footsteps. His whole heart was set upon being a sailor, +and going some day to sea with Jack. He did not talk much about his +intentions; that was not his way, except, perhaps, to one or two very +intimate friends; but he had confided his hopes and wishes to Admiral +Triton, who had promised to forward them. + +"You can't choose a better profession, and I'll see about it when the +time comes," answered the Admiral. "Not that the service is what it +was, but I never hold with those who swear that it's going to ruin, and +I shall have no fear on that score as long as there are plenty of fine +young fellows in it, like your brother Jack and his friends Murray and +Adair and scores of others, and such as you'll turn out, Tom, I'm sure. +No, no. I've a notion, however, that we should have been much the +better if those abominable, smoky tea-kettles of affairs introduced of +late years had never been thought of, but one comfort is, that they +never can be of the slightest possible use as men-of-war, though they +may serve to tow ships into action when forts are to be attacked and +such-like work. Never do you get appointed to one if you can help it, +Tom. They'll spoil our sailors as sailors if they do nothing else." + +This was said before the _Nemesis_ in China, and other steamers had done +good service, which even seamen of the old school could not disparage. + +Of course Tom regarded steamers with the utmost contempt, and never +spoke of them without quoting the remarks of Admiral Triton, who, +however, in the course of time, learnt to modify his opinions. + +Tom, who had come home for the holidays with secret hopes of not having +to return to Eagle House, sat proudly smiling his assent to their +sisters' remarks on Jack, stopping for awhile from the vigorous attack +on a plate of ham and eggs, which he had before been making. Jack, who +had taken a chair at the table, asked quietly,--"do you really wish to +hear me hail the main-top?" Mary nodded. + +Tom's eyes twinkled, his countenance beamed all over with delight. + +Jack got up, planted his feet firmly on the floor, and put his hand to +his mouth as if about to hail. + +"I had better not," he said, laughing, "lest I frighten the household +out of their propriety. They will think that some wild bull has got +into the breakfast-room." + +"Oh, never mind that; we want to hear how you do speak on board ship," +said Lucy; "just a few words, you know." + +"As you like it," said Jack, and then, putting his hand to his mouth, he +shouted simply, "Maintop there!" + +The sound made his sisters jump from their chairs. Tom clapped his +hands with delight, and laughed till the tears rolled down his cheeks. +In rushed the butler and footman and two housemaids, with dusters in +their hands, to ascertain what was the matter. Sir John came hurrying +in from the garden with a look of astonishment on his countenance, and +her ladyship's own maid was sent down to know if anything had happened. + +"I told you so," said Jack to his sisters. "I was only speaking as we +do sometimes at sea," he added, turning to the servants, the female +portion of whom lingered to take an admiring look at their young master. + +Sir John gazed with a father's pride at his manly son, and then looked +at Tom, about whom he had the evening before received a letter from +Admiral Triton, saying that if the boy still wished to go into the Navy, +he should have great pleasure in getting him forthwith appointed to a +ship. + +"If the service turns him out as fine a fellow as his brother, I shall +not regret should he choose it," thought the baronet. "I'll talk to him +and Jack about the matter by-and-by, and ascertain the real bent of the +boy's inclinations." Had Tom known what was passing in his father's +mind he would speedily have decided the question. + +The whole party were soon assembled at breakfast--that pleasantest and +most sociable of meals in an English country-house. Besides the members +of the family already introduced, there was Lady Rogers--fair, comely, +gentle-mannered--and kind-hearted--Paul the eldest son, studying the law +that he might take the better care of his paternal estates; and, lastly, +Sidney, a captain in the Guards, at home on leave. Then there were +several guests, county neighbours, who had come for a couple of nights, +a brother officer of Sidney's and a school-fellow of Lucy's. Jack cast +an appreciating glance over the breakfast-table, with its plates of +attractive little rolls, its racks of thin, crisp toast, its small pats +of butter, swimming amid ice in elegantly-designed bowls of crystal, its +eggs under snow-white napkins, its covered dishes containing muffins or +sausages or other minute delicacies, its hissing urn and cream and milk +jugs, and tea set at one end, and its coffee set at the other, presided +over by two sweet-looking girls; and then he smilingly looked over his +shoulder at the side-board, on which, among various comestibles, +appeared a round of beef, another of brawn, a huge ham, and a +venison-pasty. + +Who that has been long a wanderer from home has not gone back in memory +to such a scene as now greeted Jack's eyes, especially when hunger has +been gnawing or provender coarse? Jack often had, and though he had +never grumbled at privations or hardships, he was, notwithstanding, all +the more ready to do ample justice to the viands spread out before him. +He showed this when, after having helped several of the party from the +side-board, he returned with his own well-loaded plate to the table. +The guardsman watched him with astonishment, and even his brother, the +barrister, thought that Jack had got an enormous appetite. Jack, who +was hungry, saw no reason why he should not eat till he was satisfied, +and had laid in a store of food to last him till the seven o'clock +dinner, for luncheon he eschewed as effeminate and an unnecessary +interruption to the business of the day. + +Before breakfast was concluded the post-bag was brought in, opened by +Sir John, and its contents distributed. An official-looking letter, +addressed to Jack, attracted universal attention. + +"Who is it from?" asked Mary anxiously. + +"About your prize-money, Jack?" inquired his mother. "You are not yet +again appointed to a ship, I hope, my dear boy?" + +"I am, though!" exclaimed Jack exultingly, for the moment not thinking +of his mother's feeling, "and second of a fine new thirty-six gun +frigate the _Plantagenet_, commanded by my old friend Hemming. Couldn't +wish for anything better. Where there's work to be done he is sure to +be sent." + +"But you will not have to go away at once, dear Jack, I trust," cried +Lucy, who loved her sailor brother dearly. + +Tom said nothing, and it might have been difficult to decide whether he +was about to cry or laugh. He evidently felt as much interested in the +announcement as Jack himself. + +"Faith, they do work you hard," observed his guardsman brother. "If the +purchase-system was allowed in your service I suspect that buyers would +be rare." + +"I am very glad it doesn't; for now, if a hardworking fellow gets his +foot on the ratlines he has a chance of climbing upwards," answered +Jack. "However, as the _Plantagenet_ has only just been commissioned, I +shall be able to enjoy the civilising influences of home for a short +time longer. In truth, I am almost ashamed at being pleased with the +thoughts of going off again to sea; but after having knocked about all +one's life as a midshipman it is satisfactory to feel that one is an +officer in reality, with a cabin of one's own." + +"Of course, my boy; much more natural than to wish to be dangling after +your sisters, or any other of the petticoat tribe who might take it into +their heads to patronise you," said Sir John, glancing with all a +father's pride at his gallant son. "To what station are you to be +sent?" + +"As far as I can discover, that remains as yet in the mysterious depths +of my Lords Commissioners' minds," answered Jack, glancing over some +other letters. "Hemming has an idea that it may be to the West Indies; +at least such is the opinion of the Portsmouth tailors, who have +generally more correct information on these matters than any one else. +Just now, when the world is so peaceably disposed, it is not of much +consequence where we go; and as I have never been in those seas I would +rather be sent there than anywhere else." + +"I trust that it will not be to the West Indies, my dear boy," said Lady +Rogers. "I have read such sad accounts of the dreadful yellow fever +which kills so many people, and of those terrible hurricanes which send +so many ships to the bottom, and devastate whole islands whenever they +appear, that I tremble at the thoughts of your going there." + +"Pray don't let such an idea trouble you, mother," answered Jack; "the +yellow fever only comes once in a way, and hurricanes appear even less +frequently; so that we may hope to escape both one and the other, even +if we do go there. I have no wish, however, to leave home in a hurry, +and should be glad to remain long enough to receive Murray and Adair, +whom I invited to come here, but I am afraid when they hear of my +appointment that they will write to put off their visit till another +time, which may never arrive. It is not likely that we shall be at home +together again. They are capital fellows. You remember them, Lucy, +when we were all on shore after our first trip to sea, and they came to +call on us in London, and afterwards Adair went down with us for a few +days into the country." + +"Yes, indeed. Mr Adair, I suppose I must now call him, was, I +remember, a terrible pickle; while Mr Murray appeared to be a +wonderfully sedate, taciturn young Scotchman, a pattern of correctness +and propriety," said Lucy. + +"Maybe, but as noble and brave a fellow as ever breathed!" exclaimed +Jack warmly. "I should like to know what opinion you would form of him +now. I must write by to-day's post, and beg him to put off other +engagements if he can, and come to us at once." + +"And that terrible pickle, as Lucy calls him, your Irish friend, Mr +Adair, are we to have the honour of renewing our acquaintance with him +before you go away?" asked Mary. "I must protest against having him +here unless you are present to restrain his exuberant spirits, and the +various eccentricities in which he may take it into his head to +indulge." + +"Oh, Paddy Adair is as gentle as a pet lamb if you only manage him +properly," answered Jack, laughing. "Those various eccentricities are +merely his little frolicsome ways, which can be restrained by silken +cords. There isn't a quieter fellow breathing in the society of +grown-up young ladies, such as you now are. Remember, you were school +girls when you saw him last, and he possibly did not think it necessary +to treat you with the respect he now would." + +"He must indeed be much altered then," observed Lucy. "He had then a +curious fancy for standing on his head, jumping out of windows, and +climbing in at them too, dressing up the dogs and cats in costume, +letting off squibs under horses' noses, putting gunpowder into candles, +etcetera, while his tongue kept up a continued rattle from morning till +night." + +"Avast there, sister," cried Jack, interrupting her; "I beg your pardon; +you have made me speak like a sailor on the stage. I assure you that +Paddy would not dream of committing any of the atrocities you enumerate; +on the contrary, if you ask him what is the chief drawback to his +pleasure in society he will tell you that it is an overpowering +bashfulness, which prevents him from expressing himself with the fluency +he desires, and that his great wish when mixing in society is to receive +sympathy and gentle encouragement to enable him to feel at his ease." + +"From what I recollect of your friend, Mr Adair, I should have thought +it difficult to find a young man more at his ease in any society into +which he may be thrown," observed Lady Rogers, who was somewhat matter +of fact; "I beg therefore, my dear Jack, that you will not persuade your +sisters to give him any of that sympathy and gentle encouragement he +wishes for, or I do not know where he will stop short." + +"Depend on me, mother, I will be as discreet as a judge," said Jack, who +had thus succeeded as he desired in turning the thoughts of Lady Rogers +and his sisters from the yellow fever and hurricanes of the West Indies, +and the conversation for the remainder of breakfast-time became general. + +He wrote immediately to his two old messmates, begging them to come at +once, and telling them of his appointment to the _Plantagenet_. Much to +his regret, and possibly to that of his sisters, who were curious to see +into what sort of persons the young midshipmen had grown, they could +neither of them immediately avail themselves of his invitation. They +congratulated him on his good luck, and said that as their friends were +exerting their interest to get them afloat it was possible that they +might ere long meet again, though as they were of the same standing in +the service they could not hope all to be appointed to one ship. Alick +Murray wrote from Scotland. He had taken under his wing a young orphan +cousin, Archy Gordon, who longed to go to sea. Alick said that his +great wish was to have the lad with him, should he get a ship, "if not," +he added, "I shall be thoroughly satisfied to have him with either you +or Adair, as I am sure that you will both stand his friend in case of +need, and keep an eye on him at all times." + +"Of course I will," said Jack to himself. "Murray's friends must always +be my friends, and those he cares for I must care for; however, I hope +that he will not be allowed to rust long on shore; little chance of it +when once he has made himself known." + +Adair was in Ireland. "Things are not quite so bad as I expected to +find them in the halls of my ancestors," he wrote. "Although the estate +with its thousands of acres of forest and bog was knocked down as I told +you, the old castle of Ballymacree, with a few dirty acres surrounding +it, was bought back again, and still serves as a residence for my father +and mother, and the best part of a score of my brothers and sisters, and +the wives and husbands and children of the elder ones--a pretty large +party we make, you may fancy. I felt myself quite lost at first among +them all, and the noise and confusion which prevailed after the quiet +and regularity of a man-of-war quite confounded me; however, I have got +accustomed to it now, and can join heartily in the fun and frolic which +goes on from morning till night, and considering my bashful and retiring +disposition, this will show you that I feel myself at home and perfectly +happy." + +"I said so," exclaimed Jack triumphantly, showing the letter to his +sisters; "I told you what a quiet, sedate fellow Terence has become, and +here is proof of it. Let us see what more he says." Jack read on:-- + + "I confess, however, that the sooner I am away and afloat again, the + better for the rest of the family. How they all manage to exist is to + me a puzzle. To be sure there are fish in the streams and + neighbouring lakes, and game in abundance, which we retain the right + of shooting; and sheep on the hills, which, as my father does not + attempt any new-fangled plans for improving the condition of the + people, are allowed to exist; and there are praties in the fields, and + fruit and vegetables in the garden; but there is a scarcity of flour + and groceries, and instead of the claret which, in the good old days, + flowed freely at table, we are reduced to drink whisky, of which the + excise has not always had an opportunity of taking due cognisance. My + father does not quite see the matter in the light I do, and was + inclined to be offended when I ordered down a cask of the cratur from + Dublin, as a salve to my conscience, and a few dozen of claret, as a + remembrance of days gone by; but as the latter went in about as many + evenings, we shall have to stick to the whisky in future. However, if + the house holds together till the _Plantagenet_ is paid off, I can + promise you plenty of amusement of one sort or another, and the + enjoyment of magnificent scenery, if you, my dear Jack, will pay a + visit to Ballymacree. You may depend, too, on as hearty a welcome as + I am sure I should have received by your family had I been able to + avail myself of your invitation. To be sure we muster somewhat + stronger than you do, I suspect, and, might possibly exhibit, what + with your sedate English ideas you would consider an exuberance of + spirits, and I am almost afraid that you would think my five fair + young sisters rather hoydenish young ladies, compared to your own. + One of them, Kathleen, is looking over my shoulder and exclaims, + `Arrah, now Terence, don't be after saying that same, or Leeftenant + Rogers will be thinking us a set of wild Irish girls, with no more + civilisation than a family of gipsies;' but I tell her I won't scratch + out what I have written, but I'll add that she's not the ugliest of + the lot; so, dear Jack, when you do come, you can form your own + opinion; I only wish that I had the chance of making some prize-money + for their sakes. By-the-bye, the eldest of them, Nora, who, at + sixteen, married Gerald Desmond, has got a son called after his + father, who has taken it into his head to go to sea, and as nothing I + can say will make him alter his mind, I suppose he must have his way. + I have written to our cousin, Lord Derrynane, and asked him to try and + get Gerald appointed to the _Plantagenet_, as I should like him to be + under Hemming and you. He is a `broth of a boy,' as we say here, and + I know for my sake, Jack, that you will look after him. They say that + he is very like me, which won't be in his disfavour in your eyes-- + though I don't think I ever was such a wild youngster as he is; not + that there's a grain of harm in him. Mind that, and he'll soon get + tamed down in the navy. I don't think I ever wrote so long a letter + in my life, and so as it's high time to bring it to an end, farewell, + Jack, till we meet, and may that be soon, is the sincere wish of, + + "Yours ever faithful and true, + + "TERENCE ADAIR." + +"Of course I will look after his nephew, as I would my own brother. +I'll write and tell him so, though he knows it," exclaimed Jack; "and +now, Lucy, what do you think of my old shipmate?" + +"I cannot exactly say that I admire the style of his epistle, but I have +no doubt that he is as kind-hearted and brave as you describe him," +answered Lucy. + +"I don't mean to say that he is much of a letter-writer," said Jack; +"but at all events he writes as he feels and speaks, in the belief that +no eye but mine would read what he had written. His mind is like a +glass--it can be seen through at a glance; and he has no idea of +concealing a single thought from those he trusts, though he is close +enough with the world in general; and I can tell you that he is as true +as steel, and as brave and high-spirited as he is kind-hearted and +generous." + +"A perfect hero of romance," observed Lucy, laughing; "I am really sorry +that he is not coming here to enable us to judge of him fairly." + +Possibly Lucy thought more about Lieutenant Adair than she chose to +acknowledge. She could not, however, help reflecting that her mamma +would look upon an Irish half-pay naval lieutenant, with a host of +penniless brothers and sisters, in no very favourable light, should he +come in the character of a suitor, so that after all it was just as well +he could not accept Jack's invitation. + +Jack made the most of his time while he remained at Halliburton Hall, +winning the good-will of everybody in the neighbourhood. He laughed and +talked and danced with the fairer portion in the most impartial manner; +young and old, pretty and plain, all came in for a due share of his +attentions. His sisters were quite vexed with him for not falling in +love with one of three or four of their especial friends. They had a +preference for a Julia Giffard; but should Jack fail to lose his heart +to Julia, or Julia decline bestowing hers on him, there were at least +three others of almost equal attractions and perfections, either of whom +they could love as a sister-in-law; and it would be so delightful, while +Jack was away, to have some one to whom they might talk about him, and +to whom he would write such delightful letters which they, of course, +would have the privilege of reading. + +Then, some day, when he was a commander or post-captain, he would come +home, and marry, and settle down in a pretty little cottage near them, +and take to gardening, as many naval officers do, and be so happy. One +day they delicately broached the subject to Jack. He burst into a +hearty laugh. + +"I fall in love with Julia Giffard!" he exclaimed. "My dear girls, what +a miserable fate you are suggesting for your friend. Suppose she were +to engage herself to me! Away I go for three or four years; back for +two months, and off again for a cruise of like duration as the first. +In the mean time she meets half-a-dozen more likely fellows than I am, +as far as money is concerned at all events, but cannot encourage them on +account of her fatal engagement to me; and perhaps, after all, I get +knocked on the head and never come home at all, while the best years of +her youth have gone by. No, no, girls; young naval officers who intend +to follow up their profession have no business to marry; that's my +opinion, and I intend to act on it." + +Jack's sisters were disappointed, for they saw that he was in earnest, +and had sound sense on his side, still they were not inclined to give +in. + +"Then why were you so anxious to get your two brother officers to come +here?" asked Lucy, with considerable _naivete_. + +"Whew! was that running in your head, missie?" cried Jack. "There's no +use denying the fact." + +What that fact was Jack did not say. Lucy blushed, and said no more +about Julia Giffard to her hard-hearted brother. Jack went on as usual, +making himself agreeable, to the best of his power, and no one would +have suspected who saw them together, that the pretty Julia had been +suggested to him as his future wife, least of all the young lady +herself. He and every one of the family had soon another matter to +engage their attention--Admiral Triton arrived. Tom on seeing him could +scarcely conceal his agitation. The crisis of his fate, as he believed, +had arrived. The Admiral was diplomatic, however, not knowing how Sir +John, or at all events Lady Rogers, would receive his proposal to send +off another of their sons as an offering to Neptune. He and Tom had a +long talk, first in private. Tom acknowledged that he had serious +thoughts of stowing himself away in Jack's chest, not to come out till +the ship was well at sea when he could not be landed; or, failing that +plan, to run off and enter as a powder-monkey or cabin-boy under a +feigned tame. Go he would he had determined, in some way or other, for +if not, he should certainly fall into a decline, or at all events pine +away till he was fit for nothing. As the Admiral looked at his sturdy +figure and rosy cheeks he burst into a fit of laughter. + +"I don't fear any such result even should you meet with a refusal, Tom," +he observed, wishing to try him a little further. + +"Oh, Admiral Triton, you don't think that they would wish to make a +parson or a lawyer of me surely?" exclaimed Tom, in a tone of alarm. + +"I cannot say honestly that I consider you cut out exactly for either +profession, though I have no doubt you would do your duty should you be +induced to adopt one or the other," was the answer. "However, I will +speak to your father and mother, and if they give me leave I will see +what can be done for you at the Admiralty, and should there be a vacancy +get you appointed to Jack's ship." + +Tom thanked the Admiral from the very bottom of his young heart, though +he felt a qualm at the thoughts of the sorrow he should cause his +mother, even should she consent to part with him her youngest born. It +did not, it must be confessed, last very long, and he looked forward +anxiously to the result of the Admiral's application on his behalf. + +Admiral Triton waited till after dinner, when the party were assembled +in the drawing-room to broach the subject. A very short conversation +with Sir John showed him that there would be no strong opposition on his +part, and he accordingly stumped over to Lady Rogers, by whose side he +seated himself on the sofa, sticking out his timber toe and commencing +with a warm eulogy on Jack. + +"A right gallant fellow is that son of yours. I knew from the first +that he would turn out well; has fully equalled my expectations; had the +true spirit of a sailor as a boy; we want a succession of such in the +service; had I a dozen suits I would send them all to sea, that is to +say if they wished to go. Naval men, generally, don't think as I do, +perhaps. They fancy that the country doesn't appreciate their services, +and, therefore, won't appreciate their sons, and so look out for berths +on shore for them; but it's possible, Lady Rogers, that they +over-estimate themselves. The case is very different with Jack; he is +as modest as a maiden of sixteen, and yet as bold and daring as a lion; +a first-rate officer; he's sure to get on; he'll be a commander in three +or four years, and be a post-captain not long after. Now, there's your +boy, Tom, just such another lad as Jack was--sure to rise in the +service; and yet he'd be thrown away in any other profession. If you +send him to Oxford or Cambridge he'd expend all his energies in +boat-racing, or steeple-chasing and cricket--very good things in their +way, but bringing no result; whereas, the same expenditure of energy in +the navy would insure him honour and promotion; and depend on it he'll +get on just as well as Jack." + +"But do you think, Admiral, that Tom really wishes to go to sea?" asked +Lady Rogers, in a slightly trembling voice. + +"No doubt about it; determined as a young fellow can be, with yours and +his father's permission," answered the Admiral; and he gave an account +of his conversation with Tom, assuring her ladyship that Sir John had no +objection provided she would consent. + +Lady Rogers called up Tom, who had been watching her and the Admiral +from a distant part of the room, guessing what was going forward. With +genuine feeling he threw his arms round his mother's neck, and while, +with tears in his eyes, he confessed that he had set his heart on going +to sea, he told her how very sorry he felt at wishing to leave her. + +"The news does not come upon me unexpectedly, my dear boy," she +answered, holding his hand and looking with all a mother's love into his +honest face. "I have long suspected that you wished to go to sea; but, +as you did not say so positively, I thought, perhaps, that you might +change your mind. However, as Admiral Triton assures me that you are +cut out for a sailor, and that he can answer for your becoming as good +an officer as your brother Jack is said to be, if your father gives his +consent, I will not withhold mine." + +"Thank you, mother, thank you!" cried Tom, again throwing his arms round +her neck, when something seemed to be choking him, and he could say no +more. + +"He has the right stuff in him, never fear, never fear, Lady Rogers," +said the Admiral, nodding his head approvingly behind Tom's back; "he'll +do." + +The rest of the evening was spent in discussing several important points +connected with Tom's outfit, Jack being called in to the consultation. +Admiral Triton confessed that, not expecting a refusal, he had already +made all arrangements at the Admiralty for Tom to join the _Plantagenet_ +with Jack; and Tom, his ardent hopes realised, went to bed to dream of +his dashing frigate, of Howe, Nelson, and Collingwood, of the countless +adventures in which he expected to engage, and of the heroic exploits he +had determined to perform. + +Tom got up the next morning, feeling two inches taller, and walked about +all day with the full consciousness that he was no longer a schoolboy, +but a midshipman in the Royal Navy, with the right to demand due respect +from all civilians; indeed the female portion of the establishment, with +whom he was a monstrous favourite, were perfectly ready to humour him to +his heart's content. He had been the last baby in the family, and it +was only a wonder that he had escaped being utterly spoiled. His +manners did not escape the notice of the Admiral, who, highly amused, +called him to take a turn in the grounds. + +"A little advice from an old salt, who has seen no small amount of +service, will do you no harm, my boy," he began, after they had walked +some way, talking of various matters. "You cannot steer a straight +course, either on shore or afloat, without a definite object to guide +you. Let yours be Duty. Never mind how disagreeable or how arduous or +difficult it may seem, do that which you believe you ought to do, +strictly obey the orders you receive, never neglect an opportunity of +doing the right thing or of gaining professional knowledge, and never be +tempted to do the wrong one. Every officer, remember, and man, too, +from the commander-in-chief downwards, is bound to act to the best of +his abilities for the good of the service. Whatever you are ordered to +do, or however you may be treated by those above you, believe that they +are actuated by that principle. If you remember that whatever you may +be doomed to bear is for the good of the service, you will be able to +endure an immense amount of what you may think hardship without +grumbling. You will find a good many persons above you on board ship +whom you will be bound to obey--your brother Jack among them. Be as +zealous and as ready in obeying him as any one else. Never take offence +from superiors or equals; it is the sign of a weak mind. When spoken to +or even abused, whether you are in the right or the wrong, don't answer +again, and don't be ashamed of expressing regret when anything has gone +wrong. Do your best on all occasions--more you cannot do. There, Tom, +I have given you a pretty long lecture; log it down in your memory, and +act upon it. I repeat--let Duty be your guiding star; do your best for +the good of the service, and don't grumble at your superiors or abuse +your inferiors. These are golden rules well worth remembering, my boy." + +"Thank you very much, Admiral Triton; I will try and not forget them," +answered Tom. + +"By-the-bye, you'll not find midshipmen of much 'count on board ship," +continued the Admiral, with a twinkle in his eye, watching to see how +Tom took his remark. "Not only are they inferior in rank to all the +commissioned officers, but to the three warrant officers who have risen +from before the mast, and even the petty officers and men are inclined +to treat them as nurses do the babies under their charge; so you must +not be disappointed if you do not meet with the respect you may possibly +expect from those whom you may look upon as your inferiors, though +they'll obey you readily when you repeat the orders you have received +from your superiors." + +"I understand, Admiral," said Tom, wincing a little at the remark about +the babies, though he laughed as he spoke; "but I suppose, if I set to +work to learn my duty and get quickly out of petticoats, I shall be sent +away in charge of boats, as Jack used to be, and have opportunities of +proving that I am worth something." + +"Well said, Tom; it won't be long before you are breeched, depend on +that," said the Admiral, laughing and patting him on the back. "Just +don't mind asking for information from those able to afford it, and you +will soon become a sailor." + +The last days at home went rapidly by. Tom enjoyed the satisfaction, +shared in by the whole household, of appearing in his new uniform, an +old one of Jack's, which exactly fitted him, having been sent to Selby, +the Portsmouth tailor, as a pattern. With no little pride also he +buckled on a sword to his side, dirks having by that time gone out of +fashion. Dreading the Admiral's quizzing glances, he took the +opportunity of his absence to exhibit himself, again putting on plain +clothes before his return, and only at his mother's request did he +venture to resume his uniform at dinner, not again for many a day to +appear in mufti. + +Admiral Triton insisted on accompanying Jack and Tom to Portsmouth, +where he was always glad of an excuse for going. It was a consolation +to Lady Rogers to see Tom go off under Jack's wing, as she knew that, as +far as one human being can take care of another, Jack would watch over +Tom. Jack left Halliburton without having, by word or look, confessed +an attachment, even if he felt it, for Julia Giffard, or for any other +young lady among his sisters' dear friends. He and Tom were much +missed, and certainly Julia Giffard, who came to stay there, took +considerable interest in listening to his sisters' accounts of Jack's +numerous exploits--so at least these young ladies fancied. + + + +CHAPTER TWO. + +ADMIRAL TRITON AT PORTSMOUTH--THE THREE OLD MESSMATES MEET EACH OTHER, +AND THEIR THREE YOUNG RELATIVES BECOME ACQUAINTED--THE DINNER AT THE +"GEORGE" WITH ADMIRAL TRITON--ANECDOTES--AN ECCENTRIC COMMANDER--THE +FRIGATE AND CORVETTE SAIL FOR THE WEST INDIES--A PHILOSOPHICAL +BOATSWAIN--JOLLY TIME WITH FINE WEATHER--A HEAVY GALE--TIMES CHANGE-- +MARINES AND MIDSHIPMEN ON THEIR BEAM ENDS--MEN LOST--THE MIDSHIPMEN +REGAIN THEIR APPETITES. + +The Admiral and his two young friends were soon at Portsmouth. The +former took up his quarters at the "George," while Jack, who had +remained at home to the last day allowable, accompanied by Tom, at once +went on board the _Plantagenet_, lying alongside a hulk off the +dockyard. He was warmly welcomed by Captain Hemming, and, much to his +satisfaction, he found that the newly appointed first-lieutenant of the +frigate was his old acquaintance Nat Cherry, lately second of the +_Dugong_ in the China Seas, from whence he had only just arrived. "The +authorities give us but little time to enjoy the comforts and quiet of +home," he observed, "but it's flattering to one's vanity to discover +that one's services are considered of value; and so when Hemming applied +for me I could not decline, on the plea that my health required +recruiting after the hard work I went through in China, although my +friends declare that I have become as thin as a lath, and have no more +colour than a piece of brown leather. I cannot say that of you, Rogers, +however." + +"Really, Cherry, you look to me as well filled out and as blooming as +ever," answered Jack, surveying the rotund figure and rosy cheeks of his +new messmate; "you and I afford proof that hard work seldom does people +harm. Idleness is the greatest foe to health of the two. And who is to +be third of the frigate?" + +"No one has as yet been appointed. The master and purser have joined-- +very good fellows in their way--with an assistant-surgeon, and three or +four youngsters; among them young Harry Bevan, who was with us in the +_Dugong_." + +"I am very glad of that," said Jack; "Bevan is the style of lad I should +wish as a companion for my young brother Tom." + +"Your brother, the youngster who came on board with you. I was sure of +it; you are as like as two peas," said Mr Cherry. "I hope that he'll +imitate you in all respects. It's a satisfaction to have steady +youngsters on board who keep out of scrapes and don't give trouble." + +Tom--who had already made himself known to Harry Bevan--was called aft, +and introduced by Jack to Mr Cherry, and felt very happy and proud as +he looked along the deck of the fine frigate to which he belonged. It +was no dream; there he was in reality, walking about and talking to +Bevan and other fellows dressed like himself in midshipmen's uniforms; +and then he went into the berth, and took his seat among the others at +dinner. It was just as Jack had described it; not very large, but, till +the rest of the mess had joined, with just sufficient elbow-room. They +had plenty of good things, for the caterer, old Higson, was something of +an epicure; and Tom tasted grog for the first time, which he thought +very nasty stuff, though he did not say so, as he knew that sailors +liked it; and besides it would not be polite to express his opinion to +Higson, who had evidently no objection to its taste. Altogether Tom was +convinced that midshipmen, as he had always supposed, must lead very +jolly lives. That very night, too, he was to sleep in a hammock, which +he thought would be rare fun. He and his new messmates soon returned on +deck, when the men who had been at dinner came tumbling up from below, +and set to swaying up yards and hoisting in stores, the boatswain +sounding his shrill pipe amidst the hubbub of noises--the officers, from +Mr Cherry downwards, shouting at the top of their voices, and the men +bawling and rushing in gangs here and there at headlong speed, hauling +away at ropes till Tom felt more bewildered than he had ever before been +in his life, and narrowly escaped being knocked over several times in +spite of the efforts he made to keep out of the way. However, his +experiences were only those of midshipmen in general when they first +join a ship. + +Tom had been advised by Jack to learn all about the masts and rigging as +soon as possible, and he accordingly set to work without delay, asking +questions of every one whom he for a moment saw standing quiet, and was +likely to answer him. Harry Bevan told him a good deal, as did the +other midshipmen, no one showing a disposition to humbug him, possibly +on Jack's account, who would have found them out if they had. Before +night Tom began to fancy that he really knew something about a ship, +though it might be some time before he could consider himself a thorough +sailor. + +Though the captain lived on shore, the first lieutenant had taken up his +quarters on board; Jack finding plenty to do, and being economically +inclined followed his example. A fine-looking corvette, the _Tudor_, +was fitting out a little way higher up the harbour. Jack scanned her +with a seaman's eye, and thought that had he not been appointed to the +frigate he should like to belong to her. It was still uncertain to what +station the _Plantagenet_ would be sent. No great difficulty, however, +was found in getting men to enter for her. Sailors look more to the +captain and officers than to the part of the world to which they are to +go. One clime to them is much the same as another. They are as ready +to go to the North Pole as to the coast of Africa, if they like the ship +and the commander. Captain Hemming bore a good character, as did +Lieutenants Cherry and Rogers, among those who had ever sailed with +them. No persons are more thoroughly discussed than are naval officers +by seamen; the wheat is completely sifted from the chaff, the gold from +the alloy; and many who pass for very fine fellows on shore are looked +upon as arrant pretenders afloat. Jack was making his way towards the +shop of Mr Woodward the bookseller, when two seamen in a happy state of +indifferentism to all sublunary affairs came rolling out of the street +which debouches on the Common Hard near the Dockyard gates. + +"I say, Dick, if that bean't Jack Rogers, say I never broke biscuit!" +exclaimed one of the men, pointing ahead with out-stretched arm. + +"No doubt about it, Ben," answered his companion, "I'd a known him a +mile off, and I see'd last night in the paper that he's appointed to the +_Plantagenet_ along with Captain Hemming. (Dick pronounced all the +syllables long.) What say you? my pockets are pretty well cleaned out, +and so, I've a notion, are yours. Shall we go and enter at once? It +must come to that afore long." + +"I'm agreeable, Dick--when a thing's to be done, it's best to do it like +men," said Ben, just as they arrived in front of the bookseller's shop, +where they waited the reappearance of the lieutenant, Jack soon came +out, and at once recognising two former shipmates in the _Dugong_, Dick +Needham and Ben Snatchblock asked them if they were willing to join the +_Plantagenet_. An affirmative being given, he begged them to pick up +any other prime hands they could come across. By the evening, when he +returned on board, he had, much to his satisfaction, obtained ten good +men. + +The next day Jack went on shore for the same purpose, accompanied by +Tom, with the intention of calling on Admiral Triton before returning on +board. They had just passed through the Dockyard gates when Jack saw +approaching from the left, accompanied by a young midshipman, a +lieutenant, whom it did not take him many seconds to recognise as his +old messmate, Alick Murray. They did not exactly rush into each other's +arms as Frenchmen or Spaniards would have done, but they shook hands +with honest warmth, and Jack exclaimed, "I thought you were in Scotland. +Where have you sprung from, Alick?" + +Murray then told him that he had been appointed as second lieutenant to +the _Tudor_, Commander Babbicome, with orders to join immediately, which +he had done the previous evening but having the outfit of a youngster to +look after, and letters to write, he had been unable to get on board the +_Plantagenet_. He turned round and introduced his companion, a tall, +slight lad, as his cousin Archy Gordon, who had also been appointed to +the corvette. Thereon Jack introduced Tom, and the two midshipmen, who +had before been eyeing each other askance, shook hands, and of course at +once fraternised. Tom felt very proud of being able to speak in an +authoritative tone about the frigate to Archy, who had not as yet been +on board the corvette, and had not even seen a ship of war except at a +distance. + +"We do things as smart as lightning aboard our frigate, I can tell you," +continued Tom. "Our first lieutenant is a very good fellow, and our +second is my brother Jack, and there are not many like him. I've been +twice up to the main truck, and ever so often into the mizen-top, and +we've a capital mess, and shall be a jolly set when all hands join. Are +you going to belong to us?" + +"I dinna think so," answered Archy, in a broad Scotch accent. "My +cousin, that is my father's sister's son, Alick Murray there, is +lieutenant of a ship they call the _Tudor_, and I'm to go alang wi' +him." + +"Oh, that's the small craft fitting out ahead of us. She's a fine +little ship of her class though, so my brother Jack says, and so I may +congratulate you, but of course she's not to be compared to our frigate. +I say, you must come and pay us a visit on board, and I'll put you up +to all sorts of things." + +Archy expressed himself much obliged, but cautiously refrained from +accepting the invitation till he knew what his cousin Alick might say on +the subject. + +Meantime Jack and Alick Murray were talking eagerly together. + +"And where are you bound for?" asked Jack. + +"I heard through a friend at the Admiralty that the _Tudor_ is to be +sent to the same station as the _Plantagenet_, which, as you may +suppose, gave me no slight satisfaction," answered Murray. + +"That is capital news," cried Jack. "It will be curious if we keep +together as lieutenants as much as we did as midshipmen, and go through +as many more adventures as we have already fallen in with. I only wish +that by some wonderful chance Paddy Adair could be with us." + +"And that same wonderful chance has brought him here," exclaimed a voice +from behind, and while a hand was placed on the shoulders of each, on +looking round they caught sight of the merry countenance of Paddy +himself, now smiling into the face of one, now into that of the other. + +"It's dropped from the clouds you are after thinking I am now," he +continued, laughing, "only they don't as a rule rain such big fish as +myself. Well then, to satisfy your curiosity you are indebted for the +satisfaction of seeing me here this morning, to a peremptory missive +from my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, directing me to hasten +over from Ireland to join the _Plantagenet_ as third lieutenant, and I +needn't tell you I never obeyed an order with more willing alacrity." + +"And I don't think anything next to being made commander-in-chief right +off could have given me greater satisfaction," said Jack, who seldom +indulged in anything so nearly approaching a sentimental speech. + +Murray said something of the same sort. + +While the three old school-fellows were carrying on an animated +conversation, a third midshipman had joined Tom and Archy. + +"Will ye be after telling me, if ye plase, who are those two leetenants +my Uncle Terence is talking to?" he said, as he stepped up to them and +made them a polite bow with his cap. Archy returned it, but Tom, who +had discovered that it was not the fashion for midshipmen to bow to each +other, only laughed, and asked as he pointed with his chin at the three +lieutenants-- + +"Do you mean that merry-looking fellow between those two?" + +"That same sure," was the answer. + +Tom explained who they were, adding, "And who are you, and what ship do +you belong to?" + +"Sure I don't belong to one at all at all, but my Uncle, Terence Adair, +is to be third lieutenant of the _Plantagenet_ frigate, and I'm to be a +midshipman with him; and in the matter of my name, I'm Gerald Desmond, +of Ballymacree Castle, in County Clare, Ireland." + +"Well, Mr Gerald Desmond, of Bally--what do you call it, County Clare, +Ireland? I have the pleasure of informing you that you are to be a +messmate of mine, and as I've heard a good deal of your uncle, Paddy +Adair, from my brother Jack, I shall be very happy to welcome you on +board and to introduce you to the other fellows." + +Gerald expressed himself much obliged to Tom for the intended favour. + +"But ye'll not be after calling my Uncle Terence, Paddy, if ye plase," +he added, his Irish blood rising with the idea that some disrespect was +shown to his relative. + +"Don't trouble yourself about that, my dear fellow," said Tom, who never +wished to quarrel with any one. "My brother Jack always calls him so, +and the Paddy slipped out by mistake; but you may be very sure that +you'll be Paddy Desmond from the hour you step on board, and for ever +after unless there's another Irishman to deprive you of the title, +though, probably, there'll then be a brace of Paddies." + +"Faith, I'm not ashamed of my country, and I am perfectly happy to be +Paddy Desmond if you and the other boys like to call me so," answered +Gerald, laughing. + +Adair finding that it was not necessary to go on board the frigate +immediately, accompanied his two friends into Portsmouth, the three +young midshipmen following in their wake, Gerald having first been +introduced to Jack and Alick. The youngsters were fast friends from +that moment, laughing and rattling away, and playing each other all +sorts of tricks. No one would have supposed that they had only just met +for the first time in their lives. As they turned into the High Street +the lieutenants encountered Admiral Triton stumping along in his +flushing coat and weather-beaten hat. He recognised Murray and Adair at +once, and invited them and Jack, with Tom and his two friends to dine +with him at the "George" at six. + +"I shall then hear how you like being a sailor. It isn't too late to +give it up," said the Admiral, looking at Tom. + +"Wouldn't change if they would make me a judge or Archbishop of York," +answered Tom, in a positive tone. + +"Just like Jack," observed the Admiral, smiling, "I hope at the end of +your cruise you'll have no reason to repent your resolution." + +Jack during the day picked up several more men, and returned early on +board; when Tom, with no little pride, introduced his new friend to the +mess, as Mr Gerald Desmond, of Ballymacree Castle, County Clare, +Ireland. + +"Mr Gerald Desmond be hanged!" exclaimed old Higson, who had come down +tired, after having worked hard all day, and was out of humour. "Call +him Paddy Desmond at once. We have no misters in this berth." + +"And sure, so I am Paddy Desmond, and if it's to show that I come from +old Ireland, I'm proud of the title," said Gerald, taking his seat, and +looking about him with an air of unconcern. + +"I told you so," whispered Tom. "I knew from the first that they would +call you Paddy." + +Gerald quickly made himself at home, and took in good part all the +quizzing his messmates chose to bestow on him. + +The dinner at the "George" went off capitally. The Admiral put his +young guests at their ease, and let them talk and laugh away to their +hearts' content, telling them all sorts of amusing anecdotes, and though +he took good care not to allow them to drink more wine than their heads +could carry, they unanimously declared that he was the jolliest old +fellow they had ever met. Of course, he did not forget to tell all the +company boxy Adair had made him carry his portmanteau, and to chuckle +over the story for five minutes at least. + +"A pretty pass the service has come to when midshipmen take such +liberties with their superiors, eh, Captain Sourcrout?" he exclaimed, +giving a poke in the ribs with his elbow to a stiff, old, martinet style +of post-captain, who sat next to him, and had looked utterly horrified +at his story. + +"The world's turned upside down, isn't it? We shall have the youngsters +mast-heading us next, if we don't exactly please them, eh?" + +Captain Sourcrout, unable to speak from indignation, could only shake +his head and frown terribly, at which the midshipmen, as he was not +their captain, laughed the more heartily. The Admiral had heard, too, +of the trick Jack and his messmates had played with Quirk, the monkey, +on Lieutenant Spry, of the marines, and while he told the story as he +had received it from Jack, with a few amplifications of his own, the +tears ran down his eyes, till Captain Sourcrout, boiling over with +indignation, exclaimed: + +"The navy has indeed come to a pretty pass when such things are allowed. +Instead of being mast-headed, the three midshipmen should have been +brought to a court-martial, and dismissed the service." + +"But, my dear Captain Sourcrout, the affair happened a good many years +ago, remember," interrupted the Admiral, wishing to tranquillise him, +"and had not leniency been shown to the culprits, the service would have +lost three promising young officers likely to prove ornaments to it. +However, I would advise other youngsters not to imitate them. Such +tricks don't bear repetition, I'll allow. By-the-bye, Captain +Sourcrout, are you acquainted with my old shipmate, Jerry Hazledine? He +served under me as a youngster, and I have kept an eye on him ever +since. He hailed from Ireland, and as all his ways and doings savoured +strongly of the Emerald Isle, he was known as Paddy throughout the +service." + +The Admiral went on, without wailing to hear whether Captain Sourcrout +was or was not personally acquainted with the officer in question. + +"Paddy Hazledine was possessed of prodigious strength, though he seldom +put it forth, except in what he considered the side of right and +justice. His notions, to be sure, on these points, were occasionally +like himself, somewhat eccentric; ha! ha! ha! I remember it as if it +were yesterday. Coming up High Street one night, I saw a crowd +collected round a lamp-post, not one of your modern iron affairs, but a +stout, honest one of timber, with a cross-bar at the top as long as a +sloop's cross-jack-yard. Seated with his legs over it was Paddy +Hazledine in full rig, cocked hat and sword--he was a lieutenant then as +composed as possible, smoking a cigar, which, it appeared, he had got up +there for the purpose of lighting at the huge glass lamp, as big as a +seventy-four's poop-lantern. While he held on with one hand, in the +other he flourished a formidable shillaly, which he usually carried, as +he declared, in order to keep the peace when more warlike weapons could +not be used. Below him stood half-a-dozen watchmen, who, in angry +tones, were ordering him to come down, while he, in eloquent language, +was asserting his right to be where he was, and proclaiming his +intention of remaining there as long as suited his pleasure. Every now +and then the watchmen made a rush at him with their cudgels, the blows +from which his faithful shillaly enabled him to ward off, and +occasionally to bestow a pretty heavy tap on the heads of the most +daring of his assailants. + +"`Is it breaking the peace I am, do ye say?' he exclaimed. `Not at all +at all. It's you are doing the same, and running the risk of getting +your on heads broken as the consequence. Now be off wid you, and lave a +quietly-disposed citizen to his meditations.' + +"I kept out of sight to see what would happen next. At length the +watchmen lost patience. While three of their number remained at a +respectful distance from the heavy end of the shillaly to prevent Paddy +from escaping, the others went off, as I supposed, for a ladder and +further assistance. Hazledine, fearless of consequences, sat smoking +his cigar with perfect composure. Presently a dozen watchmen came +trooping up, some armed with sticks and others with crow-bars and +pick-axes and spades. Their object was evident. While one party began +digging away round the lamp-post, the others defended them by fierce +assaults with their sticks on the gallant lieutenant's legs, giving him +enough to do for their defence, and thus preventing him from bringing +down his weapon on the heads of their comrades. Still he showed every +intention of keeping his seat, and notwithstanding the violent shaking +which the working party gave the post as they got near the heel, he held +on. At length, several stout fellows putting their shoulders to it, up +it came, but instead of toppling it over, away they marched, carrying +off Paddy in triumph, as they thought, to the watch-house; but they +little knew the man they had got hold of. He seemed to enjoy the fun, +and sat smoking as before, and occasionally indulging in a quiet laugh. +Suddenly uttering a wild Irish shout, he sprang over the heads of his +bearers, and with a whirl of his shillaly, scattering those who +attempted to stop him, he darted down a narrow lane, the end of which +they were passing at the time, and disappeared from sight. As his ship +sailed the next morning, the police of Portsmouth searched in vain for +the culprit, who, getting undiscovered on board, did not fail to amuse +his messmates with a full account of his exploit; ha! ha! ha!" + +The Admiral laughed heartily at his story, as, of course, did everybody +else, with the exception of Captain Sourcrout, who, grimly smiling, +observed-- + +"I should have brought that harum-scarum lieutenant to a court-martial +pretty sharply." + +"What for--smoking a cigar on the top of a lamp-post?" asked the +Admiral. "It is not against the articles of war." + +"No, Admiral Triton, but for conduct unworthy the character of an +officer and a gentleman," answered Captain Sourcrout gruffly. + +"Well, as to that, people may be allowed to have their opinion. It's +not a usual proceeding, I grant you, but the act was beyond the +jurisdiction of his captain, and as Paddy was as gallant a fellow as +ever stepped and never failed in his duty, I don't think he would have +been willing to act as you suggest. We must not forget that we were +once upon a time youngsters ourselves, and we may possibly recall to +mind some of the tricks we played in those days, ay, and after we had +mounted a swab, or maybe two, on our shoulders. You remember the +sentry-box which stood at the inner end of the landing-place on the +Common Hard, with a comfortable seat inside it, rather tempting, it must +be confessed, to a drowsily-disposed sentry to take a quiet snooze. Our +fore-fathers had more consideration for the legs and feet of soldiers +than the martinets of our times. To be sure, it a sentry was found +asleep he ought have been flogged or shot, but he could sit down and +rest himself, and if he did so it was at his own risk. + +"One night several young commanders, there may have been a post-captain +among them, coming down to the Common Hard, after a dinner-party on +shore, to go on board their ships, found the sentry fast asleep in his +sentry-box. They, of course, were as sober as judges; he, evidently, +drunk as a fiddler. They thereon held a consultation, and came to the +unanimous conclusion that it was meet and fit that a man guilty of so +flagrant an infraction of military discipline should receive condign +punishment, and constituting themselves the executioners as well as the +judges of the law, forthwith set about carrying out the sentence they +had pronounced. Calling up the strongest men of their boats' crews, +they ordered them to shoulder the sentry-box and its sentry within, and +to carry it down to one of the boats as gently as possible, not to awake +the occupant. There, however, was little chance of that. Safe on +board,--there being no witnesses but themselves to the operation,--the +boat containing it was towed across to the Gosport shore, on which, +being carefully landed, it was set up in its proper position, facing the +harbour. Great, as may be supposed, was the consternation of the +`Relief' when it arrived at the post, to find sentry-box and sentry +gone. The soldier could not have walked off with it as a snail does its +shell on its back. A rigid search was instituted, but no sign of sentry +or box could be discovered, and the sentry at the Dockyard gates, having +also been snoozing at the time, had neither seen nor heard anything +unusual. The captain of the guard, unable, even by a conjecture, to +solve the mystery, considered it of sufficient importance to report +without delay to the major, who, jumping to the conclusion, as he heard +it when awakened from his first sleep, that the French had made their +way into the harbour, and were about to assault the town, turned out the +guard, ordered the draw-bridge to be hauled up, and, like a wise +soldier, took every precaution to avoid surprise. Not till the next +morning was his mind set at rest, when a report came from across the +harbour that a sentry-box had been found on the Gosport shore, where one +had not stood the night before, with a sentry in front of it, who could +give no account of how he got there. The sentry, on awaking at +daybreak, had in vain looked for the objects he expected to see around +him, but deemed it prudent to maintain his post. When questioned, he +roundly asserted that he had been broad awake all night, and the only +conclusion to which he or any one else could come, was that he had been +the victim of some trick of witchcraft." + +"Were you, admiral, among those who played it?" asked Captain Sourcrout +"because then the less I say on the subject the better." + +"A man is not compelled by law to give evidence against himself," +answered the admiral, laughing. "I give the tale current at the time, +and happened to have been informed of the facts which solved the +mystery. I should say that Jerry Hazledine had nothing to do with it, +as it was before his day. He has a good many things set down to his +account." + +"Some of them were true bills, however," observed another post-captain. +"I was a midshipman under him when he commanded the old _Turk_. Though +good-natured he was somewhat hot-tempered. One of our marines had been +bred a barber, and Jerry, discovering this, made the man come in every +morning to shave him, the steward following with a jug of warm water. +It had just been placed on the table as the barber had finished +lathering the captain's face, but instead of being only warm was +scalding hot. The marine, not reflecting on this, dipped in his razor, +and intending to commence operations on the captain's upper lip, touched +the tip of his nose with the back. As Jerry felt the pain, on the +impulse of the moment up went his fist, which he planted with a +knock-down blow between the eyes of the unfortunate jolly, who rolled +over, half-stunned, on the deck. I, at that moment, went into the +cabin, having been sent on some duty or other, and heard Jerry shout out +in a voice of thunder:-- + +"`Take that, ye spalpeen, and think yourself fortunate to get it instead +of the three dozen you would have had as sure as you're alive for +burning your captain's nose.' The captain, in half a minute, sitting +down as if nothing had happened, the jolly picked himself up and went on +with the operation, taking very good care, you may be certain, not to +burn Jerry's nose again. Some time after this, our captain received an +intimation from the Admiralty, as did other captains, that flogging was +as much as possible to be avoided, and other punishments substituted. +On this, Jerry, who was possessed of an inventive turn of mind, set +himself to work to devise such as would to a certainty be so hated by +the men that they would answer the purpose of maintaining discipline +fully as much as flogging. The ship's cook was a one-legged negro, a +jolly, fat fellow with a comical expression of countenance, Sambo +Lillywhite by name, generally known as Sam Lilly. Sam had a white mate +called Tim Dippings, an incorrigibly idle rascal. One day Tim--not for +the first time--had neglected to clean the galley, and on being +reported, both he and Sam Lilly were put in the black list. Jerry, +exercising his inventive genius, ordered Tim to walk the deck the whole +of the afternoon watch, with a cauldron slung round his neck half full +of slush; while the black cook, with a huge frying-pan held at arm's +length in each hand, had to pace up and down for the same period. As +each bell struck Tim had to sing out, `Here am I for not cleaning the +galley,' which was responded to by Sambo, in the most dolorous tone, +with, `I here for no see 'um do it,' his peculiar voice and the comical +expression of his countenance eliciting roars of laughter from his +shipmates. Thus at every half-hour the words went sounding along the +deck, `Here am I for not cleaning the galley!' `I here for no see 'um +do it.' Jerry, however, on another occasion, surpassed even himself, he +caught a man smuggling a bottle of rum on board. The opportunity for +exhibiting his inventive genius was not to be lost. The bottle was +captured and the man put in the black list. The captain, after due +consideration, ordered a cock to be fixed in a seven-gallon beaker, into +which, being more than half-filled with water, the rum was emptied. It +was then secured by a rope yarn round the neck of the culprit, who +appeared thus at the commencement of the watch with a tumbler in his +hand, and as the bell struck he had to fill his glass and drink the +contents, shouting out at the top of his voice each time, `Here am I, a +smuggler bold!' He was never again caught smuggling spirits on board. +Some captains with less inventive genius are much more cruel than was +our friend Jerry in their black list punishments." + +"That is not a subject I wish to bear spoken of," observed Captain +Sourcrout, in an angry tone. + +"Come, come, we'll change it then, gentlemen," exclaimed the +good-natured admiral. + +"I forgot," whispered Jack's neighbour to him. "Old Sourcrout is said +to have had a man's head shaved, and to have made him carry a kettle of +boiling water on the top of it for two hours during every day-watch for +a week, but that may be scandal." + +"As to the shaving I fancy so, but with regard to the water it is true +enough, only it was not boiling," answered Jack. "He got hauled up for +it, notwithstanding, and no wonder that he does not like the subject of +black-listing spoken of." + +Notwithstanding the grumpy remarks Captain Sourcrout occasionally let +drop, the party went off very pleasantly, and Desmond and Gordon assured +Tom that he had not overpraised the admiral, and that they had no notion +there were such jolly old fellows in the navy. He, at all events, was +worthy of all the patronage they could bestow. + +Murray came on board the frigate the next day to see Jack and Terence. +He was pleased with the corvette as far as she herself was concerned. + +"She is as fine a little craft as I could wish for, but," he added, "the +commander is one of the oddest fish I ever fell in with. He has not +been to sea for a number of years, and having, as he says, turned his +sword into a ploughshare, has devoted his mind to farming and rural +sports. Unwilling to tear himself altogether from his beloved beeves +and sheep, and pigs and poultry, he has brought them along with him, and +has converted the little ship into a regular Noah's ark. The boats are +turned into sheep-pens and hen-coops, and the decks cumbered with +ox-stalls and hay-stacks. If the latter, in the meantime, do not catch +fire, the admiral, when he comes to inspect us, will order them and the +greater portion of the live-stock to be landed, and we shall probably +benefit by the remainder, as they must be killed for want of food, so we +have said nothing to him as yet on the subject; but Haultaut, our first, +grumbles and looks askance at the beasts every time he goes along the +deck, and declares that the ship is more like a Thames barge than a +man-of-war, while Grummet, the boatswain, grins ominously at them, and +tells the butcher to keep his knife sharp, as he will have work enough +on his hands before long. Old Babbicome is afflicted, it seems, with +absence of mind. The day after he joined the ship he sang out to a +midshipman, `Let my cab be brought round to the door.' The youngster +stared. `Do you hear? What did I say?' `You desired to have your cab +brought round to the door, sir,' answered the midshipman, trying to +stifle his laughter. `Ah! did I?' exclaimed the commander. `Well, +possibly. It's no easy matter to change one's mode of expression on a +sudden. I mean, man my gig; I am going on shore.' The first day he +attempted to carry on duty, he threw all the crew into convulsions by +shouting out, `Wo-ho! wo-ho, there! I mean, avast hauling, you +lubbers!' and he swore and stamped with rage when he saw the men +tittering near him, and wanted to know what they were laughing at." + +Probably, we shall hear more of Commander Babbicome. Murray's account +highly amused his friends. + +"Well, Alick, you may possibly pick up a few wrinkles which may be of +use to you when your time comes, and you settle down on the Highland +farm you used to talk about," said Jack, laughing. + +"I would sacrifice so remote a benefit for the sake of having the ship +look rather more like a man-of-war than she does at present," answered +Murray. + +Two days after this a lighter was seen alongside the corvette, when +truss after truss of hay was lowered into her. Then came two fat oxen +and lastly, nearly a dozen sheep. + +"Any more coming?" asked the master of the lighter. + +"No, no," exclaimed the commander, who had been looking on with ruthful +countenance, adding, as he turned aft, clenching his fist, and pulling +at his hair, "I'd sooner throw up my command than part with them." + +The frigate and corvette were ready for sea at the same time, and went +out together to Spithead. Still their destination was unknown. The +tailors, the Jews, and even the bumboat-women were unable to solve the +mystery, the fact being that the Lords of the Admiralty had not decided +themselves. Ships were wanted at three different stations, but economy +being the order of the day, all three could not be supplied. The West +Indies, the South American station and the Pacific were spoken of. At +length Captain Hemming announced that he had received orders to proceed +to Jamaica, and that the _Tudor_ was to accompany the _Plantagenet_. +More stores and provisions were received on board, till every locker and +cranny in the two ships was filled, as Adair remarked, to bursting. + +Admiral Triton came on board the frigate to wish his young friends +good-bye. + +"I cannot say that I hope you'll come back crowned with glory and your +pockets filled with prize-money, for such things are not to be picked up +now-a-days," he said, shaking Jack's hand, "but may you enjoy health and +happiness and have many a long yarn to spin about your adventures in the +West Indies or wherever you may be sent to, and I suspect that your +captain has got orders to proceed rather farther than you at present +expect." + +As the kind old admiral went down the side, the anchor was run up to the +bows, to the sound of the merry fife, the topsails were sheeted home, +and the two ships glided westward over the smooth waters of the Solent. +It was a lovely morning, a few fine weather clouds were to be seen here +and there in the sky, but there were not enough of them to obscure the +noon-day splendour of the sun. The duck trousers and shirts of the +crews looked clean and summerish; the new gold lace on the uniforms of +the officers glittered brightly as they paced the deck, or hurried here +and there as duty called; the sentries with gleaming arms and white +belts; the fresh paint, the light-coloured copper, the snowy canvas, all +indicated that the ships were just out of harbour, to many an admiring +eye from Ryde pier, and from yachts large and small, as the frigate +followed by the corvette, with a leading wind, ran past the shores of +the Isle of Wight, towards the Needles passage. Numberless yachts +skimmed by them; those fairy-like fabrics which Englishmen alone know +how thoroughly to enjoy, varying in size from Lord Yarborough's superb +_Falcon_, to the tiny craft whose owner is probably proud of her in +inverse ratio to her tonnage. All is not gold that glitters, and the +fair admirers of the graceful frigate and corvette would have been +somewhat horrified, could they have witnessed the various scenes taking +place within the dark recesses of the ships, and had they heard the +language, neither refined nor pious, uttered by their sturdy crews, and +it must be confessed by some of the officers also--not by Jack Rogers +though--for neither oath nor unbecoming phrase ever issued from his +honest hips. The mate of the lower deck, with the purser's clerks and +assistants, had provisions and articles innumerable to stow away; the +gunner, boatswain, and carpenter, their respective stores to look to; +indeed, in every department order had to commence its reign, where chaos +had hitherto seemed to prevail, operations not to be performed without +their due allowance of shouting and swearing. On deck all went +smoothly, and under the pleasantest of auspices the two ships ran +through the Needles, and stood down channel. + +Tom and Paddy Desmond (for, of course he was so called, as Tom said he +would be) were as jolly as possible, and laughed at sea-sickness, or any +of the ills landsmen are subject to; they were not going to be ill, not +they. Already they began to consider themselves first-rate sailors, for +they could go aloft and skylark as fearlessly as young monkeys, and box +the compass; and had some notion when the helm was a-lee, and the +head-sails backed against the mast, that the ship would come about. As +yet, to be sure, they had had only light winds and smooth water, but +even a heavy gale would make no difference to them, of that they were +very sure. Old Higson grinned sarcastically when he heard them say so. + +"Oh, of course, sucking Nelsons like you are above such weaknesses; we +shall see, though, when the time comes. The proof of the pudding is in +the eating." + +"Faith, I hope to have some better pudding to eat than this hard duff," +answered Paddy, who seldom understood the meaning of the proverbs Higson +was in the habit of quoting. The old mate only laughed; though he had a +colt, to keep the turbulent in order, he seldom used it, treating the +two youngsters with more consideration than he might have done under +other circumstances, out of respect to Rogers and Adair, though they +were under the impression that it was owing to their own merits, and +were apt accordingly to take liberties with him. He behaved to them as +a good-natured bear might towards a couple of playful children whom he +could munch up in a moment. + +"I say, Tom, couldn't we be after playing some trick like that the +admiral told us of, which your brother and my uncle Terence played off +on Lieutenant Spry, with Quaco, the monkey," said Gerald, one day to his +messmate, when they were alone together; "it would be mighty good fun." + +"I should like to do something of the sort amazingly, but once when Jack +was telling me some of the tricks of his midshipman-days, he gave me a +strong hint not to imitate them, as he would certainly be down upon me," +answered Tom; "for all he is so good-natured, he can be wonderfully +strict, I can tell you. He was saying that tricks are very well in +their way if they are original and have fun in them, but that those who +play them must look out for the consequences." + +"I shouldn't have supposed that of him," said Gerald; "I'm after +thinking now that my uncle Terence would be as ready for any fun as he +ever was in his life." + +"Very likely, but he mightn't approve of our indulging in it +notwithstanding," answered Tom; "however, if you can think of anything, +I'm willing enough to lend a hand. We can't play Lieutenant Jennings +such a trick as they did old Spry, because he's too wide awake and +wouldn't stand it; besides, we've no Quaco to dress up in his uniform. +By-the-bye, I hope that we shall be able to get a jolly monkey before +long, at Jamaica or elsewhere. I don't know if they run wild in the +woods there, indeed it might be as well to have a civilised one who +knows how to behave himself, and then I think we might manage to play +old Scrofton, the boatswain, a trick." + +"How?" asked Gerald eagerly. + +"Don't you know that he has got a notion in his head that men are +descended, or rather, I should say, ascended from apes, which he +declares has been proved by a Lord Monboddo, or some other wiseacre, and +if we had a monkey, we might somehow or other put his theory to the +test, and, at all events, have some fun with the old fellow." + +"Capital; I'll think over what can be done," exclaimed Gerald, rubbing +his hands with glee; "do the gunner and carpenter agree with him?" + +"No; the three are constantly disputing on the subject. I heard them +yesterday, and they are probably at it again to-day. Come below; it +will be good fun to hear them." + +The midshipmen found the three warrant officers in the boatswain's +cabin. He was seated; the others standing at the door, leaning against +the bulkheads. They took up a position, so as not to be seen within +earshot. The gunner was arguing that if men have grown out of monkeys, +there would be none of the latter left, as they would all have turned +into men; and the carpenter declared that though he had wandered all the +world over, he had never met with one half-way between a man and a +monkey, which he should have done if any change does take place. + +"Have you ever seen apes without tails?" asked old Scrofton +triumphantly. + +"Yes," answered Gimlett, "with blue faces and hinder-ends of the same +colour, but they moved on all fours, and though we had one aboard, and +did our best to teach him to speak, and light a fire, and make himself +useful, he could never do anything, and remained as great a beast as +ever to the cud of his clays." + +"Of course," said Blake, the gunner; "a man's a man, and a beast's a +beast; and there are no greater beasts than apes; that's my opinion, +whatever Lord What-do-ye-call-him, or any other of your philosophers +says to the contrary." + +"I tell you it's all down in my book as clear as a pikestaff, and it's +my Lord Monboddo says it," exclaimed Mr Scrofton indignantly. "He, I +should think, would know more about the matter than any warrant officer +in her Majesty's service, or any captain or commander to boot." + +The midshipmen's laughter made the gunner pop his head out, when they, +feeling ashamed of acting longer the part of eaves-droppers, moved off. + +"Old Scrofton is fair game anyhow," said Desmond. "I wonder a man can +be such a fool." + +"He is a very good boatswain, notwithstanding, my brother Jack says," +observed Tom. + +Mr Scrofton was a character, as are many other warrant officers. They +must, indeed, besides being sober and steady and good seamen, be +somewhat above the average as to intellect to obtain their appointments, +while their eccentricities and peculiarities have generally not till +then been noticed. Possessing but a limited amount of education, the +boatswain of the _Plantagenet_ endeavoured, on attaining his present +rank, to instruct himself; and having no one to advise him, he had +purchased some books at haphazard, the contents of which he respected +the more that they were totally beyond his comprehension. The work +mentioned was among them, and as he thought that he understood it best +it was his chief favourite. He was a short, spare man, with a red face +tanned by tropical suns, ferrety eyes, sharp as needles, and huge black +whiskers which stuck out like studding-sails on either side of his +countenance. Once upon a time it was reported a Russian admiral, on +visiting the ship to which he belonged, was much astonished when +Scrofton was pointed out to him as the boatswain. "What, so small a +fellow as that?" he exclaimed; "we always select our boatswains from men +six feet high and upwards, who can use their rattans with good effect." +Small as he was the boatswain of the _Plantagenet_ had a voice which +could be heard amid the loudest strife of the elements; and being a +thorough seaman he was respected by the crew in spite of his +philosophical notions, about which they cared nothing. He was extremely +loath to get the men punished if he could help it, and never swore at +them in the way they called swearing--not that they would have minded it +much if he had--though he occasionally seasoned his remarks with +expressions gleaned from his books, which had the more force that their +meaning was utterly incomprehensible. He entertained a friendly feeling +for the two young midshipmen, whom he took great pains to instruct in +their nautical duties; and under his tuition they soon gained a fair +knowledge of the arts of knotting, splicing, and other practical details +of their profession; nor did he entertain a suspicion that they held his +philosophical opinions otherwise than in profound respect. Jack and +Adair gave them lessons in navigation, so that they had advantages not +generally possessed by youngsters in those days who had not been to the +Naval College. Tom, having got the start, though only of a few days, +kept steadily ahead of his companion. He had had the advantage of +better training at school, as far as navigation was concerned. Dick +Needham, also, who had been rated as boatswain's-mate, was another of +their instructors; and as he was always in good humour, and took the +greatest possible pains to teach them all he knew, they gained as much +from him as from any one else. + +The frigate and corvette sailed forward on their course across the +Atlantic, with every stitch of canvas they could carry set slow and +aloft. Two or three times they were totally becalmed, when the officers +of the two ships paid visits to each other. Murray, with Archy Gordon, +had come on board the _Plantagenet_. + +"Well, Gordon, how do you get on aboard the corvette?" was the natural +question put by Tom. + +"Vary weel, but we've much the same sort of thing to do every day; +washing and holy-stoning decks in the morning, and exercising at the +guns and mail arms in the forenoon, and studying navigation and +seamanship, and sic like," answered Archy. + +"Faith, that's what we've to do here," said Gerald. "I came to sea to +enjoy some fun; but we've not had much of it yet, though, to be sure, we +lead a jolly life, take it all in all." + +"The fun will come in time," observed Tom. "We never can tell what will +turn up--perhaps before long--who knows?" + +Murray was with Jack and Terence in the gun-room. + +"Well, and how does old Babbicome get on?" asked Jack. + +"He is amusing enough, but not altogether satisfactory as a commander," +answered Murray. "He and Haultaut are continually disputing, and he +never comes on deck without finding fault, at which Haultaut very +naturally sets up his back, and generally finishes by going below. The +commander seldom attempts to carry on duty, and that only in fine +weather, without making some egregious blunder, and he always excuses +himself by observing, `I don't admire the new-fangled ways you young men +have of doing things. We managed matters very differently on board the +old _Orion_, I can tell you,' or, as he walks up and down the deck +examining everything not in existence when he was last at sea, he +exclaims, `We'll change all this presently--it doesn't come up to my +notions; never saw thingumbobs fitted in this way before.' We have +eaten most of his sheep, as it was necessary to kill them for want of +provender; but if the rest live till we reach Madeira, he will, I +conclude, lay in a fresh supply. His pigs are, however, his great +delight. He gloats over them, and spends an hour every day in currying +them as he would a horse. They do him credit, for they are as sleek and +fat as poodles. Though he avows that he is fond of pork, I suspect that +he will never bring himself to order one of them to be slaughtered. To +his credit I must say that he does not swear at the men; he is not, +however, liked by them. When a lieutenant he got the name of +`Jib-and-Foresail Jack,' and it sticks to him still. When he had the +watch at night he would be always bothering them to alter sails, and it +was, they say, `Up jib,' and `Down jib,' and `Up foresail' and `Down +foresail' every minute. He carries on much in the same way at present, +and seldom comes on deck without shaking his head as he looks aloft, and +shouting out `Another pull at the lee-braces, Mr Haultaut;--we always +trimmed sails properly on board the old _Orion_, sir,' or some such +complimentary remark to our much-enduring first. The boatswain has a +dog--a favourite with the men--which goes by the no uncommon name of +Shakings. The commander detests Shakings, who he unjustly declares +worries his sheep. One evening poor Shakings fell overboard. The men +were in despair, knowing that the commander would not dream of +heaving-to to pick him up. I saw what had occurred, and was going to +intercede for the dog when I heard a voice from forward sing out, `One +of the captain's pigs overboard--there he goes astern.' The commander +ran to the taffrail. Just then there was a splash, and as I looked over +the side I saw one of his sleek pigs swimming as fast it could away from +the ship. The commander soon caught sight of his favourite. The ship +was hove-to, a boat lowered, and the boatswain, who jumped into her and +managed to pick up the dog before he reached the other animal, avowed +roundly that Shakings had jumped overboard to save the pig." + +Jack and Terence laughed heartily at Murray's account of his commander, +given as it was with all the gravity imaginable. + +"Well, we bear with him as best we can," he added, "and only hope that +he may ere long return to the bosom of his family, and to the congenial +pursuits which occupy his thoughts." + +A light breeze springing up compelled Murray and his companions to +return to their ship. That night during the middle watch Tom and +Gerald, who were fast asleep in their hammocks, were aroused by the +boatswain's shrill pipe and gruff voice bawling, "All hands on deck-- +shorten sail!" They turned out with the rest; most of the officers and +crew were on deck before they reached it. The frigate, caught in a +squall, was heeling over till her lee-scuppers were under water, while +dark, foam-crested seas came rolling up, deluging her deck fore and aft. +The fore-topgallant-mast had been carried away, and was striking +against the fore-topsail, ready to sweep to destruction the hands who +were swarming on the yard; the main and mizen-topgallant-sheets had been +let fly, and the sails were flapping wildly in the gale; while the wind +whistling through the rigging--ropes slashing about--the seas dashing-- +the bulkheads creaking--the masts and spars groaning, created a +perfectly deafening uproar. Then came a clap like thunder--the foretack +had parted, and the block striking a seaman had carried him overboard. +To attempt to pick him up was useless--he must have been killed +instantaneously. For a moment there was confusion; but the voice of the +captain, heard above all other sounds, quickly restored order. While +the topmen were clearing away the wreck of the fore-topgallant-mast, the +most dangerous task, handing the main and mizen-topgallant-sails, and +reefing topsails, the courses were hauled up, and the frigate righting +flew forward on her course. The sudden movement threw Tom and Gerald, +who had been holding on to the capstan, off their legs, and the next +moment, as she again heeled over to the gale sent them rolling into the +lee-scuppers, where they lay sprawling in the mass of water washing +across the deck--Gerald striking out with arms and legs under the belief +that he was overboard. + +"Help! help! Heave us a rope. Where is it you are, Tom? Don't be +after giving up--swim away," he cried out, as he got his head above the +water still rushing round him. + +Tom was striking out lustily, as Gerald soon discovered by a kick he +received from his foot, of which he caught hold, supposing it to be the +end of a rope. Tom struggled the more to release himself, having found +out that he was safe on deck. + +"Let go, I say, or I shall never get on my legs," he exclaimed, kicking +away with all his might. + +"Arrah now, I'll be drowned entirely," bawled Gerald, as the water again +washed over him. His shouts fortunately at this juncture attracted the +attention of Jack, who, setting him and Tom on their legs, told them to +go below and turn into their hammocks, as they were not of the slightest +use on deck. + +Drenched to the skin and crest-fallen, after holding on to each other +for half a minute and gazing round them at the dark tumultuous billows, +they did as they were bid, glad to strip off their wet clothes and +endeavour to get between the blankets. + +"Sure I'm after feeling mighty quare," said Gerald, as he was trying to +scramble into his hammock, but it would not remain quiet as it was +accustomed to do. + +"So do I," groaned Tom, "I didn't think anything could upset me, but +this is awful." + +"Faith there's but little fun in it at all at all," cried Gerald, who +had succeeded in getting in and covering himself up. "Will we all be +drowned, do you think?" + +"I hope not; my brother Jack seems to consider that there's nothing in +it, and of course he's right--oh!" + +The frigate gave a pitch, which made Tom feel as if he was going to be +shot feet foremost along the deck. + +"Arrah, now, where will we be after going to?" cried Paddy, from his +hammock. + +"Belay the slack of your jaws, youngsters," growled out old Higson, who +had just turned in after his watch, and being perfectly indifferent to +all the rolling and pitching, and the wild uproar of the elements, +wanted to go to sleep. + +"If you make such a row, my colt and your backs will become acquainted +with each other before long." + +"Why, man alive, it isn't we are making the row, sure it's the wind and +the big waves outside the ship," exclaimed Paddy. + +The midshipmen's small voices were, however, much more disturbing to the +old mate than the sounds of the gale. A threatening growl was the only +answer he condescended to make, as he had no intention to take the +trouble of turning out of his hammock to execute the vengeance he +promised. + +Tom also by this time was dropping off to sleep, and Gerald shortly +after followed his example. They ought properly to have kept the +morning watch, but they were not called till the hammocks were piped up. +They had then to turn out, feeling utterly unable to do anything but +sit on their chests and languidly clutch their wet clothes. The two +marines acting as their servants at length came aft, looking as pale and +miserable as they were, and suggested that it would be wiser to get out +some dry things. Dressing, after several pauses, was accomplished, and +washing having been dispensed with, they managed to reel into the berth. +There sat Higson, with coffee-pot in hand, and most of the other +oldsters holding on to cups and plates, the biscuit-boat and more +substantial viands being secured by puddings on the table. + +"I've ordered some fat bacon especially for you fellows," said the +former, looking at Tom and Gerald; "it's the best thing for you." + +"Oh, don't," they groaned in chorus. "Horrible!" + +"Why don't? You'll never become sailors till you've eaten half a pound +apiece every morning, for at least a week." + +The fat bacon was brought. Tom tried to lift a piece to his mouth at +the end of his fork, but his hips curled, he could not have done it to +save his life. Gerald essayed to do likewise with the same result. + +They were not alone in their misery. The assistant-surgeon, two clerks, +and another midshipman looked equally pale and miserable. + +"Come, come, youngsters, munch away," said Hickson; "it's time to finish +breakfast." + +"I wish to be a sailor," cried Tom, again manfully lifting the piece of +pork towards his loathing lips, but though his spirit was high his +feelings overcame him, and he bolted out of the berth, followed by +Gerald and several others, amid the laughter of the seasoned hands. + +Tom's misfortunes did not end here, for the frigate giving a violent +roll he butted head foremost right between the legs of Mr Jennings, the +tall lieutenant of marines, who not being especially firm on them just +then, was upset in a moment. The rest of the party, including McTavish, +the assistant-surgeon, escaping from the berth now came tumbling over +them, and there the whole lay stretched on the deck, kicking +frantically, as if knocked over by a dose of canister fired into their +midst. + +The prostrate officer, utterly unable to rise, shouted for some time in +vain for assistance; at length his cries were heard by the corporal of +marines and two of his men, who hurrying aft to his rescue, hauled off +the superincumbent midshipmen and McTavish, and set Lieutenant Jennings, +foaming with indignation, on his legs. + +"Beg pardon, sir, I didn't intend it," cried Tom; "I won't do it again." + +But Tom was counting without his host, for at that instant the ship, +giving another roll, threw him once more against the luckless +lieutenant, who grasping at the corporal, over they all went, McTavish +and Gerald, who had been thrown against the other jollies, bringing them +again right over Lieutenant Jennings to the deck. + +"This is unbearable," he spluttered out, "I'll have you youngsters put +under arrest. Marines, can't you keep your legs? Help me up. Get off +me, all you, I say." + +But as the marines could not help themselves, it could scarcely be +expected that they could assist their officer, still less could the +medico and the midshipmen. The serjeant, however, hearing the uproar, +followed by a couple of his men, with a faint idea that a mutiny of some +sort had broken out, hurried aft, and with the assistance of Higson amid +the other oldsters who came out of the berth to see what was the matter, +quickly got the mass of struggling humanity disentangled and placed in +as upright position as circumstances would allow. The lieutenant ought +really to have been much obliged to Tom, for his anger completely +overcame the nausea from which he had been suffering; but ungrateful, +like too many others, as Higson observed, he went back into the gunroom +demanding condign punishment on the head of his benefactor and his +messmates. He was saved thereby from witnessing the effect of that +leveller of mankind, sea-sickness, on nearly half his men, who lay about +the deck unable to move, and only wishing that the ship would go down +and bring their misery to an end. Jack soon soothed the temper of his +brother officer, who was a brave and really a good-natured man, and then +went to look after Tom and Gerald. He advised them to lie down with +their eyes shut in the berth which was now vacated, the occupants being +called off to their respective duties, and the assistant-surgeon having +retired into the dispensary to concoct a specific against sea-sickness +of his own invention, which made him and those he persuaded to take it +ten times worse. + +Soon afterwards all hands were piped on deck, and the sea-sick had to +appear as well as the rest. The report had been made to the captain +that a man had been knocked overboard, but who was the sufferer was +uncertain. The frigate was bravely breasting the foaming billows under +close-reefed topsails, ever and anon a hissing sea striking her bows and +its crest sweeping across the deck, the spray in dense showers coming +right aft, and rendering flushing coats and tarpaulins necessary to +those who desired dry skins. Overhead the dark clouds flew rapidly by, +showing no abatement of the gale. Far astern was the _Tudor_ with no +fore-topsail set, showing that either the mast or yard had been sprung +while it was impossible to say what other damage she might have +received, if caught unprepared as the frigate had been. The muster-roll +was now called over. A third of the crew had answered to their names. +"Richard Jenkins" was called. It was the name of a fine young topman. +No Richard Jenkins replied; but he must have been aloft at the time the +fore-tack parted, and then two other topmen acknowledged that they had +been afraid some one had been knocked from the fore-topsail-yard; but +the thick darkness, and the wild flapping of the sail, had made them +uncertain. The other names were called over. No one answered to that +of Daniel Bacon. He was rated as a landsman, and would have been +forward at the time. Two, then, in the darkness of night had been cast +unnoticed into their ocean grave. "Poor fellows! poor fellows!" uttered +by their messmates, was the only requiem they received--the contents of +their bags were sold; the purser wrote D against their names, which +before the gale was over had ceased to be mentioned. + +The slight excitement and the fresh air on deck had kept the midshipmen +up, but on going below they felt more miserable than ever. Utterly +unable to stand they threw themselves on their chests, half wishing that +they had gone overboard instead of poor Jenkins and Bacon. More than +once they were hove off, but they managed to crawl on again, and cling +to the lids in a way sick midshipmen alone could have done. Adair, on +going round the lower deck, found them in this condition. + +"Uncle Terence, dear, when is it all going to be over?" groaned out +Gerald. "There's mighty little fun in this same." + +"Only the ordinary seasoning youngsters have to go through," answered +Adair; "however, we'll see what can be done for you." + +Tom, whose head hung over the end of his chest, with a kid which had +been brought him under his nose, was past speaking. Adair ordered their +hammocks to be slung, and being assisted in, they lay helpless till the +gale was over. Let no one despise the two midshipmen, although their +messmates might have laughed at them. Their experiences were those of +many other brave officers, Nelson included; and they had not a few +companions in their misery among those unaccustomed to the +tumblifications of the ocean. At length, the wind going down, the sea +became tolerably smooth, and turning out, they went on deck by Adair's +advice to enjoy a few mouthfuls of fresh air. The effect on their +appetites was such as to astonish even old Higson by the way in which +they devoured the pea-soup and boiled beef and potatoes, a junk of fat +pork even not coming amiss, washed down by stiff glasses of grog, which, +in consideration of their recent sufferings, he allowed them to take. + +"Well, youngsters, you are filling up your lockers with a vengeance," he +remarked. + +"Faith, it's no wonder when they were cleaned out three days ago, and +not a scrap the size of a sixpenny-piece stowed away in them since," +answered Gerald, who with Tom was eyeing lovingly a huge suet dumpling +just placed smoking hot on the table. + +"Any duff, Rogers?" asked Higson; "I doubt if you've room for much." + +"I think I could just manage a slice to begin with, and then I'll try +what more I can do," answered Tom. + +A huge slice was handed to him, and another to Gerald. "You shall have +your next helping from the left side, youngsters," said the caterer, +with a wink at the rest, who all thereon begged for plenty. Tom and +Gerald applied themselves to the duff, which they found rather +appetising than otherwise; but when they looked up expecting to get +their second slices, an empty dish with Higson's face grinning beyond +it, alone met their view. However, they agreed that they had dined very +well considering, and from that moment, though others occasionally +knocked up, they were never off duty from sea-sickness. + + + +CHAPTER THREE. + +MADEIRA SIGHTED--MISFORTUNES OF COMMANDER BABBICOME--A RIDE ON SHORE-- +NAVAL CAVALRY CHARGE DOWN A HILL AND OVERTURN SOME DIGNITARIES OF CHURCH +AND STATE--A PLEASANT VISIT OF APOLOGY--SUDDENLY ORDERED TO SEA--AN +EXPEDITION TO BRING OFF "WASH CLOTHES." + +A few days after the storm was over Madeira was made; to the eastward of +it, as the frigate sailed on, there came in sight a small island called +the Desertas. Tom, wishing to show that he was wide awake, reported a +large ship coming round the Desertas. He was, however, only laughed at, +for his supposed ship turned out to be a rock of a needle form, rising +several hundred feet out of the sea, and would have been as Higson told +him, if it had been a ship, bigger than the famed _Mary Dunn_, of Diver, +whose flying jibboom swept the weathercock off Calais church steeple, +while her spanker-boom end only just shaved clear of the white cliffs of +old England. The scenery of Madeira, as they sailed along its shore, +was pronounced very grand and beautiful; its lofty cliffs rising +perpendicularly out of the blue ocean with a fringe of surf at their +base, and vine-clad mountains towering up into the clear sky beyond +them; here and there a small bay appearing, forming the mouth of a +ravine, its sides covered with orange groves and dotted with whitewashed +cottages, and a little church in their midst. Rounding the southern end +of the island, the frigate came to an anchor in the bay of Funchal, the +town in a thin line of houses stretching along the shore before them, +and a wild mountainous region beyond, with country houses or quintas +scattered over the lower ground, and high above it the white church of +Nossa Senhora do Monte, glistening in the sun. + +An important object had attracted Captain Hemming to Madeira. It was to +ship a couple of casks of its famed wine for the admiral on the Jamaica +station, as well as one for himself, and he took the opportunity of +fitting a new topgallant-mast. A few hours afterwards the _Tudor_ came +in and dropped her anchor close to the frigate. She had evidently +suffered severely in the gale. Her fore-topsail-yard was so badly +sprung that sail could not be carried on it. Her mizen-topmast was +gone, her starboard bulwarks forward stove in, one of her boats carried +away; besides which she had received other damages. The sea which had +injured her bulwarks had swept along her deck, but everything had been +secured, without doing further harm, and fortunately no one had been +lost. + +Commander Babbicome at once came on board the _Plantagenet_ to pay his +respects to Captain Hemming. He was a short, stout man, with a red face +and thick neck, betokening a plethoric habit. After having been on +shore for some years he had been appointed to the _Tudor_ through the +influence of a relative, who had actively supported the ministry in +electioneering matters. Probably never much of a sailor, though he +might have been as brave as a lion, such experience as he possessed +being that of days gone by, he had an especial horror of all new-fangled +notions. He laid all the blame of the disasters his ship had met with +to the Dockyard riggers. "They don't do things as they used to do, +that's very clear, or I shouldn't have lost my mizen-topmast!" he +exclaimed, while pacing the frigate's deck with angry steps; "I doubt +whether in this hole of a place we can get our damages repaired." + +"I'll send my carpenters on board, so that you may be independent of the +natives. How long will it take to set you to rights?" + +"Three or four days I should suppose," was the answer. + +"Well, I will remain for that time, and we will sail together," said +Captain Hemming. + +It was quickly known on board both ships that they were not to leave for +some days, and parties were made up to go on shore the next morning, and +take a ride to the Corral and other places of interest. + +A merry set of gun-room officers and midshipmen left the ships soon +after breakfast, Jack and Adair, with Lieutenant Jennings leading. +Murray could not go, but Archy Gordon got leave; his services, as he +told his friends, not being absolutely required. They wisely landed in +shore-boats, thus escaping a drenching from the surf, and were hauled up +the shingly beach by a number of shouting, bawling, dark-skinned +natives, who handed them over to an equally vociferous crowd of +muleteers and donkey boys, assembled in readiness with their beasts of +high and low degree, to carry travellers up the mountain. Amid the +wildest hubbub produced by the shouting, wraggling, jabbering of the +owners of the beasts, each man praising the qualities of his own animal +as he dragged it to the front, the naval party managed to mount; those +who could secure them, on horses, the rest on mules; donkeys being +despised, though attempts were made to thrust the midshipmen on them. +The tall lieutenant of marines had not secured his horse, which he chose +for its height, without a desperate struggle. A band of natives rushing +on him, one had hoisted his right leg across a mule, another shoving a +donkey's rein into his hands, while a third adroitly brought a pony +under his left leg, while kicking in the air; but the owner of the high +horse saw that his eye had been fixed on it, and being a big fellow came +to the rescue, and offering his shoulder as a rest, enabled the +lieutenant to spring clear of the mule and other beasts on to the one he +had chosen. + +"Forward, my lads," he shouted in triumph, as he galloped to the front. +Amid an increased chorus of strange-sounding shrieks and cries, the +party, shouting and laughing themselves almost as loudly as their +attendants, set forward. + +"Whoo! whoo!" sung out all the assembled natives in chorus, when the +muleteers, catching hold of the tails of their respective animals with +their left hands, began to urge them on by digging into their flanks the +points of the short goads held in their right hands. + +"Arra burra! cara! cara cavache! caval!" screamed out the natives, and +on went the steeds, kicking and clattering through the pebble-paved +streets, well nigh sending some of their less experienced riders over +their heads, and dispersing to the right and left every one they +encountered. + +"I say, we won't be after having these fellows at our heels all the +way," exclaimed Adair. + +"Of course not," said Jack; "it would be a horrid bore." + +"Be off with ye, now," cried Adair, to the natives; Jack and the rest +giving similar orders; but the muleteers, in the first place, did not +understand what they said, and, in the second, knew better than to let +go, as without the usual tail-pulling and goading, the beasts would not +have budged a foot. + +"We shall be quit of yer, ye spalpeens, when we get to the lull," cried +Adair, at which the swarthy natives grinned, and would have grinned more +had they comprehended his remark. Quickly passing through the town, up +the steep sides of the mountain, they clattered between high stone +walls, crowned by vines, geraniums, and numberless flowering plants, +while orange groves were seen here and there through various openings, +with pretty quintas nestling amid them; or when they turned their heads +glimpses were caught of the town and bay, and the blue ocean. + +They had not gone far when they met an Englishman on horse-back, who, +pulling up, introduced himself as the merchant about to ship the +admiral's wine, and invited them to stop at his quinta, on their way +down from the Corral. + +"With all the pleasure in life," answered Adair; "and will you have the +kindness, sir, to tell these noisy fellows, pulling at our horses' +tails, that we can dispense with their company?" + +"It would be far from a kindness if I did, for you would find that your +beasts would not move ahead without them," said the merchant, laughing, +and directing the arrieros to stop at his house on their return, he bade +the merry party good morning. + +Up and up they went, till Gerald declared that they should reach the +moon if they continued on much longer. At length they found themselves +on the brink of an enormous chasm, some thousand feet in depth, upwards +of two miles in length, and half-a-mile in width, while before them a +precipitous wall of rocks towered up towards the blue heavens, broken +into numberless craggy pinnacles, amid which the clouds careered +rapidly, although far below they lay in thin strata, unmoved by a +breeze. + +"Grand! magnificent!" and similar exclamations broke from the party. +They pushed on to the end of the ravine, where it almost closes; a +natural bridge of rocks existing over it to the opposite side; another +much broader ravine opening out beyond. Returning by the way they came, +the party gazed down upon Funchal and their ships in the harbour. + +"Faith, they look for all the world like two fleas floating with their +legs in the air," exclaimed Adair; "this is a mighty big mountain, there +is no doubt about that." + +Their keen appetites and the recollection of the merchant's promised +repast made them hurry on their downward way. They were not +disappointed either in the substantials, or in the delicacies, oranges, +and grapes, with other fruits and wines provided for their +entertainment. + +"I am expecting your captains and a few grandees and others to dinner, +or I would have pressed you to stay," said their kind host, as he wished +them good-bye; "I hope you will come to-morrow, though, and remember +that my house is at your orders as long as you stay." + +Most of the naval heroes had imbibed a sufficient quantity of the +merchant's generous liquid to raise their spirits, even somewhat above +their usual high level, and Adair took Gerald to task for not having +refused the last few glasses offered, though he declared that he himself +was as sober as an archbishop. + +"And so, faith, am I, Uncle Terence," cried Gerald; "to prove that same +I'll race ye down to the bottom of this hit of a hill, and whoever comes +in first shall decide the question. Now off we go. `Wallop ahoo! ahoo! +Erin-go-bragh!'" And urging on his steed, of which his arriero had +long since let go, as had the others of their animals on descending the +mountains, away he started; Adair shouting to him to stop, from the fear +that he would break his neck, followed, however, at the same headlong +speed, giving vent, in his excitement, to the same shout of "Wallop +ahoo! ahoo! Erin-go-bragh!" + +The example was infectious, the marine officer even catching it, and off +set lieutenants and surgeons, and midshipmen and clerks, as if +scampering away from an avalanche to save their lives, instead of +running a great risk of losing them. In vain their attendants shouted +to them to stop, and went bounding after them. The animals kept well +together in a dense mass--a regular stampedo--Terence and his nephew +keeping the lead. To check themselves had they tried it was impossible, +without the certainty of bringing their steeds to the ground, and taking +flying leaps over their heads. Suddenly there appeared before them a +palanquin--a dignified ecclesiastic seated in it--attended by footmen, +while further on were seen several cavaliers, some in military uniforms, +with a couple of naval cocked hats rising in their midst. That instant +had the cry of "Erin-go-bragh!" escaped from the excited Irishman's +throat. "Avast! haul up for your life, boy," shouted Adair, on +beholding the spectacle before him. "Starboard your helm, or you'll be +over the padre." + +Gerald did try to pull up with might and main, but it was too late, his +steed stumbled, shooting him as from a catapult, right on the top--not +of a humble padre, but of a bishop of the holy Roman Empire, when his +floundering steed upsetting the leading bearer, bishop and midshipman +rolled over together, the former shouting for help, the latter +apologising. The matter did not stop here. Though Adair managed to +clear the bishop, after knocking over one of his lordship's footmen, his +steed bolted into the midst of the cavaliers behind, coming full tilt, +as ill-luck would have it, against Commander Babbicome of the _Tudor_, +who, in spite of his boasted horsemanship, was incontinently capsized, +while, before he could recover himself, or his companions rescue him, +down came thundering on them the rest of the hilarious cavalcade. +Several of the riders, including Tom, attempting to rein in their +animals, were sent flying over the prostrate bishop, among the foremost +ranks of the party ascending the mountain, while the rest dashing on +overthrew the military governor and several other personages of +distinction, till Jack, who had from the first reined in his steed, and +was behind the rest, could see nothing but a confused mass of kicking +legs, and cocked hats, and naval caps, and here and there heads and +backs and arms, with a shaven crown in their midst, blocking up the +narrow roadway, shouts, cries, shrieks and execrations issuing from +among them. The liberated horses had dashed on, leaving their riders to +their fate. This contributed considerably to lessen the difficulties of +the case. The drivers coming up, Jack dismounted, and giving his horse +to one of them ran to assist the bishop and his fallen friends. The +midshipmen quickly picked themselves up, very much frightened at what +they had done, but not a bit the worse for their tumble. The +ecclesiastic was next placed on his legs, with robes somewhat rumpled, +but happily without contusions or bones broken, though dreadfully +alarmed and inclined to be somewhat angry at the indignity he had +suffered. Jack endeavoured to apologise with the few words of +Portuguese he could command, Tom and Gerald assisting him to the best of +their power, though their united vocabulary failed to convey their +sentiments. Meantime, the dismounted cavaliers behind had regained +their saddles, as had the gunroom officers and young gentlemen who had +tilted against them their feet. Lieutenant Jennings and Terence had +scraped clear without losing their seats, but nearly all the rest had +been unhorsed. Commander Babbicome was the only one who had suffered +damage, and he had received a bloody nose by a blow from his horse's +head, but he was infinitely the most irate. "It is a disgrace to the +service that such things should be allowed," he exclaimed. "Captain +Hemming, I shall demand a court-martial on your officers, or an ample +apology. Mine know how to respect their commander." At that moment his +eye fell on his own purser and surgeon, with two or three others who +were trying to get by close to the wall on either side. "Ah! I see; +they shall hear more about it, they may depend on that!" + +"Lieutenant Adair will be ready to make you an ample apology, I can +answer for that, and you know that naval officers are not always the +best of horsemen, of which we have just had an example," said Captain +Hemming, who, though annoyed at what had happened, wished to soothe the +feelings of the angry commander. + +The Portuguese officers ascertaining that the bishop was unhurt took +their own overthrow very coolly. "It's the way of those young English +naval officers," they observed, with a shrug of the shoulders. +"Paciencia!" + +With bows and further apologies the two parties separated; the one to +partake of the banquet prepared for them, the other to make the best of +their way into the town. + +"Uncle Terence, you bate me, I'll acknowledge, but if it hadn't been for +the fat bishop I'd have won," exclaimed Gerald, as they met Adair not +very comfortable in his mind, coming back to look for them. + +"We shall all get into a precious row, ye young spalpeen, in consequence +of your freak," answered Adair. "Why didn't you pull up at once when I +told you?" + +"Pull up was it ye say, Uncle Terence?" cried the irrepressible young +Irish boy. "Faith now, that's a good joke. Didn't I pull till I +thought my arms would be after coming off, but my baste pulled a mighty +dale harder." + +"Really that nephew of mine will be getting into serious difficulties if +he does not learn to restrain the exuberance of his spirits," said +Terence quite seriously to Jack, as they rode on together. "When I was +a youngster I never went as far as he does." + +"As to that, we are apt to forget what we were, and what we did, in the +days of our boyhood," answered Jack, laughing heartily. + +"You certainly had a wonderful aptitude for getting out of scrapes when +you had tumbled into them. However, as it is wiser to keep clear of +them altogether, you will do well to give your nephew a lecture on the +subject, and I hope that he will benefit by it. I intend to bestow some +good advice on Tom on the subject. Many a promising lad injures his +future prospects by thoughtlessness. Though we were not always as wise +as Solomon, we were invariably sober fellows, or we should probably have +come to grief like so many others we have known." + +"Faith, yes, it was that last magnum of Madeira floored the bishop and +Commander Babbicome, no doubt about it," observed Adair, with a twinkle +in his eye. + +By this time they had reached the beach, when the arrieros having +claimed their horses, not forgetting a liberal payment for their use, +the party returned in shore-boats to the ships. + +The next morning Commander Babbicome's anger was somewhat cooled down, +though to vindicate his outraged dignity, as he could not punish the +_Plantagenet's_ midshipmen, he stopped all leave from the _Tudor_. +Captain Hemming considering that the matter should not be altogether +overlooked, took Tom and Gerald on shore to apologise to the bishop, who +instead of being angry, laughed heartily, and gave them a basket full of +sweet cakes and fruit, for which, though it was a gentle hint that he +looked upon them as children, they were very much obliged to him, and +voted him a first-rate old fellow. + +When the midshipmen of the _Tudor_ heard of it they wanted to go and +apologise also, but as none of them unfortunately had tumbled over his +lordship, they could not find a sufficient excuse for paying him a +visit, and though they sent a deputation on board the _Plantagenet_ to +put in a claim for a share, old Higson declined to entertain it. + +Captain Hemming afterwards went on board the _Tudor_, and having told +Commander Babbicome of the kind way the bishop had behaved, suggested +that it was more Christian-like to forgive than revenge an insult even +if premeditated, while that of which he complained certainly was not, +and finally induced him to promise that he would say no more about the +matter. + +The repairs of the _Tudor_ were nearly completed. + +"A man-of-war steamer coming in from the eastward," reported the +signal-midshipman to Mr Cherry. + +"She has made her number the _Pluto_," he shortly added. + +The _Pluto's_ huge paddle-wheels soon brought her into the bay, when the +lieutenant commanding her came on board the _Plantagenet_, with +despatches for Captain Hemming. + +"It was thought possible that we might catch you here as we have had a +good deal of calm weather, and our wheels carry us along rather faster +than your sails under such circumstances," observed the lieutenant, who +knew that his tea-kettle was held in no great respect. + +"Ah, yes, steam is useful for despatch-boats," answered the captain, in +a slightly sarcastic tone, as he opened the despatches. + +He was to direct the _Plantagenet_ and _Tudor_ to proceed without delay +to Trinidad, and thence to go on to Jamaica, calling at the larger +Caribbean Islands, belonging to Great Britain, on their way. There was +an idea that the blacks were in an unsettled state of mind, and that the +appearance of a couple of men-of-war would tend to keep them in order. + +Instantly the news became known there was a general bustle on board the +frigate. Washed clothes had to be got off and fresh provisions +obtained. She was to sail at daylight the next morning, and the _Tudor_ +was to follow as soon as ready. + +"What are we to do for our washed clothes?" exclaimed Higson. "Mother +Lobo wasn't to bring them on board till to-morrow evening, and if we +send to her the chances are she doesn't get the message or doesn't +understand it if she does." + +"Sure, the best thing will be to go for them, then," exclaimed Gerald. +"Does any one know where she lives?" + +"Well thought of, youngster," said Higson; "I know where she hangs out, +to the west of the town, beyond the old convent, some way up the hill, +but as I can't make her understand a word I say, even if I was to go +there, I should not much forward matters." + +"But I can talk Portuguese like a native," exclaimed Norris, a +midshipman who had been on board a ship stationed at Lisbon for several +months, and who, professing to be a great linguist, was always ready to +act as interpreter. Whether he understood the replies of the natives or +not, he never failed to translate them. It was reported of him that +once having accompanied the first lieutenant on shore to get a new +topmast made, he asked the Portuguese carpenter at the dockyard,--"In +how many dayso will you make a new topmasto for mio fregato?" + +"Nao intende," was the answer. + +"`Not in ten days,' he says, sir," reported Norris to the lieutenant. + +"Why, we can make one on board in less than half that time. Lazy +rascals, we will have nothing to do with them," exclaimed the +lieutenant, his confidence in the midshipman as a linguist unshaken. + +On the present occasion Norris's services were, however, accepted, and +all in the berth who could get leave agreed to go. Some of the +_Tudor's_ midshipmen who were on board the frigate offered to bring on +the things if they were not ready. + +"No! no! thank ye," answered Higson, cocking his eye, "I've a notion +that clean linen would be plentiful aboard the corvette, and by the time +it reached us it would be ready again for the laundress." + +He, however, accepted their offer to accompany the expedition. As the +wind was light and off shore they got leave to take the jolly-boat, +being able easily to land in her. Under the guidance of Higson they +made their way up the hill to Senhora Lobo's abode. A stream ran near +it, on the banks of which half-a-dozen women were kneeling battering +away, fine as well as coarse articles of clothing on some rough granite +slabs, occasionally rubbing them as a change, with might and main on the +hard stones, singing at the same time as they rubbed, or stopping +occasionally to laugh and chatter. Among them was discovered Senhora +Lobo or Mother Lobo, as Higson designated her, battering away harder +than anybody at one of his shirts, as an example to her handmaidens. +She rose from her knees, twisting tightly the dripping garment, not to +lose time, as she recognised the young gentlemen, when Norris for a +wonder made her comprehend more by signs than words, that as the ship +was about to sail they must have their clothes immediately. + +"Amanaa? to-morrow?" asked Senhora Lobo. + +"No, no, `esta noite,' to-night," answered Norris vehemently. + +The washerwoman consulted with her attendants. Piles of wet linen lay +on the ground, but a quantity had not yet seen the water. After a +considerable amount of jabbering and talking, it was agreed that the +task could be accomplished. The sun was hot, and the gentlemen must not +be very particular about the ironing. While one half of the damsels set +to work again in the stream, the rest, headed by the mistress, began to +hang up the washed articles, a young girl being despatched apparently +for further assistance. This looked like being in earnest, and the dame +assured Norris that the things should be ready by ten o'clock. How to +spend the intermediate time was the question, and a ramble into the +country was agreed on. Had they been wise they would have secured some +mules or donkeys to convey the clothes to the beach. They had, however, +undertaken to carry the bags themselves, and were resolved heroically to +persevere. They set off on their ramble, Tom and Gerald, and the other +youngsters, skylarking as usual. They expected to fall in with some +venda, or wine-shop, where they could obtain the refreshment they should +require before returning, and Dick Needham was sent back with an order +for the boat to come for them at the appointed hour. After rambling to +a considerable distance, they began to feel hungry, but in vain they +searched for a venda. Fortunately at this juncture they fell in with an +Englishman on horseback, to whom they made their wants known. + +"Come along with me," he answered; "I will show you a place where you +can get some food." + +Turning to the right, he led them through a gateway, along a walk +bordered by orange-trees, myrtles, geraniums, ever-blossoming +rose-trees, and numberless other plants and flowers, up to a +bungalow-style of building, from the verandah of which a fine view could +be enjoyed over the bay, with the town in the distance, and the hills on +either side. + +"This looks like a regular first-class boarding-house; we shall have to +pay handsomely," whispered Tom to Gerald; "but never mind, we shall +enjoy ourselves, and I am terribly sharp-set!" + +"Make yourselves at home, gentlemen," said their guide; "supper will +soon be on the table." + +"Let's have it as soon as possible, that's all, and pray tell the +landlord that we shall be perfectly content if we can have a few cold +fowls and a ham, or eggs and bacon, and bread and cheese, and some +bottles of country wine--we are in no ways particular!" exclaimed +Higson, throwing himself on a garden-seat and producing his cigar-case. +"Will any of you fellows have a smoke?" + +When the case was opened but one cigar remained. Their guide observed +it. + +"Never mind, I dare say I can find some in the house," he said, and soon +returned with a box full. He offered it round. + +"What do they cost?" asked Gerald, who indulged in a smoke sometimes, +when out of Adair's sight, though his slender purse forbade cigars. + +"Never mind," was the answer; "it shall be put down in the bill." + +The midshipman took a cigar, when a black servant appearing with a dish +of charcoal embers, it was lighted and pronounced excellent. Shortly +afterwards several ladies came out of the house and entered into +conversation with the young officers, who took them to be guests staying +at the inn. The time sped pleasantly by till supper was announced. The +ladies accompanied them in, the oldest taking one end of the table, +while their guide sat at the other. + +"He's mine host after all!" whispered Tom to Gerald. "He knows, +however, how to look after his guests properly." + +There might not have been quite as many cold chickens on the table as +Higson would have desired, but ample amends was made by the variety of +other good things and the abundance of fruit, cakes, and wine. + +"Capital Madeira, this of yours, landlord! Haven't tasted better +anywhere in the island!" exclaimed Higson, smacking his lips. "I'll +trouble you to pass the bottle." + +"I am glad you approve of it, sir," said mine host, doing as he was +requested. "There are several other qualities, but I always put the +best before my guests." + +Altogether the young gentlemen enjoyed themselves particularly, and +talked and laughed away with unrestrained freedom to the ladies, who +seemed highly amused by them, and insisted on filling the pockets of the +younger midshipmen with cakes and fruit to take to their messmates on +board. + +"It's myself could manage better with a handkerchief!" exclaimed Paddy +Desmond, producing a good big one. + +The hint was taken, and some of the oldsters pulling out theirs got them +filled likewise, supposing that it was the custom of the country for the +guests to carry off the remains of a feast. Coffee was brought in, and +a stroll through the grounds was then proposed. The object of the young +gentlemen's visit to the shore came out in the course of the evening. + +"You must stay here, then, till the time you have appointed, and I will +show you a much shorter cut to the shore than by the high road," said +mine host. + +Higson gladly accepted his offer. Tea and further refreshments were +found on the table on their return from the garden, and then one of the +younger ladies went to the piano, and another took a harp, and a third a +guitar, and the young officers who could sing were asked to do so, which +of course they did, Paddy Desmond especially having a capital voice. +Thus the evening passed pleasantly away, till it was nearly ten o'clock. + +"I had no idea there were such capital houses of public entertainment as +yours in the island," said Higson, highly pleased with mine host, who +had been very attentive to him. "Whatever Englishmen undertake, +however, they always beat the natives hollow, and now just tell me +what's to pay?" + +"I am amply repaid by having had the pleasure of entertaining you," +answered mine host, laughing. "I must not let you go away under a +mistake. The ladies you have seen are my mother and wife, and our +sisters and two cousins staying with us. You may have heard my name as +one of the principal shippers from the island, and when you come across +my brand in the old country you will be able to say a good word for it." + +"That I will, sir; but I must beg ten thousand pardons for my stupidity, +and that of my shipmates. We ought to have found you out at first-- +couldn't understand it, I confess." + +Mr--soon set Higson and the rest at their ease, and thanks and +farewells being uttered, under the guidance of the former they commenced +their journey through orange groves and vineyards down the hill. + +Senhora Lobo's washing establishment was soon reached, and there stood +before her house a long line of bags and bundles, the former containing +clothes, the latter tablecloths, sheets, and towels, each weighing +twenty or thirty pounds. As time would be lost by sending to the boat +for men the young gentlemen agreed to carry their property between them. +Their new friend at once declared his intention of assisting. How to +fist the bundles was the question. One could be easily carried on the +back; but on counting them it was found that each person must carry two. +After due discussion it was decided that the only way to do this was to +fasten the bags or bundles two and two together, by the strings of the +bags or the corners of the bundles, and to sling them thus over their +shoulders, one hanging before and one behind. The two younger +midshipmen got the lightest for their share, old Higson manfully taking +the largest, and saying that he would bring up the rear. Their new +friend led to show them the way. There was a high gate near the bottom +of the path, but that was sure to be open. Off started the strange +procession amid shouts of laughter, to which Senhora Lobo and her +hand-maidens added their share. "Adios, adios, senhores!" they +shrieked, clapping their hands and bending almost double in their +ecstasies. The shouts of the merry damsels could be heard long after +they had been lost to sight, as the not less jovial young gentlemen +descended the hill. At first the path was tolerably even, but gradually +it became steeper and steeper, and the bundles seemed to grow heavier +and heavier, and the night darker and darker. They could see that they +were passing though a vineyard, formed on terraces, built upon the +hillside. The assistant surgeon, who followed next their friend, had +slackened his speed, allowing the latter to get ahead of him. Suddenly +the medico lost sight of his guide, when stumbling he let his bags slip +off his shoulders, and was obliged to stop a minute to adjust them, +bringing everybody else behind him to a halt. Then to make up for lost +time he pushed on at greater speed than before. He heard their guide +cry out something, but what it was he could not tell. "Make haste you +in the rear," he exclaimed, but scarcely were the words out of his mouth +than he found himself going headforemost from the top of a high wall, +when he began to roll over and over, down a steep declivity. He was not +alone, for one after the other came his companions, the darkness +preventing those behind from discovering what had happened, Higson being +the last, till the whole party were rolling away down the hill, +struggling and kicking with the bags round their necks, some well-nigh +strangled by the cords which held them together. + +"Och, it's kilt I am entirely!" exclaimed Paddy Desmond, who was the +first to find his voice. "Where are we after going to? Is the say +below us, does any one know?" + +"Can't some of you fellows ahead stop yourselves?" sung out Higson, who +came thundering along with his big bundles about his neck; but the +ground had just been cleared, not a root or branch offered a holdfast, +and his weight giving a fresh impetus to the rest away they all went +again over another terrace wall, shrieks and shouts and groans +proceeding from those whose throats were not too tightly pressed by the +cords to allow them utterance. Their cries quickly brought their friend +to their assistance, when a level spot having fortunately been reached, +with his aid, after some hauling and twisting, they were at length got +on their legs, and their bundles and bags being replaced on their +shoulders they proceeded in the same order as before. One or two +groaned, occasionally, from the weight of their burdens or from the pain +of their bruises, but most of the party trudged on, laughing heartily at +their adventure. + +"Hillo, why the gate is locked--never knew that before!" they heard +their guide exclaim. "Never mind, we can easily climb it." Saying this +he threw his bags over, and climbing to the top safely dropped down on +the other side. The rest of the party, with one exception, followed his +example. When Higson came to the gate it looked so contemptibly easy +that he determined to climb it with his bundles on his back. Telling +Tom, who was next him, to go on, he mounted to the top, when just as he +had got over his foot slipped, and down he came, having his body on the +outer side and his huge bundles still on the inner, his neck being held +fast by the cord which fastened them together. A deep groan escaped +him. It might have been the last he would ever have uttered, but +fortunately Tom heard it, and turning back discovered what had happened. + +"Help! help!" he shouted; "here's old Higson hanging himself." + +His shout brought the rest to the rescue, accompanied by Dick Needham, +who had come up from the boat to see after them. While a couple of the +oldsters climbed to the top of the gate Dick raised the old mate with +his shoulders, and after much pulling and hauling his neck was cleared +from the noose, when he would have fallen to the ground had not Dick +caught him. + +"I'm much afeered Mr Higson's gone," exclaimed Dick, as he placed his +burden gently down. + +"Dead! why he was kicking tremendously just now," cried Tom, much +concerned, for he had a real regard for his messmate. + +"I'm afeered so," repeated Dick, with a sigh. + +"Let me see," said McTavish, the assistant-surgeon, and stooping down he +undid Higson's handkerchief and rubbed away at his throat, feeling +carefully round it. "Neck not dislocated, as I feared; he's all right, +and will come round presently," he said, the announcement giving +infinite relief to those who stood around. + +As McTavish had predicted, Higson soon recovered; and as Dick was there +to carry his bundles the adventurers were once more _en route_ to the +boat. All hands were warm in their expressions of thanks to their +hospitable entertainer. + +"You'll not forget `mine host' of the country venda," he said, laughing, +as he shook hands for the last time. They gave him three cheers, as the +boat shoved off and pulled away for the frigate. + +Higson had been silent, while the rest were talking, as if brooding over +something; at length he exclaimed, "I say, Rogers, I'll not have you +call me old Higson--they were the last words I heard." + +"Then you didn't hear me call the other fellows to your assistance," +answered Tom promptly. "If I hadn't you wouldn't have been sitting up +and talking now. It wouldn't have been pleasant for your friends to +have seen a paragraph in the papers, `John Higson, mate of HMS +_Plantagenet_, was hung on the --'" + +"Avast there," cried Higson, "or I'll break your head, you--" + +"He really was the means of saving your life," said McTavish. + +"Then I'm obliged to you, Rogers, and you may call me old Higson as +often as you like, provided you do me an equal service every time." + +The next morning the frigate stood out of the Bay of Funchal on her way +to the West Indies. + + + +CHAPTER FOUR. + +THE FRIGATE AT TRINIDAD--MAGNIFICENT SCENERY--MIDSHIPMEN ON SHORE-- +PURCHASE A SPIDER-MONKEY, AND TAKE A RIDE WITH HIM INTO THE COUNTRY-- +ADAIR MEETS SOME RELATIVES--HE AND JACK NEARLY LOSE THEIR HEARTS, BUT +DON'T--COLONEL O'REGAN AND HIS DAUGHTER STELLA--A COUNTRY-HOUSE--VISIT +TO A COFFEE PLANTATION--THE COLONEL'S SCHEMES--THE COLONEL AND HIS +DAUGHTER EMBARK ON BOARD THE PLANTAGENET--THE DRAGON'S MOUTH--THE +FRIGATE IN DANGER. + +The mists of the early morning hung over the ocean, but not with +sufficient density to obscure altogether the outline of the land, as her +Majesty's frigate _Plantagenet_ was entering the Boca Navios, or ship +channel, one of the Dragon's Mouths which lead from the north into the +Gulf of Paria, between the island of Trinidad and the mainland of South +America. Captain Hemming stood, speaking-trumpet in hand, conning the +ship; the crew were at their stations; hands in the chains, ever and +anon, as they hove the lead, in deep, sonorous voices shouting out the +depth of water; every one was on the alert, for the currents were +uncertain and the wind baffling. As the sun rose the silvery mist +seemed to be drawn up like a curtain, exposing a magnificent spectacle; +islands of fantastic shapes rising from the calm, blue water, clothed to +their summits with mighty trees, of varied hues, growing out of the +crevices of the rocks. Here, lofty cliffs; there, some deep bay, with +plantations and cottages beyond; or a shady valley, the fit abode of +peace and contentment, as Adair, who was just then in a sentimental +mood, observed; now in a wilder, more open spot were seen the huts of a +whaling establishment; and then, further on, open glades and grassy +enclosures; while on the port side towered up to the clear, bright sky +the lofty ridge-like mountains of Trinidad itself. The breeze +freshening, at length the handsome capital of the island, Port of Spain, +on the shores of its wide bay, opened out to view; its broad streets +running at right angles to each other, and thus allowing every air from +the water to blow freely through them. On the other side of the town +could be seen the Savannah, a park-like enclosure bordered by pretty +villas, with a panorama of superb hills clothed with vegetation, forming +the background of the picture; between which, extending right across the +island, was discerned the entrance to the fertile valley of Diego +Martin; while across the gulf on the mainland rose the majestic +mountains of Cumana. Leave was given to all not required on board to go +on shore. The captain went to call on the governor, the officers to +amuse themselves, according to their respective tastes. + +The talents of Norris as interpreter were called into requisition; +indeed, he had a good opportunity of practising his Spanish and +Portuguese as well as French, the white population being composed of a +mixture of most of the nations of Europe. The young gentlemen were +wandering about, as midshipmen are wont to do, in a strange town; now +stopping to buy fruit in the market-place, now entering a shop to look +for something they did not exactly know what; now popping their heads in +at a church-door, when they caught sight of a short, broad-faced, +yellow-skinned Carib with a monkey perched on his head, one on each +shoulder, and a fourth nestling in his arms, standing at the corner of a +street. + +"Hurra!" cried Tom, "here's the chance we have long been wishing for. +Come along, Norris, and try to make the monkey-merchant understand that +we are ready to treat for one of his happy family." + +"For combien sixpenny pieces voulez-vous sell us one of those rum +chapsos, mon amis?" said Norris, with perfect confidence, as if +expecting an answer. Though the Carib knew no more French than did the +midshipman, guessing what was wanted, he made the three monkeys on his +head and shoulders jump down to the ground to exhibit themselves. +Having gone through their performances, at a word they sprang back into +their former positions, the most active being a long-tailed, long-armed +creature, with a body like a lath, who had the post of honour on the +Indian's head. + +"That's the fellow for us," cried Tom, clapping his hands. "I don't +think old Scrofton will ever acknowledge that he had his origin in such +a spider-like animal." + +"No, but he may be after saying that we are descended from some such +creature, if he catches us skylarking aloft," observed Gerald. + +"He'll not venture on such an impertinence," answered Tom. "I vote we +have him." + +Though there were some dissentient voices, the majority were in favour +of the spider-monkey. A dollar was asked, a high price for a monkey, +considering that hundreds are caught in the woods to be cooked for +dinner; but then, as the Carib tried to explain, this one was civilised, +and his education had cost something, though he could neither read nor +write at present; but he might do so, if the young gentlemen would take +the trouble of teaching him. The Indian's arguments prevailed. A +dollar was quickly collected, Tom paying twice as much as any one else, +that he might have a proportionate interest in the beast; and Master +Spider, as he was forthwith called, became the midshipmen's monkey. +Poor Master Spider, he little knew the fate awaiting him. Now he was +theirs, the question was what to do with him till they returned on +board. Should they take him with them into the country, he would to a +certainty be off among his native woods, they agreed. They modestly +requested several shop-keepers in the neighbourhood to take charge of +him, but all declined the trust. They bought, however, of a saddler a +chain and strap to assist in securing their captive. At first they were +going to put the strap round the monkey's neck; but the Carib hinted +that if they did, Master Spider would be throttled, and so it was +fastened round his loins, he ungratefully giving Paddy Desmond, who +performed the operation, a severe bite in return. + +"Ye baste, what do ye mane by that?" exclaimed Paddy, in a voice which +made Master Spider spring back as far as his chain would allow to the +top of a saddle, where he sat vehemently jabbering away, as if offering +a full explanation of his conduct, amid the laughter of the rest of the +party. Norris proposed hiring a sitting-room for him at an inn; but a +somewhat high price being asked for the accommodation, it was at length +determined to take him with them now that he could not escape, each one +agreeing to carry him by turns. + +"But you fellows are not going to walk about all day, I hope. I vote we +have a ride," exclaimed Norris. + +The proposal was agreed to. Six procured steeds--rather sorry jades; +for the sagacious owners, having some experience of the way naval +officers are apt to ride, would not bring out their best horses, but the +midshipmen did not care about that. They tossed up who was first to +have charge of Spider. Paddy Desmond won, and away they started. + +"Look out that you don't run foul of any of the great Dons of the +island, or lose your way," shouted their messmates. + +"No fear," answered Tom; "we've got Spider as a pilot." + +Spider did show the way in a vengeance, for Desmond's horse finding a +strange creature clinging to its mane, dashed off at headlong speed +through the streets and round the Savannah, followed by the rest, +shouting and laughing, till the foot of the mountains was reached. Then +up they went, not by the high road, but by a rough pathway, which led +they did not know where. That, however, was of small consequence; it +must take them to some place or other, and they had little doubt of +finding their way back. On they pushed, scrambling along regardless of +the hot sun, the dust, the flies, and other stinging creatures, laughing +and shouting, and belabouring each other's steeds, Gerald, as at first, +with Spider before him, bravely keeping the lead. They had not been +unobserved, for Lieutenants Rogers and Adair were riding leisurely along +the road round the Savannah as they passed at some distance. + +"There goes my young hopeful of a nephew," exclaimed Adair. "I must +look sharper after the lad than _I_ have done when he gets on shore, or +he'll come to grief, and my good sister, his mother, who doats on him, +will break her heart." + +"I must keep a taut hand on Tom, too, for whom I feel myself +responsible," observed Jack. "I was glad to have him on board the +frigate, but I did not reflect on the anxiety he would cause me." + +"Mercifully Providence watches over midshipmen, or the race would soon +become extinct, and there would be no such promising young officers as +you and I to be found," said Adair. "There go a number more of them. +Happy fellows! Well, it was not so long since we were like them, Jack." + +The two lieutenants continued their ride, bound on a visit which shall +be mentioned presently. The midshipmen galloped along till their +horses' knees trembled under them. They had left the more cultivated +country, and entered a wild region, the forest closing in on every side; +birds of gorgeous colours flew by or rose from the thickets; beautiful +butterflies fluttered in the glades, and monkeys gambolled in the trees, +looking down on them from the branches overhead, chattering loudly as +they passed. + +"We've paid a pretty high price, I've a notion, for Master Spider, since +we might have had a dozen such fellows for the catching," observed +Norris, as he watched the monkeys in troops springing from bough to +bough. + +"But how were we to catch them, I should like to know?" asked Tom. +"They can beat any one of us at climbing, there's no doubt about that." + +"Ah, well, I suppose they can, as they are at it all day," answered +Norris sagaciously. + +Meantime Master Spider had been gazing up wistfully at his relations in +the trees, every now and then answering their chatterings with a +peculiar cry, when, passing under an overhanging bough, some three or +four feet above him, suddenly springing on the horse's head, and thence +on Gerald's, in a moment, with his long arms extended, he had laid tight +hold of it, while Gerald letting go his rein, with equal tenacity +grasped the end of the chain, fancying that he could haul him back; but +the arms of the monkey were stronger than his. On galloped the horse, +leaving him, as a consequence, hanging with one hand to the chain. +Instinctively he made a grasp at the monkey's long tail, greatly, it is +possible, to the relief of the owner; and there he hung, swinging +backwards and forwards between the sky and earth, the monkey jabbering +and shrieking with the pain of the strap round its loins, amid a chorus +of its relatives, while the other midshipmen gathered round, laughing +till they nearly split their sides, without attempting to assist him. +Even Tom--hard-hearted fellow--forgot to help his friend. + +"Bear a hand, some of ye, and catch hold of my legs, or I'll be carried +off by the baste entirely," shouted Gerald. "And there's my horse +galloped off, and I'll have none to ride back on." + +"Hold fast, Paddy! hold fast!" shouted his messmates, "it's such fun to +see you." + +"It's you I want to be holding on to me, for if ye won't haul me down +the baste of a monkey will be after hauling me up. He'll be at the top +of the tree in another moment, and his friends will be carrying me off +among them, and I'll never set eyes again on Ballymacree, shone! shone! +but be turned into a spider-legged monkey, I will!" and poor Paddy began +to cry with terror as he pictured the fate in store for him. At length +Tom's regard for his friend overcame his love of fun, and throwing the +reins of his horse to Norris he jumped off, and catching hold of +Gerald's legs began hauling away with all his might. Now, though Master +Spider could, by his wonderful muscular power, manage to support one +midshipman, the weight of two was more than he could bear, and letting +go, down came Gerald, and over went Tom, with the monkey struggling and +scratching on the top of them, giving a revengeful nip on the most +exposed part of his new master's body. Master Spider hadn't long his +own way, however, for the reefers picking themselves up, Paddy gave him +a box on the ears, which though it made him show his teeth, brought him +to order, and the tired steed being found feeding close by, all hands +agreed that, unless they wished to be benighted, it was about time to +return shipward. Paddy declining the further companionship of Spider, +Tom took charge of him, and off they set down the mountain's side, for a +wonder reaching the plain without breaking their necks; their steeds +happily knowing the way better than they did. Darkness came on while +they were still galloping along. + +"Och, sure our horses' hoofs are scattering the sparks all around us," +cried Paddy. One of the more knowing of the party, however, discovered +that the sparks were fire-flies, flitting about above a damp spot +through which they were passing. + +A good supper at the hotel quickly restored their exhausted spirits, and +they got safe on board with Master Spider. It was the last ride on +shore they enjoyed for many a long day. They were soon to be engaged in +more stirring and dangerous adventures. + +We must now accompany the two lieutenants. On landing, having a bill to +get cashed, they repaired for that purpose to the establishment of a +certain Don Antonio Gomez, who acted as store-keeper and banker, and +was, they heard, one of the leading men in the place. He spoke English, +they found, remarkably well. + +"Are you related to Mr Adair, of Ballymacree, in Ireland?" he asked, on +hearing Adair's name. + +"I am his son," was the answer. + +"Then I am truly delighted to see you, my dear sir," exclaimed the Don. +"My mother is the daughter of an uncle of yours--no; let me see--of a +great uncle who settled here some forty years ago or more, after the +island became a dependency of England. She will be charmed to welcome +you as a cousin. My wife, too, is Irish, and we have some guests also +who hail from the old country, so that you will be perfectly at home. +You will come up at once, and Lieutenant Rogers will, I hope, accompany +you." + +Adair, of course, said all that could be expected; how enchanted he +should be to make the acquaintance of his cousin, of whom, till that +moment, however, he had never heard, while Jack gladly accepted the +invitation offered him. While they were speaking Don Antonio was +summoned on a matter of importance. + +"I regret that I cannot accompany you at present," he said, on his +return; "I have therefore written to announce your coming, and have +ordered horses, with a servant to show you the way. They will be here +presently, and in the meantime you must fortify yourselves for the +journey with some tiffin." + +He led his visitors to a large airy upper room looking out over the +gulf. In the centre was a table spread with all sorts of West-Indian +delicacies, and wines and spirits, and bottled beer. A person must go +to a hot climate to appreciate the latter liquid properly. Several +persons looked in, and took their seats at table as if it was a +customary thing. Some apparently were resident planters; others +skippers of merchantmen, and there were several foreigners, who spoke +only Spanish or French. + +One of the last comers was a fine military-looking man, with a handsome +countenance, a few grey hairs sprinkling his otherwise dark hair and +moustache. Don Antonio introduced him to the two lieutenants as Colonel +O'Regan. The naval officers rose and bowed, and the Colonel taking his +seat opposite to them at once, as a man of the world, entered into +conversation. + +"Colonel O'Regan has seen a good deal of service in the Peninsula and +elsewhere," observed Don Antonio to Adair; "knew your uncle, Major +Adair, and was with Sir Ralph Abercromby when this island changed +masters, I must confess very much to its advantage." + +The colonel heard the last remark. "I was a mere boy at the time, +having only just joined my regiment," he observed, with a smile. "It +was not a very hazardous expedition, and had there been any fighting the +navy would have borne the brunt of it; but the gallant Spanish Admiral +Apodaca, whose memory is not held in the highest repute hereabouts, as +soon as he saw the British fleet, having landed his men, set fire to +four of his ships, and galloped off, that he might be the first to +convey the intelligence to the Governor Chacon, who was preparing to +defend the city from the expected assault. He entered at the head of a +band of priests, piously counting his rosary. `Burnt your ships, +admiral!' exclaimed Chacon, in astonishment. `Then I fear all is lost.' +`Oh, no, most noble governor, all is not lost, I assure you,' answered +the admiral. `I have saved! only think I have saved the image of +Santiago de Compostella, the patron of my ships and myself.'" + +"Come, come, you are rather hard on the worthy Apodaca--his ships were +only half manned, and Admiral Harvey would have captured them all after +giving him a sound drubbing," observed Don Antonio, laughing +notwithstanding. "Besides it is a proof that we had pious men among us +in those days. Remember that we had not long before been deprived of +the holy Inquisition." + +"You did not regret its loss, I presume," said the colonel. "I saw +something of what it must have been in Spain when its dungeons were +revealed to view." + +"As to that I live under the English government, and prefer the English +system of managing matters," answered Don Antonio, but wishing to change +the subject he asked, "What news from the Main, colonel?" + +"Unsatisfactory as usual," was the answer. "Something, however, must be +done or the cause will be lost, and I am resolved to be no longer +influenced by those half-hearted patriots as they call themselves." + +Just then the horses were announced. "You will meet Colonel O'Regan, as +he will accompany me by-and-by," said Don Antonio to the lieutenants. + +They found two richly caparisoned steeds waiting for them, with a sable +attendant in livery, mounted on a third. He would have astonished an +English groom. He wore huge spurs strapped to naked feet--a light blue +coat richly laced, an enormously high hat with a deep band, and a +flaming red waistcoat. He, however, was evidently satisfied with his +own appearance, and considered himself a person of no small importance. + +"Mr Pedro Padillo show dee way to Massa Lieutenants," he said, bowing +after they had mounted. "When say starboard, keep to starboard; when +say larboard, keep to port; oderwise make way ahead." + +"Thank you, Pedro--you have been at sea, I perceive," said Jack. + +"Oh yes, massa. I serve aboard de King's ships, and oder craft many +years before turn head groom to Don Antonio," answered the black. "He +great man, as you shall see presently." + +After rather more than an hour's ride under the steerage of Pedro, Jack +and Adair reached the country residence of Don Antonio, magnificently +situated on the broad shoulder of a mountain which rose clothed with +gigantic trees behind it, while in front lay the blue gulf dotted over +with the tiny sails of canoes--a highly cultivated plain stretched out +below--hill sides and forests, plantations and villas appearing on +either hand. + +"Faith, my new cousin is well located. It bates Ballymacree I must +confess," said Adair, as they came in front of an extensive bungalow +style of building, with a broad verandah running along the front and two +sides, with such a garden as the tropics only can present, kept green by +a clear stream taught to meander through it, and the source of which +could be discerned as in a sparkling cascade it rushed down the mountain +side amid the trees. "I am curious to know what sort of person my elder +relative will prove, not to speak of the younger females of the family," +added Adair. + +As he spoke a cloud of white drapery was seen moving in the verandah. +It soon resolved itself into a tall, dignified old lady, another of +matronly appearance, and a bevy of young ones; two or three of them mere +girls; perfect Houris they seemed to Adair, and Jack was much of the +same opinion. As Adair threw himself from his horse, the old lady +advanced from among the rest, holding out both her hands. + +"My young cousin, I am delighted to greet you. It is long, long since I +set eyes on one of my kindred from the old country, and you are +welcome--doubly welcome as coming direct from dear Ballymacree, the home +of my youth," she exclaimed, with a very perceptible Hibernian accent. + +Terence made a suitable reply, albeit not much addicted to the utterance +of sentimental speeches, and then he was introduced to his younger +cousins of the second degree; and Jack, who had modestly hung back, came +forward, and went through the same pleasant ceremony. One damsel had +kept somewhat behind the rest as if she did not claim to be a relation. + +"Irish to the core," thought Jack. "Large grey eyes, rich brown hair-- +the complexion of the lily tinged with the rose--a figure a sylph might +envy." + +"Let me make you known, Lieutenant Rogers and Cousin Terence to Miss +O'Regan," said the old lady, the others having retired a few paces, thus +allowing the officers to advance, which they did bowing, with admiration +depicted in their countenances, to the young lady. Courtesying, not +very formally, she put out her hand, and said with a laugh-- + +"I must beg to be considered among the cousinhood, or I shall feel like +a stranger in your midst." + +The fair cousins gathered round laughing, and said, "Yes! yes! of +course!" + +Adair took the beautiful little hand, so firm and cool, and felt very +much inclined to press it to his lips, but he did not. The same favour +was extended to Jack. They were soon as much at home as if they had +known each other for months. Donna Katerina, however, as the elder lady +was called, monopolised her cousin Terence, naturally eager to hear +about Ballymacree, and the various members of his family. She charged +him to bring up his nephew the next day; and hearing that Lieutenant +Rogers had a brother on board, insisted that he must come also. Jack +had thus for some time the young ladies to himself; which were most +worthy of admiration he could not decide--they were all so charming; but +undoubtedly Miss O'Regan--her friends called her Stella--which sounded +more romantic to Jack's ears than her surname--was perfection or near +it. + +A very pleasant afternoon was spent with music and singing, and +conversation, and a stroll in the shade under the lofty trees, between +which the breeze found its way, keeping the atmosphere tolerably cool +and agreeable. Jack and Terence thought that they should like, if not +to spend the rest of their days in so delightful a spot, to come back to +it some time or other; but they did not venture to hint at such a thing +just then. On returning to the house they found that Don Antonio, with +Colonel O'Regan and their own captain, had arrived. The latter seemed +as much struck with Stella as they had been, and they could not help +feeling a little jealous of him, though they need not have been so, as +he paid her no more attention than he did the other young ladies. He +gave them, moreover, leave to remain on shore, as he intended returning +on board, and he promised Donna Katerina to send up her young cousin, +and Tom Rogers the next morning. Several other gentlemen arrived, and +dinner was announced--a magnificent entertainment--plate and crystal and +sparkling wines in profusion, and all sorts of tropical delicacies. +Then came music and dancing--chiefly waltzes. The young Creoles swam +through the dances; Stella moved with more life in her than all of them. +Captain Hemming seldom danced. He could not resist the temptation +altogether, but he was engaged for the most of the evening in earnest +conversation with Colonel O'Regan. He returned to town in the carriage +of one of the guests, and soon afterwards the whole party retired to +rest. + +As the lieutenants slept within earshot of the colonel they were unable +to discuss Stella--a great privation. Don Antonio was a planter as well +as a merchant, and he had invited his guests to visit his cocoa +plantation, of which he was justly proud, three or four miles in the +interior. The midshipmen, who had started by daybreak, arrived just as +the party were setting off. They looked somewhat blank, when but a +slight refreshment only was offered them, but were comforted when they +found that they were to breakfast on their return. Gerald was received +by Donna Katerina as a kinsman, and he and Tom were taken in charge by +the younger of the young ladies. Some of the party went in carriages; +others, Stella among them, on horseback, with Terence and Jack as her +attendants. She rode like a thorough Irish girl well accustomed to the +saddle. + +The party proceeded along picturesque lanes, mostly in the shade of +umbrageous trees, crossing many a brawling brook, till they reached, on +the gentle slope of a hill, the confines of a lofty forest, with a +peculiar undergrowth of shrubs from ten to fifteen feet in height of a +delicate green tint. These were the cocoa-trees, and the duty of the +more lofty ones, whose boughs, interlaced by numberless creepers, formed +a thick roof, was to shelter them from the burning rays of the sun. A +centre road ran through the plantation, intersected by numerous +cross-paths, all lined with dark-leaved coffee bushes covered with +jessamine blossoms, giving forth an exquisite perfume, while water in +gentle rills conveyed life and fertility to every part. The horses were +left at the house of the overseer while the party sauntered through the +plantation enjoying the grateful shade, and the cool breeze which fanned +their cheeks. + +"How delightful!" exclaimed Jack. "I am greatly tempted to come on +shore, and turn cocoa planter." + +"What, and give up the noble profession to which you belong?" asked the +young lady by his side. "I should have expected better of you, Mr +Rogers." It was the first time Jack had heard Stella utter an +expression which showed her character. "While there are wrongs to be +righted, and the defenceless to be protected, I trust that no one +engaged in the noble profession of arms will think of sheathing his +sword." + +"I spoke from the impulse of the moment. I really have no intention of +leaving the navy, which I love as much as any man." + +"I am glad of it," said Stella, giving him an approving smile. + +Jack, who was decidedly matter-of-fact, was wondering what wrongs Stella +wished him to redress, when their conversation was interrupted, and he +had no opportunity of asking her till they had mounted their horses and +were riding homeward. Jack at last put the question. + +"In all parts of the world," answered Stella, with some little +hesitation. "Look, too, over yonder vast continent." She pointed to +the blue mountains of Cumana seen across the gulf. "From north to south +wrong and oppression reigns. Even in those states nominally free, one +set of tyrants have but been superseded by another as regardless of the +rights of the people as the first." + +"I have not often met young ladies imbued with sentiments such as +yours," observed Jack. + +"Few young ladies you have met, probably, have fathers like mine," +answered Stella. + +She stopped as if she was saying too much. Jack recollected the +observations he had heard at Don Antonio's luncheon-room. Probably the +colonel is engaged in one of the many revolutionary schemes connected +with the late Spanish South American dependencies, he thought. "His +daughter very naturally has faith in the justice of the cause he has +espoused." + +"Yes, I confess that I have adopted my father's sentiments," said +Stella, as if she had known what was passing in his mind. "It is but +natural, for we are all in all to each other. My mother is dead, and I +have no sister or brother. He might have enjoyed a well-won rest at +home without dishonour; but he disdained, while possessing health and +strength, to remain in idleness, and I entreated that he would not leave +me behind, so we came out here some time ago; and while he has made +excursions on the continent, I have mostly resided with our friends +here, though I have occasionally accompanied him. We have made some +long trips by sea, and I have ridden with him several hundred miles on +horseback." + +Jack, who believed that young ladies were most fitly employed in +household affairs, or in practising the accomplishments they might have +learned with an occasional attendance at a ball or archery meeting, +thought his fair companion an enthusiast, a perfect heroine of romance, +though he did not tell her so. She possibly considered him somewhat +dull and phlegmatic. Jack's notion of duty was to gain as much +professional knowledge as possible; to obey the orders he might receive, +and to carry them out to the best of his ability. + +The midshipmen had no reason to complain of the breakfast spread before +them on their return to the house; meats and sweets and fruits, unknown +even by name; and such coffee, and perfectly ambrosial cacao. The young +ladies seemed to have nothing to do but to amuse them, and perfectly +ready they were to be amused, in a quiet way though, for the heat in the +middle of the day was too great for much skylarking. + +Don Antonio and the other gentlemen had gone into the town but they +returned in the evening with Captain Hemming, who invited all the party +to take a cruise to the southern end of the island, as he wished to +visit the Pitch Lake and the Indian settlements, and to perform certain +official duties. The colonel and his daughter, and Don Antonio and his +wife, with most of the young ladies, accepted it, and a very delightful +trip they had; and, of course, a dance was got up on board, which was +more interesting to the fair damsels and the naval officers than any of +the natural curiosities the island could afford. It was whispered in +the gunroom that they were to have some of their visitors on board for a +much longer time, and it at last came out that the captain had promised +a passage to Colonel O'Regan and his daughter to Jamaica. Adair and +Gerald rode out to wish their cousins good-bye. The old lady was as +cordial as ever, and all of them made much of the midshipmen; but +Terence had a slight suspicion that the younger ones were somewhat +piqued that he and Jack had not laid their hearts at their feet. They +were very pretty, charming girls, he acknowledged, and he was not +certain what might have happened had he remained longer. Perhaps they +were just a little jealous of Stella. He thought so when his sweet +cousin Maria whispered, "No one will deny that she is very beautiful, +but she is cold as the snow on Chimborazo, and it is said that while +playing havoc with the affections of her admirers, she leaves them to +their fate with the most callous indifference." + +"Jack Rogers thinks very differently of her," remarked Adair. "He says +that she is one of the most enthusiastic creatures he has ever met; but +still I don't know that he can exactly make her out." + +"No one can," answered Maria. "She seems very affectionate to us, and +grateful for the attention we have been able to show her, and yet we do +not know her better now than we did at first." + +Just then the subject of their conversation approached, and directly +afterwards Jack and his brother rode up to pay a short farewell visit, +and to escort Stella to the town, where her father was waiting for her +to go on board the frigate. The bustle of preparation prevented any +further conversation. Donna Katerina assured Terence that he might rely +on being welcomed as a relative should he return to Trinidad, and was +equally civil to Jack when, in his usual hearty way, he wished his +friends good-bye. He was watched narrowly as he handed Stella into the +carriage, but the keenest eyes could not detect anything in his manner +beyond the ordinary respect due to a lady. + +The captain had come to the landing-place to escort his guests on board +the frigate. They reached her side just as the sunset gun was fired. +Stella gave not the slightest start at the sound, but sat as unmoved as +her soldier father. Jack remarked the grace and, at the same time, the +confidence with which she stepped up the accommodation-ladder, and +walked along the deck as if well accustomed to ascending a ship's side. +"I never met a girl better fitted to be a heroine than she is," he +thought. "Still my sister Mary and Lucy are of the style I fancy best." + +The young lady was followed by her only attendant, a black damsel, +carrying her dressing-case, and other articles, which nothing would +induce her to commit to the charge of the men who offered to take them. +"Missie Stella tell me not lose dem," she answered, with a knowing shake +of her head. "No, no, tank yoo." + +Stella retired at an early hour to the cabin the captain had fitted up +for her, with a small one close to it for the faithful Polly. She +wished to be on deck, she said, to see the ship get under weigh in the +morning. She and the colonel were pretty freely discussed in the +gunroom and midshipmen's berth. All acknowledged that she was handsome, +but some thought her proud and haughty, and others that she was rather +slow, whilst Gerald was of opinion that his cousins beat her hollow, in +which Tom agreed with him heartily. + +"Much more jolly girls they are," said Tom. "How they laughed at +Spider's antics! I only wish we may find a batch of such cousins in +every place we go to with as capital a country-house." + +Terence pronounced her a Sphinx. Perhaps he was biassed by the opinion +the fair Maria had expressed. Jack did not altogether like to hear her +talked about, especially by the master and purser, or the lieutenant of +marines, who called her a monstrously fine woman. The colonel was fair +game. No one could make out who he was, what brought him out to that +part of the world, or why the captain was so polite to him. Perhaps it +was for his daughter's sake. He was stiff and donnish, and had scarcely +condescended to speak to any one. Jack and Terence defended him on this +point, but still he did not appear to have made a favourable impression +during the day he had been on board. + +With a leading wind and on the brightest of bright mornings, the frigate +was standing towards the Boca de Huevos, one of the dragon's mouths, +which lead out of the Gulf of Paria into the open ocean. Everything +looked brilliant--the ship herself, the sea, the sky, the land. The +passage seemed broad enough for a dozen ships to sail out abreast, +between the lofty tree-covered crags which formed the shores of the +islands on either side. Still every precaution was taken; the lead was +kept going, the crew were at their stations. Stella and her father +stood on the deck watching the shore as the ship glided rapidly on. +Lieutenant Jennings was the only person at liberty to attend to them, +and he was doing his best to make himself agreeable; but he found, after +a few attempts, that he succeeded better with the colonel than with his +daughter. "Grand cliffs those," he observed; "awkward for a ship to run +against. No chance of our doing so, however." + +"Not so certain of that," answered the colonel. "The wind is scant and +has fallen." + +The yards were braced sharp up, and the quartermaster was keeping the +ship as close to the wind as possible. + +"Why we are almost through the passage; a few hundred yards more, and we +shall be in the open sea," remarked the lieutenant. + +"Without a breeze those few hundred yards will be too much for us," said +the colonel. + +As he spoke the sails gave a loud flap; now they filled, and the +countenance of the captain brightened; now they flapped again, and it +soon became evident that the frigate was drifting, stern first, away +from the line of the open sea so nearly reached, towards the cliffs on +the starboard hand, driven by a fierce current, which set in diagonally +from the northward through the passage. Slowly but certainly she +floated back. Had it been directly through the passage, it would not +have mattered; but having no steerage way, she was at the mercy of the +current, and that was taking her directly towards the cliffs. Many an +eye was turned aloft to the canvas on which their safety depended. Just +then the most coal-begrimed steamer would not have been despised. The +captain gave the order for all the boats to be got ready for lowering; +still he had hopes that the breeze would again freshen, but he could not +hide from himself the danger the ship was in. All the boats towing +ahead could not stem that fierce current. Ever and anon, too, the swell +from the sea came rolling in smooth as glass, setting the ship towards +the rocks. Not the faintest zephyr filled even the royals. Even should +her head be got round to the southward, she would still be drifted +bodily to destruction. Stella clearly comprehended the danger, and +watched with admiration the cool and calm bearing of the officers. A +cable was ranged for letting go as a last resource, but the depth of +water where they then were precluded any hope of an anchor holding. +Nearer and nearer the ship drew to the towering cliffs. + +"Lower the boats," cried the captain. + +Their active crews sprang into them, and tow-ropes being passed they +began to pull, as English seamen are wont to pull, against the hot +current; but all their efforts seemed of no avail in retarding the +sternward progress of the frigate. It appeared at length as if in +another minute her spanker-boom would be driven against the cliffs, +while the outer branches of the tall trees which towered on their +summits seemed almost to hang over the mast heads. Smooth as was the +water, an angry surf broke against the rocks at the foot of the cliffs, +too clearly indicating what must be the fate of the proud frigate should +she drive against them. The lead kept going, showed the depth of water +still to be great. Suddenly the ship seemed to be brought to a +standstill; the lead-line remained up and down. The hand in the chains +announced the fact. It was evident that she had got into dead water, +but she still felt the influence of the rollers; for although the boat's +crews pulled as hard as ever, they could not move her ahead. It would +be impossible for them also to continue their exertions much longer, +while but a slight puff of wind from the opposite shore would hasten her +fate. + +"Well, I never thought there could be danger in smooth water and a calm, +and the land close to us," said Tom, who observed the anxious faces of +those around him. + +"There are many things not dreamed of in your philosophy, youngster, +which you'll learn in time," answered Higson. "Before many minutes are +over we may chance to have the masts come tumbling about our ears, and I +would advise you, and the rest not wanted on deck, to get below out of +the way in good time." + +"What, you don't mean to say that the ship is likely to be wrecked?" +said Tom. + +"Ay, but I do, if one of two things don't happen," answered Higson. +"Let's hope that they may that the anchor may hold, or that a breeze may +come from off the cliffs aboard of us." + +"Let go," sang out the captain. + +"All gone!" shouted Adair from forward. + +At that moment Master Spider, having managed to get clear of his chain, +seeing the green trees so near him, was off up the rigging with the +evident intention of having a ramble among them. Tom and Gerald caught +sight of their new pet at the same moment, and forgetting danger or +discipline up the shrouds they sprang in chase. + +"Might as well try to catch greased lightning as that long-armed beast," +observed Higson, who did not, however, attempt to stop them. Spider +quickly reached the main-topsail-yard-arm, but finding that the tempting +trees were still utterly beyond his reach, up the topping-lift he +swarmed, and in another instant was on the royal-yard. Thither the +midshipmen followed, but Spider showed an inclination to defend his +position, and sat grinning at them from the end of the yard, round which +his prehensile tail was firmly curled. He had an advantage they did not +possess, being able to hold on tightly, and yet have both his hands at +liberty. As Tom, who led the way, put out his hand to catch the +creature, he received so severe a bite that he almost let go. Still he +was not to be defeated by a monkey. The two midshipmen, now getting out +their handkerchiefs, formed nooses, in which they hoped to catch Master +Spider's paws, and advanced together, forgetting that snake-like tail of +his, with which he could keep at anchor, let them haul ever so hard. +Apparently, however, not liking their threatening front, before they +could seize him he made a spring over their heads, and was in an instant +calmly seated on the main-truck. They were about to follow, when Jack, +catching sight of them, called them down instantly. + +"What, all three of us, sir?" asked Gerald, unable to resist the joke, +which set the men grinning fore-and-aft, in spite of the perilous +position of the ship. + +"No; the two biggest of you; let the smaller monkey take his own time to +come down," answered Jack. + +Tom and Gerald descended, looking rather foolish, and the former had to +go to the doctor to have his finger dressed, for Spider had given it a +severe nip. + +The lead-line betokened fifty fathoms where the frigate had cast anchor. +The sails hung in the brails. Captain Hemming was on the watch for the +slightest flaw of wind which might enable him to get out of his +dangerous position. The boats were still kept ahead; the rest of the +crew were at their stations, the marines and idlers ready to pull and +haul. It was a time of breathless anxiety. No one could tell what +might next happen. Spider might have fancied that the eyes turned aloft +were directed at him, instead of towards the sluggish royals. Wistfully +he gazed at the green branches, but he was too wise a monkey to suppose +that he could reach them. Still, with his tail curled under it, he sat +on the truck, as comfortably posted as he could desire. + +Scarcely a word was uttered only occasionally Stella and her father +exchanged observations. The colonel seemed positively to enjoy the +anxiety. + +"Ah! now we have an example of what strict discipline can accomplish," +he said. "Spaniards or Frenchmen would have given way to despair and +lost their ship. These fine fellows will save theirs, though they would +have been wiser to have taken the wider passage. Would that I had a +thousand or two of such: there might be better hope for the regeneration +of South America." + +"You will succeed in spite of all difficulties," said Stella, looking up +into her father's face with a proud, fond glance; "you will conquer +them." + +Ten, twenty minutes went slowly by, the bright sun beating down fiercely +on deck, and on the heads of the people in the boats, till they felt as +if their brains were frying. Mr Cherry sent the dingy ahead with a +breaker of water to them. It was drained to the last drop. Suddenly +the royals were seen slowly to bulge out; the topgallant-sails followed +their example. + +"Let fall! sheet home!" cried the captain, and on the word the whole +crew were set in motion, those on deck tramping along at headlong speed +with the sheets in their hands. + +"Slip the cable, starboard the helm!" were the next orders. Adair +shouted to those in the boats to pull ahead. The chain ran out as the +ship slowly gathered way with her head across the channel, and she began +to move off from the threatening cliffs. In the course of a few minutes +she had gained the centre of the passage, when steering south she +re-entered the gulf, and came to anchor. Here she remained, the boats +having been sent to recover the anchor, till a favourable breeze carried +her through the Boca de Navios, and clear away from the land. + + + +CHAPTER FIVE. + +GRENADA--FALL IN WITH THE TUDOR--MURRAY'S FIRST MEETING WITH STELLA-- +MASTER SPIDER INTRODUCED TO MR. SCROFTON--ARRIVAL AT ANTIGUA--SCENERY +AND ADVENTURES ON SHORE--ALICK MURRAY IN LOVE--A BOAT EXCURSION--A +CAPSIZE--A LONG SWIM--ANXIETY ON BOARD--A SEARCH--THE MISSING ONES +FOUND. + +Early the next morning the frigate made that lovely gem of the ocean, +Grenada, and just as the fortifications crowning Richmond heights came +in view, and the slopes of the surrounding hills, covered with orange +groves and palm-trees, plantations, and fields, amid which sparkling +streams rushed downward to the sea, a ship was seen standing out of the +harbour. She was at once known by her number to be the _Tudor_. The +frigate was immediately hove-to, and the corvette having approached, +imitated her example. A boat was forthwith lowered from the latter, and +Alick Murray, accompanied by Archy Gordon, came on board the +_Plantagenet_. Alick having delivered the despatches of which he was +the bearer to the captain, was warmly greeted by his old friends, whom +he accompanied into the gunroom, while Archy was hurried down into the +midshipmen's berth. + +Both parties were eager to hear each other's adventures. The corvette +had been detained longer than was expected at Madeira, and had been +three days in the magnificent harbour of Grenada. + +"Oh, it's a braw place, there's ne'er doot about that," said Archy. +"They say it's just like Italy, and if so, Italy must be a beautiful +country. Hills and dales, covered with plantations, sic fruits and +flowers, and a plenty of Scotsmen. It has only one fault; there are no +ladies, unless they call the black lassies who gang wi' blue silk +parasols and na shoes to their feet so." + +Archy's description of the island made all hands eager to visit it, and +much disappointment was felt when the sails were filled, and, in company +with the _Tudor_, a course was steered for Saint Vincent. + +Stella had been on deck, watching the approaching corvette, and she +could not help remarking the young and handsome lieutenant who came from +her on board the frigate. Alick was not introduced, but he stood for +some time talking to Captain Hemming not far off, and occasionally his +eyes glanced towards her lovely countenance, while he wondered who she +could be. It was one of the first questions he put when he reached the +gunroom. Every one had plenty to say about her and her father. He did +not express his own opinion; had he admired her less he might have done +so. Alick Murray returned on board the corvette with the image of +Stella impressed on his heart. Like a wise man he tried to banish it, +but go it would not. Again and again that sweet countenance rose up +before him, and he longed for an opportunity of meeting her again--of +hearing her voice, of ascertaining her opinions, of learning her +history. + +The ships visited Saint Vincent, Saint Lucia, Dominica, and other +islands in succession, the one vying with the other in beauty, though +the palm was given to the few first seen. As to the blacks, they all +appeared sufficiently quiet, so that only two or three days were spent +at each island. + +The midshipmen had not forgotten their object in purchasing Spider, and +every day they had him into their berth to give him instructions in +polite knowledge, as they took care to tell Mr Scrofton. With all the +pains they took, however, he made no perceptible progress, though he had +no objection to eat the nuts and fruits offered him, provided they were +ripe and sweet, or to sit with a stick in his paws, and shoulder it at +the word of command. Still he infinitely preferred frolicking about on +deck, or swinging by his tail to a horizontal spar, slung for his +accommodation. He appeared altogether perfectly reconciled to his lot, +except when the ship was in harbour, when he would go aloft and sit on +the main-truck, gazing towards the green trees, while he chattered away, +evidently, as Gerald said, meditating on the pleasures of his youth, +spent amid his native forests. + +At last, one day, the midshipmen conducted Spider in due form, dressed +in a coat and trousers, with a tarpaulin hat they had manufactured for +him, to the boatswain's cabin. + +"We have done our best, Mr Scrofton, to bring up this monkey in the way +he should go, in order to become a civilised being," said Tom, with +perfect gravity. "Notwithstanding all our pains he doesn't know A from +Z; and though we have tried to make him understand how to light the +lamp, he can no more use the matches than at first, and puts them in his +mouth, or throws them away if given to him; and when it has been lighted +he pokes his paws into the flame to see what the curious red thing is +just sprung out of the wick." + +"I don't expect that you ever will teach him, young gentlemen," answered +the boatswain seriously. "It would take centuries to produce the +change. After many generations of domestic life that long tail of his, +having become useless, would disappear; his hinder paws would take the +form of human feet; his forehead would expand; his arms would become +shorter, his body stouter--till at length all outward trace of his +monkey origin would be lost. That's what my books say, and I believe +them." + +"Very good; I won't dispute the point," said Tom. "But I want to know +boxy the first monkeys who turned into men got their education, by which +the change was produced. As long as they had got their tails they never +would have thought of leaving their native forests, so well suited to +them." + +"I haven't quite arrived at that part of the subject," answered the +boatswain; "but I'll consult my books and tell you." + +"Suppose we teach him seamanship, how long do you think it will be +before he's fit to be boatswain of a ten-gun brig, Mr Scrofton?" asked +Gerald, in the most innocent tone he could assume. + +Just then some one gave Master Spider a sly pinch on the tail, which +made him grin and chatter, and of course set all the midshipmen +laughing. Mr Scrofton, not perceiving the cause, thought that they +were laughing at him, and casting an angry glance from his ferrety eyes +at Gerald, he answered, "I'll tell you what, young gentlemen, it would +be in my opinion about the same time that it would take to fit you for +the post, unless you mend your manners. The boatswain even of a ten-gun +brig must be a man of character, and no jackanapes can ever become one; +and the boatswain of a frigate, you'll understand, is not to be sneered +at with impunity." + +"That's the very point at issue!" exclaimed Tom, clapping his hands, and +in no ways daunted by the boatswain's anger. "You acknowledge, then, +that a monkey never can become a boatswain, and that Lord Monboddo is +altogether in the wrong?" + +"I don't acknowledge anything of the sort, because I know nothing about +the matter," answered the boatswain, not intending to say what he did. +"But let me inform you, if you bring that monkey of yours here again to +mock me, I shall be compelled to take measures for putting a stop to +such audacious proceedings." + +The midshipmen fearing, from the vengeful look Mr Scrofton cast at poor +Spider, that their pet's life was in danger, endeavoured to calm his +anger by assuring him that they had no intention of being disrespectful, +and that they begged he would retain his own opinion, notwithstanding +anything they had said on the subject. They had a hearty laugh when +they got back to the berth, fully resolved to bait the boatswain again +on the first opportunity. + +At length the two ships lay snugly moored off the Royal Dockyard, +English harbour, in the island of Antigua, the prettiest of all pretty +harbours. Their arrival caused no small commotion among the +inhabitants, especially of the softer sex, when it was known that they +were to remain some time, and that a ball was to be given to the +officers at Government House. Colonel O'Regan and his daughter went on +shore to stay with their friends, Mr and Mrs Houghton, who had a +pretty cottage residence in the neighbourhood. A deputation came soon +afterwards to invite them to the ball. At first Stella was disposed to +decline the honour, as it involved a drive of eleven miles across the +island to Saint John's, the capital; but Lieutenant Murray, who happened +to be calling at the house, adding his solicitations, she accepted the +invitation. The colonel was much disconcerted by the delay. He had +expected to be at Jamaica some time before, where, as he told Captain +Hemming, he intended to leave his daughter with some friends while he +made an excursion to the Spanish Main. The object he had in view he did +not explain. As there was no help for it he was obliged to submit, and +the captain assured him that after leaving Antigua his intention was to +proceed direct to Jamaica. Antigua, although not so lovely as other +islands to the south, possesses a beauty of its own, and several trips +to enjoy its scenery were made by the officers into the interior. On +two occasions, Alick and Jack accompanied Stella and her father. While +Jack took charge of the colonel, Alick rode by Stella's side. Each time +he met her the more he was attracted, and yet he could not say that she +gave him any encouragement. She was interested in his conversation, for +he was better informed and talked better than his brother officers, but +had she discovered his devoted admiration? They reached a spot near the +coast almost on the summit of one of the lofty cliffs which form +ramparts in most parts around the island, and from whence the ground +slopes inwards in gradual declivities towards the green and grassy +centre. The whole island, which is of a rough circular form, lay in +sight. A line of fortifications crowned an opposite height overlooking +the sea on one side, and a wide extent of country, consisting of +undulating downs and verdant fields, in which countless cattle were +feeding, with the numerous houses of the planters embosomed in trees on +the other. In the north-west the town of Saint John's was clearly seen; +while here and there, some of the many deep creeks and bays which indent +the coastline could be distinguished running far inland, several +swelling into estuaries and others forming commodious harbours. Isles +and islets of all shapes and sizes lay scattered off the shore, and far +away towards the west the islands of Guadaloupe, Montserrat, Nevis, and +Saint Kitt's, rose out of the blue ocean. + +"What a perfect Arcadian scene!" said Alick, as he and his companion +gazed over the smiling landscape. + +"And the Arcadians are kept in proper order by yonder frowning +batteries," remarked Stella, pointing to the line of fortifications. +"Until free and enlightened governments are established throughout the +globe, we cannot hope to find a true Arcadia. How many a lovely region +such as that now spread out before us has suddenly become the scene of +rapine and bloodshed!" + +"But those batteries are intended to defend not to overawe the +inhabitants, and wherever the glorious flag of England waves, there, at +all events, we may hope to find true liberty and peace," answered Alick. + +"I would, then, that the flag of England were waving now over the whole +world," said Stella, with an involuntary sigh; "I long for peace and +rest, but since those who have the power are supine or indifferent to +the sufferings of their fellow-creatures, it must be left to individuals +to attempt the task of redressing the wronged, and restoring freedom to +the oppressed." + +Alick was puzzled what to answer. He guessed that Stella was alluding +to her father's schemes for regenerating the world. As far as he +understood them, from the few remarks the colonel had let drop, they +were, he considered, utterly hopeless, but he could not tell Stella so. +One thing, however, he discovered that though her enthusiasm and love +for her father had made her warmly enter into his views, she was a true +woman at heart, and as really feminine as he could desire. Alick +changed the subject, and soon interested her with a description of his +Highland home and the Western islands of Scotland. He fancied as they +rode back that her manner had become softer when she addressed him than +at first, and that she listened more willingly to him than to any of the +other officers. At all events, he enjoyed a happiness in her company he +had never before known, though he could not at times forget that in a +few days they must be parted, and that the chances of meeting again were +very small. + +English Harbour is not so much liked by midshipmen as by gunroom +officers and captains, the former having shorter leave and smaller +purses, not being able to get away so often to amuse themselves in the +capital on the other side of the island as their superiors. + +Mr Houghton, a friend of Colonel O'Regan, had come on board to take +luncheon with the midshipmen, as had Alick Gordon. + +"I vote we take a cruise this afternoon," exclaimed Tom. "Mr Houghton, +you were saying that you wished to go down to Falmouth Harbour, and Mr +Cherry will, I daresay, lend us the pinnace. It is only about two miles +to leeward, and we can beat back again in time to land you for your +dinner-hour." + +Mr Houghton accepted the invitation. Tom forthwith went to the first +lieutenant, with whom he was a favourite, to ask for the boat. + +"You may have her, youngster," was the answer; "but keep a look-out for +squalls; they are apt to come off the shore without warning, and you may +be capsized in a moment if you are not on your guard." + +"Thank you, sir, we will take great care," answered Tom, returning to +the berth to report the success of his mission. + +Mr Jennings, the lieutenant of marines, hearing that they were going, +begged to accompany them. Desmond, Archy, and Norris, McTavish, the +assistant-surgeon, and the captain's clerk, made up the party, with two +men to look after the boat while they were on shore. + +The wind was light, the sea smooth, and with all sail set before the +breeze they ran down the coast. In a short time they arrived at their +destination, and, as the weather was hot and they had not much time to +spare, they amused themselves on the beach while Mr Houghton went up to +pay his visit. He was not long absent, and on his return they at once +shoved off and stood to the southward, hoping to find more wind at a +distance from the shore. They were a merry party, and as usual stories +were told and songs sung. They had made several tacks, but as yet had +got not more than half way back to the ship. + +"We will go about again," said Norris, who was at the helm. "At all +events inshore we shall feel less of the current which drifts us to +leeward almost as fast as we beat to windward." + +The boat was put about, and once more headed in towards the land, which +was about two miles distant. + +"Now McTavish, give us one of your Scotch songs," exclaimed Lieutenant +Jennings; "the `Laird of Cockpen,' or something of that sort." + +McTavish, who though he had not much of a voice, contrived to make his +songs popular by the humour he threw into his tone, had sung about a +stave or so, and Norris and the rest of the party, with laughing +countenances, while listening to his song, forgot Mr Cherry's caution. + +The boat had been gliding smoothly on, when suddenly over she heeled. +Norris, putting down the helm, shouted out-- + +"Let go the halyards!" but before a hand could reach the cleats her +gunwale was under water. + +"We are going over," cried Norris. "Up to windward all of you." Saying +this he sprang to the weather side, and the rest followed his example: +though they could not right her, yet she went over so slowly that they +all had time to scramble up on her side before her canvas touched the +water. The sails being flattened aft assisted to support her, and +prevent her from going right over. For the first moment all believed +that she would sink and leave them alone on the surface. Fortunately, +however, her ballast consisted of breakers of water which, not being +secured, floated out. + +"Come, at all events we have something to hold on to," said Tom, "and +now we must try and right the boat." + +"Who has got a knife?" + +Every person felt in his pockets, but no knife could be found. The +seamen, strange to say, had come away without theirs; they and the +midshipmen attempted to cast off the sheets, but the side of the boat to +which they were made fast being under water could not be reached. For +some time no one spoke; at the distance they were from the ship they +could not hope to have been seen. + +"Is there no chance of our drifting on shore?" asked Norris at length. + +"I am afraid not," answered Mr Houghton. "The current sets away from +the land, and we shall be carried farther and farther from it." + +They looked anxiously around for a sail, on the chance that she might +pass near them. Not one was to be seen standing towards the land. +Again a desperate attempt was made to right the boat. + +"If we had but a knife we could do it," cried Tom. "I will never again +step into a boat without one." + +"We shall be fortunate if we have the opportunity," observed McTavish. +"There is but little chance of our being picked up, and as to any of us +reaching the shore that seems impossible." + +No answer was made to his remark. The squall which had capsized the +boat was succeeded by others. The weather was evidently changing for +the worse, and the boat drifting farther and farther from the land. +Their prospects were dreary in the extreme, indeed almost hopeless. The +gunwale of the boat on which they were seated was only six inches out of +the water, so that should a sea get up they might all quickly be washed +away. + +Norris felt very unhappy, as he had been at the helm. "I hope that you +fellows will forgive me," he said. "I little expected the boat to +capsize so suddenly, though I ought to have kept a better look-out." + +"Don't talk about it," answered Tom. "It was as much our fault as +yours. We have each of us much to ask forgiveness for if we were to +count up old scores." + +"Mr Jennings, I hope you will forgive me for capsizing you in the gale +when we were coming out from England." + +"Of course, youngster," he answered gravely; "I have not thought about +it since." + +"Thank you, sir," said Tom, as if his mind had been relieved of a +burden. + +"I hope old Scrofton won't be thinking about the tricks we have played +him." + +"I was just after thinking that I wish he may not ill-treat Spider," +cried Desmond; "I don't know what the poor baste will do without us." + +"What we have to do is to forgive all others from the bottom of our +hearts," remarked Archy. "We need not trouble ourselves what they will +think or say of us." + +Archy, who was a true Christian, made several other fitting remarks, +clearly pointing out to his companions the only way by which they could +be prepared for the new existence into which there seemed every +probability they would soon have to enter. + +"It's a grievous thought, my friends, that we do not all so live that we +may be fit at any moment to die," he observed calmly. + +Few of those present failed to agree with him, and for the time, at all +events, to wish that they were as well prepared as he appeared to be. + +Again they were all silent for some minutes. + +"Something must be done!" exclaimed Tom, who had been thinking over the +matter, and in his own mind had resolved what to do. + +"It's too far for any of us to swim to shore," observed Mr Jennings; "I +would try it, but I never could keep afloat five minutes together." + +"I, too, am a miserable swimmer," sighed Mr Houghton. "Besides which, +the sharks would take good care not to allow one of us to reach the +shore," he added, in a whisper. + +Neither of the seamen could swim, and McTavish, the only other grown man +of the party, had had very little practice either. + +"Well, then," exclaimed Tom, "I will try it! My brother Jack swam on +shore when the _Racer_ was wrecked in the Mediterranean, and was the +means of saving the lives of many of the people; I am not a much worse +swimmer than he was then; I feel sure that I could do it if I had a +companion. It's a long way to go alone through the silent water." + +"Faith! I would go with you," cried Desmond, "but I am afraid that I +should keep you back rather than help you forward." + +Archy Gordon, who had sat silent during the discussion, suddenly +exclaimed, "I am not so good a swimmer as you are, Tom, but I see no +other way of saving our lives, and if I go down I shall at all events be +doing my duty." + +"Thank you, Archy," said Tom; "I accept your offer, and will do my best +to help you along." + +Had any other means offered, the rest of the party would not have +allowed the young midshipmen to run so fearful a hazard of their lives. +Mr Houghton, especially, knew well the danger they would encounter from +the sharks, but he said nothing to damp their courage. + +Archy at once began to get ready. Taking off his shoes and jacket, he +gave them to McTavish, and begged him to preserve them for him. + +Tom followed his example, though not, indeed, with the same careful +spirit as his friend; he threw his jacket and shoes into the water. +They both kept on their socks, which were providentially coloured, as +well as the rest of their clothes. + +"Good-bye, old fellows," said Tom; "we must lose no more time." And he +and Archy shook hands with all round. "Now, Archy, we will start, and +strike out bravely." Tom suiting the action to the word slipped into +the water, Archy did the same. On they went, keeping alongside each +other. Archy found that he could swim better than he had expected, and +he and Tom cheered up each other. + +"I wish Gerald had been with us," said Tom. "Our chances of escape are +better than those on the wreck." + +Now and then they turned on their backs, resting for a little; striking +out, however, with their arms and legs, so that they still made headway. + +Tom, under his brother's instructions, had become a first-rate swimmer, +and for his age was wonderfully muscular; so that he was able to go on +steadily without feeling exhausted. Archy, though taller and bigger, +from having had less practice, more quickly began to feel fatigued. The +shore seemed a long way off; still they had already, they saw, not a +considerable distance from the boat, for they could scarcely distinguish +her as she floated just above the surface. Tom thought that they must +be a mile from the shore. Again they threw themselves on their backs, +pushing on with their feet and keeping their arms moving round and +round. When Tom looked back, he could no longer see the boat; he did +not, however, tell Archy of this, he could not help fearing that she had +sunk. + +"Are you rested, Archy?" he asked. + +"Yes!" was the answer, though not in quite so confident a tone as Tom +would have liked. + +"Well, then, on we go again," said Tom, and they swam steadily forward +as before. Scarcely a minute after this, as Tom cast his eye on one +side, what was his horror to observe the fin and back of a huge shark, +scarcely more than a fathom from him. The monster shot by. "I only +hope it is steering a different course to ours," thought Tom. Just then +he caught sight of the wicked eye of another at the same distance, +following in the wake of the first. He did not tell Archy what he had +seen, for fear of unnerving him, while he kept striking out with might +and main, letting his feet rise higher than he would otherwise have done +for the sake of creating a splash, and shouting as he swam on-- + +"Strike away, Archy. Bravo! We are getting on famously." + +Archy in the meantime was doing his best, though his legs and arms began +to ache; still he resolved, as long as his strength would hold out, to +persevere. At length he felt that he could do no more. + +"Go on, Tom," said he faintly. "Make the best of your way on shore and +get help for the poor fellows, I will follow as fast as I can." + +"No! no!" answered Tom, "I am not going to desert you, come rest your +head on my chest. It will help you wonderfully, just consider me a +piece of cork, you know I float like one, only keep your legs kicking +and your arms moving smartly." + +Tom did not tell Archy why he gave this advice, but he knew very well +that if they were to remain quiet for an instant the cowardly sharks +would make a dart at them, and that only by splashing vigorously could +they keep off the monsters. He himself did so with his legs and one +hand, while he placed the other under his friend's back. Archy felt his +strength much restored after this rest, and declared himself ready to go +on again. On they went once more. Though they were certain that they +had made good way, still the shore appeared fearfully far off, as they +gazed at it with eyes growing somewhat dim from fatigue. + +Archy exerted himself more than he would before have considered +possible, but once more a faintness came over him. + +"Oh! Tom, I am sinking, don't wait for me, you will soon reach the +shore now," he cried out. + +Tom, however, approaching with a couple of strokes, seized him, and once +more placed his head on his chest, striking furiously with his own feet; +for the instant before he had seen another shark, and the monster seemed +eyeing him as if about to make a grab at his arms and legs. + +"Keep your feet kicking out, as I told you before," he exclaimed. "You +will not sink, and it will keep them from getting the cramp. Kick, +Archy! Kick!" + +Archy could with difficulty do so, still he felt a great relief to his +arms, and suddenly his strength again seemed to return. + +"I will go on now," he said, turning once more round, and he and Tom +swam on together as before, with their eyes fixed on the shore. Each +time that Archy felt faint he was aroused by Tom's encouraging cries, +and nerved himself to fresh exertions. How anxiously they strained +their eyes ahead! the shore grew more and more distinct, and yet it +seemed a long way off. At length they could distinguish the sandy beach +and the green herbage beyond. Again Archy's strength began to fail him. +Near as was the shore, he felt that he might not, after all, be able to +reach it. His sensations were those of a person in a dreadful dream. +Even Tom began to feel his strength almost exhausted. Archy once more +cried out that he was sinking. That moment Tom felt his feet touch +something; a horror for an instant seized him. It might be the back of +a shark; still on he struck, towing Archy. Again his feet touched +something below him; it did not yield. He tried again. Yes, he was, +sure; it was firm ground. + +"Hurrah, Archy! we are on shore at last," he cried out. "Let your feet +fall, and you will find I am right." + +"Thank God!" answered Archy, as his feet also touched the sand. + +Happily the sea was smooth, and there was no outdrift. Even then Archy +felt that he could scarcely reach the beach. Tom gave him his hand, +exclaiming-- + +"Come on; we have not far to go now, at all events." + +They waded on. Gradually the water shoaled as they made their way up +the shelving sand. Tom felt his strength returning, hot Archy could +with difficulty make headway. Now the water reached only to their +middles; now it was scarcely knee-deep, and they were able to get on +faster. Tom breathed more freely, for he expected to see Archy drop +every instant. Scarcely, indeed, had they reached the dry sand than +down he sank. Toot threw himself by his side. + +"Cheer up, Archy; we are safe," he exclaimed. "Don't give way now." + +"I shall be better soon," said Archy; "but oh! Tom, let us return +thanks to Him who has preserved us. Don't let us fancy it was our own +strength. I never otherwise could have done it, I know." + +"I am thankful--indeed I am; but we must not forget our companions." + +"Go, and try to get a boat, and put off to them; I will follow you as +soon as I am able to." + +It was already getting dusk, and the gloom was increased by thick clouds +gathering in the sky, betokening a blowing night. Tom saw, indeed, that +no time was to be lost, and, finding that Archy could not yet move, he +unwillingly left him, and hurried off to obtain assistance. + +We must now return on board the _Plantagenet_. When Mr Cherry found +that the boat did not make her appearance, as it was long past the time +the midshipmen promised to be back, he felt somewhat annoyed, and made +up his mind that the next time they asked for the boat they should not +have her. + +He was walking the deck, when the quartermaster announced that a boat +had come off from the shore with a black in her, who had something to +say about a pinnace, but what it was he could not exactly make out. + +"Let him come on deck at once," said Mr Cherry, hurrying to the +gangway. + +"What is it you have to say, my man?" he asked. + +The negro doffed his hat, twisting and wriggling about, apparently +either from nervousness at finding himself on board a man-of-war, or +from his anxiety to deliver his message properly. + +Mr Cherry, however, managed to make out that a boat had been capsized, +that two midshipmen had swum on shore, and that they had gone off again +in two boats to search for the wreck. + +Just then Jack and Terence, who had been on shore, returned, and, on +cross-questioning the black, they felt satisfied that Tom and Archy +Gordon were the two midshipmen who had reached the shore, and that those +remaining on the wreck were in extreme peril. + +The report of what had happened quickly spread through the ship, and +every one felt anxious about their shipmates. + +Four boats were immediately manned, Jack and Terence each taking command +of one, Higson going in a third, and Mr Scrofton having charge of the +fourth. The first ready having called alongside the _Tudor_ to give the +information, two of her boats were immediately despatched to aid in the +search. The weather in the meantime, as night advanced, grew worse and +worse. Down came a deluge of rain, while vivid lightning darted from +the sky; the wind, too, had been rising, and as they got outside the +harbour they found a considerable sea running. + +Each officer was to take the direction he judged best. Before shoving +off the boatswain got the black, who brought the information, into his +boat, and pumping him learnt exactly whereabouts the pinnace had +capsized, while he also ascertained the direction in which the current +ran. + +It might seem an easy thing to fall in with a boat which had capsized +scarcely a mile off; but some hours had elapsed since the accident had +occurred, and during all that time she must have drifted for a +considerable distance. The direction in which she had gone also could +be calculated only by those who knew exactly the set and rate of the +current. Jack and Terence went away fully believing that they should +before long fall in with the wreck; their only fear was that those left +on it might have been washed off, or, succumbing to fatigue, have +dropped into the water. The thunder rattled and the lightning flashed +over head. Between the intervals they often fancied they could hear the +voices of their shipmates hailing them; sometimes, too, through the +gloom they imagined that they could see the boat on her side, with a few +still clinging to her; but when they got up to the spot, she was not +there. Though Terence hoped to find all the party, he naturally felt +most anxious on account of Gerald Desmond. + +"I ought to have thought of the risks he would have had to run," he said +to himself. "To be sure I got into a good many scrapes and tumbled out +of them, and I hope he may. I cannot bear the thoughts of having to +write to my poor sister, and to tell her that her boy is lost." + +Still the boats continued searching in every direction; the wind blowing +fresh, and the foaming seas hissing round them. There was little hope, +indeed, that they should find those they were looking for, though the +boat herself might by chance be fallen in with some time or other. + +Mr Scrofton, meantime, who, though a bad philosopher, was a thorough +seaman, had run down at about the distance from the shore he understood +the pinnace had been when capsized. He had, however, passed the spot, +according to his calculations, some way, no sign of the wreck having +been seen, when a hail was heard. + +"There they are! hurrah!" cried some of the men. + +"No, no; that came from a boat. I see her." + +"What boat is that?" asked Mr Scrofton. + +"A shore-boat, and I am Tom Rogers," was the answer. + +The boats were soon alongside each other. Tom said that as soon as he +could procure a boat he had shoved off, and that Archy Gordon had done +the same--he was at no great distance in another boat. + +"You don't expect to find her hereabouts," said Mr Scrofton. "She will +have been carried according to my calculation, four or it may be five +miles more to the southward by this time, and it will take us the best +part of an hour before we are up to her. My plan is to run down that +distance, or more than that, and then to beat back. It's better to go +rather beyond her than a little short, and if she is still floating we +shall fall in with her." + +Tom saw the wisdom of this plan, and the two boats stood on in company, +a bright look-out being kept on either side. They had run on for some +time when Tom thought that they must have gone far enough, but the +boatswain persevered. Tom's boat being manned by blacks he had nothing +to do but look out. Fully half-an-hour had passed, when he thought he +saw an object ahead. He hailed Mr Scrofton's boat. + +"All right!" was the answer, "I see her." + +"Let go the halyards," cried the boatswain, and the sails were lowered, +but as they approached great was Tom's sorrow to see only five people +clinging to the boat. Mr Houghton and Lieutenant Jennings were among +them, but he could not distinguish Gerald Desmond. + +"Poor fellow, he must have gone," he murmured. + +"Where are the rest?" asked Mr Scrofton, as the boat ran alongside, and +eager hands were stretched out to lift the sufferers on board, for they +could with difficulty help themselves. "We are glad to see you, +though." + +"They had not left us five minutes before we saw you," answered Mr +Jennings; "they cannot as yet be many hundred yards off." + +Tom immediately pulled away towards the shore in the direction the +swimmers must have taken. He knew that though the time was short they +might have all sunk, or that the ravenous sharks might have got hold of +them. Nothing but despair, indeed, would have induced them to make the +attempt. + +Great was his relief on seeing at length four heads above the surface, +with their faces directed landward. So intent were they, indeed, that +they were not aware of his approach. Each one had lashed himself to an +oar with the faint hope, though they had but little notion, of swimming, +of gaining the shore. Tom's shout was the first intimation they had of +his escape, for they all had given him and Archy up as lost. + +Desmond was the first helped on board, and great was their delight at +meeting. Highly satisfied with the success of his expedition, Mr +Scrofton received all the party on board, promising the blacks in the +shore-boat a further reward if they would tow the pinnace towards the +shore. He then, with the rescued party, made the best of his way back +to the ship, happily soon afterwards falling in with Archy Gordon; whose +boat, while he was taken on board, was sent to assist the other +shore-boat. + +Captain Hemming, who felt very anxious on their account, was too glad to +get them back to find fault. Tom and Archy received the praise which +was their due for their gallant act, while Mr Scrofton was properly +complimented by the captain for his sagacity and judgment, and the +midshipmen resolved never more to attempt to quiz him about his +philosophical notions. + +Jack and Terence did not get back till daylight, when they found that +Tom and Gerald had been snug in their hammocks for several hours. They +felt somewhat inclined to quarrel with them for the trouble they had +given, though in reality heartily thankful that they had escaped. + + + +CHAPTER SIX. + +THE CRUISE OF THE DROGHER--BARBUDA FIELD-SPORTS--HOSPITABLY +ENTERTAINED--SAIL AGAIN--CAPTAIN QUASHO--A DRUNKEN CREW--REACH SABA--THE +ISLAND EXPLORED--THE BLACK CREW TAKE FRENCH LEAVE--HIGSON AND OTHERS GO +IN SEARCH OF THEM--THE THREE MIDSHIPMEN AND NEEDHAM DRIVEN OFF THE LAND +BY A HURRICANE--THE DROGHER DISAPPEARS IN THE DARKNESS OF NIGHT. + +Although all the gunroom officers who could get leave were anxious to go +to the ball, old Higson, who was not a dancing man, and some of the +youngsters from both ships declared that it would be a great bore. +Notwithstanding the fearful danger so many of them had lately escaped, +they took it into their heads that it would be far pleasanter to make a +trip somewhere by sea. After due discussion they hired a drogher, a +country vessel employed in running between the surrounding islands and +islets. She was sloop-rigged, of about thirty tons, with a small cabin +aft, a capacious hold, and a forecastle for the black crew--honest +fellows, but not pleasant neighbours in a close atmosphere. Higson went +in command. Tom, and Gerald, and Norris, with Archy Gordon, and another +midshipman, and a master's-assistant from the corvette, with Dick +Needham, formed the party, including, of course, Master Spider, who was +taken to make fun. The mids also had their doubts as to the treatment +he might receive from Mr Scrofton during their absence. + +It was settled that they should first steer for Barbuda, where snipes +were to be shot, fish caught, and deer hunted, and that then, wind and +weather permitting, they should visit other islands in the +neighbourhood. Provisions enough to last them twice the time they were +likely to be away were shipped, and liquors in proportion. They fully +expected to enjoy themselves amazingly. + +After beating out of the harbour, and rounding the east end of the +island, under the pilotage of the regular skipper, Captain Quasho, they +had a fair wind for Barbuda, where they arrived early in the day, and +cast anchor in a small harbour. They were cordially received by the +overseer, who happened to be close at hand, and who, with one assistant, +constituted the white population of the island. He gave them leave to +kill as many birds as they could hit, promised them horses to ride in +chase of deer, and, what was more to the purpose, invited them to dinner +at his residence, the castle, an ancient fortalice on the shores of a +lagoon some distance off. They agreed to shoot till the arrival of the +steeds, which the overseer rode back to order. + +After a considerable expenditure of powder to little purpose, for Tom, +the best shot among them, had only killed one snipe, a troop of horses, +led by several black cavaliers, dressed in leathern caps and high hoots, +with belts round their waists, and duck-guns slung over their shoulders, +and followed by a pack of hounds, made their appearance. Their leader +announced that they were the huntsmen, and invited the officers to mount +the steeds they had brought. Tom inspected the horses with no +favourable eye. They were sorry animals, but the rest of the party were +not particular, and all were soon mounted. As to going, that was +another thing--four miles an hour was the utmost their riders were +likely to get out of them. The midshipmen kicked their heels with might +and main, and whacked the poor beasts' backs till their arms ached, but +not a foot faster would they move. + +"I say, Sambo, how shall we ever run down the deer with these brutes?" +asked Higson, perspiring at every pore from his exertions. The black +huntsman grinned at the notion of overtaking the deer. + +"No, no, massa, we get round dem, and shoot with guns. Surer way to +kill dem." + +"At all events let's go and see the style of sport," said Higson, and +the party set forward. The island is mostly flat, and so covered with +high bushes that they could see neither to the right hand nor to the +left. They reached a forest of considerable extent, when, after some +time, the dogs started a deer, which Sambo's huge duck-gun, loaded with +slugs, brought to the ground. Scarcely was the venison bagged than down +came such torrents of rain that the party were speedily wet to the skin, +and were glad to make the best of their way towards the castle, keeping +close together not to lose each other. The wardrobe of their host +furnished them with dry clothing--the elders with shirts and trousers, +the younger having to dispense with the latter garments, and in somewhat +masquerading guise her Majesty's officers sat down to a sumptuous repast +of turtle and venison, several varieties of fish, and land-crabs of +exquisite flavour. Bottled beer and wine in abundance made them all +very jolly, but there was a drawback. Flights of mosquitoes came +buzzing and biting them, unmercifully revelling in the youngster's fresh +blood, till some oakum set on fire, with fresh leaves thrown on it, put +the miscreant insects to the rout. Cigars and pipes were produced, and +the midshipmen thought not of troubles, past or future. Sofas and +chairs served them for couches. Old Higson sat up lustily puffing away +at his pipe, and thereby escaped the countless punctures and furious +itching, of which every one else complained when they got up in the +morning. After breakfast their host sent them across the lagoon in two +clumsy fishing-boats to see a seine drawn. + +The opposite shore gained, the black fishermen having landed their +passengers, plunging into the water, carried out their net in a +semicircle, and soon began dragging the ends towards the strand. The +mids of course lent a hand, hauling at one end, while some of the +negroes took the other, and the rest tumbled about outside, laughing and +shouting, and beating the water to frighten their prisoners. In spite +of them some fifty or more of the biggest fish, dreading the cauldron or +frying-pan, making a bold dash for liberty, fairly leaped over the net, +most of them, as they rose three or four feet out of the water, clearing +the heads of the negroes, while several sprang right into their faces, +capsizing one stout fellow, and making two or three others howl and +caper in a way which set the midshipmen roaring with laughter. They +had, notwithstanding this, a capital haul, consisting of baracoutas, +snappers, gold and silver fish, Spanish mackerel, king-fish, and others. +Tom and Gerald, in their eagerness, rushed into the water to catch hold +of some of their prey, when a monster gave a grab at Paddy's fingers, +which made him spring back with alarm. The blacks directly after hauled +out a shark big enough to have bitten off his arm, if not to have +swallowed him. The same afternoon the adventurers got back to their +drogher, the overseer having liberally supplied them with as much +venison and fish as they could possibly consume. The chart was got out, +and a consultation held as to the place they should next visit. Captain +Quasho was called in. + +"Take my 'vice, gent'men; wind fair for Saba--cur'us place--den call at +Saint Kitts--fine oranges dere. See Mount Misery--big craig up to de +sky, ten tousand feet high," (Quasho was a little over the mark), "and +so on to Nevis--lubly isle, and we get back to English Harbour in good +time. Yes; I forgot dere one more isle we go see. Me got broder dere. +Only one buckra, massa, and him family berry glad see officers; plenty +fun, oh yes! Den we stop a day or two and catch fish. Plenty fine fish +in dees seas, massa. Great big baracouta and glouper--him fifty pound +weight; and mauget, and hedgehog, and jew-fish; him wonderful good to +eat, fit for de Queen of England," and Quasho smacked his lips. "Den +dere is de snapper and flatfork, and squerrel and parot-fish, wid just +all de colours like de bird; and de abacore, almost as big as de +glouper; and, let me see, de doctor--him got lance in de tail, and so +him called doctor, ho! ho! and den dere is de king-fish, and de wattee, +de kind, de comaree, de convalby, de old wife, de cobbler, de ten +pounder, de garr, bolalwe, reay, de shew, and me don't saby how many +more." Quasho here ceased enumerating for want of breath, declaring +that he had not mentioned half the delicious and curious fish the buckra +officers were sure to catch if they tried; and that he would undertake +to procure hooks and lines should they wish it. + +Quasho was not disinterested in giving this advice. The drogher was +hired by the day, and the longer she was out the more he pocketed. The +midshipmen did not reflect on this, and thought his advice good. Old +Higson also was in no hurry to get back to the ship to attend to the +unpleasant duties of the mate of the lower deck. He was captain for the +nonce, and command is sweet, even over a black crew and a set of +boisterous youngsters. The anchor was got up, and sail made accordingly +for Saba. + +A moonlight night on the Caribbean Sea in fine weather is very +enjoyable, provided a person does not go to sleep with his eyes gazing +at the pale luminary, for if he escapes being moon-stricken he will +certainly get a stiff neck or suffer in some other way. The youngsters +enjoyed themselves to their hearts' content, and when tired of +skylarking with Spider, piped to supper, after which those not on watch +turned in. What were the rats, cockroaches, and centipedes swarming in +the little confined cabin, redolent of tobacco smoke and spirits, to +them? Not one-thousandth part as bad as the detestable mosquitoes on +the shores of the Barbuda lagoon, they agreed. So some occupied the +bunks--regular ovens--others the lockers, and Tom took possession of the +cabin-table, the least stifling spot, but tenable only--and that by no +human being but a midshipman--in moderate weather. Old Higson took the +first watch. Timmins, the master's-assistant was far too eloquent just +then to be trusted, and Norris was to have the middle watch. He at all +events was steady. Quasho, however, had taken more Montserrat rum on +board than was good for his intellects such as they were, and Higson +suspected that he was as likely to steer north as west, or to box the +compass if left in charge. Needham was perfectly sober; he was never +otherwise when at sea, for he had a strong head, and took but little +liquor. It might be too much to answer for him when the ship was paid +off. He preferred sleeping on deck to occupying a locker in the cabin; +and of course it would not have done to have sent him to sleep forward +with the blacks. He did once put his nose through the fore hatchway, +and as quickly withdrew it, coughing and spitting to get rid of the +disagreeable odour which ascended from below. + +"To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he +said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke. "Quasho and the +whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, +except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the +wind." + +Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for +Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right +way, and steering a straight course. + +"Well, Sambo, how is it with you?" he asked, to ascertain the condition +of the man. + +"Me sober as judge," answered the helmsman, in a husky voice. "If de +oder black fellers for'ard take too mush rum, no fault o' mine. I mate +of de _Snapper_, and got character to lose." + +"Take care you don't lose it then, my friend," said Higson. "I see how +it is. I shall have to put all hands on an allowance, and if you've got +any rum stowed away I must have it brought aft or hove overboard. You +understand me." + +"Yez, massa ossifer, berry right," answered the black, with a grin. + +"You can lie down, Needham, and be ready to keep watch with Mr Norris," +said Higson. "If there isn't another nigger to relieve Sambo you can +take the helm, and as the weather promises to hold fine we shall do very +well." + +In less than a minute Dick was asleep with a sail over his head, and +Higson paced the deck till past midnight. He then roused up Needham, +and sent him down to call Norris. Tom also awaking sprang on deck. As +soon as Higson had turned in, Sambo declared that he could no longer +stand at the helm, and Needham taking it the black dived into the +forepeak. A growling and chattering sound ascended, but no one +appeared. It was evident that the negroes considered the buckra +officers competent to manage the vessel, and had resolved to take their +ease. At daylight the occupants of the cabin came on deck well-baked. +They talked of heaving-to and bathing, but the fin of a shark appearing +above the surface made them change their minds, and they refreshed +themselves by heaving buckets of water over each other. The lazy crew +had not yet appeared. + +"_We'll_ soon make them show themselves," said Higson; and he, Timmins, +and Norris, each taking a bucket full to the brim, hove the contents +simultaneously down the forepeak. A chorus of shrieks and shouts +instantly followed. + +"Oh, ki! what happen! Oh lud--oh lud--we all go to be drowned!" +exclaimed the blacks, as springing from their berths they tried to make +their way on deck. Quasho, with eyes only half-open, bolted right +against Higson, sending him sprawling on the deck; the next man capsized +Timmins, and would have bolted overboard in his fright had not Tom and +Gerald caught him and hauled him back. The head of the big mate next +appeared, when those below catching him by the legs pulled him down +again, on which he began belabouring them with head and fists and heels +till one by one they made their escape, leaving him knocking his skull +against the deck, under the belief that he had some of them still under +him. + +"A pretty set of fellows you are!" exclaimed Higson, rising to his feet. +"What would have become of us if we had been caught in a squall and +thrown on our beam-ends? No more grog for any of you this cruise-- +you'll understand that?" + +As soon as the big mate, now the most tipsy of the party, had been got +on deck, Higson and Timmins went below, but not a bottle of rum could +they find. There were a few cocoa-nuts and gourds in the lockers, and +other provisions, but that was all. As the place was horribly +unsavoury, they were glad to get on deck again. + +"Buckra ossifer no find rum--rum all gone!" said Quasho, with a +well-feigned sigh. The other negroes grinned, and the big mate looked +highly amused, but said nothing. The fire in the caboose having been +lighted, the black skipper acting as cook, the midshipmen sat down to +breakfast. Everything now went smoothly enough. Spider afforded a fund +of amusement. As the wind was aft, it was too hot to do anything else +than play with him. The black crew, with the exception of the man at +the helm, lay down forward, and were soon fast asleep. When it was time +to relieve him, Captain Quasho kicked up one of the sleepers and sent +him aft, expediting his movements by a pretty sharp bang on the head +with a frying-pan, observing, "Me know how to keep discipline aboard de +_Snapper_, I tink." Thus the day wore on--luncheon and dinner occupying +a good deal of time, for, in spite of the heat, the midshipmen retained +their appetites. The heat increased as the sun rose. If it was hot on +deck it was hotter still in the cabin, which the stifling air and the +cockroaches rendered almost insupportable. Towards evening they came in +sight of the curious island of Saba, having the appearance of a high, +barren, conical-shaped rock rising directly out of the ocean. As they +got nearer, a few huts were seen at the base of the mountain, and in +front a flight of steps hewn out of the solid rock leading to the very +summit. They ran in and anchored close to the shore in a little cove. +As there was still an hour or more of daylight they agreed to land at +once, and explore the place that evening, so that they might sail again +next morning. Up the steps they climbed, for it was evident that they +must lead somewhere. On reaching the top, what was their surprise to +find themselves on the rim of a large circular basin, and looking down +on a small town standing in its midst surrounded by vegetable gardens +and orchards. The inhabitants received them very cordially not often +being troubled by visitors, and offered them the best the island could +supply, chiefly vegetables and fish, with the promise of a kid if they +would stay till the next day. An unsophisticated race were these Saba +islanders. "The world forgetting--by the world forgot." As there would +be no little risk of breaking their necks should they attempt to descend +the steps at night, the adventurers wished their hospitable entertainers +good-bye and returned to the shore. It was hot on the top of the hill, +it was hot everywhere; so they agreed that it would be as well to sail +at once, so as to have a longer time to spend at Saint Kitts and Nevis. + +On hailing the _Snapper_, Needham came on shore in the boat. He was in +a state of great indignation. A fishing-boat had come alongside, when +Quasho with his mate and crew had gone away in her, carrying with them a +number of cocoa-nuts and gourds, which they said were to sell to the +people on shore; and they had coolly left word that they should not be +back till the next morning. "On this, sir," continued Dick, "I smelt a +rat; and on hunting about in the forepeak, I found a cocoa-nut half full +of rum. Thinks I to myself, that's just what they're going to fill the +others with; and when they come back they'll be as drunk as they were +last night, and we shall have to look after the craft instead of them." + +"The rascals!" exclaimed Higson. "We'll go and kick them up before +they've had time to do that same. What do you say, boys?" + +All were ready to accompany him, but Higson insisted that Tom and Gerald +and Archy should go on board and wait till he and the rest returned with +the runaways. "You can loose the sails and get ready for weighing as +the wind is off-shore. We shan't be long, depend on that," he said, as +he and the rest turned to make their way towards one of the huts, where +they hoped to learn what had become of Quasho and his crew. + +Needham and the three youngsters returned on board, and busied +themselves as they had been directed. The heat was greater than they +had yet experienced since they had been in the West Indies, and they +were thankful to see the sun set, albeit, in an unusually ruddy glow, +hoping that it would be cooler at night. The wind had dropped +completely. There was little prospect of putting to sea that night. + +"I don't half like the look of the weather, Mr Rogers," said Needham to +Tom, who had remained with him on deck, while Gerald and Archy were +making preparations for supper below. "I wish we were in a snugger +berth, where we could moor ship--that I do." + +"Why the water is as calm as a millpond. I don't see how we can come to +any harm," answered Tom. The words were scarcely out of his mouth, +when, with the suddenness of a clap of thunder a fearfully loud rushing +sound was heard, as if the top of the mountain was hurtling down on +their heads. The next instant they were lifted almost off their legs, +and had they not clutched the shrouds they would have been carried +overboard. The breath of the hurricane was upon them. The loosened +canvas blew out and flapped wildly--the little vessel strained +desperately at her anchor, while the water hissed and foamed round her +bows. Gerald and Archy wondering what had happened, came rushing up +from below. + +"What's to be done?" they both asked. + +"The first thing is to get the mainsail and foresail stowed, and then to +strike the topmast," answered Needham. + +With their united strength it was no easy matter to secure the mainsail. +It was done, however, in a way, when Needham casting his eyes towards +the shore, exclaimed-- + +"The drogher is drifting--we must veer out more cable!" + +There were not many fathoms to spare. The fury of the blast, however, +had somewhat decreased, and the vessel appeared to be stationary. +Needham hurried aloft, and while the midshipmen hauled on the heel-rope +of the topmast--the shrouds and stays being slacked--he tugged away at +the fid. He had just got it out, when a second blast as furious as the +first burst on them--a loud report was heard. Ned slid down like +lightning from aloft, and sprang aft to the helm. Tom, who had run +forward, exclaimed-- + +"The cable has parted!" + +"I know it," answered Ned. "Hoist a foot of the foresail, Mr Rogers." + +The drogher spun round like a top, and off she flew before the +hurricane. + +"Hadn't we better jump into the boat, and let the vessel go?" asked +Archy. + +"We could never pull to shore in the teeth of this wind, sir," answered +Needham. "We can't get her on board, or tow her either--we must let her +go." + +Meantime, Tom and Gerald had been busy in stowing the fore-sail and +securing the topmast shrouds and stays. As they looked aft for an +instant, they could just distinguish some figures on the shore; but amid +the wild tumult, no voices could be heard had they shouted ever so +loudly. Needham now called Tom and Gerald to take the helm while he +tried to find a storm staysail, hoping with a couple of feet of it set +to be able to scud before the hurricane. + +"It's our only chance," he said, "we've no hope of beating back till +it's over--and the wider berth we give the island the better; for if the +wind shifts we may be blown right on it, and lose the craft and our own +lives too." + +The prospect was an appalling one--but the midshipmen did not lose +heart. Away flew the drogher amid the roaring seas into the pitchy +darkness, which now settled down over the ocean. + + + +CHAPTER SEVEN. + +A BALL AT ANTIGUA--A HURRICANE PUTS A STOP TO THE DANCING--A RIDE +THROUGH THE STORM--MURRAY'S RIDE WITH STELLA, AND A DECLARATION--COLONEL +O'REGAN AND HIS DAUGHTER SAIL IN THE SARAH JANE. + +The inhabitants of Antigua are noted for their hospitality. The +officers of the two ships received as many invitations as they could +accept, with the loan of horses whenever they chose to ride. They lived +on shore in airy barracks--far pleasanter quarters than the close cabins +of the ships afforded. The colonel and his daughter were living at a +cottage in the neighbourhood. Murray was Stella's constant attendant +when she rode, and a frequent visitor at the cottage. If her father +remarked the attention paid her by the young lieutenant, he did not +consider it necessary to interfere. Perhaps he had ascertained that +Murray was well off, and thought it best to let matters take their +course; or, perhaps, absorbed in his own schemes, it did not occur to +him that his daughter, who seemed so devoted to the cause he advocated, +could do so weak a thing as fall in love. At all events, Alick lived in +an elysium partly created by his imagination, and did not allow the +future to interfere with his present happiness. Jack and Adair still +thought Stella very charming, but, observing Alick's devotion to her, +they would have considered it a gross breach of friendship to attempt +cutting him out. She had other admirers, but she certainly gave them no +encouragement. The midshipmen of the frigate thought their captain +spoony, and the captain's clerk of the _Tudor_ was guilty of a most +reprehensible breach of confidence, if he spoke the truth, in whispering +that he had one day discovered on the commander's desk a sonnet +addressed to Stella's eyebrow. The fact, however, was doubted, as +Captain Babbicome had never been suspected of possessing the slightest +poetical talent, nor had a book of poetry ever been seen in his cabin. + +"Still," insisted the clerk, "love can work wonders. It must have been +poetry, for the lines all began with capitals, and were written in the +middle of the page." + +At length the ball took place. The Antiguan young ladies were full of +life and spirit, and danced to perfection, never getting tired, so that +the officers had no lack of partners, and voted it great fun. There +were many very pretty girls among them, and several with much more of +the rose on their cheeks than usually falls to the share of West Indian +damsels. Some censorious critic even ventured to hint that it was added +by the hand of art. That this was false was evident, for the weather +was so hot that had rouge been used it would have inevitably been +detected; but the island damsels trusted to their good figures and +features, and their lively manners and conversation, rather than to any +meretricious charms, to win admiration. Stella was generally considered +the most charming of the maidens present, as undoubtedly she was the +most blooming, and she seemed to enjoy the ball as much as any one. She +danced with Captain Hemming, and went through a quadrille with Commander +Babbicome. He then entreated her to perform a valse with him. Laughing +heartily, she advised him not to make the attempt. Even the quiet dance +had reduced him to a melting mood. + +"Why, you have valsed twice with my second lieutenant," he remarked, his +choler rising. + +Stella gave him a look which might have shown him that he had better +have held his tongue. The ball, which began at a primitively early +hour, had been going on for some time, when a fierce blast which shook +the building to its very foundations swept over it. + +"A hurricane has burst on the island," was the general exclamation. +"Will it be a heavy one?" + +The increasing tempest gave the response. + +The naval captains thought of their ships, the residents of their +plantations. Not that there was much risk for the former, as they were +snugly moored; but still it was impossible to say what might happen. +Preparations were made by all the officers and several of the gentlemen +for instant departure; but, of course, the ladies could not face the +tempest. Most of them, however, had not much heart for dancing, when, +possibly, before morning their houses would be roofless and their +fathers' plantations laid low. A few persevered, in spite of the +whirlwind raging over their heads, but even they had at length to give +up. Their host insisted on all his female guests remaining. Cloaks and +shawls were collected, and sofas and chairs brought into the ball-room, +which was turned into a dormitory for those who could not be +accommodated in the other rooms. Stella wanted to accompany her father, +and was with difficulty persuaded to remain. Murray offered to ride +back as soon as the gale was over to escort her, and she smiled her +consent. The colonel declared that he must go to look after his friends +and their cottage, for he had no other excuse to offer. The officers +started on horseback, but they could with difficulty sit their steeds or +keep their naval cloaks around them as they faced the hurricane. Poor +Commander Babbicome had a hard task to perform, as his struggling steed +plunged forward in the darkness; and Jack and Adair, who in compassion +rode up to his assistance, found him clutching tightly by the animal's +mane, as he shouted out-- + +"Steady, now--steady, you brute! What is the wind about that it cannot +let a man sit his horse in quiet?" + +It was no easy matter, however, for the best of horsemen to keep their +seats, and in the more exposed situations it seemed as if rider and +steed would be blown over together. Leaves, dust, stones, branches of +trees, and even heavier objects, came rushing through the air in dense +clouds, striking the travellers and obscuring their sight, so that it +was often impossible to see where they were going. The colonel seemed +to revel in the wild uproar of the elements, and led the way through the +darkness, shouting to his companions to follow. They were passing along +a part of the road with tall trees on either side. The dark branches +above their heads could be seen waving wildly to and fro, the tops +bending before the blast. Ever and anon huge boughs were torn off, and +several fell, sometimes in front, sometimes directly behind them, but no +one had been struck. Then there came a fearful crash. A large tree had +fallen directly in front of them. Jack thought that the colonel had +been crushed; but no, there he was, sitting his horse as upright as +ever. He had had a narrow escape, though. + +"On, friends, on," he shouted. "It is more hazardous to stop than to +push forward." + +And he leapt his steed over the trunk. Captain Hemming and Murray +followed, their horses scrambling rather than leaping over the +impediment. Jack and Adair might have done the same, but they would not +desert the commander of the _Tudor_, by this time well-nigh frightened +out of his wits. Several of the rest who made the attempt toppled over +with their beasts on their heads. + +"Leap, my good fellows? I could no more do it than fly!" exclaimed +Commander Babbicome, when he came to the tree. + +"You had better climb over, and I'll bring your horse after you," said +Jack. + +"If I get off, I shall never get on again," cried the commander. "Bless +my heart, what shall I do?" + +"Better try than run the chance of being crushed here," said Jack. + +At that moment another of the waving trees came crashing down close +behind them, cutting off all retreat had it been contemplated. At the +sound off tumbled Commander Babbicome; and in another instant, with more +agility than he generally displayed, he had scrambled over the trunk, +and pitched right in among the men and horses, struggling to get on +their legs on the other side. Happily no one was much hurt, and some of +his officers having assisted to place him on his feet, he set off +running as fast as his legs could carry him. His steed, relieved of its +burden, urged by Jack and Terence, got over better than the rest; and +when they at length overtook him, they managed to hoist him again into +his saddle. Though he cut a somewhat undignified figure on this +occasion they had no inclination to laugh at him, for they believed him +to be as brave as most men under ordinary circumstances on the deck of +his ship. They were both, too, very anxious about Tom and Gerald, and +they could only hope that if the drogher had not returned she was safe +in some other port. Battered and bruised, though they had escaped any +serious accident, the party at length reached the harbour. The officers +who had remained behind and all the men to be found had hurried on board +the ships directly the hurricane burst; additional hawsers had been got +out; the topmasts had been struck, and everything necessary had been +done. It was rather provoking to find that they might have remained on +at the ball, but satisfactory to feel that all was right, and that they +had done their duty. In almost any other harbour in the West Indies the +case might have been very different. They, of course, spent the rest of +the night on board. + +Nothing had been seen of the drogher, and Jack and Adair agreed that +should she not appear in two or three days they would get leave to go in +search of her. She might have been wrecked on one of the neighbouring +islands, and the party on board be unable to obtain the means of +returning. By noon the next day the hurricane had ceased, and Murray +accompanied Colonel O'Regan to Saint John's, followed by a servant +leading Stella's horse, and carrying her riding-habit. In every +direction the havoc caused by the storm was visible; cottages blown down +or unroofed, sugar-canes laid low, fruit-trees upturned or stripped of +their fruit; in many places the road was almost impassable; but +labourers were at work with saws and axes clearing away the trunks which +lay across it. In the evening, when the air was comparatively cool and +refreshing, Murray rode back with Stella. The colonel was detained by a +person on business just as they were setting off, and begged that they +would ride on, saying that he would overtake them. Alick said more than +he had ever before ventured to do. Stella turned away her head while he +was speaking; then, lifting her eyes to his face with an expression in +hers certainly not of annoyance or anger, she answered-- + +"You have your profession, Mr Murray. You assuredly do not contemplate +quitting that, and I am the daughter of one the world calls an +adventurer. I cannot desert him while he allows me to bear him company, +and I know not in what direction his fate may lead him. Perchance your +regard for me may prove but a passing fancy, and you would regret having +bound yourself to one whom, after we part on this occasion, you may not +meet again for years, when she may be so changed, as everything we see +around us changes, that you would not recognise her. I know too well +that this has been the case with others--why not with us?" + +Her voice trembled as she uttered the last sentences. Murray urged +every plea which his honest affection prompted. He had no fears of what +she dreaded. He trusted that before long he should obtain his +promotion, and then, in these piping times of peace, he might expect to +remain for some time on shore, and be able to occupy his Highland home. + +"I dare not pledge my troth, but there is no one for whose happiness I +can more earnestly pray," said Stella, looking at him with her bright +eyes beaming as the most ardent lover could desire. Will that satisfy +you? + +"Yes, dearest Stella because I know that you would not trifle with one +who has given you a true and faithful heart," answered Alick. He had +never before uttered such words, and the tone of his voice showed the +deep feeling which prompted them. + +"I believe you," she said simply. + +Alick would rather have had a more demonstrative reply. A rough road +strewn with branches, and other impediments to their progress, was not +favourable for such a conversation. Still, as Stella had not objected +to the terms he had applied to her, he had no reason to complain. They +rode on for some time in silence. Stella was the first to break it. + +"Mr Murray, you need not feel yourself bound to speak to my father on +the subject, indeed I would rather you should not," she said. "He pays +me the compliment of putting full confidence in my discretion, and +leaves me to act as I consider right. I suspect that his affection +prevents him from believing me otherwise than perfect, and he thinks, +consequently, that I am incapable of doing anything of which he would +not approve." + +"In my eyes, too, you are perfect, Stella," said Alick. "That by your +own reasoning is the best proof of affection." + +"I do not doubt yours, Mr Murray, I am sure of it, and I am more than +grateful," answered Stella, looking up at him. "Still affection should +not blind us to the faults of those we love, as in time the tinsel must +wear off our idols, and disappointment, if not a painful reaction, will +be the result." + +"But all idols are not tinselled," said Alick. "The spotless Parian +marble--" + +"I object altogether to idol worship," interrupted Stella. "I desire to +be loved for myself, I own, but I would be so with all my faults and +failings known. Could I be sure of them I would tell them to you, but I +cannot boast of having attained to the height of wisdom, and learnt to +know myself. I must leave to you the task of discovering them, and the +means for their correction; only let me entreat you to believe that they +exist, and perhaps are more numerous than you will think possible." + +Of course Alick very sincerely protested that Stella and imperfection +could not be named together, except as contrasts, for he truly thought +so. She sighed, and then smiled, and the colonel cantering up cut short +the interesting conversation--interesting to the two persons concerned, +at all events. + +"Stella, I find that we must start for Jamaica immediately," he said. +"If Captain Hemming cannot proceed there, we shall be compelled to go by +another vessel. A brig now in the harbour, I understand, sails for Port +Royal to-morrow; and though I would defer our departure for three days +longer, unless either of the men-of-war is to sail by the end of that +time, we must not lose the present opportunity." + +"So soon!" ejaculated Stella. She said no more, for she no more thought +of inquiring the motive of her father's actions than of opposing his +wishes. Alick watched her countenance. It was graver and more sad than +he had ever seen it. Her lip quivered, but with a strong effort she +recovered herself, though she did not venture to trust her voice. Alick +knew that Captain Hemming would not sail before the return of the +drogher with his midshipmen, or should she not appear until he had +endeavoured to ascertain their fate. The colonel asked Murray's +opinion. Alick gave it, but advised him to apply to Captain Hemming on +the possibility of his sending the _Tudor_ on to Jamaica before the +frigate. His heart beat with hope that this might be done, and Stella's +countenance brightened when he spoke of it. + +Their friends, the Houghtons, with whom Stella and her father were +staying, were much concerned when they heard of his determination. + +"But must your daughter accompany you, colonel?" asked Mrs Houghton, a +good-natured, motherly dame, whose daughters were all married. "We +shall be delighted if Stella will remain with us, and we will find her +an escort when the frigate sails; though, for my part, I would not +hesitate to send a daughter of mine and a female attendant without one." + +Stella did not express her thanks for this proposal with the warmth +which might have been expected. The colonel accompanied Murray to the +barracks, where they found the two captains. The colonel stated his +wishes. Captain Hemming regretted that he could not sail in time to +suit his convenience, but if Miss O'Regan would remain with the +Houghtons he should be delighted to give her and her attendant a +passage, and any lady who might be able to accompany her. He would, +however, consult Commander Babbicome and ascertain whether the _Tudor_ +could be got ready for sea in time. Commander Babbicome was mute. When +the colonel had gone, he expressed himself somewhat strongly to his +superior. + +"He had heard reports concerning Colonel O'Regan's schemes, and he had +no wish to commit himself by carrying such a person on board his ship-- +charming as Miss O'Regan might be considered by some. He did not always +go with the herd." + +The captain of the frigate could send the _Tudor_ to sea, but he could +not compel her commander to give up his cabin to passengers, so he did +not press the point. It would have been better for Commander Babbicome +had he been more courteous, but no more than other mortals could he +foresee what the future was to bring forth. + +Colonel O'Regan went on board the brig _Sarah Jane_. Though of so +unwarlike a name, she was a large rakish craft, evidently very fast, +with square yards and taunt masts, well fitted for a blockade-runner or +any work of that description; and her skipper, a dark, big-whiskered +fellow, looked the man fit to command her. He and the colonel shook +hands as if they had before been acquainted, and had a long +conversation. + +"Under the circumstances, colonel, we'll clear out for Portobello +instead of Port Royal," he said, laughing; "for as you know we have a +roving commission, and we may find a better market for our goods on the +Spanish Main than at a British port. I expect to fall in with the sloop +to the westward of Saint Kitt's, when we may get some stores from her +and proceed in company." + +The colonel having concluded his arrangements, returned to the cottage. +Stella evinced no surprise when he communicated his change of plan. + +"Am I to accompany you?" she asked in a faltering voice, while her cheek +became paler than usual. At one time she would have entreated to be +allowed to go without asking whither. + +"As the cabins of the brig are commodious, and the frigate is not likely +to sail for some time, I shall be glad of your society," answered the +colonel, not remarking her increasing agitation. + +"Should the state of affairs not be more propitious than of late, I +intend returning forthwith to Jamaica, where I will leave you with your +relatives, the Bradshaws, while I go back once more to await the course +of events. You will thus, probably, reach Jamaica sooner than you would +have done had you waited for these laggard men-of-war." + +Stella had become calm again while her father uttered the last +sentences. She expressed her readiness to do as he wished, and said, +truly, that she wished ever to be with him; though she might have added, +that she pined for the time when he would be content to abandon his +schemes, and settle in some quiet home either in Britain or one of her +colonies, as he had at times talked of doing when his restless spirit +was for a time quelled by weariness or disappointment. + +Kind Mr and Mrs Houghton pressed her to remain with them, and to go on +to Jamaica in the frigate. They feared, with good reason, that Stella +would be exposed to all sorts of dangers if she accompanied the colonel; +they had no confidence in his schemes, and they thought him very wrong +in wishing to take her with him, though they did not tell her so. + +"I will assist you, my dear, to get over one of your difficulties, for I +dare say you do not think it quite the thing to be alone on board the +frigate without a chaperone," exclaimed Mrs Houghton, coming into +Stella's room. "I have long promised to pay a visit to my daughter +Julia and her husband, whose estate is next to the Bradshaws, and I +intend to ask Captain Hemming to give me a passage. What do you say, +Stella? Your father cannot object to my plan--it is so evidently the +right one. Shall I tell him that you agree to it?" + +It was a severe trial for Stella, but she was resolute in doing what she +believed to be her duty. She thanked Mrs Houghton warmly for her +kindness. She was, however, under orders. As a soldier's daughter she +had learnt obedience. Unless her father commanded her to remain at +Antigua, she must embark in the brig. What effect the arguments of +Alick Murray might have produced, it is impossible to say. He, +unfortunately, was detained by duty on board the corvette, and did not +reach the cottage till late in the evening, not aware of Colonel +O'Regan's altered plans. He was thunderstruck when he heard of them, +and very much inclined to quarrel with the colonel, who did not seem to +be aware that he was inducing his daughter to make any unusual +sacrifice. + +Thanks to Mrs Houghton's management, Alick and Stella were alone for a +short time. She did not disguise from him how much the parting cost +her, but entreated him to keep up his spirits in the hope that they +might soon again meet in Jamaica. Alick, with Rogers and Adair, +accompanied Stella and the colonel on board the brig the next morning. +The two latter knew that they were not intruding on their friend. They +warmly entered into his feelings, though they might have doubted that +Stella's affection for him was as deep as he supposed, especially when +they observed her tearless eye and calm manner when she parted from him. +Their boat remained alongside till the brig was well out of the +harbour. As long as any one could be discerned on board, a figure was +seen standing at the stern watching them as they pulled back. Alick did +not speak. All seemed a dream to him; but yesterday, he thought himself +the happiest of mortals. Now Stella was gone, and to what fearful +dangers might she not be exposed! Rogers and Adair wished to divert his +thoughts, and began to talk of the missing midshipmen. "The captain +gives them three days more, and if the drogher does not appear at the +end of that time, he intends to send the _Tudor_ to look for them," said +Jack. "I regret allowing Tom to go, for when a number of youngsters are +together they are sure to get into mischief." + +"We found it so occasionally in our younger days to be sure," observed +Adair. "I, too, am sorry I let Gerald go; however, Higson is a steady +fellow, and I hope has taken good care of them." + +"When Houghton heard that we were becoming anxious about the youngsters, +he offered to send his schooner, the _Swordfish_, to look for them," +observed Murray, rousing himself up. "If I can get leave from +Babbicome, and I am sure he will give it to escape having to take the +_Tudor_ to sea, I will go in the schooner. She is far better fitted for +cruising among the islands than the corvette, and will be more likely to +find the drogher." + +"A good idea of yours, Alick, and I will go with you, as I am sure to +get leave," said Jack. + +Adair wished that he could go also, but he and Rogers could not be away +from the ship together for any length of time. Jack and Terence, like +true friends, stuck close to Alick for the remainder of the day, doing +their utmost to keep him from brooding over his unhappiness. His +feelings, they knew, were too deep to allow them to banter him, as they +would probably have done under ordinary circumstances. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHT. + +CRUISE IN THE SCHOONER IN SEARCH OF THE MISSING MIDSHIPMEN--CALL AT SABA +AND FIND HIGSON--DISCOVER THE WRECK OF THE DROGHER DESERTED--RETURN +UNSUCCESSFUL--THE MIDSHIPMEN MOURNED AS LOST--THE FRIGATE AND CORVETTE +SAIL FOR JAMAICA--A BOY OVERBOARD--A HURRICANE AT SEA--THE CORVETTE +DISMASTED--MAN LOST--DANGEROUS POSITION OF CORVETTE--THE FRIGATE +PREPARED WEATHERS THE HURRICANE--ANXIETY ABOUT THE CORVETTE--THE +FRIGATE'S SEARCH FOR HER. + +The next day and the next passed--the drogher did not appear, and the +two captains became as anxious as were the three lieutenants to +ascertain the fate of their midshipmen. + +"If you wish to go I will spare you for a few days," said Captain +Hemming to Adair. + +Accordingly all three sailed in the _Swordfish_. Having ascertained +that the midshipmen intended visiting Barbuda, they first steered for +that island. There was a good stiff breeze, and as the _Swordfish_ was +a fast craft, she rapidly ran over the thirty miles of water which +intervenes between Antigua and its small dependency. It was not, +however, all plain sailing, as numerous shoals, reefs, and rocks +surround the island mostly below the surface, some only showing their +black pates, while from its slight elevation above the ocean at the +distance of less than four miles it was scarcely visible. A negro +standing on the bowsprit end, and holding on by the stay, piloted the +schooner, giving his directions to the man at the helm in a sharp, loud +voice-- + +"Lub ou may--all ou can! steady! starboard. Keep her away! steady! lub, +lub, lub, for ou life!" he screamed out, waving his hand to enforce his +orders. The schooner just scraped clear of a rock, round which the +water hissed and bubbled, and the pilot once more subsided into his +ordinary calmness. + +"Not a pleasant spot to find under one's lee in a gale of wind on a dark +night," observed Terence. "It proves, however, that the crew of the +drogher must have been sober, or they could not have found their way +clear of it." + +The schooner at length came to an anchor, and a messenger was sent off +to the overseer, who kindly came down at once and told them that he had +seen the drogher outside the reefs, and standing to the westward. He +pressed them to remain and partake of such hospitality as he could +offer; but eager to pursue their search they declined his invitation, +and the schooner was quickly again threading her way amid the shoals out +to sea. It was a question whether the drogher had continued her course +due west, or had steered northward to Saint Barts, or southward to Saint +Eustatia, or Saint Kitts. They finally decided after examining the +chart, to stand to the westward, and call off Saba. As they approached +the island a fishing-boat was seen standing out towards the schooner, +which was therefore hove to, to let her come alongside. + +"I see Higson, and some of the others, but all I fear are not there," +said Jack, who had been watching the boat through his glass, in a tone +which showed his anxiety. Higson was soon on board. He gave a full +account of what had happened. + +"I would sooner have lost my own life than allowed any harm to happen to +the youngsters," he added. "Still I have hopes that they may have +escaped. Needham is a prime seaman, and he will have done what was +possible to keep the drogher afloat, though they were sadly +short-handed, I own. Still if the craft has not foundered, as they had +plenty of provisions and water aboard we may expect to see them again, +not the worse for their cruise. We have all been on the look-out, +hoping to see her beating up to the island. You'll not blame me, Mr +Rogers, more than I deserve, and I couldn't help it, you may depend on +that." + +The old mate as he spoke well-nigh burst into tears. Jack and the other +lieutenants assured him that they did not see how he could be blamed, +and they then set to work to consider what was best to be done. They +first compared notes, and agreed as to the course of the hurricane, and +calculated the direction in which the drogher must have been driven, and +the distance she had probably gone, recollecting that as she had been +carried with the wind she must have been exposed to its fury for a much +longer time than those on shore. + +"If it had not been for that they ought to have made their way back long +before this," observed Jack. + +"Perhaps they have gone to Saint Eustatia or Saint Kitts," remarked +Murray. + +"I am very sure, sir, that for our sakes they would have done their best +to make Saba," said Higson. "If they could have helped it they would +not have deserted us." + +Jack, as senior officer, had to decide, and he determined, therefore, to +steer to the south-west for a couple of days, keeping a bright look-out +on either hand, and then to beat back to Antigua, thus going over a wide +extent of sea. It would occupy them a week or more, but Captain Hemming +they knew would not object to the delay. Captain Quasho and his crew as +a punishment were left to find their way back as best they could, and +the schooner stood away in the direction proposed. During the day +Higson or one of the midshipmen was at the masthead, keeping a look-out +on every side. At night sail was shortened, and the schooner stood +backwards and forwards, now to the northward, now to the southward, so +that no risk might be run of passing the drogher in the dark. Three or +four vessels were fallen in with, but the same answer was received from +all. They had seen nothing of the missing craft. Under other +circumstances they would have been very jolly, for they had a good +supply of West Indian delicacies, put on board by the owner of the +vessel, and had nothing to do but to eat and smoke when they felt +inclined; but they were much too anxious to enjoy themselves. + +For another whole day they stood on. Still not a sign of the drogher. +Jack felt greatly inclined to continue the search for a third day. He +reflected, however, on the risk of doing so. It would take very much +longer beating back, and should light winds prevail they might run short +of water and provisions; and though he was ready to undergo any dangers +himself, with the prospect of recovering his brother, he had no right, +he felt, to expose others to them. There was also the possibility of +having to encounter another hurricane, which might try the schooner, +capital sea-boat as she appeared to be. The weather had again become +threatening--dark clouds collected overhead--the wind fell, and as the +little vessel lay roiling her sides under the glass, like swell, down +came the rain, not a mere sprinkling, like that of northern latitudes, +but in a perfect deluge, the huge drops leaping up as they fell, and +flooding the deck. Those who could took refuge below; the rest were wet +to the skin before they could get on their great coats. Just before +sunset a breeze sprang up, and the clouds clearing away left the horizon +more defined and distinct even than usual. Jack himself went aloft to +take a look round, and consider whether he should haul up at once, and +commence the long beat to Antigua, or stand on for a few hours longer. +He had already swept his glass round on every side when, as he turned it +once more towards the south-west, just clear of the setting sun, his eye +fell on a dark object almost on the very verge of the horizon. It +seemed a mere speck, though it might, he thought, be a dead whale, or a +piece of wreck, or only a mass of floating seaweed. His directions to +the man at the helm to steer for it called all hands on deck, and +several came aloft--various opinions were expressed. Old Higson was +positive that it was part of a wreck of some unfortunate vessel lost in +the late hurricane, or the whole hull of a small craft dismasted. The +breeze freshened, and hopes were entertained that they might get up to +it before darkness settled down over the deep. It could soon be seen +from the deck. + +"I knew that I was right, and I wish from my soul I wasn't," exclaimed +Higson, as he looked steadily through his glass. "That's a small craft +on her beam ends, and it's my belief that she's the _Snapper_!" + +"I trust not," said Rogers, who overheard him. "If she is the +_Snapper_, what has become of the poor youngsters?" + +"Perhaps they are still clinging to her, sir," answered Higson. "I have +known men hold out on board a craft in as bad a position as she is in." + +"But they are boys, and must have succumbed to hunger and thirst, even +if they escaped being washed overboard when the craft capsized," +observed Murray, who was not inclined just then to take a hopeful view +of matters. + +"I'd trust to my nephew holding out as long as any youngster ever did," +said Adair. "The others have not less pluck in them." + +"I see no signal, and as they must have made us out long ago if they +were aboard I fear they are gone," sighed Jack. + +"Faith, it's likely enough they have nothing to make one with," observed +Adair. "I'll not believe they are lost." + +Every glass on board was continually kept turned towards the object +ahead. As the schooner approached, however, no one could be discovered +on board. It was nearly dark by the time she got up with it. Several +voices on board the schooner hailed, but no reply came. She hove to, +and a boat was lowered. Jack, Terence, and Higson jumped into her. + +"Hand a lantern here," cried Higson, as they were shoving off. They +were quickly alongside the hapless craft. It was then seen that she had +been capsized with her sails set, which, with the mast and rigging, +assisted to keep her in her present position. Probably also her ballast +having shifted contributed to do so, as she was only partially filled +with water. Not a human being, however, was visible. Higson, seizing +the lantern, leaped on board, and climbed up to the companion hatch. +Jack and Adair were about to follow, but they, observing that even his +weight made the water flow over the bulwarks, saw that it would be more +prudent to let him search alone. They waited for him anxiously. He +quickly put his head up the hatchway. + +"She's the _Snapper_--no doubt about that; but there's not a soul aft," +he exclaimed. "At all events, however, they were not starved, for there +are plenty of provisions in the locker." + +Having let himself down into the hold, holding on to the coaming with +one hand, he stretched out the other with the lantern, so as to let its +light fall on every side. No one was there. He then made his way into +the fore-peak. It seemed to Jack that he was a long time absent, though +in reality scarcely a minute passed before he scrambled out again. + +"What has become of the youngsters I can't say, but on board this craft +they are not; nor is their monkey Spider, who with his long tail to hold +on by was not likely to be washed overboard," he exclaimed, as he sprang +back into the boat. "The sooner we shove off the better, for she is +filling fast, and may go to the bottom at any moment." + +"I can't bear to leave her though without having a look round," said +Jack, taking the lantern from Higson. + +He made his way into the little cabin, and was soon convinced that +Higson was right. Not a trace of the midshipmen could he see. He +searched the hold and the fore-peak. They were not there, dead or +alive. Jack came back to the boat and sat down, feeling very sorrowful. + +"Let me go in again," said the old mate, as he took the lantern. + +He was back very soon with three small carpet-bags in his hand. + +"Be sharp," cried Adair. "She is going down!" + +He spoke truly. Higson made a leap into the boat, which shoved off just +as the drogher, giving a slight roll, sank from sight. The crew pulled +away from her. + +"I could only find my own and two other fellows' bags," said Higson. +"The others must have slipped down into the water." + +The boat at once returned to the schooner with the sad intelligence. +Norris and the master's-assistant were very glad to get back their +carpet-bags. Their recovery, it is possible, somewhat consoled them for +the loss of their young messmates. They, at all events, congratulated +themselves that they had not been on board the drogher when she was +blown away from Saba. + +Jack, who loved his brother dearly, was very much grieved at his loss; +so was Terence for Gerald, though he thought most of the sorrow his +sister would suffer when she heard of her boy's death. + +"Arrah now; I wish that I'd let him stay at home and turn farmer; but +then, to be sure, he might have been after breaking his neck out +hunting, so it comes to the same thing in the end," he exclaimed, with +as near an approach to a sigh as he ever uttered. "Och, ahone, poor +Nora, the sweet cratur! and I not able to bring her back the boy." + +Murray was less demonstrative, but he knew that young Archy would be +truly mourned for in his distant highland home. + +The schooner now commenced her long beat back to Antigua. There was +every prospect of its being a tedious business; but there was a fresh +breeze, and by carrying on, though the top-masts bent like willow-wands, +English Harbour was gained at length. Captain Hemming felt the loss of +his midshipmen; but when the matter was explained to him, he acquitted +old Higson of all blame. + +"Only I will never, as long as I command a ship, allow my midshipmen to +go away for their amusement by themselves," he observed. "They run +risks enough as it is in the course of duty." + +This being reported in the berth made Norris and others very angry, and +they were much inclined to abuse poor Tom and Gerald for getting +drowned, and thus being the cause of the restriction likely to be placed +on their liberty. + +The two ships were now ready for sea. Murray went to pay a farewell +visit to the Houghtons. Kind Mrs Houghton--who, for Stella's sake as +well as his own, took a warm interest in him, for she having keener eyes +than the colonel, knew perfectly well that they were engaged--had +letters of introduction ready to her daughter Mrs Raven, to the +Bradshaws, Stella's relatives, and to other friends. + +"You'll receive a hearty welcome, and I have just hinted how matters +stand. They agree with us that the colonel has no right to be dragging +his daughter about in the way he does, and will be thankful to see her +placed under the guardianship of one who will take better care of her +than, in my humble opinion, her father does." + +Alick was duly grateful, and said all that was proper, though he wished +that his friend had not mentioned the matter she alluded to, as he felt +somewhat nervous at the thought of appearing before strangers in the +character of a melancholy lover. + +"However, if there are any young ladies among them, they'll not expect +me to pay them attentions," he thought. + +The frigate and corvette were at sea, with the prospect of a quick run +to Port Royal. During his quiet night-watches Alick's thoughts were +ever occupied with Stella. Hitherto the weather since she sailed had +been unusually fine, and she might, he hoped, have escaped the dangers +of the sea; but there were others to which she was too likely to be +exposed on board a vessel engaged, as he understood the brig was, in +landing arms and ammunition, and in running contraband goods. The +colonel himself, Murray fully believed, had nothing to do with such +proceedings; but he would, notwithstanding, be placed in a dangerous +position should the vessel be captured while so employed, and then to +what a fearful risk might not Stella be exposed. He shuddered at the +thought. Again and again it occurred to him. The two ships had got to +the southward of Saint Domingo. + +In those piping times of peace there was very little excitement at sea-- +no enemy to be encountered, no vessels to be chased, except perhaps a +slaver from the coast of Africa. There had, however, been a steady +breeze, all sail being carried, and the officers were congratulating +themselves on making a quick passage, when about noon it suddenly fell +calm. The sun struck down from the cloudless sky with intense heat, +making the pitch in the seams of the deck bubble up and run over the +white planks, while every particle of iron or brass felt as hot as if +just come out of a furnace. The chips from the carpenter's bench +floated alongside, and the slush from the cook's pots scarcely mingled +with the clear water, till a huge mouth rising to the surface swallowed +the mass down with a gulp, creating a ripple which extended far away +from the ship's side. The atmosphere was sultry and oppressive in the +extreme, for air there was none. It was a question whether it was +hotter on deck in the shade or below. In the sun there was not much +doubt about the matter. The sails hung motionless against the masts; +even the dog-vanes refused to move. The smoke ascending from the galley +fire rose in a thin column, till, gradually spreading out, it hung like +a canopy above the ship. The men moved sluggishly about their duties, +with no elasticity in their steps; and even Jack and Adair, the briskest +of the brisk, felt scarcely able to drag their feet after them. The +ocean was like a sheet of burnished silver, so dazzling that it pained +the eye to gaze at it. Ever and anon its polished surface would be +broken by a covey of flying-fish rising into the air in a vain effort to +escape some hungry foe. A nautilus, or Portuguese-man-of-war, would +glide by, proving that the wind had nothing to do with its movement; or +the dark, triangular fin of a shark might be seen, as the monster, with +savage eye, moved slowly round the ship, watching for anything hove +overboard. + +Woe betide the careless seaman who might lose his balance aloft, and +drop within reach of the creature's jaws. In spite of the heat several +of the ship's boys, rather than remain stewing below or roasting on +deck, were sky-larking in the fore-rigging, chasing each other into the +top or up to the cross-trees and along the yards, now swarming up by a +lift, now sliding down a stay. The most active of the boys, and +generally their leader, though one of the smallest, was Jerry Nott. He +had been over the mast-head several times, keeping well before the rest, +when he made his way out to the end of the starboard fore-yard-arm. At +that moment Mr Scrofton, the boatswain, coming on deck, and reflecting +probably that having been deprived of their tails, they were not as fit +as their ancestral monkeys to amuse themselves as they were doing, and +might come to grief, called the youngsters down. Jerry, startled by the +boatswain's voice, cast his eye on deck, instead of fixing it on the +topping-lift. A small body was seen falling, and a splash was heard. + +"Man overboard!" shouted numerous voices. + +"Lower the starboard quarter boat!" cried Jack Rogers, who was officer +of the watch, and having given the order he rushed forward and had +sprung into the main-chains, intending to jump overboard and support the +boy till the boat could pick them up; when he saw the youngster throw up +his arms--a piercing shriek rent the air. That bright face a moment +before turned towards him had disappeared, a ruddy circle marking the +spot where it had been. With difficulty he restrained the impulse which +had prompted him to leap into the water, to which had he given way, he +knew that he would probably have shared the fate of the poor boy. The +boat, notwithstanding, was lowered, and the men rowed round and round +the spot hoping to get a blow at their foe with the boat-hook and an axe +with which one of them had armed himself; but neither the shark nor his +hapless victim again appeared. The only thing which came to the surface +was Jerry's straw hat--crushed and blood-stained. + +The heat increased--the sun itself seemed to grow larger--the sky became +of a metallic tint, the sea lost its silvery brilliancy, and gradually +assumed the hue of molten lead. The captain, having several times +examined his barometer, came on deck. "All hands, shorten sail!" he +shouted out, and while the boatswain was turning up the crew he ordered +a signal to be made to the corvette to follow his example. + +The topmen swarmed on the yards, the idlers were at their stations. + +"Be smart about it, lads!" he shouted. In a few minutes every sail was +furled, with the exception of a closely-reefed fore-topsail, braced +sharp up. Royal and top-gallant yards were sent down, and the masts +struck. + +The captain made another signal to the corvette to hasten her +proceedings, but her commander showed but little disposition to do so. + +"What's Hemming making such a fuss about?" he was reported to have said. +"Why, the sea is as smooth as a mill-pond, and if a strong breeze does +spring up on a sudden, which I have my doubts about, we shall have +plenty of time to trim sails I should think. I ought to know how to +take care of my own ship, and don't require to be dictated to by a young +fellow who wore long clothes when I was a lieutenant." + +Captain Hemming, in the meantime, as he walked the deck of the frigate, +ever and anon cast a vexed glance at the corvette. + +"Babbicome will be having his sticks about his ears if he does not look +sharp," he muttered. "Obstinate old donkey, were it not for those with +him I should be glad to see him receive the lesson he'll get to a +certainty." + +Still, not a breath of air stirred the dog-vanes--the ocean remained as +glass-like as before, but thick clouds appeared in the north, and in a +short time rain began to fall. It soon ceased, and a stillness like +death succeeded the pattering sound of the falling drops. On a sudden +the dark clouds seen before in the distance covered the sky, except in +the zenith, where an obscure circle of imperfect light was visible, +while a dismal darkness gathered round the ships. The midshipmen of the +frigate, and several others, had begun to think the captain +over-cautious. + +"One would suppose that he had changed places with old Babbicome," +observed Norris. "See, they are letting all stand on board the +corvette." + +"No; they are not, though. See! there's hands aloft, shorten sail!" +exclaimed Higson. "Good reason, too--they must be smart about it. Look +there!" He pointed to the north-east, where a long, white line was seen +sweeping on towards the ship, and rapidly increasing in height and +thickness, while a roar like that of distant thunder was heard--yet more +shrill than thunder--the sound every instant becoming louder and +shriller, till it seemed like that of countless voices screaming at +their highest pitch. On came the breath of the mighty hurricane, not +seen except by its effect on the ocean, which now began to leap and +foam, rising into huge rolling billows, sweeping along in threatening +array; the foam which flew from them forming one vast sheet covering the +ocean, while vivid lightning bursting from the clouds flashed in all +directions with dazzling brilliancy. The furious wind struck the +frigate on her broadside. In a moment over she heeled, and the +close-reefed fore-topsail, blown out of the bolt-ropes, fluttered wildly +in shreds, which speedily lashed and twisted themselves round the yard. +The helm was put up. After a struggle the frigate answered to it, and +off she flew before the wind, passing close under the stern of the +corvette, which lay with her masts gone, on her beam-ends, the sheets of +foam sweeping over her, almost concealing her from sight. The crew of +the corvette had been swarming aloft, and some had already laid out on +the yards when the hurricane struck her. Over she heeled--the tall +masts bending like willow-wands. The sheets were let fly, but it was +too late. The men called down by the officers endeavoured to spring +back into the tops, and those who could descended on deck, but many had +no time to escape. In one instant, it seemed, the three masts, with a +fearful crash, went by the board, carrying all on them into the seething +ocean; and the lately trim corvette lay a helpless meek, exposed to the +fury of the raging--which dashed with relentless fury over her. Efforts +were made by those on deck to rescue their drowning shipmates, whose +piercing shrieks for help rose even above the loud uproar of the +tempest, whose shrill voice seemed to mock their cries. Some few were +hauled on board, but many were swept away before aid could be rendered +to them. The masts, also, were thundering with terrific force against +the side, threatening every moment to stave in the stout planks, and to +send the ship and all on board to the bottom. To clear the wreck was +the first imperative work to be performed. Murray, followed by a party +of men armed with axes, sprang into the main-chains to cut away the main +rigging, while other officers were similarly engaged on that of the fore +and mizen masts. He saw at that instant the captain of the maintop, a +fine young seaman, who was at his station when the mast went, still +clinging to it. A cask with a line was hove into the sea, in the hopes +that it might reach him, but this the mass of spars and sails rendered +impossible. Murray shouted to him to try and make his way along the +mast. + +"No, no!" he answered in return, knowing that he would be washed off +should he venture on the attempt. "Cut--cut!" + +The reiterated blows of the butt-ends of the masts allowed of no +alternative. The bright axes gleamed while the seamen rapidly cut the +ropes. As the last shroud was severed the gallant topman waved his hand +a farewell to his shipmates, and a faint cheer reached their ears as the +tangled mass of spars, rigging, and sails, floated away clear of the +ship. They had already, however, committed fearful damage. The +carpenter sounded the well; he reported six feet of water. The pumps +were rigged, and the hands set to work to try and overcome the leak, +while he and his mates went below to ascertain the locality of the +injury the ship had received. Meantime the hatches were battened down +to prevent the water from the seas, which broke on board, increasing the +mischief. + +Before long the carpenter returned, his countenance showing the anxiety +he vainly endeavoured to conceal. + +"There are more leaks than one, sir, through which the water is rushing +in like a mill-sluice; and it's more than man can do to stop them from +within-board," he said, coming aft to the commander. "You'll pardon me, +sir, but it's my duty to say that unless we heave the guns overboard, +with everything else to lighten the ship, and can get a thrummed sail +under her bottom, she'll founder before the world is many minutes +older." + +"Very well, Mr Auger, I'll consider what you say," answered Commander +Babbicome; who, though obstinate and irritable under ordinary +circumstances, was cool enough in moments of danger. Murray, who had +been below, confirmed the carpenter's report. The boatswain was ordered +to get a sail up and prepare it as proposed, while the drummer beat to +quarters. Gladly would the crew have mustered had it been to meet an +enemy, but it was to perform a task the most painful of all to a +man-of-war's man, and one of no small danger. + +"Heave the guns overboard!" shouted the commander. "Watch the right +time now." + +As the dismasted ship rolled in the foaming seas raging around her, +first the guns on one side were allowed to slip through the ports, then +those on the other went plunging into the deep. The anchors were next +cut away from the bows, and now the attempt was made to get the thrummed +sail under the ship's bottom. It seemed well-nigh hopeless, with the +ship rolling and the heavy seas breaking over her. Murray and the other +officers laboured as hard as any one, setting an example, by their +energy and courage, to the men dispirited by the loss of so many of +their shipmates. Two hawsers were at length got under the ship's +bottom, when the sail filled with oakum was hauled over the part where +the worst leaks were supposed to exist. Still the water rushed in. The +efforts of the hands at the pumps were redoubled, and anxious eyes were +turned towards the frigate, which could still be dimly seen to leeward, +but too far off to render them any assistance should the sea overcome +all their efforts, and carry the ship to the bottom. That this would be +her fate before long seemed too probable; the bulwarks in many places +had been crushed in--the boats stove or carried away, scarcely a spare +spar remained--everything on deck had been swept off it; indeed, it +seemed a wonder that she should still be afloat. + +A short jury-mast was got up, fixed to the stump of the fore-mast, and a +spare royal was bent to a yard and hoisted in the hopes of getting the +ship before the wind; but scarcely had the sail been sheeted home, +before it had produced the slightest effect, than away went the canvas, +mast, and spar to leeward. A second attempt to set a sail was made with +similar want of success, and now not an available spar remained on which +another could be hoisted. + +"Spell, ho!" was cried more frequently than at first, as the exhausted +hands at the pumps summoned their shipmates to relieve them, when they +staggered to the stumps of the masts or the remaining stanchions and +bulwarks, to which they clung to save themselves from being borne away +by the wild surges as they broke on board. Thus the disastrous day wore +on, to be followed by a still more fearful night. Even the most hopeful +had no expectation of seeing another sunrise, as the increasing darkness +told them that it had sunk into the storm-tossed ocean. + +Alick Murray had endeavoured to maintain that calmness of mind, one of +the characteristics for which he was noted. Thought, however, was busy. +He, like the rest, believed that ere long the fierce waves would sweep +over the foundering ship, and his life, with the lives of all on board, +would be brought to a close; for who could hope to escape with not a +boat remaining uninjured, and scarcely a spar to afford support? One +thought, however, afforded him consolation; the brig, with his beloved +Stella on board, had long ere this got well to the southward of the +latitude the hurricane was likely to reach, and she, at all events, +would escape its fury. Earnestly he prayed that she might be protected +from the many dangers she might have to encounter, and though he knew +she would mourn his loss, that she might find comfort and he restored in +time to happiness. + +The rage of the hurricane was unabated--a dreadful darkness settled down +over the deep; the only objects to be seen beyond the deck of the +labouring ship being the black mountainous seas, crested with hissing +foam, which rose up on either beam, threatening every instant to +overwhelm her. + +In the meantime the frigate, well prepared as she had been to encounter +the first onslaught of the hurricane, flew before it unharmed. As she +passed the corvette, Captain Hemming, seeing her perilous condition, +hailed, promising to heave-to if possible, and lay by her, but the wild +uproar of the elements drowned his voice. To bring the ship to the wind +under the full force of the hurricane was, indeed, a difficult and +dangerous operation, which only the urgent necessity of the case +rendered allowable. The captain of the _Plantagenet_ was not the man to +desert a consort in distress, and notwithstanding the risk to be run he +determined to make the attempt. Still some time elapsed before the +trysails could be set, and during it the frigate had run considerably to +leeward of the corvette. The ports were closed, the hatches secured, +preventer stays set up; every device, indeed, which good seamanship +could suggest, was adopted to provide for the safety of the ship. The +boats were secured by additional lashings, as was everything that could +be washed away on deck. Relieving tackles were also rove, and four of +the best hands were sent to the helm. The crew were at their stations, +ready to carry out the intended operation. All was ready, but it was +necessary to wait for an opportunity to avoid the fury of the mountain +foam-crested billows, rolling in quick succession across the ocean, one +of which, striking her bows as she came up to the wind, would have +treated the proud frigate with little less ceremony than they would a +mere cock-boat. Even during the fiercest gale there are spots on the +surface of the sea which are less agitated than elsewhere, while at +times there comes a lull of the wind, often the precursor, however, of a +more furious blast. For such a lull the captain waited. It came. + +"Helm's a lee!" he shouted. + +With a mighty struggle the frigate came to the wind, the main and mizen +trysails were sheeted home, the fore-topsail was braced sharp up. Every +one looked with anxiety towards the next huge sea which came roaring +towards the frigate, to observe how she would behave. Most gallantly +she breasted it, though its hissing crest burst over the bulwarks, and +came rushing furiously aft along the deck, but the lee ports being +opened, the water made its way out again, without committing any serious +damage. To bring the ship to the wind and heave-to was one thing, to +beat her up to her hapless consort was another, and that it was found +impossible to do without the certainty of meeting with serious disaster. +In the attempt she would probably have missed stays, and making a stern +board would have gone down into the yawning gulf which the next passing +sea would have left. As it was, though she rose buoyantly over most of +the seas, ever and anon the summit of one broke on board, and all hands +had to hold on fast to save themselves from being carried into the +lee-scuppers, or washed overboard, while at the same time it was evident +that she must be making very considerable leeway, and thus be drifting +farther and farther from her consort. Jack and Adair could not help +feeling very anxious about the corvette, for the sake, of course, of all +on board, but more especially on account of Murray. They had last seen +her through a dense mass of spray, with her masts gone, and many of her +crew struggling in the waves, while the savage seas were breaking +completely over her. Commander Babbicome was very naturally not spoken +of, either by them or any one else, in the most complimentary manner. + +"His stupid obstinacy has got his ship into this mess, and, as far as he +is concerned, he richly deserves it," observed Jack, trying to catch a +glimpse through his glass of the wreck, as she rose, in the far +distance, on the summit of a billow, quickly again to disappear. "It's +a sad fate for those poor fellows who have lost their lives, and I am +very much afraid that they will not be the only ones. It's a question +whether the corvette will weather out the hurricane." + +"I am very much afraid that she will not," said Adair. "If there was a +prospect of a boat living I would volunteer to board her, and try and +save some of the people." + +"The best-manned boat wouldn't live a minute in such a sea as this, so +there's no use thinking about it," answered Jack. "I have tried to +persuade myself that it might be possible, but I know it is not. All we +can hope is that should she go down, poor Alick may manage to get hold +of a plank or spar, or into one of the boats, and that when the gale +moderates we may pick him up. There is but a poor chance of that, I +own." + +"I'll hope that the corvette won't go down," said Adair. "She is a new +ship, and, unless abominably managed, she ought to weather out the +hurricane." + +"She ought to have been put before the wind by this time, and have +followed us; and see, she has not altered her position since she was +dismasted," said Jack, with a sigh. "Poor Alick!" + +"Poor Alick! and poor Stella," echoed Adair. + +Night came on. Few of the watch below--officers or men--turned in, for +every one knew that at any moment all hands might be piped on deck to +save ship. + +The hurricane continued to rage with unabated fury. Hour after hour +went by without a sign of its ceasing. The vivid lightning darted +around; the whole upper regions of the sky being illuminated by +incessant flashes, while darts of electric fire exploded with surpassing +brilliancy in every direction, threatening each instant the destruction +of the ship. Jack and Terence were standing together, holding on to a +stanchion, when the latter gave a loud cry, and some heavy object fell +at their feet. + +"Hillo! what's that?" exclaimed Paddy, as he put up his hand to his cap. +"Faith, I thought a round shot had taken my head off. Catch it, Jack, +or it will be away." + +"What, your head, Terence?" asked Jack, unable to restrain a joke even +then. + +"No, but that big bird there; see it's scuttling away along the deck." + +Jack sprang forward and caught the bird, which proved to be a large +sea-fowl, but he had not the heart to injure it. Presently another +dropped on the deck near them, and in a short time a flash of lightning, +spreading a bright glare around, showed that the launch and booms, and +all the more sheltered spots, were tenanted by sea-birds, which, unable +to breast the storm, could find no other resting-place for their weary +wings. Some unfortunate ones were caught and carried captives below, +but the men generally showed compassion to the strangers, and allowed +them to enjoy such shelter as they could find undisturbed. + +"Well, I do hope that the hurricane is at its height," observed Jack, as +six bells in the middle watch were struck. "I doubt if the canvas will +stand much more." + +"If it isn't it will be after blowing the ship herself clean out of the +water," answered Adair. "We ought to be thankful that our sticks are +sound, and the rigging well set up." + +"Yes; Cherry deserves full credit, and we should give old Scrofton his +due, for, though his theories are nonsensical, he is an excellent +boatswain," observed Jack. "I am convinced that every accident on board +a ship occurs from the carelessness, and often from the culpable +neglect, of some one concerned in fitting her out, or from bad +seamanship." + +While they were speaking there came a sudden lull of the wind, and the +lightning ceased, leaving the ship enveloped in a blackness which could +be felt. The two lieutenants, though close together, could not even +distinguish the outlines of each other's figures. + +"This is awful," exclaimed Adair. + +Jack felt that it was so, but said nothing. Suddenly the whole heavens +appeared ablaze with fiery meteors, which fell in showers on every side. + +"Look look! mercy--what can that be?" cried Adair. + +A mass of fire, of a globular form and deep red hue, appeared high up in +the sky, when downward it fell, perpendicularly, not a cable's length +from the ship, it seemed, assuming an elongated shape of dazzling +whiteness ere it plunged, hissing, into the ocean. + +"We may be thankful that ball did not strike us," observed Jack. "It +would have sent us to the bottom more certainly than Fulton's torpedo, +or any similar invention, could have done." + +"I hope that there are no others like it ready to fall on us," said +Terence. + +Scarcely a minute had elapsed when the wind fell almost to a calm, its +strength being scarcely sufficient to steady the ship. At the same +moment the heavens seemed to open and shower down fire, so numberless +and rapid were the flashes of the most vivid lightning which played +between the clouds and ocean, filling the whole atmosphere with their +brilliancy. The captain had put his hand to his mouth to order more +sail to be set, when again the hurricane burst forth with renewed fury, +howling and shrieking, as Terence declared, like ten legions of demons +in the rigging, while the mountain seas, as they clashed with each +other, created a roar which almost overpowered the yelling voice of the +hurricane. For nearly an hour the hideous uproar continued, until, as +if wearied by its last mighty effort, the storm began evidently to +abate, although the darkness was even denser than before, while the seas +continued tumbling and rolling in so confused a manner that any attempt +to steer the ship, so as to avoid them, would have been impossible. +Daylight was looked for with anxiety by all on board, to ascertain the +fate of the corvette, the captain eagerly waiting for the moment when he +could venture to make sail, that he might stand towards her. Just as +the cold grey dawn broke over the leaden-tinted, still tumbling ocean, +the wind shifted to the southward. The light increased. The eyes of +all on deck were turned towards the spot where it was supposed the +corvette would be seen. In vain they looked. She was nowhere visible. +A groan of disappointment escaped their breasts. Jack and Adair hurried +aloft with their glasses, still in the hopes of discovering her. They +swept the whole horizon to the northward from east to west, and every +intermediate space, but not a speck on the troubled waters could they +discover which might prove to be the hull of the corvette. "Poor Alick! +poor Alick!" they both again ejaculated, and descended with sad hearts +on deck. + +The captain now gave the order to make sail, and under her topsails and +courses the frigate began to force her way amid the still rolling +billows to the northward. Mr Cherry, and several of the other +officers, were speaking of the loss of the corvette as a certainty. +Jack, who could not bear the thought that Murray was indeed gone, +declared that he still had some hopes of finding her above water. + +"I agree with Rogers," said the captain, joining them. "We have made +scarcely sufficient allowance for the distance the frigate has drifted +during the hurricane. Though I allow that the corvette will have had a +hard struggle for it, and that it is too probable she has foundered; +yet, as I think that there is a possibility of her being still afloat, I +intend to pass over every part of the sea to which she can have been +driven, or any boats or rafts escaping from her can have reached." + +The remarks made by the captain considerably raised the spirits of Jack +and Terence. A look-out was sent to the masthead, and they themselves +frequently went aloft with their telescopes, in the hopes of catching +sight of the missing ship. As the day advanced the light increased, and +the wind gradually fell to a moderate breeze. The captain and Mr +Cherry, having been on deck during the whole night, had turned in, as +had all who could do so. Jack had charge of the watch, and Terence +remained with him. + +"A lump of something floating away on the starboard bow," cried the +look-out from aloft. + +Jack kept the ship towards it. In a short time the object seen was +discovered to be a tangled mass of spars and rigging, evidently +belonging to the corvette. As the frigate passed close to it the figure +of a seaman was perceived in its midst floating, partly in the water and +partly supported by a spar, with his face turned upwards, as if gazing +at her. Several on board shouted, but no voice replied, no sign was +made. Jack, notwithstanding, was about to shorten sail and heave the +ship to, that a boat might be lowered to rescue the man, when the +corpse--for such it was--turned slowly round and disappeared beneath the +waves. + +"There goes poor Bill Dawson. He was captain of the main-top aboard the +_Tudor_," observed one of the men. "I knowed him well, and a better +fellow never stepped!" + +Jack's heart sank as he saw the wreck of the corvette's masts. + +"Surely they could not have floated to any distance from her, and as she +is not in sight she must have gone down," he thought. + +The sea was still too rough to attempt taking any of the spars on board, +so the frigate stood on as the captain had directed. Ten minutes or +more passed by, when again the look-out hailed the deck in a cheery +voice,--"A sail on the port bow!" + +The announcement raised the spirits of every one. Terence hurried +aloft, and a midshipman was sent to call the captain, who quickly +appeared. + +"I thought so," he exclaimed. "Depend on it, that is the _Tudor_." + +Some time passed before Terence returned on deck. His report confirmed +the captain's opinion. He could clearly make out the hull with a small +sail set forward. The last reef was shaken out of the topsails, the +starboard studding-sails were set, and the frigate dashed after the +corvette. The news spread below, the sleepers were awakened, and all +hands turned out. The frigate speedily came up with the lately trim +little ship, now reduced to a mere battered hulk. From her appearance +it was surprising that she should be still afloat. A mast and yard, +composed of numerous pieces, had been rigged forward with a royal or +some other small sail set on it. The whole of the bulwarks on one side +were stove in; not a gun remained, the boats were gone. Many of the +crew lay about the deck exhausted with fatigue, and scarcely able to +raise themselves, and utter a faint cheer, as the frigate, now +shortening sail, approached, while the remainder were labouring hard at +the pumps; and by the gush of water flowing from the scuppers, it was +evident that they found it a hard matter to keep the ship afloat. + +"Shorten sail, Commander Babbicome, and I'll send you assistance, for I +see you require it," shouted Captain Hemming, with a touch of irony in +his tone, as the frigate ranged up alongside. + +A hawser had been got ready and passed aft; a long line secured to the +end was hove on board the corvette, and those who just before seemed +scarcely able to stand on their feet hauling on it with right good will; +the hawser was passed forward, and quickly secured. In the meantime two +boats had been lowered, and fifty fresh hands sent from the frigate +relieved the worn-out crew of the corvette. Adair had gone in charge of +the men, and Murray was the first person he greeted on deck. + +"We had given you up for lost, but, thank Heaven, you are safe!" +exclaimed Terence, as he warmly wrung his friend's hand. + +"It isn't the first time either that we've had cause to be frightened +about each other's safety; and for my part I intend in future, should +you or Jack disappear, never to despair of seeing you turn up again +alive somewhere or other." + +"We have indeed been very mercifully preserved," answered Murray, +gravely. "But, my dear Adair, unless we take the greatest care, I very +much doubt that the ship can be kept afloat till we reach Port Royal." + +And he briefly told Terence all that had occurred. There was but little +time, however, for conversation. While most of the fresh hands went to +the pumps the rest got up another sail, which, having been thrummed like +the first, was passed under the ship's bottom. The result was +satisfactory. Though the frigate was towing the corvette at the rate of +four knots an hour, instead of the leak increasing, as had been feared +would be the case, the pumps rapidly gained on it. Higson, with +additional hands, came on board; the hatches were taken off, and buckets +being brought into play, passed rapidly up from below by a line of men, +the depth of water in the hold was sensibly decreased, the corvette in +consequence towing the lighter. Poor Commander Babbicome, who looked as +unhappy as a man could do, went to his cabin; and even Murray, with most +of the officers, was glad to turn in and leave the ship in charge of +Adair and Fligson. Happily the wind remained fair and moderate, and in +three days the frigate and her battered consort came safely to an anchor +in the magnificent harbour of Port Royal. Their arrival was officially +notified to the admiral, living at the Pen above Kingston, and he, +shortly after coming down in his barge, having inspected the ships, +ordered the corvette into dock to be repaired, while he gave a gentle +hint to Commander Babbicome that, as he was not a good subject for +resisting an attack of yellow fever, it would be wise in him to return +by the first opportunity to England. + + + +CHAPTER NINE. + +JAMAICA--MURRAY APPOINTED TO THE SUPPLEJACK BRIG--PULL UP TO KINGSTON-- +PORT ROYAL JACK--JOHNNY FERONG'S STORE--VISIT TO THE BRADSHAWS--KIND +RECEPTION--RETURN--THE SUPPLEJACK SAILS FOR THE SOUTHWARD. + +Jamaica, a hundred and sixty miles long, by forty-five broad, is, as +everybody knows, a very magnificent island; but, alas! its ancient glory +has departed for a time, though it is to be hoped that one of the many +panaceas proposed for its renovation may, ere long, restore it to its +pristine state of prosperity. Port Royal, or Kingston Harbour, capable +of holding a thousand tall ships, lies on its southern side, towards its +eastern end. The harbour has for its sea boundary a low, narrow, sandy +strip of land, several miles in length, called the Palisades, running +from the east towards the west; at which end is seen the town of Port +Royal standing a few feet above the water, and looking complacently down +on its predecessor, buried eight fathoms below the surface by the +earthquake of 1692. Here, too, is the Royal Naval Yard, hospital, +barracks, and the works of Fort Charles defending the entrance, which is +rendered still more difficult of access to an enemy by the Apostles' +Battery erected on the opposite side, with a fine range of mountains +rising directly above it. Kingston, that not over delectable of +sea-ports, stands on the northern shore of the harbour towards its +eastern end, and is thus a considerable distance from Port Royal; the +only communication between the two places being by water, except by a +circuitous route along the burning sands of the Palisades, which +adventurous mids and juvenile subs, have alone of mortals been known to +attempt on horseback. The land rises rapidly beyond the flat on which +Kingston stands, the Admiral's Pen being some way above it, while Up +Hill Barracks appear beautifully situated very much higher up the +mountain. + +The frigate lay at anchor off Port Royal, the crippled corvette had just +been towed into dock. Jack and Terence were walking the deck under the +awning, having got ready to go on shore. + +"Faith, now, this is a fine place!" exclaimed Terence, as he gazed over +the wide expanse of the harbour, the plain of Liguania covered with +plantations, and dotted with white farm-houses quivering in the beams of +a tropical sun. Beyond it rose the magnificent amphitheatre of the Blue +Mountains, one piled upon another, reaching to the clouds, and +intersected by numerous deep, irregular valleys; one of their spurs, +with Rock Fort at its base, appearing directly over the ship's +port-quarter; while before the beam was seen, at the end of a narrow +spit of sand, Fort Augusta, its guns ready to sweep to destruction any +hostile fleet which might attempt to enter; and over the bow in the far +distance could dimly be distinguished the town of Kingston, at the head +of the lagoon. + +"Not equal to Trinidad, though," observed Jack. "I don't know what your +fair cousin Maria would say if she heard you expatiate so warmly on its +beauties." + +"I'd just invite her to come with me, and judge for herself," answered +Terence. "But why did you speak of her now? I was beginning to fancy +that I was getting the sweet creature out of my head, for it's bothering +me she has been ever since we left the island. Oh, Jack! you're a +hardhearted fellow. I thought that you would have fallen head over ears +in love with Stella." + +"I saw that Miss O'Regan was not likely to fall in love with me, and, +besides, for other reasons, when I found how completely Murray was +captivated by her, I soon conquered the admiration I felt," said Jack. +"I wish for his sake that they had never met. Dragged about as she is +by her enthusiast of a father into all sorts of dangers, it is +impossible to say what may be her fate; and it would go nigh to break +his heart should her life be lost, or any other misfortune happen to +her. Here comes a shore-boat--we'll secure her to take us to Kingston." + +Jack going to the gangway met the very person they had just been +speaking of. + +"Why, Murray, my dear fellow, we expected to meet you on shore!" he +exclaimed. "What brings you back?" + +"To look after my traps, settle my mess accounts, bid farewell to my +late shipmates, and take command of HM Brig _Supplejack_, fitting out at +the Dockyard, and nearly ready for sea, I am told," answered Murray. "I +don't know whether to ask you to congratulate me or not. I had hoped to +make the acquaintance of some families on shore to whom I have letters +of introduction, but as they live some way from Kingston I fear that I +shall not have time to call on them. One family, the Ravens, are +related to my Antigua friends, the Houghtons; and another, the +Bradshaws, to Colonel O'Regan and his daughter, of whom I hoped to hear +from them. I feel anxious on the subject, I confess, for there are +rumours on shore about the character of the brig they sailed in, which I +do not like. I wish that she was safe back again." + +"The brig, or the young lady!" exclaimed Terence. "Ah, yes, I +understand; the brig with the young lady aboard. I'd like to give her a +royal salute as she comes in, which I dare say will be before long; and +as to hearing about her, Jack and I will make a pilgrimage to the Ravens +and Bradshaws, and bring you back all the intelligence we can collect, +if you haven't time to go yourself." + +"You may depend on us for that," said Jack. "But I say, Alick, you +haven't told us by what good fortune you have been appointed to the +_Supplejack_; for good fortune, I call it, to get an independent +command, whatever you may think." + +"By no unusual means; through what I suspect the invidious will call +Nepotism. When I went to pay my respects to the admiral, he at once +hailed me as a cousin, told me he was glad to make my acquaintance, +expressed his regret at the loss of poor Archy, who was also related to +him, and wound up by saying that he should be very happy to forward my +interests. I was taking my leave, wishing to get on to the Bradshaws, +when he stopped me, inviting me to dinner, and observing that he should +by that time have something to say to me; and wished, besides, to hear +about old friends in bonnie Scotland. This, of course, was equivalent +to a royal command; so I wrote to Mrs Bradshaw, enclosing my letter of +introduction, and expressing my intention of calling on her and Mrs +Raven as soon as I was at liberty. You and Terence will, I have no +doubt, be welcomed if you can ride over to Saint David's. You can +explain more clearly than I could by letter how I am situated, and you +will not fail to inquire what has been heard about the O'Regans. After +dinner, the admiral, who spoke in the kindest way possible, said that +Macleod, who he had intended should have command of the _Supplejack_ +having been invalided, as the corvette could not be refitted under three +or four months, he had appointed me in his stead, and that he intended +to transfer thirty of the corvette's crew to the brig, with any officers +I might name. Though I must consider my command but temporary, I may +possibly, he hinted, be confirmed in it." + +"Congratulate you! Of course I do, and though I'm not jealous, it's +just the sort of command I should jump at," exclaimed Terence. + +"I am not quite so certain; it is said that if a lieutenant is placed in +command of a small craft, he is never likely to get anything better," +observed Jack. "However, in your case it is different, as the admiral +will look after your interests. Did he tell you how and where you are +to be employed?" + +"My duty will be chiefly to look after slaves and pirates, of whom a few +occasionally appear sailing under the flags of some of the smaller South +American States; he mentioned also, that I might probably be sent to the +Spanish Main to protect British interests on that coast. My thoughts at +once, I confess, flew to Colonel O'Regan and his daughter, and the +possibility of meeting them; though I trust that they may have returned +safely to Jamaica before I can get to the coast." + +"Who knows! By my faith, I should be after wishing the contrary!" +exclaimed Terence. "What a romantic incident it would be now some +morning just as day breaks, to make out away to leeward a brig which you +have no doubt is the _Sarah Jane_, with a black, rakish, wicked-looking +schooner close to, just opening fire. The brig fights bravely; she had, +I think, a couple of two or three-pounders on board, but she will to a +certainty be captured. You make all sail to her assistance, for the +pirate, supposing you to be a merchantman, doesn't up stick and run for +it--but the wind drops, you take to your boats, the black schooner has +ranged up alongside the brig, you arrive at the moment the brig's crew +have been overpowered--the colonel brought to the deck, and the +pirate-captain, a huge ugly negro, is bearing off a fair lady in his +arms. You cut him down, rescue the lady, drive the pirates overboard, +place the colonel on his legs, blow up the schooner, and are duly +rewarded for your gallantry." + +"Avast, Terence, with your nonsense!" exclaimed Murray, who had before +been vainly endeavouring to stop the imaginative Irishman. "You make me +miserable in suggesting the bare possibility of such an occurrence. The +brig may be attacked, but I might not arrive in time to save my +friends." + +"Now, Alick dear, you remind me mightily of Tim Doolan, the cowboy at +Ballymacree," said Terence. "I found Tim, one bright morning, looking +as unhappy as his twinkling eyes and cocked-up nose would let him. +`Tim, my beauty--what's the matter?' I asked. + +"`It's a throubled drame, Mr Terence, that I have had,' answered Tim, +twisting his nose and mouth about in a curious manner, and giving a +peculiar wink with his right eye. + +"`What is it, man?' I asked. `Out with your dream.' + +"`Well, your honour, it was just this. I dreamt that I went to pay a +visit to his holiness the Pope, and a civil old gentleman he was, for he +axed me if I'd take some whisky and water, and on course I said yes. +"Hot or cold, Tim?" asked the Pope. "Hot, your reverence," says I, and +bad luck to me, for by dad, while the Pope went down to the kitchen to +get the kettle I awoke; and now, if I'd said cold, I'd have had time to +toss off a noggin-full at laste, and it's that throubles me.' + +"Now it strikes me, Alick, that your waking imagination is as vivid as +Tim's; but don't let it run away with you in this instance. You'll see +the _Sarah Jane_ come safe into harbour before you leave it, and have +time to wish the young lady the top of the morning, at all events." + +"You are incorrigible, Paddy," answered Murray, laughing in spite of +himself. "As I have stood all your bantering, I have the right to +insist on your coming with me to inspect the _Supplejack_ before you go +up to Kingston." + +His two friends of course agreed to the proposal, and their carpet-bags +being put into Murray's boat they pulled for the Dockyard at Port Royal. +The _Supplejack_ had her lower yards across, and most of her stores on +board. In three or four days she might, by an efficient crew, be got +ready for sea. Though Murray would gladly have had a longer delay, duty +with him was paramount to every other consideration, and he resolved to +use every exertion to expedite her outfit. She was not much of a +beauty, they were of opinion; but she looked like a good sea-boat, and +Jack thought that she would prove a fast craft, which was of the most +consequence. Though rated as a six-gun brig she carried only two +carronades, and a third long heavy gun amidships, which they agreed, +under some circumstances, would be of more avail than the four short +guns it had replaced. Terence advised Alick to ask for two more +carronades. + +"I might not get them if I did ask, so I will make good use, if I have +the chance, of those on board," was the answer. + +Captain Hemming had been requested to spare Murray five hands from the +frigate. He chose Ben Snatchblock, the boatswain's-mate, to act as +boatswain, a great promotion for Ben, and four others; these, with a +dozen hands before belonging to the brig, the rest having died of yellow +fever, sent home invalided, or deserted, made up his complement. He had +applied for, and obtained old Higson, a former shipmate who had so taken +to heart the loss of the three midshipmen that he was anxious for more +stirring employment than he could find on board the frigate, likely to +be detained for some time at Jamaica, or not to go much farther than +Cuba. The other officers were selected from the corvette. The old mate +was highly pleased. He had the duty of a first lieutenant, and was one +in all respects, except in name, though not to be sure over a very large +ship's company. Hard drinker and careless as he had been sometimes on +shore, Murray knew that he could trust him thoroughly when +responsibility was thrown on his shoulders, and hoped that by being +raised in his own estimation he might altogether be weaned of his bad +habits. + +Jack and Terence sailed up to Kingston with a fresh sea breeze a-beam +blowing over the sandy shore of the Palisades. + +"Take care you don't capsize us," said Jack to the black skipper, who +carried on till the boat's gunwale was almost under water. + +"Neber tink I do dat, massa leetenant. Not pleasant place to take +swim," answered the man, with a broad grin on his ebon features, showing +his white teeth. + +"I think not, indeed," exclaimed Terence. "Look there." + +He pointed to a huge shark, its triangular fin just above the surface, +keeping two or three fathoms off, even with the boat, at which the +monster every now and then, as he declared, gave a wicked leer. + +"What do you call that fellow?" + +"Dat, massa, dat is Port Royal Jack," answered the negro. "He keep +watch ober de harbour--case buckra sailors swim ashore. He no come up +much fader when he find out we boat from de shore. See he go away now." + +The shark gave a whisk with his tail, and disappeared in an instant. +The young officers breathed more freely when their ill-omened companion +had gone. Almost immediately afterwards a boat belonging to a large +merchantman, lying at the mouth of the harbour, ready for sea, passed +them under all sail. Her crew of eight hands had evidently taken a +parting glass with their friends. + +"Dey carry too much canvas wid de grog dey hab aboard," observed the +black. "Better look out for squalls." + +He hailed, but received only a taunting jeer in return, and the boat +sped on her course. Not a minute had passed when Jack and Terence heard +the negro mate, who was watching the boat, sing out-- + +"Dere dey go, Jack shark get dem now--eh?" + +Looking in the direction the black's chin was pointing, to their horror +they saw that the boat had capsized, her masts and sails appearing for +an instant as she rapidly went to the bottom, while the people were +writhing and struggling on the surface, shrieking out loudly for help. +Jack and Terence ordered the black to put the boat about instantly, and +go to their rescue. Nearly two minutes passed before they reached the +spot. Five men only were floating. The ensanguined hue of the water +told too plainly what had been the fate of the others. + +"Help! help. For God's sake, help!" shrieked out a man near them, in an +agony of fear. At that instant a white object was seen rising, it +seemed, from the bottom. The hapless man threw up his arms, and, +uttering a piercing shriek, disappeared beneath the water. + +The other four men could swim, but almost paralysed with fear kept +crying out for help, without making any effort to save themselves, +striking out wildly, round and round, as if they did not see the +approaching boat. First one was hauled on board, then another and +another. Jack had got hold of the fourth, and was dragging him in when +a shark rose from the bottom. The negro boatman's quick eye had espied +the monster. He darted down his boat-hook into the open mouth of the +shark, which, closing its jaws, bit off the iron and a part of the +stock, while, by a violent effort, Jack and Terence jerked the man +inboard, thus saving his legs, and probably his life. + +They were now directly over the spot where the boat went down, and so +clear was the water, the ruddy stains having disappeared, that they +could see her as she lay at the bottom. Jack was standing up, when he +exclaimed-- + +"There is a poor fellow entangled in the rigging--he seems alive. I +think that I could bring him up." + +Influenced by a generous impulse, and forgetting the fearful monsters in +the neighbourhood, he was on the point of leaping overboard, when the +black boatman seized his arm, crying out-- + +"No, no, massa, dat one shark, hisself." + +Jack looked again, and the object he had mistaken for a seaman's white +shirt resolved itself into the white belly of a shark, the creature +being employed in gnawing the throat of its victim. + +"Dat is what dey always do," observed the black coolly. "Dey drag down +by de feet, and den dey begin to eat at de trote." + +Probably because the throat is the part of the body most exposed. Jack +and Terence carried the survivors up to Kingston. Except that they +uttered a few expressions of regret at the sad fate of their shipmates, +the men seemed very little concerned, or grateful to Heaven for their +own preservation; and immediately on landing they went into a grog-shop, +where they probably soon forgot all about the matter. Such is the force +of habit. Jack and Terence were not enchanted with the silent, +half-deserted streets of Kingston, through which, having lost their way, +they paraded for half an hour or more; but after eating a pink-coloured +shaddock, and half-a-dozen juicy oranges, obtained from a smiling-faced +negress market-woman, their spirits rose. + +"Things begin to wear a more roseate hue, maybe tinged with the juice of +the fruit we've swallowed," said Terence, laughing, "and here's Johnny +Ferong's store we were looking for, I've no doubt." + +They entered, and received a hearty welcome from that most loquacious +and facetious of Frenchmen, who offered to supply them with every +possible article they could require in any quantity, from a needle to an +anchor. They wanted something--it was information--how best to get out +to Saint David's, not a profitable article to supply them with, but +Johnny Ferong afforded it, with apparently infinite pleasure, and +further assisted to raise their spirits, and confirm their resolution of +becoming customers, by handing them each a glass of cool, sparkling +champagne, and immediately replenishing it when empty. + +"And you want to pay visit to Madame Bradsaw? Charmante lady--den I +vill order one voiture for vous, vich vill take vous dere, let me see, +in two hours and one half; and vous stay dere, and come back in de cool +of de morning, or in de evening, or de next day as vous please," said +Mr Ferong, bowing, and smiling, as he spoke, in the mode habitual to +him. + +"It will never do to take people by storm in that fashion," exclaimed +Jack. "Unless we can get back to-night we had better put off our visit +till to-morrow morning." + +Terence, who was modesty itself in such a case, agreed with him. Mr +Ferong, however, laughed at their scruples, assuring them that Mr and +Mrs Bradshaw would be delighted to see them, whether strangers or not, +that he would be answerable for all consequences, and settled the matter +by sending off a black boy to order the carriage forthwith, and to fetch +their carpet-bags from the inn, where they had been deposited on +landing. In the meantime Jack and Terence found several acquaintances +among the visitors, chiefly naval and military officers, assembled in +Johnny Ferong's reception-room, forming the lower storey of his store or +warehouse. There were also a few merchant-skippers, and civilian agents +of estates, clerics and others. Countless glass cases, exhibiting wares +of all sorts, and goods of every description in bales, packages, boxes, +and casks, were piled up, or scattered about the place, serving for +seats for the guests, most of whom were smoking and sipping sangaree. +While Jack was talking to an old shipmate he unexpectedly met, a skipper +and a merchant were engaged in an earnest conversation near him, and he +could not help overhearing some of the remarks which dropped from them. + +"If Captain Crowhurst can manage to run his cargo before the brig's +character is suspected it will be an easy affair for him, but if not he +will find it a difficult job. They have got half-a-dozen armed craft, +which will watch her pretty sharply, and I know those mongrel Spaniards +well. If they catch her they'll not scruple to sink her, and shoot +every man on board." + +These remarks were made by the skipper. + +"But the _Sarah Jane_ is a fast craft, and will, I should hope, be able +to keep out of their way," said the merchant, in an anxious voice. "We +should be unable to recover her insurance should she be sunk, I fear." + +"As certainly as the poor fellows who may be shot would be unable to +come to life again," observed the skipper dryly. "To my mind it's not +fair to send men on such an adventure." + +"They are aware of what they are about, and know the risk they run," +said the merchant. + +"The captain and supercargo may, but not the rest of the people, and +that's what I find fault with," observed the skipper. + +Jack heartily agreed with the last speaker, and was on the point of +turning round to make inquiries about the _Sarah Jane_, when the +merchant, suspecting that they must have been overheard, drew his +companion aside and left the store. Jack asked Mr Ferong if he could +give him the information he desired; but the Frenchman, shrugging his +shoulders, replied that he knew nothing of the affairs of his customers; +his business was to obtain "his littel wares of de best quality and to +sell dem at de lowest price possible." + +In a shore time the carriage appeared, with their carpet-bags strapped +on behind, and covered with a tarpaulin. It was a species of gig, with +a seat in front for the driver, and had two horses, one in the shafts +and the other prancing in comparative freedom, secured by traces to an +outrigger. Away they started at furious speed, and before long were +ascending the side of the magnificent Liguania mountains; now proceeding +along a romantic valley, with a babbling stream on one side; now passing +over a height; now along a level, or but slightly sloping spot for half +a mile or so, but gradually getting higher and higher above the plain. +Sometimes, when exposed to the sun's rays, they found it hot enough; but +frequently they travelled under the long shadow of some gigantic cotton +tree, shooting up into the blue heavens; or beneath a grove of graceful +palms, the tendrils of the yam and granadillos climbing up them, with +fences on either side, covered by numberless creepers, passion-flowers +of varied sizes, and convolvuli of countless descriptions. The whole +country seemed like an assemblage of orchards, composed of orange-trees +in fruit and flower, lemon and citron trees, glossy-leaved star apples; +the avocada, with its huge pear, and the bread fruit-tree bearing still +vaster fruit, and leaves of proportionate size; while beneath them were +seen in abundance the unfailing food of man in tropical climes, the ever +cool, fresh, green plantain; indeed, the strangers felt bewildered amid +the variety of trees, shrubs, and plants which surrounded them. + +"A perfect paradise, this," exclaimed Jack, who was not much addicted, +however, thus to express his feelings. "See, the vegetation reaches to +the very summit of the highest mountains." + +"Inhabited by no small number of ebon-hued Adams and Eves," observed +Terence, pointing to several palm-thatched, white-washed huts, a little +way off, before which was collected a group of negroes, men, and women, +and children, laughing, shouting, and talking, looking wonderfully +happy; the former all neatly habited, and though the smaller members of +the community were not overburdened with clothing, they looked as plump +and jolly as need be. "I only wish that our peasantry in old Ireland +were as well off as these people seem to be." + +"And those of England, also," said Jack. "Still slavery is an +abomination, and I pray that it may some day cease throughout the +world." + +The lieutenants scarcely believed that the time they expected to be on +the road had elapsed, when their driver pointed to a wide-spreading, low +mansion, with verandahs all round it, and extensive outbuildings, and +said-- + +"Dere, dat Saint David's." + +Somehow or other they had expected to see only a Mr and Mrs Bradshaw. +Their surprise was considerable when they met with a reception not +unlike that at Trinidad, from a matronly dame and a number of young +damsels; except that they did not claim Adair as a relation. + +"We were expecting Mr Murray, and regret not seeing him, but his +brother officers are most welcome," said Mrs Bradshaw, when she had +glanced at Alick's letter. + +She then introduced the two lieutenants by name to her eldest daughter +Fanny, and to her three little girls, as she called them, but though the +youngest was barely thirteen, they all looked like grown women. Adair +was quickly at home with them, answering the questions they showered on +him. Jack remained talking to Mrs Bradshaw and Fanny. He mentioned +Murray's anxiety about the O'Regans. + +"I fear that he has good reason to be anxious," answered Mrs Bradshaw. +"The colonel promised to bring his daughter here long ago, and we were +expecting to see her, when we heard that he had carried her off on +another of his wild expeditions. He wrote word from Antigua that he +intended to be but a short time away, so that they may possibly arrive +in a day or two. We long to have her safe with us, for though Fanny is +the only one who knows her, as they were at a finishing school together +in England, from the account she gives we are all prepared to love her." + +"Yes, indeed," exclaimed Fanny. "She was a delightful creature, the pet +and darling of the school, one of the youngest among us; and I should +never have supposed that she would have been able to go through what she +has done since." + +While they were speaking Mr Bradshaw arrived--a stout, bald-headed, +middle-aged gentleman, with ruddy countenance, dressed in nankin +trousers, white jacket, and broad-brimmed straw hat, which he doffed as +he approached the strangers, glancing from one to the other; and then, +having settled in his mind that Jack Rogers was Alick Murray, shook his +hand, which he grasped with the greatest warmth. + +"Happy to welcome you to Saint David's, my dear sir; only wish that our +expected friends were here also. A great disappointment to us, and to +you likewise, I feel sure, eh!" and he gave a facetious look at Jack, as +much as to say. "I know all about it." + +"My dear, this gentleman is Lieutenant Rogers. Mr Murray has been +unable to come up," said Mrs Bradshaw; and she explained how matters +stood. + +Jack thought that he ought to speak of going back. Mr Bradshaw laughed +at the notion. + +"Utterly out of the question. Stay a week, or as long as you have +leave. Send your shanredan back to-morrow morning, and I'll drive you +down in my buggy when you have to go." + +Thus pressed, Jack confessed that he and Adair had brought their +carpet-bags, not knowing where they might have to put up, and accepted +the invitation for the night; but said that, on Murray's account, they +must return the next day to see him before he sailed, and to tell him +what they had heard respecting Colonel and Miss O'Regan. + +"You may assure your friend that he will ever be welcome here, and I +hope that we shall have the young lady with us when he returns," +answered Mr Bradshaw. "I will not say the same with regard to her +impracticable father, for, between you and I, the farther he is away +from her the better. I am no admirer of his wild, harum-scarum schemes, +though he is individually a brave and honourable man; and had he not +foolishly quarrelled with the authorities at home, he would never have +lacked employment under the flag of England, instead of knocking his +head against stone walls in quarrels not his own." + +These remarks of the worthy planter explained Colonel O'Regan's +character to Jack more clearly than anything he had before heard. He +had before entertained some unpleasant suspicions on the subject. They +were confirmed, and he now only hoped that Murray would not, should he +marry Stella, be induced to join any of her father's schemes. Of that, +however, if cautioned, he did not think there was much risk. Had +Terence been the favoured lover the case would have been different, for, +enthusiastic himself, he might easily have been won over by the +colonel's persuasive powers. Dinner was soon announced. Jack and +Terence, who were very hungry, did ample justice to the solids as well +as to the numerous West Indian delicacies and rich fruits pressed on +them by their fair hostesses--the shaddocks, the mangos, and, above all, +the granadillos, which were pronounced like strawberries and cream, but +superior to any such mixture ever tasted in Europe. They enjoyed, too, +a most pleasant evening, several friends having come in, among them Mr +and Mrs Raven, nice young people, full of life and spirits. Mrs Raven +was glad, she said, to make the acquaintance of Lieutenant Murray's +brother officers, of whom she had heard from her mother, Mrs Houghton, +and only regretted that he himself was unable to come. + +"However," she added, "we may hope to see him frequently by-and-by, on +his return from his cruise." + +They had dancing, of course, as young people never think of meeting in +the West Indies without it; and some delightful music, for the younger +girls had been taught by Fanny, who was highly accomplished. Mr +Bradshaw observed that they did pretty well considering that they had +not the advantages of their elder sister. Times were changed in +Jamaica, and he could not afford to pay three hundred a year for the +education of each of them, as he had done for her. + +"No; but they are better housekeepers, and understand far more about +preserving and pickling than she does, and there is not a bird or a +flower on the estate, or, indeed, in any part of the island, with which +they are not acquainted," remarked Mrs Bradshaw, with motherly pride. +"Thanks to Fanny, too, they are really, considering their ages, not so +very much behind her in book knowledge. We need not regret having kept +them with us." + +"I agree in all you say, Mrs B," rejoined her husband, rubbing his +hands and laughing; "and as I am eighteen hundred pounds the richer, or, +let me see, in three years, with the addition of their voyages and +dress, the cost of sending them home would have amounted to three +thousand or more. I do not complain, I assure you." + +The young officers listened with surprise, and not a little amusement, +at this eulogium on the young ladies, and the accompanying remarks-- +uttered they believed correctly without any ulterior object. It gave +them some idea of the expense to which West Indian parents were put for +the education of their girls, of which they before had no conception. + +"Faith! more than double a lieutenant's pay," ejaculated Terence, as he +was turning in at night. "If he would make that allowance to Fanny, the +eldest of the three, I'd do my best to win her before the ship sails. I +can't stand it, Jack. I must either stay aboard and do duty for Cherry, +or never set eyes on these houris again, or knock under to one or the +other." + +"`There's luck in odd numbers, says Rory O'More,'" answered Jack, from +his side of the room. "You divided your attention very fairly among the +young ladies, and depend on it they will as easily forget us as we shall +get them out of our heads, by the time we have been a few days at sea; +so don't bother yourself about the matter, Paddy, but go to sleep." + +Whether or not Terence followed his advice Jack could not tell, for he +himself very soon went off into a sound slumber. The house was astir at +daybreak, and not long after the white dresses and broad-brimmed straw +hats of the young ladies were seen in the garden amid the fragrant +flowers, with glittering humming-birds and gorgeous butterflies, +flitting about in all directions. The lieutenants speedily joined them. +Jack's wise resolutions were almost overcome. He had made up his mind +to take leave after breakfast. They looked so bright and happy; the air +was so fresh, the flowers so sweet. He and Terence could not fail to +spend a pleasant day, but then he remembered Murray, who would be +anxiously looking for their return. + +"Then you'll come again soon, Mr Adair, if Mr Rogers thinks you must +go now," said Fanny, with a strong emphasis on the must, and a gentle +sigh. + +"You will always be welcome at Saint David's," added Mr Bradshaw. "And +tell Lieutenant Murray that I will let him know should I hear anything +about the _Sarah Jane_. I may possibly get information which might not +reach him." + +Their own vehicle not having started they returned to Kingston in it, +well baked by the burning rays of the sun. With a case of champagne, +and a few other articles obtained of Johnny Ferong, as presents to +Murray, they returned in the evening to Port Royal. Alick thanked them +heartily. He had so zealously pushed forward the brig's equipment that +she would be ready for sea the next day. That very evening he received +orders from the admiral to sail immediately he could. A despatch had +just arrived from the British consul at Carthagena, stating that +disturbances had broken out in the country, and requesting to have a +man-of-war sent immediately, for the protection of British subjects +residing there, and elsewhere along the coast. + +Captain Hemming had been directed to send fifty hands from the frigate, +and with the assistance of Rogers and Adair, by working all night, the +sails were bent, and early next morning the brig glided out into the +harbour. + +The land-wind still blew strong, smelling of the hot earth, albeit mixed +with spicy odours. Murray was eager to be away. His duty required him +to use all speed. He had also a feeling that he might be of service to +those in whom he was so deeply interested. He spoke of it to his +friends. + +"Second-sight, eh, Alick!" said Rogers. "I have no great faith in that, +but I am very sure that whatever has to be done you will do it +thoroughly." + +"I wish that I could accompany you," exclaimed Adair. "If Hemming would +spare me I'd have my traps on board in a jiffy." + +"I should be glad of your company; the admiral, however, in a private +note, says that he shall probably despatch the frigate in a few days, +but he remarks that the brig will be of greater service, by being able +to enter the rivers and harbours, which she cannot," answered Murray. + +Rogers and Adair watched the _Supplejack_ as she glided out of the +harbour under all sail to the southward before the wind, till she met +the sea breeze, when, hauling her tacks aboard, she heeled over to it, +and stood away to the south-west, her canvas gradually disappearing +below the horizon. + +Jack and Terence spent their time pleasantly enough on shore, Johnny +Ferong's store being one of their favourite places of resort, as it was +of officers of all ranks. Captain Hemming had made a rule that his +midshipmen, when they returned on board after leave, should send in a +written statement of the places and people they had visited. He was +much amused at the frequency of such entries as the following:-- + +"Called on J Ferong's, Esquire;" "spent the evening at J Ferong's, +Esquire," music and a hop sometimes added; "lunched at J Ferong's, +Esquire." In those days Jamaica flourished, but alas! her time came, +and so did that of the well-known highly-esteemed Johnny Ferong. As the +island went down he ceased to flourish, and at length Kingston knew him +no more, except as one of her departed worthies. + + + +CHAPTER TEN. + +CRUISE OF THE SUPPLEJACK--CALMS AND HEAT--A SHARK CAUGHT--EXERCISING AT +THE GUNS--A BOAT SEEN--NEEDHAM AND ONE OF THE MISSING MIDSHIPMEN FOUND, +NEARLY DYING FROM THIRST--THEY BRING ALARMING INFORMATION. + +The _Supplejack_ was making the best of her way across the Caribbean +sea. Murray, or one of his subordinates, Higson, or Jos Green usually +so called, the second master of the corvette, was ever on deck, with +watchful eyes on the bending topmasts, carrying on as much sail as the +brig could bear. Gallantly she slashed through the blue, heaving seas, +a mass of white foam rising up round her bows, and sheets of sparkling +spray flying over her forecastle. A bright look-out was kept on every +side, not in the expectation of meeting either with a slaver or pirate; +but the young commander could not help secretly hoping that he might +fall in with the _Sarah Jane_, and be relieved of his chief cause of +anxiety. His patience, however, on several occasions was sorely tried +when the wind fell light. One day, too, a perfect calm came on, and the +brig lay, her sides lapping the glassy sea, as she rolled in the +slowly-heaving, sluggish swell, and her sails flapped lazily against the +masts. In vain old Higson whistled for a wind till his cheeks were +ready to crack; not that he really believed the proceeding would produce +a breeze, or that he had any notion of the origin of the custom; but he +had always done so when there was a calm; and he wanted a wind, and the +wind, if he whistled long enough, always came. The heat was oppressive, +as it always is under such circumstances in those latitudes; the spirits +of all fell, except those of Jos Green, who was ever merry, blow high or +blow low, in sunshine or cold. The grumblers grumbled, of course, but +in lower tones than usual, like the mutterings of distant thunder; the +phlegmatic became more supine; the quarrelsome had not the energy to +dispute; the talkative were silent; and even Pat Blathermouth, who could +usually spin a yarn which lasted from the beginning to eight bells in a +watch, and then wasn't half finished, could scarcely drawl out an +oft-told tale, which was wont to make his hearers burst their sides with +laughter, but now only sent them to sleep. + +"Of course it's hot," answered jolly Jos to a remark of Higson's. "What +else would you have it here in the tropics, with the bright sun striking +down from the cloudless sky? It has its advantages, and it is better +than cold, and saves one the trouble of putting on more clothing than +decency requires." + +"But it may be the harbinger of another hurricane, and that wouldn't be +pleasant," observed Fligson. + +"No fear of a hurricane. They seldom reach so far south," answered Jos. +"Wait patiently, and we shall get the breeze before long. If not, +what's the odds? we are very happy as we are." + +"You're a salamander, or you wouldn't say that," growled Higson. + +"Just the very thing of all others it's most convenient to be just now," +answered jolly Jos, laughing. "It really isn't hotter than it has been +often before, only there are fewer hands to divide it amongst, eh? Just +do your turn in, Hig, and forget your troubles in sleep." + +"I shall be stewed if I do," moaned Higson. "I've a great mind to have +a swim." + +"It will be the last you'll ever take, old fellow, depend on that," said +Green. "Look there!" + +He pointed to the black fin of a huge shark, which the next instant, +turning up its white belly, opened its huge mouth to swallow the +contents of the cook's slush bucket. + +"See, Jack has had his soup, and will be ready for the next course, +which you proposed offering him." + +"Thank you, Jos; I've changed my mind," said Higson. "But I should not +object to catch the fellow, and take a slice out of him instead." + +A stout hook, with a bit of chain to the end of a strong line, and +baited with a piece of pork, was quickly got ready. Even the most +apathetic of the seamen were aroused with the hopes of capturing their +hated foe. A couple of running bowlines were prepared. Higson dropped +the tempting morsel, and let it sink down deep, then rapidly drew it up +again. Quick as lightning the shark darted at it, and down his throat +it went, his jaws closing with a snap which made Higson draw up his leg. +The monster's sharp teeth, however, could not bite through the chain. + +"Haul away, lads!" cried the old mate. + +While Ben Snatchblock slipped a running bowline over the creature's +head, its tail coming to the surface, he dexterously got another round +it, and, in spite of its violent struggles, it was hoisted on board. + +"Stand clear of him, lads," shouted Higson, though the men did not need +the warning. + +The crew seizing axes, capstan-bars, and boarding pikes, attacked the +captive monster, as it lay writhing on deck, lashing out furiously with +its tail, and every now and then opening its huge jaws, as if even then +it had hopes of catching one of its assailants. It showed what it could +do by biting off the head of a boarding-pike, which Ben thrust into its +mouth. With wild shouts the men sprang round it, rushing in, every now +and then, to give it a blow with an axe or capstan-bar, and leaping back +again to avoid its tail; for even though its head was nearly smashed in, +that continued striking out, and lashing the deck as furiously as at +first, till Higson came down on it with a well-aimed blow of his axe, +which instantly paralysed it, and it lay motionless. + +"We'll make sure, lads, he don't come to life again," exclaimed Ben, as +he set to work to chop off the tail. + +The head was treated in the same way; and a number of slices being cut +off the body, the remainder was thrown overboard. Murray, wondering +what the hubbub was about, had come on deck, and was an amused spectator +of the scene. The men no longer thought of the heat, and, in spite of +it, regaled themselves heartily on shark-steaks at dinner. The capture +of the shark, too, brought them good luck, they declared; for a +favourable breeze shortly afterwards sprang up, and held till the +northern coast of the South American continent was sighted. Before, +however, Carthagena, the port at which Murray had been directed to call, +first could be made, it again fell calm. He felt the delay very trying. +He had been eagerly hoping to get in by the evening, to ascertain if +anything had been heard of the _Sarah Jane_, and now another whole day +or more might pass before he could gain any information. The coast lay +in sight, its ranges of light-blue mountains looking like clouds, rising +above the horizon but proving that they were mountains by never altering +their shape or position. Higson whistled as energetically as usual, but +not a catspaw played over the surface of the mirror-like sea, and not an +inch nearer the shore did the brig move during the day. The night +passed by, and the hot sun rose once more out of the still slumbering +ocean. The day wore on, but no breeze came. The men, of course, were +not idle. Murray had from the first exercised them at their guns, and +especially in the use of the long one. He remembered the advice Admiral +Triton had given to Jack Rogers, and which Jack had repeated to him-- + +"Don't mind throwing a few rounds of shot away; you'll make the better +use of those you have remaining." + +He, accordingly, had a floating target rigged and carried out to a +distance, and each day during a calm he exercised the men at it for some +hours, till they learnt to handle their long gun with as much ease as +the carronades. + +"Though we miss that mark sometimes, we shall manage to hit a larger one +without fail if it comes in our way, my lads!" he sang out, to encourage +the crew as they were working away at it during the morning. + +After dinner the men were allowed some time to rest, and all was quiet. +An observation showed that the brig's position had not altered since the +previous noon. + +"What do you make that out to be, Green?" asked Higson, the officer of +the watch, who had been looking through his telescope towards the shore. +Green turned his glass in the same direction. + +"A boat! and she must be coming towards us," he answered, after the +delay of a minute or so. + +Higson sent him to report the circumstance to the commander, who at once +came on deck. Various were the surmises as to what could bring the boat +off to them. + +"She must have had a long pull of it, at all events," observed Higson. + +"Perhaps she had the land wind, which we don't feel out here?" said +Green. + +"Little doubt about that. She must have some urgent cause for coming +out thus far to us," remarked Murray. "Lower the gig, Mr Higson, and +go and meet her," he added immediately afterwards. "The people in the +boat are evidently tired with their long pull, and make but slow +progress." + +The gig's crew called away--she was lowered, and Higson pulled off +towards the approaching boat. Meantime, Murray walked the deck with +impatient steps. Several times he stopped, and raised his glass to his +eye, watching her eagerly. At length he saw that the gig had reached +her. The two boats were alongside each other for a minute, and then the +gig came rowing rapidly back, leaving the other behind. Murray watched +her. + +"There must be something of importance to make Higson hurry back at that +rate," he said to himself. "He has brought the people from the boat, I +see." + +As the gig drew nearer, he saw Higson stand up and wave his +handkerchief. In a few minutes more she was near enough for him to +distinguish those in her. + +"Is it possible, or do my eyes deceive me?" he exclaimed. "There's a +lad in a midshipman's uniform. If he is not Gerald Desmond, he is +wonderfully like him." + +"There can be little doubt who he is, sir," said Green, who was standing +near his commander. "If that is not Desmond I'm a Dutchman, and the man +sitting just abaft the stroke-oar is Dick Needham, who went with the +youngsters in the drogher. As they are safe, it is to be hoped the rest +escaped, too. I've often heard that midshipmen have as many lives as +cats." + +"I trust, indeed, that all have been saved," said Murray, in a grave +tone. He felt too anxious to joke with Jos just then. + +The gig was soon alongside, and Gerald Desmond, looking pale and +exhausted, was lifted on deck; Needham, with some help, managing to +follow him. + +"I am truly thankful to see you, Desmond," said Murray, as he took the +hand of the young midshipman, who was being carried aft in the arms of +two of the sailors. "Have Tom and Archy also been saved?" + +Gerald tried to reply, but no sound came from his parched throat. He +had barely strength to point with a finger to his lips. Needham was in +but little better plight, though he managed to murmur, "water--water." +Several cans-full were instantly brought by eager hands. + +"Stop, lads, you'll suffocate the poor fellows if you pour all that +water down their throats!" exclaimed McTavish, the Assistant Surgeon of +the corvette, who had been lent to the _Supplejack_. "Just a +wine-glassful at a time, with a few drops of brandy in it, will be the +best thing for them." + +While the surgeon was attending to his patients, Higson made his report +to the commander. He had found them both still trying to pull, but so +exhausted that they could scarcely move their oars. No sooner did he +get alongside than Desmond sank down in the bottom of the boat, unable +to speak. Needham, however, had had strength sufficient to tell him +that both the other midshipmen were alive, but prisoners on shore; +though how they got into prison he had not said. + +"From what I could make out, sir, I am afraid they are not the only +English in the hands of the Spaniards, or Carthagenans, or whatever the +rascals call themselves," continued Higson. "I caught the words, `the +colonel and a young lady--and no time to be lost!' but what he wished to +say more I couldn't make out, only I cannot help thinking that he must +have alluded to the colonel and his daughter, who sailed the other day +in the brig from Antigua." + +"I fear that there is no doubt about it!" exclaimed Murray, greatly +agitated. "When Needham has sufficiently recovered to speak we shall +learn more about the matter, and be able to decide what to do. Stay. +That no time may be lost, let the boats be got ready with water-casks +and provisions, and see that the crews have their cutlasses sharpened +and pistols in order. Should the calm continue I will lead an +expedition on shore, and insist on the liberation of the prisoners. The +sight of the British flag will probably put the Dons on their good +behaviour, and, if not, we must try what force can do. I will leave +you, Higson, in charge of the brig with twenty hands, and as soon as a +breeze springs up you will stand in after me, and act according to +circumstances." + +"I am afraid, sir, that if the Carthagenans, or whatever they call +themselves, are threatened with force, they will retaliate on their +prisoners," observed Higson. + +"Mongrels as they are, if they have a drop of Spanish blood running in +their veins, they would not surely injure a lady!" exclaimed Murray. + +"Not so sure of that. Whether whole or half-blooded, Spaniards are +savage fellows when their temper's up," answered Higson. "However, let +us hope for the best. All I can make out is that our friends are +prisoners, but the why and the wherefore I don't understand; only as +Desmond and Needham were evidently in a great hurry to get off to us, +I'm afraid that they must be in some danger." + +Higson's remarks contributed to make Murray feel more anxious even than +at first. The forebodings which had oppressed him since Stella and her +father left Antigua had, too, probably been realised. While Higson +issued the orders he had just received, Murray went up to where the +young midshipman and Needham had been placed under an awning, attended +by the surgeon. The cook had, meantime, been preparing some broth, a +few spoonsful of which as soon as they could swallow them, were poured +down their throats. This treatment had an almost magical effect Needham +was soon able to sit up and speak, and even Gerald, though his strength +had been more completely prostrated, recovered sufficiently soon +afterwards to give a clear account of the way they had been saved, and +of what had afterwards happened. In consequence, however, of Murray's +anxiety, they narrated the latter part of their adventures first; though +they will be better understood if they are described in their proper +sequence. + + + +CHAPTER ELEVEN. + +NEEDHAM'S NARRATIVE--THE DROGHER DRIVEN OFF FROM SABA--CAPSIZED--THE +MIDSHIPMEN SAVE THEMSELVES ON HER SIDE--TAKEN OFF BY THE SARAH JANE-- +STEER FOR CARTHAGENA--THE COLONEL ON SHORE--LOOK OUT FOR HIS RETURN. + +"You remember that night at Saba, Mr Higson, when the three young +gentlemen and I were left aboard the drogher, and you and the other +gentlemen went ashore to look after Captain Quasho, as he called +himself, and his rascally black crew," began Needham, who having +recovered his voice, was inclined to make good use of it by spinning a +long yarn. + +"I should think I did, indeed," said Higson; "but go ahead, Dick: we +want to hear how you and they were saved, for I had little hope that you +would be, when I saw the drogher driven away from her anchorage by the +hurricane." + +"Nor had I, sir, I can tell you; but I've always held that there's +nothing like trying to do one's best, in however bad a way one may seem +to be," continued Needham. "I saw that there was only one thing we +could do, and that was to run before the wind, and to try and keep the +craft above water. As to beating back, I knew that the old drogher +would either have capsized, or been driven on the rocks, if we had made +the attempt so I took the helm, got a foot of the foresail hoisted, the +hatches battened down, told the young gentlemen to lash themselves to +the rigging, if they didn't wish to be washed overboard, and let the +craft scud. It was precious dark, except every now and then, when the +flashes of lightning darted from the clouds and went zigzagging along on +either side of us, casting a red glare on the tops of the black seas, +from which the foam was blown off just for all the world as if a huge +white sheet had been drawn over them. The spoondrift, too, came +straight along our deck, over the taffrail, as if it would cut our legs +off; for, though we flew at a pretty good rate, it flew faster. As +every now and then I turned my head I couldn't help thinking that one of +thy big seas which came roaring on astern just for all the world like +one of the savage monsters I've heard tell of, eager to swallow us up, +would break down on the deck, and send us in a jiffy to the bottom. I +didn't care so much about it for myself as for the brave young lads, +likely to be admirals one of these days; but not a cry nor a word of +complaint did I hear from them. Mr Rogers, maybe, was the most plucky, +as he seemed to feel that it was his duty to set an example to his +messmates; and I could hear his voice every now and then, as they all +stood close together, lashed to the starboard rigging, and when the +lightning flashed I could just get a glimpse of their faces, looking +pale as death--not from fear, though, but contrasted, as it were, with +the darkness around. I had made myself fast you may be sure; for I +shouldn't have been long on the deck if I hadn't, as not once, but many +a time a sea came tumbling over first one quarter, then the other; and, +though it was but just the top of it, we should all of us have been +swept overboard, and if the hatches hadn't been battened down, the old +drogher would have gone to the bottom. We had managed to light the +binnacle lamp before we got from under the land, and I saw by the +compass that we were driving about south-east, so that I had no fear of +being cast on the shore of any other island, and I hoped, if we could +weather out the gale, that we might beat back to Saba. On we ran hour +after hour. It seemed to me the longest night I'd ever passed since I +came to sea. The wonder was that the drogher still kept afloat; but she +was tight and light as a cork--now she was on the top of one sea, now +climbing up the side of another. One comfort was that the longest night +must come to an end, and that the hurricane could not last for ever. We +were, I judged, too, on the skirts of it, and that if we stood on we +should in time get beyond its power. It required pretty careful +steering to keep the wind right aft, for if I had brought it ever so +little abeam the vessel would have gone clean over in a moment. I was +thankful, you may be sure, when daylight came at last--not that the +prospect round us was a pleasant one. The big seas were rolling and +leaping, and tumbling about like mad, on every side hissing and roaring, +and knocking their white heads together, as if they didn't know what +they would be at. It was a hard job to steer clear of the worst; it was +often Dobson's choice, and many came with such a plump down on the deck +that I thought after all we should be sent to Davy Jones's locker; but +the lively little craft managed to run her nose up the next mountain +sea, and to shake herself clear of the water, just as a Newfoundland dog +does when he gets ashore after a swim. The only pleasant sight was to +see the young gentlemen standing where they had been all night, and +keeping up their spirits. + +"`We are getting precious hungry, Dick,' sung out Mr Rogers, `I'm +thinking of going below to find some grub.' + +"`No, no; just stay safe where you are, sir,' I answered. `If you let +go your hold, maybe that moment we shall have a sea come aboard us and +carry you away with it, or if the companion hatch is lifted it may make +its way below and swamp us.' + +"`All right, Dick; we can manage to hold out for a few hours more,' +cried the other two. `Don't think of going, Tom; we wouldn't have you +run the risk for our sakes.' + +"From the gnawings in my own stomach I knew that the poor youngsters +must be very sharp set. However, it seemed to me that the wind was +somewhat less than it had been, and I hoped that in a few hours more the +hurricane would be over, or that we should be out of it. I told them +so, and I soon heard them laughing and talking as if nothing particular +out of the way was happening. Well, in a couple of hours or so the wind +fell, and I saw that we must have the foresail set, or run the chance of +being pooped. I told them what I wanted, and casting off their lashings +they all sprang together to the halyards, and soon had the sail hoisted +and the sheet belayed. They then made their way aft. + +"`Now I think we've earned our breakfasts,' says Mr Rogers, and +slipping off the companion hatch he dived below, while the other two +stood ready to draw it over again, in case a sea should come aboard us. +He quickly returned with some bread, meat, a bottle of wine, and a +basket of fruit. They wouldn't touch anything till they had fed me, for +they said I had had the hardest work, and saved their lives. My hands, +you see, had still enough to do in working the tiller, and my eyes, too, +for that matter, in keeping a watch on the seas; so all I could do was +just to open my mouth and let them put the food into it. All I wanted +was enough to keep body and soul together, and I then advised them to +get back to the shrouds, and to make themselves fast as before, as there +was no saying what might happen while the sea was tumbling about in its +present fashion. `You must take a swig of the wine first,' says Mr +Rogers, in his cheery way, just like the lieutenant, his brother, +holding the bottle to my mouth. I'd got a gulp or two of the liquor, +keeping my weather eye open all the time, when I saw an ugly big sea +come rolling up on our quarter. I sung out to the other two to hold +fast to the companion hatch for their lives, while I got a grip of Mr +Tom between one of my arms and the tiller. I couldn't avoid the sea. +Right over us it came, pouring down the still open hatchway, and +sweeping across the deck. I had Mr Tom safe enough, though the breath +was half squeezed out of his body; but I was afraid the others would +have been torn from their hold. Like brave-hearted youngsters as they +are they had held fast, though over head and ears in water. `Och, but +the venison has gone on a cruise,' sung out Mr Desmond, as soon as the +sea had passed clear of us, `and some big brute of a shark will be +making his breakfast of it.' + +"`Better that he should eat that than us, Paddy,' said Mr Rogers; +`don't let's fret about it, for, to say the truth, it was rather too +high to be pleasant.' He was right as to that; for the bits he put into +my mouth had a very curious taste; but it wasn't a time to be +particular, so I had taken what was given me, and said nothing. I was +thankful when I saw that the three lads had safely lashed themselves to +the starboard shrouds as before. The day was wearing on, and I was +beginning to feel that I'd rather not have to stand on my legs much +longer, though the hope that the hurricane would quickly blow itself out +kept me up. At last, I calculated about seven bells in the afternoon +watch, it fell almost a dead calm, though we happily kept steerage way +on the craft, for the sea tumbled about almost as madly as before, and +it was a difficult job to prevent its breaking aboard. However we +managed to set the mainsail, and I hoped we should soon have smoother +water. + +"One never can tell what tricks the wind will play. Suddenly, as you +may see sometimes a hulking giant knock down a little chap with a blow +of his fist, a sea struck the drogher on the starboard beam; and before +a sheet could be let fly over she went. It was a mercy that the three +young gentlemen were holding on at the time to the weather rigging. +They all scrambled in a moment on to the chains, where I, making my way +along the bulwarks, quickly joined them. I can't say that they were +frightened exactly, but they didn't like it, which was but natural; no +more did I. + +"`What's going to happen next?' asked Mr Rogers quite calmly. + +"`The hatches being on, the craft won't fill, and maybe when the squall +has passed over another sea may right her,' I answered, as I saw that +there was a chance of that happening. + +"The squall didn't last ten minutes, and directly afterwards there was a +flat calm, and the sea went down wonderfully fast. Still the drogher +lay over on her side and gave no signs of righting. Mr Desmond +proposed cutting away the mast. + +"`That mightn't help us,' I answered; `I've an idea that the ballast has +shifted over to port, and that with the water in her keeps the craft +down. We must wait till the sea is smooth, and then we'll get the +companion hatch off and have a look below; we may be able to bale the +water out, and shift enough of the ballast to right her; but as long as +the sea is running it's safer to trust to Providence, and to hold on +with hands and teeth where we are, and-- + +"`Poor Spider, I'm afraid he'll have an uncomfortable time of it, left +all alone in the dark below, and not knowing what can have happened to +the vessel,' said Mr Rogers, as if he thought the monkey more to be +pitied than himself or us. + +"The poor brute had been made fast below, to keep him out of mischief, +when they went on shore, and had remained there since. I had an idea +that he was very likely drowned if he was over on the lee side, but I +didn't say so for fear of grieving his young masters. Thinks I to +myself, if we are hard up for grub, whether dead or alive, he'll serve +us for a meal or two at all events. + +"Having no longer the steering of the craft to attend to, as evening +drew on I began to feel very drowsy, and it made me fear that the +youngsters, who would be getting sleepy, likewise, to a certainty might +drop off into the water and be drowned, or be grabbed by a shark. The +thought had no sooner come into my head than I saw one of the brutes +swimming by and casting his two wicked eyes up at us. I roused myself +up in a moment, and getting hold of some lashings, pointed him out to +the young gentlemen. When I told them what I feared, they did not +object to my making them all fast to the chains with their legs along +the shrouds. I afterwards secured myself close to them on the bulwarks. +I hadn't been there many minutes before I went off into a sort of +sleep, though it wasn't exactly sleep, because I knew where I was, and +never forgot what had happened. I could hear, too, the voices of my +young companions, trying by talking to keep each other awake, though it +was a hard job for them, poor lads. The seas, do ye see, had been +washing over us all the time, and even now, though they broke less +heavily than before, pretty often nearly smothered us, but even they +could not make me keep my eyes open. Darkness soon came down upon the +ocean, but it was growing calmer and calmer, and I could feel that the +vessel was no longer tossed and tumbled about, while the voices of the +midshipmen ceased to sound in my ears. I tried to rouse myself up. +That was, however, more than I could do, and at last I dropped off into +a real sound sleep. When I awoke the vessel lay as quietly as in a +mill-pond, and not a sound was to be heard except the soft lap of the +water against the hull. I couldn't even hear the breathing of the +midshipmen, and for a moment the dreadful thought came to me that they +were dead, or had got loose somehow or other, and had slipped into the +sea. I lifted myself up so that I could reach the shrouds. There they +were safe enough, and all as fast asleep as they could have been in +their hammocks. I wouldn't awake them, as I thought the sleep would do +them good. I myself had no wish to go to sleep again, so I sat up +watching the bright stars shining out of the clear sky, and thinking +whether it would be possible to get the vessel righted; and if not, what +chance there was if we could form a raft of reaching one of the islands, +or falling in with a passing vessel. To my mind a man's a coward who +cries die while there's life in him, and I determined, with the help of +Him who I knew right well looks after poor Jack, to do my best to save +myself and the young midshipmen. These things gave me enough to think +about for the rest of that long night. At last the light of day came +back, the stars grew dim, and presently the sun, like a huge ball of +fire, with a blaze of red all around him over the sky, rose out of the +glass-like sea. I knew that it was going to be blazing hot, and that we +should feel it terribly. The midshipmen awaking, were much surprised to +find that it was light again already, and couldn't believe that they had +slept through the night. Having cast off their lashings they began to +move about to stretch their cramped limbs, not that there was much space +for that. + +"`Now, messmates,' said Mr Rogers, `there's one thing we ought to do +before we think of anything else, and that is, to thank God for having +preserved us through the night, and to pray to Him to protect us, and to +take us ashore in safety. Needham, you'll join us, I know.' + +"`Of course, I will, sir,' says I, and well pleased I was to hear the +youngster speak in that way without any shamefacedness. It was just +what I'd been thinking, for if a man dare not ask God to help him, he +must be in a bad way indeed. + +"Without another word we all knelt on the side of the vessel, and a +right good honest prayer did Mr Rogers offer up. No parson or bishop +either could have prayed a better, though he might have put more words +into it. The young gentleman, do ye see, knew exactly what we all +wanted, and that's just what he asked God to give us, and no more. + +"`And now, Needham, what do you consider is the first thing we ought to +do?' said Mr Rogers, as soon as he had finished. + +"`Let us try and get some water,' sang out Mr Desmond. `I'm terribly +thirsty, I could drink a bucketful if I had it. + +"`So could I, for my thrapple is as dry as a dustbin,' added Mr Gordon. + +"`As to that, I am not better than either of you,' says Mr Rogers, `but +I thought that I'd try to hold out as long as I could.' + +"`Well,' says I, `I'll make my way below and see what I can bring up. +Water will be better than wine or spirits, and if I can find any you +shall have it.' + +"`No, no, Needham, you stay where you are,' says Mr Rogers. `Just pass +a rope aft and I'll make it fast round my waist till I can get the hatch +off. The water is pretty well up to the coamings already, and my weight +won't make the difference which yours might.' + +"He seemed to think that there was more danger than I did--that the +weight of a single man might capsize the craft altogether. I believed +that if we had all gone below together it wouldn't have mattered. +However, I did as he ordered me. It was a sliding-hatch, you remember, +and he soon got it off far enough to let himself down into the cabin. +We all sat watching for him to come back again. At last I heard his +voice singing out to me to hoist away. Looking down I saw him seated on +the companion hatch with Master Spider, the monkey clinging to his neck +while he was making fast the end of the rope to a basket full of all +sorts of things which he had collected below. I hauled it up, and he +followed with Spider. + +"`Water! water!' cried the others. + +"`I couldn't find a drop,' he answered, `but I've brought some oranges +and a bottle of wine. It's the last in the locker, so we must take care +how we use it.' There was just one orange apiece, and for my part I'd +have given a five-pound note for mine rather than go without it. As to +the wine we couldn't touch it, though we were glad of some before long. +The only solid food we had was biscuit, for the fish and venison had +gone bad, and we were not sharp set enough to eat it; but then we had, +besides the oranges, several sorts of fruit; their outlandish names I +never can remember. Though they didn't put much strength into us they +were what we wanted, seeing that we had no water to moisten our throats. +Still, while they and the biscuits lasted, and the monkey Spider to +fall back on, I wasn't afraid of starving, though I didn't say anything +to the young gentlemen about him, as I knew they wouldn't like the +thoughts of feeding on their pet. When we had finished our breakfasts +we began to talk of what we had best do. We had the choice of three +things, to try and right the drogher, to make a raft out of her spars +and upper works, or to sit quietly where we were till some vessel should +come by and take us off. At last I got leave from Mr Rogers to go +below, and judge what chance there was of righting the craft. I soon +saw that without buckets we should never be able to bale her out. There +wasn't one to be found, nor would the pump work, while, as I had +guessed, the ballast had shifted over to the port side, so till we could +free her of water we couldn't reach that; besides, it would have been a +difficult matter to get it back to its place. As I was groping about in +the hold I came upon two water-casks. Here is a prize I thought, but +the bungs were out, and the only water in them was salt. At last I went +back with my report. + +"`Then we must set to and build a raft,' said Mr Rogers, nothing +daunted. + +"`How are we to cut away the spars and bulwarks without axes?' asked Mr +Gordon. `It would be a hard job to do it with our knives and hands.' + +"`You are right, my boy, and faith, the only thing we can do that I can +see is to sit quiet, and wait till Providence sends us help,' says Mr +Desmond, quite calmly. `We should be thankful that the old tub keeps +above water. + +"We were all agreed as to this. When I came to think of it, I saw that +without a single axe or tool of any sort there was no hope of making a +raft fit to carry tins, though it had seemed possible to me in the +night-time, when I was half asleep. The midshipman was right, all we +could do was to sit quiet, and look out for a sail. I made another trip +below, and got up some more biscuit and fruit and three pots of +preserves, which were very welcome, and some nuts for Spider. These we +put into the basket, which was secured to the rigging. I then shut to +the companion hatch, and sat down on the bulwarks. The sun soon dried +out clothes, but we shouldn't have minded having them wet to have +escaped the heat. As the sun rose in the sky it grew hotter and hotter, +but not a word of complaint did the young gentlemen utter. All day long +they sat talking to each other, or amusing themselves with Spider. They +kept him fast by his chain for fear of his slipping off the vessel's +side. If he had done so he would have been down the throat of a shark +in an instant, for the brutes had found us out, and I saw half a score +at a time cruising round the wreck as if they expected a feast before +long. It wasn't pleasant, and I couldn't help sometimes thinking that +they would not be disappointed. I kept my eye turning round the horizon +in the hopes of seeing the signs of a breeze which might bring up a +vessel to our help. I looked in vain. The ocean shone like a sheet of +glass--not a cat's-paw even for a moment played over its surface. We +ate but little, even the fruit did not take away our thirst. It was +water we wanted, and without it the rum, of which we had plenty, was of +no use. It tasted like fire when we put it to our lips, so the young +gentlemen would not touch it. + +"The scorching day came to an end at last. The night gave us some +relief, and then Mr Rogers served out half a glass of wine to each of +us with our biscuit and fruit. We made ourselves fast to the rigging as +we had done the night before, and the midshipmen went to sleep with +Spider nestling down among them, just as if they had been accustomed to +it all their lives. Before I could close my eyes I made certain that +they were secure--I don't mean to say that they slept all the night +through. I several times heard them talking, and even joking, trying to +keep up each other's spirits, and then they would get drowsy and go to +sleep, and then rouse up again and have another yarn. I couldn't sleep +many minutes together, for I couldn't help thinking of what might befall +the poor young gentlemen if the calm was to continue, for the fruit was +spoiling, we had only an orange apiece for the next morning, and the +wine and dry biscuit without water wouldn't keep life in them many +hours, while another day's sun was striking down on their heads--I might +hold out long after they were gone. This was the thing that troubled +me. I couldn't lie quiet, and I was every ten minutes getting up and +looking round, though I knew well enough that without wind no vessel +could come near us. Towards morning I fell asleep for a longer spell. +I was awoke by the sun coming into my eyes, and looking round what +should I see but Master Spider sitting close to the basket of +provisions, sucking away at an orange in his paws. I shouted out to the +rascal, who only looked up and grinned and chattered as much as to say, +`I want my breakfast as much as you do.' My voice awoke his masters, +who starting up, saw what their friend was about. The rascal had +already eaten two of our precious oranges, and had just begun a third. +When Mr Rogers took it from him, Master Spider seemed to think he was +very hardly treated, and grinned, and chattered, and tried to get hold +of it again. + +"`There's no use punishing the poor brute,' said the young gentleman; +`he only acted according to his nature, and of course he thinks that he +has as much right to the fruit as we have, only he ought not to have +taken more than his proper share.' + +"Those two oranges, with some biscuit, served us for breakfast, and +after that, except the remainder of the wine and some rum, we hadn't a +drop of liquid to drink. The sea was as calm and the sun as hot as the +day before, and we all soon became fearfully thirsty. Unable to bear it +longer I again went below to have another search for water. I looked +into every locker; I hunted through the hold, and examined every hole +and corner in the forepeak, but to no purpose. I discovered, however, +what made me more uneasy than ever--that the water was leaking in +through the deck. It came in very slowly, but I had marked a line when +I was down before, and I found since then that it had risen nearly half +an inch. I couldn't hide from myself that the vessel was sinking. I +said nothing about it to the young gentlemen when, having shut the +hatch, I climbed back to my place. It went to my heart to hear them +still joking and laughing, in spite of their hunger and thirst, when I +thought that in two or three days at furthest their merry voices would +be silenced by death. They didn't keep up their joking long, for as the +sun got higher the heat became greater, and roasted out their spirits, +as it were, poor fellows, in spite of what each one in turn did to keep +them up. Spider was the only one of the party who was as merry as ever, +for the heat didn't hurt him, and he kept frisking about to the end of +his chain, trying, when he thought he was not watched, to get at the +basket to see if there were any more oranges or any other fruit to his +taste in it. + +"`Well, Needham, don't you think matters will mend soon?' says Mr +Rogers to me, seeing that I had been sitting silent and downcast for a +long time. `We surely shall have a breeze before the evening, and some +craft or other coming to look for us.' For the life of me I couldn't +say `yes.' I shook my head--I was beginning to lose all hope. At noon +Mr Rogers served out half a glass of wine to each of us and some +biscuit. This put a little more life into me, and I again took to +thinking whether we could form a raft with the bulkheads and lining of +the cabin, which we might tear away by main strength, and the two empty +water-casks, and the hatches, and the gaff and boom. The job would be +to lash them together; for though we might stand on the bulwarks which +were under water, there would be no small danger of being carried off by +the sharks swarming round us. At all events, if the craft was to sink, +as I made no doubt she would, we should have a struggle for life, +instead of going down with her and being eaten up by the sharks. It +cost me a good deal to say it, but at last I told the young gentlemen +that I was sure the vessel wouldn't float much longer, and what I +proposed doing. + +"`Don't let us lose any time about doing it, then,' says Mr Rogers, +jumping up as brisk as possible; `we'll get the two casks from below, +and lash the stoutest pieces of board we can tear from the bulkheads on +the top of them. This will make a small raft, and I will go out on it +and cut away the gaff and get out the topmast.' + +"While he was speaking I saw him turn his eye to the eastward. + +"`See! see there comes the breeze; and look--yes, I am sure of it--a +sail! a sail!' + +"He was right. Just rising above the dark blue line which marked the +coming breeze were the royals of a vessel, standing directly towards us; +her topgallant-sails quickly appeared, and in a short time we could see +half-way down her topsails. We were so eagerly watching her that we +forgot all about the raft we had intended putting together. The young +gentlemen made no doubt that the stranger would pass close to us, but I +had my fears that, low down as we were, we might not be seen. This made +me sorry that we had not built the small raft, that one of us might +paddle off to the stranger should she seem as if about to pass at any +moderate distance from us. As there was still time I made my way below +to bring up the casks. As I was feeling for them in the hold my legs +struck against a pretty long spar. I hauled it out and handed it up to +the midshipmen. `This will serve as a signal-staff,' I said; `it will +give us a good chance of being seen by the stranger, and I'll try to +find a flag.' The drogher's ensign was in an after-locker. We soon +made it fast to the spar, which we then set up. By this time we could +see that the stranger was a brig, and unless she altered her