diff options
Diffstat (limited to '21404.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 21404.txt | 14055 |
1 files changed, 14055 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/21404.txt b/21404.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..87fda9e --- /dev/null +++ b/21404.txt @@ -0,0 +1,14055 @@ +Project Gutenberg's From Powder Monkey to Admiral, 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: From Powder Monkey to Admiral + A Story of Naval Adventure + +Author: W.H.G. Kingston + +Illustrator: Archibald Webb + +Release Date: May 9, 2007 [EBook #21404] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM POWDER MONKEY TO ADMIRAL *** + + + + +Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England + + + + +From Powder Monkey to Admiral, a Story of Naval Adventure, by W.H.G. +Kingston. + +________________________________________________________________________ + +This book was written for "Boy's Own Paper" shortly after that magazine +started. The plan was to write a book illustrating how it might be +possible for any very ordinary little boy joining the Navy in the lowest +rating--powder monkey--and ascend to the very highest rank--admiral. It +had been done before, in the separate cases of Benbow and Hopson, and +there was no reason why it shouldn't happen again. A powder monkey was +so called because his job in manning the guns was to run from time to +time to fetch more powder whenever it was needed. Since the boys were +small they afforded little target for the enemy's shot, so they tended +to survive an engagement. Just as well, for their job was +indispensable. + +In this book three boys join up in the same batch. They have the usual +Kingston-style adventures, but only one of them makes it to the quarter +deck to become a midshipman. This was probably the hardest step for any +of them, but it was his bravery, honesty and good manners that won for +him the necessary attention. At the end of the book there is a pathetic +scene where we meet again the boy who did least well. This is a good +and enjoyable read or listen, taking about twelve and three quarter +hours. + +________________________________________________________________________ + +FROM POWDER MONKEY TO ADMIRAL; A STORY OF NAVAL ADVENTURE, BY W.H.G. +KINGSTON. + +Introduction. + +A book for boys by W.H.G. Kingston needs no introduction. Yet a few +things may be said about the origin and the purpose of this story. + +When the _Boys' Own Paper_ was first started, Mr Kingston, who showed +deep interest in the project, undertook to write a story of the sea, +during the wars, under the title of "From Powder-monkey to Admiral." + +Talking the matter over, it was objected that such a story might offend +peaceable folk, because it must deal too much with blood and gunpowder. +Mr Kingston, although famed as a narrator of sea-fights, was a lover of +peace, and he said that his story would not encourage the war spirit. +Those who cared chiefly to read about battles might turn to the pages of +"British Naval History." He chose the period of the great war for his +story, because it was a time of stirring events and adventures. The +main part of the narrative belongs to the early years of life, in which +boys would feel most interest and sympathy. And throughout the tale, +not "glory" but "duty" is the object set before the youthful reader. + +It was further objected that the title of the story set before boys an +impossible object of ambition. The French have a saying, that "every +soldier carries in his knapsack a marshal's baton," meaning that the way +is open for rising to the very highest rank in their army. But who ever +heard of a sailor lad rising to be an Admiral in the British Navy? + +Let us see how history answers this question. There was a great sea +captain of other days, whose fame is not eclipsed by the glorious +reputations of later wars, Admiral Benbow. In the reign of Queen Anne, +before the great Duke of Marlborough had begun his victorious career, +Benbow had broken the power of France on the sea. Rank and routine were +powerful in those days, as now; but when a time of peril comes, the best +man is wanted, and Benbow was promoted out of turn, by royal command, to +the rank of Vice-Admiral, and went after the fleet of Admiral Ducasse to +the West Indies. In the little church of Saint Andrew's, Kingston, +Jamaica, his body lies, and the memorial stone speaks of him as "a true +pattern of English courage, who lost his life in defence of queen and +country." + +Like his illustrious French contemporary Jean Bart, John Benbow was of +humble origin. He entered the merchant service when a boy. He was +unknown till he had reached the age of thirty, when he had risen to the +command of a merchant vessel. Attacked by a powerful Salee rover, he +gallantly repulsed these Moorish pirates, and took his ship safe into +Cadiz. The heads of thirteen of the pirates he preserved, and delivered +them to the magistrates of the town, in presence of the custom-house +officers. The tidings of this strange incident reached Madrid, and the +King of Spain, Charles the Second, sent for the English captain, +received him with great honour, and wrote a letter on his behalf to our +King James the Second, who on his return to England gave him a ship. +This was his introduction to the British Navy, in which he served with +distinction in the reigns of William the Third and Queen Anne. But his +obscure origin is the point here under notice, and the following +traditional anecdote is preserved in Shropshire:--When a boy he was left +in charge of the house by his mother, who went out marketing. The +desire to go to sea, long cherished, was irresistible. He stole forth, +locking the cottage door after him, and hung the key on a hook in a tree +in the garden. Many years passed before he returned to the old place. +Though now out of his reach, for the tree had grown faster than he, the +key still hung on the hook. He left it there; and there it remained +when he came back as Rear-Admiral of the _White_. He then pointed it +out to his friends, and told the story. Once more his country required +his services, but his fame and the echo of his victories alone came over +the wave. The good town of Shrewsbury is proud to claim him as a son, +and remembers the key, hung by the banks of the Severn, near Benbow +House. Whatever basis of truth the story may have, its being told and +believed attests the fact of the humble birth and origin of Admiral +Benbow. + +Another sailor boy, Hopson, in the early part of last century, rose to +be Admiral in the British Navy. Born at Bonchurch in the Isle of Wight, +of humblest parentage, he was left an orphan, and apprenticed by the +parish to a tailor. While sitting one day alone on the shop-board, he +was struck by the sight of the squadron coming round Dunnose. Instantly +quitting his work, he ran to the shore, jumped into a boat, and rowed +for the Admiral's ship. Taken on board, he entered as a volunteer. + +Next morning the English fleet fell in with a French squadron, and a +warm action ensued. Young Hopson obeyed every order with the utmost +alacrity; but after two or three hours' fighting he became impatient, +and asked what they were fighting for. The sailors explained to him +that they must fire away, and the fight go on, till the white rag at the +enemy's mast-head was struck. Getting this information, his resolution +was formed, and he exclaimed, "Oh, if that's all, I'll see what I can +do." + +The two ships, with the flags of the commanders on each side, were now +engaged at close quarters, yard-arm and yard-arm, and completely +enveloped in smoke. This proved favourable to the purpose of the brave +youth, who mounted the shrouds through the smoke unobserved, gained the +French Admiral's main-yard, ascended with agility to the main-topgallant +mast-head, and carried off the French flag. It was soon seen that the +enemy's colours had disappeared, and the British sailors, thinking they +had been hauled down, raised a shout of "Victory, victory!" The French +were thrown into confusion by this, and first slackened fire, and then +ran from their guns. At this juncture the ship was boarded by the +English and taken. Hopson had by this time descended the shrouds with +the French flag wrapped round his arm, which he triumphantly displayed. + +The sailors received the prize with astonishment and cheers of approval. +The Admiral being told of the exploit, sent for Hopson and thus +addressed him, "My lad, I believe you to be a brave youth. From this +day I order you to walk the quarter-deck, and if your future conduct is +equally meritorious, you shall have my patronage and protection." +Hopson made every effort to maintain the good opinion of his patron, and +by his conduct and attention to duty gained the respect of the officers +of the ship. He afterwards went rapidly through the different ranks of +the service, till at length he attained that of Admiral. + +We might give not a few instances of more recent date, but the families +and friends of those "who have risen" do not always feel the same honest +pride as the great men themselves in the story of their life. While it +is true that no sailor boy may now hope to become "Admiral of the +Fleet," yet there is room for advancement, in peace as in war, to what +is better than mere rank or title or wealth,--a position of honour and +usefulness. Good character and good conduct, pluck and patience, +steadiness and application, will win their way, whether on sea or land, +and in every calling. + +The inventions of modern science and art are producing a great change in +all that pertains to life at sea. The revolution is more apparent in +war than in peace. There is, and always will be, a large proportion of +merchant ships under sail, even in nations like our own where steam is +in most general use. In war, a wooden ship without steam and without +armour would be a mere floating coffin. The fighting _Temeraire_, and +the saucy _Arethusa_, and Nelson's _Victory_ itself, would be nothing +but targets for deadly fire from active and irresistible foes. The odds +would be about the same as the odds of javelins and crossbows against +modern fire-arms. Steam alone had made a revolution in naval warfare; +but when we add to this the armour-plating of vessels, and the terrible +artillery of modern times, "the wooden walls of old England" are only +fit to be used as store-ships or hospitals for a few years, and then +sent to the ship-yards to be broken up for firewood. But though +material conditions have changed, the moral forces are the same as ever, +and courage, daring, skill, and endurance are the same in ships of oak +or of iron:-- + + "Yes, the days of our wooden walls are ended, + And the days of our iron ones begun; + But who cares by what our land's defended, + While the hearts that fought and fight are one? + 'Twas not the oak that fought each battle, + 'Twas not the wood that victory won; + 'Twas the hands that made our broadsides rattle, + 'Twas the hearts of oak that served each gun." + +These are words from one of the "Songs for Sailors," by W.C. Bennett, +who has written better naval poems for popular use than any one since +the days of Dibdin. The same idea concludes a rattling ballad on old +Admiral Benbow:-- + + "Well, our walls of oak have become just a joke + And in tea-kettles we're to fight; + It seems a queer dream, all this iron and steam, + But I daresay, my lads, it's right. + But whether we float in ship or in boat, + In iron or oak, we know + For old England's right we've hearts that will fight, + As of old did the brave Benbow." + +But, after all, even in war, fighting is only a small part of the sum of +any sailor's life, and the British flag floats over ships on every sea, +whether under sail or steam, in the peaceful pursuits of commerce. The +same qualities of heart and mind will have their play, which Mr +Kingston has described in his stirring story,--a story which will be +read with profit by the young, and with pleasure by both young and old. + + DR. MACAULAY, FOUNDER OF "BOY'S OWN PAPER." + + +CHAPTER ONE. + +PREPARING TO START. + +No steamboats ploughed the ocean, nor were railroads thought of, when +our young friends Jack, Tom, and Bill lived. They first met each other +on board the _Foxhound_ frigate, on the deck of which ship a score of +other lads and some fifty or sixty men were mustered, who had just come +up the side from the _Viper_ tender; she having been on a cruise to +collect such stray hands as could be found; and a curious lot they were +to look at. + +Among them were long-shore fellows in swallow-tails and round hats, +fishermen in jerseys and fur-skin caps, smugglers in big boots and +flushing coats; and not a few whose whitey-brown faces, and +close-cropped hair, made it no difficult matter to guess that their last +residence was within the walls of a gaol. There were seamen also, +pressed most of them, just come in from a long voyage, many months or +perhaps years having passed since they left their native land; that they +did not look especially amiable was not to be wondered at, since they +had been prevented from going, as they had intended, to visit their +friends, or maybe, in the case of the careless ones, from enjoying a +long-expected spree on shore. They were all now waiting to be inspected +by the first lieutenant, before their names were entered on the ship's +books. + +The rest of the crew were going about their various duties. Most of +them were old hands, who had served a year or more on board the gallant +frigate. During that time she had fought two fierce actions, which, +though she had come off victorious, had greatly thinned her ship's +company, and the captain was therefore anxious to make up the complement +as fast as possible by every means in his power. + +The seamen took but little notice of the new hands, though some of them +had been much of the same description themselves, but were not very fond +of acknowledging this, or of talking of their previous histories; they +had, however, got worked into shape by degrees: and the newcomers, even +those with the "long togs," by the time they had gone through the same +process would not be distinguished from the older hands, except, maybe, +when they came to splice an eye, or turn in a grummet, when their clumsy +work would show what they were; few of them either were likely ever to +be the outermost on the yard-arms when sail had suddenly to be shortened +on a dark night, while it was blowing great guns and small arms. + +The frigate lay at Spithead. She had been waiting for these hands to +put to sea. Lighters were alongside, and whips were never-ceasingly +hoisting in casks of rum, with bales and cases of all sorts, which it +seemed impossible could ever be stowed away. From the first lieutenant +to the youngest midshipman, all were bawling at the top of their voices, +issuing and repeating orders; but there were two persons who out-roared +all the rest, the boatswain and the boatswain's mate. They were proud +of those voices of theirs. Let the hardest gale be blowing, with the +wind howling and whistling through the rigging, the canvas flapping like +claps of thunder, and the seas roaring and dashing against the bows, +they could make themselves heard above the loudest sounds of the storm. + +At present the boatswain bawled, or rather roared, because he was so +accustomed to roar that he could speak in no gentler voice while +carrying on duty on deck; and the boatswain's mate imitated him. + +The first lieutenant had a good voice of his own, though it was not so +rough as that of his inferiors. He made it come out with a quick, sharp +sound, which could be heard from the poop to the forecastle, even with +the wind ahead. + +Jack, Tom, and Bill looked at each other, wondering what was next going +to happen. They were all three of about the same age, and much of a +height, and somehow, as I have said, they found themselves standing +close together. + +They were too much astonished, not to say frightened, to talk just then, +though they all three had tongues in their heads, so they listened to +the conversation going on around them. + +"Why, mate, where do you come from?" asked a long-shore chap of one of +the whitey-brown-faced gentlemen. + +"Oh, I've jist dropped from the clouds; don't know where else I've come +from," was the answer. + +"I suppose you got your hair cropped off as you came down?" was the next +query. + +"Yes! it was the wind did it as I came scuttling down," answered the +other, who was evidently never at a loss what to say. "And now, mate, +just tell me how did you get on board this craft?" he inquired. + +"I swam off, of course, seized with a fit of patriotism, and determined +to fight for the honour and glory of old England," was the answer. + +It cannot, however, be said that this is a fair specimen of the +conversation; indeed, it would benefit no one were what was said to be +repeated. + +Jack, Tom, and Bill felt very much as a person might be supposed to do +who had dropped from the moon. Everything around them was so strange +and bewildering, for not one of them had ever before been on board a +ship, and Bill had never even seen one. Having not been much accustomed +to the appearance of trees, he had some idea that the masts grew out of +the deck, that the yards were branches, and the blocks curious leaves; +not that amid the fearful uproar, and what seemed to him the wildest +confusion, he could think of anything clearly. + +Bill Rayner had certainly not been born with a silver spoon in his +mouth. His father he had never known. His mother lived in a garret and +died in a garret, although not before, happily for him, he was able to +do something for himself, and, still more happily, not before she had +impressed right principles on his mind. As the poor woman lay on her +deathbed, taking her boy's hands and looking earnestly into his eyes, +she said, "Be honest, Bill, in the sight of God. Never forget that He +sees you, and do your best to please Him. No fear about the rest. I am +not much of a scholar, but I know that's right. If others try to +persuade you to do what's wrong, don't listen to them. Promise me, +Bill, that you will do as I tell you." + +"I promise, mother, that I will," answered Bill; and, small lad as he +was, meant what he said. + +Poor as she was, being a woman of some education, his mother had taught +him to read and write and cipher--not that he was a great adept at any +of those arts, but he possessed the groundwork, which was an important +matter; and he did his best to keep up his knowledge by reading +sign-boards, looking into book-sellers' windows, and studying any stray +leaves he could obtain. + +Bill's mother was buried in a rough shell by the parish, and Bill went +out into the world to seek his fortune. He took to curious ways,-- +hunting in dust-heaps for anything worth having; running errands when he +could get any one to send him; holding horses for gentlemen, but that +was not often; doing duty as a link-boy at houses when grand parties +were going forward or during foggy weather; for Bill, though he often +went supperless to his nest, either under a market-cart, or in a cask by +the river side, or in some other out-of-the-way place, generally managed +to have a little capital with which to buy a link; but the said capital +did not grow much, for bad times coming swallowed it all up. + +Bill, as are many other London boys, was exposed to temptations of all +sorts; often when almost starving, without a roof to sleep under, or a +friend to whom he could appeal for help, his shoes worn out, his +clothing too scanty to keep him warm; but, ever recollecting his +mother's last words, he resisted them all. One day, having wandered +farther east than he had ever been before, he found himself in the +presence of a press-gang, who were carrying off a party of men and boys +to the river's edge. One of the man-of-war's men seized upon him, and +Bill, thinking that matters could not be much worse with him than they +were at present, willingly accompanied the party, though he had very +little notion where they were going. Reaching a boat, they were made to +tumble in, some resisting and endeavouring to get away; but a gentle +prick from the point of a cutlass, or a clout on the head, made them +more reasonable, and most of them sat down resigned to their fate. One +of them, however, a stout fellow, when the boat had got some distance +from the shore, striking out right and left at the men nearest him, +sprang overboard, and before the boat could be pulled round had already +got back nearly half-way to the landing-place. + +One or two of the press-gang, who had muskets, fired, but they were not +good shots. The man looking back as he saw them lifting their weapons, +by suddenly diving escaped the first volley, and by the time they had +again loaded he had gained such a distance that the shot spattered into +the water on either side of him. They were afraid of firing again for +fear of hitting some of the people on shore, besides which, darkness +coming on, the gloom concealed him from view. + +They knew, however, that he must have landed in safety from the cheers +which came from off the quay, uttered by the crowd who had followed the +press-gang, hooting them as they embarked with their captives. + +Bill began to think that he could not be going to a very pleasant place, +since, in spite of the risk he ran, the man had been so eager to escape; +but being himself unable to swim, he could not follow his example, even +had he wished it. He judged it wiser, therefore, to stay still, and see +what would next happen. The boat pulled down the river for some way, +till she got alongside a large cutter, up the side of which Bill and his +companions were made to climb. + +From what he heard, he found that she was a man-of-war tender, her +business being to collect men, by hook or by crook, for the Royal Navy. + +As she was now full--indeed, so crowded that no more men could be stowed +on board--she got under way with the first of the ebb, and dropped down +the stream, bound for Spithead. + +As Bill, with most of the pressed men, was kept below during this his +first trip to sea, he gained but little nautical experience. He was, +however, very sick, while he arrived at the conclusion that the tender's +hold, the dark prison in which he found himself, was a most horrible +place. + +Several of his more heartless companions jeered at him in his misery; +and, indeed, poor Bill, thin and pale, shoeless and hatless, clad in +patched garments, looked a truly miserable object. + +As the wind was fair, the voyage did not last long, and glad enough he +was when the cutter got alongside the big frigate, and he with the rest +being ordered on board, he could breathe the fresh air which blew across +her decks. + +Tom Fletcher, who stood next to Bill, had considerably the advantage of +him in outward appearance. Tom was dressed in somewhat nautical +fashion, though any sailor would have seen with half an eye that his +costume had been got up by a shore-going tailor. + +Tom had a good-natured but not very sensible-looking countenance. He +was strongly built, was in good health, and had the making of a sailor +in him, though this was the first time that he had even been on board a +ship. + +He had a short time before come off with a party of men returning on the +expiration of their leave. Telling them that he wished to go to sea, he +had been allowed to enter the boat. From the questions some of them had +put to him, and the answers he gave, they suspected that he was a +runaway, and such in fact was the case. Tom was the son of a solicitor +in a country town, who had several other boys, he being the fourth, in +the family. + +He had for some time taken to reading the voyages of Drake, Cavendish, +and Dampier, and the adventures of celebrated pirates, such as those of +Captains Kidd, Lowther, Davis, Teach, as also the lives of some of +England's naval commanders, Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Benbow, and Admirals +Hawke, Keppel, Rodney, and others, whose gallant actions he fully +intended some day to imitate. + +He had made vain endeavours to induce his father to let him go to sea, +but Mr Fletcher, knowing that he was utterly ignorant of a sea life, +set his wish down as a mere fancy which it would be folly to indulge. + +Tom, instead of trying to show that he really was in earnest, took +French leave one fine morning, and found his way to Portsmouth, without +being traced. Had he waited, he would probably have been sent to sea as +a midshipman, and placed on the quarter-deck. He now entered as a +ship-boy before the mast. + +Tom, as he had made his bed, had to lie on it, as is the case with many +other persons. Even now, had he written home, he might have had his +position changed, but he thought himself very clever, and had no +intention of letting his father know where he had gone. The last of the +trio was far more accustomed to salt water than was either of his +companions. Jack Peek was the son of a West country fisherman. He had +come to sea because he saw that there was little chance of getting bread +to put into his mouth if he remained on shore. + +Jack's father had lost his boats and nets the previous winter, and had +shortly afterwards been pressed on board a man-of-war. + +Jack had done his best to support himself without being a burden to his +mother, who sold fish in the neighbouring town and country round, and +could do very well for herself; so when he proposed going on board a +man-of-war, she, having mended his shirts, bought him a new pair of +shoes, and gave him her blessing. Accordingly, doing up his spare +clothes in a bundle, which he carried at the end of a stick, he trudged +off with a stout heart, resolved to serve His Majesty and fight the +battles of Old England. + +Jack went on board the first man-of-war tender picking up hands he could +find, and had been transferred that day to the _Foxhound_. + +He told Tom and Bill thus much of his history. The former, however, was +not very ready to be communicative as to his; while Bill's patched +garments said as much about him as he was just then willing to narrate. +A boy who had spent all his life in the streets of London was not likely +to say more to strangers than was necessary. + +In the meantime the fresh hands had been called up before the first +lieutenant, Mr Saltwell, and their names entered by the purser in the +ship's books, after the ordinary questions had been put to them to +ascertain for what rating they were qualified. + +Some few, including the smugglers, were entered as able seamen; others +as ordinary seamen; and the larger number, who were unfit to go aloft, +or indeed not likely to be of much use in any way for a long time to +come, were rated as landsmen, and would have to do all the dirty work +about the ship. + +The boys were next called up, and each of them gave an account of +himself. + +Tom dreaded lest he should be asked any questions which he would be +puzzled to answer. + +The first lieutenant glanced at all three, and in spite of his old +dress, entered Bill first, Jack next, and Tom, greatly to his surprise, +the last. In those days no questions were asked where men or boys came +from. At the present time, a boy who should thus appear on board a +man-of-war would find himself in the wrong box, and be quickly sent on +shore again, and home to his friends. None are allowed to enter the +Navy until they have gone through a regular course of instruction in a +training ship, and none are received on board her unless they can read +and write well, and have a formally signed certificate that they have +obtained permission from their parents or guardians. + + + +CHAPTER TWO. + +HEAVING UP THE ANCHOR. + +As soon as the boys' names were entered, they were sent forward, under +charge of the ship's corporal, to obtain suits of sailor's clothing from +the purser's steward, which clothing was charged to their respective +accounts. + +The ship's corporal made them wash themselves before putting on their +fresh gear; and when they appeared in it, with their hair nicely combed +out, it was soon seen which of the three was likely to prove the +smartest sea boy. + +Bill, who had never had such neat clothing on before, felt himself a +different being. Tom strutted about and tried to look big. Jack was +not much changed, except that he had a round hat instead of a cap, clean +clothes, and lighter shoes than the thick ones in which he had come on +board. + +As neither Tom nor Bill knew the stem from the stern of the ship, and +even Jack felt very strange, they were handed over to the charge of Dick +Brice, the biggest ship's boy, with orders to him to instruct them in +their respective duties. + +Dick had great faith in a rope's-end, having found it efficacious in his +own case. He was fond of using it pretty frequently to enforce his +instructions. Jack and Bill supposed that it was part of the regular +discipline of the ship; but Tom had not bargained for such treatment, +and informing Dick that he would not stand it, in consequence got a +double allowance. + +He dared not venture to complain to his superiors, for he saw the +boatswain and the boatswain's mate using their colts with similar +freedom, and so he had just to grin and bear it. + +At night, when the hammocks were piped down, the three went to theirs in +the forepart of the ship. Bill thought he had never slept in a more +comfortable bed in his life. Jack did not think much about the matter; +but Tom, who had always been accustomed to a well-made bed at home, +grumbled dreadfully when he tried to get into his, and tumbled out three +or four times on the opposite side before he succeeded. + +Had it not been for Dick Brice, who slung their hammocks for them, they +would have had to sleep on the bare deck. + +The next morning the gruff voice of the boatswain's mate summoned all +hands to turn out, and on going on deck they saw "Blue Peter" flying at +the fore, while shortly afterwards the Jews and all other visitors were +made to go down the side into the boats waiting for them. The captain +came on board, the sails were loosed, and while the fife was setting up +a merry tune, the seamen tramped round at the capstan bars, and the +anchor was hove up. + +The wind being from the eastward, in the course of a few minutes the +gallant frigate, under all sail, was gliding down through the smooth +waters of the Solent Sea towards the Needles. + +Tom and Bill had something fresh to wonder at every minute. It dawned +upon them by degrees that the forepart of the ship went first, and that +the wheel, at which two hands were always stationed, had something to do +with guiding her, and that the sails played an important part in driving +her on. + +Jack had a great advantage over them, as he knew all this, and many +other things besides, and being a good-natured fellow, was always ready +to impart his knowledge to them. + +By the time they had been three or four weeks at sea, they had learned a +great deal more, and were able to go aloft. + +Bill had caught up to Jack, and had left Tom far behind. The same +talent which had induced him to mend his ragged clothes, made him do, +with rapidity and neatness, everything else he undertook, while he +showed a peculiar knack of being quick at understanding and executing +the orders he received. + +Tom felt rather jealous that he should be surpassed by one he had at +first looked down on as little better than a beggar boy. + +It never entered into Jack's head to trouble himself about the matter, +and if Bill was his superior, that was no business of his. + +There were a good many other people on board, who looked down on all +three of them, considering that they were the youngest boys, and were at +everybody's beck and call. + +As soon as the frigate got to sea the crew were exercised at their guns, +and Jack, Tom, and Bill had to perform the duty of powder-monkeys. This +consisted in bringing up the powder from the magazine in small tubs, on +which they had to sit in a row on deck, to prevent the sparks getting in +while the men were working the guns, and to hand out the powder as it +was required. + +"I don't see any fun in firing away when there is no enemy in sight," +observed Tom, as he sat on his tub at a little distance from Bill. + +"There may not be much fun in it, but it's very necessary," answered +Bill. "If the men were not to practise at the guns, how could they fire +away properly when we get alongside an enemy? See! some of the fresh +hands don't seem to know much what they are about, or the lieutenant +would not be growling at them in the way he is doing. I am keeping my +eye on the old hands to learn how they manage, and before long, I think, +if I was big enough, I could stand to my gun as well as they do." + +Tom, who had not before thought of observing the crews of the guns, took +the hint, and watched how each man was engaged. + +By being constantly exercised, the crew in a few weeks were well able to +work their guns; but hitherto they had fallen in with no enemy against +whom to exhibit their prowess. + +A bright look-out was kept from the mast-head from sunrise to sunset for +a strange sail, and it was not probable that they would have to go long +without falling in with one, for England had at that time pretty nearly +all the world in arms against her. She had managed to quarrel with the +Dutch, and was at war with the French and Spaniards, while she had +lately been engaged in a vain attempt to overcome the American colonies, +which had thrown off their allegiance to the British Crown. + +Happily for the country, her navy was staunch, and many of the most +gallant admirals whose names have been handed down to fame commanded her +fleets; the captains, officers, and crews, down to the youngest +ship-boys, tried to imitate their example, and enabled her in the +unequal struggle to come off victorious. + +The _Foxhound_ had for some days been cruising in the Bay of Biscay, and +was one morning about the latitude of Ferrol. The watch was employed in +washing down decks, the men and boys paddling about with their trousers +tucked up to their knees, some with buckets of water, which they were +heaving about in every direction, now and then giving a shipmate, when +the first lieutenant's eye was off them, the benefit of a shower-bath: +others were wielding huge swabs, slashing them down right and left, with +loud thuds, and ill would it have fared with any incautious landsman who +might have got within their reach. The men were laughing and joking +with each other, and the occupation seemed to afford amusement to all +employed. + +Suddenly there came a shout from the look-out at the masthead of "Five +sail in sight." + +"Where away?" asked Lieutenant Saltwell, who was on deck superintending +the operations going forward. + +"Dead to leeward, sir," was the answer. + +The wind was at the time blowing from the north-west, and the frigate +was standing close hauled, on the starboard tack, to the westward. + +The mate of the watch instantly went aloft, with his spy-glass hung at +his back, to take a look at the strangers, while a midshipman was sent +to inform Captain Waring, who, before many minutes had elapsed, made his +appearance, having hurriedly slipped into his clothes. + +On receiving the report of the young officer, who had returned on deck, +he immediately ordered the helm to be put up, and the ship to be kept +away in the direction of the strangers. + +In a short time it was seen that most of them were large ships; one of +them very considerably larger than the _Foxhound_. + +The business of washing down the decks had been quickly concluded, and +the crew were sent to their breakfasts. + +Many remarks of various sorts were made by the men. Some thought that +the captain would never dream of engaging so superior a force; while +others, who knew him well, declared that whatever the odds, he would +fight. + +As yet no order had been received to beat to quarters, and many were of +opinion that the captain would only stand on near enough to ascertain +the character of the strangers, and then, should they prove enemies, +make all sail away from them. + +Still the frigate stood on, and Bill, who was near one of the officers +who had a glass in his hand, heard him observe that one was a +line-of-battle ship, two at least were frigates, while another was a +corvette, and the fifth a large brig-of-war. + +These were formidable odds, but still their plucky captain showed no +inclination to escape from them, but, on the contrary, seemed as if he +had made up his mind to bring them to action. + +The question was ere long decided. The drum beat to quarters, the men +went to their guns, powder and shot were handed up from below, giving +ample occupation to the powder-monkeys, and the ship was headed towards +the nearest of the strangers. She was still some distance off when the +crew were summoned aft to hear what the captain had to say to them. + +"My lads!" he said, "some of you have fought under me before now, and +though the odds were against us, we licked the enemy. We have got +somewhat greater odds, perhaps, at present, but I want to take two or +three of those ships; they are not quite as powerful as they look, and +if you will work your guns as I know you can work them, we'll do it +before many hours have passed. We have a fine breeze to help us, and +will tackle one after the other. You'll support me, I know." + +Three loud cheers were given as a response to this appeal, and the men +went back to their guns, where they stood stripped to their waists, with +handkerchiefs bound round their heads. + +Notwithstanding the formidable array of the enemy, the frigate kept +bearing down under plain sail towards them. + +Our heroes, sitting on their tubs, could see but very little of what was +going forward, though now and then they got a glimpse of the enemy +through the ports; but they heard the remarks made by the men in their +neighbourhood, who were allowed to talk till the time for action had +arrived. + +"Our skipper knows what he's about, but that chap ahead of the rest is a +monster, and looks big enough to tackle us without the help of the +others," observed one of the crew of the gun nearest to which Tom was +seated. + +"What's the odds if she carries twice as many teeth as we have! we'll +work ours twice as fast, and beat her before the frigates can come up to +grin at us," answered Ned Green, the captain of the gun. + +Tom did not quite like the remarks he heard. There was going to be a +sharp fight, of that there could be no doubt, and round shot would soon +be coming in through the sides, and taking off men's heads and legs and +arms. It struck him that he would have been safer at school. He +thought of his father and mother, and brothers and sisters, who, if he +was killed, would never know what had become of him; not that Tom was a +coward, but it was somewhat trying to the courage even of older hands, +thus standing on slowly towards the enemy. When the fighting had once +begun, Tom was likely to prove as brave as anybody else; at all events, +he would have no time for thinking, and it is that which tries most +people. + +The captain and most of the officers were on the quarter-deck, keeping +their glasses on the enemy. + +"The leading ship under French colours appears to me to carry sixty-four +guns," observed the first lieutenant to the captain; "and the next, also +a Frenchmen, looks like a thirty-six gun frigate. The brig is American, +and so is one of the sloops. The sternmost is French, and is a biggish +ship." + +"Whatever they are, we'll fight them, and, I hope, take one or two at +least," answered the captain. + +He looked at his watch. It was just ten o'clock. The next moment the +headmost ship opened her fire, and the shot came whizzing between the +ship's masts. + +Captain Waring watched them as they flew through the air. + +"I thought so," he observed. "There were not more than fifteen; she's a +store-ship, and will be our prize before the day is over. Fire, my +lads!" he shouted; and the eager crew poured a broadside into the enemy, +rapidly running in their guns, and reloading them to be ready for the +next opponent. + +The _Foxhound_ was standing along the enemy's line to windward, and as +she came abreast of each ship she fired with well-directed aim; and +though all the enemy's ships in succession discharged their guns at her, +not a shot struck her hull, though their object evidently was to cripple +her, so that they might surround her and have her at their mercy. + +Tom, who had read about sea-fights, and had expected to have the shot +come rushing across the deck, felt much more comfortable on discovering +this, and began to look upon the Frenchmen as very bad gunners. + +The _Foxhound's_ guns were all this time thundering away as fast as the +crews could run them in and load them, the men warming to their work as +they saw the damage they were inflicting on the enemy. + +Having passed the enemy's line to windward, Captain Waring ordered the +ship to be put about, and bore down on the sternmost French ship, which, +with one of smaller size carrying the American pennant, was in a short +time so severely treated that they both bore up out of the line. The +_Foxhound_, however, followed, and the other French ships and the +American brig coming to the assistance of their consorts, the _Foxhound_ +had them on both sides of her. + +This was just what her now thoroughly excited crew desired most, as they +could discharge their two broadsides at the same time; and right +gallantly did she fight her way through her numerous foes till she got +up with the American ship, which had been endeavouring to escape before +the wind, and now, to avoid the broadside which the English ship was +about to pour into her, she hauled down her colours. + +On seeing this, the frigate's crew gave three hearty cheers; and as soon +as they had ceased, the captain's voice was heard ordering two boats +away under the command of the third lieutenant, who was directed to take +charge of the prize, and to send her crew on board the ship. + +Not a moment was to be lost, as the rest of the enemy, under all sail, +were endeavouring to make their escape. + +The boats of the prize, which proved to be the _Alexander_, carrying +twenty-four guns and upwards of a hundred men, were then lowered, and +employed in conveying her crew to the ship. + +The American captain and officers were inclined to grumble at first. + +"Very sorry, gentlemen, to incommode you," said the English lieutenant, +as he hurried them down the side; "but necessity has no law; my orders +are to send you all on board the frigate, as the captain is in a hurry +to go in chase of your friends, of which we hope to have one or two more +in our possession before long." + +The lieutenant altered his tone when the Americans began to grumble. +"You must go at once, or take the consequences," he exclaimed; and the +prisoners saw that it would be wise to obey. + +They were received very politely on board the ship, Captain Waring +offering to accept their parole if they were ready to give it, and +promise not to attempt to interfere with the discipline and regulations +of the ship. + +As soon as the prisoners were transferred to the _Foxhound_, she made +all sail in chase of the large ship, which Captain Waring now heard was +the sixty-four gun ship _Menager_, laden with gunpowder, but now +mounting on her maindeck twenty-six long twelve-pounders, and on her +quarter-deck four long six-pounders, with a crew of two hundred and +twenty men. + +Her force was considerably greater than that of the English frigate, but +Captain Waring did not for a moment hesitate to continue in pursuit of +her. A stern chase, however, is a long chase. The day wore on, and +still the French ship kept ahead of the _Foxhound_. + +The crew were piped to dinner to obtain fresh strength for renewing the +fight. + +"Well, lads," said Green, who was a bit of a wag in his way, as he +looked at the powder-boys still seated on their tubs, "as you have still +got your heads on your shoulders, you may put some food into your +mouths. Maybe you won't have another opportunity after we get up with +the big 'un we are chasing. I told you, mates," he added, turning to +the crew of his gun, "the captain knew what he was about, and would make +the Frenchmen haul down their flags before we hauled down ours. I +should not be surprised if we got the whole lot of them." + +The boys, having returned their powder to the magazine till it was again +wanted, were glad enough to stretch their legs, and still more to follow +Green's advice by swallowing the food which was served out to them. + +The rest of the enemy's squadron were still in sight, scattered here and +there, and considerably ahead of the _Menager_; the frigate was, +however, gaining on the latter, and if the wind held, would certainly be +up with her some time in the afternoon. + +Every stitch of canvas she could carry was set on board the _Foxhound_. + +It was already five o'clock. The crew had returned to their quarters, +and the powder-monkeys were seated on their tubs. Both the pursuer and +pursued were on the larboard tack, going free. + +"We have her now within range of our guns," cried Captain Waring. "Luff +up, master, and we'll give her a broadside." + +Just as he uttered the words a squall struck the frigate. Over she +heeled, the water rushing in through her lower deck ports, which were +unusually low, and washing over the deck. + +The crews of the lee guns, as they stood up to their knees in water, +fully believed that she was going over. In vain they endeavoured to run +in their guns. More and more she heeled over, till the water was nearly +up to their waists. None flinched, however. The guns must be got in, +and the ports shut, or the ship would be lost. + +"What's going to happen?" cried Tom Fletcher. "We are going down! we +are going down!" + + + +CHAPTER THREE. + +BILL DOES GOOD SERVICE. + +The _Foxhound_ appeared indeed to be in a perilous position. The water +washed higher and higher over the deck. "We are going down! we are +going down!" again cried Tom, wringing his hands. + +"Not if we can help it," said Jack. "We must get the ports closed, and +stop the water from coming in." + +"It's no use crying out till we are hurt. We can die but once," said +Bill. "Cheer up, Tom; if we do go to the bottom, it's where many have +gone before;" though Bill did not really think that the ship was +sinking. Perhaps, had he done so, he would not have been so cool as he +now appeared. + +"That's a very poor consolation," answered Tom to his last remark. "Oh, +dear! oh, dear! I wish that I had stayed on shore." + +Though there was some confusion among the landsmen, a few of whom began +to look very white, if they did not actually wring their hands and cry +out, the crews of the guns remained at their stations, and hauled away +lustily at the tackles to run them in. The captain, though on the +quarter-deck, was fully aware of the danger. There was no time to +shorten sail. + +"Port the helm!" he shouted; "hard a-port, square away the yards;" and +in a few seconds the ship, put before the wind, rose to an even keel, +the water, in a wave, rushing across the deck, some escaping through the +opposite ports, though a considerable portion made its way below. + +The starboard ports were now speedily closed, when once more the ship +hauled up in chase. + +The _Foxhound_, sailing well, soon got up again with the _Menager_, and +once more opened her fire, receiving that of the enemy in return. + +The port of Ferrol could now be distinguished about six miles off, and +it was thought probable that some Spanish men-of-war lying there might +come out to the assistance of their friends. It was important to make +the chase a prize before that should happen. + +For some minutes Captain Waring reserved his fire, having set all the +sail the _Foxhound_ could carry. + +"Don't fire a shot till I tell you," he shouted to his men. + +The crews of the starboard guns stood ready for the order to discharge +the whole broadside into the enemy. Captain Waring was on the point of +issuing it, the word "Fire" was on his lips, when down came the +Frenchman's flag, and instead of the thunder of their guns the British +seamen uttered three joyful cheers. + +The _Foxhound_ was hove-to to windward of the prize, while three of the +boats were lowered and pulled towards her. The third lieutenant of the +_Foxhound_ was sent in command, and the _Menager's_ boats being also +lowered, her officers and crew were transferred as fast as possible on +board their captor. + +As the _Menager_ was a large ship, she required a good many people to +man her, thus leaving the _Foxhound_ with a greatly diminished crew. + +It took upwards of an hour before the prisoners with their bags and +other personal property were removed to the _Foxhound_. Captain Waring +and Lieutenant Saltwell turned their eyes pretty often towards the +harbour. No ships were seen coming out of it. The English frigate and +her two prizes consequently steered in the direction the other vessels +had gone, the captain hoping to pick up one or more of them during the +following morning. Her diminished crew had enough to do in attending to +their proper duties, and in looking after the prisoners. + +The commanders of the two ships were received by the captain in his +cabin, while the gun-room officers invited those of similar rank to mess +with them, the men taking care of the French and American crews. The +British seamen treated them rather as guests than prisoners, being ready +to attend to their wants and to do them any service in their power. +Their manner towards the Frenchmen showed the compassion they felt, +mixed perhaps with a certain amount of contempt. They seemed to +consider them indeed somewhat like big babes, and several might have +been seen feeding the wounded and nursing them with tender care. + +During the night neither the watch below nor any of the officers turned +in, the greater number remaining on deck in the hopes that they might +catch sight of one of the ships which had hitherto escaped them. + +Note: This action and the subsequent events are described exactly as +they occurred. + +The American commander, Captain Gregory, sat in the cabin, looking +somewhat sulky, presenting a great contrast to the behaviour of the +Frenchman, Monsieur Saint Julien, who, being able to speak a little +English, allowed his tongue to wag without cessation, laughing and +joking, and trying to raise a smile on the countenance of his brother +captive, the American skipper. + +"Why! my friend, it is de fortune of war. Why you so sad?" exclaimed +the volatile Frenchman. "Another day we take two English ship, and then +make all right. Have you never been in England? Fine country, but not +equal to `la belle France;' too much fog and rain dere." + +"I don't care for the rain, or the fog, Monsieur; but I don't fancy +losing my ship, when we five ought to have taken the Englishman," +replied the American. + +"Ah! it was bad fortune, to be sure," observed Monsieur Saint Julien. +"Better luck next time, as you say; but what we cannot cure, dat we must +endure; is not dat your proverb? Cheer up! cheer up! my friend." + +Nothing, however, the light-hearted Frenchman could say had the effect +of raising the American's spirits. + +A handsome supper was placed on the table, to which Monsieur Saint +Julien did ample justice, but Captain Gregory touched scarcely anything. +At an early hour he excused himself, and retired to a berth which +Captain Waring had courteously appropriated to his use. + +During the night the wind shifted more to the westward, and then round +to the south-west, blowing pretty strong. When morning broke, the +look-outs discovered two sail to the south-east, which it was evident +were some of the squadron that had escaped on the previous evening. +They were, however, standing in towards the land. + +Captain Waring, after consultation with his first lieutenant and master, +determined to let them escape. He had already three hundred and forty +prisoners on board, while his own crew amounted to only one hundred and +ninety. Should he take another prize, he would have still further to +diminish the number of the ship's company, while that of the prisoners +would be greatly increased. The French and American captains had come +on deck, and were standing apart, watching the distant vessels. + +"I hope these Englishmen will take one of those fellows," observed +Captain Gregory to Monsieur Saint Julien. + +"Why so, my friend?" asked the latter. + +"They deserve it, in the first place, and then it would be a question +who gets command of this ship. We are pretty strong already, and if +your people would prove staunch, we might turn the tables on our +captors," said the American. + +"Comment!" exclaimed Captain Saint Julien, starting back. "You forget +dat we did pledge our honour to behave peaceably, and not to interfere +with the discipline of the ship. French officers are not accustomed to +break their parole. You insult me by making the proposal, and I hope +dat you are not in earnest." + +"Oh, no, my friend, I was only joking," answered the American skipper, +perceiving that he had gone too far. + +Officers of the U.S. Navy, we may here remark, have as high a sense of +honour as any English or French officer, but this ship was only a +privateer, with a scratch crew, some of them renegade Englishmen, and +the Captain was on a level with the lot. + +The Frenchman looked at him sternly. "I will be no party to such a +proceeding," he observed. + +"Oh, of course not, of course not, my friend," said Captain Gregory, +walking aside. + +It being finally decided to allow the other French vessels to escape, +the _Foxhound's_ yards were squared away, and a course shaped for +Plymouth, with the two prizes in company. + +Soon after noon the wind fell, and the ships made but little progress. +The British crew had but a short time to sleep or rest, it being +necessary to keep a number of men under arms to watch the prisoners. + +The Frenchmen were placed on the lower deck, where they sat down by +themselves; but the Americans mixed more freely with the English. As +evening approached, however, they also drew off and congregated +together. Two or three of their officers came among them. + +Just before dusk Captain Gregory made his appearance, and was seen +talking in low whispers to several of the men. + +Among those who observed him was Bill Rayner. Bill's wits were always +sharp, and they had been still more sharpened since he came to sea by +the new life he was leading. He had his eyes always about him to take +in what he saw, and his ears open whenever there was anything worth +hearing. It had struck him as a strange thing that so many prisoners +should submit quietly to be kept in subjection by a mere handful of +Englishmen. On seeing the American skipper talking to his men, he crept +in unobserved among them. His ears being wide open, he overheard +several words which dropped from their lips. + +"Oh, oh!" he thought. "Is that the trick you're after? You intend to +take our ship, do you? You'll not succeed if I have the power to +prevent you." + +But how young Bill was to do that was the question. He had never even +spoken to the boatswain or the boatswain's mate. It seemed scarcely +possible for him to venture to tell the first lieutenant or the captain; +still, if the prisoners' plot was to be defeated, he must inform them of +what he had heard, and that without delay. + +His first difficulty was how to get away from among the prisoners. +Should they suspect him they would probably knock him on the head or +strangle him, and trust to the chance of shoving him through one of the +ports unobserved. This was possible in the crowded state of the ship, +desperate as the act might seem. + +Bill therefore had to wait till he could make his way on deck without +being remarked. Pretending to drop asleep, he lay perfectly quiet for +some time; then sitting up and rubbing his eyes, he staggered away +forward, as if still drowsy, to make it be supposed that he was about to +turn into his hammock. Finding that he was unobserved, he crept up by +the fore-hatchway, where he found Dick, who was in the watch off deck. + +At first he thought of consulting Dick, in whom he knew he could trust; +but second thoughts, which are generally the best, made him resolve not +to say anything to him, but to go at once to either the first lieutenant +or the captain. + +"If I go to Mr Saltwell, perhaps he will think I was dreaming, and tell +me to `turn into my hammock and finish my dreams,'" he thought to +himself. "No! I'll go to the captain at once; perhaps the sentry will +let me pass, or if not, I'll get him to ask the captain to see me. He +cannot eat me, that's one comfort; if he thinks that I am bringing him a +cock-and-bull story, he won't punish me; and I shall at all events have +done my duty." + +Bill thought this, and a good deal besides, as he made his way aft till +he arrived at the door of the captain's cabin, where the sentry was +posted. + +"Where are you going, boy?" asked the sentry, as Bill in his eagerness +was trying to pass him. + +"I want to see the captain," said Bill. + +"But does the captain want to see you?" asked the sentry. + +"He has not sent for me; but he will when he hears what I have got to +tell him," replied Bill. + +"You must speak to one of the lieutenants, or get the midshipman of the +watch to take in your message, if he will do it," said the sentry. + +"But they may laugh at me, and not believe what I have got to say," +urged Bill. "Do let me pass,--the captain won't blame you, I am sure of +that." + +The sentry declared that it was his duty not to allow any one to pass. + +While Bill was still pleading with him, the door of the inner cabin was +opened, and the captain himself came out, prepared to go on deck. + +"What do you want, boy?" he asked, seeing Bill. + +"Please, sir, I have got something to tell you which you ought to know," +said Bill, pulling off his hat. + +"Let me hear it then," said the captain. + +"Please, sir, it will take some time. You may have some questions to +ask," answered Bill. + +On this the captain stepped back a few paces, out of earshot of the +sentry. + +"What is it, boy?" he asked; "you seem to have some matter of importance +to communicate." + +Bill then told him how he came to be among the prisoners, and had heard +the American captain and his men talking together, and proposing to get +the Frenchmen to rise with them to overpower the British crew. + +Captain Waring's countenance showed that he felt very much disposed to +disbelieve what Bill had told him, or rather, to fancy that Bill was +mistaken. + +"Stay there;" he said, and he went to the door of the cabin which he had +allowed the American skipper to occupy. + +The berth was empty! He came back and cross-questioned Bill further. +Re-entering the inner cabin, he found the French captain seated at the +table. + +"Monsieur Saint Julien," he said; "are you cognisant of the intention of +the American captain to try and overpower my crew?" + +"The proposal was made to me, I confess, but I refused to accede to it +with indignation; and I did not suppose that Captain Gregory would make +the attempt, or I should have informed you at once," answered Saint +Julien. + +"He does intend to make it, though," said Captain Waring, "and I depend +on you and your officers to prevent your men from joining him." + +"I fear that we shall have lost our influence over our men, but we will +stand by you should there be any outbreak," said the French captain. + +"I will trust you," observed Captain Waring. "Go and speak to your +officers while I take the steps necessary for our preservation." + +Captain Waring on this left the cabin, and going on deck, spoke to the +first lieutenant and the midshipmen of the watch, who very speedily +communicated the orders they had received to the other officers. + +The lieutenant of marines quickly turned out his men, while the +boatswain roused up the most trustworthy of the seamen. So quickly and +silently all was done, that a strong body of officers and men well armed +were collected on the quarter-deck before any of the prisoners were +aware of what was going forward. They were awaiting the captain's +orders, when a loud report was heard. A thick volume of smoke ascended +from below, and the next instant, with loud cries and shouts, a number +of the prisoners were seen springing up the hatchway ladders. + + + +CHAPTER FOUR. + +THE FRIGATE BLOWN UP. + +The Americans had been joined by a number of the Frenchmen, and some few +of the worst characters of the English crew--the jail-birds chiefly, who +had been won over with the idea that they would sail away to some +beautiful island, of which they might take possession; and live in +independence, or else rove over the ocean with freedom from all +discipline. + +They had armed themselves with billets of wood and handspikes; and some +had got hold of knives and axes, which they had secreted. They rushed +on deck expecting quickly to overpower the watch. + +Great was their dismay to find themselves encountered by a strong body +of armed men, who seized them, or knocked them down directly they +appeared. + +So quickly were the first overpowered that they had no time to give the +alarm to their confederates below, and thus, as fresh numbers came up, +they were treated like the first. In a couple of minutes the whole of +the mutineers were overpowered. + +The Frenchmen who had not actually joined them cried out for mercy, +declaring that they had no intention of doing so. + +What might have been the case had the Americans been successful was +another matter. + +All those who had taken part in the outbreak having been secured, +Captain Waring sent a party of marines to search for the American +captain. He was quickly found, and brought on the quarter-deck. + +"You have broken your word of honour; you have instigated the crew to +mutiny, and I should be justified were I to run you up to the yard-arm!" +said Captain Waring, sternly. + +"You would have done the same," answered the American captain, boldly. +"Such acts when successful have always been applauded." + +"Not, sir, if I had given my word of honour, as you did, not to +interfere with the discipline of the ship," said Captain Waring. "You +are now under arrest, and, with those who supported you, will remain in +irons till we reach England." + +Captain Gregory had not a word to say for himself. The French captain, +far from pleading for him, expressed his satisfaction that he had been +so treated. + +He and the officers who had joined him were marched off under a guard to +have their irons fixed on by the armourer. + +After this it became necessary to keep a strict watch on all the +prisoners, and especially on the Americans, a large proportion of whom +were found to be English seamen, and some of the _Foxhound's_ crew +recognised old shipmates among them. + +Captain Waring, believing that he could trust to the French captain and +his officers, allowed them to remain on their parole, a circumstance +which greatly aggravated the feelings of Captain Gregory. + +The captain had not forgotten Bill, who, by the timely information he +had given, had materially contributed to preserve the ship from capture. +Bill himself did not think that he had done anything wonderful; his +chief anxiety was lest the fact of his having given the information +should become known. The sentinel might guess at it, but otherwise the +captain alone could know anything about it. Bill, as soon as he had +told his story to the captain, and found that it was credited, stole +away forward among the rest of the crew on deck, where he took very good +care not to say a word of what had happened; so that not till the +trustworthy men received orders to be prepared for an outbreak were they +aware of what was likely to occur. + +He therefore fancied that his secret had been kept, and that it would +never be known; he was, consequently, surprised when the following +morning the ship's corporal, touching his shoulder, told him that the +captain wanted to speak to him. + +Bill went aft, feeling somewhat alarmed at the thoughts of being spoken +to by the captain. + +On the previous evening he had been excited by being impressed with the +importance of the matter he was about to communicate, but now he had +time to wonder what the captain would say to him. + +He met Tom and Jack by the way. + +"Where are you going?" asked Tom. + +Bill told him. + +"I shouldn't wish to be in your shoes," remarked Tom. "What have you +been about?" + +Bill could not stop to answer, but followed his conductor to the cabin +door. + +The sentry, without inquiry, admitted him. + +The captain, who was seated at a table in the cabin, near which the +first lieutenant was standing, received him with a kind look. + +"What is your name, boy?" he asked. + +"William Rayner, sir," said Bill. + +"Can you read and write pretty well?" + +"No great hand at either, sir," answered Bill. "Mother taught me when I +was a little chap, but I have not had much chance of learning since +then." + +"Should you like to improve yourself?" asked the captain. + +"Yes, sir; but I have not books, or paper, or pens." + +"We'll see about that," said the captain. "The information you gave me +last night was of the greatest importance, and I wish to find some means +of rewarding you. When we reach England, I will make known your conduct +to the proper authorities, and I should like to communicate with your +parents." + +"Please, sir, I have no parents; they are both dead, and I have no +relations that I know of; but I am much obliged to you, sir," answered +Bill, who kept wondering what the captain was driving at. + +"Well, my boy, I will keep an eye on you," said the captain. "Mr +Saltwell, you will see what is best to be done with William Rayner," he +added, turning to the first lieutenant. "If you wish to learn to read +and write, you can come and get instruction every day from my clerk, Mr +Finch. I will give him directions to teach you; but remember you are +not forced to do it." + +"Thank you, sir," said Bill. "I should like to learn very much." + +After a few more words, the captain dismissed Bill, who felt greatly +relieved when the formidable interview was over. + +As he wisely kept secret the fact of his having given information of the +mutiny, his messmates wondered what could have induced the captain so +suddenly to take an interest in him. + +Every day he went aft for his lesson, and Mr Finch, who was a +good-natured young man, was very kind. Bill, who was remarkably quick, +made great progress, and his instructor was much pleased with him. + +He could soon read easily, and Mr Finch, by the captain's orders, lent +him several books. + +The master's assistant, calling him one day, told him that he had +received orders from the captain to teach him navigation, and, greatly +to his surprise, put a quadrant into his hands, and showed him how to +use it. + +Bill all this time had not an inkling of what the captain intended for +him. It never occurred to him that the captain could have perceived any +merits or qualifications sufficient to raise him out of his present +position, but he was content to do his duty where he was. + +Tom felt somewhat jealous of the favour Bill was receiving, though he +pretended to pity him for having to go and learn lessons every day. +Tom, indeed, knew a good deal more than Bill, as he had been at school, +and could read very well, though he could not boast much of his writing. + +Jack could neither read nor write, and had no great ambition to learn; +but he was glad, as Bill seemed to like it, that he had the chance of +picking up knowledge. + +"Perhaps the captain intends to make you his clerk, or maybe some day +you will become his coxswain," observed Jack, whose ambition soared no +higher. "I should like to be that, but I suppose that it is not +necessary to be able to read, or write, or sum. I never could make any +hand at those things, but you seem up to them, and so it's all right +that you should learn." + +Notwithstanding the mark of distinction Bill was receiving, the three +young messmates remained very good friends. + +Bill, however, found himself much better off than he had before been. +That the captain patronised him was soon known to all, and few ventured +to lay a rope's-end on his back, as formerly, while he was well treated +in other respects. + +Bill kept his eyes open and his wits awake on all occasions, and thus +rapidly picked up a good knowledge of seamanship, such as few boys of +his age who had been so short a time at sea possessed. + +The _Foxhound_ and her prizes were slowly making their way to England. +No enemy appeared to rob her of them, though they were detained by +contrary winds for some time in the chops of the Channel. + +At length the wind shifted a point or two, and they were able to get +some way up it. The weather, however, became cloudy and dark, and no +observation could be taken. + +It was a trying time, for the provisions and water, in consequence of +the number of souls on board, had run short. + +The captain was doubly anxious to get into port; still, do all he could, +but little progress was made, till one night the wind again shifted and +the sky cleared. The master was aware that the ship was farther over to +the French coast than was desirable, but her exact position it was +difficult to determine. + +The first streaks of sunlight had appeared in the eastern sky, when the +look-out shouted-- + +"A ship to the southward, under all sail." + +As the sun rose, his rays fell on the white canvas of the stranger, +which was now seen clearly, standing towards the _Foxhound_. + +Captain Waring made a signal to the two prizes, which were somewhat to +the northward, to make all sail for Plymouth, while the _Foxhound_, +under more moderate canvas, stood off shore. + +Should the stranger prove an enemy, of which there was little doubt, +Captain Waring determined to try and draw her away from the French +coast, which could be dimly seen in the distance. He, at the same time, +did not wish to make an enemy suppose that he was flying. Though ready +enough to fight, he would rather first have got rid of his prisoners, +but that could not now be done. + +It was necessary, therefore, to double the sentries over them, and to +make them clearly understand that, should any of them attempt in any way +to interfere, they would immediately be shot. + +Jack, Tom, and Bill had seen the stranger in the distance, and they +guessed that they should before long be engaged in a fierce fight with +her. There was no doubt that she was French. She was coming up +rapidly. + +The captain now ordered the ship to be cleared for action. The men went +readily to their guns. They did not ask whether a big or small ship was +to be their opponent, but stood prepared to fight as long as the captain +and officers ordered them, hoping, at all events, to beat the enemy. + +The powder-monkeys, as before, having been sent down to bring up the +ammunition, took their places on their tubs. Of course they could see +but little of what was going forward, but through one of the ports they +at last caught sight of the enemy, which appeared to be considerably +larger than the _Foxhound_. + +"We have been and caught a Tartar," Bill heard one of the seamen +observe. + +"Maybe. But whether Turk or Tartar, we'll beat him," answered another. + +An order was passed along the decks that not a gun should be fired till +the captain gave the word. The boys had not forgotten their fight a few +weeks before, and had an idea that this was to turn out something like +that. Then the shot of the enemy had passed between the masts and the +rigging; but scarcely one had struck the hull, nor had a man been hurt, +so they had begun to fancy that fighting was a very bloodless affair. + +"What shall we do with the prisoners, if we take her, I wonder?" asked +Tom. "We've got Monsieurs enough on board already." + +"I daresay the captain will know what to do with them," responded Bill. + +"We must not count our chickens before they're hatched," said Jack. +"Howsumdever, we'll do our best." Jack's remark, which was heard by +some of the crew of the gun near which he was seated, caused a laugh. + +"What do you call your best, Jack?" asked Ned Green. + +"Sitting on my tub, and handing out the powder as you want it," answered +Jack. "What more would you have me do, I should like to know?" + +"Well said, Jack," observed Green. "We'll work our guns as fast as we +can, and you'll hand out the powder as we want it." + +The talking was cut short by the voices of the officers ordering the men +to be ready for action. + +The crews of the guns laid hold of the tackles, while the captains stood +with the lanyards in their hands, waiting for the word of command, and +ready at a moment's notice to fire. + +The big ship got nearer and nearer. She could now be seen through the +ports on the starboard side. + +"Well, but she's a whopper!" exclaimed Ned Green, "though I hope we'll +whop her, notwithstanding. Now, boys, we'll show the Monsieurs what we +can do." + +Just then came the word along the decks-- + +"Fire!" + +And the guns on the starboard side, with a loud roar, sent forth their +missiles of death. + +While the crew were running them in to re-load, the enemy fired in +return; their shot came crashing against the sides, some sweeping the +upper deck, others making their way through the ports. + +The smoke from the guns curled round in thick eddies, through which +objects could be but dimly seen. + +The boys looked at each other. All of them were seated on their tubs, +but they could see several forms stretched on the deck, some +convulsively moving their limbs, others stilled in death. + +This was likely to be a very different affair from the former action. + +Having handed out the powder, Jack, Tom, and Bill returned to their +places once more. + +The _Foxhound's_ guns again thundered forth, and directly after there +came the crashing sound of shot, rending the stout sides of the ship. + +For several minutes the roar was incessant. Presently a cheer was heard +from the deck. + +One of the Frenchman's masts had gone over the side; but before many +minutes had elapsed, a crashing sound overhead showed that the +_Foxhound_ had been equally unfortunate. + +Her foremast had been shot away by the board, carrying with it the +bowsprit and maintopmast. + +She was thus rendered almost unmanageable, but still her brave captain +maintained the unequal contest. + +The guns, as they could be brought to bear, were fired at the enemy with +such effect that she was compelled to sheer off to repair damages. + +On seeing this, the crew of the _Foxhound_ gave another hearty cheer; +but ere the sound had died away, down came the mainmast, followed by the +mizenmast, and the frigate lay an almost helpless hulk on the water. + +Captain Waring at once gave the order to clear the wreck, intending to +get up jury-masts, so as to be in a condition to renew the combat should +the French ship again attack them. + +All hands were thus busily employed. The powder in the meantime was +returned to the magazine, and the guns run in and secured. + +The ship was in a critical condition. + +The carpenters, before anything else could be done, had to stop the +shot-holes between wind and water, through which the sea was pouring in +several places. + +It was possible that the prisoners might not resist the temptation, +while the crew were engaged, to attempt retaking the ship. + +The captain and officers redoubled their watchfulness. The crew went +steadily about their work, as men who knew that their lives depended on +their exertions. Even the stoutest-hearted, however, looked grave. + +The weather was changing for the worse, and should the wind come from +the northward, they would have a hard matter to escape being wrecked, +even could they keep the ship afloat. + +The enemy, too, was near at hand, and might at any moment bear down upon +them, and recommence the action. + +The first lieutenant, as he was coming along the deck, met Bill, who was +trying to make himself useful in helping where he was wanted. + +"Rayner," said Mr Saltwell, "I want you to keep an eye on the +prisoners, and report to the captain or me, should you see anything +suspicious in their conduct--if they are talking together, or look as if +they were waiting for a signal. I know I can trust you, my boy." + +Bill touched his hat. + +"I will do my best, sir," he answered; and he slipped down to where the +prisoners were congregated. + +They did not suspect that he had before informed the captain of their +intended outbreak, or it would have fared but ill with him. + +Whatever might have been their intentions, they seemed aware that they +were carefully watched, and showed no inclination to create a +disturbance. + +The greatest efforts were now made to set up the jury-masts. The wind +was increasing, and the sea rising every minute. The day also was +drawing on, and matters were getting worse and worse; still Captain +Waring and his staunch crew worked away undaunted. If they could once +get up the jury-masts, a course might be steered either for the Isle of +Wight or Plymouth. Sails had been got up from below; the masts were +ready to raise, when there came a cry of, "The enemy is standing towards +us!" + +"We must beat her off, and then go to work again," cried the captain. + +A cheer was the response. The powder-magazine was again opened. The +men flew to their guns, and prepared for the expected conflict. + +The French ship soon began to fire, the English returning their salute +with interest. The round shot, as before, whistled across the deck, +killing and wounding several of the crew. + +The sky became still more overcast; the lightning darted from the +clouds; the thunder rattled, mocked by the roaring of the guns. + +Bill saw his shipmates knocked over on every side; but, as soon as one +of the crew of a gun was killed, another took his place, or the +remainder worked the gun with as much rapidity as before. + +The cockpit was soon full of wounded men. Though things were as bad as +they could be, the captain had resolved not to yield. + +The officers went about the decks encouraging the crew, assuring them +that they would speedily beat off the enemy. + +Every man, even the idlest, was doing his duty. + +Jack, Tom, and Bill were doing theirs. + +Suddenly a cry arose from below of "Fire! fire!" and the next moment +thick wreaths of smoke ascended through the hatchways, increasing every +instant in density. + +The firemen were called away. Even at that awful moment the captain and +officers maintained their calmness. + +Now was the time to try what the men were made of. The greater number +obeyed the orders they received. Buckets were handed up and filled with +water to dash over the seat of the fire. Blankets were saturated and +sent down below. + +The enemy ceased firing, and endeavoured to haul off from the +neighbourhood of the ill-fated ship. In spite of all the efforts made, +the smoke increased, and flames came rushing up from below. Still, the +crew laboured on; hope had not entirely abandoned them, when suddenly a +loud roar was heard, the decks were torn up, and hundreds of men in one +moment were launched into eternity. + +Jack, Tom, and Bill had before this made their escape to the upper deck. +They had been talking together, wondering what was next to happen, when +Bill lost all consciousness; but in a few moments recovering his senses, +found himself in the sea, clinging to a piece of wreck. + +He heard voices, but could see no one. He called to Tom and Jack, +fancying that they must be near him, but no answer came. + +He must have been thrown, he knew, to some distance from the ship, for +he could see the burning wreck, and the wind appeared to be driving him +farther and farther away from it. + +The guns as they became heated went off, and he could hear the shot +splashing in the water around him. + +"And Jack and Tom have been lost, poor fellows!" he thought to himself. +"I wish they had been sent here. There's room enough for them on this +piece of wreck. + +"We might have held out till to-morrow morning, when some vessel might +have seen us and picked us up." + +Curiously enough, he did not think much about himself. Though he was +thankful to have been saved, he guessed truly that the greater number of +his shipmates, and the unfortunate prisoners on board, must have been +lost; yet he regretted Jack and Tom more than all the rest. + +The flames from the burning ship cast a bright glare far and wide over +the ocean, tinging the foam-topped seas. + +Bill kept gazing towards the ship. He could make out the Frenchman at +some distance off, and fancied that he saw boats pulling across the +tossing waters. + +On the other side he could distinguish another vessel, which was also, +he hoped, sending her boats to the relief of the sufferers. + +The whole ship, however, appeared so completely enveloped in fire, the +flames bursting out from all the ports and rising through every +hatchway, that he could not suppose it possible any had escaped. + +He found it a hard matter to cling on to the piece of wreck, for the +seas were constantly washing over him. Happily it was weighted below, +so that it remained tolerably steady. Had it rolled over and over he +must inevitably have lost his hold and been drowned. + +Though he had had very little of what is called enjoyment in life, and +his prospects, as far as he could see, were none of the brightest, he +still had no wish to die, and the instinct of self-preservation made him +cling to the wreck with might and main. + +The tide, which was setting towards the shore, had got hold of his raft, +which was also driven by the wind in the same direction, and he found +himself drifting gradually away from the burning ship, and his chance of +being picked up by one of the boats diminishing. + +He remembered that land had been in sight some time before the action, +but how far the ship had been from it when she caught fire he could not +tell, and when he turned his eyes to the southward he could see nothing +of it. + +Some hours had passed away, so it seemed to him, when, as he turned his +eyes towards the ship, the flames appeared to rise up higher than ever. +Her stout hull was a mass of fire fore and aft--she was burning down to +the water's edge. Then came the end--the wild waves washed over her, +and all was dark. + +"There goes the old ship," thought Bill. "I wonder how many on board +her a few hours ago are now alive. Shall I reach the shore to-morrow +morning? I don't see much chance of it, and if I don't, how shall I +ever live through another day?" + + + +CHAPTER FIVE. + +PICKED UP BY A FISHING-VESSEL. + +After a time, Bill began to feel very hungry, and then he recollected +that at dinner he had clapped a biscuit into his pocket. He felt for +it. It was soaked through and through, and nearly turned into paste, +but it served to stay his appetite, and to keep up his strength. At +length he became somewhat drowsy, but he did his best to keep awake. +Feeling about, he got hold of a piece of rope, with which he managed to +secure himself to the raft. Had he found it before, it would have saved +him much exertion. + +The feeling that there was now less risk of being washed away, made him +not so anxious as at first to withstand the strong desire which had +attacked him, and yielding to it, his eyes closed, and he dropped off to +sleep. + +How long he had been in that state he could not tell, when he was +aroused by the sound of human voices. Opening his eyes, he found that +the sun was shining down upon him, and looking round, he saw a small +vessel approaching. He soon made her out to be a fishing craft with +five people on board. + +They hailed him, but he was too weak to answer. He managed, however, to +wave one of his hands to show that he was alive. + +The fishing-vessel came on, and hove-to close to him. The sea had +considerably gone down. A boat was launched from her deck, and pulled +up to the raft, with two men in her. + +They said something, but Bill could not understand them. One of them, +as they got up alongside, sprang on to the raft, and casting off the +lashings which held Bill to it, the next instant was safe in the boat +with him in his arms. + +The man having placed him in the stern-sheets, the boat quickly returned +to the cutter. + +Bill was lifted on board, and the boat was then hauled up again on the +cutter's deck. His preservers, though rough-looking men, uttered +exclamations in kind tones which assured Bill that he had fallen into +good hands. One of them then carried him down into the little cabin, +and stripping off his wet clothes, placed him between the blankets in a +berth on one side. + +In a few minutes the same man, who appeared to be the captain of the +fishing-vessel, returned with a cup of hot coffee and some white bread. +Stirring the coffee and blowing to cool it, he made signs to Bill that +he must drink some of it. + +This Bill very gladly did, and he then felt able to eat some of the +bread, which seemed very sweet and nice. This greatly restored his +strength. + +He wished, however, that he could answer the questions which the men put +to him. He guessed that they were Frenchmen, but not a word of French +did he know. + +At last another man came into the cabin. + +"You English boy?" asked the man. + +"Yes," said Bill. + +"Ship burn; blow up?" was the next question put to Bill, the speaker +showing what he meant by suitable action. + +"Yes," said Bill, "and I am afraid all my shipmates are lost. Though +you are French, you won't send me to prison, I hope?" + +"Have no fear," answered the man, smiling; and turning round to his +companions, he explained what Bill had said. They smiled, and Bill +heard them say, "Pauvre garcon." + +"No! no! no! You sleep now, we take care of you," said the interpreter, +whose knowledge of English was, however, somewhat limited. + +Bill felt a strong inclination to follow the advice given him. One of +the men, bundling up his wet clothes, carried them to dry at the little +galley fire forward. The rest went on deck, and Bill in another minute +fell fast asleep. Where the cutter was going Bill could not tell. He +had known her to be a fishing-vessel by seeing the nets on deck, and he +had guessed that she was French by the way in which the people on board +had spoken. They had given evidence also that they intended to treat +him kindly. + +Some hours must have passed away when Bill again awoke, feeling very +hungry. It was daylight, and he saw that his clothes were laid at the +foot of his berth. + +Finding that his strength had returned, he got up, and began dressing +himself. He had just finished when he saw that there was some one in +the opposite berth. "Perhaps the skipper was up all night, and has +turned in," thought Bill; but as he looked again, he saw that the head +was certainly not that of a man, but the face was turned away from him. + +His intention was to go on deck, to try and thank the French fishermen, +as far as he was able, for saving his life, but before he did so +curiosity prompted him to look again into the berth. + +What was his surprise and joy to recognise the features of his shipmate, +Jack Peek! His face was very pale, but he was breathing, which showed +that he was alive. At all events, Bill thought that he would not awake +him, eager as he was to know how he had been saved. + +He went up on deck, hoping that the man who had spoken a few words of +English might be able to tell him how Jack had been picked up. On +reaching the deck he found that the vessel was close in with the land. +She was towing a shattered gig, which Bill recognised as one of those +belonging to the _Foxhound_. He at once conjectured that Jack had +managed somehow or other to get into her. + +As soon as he appeared, the Frenchmen began talking to him, forgetting +that he was unable to understand them. As he made no reply, they +recollected themselves, and began laughing at their own stupidity. + +One of them shouted down the fore-hatchway, and presently the +interpreter, as Bill called him, made his appearance. + +"Glad see you. All right now?" he said, in a tone of interrogation. + +"All right," said Bill, "but I want you to tell me how you happened to +find my shipmate Jack Peek;" and Bill pointed down into the cabin. + +"He, friend! not broder! no! We find him in boat, but he not say how he +got dere. Two oder men, but dey dead, so we heave dem overboard, and +take boat in tow," answered the man. + +Jack himself was probably not likely to be able to give any more +information than the Frenchman had done. Suddenly it struck his new +friends that Bill might be hungry, and the interpreter said to him, "You +want manger," pointing to Bill's mouth. + +Bill understood him. "Yes, indeed I do; I am ready for anything you can +give me," he said. + +The fire was lighted, while a pot was put to boil on it, and, greatly to +Bill's satisfaction, in a few minutes one of the men, who acted as cook, +poured the contents into a huge basin which was placed on the deck, and +smaller basins and wooden spoons were handed up from below. + +One man remaining at the helm, the remainder sat down and ladled the +soup into the smaller basins. + +Bill eagerly held out his. + +The mess, which consisted of fowl and pork and a variety of vegetables, +smelt very tempting, and as soon as it was cool enough, Bill devoured it +with a good appetite. + +His friends asked him by signs if he would have any more. + +"Thank you," he answered, holding out his basin. "A spoonful or two; +but we must not forget Jack Peek. When he awakes, he will be glad of +some;" and he pointed into the cabin. + +The Frenchmen understood him, and made signs that they would keep some +for his friend, one of them patting him on the back and calling him "Bon +garcon." + +Bill, after remaining some time on deck, again felt sleepy, and his head +began to nod. + +The Frenchmen, seeing this, told him to go below. He gladly followed +their advice, and descending into the cabin, lay down, and was once more +fast asleep. + +The next time he awoke he found that the vessel was at anchor. He got +up, and looked into Jack's berth. Jack at that moment turned round, and +opening his eyes, saw his shipmate. + +"Why, Bill, is it you!" he exclaimed. "I am main glad to see you; but +where are we?