course that +she would not pass very far from us. On she quickly came; cat's-paws +were already playing over the smooth water; presently the breeze itself +struck our cheeks. How cool and pleasant it felt; hunger and thirst +were forgotten. The midshipmen tried to shout--their hollow voices +showed how much they had suffered. I wasn't quite so happy as they +were, for it seemed to me that the brig would pass not much short of a +mile from us, and that we might not after all be seen. I couldn't help +saying so. + +"`Sooner than that I'll swim off to her,' says Mr Rogers. + +"`You forget the sharks, sir,' I answered. + +"Just then the brig, altering her course, stood directly for us. We +were seen; of that there could be no doubt. We all stood up, and waved +and shouted at the top of our voices; even Spider, who sprang up on the +shoulders of Mr Rogers, seemed to understand that there was something +in the wind, and chattered and grinned with delight. + +"The brig was a large, rakish craft, with a black hull, and as I looked +at her I had some doubts about her character. It struck me, indeed, +that she was the same wicked-looking vessel I had seen come into English +Harbour the day we sailed in the drogher. However, we couldn't be worse +off aboard her than we were, and I couldn't suppose that any human +beings would leave us to perish. Before long she let fly her +topgallant-sails and royals, clewed up her topsails and courses, and a +boat was lowered, which pulled towards us. + +"`We must not leave our change of clothes behind us,' says Mr Gordon. +`My carpet-bag is in the starboard berth.' + +"`I'll get the bags for you, young gentlemen,' says I, for I did not +like to trust any of them below again, for fear of accidents. I jumped +down as I said this, and by the time, after groping about for them, I +had got hold of the three bags, the boat was alongside. + +"`Jump in, my lads,' sung out the mate in charge of her; `we have no +time to stop.' + +"The young gentlemen and Master Spider had scrambled down into her. `We +are not going without Needham, though,' they all sang out together, just +as I got my head up the companion hatch. + +"`What, is there another of you?' said the mate. `Be smart, my man, or +I must leave you behind.' + +"`Thank you, sir, but I would rather go,' says I, as I made a leap into +the boat, with the carpet-bags, just as the bow-man was shoving off. +While we were pulling for the brig the mate asked how we came to be +there. Mr Rogers told him in a few words. + +"`I heard say in English Harbour that you were supposed to be lost,' he +observed. + +"I was then sure that the brig was the craft I had seen there. We were +soon alongside. Who should we see as we stepped on deck but the old +colonel and his daughter, and the little black girl Polly, who came with +us from Trinidad. They seemed mightily pleased at finding that we were +not drowned; especially the young lady, who told the midshipmen how +anxious every one on board the frigate had been about them. Mr Rogers +had to go over the whole story again. + +"`It's pleasant to find that we are of some account in the world,' says +Mr Desmond, in his offhand Irish way; `but if you please, Miss O'Regan, +we are as hungry as hounds, and as thirsty as hippopotami, and I'm sure +you'll say a good word to get us something to eat and drink.' + +"`Bless my heart,' exclaimed the colonel, `I forgot, my boys, that you +had been hanging on to the drogher's bottom for the last three days, on +short allowance.' + +"`Yes, sir,' says I, thinking it was as well to speak on my own account, +for he didn't seem to understand that I had been with them; `the young +gentlemen and I had nothing to stow away in our insides all that time +but hard tack and rotten fruit.' + +"`You shall have supper, then, this moment, my lads,' says the colonel, +and having shouted to the steward to put some food on the table, he +invited the midshipmen to go below. + +"`And I hope this poor man, who has suffered as much as they have, may +come too,' says the young lady, and I blessed her sweet face as she +spoke. + +"`Of course,' says the colonel, `he might fare but badly forward.' + +"The skipper, a dark-looking chap, who had been walking the deck all the +time, scarcely stopping to welcome us aboard, looked daggers at me, but +I didn't mind him. + +"`Come along, Needham, you saved our lives, and should be the first +attended to,' says Mr Rogers kindly to me; I, of course, know my place, +and that it isn't for the likes of me to sit down to table with my +betters; but just then, if the Queen herself had asked me to take a +snack with her, I'd have said, `Yes, marm, please your ladyship, with +the greatest pleasure in the world.' + +"The steward soon had all sorts of good things on the table, but there +was one above all others I wanted most, and that was a big jug of water; +I could have put it to my mouth and drained it dry. The young gentlemen +filled up their tumblers, and passed on the jug to me. + +"`Stop,' says the colonel, `you shall temper the water with claret.' +But before he could finish speaking, the glasses were drained dry. We +held them out again, however, and the colonel and the young lady filled +them up, half-and-half, with wine and water. This brought back our +appetites, and we turned to with a will, the colonel's daughter filling +up our plates with a smile, to watch how we ate. When I'd had enough I +got up and made my bow, and the colonel told the steward to get me a +berth somewhere, as he was sure I should be glad to turn in and take a +snooze. He was right, for my eyes were winking, and the young gentlemen +were pretty nigh asleep in their chairs. There were two spare cabins, +and they were in them, with their eyes shut, before I had made my last +scrape and bow at the cuddy-door. The steward told me to turn into his +cot, and it didn't take me long before I was as sound asleep as I ever +was in my life. When I turned out the next morning, I found that the +young gentlemen were still snoozing away. They didn't turn out till +noon, and even then they kept rubbing their eyes as if they hadn't had +enough sleep yet. Otherwise, they seemed in no way the worse for what +they had gone through. In the meantime, the young lady had sent for me +aft, and asked all sorts of questions about our cruise, which Mr Rogers +hadn't told her, and spoke ever so kindly to me. I thought as she was +talking that there wasn't anything in the world I wouldn't do for her. +The colonel also had his say, and after telling me that he was sure I +was a brave, trustworthy fellow, asked me should I like to go ashore +with him, and assist him in an adventure he had in hand. I answered, +that though I liked a spree on shore as well as others, that it was my +duty to stick by the three young gentlemen to look after them, and to +see them safe aboard the frigate again by the first opportunity. He +seemed somewhat taken aback, and said nothing more. + +"The dark-looking skipper, Captain Crowhurst they called him, hadn't as +much as spoken to me, nor had the mate, and it's my belief that if it +hadn't been for the colonel and his daughter they would have left us to +perish on the wreck. There was something I didn't like in either of +them, and I made sure that they were about no good. After I had spoken +my mind to the colonel, he didn't seem quite as friendly as at first, +though his daughter was just the same. The young gentlemen made +themselves happy, as they were sure to do, with plenty of grub, and no +watch to keep. The skipper, however, told me that as I couldn't be kept +for nothing, I must go forward and do duty. Of course I said, `Yes, +sir; it's what I'm always ready for.' I managed to make friends with +the ship's company, though they were a rough lot of blacks, browns, and +whites, and while I remained aboard I worked as hard as any of them. + +"We had fine weather, with light winds, and in about a fortnight we +sighted this here coast. All the time we hadn't fallen in with any +vessel bound for Jamaica, or indeed any English craft. Instead of +steering for Carthagena, or one of the larger places, we put into a +small harbour, called Sapote, some miles away from the chief town. I +forgot to say that the day after we were taken off the wreck we had +fallen in with a sloop, the _Billy_, which kept company with us, and now +anchored astern of the brig. The skipper of the _Billy_ came aboard, +and from the way he and the colonel and Captain Crowhurst talked, I +guessed that there was something in the wind. As soon as it was dark, a +boat from the shore came off, bringing an officer-like looking Spaniard, +who shook hands with the colonel as if they were old friends. The +colonel introduced the skipper to the stranger, and after another long +talk we were ordered to get up a number of cases from the hold, and to +lower them into the boat alongside. Two of our boats, with one from the +sloop, were then got ready, with their crews all armed. The colonel and +the stranger went in one of them, and the two skippers in the other, +leaving the mate in charge. Just as they were ready to shove off, the +colonel and his daughter came on deck, followed by the three +midshipmen." + +"`Oh, father, may Heaven protect you, but I cannot help trembling for +the danger you run,' I heard the young lady say. + +"`No danger at all,' he answered, in a cheery tone; `and I am sure that +my three young friends here will take very good care of you.' + +"`That we will, that we will;' they all cried out together, and thinks I +to myself, `and so will I as long as I've an arm to strike with, or a +head to think what to do.' + +"Away the boats pulled into the darkness; there wasn't a light to be +seen on shore; indeed, there didn't appear to be many houses +thereabouts. Mr Rogers came on deck again after the young lady and +they had gone below. + +"`I am sorry to find the brig engaged in this sort of work,' he said; +`there is to be a rebellion or something of that sort on shore, and if +the colonel is caught it will be a serious matter for him, and, what is +worse still, for his daughter. What do you think of it, Needham?' + +"`What you do, sir,' says I; `I wish that he was safe aboard again, and +that we were on our way back to Jamaica; but I don't think the skipper +is likely to steer northward, till he has landed the whole of his cargo, +and a good portion of it consists of arms and warlike stores.' + +"While we were talking the mate came aft, and asked Mr Rogers, somewhat +rudely, if he was going to take charge of the deck, while he ordered me +forward. + +"`I shall be very happy, if you wish it,' said Mr Rogers. + +"`Maybe if you do the ship will run away with you, my lad,' said the +mate, with a sneer. + +"I didn't hear more, but I saw Mr Rogers walking the deck quite as if +he didn't mind what the mate had said, and was officer of the watch. It +was my opinion, from the way the skipper and first mate behaved to the +young gentlemen and me, that they wanted us to leave the ship, so that +we might not be spies on their actions. I waited till I saw the first +mate go below and the second mate come on deck. He was a quiet sort of +young man, and he and Mr Rogers were on friendly terms. I then went +aft. They seemed anxious, from what they were saying, about the colonel +not coming back by that time. While they were talking, the young lady, +with Polly, came on deck, and heard some of their remarks before they +knew she was near them. + +"`Oh, Mr Rogers, do you really think the people on shore will interfere +with my father?' she asked. `He surely ought to have returned by this +time.' + +"`We are expecting him every moment, Miss O'Regan,' answered Mr Rogers, +putting her off as it were, and not wishing to say what he thought. +`All seems perfectly quiet on shore.' + +"The other young gentlemen had followed her on deck, and they all three +tried to persuade her to go below again, telling her that they were +afraid she might suffer from the night air. Still she stood looking out +towards the shore; but no lights were seen, and no sound of oars could +we hear. At last Mr Rogers said, just as if he was a grown man,--`You +know, Miss O'Regan, that the colonel put you under our charge, and we +must respectfully insist on your going below. You may suffer from the +night air coming off the shore, and you cannot hasten the colonel's +return by remaining on deck. We will let you know immediately he +appears or that we can get tidings of him.' + +"If it had been Lieutenant Rogers or the captain himself saying this, +neither of them could have spoken more firmly. + +"`I will do as you advise, and trust to your promise,' said the young +lady, and she and her maid went below, helped down the companion ladder +by Mr Gordon and Mr Desmond. + +"After this one or the other was constantly coming on deck, sent by Miss +O'Regan, to learn if the boats were returning. I felt somehow as if all +was not right, and I could not bring myself to leave Mr Rogers, who +didn't go below all night, except for a few minutes to get supper." + + + +CHAPTER TWELVE. + +NEEDHAM'S NARRATIVE (CONTINUED)--THE SARAH JANE CAPTURED BY CARTHAGENAN +FLEET--THE COLONEL AND HIS DAUGHTER, WITH THE MIDSHIPMEN, CONVEYED ON +BOARD THE ENEMY'S CORVETTE--CARRIED TO PRISON IN CARTHAGENA--THE COLONEL +SEPARATED FROM HIS DAUGHTER--STELLA, AND THE MIDSHIPMEN, WITH NEEDHAM, +PLACED IN AN UPPER ROOM--THE GAOLER'S WIFE--PLANS FOR ESCAPING--DESMOND +AND NEEDHAM GET OUT--REACH THE CONSULATE--ALARM IN THE HOUSEHOLD--OBTAIN +A BOAT, AND GO IN SEARCH OF THE CONSUL--DRIVEN OUT TO SEA. + +"The night I was speaking of seemed almost as long as those we spent on +the wreck. Just at dawn the first mate came on deck. + +"`No sign of the boats yet?' he asked, in an anxious tone. + +"`Yes, I hear them!' exclaimed Mr Rogers, and after listening for a +minute or so to be sure that he was right, he went below to tell Miss +O'Regan. She and the three midshipmen were presently on deck. + +"`The boats are pulling very fast; you'll soon have the colonel on +board,' said Mr Rogers to the young lady, as she stood eagerly looking +towards the shore, where we could as yet see nothing on account of the +mist which still hung over it. + +"`Good reason they have for coming fast, I suspect,' suddenly cried the +first mate, who was turning an eye to the offing. The darkness of night +had then pretty nearly rolled away. `What do any of you fancy those +craft are out there?' + +"`Why,' says I, `I make out a ship, and a brig, and a couple of +schooners. The first are men-of-war, I judge, by the squareness of +their yards, and they are standing for the harbour. They have been +creeping along shore with the land-wind during the night, or they +wouldn't be where they are.' + +"The second mate agreed with me. + +"`I don't see what cause we have to fear them, seeing that England is at +peace with all the world,' says I to him. + +"`I do though, if they belong to the Carthagenan government,' he +answered. `I wish we were well out of the harbour, that I do.' + +"While we were watching the strangers, Captain Crowhurst came alongside +in his gig, and almost before he was on deck he shouted out,--`Hands +aloft! Loose sails! Stand by to slip the cable!' + +"No time for weighing! + +"`Oh, where is my father?' I heard the young lady ask him. `He'll be +here soon, I suppose,' he answered gruffly, and turning away, he +muttered, `If it hadn't been for his obstinacy we should have been well +out at sea by this time.' + +"The few hands sprang aloft to loose sails, the skipper went to the +helm, and the mates stood ready to unshackle the cable, while the gig's +crew hoisted up their boat. I really thought that Captain Crowhurst was +going to sail without waiting for the colonel. I heard him order the +midshipmen, who were talking together, to lend a hand in getting the +ship under weigh if they didn't wish to be run up to the yard-arm. The +poor young lady was in a state of great agitation at seeing what was +happening. + +"`We'll not touch a rope till the colonel is on board,' says Mr Rogers; +`he is our friend, and we'll not allow him to be basely deserted. We +are not under your command either, if it comes to that.' + +"At this the skipper swore fearfully, and, seizing a rope's end, seemed +as if he would have given a taste of it to the midshipmen all round, +when the young lady, stepping before him, told him that he was a coward, +and dared him to strike them. He went back to the wheel without +answering. I had been keeping a look-out for the boats. Daylight was +increasing, and I now saw them coming off, the men bending to their oars +as if they were in chase of an enemy. They soon dashed up alongside, +and the colonel came on deck, looking as cool as if nothing particular +had happened, though by the way the men sprang on board and hauled away +at the falls, and then turned to at loosing sails, I judged that they +knew there was no time to be lost. The cable was let run out, the sails +were sheeted home, and, with a light breeze off the land, we stood out +of the harbour, followed by the sloop. I saw the colonel talking to his +daughter, who seemed terribly alarmed; but he laughed and looked at the +strangers about two miles off on the starboard bow, and then he pointed +ahead as if he expected to get out of the harbour before they were up to +us; I had my doubts, however, whether we should. The midshipmen then +came up to him, as I supposed, to say how glad they were that he had got +safe on board. He answered them very shortly, and taking the young lady +by the hand led her below. Soon afterwards Mr Rogers came for'ard to +where I was standing. + +"`I suspect, Needham, that the colonel has got into some scrape on +shore,' said he. `It is clear from that officer coming off to her that +the brig was expected on the coast, and probably those men-of-war are +sent to overhaul her. Do you think that we shall get out to sea before +they come up with us? and if we don't, can we beat them off?' + +"`To be honest with you, Mr Rogers, I don't think that there's much +chance of our escaping them, and as to beating them off, even if the +fellows aboard here would fight, we couldn't do it, unless they take +fright at the sound of our pop-guns,' I answered. + +"`We must try to frighten them, at all events,' he said. `It won't do +to let a band of ruffians come aboard and frighten Miss O'Regan, and +perhaps carry off the colonel, if they have any accusation against him.' + +"I told him that must depend on what the Spaniards knew about the brig. +It wasn't likely that two men-of-war could be frightened off by a +merchantman, though we had four guns and might put a bold face on the +matter. + +"The other midshipmen now came forward, and stood with us watching the +strangers. There was a chance, but only just a chance, that we should +escape them. The skipper and the mates seemed to be in a great taking. +The corvette was coming up fast, and the brig of war not far astern of +her, carrying all the sail they could set. + +"The breeze still held, the corvette by this time was about a mile and a +half away on our starboard bow; the skipper began to look as if we +should do it, and I thought so too, when, just then, our sails began to +hang down, and presently flapped loudly against the masts; the skipper +gave a stamp with his foot on the deck, and swore a loud oath. There we +lay becalmed, while the corvette and brig still felt the wind off the +land. + +"`It's all up with us, I'm afraid,' said I to Mr Rogers. + +"`It's high time to show our teeth,' he answered. + +"`Captain Crowhurst, you'll fight those fellows if they attempt to board +us, won't you?' he said, going up to the skipper. `If you will run all +the guns over to starboard we can give them a broadside which ten to one +will make them sheer off rather than get a further taste of our +quality.' + +"The skipper smiled grimly. `But suppose they don't sheer off; depend +on it they will cut the throats of every one of us when they come +aboard. What do you say to that, my young gentleman?' + +"`I'd run the risk rather than let the ruffians take the vessel from +us,' answered Mr Rogers, turning away to speak to the colonel, who had +that moment come on deck. He looked up at the canvas hanging idly down +against the masts, and then at the strangers still creeping up towards +us. + +"The wind was leaving them as it had us, and he saw in a moment how +matters stood. + +"Mr Rogers told him that he and the other midshipmen were ready to +fight and defend the brig to the last. + +"`You're brave lads,' he answered. `I thank you heartily. If Captain +Crowhurst thinks there's a chance of beating them off we'll risk it, but +otherwise, for the sake of my daughter, it would be dangerous to make +the attempt.' + +"`It's for her sake, sir, that we are anxious to fight,' answered Mr +Rogers. + +"`Captain Crowhurst, will your crew support you?' asked the colonel of +the skipper, who had just gone up to him. + +"`I doubt it,' he answered. `The fellows are brave enough, but the odds +are fearfully against us. I'll speak to them, and learn what humour +they are in.' + +"You'll understand I'd gone aft with the midshipmen. The skipper went +forward, and we saw him speaking to the crew, who were clustered +together, talking among each other. + +"In my opinion the skipper himself hadn't much fighting in him, bold and +blustering as he seemed. While he was forward the young lady came on +deck. She judged by the midshipmen's countenances that something was +wrong, though her father looked as stern and determined as usual. + +"`I fear that you will be put to some inconvenience,' he said; `those +men-of-war I suspect are sent to overhaul the brig, and, becalmed as we +are, we cannot escape them, but I am very sure that our young friends +here will defend you from insult, and our enemies may be satisfied if +they can get hold of the captain and me.' + +"`That we will,' said all the midshipmen together. + +"`Oh, my father, do not let me be separated from you. Where you go I +will accompany you,' said Miss O'Regan. + +"`But I hope that the colonel will not have to go anywhere,' exclaimed +Mr Rogers. `We must drive the fellows off if they attempt to board the +brig.' + +"`I thank you for your zeal and courage, young gentlemen,' said the +colonel. `You see, Stella, that you have brave defenders. I wish you +to go below, and rest assured that we will do all that possibly can be +done to secure your safety.' + +"`But I am thinking about your safety, father,' said Miss O'Regan. + +"`I have been too often in danger to be anxious about that,' he +answered. `Go below, and we'll let you know as soon as possible what is +likely to happen.' + +"Without saying another word the young lady did as the colonel told her. +I had been watching the men forward, and I soon saw by their looks that +there was no fighting in them; presently three or four of them slipped +below, the others, after saying a few more words to the skipper, +followed, and I then knew that they had made up their minds not to +fight; they had gone to put on their best clothes, and to stow their +money away in their pockets, guessing that if the Spaniards boarded us +they would to a certainty plunder the vessel. + +"The skipper came aft, looking very downcast. `The men won't fight, and +we must make the best of a bad bargain,' he said to the colonel. +`There's no chance of a breeze, and see, the corvette and brig are +lowering their boats, and we shall have the fellows aboard us in a few +minutes.' + +"The sloop lay becalmed close to us; her skipper, Captain Judson, came +aboard, and walked about the deck like a madman. + +"`Those fellows will hang every mother's son of us!' he cried out, +pulling off his hat, and tearing away at his hair. `What a fool I was +to engage in this sort of work! Colonel O'Regan, can't you advise us +what we are to do?' + +"`You knew the risk, and you and I must take the consequences,' answered +the colonel quite coolly. `I can only advise you to act like brave men, +whatever our enemies chance to do with us; don't let them have cause to +treat us with contempt.' + +"As neither the young gentlemen nor I had more clothes than those on our +backs, we weren't troubled at what we should lose; but for the colonel +and the skipper and mates, it was a very different matter. They might +not only lose their property and the cargo, but their lives were in no +little danger, I guessed, from what I heard them say. + +"The boats came towards us, five from the corvette and three from the +brig. As they got near I saw that the men were laying on their oars, as +if they expected we should fight--you see we had the English flag flying +at our peak, and they knew pretty well that Englishmen are not inclined +to give in without striking a blow--I thought that the colonel and the +skipper would have acted very differently; but they knew that they were +not altogether right, and that made them knock under in the way they +would not otherwise have done. When the boats came within musket-shot, +the men lay on their oars as if they expected should they come nearer +that we should fire on them--the officers seemed to be consulting +together--and then they made up their minds to attack us, and came on +altogether in a line. If our crew had consented to fight it would have +been pretty tough work, I must own that, and maybe we should have got +the worst of it. In a few minutes the boats were alongside, and their +crews were clambering up on deck, some on our quarters and some +amidships and for'ard, shouting and jabbering, and waving their +cutlasses as if we had been defending ourselves, whereas there was not a +man among us had a weapon in his hand. I thought, in truth, they were +going to cut down every one of us; so they would have done if the +colonel hadn't shouted out in their own lingo, and told them if they +came as friends they should be received as friends, and that we did not +wish to oppose them. + +"One of the officers who had been longer getting up the side than the +rest (seeing that he was too fat to move quickly) now stepped up to the +colonel and told him to give up his sword, and consider himself a +prisoner. The colonel answered that he didn't wear a sword at sea, that +he was an Englishman sailing aboard an English vessel, and that if they +took him or any one else prisoners they must stand the consequence. The +Spaniard stamped and swore, and looked very big, and called him a +pirate, and then pointed at the midshipmen, and told him that he was +bringing up young pirates, and that they should all be hung together; +the colonel, instead of getting into a rage, was very polite, and said +that he was mistaken, that the midshipmen belonged to a British +man-of-war, had been picked up off a wreck, and that if any harm was +done to them, their ships would come and punish him and all concerned. +I was told this afterwards, for though the Spanish officer spoke a +little English, I didn't understand all they were talking about. + +"The officer, however, didn't mind what the colonel said; but calling +his men, they made a rush at him, and taking him unawares, seized him +and held him fast. Others in the meantime had got hold of the skipper +and mates, as you see the enemy were five to one of us, but still it's +my opinion, if our men had been staunch, we could have beat them off. +They didn't touch either of the midshipmen or me, for they believed what +the colonel had told them. Having got the colonel down, they lashed his +arms behind him and made him sit upon the deck. He took things very +calmly, and calling Mr Rogers to him, he said, `I'll thank you now to +go and look after my daughter; I know that I can trust you, my young +friend. Don't alarm her more than is necessary, and beg her to remain +below until you think she will be safe on deck.' + +"`Ay, ay, sir,' said Mr Rogers, and he and his messmates dived into the +cabin. I remained on deck for a few minutes longer to see what was +likely to happen. + +"The people who boarded us were of all colours, Spaniards, mulattoes, +and blacks and browns of every hue, though they spoke the same lingo, +and were as savage-looking villains as I ever set eyes on, with their +sharp knives stuck in their belts, which they seemed only too eager to +use. Finding themselves masters of the brig, they made their way below, +and laid hands on everything to which they took a fancy. + +"Thinking that I might help the young gentlemen, I slipped down the +companion hatch and found them standing before Miss O'Regan's cabin; +they had armed themselves with pistols and cutlasses. `Glad to see you, +Needham,' said Mr Rogers; `you'll find a brace of pistols in the +captain's cabin, and here's a cutlass; we have made up our minds to +fight as long as there's fight in us, if the ruffians attempt to hurt +the young lady.' + +"`I'm one with you, young gentlemen,' said I, and I went and got the +pistols. Miss O'Regan heard what he said and opened the door, begging +them not to fight, as there would be no use in doing so. Scarcely had +she spoken when down came a gang of rough-looking villains with those +long knives of theirs in their hands looking very ferocious, and ready +to kill any who might dare to stop them. Mr Rogers had just time to +push the young lady back into the cabin, and shut the door before the +fellows could see her. They didn't take much notice of the midshipmen, +but set about hunting through the other cabins. At last, they came to +the one in which Miss O'Regan and Polly were. + +"`No! no! my fine fellows, you're not to go in there,' said Mr Rogers, +standing in front of the door, and holding his pistols ready to fire. +The other midshipmen did the same, and I held a firm grip of my cutlass, +determined to cut down the first of the ruffians who attempted to pass, +should the midshipmen's pistols miss fire. + +"The Spaniards flourished their long knives and swore all sorts of +strange oaths in their own lingo, but didn't like to advance a step, +knowing that two or three of them would get a bullet through their +heads; we had the best of it as long as we had pistols and they had only +knives. Three or four fellows who had been hunting in the other cabins, +now, however, came up with pistols in their belts, and drawing them +swore that they would shoot us if we didn't drop our arms. It would +have gone hard with us, as there were but three boys and one grown man +opposed to a dozen or more of the Spaniards, when just at that moment +down came the fat officer who commanded the boats. We had heard him, as +I said, speak a little English to the colonel, and so Mr Rogers told +him that we were only wishing to protect the young lady from insult. + +"`I appeal to your honour, sir, as a Spaniard and an officer, to assist +us in defending her, and I feel sure, sir, that you will do so,' said +he. + +"`You are not mistaken, young sir,' answered the officer. `I will take +care that the lady is not insulted if she will remain in her cabin.' + +"He then turned to the men and ordered them on deck. They went after a +little grumbling, each fellow laden with as much booty as he could +carry. He then told Mr Rogers to inform the young lady to prepare with +the rest of the passengers to go on board the corvette, as the brig and +sloop were to be sent back into the harbour. + +"`Pray tell the officer, that if my father is to go I will gladly +accompany him,' she answered. + +"In a few minutes Miss O'Regan and her black servant-girl, Polly, had +got ready and packed up a few things they thought they would be allowed +to carry. + +"In a short time the officer who had gone on deck returned, and, making +a polite bow, said that he was sorry to inconvenience her, but that the +boats were manned and about to shove off for the corvette, then turning +to the midshipmen and me, ordered us to follow him on deck. We found +that the colonel had already been lowered into one of the boats with the +two skippers and mates; the officer handed Miss O'Regan and Polly down +into the boat, and placed her alongside her father, we kept close to +them; the Spanish crew, who were now in charge of the vessel, turned no +very friendly glances at us, and I saw several of the villains clutch +their knives as if they would like to stick them into our backs as we +passed. In a few minutes we were alongside the corvette. + +"The commanding officer, who seemed to consider himself a very great man +indeed, received us on the quarter-deck. He bowed politely to the young +lady, but spoke roughly to the colonel and the rest of us. After +hearing the account the fat officer gave of the midshipmen, he told us +we might remain with Miss O'Regan if we pleased, but the rest of the +party were made to sit down between the guns with a guard over them. +The boats now brought the crews of the brig and sloop on board with +their arms lashed behind their backs. The men growled and grumbled as +may be supposed, but the Spaniards showed them the points of their +knives, and told them to keep silent. + +"Poor Miss O'Regan looked very downcast, though the midshipmen did their +best to keep up her spirits by telling her that they were sure the +Spaniards would not dare to hurt her or any of us, let them bluster and +threaten as they might. + +"The Spanish officers were polite enough, and begged her to go into the +cabin and take some refreshment, but she refused to leave the deck +unless her father was allowed to accompany her; they, however, brought +her a chair which she was thankful to sit down on, while the midshipmen, +who looked upon themselves as her guard, stood around her. + +"As soon as the sea-breeze set in, sail was made, and the corvette, +followed by the brig and schooners, stood away for the harbour of +Carthagena, while the _Sarah Jane_ and sloop put back into the bay. + +"We reached Carthagena in the afternoon, and brought up before the town. +As soon as the anchor was dropped, the commodore went on shore to +communicate with the government, and to learn what he was to do with his +prisoners; some time before nightfall he came back, and he gave orders +that we were all to be landed forthwith and marched up to the common +gaol; so I made this out from what the fat officer said to the young +gentlemen. + +"No one was allowed to speak to the colonel, not even his own daughter; +as soon as she found that her father was to be taken on shore, she +begged to accompany him, and the midshipmen said they would go too. Of +course I went with them. + +"The brig and schooners in the meantime had run higher up the harbour. +The boats were at once manned, the fat officer, who was, I have a +notion, the first lieutenant of the corvette, took charge of the young +lady and us. She begged so hard that the colonel might come in the same +boat, that our friend, who wasn't a bad sort of chap after all, said he +would speak to the commodore: he pressed the point, and the colonel was +placed in our boat. He didn't speak much; in truth, I suspect he had +but little to say that was likely to comfort his daughter, while he knew +that the officer was listening all the time. She asked him in a +trembling voice if he thought that his life was in danger, and said that +she would go and plead for him with General Carmona, who commanded the +troops in the city. + +"`On no account,' answered the colonel, `it would be useless, and you +would only be exposing yourself to insult.' + +"Speaking very low, so that he could not be overheard, he told her to +get one of the midshipmen to escape if possible to the British Consul, +as he would be better able than any one else to help him. + +"As soon as we landed we were marched up together to the prison, the +young lady being compelled to walk with the midshipmen and me alongside +her; the colonel and skippers followed, and then came the crew, while +the people rushed out of their houses and gathered in the streets to +stare at us, some shouting and abusing us, and calling us pirates and +all sorts of names in their lingo. I didn't care what they said, but +walked along with my head upright, looking on every side as if I was +there for my own pleasure. + +"The prison was a dirty tumbled-down-looking sort of a place, and says +I, `I hope they are not going to put the young lady in there;' but they +were, though they allowed her a room to herself, with one close to it +for the midshipmen and me. I was allowed to be with them, because they +said I was their attendant and that they required my services, though +not exactly as the Spaniard fancied. The colonel, though they saw he +was a thorough gentleman, was thrust in with the skippers and the crew +into a low dirty room paved with stone, with stout iron bars to the +small windows. There were already a score or more of rough-looking +ruffians in it; this we saw as we passed by before we were taken to our +own room in an upper story. As many as could get to the windows, which +looked out into the street, hung out old caps or baskets at the end of +sticks, to receive money or food which the people outside might give +them. The window of our room was strongly barred, and so was that of +Miss O'Regan; but there was a door between the two, which we found we +could open, and so she and the young gentlemen were able to consult what +to do. The furniture of our room hadn't much to boast of. Our beds +were only heaps of straw, with bits of sacking on the top; there was no +table, and only some rough benches to sit on. Miss O'Regan was very +little better off. She had a sort of bed and chair, and a heap of straw +for Polly; but after a time the gaoler's wife, I suppose she was, +brought her a basin of water and a few other things; but that was all +the Spaniards' boasted politeness made them think of providing her. She +tried to interest the old woman to see if anything could be done for the +colonel; but the dame said that it was as much as her place was worth to +interfere, and she couldn't say a word to give the young lady any hope +that he would be better treated. + +"When it was light we made an examination of the bars in the windows to +see if we could by any means get through them. Those in our room were +too strongly fixed to be moved in a hurry, though we might have done it +in time. Miss O'Regan found one in hers which was looser than the rest, +and Mr Rogers and I on examining it discovered that it was so eaten +away with rust, that by hauling at it together we might wrench it out. +What we wanted was to get free, and to go and find the British consul. +The window looked into a yard surrounded by a high wall; but what was +behind we couldn't tell. The bar once out we could, we thought, lower +ourselves into the yard; the wall we might easily scale, as it was full +of big holes worn by time, and it would not cost us much to climb over +it. + +"`I have a file in my knife,' said Mr Gordon; `it's a small one, but if +we use it carefully it will cut through the bar in time.' + +"The lower part of the bar we found was almost eaten away with rust. We +agreed that the first thing was to scrape it clear of the rust with the +blades of our knives and let the file do the rest. We were afraid, +however, to begin till all in the prison was quiet. We could hear the +warders walking about and talking loudly, and one now and then passed +our door, so that we could not tell if one was going to look in on us or +not. At last a fellow came bringing a jug of water and a bowl of greasy +rice with some bits of meat in it, and a loaf of brown bread; he made us +understand that it was for us. + +"`I hope you're going to give the young lady something better than +this,' said Mr Rogers, pointing to Miss O'Regan's room. + +"You'll understand that when we heard him coming we had got back into +our own room and had shut the door. `Si! Si!' he said, nodding his +head, and so we hoped that it was all right. Though the food was coarse +we were not sorry to get it, as we had had nothing to eat all day, and +at first we thought they were going to starve us outright. There was +only one wooden spoon for all of us; the young gentlemen laughed, and +said that didn't matter, as it was given us so that we might each get +our fair allowance. + +"We heard the old woman come back into the young lady's room, and when +she was gone Mr Rogers knocked and asked if he might come in, and he +found, when Polly opened the door, that the dame had brought them some +pastry and fruit, and some white bread and a bottle of wine, and we knew +from that that they were not going to ill-treat them at all events. + +"In the meantime we talked over what was to be done; at last it was +agreed that Mr Desmond should go with me, and that we should try to +find our way to the British Consul's the first night we could get out. +We concluded that it would take some time to file through the bar, and +we did not expect to get free for at least several nights to come. The +young lady told us that she and Polly would keep watch, and would let us +know when we might come in to do the work. In the meantime we lay down +on our beds of straw, for as we hadn't been to sleep the night before we +could with difficulty keep our eyes open. Nor had she for that matter; +but her anxiety on account of her father made her wakeful. At last she +knocked at the door, and I stood up and awoke Mr Rogers. We went in as +softly as we could and began working away at the bar, Polly and Miss +O'Regan watching at the door to listen if any one was coming. We soon +got the rust off; but Mr Gordon's file made very slow progress. We +worked while they watched. When daylight came at last we found that we +had not got through more than the tenth of an inch; still that was +something. To prevent what we had been doing being discovered we +covered the marks of the file with rust, stuck on by some grease which +we got from our bowl. I must cut my yarn short. One day was much like +another; still we could not learn anything about the poor colonel and +the rest of the prisoners, except that they were kept shut up below. +What the Carthagenans were going to do with them and us we could not +tell. There was one advantage in the delay, for if we had got away the +first night the guard would have been on the look-out, and we should +have probably been caught. It was bad enough for us, but much worse for +the poor young lady. We worked on and on, night after night, till at +last we had got almost through the bar, and I felt sure that with a good +haul I could wrench it on one side wide enough to get through. + +"The old woman, who came up every day to see Miss O'Regan, spoke more +kindly than usual to her, and called her a poor girl in her own lingo, +and seemed to pity her. This made the young lady ask her why she spoke +thus, and at last she confessed that she was afraid that General Carmona +was going to shoot some of the English prisoners, and very likely the +old colonel among them. This made the young lady cry out, and we could +hear her speaking in such woeful tones that at last Mr Rogers went in +and asked what was the matter; he then learnt all what I have just told +you. + +"`Oh! can nothing be done to save my father?' she exclaimed, as she +clasped her hands together. + +"The old woman then said that the only way would be to send a letter to +the British consul, but it would be dangerous for her to do so as it +might cost her her life, or at all events her husband his place, if it +was discovered that she had carried it. At last she agreed to try and +let Polly out, and at the same time told her which way she was to take +to find the consul's house--it was not more than ten minutes' walk from +the prison--first she was to turn to the right, and then cross a large +square, and to turn down the first street on the left, at the end of +which was the house; she was to look for the arms of England painted +over the door. + +"`At all events, if Polly does not find it, we shall; the old woman has +helped us more than she thinks,' observed Mr Rogers. + +"Polly was ready to run every risk to serve her mistress, the difficulty +was to get a letter written as we had no paper, pens, nor ink; but I +have a pocket-book, said Mr Gordon, and a few words on a leaf explained +our situation. We of course didn't tell the old woman our own plan, and +we thought that by letting her do as she proposed that we might throw +her husband off his guard. At last she went away, saying that she would +try and see what she could do. Polly got ready to start; after some +time the old woman came back saying that her husband would not consent +to anything of the sort. We all pretended on this to be very downcast, +Miss O'Regan was really so, as she thought the old woman's plan was the +safest. At last all was quiet; Polly, as usual, took her post at the +door. Mr Rogers and I worked away at the bar: `Now one strong pull and +we'll have it out,' I whispered; and hauling away with all my strength, +I broke it off at the bottom and wrenched it on one side. We made a +rope of the rugs which covered our beds long enough to let me lower +myself into the yard. Mr Desmond was dawn directly after me, and I +caught him in my arms and bolted away to the opposite side of the wall +as quick as lightning, then I lifted him on my shoulders and he soon +scrambled on to the top of the wall; it was a harder job for me to +follow, seeing that he put his hands and feet into holes which were not +big enough for mine. We had hit the very place we should have chosen, +for just below us was a heap of rubbish which came some way up the wall, +and we were now on the outside of the prison. Mr Desmond scrambled +down in the same way that he got up. `Keep still,' he said in a low +voice, `don't drop? don't drop! there are broken pots and pans of all +sorts, you may cut yourself.' He spoke just in time, for it would have +been a queer place to fall on. The night was pretty dark, and no one +was about. We stopped to listen, and not a sound was to be heard, so we +crept along the wall till we turned the corner, and found ourselves in +front of the prison. If there was a sentry, he was fast asleep in his +box, for we were not challenged. We soon had crossed the square the old +woman had told us of, then we ran on as fast as our legs could carry us +till we reached the consul's house, which we knew by a big board over +the door, though we couldn't see the arms. Mr Desmond went up to the +door and pulled the bell. `It's no time to stand on ceremony, though +it's not the hour that the consul generally receives visitors, I fancy,' +he said, with a laugh. He pulled and pulled again. `I must climb in at +the window if we can't awake them any other way, though maybe I shall be +shot if I do,' he added, looking up to see if there was one he could +reach. `Do you, Needham, just lift me up on your shoulders, and I am +sure I can reach that balcony, and it will be hard if I don't get a +window open, and once in the house I'll go round and knock at all the +doors till I rouse up some one.' No sooner said than done; the +midshipman disappeared over my head, and I was left standing below +wondering what next would happen. I knew from the sounds which reached +me that he was trying one window after another, at last I heard a loud +crash, which showed that he had got through some way or other. Again +all was silent. Presently there came cries, and squealing, and shouts, +through the lattice which there always is in Spanish doors, so that the +people from within may talk to any one outside without opening them; +then there came a man's gruff voice, and Mr Desmond's, talking away as +fast as his tongue could move, trying to explain what it all meant. +This went on for some time, till the gruff voice grew calmer, and Mr +Desmond began to talk slower, and I heard women's and girls' voices +uttering all sorts of exclamations. Says I to myself, `It's all right +now.' + +"At last the door opened, and Mr Desmond told me to come in, that he +was thankful to say that the vice-consul would do all he could, and that +the consul himself had gone away to a place a mile or two along the +coast. `Then the best thing we can do is to go after him,' said Mr +Desmond. `Can you find us a boat and crew, sir?' he asked of the +vice-consul. + +"`That will be a difficult thing, young sir,' he answered. `A boat may +be found, but no crew would go without the permission of the general.' + +"`Well, then, if you will find us a boat we will go alone,' said Mr +Desmond; `and if the place is only a mile or two off, and you'll +instruct us how to find it, we can have no difficulty in doing so.' + +"This idea seemed to please the vice-consul, who, though he spoke +English, was not an Englishman; he would have acted, I've a notion, very +differently if he had been. His wife and the young ladies, his +daughters, whose voices I had heard when Mr Desmond roused them out of +their sleep, seemed much interested at hearing about Miss O'Regan, and +they all urged the old gentleman to help us, and told him that he must +go in the morning and see what could be done for the young lady at +least. He called up a black servant somewhere from the bottom of the +house, and told him to lead us down to the harbour and show us a boat we +might take. + +"The old lady pressed us to stop and have some supper, but Mr Desmond +was in a hurry to get off, and the vice-consul, I have a notion, wanted +to be rid of us. + +"`Why, my dears,' he exclaimed, `I wonder you like to be seen by the +young officer and the sailor, such figures as you are.' + +"In truth, both the old lady and the young ones, as well as two or three +black girls, were dressed, I must say, in a funny fashion, with such +things as they had clapped on when Mr Desmond roused them up. The old +gentleman had put on his breeches hind part before, while she had got +into his dress-coat with the tails in front, and little else on beside +her night-gown, and a big shawl over her shoulders. I won't say how the +young ladies looked, only I couldn't help remarking that they were not +over-dressed, so that when their father made this remark, away they all +scuttled in a desperate hurry, each trying not to be last, and I've a +notion that they had forgotten what might be thought of them. We could +hear them giggling and laughing at each other as they reached their +rooms. We were, you may suppose, not much in a mood to laugh just then, +and, as soon as the old black was ready we started off. He seemed in a +desperate fright, expecting every moment that he should be seen, and +carried off to prison. We met no one, however, and soon reached the +water's edge. The black who was sent with us, I forgot to say because +he could speak English, showed us a boat hauled up on a slip, and, going +to a shed near, brought out a pair of oars, a mast and sail. + +"`Dare; you steer for de point up dare,' he said. `When you round it, +pull on for about three miles, when you come to anoder harbour, then you +pull up it, and in de biggest house in de place you find de consul.' + +"`Why,' says Mr Desmond, `the vice-consul told us it was not more than +a mile or so away.' + +"`Massa not know, den,' answered the old black, as soon as he had helped +us to launch the boat; and without stopping a moment to watch us while +we shoved off, he ran away as fast as his old legs could carry him. We +had to pull along-shore some distance to keep clear of the corvette, +then the night-breeze freshening we stepped our mast and made sail, +steering as the black had told us to do. + +"The boat was somewhat crank, and I had to keep my weather-eye open, and +to hold the sheet in my hand to escape being capsized. However, the +boat sailed fast, and soon weathering the point we found our way at last +into the harbour. We hauled up the boat on the beach, and ran along +till we came to the big house the vice-consul had told us of. + +"`This must be the place,' said Mr Desmond, giving a pull at the +door-bell. + +"Again we had to ring and shout as before. No one coming to the door, +Mr Desmond proposed trying the old dodge, and getting in at the window. +We went round the house, and knocked at all the windows we could reach. +At last an old gentleman poked out his head from an upper window, and +threatened in Spanish to blow out our brains with a blunderbuss, if we +didn't take ourselves off. Mr Desmond understood what he said, and +that he meant it was clear, for I caught sight of the muzzle of his +piece resting on the window-sill. + +"`Don't do that same, if you please, sir,' answered Mr Desmond. `I am +an officer of her Majesty's sloop of war, the _Tudor_, and my companion +is one of her crew, and we have come to get the assistance of the +consul, who, I presume, you are.' + +"I can't say that he looked much like one in his white night-cap. The +old gentleman then asked a number of questions of Mr Desmond, who told +him all about what had happened, and at last, having taken some time, +however, to dress himself, he came down and let us in. He was polite +enough then, for he showed us into a room and begged us to sit down, +while he listened to what Mr Desmond had further to say to him. + +"He told us in reply that he had but little influence with General +Carmona, and that he had, therefore, some time back written to Jamaica, +begging that a ship of war might be sent to protect the English on the +coast, as their position was far from pleasant. He promised, however, +to return to Carthagena the next morning, and to try what he could do to +save the colonel's life, and obtain the liberation of the other +prisoners. He advised us to wait till the morning, but Mr Desmond was +in a hurry to go back and report to Miss O'Regan and his messmates what +we had done; he thought that we could get into the prison before +daylight by the way we had come. The consul seemed very much astonished +at his determination, but he was firm, and I was ready to do whatever he +proposed. + +"`After all you may be right, if you manage to do so without being +discovered,' answered the old gentleman. `It will save me also from +being accused of assisting in the escape of the prisoners.' + +"Having wished the consul good-bye we hastened back to the boat, and +once more making sail, stood out of the harbour. The wind, however, +shifting shortly afterwards, we made a stretch out to sea, thinking to +fetch Carthagena the next tack, when, suddenly, it again shifted, and +blew directly off the land; not a foot would the boat sail to windward, +and as to pulling against it, that was more than we could do. When +daylight broke, we found ourselves five or six miles off the shore, and +drifting farther and farther away. Mr Desmond was in a great taking at +not getting back to the shore; we lowered our sail, and I took to the +oars, but it was all of no use. There was a good deal of sea on, and we +did not even hold our own. The sea-breeze was longer than usual coming, +and it was pretty well mid-day already. We had nothing to eat or drink +since our supper in the prison. All we could hope was that the consul +would get back and help our friends. At last it fell a dead calm; we +then got the oars out again, and were about to pull back when we heard +guns in the offing, and I guessed that they must be fired by the ship of +war the consul had told us of. Mr Desmond thought I was right, and we +agreed that we should serve our friends better by pulling off towards +her. We had a long pull as you know, sir, and I am thankful that I was +right; and I am certain it won't be Mr Murray's fault if he don't give +the Dons a lesson which will teach them not to play tricks with +Englishmen in future." + + + +CHAPTER THIRTEEN. + +PREPARED FOR ACTION--A MESSAGE SENT TO THE CARTHAGENAN COMMODORE--HIS +CONTEMPTUOUS REPLY--THE SUPPLEJACK BRINGS THE CORVETTE TO ACTION AND +TAKES HER--SINKS A BRIG AND CAPTURES THREE SCHOONERS--MURRAY VISITS THE +CARTHAGENAN GENERAL, AND DEMANDS THE LIBERATION OF THE PRISONERS--AN +OMINOUS REPLY. + +The boats were manned, and every preparation made for the intended +expedition. The danger was great, but Lieutenant Murray determined to +risk everything for the sake of the object. Even had he not been deeply +interested, he would not have allowed the insult to the British flag to +pass unquestioned. His small crew were in high spirits, determined to +dare and do everything to rescue the young lady and the midshipmen. +They, at all events, the Carthagenans had no right to detain whatever +might have been the case with regard to the colonel, and the officers +and the crews of the merchant vessels. + +Just then some cat's-paws were seen playing over the mirror-like surface +of the ocean, the sails bulged out, and the _Supplejack_ began to slip +through the water. She soon reached the boat, which was picked up, and +then, making all sail, she sped onwards towards Carthagena. The glory +of Carthagena, like that of many another place in those regions, has +departed, though in appearance picturesque as in days of yore, situated +on several islets, with green trees rising amid its towers and spires-- +backed by its citadel and curiously-shaped hill, with the Popa convent +like the high stern of a ship on the top. The town itself is surrounded +by walls and batteries which look not a little formidable at a distance. +Formidable though they might be, Murray resolved that they should not +prevent him from carrying out his intentions. + +In a short time the corvette was seen at anchor in the outer harbour. +Desmond and Needham had completely recovered, and begged to be allowed +to land and act as guides, should the boats be sent on shore. + +"I scarcely think that they will attempt to interfere with us," said +Lieutenant Murray, "but it is as well to be ready. Have all clear for +action, Mr Higson." + +"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Higson, giving the necessary orders with no +little satisfaction. "I only hope that they will dare to set up their +backs; we'll show them what our long gun and two short bull-dogs can +do," he said, as he went along the deck. The men were eager for a +fight, as British sailors always are, though they mustered all told only +sixty men, officers and crew included. + +The breeze was somewhat light, but sufficient to give the brig good +steerage way. Before, however, attempting to use force, Lieutenant +Murray determined to try pacific measures. He accordingly hove the brig +to outside the mouth of the harbour, a boat was lowered and manned, and +he directed Higson, accompanied by Desmond, to go on board the corvette, +and demand of the Carthagenan commodore the instant liberation of the +prisoners. "Should he refuse, you are to go on shore and communicate +with the consul, and then return on board as soon as possible," he +added. Higson replied that he perfectly understood his instructions, +and with no small satisfaction at the prospect of something to do, +shoved off from the brig's side. Needham, who went as one of the crew, +had described how they had been treated; and it was the general belief +that the commodore would give them an opportunity of teaching him and +his countrymen better manners. "The commodore seems a mighty proud sort +of fellow, and when he sees only our small brig he'll not be inclined to +accede to Mr Murray's demand, I've a notion," said Desmond. + +"Then I'll just give him a hint, my boy, that he may chance to receive a +visit from the rest of the squadron," answered Higson. "Those sort of +fellows are apt to bluster and boast, and, like mongrels, bark loud +enough when they see another cur run from them, but they seldom dare to +bite when they are attacked." + +"The corvette, however, carries sixteen guns, though I cannot say how +she is manned," observed Desmond. + +"She may carry twenty guns for what I care," answered Higson, laughing. +"The question is, how will they be fought? Our Long Tom will be a match +for all of them, depend on that. We shall do our best to get ahead or +astern of her, where her shot will find it difficult to reach us." + +"But then there is the brig, and there are two or three schooners in +addition," observed Desmond. "Though we don't see them as they are some +way up the harbour, they're sure to come down to help their consort." + +"We must settle her first, and then tackle them," said Higson. "It is +probable, however, that the commodore will knock under, and not give us +the opportunity of showing what we can do." + +"I would rather see Miss O'Regan, and Rogers, and Gordon, with the old +colonel safe first," said Desmond. "I am afraid that the commodore will +be ill-treating them in revenge should we give his vessels a drubbing. +The consul seems somewhat of a slow coach, or he would have found out +what had happened long ago, and applied for our liberation." The breeze +carried the boat which was standing in under sail swiftly on. + +"She's a fine craft, and has eight guns on a side," observed Higson, as +they got close to the corvette. + +The sail was lowered, and a voice hailed in Spanish to know what they +wanted. Higson, who guessed the meaning of the hail, standing up, +pointed to the British ensign astern, and said that he had despatches to +deliver. No rope was however hove to them, nor was the side manned; so, +followed by Desmond and Needham in no very dignified fashion, he +scrambled on board. + +"There's the commodore," said Desmond, pointing to a middle-aged, +gaunt-looking Don who was walking the deck with his cocked hat stuck +ferociously on one side, "and that fat officer is our friend the first +lieutenant. If they don't know how to be civil, we'll show them," and +stepping aft, he made them both a profound bow, and introduced Higson. +The Dons instinctively took off their hats, unable to withstand the +influence of the young midshipman's politeness. Higson handed his +despatches to the commodore who opened the envelope, but, unable to read +English, he turned to his first lieutenant, and asked him the meaning of +the paper. The latter confessed his inability to make it out; for +though he spoke a little English he was unable to read it, as was +possibly the case with regard to his own language. Higson therefore +explained that the despatches came from the commander of the man-of-war +outside the harbour, who requested that the British subjects now held in +captivity by the Carthagenans might at once be delivered up to him. The +commodore, to whom the lieutenant interpreted what Higson said, replied +that he could not give an immediate reply; that the despatch being +written in English he could not comprehend it; and as to delivering up +the prisoners, that was a matter on which his Government must decide.-- +He had therefore no reply to make to the English officer, who must take +the consequences should he venture into the harbour. This was the sum +total of the answer given by the commodore, through his first +lieutenant, though it took a considerable time to deliver. + +"Tell the commodore, then," said Higson, "that as this is a friendly +port my commander will certainly come into it as he wishes to +communicate with our consul, to whom he intends rendering assistance in +obtaining the liberation of the prisoners." + +"What does he mean by that?" exclaimed the commodore, when the answer +was interpreted to him. "If he attempts to use force, he will find that +the honour of those in whose veins flows the pure blood of Castille is +not to be trifled with;" and the Don stamped, and fumed, and strutted +about the deck, drawing his sword and flourishing it over his head as if +his ship was about that moment to be boarded by the English. + +Desmond, reckless of the consequences which might have ensued, burst +into a fit of laughter. + +"What does the boy mean?" exclaimed the commodore, advancing with +threatening gestures towards him. + +"Just tell your captain that my companion is an Irish midshipman. It's +a curious habit he's got of laughing at anything which tickles his +fancy, and he cannot mean to be disrespectful to so great a hero." + +The first lieutenant explained what Higson had said, and possibly saved +the midshipman from being then and there run through the body by the +irate Don. + +"Then I am to understand that this is the message I am to carry back to +my commander," said Higson, to the fat officer. + +"Yes, and I hope your commander is a wise man, and will not venture into +the harbour," was the reply. + +"I'll answer that he will though," exclaimed Higson, making a profound +bow; "so good morning, Don Whiskerandos!" + +As the commodore, turning his back, strutted aft, fuming as before, +Higson, shaking hands with the first lieutenant, exclaimed-- + +"I wish that we may have the chance of meeting as friends another time; +for you're a good fellow, that you are." + +He and Desmond then beat a retreat to the gangway. The lieutenant was +so pleased with the last remark, that he ordered side-ropes to be +shipped and the side to be manned, and the English officers took their +departure in a rather more dignified manner than they had arrived. + +"There seems a good chance of our having a brush with the Dons," +observed Desmond, as soon as they had shoved off and were pulling for +the shore. + +"Perhaps the consul will settle matters, but if not I'm very certain +that Mr Murray will stand no nonsense," answered Higson. + +No opposition was made to their landing, and Desmond and Needham easily +found their way to the British consulate. For some reason the consul +had not returned, and their friend, the vice-consul, said that he had +used every effort to obtain the liberation of the prisoners, but in +vain. He was evidently in a great state of alarm, and confessed that he +feared the worst. He had, however, been assured that the young lady and +the two midshipmen should be properly treated, although the authorities +were very angry at hearing of the escape of Desmond and his companion, +and he advised them to get back to the boat as fast as possible, feeling +assured that if recognised they would be recaptured. + +"The fellows had better not attempt it with the English flag over their +heads," exclaimed Higson; "however, we will get back and make our report +to our commander. If you can manage the matter, and let them know that +we are in earnest, he may possibly draw in his horns." + +The vice-consul shrugged his shoulders, and Higson and his party got +back to the boat and pulled out as fast as the crew could bend to their +oars towards the _Supplejack_. Higson was anxious to be on board, for +he was very sure that no time was to be lost. + +Murray, on hearing his report, was not long in determining what to do. + +"We must go in and insist on the liberation of our friends," he said. +"I'm sure, my lads, you'll stand by me." + +A cheer from the crew showed that they were in the right spirit to dare +and do anything that he might require. The head-yards were braced +round, the helm put up, and the brig stood boldly into the harbour. +Murray intended to pass the corvette, and bring up as near the town as +the water would allow. + +The corvette in the meantime had got a spring on her cable, her ports +were open and her guns run out. + +The little _Supplejack_ stood on, nothing daunted. + +"I don't think that Don Whiskerandos will dare to stop us, though he +boasted so much when we were on board," observed Desmond to Higson. + +"You're mistaken, my boy." + +Higson had just time to reply when a broadside from the corvette came +hissing through the air; one shot only, however, struck the brig and +shot away her forestay. + +"We must not allow this to pass unnoticed," exclaimed Murray. "Reserve +your fire, however, my lads, till I give the order." + +The long gun was pointed at the corvette, the port carronade was run +over to the starboard side. Murray waited till the brig had got +directly ahead of the enemy. + +"Blaze away, now, my lads," he shouted, and a raking fire from his three +guns was poured into the corvette, sweeping her deck fore and aft. + +The wind being light and the brig's courses being clewed up, she glided +slowly through the water, and the guns were again loaded and fired into +the bows of the corvette before the latter could return another shot. +The brig had just way enough on her to go about. The long gun was +slewed round, and the others run over to the port side, and fired, +greatly to the astonishment of the corvette's crew, before they had +managed to bring their guns to bear on her; when they did their shot +flew wide or through her rigging, and not one hit her. The brig was now +almost stationary, her crew working with a will, fired all their guns +twice before the Spaniards had returned another shot. + +"Well done, my lads," cried Higson, "we have given them as many shots as +they have sent at us." + +Such was the case, and every shot from the brig had told with good +effect. + +"A few more as well aimed, and the Dons, depend on it, will cry, +`peccavi,'" he added. + +The crew, stripped to the waist, were indeed working their guns with +right good will. All hands on board were employed, some loading and +firing, others bringing up powder and shot from below, and the rest +attending to the sails. The smoke, which there was scarcely sufficient +air to blow away, enveloped the combatants, and prevented those at a +distance from being able to discern which was likely to be the victor. +Murray and his crew, however, very well knew how matters went. The +splinters which flew from the corvette's side, and the shrieks and cries +which came from her deck showed the fearful effect their fire was +producing on their antagonist. At last one gun was silent, and then +another, and then only three replied to them. + +Murray cheered on his men, who although perspiring at every pore, ran +their guns in and out with as good a will as at first. By this time the +brig had drifted still closer to her foe. + +Once more Long Tom was fired, loaded with langrage, which swept with +fearful effect across the deck of the corvette. Not a shot came from +her in return. The brig's guns were, however, again loaded; but just +before the triggers were pulled, down came the corvette's ensign! A +loud cheer burst from the throats of the British crew. Murray was on +the point of anchoring, intending to send a boat on board to take +possession, when a brig was seen dropping down the harbour, and followed +by three schooners, favoured by a light breeze off shore. + +"See, my lads, here come more of them!" he cried, in a cheery voice. +"We will settle them, however, as we have done the corvette!" + +"Ay, ay, sir, that we will!" shouted the voices of his gallant fellows. + +"You wouldn't say so if you didn't intend it," he answered. + +"Well, try and see how quickly we can finish them off." + +The brig was some way ahead of the schooners, and Murray, anxious to +engage her before their arrival, put the brig about, assisted by the +light breeze, which just then filled her sails. Her commander, not +aware that the corvette had struck her colours, was little prepared for +the reception he was to meet with. As soon as Murray had got this fresh +foe within range of his long gun he opened fire. The shot, well aimed, +went crashing through her side; the second shot was fired before she got +near enough for the carronades to reach her. The belief that the +English brig had only one long gun prevented the Carthagenans from +attempting to escape. The next time Long Tom was fired, his shot was +attended by two from the carronades. The enemy replied with her +broadside, but most of her shot went flying over the _Supplejack_, while +others fell ahead or astern of her, wide of their mark. Not one of Long +Tom's shot missed, most of them striking between wind and water; and as +she drew nearer they told with still greater effect. At last the enemy +put about and attempted to run up the harbour. Vain were her efforts to +escape; the last shot striking her gave her her death-blow. With her +canvas all set and colours flying, gradually she sank till the water +washed over her decks, and her crew were seen scrambling aloft, leaving +the wounded to their fate. Within ten minutes of the time she got into +action her topmasts alone appeared above the surface. Just before this +the three schooners had come up and had opened their fire, but none of +their shot had struck the _Supplejack_; and their commanders, seeing the +fate of their consorts, came to the conclusion that discretion was the +better part of valour, and hauled down their flags amid the cheers of +the British crew. Murray lowered his boats and sent them to pick up any +of the brig's crew who might have been unable to escape aloft. The +lives of several were thus saved. The schooners also sent their boats +and took off the men from the rigging. The _Supplejack_ then stood back +for the corvette. Murray directed Higson and Desmond to take +possession. Their fat friend, the first lieutenant, received them at +the gangway, with his hat in one hand and his sword in the other. There +was no bluster in him now. + +"Where is the commodore?" asked Higson, looking round the deck, which +was strewed with dead men. + +"There!" answered the lieutenant, pointing to the mangled form of a man +which lay on the quarter-deck, his uniform alone showing that it was +that of the commodore. He had been almost cut in two by a shot from +Long Tom. + +"How many men have you lost?" asked Higson. + +"Twenty-five," answered the lieutenant. "Our crew declared that they +were fighting with devils and not men, and refused to fire another +shot." + +"If they had handled their guns as our fellows did theirs, we shouldn't +have taken you so easily," answered Higson. "You deserve a better +ship's company." + +"Many thanks for your compliment," answered the crestfallen lieutenant. +"It is the fortune of war." + +The schooners being brought up close to the corvette, the _Supplejack_ +anchored near them, with Long Tom so trained that, should the +Carthagenans attempt to recapture their vessels, they might quickly be +sent to the bottom. The brig's boarding-nettings were also triced up, a +vigilant watch was kept, and pistols, pikes, and cutlasses placed in +readiness for immediate use to resist any attack which might be made on +her. + +Murray, while he thus kept watch over the captured vessels, felt himself +in a delicate and trying position. The Carthagenan government had +hostages in their hands on whom they might wreak their vengeance. Had +they, indeed, known how dear one of the prisoners was to the young +commander, they would probably have made use of the advantage they +possessed. He felt sure that a bold course was the only safe one. He +might have led his crew on shore and endeavoured to rescue the captives, +but the attempt he knew would have been sheer madness, as a piece of +artillery at the end of one of the streets might have sent him and his +men to destruction. Murray, like a wise man, had retired to his cabin +to consider what was best to be done. He speedily made up his mind, and +sent for his second in command. + +"Higson," he said, "I have resolved to go on shore myself, and demand +the release of the prisoners. I leave you in charge of the brig. Keep +an eye on the corvette and schooners, and sink them rather than allow +them to escape." + +"You may depend on it that we will, sir," was the answer. "I only wish +that we could get our friends on board, that we might stand in and +batter their town about the ears of the rascals." + +"They have had a pretty severe lesson already," said Murray, "and I have +hopes that they will not refuse to accede to my demands. Get the gig +ready, with an ensign and a flag of truce. There's no time to be lost." + +Higson went on deck, and the gig's crew were piped away. + +"I say, Higson, do ask the captain if I may accompany him, there's a +good fellow!" said Desmond. "Perhaps I may be of some use in getting +Miss O'Regan and our fellows out of the prison." + +"I don't know how you'll do that," answered Higson. + +"Nor do I," said Desmond; "but at all events I know the way into it, and +I think, if Mr Murray will take Needham as well, he and I would manage +somehow or other to get our friends out, if they are still in the room +in which we left them." + +Murray, to Gerald's great satisfaction, consented to take him and +Needham. He had borrowed a new uniform from one of the midshipmen on +board, and no one was likely to recognise him, so different did he look +from what he had done in the dirty worn-out clothes in which he had +escaped from the prison. + +Murray steered directly for the landing-place, and boldly stepped on +shore, regardless of the crowd collected to gaze at the commander of the +dare-devil Englishmen, who had so quickly beaten their fleet. They, +however, treated him with respect, drawing back on either side to allow +him a free passage, as he marched with his flag and attendants towards +the consul's house. He found that functionary and the vice-consul in a +state of great agitation. + +"You have indeed, captain, taught the Government here a lesson which +they will not easily forget, but I'm afraid that you have overdone it. +General Carmona sent to warn me that on the first shot fired he would +shoot all his prisoners, and I greatly fear that he has carried out his +threat." + +"Surely he would not dare to murder Colonel O'Regan and his daughter, +and the English midshipmen," exclaimed Murray, his voice trembling with +agitation. + +"I scarcely dare to say what he may have done," answered the consul; "he +is a villain of the first water, and would shoot his own father and +mother if they offended him." + +Murray could scarcely speak for some time, so overpowering were his +feelings. By a great effort he recovered himself, and said, "I must beg +you to accompany me at once to the general, and I will insist on seeing +him." + +It was evident that neither the consul nor vice-consul liked the duty +imposed on them, but they could not refuse to comply with the young +commander's request. + +The ladies of the latter's family evidently thought that he was going on +a dangerous expedition, as they clung round him, weeping, as if they +were parting from him for ever. + +"Pray don't be alarmed," exclaimed Paddy Desmond, who did not see +anything so very hazardous in the undertaking; "depend on it, your +respected papa will come back with a whole skin, and if not, we shall +have the satisfaction of knocking the city down over the ears of its +inhabitants." + +The young ladies, who had not before recognised Paddy, now knew him by +the sound of his voice. + +"What!" they all cried out together; "are you the young officer who got +out of prison in such a wonderful way? The people affirmed that you got +out with the help of a magician, as they have never discovered how you +made your escape; and the gaoler, who declares that you were safely shut +up when he last visited you, swears that it is impossible you should +have done so, either by the door or windows." + +"How we escaped I'll tell you by-and-by, but pray excuse me for the +present, as your papa and the consul are ready to start," answered +Gerald. + +This conversation took place while the vice-consul was putting on his +uniform coat, and, with the aid of his wife, buckling his sword-belt +round the wide circuit of his waist. + +Murray and the two officials then set forth, Desmond carrying the flag +of truce, and Needham the British ensign, that flag which every nation +of the earth has learnt to respect, though some may regard it with no +very friendly feelings. After a walk of about twenty minutes they +reached General Carmona's residence. In front of the building was drawn +up a guard of soldiers, who cast scowling glances at the party as they +advanced. In a short time an officer appeared, who promised to announce +their arrival to the general. They were then conducted into a +courtyard, and told to wait. The officer soon returned and led the way +to a large hall, with a long table in the centre, at the end of which +sat a personage in military uniform, with several officers collected +round him, some seated, and others standing about talking eagerly +together. + +"To what cause am I indebted for the honour of this visit?" asked the +general, who rose with his officers as Murray and the consuls entered. + +"This officer, the commander of the British man-of-war, now in the +harbour, comes to demand the liberation of certain subjects of the Queen +of England, detained by your government as prisoners," answered the +consul, introducing Lieutenant Murray. + +The general, a tall, cadaverous personage, with long moustaches sticking +out on either side of his face, tried to look very fierce and important, +but ill succeeded in concealing his trepidation and annoyance. + +"I might rather ask why the English brig-of-war has sunk one of my +vessels, and captured the remainder of my fleet; though it seems a +miracle to me how it should have happened." + +"Tell him," said Murray, as this answer was interpreted, "that as his +corvette fired into the Queen of England's brig, it was my duty to +punish her for her audacity, and that if my demands are not complied +with, I intend to blow up the remainder of his squadron, and then to +bombard the town." + +As the consul interpreted this speech, the general and his officers +exhibited the most unfeigned astonishment at the bold threat which the +commander of the three-gun brig had made. + +"Tell him that I mean what I say," added Murray, observing the evident +consternation of the mongrel Spaniards, and seeing that now was the time +to carry matters with a high hand. + +"What prisoners are they you wish us to liberate?" asked the general. + +"All the British subjects you lately captured on board two merchantmen +in the harbour of Sapote, two of them being officers of the Queen of +England's navy, with other passengers, the rest being officers and crews +of the two vessels." + +"The vessels were captured while engaged in illegal practices, and some +of the prisoners you speak of it is beyond my power to deliver into your +hands," answered General Carmona; "the vessels and those on board them +were legally condemned." + +"We must settle about the equity of their seizure afterwards," said +Murray; "my duty, in the meantime, is to obtain the restoration of the +vessels, and the liberation of those of whom I have spoken." + +"I regret to inform you that some of them have met the fate they +deserve, of traitors and rebels, and have been shot," answered the +general, mustering up his courage to make this announcement. + +"Shot!" exclaimed Murray, in a tone of deep anxiety, as the consul +interpreted the general's last remark; "inquire who they are that have +been thus treated," said Murray. + +"The officers and others found on board the two vessels. The common +seamen were not worth the powder and shot, or they would have met the +same fate," answered the general, with as much _sang-froid_ as he could +command. + +Murray could hardly restrain his indignation on hearing this, for he +could not doubt that Colonel O'Regan was among the sufferers; he +thought, especially, of the grief into which Stella would be plunged, +and he was more than ever resolved to carry matters with a high hand. + +"Tell the general that his ships are under the guns of my brig, and that +I have left orders with the officers in command to blow them up should I +not return with the prisoners within two hours." + +"You speak very boldly, sir!" exclaimed the general; "suppose I were to +treat you as I have done your countrymen--shoot you." + +"Then my countrymen would very soon arrive with their ships of war, and +not only knock your town about your ears, but hang up you and every +officer they may catch at their yard-arms," answered Murray. + +The Spaniards, so they may be called, pulled their moustaches, and the +remark had, evidently, its due effect. + +"I must insist, also, that the two vessels captured by your squadron be +brought into this harbour and anchored astern of my brig before +to-morrow evening. I give you until then as the winds are light, but +there must be no delay. Now, general, I must have your answer, as time +is passing, or, before long, we shall have your vessels blown into the +air. I require the immediate liberation of all the prisoners still +alive. With regard to the rest, my government will settle with you +by-and-by," and Murray took out his watch, and carelessly held it up, so +that the general and his officers might see the time. + +The action had an electric effect on all present; the general held a +brief consultation with his officers, and, though he attempted to +bluster a little, they agreed forthwith to give up the prisoners. + +"You have got on admirably, captain," observed the consul, as he and his +companions left the hall. "Your mode of proceeding will always be +successful when practised on people like those with whom we have at +present to deal, and on a larger scale, probably, with most of the +nations of the earth." + + + +CHAPTER FOURTEEN. + +TOM AND ARCHY IN PRISON--THEIR TRICK ON THE GAOLER--SOLDIERS APPEAR-- +TAKEN FROM PRISON--MEET COLONEL O'REGAN--MARCHED THROUGH THE TOWN-- +PRISONERS GOING TO EXECUTION--DISTANT CANNONADING HEARD--THE +FIRING-PARTY--DEATH OF COLONEL O'REGAN--THE MIDSHIPMEN TRY TO HELP HIM-- +CARRIED BACK TO PRISON--THEY AND STELLA LIBERATED BY MURRAY. + +We must return to the night when Gerald Desmond and Needham made their +escape from the prison. + +As soon as they were gone, Tom Rogers and Archy Gordon set to work on +the bar, and by hauling and pulling gradually worked it back into its +former position. They then stuck on the rust as before, and swept the +windows clear of the filings and remaining bits of rust, which might +have betrayed them. + +"Now, Miss O'Regan, do lie down and take some rest," said Tom, ever +thoughtful of others. "You need it much already, and you cannot tell +what fatigue you may have shortly to go through. I have hopes that +before long we shall get out of prison, and in the meantime it will +puzzle the gaoler to know how our friends have escaped, unless he +happens to hit upon this bar, and that I hope he will not do." + +Tom and Archy returned to their own room. + +"The longer the gaolers remain ignorant of the escape of Desmond and +Needham the better," observed Tom. "I think that I can contrive to rig +up two figures which may help to do so. Fortunately, Needham has left +his red handkerchief behind him, that must serve as his night-cap. I +will make the head of straw, and cover it with my handkerchief, the body +we must form by heaping up the straw and then throwing a rug over it. +Now, Archy, your handkerchief must serve as Desmond's head, and we will +put your cap on the top of it." + +Gordon, of course, agreed to the proposal. They set to work at once and +as far as the pale light of the moon, which came through tie windows, +could enable them to judge, they were well satisfied with their +performance. They then laid down to sleep with clear consciences, on +their own somewhat diminished heaps of straw. + +The gaoler who brought their breakfast seldom did more than put it in at +the door, being satisfied with a glance round the room at its four +inmates. He looked in, as was his custom, the following morning, and +seeing two figures in the dark corners of the room, supposed that the +seaman and one of the midshipmen were indulging in a longer sleep than +usual. Tom and Archy put their hands to their heads, and shook them, as +much as to say that their friends were suffering from head-ache. This +seemed to satisfy the gaoler, who departed, much to the satisfaction of +the midshipmen, without making a closer inspection. + +"At all events, it shows that our friends have not been caught, or we +should have had the room searched," observed Tom. "I hope that they +have found the Consulate, and if so, we shall probably be liberated +before the day is over. I wish, however, we could hear something about +the colonel, for the sake of his poor daughter." + +The midshipmen naturally had got very weary at being so long shut up. +Their spirits, however, now rose at the thoughts of their speedy +liberation, and they made a hearty meal off their somewhat coarse fare. + +A couple of hours or more passed, when Polly knocked at the door, and +said that Miss O'Regan would be glad to see them. + +"I have been thinking more than ever about my poor father," she said, +"and I cannot help fearing from the remarks let drop by the gaoler's +wife, that he must be very ill. I have in vain begged her to let me go +and see him--can you think of any plan by which I may do so? If the old +lady would take me down into the common cell, I would gladly consent to +be shut up with him." + +"Perhaps by putting our heads together we may hit upon some plan for +getting the colonel up here to see you," answered Tom. "That would be +much better, for you can have no idea of the set of ruffians you would +have to meet in the lower prison, and I am very sure that the colonel +would not allow you to be among them." + +All sorts of schemes were discussed. The chief hope was that they might +work on the feelings of the gaoler's wife, who was evidently well +disposed towards them. They had been talking for some time when, +hearing footsteps coming along the passage, the midshipmen hurried back +to their own room. Instead of the gaoler, however, as the door opened, +a party of soldiers with fixed bayonets appeared. + +"What can these fellows want?" exclaimed Archy. + +The soldiers forthwith marched into the room, and, without speaking, +began to fasten the midshipmen's arms behind them. + +"This doesn't look pleasant," cried Tom. "I say, you fellows, what are +you about?" + +The soldiers made no reply, but continued lashing their aims. + +Four, in the meantime, had walked up to the corner where they expected +to find the other prisoners; their astonishment was very great when they +found instead only some heaps of straw. They talked for a minute +together, casting looks at Tom and Archy which betokened no good-will. +One of them having gone out came back with the gaoler, who began +questioning them, though, as they scarcely understood a word he said, +they were not very well able to give lucid replies. They, of course, +guessed, however, that he was making inquiries as to what had become of +their companions. + +"They will be back soon, I dare say," said Tom. "If you will let us +wait till then we shall be much obliged to you." + +"Non intende," answered the gaoler. + +"Not in ten days!" exclaimed Tom, even at that moment unable to refrain +from a joke. + +The gaoler, not being a bit the wiser for Tom's reply, began to stamp +and rave, and then repeated his questions in a louder voice, expecting +that by so doing he should elicit an answer. At last, he and four of +the soldiers went into Miss O'Regan's room, and while two of them +cross-questioned her and Polly as to what had become of the missing +prisoners, the others searched the room in the hopes of discovering +them. Their answers did not satisfy the men, for, like true women, +having determined that they would not say what had become of their +friends, nothing could induce them to acknowledge that they knew +anything about the matter. Fortunately, the soldiers did not think of +examining the bars, as it did not occur to them that the fugitives had +escaped by the window; at last they came back, looking very +disheartened. Four of the soldiers, roughly dragging the midshipmen +into the passage, led them downstairs. They were then conducted into a +courtyard, where a number of other prisoners were collected, some +heavily-manacled, and others with their arms secured as theirs were, by +ropes. They looked round, and, before long, recognised Colonel O'Regan, +as also the masters, mates, and men of the two merchantmen. There were, +besides, a number of prisoners in military uniform, whose countenances +all wore an agitated and anxious expression, though some tried to hold +up their heads and to look indifferent as to the fate awaiting them. +All the Englishmen were manacled, as though their captors supposed that +they would make an attempt to escape. The midshipmen would scarcely +have known Colonel O'Regan had it not been for his dress and his tall, +commanding figure, so pale and haggard had he become; their guards not +stopping them, they made their way up to him. He recognised them with a +smile of satisfaction. + +"What are they going to do with us, Colonel O'Regan?" asked Tom, +naturally beginning to feel more nervous than at first. + +"To murder us, I fear," answered the colonel, in a low voice; "for +myself, I care not, but for her and for you my heart bleeds. Tell me, +young gentlemen, where is she? How does she bear up against the cruel +fate which has overtaken her? I have been unable to learn anything +about her since I was shut up in that horrid den with these ruffians." + +The poor colonel was somewhat relieved at hearing that his daughter was +not ill-treated, and that her black maid was allowed to remain with her. +Tom told him also of the kindness of the gaoler's wife. + +"She is not ungrateful, then, for a slight service I once did her, +little thinking at the time how it would be repaid," he remarked. "Poor +girl, these barbarians would not allow me even a last parting farewell +with her." + +"But do you really suppose that there is no hope for us, Colonel +O'Regan?" exclaimed Tom. "Surely they will not dare to shoot us!" + +"For myself I certainly expect no mercy," answered the colonel, +gloomily. "I have, however, hopes that though they may not be +influenced by pity for you and your companion, they will hesitate before +they injure those clad in the uniform of the British navy. I do not, +therefore, despair of your lives; and though I cannot plead for myself I +will for you." + +Their conversation was cut short by the arrival of an officer, who gave +orders to the guard to conduct the prisoners to the _Campo_ outside the +town. + +Tom rejoined Archy Gordon and they followed the colonel, who was marched +out with Captain Crowhurst as his companion. They were joined by +several priests with crucifixes in their hands, who, addressing the +prisoners as they walked alongside them, offered to afford them the +consolations of their religion. + +"We want none of their mummery," exclaimed Captain Crowhurst, in a tone +of indignant contempt. "Do tell the fellows, colonel, to let us alone." + +The colonel, instead of interpreting this speech, mildly addressed the +priests, and assured them that he and his companions did not require +their services, as they differed in creed. The friars now came to Tom +and Archy, but soon finding that they did not understand a word they +said they fell back to those in the rear. The master of the sloop and +the mates spoke much in the same tone as Captain Crowhurst had done, and +the priests observing that they were heretics devoted their attention to +their own countrymen. Two of the priests, more persevering than the +rest, returned again to the colonel; he motioned them aside with the +same courteousness as before. Still they addressed him. + +"My friends," he said at length, "I give you full credit for the honesty +of your intentions, but as I have lived so I hope to die, protesting +against the false system and erroneous doctrines in which you appear to +believe. I have no faith in them, and, therefore, you only interrupt a +person who would ask strength from One in whose presence he is about +shortly to appear, that he may go through the severe trial he is called +upon to endure." + +The calm and dignified manner of the brave colonel rebuked the officious +priests, and they returned without venturing to utter any of the +contemptuous remarks which they had bestowed on his less polished +fellow-sufferers. + +Crowds collected in the streets to see the mournful procession pass: +most of the Englishmen walked boldly on, with heads erect and undismayed +countenances; many of them, indeed, scarcely believed that the +government would venture to put them to death; the natives, on the +contrary, fully aware of the sanguinary disposition of their countrymen, +expected no mercy, but marched on with trembling knees and downcast +countenances, expecting the fate which awaited them. They had been +captured in open rebellion, attempting to overthrow the government, and +were conscious how they themselves would have treated their enemies had +they exchanged places. + +The crowd gathered rapidly, eager to indulge themselves of the spectacle +which was about to take place. Suddenly there came a booming sound of a +gun across the harbour followed by the thunder of several others, one at +short intervals much louder than the rest. The colonel and Captain +Crowhurst turned their heads. + +"Those guns come from vessels in action," said Tom; "perhaps one is an +English ship; if so she is sure to give the Dons a drubbing." + +Some of the crowd hastened to the harbour to see what had taken place. +The soldiers advanced with their prisoners at a more rapid rate than +before; they quickly reached an open place just outside the town. Here +they stopped, and presently several officers came on the field. The +prisoners were marched a short distance to the front of the troops, who +extended their line on either side of them. An officer of rank with his +staff now rode up. Colonel O'Regan on seeing him stepped forward. + +"General Carmona," he said, "I have been your enemy, and have no hope of +mercy at our hands. I, therefore, do not ask it for myself; I speak for +these men, who if they have broken your laws did so in ignorance; still +more earnestly do I entreat you not to injure these two young English +officers, who, as I informed your commodore, are entirely guiltless. +They were saved at sea from a wreck by the brig on board which I was a +passenger, and if you put them to death you will bring the vengeance of +their countrymen on your head; you may have some excuse for shooting me, +but you will have none if you murder them, for murder it will be, +whatever you may call it." + +This address seemed to have some effect on the general, who, however, +issued no counter-orders to the officers charged with the execution of +the prisoners. The colonel, with the two masters and their four mates, +together with the principal natives (all of whom appeared to be of the +rank of officers) were placed in a row, when several soldiers came +behind them for the purpose of binding handkerchiefs over their eyes. +The colonel turned round to the men who were about to perform that +office for him with a calm smile. + +"I desire to gaze my last on the blue sky above us," he said gently. +"Let me at least die like a soldier--it is the only favour I ask." + +His companions followed the colonel's example, and begged to be allowed +to die with eyes unbound. The general now ordered the officer in +command of the firing-party to hurry his preparations. + +"As you have so many to dispose of, it would have made shorter work had +you placed them all together," he shouted out. + +The rest of the prisoners had, in the meantime, been led on one side to +await their turn. The firing-party now advanced--the doomed men gazed +at them with pale, though undaunted countenances. The commanding +officer, in a loud, harsh voice, gave the usual order, "Make ready," +"Present," then came the fatal word--"Fire!" Some fell forward, shot +dead; others were struggling and writhing on the ground; Colonel O'Regan +alone was standing upright. It was but for a moment; he was seen to +stagger forward, then to fall heavily on his face. Regardless of the +danger they ran from the firing-party, who advanced to plunge their +bayonets into the bodies of those who still had life in them, Tom and +Archy dashed forward with the idea of helping their unfortunate friend. +They attempted to raise him, but the expression of his countenance, and +the blood oozing from a wound in his breast, told them but too truly +that all was over; and had not their guards, who were alarmed on their +own account at having allowed them to escape, dragged them back they +would probably have been bayoneted on the spot. Just then an officer, +who came galloping up with looks of consternation on his countenance, +informed the general that his corvette, the chief vessel of his navy +with which he believed that he could defy the world, had struck her flag +to a British brig-of-war, and that his brig had been sent to the bottom. +The news produced an electric effect on him and his officers. He at +once gave orders that the surviving English prisoners should be +conducted back to gaol under charge of a small body of troops, while the +rest were marched off to the batteries. + +"We have had a narrow escape," said Tom to Archy, not at the time aware +to what cause they were indebted for their preservation. "We ought +indeed to be thankful; but I would have given anything to have saved the +colonel. Poor Miss O'Regan, what will she do with no one to look after +her?" + +"But we will do our best!" answered Archy; "and as I have a notion that +she will some day be my cousin, I have a sort of right, you know, to +watch over her." + +"But in the meantime what shall we say to that poor young lady?" asked +Tom. + +"I haven't the heart to tell her that her father has been shot," +answered Archy, "though, of course, something must be said; we must not +tell her a falsehood, that's certain." + +"Then we must just say that we were marched out into the country, when +firing was heard which we have no doubt came from an English ship of +war, and then we were marched back again," said Tom. "If she asks any +further questions we need not say anything more, and perhaps before long +we shall all be on board, when she will be better able to bear her +misfortune than she would be shut up in prison." + +Much to their satisfaction the midshipmen were taken back to the room +they had before occupied. The great drawback, however, was the fear +they felt of being cross-questioned by Miss O'Regan. They had not been +there long before they heard the gaoler's wife go into her room; and +they guessed that she would tell the poor girl more than they themselves +could venture to do. + +There was a great deal of talking, and after some time the old woman +went away. Scarcely had she gone than Miss O'Regan opened their door. + +"I have important news for you," she exclaimed, in an animated tone: and +she gave them the information she had just heard, that an English +brig-of-war had captured the whole of the Carthagenan fleet, and that +the authorities as well as the people were in a state of the greatest +possible alarm and agitation. + +"We may expect therefore to be speedily liberated," she added. "My poor +father must also be set free." + +She had been so interested in describing what she had heard that she did +not make the inquiries they expected, and the midshipmen were saved the +pain of informing her of her father's death. + +They passed the next two hours in a state of great anxiety; at last +footsteps were heard, and voices coming towards their room. Their door +was thrown open and there stood Lieutenant Murray, Gerald Desmond, +Needham, and several strangers, one of whom was in the consular uniform. +The former giving them a smile of recognition, hurried into Miss +O'Regan's room, and Paddy Desmond, after warmly shaking hands, began +recounting to them the adventures he and Needham had gone through. They +in return had a sad tale to tell of the events which had lately +occurred. It was cut short by the reappearance of Murray with Miss +O'Regan leaning on his arm, followed by Polly carrying the box with her +mistress's wardrobe. + +"Now, young gentlemen," said the consul, "we have come to conduct you to +my house, where no one will dare to molest you, and I daresay that you +will be glad to get out of the prison." + +"Yes, indeed we shall, sir," answered Tom, "but I should like to wish +the gaoler's wife good-bye." + +"I am sorry to tell you that she and her husband have been dismissed +from their post, and are now themselves confined in one of the cells in +which they have been accustomed to lock up others. However, I will do +my best for them, and in a short time there will be another change of +government, when they will probably be reinstated. They are accused of +having connived at the escape of your companions, and I can probably +help them by explaining how it occurred." + +Murray had thought it better not to tell Stella of her father's death. +Her suspicions, however, had been aroused, and she pathetically begged +that she might see him. + +"It is impossible," answered Murray. "Let me entreat you not to inquire +further at present, and you shall be informed of all that has happened +as soon as we reach the consul's house." + +Stella was silent. The dreadful truth began to dawn on her. She dare +not ask another question. + +With no small satisfaction the party found themselves outside the prison +walls. They were not interfered with by the populace, who regarded the +conqueror of their fleet rather with awe and respect than any vindictive +feelings. The vice-consul's Spanish wife received the young English +lady with a kind welcome, and did her best to prepare her for the +afflicting intelligence she was to hear. Murray undertook the task. +Her grief was too great for tears. + +"I was prepared for it," she said, at length. "A fearful foreboding of +evil has oppressed me since we sailed from Antigua. I cannot help +thinking that he himself felt that such might too probably be his fate, +yet he braved it under the belief that he was engaged in the cause of +humanity." + +The consolation Murray offered was not without its due effect. + +"There is one, at all events, who will take your father's place, and +joyfully devote his life to your service and to watching over you with +the tenderest love," he said, taking her hand. + +"I know it," she answered, "and my father often expressed his +satisfaction at the thought that I might some day become your wife." + +Stella had another trial to undergo when receiving from Tom and Archy +the last message which her father sent her. + +Although the consul promised to protect her, and the ladies of the +family treated her with the greatest sympathy and kindness, she was +naturally anxious to join her friends in Jamaica, and Murray was also +unwilling that she should remain longer on shore than possible. + +There were few places at that time more disorganised and disturbed than +Carthagena. The consul himself and his family, indeed, were frightened, +and gladly accepted Murray's invitation to take up their quarters on +board the _Supplejack_, till matters were in a more settled state on +shore. The consul's boat was in readiness, and the whole party were +soon assembled on the deck of the brig. Their departure showed the +government that the commander intended to carry out his threat of +sending for a fleet to bombard their town should his demands not be +complied with. Another messenger was therefore despatched to hasten the +departure of the captured merchantmen, which, the wind being favourable, +within the time allowed were seen entering the harbour. + +As his duty would not allow Murray to leave Carthagena until he had +received instructions from the admiral, he determined forthwith to send +the _Sarah Jane_ with an account of the event which had occurred, and to +ask for instructions. + +As soon as she came to an anchor, Higson, Tom, and Archy, with a boat's +crew were sent on board. Great was the midshipmen's delight when they +stepped on deck to see "Master Spider" on the top of the caboose, +apparently on excellent terms with his new associates; he knew his old +friends, however, at once, and came hopping down to greet them with +every demonstration of pleasure. + +The brig was in a terribly dirty condition, and the furniture of the +cabin was considerably damaged, while the greater part of her cargo and +every article of value had been carried off. + +The native crew was sent on shore, and Murray picked out the most +respectable of her former ship's company, with two or three of the best +men out of the sloop to man her, promising them a handsome reward if +they behaved well. + +Though he could ill spare Higson, there was no one else to whom he could +entrust the command of her. + +He felt bound also to send the three midshipmen back to their ships, and +the confidence he had in Needham made him resolve to send him, and in +addition he picked out four good men from the _Supplejack_. + +"I hope we have made up a tolerable ship's company for you, Higson," he +said; "keep a watchful eye over them, and do not trust them too much; +they have ample inducement to behave well, but they have been so long, I +suspect, engaged in lawless pursuits, that it is impossible to say what +tricks they may take it into their heads to play." + +Murray was constantly on board the _Sarah Jane_, endeavouring to restore +her cabin to its former state of comfort. He felt that Stella could not +stay on board the _Supplejack_ with him, and painful as it was to part +with her, his only course was to send her at once to her friends in +Jamaica. + +She herself saw the propriety of this, and made no demur. "I can trust +you confidently to the care of Mr Higson and your former young +protectors," he said, as he made the proposal. "As soon as duty will +allow me I hope to return to Jamaica, and then I trust that nothing will +occur to prevent me from making you mine, and giving me the right to +protect and watch over you." + +Scarcely half an hour had elapsed after this before Stella was once more +on board the _Sarah Jane_. Sail was made, the anchor lifted, and the +brig with a fair wind glided out of the harbour. + +Murray continued on board her as far as he could venture to sea, but as +he dared not be long absent from the _Supplejack_, he was at length +compelled to return. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTEEN. + +STELLA AND THE MIDSHIPMEN SAIL FOR JAMAICA IN THE SARAH JANE--VOYAGE-- +ARRIVAL--JACK'S DELIGHT AT RECOVERING TOM--STELLA GOES TO THE +BRADSHAWS--HIGSON PROMOTED--THE PLANTAGENET AND TUDOR SAIL FOR +CARTHAGENA--THEY QUICKLY SETTLE ALL DIFFICULTIES--PROCEED TO THE +MOSQUITO SHORE--BOAT EXPEDITION UP THE SAN JUAN DE NICARAGUA--NIGHT +ENCAMPMENT--VISIT OF A PUMA--A CHASE--SCENERY OF THE RIVER--BIRDS AND +MONKEYS--VOYAGE CONTINUED--AN UNPLEASANT BED ON AN ANTHILL--APPROACHING +THE ENEMY--A SAD ACCIDENT--ALARM--THE CAPTAIN ATTEMPTS TO RESCUE THE +DROWNING MEN--DOES NOT RETURN. + +The _Sarah Jane_ meeting with fine weather and a fair wind glided +rapidly across the Caribbean Sea. Higson felt proud of his first +command, and soon gained that self-confidence which long years spent in +a subordinate position had made him doubt that he possessed. The +midshipmen supported him well, and Needham, who acted as boatswain,--and +a more thorough man-of-war's-man never stepped,--assisted to keep the +rest of the crew in good order. Tom Rogers was declared "First +Lieutenant," and he walked the deck with all the air and consequence of +one. He had already become a fair navigator, and Higson could depend on +his calculations. Gordon was dubbed the "Master," and it was voted that +Desmond should be "Second Lieutenant." + +"I say," exclaimed Tom, "we ought to have a doctor, and so I propose +that we give Master Spider the rating, since we haven't got a better one +to fill the post; he at all events won't drench his patients with +physic, and if he has to bleed them he will do it artistically with his +teeth." So Spider was dubbed "Doctor" from henceforth. Higson +appointed Archy Gordon also to do the duties of "Purser," so that he had +plenty of occupation. + +It was impossible to be more attentive to poor Miss O'Regan than were +the young midshipmen, or more thoughtful in all they did. Although she +still looked pale, she endeavoured to show her gratitude whenever she +came on deck by her cheerful conversation and her smile, which Desmond +declared beat everything in the way of sunshine. The midshipmen enjoyed +the voyage and quickly regained their strength, somewhat lost during +their imprisonment; as to their spirits they were of too buoyant a +nature to be kept down the moment the pressure was removed. + +At length the Blue Mountains beyond the harbour of Port Royal appeared +in sight, the sea breeze, which still blew fresh, wafting the brig +rapidly towards the shore. + +Miss O'Regan, with her faithful attendant by her side, seated on deck, +watched with much interest the magnificent view which gradually rose +before her eyes. The three midshipmen were standing near her. + +"I cannot help hoping that the frigate and corvette have been sent to +sea; if not, Higson will have pretty soon to give up his command, and we +three, degraded from our rank, shall be ignominiously sent back into the +midshipman's berth," said Tom, with a laughable grimace. + +"Then the sooner we make up our minds to sink into insignificance the +better," observed Desmond, who had a telescope to his eye. "I make out +clearly enough the frigate and corvette at anchor; however, we shall +have a jolly time of it giving the other fellows an account of our +adventures. I vote that we make old Scrofton believe that `Master +Spider' played a gallant part in the capture of the Carthagenan fleet, +and led the boarders when we took the corvette." + +"But we didn't board at all, in the first place," said Tom, "so that +won't be true to begin with." + +"No, but when one's about spinning a yarn it's as well to spin a good +one," answered Desmond. + +"To my mind a joke's a joke, and a lie's a lie," observed Tom. +"Although it would be very good fun to quiz old Scrofton, we certainly +should not tell him what is not the truth, and I won't vote for anything +of the sort." + +"Nor will I," observed Gordon, "and after all the adventures we have +been preserved from, it's time that we should knock off our midshipmen's +tricks. Where should we have been if my cousin Murray hadn't come in at +the moment he did, and so bravely captured the fleet? We should to a +certainty have been shot, as was the poor colonel." + +"Hush!" said Tom, pointing to Miss O'Regan, "she may hear us." Paddy +Desmond looked rather vexed. "I don't consider humbugging an old bo'sun +telling a lie, as you choose to call it," he said, turning away. + +"Truth is truth, Paddy, though," answered Tom; "I didn't mean to offend +you, and I dare say we shall get a rise out of old Scrofton without +descending to falsehood." Paddy's anger was as usual quickly appeased, +and he joined in the hearty laughter which "Master Spider" produced, as +at that moment he came hopping aft rigged in a white shirt with blue +turn-down collar, white trousers, a straw hat secured to the top of his +head, and a wooden cutlass made fast to one of his paws, and which, in +his efforts to free himself from it, he appeared to be flourishing about +as if engaged in mortal combat. + +"There!" exclaimed Paddy, "if he didn't board the Dons he shows that he +would have done so if we had run them alongside, and he would precious +soon have driven them overboard." + +Even Stella could not help indulging in a smile such as had not for a +long time lighted up her countenance, while Polly clapped her hands, and +shrieked with laughter. + +Gradually the fortifications and buildings of Port Royal and the long +line of the Palisades appeared in sight, and the brig passing close +round the works of Fort Charles steered in and anchored a short distance +from the frigate. Blue Peter was flying from the mastheads of both +ships, a signal that they were about to put to sea, so there was no time +to be lost. Higson ordered a boat to be lowered, and leaving the brig +in charge of Needham, accompanied by the three midshipmen, pulled +alongside the frigate. Stella naturally preferred remaining on board +the brig until she could be conveyed to Kingston. + +Captain Hemming was on shore, but Mr Cherry and Jack Rogers were on +board, while Adair was seen walking the deck of the corvette. + +"A boat coming alongside, sir," sang out Norris, addressing Jack, who +was officer of the watch, "and if I can believe my eyes, there's Higson, +with your brother, and Gordon, and Paddy Desmond in her." The +announcement produced no small excitement on board, all who heard it +hurrying to have a look at the three long-lost midshipmen. + +Jack, his warm heart beating with joy, rushed to the gangway. He was +soon shaking hands with Tom and his companions, who were warmly welcomed +by their other shipmates. Spider, who had accompanied them, made his +own way up the side, and seated on the hammock nettings, holding on by a +backstay, was received with shouts of laughter by his old friends, he +chattering away, seemingly as glad to see them as they were to greet +him. Singling old Ben Snatchblock, with whom he had been a favourite, +he sprang on his shoulders and was quickly carried in triumph forward, +where he was lost to sight among the crew, who gathered round him as +school girls are wont to do round a small child introduced amongst them. + +Higson and the midshipmen were in the meantime relating their adventures +as rapidly as their tongues could wag; as soon as they had given a brief +outline of them, they inquired what had occurred during their absence. +The corvette had been repaired. Commander Babbicome, though still as +much afraid of the West India climate as at first, had not resigned, as +it was thought he would do. Her complement had been made up of the crew +of two merchant vessels wrecked on the coast, with other volunteers, and +a few hands from the frigate, and they were now only waiting the return +of Captain Hemming to proceed to the southward, application having been +made by her Britannic Majesty's consul at Bluefields on the Mosquito +shore for the assistance of some ships of war, to protect British +interests in that part of the world. A variety of outrages and insults +of which he complained having been offered to Englishmen, work of some +sort it was expected would be cut out for them, and all hands were +delighted at the thoughts of having something in the way of fighting to +do. + +"Then the sooner I get up to Kingston the better," exclaimed Higson. +"It won't do to be left behind. I can't go, however, without delivering +my despatches to the admiral." + +He accordingly hurried back with the three midshipmen to the brig, where +Jack and Adair, who were anxious to pay their respects to Miss O'Regan, +presently followed. They said all that was proper to her regarding her +father's death, and expressed their hopes that Murray would soon return +to Jamaica and receive his well-earned honours. + +"He is sure to be promoted," said Jack. "When he is, I have great hopes +that the admiral will appoint him to the command of the corvette, should +Captain Babbicome resign her, as I think he is very likely to do, for he +evidently wishes himself looking after his cows and pigs at home." + +Miss O'Regan and her attendant, with Higson and the three midshipmen, +proceeded up at once to Kingston. Fortunately, on landing, they met the +admiral, who was delighted to hear of Murray's success. "I knew the lad +would do something if he had the opportunity," he exclaimed, rubbing his +hands, "and very well he has done it, that all must allow. He will +obtain his promotion, and you, Mr Higson, may depend on receiving +yours." + +On being introduced to Miss O'Regan the old admiral exclaimed, "You must +come up to the Pen, my dear young lady, and remain there till you can +communicate with your friends. Mrs and Miss McAlpine will be delighted +to see you on your own account, and also that of my kinsman Lieutenant +Murray. He is an officer in whose welfare I am much interested, and I +can assure you that he has not disappointed my expectations." Then +turning to the midshipmen, he added, "And you youngsters must come up +too; the ladies will want you to spin them a yarn about your adventures, +and I'll take care that the frigate does not sail without you." + +Though Stella would have gladly set off at once for her relations the +Bradshaws, she could not refuse the admiral's kind invitation. He drove +her up to the Pen, where Higson and the midshipmen followed. + +Stella was kindly received, and as little as possible was said to recall +the painful scenes she had gone through. The admiral, with Murray's +despatches before him, questioned Higson as to further particulars, and +then made the midshipmen recount their adventures to his wife and +daughters, being especially amused at the way Desmond roused up the +vice-consul and his household. + +Tom ever afterwards declared that he was the most jolly old officer he +had ever met with--excepting, of course, Admiral Triton. + +"I see, Mr Higson, that Lieutenant Murray speaks in the highest terms +of your bravery and courage in this affair," said the admiral. "I have +great pleasure, therefore, in giving you an acting order as Third +Lieutenant of the _Plantagenet_; and I have no doubt that when the +affair is known at the Admiralty, it will be confirmed; and I can +congratulate you on the step, which has been entirely gained by your own +merits." + +Higson felt his heart jump nearly into his mouth; for often before as he +had expected promotion he had been disappointed, and he had almost given +up hopes of obtaining it. + +He thanked the admiral warmly. "Say no more about it, mon," he +answered. "I wish that I could reward every one on board the +_Supplejack_ as they deserved. You may possibly before long have an +opportunity of distinguishing yourself, and I am very sure that I shall +hear a good account of you." + +Captain Hemming soon afterwards went up to the Pen, when he received +fresh instruction as to his course of proceeding. Instead of going +direct to Nicaragua as he had before been ordered to do, he was to touch +Carthagena to settle the affair of the capture of the Carthagenan fleet, +and the recapture of the merchantman; it being considered that a visit +of two or three ships of war might somewhat assist in bringing the +diplomatic part of the transaction to a satisfactory conclusion. + +When the midshipmen went to wish goodbye to Stella, she had a letter for +Murray, which she entrusted to Archy Gordon. "You may depend on me for +delivering it safely; for I should otherwise never be able to look my +cousin in the face," he answered. + +After an early dinner the admiral dismissed them. Higson wished to get +several things in Kingston before they returned on board; he had also to +deliver over the brig to the agent, who had to find a fresh crew in lieu +of the men-of-war's men, and some of the others who volunteered for the +frigate. It was thus past midnight when they got on board. + +Higson received the hearty congratulation of his old messmates as well +as those of the midshipmen whose berth he was leaving. + +"Pardon me, Mr Higson, I'm right glad that you've got this step," +exclaimed Dick Needham, "you deserve it, that you do; though it's not +always those who are most deserving that gets their due." + +By daybreak next morning the _Plantagenet_ and _Tudor_ sailed with the +land breeze for the southward. About the usual length of time was +occupied in the run across the Caribbean Sea to Carthagena. The +_Plantagenet_ hove-to outside, while Captain Hemming went on board the +_Tudor_, which stood into the harbour. There lay the little +_Supplejack_, like a bull-dog watching his charge, with Long Tom still +pointed at her prize, while her young commander, ever vigilant, walked +her deck. + +Very great, as may be supposed, was his delight when he saw the corvette +glide up to an anchorage, and when Captain Hemming came on board. + +"Since the _Sarah Jane_ sailed, I have not once set foot on shore," said +Murray, after the first greetings were over; "I acted, as I thought, for +the best, and I hope that the admiral was not inclined to find fault +with me for what I have done." + +"Find fault with you! On the contrary, my dear fellow, he is +delighted," answered Captain Hemming. "He also told me in confidence +that you may depend on your promotion. By the bye, your young relative +Gordon is the bearer of a despatch which will give you further +information. I'll leave you to read it while I have a talk with the +consul who, I see, has just come off." + +The despatch which Archy delivered to his cousin need not be made +public, though it afforded him intense satisfaction. + +The consul, after a brief conversation with Captain Hemming, returned on +shore to communicate with General Carmona. It was reported on board +that the general had offered, as he could not restore the British +subjects he had shot to life, to give up an equal number of natives to +be dealt with in the same manner, should the English commander be so +disposed. + +Although he talked a little big about being compelled to give up the two +merchant vessels which had been legally captured, he was glad enough to +drop the subject on condition that his corvette and schooners were +restored to him, while he promised in future never to shoot, hang, or +imprison any British subject without a legal trial; thus the matter +being settled, "Long Tom" was once more housed, and the _Supplejack_ +sailed out of the harbour. + +Murray, not supposing that anything of consequence was likely to take +place, was much disappointed when, instead of proceeding to Jamaica, he +was ordered to join the other ships on their way to Nicaragua. + +Both the three lieutenants and the three midshipmen, though on the same +service, were now separated, Gordon having remained on board the +frigate, Desmond having joined the corvette, while Tom continued with +his brother. + +Various were the surmises as to the sort of service in which they were +to be engaged. All they knew was that the President of an insignificant +republic having ventured to "beard the English," he was to be punished +accordingly, and brought to reason. How this was to be done was the +question, as the ships could not get near enough to the shore to batter +down any of his towns. + +Captain Hemming had, however, received sufficient information regarding +the interior of the country to be enabled to form his plans. + +The ships having reached the neighbourhood of Bluefields on the Mosquito +shore, a pilot-vessel from one of the numerous keys situated off that +dangerous coast came out. The pilot being taken on board, they +proceeded with the lead going, to the anchorage off the town, which is +situated on the border of a wide extending plain, out of which several +volcanoes could be seen continually puffing forth smoke. + +The British consul at once came on board, and expressed his satisfaction +at their arrival. + +"There will be some work for you to do, Captain Hemming," he observed. +"A certain Colonel Salas, belonging to the precious Republic of +Nicaragua, who is at the head of a band of ruffians, has carried off two +persons from San Juan, falsely accused of breaking the laws of the +country, and he has, besides, offered numerous other insults to the +British flag." + +A short time only was spent in making the necessary preparations, the +consul, Mr Wilmot, being a man of action, was eager himself to proceed +with the expedition, accompanied by a spirited young man, Mr Halliday, +who also begged leave to join the party. They offered the use of their +own boat, manned by natives, which was at once accepted. + +The following morning the vessels got under weigh, and proceeded towards +the mouth of the San Juan river. Bluefields, it should be understood, +is one of the chief towns belonging to the dark-skinned monarchs of the +Mosquito shore, and Graytown, at the entrance of the last-mentioned +river, is the capital. + +At noon-time the following day the expedition arrived off that not +over-delightful spot. It contains about 2000 inhabitants, and is +situated on perfectly level ground, so completely closed in by +impassable forests or water, that a walk in any direction is impossible, +unless along the sea-beach. The inhabitants consist of a few +Englishmen, and a greater number of Germans and Americans, employed in +the engrossing work of dollar-getting. + +The grog-shops, however, drive a most flourishing trade. But few +natives live in the town, and from the colour of those seen paddling +about in their canoes, it is evident that they are a mixture of the +mulatto and Indian. They came alongside the ships, eager to dispose of +the turtle which they are chiefly engaged in catching, and to sell a few +eggs and chickens. + +They were merry fellows, most of them speaking English; as they were +ready to take any price offered, they soon got rid of their merchandise. +The Consul advised Captain Hemming to be prepared for hostilities, and +as he was too wise an officer to despise a foe, he ordered all the boats +of the squadron to be got ready for the expedition. No one was allowed +to go on shore; indeed, scarcely a place on the face of the globe can +have fewer attractions than Graytown. + +The seamen were busily employed in sharpening cutlasses and examining +their pistols, and the soldiers in furbishing up their arms ready for +active service. + +Not a breath of wind stirred the glass-like surface of the water; the +sun came down with intense heat, making the pitch in the seams of the +decks bubble and squeak, so Paddy Desmond declared; even those most +inured to tropical suns felt the heat, which even the awnings stretched +over the quarterdeck could scarcely mitigate. Poor Captain Babbicome +was seen pacing up and down with a large bandanna in his hand, puffing +and blowing, and wiping the perspiration from his brow. He received but +little consolation when he heard Terence remark that it would be hotter +still up the river. + +"Oh, dear! oh, dear! what shall I do?" he exclaimed; "if this continues +I shall be reduced to a skeleton." + +The doctor strongly advised him to remain on board. "A sunstroke would +finish you, sir," he observed, "and you would be a loss to the service." + +Still Commander Babbicome was too brave a man to give in willingly. +Even when Captain Hemming directed him to remain in charge of the +squadron during his absence, he begged to be allowed, should he feel +better, to proceed up the river. + +"Act as you think best. Should you recover sufficiently to stand the +fatigue, of course I shall be glad to have your assistance," answered +his superior officer. + +Murray, in the meantime, took his place as second in command. Twelve +boats were prepared for the expedition, consisting of the ships' +launches and barges, the consul's boat, a spare pinnace, and the +captains' gigs. + +The next morning at daybreak the boats shoved off from the ships' sides, +saluted with loud cheers by those who remained on board. Captain +Hemming and Murray went in their respective gigs, and Jack, who had +command of the pinnace, took Tom with him, while Desmond accompanied +Adair in one of the barges; the soldiers and the marines were +distributed among the boats. The whole, including officers, bluejackets +and soldiers, mustered upwards of 250 men. The two gigs, accompanied by +the consul's boat, went ahead. They had not proceeded far before they +felt the strength of the current, for although the river was wide it was +shallow, and so great was the mass of water coming down that it ran with +the rapidity of a mill-stream. The men had to bend to their oars with +might and main, and even then, the heavier boats in several places +scarcely seemed, at times, to go ahead. Though the sun struck down with +intense heat, the gallant bluejackets took no notice of it, nor relaxed +their efforts, but hour after hour pulled on, encouraged by their +officers. In some places, the water was so shallow that the boats could +with difficulty move along, and frequently they had to shove off till +another channel was found; undaunted, however, they laboured on till +midday, when they landed at the most convenient spot to be found on the +banks of the river to dine and recruit their exhausted strength. + +An hour only was allowed for rest, and once more they embarked and +toiled on as before. + +The forest on both sides of the river came close down to the water's +edge, the lofty trees towering high above their heads, shutting out +everything behind. Here and there a few clearings were seen, with huts +and other buildings, tenanted by settlers, and now and then a native in +his light canoe paddled by, but few inhabitants were seen; the views as +they proceeded consisted chiefly of the tumbling waters and the forests +as the hand of nature had left them. At length night approached; the +captain gave the order to land, and the hardy crews, their strength +taxed to the uttermost, pulled in quickly to a somewhat more open spot +than was usually seen on the banks, where they might find room to +bivouac for the night. + +The boats were made fast, and all hands leaped on shore and began with +their axes to cut away the underwood. A space sufficient for their +object was soon cleared. The campfires were lighted, pots and pans +brought on shore, and the men, told off to act as cooks, set to work to +boil the coffee and cocoa and warm up the messes of turtle which had +been prepared. + +The only spots where they could rest with anything like comfort was +round the fires, the thick clouds of smoke rising from which helped to +keep off the myriads of mosquitoes which forthwith commenced an +onslaught on them. The officers assembled in the neighbourhood of one +of the fires, while the soldiers and sailors gathered round the others. + +A person ignorant of the cause might have supposed that every man of the +party had been seized with Saint Vitus' dance--not a man could retain +his seat or keep his hands quiet for a moment, for while he tried with +one hand to get his food or a cup to his mouth, the other was employed +in slapping right and left, now at his cheek, now at his other hand or +at his feet, in vain endeavours to destroy his persevering foes; for the +instant a wreath of smoke blew to one side, a whole host of ferocious +insects darted forward to assail their victims on the other. Cigars and +pipes were quickly lighted, in the hopes of driving off the pests, but +in vain; the fumes of tobacco had but little effect, for if a puff drove +them off a man's nose, in an instant they attacked some other part of +his body. + +In spite of this inconvenience, Murray had again to give the account of +his recent exploit, while the midshipmen recounted for the twentieth +time their adventures and imprisonment in Carthagena. + +No sooner had night closed down on the camp than cries of all +descriptions came forth from the forest--the croaking of frogs, the +chirping of crickets, the howling of monkeys, mingled with strange +groans and shrieks, which made the seamen draw closer together, some, +even among the stoutest-hearted, declaring that without doubt the place +was haunted, while many a brave tar cast a glance over his shoulder, +expecting to see some fierce creature stalk out from among the trees. +At last Captain Hemming gave the order for all hands to turn in, with +such shelter as they had provided, and to get some sleep to prepare +themselves for the work of the next day. Some went on board the boats, +hoping to be free of the bites of the mosquitoes, though hopeless were +their efforts to escape from their tormentors. + +The three lieutenants seated themselves side by side, while their young +relatives, the three midshipmen, had collected not far off. + +"Well, I suppose we must go to sleep," said Tom Rogers, stretching +himself out. He had rolled up his flushing coat to serve as a pillow, +and prepared to enjoy as much comfort as circumstances would allow. + +"Faith, we have music at all events to lull us to sleep," exclaimed +Gerald Desmond; "but I wish those beasts would put a stopper to their +singing, though!" + +"They may sing as long as they like, provided they don't bite," remarked +Gordon, following his companions' example. + +In a short time the whole camp was at rest, with the exception of the +few sentries, the only sounds being the mysterious ones which came at +intervals from the forest, and the loud snoring of some of the soldiers +and seamen. The fires still kept blazing, casting a lurid glare over +the foaming waters as they rushed past, on the tall trees of the dark +forest on the other side, and on the figures of the officers and men +stretched in various attitudes on the ground. + +Tom Rogers suddenly awoke; a mosquito had fixed its sharp proboscis in +his nose. He had dreamed that a serpent had got hold of it. Starting +up, he saw, between the trees near which he and his companions lay, a +pair of bright eyes glaring at him. They were contained in the head of +a creature which appeared crouching down, as if about to make a spring +towards him. He knew it at once to be a puma, the so-called lion of +South America. Leaping to his feet, he shouted to his companions to be +on their guard; the next instant it seemed that the animal would be upon +them. His voice awoke the lieutenants and the other officers who had +been sleeping near at hand, and quickly brought a sentry to the spot. +The man, catching sight of the puma, fired his musket; the report, of +course, aroused the whole camp. "A lion! a lion!" shouted several +voices, and in an instant the greater part of the bluejackets were in +hot chase after the animal, which, of course, rapidly bounded away far +out of sight. + +They would have quickly lost themselves in the forest had not the +captain and officers called them back, and ordered them to lie down and +go to sleep again. The sentries were, in consequence of the visit they +had received, doubled and cautioned to keep a better lookout, not only +for human foes, but for any of the savage denizens of the forest which +might attempt to pay them another visit. At early dawn the camp was +again astir, and as Tom and the other midshipmen opened their eyes, they +saw grinning at them from among the branches a number of little hairy +faces chattering and grinning. They belonged to troops of monkeys who +had come, attracted by curiosity, to look at the strangers invading +their domains. As soon, however, as the men began to move about they +took fright and scrambled off to a safer distance. Just then loud caws +were heard, and several flights of magnificent-coloured macaws flew +across the stream. Cocoa and other beverages having been served out and +rapidly swallowed, the party embarked, and once more the toils of the +day began. It was harder work than ever. The boats had frequently to +pass right up rapids and among rocks and sandbanks; thus it was only by +the greatest exertion that the heavier boats could be forced along. + +Except that the toil was greater and the heat more intense, there was +but little variation from the events of the preceding day. Whenever +they neared the banks troops of monkeys appeared in the branches of the +lofty trees, chattering and shaking their heads, or screaming in anger +at this invasion of their territory; flights of macaws and other birds +of gorgeous plumage flew overhead, generally in pairs; and here and +there, perched on the lower branches, were seen huge white ducks, which +nodded their heads and gabbled as the boats passed slowly by them. +Among the monkeys, of which various species were seen, were several +little Congo apes, who, in their anger, attempted to roar like lions, +affording infinite amusement to the crews. + +"I say, Paddy," cried Tom Rogers to Desmond, their boats being at that +time close to each other, "we must catch one of those fellows; he would +make a good playmate to Spider. I suspect that old Scrofton will +declare that he is embryo lion. I wonder how many thousand years it +will take before he will turn into one?" + +"Nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine, young gentlemen!" cried the +boatswain, who was in charge of one of the launches with troops, and, +being at the time close astern, overheard the question. "In my opinion, +howsomedever, it doesn't take half that time for a spider-tail to turn +into a powder-monkey; but I'll see what my book says about it when we +get back to the ship." + +There was, of course, a general laugh among the boats' crews. Jack did +not think it necessary to interfere, though he suspected that had they +not been on duty the boatswain would have used the word "midshipman" in +lieu of "powder-monkey." + +Every now and then the boats grated against a snag, which reminded them +of the danger which they would have to encounter when returning. The +rocks and snags could not, as they were then steering, do them much +injury, but it would be a very different matter when coming down. + +Even the gigs' crews found it trying work at best. Sometimes it +appeared as if it would be impossible to get up the heavier boats unless +they could be warped; still by the determination and perseverance of the +crews all difficulties were overcome, and after an hour's rest for +dinner, under the shade of the trees, they pulled on again much in the +same fashion till near nightfall. They then landed at a deserted +clearing, and congratulated themselves at finding a place so well suited +for their encampment. As they were getting nearer the territory of the +enemy sentries were placed at the edge of the forest, and cautioned to +be vigilant to prevent a surprise. + +Jack and Terence, who had landed with their fowling-pieces, were +fortunate in shooting a capybora, a rodent animal as large as a +middling-sized pig. Soon afterwards they knocked over a couple of +little peccaries, which furnished a welcome addition to the supper to +all hands. The officers and men collected as before round their +respective fires; the mosquitoes were somewhat less troublesome, or +perhaps the people were more inured to their attacks. It was, however, +necessary to sit within the limits of the clouds of smoke to enjoy any +comfort. + +Songs were sung, stories told, and all hands were apparently enjoying +themselves. Mr Wilmot made himself very agreeable, and his companion +became a great favourite, from his fund of humour and his frank and +unassuming manners. + +"Do you really think that this colonel and his men will give us anything +to do?" asked Jack of Mr Wilmot. + +"The fellows are ferocious enough when they fight among themselves, and +brave as such fellows generally are, though, they would not venture to +resist us with double our forces if they were on equal terms, but if +they thought that they could take us at an advantage, they would +probably hold out and afford us some trouble," answered the consul. + +"I some time ago visited the fort of Serapaqui, in which the colonel and +his troops are posted, and it is a remarkably strong place, standing on +a point of land about fifty feet in height, which projects directly into +the river, while behind the fort is a dense forest, which completely +defends the rear. In front is an abattis formed of large trees, with +their trunks fixed in the ground, and their branches projecting into the +river, so that it would be impossible for boats to reach the bank, or +for men to land exposed to fire. The defences of the fort consist of +six angular stockaded entrenchments, formed of exceedingly hard wood. +They are eight feet high, and four feet thick; one side of each stockade +looking towards the river, and the other down the reach. The only +landing-place is commanded by the principal stockade, and guns have also +been placed on it. This landing-place you will understand is above the +stockades, and as the current there runs nearly five knots an hour, we +shall have to pass the stockades, exposed all the time to the fire from +the batteries, before we can descend to the landing-place. The reach, +at the head of which the fort is situated, is about a mile and a half +long, while the forest comes down on either side, close to the water, +and affords an almost impenetrable shelter to a concealed foe. I tell +you this that you may know what we have to encounter, but at the same +time I am sure that the gallantry of British officers and men will +overcome difficulties of far greater magnitude. Why I wished to +accompany you was that I might render all the services in my power." + +Captain Hemming thanked the consul for his bold determination, adding, +"I trust that we shall not disappoint you, Mr Wilmot, and that you will +live to share such laurels as we may gain." + +"I hope so too, captain, but I do not shut my eyes to the dangers which +we may have to meet," was the answer. + +"That consul is a brave fellow," whispered Tom to Archy; "I look upon +those as the bravest who know the full extent of the danger they may +have to encounter, and with calm determination go into it." + +Mr Wilmot had an awning rigged to his boat, and had brought mattresses +and pillows, so that he and his friend made it their sleeping-place. +The other boats contained also a few occupants, but the larger number of +the party preferred sleeping on shore, where they could stretch their +limbs, they having discovered that the mosquitoes annoyed them as much +on board the boats as on the banks of the river. + +Tom and his companions had noticed a mound of no great height, at a +little distance from their camp fire, and they agreed that the ground at +its base would afford them a comfortable sleeping-place. As soon, +therefore, as the order was given to cease talking and singing, and go +to sleep, they carried their coats and blankets to the spot, and rolled +themselves up, expecting to pass a quiet night. + +As they could not be overheard they talked on for some time, as +midshipmen are accustomed to do under similar circumstances, then first +one and then the other began to feel drowsy, and lying down forgot all +sublunary matters. + +Tom had not, however, been long asleep before he dreamed that he was +attacked by a host of stag-beetles, assailing every part of his body, +and that though he slashed at them with his cutlass they came on in +greater numbers than ever, till he felt ready to turn tail and bolt. +Suddenly he awoke, and finding that the sensation he had experienced in +his dreams were a dreadful reality, began to jump and beat himself +furiously. His companions, just then, started up from the same cause, +and also began jumping, twisting, turning, and striking their bodies and +legs with their hands as if they had gone mad. + +"I'll be eaten up entirely if I don't get rid of these beasts," +exclaimed Paddy Desmond, jumping and beating himself more violently than +before. + +Their cries awoke their nearest neighbours, while the sentries rushed +forward, expecting to find that a band of Indians had secretly +introduced themselves into the camp. + +Jack and Terence were really alarmed, believing that the youngsters had +been bitten by a snake, or attacked by another puma. Nothing, however, +could be found on them till some brands brought from the fire threw a +light on the subject, when it was discovered that they had chosen the +neighbourhood of a nest of ants, of a species addicted to nocturnal +rambles. + +When they first lay down the ants were quiet in their abode, and +remained so till their usual time for sallying forth in search of prey. + +The first objects they had met with were the bodies of the three +midshipmen, on whom they would have undoubtedly feasted till they had +consumed them to their bones, had not their sharp pincers aroused their +victims. + +The midshipmen found it no easy job to rid themselves of the fearful +little pests, even with the assistance of their friends, and they had +literally to strip off their clothes, and capture each creature singly, +and throw it into the fire, before they were got rid of. + +One of the surgeons, taking compassion on them, produced some ointment, +which allayed the irritation from which they were suffering. + +They were not the only people whom the ants had attacked, and +complaints, piteous and loud, came from all parts of the camp, of the +attacks made by the fiery little pests. Many of the men, however, +appeared bite proof, and only growled and swore at having their slumbers +disturbed. + +"We have, however, learnt a lesson, and I vote that in future we look +out for ants' nests, before settling on our camping-ground," observed +Archy Gordon, with his usual gravity, as they once more lay down on the +other side of the fire, at a respectful distance from their former +resting-place. + +"I'd sooner face an electric eel, or a boa-constrictor, than an army of +those diabolical little pests," exclaimed Desmond, who had suffered even +more than his companions; "you may tackle them, but I defy any one +except perhaps Spider, to defeat their attacks, and he would have to +keep his paws pretty active to catch them." + +"I wish that we had him with us," groaned Tom; "I am still itching and +smarting all over, and they are at me again, I am sure of it." + +"A big ant-eater would help us more effectually," observed Gordon. "He +is a curious creature, with a thick bushy tail and a pointed snout, in +which he has a long tongue, to enable him to lick up an army of ants and +swallow them down at a gulp." + +"I wonder that the ants are such fools as to come out of their castles, +then," remarked Desmond. + +"The ant-eater does not wait for them to do that, for he has got +powerful claws with which he pulls down their castles, and when they +come out to repair the breaches, he sticks out his tongue and captures a +whole army at once," answered Gordon. + +"Faith, then, I wish that we could have a few such creatures to inspect +our camp in future before we lie down to rest," said Desmond. + +"Silence there, you youngsters," cried an officer; "if you can't go to +sleep, take a round turn of your tongues." + +The hint was not neglected, and notwithstanding the irritation they were +suffering, the midshipmen were very soon snoozing away as soundly as any +one. + +Every night similar scenes occurred; and during the day, except when +stopping for dinner, the boats' crews pulled on with as much vigour and +resolution as at first. + +At length, after a pull of not less than seventy-two hours, the boats' +crews had the satisfaction of hearing that they were only two or three +miles from the fort in which the Nicaraguan forces were posted. + +A somewhat limited space only could be found on the shore for their +encampment, so that a greater number than usual took up their quarters +in the boats. + +As may be supposed, a careful search was made for ants' nests, +rattle-snakes' holes, and the abodes of any other creatures likely to +disturb them. A larger number of sentries than usual were also posted +round the camp and directed to keep a vigilant watch, while one of the +gigs under charge of Higson, with Needham as coxswain, was sent on some +way ahead to keep a lookout for the enemy, should they take it into +their heads to descend the stream, and make a night attack on the camp. + +A pleasant supper was made on shore, though singing and loud talking +were forbidden, lest any stragglers from the fort might hear them and +give notice of their approach. The thick forest, however, effectually +screened their fires, and the smoke could not be seen at night. + +Mr Wilmot spoke hopefully of the work before them. He had little doubt +that the Nicaraguan commander would yield immediately he saw the force +brought against him, though he probably at present did not believe that +such heavy boats as theirs could be forced up the stream. Mr Halliday +was more silent than was his wont. Some of his friends inquired what +was the matter. "I have felt the heat very great during the day," he +answered; "but I dare say that when our work is accomplished, and we are +pulling down the stream, I shall recover my spirits." + +Mr Wilmot had kindly invited the three midshipmen to take up their +quarters on board his boat, having fitted up a place amidships for them; +here, at all events, they might be free from the ants; and as to the +mosquitoes, they were nearly inured to them. + +At an earlier hour than usual all hands not on the watch went to sleep, +with the exception of those in Mr Wilmot's boat. He and his friend sat +up some time talking together, but what they said neither Tom nor his +companions could hear, as they themselves were soon lulled to sleep by +the loud rushing of the strong current which swept by the boat. + +Tom was suddenly awakened by a loud cry and an exclamation from Mr +Wilmot, "Where is Halliday?" and the next instant he exclaimed, "Good +heavens! he is overboard! I must save him!" and before he could have +had time for thought, he himself plunged into the boiling waters, and +swam towards his friend, who was being carried rapidly down by the +current. The midshipmen being aroused, Tom, who saw what had happened, +was about to plunge into the stream to try and assist the consul, when +Gordon, more prudent, held him back, exclaiming, "You will be drowned, +my dear fellow, if you do." Tom had happily thus more time than Mr +Wilmot had taken, to reflect on the fearful danger he would run. Their +cries awoke Captain Hemming, who, immediately arousing his men, slipped +his cable and pulled down the river, in the hope of rescuing his +drowning friends. + +The whole camp and those in the boats were now awake, and on learning +what had happened looked anxiously out for the return of the captain's +gig, the only hope being that he might discover and pick up the two +gentlemen before the waters had overwhelmed them. + +The time went by, and every one felt that their gallant leader and his +crew were running great danger in venturing down the stream at night. +Several of the officers indeed expressed their fears that his boat might +strike against a snag, or be dashed on the rocks, and all on board lose +their lives. Among those on shore several endeavoured to make their way +along the bank, but were soon stopped by the impenetrable jungle, and +compelled to return. No other boat could venture to slip her moorings. +Adair had command of the sternmost one of the squadron. His old +shipmate, Ben Snatchblock, who was with him, roused by the shouts of +those ahead, as he sprung up caught sight of a person rapidly carried +astern of the boat. "I'll try and save him whoever he is," he +exclaimed; and before Adair could warn him of his danger, he plunged +overboard into the boiling water. Though a powerful man and a bold +swimmer, he in vain attempted to overtake the person he had seen passing +and struggling for life. Whoever it might be it was the same to him. +On he went, and just as he fancied that he was about to succeed, the +person he had gone to save sank, drawn down by an eddy, which very +nearly sucked him also into its vortex. "He's gone, poor fellow, be's +gone!" his voice was heard exclaiming, though he could not be seen. + +Directly afterwards the captain's gig passed Adair's boat. She was also +soon lost to sight. Adair hailed and told them to look out for Ben; but +whether or no they had succeeded in picking up the gallant fellow he +could not tell, and with the rest was long left in doubt as to what had +happened. + +The accident had caused all caution to be forgotten, and Murray and the +other officers expected that their cries and shouts must have been heard +by any scouts which might have been sent out from the fort. He +therefore warned the sentries to be on the alert, and ordered the men to +keep their arms ready for immediate action. + +The unaccountable and sad accident threw a gloom over the spirits both +of officers and men, and but few went again to sleep during the +remainder of the night. The next day they would probably be engaged +with the enemy, and who could tell whose fate it might be to fall? To +pass slowly up against the rapid stream with both its banks affording an +almost impenetrable shelter to a concealed foe was likely to cost them +many lives, and from the account they had heard of the strong position +of the fort they were aware that it would give them severe work to +capture. Still it was to be done, and no one doubted that it would be +done, whatever might be the sacrifice. The more reflective had their +minds fully occupied, and all were in a state of anxiety on account of +their captain, and the persons he had risked his own safety to rescue +from destruction. Adair, who heard what Ben had cried out, had little +hopes that he would succeed, and was afraid also that his old shipmate +had lost his life. + +At dawn Murray had all hands roused up that they might get ready to +start. Should the captain unfortunately have lost his life the command +would devolve on him, and he resolved to do his best to secure the +success of the expedition. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTEEN. + +THE CAPTAIN'S RETURN--BOATS APPROACH THE FORT--ASSAILED ON ALL SIDES-- +HOT FIRE--PASSING THE FORT--ARCHY WOUNDED--THE LANDING--FORT ATTACKED-- +NEEDHAM HAULS DOWN THE FLAG--ENEMY PUT TO FLIGHT--THE PURSUIT--FALL OF +COMMANDER BABBICOME--PRISONERS CAPTURED--FORT DESTROYED--RE-EMBARK-- +PASSAGE DOWN THE RIVER--SAIL FOR JAMAICA--DEATH OF COMMANDER BABBICOME-- +FUNERAL--MURRAY PROMOTED--HASTENS TO SAINT DAVID'S. + +Alick Murray felt the full responsibility of the duty imposed on him, +but he knew that he had trustworthy supporters in Jack and Terence, and +that full reliance could be placed on the military officers and on the +gallant marines and soldiers of the regiment. + +As soon as day broke Higson dropped down the stream to rejoin the main +body. He had heard the shouts and cries, and fancying that they had +been caused by the appearance of another puma or jaguar in the camp, he +had not thought it his duty to quit his post. As soon as he arrived, +Murray, informing him of what had happened, ordered him to proceed down +the river and ascertain, if possible, what had become of the captain and +the two unfortunate gentlemen who had been carried away by the current. +In the meantime every preparation was made for starting. The soldiers +had re-embarked, the expedition was about to proceed, when two boats +were seen rounding a point some way down the river. The seamen cheered +heartily when they discovered that their captain's gig was taking the +lead: she having at length got near, Terence, who was looking out, with +great satisfaction saw that his old shipmate, Ben Snatchblock was on +board; as the gig came up alongside he inquired for the consul and his +friend. + +"They are lost," answered the captain, "not a trace could we discover of +them. They must both, poor fellows, have been drowned before they had +been many minutes in the water, and this brave fellow here was nearly +lost also in his attempt to save them. I cannot bear to think of their +sad fate, while we shall much miss their assistance. We have, however, +an unexpected addition to our force. I had gone some way down when I +saw a fire on the shore, and putting in, found Commander Babbicome and +his boat's crew encamped, he having recovered sufficiently to enable him +to come up and join us." + +"How was Snatchblock saved?" asked Terence. + +"By catching hold of a big tree which rose out of the water when I was +pretty nigh done for," answered Ben. "Thanks also to Commander +Babbicome and his boat's crew, who hearing my shouts came and took me +off." + +The corvette's gig, with her perspiring commander (as Terence called +him), soon afterwards came up. He was full of fight and valour, and +burning with eagerness, as he said, to have a brush with the enemy. He +looked but little able to undergo any exertion, and Captain Hemming, who +thought him unfit for the work, regretted that he had joined the +expedition, though he complimented him on his zeal and determination. + +"I couldn't bear the thought of being left behind, and though I knew +that I should be reduced to a pancake, and bitten into one mass of +blisters, I determined to follow you," he answered, "but it has been +trying work, I can assure you. I have lost three stone already, so Dick +Spurling, my coxswain, who is a good judge of weight, declares, and I +have made him hoist me up on his back every morning to try. And then +those abominably greedy mosquitoes! I should have thought after +feasting on the hides of two hundred fellows or more, they might have +had the conscience to let me alone, the gluttons! I had to tell the men +off into watches to wave branches over me at night, or there wouldn't +have been an ounce of blood left in the morning, even if they hadn't +carried me off bodily, and really, considering the size of their wings +and the strength of their proboscises, I thought that more than +probable. Now after all I have gone through, I only hope that the enemy +will hold out and give us something to do." + +As Captain Hemming was unwilling to displace Murray, he directed the +sorely-tried commander to take charge of the heavier boats, while he and +the lieutenant proceeded on ahead with the lighter ones, to endeavour, +before commencing hostilities, to try and settle matters by pacific +measures. The order was now given to move ahead. + +"Faith, it's easy enough to say that same," exclaimed Adair, "but it's +much harder to do it. However, give way, my lads; we shall see the +noses of the Dons before long, if they stop to show them, and if not, we +shall chance to get sight of their coat-tails." + +A hearty laugh from his boat's crew, as they bent lustily to their oars, +followed this sally. + +As the crews of the heavier boats laboured with all their strength they +made good way, and for some time kept the two light gigs in sight. They +now entered a reach of a mile and a half in length, at the head of +which, according to the consul's description, the fort would be found. + +The captain and Murray pulled on for some distance, though the mist +which still hung over the river hid them from sight of the fort. Not a +breath of air stirred the leaves of the forest; the monkeys, as before, +chattered among the branches, and bright-coloured macaws flew screaming +overhead. At length, far in the distance, on the summit of a bold point +projecting into the river, the stockade they might have to attack came +into sight. + +The rays of the rising sun shining on the fort brought it into bold +relief against the dark woods, and above the deep shadows cast across +the stream. + +No flag waved over it, and no sign of life appeared, not a canoe floated +on the water, no sound was heard. Captain Hemming thought that had he +not wished first to try pacific measures, he might have managed to +surprise its garrison without resistance, but, like many another gallant +man, he had no wish to fight if it could be avoided, and he only hoped +to induce the Nicaraguans to yield without being compelled to resort to +force. + +The gigs proceeded but slowly as the current here ran even faster than +in any part of the river. Still no notice was taken of the boats, and +Murray, who shared his captain's sentiments, had begun really to think +that the matter would be settled without bloodshed, when two wreaths of +smoke issued from the stockades, and a couple of shots whistled near +them. At the same moment up went the flag of the Nicaraguan republic, +and the next instant volleys of musketry came rattling by them from +either side of the river. + +"Colonel Salas evidently does not intend to receive us as friends," +observed Captain Hemming. "Order up the other boats, Murray, the sooner +we give him and his followers the lesson they require the better. We +will at once make a dash at the fort; it will not do to stop here and be +shot down like dogs." + +As Dick Needham saw the flag run up he exclaimed-- + +"We'll have that bit of bunting down before long, lads, and it won't be +my fault if I don't get hold of the halliards." + +The crews cheered and pulled on with renewed vigour. Their strength, +however, was taxed to the utmost, for the banks of the river closing in +at this point, the water rushed down like a mill-stream, and at times +the boats remained almost stationary. It was no easy task to urge even +the light boats ahead. Though showers of shot came rattling about them +from numerous concealed foes on either side, it would have been useless +to return their fire, for not an enemy showed himself. + +The marines and soldiers, however, got their muskets ready to pick off +any more adventurous foes who might for an instant appear among the +trees, but the enemy were too well accustomed to this sort of warfare to +expose themselves, and kept well under cover. It was trying in the +extreme, but their gallant leader had resolved not to be defeated in his +object, and all hands willingly followed him. He and Murray took the +lead in their respective gigs. Jack Rogers, with his brother Tom in the +pinnace, which carried the lieutenant of the marines and a party of his +men, were close astern. The frigate's and corvette's barges, with a +detachment of the regiment and their captain, were not far off; the +other boats were making the best of their way, but found it impossible +to keep up with the lighter-built ones. Considering the showers of +bullets which kept whizzing by them, it seemed wonderful that as yet no +one had been wounded. They were not allowed, however, to proceed much +farther with impunity. The boats had been repeatedly hit, and some of +the oars had almost been cut in two. As the headmost boats neared the +fort the fire became hotter. + +The bowman of the pinnace was seen to relax his efforts, but still he +pulled on, a red stream issuing from his breast showed that he had been +hit; presently the oar slipped from his hands, and he sank down into the +bottom of the boat. A marine immediately took his place. Directly +afterwards another man was hit. Not a groan escaped him. Grasping his +oar he attempted to make another stroke, but his eyes gazed wildly, +blood issued from his mouth, the oar escaped from his hands, and he fell +back on the thwart a lifeless corpse. Another man sprang to his place +and with little ceremony, shoving the body aside, pulled lustily away. +The crews of the other boats were treated in the same manner. Nothing +daunted, other men took the places of those who were wounded; the gigs +offering a smaller mark were less frequently hit, but the white +splinters which flew from their gunwales and oars showed that the +bullets of the enemy had found them out; one of the captain's crew was +hit, and directly afterwards Murray had another man hurt. It was a +severe trial for the courage and patience of all, for eager as they were +to get at the foe, they could do nothing but sit still and be fired at. + +Short as the distance was, an hour passed by before they reached the +fort. At length the leading gigs got up to it. As they did so the +river appeared to decrease in width, while the stream, consequently, ran +still faster, and the fire became even hotter than before. The gigs and +pinnace, which kept well up with them, had now got close to the fort, +the stockades rising on the projecting point, high above their heads. +The marines, in the last-mentioned boat, took aim at any of the enemy +who were seen for a moment on the fortifications, while the soldiers in +the other boats did their best to clear the banks of their persevering +foes. Still, however, they were exposed to a galling fire from all +directions; from foes on the starboard hand, and other concealed enemies +on the bows and quarter. Several more men were hit, but as long as they +could pull a stroke they refused to quit their oars. The boats were +almost riddled with shot; the gigs were struck several times between +wind and water, the holes being filled up with handkerchiefs, or +whatever first came to hand. Archy Gordon was employed in stopping one +with his handkerchief, when Murray, to his dismay, saw him fall forward; +steering with one hand he lifted the lad up with the other. + +"Don't mind me," said Archy, in a faint voice, looking very pale; "a +sharp blow made me topple over, but I don't think that I am much hurt." + +"I trust not, my boy; but we will get a doctor to look to you as soon as +possible," answered Murray, placing him into the stern sheets by his +side, so as to cover him as much as possible. Again and again the boats +were hit, and half the oars were cut through. Some breaking off, others +were immediately got out to supply their places. + +The boats all this time were slowly working their way along against the +stream. This was the most trying part of the whole voyage. Upwards of +an hour they had been under fire, and for nearly forty minutes more they +were passing the stockades exposed to it. At length the extreme point +was neared; this they had to round, and then to pull some distance up +the river, so as to be able to descend rapidly to the landing-place, +which was on the other side of the point. The crews renewed their +efforts, and the remainder of the flotilla now appeared, coming slowly +up. As the leading gig at length rounded the point, her crew uttered a +cheer; and as the river became wider, and the current ran with less +force, they were able to make better way, and soon getting beyond the +fire of the fort, they were exposed only occasionally to a shot from +some of the more persevering of the enemy who had made their way along +the banks. + +Murray was thankful when he could at length examine poor Archy's wound. +The lad had fainted from loss of blood; the bullet, it appeared, had +lodged in his side. McTavish, the assistant-surgeon, was fortunately in +the pinnace, and when she came up he took the midshipman under his +charge, as well as several other poor fellows severely wounded. Tom +held him in his arms while the doctor probed his wound, and at length +succeeded in extracting the bullet. + +"He'll not die, I hope," said Tom, feeling very sick and sad. + +"Not this time, I trust. He has a good constitution, and that's +everything in his favour," answered McTavish. + +There was no time, however, for sorrow or sentiment. + +Most of the boats had now got up, and Captain Hemming not waiting for +the rearmost ones, which he calculated would arrive in time to land the +men after the first part had gained a footing on the banks, gave the +order to attack. + +With true British cheers the crews gave way, and the stream now being in +their favour, the boats, still exposed to a warm fire, rapidly +approached the landing-place. + +In front of them was the principal stockade, guarding the landing-place, +a gun on which opened fire. As the boats kept in line it did no damage, +for missing one it missed all. Pulling quickly on, the leading boats of +the flotilla soon reached the landing-place, when the captain, with Jack +and Terence, were the first to leap on shore. Tom and Gerald, with +Needham, came close behind them. The marines, led by their tall +commander, followed, and formed quickly up. The bluejackets and +soldiers immediately afterwards landed, and the captain, with his +companions, again giving forth hearty cheers, rushed towards the +stockade in which the gun was posted. The Nicaraguans, dark, stalwart +fellows, stood their ground bravely, till they saw the cutlasses of the +seamen waving about their heads, and the bayonets of the soldiers +pointed at their breasts, when a well-directed volley of musketry laid +many low, and as the seamen climbed over the stockade, the survivors +abandoning their gun, fled for shelter within the fort. Here, rallied +by their officers, they made another stand, but the English sailors, +rushing forward, were soon climbing over the defences in spite of the +showers of bullets which were flying past them. + +The bluejackets and redcoats vied with each other as to who should be +first over, and as they sprang down into the fort, the former began +slashing and hewing away with their cutlasses, while the latter, forming +as they got over, brought their weapons to the charge, and dashed +forward against the main body of the enemy, who stood their ground. + +Needham had not forgotten his resolve to haul down the Nicaraguan flag. +Accompanied by the midshipmen and several men, having seen that it was +flying at the further angle of the fort, he made a dash towards it. A +dozen or twenty of the enemy, led by an officer, seeing him coming, and +guessing his object, threw themselves in his way to cut him off. With a +cheer, he and his companions dashed forward to the attack. The enemy +withstood them for a few seconds, but a small party of marines made so +vigorous a charge that they took to flight. Others of the garrison had, +however, rallied in the neighbourhood of the flagstaff. + +Still the dauntless seamen dashed on, and so well used their cutlasses +that they forced their way through them, and Dick, with a loud shout, +sprang up to the flagstaff. In another moment he had the halliards in +his hand, and down came the Nicaraguan colours. Having tucked them +under his arm, he again, with cutlass in hand, made a rush at the enemy. +The fight, in the meantime, had been raging in all parts of the fort. +Its issue was never for a moment doubtful, though the enemy, mustering +nearly 200 strong, showed a bold front; but they could not withstand the +charge now made by the gallant soldiers and bluejackets. Turning tail, +off they scampered as fast as their legs could carry them, through the +outlets in the rear of the fort. + +"On lads! on!" was the cry, and after them dashed the whole body of +their assailants uttering a ringing cheer which tended to increase the +rapidity of their flight. Jack and Terence, and the other officers led +the sailors. Captain Babbicome, though undoubtedly not as active as the +rest, had managed to scramble into the fort, and now puffing and blowing +was well in advance. + +As soon as they gained the shelter of the wood, many of the fugitives +turned and fired, but again fled as their pursuers came up with them. +Tom and Gerald having assisted to capture the flag were somewhat behind +the rest. As they ran on they saw the obese, though gallant, commander +just before them, flourishing his sword and shouting, "On, lads, on! +Tally ho! tally ho! We'll have their brushes before long. Make +mincemeat of the rascals! Tally ho, boys tally ho!" + +His voice grew hoarser and hoarser. Some of the fugitives stopped, +turned round, and fired. Suddenly, down he went on his face, his sword +flying out of his hand. + +"There's old Babbicome knocked over," cried Tom and Gerald in the same +breath. + +Though they would have preferred seeing the end of the "fun," as they +called it, they felt that it was their duty to stop and assist him. +Having summoned some of the men near them to their aid, they lifted him +up, but no wound could they discover. + +"I'm done for," he groaned out. + +"Where are you hit, sir?" asked Tom. + +"Nowhere that I know of, but I'm shaken to death. Running doesn't suit +my constitution. Carry me back to my boat." + +His groans and sighs showed that he was much hurt. His own men coming +up obeyed his orders, and Tom and his companions continued the pursuit. + +A Nicaraguan officer and several men had already been taken prisoners +and sent down to the landing-place. Every now and then the pursuers +caught sight of the enemy among the trees, who, as soon as they saw them +coming, again darted off, easily finding concealment in the dense +forest. + +"I wish that Archy was here," cried Gerald, "he would have enjoyed the +fun." + +Needham, with several other sailors, were with the midshipmen. Just +then they caught sight of a person trying to conceal himself behind a +tree. By his uniform they knew that he was an officer. + +"We must have that fellow," cried Tom, dashing forward. + +The officer, who had a sword in his hand, made a cut at Tom, which he +parried with his cutlass. The Nicaraguan then seeing several of his +enemies approaching, cried out for "quarter," and presented the hilt of +his sword. + +"Come along," cried Tom, highly delighted, "you're my prisoner; no one +shall hurt you now;" and he and Gerald, who was close at hand, grasping +him by the arm, shouted to Needham and the rest to come and take charge +of him. + +Just at that moment the bugle echoing through the forest, sounded the +"recall." The summons was heard by the fugitives with more satisfaction +probably than by the pursuers. The latter obeyed it, and bluejackets, +marines, and soldiers began to assemble from all directions in which the +flying enemy had led them. + +Few prisoners only besides the officers had been taken, for the +thickness of the forest favoured the flight of the Nicaraguans. Here +and there the dead body of one of them was seen, shot in the pursuit, or +who had fallen down after being wounded in the fort. + +The midshipmen were excessively proud of their capture, and Needham not +the less so at having the Nicaraguan flag to show as a trophy. At +length the greater number of the pursuers returned to the fort. The +remaining stragglers, who had been led by their ardour farther than the +rest, came in soon afterwards, and the whole being mustered, it was +found that not a man had been killed on shore and five only wounded. + +Tom and Gerald now came up to the captain with their prisoner, and +received due commendation for their zeal. Needham followed with the +flag, which he had kept fast under his arm, and which he now produced in +due form; the captain having heard the particulars, did not fail to +promise that he should receive a reward for his bravery. + +He then addressed the men, and expressed his satisfaction at the +gallantry and good discipline they had displayed. "We have still some +work to do, my lads, however, and the more quickly we set about it the +sooner we shall get out of this broiling spot, and have our wounded men +properly cared for on board ship," he said. "We have to make the place +untenable for some time to come by the rascals you have so soundly +thrashed." + +All hands then set to work to spike the guns, to break the trunnions, +and to gather together all the muskets and ammunition which the +fugitives had left behind them. With many a cheer the sailors, who +enjoyed the fun, then rolled the guns down the steep bank into the +river. While one party was thus engaged, the other was employed in +pulling up the posts of the stockades, and piling them in great heaps, +with the muskets on the top. The heaps were then set on fire, and the +place which a few hours before presented so formidable an appearance, +was utterly destroyed. + +The order was now given to embark. Murray had been directed by the +captain to go over the ground and ascertain the number of the killed. +Twenty dead bodies were found; several more having been seen in the +forest, it was computed that twice that number had been wounded; the +larger proportion of these had, however, been assisted off by their +companions. Some of the prisoners proved to be boatmen, pressed into +the service. Twelve of these were taken to act as pilots, a hint being +given them that should they attempt to play tricks they would be +forthwith shot. + +The two officers looked very crestfallen. Jack had one of them in his +boat, and Terence took charge of the other. They were not very +attractive gentlemen, and did little else than bemoan their hard fate +and smoke their cigarettes, which they assiduously employed themselves +in rolling up. Jack's prisoner, for most of the time, gave vent to his +ill-humour by abusing the commandant who had been the cause of their +misfortune. Jack knew but little of Spanish, but still he was able to +make out what was said. + +"What regular daredevils you English are, nothing can stop you," cried +the officer. + +"You are right, my friend; trifles don't hinder us when we have an +object in view; and as we were going up with purely pacific intentions, +merely to inquire why your colonel had carried off two of our +countrymen, it was not pleasant to find ourselves fired at by you and +your people, though you might have thought it good fun. We have made +you pay pretty dearly, however, old fellow, for your amusement." + +"Yes, you have indeed," replied the Don; "but you have not recovered the +men you came to search for." + +"No; but still you are not likely to regain your liberty till you find +them for us." + +"Then we shall be prisoners for ever," sighed the Don. + +"Why, what have become of the men?" asked Jack. + +"They are `gastados,' `expended,'" answered the Don. + +"What would you say if we were to expend you and your brother officer, +by running you up to the yardarm of one of our ships?" asked Jack. + +The remark made the Don shake in his shoes. + +The expedition remained for the night at the spot from which they had +started in the morning. The wounded were as well cared for as +circumstances would allow. Great anxiety was felt by all hands for +Archy Gordon, the surgeon being unable to give a satisfactory report of +his state. His two friends begged leave to assist in attending on him; +he was frequently insensible, and when he returned to consciousness the +groans which he uttered showed how severely he was suffering. The next +morning the expedition got under way and, piloted by the boatmen, +rapidly proceeded down the stream, performing the distance in a few +hours which had taken them so many days of hard toil to accomplish in +their ascent. Several men were also on the sick list from fatigue and +exposure to the hot sun by day and the damps of night. None of the +officers had suffered much except Commander Babbicome, who had remained +unconscious from the time he had been carried on board his gig. The +surgeon announced his case to be one of sunstroke; Captain Hemming, +therefore, sent him down in his gig ahead that he might sooner obtain +the assistance of his own doctor. + +Archy Gordon was at once taken on board the frigate, that he might be +under the care of the surgeon, who expressed great anxiety about him. +Tom and Needham were his constant attendants; Tom, indeed, watched over +him, when off duty, with the affection of a brother. + +"Never fear, Rogers," said the surgeon, observing how unhappy Tom +looked, "Gordon will pull through if he keeps quiet, and is watched over +with the care which you show him." + +Tom was somewhat consoled on hearing this; he sent off a despatch to +Gerald, by the first opportunity, with a bulletin of their friend's +state. + +The report from the corvette was not so favourable. The surgeon +expressed his fears that the commander would not reach Jamaica alive. + +For the sake of his wounded men Captain Hemming was anxious to return as +soon as possible to Jamaica. Murray was walking the deck of the +_Supplejack_, when a boat from the frigate came alongside, and +Lieutenant Rogers stepped on board. + +"Good news, Alick!" he exclaimed. "We are to get under weigh +immediately the wind will allow us, and proceed at once to Jamaica, +where the captain is anxious to land the sick and wounded. I knew you +would be glad to hear this; you will receive, I hope on arrival, a due +reward for your gallant deeds, for every one says that you are sure to +be promoted." + +"I shall certainly prize that for many reasons," answered Murray, "and +thanks to you for cheering me up. Our energies have been taxed pretty +severely for the last few days, and I feel more out of spirits than +usual. What account do you bring me of poor Archy?" + +"The doctor is more hopeful about him than at first. Young Highlander +as he is, he thinks that there is every prospect of his getting round +again in time by careful nursing, and I dare say your friends at Saint +David's will be happy to take charge of him when we get to Jamaica. He +will afford an object of interest to Miss O'Regan, and draw her off from +the thoughts of her own loss." + +"I trust that such may be the case," said Murray. "But, my dear Jack, I +have been oppressed with all sorts of evil forebodings about her. I +cannot help dreading that she has been attacked by fever, or that she +has met with some accident, or that--" + +"Nonsense, Alick, that's not like you," interrupted Jack. "You say that +your energies have been severely taxed: that alone is the cause of your +forebodings of evil. After we have been at sea a day or two you will +laugh at them. Good-bye, I must be off." + +Jack pulled on for the corvette, and delivered the welcome order to +prepare for sea. The surgeon gave him a bad account of the commander. +His mind was wandering, and he was every day becoming weaker. He was +continually talking of his beloved beeves and his pigs, his orchard and +his cabbage-garden, and sometimes he fancied that he was bestriding his +trusty cob, setting off to market, and he would shout out to his old +housekeeper, Martha, to have his dinner ready at his return. + +"Poor fellow, he would have been wiser had he continued cultivating his +little farm in Bedfordshire, instead of tempting again the treacherous +deep," thought Jack. "However, probably Alick will get the vacancy, so +it's all right." + +A short time afterwards a light breeze came off the land. The sails +were let fall, and, the frigate leading the way, the small squadron +shaped a course for Jamaica. + +The _Supplejack_ proved herself to be a fast craft, being well able to +keep up with the frigate and corvette, so Murray considered that he +could report favourably of her to the admiral. + +When within about a day's sail of Jamaica the corvette, which had +separated during the night from her consort, was again seen approaching, +with her flag halfmast high. The flags of the other two ships were +lowered in compliment, and inquiries by signal were made as to when the +melancholy event had occurred. The reply was, on the previous evening, +and that the commander's last request had been that he might be buried +on shore. + +The next day the squadron came to an anchor in Port Royal harbour. + +Eager as Captain Hemming knew that Murray would be to proceed to +Kingston, his first duty was to attend to the funeral of the late +commander of the corvette, which could not be delayed. + +The boats of the squadron being manned, followed the _Tudor's_ barge, +which contained the coffin. On landing it was borne by a party of +seamen to the burying ground of Port Royal, where the garrison chaplain +performed the service, and the marines having fired a volley over the +grave, the party returned on board. + +The ceremony being over, the flags were hoisted up, and it must be +confessed that very little more was thought of or said about poor +Commander Babbicome and his eccentricities. Captain Hemming and Murray +then proceeded up to Kingston, where they were received with warm +congratulations and highly complimented by the admiral. + +"I have already sent your despatch home," he said, turning to Alick, +"and I have secured your promotion, I hope. In the meantime I intend to +give you an acting order to take command of the corvette, and I shall be +glad, Captain Hemming, to appoint any officer you can recommend to the +_Supplejack_." The captain at once named Lieutenant Rogers. "I should +have been glad to have suggested my first lieutenant, Mr Cherry, but I +am unwilling to spare him, and I believe that he would rather continue +as at present on board the frigate." + +On hearing that his young cousin was wounded, the admiral at once +desired Murray to have him brought up to the Pen, if the doctor thought +he could be moved, "and you, I suspect, will not object to a day or +two's leave to enjoy a trip into the country," he added; "I shall be +happy to see you on your return." + +Alick thanked the admiral, who advised him to set out forthwith, while +he invited Captain Hemming to dinner. The boats were sent back, with +directions that the wounded midshipman should be brought to the Pen the +next day; and Murray, taking the admiral's advice, set off for Saint +David's, hoping to arrive there before nightfall. + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. + +JACK ROGERS IN COMMAND OF THE SUPPLEJACK--ALICK'S LETTER TO JACK--THE +CAYMANS--SHOAL OF TURTLE--DOLPHINS--CHASES A SLAVER--HAVANNAH--SCENES ON +SHORE--SLAVERS IN HARBOUR--POLITE INVITATION FROM A SLAVE-DEALER--JACK +ACCEPTS IT--THE VENUS SLIPS OUT OF HARBOUR. + +Sometime after the events related in the last chapter, Jack Rogers +walked the deck of the _Supplejack_ as her commander, he having +superseded Murray, who had been promoted, as every one acknowledged--a +just reward for his gallantry at Carthagena. + +Higson had been made a lieutenant, and appointed to the _Tudor_, while +Terence Adair had rejoined the _Plantagenet_. The commander who had +been appointed to the corvette in the place of poor Captain Babbicome +had fallen sick, and as there was every probability of his having to +return to England, Jack had hopes that the admiral would appoint Murray +to the command. + +"If I hadn't the _Supplejack_ I should have been delighted to serve +under him," said Jack to Adair, who had come on board to see him. + +"I have no idea of a fellow being jealous of another's good fortune, for +no one deserved his more than Alick Murray. I only wish that I may get +the chance of doing something in the _Supplejack_; I won't throw it away +if I can help it." + +"You will have more opportunity than I shall have aboard the frigate," +answered Terence; "and I only wish that I could be with you or Murray, +if he gets the command of the _Tudor_." + +"I'm sure, at all events, to fall in with a slaver or two, or perhaps +have some such work as that of Saint Juan cut out for me," said Jack. +"I am now, I believe, to be ordered to Havannah, so Johnny Ferong +assured me yesterday, and as he is certain to be well informed, I expect +every hour to receive my despatches from the admiral." + +While Jack was speaking, a boat was seen coming down the harbour, and in +a short time he received from the officer who came in her an order to +proceed at once to Havannah, and on his way to keep a sharp lookout for +slavers, of which it was known there were a good many on the coast. He +at the same time got a letter from Murray, who had been residing with +his friends at Saint David's since he gave up the command of the +_Supplejack_. We may take a glance at its contents, which thus ran:-- + + "Dear Jack,--Since I cannot tear myself away from this Eden, though + had I a pair of wings I would do so for a brief space, to see how you + are getting on on board the little brig, I must beg you to be content + with the few lines I have the time to write, before our sable + `Mercury' starts for Kingston. I am, as you may suspect, supremely + happy. Stella has recovered her spirits, and every day becomes more + attractive. It is beautiful to see her watch over my young kinsman + Archy, who is slowly recovering from his dangerous wound. The doctor + says that had it not been for her watchful care he would have + succumbed to the fever, which attacked him after his arrival here. + + "You ask me when our marriage is to take place. Stella will not hear + of it; her father's death is too recent; and she will not tempt me + away from my duty, for she thinks that if I became a married man I + shall wish to remain on shore; and I cannot help acknowledging that, + in that respect, she is right. She wants me, at all events, to serve + as a commander till I obtain a post-rank; and her kind friends here + offer her a home till she has one of her own. + + "I long for the time, however, when I may take her to Scotland as my + bride and present her to my family. In truth, though I have often + fancied that nothing would make me wish to leave the navy, I have + begun to meditate doing so rather than be separated from her. + Perhaps, however, I may be able to persuade her to yield to my wishes, + and as the _Tudor_ will probably remain on the station, I shall + constantly be returning to port and be able to enjoy her society. + + "I am sure, you say, to get command of the corvette, provided Grafton + goes home; and the doctors say that there is no chance of his + recovering out here. + + "Stella desires to be kindly remembered to you, as do all your friends + at Saint David's. You have won their hearts, I assure you, and they + will be happy to see you whenever you return to Jamaica. + + "They press me to remain here till I am ordered to join the ship; and + as you may suppose, I am perfectly happy to accept their hospitality. + + "My cousin Archy desires to be remembered to those young reefers, your + brother Tom and Desmond. I hope some day to be among them and assist + in keeping them out of mischief. Give my kind regards to Terence, and + believe me, + + "Your very affectionate friend, + + "Alexander Murray." + +Jack had no time to answer this letter, as, the breeze proving +favourable, he was obliged to put to sea according to his instructions. +During his run westward he kept a bright lookout for slavers in all +directions. It was just daylight; a mist lay on the surface of the +ocean, which completely shut out any object at a distance; while a light +breeze from the South-east filled the brig's sails and impelled her at +the rate of two or three knots an hour through the water. Harry Bevan, +who had joined from the frigate, was officer of the watch. The men, +with trowsers tucked up and buckets in hand, were about to commence the +operation of washing decks. + +"I say," exclaimed Tom, who had been sent forward on some duty, "I never +believed in the great sea serpent, but, as sure as I'm alive, that must +be the fellow right ahead, wriggling along at a tremendous rate! If you +listen you'll hear the noise he's making!" + +"Broken water ahead!" shouted the lookout forward. + +"That I'm sure it cannot be!" said Bevan. + +He, however, as a precaution, brought the brig to the wind, and directed +Tom to call the commander. Jack was quickly on deck. + +"Keep her away again!" he exclaimed, after he had examined the object +which had so astonished Tom. "That is neither the head nor tail of the +big sea serpent, but a shoal of turtles, which having come from the Bay +of Honduras, are bound for the Cayman Islands, where they are going to +lay their eggs?" he said, laughing heartily at Tom's notion. + +The brig was soon in the midst of them, their columns dividing to get +out of her way. It was wonderful the noise they made, as their fins +rapidly struck the water in their onward course. Soon afterwards the +mist lifted, and the lofty trees which grew on the great Cayman could be +seen rising out of the water some fifteen miles off, appearing like a +grove of masts emerging from the ocean. Directly afterwards the mist, +which still hung in the west, was swept away, exposing to view the sails +of a square topsail schooner shining in the rays of the sun with snowy +whiteness. Jack immediately ordered the brig to be kept away, and made +all sail in chase. The schooner held her course for some time, but at +length discovering that the brig had kept away, set also every stitch of +canvas she could carry. This at once betrayed her character, for had +she been an honest trader, she would have had no reason to run from an +English brig. + +The crew felt as eager to overtake her as did the commander. It was the +first of this sort of work they had had, and they indulged with immense +satisfaction in the idea of carrying back a prize full of slaves to Port +Royal. + +Long Tom was got ready for action, as it was not likely that the slaver, +if such she was, would yield without making every effort to escape. The +chase showed that she had a remarkably nimble pair of heels, for fast as +the _Supplejack_ was, after a couple of hours had passed by, she +appeared to have gained little or nothing on her. + +"Do you think we shall take her?" asked Tom of Needham, who had been +appointed as gunner of the _Supplejack_. + +"If the wind freshens, and we have the first of it before it reaches +her, we may get her within range of Long Tom, and it then won't be my +fault if we don't bring down some of her spars; but if night comes on +before our shot can reach her, she may manage to slip out of our hands +in the dark." + +"But we have most of the day before us, and we surely shall get up with +her before then," observed Tom. + +"You see, we have run on already two hours, and are no nearer than at +first," said Needham. "If we were to chase her round the world, and she +was to sail twelve knots to our ten, she would soon be out of sight, so +I don't feel very certain that we shall have her ladyship; but if we +miss her this time we may fall in with her another." + +At the time the men were piped to dinner, the _Supplejack_ had not +gained more than at first on the chase. Still Jack persevered, trusting +that something might happen to favour him. + +The men in their eagerness to watch the chase hurried up on deck, and +the officers remained below as short a time as possible. Every +expedient that could be thought of was adopted to increase the speed of +the brig. Every variation of the breeze was carefully watched by Jack's +vigilant eyes. Now he ordered a pull at the starboard, now at the +larboard braces, while every inch of canvas that could be set was kept +thoroughly wetted so that not a thimbleful of the precious wind could +escape till it had done its duty. + +The day wore on; it was tantalising in the extreme to see the stranger +still keeping so far ahead. The breeze, however, at length freshened, +and the stronger it blew the faster the brig sailed. She was evidently +nearing the chase, but the sun, casting a ruddy glow over the western +sky and across the laughing sea, was sinking rapidly towards the +horizon, turning the sails of the schooner, which had hitherto appeared +of snowy whiteness, into deep shadow. "Long Tom will reach her now, +I've a hope, sir," said Needham, "and if we can knock away some of her +flying kites, she may be ours before the day is over." + +"Try, at all events," answered Jack, and Needham, giving a friendly slap +on the breech of the gun, while he cast his eye along the sight, brought +it to a proper elevation, and the brig yawing slightly, he pulled the +trigger. The shot flew straight for the chase, but as Jack watched its +course, he saw that it fell into the water short of the mark. + +"It was not far off, though, sir," said Needham, "and if we hold on at +the rate we are going, we shall soon have her within range." + +The gun was again loaded, and after another few minutes Jack ordered it +once more to be fired, but with no better success than at first, and, as +he saw, it would be useless to fire till he had gained still more on the +chase. + +The lower limb of the sun had now, however, reached the horizon, below +which the glowing orb rapidly sank, and the shades of night came +creeping over the ocean. + +Still the shadowy outline of the schooner, like a dark phantom stalking +over the deep, could be discerned ahead. A vigilant lookout was kept, +but hour after hour went by and the brig appeared to have got no nearer +to her than at first. Jack and most of his officers remained on deck. +Towards morning the distance seemed somewhat lessened. He had his eyes +on the chase, and could not help hoping that by daylight they might be +near enough to try what Long Tom could do, when the sails of the +schooner began to grow less and less distinct. He had a moment before +seen her; he rubbed his eyes; she had disappeared! It was very +provoking, still he could but hope that in the morning they would again +get sight of her. Ordering the same course to be kept, he at length +turned in, desiring to be immediately called should she be again seen. + +When morning broke, a mist, similar to that which had risen the previous +day, obscured all distant objects. A lookout was sent aloft, but he +could see nothing; and when the sun rose in the sky, and the mist +dispersed, the chase was nowhere visible. + +"Better luck next time," observed Jack, when he came on deck, and he +ordered the brig to be kept on her proper course for Saint Antonio, the +westernmost point of Cuba. Several vessels were sighted during the day, +but they were too far off to make it worth while, Jack considered, to go +out of his course to speak them. + +The midshipmen employed themselves in a variety of ways. Tom had, of +course, brought Spider, who assisted them to idle away many a spare +hour. + +Tom and Desmond one day amused themselves by making a target of a piece +of canvas. It was painted in circles of different colours, with a +yellow bull's-eye in the usual fashion. This was suspended by a line at +the end of a spar, rigged from the fore yardarm, on about a level with +the bulwarks, and well answered the purpose intended. With half-a-dozen +ship's pistols they began blazing away, sometimes hitting the mark, +though as often, it must be confessed, missing it. Tom proved himself +decidedly the best shot. Desmond declared that his pistol somehow or +other shot crooked whenever he failed to hit the target. They thus +passed away many an hour in calm weather, and Jack considered that the +powder was well expended, as it taught them how to handle their weapons. + +McTavish and the purser in the meantime got out lines and hooks baited +simply with pieces of canvas, the former wishing to obtain some dolphins +for examination, which had been seen darting through the water on either +side of the brig. + +"Hurrah!" exclaimed McTavish, "I have got hold of a big fellow at last. +Lend a hand to haul him in, Norris." In another minute a good-sized +fish was hauled on deck. + +"Do you call that a dolphin?" said Tom. "I thought a dolphin was a +fellow with a big head and large fins, of all the colours of the +rainbow." + +"It is undoubtedly a dolphin," answered McTavish. "If you haul it out +of the shade of the bulwarks, you will see that it is of cerulean hue. +There, it won't retain that colour long; it's changing already. Now it +is purple, and before long, as its life ebbs, it will become black. But +hurrah! I have another bite." + +Three other dolphins were hauled up in quick succession, and taken +forward to be anatomised by the surgeon. + +Several spectators watched the operation. "Hallo!" cried McTavish, as +he cut open one of the fish. "This fellow has swallowed something very +hard;" and to the astonishment of all, he pulled out two bullets. In +another were found three, and inside a third a similar number. There +could be no doubt that they had swallowed the bullets which fell into +the water from the midshipmen's pistols. The fact proved the rapidity +with which dolphins are capable of swimming, as it could not be supposed +that they had all been close to the spot where the bullets fell, nor +could they have seen them till they reached the surface. As, however, +many of the bullets had _ricocheted_ for a considerable distance, the +fish had probably caught sight of them as they first struck the water, +and darting after them, caught them as they began to sink. + +The brig continued her course, and having rounded Cape Saint Antonio +sailed eastward for Havannah; keeping, however, at a respectful distance +from the numerous low sandy islands, or keys as they are called, which +lie off the northern shore of the island, and have brought many a tall +ship to destruction. At length the irregular outline of the hills above +the magnificent harbour of Havannah appeared in sight. + +A fair and fresh breeze filled the sails of the brig, and carried her +rapidly towards the mouth of the harbour. Presently a lateen-rigged +craft, a pilot vessel, came sweeping out from behind the high, +threatening rocks, on the summit of which the massive fortifications +guarding the entrance of the port were now discernible. + +The pilot vessel was soon close on board, but Jack waved her off, being +very well able he considered to take in his small brig without +assistance. The brig was now running through a channel between three or +four hundred yards broad, and half a mile in length, which leads into +the magnificent landlocked harbour. + +High on the starboard side rose the massive fortress of El Moro and on +the port, that of La Ponta extending from either side of which could be +seen the encircling line of fortifications which protect the city and +harbour. + +The brig, passing through the narrow entrance, the whole panorama of the +magnificent landlocked bay with its fleet of vessels, some at anchor, +others moored with their heads to the quay, its numberless boats with +lateen sails and hulls painted, some of a bright blue, others of a +scarlet hue, and others again striped with green and white, darting +about in all directions; its great square stone warehouses fronting the +water; its many mansions, the residences of nobles and merchants; its +beautiful-looking villas, and groves of palm-trees; the high-peaked +roofs of its convents, and tall grey towers of its churches rising above +the whole, now appeared in full view. The brig appeared in a complete +lake, the fort of La Ponta high above, near which she had passed, +completely shutting out the entrance of the harbour. On the shores +around were seen numberless hamlets of every hue, the rich foliage of +the tropical trees and shrubs, giving a cheerful aspect to the +surrounding barren slopes, as did the bright green jalousies of most of +the residences, and the flowering trees which rose among them, to the +city. In every open space visible were seen slaves hurrying here and +there with heavy loads, seamen of all nations strolling along intermixed +with the far-famed volantes, brilliant with burnished metal, rolling in +and out of gateways, the steed which drew it, bestrode by a postillion, +six or eight feet from the body of the vehicle. + +The brig was quickly surrounded by boats bringing off vegetables, fruit, +and fish, some of them containing those persevering personages ever +present in foreign ports, washerwomen and washermen, their laudable +object being to solicit the honour of cleansing the dirty linen of the +officers and crew. + +Jack hoped to find some amusement on shore. Before, however, ordering +his gig to be got ready, he was engaged for some time, not in examining +the beauties of the harbour, but in casting searching glances around to +discover such rakish, wicked-looking craft as were likely to be engaged +in the slave-trade. He marked several of suspicious appearance. + +"We must have some of these fellows, Bevan," he observed, "keep a bright +lookout on their movements; if we are off watch they will take the +opportunity, depend on it, to slip out of the harbour; I have no doubt +that the fellows cursed us in their hearts when they saw the little brig +enter the harbour." + +Among the commercial cities of the western hemisphere, Havannah ranks +next to New York; the harbour is the best in the West Indies, and is +unequalled in beauty by any in the world. It is nearly three miles +long, and a mile and a half in width. While completely sheltered from +every wind by the surrounding heights, so great is the depth of water +that the largest ships can come close up to the quays. + +The city stands on the western shore of the bay. The streets of the old +part within the walls are narrow and far from clean, but those of the +suburbs, which cover a much larger space than the city itself, are broad +and well laid out, many of them being handsome and tolerably free from +dirt. Besides the two strong fortresses at the entrance, batteries run +along both shores, while fortifications frown from all the surrounding +heights. + +The houses, which are in the Moorish style, have excessively thick +walls, and are mostly of one storey. The windows, however, are +unglazed, and, on account of the heat of the climate, always kept open. + +The object of most interest in the city is the cathedral, not on account +of its beauty, but because it contains the bones of Columbus, which were +removed here from the church of Santa Domingo, in Hispaniola, at the end +of the last century. + +The chief attractions of the place are its paseos or public drives, of +which it possesses three, two inside, and one outside the walls. Some +of them are ornamented with statues of royal personages, more or less +ugly, with rows of poplars on either side, and with fountains and +gardens. Here, in the afternoon, the world of fashion resort, and they +are thronged with young creoles in evening dress and round hats, +employed in casting admiring glances at the fair dames, who drive slowly +up and down the carriage-road in their wide and open volantes, their +heads adorned as if for a ballroom, with natural flowers, and generally +arrayed in costumes of all the colours of the rainbow. + +Jack felt, at first, somewhat indignant as he observed the impudent +glances, so he considered them, cast by the youths at the young ladies; +but soon came to the conclusion that they had no objection to be so +looked at, and would indeed have felt injured had they not received this +style of homage from the opposite sex. As he passed through the +streets, he could look with ease through the large open windows into the +drawing-rooms of the houses, where in the evening, when not abroad, the +ladies of the family are wont to assemble; the older dames seated in +rocking-chairs, the younger in front of the iron bars, by which alone +ingress from without is prevented. Here they can see every one passing +and be seen in return. + +The volante is as worthy of a description as the gondola of Venice. The +dames of Cuba delight in it, for it is not only picturesque, but +luxurious in the extreme. It is made to contain two sitters with +comfort, but when a duenna is in attendance, she is seated on a middle +seat between her charges. It has two enormous wheels, strong and thick; +the body is supported on the axle-tree, and swings forward from it on +springs; it is somewhat low down, and affords abundance of room for the +feet, which are supported by a brightly polished metal bar, which runs +across the footboard. It is most remarkable for the shafts, which are +fourteen feet in length, the extreme ends resting on the saddle of the +horse, who has thus entirely to support the whole weight of the vehicle; +there is thus between the horse's tail and the carriage a space of +nearly seven feet. The postillion is generally a very heavy negro, who +rides the unfortunate horse. Those used by people of fashion are drawn +by two horses, one outside the shafts, on which the postillion sits. He +is as remarkable an object as the vehicle itself. He wears a huge pair +of footless boots, the top rising ten inches or so above his knees, so +that they nearly touch his elbows, while, to the bottom are secured huge +iron spurs, his breeches are white, and his jacket red, ornamented with +gilt lace, while a broad-brimmed hat covering his woolly pate completes +his costume. Still barbarous and awkward as the affair appears, it +looks perfectly suitable to surrounding objects; the fair occupants seem +also in their proper places, with their gaily-coloured costumes, and +their dark hair fastened by a high comb, and ornamented generally with +natural flowers. Jack did not consider their beauty so surpassing as he +had been led to expect, while he thought the older dames perfectly +hideous; but then the recollection of the lily and rose in the cheeks of +his fair countrywomen was too recent to allow him to admire them as he +might otherwise have done. He was highly amused at seeing in some of +the dining-halls one of those silver ornamented vehicles placed at the +farther end, its usual position when not in use. + +As far as he could judge, the male portion of the population passed +their evenings in smoking cigars and playing billiards, when not engaged +in dancing or listening to music. Every evening, before the +captain-general's house in the Plaza, a military band played for an +hour, when the men collected by hundreds, but a few ladies, however, +appearing among them. + +Gambling, in one form or another, appeared to be the occupation of all +orders, encouraged considerably by the government, who had public +lotteries, tickets and minute portions of tickets being daily vended in +the streets. + +Jack and his officers were overwhelmed with invitations, not only from +English and Americans, but from Spaniards, some of whom, he was warned, +might possibly have a motive in wishing to make their stay on shore +agreeable, they being owners, or in some way interested in the +rakish-looking craft in the harbour, and on which it was his special +duty to keep an eye. + +Picturesque and attractive as Havannah is in many respects, Jack came to +the opinion that it would undoubtedly become a much finer place were it +in the hands of the English or Americans. + +Once upon a time it did become a British possession. When in the year +1762 the Spaniards and English went to war, as soon as hostilities had +broken out, the British government despatched a fleet under Sir George +Pocock, with an army of 1600 men, commanded by the Earl of Albemarle. + +The fleet consisted of twenty-two sail of the line, four ships of fifty +guns, ten frigates, and seventeen small vessels. That so powerful a +force was sent out, showed the belief of the English in the strength of +the fortifications. The Spaniards, however, had but little stomach for +the fight. + +While the fleet threatened them on the sea side, the troops landed to +the east and west of the city, and attacking it in the rear quickly made +themselves masters of the renowned fortifications. On the return of +peace, a few months afterwards, it was once more placed under the +fearful mismanagement of the Spaniards, and now only awaits a favourable +opportunity to be taken possession of by the Yankees. + +Whatever may be said of Havannah, Jack found it a very pleasant place, +but he took good care never to sleep on shore, or indeed at any time to +remain longer away from his ship than possible. He made several +excursions round the harbour, not so much to enjoy its beauties, as to +examine the before-mentioned rakish-looking craft which lay moored to +the quays, apparently for the purpose of taking in cargo; he could +never, however, observe anything going forward on board them during the +daytime. Needham had, however, several times in the evening, taken a +pull in the dinghy among the vessels. He reported that there was some +bustle on board one of them in particular, and that he could hear the +sound of hammering going on within her. + +"It is my idea, sir, that they are fitting up slave-decks. Depend on +it, before long some of them will be trying to get out, if they have the +chance, without our seeing them. I marked a craft called the _Venus_ +which came in at sunset, when you were on shore, and if she is not the +very schooner we chased, she is wonderfully like her. She is large, and +to my mind faster than any of them; but if she can get whatever she +wants, and her cargo shipped, we may be sure it won't be long before she +tries to slip out unknown to us." + +Jack thought that Needham was probably right in his conjectures, but one +thing was certain, that while the commander of the _Venus_ knew that he +was watched and likely to be followed, he would not attempt to put to +sea. Jack waited patiently. He knew that, at all events, he was of +some service in thus locking up these traders in human flesh. If he +could not catch them, he could, at all events, prevent them from doing +harm. He had accepted several invitations, and had been seen at both +English and Spaniards' houses; at one of the latter, he had met a +Spaniard, Don Matteo, who spoke English well, and paid him great +attention. On inquiry, he found that he was a slave-merchant, the owner +of a number of vessels employed in making frequent trips to the coast of +Africa and back. + +Jack had hitherto refused his invitations, though his parties were among +the most brilliant, and his daughters the most attractive of the +black-eyed damsels of Cuba. Jack, however, as every British officer +engaged in the suppression of the slave-trade ought to be, was wide +awake; and when Don Matteo, notwithstanding his former refusals, again +invited him and as many of his officers as he could bring, to attend a +dance to be given at his house the following evening, he accepted the +invitation, and promised to bring all that could be spared from the +ship; on making inquiries he found, as he suspected, that the Don was +the owner of the _Venus_. + +"He goes by the name of Don Matteo at present, but he was long known on +the coast of Africa by that of Pepe the pirate," added his informant. +"Innumerable are the atrocities of which, there is not the slightest +doubt, the fellow was guilty; but he managed to escape hanging, and +having realised a large fortune, got whitewashed by the authorities, +whom he still keeps in his pay, changed his name, and settled down in +Havannah as a respectable merchant and shipowner; though to avoid the +risk of personal inconvenience, he no more goes to sea, as was his wont +formerly. He has a fleet of a dozen vessels or more employed in the +middle passage. As he bribes the government officials, the captain of +the port, and others, as well as the commanders of the Spanish ships of +war, his vessels find no difficulty in getting in and out of harbour, +even though completely fitted for the slave-trade, and the latter +frequently convoy them till they are free from the risk of capture by +the English cruisers on this station. On the other side of the +Atlantic, they have to look after themselves, but they get pretty +correct information, and three in four escape capture, so that his +adventures pay him handsomely. Having, as I said, grown honest, he +deals at present exclusively in blacks, but he is known to have +committed not a few acts of piracy in his younger days, and the deaths +of two or three British officers, and the crews of several merchantmen, +are placed to his account." + +"The scoundrel!" exclaimed Jack. "I do not fancy partaking of his +hospitality." + +"As you please, Mr Rogers; but I would advise you to put your feelings +in your pocket," was the answer. "Remember that you do not go to the +fellow's house for your own amusement, but for the good of the service +in which you are engaged." + +"Yes, I see that you are right," said Jack. "I will do my best to catch +one of his craft, at all events." + +Accordingly, on his arrival on board, he sent Needham in the dinghy, as +before, to take a quiet pull among the ships. The gunner came back +about midnight, and reported that the people were as busy as bees on +board the schooner, that the sails were being bent, and, according to +his opinion, she was getting ready for sea. + +"Then she intends to sail tomorrow night, while I am on shore," observed +Jack. "I'll go, however, and try if we can play as good a game as she +can." + +"That's it, sir; you will have plenty of time to get on board after she +slips out, and we can soon be after her." + +Jack accordingly ordered a boat to be in waiting for him and his +officers, at one of the less-frequented landing-places, a couple of +hours after dark, intending to remain at the party till that time, and +then to return on board. He also gave directions to Needham to have the +cable hove short, and everything to be ready for getting under weigh at +a moment's notice. He then told Bevan and the other officers who were +to accompany him that they were to leave Don Matteo's house, if +possible, without being noticed, and that he himself would follow at the +time he had fixed on. + +It was still daylight when he and his officers, including three +midshipmen in full rig, pulled on shore to attend the ball. + +The sun was just setting as they arrived at the wide entrance of Don +Matteo's handsome mansion, to which numerous volantes, in rapid +succession, were bringing up the fair dancers, while gentlemen were +arriving either in various conveyances or on foot. + +Passing through a courtyard, they were ushered upstairs into a spacious +and well-lighted saloon, with enormous windows looking on one side into +a courtyard, in the midst of which a fountain threw up jets of cooling +water, and on the other, into a garden fragrant with sweet-scented +flowers. + +The dancing soon began. No people could be more polite and attentive +than their host and hostess, to whose lovely daughters the English +officers were immediately introduced. At first Jack found it somewhat +difficult to get through the contradanza, the dance for which Havannah +is especially celebrated, but his partner smiled graciously, and assured +him that he performed it to perfection. When, however, he contrasted +his own performance with that of the active-toed Spaniards, he could not +help feeling that he was receiving undue flattery. As to his companions +they soon had to give it up as a bad job, though they did their best to +make themselves agreeable by tucking their partners' arms under theirs, +and chattering away in execrable Spanish. Tom noticed that their host +and his spouse kept a bright lookout on them, and no sooner was a dance +finished than they were taken up and introduced to other partners, who +were quite ready to forgive their mistakes; the midshipmen, at all +events, thought it very good fun, and Tom, on looking at his watch, felt +very sorry that the hour was approaching at which Jack had directed them +to leave; however, his orders were not to be disobeyed, so, giving a +hint to Desmond and Morris, they made their way to the door, when, +followed by Bevan, they slipped downstairs. + +Jack, who watched them, hoped that their departure had not been +observed, but Don Matteo begged to know why the midshipmen were gone. +Jack replied that he considered early hours the best for such +youngsters, as they had their duty to attend to in the morning, and that +the elder one had gone to take care of them. + +Soon afterwards the surgeon and purser made their bow: the former +remarked that he must go on board and attend to his patients. Jack and +Jos Green were the only officers remaining. The latter had very little +notion of dancing, but that did not deter him from hauling his reluctant +partner, shrieking with laughter, through the mazes of the dance; at +length, losing his equilibrium, as might have been expected, down he +came, dragging the lady with him. He managed, however, to save her from +injury, though he himself was somewhat severely hurt. Jack, hastening +up, apologised, explaining that the officer was but little accustomed to +this sort of amusement, and, pretending to be very angry, ordered him +forthwith to return on board. Green, who had received his instructions, +putting on a sulky look, obeyed, and joined the surgeon and purser, who +had been waiting for him outside. + +Jack, who was in a hurry to be off, walked up to his host and hostess, +and thanked them for their hospitality, observing that he felt it his +duty to go and look after his officers. In vain Don Matteo pressed him +to remain, and offered to send an escort with him to the harbour. + +"It may be safer for you not to go alone, my dear friend," observed the +Don, with a bland smile. "There are villains of all sorts about in the +streets at night, and you know that you English are not held in much +love by those slaving gentry to whose business you are attempting to put +a stop. They would not scruple to stick a knife into your back if they +found you walking alone." + +"I am much obliged to you for the warning, and coming from you, who must +be well acquainted with the proceedings of the rascals, it is of value; +but I am not afraid of them," answered Jack, laughing. "We are prepared +for all the tricks they may attempt to play us. Good night, Don +Matteo." + +Donna Isabella, the Don's buxom wife, joined her solicitations to those +of her husband and their fair daughters, who gathered round Jack, +resolved to prevent him from leaving, but he was as determined as they +were, and, making his best bow, hurried out of the room. + +He found his officers, as had been agreed on, a short distance from the +house, and, keeping their swords ready for defence should they be +attacked, an event they were aware not at all unlikely to happen, they +made their way down to the landing-place as quickly as possible. Bevan +and the midshipmen had already reached the boat, and, jumping in, they +pulled rapidly towards the _Supplejack_. As they did so, they caught +sight of a vessel gliding across the harbour, which, having passed the +brig, was soon lost to sight. + +"She has slipped by us, sir, and is standing out to sea," exclaimed +Needham, as soon as they stepped on board. "She is the _Venus_, sir, I +know, for I was not far from her in the dinghy as she began to haul out +from the quay. I went away soon after dark to watch her, as I felt sure +we were right in thinking that she was about to put to sea." + +The breeze was very light, and the schooner could still be discerned +from the deck of the _Supplejack_. Jack waited till she had disappeared +behind the rocks of the Moro: the anchor was then hove up, and sail +being made on the brig, she slowly glided out of the harbour, the +magnificent lighthouse on the west enabling her without difficulty to +find her way through the narrow channel. The schooner could be dimly +seen ahead, but it was doubtful whether she herself was aware that she +was followed. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. + +CHASE OF THE VENUS--A TORNADO--JACK AGAIN SIGHTS HER--CAPTURES HER AND +TWO MORE--SAILS FOR PORT ROYAL--A SUSPICIOUS STRANGER--A PRIZE +DESPATCHED FOR ASSISTANCE--ATTACKED--HARD PRESSED--PRISONERS BREAK +LOOSE--THE CORVETTE APPEARS IN THE NICK OF TIME--FALL IN WITH THE +FRIGATE--ADAIR'S ACCOUNT OF THE WAY THE SLAVERS HAD DONE THEM. + +The _Supplejack_, long after the chase had got out to sea, remained +concealed under the dark shadow cast by the castle across the entrance. +It then fell a dead calm, and the schooner was completely lost to sight. +Boats were now sent ahead to tow. This was necessary, indeed, in order +to keep the brig off the rocks. It was slow work, however, and Jack +could only hope that with the rising sun the breeze would freshen, so +that he might make chase after the schooner. The way in which she had +crept out convinced him that she was a slaver; had he before entertained +any doubt as to Don Matteo's reasons for inviting him and his officers +to the ball, they now completely vanished. It was evident that the old +villain wanted to keep him and his officers on shore, that the slaver +might take the opportunity of putting to sea and getting a good start, +before it was discovered that she had gone. She must have got away, +also, Jack very well knew with the connivance of the captain of the +port, who had, of course, been bribed by her owner, as had likewise the +officer in command at the Moro, who would not otherwise have allowed her +to pass. Jack expected every instant to receive a shot from the castle, +but probably the last-mentioned personage thought it prudent not to +fire, lest he might have been asked why he allowed the schooner to pass. + +When daylight returned, as Jack and Bevan swept their glasses round in +every direction, several sail were seen dotting the horizon. + +Jack handed his glass to Needham. "Which of them do you think is the +_Venus_?" he asked. + +"The centre one of those three vessels in the north-east, sir," answered +Needham promptly. "No doubt about that; I know her by the whiteness of +her canvas. She must have had a pretty tidy breeze to get out so far +while we lay becalmed." + +"You are right," said Jack. "That is the one I take to be the _Venus_." + +"So do I," observed Bevan. "Hurrah! here comes a breeze. We shall soon +have the pleasure of making her better acquaintance, I hope!" + +The boats were hoisted up, and every stitch of sail the brig could carry +was packed on her. The breeze freshened, and away she flew over the +blue ocean, leaving the white walls of the Moro far astern. + +The question was whether the slaver would run for the Gulf of Florida, +or attempt to make her way through the Bahama Channel. + +"We must try, at all events, to get hold of her before nightfall," +observed Jack, "or she will be playing us another trick, and give us the +go-bye in the dark." + +"We'll try and do that same, sir," said Needham; "if the wind holds with +us as it does now, it won't be a difficult job. She doesn't seem to +have much of it out there, and we are getting up fast with her." + +The _Supplejack_, indeed, was gaining rapidly on the schooner, but the +treacherous wind soon gave indications of not being inclined to favour +the British brig. Dark clouds gathering in the sky came sweeping +rapidly over it. + +"All hands, shorten sail," shouted Jack, with startling energy; "be +smart about it, lads." + +Every one saw that not a moment was to be lost. Royals and +topgallant-sails were handed, two reefs taken in the topsails, the +courses were clewed up, not an instant too soon, either--for over heeled +the brig till the sills of her lee ports dipped into the water. One of +those tornados, so frequent in the West Indies, had struck her, though +on coming up to the wind she faced it bravely. Down came the rain, a +real tropical torrent, the drops as they fell being of the size of +marbles, leaping up again with a loud rattle, like that of hail, and +literally deluging the deck. + +In vain the sharpest eyes of those on the lookout endeavoured to pierce +the watery veil. The rain completely hid the slaver and all the +surrounding vessels. It was feared that she, taking advantage of the +chance offered her, would do her best to escape. The question was, in +what direction would she fly? She would have a clear passage through +the Gulf of Florida, but then she well knew that she would be followed +by the nimble _Supplejack_. Rogers, therefore, came to the conclusion +that she would steer for the Bahama Channel, where, if she could not +escape herself, she might hope to lead her pursuer to destruction. +Needham was firmly of opinion that she would take that direction. Night +was coming on, and she would have a long start, but Jack determined to +chance it, and persevere. + +"With the chart to help us, a bright look out, and the lead going, we +may disappoint her ladyship," he observed, laughing. + +"It's an ugly place, I'll allow, sir," said Needham; "but we must not be +afraid of ugly places, or we shall not do much in catching these slaving +gentry. It can't be much worse than we have seen in the China Seas, and +off the coast of Africa." + +The tornado having passed over, the brig's head was again put to the +south-west, and a bright lookout being of course kept, all hoped to fall +in once more with the _Venus_. The night was an anxious one; the watch +below turned in ready to spring on deck at a moment's notice. + +Neither Jack, Bevan, nor Needham lay down, the former constantly +sweeping the horizon with their night-glasses, in the hopes of catching +a glimpse of the schooner. As the first streaks of dawn tinged the +eastern sky, all hands were roused up to make sail, and just as the orb +of day, like a mountain of fire appeared above the horizon, the sails of +the schooner were discerned on the port bow, standing, as was +conjectured, for one of the numerous intricate passages among the +dangerous Bahama shoals. Every stitch of canvas the brig could carry +was immediately packed on her. + +"Keep her away a couple of points," cried Rogers; "that will do. We +must get hold of Madam Venus before the day is many hours older. +Fortunately there is still a good space of clear water before she can +get in among the shoals, and once up with the lady, it won't be long +before she is ours." + +The wind held steady, and the _Supplejack_, as Tom declared, skipped +along more nimbly than she had ever yet moved. Long Tom was got ready +for action, although the schooner was not likely to show much fight; +still he might be useful in bringing down her spars, and so prevent her +from getting in among the shoals before she could be captured. + +Though a fresh breeze was blowing, the sea was tolerably smooth, but on +the north and eastward a line of white breakers, and here and there an +interval of blue water which marked the channels between them could be +seen. Farther to the eastward were two suspicious-looking schooners, +evidently bent on making their way through one or other of the +before-named channels. + +"We must have the big one first, and then get hold of the other two," +said Jack to Bevan, who stood by his side. + +The lead was kept going, and showed that the water was rapidly shoaling. + +"Try her with Long Tom, Needham," cried out Jack; "he may chance to +reach her." + +"It's as much as Long Tom will do, sir, but we'll see," answered +Needham, bringing the gun to bear on the chase. + +Away sped the shot, but, though well aimed, it fell short of its mark. + +"We must have her at all cost," cried Jack eagerly, "or in less than +five minutes she will be among the breakers; and we shall be on shore. +Give Long Tom a larger charge of powder, and see what that will do." + +Needham did as he was ordered, though it occurred to him that the dose +he rammed down might chance to be too much for Long Tom's strength; if +so it would have the effect of blowing him and not a few of his +shipmates out of the world; still, as he had faith in the gun's power of +endurance, he risked it without remark, and taking good aim once more +fired. Never had he made a better shot. The missile swept the deck of +the schooner, carrying off the heads of three of her crew, and killing +and wounding others--though this was unknown at the time. The instant +effect was to make her skipper haul down his colours and put the +schooner about with her head off the bank, and in a short time she was +hove-to near the brig-of-war, which had also gone about. Jack, jumping +into a boat, which was instantly lowered with a well-armed crew, pulled +on board. + +The Spanish captain, whom he recognised as Don Lopez, a polished-looking +gentleman he had met soon after his arrival at Havannah, at the house of +Don Matteo, made a polite bow, and asked with an injured air why the +English man-of-war had chased and fired at him. + +"I shall be able to give you an answer by and by, my friend," answered +Jack. "In the meantime, Don Lopez, I am anxious to get hold of those +two schooners before they make their way through the channels to the +north-east; and as I do not wish to run the risk of casting away my +brig, I must trouble you to stand where you are and take me up alongside +them." + +As Jack spoke he presented a double-barrelled pistol at the Don's head, +as a sign that he was not to trifled with. + +"You will not shoot me, surely!" exclaimed the Don. + +"Not if you obey me," answered Jack; "but you will understand that I am +in earnest. Now, order the helmsman to keep the vessel away; your men +will do what you tell them, I am very certain." + +The Don saw that there was no help for it, and directed his motley and +somewhat ruffian-like crew to do as Jack told them. + +"We will have the nearest first; and understand, if she escapes us, I +intend to blow out your brains. I shall regret it, but necessity has no +law." + +The breeze was freshening. Away dashed the _Venus_, sending the water +bubbling up around her bows, while the brig stood rather more to the +southward, keeping in deeper water to be ready to cut off either of the +schooners which might attempt to escape in that direction. At first +they probably fancied that the _Venus_ had by some lucky chance got away +from the brig-of-war; but they were very soon mistaken, when the British +ensign which Tom, who had accompanied Jack, found on board flew out at +her peak. + +Jack ordered a gun to be run through the bow port, and one well directed +shot from it made the first schooner haul down her colours. The second, +on seeing what had happened, having no stomach for a fight, followed her +example, and in half an hour Jack had his three prizes standing out from +the dangerous vicinity of the shoals. He then ordered them all to heave +to, that he might examine them at leisure. + +Don Lopez showed some anxiety to go into his cabin. + +"No, no, my friend," said Jack quietly, "you will allow me to accompany +you. I am sorry to be so uncourteous, but I must have an examination of +your papers." + +He had ordered Bevan and Norris, who had gone on board the other +vessels, not to allow anything to be thrown overboard or destroyed. + +Don Lopez pulled his moustaches and accompanied his captor into the +cabin, where he most unwillingly produced his writing-case. In it were +found several documents, one of them from no less a person than Don +Matteo Laguna, directing him how to proceed on his arrival on the coast +of Africa. There were several other papers very clearly implicating two +or three persons of wealth in Havannah. It was pretty clearly shown how +these gentlemen obtained the fortunes which enabled them to hold so +distinguished a place among the rank and fashion of that far-famed city. +On board, also, was found a large assortment of swords, muskets, and +slave-irons, while a slave-deck had been fitted up, ready to receive the +expected cargo of human beings. + +Jack took possession of the papers. "Ah, my friend, here is another," +he observed, as Don Lopez was endeavouring to shuffle back a document +which had at first been overlooked. Jack examined it. + +"Ah! I see that fine large black brig, which lay in shore near us, was +to join you shortly with the dollars, and provisions you would require. +What is her name? I should like to know all about her." + +"The _Caterina_," answered Don Lopez. "She is to sail under American +colours, and will have American papers; a regular charter-party, the +ship's roll, and instructions from her reputed owners. Ten of her crew +are American seamen, the other twenty-five, who are Spaniards, will be +called passengers. She has obtained all her papers from the American +vice-consul, and I very much doubt that any of you men-of-war would have +ventured to interfere with her, unless," and Don Lopez smiled, "it had +been for the information I so freely give you. I hope you will take +this into consideration in your further dealings with me." + +"I shall see about that," answered Jack, despising the Don, who had been +so ready to betray his associates in the nefarious traffic. "At present +you will please to accompany me on board my brig, as we are bound for +Jamaica." + +The Don, with a grimace, stepped into the brig-of-war's boat followed by +his officers. Jack afterwards conveyed also the greater part of the +crew to the brig, where they were less likely to play tricks than if +left on board their own vessel; he sent also for the greater portion of +the crews and all the officers of the other schooners. + +The difficulty now, however, was how to man his prizes. He gave the +command of the _Venus_ to Bevan, with Tom as his mate, and six hands. +Norris, and another midshipman, had charge of one of the other +schooners, with five hands; and Jos Green, with Desmond to assist him, +had charge of the third, with the same number of men. + +He could ill spare so many hands, but he hoped by vigilance to keep the +Spaniards in awe, and to navigate the _Supplejack_. + +These arrangements being completed, he made sail for Port Royal. Should +the weather continue fine, the task might be an easy one; but should it +come on to blow, shorthanded as he was, he would have no little +difficulty in working the brig and looking after his numerous prisoners, +many of whom were desperate ruffians, and might possibly try to capture +the brig, and cut the throats of every one on board. His only +alternative, therefore, to avoid the risk of this would be to treat them +as they intended to treat the slaves--clap them in irons, and shut them +down under hatches, or to place a sentry with orders to shoot the first +who might attempt to regain his liberty. + +Needham highly approved of this plan. "It would serve them right, sir, +if we were to do it at once, it would save us a great deal of trouble in +looking after the beggars," he observed. + +"But Don Lopez considers himself a perfect gentleman, and will complain +that he was barbarously treated if we were to do so without sufficient +cause," remarked Jack. + +"I'd let him complain then, sir," answered Needham. "He may consider +himself fortunate that we don't heave him and his villainous crew +overboard." + +Jack only hoped that the necessity would not arise, and as neither the +officers nor men had arms of any sort--for the knives even of the latter +had been taken from them--he had no fears about the matter. + +He resolved to keep a bright look out for the _Caterina_, which he +thought would probably slip out of the harbour soon after him, her +captain not suspecting the fate of her consorts. The wind was however, +light and contrary, and he was much longer in making Cape Saint Antonio +than he had hoped. The necessity for treating the prisoners as Needham +had suggested came, however, sooner than Jack expected. He had allowed +Don Lopez and his companions to enjoy as much fresh air and exercise as +they wished for every day, though he took the precaution to have a +sentry on the quarterdeck, who had received instructions to keep a +watchful eye on the prisoners. Evening was coming on, a fresh breeze +was blowing, and the little squadron, under easy sail, was standing to +the westward. Just at that time a sail was sighted on the weather-bow; +she was soon made out to be a large brig standing towards the little +fleet. Jack observed that the prisoners were talking eagerly together, +and were evidently much interested in the appearance of the stranger. +On she came, and though she was near enough for her colours to be seen +she showed none. + +"What do you make her out to be?" asked Jack of Needham. + +"I should have taken her to be a Spanish man-of-war; but if she is she +ought to have showed her bunting by this time," he answered. "You'll +pardon me, sir," he continued, "but I don't like the looks of the Dons, +and I shouldn't be surprised if that craft is the _Caterina_ herself; if +so, she will be trying to take some of our prizes; and may be have a +slap at us, and I think it will be best to get these gentlemen out of +the way, as quickly as possible." + +Jack agreed with Needham, and going up to Don Lopez he observed-- + +"I am sorry to inconvenience you, but I have to request that you and +your companions will go below, and not return on deck till you receive +my permission." + +The Don and his friends looked somewhat angry at hearing this, and +seemed inclined to disobey, but a dozen stout seamen coming aft showed +them that Jack was in earnest, and they, uttering maledictions on his +head, were hurried below. + +The sun had now reached the horizon, when the stranger came within +gunshot, still without showing her colours. Jack had ordered the three +schooners to keep close together under his stern. He now fired a gun +ahead of the stranger of which she took no notice, but continued her +course, intending apparently to get to windward, so as to be able to +bear down at any time she might think fit on the captured slavers. + +"She has guessed what has happened, sir," observed Needham, "and hopes +during the night to have a chance of cutting off one of the prizes or +all of them; but she can't quite make up her mind to attempt it in +daylight." + +"We must keep a bright lookout and prevent her doing that same," +answered Jack. "Give her another shot from Long Tom, and we will see if +that has a better effect than the first." + +The stranger took no notice further than "hauling her wind," so as to +increase her distance from the brig-of-war. Jack guessed that her +intention was to draw him away, if possible, from his prizes, so that +she might have a better chance of taking off one of them during the +night; he had no fears of the result of a fight should she venture to +attack him; at the same time, under the circumstances, he doubted +whether it would be wise for him to become the assailant. + +As the sun went down the stranger was still seen holding her former +position on the weatherbow of the _Supplejack_. It was very provoking +to be thus bearded, and he earnestly wished for daylight that he might +have a better chance of success in attacking the daring craft, for he +had at length made up his mind to bring her to action, and of course to +capture her. His greatest difficulty, however, would be, should he +succeed, in manning her, as she would require as many hands as the +_Supplejack_, and he could ill spare any of his own crew; he thought the +matter over, and called Needham aft to consult with him. + +"Well, sir, I was thinking that it would be a good plan to send the +_Venus_ on to Jamaica, to get the assistance of the corvette. She +wouldn't be long in joining us, and we might keep the stranger in play +till then, or if any accident was to happen to us she might come up in +time to take her; not that I doubt, for a moment, that if we can get her +within range of our guns, we should soon make her our prize. It's +rather a tough job I'll allow, as the chase has forty hands or more on +board, and six or eight guns, though it's not likely they are very heavy +metal." + +"I like your plan," said Jack; "I was considering that it might +otherwise be necessary to sink one or two of our prizes rather than run +the risk of losing the _Caterina_, for I make sure that that brig out +there is her." + +Jack gave the matter a few more minutes' consideration, and, signalling +to the three schooners to heave to, he sent the purser on board the +_Venus_, with directions to Bevan at once to clap on all sail for Port +Royal, and to beg on his arrival there that the corvette, or some other +man-of-war, might be immediately despatched to his assistance. As the +night was dark he hoped that the stranger would not discover that the +_Venus_ had parted company till daylight, when she would have very +little chance of overtaking her. + +To prevent the risk of her doing so he hauled up close to the wind, +believing that he should thus soon again get sight of the stranger. He +was not mistaken, for in little more than half an hour he sighted her, +standing the same course as before, but rather more abeam. Keeping away +again, he shortened sail, but she held the same course as before. Thus +the night passed, the stranger could be seen to the southward, while the +coast of Cuba lay broad on the lee-beam, though undistinguishable in the +darkness of night. At length, however, the stranger disappeared, but +Jack felt satisfied that she had not gone in chase of the _Venus_, and +he still hoped to see her again at daylight. + +He and the two schooners kept on their course, under easy sail. The +officers in command of the latter were as eager as Jack to bring the +strange brig to action, hoping to take part in the light. Each vessel +had a couple of six-pounders on board, which though not very heavy guns, +might do good service, could they get near enough to the enemy to use +them. + +Thus the night passed slowly away. Dawn at length returned and as the +first rays of the rising sun glanced across the ocean they fell on the +sails of the stranger, about three miles off, broad on the beam of the +_Supplejack_, whose commander at once resolved to bring her to action, +while she on her part showed no disinclination for the fight. + +"She must have plenty of hands on board, and pretty heavy metal, or she +would long ago have been off," observed Needham; "however, we will see +what Long Tom can do." + +"We will give him every opportunity of showing his qualities," said +Jack, "and not let the slaver get too near us till we have knocked away +some of his spars." + +The stranger now kept edging down towards the "brig-of-war," which stood +on under her topsails, mainsail, and headsails. + +Jack calculated that he should have time to throw three or four shots +into her from Long Tom, and then by making more sail, give her a raking +fire from his carronades. He hailed the schooners, and ordered Norris +and the master not to expose themselves more than necessary, and only to +fire when they had a good opportunity, while by all means they were to +avoid allowing the slaver brig to run aboard them. + +The stranger, which had again hauled her wind, was still far beyond the +range of Long Tom. + +"I don't think, sir, that they have got much stomach for the fight, +after all," observed Needham. + +"Perhaps not," answered Jack; "but I suspected from the fellow's +manoeuvres that he still hopes to cut off our prizes, and is only +waiting the opportunity for doing so. We must also look out, not to let +him run us aboard, for if he has plenty of men that is what he will try +to do, and it will be his best chance too, though I doubt not that we +shall beat them off, no matter how many there are." + +"No doubt about that, sir, whether they are Americans, Spaniards, or +Negroes," answered Needham, in a confident tone. + +Nearly half an hour passed, and the relative positions of the vessels +were not changed. At length the slaver's crew, mustering up courage, +more sail was made on her, and she came edging down boldly towards the +"brig-of-war." + +"Now see what Long Tom can do," cried Jack. + +He had not miscalculated the distance this time. Needham pulled the +trigger, and the shot was seen to strike the stranger's bulwarks. She +fired in return, but without effect. Long Tom was quickly loaded; two +shots crashed into the slaver, and three went over her. She replied +with a broadside of four guns, but one shot only struck the +_Supplejack_, knocking away one of the after-stanchions. + +Jack now ordered more sail to be set, and shooting across the bows of +the enemy, his two carronades and Long Tom were fired simultaneously. +This raking fire threw the slaver's crew into considerable confusion, +and before they had recovered from it, he again kept away. In the +meantime the two schooners ranged up on the larboard quarter of the +enemy, had begun blazing away with their popguns. Thus far, Jack had +evidently the best of it, and he would have been wise had he kept at a +distance, and fired away with Long Tom. + +The slaver's crew, encouraged by their officers, returned to their guns, +and began blazing away with far greater effect than at first, but as +they fired high, no one on deck was hurt. Their shot began to inflict +considerable damage on the rigging, and at length the slings of the +fore-topsail-yard being shot away, down came the topsail, while the +other headsails were completely riddled. In vain Needham did his best +to retaliate on the enemy. Jack saw him binding a handkerchief round +his arm, though still working his gun. Three other men were wounded by +shot or splinters, and one poor fellow sank on the deck to rise no more. +Matters were indeed looking somewhat serious. Just then the slaver put +up her helm; Jack saw what she was about, but was unable to avoid her. + +"Repel boarders!" he sang out, and in another minute the bows of the +black brig crashed against the side of the _Supplejack_, the flukes of +the enemy's anchors catching in the fore-rigging of the latter. Her +crew, however, had just time to fire their carronades, sending several +of the enemy to their last account, when nearly thirty fierce-looking +ruffians, with cutlass in hand, came crowding to the bows of the brig, +ready to spring on board. Jack and most of his people ran forward to +repel them. The Spanish captain fought bravely, although driven back, +again leading on his men, he made another desperate effort to get on +board the _Supplejack_. + +Bevan and the master, in the meantime, were not idle, but as they could +bring one of their guns to bear without running the risk of hitting the +_Supplejack_, they kept firing into the enemy. The effect of their fire +was to lessen the number of the boarders, several of the slaver's crew +being occupied in working their after-guns, with the object of keeping +the two schooners at bay. McTavish and the purser had, however, managed +to run out one of the carronades from the aftermost port of the +_Supplejack_, and having loaded it with grape, fired it directly at the +men working at the guns. Had it been at a greater distance it might +have done more damage; as it was it hit one of the Spaniards, blowing +him almost to atoms, and wounding two others. + +"Well done!" cried McTavish, whose Highland blood was up, "we'll give +them another dose." + +The gun was run in and loaded as before. The Spaniards, who had +deserted their gun at the first discharge of the carronade, now returned +to it, and brought it to bear on the _Supplejack_. + +The boarding-party were, in the meantime, making desperate efforts to +gain her decks, but were met by that determined courage which British +seamen never fail to exhibit. + +His brave crew well led by Jack and the boatswain, every time the +Spaniards attempted to gain a footing on the forecastle of the English +brig, those who succeeded were cut down, while the rest were driven +back. + +"Now, my lads! follow me, and we'll board them," cried Jack. + +His proposal was replied to with a loud cheer, and he and Needham were +on the point of leaping on to the brig's forecastle, when a shout from +aft made him turn his head, and he caught sight of Don Lopez and seven +or eight of his companions, who had just made their way on deck by the +companion-hatch. The Don had a musket in his hand with which he was +fiercely attacking the surgeon, who had, however, the moment before +seized one, and was warding off the blows aimed at him. Jack singing +out to Needham to defend the forecastle, sprang aft with several of his +men to the assistance of McTavish. Just then the bows of the slaver +separated from the _Supplejack_, and at the same moment one of the +officers of the former, who had been looking eagerly to windward, +shouted to the captain. He instantly ran aft to the helm, which had +been deserted; but instead of attempting to regain his former position, +put it up, and allowing his vessel to shoot ahead as soon as she had +gathered way, went about and stood off to the northward. Don Lopez and +his companions, seeing themselves deserted, threw down their arms and +hurried below again as fast as they had come up. Needham's first +impulse was to rush back to Long Tom, with which he began to pepper the +retreating slaver as rapidly as the gun could be loaded, while the two +carronades were worked with equal quickness. + +Jack had been so busily employed in defending the brig, that he had had +no time to attend to anything else. He now, for a moment, turned his +glance to windward, when he immediately discovered the cause of the +slaver's flight. + +Standing towards him and coming on at a rapid rate was a ship carrying a +press of sail, and a schooner which was quickly recognised as the +_Venus_, by the cut of her sails, as well as by their snowy whiteness. +He could scarcely doubt that the large vessel was the corvette, yet it +would have been impossible for the _Venus_ to have gone to Port Royal, +and to have returned in so short a time. + +The slaver, without firing a shot, was doing her best to escape, by +setting all the sail she could carry; her crew being actively employed +in knotting and splicing the rigging, which Needham's shot had already +somewhat damaged. + +"Try one more," exclaimed Jack, "and good luck go with it." + +Needham took good aim: the shot, passing through the maintopsail, struck +the foretopmast, which fell over the side. A loud cheer burst from the +throats of the English crew, and all hands redoubled their efforts in +repairing their own damages. They were soon able to set the foretopsail +and jib, and get the brig about, and away they went in hot chase after +their antagonist. The latter had not hitherto shown her colours; she +now hoisted an American ensign, but that did not save her from another +iron missile, thrown from Long Tom. She, on this, quickly exchanged the +American colours for those of Spain, which, however, were treated in the +same way, and finding at length that she had no chance of escaping from +her active pursuer, she hauled them down and hove to. + +Jack ordered a boat to be lowered, and directed Needham and the only +midshipman remaining with him to board the prize; his other officers, +the doctor and purser, being busily engaged with the wounded men. +Needham was quickly alongside, and stepping on board he found that out +of her crew of forty hands, six had been killed and eight or ten +severely wounded, while her bulwarks and the companion-hatch had been +considerably knocked about. Among the killed was her first officer, +whilst the captain and several others were wounded. + +Needham, as directed, inquired for her papers-- + +"And what is the name of this craft of yours?" he asked, when they were +given to him. + +"The _Black Swan_," was the answer. + +"Well now, I shouldn't be surprised if you called her the _Caterina_, +you would be somewhere nearer the truth." + +The captain started, but made no reply. + +"Come, I am to take you on board our brig," continued Needham, making a +sign to the captain to get into the boat. + +Jack, as soon as he could possibly be spared off the deck, went below to +ascertain how Don Lopez and his companions had made their escape from +the cabin. It was very evident that they had broken open the door, that +the sentry had been surprised and overpowered before he could use his +musket. Instead of murdering him, which it was a wonder they had not +done, they had gagged and put him into the irons from which they had +released one of their companions. He still sat in a corner of the +gunroom, looking very much alarmed, and not a little ashamed of himself. + +In a short time the schooner and corvette, brought up by the freshening +breeze, were close to, and Murray at once came on board the +_Supplejack_. + +"I heartily congratulate you on having captured the brig before I came +up," he exclaimed, as he and Jack shook hands; "I should have been sorry +to have deprived you of the honour which is your due." + +"Thank you," answered Jack; "but I suspect that we should not have found +it so easy a matter to capture her, had you not made your appearance in +the nick of time. We were hard pressed I can assure you, for the Dons +fought well, and it was all we could do to drive them back when they +attempted to board us; besides which, our prisoners broke loose, and +would have given us a good deal of trouble, before we had knocked them +on the head. But how came you to arrive so opportunely?" + +"I was sent by the admiral in quest of you, to direct you to return to +Port Royal, from whence we are to sail immediately in company for +Trinidad. We are not likely to remain there long, and are afterwards, +the admiral tells me, not a usual proceeding, to be placed under the +orders of the admiral on the South American station." + +"For your sake I am sorry that you are to leave the West Indies, though +I shall not be sorry to visit fresh scenes, and get a little cooling +after a two years broiling in these seas," said Jack; "but how did you +leave your friends at Saint David's?" + +Murray looked grave as he answered-- + +"Miss O'Regan has not recovered as rapidly as I trusted she would, from +the trials she has gone through, and I think it probable that she will +accompany some of her relatives to England, so that I cannot hope to +meet her again till we return home; indeed, she is firm in her +determination not to marry, at all events, till I pay off the corvette, +and I suppose she is right, although I would rather make her mine at +once. Archy Gordon, I am thankful to say, under her and her friends' +care, is gradually recovering, and will, I hope, in a few weeks, join +the frigate. However, you must not forget your prize. Here comes your +boat with her skipper." + +The Spanish captain now stepped on board, and protested loudly against +the legality of his capture, and declared that the English brig-of-war +had fired into him without provocation, and that he had been obliged to +board her, as the only means of saving his vessel. + +"Very probably," answered Jack, "and you expected to take us and our +prizes into the bargain. As to the legality of the affair, that will be +decided when we arrive at Jamaica. In the meantime, as I am +overcrowded, you and your officers will go on board the corvette, where +your wounds will be attended to." + +Murray had agreed to relieve Jack of some of his prisoners, and to send +a prize-crew on board the _Caterina_. All arrangements having been +made, the two men-of-war and four prizes made sail for Port Royal. + +Scarcely had they got their tacks aboard than a large ship was sighted +from the masthead of the _Tudor_, standing off the land. She was soon +made out to be the _Plantagenet_, which had sailed from Port Royal ten +days before her. The frigate made the signal to close, and the small +squadron was soon hove to at a short distance from her. As directly +afterwards it fell calm, visits were exchanged between the officers of +the different ships. Murray and Jack went on board the _Plantagenet_ to +make their report to Captain Hemming. + +"You have had better fortune than we can boast of, Rogers," he said, +laughing in a tone which showed his vexation; "those rascally +slave-dealers have contrived to do us, though, as we are up to their +tricks, I hope that we shall turn the tables on them another time." + +When Jack went into the gunroom, Adair gave him an account of the +circumstance to which the captain alluded. + +"We were on our way from Jamaica to Havannah, to look after you, Jack, +and to prevent you from getting into mischief or catching a Tartar, as +it seems you nearly did, when the captain thought fit to stand into the +Bay of Guantimo; it's away there on the southern coast of Cuba, towards +the east end. The admiral had received information that Don Pepe, the +very rascal whose acquaintance we made on the coast of Africa, and who +is now settled at Havannah, was fitting out a large and powerful craft, +calculated to give a little pigmy, like you, some trouble. + +"We came off Guantimo just before dark. It is, I should say, a +beautiful and deep bay, with numerous small harbours in it, in which +slavers may hide securely without any risk of being seen by our +cruisers, unless expressly looked for. As we were standing in, +intending to run up the bay, we made out a large brig at anchor with +sails loose, ready for sea. She had a suspicious look about her, +unusually square yards, taunt and raking masts, and low black hull. +Though she might be well armed and disposed to show fight, had you for +instance attempted to question her, she would not, of course, dare to +resist the frigate; and as she could not escape us, we felt pretty sure +that, should she be what we suspected, she would soon become our prize. + +"We had got some little way up the bay, and within half a mile of her, +when the wind fell. We were by this time more certain than ever, from +her appearance, that she was a slaver, and the captain therefore ordered +a shot to be fired close ahead of her, that we might see how she would +take it. She made no reply, neither hoisted colours, nor attempted to +get under weigh. + +"`At all events we will see what she is,' said the captain. He then +ordered me and Norris to take the pinnace and jollyboat, and board her. +The men had just time to buckle on their cutlasses before they tumbled +into the boats. I was sorry after we had shoved off that they were not +better armed, for the Spaniards might very possibly try to play us some +trick or other, such as heaving cold shot into our boat and knocking us +on the head as we got alongside, though they were much more likely to +blow up their vessel or to run her on shore and make their escape. As +we pulled on, we observed numerous boats passing from the brig to the +shore, and we felt pretty certain that the fellows were landing the +unfortunate slaves, so that we should not be in time to rescue them. I +ordered our men to give way, in the hopes of saving some of the poor +wretches, and a single slave remaining on board would, of course, be +enough to condemn her. It was now nearly dark, though we could still +make out the brig with her white canvas loose, not far ahead. I was +somewhat surprised as we approached to observe no sign of life aboard +her; not a man could I make out on her deck, no boat alongside. We had +got almost up to her when we observed a large schooner lying close in +shore on the farther side of a high point which had hitherto concealed +her from us. Almost at the same instant a shot came flying from the +schooner towards us, so well aimed that, as it struck the surface, it +threw the water right over us. The splash of our oars must have shown +the schooner's people where we were, for, although we could see her, +they could not have made out in the dark such small objects as our +boats. + +"The first shot was followed by a second, which very nearly did for the +jollyboat, as, after striking the water, it bounded over her, smashing +one of her oars, and knocking in her gunwale, happily hitting no one. +Not wishing to be exposed to this sort of peppering, as shot after shot +came in quick succession, giving us not a most agreeable kind of +shower-bath, we at once dashed at the brig, I boarding on the starboard +side, and Norris on the port. We fully expected to have some hot work, +but on reaching the deck, not a soul appeared, and we found ourselves +masters and, as we supposed, possessors of as fine a brig as I have ever +seen engaged in the slave-trade. + +"I could not help feeling, however, a little uncomfortable on +recollecting the tricks the rascals are apt to play, and I half expected +to find myself and my men hoisted into the air by the explosion of the +magazine, when, as I was about to send below to examine the vessel, I +heard voices in the after-cabin, and presently a Spanish officer in full +rig appeared, followed by half a dozen men-of-war's men. He announced +himself as a midshipman belonging to the Spanish man-of-war schooner +which lay at anchor in shore, the same craft which had fired at us, and +said that he had been put in charge of the brig, which had been captured +by his vessel. + +"`And pray, then, why did your schooner fire at our boats?' I asked, +eyeing the young fellow narrowly, for I much doubted that he was really +a midshipman. + +"`Your boats were seen approaching our prize under suspicious +circumstances in the dusk of evening, and you probably were taken for +pirates,' he answered, quite coolly. + +"`There was light enough when we were first seen to make out our +ensign,' I answered. `If that schooner is a man-of-war, her commander +shall be made to apologise for the insult he has offered to the British +flag.' + +"`Of course he will, and if you choose to send on board you will find +that what I have told you is the case,' he answered, biting his lips, as +if, so I supposed, he disliked having his honour doubted. + +"`Well, you will remain here, and I will send one of my boats on board +the schooner. Should any treacherous trick be played, I shall make you +answerable,' I said, eyeing him sternly. He did not quail, and I was +pretty well satisfied that he spoke the truth. I accordingly ordered +Norris to go on board the schooner and ascertain the facts of the case, +and to tell the captain that I wished to see him immediately on board +the brig; after he was gone, I felt no little anxiety as to the +reception he might meet with. The Spanish midshipman, however, appeared +at his ease, and accompanied me over the brig; I found that she was a +brand-new vessel, having never before been to sea; she was laden with +cotton goods, and had the planking for a slave-deck, with leaguers, and +a large cauldron for boiling farina; indeed, she was in every way fitted +for a slaver, and would, I felt sure, if we could not stop her career, +bring back some seven or eight hundred slaves in her capacious hold. + +"`She is a slaver, you will allow?' I said, turning to the midshipman. + +"`A slaver!' he said, `worse than that. She is a regular pirate; as +such we captured her.' + +"Notwithstanding what he said, I was convinced that she was simply a +slaver, though the Spaniards are generally in no hurry to take such +vessels. We returned on deck, and I kept my eye on my friend and his +men. + +"The brig's crew had all been removed, he told me. + +"`We shall see them, then, hanging at your yardarm tomorrow morning,' I +observed. + +"`Oh no! we do not treat our prisoners in so summary a manner,' he +answered. + +"We paced the deck for some time together, while I turned a somewhat +anxious eye towards the schooner, hoping soon to see Norris return. + +"Norris, as I afterwards learnt, as he got near the Spanish schooner +observed her guns pointed down at his boat, ready to sink her in a +moment. Undaunted, however, he pulled alongside. No opposition was +offered to his coming on board. When he got on deck he found the +fighting-lanterns ranged along it, sixty marines drawn up with muskets +in their hands and swords by their sides, and fully two hundred men at +their quarters. At the gangway stood the captain, a thin, short, +wizen-faced man, with an immense moustache, who, as Norris appeared, +began stamping with his feet, and swearing roundly in Spanish-- + +"`Who are you? How dared you go on board yonder brig?' he asked. + +"`I am an officer of her Britannic Majesty's frigate _Plantagenet_,' +answered Norris, having a good notion of the proper way to meet such a +fellow. `I obey the orders of my captain. He supposes her to be a +slaver, and if she is not, all I can say is, she is very much like one.' + +"`She is not a slaver, but a pirate, and I have captured her under the +same treaty that you English take slavers, and she is therefore mine and +under my charge, and no one shall interfere with her.' + +"`In that case, why did you fire at us, I beg to know?' asked Norris. + +"`Because it was dark, and I could not see your flag,' answered the +little Don. + +"`You could have seen our frigate, and you must have known perfectly +well all the time that the boats you were firing at were English,' +replied Norris. `My superior officer, who has taken possession of the +brig, wishes to see you on board her immediately.' + +"While Norris was carrying on this conversation, the Spanish crew looked +so bent on mischief, and the moustaches of the marines curled so +fiercely that he expected every moment to be attacked, and he saw his +own men put their hands on the hilts of their cutlasses as if they +thought the same. They would have had to contend with fearful odds, but +I have not the slightest doubt that they would have made a good fight of +it, and perhaps have got off scot free, though they had not a pistol +among them. + +"The Spanish captain considered a moment, and Norris heard him order his +gig to be manned. + +"`Well, remember that my superior officer expects you,' he said, and +having no inclination to remain longer on board than was necessary, +ordering his men into the jollyboat, he came back as fast as they could +pull to the brig. + +"He had just time to give me an account of what had occurred, when we +made out a Spanish boat coming towards us. + +"I should have said by-the-bye that alongside the captain was an +Englishman, or a man who spoke English perfectly, and interpreted for +Norris--or at all events, helped him out with the conversation. + +"I stood with my men ranged behind me, their shirt-sleeves tucked up and +their cutlasses in their hands, ready to receive my visitor. I +determined to show him that I was not to be trifled with. After his +impudent behaviour, he had no right to expect any courtesy from me, so I +let him find his own way on deck. + +"`Well, senor,' I asked when he appeared, followed by his interpreter, +`how did you dare to fire at my boats?' + +"Instead of stamping and swearing as he had done when on board his own +vessel, he was in a moment an altered being. Taking off his hat, he +stood before me humbly bowing, and with his hand on his heart, declared +that he much regretted what had occurred. + +"`Indeed, senor, I had no notion that the boats I fired at were English, +and took you for pirates, about to attempt the recapture of the brig.' +This was said by means of the interpreter. + +"`That's as big a bouncer as ever was spoken,' I heard some one behind +me growl out. I don't know whether the interpreter thought fit to +explain the polite remark to his superior. + +"`As to that I have no means of judging, but how comes it that I find +one of your officers on board this vessel? She is evidently fitted for +the slave-trade, and as such she will most certainly be condemned,' I +observed. + +"`Of course! no doubt about it,' answered the Spanish captain, quite +coolly, `she is not only a slaver but a pirate, and discovering such to +be the case I captured her, and I give you my word of honour that I am +about to take her into Saint Jago da Cuba for adjudication.' + +"`Of course I cannot doubt the word of honour of a Spanish officer,' I +replied. `I must consequently leave you in possession, and I only hope +you will take care that she is condemned and her piratical career +stopped.' + +"`Oh, of course, senor. I will take good care of that,' he answered, +again bowing, and putting his hand to his heart. + +"I fancied that by the light of the lantern which fell on his +countenance, I could see a twinkle in his eyes as he said this, and I +felt strongly tempted to pitch him and his crew into their boat, cut the +brig's cable and make sail. However, as I was compelled to take his +word for the truth of what he asserted, I had nothing to do but to +trundle with my men into our boats, and pull back to the frigate. +Hemming approved of what I had done, though he agreed with me that it +was all humbug, and that the Spanish captain pretended to have captured +the brig for the sake of saving her from our claws. He determined +therefore to watch the two vessels, and we accordingly hove-to to see +what they would do. + +"It was not till nearly dawn that the breeze came off the land, when we +saw the brig stealing out, followed by the man-of-war schooner. The +latter, by the bye, was a magnificent vessel, one of the largest +schooners I have come across, requiring the numerous crew she carried to +handle her enormous canvas. We at once made sail and followed them into +Saint Jago, which is about thirty miles west of Guantimo. We there +found that the Spanish captain had actually brought the brig to trial as +a pirate, though, as he well knew, there was not the slightest proof +that she was one. As the trial was likely to last some weeks, or, at +all events, till we were out of the port, Hemming considered that it +would be useless to remain, so we sailed again, and were on our passage +round to Havannah when we sighted you." + +Such was Adair's account of his adventure. + +A breeze soon afterwards springing up, the _Plantagenet_ proceeded on to +her destination, while the corvette and brig, with the prizes, continued +their course to Jamaica. It was not till the return of the +_Plantagenet_ to Port Royal, that Jack heard of the full rascality of +the Spanish captain. On the arrival of the frigate at Havannah Captain +Hemming laid a complaint before the Admiralty Court for the adjudication +of slavers. He then discovered that the brig belonged to Pepe, or, as +he was now called, Don Matteo, who had bribed the Spanish captain to +keep by his vessel and to pretend to have captured her should an English +man-of-war appear. On the acquittal of the brig for piracy at Saint +Jago, the Spanish captain who had pledged his honour on the subject +escorted her through the windward passage as far as seventy degrees of +longitude, when she was out of the range of West India cruisers. Jack +afterwards heard an account of her from a friend on the African station. +She had then really become a pirate. She used to watch for the slavers +after they had run the gauntlet of the British cruisers, and would then +capture them, take their slaves out, and give them her cargo of coloured +cottons in exchange. When she did not manage to fall in with slavers +she occasionally took a run in on her own account, and her captain being +well informed of the movements of the blockading squadron, she +invariably managed to pick up a fresh cargo and get clear off again. +Being, however, in no ways particular, if she had no cargo of coloured +cloths, she would sink the slavers she took, with their crews, so as to +leave no trace of the transaction behind. + +Being armed with a long gun amidships and six long nines, not a slaver +had a chance with her. It was not till long afterwards that Jack became +acquainted with the last-mentioned particulars. She at length +disappeared from the coast, and he could never hear what ultimately +became of her. She was probably either burnt, or driven on shore, or, +still more likely, she was capsized and went down with her living +freight of eight hundred human beings. + + + +CHAPTER NINETEEN. + +THE TUDOR AND SUPPLEJACK AT TRINIDAD--JACK'S ACCOUNT OF HIS TRIP UP THE +ORINOCO--THE VICE-CONSUL AND HIS BELONGINGS--A KNOWING PILOT--TOM BIT BY +A TURTLE--TORTOISES--THE BRIG AMONG THE TREES--SPIDER'S ATTEMPT TO +ESCAPE--THE MIDSHIPMEN GO IN CHASE AND LOSE THEMSELVES--BOARDED BY +ANTS--NEARLY TAKE THE BRIG--SEARCH FOR THE MIDSHIPMEN IN THE FOREST--A +NATIVE HABITATION--ANGOSTURA AND ITS PEOPLE--LAND THE CONSUL AND HIS +BETTER HALF--RETURN. + +The _Tudor_ once more came to an anchor off Port of Spain, in the +beautiful island of Trinidad. Terence Adair had been appointed to her +as first lieutenant, and Higson as second; she was accompanied by the +Supplejack, of which Rogers still retained the command, with Bevan as +his senior officer, Jos Green as master, and Needham as boatswain. + +The old shipmates were thus, much to their satisfaction, still employed +together. As soon as the sails were furled, Murray went on shore, +accompanied by Jack and Terence, taking with them Tom and Gerald. +Higson had insisted on doing Adair's duty. + +"Of course you will want to go and call on your fair cousins, and I +never have been nor ever shall be a lady's man, so they would not be +well pleased to see me in your stead," he said as he made the offer +which Terence very readily accepted. + +After Murray had delivered his despatches to the governor, he rejoined +the two lieutenants, who had in the meantime gone to pay a visit to +Antonio Gomez. They found the Don just starting out for his country +house, and he, as they expected, at once ordered horses, and insisted +that they should accompany him. + +"Donna Caterina and her daughters will be delighted to see you, and +would not pardon me if I did not bring you along with me," he said in a +warm, hearty tone. "They will be anxious to hear all about their sweet +friend Stella, and what you have been doing since you were here last. +We some time ago received an account of Colonel O'Regan's death. Well! +well! poor man, I confess it was only what I expected, he seemed +determined to court such a fate; and I could never make out why a person +who could honourably live at his ease at home should be so eager to +knock his head against stone walls--however, the tastes of people +differ." + +The horses having arrived, the philosophical Don led the way, with +Murray by his side. + +The party received a hearty welcome, as before, from Donna Caterina and +her fair daughters, and Terence as usual had a long conversation with +the old lady about Ballymacree; he had, however, not much news to tell +her; he had only occasionally heard from home, and the letters he had +received were brief, stating simply that things went on as usual; +Gerald, however, pleased her much by showing her the letter from his +mother, in which she expressed her gratitude for the kindness he had +received from his West India cousins. + +Though they had not been informed of Murray's engagement to Stella, they +very quickly guessed the truth, and by adroitly questioning the +midshipman, ascertained all particulars as far as they were known. + +Jack and Terence very nearly lost their hearts, as the young ladies were +thus able to concentrate all those efforts to attract them, which might +have been expended in vain on the young commander, but as they returned +to their ships early the next morning they quickly recovered their usual +serenity of mind. + +"I am afraid they would be very miserable at Halliburton, and I somewhat +doubt whether Mary and Lucy would quite like them as sisters-in-law," +observed Jack to Terence while they were freely discussing the young +ladies. + +"May be, the dear creatures wouldn't be quite as happy as I should wish +them to be at Ballymacree, seeing that they mightn't take altogether to +our ways," said Terence. "So I don't think that I'll make the promise I +was meditating, of coming back some day or other, when I am a commander +for instance, and carrying one of them over to Ireland with me." + +On returning to town Murray again called on the governor, who told him +that he had received a communication from a certain Senhor Bernado +Guedes, acting as British consul at Angostura, up the Orinoco, +complaining of outrages inflicted on certain British subjects as well as +on himself, and requesting that a man-of-war might be sent to punish the +offenders. + +"As the navigation of the river is, however, very difficult, I doubt +whether a ship of any size could get up it, though, perhaps, the +smallest of your vessels would be able to do so," he added. + +Murray, of course, said that he should be happy to send the _Supplejack_ +up, should her draft of water not be too great, and that he could +perfectly trust her commander, Lieutenant Rogers, to act with discretion +in the matter. Senhor Bernardo soon afterwards made his appearance. He +had not only come himself to make his complaint, but had brought his +wife with him, without whom, he observed, he never moved from home. + +He was not a very favourable specimen of a British consul, and it was +difficult to say how he had attained the post. He was a short, +dark-skinned personage, with apparently a mixture of negro blood in his +veins. With considerable volubility, though in somewhat broken English, +he repeated all his complaints, and finished up, requesting that he +might be conveyed, with his wife, back to his home. + +"But as we are not acquainted with the navigation, it would be +impossible for the brig to go up without a pilot," observed Murray. + +"Oh! dat sir, I will provide," he answered. "I will obtain the services +of Anselmo; he knows ebery inch of de way up to Angostura, each sandbank +and ebery snag, I might almost say." + +"You saw the brig-of-war in the harbour, do you think she will be able +to get up so far?" asked Murray. + +"Oh yes, captain; your big ship even would get up as the waters are +rising at present, sure. She might, to be sure, stick coming down, +though," answered the consul. + +"Thank you, I should prefer then not attempting to take her up," said +Murray, laughing. + +"Well, Captain Murray, I will leave you to make arrangements with the +consul, and I conclude that Lieutenant Rogers will be ready to give this +gentleman and his wife a passage?" observed the governor. + +"I can answer for that," answered Murray, as he took his leave, +accompanied by Senhor Guedes. + +He returned to the quay. + +"I conclude, Mr Consul, that you and your lady will be ready to go on +board the brig this evening, as she will sail tomorrow morning by +daylight," said Murray. "Where is Senhora Guedes residing?" + +"She, my wife, is on board that schooner dere, the mail-packet, in which +we came from Angostura. I left her locked up in the cabin," answered +the consul. + +"Locked up in the cabin!" exclaimed Murray, with no little surprise, +beginning to suspect that Rogers would have curious passengers on board +the _Supplejack_. + +"Oh yes, sare, I always lock up my wife when I do go out, for she is +young, you see, and it is the safest plan; she can then no run away +herself, and no one can run off with her--that what I always fear. It +make my life miserable at Angostura;" and this curious representative of +the "majesty of England" shrugged his shoulders and made a grimace which +showed the intensity of his feelings. + +"Well, go and get your wife and your traps, and I will inform Lieutenant +Rogers of the governor's wishes, that he should afford you and your wife +a passage home." + +"Thank you, sare," answered Senhor Guedes, bowing low as he strutted off +to a boat, and returned on board the schooner, which lay at a short +distance from the shore. + +Murray had invited Rogers to dine on board the _Tudor_, and a very +pleasant party the three old messmates had. They talked of times gone +by, and enjoyed a hearty laugh at the description Murray gave of the +consul and his fair partner. + +"I shall be happy to give up my cabin to the lady, but I hope her +husband won't lock her in it during the whole voyage; at all events, he +cannot be afraid of any one running away with her while we are at sea." + +"I wish you may at all events enjoy the company of your passengers," +said Adair, laughing; "I want you to write me a full account of what +occurs, or the chances are that by the time you rejoin us you will have +forgotten all about it." + +Jack, promising to comply with Adair's request, returned to the +_Supplejack_ somewhat earlier than he would otherwise have done, that he +might be on board to receive his expected guests. He at once gave +orders to his steward to clear out his cabin and prepare it for the +reception of the consul's lady; however, as Jack faithfully fulfilled +his promise to Adair, we have the opportunity of giving an account of +the expedition in his own words:-- + +"I had been walking the deck for some time, thinking now of one thing, +now of another, when a boat with two persons in the sternsheets came +alongside, and answered to the quarter-master's hail-- + +"`Her Majesty's British Consul of Angostura and his family.' + +"The accommodation-ladder had already been rigged in preparation for the +arrival of these important personages. The sides being manned, the next +instant a stout gentleman who must be, I knew, the consul, began to +ascend, shoving up before him a veiled female figure. She, I rightly +guessed, was his wife. I advanced to meet them, and was about to +address the lady, when her husband informed me that `She no speak +English--and, as she is very tired, she wishes at once to go to her +cabin.' + +"I accordingly conducted the veiled lady below. From her figure, and a +glimpse I caught of her countenance as the light from the lamp fell on +it (as by chance, of course, her veil fell on one side), I saw that she +was young and undoubtedly pretty, thus accounting for the jealousy +displayed by her `lord and master.' + +"The old gentleman followed and remained for a short time in the cabin. +When he came out I observed that he examined the door, and seemed rather +nonplussed on discovering that there was no key with which he could +follow his usual custom of locking up his better half. I invited him to +walk the deck with me, that he might give me a fuller account of the +circumstances which had occurred at Angostura, requiring the visit of a +British man-of-war. + +"He told me a long rigmarole tale of an attack which had been made on +his house by a party of brigands, as he called them, from Venezuela, the +chief object of which, as he suspected, was to carry off his wife; +however, they, or some one else, had pulled down the consular flagstaff. +A half-caste, who claimed to be a British subject, belonging to +Trinidad, had been killed, and two or three others had been made +prisoners. All the time he was speaking he was in a state of agitation, +and soon hurried back into the cabin, to ascertain (as he said), whether +his wife wanted anything. + +"He supped with us in the gunroom, and though he played a very good +knife and fork, he exhibited the same uneasiness, jumping up two or +three times during the meal, to pay his spouse a visit. + +"McTavish, who had not suspected the cause of his anxiety, remarked, +`that he had never seen more devoted affection displayed, and that he +could not help admiring the old gentleman,' though he owned that he +possessed very few other likeable qualities. + +"For my own part, I did not anticipate much pleasure in the society of +my guests. + +"By break of day we got under weigh and stood for the `Boca de Huevos,' +or the Umbrella Passage. Till I consulted our sailing directions I had +fancied that we might have made a short cut to the southward through one +of the Serpent's Mouths, but the hot current which sets into the Gulf of +Paria, caused by the immense mass of water flowing out of the Orinoco, +would have effectually prevented us from gaining our object. The +longest way round, therefore, was the shortest to our destination. + +"A fresh breeze on our quarter enabled us to get out into the open sea +sooner than I expected, when we stood along the northern shore of +Trinidad to the eastward. We carried the breeze with us till we rounded +the point of Galera. I should not have supposed that Trinidad is the +fertile place it really is, from the appearance of its northern shore, +which is that of an immense ridge of barren rocks. Not, indeed, till we +were running down the eastern coast, did its rich and smiling valleys +again appear in view. + +"I had good reason to be glad that we had not attempted the Serpent's +Mouth; for when standing across from the southern end of Trinidad +towards the Orinoco the wind fell light, and we were nearly swept by the +current back again into the Gulf. + +"Even before we came in sight of the mainland, we found ourselves +sailing through the brown waters of the mighty stream, which as we got +nearer its many mouths, became almost the consistency of pea-soup, and +we had to keep a lookout to avoid the huge trunks of trees swept out by +the current, the ends of some of which, broken off by lightning or the +wind, might have made an ugly hole in our bows. We stood for the centre +and broadest entrance of the river, the only one through which we could +make our way up against the current, and hove-to off the far from +attractive looking town of Cangrayos--here we were to find, the consul +informed me, the trustworthy pilot Anselmo. + +"A signal having been made for a pilot, a canoe speedily put off from +the shore, bringing on board a big mulatto, dressed in an excessively +dirty white jacket and trowsers, with a broad-brimmed straw hat which +had seen better days, on his head. He greeted the consul with a +profound bow, and introduced himself to me as `de pilot of de Orinoco,' +who `knowed ebery part of de river from one end to de other, and take up +all de English ships which come dare.' + +"`Well, Senhor Anselmo, do you think you can pilot this brig and carry +her back again, without leaving her high and dry on a sandbank?' I +asked. + +"`Oh yes, sare, if she twice the size, I take her up all de same,' he +answered with a scornful laugh at the supposition that he might not +fulfil his engagement. + +"`Senhor Guedes assured me that you were the best pilot to be found for +the river,' I remarked. At his request we hoisted up his canoe, which +contained a hammock and several articles which he had brought off to +administer to his creature comforts. The only fresh provisions that we +were able to procure at the place were three turtles, one of which was +immediately put to death; the others were slung in hammocks, and secured +to temporary stanchions fixed to the bulwarks; we kept the reptiles +alive by covering them with damped swabs which were continually wetted +as the heat absorbed the water. We had to wait till the next morning, +when the sea-breeze set up the river, to enable us to stem the muddy +current. The shores on either side, as far as the eye could reach, were +covered with dense masses of mangrove trees which rose up out of the +water, no firm ground being visible on either side; the scenery, indeed, +was not attractive, though we supposed that in time we should come to +something more interesting. It was satisfactory to find that we did +make headway, though slowly. + +"I have said nothing about Senhor Guedes and his better half. He +allowed her to come out to meals; but he sat opposite to her at table, +and fixed a glance at her all the time, and frowned savagely if he saw +her for a moment turn her eyes towards me. Had I not suggested, for the +sake of her health, that she should be allowed to come on deck, I +believe he would have kept her shut up in the cabin for the whole +voyage. When she did appear she was closely veiled, and he stood by her +the whole time, looking expressively angry when any of the officers +approached her, though as she did not speak English, few of them could +exchange a word with her. Before we got into the river, he had some +reason for keeping her in her cabin; for the poor lady was very ill. +Several times I heard her Bluebeard of a husband scolding her fearfully, +and I felt strongly inclined to pitch him overboard. She recovered +rapidly when she got into the river, and was able to hold her own, and +prove that she could scold as well as he could. + +"I won't bother you with an account of our daily progress, which was as +I have said, dreadfully slow. I had expected to witness grand and +majestic views on the Orinoco, the second river in point of size in +South America; but its very width is a drawback from any beauty it might +possess; and although aware that the trees on either side are of great +height, they are so far off as to appear like mere bulrushes growing out +of the water, while the mountains of which we caught sight were at such +a distance as to produce but little effect in the landscape. When the +breeze was fresh we made tolerable way through the water, but directly +it fell we were compelled to anchor, or we should have speedily been +swept down, and lost all the distance we had gained. + +"We had to bring up every night and for some hours during the day, so +you will understand what toilsome work it was. + +"I suggested one evening to Anselmo, that as he knew the river so well +we might run on when the breeze favoured us during the night: he shook +his head, answering, `Oh no, sare, that is not to be done; we get into +mischief; I only pilot for the day.' As the rascal was paid by the day +he was in no hurry; nothing I could say would induce him to take charge +by night. I tried what threatening would do, but he only smiled, as he +well knew that he had us in his power. + +"Having gone on deck some time after sunset one evening, and found a +steady breeze blowing up the stream, I thought I would again try to +overcome his resolution. I sent the quartermaster of the watch to look +for him, but he was nowhere to be found. `Anselmo!' was called along +the lower deck; no answer came. At last, turning my eyes aloft I +observed something unusual in the rigging, and there between the main +and foremast was slung a hammock, in which the rogue had stowed himself. +After he had been repeatedly hailed, he looked out of his eyrie, and +getting into the main rigging came down. I asked him why he had taken +up his berth aloft. + +"`Because, sare, it dare cool and pleasant; no mosquito; plenty air.' + +"He certainly was not likely to have been interrupted as long as the +sails were furled, though had he suddenly awoke he would have run a +great risk of toppling down on deck. Habit, however, is second nature, +and he, I dare say, recollected, even in his sleep, where he was. + +"Had I at the time known one of his peculiarities I should have kept a +stricter watch on him that I had done hitherto. I soon, however, found +it out. We were brought up one day for want of a breeze, when an +American schooner loaded with hides came rapidly gliding down the +stream. Anselmo begged to have his canoe lowered, as he said that he +had friends on board whom he wished to see. I gave him permission, and +after a brief visit to her he returned singing merrily as he got +alongside, and his canoe again at his request was hoisted up. It did +not occur to me to send any one to look into her, or to look myself. +Soon afterwards the schooner was out of sight. After waiting for some +time a breeze sprang up, and as we had not anchored in any great depth +of water we soon got the anchor to the bows and made sail. Anselmo was +more loquacious than usual. We had gone up a mile or two when I felt +the vessel touch the ground. As the breeze freshened, however, she +glided on, stirring up the thick mud at the bottom. + +"I rated our pilot soundly, but he only laughed, observing, `Oh, senhor +capitan, that is noting.' I happened to remark that he made frequent +visits to his canoe, and in a short time after I went below. When I +returned on deck I found that he was completely drunk, and not willing +to trust the brig any longer to his charge, as the wind also was +falling, I brought up; of this fact, however, Anselmo did not appear to +be aware, for he stood at his usual post conning her with the gravity of +a post-captain who has royalty on board his ship. `Starboard now,' +`steady,' `port,' he sung out every now and then, while holding on by a +stanchion to support himself, notwithstanding which he occasionally +surged forward, and I thought would have tumbled over on his nose, +while, of course, he afforded infinite amusement to the midshipmen and +crew. We were unable to move again during the day. Notwithstanding his +condition he managed to climb into his hammock and sleep away the fumes +of liquor. + +"Next morning he seemed greatly surprised to find that the brig had not +made better way, and declared that she had dragged her anchor, as to his +certain knowledge we had sailed on three or four hours after we had left +the spot where we were now brought up. + +"We had eaten another of our turtles. I had ordered the last to be +killed, and was standing aft watching a large cow-fish which came +sweeping by on our quarter, its snout and shining body rising just above +the surface, when I heard a loud cry from Tom, and I saw him with one +hand in the turtle's hammock dancing up and down, and crying lustily, +`Quick, quick! if you don't, he will have my thumb off.' + +"I ran forward to his assistance, and found that having forgotten at +which end the animal's head lay, he had intended, as he said, to give +its tail a pull, when to his dismay the creature's mouth caught his +thumb. With a boathook, fortunately at hand, I managed to wrench open +the turtle's mouth and extract Tom's thumb. Had the creature been in +full strength it would undoubtedly have bitten it off; even as it was, +though at its last gasp, it had given him an ugly gripe, which +necessitated his being under the care of McTavish for several days. + +"Of animal life we saw but little, though birds of gay plumage flew +across the stream, and cow-fish, porpoises, and other creatures +gambolled in the waters. We met, also, several floating islands, +composed of trunks of trees bound together by their branches, and +interwoven by sipos or long vines. Sometimes they were even covered +with grass, and on one of them was a jaguar still feeding on its prey, +and not aware of the fate which to a certainty awaited it. The animal +had probably leaped on the island to seize a deer which had taken refuge +there, when the victim and its destroyer had been together swept away, +the latter being afraid to venture into the rushing stream to make its +escape. It was too far off to shoot; indeed, I had no rifle ready. +When passing near the trees which grew in the water--for land was +nowhere visible--I caught sight of flocks of herons resting on the +branches. + +"I went on one occasion, when we had brought up, in Anselmo's canoe, and +in an hour killed a sufficient number of them to serve all hands for +breakfast. + +"Having consumed our last turtle we became badly off for fresh +provisions, as we generally anchored too far from the trees to get a +shot at a bird, or to catch any of the animals which inhabited them. + +"Occasionally, however, we were visited by the canoes of the natives, +who supplied us with bananas, cocoanuts, and the dried flesh of some +large fish. The most welcome provisions they brought us were a number +of small land-tortoises, a foot and a half or two feet in length, which +were as delicate as anything I could wish to eat. As we got higher up, +the river became somewhat narrower, and we thus frequently had to pass +close to the trees. + +"We had been making good way one morning with a fresh breeze, when as +the day advanced the wind began to fall: still Anselmo encouraged us +with the hope that it would get up again, and we continued our course +under all the sail we could spread. + +"As he appeared to be perfectly sober at the time, I had not, as I +generally did, kept an eye on him, and therefore did not bring up as I +should have done. Finding, however, that we were going astern I ordered +the anchor to be dropped, and sent the hands to furl sails. The +topsails and topgallant-sails had fortunately been handed, and the men +were coming down from aloft when the brig swung right in among the +trees, and the end of a thick bough which had been shivered by +lightning, or broken off by a storm, ran through the head of the +mainsail just under the gaff. There we lay with our fore-topgallant and +topsail yards caught in the branches, and our mainsail securely locked. + +"`A pretty job it will be to get clear,' I thought. Though at present +the brig had suffered no great damage, she was in a position in which it +would not have been satisfactory to remain long, and I therefore ordered +a boat to be lowered to carry out a kedge. As it was necessary, +however, first to clear our mainsail and yards, I sent some hands aloft +with axes to chop away the network of vines, the nooses of which nearly +caught two or three fellows and swung them off the yards into the trees. + +"The most excited person on board was the midshipmen's pet, Master +Spider. Seeing the green foliage overhead, he became inspired with the +idea of visiting the haunts of his childhood. The owners, not thinking +of this, had allowed him to be loose: up the rigging he sprang, with Tom +and Gerald after him. They were very nearly as nimble as he was. He +had reached the fore-topgallant-yard, close to which temptingly hung a +mass of vines just such as one might suppose he had been accustomed to +swing in, in his early days: into it he sprang, and began to climb one +of the many widespreading branches to which the vines were attached. +Tom and Gerald, afraid of losing him, followed and were soon lost to +sight among the dense foliage. I did not myself see this, but supposed +them still to be among the men on the yards, for I was busy at the +moment in getting the boat lowered, and pointing out the direction in +which the kedge was to be carried. Calling the men down, I ordered them +to haul away on the warp to get the head of the brig out again into the +stream. While, however, the branch was fixed in the mainsail, this +could not be done. Needham, who saw what was necessary, called for the +assistance of the pilot, who was a wonderfully strong man, and having +lowered the peak, the two put their shoulders under the boom, and by a +wonderful exertion of strength lifted it out of the crutch and let it +run forward. At that moment a large mass fell from the branch on deck: +I turned round to ascertain what it was, when I saw issuing from the +fragments myriads of large ants, which went crawling all over the deck. + +"`Oh! they will bite us to death,' exclaimed Anselmo, making a bolt up +the rigging. Needham, who had already had his feet attacked, followed +his example; the consul, who had been sitting on deck with his wife, +well knowing the biting powers of the creatures, seized her round the +waist and attempted to carry her down the companion-hatchway, but in his +terror he let her go by the run, and she lay shrieking at the bottom, +for she was much hurt, while he pitched down headforemost after her, a +whole army of ants following. The deck literally swarmed with them; the +creatures came creeping forward, attacking our shoeless feet and biting +in a most frightful manner. For the instant I thought that they would +have driven me and my crew overboard; the men at the warp quickly +recovering hauled away as before, though they were unable to withstand +stamping and leaping in their vain efforts to free themselves of the +fiery pests. We had managed to get the brig free of the boughs, when I +bethought me of attacking the creatures with water, and ordering all the +buckets to be filled, we immediately began deluging the decks, the ants +which still remained on it being quickly swept through the scuppers. +Numbers having, however, already gained the hammock-nettings and +rigging, it was no easy matter to dislodge them. Bevan, with the boat's +crew, who had gone off with the kedge, fortunately for themselves, +escaped; and he told me afterwards, that not knowing what had happened, +he fancied for a moment that we were all gone mad, from the curious way +in which, I setting the example, every one on board had begun suddenly +to leap and skip about. A gouty gentleman, subjected to the discipline +we went through, would quickly have been cured of his complaint. Our +next puzzle was to get rid of the creatures in the rigging. I partly +accomplished the task by sending hands into the tops with buckets, who +dashed the water down in every direction. To clear the cabin of them, +however, was a more difficult task; as soon as the deck was somewhat +free, I went down below, where, from the conversation I heard, with +occasional cries which proceeded from the cabin, I guessed that the +consul and his wife were employed in freeing their persons from the +pests. Senhor Guedes presently afterwards appeared with a basin, in +which were floating countless numbers of the slain; still I saw them +crawling about the cabin in every direction, and it struck me that the +youngsters might be usefully employed in catching them. I accordingly +sent for them, when, to my dismay, I was told that they were nowhere to +be found. At last one of the topmen said that he had seen them chasing +Master Spider among the boughs of the forest. A vision of jaguars, +venomous sea snakes and other reptiles, rose up before me, and I began +to fear that they might have met with some accident. We looked towards +the forest, but they could nowhere be seen. We shouted to them to show +themselves, but no answer came to our repeated hails. I immediately +ordered Anselmo's canoe to be lowered, and as soon as the brig had been +brought safely to an anchor at a distance from the trees, I paddled off +to look for them. I was quickly under the boughs, but as far as my eye +could reach water alone was to be seen, with huge trees apparently +growing out of it. By sounding I found that the depth, even some way +in, was fully six feet. Again and again I shouted, but got no answer, +and as for seeing anything above my head, that was impossible, from the +mass of sipos, as Anselmo called them, or vines, which hung in festoons +from the branches of the trees, uniting them in one vast network. I +began to fear that the youngsters had, in their hurry to overtake +Spider, slipt from aloft and fallen into the water, where they might +have stuck in the mud, or been carried off by some voracious alligator +watching for his prey. Going a little farther, I again shouted, when a +cry came from among the branches above my head: I looked up, expecting +to see the lads, but could not make them out. At last I distinctly +heard Tom's voice, exclaiming, `Here we are, sir, but Spider will hold +on by the boughs with his tail, and we cannot get him along.' + +"`But that is nothing, sir,' added Gerald. `We are surrounded by +hundreds of monkeys, and are afraid that they will carry him off if we +let him go again.' + +"`Wring his neck and pitch him down, and then come down yourselves,' I +shouted out, losing temper. + +"`That's not so easily done, sir,' cried Gerald. `The monkeys may take +it into their heads to carry us off.' + +"`No fear of that,' I shouted out; `tie Spider's tail over his head and +you will easily bring him down by some of these vines. If you happen to +fall into the water I will pick you up.' The youngsters did as I +directed them, though Spider showed fight and bit Gerald while he was +trying to perform the operation. Tom, however, very wisely thought of +tying his handkerchief over the monkey's head, and now dragging him +along they began to make their way down to the lower branches. Not +being able, however, to ascertain how near the vines reached to the +water, they came down by some which hung eight or ten feet from the +surface. This was too great a height to drop from into the canoe. +Supposing that I was losing patience, and that I might punish them for +their freak, they let go, and monkey and midshipmen came down by the run +into the water, where the three adventurers cut a ludicrous figure, +splashing, spluttering, and kicking till I got up to them. The latter +were not much the worse for their ducking, but the monkey was very +nearly drowned before I had helped him out. `We have got Spider +anyhow,' sung out Tom, not holding me in much awe, but Gerald took +matters more seriously. + +"`Faith, sir. We could not help it,' he exclaimed, `the baste of a +monkey would set off to join his brothers in the bush, and if we had not +gone after him they would have made a hathen of him to a certainty.' + +"`I suppose, then, Master Gerald, you consider that he has become a +Christian under your instruction?' + +"`Well, sir,' answered Gerald, looking up with a comical expression, +which reminded me of an old shipmate of mine, `he is as good a +Christian, any how, as many who call themselves so, and considering that +he has got a tail he is a remarkable civilised baste.' + +"`Well, I will overlook your offence of quitting the ship without +permission,' I said, trying to keep from laughing. `You were not aware +probably that you were to be left among the tops of the trees when we +hauled off from them? I don't accuse you of intending to desert.' + +"`Thank you, sir. We will promise not to go monkey-hunting again, +without your leave,' answered the two midshipmen in chorus. + +"As I was in no hurry to get on board, and the youngsters were not +likely to suffer from sitting in their wet clothes, I paddled away for +some distance among the trees. The greatest number were palms, but +there were others of all descriptions, of which I am unable even to give +the names. After going a little way we came to a somewhat more open +space, when we heard a peculiar chattering overhead, while showers of +sticks came pattering down on our heads. On looking up to ascertain the +cause, we saw, high above up, among the tops of the tallest trees a +whole clan of large bushy-tailed monkeys; there must have been a hundred +or more, some old, and some young, gambolling about and playing all +sorts of pranks. No sooner did they catch sight of us than they +stopped, and scampered off helter-skelter, the old ones catching hold of +the young ones in their arms, all equally anxious to make their escape. +Some took prodigious leaps, catching the branches with their long tails, +and, after a swing or two, throwing themselves to another branch, and so +made their way amid the boughs till the whole of them were quickly lost +to sight. They, however, had not gone far, when Tom's quick eyes +detected several bushy faces grinning out from among the boughs where +they had concealed themselves. We paddled on a short distance and then +remained quiet, when in a few minutes, first one bolder than the rest +came out from his hiding-place, and then another, and another, uttering +sharp cries; presently the whole troop came back, and began amusing +themselves as before, the spot for some reason or other suiting their +tastes. It was great fun, I confess, and Tom and Gerald enjoyed it +immensely. They declared that the monkeys were the same fellows who +came to look at them and had threatened, as they supposed, to make them +prisoners. I had paddled for some distance into the forest when I +considered that it was time to turn back, for the sun was getting low; +it was just possible that I might lose my way, and I suspected it would +be no easy matter to find it in the dark. How far the water might +extend over the country I could not tell, probably for miles and miles. +I had begun, as I believed, to direct the head of the canoe towards the +brig, steering by the rays of the sun, which still came across the +forest and struck the topmost boughs of the trees, of which I +occasionally caught a glimpse, when presently Tom caught sight of some +tempting fruit like plums, which hung from the branches almost within +our reach. I tried to get at them with my paddle by standing up in the +canoe. On finding this impossible, Tom and Gerald volunteered to climb +along the branch, when they managed to get hold of a good number, which +they threw into the canoe, though, by-the-bye, they very nearly toppled +down head foremost into the water when making the attempt. I tried the +plums and found them excellent. Knowing how welcome they would be on +board, we took as many as the canoe would hold: no one enjoyed them more +than Spider, who munched away at them with amazing gusto, till his +masters declared that he would burst if he took any more. Some time was +occupied in gathering and eating the plums. We had turned about so +often that when I began to paddle back, on my life I could not tell +which direction to take; not a gleam of sunlight could I see on any of +the trees, and before we had gone far the gloom of night began to settle +down among the tall trunks. I did not wish to spend a night in the +forest, with a chance of being capsized by an alligator, or cow-fish, or +grabbed by an anaconda. + +"`Well, at all events, we shall not starve,' said Tom; `these plums are +very pleasant after the salt pork and dried fish we have had between our +teeth for the last few days.' + +"`You forget the turtle soup and the tortoises.' + +"`We did not have a very large share of the former in the gunroom,' +answered Gerald, `and the tortoises were such ugly looking beasts that +we did not take to them kindly.' + +"`That was your own fault then,' I remarked; `I should advise you to try +the next you get sent in, and you will find it superior to fish, flesh, +or fowl, dressed according to a receipt Senhor Guedes gave the cook.' + +"On going round the spot where we fell in with the plums, I discovered +the branch on which we had first seen them, and recollecting its +position, I was able to pull on in the direction we were then taking. +Thinking that we might be possibly near enough to the ship to be heard, +the midshipmen and I shouted at the top of our voices, but no reply +came; indeed, among those huge trunks, sounds penetrate to no great +distance. Still hoping to reach the brig, I persevered, as far as I +could judge, in the same direction. I felt that with all the scientific +knowledge possessed by the white man, how helpless he is in one of those +mighty forests, while a native would have found the way without the +slightest difficulty. + +"Monkeys poked out their heads from the boughs on which they nestled and +chattered at us; macaws, parrots, toucans, and other strange birds, +screamed at us, and Gerald and Tom declared that they saw huge snakes +wriggling along the branches, and about to drop down and attack us, but +I suspected they were merely sipos, which, seen in the uncertain light, +as we went along, appeared to be moving. At last I began to fear that +we should not find the brig till daylight, and should have to pass the +night in the forest. The canoe, laden as she was with plums, not +allowing us space to lie down, I proposed, if we failed, after a further +attempt to find the brig, that we should look out for a tree with +widespreading branches, into which we could climb, and remain till +daylight. + +"`But pray don't think of such a thing,' cried Tom; `we should have a +whole troop of monkeys down upon us, and be carried off in our sleep by +an army of anacondas.' + +"I laughed at his fears, though I thought that we should very likely be +attacked by ants, such as had almost taken the brig from us. I never +like to be beaten in an object should it seem possible of attainment, +and so I persevered, and again we all shouted, but with the same want of +success as before. I thought that very possibly by this time we might +be two or three miles away from the brig, just as likely as near her, +for I confess I was extremely doubtful as to the direction we had taken. + +"`Well, youngsters, I am afraid there is no help for it,' I remarked; +`if you do not like to sleep among the branches, we must run the risk of +turning our plums into jam. We will make the canoe fast to a tree, and +try to get some rest. One at a time, however, must keep watch, though I +don't think we run much risk of being attacked by human or savage foes.' + +"I was looking out for a branch to which to make the painter fast, when +Tom declared that he saw a light far off between the tall trunks. By +moving a little on one side, I also caught sight of it, and at once +paddled away in that direction. It grew brighter as we advanced, and +appeared to be elevated some little distance above the water. I was +very certain that it could not proceed from the brig; it seemed, indeed, +to be produced by a fire, but how a fire could exist in such a place, it +was puzzling to say, unless it was on the bank of the river, or on an +island elevated some height above the surface of the water. At all +events, we were likely to meet with human beings, who, if natives, would +probably be able to pilot us back to the brig. + +"I told the youngsters to keep silent, and paddled cautiously on. It +was necessary, indeed, to be very careful, for fear of capsizing the +canoe against a floating log or projecting branch, unseen in the +darkness. After going on for some distance, what was our surprise to +find directly ahead a large platform, secured to the trunks of several +lofty palms, elevated about six feet above the water. A fire was +burning in the centre, round which were seated a number of dark-skinned +natives, with scarcely a particle of clothing on their bodies. Above +the platform was a roof of palm leaves, below which were hung a number +of hammocks, of various sizes, the small ones containing children, and +under them were a variety of other articles, while two canoes were made +fast to the crossbeams which afforded support to the structure. The +flames from the fire lighted up the figures of the natives, and cast a +ruddy glare on the trunks of the trees, the dark foliage, the +surrounding water, and on our canoe. As we approached, the men +perceiving us, started up and seized their lances. Guessing that they +understood Spanish, I shouted `Amigo! amigo!' and paddling on towards +them, they were soon satisfied that we came with no hostile intent; and +as Tom made fast the canoe to a ladder which rested against the +platform, they stretched out their hands to assist us up. Though unable +to speak any language but their own, they seemed to comprehend that we +were officers; and when I uttered the word `navio,' they nodded to show +us that they knew we had come from a ship out in the river, and that we +wished to return to her. As I had no wish to pass the night among them, +I tried to explain to them that I would reward them well, if they would +at once pilot us back. After some time I got them, as I supposed, to +understand my meaning, for they again nodded their heads, and pointed in +the direction from which we had come, showing me, that when I fancied I +had been paddling out towards the stream, I had in reality been +directing my course inland. + +"They offered us some of their meal, consisting of broiled fish and +cakes, made, I suspect, from the flour, or pith of the very palm-trees +on which the platform was erected. They gave us also some palm-wine; we +did not ask how it was made, but it tasted very well. Indeed, our hosts +showed every wish to be friendly. The flooring of this strange +habitation was, I found on examination, composed of the split trunks of +small palms; the hearth consisted of a mass of clay thick enough to +prevent the heat from injuring the wood below. The people I afterwards +found from the consul, belonged to a tribe of the Guarinis, who are the +only inhabitants of this submerged region of the Orinoco. When the +waters subside, they take up their abode on shore. Their only vegetable +food is what they obtain from the palm-trees, and they subsist generally +on turtle, tortoises, and the flesh of the manatee or cowfish, and other +fish, which they spear or take with nets. Some of the young women were +pretty good-looking, and wore scant petticoats made of the cabbage palm +leaves, but the men had on little more than a belt round the waist with +a few leaves hung from it. + +"As I was afraid that my people would be going in search of us, and very +likely lose themselves, I made the natives understand that I should be +glad to take my departure; they nodded, and two of them got into the +smallest of their canoes and paddled a little way, to show that they +were ready to pilot us. Shaking hands with all round, the youngsters +and I got into our canoe and followed our guides. I had to exert +myself, however, to keep up with them, but as I knew that where they +went my canoe could pass, we made good way. We had gone some distance +when the sound of a gun reached us echoing from trunk to trunk +throughout the forest, but it was not easy to ascertain from what +direction it came, and had I been alone, it would scarcely have served +to guide me. The natives, however, paddled on in their former course, +showing me that they knew perfectly well what they were about. We soon +came out into an open part of the river, a short distance above where +the brig lay, and I at once made out her spars rising against the sky. + +"Our absence had caused some anxiety to Bevan and the rest. He had just +lowered a boat and was about to send Norris and Needham to look for us. +The natives were well satisfied with the reward I bestowed on them, not +so Anselmo at seeing it given. + +"`One bullet through the head or poke with a pike, good enough for dem,' +observed the rascal. + +"I resolved the next time I went plum-picking to carry a compass, and to +get back before the sun should sink below the tops of the trees. + +"By-the-bye, the sun is often not to be obtained as a guide, for I +afterwards visited parts of the forest where even his rays could not +penetrate. + +"We got under weigh the next morning as soon as the sea-breeze reached +us, but again Senor Anselmo managed to get drunk as a fiddler, and after +we had nearly been run on shore, I was obliged to bring up, a fact of +which he was totally unaware. There he stood at his usual post, +shouting out to the helmsman, `Starboard! port! steady!' and at last, as +grave as a judge, he observed to me-- + +"`It's time to bring up, captain; us no make headway, I see.' + +"`I should think not, mate,' said Needham, `vessels don't often go ahead +with the anchor down. We are not going astern either, as we did +yesterday, eh?' + +"It would have been useless to flog the fellow or to put him in the +black-list, for he would probably have slipped into his canoe, and left +us to find our way as best we could; besides, when he was sober, he was +as good a pilot as could be desired. I determined therefore to bear +with him and to keep liquor out of his way. I was fortunate in finding +his calabash, which I hove overboard, and gave notice that I would flog +any man who supplied him with liquor beyond his portion. This had a +good effect, and Anselmo kept sober for some time afterwards. + +"I made frequent trips in the canoe, taking the youngsters, and always +returned with a good supply of plums. We fell in with several families +of the wild natives I have described. They seemed quiet and +well-disposed, though somewhat low in the scale of humanity. + +"I should like to give you an idea of the sort of scenery we met with. +Starting from the ship, we began to force our way under the branches and +amongst dense bushes, till we got into a part where the trees were much +loftier, and the lower branches were level with the surface of the +water, most of them covered with flowers. Besides the plums we found +bunches of delicious fruit growing on the branches of a smaller species +of palm. Frequently we heard the rattle of leaves overhead and caught +sight of troops of monkeys peeping down among the thick foliage. +Paddling on among the lofty trunks which rose like columns out of the +water, presently down came a shower of leaves, and on looking up, we +discovered a flock of parrots or a family of trogons, large +gaily-coloured birds, with clamorous voices and heavy flight, who made +the branches shake as they alighted to seize the fruit pendent from +them. Palm-trees of various species prevailed; there was no underwood, +or it had been destroyed by water, but the sipos or vines hung in dense +masses among the upper branches. I wish that I could describe the +wonderful birds we saw, one perfectly black, with a headdress like an +umbrella, while some lovely specimens of the feathered tribe had white +wings and claret-coloured plumage. Flowers were of all hues, and of +immense size; some of the more lofty trees were literally covered with +clusters of rich golden flowers. On the decayed trunks we caught sight +of crabs of every variety of tint and size, watching for their prey, +while butterflies and dragonflies of gorgeous hues flitted amid the more +open spots wherever the sunlight found its way, some of the latter with +crimson bodies and black heads and burnished wings, others with green +and blue bodies. A fine region this for frogs, but many of them live in +trees, finding, I suppose, that they are likely to be gobbled up, if +they keep, as frogs in northern countries do, in the water. As night +drew on, we heard them `hoo-hooing, quack-quacking,' keeping up the +strangest concert imaginable; indeed, had not the consul assured me that +frogs produced the noises, I should have supposed that they were caused +by some species of nightbird; however, I am, I confess, no great hand at +description, nor had we a naturalist on board, or I might have given you +a better account of the various trees and curious things we met with. +Now and then we caught sight of an alligator, but the monsters generally +betake themselves to pools and quiet places, while the waters are, as at +present, at their height. By-the-bye, we did pass a town, which was +seen in the distance. I did not touch at it, but Anselmo informed me +that the inhabitants were engaged in a little civil war of their own, +murdering each other to their hearts' content. Had we had time, I dare +say we might have supplied ourselves with monkey and sloth-flesh, +opossums, snakes, crabs, and a variety of birds, but I doubt whether the +crew would have appreciated the exertions of the sportsman. At last +Anselmo informed me, much to my satisfaction, that we were drawing near +to the termination of our voyage. The trees receded to a distance, and +on either side of us appeared fields of grass, I should think, nearly a +mile in width. Though web-footed birds here and there stalked over it, +not an animal was to be seen; the reason of this was that the grass +floated on the calm surface of the water. I should think we must have +sailed through at least fifteen miles of it. At last we came to off the +town of Angostura. Though not a place possessed of many attractions, I +never dropped anchor with more satisfaction. + +"I was not sorry to get the jealous consul and his veiled lady out of +the ship, for, as you may suppose, I wanted to be back among more +stirring scenes, and escorted him and his wife on shore at the head of a +score of bluejackets and five marines, to make as imposing an appearance +as I could. Having seen him reinstated in his abode, and the consular +flagstaff set up again with the flag of old England flying from it, I +delivered my despatches from the Governor of Trinidad to the chief +authority in the place, and informed him that the Majesty of England +must not be insulted in the person of one of her consuls. + +"`But Senhor Guedes is very jealous of his wife, and that is all about +it,' answered the governor of Angostura, who, I found to my surprise, +was able to converse pretty freely in English. Such, I had suspected, +was the case, and I could not help feeling that I had been sent up on a +fool's errand. + +"From the appearance of Angostura, I fancied that it must have been a +place of some importance in the past days of Spanish glory, but like +every other former dependency of that unhappy country, it everywhere +shows marks of decay. There are churches and priests, but the best +thing it can boast of is a very good market, in which being able to +supply all our wants, we revelled luxuriously on fresh provisions during +our stay. The town also can boast of the very fattest negress I ever +set eyes on; she would make her fortune in an exhibition in England or +America. The midshipmen asked Needham if he would like to marry her. + +"`Bless my heart, no, young gentlemen; she's big enough to be the wife +of six men, twice my size,' he answered. + +"I can think of nothing else to tell you about this remote city. It has +some commerce, for there were three or four American vessels in the +harbour loading with hides. + +"Having paid farewell to the obnoxious consul, who, shedding a flood of +tears, gave me a hug which nearly drove the breath out of my body, I +returned on board, and ordering the anchor to be weighed, directed +Anselmo to pilot us back the way we had come, and `mark me, my friend,' +I added, `if you get drunk, and run us on shore, I will give you three +dozen as sure as you are a living man.' + +"`But, cap'n, I would no' do that same, on no account,' he answered, +with a bland smile; however, I had given Needham instructions to keep a +watch on him, and to throw overboard any liquor he might have stowed +away. Three or four cocoanuts full of rum were discovered among his +traps, the contents of which were started, and water substituted. It +was amusing to see Anselmo's face, when he found out the trick that had +been played him. + +"`Never mind, pilot, it's better to go without your grog than have a +taste of the cat,' observed Needham, patting him on the shoulder, `when +you get home you shall have enough to keep you drunk for a week; at +least, you will then be ready to pilot another of her Majesty's ships up +the river, if one of them ever comes this way.' + +"As we could now sail or drift on all day by sending the boats ahead +occasionally to tow us off the trees, we made good progress, and soon +reached the mouth of the river. + +"Though our trip was not destitute of interest, I can only hope that I +shall never be sent up the Orinoco again." + +Terence thanked Jack for this description of his trip when they next +met, which they did off Georgetown, the capital of British Guiana, at +the mouth of the Demerara river. Its gaily painted wooden houses, with +broad verandahs, raised on supports some feet above the ground, its +canals and dykes, and numerous windmills, might make it easily mistaken +for a Dutch town, were it not for the tall palm-trees which rise in its +midst and the rich tropical scenery around. Here the corvette and brig +remained for some days, and then sailed to join the squadron ordered to +rendezvous at Rio. + +A bright lookout was kept for slavers, which, notwithstanding the treaty +lately made by the Brazilian Government with England, were known to +swarm on the coast; the local authorities, like those of Havannah, +encouraging the nefarious traffic, which put thousands of dollars into +their purses. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY. + +THE CORVETTE AND BRIG PART COMPANY--THE FORMER CHASES A SUSPICIOUS +SAIL--CAPTURES A FULL SLAVER--ADAIR IN CHARGE--TAKES PRIZE TO BAHIA--AN +IMPORTANT WARNING--PREPARATIONS FOR AN ATTACK--ANECDOTE OF LIEUTENANT +WASEY--THE SLAVE-DEALERS ATTEMPT TO RETAKE THE PRIZE--GALLANT DEFENCE-- +ENEMY DEFEATED--THE SUPPLEJACK APPEARS IN GOOD TIME. + +The _Tudor_ and _Supplejack_ had crossed the line, and had got some way +to the southward, when a heavy gale came on, such as is not often +experienced in those latitudes. It blew with especial fury during the +night. Murray hove the corvette to, and believed that Jack would have +done the same, but when morning broke, and the brig was nowhere to be +seen from the deck of the corvette, he could not help feeling somewhat +anxious on the subject. During the day the weather moderated, and a +lookout was kept for her from aloft. Two days passed, however, and she +did not appear. The wind was from the north-east, and he hoped by a +quick run to Rio to have his anxiety soon brought to an end by finding +that the _Supplejack_ had arrived before him. + +Morning had just dawned, the breeze was fresh, the tops of the seas +sparkled in the rays of the rising sun, when the lookout from aloft +shouted, "A sail on the lee bow!" + +"What is she?" asked Adair, who was officer of the watch. + +"A brig, sir," was the answer. + +"Is she like the _Supplejack_?" he inquired. + +"Can't say, sir. She is anyhow running to the westward, and the +_Supplejack_ would be steering to the south." + +"You are right. Call the commander," said Adair to Desmond. The +youngster had rejoined the ship at Georgetown. He himself then went +aloft with his glass, to have a look at the stranger. By the time he +came down Murray was on deck. + +"She is certainly not the _Supplejack_, and, as she is running in for +some Brazilian port far to the northward of Rio, she may possibly be a +slaver." + +"We will overhaul her, at all events," said Murray, and the corvette, +bearing up in chase, made all sail she could set. + +The stranger did not at first discover that she was pursued, and by the +time that she did so the corvette had gained considerably on her. She +was then seen to be a large brigantine, and by her square yards and +white canvas, lighted up by the rays of the sun, Murray was more than +ever convinced that she was a slaver. + +The chase had set all the sail she could carry, and still kept well +ahead of the corvette. The weather, as the day advanced, gave signs of +changing, dark clouds gathered in the sky, and squalls, not very strong +at first, but sufficient to make the commander look with anxious eyes at +his spars, swept across the ocean--the dark clouds as they rushed along +changing the hitherto blue, laughing waves to a leaden hue. Still the +corvette persevered. The crew were at their stations, ready to shorten +sail the moment it became absolutely necessary. The eagerness of the +chase to escape made it still more probable that she was a slaver. She +was dead before the wind, carrying topgallant-sails and royals, and +studding-sails on either side. A dark cloud passing over her threw her +into shade; on it went, and once more the bright rays of the sun falling +on her canvas brought her more clearly into view; another squall swept +by, making the corvette's studding-sail-booms crack and bend as if they +were about to break away from the braces. + +"Hold on, good sticks!" cried Murray, apostrophising them, "the toughest +spars will win the day." + +The crew cast their eyes aloft, fully expecting to see them carried +away, but they held on, and the trim corvette went dashing forward amid +the dancing seas, which rose up, foam-crested, on either side. + +"Hurrah!" exclaimed Terence, "she is ours!" At that moment the squall +had reached the chase, and away flew her studding-sails, the booms +breaking off at the irons. Still she held on her course. The corvette +was now rapidly gaining on her; the attempt was made to rig another +lower studding-sail, but that also was carried away almost as soon as +set, and in less than half an hour the corvette had got her well within +range of her long guns; but Murray refrained from firing as long as he +found that he was gaining on her. + +"It is useless to run the risk of injuring her spars," he observed to +Adair; "she will haul down her colours when she finds that she has no +hope of getting away." + +"Those fellows are up to all sorts of dodges, and will make every effort +to escape," said Terence. + +"We will take in the studding-sails at all events, and be ready for him +should he haul his wind," said Murray. The light canvas was taken in +with a rapidity, which must have astonished the crew of the slaver. +Just, however, as the operation was about to be commenced, she had put +her helm to port, and braced her yards sharp up on the starboard tack; +but a couple of shot from the corvette, one of which struck her +starboard quarter, showed her that she was too late; and fearing that +other iron missiles might overtake her, she immediately hauled down her +colours. The corvette's topgallant sails and royals having been handed, +she also was brought to the wind and hove-to on the weather beam of the +prize. Murray now directed Adair to go on board the brigantine with a +midshipman and ten hands, and to carry her to Rio, unless, from a +scarcity of provisions or want of water, he should find it necessary to +put in to Bahia, or any other neighbouring port on the Brazilian coast. + +Adair and Desmond were quickly ready with their carpet-bags, as were +Snatchblock and nine other men with their bundles, and the boat which +had, meantime, been lowered, pulled off for the prize, although there +was some sea on; yet as she was low in the water, she was easily +boarded. She proved to be the _Donna Maria_, a noted Brazilian slaver +which had often before escaped capture. According to Murray's +directions, Adair sent back the captain and officers and some of her +ill-looking crew, who were likely to prove troublesome if left in her. + +He found that, though only measuring a hundred and fifty tons she had +nearly five hundred slaves on board, stowed away as thick as they could +be packed between decks. + +Having had a remarkably quick run from the coast of Africa, the captain +informed him that he had not lost more than twenty people. As he looked +down the main hatchway, the haggard countenances of the mass of human +beings packed close together--as Desmond observed, like herrings in a +cask--showed him that had the voyage continued much longer, the number +of deaths would have been greatly increased. + +Although there was food enough and water for the slaves, either the crew +had hove overboard some of their own provisions, or had brought but a +small supply, so that Adair found but a scant allowance for himself and +his men; he therefore sent on board the corvette for such articles as he +thought would be required. Just as all arrangements had been completed, +and he had put the brigantine on her course, he saw the corvette haul +her wind, and stand away to the eastward. As she did so, Murray +signalised that a strange sail, which he hoped to overhaul, had hove in +sight in that direction. + +A sufficient number of the slaver's crew had been kept on board to +attend to the unfortunate blacks, and carry them their provisions and +water. Adair himself went round among them, and endeavoured to make +them understand that he was their friend, and that as soon as possible +they should be sent back to Africa. At first they looked on the +Englishmen with an expression of terror in their countenances, many of +them believing that they would be taken on shore to be killed and eaten, +or to be offered up to the white man's Fetish. Fortunately one of the +seamen, who had been long on the coast, could make himself understood by +some of them; and, by his means and kind treatment, Terence succeeded at +length in banishing their fears. One of the Brazilians also spoke a +little English, and so was able to act as interpreter. Pedro was a +better-looking fellow than most of his companions, and by the kind way +he treated the blacks Terence was inclined to trust him. He declared +that poverty alone, and a wish to support his family, had induced him to +ship on board the slaver, and that it was the last voyage he would ever +make. + +"These countrymen of mine are great rascals," he observed; "you take +care what they do, or they play you one great trick." + +Pedro then told Adair that the brigantine was somewhat leaky, and that +it had been necessary to pump her out at every watch. + +He at once ordered the well to be sounded, and Snatchblock reported "two +feet of water in the hold;" he accordingly ordered the pumps to be +rigged, and set some of his own people to work them. Pedro again came +aft, and assured him that he felt certain he could pick out a score or +more of blacks who could be trusted on deck, and that they would +willingly take the duty, glad to escape from the confinement of the +hold. + +"We will try them," said Terence, and in a short time Pedro sent up the +number he had mentioned, all of them well-made, stalwart negroes. The +scant clothing they wore exhibited, however, how much they had suffered +by confinement, even during their comparatively short run across the +Atlantic. Half of them quickly understanding what was required set to +work with a will, being relieved by their companions. By their +exertions the brigantine was at length almost freed from water. During +the night it had, however, again gained on the pumps, and the weather +coming on worse soon after daybreak Terence judged it prudent to bear up +for Bahia. + +He was thankful to believe that he would soon be in smooth water, for +the poor slaves suffered dreadfully by the way the vessel tumbled about +in the heavy seas, and several of the weak ones were found to have died +during the night. The Brazilians hauled them out, without the slightest +exhibition of feeling, and hove the bodies overboard as if they had been +so many dead sheep. The heat and effluvium which arose from below were +almost unbearable, the instant the hatches, which had necessarily been +closed during the night, were taken off. + +It was the first full slaver Desmond had ever been aboard. + +"I have always heard the African coast abused, but I can only say that I +should be ready to go and serve there, for the sake of catching some of +these rascally slavers before they have had the opportunity of making +the poor blacks suffer so horribly, as they must do during the middle +passage," he exclaimed, as he warmed with indignation at what he +witnessed. + +At last, a short time before nightfall, the brigantine entered the +harbour of Bahia, which is easy of access, and came to an anchor at some +distance from the town. Scarcely had she brought up than the weather +moderated, and Terence began to regret that he had not continued his +course for Rio; still he hoped that Murray, judging by the weather, +would take it for granted that he had put in there, and would come and +look for him. + +It was too late that evening to communicate with the authorities; +several boats, however, came alongside, though as no officer appeared +among the people in them, Adair would not allow any one to come on +board, with the exception of an official who was sent, he said, by the +captain of the port to make inquiries about the vessel. At last all the +boats took their departure. There was no moon, though the stars shone +forth brightly overhead, reflected on the calm surface of the water. It +was rather dark all around where the brig lay; here and there only, +distant lights glimmering from the shore. The watch, of which Ben +Snatchblock had charge, was set, and Adair and Desmond retired into a +small cabin on one side of the deck to take supper. + +"Well, I hope these poor fellows may be sent back safely to their +homes," said Desmond. "I am afraid a good many more will die before +they get there, if they are not placed in some healthy spot and allowed +to take exercise first." + +"Not one of them will ever get back to their homes," answered Terence. +"They are all brought some hundreds of miles from the interior, and +would be quickly seized and carried back into slavery were the attempt +to be made. They will be sent to Sierra Leone, or some of them may find +their way to Liberia, a colony established some years ago for liberated +blacks from the North American States." + +Adair was giving Desmond further information on the subject when Pedro +put his head in at the door. + +"Senhor Capitan, I want to have one word with you," he said, putting his +finger to his mouth. "You be on the watch; I heard things said by the +people in de boats, and I make sure they come off and take all de slaves +away, and knock you and your people on de head. Hist! hist! Don't let +my comrades know I tell you, or dey cut my troat as sure as I now a +living man. No time to lose." + +Adair asked Pedro further questions, but he could elicit no more +information. Pedro was evidently in a hurry to be gone, and again +making a sign to show that caution was necessary he stole forward, +keeping close under the bulwarks, as if afraid of being observed. + +"The information Pedro has given us must not be neglected," observed +Adair. "He may be mistaken, but if the Brazilians think that they can +get hold of the slaves they will try to do so without scruple, and will +cut the throats of every one of us should they find it necessary to +carry out their object. Go and turn out our people, and I will have a +talk with Snatchblock on the subject." + +Desmond, making his way forward, roused up the prize crew, cautiously +awaking each man separately, so that the slaver's people should not hear +them. + +Adair followed him on deck, and told Snatchblock what he had heard. + +"Well, sir, to my mind the first thing we have to do is to secure the +Brazilian fellows we have on board, for if we are attacked by their +friends from the shore, as Pedro thinks likely, we shall have them, may +be, playing us some trick," answered Ben. "Either they will let the +slaves loose and set them up to murdering us; or if they can get hold of +arms they will set on us themselves, should they see a chance of helping +our enemies." + +Adair thought Ben's advice good, and told him to get a sufficient number +of lengths of rope to secure the fellows. This was quickly done, and +Adair and his men went into the berth, and soon had all the Brazilians +secured, almost before they were awake. He had Pedro lashed like the +rest; Adair whispered, however, into his ear that he did so for his own +sake, as should he be suspected of having given the Englishmen +information he probably would be murdered by his countrymen. Pedro, +indeed, seemed perfectly satisfied to be so treated. + +"They no countrymen of mine, though," he answered, in a low voice, "they +Brazilians, I true-born Portuguese." + +"Well, whatever you are, I am much obliged to you, and hope to reward +you some day for the assistance you have given us," answered Adair. + +"I should have taken the fellow to have a larger share of negro than +white blood in him by his looks," observed Adair to Desmond as they went +aft; "however, I really believe that he is honest, and we should not +despise his warning." + +He had all the arms and ammunition to be found on board collected, each +of his crew being provided with a musket and a brace of pistols, in +addition to their cutlasses; he and Desmond also armed themselves. A +dozen spare muskets which he had carefully looked to and loaded were +arranged, some aft, others midships and forward. There were also two +small brass guns, used for signals rather than defence. No shot, +however, could be found for them, so he sent a couple of men to collect +all the nails and scraps of iron they could find in the carpenter's +store-room. + +"These will make cruel wounds, but it will be the fellows' own fault if +they venture to attack us, should some of them stick in their bodies," +he observed, as the guns were loaded. A dozen boarding-pikes were also +found and served out to the men. + +"I rather suspect that these weapons will prove more serviceable in the +hands of our stout fellows than muskets or pistols, which take time to +load," observed Adair. "They may serve us in good stead, should the +Brazilians attempt to climb up the side." + +These arrangements being made, Adair and Desmond returned to the cabin +to finish their supper, which they had just begun when Pedro came to +them. + +"Don't you think after all that that Portuguese fellow may have been +trying to frighten us for some object of his own, perhaps to ingratiate +himself into your favour?" asked Desmond. + +"No! no, I think not," answered Adair, "the Brazilians have played +similar tricks on captured vessels before, in this very port, and they +are capable of any atrocity. There was an old friend of mine named +Wasey, a capital fellow, kind-hearted and brave, as true a man as I ever +met with. We were shipmates for a short time on the coat of Africa; +Rogers and Murray knew him well, and liked him as much as I did. He was +one of those quite unpretending characters who don't know what is in +them, except to those with whom they are intimate. + +"We chased and captured a small schooner with a hundred and fifty slaves +on board. He was put in charge of her with ten hands, and directed to +take her to Sierra Leone, we having received on board her former crew, +that he might not be troubled with them. Soon after he parted company +from us a heavy gale sprang up from the eastward, and he was blown off +the land. The schooner, one of those slightly put together craft, built +expressly for slavers, sprang a leak, and the water gained so fast on +them, that it was as much as the crew, with a few of the blacks who were +to be trusted, could do to keep her afloat. His only chance of saving +the lives of his crew, and himself, as well as of the blacks, was to run +for the Brazilian coast. The schooner was also short of provisions and +water, and had he attempted to beat up for Sierra Leone, he knew that +most of the blacks must perish, even if he contrived to keep her afloat. +The weather in no way moderated, and though he set an example to his +men by taking his turn at the pumps, all hands working with a will, he +scarcely expected to get across the Atlantic. Still, by attending to +the unfortunate blacks, and by allowing a few to come on deck at a time, +he managed to keep them alive. At length when he was about a week's run +from Bahia, he feel in with an American brig. He having hoisted a +signal of distress, the American hove to, and he went on board her. He +explained his condition to the master, who seemed to be a well-disposed, +kind-hearted man. + +"`Well, I have no objection to receive you and your white crew on board +my vessel,' said the master, `but as to the blacks, I can have nothing +to do with them, they must sink or swim if they can.' + +"What! you don't suppose that I would desert the unfortunate wretches?" +exclaimed Wasey indignantly. + +"`Well, they are but negroes, and it is a fate which befalls many of +them. They seem born to it,' answered the master coolly. + +"`I am much obliged to you for your offer to receive me and my people, +though I cannot accept it. If we are lost, our deaths will be at your +door; that won't be a pleasant recollection for you,' said Wasey. + +"`Cannot help it, Mister Lieutenant,' answered the skipper. `The +blacks, as I say, must take their chance; and it seems to me that if you +and your men refuse to come aboard my brig, when I offer to receive you, +that your deaths will be at your own door.' + +"`I would rather die than desert the unhappy blacks, and I believe that +my men will stick by me,' answered Wasey. `Now, captain, I'll tell you +what I will do. I have a fortune of 7000 pounds, and on the word of a +British officer--and you will take that I hope--I will put it in black +and white, that I will pay over every farthing, if you will receive the +blacks on board, and carry them to the nearest port you can make. Come, +that is a better freight than you have every day for your brig, I +suspect?' + +"The skipper thought a minute, then shook his head. `No, if you were to +give me 20,000 pounds down on the nail, I could not take the negroes +aboard my brig. They would pollute her, we should probably have a fever +break out, or if we escaped that every man of my crew would leave her +directly we entered port.' + +"In vain Wasey endeavoured to persuade the skipper to alter his +resolution; he was determined not to take the negroes on board. + +"At length Wasey saw there was no use in pressing him further. Perhaps +the skipper thought that he might never touch the 7000 pounds, but I can +answer for it, and so would every one who knew Wasey, that he would have +religiously paid it to the last farthing. + +"`You have made up your mind not to receive the blacks, and I have made +up mine not to desert them,' said Wasey, wishing him good-bye. `A +prosperous voyage to you, and I can only say that I hope for your sake +as well as ours, that we may manage to get the schooner into Bahia. I +should not wish to have my conscience troubled as yours will be if you +hear that we are lost.' Having purchased all the provisions and water +the American could spare, Wasey returned to the schooner and made sail +for the westward, while the American vessel stood away on her course. +He divided the water and most of the provisions he had obtained among +the starving blacks, and their strength renewed, they were able to +assist better at the pumps than they were before. Still the powers of +all on board were taxed to the uttermost; every one, however, knew that +their lives depended on their exertions, and worked away till they were +ready to drop. They could just keep the schooner afloat, and that was +all. The wind continued fair, and by the time the last drop of water +was expended and the farina and other food for the blacks was used up, +they made this port of Bahia. + +"Wasey now hoped that his chief troubles were over. The blacks had got +to trust him, and so, when the schooner was brought to an anchor, they +willingly laboured as before to keep her afloat. Believing that all was +right he went on shore to communicate with the authorities, leaving the +quarter-master in charge of the schooner. The officials detained him +for some time, and sent him first to one person and then to another, +thus keeping him employed till nightfall. At last he pulled off to the +schooner; there she lay all right, and he hoped to be able to get the +leaks stopped, and to carry the poor blacks to Sierra Leone, where they +could be set free. When he stepped on board, he inquired if all had +gone well during his absence. + +"`Yes, sir,' was the quarter-master's answer. `Some Brazilian officers +came off in a number of boats, and told me that they had been sent to +land the blacks. As all seemed right, I did not prevent them from +coming on board. At once ordering the blacks up, they made every one of +them get into the boats, which at once pulled away up the harbour. The +officers were very polite, and seemed to be doing everything regular, +though I was just a little suspicious when I saw three large boats full +of men, with a good number of muskets among them close to us, watching, +as it were, how matters were going. When the boats with the blacks on +board pulled away, they followed, and no one since then has come near +us. I hope it's all right, sir?' + +"`Right!' exclaimed Wasey, feeling confident that he had been duped, `I +am afraid that it's very wrong. I have made every arrangement with the +authorities to have the blacks housed on shore while the schooner is +under repair, and to receive them back whenever I may wish, and I cannot +understand how any Government officers should venture to take them off +till my return.' + +"Next morning he went on shore, when the authorities declared that they +knew nothing of the matter. He then found that some fellows, dressed up +as officers, had been sent off by slave-dealers, to play the trick, and +get possession of the unfortunate negroes. + +"In vain he endeavoured to regain them, not a particle of information +could he obtain as to where they had been carried, except that they had +probably been immediately disposed of over the country. Thus, after his +noble self-sacrifice and the exertions he had made to save the lives of +his black-skinned fellow-creatures he had the mortification to find that +they had been carried off into slavery, and that he had nothing but the +bare hull of the schooner for his pains. Yes, by-the-bye, he had more +than that, he had the satisfaction of his own conscience, and that was +worth having. I did not hear the account from himself, but I got it +from one of the men who was with him. I am pretty sure that I am right +in all particulars. Now let us go on deck and hear what report +Snatchblock has to make. Perhaps after all Pedro may be mistaken, and +we shall not receive a friendly visit as he expects from the slavers. +However, we will take care not to be the victims of a trick like that +played on Wasey." + +"Anything stirring, Snatchblock?" asked Adair, as he and Desmond went on +deck. + +"Nothing that I can make out, sir, except that a little time back a +small boat pulled across our bows and returned to the shore. We were +all at the time as quiet as mice when the cat is about, and maybe the +fellows in her thought that we were keeping no watch aboard the +brigantine." + +"We will show them that we are wide awake enough if they come off to +play us any trick," answered Adair, laughing. + +He found his men sitting down with their arms by their sides ready for +action, and felt satisfied that they would do their best to beat off any +enemies who might attempt to take the vessel. + +The night continued perfectly calm, while a light mist somewhat obscured +the shore and distant objects. He knew that sounds, though from a +considerable distance, could be heard, and that he should thus have +timely intimation of the approach of boats, even should they come off +with muffled oars. + +The captured slaver, with four hundred human beings stowed away in her +hold, has not yet been described. + +The slave-deck was divided into two parts: in the larger portion the men +were packed away; in the smaller, the hapless women and children. When +the slaves were first received on board on the African coast, the +largest men had been picked out to act as head men or overseers of the +rest, and having been threatened with punishment should they refuse to +obey orders, they had not unwillingly taken the office imposed on them. +They at first divided the slaves into gangs of about twenty men each, +for whose good behaviour they were answerable; their first duty had been +to stow away the slaves. The slave-deck was about four feet in height, +with beams and bars running from side to side; on these beams the slaves +were compelled to sit with their heads thrust between their knees, so +close together that when one moved the whole mass had to move also. +Care had been taken to place the largest slaves the farthest from the +ship's side, or from any position in which their strength might avail +them to secure a larger space than their neighbours. One portion of the +deck was much lower, being scarcely twenty inches in height, and in this +the children were stowed away. + +When the slaver was captured the hatches were found closed and all the +larger men heavily ironed, and it may be imagined, had the chase +continued long, what would have been the suffering of the unfortunate +wretches. + +The slaves were fed twice a day, and in order to give room, one half +were allowed at a time to come on deck, the only opportunity they had to +stretch their limbs. At meal-times they were arranged into messes, and +when all was ready, at a signal from the head man, they commenced +eating. + +Their food consisted of rice, or farina, which is flour made from the +cassada, a species of potato boiled, or calabancies, a kind of bean; +occasionally a small quantity of salt beef, fish, or chillies, was +served out to them as a relish. After each meal they were made to sing, +not for their amusement, but to enable them, it was supposed, better to +digest their food. Each black after this received about a pint of +water, the whole allowance for the day. + +Below the slave-deck were stowed the leaguers, which are huge +water-casks, together with the provisions, wood for firing, etcetera. +The upper deck was kept perfectly clear, to enable the crew to work the +sweeps during calms. There was no poop, but on either side were two +cabins, six or eight feet long, and three or four wide, to serve as +sleeping places for the captain and officers; the crew lived forward, +under the topgallant forecastle. The vessel had but one small boat, +carried amidships, in which articles of all sorts were stowed, so that +if a man had fallen overboard it would have been next to impossible to +pick him up. This is a description of most slaving-vessels, though +steamers have of late years been largely employed. + +Adair and Desmond paced the deck for an hour or more, stopping every now +and then to listen. No sound could be heard coming from any direction, +and the town was too far off for the hum of its human hive to reach +them. + +It was now nearly ten o'clock. Adair had ordered Snatchblock not to +strike the bell, as it might show the slavers, should any be meditating +an attack, that those on board the prize were on the alert, and make +them approach more cautiously than they might otherwise be inclined to +do. + +Adair had brought a stool from the cabin, and sat down, leaning against +the outside. + +"Go in and get some sleep," he said to Desmond, "I will call you if you +are wanted." + +"I am not tired, and if you will allow me I will go forward and try if I +can hear anything. I fancied just now that I caught the sound of +several splashes in the water, as if fish were leaping in the distance," +answered Desmond. + +He made his way to the topgallant-forecastle, lay down and listened. +The sound he had heard became more regular, though still very faint; he +was certain, however, that it was the dip of oars in the water. He +waited, however, before informing Adair, knowing that there would be +time enough when the boats came in sight, as all hands were prepared for +action. + +"Perhaps, after all, they are not coming this way," he thought; "yes, +they must be, though," he said to himself; "the sounds are much more +distinct than when I first heard them." + +At length he made out several dark objects emerging from the mist. He +at once hurried aft with the information. + +"Be ready, lads!" said Adair; "the fellows I was warned would attack us +are probably coming. Five of you remain on the starboard side, and five +on the port side. Snatchblock and I will work the guns. Keep under +shelter, and don't fire till I give the word; then blaze away with +muskets and pistols, and use your pikes as you may find necessary. +Don't let them discover that we are prepared till the last moment. I +will call you where you may be most wanted; I know you will do your +duty, and we shall beat them off, never fear that. Silence now, and go +to your stations." + +Adair spoke in a low voice to the men gathered around him. He had +arranged them at equal distances along the bulwarks, where they crouched +down, with their muskets in their hands, and their pikes by their sides. +He had lighted a couple of slow matches, and put them into tubs near +the guns, ready for use. + +Desmond remained by him and prepared to get whatever might be required. +He and Snatchblock kept a lookout, one on either side, to watch for the +boats. The sound of the oars was now distinctly heard, and in a short +time they clearly made out six large boats, evidently pulling towards +the brigantine. As they approached they closed with each other, and +came up on the port side; they were still at a short distance from the +vessel, when Adair hailed, in the best Portuguese he could command, and +told them to keep off. + +"We allow no boats from the shore to visit the vessel at night, and if +you come nearer we shall fire into you," he shouted. + +Some loud chattering ensued, and in spite of the warning they had +received, the Brazilians dashed up alongside. There must have been five +and twenty men in each boat; a considerable force to be opposed by +Adair's small crew. + +The Brazilians came on with threatening shouts and cries, evidently +intended to intimidate the British seamen. + +"Keep off," again cried Adair, but his warning was unheeded. He sent +Desmond to call all the men over the port side. + +"Take the consequences, then," he answered; "fire, lads." + +The bullets which came flying into their midst for a moment seemed to +damp the courage of the Brazilians, but recovering themselves they let +fly a volley in return. Adair wisely bobbed, and several bullets flew +over his head. All attempt of concealment was now useless. The +Brazilians dashed up alongside and attempted to get on board, but were +met by the boarding pikes of the English crew; some using those weapons, +others spare muskets, with which they blazed away, though there was no +time to reload them. It was sharp work to attempt driving back one +hundred and fifty men, at least, who were endeavouring to climb up the +side, armed with cutlasses and pistols. The strongest party of the +pirates were making a vigorous attempt to get on board on the quarter. +Adair calling to Snatchblock, ran out one of the guns, and Desmond being +ready with a match, fired right into their midst. The piercing groans +and cries which followed showed the terrible effect produced. The boat +drifted away, not having been hooked on, and the crew having deserted +their oars. Another boat immediately took her place, and a big fellow, +with cutlass in hand, springing to the side, and shouting to his +companions to follow, attempted to climb on deck. Before Adair could +defend himself, he had received an ugly cut on the head from the fellow, +who was about to follow up the blow, when Desmond, seizing a pike, +rushed at him with such good will, that the point entering the +Brazilian's breast, he fell backwards into the boat. + +Adair, though hurt, was able to make good play with his cutlass. +Snatchblock was keeping a dozen fellows at bay, while the rest of the +crew were employed in a similar manner; bullets were flying and blows +were rapidly given and taken. Though several of the Englishmen were +wounded, and some very severely, not a man had been killed. + +They could see that the Brazilians had suffered much more severely. +Some had been knocked overboard into the water; others lay dead or dying +at the bottom of the boats. Again, and again, however, the pirates came +on, as if determined, at all costs, to take the prize with her five +hundred blacks on board. Again Terence was wounded, and another big +Brazilian, apparently the leader of the pirates, was levelling a pistol +scarcely two feet from his breast, when Snatchblock, seeing the danger +of his young commander, brought his cutlass with such force down on the +fellow's head, that he clove it in two, and sent him tumbling back into +the boat out of which he had sprung. + +The pirates, though they had met with a much warmer reception than they +expected, were unwilling to abandon their object, and encouraged by +their leaders, some twenty or more made a dash together at the +fore-rigging. Several gained a footing on the chains, others caught +hold of the shrouds and back-stays. Adair saw that a desperate effort +must be made, or the enemy would after all gain the deck. + +"Keep them off the after-part of the vessel, Snatchblock, whatever you +do," he shouted, and calling Desmond they together dragged over the +other still loaded gun and ran it through the foremost port, with its +muzzle pointed towards the mass of their assailants, who were prepared +to follow those already climbing up the side. Desmond fired, springing +out of the way of the gun as it ran back. The deadly missiles with +which it was loaded, scattering among their assailants, knocked over +several howling with pain, two at least dropping dead, when the British +seamen with their cutlasses quickly cleared the rigging and sides of the +remainder. + +The tones in which the shouts and loud jabbering of the pirates were +uttered showed that they were beginning to think that they had had +enough of it. Adair and Snatchblock, with several of the men, set to +work and reloaded the muskets, and just as the most daring of their +assailants were about to make a fresh attack they let fly a volley. The +pirates did not stop to receive another, but getting out their oars +began to pull off, each boat seeming to be the most eager to get away +from the daring little band who had so obstinately refused to have their +throats cut, and the blacks in their charge taken from them. + +The seamen, though bleeding and sore from many a cut and thrust, gave +vent to their satisfaction in a triumphant cheer. + +"I think we are clear of them for the present, sir," said Snatchblock, +"and I doubt whether they will be in a hurry to come back again." + +"We will be prepared at all events," said Adair. "Get the guns and +small arms reloaded and placed ready for action, and then see who is +most hurt. It won't do to let our blood flow till we grow weak." + +"Ay! ay! sir," answered Ben. "I believe most of us have got a scratch +or two, but I hope you are not hurt, sir." + +"As to that, I believe that I have not escaped scot free," said Adair; +"but I want to overhaul those who have suffered most, and bind up their +wounds. You may release Pedro, and get his assistance, though it won't +do to cast the others loose just yet." + +Adair as he spoke felt very faint, and had not Snatchblock caught him he +would have fallen on the deck. Desmond ran to his assistance, and while +he sat on the stool outside the cabin brought a glass of strong grog, +which quickly revived him; the men were in the meantime binding up each +other's hurts as well as they could, with their handkerchiefs, after +having reloaded their arms. + +Snatchblock released Pedro, who seemed pleased at the successful +termination of the contest. His shipmates, he said, suspected him--the +pirates would have undoubtedly cut his throat had they got on board. He +helped Desmond very scientifically in dressing Adair's wounds. + +"Beg pardon, sir," said Snatchblock, "if you will just lie down and get +some rest, Mr Desmond and I will keep a look out, and call you if we +get sight of our friends coming back to us. I am not much the worse for +my scratches, and so five or six of those most hurt among us can turn in +and try and get back their strength, in case we have more work to do +to-night." + +Adair agreed to Ben's proposal, and having ordered grog to be served out +to the men, he himself lay down to obtain the rest he so greatly needed. + +Except here and there where white marks in the bulwarks showed the spots +the bullets had struck, and the cutlasses had hewn out notches, scarcely +a sign of the late desperate struggle was visible. All was silent on +deck. Desmond alone paced up and down turning his watchful eye on +either side, while Snatchblock took a seat on the booms. +Notwithstanding his assertion, that he had only received a few +scratches, he felt, however, considerably the worse for them. For the +rest of the watch he lay down, trying, however, to keep awake, and be +ready to start up at a moment's notice. + +Pedro suspecting that food would benefit all hands, lighted the +galley-fire, and began to prepare some broth. He had before this gone +below, and quieted the blacks, who had naturally been alarmed at the +noise of the firing, not knowing what was happening. He now sat down in +a corner of the caboose with his arms folded, and fell asleep while +watching the soup boiling. + +The night grew on, and morning was approaching. A breeze had sprung up +from the eastward with sufficient strength to disperse the mist, and to +keep back the usual land wind, which blows from the opposite direction, +while it ruffled the surface of the harbour into waves. + +Just after the first streaks of dawn had appeared above the horizon, +Desmond caught sight of a number of boats collected up the harbour. +They appeared to be pulling towards the brigantine, but as the wind was +against them, and the current was setting in, they made but slow +progress. Desmond awoke Snatchblock, who had fallen asleep, and told +him what he had seen. + +"Maybe the same fellows as before are coming to pay us a visit," he +answered. "If they are we will treat them the same as the last time." + +"Don't call Mr Adair, he wants rest, and there will be time enough when +the boats get nearer." Ben, however, got up to have a lookout, and then +called the rest of the crew. He found Pedro still asleep in the caboose +with the soup boiling over; he asked him what he would wish to do. + +"Get the soup ready first," said Pedro. "Then you lash me up as before, +I no wish fight." + +The soup being ready, Desmond called Adair, who, as well as his crew, +found it very welcome. + +"I doubt much whether those fellows will venture to attack us, though +it's as well to be prepared," he observed. "If they do, though there +may be twice as many as at first, we must beat them off." + +Adair and the rest had been so engaged in watching the approaching +boats, that no one thought of looking eastward with the exception of +Desmond. + +"There is a sail in the offing, and she is standing in for the harbour, +as far as I can make out," he exclaimed, as he held the glass still +raised through which he had been looking. Adair took it from him, and +eagerly watched the approaching vessel. + +"You are right, my boy," he answered. "She seems to me a brig about the +size of the _Supplejack_, but we shall make her out more clearly in a +short time; if she is a friend those slaving rascals will not dare to +attack us." + +"But she may be a slaver herself, and then she will assist them," +whispered Desmond. + +"And then we shall have to fight her as well, that is all I can say +about it," answered Adair. + +"What do you make her out to be?" he asked of Ben, who just then came +aft. + +"She is scarcely large enough for the corvette, or I should have +expected her to come in and look for us. That craft is a brig, and as +like to be the _Supplejack_ as any other," said Ben. "I don't think the +people in the boats have made her out yet, or they would save themselves +the trouble of a long pull against wind and tide." + +Some time elapsed before the matter could be decided. The boats made +but slow progress, but the stranger standing on under all sail rapidly +approached the mouth of the harbour. Still the former would be +alongside, and if the Brazilians had sufficient determination, they +might cut the cable and tow the brigantine up the harbour, before the +brig could come to her assistance. + +The Brazilians must have seen the stranger by this time, but probably +they did not believe that she was a man-of-war. They had now come +within musket-shot. Terence, on looking through the glass, saw that +there were several officers in uniform in the boats, and began to +suspect that they were really official characters, sent by the +government to inquire into the cause of the firing in the early part of +the night; he did not, therefore, wish to commence hostilities till he +had ascertained, if possible, their real character. + +The stranger had now slightly to alter her course, when the English flag +blew out, and Adair had no longer any doubt that she was the +_Supplejack_. + +The flag at the same time had been seen by the people in the boats. +Whatever were their intentions, they ceased pulling, apparently holding +a consultation; then putting about they made the best of their way up +the harbour. Terence felt very much inclined to let fly a volley at +them, but mercy, or prudence, prevailed, though if they were the pirates +they deserved any punishment he might inflict on them. + +As the _Supplejack_ rounded to under the stern of the brigantine, Adair +hailed and said what had happened, when Rogers, accompanied by Tom and +McTavish, instantly came on board. + +"You always come in the nick of time, Jack," exclaimed Adair, as they +shook hands; "we had a hard tussle last night, and we might have had a +harder this morning if you had not made your appearance, but how is it +that you have come in here?" + +Jack replied that after the gale he had chased a slaver, which had led +him a long way out of his course, and having fallen in with the _Tudor_, +Murray directed him to look for the prize, and then to escort her to +Rio, whence she was to be sent to Sierra Leone. + +McTavish doctored the wounded men, and Adair declared that he felt well +enough to go on shore with Rogers to lay his complaint before the +Government regarding the outrage which had been attempted in a friendly +port. + +The Governor, Senhor Jose da Silva Souza, declared that he knew nothing +whatever about it; he had been astonished at hearing firing, and had +sent the captain of the port, with his attendant officials, to ascertain +the cause. + +"They came in pretty strong force then, and I should have certainly +fired at them had they attempted to come on board. What redress can you +make us?" asked Adair. + +"I will direct that the fellows be looked for, and if we catch them they +shall be tried and hung immediately." + +"That will not be much satisfaction to us," observed Adair. + +The Governor shrugged his shoulders, and Terence observed that he should +lay the matter before the admiral at Rio, who would certainly not allow +it to pass unnoticed. + +The British consul, of course, said he would have the matter looked +into, but as there appeared to be no use in waiting longer, as soon as +Adair could obtain provisions and water, he and Rogers got up anchor and +sailed for Rio. + +The only information the admiral was able to gain on the subject was, +that the attack had been made by a party of slave-dealers, who hoped to +surprise the brigantine, cut the throats of the prize-crew, and then +make sail to another port, and land the slaves, trusting of course to +the effects of bribery to escape detection. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. + +RIO--EXPEDITION UP THE HARBOUR--YARNS SPUN--HIGSON AND THE MIDSHIPMEN +CAPTURED BY SLAVE-DEALERS--IMPRISONED--TRIED--A FRIEND IN NEED--SENT +BACK TO PRISON--ESCAPE--PURSUED--JACK AS USUAL APPEARS--AGAIN AT SEA-- +CHASE A SLAVER--RUN OVER HER AT NIGHT. + +Every one knows that Rio de Janeiro is one of the most magnificent +harbours in the world, with its Organ mountains in the distance, its +surrounding heights covered with the richest foliage, its +curiously-shaped rocks at the entrance, and its stately city scattered +along its shores. + +On entering, Jack and Terence, much to their satisfaction, found not +only the corvette but the frigate also at anchor. Having gone on board +the admiral's ship to report their arrival and the occurrence which had +taken place at Bahia, they paid a visit to Murray. Of course, Terence +gained great credit for having beaten off the pirates. He was glad to +find that he was to be relieved of the charge of the slaver, which he +had been afraid he might have to carry over to Sierra Leone. + +In the harbour lay a considerable squadron of steamers and +sailing-vessels, for which a variety of work had been cut out. + +The Brazilian Government had at last united with the English in the +determination of putting a stop to the importation of slaves into the +country, though they acknowledged that their own men-of-war could do +little or nothing; the fact being that the Brazilian officers were more +or less interested in supporting the abominable traffic. + +Two or three other ships were in the harbour, taking in water and +provisions before going for a long cruise in the Pacific, and an +expedition was also to be sent to the Parana against General Rosas, who, +setting all treaties at defiance, had stopped up the navigation of the +river. As neither the corvette nor brig were likely to sail for some +days, the officers made excursions on shore. Tom and Desmond were +delighted to find that Archy Gordon had so greatly recovered that he was +able to go to sea in the frigate--he was now nearly as well as ever, but +still was not allowed to take exercise on shore. + +They proposed making a trip up the harbour, and Higson got permission to +take the corvette's pinnace. + +"You must take care of the youngsters better than you did once upon a +time," said Adair. "Don't expend any of them if you can help it." + +"No fear," answered Higson, "I will watch over them as carefully as a +hen does her chickens, or a nurserymaid the half-dozen small children +committed to her care." + +A good store of provisions in the way of substantials, with a +proportionate amount of liquor, cigars, and tobacco, was laid in; fish +and fruit might easily be obtained. Their uniform jackets being stowed +away in their carpet-bags, all hands were dressed in white flannel +jackets, white trousers, and straw hats or caps; while their only +weapons were a couple of ships' muskets, the same number of +boarding-pikes, and a brace of pistols. Not that they expected to +require them for their defence, but for the slaughter of any game they +might meet. + +The party mustered eight in all, including Snatchblock and Tim Brady, an +Irishman, who was taken to act as cook. Tim's only qualification for +the post was that he professed to be able to boil praties with any man +in the service. The midshipmen had forgotten that no potatoes were +among their stores; but then Tim told a good story and sang a song in +first-rate style, which made ample amends for his deficiency of +knowledge in the culinary art. + +Soon after daybreak Higson shoved off from the side of the corvette, +calling on board the brig for the remainder of the party. Then making +sail, they stood away up the harbour. The city was soon left astern as +they glided over the calm waters. In the far distance could be seen the +curiously-shaped Organ mountains, while on either hand rose conical +hills amidst forests of lofty trees of every variety. Cocoa-nuts and +orange groves, palms, and mangroves, and others, bearing a variety of +nuts or blossoms of gorgeous hue, scarlet, orange, yellow, pink, and +white. Gaily-plumaged birds, and beautifully-tinted butterflies, of +wonderful size, flitted through the air. The party, though well +accustomed to the rich vegetation of the West Indies, agreed that few +scenes in the tropics could surpass this in beauty. + +Curiously-rigged boats came floating by, some loaded with fruit and +vegetables, others like haystacks gone adrift, and others of +considerable size carrying cattle to the market at Rio. Several +picturesque islets were passed, covered like the main land with rich +vegetation and numberless flowers of various hues. + +"Well, I think we shall have a jolly trip of it," exclaimed Tom. "There +is no necessity to bother ourselves by taking observations or keeping a +dead reckoning, but, like the navigators of old, we shall never lose +sight of land." + +"No; but we must stand by to lower the sail pretty sharply if a squall +comes off one of those pointed hills there," observed Higson, "and that +is not at all unlikely to happen." + +"Who is after getting hungry?" sung out Desmond. "I suspect it must be +past eight bells, and so I vote we land, and look out for a pleasant +place to take our dinner." + +"There is one," said Higson, pointing to a spot where the landing +appeared easy, and there was a tolerably wide space of open ground +backed by an orange grove, on the branches of which golden and green +fruit, with white and pink blossoms, all hung together. + +All hands were soon on shore, with such provisions as they required, and +the greater number employed themselves in collecting wood for their +proposed fire, which was soon blazing away. From the sparkling stream +which rushed down from the mountains, they obtained a supply of water. +The dark green leaves of the orange-trees overhead afforded sufficient +shade, and they were soon all seated round a substantial repast, to +which they were well inclined to do full justice. + +"We have not far to go for our dessert," said Tom, as he eyed the +oranges hanging temptingly above his head. Archy Gordon was of opinion, +however, that as they were not growing wild they must belong to +somebody; and that unless the owner would consent to part with his +fruit, they would not be right to take them. As may be supposed, +however, he was in the minority, though Higson acknowledged that if the +owner could be found he was entitled to payment should he demand it. In +the meantime Snatchblock and his companion, who were not troubled with +any scruples on the subject, collected their hats full and emptied them +out on the ground by the side of the officers. On this all hands, +including Archy himself, were soon employed in discussing the delicious +fruit to their hearts' content. + +"I doubt whether I ever did eat such delicious oranges," exclaimed +Desmond, sucking away at orange after orange. "All the pips grow on the +outside. What a convenient arrangement for a person in a hurry! I have +seen many a black fellow with a mouth big enough to take in a whole one, +though such a bolus would be apt to stick in his gullet if he were to +swallow one before putting his teeth into it." + +"Well, youngsters, if we are to get far up the harbour before dark we +must be off," said Higson. "Come, let us pack up our traps, and take +care not to leave any pots or pans on shore." + +The party soon got once more in the boat, but the wind failing them they +had to depend on their oars in making headway. Wishing to go as far as +they could before nightfall they pulled on cheerfully, amusing +themselves, now by singing many a merry song, now shouting, now spinning +yarns, some of them, it must be owned, oft-repeated tales. The scenery +appeared as beautiful as at first. At length as evening was +approaching, and Higson began to feel hungry, he once more put in for +the shore at a spot somewhat resembling that on which they had landed +for dinner. Here, too, was running water, a grove of orange-trees, and +not far off several gigantic mangroves, with figs and grapes in +abundance. + +"Faith! we are in a regular paradise," observed Desmond. + +"We may revel in fruits, at all events," said Higson. + +They agreed, as no houses were to be seen, and as they were not likely +to be interrupted, that they would bring up here for the night, and get +a bathe in the morning before starting. The fire was lighted as usual; +cocoa and coffee put on and made, while the provisions they had brought +were spread on the ground. Not intending to proceed farther they were +in no hurry, and fully enjoyed their meal, finishing off with an extra +glass of grog or two, which naturally produced the usual songs and +yarns, till they all declared that they felt remarkably happy. +Snatchblock and Tim Brady presented them with a liberal supply of fruit, +which was generous on the part of the two men, considering that it had +cost them nothing. It was eaten, however, with not the less relish. + +As the merry party smoked their cigars or pipes, sucked oranges, and +sipped their grog, many a yarn of bygone days was told. Snatchblock and +Tim Brady took their part. On such expeditions as these, steady men are +permitted a familiarity not allowable on board. Higson had already told +two or three stories, and had just described an amusing scene on the +coast of Africa, when Ben Snatchblock chimed in. + +"Do you mind, Mr Higson, when we were aboard the _Corsair_ together on +the coast? We saw many curious sights among the niggers; they seem +altogether a different sort of people to those over here. You know, +young gentlemen, we always ship a dozen or more black fellows aboard, to +do the hard work, wooding, and watering, and such like, which would +pretty nigh kill white men if they were to attempt it in the hot sun of +the coast. The blacks we got were called Kroomen; they altogether beat +any other niggers I have ever fallen in with in these parts--fine, big, +active fellows, and strong as any Englishman, and stronger than most, +and as brave as need be; in fact, we could not get on without them. The +slavers never come near the Kroomen's country. In the first place they +are very hard to catch, as they fight desperately, and not one of them +would ever consent to be turned into a slave. Most of those along the +coast, who have served on board men-of-war or merchantmen, speak a +little English; some speak it pretty well. They are neat and clean in +their persons, and their houses are far better furnished than those of +the blacks in general, with chairs, tables, looking-glasses, and china, +and all sorts of things, just like civilised Christians. When a gang is +engaged for a ship they always have a head man, with a mate under him, +who is called his favourite man. You will remember, Mr Higson, sir, +the fellow we had aboard the _Corsair_, who was called Dan Ropeyarn; a +great big fellow he was, too--stood six feet six without his shoes, +seeing he never wore such things. He could lift up me and Tim Brady +here--and we are not chickens--one in each hand. Dan was a good-natured +fellow, which was fortunate, for it would not have done to offend him. +He was not what is called a beauty though; he had a mouth so wide that +we used to declare he somehow or other managed to shift his ears farther +back when he had a mind to grin, and show his white teeth. Dan's mate +or favourite man was called Tom Saucepan. He was a pretty strong +fellow, but he was not equal to Dan, and in point of good looks there +wasn't much to make one jealous of the other, though maybe the black +damsels of their own country have a different opinion from ours on the +subject. One evening we were going down the Sheba river, which was +pretty broad you mind, sir. The wind was light, and the water as smooth +as glass. We had been on somewhat short commons for a month or two, for +the slave-dealers prevented the people when they could from bringing off +fresh provisions. Suddenly the lookout from the masthead, who had been +in a South Sea whaler, shouted out-- + +"`A turtle, floating down stream, sir.' + +"The commander asked Dan Ropeyarn if he could catch the turtle. + +"`Oh, yes, sare; I do dat same,' he answered, and calling Tom Saucepan +he lowered his canoe, when taking a harpoon and a long line they shoved +off. Dan, as Tom paddled him along, made the end of the line fast to +the harpoon, but not to the canoe, for he knew well enough that if the +turtle was to give but one pull, unless the line was directly over the +bows, the canoe would be capsized in a moment. Away he went, and we all +watched him eagerly from the deck, our mouths watering with the thoughts +of the turtle soup we hoped to get for dinner next day. + +"Dan was too wise to let the turtle know that he was coming, so he made +Tom paddle up cautiously astern of the creature, while he stood in the +bows with his harpoon raised in his hand, ready to strike. Not one of +us could have stood upright in such a cranky sort of concern as she was; +if we had tried it, we should have gone over in a moment; still, as we +looked at Dan, so steadily he stood, we might have fancied that his feet +were planted on firm ground. Some of us thought he would miss the +turtle after all, but we were wrong. Away flew the harpoon right into +the creature's back. It did not stop quiet after this, but off it +started, running out the line, which Dan had coiled away at the bottom +of the canoe, like lightning. Somehow or other, however, the line +caught Dan's leg, and in an instant whisked him overboard and capsized +the canoe. Away he was dragged, leaving the canoe astern; he did not +let go of the rope though, not he, but catching the end he took it in +his teeth, grinning tremendously, passing it as he did so between his +legs. He must have found that wet rope a pretty hard saddle, I have a +notion, as he had nothing on in the way of trowsers. Now up the stream +he paddled with his hands, just as composedly as if he was taking a swim +for his own amusement. Now and then, the turtle in its agony would dive +or dash off at a great rate, and he would be drawn back, but the line +was too long to let him be dragged under the water. + +"Tom Saucepan had, in the meantime, caught hold of the stern of the +canoe, and, seizing her by both hands, he gave her a violent rock, and +in an instant righted her; another rock, and he had freed her of water; +then in he sprang, legs first, over the stern, and began baling away +with his hat. He had kept the paddle in his mouth all the time. + +"The commander had ordered a boat to be lowered to assist Dan, but +before even she reached the water Tom had not only righted the canoe, +but had got up to Dan and taken him on board, and there was the nearly +done-for turtle towing them quietly through the water. In a few minutes +the turtle had lost its strength, and, instead of the turtle towing the +canoe, the canoe was towing the turtle. We hoisted it on board, and I +mind that it weighed two hundred pounds. + +"I shall not forget that turtle, Mr Higson, for you and the other +officers sent us three bottles of wine to mix with the soup. It was a +rare good stuff, that it was," and Ben smacked his lips at the +recollection of the feast, which an alderman would not have despised. + +"I shall not forget Dan's face, as I saw it through the glass, while he +held the rope in his mouth, paddling away up the river, with the +turtle's stern to his, or the wonderfully rapid way in which Tom +Saucepan righted his canoe," said Higson, laughing. + +"We saw some curious sights aboard the old brig, sir," observed Ben. +"Do you remember the capsizing the commander got one day?" + +"I am not quite certain, but I think that you, Ben, were the very man +who did the deed." + +"Oh no, sir, it wasn't me," answered Ben; "it was Billy Blazes, as we +used to call him." + +"What was it, Mr Higson?" asked Tom and Desmond. + +"Well, you see, youngsters, we carried pretty taunt masts and square +yards; and as several sister brigs of ours had been lost, with all +hands, the commander considered it as well to be cautious, so that we +might not go and keep them company. It became therefore necessary to +make the men sharp when all hands were turned up to shorten sail; and he +let it be understood that he intended on such occasions to punish the +last man off the lower deck. He was a tall, thin man--so tall that he +found his height very inconvenient in a ten-gun brig, and he used to put +his looking-glass on deck and his head through the cabin skylight when +he wanted to shave in the morning. Billy Blazes, who was a +quartermaster, was about as short and stout as the commander was tall +and thin. One day, just as the commander came on deck, and was standing +near the companion hatchway, seeing a squall coming along the water, he +shouted pretty sharply-- + +"`All hands, shorten sail!' + +"Now Billy--as I take it for granted that Snatchblock is right in saying +it was he--was below, doing something or other, and guessing that he +would be late if he came up the main hatchway, he bolted through the +gunroom passage, thinking that no one would see him, and up he sprang by +the companion hatchway. At that moment the commander turned round, and, +receiving Billy's head in the pit of his stomach, was doubled up, and +sent sprawling over on the deck, the pain preventing him from seeing who +had done the deed. Billy did not, you may be sure, stop to apologise; +but up the rigging he sprang, before the commander or any of the +officers knew who it was, and you may depend upon it he did not inform +them. His messmates kept his secret, and it was not till the brig was +paid off that the truth slipped out." + +"I remember the same system as that you speak of being carried on in a +ship I once served in," observed Norris. "The first lieutenant used to +put down the name of the last man off the lower deck on a slip of paper, +and at the end of three months he took out the slip, and counted who had +been most frequently guilty, and they were invariably punished. +However, as several good men got punished, the system became very +unpopular, and as many deserted in consequence it was given up." + +On this Tom told some of the stories about black-listing which he had +heard from Admiral Triton. + +"I once served under a captain in that respect like Jerry Hawthorne," +said Higson. "Not that he was in general severe, I must own; but he +used to come down pretty sharply on us midshipmen occasionally. We were +in the Mediterranean, and brought up in Malta harbour. I and two other +youngsters were greatly addicted to fishing. This the captain did not +approve of, as he said that the bait and lines dirtied the ship's side, +and so he issued an order against it. Still fish we would, whenever we +had a chance, and we three, knowing that the captain had gone on shore, +were thus engaged one day, when he unexpectedly returned on board, and +found us hauling up fish after fish, which left their scales sticking to +the frigate's polished sides. He sent for us aft. + +"`I will show you, my lads, how to fish,' he said, with a bland smile, +and thereon he ordered three boarding-pikes to be brought, to each of +which he had about four feet of rope yarn secured, with a hand-lead at +the end. `Now, come along, lads, and you shall begin your fishing,' he +said, with a quiet chuckle, and he then made each of us hold a +boarding-pike straight out over the taffrail, at arm's length, during +the whole of the watch, telling the first lieutenant to keep an eye on +us. You may be sure our arms ached; and when the lieutenant turned +another way, we took the liberty of letting the pikes rest on the rail. +Every now and then the captain would come up, and with that bland smile +of his ask us in a cheerful voice-- + +"`Have you caught any fish, my lads?' and when we said `No, sir,' he +would answer-- + +"`Try a little longer; you will have better luck by-and-by.' + +"I can tell you, it was about as aggravating a punishment as I ever +endured. It cured us, for the time at least, of our love of fishing." + +"You must have seen some wonderful things in the course of your career, +Mr Higson," observed Tom. + +"I have indeed, youngster," answered the lieutenant. "One of the most +wonderful was in that brig we were speaking of, and Snatchblock was the +man who played the most important part in the drama. It was a very +short one, though. + +"We were shortening sail when a young midshipman, very small for his +age, fell from the fore-topgallant-yard. You must have thought that he +must, to a certainty, have been dashed to pieces: so he would have been, +but Snatchblock, who was on the fore-topsail-yard caught him as he fell +in a vice-like grasp, and placed him on the yard, thus saving his life." + +"I cannot tell you how I did it, sir," said Snatchblock. "All I can +fancy is, I heard him coming, for it was but a moment after he let go +his hold that I had him tight enough." + +"Do you mind, sir, Pat O'connor falling from aloft? He and another man +were in the main-topmast-crosstrees when they took to quarrelling. What +it was about I don't know; but Pat said something which made the other +hit him, and over went Pat, striking, as he fell, the mainsail with his +head, which took the skin right off his face, and down he came on deck, +his face all gory, and his shirt and trousers covered with blood. We +ran to him, thinking that every bone in his body must have been broken, +and expecting to find him dead, when up he jumped, and doubling his +fists began swearing terribly at the other,--I don't think I ever heard +a fellow swear more,--telling him to come down, and he would fight him +then and there. He was just as if he had gone mad, and he didn't seem +to think for a moment of the fearful danger he had escaped. I have +known a man killed just falling a few feet, and others, like those we +have been speaking about, falling from aloft, and yet not the worse for +it. I remember once going round the Horn when a man fell from the +fore-topsail-yard. The ship was running eight knots or so before a +strong breeze, over a long, heavy swell, though the sea was not +breaking. It was some time before she could be rounded to; but the man +was a strong swimmer, and struck out bravely. While we were watching +the poor fellow an immense albatross came sweeping down towards him. +Several of us cried out that he would be killed. Those birds with their +strong bills can drill a hole in a man's skull in a moment. We shouted +at the top of our voices, but the man could not hear us. Fortunately he +saw the bird coming, and whipping off his shoe he held it in his hand to +defend himself. Down swooped the albatross, when seizing the shoe in +its beak off it flew again, and did not drop it for a minute or more. A +boat was lowered, and the man picked up not much the worse; and the +surgeon of the ship, who had got his rifle ready, shot the same +albatross some minutes after. It measured, I mind, fourteen feet and a +few inches from tip to tip of its wings." + +Yarn after yarn of a similar character was spun, till some of the party +got up saying, that they must stretch their legs, and off they strolled +along the shore to collect anything to be found, leaving Higson, Archy, +and Tom, and Desmond still at the supper table. + +While the rest were absent, Higson, who was leaning back enjoying his +cigar, happening to look round, observed several men coming out of the +orange grove. + +"Hillo! what can those fellows want?" he said, sitting up. + +"They seem friendly enough, but there are a good many others behind the +trees," observed Tom. + +The strangers approached nearer. They appeared by their costumes to be +country people, and except the long sticks they carried in their hands +no weapons were observed among them. Stopping a few yards off they +stood staring at the young officers without addressing them, though they +made remarks to each other. Norris was the only one of the party who +pretended to speak Portuguese. + +"You must be our interpreter. Ask what they want," said Higson. + +Norris did his best to put the question, but the natives did not seem to +understand him, as they made no reply. Seeing only the young lieutenant +and his four companions the rest of the party being still at a distance, +the strangers became more familiar. While some gathered close round +them others went to the boat: one stooping down picked up a musket, +while another got hold of a boarding-pike, which lay on the grass at a +little distance, and began examining them. + +"I don't quite like the way these fellows are behaving," said Higson. +"Hang it all! I have left my pistols in the boat, or I would make them +keep their distance." + +"Tell them, Norris, that we beg they will stand a little way off, and +explain their object in paying us a visit." + +Norris thereon addressed the natives in the best Portuguese he could +muster, but they did not apparently choose to understand him. Presently +the men who had gone down to the boat scrambled into her, and shouting +to the others shoved off, and began to make their way towards another +landing-place some distance along the shore. + +"Hillo! you fellows! come back. What are you about?" shouted Higson, +darting forward. + +Directly he did so four of the natives threw themselves upon him, and +though he knocked over one, and gave another a black eye, they succeeded +in tripping him up, and before he could strike another blow they had his +arms fast behind his back. Norris and the three midshipmen were rushing +to his assistance when they were treated in the same manner, two or +three of the natives seizing each one of them, and quickly securing +their arms. + +"Well, you fellows, what are you going to do with us, I should like to +know?" exclaimed Higson, feeling naturally very indignant. "We are +British officers, and I can tell you that if you don't set us at +liberty, and bring back our boat, you will have to pay for it. Tell +them what I say, Norris." + +The only reply made by the natives was, "Piratas! piratas!" + +"They say we are pirates!" exclaimed Norris. + +"I only hope they won't take it into their heads to hang us before they +find out their mistake, and from the rough way they are handling us, I +should not be surprised if they do," cried Desmond. "Set our arms free, +you fellows. If you want us to go along with you, we will walk quietly +enough, since we can't help ourselves." + +The Brazilians, of course, not understanding this, only grinned, and +having collected various articles scattered about on the grass, they +prepared to leave the waterside. Just then, Snatchblock and the rest of +the party from different directions, appeared, very much astonished at +seeing the way in which their companions were being treated, and that +their boat was carried off. Before they could unite, several more +natives coming to the spot, rushed down on them and made them prisoners. +Snatchblock showed fight, and two or three of his assailants bit the +ground before they succeeded in capturing him. The whole naval party +were then marched up the hill towards a village which appeared in the +distance, their captors being joined on the way by several more people, +who abused and threatened them with violent gestures. + +"I can't make out whom they take us for," said Higson to Norris, who was +dragged along near him. "Try and ascertain. There is surely some +mistake." + +Norris expostulated as well as he could, but received the same reply as +before, "Piratas! piratas!" while their captors pointed with significant +gestures to some horizontal branches of trees which stretched across the +path, intimating, as they all supposed, that the branches would be +convenient for hanging them on. + +"I say, Gerald, I don't like this at all at all!" cried Desmond; "if the +people are giving to practising Lynch law here abouts, they may hang us +up as they threaten to do without ceremony." + +"I don't think they will dare to do that, for they must guess who we +really are," answered Tom. + +"Whatever they may think, they call us `pirates,'" said Desmond. +"Arrah, now, you unmannerly brutes, just behave properly to a +gentleman!" he exclaimed, turning round to the Brazilians, who were +roughly hauling him on away from Tom. Snatchblock and his messmate +walked along, abusing their captors for their own gratification, knowing +pretty well that not a word they uttered could be understood. + +At last they arrived in front of a building, with a door and a couple of +strongly-barred windows on either side. The door being opened by an +official-looking personage, who produced a huge key from his pocket, +they were all unceremoniously thrust in one by one. Again Higson +protested against the treatment they were receiving, but the Brazilians +were utterly indifferent to what he or any of his companions said. +Snatchblock, who had till then been walking on quietly, suddenly got his +arms loose, and knocking aside, with some well-directed blows from his +iron fists, two or three of the persons nearest to him, shouted out-- + +"Now is the time to get our liberty! We will soon send the fellows to +the right about. Come on, Mr Higson, the coast is clear." + +The lieutenant and midshipmen having their arms lashed behind them could +not quite so easily follow his advice, and the next instant the +Brazilians making a rush together threw themselves on the brave sailor +and brought him to the ground, when he was quickly bundled in after the +rest, and the door shut. As, however, his arms were at liberty, he at +once released his companions. + +"This is very provoking," exclaimed Higson, after they had somewhat +recovered from the rough handling they had received. "We can soon set +ourselves to rights, though, if we could manage to send on board one of +our ships." + +"Easy enough, but we must get out first," observed Desmond. + +"Perhaps we might contrive to get through the roof, I have heard of such +things being done," said Tom. "The door and windows are evidently +strong, and there is no chance of getting out through them." + +The building, which was about twenty-five feet long and fourteen wide, +was carefully examined, but they soon discovered that the roof was +strong and heavy, and there was but little prospect of making their way +through it. Even should they get outside, how were they to reach Rio +was the question, unless they could find their boat; and over that their +captors would probably keep a strict watch. + +There were some rough wooden benches fixed to the walls round the room, +but no table or any place on which they could rest. The floor, which +was excessively dirty, being strewed with the remains of the meals of +other prisoners, they had no wish to lie down on it. + +At last, Higson, seating himself on a bench, said, "Well, all we can do +at present is to practise patience, and see what turns up next." + +It was now quite dark. Fortunately, having enjoyed a good supper just +before they were captured, they were not hungry. The rest of the party +followed the lieutenant's example, and lay down on the benches. No one +came into the prison, but they could hear voices outside and a great +number of people apparently passing up and down before the door. Thus +they passed the night. + +Next morning, some time after daylight, they heard a number of people +collecting outside. Presently the door opened, and a couple of men +appeared with trays containing basins of broth, and some dark-looking +loaves of Indian corn. Without speaking the men put the viands on the +ground and hurried out of the room, afraid, apparently, the prisoners +might set upon them. + +"Come, at all events, they don't intend to starve us; though I can't say +that this stuff looks very tempting," remarked Higson. + +However, as all hands were very hungry, they ate up the food. +Fortunately, several of them having cigars or pipes in their pockets, +they sat down to console themselves with a smoke. + +An hour or two passed away, and they saw through their windows a larger +crowd than before assembled, among whom were a number of armed men, +though they were too irregularly dressed to be taken for soldiers. + +"We shall get more kicks than ha'pence if we resist should they be come +to take us anywhere, so it will be wiser to go quietly," observed +Higson. "I don't suppose that they really intend to injure us." + +As he spoke the door opened, and the armed men entering, the whole party +were dragged out and marched up, each of them between a couple of +guards, through the village to a building which appeared to be a sort of +courthouse. That it was so was evident on their entering, when they +found themselves placed together on one side of a large room, at the end +of which sat a burly-looking personage before a table, and two men on +either hand, with paper and pens before them. Several persons whom they +recognised as the leaders among their captors of the previous evening, +now came forward and addressed the judge, or district magistrate, he +might have been more properly called the _Juiz da Fora_, violently +gesticulating, and occasionally pointing at the prisoners. What they +said was put down on paper, the judge nodding and trying to look very +wise, and sometimes frowning as he glanced towards the accused. At last +their captors came to an end of what they had to say. The judge turned +towards the Englishmen to hear what reply they had to make in their +defence. Now arose a considerable difficulty. As Higson had not +understood a word of the accusation brought against him and his +companions, he was excessively bothered how to form a reply. + +"Well, Norris, what did the fellows say?" he asked. "I must get you to +be our spokesman." + +"As to what they said, I have not the slightest conception," answered +Norris; "but I will try and make the judge understand who we are, and +that is the thing of most importance." + +With such Portuguese as he could command, Norris then tried to explain +to the judge that they were a party of English officers on a pleasure +excursion, that they had no intention of committing any illegal act; and +that while he and his companions were quietly sitting on the ground they +had been attacked by a number of people, who had carried them up to +prison and made off with their boat. + +The judge gave Norris to understand, that though he had caught a word +here and there, he could not comprehend what had been said, except as to +their being English officers, and that their very appearance +contradicted such an assertion. + +Norris fortunately understood this remark, and at once said that if +their uniform jackets, which were on board the boat, were restored to +them they would put them on. + +"Very likely you may have the uniforms of British officers, which you +may have stolen, perhaps after putting their owners to death," observed +the judge, an assertion which appeared to highly please their captors. + +In vain Norris asserted that he spoke the truth. The judge evidently +sided with their accusers, and he was about to order that they should be +taken back to prison, when a negro from the farther end of the court +made his way up to them. + +"Me Sangaree Jack, understand all you say, sare; once serve on board +English man-of-war. These here fellows say dey hang you up on de trees +tomorrow if you no show who you are." + +"Well, Sangaree Jack, that is pleasant information," observed Higson, +"but how can you help us?" + +"Me go down to English man-of-war, and tell all dat you say, and dey den +send up armed boats to make dese fellows let you go," answered the +negro. + +"I shall be very glad to accept your offer," said Higson, "and the +sooner you start the better." + +"All right, massa lieutenant, but me no go for nothing, you sabbe," +answered Sangaree Jack, with a knowing look. + +"Well, then, we will give you ten dollars, that will be handsome, won't +it?" said Higson. + +Sangaree Jack grinned till his mouth almost pushed back his ears to +allow it full expansion, as he answered-- + +"Ten dollars! oh no! massa, dat not enough." + +"Then suppose we double it," said Higson. + +"Oh no! massa, twenty dollars not enough." + +At last, after a little more bargaining, Sangaree Jack agreed for thirty +dollars to go down and carry information as to what had happened, on +board the corvette. + +"Well, massa lieutenant, where de dollars, though?" asked the black, +with a cunning leer. + +"The dollars! You will get them when we are set free, my friend," said +Higson. + +"I neber do anyting of dat sort on trust, sare," answered the negro, +grinning. + +"But suppose we have not got the dollars, you will lose them, and we +shall remain in the prison?" observed Higson. + +"Oh, Buccra officers always carry dollars," answered the black. "Just +try what the young gentlemens got in dare pockets." + +"Possibly we may have some of the money among us," said Higson, not +willing to trust the fellow altogether. "Suppose you take fifteen +dollars, and then we will pay the remainder when the boats come up-- +come, fair play is a jewel." + +"Massa lieutenant know how to manage tings," grinned blackie. "Come, I +take fifteen dollars, and you see I true man. Honour bright among +teves, you know; you trust me and I trust you--he! he! he!" and blackie +grinned at his own wit. + +The dollars were with some difficulty collected among them. + +"Don't let de people see what you give me," said blackie, putting his +fingers to his thick lips, and looking very wise. "I tell dese rascals +that I got a little money to buy some wine, and oder tings. I tell dem +too, dat I know you English officers, and dat dey better take care what +dey do." + +The money was conveyed into Sangaree Jack's large paws, without any +remark being made by the people in court. Sangaree Jack then addressed +the court, and though Norris could not make out exactly what he said, it +had some effect, as the judge bowed to them as they left the court, and +they were afterwards treated with more respect. Their new friend then +hurried off, assuring them that he would lose no time in getting down +the harbour. + +The party were now marched back to prison amidst the cries and hooting +of the populace. + +"At all events they don't intend to lynch us," said Tom. "That's one +comfort." + +"If each of us had a good shillelah in our hands, we would be after +making them sing a different tune," exclaimed Desmond, turning round +every now and then, and casting a contemptuous look on the mob. Higson +and Archy Gordon walked on, however, in an unconcerned manner, thinking +it more dignified to take no notice of the ill-feeling shown by the +people. + +They were thankful when at last they got back to their prison. Messes +somewhat similar to those they had in the morning were again brought to +them. Norris asked the man if they could not purchase something better, +and offered a dollar if he would bring them some fruit. + +"Stop a little, and I will see what can be done," he answered in +Portuguese. + +An hour or two more passed, by which time the people had gone away, when +the same man again appeared at the window, and bringing a large basket +of oranges and other fruit, he asked for the dollar. + +"You shall have it when you have given us its value in fruit, but not +until then, my friend," answered Norris, holding it up. + +The man, knowing that they could not run away, thought that he might +trust them, and threw the oranges, and limes, and grapes, and other +fruit through the bars of the window, when they were eagerly caught by +the thirsty prisoners. + +The fruit was not worth a quarter the sum the man received, so he was +well contented, and signified that he would bring some more next day. + +For a second night they were shut up; they could only hope that Sangaree +Jack would prove faithful, and inform their friends of the treatment +they had received. + +"But suppose he does not?" said Desmond; "we may be kept here till we +starve." + +"No great fear of that," said Higson. "Rogers and several others know +that we were going up the harbour; and if we don't appear, boats will be +sent to look for us before long." + +The following morning better provisions were sent to them, and not long +afterwards they were again marched up to the court-house. The same +farce as on the previous day was gone through, and no interpreter +appearing, the judge and his assistants left the court as wise as they +entered it, while the prisoners were unable to make out of what crime +they were accused. It was just possible that they might have been sent +out and shot, had not the judge entertained some strong suspicions that +their account of themselves was true, and that if they were ill-treated, +he and the inhabitants of his village would be made seriously to suffer. +However, once more they were sent back to prison, very naturally +considerably indignant at the scandalous way in which they were being +treated. Some of the party, indeed, began to entertain doubts whether +Sangaree Jack would prove faithful. Perhaps being a cunning fellow, he +might be contented with the fifteen dollars, and avoid the risk he might +run of being punished by the Brazilians, should they discover that he +had carried information to the English ships of what had taken place. +Even Higson began to fear that they had been duped. + +"I think that it's high time that we should try and set ourselves free, +at all events," he said, after sitting silent for some time. "Though we +may be unable to escape either through the window or roof, perhaps we +may make our way under the walls, and, if we are once outside, we may +get hold of the sentry's arms, and manage to reach our boat." + +All agreed to Higson's proposal. Archy Gordon and Desmond were +stationed at the window to give notice should any one attempt to look +in, while the rest carefully examined the ground round the walls. A +soft spot was found, and they agreed that it would be easy to excavate +it with their knives and pieces of the bench which had been easily +wrenched off. Believing nobody would come in for the remainder of the +day, they at once set to work, and before long had dug a tunnel through +which Snatchblock could creep, and he declared that he could easily +force the ground up on the outside. The earth, as they took it out, +they rammed under the benches. They had observed that the hut in which +they were confined stood in an open space by the side of a road, so that +people only passed in front of it. This greatly assisted them, and +prevented the risk of discovery, for the ground above their tunnel was +so thin that any one stepping on it would have inevitably fallen +through. The whole work was completed soon after nightfall. They then +waited anxiously till the sounds in the village should have ceased. + +"Now the sooner we are off the better," said Higson. "Snatchblock and I +will creep out first and seize the sentry, and the rest of you follow +directly you find that we have got hold of him." + +"Let me go first, sir," said Snatchblock; "my shoulders are best fitted +for shoving up the earth." + +Higson agreed to this, and they crept into their tunnel. Snatchblock +had taken a piece of board which he put on his shoulders, and, giving a +hearty shove, up flew the earth, and out he came into the open air. +Higson and the rest followed. While the two first crept cautiously +round the hut, the remainder crouched down. Snatchblock waited till the +sentry came close to the end of the wall, then, making a spring, he +clapped his hands over the man's mouth, while Higson seized his musket. +They then dragged him back, and, putting a piece of wood, to serve as a +gag, into his mouth, they secured his hands and feet with their +handkerchiefs, and pulled him through the tunnel into the hut. + +"Now," said Desmond, "we have got a musket, some pieces of wood, and our +fists; and, as we shall probably find some thick sticks as we go along, +it ought to take a good many Brazilians to recapture us." + +On going to the courthouse, they had observed the water of the harbour +shining in the distance, and they therefore knew the direction to take. + +Keeping outside the village, they were making their way to the brow of +the bill on which it stood, when they came suddenly on a large +farmhouse, out of which several dogs rushed, barking furiously; the +animals, however, contented themselves with making a noise, without +venturing to attack the strangers, but the noise was what they had to +dread. Lights were soon seen in the windows, and directly afterwards a +party of men appeared at the door, armed with blunderbusses and pistols. +Higson, knowing that if they ran, both dogs and men would follow, +halted, and, presenting his musket, told Norris to order the men to +stand back or that he would fire. They appeared to understand what they +said, for they all hurried back into the house; but as they did so, two +of them let fly with their blunderbusses. Fortunately no one was hit, +but the slugs came whizzing over their heads. + +"Now we must run for it," cried Higson. "Whatever we do, though, keep +together." + +The noise of the blunderbusses aroused the inhabitants of several +neighbouring houses, some of whom came out, while others discharged +their firearms from their windows. This of course aroused the whole +village, and it soon became known that the English pirates had escaped. +Higson and his party were in the meantime making the best of their way +down the hill, though, as they were unacquainted with the road, they +were uncertain whether they were directing their course for the +landing-place. They could tell by the sounds that a large body of men +were collecting in their rear. Higson regretted that they had not +waited till a later hour in the night, when all the inhabitants would +have retired to rest. The road was extremely rough and uneven, such as +it would have been difficult to traverse rapidly even in the daytime. +Tom had a severe tumble, and then down came Gerald, while poor Archy +Gordon found it very difficult to get along. Their pursuers, who knew +the road, were gaining on them. + +"It won't do to be taken running," said Higson. + +At length they reached an open space on one side of the road. Higson +called a halt, and facing about said-- + +"I will see if I can't make the fellows keep their distance." + +The Brazilians in considerable force, some with firearms in their hands +and others with pikes or ox-goads, were seen not a hundred yards off, +coming towards them. + +At that moment the tramp of feet was heard in the rear. + +"We are surrounded, I am afraid," said Higson, "but we won't give in +notwithstanding." + +The party from the opposite side came rapidly on, and to Higson's +surprise the Brazilians suddenly halted, amid began to talk in excited +voices to each other. The tramp of feet grew louder and louder, when, +by the light of the moon, which, by-the-bye, it should have been said, +was shining brightly, Higson and his companions, as they looked along +the road, saw a dozen bluejackets and as many marines coming towards +them, with an officer at their head, who was quickly recognised as Jack +Rogers. He and the rest were soon shaking hands, when Jack told them +that as soon as notice was brought on board of what had happened, Murray +had sent him and his party off in a couple of boats, and that on landing +and hearing the firing he had hurried up, thinking it possible that his +assistance might be required. + +"Then Sangaree Jack proved faithful, and told you the position in which +we have been placed," said Higson. + +"Yes, massa, and he well gained de oder fifteen dollars," exclaimed the +black, coming out from among the bluejackets, behind whom he had +concealed himself. + +No sooner did the Brazilians perceive the English party than away they +scampered as fast as their legs could carry them. Jack determined at +once to go to the judge's house, and to demand satisfaction for the +insult which had been offered to the majesty of England in the persons +of some of her naval defenders, and his black namesake undertook to +guide him there. + +The magistrate, aroused out of his first sleep by hearing his door-bell +ringing violently, was naturally in a great fright, and stood trembling +and bowing as Jack walked into the house. He excused himself on the +plea that he had no notion the prisoners were English officers, fully +believing that they were pirates, as the people who had captured them +had asserted. He acknowledged, however, that most of the said officious +personages were connected with slave-dealers, and that he had little +doubt they had committed the outrage to revenge themselves for the +number of vessels which had been captured by the English ships of war. +Jack and his party, with the rescued prisoners, declined accepting the +magistrate's offered hospitality, and having received all the apologies +he could make, went back to the boats, which some of the natives had +even ventured to approach. + +Having lighted fires to serve the double purpose of cooking their +provisions and keeping off the mosquitoes, they passed the night seated +round them. + +Next morning the magistrate, attended by several of the principal people +in the place, trembling in their shoes, came down, and again tendered +the most abject apologies for what had occurred. The captured boat was +soon afterwards seen coming round the point, and being brought alongside +by a black crew, who had been placed in her by the Brazilians, she was +found not only to contain all the arms, and other articles which had +been taken, but six fat pigs, several dozen ducks and fowls, with heaps +of oranges and other fruit, which the magistrate begged the English +officers would accept as a peace-offering. + +Again he declared that what had happened had been from no fault of his; +that the rascally slave-dealers had sworn that the people they had +captured were pirates, and he had only acted according to his duty in +judging the case brought before him. He took great credit to himself +for allowing the negro, Sangaree Jack, to go down to the ships of war, +and hoped that this would prove the honesty of his intentions. + +Rogers having received instructions not to push matters to extremities, +accepted the old gentleman's apology. + +"He would have shown his disinterestedness had he sent down himself, +without allowing our friend Sangaree here the opportunity of doing us +out of our thirty dollars," observed Higson. "Ah, blackie, how many is +the old fellow to get of them?" + +Sangaree Jack gave one of his broadest grins. + +"One half, massa lieutenant, as I a gentleman. He bigger rascal than +all the rest--he one slave-dealer hisself. Ah! ah! ah!" and the negro +chuckled with delight, rubbed his hands, and twisted and wriggled about, +till he set the boat's crew all laughing. + +Whether the fellow's description of the magistrate was correct or not, +Rogers felt that he could take no further steps in the matter, no one +having fortunately really suffered damage or hurt, beyond the +inconvenience of being shut up in a dirty hut for a couple of nights. + +A pleasant breeze blowing down the harbour the boats made sail, and in a +few hours reached the ships. The next day the _Tudor_ and _Supplejack_ +were again at sea, having received orders to cruise along the Brazilian +coast in search of slavers. The ships got some way to the northward of +Rio when Murray directed Jack to keep in shore as close as he could +venture, while he himself stood off the land; they might thus hope to +fall in, either with vessels fitted for the slave-trade about to cross +to the African coast, or with full slavers attempting to make a +Brazilian port. The latter class it was of course the most desirable to +capture, though should the former be taken it would materially assist to +put a stop to the traffic, and save a certain number of blacks from +undergoing, for a time, at all events, the horrors of a middle passage. + +The _Tudor_ shortly after daybreak was standing in under easy sail for +the land, when from the masthead a schooner was observed, beating up +against the breeze, which then blew off the shore, the rays of the +rising run striking her canvas bringing her clearly into view. Murray +ordered all sail to be made, and hoped to gain on the chase before the +corvette was observed by her. As the _Supplejack_ was likely to be +inside of her, there was every probability of her being caught by one or +the other. It was soon evident, however, that she had made out the +corvette, as she was seen to set all sail, and to stand away to the +northward: as the _Tudor_ was a long way to leeward, the chase would +probably be a long one. From the appearance and movements of the +schooner Murray was convinced that she was a slaver with a cargo on +board, and he determined therefore to persevere till he could come up +with her, and ascertain her real character. The land was barely +visible, and the _Supplejack_ might therefore be a long way off in +shore, and not yet have caught sight of the chase. + +The day wore on, and the _Tudor_ had gained considerably on her, when +about six bells in the forenoon the sails gave some ominous flaps +against the masts, and the wind dropping more and more, the corvette lay +almost becalmed, with only just steerage way. As the schooner was, +however, likewise almost becalmed she did not gain any advantage from +this circumstance. A light wind, in a short time, again filled the +corvette's sails; but as it was continually shifting, all hands were on +deck employed in hauling on the braces, as necessity required. Now the +corvette gained slightly on the chase, now the schooner's sails felt the +breeze, and she once more glided along through the smooth water. + +"She seems to be heaving something overboard, sir," said Desmond to +Higson, who was standing on the forecastle with him. + +"Yes, indeed," said Higson, looking through his telescope. "There goes +one of her boats! now she has lowered another. The fellows are +determined to make their escape if they can, she is heaving overboard +cask after cask, and plank and spare spars--she must have a full cargo, +or she would not do that--we shall catch her though, notwithstanding." + +"I hope they won't heave any of the poor negroes overboard. That is +what I have heard the slavers do when hard pressed," observed Desmond. + +"The fellows would do it fast enough if they thought that we should stop +to pick up the unfortunate creatures, and give them a better chance of +getting off," answered Higson. + +"But our commander won't let the poor wretches drown, surely," remarked +Desmond. + +"No, I should think not, indeed," said Higson. "I have never actually +seen that done, but I have heard from others of half-a-dozen negroes +being hove overboard, and if they were not carried off by sharks, picked +up by a British cruiser, and the scoundrel slaver captured, +notwithstanding." + +"I hope we shall catch that fellow, then, at all events," said Desmond. + +"There is many a slip between the cup and the lip, youngster," observed +Higson. "Depend on it, however, that we will do our best as long as we +can keep the schooner in sight." + +By this time every possible article had been hove overboard from the +schooner, and it was thought that even the water from her leaguers had +been pumped out, and the stores and provisions from her hold thrown into +the sea. As the corvette got up to the spot where she had been at the +time, casks and spars were seen floating on every side, together with +the boats, hencoops, and other articles. She benefited by the +proceeding, for she now once more drew considerably ahead of the +corvette. Both vessels were, however, soon afterwards becalmed, and +Murray began to consider the advisability of sending the boats in chase. +Adair begged leave to command them, and Desmond and the rest were +delighted at the thoughts of a hand-to-hand tussle with the slaver +screw; when, just as the men were coming aft to lower the boats, the +sails were once more filled and a fresh breeze from the eastward sprang +up, the schooner felt it at the same moment, when, keeping before the +wind she rigged out her studding-sails, and lightened as she was, she +skimmed like a bird over the blue ocean. + +Murray ordered studding-sails and royals to be set, and kept the _Tudor_ +away towards the chase, which, however, it was soon evident gained on +her. Both vessels were now rising the land. + +"Sail on the port bow," cried the lookout from aloft. + +"That must be Rogers," exclaimed Murray; and before long the +_Supplejack_ was made out standing to the northward, so as it was hoped +to cut off the chase. No sooner did the schooner discover her, than +taking in her studding-sails she hauled to the wind. The corvette did +the same, and had now to depend on her own speed more than on the +assistance she could obtain from the _Supplejack_. + +The chase now became more exciting than ever, the breeze freshened, and +both vessels tore along through the water; their bows, as they clove +their way through it, throwing up masses of sparkling foam, while they +left a long white line in their wake. + +The wind after some time again shifting to the southward, both the +schooner and her pursuer once more set studding-sails, the former +somewhat edging in towards the land, behind which the bright sun was +rapidly sinking. + +"I would give a half-year's pay if we could but catch her," exclaimed +Snatchblock to some of his messmates. "If night comes on before we are +up to her, she may give us the go-by after all." + +The wind, which had been variable all day, still continued so, and now +once more came from the eastward. The chase immediately took advantage +of it to alter her course. The corvette had now gained greatly on her. + +"I think our bow-chasers will reach her," said Murray. "Try them, +Adair; we will see if we can knock away some of her spars." + +The excitement on board increased, and every one now felt as if the +chase was already within their grasp. The gun was run out. Murray gave +the word, "Fire!" Scarcely had its loud report rung through the air, +than his voice again was heard-- + +"All hands, shorten sail! In studding-sails and royals. Let fly tacks +and sheets." + +The corvette had been taken aback, but every man was at his station, and +the sails came in without the loss of a royal or studding-sail-boom. As +soon as the sails were handed, and the ship wearing round was put before +the wind, the chase was eagerly looked for; she was seen running before +the wind for the northeast. Her bearings being taken, the corvette +steered directly for her, but darkness, which had been rapidly coming +on, now hid her from sight, and even the most sanguine gave up all hopes +of finding her again. Still Murray determined to keep after her as +light as she was; he was convinced that with a strong wind blowing she +would continue before it. + +The first watch was set, the watch below turned in, and many a grumble +was heard at their ill success. Adair, who was officer of the watch, +was walking the deck, with Desmond by his side. The wind still blowing +fresh, he had his eye aloft on the spars, ready to shorten sail should +it increase. The sea, however, was tolerably smooth; a few stars only +could be seen among the clouds which passed rapidly across the sky. The +night was therefore rather darker than usual. The wind whistled shrilly +in the rigging, and Desmond declared that he could hear strange sounds +coming across the waters. A sharp lookout was, of course, kept ahead, +and hopes were still entertained that the chase might possibly be again +sighted. Snatchblock, who was on the forecastle, hailed in a loud, +sharp voice, "Sail ahead! the chase! the chase! That's her! No doubt +about it." + +Adair and Desmond hurried forward, but by the time they reached the +forecastle no sail was to be seen. Snatchblock, however, was positive +that he had not been mistaken. He rubbed his eyes in vain, and peered +into the gloom. She was certainly not visible. Adair, who had returned +aft, was pacing the deck, when suddenly a tremendous shock was felt. He +and others on deck were nearly thrown off their legs, and a cry arose of +"We are on shore! we are on shore!" The watch below came tumbling up on +deck, fully believing that the ship had struck. One of the hands +seizing a leadline, sprang into the chains and hove it. + +"What induced you to do that?" asked Adair. + +"I thought we had struck on a rock, sir," was the answer. + +"You found no bottom?" + +"No, sir." + +"We must have run over the chase! Heaven be merciful to the poor +creatures!" exclaimed Murray, who unperceived had just come on deck. +"She must have attempted to haul her wind, to alter her course, and, +being too much lightened, capsized." + +Desmond and several others who had run aft declared they saw several +objects, like the heads of human beings, floating for an instant on the +surface, but when they looked again they had disappeared. Not a cry, +not a sound of any sort had been heard. At that instant probably some +four or five hundred human beings chained in the hold of the slave-ship, +with their white captors, had been carried into eternity. + +Next morning the _Tudor_ spoke the _Supplejack_, which, however, had +seen nothing of the chase. No manner of doubt remained that she had +been capsized, and that the _Tudor_ had run over her during the night. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. + +AN AMERICAN SKIPPER GIVES IMPORTANT INFORMATION--JACK LEADS A BOAT +ATTACK ON A SLAVER IN THE RIO FRIO--CAPTURE--SLAVER BLOWN UP--THE +SUPPLEJACK EXPOSED TO A HOT FIRE--THE CORVETTE AND BRIG IN THE HARBOUR +OF PARANAGUA--SLAVERS ATTACKED--SEVERAL PRIZES MADE--FIRED AT FROM THE +SHORE--ENGAGEMENT WITH A FORT--PRIZES DESTROYED--CARRY ONE OFF--A MAN +OVERBOARD--PICKED UP--HIS HAIR TURNS WHITE. + +The corvette and brig had been cruising for some days in company, having +chased several vessels, some of which got away, while others were found +to be honest traders. They were some way to the southward of Cape Frio, +when land just being in sight, a brig was made out, standing towards +them. She hoisted American colours, and as she approached, passing +close to the corvette, a man, who appeared to be her skipper, standing +on the poop-deck, hailed. + +"If you will heave to I will come aboard you, as I have information to +give." + +The corvette was immediately brought to the wind, her foretopsail +backed, the brig performing the same movement, when a boat was lowered, +and a stout florid man, a Yankee in appearance from truck to kelson, +dressed in Quaker costume, came alongside in her. Quickly climbing on +deck, without making the usual salutation performed by visitors to a +man-of-war, he advanced towards Murray, and introduced himself as +Captain Aaron Sturge, of the brig _Good Hope_ bound for Boston. + +"This ship, I guess, friend, is one of the cruisers engaged in putting +down the slave-trade," he said. + +Murray replied in the affirmative, and inquired what information he had +to give. + +"It is this, friend; I have just come out of the Rio Frio, where I left +a wicked-looking craft, called the _Rival_, nearly ready for sea, which +will carry, I guess, six hundred slaves at least. She is a vessel I +heard that the British cruisers have been long looking after; so if thou +dost wish to catch her, now is thy time, and I would advise thee to +stand in at once, and thou mayest cut her off as she comes out, or, what +would be more certain, catch her before she puts to sea." + +Murray thanked the Yankee skipper for his information, and invited him +below. + +"No, friend, I thank thee. The sooner thou art on thy way toward the +coast and I on mine northward, the better. Thou will do thy best to +take this vessel?" + +Murray assured him that he would, and would lose not a moment in +standing in for the land. + +The honest skipper then shaking hands, swung himself down the side into +his boat, and returned to the brig, which stood away to the southward, +while the _Tudor_ and _Supplejack_, hauling their wind, stood towards +the coast. Murray hoped to be off the mouth of the harbour some time +after dark. He hailed Jack, and told him what he intended to do. + +His plan was to send the brig in with the boats and capture the slaver, +before she got under weigh, or, should she sail that evening, catch her +as she was coming out. As the vessels drew near the land, a sharp +lookout was kept, on the chance of the slaver having put to sea, but no +sail appeared in sight, and some time after nightfall, having got well +in with the land, they hove to, to wait for daybreak. + +Just before dawn Murray despatched two of his boats, one under charge of +Higson, and the other of the master, with directions to Jack to stand in +directly there was light enough to see his way. Jack, having a good +chart, felt confident of being able to take the brig in without a pilot. + +Directly the first streaks of dawn appeared in the sky, he put the +brig's head towards the harbour. The sea breeze set in sooner than +usual, and, having a leading wind, he rapidly stood on towing the boats. + +He was soon passing through the narrow entrance. + +"I see a number of fellows coming along the beach, some of them with +arms in their hands. They probably suspect us, and will give us some +trouble when we are coming out again," said Bevan. + +"I shall care very little for that, provided we get hold of the slaver. +I only hope that she has not given us the slip," answered Jack. + +"There she is, sir, high up the harbour," cried Bevan. "Her topsails +are loose, and had the wind held she would probably have been under +weigh by this time." + +"We have her safe enough now, however," said Jack. + +The brig stood on for some way, but the wind fell light, the current was +running out, and the channel here was far more intricate than the part +already passed through. Jack determined, therefore, to bring up, and to +board the slaver with the boats. Those selected for the expedition +eagerly leaped into them. Jack took command of the whole, five in +number, leaving Bevan in charge of the brig. + +"It is possible that the Brazilians may imitate the example of those +fellows at Bahia, and attempt to attack you," said Jack to Bevan; "you +will therefore keep a good lookout, and allow no boat to approach under +any pretence whatever. Order them to keep off, and fire a musket-shot +or two ahead of them, as a sign that you are in earnest. If they still +come on, fire the carronades into them, and drive them back as you best +can." + +The boats shoved off and made good way towards the slaver. Jack +observed a horseman or two galloping along the shore, but no attempt was +made to molest the English, though they passed round a couple of points +within musket-shot. At last the slaver was seen at anchor right ahead. +The expected prize before them, the boats' crews gave way with a will, +Jack's boat leading. + +He had ordered Higson to board on the port side, while he attacked on +the starboard. The schooner's sails, though they had been loose when +first seen, had in the meantime been furled. One man only was visible +on board her, he was composedly walking the quarterdeck with a glass +under his arm, through which he had been watching the approaching boats. +As they got close he hailed in broken English, and ordered them to keep +off. + +"No, no; we intend to come aboard and examine that schooner," cried +Jack. + +"And I say you shall not," answered the man; "if you attempt it you must +stand by the consequences." + +"We intend to do so. Give way, lads," shouted Jack. As he spoke, the +schooner's ports were opened. Her hitherto silent decks appeared +crowded with men, while the next instant, four guns, run out on either +side, let fly a shower of grape and canister, while twenty or thirty men +opened fire with muskets. Happily the guns did no damage, for the boats +were already close up to the schooner's sides, though two or three men +were slightly wounded by the bullets which came in sharp thuds against +the gunwales. + +"Board her, my lads," shouted Jack; and he and his followers threw +themselves quickly on deck. The slaver's crew stood their ground for a +few seconds only; then, throwing down their cutlasses and muskets, they +sprang overboard, and attempted to make their way to the not distant +bank. A few had been cut down at the first onslaught; half-a-dozen +yielded themselves prisoners, and two had tumbled into the boats, making +eight in all captured. The others, in shoals, were swimming for their +lives. The seamen, irritated at the opposition they had met with, would +have shot them down, but Jack ordered them to desist. + +"These fellows are not to be treated as enemies, now that they have +abandoned their vessel. It was their duty to defend her," he shouted +out, knocking up their muskets. "We must now get her out of this before +their friends collect on the shore, or we shall find it rather a hot +berth, I suspect." + +The cable was cut, and the boats, taking the prize in tow, began to make +way down the harbour. They had not, however, got far from the spot, +before several shots struck the schooner, fired from some men who had +already collected on the shore. No one was hurt, and she was soon +beyond the range of the muskets. As the breeze increased it became very +hard work, towing the schooner against it; still Jack determined, if +possible, to carry her off. As they approached one of the points which +they had to round, they observed a number of armed men collecting on it. +To avoid them the schooner was kept over to the opposite side. Just +then a squall struck her and drove her on a bank. The Brazilians, +encouraged by this, opened a hot fire, and though at some distance, +several of their shot struck the schooner. In spite of it, Jack ordered +warps to be got out, and endeavoured to haul her off. Two of his men +had been hit and he in vain endeavoured to get the prize into deep +water. Ahead was a bank over which he found it impossible to haul her; +she had driven, indeed, into a bay, shoal water being found ahead, +astern, and on her port side. + +"It must be done, though I am sorry to lose so fine a craft; we must +blow her up," he said to Higson. + +Several casks of powder were found on board. They were placed in her +hold, surrounded by such combustible materials as could be quickly +gathered together. All hands were then ordered into the boats; Jack, +with Higson and Needham, set her on fire simultaneously amidships and +fore and aft. They then jumped into the boats, and Jack, anxious to +have his men safe from further risk of being shot, gave the order to +pull down the river as fast as they could lay their backs to the oars. + +The Brazilians probably fancied that they had taken to flight, and three +boats, which had been concealed behind the point, were now seen shoving +off for the schooner. They had got more than half way towards her when +the flames burst out through all the hatchways; still they pulled on, +hoping to extinguish them. The people in the leading boat were on the +point of jumping on board, when the flames catching the gunpowder, up +she went, her masts and spars shooting towards the sky, with fragments +of her decks, while her sides split in all directions. Whether any of +the Brazilians were injured could not be discovered; two of their boats +pulled away in hot haste, the third following far more slowly. It was +the general opinion that the people in her must have suffered severely, +as they were close to the side of the vessel when she blew up. + +Jack fearing that his vessel might be attacked, made the best of his way +on board. On the arrival of the boats alongside, Bevan reported that he +had not been molested, but that he had seen a considerable number of +boats pulling along the shore, towards a spot further down, where people +were collected in crowds. Though Jack felt perfectly confident that +even should they venture to attack him he should beat them off, being +anxious to avoid bloodshed, he resolved to get under weigh as soon as +possible. The breeze, however, still blowing up the harbour, he had to +wait till it died away, and the land breeze reassumed its power. + +It was an anxious time, for without a pilot he dare not attempt to heat +out of the harbour. + +"At all events, if they do show their noses, we can give them a taste of +Long Tom, sir," said Needham; "it's my opinion they will not come nearer +if they hear him bark." + +The brig lay with her sails loose and her cable hove short: still not a +breath of air stirred the glass-like surface of the harbour. + +Jack did not wish to risk the loss of his vessel by attempting to cross +the bar without a leading wind, besides which from the example the +Brazilians had given of their disposition they might take the +opportunity of attacking her while passing along the narrow channel he +would have to traverse. + +He hoped to get out before nightfall. At length the pennant which long +had hung up and down the mast, began to move. Again it dropped, but at +length out it blew steadily, while here and there gentle ripples +appeared on the surface of the water. + +"Hands, up anchor and make sail," shouted Jack. + +The boats quickly towed the brig round, the canvas was let drop, and +away she glided. As she increased her speed, the boats were dropped +astern, and now with a fair breeze the gallant little brig under all +sail stood towards the mouth of the harbour. As she neared the +narrowest part of the channel a number of people were seen collecting on +the beach. On her approach they ran behind the high bank, sheltered by +which they opened a hot fire with muskets and rifles, the bullets +whizzing over the brig. Jack on this ordered all hands to lie down, +with the exception of the helmsman, the man in the chains, and the +lookout forward, while he himself stood at his post, conning the vessel. + +The wind held fair, and after having been peppered for about ten minutes +with a few stray shots sticking into her sides and hammocks, and a +splinter or two torn off the masts, the _Supplejack_ bounded gaily out +to sea, having performed her duty, and being able to laugh at her +opponents. None of the men struck had been much hurt, so the affair was +altogether satisfactory. Just as it was getting dark, she met the +corvette, which had stood in as close as was safe, to meet her. + +The two vessels now stood to the southward, for the purpose of looking +into the harbour of Paranagua, a notorious slave-mart, about three +hundred miles from Rio. They came off the bay or gulf, as it may +probably be called, soon after dawn on the third day after leaving the +scene of their last exploit. + +On one side of the somewhat narrow entrance lay a fort in which they +could count fourteen or fifteen guns frowning down upon them. + +"We might have some hot work if we were entering an enemy port," +observed Murray. "The Brazilian officer in command will, however, +scarcely dare to molest us, even though he may be favourably disposed to +the slave-traders." + +As a precautionary measure, however, the crews were sent to quarters, +and, the corvette leading, the two vessels stood into the harbour. As +he approached, Murray dipped his flag, the salute being duly returned +from the fort. He accordingly stood on, intending to run up the harbour +till he came in sight of the vessels he expected to find there. Jack, +following his leader, did the same, and passed unmolested. + +The two men-of-war proceeded on for some distance, but no vessels +appeared, and Murray began to fear that the slavers had had some +intimation that the port was likely to be visited by British cruisers, +and had slipped away in time. Ahead lay an island with buildings on it. +Some were dwelling-houses, others were long sheds of a suspicious +character. As the water was still deep, and the channel tolerably wide, +he stood on, when rounding a point he saw several large vessels lying at +anchor, which from their appearance, as well as from the sheds and +leaguers, or huge casks for holding water, which lay on the shore, +together with planking for slave-decks, and other articles easily +distinguishable through the telescope, he had no doubt were slavers. As +the channel at this point became very narrow and intricate he thought it +prudent not to stand on farther, and dropping his anchor, he ordered +Jack to do the same. He then got a spring on his cable, so as to be +able to bring his broadside to bear on the vessels, and to cover the +boats which he intended to send forthwith to attack them. + +"There is a stir among the vessels," observed Adair, "and two of them +have got under weigh, and are standing out towards us." + +Murray accordingly ordered him and Higson to board them, and ascertain +their character. One carried the British and the other the American +flag. The boats were lowered and the two vessels in a short time coming +up were boarded. Neither of them made any resistance. Their papers +were found to be correct--they were honest traders. + +"As soon as we saw you approaching, we two agreed to stand out from +among the black sheep. The rest of the craft in there are one and all +slavers, and if you take or destroy them they will only get their due," +said the American master. + +He then gave a description of the vessels, and the number of guns and +men they carried. Terence thanked him for the information, and the two +vessels were allowed to continue their course down the river. + +Murray now ordered five boats under the command of Jack to board and +overhaul all the vessels lying at anchor off the island. + +One was a large ship, two were brigs, and a fourth a wicked-looking +schooner, evidently a slaver. The question was whether they would offer +resistance. The ship was seen getting a spring on her cable, which +looked something like it; Jack was therefore prepared for all +contingencies. + +"We will take the smallest ones in detail, and that big fellow will then +see that he has no chance of assistance," he said to Higson. + +Further off lay another large ship with the Brazilian colours flying, +and two barques, one an American, the other a Portuguese, with a +brigantine, which, as Needham remarked, from truck to kelson had the cut +of a slaver. + +"We will take them all, lads, never fear. They have got into a net, and +it will be a hard matter for them to make their way out again. The +truth is, they thought we should never find our way up here; but they +have discovered their mistake, and have made their last voyages with +blackies aboard, I hope." + +The boats were pulling on steadily towards the first brig, a beautiful +vessel, with sharp bows and clean run; she would be a prize worth +having, Jack knew, as she would give no end of trouble to the British +cruisers engaged in the suppression of the slave-trade. A number of men +were seen on board, but, as the flotilla approached, they jumped into +their boats and pulled for the shore. The brig was immediately boarded, +when not a soul was found in her, though she had her cargo on board; she +was completely fitted for the slave-trade. Jack, suspecting treachery, +had her thoroughly examined. + +"All's right, sir," said Needham. "The crew were in too great a fright +to think of anything but saving themselves, or they might, to be sure, +have laid a slow match to the magazine, and tried to blow us up. The +only pity is that she has no sails on board. It will be a job to know +what to do with her." + +Jack had, in the meantime, sent the other boats to take possession of +the second brig. This also was abandoned by her crew. She, too, was +found fully fitted for the slave-trade. They now headed the boats +towards the ship, the broadside of which having been brought to bear on +them, she was apparently prepared for a determined resistance. Ordering +Adair to pull for her stern and Higson for the bows, Jack and Needham +dashed up alongside. As they approached the ship opened fire with +round, grapeshot, and musketry, but, as is often the case, when men +fight in a bad cause, the slaver's crew took uncertain aim, and no one +was hurt in either of the boats. The Brazilians had soon cause to +repent of their folly in attempting to defend themselves; the English +seamen quickly climbing up the side, they at once gave way, and rushing +across the deck sprang overboard, and attempted to swim towards the +shore. Some of the seamen, enraged at the opposition they had made, +picked up the muskets from the decks, and would have fired after their +retreating foe, had not Jack, as on a previous occasion, stopped them. + +"Let the wretches, though they deserve punishment, have a chance for +their lives," he said. + +Several boats putting off from the shore picked up most of the swimmers, +though some were seen to go down before they were rescued. + +The ship was a remarkably fine one, called the _Andorinha_. On +examining her she was found to be American built, while the flag of the +United States was discovered on board. Another discovery was also made. +Her stern was covered by a piece of painted canvas, on ripping off +which there appeared the name of the _Mary Jane_, of Greenport, in large +letters, and as she carried two whale-boats on her quarters, the most +vigilant of British cruisers might have passed her without the slightest +suspicion of her real character. + +Leaving the crew of one of the boats on board the ship under the command +of Tom, who was vastly proud of the confidence placed in him, Jack +pulled on for the other large Brazilian ship. The captain received him +on board with a smiling countenance, for the fellow well knew that +though evidently a slaver, she could not be touched. All the slave +fittings had been landed, and lay abreast of her along the shore. The +American brig, which was next boarded, was as clearly intended for the +same nefarious traffic, but as she had not yet been fitted up with +slave-decks, though they also were discovered close to her ready to be +shipped, with her leaguers and other fittings. + +The day's work was not yet over; a brigantine lay temptingly near, +inviting a visit. The boats soon surrounded her, she was found to be +the _Stella_, a vessel which had long eluded the vigilance of British +cruisers. + +Though some of her fittings had been landed, a sufficient quantity +remained to condemn her. Jack, however, having to secure his other +prizes, was obliged to leave her, intending to visit her the next day; +he therefore pulled back to the brigs, and commenced towing and warping +them towards the corvette. + +The channel through which they had to pass was excessively narrow, and, +unfortunately, Jack, forgetting that the boats might pass in a direct +line where the vessels could not follow, they both took the ground. Now +came the task of hauling them off; it was accomplished, however, and +they were brought at length to an anchor between the two men-of-war. He +next pulled back to the ship, and reached her just as darkness came on. +He found Tom and his crew on the alert; he had seen a number of boats +coming off from the shore, with the intention, he fully believed, of +attacking him. + +"But we would have treated them just as Mr Adair did the slave-dealers +at Bahia," he exclaimed. "We had all our arms loaded, and if they had +come near us, we should have given them a pretty warm reception, you may +depend upon that." + +Jack felt very sure that Tom would have done so, though he was glad he +had not been exposed to the danger he would have had to run. + +Sounding as he went, Jack got the ship safely under the guns of the +corvette at a late hour of the night. The skulking crews of the +slavers, eager as they might have been to regain the vessels taken from +them, dared not attack them, and the night passed off quietly. Next +morning by daybreak the boats again put off; the most important vessel +to capture was the brigantine, and they at once pulled for her. As they +approached, they made out several boats pulling backwards and forwards +between her and the shore. Jack regretted that he had not left a prize +crew on board, though he had acted, as he thought at the time, for the +best. + +"Give way, my lads, those fellows are after some mischief, we must put a +stop to it," he shouted. + +The brigantine lay floating on the calm water, her taunt, raking masts, +and the tracery of her spars and rigging reflected in its surface. She +was just the style of craft to please a seaman's eye. The men gave way, +in a few minutes they hoped to be aboard her. Suddenly her masts moved +to starboard, then over they heeled to port, when, gradually, her bows +sank, and down she glided, head foremost, beneath the surface of the +water. + +"What a pity!" broke from the lips of those in the stern sheets of the +boats, who had observed what had taken place; the look of astonishment +in the countenances of the men at the oars, when, turning their heads, +they found the brigantine had disappeared, was almost ludicrous. Had +they got hold of any of the Brazilians they would have made them pay +dearly for their trick. It was very evident that the vessel had been +scuttled during the night, to prevent her from falling into the hands of +the English, while the crew had landed every article of value from her. +Jack was thus compelled to be contented with his three prizes, none of +the other vessels could be touched. It now coming on to blow hard, it +was impossible to get under weigh. The time, however, was employed in +fitting the ship for sea; Higson and a prize crew had charge of her. +Murray intended to tow one of the brigs, while Jack was to tow the +other. All hands on board both vessels were hard at work till sunset. + +The next morning, the wind coming down the harbour, they got under +weigh, and proceeded down the gulf. In a short time, the squadron got +abreast of the fort, the commandant of which was well aware that the +English had, in accordance with the wishes of his own government, +performed their duty in capturing the slavers, and Murray therefore +expected to pass without molestation. He saluted as usual, and was +standing on, when a gun was fired at the corvette. + +"What are the fellows about!" he exclaimed. + +"It may have been let off by mistake," observed Adair. + +"That was not let off by mistake, though," exclaimed Murray, as a shot +from a second gun whistled close under the stern, followed immediately +by another, which, however, passed ahead. + +"Beat to quarters," cried Murray, "the fellows mean mischief." + +Scarcely had the first roll of the drum sounded than the eager crew +sprang to their guns. + +Jack imitated his example; both vessels opened their broadsides, firing +shot and shell as fast as their guns could be brought to bear. + +The fort, meantime, fired showers of grape, canister, and round shot. + +"This is hotter work than we met with up the Saint Juan; I did not +expect such fun," exclaimed Desmond. + +"We had only muskets, and we have now got big guns to pay back the +compliments we receive," observed Archy, who was standing near him. + +"Yes, but the enemy have stone walls, instead of timber stockades to +protect them," said Desmond; "it's very good fun, though." + +"I don't call that fun," cried Archy, as a round shot struck a seaman at +one of the guns near them on the breast, and laid him dead on the deck, +before he had time to utter a groan. A grape shot, the next moment, hit +another man on the shoulder, and he was carried below. Two others were +shortly afterwards wounded. + +Fortunately the wind held, or the men-of-war might have suffered much +more than they did. The object of the Brazilians was probably to compel +them to abandon their prizes, which would have undoubtedly been +immediately taken possession of. + +Murray signalled Higson to keep further off the fort, to escape the risk +of damage. + +The English ships, having passed the front of the battery, had their +sterns exposed to a raking fire from the sea face of it, which they were +unable to return, in consequence of the vessels in tow. One of the +after guns of the _Tudor_, was, however, fitted for throwing shells, and +as Murray could bring it to bear, when the openings between the vessels +astern would allow of it, he occasionally fired one into the fort. Long +Tom did his duty, and Jack had the satisfaction of believing that his +shot produced as much effect as those of the corvette. + +"On my word I should like to land and storm that fort, to punish the +rascals," he exclaimed. + +"I am afraid that as it is on a friendly territory, that would be +unlawful," observed Bevan. + +"Then people on friendly territory should not attack those engaged in +the performance of their duty," answered Jack; "give them a parting +shot, Needham; we shall soon be out of range of their guns, if the +breeze holds." + +"I will do my best to make it tell," said Dick; training Long Tom aft as +far as possible. He fired--the effect of the shot was to silence the +gun which had for some minutes annoyed them the most, and it was +conjectured, therefore, that it must have either killed several of the +gunners, or injured the carriage. The next shot which came from the +fort, fell short of the brig. As soon as the vessels were completely +out of range, Murray ordered the anchors to be dropped. + +A heavy sea setting over the bar at the entrance he considered it unwise +to attempt crossing till the top of high water. The place in which he +had brought up was not however altogether free from danger. On either +hand were wild rugged rocks, while a line of foaming surf stretched +across the mouth of the harbour. As it would be impossible to cross +with the two prize-brigs, Murray determined at once to destroy them. +The two cutters and the _Supplejack's_ jollyboat were directed to +perform this service. Tom and Desmond agreed to go and see the fun, and +just as the brig's boat was shoving off they jumped into her, unobserved +by Jack. The boats having taken charge of the brigs, towed them +half-a-mile from the ships. They were then set on fire, and were soon +in a blaze fore and aft, when the wind, having more power than the tide, +rapidly carried them towards the foaming breakers. The corvette's two +boats were returning, when Jack, looking round to ascertain what had +become of his boat, caught sight of her close to one of the blazing +vessels, on the point of being driven among the dangerous breakers. +Having discovered that the two youngsters had gone in her, he naturally +felt doubly anxious on their account, and suspected that some accident +must have happened to prevent her return. Instantly jumping into the +pinnace with the best hands he could collect, he pulled away for the +boat, the crew of which were labouring desperately to head her off the +breakers. He had gone but a short distance when he caught sight of the +two brigs, like huge floating bonfires, gliding into the midst of the +foaming waters, which danced up wildly around them, as if greedy for +their prey. A few seconds the vessels struggled with the wild breakers, +then their keels grated on the sharp rocks, they rose and fell a few +seconds more, when, the waters leaping triumphantly over them, they were +shattered into a thousand fragments, which were scattered on every side. + +Jack's interest was, however, centred on the boat which was already +awfully near the breakers, and once in them her fate would be that of +the slavers. His men strained every muscle to reach her. Already +scarcely half a cable's length existed between her and the inner line of +breakers, a foaming sea had burst close astern. Jack dashing forward +shouted to the bowman to have a rope ready. It was hove on board as he +swept round, and securing it he steered away from the dangerous spot. + +Two of her oars had been lost alongside the burning brig, and another +had been sprung; and had not assistance come, the boat and all on board +would in another minute to a certainty have been engulfed. As Jack made +his way back to the brig he was received with loud cheers from the +corvette and prize. + +He was thankful when he at length reached the deck of the _Supplejack_, +feeling that he ought to punish the two youngsters for their misconduct, +though very unwilling to do so. He contented himself with giving them a +severe lecture, and pointing out to them the fearful risk they had run +of losing their lives. + +"When duty calls you, it is quite a different matter," he observed: +"then never be daunted by danger. Your duty was to remain on board. +Had you been lost I should have had double cause to mourn for you, as +you would have uselessly thrown your lives away." + +"That's just what Admiral Triton said to me," observed Tom to Desmond. +"Jack is right--no doubt about that." + +By this time the tide had sufficiently risen to allow a passage over the +bar, and Murray being unwilling to lose a favourable wind by a longer +delay, the anchors were hove up, sail was made, and the two men-of-war, +with the captured slaver, leaving the fort astern, dashed proudly out to +sea. They had, however, to keep their pumps going, in consequence of +the large amount of water which had rushed into them before the +shot-holes they had received could be thoroughly plugged. Murray then +gave Higson directions to carry the slaver to Saint Helena, and, after +delivering her up, to return to Rio by the first opportunity. + +The midshipmen were sorry to lose him, for he never forgot that he had +been their messmate, and, notwithstanding his few eccentricities, he was +always kind and considerate. + +While he steered to the eastward, the corvette and brig shaped a course +for Rio. The result of the expedition had been the destruction of three +noted slavers, and the capture of a fourth, while their owners had +learnt an important lesson, that the risks of the trade in which they +were engaged were considerably increased, and that it might possibly be +wiser to abandon it. + +Next night, during Adair's watch, a pampeiro, a squall off the Pampas so +called, suddenly struck the ship; the boatswain's shrill whistle +summoned all hands to shorten sail; happily, the tacks and sheets were +let fly before its full force was felt. + +Ned Somers, a foretop-man, on the lee yardarm, with the earring in hand, +was struck by the wild, flapping sail, and overboard he fell. Murray, +who had now come on deck, saw the accident, and the instant the ship +could be brought to the wind, ordering a boat to be lowered, he cried +out for volunteers to man her. Adair sprang into her, and Snatchblock +took the bow oar. Other hands followed. The man's cries directed them, +as they believed, towards where he was floating. Away the boat dashed +through the foaming waters, but when they reached the spot the man was +nowhere to be seen. They pulled round and round it, shouting to him, +but no answer came. Unwillingly, at length Adair put the boat's head +towards the ship. The men had not pulled many strokes when Snatchblock +felt a blow on the bow of the boat, and by a sudden impulse (there was +no time for thought) stretching himself over the gunwale, he plunged +down his arm and got hold of the missing man, whom eager hands assisted +him to haul on board. Somers was immediately passed aft, and, as fast +as the crew could pull, the boat returned to the ship. + +The man, who still breathed, was hoisted on deck, and placed under the +surgeon's hands. + +Strange to say, he seemed next morning to outward appearance not much +the worse for his accident. + +From that day, however, he was in reality a changed man. Once among the +most high-spirited and joyous of the crew, he became melancholy and +silent, though he went through his duty as usual. About a month +afterwards, as Adair was going forward, he saw a whitehaired man sitting +on the coamings of the fore-hatchway. + +"Where did that old man come from?" he asked of Snatchblock. + +"I never saw so strange a thing in all my life, sir," was the answer. +"Last night when he turned in his hair was as black as mine, and this +morning, when the hammocks were piped up, it was as you see it. _That +man, sir, is Ned Somers_!" + +Adair could scarcely believe what he heard till he spoke to poor Ned, +who, however, not having a looking-glass, did not seem to be aware of +the change. After this he grew weaker and weaker; his nervous system, +when he fell overboard, had received a shock which was too much for him. +Murray had resolved to send him home, when the surgeon reported that +the poor fellow had not many hours to live. Before night he breathed +his last, and was buried in the seaman's wide sepulchre, the Ocean. He +survived the accident scarcely three months. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. + +UP THE PARANA--MURRAY'S FOREBODINGS--BATTLE OF PUNTA OBLIGADO--ATTACKED +BY FIRESHIPS--SCHOONER BLOWS UP--JACK AND MURRAY PERFORM A GALLANT +EXPLOIT--MURRAY WOUNDED--THE BATTERIES STORMED--TOM AND GERALD CARRIED +OFF BY GAUCHOS. + +"Hurrah! my boy, there is a prospect of more glorious or, at all events, +more exciting work than slave-hunting," exclaimed Adair, as he came on +board the _Supplejack_ from the _Tudor_, both vessels then lying in Rio +harbour. + +"When? where?" asked Jack. + +"Up the Parana, and immediately, as far as I can make out. Murray has +just received his orders, and you will get yours before the day is many +hours longer. I conclude that small vessels are wanted for the work, so +you are certain to be sent." + +"Has Murray heard what we are to do when we get there?" asked Jack. + +"Yes, to force our way up the river, which a certain General Rosas, +calling himself President of Buenos Ayres, has taken it into his head no +one shall do; and so, of course, he will attempt to stop us." + +"Who is the fellow? I don't think I have ever heard of him before," +said Jack. + +"Nor did I till Murray told me, and, as he reads everything, he, of +course, knew all about the matter. You have an atlas, just get it out, +and I will try and impart the information Murray gave me. + +"The river Parana, you see, runs a course of many miles nearly north and +south before it runs into the river Plate. On the east side are the +provinces of Paraguay, Entre Rios, and Banda Oriental, and on the west +and south those of Santa Fe and Buenos Ayres, comprised under the +general name of La Plata. General Rosas wants to unite these provinces +under one confederation, and to make himself dictator or emperor. + +"Another party calling themselves Unitarios want to unite them into one +state, and have, for this slight difference of opinion, for several +years done their best to knock each other on the head. His troops +having blockaded Monte Video and captured some French merchantmen, the +French have, therefore, sent a squadron to take satisfaction, and open +up the commerce of the river Plate. + +"We are going to join them, as the Buenos Ayrians have treated some of +our merchantmen in the same way, and Rosas dares us to do our worst, and +declares that up the river we shall not go. + +"By an old treaty it appears that the English and French governments +having guaranteed the integrity of the Banda Oriental, Rosas was ordered +to withdraw his troops from the territory, and as he refused to do so, +his squadron besieging Monte Video has been taken from him, while the +province of Paraguay, and that of Corrientes, have combined to overthrow +his power. In revenge for this, he has closed the outlets of their +rivers, so as to put an effectual stop to their foreign commerce. + +"The Parana, though it looks of no great size on the map, is broad and +deep, and even large vessels may make their way some four or five +hundred miles up it. + +"The French squadron and some English ships are already off Monte Video, +and as soon as we and the other vessels join them we are to begin the +ascent of the river. Here is Monte Video, on the northern shore of this +wide river of La Plata, which, however, looks more like a huge gulf than +what we call a river in Europe, and here, some way up on the southern +bank, is Buenos Ayres. There was a fearful ruffian, called Orribe, who +got the upper hand in some of these provinces, and murdered all his +opponents who fell into his power; he therefore got the appropriate name +of the `butcher.' + +"Don Rosas, with a devoted army of gauchos, the wild horsemen of the +Pampas, united with him, and the two mild-mannered gentlemen together +endeavoured to get possession of Monte Video, but, being defeated, Rosas +has since wisely kept to his own side of the river. + +"Besides the horsemen, he has managed to get together a good supply of +heavy guns and flying artillery, with which he expects to send us to the +right about, and our business will be to show him that he is mistaken. + +"That is all I know of the matter, and I hope I have made it as clear to +your mind as Murray did to mine." + +Jack duly received his orders, and the next morning by daybreak the +corvette and brig, in company with a few other vessels, sailed out of +the harbour. They had a quick run to Monte Video, where they fell in +with the English and French squadron, consisting of several steamers and +sailing-vessels. + +Soon after their arrival, the ships were ordered to proceed up at once +to Guassu, one of the mouths of the Parana; a heavy gale, however, +coming on, drove the ships back. The midshipmen were, of course, as +eager as any one for the fun, as they called it, which they expected to +meet with, and were much disappointed at the delay which occurred. The +steamers could have gone ahead without them, but as there were only four +in the whole squadron, two English and two French, such a force would +not have been sufficient for the object. + +Day after day they had to beat backwards and forwards, a strong westerly +wind blowing in their teeth, giving General Rosas time to complete his +defences. + +"Well, there is one satisfaction," exclaimed Desmond. "If we had gone +up at first we might have caught the enemy unprepared, and lost all the +honour and glory we shall now reap in thrashing him." + +"As to that, considering that he and his followers are half savages, as +the commodore says, I don't see that there is much honour and glory to +be obtained," observed Tom. + +"Faith, now it seems to me that it does not much matter what kind of +people the enemy are, provided they have got arms in their hands, and +don't run away," answered Desmond. "These fellows fight fiercely enough +among themselves, and they are not likely to change when they have got +foreign foes to deal with." + +Paddy was not far wrong after all. At length the weather moderated, the +steamers got up their steam and the sailing-vessels hauled their wind +and stood for the westward. + +They had proceeded some distance, when down came another pampeiro upon +them, and they were once more disappointed. Still the work was to be +done, and the English and French commodores were not men to be beaten by +a difficulty. Days and nights together the ships kept at it, doing +their uttermost to reach the rendezvous off the mouth of the river. + +At length they all met, and the flag of England flying from the peaks of +some, and that of France from others, in friendly proximity, with a fair +breeze they commenced their ascent of the mighty stream. + +As they watched the distant shore on either hand it was difficult to +persuade themselves that they were at a considerable distance above the +mouth of the river. Still, on and on they sailed. With their glasses +they could occasionally see horsemen galloping along apparently watching +them, although no opposition was offered, indeed they were generally too +far out of the range of field-pieces, even should the enemy have +possessed any. + +As the current was strong and the wind light, it was slow work, and +often they did not make ten miles a day. They had got about a hundred +miles up when the commodore gave the signal for the squadron to anchor, +and they found that they were within three miles of a place called Punta +Obligado, on the right bank of the river, where General Rosas had thrown +up some strong defences to oppose their further progress. + +All hands were in high spirits at the thoughts of the fight, which they +expected would take place the next morning. Murray and the more +reflective officers, could not help thinking that fighting was a serious +matter, and that if a report that they had heard was correct, before +another day was over, many enjoying high health and spirits might be +laid low. + +Jack, who brought up close to the _Tudor_, came on board with Tom to pay +their friends a visit. Their chief regret was that Higson was not there +to take part in the expected achievements of the following day. + +"We never know what may happen to us when we go into battle," said +Murray, as Jack sat with him in his cabin. "In case I should fall, I +must get you to take this packet to Stella. She is ever in my thoughts, +and I am anxious to make arrangements for her future comfort and +support, for I doubt that she is as well provided for as she supposes. +Her father spent most of his fortune in the wild schemes in which he +took part, and careless as I heard he was about his own pecuniary +affairs, he probably neglected to make due provision for his daughter. +Had she married me, she would, at all events, have enjoyed a pension as +my widow, and as those who would otherwise obtain it can do very well +without any addition to their incomes, I have left all the property I +possess to be enjoyed by her for her life; and you, Jack, must undertake +to see that my intentions are carried out." + +"Of course I will, my dear Murray," answered Jack. "But you must not +suppose that you are to be knocked on the head. I hold to the belief +that no man knows beforehand what is to happen to him, though, of +course, when he goes into battle, he may be killed, but his thinking +that he will or will not will make no difference." + +"It may be true," answered Murray, with a sigh, "but there is something +within me which says that I ought to be prepared." + +"Of course, and I hope you are, my dear Alick," said Jack gravely. "A +truly religious man like you always is prepared, and I suspect that the +weather, together with the fatigue you have gone through, and your state +of health, have something to do with your forebodings. If you won't +think me frivolous, let me ask you what you had for dinner yesterday?" + +Murray at first did not answer, at last, faintly smiling, he answered-- + +"Well, perhaps you are right, and I dare say tomorrow morning I shall +see things in a different light. However, in case I should fall, you +will see my wishes carried out." + +Jack again promised that he would do anything and everything that Murray +wished. Terence joined them shortly afterwards, and the old shipmates +spent a pleasant evening, as did Tom with his friends in the +midshipmen's berth. They did not trouble themselves with forebodings of +evil, and all talked eagerly of the fun they hoped to see before long. + +A sharp lookout was kept during the night. The steamers had their fires +banked up, as it was thought probable that the enemy might have prepared +fireships to send down among them. As soon, therefore, as it was dark, +the boats were sent ahead to row guard, and to tow them out of the way, +so that they might drop down clear of the squadron. The night, however, +passed away without any occurrence of the sort, and at daybreak the two +commodores proceeded up the river in their gigs to reconnoitre the +position of the enemy. A dense fog which hung over the water enabled +them to approach unobserved. Their return was anxiously waited for. +They quickly acquainted themselves with all they desired to know, and, +immediately they got back, the commanders of all the vessels were +directed to repair on board the flagship to receive instructions. They +then learned that Rosas had thrown up strong fortifications about three +miles from where they then lay. They consisted of four batteries, two +on heights sixty feet above the surface of the river, and two in an +intervening valley. The batteries mounted altogether twenty-two guns, +some long thirty-two pounders, and others of smaller calibre. Opposite +the point was an island, which occupied a considerable portion of the +breadth of the river, so that vessels going up must of necessity pass +close to the batteries. Yet, further to strengthen the position, three +heavy chains, supported by twenty-four vessels, extended across the +river from the main land to the island, one end being defended by a +man-of-war schooner, mounting six guns, while close to the chains, ready +to be let loose at any moment, lay ten fireships. A force of nearly +four thousand men, artillery, cavalry, and infantry, was collected, so +the commodores learnt from their spies, to man the forts, and to oppose +any force that might be sent on shore to attack them. + +The sailing-vessels were now formed in two divisions, while the steamers +formed a third, to take up a position as soon as they had disposed of +the fireships. All on board the ships waited eagerly for the signal to +weigh. + +The hands had been piped to breakfast. The meal was over, still the fog +prevailed. Suddenly a light breeze sprang up from the southward, when +the fog cleared, and at a quarter to nine the signal was given for the +leading division to weigh. With eager alacrity the men sprang aloft to +loose sails, and in a few minutes the two divisions of sailing-vessels +were gliding up the stream; the one to attack the northern, and the +other the southern batteries, with directions to anchor about seven +hundred yards from them. With all sail set to stem the current, they +approached the batteries, which immediately opened fire on the headmost +vessels. They returned the compliment with interest, as soon as they +could bring their guns to bear, the thunder of the artillery breaking +the silence which had hitherto reigned over the scene, the loud roaring +increasing as ship after ship got into action. + +The wild gauchos fought their guns well, and showered down on their +assailants round shot, grape, canister, shells, and rockets, which the +ships returned with similar missiles, French and English vying with each +other as to who should load and fire their guns the fastest. The roar +of the guns, the crashing of the shot as they struck the ships, and the +shouts of the men, increasing every instant, became perfectly deafening. + +About an hour from the time the gallant little _Philomel_ got under +fire, the action became general. Several of the vessels were suffering +severely; on board the French commodore's brig especially the men were +falling fast, while numberless shots struck her between wind and water. + +The effect of the terrific cannonading going on was to make the wind +fall light, and some of the ships, therefore, were unable to reach the +exact stations assigned to them; the consequence was, that they were +exposed, more than would otherwise have been the case, to the fire of +the batteries. + +Murray had carried his vessel as close as he could, and Jack did not +fail to follow his example. Round shot and grape came sweeping over +their decks, some of the missiles striking the hulls of the vessels, +others going through their sails and cutting up the rigging; but the +hotter the fire became, the more the British seamen seemed to enjoy the +fun, tossing about their guns with right good will, and sending shot +after shot, well aimed, into the batteries. + +"I say, this is pretty hot work, Archy," observed Desmond; "I wonder how +long it is going to last?" + +"I suppose till we drive the enemy from their guns and take possession +of their fort, unless they blow themselves up, and finish the batteries +in that way," answered Gordon. + +"But, I say! look there! what are those craft about?" + +Archy, as he spoke, pointed ahead, where about a dozen vessels were seen +bearing down on the squadron from the upper part of the river. +Presently, first one, and then another, burst into flames. + +"They are fireships!" cried Desmond, "and if they come aboard they will +blow us all into smithereens." + +"The steamers won't let them do that," observed Gordon; "see, they are +paddling towards them, and will sink or tow them out of the way before +they touch us, I hope." + +Still the danger was imminent. It was evident that the steamers could +not take all of them in tow at once, and while some were got hold of, +others might continue their course. + +The commanders of the men-of-war made preparations for the reception of +the fireships, and got their boats ready to tow them away, should they +threaten to drift closer than was safe. On came the burning masses; the +steamers had got hold of some of them. + +"That fellow will be down upon us before long, sir," said Needham, "if +we cannot manage to get her out of the way." + +Jack, on this, ordered a boat to be lowered; Needham, followed by Tom, +jumped into her, and rapidly pulled for the fireship. The difficulty +was to secure the towrope, while there was no time to be lost if the +brig was to be saved. Many of the shot, intended for the vessels, came +flying over the boat; no one was hit in her, however, and Needham +managed to hook on the towrope to her stern. The crew gave way, and, +aided by the current, just got her clear of the brig, when, the flames +rapidly increasing, Needham saw it was high time to cast off, and get +out of her neighbourhood. + +The crew had not given many strokes when up she blew, and the fragments +of her deck and bulwarks came rattling down over them. + +For a moment it seemed that all in the boat must be destroyed. Jack, +who had anxiously cast his eyes in that direction, as had also the two +midshipmen of the corvette who were looking on, thought that every one +in the boat must perish. Jack regretted that he had allowed Tom to go +in her; his anxiety, however, was soon relieved when he saw them +emerging from the shower and returning to the brig. + +The other fire-vessels passing clear of the squadron, either drove on +shore or went floating harmlessly down the broad stream, till they blew +up and sank. + +The battle still continued raging as at first, for the Spaniards fought +their guns with desperation, and no sooner had one set of men been swept +away than they were replaced by others. A body of cavalry was also seen +hovering about in the wood which backed the fort, and when any of the +artillerymen, as some did, could no longer stand it, and took to flight, +they were driven back, and compelled to fight till they were killed or +wounded. + +The action had continued with unmitigated fury for a couple of hours, +and there appeared no prospect of its cessation as long as the enemy's +ammunition held out. Although the gunners were continually swept away, +fresh men, as at first, were driven up to take their places. The number +of casualties on board the squadron had greatly increased; two or three +officers and several men had already been killed, and many wounded. +Suddenly a still louder roar than the thunder of the guns was heard. + +"Hurrah! there goes their magazine," cried Desmond. + +"No! see the schooner guarding the chains has blown up," answered +Gordon, pointing in the direction of the barrier placed across the +river. + +For a few seconds the enemy, astounded by the occurrence, ceased firing, +but the English gave them no respite, and both parties immediately again +set to work, battering away at each other. Shot after shot struck the +_Tudor_, but the crew kept up their fire with unabated vigour. Murray +had forgotten all about his forebodings of the previous evening; no +sooner had the schooner blown up, than he saw that the chain being left +unprotected it might easily be cut through, and the steamers would thus +be able to pass up the stream, and open a flanking fire on the fort. + +The same idea had occurred to Jack, and he sent Tom on board the +commodore's ship, offering to make the attempt. Murray had, in the +meantime, sent Archy Gordon with a similar offer. Both being accepted, +they pulled away in their gigs towards the chains. Though several shot +came flying by them, and they were exposed to a hot fire of musketry, +they succeeded in reaching the chains. Had the schooner remained, the +attempt would have been hopeless, as her guns with an ample crew had +full command of the spot; but the guns were at the bottom of the river, +and most of her crew had either been blown into the air, or drowned. +Still it was no easy matter to cut through heavy chains. With cold +iron, axes, and hammers, Murray and Jack set to work, and although +bullets were whizzing over them, and every now and then pattered against +the boats, they worked dauntlessly away. + +"There is one cut through, at all events," cried Jack, as he succeeded +at length in severing one of the thick links. Murray had unshackled +another; the third, however, still remained; they both worked away at +it, knowing that before it could be cut through the enemy might bring +down some of their flying artillery, and render their position still +more dangerous; besides which, the sooner the ships could get up the +more quickly would the victory be won. + +"A few more blows, and we shall do it," cried Murray. He was raising +his arm to strike, when he fell back into the hands of Snatchblock, who +was assisting him. + +"Go on, Jack," he exclaimed. "Don't mind me; you will have it through +in another minute." + +Jack, though his heart felt very sad at the thoughts of Murray being +badly wounded, or perhaps killed, laboured away with all his might, +assisted by Needham. + +"We will do it in a few minutes more," cried Jack, bringing down his axe +with tremendous force. + +The chain was at length cut; the boats' crews uttering a loud cheer at +their success, while the vessels which supported it swung to the +current, floating down towards the opposite bank. + +"Give way, now, lads," cried Jack, and the two boats proceeded as fast +as the men could bend to their oars back to the ships. Jack saw Murray +lifted on board and carried below--the surgeon expressed a hope that his +wound was not dangerous, though he had fainted from loss of blood. Jack +had, however, to hasten on board the commodore's ship, to report what +had been done. + +The steamers were immediately ordered to proceed up the river and flank +the batteries. Jack's anxiety was increased by the knowledge that his +ship was greatly exposed, several of her people having fallen, and the +purser having been killed while assisting the surgeon below. + +The French commodore's brig, however, was suffering much more severely, +a shot cutting her cable she dropped astern before another could be +ranged, with upwards of an hundred shot-holes through her sides, ten or +twelve of her people killed, and forty, or more, wounded. The French +and English vessels were now ordered up to place themselves within +musket-shot of the battery, that they might assist the flanking fire of +the steamers. This they did in a most dashing way, receiving a hot fire +in return, when one of the lieutenants of an English vessel was killed. +At length, however, the well-served guns of the squadron produced their +effect; the fire from the batteries began to slacken, some of the guns +being dismounted and the gunners driven from others. The engagement had +now lasted six hours. + +At length, only an occasional shot came from the shore, but still the +enemy's flag continued flying, and the commodore made a signal for the +boats of the squadron to rendezvous alongside his ship, with marines and +bluejackets prepared for landing, to storm the batteries. + +The ships were brought in as close as the water would allow to cover the +landing. The English forces, consisting of an hundred and eighty +bluejackets, and one hundred and forty-five marines were the first on +shore; here they quickly formed. Terence, with two boats' crews from +the _Tudor_, were among them. Desmond had accompanied his uncle; they +were soon afterwards joined by Bevan and Tom with the men from the +_Supplejack_. + +"So we are to have some campaigning," said Tom. "I was afraid my +brother would not let me come, at first, but he thought, as I had +escaped the round and grape shot of the enemy which came rattling on +board, that I should not get into much harm on shore, and I was very +anxious to see the fun." + +While the boats were disembarking the men destined for the attack, the +ships kept up a hot fire over their heads, to prevent the enemy from +rushing down to interrupt them. + +"I suppose the ships will cease firing when we storm the hill, or they +may chance to knock our heads off instead of the enemy," said Desmond. + +"No fear about that," answered Tom. "See, they have knocked off +already. The commodore will give us the signal to advance before long, +depend on that." + +On the crest of the hill a strong force was drawn up to oppose them. +Without waiting for the French the word to advance was given, and +uttering three hearty British cheers, the marines with fixed bayonets +charged up the hill, the bluejackets on their flank. + +They were received with a hot fire of musketry, but the gauchos, brave +as they were, could not stand the bayonets of the marines. As they saw +them coming they took to flight. On one side was a wood in which a body +of the enemy were posted. This was at once attacked by a light company +of seamen, and in a few minutes it was carried; the French landing, +rushed up to the attack of the forts, while the bluejackets pursued the +flying enemy, who now and then, when they found themselves in sufficient +force to make a stand, turned round and fired at their pursuers. Bodies +also of gauchos, who had been hovering in the rear during the action, +came sweeping down, endeavouring to cut off any of their assailants whom +they might find unprepared to receive them. + +Terence, accompanied by the two midshipmen and a small party of seamen, +carried away by their ardour, after having assisted to clear the wood, +were considerably in advance of the main body. The marines were at the +same time in the act of charging a large body of the enemy, who were +again attempting to stand their ground. + +"Halloa! who are these fellows?" cried Tom, pointing in the direction in +which he had seen a large body of the gauchos flourishing their long +lances, as they galloped fiercely forward. + +"They intend to try and cut us down, and so they will if we don't drive +them back with a warm volley," cried Terence. "Prepare to receive +cavalry!" The seamen had been drilled to act as light infantry, and +being armed with muskets and bayonets were well able to use them. On +came the wild horsemen firing their carbines, when, with lances at rest, +they charged full down on the body of seamen. Several saddles were +emptied, but not till they had got close up to the bayonets did they +wheel round, apparently with the intention of retreating. Believing +that they were doing so, the bluejackets rose from their knees, and +imperfectly disciplined as they were for fighting on shore, without +waiting for their officer's orders, rushed forward in pursuit of the +apparently flying enemy. Tom and Gerald, carried away by their ardour, +took the lead, and having only their swords in their hands, got ahead of +the rest. At that moment the horsemen, once more wheeling, charged with +desperate fury against the partly broken square. + +The seamen, however; again rapidly forming, fired a volley which +prevented the gauchos from cutting their way through them. Two of the +gauchos, however, as they came up, threw their lassos over Tom and +Gerald, who were at that moment in the act of springing back to gain the +protection of the bayonets, and greatly to their horror and dismay they +found themselves dragged up on the saddles of the horsemen, who with +their companions galloped off amid the showers of bullets which the +bluejackets sent after them. Among the few who, amid the smoke from the +muskets and the confusion, had seen the midshipmen spirited away, was +Snatchblock. + +"We must get the young reefers back, lads! It won't do to lose them," +he shouted out, and followed by a dozen of the _Supplejack's_ crew, less +accustomed to discipline than the rest, he started off in pursuit. +Terence seeing them going, and not knowing the cause, called them back, +but not hearing him they ran on, hoping to overtake the fleet horsemen. +The gauchos, discovering from the flight of their party in other +directions that the day was lost, continued their flight: had they +turned back, they would probably have cut down the whole of their +pursuers. + +Snatchblock, compelled at length to return, told Adair what had +happened. + +"Rogers and my nephew carried off?" exclaimed Adair. "How did you +fellows come to allow that?" + +"We couldn't help it, sir! indeed we couldn't!" answered Snatchblock. +"There isn't a man among us who wouldn't have given his own life rather +than have let the young gentlemen be carried off by the savages, to be +killed and eaten for what we know, but their horsemen came down upon us +like lightning, and spirited them off before any of us saw what they +were about." + +"Well, well, I am ready to believe that none of you could help it, and I +am sure, Snatchblock, that you would have risked your life to save the +youngsters," said Adair, his rising anger appeased. "They have +themselves alone to blame. We must now see what we can do to get them +back, for the gauchos will look upon them as prizes of too much value to +kill, and though they are savage enough, from all accounts, they are not +addicted to eating men or boys either." + +"That's a comfort, at all events, for I couldn't tell what those wild +chaps might do with the young gentlemen," observed the honest sailor. +"If we might go off in chase, maybe we should come up with them before +long." + +"Without cavalry we shall have no chance of overtaking the gauchos, and +I can only hope that they will not treat their prisoners ill. The lads +have their wits about them; if they have the chance, they will make +their escape," answered Adair. + +"You may trust the young gentlemen for that, sir," said Snatchblock. +The recall being sounded, Adair with his party was compelled to rejoin +the main body; indeed, he saw too clearly that any attempt to rescue the +youngsters would be useless. The only task now to be accomplished by +the seamen and marines was to spike the guns and destroy the batteries, +which being quickly accomplished, they re-embarked. + +The crews of the vessels which had been most severely treated had work +enough to do in stopping shot-holes and refitting the rigging, which had +been considerably cut up. + +Adair on his return having to pass close to the _Supplejack_, went on +board to tell Rogers of the unfortunate loss of the two midshipmen, and +to offer him all the consolation he could. + +"I would rather that anything had happened than that," exclaimed Jack. +"You don't suppose that the gauchos have killed the poor lads?" + +Adair said he hoped from what he had heard that they had not injured +them, and probably supposed that they had made a valuable prize in a +couple of officers. They questioned Snatchblock further as to what he +knew of the affair. + +"I would have given my right hand rather than have had the young +gentleman carried off, sir," he answered. "You see, sir, we did not +expect those horse-fellows would attack us on that side, and we were not +standing in shipshape fashion like the sodgers. Somehow or other also +the young gentlemen were where they should not have been, I'll allow, +and just then down the gauchos pounced upon us, and all in a moment, +before we could sing out, a couple of them whipped their lassos over the +lads' shoulders and hoisted them up on their saddles. You may be sure, +sir, we made all sail after them as fast as we could carry on, but it +was all of no use. The horses' four legs were better than our two, and +we were afraid of firing for fear of hitting the young gentlemen. Maybe +the fellows carried them off to save their own hides." + +Poor Jack felt very unhappy, and at once pulled off to the commodore, to +consult him and some of the other captains as to what was best to be +done. + +"It is only to be hoped that Rosas will not treat them as he is said to +have treated some of his prisoners, and cut off their ears," was the +remark made when Jack told his story. "Of course every effort must be +made to recover the youngsters; and as soon as we can hold any +communication with Rosas, we will send to demand their release, and will +offer to exchange any of his followers who may fall into our hands for +them. In the meantime such private means as are available must be +employed, and you and Mr Adair shall have every possible opportunity +given you of carrying them out. We will think over the matter, and +decide what steps, under the circumstances, it is best to take. The +general, however, has shown no inclination whatever to come to terms; +and not withstanding his defeat, it is evident that he intends to fight +out the quarrel to the bitter end." This was poor consolation to Jack +and Terence, who felt more cut up than they had ever been in their +lives. + +Jack had not, however, forgotten Murray, and as soon as duty would allow +him, he went on board the _Tudor_. He found his old friend able to sit +up at table in his cabin, though looking pale and ill from loss of +blood, and certainly more fit to be in his cot. + +"You see, Jack, that my forebodings are partly realised," he said, as +his old shipmate entered; "at all events, had the bullet struck me the +sixteenth of an inch on either side my wound would have been fatal. I +am afraid, from what the doctor says, that it may be some time before I +am fit for active duty, and he advises me to apply to be superseded, and +to go home." + +Jack of course hoped that the doctor was wrong, and that Murray would be +able to remain out till the affair on which they had been sent had been +brought to a satisfactory issue. + +"But you look unusually grave, Rogers; has anything happened?" + +Jack told him all about Tom and Gerald's loss. Murray of course +heartily sympathised with him, and expressed his fears, as his other +friends had done, that it would be a hard matter to get the youngsters +back. He suggested, however, that Jack should try and get hold of some +natives, who might communicate with them, and perhaps assist them to +escape. + +The suggestion gave him some consolation, as offering a means of +recovering the lads. + +"Don't be cramped in your efforts for want of money," said Murray. +"Bribery with these fellows will go a long way, and you know that my +purse is always at your service, and never more so than on this +occasion." + +"I know it, Alick," answered Jack. "Depend on it, if I can fall in with +any natives, I will try what bribery can do with them; and if my own +means are insufficient, I will come to you." + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. + +EFFORTS MADE TO RECOVER THE MIDSHIPMEN--MURRAY SAILS FOR ENGLAND--AN +OFFER FROM A NATIVE TO RECOVER THE MIDSHIPMEN--THE FLEET ASCENDS THE +PARANA--THE SUPPLEJACK SENT IN SEARCH OF THE ENEMY'S VESSELS--CHASES A +SCHOONER UP A RIVER--NEEDHAM CAUGHT IN A TRAP--BOAT EXPEDITION--SCHOONER +BLOWS UP, AND JACK IS BLOWN UP WITH HER--RETURN--NO NEWS OF THE +MIDSHIPMEN--THE SUPPLEJACK COMMENCES VOYAGE UP THE PARANA. + +Jack keenly felt the loss of his brother Tom. What might be his and +Desmond's fate it was impossible to say, though he could not suppose +that the gauchos, savage as they were supposed to be, would put the two +young midshipmen to death. He and Adair had for several days made vain +attempts to gain information about them. + +Their captors might by this time be hundreds of miles away. All they +could learn was that the troops of Rosas, having entirely abandoned Fort +Obligado, had retreated to a distance. Jack, too, heard that Murray was +certainly to be sent home in the _Tudor_, and for the sake of his friend +he was glad of this, but he then should lose the assistance of Adair in +his endeavours to recover Tom and Desmond. + +He was seated in his cabin one evening after the work of the day was +over, with his head resting on his hands--a very unusual position for +him--when Lieutenant Adair was announced. + +"Beg him to come below," answered Jack, and Adair entered the cabin. + +"I am glad to say, my dear Jack, that I am to remain out here instead of +taking the corvette home, which, for Murray's sake as well as my own, I +should have naturally wished to do; but besides wishing to see the end +of this affair with Rosas, I should have been excessively unwilling to +leave the country till we can get back our young scapegraces. I wish we +could see Murray looking as if he was in a fair way to recover. Still +the doctors say he will do well, and the thought of again meeting with +his lady-love will, I hope, assist to bring him round. He expects to +find her in England, though I fancy that he has not heard from her since +we came out here." + +"I am indeed glad that you are to remain," said Jack. "What ship are +you to join?" + +"I am appointed to the commodore's ship, but I have received directions +to serve under your orders on board the _Supplejack_, which I assure you +gives me infinite satisfaction, as I have hopes that you and I, by +putting our heads together, may devise some plan for the recovery of the +youngsters." + +Jack of course said how glad he was. + +"When does the _Tudor_ sail?" he asked. + +"As soon as the wind will allow her," said Adair. + +"At all events, I will go on board early to-morrow morning to see +Murray," said Jack. "The worst of it is that I must, of course, send a +letter by him; and yet I scarcely like to write home with the +unsatisfactory intelligence I have to give. However, they will be more +anxious and alarmed if they do not hear, so I must tell the whole truth, +and express my hopes that we shall recover the youngsters before long." + +"I must write the same to my poor sister Nora," observed Terence. "I +was half inclined to say nothing at all about the matter; but as it is +certain to get into the papers, the poor woman will see it and be +troubling herself about her boy, and fancying that she is never to see +him again. For my part, I feel sure, however, that the youngsters will +turn up somewhere or other; as it is my firm conviction, from +experience, that a midshipman has as many lives as a cat, or, +considering the immense trouble most youngsters take to expend +themselves, there would be no superior officers in the service." + +"What is the squadron to do next? have you heard?" asked Jack. + +"To proceed up the Parana to Santa Fe de Baxadar, and to convoy down a +fleet of merchantmen which Rosas has shut up there," answered Adair. +"Whether or not