--how did I come here? I thought that I was in the +captain's gig with Tom Nokes and Dick Harbour. What has become of them? +They were terribly hurt, poor fellows! though they managed to crawl on +board the gig." + +Bill told him what he had learned from the Frenchman. + +"They seem kind sort of fellows, and we have fallen into good hands," he +added; "but what they're going to do with us is more than I can tell." + +Just then the captain of the fishing-vessel came below, and seeing that +Jack was awake, he called out to one of the men to bring a basin of the +soup which had been kept for him. + +While he was swallowing it, a man brought him his clothes, which had +been sent forward to dry. The captain then made signs to him to dress, +as he intended taking them both on shore with him. + +Bill helped Jack, who was somewhat weak, to get on his clothes. They +then went on deck. + +The vessel lay in a small harbour, protected by a reef of rocks from the +sea. Near the shore were a number of cottages, and on one side of the +harbour a line of cliffs running away to the eastward. + +Several other small vessels and open boats lay at anchor around. + +The captain, with the interpreter, whose name they found was Pierre, got +into the boat, the latter telling the lads to come with them. + +They did as they were directed, sitting down in the stern-sheets, while +the captain and Pierre took the oars and pulled towards the shore. + +It was now evening, and almost dark. They saw the lights shining in the +windows of several of the cottages. + +Pierre was a young man about nineteen or twenty, and, they fancied, must +be the captain's son. They were right, they found, in their +conjectures. + +Pierre made them understand, in his broken language, that he had some +short time before been a prisoner in England, where he had been treated +very kindly; but before he had time to learn much English, he had been +exchanged. + +This had made him anxious to show kindness to the young English lads. + +"Come along," said Pierre, as they reached the shore. "I show you my +house, my mere, and my soeur. They take care of you; but mind! you not +go out till dey tell you, or de gendarmes take you to prison perhaps. +Do not speak now till we get into de house." + +Bill and Jack followed their guide while the old man rowed back to the +vessel. + +Pierre led them to a cottage a little distance from the shore, which +appeared to be somewhat larger than those they had passed. He opened +the door, telling them to come in with him, when he immediately again +closed it. + +A middle-aged woman and a young girl, in high white caps with flaps over +the shoulders, were seated spinning. They started up on seeing the two +young strangers, and began inquiring of Pierre who they were. His +explanation soon satisfied them, and jumping up, Madame Turgot and +Jeannette took their hands, and began pouring out in voluble language +their welcomes. + +"You say `Merci! merci!'" said Pierre, "which means `Thank you! thank +you!'" + +"Merci! merci!" said Jack and Bill. + +It was the first word of French they learned, and, as Jack observed, +came in very convenient. + +What the mother and her daughter said they could not make out, but they +understood well enough that the French women intended to be kind. + +"You hungry?" asked Pierre. + +"Very," answered Jack. + +Pierre said something to his mother and sister, who at once set about +spreading a cloth and placing eatables on the table--bread and cheese, +and pickled fish, and some salad. + +"Merci! merci!" said Jack and Bill, as their hostess made signs to them +to fall to. Pierre joined them, and in a short time Captain Turgot +himself came in. He was as hospitably inclined as his wife and +daughter, and kept pressing the food upon the boys. + +"Merci! merci!" was their answer. + +At last Jeannette began to laugh, as if she thought it a good joke. + +Jack and Bill tried hard to understand what was said. Pierre observed +them listening, and did his best to explain. + +From him they learned that they must remain quiet in the house, or they +might be carried away as prisoners of war. He and his father wished to +save them from this, and intended, if they had the opportunity, enabling +them to get back to England. + +"But how will you manage that?" asked Bill. + +Pierre looked very knowing, and gave them to understand that smuggling +vessels occasionally came into the harbour, and that they might easily +get on board one of them, and reach the English coast. + +"But we do not wish to get rid of you," said Pierre. "If you like to +remain with us, you shall learn French, and become French boys; and you +can then go out and help us fish, and gain your livelihood." + +Pierre did not say this in as many words, but Jack and Bill agreed that +such was his meaning. + +"He's very kind," observed Bill; "but for my part, I should not wish to +become a French boy; though I would not mind remaining for a while with +the French dame and her daughter, for they're both very kind, and we +shall have a happy time of it." + +This was said a day or two after their arrival. + +Captain Turgot had fitted them up a couple of bunks in a small room in +which Pierre slept, and they were both far more comfortable than they +had ever been in their lives. + +Captain Turgot's cottage was far superior to that of Jack's father; and +as for Bill, he had never before slept in so soft a bed. They had to +remain in the house, however, all day; but Captain Turgot or Pierre took +them out in the evening, when they could not be observed, to stretch +their legs and get a little fresh air. + +They tried to make themselves useful by helping Madame Turgot, and they +rapidly picked up from her and her daughter a good amount of French, so +that in a short time they were able to converse, though in a curious +fashion, it must be owned. + +They soon got over their bashfulness, and asked the name of everything +they saw, which Jeannette was always ready to tell them. Their attempts +at talking French afforded her vast amusement. + +Though kindly treated, they at length got tired of being shut up in the +house, and were very well pleased when one day Captain Turgot brought +them each a suit of clothes, and told them that he was going away to +fish, and would take them with him. + +Next morning they went on board the cutter, and sail being soon +afterwards made, she stood out of the harbour. + + + +CHAPTER SIX. + +TAKEN PRISONERS. + +Jack and Bill made themselves very useful in hauling the nets, and +cleaning the fish when caught. Jack was well up to the work, and showed +Bill how to do it. Captain Turgot was highly pleased, and called them +"bons garcons," and said he hoped that they would remain with him till +the war was over, and as much longer as they liked. When the cutter +returned into the harbour to land her fish, Jack and Bill were sent +below, so that the authorities might not see them and carry them off. +Captain Turgot was much afraid of losing them. They were getting on +famously with their French, and Bill could chatter away already at a +great rate, though not in very good French, to be sure, for he made a +number of blunders, which afforded constant amusement to his companions, +but Pierre was always ready to set him right. + +Jack made much slower progress. He could not, he said, twist his tongue +about sufficiently to get out the words, even when he remembered them. +Some, he found, were wonderfully like English, and those he recollected +the best, though, to be sure, they had different meanings. One day the +cutter had stood out farther from the shore than usual, her nets being +down, when, at daybreak, a strange sail was seen in the offing. The +captain, after taking one look at her, was convinced that she was an +enemy. + +"Quick! quick! my sons," he shouted: "we must haul the nets and make +sail, or we shall be caught by the English. They are brave people, but +I have no wish to see the inside of one of their prisons." + +All hands worked away as if their lives depended on their exertions. +Jack and Bill lent a hand as usual. They scarcely knew what to wish. +Should the stranger prove to be an English ship, and come up with them, +they would be restored to liberty; but, at the same time, they would +feel very sorry that their kind friends should lose their vessel and be +made prisoners; still, Jack wanted to let his mother know that he was +alive, and Bill wished to be on board a man-of-war again, fighting for +Old England, and getting a foot or two up the ratlines. + +His ambition had been aroused by what the captain had said to him, and +the assistant master had observed, though he had spoken in joke, that he +might, some day or other, become an admiral. + +Bill had thought the subject over and over, till he began to fancy that, +could he get another chance, the road to fame might be open to him. The +loss of the ship with the captain and officers seemed, to be sure, to +have overthrown all his hopes; but what had happened once might happen +again, and by attending to his duty, and keeping his eyes open, and his +wits awake, he might have another opportunity of distinguishing himself. + +No one could possibly have suspected what was passing in Bill's mind, as +he worked away as energetically as the rest in stowing the nets and +making sail. + +The stranger was now made out to a certainty to be an English frigate, +and a fast one, too, by the way she slipped through the water. + +The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, +would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she +otherwise might have ventured to do. This greatly diminished the +chances of the cutter's escape. + +Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or +stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking +the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by +careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy. + +Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate +should send her boats in to cut his vessel out. The cutter possessed a +couple of long sweeps. Should it fall calm, they would be of use; but +at present the breeze was too strong to render them necessary. + +The crew kept looking astern to watch the progress made by their +pursuer, which was evidently coming up with them. What chance, indeed, +had a little fishing craft with a dashing frigate? + +An idea occurred to Jack which had not struck Bill. + +"Suppose we are taken--and it looks to me as if we shall be before +long--what will they say on board the frigate when they find us rigged +out in fisherman's clothes? They will be thinking we are deserters, and +will be hanging us up at the yard-arm." + +"I hope it won't go so hard as that with us," answered Bill. "We can +tell them that the Frenchmen took away our clothes, and rigged us out in +these, and we could not help ourselves." + +"But will they believe us?" asked Jack. + +On that point Bill acknowledged that there was some doubt; either way, +he would be very sorry for Captain Turgot. One thing could be said, +that neither their fears nor wishes would prevent the frigate from +capturing the cutter. They looked upon that as a settled matter. As +long, however, as there was a possibility of escaping, Captain Turgot +resolved to persevere. + +Matters began to look serious, when a flash and wreath of smoke was seen +to issue from one of the bow guns of the frigate, and a shot came +jumping over the water towards them. It did not reach them, however. + +"You must get nearer, monsieur, before you hurt us," said the captain, +as he watched the shot fall into the water. + +Shortly afterwards another followed. It came close up to the cutter; +but a miss is as good as a mile, and the little vessel was none the +worse for it. + +Another shot, however, might produce a very different result. + +"I say, Bill, I don't quite like the look of things," observed Jack. +"Our skipper had better give in, or one of those shot will be coming +aboard us, and carrying somebody's head off." + +"He doesn't look as if he had any thoughts of the sort," said Bill; "and +as long as there is any chance of keeping ahead, he'll stand on." + +Soon after Bill had made this remark, another shot was fired from the +frigate, and passed alongside the cutter, falling some way ahead. + +Had it been better aimed, the effect might have been somewhat +disastrous. Still Captain Turgot kept at the helm. + +Some of the crew, however, began to cry out, and begged him to heave to. +He pointed to the shore. + +"Do you want to see your wives and families again?" he asked. "Look +there! How smooth the water is ahead. The wind is falling, and the +frigate will soon be becalmed. She'll not think it worth while to send +her boats after us. Come! out with the sweeps, and we shall soon draw +out of shot of her. Look there! now her topsails are already flapping +against the masts. Be of good courage, my sons!" + +Thus incited, the crew got out the sweeps. + +Jack and Bill helped them with as much apparent good-will as if they had +had no wish to be on board the frigate. + +The little vessel felt the effects of the powerful sweeps, and, in spite +of the calm, continued to move ahead. + +Again and again the frigate fired at her, but she was a small object, +and each shot missed. + +This encouraged the French crew, whose spirits rose as they saw their +chance of escaping increase. + +Farther and farther they got from the frigate, which, with the +uncertainty from what quarter the wind would next blow, was afraid of +standing closer in shore. + +By nightfall the cutter, by dint of hard rowing, had got safe into +harbour. + +When Dame Turgot and Jeannette heard what had occurred, they expressed +their delight at seeing their young friends back. + +"We must not let you go to sea again, for it would be a sad thing to +hear that you had been captured and shot for being deserters," said +Jeannette. + +She had the same idea which had occurred to Jack. + +The English frigates were at this time so frequently seen off the coast, +that Captain Turgot, who had several boats as well as the cutter, +thought it prudent to confine his operations to inshore fishing, so as +not to run the risk of being captured. + +Jack and Bill sometimes went out with him, but, for some reason or +other, he more generally left them at home. + +Pierre, who was a good swimmer, induced them to come down and bathe with +him in the morning, and gave them instruction in the art. + +Jack could already swim a little. Bill took to it at once, and beat him +hollow; in a short time being able to perform all sorts of evolutions. +He was soon so perfectly at home in the water, that he declared he felt +able to swim across the Channel, if he could carry some food with him to +support himself on the way. + +Jack laughed at the idea, observing that "nobody ever had swum across +the Channel, and he did not believe that anybody ever would do so." + +Pierre advised Bill not to make the attempt. + +"No fear," said Jack. "He'll not go without me, and I am not going to +drown myself if I can help it." + +Bill, however, often thought over the matter, and tried to devise some +plan by which he and Jack might manage to get across. His plans came to +nothing; and, indeed, the Channel where they were was much too wide to +be crossed except in a small vessel or in a large boat. Jack was +beginning to speak French pretty well, and Bill was able to gabble away +with considerable fluency, greatly to the delight of Jeannette, who was +his usual instructress. He tried to teach her a little English in +return, but she laughed at her own attempts, and declared that she +should never be able to pronounce so break-jaw a language. + +Bill thought that she got on very well, but she seemed more anxious to +teach him French than to learn English herself. + +Several weeks more passed by. Well treated as they were, still the boys +had a longing to return to England, though the opportunity of doing so +appeared as far off as ever. + +They were in the house one afternoon, laughing and joking merrily with +Jeannette, while Dame Turgot was away at the neighbouring town to +market, when the door opened, and she entered, with a look of alarm on +her countenance. + +"Quick, quick, come here!" she said; and seizing them both by the arms, +she dragged them into the little inner room. + +"Pull off your clothes and jump into bed!" she exclaimed. "Whatever you +hear, don't move or speak, but pretend to be fast asleep." + +They obeyed her; and snatching up their jackets and trousers, she +hurried from the room, locking the door behind her. + +She had just time to tumble their clothes into a chest, when a loud +knocking was heard at the door. She opened it, and several soldiers, +under the command of a sergeant, entered. + +The boys guessed who they were by their voices, and the noise they made +when grounding their muskets. + +"Well, messieurs," said Dame Turgot, with perfect composure, "and what +do you want here?" + +"We come in search of prisoners. It is reported that you have some +concealed in your house," said the sergeant. + +"Ma foi! that is a good joke! I conceal prisoners indeed!" exclaimed +the dame, laughing. "Pray who are these notable prisoners?" + +"That's for you to say. We only know that you have prisoners," answered +the sergeant. + +"Then, if you will have it so, one may possibly be a general, and the +other an admiral, and the sooner they are lodged in the Bastille, the +better for the safety of France," answered the dame, laughing. "I am a +loyal Frenchwoman, and can cry `Vive le Roi!' `Vive la France!' with +all my heart." + +Jack and Bill, who had quaked at the thoughts of being made prisoners by +the soldiers, now began to have better hope of escaping. + +The sergeant, however, was not to be deceived by Dame Turgot's manner. + +"Come, come, I must search your house, notwithstanding. For that +purpose I was sent, and I must perform my duty," he said; and he hunted +round the room. + +"Now let us look into your room;" and the soldiers, entering, began +poking about with their bayonets, running them under the bed, and +through the bedding, in a way likely to kill anybody concealed. + +Jeannette's little room was visited and treated in the same manner. + +"And what's this room?" asked the sergeant, pointing to the boys' room. + +"That? That is a closet," answered the dame; "or if you like it, the +general and admiral are both there fast asleep, but I am unwilling to +disturb them." + +She said this in a laughing tone, as if she were joking. + +"Well, open the door," said the sergeant, not expecting to find anybody. + +"But I tell you the door is locked. Who has got the key, I wonder?" +said the dame. + +"Come, come, unlock the door, or we must force it open," said the +sergeant, making as if he was about to prise it open with his bayonet. + +On this the dame pulled the key out of her pocket, and opening the door, +exclaimed-- + +"There in one bed you will find the general, and in the other the +admiral; or, without joking, they are two poor boys whom my good man +picked up at sea, and already they are more French than English." + +The sergeant, looking into the beds, discovered the boys. + +"Come, get up, mes garcons," he said; "you must come with me, whoever +you are, and give an account of yourselves." + +Neither of the boys made any reply, deeming it wiser to keep silence. + +"Come along," he said; and he dragged first one, and then the other, out +of bed. + +"Bring the boys' clothes," he added, turning to the dame, who quickly +brought their original suits. + +They soon dressed themselves, hanging their knives round their necks. + +"I told you the truth. You see who and what they are!" exclaimed the +dame. + +Jeannette, too, pleaded eloquently on their behalf, but the sergeant was +unmoved. + +"All you say may be right, but I must take them," he answered. "Come-- +quick march!" + +He allowed them, however, to take an affectionate farewell of the dame +and Jeannette, the latter bursting into tears as she saw them dragged +off by the soldiers. + + + +CHAPTER SEVEN. + +SHUT UP IN A TOWER. + +Jack and Bill marched along in the middle of the party of soldiers, +endeavouring, as well as they could, to keep up their spirits, and to +appear unconcerned. Where they were going they could not tell. + +"Jack," whispered Bill, "don't let these fellows know that we understand +French. We may learn something from what they say to each other; and +they are not likely to tell us the truth, if we were to ask them +questions." + +"Trust me for that," answered Jack. "One might suppose, from the way +they treat us, that they take us for desperate fellows, who would make +nothing of knocking them down right and left, if it were not for their +muskets and bayonets." + +"All right," responded Bill; "we'll keep our wits awake, and maybe we +shall find an opportunity of getting away." + +"I am ready for anything you propose," said Jack. "We might have found +it more easy to make our escape if Madame Turgot had brought us back our +French toggery; but still, for my part, I feel more comfortable-like in +my own clothes." + +"So do I," said Bill. "Somehow I fancy that I am more up to work +dressed as an English sailor than I should be as a French boy. I only +hope our friends will not get into any scrape for having concealed us. +They are wonderfully kind people, and I shall always be ready to do a +good turn to a Frenchman for their sakes." + +"So shall I after I've thrashed him," said Jack. "If the French will go +to war with us, they must take the consequences." + +The soldiers did not interfere with the lads, but allowed them to talk +on to each other as much as they liked. The road they followed led them +to the eastward, as far as they could judge, at no great distance from +the shore. + +After marching about a couple of miles, they reached a small town, or +village rather, the houses being scattered along the shores of another +bay much larger than the one they had left. A river of some size ran +into the bay, and on a point of land near the mouth, on a height, stood +an old tower, which had been built, apparently, for the purpose of +guarding the entrance. + +It was in a somewhat dilapidated condition, and seemed now very unfit +for its original object, for a few round shot would have speedily +knocked it to pieces. It might, however, afford shelter to a small body +of infantry, who could fire from the loopholes in its walls down on any +boats, attempting to ascend the river. + +"I wonder if they are going to shut us up there!" said Jack, as the +sergeant led the party in the direction of the tower. + +"No doubt about it," replied Bill; "but it doesn't seem to be a very +terrible place; and, by the look of the walls, I have a notion that I +could climb to the top, or make my way down them, without the slightest +difficulty." + +They had time to make their observations before they reached the +entrance gate. + +A small guard of soldiers were stationed in the tower, to whose charge +the prisoners were handed over. + +The officer commanding the party was a gruff old fellow, who seemed to +have no feeling of compassion for his young prisoners. + +After putting various questions to the sergeant who had brought them, he +made signs to them to accompany him to the top of the building, and led +the way, attended by two soldiers who followed close behind, up a flight +of exceedingly rickety stairs, which creaked and groaned as they +ascended. + +On reaching the top the officer opened a door, which led into a small +room, the highest apparently in the building; he then signed to the boys +to go in, and without saying a word closed the door and locked it. They +soon afterwards heard him and his men descending the stairs. + +"Here we are," said Jack. "I wonder what's going to happen next!" + +"Why, if they leave us here long enough, the next thing that will happen +will be that we'll make our way out again," replied Bill. "Look at +those windows! Though they are not very big, they are large enough for +us to squeeze through, or it may be more convenient to make our way out +by the roof. I can see daylight through one or two places, which shows +that the tiles are not very securely fastened on." + +"And if we do get out, where shall we go?" asked Jack. + +"It won't do to return to the Turgots; we might be getting them into +trouble. We must make our way down to the sea shore, and then travel on +till we can reach some port or other, and when there try to get on board +a smuggling lugger, as Captain Turgot at first proposed we should do," +replied Bill. + +"It may be a hard job to do that," said Jack; "and I should say it would +be easier to run off with a boat or some small craft which we two could +handle, and make our way in her across Channel. I know where to find +the polar star. I have often been out at night when father steered by +it, and we should be sure, some time or other, to make the English +coast." + +"I should not like to run away with a poor man's vessel. What would he +say in the morning when he found his craft gone?" observed Bill. "It +would be taking what is not ours to take. I never did and never would +do that." + +Jack argued the point. + +"The French are enemies of the English," he said, "and therefore +Englishmen have a perfect right to best them either afloat or on shore." + +Bill said he would consider the subject, and in the meantime they made a +further survey of their prison. It could not be called luxuriantly +furnished, considering that there was only a bench of no great width +running along the side of one of the walls, and the remains of a table. +One of the legs had gone, and part of the top, and it was propped up by +a couple of empty casks. + +There were neither bedsteads nor bedding of any description, but the +bench was of sufficient length to allow both the boys to lie down on it. + +The sun was on the point of setting when they reached the tower, and +darkness soon stole on them. + +"I wonder whether they intend to give us any supper," said Jack, "or do +they expect us to live on air?" + +"I can hold out till to-morrow morning, but I should be thankful if they +would bring us up something to-night; and we should be the better able +to make our escape, if we have the opportunity," observed Bill. + +"Then I propose that we make a tremendous row, and that will bring some +one up to sea what's the matter. We can then point to our mouths to +show that we are hungry, and perhaps they will take compassion on us," +said Jack. + +Bill agreeing to Jack's proposal, they began jumping and stamping about +the room, and singing at the top of their voices, in a way which could +scarcely fail to be heard by the men in the guard-room below. + +They were in a short time convinced that their proceedings had produced +the desired effect; for when they ceased to make the noise, they heard +the heavy step of a man ascending the creaking stairs. It had not +occurred to them that he might possibly come with a thick stick in his +hand, to thrash them for making a row. The idea, however, flashed +across Jack's mind by the time the man was half-way up. + +"We may get more kicks than ha'pence for what we've been doing," he +observed; "however, it cannot be helped; we must put a good face on the +matter, and let him fancy that it is the way English boys have of +showing when they are hungry. If he does not make out what we mean, +we'll say, `manger, manger,' and he'll then know what we want." + +Bill laughed. He was not much afraid of a beating. He reminded Jack +that he must not say anything more than he proposed, or the Frenchmen +might find out that they understood their language. + +The man came slowly up the steps, which creaked and groaned louder and +louder. + +"I'll tell you what," said Bill. "If those steps are as rotten as they +appear to be, we might pull some of them up, and so prevent the guard +from reaching this room, and finding out that we have made our escape." + +"We should have to get the door open first," observed Jack, "and that +would be no easy matter." + +"More easy than you may suppose," said Bill. "I'll try and shove +something into the catch of the lock while the Frenchman is in the +room." + +Just then the door opened, and a soldier entered, with a lantern in one +hand, and, as Jack expected, a stick in the other. It was not, however, +a very thick one, and Jack thought, as he eyed it, that its blows, +though they might hurt, would not break any bones; however, neither he +nor Bill had any intention of being thrashed if they could help it. + +The soldier began at once to inquire, in an angry tone, why they had +made so much noise. + +They pretended not to understand him; but as he lifted his stick to +strike at them, they ran round the room, Jack shouting "Manger! manger!" +and pointing to his mouth. + +He could easily manage to keep out of the Frenchman's reach, but at last +he allowed himself to be caught for a minute at the farther end of the +room, thus giving Bill time to reach the door. + +Bill made good use of the opportunity, while the Frenchman's back was +turned, to carry out his intention. + +"All right," he cried out; and as soon as Jack heard him, he skipped out +of the Frenchman's way, as he had no wish to receive more blows than he +could avoid. The soldier, on seeing Bill, attacked him next, but he +easily evaded most of the blows aimed at him, till the soldier grew +weary of the chase. + +"Manger! manger!" cried both the boys at once, in various tones, +sometimes imploring, at others expostulating, and then as if they were +excited by anger and indignation that they should be so treated. + +The soldier understood them clearly enough, and probably thought to +himself that unless he could bring some food to keep the young prisoners +quiet, he might have frequent trips to make to the top of the tower. + +"Ma foi! I suppose that you have had nothing to eat for some hours," he +observed, in French. "I'll see what I can get for you; but remember, +you must be quiet, or you will be left to starve." + +They were well pleased to hear this; but still pretending not to +understand him, they continued crying out, "Manger! manger!" + +At last the soldier took his departure, locking the door, as he +supposed, behind him. + +As soon as they knew, by the sounds he made descending the steps, that +he had got some distance down, the boys ran to the door, and, to their +satisfaction, found that they could easily open it, though it appeared +to be securely locked. + +From the remarks the Frenchman had made, they had some hopes that he +would bring them food; they therefore lay down on the bench to await his +return. + +Greatly to their satisfaction, in a short time they again heard a step +on the stair, and the soldier who had before paid them a visit entered, +carrying a basket with some bread and cheese, dried figs, and some wine +in a bottle. He also brought up a piece of candle, and a lump of wood +with a spike in it, which served as a candlestick. + +He placed these on the table with the contents of the basket. + +"There," he said, "eat away; you may have a long march to-morrow, and if +you haven't strength we may have to carry you." + +The boys pretended not to understand him; but both exclaimed, as they +saw the viands, "Merci! merci!" and put out their hands to shake that of +the soldier, who seemed, while performing a kind action, to be in much +better humour than before. + +"Mangez! mes braves garcons," he remarked. "What is over you can have +for breakfast to-morrow morning, as maybe you'll get nothing else +brought you." + +"Merci! merci!" answered Jack and Bill, as they escorted the soldier to +the door, letting him suppose that these were the only two words they +understood. + +As soon as he had turned the key in the door, they hurried to the table, +and eagerly devoured some of the bread and cheese. + +"It's fortunate we've got so large a stock of food," said Bill; "there's +enough here, if we are careful of it, for a couple of days." + +There was in the bottle but a small allowance of wine, which was +excessively sour; but it served to quench their thirst, though they +agreed that they would much rather have had fresh water. + +Having finished their supper, they divided the remainder of the food +into two portions, which they stowed away in their pockets. They then +waited till they had reason to suppose, from hearing no noise ascending +the stairs, that the soldiers in the guard-room had gone to sleep. + +Having cautiously opened the door, they next examined the steps, and +found that they could wrench up those of the upper part of the flight +without making much noise. They had to be quick about it, as their +candle would soon burn out. + +First, having closed the door, they got up seven of the steps, beginning +at the uppermost one, till they formed a gap which it would be +impossible for a man to spring over. The boards they carried down as +they descended, when they found themselves in another storey, the whole +of which was occupied by one large room without doors, the reason, of +course, why it had not been made their prison. + +Their candle had now nearly burned out. Having hung their shoes round +their necks, they were able to step softly. Hunting about, they +discovered an empty space under the stairs, in which they stowed the +pieces of wood. + +"Perhaps we might get down by the stairs," whispered Jack. + +"The chances are that we should find a door to stop us at the bottom," +returned Bill. "We must try to get down the outside. The walls are so +full of holes that we might manage it, and I am ready to go first and +try." + +The question was, on which side should they attempt to make their +descent? On looking through the narrow windows, they observed a gleam +of light coming out below them on one side; probably that was from the +guard-room, and they accordingly fixed on the opposite side, where all +was dark. They ran no little chance of breaking their necks, but about +that they did not trouble themselves. If a cat could get up, they +believed that they could get down, by clinging with toes and fingers, +and teeth, if necessary, to the wall. + +They, however, made the fullest examination in their power to ascertain +the best spot for their descent; they looked out of every window in +succession, but at last arrived at the conclusion that the attempt to +scramble down a perpendicular wall was too hazardous to be made. They +now began to fear that their enterprise must be abandoned, and that they +should be compelled to make their way first to a lower storey, which, +for what they could tell, might be inhabited; or else that they must +descend the creaking stairs, and run a still greater chance of being +discovered. + +"Here's another window," said Bill; "let's look through that." + +He climbed up to it, and gazed out. Great was his satisfaction to +perceive the top of a massive wall a few feet below him. The tower had +been a portion of an old castle, and the end of this wall was a mass of +ruins, but quite thick enough to enable them to scramble along the top +of it, and Bill had no doubt that they thence could easily descend to, +the level ground. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHT. + +THE ESCAPE--CONCEALED IN A CAVERN. + +Bill drew his head in from the window, and beckoned to Jack, who +followed him up; and as there was no time to be lost, he at once dropped +down on to the top of the wall. Jack came next, fortunately without +dislodging any stones, which might have rattled down and betrayed their +proceedings. Bill leading, they made their way on hands and knees along +the top of the wall, which, being fringed in most places with bushes, +contributed to conceal them from any passers-by. They had to move +cautiously for the reason before given, and also to avoid the risk of +falling down any gap in the wall which time might have produced. + +As Bill had expected, the further end of the wall was broken gradually +away, forming an easy descent. Down this they climbed, feeling their +way with their feet, and not letting go of one mass of ruin till they +had found a foothold on a lower. Thus they at length had the +satisfaction of standing on the firm ground outside the walls. + +They had now to consider in which direction they should direct their +flight. + +The river was on one side of them, and though they might swim across +they would run the risk of being discovered while so doing. They +finally decided to make for the sea shore, to the westward of the bay, +and to lie hid among the rocks till the search for them should be given +up. + +They accordingly stole round the building, keeping on the side away from +the guard-room, till they got into a lane which led at the back of the +village down towards the shore. If they could once get there they hoped +to be safe. + +Few lights in the village were burning, as the inhabitants retired early +to bed; but two or three still twinkled from some cottages at the +farther end. Possibly the owners had gone out fishing, and had only +lately returned. + +They had got some distance from the tower, and no cottage was near, when +Jack stopped. + +"I've been thinking that we might get on board one of the fishing-boats, +which have just come in, and go off in her," he whispered. + +"I could not do it," said Bill. "I have said before--what would the +poor fishermen think in the morning when they found their boat gone, the +only means they may have of supporting their wives and families?" + +Jack did not agree with Bill in this, but it was not a time to argue the +point, so they set off again, and continued running till they reached a +gap in the cliff, down which the road led. They then made their way to +the left, under the cliffs, in the direction of the village where they +had so long resided. + +The tide was out, and they wisely kept close down to the water, so that +the returning sea might obliterate their footsteps. + +Jack proposed returning to Captain Turgot's, but Bill observed that that +would not be fair to their friends, who would, of course, be exposed to +great danger by again harbouring them, and who yet would not like to +deliver them up. + +"No, no, we must not do that," he said. "The sooner we can find a place +to hide in the better. The cliff hereabouts appears to be broken, and +full of hollows, and perhaps, if we search for it, we shall discover +some spot fit for our purpose." + +While they were talking the moon rose; and, though on the decrease, +afforded a good deal of light, and greatly assisted them in their +search. + +The sea where they were would, they saw, at high tide, completely cover +the whole beach, so they must take care to find a place beyond its +reach. + +They anxiously searched about. The night was drawing on, and they must +find concealment before daylight, which would expose them to the view of +any boats passing near the beach, or to people looking for them from the +cliffs above. + +They climbed up at several places without discovering any hollow +sufficiently deep to conceal them effectually; still they persevered, +and at last they reached a black rock which projected out from the +cliff, and ran some way down the beach. From its appearance they saw +that it must be covered at high-water. They made their way round it, as +the sides were too smooth to climb over, and then once more reached the +foot of the cliff. + +The tide was now rising rapidly, and they saw that they would be exposed +to the danger of being caught by the sea, could they not get some +distance up the cliff. They were hurrying on when Bill exclaimed-- + +"There's a cave, and it may perhaps run some way back in the cliff. We +shall soon find out by the feel of the rock whether the water fills it +up, and if not, we couldn't have a better hiding-place." + +They climbed up the slippery rock, and found themselves in a cavern with +a low arched entrance. This looked promising. They groped their way +onwards. As they advanced, their ears caught the gentle sound of a tiny +streamlet, which issued from the rock, while the ground beneath their +feet was perfectly dry, consisting in some places of hard rock, in +others of soft, warm sand. + +Looking back, they could distinguish the ocean, with the moonlight +shining on it. + +"We shall be safe here, I think," said Bill. "When daylight comes, we +shall be able to find our way farther in, and perhaps discover some nook +in which we may remain hidden, even were people to come to the mouth of +the cave to look for us." + +Jack agreed that there was no risk of the tide rising to the place where +they then were, so they sat down on the dry sand, and being tired from +their exertions, very soon fell fast asleep. + +Jack was not much addicted to dreaming. When he went to sleep he did so +in right earnest, and might have slept through a general engagement, if +he had not been called to take a part in it. + +Bill had a more imaginative mind, which was seldom altogether at rest. +He fancied sometimes that he was escaping from the top of the tower, and +tumbling head over heels to the bottom; at others that he was running +along, with the Frenchmen shouting after him to stop. Then he fancied +that one with a long pair of legs had overtaken him, and was grasping +him tightly by the arm. + +He awoke with a start, and found that Jack was trying to arouse him. +Daylight was streaming through the mouth of the cavern; beyond could be +seen the blue sea shining brightly in the rays of the sun, with a +chasse-maree, or some other small vessel, gliding swiftly across it, +impelled by a smart breeze off shore. + +Jack had taken it into his head that the people on board might see them. + +"I don't think there's much chance of that," said Bill. "Even if they +happen to turn their glasses this way, depend on it, if we sit quiet, +they'll not discover us." + +The vessel soon disappeared, and they then looked about to examine more +carefully the cavern in which they had taken refuge. + +The tide was still at its highest, and the water washed up to the ledge +in front of the cavern. The ground rose considerably above that point +to where they sat, and on looking round they saw that it continued to +rise behind them for some distance. + +Bill advised that they should at once explore it, observing that though, +even at spring-tide, with the wind off shore, the water might not reach +to where they sat; yet should a gale blow from the northward, it might +drive the waves far up the cavern, and expose them to great danger. "We +cannot tell what may happen," he said, "and it's as well to be prepared +for the worst. Besides, if the soldiers come to look for us, they may +find the mouth of the cavern, and make their way some distance in, but +if they do not discover us they'll fancy we are not here, and go away +again as wise as they came." + +Jack saw the wisdom of this proposal. They accordingly groped their way +on, aided by the light, which, though dim, pervaded the part of the +cavern they had reached. Every now and then they stopped, and, on +looking back, could still see the entrance, with the bright sea beyond +it. + +At length they came to a rock, which seemed to stop their further +progress; but, feeling about them, found that the cavern made a turn +here to the left. They now proceeded with the greatest caution, for +fear of coming to some hole down which they might fall. + +"If we had a torch we might see what sort of a place we have got to," +observed Jack. + +"But we haven't got a torch, and no chance of getting one; and so we +must find out by making good use of our hands," answered Bill. "We must +move slowly on, and feel every inch of the way, putting out one hand +before we lift up the other." + +They were groping forward on their hands and knees, and were in total +darkness; still, as they looked back, there was a faint glimmer of +light, which appeared round the corner of the rock, and this would +enable them to find their way back again. Hitherto they had met only +with smooth rock, gently inclining upwards; possibly it might lead them, +if they went on long enough, to the top of the cliff, though they hoped +that there was no opening in that direction. + +Here, at all events, they thought that they should be secure, even +should their pursuers enter the cavern. + +As they were getting hungry, they agreed to go back and eat their +breakfast in daylight near the spring, which would afford them a draught +of cool water. They returned as they had come, feeling their way along +the rock. + +Just before they reached the turning in the cavern, they discovered a +recess which would hold both of them; and they agreed to make it their +hiding-place should the soldiers by any chance come to look for them. + +Without much difficulty they got back to the spot where they had slept, +which was close to the stream. Here they sat down, and produced the +provisions which they had brought from the tower. On examining their +stock, they calculated that they had sufficient to last them for a +couple of days. + +"When that's gone, what shall we do?" asked Jack. + +"We must try to pick up some shell-fish from the rocks," answered Bill. +"The soldiers by that time will have got tired of looking for us, and if +any persons from the top of the cliffs see us they won't know who we +are, and will fancy we are fisher-boys getting bait. Perhaps before +that time a smuggling lugger may come off here, and we may manage to +hail her before we run short of food; at all events, there's no use +being frightened about what may happen." + +Every now and then one or the other went towards the mouth of the cave +to look out. As long as the tide remained high there was no danger of +their being discovered; but at low water the French soldiers were very +likely to come along the sands, and could scarcely fail to see the mouth +of the cavern. + +The tide was now rapidly going down, black rocks appearing one by one +above the surface. + +They accordingly determined to retire to the inner part of the cavern, +and to wait there till they calculated that the tide would once more +have come in. + +"We must make up our minds to enjoy six hours of daylight, and to endure +six of darkness," observed Bill. + +"I sha'n't care much about that; we can but go to sleep and amuse +ourselves the best way we can think of while the tide is in," said Jack. + +"If we had some hooks and lines we might fish," said Bill. + +"We should only catch rock fish, and they are not fit to eat," replied +Jack. + +The boys carried out their plan. It was an easy matter to get through +the sleeping-time, but they became somewhat weary from having nothing to +do during the period that the tide was in. They could do little more, +indeed, than sit looking at the sea, and watching the few vessels which +appeared in the offing. Now and then they got up and walked about to +stretch their legs. They were afraid of bathing, lest while swimming +about they might be seen from any part of the cliff above. + +Whether the soldiers had come to look for them they could not tell; one +thing was certain, they had not been discovered, and there were no signs +of any persons having approached the mouth of the cavern. + +They husbanded their food, but it was rapidly diminishing. At night +they therefore, when the tide had gone out, crept down on the sands, and +managed to cut off some limpets and other shell-fish with their knives +from the rocks. These would have sustained them for some days had they +been able to cook them, but they had no means of lighting a fire. +Though limpets may help to keep body and soul together for a short time, +they are not wholesome food, especially when raw. Their bread was all +gone, but as long as they had some figs and cheese they got down the +limpets very well; but both figs and cheese came to an end, and they +both felt that they were getting very weak. + +"If we don't take care we shall starve," said Bill. + +"We must do something or other. I don't see anything but trying to get +on board a lugger, as we talked of; but then in searching for her we +should run the chance of being made prisoners again." + +"You must come round to my plan, and run off with a boat of some sort," +said Jack. + +"That's just what I cannot do," said Bill. + +"It's either that or starving," said Jack. + +"We should have to get food first, even if we did run off with a boat," +observed Bill. "It would never do to put to sea without something to +eat. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll try and make my way back to +Captain Turgot's. It cannot be far from this. I'll ask them to give us +some food. They are sure to do that, though they might not like hiding +us; and perhaps they might tell us of some boat in which we could get +off without the owner being the worse for the loss. If you'll stay +here, I'll go this very evening as soon as the tide is out. I calculate +that I should have time to get there and back before the flood is up; +and I'm not afraid of being refused, at all events." Jack wanted to go +too; but Bill urged that one was less likely to be discovered than two, +and that it would be better for him to go alone. Jack at last agreed to +this, and directly the sand appeared below the mouth of the cavern, Bill +set out. + + + +CHAPTER NINE. + +VISIT TO CAPTAIN TURGOT'S COTTAGE. + +As it was growing dusk, Bill had no fear of being seen as he made his +way from the cavern. He felt rather weak, but he had a brave heart, and +pushed on. He had some rough rocks to climb over, and others he managed +to get round, walking through the water where it was not too deep. +Sooner than he expected he reached the bay near which the Turgots' +cottage was situated. To avoid the other cottages and huts he had to +make a wide circuit. + +He cautiously crept up towards the back of his friends' dwelling; then, +keeping close to the wall, he looked in through the window of the room +in which the family generally sat. + +Jeannette was alone, spinning as usual, but looking somewhat pensive. + +Bill tapped at the window, and Jeannette looked up. + +"May I come in?" he asked in French. + +Jeannette came to the window. + +"Who are you?" she inquired. + +"What! don't you know me?" said Bill. + +"Ah! one of the young Englishmen!" she exclaimed; and she opened the +window. + +Bill jumped in. + +"I am so happy to see you!" she cried. "Where have you come from? And +your friend Jack, where is he? Have you both escaped from the soldiers? +We thought you were in prison long ago;" and Jeannette put so many +questions that Bill had great difficulty in answering them. He, +however, soon contrived to let her know all that had happened, and then +inquired for her father and mother and brother. + +"Mother is in bed, quite ill," she said; "she was so frightened by the +soldiers, expecting to be carried off to prison, that she has not got +over it. My father and Pierre are out fishing. I expect them home +before midnight, but they said that they should be out later than +usual." + +"I should like to stop and see them," said Bill; "but in the meantime, +can you give me something to eat? I am nearly starved." + +"Of course," cried Jeannette; and she quickly placed some food before +Bill, which he as quickly attacked. + +"Well, you are hungry!" she observed, "but eat away. I wish I had known +before how near you were to us, and I would have brought you +provisions." + +"Can you bring them to us now?" asked Bill. "If we do not manage to get +off, we shall soon be hungry again." + +"Of course I will," she answered; "but it would not be safe for me to +bring them all the way to the cave. I know, however, a place much +nearer this where I could hide them, and you can come and fetch them." + +"But how am I to know the place?" asked Bill. + +"I will describe it to you," answered Jeannette. "You remarked, as you +came along, a break in the cliff, with a stream running down the bottom. +On the right side of the stream, about ten feet from high-water mark, +there is a small hollow just large enough for one person to creep in. I +took shelter there once when I was a little girl, having been caught in +a storm as I was rambling along the sands so I remember it well." + +Bill thought he could find the place, and would look for it as he went +back. Jeannette promised to bring a basket every other day, directly +the morning tide went down, so that Bill would know exactly when to go +and fetch the food. He thanked her very much, and promised to follow +her directions. + +He then asked her about a boat, but she could say nothing till her +father and Pierre returned. They might know of one, but as there was +very small chance of her ever being restored to her owner, while the +boys were not likely to have the means of paying for her, she was +doubtful. + +"As to that," said Bill, "we shall have plenty of prize-money. I hope +to pay for her over and over again; and I will promise most faithfully +to do so." + +Jeannette smiled, for she thought that there was very little probability +of the two young ship-boys ever getting prize-money sufficient to pay +for such a boat as they required, to make a voyage across the Channel. + +Bill was anxious to get back to poor Jack, who he remembered was +well-nigh starving. Jeannette would have accompanied him part of the +way, but she had to remain at home to receive Captain Turgot and Pierre. +She had, in the meantime, packed a basket with provisions for Jack and +himself, that they might be independent for a couple of days. He +therefore jumped up, and, begging her to remember him very kindly to the +others, he bade her farewell, and, with the basket on his arm, slipped +out of the house as cautiously as he had entered. + +He had noted every object as he came along, so that he had no difficulty +in making his way back. He also easily discovered the small cave +described by Jeannette. It was at a convenient distance from the large +cavern, and, as a path led near it, should Jeannette be perceived, it +might be supposed that she was making her way to the top of the cliff. + +Bill did not stop longer than was necessary to examine the place to be +certain of being able to find it again, as he knew that Jack would be +anxiously waiting for him. He hurried on, therefore, and in a short +time reached the beach below the cavern. Climbing up, he called out, +"All right, Jack!" But Jack did not answer. He called again, but still +there was no reply, and he began to feel very anxious. + +Had the soldiers been there and carried off his companion? or had Jack +died of starvation? + +Jeannette had thoughtfully put a tinder-box, flint and steel, and a +couple of candles into the basket. After feeling his way on for some +distance, he stopped and lighted one of the candles. + +The faint light gave the cavern a wild, strange appearance, so that he +could scarcely have known where he was. He looked round on every side, +but could nowhere see Jack; he became more and more alarmed; still he +did not give up all hope of finding him. + +Again and again he called out "Jack!" + +At length a faint voice came from the interior. He hurried on. There +lay Jack on the ground. + +"Is that you, Bill?" he asked, in a low voice. "I was afraid you were +caught. I fancied I heard voices, and crept away, intending to get into +our hiding-place, when I fell down, and I suppose I must have gone to +sleep, for I remember nothing more till I heard you calling to me. Have +you brought any food?" + +"Yes," said Bill; "sit up and eat as much as you can; it will do you +good, and you will soon be all to rights." + +Jack did not require a second invitation, but munched away at the bread +and cheese, and dried fish and figs, with right good will, showing that +he could not have been so very ill after all. He quickly regained his +strength and spirits, and listened eagerly to what Bill had to tell him. + +"Well, it's a comfort to think that we are not likely to be starved," he +observed; "and I will bless Miss Jeannette as long as I live. I wish we +could do something to show her how much obliged we are. And now, Bill, +what about the boat? Is there a chance of our getting one?" + +"A very poor chance at present, I am afraid," answered Bill. +"Jeannette, however, will let us know if her father and brother can find +one to suit our purpose, or if a smuggling lugger comes into the +harbour." + +"We'll have, after all, to do as I proposed, and take one without asking +the owner's leave," said Jack. "I tell you it will be perfectly fair. +The French are at war with us, and we have a right to take any of their +property we can find, whether afloat or on shore." + +"That may be, but I can't get it out of my head that we shall be robbing +some poor fellow who may have to depend on his boat for supporting +himself and his family," answered Bill. + +They argued the point as before, till Bill proposed that they should lie +down and go to sleep, as he felt tired after his long walk. + +They allowed two days to pass, when Bill set off as agreed on to obtain +the provisions he hoped Jeannette would have brought. + +She had not deceived him; there was an ample supply, and two or three +more candles. + +Several more days passed by. Jeannette regularly brought them +provisions, but she left no note to tell them of any arrangements which +her father had made. They were becoming very weary of their life, for +they had nothing whatever to do--no books to read, and not even a stick +to whittle. + +The weather had hitherto been fine, the cavern was warm and comfortable, +and the dry sand afforded them soft beds. They might certainly have +been very much worse off. + +Bill always went to fetch the food from the cave where Jeannette left +it. He had hitherto not met her, which he was anxious to do, to learn +what chance there was of obtaining a boat. She, however, was always +before him, the fact being that the path from her house to the cave was +practicable before that from the large cavern was open. + +"I don't quite like the look of the weather," observed Bill one day to +Jack, just before the time Jeannette was due at the little cave, and all +their provisions were expended. "If it comes on very bad she may be +stopped, and we shall be pressed. I'll slip down the moment the water +is shallow enough, and try to get along the shore; and if she has not +reached the cave, I'll go on and meet her." + +Bill at once put his resolution into practice. He did not mind wetting +his feet; but he had here and there a hard job to save himself from +being carried off by the sea, which rolled up the beach to the very foot +of the cliff. Twice he had to cling to a rock, and frequently to wade +for some distance, till he began to regret that he had ventured so soon; +but having made up his mind to do a thing, he was not to be defeated by +the fear of danger; so waiting till the wave had receded, he rushed on +to another rock. The sky had become overcast. The leaden seas, +foam-crested, came rolling in with increasing force, and had not the +tide been on the ebb his position would have been perilous in the +extreme. + +He knew, however, that every minute would make his progress less +difficult; so with a brave heart he pushed on. At last he reached the +little cave by the side of the gorge. It was empty! He knew, +therefore, that Jeannette had not been there. + +According to his previous determination, he went on to meet her, hoping +that before this she might have set out. + +The rain now began to fall, and the wind blew with fitful gusts. He did +not care for either himself, but he was sorry that Jeannette should be +exposed to the storm. He felt nearly sure that she would come, in spite +of it. If not, he made up his mind to wait till dark, and then to go on +to her cottage. There was no great risk in doing so, as the soldiers +would long before this have given up their search for him and Jack. + +He had gone some distance, and the fishing village would soon be in +sight, when he saw a figure coming towards him, wrapped in a cloak. +Hoping that it was Jeannette, he hurried forward to meet her. He was +not mistaken. + +Bill told her that he had come on that she might be saved from a longer +exposure to the rain than was necessary. + +"Thank you," she answered. "I was delayed, or I should have set off +earlier, but a party of soldiers came to the village pretending that +they wanted to buy fish. I, however, suspected that they came to look +for you, and I waited till they had gone away again. We sold them all +the fish they asked for, and put on an unconcerned look, as if +suspecting nothing, I saw them, however, prying about, and I recognised +one of them as the sergeant who came in command of the party which +carried you off. I am not at all certain, either, that they will not +return, and I should not have ventured out, had I not known that you +must be greatly in want of food, and that, perhaps, should the storm +which is now beginning increase, many days might pass before I could +supply you." + +The information given by Jeannette made Bill very glad that he had come +on to meet her. He, of course, thanked her warmly, and then asked what +chance there was of obtaining a boat. + +"My father wishes you well, but is afraid to interfere in the matter," +she answered. "He does not, perhaps, enter into your feelings about +getting back to England, because he thinks France the best country of +the two, and sees no reason why you should not become Frenchmen. As the +detachment of soldiers quartered in the neighbourhood will soon, +probably, be removed, you may then come back without fear, and resume +the clothes you before wore, and live with us, and help my father and +brother; then who knows what may happen? You will not have to fight +your own countrymen, and the war may some day come to an end, or perhaps +the French may conquer the English, and then we shall all be very good +friends again." + +"Never! Jeannette; that will never happen," exclaimed Bill. "You are +very kind to us, and we are very fond of you, and would do anything to +serve you, and show our gratitude, but don't say that again." + +Jeannette laughed. "Dear me, how fiery you are!" she exclaimed. +"However, it's foolish to stop talking here, and I ought to hurry home, +in case the soldiers should pay us another visit and suspect something. +Do not be angry, my dear Bill. I did not wish to offend you; only, you +know, we each think our own country the best." + +Bill assured Jeannette that he was not angry, and again thanked her very +much, though he could not help saying that he was sorry her father would +not obtain the boat for them. + +"Well, well, you must have patience," she answered. "Now go back to +your cave as fast as you can, or you will be wet to the skin." + +"I am that already," answered Bill, laughing; "but it's a trifle to +which I am well accustomed." + +Once more they shook hands, and exchanging baskets. Jeannette, drawing +her cloak around her, hurried back to the village, while Bill made the +best of his way to the cavern. + +He was now able, in spite of the wind, to get along where he had before +found it difficult to pass. In one or two places only did the waves +rolling up wash round his feet, but the water was not of sufficient +depth to carry him off, and he gained the mouth of the cavern in safety. +Jack was eagerly looking out for him, and both of them being very sharp +set, they lost no time in discussing some of the contents of the basket. + +As they looked out they saw that the wind had greatly increased. A +heavy north-westerly gale was blowing. It rushed into the cavern filled +with spray from off the now distant foam-tipped waves. What it would do +when the tide was again high was a matter of serious consideration. + +"We shall have to go as far back as we can," observed Bill, "and the +sooner we pick out a safe berth the better. I should like, too, to get +my wet clothes off, for the wind makes me feel very cold." + +Jack was of the same opinion, and he taking up the basket, they groped +their way to the inner cave round the rock, where it turned, as before +described, to the left. Here they were completely sheltered from the +wind, and had it not been for the loud roar of the waves beating on the +shore, and the howling of the gale in the outer cavern, they would not +have been aware that a storm was raging outside. + +They had, it should have been said, collected a quantity of drift wood, +which Jack had thoughtfully employed himself in carrying to the spot +where they were now seated. As they could not possibly run any risk of +being detected, they agreed to light a fire, which they had hitherto +avoided doing. + +They soon had a cheerful one blazing up, and it made them feel much more +comfortable. Bill was able to dry his wet clothes, and by its light +they could now take a better survey of their abode than they had +hitherto done. + +The cavern was here not more than eight or ten feet in height, but it +was nearly thirty broad, and penetrated, so it seemed to them, far away +into the interior of the cliff. + +"I vote we have a look and see where the cave leads to," said Bill, +taking up a long piece of fir-wood which burnt like a torch. + +Jack provided himself with another of a similar character, and, by +waving them about, they found that they could keep them alight. They +also took one of their candles and their match-box in case their torches +should go out. + +Having raked their fire together, so that it might serve as a beacon to +assist them in their return, they set out. + +The ground rose as they had before supposed when they explored it in the +dark, but the roof continued of the same height above it. + +Suddenly Jack started. + +"What is that?" he exclaimed, seizing his companion's arm. "There's a +man! or is it a ghost? Oh Bill!" + + + +CHAPTER TEN. + +DISCOVERY OF THE SMUGGLERS' TREASURE. + +Bill waved his torch on one side and peered forward. "It looks like a +man, but it doesn't move. It's only a figure, Jack," he answered. "I'm +not afraid of it. Come on! we'll soon see what it is." + +Jack was ashamed of lagging behind, and accompanied him. + +The object which had frightened Jack was soon discovered to be merely a +stalactite--a mass of hardened water. Similar formations now appeared +on both sides of the cavern, some hanging from the roof, others in the +form of pillars and arches; indeed, the whole cavern looked like the +interior of a Gothic building in ruins. + +Other figures still more strange were seen, as if starting out from +recesses or doorways on both sides. + +"Well! this is a strange place. I never saw or heard of anything like +it," exclaimed Jack, when he found how harmless all the ghosts really +were. + +In many places the roof and sides shone and glittered as if covered with +precious stones. Even Bill began to fancy that they had got into some +enchanted cavern. The ground was covered in most places with the same +substance, and so rough that they could make but slow progress. + +They were about to turn back for fear of their torches going out when +they reached a low archway. Curiosity prompted them to enter, which +they could do by stooping down. After going a short distance they found +themselves in a still larger cavern, almost circular, like a vast hall, +the roof and sides ornamented by nature in the same curious fashion, +though still more profusely. + +"It won't do to stop here," said Bill, "but we'll come back again and +have another look at it with fresh torches. Hallo! what's that?" + +Jack started as he had before done, as if he were not altogether +comfortable in his mind. He had never heard anything about enchanted +caverns, but a strange dread had seized him. He had an idea that the +place must be the abode of ghosts or spirits of some sort, and that Bill +had seen one. + +Bill hurrying forward, the light of his torch fell on a pile composed of +bales and chests, and casks, and various other articles. + +The place had evidently been used as a store-room by persons who must +have considered that it was not likely to be discovered. + +As their torches were by this time nearly burnt out, they could not +venture to stop and examine the goods, but had to hurry back as fast as +they could. They had managed to get through the narrow passage, and had +made some progress in their return, when both of them were obliged to +let their torches drop, as they could no longer hold them without +burning their hands. They might have lighted their candles, had they +been in any difficulty, but their fire enabled them to find their way +along, though they stumbled frequently over the inequalities of the +ground, and once or twice Jack clutched Bill's arm, exclaiming, "Sure! +there's some one! I saw him move! Can any of the soldiers have come to +look for us?" + +"Not with such a storm as there is now raging outside," answered Bill. +"It was only one of the marble figures." + +Presently Jack again cried out, "There! I saw another moving. I'm sure +of it this time. It's a ghost if it isn't a man." + +"Well! if it is a ghost it won't hurt us," answered Bill; "but the only +ghosts hereabouts are those curious figures, which can't move from their +places. For my part, I don't believe there are such things as ghosts at +all going about to frighten people. The only one I ever heard tell of +was `The Cock Lane Ghost', and that was found out to be a sham long +ago." + +Jack regained his courage as they approached the fire, and both being +pretty well tired, they were glad to sit down and talk about the +wonderful store of goods they had discovered. Jack was afraid that the +owners might come back to look for their property and discover them, but +Bill was of opinion that they had been placed there by a party of +smugglers, who had gone away and been lost without telling any one where +they had stowed their goods. + +From the appearance of the bales and chests he thought that they had +been there for some time. Another visit would enable them to ascertain +this, and they resolved to make it without delay. + +They were becoming very sleepy, for they had been many hours on foot and +the night was far advanced. Before lying down, however, Bill said he +wished to see how the storm was getting on. + +It was making a dreadful uproar in the cavern, and he wanted to +ascertain what chance there was of the waves washing in. There was not +much risk, to be sure, of their reaching as far as they then were, but +it was as well to be on the safe side, and if there was a likelihood of +it they would move farther up and carry their provisions and store of +fuel with them, the only property they possessed. + +They set out together, Jack keeping a little behind Bill for though he +was as brave as any lad need be in the daylight, or out at sea, he did +not somehow, he confessed, feel like himself in that dark cavern, filled +with the roaring, howling, shrieking noises caused by the gale. + +They got on very well till they rounded the rock, when they met a blast, +driving a sheet of fine spray in their faces, which well-nigh blinded +them, and forced them back. They notwithstanding made their way for +some distance, till Bill began to think that it would be wise to go no +farther. + +Every now and then a bright glare filled the cavern, caused by the +flashes of lightning darting from the clouds; while, as each sea rolled +in, the whole mouth was filled as it were by a sheet of foaming water, +part of which, striking the roof, fell back into the ocean, while a +portion rushed up the floor, almost to where they were standing. + +"It's bad enough now," shouted Jack, for they could only make each other +hear by speaking at the top of their voices. "What will it be when it's +high tide?" + +"Perhaps it won't be much worse than it is now," answered Bill. "We +shall be safe enough at our hiding-place, and if it gets up much higher +it will give us notice of its coming, and allow us to retreat in good +time." + +They accordingly got back to their fire, the embers of which enabled +them to dry their clothes. They then lay down, and, in spite of the +storm and the hubbub it was creating, were soon fast asleep. + +Had it not been for feeling very hungry, they might have slept on till +past noon of the next day. Awaking, they found their fire completely +gone out. What o'clock it was they could not tell. They were in total +darkness, while the tempest roared away as loudly as ever. + +They, however, lighted a candle, and ate some breakfast. To wash it +down they had to get water from the spring, which was so much nearer the +entrance of the cavern. They accordingly put out their candle, and +groped their way round the rock. On seeing light streaming through the +entrance, they knew that at all events it was no longer night. + +The sea was rising over the ledge at the mouth, tossing and tumbling +with foam-topped billows, and rolling up along the floor of the cavern +in a seething mass of froth. + +They saw how high it had come, and had no reason to fear that it would +rise farther. + +They now made their way to the spring, and drank heartily. + +"We ought to be thankful that we are in so snug a place," observed Bill; +"but I tell you, we must take care not to eat up all our food in a +hurry, or we may find it a hard matter to get more. The wind appears to +have driven the sea over on this shore, and I doubt whether we shall be +able to make our way along the beach even at low water." + +Jack did not at all like the idea of starving, but he saw that it would +be wise to follow Bill's advice. + +They had food enough to last them for three days, as Jeannette had put +up a double allowance; but the gale might blow much longer than that, +and then what should they do? + +"It's no use troubling ourselves too much about the matter till the time +comes," observed Bill; "only we must be careful not to eat more than is +necessary to keep body and soul together." + +As they had found a fire very useful and pleasant, they went down as +close as they could venture to the water, and employed themselves in +collecting all the driftwood and chips they could find. They agreed +that they would do the same every day, so as to have a good stock of +fuel. They wanted also to secure some pieces which might serve as +torches, so that they could examine the smugglers' store as they called +it, which they had discovered. + +They carried their wood and placed it on the soft warm sand, where it +would dry more rapidly, for in its present state it would not serve to +kindle a fire. They had, however, some dry pieces which would answer +that purpose, and they judged rightly that they might place the damp +wood on the top of their fire, when it would burn in time. + +Most of the day was employed in this manner. Even after the tide went +out they found a number of pieces washed up along the sides of the +cavern. The seas, however, rolled so far up the beach that they were +afraid of descending, or they might have obtained much more. + +When it grew dark they returned to their camp, lighted the fire, and +made themselves comfortable. + +It was difficult to keep to their resolution of eating only a very +little food, and Bill had to stop Jack before he thought he had had half +enough. + +"I don't want to stint you," he said, "but recollect you will be crying +out when our stock comes to an end, and wishing you had not eaten it." + +As they had had so long a sleep, neither of them was inclined to turn +in; and Bill proposed that they should examine the smugglers' store. + +They had several pieces of wood which they thought would burn as the +first had done, and each taking three, with a candle to be used in case +of emergency, they set out. + +They found their way easily enough; but Jack, as before, did not feel +quite comfortable as he saw the strange figures, which seemed to be +flitting about the sides of the cavern; sometimes, too, he fancied that +he detected faces grinning down upon him from the roof, and more than +once he declared positively that he had caught sight of a figure robed +in white stealing along in front of them. + +Bill each time answered with a laugh. + +"Never mind. We shall catch it up if it's a ghost, and we'll make it +carry a torch and go ahead to light us." + +As they moved on more rapidly than before, they were able to reach the +inner cavern before either of their torches was much more than half +burned through. They thought it wiser to keep both alight at a time, in +case one should accidentally go out, and they should be unable to light +it again with a match. + +With feelings of intense curiosity they approached the smugglers' store. +Both agreed, as they examined it, that the goods must have been there +for some time; but the place being very dry (probably it was chosen on +that account), they did not appear to be much damaged. The goods, as +far as they could judge, were English. + +There were many bales of linen and cloth. One of the cases which they +forced open contained cutlery, and another was full of pistols; and from +the weight of several which they did not attempt to open, they judged +that they also contained firearms. + +There were two small chests placed on the top of the others. They were +strongly secured; but by means of a sharp stone, which served as a +chisel, and another as a hammer, they managed to break one of them open. +What was their surprise to find the case full of gold pieces! They had +little doubt that the other also contained money. They, neither of +them, had ever seen so much gold before. + +"What shall we do with it?" cried Jack. "There's enough here to let +mother live like a lady till the end of her days, without going to sell +fish at the market." + +"It is not ours, it belongs to somebody," said Bill. + +"That somebody will never come to claim it," answered Jack. "Depend on +it, he's gone to the bottom, or ended his days somehow long ago, or he +would have come back before this. These goods have been here for +months, or years maybe, by the look of the packages; and depend on it +the owners would not have let them stay where they are, if they could +have come back to fetch them away." + +"But gold pieces won't help us to buy food while we are shut up in the +cavern. A few Dutch cheeses, with a cask of biscuits, would have been +of more value," observed Bill. + +"You are right," said Jack. "Still, I vote that we fill our pockets, so +that if we have to hurry away, and have no time to came back here, we +may carry some of the gold with us." + +Bill could not make up his mind to do this. The gold was not theirs, of +that he felt sure, and Jack could not persuade him to overcome the +principle he had always stuck to, of not taking, under any +circumstances, what was not lawfully his own. If the owners were dead, +it belonged to their heirs. + +Jack did not see this so clearly. The money had been lost, and they had +found it, and having found it, they had a right to it. + +They must not, however, lose time by arguing the point. Jack put a +handful or two of the money into his pocket. + +Bill kept his fingers out of the box; he did not want the money, and he +had no right to it. + +There were several other articles they had not examined, among which +were some small casks. Jack, finding that his torch was almost burning +his fingers, was obliged to let it drop. Before he lighted another, +however, Bill's torch affording sufficient light for the purpose, he +managed to knock in the head of one of the small casks, which he found +filled with little black grains. He tasted them. + +"Keep away, Bill--keep away!" he shouted, in an agitated tone, "This is +gunpowder!" + +Had Jack held his torch a few seconds longer in his hand, he and Bill +would have been blown to atoms--the very cavern itself would have been +shattered, to the great astonishment of the neighbouring population, who +would, however, never have discovered the cause of the explosion, +although Jeannette Turgot might have guessed at it. + +"It's a mercy we didn't blow ourselves up," said Jack. "I was just +going to take my torch to look at these casks." + +He hunted about for all of the same description, and rolled them into a +place by themselves. + +"We must take care what we are about if we come here again with +torches," he said. + +Bill agreed with him. + +After all, of what use to them was the treasure they had discovered. +The cloth and linen were much more serviceable, as they could make +bedding of them. + +"I don't see why we should not try to make jackets and trousers for +ourselves," observed Bill. "This cloth will be fine stuff for the +purpose, and as the cold weather is coming on we shall be glad of some +warm clothing." + +"But how are we going to make them?" asked Jack. + +"The linen will serve us for thread, and I must see about making some +needles of wood if we can't get anything better," answered Bill. +"However, we'll think about that by-and-by; it's time to return to our +camp, we may be left in the dark." + +They accordingly loaded themselves with as much of the linen and cloth +as they could carry, cutting off pieces with their knives. They could +return, they agreed, for more if this was not enough. + +Bill was not quite consistent in taking the cloth when he would not +touch the money, but it did not occur to him for a moment that he was +wrong in appropriating it, or he would have refused to do so. Had he +argued the point, he would have found it very difficult to settle. One +thing was certain, that the owners were never likely to make any +complaint on the subject. + +They got back to their fire without much difficulty, and having raked it +together, and put on fresh wood, they made their beds with the cloth +they had brought, said their prayers in a thankful spirit, and slept far +more comfortably than they had done since they had taken possession of +the cavern. + + + +CHAPTER ELEVEN. + +THE WRECK. + +By the roaring sound they heard when they awoke, the lads knew that the +storm was still raging. + +They ate sparingly of their store of food for breakfast; and then +calculating that it must be once more daylight, they made their way +towards the mouth of the cavern. They were not mistaken as to its being +day, but how long the sun had risen they could not tell, as the sky was +still thickly overcast with clouds. + +The sea was washing, as before, heavily into the cavern, throwing up all +sorts of articles, among which were a number of oranges, melons, and +other fruits of a southern clime. + +The melons were mostly broken, but they got hold of two unbroken, and +very welcome they were. The oranges were mostly green, though a few had +turned sufficiently red to be eaten. + +"I would rather have had more substantial food," observed Jack; "but I +am glad enough to get these." + +"What's that?" asked Bill, pointing to the opposite side of the cavern, +where a creature was seen struggling in a hollow half filled with water. + +Jack dashed across at the risk of being carried off by the receding sea; +and, grasping a large fish, held it up as he rushed away to escape from +the following wave, which came rolling in with a loud roar. + +"Here's a prize worth having," he shouted. "Hurrah! we may spend +another week here without fear of starving." + +He carried his prize well out of the reach of the water, and a knock on +the head put an end to its struggles. + +The lads piled up their various waifs, contemplating them with infinite +satisfaction; but it was evident that what was their gain was somebody +else's loss. + +"Some unfortunate ship has gone on shore, or else has thrown her cargo +overboard," observed Bill. + +He went first to one side of the cavern, and then to the other, so as to +obtain as wide a prospect as possible. + +"See! there's a vessel trying to beat off shore," he exclaimed; and just +then a brig with her foretopmast gone came into view, the sail which she +was still able to carry heeling her over till her yard-arms seemed +almost to touch the foaming summits of the seas. + +"She'll not do it, I fear," said Jack, after they had been watching her +for some time. "It's a wonder she doesn't go right over. If the wind +doesn't fall, nothing can save her; and even then, unless she brings up +and her anchors hold, she's sure to be cast on shore." + +They watched the vessel for some time. Though carrying every stitch of +canvas she could set, she appeared to be making little headway, and to +be drifting bodily to leeward. + +The lads uttered a cry of regret, for down came her mainmast, and +immediately her head turned towards the shore. + +In a few minutes she struck, though no rock was visible, and the sea +swept over her deck, carrying her remaining mast, boats, caboose, and +round-house overboard, with every person who could be seen. In an +instant, several human forms were discernible struggling in the seething +waters alongside, but they quickly disappeared. + +"They are all gone," cried Jack; "not one that I can see has escaped." + +"Perhaps some were below," observed Bill. "If they were, it won't much +matter, for in a few minutes she will go to pieces." + +He was mistaken as to the latter point, for another sea rolling in, +lifted the vessel, and driving over the ledge on which she had first +struck, carried her between some dark rocks, till she stuck fast on the +sandy shore. Had the people been able to cling to her till now, some +might possibly have been saved, but they had apparently all been on deck +when the vessel struck, and been swept away by the first sea which +rolled over her. The seas still continued to sweep along her deck, but +their force was partly broken by the rocks, and being evidently a stout +vessel, she hung together. + +It was at the time nearly high-water, and the lads longed for the tide +to go down, that they might examine her nearer. + +"Even if anybody is alive on board, we cannot help them," observed Jack; +"so I vote that we take our fish to the camp, and have some dinner. I +am very sharp set, seeing that we had no breakfast to speak of." + +Bill, who had no objection to offer, agreed to this; so carrying up +their newly-obtained provisions, they soon had a fire lighted, and some +of the fish broiling away before it. + +The fate of the unfortunate vessel formed the subject of their +conversation. + +"I have an idea," cried Bill. "It's an ill wind that brings no one good +luck. If we can manage to get on board that craft which has come on +shore, we might build a boat out of her planking, or at all events a +raft; and should the wind come from the southward, we might manage to +get across the Channel, or be picked up by some vessel or other. We are +pretty sure to find provisions on board. Perhaps one of her boats may +have escaped being knocked to pieces, and we could repair her. At all +events, it will be our own fault if that wreck doesn't give us the +opportunity of escaping." + +Jack listened to all Bill was saying. + +"I cannot agree with you as to the chance of getting off," he observed. +"As soon as the wreck is seen, the Frenchmen are sure to be down on the +shore, and we shall be caught and carried back to prison instead of +getting away. The boats are pretty certain to have been knocked into +shreds before this, and as to building a boat, that is what neither you +nor I can do, even if we had the tools, and where are they to come +from?" + +"Perhaps we shall find them on board," said Bill. "The vessel has held +together till now, and I don't see why she should not hold together till +the storm is over. `Where there's a will there's a way,' and I don't +see that we have so bad a chance of getting off." + +"Well, I'll help you. You can show me what we had best do," said Jack. +"I am not going to draw back on account of the risk. All must depend on +the weather. If the wind comes off shore, and the sea goes down, I +should say that our best chance would be to build a raft. We can do +that, if we can only find an axe and a saw, and we might get launched +before the Frenchmen find out the wreck. The first thing we have to do +is to get on board, and when we are there, we must keep a bright +look-out to see that none of the natives are coming along the shore to +trap us." + +The lads, having come to this resolution, hurried back to the entrance +of the cave. + +They forgot all about the smugglers' stores, and their intention of +making clothes for themselves; indeed, they only thought of getting on +board the vessel. They watched eagerly for the tide to go down. The +day passed by and the night came on, but the clouds clearing away, a +bright moon shed her light over the scene. The wind had also sensibly +decreased, and the waves rolled in with far less fury than before. + +The water, however, seemed to them a long time moving off; still it was +evidently going down. Rock after rock appeared, and looking over the +ledge they could see the sand below them. + +Knowing full well that the water would not again reach the beach it had +once left till the return of the tide, they leaped down without +hesitation, and began to make their way in the direction of the vessel. +They had again to wait, however, for, as they pushed eagerly forward, a +sheet of foam from a wave which came rolling up nearly took them off +their legs. + +They retreated a short distance, and in a few minutes were able to pass +the spot over the uncovered sand. On and on they pressed, now +advancing, now having to retreat, till they stood abreast of the vessel. +The water still surrounded her, and was too deep to wade through. + +They looked round on every side, but not a trace of a boat could be +discovered, though fragments of spars and the bulwarks of the vessel +strewed the beach. Among the spars they found two whole ones, which +they secured. + +"These will help us to get on board if we find no ropes hanging over the +side," observed Bill; "or they will enable us to withstand the sea +should it catch us before we can climb up." They now advanced more +boldly. + +The vessel lay over on her bilge, with her deck partly turned towards +the shore, the sea, after she struck, having driven her round. + +They waded up to her, for their impatience did not permit them to wait +till the water had entirely receded. The risk they ran of being carried +off was considerable, but, dashing forward, they planted the spars +against the side. + +Bill swarmed up first, Jack followed, and the deck was gained. + +Scarcely were Jack's feet out of the water, when a huge sea came rolling +up, which would inevitably have carried him off. + +They knew that they had no time to lose, for the wreck once seen from +the shore, crowds of people were certain to visit it to carry off the +cargo. + +The after-part of the vessel was stove in, and nothing remained in the +cabin; but the centre part, though nearly full of water, was unbroken. +The water, however, was rushing out like a mill-stream, both at the +stern and through some huge holes in the bows. Nothing whatever +remained on deck. + +The lads plunged down below, and gained the spar-deck, which was already +out of the water. Here the first object their eyes alighted on was a +chest. + +It was the carpenter's, and contained axes, and saws, and nails, and +tools of all sorts. + +There were a good many light spars and planks stowed on one side. + +"Here we have materials for a raft at hand!" cried Bill. "We must build +one; for I agree with you, Jack, that there's no use in attempting a +boat. It would take too much time, even if we could succeed in making +her watertight." + +"I said so," replied Jack. "I wish we had some grub, though; perhaps +there's some for'ard. I'll go and find it if I can." + +Jack made his way into the forepeak, while Bill was cutting free the +lashings, and dragging out the spars. Jack returned in a short time +with some cold meat, and biscuit, and cheese. + +"See! we can dine like lords," he exclaimed; "and we shall be better +able to work after it." + +They sat down on the chest, and ate the provisions with good appetites. + +Bill cast a thought on the fate of the poor fellows to whom the food had +belonged; their bodies now washing about in the breakers outside. + +Every now and then they alternately jumped up, and looked east and west, +and to the top of the cliff, to ascertain if any one was coming. The +vessel had been driven on shore out of sight of both the villages, or +they would not have been left long alone. It was to be hoped that no +one would come along the cliff and look down upon the wreck. + +Their meal over, they set to work to plan their raft. + +They were obliged to labour on deck, as they could not hoist it up +through the hold, or they would have preferred keeping out of sight. It +would be a hard job to launch it, but that they hoped to do by fastening +tackles at either side leading to the ring bolts on deck. + +As there were no bulwarks to stop them, they laid the foundation, or, as +they called it, the keel, projecting slightly over the side. They would +thus have only to shove it forward and tip it up to launch it. + +Their plan was to form an oblong square, then to put on bows at one end; +and two pieces crossing each other with a short upright between them, on +which to support the steering oar. The interior of the framework they +strengthened by two diagonal braces. They lashed and nailed a number of +crosspieces close together, and on the top of the whole they nailed down +all the planks they could find, which were sufficient to form a good +flooring to their raft. + +They discovered also a number of small brandy casks, which they +immediately emptied of their contents, letting the spirits flow without +compunction into the water, and then again tightly bunged them down. + +They fastened ropes around the casks, with which, when the raft was +launched, they could secure them to either side, to give it greater +buoyancy. They also brought up a couple of sea-chests, which they +intended to lash down to the centre, so as to afford them some +protection from the sea, and at the same time to hold their provisions. + +Bill was the chief suggester of all these arrangements, though Jack ably +carried them out. + +They worked like heroes, with all the energy they could command, for +they felt that everything depended on their exertions. + +The night being bright, they were able to get on as well then as in the +daytime. + + + +CHAPTER TWELVE. + +A RAFT BUILT--MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF JACK PEEK. + +Not till their raft was complete did the two boys think of again eating. +They had been working, it must be remembered, for several hours since +the meal they took soon after they got on board. Having finished the +beef and cheese, they lighted a couple of lanterns which they found hung +up in the forepeak, and hunted about for more food. + +They discovered some casks of salt beef, and another of biscuits, a drum +of cheese, and several boxes of dried fruit. They had thus no lack of +provisions, but they did not forget the necessity of supplying +themselves with a store of water. + +Hunting about, they found two small vessels, which they filled from one +of the water-casks. + +There were several oars below, three of which they took and placed in +readiness on deck--one to steer with, and the other two for rowing. + +They had, lastly, to rig their raft. A fore-royal already bent was +found in the sail-room, and a spar served as a mast. How to step it, +and to secure it properly, was the difficulty, until Bill suggested +getting a third chest and boring a hole through the lid, and then, by +making another hole through the bottom, the mast would be well stepped, +and it was easy to set it up by means of a rope led forward and two +shrouds aft. + +Knowing exactly what they wanted to do, they did it very rapidly, and +were perfectly satisfied with their performance. + +The tide must come up again, however, before they could launch their +raft. It would not be safe to do that unless the wind was off shore and +the water smooth. Of this they were thoroughly convinced. Some hours +must also elapse before the hitherto tumultuous sea would go down; what +should they do in the meantime? + +Bill felt very unwilling to go away without wishing their friends the +Turgots good-bye. He wanted also to tell Jeannette of the smugglers' +store. The Turgots, at all events, would have as good a right to it as +any one else, should the proper owners not be in existence. + +Jack did not want him to go. + +"You may be caught," he observed, "or some one may come down and +discover the vessel, and if I am alone, even should the tide be high, I +could not put off." + +"But there is no chance of the tide coming up for the next three hours, +and I can go to the village and be back again long before that," +answered Bill. + +At last Jack gave in. + +"Well, be quick about it," he said; "we ought to be away at daylight, if +the wind and the sea will let us; and if we don't, I'm afraid there will +be very little chance of our getting off at all." + +Bill promised without fail to return. There was no risk, he was sure, +of being discovered, and it would be very ungrateful to the Turgots to +go away without trying to see them again. He wished that Jack could +have gone also, but he agreed that it was better for him to remain to do +a few more things to the raft. Before he started they arranged the +tackles for launching it; and they believed that, when once in the +water, it would not take them more than ten minutes or a quarter of an +hour to haul the empty casks under the bottom and to step and set up the +mast. They might then, should the wind be favourable, stand boldly out +to sea. + +This being settled, Bill lowered himself down on the sand by a rope, and +ran off as fast as he could go. + +Jack quickly finished the work he had undertaken; then putting his hand +into his pocket, he felt the gold pieces. + +"It's a pity we shouldn't have more of these," he said to himself. "I +don't agree with Bill in that matter. If he does not care about them +for himself, I do for him, and he shall have half." + +As he said this he emptied his pockets into one of the chests. + +"I shall want a lantern by-the-bye," he said; and springing below, he +secured one with a fresh candle in it. + +Having done this, he forthwith lowered himself, as Bill had done, down +on the sand, and quickly made his way to the cavern. + +He had left the basket with the tinder-box, and the remnant of their +provisions at their camp, which he soon reached. + +His desire to obtain the gold overcame the fears he had before +entertained of ghosts and spirits. + +Having lighted his lantern he took up the basket, which had a cloth in +it, and pushed forward. The pale light from his lantern, so different +from that of a couple of blazing torches, made the objects around look +strange and weird. He began not at all to like the appearance of +things, and fancied at last that he must have got into a different part, +of the cavern; still he thought, "I must have the gold. It would be so +foolish to go away without it. It belongs to us as much as to anybody +else, seeing that the owners are dead. Their ghosts won't come to look +for it, I hope. I wish I hadn't thought of that. I must be going +right. It would have been much pleasanter if Bill had been with me. +Why didn't I try to persuade him to stop?" + +Such were the thoughts which passed through Jack's mind; but he was a +bold fellow, and did not like giving up what he had once determined on. + +He saw no harm in what he was doing; on the contrary, he was serving his +friend Bill as well as himself, or rather his mother, for he wanted the +gold for her. In the meantime, Bill was hurrying on towards the +Turgots' cottage. He should astonish them, he knew, by waking them up +in the middle of the night, or rather so early in the morning; but they +would appreciate his desire to wish them good-bye, and would be very +much obliged to him for telling them of the treasure in the cavern. + +It would make their fortunes, and Jeannette would be the richest heiress +in the neighbourhood; for, of course, he would bargain that she should +have a good share. There might be some difficulty in getting the goods +away without being discovered, which would be a pity, as they were of as +much value as the boxes of gold. However, he was doing what was right +in giving them the opportunity of possessing themselves of the treasure, +though he considered that he could not take it himself. + +He got round to the back door, under the room where Pierre slept. He +knew that he would not be out fishing then, as the weather would have +prevented him. + +He knocked at once. No answer came. The third time, and he heard some +one moving, and presently Pierre sang out, "Who's there?" + +"It's one you know; let me in," answered Bill, in a low voice, for he +was afraid of any one who might by chance be in the neighbourhood +hearing him. + +Pierre came downstairs and opened the door. Bill explained all that had +happened, except about the treasure. + +"You going away!" cried Pierre. "It would be madness! You will only +float about till another storm arises and you will be lost." + +"You don't know what we can do," answered Bill. "We shall probably be +picked up by one of our ships before we reach England; and, if not, we +shall get on very well, provided the wind holds from the southward, and +after the long course of northerly gales there's every chance of its +doing that." + +"I must consult my father before I let you go," said Pierre. + +"You would not keep us prisoners against our will," said Bill, laughing, +as if Pierre could only be in joke. "Come, call your mother and father +and Jeannette, and let me wish them good-bye. I haven't many minutes to +stop, and I've got something to tell them, which I've a notion will be +satisfactory." + +Pierre went to his father and mother's and Jeannette's rooms, and soon +roused them up. They appeared somewhat in _deshabille_, and looked very +astonished at being called out of their beds by the young Englishman. + +"What is it all about?" asked Captain Turgot. + +"We are going away," replied Bill, "but we could not go without again +thanking you for all your kindness; and to show you that we are not +ungrateful, I have to tell you how you can become a rich man in a few +hours, without much trouble." + +On this Bill described how they had found the smuggler's treasure. + +Captain Turgot and the dame held up their hands, uttering various +exclamations which showed their surprise, mixed with no little doubt as +to whether Bill had not been dreaming. + +He assured them that he was stating a fact, and offered, if Captain +Turgot and Pierre would accompany him, to show them the place, as he +thought that there would be time before daylight, when he and Jack had +determined to set sail. + +"I am sure he's speaking the truth," cried Jeannette; "and it's very +kind and generous of you, Bill, to tell us of the treasure, when you +might have carried it off yourself. I know of the cave, for I saw it +once, when I was very nearly caught by the tide and drowned, though I +don't think many people about here are acquainted with it; and very few, +if any, have gone into the interior." + +Captain Turgot and Pierre confessed that they had never seen it, though +they had gone up and down the coast so often; but then, on account of +the rocks, they had always kept a good distance out. + +At last Bill and Jeannette persuaded them that there really was such a +cave; but on considering the hour, they came to the conclusion that the +tide would come in before they could make their escape from it, and they +would prefer going when the tide had again made out. Bill, they +thought, would only just have time to get on board the vessel, if he was +determined to go. + +"But if you have so much gold, you could purchase a good boat," said +Captain Turgot; "and that would be much better than making your voyage +on a raft." + +Bill acknowledged that such might be the case, but he was unwilling to +risk any further delay. He trusted to his friends' honour to let him go +as he had determined. He had come of his own accord to bid them +farewell, and they would not really think of detaining him against his +will. + +The fact, however, was that Captain Turgot doubted very much the truth +of Bill's story. Had any band of smugglers possessed a hiding-place on +that part of the coast, he thought that he should have known it, and he +fancied that the young Englishman must in some way or other have been +deceived. + +"Where is the gold you speak of?" he asked. "You surely must have +secured some for yourself." + +Bill replied that Jack had, but that he had not wished to touch it. + +"Then you give it to us, my young friend," said Captain Turgot; "where +is the difference?" + +"No! I only tell you of it, that you may act as you think right. If +you find out the owners, I hope you will restore it to them; but, at all +events, it's Frenchmen's money, and a Frenchman has more right to it +than I have." + +Captain Turgot did not quite understand Bill's principles, though +perhaps Jeannette and Pierre did. + +"Well, well, my young friend, if go you must, I will not detain you. +You and your companion will run a great risk of losing your lives, and I +wish you would remain with us. To-morrow, as soon as the tide is out, +Pierre and I will visit the cavern, which, I think, from your +description, we can find; and we will take lanterns and torches. Again +I say I wish you would wait, and if there is a prize to be obtained, +that you would share it with us." + +Jeannette and Pierre also pressed Bill to remain, but he was firm in his +resolution of rejoining Jack, and setting off at once. + +He was so proud of the raft they had made, that he would have been ready +to go round the world on it, if it could be got to sail on a wind, and +at all events he had not the slightest doubt about its fitness to carry +him and Jack across the Channel. + +Bill had already delayed longer than he intended, and once more bidding +his friends good-bye, he set off for the wreck. He hurried along as +fast as he could go, for he felt sure that at daybreak it would be seen, +if not from the shore, from the sea, and that people would come and +interfere with his and Jack's proceedings. + +As he knew the way thoroughly, he made good progress. On getting +abreast of the wreck, he looked out for Jack, but could nowhere see him. + +The water was already coming round the vessel, and in a short time would +be too deep to wade through. He thought that Jack must have gone below, +but he was afraid of giving a loud shout, lest his voice might be heard. +He accordingly, without stopping, made his way on board. + +Great was his alarm when he could nowhere discover Jack. + +Could he have gone to the cavern? or could he have been carried off? + +The latter was not probable, for had the stranded vessel been +discovered, people would have remained in her. + +"He must have gone to the cavern, and to save time, I must follow him," +he said to himself; and sliding down the rope, he made his way as fast +as he could towards its mouth. + +He quickly climbed up, and hurried on as fast as he dare move in the +dark, holding out his hands to avoid running against the sides, or to +save himself should he fall. + +He knew that there were no pitfalls or other serious dangers, or he +could not have ventured to move even so fast as he did. + +He shouted out as he went Jack's name. + +"How foolish I was not to bring a lantern with me," he said. "Jack is +sure to have taken one if he went to get more gold, and that I suspect +is what he has been after; if he has a light, I shall see it, but I +don't." + +"Jack! Jack!" he again shouted out; but the cavern only echoed with his +voice. + +Bill was a fine-tempered fellow, but he felt very much inclined to be +angry with Jack. All their plans might be upset by his having left the +wreck. Even should he soon find him, they would have to swim on board, +and set off in their wet clothes; but that was of little consequence +compared with the delay. + +At last his hands touched the rock near their camping-place, and he +thence groped his way on; for having so often traversed the cavern in +the dark, he found it as easily as a blind man would have done. + +He soon felt his feet treading on the ashes of their former fires, and +feeling about, he discovered the things which Jack had thrown out of the +basket. + +Among them was a candle and the tinder-box. Jack having a lighted +lantern, had not troubled himself to bring it. + +The basket was gone! This convinced him that Jack had been there. He +quickly lighted the candle, and as there was not a breath of air, he was +able to walk along with it in his hand. + +The stalactite formations, which appeared on both sides, looked as weird +and strange to him as they had to Jack, but he, knowing perfectly well +what they were, did not trouble himself about their appearance. + +He went on, keeping his gaze ahead, in the hopes of meeting Jack. He +was sorry that he had not made more determined attempts to persuade +Captain Turgot and Pierre to accompany him; for if anything should have +happened to his companion, they would have assisted him. But what could +have happened? that was the question. Sometimes he thought that Jack +might, after all, not have come to the cavern; but, then, who could have +carried away the basket? + +Brave as he was, the strange shadows which occasionally seemed to flit +by made him feel that he would much rather not have been there all +alone. + +Suppose, too, the smugglers should have returned, and, perhaps, caught +Jack; they would seize him also, and it would be impossible to persuade +them that he had not come to rob their store. Still, his chief anxiety +was for Jack. + +He thought much less about himself, or the dangers he might have to +encounter. + +Bill was a hero, though he did not know it, notwithstanding that he had +been originally only a London street boy. + +"I must find Jack, whatever comes of it," he said to himself, as he +pushed on. + +At last he reached the low entrance of the smugglers' store-room, as +Jack and he had called it. He crept on carefully, and as he gained the +inner end of the passage, he saw a light burning close to where the +goods were piled up, but no voices reached his ear. + +If the smugglers were there, they would surely be talking. He rose to +his feet, holding out the candle before him. Seeing no one, he advanced +boldly across the cavern. There lay a figure stretched upon the ground! + +It was Jack! + + + +CHAPTER THIRTEEN. + +THE RAFT LAUNCHED AND VOYAGE COMMENCED. + +Could Jack be dead? What could have happened to him? Bill, hurrying +forward, knelt down by his side, and lifted up his head. He still +breathed. + +"That's a comfort," thought Bill. "How shall I bring him to? There's +not a drop of water here, and I can't carry him as far as the spring." + +Bill rubbed his friend's temples, while he supported his head on his +knee. + +"Jack! Jack! rouse up, old fellow! What's come over you?" + +Bill held the candle up to Jack's eyes. Greatly to his joy they opened, +and he said, "Where am I? Is that you, Bill! Is it gone?" + +"I am Bill, and you are in the cavern; but there is nothing to go that I +know of. It's all right. Stand up, old fellow, and come along," +replied Bill, cheeringly. + +"Oh, Bill," said Jack, drawing a deep sigh, "I saw something." + +"Did you?" said Bill; "the something did not knock you down, though." + +"No; but I thought it would," responded Jack. + +"That comes of wanting to take what isn't your own," said Bill. +"However, don't let's talk about that. If we are to get off with this +tide, we must hurry on board as fast as we can. Don't mind the gold; I +suppose that's what you came for. Our friends the Turgots will get it, +I hope; and they have more right to it than we have." + +Bill's voice greatly re-assured Jack, who, fancying that he saw one of +the ghosts he was afraid of, had fallen down in a sort of swoon. How +long it would have lasted if Bill had not come to him it is impossible +to say; perhaps long enough to have allowed his candle to be +extinguished. Had this happened, he would never have been able to find +his way out of the cavern. He, however, with Bill by his side, soon +felt like himself again. + +"Let me just fill my pockets with these gold pieces," he exclaimed. "I +have taken so much trouble that I shouldn't like to go away without +them." + +"Perhaps the ghost will come back if you do," Bill could not help +saying. "Let them alone. You have got enough already, and we must not +stop another moment here." + +Saying this, he dragged Jack on by the arm. + +"Come, if we don't make haste, our candles will go out, and we shall not +be able to see our way," Bill continued. + +Jack moved on. He was always ready to be led by Bill, and began to +think that he had better not have come for the gold. + +Bill did not scold him, vexed as he felt at the delay which had +occurred. They might still be in time to get on board the wreck and to +launch their raft, but it would be broad daylight before they could get +to any distance from the shore, and they would then be sure to be seen. +Bill only hoped that no one would think it worth while to follow them. + +Having two lights, they were able to see their way pretty well, though +they could not run fast for fear of extinguishing them. + +Every now and then Jack showed an inclination to stop. "I wish I had +got the gold," he muttered. + +Bill pulled him on. + +"The gold, I say, would not do us any good. I don't want it for myself, +and you have got enough to make your mother independent for the rest of +her days." + +On they went again. Bill was thankful, on reaching the mouth of the +cavern, to find that it was still night. It seemed to him a long time +since he had quitted the wreck. He did not remember how fast he had +gone. They jumped down on the beach, and began to wade towards the +wreck, but had to swim some distance. + +"If we had had our pockets full of gold we could not have done this," +observed Bill. "We should have had to empty them or be drowned. We are +much better without it." + +They soon reached the side of the vessel, and climbed up on deck. There +was plenty of water alongside to launch the raft, and to get the casks +under it. The wind, too, if there were any, was off shore, but here it +was a perfect calm. They had one advantage through having waited so +long; they were beyond the influence of the wave which breaks even on a +weather shore, especially after a gale, although the wind may have +changed. + +The tackles having been arranged, they lost no time in launching their +raft, which they did very successfully, easing it with handspikes; and +in a couple of minutes it floated, to their great satisfaction, safely +alongside. Their first care was to lash the casks under the bottom. +This took some time, but they were well repaid by finding the raft float +buoyantly on the very surface of the water. + +The cargo had, however, to be got on board, consisting of the three +chests, which, of course, would bring it down somewhat. They lowered +one after the other, and lashed them in the positions they had intended. +The foremost chest was secured over all by ropes, as that had not to be +opened, and was to serve only as a step for their mast; the other two +chests were secured by their handles both fore and aft and athwartships, +the lashings contributing to bind the raft still more securely together. + +Daylight had now broken, and they were in a hurry to get on with their +work, but this did not prevent them from securing everything +effectually. + +They next had to get their stores into the chests; and lastly they +stepped and set up the mast, securing the sail ready for hoisting to the +halyards, which had been previously rove. + +They surveyed their work when completed with no little satisfaction, and +considered, not without reason, that they might, in moderate weather, +run across Channel, provided the wind should remain anywhere in the +southward. + +They well knew that they must run the risk of a northerly wind or a +gale. In the first case, though they need not go back, they could make +little or no progress; but then there was always the hope of being +picked up by an English craft, either a man-of-war or a merchant vessel. + +They might, to be sure, be fallen in with by a Frenchman, but in the +event of that happening, they intended to beg hard for their liberty. + +Should a gale arise, as Jack observed, they would look blue, but they +hoped that their raft would even weather that out. That it would come +to pieces they had no fear; and they believed that they could cling on +to it till the sea should again go down. + +They had put on board a sufficient supply of spare rope to lash +themselves to the chests. + +Jack climbed up for the last time on deck, and handed down the three +sweeps, taking a look round to see that nothing was left behind. + +"All right," he said; "we may shove off now, Bill. You are to be +captain, and take the helm, and I'll pull till we get out far enough to +find a breeze. It seems to me, by the colour of the sea, that it's +blowing in the offing, and we shall then spin merrily along." + +"All right," said Bill; "cast off, Jack." + +Jack hauled in the rope which had secured the raft to the wreck, and +give a hearty shove against it with his oar, he sent the raft gliding +off some way ahead. He then got out the other oar, and standing between +the two chests, pulled lustily away. + +The raft floated even more lightly than they had expected. They had so +well noted all the rocks, that they could easily find their way between +them, and there was ample space, especially thereabouts where the brig +had been driven in. + +Their progress was but slow, though they worked away with all their +might; every now and then looking back to ascertain whether they were +observed from the shore. No one, however, could be seen on the cliffs +above; and people, unless they had discovered the wreck, were not likely +at that early hour to come down to the beach. + +It took them more than half an hour to get clear of the rocks. When +once out on the open sea, they began to breathe more freely. They +pulled on and on; still, unless they should get the wind, they could not +hope to make much progress. The day was advancing. Bill wetted his +finger and held it up. + +"There's a breeze," he cried out; "hoist the sail, Jack." + +The sail filled as Bill sheeted it home, and the raft began to glide +more rapidly over the water. + +Jack took in the oars, for he wanted to rest, and there was but little +use rowing, though it might have helped the raft on slightly. + +He could now look about him, and as the two harbours to the east and +west opened out, he turned his eyes anxiously towards them. + +If they were pursued, it would be from one or the other. He had little +fear from that on the west, as there was no one likely to trouble +himself about the matter; but there were officials living near the +larger harbour, and they might think it their duty to ascertain what the +small raft standing off shore under sail could be about. + +"I wish that we had got away a couple of hours ago," said Bill; but he +did not remind Jack that it was through his fault they had not done so. +He blamed himself, indeed, for having gone to see the Turgots, much as +he would have regretted leaving the country without paying them a visit. + +The farther the raft got from the shore the more rapidly it glided +along, the sea being too smooth in any way to impede its progress. + +Bill's whole attention was taken up in steering, so as to keep the raft +right before the wind. + +Presently Jack cried out, "There's a boat coming out of the harbour. +She's just hoisted her sail, and a whacking big sail it is. She's +coming after us. Oh! Bill! what shall we do?" + +"Try to keep ahead of her," answered Bill, glancing round for a moment. +"The Frenchmen may not think it worth while to chase us far, even if +they are in chase of us, and that's not certain. Don't let us cry out +before we are hurt. Get out the oars, they'll help us on a little, and +we'll do our best to escape. I don't fancy being shut up again, or +perhaps being carried off to a prison, and forced into a dungeon, or +maybe shot, for they'll declare that we are escaped prisoners." + +Jack did not, however, require these remarks to make him pull with all +his might; still he could not help looking back occasionally. He was +standing up, it should be understood, rowing forward, with the oars +crossing, the larboard oar held in the right hand, and the starboard in +the left. + +"The boat's coming on three knots to our one," he cried out. "It won't +take her long to be up with us." + +"Pull away," again cried Bill. "We'll hold on till the Frenchmen begin +to fire. If their bullets come near us, it will be time to think +whether it will be worth running the risk of being shot." + +Jack continued to row with might and main, and the raft went wonderfully +fast over the water. It was too evident, however, that the boat was in +pursuit of them, and in a few minutes a musket ball splashed into the +water a short distance astern of the raft. + +"That shows that they are in earnest," said Jack. "We had better lower +the sail, another might come aboard us." + +"Hold all fast, perhaps they are getting tired of chasing us, and may +give it up when they see that we are determined to get away," replied +Bill; not that he had much hope that this was the case, but he stuck to +the principle of not giving in as long as there was a chance of escape. + +Jack had plenty of courage, but he did not like being fired at without +the means of returning the compliment. + +Another shot from the boat came whistling close to them. + +"It's of no use," cried Jack, "we must lower the sail." + +"If you're afraid, take in the oars and lie down between the chests; +you'll run very little risk of being hit there; but for my part, I'll +stand at the helm till the boat gets up with us," said Bill. + +Jack would not do this, but pulled away as stoutly as at first. + +Presently another shot struck one of the oars, and so splintered it that +the next pull Jack gave it broke short off. He was now compelled to +take in the other. + +"The next time the Frenchmen fire they may aim better," he said. "Come, +Bill, I'm ready to stand by you, but there's no use being killed if we +can help it." + +"The boat isn't up with us yet," answered Bill. "Till she gets +alongside I'll hold on, and maybe at the very last the Frenchmen will +give up." + +"I don't see any hope of that," said Jack. "In ten minutes we shall be +prisoners. By-the-bye, I turned all my gold into this chest. If the +Frenchmen find it they'll keep it, so I'll fill my pockets again, and +they may not think of looking into them, but they're sure to rummage the +chest." + +Saying this, Jack opened the chest, and soon found his treasure, which +he restored to his pockets. He asked Bill to take some, but Bill +declined on the same ground that he had before refused to appropriate +it. + +Bill again advised Jack to lie down, and, to induce him to do so, he +himself knelt on the raft, as he could in that position steer as well as +when standing up. + +Thus they presented the smallest possible mark to the Frenchmen. + +Shot after shot was fired at them. Their chances of escape were indeed +rapidly diminishing. + +At last the Frenchmen ceased firing. + +They were either struck by the hardihood of the boys, or had expended +their ammunition; but the boat came on as rapidly as before, and was now +not half a cable's length from them. + +"We must lower the sail," cried Bill, with a sigh, "or the Frenchmen +maybe will run us down;" and Jack let go the halyards. + +In another minute the boat was up to them. + +Besides her crew, there were five soldiers on board. + +A volley of questions burst from the people in the boat; and all seemed +jabbering and talking together. + +As she got alongside the raft, two men leaped out, and seizing Jack and +Bill, hauled them into the boat, while another made fast the raft, ready +to tow it back to the harbour. + +Jack and Bill were at once handed aft to the stern-sheets, where they +were made to sit down. Immediately the officer in command of the boat +put various questions to them, as to who they were, where they had come +from, and where they were going. + +According to their previous agreement they made no reply, so that their +captors might not discover that they understood French; still, as far as +Bill could make out, the Frenchmen were not aware that they were the +lads who had escaped from the old tower. + +They had no reason to complain of the way they were spoken of by the +Frenchmen, who were evidently struck by their hardihood and +determination in their persevering efforts to escape. They remarked to +each other that their young prisoners were brave boys, and expressed +their satisfaction that they were not hurt. + +When the officer found, as he supposed, that they could not answer him, +he forbore to put any further questions. + +The crew did not appear to be angry at the long pull that had been given +them back; indeed, Jack and Bill suspected, from what they heard, that +the seamen, at all events, would not have been sorry if they had escaped +altogether. + +On reaching the landing-place in the harbour, they found a party of +soldiers, with an officer, who, from what Bill made out, had sent the +boat in pursuit of them. + +As soon as they stepped on shore the officer began to question them, in +the same way as the commander of the boat had done. + +Bill shrugged his shoulders and turned to Jack, and Jack shrugged his +and turned to Bill, as much as to say, "I wonder what he's talking +about?" + +"The lads do not understand French, that is evident," said the officer +to a subordinate standing near him; "I shall get nothing out of them +without an interpreter. They do not look stupid either, and they must +be bold fellows, or they would not have attempted to made a voyage on +that raft. I must have a nearer look at it;" and he ordered the boatmen +to bring it in close to the shore, so that he might examine it. + +He again turned to Bill, and said, "What were you going to attempt to +cross the Channel on that?" + +Bill, as before, shrugged his shoulders, quite in the French fashion, +for he had learnt the trick from Pierre, who, when he was in doubt about +a matter, always did so. + +"I forgot; the boy doesn't understand French," observed the officer. + +Bill had some little difficulty in refraining from laughing, as he +understood perfectly well everything that was said around him, except +when the Frenchmen talked unusually fast. + +"Let the raft be moored close to the shore, just in its present state," +said the officer; "the general may wish to see it. How could the lads +have contrived to build such a machine?" + +The commander of the boat explained that a wreck had occurred on the +shore, and that they had evidently built it from the materials they +found on board her, but anything further about them he could not say. + +"Well, then, I'll take them up at once to the general, and the +interpreter attached to our division will draw from them all we want to +know. Come, lads! you must follow me," he said. "Sergeant, bring the +prisoners along with you." + +On this Jack and Bill found themselves surrounded by the soldiers; and +thinking it possible, should they not move fast enough, that their +movements might be expedited by a prick from the bayonets, they marched +briskly forward, keeping good pace with the men. + + + +CHAPTER FOURTEEN. + +AGAIN SHUT UP. + +"I say, Bill, I wonder what the mounseers are going to do with us," +whispered Jack, as they marched along. "Will they put handcuffs on our +wrists and throw us into a dungeon, do you think?" + +Bill acknowledged that he feared such might be the fate prepared for +them. They were not, however, ill-treated during their walk. Naturally +they felt very much disappointed at being recaptured, but they tried as +before to put as bold a face as they could on the matter, and talked +away to each other in an apparently unconcerned manner. + +They found from the remarks of the soldiers that they had a march of a +couple of miles or more inland to the place where the troops were +encamped, and that they were not to be carried to the old tower. + +On one account they were sorry for this, as, having made their escape +once, they thought that they might make it again, though, of course, +they would be more strictly guarded if it was discovered who they were. + +From a height they reached they saw the camp spread out on a wide level +space a short distance off. As they got nearer to it they observed a +party of officers on horseback riding towards them, one of whom, from +the waving plume in his hat, and from his taking the lead, they supposed +was the general. + +They were right in their conjecture. As he approached with his staff, +the officer who had charge of them ordered his men to halt and draw on +one side. + +The general reined in his horse and inquired who they were. + +The captain explained that two foreign lads, supposed to be English, had +been discovered, endeavouring to leave the shore on a small raft of +curious construction, such as no sane people would have wished to go to +sea on; that there was something very suspicious about their movements, +as they had persisted in trying to escape, although fired at by the +soldiers, and that he had considered it his duty to bring them up for +examination, as he could not understand them or make them understand +him. + +"You acted rightly, Captain Dupont," said the general. "Let them be +brought to my quarters, and I'll send for Colonel O'Toole to +cross-question them." Bill and Jack understood every word that was +said. "We are in for it," said Bill; "but we must put a bold face on +the matter, and speak the truth. We can say that we were living in the +cavern for some time, and that when the brig was wrecked, we resolved at +once to build a raft, and get back to our own country." + +"It would save a great deal of trouble if we were to say that we were +wrecked in the brig, and then it would be but natural that we should try +to escape from her," replied Jack. + +"It would not be the truth, and we should not be believed," answered +Bill. "I would say just what happened--that our ship caught fire and +blew up, that we were saved by the fishermen, that some French soldiers +got hold of us and carried us off prisoners, and that we made our escape +from them. We need not mention the names of our friends, and perhaps +the interpreter won't be very particular in making inquiries." + +Bill finally persuaded Jack to agree that they should give a true +account of themselves, leaving out only such particulars as were not +necessary to mention, such as their visit to the Turgots, and their +discovery of the smugglers' stores. + +The general, who was making a survey of the country around the camp, +rode on with his staff, while Captain Dupont and his men conducted their +two young prisoners to head quarters, there to await his return. + +The general was residing in an old chateau, with a high-peaked roof, and +towers at each of the angles of the building. + +The party passed through the gateway, and proceeded to a room near the +chief entrance, which served as a guard-room. + +The soldiers remained outside, while the captain, with two men to guard +the prisoners, entered. Jack and Bill had to wait for some time, during +which they were allowed to sit on a bench by themselves. + +Jack began to make observations on the people around them. + +"Hush!" whispered Bill, "some one here may understand English better +than we suppose, and we shall be foolish to let our tongues get us into +a worse scrape than we are in already." + +Jack took Bill's advice, and when he made any remark it was in a +whisper. + +They saw several of the officers who entered looking at them, and they +were evidently the subject of their conversation. Jack and Bill had +reason to consider themselves for a time persons of some importance, +though they had no wish to be so. + +At last an officer in a handsome uniform entered. He was a red-haired +man, with queer twinkling eyes, and a cock-up nose, anything but of a +Roman type. + +Captain Dupont spoke to him, when the lads saw him eyeing them, and +presently he came up and said, "Hurroo! now me boys, just be afther +telling me what part of the world you come from!" + +Bill, as agreed on, began his narrative in a very circumstantial manner. + +"All moighty foine, if thrue," observed Colonel O'Toole, for he was the +officer who had just arrived, having been sent for to act as +interpreter. + +"It's true, sir, every word of it," said Bill. + +"Well! we shall see, afther you repeat it all over again to the gineral, +and moind you thin don't made any changes," said the colonel. + +Bill wisely did not reply. Presently the general with his staff +appeared, he and a few officers passing on into an inner room. A few +minutes afterwards Jack and Bill were sent for. + +They found the general with Colonel O'Toole and several other persons +seated at a table. + +The general spoke a few words, when the colonel again told the prisoners +to give an account of themselves. + +Bill did so exactly in the words he had before used, Colonel O'Toole +interpreting sentence by sentence. + +"Good!" said the general. "And what could induce you, when you were +once safe on shore, to venture out to sea on so dangerous a machine?" + +The colonel interpreting, turned to Jack. + +"I wanted to get home and see my mother, for she must fancy I am lost," +answered Jack. + +"Well, and a very right motive too," said the colonel; and he explained +to the general what Jack had said. + +"And what induced you to attempt the voyage?" asked the colonel, turning +to Bill. "Did you want to get back to see your mother?" + +"No, sir; I have no mother to see," answered Bill. "I wanted to get +back to do my duty, and fight the enemies of my country." + +The general laughed when this was interpreted to him; and observed to +the officers around him, "If such is the spirit which animates the boys +of England, what must we expect from the men? I must, however, consider +whether we shall allow these boys to return home. They are young now, +but in a short time they will grow into sturdy fellows." + +"They've got tongues in their young heads," remarked the colonel. "I'm +not altogether certain that they are quite as innocent as they look. +Maybe they were sent on shore as spies, and perhaps are midshipmen +disguised as common seamen." + +"Let them be searched, then, and ascertain whether they have any papers +about them which may show their real character," said the general. + +Jack and Bill clearly understood these remarks, and began to feel very +uncomfortable. + +Bill remembered that Jack had got his pockets filled with gold, and Jack +remembered it too, and wished that he had left it behind in the cavern +as Bill had advised. + +The colonel, who was in no wise particular as to what work he performed, +at once took hold of Bill. + +"Come, young gintleman," he said, "let me see what you have got in your +pockets, and next your skin; or, if you will save me the throuble, just +hand out your orders or any papers you may have about you." + +"I have got none, sir," answered Bill. "I told you the truth, that we +are mere ship-boys, and as to being spies as you seem to think, we had +nothing to spy out that I know of." + +"Well, we will soon see all about that," said the colonel, beginning to +search Bill; but, greatly to his surprise, he found nothing whatever +about him, except his knife, the whole of Bill's worldly wealth, "I told +you so, sir," said Bill, when he had finished. "I spoke only the truth +about myself and my companion." Bill said this, hoping that Jack would +escape the search; but the colonel was far too knowing, and presently he +seized upon Jack, who, in spite of his efforts to appear unconcerned, +began to quake. + +The first plunge the colonel made with his hand into one of Jack's +pockets brought forth a number of gold pieces. "Hurroo! now, this is +your innocence is it, young gintlemen?" he exclaimed, exhibiting a +handful of gold to the general. "Let me be afther seeing what your +other pocket contains;" and as he spoke he quickly drew forth another +handful of gold, some of which, observing that the general and the other +officers were examining the first which he had produced, he slipped into +his own pocket. + +"Troth! you're an arrant young rogue," he exclaimed. "You either stole +these, or they were given you to bribe the people to betray their +country." + +"They were not given me to bribe any one, and I didn't steal them," +answered Jack, boldly; "I took them out of the chest which was on our +raft, and there was no harm in doing that, I should think." + +Bill was somewhat surprised to hear Jack say this. It was the truth, +and the idea must have at that moment occurred to him. He was thus +saved from having to betray the existence of the boxes of gold in the +cavern, which the colonel would not have long allowed to remain +unvisited, he suspected, from the little incident which has just been +described. + +The colonel translated fairly enough to the general what Jack had just +said. + +"It is probably the truth," he remarked; "however, let the boys be +detained till we can ascertain more about them. I don't wish to have +them ill-treated. There is a room in the western turret where they can +be shut up securely till to-morrow. Colonel O'Toole, see that my orders +are carried out; but you can first let them have a view of the army, +that they may tell their friends, if they get home, of the mighty force +prepared for the conquest of England, and impress on the minds of their +countrymen how hopeless is their attempt to resist the armies of +France." + +Bill understood every word of these remarks, and they raised his hopes +that they might be set at liberty and allowed to return home; still, the +Irish colonel did not look very amiably at them; perhaps he did not +quite like Bill's observations. + +"Come along," he said, turning to them; and, bowing to the general and +to the other officers, he conducted them from the room, when the two +soldiers, who stood ready outside, again took charge of them. + +They were led along to a terrace, from whence a view extended over the +surrounding country. Here they saw an almost countless number of white +tents pitched, with soldiers in various uniforms moving among them. + +"Can you count those tents?" asked the colonel. "Each tent contains +eleven or thirteen men, and one spirit animates the whole--that is, the +conquest of perfidious Albion." + +"They'll have a tough job, sir, let me tell them," observed Bill. "I +haven't seen much of English sojers except the Guards in London, and our +Marines on board ship, but I know that one of our Guardsmen would lick a +whole tentful of the little chaps I see about here; and I would advise +the general to stay quietly at home, and not attempt to take our tight +little island." + +"The French have wrongs to revenge, as have my gallant people, and +bitterly will they revenge them some day, when your king and his nobles +are brought in chains to France." + +"That won't be just yet, and may be never," answered Bill, who was +growing bold, and inclined to speak his mind. "I'll not bandy words +with you, boy. Take care what you are about!" exclaimed the colonel, +who did not like Bill's boldness, especially when he saw a broad grin on +Jack's countenance. "If you ever get back to England--and I don't say +you ever will get back--remember what you have seen to-day, and tell +those wretched slaves your countrymen what they are to expect." + +"We'll not forget it, sir," answered Bill, thinking it wiser to be +civil; "and I hope the general won't think it necessary to keep in +prison two poor sailor boys who never did any harm to the French, and +never wished to do any harm, except to thrash them well in a fair +stand-up fight; and you will allow, sir, that that's all right and fair +play." + +"Or receive a thrashing from them," answered the colonel; "however, come +along. I must see you stowed safely in the tower, where the general has +ordered you to be placed, and moind you kape quiet and don't kick up a +row, as you midshipmen are apt to do." + +"We are not midshipmen, sir," said Bill, who had not forgotten what the +colonel had before said. "We are humble boys serving before the mast. +Jack, there, is a fisherman's son, and I am a poor boy out of the London +streets. I am only telling you the truth, sir." + +"You are a very sharp boy, then," responded the colonel, looking at +Bill. + +"Yes, sir," said Bill, "the school I went to is a place where boys are +apt to get their wits sharpened. They have little else to depend on." + +The colonel still seemed to doubt whether Bill was speaking the truth, +and, perhaps fortunately for them, was fully impressed with the idea +that he had charge of a couple of midshipmen. Possibly Bill was a +lord's son; and though he railed against English lords, yet, when +brought into contact with them, he was inclined to pay them the deepest +respect. + +Owing to the colonel's idea, Bill and Jack were treated with far more +attention than they otherwise would have received. + +The room into which they were put, though small, had a table and chairs +in it, and a bed in one corner. + +"You will remain here for the present," said the colonel, as he saw them +into the room; "probably before long the general may wish to examine you +again, and I would advise you to take care that you tell him only the +truth, and confess your object in coming to the country." + +Bill made no answer; and the colonel, after again surveying the room, +took his departure, locking the door behind him. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTEEN. + +THE ESCAPE. + +Jack and Bill heard Colonel O'Toole descending the stairs, and, +listening, were convinced that he had gone away without leaving a sentry +at the door. + +"We are in luck," said Bill, as he looked round the room. "This is a +better place than the old tower, and I don't see that it will be much +more difficult to escape from." + +They went to the window. It was long and narrow, but there was ample +space for them to creep out of it. It was, however, a great height from +the ground; three or four storeys up they calculated; and should they +attempt to drop down, they would break every bone in their bodies. + +"It cannot be done, I fear," said Jack. + +"It can be done, and we'll do it before to-morrow morning, too," +answered Bill. "When the general ordered us to be shut up here, he was +thinking that we were just like a couple of French boys, without a +notion of going aloft, or of finding their way down again." + +"But I don't see how we can manage to get down here," said Jack, peeping +through the window, cautiously though, for fear of being seen. "There +is nothing to lay hold of, and the door is locked and bolted. I heard +that traitor Irishman shoot a bolt before he went away." + +"Look here," replied Bill, pointing towards the bed. + +"Why, that's a bed," said Jack. "It was very good-natured in the +mounseers to give it us to sleep on." + +"What do you think it's made of?" asked Bill. "Why, sheets and blankets +and ticking," replied Jack. "Yes," said Bill, "you are right; and with +those selfsame sheets and blankets, and maybe a fathom or two of rope +besides, underneath, I intend that we shall try to lower ourselves down +to the ground; and when we are once outside, it will be our own fault if +we do not get back to the harbour, and when there, that we do not get on +board our raft again. The French captain said it was to be left just as +it was for the general to see it to-morrow morning. Before that time +comes, I hope that we shall be out of sight of land, if we get a fair +breeze, or, at all events, out of sight of the people on shore." + +"I'm always ready for anything you propose, Bill," said Jack. "I see +now well enough how we are to get away. If all goes smoothly, we shall +do it. But suppose we are caught?--and there are a good many chances +against us, you'll allow." + +"We can but be shut up again. Even if they were to flog us, we could +stand it well enough; and as to the pain, that would be nothing, and it +would not be like being flogged for breaking the articles of war, or +doing anything against the law. I should call it an honourable +flogging, and should not mind showing the scars, if any remained," said +Bill. + +"I'm your man, and the sooner we set about turning our sheets and +blankets into a rope the better," exclaimed Jack, enthusiastically. "If +we are caught and punished ever so much, we must not mind it." + +"Stop a bit," said Bill. "Perhaps the red-haired colonel may pay us a +visit before nightfall. We must not be caught making preparations for +our escape; that would be a green trick." + +"I hope if they come they'll bring us some supper," said Jack. "I am +pretty sharp set already; and if the mounseers should have stolen the +grub out of our chest, we should have nothing to eat on our voyage." + +"I have been thinking too much about going away to feel hungry," said +Bill. "But now you talk of it, I should like some food, and I hope +they'll bring enough to last us for a day or two. Now, I say, it's +getting dark, and we must fix upon the best spot to lower ourselves down +to. You listen at the door lest any one should come up suddenly, and +I'll examine the windows and settle the best plan." + +Bill, however, first went to the bed, examined the blankets and sheets +and mattress, and found, to his satisfaction, that below all were two +thick pieces of canvas, drawn together by a rope. The rope, though +rather thin, would, he was satisfied, bear their light weights. It +might take them half an hour or so to twist the various materials up +into a rope, and altogether would give them one of ample length for +their purpose. + +This discovery greatly raised the boys' spirits and hopes of success. + +Bill now went to the window, and found that the grass came close up to +the walls of the tower underneath. Even should they fall from a +considerable height, they might have the chance of not breaking their +bones, and that was some satisfaction. An iron bar extended from the +top of the window to the bottom in the centre. He felt it, and it was +strong as need be. It would do well for securing their rope. As far as +he could judge, there was no window under them. This was of +consequence, as had there been, they might have been seen by any person +within during their descent, rapidly as they might make it. Bill +considered whether it would be possible to withdraw the rope after they +had descended, but he doubted whether they had sufficient materials to +enable them to do that. + +"Well, it cannot be helped," Bill said to himself. "The Frenchmen will +see how we escaped, but they won't find it out till daylight, and it +won't matter much then." + +He had finished his survey, and settled his plan, when Jack cried out, +"Hist! there's some one coming!" and they ran back and sat themselves +down near the table with their heads on their hands, as if they were +feeling very melancholy and disconsolate. + +"I wish I could squeeze out a tear," said Jack; "but I can't for the +life of me. I feel so jolly at your idea of getting off." + +Presently the door opened, and an old woman entered with a basket. + +"I have brought you some food and a bottle of wine, mes garcons," she +said, in a kind tone. "The general gave me permission, and I was very +glad to bring it, as I knew that you must be hungry. Poor boys! I +heard of your attempt to get away. You would have been drowned to a +certainty if you hadn't been caught, and that would have been sad, for +one of you, they say, wanted to get back to see his mother. I have got +a son at sea, so I can feel for her. I wish he was safe back again. I +don't know what they will do with you, but I hear that you are to be +tried to-morrow, and the Irish officer here says you are spies, and if +so, you will run a great chance of being hung, or, at all events, shut +up in a prison till you confess what you have been about. Ah! but I +forgot. They say you don't speak French, and you may not have +understood a word I have said." + +Jack and Bill could scarcely refrain from laughing as the old woman ran +on, but they restrained themselves, and when she showed them the +contents of the basket, they merely said, "Bon! bon! merci! merci!" +several times, and looked very well pleased, as indeed they were, for +there was food enough to last them two or three days, full allowance-- +cheese and sausages, bread, figs, raisins, and butter, besides the +bottle of wine. + +They were afraid of drinking much of that, not knowing how weak it was, +lest it should get into their heads, for they wanted no Dutch courage to +do what they intended--they had pluck enough without that. + +The old woman--not that she was so very old, but she was small and thin, +with a high white cap and a brown dress fitting closely, which made her +look older than she was--stood by, after she had covered the table with +the provisions, that she might have the pleasure of seeing the boys eat. +They were very willing to give her that pleasure, and set to with a +good appetite. + +She smiled benignantly, and patted them on their heads, as she watched +them stowing away the various things. They were not very particular as +to which they took first. + +"Bon! bon!" said Jack, every now and then, as he saw that his saying so +pleased her. "Merci! merci!" + +She poured them out some wine; it was dreadfully sour, so Bill thought, +and he made signs to her that he would drink it by-and-by, as he did not +like to show her how much he disliked it. + +Jack was not so particular, but he was content with a mouthful or two, +and then began again on the sausages and figs. + +"I hope she is not going to stop till we have done," said Bill, "or she +may take away the remainder. I'll try and make her understand that we +should like a little more by-and-by. I vote we stop now and put the +things into the basket. We'll then show her that we do not wish her to +take them away." + +The kind old housekeeper of the chateau--for such she was--seemed to +understand the boys' wishes. Bill even ventured to say a few words in +French, which would show her what they wanted; and at last, wishing them +good-night, she took her departure. + +They heard the door locked and bolted after she went out, as if by some +other person; and it made them fear that a sentry was placed there, who +might, should they make any noise, look in to see what they were about. +It would be necessary, therefore, to be extremely cautious as to their +proceedings. + +"There's no one moving," said Bill, who had crept to the door to listen. +He, of course, spoke in a low whisper. "I vote we set to work at once +and make our rope. It will take some time, and we ought to be off as +soon as the people have turned in, as we must try to get a good distance +from the shore before daylight." + +"Suppose any one was to come, and find us cutting up our bed-clothes," +said Jack, "it would be suspected what we were going to do." + +"We'll keep the coverlid till the last, so as to throw it over the bed +should we hear a step on the stair; we must then sit down on the edge, +and pretend that we are too sorrowful to think of going to bed," said +Bill. + +"That will do," replied Jack; "I never was a good hand at piping my eye, +but I know that I should be inclined to blubber if I thought there was a +chance of being found out." + +"There's no use talking about that. We must run the risk," observed +Bill; "so here goes." And he forthwith turned back the coverlid, and +began measuring the sheets. They were of strong and tough material, and +by dividing each into four lengths, he calculated that a rope formed of +them would be of sufficient strength for their purpose, and they were +quickly cut through with their knives, and each length was then twisted +tightly up. + +The bed-ticking was treated in the same manner; but that being of less +strength, gave them only six much shorter lengths. The sacking and rope +at the bottom of the bed would, Bill was sure, reach, at all events, to +a short distance from the ground. + +As they twisted and bent one piece to another, they surveyed their work +with satisfaction, and were convinced that it would bear their weight, +though it would hardly have borne that of a man of moderate size. To +try it, they tugged away against each other, and it held perfectly firm. + +"It will do famously," exclaimed Bill, after they had joined all the +pieces together. "Even if it does not quite reach to the ground, I +should not mind dropping a dozen feet or so." + +"But if we do that, the noise we make in our fall may be heard," said +Jack. "Hadn't we better bend on the coverlid? It's not so strong as +the sheets, but we can put it at the lower end." + +Bill agreed to this, and, as it was of considerable width, it formed +three lengths. + +"We have enough almost for a double rope, I expect," said Bill, as he +coiled it away ready to carry to the window at the opposite side of the +room. + +"Oh, no; I don't think we've enough for that," said Jack; "even if we +had, it won't matter leaving the rope behind. The Frenchmen will see by +the disappearance of the bed-clothes how we got out. I advise that we +make only one rope, and just get down to the ground as quietly as we can +manage to do." + +Bill made another trip to the door to listen. + +"No one is coming," he whispered, as he returned. "Now let's carry the +rope to the window." + +They did so, and Bill leant out to listen again. No sounds reached his +ear, except the occasional barking of a dog. + +"The people go to bed early in this country," he observed, "and I am +very much obliged to them. We may start, Jack, without much fear of +being stopped." + +"But don't let us forget our grub," said Jack; and they filled their +pockets with the provisions the old woman had brought them, tying up the +remainder in their handkerchiefs, which they fastened to the lanyards of +their knives. "Now let's bend on the rope," said Bill. + +They secured it round the iron bar. + +"I'll go first," said Jack; "if the rope bears me, it's certain to bear +you." + +"No; I proposed the plan, and I ought to go first," answered Bill. +"It's of no use wasting words. Don't begin to come down till you feel +that I am off the rope. So here goes." + +Bill, on saying this, climbed through the narrow opening between the bar +and the side of the window, and then, first grasping the bar with his +hands, threw his legs off straight down, and began descending the thin +rope. Jack stretched out his head to watch him, but Bill soon +disappeared in the darkness. + +The rope held, however, though, as he felt it, it appeared stretched to +the utmost. He could with difficulty draw a breath, while he waited +till, by finding the rope slacken, he should know that Bill had safely +reached the bottom. At last he ascertained that Bill was no longer +hanging to the rope, while, from not hearing a sound, he was sure that +his companion had performed the feat in safety. + +As Bill had charged him not to lose a moment, he, following his example, +commenced his descent. + +Down and down he went, but had he not been thoroughly accustomed to +suspend himself on thin ropes, he could not have held on. It seemed to +him that he should never reach the bottom; how much further he had to go +he could not tell. + +All at once he felt a hand grasping him by the leg. A sudden fear +seized him. + +Could the Frenchmen have got hold of Bill, and were they about to +recapture him? + +He could with difficulty refrain from crying out; still, as there would +be no use in attempting to get up the rope again, he continued to lower +himself. + +The hand was withdrawn, and presently he found that he had reached the +ground. + +"All right," whispered Bill in his ear; "I caught hold of your ankle to +let you understand that you were close to the bottom. Now let's be off! +The harbour lies directly under yonder star. I marked its position +during daylight, and again just before I began to descend the rope." + + + +CHAPTER SIXTEEN. + +VOYAGE ON THE RAFT. + +Bill and Jack remained for a few seconds in the dark shade caused by the +tall wall of the chateau, listening attentively for any sounds of people +moving about. None reached their ears, and only here and there, in the +more distant part of the building, were any lights to be seen gleaming +from the windows. + +"We may run for it now without much chance of being seen," said Bill. +"We must step lightly, though, or we may be heard by some of the +sentries. Keep your eye on the star, it's the best guide we have for +the harbour. Now for it! let's start." + +They set off, treading as lightly as they could on the ground with their +bare feet, the soles of which were pretty well hardened. For some +distance they had only grass to run over, and a couple of phantoms could +scarcely have produced less sound. + +In a short time, however, they reached a fence. It was somewhat rotten, +and as they were climbing over it, a part gave way and came down with a +crash. + +"Quick!" said Bill, as he was helping over Jack, who followed him; "we +must run on like the wind; somebody may be coming to find out what's the +matter." + +They did not stop, as may be supposed, to repair the damage they had +caused, but soon reaching a road which led in the direction they wished +to take, they scampered on at full speed. + +Tall trees grew on either side of the road, which, casting a dark shadow +over it, would have effectually concealed them from view, even if +anybody had been looking out for them. The darkness, however, also +prevented them from seeing any one who might be ahead. + +Sometimes indeed they had a difficulty in keeping in the middle of the +road. + +"I hope we're going in the right direction," said Jack; "I can't see the +star, and the road seems to me to have twisted about." + +"We must, at all events, go on," answered Bill. "Perhaps we shall catch +sight of the star again before long, and we must steer our course +accordingly. There's no use stopping still." + +They went on and on. + +"There it is at last," cried Jack. + +The trees which lined the road were much lower, being indeed mere +pollards, and allowed them to see the sky overhead. + +Presently they heard a dog bark; then another and another. Could the +brutes be barking at them? + +It was a sign that there were dwellings near, and the inhabitants might +be looking out to ascertain what made their dogs bark. + +"Never mind," whispered Bill; "the chances are that the dogs are tied +up, and if we keep moving the people won't see us." + +They passed through the village or hamlet. + +They were still, they knew, some distance from the harbour. + +Here and there only could they see a light twinkling from a window, +probably of some sick-chamber. It was pretty evident that most of the +people had gone to bed, still some one or other might be up who would +give the alarm. + +They found themselves verging to the right; it was better, however, than +keeping to the left side, which might lead them away from the harbour. +Presently they came to some grassy downs, and the regular road they had +been pursuing turned sharp off to the left. + +"We had better keep straight on," said Bill; "we shall be more exposed +on the open downs; but then it isn't likely that anybody will be there +to see us, so that won't matter." + +Jack, as usual, was ready to do whatever Bill proposed. They got +quickly over the grass, which was cropped short by sheep feeding on it, +and they could manage to see somewhat better than they had done on the +road. Presently Jack, whose eyesight was even keener than Bill's, +having been well practised at night from his childhood, caught his +companion's arm, exclaiming, "Hold back; it seems to me that we have got +to the edge of the downs." + +They crept cautiously forward. In another instant they would have leapt +down a cliff some hundred feet in height, and been dashed to pieces. + +They turned away from it, shuddering at the fearful risk they had run, +and kept along on somewhat lower ground, still having the star which had +before guided them ahead. + +Once more they found themselves approaching buildings, but they were low +and scattered; evidently only in the outskirts of the village. + +"We must be close to the harbour now," said Jack. + +"The greater reason that we should be cautious," observed Bill. "This +road, I suspect, leads right down to the part of the harbour we want to +reach." + +They ran on, their hope of escape increasing. + +Suddenly they heard the voice of a man shouting out, "Who goes there?" + +Bill seized Jack's arm, and pulled him down in the shadow of a high +wall, near which they happened at that moment to find themselves. + +Some minutes they waited, scarcely daring to draw breath. + +The shout was not repeated. + +"We may go on now," whispered Jack; and getting up, they crept forward. +Presently, below them, they caught sight of the harbour, with the stars +reflected on its surface. + +The most difficult part of their undertaking was now to be performed. +They had to find out exactly where their raft lay. + +Bill had not failed to observe the shape of the harbour, and to take +note of the various objects on shore, as he and Jack were brought in +prisoners by the French boat; but the partial survey he was then able to +make did not enable him to settle positively in what direction they +ought to proceed to find their raft. + +By keeping on as they were then going they believed that they should +make the shore of the harbour at no great distance from the mouth. They +might then keep along up it until they reached the place where they +landed, near which they hoped to find their raft moored. + +"I am only afraid that we may meet some guards or patrols, or fishermen +coming on shore or going off to their vessels," observed Jack. + +"If we do we must try to hide ourselves," answered Bill. "We'll keep +along as close as we can under the cliffs, or any walls or houses we are +passing, so that we may see people before we are seen ourselves." + +They acted as Bill suggested, and pushed boldly onwards. Not a sound +was heard coming either from the land side or from the harbour. The +water was as smooth as glass. + +They were still going forward when Jack seized Bill's arm. "That's the +place," he whispered. "I can make out the raft, moored outside a boat +at the end of a slip." + +Bill, creeping forward, assured himself that Jack was right, and, as +nothing could be gained by waiting a moment, they hurried on, and in a +few seconds were on board their raft. Jack plunged his hand into one of +the chests, to ascertain that the articles it had contained were still +there. They had not been taken away. + +He could scarcely refrain from shouting out for joy. + +Even the oars had not been removed. + +They got another from the boat alongside to supply the place of the one +which had been splintered. + +"Cut the warps," cried Bill. "We'll paddle on till we find the breeze." + +The raft was quickly cast loose, and, getting out the oars, they began +to paddle silently down the harbour. They could not avoid making some +slight noise, but they hoped that there was no one on the watch to hear +it. Very frequently they turned their glances astern to ascertain if +they were followed, but they could see nothing moving. There were +several vessels lower down the harbour, so they steered a course which +would carry them past at some little distance from them. + +The raft moved easily over the smooth surface, and they made good way. +There was only one vessel more which they had to pass before they +reached the harbour's mouth. They both earnestly hoped that her crew +were fast asleep, and that no watch was kept on deck. + +They paddled slowly by, and more than half a cable's length from her, +moving their oars as gently as possible, and scarcely daring to breathe. +The slightest sound might betray them. + +At length they got outside her, and there was nothing now between them +and the open channel. + +Again Jack could hardly refrain from shouting. + +Just then a voice came from the vessel. + +Bill looked back. He judged by the distance the vessel was off that the +character of the raft could not be discovered. He answered in very good +French, "We are going out early this morning, and if we have good luck +in fishing, we'll bring you some for breakfast." + +"Thank you, my friend, thank you," answered the man on board the vessel. + +Bill had been paddling on all the time he was speaking. He was certain +that the man did not suspect who he and Jack were, and in a few minutes +they lost sight of the vessel altogether. + +They now gave way with might and main. They were rowing for life and +liberty; for if again caught, they fully believed that they should be +shot. How anxiously they wished that a breeze would spring up! + +For fully an hour they rowed on, till the shore faded from sight. + +They were steering by the polar star, which both Jack and Bill knew +well. + +"If there's a breeze from the southward, we ought to feel it by this +time," observed Jack. + +"Never fear; we shall find it before long," answered Bill. "We are not +so far away from the cliffs as you suppose, and it would be as well not +to speak loud, or our voices may reach any boat passing, or even people +on shore." + +"I hope there will be none there at this hour, though they will come +down fast enough in the morning from the chateau, when they find we have +taken French leave," said Jack. + +"A very proper thing to take, too, seeing we were in France," remarked +Bill, with a quiet chuckle. "I hope we shall never set foot on its +shores again." + +"So do I; but I'm afraid we have a great chance of doing so, unless we +get a breeze pretty soon. I am inclined to whistle for it," said Jack. + +"It won't come the faster for that," answered Bill. "We shall do more +good by working our oars. We are sending the raft along at three knots +an hour at least, and as it will be three hours or more before daylight, +we shall be ten miles or so away from the shore, even if we do not get a +breeze, before the Frenchmen find out that we have got off." + +As Bill advised, he and Jack continued pulling away as lustily as at +first. + +The smoothness of the water was a great advantage to them, for had there +been any sea their progress would have been much slower. + +An hour or more passed away, when Bill exclaimed, "Here comes the wind, +and right aft, too! It's not very strong yet, but it will freshen soon, +I hope. Stand by, Jack, to hoist the sail!" + +"Ay, ay!" answered Jack, taking hold of the halyards and feeling that +all was clear. + +"Hand me the sheet; and now hoist away," said Bill. + +Jack, with right good will, hauled away at the halyards, and the sail +was soon set. + +The raft felt the influence of the breeze and glided on at an increased +speed. It was cheery to hear the water rippling against the bows. + +"We must take care not to capsize the raft if the wind increases much," +observed Bill. "Keep the halyards ready to let go in a moment; the sail +is full large for our craft, and it would not take long to capsize it." + +"Trust me for that," said Jack; "I have no wish to be drowned, and I +feel wonderfully jolly at the thought of having got away. Are you +steering a right course, Bill? It seems to me that the sail must be +between you and the polar star." + +"No; I can see it directly over the yard when I stand up and keep well +aft," answered Bill. "The wind, too, won't let us go in any other +direction." + +"How about the tide?" asked Jack. + +"Why, as it was just on the ebb when we came out of the harbour, and +helped us along, it is, I calculate, making to the westward. It won't, +however, run much longer in that direction, and it will then carry us to +the eastward for a good six hours. We'll be well out of sight of land +by that time, and, I hope, may fall in with an English cruiser, though, +for my part, I would rather run right across the Channel. It would be +fine fun to land, and tell the people how we managed it. They would +think more of our raft than the Frenchmen did, though there are not many +boys afloat who would not try to do as we have done." + +Jack was of the same opinion, and as there was no necessity for rowing, +while Bill steered, Jack sat on a chest with his arms folded. Suddenly +he exclaimed, "I say, Bill, I am getting very peckish; I vote we have +some supper." + +"Well, we have not far to go for it," observed Bill, "seeing we have got +enough in our pockets to last us for the whole of to-morrow." + +As Bill could not well manage to steer and tend the sheet and eat his +supper, too, he let Jack finish his; after which they changed places, +and Bill fell to with a good appetite on some of the old Frenchwoman's +provisions. + +"I hope the kind old creature won't get into any scrape for supplying +us," said Bill. + +"I don't see how it will be found out that she gave us so much," said +Jack. "When she finds that we are gone, she'll keep her own counsel, +depend on that." + +"We must not expend the food too fast, though," remarked Bill. "It will +take us several days to get across Channel; and it won't do to run short +of provisions." + +"You forget those we have in the chest," said Jack. + +"Are you certain that the Frenchmen allowed them to remain there," asked +Bill, opening the lid of one of them, and feeling about. "Yes! here's a +piece of beef or pork and some biscuit. All right, we shall do now. +I'll take the helm again if you like; I feel more comfortable when I'm +at it, though you steer well enough, I dare say." + +"As you like," said Jack. "I'd just as soon stand by the halyards." + +They again changed places. + +Bill kept his eye on the polar star, while Jack peered under the sail +ahead, that they might not, as he said, run down any craft. + +Thus the night passed away. The breeze slightly increased, but Bill +considered that they might still carry their whole sail with safety. +Perhaps they did not move along quite so fast as he supposed. He told +Jack that he thought they were running through the water at five knots +an hour; but four, or even three, knots was a good deal for a raft to +make, with flat bows, light and well put together as it was. + +They were too much excited to feel the slightest inclination to sleep, +and being both in capital spirits, did not trouble themselves with +thinking of the possibility that the weather might change before they +could get across to the English coast. A fast lugger would take nearly +two days to do the distance. + +The dawn now broke, and they eagerly looked out on every side for a +sail. As the light increased they were greatly disappointed, on gazing +astern, to discover the French coast still in sight, though blue and +indistinct, like a cloud rising out of the water. No sail, however, was +to be seen in that direction. That was a comfort; they were not pursued +by any large craft, and could certainly not be seen from the shore. + +To the northward, however, they caught sight of a sail just rising above +the horizon, and soon afterwards another was seen to the eastward, but +which way she was standing they could not determine. + +As the sun rose the wind decreased, and before long it became perfectly +calm. + +"We must lower the sail and take to our oars again," said Bill. "It +won't do to stop where we are." + +"I am ready to pull on as long as I have any strength in me," answered +Jack, as he stowed the sail, and got out his oar. + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. + +A NARROW ESCAPE--THE FUGITIVES PICKED UP BY A FRIGATE. + +The rest Jack and Bill had obtained while their raft was under sail +enabled them to row with as much vigour as at first; and row they did +with might and main, knowing that their liberty might depend upon their +exertions. + +The calm was very trying, for they had expected to be wafted quickly +across the Channel, and row as hard as they could, their progress must +be slow. After rowing for a couple of hours or more, they found +themselves apparently no nearer the ship ahead than they had been at +first. + +At length hunger compelled them to lay in their oars and take some +breakfast. They ate a hearty one, for they had plenty of provisions; +but on examining their stock of water they found that they must be very +economical, or they might run short of that necessary of life. + +After a short rest, Bill sprang to his feet. + +"It won't do to be stopping," he observed. "If we only make a couple of +miles an hour it will be something, and we shall be so much nearer home, +and so much farther away from the French shore." + +"I'm afraid that when the mounseers find out that we have escaped, they +will be sending after us," said Jack. "They will be ashamed of being +outwitted by a couple of English boys, and will do all they can to bring +us back." + +"I believe you are right, Jack," replied Bill; "only, as they certainly +will not be able to see us from the shore, they won't know in what +direction to pull, and may fancy that we are hid away somewhere along +the coast." + +"They'll guess well enough that we should have pulled to the nor'ard, +and will be able to calculate by the set of the tide whereabouts to find +us," said Jack. "We mustn't trust too much to being safe as yet. I +wonder what that vessel to the eastward is. She's a ship, for I can see +her royals above the horizon, and she's certainly nearer than when we +first made her out." + +"She must be standing to the westward, then, and will, I hope, pass +inside of us, should the breeze spring up again from the same quarter," +observed Bill. "She's probably French, or she would not be so close in +with the coast." + +"As to that, our cruisers stand in close enough at times, and she may be +English notwithstanding," answered Jack. + +"Unless we are certain that she's English we shall be wiser to avoid +her," remarked Bill, "so we'll pull away to the nor'ard." + +"But what do you think of the ship out there?" asked Jack, pointing +ahead. + +"I cannot help believing that she's English," said Bill. "We must run +the chance of being seen by her. We shall have to pull on a good many +hours, however, first, and when the breeze springs up, she'll pretty +quickly run either to the eastward or westward." + +The boys, however, after all their remarks, could arrive at no +conclusion. They rowed and rowed, but still appeared not to have moved +their position with regard either to the shore or the two vessels in +sight. + +The sun rose high above their heads and struck down with considerable +force; but they cared little for the heat, though it made them apply +more frequently than they otherwise would have done to their water-cask. +Bill had more than once to warn Jack not to drink too much. + +The day was drawing on, and at last Jack proposed that they should have +another rest and take some dinner. "There's no use starving ourselves, +and the more we eat the better we shall be able to pull," he said. + +Bill was not quite of this opinion. At the same time he agreed to +Jack's proposal, as his arms were becoming very weary. + +They had just finished their dinner when Jack, getting up on the chest +in which the mast was stepped, so that he might have a better look-out, +exclaimed, "I see a sail between us and the land. The sun just now +glanced on it. There's a breeze in shore, depend on it, and it will +reach us before long." + +Bill jumped up to have a look-out also. He could not distinguish the +sail, but he thought by the darker colour of the water to the southward +that a breeze was playing over it, though it had not as yet got as far +as they were. They again took to their oars and pulled on. Jack, +however, occasionally turned round to look to the southward, for he +entertained the uncomfortable idea that they were pursued. + +They were now, they agreed, nearer the ship to the northward. Her lofty +sails must have caught a light westerly air, which did not reach close +down to the water, and had sent her along two or three knots an hour. +They could see half-way down her courses, and Jack declared his belief +that she was a frigate, but whether English or French he could not +determine. + +Unless, however, they were to hoist their sail, they might pass very +close to her without being discovered, and the course she was steering +would take her somewhat to the eastward of them. + +They would have to settle the point as to whether she was a friend or +foe, and in the former case whether it would be advisable to hoist their +sail, and made every signal in their power to attract her attention, or +to keep the sail lowered until she was at a distance from them. Bill +had not been convinced that Jack had seen a sail to the southward. + +"Whether or not I saw one before, there's one now," cried Jack, "and +pretty near, too, and what's worse, it's a boat, so that they have oars, +and will be coming up with us in spite of the calm." + +"They must have had a breeze to get thus far," remarked Bill. + +"Yes, but it has failed them now; see, they are lowering down the sail." +As Jack spoke, a light patch of white like the wing of a wild-fowl was +seen for a moment glancing above the water landward. + +"Yes, there's no doubt that was a sail, which must have come from the +shore; but it is a question whether the Frenchmen will have the pluck to +pull on in the hopes of finding us, or will turn back. One thing is +certain, that we had better try to keep ahead, when they will have +farther to come if they still pursue us." + +Once more the boys got their oars out, and laboured away as +energetically as before. They every now and then, however, looked back +to ascertain if the boat were coming after them. Meantime a light +breeze played occasionally over the water, but it was so light that it +would not have helped them much, and they thought it wiser not to hoist +their sail, as it would betray their position should a French boat +really be in pursuit of them. + +The ship, which they supposed to be a frigate, was in in the meantime +drawing nearer to them from the north-east. + +"I cannot help thinking that the boat is still coming after us," cried +Jack. "I fancy I caught sight of the gleam of the sun on the men's +hats; if I were to swarm up the mast I should be more certain." + +"You will run the chance of capsizing the raft if you do," observed +Bill. + +"I'll just go a little way up," retorted Jack; and he jumped on the +chest, and hoisted himself three or four feet only up the mast, while +Bill sat down on the deck to counterbalance his weight. + +"Yes, I was right," said Jack, coming down. "I made out a boat, as sure +as we are here, and a large one, too, or I should not have seen her so +clearly. She's a good way off still, so that it will be some time +before she can get up with us. The French fellows in her must take +yonder ship to be a countryman, or they would not pull on so boldly." + +"They may think that they have time to pick us up and be off again +before the ship can get near them," said Bill; "but whatever they think, +we must try to disappoint them, so we'll pull away as long as we can +stand, and then we'll row on our knees." + +The sun was by this time sinking towards the west; and should darkness +come on, their chances of escape would be increased. The wind had +shifted slightly to the south-west, and should it freshen sufficiently +to make it worth while hoisting the sail, they might stand away to the +north-east. It still, however, wanted two or three hours before it +would be perfectly dark, while the boat would be up to them before that +time. After rowing for the greater part of an hour, Jack again took a +look-out, and reported that he could distinctly see the boat. + +"So I suspect by this time can the people on board the ship," observed +Bill, "and probably they can see us also; but the crew of the boat well +know that with this light wind they can easily row away from the ship +should she prove to be English." + +In a short time they could both see the boat when only standing up on +the raft. They had now too much reason to fear that, in spite of all +their efforts, they should be overtaken. Still, like brave boys, they +pulled on, though their arms and backs were aching with their exertions. + +The Frenchmen, who must by this time have seen the raft, appeared +determined to re-take them. + +Presently a report was heard, and a bullet flew skimming over the water, +but dropped beneath the surface somewhere astern. + +Another and another followed. + +"Their shot won't hurt us as yet," observed Bill. "They fancy that they +can frighten us, but we'll show them that they are mistaken;" and he +pulled on as steadily as he had before been doing. + +Jack, however, could not resist jumping up once more on the chest, and +looking towards the ship. + +"Hurrah! there's a boat coming off from the ship!" he cried out. "If +she's English, she'll soon make the Frenchmen put about." + +Jack was right as to a boat coming from the ship, but the Frenchmen +still pulled on. Perhaps they did not see the boat, or if they did, +thought that she also was French. + +Again and again the pursuers fired, the bullets now falling close to the +raft. + +"A miss is as good as a mile," cried Bill, rowing on. + +But the French boat was evidently getting terribly near. + +If any tolerable marksman were on board, he could easily pick off the +two occupants of the raft. They knew that well enough, but they kept to +their resolution of pulling on till the last. + +They were encouraged, too, by seeing the boat from the stranger making +towards them. Presently three or four bullets together flew close to +their ears, and fell into the water ahead. + +"Pull on! pull on!" cried Bill; "the fellows fired to vent their spite. +They are going to give up the chase." + +He looked round as he spoke, and, sure enough, the stern of the boat was +seen. + +The Frenchmen were rowing back to the shore. + +The boat of the stranger, instead of steering, as she had been, towards +the raft, was now seen directing her course after the French boat, the +crew of which were evidently straining every nerve to escape. + +"Hurrah!" cried Jack, standing up and waving his cap, "that's an English +frigate." + +"No doubt about it," exclaimed Bill; "I can see her ensign blowing out;" +and he could scarcely refrain from throwing up his cap, but remembered +that it might chance to fall overboard if he did. + +Directly afterwards a gun was heard, fired by the frigate. + +It was a signal to recall the boat. + +She would have had a long pull before she could over take the Frenchmen. + +The signal was not to be disobeyed, and she was seen to pull round and +steer for the raft. + +The boys eagerly watched her approach. + +She was soon up to them. + +"Hallo, my lads! where do you come from?" asked the officer, who was +standing up in the stern-sheets. + +"We are running away from the Frenchmen, sir," answered Bill. + +"A curious craft you have chosen for the purpose," observed the officer. + +"It was the best we could get, sir," said Bill. "We twice have managed +to make our escape, and the first time were caught and carried back." + +"Well, we'll hear all about it by-and-by. Come, jump on board. I +should like to tow your raft to the frigate, but we must not delay for +that purpose," exclaimed the officer. + +Jack and Bill quickly tumbled into the boat, though, as soon as they +were on board, they cast wistful glances at their raft. + +The officer ordered the men to give way, and steered the boat towards +the frigate. He now asked the lads how they came to be in France. + +Bill briefly described how the _Foxhound_ had blown up, and the way in +which they had been taken on board a French fishing-vessel, and their +various adventures on shore. + +"That's curious enough," observed the lieutenant, "for we have on board +the frigate most of those who escaped." + +The officer, who was the third lieutenant of the frigate, had learned +the greater part of their history by the time the boat got up to her. + +He and most of the crew quickly climbed on board, followed by the boys. + +The falls were hooked on, and the boat hoisted up. + +Whom should Jack and Bill see standing on the deck, and issuing his +orders to the crew to "brace round the yards," but Mr Saltwell, the +first lieutenant of their former ship. + +They stood for some minutes by themselves, for everybody was too much +engaged to attend to them. The frigate's head was now turned in the +direction of the stranger they had seen to the eastward, towards which +they observed that the glasses of several of the officers were directed. + +"Though she has not shown her colours, I feel positive that she's +French," observed the captain to Mr Saltwell. + +"I hope that you are right, sir," was the answer; "but we shall scarcely +get up to her before dark." + +"We shall get near enough to make the private signal," said the captain, +"and if she does not answer it we shall know how to treat her when we do +get up to her." + +All the sail the frigate could carry was set, and as the breeze had +increased, she ran rapidly through the water. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. + +THE FRIGATE IN ACTION--BILL SHOWS THAT HE CAN BE OF USE. + +The stranger, which had apparently been beating down Channel, now put up +her helm, and setting studden sails stood to the eastward before the +wind. She failed also to answer the private signal; no doubt, +therefore, remained that she was French, and wished to avoid an action, +though, as she appeared to be as large as the English frigate, if not +larger, this was somewhat surprising. + +"Perhaps she has some consorts to the eastward, and wishes to lead us +into their midst during the night," observed Mr Saltwell. + +"She will find that she's mistaken. We will keep too bright a look-out +to be so caught," said the captain. + +The first lieutenant, as he was walking forward, caught sight of Bill +and Jack. + +"Why, lads, where do you come from?" he asked. + +As he spoke he recognised Bill. + +"Are you not the lad who gave notice of the plot of the American captain +to capture our ship?" he asked. + +Bill acknowledged that such was the case. + +"I am truly glad that you have escaped. I promised our late captain +that I would keep an eye on you," he continued, "and I shall now have +the opportunity. I thought you, with the rest of our poor fellows, had +been lost when our ship blew up." + +Bill briefly described their adventures, and the lieutenant seemed much +interested. He said he would have them at once entered on the ship's +books, for as they were likely soon to be engaged with the enemy, it +might be of importance to them. + +He accordingly sent for the purser, to whom he gave the proper +directions. Bill and Jack then made their way below. + +On passing the galley they saw a boy busily employed, assisting the +cook's mate in cleaning pots and pans. He looked up at them and +started, letting drop the pot at which he was scrubbing. + +"What! Bill! Jack! I thought you had gone to Davy Jones's locker," he +exclaimed. "Are you really yourselves?" + +"No doubt about it, Tom," answered Bill and in a few words they again +told their adventures. + +Tom soon recovered from his astonishment. He appeared somewhat ashamed +of his present occupation. He had got into a scrape, he acknowledged, +and had been ordered to assist the cook's mate. + +"I wish you would tell him, Tom, that we are very hungry, as we have had +a long pull, and that if he would give us something to eat we should be +very much obliged to him. If he's a good-natured fellow, I daresay he +will." + +Tom undertook to plead for them with the cook himself, who just then put +his head out of the galley. The cook, without hesitation, on hearing +their story, gave them each a basin of broth and a handful of biscuit. + +While they were eating they asked Tom to tell them how he had escaped. + +"I've no very clear notion about the matter," he answered; "I must have +been in the water, for I found myself lying at the bottom of a boat wet +to the skin, and more dead than alive. There were a dozen or more of +our fellows in her, and Mr Saltwell, our first lieutenant, who had been +picked up, I supposed, as I had been. They thought I was done for, and, +as the boat was overloaded, they were about to heave me overboard, when +I opened my eyes, and sang out, `Don't;' so they let me remain, and +after some time pulled alongside a cutter, on board which we were taken +and looked after below. Shortly afterwards we went in chase of a French +craft of the same rig as ours, but she got away, and we then steered for +Plymouth. We were at first taken on board the guardship, where we +remained some time, and then I was transferred with others to this +frigate, the _Thisbe_, of which, to my great satisfaction, I found that +Mr Saltwell had been appointed first lieutenant. Thinking that, as we +had shared a common misfortune, he would stand my friend, I went up to +him, and telling him that I was a gentleman's son, begged he would have +me put on the quarter-deck. He told me that if I did my duty I should +have as good a chance as others; but here I am set to scrape potatoes +and clean pots and pans. It's a shame, a great shame, and I can't stand +it." + +Bill and Jack had a tolerably correct notion why Tom was not better off, +but they did not say so, as they did not wish to hurt his feelings, and +were grateful to him for having obtained for them the broth and +biscuits. + +They had scarcely finished their meal when the order came to extinguish +the galley fire. + +A short time afterwards the drum beat to quarters, and every one was +employed in getting the ship ready for action. + +Jack and Bill expected that they would be employed in their former +occupation of powder-monkeys, though, having been awake all the previous +night, and in active exertion the whole of the day, notwithstanding the +expectation of a battle, they could with difficulty keep their eyes +open. They were going with the rest of the boys to the powder-magazine, +when they heard their names called out, and the ship's corporal +appearing, told them that the first lieutenant had directed that they +should turn in below and take some sleep. + +A couple of hammocks were slung for them forward, and they very gladly +obeyed the order. + +Bill made an effort to keep awake, that he might turn out again should +the ship go into action, but in less than two minutes drowsiness +overtook him, and he went fast asleep. + +He dreamed, however, that he heard the guns firing, and the crew +shouting, and that he got up and found that the frigate had taken the +Frenchman. + +Meantime, however, the wind falling light, the frigate made but slow +progress, though she still kept the enemy in sight. + +When Bill really awoke, the light was streaming down through the +fore-hatchway. He roused up Jack, as there was no one below to call +them, and on going on deck they discovered the crew at their quarters, +and the French frigate almost within range of their guns. + +She was to leeward, for the wind was still in its former quarter, and +she had just then hauled up and backed her main-topsail to await their +coming. + +She was now seen to carry four more guns than the _Thisbe_, and to be +apparently considerably larger, her bright, polished sides showing that +she had not been long out of harbour. + +When a ship goes into action, sail is generally shortened, but Captain +Martin kept all the _Thisbe's_ set, and stood on, bearing down directly +for the enemy. + +Jack had been sent to join the other boys, who were employed in bringing +up the powder as required from the magazine, but the first lieutenant +directed Bill to remain near him. + +Jack took his seat as a matter of course on his tub, and, as it +happened, next to Tom. + +"How are you feeling?" asked Tom, who looked rather pale. + +"Much as I generally do, only I am rather peckish," answered Jack. "I +wish we had had time for breakfast before thrashing the mounseers, but I +hope that won't take us very long." + +"I hope not," said Tom; "only they say that the French ship is the +bigger of the two." + +"What's the odds of that, provided we can work our guns twice as fast as +they can?" observed Jack; "that's the way we licked the Frenchmen +before, and, of course, we shall lick them again; but I say, Tom, what +makes you look so melancholy?" + +"Do I? Well, if you want to know, I was thinking of home, and wishing I +had not run off to sea. I've had a miserable life of it since I came on +board this frigate. It was my own fault that I did not go back when I +was last on shore. I had the chance, but was ashamed to show my face." + +"There's no use thinking about that sort of thing now," said Jack. "We +shall be fighting the Frenchmen in a few minutes, and the round and +grape shot and bullets will be flying about our ears." + +"That's what I don't quite like the thoughts of," replied Tom. "I hope +neither you nor I will be hit, Jack." + +"Of course not," said Jack; "it wouldn't be pleasant, though we must do +our duty, and trust to chance, or rather trust in Providence, like the +rest." + +"I don't envy Bill up on deck there," remarked Tom. "I wonder what the +first lieutenant wants with him." + +"Perhaps he intends to turn him into a midshipman," suggested Jack. + +"Into a midshipman! a London street boy, who scarcely knows who his +father was," ejaculated Tom. "I should think he would have made me one +before him." + +"The first lieutenant doesn't care a rap what he or his father was. He +remembers only the way Bill saved the ship from being taken by the +American skipper, and he seemed highly pleased at our having escaped +from France. I tell you I shouldn't be at all surprised if Bill is +placed on the quarter-deck," said Jack. + +Tom gave a grunt of dissatisfaction. The conversation had a good +effect, as far as he was concerned, as it made him forget the fears he +had entertained about his personal safety. + +In the meantime Bill remained on deck watching what was going forward. +He heard Captain Martin tell the first lieutenant that he intended to +engage the enemy to leeward, in order to prevent her escape; but as the +_Thisbe_ approached the French ship, the latter, suspecting his +intention, so as to frustrate it, wore round on the starboard tack. + +After much skilful seamanship on both sides, Captain Martin, finding +that he could not succeed, ranged up to windward of the enemy within +pistol shot, both ships being on the larboard tack, two or three points +off the wind. + +They now simultaneously opened their broadsides, the shot of the +_Thisbe_ telling with considerable effect, while not a few of those of +the enemy came on board in return, cutting up her rigging, and laying +low three or four of her men. + +The French ship now passed under the stern of the _Thisbe_, firing her +larboard broadside with great precision. A second time she attempted to +repeat the manoeuvre, but the crew of the _Thisbe_, having quickly rove +new braces, her sails were thrown aback, and gathering sternway, her +starboard quarter took the larboard bow of the French frigate. + +The French on this made several attempts to board, but the marines, who +were drawn up on deck, opened so warm a fire that they were driven back +with considerable loss. + +The _Thisbe_ had now her enemy fast to her quarter. In order to keep +her there, Captain Martin and some of his crew endeavoured to lash her +bowsprit to his mizenmast; while others were engaged in bringing a gun +to bear, out of a port which the carpenters quickly cut through the +stern windows and quarter gallery. + +While they were thus engaged, the enemy kept up a hot fire on them, +several men being killed and wounded; but the gun was at length brought +into position. + +"Now fire, my lads!" cried the second lieutenant, who was superintending +the operation. + +After the first, discharge, no sooner had the smoke cleared away, than +full twenty Frenchmen were seen stretched on the deck. + +Bill had been standing near the first lieutenant. A marine had just +loaded his musket, but was knocked over before he had time to fire it. +Bill at that moment saw a French seaman run along the bowsprit with a +musket in his hand. Bill, springing forward, seized that of the marine, +and, as he did so, he observed the Frenchman taking aim at the head of +Mr Saltwell, whose eyes were turned in a different direction. + +There was not a moment for deliberation. Without ceremony pushing the +lieutenant aside, he fired at the Frenchman, who, as he did so, +discharged his musket, but immediately fell overboard, the ball tearing +away the rim of Mr Saltwell's hat, but without hurting him. + +The first lieutenant, turning round, perceived the way by which his life +had been saved. + +"Thank you, my lad," he said, "I see how you did it, and I'll not forget +the service you have rendered me." + +There was no time just then for saying more, for a party of Frenchmen +were attempting to fire a carronade on their forecastle. Before they +could succeed, the marines had picked off the greater number. Others +took their places, but every man of them was treated in the same manner. +At last the attempt to fire the gun was abandoned. + +The French ship now getting a breeze, began to forge ahead. This +enabled the _Thisbe's_ crew to bring their aftermost gun on the +starboard side to bear, the first discharge from which cut away the +gammoning of the French frigate's bowsprit. + +The two ships now separated, but were soon again abreast of each other +exchanging broadsides; but so rapidly did the English crew work their +guns that they managed to fire three to the Frenchman's two. + +A loud cheer burst from their throats as they saw the enemy's +maintopmast go over the side. The _Thisbe_ now forged ahead clear of +her adversary, and the breeze dying away, the firing ceased on both +sides. Still the Frenchmen kept their colours flying. + +The English crew were busily employed in knotting and splicing the +rigging which had been cut away, and repairing other damages. + +"I hope they've had enough of it, and that the fighting is over," +exclaimed Tom. + +"Not so sure of that," said Jack. "The French take a good deal of +drubbing, and don't always know when they are beaten." + +Tom felt, at all events, that he had had enough of it, as he looked +along the deck and saw numbers of the men who had been slightly hurt +binding up each other's wounds. Several lay stiff and stark, whose +bodies were dragged on one side, while not a few, severely hurt, had +been carried below to the cockpit, where the surgeon and his mates had +ample employment. + +Among the killed was the second lieutenant, a master's mate, and two +young midshipmen; altogether of the two hundred and fifty men who that +morning were in health and strength, forty were either killed outright +or were severely wounded. + +Just then, however, the survivors were too much occupied to think about +the matter; every man and boy was wanted to get the ship to rights, and +all were eagerly looking out for a breeze that they might again attack +the enemy. Bill was as eager as any one for the fight. He felt that he +was somebody, as he could not help reflecting that he had done good +service in saving the life of the first lieutenant, though he did not +exactly expect any reward in consequence. It seemed to him that he had +grown suddenly from a powder monkey into a man. Still the calm +continued, and the two ships lay with their sails against the masts, the +water shining like a polished mirror. + +The calm was to the advantage of the French, who had thus longer time to +repair their damages. The English were soon ready to renew the action. + +What, however, might not happen in the meantime? + +Both the captain and Mr Saltwell thought it possible that the French +squadron might be to the eastward, and should the firing have been +heard, and a breeze spring up from that direction, which it was very +likely to do, the Frenchmen in overwhelming force might be down upon +them. + +The captain walked the deck, looking anxiously out in every direction +for signs of a breeze. Occasionally reports were brought to him of the +way the wounded men were getting on. The surgeons had as much work as +they could get through, cutting off arms and legs, setting broken limbs, +and binding up flesh wounds. Such are the horrors of war! How many +might be added ere long to the number of the killed and wounded! + +It was nearly noon when the captain exclaimed, "Here comes a breeze! +Trim sails, my lads!" The men flew to the braces. The canvas blew out, +and the frigate began slowly to move towards her antagonist. + + + +CHAPTER NINETEEN. + +THE "THISBE" VICTORIOUS--AN ENEMY'S SQUADRON HEAVES IN SIGHT. + +The crew of the _Thisbe_ stood at their guns, ready to open fire at the +word of command. Several who had, at the commencement of the action, +been among them, were missing; and though the survivors mourned their +loss, that was not the time either to think or talk about them. Not a +word, indeed, was spoken fore and aft; not even the usual jokes passed +between the men. The Frenchman showed no inclination to avoid the +combat. He could not have got away even had he wished, for his +foretopmast was gone, and he had not fully repaired the other damages he +had received aloft. + +Nearer and nearer the _Thisbe_ drew to the enemy, still the looked-for +word of command did not come. The captain resolved to wait till he got +close up to her. The French, also, for some time refrained from firing, +though the _Thisbe_ was within range of their guns. They were the first +to lose patience, or perhaps they thought that they could knock away the +spars and rigging of their antagonist, and thus be able to make their +escape. + +The _Thisbe_, however, was coming up on their larboard quarter. Their +guns which they could bring to bear were trained high for the purpose +mentioned. The shot came whistling about her masts and rigging; but +though some of her sails were shot through, and a few ropes cut away, no +material damage was received. The breeze at that instant freshened, and +the _Thisbe_ glided rapidly on. + +"Give it them, my lads!" cried the captain, as the helm being put to +starboard the whole of the _Thisbe's_ broadside was brought to bear with +terrible effect on the enemy. + +The Frenchman again fired. The _Thisbe's_ guns were quickly run in and +reloaded. The breeze at that instant blew aside the smoke, and as it +did so the enemy's foremast was seen to fall with a crash overboard. + +Loud cheers rang forth from the decks of the _Thisbe_. Again her +broadside was fired, but no return came. The next instant, through the +smoke, the Frenchman's ensign was seen in the act of being lowered, just +in time to save them from another broadside. + +The British crew had cheered lustily when they saw the foremast fall. +They now redoubled their shouts, turning round and shaking each other +heartily by the hand; some throwing up their caps, and others, mostly +the Irishmen of the crew, leaping and dancing with delight. + +Two of the _Thisbe's_ boats being uninjured, they were lowered; and the +third lieutenant, with a master's mate and a party of seamen, was sent +on board to take possession of the prize. + +As they were about to shove off, Mr Saltwell inquired whether any one +could speak French. + +"I can, sir," said Bill, touching his hat. + +"Then go and assist Mr Sterling; you will be of much use," said the +first lieutenant. + +Bill, who had been longing to visit the prize, obeyed with no small +satisfaction. + +As they reached her deck, an officer advanced with his sword in his +hand, and presented it to Mr Sterling, who, receiving it, handed it to +Bill. + +The French officer announced that he was the second lieutenant of the +_Diana_ frigate, which it was his misfortune now to yield into the +possession of her British conquerors. + +Mr Sterling bowed in return. + +"Tell him, Rayner," he said, "that we acknowledge how bravely he and his +countrymen have fought their ship, and that though they have lost her, +they have not lost their honour." + +The French lieutenant looked highly gratified at this remark when Bill +interpreted it, and desired him to express his obligation to the English +lieutenant. + +The captain and first lieutenant had been killed, as were no less than +thirty of the crew, including other officers, while fifty were wounded. + +The deck, indeed, presented a dreadful scene--strewed in every direction +with corpses, while many poor fellows were so fearfully injured that +their shipmates had been unwilling to move them. + +The other officers presented their swords, while the seamen unbuckled +their cutlasses, and the marines piled their arms. Many wry faces were +made, though most of the Frenchmen merely shrugged their shoulders, +observing that what had happened to them was the fortune of war. Bill +made himself very useful in communicating with the French officers and +crew. + +One of the _Diana's_ boats had escaped injury, and she, being lowered, +assisted the other boats in carrying the prisoners on board the +_Thisbe_. They far outnumbered the English, and much vigilance was +required to keep them in order. + +The prize crew sent on board the _Diana_ set to work, under the command +of Mr Sterling, to stop the shot-holes in her sides, and to repair her +other more serious damages. A jury-mast was rigged forward, to supply +the place of the foremast carried away. In the meantime, a hawser being +conveyed on board the _Thisbe_, the prize was taken in tow, and sail was +made for Plymouth. + +It was of the greatest importance to get away from the French coast +without delay, for a northerly wind might spring up and drive the two +ships upon it; or if, as Captain Martin suspected, a French squadron was +in the neighbourhood, the sound of the firing might have reached them, +and they would very probably come up to ascertain what had taken place, +when the prize would be recaptured, and the _Thisbe_ herself might find +it very difficult to escape. + +Everybody on board had, therefore, ample work to do; besides which the +prisoners in both ships had to be watched. Several had been allowed to +remain on board the prize to assist the surgeons in attending to the +wounded men. An eye had also to be kept on them. + +Mr Saltwell sent for Bill, who had returned to the _Thisbe_. + +"I remember well how you behaved on board the _Foxhound_, and I want you +to keep a watch on the prisoners, and let me know if you hear or see +anything suspicious. They will probably remain quiet enough, as they +must know that they would have very little chance of success should they +attempt to rise upon us. At the same time it is better to be on the +safe side, and not to trust them too much." + +"They have heard me talking French to the officers, and will be careful +what they say when they see me near them," answered Bill; "but there's +my messmate, Jack Peek, who was in France with me, and knows their +`lingo' as well as I do; and as they have not heard him talking, they'll +not suspect him; and if you will allow me, sir, I will tell him to go +among them, and he'll soon find out if they have any thoughts of +mischief." + +Mr Saltwell approved of Bill's proposal, and gave him leave to employ +Jack as he suggested. + +Bill, going below, soon found out his messmate. + +Jack was well pleased at the confidence placed in him, and promised to +keep his eyes and ears well open. + +There was no time for conversation just then, for every man in the ship +was busy, and the boys were wanted to assist them. + +The frigate and her prize had made some way to the northward before +night came on. A bright look-out was kept for any enemy which might +heave in sight; but when darkness gradually stole over the ocean, none +had appeared. + +During that night none of the English officers or men turned in. The +most tired snatched a few moments of sleep at intervals as best they +could when off watch. + +The Frenchmen were allowed to lie down on deck between the guns, with +sentries placed over them. It was very evident that, had they chosen to +rise, they might have overpowered the sentries at the cost of a few of +their own lives. Fortunately none of them liked to run the risk of +being shot, and remained quiet. + +The wind was light, and the _Thisbe_ and her prize made but slow +progress. + +The captain anxiously waited the return of morning. + +At early dawn look-outs were sent aloft to ascertain if any vessels were +in sight. They reported three to the south-east, and one to the +westward; but what they were it was impossible at that distance to say, +as their loftier sails could but indistinctly be seen rising above the +horizon. + +The _Thisbe_ had already as much sail set as she could carry, but +Lieutenant Sterling was making an effort to get up a maintopmast on +board the prize. + +When Jack and Bill met at breakfast, Jack reported that he had been +frequently among the prisoners, but had failed to hear anything which +showed that they had the slightest thoughts of attempting to regain +their liberty. + +"What would you know about the matter even if they had been talking +treason?" observed Tom. "I doubt if either of you fellows know much +about French." + +"As to that," said Bill, "we managed to talk to Frenchmen, and to +understand what they said to us. That, at least, shows that we do know +something about French; not that I wish to boast, only I think I should +do much better if I could get hold of some French books." + +Tom laughed. "Oh! I dare say you are going to become a great scholar, +and to beat us all," he observed, with a sneer. "Jack was even +declaring that you were likely to be placed on the quarter-deck. That +would be a good joke." + +"It would be a good reality for me, though I don't think it's what is +very likely to happen," answered Bill, without getting at all angry. + +"Nor do I," said Tom, in the same tone as before. "Just fancy a chap +like you turned into an officer. You can jabber a few words of French, +and may have picked up a smattering of navigation on board the +_Foxhound_, though I've a notion you must pretty well have forgotten all +you knew by this time, and you may be fond of books, but all that won't +turn a fellow who has come out of the gutter, as one may say, into a +gentleman, as I suppose those on the quarter-deck call themselves." + +"And what do you call them?" exclaimed Jack, not liking to hear such +remarks made to Bill. "I wonder you dare to speak in that way." + +"I call myself the son of a gentleman, and I'm thinking when I get into +port of writing to my father and asking him to have me placed on the +quarter-deck." + +"I wonder you didn't do that before you ran away from home," said Jack. +"They'll have forgotten all about you by this time, and maybe, if you do +manage to write a letter, your father won't believe that it comes from +you." + +"Let him alone, Jack," said Bill; "I don't mind what he says about me. +If his father gets him made a midshipman, I shall be as glad as any +one." + +"Thank you," said Tom; "I flatter myself I shall know how to strut about +the quarter-deck and order the men here and there as well as the rest of +them." + +Just then a voice was heard shouting, "Tom Fletcher, the cook wants you +in the galley. Be smart, now, you've been long enough at breakfast." + +Tom, bolting his last piece of biscuit, hurried away, as he had no fancy +for the rope's-ending which would have been bestowed upon him had he +delayed obeying the summons. + +The mess-tins were stowed away, and the watch hastened on deck. The +wind by this time had somewhat freshened, and the frigate and her prize +were making better progress than before. The strangers, however, which +had appeared in sight in the morning were considerably nearer. A fourth +was now seen beyond the three which had been made out to the eastward. +The ship to the westward which was considerably farther off than the +others, was evidently a large vessel, and the captain declared his +belief that she was a line-of-battle ship, but whether English or +French, it was impossible to decide. He hoped, as did everybody on +board, that she was English, for should she prove to be French, as +undoubtedly were the vessels to the eastward, the _Thisbe_ would lose +her hard-won prize, even though she might manage to escape herself. +Still, Captain Martin was not a man to give up hope while there was a +chance of escape. + +The _Thisbe_, followed by her prize, kept on her course with every +stitch of canvas she could carry set. + +"I'm afraid if we don't outrun those fellows there, we shall get boxed +up again by the Frenchmen," observed Jack, pointing to the approaching +ships. + +"If we do we must manage to get out somehow or other, as we did before," +answered Bill; "but even if they do come up with us, that's no reason +why we should be taken. We must try and beat them off, and the captain +and Mr Saltwell are the men to do it. They are only four to our two +ships, for the lieutenant in charge of the prize will fight his guns as +well as we do ours." + +"But what do you say to that big ship coming up Channel out there?" +asked Tom. "We shall be made mincemeat of if she gets up to us, for I +heard the boatswain's mate say that she's a seventy-four at least, and +may be an eighty-gun ship, or still larger." + +"She hasn't come up with us yet," answered Bill. "We shall have time to +beat off the others and stand away to the northward before she gets us +within range of her guns. Perhaps, too, the wind will shift to the +eastward, and throw her to leeward. We shall then be well in with +Plymouth by the time she can manage to beat up to us. We are not going +to give in while the tight little frigate keeps above water." + +Bill expressed the sentiments of most of the crew. Still, the odds were +greatly against the _Thisbe_ and _Diana_. The latter had but forty +hands on board to work the guns and manage the sails, while the crew of +the _Thisbe_ was thus far diminished, besides which they had to look +after their prisoners. + +The two leading ships of the enemy had been made out to be frigates, as +it was thought probable were their consorts astern; and even though they +might fail to capture the _Thisbe_, they might knock away her masts and +spars, and so maul her that she would be compelled to succumb to the +line-of-battle ship coming up from the westward. + +Not, however, by his manner, or anything he said, did the captain show +the least apprehension of such a result. The crew were at their +stations, ready to shorten sail should the breeze freshening render it +necessary. The men joked and laughed as usual, as ready for action as +if they were only expecting one opponent of equal size. + +The morning wore on, the hands were piped down to dinner, the prospect +of hot work not at all damping their appetites, though perhaps they got +through their meal rather faster than was their wont; when they again +hurried on deck to see how things were going on. The two French +frigates were approaching. The headmost in a short time fired a +bowchaser, but the shot fell short. It served, however, as a signal to +prepare for action. Once more the guns were cast loose, and their crews +stood ready to fire as soon as they received the looked-for word of +command. + +A few of the French prisoners who had been allowed to remain on deck +were now ordered below. They went willingly enough, exhibiting in their +countenances the satisfaction they felt at the expectation of being soon +restored to liberty. They were, of course, narrowly watched, and well +knew that they would be pretty severely dealt with should they show any +signs of insubordination. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY. + +THE "THISBE'S" NARROW ESCAPE--TOM HOPES TO BE MADE A MIDSHIPMAN. + +Half an hour or more passed, when again the leading French frigate +fired, the shot falling close to the counter of the _Diana_, which by +this time, having got up a fresh maintopmast, was able to make more +sail. + +Captain Martin now ordered Lieutenant Sterling to cast off the tow rope +and to stand on ahead of him, while, to allow the _Diana_ to do so, he +clewed up the _Thisbe's_ topsails. + +"Make the best of your way to Plymouth," he shouted, as the _Diana_ +passed the _Thisbe_; "we'll keep these two fellows in play, and shall, I +hope, be soon after you." + +As soon as the prize had got some distance ahead, Captain Martin, who +had been watching the two frigates coming up on the starboard quarter, +ordered the _Thisbe's_ helm to be put to port; at the same moment, her +starboard broadside being fired, the shot raked the two Frenchmen fore +and aft. The helm was then immediately put over, and the frigate coming +up on the other tack, her larboard broadside was poured into her +antagonists. The shot told with considerable effect. The foretopmast +of the leading frigate was shot away, and the mizenmast of the one +following was seen to go by the board. This, however, did not much +alter their rate of sailing, as, the wind being aft, all the canvas they +required continued set. They also opened their fire, and their shot +came crashing on board the _Thisbe_, killing and wounding two or three +men, but not doing any material damage to her spars or rigging. She +having shortened sail, her antagonists were compelled to do the same; +and while they poured their broadsides into her, she returned them as +rapidly as the crew could run the guns in and out. + +Captain Martin's great object was to keep them engaged, and, if +possible, to knock away their masts, so as to enable the _Diana_ to +escape, for although he might hope to get off himself, he could not +expect to capture either of the enemy's ships. + +The _Thisbe_ had been several times hulled, and her sails were already +completely riddled, while many more of her crew had fallen. + +"It is going hard with us, I fear," said Jack to Tom, who was seated +next him on his powder tub. "There's well-nigh a score of poor fellows +killed or wounded within the last half-hour. It may be the lot of one +of us before long." + +"Oh, dear! I hope not," cried Tom. "I wish the skipper would try and +get away instead of fighting the Frenchmen. Two to one is fearful odds +against us, and we shall have the two other ships blazing away at our +heads before long." + +"We haven't much to fear from them," said Jack. "I have just heard +they're corvettes, and they won't be up to us until we've given the +other two a drubbing, and have made sail again to the northward." + +The two corvettes were, however, likely to prove no despicable +opponents, and Captain Martin was only watching until he had knocked +away the masts or spars of one or both of the frigates, to make sail and +escape, for it would have been madness to have continued the fight +longer than was necessary to accomplish that object. + +The Frenchmen, however, fought bravely, and evidently did not intend to +let him get off if they could help it. Each had just fired another +broadside into the _Thisbe_, when they were seen to haul their wind, the +two ships coming up astern doing the same. The reason of this was +evident: the line-of-battle ship to the westward, now approaching under +a pressure of sail, had hoisted British colours, and any longer delay +would have enabled her quickly to capture one or both of them. The +brave crew of the _Thisbe_ expressed their satisfaction by giving a loud +cheer, which was joined in even by many of the wounded. + +Captain Martin had accomplished his object; he had secured the safety of +his prize, and his crew, now swarming aloft, set to work rapidly to knot +and splice the rigging which had been shot away. + +As soon as this had been accomplished sufficiently to make sail, the +_Thisbe_, brought to the wind, stood after the flying enemy, firing her +bow chasers as she did so; but it was soon seen that she had little +chance of coming up with them. Still her captain persevered; but, with +both masts and spars wounded, it was impossible to carry as much sail as +would otherwise have been done. Consequently, before long the +line-of-battle ship, which made the signal _Terrible_, seventy-four, +overtook her. + +A cheer rose from the deck of the big ship, which came gliding slowly +by. Her captain hailed, "Well done, Martin!" + +The pursuit was continued for some time, but night was approaching, and +the coast of France was not far off. The seventy-four therefore threw +out the signal to bear up and a course was shaped for Plymouth. + +A sharp look-out was kept during the night for the _Diana_. Soon after +sunrise she was seen steering for Plymouth, into which harbour Captain +Martin and his gallant crew had the satisfaction of conducting her the +following day. Although it was a day of triumph to the surviving crew, +it was one of mourning to many who had lost relatives and friends. The +dead were carried on shore to be buried, the wounded conveyed to +hospitals, the Frenchmen were landed and marched off under an escort of +marines to the prisons prepared for them, and press-gangs were soon busy +at work to obtain fresh hands to supply the places of those who had +fallen, although many prime seamen volunteered to serve on board a +frigate which had already won a name for herself. + +Tom Fletcher, as soon as the ship got into harbour, managed to procure a +pen and some ink and paper, and indited a letter to his father. It was +not over-well written, but he contrived to make it pretty clearly +express that he was serving on board H.M.S. _Thisbe_, and that having +already seen a great deal of service, he felt sure that if his father +would apply to the Admiralty and make him an allowance of thirty or +forty pounds a year, he should be placed on the quarter-deck, and in due +course of time become an admiral. + +"We are sure to make lots of prize-money," he added; "and if I were a +midshipman now, I should be receiving a hundred pounds or more, so that +you may be sure, father, that I will pay it all back with interest." + +"Father likes interest," he observed to Bill, who was sitting by him at +the time, and helping him in his somewhat unaccustomed task; "that'll +make him more ready to do what I want, though whether he'll ever get the +money is neither here nor there." + +"But if you promise to pay him, you are bound to do so," observed Bill. +"You need not have made the promise, then you could have waited to know +whether he required interest." + +"Well, I've written it, and can't scratch it out now," said Tom. "It +will come to the same thing in the end." + +Bill had some doubts whether Tom's father would make the allowance Tom +asked for; but if he were a rich man, as Tom asserted, he might do so, +and therefore he said nothing. + +The letter, after being folded several times and creased all over, was +at length closed, sealed, and addressed, by which time it had assumed a +somewhat grimy appearance. Tom got the cook's mate, who was going on +shore, to post his letter, having told him that he expected to receive a +good sum of money by return, and promising him a part of the proceeds. +Bill and Jack looked forward to the reply with almost as much interest +as Tom himself, neither of them feeling that they should be at all +jealous, should it produce the satisfactory result he anticipated. + +Meantime, every possible exertion was made to get the ship ready for +sea. Mr Saltwell was very busy superintending all the operations. +Bill, however, found that he was not forgotten, from a kind word or two +which on several occasions the first lieutenant bestowed upon him. As +Tom was not aware of this, he amused himself by telling Bill that Mr +Saltwell would not trouble himself more about him--that he must be +content to remain a powder monkey until he got big enough to be rated as +an ordinary seaman. + +"Better than being cook's boy," cried Jack, who could never stand +hearing Bill sneered at. "He's a precious deal more likely to be made a +midshipman than you are, even though your father is a rich man and rides +in his carriage, as you say." + +Tom retorted, and Jack looked as if he was much inclined to knock him +over, when the quarrel was cut short by the appearance of the cook's +mate, who dragged off Tom to help him clean the galley and scrub the +pots and pans. + +Day after day went by. The frigate was reported ready for sea, and her +complement of men having been filled up, she only waited for her captain +to come on board to continue her cruise. + +Still Tom had received no reply from his father. "Perhaps he or the +Admiralty may have written to the captain, and when he comes aboard I +shall be placed in my proper position," he observed in confidence to +Bill. + +"I hope so, but I'm afraid there will be but little time for you to get +a proper uniform and an outfit," was the answer. + +"I'm not much afraid of that; the tailors won't take long in rigging me +out," answered Tom. + +Soon after this the captain came on board, and Tom, greatly to his +disappointment, was not sent for. Just, however, as the ship was going +out into the Sound, the mail-bag arrived, and a letter addressed, +"Thomas Fletcher, H.M.S. _Thisbe_," was handed him. He eagerly broke +the seal. As he was no great hand at reading writing, he was obliged to +ask Bill to assist him in deciphering the contents. He had, however, to +rub his eyes several times before he could make them out, even with his +messmate's help. + +"It's not from father at all," he observed, after looking at the paper +all over. "S. Fletcher must be my biggest brother, and he always gave +me more kicks than ha'pence." + +The letter began:-- + +"Dear Tom,--Our father received yours of the third instant, as the first +intimation of your being alive since your unaccountable disappearance. +You have caused us by your wicked proceeding no end of grief and +trouble, and, as far as we can make out by your wretchedly written +epistle, you do not seem to be at all ashamed of yourself, or sorry for +what you have done; and our father bids me to say, that as you have made +your bed, you must lie in it. As to making you an allowance of thirty +or forty pounds a year, and getting you placed on the quarter-deck, the +notion is too ridiculous to be entertained. I must tell you, too, our +father has failed, smashed up completely, won't pay sixpence in the +pound. As we find it a hard matter to live, he is not likely to make +you an allowance of thirty pounds, or thirty pence a year, or to trouble +himself by going to the Admiralty with the certainty of being sent away +with a flea in his ear; so you see, Tom, you must just grin and bear it. +If you don't get killed, I would advise you--should you ever wish to +come home--to make your appearance with your pockets full of the +prize-money you talk of, and you will then perhaps receive a welcome, +and be well entertained as long as it lasts by the rest of the family, +as also by-- + +"Your affectionate brother-- + +"S. Fletcher. + +"P.S. Until then I would advise you not to show your nose in this +neighbourhood." + +"He always was an ill-natured fellow, was my brother Sam," exclaimed +Tom, not seeming concerned at the news of his father's ruin, while, +crumpling up the letter, he thrust it into his pocket. "I feel inclined +to hang myself or jump overboard." + +"Don't think of doing anything so bad," said Bill. "You are no worse +off than you were before. All you've got to do is to attend to your +duty, and try to please those above you." + +"The cook and the cook's mate," growled poor Tom. "It isn't a pleasant +task to have to scrub saucepans and clean out the galley." + +"But it is your duty, and while you have to do it it would be best to +try and do it as well as you can," observed Bill. "Neither the cook nor +the cook's mate are bad fellows, and you will gain their good-will by +showing a pleasant temper, and working as hard as you can." + +"All very well for you to preach," said Tom; "but there's no help for +it, I suppose, and so I must make the best of my hard lot." + +"That's just what I'm advising," said Bill; though he did not add, "You +must remember you brought it upon yourself by running away from home." + +The boatswain's pipe summoned all hands on deck to make sail, and the +frigate, standing down the Sound, at once put to sea. + +A bright look-out was kept for enemies; all hands, from the captain +downwards, being eager to secure another prize, even though they might +have to fight a tough battle to win her. The captain's orders were to +capture, sink, burn, destroy, or drive on shore any of the enemy's +vessels he could come up with. With this object in view the _Thisbe_ +continued to cruise, now down the Channel, now up again, keeping as much +as possible in sight of the French coast. She had been some time at +sea, however, without having made any prizes; for although she had +chased several vessels, they, having espied her in time, had managed to +escape by running close in shore, under strong batteries, or getting up +harbours where they could not be followed. At last one morning, as the +frigate had just made the land, from which she had been standing off +during the night, a sail was seen inside of her--that is, between her +and the French coast, steering to the eastward, apparently bound down +Channel. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. + +A CUTTING-OUT EXPEDITION--BILL DISCOVERS AN OLD FRIEND. + +The wind being very light, every stitch of canvas the _Thisbe_ could +carry was packed on her, and her course altered so as to cut off the +stranger. As the sun rose, and its beams lighted up the white canvas of +the latter, she was pronounced to be a full-rigged ship, either a +man-of-war or privateer, or a large merchantman, but at the distance she +was off it was difficult to determine whether she was a frigate or a +flush-decked vessel. Captain Martin hoped that she would prove to be a +frigate, and an antagonist worthy of engaging. She must have seen the +_Thisbe_ approaching, but either took her for a friend or believed that +she was well able to cope with her, as she did not alter her course. +Captain Martin calculated that the _Thisbe_ would be up with the +stranger before noon. Every telescope on board was directed towards +her. Bill wished that he had one, that he might form an opinion as to +what she was. He heard some officers talking, and they declared that +she was undoubtedly French, and was either a large man-of-war corvette, +or a privateer. If such were the case, and the _Thisbe_ could get up to +her, she would be captured to a certainty, though she would probably +fight, and try to knock away some of the _Thisbe's_ spars, so as to +effect her escape. The wind, which had hitherto been blowing from the +southward and south, suddenly shifted to the east. As soon as the +stranger felt it, she was seen to haul her tacks on board, brace up her +yards, and stand away towards the land. + +"She's going to run on shore," exclaimed Jack, who had been watching her +as eagerly as any one, when his duty would allow him to take a look-out. + +"More likely she knows of a harbour or battery in there, and is running +in for shelter," answered Bill. + +"We shan't be able to take her then," said Jack. "I was making sure we +should have her as our prize." + +"I won't say we shan't take her, notwithstanding," observed Bill. +"Perhaps we shall fight the battery and her too, if she brings up under +one. Or if she runs into a harbour, the boats may be sent in after her +to bring her out." + +As soon as the stranger was seen standing to the southward, the _Thisbe_ +also hauled up to continue the pursuit, but the chase was still beyond +the reach of her guns. + +"We shan't catch her after all," said Jack, who had taken another look +at the stranger some time after she had altered her course. + +"I don't see that we have not still a chance of coming up with her," +answered Bill. "The captain thinks so, or he would not be keeping after +her. Perhaps she may be becalmed closer in with the land, or we may +draw near enough to knock away her masts. We have gained a mile on her +during the last hour. I would always try to succeed while a single +chance remains, and I would never knock under to an enemy while I had a +stick standing, or a plank beneath my feet." + +Still, notwithstanding Bill's sanguine hopes of success, as the day wore +on there seemed every probability that the French ship would make good +her escape. It was now seen that she was steering for a harbour, the +mouth of which could be distinguished from the deck of the _Thisbe_, +with a battery on one side. + +"Our bow chasers will reach her, Mr Saltwell," cried the captain, at +length. + +The order to fire was eagerly obeyed. The frigate, however, had to yaw +for the purpose. One of the shot was seen to go right through the sails +of the chase, but the other fell on one side. + +The guns were quickly reloaded, and were fired immediately the ship was +kept away sufficiently for the purpose. Again one of the shot took +effect, but what damage was done it was impossible to say, and the chase +stood on as before. + +The manoeuvre was repeated several times, causing the frigate to lose +ground; but a fortunate shot would have enabled her quickly to regain +it. Though several of the _Thisbe's_ shot took effect, the chase +continued her course, firing in return from a gun run out astern; but +none of the shot struck her pursuer. At last, however, the chase ran +past the battery, which shortly afterwards opened fire. Captain Martin +returned it with such effect that two of the guns were silenced, when +the frigate's head was put off shore, and she stood away to avoid the +risk of being becalmed should the wind fall, as was very likely, towards +evening. + +"I say, Bill, I really believe that's the very place we got away from on +our raft," said Jack. + +"No doubt about it," answered Bill. "I remember the look of the land to +the eastward, and I feel pretty sure I could find my way up the +harbour." + +Bill had scarcely said this when he heard his name called, and he was +told to go to the first lieutenant. + +"Do you recollect anything about the harbour up there?" asked Mr +Saltwell. + +"Yes, sir," answered Bill. "I remember it was the one from which Peek +and I got off, and I was thinking I could make my way up it at night, if +I had to do so." + +"You will have an opportunity to-night, I hope, of showing your +knowledge. The captain intends to send up the boats to try and cut out +the vessel we chased into the harbour. I am to command the expedition, +and I will take you with me." + +"Thank you, sir," said Bill, touching his hat. "I feel pretty sure that +I know my way up to the landing-place, and I do not suppose that a ship +the size of the chase could get up higher." + +"You can go forward now, and be ready to accompany me when you are +summoned," said Mr Saltwell. + +Bill felt highly gratified by the confidence placed in him, and was +thankful that he had so thoroughly observed the harbour before he and +Jack had made their escape. The frigate, meantime, was standing out to +sea, so that by the time the sun went down she could not be perceived +from the shore. She was then hove-to, and preparations were made for +the intended expedition. + +Lieutenant Saltwell went in the barge, the third lieutenant in the +launch, and the lieutenant of marines, with the senior mate, in the +cutter, the oars of all the boats being muffled, so that no sound would +betray their approach to the enemy. + +The frigate then again stood in, taking care to show no lights, when in +perfect silence the boats shoved off, carrying among them about fifty +officers and men. Lieutenant Saltwell called Bill aft to take a seat by +his side. Before leaving the frigate, the captain had directed the +first lieutenant to return should he find the ship so moored as to +render it impossible to bring her out. Bill, however, told him that he +had observed a vessel at anchor some way below the landing-place, and +that he supposed no large craft could get up higher on account of the +shallowness of the water. The wind, which had hitherto been east and +north-east, again shifting to the southward, blew directly down the +harbour, which would enable the ship, should she be captured, to be +brought down without difficulty. + +Bill's heart beat quicker than usual as he thought of the work in hand, +and recollected that the success of the undertaking might considerably +depend upon him. The night was very dark, but as the boats got up to +the mouth of the harbour the lights on shore could be distinguished, as +well as several on board vessels at anchor. The boats kept clear of the +latter, lest any of their people might discover them and give the alarm. +The barge led, the launch and cutter following in succession. The +success of the undertaking would depend on their being able to take the +enemy by surprise. + +As yet no signs had been perceived that their approach was discovered, +and Bill advised that they should keep over to the west shore, where +there were no vessels at anchor, but where he was sure there was water +for the boats, from having seen a good-sized craft keeping that course +at low tide. + +As they got higher up, the sound of voices came off the shore, as if the +people were laughing and making merry. This gave Mr Saltwell hopes +that many of the crew were landed, and that those on board would be +totally unprepared for an attack. He intended to board on the starboard +quarter, and he had given directions to the other officers, one to board +on the larboard quarter and the other at the main chains, his object +being to overpower the resistance the officer's would make aft, then to +sweep the decks until the forecastle was gained. One of the boats was +immediately to shove ahead and cut the cable, while certain of the men +had been directed to hoist the headsails, so that the prize might, +without an instant's delay, be making her way down the harbour before +any assistance could come off to her from the land. + +The moment for action was approaching. The ship was seen at the spot +where Bill thought she would be found, lying silent and dark, her tall +masts and the tracery of her rigging just to be distinguished against +the sky. No one was observed moving on her deck. Eagerly the boats +dashed forward to the posts allotted to them. The bows of the barge had +just hooked on when the sentry on the gangway, who had evidently not +been attending to his duty, shouted out, and fired his musket. + +The rest of the watch came rushing aft, but it was to encounter the crew +of the barge, who, having climbed up her side, had already gained her +deck. Their officers at the same moment sprang up the companion-hatch, +sword in hand, but were knocked over before they could strike a blow. + +The crews of the other boats had, in the meantime, gained the deck, but +not before the rest of the Frenchmen came tumbling up from below armed +with cutlasses and pikes, or such weapons as they could lay their hands +on. Though they made a bold stand, and endeavoured to defend the fore +part of the ship, they had to retreat before the desperate charge of the +boarders, who, with cutlasses flashing and cutting, soon hewed a way for +themselves to the forecastle, leaving the deck on either side covered +with dead or wounded men. Not a word had been spoken, and scarcely a +shout uttered, but the clashing of steel and flashing of pistols must +have showed the people on shore what was going forward. + +The mate, to whom the duty had been assigned, having in the meantime +carried his boat under the bows, quickly cut the cable, then allowing +her to drift alongside, he sprang on to the forecastle, where he took +charge of the party engaged in making sail. + +The third lieutenant, though he was severely wounded, went aft to the +helm, and in less than three minutes from the time the boats got +alongside, the prize, under her foresail and foretopsail, was standing +down the harbour. + +Bill, having got hold of a pistol, kept close to Mr Saltwell, that he +might be ready to assist him or obey any orders he might receive. A few +only of his men were standing round the lieutenant when a party of the +French crew, who had already yielded, led by the boatswain, a big, +sturdy fellow, whose cutlass had already brought two of the English +seamen to the deck, suddenly attacked him, hoping to regain the ship. +The sailors had enough to do to defend themselves, and the big boatswain +was making a desperate blow at the lieutenant's head, when Bill, who +thought it a time to use his pistol with effect, fired, and the +boatswain fell, his cutlass dropping from his hand. His followers on +this sprang back, and, throwing down their weapons, cried for mercy. + +"I saw you do it, my lad," said the lieutenant. "The second time you +have saved my life. I'll not forget it." + +The English sailors now had work enough to do to prevent the Frenchmen +from rising. While sail was being made, numerous boats also were seen +coming off from the shore full of armed men, evidently with the +intention of attempting to board the prize. Sail after sail was let +drop, and the ship ran faster and faster through the water. She was +not, however, as yet entirely won. Her crew, though beaten down below, +were still very numerous, and might, should they find the boats of their +friends coming alongside, at any moment rise and try to regain her. The +fort also had to be passed, and the garrison were sure to have heard the +uproar and would open fire as soon as she got within range of their +guns. + +Notwithstanding this, the British seamen performed their various duties +as steadily as if they were on board their own ship. Some were aloft, +loosing sails; others ran out the guns, ready to give the boats a warm +reception, and others kept an eye on the prisoners. + +The breeze freshened, and the prize in a short time reached the mouth of +the harbour. No sooner had she done so than the guns from the fort, as +had been expected, opened fire, and their shot, thick as hail, came +crashing on board. Several men were struck, and the sails shot through +and through. None of the yards, however, were carried away, and the +canvas stood filled out with the breeze. + +A number of prisoners had remained on deck, with sentries over them, as +the shot struck the ship. Several, to avoid it, endeavoured to escape +below. Some succeeded, not waiting to descend by the ladders, but +leaping down, to the no small risk of breaking their arms and legs. +There was still more sail to be set, and Bill was pulling and hauling, +when he saw a shot come plump in among a party of prisoners. Three +fell; the rest, in spite of the sentries, making a desperate rush, leapt +down the main hatchway. + +Bill at that moment saw a young Frenchman, who had been struck, +struggling on the deck, and a voice crying out which he thought he +recognised. + +He sprang towards the sailor, and lifted him up. He was not mistaken; +it was his friend Pierre. + +"Are you badly hurt?" he asked in French. + +"I'm afraid so, in my side," was the answer. "My poor mother, and +Jeannette, I shall never see them more." + +"I hope that things are not so bad as that," responded Bill. "I will +try and get you below. Here!" and he called to one of the prisoners who +had remained on deck, and who, being very glad to get out of the way of +the shot, willingly assisted Bill in dragging the wounded man to the +companion-hatchway, down which the two together lifted him, and placed +him in the gun-room. + +Fortunately the French surgeon had been ill in his berth, but had now +got up, prepared to attend to his professional duties. As yet, however, +none of the wounded prisoners had been brought aft, and Pierre, who had +been placed on the gun-room table, was the first man the surgeon took +under his care. + +"He is not badly hurt, I hope," said Bill, rather anxiously. + +"That's more than I can say, my young friend," answered the surgeon, +"but I will attend to him. I shall have patients enough on my hands +directly, I fear." + +Bill felt that he ought not to remain a moment longer below, though he +greatly wished to learn how much Pierre had been injured. All he could +do, therefore, was to press his friend's hand, and spring up again on +deck. + +The battery was still firing away at the prize, and every now and then a +crashing sound, as the shot struck her, showed that she was within range +of its guns; but she was rapidly distancing the boats, which could now +only be dimly seen astern. + +The British crew raised a cheer when they found that they had to a +certainty secured their prize. Still the battery continued firing, but +not another shot struck her, and at length the dim outline of the +_Thisbe_ was seen ahead. Shortly afterwards the prize, rounding to +under the frigate's quarter, was received with hearty cheers by her +crew. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. + +THE POWDER MONKEY GETS HIS FIRST STEP UP THE RATLINES. + +The British wounded, and the French prisoners captured in the prize, +were forthwith taken on board the _Thisbe_, when both ships made sail to +get a good offing from the coast before daylight. Mr Saltwell remained +in command of the prize with the crew which had so gallantly won her. +The wounded Frenchmen were also allowed to continue on board under +charge of their surgeon, with an English assistant-surgeon to help him, +for there were upwards of forty poor fellows who required his care. + +Bill was glad to find that he had not to go back to his own ship, as he +wanted to look after Pierre, and as soon as his duty would allow him he +went below to learn how his young French friend was getting on. When he +asked for the man whom he had brought down, the doctor pointed to one of +the officer's cabins in the gun-room, observing, "He is somewhat badly +hurt, but there are others still more cruelly knocked about who require +my care, and I have not been able to attend to him for some time." + +Bill hurried into the cabin. A faint voice replied to him. + +"_Merci, merci_! It is very kind of you to come and see me, but I fear +that I shall not get over it," said Pierre. "Is there no chance of our +returning to France? I should like to die under my father's roof, and +see my mother and Jeannette once more." + +"There's no chance of your getting back for the present, but I hope you +will see your mother and sister notwithstanding," answered Bill. "We +are running across the Channel, and shall be in an English port in a day +or two, when you will be landed, and I will ask the captain to let me +take care of you. I should like to prove how grateful I am for all your +kindness to me and Jack Peek, and I will tell Mr Saltwell, the +lieutenant who commands this ship, how you and your family treated me. +But I don't think you ought to talk; I came to see if I could do +anything for you." + +"My lips are parched; I am very thirsty; I should like something to +drink," answered Pierre. + +"I will see what I can find," said Bill; and making his way to the +steward's pantry outside the captain's cabin, he hunted about until he +discovered some lemons. He quickly squeezed out the juice of a couple +of them, and mixing it with water, brought the beverage to Pierre, who +drank it eagerly. It much revived him. + +"I was very unfortunate to be on board the _Atlante_ when you captured +her, for I had no wish to fight the English," said Pierre. "Only ten +days ago I was persuaded to come on board to see a friend, and the crew +would not let me return on shore. However, I was determined to make the +best of it, hoping before long to get back to my family, and be able to +assist my father. And now to be cut down by my own countrymen, for it +was a shot from the battery on shore which wounded me. It is more than +I can bear!" + +"Don't think about it," said Bill; "you are safe from further harm, and +will be well taken care of; and when you have recovered, and the war is +over, you will be able to go back. I must leave you now, but I will +come and see you as often as I can. I have placed the jug of lemonade +close to your head, where it cannot slip. When that is gone I will get +some more; it is the best thing you can take at present." + +Saying this, Bill hurried back to attend to his duty on deck, for, young +as he was, as the prize was short-handed, he had plenty of work to do. +Several times he passed Mr Saltwell, who gave him a kind look or said a +word or two of encouragement, but did not allude to the service Bill had +done him. + +"He probably has forgotten all about my having shot the French +boatswain," thought Bill. "I only did my duty, and if anybody else had +been in his place I should have done the same." + +The frigate and her fresh prize were meantime making the best of their +way across the Channel. As the latter, a fast sailor, was not +materially injured, all sail was made on her, and she kept good way with +the _Thisbe_. At the same time there was still the risk of either one +or both being taken by a French ship of superior force, though neither +was likely to yield without making every effort to escape. A constant +look-out was kept from the mast-head, but as the ships got farther and +farther from the French coast, the hope of escaping without having again +to fight increased. + +Several sail were seen in the distance, but it was supposed that they +were either merchantmen, standing up or down Channel, in spite of the +enemy's cruisers on the watch to pick them up, or privateers, and, +seeing that the _Thisbe_ was a frigate, took good care to keep out of +her way. + +At length the entrance to Plymouth Sound was descried, and the _Thisbe_ +and her prize stood up it triumphantly with colours flying, creating +considerable astonishment at her quick return with another capture. +Both were soon moored in Hamoaze, when the _Atlante_, a fine little +ship, carrying twenty guns on one deck, was handed over to the prize +agents with the full expectation that she would be bought into the +service. The prisoners were carried on shore, the wounded men were +taken to the hospital, and the prize crew returned on board their own +ship. + +Bill had been very anxious to accompany Pierre, that he might watch over +him with more care than strangers could do, but he had had no +opportunity of asking leave of Mr Saltwell. + +He had not been long on board the frigate, and was giving an account of +the boarding expedition to Jack and Tom, when he heard his name called +along the decks. + +"Boy Rayner, the captain has sent for you into the cabin," said the +master-at-arms. + +"What can you be wanted for!" exclaimed Tom. "Look out for squalls. I +shouldn't like to be in your shoes." + +"No fear of that," said Jack. "Maybe the first lieutenant has told the +captain how Bill saved his life. I wish that I had had a chance of +doing something of the sort." + +Bill, however, did not stop to hear the remarks of his two friends, but +hurried aft, thinking that now would be the time to say something in +poor Pierre's favour. + +The sentry, who knew that he had been sent for, allowed him to pass +without question, and he soon found himself in the presence of the +captain and Mr Saltwell, who were seated at the table in the main +cabin. Bill stood, hat in hand, ready to answer any questions which +might be put to him. + +"William Rayner," said the captain, "you have, I understand, behaved +remarkably well on several occasions, twice especially, by saving Mr +Saltwell's life through your coolness and presence of mind. You are +also, I find, a fair French scholar, and the first lieutenant reports +favourably of your conduct in your former ship. I wish to reward you. +Let me know how I can best do so in a way satisfactory to yourself." + +"I only did my duty without thinking of being rewarded," answered Bill; +"but I have been wishing since we took the prize that something could be +done for a young Frenchman who was badly hurt on board her by a shot +from the battery which fired at us. He and his father saved Jack Peek +and me from drowning when we were blown up in the _Foxhound_, and his +family were afterwards very kind to us, and did their utmost to save us +from being carried off to prison, and when we were hid away in a cave, +his sister, at great risk, brought us food. He will now be amongst +strangers, who do not understand his lingo, and the poor fellow will be +very sad and solitary; so I think he would like it, if I could get leave +to go and stay with him while the frigate remains in harbour. I'll take +it as a great favour, sir, since you ask me what reward I should like, +if you can let me go and be with him at the hospital, or if that cannot +be, if he may be removed to some lodging where he can be well looked +after until he recovers and is sent back to his own home." + +"There may be some difficulty in doing as you propose," replied the +captain. "Mr Saltwell will, however, I have no doubt, try to make a +satisfactory arrangement, for a person behaving as the young Frenchman +has done deserves to be rewarded; but that is not what I meant; I want +you to choose some reward for yourself, and wish you to let me know how +I can best serve you." + +"Thank you, sir," answered Bill. "I cannot think just now of anything I +require, though I should be very glad if I could get Pierre sent back to +his family." + +"Your parents, perhaps, will be able to decide better than you can do, +then. Your father or mother," observed the captain. + +"I have neither father nor mother, sir," answered Bill. "They are both +dead." + +"Your relatives and friends might decide," said the captain. + +"I have no relatives or friends, nor any one to care for me that I know +of," said Bill, in a quiet voice. + +"Then Mr Saltwell and I must settle the matter," said Captain Martin. +"Should you like to be placed on the quarter-deck? If you go on as you +have begun, and let duty alone guide you on all occasions, you will, if +you live, rise in the service and be an honour to it." + +Bill almost gasped for breath as he heard this. He knew that the +captain was in earnest, and he looked at him, and then at Mr Saltwell, +but could not speak. + +"Come, say what you wish, my lad," said Captain Martin, in an +encouraging tone. + +Still Bill was silent. + +"You will have opportunities of improving your education, and you need +not fear about being well received by the young gentlemen in the +midshipmen's berth," observed Mr Saltwell. "Captain Martin and I will +make arrangements for giving you an outfit and supplying you with such +funds as you will require, besides which you will come in for a +midshipman's share of prize-money." + +The kind way in which the captain and first lieutenant spoke greatly +assisted Bill to find his tongue and to express himself appropriately. + +"I am grateful, sirs, for your offer, and hope that I always shall be +grateful. If you think that I am fit to become a midshipman, I will try +to do my duty as such, so I accept your offer with all my heart." + +Bill, overpowered by his feelings, could say no more. + +"The matter is settled, then," said the captain; and sending for the +purser, he at once entered the name of William Rayner as a midshipman on +the ship's books, the only formality requisite in those days, though his +rank would afterwards have to be confirmed at the Admiralty. + +The purser observed that he had a suit of clothes belonging to one of +the midshipmen killed in the action with the French frigate, which +would, he thought, exactly fit Mr Rayner. + +Bill felt very curious at hearing himself so spoken of. + +The purser said that he would debit him with them at a moderate price. + +The captain approving of this proposal, Bill, in the course of a few +minutes, found himself dressed in a midshipman's uniform. He could +scarcely believe his senses. It seemed to him as if by the power of an +enchanter's wand he had been changed into some one else. + +The first lieutenant then desired him to accompany him, and leading the +way down to the berth, in which a number of the young gentlemen were +assembled for dinner, he stopped at the door. + +"I wish, young gentlemen, to present a new messmate to you," he said, +looking in. "Mr William Rayner! He has gained his position by +exhibiting those qualities which I am sure you all admire, and you will, +I have no doubt, treat him as a friend." + +The members of the mess who were present rose and cordially put out +their hands towards Bill, whom the first lieutenant, taking by the aim, +drew into the berth. + +Mr Saltwell then returned on deck. + +Bill naturally felt very bashful, but his new messmates did their best +to set him at ease, and no one alluded to his former position. They +spoke only of the late action, and begged him to give a description of +the way in which he had saved Mr Saltwell's life, a vague account of +which they had heard. + +Bill complied, modestly, not saying more about himself than was +necessary. What he said gained him the applause of his new messmates, +and raised him greatly in their estimation; he therefore found himself +far more at his ease than he had expected would be possible; no one by +word or deed showing that they recollected that he had been just before +a ship's boy, but all treated him as an equal. + +His only regret now was that he could no longer talk with Jack and Tom +as he had been accustomed to do, though he hoped that he should still be +able, without doing anything derogatory to his new position, to speak to +them in a friendly way. Thinking highly of Jack as he did, he regretted +more than ever that his former messmate could neither read nor write. +He felt sure that he would, should he have an opportunity, do something +to merit promotion. + +Bill commenced his new duties with a spirit and alacrity which was +remarked by his superior officers. He had narrowly observed the way the +midshipmen conducted themselves, and was thus able to behave as well as +the best of them. He was a little puzzled at first at dinner, but by +seeing what others did he soon got over the slight difficulty he had to +encounter. + +Next day Mr Saltwell called him up as he was walking the quarter-deck. + +"I have been making inquiries as to what can be done for your friend +Pierre Turgot," he said. "As you told me he was not willingly on board +the privateer, I was able to state that in his favour, and I have +obtained leave for him to be removed to a private house, where he can +remain until he has recovered, and he will then, I hope, be allowed to +return to France without waiting for an exchange of prisoners. Were he +to be sent back with others, he would probably at once be compelled to +serve afloat, and his great desire is, I understand, to return to his +own family, to follow his former occupation of a fisherman." + +"Thank you, sir," exclaimed Bill, "I cannot be too grateful to you for +your kindness." + +"Don't talk of that, my lad; if it hadn't been for your courage and +coolness I should not have been here. I am now going on shore, and wish +you to accompany me. I have seen the widow of an old shipmate of mine +who is willing to receive Pierre into her house, and to attend to him. +We will have him removed at once, so that when we sail you will know he +is placed under good care." + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. + +WILLIAM RAYNER IS ENABLED TO SHOW HIS GRATITUDE TO PIERRE. + +Will at once got ready to attend the first lieutenant. The boat being +alongside, they were soon on shore. Their first visit was to the +hospital, which, being overcrowded, the authorities were glad to get rid +of one of their patients. Pierre was placed in a litter and conveyed, +accompanied by Mr Saltwell and Bill, to the residence of Mrs Crofton, +a neat cottage standing by itself in a small garden. A pretty little +girl about thirteen years of age opened the door, and on seeing the +strangers summoned her mother, who at once appeared, and led the way to +the room she had prepared for Pierre's reception. It was on the +ground-floor, and contained a dimity-covered bed, and a few other simple +articles of furniture, quite sufficient for all the young French +sailor's wants. + +Pierre again and again thanked Bill for having brought him to so +delightful a place. + +"Ah!" he said, "that lady," looking at Mrs Crofton, "reminds me of my +mother, and the little girl is just like Jeannette, when she was +younger. And they are so kind and gentle! I shall get well very soon, +though I think I should have died if I had remained at the hospital, +where I was nearly stifled, while day and night I heard the oaths and +groans of my wounded compatriots, who abuse the English as the cause of +their suffering, regardless of the care that is being taken of them." + +"I was very sure you would recover sooner in a quiet house by yourself, +and therefore I begged my officer to have you removed," said Bill. + +It was not for some time that Pierre remarked the new midshipman's +uniform. + +"Why, you told me you were a ship's boy, now I see you dressed as an +officer!" he exclaimed, in a tone of astonishment. "The gendarmes were +right after all." + +"No, they were wrong," answered Bill. "I was then what I told you, but +I am now a midshipman." + +He then gave an account to Pierre of how he had been promoted. Their +conversation was interrupted by the return of Mrs Crofton and Mary with +some food for their patient, as the doctor had told Mr Saltwell that he +should be fed often, though with but little at a time. As Mrs Crofton +could speak French, she did not require Bill to interpret for her. + +He was glad to find that Pierre would be able to converse with his kind +hostess Mr Saltwell, who had gone into the drawing-room, now told Bill +that he might stay with Pierre until the evening, and that he should +have leave to visit him every day while the frigate remained in harbour. + +The first lieutenant now took his leave, and Mrs Crofton observing that +"Pierre would be the better for some sleep, after the excitement of +being moved," invited Bill into her sitting-room, she naturally wishing +to hear more about his adventures in France than Mr Saltwell had been +able to tell her. Bill himself was perfectly willing to talk away on +the subject as long as she wished, especially when he found so ready a +listener in Mary. He began with an account of the blowing up of the +_Foxhound_; and when he had finished, Mrs Crofton wished to know how it +was that he first came to go to sea, and so he had to go back to tell +her all about himself, and the death of his mother, and how he had been +left penniless in the world. + +"And now I find you a midshipman with warm friends; in a few years you +will be a lieutenant, then a commander, and next a post-captain, I hope, +and at length a British admiral, and you will have gained your promotion +without the interest of relatives or born friends, simply by your own +good conduct and bravery." + +"I don't know what I may become, ma'am," said Bill, inclined to smile at +Mrs Crofton's enthusiasm. "At present I am but a midshipman, but I +will try, as I always have, to do my duty." + +This conversation made Bill feel perfectly at home with Mrs Crofton. +Indeed, it seemed to him as if he had known her all his life, so that he +was willing to confide in her as if she were his mother. + +He was equally willing to confide in Mary. Indeed, all the reserve he +at first felt quickly wore off, and he talked to her as if she had been +his sister. If he did not say to himself that she was a perfect angel, +he thought her what most people would consider very much better--a kind, +good, honest, open-hearted girl, with clear hazel, truthful eyes, and a +sweet smile on her mouth when she smiled, which was very frequently, +with a hearty ring in her laughter. She reminded him, as she did +Pierre, of Jeannette, and Bill felt very sure that, should she ever have +the opportunity of helping any one in distress, she would be ready to +take as much trouble and run as many risks as the French girl had in +assisting Jack and him. + +"Do you know, Mr Rayner, I like midshipmen very much?" she said, in her +artless way. "My brother Oliver is a midshipman, and as I am very fond +of him, I like all midshipmen for his sake. At first I was inclined to +like you because you were a midshipman, but now I like you for +yourself." + +"I am much obliged to you," said Bill; "and I like you for yourself, I +can tell you. I didn't know before that you had a brother Oliver. +Where is he serving?" + +"On board the _Ariel_ corvette in the West Indies," answered Mary. + +"Perhaps some day we may fall in with each other," said Bill; "and I am +very sure, from what you say about him, we shall become good friends, +for I shall be inclined to like him for your sake." + +"Then I'm sure he will like you; he could not help doing so. He is only +three years older than I am; just about your age I suppose. He went to +sea when he was a very little fellow with poor dear papa, who was killed +in action. Oliver was by his side at the time, and wrote us home an +account of the sad, sad event, saying how brokenhearted he was. The +people were very kind to him. Papa was lieutenant of the ship, and was +loved by all the men, as I am sure he would have been, remembering how +good and kind and gentle he was with us." + +The tears came into Mary's bright eyes as she spoke of her father. + +"Whenever we hear of a battle out there, poor mamma is very anxious +until the particulars come home, and she knows that Oliver is safe," +said Mary. "We are nearly sure to get a letter from him, for he always +writes when he can, and I hope that you'll write also when you are away, +and tell us all that you are doing; then we shall receive two letters +instead of one, and we shall always be so very, very glad to hear from +you." + +Bill promised that he would write constantly, saying that he should be +pleased to do so, especially as he had not many correspondents; indeed, +he might have said that he had none, as he was, in truth, not acquainted +with anybody on shore. Mary and her mother were the first friends he +had ever possessed, so that he very naturally valued them the more. +They were of very great service to him in many respects, for Mrs +Crofton was a ladylike and refined person, though her means were small, +and she was able to give him instruction in the ways and manners of +people of education; though Bill was so observant, and anxious to +imitate what was right, that he only required the opportunity to fit +himself thoroughly for his new station in life. + +Mr Saltwell lent him books, and he read during every spare moment, to +make amends for his want of early education. + +When he came on shore, Mrs Crofton assisted him, and as she knew French +very well, helped him to study it with a grammar and dictionary, which +he found very easy, as he already understood so much of the language, +and he was able to practise speaking with Pierre. + +The young Frenchman slowly recovered, but the doctor, who came to visit +him from the hospital every day, said that it would be a long time +before he would regain strength and be able to return to France. + +Bill had written, at Pierre's dictation, to Madame Turgot, to tell her +where he was, what had happened to him, and how well he was treated. It +was rather a funny composition, as Pierre was no great scholar, and +could not say how the words should be spelt, but Bill showed it to Mrs +Crofton, who assured him that it would be understood perfectly well, +which was the great object required, and that Madame Turgot would be +satisfied, from the tone and expression, that it came from her son. + +There was no regular post in those days between the two countries. +Pierre, however, at length got an answer from his mother, directed to +the care of Mrs Crofton, expressing her heartfelt thanks to Lieutenant +Saltwell and Bill, and the kind lady who had befriended him. She sent +also many messages from Captain Turgot and Jeannette. + +The letter arrived just as the _Thisbe_ was ready for sea. Mary could +not help bursting into tears when Bill took his leave for the last time. + +"It's just like Oliver going away," she said. Indeed, it was evident +that she looked upon Bill as another Oliver, and even Mrs Crofton +showed how sincerely sorry she was to part with her young visitor, who +had so greatly won on her affections. + +She promised to write again to Madame Turgot to let her know how Pierre +was getting on; but there appeared no probability of his being able to +move until the frigate came back, when Mr Saltwell would be able to +make arrangements for his return to France. + +Though sorry to leave his kind friends, Bill was very glad to be at sea +again, and engaged in the active duties of his profession. His +messmates treated him with much kindness, and remarked among themselves +the improvement in his manners, while two or three fresh members of the +mess, when they heard how he had gained his promotion, looked upon him +with evident respect. He did not, however, forget his old friends, and +Jack was always pleased when he came forward to talk to him, and did not +appear at all jealous, which could not be said of Tom, who, though he +did not venture to show his feelings, was inclined to keep out of his +way, and sometimes answered in rather a surly tone when spoken to, +always taking care to bring in the "sir" after every sentence, and +touching his hat with mock respect, of which Bill, though he could not +fail to observe, took no notice. + +The _Thisbe_ had been several weeks at sea, and had during that time +captured, without firing a shot, three of the enemy's merchantmen, which +she had sent into Plymouth, the more pugnacious of the crew grumbling at +not having encountered an enemy worthy of their prowess, and which would +have afforded them a larger amount of prize-money. + +Captain Martin was about to return to port to take on board his officers +and men when he was joined by the _Venus_ frigate. Her captain told him +that he had just before made out two French frigates to the south-east, +and the _Thisbe_ bore up with the _Venus_ in chase, with every stitch of +canvas they could carry set. + +A stern chase is proverbially a long chase, and the French frigates, +which had been seen to the eastward, had a considerable start of their +pursuers. Still, as they had been under moderate canvas, it was hoped +that they would set no more sail, and might thus be overtaken. + +A sharp look-out was kept, and the officers were continually going aloft +with their glasses, and sweeping the horizon from north to south, in the +hopes of espying the enemy. + +"I say, Jack, do you think if we come up with those two Frenchmen we are +chasing they'll turn round and fight us?" asked Tom, who thought it much +pleasanter to capture unarmed merchant vessels than to have to fight an +enemy which sent round shots and bullets on board in return. + +"No doubt about that, youngster," answered Ben Twinch, the boatswain's +mate, who overheard Tom's remark. "What do you think we come to sea +for? If we can take a man-of-war of our own size she's worth half a +dozen merchant craft, though, to be sure, some of us may lose the number +of our mess; but we all know that, and make no count of it. Maybe +you'll have your head taken off one of these days, and if you do, you'll +only share the fate of many another fine fellow." + +"I hope not!" cried Tom, mechanically putting up his hand to his head as +if to hold it on, and turning from Ben. + +"Never fear!" said Jack, wishing to console him; "the chances are that +you will escape and live to fight another day." + +If Tom had any fear, it was not the time to show it. He heard all +around him speak of fighting as if it were fun, and of death with +seeming levity. It is the way of the young and the thoughtless. Old +sailors and old soldiers seldom talk thus, and think more of duty than +of glory. For young or for old the loss of life is not a matter for +light talk, as if death were only the end of it. Those that cause war +will have much to reckon for hereafter. But there is no time for such +thoughts in sight of the enemy. So we must go on with our story. + +The midshipmen aft were universally anxious to come up with the vessels +of which they were in chase. It was supposed that they were frigates of +the same size as their own and the _Venus_; but should they prove much +larger, they were equally ready to engage them. + +Still, hour after hour went by, and no enemy appearing, they began to +fear that the Frenchmen would get into port before they could be +overtaken. At length, just before the sun reached the horizon, his rays +fell on the royals and topgallantsails of two ships right ahead. As the +sun sank lower they were again lost to view, but their appearance +revived the hopes of all on board. It was not likely that they would +alter their course during the night, and it was hoped, therefore, that +before morning they would be overtaken. It was not likely that the +_Thisbe_ and _Venus_, being in the shadow, would have been perceived. + +"The chances are that we shall be upon them in the dark," said Jack to +Tom; "and we'll surprise them, I've a notion. The captain thinks so, or +he wouldn't have given the order to prepare for action." + +"I would rather fight in daylight," said Tom, "and I hope they'll manage +to keep ahead till then." + +Jack laughed, for he suspected that Tom would rather not fight at all. + +The watch below were ordered to turn in as usual, but most of the +officers kept on deck, too eager for the work to be able to sleep. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. + +ACTION BETWEEN THE "THISBE" AND A FRENCH FRIGATE. + +Rayner--for such he ought now to be called--who was in the middle watch, +was standing forward on the look-out, and, as may be supposed, he did +not allow an eye to wink. Several times he thought that he could see +two dark objects rising above the horizon, but his imagination might +have deceived him, for they, at all events, grew no larger. When his +watch was over, he came aft into the midshipmen's berth, where several +of his messmates were collected. He might have turned in, for the night +was drawing on, but there were still two hours to daylight. He, as well +as others, dropped asleep with their heads on the table. + +They were aroused from their uncomfortable slumbers by the boatswain's +call, piping the hammocks up, and on coming on deck the first thing they +saw were the two ships they had been chasing all night directly ahead, +their topsails just rising above the water. Their hopes revived that +they would come up with them before the day was many hours older; still +the strangers were a long way out of range of their bow chasers. + +As the sun rose and shone on their own canvas they knew that they must +be clearly seen, and it was hoped that the two ships would, if their +captains were inclined to fight, heave to and await their coming. + +Such, however, it was evidently the intention of the Frenchman not to +do, for it was seen that studding-sails were being set below and aloft. + +"Still they may not have the heels of us," observed Captain Martin to +the first lieutenant; "and before they get into Cherbourg we may be up +to them." + +It was thought that as the day advanced the wind might increase, but in +this Captain Martin was disappointed. At length, towards evening, Cape +La Hogue and the coast of France, to the westward of Cherbourg, appeared +in sight. In a few hours it was too probable that the French ships +would get safe into port. + +Remarks not over complimentary to the valour of the Frenchmen were made +by the crews of the English frigates, when they saw that the enemy had +escaped them; but as Jack observed, "There's no use grumbling; the +mounseers have got away from us because they knew the tremendous +drubbing we would have given them." + +"Perhaps we may see them again before long," said Tom, his courage +returning now that all danger of an encounter had passed. "Depend on +it, our captain will do his best to give them a taste of our quality." + +Tom was right; for although the _Thisbe_ and _Venus_ had to haul their +wind, and stand off shore, a bright look-out was kept, in the hopes that +the French frigates might again put to sea. + +Day after day passed, and at length the _Venus_ parted company from the +_Thisbe_. The latter frigate was standing across Channel when a lugger +was sighted, to which she gave chase. The stranger at first made all +sail, as if to escape. She was at length seen to heave to. On coming +up with her, it was at first doubtful whether she was English or French, +but as the frigate approached she hoisted English colours and lowered a +boat, which in a short time came alongside, and a fine, +intelligent-looking man stepping upon deck, announced himself as master +of the lugger. He had, he said, at first taken the _Thisbe_ for a +French frigate which was in the habit of coming out of Cherbourg every +evening, picking up any prizes she could fall in with, and returning +next morning with them into port. He had, indeed, narrowly escaped once +before. + +This was valuable information, and Captain Martin determined to act upon +it, in the hopes of capturing the marauder. Being engaged in particular +service, the master of the lugger was allowed to proceed on his way, and +the _Thisbe_ stood back towards Cherbourg. + +The day passed, and no enemy appeared. Next morning, however, a sail +was seen to the northward. Captain Martin immediately bore up to +ascertain her character. As the daylight increased, all felt confident +that she was a frigate, and probably French. The stranger was seen to +be carrying a press of canvas, and apparently steering for Cherbourg. +To re-enter that port she must encounter the _Thisbe_, on board which +preparations were made for the expected engagement. The stranger, too, +continuing her course, hauled her wind, and stood down Channel, as if +anxious to escape. Why she did so it was difficult to say, except on +the possibility that she had seen another English ship to the northward, +and was unwilling to encounter two enemies at once. + +It was the general opinion that she was a powerful frigate, considerably +larger than the _Thisbe_; but even if such were the case, Captain Martin +was not the man to be deterred from engaging her. The stranger sailed +well, and there appeared every probability that she would distance the +_Thisbe_, and if she wished it, get back to port without coming to +action. + +In a short time the weather became very thick, and, to the +disappointment of all, the stranger was lost sight of. Still the +_Thisbe_ continued her course, and many a sharp pair of eyes were +employed in looking out for the Frenchman, it being difficult to say, +should the fog lift, in what direction she might next be seen. She +might tack and run back to Cherbourg, or she might, trusting to her +superior sailing, stand across the _Thisbe's_ bows to the southward. + +A couple of hours passed. As at any moment the fog might clear away, +and the stranger might appear close aboard her, the _Thisbe_ prepared +for immediate action. The men had been sent below to dinner, and the +prospect of a fight did not damp their appetites. + +The midshipmen had finished theirs, and Rayner, who had just relieved +one of his messmates on deck, was on the look-out when he espied, away +on the larboard bow, a sail through the fog, which had somewhat +dispersed in that quarter. A second glance convinced him that she was a +large ship. He instantly shouted out the welcome intelligence. Every +one hoped that she was the vessel they were in search of. The drum beat +to quarters, and scarcely were the guns run out than the fog clearing +still more discovered a large frigate standing under all sail to the +eastward, about half a mile away. If she were the one they had before +seen, she had evidently acted as Captain Martin had supposed might be +the case, and having crossed the _Thisbe's_ course, had then kept away, +hoping to get in shore of her and back to Cherbourg. At once the +_Thisbe_ was put about, and then stood so as to cross the stranger's +bows. The latter, on seeing this, hoisting French colours, rapidly +shortened sail and hauled up to the northward, the two ships crossing +each other on contrary tacks. The _Thisbe_ fired her starboard +broadside, receiving one in return, and then going about, endeavoured to +get to windward of her antagonist. This, however, she was unable to do, +and was compelled to continue the engagement to leeward. Her crew +fought with the usual courage of British seamen, but the enemy's shot +were making fearful havoc on her masts and rigging. Her three lower +masts and bowsprit were in a short time wounded in several places, most +of her stays were shot away, and much damage was done to the main +rigging. + +At length her main-topsail yard was shot away in the slings by a +double-headed shot, and the yard-arms came down in front of the +mainyard, the leech ropes of the mainsail were cut to pieces and the +sail riddled. All the time, also, whenever the ships were within +musket-range, showers of bullets came rattling on board, and several of +the men were laid low. + +Still Captain Martin did not attempt to escape from his opponent, which +was seen to have twenty guns on a side, besides quarter-deck guns, and a +number of men armed with muskets. He hoped, by perseverance, to knock +away her masts or inflict such other serious injury as might compel her +to give in. + +This was Rayner's first action since he had attained his present rank. +He endeavoured to maintain his character, and though it was trying work +to see his shipmates struck down on either side of him, he did not for a +moment think of himself or the risk he ran of meeting the same fate. +All the time spars, rigging, and blocks were falling from aloft, shot +away by the hot fire of the enemy. He endeavoured to keep himself cool +and composed, and to execute the orders he received. + +Jack and Tom were employed as powder-monkeys on the maindeck, when +Rayner was sent by the captain to ascertain what was going on. As he +went along it he passed his two friends. + +Jack was as active as ever, handing up the powder required; poor Tom +looked the picture of misery. + +"Ain't the enemy going to strike yet, Mr Rayner?" he asked, in a +melancholy tone; "we've been a long time about it, and I thought they +would have given in long ago." + +"I hope they soon will have enough of it and give in, and we must blaze +away at them until they do," answered the midshipman, hurrying on. + +Just then a shot came crashing in through the side, passing just where +Rayner had been standing, sending the splinters flying about in all +directions. He had not time to look round, but thought he heard a cry +as if some one had been hit, and he hurried on to deliver his message to +the second lieutenant. + +On his way back he took a glance to see how it fared with his two +friends. Tom was seated on his tub, but poor Jack lay stretched on +deck. Rayner, hastening to him, lifted him up. + +"I'm only hit in the leg," answered Jack to his inquiries. "It hurt me +very much, and I fell, but I'll try to do my duty." How barbarous is +war! + +Rayner, however, saw that this was impossible, as the blood was flowing +rapidly from the wounded limb, and calling one of the people appointed +to attend those who were hurt, he ordered him to carry Jack below. +"Tell the surgeons he's badly wounded, and get them to attend to him at +once," he said. + +He longed to be able to go himself, but his duty compelled him to return +to the upper deck. Scarcely had he got there than he saw, to his grief, +that the enemy had dropped under the stern, and the next instant, +discharging her broadside, she raked the _Thisbe_ fore and aft. In vain +the latter tried to escape from her critical position; before she could +do so she was a second time raked, the gaff being shot away, the +mizenmast injured, and the remaining rigging cut through and through. +Fortunately, the _Thisbe_ still answered her helm, and the crew were +endeavouring to make sail, when the enemy ranged up on the starboard +quarter, her forecastle being covered with men, evidently intending to +board. + +Captain Martin, on seeing this, sent Rayner below with orders to double +shot the after-maindeck guns, and to fire them as the enemy came close +up. The next he shouted the cry which British seamen are always ready +to obey, "Boarders, repel boarders;" and every man not engaged at the +guns hurried aft, cutlass in hand, ready to drive back the foe as soon +as the ships should touch; but ere that moment arrived, an iron shower +issued from the guns beneath their feet, crashing through the +Frenchman's bows and tearing along her decks. Instead of coming on, she +suddenly threw all her sails aback, and hauled off out of gunshot. On +seeing this, the British crew uttered three hearty cheers, and Rayner, +with others who had hurried from below, fully believed that the enemy +had hauled down her flag, but instead of that, under all the sail she +could carry, she continued standing away until she had got two miles +off. Here she hove-to, in order, it was evident, to repair damages. +These must have been very severe, for many of her men were seen over the +sides engaged in stopping shot-holes, while the water, which issued +forth in cascades, showed that the pumps were being worked with might +and main to keep her from sinking. + +The _Thisbe_ was in too crippled a condition to follow. Several shot +had passed between wind and water on both sides. One gun on the +quarter-deck and two on the maindeck were dismounted, and almost all the +tackles and breachings were cut away. The maindeck before the mainmast +was torn up from the waterway to the hatchways, and the bits were shot +away, as was the chief part of the gangways. Not an officer had been +killed, but two midshipmen, the master, and gunner, were wounded. +Twenty men were wounded and eleven lost the number of their mess. + +The wind, which had been moderate when the action began, had now greatly +increased. Not a moment was lost in commencing the repair of damages. +The sky indicated the approach of bad weather, and a westerly or +south-westerly gale might be expected. Before all the shot-holes could +be stopped it came on to blow very hard. Plymouth being too far to the +westward, the nearest shelter the _Thisbe_ could reach was Portland, +towards which she steered. + +The moon coming forth, she had light sufficient to run in and anchor, +protected by the projecting headland from the furious gale now blowing. + +Many a brave man on board besides the captain breathed more freely than +they had done for some hours when the anchor was dropped and the torn +canvas furled. Still the _Thisbe_ would be in a critical position +should the wind shift more to the southward, as she would be exposed to +the seas rolling into the bay. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. + +THE SHIPWRECK. + +As soon as Rayner could obtain a spare moment, he hastened below to +visit poor Jack. He met Tom on the way. + +"Jack's very bad, Mr Rayner," answered Tom to his inquiries. "He +didn't know me just now; he's talking about his mother, and fancying +she's nursing him." + +This news made our hero feel very sad, and he hurried on to the lower +deck, where the wounded lay in their hammocks, sheltered by a canvas +screen. + +He inquired of one of the attendants where Jack Peek was, and soon found +him, the surgeon being by his side dressing his wound. + +"I'm much afraid that he will slip through our fingers unless we can +manage to quell the fever. He requires constant watching, and that is +more than he can well obtain, with so many men laid up, and so much to +do," said the doctor as he finished his task. "However, Rayner, if you +can stay by him, I'll be back in a few minutes to see how he's getting +on. In the meantime give him this medicine; if he comes to his senses, +a word or two from you may do him good." + +Though Rayner himself could scarcely stand from fatigue, he undertook to +do as the doctor requested. He waited until he saw, by the light of the +lantern hung up from a beam overhead, that Jack had come somewhat to +himself, when he got him to take the draught he held in his hand. + +"How do you feel, Jack?" he asked in a low tone; but poor Jack did not +reply. After waiting a little time longer, Rayner again spoke. "We've +beaten off the enemy, you know, and are safe under shelter of the land. +Cheer up now, you'll soon get round." + +"Is that you, Bill?" asked Jack, in a faint voice. "I thought mother +was with me, and I was on shore, but I'm glad she's not, for it would +grieve her to see me knocked about as I am." + +"You'll do well now, the doctor said so, as you've come to yourself," +observed Rayner, much cheered at hearing Jack speak. "I'll stay by you +while it is my watch below, and then I'll get Tom to come. Now go to +sleep, if the pain will let you." + +"The pain isn't so very great, and I don't mind it since we have licked +the enemy," answered Jack; "but I hope you won't be angry at me calling +you Bill; I quite forgot, Mr Rayner, that you were a midshipman." + +"No, I didn't remark that you called me Bill," answered Rayner; "if I +had, I shouldn't have thought about it. I just feel as I did when I was +your messmate. However, I must not let you be talking, so now shut your +eyes and get some sleep; it will do you more good than the doctor's +stuff." + +Rayner was very glad when the doctor came back, accompanied by Tom, and +having observed that Jack was going on as well as he expected, told him +to go to his hammock. This he gladly did, leaving Tom in charge of +their friend. + +Rayner felt that he greatly needed rest; but as he had expended part of +his watch below, he could not have three hours' sleep. + +On coming on deck he found the gale was blowing harder than ever, though +the frigate lay sheltered by the land. + +Almost immediately the sound of a distant gun reached his ear. It was +followed rapidly by others, and the sound appeared to come down on the +gale. + +"There's a ship in danger on the other side of Portland," observed the +second lieutenant, who was the officer of the watch. "Rayner, go and +tell the captain. He desired to be called if anything happened." + +Captain Martin, who had only thrown himself down on his bed in his +clothes, was on his feet in a moment, and followed Rayner on deck. + +After listening a minute. "It's more than possible she's our late +antagonist," he observed. "If the gale caught her unprepared, her masts +probably went by the board, and, unable to help herself, she is driving +in here. Get a couple of boats ready with some coils of rope, and +spars, and rockets, and we'll try and save the lives of the poor +fellows." + +Rayner was surprised to hear this, supposing that the captain intended +to pull out to sea, whereas he had resolved to go overland to the part +of the coast which probably the ship in distress was approaching. +Although where the frigate lay was tolerably smooth water, yet, from the +white-crested seas which broke outside, and the roaring of the wind as +it swept over the land, it was very evident that no boat could live when +once from under its shelter. + +The captain, accompanied by three gun-room officers, Rayner and another +midshipman, and twenty men, landed at the nearest spot where the boats +could put in, and proceeded overland in the direction from which the +sound of the guns had come. + +Again and again they boomed forth through the midnight air. Solemnly +they struck on the ear, telling of danger and death. Scarcely, however, +had the party proceeded a quarter of a mile than they ceased. In vain +they were listened for. It was too evident that the ship had struck the +fatal rocks, and if so, there was not a moment to be lost, or too +probably the whole of the hapless crew would be lost. + +The western shore was reached at last. As they approached the cliffs +they saw a number of people moving about, and as they got to the bay and +looked down over the foaming ocean, they could see a dark object some +fifty fathoms off, from which proceeded piercing shrieks and cries for +help. It was the hull of a large ship, hove on her beam-ends, her masts +gone, the after-part already shattered and rent by the fierce seas which +dashed furiously against her, threatening to sweep off the miserable +wretches clinging to the bulwarks and stanchions. To form a +communication with her was Captain Martin's first object. As yet it was +evident that no attempt of the sort had been made, most of the people +who had collected being more eager apparently to secure the casks, +chests, and other things thrown on shore than to assist their perishing +fellow-creatures. It was vain to shout and direct the people on the +wreck to attach a line to a cask and let it float in towards the beach. +The most stentorian voices could not make themselves heard when sent in +the teeth of the gale now blowing. On descending the cliffs, Captain +Martin and his party found a narrow strip of beach, on which they could +stand out of the power of the seas, which, in quick succession, came +foaming and roaring in towards them. He immediately ordered a couple of +rockets to be let off, to show the strangers that there were those on +shore who were ready to help them. No signal was fired in return, not +even a lantern shown, but the crashing, rending sounds which came from +the wreck made it too evident that she could not much longer withstand +the furious assaults of the raging ocean. Captain Martin inquired +whether any of his crew were sufficiently good swimmers to reach the +wreck. + +Rayner longed to say that he would try, but he had never swum in a heavy +sea, and felt that it would be madness to make the attempt. + +"I'll try it, sir," cried Ben Twinch, the boatswain's mate, one of the +most powerful men in the ship. "I'd like, howsomdever, to have a line +round my waist. Do you stand by, mates, and haul me back if I don't +make way; there are some ugly bits of timber floating about, and one of +them may give me a lick on the head, and I shan't know what's +happening." + +Ben's offer was accepted. While the coil of line was being got ready, a +large spar, to which a couple of men were clinging, was seen floating in +towards the beach, but it was still at some distance, and there was a +fearful probability that before it touched the shore the reflux of the +water might drag them off to destruction. + +"Quick, lads, quick, and I'll try to get hold of one or both of them, if +I can," cried Ben, fastening the rope round his body. His example was +followed by another man, who, in the same way, secured a rope round +himself, when both plunged in and seized the well-nigh drowning +strangers, just as, utterly exhausted, they had let go their hold. They +were able, however, to speak, and Rayner discovered that they were +French. + +By the captain's directions he inquired the name of the ship. + +"The _Zenobie_ frigate, of forty guns and three hundred and forty men," +was the answer. "We had an action yesterday with an English frigate, +which made off while we were repairing damages, but truly she so knocked +us about that when we were caught by the gale our masts went over the +side, and we were driven utterly helpless on this terrible coast." + +Rayner did not tell the _Thisbe's_ men, who were trying to assist the +hapless strangers, that they were their late antagonists. He merely +said, "They are Frenchmen, lads; but I'm sure that will make no +difference to any of us." + +"I should think not, whether they're Mynheers or Mounseers," cried Ben. +"They're drowning, and want our help; so, whether enemies or friends, +we'll try to haul as many of the poor fellows ashore as we can get hold +of, and give them dry jackets, and a warm welcome afterwards. Slack +away, mates!" And he plunged into the foaming billows. + +His progress was anxiously watched as he rose now on the top of a +roaring sea, now concealed as he sank into the hollow to appear again on +the side of another, all the time buffeting the foaming breakers, now +avoiding a mass of timber, now grasping a spar, and making it support +him as he forced his way onward, until he was lost to sight in the +gloom. + +After a considerable time of intense anxiety it was found that the line +was taut. Ben had, it was supposed, reached the forechains of the +frigate. Then the question rose, whether he would be able to make +himself understood by the Frenchmen. One of the men, however, who had +been washed on shore said that he believed one or two people on board +understood English; but it was doubtful whether they were among those +who had already perished. + +Some more minutes passed, and then they felt the line shaken. It was +the signal for them to haul in. Rapidly pulling away, they at length +had the satisfaction of finding the end of a stout hawser, with a +smaller line attached to it. The hawser was made fast round a rock, +then, knowing the object of the line, they hauled away at it until they +saw a cradle coming along with a couple of boys in it. The moment they +were taken out the cradle was hauled back, and then a man appeared, and +thus, one after another, about sixty of the French crew were dragged on +shore. + +Every time the cradle appeared, his shipmates hoped to see Ben in it; +but Rayner learned from one of the persons in it that he had remained on +the wreck, assisting those who were too benumbed or bewildered with fear +to secure themselves. + +As the poor Frenchmen were landed, they were placed under charge of some +of the men appointed for the purpose, while two of the officers supplied +the most exhausted with such restoratives as they required. + +Many, they said, had already been washed off the wreck and been lost, +while others were too much paralysed by fear even to make their way to +where Ben was standing, lashed to a stanchion, ready to help them into +the cradle. + +Great fears were now entertained lest he should suffer by his noble +exertions to save others. The crashing and rending sounds increased in +frequency. Every instant some huge portion of the wreck was rent away, +and the whole intervening mass of seething waters was covered by dark +fragments of timber, tossing and rolling as they approached the beach, +or were floated out to sea, or cast against the rocks. Still the +Frenchmen kept arriving. Now one more daring than the others would +crawl along the cable in spite of the risk of being washed off by the +hungry breakers into which it was occasionally plunged. + +Rayner, who stood on the rock with a party engaged in assisting the +people as they arrived in the cradle, inquired whether there were many +more to come. + +"I think so, monsieur," was the answer; "we mustered nearly four hundred +souls, but of those, alas! numbers have already been washed away." + +Again and again those fearful crashings, mingled with despairing +shrieks, were heard above the roar of wild breakers. Rayner felt +serious apprehensions about the safety of brave Ben. + +At any moment the wreck might break up, and then it would be scarcely +possible for a human being to exist amidst the masses of timber which +would be hurled wildly about. + +Again the cradle was to be hauled in. In came with greater difficulty +than before, as if it carried a heavier weight. It seemed as if the +cable would not bear the additional strain. + +The British seamen exerted all their strength, for at any moment, even +if the cable did not break, it might be torn from its holdfast on the +wreck. As the cradle came in, two men were seen seated in it, one +holding another in his arms. Rayner heard the words, "Vite, vite, mon +ami, ou nous sommes perdu." + +"Haul away, lads, haul away!" he shouted out, though his men required no +urging. + +Just as the cradle was reaching the rock, a crash, even louder than its +predecessors, was heard. Several men sprang forward to grasp the +occupants of the cradle. The outer end of the rope had given way, and +in another instant they would have been too late. + +Again the wild shrieks of despair of the helpless wretches who still +remained on the wreck echoed along the cliffs. + +"Poor Ben! has he gone?" exclaimed Rayner. "No, sir, he's one of those +we've just got ashore," answered a quarter-master who, with several +others, had rushed down to help the two men taken out of the cradle, and +who were now bearing the apparently inanimate body of the boatswain's +mate up the rock; "the other's a Frenchman by his lingo." + +Rayner hurried to the spot, when what was his surprise, as the light of +the lantern fell on the countenance of the Frenchman last landed, to see +Pierre's father, Captain Turgot! + +Putting out his hand, he warmly shook that of his old friend, who opened +his eyes with a look of astonishment, naturally not recognising him. + +"Don't you know me, Captain Turgot?" said Rayner. "I am one of the boys +you saved when our frigate was blown up." + +"What! are you little Bill?" exclaimed the honest fisherman. "That is +wonderful. Then you escaped after all. I am indeed glad." + +There was no time just then, however, for explanations. Rayner thanked +his old friend for saving Ben's life. + +"I could do nothing else," was the answer. "He was about to place +another man in the cradle who had not the courage to get into it by +himself, when a piece of timber surging up struck both of them, the +other was swept away, and the brave English sailor would have suffered +the same fate had I not got hold of him; and then, though I had made up +my mind to remain to the last, I saw that the only way to save him was +to bring him myself in the cradle to the shore, and I am thankful that I +did so. But my poor countrymen! There are many still remaining who +must perish if we cannot get another hawser secured to the wreck." + +This was what Captain Martin was now endeavouring to do, but there was +no one found willing or able to swim back to the wreck. The danger of +making the attempt was, indeed, far greater than at first. + +Ben was regaining his consciousness; but even had he been uninjured, +after the exertions he had gone through, he would have been unfit to +repeat the dangerous exploit. + +Captain Turgot offered to try; but when he saw the intermediate space +through which he would have to pass covered with masses of wreck, he +acknowledged that it would be impossible to succeed. + +The final catastrophe came at last. A tremendous wave, higher than its +predecessors, rolled in, apparently lifting the wreck, which, coming +down again with fearful force upon the rocks, split into a thousand +fragments. + +As the wave, after dashing furiously on the shore, rolled back again, a +few shattered timbers could alone be perceived, with not a human being +clinging to them. + +Shrieks of despair, heard above the howling tempest, rose from the +surging water, but they were speedily hushed, and of the struggling +wretches two men alone, almost exhausted, were thrown by a succeeding +wave on the shingly beach, together with the bodies of several already +numbered among the dead. + +When Captain Martin came to muster the shipwrecked men saved by his +exertions, he found that upwards of three hundred of the crew of his +late antagonist had perished, seventy alone having landed in safety. +Leaving a party on the beach to watch lest any more should be washed on +shore, he and the magistrate led the way up the cliff. The Frenchmen +followed with downcast hearts, fully believing that they were to be +treated as prisoners of war. Some of them, aided by the British seamen, +carried those who had been too much injured to walk. + +After they had arrived at a spot where some shelter was found from the +fury of the wind, Captain Martin, calling a halt, sent for Rayner, and +told him to assure the Frenchmen that he did not look upon them as +enemies or prisoners of war, but rather as unfortunate strangers who, +having been driven on the English coast by the elements, had a right to +expect assistance and kind treatment from the inhabitants, and that such +it was his wish to afford them. + +Expressions of gratitude rose from the lips of the Frenchmen when Rayner +had translated what Captain Martin had said. The magistrate then +offered to receive as many as his own house could accommodate, as did +two gentlemen who had accompanied him, their example being followed by +other persons, and before morning the whole of the shipwrecked seamen +were housed, including three or four officers, the only ones saved. The +poor fellows endeavoured by every way in their power to show how +grateful they were for the kindness they were receiving. + +Captain Martin's first care was to write an account of the occurrence to +the Admiralty, stating what he had done, and expressing a hope that the +shipwrecked crew would be sent back as soon as possible to France. + +By return of post, which was not, however, until the end of three or +four days, Captain Martin had the satisfaction of receiving a letter +from the king himself, highly approving of his conduct, and directing +that the Frenchmen should each receive as much clothing and money as +they required, and as soon as a cartel could be got ready, sent back to +Cherbourg or some other French port. + +News of the battered state of the _Thisbe_ having been received at the +Admiralty, a frigate was ordered round to escort her into port, as she +was not in a position to put to sea safely by herself. The Frenchmen +having been received on board the two frigates, and a light northerly +breeze springing up, they sailed together for Plymouth. The pumps were +kept going on board the _Thisbe_ during the whole passage, when the +Frenchmen, at the instigation of Captain Turgot, volunteered to work +them. + +Rayner had many a talk about Pierre with his old friend, who longed to +embrace his son, and was profuse in his expressions of gratitude for the +kindness he had received. + +Directly he returned on board, Rayner went to Jack, whom he found going +on well. Captain Turgot, on hearing that Jack had been wounded, begged +permission to see him, and from that moment spent every instant he could +by his side, tending him as if he had been his own son. + +It was curious to see the way the English sailors treated their French +guests who had so lately been engaged with them in a desperate fight. +Several were suffering from bruises and exposure on the wreck. These +were nursed with a tender care, as if they had been women or children, +the sailors carrying those about whose legs had been hurt, and feeding +two or three, whose hands or arms had been injured, just as if they had +been big babies. + +The rest of the Frenchmen who had escaped injury quickly recovered their +spirits, and might have been seen toeing and heeling it at night to the +sound of Bob Rosin's fiddle; and Bob, a one-legged negro, who performed +the double duty of cook's second mate and musician-general of the ship, +was never tired of playing as long as he could get any one to dance. +The style of performance of the two nationalities was very different, +but both received their share of applause from one another. The +Frenchmen leapt into the air, whirled, bounded and skipped, while the +British tars did the double-shuffle and performed the various evolutions +of the hornpipe, to the admiration of their Gallic rivals. + +By the time they had reached Plymouth they had won each other's hearts, +and hands were wrung, and many of the Frenchmen burst into tears as they +took their leave of their gallant entertainers, all protesting that they +should always remember their kindness, and expressing the hope that they +should never meet again except as friends. + +Sad it is that men, who would be ever ready to live on friendly terms +and advance their mutual interests, should, by the ambition and lust of +power of a few, be compelled to slaughter and injure each other, as has +unhappily been the case for so many centuries throughout the whole +civilised portion of the world. + +As soon as the anchor was dropped, Rayner asked for leave to go on shore +with Captain Turgot, to visit Mrs Crofton, and learn how Pierre was +getting on. + +"You may go, but you must return on board at night, as there is plenty +of work to be done," answered the first lieutenant. + +"Thank you, sir," said Rayner; and he hurried below to tell Captain +Turgot to get ready. + +They shoved off by the first boat going on shore. They walked on +quickly through the streets of Plymouth, Rayner anticipating the +pleasure of seeing Mrs Crofton and Mary, and of witnessing the meeting +between the honest Frenchman and his son. + +"I hope that we shall find Pierre recovered; but the doctor said his +wound would take long to heal, and you must not be surprised if he is +still unable to move," he said to Captain Turgot. "Our friends will +take very good care of him, and perhaps you would like to remain behind +until he is well." + +"I would wish to be with him, but I am anxious to relieve the anxiety of +Madame Turgot and Jeannette, who, if they do not see me, will suppose +that I am lost," answered the Captain. "I shall grieve to leave my boy +behind, but I know that he will be well cared for, and I cannot tell +you, my young friend, how grateful I am. Little did I think, when I +picked you up out of the water, how amply you would return the service I +did you." + +"I certainly did not expect in any way to be able to repay it," said +Rayner, "or, to say the truth, to feel the regard for Frenchmen which I +do for you and your son." + +Rayner found Mrs Crofton and her daughter seated in the drawing-room. +After the first greetings were over, and he had introduced Captain +Turgot, he inquired after Pierre, expecting, through not seeing him, +that he was still unable to leave his room. + +"He has gone out for a short walk, as the doctor tells him to be in the +fresh air as much as possible, and he is well able to get along with the +help of a stick," answered Mrs Crofton. "I hope his father has not +come to take him away, for we shall be very sorry to lose him?" + +"I don't know whether he will be allowed to go without being exchanged," +answered Rayner; and he gave an account of the wreck of the _Zenobie_ +and the arrangement which had been made for sending the survivors of her +crew back to France. + +"That is very kind and generous of our good king. No wonder that his +soldiers and sailors are so ready to fight for him," remarked Mrs +Crofton. + +While they were speaking, Pierre entered the house. His joy at seeing +his father almost overcame him. They threw themselves into each other's +arms and embraced as Frenchmen are accustomed to embrace--somewhat, it +must be confessed, to Mary's amusement. After they had become more +tranquil they sat down and talked away at such a rate that even Rayner +could scarcely understand what they were saying. He meantime had a +pleasant conversation with Mary and her mother, for he had plenty to +tell them, and they evidently liked to listen to him. + +After some time, during a pause in the conversation, Captain Turgot +desired Pierre to tell Mrs Crofton and her daughter how grateful he +felt for their kindness, his own knowledge of English being insufficient +to express his wishes. + +They, hearing him, replied in French, and soon the whole party was +talking away in that language, though Mary's French, it must be +admitted, was not of a very choice description; but she laughed at her +own mistakes, and Rayner helped her out when she was in want of a word. + +The afternoon passed pleasantly away, and Rayner, looking at his watch, +was sorry to find it was time to return. He told Pierre that he must +report his state to the Captain and Mr Saltwell, who would decide what +he was to do. + +Captain Turgot went back with him, having nowhere else to go. + +Captain Martin lost no time in carrying out the wishes of the kind king. +A brig was chartered as a cartel, on board of which the Frenchmen were +at once sent. Rayner was not aware that Mr Saltwell had obtained +permission for Pierre to go back with his father, and was much surprised +on being directed to go to Mrs Crofton's, and to escort him on board +the brig. + +Pierre seemed scarcely to know whether to laugh or cry at regaining his +liberty as he took leave of his kind hostess and her daughter; but his +desire to see his mother and sister and la belle France finally overcame +his regret at parting from them, and he quickly got ready to set off. + +"We shall be happy to see you as soon as you can come again, Mr +Rayner," said Mrs Crofton. + +"Oh yes," added Mary, in a sweet voice, with a smile, which made our +hero at once promise that he would lose no opportunity of paying them a +visit. Rayner's first duty was to see Captain Turgot and Pierre on +board the cartel. They embraced him with tears in their eyes as they +wished him farewell, and many of the grateful Frenchmen gathered round +him, several expressing their hopes that France and England would soon +make up their quarrel. + +"What it's all about, ma foi, is more than I or any of us can tell," +exclaimed a boatswain's mate, wringing Rayner's hand, which all were +eager to grasp. "We are carried on board ship and told to fight, and so +we fight--more fools we! If we were wise, we should navigate our +merchant vessels, or go fishing, or stay at home and cultivate our +fields and gardens. We all hope that there'll be peace when we next +meet, messieurs." + +Many others echoed the sentiment, and cheered Rayner, who, after he had +sent many kind messages to Madame Turgot and Jeannette, hurried down the +side and returned on board the frigate. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. + +THE SHIP ON FIRE. + +Jack, with the rest of those who had been wounded, had been sent to the +hospital. Rayner the next day obtained leave to visit him. He was +sorry for Tom, who was thus left very much to his own resources, and he +tried to find an opportunity of speaking a kind word to his former +companion; but Tom, as before, sulkily kept aloof, so that he was +compelled to leave him to himself. He was very sorry, soon after, to +see him being led along the deck by the master-at-arms. Tom looked +dreadfully downcast and frightened. + +Rayner inquired what he had been doing. + +"Attempting to desert, sir," was the answer. "He had got on shore and +had dressed himself in a smock-frock and carter's hat, and was making +his way out of the town." + +Tom could not deny the accusation, and he was placed in irons, awaiting +his punishment, with two other men who had also run from the ship and +had been caught. + +Rayner felt a sincere compassion for his old messmate, and obtained +leave to pay him a visit, anxious to ascertain if there were any +extenuating circumstances by which he might obtain a remission of his +punishment. + +"What made you try to run, Fletcher?" he asked, as he found Tom and his +two companions seated in "durance vile," on the deck. + +"I wanted to go back to my father and to try and persuade him to get me +made a midshipman as you are," answered Tom. "It's a shame that a +gentleman's son should be treated as I have been, and made a powder +monkey of, while you have been placed on the quarter-deck." + +"I thought that you had applied to your father before, and that he had +refused to interfere," said Rayner, taking no notice of Tom's remark in +regard to himself. + +"I know that, well enough; but it was my brother who answered the +letter; and, as my father is a clever man, I daresay by this time he has +become rich again, and, for very shame at having a son of his a common +ship's boy, would do as I wish. Can't you tell the captain that, and +perhaps he'll excuse me the flogging? It's very hard to be prevented +seeing my family, and to be flogged into the bargain. It's more than I +can bear, and I've a great mind to jump overboard and drown myself when +I get my wrists out of these irons." + +"You'll not do that," answered Rayner, knowing very well that Tom did +not dream of putting his threat into execution; "but I'll tell the first +lieutenant what you say about your wish to see your family, though I +fear it will not influence him in recommending the captain to remit your +punishment. I would advise you, whatever happens, to submit, and to +try, by doing your duty, to gain a good name for yourself," said Rayner, +who gave him some other sound advice before he returned on deck. + +Mr Saltwell shook his head when he heard what Rayner had to say. + +"The captain won't forgive him, you may depend upon that, Rayner," he +answered; "desertion must be punished, were it only as a warning to +others." + +Rayner, fortunately for himself, was on shore when Tom underwent his +punishment, so that he was saved the pain of seeing it inflicted. + +The frigate had been surveyed, but what opinion had been formed about +her was not known for some time. At length the captain, who had gone on +shore, returned, and, mustering the ship's company, informed them that, +according to the surveyor's report, it would take some months to put her +in thorough repair, and that in the meantime he had been appointed to +the command of the store-ship _Bombay Castle_, of sixty-four guns, bound +for the Mediterranean, and he should take his officers and crew with +him. "We all of us might wish for more active service, my lads, but we +shall not be long absent, and I hope by the time we come back that we +shall find our tight little frigate as ready for any duty she may be +sent on, as you all, I am sure, will be." + +A cheer was the reply to this address, and the next day the officers and +crew of the _Thisbe_ went on board their new ship. They had, however, +first to get her ready for sea, and then to receive the stores on board, +by which time several of the wounded men, including Jack Peek, had +sufficiently recovered to join her. + +The _Bombay Castle_ was rolling her away across the Bay of Biscay with a +northerly breeze. She was a very different craft from the _Thisbe_, and +though more than twice her size, not nearly so comfortable. Captain +Martin had received orders to avoid an engagement, except attacked, and +then to do his best to escape, as the stores she carried were of great +value, and were much required by the fleet. Though several sail were +sighted supposed to be an enemy's squadron, she managed to escape from +them, and arrived safe at Gibraltar. Here she was joined by the _Ione_ +frigate, and the two ships sailed together, expecting to fall in with +the fleet off Toulon. + +The two ships lay almost becalmed in the Gulf of Lyons. Several +officers of the _Ione_, which was only a short distance off, had come on +board, when Captain Martin advised them, somewhat to their surprise, to +get back to the frigate. + +"I don't quite like the look of the weather," he remarked. "I've seen +the masts of a ship whipped out of her, when not five minutes before +there was no more wind than we have at present." + +The frigate's boat left the side and was seen pulling rapidly towards +her. Suddenly the cry was heard, "All hands on deck to save ship!" + +Those who were below, springing up, found the ship heeling over till her +yard-arms almost touched the foaming water, which came rushing over the +deck, while the watch were engaged in letting fly tacks and sheets, +lowering topsails, clewing up, and hauling down, blocks were rattling, +sails shivering, the wind roaring, the sea leaping, hissing, and +foaming. The helm was put up, the ship righted, and away she flew +before the furious blast, not having suffered any material damage. + +The _Ione_, however, could nowhere be seen. Struck by the squall, she +might either have been dismasted or have capsized. In the former case +it was very probable that she might fall into the hands of the enemy; +but, much as the captain desired it, he could not return to her +assistance. + +Night came on, and the gale increased, the big ship tumbling and rolling +about almost as much as she would have done in the Atlantic, so rapidly +did the sea get up. It took some time to get everything snug, but as +the ship was at a considerable distance from the land, no great anxiety +was felt for her safety. + +In the morning the master reported that by his calculation they were +about thirteen leagues south-east of Cape Saint Sebastian, on the +Spanish coast. + +The wind had fallen with almost the same rapidity with which it had +risen, but there was still a good deal of sea on. It had now shifted. +The first lieutenant was officer of the watch, and was superintending +the operation of washing decks. + +Rayner, and another midshipman, also with bare feet and trousers tucked +up, were paddling about, directing the men in their various duties. + +Our hero had just came aft, and was addressing Mr Saltwell, when the +latter looking forward, suddenly exclaimed, "What can that smoke be? +Run and see where it comes from!" + +As Rayner hurried forward he observed a thick volume of smoke rising out +of the fore-hatchway, and immediately afterwards a similar ominous cloud +ascended from the main hatchway. Before he had made a step aft to +report this he saw Mr Saltwell hastening forward. + +The next moment the cry of "Fire!" was raised, and the people came +rushing up the hatchway in the midst of volumes of smoke ascending from +the orlop deck. + +"Rayner, go and inform the captain what has occurred," said Mr +Saltwell, in a calm tone. "Let the drum beat to quarters!" he shouted. + +The rolling sound of the drum was soon heard along the decks, and the +men, springing from all parts of the ship, hurried to their respective +stations, where they stood, ready for their orders. + +Not a cry was heard. Not an expression of alarm escaped from one of the +men. Scarcely a word was spoken as they stood prepared to do their +duty. + +Summoning the gunner and the boatswain, the first lieutenant ordered the +former to open the ports, to give light and air below, and the latter to +pipe up the hammocks. He then ascended to the orlop deck, made his way +first into one tier, then into another, in both of which he found the +smoke issuing exceedingly thick from forward. He was now joined by the +second lieutenant and Rayner. + +"We'll just go into the sail-room and ascertain if the fire is there," +he said. + +On reaching it, there was no appearance of fire or smoke. It was thus +evident that the seat of the fire was farther forward. He and his +companions next proceeded to the hold, but the dense smoke compelled +them to beat a retreat, as their throats became affected as if from the +fumes of hot tar. A second attempt to reach the hold was equally +unsuccessful. The entire absence of heat, however, convinced them that +the fire could not be in that part of the ship, but that the smoke found +its way through the bulkheads. + +They were returning on deck, when a cry was raised that the fire was +down forward. + +"I alone will go!" said Mr Saltwell. "Not a life must be risked +without necessity. Remain, and render me any assistance I may require." + +Having descended to the orlop deck, he was attempting to go down into +the cockpit, when several men rushed by him, crying out that the fire +was increasing. He endeavoured to retreat, but would have fallen before +he reached the deck, had not the second lieutenant and Rayner, springing +forward, assisted him up, and the next moment he sank down, apparently +lifeless. + +It was some minutes before the fresh air revived him. + +Two poor fellows were suffocated by the smoke rolling in dense volumes +along the lower deck, and others were rescued half dead by their +shipmates. + +Some short time was of necessity lost while the captain and master and +the lieutenants were holding a consultation as to what was to be done. + +In the meantime, Rayner, seeing the importance of discovering the seat +of the fire, resolved at every risk to make the attempt. Without +telling any of the officers of his intention, he called on Ben Twinch +and Jack and Tom, whom he met on his way, to accompany him, and to bring +a long rope with him. On reaching the hatchway he fastened the end +round his waist. + +"Haul me up if you find it becomes slack," he said. "You'll know then +that I am not able to get on." + +"Don't go, sir! don't go!" cried Jack. "It won't matter to any one if I +get choked, but so many would be sorry if anything happened to you." + +"I'll tell you what it is, Mr Rayner," exclaimed Ben; "no man who +hasn't been down to the bottom of Stromboli or down Etna will be able to +live two minutes in the cockpit, and I cannot help you, sir, to throw +your life away. The ship's on fire somewhere forward, and what we've +got to do is to pump the water over it, and try and put it out. If we +can't do that, we must shut down the hatches, and see if we can't +smother it." + +Rayner was not inclined to listen to this well-meant and really +judicious advice, but rushing forward, was attempting to make his way +down the ladder. Scarcely, however, had he descended three or four +steps, when the smoke filling his mouth and nostrils, he would have +fallen headlong down had not Ben and Jack hauled him up again, almost in +the same condition as Mr Saltwell had been. + +"I told you so, sir," said Ben, as he carried him out of the way of the +hose, which now began to play over the spot, under the direction of Mr +Saltwell. The water, however, seemed to make no impression on the fire, +or in any way to lessen the volumes of smoke, which, on the contrary, +became thicker and thicker. + +The men who were directing the hose were compelled to retire. The +carpenters had, in the meantime, been engaged in scuttling the orlop +deck, so that water might be poured down in great quantities. All their +efforts were of no avail, however. + +In a short time the first lieutenant was heard issuing his orders to +cover in the hatchways, and to close the ports, so as to prevent the +circulation of air. + +With a sad heart Mr Saltwell now went on deck to report to the captain +what had been done. He spoke in a low and earnest tone. + +"I am afraid, Captain Martin, that we cannot hope to save the ship," he +said; "the fire may be kept under for an hour or perhaps two hours, but +if it once makes its way through the hatchways and gets to the lower +decks, there is nothing to stop it. I would strongly advise that the +boats should at once be got ready, so that as many lives as possible may +be preserved." + +"Were we to do that, the people would immediately fancy that the +destruction of the ship is certain, and abandon themselves to despair," +said the captain. + +"I know our men, and can answer for their doing their duty," replied Mr +Saltwell, with confidence. "If we delay getting out the boats, we may +find it impossible to do so at last, and the lives of all on board may +be sacrificed. We can trust to the marines, and give them directions to +prevent any of the men getting into the boats until you issue the order +for them to do so." + +"You are right, Saltwell; send the sergeant of marines here," said the +captain. + +The sergeant quickly appeared and stood bolt upright, with his hand to +the peak of his hat, as if on parade, ready to receive any orders which +might be given. + +"Call out your men, and understand that they are to load with ball and +shoot any of the seamen who get into the boats without orders." + +The sergeant, saluting, faced about, as if going to perform some +ordinary routine of duty, and, quickly mustering his marines, stationed +them as directed. The first lieutenant now gave orders to the boatswain +to turn the hands up, and as soon as they appeared on deck, he shouted, +"Out boats! but understand, my lads, that not one of you is to enter +them without leave. The marines have received orders to shoot the first +man who attempts to do so, though you do not require to be told that." + +The crew hastened to the tackles and falls, and with the most perfect +regularity the boats were lowered into the water when they were veered +astern and secured for towing. The helm was now put down, the yards +braced up, and the ship's head directed to the north-west, in which +direction the land lay, though not visible from the deck. + +The crew knew by this that the captain and officers considered the ship +to be in great danger, and at the same time it encouraged them to +persevere in their attempts to keep the fire under. They had some hopes +also of falling in with the _Ione_ or by firing the guns to attract her +attention, should she be within hearing of them. + +As the boats, however, would not carry the whole ship's company, the +captain directed the carpenter and his mates to get the booms overboard +for the purpose of constructing a raft large enough to support those +whom the boats could not carry. + +As it was now evident, from the increasing volumes of smoke which +ascended through the hatchways, that the fire was working its way aft, +although the flames had not yet burst out, it became of the greatest +importance to get the powder out of the magazine. For this purpose the +second lieutenant descended with a party of men, and succeeded in +bringing up a considerable quantity, which was stowed in the stern +gallery. All the other hands, not otherwise employed, were engaged +under the different officers in heaving water down the hatchways; but +the smoke increased to such a degree that they were compelled to desist, +several who persevered falling senseless on the deck. The powder which +had been got up being hove into the sea, the captain gave the order to +drown the magazine. The difficulty of accomplishing this task was, +however, very great, and the second lieutenant and gunner, with several +of the men, were drawn up, apparently lifeless, after making the +attempt. Lieutenant Saltwell now again descended to the after cockpit, +where he found one man alone still persevering in the hazardous duty-- +Ben Twinch, boatswain's mate. + +"A few more buckets, and we'll do it, sir!" cried Ben; but almost +immediately afterwards he sank down exhausted. + +The lieutenant, singing out for a rope, fastened it round him, though +feeling that he himself would be overpowered before the gallant seaman +could be drawn up. He succeeded, however, and once more returned to the +deck above. Still, he knew that a large quantity of powder remained +dry, and that should the fire reach the magazine, the destruction of all +on board would be inevitable. Although gasping for breath, he was about +again to descend, when a light, active figure, with a rope round his +waist, darted passed him, and he recognised Rayner. He was about to +follow, when he heard the voice of the midshipman shouting, "Haul me up, +quick!" + +The next instant Rayner was drawn up, too much exhausted to speak. He +had succeeded in drowning a portion of the powder; but a quantity +remained, sufficient at any moment to blow the ship into the air. + +Although no human being could exist between the decks forward, the +after-part of the lower deck remained free from smoke. In the hopes of +getting at the magazine, the carpenter was directed to cut scuttles +through the ward-room, and gun-room, so as to get down right above it. +By keeping all the doors closed, the smoke was prevented from entering, +and at length it was found that the powder could be drawn, up and hove +overboard out of the gallery windows. Several of the officers +volunteered for this dangerous duty. Rayner, notwithstanding that he +had just before escaped suffocation, again twice descended, and was each +time drawn up more dead than alive. Several hours had now gone by, and +the wind providentially holding fair, the ship was nearing the land. +Meantime, the fire was fast gaining on them, and might at any moment +triumph over all the heroic efforts of the crew to subdue it. The heat +below was intense. The first lieutenant, going forward, found that the +hatches had been blown off, as also the tarpaulins placed over the +gratings. As it was of the greatest importance to keep them on, he +directed the carpenter, with as many men as could be obtained, to +replace them, while he returned once more aft, to superintend the +operation of getting up the powder. + +Although hitherto none of the men had attempted to shirk their duty, +greatly to his annoyance he saw, on looking out of the ward-room +windows, the stern ladders covered with people, who fancied that they +would there be more secure, and escape discovery. + +At once bursting open a window he ordered them all up, and directed +Rayner to go and see that they made their appearance on deck. Among one +of the first who came creeping up, our hero discovered his former +messmate Tom Fletcher. + +"You people have disgraced yourselves. Fletcher, I am sorry to have to +say the same to you," he exclaimed. + +It was the first time he had ever openly found fault with his former +companion, but his feelings compelled him to utter the words. + +Tom, and the whole of the men who had been on the ladders, sneaked away +on either side, ashamed, at all events, of being found out, and still +looking with longing eyes at the boats astern. Every now and then a +seaman was brought aft and placed under the doctor's care, but of the +number four were found to be past recovery, and it seemed doubtful +whether several others would revive. + +The greater portion of the crew, under the direction of the officers, +were vieing with each other, trying to keep down the flames. + +The wind shifted a point or two more in their favour. The captain +immediately ordered the hands aloft, to set the topgallant sails and +royals. + +Seven anxious hours had passed, when while the men were still aloft, the +cry arose, "Land, land, on the weather bow!" + +The men on deck cheered at the announcement. In a short time it could +be observed through the haze right ahead. The sight, though the land +was still five leagues distant, revived the sinking spirits of the crew, +and spurred them on to greater exertions. Still, notwithstanding all +their efforts, the fire rapidly increased. Again and again efforts were +made to clear the magazine, but the smoke as often drove the men back. +By this time the whole of the fore part of the lower deck was on fire, +but owing to the ports being closed and all circulation of air +prevented, the flames did not rise with the rapidity which would +otherwise have been the case. The fear was that, the heels of the masts +being consumed by the fire, the masts themselves might fall. + +Still they stood right gallantly, carrying their widespread canvas, and +urging on the ship to the wished-for shore. + +By this time all communication with the fore part of the ship was cut +off. The crew were gathered aft, still actively employed in fighting +the flames by heaving down water. But foot by foot they were driven +towards the stern. + +At length the devouring element burst through all control, and rushed up +the fore-hatchway, rising triumphantly as high as the foreyard. Yet the +ship kept on her way. + +The men remained firm to their duty. Now, not only from the fore, but +from the main hatchway, the flames were seen to ascend, but for some +time, the courses having been thoroughly wetted, they stood still urging +on the ship towards the land. + +Time went on. The fire had commenced at seven in the morning, it was +now several hours past noon. For all that period the crew had been +fighting desperately with the fiery element for their lives. Anxiously, +with straining eyes, they gazed at the land. On either side a dark mass +of smoke ascended before them, and blew away to leeward, while the lurid +flames rose beneath it, striving furiously for victory over the masts +and spars, sails and rigging. It seemed like a miracle that the masts +should stand in the midst of the hot furnace which glowed far down the +depths of the ship. All were aware that at any moment one of several +fearful events might occur. The wind might shift and prevent the ship +reaching the land ahead, or a gale might spring up and cast the ship +helplessly upon the rocks, or a calm might come on and delay her +progress, or the masts, burnt through, might fall and crush those on +deck, or, still more dreadful, a spark might reach the magazine, and her +immediate destruction must follow. + +Still the officers and crew strove on, though they well knew that no +human power could extinguish the raging flames, which with sullen roar +came nearer and nearer to where they stood. + +An alarm was given that the mizenmast was on fire in the captain's +cabin, and as Rayner looked over the side, he could see the flames burst +out of the lee ports. The guns had not been loaded, but there was no +necessity to fire signals of distress. The condition of the ship could +be seen from far along the shore, and it was hoped that boats would, as +she drew near, put off to her assistance. + +The master, some time before, had brought up a chart on deck, and now +pointed out to his brother officers the exact spot towards which the +ship was steering. It was the Bay of Rosas. Already the ship was +entering between two capes which formed its northern and southern sides. +The captain stood in the midst of his officers and men, gathered on +deck, for every place below was filled with smoke, and, except in the +after-part of the ship, the raging flames had gained full mastery. + +His wish had been to reach the shore before any one quitted the ship; he +now saw that to do this was impossible. + +"My lads," he said, "I am about to order up the boats. You have +hitherto maintained your discipline; let me see that you are ready to +obey orders to the last. And now we'll have the raft overboard, which +will carry every man who cannot be stowed in the boats, even if the +Spaniards don't come out to help us. Lower away." + +It was no easy matter to perform this operation, with the fire raging +uncontrolled not many feet off, almost scorching the backs of the men +standing nearest it. + +A cheer announced that it had safely reached the water, when the +carpenter and his crew, with a few additional hands, were ordered on to +it, to secure the booms on either side, so as to increase its power of +supporting a heavy weight. + +Scarcely had this been done, and the launch ordered up under the stern, +than the ship struck and remained immovable, though nearly a mile from +the shore. Then the tall masts seemed to sway to and fro as if they +were about to fall, though it might only have been fancy. + +The marines, who had faithfully performed their duty, were stationed on +either side, while the sick and several of the wounded were lowered into +the launch. The boys and younger midshipmen were next directed to go +down the ladder, and the other men were told off. The two yawls and +jolly-boat being hauled up, were then loaded with as many as they could +carry. + +"May I stay by you, sir?" asked Rayner of Mr Saltwell. + +"No, Rayner," answered the first lieutenant; "you have done your duty +well this day, and I cannot allow you to risk your life by remaining a +moment longer than is necessary. We cannot tell when the ship may blow +up. It may be before the captain and I quit her. I order you to go." + +Rayner obeyed and descended into one of the yawls. Looking towards the +shore he saw several boats coming off. He pointed them out to the +officer in command of the launch. "Tell them to come under the stern of +the ship and take off the remainder of the crew," said the lieutenant. + +While the yawl was pulling towards the Spanish boats, he looked round to +the ship. Already it appeared as if the flames were rushing from every +port, while they were rising higher and higher, forming a vast pyramid +of fire, as circling round and round the masts they caught hold of the +canvas and rigging, and seized the spars in their embrace. + +He urged the crew to pull with all their strength, that they might the +sooner return to the assistance of their friends. The Spanish boats +were reached, but in vain he endeavoured to persuade their crews to come +near the burning ship. They were ready enough to receive on board the +people in the yawl, but not to risk their lives by approaching her. + +One of the officers could speak a little Spanish, and Rayner tried his +French upon them, endeavouring to persuade them, and at length +threatening condign punishment if they refused. But nothing that could +be said had any effect. Time was precious, so, putting the men from the +crowded yawl into one of the boats, Rayner, who took charge of her, +urging the men to pull with all their might steered back for the ship. +From the position in which the boat was, between her head and the shore, +she appeared already to be one mass of flame. It seemed impossible +indeed that any human being could still be alive on board. Pulling +round, however, so as to approach the stern, Rayner saw that the after +portion still remained free from flame, though the crew, as if they knew +that there was no time to be lost, were not only descending the ladders, +but sliding rapidly down the ropes hanging over the taffrail on to the +raft. They had good reason for doing so, for he could see the ruddy +light even through the stern windows, and from every port, except the +extreme after ones, the flames were rushing out. + +Three figures alone stood on the poop; they were those of the captain, +the first lieutenant, and master, who had maintained their perilous +position until every living man was out of the ship. + +Remembering the remark Mr Saltwell had made just before he had quitted +the ship, Rayner again urged on his well-nigh exhausted crew to pull up +and rescue their brave officers. The raft was crowded with men. The +shout rose, "Shove off! shove off!" and with broken spars and pieces of +board, those on it were endeavouring to make their way to a distance +from the side of the ship. + +Rayner steered his boat under the stern. The master was the first to +descend, Mr Saltwell came next, and the captain was the last to leave +her. + +"Pull away, Rayner," he said, in a calm voice. "We have reason to be +thankful to Providence that she has not blown up yet, for at any moment +the fire may reach the magazine, and there is still powder enough, I +understand, to send the fragments far around." + +The first yawl having received on board several people from the land, +took the raft in tow. In a short time the other boats returned, having +placed the people they carried in the Spanish boats, several of which +also arrived, though they lost not a moment in pulling again towards the +shore, as far as they could from the burning ship. + +The captain directed Rayner to keep astern of the other boats. His eye +rested on his ship as if he desired to see her as long as she existed. +The moment of her destruction came at last. The rest of the crew having +landed, the yawl was nearing the shore, when a loud roar was heard as if +a whole broadside had been fired. The flames rose high in the air; the +masts shot upwards surrounded by burning fragments of planks and +timbers; the stout sides, rent asunder, rushed outwards, and in another +minute a few blackened fragments of the gallant ship, which had that +morning floated trim and proudly on the ocean, were alone visible. + +Captain Martin looked sad and grave as he stepped on shore; but he felt +that he, as well as his officers, had done their duty, and had made +every possible effort to preserve the ship. Neither he nor they could +discover the cause of the fire. + +Fortunately, England had not then declared war against Spain, and the +authorities received the British officers and men in a friendly manner, +while many of the inhabitants of the neighbouring town vied with each +other in rendering them all the service in their power. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. + +A NARROW ESCAPE--HOME--AN ACTION SUDDENLY ENDED. + +The morning after the day they landed in Spain, Rayner had gone down to +the beach with Mr Saltwell, who wanted, he said, to have another look +at the remains of the old barkie. The midshipman was examining the +black ribs of the wreck appearing above water through the telescope +which the lieutenant had lent him, when the latter exclaimed, "Do you +see a sail away to the south-east?" + +The sun glanced for a moment on her canvas. + +"Yes, sir," answered Rayner. "She's a large craft, too, for I can only +just see her royals rising above the horizon. She's standing in this +direction." + +"Hand me the glass," said Mr Saltwell. "You are right, youngster," he +continued, looking through it. "I only hope that she may be one of our +own cruisers, but it will be some time before that point can be +decided." + +After watching the approaching stranger for some time the lieutenant and +midshipman returned with the intelligence to the farm-house where the +captain and several of the other officers were quartered. + +Hoping that she might be the _Ione_, Captain Martin ordered the first +yawl to be got ready to go off to her. The crew were then mustered. +Eight did not answer to their names. It was known how five had died, +but what had become of the other three? At length it was whispered +among the men that they had managed to get drinking the previous night, +and had fallen below, stupefied by the smoke. + +The men having breakfasted, the greater number hurried down to the shore +to have a look at the stranger, now approaching under all sail. + +Three cheers were uttered as the flag of England flew out at her peak. +The captain immediately ordered Mr Sterling to pull off to her, and to +request that his officers and ship's company might be received on board. + +"You will make sure before you get near that she is English," he +whispered. "The Frenchman may have a fancy to take some Spaniards +prisoners, and would be better pleased to get hold of you." + +Rayner went as midshipman of the boat, which made good way towards the +frigate now lying hove-to about three miles from the shore. + +"What do you think of her, Noakes?" asked the lieutenant of the +coxswain, as they got nearer. + +The old seaman took a steady glance at the stranger, surveying her from +truck to water-line. + +"If she doesn't carry a British crew, the Frenchmen must have got hold +of her since we parted company three days ago, and I don't think that's +likely, or there would be not a few shot-holes in her canvas, and a +pretty good sprinkling in her hull, too," he answered, in a confident +tone. "She's the _Ione_, sir, or I don't know a frigate from a Dutch +dogger." + +Now certain that there was no mistake, Mr Sterling steered for the +frigate. Pulling alongside, he and Rayner stepped on board. Captain +Dickson, with most of his officers, were on deck. + +"Where is your ship?" was the first question the captain asked of the +lieutenant. + +"There is all that remains of her," answered Mr Sterling, pointing to +the blackened ribs of the ship, which could be distinguished through a +telescope near the shore; and he gave an account of what had happened. + +Due regrets at the occurrence having been expressed, Captain Dickson +saying that he had been induced to stand into the bay in consequence of +hearing the sound of the explosion, at once ordered out all the boats, +and in a few minutes they were pulling for the shore, accompanied by the +yawl. + +The _Ione_, meantime, was standing in somewhat nearer, to be ready to +receive the crew of the store-ship on board. + +No time was lost in embarking, and it was with intense satisfaction that +Captain Martin and those under him found themselves again on the deck of +an English frigate. + +Sail was at once made for Gibraltar, Malta not having at that time been +taken possession of by the English. As the two ships' companies had to +be stowed away below, they were compelled to pack pretty closely, but no +one minded that, as they expected a speedy passage to the Rock, while +the officers and crew of the store-ship hoped immediately to be sent +back to England. + +It is too true a saying that "There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the +lip." The _Ione_ was about midway between the Spanish coast and +Majorca, when, as morning broke, a number of ships were seen standing +out from the direction of Minorca. At first it was supposed that they +were part of the English fleet, but after two of the lieutenants had +taken a careful survey of them from aloft, it was decided that they were +French. + +"They have seen us, and guess what we are," observed Captain Dickson to +his brother captain. "See, here come two frigates in chase. Turn the +hands up and make sail!" he added, addressing the first lieutenant. + +The crew were quickly aloft, and every stitch of canvas the _Ione_ could +set was packed upon her. There was no disgrace in running from so +superior a force. The _Ione_ was considered a good sailer, but the +Frenchmen showed that they were still faster. Captain Dickson, however, +had no intention of yielding his ship as long as he had a stick standing +to escape with. Full of men as he now was, he hoped to beat off both +his foes, though he could not expect to capture them in sight of an +enemy's squadron. As they got nearer, a couple of guns were trained aft +to serve as stern chasers, and every preparation was made to fight for +life and liberty. + +Another frigate and two line-of-battle ships were seen standing after +the first, but they were so far astern, that should the _Ione_ keep +ahead, without having her masts and spars shot away, there might still +be hopes of her escaping. + +British seamen seldom wish to avoid a fight, but on the present occasion +few on board were such fire-eaters as not to hope that they might keep +well ahead of their foes. + +The two frigates were rapidly gaining on the _Ione_; another half-hour, +or even less, and she would be within range of their guns. To hit her, +however, they would have to yaw, and this would enable her to gain on +them, while she could fire without altering her course. + +Jack and Tom every now and then got a glimpse of the enemy through the +ports. + +"I say, Jack, it isn't fair of those two fellows out there to be chasing +us after all we have gone through. I was hoping to go home and see my +father, and ask him to get me placed on the quarter-deck. I shouldn't +like to be killed till I've been made a midshipman--not that I should +like it then." + +"Don't you be talking nonsense about being made a midshipman. You've +about as much chance as you have of being made port-admiral off-hand," +answered Jack, with more temper than he generally showed. "Of course +you don't want to be killed--no more do I; but we must both be ready +should it be God's will to call us in the way of duty." + +At length the drum beat to quarters, by which the men knew that the +captain expected before long to be engaged in a fierce fight. + +Rayner was at his station forward, but he could still see what was +taking place astern. Presently the frigates yawed. Two flashes were +seen, and the low, booming sound of a couple of guns came across the +ocean. + +"We're not quite within range of the mounseers' popguns yet," observed +the boatswain, with a laugh. "They must come closer before they can +harm us." + +"Do you think we can beat them off?" asked Rayner. + +"You may be very sure that we'll try pretty hard to do so," answered the +boatswain, in a confident tone. "I've heard of your doings aboard the +_Thisbe_. We'll show you that the crew of the _Ione_ are made of the +same stuff." + +As the two Frenchmen drew nearer, the desire of the British sailors to +fight increased, and it was with a feeling of almost bitter +disappointment, just as the _Ione_ had fired her stern chasers, that the +enemy were seen to haul their tacks aboard, in answer, apparently, to +the signals made by the ships astern. + +The general opinion was that the British fleet had appeared to the +eastward. Whether or not this was the case it was impossible to say. + +The _Ione_ continued her course, and in a short time ran the enemy out +of sight. On her arrival at Gibraltar, the first intelligence Mr +Saltwell received was that he had been promoted to the rank of +commander. + +The very next day two ships came in from the fleet with despatches, +which the _Ione_ was directed to carry immediately to England. + +As they were both short of hands, much to Captain Martin's annoyance, a +considerable number of his men were drafted on board them. Had other +ships come in, he would probably have lost many more. The _Ione_ sailed +immediately with the remainder, and he hoped that they would form the +nucleus of a new crew for the _Thisbe_. + +The _Ione_ had a quick passage to Plymouth. On his arrival there, much +to his disappointment, Captain Martin found that the _Thisbe_ was not +yet ready for sea. + +Rayner was considering how to dispose of himself during the intermediate +time. He did not expect that Mrs Crofton would offer him a room, but +he wished, at all events, to pay her and Mary a visit, as they had +always shown so friendly a feeling towards him. When, however, she +heard how he was situated, she insisted that he should take up his +quarters with them. + +"I do not require any payment, as I have no other lodger at present, and +I am only too glad to have you," she said, in a kind tone. + +Rayner thanked her very warmly, and accepted her offer. + +"I daresay Captain Saltwell will come and see us as soon as he has time. +I was delighted to hear that he had obtained his promotion, and I hope, +Mr Rayner, that you will soon get yours. You have surely served long +enough to pass for a mate, and I would advise you to apply at once, that +you may be ready for your lieutenancy." + +"I am afraid that I should have but little chance of passing, but I'll +try," said Rayner. "I am told the examinations are very stiff. If a +midshipman doesn't answer every question put to him, he is turned back +immediately." + +"At all events, go in and try, and take a testimonial from Captain +Saltwell," said Mrs Crofton, who had heard something of the way +examinations were conducted in those days. + +Rayner found, on inquiry, that, fortunately, a board was to sit the very +next day, and, meeting Captain Saltwell, he mentioned his intention. + +"The very thing I was going to advise," was the answer. "I'll write a +letter to Captain Cranston, and you can take it with you." + +Next morning Rayner presented himself on board the flagship, where he +found several other midshipmen ready to go up. First one, and then +another, was sent for, and came back with smiling faces. At last one, +who certainly did not look as if he would set the Thames on fire, went +in. In a short time he reappeared, grumbling and complaining that it +was very hard a fellow who had been at sea six years should be turned +back. + +Rayner's turn came next. Comparatively but a few questions were asked +in navigation. He had no difficulty in answering those put to him in +seamanship. At last, Captain Cranston, knitting his brow, and looking +very serious, said-- + +"Now, Mr Rayner, supposing the ship you are in charge of is caught on a +lee shore with a hurricane blowing, and you find yourself embayed; what +would you do?" + +"If there was holding ground, I should let go the best bower, and make +all snug aloft." + +"But suppose the best bower is carried away?" + +"I should let go the second bower, sir." + +"But suppose you lose that?" asked the captain, looking still more +serious. + +"I should cut away the masts and bring up with my sheet anchor." + +"But in the event of losing that, Mr Rayner, how would you next +proceed?" + +"I should have done all that a man can do, and should look out for the +most suitable place for running the ship ashore." + +"But, suppose you could find no suitable place, Mr Rayner?" + +"Then, sir, I should let her find one for herself, and make the best +preparations time would allow for saving the lives of her people, when +she struck." + +"I have the pleasure to inform you, Mr Rayner, that you have passed +your examination very creditably," said Captain Cranston, handing him +his papers. + +Rayner, thanking the captain, and bowing, made his exit. On afterwards +comparing notes with the midshipman who had been turned back, he +mentioned the question which had been put to him. + +"Why, that's the very one he asked me," said his companion. "I told him +I would club-haul the ship, and try all sorts of manoeuvres to beat out +of the bay, and would not on any account let her go ashore." + +"I'm not surprised that you were turned back, old fellow," observed +Rayner, with a laugh. + +On returning on shore he met Commander Saltwell. "I congratulate you, +Rayner," he said. "I have just received orders to commission the _Lily_ +sloop-of-war, and I will apply to have you with me. By-the-bye, where +are you going to put up?" + +"Mrs Crofton has asked me to go to her house, and as I thought that you +would have no objection, I accepted her offer, sir," answered Rayner. + +"I am glad to hear it; the very best thing you could do," said Commander +Saltwell. "Though many would prefer the freedom of an inn, I admire +your good taste in taking advantage of the opportunity offered you to +pass your time in the society of refined, right-minded persons like Mrs +Crofton and her daughter." + +Our hero spent a few happy days with the kind widow and Mary, who both +evidently took a warm interest in his welfare. It was the first time he +had been living on shore, except during his sojourn in France, since he +first went to sea. He was introduced to some of the few friends they +possessed, and he made several pleasant excursions with them to visit +some of the beautiful scenery in the neighbourhood of Plymouth. His +observation, unknown to himself, enabled him rapidly to adapt himself to +the manners of people of education, and no one would have recognised in +the gentlemanly young midshipman the powder monkey of a short time back. +It was with more regret than he supposed he could possibly have felt +that he received a summons to join the _Lily_, now fitting out with all +despatch for the West Indies. Though he no longer belonged to the +_Thisbe_, it was with much sorrow that he heard she was pronounced unfit +for sea, and that her crew had been dispersed. He made inquiries for +Jack and Tom. The former, he discovered, had gone to pay his mother a +visit; but, though he searched for Tom, he could nowhere hear of him. + +The day after he had joined the _Lily_, he was well pleased to see Jack +come on board. + +"I found out, sir, that you belonged to the corvette, as I thought you +would when I heard that Mr Saltwell was appointed to command her," said +Jack; "so, sir, I made up my mind to volunteer for her, if I could +escape being pressed before I got back to Plymouth." + +"I am glad to see you, Peek," said our hero. "Have you heard anything +of Tom Fletcher?" + +"Well, sir, I'm sorry to say I have," answered Jack. "He has been +knocking about Plymouth, hiding away from the press-gangs in all sorts +of places, instead of going home to his father, as he said he would. I +only found him last night, and tried to persuade him to join the _Lily_ +with me, but he'd still a shiner or two in his locker, and he couldn't +make up his mind to come till the last had gone. I know where to find +him, and I'll try again after I have entered on board the _Lily_." + +"Do so," said Rayner. "He may be better off with a friend like you to +look after him than left to himself." + +Rayner had the satisfaction of seeing Jack rated as an A.B. Several of +the _Thisbe's_ crew had joined the _Lily_, and besides them Ben Twinch, +who, owing to Captain Martin's recommendation, had been raised to the +rank of warrant officer, was appointed to her as boatswain. + +"Very glad to be with you again, Mr Rayner," said honest Ben; "and I +hope before the ship is paid off to see you one of her lieutenants. We +are likely to have a good ship's company; and I am glad to say my +brother warrant officers, Mr Coles the gunner, and Mr Jenks the +carpenter, are men who can be trusted." + +Rayner's own messmates were all strangers. The first lieutenant, Mr +Horrocks, a red-faced man, with curly whiskers, and as stiff as a poker, +had not much the cut of a naval officer; while the second lieutenant, +Mr Lascelles, who was delicate, refined, young, and good-looking, +offered a great contrast to him. + +They were both not only civil but kind to Rayner, of whom Commander +Saltwell had spoken highly to them. + +Jack had been twice on shore to look out for Tom, and had returned +saying that he could not persuade him to come on board. + +At last, when the ship was almost ready for sea, being still some hands +short of her complement, Rayner obtained leave for Jack, with two other +men who could be trusted to try and bring him off, and any others they +could pick up. + +Late in the evening a shore boat came off with several men in her, and +Jack made his appearance on deck, where Rayner was doing duty as mate of +the watch. + +"I have brought him, sir, though he does not exactly know where he is +coming to," said Jack. + +"I found him with his pockets emptied and the landlady of the house +where he was lodging about to turn him out of doors. We managed to +bring him along, sir, however, and to-morrow morning, when he comes to +his senses, I have no doubt he'll be thankful to enter." + +"I'm glad to hear you've got him safe at last, and I know you'll look +after him," said Rayner. + +Next morning Tom, not knowing that Rayner was on board, or how he +himself came there, entered as an ordinary seaman, which placed him in +an inferior position to Jack Peek, who might soon, from his activity and +good conduct, be raised to the rank of a petty officer. + +Our hero paid a last visit to Mrs Crofton and Mary, promising, as they +asked him to do, to write whenever he could obtain an opportunity. + +At length the _Lily_, a fine corvette, carrying twenty guns on a flush +deck and a complement of one hundred and twenty men, was ready for sea. + +On going down the Sound she found the _Latona_, which ship she was to +assist in convoying a fleet of merchantmen brought up in Cawsand Bay. + +As the men-of-war approached, the merchant vessels, to the number of +nearly fifty, got under way and stood down Channel. It was pretty hard +work to keep them together, and the corvette was employed in continually +firing signals to urge on the laggers, or to prevent the faster craft +from running out of sight. What with shortening and making sail and +signalling, together with getting a newly commissioned ship into trim, +the time of all on board was pretty well occupied, and Rayner had no +opportunity of learning anything about Tom Fletcher. A bright look-out +was kept on every side, for an enemy might at any moment appear, +especially at night, when it was possible some daring privateer might +pounce down and attempt to carry off one of the merchantmen, just as a +hawk picks off a hapless chicken from a brood watched over so carefully +by the hen. + +The wind was fair, the sea calm, and the traders bound for Jamaica +safely reached Port Royal harbour, the remainder being convoyed to the +other islands by the _Latona_ and _Lily_, which were afterwards to be +sent to cruise in search of the enemy's privateers. Our hero had not +forgotten Tom Fletcher, but watched in the hopes of doing him a service +Jack's report of him had not been favourable. He had talked of going +home to his father, and had plenty of money in his pocket to do so, but +instead of that he had gone to dancing-houses and similar places +resorted to by seamen, where his money rapidly disappeared. He might +have fallen into the docks, or died in the streets, had not Jack found +him and brought him on board the _Lily_. For some neglect of duty his +leave had been stopped, and, fortunately for himself, he was not allowed +to go on shore at Port Royal when the ship put in there. Tom, however, +still avoided Rayner, who had no opportunity, unless he expressly sent +to speak to him, to give him a word of advice or encouragement. + +Jack, who was really the best friend he had in the ship, did his utmost +to keep him out of mischief. + +"It's all very fine for you to talk that way," answered Tom, when one +day Jack had been giving him a lecture. "You got rated as an able +seaman, and now have been made captain of the mizen-top, too, and will, +I suppose, before long, get another step; and here am I sticking where I +was. It's no fault of mine, that I can see. I'll cut and run if I have +the chance, for I cannot bear to see others placed over my head, as you +and Bill Rayner have been, and to see him walking the quarter-deck in a +brand new uniform, and talking to the officers as friendly and easy as +if he had been born among them, while I, a gentleman's son, remain a +foremast man, with every chance of being one to the end of my days." + +"There's no use grumbling, Tom; all you have to think about is to do +your duty with smartness, keep sober, and to avoid doing anything wrong, +and with your education, which I wish I had, you are sure to get on." + +There is an old saying that it is useless to try and make a silk purse +out of a sow's ear. It is to be seen whether Tom Fletcher was like the +sow's ear. + +Soon after the _Lily_ left Jamaica she fell in with the _Ariel_. As a +calm came on while they were in company, the officers of the two ships +paid visits to each other. Rayner, recollecting that Mary Crofton's +brother Oliver was serving in her, got leave to go on board, for the +purpose of making his acquaintance. He was much disappointed, on +inquiring for him, to learn that he had been sent away a few days +before, in charge of a prize, a brig called the _Clerie_, with orders to +take her to Jamaica. + +"She ought to have arrived before you left there," observed the +midshipman who told him this. + +"How provoking that I should have missed him, though I do not think any +such vessel came in while we were there," answered Rayner. "His mother +and sister are great friends of mine." + +"They must be nice people if they are like him, for Oliver Crofton is a +capital fellow. He is as kind-hearted and even-tempered as he is brave +and good-looking, and he is a favourite with all on board." + +"I am glad to hear that, though it makes me the more sorry that we +should have missed each other, but I hope before long to fall in with +him," observed Rayner. + +A breeze springing up, the officers retired to their respective vessels, +and the _Lily_ and _Ariel_ parted company, the former rejoining the +frigate. While off Antigua, the wind being from the eastward, the +frigate made the signal of three strange sail to the south-west, and +directly afterwards to give chase. + +All the canvas they could carry was set. In a short time one of the +strangers was seen to haul up to the northward, and the _Lily_ was +ordered to go in pursuit of her. She was apparently the smallest of the +three, but was still likely to prove no mean antagonist. As the _Lily_ +appeared to be gaining on her, the commander gave the order to prepare +for action. The frigate meantime was standing after the other two +vessels. Before long her topsails, and finally her royals, disappeared +beneath the horizon. + +"We shall have her all to ourselves, and we'll see how soon we can take +her," observed Mr Horrocks to the second lieutenant. "It is some time +since you smelt powder, Lascelles." + +"Last time I smelt a good deal of it, when we were beating off a ship +twice our size, and should have taken her, too, had she not gone down in +the night," answered the second lieutenant, in his usual quiet tone. "I +got my promotion in consequence." + +"And wrote an ode to victory, eh?" said Mr Horrocks, who was fond of +bantering his brother lieutenant on his fondness for poetry. + +"And it was considered good," responded the young officer. + +"You will have an opportunity of exercising your poetical talents before +long on the same subject, I hope," observed the first lieutenant. "We +are gaining fast on the chase." + +Just then the look-out from the mast-head shouted, "Sail on the +starboard bow!" + +"Go and see what she is like," said the commander to Rayner. + +Our hero hurried aloft, his telescope hanging by a strap at his back. +He was quickly joined by the second lieutenant. They were of opinion +that she was a large craft, and that the object of the chase was to draw +the _Lily_ away from the frigate, so that the corvette might have two +opponents to contend with. + +"We must manage to take her before she reaches the other, then we shall +have time to prepare for a second action," observed Mr Lascelles. + +"Can she be the _Ariel_?" asked Rayner. "She's very likely to be +cruising hereabouts." + +Mr Lascelles took another look at her through his glass. + +"I think not," he answered. "The chase must have seen her, and must +know her to be a friend, or she would not keep on as she is at present +standing." + +The two officers descended to make their report. + +The _Lily_ was a fast craft, and now rapidly gained on the chase, which, +as she drew within range, fired a couple of shot. + +Captain Saltwell ordered the two foremost guns to be fired in return. +The second lieutenant took charge of one and Rayner of the other. Both, +looking along the sights, gave them the proper elevation, and fired at +the same moment. The effect of the shot was beyond all expectation. +Down came the foreyard, shot away in the slings, causing, it was very +evident, considerable confusion on board. + +"Bravo, Rayner! you did it!" cried Mr Lascelles. "My shot went through +the mainsail." + +The enemy now opened fire from a broadside of ten guns, but not a shot +damaged the _Lily_, which, ranging up on the weather side of her +opponent, began blazing away as fast as the crews could run in and load +their guns. + +The stranger was a large flush-decked vessel, crowded with men, many of +whom, stripped to the waist, were working away desperately at their +guns, while others opened a heavy fire of musketry. + +As Rayner, who had charge of the foremost guns, was watching her, he +caught sight of a young man in the uniform of a midshipman, who sprang +suddenly up through the companion-hatch, and, making his way aft, seemed +to be addressing the captain with energetic action. Rayner got but a +glimpse of him, for the next moment there came a fearful roaring sound. +The deck of the enemy's ship rose in the air, rent into a thousand +fragments. Her masts and yards and sails shot upwards, and her dark +hull seemed suddenly to melt away. + +The _Lily_ reeled with the shock, and the crew, astounded by the awful +catastrophe, for a moment forgot their discipline. Several of the men +were knocked down; indeed, it seemed surprising that any should have +escaped. Rayner remained at his station, and although several pieces of +burning plank fell close to him, he was uninjured. + +The voice of the commander was soon heard recalling the men to their +duty, and ordering them to fill the buckets with water, to prevent the +blazing fragments which strewed the deck from setting the ship on fire. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. + +A RESCUE. + +While some of the crew were engaged on deck, others, led by the second +lieutenant, the boatswain, and Rayner, ascended the rigging with buckets +of water to heave over the sails, which in several places had caught +fire. + +It was a work of extreme peril, but it was quickly accomplished, before +much damage had been done. The ship all the time was standing on, her +starboard tacks aboard. + +Nearly a quarter of an hour had elapsed before any one could look in the +direction where their late antagonist had floated. + +A few dark fragments of wreck could alone be seen in the far distance, +but no one supposed that any human beings could have escaped from the +fearful catastrophe. The _Lily_ was quickly put to rights and stood on +in chase of the stranger, which was now seen, under a press of sail, +standing away to the north-west. + +Evening was approaching, and it was feared that if she wished to avoid +the risk of an engagement, she might manage to escape in the night. + +During the first part of it the atmosphere was tolerably clear, and the +chase could dimly be seen in the distance. She was carrying all sail, +evidently doing her best to escape. The _Lily_ had all her canvas set, +but as at night a squall cannot be seen, as in the daytime, coming +across the ocean, all hands were kept on deck, ready to take it in at a +moment's notice. + +"Are we gaining on the chase?" asked the commander, when the second +lieutenant, who had just before gone forward, returned. + +"I think so, sir; but unless the breeze freshens, it will be a long time +before we can get her within range of our guns." + +Everything that could be thought of was done to make the corvette move +through the water. The sails were wetted, the hammocks were piped down, +and the watch were ordered to turn in, with a couple of round shot with +each, under the idea that as the hammocks swung forward with the surge +of the ship, her speed would be increased. + +The privateers were at that time committing so much havoc among the +English merchantmen, that it was of the greatest importance to stop +their career. + +As the night drew on, the crescent moon, which had before been affording +some light, sank beneath the horizon, and the darkness increased, a mist +gradually filling the atmosphere, and obscuring all objects around. The +chase was thus shut out from view. Still the _Lily_ continued standing +in the direction she had last been seen. + +Rayner was on the forecastle near Ben Twinch, both endeavouring to +pierce the veil which surrounded the supposed privateer. + +"We may at any moment run through this mist, and we shall then, I hope, +see the chase again," observed Ben. "It won't do for a moment to shut +our eyes, for maybe we shall find her much closer than before." + +"I fancy that I can even now see her, but my imagination may deceive +me," said Rayner. "Can that be her out there?" + +"I can't see anything," said the boatswain, putting his hands on either +side of his eyes. + +"What is that on the lee bow?" suddenly exclaimed Rayner. + +Before the boatswain could turn his eyes in the direction the midshipman +was pointing, the latter added, "I must have been mistaken. It has +disappeared, for I can see nothing. Still I must go aft and report to +the commander what I saw, or fancied I saw." + +"It could only have been fancy," remarked Captain Saltwell. "The +imagination is easily deceived in an atmosphere like this. We'll keep +on as we were standing." + +Rayner accordingly went forward. He was not sorry at length to be +relieved, as he was growing weary from having had so long to keep a +strain on his eyes. + +At last, awakened by the gruff voice of the boatswain turning up the +hands, he went on deck, and found that it was already daylight; but not +a sail was in sight, and it was pretty evident that the chase had +altered her course. + +The commander, thinking it likely that she had kept to the westward, +steered in that direction. + +The day wore on, but still no sail appeared, nor did it seem at all +likely that the chase would again be sighted. The ship was therefore +put about to rejoin the _Ione_. + +Soon after noon the wind fell, and the _Lily_ lay motionless on the +glassy ocean; the sun shining forth with intense heat, making the pitch +in the seams of the deck bubble up, and every piece of metal feel as if +it had just come out of a furnace. The seamen sought every spot of +shade which the sails afforded, and made frequent visits to the +water-cask to quench their thirst. + +A few hours thus passed by, when, away to the south-east, a few clouds +could be seen floating across the sky. + +"The calm can only be partial, for there's wind out there," observed the +commander, pointing the clouds out to the first lieutenant. "I hope we +shall soon get it." + +In this he was disappointed. The day went by; the ship still lay +motionless on the waste of waters. Another night came on. It was not +until the sun again rose that the sails were heard to give several loud +flaps against the masts; a few cat's-paws were seen playing over the +surface of the water, and at length the canvas swelled out to an +easterly breeze. The tacks were hauled aboard, and the _Lily_ stood in +the direction it was supposed the _Ione_ would be found, over the course +she had just come. + +The wind was light, and she made but little progress. It freshened, +however, in the evening, and during the night the log showed that she +was going at a fair rate. + +Rayner was in the morning watch, and was forward when the look-out from +the mast-head shouted, "A piece of wreck away on the starboard bow." As +the ship would pass close by it, she was kept on her course. Rayner was +examining the piece of wreck through his glass, when he saw what he +supposed was a person moving on it. + +He went aft, and reported this to the first lieutenant, who was on deck, +and the ship was headed up towards it. "I can see four or five men!" +exclaimed Rayner, "some are lying down. One man is kneeling up and +waving." + +By this time the commander had come on deck, and as the ship drew near, +he ordered a boat to be got ready. + +Two of the men were seen to rise on their knees, and wave. + +"They must have belonged to the crew of the ship which blew up the other +day, though how they escaped seems a miracle," observed the commander. +"Poor fellows, they must have suffered fearfully! Put a beaker of water +and some food in the boat. They'll want nourishment as soon as +possible." + +The corvette was hove-to. Rayner took charge of the boat, the crew +pulling eagerly away to the rescue of the hapless men on the raft. + +As they drew near, Rayner observed, to his surprise, as he stood up +steering, that one of the persons kneeling on the raft was dressed in +the uniform of an English midshipman. + +"Give way, lads--give way!" he shouted. + +The boat was quickly up to the raft, which was a portion apparently of +the poop deck. Besides the young Englishman, there were five persons +dressed as ordinary seamen, dark, swarthy fellows, their countenances +haggard, and their whole appearance wretched in the extreme. + +"Water, water! in mercy give us water!" cried the young Englishman; +while the other men, who were scarcely able to move, pointed to their +mouths. One lay stretched on the raft, apparently lifeless, and another +seemed almost too far gone to recover. + +Two of the _Lily's_ crew leapt on the raft, and, lifting up the English +midshipman, carried him to the stern-sheets, where Rayner stood with a +cup of water ready to give him. + +He grasped it with both his hands, and eagerly drank the contents. A +second mug had in the meantime been filled. One of the Frenchmen, in +his eagerness to reach it, stretched out his arms, and fell flat on his +face. The English seamen lifted him up, and gently poured the water +down his throat. He and two more were lifted on board. They then took +a cup to the rest, who were too weak to make the slightest exertion. +They poured some water down the throat of one; he gave one gasp, and +then sank back, apparently lifeless. A sixth person was already beyond +human help. On raising his arm, it fell again at his side. + +"Are we to take these two bodies with us?" asked one of the men. "They +don't seem to have any life in them." + +"Yes, by all means," answered Rayner; "we must let the doctor judge +about them--perhaps he may bring them round." + +The two bodies were placed in the bows, and the crew giving way, Rayner +steered for the ship. As he looked at the countenance of the English +midshipman, he thought he had seen him before. He did not trouble him +with questions, however; indeed, although the latter had asked for +water, it was very evident that he was unable to answer them. + +The boat was soon alongside. The young midshipman was the first lifted +on board. + +"Why, who can this be?" exclaimed the commander. "How came he among the +crew of the privateer?" + +Rayner explained that he had seen him spring on deck the instant before +the ship blew up, but more about him he could not say, as he had not +spoken a word since he was taken on board the boat. + +"Carry him at once into my cabin," said the commander. "You'll do all +you can for him I know, doctor," he added, addressing the surgeon, who, +with the aid of the master and another officer, had already lifted up +the young stranger. + +"He wants nourishment more than doctoring," answered the surgeon. + +While the midshipman was being carried into the cabin, the +assistant-surgeon was examining the other men. He ordered some broth to +be given to the three who had first been taken into the boat, observing +that it was the only thing they required; and he then at once turned his +attention to a fourth man, whose pulse he felt with a serious +countenance. + +"There's life in him still," he observed; and ordering his head to be +slightly raised, he hurried down to his dispensary, and quickly returned +with a stimulant, which he poured down his throat. The effect was +wonderful, for scarcely had it been swallowed than the patient gave +signs of returning animation. The last poor fellow, after a careful +examination, he pronounced beyond human aid. + +"Had we arrived half an hour sooner, his life might have been saved," he +observed, "for even now he is scarcely cold." + +The surgeon soon came up. + +"We'll try what can be done," he said, "for I never despair in a case of +this sort." + +All his efforts, however, proved vain; and he at last had to acknowledge +to the assistant-surgeon that the unfortunate man was beyond recovery. +The yards had in the meantime been braced round, and the ship had been +standing on her course. + +Rayner was now sent for into the cabin, where he found the midshipman he +had saved placed in the commander's cot. + +"Do you see a likeness to any one you know?" asked Commander Saltwell. + +"Yes," answered Rayner, looking at the countenance of the young +stranger, who was sleeping calmly; "I thought so from the first; he +reminds me of Mrs Crofton, or, rather, of her daughter." + +"So he does me. I have little doubt that he is Oliver Crofton, and I +can fully account for his being on board the privateer," said the +commander. "She must have captured the prize of which he was in charge. +I fear that the rest of the men who were prisoners on board have +perished." + +"I am thankful that he has been saved," said Rayner. "It would +well-nigh have broken Mrs Crofton's and her daughter's hearts if they +had heard that he had died in so dreadful a manner, though to be sure no +one would have known of it unless we had fallen in with the raft." + +The doctor would not allow any questions to be asked his patient until +he had several times taken a small quantity of nourishment, and had +passed the intermediate time in sleep; and the commander also kindly +directed that he should be allowed to remain in his cot, while he had a +hammock slung in his cabin for himself. + +The surgeon or assistant-surgeon was in constant attendance on him +during the night. + +Their unremitting care was rewarded, for soon after the hammocks were +piped up the young stranger opened his eyes, and exclaimed in a faint +voice, with a tone of astonishment, "Where am I? What has happened?" + +"You are all right, and safe among friends," said the commander, who had +just turned out of his hammock, coming to his side. "You shall have +some breakfast, and then I must get you to tell me all about yourself. +Unless I am mistaken, we have met before. Are you not Oliver Crofton?" + +"Yes, sir," answered the midshipman. "How did you know that, sir?" + +"I made a shrewd guess at it," answered the commander, smiling, "and +truly glad I am to have you on board my ship. However, do not exert +yourself just now, but go to sleep again if you can till the steward +brings you your breakfast, and you shall then, if the doctor thinks you +are strong enough, tell me all that has happened." + +The commander, coming on deck, told Rayner that he was right in his +conjectures, and invited him to breakfast with him. + +The surgeon, however, would not allow Oliver to get up, but said that he +might give an account of his adventures, provided he did not spin too +long a yarn. + +"Thank you, sir," said Oliver. "I'll try to collect my thoughts; for, +to say the truth, I find them somewhat scattered at present. + +"It must have been nearly ten days ago when the _Ariel_, to which I +belonged, captured a French brig. Captain Matson sent me on board to +take her to Port Royal. We were just in sight of the eastern end of +Jamaica, when a large privateer bore down on us. We did our best to +escape, but as she sailed two feet to our one, and carried twenty-two +guns, we were compelled to yield, and I and my men were taken on board, +while our prize was sent away to one of the French islands. + +"The privateer continued her cruise in search of our merchantmen, or any +prizes our ships might have taken. A more ruffianly set of fellows I +never set eyes on. My poor men were robbed of everything they had about +them, and I should have had my jacket taken off my back but for the +interference of the officers, who allowed me to mess with them, and to +go on deck whenever I wished. Considering the style of their +conversation at table, however, I should have thankfully preferred +living by myself. + +"When they discovered that you were English, the officers took a fearful +oath that nothing should compel them to yield. They, however, did their +best to escape; but when they found that you had the heels of them, they +made up their minds to fight, fully expecting, I believe, to take you. +Nothing could exceed the savageness of the crew as, stripped to the +waist, they went to their guns. Several of them, as they cast their +eyes on me, vowed that they would shoot me through the head should the +day go against them. Having no fancy to be so treated, I thought it +prudent to go below, knowing very well that, in spite of their boasting, +they would soon get the worst of it, and that you, at all events, would +fight on until you had compelled them to strike their flag or sent them +to the bottom. I felt the awful position in which I was placed. I +might be killed by one of your shot, even should I escape the knives and +bullets of my captors. + +"I considered how I could best preserve my life, as I thought it very +possible that you would send the privateer to the bottom should she not +yield or try to escape. I determined, should I find her sinking, to +leap out through one of the stern windows of the captain's cabin. I +accordingly made my way there, and was looking out for some instrument +with which to force open the window when I saw smoke curling up through +an opening in the deck below me. I at once knew that it must arise from +a spot at no great distance from the magazine. In the hopes of inducing +the commander to send some men down to try and extinguish the fire +before it was too late, I sprang on deck. Scarcely had I reached it, +and was telling the captain of our danger, when I felt a fearful +concussion, and found myself lifted into the air, the next instant to be +plunged overboard amidst the mangled crew, some few around me shrieking +vainly for help, though the greater number had been killed by the +explosion and sank immediately. Being a strong swimmer, I struck out, +narrowly avoiding several who clutched at my legs, and swam towards a +large piece of wreck which had been blown to some distance from where +the ship went down. I scrambled upon it, and was soon joined by three +other men, who had, they told me, been forward, and found themselves +uninjured in the water. + +"I saw soon afterwards two others floating at some distance from the +raft. One of them shouted for help saying that he was exhausted, and +could no longer support himself. The other, notwithstanding left him to +his fate and swam towards us. I could not bear to see the poor fellow +perish in our sight with the possibility of saving him, and as there was +no time to be lost, I plunged in and made for him, picking up in my way +a piece of plank. I placed it under his arms, and telling him to hold +on to it, shoved it before me in the direction of the raft. The other +fellow had in the meantime got hold of a piece of timber, on which he +was resting, but was apparently almost exhausted. As I passed, I told +him that if I could I would come to his help, and I at length managed to +get back to the raft, on to which the three other men had hauled up +their other shipmate. + +"I was pretty well tired by this time, and had to rest two or three +minutes before I could again venture into the water. While I was trying +to recover my strength, the man clinging to the log, fancying that no +one was coming, again shrieked out for help. Once more slipping into +the water, at last by shoving the piece of plank before me, I contrived +to reach him; then getting him to take hold of it, I made my way back to +the raft, when we were both dragged nearly exhausted out of the water. + +"At first I had hopes that you would discover us and put back to take us +off; but when I perceived that you were on fire, I began to fear that we +should not be observed, though I did not say so to my companions in +misfortune, but endeavoured to keep up their spirits. I told them that +if the ship with which they had been engaged should come back, my +countrymen would not look upon them as enemies, but would treat them +kindly, as people who had suffered a great misfortune. When, however, +they saw you standing away, they began to abuse the English, declaring +that we were a perfidious nation, never to be trusted; and I had some +suspicion that they would wreak their ill-temper on my head. + +"My position would have been very dreadful even had I been with +well-disposed companions. The sun beat down upon our heads with +terrific force; we had not a particle of food, nor a drop of water to +quench our thirst. I was thankful when, the sun at length having set, +the men, accustomed only to think of the present, and not suffering much +as yet from the want of food or water, stretched themselves on the raft +to sleep. + +"I sat up, hoping against hope that you might come back to ascertain if +any people had escaped, or that some other vessel might pass within +hail. We had no means of making a signal, not even a spar on which to +hoist our handkerchiefs or shirts. The only article which had by some +means or other been thrown on the raft was a blanket. How it had fallen +there I cannot tell. I secured it, and doubling it up, it served as a +rest to my head. I constantly, however, got up to look about, but no +vessel could I see, and at length, overpowered by weariness, I lay down +and fell asleep. + +"At daylight I awoke. The sea was calm. I gazed anxiously around. Not +a speck was visible in the horizon. The sun rose, and its rays beat +down upon us with even greater fury than on the previous day, or, at all +events, I suffered more, as did my companions. They now cried out for +water and food, and I saw them eye me with savage looks. I pretended +not to observe this, and said that I hoped and thought that we might +catch some fish or birds. + +"`It will be better for some of us if we do,' muttered one of the men. + +"Although I saw several coveys of flying-fish leaping out of the water +in the distance, none came near us. Once I caught sight of the black +fin of a shark gliding by; presently the creature turned, and as it +passed it eyed us, I thought, with an evil look; but while the water was +calm, there was no risk of its getting at us. Had the brute been +smaller, we might have tried to catch it. I remembered having heard of +several people who saved their lives, when nearly starved, by getting +hold of a shark. One of the men stuck out his leg, and when the +creature tried to grab it, a running bowline was slipped round its head, +and it was hauled up. My companions, however, had not the spirits to +make the attempt--indeed, we could not find rope sufficient for the +purpose on our raft. + +"The day wore on, and scarcely any of my companions spoke, but lay +stretched at full length on the raft. Others sat with their arms round +their knees, and their heads bent down, groaning and complaining, one or +two swearing fearfully at the terrible fate which had overtaken them, +regardless of that of their late shipmates, hurried into eternity. In +vain I tried to arouse them. Now and then one would look at me with an +ominous glance, and I confess I began to fear, as night drew on, that I +should not be allowed to see another day dawn. I stood up, though it +was with difficulty that I could steady myself, for my strength was +already failing. Anxiously I looked round the horizon. The sky had +hitherto been clear; but, as I cast my eye to the eastward, I observed a +cloud rising rapidly. Another and another followed. They came on +directly towards us, discharging heavy drops of rain. My fear was that +they would empty themselves before they reached us. The looks of my +companions brightened. + +"`Now, my friends,' I said, `we must try and catch some of that rain. +Here, spread out this blanket, for if a shower falls but for ten minutes +we shall have water enough to quench our thirst.' + +"We got the blanket ready. The first cloud passed by, nearly saturating +the blanket. The men wrung it out into one of their hats, two or three +sucking at the corners. They seemed inclined to fight for the small +quantity they had obtained, but did not even offer to give me any. I +got no water, though the blanket was somewhat cleansed, not that I felt +inclined to be particular. In a few minutes another shower fell. Each +of us got an ample supply of water. My spirits rose in a way I could +not have expected. For some time I did not suffer from the pangs of +hunger; but they presently returned with greater force than before, and +I guessed how my companions were feeling. I encouraged them as well as +I was able. `God, in His mercy, has sent us water, and He may, I trust, +supply us with food.' + +"Some of them stared at my remark, but others replied-- + +"`Yes, yes, perhaps to-morrow we shall have an ample breakfast.' + +"Still I did not trust them completely, and endeavoured to keep awake +until they had all dropped off to sleep. + +"Another heavy shower fell during the night, and I roused them up to +obtain a further supply of water. We filled all our hats, for we had +nothing else to put it in. The next day was but a repetition of the +former. The water we had obtained during the night was quickly +exhausted. My hopes of catching some fish appeared likely to be +disappointed. Twice a shark came near us, but the brute was too large +to give us a chance of catching it. It was far more likely to have +caught us had we made the attempt. We shouted to drive it off. At +last, smaller fish of some sort approached--albicores or bonitas. It +was extraordinary with what eager looks we eyed the creatures. + +"While we were watching the fish, trying to devise some means of +snatching them, one of the men, who lay stretched on the raft apparently +asleep or in a state of stupor, suddenly sat up, uttering an exclamation +of delight. We turned our heads, and saw him eagerly gnawing at a +flying-fish; but he snarled and growled, eating eagerly all the time, +just as a dog does when a person attempts to take a bone from him. He +had managed to gulp down the larger portion before the others could +snatch the prize from him. The next moment he sank back, and never +spoke again. I saw no violence used, except the force they exerted to +take the fragments of the fish from his hands. It appeared to me as if +one of them had stabbed him, so suddenly did he fall. + +"The others gave me none of the fish: indeed, my portion would have been +so small that I did not miss it, though for the moment I would have been +thankful for the merest scrap of food. + +"I still endeavoured to keep up my spirits, and prayed for strength from +above. I am sure it was given me, or I should have sunk. I did not +like even to think of the pain I suffered. The Frenchmen, too, were +growing ravenous, and I heard them talking together, and looking at me +as if meditating mischief. + +"I thought over the means by which I could best preserve my life. I +knew that it would not do to show the slightest fear, so arousing +myself, I said, `My friends, you are hungry, so am I, but we can endure +another day without eating. Now I want you to understand that we are +more likely to be saved by an English vessel than by one of any other +nation, as there are three times as many English cruisers in these seas +as there are French, and ten times as many merchantmen. If we are +picked up by an English vessel, you are sure to be well treated for my +sake, but if any accident were to happen to me--if I were to fall +overboard, for instance--there would be no one to say a word in your +favour. Remember that I was the means of saving the lives of two of +you, although, when I plunged into the water and swam to you at the risk +of being caught by a shark, or sinking myself from fatigue, I did not +expect any return. I suppose that you do not wish to be ungrateful.' + +"This address seemed to have some effect on the men I had saved. Each +of them uttered an exclamation of approval, while the two others, who +still retained some little strength, turned aside their heads, not +daring to look at me. I did not move until night came on, when I +crawled from the place I had occupied, and lay down between the two men +who seemed most disposed to befriend me. In the middle of the night I +awoke, and finding that there was a light breeze. I endeavoured to +kneel up and ascertain if providentially any vessel were approaching. + +"I was raising myself on my elbow when I saw one of the men who had +threatened me by their words creeping towards me. I instantly awoke my +two friends, for so I will call them, by exclaiming, `There is a breeze. +Perhaps a vessel is approaching us. We should not be sleeping;' while +the man whom I suspected of a design against my life drew back and lay +perfectly still. I determined not again to fall asleep, if I could +avoid it, until daylight. I believe, however, that I frequently dropped +off, but I was preserved. When morning dawned, I discovered that the +man who had, as I believed, intended to kill me was utterly unable to +move. The other fellow, however, seemed to be the strongest of the +party. He got up, and stretching out his arms, exclaimed, addressing +his countrymen-- + +"`Food we must have this day at every coast, or we shall perish.' + +"I also rose, and found, to my surprise, that I could stand on my feet. + +"`I pray God that we may have food, and that some friendly vessel may +bring it,' I exclaimed. + +"As I spoke I looked round the horizon, when I need not tell you how +grateful I felt to Heaven at seeing a sail standing, as I judged, +directly towards us. I pointed her out to my companions; but as they +were sitting down, they could not for some time make her out. I, too, +could no longer support myself, and once more sank on the raft. In a +short time, however, we could all distinguish her. The Frenchmen began +to weep. Now they expressed their fears that she would pass us; now +they tried to shout for joy at the thoughts of being saved. I at times +also dreaded lest we should not be observed, but all my doubts vanished +when I made you out to be an English sloop-of-war, and saw you haul up +towards us." + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. + +A SHIPWRECK. + +The _Lily_ had been continuing her cruise in the Caribbean Sea for some +days without falling in with the _Ariel_, or any other English +ship-of-war, nor had she taken a prize. Oliver Crofton had completely +recovered. As one of the midshipmen was ill, he took his duty. Our +hero and Oliver soon became fast friends, and they were well able to +appreciate each other's good qualities. + +Commander Saltwell, not looking upon the Frenchmen he had picked up in +the light of prisoners, wished to put them on shore as soon as possible. +He resolved, therefore, to stand in towards the coast of San Domingo, +the western portion of which island belonged to France, and to land them +at some settlement where they could obtain assistance. + +The _Lily_ was still off the east end of the island, belonging to Spain, +when a schooner was sighted running along the shore, apparently +endeavouring to escape observation. The wind, however, headed her, and +she was compelled to tack off the land. + +"She's French, to a certainty, or she would have run in and brought up +somewhere," observed Mr Horrocks. + +The commander agreed with him. The ship was steered so as to cut her +off. On seeing this, the schooner wore, and, setting a large square +sail, ran off before the wind to the westward. Though the stranger +evidently possessed a fast pair of heels, the _Lily_, making all sail, +soon got near enough to send a shot skipping over the water close under +her counter. The schooner, notwithstanding, still held on, when another +shot almost grazed her side. Her object was probably to run on until +she could steer for some port where she could obtain shelter and +protection. + +"If she doesn't shorten sail presently, send another shot through her +canvas, Mr Coles," said the commander. + +The _Lily_ carried a long gun which could be run out at either of her +bow ports. It was the gunner's favourite. He declared that he could +shoot as true with it, and ten times as far, as he could with a tower +musket. The gun was loaded and pointed through the larboard bow port. + +Still the chase held on. It was time to bring her to, for the wind gave +signs of dropping. + +"Are you ready there, forward, with the gun?" asked the commander. + +"Ay, ay, sir!" was the answer. + +"Port the helm! Fire!" he shouted directly afterwards. + +The gun was well aimed, for the shot went through the schooner's large +squaresail. The ship was again kept on her course, when the gun was +hauled in and reloaded. + +"Stand by to fire again, and this time pitch it into her. All ready +there, forward?" + +"Ay, ay, sir!" + +Again the helm was ported, but before the commander had time to shout +"Fire!" the schooner was seen to haul down her flag, at the same time to +take in her squaresail and clew up her foretopsail. + +The corvette was soon up, when she was found to be a fine little +schooner, such as was employed in the carrying trade between the +islands, or in bringing the produce of the plantations to some central +depot. + +"Heave to!" cried the commander; "and if you attempt to escape I'll sink +you, remember that! Tell them in French what I mean," he added, turning +to Rayner. + +"Oui, oui; je comprende," answered one of the few white men on board-- +probably the master--and, the schooner's helm being put down, she came +up head to wind, with her foretopsail to the mast. + +The corvette, which had by this time shot a little way ahead, also +hove-to, and the commander directed Rayner, with a boat's crew, to go on +board the prize and take possession. + +The master stood, hat in hand, at the gangway, ready to receive him. + +He was bound, he said, for Martinique, in ballast, to obtain a cargo and +other stores for Leogane, the principal settlement of the French in the +island. The crew consisted of a Creole mate, two mulattos, and four +blacks, one of the former calling himself the boatswain. + +"Then you'll do me the favour of accompanying the master and mate on +board the ship," said Rayner pointing to the boat. + +The master seemed very unwilling to obey, but the crew soon tumbled him, +with the mate and boatswain, into the boat, which returned to the +corvette, while Rayner remained with two hands on board. + +He now ordered the crew to haul round the fore yard, and, keeping the +helm up, soon ran within speaking distance of the _Lily_. + +"I intend to send you in to land the people picked up on the raft, with +a flag of truce, and as soon as you put them on shore, come back and +join me," said the commander. + +"Ay, ay, sir," answered Rayner, very well pleased to have a separate +command, although it might only last a few hours. He was still more +pleased, however, when the boat came back, bringing Oliver Crofton, the +four Frenchmen, and Jack and Tom, to form part of his crew. The blacks +and the mulatto were kept on board to assist in working the schooner. +The mulatto said he was the steward, and one of the blacks, with a low +bow, introduced himself as the cook. + +"Me talkee English, massa, well as French, and me cookee anyting dat +buckra officer like to order," he said, with a grimace which made the +midshipman laugh. + +"By-the-bye, before we part company with the corvette, we may as well +ascertain what Sambo here has got to cook," said Oliver. + +It was fortunate that he had this forethought, for, except a supply of +salt-fish, some yams and bananas, and a small cask of flour, with a +half-empty case of claret, no other provisions were discovered for +officers or men. Oliver accordingly returned, and obtained some beef +and biscuit, and a few articles from the mess. + +"And just bring five or six dollars with you, in case we want to +purchase any fish or vegetables," said Rayner, as he was shoving off. + +No time was lost in procuring what was necessary, when Oliver returned +to the _Mouche_, for such was the name of the prize. The corvette +making sail, she and the schooner ran on in company until they came off +the French part of the coast. The commander then ordered Rayner to +stand in, directing him, should any people be seen on shore, to hoist a +white flag, and land the four Frenchmen. + +Scarcely, however, had they parted company for a couple of hours, when a +dead calm came on, and Rayner and Oliver believed that there was no +chance of being able to land the Frenchmen that night. + +"I am very sorry for it," remarked Oliver; "for from the experience I +have had of them, I think it more than possible, if they can get the +assistance of the black crew, they will try and play us some scurvy +trick. I have not hitherto pointed out the fellow who tried to take my +life, and who was so nearly dying himself; but I suspect his disposition +has not altered for the better. You'll fancy me somewhat suspicious, +but I cannot help thinking that should he win over the blacks, they will +try and take the schooner from us." + +"They'll find that rather a tough job with you and me and our four men +to oppose them," answered Rayner. "However, after your warning, I'll +keep an eye on the gentlemen, and I'll tell Jack Peek to let me know if +he sees anything suspicious in their behaviour. He understands French +almost as well as I do, and he'll soon find out what they are about." + +"I do not like to think ill of other people, even though they are +foreigners; but I cannot forget what a villain one of those men is," +remarked Oliver. + +"Forewarned, forearmed," said Rayner. "We need not, after all, be +anxious about the matter; but it will be wise to keep our pistols in our +belts and our swords by our sides, and not to let the Frenchmen and the +black crew mix together more than is necessary." The steward now came +aft, hat in hand, and speaking in a jargon of French and Spanish, +interlarded with a few words of English, of which he was evidently +proud, requested to know what the officers would like for supper. + +"We shall not find fault, provided that the cook supplies us with the +best he can," answered Rayner. "One of our men there,"--pointing to +Jack Peek--"will give him the materials, unless he happens to have some +ducks or fowls, or a fine fish, for which we will pay him." + +The steward shrugged his shoulders, regretting that the only fish he had +on board were salted; but, notwithstanding, the cook would exercise his +skill upon them, and would produce a dish which even an epicure would +not disdain. + +While waiting for the evening meal, the young officers walked the deck, +whistling for a breeze, but there seemed no chance of its coming. The +land lay blue, but still indistinct, away to the northward, its outline +varied by hills of picturesque form, which rose here and there along the +coast. + +Rayner called up Jack Peek, and told him to keep a watch not only on the +black crew, but on the Frenchmen. "Notwithstanding the kind way they +have been treated, they may think it a fine opportunity for obtaining a +vessel in which they can carry on their former calling," he observed. + +"They'll be audaciously ungrateful wretches if they do, sir," answered +Jack. "To my mind they'll deserve to be hove overboard to feed one of +those sharks out there;" and he pointed to a black fin which was gliding +just above the surface. + +"I hope that they will not prove treacherous, and it is our business to +take care that they have no opportunity of being so," said Rayner. "Do +you and Tom keep an eye upon them, that's all." + +"Ay, ay, sir," answered Jack. + +The English seamen kept together. Though there were but four of them, +they were sturdy fellows, well armed, and it was not likely that either +the blacks or Frenchmen would venture to attack them. + +At length the mulatto steward announced supper ready, and Rayner and +Oliver descended to partake of it, leaving Tom in charge of the deck. + +"Call me if you see the slightest sign of a breeze," said the former, as +he went below. + +The cabin was not very large nor yet very clean; indeed, cockroaches and +centipedes were crawling about in all directions, and every now and then +dropped down on the white cloth from the beams above. The table, +however, was covered with several dishes, which, from the fragrant odour +ascending from them, promised to satisfy the hunger of a couple of +midshipmen. It was difficult to make out the materials of which the +dishes were composed, but on examination it was found that they +consisted chiefly of salt beef and fish dressed in a variety of +fashions, fricasseed, stewed, and grilled, and mixed with an abundance +of vegetables, with some delicious fruit, such as the West Indies can +alone produce. + +"Me tinkee better keep on de cobers, massa," observed the steward, "or +de cockroaches fall in an' drown demselves." + +"By all means," said Rayner, laughing. Indeed, he and Oliver had to +examine each mouthful before they raised it to their lips, lest they +should find one of the nauseous creatures between their teeth. + +As soon as the midshipmen had finished supper, they returned on deck. + +The sun had sunk beneath the ocean in a refulgence of glory, its parting +rays throwing a ruddy glow over the surface, unbroken by a single +ripple. + +"We must make up our minds to spend the night where we are," observed +Rayner. "It will be as well for you and me to take watch and watch, and +not to trust to any of the men, for although I have every confidence in +Peek, I cannot say the same for the rest." + +Oliver, of course, agreed to this, and took the first watch. At +midnight he aroused Rayner, who had stretched himself on one of the +lockers, not feeling inclined to turn into either of the +doubtful-looking bunks at the side of the vessel. + +"I suspect that we are going to have a change of weather," said Oliver, +as he came on deck. "The air feels unusually oppressive for this time +of night. There is a mist rising to the southward, though the stars +overhead shine as bright as usual." + +"I don't know what to think of it, having had but little experience in +these seas," answered Rayner; "I must ask the oldest of the Frenchmen, +but I don't see any of them on deck." + +"No, they and the blacks have all turned in," said Oliver. "They did +not ask my leave, but I thought it useless to rouse them up again, as +there seemed no chance of their being wanted." + +"Well, go and lie down and take a caulk, if the centipedes and +cockroaches will let you," laughed Rayner. "They have been crawling all +over me during the time I have been below, but I knew there was no use +attempting to keep them off, so I let them crawl, without interfering +with their pleasure. If I see any further change in the appearance of +the sky, I will rouse you up, and we'll make the black fellows turn out +to be ready to shorten sail." + +Rayner for some time walked the deck of the little vessel alone. Jack +was at the helm, and one of the men forward. The watch was very nearly +out, and he determined not to call up Oliver until daylight. On looking +to the southward he saw that the mist which had before remained only a +few feet above the horizon was rapidly covering the sky, while beneath +it he distinguished a long line of white foam. + +"Turn out, Oliver!" he shouted through the cabin skylight; "I'll take +the helm. Peek, run forward and rouse up the blacks and Frenchmen to +shorten sail. Not a moment to be lost!" + +Jack as he went forward shouted down the main hatchway, where Tom and +the other men were sleeping, and then in a stentorian voice called, in +French, to shorten sail. + +The Englishmen were on deck in a moment, but the blacks came up +stretching their arms and yawning. + +"Lower away with the throat and peak halyards!" shouted Rayner. + +Oliver and the two English sailors hastened to obey the order. + +"Brail up the foresail. Be smart, lads! Aloft with you and furl the +foretopsail, or it will be blown out of the bolt-ropes!" + +The mainsail was quickly got down. The black crew were pulling and +hauling at the brails of the headsails, when a fierce blast struck the +vessel. She heeled over to it. + +Rayner immediately put up the helm; but before the vessel had answered +to it, she heeled over till the water rushed over the deck. Then there +came a clap like thunder, and the main-topsail, split across, was blown +out of the bolt-ropes. + +"Square away the foreyard!" shouted Rayner. + +The vessel, righting, flew off before the fierce gale, the water rushing +and foaming round her sides. Astern, the whole ocean seemed a mass of +tumultuous foam-covered waves. + +The sky was as black as ink. To bring the vessel to the wind was +impossible. All that could be done was to run directly before the gale, +and even then it seemed that at any moment the fast rising seas might +break over her stern and sweep her decks. + +The schooner, however, by continuing her course, was running on +destruction, unless some port could be found under her lee to afford her +shelter; but even then there was a great risk of being captured by the +enemy, who would not pay much attention to a flag of truce, or believe +that she came for the object of landing the Frenchmen. Besides which, +as the vessel was a prize, it would be thought perfectly right to detain +her. + +Dawn broke; for an instant a fiery-red line appeared in the eastern +horizon, but was quickly obscured. The increasing light, however, +enabled the crew to carry on work which could not otherwise have been +performed. + +Rayner and Oliver resolved that they must, at all risks, try to heave +the schooner to while there was yet sea-room; and, should the weather +moderate, beat off shore until the gale was over and a boat could land +the people with safety on the beach. The first thing to be done was to +strike the maintopmast. Peek took the helm, while the rest went aloft. + +It was no easy matter to get out the fid--the pin which secured the heel +of the topmast in the cross-trees--but after considerable exertions, +with a fearful risk of being jerked overboard, they succeeded in +lowering down the mast. + +They had next to get fore and main-trysails ready to set, should it be +found possible to beat to windward, though at present it was evident +that the schooner could not bear even that amount of canvas. + +The foretopsail had stood, being a new stout sail, and it being closely +reefed, Rayner hoped that the little vessel would lay to under it. It +was a dangerous experiment he was about to try, but he had to choose +between two evils--that of being driven on shore, or the risk of having +the decks swept by the tremendous seas rolling up from the southward +before the schooner could be hove-to. She had already run a +considerable distance nearer the land. + +Stationing the men in readiness to brace round the yard, he looked out +for a favourable opportunity to put down the helm and bring the vessel +up to the wind. + +That favourable opportunity, however, did not come; every sea that +rolled up astern threatened to overwhelm her should he make the attempt. + +The land appeared closer and closer. If the vessel was to be hove-to it +must be done at once, in spite of all risks. + +"Hold on, lads, for your lives!" cried Rayner, in English and French, +setting the example by clinging to the larboard main rigging. "Now +starboard the helm. Haul away on the larboard headbrace. Ease off the +starboard." + +Oliver and Jack, who were at the helm, as they put it down prepared to +lash it to starboard; but as the vessel came up to the wind, a fearful +sea struck her, sweeping over her deck, carrying away the caboose and +the whole of the bulwarks forward; at the same moment the foretopsail +split as the other had done, and the canvas, after fluttering wildly in +the blast, was whisked round and round the yard. + +"Up with the helm!" cried Rayner. + +Oliver and Jack, knowing what was necessary, were already putting it up. +Before another sea struck the vessel she was again before the gale. +Her only resource was now to anchor, should no port be discovered into +which they could run. + +The cable was accordingly ranged ready to let go at a moment's notice; +but Rayner and Oliver well knew that there was little hope of the anchor +holding, or if it did, of the vessel living through the seas which would +break over her as soon as her course was stopped. Still, desperate as +was the chance, it must be tried. There might be time to set the +foresail yet, and she might lay to under it. + +The order was given to get the sail ready for setting as soon as she +could be brought up to the wind. Again the helm was put down. + +"Hoist away!" shouted Rayner. + +But scarcely had the sail felt the wind than it was blown away to +leeward, and another sea, even heavier than the first, struck the +vessel, sweeping fore and aft over her deck. + +Rayner, who was clinging on to the rigging, thought that she would never +rise again. A fearful shriek reached his ear, and looking to leeward, +he saw two of his people in the embraces of the relentless sea. + +In vain the poor fellows attempted to regain the schooner, farther and +farther they were borne away, until, throwing up their arms, they +disappeared beneath the foaming waters. + +At first he thought they were his own men, but on looking round he saw +Oliver and Jack clinging to the companion-hatch, and the rest holding on +to the main rigging. One of the Frenchmen had been lost, and the +coloured steward. + +Ere long the rest on board might have to share the same fate. Still +Rayner resolved to struggle to the last. + +Another attempt was made. The main-trysail was shifted to the foremast; +if that would stand, the vessel might possibly be kept off shore; but +scarcely had it been set, than the hurricane came down on the hapless +vessel with redoubled fury. The weather rigging gave way, and down came +the mast itself, killing one of the blacks, and fearfully crushing +another; and, to Rayner's dismay striking down Jack Peek. He sprang +forward to drag Jack out from beneath the tangled rigging and spars, +calling Tom Fletcher to assist him. They ran a fearful risk of being +washed away, but he could not leave Jack to perish. + +"Are you much hurt?" he shouted, as he saw Jack struggling to free +himself. + +"Can't say, sir; but my shoulder and leg don't feel of much use," +answered Jack. + +Tom, with evident reluctance, had to let go his hold, but could not +refuse to run the same risk as his officer. + +By lifting the spars they got Jack out, and dragged him to the +after-part of the vessel, where, as he did not seem able to help +himself, Rayner secured him by a lashing to a stanchion. + +"I'll stand by you, Peek, and, if it becomes necessary, I'll cast you +off, so that you may have a chance of saving yourself," he said. + +As it was now evidently hopeless to attempt heaving the vessel to, she +was once more kept before the wind, while Rayner and his men, armed with +two axes, which they found hanging up in the companion-hatch, and their +knives cut away the rigging, and allowed the foremast, which hung over +the side, to float clear of the vessel. + +"We must now cut away the mainmast. We shall have to bring up +presently, and it will enable her to ride more easily," cried Rayner. +The standing rigging was first cut through, then that on the other side, +when a few strokes sent the mast overboard. Still the schooner ran on +before the wind. Had she been laden, she must have foundered. The +hatches had been got on and battened down. They now, as far as +practicable, secured the companion-hatch, for they all well knew that +the moment they should bring up, the seas would come rolling on board, +and sweep the decks fore and aft. By Rayner's advice, each man got +lashings ready to secure himself to the stanchions or stumps of the +masts. Nearer and nearer the vessel drew to the shore. Looking ahead, +the line of breakers were seen dashing wildly on a reef parallel with +the shore, beyond which there appeared to be a narrow lagoon. + +Rayner, observing that the surf did not roll up the beach to any +considerable height, looked out for a passage through which the vessel +might be steered. The continuous line of breakers ran as far as the eye +could reach along the shore. There was only one spot where they seemed +to break with less fury. Towards it Rayner determined to steer the +schooner. He and Oliver soon came to the conclusion that it would be +useless to attempt anchoring. The water, probably, was far too deep +outside the reef for their range of cable, and even if it were not, the +anchor was not likely to hold. + +They accordingly steered for the spot they had discovered, the only one +which afforded them the slightest hope of escaping instant destruction. + +On rushed the vessel, now rising on the top of a sea, now plunging into +a deep hollow. Rayner and Oliver held their breaths. + +"I say, what's going to happen?" asked Tom of one of the other men. +"Shall we get safe on shore? I shouldn't mind if we could, although the +Frenchmen made us prisoners." + +"As to that, it seems to me doubtful," was the answer. "Maybe, in a few +minutes we shall be floating about among those breakers there, with no +more life in us than those poor fellows who were washed away just now; +or it may be that this little craft will be carried clear over the reef +into smooth water." + +"Oh dear, oh dear!" exclaimed Tom, "I have often wished that I had +stayed at home; I wish it more than ever now." + +"No use wishing. It won't undo what has been done. But, see, we are +getting very close. We shall know all about it presently." + +The schooner was farther off than Rayner had at first supposed; and as +they got nearer he saw, to his relief, that the spot for which he was +steering was wider than he had fancied. + +There seemed just a chance that the vessel might be thrown through +without striking; at the same time, tossed about as she was, it was +impossible to steer her as might be wished. He commended himself and +his followers, as every wise men would do, to the care of the Almighty, +and nerved himself up for whatever might happen. + +The roar of the breakers sounded louder and louder. On the vessel +drove, until there was a crash. She had struck, but, contrary to all +expectation, another sea lifted her and flung her completely through the +breakers, when, swinging round, she grounded on a sandbank just within +them, heeling over with her head to the eastward, and her deck towards +the shore. + +Though the sea, which washed over the reef, still beat against her, she +might possibly hold together for some time. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY. + +RAYNER PROVES THAT HE IS A TRUE HERO. + +The sea dashing over the reef, though spent of its fury, still broke +with great force against the hull of the schooner. Her timbers shook +and quivered as wave after wave, striking them, rolled on towards the +beach, and then came hissing back, covering the surface of the lagoon +with a mass of creaming foam. The coast, as far as could be seen +through the masses of spray, looked barren and uninviting. + +The Frenchmen and blacks, recovering from the alarm which had well-nigh +paralysed them, rushed to the boat stowed amidships, and began casting +adrift the lashings, and preparing to launch her. + +"Keep all fast there!" cried Rayner, as he saw what they were about. +"It will be best to wait till the sea goes down, when we shall be able +to get the boat into the water with less risk of her being swamped than +at present." + +They, however, paid no attention to his orders, and continued their +preparations for launching the boat. + +When he found that they persisted in their attempts, he urged them to +wait till they had collected a supply of provisions, and obtained some +fresh water, as it was probable that they might find neither the one nor +the other on shore. Calling Fletcher aft to attend to Peek, he and +Oliver went into the cabin to collect all the eatables they could find, +as also their carpet bags and such other articles as might be useful. + +"We must get up some water before the boat shoves off," said Rayner. +"I'll send one of the men to help you, while I go into the hold to +search for casks." + +The boat was still on the deck, and there seemed no probability that the +Frenchmen and blacks would succeed in launching her. + +He was some time below, hunting about for the casks of water. + +He had just found a couple, and was about to return on deck to obtain +some slings for hoisting them up, when he heard Jack Peek shout out, +"Quick, Mr Rayner--quick! the fellows are shoving off in the boat." + +Springing on deck, what was his surprise and indignation to see the boat +in the water, and all the men in her, including Tom Fletcher! + +"What treachery is this?" he exclaimed. "If go you must, wait until we +can get our injured shipmate into the boat, and Mr Crofton will be on +deck in a moment." + +While he was speaking, the man named Brown, who had gone with him below, +rushing on deck, leapt into the boat, intending to prevent them from +shoving off. Rayner, for the same object, followed him, with a rope in +his hand, which he was in the act of making fast, when one of the +Frenchmen cut it through, and the boat rapidly drifted away from the +side of the vessel. + +In vain Rayner urged the people to pull back, and take off Oliver and +Jack; but, regardless of his entreaties, one of them, seizing the helm, +turned the boat's head towards the beach. They pulled rapidly away, +endeavouring to keep her from being swamped by the heavy seas which +rolled up astern. Now she rose, now she sank, as she neared the shore. + +"Oliver will fancy that I have deserted him; but Jack Peek knows me too +well to suppose that I could have acted so basely," thought Rayner. +"If, however, the boat is knocked to pieces, it will be a hard matter to +get back to the wreck. All I can do is to pray to Heaven that the +schooner may hold together till I can manage to return on board." + +These thoughts passed through his mind as the boat approached the beach. +He saw that it would be utterly useless to try and induce the men to +return. Indeed, the attempt at present would be dangerous. He again +urged the crew to be careful how they beached the boat. + +"The moment she touches jump out and try to run her up, for should +another sea follow quickly on the first, she will be driven broadside on +the beach, and before you can get free of her, you may be carried away +by the reflux." + +The Frenchmen and blacks, eager to save themselves, paid no attention to +what he said. On flew the boat on the summit of a sea, and carried +forward, the next instant her keel struck the sand. Regardless of his +advice, they all at the same moment sprang forward, each man trying to +be the first to get out of the boat. He and Tom Fletcher held on to the +thwarts. + +On came the sea. Before the men had got out of its influence, two of +them were carried off their legs, and swept back by the boiling surf, +while the boat, broaching to, was hove high up on the beach, on which +she fell with a loud crash, her side stove in. Rayner, fearing that she +might be carried off, leaped out on the beach, Tom scrambling after him. +His first thought was to try and rescue the two men who had been +carried off by the receding wave. Looking round to see who was missing, +he discovered that one of them was a British seaman, the other a +Frenchman. He sprang back to the boat to secure a coil of rope which +had been thrown into her, and calling on his companions to hold on to +one end, he fastened the other round his waist, intending to plunge in, +and hoping to seize hold of the poor fellows, who could be seen +struggling frantically in the hissing foam. The Frenchmen and blacks, +however, terror-stricken, and thinking only of their own safety, rushed +up the beach, as if fancying that the sea might still overtake them. +Tom and his messmate alone remained, and held on to the rope. Rayner +swam off towards the Frenchman, who was nearest to the shore. Grasping +him by the shirt, he ordered Tom and Brown to haul him in, and in a few +seconds they succeeded in getting the Frenchman on shore. + +Ward, the other seaman, could still be seen floating, apparently +lifeless, in the surf--now driven nearer the beach, now carried off +again, far beyond the reach of the rope. The moment the Frenchman had +been deposited on the sands, Rayner sprang back again, telling Tom and +Brown to advance as far as possible into the water. + +Rayner, however, did not feel very confident that they would obey his +orders, but trusted to his powers as a swimmer to make his way back to +the beach. A sea rolled in. He swam on bravely, surmounting its +foaming crest. He had got to the end of the rope, and Ward was still +beyond his reach. Still he struggled. Perhaps another sea might bring +the man to him. He was not disappointed, and grasping the collar of +Ward's jacket, he shouted to Brown and Tom to haul away; but the sea +which had brought Ward in rolled on, and Tom, fancying that he should be +lifted off his legs, let go the rope and sprang back. Happily, Brown +held on, but his strength was not sufficient to drag in the rope. In +vain he called on Tom to come back to his assistance. While tugging +manfully away, he kept his feet on the ground, although the water rose +above his waist. The next instant the sea bore Rayner and his now +lifeless burden close up to where he stood. Rayner himself was almost +exhausted, but with the help of Brown, and such aid as Tom was at +length, from very shame, induced to give, they got beyond the influence +of the angry seas Rayner lost no time in trying to restore the seaman, +but with sorrow he found that it was a corpse alone he had brought on +shore. + +The Frenchman, Jacques Le Duc, having been less time in the water, +quickly recovered, and expressed his gratitude to Rayner for having +saved him. + +"Mais, ma foi! those poltroons who ran off, afraid that the sea would +swallow them up, should be ashamed of themselves," he exclaimed. "You +had best show your gratitude, my friend, by getting them to assist us in +bringing off my brother officer and the seaman from the wreck," answered +Rayner. "I fear that she will not hold together many hours, and unless +they are soon rescued they may lose their lives." + +"I will try and persuade them to act like men," answered Jacques. "You +have twice saved my life, and I feel bound to help you." + +Saying this, Jacques, who had been assisted on his legs by Tom and +Brown, staggered after his companions, shouting to them to stop. + +On seeing him, they only ran the faster. + +"Do you take me for a ghost?" he cried out, "Come back, come back, you +cowards, and help the brave Englishman!" + +At last they stopped, and Jacques was seen talking to them. In a short +time he came back, saying that they declared nothing would induce them +to return to the wreck; that the boat, they knew, could no longer float, +and that there was no other means of getting off; that if they remained +on the shore they should be starved, and that they must hurry away in +search of food and shelter before night, which was fast approaching. + +"Then we must see what we can do by ourselves," said Rayner. "We cannot +allow Mr Crofton and Peek to perish while we have any means of going to +their assistance. I must first see if we can patch up the boat so as to +enable her to keep afloat." + +On examining her, however, it was discovered that several of the planks +on one side were stove in, and that they could not repair her +sufficiently to keep out the water. At first Rayner thought of making a +raft out of the materials of the boat; but he soon came to the +conclusion that he should never be able to paddle it against the seas +which came rolling in. + +"It must be done," he said to himself. "I have swum as far in smooth +water, with no object in view; but strength will be given me. I trust, +when I am making an effort to save my fellow-creatures. Crofton might +perhaps swim to the shore, but nothing would induce him to leave a +shipmate alone to perish." + +All this time Oliver and Jack could be seen seated on the deck, holding +on to the stanchions to save themselves from being washed away by the +seas which, occasionally breaking over her side, poured down upon them. + +It of course occurred to Rayner that if Oliver could manage to float a +cask, or even a piece of plank secured to the end of a rope, a +communication might be established between the wreck and the shore; but +as far as he could see, the running rigging and all the ropes had gone +overboard with the masts, and the only coil saved was that which had +been brought in the boat. + +"Go off again I must," he said; "and I want you, my lads, to promise me, +should I perish, that you will use every exertion to save the people on +the wreck. Fletcher, you know our object in coming on the coast. You +must go to the authorities and explain that we had no hostile +intentions--that our wish was to land the Frenchmen whose lives we had +saved; and if you explain this, I hope that you will all be well +treated." + +Even Tom was struck by his officer's courage and thoughtfulness; and he +and his messmate promised to obey his orders. + +Rayner, having now committed himself to the care of Heaven, prepared to +swim off to the wreck. He knew that Oliver would see him coming, and +would be ready to help him get on board. Waiting until a sea had broken +on the beach, he followed it out, and darting through the next which +rolled forward, he was soon a long way from the shore. He found he +could swim much better than before, now that he had no rope to carry. +Boldly he struck forward. Happily he did not recollect that those seas +swarmed with sharks. On and on he went. Now and again, as a sea rushed +over the reef, he was thrown back, but exerting all his strength, he +struggled forward. He was nearing the wreck, and could see that Oliver, +who was eagerly watching him, had got hold of a short length of rope, +with which he stood ready to heave when he should be near enough. But +he felt his own strength failing. It seemed almost beyond his power to +reach the wreck. Still, it was not in his nature to give in, and making +a desperate effort, striking out through the surging waters, he clutched +the rope which Oliver hove-to him, and the next instant was clambering +on board. Throwing himself down on the deck, he endeavoured to regain +his strength, Oliver grasping him tightly with one hand, while he held +to the stanchion with the other. + +"I knew you would not desert us, Rayner," he said. "But now you have +come, how are we to get this poor fellow to the shore? I could not +leave him, or I would not have allowed you to risk your life by +returning on board. We must try and knock a raft together sufficient to +carry Peek, and you and I will swim alongside it, if we cannot make it +large enough to hold us all three. There's no time to be lost, though." + +Providentially the wind had by this time decreased, and the tide having +fallen, the seas struck with less fury against the wreck, and enabled +the two midshipmen to work far more effectually than they could +otherwise have done. + +Jack begged that he might try and help them, but they insisted on his +remaining where he was, lest a sea should carry him off, and he might +not have the strength to regain the wreck. + +Fortunately the two axes had been preserved, and going below, they found +several lengths of rope, though not of sufficient strength to form a +safe communication with the shore. They would serve, however, for +lashing the raft together. + +They quickly cutaway some of the bulkheads. They also discovered below +several spars and a grating. By lashing these together they in a short +time formed a raft of sufficient size to carry all three. They next +made a couple of paddles with which to guide the raft. They were very +rough, but they would serve their purpose. It was almost dark by the +time the raft was finished. + +"I say, I feel desperately hungry, and I daresay so do you, Rayner, +after all you have gone through," said Oliver. "I propose that we +should have some of the contents of the basket we packed. I left it in +the steward's pantry on the weather side." + +"A very good idea," answered Rayner. "Pray get it up. Some food will +do Peek good, and enable us all to exert ourselves. I'll finish this +lashing in the meantime." + +They were not long in discussing some of the sausages and bread which +Oliver produced. + +"I feel much more hearty, sir," said Jack, when he had swallowed the +food. "I don't fancy there's so much the matter with me after all, only +my leg and back do feel somewhat curious." + +"Come," said Rayner, "we must make the attempt, for we cannot tell what +sort of weather we shall have during the night." + +With forethought, they had fixed some lashings to the raft with which to +secure both Jack and themselves. It floated with sufficient quietness +to enable them to place Jack upon it. + +"We must not forget the food, though," said Oliver. + +"Do you, Peek, hold the basket, and do not let it go if you can help +it." + +They took their seats, and lashing themselves to the raft, cast off the +rope which held it to the wreck, and began paddling away with might and +main. The seas rolled in with much less force than before, though there +was still considerable risk of the raft capsizing. + +While under the lee of the wreck they proceeded smoothly enough, but the +seas which passed her ahead and astern meeting, several times washed +over them. As they approached the shores they could see through the +gloom three figures standing ready to receive them. + +"I am glad those fellows have not deserted us, for after the way they +before behaved I did not feel quite sure about the matter," said Rayner. + +While he was speaking, a sea higher than the rest came rolling along in, +and lifting the raft on its summit, went hissing and roaring forward. + +"Be ready to cast off the lashings, and to spring clear of the raft, or +it may be thrown over upon us," cried Rayner. He gave the warning not a +moment too soon, for the sea, carrying on the raft, almost immediately +dashed it on the beach. Springing up and seizing Jack Peek by the arm, +he leapt clear of it. They would both have fallen, however, had not Tom +and Brown dashed into the water and assisted them, while Le Duc rendered +the same assistance on the other side to Oliver. + +Before the raft could be secured the reflux carried it away, together +with the basket of provisions, and it soon disappeared in the darkness. +"What shall we do next?" asked Oliver. "We cannot stop on the beach all +night." + +Wet to the skin as they were, although the wind was not cold, it blew +through their thin clothing, and made them feel very chilly. + +"We must look out for food and shelter," observed Rayner. "Perhaps we +shall fall in with some of the huts of the black people where we can +obtain both, though the country did not look very inviting when there +was light enough to see it. I, however, don't like to leave the body of +that poor fellow on the beach." + +"Fletcher and I will try and bury him, sir," said Jack. + +"I don't see much use in doing that," growled Tom. "He can't feel the +cold. It will keep us here all the night, seeing we have no spades, nor +anything else to dig a grave." + +"We might do it if we could find some boards," said Jack. "How would +you like to be left on shore just like a dead dog?" + +His good intentions, however, were frustrated, as no pieces of board +could be found, and they were compelled at length to be satisfied with +placing the body on a dry bank out of the reach of the water. This +done, they commenced their march in search of some human habitations, +Tom and Brown supporting poor Jack, who was unable to walk without help, +between them. + +The country, from the glimpse they had had of it, appeared more inviting +to the west, but Rayner reflected that by going in that direction they +would get farther and farther from the Spanish territory, but were they +once to reach it, they might claim assistance from the inhabitants. How +many miles they were from the border neither Rayner nor Oliver was +certain; it might be a dozen or it might be twenty or thirty. Le Duc +could give them no information. It was difficult to find the way in the +darkness; they could indeed only guide themselves by listening to the +roar of the breakers, with an occasional glimpse of the dark ocean to +the right. The two officers agreed that it would be of great advantage +to get into Spanish territory before daylight, as they would thus avoid +being taken prisoners. Though their object in coming on the coast was a +peaceable one, it would be difficult to induce the authorities to +believe that this was the case. Le Duc promised that he would bear +testimony to the truth of the account they intended to give of +themselves; but, he observed, "My word may not be believed, and I myself +may be accused of being a deserter. The people hereabouts do not set +much value on human life, and they may shoot us all to save themselves +the trouble of making further inquiries." + +These observations, which Rayner translated to his companions, made them +still more anxious to push on. He and Oliver led the way with Le Duc, +whom they desired to answer should they come suddenly on any of the +inhabitants. + +They went on and on, stumbling among rocks, now forcing their way +through a wood, now ascending a rugged slope, until they found +themselves at what appeared to have been a sugar plantation, but +evidently abandoned for the fences were thrown down, though the shrubs +and bushes formed an almost impenetrable barrier. They discovered, +however, at last, a path. Even that was much overgrown, though they +managed to force their way through it. + +When once out of the plantation they found the road less obstructed. +Reaching a rising ground, they eagerly looked round, hoping to see a +light streaming from the windows of some house, where they could obtain +the rest and food they so much required. + +"I think I caught sight of a glimmer among the trees. Look there!" said +Oliver. + +They took the bearings of the light, and descending the hill, +endeavoured to direct their course towards it. At last they reached a +road, which they concluded must lead towards the house where the light +had been seen. They went on some way farther in darkness. + +"We are all right," cried Oliver. "I caught sight of three lights from +as many different windows. That shows that it is a house of some size." + +"I don't know whether that would be an advantage," observed Rayner. +"The owner may dislike the English, and refuse to receive us, or send +off to the authorities and have us carried away to prison." + +"But you and Le Duc and Peek, as you speak French, may pass for +Frenchmen; and a man must be a curmudgeon if he refuses to afford +assistance to sailors in distress," observed Oliver. + +"I can't say much for Peek's French, or for my own either. I would +rather state at once who we are," said Rayner. "Le Duc is an honest +fellow, and he will explain why we came on the coast, and will tell them +how we saved his life." + +Le Duc, being asked, replied that he would gladly undertake whatever the +English officers wished, and it was arranged that as soon as they got +near the house he should go on and ascertain the disposition of the +inhabitants. Should they be ill-disposed towards the English he was to +return, and they would go on rather than run the risk of being detained +and sent to prison. + +Sooner than they had expected they got close up to what was evidently a +house of considerable size, as the lights came from windows some +distance above the ground. While Le Duc went forward, the rest of the +party remained concealed under shelter of some thick bushes. He had not +got far when a loud barking showed that several dogs were on the watch. + +He advanced, however, boldly, calling to the dogs, and shouting for some +one to come and receive him. + +The animals, though satisfied that he was not a thief, seemed to suspect +that there were other persons not far off. + +"I say, here the brutes come," whispered Tom. "They'll be tearing us to +pieces. The people in these parts, I have read, have great big +bloodhounds to hunt the Indians with. If they come near us we must +knock them over." + +"That won't make the people inclined to treat us more kindly," answered +Jack. "When the dogs find we are quiet, they'll let us alone." + +Just then the voice of some one was heard calling the dogs, who went +back to the house. + +Some time passed. At last Le Duc's voice was heard. It was too dark to +see him. + +"It's all arranged, messieurs," he said. "There's an old lady and two +young ladies in the house. I told them all about you, when they said +that they were fond of the English, and would be very happy to give you +shelter and food, but that you must come quietly so that no one but +their old brown maitre d'hotel, and black girls who wait on them, should +know that you are in the house. Follow me, then, and just have the +goodness to tell the men that they must behave themselves or they may be +getting into trouble." + +"I'll tell them what you say," observed Rayner; and turning to the three +seamen, he said-- + +"Remember that though you are on shore you belong to the _Lily_, and +are, therefore, as much under discipline as if you were on board." + +They now proceeded towards the house, led by Le Duc. The two officers +going first, they mounted the steps, and getting inside the house, they +saw an old mulatto carrying a couple of wax candles. He beckoned them +with his head to follow, and led the way to an inner room, when an old +lady advanced to meet them. Behind her came two young ladies, whom the +midshipmen thought very handsome, with dark flashing eyes and black +tresses, their costumes being light and elegant, and suited to that warm +clime. The old lady introduced them as her daughters, Sophie and +Virginie. The midshipmen advanced bowing, and Rayner, who was +spokesman, apologised for appearing in their wet and somewhat torn +clothes. + +"We have received the invitation madame has been so kind as to afford +us, and we throw ourselves on her hospitality." He then repeated what +he had told Le Duc to say. + +"You shall have your necessities supplied, and I will gladly do all I +can to protect and help you regain your ship," she said. "I was once +with my daughters taken prisoner when on a voyage from France by an +English ship-of-war, and we were treated by the English officers as if +we had been princesses. Ah! they were indeed true gentlemen! They won +our hearts;" and she sighed. "I thought two of them would have become +husbands of my daughters, but stern duty compelled them to sail away +after they had landed us, and we have never heard of them since." + +"We will gladly convey any message to them, if you will tell us their +names, and the ships to which they belonged," said Rayner, "should we be +fortunate enough to fall in with them." + +"My daughters will tell you by-and-by," answered the old lady. "You, I +see, require to change your dresses, which you can do while supper is +preparing. My maitre d'hotel will look to your men with the help of the +French sailor whom you sent up with your message." + +"One of them was hurt on board the wreck, and requires some doctoring, I +fear," said Rayner; "he managed to drag himself, with the assistance of +his shipmates, thus far, but he must be suffering." + +"Be sure that I will attend to him," answered Madame La Roche. "I have +some skill in surgery, and it will be a satisfaction to exercise it on +one of your countrymen; but now Francois will conduct you to a room, and +supply you with such garments as he can collect. Your men in the +meantime will be attended to." + +Francois on this stepped forward with his candles, and, with an +inimitable bow, requested the young officers to follow him. They bowing +again to madame and her daughters, followed the maitre d'hotel, who led +the way to a large room with two beds in it, as also a couple of cane +sofas, several chairs, a table, and, what was of no small consequence, a +washhand-stand. + +"De best ting messieurs can do will be to get into de bed while I bring +dem some dry clothes," said Francois. + +Rayner and Oliver requested, however, that they might be allowed, in the +first place, to wash their hands and faces. + +This done, they jumped into their respective beds, and when once there +they agreed that, if they were not so hungry, they would infinitely +prefer going to sleep to having to get up again and make themselves +agreeable to the ladies. As soon as Francois got possession of their +clothes he hurried away, but shortly returned, bringing with him a +supply of linen and silk stockings, and two antiquated court suits. +They were, he said, the only costumes which he considered worthy of the +English officers, and he begged that they would put them on without +ceremony. + +Though not much inclined for merriment just then, they could not help +laughing as they got into the white satin small clothes offered them. +They then put on the richly-embroidered waistcoats, which, being very +long, came down over their hips. Their frilled shirts stuck out in +front to a considerable distance, but when they came to the coats, +Rayner, who had the broadest pair of shoulders, felt considerable fear +lest he should split his across, while his hands projected some way +beyond the ruffles which adorned the wrists. + +Francois assisted them in the operation of dressing, and after they had +tied their neckcloths, he begged, with a low bow, to fasten on their +swords. When their costumes were complete he stepped back, and surveyed +them with evident satisfaction. + +Oliver could not keep his countenance, but laughed heartily for some +time. + +"It's just as well to get it over, Rayner," he said; "for otherwise I +could not help bursting out every time I looked at you." + +The maitre d'hotel, however, did not appear to think there was anything +laughable in the appearance of the two Englishmen. + +"Oh, messieurs! you are admirable. Let me have the honour of conducting +you to the saloon." Saying this he took up the candles, and with +stately step marched before them, until they reached a large room, in +the centre of which was a table spread with a handsome repast. + +Madame La Roche, coming in, took the head of the table, and the young +ladies, sailing like swans into the room, placed themselves by the side +of their guests, on the strangeness of whose costumes they made not the +slightest remark. Rayner and Oliver had become somewhat faint from long +fasting, but their spirits quickly revived after they had eaten some of +the viands placed before them. At first they supposed that the repast +was served up solely on their account, but from the way the girls and +their mother kept them in countenance, they were satisfied that they had +simply come in for the family supper. + +Rayner talked away, now to the old lady, now to the young one at his +side, while Oliver found that he could converse much more fluently than +he had supposed. + +After a time, however, they found it very difficult to keep their eyes +open, and Rayner heard the old lady remark to her daughters, in pitying +accents, that "Les pauvres garcons much required rest, and that it would +be cruel to keep them up longer than was necessary." + +She accordingly summoned Francois, who appeared with his huge +candlesticks. Wishing them good-night, the old lady advised them to +follow the maitre d'hotel to their chamber. + +They bowed as well as they could, and staggered off, more asleep than +awake. + +"We are certainly in clover here," remarked Oliver, as they reached +their room; "I question whether we shall be as well treated when we +reach Spanish territory; and I propose, if Madame La Roche is willing to +keep us, that we take up our quarters here until Peek is better able to +travel than he is now." + +"Certainly," answered Rayner, taking off his silk coat and placing his +sword on the table. "We'll talk of that to-morrow." + +They had not placed their heads on their pillows many seconds before +they both were fast asleep. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. + +CAPTURED. + +The shipwrecked midshipmen would probably have slept far into the next +day had not Francois appeared with their clothes, nicely brushed and +carefully mended, so that they were able to make a presentable +appearance in their own characters before their hostesses. + +He had also brought them a cup of cafe-au-lait, informing them that +breakfast would be ready as soon as they were dressed in the +salle-a-manger. + +They found an abundant meal spread out, as Francois had promised. The +old lady and her daughters welcomed them kindly--the latter with +wreathed smiles, the elder with a host of questions to which she did not +wait for a reply. + +They were all three thorough Frenchwomen, talking, as Oliver observed, +"thirteen to the dozen." + +Madame La Roche told them that she had been attending to the English +sailor, who, she hoped, would, under her care, be quite well in a day or +two. "I ought to warn you not to go out. People in these parts are not +well affected towards the English, and should it be discovered that I am +harbouring British officers I may get into trouble," she added. + +The morning passed very pleasantly. The young ladies produced their +guitars, and sang with good voices several French airs. Rayner and +Oliver thought them charming girls, and had they not felt it was their +duty to get back to their ship as soon as possible, would gladly have +remained in their society for an indefinite period. + +At last they begged leave to go down to see their men. They were guided +to their rooms by sounds of music and uproarious laughter. They found +Le Duc seated on a three-legged stool on the top of a table fiddling +away, while old Francois, three black women, Tom and Brown, were dancing +in the strangest possible fashion, whirling round and round, kicking up +their heels, and joining hands, while Jack lay on a bed at the farther +end of the room, looking as if he longed to get up and take a part in +the dance. + +On seeing the strangers, Francois became as grave as a judge, and +hurrying up to them, observed, "I thought it as well, messieurs, just to +join in for one minute to set the young people going. The poor sailors +needed encouragement, and I like to make people happy." + +"You succeeded well, Monsieur Francois," remarked Rayner. "I will not +interrupt them, but I have a few words to speak to my men." + +He then told Tom and Brown that it was the wish of Madame La Roche that +they should remain in the house, and not show themselves by any chance +to the people outside. + +"In course, sir," said Brown. "We are as happy as princes here. They +feed us with as much as we can eat, and give us a right good welcome +too." + +"Take care that you don't indulge too much," said Rayner. "We are +obliged to you, Le Duc, for finding us such good quarters, and we shall +be still more grateful if you will accompany us to the Spanish border. +I conclude you will then desire to return home." + +"I am very much at home where I am," replied Le Duc, with a grin. "If +madame will accept my services, I shall be very happy to remain here. +Perhaps one of the young ladies will fall in love with me, and I should +prefer settling down to knocking about at sea." + +Rayner and Oliver were horrified at the Frenchman's impudence. + +"Pray do not be troubled at what I say, messieurs," said Le Duc, with +perfect coolness. "Such things have happened before, and one Frenchman +here is as good as another." + +They saw that it would not do to discuss the matter with the seaman, +who, it was evident, from the dishes and glasses standing on the table +by the window, had been making himself merry with his companions. + +The afternoon was spent very much as the morning had been. The young +ladies possessed no other accomplishment than that of playing the guitar +and dancing. They read when they could get books, but these were mostly +French novels, certainly not of an improving character. + +Rayner and Oliver could not help comparing them with Mary Crofton, and +the comparison was greatly to her advantage. + +The next day, Francois, who had been out to market returned with a +troubled countenance. He hurried in to his mistress, who soon +afterwards came into the room where her daughters and the young officers +were seated. + +"I am sorry to say that the authorities have heard of your being in the +neighbourhood, and have sent the gendarmes to search for you!" she +exclaimed, in an anxious tone. "I did not wish to drive you away, and +am willing to try and conceal you. At present, no one knows you are in +the house. You may remain in a loft between the ceiling of this room +and the roof, where you are not likely to be found; but the place is +low, and will, I fear, be hot in the daytime, and far from pleasant. +Francois might manage to conduct you to a hut in the woods at no great +distance from this, to which we could send you food; but there is the +risk of the person who goes being seen, and your retreat being +discovered." + +"We are very sorry to cause you so much trouble, madame," said Rayner. +"It will, I think, be safest to leave this place to-night, and to try +and make our way, as we intended, into Spanish territory." + +"Ah! but the distance is long--fully twenty leagues," answered Madame La +Roche. "You would be recognised as strangers, and probably detained by +the mayor of a large village you must pass through." + +"But we must take care and not pass through any village," said Rayner. +"We will try to make our way along bypaths. What we should be most +thankful for is a trustworthy guide. Perhaps our good friend Francois +here will find one for us." + +"That I will try to do," said the old mulatto. "It is not, however, +very easy, as few of them know much of the country to the east." + +"But how was it discovered that these English officers and their men +were in the country?" asked Mademoiselle Sophie, the eldest of the young +ladies, turning to Francois. + +"It appears that yesterday morning there was found on the beach the dead +body of a seaman, who was supposed from his appearance and dress to be +English, while the marks of numerous feet were perceived on the sand, +some going to the west, others coming in this direction. Those going to +the west were traced until a party of French and black sailors were +discovered asleep in a wood. They stated that the vessel was French, +captured by an English man-of-war; that she had been driven by the +hurricane on the reef, and that it was their belief the English officers +and crew had escaped as well as themselves, but they could not tell what +had become of them. The mayor, on hearing this, had despatched a party +of gendarmes in search of the missing people. How soon they may be here +it is impossible to say." + +"But they will not be so barbarous as to carry off to prison English +officers who come with a flag of truce, and had no hostile intentions!" +exclaimed Virginie. + +"The authorities would be only too glad to get some Englishmen to +exhibit as prisoners," said Francois. "We must not trust them; and I +propose that we hide away the officers and men." + +Just as Francois had finished giving this account, Le Duc ran into the +room. + +"Oh, madame, oh messieurs!" he exclaimed, "I have seen those gendarmes +coming along the road towards the house; they will be here presently." + +"Here, come this way, my friends!" cried Madame La Roche. "Francois, +run and get the ladder. There may be time for you all to mount up +before the gendarmes appear. Call the other sailors. The sick man is +strong enough to move, or some one must help him. Vite, vite!" + +The old lady hurried about in a state of great agitation. Rayner and +Oliver had serious fears that she would betray herself. + +Francois soon came with the ladder, which he placed in a dark corner of +a passage, and, ascending, opened a trapdoor, and urged the party to +mount without delay. Oliver went up first. Jack was able to get up +without assistance. Le Duc was unwilling to go until the old lady +seized him by the arm. + +"Go up, my son, go up," she said. "You will not be worse off than the +rest." + +He at length unwillingly obeyed. + +As soon as Rayner got up, by Francois' directions he shut down the +trapdoor. There was just light sufficient, through a pane of glass in +the roof, to see that the loft extended over a considerable portion of +the building. Part only was covered with boards, on which, according to +the instructions given them, they laid down. Francois had charged them +on no account to move about, lest they should be heard by the people +below. The planks, however, were not placed very close together, and +after they had been there a minute or so, Rayner discovered a glimmer of +light coming through a broadish chink. + +Putting his face near it, he perceived that the old lady and her +daughters had seated themselves at a table with their work before them, +endeavouring to look as unconcerned as possible. + +He had not been in this position many minutes, when he heard some heavy +steps coming along the passage; they entered the room, and a gruff voice +demanded if any Englishmen had been, or still were, in the house. + +The old lady started to her feet with an exclamation of well-feigned +astonishment. + +"What can monsieur mean?" she asked. "Englishmen in my house! Where +can they have come from? My character is well known as a true patriot. +The enemies of France are my enemies. Pray explain yourself more +clearly." + +On this the sergeant of gendarmes began to apologise in more courteous +language than he had at first used, explaining why he had been sent to +look for the Englishmen who, it had been ascertained, were in that part +of the country. + +"Suppose you find them, what would you do with them?" asked Madame La +Roche. + +"No doubt send them to prison. They are enemies of France, and it would +not be wise when we can catch them to allow such to wander at large and +commit mischief." + +"Very true, very true, Monsieur Sergeant," said the old lady. "But that +does not excuse you for accusing me of harbouring them, and coming to my +house as if I were a traitress." + +The sergeant, however, was evidently persuaded, notwithstanding Madame +La Roche's evasion, that the fugitives had been at the house, if they +were not there still, and he insisted, with due respect to her, that it +was his duty to make a thorough search. + +"As you desire it, pray obey your orders," said Madame La Roche. "My +maitre d'hotel will show you round the house and outbuildings, and +wherever you wish to go. You must excuse me on account of my age, as +also my daughters from their youth and delicate nerves from accompanying +you." + +The sergeant bowed, and said something with a laugh which Rayner did not +hear, and the old lady, calling Francois, bade him conduct the sergeant +and his gendarmes through the house. "And take care that he looks into +every corner, under the beds and in them, if he likes, so that he may be +thoroughly satisfied," she added. + +"Oui, madame," answered Francois with perfect gravity. "Come along, +Monsieur Sergeant. If you do not find these Englishmen of whom you +speak, do not blame me." + +Rayner heard them retire from the room. He now began to breathe more +freely, hoping, for the sake especially of Madame La Roche, that the +sergeant would be satisfied when they were not found in the house. + +The ladies went on working and talking as if nothing were happening, +though their countenances betrayed their anxiety. The gendarmes had +been absent a sufficient time to make a thorough search through the +whole of the building when Rayner heard them coming back. Suddenly the +sergeant stopped, and asked, in a loud voice, "What is the object of +this ladder, my friend?" + +"To reach the roof from the verandah, or to enable the inmates to +descend should the house be on fire," answered Francois, promptly. + +"The roof everywhere overlaps the verandah," answered the sergeant, "and +no ladder is necessary to get out of these windows to the ground. It +appears to me of a length suited to reach the ceiling. Come, show me +any trapdoor through which I can reach the loft over the rooms. You +forgot, my friend, that part of the house." + +"A trapdoor in the ceiling! What a strange thought of yours!" exclaimed +Francois. "However, perhaps you will find it, should one exist, that +you may be satisfied on that point, and let one of your men take the +ladder, for I am old, and it would fatigue me to carry it." + +One of the gendarmes took up the ladder, and he could be heard knocking +at the ceiling in various directions. Still Rayner hoped that they +would not discover the dark corner, which Francois evidently had no +intention to show them. + +"It must be found somewhere or other," he heard the sergeant say. "This +ladder is exactly suited to reach it." + +At last he entered the room where the ladies were seated. + +"Will madame have the goodness to tell me whereabouts the trapdoor is +that leads to the roof?" he asked. + +"The trapdoor leading to the roof!" repeated Madame La Roche. "It is +not likely that an old woman, as I am, would have scrambled up there, or +my delicate daughters either. Surely, Monsieur Sergeant, you are +laughing at me." + +The sergeant turned away, but presently one of the men exclaimed, "I +have found it! I have found it--here, up in this corner!" + +Rayner heard the men ascending, the trap was lifted, but he and his +companions lay perfectly still, hoping that in the darkness they might +not be perceived. + +But the gendarme, after waiting a few seconds to accustom his eyes to +the dim light, began groping about until he caught hold of Tom's leg. +Tom, dreadfully frightened, cried out in English, "Oh, dear; he's got +me!" + +"Come down, messieurs, come down!" exclaimed the sergeant. "Oh, Madame +La Roche, you would have deceived me." + +Rayner and his companions were compelled to descend. He truly felt more +for his kind hostess and her daughters than he did for himself. They +might be heavily fined, if not more severely punished. He and his +companions had only to look forward to a prison, from which they might +escape. + +With the exception of Le Duc they were all soon collected in the room +below. He had managed by some means to escape detection. They were +allowed but a short time to take leave of Madame La Roche and her +daughters. The sergeant having received no orders respecting the +ladies, and satisfied at having secured his prisoners, seemed disposed +to allow the former to remain unmolested. They looked very melancholy, +however. The young ladies, as they shook hands, burst into tears. In +vain Madame La Roche begged that their guests might be allowed to +partake of some refreshment before commencing their journey. The +sergeant would not hear of it. He had caught the spies, and he intended +to keep them. If he allowed them to remain, some trick might be played, +and they might make their escape. + +He at once, therefore, ordered his men to lead his prisoners to the +courtyard of the house. + +"Hands off; I won't be manacled by a French jackanapes," cried Brown, +turning round as one of the men seized his arm. "We are five to seven, +mayn't we knock the fellows over, sir? We could do it easily enough, +and get off before they came to themselves again." + +"I'll join you with all my heart," said Jack, "though I can't fight as +well as I could before my ribs were stove in." + +"I'll tackle one of the fellows if I may take the smallest," said Tom, +though he looked rather pale at the thought of the impending struggle. + +"What do you advise, Rayner?" asked Oliver. + +"I can advise no violence," said Rayner. "We may succeed in mastering +the Frenchmen, but if we did, the kind old lady here and her daughters +would certainly suffer in consequence. We must submit with a good +grace, and we may possibly afterwards have an opportunity of making our +escape without fighting." + +Though the Frenchmen did not understand what was said, they evidently, +from the looks of the seamen, suspected their intentions, and drawing +their pistols presented them at the heads of their prisoners. + +The ladies shrieked, fancying they were about to fire, and Tom turned +pale. + +"Pray don't be alarmed," said Rayner. "We yield to the sergeant, and +before we go I wish, in the name of my companions and myself, to express +to you the deep gratitude we feel for your kindness. Farewell!" + +He and Oliver kissed their hands, and the sergeant made significant +signs to them to go through the doorway. + +"Have I the word of you two officers and your men that you will commit +no violence?" he asked. "If you refuse it, I shall be under the +necessity of binding your arms behind you." + +"What shall I say, Oliver?" asked Rayner. "If we give the promise we +lose the chance of attempting to make our escape; but then again, if our +arms are bound no opportunity can occur." + +"Say then that we will attempt no violence, and submit to any directions +he may give us," answered Oliver. + +Rayner spoke as Oliver advised, and the sergeant appeared satisfied, as +he imposed no other promise. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. + +IN PRISON, AND OUT AGAIN. + +The order to march was given. The two officers went first, followed by +Brown and Tom supporting Jack, and the gendarmes marched on either side +of them with their bayonets fixed. + +Rayner and Oliver took the bearings of the house and remarked the +country as they went along. They found that they were proceeding +inland, and on inquiring of the sergeant he said that they were going to +a place called Le Trou, where other English prisoners were confined. + +"Are there many of them?" inquired Rayner. + +"Yes," answered the Frenchman, "some hundreds, I believe; for one of our +frigates captured a ship of yours not long ago, and most of the officers +and men who escaped death were sent there." + +Rayner in vain endeavoured to ascertain what English ship was spoken of, +for he had heard of none taken by the French of late years. The +sergeant, however, was positive, though he did not know either the name +of the ship or the exact time of the capture. + +"I suspect he has heard some old story, and he repeats it for the sake +of annoying us," observed Oliver. + +"We must not let him suppose that we are cast down. We'll try to learn +how far off this Le Trou is." + +Rayner questioned the sergeant. + +"He says it is three days' journey. We shall have to stop at different +houses on the road. That he must first take us to the mayor, or some +official, who may perhaps send us to the governor at Leogane, by whom we +shall be examined, and if found to be spies, we shall be shot." + +"Then Le Trou is not our first destination, and much will depend upon +the character of the mayor before whom we are taken," observed Oliver. + +As they still continued in a northerly direction, they knew that they +were not going to Leogane, which lay to the westward, nor were they +increasing their distance from the Spanish border. + +Towards evening they reached a house of some size built, as are most of +those in the country, on one storey, raised on a platform, with a broad +veranda and wide projecting eaves. At one end, however, was a circular +tower of considerable height. + +"Here we shall stop, and there will be your lodging after you have been +examined by Monsieur le Maire," said the sergeant, pointing to the +tower. + +They conducted them up the steps to a hall, at one end of which was a +baize-covered table, with a large chair and several smaller chairs on +either side. + +After some time a little old gentleman in a red nightcap and flowered +dressing-gown, with slippered feet, and spectacles on nose, entered the +hall, followed by another in black, apparently his clerk. Two other +persons also came in, and took their seats at the table, while the clerk +began to nibble his pen and shuffle his papers. + +The old gentleman, in a squeaky voice, inquired who were the prisoners +now brought before him, and of what crime they were accused. + +The sergeant at once stepped up to the table, and giving a military +salute, informed Monsieur le Maire how he had heard of spies being in +the country, and how he had captured them at the house of Madame La +Roche. + +"But if they are Englishmen, they cannot speak French, and we require an +interpreter," said the mayor. "Do any of you, my friends, understand +the language of those detestable islanders?" + +No one replied. After the remark of the mayor, it might seem a disgrace +even to speak English. + +Rayner, anxious not to prolong the business, on hearing what was said, +stepped up to the table, and observed that, as he spoke French, he +should be happy to explain how he and his companions came into the +country. + +He then gave a brief account of the circumstances which led to the +shipwreck, and what had since occurred. He was sorry anybody present +should entertain ill-feelings towards the English, as for his part he +liked France, and had a warm regard for many Frenchmen. + +Even the mayor was impressed, and a pleased smile came over his weazened +features. + +"I am ready to believe the account you give me, and that you certainly +are not spies," he said. "The body of your countryman found on the +beach proves that you were shipwrecked. Still, as you are in the +country, we must consider you as prisoners of war, and treat you as +such. For this night you must remain here, and to-morrow I will +consider whether I will send you to Leogane or Le Trou, where you will +wait with others of your countrymen to be exchanged." + +After some further remarks the examination terminated, and Rayner and +Oliver, with the three seamen, were marched off under a guard to the +tower. + +It was nearly dark, and they were conducted by the light of a lantern up +two flights of steps to a room in an upper storey. As far as they could +judge, it was furnished with several pallet beds, a table, some chairs, +and stools. + +"You are to remain here until to-morrow morning, messieurs, when I shall +know in what direction to proceed. Monsieur le Maire has ordered you +some food, and you will, I hope, not complain of your treatment," said +the sergeant, as he closed the door, which he locked and bolted. They +heard him descending. + +"We are better off than I should have expected," remarked Rayner, +surveying the room by the light of the lantern which the sergeant had +left. + +"The point is, Are we able to escape?" said Oliver. + +"You mind, sir, how we got out of the prison in France, and I don't see +why we shouldn't get out of this place," observed Jack, going to one of +the two narrow windows which the room contained, and looking forth. +They were strongly-barred. The night was dark, and he could only see +the glimmer of a light here and there in the distance. It was +impossible also to ascertain the height of the window from the ground. + +"We will certainly try to get out," said Rayner, joining Jack at the +window. "Though I fear that you with your bruises and battered ribs +will be unable to make your way on foot across the country." + +"Don't mind me, sir," answered Jack. "I have no pain to speak of. If +the worst comes to the worst, I can but remain behind. I shall be +content if you and Mr Crofton and Tom and Brown make your escape." + +"No, no, my brave fellow," said Rayner, "we will not leave you behind. +But before we talk of what we will do, we must try what we can do. +These bars seem very strongly fixed into the stone, and may resist our +attempts to get them out." + +"There's nothing like trying, however," observed Oliver. "We must get +away to-night, for if the mayor decides on sending us either to Leogane +or Le Trou we shall have a very poor chance afterwards." + +They tried the bars, but all of them were deeply imbedded in the stone. + +"Where there's a will there's a way," observed Jack. "We may dig out +the lead with our knives, and if we can get one bar loose we shall soon +wrench off the ends of the others, or bend them back enough to let us +creep through. Brown wouldn't make much of bending one of these iron +bars, would you, Sam?" + +"I'll try what I can do," said the seaman, "especially if it's to get us +our liberty." + +"Then, not to lose time, I'll make a beginning, if you'll let me, sir," +said Jack; and he got out his knife, but just as he had commenced +operations, steps were heard ascending the stairs. The door opened, and +one of the gendarmes appeared, followed by a negro carrying a basket of +provisions. + +"Monsieur le Maire does not want to starve you, and so from his +bountiful kindness has sent you some supper," said the former. + +"We are much obliged to Monsieur the Mayor, but we should be still more +so if he would set us at liberty," said Rayner. + +Meanwhile the black boy was spreading the table with the contents of the +basket. + +The gendarme laughed. "No, no, we are not apt to let our caged birds +fly," he answered. "I hope, messieurs, you will enjoy your suppers, and +I would advise you then to take some sleep to be ready to start early in +the morning, as soon as it is decided in what direction you are to go." + +Rayner thanked the gendarme, who, followed by the black boy, went out of +the room, bolting and barring the door behind him. + +The men now drew their benches to the table, and Rayner and Oliver, +taking their places, fell to with the rest, there being no necessity, +under such circumstances, for keeping up official ceremony. + +Supper was quickly got through, and each man stowed away the remainder +of the provisions in his pockets. While they went to work with their +knives at the bars, Rayner and Oliver examined the beds. They were +thankful to find that the canvas at the bottom was lashed by pieces of +tolerably stout rope. These, with the aid of the ticking cut into +strips, would form a line of sufficient length and strength to enable +them to descend, should they succeed in getting out the bars. This, +however, was not easily to be accomplished. When the officers went to +the window, they found that Jack and his companions had made little +progress. The bars fitted so closely into the holes that there was but +a small quantity of lead, and without a hammer and chisel it seemed +impossible to make the hole sufficiently large to move the bars so as to +allow Brown to exert his strength upon them. If the two centre +perpendicular bars could be got out, the lowest horizontal bar might be +sent up. This would afford ample room for the stoutest of the party to +get through. + +"We've got out of a French prison before, sir, and we'll get out now," +said Jack, working away. + +"Yes, but we were small boys then, and you, Jack, and I, would find it a +hard matter to get through the same sized hole now that we could then," +observed Rayner. + +"That's just it, sir. If two small boys could get out of a French +prison, I am thinking that five well-nigh grown men can manage the job. +We'll do it, sir, never fear. If this stone was granite it might puzzle +us, but it's softer than that by a long way, and I have already cut out +some of it with my knife, though, to be sure, it does blunt it +considerably." + +The progress Jack and his companions made was very small, and it was +evident that unless they could work faster they would be unable to +remove the bar before daylight. Rayner and Oliver searched round the +room for any pieces of iron which might serve the purpose of a chisel. +They examined the bedsteads--they were formed entirely of wood. There +was, of course, no fireplace, or a poker might have assisted them. They +had just returned to the window when their ears caught the sounds of a +few low notes from a violin, played almost directly beneath them. + +"Why! I do believe that's the tune Le Duc was playing to us last +evening," exclaimed Jack. + +All was again silent. Rayner and Oliver tried to look through the bars, +but could see nothing; all was still. Again the notes were heard. Jack +whistled a few bars of the same air. A voice from below, in a +suppressed tone asked in French, "Have you a thin line? Let it down." + +"It is Le Duc. He has got something for us. Maybe just what we want," +cried Jack. + +"Oui, oui," he answered. "It will quickly be ready." + +The ticking of one of the mattresses was quickly cut up and formed into +a line, which was lowered. Rayner, who held it, felt a gentle tug, and +as he hauled it up, what was the delight of the party to find two strong +files! There could be no doubt that Le Duc had formed some plan to +assist them in escaping, or he would not have come thus furnished. +Probably they had to thank Madame La Roche for suggesting it. They did +not stop, however, to discuss the matter, but set to work immediately to +file away the bars, making as little noise as possible. While two of +them were thus employed, the rest walked about the room, and talked and +laughed and sang, so as to drown the sound of the files. Presently they +heard from the other side of the building the loud tones of a fiddle, +the player evidently keeping his bow going at a rapid rate. Then came +the sounds of laughter and the stamping of feet, as if people were +dancing. + +"Why, our guards will be kept awake and we shall have no chance of +getting off, I fear," said Oliver. + +"If our guards dance they will drink, and sleep afterwards, never fear," +answered Rayner. "Our friend Le Duc knows what he is about. I'm sure +that we can trust him, or he would not have taken the trouble to bring +us these files." + +The fiddle was kept going, and Brown and Jack kept time to the tunes +with the files as they worked, laughing heartily as they did so. + +"Hurrah!" cried Jack, "there's one bar through. Take a spell here, Tom. +You've helped the armourer sometimes, and know how to use a file." + +Tom, being as eager to get out as the rest, worked away better than he +did on most occasions. + +Jack, however, soon again took the file, and in a short time announced +that both the centre bars were cut through at the bottom. They had next +to file the upper bars sufficiently to enable Brown to bend them back. +Losing patience, however, he at last seized one of them, when, placing +his feet against the window, he bent back with all his strength. He was +more successful than he expected, for the iron giving way, down he fell +on the floor with a tremendous crash, which would certainly have been +heard by the guards below, had not their attention been drawn off by the +fiddle of Le Duc, who was scraping away with more vehemence than ever. +Rayner and Oliver had in the meantime been manufacturing the rope by +which they hoped to descend to the ground. They could measure the +necessary length by the small line with which the files had been drawn +up, and they had the satisfaction of finding that it was amply long +enough for their purpose. They now secured it to one of the remaining +bars. Rayner and Oliver agreed that it would be wise to descend while +the fiddle was going. + +"Let me go first," said Brown. "I am the heaviest, and if it bears me, +it will bear any of you." + +Tom said nothing. His modesty or something else prevented him from +putting himself forward when any danger was to be encountered. + +Rayner himself had intended to descend first, but the rest of the party +begged him to let some one else go, and at last Oliver led the way. + +Judging by the still louder scraping of Le Duc's fiddle, he must have +suspected what they were about. Oliver could hear the notes coming +round from the other side of the building. All, however, below him was +silence and darkness. He could not judge, as he looked down, whether he +was to alight on hard or soft ground, whether into a ditch or stream, or +whether they should have a fence to climb. His chief fear was that some +of the dogs allowed to go loose in every country house might discover +him and his companions before they could effect their escape. + +All this passed through his mind as he was letting himself down the +rope, to which he clung with arms and feet as a sailor only can cling +with security. He soon reached the bottom. The ground appeared to be +firm, and was, as far as he could judge, perfectly level. The tower +threw a dark shadow, in which he stood listening for any sounds which +might indicate danger. It had been agreed, even should one or two of +the gendarmes come round, to spring upon them, seize their arms, and gag +them. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he pulled out his +handkerchief, ready for the latter object. Presently another came down. +It was Brown, the best man to tackle an enemy, as his muscular strength +was equal to any two of the rest. No enemy appeared, however, and at +length Rayner, who came last, reached the bottom in safety. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. + +TRAVELLING UNDER DIFFICULTIES. + +They waited and waited. Le Duc kept fiddling away with as much +vehemence as at first. But they could not ascertain whether their +guards were still dancing--the scraping of the fiddle-strings drowning +all other sounds. + +At length the music became slower and slower, until only a low, moaning +wail reached their ears. It was of a remarkably somniferous +character,--the cunning Le Duc had evidently some object in playing +thus. Presently the music ceased altogether. Not a sound was heard, +except the soughing of the wind round the tower. Still their patience +had to be tried. Something was keeping Le Duc. + +At last they saw a figure coming towards the tower. Perhaps it was not +Le Duc. If a stranger, they must stop his mouth. Perhaps they might +have to bind him. They could cut off a sufficient length of rope for +the purpose. + +He appeared to be a peasant wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a shirt, +with a long stick or ox-goad in his hand. They were so well concealed, +crouching down against the wall, that he did not perceive them. + +Rayner and Brown were on the point of springing out to seize him, when +he said, in a low whisper, "Don't you know me, friends? Follow me, but +bend down as low as you can, that if seen from the house you may be +taken for my dogs or sheep. Pardon me for saying so." + +"No necessity for that; lead on, we will follow," said Rayner. + +Walking upright, staff in hand, he proceeded at a good rate across the +open space at the back of the village. They could see the lights +glimmering from several houses on its borders. + +They soon reached a stream with a long wooden bridge thrown over it. +Here, as they would be exposed to view, the sooner they could get across +it the better. They hurried over, still stooping down, Le Duc walking +erect. At last their backs began to ache from remaining so long in a +bent position. + +They were thankful when they reached the edge of a plantation, and Le +Duc, stopping, said, "You have acted admirably, my friends. Come on a +little farther to a spot where we shall find some clothes in which you +can disguise yourselves. We can get over some leagues before daylight, +and the inhabitants we shall then meet with are all blacks, and being +very stupid will not discover that you are English, provided those who +do not speak French hold their tongues." + +"A very right precaution," said Rayner. After he had thanked Le Duc for +his exertions, he added, "Remember, Brown and Fletcher, neither of you +attempt to open your mouths except to put food into them. If you are +spoken to, make off, or pretend that you are deaf and dumb." + +After proceeding another mile or so, they reached a solitary hut, +partially in ruins. Le Duc here produced five bundles from behind a +heap of rubbish, covered over with bushes. + +"These I brought by the desire of Madame La Roche," he said. "She and +her daughters, and their black girls, and old Francois, worked away very +hard to get them finished. They began the very moment you and the +gendarmes left the house. It was Mademoiselle Sophie's idea, she's a +clever young lady. Directly the dresses were completed, Francois and I +started off on horseback, as we knew the road you had taken, I dressed +as you see me, and carrying my fiddle in a bag hung round my neck. I +was a strolling player once, and belonged to a circus before I became a +sailor, so I was at home on horseback, and I was at home also when +playing my tricks off on the gendarmes. I have keen wits and strong +nerves, messieurs. One without the other is of small value. United, +wonders can be worked. How I did bamboozle those stupid fellows! It +was fortunate, however, that none of the black crew of the schooner or +my late shipmates appeared, or I should have been discovered. Now, put +on these dresses, they are such as are worn by the planters of this +country, and you can pretend you are going to a fair at Goave to buy +mules, that is what Francois advises, and he has got a good head on his +shoulders. I wish that he could have come with us, but as soon as he +had deposited these clothes he had to ride back as fast as he could to +attend to his mistress, and I undertook the rest." + +"You have indeed done your part well," said Rayner. "What shall we do +with our own clothes?" + +"Do your jackets and trousers up in bundles, and carry them with you. +You must take care, however, not to let them out of your hands," +answered Le Duc. + +As they were in a solitary place, with no chance of being overheard, the +men, as they looked at themselves by the light of a lantern Le Duc had +carried, though he had not until now lit it, indulged in hearty +laughter. + +"You do look like an overseer, Brown," said Jack, "and I should be +precious sorry to be a black slave when you had your whip lifted above +my shoulders. You'd hit mighty hard, I've a notion." + +As Rayner and Oliver surveyed each other, they expressed strong doubts +whether their disguise was sufficient to enable them to pass undetected, +and they agreed that it would be necessary to keep as much as possible +out of the way of the inhabitants. Still, the risk must be run. The +consequences of being caught would be very serious to them, yet more so +to Le Duc, who would almost to a certainty be shot for having assisted +in their escape. + +Having done up their clothes in the handkerchiefs which had contained +the dresses they now had on, they pushed forward. + +Le Duc had never before been in that part of the country, but he had +received minute directions from Francois, which helped greatly to guide +them. + +At length they came to a dense jungle. Francois had told Le Duc of +this, and that he would find a path through it. They hunted about for +some time in vain. + +"Come this way, messieurs!" exclaimed Le Duc, at length. "This must be +the path Francois told me of." He had gone a short distance to the +southward, and now led on, feeling the way with his long stick. The +others followed. The path was narrow, and the trees met overhead, so +that they were in complete darkness. On they went, keeping close behind +each other, for there was no room for two to walk abreast. + +Le Duc walked at a good pace. The jungle seemed interminable. They +must have gone on, they fancied, for two or three miles, when they found +their feet splashing in water. + +"I am afraid we are getting into a swamp, messieurs," said Le Duc. "It +cannot be helped; we must scramble through it somehow or other. If we +had daylight it would be an advantage. It won't do to stop here, +however." + +The water grew deeper. The ground had now become very soft, and they +were often up to their knees in mud, so that their progress was greatly +delayed. + +"We shall cut but a sorry appearance, messieurs, if we meet any one when +morning breaks," observed Le Duc. "As soon as we get to dry ground we +must stop and put ourselves to rights." + +"Perhaps we shall, and it would be as well if we can wash the mud off +our legs," said Rayner. "But go on, my fine fellow; if this path is in +general use it cannot be much worse than it is." + +Rayner was right. In a short time the water became shallower, and soon +afterwards they got on to firm ground. To their very great satisfaction +they at last found themselves out of the jungle. Before them rose a +hill, over which they had to climb. + +At the foot of the hill they came to a clear, broad stream, passing over +a shingly bed. Le Duc, feeling the depth with his staff, walked in. It +was sufficiently shallow to enable them to ford it without difficulty; +and they took the opportunity of washing off the mud which had stuck to +their legs in the swamp. + +All this time poor Jack never once complained, but he was suffering no +small amount of pain. His great fear was that he might have to give in +and delay the rest. + +On the other side of the stream the country showed signs of cultivation. +They passed outside several plantations, but what they were they could +not tell; still, as they could manage to make their way to the eastward +they went on. + +"We must be near the large village Francois spoke of," said Le Duc. "He +advised that we should go to the southward of it, as the country on that +side is more easily traversed, and we may hope thus to get by without +being discovered if we can pass it before daybreak." + +They accordingly took the direction as advised. After going some way +they heard the barking of dogs and saw a light gleaming, they supposed, +from the window of a cottage, whose inmates were up early, or, perhaps, +where some one lay dying or dead. + +At length the bright streaks of early dawn appeared in the sky ahead. + +Jack at last had to acknowledge that he could go no farther. + +"If we could but reach some hut or other where the blacks would take +care of me, I would be ready to stop sooner than let you be caught, +sir," he said, addressing Rayner. + +"No, I will never allow that," was the answer. "We'll get you along a +little farther, until we can find some place to rest in. There's a wood +I see ahead, and we must conceal ourselves in it until you are able to +go on again. If Mr Crofton likes to lead on the rest and try to get +across the frontier, he may do so, but I'll stick by you, Jack. Don't +be afraid." + +"Thank you, Bill, thank you!" said Jack, pressing his old messmate's +hand, scarcely knowing what he was saying, but thinking somehow that +they were again boys together. "You were always a brave, generous chap, +and I know you'd never desert a shipmate." + +Poor Jack was getting worse every moment. Rayner made no reply, but +calling Brown, they helped him along between them, lifting him over the +rough places as they made their way towards the wood. They reached it +just as daylight burst on the world, as it does in the tropics, the hot +sun rushing up immediately afterwards to blaze away with intense heat. + +Oliver, with Le Duc and Tom, hurried on ahead to look for some place +where they might have a chance of effectually concealing themselves. In +a short time Oliver came back. + +"We have discovered just the sort of place we want," he said. "The +sooner we can stow ourselves away in it the better. Let me take your +place and help Peek along." + +Rayner would not allow this. + +"I can support him a mile farther if necessary," he answered. + +In a short time, making their way through the jungle, and crossing a +small stream which would afford them water, they saw before them a huge +tree, upturned from the roots, forming beneath it a cavern of +considerable size, which Le Duc and Tom were engaged in clearing out. +There was a risk of being bitten by snakes, which might have made it +their abode, but that could not be avoided. Le Duc was running his +stick into every hole he could see to drive out any which might be +concealed. In other respects, no better place could be found. + +Rayner and Brown lifted in Jack and placed him on the ground, and Rayner +gave him some of the food they had brought from the tower. They had +only enough, unfortunately, for one meal. Meantime it was better than +nothing, and resolved to give Jack his share. + +The rest of the party had collected some branches and brushwood to +conceal the entrance. This done, they all crept in. + +Le Duc, who had surveyed their place of concealment from the outside, +declared that no person not actually searching for them would suspect +that any one was there. No sooner had they swallowed their food than +they all fell asleep. + +Rayner was the first to awaken. He listened, but could hear no sound +except the buzz of insects, and he knew, by the light which came in from +the upper part of the entrance, that the sun was shining brightly. + +Jack was still asleep. He was breathing easily, and appeared to be +better; but still it was not probable that he would be able to continue +the journey. It would be necessary, therefore, at all events, to remain +in the cavern all the day, but should he be well enough they might +continue their journey at nightfall. Their chief difficulty would be to +procure food from the neighbouring village without exciting suspicion. + +Rayner was unwilling to arouse his companions. At length, however, +Oliver awoke; then Le Duc sat up rubbing his eyes. + +They consulted as to what was to be done. Oliver agreed with Rayner +that they must remain where they were, but Le Duc was for pushing on. +When, however, Rayner reminded him that Jack could not possibly move as +fast as necessary, if at all, he consented to remain. + +"But should the gendarmes come in this direction to look for us, we +shall probably be discovered," he observed. + +"We must hope, then, that they will not come in this direction," said +Oliver. + +"But what about food, monsieur?" asked Le Duc. + +"We must try to go without it for a few hours," answered Rayner. "We +shall be well rested, and must tie our handkerchiefs tightly round our +stomachs. I have got enough for the sick man, who requires it more than +we do; but we must not let him know that we have none, or he will +probably refuse to touch it." + +"We can at all events procure some water," said Le Duc. "Give me your +hats, gentlemen; they will hold as much as we want." + +Though Rayner and Oliver would have preferred some other means of +obtaining the water, they willingly gave their hats to Le Duc, who crept +out with them, and soon returned with both full to the brim. + +The thirst of the party being quenched, for a short time they suffered +much less than before from the pangs of hunger. + +Tom and Brown were ready to do what their officers wished, only Tom +groaned at having nothing to eat. + +Jack slept on while the rest again lay down. The light which came +through the bushes began somewhat to decrease, and Rayner saw that the +sun was sinking behind the trees in the west. He was watching Jack, who +at length awoke. The moment he opened his eyes, Rayner offered him the +food he had kept ready in his pocket. + +"Come, Jack, stow this away in your inside as fast as you can, that you +may have strength to go on as soon as it is time to start. We don't +intend to spend our lives here, like mice in a hole." Jack did as he +was bid, without asking questions. Just as he had finished, Tom groaned +out, "I shall die soon if I don't get something to eat." + +"Nonsense lad; you can hold out for a few hours longer," replied Brown. +"I'm just as bad as you are, for that matter." + +Le Duc guessed what they were talking about. He himself felt +desperately hungry. + +"I tell you what, messieurs, without food we shall make slow progress. +I'll go into the village and try to procure some. I shall easily learn +from some person, before I venture to enter, whether the gendarmes are +there, and if they are not, we shall be safe for the present. They +will, I hope, fancying that you made your way back to the house of +Madame La Roche, have gone off there. We must hope for the best, and I +will try and invent some reason for wishing to purchase food. The kind +lady supplied me with money, so that I shall have no difficulty on that +score." + +Rayner, who in reality suffered more than any one, as he had had less to +eat, at last consented to the proposal of Le Duc, who set off. + +As soon as he had gone the bushes were drawn close again. The party sat +in silence, anxiously waiting his return. + +They waited and waited. Again it became dark. + +Jack declared that he felt strong enough to go on. + +"Yes, you may; but I could not budge an inch until I have had some +food," growled Tom. "I wish that that Frenchman would come back." + +"Shut up there, mate, and don't be grumbling. You're not worse than the +rest of us," said Brown. + +Time wore on; it was now perfectly dark. They listened eagerly for the +sound of Le Duc's footsteps. + +Rayner had made up his mind to go out and try to ascertain what had +become of him, or at all events to obtain some food, for he felt that +neither he nor the rest of the party could get through the night when +travelling without it. Later on it would be still more difficult to +obtain, as the inhabitants would be in bed. He thought he should be +able to find his way back to their place of concealment; so, desiring +the party to keep perfectly silent, he set out. He had not gone far in +the wood, when he heard footsteps. He crouched down behind a tree, +when, looking out, he saw a man, with something on his back, +approaching. He hoped that it was Le Duc, but it might be a stranger. +He kept quiet. + +The person came nearer, now stopping, now turning on one side, now on +the other. It must be Le Duc, thought Rayner. He has lost his way, +perhaps that may account for his long absence. Stepping from behind the +tree, he advanced. + +"What are you searching for, my friend?" he asked, in French. + +The man stopped, and seemed inclined to run away. + +"Le Duc, what's the matter?" asked Rayner, in a suppressed tone. + +"Ah, monsieur! is it you?" cried Le Duc. "I thought I should never find +the place where I left you. I saw it only in daylight. Things look so +different in the dark. I have had a narrow escape, but I have got some +food now. If you follow my advice you will eat and set off immediately. +Is the cave near?" + +"No; but I can lead you to it," answered Rayner. + +As they went along, Le Duc said, "When I got near the village I met an +old black, who told me there were no strangers in the place, and that I +might easily procure what I wanted. I accordingly went on boldly, until +I reached a cottage just in the outskirts. I entered and found the +people ready enough to sell me some bread and sausages, charging me +three times as much as they were worth. I also procured this straw bag +to put them in. While I was there packing them up several persons who +had come in were talking, and I heard them say that a party of soldiers +had just arrived, on their way from Leogane to Port Saint Louis in the +bay, and that they were ordered to look out for several English spies, +and that some blacks, who knew the Englishmen, had accompanied the +soldiers to assist in finding them. As soon as I heard this I hastily +put some of the things into my bag, not waiting for the remainder, and +hurried out of the hut. As I did so, what was my dismay to see three of +the soldiers, accompanied by one of the black fellows who had escaped +from the wreck! Were I to have run away they would have suspected me, +so I walked on whistling, as if I had nothing to fear from them. + +"As mischance would have it, they were proceeding in the same direction, +and it is my belief that they were even then going in search of you. +Thoughtless of the consequence, I happened to whistle an air which I +sang that night on board the schooner when we were becalmed. The rogue +of a black recognised it, for, turning my head, I saw him coming after +me. I was silent directly, and began to walk very fast. Fortunately it +was almost dusk, and, reaching some thick bushes, I dodged behind them. +The black passed me and went on. I lay quiet, and after a time he came +back, and I heard him tell the soldiers, who had followed him, that he +must have been mistaken; so they then proposed going back to the +village. + +"I waited until they were out of hearing, and then set off to try and +find my way to the cave, but I missed it, and have been wandering about +ever since." + +No one troubled Le Duc with questions. They were too eager to dispose +of the contents of his bag. They could not see what they were eating, +but they were not inclined to be particular. As soon as they had +finished their meal, being told by Rayner that soldiers were in the +neighbourhood, they begged at once to continue their journey; but Rayner +was very doubtful whether Jack could keep up, though he declared that he +was ready. + +When, however, he crept out of the cave, he was scarcely able to stand, +much less to walk any distance. + +"I must remain, then," said Rayner, "and you, Oliver, go on with the +other two men and Le Duc, and when he has seen you safely into Spanish +territory he will, perhaps, come back and assist me and Jack Peek. If +he cannot, we must do our best by ourselves. We have been in a more +difficult position together before now, and managed to escape." + +Oliver, however, would not hear of this, and it was finally settled that +the whole party should remain in their cave another night and day. + +Jack was very unhappy at being the cause of their detention; but Rayner +cheered him up by reminding him that it was not his fault, and perhaps, +after all, it was the best thing they could do. + +They accordingly all crept into the cave and went to sleep. + +In the morning light enough found its way through the bushes to enable +them to eat breakfast. They, of course, took care not to speak above a +whisper, though listening all the time for the sound of footsteps; but +as no one came near them, they hoped that their place of concealment was +unknown to any of the villagers, who might otherwise have pointed it out +to the soldiers. + +The day went by. All the food Le Duc had brought was consumed, except a +small portion kept for Jack. He offered to go for more, but Rayner +judged it imprudent to let him return to the village, where he would be +recognised as having come on the previous evening. They accordingly had +to go supperless to sleep, Tom grumbling, as usual, at his hard fate. + +When daylight streamed into the cavern, Le Duc declared that he could +hold out no longer, and that, both for his own sake and that of others, +he must go and get some food. + +"The soldiers will have gone away by this time," he observed, "and the +black people in the village can have no object in detaining me. If they +do, I will bribe them to let me off, and they know if they hand me over +to the soldiers that they will get nothing." + +The hunger all were feeling and his arguments prevailed, and he set off, +promising to be back as soon as possible, and to take care that no one +followed him. + +Rayner felt some misgiving as he disappeared. All they could do in the +meantime was to keep close in their hole. + +All day they waited, but Le Duc did not return. + +Tom muttered, "The Frenchman has deserted us after all." + +Even Brown expressed some doubts about his honesty. + +"You never can trust those mounseers," he said in reply to Tom's remark. + +"Be silent there, men," said Rayner. "Our good friend has probably +thought it safer to hide himself, and will manage to get back at night." + +Night came, however, and still Le Duc did not appear. Rayner and Oliver +became more anxious than ever. + +"I must not let you fellows starve," said Rayner at last. "I'll go out +and try and get provisions of some sort. Le Duc spoke of several +cottages on the outskirts of the village, and I'll call at one of them +and try to bribe the inhabitants, or to move their compassion; perhaps I +may get tidings of our friend." + +Though either Oliver or Brown would gladly have gone instead, they knew +that Rayner was the best person to undertake the expedition. + +"If I do not return before midnight, you must all set out and travel +eastward as fast as you can. How do you feel, Peek? Can you manage to +move along." + +"Yes, sir," answered Jack. "I could if you were with us, but I am +afraid if you were left behind in the grip of soldiers I shouldn't do +much." + +"Don't let that idea weigh on your mind. If I am captured and sent to +prison, there I must remain until I am exchanged for a French officer, +though I don't think there's much chance of my being caught." + +Having given his final directions, Rayner set off. + +He went on till he saw a light streaming through a cottage window. The +better sort of people were alone likely to be sitting up at that hour, +as the poorer blacks, he knew, went to bed at sundown and rose at +daybreak. + +He went up to the door and knocked. + +"May I come in?" he asked in French; and without waiting for an answer +he lifted the latch. + +An old mulatto woman was seated spinning. Near her sat a young girl of +much lighter complexion, with remarkably pretty features, engaged in +working on some pieces of female finery. She rose as he entered, and +the old woman uttered an exclamation of astonishment. + +He at once explained his errand. He wanted food, and was ready to pay +for it. They would not be so hard-hearted as to refuse it to starving +men. + +The girl looked at the old woman, who was apparently her grandmother. + +"Mon pere will soon be back. Will monsieur object to wait?" she asked. + +"I have no time to wait; here, accept this," said Rayner, holding out a +dollar which he fortunately had in his pocket. + +The old woman's eyes glittered. + +"Give monsieur what he wants, but keep enough for your father's supper +and breakfast to-morrow. It is strange that he should require food +since he is so rich." + +"I want sufficient for several persons--anything you have got," said +Rayner. + +The girl went to a shelf at the other end of the room and got down a +couple of loaves of maize bread, some cakes, salt-fish, and fruit. + +"You can take some of these," she said, placing them on the table; "but +how are you to carry them?" + +He had a silk handkerchief, which he produced, intending to tie up the +provisions in. The girl looked at it with admiration. + +"Perhaps you will accept this, and give me a basket, or a matting bag +instead?" he said. + +She quickly produced a bag large enough to hold all the things. + +"Now can you give me any news of anything happening in the village?" + +"Yes, some soldiers have been there, and impudent fellows they were; +some of them came to our house, and if my Pierre had been present there +would have been a fight. I am glad that they have gone. It is said +they were in search of deserters or spies, and that they had caught one +of them, but could not find the rest. If monsieur dislikes the military +as much as I do, he'll keep out of their way." + +The girl said this in a significant manner. Rayner thanked her and the +old woman, and advised them to say nothing about his visit. + +"If we know nothing we can say nothing, eh, monsieur? Bon voyage, and +keep out of the way of the soldiers," whispered the girl as she let him +out. + +He could not help thinking, as he hurried back towards the cave, that +she suspected he was one of the persons the soldiers were in search of. +Although she wished to befriend him, her father might be in a different +mood. There was the danger, too, that if poor Le Duc was caught, he +might be tortured to make him confess where his companions were. Rayner +considered, therefore, that it would be imprudent to remain longer in +the cave, and that it would be safer even to carry Jack, should he be +unable to walk, than to delay their journey. + +He got back safely, and the food he brought soon restored the spirits of +the party. Even Jack declared that he was strong enough to walk a dozen +miles if necessary. They were in great hopes, therefore, of getting +across the border before daybreak. They regretted greatly the loss of +Le Duc, who had served them so faithfully, especially as they feared +that he himself was in danger of suffering in consequence of the +assistance he had given them. + +Rayner led the way. The stars being as bright as on the previous night, +he had no difficulty in directing his course. The country was much of +the same character as that they had previously crossed. In some parts +they came to plantations, and could distinguish the residences of the +proprietors. + +Now they had to make their way by narrow paths through jungles, now to +wade through marshes. + +Jack, helped by Brown and Tom, got on better than might have been +expected. Rayner intended to halt for a short time at the first +convenient spot they could reach. + +He had for some distance observed no signs of cultivation, when he found +that they were passing close to a plantation. Then there appeared a +house on one side, then another and another. Barking dogs came rushing +out, and they had some difficulty in keeping them at bay. The brutes +followed them, however, joined by others. A voice from a gateway +shouted, "Who goes there?" + +"Friends!" answered Rayner. + +"Advance, friends, and show yourselves, and give the countersign," said +a sentry, at the same time calling out the guard. + +To run would have been useless, besides which it is not a movement +British officers and seamen are wont to make, except after an enemy. + +Rayner therefore determined to put a bold face upon the matter, advanced +with his companions, and the next instant they found themselves +surrounded by a body of French soldiers, whose looks, as they held up a +couple of lanterns, were anything but satisfactory. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. + +RECAPTURED--AN UNEXPECTED RESCUE. + +"Whence do you come and where are you going, mes amis?" asked the +sergeant of the guard, addressing Tom, who was nearest him. + +"What's that you say, old chap?" said Tom, forgetting the strict orders +he had received to hold his tongue. + +"Ah, what language is that?" exclaimed the sergeant, holding up his +lantern and examining the sailor's countenance. "You are not a +Frenchman, I'll vow." He turned from one to the other, looking in the +faces of each. "Why, I believe these are the very men we were ordered +to search for. Seize them all. Take care that none escape. There are +five of them, the very number we were told of, and one, the traitor, we +have already got. Can any of you speak French? though I doubt it." + +"Should you be satisfied, monsieur sergeant, if we do speak French, and +better French than many of the people about here?" asked Rayner. "If +so, will you let us go on our journey? do we look like English sailors?" + +"I don't know how English sailors generally look," said the sergeant, +gruffly, and rather taken aback at being suddenly addressed in his own +language. "You certainly have the appearance of overseers, or people of +that sort, but your countenances betray you. I am not to be deceived. +Bring them along into the guard-room." + +In vain Rayner pleaded that he and his companions were in a hurry to +proceed on their journey. + +They were dragged into the building, and a guard with fixed bayonets was +placed over them. For the remainder of the night they had to sit on a +hard bench, with their backs against the wall, sleeping as well as they +could in so uncomfortable a position. At daybreak the next morning +Sergeant Gabot, by whom they had been captured, entering the room, +ordered the guard to bring them along into the presence of Captain +Dupuis. The seamen, imitating their officers, quietly followed the +sergeant, who led the way to a room in the same building. Here Captain +Dupuis, a fierce-looking gentleman wearing a huge pair of moustaches, +and a long sword by his side, was found seated at a table with two other +officers. + +He cast his eye over the prisoners and inquired their names. Here was a +puzzle, for neither Rayner nor Oliver had thought of assuming French +ones. They, therefore, without hesitation, gave their own, as did Jack. + +"Please, sir, what does the chap say?" asked Brown, when the officer +addressed him. + +"He wishes to know your name," said Oliver. + +Captain Dupuis, twirling his moustaches, took them down as well as he +could. + +"These names do not sound like those of Frenchmen," he said. + +"And such we do not pretend to be," replied Rayner, stepping forward. +"We found it necessary to assume these disguises for the sake of +escaping from prison. We are not spies, and have no desire to injure +France or Frenchmen except in open warfare." + +He then gave an account of their object in approaching the coast and the +way in which they had been so unwillingly compelled to land. + +"I am inclined to believe you, monsieur," said Captain Dupuis, more +politely than at first. "But my duty is to convey you to Port Louis, +where my regiment is stationed, and the colonel will decide on your +case. We will march directly." + +Captain Dupuis appeared not to be ill-disposed, for he ordered some +breakfast to be brought to them in the hall. + +"Thank you for your kindness, monsieur," said Rayner. "With your +permission we will put on our proper dresses, which are contained in +these bundles." + +"Assuredly you have my leave. It will show the people that we have two +English officers in captivity, as well as some of their men, and +probably the report will be spread that an English frigate and her crew +have been taken," observed the captain, laughing. + +"Well, I do feel more like myself now," exclaimed Brown, as he put on +his shirt and jacket, and tied his black handkerchief in a lover's knot +round his throat. + +Rayner and Oliver, though they did not say so, felt very much as their +men did, thankful to throw off their disguises. + +As soon as they had finished breakfast, the soldiers fell in, the +prisoners being placed in the centre, and with the captain at their head +they commenced their march to the southward. + +It was not until late in the evening that they arrived at their +destination. There were three old-fashioned forts, one intended to +support the other, commanding the entrance of the bay. + +Rayner and Oliver, as they approached, took note of their position, and +they remarked that the water appeared to be deep close up to the heights +on which the forts were situated. In the largest were several +buildings, the residence of the commandant, the barracks, and a small +edifice with strongly-barred windows, which they soon discovered to be a +prison. + +They were halted in front of these buildings, while the captain went in +to make his report to the commandant. After waiting some time they were +marched in between guards with fixed bayonets. + +Their examination was very similar to that which they had before gone +through. Rayner and Oliver, however, hoped that their account of +themselves would be believed, and that they would, even at the worst, +only be detained as prisoners-of-war. Still, they did not quite like +the looks of the commandant, who was evidently of a more savage +disposition than his subordinate. He glared at the English, and +declared they he believed they were capable of the most abominable acts +of treachery and deceit. + +Rayner replied calmly, and pointed out how improbable it was that he and +his companions should have landed for any sinister object. + +"If you come not as spies yourselves, you come to land French spies. +Miscreant traitors to their country!" exclaimed the commandant. "One of +them has been caught. Death will be the penalty of his crime. Bring +forward the witnesses." + +As he spoke the soldiers stepped aside and two black seamen were led +forward. Rayner recognised them as the most ruffianly of the schooner's +crew. First one, and then the other, swore that the vessel had been +sent to the coast for the purpose of landing some French spies, that the +schooner was to wait for them, and then when they had gained information +as to the strength of the forts and vessels in the harbours they were to +return to the frigate. + +In vain Rayner explained the truth. The commandant scornfully answered +that he could not believe an English officer upon his oath, that he +should send a report of their capture to Leogane, and that for his part +he hoped that he should have orders to shoot them all forthwith. + +The mock examination terminated, they were marched away to the prison on +the other side of the fort. The door being opened, they were +unceremoniously thrust in, one after the other, and it was closed behind +them. As it was by this time growing dusk, and there were only small, +narrow windows close under the roof, they were left in almost perfect +obscurity, so that they could not venture to move from the spot where +they stood. As, however, their eyes got accustomed to the gloom, they +found that they were in a room about twelve or fourteen feet square, the +floor and sides being of roughly hewn stone. Round it ran a stone +bench, just above which they could see several massive iron rings fixed +in the walls. + +"While we have light we had better pick out the cleanest spots we can +find," said Oliver. "We shall be kept here to-night, at all events, and +the surly commandant will not allow us any luxuries." + +As they moved a few paces forward, they saw three persons chained to the +wall at the farther end of the room. + +"Who are you?" + +"Alas! alas!" exclaimed one of them, leaning eagerly forward; and they +recognised Le Duc's voice. "Ah, messieurs, you will understand the less +said the better as to the past." + +Rayner took the hint, guessing that Le Duc was unwilling to have +anything said in the presence of the two other prisoners which might +implicate Madame La Roche or Francois. + +"You have heard, messieurs, that they have condemned me to death," +continued Le Duc, "and the wonder is that they have not shot me already, +but I know that at any moment I may be led out. I should wish to live +that I may play the fiddle and make others happy as well as myself." + +"I am very sorry to hear this. If the commandant would believe us, we +can prove your innocence, and, surely, our word ought to be taken +instead of that of the two blacks," said Rayner. + +"So it would, according to law, for the evidence of the blacks is worth +nothing, and is not received in a court of justice. It proves that the +commandant has resolved, at all costs, to wreak his hatred of the +English on your heads." + +Rayner and Oliver seated themselves on the stone bench near him. The +men had drawn together on the opposite corner. Le Duc narrated how he +had been captured just as he was quitting the village. His great fear +had been lest he should be compelled to betray them; and he declared to +Rayner, who believed him, that he would have undergone any torture +rather than have done so. + +Le Duc whispered that the two other prisoners had been condemned for +murder. + +"Pleasant sort of companions," observed Oliver. "We may as well let +them have their side of the prison to themselves." + +The men in the meantime had scraped the seat as clean as they could with +their knives. + +Tom, as usual, began to grumble. + +"We must take the rough and the smooth together," observed Jack. "I am +hungry enough myself, and I hope the mounseers don't intend to starve +us, though maybe we shan't get roast beef and plum pudding." + +"Don't talk of it," cried Brown; "I could eat half an ox if I had the +chance." + +While they were talking the door opened, and a man appeared, carrying a +lantern and a pitcher in one hand, and a basket in the other, which he +placed on the bench near them. + +The pitcher contained water, and the basket some very brown, +heavy-looking bread, with a couple of tin mugs. Having allowed the +other prisoners to drink, and given each of them a piece of bread, he +handed the basket with its contents to the Englishmen. + +"You Anglais like ros' beef. Here you eat this. Good enough for you," +he said, in a surly tone. + +They were all too hungry to refuse the bread or the water, which, in +spite of its brackish taste, quenched the thirst from which they had +long been suffering. + +Their gaoler left them the lantern, in order that they might see how to +divide the bread. It assisted them also to select places on which to +stretch themselves round the room, and, in spite of the hardness of +their couches, in a short time were all asleep. + +Some more bread and water was brought them in the morning, and a similar +unpalatable meal was provided in the afternoon. This was evidently to +be their only food during their imprisonment. They had no one to +complain to, no means of obtaining redress; so, like wise men, they made +up their minds to bear it, though Tom grumbled and growled all day long +at the way in which he was treated. + +Rayner supposed that the commandant was waiting for a reply to the +report he had sent to Leogane. Until that could arrive, no change +either for the better or worse was likely to be made in their treatment. + +Le Duc was still allowed to live; but, in spite of his high spirits, the +feeling that he might at any moment be led out and shot was telling upon +him. The two officers and Jack did their best to encourage him, and, +under the circumstances, it was wonderful how he kept up. In the +evening the gaoler appeared with their usual fare. + +"There will be one less of you to feed to-morrow," he growled out, +looking at Le Duc, "and I can't say but that you five others mayn't have +to join him company, for while the firing party are out it is as easy to +shoot six as one." + +Le Duc made no answer, but bent his head down on his manacled hands. It +was the first sign of deep emotion he had exhibited. + +"I hope the fellow is only trying to alarm you for the purpose of +exercising his own bad feelings," said Rayner, after the surly gaoler +had gone. + +Again left in darkness, they prepared to pass another disagreeable +night. Rayner felt that their position was critical in the extreme. He +and his companions, accused as they were of being spies, might be led +out at any moment and shot. He therefore considered it his duty to +prepare his companions as best he could for the worst. Oliver he knew +was as ready to die as he was himself. He spoke earnestly and +faithfully to the others, pointing out the unspeakable importance of +being prepared to stand in the presence of the Judge of all men. He was +thankful to hear Jack's reply, which expressed the simple hope of the +Christian--faith in Christ as a Saviour; but the other two were silent. + +After Rayner and his companions had talked for some time they stretched +themselves on the bench to try and obtain some sleep. That was more +easily sought for than found, for no sooner were they quiet than +countless creatures began to sting, and bite, and crawl over them. Tom +was continually slapping himself, and moaning and groaning. + +But, in spite of their hard stone couches and the attacks of the +insects, they did manage to drop off occasionally. + +Rayner's eyes had been closed some time when he was awakened by the dull +roar of a gun fired from seaward. He started up, as did his companions. + +"Where did that come from?" exclaimed Oliver. + +Before Rayner could answer, the sound of eight or nine guns, a sloop's +whole broadside, was heard, followed by the crash of the shot as they +struck the fortification. + +In an instant the whole fort was in an uproar, the officers shouting +their orders to the men, and the men calling to each other, as they +rushed from their quarters to the ramparts. They had evidently been +found napping, for before a single gun had been discharged from the +fort, the shot from another broadside came plunging into it. + +The game, however, was not to be all on one side. The Frenchmen's guns +were heard going off as fast as they could get their matches ready. +They could easily be distinguished by the far louder noise they made. +Those from the two other forts at the same time could be heard firing +away. Cries and shrieks rose from wounded men, and a loud explosion, as +if a gun had burst, rent the air. + +"The vessel attacking is a corvette," cried Rayner. "She must have run +close in for her shot to strike in the way they are doing. It is a bold +enterprise, and I pray she may be successful for her sake as well as +ours." + +"Can she be the _Ariel_ or _Lily_?" asked Oliver. + +"Whichever she is, the attempt would not have been made without good +hope of success," remarked Rayner. + +"I wish that we were out of this, and aboard her," exclaimed Jack. + +"So do I," cried Brown. "I don't like being boxed up here while such +work is going on. Couldn't we manage to break out?" + +"We are safe here, and we'd better remain where we are," said Tom; "only +I hope none of those round shot will find their way into this place." + +On the impulse of the moment Jack and Brown made a rush at the door, but +it was far too strongly bolted to allow them to break it open. The +other prisoners sat with their hands before them, hoping probably, as +Tom did, that no shot would find its way among them. + +Rayner and Oliver looked up at the windows near the roof, but they were +strongly-barred and too narrow to enable a grown man to squeeze through +them. To sit down quietly seemed impossible. They stood therefore +listening, and trying to make out by the sounds which reached their ears +how the fight was going. Presently some more guns were heard coming +from the sea. + +"There must be another vessel!" exclaimed Rayner. "Hark! she must be +engaging the upper fort. I thought that one would scarcely venture +singly to attack the three forts." + +The roar of the artillery continued. Suddenly there burst forth a loud +thundering sound. The ground beneath their feet shook, the walls +trembled, and the roof seemed about to fall on their heads, while the +glare of a vivid flame penetrating through the windows lighted up the +whole interior of the building, shrieks, groans, and cries echoing +through the fort. + +The magazine had blown up. It was a wonder that the prison itself had +not been hurled to the ground. + +"Thank Heaven, we have escaped!" exclaimed Oliver. + +The attacking vessels still continued firing, and after a short interval +the fort once more replied, but evidently with fewer guns than before. + +A crash was heard over their heads, and down fell a mass of timber, +plank, and tiles just above the door. Looking up, the clear sky could +be seen, from out of which a crescent moon shone brightly. + +No one was injured, for the shot, having torn its way through the roof, +had fallen outside. + +"Hurrah! thanks to that shot, we may make our escape out of this, for +the Frenchmen are too much engaged at the guns to see us!" cried Jack. +"Let us get down to the shore, and when we are once there we may manage +to find our way aboard the ship. The chances are we shall find some +fishing boat or other on the beach. May we try, sir, what we can do?" + +"What do you say, Oliver? Shall we make the attempt Jack proposes?" +asked Rayner. "If we go we must take Le Duc with us, I wish that we +could find something to knock off his chains, and we might set the other +poor fellows at liberty." + +To climb out would be no difficult matter, as Brown found that by +standing on Tom's and Jack's shoulders he could reach the lower part of +the roof. But Rayner positively refused to go without first setting Le +Duc at liberty. He told Brown to try and dislodge a piece of stone from +the wall with which they might break the prisoners' chains. + +Suddenly Tom recollected that he had stowed away one of the files which +Le Duc himself had brought in his pocket. + +"Hand it here," cried Rayner; and heat once began filing away. + +In the meantime Brown managed to get hold of one of the upper stones of +the wall. It was hard, and had a sharp side. + +"Here it is, sir," he said, clambering down and bringing it to Rayner. +A few blows on the bench served to sever the link already partly filed +through. + +"Oh! set us free, monsieur?" cried the other prisoners. + +"What does he say?" asked Brown. + +"There won't be time to set you both free, but I'll see what I can do +for one of you;" and he began filing away, and with the help of the +stone he managed to liberate the arm of one of the men. + +"Here, take the file and see what you can do for your comrade," he said. + +The rest of the party had in the meantime begun to mount the wall. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. + +NEW ADVENTURES AND SUCCESSES. + +As Oliver, who went first, had just got to the top, his attention was +attracted by loud shouts coming from the rear of the fort. Above them +quickly rose a hearty British cheer. Showers of bullets came flying +through the air. The shouts and cries increased. Amid the clash of +steel, and the sharp crack of pistols, the voices of the officers +reached him calling the men to abandon the guns and defend the fort. +But it was too late. Already a strong party of blue-jackets and marines +were inside. + +The gate in the rear, insufficiently protected, had evidently been taken +by a rush. The Frenchmen, as they always do, fought bravely, but +hurrying up without order, many of them without muskets, they were +driven back. + +Even had they been better disciplined, nothing could have withstood the +fierce onslaught of the British. Numbers of the defenders were seen to +fall, their officers being killed or made prisoners. Most of the +remainder, taking to flight, crept through the embrasures or leapt over +the parapet. + +Directly Oliver announced what was going on, the rest of the party were +more eager than ever to get out. Jack was the last drawn up, and they +all, with Le Duc, dropped on the ground. + +"Hullo! here's a firelock, and a bayonet at the end of it," said Brown, +picking up a musket which the sentry had probably thrown down when +making his escape. "Hurrah, boys! we'll charge the mounseers, and make +them wish they'd never set eyes on us." + +Brown, in his eagerness, would have set off without waiting for his +companions. Three muskets were found piled close outside of the prison, +and a little way off lay the body of an officer who had been shot while +making his way to the rear. + +Rayner took possession of his sword. The victorious assailants were now +sweeping onwards towards the farther end of the fort, in which direction +most of the garrison had fled. + +At the other end Rayner observed a group of men, either undecided how to +act or waiting an opportunity to attack the British in the rear, for +they could now see by the increasing daylight that it was but a small +party which had surprised the fort. + +Brown had seen them also, and, excited at finding himself at liberty, +rushed forward with his musket at the charge, without waiting for his +companions. + +They, however, coming out from behind the buildings, were following in +the rear. + +On seeing them approach, a French officer, stepping forward, shouted out +that they surrendered. Brown, not understanding his object, still +charged on, and whisking his sword out of his hand, would have run him +through had he not slipped and fallen, while the rest of the party, +supposing he had been killed, retreated out of the way of the bold +seaman. + +"Get up, old fellow, and defend yourself," cried Brown. "I'm not the +chap to strike a man when he's down;" and as he spoke he picked up the +officer's sword, and, helping him to his feet, presented it to him. All +this was done so rapidly that Rayner and his companions arrived only +just in time to prevent Brown, who had stepped back a few paces, from +making a lunge with his bayonet at the astonished Frenchman, who, now +seeing an officer, though he did not recognise Rayner, again cried out +that he surrendered, and skipping out of Brown's way offered his sword. + +The rest of the garrison, seeing the storming party, who had now swept +round, coming towards them, threw down their arms, and cried for +quarter, while the officers, amongst whom were Captain Dupuis and +Sergeant Gabot, presented their swords to Rayner and Oliver. They, +turning round, had the satisfaction of greeting Lieutenant Horrocks and +other officers of the _Lily_ and _Ariel_. + +"Glad to see you, Rayner and Crofton. We all thought you were dead. No +time to ask how you escaped. We've got to take those two other forts. +If you like you can come with us. Crofton, you can take charge of the +prisoners. I'll leave Sergeant Maloney and a dozen men with you. The +rest follow me." + +Saying this, the first lieutenant of the _Lily_ led his men on to the +attack of the other fort still engaged with the _Ariel_, Rushing on, +they were up to the rear of it before the garrison were aware of the +capture of the larger fort. By a sudden dash it was taken as the former +had been, the _British_ not losing a single man, though several of its +defenders, attempting to stand their ground, were cut down. A rocket +let off the moment they were in was the signal to the _Ariel_ to cease +firing. + +The third fort higher up, towards which she had hitherto only +occasionally fired a gun, now engaged her entire attention. + +The increasing light showed the garrison the _British_ flags flying +above the ramparts of the two other forts, yet they showed no signs of +giving in. Though the guns were well placed for defence on the west +side, the rear offered a weak point. + +Without halting, Lieutenant Horrocks led his men towards it. + +"Lads, we must be over those ramparts in five minutes," he said, +pointing to them with his sword. + +"In two, if you please, sir!" shouted the men. + +Rayner, who was among those leading, cheered, and springing forward, +leapt into the ditch and began climbing up the bank on the opposite +side. + +The blue-jackets of his own ship eagerly pressed after him. He was the +first at the top, and with a dozen others who had followed him closely, +leapt down among a number of the garrison who, leaving their guns, had +hurriedly collected to oppose them. In vain the defenders attempted to +resist the impetuous attack. Fresh assailants, among the first of whom +was Lieutenant Horrocks, came on, and inch by inch driven back; and +seeing that all further resistance was useless, the Frenchmen threw down +their arms and cried for quarter. + +It was now daylight, and there was still much to be done. The prisoners +had to be collected, the forts blown up, and the men embarked. + +Lieutenant Horrocks gave Rayner the satisfactory intelligence that two +privateers had been captured at the entrance of the harbour by the boats +without firing a shot. The crews, however, had resisted when boarded, +and two officers, one of whom was Lieutenant Lascelles, had been badly +wounded. + +"Poor fellow! if he recovers I don't think he will be fit for service +for some time," said the first lieutenant. "I shall have to report the +gallant way in which you assisted in the capture of the fort." + +The prisoners being collected from the three forts, and assembled on the +beach, Captain Saltwell came on shore and offered the officers their +liberty and permission to carry away any of their private property on +condition of their pledging their word of honour not to serve against +the English again during the war. This they willingly gave. + +The men also were to be dismissed, though it was useless to make terms +which they would not have it in their power to keep. The wounded were +collected, and the garrison were allowed to carry off such materials as +could be easily removed for forming huts and tents to shelter them. + +On going through the fort, Rayner and Oliver looked into the prison. +The two captives had made their escape. Le Duc had hitherto remained +with the English. He naturally feared that he should be considered a +traitor should he venture among his own countrymen. + +"But ah, messieurs, I love France as well as ever; and though I regard +the English as brothers after the treatment I have received from them, I +would not injure her or her people." + +Rayner therefore proposed that he should come on board the _Lily_ and +remain at Jamaica until he could return home. + +The last scene had now to be enacted. + +The marines and parties of seamen had been employed for some hours in +digging holes under the fortifications, which were then filled with +casks of powder, the whole being connected by carefully laid trains. +The men were next embarked. One boat alone remained under each fort, +the gunner and boatswain of the _Lily_ and a warrant officer of the +_Ariel_ being ordered to fire the trains. + +Rayner had taken command of one of the _Lily's_ boats. The men waited +with their oars in their hands, ready to shove off at a moment's notice. +Mr Coles, the gunnel, who was in Rayner's boat, ascended the bank +match in hand. Presently he was seen rushing down again, faster +probably than he had ever moved before. + +"No time to lose, sir," he shouted, as he leapt on board. "The fuse in +this hot country burns faster than I calculated on." + +"Give way, lads!" cried Rayner. + +The men bent to their oars. The other boats were seen pulling away at +the same time. They had not got twenty fathoms from the shore, when a +thundering report was heard, and up rose a portion of the large fort, +filling the air with masses of stone and earth, and dust and smoke. + +In another second or two the other forts followed suit. The whole +atmosphere was filled with a dense black cloud and masses of lurid flame +beneath, while thundering reports in rapid succession rent the air. A +few seconds afterwards down came showers of stone and earth and pieces +of burning timber, just astern of the boats. Had there been any delay +they must have been overwhelmed. Fortunately they all escaped injury, +and pulled away for their ships, which, with the prizes, had in the +meantime got under way and were standing out of the harbour. + +After a quick run the _Ariel_ and _Lily_ reached Port Royal to repair +damages. Rayner was sent for on board the flagship. + +"I have great pleasure in handing you your commission as lieutenant," +said the admiral. "You have won it by your general meritorious conduct, +as also by the gallantry you displayed in the capture of Fort Louis. I +have appointed you as second lieutenant of the _Lily_, and shall be very +glad in another year or two to hear that you have obtained your +commander's rank." + +These remarks of the admiral were indeed encouraging. Rayner, of +course, said what was proper in return, and pocketing his commission, +bowed and took his departure for the shore, which he had to visit to +obtain a new uniform and other articles. + +Lascelles had been removed to the hospital, where he was to remain until +he was sufficiently recovered to go home. Rayner's only regret was +being parted from Oliver, the dangers they had gone through together +having united them like brothers. + +While, however, their ships were refitting they were constantly in each +other's society. + +"I wish that I had the chance of getting appointed to your ship," said +Oliver. "The _Ariel_ will soon be going home, but for the sake of being +with you I should be glad to remain out another year or two. I am well +seasoned by this time, and have no fear of Yellow Jack." + +Not many days after this the senior mate of the _Lily_ was taken very +ill while on shore. His shipmates declared that it was in consequence +of his chagrin at finding that Rayner had obtained his promotion before +him. They were heartily sorry at having made so unkind a remark, when +in two days news were received on board that the poor fellow had fallen +a victim to yellow fever. + +Rayner at once advised Oliver to make application for the vacancy. He +did so; the admiral appointed him to the _Lily_, and Captain Saltwell +was very glad to have him on board. + +Le Duc, who had been landed at Kingston, came on board one day while the +ship was fitting out and begged to speak to the second lieutenant, +Monsieur Rayner. + +"Ah, monsieur, the first thing I did on landing was to purchase a +violin, and the next to play it, and I have fiddled with such good +effect that I have played my way into the heart of a Creole young lady +whose father is wonderfully rich, and as I can turn my hand to other +things besides fiddling, he has accepted me as his daughter's husband, +and we are to be married soon. I propose settling at Kingston as +professor of music and dancing, teacher of languages, and other polite +arts; besides which I can make fiddles, harpsichords, and other +instruments; I am also a first-rate cook. Indeed, monsieur lieutenant, +I should blush were I to speak more of my accomplishments." + +"I congratulate you heartily," said Rayner, "and I sincerely hope that +you will be successful in your new condition. You will, I doubt not, be +far happier living on shore with a charming young wife, than knocking +about at sea with the chance of being shot or drowned." + +Le Duc having communicated his good fortune to Jack and his other +friends, and invited them to pay him a visit whenever they could get on +shore, took his leave. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY SIX. + +FRESH SUCCESSES AND PERILS. + +Our hero had now got the first step up the ratlines as an officer. As +the _Lily's_ repairs were likely to occupy some time, Captain Saltwell +had, by the admiral's permission, fitted out one of the prizes, a fine +and fast little schooner, to which the name of the _Active_ had been +given. He intended to man her from his own and the _Ariel's_ crews, and +to send her cruising in search of the piratical craft which, under the +guise of privateers, in vast numbers infested those seas. + +The admiral had intended to send a _protege_ of his own in charge of the +vessel, but that officer was taken ill, and both Lieutenant Horrocks and +the first lieutenant of the _Ariel_ were engaged in attending to their +respective ships. + +Rayner was sent for, and the command was offered to him. He accepted it +with delight, and begged that Crofton might be allowed to accompany him. +He took also Jack and Brown, and though he did not ask for Tom +Fletcher, Tom was sent among the men drafted for the purpose. + +The schooner was furnished with four carronades and two long +six-pounders. Her crew mustered twenty men. + +"We can dare and do anything in such a craft as this," he exclaimed, +enthusiastically, as he and Oliver were walking the deck together, while +the schooner, under all sail, was steering a course for San Domingo. + +Before long they both dared and did several gallant actions. Just as +they had sighted the land they fell in with three piratical feluccas, +either one of which was a match for the _Active_. + +One, after a desperate resistance, was captured, another was sunk, and +the third, while the British crew were securing their first prize, and +endeavouring to save the drowning men, effected her escape. She was, +however, shortly afterwards taken, and on the return of the _Active_ to +Port Royal with her prizes, the thanks of the merchants of Jamaica were +offered to Lieutenant Rayner for the service he had rendered to +commerce. + +The admiral the next day sent for Rayner, and received him with more +cordiality than is generally awarded to junior officers. Having +listened to his report, and commended him for his gallantry. + +"How soon will you be ready to sail again?" he asked. + +"Directly our damages have been repaired, and they won't take long, +sir," was the answer. + +"That is right. I have received information that a desperate fellow in +command of a craft somewhat larger than the _Active_ has been pillaging +vessels of all nations, and it will be a feather in your cap if you take +her." + +"I'll do my best, sir," answered Rayner. + +In two days the _Active_ was again at sea. Within a fortnight, after a +long chase, she had fought and driven on shore a large schooner, got her +off again, and recaptured two of her prizes, returning in triumph with +all three to Jamaica. + +He and Oliver were highly complimented on their success. The admiral, +who was still in the harbour, invited them to dine on board the +flagship. + +"Mr Horrocks has just obtained his promotion, and you are thus, Mr +Rayner, first lieutenant of the _Lily_; and, Mr Crofton, I intend to +give you an acting order as second lieutenant, and I hope that before +long you will be confirmed in your rank." + +This was good news. With happy hearts the two friends went on board the +_Lily_, which was now ready for sea. They found Lieutenant Horrocks +packing up, ready to go on board a frigate just sailing for England. + +"I expect to enjoy a few weeks' hunting before I get a ship, and when I +do get one I shall be very glad to have you, Rayner, with me, should you +be unemployed," he said as they parted. + +Rayner would have preferred retaining the command of the _Active_, but +an officer older than himself was appointed to her, and he could not +complain. + +Once more the _Lily_ was at sea. She cruised for some months, during +which she captured several prizes, and cut out two others in a very +gallant manner under the guns of a strong battery. Oliver soon +afterwards had the satisfaction of being confirmed in his rank as +lieutenant. + +Though Commander Saltwell made honourable mention of our hero on each +occasion, he received no further recognition of his services. "I have +no business to complain," he observed. "My position is only that of +many others who have done more than I have, but I should like to be +wearing an epaulette on my right shoulder when we get home, and obtain a +command with you, Oliver, as my first lieutenant." + +With this exception, Rayner never alluded to the subject. + +The _Lily's_ cruise was nearly up. She had lately sent away in her +prizes her master and several petty officers and seamen, so that out of +her establishment she could scarcely muster more than a hundred men. + +It was night, a light breeze blowing, the island of Desirade bearing +south-east by south, distant six or seven leagues. The two lieutenants +had been talking of home. In a few months they expected to be at +Plymouth, and Rayner's thoughts had been occupied, as they often were, +with his brother officer's sweet sister, Mary Crofton. + +Rayner had just come on deck to relieve Oliver, who had the middle +watch. He had been pacing the deck, waiting for daylight, to commence +the morning operation of washing decks, and was looking to windward, +when, as the light slowly increased, at some little distance off he made +out the dim outline of a large ship. Whether she was a friend or foe he +could not determine; if the latter, the position of the _Lily_ was +critical in the extreme. He instantly sent the midshipman of the watch +to arouse the commander, who hurried on deck. After watching the +stranger for a few seconds, they both came to the conclusion that she +was a frigate, and, as they knew of no English vessel of her class +likely to be thereabouts, that she was French. + +"Turn the hands up and make sail," said the commander. "We shall +probably have to fight, but when the odds are so decidedly against us, +it is my duty to avoid an action if I can." + +The crew at the boatswain's summons came tumbling up from below. All +sail was immediately made, and the _Lily's_ head directed to the +north-west. She was seen, however, and quickly followed by the frigate, +the freshening breeze giving an advantage to the larger vessel, which, +having the weather-gauge, and sailing remarkably fast rapidly +approached. + +"We've caught a Tartar at last!" exclaimed Tom. "The sooner we go below +and put on our best clothes he better; we shall be taken aboard her +before the day's much older." + +"How do you dare to say that!" cried Jack. "Look up there, you see our +flag flying aloft, and I for one would sooner have our tight little +craft sent to the bottom than be ordered to strike it. Our skipper +hasn't given in yet, and if he falls our first lieutenant will fight the +ship as long as he has a plank to stand on." + +Some of the crew, however, appeared to side with Tom, and showed an +inclination to desert their guns. + +Rayner and Oliver went among them and cheered them up. + +"Lads!" cried the commander, who had observed some of them wavering as +they gazed with looks of alarm at their powerful enemy, "most of you +have sailed in the _Lily_ with me since she was first commissioned. You +know that I have never exposed your lives unnecessarily, and that we +have always succeeded in whatever we have undertaken. You have gained a +name for yourselves and our ship, and I hope you will not sully that +name by showing the white feather. Although yonder ship is twice as big +as we are, still we must try to beat her off, and it will not be my +fault if we don't." + +The men cheered heartily, and went to their guns. Every preparation for +battle being made--to the surprise of her own crew, and much more so to +that of the Frenchman--the commandant ordered her to be hove-to. + +"Don't fire a shot until I tell you, lads!" he cried out. + +Many looked at the stranger with anxious eyes; the flag of France was +flying from her peak. Eighteen guns grinned out from her ports on +either side--twice the number of those carried by the _Lily_, and of a +far heavier calibre. As she got within range she opened fire, her shot +flying through the _Lily's_ sails, cutting her rigging and injuring +several of her spars, but her guns were so elevated that not a man was +hit on deck. + +"Steady, lads! We must wait until she gets near enough to make every +one of our guns tell!" cried the commander. + +Even when going into action a British seaman often indulges in jokes, +but on this occasion every man maintained a grim silence. + +"Now, lads!" shouted the commander, "give it them!" + +At the short distance the enemy now was from them the broadside told +with terrible effect, the shot crashing through her ports and sides, +while the shrieks and groans of the wounded were clearly distinguished +from the _Lily's_ deck. + +The British crew, working with redoubled energy, hauled their guns in +and out, and fired with wonderful rapidity, truly tossing them about as +if they had been playthings. The French also fired, but far more +slowly, sending hardly one shot to the _Lily's_ two. The officers went +about the deck encouraging the men and laying hold of the tackles to +assist them in their labours. At any moment a well-directed broadside +from the frigate might leave the corvette a mere wreck on the ocean, or +send her to the bottom. Every man on board knew this; but while their +officers kept their flag flying at the peak, they were ready to work +their guns and struggle to the last. + +An hour and a half had passed since the French frigate had opened her +fire, and still the little sloop held out. Commander Saltwell's great +object was to avoid being run down or boarded. This he managed to do by +skilful manoeuvring. At length Rayner, through his glass, observed the +crew of the frigate running about her deck as if in considerable +confusion. Once more the _Lily_ fired, but what was the astonishment of +the British seamen to see her haul her main-tack aboard and begin to +make all sail, putting her head to the northward. To follow was +impossible, as the _Lily_ had every brace and bowline, all her after +backstays, several of her lower shrouds, and other parts of her rigging, +shot away. + +Her sails were also torn, her mainmast and main-topsail yard and +foreyard a good deal injured. Yet though she had received these serious +damages aloft, strange to say one man alone of her crew had been +slightly injured. + +"We must repair damages, lads, and then go and look after the enemy," +cried the commander. + +The guns being run in and secured, every officer, man, and boy set to +work, the commander with the rest. In a wonderfully short time the +standing rigging was knotted or spliced, fresh running rigging rove, new +sails bent, and the _Lily_ was standing in the direction in which her +late antagonist had some time before disappeared. + +Not long after, however, the man at the mast-head discovered a large +ship on the lee beam in the direction of Guadaloupe. The _Lily_ at once +steered towards the stranger, when in the afternoon she came up with a +vessel under French colours, which endeavoured to escape. Several shots +were fired. The stranger sailed on. + +"She looks like an English ship," observed the commander. "It will +never do to let her get away. See what you can do, Crofton." + +Oliver went forward and trained the foremost gun. He fired, and down +came the stranger's main-topsail yard. On this she hauled down her +colours and hove-to. + +She proved to be, as the commander had supposed, a large English +merchantman, a prize to the French frigate. The prisoners were at once +removed, and the second lieutenant sent with a prize crew on board, when +the _Lily_ took her in tow. The wind was light, but a heavy swell sent +the prize several times almost aboard the corvette, which was at length +compelled to cast her adrift. + +The next morning the look-out from the mast-head of the _Lily_ announced +a sail on the lee bow. In a short time, daylight increasing, she was +seen to be a frigate, and no doubt her late antagonist. Captain +Saltwell at once bore down on her, making a signal to the prize to do so +likewise, and at the same time running up several signals as if speaking +another ship to windward. + +On this the frigate, making all sail, stood away, and as she had the +heels both of the _Lily_ and her prize, was soon out of sight. + +Captain Saltwell, satisfied, as he had every reason to be, with his +achievement, ordered the course to be shared for Jamaica. + +On his arrival he found his commission as post-captain waiting for him. +He had won it by constant and hard service. + +"As I cannot reward you for the gallant way in which you beat off the +French frigate and recaptured the merchant ship worth several thousand +pounds, I must see what can be done for your first lieutenant," said the +admiral. "I will apply for his promotion, and in the meantime will give +him an acting order to command the _Lily_, and to take her home." + +Captain Saltwell, thanking the admiral, expressed his intention to take +a passage in his old ship. + +The news quickly spread fore and aft that the _Lily_ was to be sent +home. Loud cheers rose from many a stout throat, the invalids, of which +there were not a few, joining in the chorus from below. One-third of +those who had come out had either fallen fighting in the many actions in +which she had been engaged, or, struck down by yellow fever, lay in the +graveyard of Port Royal. No time was lost in getting fresh water and +provisions on board. + +Never did crew work with more good-will than they did on this occasion. + +The _Lily_ was soon ready for sea, and with a fair breeze ran out of +Port Royal harbour. The war was still raging as furiously as ever, and +the officers and crew well knew that before they could reach the shores +of old England they might have another battle or two to fight. Perhaps, +in their heart of hearts, they would have preferred, for once in a way, +a peaceful voyage. A look-out, however, was kept, but the Atlantic was +crossed, and the chops of the Channel reached, without meeting a foe. +Here the _Lily_ encountered a strong easterly gale, and in vain for many +days endeavoured to beat up to her destination. + +Having sighted Scilly, she was standing off the land, from which she was +at a considerable distance under close-reefed topsails, when the wind +suddenly dropped, and soon afterwards shifted to the southwards. The +helm was put down, and the crew flew aloft to shake out the reefs. + +They were thus engaged when a sail was seen to the south-east. The +_Lily_, standing on the opposite tack, rapidly neared her. Every glass +on board was directed towards the stranger. She was a ship apparently +of much the same size as the _Lily_, but whether an English cruiser or +an enemy it was difficult to determine. + +The _Lily_, by keeping away, might have weathered the Lizard and avoided +her. Such an idea did not enter the young commander's head. On the +contrary, he kept the ship close to the wind, so that by again going +about he might prevent the stranger from passing him. + +His glass had never been off her. Suddenly he exclaimed, "Hurrah! she's +French. I caught sight of her flag as she luffed up! Hands about ship! +We'll fight her, Captain Saltwell?" he added, turning to his former +commander. + +"No doubt about it," said Captain Saltwell, "I should if I were in your +place." + +The drum beat to quarters, the crew hurried to their stations, and every +preparation was made for the expected battle. The stranger, after +standing on some way, hauled up, so as to keep the weather-gauge, and, +at the same time; to draw the _Lily_ farther away from the English +coast. + +Once more the latter tacked, and passing under the stranger's stern, +poured in a raking broadside. + +The stranger, coming about, returned the fire; but as the shot flew from +her guns down came her mizenmast, and she fell off before the wind. + +The crew of the _Lily_ cheered, and running in their guns, quickly fired +a third broadside. + +The two ships now ran on side by side, Rayner having shortened sail so +as to avoid shooting ahead of his antagonist. Notwithstanding the loss +of their mizenmast, the Frenchmen fought with spirit for some time, but +their fire at length began to slacken, while the British seamen +continued to work their guns with the same energy as at first. + +Rayner now ordered the mizen-topsail and spanker to be set, and directed +the crews of the starboard guns to refrain from firing until he should +give the word; then putting down the helm, he suddenly luffed up, and +stood across the bows of his opponent. + +"Fire!" he cried; and gun after gun was fired in succession, the shot +telling with fearful effect as they swept the deck of the French ship. +The latter put down her helm in a vain attempt to avoid being raked, but +her bowsprit catching in the mizen rigging of the _Lily_, Oliver, +calling to Jack and several other men, securely lashed it there, in +spite of the fire which the marines from the enemy's forecastle opened +on him and his companions. + +The bullets from the Frenchmen's muskets came rattling sharply on board. +Two of the seamen were hit, and just at the same moment their young +commander was seen to fall. A midshipman and the purser, who were +standing by his side, caught him in their arms. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN. + +CONCLUSION. + +"Keep at it, my lads, until she strikes!" cried the young commander, as +he fell. + +Captain Saltwell had meantime, seeing what would occur, ordered two guns +to be run out at the after ports. Scarcely had they been fired when an +officer, springing into the forecastle of the French ship, waved his hat +and shouted that they had struck. + +Oliver and Jack, on looking round for Rayner, and seeing him bleeding on +the deck, forgetful of everything else, sprang aft to his side. At that +moment the crew raised a cheer of victory; Rayner feebly attempted to +join in it. He was carried below. With anxious hearts his officers and +crew waited to hear the report of the surgeon. + +It was Oliver's duty to go on board and take possession of the prize. +Unwillingly he left his friend's side. Of the _Lily's_ crew five had +been killed, and many more beside her commander, wounded. But Oliver +saw, as he stepped on board the prize, how much more severely she had +suffered. Everywhere lay dead and dying men. How dread and terrible a +fact is war! A lieutenant, coming forward, presented his sword. + +"My captain lies there," he said, pointing to a form covered by a flag. +"The second lieutenant is wounded below; three other officers are among +the dead. We did not yield while we had a chance of victory." + +"Yours is a brave nation, and I must compliment you on the gallant way +in which you fought your ship," answered Oliver, in the best French he +could command. + +To lose no time, the prisoners were removed, the prize taken in tow, and +all sail made for Plymouth. + +At length the surgeon come on deck. + +"The commander will do well, I trust," he said; "but I shall be glad to +get him on shore as soon as possible. As soon as I had extracted the +bullet, he sent me off to look after the other wounded men, saying that +they wanted my care as well as he did." + +The crew on this gave a suppressed cheer. It would have been louder and +more prolonged, but they were afraid of disturbing the commander and the +other wounded men. + +All were proud of their achievement as they sailed up Plymouth Sound +with their prize in tow, but no one felt prouder than Jack Peek. + +"I knew Captain would do something as soon as he had the chance," he had +remarked to Brown, who greatly shared his feelings. + +Rayner was at once removed to the hospital. As he was unable to hold a +pen, Captain Saltwell wrote the despatches, taking care to give due +credit to the active commander of the corvette. + +A short time afterwards Oliver carried to the hospital--to which he had +never failed to pay a daily visit--an official-looking letter. + +"Ah! that will do him more good than my doctoring," said the surgeon, to +whom he showed it. + +Oliver opened it at Rayner's request. It was from the Lords of the +Admiralty, confirming him in his rank, and appointing him to command the +_Urania_ (the English name given to the prize), which, being a fine new +corvette, a hundred tons larger than the _Lily_, had been bought into +the service. + +"It will take some time to refit her, and you will, I hope, be about +again before she is ready for sea," said Oliver. "I have brought a +message from my mother, who begs, as soon as you are ready to be +removed, that you will come and stay at our house. She is a good nurse, +and you will enjoy more country air than you can here." + +Rayner very gladly accepted the invitation. Neither Oliver nor Mrs +Crofton had thought about the result, but before many weeks were over +Commander William Rayner was engaged to marry Mary Crofton, who had +given him as loving and gentle a heart as ever beat in woman's bosom. +He told her how often he had talked about her when away at sea, and how +often he had thought of her, although he had scarcely dared to hope that +she would marry one who had been a London street boy and powder monkey. + +"I love you, my dear Bill, for what you are, for being noble, true, and +brave, and such you were when you were a powder monkey, as you call it, +although you might not have discovered those qualities in yourself." + +He was now well able to marry, for his agents had in their hands several +thousand pounds of prize-money, and he might reasonably hope to obtain +much more before the war was over. + +Our hero was well enough to assume the command of the _Urania_ by the +time she was ready for sea. Oliver, as his first lieutenant, had been +busily engaged in obtaining hands, and had secured many of the _Lily's_ +former crew. The commander had some time before sent for Jack Peek, and +urged him to prepare himself for obtaining a boatswain's warrant. + +"Thank you, sir," said Jack; "but, you see, to get it I must read and +write, and that's what I never could tackle. I have tried pothooks and +hangers, but my fingers get all cramped up, and the pen splits open, and +I have to let it drop, and make a great big splash of ink on the paper; +and as for reading, I've tried that too. I know all the letters when I +see them, but I can't manage to put them together in the right fashion, +and never could get beyond a, b, ab, b, o, bo. I might in time, if I +was to stick to it, I know, and I'll try when we are at sea if I can get +a messmate to teach me. But while you're afloat I'd rather be your +coxswain, if you'll give me that rating; then I can always be with you, +and, mayhap, render you some service, which is just the thing I should +be proud of doing. Now, sir, there's Tom Fletcher; he's got plenty of +learning, and he ought to be a good seaman by this time. If you were to +recommend him to be either a gunner or a boatswain, he'd pass fast +enough." + +Rayner shook his head. "I should be happy to serve Tom Fletcher for old +acquaintance' sake, but I fear that although he may have the learning, +as you say, he has not got the moral qualities necessary to make a good +warrant officer. However, send him to me, and I'll have a talk with him +on the subject." + +Jack promised to look after Tom, whom he had not seen since the _Lily_ +was paid off. He returned in a few days, saying that he had long +searched for him in vain, until at length he had found him in a low +house in the lowest of the Plymouth slums, his prize-money, to the +amount of nearly a hundred pounds, all gone, and he himself so drunk +that he could not understand the message Jack brought him. + +"I am truly sorry to hear it," said Rayner. "But you must watch him and +try to get him on board. If he is cast adrift he must inevitably be +lost, but we will try what we can do to reform him." + +"I will gladly do my best, sir," answered Jack. When the _Urania_ was +nearly ready for sea, Jack did contrive to get Tom aboard of her, but +the commander's good intentions were frustrated, for before the ship +sailed he deserted with could not again be discovered. + +Of this Rayner was thankful, as he must of necessity have done what +would have gone greatly against his feelings--ordered Tom a flogging. + +Honest Brown, however, who had gone to school as soon as the _Lily_ was +paid off; received what he well deserved, his warrant as boatswain of +the corvette he had helped to win. He had shortly to go to sea in a +dashing frigate, and from that he was transferred to a seventy-four, in +which he was engaged in several of England's greatest battles. + +Some years passed, when after paying off the _Urania_, as Rayner was +passing along a street in Exeter, he heard a stentorian voice singing a +verse of a sea ditty. The singer, dressed as a seaman, carried on his +head the model of a full-rigged ship, which he rocked to and fro, +keeping time to the tune. He had two wooden legs in the shape of +mopsticks, and was supporting himself with a crutch, while with the hand +at liberty he held out a battered hat to receive the contributions of +his audience. Occasionally, when numbers gathered round to listen to +him, he exchanged his song for a yarn. As Rayner approached he was +saying, "This is the way our government treats our brave seamen. Here +was I fighting nobly for my king and country, when a Frenchman's shot +spoilt both my legs, and I was left to stump off as best I could on +these here timber toes without a shiner in my pocket, robbed of all my +hard-earned prize-money. But you good people will, I know, be kind to +poor Jack, and fill this here hat of his with coppers to give him a +crust of bread and a sup to comfort his old heart. + + "`Come all ye jolly sailors bold, + Whose hearts are cast in honour's mould, + While England's glory I unfold, + Huzza to the _Arethusa_!'" + +Suddenly he recognised Captain Rayner, who, from being dressed in plain +clothes, he had not at first observed. He started, and then began, with +an impudent leer, "Now, mates, I'll spin you another yarn about an +English captain who now holds his head mighty high, and would not +condescend to speak to poor Jack if he was to meet him. We was +powder-monkeys together, that captain and I. But luck is everything. +He went up, and I went down. That's the way at sea. If all men had +their deserts I should be where he is, in command of a fine frigate, in +a fair way of becoming an admiral. But it's no use complaining, and so +I'll sing on-- + + "`The famed _Belle Poule_ straight ahead did lie, + The _Arethusa_ seemed to fly, + Not a brace, or a tack, or a sheet did we slack + On board of the _Arethusa_.'" + +"No, no, mate, you was not aboard the _Arethusa_!" cried Jack Peek, who +had followed his captain at a short distance, and looking Tom in the +face. "You was not aboard the _Arethusa_. I'll tell you what kept you +down. It was conceit, idleness, drink, and cowardice; and I'll tell you +what gave our brave captain his first lift in the service. It was his +truthfulness, his good sense, his obedience to the orders of his +superiors. It was his soberness, his bravery; and if you, with your +learning and advantages, had been like him, you too might have been in +command of a dashing frigate, and not stumping about on one wooden leg, +with the other tied up to deceive the people. It's hard things I'm +saying, I know, but I cannot stand by and hear a fellow who ought to +know better running monstrous falsehoods off his reel as you have been +doing. You might have borne up for Greenwich, and been looked after by +a grateful country; or you might have saved money enough to have kept +yourself in comfort to the end of your days; but it all went in drink +and debauchery, and now you abuse the government for not looking after +you. Howsumdever, Tom Fletcher, I'm very sorry for you, and if you'll +knock off this sort of vagabond life, which brings disgrace on the name +of a British sailor, I'll answer for it our good captain will exert his +influence and get you a berth in Greenwich or elsewhere, for he has +often spoken about you, and wondered where you were a-serving." + +Jack Peek had probably never made so long a speech in his life. It was +perhaps too long, for it enabled the old sailor to recover his presence +of mind, and looking at Jack with a brazen countenance, he declared that +he had never seen him before, when off he went as fast as he could walk +on his wooden stumps, and turning down a by-lane was lost to view. + +Jack had to hurry on to overtake his captain. It was the last time he +saw Tom Fletcher alive; but he afterwards heard that a man answering his +description, who had been sent to prison as a rogue and a vagabond, had +subsequently been killed in a drunken quarrel with another seaman of the +same character. + +Jack had followed his old friend and captain from ship to ship, and at +length having overcome the difficulty not only of the alphabet, but of +pothooks and hangers, he obtained his warrant, and for several years had +charge of one of the ships in which he had fought and bled, now laid up +in Portsmouth harbour. + +In the course of years there was found in the list of English Admirals +the names of Sir William Rayner, KCB, John Saltwell, and Oliver Crofton. + +THE END. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's From Powder Monkey to Admiral, by W.H.G. Kingston + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM POWDER MONKEY TO ADMIRAL *** + +***** This file should be named 21404.txt or 21404.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/4/0/21404/ + +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. |