he will let us pass peaceably up is the question. He +has still got plenty of light artillery, which will prove excessively +troublesome to us, as they can fire from the top of the cliffs right +down on our decks, and, as we may probably be peppered pretty severely +for the greater part of the way, it will not be altogether an amusing +expedition, though we may get plenty `of the bubble reputation, e'en at +the cannon's mouth.' Anything, however, is better than idleness." + +"We are not likely out here to meet with much besides fighting to amuse +us," observed Jack. "However, I am thankful to find that you are to +join the brig, and am much obliged to the commodore for it." + +The two old shipmates sat talking for some time, and as soon as Terence +returned to the corvette, Jack took out his writing materials and +indited his letter for home. He made as light of Tom's capture as +possible, and spoke as if it was certain that he and Desmond would find +their way back again before many days were over. He begged that his +father would find out Murray through Admiral Triton, and from him learn +where the Bradshaws, with Miss O'Regan, were staying, that his family +might pay them any attention in their power; he expressed a hope that, +after the Parana business was over, he himself should be sent home, and +bring back Tom safe and sound. + +He tried to make his letter appear cheerful, but in reality he never in +his life before felt so much out of spirits. + +Next morning he took it on board the _Tudor_ and wished Murray farewell. + +"You will do well, depend on it, Alick," he said. "You already look +better, and we shall meet again before long in old England." + +Murray smiled faintly; his wound was painful, though the surgeon assured +him that it was going on favourably. The officer who was to supersede +Adair having come on board the corvette, the latter accompanied Jack +back to the brig. + +He received an order directly afterwards to proceed in search of a +schooner, supposed to be in one of the numerous passages which carries +the waters of the Parana into the River Plate. + +"It is very well to say go, but we must get a breeze first," said Jack. + +A breeze soon afterwards got up, but it came from the wrong direction; +it was, however, favourable for the _Tudor_, and Jack and Terence +watched her as her sails were let fall, and she glided away down the +river. They would for many reasons have liked to have been on board +her. Few men, after having spent several years on a foreign station, +can look without concern on a homeward-bound ship, which carries away +friends and acquaintances, while they themselves are left behind. + +Their chief regret was, however, that Tom and Gerald had not been +recovered before she sailed. + +Previous to this, numerous merchantmen had been for some time collecting +at the mouth of the river, awaiting the convoy of the men-of-war up the +Parana. They now lay at anchor together, forming a large fleet, with +the flags of all nations flying from their peaks, while fresh arrivals +came gliding up to an anchorage, and boats were pulling about in all +directions. + +Jack and Terence employed the interval in visiting the shore, for the +purpose of finding some one who would undertake to search for the +midshipmen, and endeavour to obtain their liberation or assist them to +escape. + +They could not, however, be long absent from the brig, as a breeze might +spring up, and not a moment was to be lost in looking after the Buenos +Ayrian schooner. + +They ran some risk in going on shore of being cut off by the enemy, who +might possibly pounce upon them. The country people, however, very +frequently came down to the beach with their provisions, for which they +were sure to obtain a good price, and the two lieutenants hoped that +through their means they might find some person willing to undertake the +task about which they were so anxious. + +At length, one evening after the market-people had taken their +departure, just as they were about to step into their boat, a +dark-skinned man, with a coloured poncho over his shoulder, leathern +leggings, and a broad-brimmed hat, made his appearance from behind a +bank, and fearlessly came up to them. Though both Jack and Terence by +this time spoke a little Spanish, they could not clearly understand him; +they made out, however, that he wished to accompany them on board the +ship, and that he had some information of importance to give. + +"Well, step in, my friend," said Jack. "We will hear what you have got +to say as we pull on board." + +By degrees they made out that he had heard of their inquiries about the +two young midshipmen, and that he was willing to try and recover them, +provided he was sufficiently rewarded; he confessed that he had lost his +last real in gambling, and, being a ruined man, he set but little value +on his life, or that he certainly would not have offered to undertake +the task. As he only demanded a hundred dollars, they very willingly +promised him the sum. + +"And who have we the honour of addressing?" asked Jack. + +"Jose Gonzalves, an hidalgo of pure blood," answered the fellow, drawing +himself up with an attempted exhibition of dignity. "Circumstances have +brought me into my present condition." + +"Your purity of blood does not much matter to us, Don Jose Gonzalves, +provided you bring back these young officers," answered Jack. "What +means have you for carrying out your plan?" + +"My own talent and perseverance," replied the Don, in a self-satisfied +tone. + +"Well, we must trust to that," remarked Jack. "How soon can you +commence the undertaking?" + +"When I can be landed at a spot some miles higher up the river. I must +depend on you for carrying me there." + +This was a disappointment to Jack and Terence, who thought that the man +would at once have set out; but he explained that General Rosas had +moved away to the northward, and that the young officers would have +certainly been carried in that direction. + +Just as they reached the deck of the brig, the long-wished-for breeze +setting in, Jack gave the order to make sail. + +The anchor had not left the ground, when a boat from the commodore's +ship came alongside, with a despatch for him. His directions were to +hunt down any of the enemy's vessels he could hear of, and then to +follow the squadron, which was on the point of proceeding up the river. + +The signal for the fleet to weigh was already flying from the +commodore's masthead, the steamers were getting up their steam, dense +volumes of smoke issuing from their funnels, from the yards of the +sailing-vessels folds upon folds of snowy canvas were being let fall in +all directions, while the boats which had been absent were hurrying back +to their respective ships. Two or three men-of-war alone were left at +the mouth of the river, to prevent any of the enemy's vessels from +escaping, and to keep up the communication with the admiral at Monte +Video. + +"Come, this is something like work; I wish we were among them," +exclaimed Terence; "they will have rare fun going up the river." + +"Our turn will come, depend on that," answered Jack; "Rosas is not +likely to let us pass without giving us a taste of his flying +artillery." + +The _Supplejack_ was some hours in reaching the mouth of the river, in +which it was reported that one of the enemy's vessels, a schooner, had +taken refuge. Darkness soon coming on, Jack was obliged to anchor, and +await for daylight to proceed up it. A sharp lookout was kept, however, +to prevent any vessel from passing down during the night, without his +knowledge. + +Two boats were in the water alongside, and their crews, with cutlasses +in their hands, and pistols in their belts, were ready to start at a +moment's notice. The night was calm and clear, and the shores on either +hand could be distinguished with the dark line of the forest, which +extended down to the water. Silence reigned over the scene, though it +was occasionally broken by strange cries which came out from among the +tall trees, probably the death-shriek of some animal, seized by a +prowling jaguar or puma. + +Jack and Terence got all the information they could out of Jose +Gonzalves, who had been frequently up the river, and felt pretty certain +as to the locality where the schooner was likely to be found. + +The brig was brought up in a bay or bend of the river, a point running +out ahead, and concealing her from any vessel coming down the stream +till close upon her. This was a disadvantage in one respect, as an +approaching enemy could not, for the same cause, be seen from the +_Supplejack_, and only a short time, therefore, could be allowed for +getting under weigh. Jack had given orders that the bell should not be +struck, lest, should the schooner, or any other vessel, attempt to slip +out, it might give notice of the vicinity of the brig. + +Jack and Terence had turned in just about the commencement of the +morning watch. Needham, who was on the lookout, observed beyond the +point above the trees a white spot, on which the light of the moon, just +then emerging from behind a cloud, shone brightly. Guessing at once, +that it was the head of the schooner's fore-topgallant-sail, he sent to +call the commander. Jack and Terence were on deck in an instant; the +latter jumped into one of the boats and pulled across the stream to +intercept the stranger, while Jack ordered the anchor to be got up, and +sail to be made. The wind came off from the shore on the starboard +side, so that though the schooner might manage to get out, the brig +could also make her way up the stream. + +"We shall catch her now, at all events--she is trapped," said Jack to +Needham. The schooner's jib was seen coming round the point, which she +was compelled to hug closely. Jack might have done better by remaining +at anchor, as the schooner would not have so soon discovered the foe +lying in wait for her. Directly the brig was perceived she put up her +helm, and, quickly easing off her mainsheet, ran again up the river with +the wind on her starboard quarter. Jack had to wait some time to pick +up his boat, when making all sail, he stood after the schooner, with no +little risk of getting on shore, though Jose Gonzalves affirmed that he +knew every inch of ground. The lead, however, was kept going, and Jack +hoped by keeping as much as possible in the middle of the stream to +avoid such a catastrophe. + +The chase had had a good start, and now getting into a reach where the +wind blew right aft, she was able to set studding-sails, when being very +light, she ran through the water even faster than before. She was too +directly ahead to enable Jack to fire "Long Tom" at her, unless he yawed +considerably. He got, however, at last to the end of a reach, which +brought the schooner on his port bow. Needham had been eagerly on the +watch for the opportunity. The shot flew through the lower sails of the +chase, but no spars were carried away, and she stood on, rapidly +increasing her distance from her pursuer. + +There was great risk, however, that at any moment the brig might take +the ground. Still Jack felt that it would not do to let the prize, +almost within his grasp, escape; the wind might draw ahead or drop, and +he might take her with the boats. But instead of falling, the breeze +rather freshened and continued to favour the chase. + +Dawn at length appeared, and as the light increased, the dangers of the +navigation somewhat lessened. Three more shots were fired from "Long +Tom." The first struck the chase, but what damage it did could not be +ascertained, while the second scarcely touched her, and the third fell +considerably short. It was evidently of no use to fire again. Still as +long as the chase could be kept in sight Jack had hopes of coming up +with her, or at all events of discovering into what creek or passage she +might run. Having the advantage of being able to make short cuts by +channels through which the brig could not venture, she got farther and +farther ahead, till she could only just be discerned in the far distance +up the river, the dark trees appearing almost to close her in. As the +sun rose the wind began to die away, the channel became narrower and +narrower. At last it became perfectly calm, the brig was brought to an +anchor. + +"We must not let her escape," cried Jack. "Out boats, and as the wind +will no longer help her we shall find her before long." + +Three boats were at once manned, Jack, Terence, and Needham going in +them while Bevan remained in charge of the brig. + +Jose Gonzalves declined accompanying the expedition, on the plea that +should a reverse be met with, he would be knocked on the head by his +countrymen, which would have undoubtedly been the case, so Jack was +obliged to dispense with his services. The men gave way with a will, +hoping soon to overtake the chase. They pulled on, however, for some +time without again catching sight of her. + +Although the shore offered abundant shelter to an enemy they were +allowed to pass without opposition, and concluded therefore that no +force of armed men was in the neighbourhood. A sharp lookout was kept +on either hand for any opening into which the schooner might have made +her way. + +At last they reached the mouth of a narrow channel which, perhaps, +connected the river they were on with some other stream, or it might, +they thought, possibly be a river falling into the first. It was a +question whether the schooner had gone up it, and on the chance of her +having done so, Needham volunteered to explore it, while the other two +boats pulled up the main stream. Jack was at first unwilling to let him +go, lest he might be overpowered. At last, however, he consented, +ordering him not to attack the schooner, but should he catch sight of +her to return immediately and follow the other boats with the +information. Jack and Terence accordingly continued their course, while +Needham pulled up the channel. + +Jack did not believe that the schooner would have ventured into so +narrow a place, and he fully hoped before long to catch sight of her. +The two boats pulled on for nearly half an hour; the channel, as they +advanced, narrowing, till the lieutenants became convinced that the +schooner could not without wind have got so far ahead. They accordingly +pulled round, being now satisfied that she must have gone up the channel +into which Needham had entered. They had almost reached the mouth of it +when distant shots were heard; the next instant there came the sound of +regular volleys, fired in quick succession. + +"Needham must have fallen into a trap, I fear," said Jack, "we must +hurry to his assistance. Give way, my lads!" + +The men needed no urging, and in a few minutes they were entering the +channel. Though narrower at the mouth, after they had gone some way up +it widened, and on sounding, they found that there was water enough for +a far larger vessel than the schooner. The sound of the firing now +became more distinct; then it ceased. It was too probable that Needham +had been cut off, and he and his boat's crew destroyed. + +Still Jack and Terence, though they might be exposed to a similar +danger, felt it was their duty to go on and ascertain the fact. Jack +was standing up in the sternsheets, so that he might obtain as far a +view as possible up the river, when he caught sight of a boat in the +distance. + +On she came towards them. + +"Hurrah! that must be Needham," he said. + +"No doubt about it," answered Terence. + +In a short time Needham's boat reached them. The splintered oars, and +the white marks along the gunwales and sides, showed the danger to which +they had been exposed; though of all her crew, only two had been +wounded. Needham said that he had pulled on, not meeting with a human +being, and had begun to doubt that the schooner had gone up the channel, +when he suddenly saw her, her sails furled, and close in with the shore, +apparently being towed, either by men or horses, along the bank. He had +gone on some little way further to ascertain this, when several shots +were fired at him, and as there was no object to gain by going farther, +he had pulled round and began to make the best of his way down the +river. Immediately he did so, a whole volley was fired at him from one +side, and directly after a second came peppering him from the other. He +now discovered that he had been caught in an ambush, but as yet, no one +having been killed, he hoped to get out of it. The men at the oars +pulled away lustily, while the others returned the fire, and, as they +believed, knocked over several fellows who incautiously showed +themselves. After running the gauntlet for five or six minutes, they +got out of range of the enemy's muskets, and had since been unmolested, +neither had they seen any one on the banks. Jack and Terence were +unwilling to lose the chase, now that she appeared almost within their +grasp, and yet they felt that it would be imprudent to expose their men +and themselves to the fire of the numerous enemies posted under cover. + +"It will not do to give her up, though!" exclaimed Terence; "let us ask +Needham what he thinks." Jack put the question. + +"Well, sir, to my mind, we may have her, and yet run no risk," was the +answer. "I know the way up the river, and it's not likely that she has +got very far from where I saw her. Now, if we wait till dark, we may +pull up with muffled oars, and as I do not think the enemy will expect +us, we may be up to her before they find us out. The moon won't rise +for the next four hours, and we shall have time to board, and get her +under weigh before then. The breeze, you see, is setting down the +channel, and if it holds as at present, we shall have an easy job, or if +she should take the ground, and we find that we cannot get her off, we +can but set her on fire, and so have done with her." + +Jack and Terence thought Needham's plan a good one, and resolved to +carry it out, trusting to his sagacity to pilot them up to where they +hoped to find the schooner. + +A short distance off was a high bank which projected some way into the +channel. As the trees which grew on it hung over the water it would +afford shelter to the boats, and the men while there might take some +refreshment, and snatch a couple of hours' sleep. They accordingly +pulled in, and found that the place fully answered their expectations. +Jack was too wise, however, not to take precaution against surprise. He +and Terence having landed, fixed on four spots at which they posted +sentries, armed with muskets and cutlasses, leaving orders with them to +fire should the enemy appear, and then to retreat to the boats. They +had been so carefully concealed among the boughs, that even should any +one pass up or down the channel, Jack felt sure that they were not +likely to be discovered. Biscuit and beef, with grog, having been +served out, the rest of the men lay down along the thwarts or at the +bottom of the boats, to enjoy such rest as could be found. Jack and +Terence, however, sat up; they were too anxious about the success of the +expedition to sleep, indeed they rather doubted whether they were wise +in venturing up the narrow channel, through which they might possibly +have to run the gauntlet on their return, between two fires from a +vastly superior number of foes. + +"We have often had to encounter far greater dangers," observed Terence. + +"Yes, but then we did not knowingly run into them," said Jack, "and that +makes all the difference." + +Still neither of them liked to abandon the enterprise, they calculated +that half an hour would carry them up to the schooner, and little more +than that time, supposing the breeze should hold, would enable them to +get clear of the channel. + +"It won't take us many minutes to capture her, so we need not allow much +time for that," observed Jack. "We may give the men, at all events, +nearly three hours' rest." + +Three hours went slowly by; at last they roused up the crew, called in +the sentries, and shoved off. The oars were muffled as proposed, and by +keeping in the centre of the channel they hoped not to be heard by the +enemy, though, of course, they ran the risk of being seen should any one +be on the lookout. No lights were, however, observed on the shore, or +anything to indicate that the banks were inhabited; indeed, the +brushwood came close down to the water. Needham, acting as pilot, led +the way, Jack's boat came next, and Terence brought up the rear. + +Except the usual cry of the nightbirds and the quacking of frogs, which +issued from the forest, no sound broke the silence which brooded over +the water. The current was very slight, and scarcely impeded their +progress. Never did a half-hour appear so long. Jack strained his +eyes, hoping every instant to catch sight of the schooner, but Needham +pulled on steadily, as if he knew that she was still some way ahead. At +length Jack observed that his oars ceased to move, and he accordingly +pulled up alongside his boat. + +"There she is, sir," he whispered. "I can just catch sight of her +fore-topgallant-mast against the sky, over the trees." Jack +communicated the information to Terence, and then, silently as before, +they pulled on. Were the crew of the schooner asleep, or had they +abandoned her? In either case her capture would be easy. Closer and +closer they got, till they could all see her with perfect distinctness, +her yards across, and her sails bent. For a moment or two Jack expected +to receive her broadside, or to have a volley of musketry opened on the +boats. No movement, however, was perceived on board. He now took the +lead, directing Adair to pull for the bow, and Needham for the quarter, +while he intended to board her by the main chains. + +It was evident that they were not expected. The boats' crews gave way +altogether. Jack was the first alongside; he quickly sprang on deck, +followed by his men; Adair and Needham were a few seconds behind him. +Scarcely had he gained the deck, than, looking down the main hatchway, +he observed a bright light, a stilling column of smoke issuing +immediately afterwards. + +"Back, all of you! Back to the boats!" he shouted, and was in the act +of springing after his men, who were jumping over the sides, when he +felt his feet lifted up, and an instant afterwards he found himself in +the water, amid fragments of wreck, several fathoms from the vessel, +from every part of which bright flames were fiercely bursting forth. A +few strokes carried him alongside his boat, and, his voice being heard +by his men, he was speedily hauled on hoard. + +"Is any one hurt?" was his first question. + +"No, sir, only a little scratch or two," was the satisfactory answer. + +The part of the deck blown up had fortunately been carried right over +the boat. The explosion had probably been produced by a small quantity +of gunpowder. "Had there been more of it my career would have been cut +short," thought Jack. He heard Adair and Needham inquiring for him. + +"All right," he answered. "The rascals intended to play us a scurvy +trick; but they have been disappointed, though we shall lose our prize." + +The schooner was now burning fiercely from stem to stern; the flames +wreathing like snakes round her masts, having already reached her spars, +compelled the boats to pull to a distance to avoid the risk of being +crushed by them should they fall. + +The instant they got beyond the shelter of the vessel, a volley of +musketry was fired at them from the shore, the flames casting a bright +light around, exposing them to view; the glare, however, at the same +time, showing them their enemies, standing on an open space at the top +of a bank, they apparently forgetting that they could be seen as well as +see. + +Jack's boat, which carried a six-pounder in her bow, pulling round, he +fired with good effect into their midst, while the other boats opened +with musketry. Several of the enemy were knocked over, and the rest +scampered off under cover, a few of them firing, however, as soon as +they could reload from behind their shelter. + +"There is very little honour or glory to be obtained by stopping to be +peppered by these fellows," observed Adair. + +Jack agreed with him, and, giving the order to pull round, he setting +the example, away went the boats down the channel. A few shots whistled +by them as long as they remained within the glare of the blazing vessel. +As she was already so much burnt, that even had the Spaniards succeeded +in putting out the flames she would have been utterly useless, Jack did +not think it worth while to remain to see what became of her. Even +after they had got a considerable way down the passage they could see a +bright glare in the sky, which showed them that she was still burning, +and must inevitably be destroyed. + +Adair congratulated his messmate on his escape. "Faith! my dear Jack, I +thought for a moment that you had been shot into the other world, and +that I should have had to take command of the _Supplejack_," he +exclaimed. "Believe me, however, it would have been the most +unsatisfactory event in my life." + +"I am very sure of that," answered Jack. "It's a mercy, however, that +no one was killed, though some of the men, I fear, have been severely +hurt." + +"Yes, two or three were struck by splinters when the schooner blew up, +and twice as many have been wounded by the bullets," said Adair. "The +sooner the poor fellows' hurts can be looked to the better." + +Jack agreed with him, and the boats were accordingly steered for the +bank under which they had before brought up. + +Jack, recollecting that he was in an enemy's country, did not neglect to +place sentries on shore as before. The lanterns were then lit, and the +hurts of the people as carefully bound up as circumstances would allow. +Two men in Needham's boat were suffering from wounds, while four in +Jack's had been more or less hurt. One man had his hat carried off and +his hair singed by the explosion, though he had otherwise escaped. + +As it was important to get back to the brig as soon as possible after +provisions and grog had been served out, the boats recommenced their +downward passage. The current being in their favour, and daylight soon +appearing, the work was much easier, as they had no difficulty in +finding their way. Jack, however, could not help feeling some anxiety +lest the brig, left with so few hands on board, might have been attacked +during his absence, though he was very sure, should such have been the +case, that Bevan would make a good fight of it. His mind was relieved +when he came in sight of her, and saw the British ensign flying at her +peak; the boats were soon alongside, and the wounded placed under the +care of McTavish. + +Bevan informed him that Jose Gonzalves had gone on shore to obtain +information, and that he expected him off every instant. This provoked +Jack not a little, as the wind was fair, and though pretty well knocked +up, he was anxious to get under weigh immediately. He was unwilling, +however, to go without the man, as he hoped that he might be of use in +recovering Tom and Gerald, though he sometimes doubted how far he could +carry out his promises; indeed, he had his suspicions that Mr Jose +might be a spy, and was as likely to carry information to Rosas as to +help the midshipmen to escape. + +"If we lose the breeze, we cannot tell how long we may be detained +here," he exclaimed, as he impatiently walked the deck. "We will give +him another hour, however; if he does not then appear we must sail +without him." + +The cable, in the meantime, was hove short, the topsails loosed and +every preparation made for getting under weigh. + +The hour had nearly passed, when Bevan exclaimed, "I see him, sir, at +the end of the point. He is waving his handkerchief, as agreed on." + +A boat was accordingly despatched, and Jose came on board. + +He excused himself by saying that he had fallen in with some people whom +he took to be enemies, and that he had to conceal himself till they +passed by. + +"And what information do you bring us?" asked Jack. + +"That another schooner and two gunboats have been destroyed, to prevent +them from falling into the hands of your countrymen, and that not +another vessel belonging to General Rosas remains afloat," answered +Jose. + +This was satisfactory news, as Jack now considered that he might carry +out the second part of his instructions and proceed up the Parana, to +rejoin the squadron already some way ahead, searching for Tom and Gerald +as he went along. The anchor was hove up, sail was made, and with a +fair breeze he ran out of the river. He had not got far when he fell in +with her Majesty's sloop of war, _Dashaway_, which had just come from +Monte Video, and from her he received despatches from the commodore. + +He was still some distance below the place where Jose had desired to be +put on shore. His patience was to be tried still further. After he had +run on about twenty miles it fell calm, and he was compelled to bring up +not far from Punta Obligado. + +Completely knocked up, he and Terence at last turned in, desiring to be +called should the wind change, or any occurrence of importance take +place. + +"At all events, Rosas must have had fighting enough for the present, and +his people will not venture to attack us," observed Terence, as they +went below. "If they do, we must let Long Tom speak to them in return," +answered Jack, as he threw himself on his bed. In half a minute he was +fast asleep. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. + +THE SUPPLEJACK PROCEEDS UP THE PARANA--FIRED AT FROM THE SHORE--MEET +WITH FRIENDLY NATIVES--JOSE GOES IN SEARCH OF THE MIDSHIPMEN--RETURNS +WITH TIDINGS OF THEM--JOSE LEFT BEHIND--THE BRIG SAILS ON--FIRED AT FROM +THE SHORE--PASSING BATTERIES UNDER A HEAVY FIRE--THE BRIG FREQUENTLY +STRUCK--SEVERAL PEOPLE KILLED AND WOUNDED--GETS CLEAR AT LAST. + +The night was calm, the brig lay on the Entre Rios shore, the +inhabitants of which were friendly. Tall trees clothed the bank, +towering high above her masts, while on the southern shore scarcely a +tree was to be seen. A mist hung over the water, and, though the stars +shone brightly from the sky overhead, partly obscured that side of the +river, and rendered the night darker than usual. Jack and Terence had +enjoyed a couple of hours of sound sleep, "not idling their time over +it," as Adair observed, when the sound of a gun made them both leap out +of their berths. It was followed by another and another. The next +moment Bevan came down. + +"They are firing at us, sir, from the shore," he said. "Shall we return +it?" + +"Not till the shots come unpleasantly near," answered Jack. "The flash +of our guns might show them the proper range, which at present they do +not appear to have got. Turn up the hands, but show no lights." + +Meantime the enemy continued firing, the shot occasionally passing close +ahead or astern. At last one cut the fore-topmast-stay, a second +whistled between the masts, two others followed at a short distance +ahead. + +"They have got the range now," cried Jack; "it is time to reply to +them." + +Long Tom was brought to bear on the spot whence the flashes proceeded, +for the guns themselves could not be seen. His first bark, as Needham +called it, was replied to by several shots, but they did no damage. + +"Depress the gun slightly; that shot went over them," said Jack. + +Long Tom gave a second bark; no reply came; a third and fourth followed. +It was evident that the shot had told with considerable effect, and +that the enemy had thought it wiser to beat a retreat. + +"We have done with them at present," observed Jack; "but we shall +probably have a good deal of this sort of work going up the river. The +rockets with which we have been supplied will come into play, I +suspect." + +"At all events the trip is not likely to be a dull one," observed Adair; +"I only wish that we had the youngsters on board." + +As there appeared no probability of the brig being again attacked, the +guns were secured, and the watch below turned in. Of course, every +possible care was kept to prevent surprise, should the enemy venture to +make another attack; which was not, however, at all likely to occur. + +The next morning the wind again set up the river, and the _Supplejack_ +continued her course. No enemy appeared, but occasionally a few country +people were seen on the banks, who seemed, simply from curiosity, to be +watching the brig as she glided by. + +A vigilant lookout was kept, on the bare possibility that the midshipmen +might have made their escape, and gained the bank, in the hopes of being +taken off by any passing vessel. Jose, however, was still confident +that they had been carried off to the north, and were not likely to be +found in that part of the country. + +The current being strong, and the wind light, the _Supplejack_ made but +slow progress. At last she reached a place at which Jose had desired to +be landed; he had friends in the neighbourhood, he said, and felt +confident that he should gain tidings of the midshipmen. + +The river was here wide, and as she kept close on the opposite shore, +even should the enemy appear their field-pieces were not likely to do +much harm to the brig. The wind had again fallen, and the delay, +indeed, had there not been an important object to be obtained, could not +have been avoided. Farther on, where the river narrowed at Rosario, +Jose told them that they might expect to meet with considerable +opposition. Perhaps that was his reason for not desiring to accompany +them further. As soon as the brig had brought up, a boat was lowered, +and Adair conveyed their very doubtful friend to the shore. He took ten +men, armed with muskets, beside the crew, in case the boat should be +attacked. + +"Set your mind at ease on that point," said Jose "they are my friends +hereabouts, and bear no enmity to the English." + +As the boat approached, several country people were seen coming down the +steep bank with fowls and vegetables, which they were perfectly ready to +sell. Jose was recognised by several persons, who seemed surprised at +seeing him, but he had a talk with them, after which they became +thoroughly friendly and willing to communicate information. Terence +learnt from them that the squadron had passed up, and had already got +considerably higher than Rosario, where Jose had told Jack that he might +expect to be attacked. + +"Probably Rosas, after the lesson he received at Obligado, is unwilling +again to interfere with us," thought Terence. "Perhaps, however, he +expects by allowing us to pass up, to catch us all in a net, and so +prevent our return. If he does that same he will find that he is +mistaken, and that he has not yet learnt what British seamen are made +of." + +Terence, with his stock of fresh provisions, was heartily welcomed on +board. He and Jack only hoped that they might be detained for want of +wind where they were till the return of Jose, with any information he +might collect; they had agreed at all events to wait for him till the +following morning. He was, he had said, certain that Rosas must have +passed either through the village, or at no great distance from the +river, and he hoped to hear that the young midshipmen had been seen with +his troops. + +Next morning at daybreak, Terence taking the same precaution as before, +returned to the shore. He had not been there long before several +country people appeared, but nothing was seen of Jose Gonzalves. Adair, +after waiting some time, began to fear that he had either been captured, +or was playing them false. He was about to return on board, to let the +men have their breakfasts, when the spy was seen, his horse, in a foam, +galloping down the hill towards the boat. + +"Any news of the young officers?" asked Adair, eagerly. + +"Yes, senor, important news. They were alive a week ago, and though I +don't know what the general might have done with them, had his anger +been aroused, they were not ill-treated, but I find that they made their +escape at the time I mention, and have not since been heard of. I am +afraid, therefore," and Jose shook his head, "that they may have been +overtaken by some of the gaucho cavalry, who would not scruple to run +them through with their lances, or they may have been seized by a +jaguar, and we have not a few man-eaters in these parts, fierce +creatures, who would quickly put an end to a couple of lads. Not long +since one leaped on board a vessel moored to the banks, and carried off +a man asleep on the deck; there is no telling what they will not do, or, +if the young officers have escaped the gauchos and jaguars, they may +have wandered far away from any habitation, and have been starved to +death. The country people would not hurt them, and would provide them +with food, but as I say, I have been unable to obtain any further +tidings of them, which makes me fear the worst." + +"Well, come on board, and give your information to the commander; we +will then consult what is to be done," said Adair; "you have taken a +great deal of trouble without having gained your reward." + +Jose shrugged his shoulders. "Paciencia, senor, I am an unfortunate +man, I know, but if you will excuse me, I will continue the search; it +is possible, that none of the accidents I have mentioned may have +happened to the young officers, and perhaps they are hiding in some +rancho, or have managed to find subsistence by themselves. You +Englishmen do wondrous things, only as they have no guns, and cannot, I +conclude, use a lasso, even if they have one, they will have been unable +to catch game, or obtain any other food." + +Terence, after due consideration, seeing that there would be no great +use in taking Jose with him, and that he might be of more service by +remaining on shore, returned on board with the unsatisfactory +information, as he believed it, which he had obtained. + +"As to its being unsatisfactory, I am not so sure of that," observed +Jack. "As the lads escaped being killed at first, and were not, as Jose +said, ill-treated, we may hope that they have found the means of +supporting themselves in their wanderings, and that they have either +made their way back to Obligado, or have reached the banks of the river. +As they decidedly have their wits about them, they may have found +subsistence where others might have starved. Indeed, as I think of it, +though you have to share my anxiety, I cannot help feeling glad that +Desmond was with Tom; had he been alone, the case would have been +different. Youngsters may occasionally lead one another into scrapes, +but they are as sure to help each other out of them." + +The calm still continued, and thus a longer time was given to Jose to +continue his search for the midshipmen. In the afternoon smoke was seen +in the distance, up the river; Jack guessing that it proceeded from the +funnel of a steamer, sent Terence in a boat to intercept her and learn +the news. + +She brought the satisfactory intelligence that the squadron had reached +Baxadar de Santa Fe without molestation, with their convoy of +merchantmen, of which there were upwards of one hundred sail, collected +off the place. + +The commodore had gone up the river some hundred miles farther, to +Corrientes, the capital of the province of that name, to communicate +with the government on diplomatic matters. The town is situated near +the spot where the river Paraguay falls into the Parna. + +"At first it was believed that Rosas, after the lesson which had just +been given him at Obligado, would not venture to interfere with us +again, and would be ready to sue for peace," observed the commander of +the steamer. "But he has made us no overtures, and from the information +we have gained he seems as determined as at first to hold out." + +"I suppose there is but little chance of our being molested, however, as +we go up?" said Adair. + +"I am not quite so certain of that," was the answer. "Rosas thinks he +has got us in a trap; and as I passed the cliffs of San Lorenzo I +observed a large number of men assembled, who quickly got out of the way +as I came within shot of them; they were evidently at work throwing up +batteries, and had their guns been ready, depend on it they would not +have allowed me to pass so easily; I can promise that you will not get +up without some warm work, here and there." + +"Well, we must be prepared for them," said Adair; "we have a good supply +of rockets, and our carronades will pepper them with grape and canister, +while Long Tom will play his part as he always does." + +"I would advise you not to expose your men more than you can help," +observed the commander of the steamer; "a sailing vessel would have but +a poor chance when going up the river, should the wind fail her under a +battery." + +"We must run it at all events;" and wishing his friend goodbye, Adair +returned on board with the information he had gained. + +The calm still continued; but as a breeze might at any moment spring up, +Jack and he anxiously looked out for Jose. They were indeed in a hurry +to recommence the ascent of the river, for the longer they delayed, the +greater risk they ran of being attacked. + +The sun set, and still Jose had not made his appearance. Jack was just +going below when Needham came aft. No one had showed more anxiety about +the midshipmen than he had. + +"It has come into my mind, sir, that if the young gentlemen are anywhere +hereabouts they may have caught sight of the brig, and will be trying to +make their way down to the shore abreast of us. If you will give me +leave to take the jollyboat, I will pull in and have a look for them; +and even if they don't come, Jose may be wishing to get off, with any +information he has picked up, though I have no great hopes that he will +do much." + +"I am afraid not either," said Jack, "but by all means take the boat and +remain as long as it continues calm. Should a breeze spring up, you +must, whether successful or not, return on board. It is my duty to +proceed up the river as fast as I can, and my anxiety to recover my +brother and Mr Desmond must not make me neglect that." + +Needham found no difficulty in obtaining volunteers for his expedition. +They went well-armed in case any hostile natives might appear, though +the country people in general showed a friendly disposition. + +Jack and Terence while at their frugal supper of corn beef and biscuit, +talked over a plan for protecting the men, should they be fired at as +they ascended. They arranged to build a barricade of hammocks and bags +to defend the helmsman on the port side while the crew were sent below, +they of course intending to remain on deck. + +"The fellows have not shown themselves to be good shots, and if the +breeze holds we may run by them without much damage," observed Jack. + +"But if the wind should fall or blow down the river?" suggested Terence. + +"Then we must go about and wait for a better opportunity for running +up," answered Jack. "We may try it at night and may slip by the more +dangerous places without observation." + +They both talked hopefully of recovering the midshipmen, and yet they +could not help occasionally feeling that the youngsters might after all +have lost their lives. + +At last they turned in, Bevan having the watch. Though very gallant +British officers, they were not heroes of romance, and therefore +required sleep as much as anybody else. Jack had left directions to be +called should a breeze spring up or Needham return on board. It had +gone two bells in the morning watch when Norris came into the cabin and +awoke Jack. + +"There is a light air from the south'ard, and it has been getting +stronger for the last few minutes, but the boat has not come off yet," +he said. + +Jack sprang up. + +"We will make sail and stand over to the other shore to pick her up," he +answered; "we must not delay a moment." + +The anchor was hove up, and sail quickly made, the breeze rapidly +increasing. She had got halfway across to the western shore when the +boat was observed approaching and was soon alongside. + +"We have seen nothing of the young gentlemen, sir, nor has the spy shown +his face," said Needham. "I waited till the last moment, hoping that +some one would appear. I fancied I saw people moving about on the bank, +and now and then heard voices close down to the boat. We pulled some +way down the river and then back again as high up as we had gone down, +every now and then shouting out the young gentlemen's names, so that if +they had been anywhere hereabouts they must have heard us." + +Jack agreed with Needham that Tom and Gerald were not likely to be in +the neighbourhood, and the boat being dropped astern, to be in readiness +should they or the spy appear, the _Supplejack_ continued her course up +the river. The increasing daylight enabled Jack to see his way, and of +course a sharp lookout was kept on the shore. + +The brig continued on for some distance, neither cavalry nor artillery +being seen. A few foot soldiers were observed trudging along, and +occasionally country people appeared on the high ground, but none of +them came down to the beach. + +The appearance of the banks varied considerably in different places; in +some they were sloping and were covered with trees and shrubs, in others +they consisted of high earthy cliffs with the open plains of the Pampas +reaching to the edge of their summits. Frequently the telescope +revealed projecting from the cliffs the bones of the megatherion, +mastodon, milodon, and other huge antediluvian animals, of which, +however, neither Jack nor Terence knew the names. Sometimes they were +so distinct that they were remarked by the men, who wondered how such +strange animals could have found their way there. + +"They cannot have gone and buried themselves," sagaciously observed Bill +Lizard, the boatswain's mate. + +"For my part, howsomedever, I cannot think that anybody would have taken +the trouble to bury them," answered Needham. "It's a pity we have not +got Mr Scrofton on board; he would have told us all about it, no +doubt." + +The ship's company, however, had soon other matters to engage their +attention. The brig was now approaching that part of the river where +the deep channel runs under the lofty and perpendicular cliffs of San +Lorenzo. The bed is as wide as in other places, but on the eastern side +is a line of islands extending for several miles, and forcing the +current over to the west. It was still doubtful, however, whether the +enemy had observed the brig, or would venture to attack her if they had. + +Terence had gone aloft to be able to get a better view over the plain, +when he made out several horsemen, and what he at first took for carts +in the far distance, but which as they emerged from a cloud of dust +partially concealing them he discovered were field-pieces. There could +be little doubt that the _Supplejack_ would not escape without being +fired at. Fortunately there was a good stiff breeze, and under all sail +she stood boldly up the clearly defined channel. The ensign was flying +at the peak, and Jack ordered one to be hoisted at each masthead, to +show the enemy that he intended to fight as long as the masts stood, or +his vessel remained above water. + +The brig had not got far, however, when six field-pieces, dragged by +horses, with a considerable body of men, were seen some way ahead +approaching the edge of the cliffs. Jack was not left long in doubt as +to their object, for bringing their guns to bear on the brig, the +Spaniards opened fire, their shot whizzing over the brig, a few only +passing through her sails. + +Needham had got his beloved Long Tom elevated as much as possible, the +two carronades loaded with canister, and the rockets were ready in their +stands. + +"Let them learn what Long Tom can do," said Jack. Needham fired but the +shot flew over the heads of the enemy; the gun was quickly again loaded. +After the next shot two or three of the horses were seen plunging +wildly, and one of the guns appeared to have received some damage--the +distance was too great to ascertain what it was. The brig made rapid +way, the next shot buried itself in the cliff; it was evident that Long +Tom could do no more for the present. The carronades were now fired, +and a flight of rockets sent the horsemen galloping out of the way, +while the gunners scampered off or threw themselves on the ground; a +second flight of rockets and another dose of canister kept them from +returning till the brig had neared the cliffs; so close indeed was she +that her mainyard almost touched them, while the enemy, who by this time +had returned, could not sufficiently depress their guns to send a shot +down on her decks, neither did the riflemen approach sufficiently near +the edge to fire into her; probably having a wholesome dread of the +rockets or bullets which might be sent in return from the daring little +vessel. + +As yet no one had been hit on board the brig, and Jack was beginning to +hope that she might pass without damage beyond the dangerous point, when +farther on appeared a line of batteries, and he had just reason to fear +that they would cause him greater injury than he had hitherto received. +He pointed them out to Terence. + +"I would advise you to send the hands below while you and I and the +helmsman remain on deck," said Terence coolly. "We shall save the men, +and should a few shots go through the ship's side we shall have time to +stop the holes before much water gets in; there would be no use replying +to the batteries, and we must do our best to get by them as fast as +possible." + +The order, which the men unwillingly obeyed, was given. Snatchblock +came aft to the helm, and Terence walked forward, while Jack stood at +his usual post to con the brig. Needham gave a fond look at Long Tom as +he went below. + +"I only wish, old fellow, that I could stop on deck and let you send a +shot or two into those batteries ahead," he exclaimed, apostrophising +his gun. + +Jack and Terence felt something like men leading a forlorn hope, but +felt that they must of necessity expose themselves to the round shot and +bullets of the enemy. They had not long to wait before the guns from +the battery opened fire; the first shot struck the starboard bulwarks +and went through them, the next plunged right down on the deck, and +others followed in quick succession. The enemy now opened with grape +and canister, numerous shots passing through the sails, and several +others striking the deck and bulwarks. Had the crew not gone below many +must have been killed or wounded; Jack and Terence, now the only two +exposed, were still unhurt, though several missiles whistled close to +their ears, and half a dozen lodged in the barricade erected for the +protection of Snatchblock. All Jack's attention was required for +conning the brig, so that he could attend to nothing else. After a shot +had gone through the deck, he heard cries proceeding up the hatchway as +if some one had been hurt below, but he had no time to inquire who was +the sufferer. Though from his natural temperament he took a pleasure in +being under fire, still he never so heartily wished himself out of it as +he did at present. It would have been a different matter had he been +able to defend his ship instead of being compelled to glide slowly by +and be peppered at without returning a shot. It was, indeed, extremely +trying, and it seemed a wonder, considering the number of shots fired +down into her, that she was not sent to the bottom. At length the brig +had to stand farther out from the cliffs, in a direction where fewer +guns could reach her, and Jack determined to try if he could not silence +those likely to annoy him with a few rockets and a dose of canister from +the carronades. Calling Needham and a dozen of hands on deck, he gave +the order. Never did men spring up with greater alacrity. Terence +directed the rockets, which pitched right into the fort, while the +canister coming directly after, must have driven the Spaniards from +their guns, for not a shot was returned till the brig was pretty well +out of their reach. + +The rest of the crew now came on deck, and gave a loud cheer at the +success of their exploit; they had not, however, escaped altogether, one +had been killed and two wounded below, a shot entering the gunroom had +also killed the clerk in charge, and slightly wounded Jos Green. + +Though the brig had passed the partly-formed batteries, she was not +altogether free from danger. Troops of flying artillery were observed +moving along at the top of the cliffs, accompanied by a body of +infantry. Though the brig had a strong breeze, as the current was +against her, she advanced but at a comparatively slow rate, the troops +above getting along almost as fast as she did. A shower of grape from +the carronades and a couple of rockets sent into their midst made them, +however, sheer off to a respectful distance, and the gallant little +_Supplejack_ continued her course without being further molested. + +The dead were sewn up in their hammocks with shot at their feet, and +lowered into the deep stream, as there was no prospect of being able to +bury them on shore. Jos Green made light of his wound, as he did of +every other trouble in life, and Jack felt thankful, considering the hot +fire to which the brig had been exposed, that more casualties had not +occurred. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. + +THE MIDSHIPMEN SEEN ON THE SHORE--A BOAT SENT FROM THE BRIG--THE ENEMY +APPEAR ON THE CLIFFS AND OPEN FIRE--THE BRIG RETURNS IT--THE MIDSHIPMEN +RESCUED--THE BRIG GETS CLEAR OF THE ENEMY--TOM RECOUNTS HIS AND GERALD'S +ADVENTURES. + +Evening was approaching, all hands had been busy repairing damages, the +carpenters below stopping shot-holes, the rest of the crew on deck +knotting and splicing the rigging. Some way ahead was seen a lofty +bluff with a range of cliffs, which, the chart showed, extended far +along the shore; a shoal ran off it, so the brig had of necessity to +steer some distance over to the opposite bank. + +As had been done all along, a vigilant lookout was kept for any object +moving on the western side. Needham's keen eye was employed in the +service; he felt a sincere affection for the youngsters, and longed to +recover them almost as much as did their relatives. Just abreast of the +brig appeared a shallow valley with a stream in the middle, and trees +growing on either side, reaching down to the edge of the water; Needham +was examining the spot with even more than his usual care. + +"I am sure of it!" he exclaimed suddenly. "One of them is waving his +handkerchief, or a bit of rag of some sort. It must be the young +gentlemen!" + +Jack and Terence brought their glasses to bear on the spot. The pinnace +towing astern was hauled up alongside. Terence and Needham jumped into +her with a ready crew. Just as she was shoving off a party of artillery +and a body of infantry appeared on the cliffs above. + +"Take six small-arm men, in case the enemy should see the lads and +attempt to stop them," exclaimed Jack; "the muskets will probably keep +the Spaniards at a distance while they get on board." + +The men who had been called away having received their ammunition, were +in a few seconds in the boat, which now pulled as fast as the crew could +bend to their oars towards the shore. + +The enemy must have been surprised at seeing her; for not having +discovered the midshipmen, they probably did not conceive for what +object she was approaching the shore. In the meantime the carronades +had been turned towards the cliff, and the rockets got ready. Until +fired on, however, Jack had determined not to fire; indeed his shot, at +the distance he then was from the cliffs, could not have told with much +effect. As it would have been unwise to heave to in so dangerous a +position, the topsails were lowered on the caps, and topgallant sails +and royals let fly, so as not to leave the boat behind. The midshipmen, +for there was no doubt that it was they who were seen, in their +eagerness to get on board the boat, came out from beneath the +overhanging shrubs which had hitherto concealed them from the view of +those on the cliffs, to the end of a point. The enemy caught sight of +them, and now understanding the object of the boat, instantly began +firing at her, while a party of men hurried down to try and cut them +off. + +"We must put a stop to that," cried Jack, giving orders to open fire +with Long Tom and the carronades. The enemy replied with their +field-pieces. The brig, having edged over as close as she could +venture, opened on them with rockets. + +The boat by this time had scarcely got half way to the shore, while the +two midshipmen, seeing the party coming to intercept them, threw +themselves into the water and swam off to the boat, regardless of the +bullets flying about their heads. They struck out boldly, the boat's +crew pulling with all their might to reach them, while the small-arm men +kept up a sharp fire on the enemy at the top of the cliffs, which +prevented them from taking so accurate an aim as they would otherwise +have done. + +Jack watched them with the deepest anxiety; he saw the shot splashing +into the smooth water and bounding over them. One better aimed might +send either of the lads to the bottom. He had not, however, forgotten +that he had charge of the brig, and was obliged to turn his eyes away +from them to look after her. + +Tom being a better swimmer than Gerald might quickly have been on board, +but in spite of the bullets which came flying around his head, he was +seen to stop and support his companion. + +"Just like him!" exclaimed Needham, "I would give every year I have to +live to save the lads." + +Just then one of the small-arm men in the boat was hit, and dropping his +musket he sank down across the thwarts. Needham seized it, and catching +sight of a Spaniard aiming at the lads, he fired; the man dropped his +piece, which went off in the air. A few more strokes and the boat was +up to the midshipmen. Eager hands were stretched out to haul them on +board. + +"Take him first," cried Tom, and Terence, grasping his nephew's hands, +lifted him on board; Needham hauled in Tom, and after the boat had been +put round the crew pulled away for the brig. Several round shot were +fired at her, but fell fortunately either ahead or astern; the musketry +was most annoying, but as the summit of the cliff offered no shelter to +the Spaniards, they were exposed to a sharp fire kept up by the +small-arm men in the boat, and were obliged to retreat in order to +reload their pieces every time they fired. They could thus as they ran +forward to the edge take but an unsteady aim. + +As soon as the midshipmen were in the boat, Needham gave up the helm to +Terence, and, reloading his musket, continued to fire at every Spaniard +who appeared. + +Eager as Terence was to learn how the midshipmen escaped, there was no +time just then to ask them questions. The boat was quickly alongside; +Tom and Gerald managed to climb on deck without much assistance. Jack +only gave Tom a short and hearty greeting; he then ordered him and +Desmond at once to go below and stow themselves away. + +"We must not have you hit now we have got you," he said. "We will hear +all about your adventures when we are out of fire, and that will be, I +hope, before long." + +Though several shot had struck the brig no one was killed, and two men +only slightly wounded, while, as far as could be seen from her deck, it +was believed that the enemy had suffered pretty severely. The flying +artillery continued along the edge of the cliffs and occasionally fired +a shot, but at last, the ground sloping, and being rough and uneven, and +covered with trees, they were unable to make way, and wheeling round, +disappeared, a shot from Long Tom, which had been brought to bear on +them, making them gallop off at the top of their speed. + +As it was now growing dusk and the wind had fallen, the _Supplejack_ +came to an anchor. Tom and Gerald had, in the meantime, got a change of +clothes and enjoyed a hearty meal, which they acknowledged they greatly +wanted. Jack had desired them to go to his cabin, and by the time he +could leave the deck he found them sitting there, laughing and talking +if nothing very particular had occurred. + +"Well, my boys, you don't seem much the worse for your adventures," he +said, as he took his seat at the table. + +"No, sir," answered Gerald. "The swim was the worst part of them; +indeed, had it not been for Tom, I believe I should have sunk before the +boat could have picked us up." + +"I want you to tell me all that happened to you; how you escaped from +the gauchos who, we heard, carried you off, and how you managed to make +your way to the river, which we, by the bye, always thought that you +would do if you could." + +"Are we to begin from the first?" asked Tom. + +"Yes," answered Jack. "I should like to hear all about it, and how the +gauchos did not kill you at first." + +"I am sure I thought that they would when I found one of their long +lassos round my waist, and myself hauled along till the breath was +nearly squeezed out of my body. The fellow who caught hold of me, +however, dragged me quickly upon his saddle, and galloped away like the +wind. I saw that Gerald was treated in the same manner, and though I +was sorry for him, I must confess that I was glad to have a companion in +my misfortune. I fancy that the fellows thought they had got hold of +two very important personages. Away we went for some twenty miles or so +without drawing rein, when we found that we had reached the camp of +General Rosas. Had he been at Obligado, I suspect that his troops would +not have run away so soon. Our captors carried us at once into his +presence, and were somewhat disappointed by finding that we were only a +couple of midshipmen, and not the important personages they supposed. + +"The general, however, told them to take care of us, and bring us along +with him, as he was marching with the chief part of his army to the +northward. I must say that our captors were not bad-tempered fellows, +and we soon got into their good graces by talking and laughing, though +they could not understand much more of what we said than we could of +their language. They got us each a horse, which was much pleasanter +than riding behind them, and at night we lay down to sleep with a +horse-rug over us, and our saddles for pillows. We asked them to teach +us how to use the lasso whenever there was a halt, and they were +surprised to find how well we soon learnt to use it, though of course we +could not equal them. + +"Whenever we encamped, they and a good many others used to go out +foraging in all directions, and as there was game of all sorts we never +came back without a supply. + +"Their mode of catching partridges is very curious. Each man supplies +himself with a long thin stick, at the end of which a loop is attached; +he rides on till he sees a covey of birds on the ground, and then, +instead of darting at them, he circles round and round, the birds not +attempting to fly, do nothing but run along the ground; the gaucho keeps +narrowing his circle till he gets within reach of a bird, when he drops +the loop over its head and whips it up a prisoner on his saddle. They +used to catch a number of birds in this way, and in an hour or so a +fellow would have a dozen or more hanging to his saddle. We imitated +them, and after a little practice we also managed to catch a good many, +though we did not equal them, of course. From the first we determined +to make our escape, and we agreed that if we could catch birds in this +way we might supply ourselves with food. In the wilder places we found +a number of animals very much like rabbits, only with longer tails and +larger teeth, which live in burrows close together. Before camping in +an evening we saw hundreds of the creatures, sitting on their haunches +in front of their burrows; they would look at us for some time, as if +wondering who we were, and would then scamper off and pitch down head +foremost into their holes, giving a curious flourish with their hind +legs and tails before they disappeared. They are much more difficult to +catch than the partridges, though we still hoped to get hold of some of +them, should we be hard pressed for food. + +"When the day's march was over the gauchos amused themselves by +horse-racing, gambling, either with cards, dominoes, or coin, a sort of +pitch and toss game, and they would frequently make bets on the strength +of their horses. To settle the point their plan was to fasten the two +horses stern to stern by a short lasso, secured to the saddle, or girth +of either animal, at a short distance from each other. The gauchos +having mounted their respective horses, one being placed on one side of +a line, drawn on the ground, and the other on the other side, then set +to work to lash and spur their steeds in opposite directions until the +strongest drew the weaker over the line, the former being thus declared +the victor. Their custom of racing gave Desmond and me the idea that we +might manage some evening to make our escape. We appeared always to +watch their performances with great interest, and, at last, we proposed +to race any of them who would like to try with us. None of the grown +men would condescend to do so, but two lads came forward and agreed to +start. Away we went to the westward, taking good care to let our +competitors win. Next evening we had another race, when we were again +beaten hollow. We complained that it was the fault of our horses, and +that if they would give us better ones they should see that Englishmen +were able to ride as well as they could. They agreed to this, and we +started in the same direction as before. Gerald's horse was the best, +and reached the tree which was to be our goal before either of the young +gauchos, who, however, got in before me. I had as long as I was in +sight of the camp belaboured and spurred my steed, but as soon as our +competitors got ahead of me I let the animal go at the pace he chose. + +"We had now, we hoped, gained the confidence of our captors, and Gerald +and I agreed that the next evening we would propose racing together. + +"We had each of us some reals and smaller pieces of money in our +pockets. We pulled several of them out as stakes, which, to assist in +disarming suspicion, we gave to one of the gauchos to hold for us. + +"This evening we were fortunately on the right of the camp, that is to +say on the side nearest the river. We fixed on a tree which appeared on +the outskirts of a wood in the south-east as our goal. We both +pretended to be much interested in the race, and jabbered away in the +same fashion as they do. We felt anxious enough, as you may suppose, +about the result, though not in the way our captors fancied. + +"We had managed to get hold of some line which we stowed in our pockets, +as well as enough food to last us for a couple of days, at all events. +The gauchos seemed to think it very good fun, not in the slightest +degree suspecting our intentions. Having furnished us with whips, and +fastened huge spurs to our feet, they assisted us to mount our somewhat +fiery steeds. When once in our saddles we stuck on like wax, though the +animals did their best to get rid of us. Our only fear was that some of +the gauchos might take it into their heads to accompany us, which would +have effectually prevented the success of our undertaking. We rode +backwards and forwards several times among the men, and talked away to +each other in the style they were accustomed to do, our object being to +put off starting as long as possible, till darkness was approaching, +that we might have a better chance of escaping. At last we could delay +no longer, so riding up side by side to the natives we begged them to +start us fairly, when off we set digging nor spurs into our horses' +flanks and whacking the unfortunate beasts with our whips. The tree, +towards which we were directing our course, was fully half a mile off, +and as the border of the wood was in shadow, we hoped that we should be +able to get into it, and pass through on the other side before our +flight was discovered. We dared not turn our heads to see if we were +followed, but keeping close together urged on our steeds till the wood +was reached. + +"A narrow opening which we had not before perceived was before us. We +dashed into it and to our satisfaction found that we were not compelled +even to pull rein, but galloped on as fast as at first. + +"We were now sorry that we had not started earlier, as we should have +had more daylight to see our way. Another wide extent of open ground +was before us; we urged on our steeds across it, their feet narrowly +escaping the rabbit-holes, which existed in one or two parts. We +escaped them, however, and reached a copse, through which we, in vain, +tried to find a passage for our horses. + +"Afraid at last of losing time, and being overtaken, we agreed to +abandon them, and make our way on foot towards the river, which we +thought must be at no great distance. Desmond proposed that we should +fasten our silver spurs and whips to the saddles, to show the owners +that we did not wish to steal their property. No sooner, however, had +we dismounted, than having incautiously let go our reins, while we were +unstrapping our spurs, our steeds galloped off and prevented us from +putting our laudable intentions into execution. It was well that we did +not do as we proposed, we agreed, because should our steeds return, the +gauchos would know that we had intentionally made our escape, whereas +now they might suppose we had tumbled off, and broken our necks, or, at +all events, have been unable to remount. + +"`In either case the fellows will probably come to look for us,' +observed Desmond, `for they will not like to lose their spurs, on which +they set high value.' + +"`Well then, we will fasten them and our whips on this branch, which +will show them the honesty of our intentions, if they come to look for +us,' I said; `we shall have, at all events, several hours' start, as +they cannot get through the copse on horseback better than we can.' + +"We did as I proposed, and then plunging into the copse tried to make +our way through it. We tore our clothes and nearly scratched our eyes +out, however, but still we made way, our chief fear being that we might +fall in with a jaguar; but as we had heard that they are cowardly +beasts, and will not attack two people together, we were not much +troubled on the subject. Before it grew quite dark, therefore, we cut +two sticks to defend ourselves, and two long wands, such as the gauchos +use for catching birds; the thick sticks helped us also to make our way +through the bushes. + +"The stars soon came out brightly, and enabled us to keep a tolerably +direct course towards the east, still we could not help wishing to get +out of the wood as soon as possible. I had heard about jaguars tracking +people; the unpleasant thought came across me, that one might at any +moment pounce down upon us. I did not tell Desmond, not wishing to make +him as uncomfortable as myself on the subject. I was afraid, had we +shouted, which would have been the best means of keeping these creatures +off, that we might be heard by the gauchos or any other enemies who +might pursue us, and as that was the greatest risk of the two, I thought +it would be wiser to make our way in silence. At last we again got into +open ground, and fancied that we were going to make good progress, when +suddenly we ran against an object which made us start back, with several +severe pricks in our legs and hands; had we not had our sticks before us +we should have been regularly impaled. On examination we found that +they were those prickly plants which we used to call `puzzle monkeys' in +the West Indies, only these grew like so many swordblades, with thorns +on both sides, sticking out of the ground. It was impossible to get +through this bristling barrier, so we had to turn on one side, and run +along it, hoping, at length, to double round the end. + +"The hedge might, for what we knew, extend for miles, and we were almost +in despair; for should the gauchos follow us we should lose all chance +of escaping. + +"At last, however, we came to a dip; our hopes revived; it was, we felt +sure, the head of a valley, for we saw the ground rising on the other +side, and that it must lead us down to the Parana itself, or to some +stream running into it. Trees, instead of those abominable prickly +pears, thinly covered the banks, and on reaching the bottom we found a +rivulet, from which we thankfully quenched our thirst. We agreed that +things were beginning to look brighter, the horsemen were not likely to +find us, and we should have no difficulty in making our way either in +the water, or along the edge of the stream. Gerald reminded me that +Bruce, or some other Scotch hero of ancient days, when pressed by his +enemies, had escaped from them by wading along the bed of a stream, so +that all traces of his footsteps were lost. The only question was, +whether our enemies would take the trouble to hunt us so far, and if +they did not, we should have had all our pains for nothing. However, as +it was the safest plan, we stepped into the stream; on we went down it, +feeling with our sticks, for fear of tumbling into a hole. The water +was fortunately shallow, and the bed tolerably smooth, so we got on +better than we should have done on dry ground. + +"At last the water, which had been growing deeper and deeper, came +almost up to our hips, and we agreed that it would be safer to land and +try and make our way through the bushes, or near the stream, which would +serve as a guide. I cannot tell you how delighted we were after we had +gone on in this way for a couple of hours to see before us, with the +stars reflected on its smooth surface, the broad channel of the river; +we could scarcely believe that we had reached it in so short a time. We +forgot, indeed, how far we had galloped, and the distance we had come on +foot. We at once began to look along the shore for a spot where we +might hide ourselves while we rested, for, as you may suppose, we were +very tired. For fear that the smoke would betray us we dared not light +a fire, which we should have liked to do, to dry our wet clothes. +However, we sat down and emptied our shoes of water, which we had been +afraid of taking off for fear of hurting our feet, and wrung out our +socks and trousers. + +"Our hopes of ultimately escaping depended, we believed, on our being +seen by some vessel going up or down the river, but before one should +appear, we might, we knew full well, be overtaken by the gauchos. +Sleepy as we both were, we agreed that one of us must be ever on the +watch, while the other slept. + +"We tossed up who should keep the first watch. It came to my lot, so +Desmond lay down, and I sat by his side, trying hard to keep awake, and +I must confess that it was about the most difficult job I ever had in my +life. I winked at the stars till they all seemed winking at me, I +pinched myself black and blue, I rubbed my hands, I kicked my feet, but +all to no purpose; I kept blinking and nodding as much as ever. I +should have been off in another moment, so I jumped up and took several +short turns along the shore. The thought that a jaguar might spring on +Gerald prevented me from going far. As I got to the farther end of the +beat I had marked out for myself I stopped, for I fancied that I heard +some curious squeaking and grunting, not unlike that made by a litter of +very young pigs. I listened attentively, and crept silently towards the +spot. The sounds came from beneath the roots of an old tree. I +suspected that they must be produced by a litter of capybaras, or +water-hogs, which creatures, as you know, frequent these shores in great +numbers. I marked the spot so as not to mistake it. Should we not be +able to catch the old animals we might secure the young ones if hard +pressed for food. This raised my spirits, and I was able to keep awake, +thinking of the best way to trap them. + +"When my watch was over, I awoke Desmond, and told him what I had +discovered; he agreed with me that we need have no fear of starving. + +"`Capital!' he answered, `and I dare say that we shall find some roots +and nuts.' + +"`I am afraid, however, that we shall have to eat our meat raw,' I +observed. + +"`That will be better than having no meat to eat, and I dare say a young +capybara will be very tender.' + +"Desmond let me sleep on till daylight, or, rather, he fell asleep, and +neither of us awoke till the rising sun struck in our eyes. We then +discovered that the spot where we lay was exposed to the view of any one +coming up or down the river. To our left, rising directly out of the +river, were some high cliffs, but we were concealed by the overhanging +bushes from any one standing on their summit; while on our right, down +the river beyond the mouth of the valley, the ground was broken, and +covered with trees and shrubs. We could see no plantations or cottages, +or any sign that the country was inhabited. We had, therefore, hopes +that we should be able to conceal ourselves till we could get on board +some passing vessel, provided we could, in the meantime, obtain food, +but on that score we were not much troubled. Having hung up our shoes +and trousers to dry in the sun, we had a bathe, which was very +refreshing, and then sat down and breakfasted on the dried meat and +biscuit we brought with us. The next most important thing we had to do +was to find a secure hiding-place. After hunting about we found a +regular cave, large enough to conceal half a dozen persons. The mouth +was very narrow, which was all the better; it was formed partly by the +roots of a large tree, the earth from beneath which had been washed +away. There was a hole between the roots which would serve as a +chimney, and we agreed, that though it might be dangerous to light a +fire in the daytime, when the smoke would betray us, we might venture to +do so at night. To hide the light we tore off a number of branches +which we stuck into the ground in front of our cave. Having swept out +and, levelled the ground, we considered that we had got a very +comfortable abode. We did not forget the old capybara and the young +ones. We had fitted nooses at the end of our wands, and armed with +these we crept close to the tree I had marked. The squeaking was still +going on within, so we knew that Dame Capybara and her family were at +home. Before long, however, out she came, followed by five or six young +ones in line. We should have liked to try and noose her, but she would +have broken away from us, so we waited for the last small one of her +progeny. I threw my noose over its head, and whipped it up in a moment, +when Gerald, seizing hold of it, quickly stopped its cries. The old +capybara turned round, but we having got behind a tree, she did not see +us, and she, being unacquainted with arithmetic, did not discover that +one of her young ones was missing. Feeling pretty sure that we should +be able to capture the others in the same way, and perhaps catch her, we +returned to our cave. Here we amused ourselves by skinning and +preparing the young capybara for the spit. When it was ready we hung it +up on a stick stuck in the wall. We then set to work and formed a +fireplace of earth, and, as soon as it was finished, we went out again +and collected a supply of firewood. When this was done, we were greatly +tempted to light a fire and roast our capybara, but prudence prevailed. +Instead of that we hunted about, and were rewarded by finding some +berries and small plums, which were very ripe, and, as we saw the birds +eating them, we had no doubt that they were wholesome. + +"`We need have no fear of starving now, faith,' observed Gerald; `I am +not certain but that I would rather live this Robinson Crusoe sort of +life for a few weeks than go on board and have to keep watch.' + +"Come, come, you ought not to tell the commander that, Tom," exclaimed +Gerald, interrupting Tom when he said this. "You know you agreed with +me that it would be very jolly fun if it was not for the chance of being +caught." + +"Yes, I know I did," answered Tom, "but remember I added, if it were not +for the anxiety we were causing my brother and Lieutenant Adair." + +"Well, youngsters," observed Jack, "it was very natural, though you +would have soon got tired of the life; but how did you get on for the +remainder of the time?" + +"Very well, considering all things," continued Tom; "it was fortunate, +however, that we did not light the fire, for as I went down to the river +to get some water in my shoe, having nothing else to carry it in, as I +looked up towards the cliff I caught sight of several people standing on +the top. As their eyes were, however, directed further up the stream, I +hoped that they had not caught sight of me, though I could not be sure. +At all events, I quickly drew back and hurried to the cave to warn +Desmond of the danger we were in. We at once went inside and covered up +the entrance as well as we could with the boughs, so that even should +any one come to look for us and pass the spot we might escape +discovery." + +"We lay down anxiously listening for any sound, but none was heard, and +at last we both dropped off to sleep. + +"`This must not happen again, though,' I said to Gerald, when at length +we awoke. `Perhaps a vessel may have passed down the river while we +were snoozing, and we have lost our chance of getting on board. Those +fellows were probably looking out for her.' + +"This thought made us feel quite unhappy." + +"You certainly did lose your chance," observed Jack, "for a steamer +which I spoke came down about that time, and you might probably have got +on board her." + +"I told you so, Gerald," exclaimed Tom, "I was--" + +"But it does not matter now," answered Gerald, "all's well that ends +well." + +"You are right, but it might not have been so had we been shot by those +fellows as we were swimming off to the _Supplejack's_ boat," observed +Tom. "Well, I suppose you want me to cut my yarn short. As soon as it +was dark we lighted our fire, which we should have been puzzled to do, +had not Gerald had some fusees in his pocket, which he carries, you will +understand, to give a light to any one who wants to smoke a cigar." + +"I understand," observed Jack, laughing. "You, of course, Mr Desmond, +never dream of smoking one yourself?" + +"Only occasionally, sir, and Tom and I had finished all I had when we +were captured by the gauchos." + +"Our fires burned well," continued Tom, "and we roasted our young +capybara to perfection; we only wanted salt and pepper, and an onion or +two to make it delicious. As it was, with the addition of a little +brown bread we had remaining, we made a good meal, and slept like tops +till daylight. One of us, you will understand, regularly kept watch on +the river while the other searched for provisions, except when we wanted +to catch another young capybara, when we had to assist each other. We +captured the second in the same way we had the first, with our long +wands and nooses; we also caught several birds after dark, roosting on +the branches of the trees; we were afraid, however, to venture out as +far as the plain above to look for partridges, lest we might have been +seen by any of the country people or soldiers who might have been on +their way to the cliff I spoke of; we found, indeed, that men were +constantly on the watch for passing vessels, and we should to a +certainty have been discovered. + +"Our chief exploit was catching the big capybara, which we attempted +when we had eaten nearly all her young ones. We were afraid if we took +the last, that she might suspect that something was wrong and make off. +We accordingly got up at night, when we thought that she would be +asleep, and placed a couple of nooses at the mouth of her hole, securing +the end to a part of the root of the tree which rose above the ground. +We then went back to our cave, and roasted the last of the young ones we +had caught. As usual, we kept watch by turns: we had become somewhat +anxious at night, for we could not help thinking that the smell of our +roast pig might attract some keen-scented jaguar to the spot, and I can +tell you that the thought of being snatched up at any moment by one of +those beasts made us keep our eyes about us, and prevented us from going +to sleep. I know it did me, and I am pretty sure that Gerald was not +more comfortable in his mind on the subject than I was. + +"It was my morning watch, and as soon as daylight returned I called +Gerald, and we crept carefully up to the capybara's hole. + +"We had not long to wait before we heard her barking, for strange to +say, though she was like a pig she did not grunt. She was calling to +her solitary young one to get up, I suppose. Presently we felt a pull +on one of our lines, and directly afterwards the other was drawn taut. +We gave each of them a jerk, and then springing forward with our sticks, +we were just in time before the capybara drew back into her hole to give +her a couple of stunning blows on the head. We quickly had her out, and +a few more blows deprived her of life. It occurred to us that if we +dragged her up to our cave, the track might lead any passer-by to it. +We therefore fastened her legs together, and carried her on one of our +sticks, the little one following, wondering, I dare say, why its mother +had taken to move in so curious a fashion, and not seeming to notice us. +Desmond proposed that we should tame it, but as we could not manage to +find it food, we were obliged to kill it. Not being expert butchers, we +were employed most of the day in skinning and cutting up the beasts. +Our chief puzzle was to know what to do with the offal. At last we put +it into the skin, and carrying it down at night threw it into the river. +In the meantime our cave had the not over-pleasant odour of a butcher's +shop in hot weather, while we were in the constant apprehension of a +visit from a jaguar. Our regret was that though we had a superabundance +of meat we should soon be reduced to short commons, as it was not likely +to keep, even when cooked, for more than a couple of days. We had just +returned from the river, having accomplished the task I spoke of, and +had lighted our fire, when we heard a rustling of the leaves at the +entrance, the flames just then blazing up brightly; the next instant we +caught sight of the savage-looking head of one of the monsters we +dreaded, which had poked its way between the boughs, and was apparently +about to spring on us. Desmond instinctively laid hold of the first +thing which came to hand. This happened to be one of the capybara's +legs which we were about to spit. + +"We then seized our sticks to fight for our lives; but the jaguar having +caught the tempting morsel, either satisfied with it, or frightened by +the bright flames and our sticks, which we flourished in his face, +sprang back and bounded away with the meat in his mouth. + +"Having repaired our fence, and made it, as we hoped, more secure, we +returned to cook and eat our supper. I confess that neither of us felt +very comfortable on watch that night, lest the jaguar should come back +for a further supply of capybara. + +"That was only last night; we little thought at the time how soon our +Robinson Crusoe life was coming to an end. Though pleasant in some +respects, it was not, as you see, without its drawbacks. Directly the +_Supplejack_ hove in sight we recognised her; but having seen the enemy +on the top of the cliffs, we were in great doubt whether we should +succeed in getting off--it seems, indeed, a wonder to me that we were +not killed, and I only hope we feel sufficiently grateful for our +preservation." + +"I am afraid, Tom, that we are not, and never can be, sufficiently +grateful for the mercies shown to us," observed Jack gravely. "If we +had not been watched over and taken care of, we should none of us be +here at the present moment. Now, as you and Desmond look somewhat +sleepy, go and turn in." + +Gerald was half asleep already, and Tom having given one or two +significant yawns, they were both very glad to obey Jack's order. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. + +THE SUPPLEJACK REACHES BAXADA DE SANTA FE--PLANS FOR THE PROTECTION OF +THE FLEET WHEN RETURNING--A NIGHT EXPEDITION TO SURVEY AN ISLAND-- +ALARM--MAGNIFICENT EXPLOIT--ROCKET BATTERY PEPPERS THE BATTERIES OF SAN +LORENZO TO SOME EFFECT--SQUADRON PASSES UNHARMED--ESCAPE OF THE BOAT-- +MONTE VIDEO REACHED. + +The _Supplejack_ continued her course up the river, and the following +day got beyond the reach of Rosas' flying artillery. Tom and Gerald, +having been well fed during their adventures, were not much the worse +for them, and after a good night's sleep were well able to return to +their duty. They of course had to repeat their adventures to their own +messmates, and Needham and Snatchblock were also eager to hear all about +them. + +At last the brig reached Baxadar de Santa Fe, a town of some size, built +partly at the foot and partly on the side of a lofty hill, which rises +above the river. It is surrounded by corrals, or cattle-farms, where +thousands of animals are slaughtered for the sake of their hides and +tallow alone, which are shipped from the port. As there are not human +mouths sufficient to consume the enormous quantities of beef, it is +thrown away and carried off by vast flocks of gallinasos, caracaras, +carrion crows, and other birds of prey, which hover over the country, +their appearance and the odour arising from the putrefying flesh making +the place far from agreeable. Here the _Supplejack_ found a large fleet +of merchantmen, which had been further increased by others which had +come down the river. The question was how they all were to get back +again to the sea. Two or three steamers, which came up after the +_Supplejack_ had suffered by a hot fire, opened on them from the +batteries, newly thrown up by Rosas, several officers and men having +been killed and wounded. The most formidable batteries were those at +San Lorenzo, which were now completed, and it could not be expected that +the fleet would be allowed to repass them without a strong opposition. +Several plans were thought of, the bluejackets and marines might land +and storm the batteries, but such an undertaking could only be carried +out with great loss of life, as the troops of Rosas were not to be +despised, and as the batteries were open in the rear they could not be +held without a strong force. + +Some weeks were spent at this most undelectable of places, so that +everybody was eager to return. No one, however, knew what plan of +operation had been determined on. At length the long-looked-for signal +was hoisted, and the fleet of men-of-war and merchant-vessels got under +weigh and proceeded down the stream. They presented a truly beautiful +spectacle, as their clouds of white canvas covered the entire breadth of +the river, and certainly never before had so many vessels floated +together on its waters. + +On the 31st of May they came to an anchor on the Entre Rios shore, about +four miles above the formidable batteries of San Lorenzo. Still, no one +besides the commander and a few officers entrusted with the secret knew +what plan had been determined on. All that the rest were certain of was +that a plan had been formed, and should it prove successful that the +fleet might escape a severe handling, but otherwise that the guns of San +Lorenzo, if well served, might sink or damage every ship in the +squadron. Indeed, the deep-water channel, down which the ships must +pass, was only about three hundred yards from the guns of the enemy, and +which from their elevation could send a plunging fire directly down on +their decks. + +In front of the batteries, about twelve hundred yards from them, was one +of an archipelago of islands, extending for some miles along the eastern +or Entre Rios shore of the river, covered with trees, brushwood, and +reeds. The passages between these islands and the eastern shore were +much too shallow for the navigation of vessels of any size. Of +necessity, therefore, the whole fleet had to pass under the high cliff +of San Lorenzo, crowned by its formidable batteries. The skippers of +the merchantmen were quaking in their shoes, believing that the +men-of-war must be sent to the bottom and effectually block up the +channel, so that they would be caught in a trap and fall into the hands +of the tyrant Rosas. + +All sorts of reports were flying about; some said that one hundred heavy +guns were planted on the top of the cliffs, and that red-hot shot and +missiles of all sorts would be showered down on them, but still the +commodore kept the plan he proposed to adopt secret. The officers of +the men-of-war, however, felt confident that whatever it was, it would +most likely succeed. + +Terence had returned to his ship: Jack was now alone. He was seated in +his cabin, when a lieutenant from one of the steamers came on board:-- + +"Come, Rogers, you are wanted by the commodore, as you are not only to +be let into the secret of the plan, but to assist in carrying it out." + +Jack, highly delighted, jumped up, and buckling on his sword accompanied +his brother officer on board the flagship. + +The expedition was immediately to start to examine the island in front +of the batteries. The plan was simple in the extreme, should shelter be +found on the island, it was proposed to plant a rocket battery behind +it, and as the ships came down to throw up showers of rockets into the +fort, so as to drive the Spaniards from their guns till the whole fleet +had passed. + +Evening was drawing on, the boat was ready, the English and French +commodores, Lieutenant Mackinnon, the designer of the scheme, Jack, and +several other officers went in her. The oars were muffled, nothing was +said above a whisper, and with just sufficient light for them to see +their way, they pulled through the narrow passages between the islands, +completely hidden from the western shore, till they had reached the +large one directly opposite the batteries, the dim outline of which they +could discern between the trees. Just as the boat's bows touched the +oozy bank a loud rustling was heard, and they fully expected that a +jaguar was about to spring upon them. The officers drew their swords to +defend themselves, for had they ventured to fire a musket or pistol they +would have been betrayed. They looked anxiously, not knowing on whom +the animal might spring, when greatly to their relief they saw, not a +jaguar, but a harmless capybara or water-hog, which plunged into the +water and swam to the opposite bank. + +The officers now landed, the seniors first stepping on shore, and made +their way over swampy ground, through brushwood, to the opposite or +western shore of the island, directly under the batteries. They +proceeded in silence, crouching down for fear of being perceived, their +object being to ascertain what shelter was to be found for the rocket +battery which it was proposed to plant. + +Greatly to their satisfaction, they discovered that nature, or rather +the river itself, when swollen by the rains, had constructed a bank, in +every possible way suited for the object in view; indeed it was such, +that one hundred men, working for a week, could not have thrown up one +to equal it. Everything being thus found as they could wish, they +returned to complete the necessary arrangements. Still, of course, not +a word of the plan was made known on board the fleet, lest by any means +spies might carry it to the ears of Rosas. + +The wind was now blowing up the river, so that, even had everything been +ready, the fleet of sailing-vessels could not move. + +The next night the rocket party, under the command of Lieutenant +Mackinnon, the originator of the plan, took their departure in the +paddle-box boat of the steamer to which he belonged, consisting of +twelve men of the marine artillery, the same number of seamen, and four +officers. + +Jack, though well inured to danger, could not conceal from himself the +risk that must be run, a pistol going off, or the slightest want of +caution of the party, might betray them to the enemy, when boats would +be sent across to attack them. Though they might make a good fight with +their rockets, they would in all probability be cut to pieces before +assistance could reach them. In perfect silence the boat left the ship, +few, with the exception of those immediately engaged, being aware where +she was going. With muffled oars they pulled along the narrow channel +amid the reed-covered islands, keeping a lookout lest any of the enemy's +boats might be on the watch. Rosas, however, did not suspect their +design, and at length, without accident, they reached the spot at the +back of the island, which had been fixed on for effecting a landing. It +was a little bay, formed by a point of land on one side of it, running +out some twenty feet or more into the stream. Close to this point a +large willow-tree had fallen into the river; the boat was run in between +the branches, which assisted to conceal her; a number of boughs were +also cut and stuck into the shore by her side, some being laid across +her, so that she was completely hidden from any passer-by. + +As soon as this was done, the party commenced landing the rocket-stands +and rockets. The men found it very fatiguing, as they had first to +cross a swamp, into which they sank up to their knees, and they then had +a considerable distance to go over rough and uneven ground, among thick +roots and brushwood, till they reached the bank where the rocket-stands +were to be planted. All hands, however, worked without a murmur, and +soon had the rocket-stands placed and so directed that the rockets +might, as they hoped, just clear the top of the batteries, and fall in +among the men at the guns. + +The work being accomplished, the men, pretty well knocked up, returned +to the boat, where, however, a glass of grog apiece, and some pork and +biscuit, soon set them right again. An officer and two men being left +to watch the stands and rockets, the rest turned in under a tarpaulin +spread over the boat, where they went to sleep. The wind, however, +continued blowing up the river, and the fleet could not move. They +found that even in daylight they could walk in safety across the island, +by crouching down under the bushes till they gained the shelter of the +bank. The guards could thus be relieved at stated intervals. + +Twenty-eight embrasures, with heavy guns in them, were counted in the +forts at the top of the cliffs, instead of the hundred which had been +talked of. These, however, if well served, were sufficient to produce +fearful damage among the fleet, if not to destroy it entirely. So near +were the batteries, that with pocket telescopes the party could +distinguish the faces of the people in them. Among others, they +discerned General Moncellia, a brother-in-law of Rosas, who drove up in +his carriage with four horses and inspected the troops and guns, little +suspecting that his enemies were crouching down so near him. The men +had, of course, received strict instructions not on any account to show +themselves. The second night, while Lieutenant Mackinnon was watching +the batteries through his telescope, he observed the sentry suddenly +stop and narrowly eye the bank. What was his dismay to find that one of +his men had incautiously stepped forward into a spot where he could be +seen. + +"Hold fast," whispered the Lieutenant, "do not move as you value your +life." + +The man obeyed, and to his infinite relief the sentry at last moved on. +A few more days passed. The officers spent most of the time under the +bank while the men lay concealed in the boat. At length, when dawn +broke on the morning of the fourth day, to the satisfaction of every +one, a fresh steady breeze was blowing down the river. The men were +roused up, and eagerly made their way, crouching as before, among the +brushwood to the bank. Here they lay down at the foot of the +rocket-stands, ready at a preconcerted signal to start up and open their +fire. At any moment, had they been discovered, the guns from the +battery might have opened on them and blown them to atoms; but, +fortunately, the eyes of the enemy were turned up the stream towards the +point from whence the ships were expected to appear. Two guns fired +from the flagship was to be the signal that the fleet had got under +weigh. About nine AM, the welcome sound reached their ears, a long pole +with the flag of Old England fastened at the end was to be planted on +the top of the bank, at the elevation of which the first discharge of +rockets was to take place. With eager eyes they watched for the +appearance of the squadron; the ships of war were at length seen, the +steamers leading, followed by a line of merchantmen, one coming after +the other till the sternmost was lost in the distance. It was a grand +sight as they came silently gliding on till the leading ships got within +range of the batteries. The instant they did so they commenced firing +their shells with admirable precision. At length the leading ships +reached the channel, which lay between the cliffs and the island; the +long-looked-for moment had arrived; the commander of the expedition +waved his cap, when Jack, who had charge of the flagstaff, leapt boldly +up on the bank and planted it in the ground. The ensign flew out to the +breeze: it was the signal for the first discharge of rockets. Up, +hissing loudly, they flew, while Jack, taking off his cap, made a polite +bow to the enemy, and quickly leapt off the bank under shelter. The +rockets curving over the heads of the ships, two of them pitched into +the very centre of the most crowded part of the batteries, completely +driving the gunners from their guns, two went over their heads, and two +stuck in the cliffs beneath them. The elevation of the rocket-stands +which had been wrongly pointed being quickly rectified, they were once +more charged, and as soon as the enemy had returned to their guns and +were looking along the sights to take aim at the steamers, Lieutenant +Mackinnon jumped up on the embankment, thoughtless of how he was +exposing himself, and sung out-- + +"Pepper, lads! pepper! pepper pepper!" + +Up flew the rockets with admirable aim, scattering destruction among the +men thickly crowded in the batteries. + +Those who were not killed deserted their guns. The slaughter among the +troops of Rosas must have been terrific. In one minute forty rockets +were poured in among them. A still louder sound was then heard, and +smoke and flames were seen ascending from the batteries, a rocket had +penetrated an ammunition cart, which had blown up, increasing the +confusion. All this time the fleet of merchantmen had been gradually +approaching. The men-of-war having already passed, had taken up a +position from which they could throw their shells into the batteries; so +what with the shells from the ships' guns, and the flights of rockets, +the gunners, even though driven back again and again to their guns, were +unable to take aim at the ships. While the batteries were shrouded by +the smoke from the ammunition waggon, the grass under the bank catching +fire, the rocket party were surrounded by so dense an atmosphere that it +was impossible for some moments to see what was going forward. The +wind, however, soon blew the murky veil aside, when the white sails of +the merchantmen, the sun shining brightly on them, were seen gliding by, +flights of rockets being sent up the whole time in rapid succession, +till the sternmost ship of the squadron was well out of range of the +batteries. + +The enemy now directed their fire at the island, aiming at the +flagstaff, which, however, was some distance from the rocket party. +Though the shot came plunging down on either side, the flag still waved +defiantly in their faces, while the rockets continued to be sent up; but +at length the enemy, discovering the point from whence they came, turned +their guns in the right direction. The shot, however, either buried +themselves in the bank, or flying over the heads of the gallant little +band, went bounding away across the island. The signal of recall was +now seen flying from the flagship, and the order for decamping was +given, the people being directed to scatter as widely as possible, and +to make their way as rapidly as they could, without exposing themselves +more than was necessary, to the boat. + +The men shouldered the rocket-stands, the remaining rockets, and +everything belonging to them. + +"We must not leave the flagstaff behind," cried Jack; springing to the +top of the bank, he hauled it out of the ground, and waving it in the +faces of the enemy, leapt down again, just in time to escape a shot +which came flying over his head. + +"Now, lads, run for it!" cried the officer in command; and at the word +the whole party set off, scampering along through the brushwood towards +the boat, while the shot came whistling after them, clipping off the +branches of the trees on either side, or plunging into the ground behind +them, or whistling over their heads; but thick as had been the shower of +iron missiles, when they reached the boat, to their mutual satisfaction, +not a single man had been hit. The boat was quickly cleared of the +willows which concealed her, and shoved out into the stream. + +"Out, oars!" was the word, and away she flew down the river to join the +squadron. As they passed the large island, to the south of the one they +had occupied, they observed three merchant men which had got on shore, +from keeping too much over to the east side. The boats of the squadron +had just come up, and were engaged in hauling them off; two were got +free, but the third being immoveable, was set on fire to prevent the +enemy from benefiting by her cargo. No other vessel was lost, but +slight damage was suffered by even those most exposed to the enemy's +guns, and not a man was hit. + +The flames of the burning vessel cast a lurid glare from bank to bank, +as the fleet with flying colours proceeded down the broad stream on +their voyage to Monte Video. + +Rosas made no further attempt to molest them; he had received a lesson +which he was not likely to forget; his power was broken, and he soon +afterwards had to fly the country. + +The British and French squadron, on their arrival at Monte Video, found, +however, that there was still work to be done. Some of the allies of +Rosas had been engaged in attempting its capture, but they were quickly +put to flight, and a body of marines and bluejackets were sent on shore, +to assist the inhabitants in placing the city in a better position of +defence. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. + +LETTER FROM MURRAY--JACK'S REPLY--THE SUPPLEJACK ORDERED HOME--THE +VOYAGE--A GALE--LONG TOM'S BURIAL--A WRECK SEEN AND BOARDED--STELLA AND +HER FRIENDS RESCUED--ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND--MURRAY'S ANXIETY RELIEVED--THE +FATE OF THE SUPPLEJACK--MURRAY'S WEDDING--JACK AWAKES FROM HIS DREAM--A +VISIT TO BALLYMACREE--JACK CAUGHT AT LAST--CONCLUSION. + +Jack found letters from England at Monte Video for him, and among them +was one from Murray; he wrote much out of spirits. Mr Bradshaw had +deferred his departure from Jamaica, and Stella, who had waited for his +escort, was not likely to arrive in England for some time, wrote +Murray-- + +"I would have gone out myself to escort her home, but as she and her +friends may sail any day, I might, possibly, on my arrival, find that +they had left the island. I must remain, therefore, in England, till I +hear something more definite of their intentions. I have received +orders to pay off the _Tudor_, so that I shall shortly be a free man. I +have not heard whether the _Carib_, the ship for which Mr Bradshaw is +waiting, is bound for London or Liverpool, and I am, therefore, at a +loss where to take up my quarters to await her arrival. Of course, I am +very anxious to be on the spot to meet Stella. I trust that as I am not +likely to be employed again for some time, she will not consider it +necessary longer to defer our marriage, and I sincerely hope, my dear +Jack, that you will be at home to act as my best man." + +Jack wrote a reply by Terence, whose ship was on the point of sailing +for England. + +"Nothing I can wish for would give me greater pleasure than to take care +of you on the awful occasion to which you allude. Keep up your spirits, +my dear Alick, for I feel very sure that if you are not already spliced +by the time I arrive in England, that I shall have the satisfaction, not +long afterwards, of attending you as you propose. + +"I cannot believe that so sensible a girl as Miss O'Regan is, will +longer defer your happiness. Should she contemplate so cruel a +proceeding, I must get my sisters, Mary and Lucy, to argue the point +with her, and depend upon it they will bring her round. I have promised +Terence to pay him a visit to Ballymacree, but I told him that I cannot +go till I see you settled. Should you find your fair one's obdurate +heart soften before I arrive, he will be delighted to undertake the post +you offer me, and I cannot wish for a better substitute. He begs me to +say this, and you well know that next to me you have not a truer friend. +He has promised to come and stay with us at Halliburton, after he has +paid a flying visit to his own home, and we hope to meet you and Mrs +Murray there, as my father and mother propose asking you to take it in +your way to the north, where we conclude you will wish to introduce your +bride to the Highland home you have so often described to us." + +Jack said a good deal more, indeed his letter was one of the longest he +had ever indited. He, of course, also wrote home, begging Sir John to +invite Murray to stay at Halliburton till the arrival of the _Carib_. +Terence promised to post the letters as soon as he got on shore, or to +deliver Murray's, which was directed to his agent, should he by chance +be at Portsmouth. + +"Good-bye," said Terence, as they parted, "we shall meet again before +long, depend upon that, for I hear that your brig is to be sent home as +soon as a steamer comes from England to relieve you; they have an idea +that such vessels are more likely to prove efficient slaver-hunters than +such small craft as yours." + +Jack took an active part in the work going forward at Monte Video, and +when it was over he began eagerly to look out for the expected orders to +return home. + +Two steamers at last arrived, the second came to relieve the +_Supplejack_. Without an hour's delay, having already received on board +fuel and fresh provisions, the anchor was hove up, and under all sail a +course was steered for Old England. Her crew gave three hearty cheers, +as she glided out from among the ships destined to remain behind. +Desmond had continued on board her, as Terence considered that the +longer he remained afloat the better, as it might not be so easy to get +him another ship. + +Except a pampeiro, which, had not Jack been wideawake, might have taken +the masts out of the brig, or sent her--where many a vessel of her class +has gone--to the bottom, nothing of consequence occurred, until she had +got considerably to the north of the line. She had reached about the +latitude of Madeira, when a heavy gale sprang up. + +For three days she lay exposed to its fury, so severely tried that Jack +entertained serious thoughts of heaving Long Tom overboard. Needham +gazed at his old friend with sorrowful eye, as Jack suggested that such +might be necessary. + +"He has done good service, and she has carried him a good many thousand +miles without complaining, sir, and, unless it comes on worse than it is +at present, she will carry him home safe enough, I hope." + +It, however, did come on worse; and, moreover, a leak was sprung, which +required half the watch constantly at the pumps. Long Tom was doomed. +Jack tried to comfort Needham by saying-- + +"From what I hear, when the ship is paid off, he will only be looked on +as so much old iron, or laid up in the gun-wharf never to bark again, so +we shall do him more honour by lowering him into an ocean grave." + +The order was given, and, as the brig rolled, Long Tom sent over the +side into the foaming waters. The brig evidently floated more buoyantly +on being relieved of his weight. + +At length the gale broke, and sail being made, the _Supplejack_ once +more stood on her course. + +Evening was coming on; dark, leaden seas, still foam-topped, were rising +up sullenly around her as she made her way amidst them, now on the +summit of one, now sinking into the valley below, when the lookout +shouted-- + +"The hull of a ship, either dismasted or on her beam-ends away on the +lee-bow, sir." + +Jack went aloft with his telescope. + +"She is a dismasted vessel, there is little doubt about that," he +observed to Bevan, as he returned on deck. "Keep the brig away for +her." + +Evening was approaching, but Jack hoped to be up with the stranger +before dark. As the brig drew near her, she was seen to be a large +ship, her three masts gone, while no attempt apparently had been made to +rig jury-masts. So deep was she, that as she rolled in the heavy seas, +the water came rushing over her decks, and gushing out through the +scuppers on the opposite side. + +Jack felt thankful that he had seen her, as, in all probability, her +fate during the night would have been sealed. The brig was steered to +pass just under her stern, Jack intending to heave-to to leeward. Just +as she got up to her, Tom exclaimed-- + +"I see her name--it is the _Carib_, the very ship in which Mr Bradshaw +intended to come to England." + +The eyes of all on board were turned towards the wreck. No one was seen +on the deck. + +"She must have been abandoned, but I trust that her passengers have been +taken off by some other vessel, for should they have left in the boats, +their chance of escaping in the heavy sea which has been running would +have been small indeed," said Jack, feeling very anxious as he thought +of Stella and Murray. + +"Possibly the boats may have not long left her," observed Bevan. + +"You may be right," said Jack. "Send a couple of men with the sharpest +eyes to look out, in case they may be still in sight." + +Just then a person was seen emerging from the companion-hatch, who no +sooner discovered the brig, than he waved his hands and appeared to be +frantically imploring assistance. + +"It is Mr Bradshaw himself!" exclaimed Jack, who had been looking +through his telescope. He immediately ordered a boat to be lowered, and +sung out for volunteers. + +"I will go myself, Bevan," he said. "Take charge of the brig." + +Needham was the first to step in, others quickly followed, and Jack, +with some of his best men, pulled away through the heavy seas towards +the ship. It was no easy task to get alongside without the risk of +having the boat knocked to pieces. Jack watched his opportunity, and, +followed by Needham and Tim Mullens, one of the men, sprang on board. +As he did so, he ordered the boat to keep off till he called her. + +"Thank Heaven you have come!" exclaimed Mr Bradshaw, as he grasped his +hand. + +"Quick! quick! the ladies are in the cabin. I charged them not to come +on deck for fear of being washed overboard, but from the heavy way the +ship is rolling, I suspect that she has not much longer to swim." + +"Indeed she has not, I fear," exclaimed Jack, rushing into the cabin. +Stella was seated on a sofa, supporting Miss Bradshaw, who, overcome +with alarm or illness, appeared to have fainted, while Polly was +kneeling by her side, helping her mistress. Miss O'Regan looked amazed +at seeing Jack. He, without waiting to utter an exclamation, seized her +in his arms, and carried her on deck. Needham took up Miss Bradshaw, +while Tim, who had accompanied him, tucked Polly under his arm. + +"If you have nerve to leap at the proper time as the boat comes +alongside, do so," said Jack to Mr Bradshaw. "If not, wait and I will +come back for you." + +Jack shouted to the men in the boat to return, and waiting till she was +close to, let himself down into her, holding Stella firmly with one arm. +Needham and Tim dropped safely with their burdens at the same time. +Mr Bradshaw still remained on board. + +"Let me go, sir," cried Needham, "I will help him;" and the next moment +he was again on deck. Seizing Mr Bradshaw by the hand, he watched the +proper opportunity and dragged him down into the boat, both falling, +though being caught by the men they were not much hurt. Jack then +sheered the boat off from the wreck, and ordered his men to pull away +towards the brig. Scarcely had they got clear than the ship's stern was +seen to lift, and her bows plunging into the next sea which came rolling +up, it rushed over her deck foaming and hissing, she in a few seconds +disappearing beneath the surface, the boat having only just got beyond +the influence of the vortex she created. There was no time to ask +questions. Jack, being at the helm, could with difficulty attend to the +two ladies, who lay in the stern sheets, Stella still attending on her +friend. The boat was quickly again alongside the brig, and Jack and +Needham lifted the two ladies safely on board. Mr Bradshaw was then +helped up the side by the seamen, and the boat being hoisted in, the +brig again made sail and stood on her proper course. The ladies were at +once conveyed to Jack's cabin, and McTavish being sent for, his +appliances soon restored Miss Bradshaw to consciousness. + +So much taken up had Stella been in attending her friend, that she had +had no time to thank her preserver, or to speak a word on any other +subject. Jack had also been too fully occupied to ask questions. Mr +Bradshaw now told him that the _Carib_ had been struck suddenly by the +gale, and her masts carried away. At the same time the captain and his +mates, with several of the crew, had either been washed or struck +overboard, or killed by the falling masts; and that the rest of the +crew, left without officers, had, when they believed the ship to be +sinking, taken the only boat which remained. As they had previously +broken open the spirit-room, they were probably, before long, +overwhelmed by the heavy sea. "We would not have gone with them, had +they invited us to do so, for we did not then believe that the ship was +about to founder," continued Mr Bradshaw. "When we discovered the +awful truth, having no means of escaping, we gave ourselves up as lost, +and when you appeared we were awaiting the event which we knew must soon +occur." + +Jack, of course, said how thankful he was that he had been +providentially directed to the spot in time to save their lives; he then +mentioned Alick Murray, and asked Stella when she had last heard from +him, telling her of the letter he himself had received. + +Hers was of about the same date. + +"Poor fellow," added Jack, "he seems dreadfully out of spirits; and I +trust, Miss O'Regan, that you will do your best to restore them." + +Stella said nothing, but Fanny Bradshaw told Jack that she did not think +her friend would longer be obdurate. + +"I hope not," he answered, "I have promised to be his best man, and I +wish to fulfil that engagement before I pay a visit to my old friend, +Adair, at Ballymacree. You, of course, will be one of the bridesmaids?" + +Fanny said that she had little doubt about that, and changed the subject +by making inquiries respecting Ballymacree. Jack, of course, gave the +description he had received from Terence. + +"And your friend has a number of pretty Irish sisters?" asked Fanny. + +"Irish of course they are, and as to their beauty Terence has not said +much about that, except that his sister Kathleen is an attractive girl, +and observed that I should be able to form an opinion myself on the +matter." + +Fanny did not ask many more questions about Ballymacree. + +Jack at first feared that it might be necessary to put into Funchal, but +the weather becoming fine, the leaks were kept under by dint of constant +pumping, and at last the _Supplejack_ reached soundings in the chops of +the Channel. The wind held fair, and she was not long in running up it. +Her leaky condition was a sufficient excuse for going at once into +Portsmouth harbour, without waiting for orders. + +Jack immediately went on shore to report his arrival to the admiral. He +was again hurrying on board to escort the ladies and Mr Bradshaw to an +hotel, when who should he meet but Admiral Triton, looking scarcely a +day older than when he last saw him. + +"Jack, my boy, I am rejoiced to see you," exclaimed the old man, "and +the more so, as I want your assistance in consoling a heartbroken friend +of yours, Alick Murray. He has just received intelligence that the ship +in which the young lady he expected to marry was coming home was seen by +a vessel just arrived, dismasted in mid-Atlantic, and as the gale +continued for several days afterwards, great fears are entertained for +her safety." + +"My task will be an easy one, then, admiral," cried Jack, "for I have +all her passengers safe on board my brig; and if you can tell me where +he is to be found, the sooner I relieve his mind the better." + +"Let us jump into a hackney coach, and we shall soon be there," +exclaimed the admiral. + +Jack brought the joyful intelligence to Murray, whom he found almost +prostrated. It quickly had the effect of reviving him, and accompanied +by the admiral they were soon on board the _Supplejack_. + +Whether or not Murray asked Stella the question on that occasion does +not matter, but very shortly afterwards, Fanny told Jack that all was +settled, and that she had promised to become his, soon after their +arrival in London, where her father intended to remain for some weeks. + +Alick escorted the ladies and Mr Bradshaw to town the next day, after +they had somewhat recovered their fatigue by a night's rest. + +Jack had to remain at Portsmouth to pay off the brig, though he would +rather have accompanied his friends. Admiral Triton stopped also, as he +said, to look after Tom and Desmond, but in reality to hear the yarns +which he made the youngsters spin about their adventures. + +It did not take long to pay off the poor little _Supplejack_, which was +then towed up the harbour and placed on the mud, never again to float on +blue water. + +Needham heaved a deep sigh as he heard the report of her destined fate. +It was too true, he found. She was to become a target for the guns of +the _Excellent_. + +"Well, well," he said, "she has done good service in her day. It is +better to be of use to the last than to be broken up, as is the lot of +many a once stout ship, for firewood." + +Through the interest of Admiral Triton, Needham got charge of a ship in +ordinary, where he hoped to remain till he should get appointed to one +on active service. + +Jack immediately on his arrival wrote to Terence, who had gone to +Ballymacree; he had invited Desmond to accompany Tom to Halliburton. In +reply, Terence begged him to come over to Ireland as soon as he could +tear himself away from home. "Nora is of course anxious to see her +boy," he added, "so I beg you will bring him over, and Tom also, if his +mother and sisters can spare him." Jack, however, was very doubtful +about going to Ballymacree at all; he had been greatly attracted by the +person and manners of Fanny Bradshaw, though, to be sure, she had not +said anything to make him suppose that she regarded him in any other +light than that of a friend, who had rendered her and her father an +essential service. + +"Well, I will try it, however," thought Jack. "Perhaps at Murray's +wedding, I shall be able to judge better how she feels towards me." + +Admiral Triton accompanied his young friends up to London, where they +remained a couple of days, he taking them to see every sight that could +by any possibility be inspected during the time, while Jack spent most +of his time with Murray at the Bradshaws'. When he bade farewell, after +having promised Alick to return in a couple of weeks, he felt quite as +uncertain as at first as to Fanny's feelings towards him. + +Of course every one was delighted to see him at Halliburton. Tom and +Desmond were as happy as the day was long, they only wished that Archy +Gordon, who had gone back to his friends in Scotland, could have been +with them. Gerald Desmond behaved with wonderful discretion and +propriety. + +"Really, Jack, if Lieutenant Adair is as quiet and steady as his nephew +appears to be, we need no longer fear, should he come here, that he will +play the tricks we once supposed he would," observed Lucy. + +"I always told you that Terence is as well conducted a young Irishman as +one can wish to meet with," answered Jack. "I will ask him to come over +and pay us his long-promised visit before I go to Ballymacree, and he +then can attend Murray's wedding with me." + +Jack wrote, and Terence accepted the invitation and came. Lucy +confessed that she thought Lieutenant Adair was the most pleasing, +right-minded gentleman she had ever met. + +"Of course he is," said Jack. "But then, remember that he is a half-pay +navy lieutenant, and that his paternal estate is in the Encumbered +Estate Court." + +The day before Murray's wedding, Jack and Terence went up to London, and +at once called at his lodgings. They found a gentlemanly-looking man, +with the cut of a lawyer, seated with him. He significantly introduced +his friend as Mr Stapleton, "who is to undergo the same fate for which +I am destined tomorrow." + +After some lively conversation, Mr Stapleton took his departure. + +"Who is he?" asked Jack. "He seems a very happy fellow." + +"He is the destined husband of Fanny Bradshaw," answered Alick. +"Matters, for certain reasons, were not settled till after you left +town, and therefore Mr Bradshaw did not inform you of the cause of his +coming to England. It has been a long engagement; and as Stapleton +could not go out to the West Indies, Fanny wisely consented to come to +England, and she and Stella arranged, if possible, to marry the same +day." + +Jack said nothing, he was suddenly awakened from his dream, and he very +soon began to doubt whether he had been as desperately in love with +Fanny as he had supposed after all. At all events he could earnestly +wish her and her husband every happiness. + +The wedding took place, and he appeared with as serene a countenance as +Terence, who, at the breakfast made a capital speech, and was the life +of the party. + +The same evening Jack, with Terence and the two midshipmen, set off by +the Holyhead mail bound for Ballymacree. Jack did not lose his heart at +first sight, but he, at all events, thought Kathleen Adair more charming +than her West Indian cousins, or any of the young ladies he had met in +the neighbourhood of Halliburton, or, indeed than Fanny Bradshaw +herself. He could not help it, whether wisely or not, telling her so +one day, and as she forthwith accepted him, he had to write home and +inform his father of the fact. + +Sir John, in reply, promised his sanction and blessing, provided the +young lady would wait till he was a commander. Kathleen said that she +would wait till he was an admiral, if he wished, but observed that, for +her part, she could not see why a lieutenant should not make as good a +husband as a captain. It was a wonder that the two midshipmen did not +break their necks out hunting, or finish themselves off in some other +way, but happily, while still sound in limb, both they, Jack, and +Terence received orders to join a ship fitting out for the East Indies, +the arrangement having been made, at Sir John's instigation, by their +old friend Admiral Triton. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Three Lieutenants, by W.H.G. Kingston + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE THREE LIEUTENANTS *** + +***** This file should be named 21396.txt or 21396.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/3/9/21396/ + +Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England + +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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |