diff options
Diffstat (limited to '23071.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 23071.txt | 11366 |
1 files changed, 11366 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/23071.txt b/23071.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..33c7381 --- /dev/null +++ b/23071.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11366 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rival Crusoes, by W.H.G. Kingston + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Rival Crusoes + +Author: W.H.G. Kingston + +Release Date: October 17, 2007 [EBook #23071] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RIVAL CRUSOES *** + + + + +Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England + + + + +The Rival Crusoes, by W.H.G. Kingston +________________________________________________________________________ +Our hero is the sixteen-year-old Dick Hargrave, son of a farmer near +Keyhaven on the Hampshire coast. A good deal of smuggling went on in +that area, but the Hargraves, although turning a blind eye if their +barns were used by the smugglers for temporary storage, were not +involved. The local landlord had been a politician who had been +ennobled and who was now a marquis. One of his sons, Lord Reginald (for +Lord is the courtesy-title of younger sons of a marquis) was in the +Navy. Dick is press-ganged into the navy, and finds himself in the same +ship as Lord Reginald, who does all he can to make Dick's life a +misery. On one occasion Dick jumps ship and goes back home to visit his +family, but is recognised by Lord Reginald. + +Before he can be punished there is an engagement with the French in +which Dick distinguishes himself, and the Captain agrees to dispense +with the flogging he should have received. + +The ship is posted to the Far East station but is shipwrecked. Both +Dick and Lord Reginald survive the wreck and become "Crusoes", still +with a deadly rivalry. But Lord Reginald is an incompetent, and would +not have survived, had not Dick rescued him, and brought him back to +health. Lord Reginald apologises for his past behaviour. Eventually +they get back to England, and the story ends there. + +In a preface Kingston explains that he has taken a much earlier novel +written by a young lady, and has rewritten it with as much improvement +as he can make. + +________________________________________________________________________ +THE RIVAL CRUSOES, BY W.H.G. KINGSTON. + + + +PREFACE. + +The title of the following tale was given to a short story written by +the well-known authoress, Agnes Strickland, more than half a century +ago, when she was about eighteen years old. I well remember the intense +delight with which I read it in my boyhood, and was lately surprised to +find that it had been so long out of print. The publishers, however, +consider that the work, esteemed as it was in former years, is, from the +style and the very natural mistakes of a young lady discernible with +regard to matters nautical, scarcely suited to the taste of the present +day. They therefore requested me to re-write it, believing that the +subject might be worked into a deeply interesting story of much larger +proportions than the original. This I have endeavoured to accomplish, +and I trust that the new version of "The Rival Crusoes" may become as +popular among the present generation as its predecessor was with the +last. + +W.H.G. Kingston. + + + +CHAPTER ONE. + +AT KEYHAVEN--IN DANGEROUS COMPANY--THE OLD SMUGGLER--A FRIGATE AFTER +BATTLE--DISLIKE OF BEN FOR THE ROYAL NAVY--AN UNEXPECTED LANDING-- +OVERBEARING CONDUCT OF THE MIDSHIPMEN--ANGRY WORDS--LORD REGINALD +OSWALD--TOADY VOULES--AT THE VILLAGE INN--OLD MESSMATES--TEMPTATION-- +SUSAN RUDALL'S ANXIOUS LIFE--AN ADVENTURE ON THE WAY TO ELVERSTON--HOME +AT LAST--RECEPTION AT THE HALL. + +"I tell you what, Dick, if I was Farmer Hargrave I would not turn out to +please Lord Elverston or any other lord in the land," exclaimed Ben +Rudall, as he stood hammering away at the side of his boat, which lay +drawn up on the inner end of Hurst beach, near the little harbour of +Keyhaven, on the Hampshire coast, at the western entrance of the Solent, +opposite the Isle of Wight. His dress and weather-beaten countenance, +as well as the work he was engaged on, showed that he was a seafaring +man. + +"But Mr Gooch the bailiff says there is a flaw, as he calls it, in the +lease; but what that means I don't know, except that it's not all right, +and that father must turn out, whether he likes it or not," answered +Dick Hargrave, who was standing near, and occasionally giving Ben a +helping hand. He was a lad about sixteen years of age, strongly built, +with a good-looking face, exhibiting a firm and determined expression. +His dress was more that of a landsman than of a sailor, though it +partook of both. + +"Flaw or no flaw, I say again, I would hold on fast to the farm, unless +I was turned out by force. Your father, Dick, is worth ten of such +lords, or a hundred, for that matter. He has held that farm since his +father's time. His father and grandfather and great-grandfather, and I +don't know how many before them, have held it. And right honest people +they were. They never thought of interfering with us seafaring men, and +would as soon turn spies to the French as give notice to the revenue +when a cargo was to be run. If they guessed that any kegs of spirits, +or packages of silks or ribbons, were stowed away in one of their barns, +they took good care not to be prying about too closely until they knew +that the goods had been started off for London." + +"My father always wished to live at peace with his neighbours, and would +not injure a smuggler more than any other man who did not interfere with +him, though I believe he has never received a keg of brandy or a piece +of silk for any service he may have done the smugglers," said Dick. + +"You're right there, my lad," said Ben. "I mind once offering your good +mother a few yards of stuff to make her a Sunday gown, and, would you +believe it? she would not take them. When I just hinted that I should +leave them behind me, she was quite offended, and declared that if I did +she would speak to your father and have the outhouses kept closed, and +that it would be our own fault if some day all our goods were seized. +She shut me up, I can tell you. Yes, she is a good woman, and as kind +and charitable to the poor as any lady in the land. To my fancy she is +a lady just as much as Lord Elverston's wife. I mind when he was only +Squire Oswald. Because he kept hounds and was in Parliament, and came +into a heap of money, he got made a lord, and then a marquis, and now he +is setting his face against all us seafaring men hereabouts, and vows +that he must uphold the revenue laws, and put a stop to smuggling." + +"I have no cause to care for the Marquis of Elverston or his sons +either, for often when I have passed them and touched my hat, as in +decent manners I was bound to do, they have looked at me as if I was a +beggar-boy asking for a ha'penny. The young one especially--Lord +Reginald--I had words with him one day, when he swore at me for not +picking up his whip which he had let drop out riding; and at another +time, when I was fishing in the lake at Elverston, he ordered me to be +off, because I was catching more than he was--though father has always +had the right of fishing there. He came up, with his fists doubled; but +I threatened to knock him into the water if he laid hands on me, and he +thought better of it. I was right glad when he went off to sea, where I +hope he will have learned better manners." + +"He will have learned to become a greater bully than ever," growled Ben. +"I have heard enough about king's ships, and catch me setting foot on +board one. I'd sooner be sent to Botany Bay, or spend a year in prison, +which I did once, when I was taken running a cargo down Portland way +with a dozen other fine fellows. Many of them accepted the offer to go +on board a man-of-war; and where are they now? Three or four shot or +drowned; the rest have never come back, though whether dead or alive I +cannot tell. No, no, Dick; don't you ever go on board a man-of-war of +your own free will, or you'll repent it; and, I say, keep clear of +pressgangs when you get a little older, or you may be having to go, +whether you like it or no." + +"I'll take your advice," answered the young farmer, for such Dick might +properly have been called, though he had besides, being an ingenious +fellow, picked up a good knowledge of carpentering and boat-building; +"but what I was going to say just now was that, although the marquis and +his sons may not be liked, no one can utter a word against my lady and +her daughters. They always smile and nod kindly like when one passes. +When my sister Janet was ill last year, they came to the farm, and asked +after her just as if she had been one of themselves, talking so sweet +and gentle. If it wasn't for them, I don't think father would dream of +giving in, as he does now." + +"Give in? He mustn't do that!" exclaimed Ben. "Their talking and +smiling may be all very fine, but I know what that's worth." + +"You are wrong there, Ben; I couldn't speak a word against them. But, I +say, do you think we can finish the boat in time to get off and catch +some fish this evening? I want to take home a couple of bass or whiting +pout for Janet. She likes them better than anything else. Poor girl! +it's only fish and such light things she can eat. She's very ill, I +fear, though she talks as if she was going to be about soon; but the +doctor tells mother he has no hope of her ever being well again." + +"That will be a sore pity, for, blind though she is, there's not a +prettier maiden to be found throughout the forest," answered Ben. "I'll +do my best to serve you, Dick; but there's two hours' more work to be +done before we can get the craft afloat." Ben surveyed the boat from +stem to stern as he spoke, and then continued boring holes and driving +nails as diligently as before. + +While he was thus employed, Dick, who was looking towards the Isle of +Wight, exclaimed, "See, Ben, see, what a fine ship yonder is, just come +in at the Needles!" + +The fisherman, clenching the nail he had just driven in, turned his eyes +in the direction to which Dick pointed. "She's only a frigate, though a +good big one," he remarked. "She's not long since been in action, too, +with the enemy. Look at her topsails and top-gallant sails; they are +pretty well riddled. I can count wellnigh a score of shot-holes in +them; and her side, too, shows the hard knocks she has been getting. +Just run to the top of the beach, and see if any other ships are +following. Maybe the fleet has had a brush with the enemy, and yonder +frigate has been sent on ahead with news of the action." + +Dick, doing as he was bid, soon reached a point of the shingly bank +whence he could obtain a view of the sea to the westward. "Hurrah!" he +shouted; "here comes another ship under a fore-jurymast and her bowsprit +gone. She seems to me to have not a few shot-holes in her canvas, +though it's hard to make out at the distance she is off." + +Ben, in his eagerness, forgetting his work, ran up to where Dick was +standing. "Yes, there's no doubt about it, yonder craft is a prize to +the first. When she gets nearer we shall see that her sails are well +riddled and her hull battered, too. Those Frenchmen don't give in till +they've been thoroughly drubbed; but I doubt whether we shall know more +about the matter to-night than we do now, for the wind is falling, and +the tide making out strong against her. See, the frigate can only just +stem it, and unless the breeze freshens, she must bring up or drift out +through the Needles again." + +Such, indeed, was likely to be the case, for though still going ahead, +her progress was very slow. She had already got some little distance to +the eastward of Hurst Point, when, the wind freshening again, her sails +blew out, and, gliding majestically on, she edged over to the Isle of +Wight shore. + +"She'll not get to Spithead to-night, notwithstanding," remarked Ben, +"for there's not a breath of air away to the eastward; see, the sails of +that brig out there are hanging flat against the masts." + +Ben was right. The wind again dropping, presently the hands were seen +flying aloft, the studding-sails were quickly taken in, the courses +brailed up; the topsail yards being rapidly lowered, the ready crew +sprang on to them, and in another minute the frigate dropped her anchor +in Yarmouth Roads. + +"All very fine!" growled Ben, as he saw Dick's look of admiration at the +smartness with which the manoeuvre had been effected; "but if you'd been +on board you would have seen how it was all done. There's the first +lieutenant, with his black list in his hand, and the other lieutenants +with their reports, ready to note down anything they may think amiss; +then there are the midshipmen, the boatswain and his mates, cursing and +swearing, with their switches and rope's ends in their hands, and the +cat-o'-nine-tails hung up ready for any who don't move fast enough. +Again, I say, don't you ever enter on board a man-of-war if you wish to +keep a whole skin in your body." + +The old smuggler's picture, though exaggerated, approached too nearly +the truth as to the way in which discipline was enforced on board many +men-of-war in those days. Happily, some were as free from the reproach +as are those of the present time, when the seamen of the navy have good +reason to be contented with their lot, as everything is done which can +conduce to their comfort and improvement. + +Ben's remarks did not fail to have their effect on Dick's mind. + +"Don't think I'm a fool!" he answered. "I'll keep out of their +clutches, depend upon that, for, as I am not a seaman, a pressgang can't +catch hold of me." + +"Well, do you be wise, my boy, and don't forget what I say," remarked +Ben. "But if we stand talking here we shan't get the boat finished, so +come along, and don't let us trouble ourselves about the frigate. We +shall hear by-and-by what she has been doing, and how the captain and +officers are praised for the victory the seamen have won for them." + +Saying this, Ben led the way back to his boat, and went on with his +work, though Dick Hargrave could not help every now and then casting a +look at the beautiful ship as she lay at anchor a little distance off. +Ben was labouring away as assiduously as before, when Dick exclaimed-- + +"Here comes a boat from the frigate. I thought I saw one lowered; she +is steering for this point, and it will not be long before she is here." + +"Then they intend to put some one on shore at Keyhaven," observed Ben; +"but as the boat can't get up the creek with this low tide, whoever he +may be he'll have to trudge along the beach." + +"There seem to be several officers in her," remarked Dick, who stood +watching the boat as she came rapidly on the blades of the oars, as with +measured strokes they were dipped in the water, flashing in the +sunlight. "They fancy that they can get up to Keyhaven, but they'll not +do that until the tide rises," observed Ben, looking up from his work +with a frown on his brow. "Let them try it, and they'll stick fast." + +The boat passed the spot where Ben and his companion were at work, and +very soon what he had predicted happened. Two of the officers, whom +Dick recognised by their uniforms to be midshipmen, were heard abusing +the men and ordering them to urge the boat on. But all the efforts of +the crew to get her afloat were vain. + +They then endeavoured to back her off, and at length four of them, +tucking up their trowsers, leaped overboard. The boat thus lightened, +the men, by shoving her astern, soon got her again into deep water. +When, however, they sprang on board their blackened legs showed the +nature of the mud into which they had stepped, and produced a malicious +chuckle from Ben, who watched them with half-averted head. By moving +their legs about in the water they soon got rid of the black stains, +when, having resumed their places, they pulled the boat in close to +where Ben and Dick were standing. As she reached the beach the two +midshipmen leaped on shore. + +"I say, you fellows," shouted one of them, "come along here and carry +our portmanteaus to the inn, if there is one in that village there, and +tell us if we can find a post-chaise or conveyance of some sort to take +us to Elverston Hall." + +"Don't you answer," said Ben to Dick, hammering on and pretending not to +notice what was said. + +"Ahoy, there! don't you hear us? Knock off that work!" cried the +younger of the two midshipmen, and he repeated what he had just said. + +"Yes, we hear," growled Ben looking up; "but we are not slaves to come +and go at your beck, youngster." + +"We don't want you to carry our traps for nothing, my man," said the +elder midshipman. "We'll give a shilling to each of you for the job, +and that's handsome pay." + +"To those who want it, it may be," said Ben; "but that youngster there +must learn to keep a civil tongue in his head if he expects any one to +help him. Hurst beach ain't the deck of a man-of-war, and one chap here +is as good as another, so you may just let your own people carry up your +traps." + +The crew of the boat sat grinning as they heard the smuggler bandying +words with their officers, siding probably with the former. + +"Do you know to whom you are speaking, my man?" exclaimed the elder +midshipman. "This is Lord Reginald Oswald, and his father is the +Marquis of Elverston. His lordship will be exceedingly angry when he +hears the way you have treated his son." + +Ben, turning away his head, muttered loud enough for his companion to +hear him, "He might be the marquis himself for what I care; but I'm not +his lordship's slave to come and go at his beck any more than I am +yours." + +Dick looked hard at the young lord, and the recollection of their former +intercourse would have made him unwilling to do as he was asked, even +had the request been couched in less dictatorial language. + +"Come, come, we will pay you a couple of shillings each, if you are +extortionate enough to refuse our first offer; but carry up our traps +you must, for the boat has to return immediately to the frigate, and we +cannot delay her." + +"Extortionate or not extortionate, we are not slaves, as some poor +fellows are," said Ben, glancing at the boat's crew; "if we don't do +what you want for love, we are not going to do it for money, so you may +just carry your portmanteaus yourselves." + +"Impertinent scoundrels!" exclaimed Lord Reginald to his companion. +"Just see, Voules, if that young fellow is more amenable to reason than +that sulky old boatman." + +"I'll try him," answered Voules. "Come here, you young chap. If you +will carry Lord Reginald's portmanteau I will shoulder mine; we must not +delay the boat any longer." + +"Don't seem as if you heard him," said Ben to Dick in a low voice, then +looking round he shouted, "Maybe the `young chap' is deaf, and if he +wasn't, he's not a mule or donkey to carry a load on his back. Let Lord +Reginald carry his own portmanteau, and just do you understand that I'm +not the man to stand any nonsense from him or from any other lord in the +land." + +"There is no use in bandying words with these scoundrels!" exclaimed +Voules. "I'll carry your portmanteau, Oswald, and let my own take its +chance. I don't suppose these fellows will dare to steal it, until we +can send somebody to bring it on." + +"No, no," answered Lord Reginald; "we must get Jennings to allow two of +the men to come with us, and he can explain to the captain the cause of +the delay." + +Jennings, the master's assistant in charge of the boat, naturally +indignant at the way his messmates were treated, consented to this, +although he was infringing orders by so doing. He accordingly directed +two of the crew to take up the portmanteaus and accompany the +midshipmen, who set off at once along the shingly beach. As they moved +on, a peal of laughter, in which Ben indulged himself, saluted their +ears, which contributed not a little to increase Lord Reginald's anger +and indignation. + +"I have a notion that I remember the countenance of the youngest of +those two rascals!" he exclaimed. "He is the son of one of our tenants, +and used often, when a mere boy, to be impudent to me. I felt inclined +more than once to thrash him, but he happened to be the stronger of the +two, so I didn't try, but I'll pay him off one of these days. I'll tell +my father how we were treated, and he'll show him that I am not to be +insulted with impunity." + +"Certainly not, Oswald. I'll bear witness to the impertinent way in +which he behaved. I only wish that a pressgang may be sent on shore +here some night; I'll take good care that they do not overlook either +the young fellow or that surly old one. They are not very particular in +the service just now as to age, and both may be taken." + +"Pray don't let me hear anything more about the matter, or when I reach +home I shall not be in a condition to receive the congratulations of my +family," said Lord Reginald. "I wish that the tide had been in and we +had been able to get up to the village instead of having to trudge over +these abominable shingles." + +"Certainly," said Voules; "but the fellows are beneath your notice, +though the incident was sufficient to put one out of temper. If I had +thought Jennings would have consented, I would have proposed landing the +boat's crew and ducking the fellows; it would have brought them to +reason pretty quickly." + +"You don't know the character of the men hereabout, or you would not say +so," observed Lord Reginald. "That fellow Hargrave is a desperate young +villain, and they are all smugglers and poachers, who would not scruple +to burn down the hall if they had an opportunity. My father is +determined to put a stop to their poaching and smuggling, but he has not +as yet had much success, I believe. The smugglers, somehow or other, +manage to land their cargoes when the revenue officers are out of the +way, and the poachers dodge our gamekeepers, who vow that although they +hear their shots, they can never catch them." + +"It will be good fun some night to try what we can do," observed Voules. +"We should soon get hold of them, and if they are sent to prison or +shipped off to Botany Bay, it will keep the others in awe." + +The two seamen who carried the portmanteaus were listening to the +remarks of the young officers spoken in loud tones. Every now and then +they turned to each other, exchanging winks, and smiling contemptuously, +though they looked as grave as judges when Voules happened to turn round +for a moment to ascertain how far they had got from the boat. On and on +they trudged, until at last harder ground was gained, and they soon +reached the village inn, or rather beer-shop, for it aspired to no +higher dignity. Great was their disgust to find that no conveyance of +any sort was to be obtained nearer than Lymington, some three or four +miles off, and it was doubtful whether the single post-chaise or yellow +fly, which belonged to the place, would be disengaged. + +"But Lord Reginald Oswald cannot walk all the way to Elverston Hall, and +we must have a carriage of some sort or other, my good woman," exclaimed +Voules to the landlady. + +"Then I must send out and find my man, who has been carting coals for +old Captain Knockills on the top of the hill there. Our cart ain't +exactly fit for young gentlemen like you, but it's better than nothing, +as it will carry your `portmantles,' and you can get in and ride when +you are tired; so, if you will walk in and sit down in the bar, I'll +send the boy off at once. It won't be long before my man is here, as he +must have finished his work by this time." + +"Impossible!" exclaimed Voules. "Lord Reginald Oswald to be driven home +in a coal-cart!" + +The idea, however, seemed to tickle the fancy of the young lord, for he +burst into a fit of laughter. "It will be better to reach the hall even +in that way, than to wait in this wretched hole until we can obtain a +carriage. Only, I say Voules, get them to put some clean hay or straw +into the cart, or we and our portmanteaus will be covered with +coal-dust." + +In the mean time the two seamen looked with wistful eyes at the cask of +beer in the corner of the tap-room, but Voules, without offering them +any, ordered them to hasten back to the boat. They grumbled as they +went, looking back to ascertain if the midshipmen had left the inn, +resolving to return, should they have the chance, to drink as many +glasses of ale as they had money in their pockets to pay for. + +Voules, however, must have suspected their intentions, for he kept an +eye on them as long as they were in sight. Just before reaching the +frigate's boat, they met Ben and Dick, who had been on the watch for +their return. Ben put out his hand and shook that of one of them. + +"Well, Bill Webster, I knew you as soon as you stepped on shore. Glad +to see you with a whole skin on your back," he exclaimed. "How do you +like serving his Majesty afloat? A pleasant sort of a life, isn't it?" + +Bill shrugged his shoulders as he answered, "Well, it's better than +rotting in prison, though I'd rather be at the old work again." + +"Then why not give them leg-bail at once; you've a chance you'll not +find again in a hurry, and we can stow you safe away, where they'll have +a hard job to find you." + +"No, no, mate," said Bill's companion, Jack Coyne. "I know what running +away means. It's being caught, with a sharp taste of the cat on one's +back at the end of it." + +"Then, mates, you'd rather be slaves than free men?" said the old +smuggler. + +Jack Coyne, however, was firm; and notwithstanding the arguments Ben +used, he finally persuaded his shipmate to return to the boat which, +immediately they stepped into her, shoved off and pulled for the +frigate. + +"Each man to his taste, and some day they'll be sorry they didn't take +my advice," muttered Ben. "Now, Dick, let's you and I get the boat into +the water, and try to catch some fish for your sister Janet." + +As the boat was placed on a steep beach, she was easily launched, and +Ben and Dick, each taking an oar, pulled away some distance from the +shore, when they let down a big stone which served as an anchor. They +had not to wait long before Ben hauled up a fish, and Dick soon +afterwards got a bite. In a short time they had caught several bass, a +whiting pout, and two grey mullet, with which, well satisfied, as the +shades of evening were already creeping over the water, they pulled for +the shore. As the tide had now turned, they were able to get up the +creek to the spot where Ben generally left his boat moored. + +"I'm well pleased that I am to send these to your young sister," said +Ben, handing over the mullet and two of the other fish to Dick. "Your +mother won't mind receiving them, though they haven't paid duty, seeing +as how they are not taxed, though when they will be is more than I can +say. Always glad to see you down here, my lad; some day you'll take a +trip across the water, aboard the _Nancy_. You'll like the life, I +know, especially if we are chased by one of those revenue craft. It is +a pleasure, I can tell you, to give them the go-by, though, to be sure, +we do sometimes have to heave our kegs and bales overboard, but we +generally keep too bright a look-out to have to do that." + +"I should like it well enough, Ben; but there are others at home who +would object to my going away on board the lugger. However, I won't say +no, so good night, Ben, and thank you for the fish;" and Dick Hargrave +set off at a brisk pace towards his home, while his evil adviser--for +such Ben Rudall undoubtedly was--entered his cottage, where his wife was +busy preparing supper for him and their children. + +An anxious woman was Susan Rudall. Sometimes there was an +over-abundance on the board, and she had more money than she well knew +how to spend. At others it was a hard matter to find a few shillings to +pay the week's bills for bread and other necessaries, though, to be +sure, she could generally obtain credit, as it was hoped that, on the +return of the _Nancy_, Ben would again be flush of money. Sometimes, +however, she, as well as the tradespeople, were disappointed. Then +often and often, while south-westerly gales were blowing, she had the +anxious thought that the _Nancy_ was at sea and might perchance founder, +as other similar craft had done, or be cast on the rocky coast, or be +taken by a revenue vessel, when Ben and his companions, if caught with a +cargo on board, would be thrown into prison, or sent to serve his +Majesty on board a man-of-war for three or four years or more. + +Poor Susan's lot was that of many other smugglers' wives, who, +notwithstanding the silks and laces with which they could bedeck +themselves, and the abundance of spirits and tobacco in which their +husbands might indulge, had often a troubled time of it. Not that she, +or any other of the wives and daughters of those engaged in the lawless +trade, thought that there was any harm in it. Probably their fathers +and grandfathers before them, and most of their male relatives, except +those sent off to sea, followed the same calling, and when any were +caught or killed, they looked on their fate as a misfortune which had to +be borne, without considering that it was justly brought upon +themselves. + +Meantime, the two midshipmen, after waiting till their patience was +almost exhausted, having seen their portmanteaus put into Silas Fryer's +cart, set off on foot for Elverston Hall. + +"I really regret, my dear Oswald, that you should be exposed to this +inconvenience. For myself, I confess I do not care; the pleasure of +accompanying you and the honour of being received by your family, will +make ample amends to me for a far greater annoyance. As a miserable +younger son, with little more than my pay to depend upon, I have often +had to tramp it. But you, I fear, will be greatly fatigued." + +"Not a bit of it," answered Reginald. "I can walk as well as any man, +and could get over the distance if it were twice as great. I was only +vexed at the impertinence of those fellows." + +"Of course, of course," said Voules, soothingly; "but leave them to me, +and if I have an opportunity while remaining here, I'll endeavour to pay +them off." + +Mr Alfred Voules, though an especial friend of Lord Reginald Oswald, +was not a favourite on board his ship, where he was known by the name of +"Toady Voules," an appellation he richly merited by the mode in which he +paid court to any shipmates possessed of titles or amply stored purses. +He had lately won his way into the good graces of Lord Reginald, who had +obtained leave to take him on a visit to Elverston Hall, while the +frigate was refitting at Portsmouth. When she brought up in Yarmouth +Roads, Lord Reginald explained that his home was a short distance off on +the opposite coast, and that it would save him and his friend a long +journey if they were to land at Keyhaven, as they could easily reach it +from thence. Much to their satisfaction, their captain allowed them-- +certainly an unusual favour--to be put on shore as they desired. Voules +himself stood well in the opinion of the captain and lieutenants, as, +although he might not have exhibited any especial gallantry, he always +appeared attentive to his duty. + +As the two midshipmen stepped out briskly, they soon distanced the cart, +though darkness overtook them when they were still three or four miles +from the hall. Lord Reginald, however, knew the road, and there was +light enough from the stars to enable them to see it without difficulty. +Elverston was situated some distance from the coast, within the borders +of the New Forest. They were laughing and talking merrily together as +they made their way along an uncultivated tract, covered with heather +and occasional clumps of trees, here and there paths crossing the main +road, when Voules exclaimed-- + +"What are those objects moving beyond the trees there? They seem to me +to be like men on horseback; and, surely, that is the sound of cart +wheels." + +As they stopped talking, a low murmur, as of human voices in subdued +tones, reached their ears, and continuing on, they made out distinctly a +train of carts, accompanied by horsemen riding in front and rear. + +"What they are is pretty clear," said Lord Reginald. "Those are +smugglers. I have heard they muster at times in great force to convey +their contraband goods up to London." + +"I wish that we had some of the frigate's crew with us," said Voules; +"we'd soon put a stop to their journey." + +"Will you, young masters?" said a voice. "You'll just come along with +us, and spend the night in different company to what you expect!" + +Before the midshipmen could turn round, they found their arms seized by +half a dozen stout fellows, who had apparently been detached from the +main body, and had come up thus suddenly upon them. + +"Unhand us!" exclaimed Lord Reginald, indignantly. "What right have you +to stop us in this way?" + +"The right of might, young master," answered the man who had before +spoken. "Tell us what brings you here at this time of night!" + +Voules, seeing that it would be to their advantage to speak the truth, +answered, "My good friends, we have only just landed from our ship, and +being unable to obtain a carriage, are walking on to Elverston Hall. We +have not the slightest wish to interfere with you or any one else we may +meet on the road; and it would be a serious inconvenience to us to be +detained." + +"You speak fairly, my young master," said the man; "and if you and this +youngster here will give us your word of honour that you will not +mention having met us, we will let you go on in a few minutes; but do +not interfere in a matter which does not concern you." + +"Oh! certainly, my friend, certainly," answered Voules. "We will hold +our tongues, depend upon that, and we shall be much obliged to you if +you will let us go at once, for we are desperately hungry, and want our +suppers." + +"That may be," said the smuggler, laughing; "but you have not given us +your word yet that you will hold your tongue, and we want to know what +this other lad has to say for himself." + +"Oh, I'll give you my word to say nothing about you, if on that +condition you will let us proceed on our way," said Lord Reginald; +"although I cannot make out what reason you have for asking us." + +"Our reasons do not concern you, so give us your answer without further +delay." + +"I promise, then, on the word of an officer and a gentleman, not to +mention having met you," said Voules. + +Lord Reginald repeated the same words. + +"Well, then, you may go about your business," said the smuggler; "only +don't in future talk of putting a stop to smuggling; it's what neither +you nor your elders can do. Now, good night, lads. Remember, if you +break your words it will be the worse for you." + +Saying this, the smuggler and his men rejoined their companions, who had +already crossed the road, and the two midshipmen, glad to escape so +easily, proceeded on their way. + +"I thought we were in for it!" observed Voules; "it would have been very +unpleasant if they had carried us off, or knocked us on the head!" + +"Yes, indeed," answered Lord Reginald; "they are bold fellows to travel +through the country so openly, even at night; but, as my father says, +`Bold as they may be, they must be put down.'" + +"Well, we must try to forget the circumstance at present, or we shall be +letting something slip out," remarked Voules. "Are we approaching the +hall yet?" + +"We cannot be far off, though I should be better able to answer the +question in daylight. I am only certain that we are on the right road, +and have not reached the lodge gates; we shall see a light shining in +the window when we get near." + +Nearly another half-hour passed before the light Lord Reginald spoke of +appeared. The park-keeper and his wife, who had their minds filled with +the dread of an invasion from the French, or an attack from the +smugglers, were at first very unwilling to open the gates. Not until +Lord Reginald had explained who he was, and had mentioned several +circumstances to prove that he spoke the truth, would they admit him and +his companion. + +"Beg pardon, my lord; but we hope you won't take it amiss," exclaimed +the gate-keeper. + +"We meant no offence, that we didn't, my lord," chimed in his wife. +"But you see, your lordship, that there are all sorts of bad characters +about--smugglers and highwaymen and gipsies, and we couldn't tell if it +was some of them come to murder us and burn the hall down, as they swear +they will; or if it was the French, for it's said that they will land +one of these nights, and turn out the king and Parliament." + +"Hold your tongue, wife, and don't be keeping Lord Reginald and the +other gentleman waiting," exclaimed the husband. "You see, my lord, how +my good woman is afeered, and so I hope your lordship will pardon me, as +I mustn't leave her alone, if I don't go up with you to the hall, for if +any strangers were to come there would be no one to open the gate." + +"Stop and look after your wife; I can dispense with your attendance, for +I know my way perfectly," answered Lord Reginald, laughing. "Come +along, Voules, I shall be glad to be at home at last." + +The authoritative pull which the young nobleman gave to the hall bell +soon brought the domestics to the door. The marquis and Lady Elverston, +with their two fair daughters, and Lord John their eldest son, hurried +out to meet Lord Reginald. His mother and sisters embraced him +affectionately, gazing into his well-bronzed countenance, while his +father and brother warmly wrung his hand, as they expressed their joy at +his safe return. He then introduced his messmate Mr Voules, who +received a polite welcome to Elverston Hall. + +"And now, pray tell us, Reginald, to what circumstances we are indebted +for seeing you so unexpectedly," said the marquis. + +"The kindness of Captain Moubray; who, hearing, when our frigate came to +an anchor in Yarmouth Roads, that we were within a short distance of +this, allowed me and my messmate Voules, at my request, to come on shore +and pay you a visit, while the _Wolf_ is refitting at Portsmouth." + +"What brings her back?" asked his father. "I understood that she was +not expected home for some time." + +"We have had a glorious fight with a French frigate, which we compelled +to strike, and have brought home as our prize; though, as we did not get +off scot-free, it will take the _Wolf_ some time to repair damages." + +"Did you lose many men?" asked the marquis. + +"Twenty or more killed or wounded," answered Lord Reginald, in a +careless tone. + +"My dear boy, how thankful I am that you escaped!" exclaimed the +marchioness, gazing at him with a mother's love in her eyes. + +"Oh, do tell us all about it," cried Lady Lucy, his eldest sister. + +"All in good time," answered Reginald; "but to say the truth, we are +very sharp set after our long walk, and should prefer refreshing the +inner man before we exhaust our energies by talking, and I will refer +you on the subject to Voules, whose descriptive powers are far superior +to mine. All that I can tell is that we saw a ship, which we soon +discovered to be French, and, coming up with her, fired away until, in +the course of a couple of hours, having had enough of it, she hauled +down her colours, and that when we were sent on board to take +possession, we found that we had knocked over some forty or fifty stout +fellows." + +The marquis rang the bell, while the midshipmen retired to their rooms +to prepare for supper. + +Voules gazed round the handsome chamber in which he found himself, with +a well-satisfied look. "I have fallen on my feet for once in my life, +at all events," he said to himself. "If I play my cards well, who knows +what may happen? It is evident that his family think a good deal of +this young lordling, and I must take care to keep in his good graces. +He is fond of flattery, though it doesn't do to lay it on too thick, but +his sisters and mother will be well pleased to hear his praises sung, +and as I have a fair groundwork to go upon, I may praise him to the +skies behind his back; he is sure to hear what I say of him, and will be +more pleased than if I flattered him to his face. I shall thus get into +the good graces of the ladies, who may induce the marquis to use his +influence at the Admiralty to obtain my promotion." + +His meditations were interrupted by the entrance of a valet, who came to +offer his services. Voules, supposing from his appearance that he was +one of the other guests who had mistaken his room, made him a polite +bow, and said something to that effect. The valet, uncertain whether +the young gentleman was a lord or a commoner, thought it wise to be on +the safe side, and addressing him as "My lord," said that he had been +sent by Lord John to brush his clothes and shoes, and as the +portmanteaus had not arrived, to put any of his lordship's wardrobe at +his disposal. + +"Oh, ah! my good fellow," said the midshipman, discovering his error; +"much obliged to Lord John; but as there is not time to shift my +rigging, I'll just trouble you to give me a brush down and to bring me a +pair of slippers, and I shall be all to rights." + +The valet quickly performed the duties required of him, and Voules, +perfectly satisfied with himself, followed him downstairs to the +drawing-room. + + + +CHAPTER TWO. + +VOULES MAKES HIMSELF AT HOME--EAGER LISTENERS--FIGHT BETWEEN THE WOLF +AND A FRENCH FRIGATE--LORD REGINALD'S ACCOUNT--MERIT AND MODESTY--A +BUMPER ROUND--VOULES MAKES HEADWAY--DICK HARGRAVE--AN ENCOUNTER IN THE +FOREST--SMUGGLERS--GOOD FAITHFUL--THE FARMER'S HOME--DICK'S MOTHER-- +SOUND ADVICE--CONTENDING INFLUENCES--BITTER FEELINGS--A PRUDENT +RESOLUTION. + +Several guests were staying in the house, and a large party were soon +assembled round the supper-table. The two midshipmen were objects of +general interest, and they had more questions asked than they could well +answer. Voules had the honour of sitting near Lady Elverston. Lord +Reginald was at the other end of the table, where his father had placed +him, anxious to hear from his own lips an account of what had occurred. +Just then, however, being very hungry, the young lord was more +interested in discussing the viands placed before him than in narrating +the particulars of the engagement. Voules had therefore the field to +himself, and although quite as hungry as his brother midshipman, he +restrained his appetite, for the sake of giving full play to his tongue. + +"I can assure your ladyship that we have had as fine an action as any +which has been fought during the war, and though his modesty might +induce him to disclaim any peculiar merit, Lord Reginald played no +unimportant part in it," began Toady Voules, bowing to the marchioness, +and then giving a quick glance towards the other end of the table to +ascertain whether his messmate was listening. Finding that he was fully +engaged with the viands before him, he went on. "We were about thirty +leagues from the coast of Spain, in the latitude of Cadiz, when early +one morning, we discovered a sail to the south-west, we having the wind +at the time from the north-east. As you may suppose, we immediately +bore up in chase, for we had every hope that the stranger would prove an +enemy. It was some time, however, before we could settle the point, as +the wind was light and we made but little way. At length, to our great +joy, we were almost sure that she was a French frigate by the cut of her +canvas and the appearance of her hull; at last, when she hoisted her +colours and fired a gun to windward, we had no doubt about the matter. +She was hove to, with her mizzen-topsail aback and the main-topsail +shivering, waiting for us. This showed that her captain was a brave +fellow, and would give us some trouble before we were likely to make him +strike. + +"We were all in high spirits, and I never saw Lord Reginald look cooler +or more at his ease than he then did. Our captain, to prevent the +French frigate from escaping, made up his mind to engage her to leeward. +Our men were at their quarters, with matches in their hands, ready to +fire. The word, however, was passed along the decks that not a gun +should be discharged until the captain should give the signal, though +the enemy had begun to blaze away, and his shot was passing through our +sails and cutting up our rigging. The enemy, seeing our intention, wore +and foiled the manoeuvre. As she sailed much better than the _Wolf_, +our captain at length saw that he must adopt a different plan to that +which he had at first intended. The Frenchman several times filled and +wore so as on each occasion to bring a fresh broadside to bear on the +_Wolf_, which annoyed us greatly. It was trying work to have her shot +crashing on board without being able to return the compliment. +Fortunately, the Frenchman firing high, few of our men were hurt. We +now steered directly down upon the enemy, and having got within +pistol-shot of her, the satisfactory words reached us, `Give it her, my +lads, and enough of it.' We did give it her, the men tossing their guns +about like playthings, running them in, loading and firing two shots to +the Frenchman's one. We were now what we wanted to be, engaging the +enemy broadside to broadside, within pistol-shot distance, pouring into +each other a fire of round, grape, and musketry. I am afraid you would +not understand the various manoeuvres we performed. As we carried a +press of sail, we shot past the enemy, who, bearing up, managed to cross +our stern and pour in a raking fire. As our captain saw what she was +about to do, he ordered all hands to fall flat on the deck, and many who +might have had their heads knocked off thus escaped. As the shot flew +over us like a shower of hail, the only person I saw on his feet besides +the captain and first lieutenant was Lord Reginald. He told me +afterwards that he could not bring himself to bend before a Frenchman. +`Better, my dear Oswald, to do that than to be knocked down by a +Frenchman's shot,' I observed. `No, no!' he answered. `I should have +died an honourable death.' I beg to observe that I did not agree with +my noble messmate; but I mention the circumstance only to show what +stuff he is made of. + +"We were quickly on our feet again, and engaged in firing every gun we +could bring to bear. After some time, having crossed each other's +courses, we being ahead of the French ship, she stood right at us, +bringing her larboard bow against our starboard quarter, over which her +bowsprit ran, pressing against the mizzen rigging. The captain +immediately ordered it to be lashed there, to prevent her escaping. +Lord Reginald was, I can assure you, among the first to obey the +captain's order. Several men were shot in the attempt, but at last it +was successful. Scarcely, however, was it done, and we had the +Frenchman fast, than we saw the greater portion of her crew rushing +forward, ready to spring down on our decks. It was as much as we could +do, I can tell you, to keep them at bay. Our marines, stationed on the +quarter-deck, fired away at them as fast as they could load and +discharge their muskets, but not until our captain himself, at the head +of our own boarders, armed with cutlasses, pikes, and pistols, rushed to +our quarter, over which the enemy had begun to pour, was their progress +stopped. It was desperate work; those who had gained our deck were cut +down, others were hove into the sea, while the remainder beat a rapid +retreat. Their foremost guns then began to thunder away at us, and we +could not bring one to bear in return, until a couple of pieces were +dragged aft on the main-deck and run through the cabin windows, which +had been cut down to serve as ports. We had now an advantage of which +we made good use. Every shot we fired told with tremendous effect, but +the enemy was still unconquered. The lashings which held the bowsprit +of the French ship to the mizzen rigging giving way, she began to forge +ahead. As she did so, a fortunate shot cut away the gammoning of her +bowsprit. We were now exchanging broadsides yardarm to yardarm, but the +drubbing they had already received seemed to dishearten the Frenchmen. +Still they held out, showing a wonderful amount of pluck. They had sent +men into the tops, armed with muskets, who were firing down on our deck, +and had already wounded several of our officers. I was standing a short +distance from our captain, when I saw Lord Reginald seize the musket of +a marine who had just been killed, and at the same time shove the +captain aside and fire at the maintop, when down came a man on deck. +The captain was saved. The fellow had been taking aim at him, and there +is no doubt that he owes his life to the coolness and resolution of Lord +Reginald, although he looked rather astonished at being treated in so +unceremonious a manner by a midshipman--" + +"Why, you make Lord Reginald a perfect hero," observed a dowager duchess +sitting opposite to Voules, who might possibly have suspected that the +young gentleman was drawing on his imagination as to the details of the +action. + +"Pray go on, Mr Voules," said Lady Julia. "I could not listen to you +without trembling; and, did I not see my brother sitting safe there, +should be thinking all sorts of dreadful things. I wonder any one +remained alive on the decks of the ships engaged in so fearful a +battle." + +"A good many did lose the number of their mess, but fewer were killed +than might have been supposed, for round shot and bullets fortunately +have a happy knack of making their way between the heads of people +without hitting them. + +"By this time our gallant frigate, which had lately been under a cloud +of canvas, swelling proudly to the breeze, made a deplorable appearance +with rope's ends and torn sails hanging down from every mast and yard. +The French ship, however, was in a still worse condition. The sails, +however, were of sufficient service to force the two ships through the +water, and the Frenchman took advantage of this, and hauled up, in a +short time getting out of gun-shot, we being unable, in consequence of +the loss of our gaff and topsails, to follow. Our captain, however, had +no intention, as you may suppose, of letting her escape. All hands set +to work to knot and splice our rigging, to refit braces and repair other +damages. While thus employed, we saw the Frenchman's foremast fall over +the side. Our crew, as you may suppose, raised a loud cheer at the +sight, and redoubled their efforts to be ready, should a breeze spring +up, for again getting within range of our opponent. Scarcely had the +hands reached the deck, when we saw a ripple playing over the ocean; the +sails were trimmed, and once more, with eager hearts, we steered towards +the French ship. We did not suppose that she would hold out long, but +after the pluck her captain had exhibited, we fully expected to be at it +again. In a few minutes the crew were at their quarters, ready to fire +a broadside, when down came the Frenchman's colours. + +"`She has struck! she has struck!' resounded through the ship. We at +once hove to. The first lieutenant was sent on board to take +possession; I had the honour to accompany him. The sight I had +witnessed on board our own ship was bad enough, for we had upwards of +twenty men killed and wounded, the former still lying in their blood +where they fell; but on stepping on the Frenchman's deck, it seemed +literally covered with dead men, for the rest of the crew had been too +busy to throw any of them overboard, while the cockpit below was filled +with wounded, many of whom were too much hurt to recover. + +"The French captain, who came to the gangway to present his sword to the +first lieutenant, informed us that the ship was the _Reynard_, when we +found that she was not only of larger size and carried four more guns +than we had, but had commenced the action with upwards of two hundred +men more than we mustered. The French captain, Monsieur Brunet, who had +really fought his ship very gallantly, shrugged his shoulders, +exclaiming, `It is the fortune of war!' as he delivered up his sword, +and was requested, having packed up his personal effects, to go on board +the _Wolf_, in a boat sent for the purpose. The boats of the French +frigate were too much knocked about to float, and it took us some time +to remove the prisoners and send a prize crew on board. It was night, +therefore, before we were ready to make sail, when we steered a course +for the north-west, to avoid the French fleet, which was supposed to be +off the coast of Spain or Portugal. + +"The scene on board the prize made me very glad to get back to my own +ship. Though we had gained the battle, we were not allowed to sleep on +beds of roses. Our prisoners considerably outnumbered our own crew, and +our boatswain, who spoke French, having been taken during the earlier +part of the war, overheard some of them discussing a plan for +overpowering us and regaining the prize. As we could not put them all +in irons, we had to keep a strict watch over their movements. + +"The weather remained fine, but there was a thick mist which prevented +us from seeing far ahead. It had just gone two bells in the morning +watch, when, as I was forward, I heard a tinkling sound. I listened +attentively. Again the sound distinctly struck my ear. It came borne +along the surface of the water from some distance. I reported the +circumstance to the officer of the watch, and he immediately sent to +inform the captain. He soon reached the deck, and after listening for a +while, announced it to be his belief that the sounds proceeded from the +French fleet. He immediately ordered the ship's course to be changed to +the westward. In another hour we again hauled up to the northward. +When morning broke, the look-out from the mast announced a fleet in +sight to the south-east. All the sail we and our prize could make was +set. We soon discovered, however, that several large ships were in +chase of us, but our captain was not the man to give in while a stick +remained standing. We continued our course, hoping that a change of +wind or some other chance might enable us to escape our pursuers. It +would have been tantalising to have lost our prize and have been taken +prisoners ourselves, and some of the least hopeful declared that such +would be our fate. `Well,' exclaimed Lord Reginald, `we must submit, +but nothing can take away the honour we have gained by capturing a +French frigate of superior force.' Your ladyship will perceive the +courage and spirit of your gallant son; indeed, he has exhibited them on +many occasions, and I hope that some day we may see him leading +England's fleets to victory." + +"What's that you are saying about me?" exclaimed Lord Reginald, from the +other end of the table, for during the sudden silence of those around +him he had caught the last words uttered by his messmate. + +"Mr Voules is only speaking of you as you deserve, my dear Reginald," +said the marchioness. "He has been giving us an account of the battle +and the gallant way in which you behaved." + +"We all behaved gallantly, or we should not have thrashed the enemy," +said Reginald, laughing. + +"I hope Mr Voules has given you a clearer account than Reginald has +himself, for, except that the two ships spent the morning in pounding +away at each other, and that at length the Frenchman, being tired of the +amusement, and having lost his foremast, hauled down his colours, I have +heard no details of the action," said the marquis. + +"Then his modesty prevented him relating how he lashed the bowsprit to +the rigging and saved the captain's life," observed the marchioness. + +"I lash the bowsprit to the rigging? Why, the men did that, and very +imperfectly they performed the work, or our antagonist would not have +got clear again; and as to saving the captain's life, I know only that I +took up a musket and brought down a Frenchman, or he would have knocked +over the captain or me, or somebody else." + +"Whose account is to be relied on?" asked the marquis, looking somewhat +puzzled. + +"I do not wish to gainsay my noble messmate, but your lordship must make +allowance for his modesty, and give me credit for stating facts as they +occurred," answered Voules. + +"I see how it is," observed the marquis, glancing approvingly at his +son. + +"Merit is always modest, which may account, Mr Voules, for your not +having described your own gallant deeds," said the marchioness, looking +hard at him. Being a clear-sighted woman, she may have suspected why +the smooth-tongued young gentleman had praised his noble messmate. + +"But how did the _Wolf_ and her prize manage to escape from the enemy?" +asked Lady Julia. "Pray go on and tell us, Mr Voules." + +"For some time I must own that we fully expected to be captured, for +wounded as our masts and spars were, we could not venture to make more +sail; indeed, it is a wonder those of the prize which remained standing +did not fall over the side. Fortunately, we had a good start, and the +wind being light, the French ships did not gain on us as fast as they +would otherwise have done. To our infinite satisfaction, just about +noon, we saw them haul their wind, having been probably recalled by +their admiral, who thought it possible that they might run into the jaws +of an English squadron, which he must have known was cruising in the +neighbourhood. We had still no small anxiety about our prisoners, and, +I believe, it was not a little owing to the vigilance of Lord Reginald +that they were prevented from rising. His perfect knowledge of French, +for which he tells me he is indebted to his sisters, enabled him to +speak to the men, warning them of the danger they would run should they +make the attempt, and in a short time he brought them into good humour, +notwithstanding which, as before, a strict watch was kept on their +movements. Having stood well to the westward, we got a fair breeze, +which carried us up Channel and safe inside the Isle of Wight, where I +hope the prize is by this time, for she was close in with the Needles, +and was only prevented following us for want of wind and the ebb still +making out against her. It would be a serious matter if she were to run +on shore during the night, or be retaken by a French cruiser." + +"No chance of that," observed Reginald. "No French cruiser would ever +venture so close in with our shore, and within two or three hours at +most the prize would be able to follow the frigate." + +"I must get you, Mr Voules, to repeat the account you have given of the +action for my benefit, as Reginald is wonderfully reticent on the +subject," said the marquis. + +"I shall have great pleasure, my lord," answered Voules, bowing. + +"In the mean time, do me the honour of taking wine, and we will +afterwards drink a bumper round to the future success of the _Wolf_," +said the marquis. + +"The very toast I was going to propose," said an old general, who had +long since been placed on the shelf. "Though my fighting days are over, +an account such as we have just heard warms up my stagnant blood, and I +beg to second your lordship's proposal." + +"Charge your glasses, gentlemen, and I hope, ladies, that on this +occasion you will join us," exclaimed the master of the house. + +No one declining, the fair sex put out their more moderately sized +glasses to be filled as the bottle went round. The toast was drunk, the +whole party standing, with the exception of the two midshipmen, who, +with assumed modest looks, retained their places. + +"And now we will give three cheers for our naval heroes," cried the old +general, making an effort to stand up on his chair, but giving it up, as +he reflected on the danger he might run of toppling over among the +dishes which still covered the board. + +"Hip, hip, hip, hurrah!" and the supper-room rang with the sounds, which +were taken up by the servants outside and repeated in the hall below, +where the domestics not in waiting were making merry. + +When all the guests sat down they looked at the two midshipmen, while +Reginald made signs to Voules to speak. + +"You are the eldest, old fellow, and having been longest in the service, +it is your business to reply." + +Voules, nothing loth, rose to his feet. His only difficulty in +commencing being the doubt whether he should address his friends as "My +lords and ladies." His tact, however, prevented him doing so, and he +contented himself by neatly expressing his thanks for the honour done to +the glorious service of which he was so humble a representative. "Had +Lord Reginald been induced to speak," he added, "he would have said more +to the purpose. My belief is, that should the war continue a few years +longer, my noble friend will be found in command of as fine a frigate as +the _Wolf_, and will outshine the deeds of his predecessors. Should I +be so fortunate as to have reached the rank of lieutenant by that time, +I hope that it will be my privilege to serve under him." + +Voules's modest remark in reference to himself drew forth, as he +intended it should, a reply from his host, who assured him that any +interest he possessed should be exerted to obtain for him the promotion +he deserved, and that he hoped to see him a post-captain as soon as his +son had obtained that rank. + +"Thank you, my lord, thank you!" exclaimed Voules, highly delighted. +"Your lordship will allow me to remind you of your promise, whenever +Lord Reginald obtains a step in rank. I do not aspire to be promoted +before him, and shall be glad to serve in any ship to which he is +appointed, until we are both eligible for independent commands." + +The ladies now withdrew, and when the gentlemen left the supper-table it +was found that they had retired to their rooms. Voules was too prudent +a man generally to take more wine than his head could stand. So +delighted, however, did he feel with his bright prospects, that he found +considerable difficulty in restraining his tongue, and excusing himself +on the plea of fatigue, was glad to make his way to his room, where he +was followed by Lord John. + +"I came to thank you, Mr Voules, for the very handsome way in which you +spoke of my brother," said the latter. "He is a very fine fellow, +somewhat thoughtless and impetuous, and requires guiding, and I rejoice +to think that he has found so steady a friend as you are to guide and +restrain him." + +Voules put on as sedate an air as possible, although just then he did +not feel very capable of guiding himself, for he had had considerable +difficulty in steering a straight course along the passage which led to +his room. "You may depend upon me, my dear Lord John, that I will do my +best to keep your lordship's brother out of mischief. I do not profess +to be his monitor, but I may exert an unperceived influence over him to +his advantage." + +"And did he really perform all the gallant acts you describe?" asked +Lord John. + +"Every one of them, and others besides," answered the midshipman. +"There's not a more gallant young officer in the service, and he'll make +the world know it some day, if no harm befall him." + +In spite of all the efforts he made, Voules could not help yawning, and +Lord John, perceiving this, allowed him to go to bed in quiet, while he +went to have a further talk with his brother, who, however, by that +time, had turned in and had already fast closed his eyes. + +In the mean time Dick Hargrave hurried towards his home with the fish he +and Ben had caught, anxious to present them to his young sister, whom he +dearly loved. He stopped at the village inn, the Admiral Benbow, and +found that the two midshipmen had only just left it for Elverston Hall. +"I have no fancy to meet the young lord and his friend," observed Dick, +"or we may chance to fall out, so I'll take the other road, and shall +soon get ahead of them." + +Following this wise resolution, he set off at a pace which soon brought +him to the borders of the forest. He knew the road too well to be +impeded by the darkness. He was running on, his own footsteps not +allowing him to hear other sounds, when on passing beneath some +overhanging trees, the shadow of which prevented him from seeing objects +ahead, he suddenly found himself close upon a body of men, some on +horseback and others on foot, escorting a line of carts. Dick at once +knew what they were about, and not wishing to be stopped, he sprang on, +hoping to remain concealed behind the trunk of a tree until they had +passed by; but he had been observed, and two of the men came up to him. + +"What business have you here, youngster?" asked one of them, seizing his +arm and dragging him forward. + +"I am Farmer Hargrave's son, and am on my way home with some fish Ben +Rudall and I have been catching for my sister Janet," he answered. + +"All right, Master Dick," said the man; "we know you well enough; but +don't say that you have seen us, and if Ben has taken care to show +himself, the revenue people won't suspect what's in the wind, as they +will think that he would be sure to be along with us. Have you any +news?" + +"Nothing that much concerns you, Master Fryer," answered Dick, who +recognised the speaker. "A frigate anchored in Yarmouth Roads this +evening, and two of the officers, one of them Lord Elverston's son, have +landed and gone on to the hall." + +"I should like to pay them off for the trouble the marquis gives us," +said Fryer; "though we have put him on a wrong scent, and he is not +likely to find out this time what we are about, until the goods are safe +in the hands of the London merchants." + +"It would not do us much good to interfere with the youngsters," +observed the other man. "If the marquis would but let us alone we +should have no ill will towards him. All we want is free trade and fair +play." + +"You are right there, mate," observed Fryer; "and now, Master Dick, you +may go your way, and remember to keep a quiet tongue in your head." + +Dick, escorted by his captors, who explained who he was, passed +unquestioned through the main body of the smugglers, who had halted for +some reason for a few minutes, just as he got up to them. Dick again +hurried on, while the smugglers proceeded along by-paths across the +country, shortly after to fall in, as has been seen, with the +midshipmen. Dick was met by his faithful dog, who was always on the +watch for him when he was away from home, and having an especial duty to +perform, seldom accompanied him. That duty, which he performed with +exemplary patience, was to lead about blind Janet, who, under his +guidance, when she was well, would venture in all directions without the +slightest fear of a mishap. Every one in the neighbourhood knew her and +her dog, and even the roughest characters treated her with courtesy. Of +late her walks had been greatly curtailed, for the last few days +Faithful's office had become a sinecure, though he still remained at his +post, ready to perform his duty if required. He was a handsome spaniel, +and had been brought up from a puppy by Dick, who had thoroughly broken +him in. Though fond of scampering across the fields and poking his nose +into every hole he could find in the hedges and ditches, he became as +sedate as a judge the moment Janet called him and fastened the ribbon by +which she was led to his collar. Dick was naturally very fond of his +dog, but had become still more so since the animal had shown how useful +it could make itself to poor Janet. + +Faithful, who had long been on the watch, when he heard his master's +footsteps, with a bark of welcome leaped over the palings, and came +frolicking and leaping round him, licking his hands to show his joy, and +together they entered the house. + +Mrs Hargrave, a comely, pleasant-looking dame, was seated busily +stitching by the side of the table. "What has kept you so late, Dick?" +she asked in an anxious tone. "Your father has gone to bed, as he must +be up betimes. We thought that you had got into some mischief; but I am +thankful to see you back, my son." + +Dick explained what he had been about, and exhibited the fish he had +brought. "And how is Janet this evening?" he asked. "I thought that I +should have been back in time for her to have one for supper, but +they'll do for her breakfast or her dinner to-morrow." + +"She's asleep, sweet dear! though I'm afraid she's no better. The +Lord's will be done, if He thinks fit to take her; and then, Dick, I +want you to remember that you will be your father's chief hope and stay +in his trouble. Whether or not we shall have to turn out of our home, +and seek for another farm, is more than I can say. Your father doesn't +wish to displease the marquis, but he thinks that it is his right to +remain where he is, and that he would not be acting like an Englishman +to give up that right." + +"Of course he would not," exclaimed Dick. "Ben Rudall says he would not +knock under to the marquis or any other lord, and he would hold on fast +with tooth and nail." + +"I don't want to say anything against Ben Rudall, my son; but I wish +that you were not such friends with him. He is a smuggler, and may draw +you into mischief, though maybe you'll think it ungrateful in me to say +so, when he has helped you to catch those fish. Remember that you +cannot associate with bad characters without getting some harm and being +looked upon as one of them." + +"Ben is a right honest fellow, and true as steel," answered Dick. "I +don't like to hear anything said against him, mother; if he were ever so +bad, he would not lead me astray." + +"He is a smuggler, Dick, and though he may be true to his companions, he +is false to his country, or he would not be trying to cheat the revenue, +as the smugglers do." + +"I had not thought of that; but don't you trouble yourself about Ben," +answered Dick. "Now, mother, I am pretty hungry, and should like some +bread and cheese;" and Dick turned round to go to the larder. + +"Sit down, my son, and I'll get them for you," said Mrs Hargrave, +taking the fish at the same time. "While you are eating, I'll clean +these, and they'll be ready in the morning if Janet has a fancy for one +of them." + +She soon returned, not only with some bread and cheese but some cold +meat, and a mug of home-brewed beer, showing that the good housewife did +not stint her family. + +Dick described the arrival of the young lord and his shipmate. "I'd as +leave he had stopped at sea, for, somehow or other, he and I are always +getting foul of each other. But there will be rare doings up at the +hall to welcome him home, especially if there's been a battle, as Ben +thinks, and his ship gained the day." + +"Then, Dick, do you keep out of his way, and no harm can come of it," +said Mrs Hargrave. "I am glad, however, for her ladyship's sake, and +the young ladies, for they will be main pleased to see him. Only this +morning they came here to visit Janet, and when I told my lady what Mr +Gooch says, she promised to speak to the marquis, and that makes me hope +that the matter will be settled better than your father expects." + +"Not if that young lord finds out about it. He'll try and set his +father against us. You should have heard him and his shipmate this +afternoon blackguarding Ben and me, because we wouldn't carry their +portmanteaus." + +"There would have been no disgrace in so doing. It shows that they +thought you stronger men than themselves," observed Mrs Hargrave. + +"I should not have minded doing it, if it hadn't been for Ben; but the +way they spoke put his back up, and he gave them a piece of his mind." + +"Just now, Dick, you said that you would not be influenced by Ben; but +surely you were on that occasion," remarked Mrs Hargrave. "However, +Dick, I do not want to blame you, but just try to keep clear of those +men, and show what a help you can be to your father on the farm. Now, +as you have had your supper, you had better go to bed, and I'll close +the door. I want to sit by Janet's side, in case she should awake +before I lie down. Do not forget to say your prayers, my son, and sing +one of the hymns I taught you, though you look so sleepy that I am +afraid you will not think much about what you are saying." + +Dick had in truth given way to several wide yawns, while his eyelids had +begun to droop. He followed his mother's advice, as far as he was able, +and especially in the last particular; but he was fast asleep as soon +almost as his head touched the pillow. + + + +CHAPTER THREE. + +GOOD INTENTIONS--BLIND JANET--POOR FAITHFUL SHOT--A TRYING MOMENT-- +DICK'S ANGER--DESIRE OF REVENGE--A DANGEROUS SPEECH--THREATENING TO +SHOOT--THE CONSEQUENCES--TEMPTED--INDIGNATION OF THE FARMER'S SON--A +SORROWFUL DUTY--GRIEF OF THE BLIND GIRL--A SCHEME OF MR GOOCH--DICK'S +FEARS OF ARREST--RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME--AT THE SMUGGLER'S COTTAGE--ON +BOARD THE NANCY--SAFE FOR THE PRESENT. + +Dick Hargrave kept to his resolution of trying to avoid meeting with +Lord Reginald. Should he do so it would not be his fault, and should he +fall in with him, he would endeavour to retain his temper, should his +lordship speak to him in his former style. He likewise refrained from +going to Keyhaven, or any other place where he was likely to meet any of +his associates engaged in smuggling, although it was difficult to say +who was not, more or less, implicated in the lawless proceedings so +general at that time along the south coast. He assisted his father on +the farm, and occasionally took Janet out for a short walk, as, +notwithstanding the doctor's expectations, she was able to get up again +the very day after she had appeared to be so ill. + +She declared that it was owing to the nice fish Dick had brought her. +Again, however, she was confined to her room. As she could not take out +Faithful, she begged that Dick would give him a run. "The poor dog sits +so quietly at my feet all day, and if he sees me moving, I hear his tail +thumping on the floor, and he begins to scamper about, fancying I am +going to take him out. It is very dull for him, poor dog, and he +deserves some amusement," she said. + +Dick promised to follow her wishes, and the next morning, saying that he +would try to shoot a rabbit, and summoning Faithful, who bounded after +him, he set off with his gun in his hand. With the assistance of the +dog, he soon shot a couple of rabbits, with which he was about to return +home. Faithful, however, highly delighted at finding himself abroad, +went ranging wildly over the fields. Dick called to him, but the dog +was too eager in the chase or too far off to hear his voice, and did +not, as usual, return. Some minutes passed, when Dick heard a shot +coming from the direction in which Faithful had disappeared. He hurried +on, fearing that one of the keepers had caught sight of him; but then +they all knew Janet's dog, and the most surly would not have had the +heart to fire at the honest brute, even though he might have been +infringing the game laws by scampering for amusement after a hare or +rabbit. Dick looked out anxiously, hoping to see the dog return; but +though he shouted, "Faithful! Faithful!" and whistled shrilly, the +animal did not make its appearance. Wondering what could have become of +it, he went on calling its name. At last he saw it crawling towards +him, dragging its limbs along in evident pain. At length the poor dog, +unable to get further, sank to the ground. Dick, darting forward to +where it lay, stooped down to ascertain how it was hurt. Its lacerated +side, which bled profusely, showed that it had been shot. + +"What villain has dared to hurt you, my poor Faithful?" exclaimed Dick. + +The dog's only reply, true to its name, was to lick his hand and +endeavour to rise, but again it fell back, and after a few convulsive +struggles, expired. + +"Poor, poor Faithful! Janet will miss you, that she will! She will +never find so trusty an animal to lead her about; but I'll be revenged +on the fellow, whoever he is. He ought to have known that you never +poached, though you did love to run after a hare, for the fun of the +thing. If I can meet the savage brute I'll shoot him, as sure as my +name is Richard Hargrave." + +"What's that you say, you young ruffian?" exclaimed a voice near him. + +Dick had not observed three persons who had approached. Looking up, he +saw Lord Reginald and his brother midshipman, attended by a keeper. + +"I do say that the heartless fellow who shot this dog deserves to be +shot himself," exclaimed Dick, looking boldly up. + +"I shot the dog; it deserved to be killed for chasing hares on my +father's property," answered the young lord. "You yourself must have +set him on to drive the hares towards you. You are a poacher; we must +have you up before the magistrates and punish you accordingly." + +"I did not set him on," answered Dick, rising to his feet, "and I had no +intention of killing any hares on the Elverston property. These rabbits +I shot on my father's farm, and I had a perfect right to kill them. The +dog belongs to my blind sister. As she is ill, I took the poor brute +out for a run." + +"A very likely story!" exclaimed Lord Reginald. "You have a gun in your +hand and rabbits over your shoulder, and you had sent your dog +scampering over the fields in search of more. I know your name, and +shall report you to my father, so you may expect to take up your +quarters in prison before many days are over." + +"The lad speaks the truth, my lord, about the dog," observed the keeper, +who had stepped forward and examined poor Faithful. "I have seen it +many a time leading Farmer Hargrave's blind daughter about, though +whether he shot the rabbits on his father's farm or not is another +matter. We have never found him poaching before, so that part of the +story may be true also." + +"I am sorry to have shot the dog, if it was useful to his blind sister," +said Lord Reginald; "and, I say, Jackson, I wish you'd look out for +another to give the poor girl, instead of this one; she'll not find out +the difference." + +"I wouldn't let her receive it if you should give her one!" exclaimed +Dick, his anger in no way pacified by the young lord's expressions of +regret. "No dog could be found to equal Faithful; but I myself will +look after a dog to take its place." + +"Really, my dear Oswald, I cannot stand by to see you thus insulted by +this ungrateful young ruffian," said Voules. "He has threatened to +shoot you, and he looks like a fellow capable of doing what he says. +The sooner he is taken up and sent to prison the better." + +"I have not been poaching! If you lay hands on me it will be the worse +for you," said Dick, grasping his gun. + +"Come, come, Master Dick, do you go to your home, and do not be so +foolish as to threaten mischief. It is dangerous to use such words, and +you'll be sorry for them by-and-by," said the keeper, wisely interposing +between the exasperated young men. "I know where to find you if you are +wanted; but I don't suppose the marquis will be hard upon you, when he +hears how it was your sister's dog was shot. If, my lord, you'll please +to let the lad go, I'll undertake that he shall not come into the park +again. His father is not the man to allow him to do anything against +the law." + +Lord Reginald, who really much regretted having shot the dog, willingly +listened to the keeper's advice, and Voules, who had no object to gain +in irritating him further against Dick Hargrave, said no more on the +subject. + +"Well, Hargrave, I will try to forget your threats, and I again assure +you that had I known the dog was your sister's, I would not have shot +it," said Lord Reginald, turning aside; and without waiting for an +answer he led the way, followed by Voules and the keeper, in the +direction of the hall, leaving Dick still standing by the side of his +dog. + +"I do not trust his fair words," said Dick, looking after the party; +"but I am obliged to Jackson for speaking a word in my favour, for if it +had not been for him, matters would have become worse. Poor Faithful! +I don't know how I shall ever have the heart to tell Janet what has +happened," and stooping down he again examined the dog, to assure +himself that it was really dead. Of this he was soon convinced. "I'll +not let you lie here, my poor dog!" he exclaimed, and taking it up in +his arms, he walked away with it towards his home. He was crossing the +road from Keyhaven, when a voice hailed him, and looking round he saw +Ben Rudall approaching. + +"What hast thou got there, Dick?" asked Ben. "Your sister's dog--and +killed, too! How did that happen?" + +Dick told him, describing what had occurred. + +"And thee wouldst trust the chaps, would thee?" said Ben, speaking in +the Hampshire dialect. "No, no; don't be doin' that. Measter Jackson +may have spoken fair enough, but he knows that he's got his thumb on +thee, an' can come down on thee when he loiks. Now, just listen to what +I have got to say. I was going to look for thee. The _Nancy_ is +expected in before many days are over, an' she'll be sailing again the +next morning. If thee'll come down to Keyhaven, there'll be a good +chance of taking a trip, an' 'twill be safer for thee to be out of the +way in case the young lord should change his mind an' have thee up for +poachin'. When the marquis hears of it, it's my belief that he won't +let thee off, for he's wonderfully strict about the matter, and if he +had his will he'd be sending half the people hereabouts to prison." + +Dick had not forgotten his mother's advice to keep clear of Ben Rudall, +and he knew well enough that even though he should only go as a +passenger, he would be committed to whatever was done by her crew. + +"You mean kindly, Ben, I know," he said; "but I cannot leave Janet, +she's so ill; and if she gets better, there'll be no one except mother +and me to walk out with her, now poor Faithful's gone; but if I hear +there's a chance of my being had up for poaching, maybe it's the best +thing I can do." + +Ben laughed scornfully. "They'll not let thee know what they intend to +do; but thee would find thyself carried off to Winchester jail some fine +morning, so just don't be a fool, Dick, an' come along with me." + +Dick, however, was firm in his resolution not to go off without seeing +his mother and sister, and Ben was obliged to be content with his +promise that he would come down to Keyhaven to talk the matter over. He +would have been wiser had he not given that promise. + +Ben returned the way he had come, and Dick, carrying the body of his +dog, continued on towards his home. + +On reaching the cottage, he carried the dog to a corner of the garden, +while he went in for a spade to dig its grave. While he was searching +for one in the outhouse, his mother saw him. + +"What has happened, Dick?" she exclaimed, observing the blood on his +clothes. + +He at once narrated what had occurred, for although he had many faults, +he was truthful to her. + +"I am very sorry for what has happened. Poor dear Janet will almost +break her heart. She said that she should like to take a stroll +to-morrow with Faithful, if you were not able to accompany her. +However, we must bear with it. From what you say, the young lord would +not have shot the dog if he had known whose it was, and if he gives +Janet another, she may become as fond of it as she was of Faithful." + +"I should not like her to become fond of Lord Reginald's dog," answered +Dick. "If he sends one, I shall have a mind to shoot it, or send it +back to him with a kettle tied to its tail." + +"That would not be a right thing to do," observed Mrs Hargrave. "We +should not harbour ill feelings towards others, though they have done us +wrong. Come in now, and let me wash the blood off your coat. It looks +bad, and if your father were to return, it would frighten him, as it did +me. We'll just break the news gently to Janet, and don't say you won't +receive another dog if the young lord sends one. Remember how kind his +mother and sisters are, and I dare say he is not so bad at heart, though +he has more than once fallen out with you." + +"He has an abusive tongue in his head, and that shows what sort of heart +he has got," answered Dick, not inclined to agree with his mother about +Lord Reginald. "You tell me the ladies speak so sweetly, but, as Ben +Rudall says, that's all outside show, and I would not trust them." + +"That's because you have never been at home when they have called, or +you would have agreed with me, if you had," observed Mrs Hargrave. +"Stay here while I get a sponge and some hot water; I can't let you go +about as you are; I cannot tell what people would say. If you were +seen, there would be all sorts of tales about you." + +"I don't care what is said, and I should just like them to know that +Lord Reginald is a brute. That's what I call him." + +"Hush! hush, Dick!" said his mother. "Sit you down here, until I have +taken off those blood stains, for although poor Janet cannot see them, +some one else may come in, and ask what has happened." + +Dick seated himself on a bench to which his mother pointed, and she +quickly returned with soap and water. It was no easy operation, +however, to get rid of the stains, and Dick declared that before he came +in he must bury the dog. To this Mrs Hargrave consented, as she +thought it would be a good opportunity to tell Janet of the loss of her +favourite. + +Dick, taking up the spade, and having selected a spot for Faithful's +grave, began digging away. More than once he stopped and gazed at the +animal, feeling unwilling to put it so soon out of sight; then he went +on more energetically than before. Having just completed his task, he +leaned on his spade, while the tears rolled down his cheeks, as he +thought he should never see his dog again. The wind had begun to blow +strong, and dark clouds were gathering in the sky. The gloomy aspect of +Nature suited his feelings. On looking up, he saw his mother and Janet +approaching. + +"Mother has told me, Dick, what has happened," said his sister, as she +came up. "I want to stroke Faithful's head once more before you put him +into his grave." She stooped down by the side of the dog. "Oh! He +doesn't feel my hand now," she said. "I am very sorry; but, Dick, I +want you to promise me not to nourish anger against the young lord. He +would not have fired had he known the dog was so useful to me. He told +you as much. If I forgive him, you must." + +"I may forgive, but I do not forget," said Dick. "If he keeps to his +word, I'll believe that he did not intend to do the cruel act. However, +we must put poor Faithful in his grave, and if I do not make a vow to be +revenged on Lord Reginald, it is because you are here to prevent me, +Janet." + +"I would that you had a higher motive than that," said Mrs Hargrave. +"Now, Janet, you must return to the house; I promised you'd stop but one +minute; Dick will soon have finished his task, and then he'll come in to +supper. Father will soon be home, Dick, so don't delay." + +Dick, having at length brought himself to place the dog in its grave, +hastily shovelled in the earth, muttering as he did so, "He'd better not +cross me again; if he does he'll have to repent it. Lie there, poor +dog!" he added, as he finished the work. "I've a mind to put up a +tombstone, and write on it, `Wantonly killed by Lord Reginald Oswald.'" + +On entering the cottage, he found that his father, having come in, had +heard what had happened. He was thankful at all events that he had not +had to break the news to Janet. Farmer Hargrave said what he thought +would pacify his son, and declared his belief that the young lord had +not killed the dog with any malicious intent. + +Dick pressed his lips together and made no reply. He could not trust +himself. They were just finishing supper when a knock was heard at the +door, and Dick, opening it, Mr Gooch the bailiff entered. + +"Good evening, farmer; good evening, dame; somewhat stormy weather," he +said, throwing back his wet coat, and placing his dripping hat on the +floor, as he took the seat offered him. "I didn't think it was coming +on to be so bad, until just before sunset. It blows hard enough now, +and the rain is coming down in torrents, but I wanted to talk over that +affair between us, so I came out in spite of the weather." + +"What have you got to say, Mr Gooch?" asked the farmer. "You know as +well as I do that I have no wish to leave this farm. It will be a heavy +loss to me to give it up, and I am determined to abide by my rights." + +"Very good, Mr Hargrave, very good," said the bailiff, in a bland tone. +"His lordship doesn't want to be hard upon you, and if you have the +right to remain, he would be the last man to ask you to turn out, but as +I before told you, you have not the right, and if you go to law you'll +be worsted. Now, a little piece of information has come to my knowledge +which may make you see that it would not be wise to go to law, even +supposing there was a chance of your winning. I have not communicated +with my lord on the subject, so I act on my own responsibility. This +lad here, your son, has put himself in an awkward position. He has been +poaching--not for the first time, either. I have just heard all about +it from Jackson, the keeper, and from a young gentleman who is staying +at the hall. They can give evidence, not only that he was poaching, but +that he threatened the life of Lord Reginald Oswald--a very serious +business, let me tell you. Had he fired, as he threatened to do, he +would have been hung to a certainty, and as it is, I see every +probability that he will be sentenced to seven years' penal servitude. +Now, of course, his lordship has it in his power to overlook the +offence, and if I can tell him that you will yield to his wishes and +consent to give up the farm, I am pretty sure that you will hear no more +about the matter, only you must restrain your son from poaching in +future, or from associating with smugglers, as I have evidence that he +is in the habit of doing." + +The farmer listened to all the bailiff said, while Dick sat clenching +his hands, with his eyes to the ground, every now and then giving a look +at his mother. + +Ben was right, then, in warning him. Had he accompanied the old +smuggler at once, and got out of the way, Mr Gooch would not have been +able to obtain the upper hand of his father. + +When the bailiff had finished, Mr Hargrave replied, "I have before +given you my answer. I believe the marquis to be a just man. If he +finds I have the right to continue in the farm, he would not wish to +dispossess me. In regard to Dick, the provocation he received by having +his dog killed would excuse any thoughtless words he might have uttered. +So I cannot offer to give up my rights for fear of the consequences, +and I will never believe that Lord Elverston would act as you suggest." + +"Then you dare to say that you doubt my word, Farmer Hargrave?" +exclaimed the bailiff, in a tone of indignation, rising from his seat. +"I'll give you until to-morrow to think over the matter; but you'll take +the consequences if you have the same answer ready for me. And dame, I +would advise you to persuade your husband to act as I recommend, or, +whether you go out of the farm or not, that lad of yours, before many +days are over, will be lodged in Winchester jail, and be sent to Botany +Bay, if he doesn't get the chance of entering on board a king's ship. +Perhaps they won't give him his choice, for threatening to shoot a lord +is a serious matter." + +"Oh, Mr Gooch, you would not be so cruel as to wish to send our Dick to +prison!" exclaimed Janet, who had been listening to what was said. + +"All your father has to do is to agree to what I propose, and he is safe +enough," answered the bailiff. "I can stay no longer. I called in to +give some friendly advice. If not taken, it is not my fault; so good +night to all. I hope that you'll settle the matter between you!" + +Mr Gooch got up to go. Dick opened the door, having no wish to detain +him. Looking out, he saw that the account given of the weather was not +exaggerated. + +"Is is plaguey dark, Mr Gooch!" he observed. "You'd better take a +lantern, sir." + +"No, no; I know my way as well in the dark as in the daylight," was the +reply, and Mr Gooch stepping out, was soon lost to sight. + +No sooner was the door closed than Dick exclaimed, "Don't give in, +father. I'd sooner go to prison, or Botany Bay, or be sent to sea, or +be hung, for that matter, rather than that you should yield up your +rights and be turned out of this farm." + +"I will not give up the farm if I have a right to keep it, but if the +law is against me, go I must; still, I would not have you suffer, Dick, +unless you deserve it, and if it is proved that you were poaching, and +that you threatened to shoot the young lord, you must, as the bailiff +says, take the consequences, though it would well-nigh break my heart to +see you punished. But I have not much fear on the score either way. It +is my belief that the marquis does not know much about the matter of the +farm, and from beginning to end it is all the doing of Mr Gooch. What +he cares for is to please his master, and as he knows that his lordship +has a fancy for extending the park, he wants to get me to turn out, and +now that he thinks he has got hold of you, he fancies that he can +frighten me to do so. In regard to your affair, Dick, when the marquis +hears of the provocation you received, I don't think he will be hard +upon you." + +The farmer made these remarks to tranquillise as far as he could the +mind of his wife. Perhaps he did not feel so confident himself. So +Dick at all events thought. The family soon afterwards separated for +the night. + +Dick went to his room, but could not sleep. The storm itself, though it +whistled and howled around the cottage, would not have kept him awake. +He thought over all that had happened, what he himself had said, and how +Lord Reginald had looked and replied. "Whatever the gamekeeper may say, +that other young fellow is against me, and if they take me before the +magistrate, Mr Jackson will be upon his oath, and compelled to +corroborate the midshipman's statement. It all depends on what they +choose to do. There is no doubt I did threaten to shoot Lord Reginald, +and I felt wonderfully inclined to do it, too. There's only one way I +can see to get out of it and save father, and that is to take advantage +of Ben Rudall's offer and to keep out of the way until the affair is +blown over; I won't tell father or mother or they may be wishing to stop +me; but I'll write a letter just to wish them and Janet good-bye for a +short time, without saying where I am going, for that would spoil the +whole thing. Ben says I shall like the life on board the lugger; so I +shall, though I would not have gone if there had not been this good +reason. I cannot fancy that either father or mother will be really +sorry when they find that I am safe out of the way." So said Dick to +himself, and having come to this resolution, he at length fell asleep. + +It was not a wise one, for it was like falling out of the frying-pan +into the fire. There was a very remote risk of his being summoned +before the magistrates, and if summoned, of his being committed for +trial, whereas, in addition to the dangers of the sea, if captured on +board the lugger, he would to a certainty be condemned as a smuggler and +be sent to jail, if even worse did not come of it. For a lad to be sent +to jail in those days was a fearful punishment, for there was no +separation of prisoners, and should Dick go there he would be herded +with ruffians of every description, and could scarcely fail to come out +again without being very much the worse for his incarceration. Just +then, however, he only thought how he could best keep out of the way of +Mr Gooch, and thus prevent him from inducing his father to yield up his +rights, which he might do, notwithstanding his resolutions to the +contrary, should he be thus able to save his son from punishment. + +Dick awoke just as the light of the early dawn made its way into the +room. The storm had ceased, and the clouds were fast disappearing, +giving promises of a fine day. He had been a good penman at school, so +that he had no difficulty in writing his letter. He had bade an +affectionate good night to them all, and he would not run the risk of +being hindered in his project by remaining for breakfast. His letter +was brief. + +"Dear father," it ran, "don't give up the farm. I shall be all safe, +though I don't want you or any one else to find me until the matter is +settled, but I have made up my mind that they shall not make a cat's paw +of me. Love to mother and Janet. So no more from your affectionate +son, Dick." + +Leaving the letter on the table, with a bundle of clothes and a few +other articles in his hand, he slipped silently downstairs, thankful to +find that his father was not yet stirring. Filling his pocket with some +bread and cheese from the larder, he hurried out by the back door, which +was not likely to be opened for some time, and made his way by by-paths +in the direction of Keyhaven. He felt, it must be confessed, somewhat +like a culprit escaping from justice. Every now and then he looked back +to ascertain if he was followed; then again he ran on. He wished, if +possible, to avoid meeting any one who might question him as to where he +was bound at that early hour. The labourers would be going to work, but +a considerable portion of the country through which he passed was still +uncultivated. Twice when he saw people coming, he turned aside and hid +himself behind a hedge until the men had passed. He thus reached Ben +Rudall's cottage, without, as he supposed, being seen by any one who +knew him. Ben was not at home; but Susan asked him to come in and sit +down. + +"He has been out nearly all night, Master Richard, but I am hoping to +see him back safe every minute," she said. "He got notice that the +_Nancy_ was standing in for the coast, and went out to lend a helping +hand. I don't mind telling you, as I know that you are not one of those +who side with the revenue people, or would go and give information--" + +"Which would injure any of my friends," put in Dick. "No, indeed, I +would not. To say the truth, your husband promised me a trip on board +the _Nancy_, which I have come to accept." + +"He'll be main glad, for he has agreed to go himself the next trip, and +he told me that he thought the lugger would be away again to-night or +to-morrow at furthest. She's not likely to be long away, though, and I +don't mind his going as much as I used to do. Sometimes he has been +from home for six weeks or two months at a time, either looking out for +a cargo or waiting for a good chance to run across and land one on the +English coast." Mrs Rudall did not hesitate to describe the doings of +the smugglers to Dick, though she would have been wonderfully reticent +to a stranger; yet she showed her anxiety by frequently going to the +door and looking round the corner in the direction she expected her +husband to appear. "Here he comes! here he comes!" she cried at length, +and Ben, with a sou'wester on his head, a thick flushing coat on his +back, and his legs encased in high boots, made his appearance. + +"All right, Susan!" he said, as he reached the cottage. "We've done the +job neatly, and the goods are twenty miles inland by this time. We'd a +famous night for it, couldn't have had a better, got the revenue men +away on the wrong scent, and had the coast clear long enough to land a +dozen cargoes. If we get such another night for the next run, we shall +do well." + +"I am thankful," said poor Susan, who thought more of her husband's +safety than probably of his share of the profits. "Now, come in; here's +a visitor you'll be glad to see." + +Ben put out his hand and shook Dick's, but before asking questions he +kissed his children, who came jumping up round him. + +"Now, let's have breakfast, for I am main hungry, and I dare say our +friend here is," he exclaimed. "Have you taken my advice, and made up +your mind for a trip on board the _Nancy_?" he asked, turning to Dick. + +Dick replied in the affirmative, and described the visit Mr Gooch had +paid them the previous evening. + +"The sooner you get on board and out of his way the better, for they'll +not think of looking for you there, and before to-morrow morning the +_Nancy_ will be away again across the Channel," said Ben. Breakfast was +just over, and Ben was smoking his pipe in front of his cottage door, +when, looking to the southward, he exclaimed, "There she comes; she is a +beauty!" and he pointed to a fine lugger, which, under all sail, having +rounded Hurst Point, was standing towards Yarmouth. + +Ben having put up a few articles, led the way down to his boat, +accompanied by Dick, and followed by his elder children, one carrying a +boat-hook, another the oars, while he himself bore the boat's mast and +sails on his broad shoulders. The children stood on the beach, watching +them as they pulled away. The breeze being favourable, Ben soon stepped +the mast and hoisted the sail, when he came aft with the mainsheet, and +told Dick to steer. + +"You should never lose the chance of learning to be handy in a boat," he +observed; "you don't know when it may come in useful. You are very well +as it is, but you are not like one born to it. Howsumdever, you'll pick +up something on board the _Nancy_, and we shall have you turning out a +prime seaman one of these days." + +Dick really steered very well, and Ben every now and then gave him an +approving nod. Being perfectly familiar with the surrounding scenery, +he scarcely noticed it, occupied as his thoughts were just then by the +position in which he was placed. Away to the right were the white +Needle rocks, their pointed heads standing high up out of the sea, with +chalky cliffs rising high above them; wide, smooth downs extending +eastward; below which were cliffs of varied colour, with a succession of +bays and rocky reefs; while ahead were the picturesque heights of +Freshwater, covered by green trees, amid which several villas and +cottages peeped out. Further east still, appeared the little seaport +town of Yarmouth, with its old grey castle and grey stone houses, their +gardens extending down to the water; on the starboard quarter was Hurst +beach, with its massive round castle and tall, red lighthouse; while to +the northward, extended a wood-covered shore, on which could be +distinguished numerous residences, some of considerable size, and the +town of Lymington running up the side of a steep hill. + +Ben was proud of his boat, though to the outward eye there was nothing +to admire, as the paint with which she had once been bedecked had been +worn off, her sails were patched, and her rigging knotted in several +places. + +"I look at what she can do!" he observed; "and a better sea-boat or a +faster is not to be found between Hurst and Spithead. It must blow a +precious hard gale before I should be afraid to be out in her night or +day." + +That she was fast was proved by the speed with which she ran across the +Channel. In a short time she was alongside the lugger, which had +brought up close in shore, her crew evidently fearless of the revenue +men, two or three of whom stood watching her. + +All on board knew Ben, and gave him a hearty welcome. "I have brought a +fresh hand, Jack!" he said, addressing the skipper in a familiar tone. +"I have long promised him a trip, and as it happens, it is as well that +he should keep out of the way of the big-wigs over there." Ben then +briefly explained the danger Dick was in for threatening to shoot the +son of the Marquis of Elverston. + +This announcement gained him a warm reception from the smugglers, who, +engaged in lawless pursuits themselves, were naturally inclined to +approve of such an act, and would possibly have looked upon him with +still greater respect had he fired as he had threatened. + +"Glad to see you, my lad," said John Dore, putting out his hand. "Make +yourself at home on board the _Nancy_. We'll give you work when work +has to be done, and now, if you're tired, you can turn into my berth and +go to sleep till the evening, when, unless the wind shifts round to the +southward, we shall be at sea again." + +"The best thing you can do," observed Ben. "I must go to Keyhaven to +get a hand to take my boat back and look after her while I am away." + +Dick, wishing to escape the notice of any one who might visit the lugger +from the shore, accepted the skipper's offer. As he had closed his eyes +but a very short time during the previous night, he was soon fast +asleep. + + + +CHAPTER FOUR. + +UNDER WAY--LIFE ON BOARD THE NANCY--OFF THE FRENCH COAST--SHIPPING THE +CONTRABAND GOODS--RUN FOR ENGLAND--A STRANGE SAIL--THE CHASE--ESCAPE OF +THE LUGGER--LANDING THE CARGO--REVENUE OFFICERS--COOLNESS OF +DORE--"YIELD, IN THE KING'S NAME."--A LITTLE TOO LATE--DICK QUESTIONED. + +When Dick awoke, he knew by the motion of the vessel and the sounds he +heard that she was under way. The _Nancy_ was a craft of nearly a +hundred tons, decked all over, with three short, stout masts, the after +one leaning over the taffrail, with a long out-rigger. On each of the +masts a large lug was carried, and above them could be set flying +topsails, and when before the wind studding-sails could be rigged out. +She could also hoist an enormous squaresail. To set these sails, she +carried a numerous crew of tried seamen; promptitude and decision being +required in the dangerous work in which she was engaged. Her armament +consisted of six short guns and a long nine-pounder, which could be +trained either fore or aft, to bring to a merchantman endeavouring to +escape, or to knock away the spars of an enemy chasing her. Besides +these guns, she had an ample supply of cutlasses, pistols, and +boarding-pikes, to enable her crew to repel an attack made by boats or +from a hostile craft which might run alongside her. She was truly an +Arab of the seas, with every man's hand against her, and her hand +against every man. The captain, by means best known to himself, had +obtained a privateer's licence, and in that character he appeared when +in English waters, though her real employment was more than suspected by +the revenue officers, who were on the look-out to catch her. In this +they had invariably failed, owing to the vigilance of her crew, and to +the exact information they received from their agents on shore. Dick, +turning out of the skipper's bunk, went on deck. + +He was greeted by Ben Rudall. "You are safe enough now, lad, from the +constables who may be hunting for you through the country; and glad I am +to have you on board the _Nancy_. When we get back you must remain +stowed away until we are at sea again, and in a short time they'll get +tired of looking for you." + +"I hope they won't revenge themselves on my father," said Dick; "that's +what's troubling me now!" + +"No fear of that, for he is not answerable for what you do, any more +than you are for his acts, and as he doesn't know where you are, he +can't tell them." + +"I wish, however, that I could let mother and Janet know that I am all +safe; they may be fretting for me," said Dick. + +"Never you fear, they'll guess that," said Ben, trying to set Dick's +mind at ease on the subject. "It doesn't do to think about home or +anything of that sort when we are out on a cruise. Cheer up, lad! cheer +up!" + +A fresh breeze was blowing from the north-west. The stars were shining +brightly out of a clear sky, and the lugger, close hauled, was passing +the Needle rocks, which could be dimly seen rising out of the dark water +like huge giants on the lee beam, while astern were visible the lights +on Hurst point now brought into one. The lugger having rounded the +western end of the Isle of Wight, the helm was put up, the yards squared +away, the flying topsails and big squaresail set, and she stood across +Channel, bounding lightly over the dancing seas. A craft with a fast +pair of heels alone could have caught her. Her hardy crew remained on +deck, for all hands might at any moment have been required for an +emergency, either to shorten sail, or to alter her course, should a +suspicious vessel appear in sight. All night long the lugger kept on +her course, steering westward of south. + +"I say, Ben, how do the Frenchmen treat us if we go on shore, seeing +that we and they are fighting each other?" asked Dick. + +"Never you fear; we shan't go on shore, except it may be at night, in +company with friends. You will soon see how we manage things," was the +answer. + +The lugger made such good way, that when morning dawned, the coast of +France was seen close aboard. No vessels of any description were in +sight. As she got closer in, the French flag was hoisted, and other +flags were got ready for making signals. Dick heard the skipper talking +to three men whom he had not before observed, and whom he now discovered +to be Frenchmen. He asked Ben who they were. + +"One of them is to act as captain, the other two as his mates. They +will go on shore and arrange about getting our cargo shipped. They +won't take long, as it will be all ready. If we have another favourable +night, we may run it, and it will be up in London before a week is +over." + +A bright look-out was kept in every direction. As no suspicious sail +appeared, the _Nancy_ stood on. The signal which she made was answered +from the shore. + +"All right," said Ben; "no fear of interruption for the present." + +The topsails were lowered, and under the foresail and mizzen she glided +on into a small harbour between rocks of sufficient height to hide her +short masts from the view of any craft passing outside. The crew of the +_Nancy_ appeared on deck, dressed as much as possible like French +seamen, while they wisely kept their tongues quiet, so that their true +character might not be suspected. + +The two Frenchmen went on shore, while the third remained on board to +answer any questions which might be put to them. Dick observed that the +lugger lay in such a position that she could easily slip out again, +should danger threaten. The crew seemed perfectly at their ease, +laughing and talking when below, as if their situation was one to which +they were well accustomed. + +The day passed away; still no cargo was forthcoming, nor did the +Frenchmen re-appear. This made Dick fear that the authorities might +have discovered the true character of the _Nancy_, and in spite of their +precautions the smugglers might be taken in a trap. He did not, +however, express his apprehensions, and neither Ben nor any of the men +appeared troubled on the subject. At night the crew lay down on the +deck with their pistols in their belts, and their cutlasses and +boarding-pikes by their sides, each man at his station so that the cable +might be cut and the sails hoisted at a moment's notice. It showed Dick +that his fears were not altogether without some foundation. Nothing, +however, occurred during the night, and the following day passed away +much as the first had done. + +Dore, however, grew impatient, and a boat was sent to watch outside the +harbour in case any enemy might be stealing along the coast to prevent +the _Nancy's_ escape. At length, some time after it grew dark, a boat +came off from the shore, bringing the two Frenchmen, who reported that +the cargo was ready and would shortly be on board. All hands stood +prepared for hoisting it in. Several boats were quickly alongside, and +with wonderful rapidity bales of silks, laces, and ribbons, and kegs of +spirits and tobacco were transferred to the _Nancy's_ hold. As soon as +they were stowed away, the anchor was got up, and the boats going ahead +towed her out of the harbour, the Frenchmen wishing her "_Bon voyage_," +and a speedy return. + +Dick breathed more freely when the sails were set, and the _Nancy_ +gliding swiftly over the smooth water, the dark outline of the French +coast grew more and more indistinct. "How soon shall we get back to +England?" he asked of Ben, by whose side he naturally kept when on deck. + +"That depends on what may happen," answered Ben. "We shall have to wait +for a dark night, and to take care that the coast is clear before we run +in. It may be to-morrow, or it may be a week hence. We have done very +well as yet, but there's many a slip between tin cup and the lip, as I +have found to my cost more than once." + +Dick had to rest satisfied with this answer. There were plenty of +people on board ready to talk to him, but their conversation was not of +an improving character. Their chief delight seemed to be to abuse the +royal navy as well as the revenue laws, and those engaged in preventing +their infringement. Dick was not accustomed to look too deep into +matters, and thought that what they said was very right. It did not +occur to him that the same men would greatly have objected to free +trade, which would completely have deprived them of their present +illegal way of gaining a livelihood; and though there might have been +some truth in what they said about the navy, they were wrong in the +sweeping condemnation they pronounced against the service. There were +some abuses still existing, but many had been removed; and there were +not a few commanders of king's ships who did their best to advance the +welfare of their crews, and were at all times kind and considerate to +those placed under them, as had been shown by numerous instances of +devotion on the part of the men to their officers. The remarks of his +associates, however, gave Dick an unmitigated horror of the navy, while +he learned to look upon smugglers as a much-injured body of men, who +were unjustly interfered with while engaged in endeavouring to gain +their daily bread. At length, growing sleepy, he was glad to go below +and lie down on one of the lockers in the little after cabin. + +Next morning the lugger lay becalmed. While the breeze lasted, the +smugglers had been in good humour, but as the watch below turned out, +they swore and grumbled at finding their craft lying idle on the smooth +surface of the ocean. No sail was in sight, and as long as the calm +continued they could not come to harm; but an enemy might bring down a +breeze which would enable her to get close up to them before their sails +were filled. This was what they dreaded. All their seamanship and +courage would not avail if she was a vessel too powerful for them to +cope with. + +Hour after hour passed away, and still the _Nancy_ lay floating idly, +and carried down Channel by the ebb tide, and swept up again by the +flood. An anxious look-out was kept for signs of a coming breeze. +Evening was approaching. From whatever quarter the wind might come, it +might bring up an enemy. English or French were equally to be dreaded. +The skipper paced the deck, making short turns, telescope in hand, every +now and then sweeping the horizon with it, and casting an eye on the +dog-vanes which hung unmoved by a breath of air. At last he kept his +glass longer than usual turned to the eastward. + +"There's no doubt about it!" he exclaimed. "Those are the royals of a +big ship of some sort; she's got a fresh breeze, too, or we shouldn't +have risen them so fast above the horizon." + +Dick could only see a white spot on which the sun was shining, but it +appeared to be increasing in size and growing higher and higher. The +gaze of most of those on board were turned towards her. That she was +either an English or a French cruiser was the general opinion. Some +thought that she was a frigate, others a corvette; for no merchantman, +at that period, would have come down Channel alone. One thing was +certain, that she was steering directly for the lugger. + +"What chance have we of escaping her?" asked Dick of Ben. + +"Many a chance, lad," answered his friend. "If she's English she may +not send a boat on board to examine us, and we shall pass for a +privateer, or we may get the breeze in time to slip out of her way to +the northward, or to keep ahead of her and give her the go-by during the +night. If she's French, we must put the Frenchman in command, show our +French papers, and bamboozle the mounseers, or if the worst comes to the +worst, tumble the crew of their boat overboard and try to get away." + +"But suppose they fire into us?" said Dick, who though often thoughtless +was alive to the true state of the case. + +"We must run the chance of that, my lad," answered Ben, "though my idea +is that yonder craft is an English corvette, and although she may be a +pretty fast sailer, when once the _Nancy_ gets the breeze, we shall show +her a clean pair of heels." + +Dick sincerely hoped that such would be the case. He had not reckoned +on the chance of being captured as a smuggler, or made prisoner by the +enemy, or shot by either the one or the other. The crew were at their +stations, ready to trim sails the moment the slightest breath of air +should reach them. The topsails had before been set. The squaresail +and studding-sails were got up ready to hoist at an instant's notice. +Still the lugger lay motionless, and the corvette, for such she was +pronounced to be, came rapidly on, under every stitch of canvas she +could carry. She was soon within a mile of the lugger, when some cat's +paws were seen playing over the water; the dog-vanes blew out and then +dropped, the canvas flapped lightly against the masts. The skipper +swore, and the crew swore, until once more they saw the sails bulging +out slightly. + +"Hurrah! here it comes at last! We'll keep out of that fellow's way," +cried Captain Dore, eyeing the stranger. The lugger began gathering +way. "Port the helm, Tom. We'll stand to the northward, and shall soon +see whether he wishes to speak us. If he does, we'll take leave to +disappoint him." + +The yards were braced up on the starboard tack, and the lugger stood on +the course proposed, so that the corvette, should she continue on as she +was now steering, would pass astern. Dore kept his eye fixed on her. + +"She's a fancy to know more about us," he remarked, as he observed the +stranger also keeping up to the northward. "Her shot can't reach us +yet, and we shall soon see, now we have got the breeze, which is the +faster craft of the two." + +As Dick looked over the starboard quarter, he saw the sails and dark +hull of the corvette, lighted up by the rays of the setting sun, making +her appear so much nearer than she really was, that he wondered she did +not fire a shot to make the lugger heave to. He had no cowardly fears +on the subject, but he again thought that he should have acted more +wisely had he stowed himself away safely on shore, instead of coming on +board the lugger. The corvette looked so powerful, that it seemed to +him that a single broadside from her guns, would send the _Nancy_ with +all on board to the bottom. He observed, however, that Dore walked the +deck with as calm an air as usual, all the time, however, narrowly +eyeing the king's ship, ready to take advantage of any change which +might occur. + +"We shall have darkness down upon us soon, and then we will show yonder +fellow a trick or two. He wants to jam us up against the English coast; +but we are not to be so caught," he observed to his mate, Ned Langdon. + +The breeze had freshened considerably, and was now blowing so strong, +that the lugger could, on a wind, with difficulty carry her topsails, +which were still set. The corvette had handed her royals, presently she +took in her topgallant sails. She had lately been gaining on the +lugger. Dick, with the rest of his companions, seldom had his eyes off +her; the darkness was increasing, and her outline was becoming less and +less distinct. Presently he saw a bright flash dart from her bows, and +the roar of a gun reached his ears. The shot, however, had fallen +short. The smugglers laughed. + +"You may blaze away, but you won't do us much harm!" observed Dore. + +Another and another shot followed. The commander of the cruiser +evidently wished to make the lugger heave to. If he had before had +doubts of her character, he must now have been thoroughly satisfied as +to what she was, and would become more eager to capture her. + +"Stand by, my lads, to make sail!" cried Dore. "Keep up the helm, Tom, +and hoist away on the squaresail!" + +The lugger was put before the wind, running considerably faster than she +had hitherto been doing through the water. The corvette must have +observed her change of course, as she also kept away, and once more her +topgallant sails were loosed. It was too dark to observe how the masts +stood the pressure. + +"I only wish that they would set the royals; with this breeze there +would be a good chance of the spars being carried away," said Dore. + +It was very doubtful whether the corvette was gaining on the lugger. +Though the advancing night gradually shrouded her more and more in +gloom, she could still be discerned, her canvas rising up like a dark +phantom stalking over the ocean. The crew of the lugger stood at their +stations, ready at a moment to obey their captain's orders. He kept his +eye on the topsails, though if blown away the accident would not be of +much consequence. The masts were tough, and bent like willow wands. + +"They'll hold on as long as we want them now," observed Dore. Again and +again he looked astern. Presently he shouted, "Lower the topsails! +Starboard the helm, Tom! Haul away at the starboard braces!" and the +lugger, on the port tack, stood close hauled to the southward. + +The sharpest eyes on board were turned in the direction their pursuer +was supposed to be. Some time passed away. + +"There she is!" cried Ben. "Although we see her, she doesn't see us, as +we are stern on, and much lower in the water than she is." + +Dick looked with all his might. He could just discern some object +moving along over the water, but so indistinctly that he could not be +certain it was a ship. Still, the commander of the corvette might +suspect that the lugger had changed her course, and changed his also. + +"All right!" cried Dore, after watching the phantom-like stranger in the +distance, until she totally disappeared. "She'll not catch us this +cruise." + +The lugger was put about, on the starboard tack, and once more stood +towards the English coast. + +"Shall we be in to-morrow morning?" asked Dick. + +"No, no," answered Ben. "Whatever happens, we shall make the coast at +night, when the revenue men can't see us. We have friends on the +look-out, who will make signals to show us when and where to run in. +The weather is too fine at present, so that we shall have to dodge about +and wait for a dark night, with thick rain or fog; but we don't much +trust fogs, they may lift suddenly and show our whereabouts to those we +do not want to see us. However, we must run some risks. We want to +land our goods in quiet, but if any one interferes with us, we of course +must fight to defend our property. All right and square, you will +understand, but if there's bloodshed, it is the fault of those who wish +to take it from us." + +Dick did not ask himself whether Ben was right or wrong. He forgot that +one party were breaking the laws, the other performing their duty in +protecting them. + +Next morning, when Dick came on deck, he found the lugger hove to, with +the blue line of the English coast to the northward. Though the shore +could be seen, the vessel herself was too far off to be discerned from +thence. Most of the crew were below, but the watch on deck, vigilant as +ever, were turning their eyes in every direction, so that, should a +suspicious sail appear, they might at once shape a course which would +enable them to avoid her. Dick, who had been accustomed to an active +life, began to grow weary at having nothing to do. He walked the deck +with his hands in his pockets, talking to the men, or he sat below +listening to their yarns, which were generally not of a very edifying +character. + +The greater number of the crew passed their time, either sleeping or +playing at cards or dice. Sometimes, for a change they turned to and +cleaned their muskets and pistols, or burnished up their cutlasses. It +was a relief when a stranger appeared whom it was thought better to +avoid. The lugger making sail stood to the southward. She returned to +her former position, however, as soon as the suspicious craft had +passed. This occurred twice during the day. At night she stood close +in to the coast, to look out for signals, but none were seen, and before +the morning she again took up her former position at a sufficient +distance to be invisible from the shore. + +For several days the same sort of proceeding took place. Two or three +times she made all sail, it being supposed that she was chased, and once +she had a narrow escape from a French cruiser, who probably took her for +an English privateer. The wind continued moderate, and the sky clear, +and Dore began to swear and to wish for some real honest Channel +weather. At last the wind shifted, first to the southward and +afterwards to the south-west, from which direction a thick bank of mist +was seen coming up, and the lugger, directly she was shrouded by it, +made sail for the English coast. Although there was no fear of her +being seen from any distance, she still ran the risk of falling into the +lion's jaws, to avoid which a sharp lookout was kept, and all hands +stood ready to trim sails in case it should be necessary. + +The night was coming on, and it was soon dark enough to suit their +requirements. She now frequently hove to, to sound as well as to watch +for any signal from the shore. At length a light was seen, faint and +dim through the mist, another was shown a short distance from it, and +then a third appeared, when all three in an instant disappeared. The +lugger stood on, sail was shortened, and the anchor dropped. Scarcely +had she brought up when half a dozen boats dashed alongside. + +"Be smart, my lads!" cried Dore. "If we are quick about it, we may run +the whole of the cargo before the revenue men are down upon us." + +Not another word was spoken; every one knew exactly what he had to do. +The lugger's crew hoisted out the bales and kegs, and the men who had +come off stowed them away in the boats. The lugger's own boat was not +idle. Having loaded her, Ben and Dick, with three other men, jumped in +and pushed for the shore. The surf was pretty heavy, but without +accident they reached the beach, where a large party of people were +collected, with a number of pack horses and carts. The boats were at +once surrounded, and their cargoes quickly taken out of them and placed +either in the carts or on the backs of the horses. The work was carried +on with the greatest rapidity, and by the time Dick and his companions +had launched their boat, the whole had begun to move off, and before the +lugger was reached, not a single person was to be seen on the beach. + +On their return to the _Nancy_, the boat was hoisted in and preparations +began for making sail. The operation required care, for should she cast +the wrong way, she might drive on shore. The skipper himself took the +helm. The hands went to their stations. The instant the anchor was +away the sails were sheeted home, and the lugger, casting, as desired, +to port, stood off from the dangerous coast, close-hauled. She had not +got many cable lengths from the beach when two boats dashed alongside. +A number of armed men sprang on board. + +"We've caught you, my fine fellows," exclaimed an officer. "Yield, in +the king's name!" + +"Happy to see you, gentlemen," answered Dore, with the greatest +coolness. "You are welcome to look over our craft, and if you find +anything contraband on board--for that I suppose is what you are after-- +we'll yield fast enough." + +The officer was evidently nonplussed, but he was still not inclined to +take the smuggler's word. He allowed the lugger, however, to stand +further out, until she could heave to with safety, when he ordered the +foresail to be backed. He, with several of his men, then went below, +Dore ordering Dick and another lad to carry a couple of lanterns, that +the officer might see his way. The search, as Dore well knew would be +the case, revealed nothing on which the revenue could lay hands--not a +bale nor keg of spirits, nor even a few pounds of tobacco. + +"Circumstances certainly were suspicious. You have cleaned her out +completely," said the officer, turning to Dick, and as he did so eyeing +him narrowly. "Where was the cargo run?" + +Dick was very nearly replying, "Not long ago," and thus confessing that +the cargo had been run, but recollecting in time that the smugglers +might object to such an answer, he said-- + +"I am merely a passenger on board, sir, and it is not my business to +answer questions." + +"What's your name, my lad?" asked the officer. + +Dick was on the point of replying, when Ben, who had heard the question, +stepped up. "It is your business, Mr Lieutenant, to overhaul this +craft and see that there are no smuggled goods on board, and when that +business is over you have nothing more to do. That youngster's name may +be Jack Robinson, or it may be Tom Jones, but whatever it may be is no +business of yours." + +The officer put several questions to others of the crew, but neither +from them nor from the captain could he elicit any of the information he +required. They were perfectly civil to him, and offered not the +slightest opposition to his going through every part of the vessel, and +joked with the boats' crews, several recognising old shipmates. They +shook hands, patted each other on the back, and appeared on the most +friendly terms. Yet the case would have been very different had the +_Nancy's_ cargo been on board. There would then have been a death +struggle, the one to defend, the other to take possession of the craft, +and they would have fought until one or the other had been defeated. + +"Well, Captain Dore," said the lieutenant, "you have been too smart for +us this time, but we intend to catch you some day or other." + +"Maybe the _Nancy_ will be sunk by an enemy's cruiser before then. You +seem to have an idea, lieutenant, that we are smugglers. I didn't think +fit to gainsay you before, but if you'll step back into my cabin I'll +show you my privateer's licence, which will prove to you that we are +engaged lawfully, making war against the French trade," answered Dore. + +"Well, well, whichever you are, I won't longer detain you; but before I +go I wish to have a word with the youngster I saw on board, the son of a +respectable farmer living out Milford way." + +"We detain no one on board against his will, except he has signed +articles. If the lad is the person you suppose, and is willing to go, +go he may, provided you can promise that no harm can come to him." + +"I wish to prevent him getting into harm," said the lieutenant, and he +sent one of his men to find Dick, who was soon afterwards brought aft. + +Dick was in two minds about going. When the lieutenant told him of the +anxiety of his father and mother, he was on the point of accepting the +offer. Just at that moment Ben stepped up. + +"You'd better not," he whispered, "for the officer may mean you well, +but remember there are others who want to get you into their power, and +you will repent it." + +"Thank you, sir," said Dick. "I have come on board this vessel of my +own free will, and would rather stay where I am. If you will see father +and mother, and tell them I am all right, I will be obliged to you." + +"You see, sir, that the lad doesn't want to go, and as you have found +nothing on board to enable you to detain this vessel, I must beg you to +let us make sail, for we are drifting in shore closer than is safe." + +Again the lieutenant appealed to Dick. Dore, however, suspected that if +the lieutenant got him into his power he might induce him to come +forward to prove that the _Nancy_ was engaged in smuggling, and that he +should then be deprived of his privateer's licence, so, giving a hint to +his men, they surrounded Dick and carried him forward. + +As the lieutenant had performed his duty, he ordered his men into the +boats and they pulled away for the shore, while the _Nancy_ stood out to +sea. + + + +CHAPTER FIVE. + +AT THE HALL--REFUSAL OF LORD REGINALD'S GIFT--LADY ELVERSTON AND HER +DAUGHTERS--TROUBLES OF THE FARMER'S WIFE--PREPARATIONS FOR REJOINING THE +WOLF--LIEUTENANT HILTON--INFORMATION RECEIVED OF AN INTENDED LANDING-- +LORD REGINALD AND VOULES JOIN THE REVENUE PARTY--FIGHT WITH THE +SMUGGLERS--SUCCESS OF THE KING'S PARTY--AN ENCOUNTER BETWEEN THE YOUNG +LORD AND RICHARD HARGRAVE--DICK'S DEFENCE--LORD REGINALD HURT--ESCAPE OF +THE FARMER'S SON--UNFAVOURABLE OPINION OF DICK AT THE HALL--THE MARQUIS +AND VOULES--THE MIDSHIPMEN REJOIN THE WOLF. + +Lord Reginald and his messmate greatly enjoyed their stay at Elverston +Hall. Parties of all sorts were got up for their amusement, and guests +were invited to meet them--Voules taking good care to sing the praises +of his friend. + +He employed his time, much to his own satisfaction, in paying court to +Lady Elverston, and endeavouring guardedly to win his way into the good +graces of the younger ladies. They were always ready to listen to him +while he was talking of their brother, whose faults they either had not +discovered, or were willing to overlook. To them, at all events, he was +always affectionate and courteous, whatever he might be to others. + +The rest of the household were not altogether so well satisfied with his +dictatorial, overbearing manners, though they acknowledged that he might +be a very brave officer, who would some day prove an ornament to his +profession; but the wish was general, if not expressed, that he would +soon go off again to sea. + +Though still feeling angry with Dick for the impertinent and bold way in +which he had spoken to him, he did not forget his promise to replace the +dog he had shot; and as soon as he could find a suitable animal he +despatched it by a groom to Farmer Hargrave's daughter, sending, at the +same time, a note expressing his regret at the accident. It arrived +just as Mr Gooch had left the cottage, and the interview the farmer had +had with the bailiff had not been calculated to soothe his feelings. +Mr Gooch had again threatened him with legal proceedings, and had +accused him of sending his son out of the way to avoid the consequences +of his misdeeds. Farmer Hargrave, of course, denied this, asserting +that he did not know where his son was. + +He was standing at the door when the groom, leading the dog, arrived, +and delivered his message from Lord Reginald. + +"Tell my lord that my daughter doesn't require a dog. None can replace +the poor brute that was killed, of which she was very fond. So I beg +you'll take it back, and say I am much obliged to him for his +intentions," he said. + +"I don't think my lord will be well pleased to hear this, Farmer +Hargrave," answered the man. "He thought he was doing your daughter a +great honour in sending her a dog, but he didn't do it on account of +your son, I've a fancy." + +"The very reason why I refused to receive the animal," answered the +farmer. "I have nothing more to say; and the least said the soonest +mended." + +"Am I to take this message, then?" asked the groom. + +"Yes; I have no other to send. Good day to you," said the farmer, +turning round as if about to enter his house. + +The man led off the dog, observing to himself, "The young lord will be +in a pretty way when he hears this; it won't be the better for the +farmer or Master Dick. That young fellow will get into more trouble if +he doesn't mend his manners." + +Lord Reginald, who had just returned with Voules from a ride, was +standing in front of the house when the groom appeared, leading the dog. + +"I thought I ordered you to take that dog to Farmer Hargrave?" exclaimed +the midshipman. + +"So I did, my lord, but Farmer Hargrave won't have him, and says he +doesn't want any gifts from your lordship." + +"Impudent fellow!" observed Voules. "The father must be as great a +barbarian as that precious son of his." + +"Did you give him my message properly?" asked Lord Reginald. + +"Yes, my lord, word for word, and I advised Farmer Hargrave to take the +dog, but he would not on any account." + +"Then his daughter must go without the animal. I sent it to her, not to +him," said Lord Reginald, turning to Voules. "This sort of thing is +really provoking; the people about here are next door to savages. I was +rather inclined to pity the old Hargraves on account of their blind +daughter, but I shall persuade my father to do as Gooch advises. His +house and barns are a great eyesore from the dining-room windows, and we +shall be able to add several acres to the park if he could be removed." + +"Whether he is right or no, he ought, for the sake of pleasing the +marquis, to be ready to give up his farm," said Voules, "and if he won't +do so of his own accord, he should be compelled. I have no idea of the +commonalty venturing to set themselves up against the aristocracy in the +way they have done since the French Revolution." + +Lord Reginald had been induced by a right motive to send the dog, and +the refusal of the farmer to receive it again raised his angry feelings +against Dick. "If I come across the young fellow, I'll punish him for +his own and his father's impertinence!" he exclaimed. + +The incident, slight as it may appear, prevented him for some days +enjoying, as he might otherwise have done, the pleasures of home. Lady +Elverston had fulfilled her promise of speaking to the marquis. + +"I would not, of course, act unjustly towards Hargrave," he answered; +"but Gooch, who has consulted the lawyer, tells me that I have a perfect +right to turn him out; besides which I have offered him an ample sum to +go, but he has refused to receive the compensation, and insists on +standing up for what he calls his rights. I, of course, cannot be +thwarted by a man at my own gates, and have given authority to Gooch to +proceed as he thinks necessary for my interests." + +"But we consider the farm-house, the stacks, and the buildings, +picturesque objects in the distance, and we could not desire to have +near us more respectable, worthy people than the Hargraves," urged Lady +Elverston. + +"He is an obstinate fellow, and a Republican at heart, and will to a +certainty vote against our son, should John stand for the next +Parliament," answered the marquis. "However, I promise you I will act +with perfect justice; but you could not wish me to submit to the +insolence of a fellow of his description." + +Poor Lady Elverston, though not convinced that her husband was right, +was unable to say anything more. She saw that he had been strongly +biased against the farmer, and she was naturally displeased with the way +his son had behaved to Lord Reginald. Her compassionate feelings for +Janet, however, were not altered. In the afternoon, accompanied by Lady +Julia, she took a drive in her pony carriage. In passing Farmer +Hargrave's house she stopped to see Janet, wishing also to ascertain the +reason for the objection Mr Hargrave had to giving up his farm, and +hoping to induce him to yield with a good grace to the wishes of the +marquis. + +The ladies found Janet and her mother seated in the parlour. A smile +played over the countenance of the blind girl when she heard the voice +of the marchioness. + +"Very kind, my lady, very kind in you to come and see us, and mother +wants so much to talk to your ladyship about the matter of the farm," +she said, after the ordinary inquiries had been made and answered. + +Lady Elverston was glad of this opportunity of entering on the subject, +and she begged to hear what Mrs Hargrave had to say. + +"My husband, my lady, doesn't desire to oppose the wishes of the +marquis, but as every Englishman should--as your ladyship will agree--he +stands on his rights, and as he has a long lease of this property, which +his fathers for many generations held before him, he refuses to be +compelled to give it up. You see, my lady, Mr Gooch has been here and +threatened that the law will force him if he refuses, and when my good +man told him that the law could not compel him, the bailiff said that he +would bring up our son Richard before the justices for threatening to +shoot Lord Reginald, which I cannot believe he ever did, even though he +was vexed at his lordship killing his dog. My husband, my lady, is a +determined man, and neither I nor any one else can induce him to change +his mind if he thinks he is doing what is right." + +"I certainly would not ask him to do what he thinks is wrong," said Lady +Elverston, "and I am quite sure that the marquis did not give authority +to Mr Gooch to use any threats. Lord Elverston told me this morning +that he was willing to offer any reasonable compensation to your husband +for quitting the farm, and he would probably give him ample time to find +another equally suitable." + +"I was sure, my lady, that the marquis would not have allowed the +bailiff to make use of the threats he did; and if you will speak again +to his lordship and induce him to make a fair offer to my husband, +though it would well-nigh break our hearts to move, I will try and get +him to accept it." + +Lady Elverston, who suspected that the marquis had been deceived by Mr +Gooch, promised again to speak to him; though well aware that he was as +obstinate as the farmer, she did not say that she was certain of +success. Lady Julia in the mean time was talking in her gentle way to +Janet, and promised to call for her the first sunny day to take her out +for a drive in the pony-carriage. Her ladyship then inquired for Dick, +and expressed a hope that he would harbour no ill feelings towards her +son. + +"I pray that he won't, my lady; he has ever been a good and faithful son +to us, though somewhat headstrong at times, but he has not a revengeful +spirit, and I am sure he would not wish to harm Lord Reginald. We are +in sad trouble about him, for Mr Gooch frightened him so by his +threats, that he has gone away, we don't know where." + +"Have you no clue to his hiding-place?" asked Lady Elverston. "I should +much like to have some conversation with him, and I trust that I might +soften any lingering ill feeling--should such exist in his breast-- +towards my son." + +"I shall never forget your kindness, whatever happens, my lady," said +Mrs Hargrave. + +After some further conversation, the marchioness took her departure, +accompanied by Lady Julia, still, however, in considerable doubt whether +she had done much to settle the vexed question. + +The time of the two midshipmen's stay at Elverston Hall was drawing to a +close. Voules had received a letter from a messmate, saying that the +_Wolf_ was nearly ready for sea. He flattered himself that he had not +let the grass grow under his feet; that he had established himself in +the good graces of Lord and Lady Elverston; and he had even the vanity +to suppose that he had made some progress in those of Lady Julia. He +was gentlemanly in his manners, and Lord Reginald always spoke of him as +"a capital fellow," and seemed to regard him with affection. + +Lord Reginald himself, accustomed to an active life, was, however, +beginning to grow somewhat tired of his stay on shore; though attached +to his family, he was perfectly ready to go back to his ship. He had +experienced, indeed, lately some difficulty in finding amusement for +himself and companion. He and Voules had made the acquaintance of the +lieutenant of the neighbouring coastguard station, who, having seen a +great deal of service, and being a merry fellow, with a fund of +anecdote, was an amusing companion. Lieutenant Hilton had several times +been invited to dine at the hall, an honour he highly appreciated, +although it cost him a long trudge there and back, over a somewhat wild +region, with the risk of encountering some of the lawless characters of +the neighbourhood, who looked upon him as their worst foe. He had one +day been dining at the hall; the gentlemen having indulged freely in the +bottle, as was too common in those times, were about to join the ladies +in the drawing-room, when a servant entered to inform Lieutenant Hilton +that a person wished to see him immediately on important business. + +"He has probably brought information that a run is to be made to-night, +and if so, Hilton, we'll accompany you to see the fun," said Lord +Reginald. "Don't go off without us, remember. We'll mount you, and we +will ride together, with any one else who likes to come." + +Lieutenant Hilton hurried out to see the messenger. He returned to say +that Lord Reginald was right in his conjectures, and that there was no +time to be lost, as a suspicious lugger had been seen off the coast, and +that as the night promised to be dark, there was no doubt she would try +to run her cargo before the morning. + +The other gentlemen declined the proposed expedition, and Voules would +gladly have remained behind, but he could not venture to allow Lord +Reginald to go without him, especially as he himself had proposed +assisting the revenue, should an opportunity occur. Very unwillingly, +therefore, he went to his room to prepare for the ride, instead of +passing the evening, as he had hoped, in the society of Lady Julia. + +The marquis, although he would rather his son had not undertaken what +might prove a hazardous expedition, could not object, as he had +expressed his resolution by every means in his power to put down the +smugglers. The horses were soon ready, and the lieutenant and the two +midshipmen, led by the mounted exciseman who had brought the +information, set off by a road which would lead them to the westward of +Milford. The excise officer informed the lieutenant that a messenger +had been despatched to obtain the assistance of a party of dragoons +stationed at Lymington, and that a small body of sea-fencibles, +belonging to the district, were hurrying on towards the expected scene +of action. With the aid of the lieutenant's own men, a sufficient force +would thus, it was hoped, be collected to seize the goods should they be +landed, while the boats on the station were despatched to try and +capture the lugger herself before she had completely discharged her +cargo. The exact spot where it was intended the lugger should run her +cargo was unknown, but it was supposed that it would be somewhere +between Hurst and Christchurch. The cliffs here are of considerable +height, rising above a narrow beach, and, continually crumbling away, +exhibit numerous fossil remains. In some places they are broken by +narrow gullies, which, sloping up gradually from the shore to the downs +above, afford easy pathways up which both men and loaded animals can +climb without much difficulty. + +Since information had first been received of the intended run from a +treacherous confederate of the smugglers, preparations for their capture +had been carried on with the greatest possible secrecy and rapidity. It +was important to prevent the smugglers' associates on shore from +discovering that the revenue men were approaching. + +Lieutenant Hilton having reached his station, summoned eight of his own +men to accompany him. Here the midshipmen were provided with pistols +and cutlasses. Their services were likely to be of use, as it was +certain the smugglers would muster in large numbers. The horses were +left at the station, while the lieutenant and his party proceeded to the +spot where the sea-fencibles were posted, waiting for any information +they might receive to guide their future proceedings. + +It was in a hollow, surrounded by trees and brushwood, and about half a +mile or so from the sea-shore. The night, as had been expected, was +very dark, the wind a moderate breeze, blowing from the north-west. Not +a word was spoken above a whisper, for fear lest their position should +be discovered by any passing associates of the smugglers. The latter +had given it out that the run was to be made on the other side of +Christchurch head, and to induce them to suppose that this was believed, +a party of revenue men had started off in that direction, taking care +that their movements should be observed. It was hoped by this that the +smugglers would be deceived, and would attempt the run at the spot named +in the private information which had been received. + +"This is dull work!" whispered Voules to Lord Reginald. "I thought we +should be up and doing long ago." + +"Dull enough! I vote we set off by ourselves, to try and find out what +the smugglers are about," answered Lord Reginald. + +"I should recommend riding back to the hall, and letting our friends +here follow their own devices," said Voules; "but it would not do, now +that we have once put ourselves under Hilton's command, to desert him." + +Their patience was to be further tried. At last, one of the scouts who +had been set to watch the direction taken by those who were sure to +assist in the landing, came in with the intelligence that he had traced +them midway between the hamlets of Barton and Ash, and that he had seen +suspicious lights both on shore and at sea. The latter were, it was +guessed, shown on board the lugger, which was exchanging signals with +the spotsmen on shore, leaving little doubt as to where the goods would +be run. As the distance to the spot was considerable, there was no time +to be lost, for not only might the lugger's cargo be landed, but carried +far away into the interior before the revenue men could get there. +There was a danger, however, should they arrive too soon, of their being +discovered by the smugglers, who would in that case put off to sea again +and wait for a more favourable opportunity. + +The road followed by Lieutenant Hilton and his party led some distance +from the shore. They proceeded as fast as they could move, forming a +compact body, that they might run the less risk of being seen. The +commander of the sea-fencibles arranged the plan of proceeding. He, +with his men, would go to the westward, while the lieutenant was to +attack the smugglers on the opposite side, and the excisemen were to +guard the upper part of the hollow or gully which led down to the water, +so as to catch any of the smugglers who might be making their way up it +to escape. This plan was arranged as they went along. + +On reaching the neighbourhood of the spot, they halted, and scouts were +sent out to ascertain if the smugglers had collected where they had been +expected. In a short time the scouts returned, stating that a large +body of men were on the beach, and one of them added that he had nearly +been discovered by a party with pack animals proceeding down the gully +which led to the same part of the shore. Lord Reginald was on the point +of exhibiting his satisfaction by giving a loud shout, when Voules +stopped him. + +"On my lads!" said the lieutenant in a low voice; and he led his men by +a narrow path which wound down the cliff to the west of the village of +Barton, while the rest of the party, by a wide circuit, made their way +to the opposite side. + +It was agreed that Lieutenant Hilton should fire off a couple of pistols +in rapid succession, as the signal for attacking the smugglers, and that +both parties were to rush on them simultaneously, while the men at the +top of the gully should stop them from making their escape in that +direction. + +Lord Reginald was eager for the attack, but Voules, as he made out the +numbers in which the smugglers mustered, heartily wished that he had +remained to enjoy the society of the ladies at the hall. + +"We are likely to get more kicks than ha'pence, and little honour, at +all events," he muttered to himself. + +From where they lay concealed, they could observe the boats coming on +shore with the lugger's cargo. The lieutenant watched until he +considered that the larger portion had been landed. He directed Lord +Reginald and Voules, with three men, to guard the foot of a pathway +leading up the cliff, by which possibly some of the smugglers might +attempt to make their escape. The outlaws had been carrying on their +undertaking in perfect silence. Not a sound had been heard, when the +report of the two pistols echoed among the cliffs. It was the signal +for a general uproar. The revenue men dashed forward from both sides +towards the party on the beach, who began shouting and swearing +vehemently. Then came the flash of firearms, and the clash of +cutlasses. The smugglers fought desperately. Some were hurriedly +loading the horses, hoping to escape with a portion of the goods by +land, others were engaged in throwing the packages back into the boats, +and endeavouring to shove off, and regain the lugger. The revenue +officers, knowing that this would be attempted, rushed forward to +prevent them. Here some of the hottest fighting took place. As they +could not escape through the gully, no attempt was made to stop them +from entering it. Before long, however, the smugglers discovered how +they had been entrapped, when those who had gone off came running back +with the disastrous intelligence. All attempts to save the goods were +abandoned. Each man thought only how he could best make his escape. +Some endeavoured to climb the cliffs, others rushed beneath them, to the +westward. One party made a dash for the pathway guarded by Lord +Reginald and Voules. So furious was their onslaught, that Voules was +knocked over, and while their men had each an opponent, two other +smugglers rushed past Lord Reginald. He fired, but whether his bullet +took effect or not, he could not tell; by the flash, however, he thought +that he recognised the features of Dick Hargrave, whose companion, +wresting the young lord's sword from his grasp, dashed on up the path, +and both were soon lost to sight in the darkness. Lord Reginald made a +vain attempt to follow the fugitives, but, unable to see his way, was +glad to rejoin his companions. + +"I know the young rascal, and have now proof positive that he is a +smuggler!" he exclaimed. "Voules, did you see him?" + +But Voules, who had been lying on the sand where he had been thrown, +some feet below, only just then began to recover. Several seconds +elapsed before he was again able to take part in what was going forward. +The other smugglers, who had tried to escape up the path, were secured. + +The fighting continued, however, for some time longer, till, one after +the other, the smugglers were knocked down and captured, four being +killed, and a large number wounded, while two of the revenue men lost +their lives, and several others were severely hurt. Dore, with the few +people still remaining on board the lugger, waited in the hopes of the +boats getting off, but when they knew by their not returning that their +friends must have been taken, the cable was cut, and the _Nancy_ stood +out to sea. She had, however, proceeded but a short distance when two +revenue boats dashed alongside, and her diminished crew, being unable to +make any effectual resistance, she was captured, with the remainder of +the contraband goods on board, more than sufficient to condemn her. + +Lieutenant Hilton was very well pleased with the result of the +enterprise. Seldom had so large a capture been effected. He had, +however, still a difficult task to perform, as he had scarcely men +sufficient to guard the prisoners, whose desperate character he knew +full well, while he had the additional duty of conducting the +packhorses. + +The smugglers at first appeared to submit quietly enough, but that was +no proof that they would continue to do so, should they find an +opportunity of escaping. + +As there were not more than three lanterns among the whole party, it was +difficult to ascertain whether the prisoners were properly secured. At +any moment, they might break loose and effect their escape. They had, +indeed, every motive for doing so. They had not only been captured +smuggling, but had weapons in their hands, opposing the king's +authority, and one and all of them might be tried for the death of the +two revenue men who had fallen. All who had been taken were now brought +together and placed under the cliffs, watched by a strong guard, while +the bales and kegs, which lay scattered about in all directions, were +collected and packed on the horses. + +The order to march was given. The pack animals went first, followed by +the captured smugglers, who uttered curses, deep if not loud, on their +hard fate. Then came the men told off to carry the wounded who were too +much hurt to walk. Lord Reginald and Voules brought up the rear. The +killed were left above high water mark on the beach, until a party could +be sent to carry them to Barton churchyard, where the revenue man and +smuggler were destined to lie side by side. + +The party at length reached the top of the cliff, and directed their +course towards the high road running between Christchurch and Lymington. +They had proceeded about a mile, when a number of armed men, springing +out from behind the hedges on either side, suddenly attacked the +conductors of the pack-horses, which they endeavoured to carry off. The +prisoners, taking advantage of the confusion, attempted to escape, and +there appeared every probability that some would succeed. + +"Cut down the fellows, if they try to get off!" cried Voules, and the +other officers repeated the order. + +At that moment the clattering sound of horses' hoofs coming along the +road was heard. A cry arose, "The dragoons are upon us!" The men who +had made the last daring attempt to recover the goods took to flight. +Two were captured by the soldiers, who went in pursuit, but the rest +effected their escape. + +Mr Hilton gladly handed over the prisoners to the charge of the +military, while he accompanied Lord Reginald and Voules back to the +station where they had left their horses. + +"I wish that you would remain here until the morning," said the +lieutenant, when they reached it. "There are a number of rough +characters allied with the smugglers, who, should they fall in with you, +may take it into their heads to revenge themselves by shooting you." + +"I am not afraid of them," answered the young lord. "Voules and I +together are able to tackle a dozen such fellows. Thank you for your +invitation, but our friends at the hall will be anxious to know what has +happened, and I want to tell my father how admirably you have managed +affairs." + +The lieutenant, finding that the midshipmen could not be induced to +remain, ordered the horses to be brought out, and Lord Reginald, saying +that he would the next morning send a groom for the animal the +lieutenant had ridden, being well acquainted with the way, set off with +Voules for the hall. + +"As there is no fear of our losing the road, even in the dark, we may as +well take a short cut," he observed, after they had gone some distance. +"We shall save a mile or more, and have the advantage of turf. The +moon, too, will soon be up, and we shall be able to gallop a good part +of the distance." + +Voules had nothing to say against this proposal, though he would have +preferred the high road. + +"This lane will lead us on to the heath, and as the sky is clear, there +will be light enough, even before the moon rises, besides which our +horses know the way as well as I do," said Lord Reginald. + +They rode down the lane at a more steady pace than they had hitherto +been going, for it was full of ruts, and somewhat narrow and winding. +It conducted them on to a wild heath, beyond which could be discerned +the outskirts of the New Forest, the trees in some places projecting +over the heath like the advance guard of an army, while in others wild +glades opened out extending far into the interior. Towards one of these +glades Lord Reginald directed his course. + +"By keeping a little to the right it will lead us to the high road +again," he observed. "There's the moon just rising above the trees. We +shall be able to push along now, without fear of rushing into a hedge." + +Crossing the heath by a tolerably well-defined footpath, they entered +the forest, and were galloping along a grassy glade, on which their +horses' hoofs produced scarcely a sound, when Lord Reginald uttered an +exclamation of surprise. + +"Halloa! I see a fellow ahead. Where can he be going?" + +"Probably one of the smugglers, who managed to make his escape," +answered Voules. + +"Whoever he is, we will stop him and ascertain why he is out at this +time of night. Stop, you fellow!" cried Lord Reginald; "we want to +speak to you." + +The person, who apparently had not before heard them coming, only +increased his pace; on seeing which the young lord spurred on his horse. + +The stranger, who might possibly have escaped by darting in among the +trees, instead of making the attempt, finding that his pursuers were +gaining on him, stopped and faced them, holding a thick stick, which +might properly have been called a club, in his hand. + +"Throw down that bludgeon and come here," said Lord Reginald. + +"Not while I am spoken to in that tone," answered the stranger. "I have +as much right to be out in this forest as you have." + +"You must tell us who you are, and where you are going!" cried Lord +Reginald, riding up to him. + +The stranger lifted up his club, exclaiming, "Hands off! If you attempt +to touch me, you must take the consequences." + +Just then a gleam of light from the rising moon shone on the stranger's +face. + +"I know the rascal!" cried Lord Reginald; "it's that young Hargrave. +Not the first time we have met tonight. You are one of the fellows who +made their escape from the excisemen; but you are not going to do so +from us; so yield at once! Come, help me, Voules!" and the young lord, +spurring forward his horse, attempted to seize Dick by the shoulder. + +The latter sprang back, and, whirling round his club, struck Lord +Reginald a blow on the arm which effectually prevented him from using +it, and before Voules could lay hold of him, Dick had rushed off among +the trees, which quickly concealed him from view. + +In vain Lord Reginald, in spite of the pain he was suffering, urged his +horse after him. The stems of the trees, growing thickly together, +prevented him from following, and Dick was soon safe beyond the pursuit +of the horsemen. + +"This is provoking; but we will have him yet!" cried Lord Reginald. + +"I am afraid the villain has broken your arm!" exclaimed Voules. + +"It seems something like it from the pain I am suffering," answered Lord +Reginald; "however, the sooner we can get home to have it looked to the +better." + +"Yes, indeed," said Voules; "I am deeply grieved. I would have shot the +young savage had I thought he would have had the audacity to strike +you." + +"No, no; I should have been sorry if the fellow had been killed," said +Lord Reginald. "All I wanted was to take him prisoner, and send him off +with the rest to sea, for I suppose that will be the lot of all who are +fit to serve. However, as we are not likely to see more of him for the +present, I shall be glad to get home. This arm of mine hurts me +fearfully." + +They again put their horses into a gallop, and continued on until they +reached the end of the glade, which led out on the high road. Lord +Reginald bore the pain manfully; indeed, it was surprising that he did +not faint and fall from his horse. The trotting along the road was even +worse than the gallop, and at last he had to tell Voules to stop and +walk. It was nearly two o'clock in the morning when they reached the +hall. They found Lord and Lady Elverston, with Lord John, sitting up +for them. + +"Most thankful to see you back," said Lord Elverston, who came out to +meet them; "we were too anxious to go to bed. One of the grooms had +brought word that there had been a desperate fight between the revenue +men and the smugglers, and that there had been a number of killed and +wounded. Good Heavens! what is the matter? You look very pale. Are +you hurt?" + +"Yes, but not in the fight," answered Reginald, as he entered the +drawing-room and sank into a chair. He then described the encounter +with Richard Hargrave. + +"The young ruffian must be punished," exclaimed the marquis. "It is +evident that he is leagued with the smugglers, and this last outrage +shows his desperate character. Do you feel much pain?" + +"Very much; indeed, I fear that my arm is broken," answered Lord +Reginald. + +On hearing this Lady Elverston came to his side. "My dear boy, I trust +not," she said; "you must go to bed, and let Mrs Cross and me examine +your arm." + +"If it is broken we must send off for a surgeon immediately," said the +marquis. + +"I would rather have some supper first. I dare say so would Voules, for +we both of us felt very hungry as we came along, and I hope after all, +no bone is broken." + +The tray was at once brought up, and though Voules did ample justice to +the viands it contained, Lord Reginald, after making several ineffectual +attempts to eat, had to confess that the pain overpowered him, and he +allowed himself to be led off to his room by his mother and brother. + +Mrs Cross, the housekeeper, was soon in attendance, having evidently, +by the way her dress was put on, with her night-cap on her head, just +risen from her slumbers. The young lord was quickly undressed, when, on +his arm being examined, Mrs Cross declared it as her opinion that no +bone was broken; and all that was required were fomentations and rest. + +"I am sorry to hear so bad a character of young Hargrave. His mother +and blind sister are at all events good people, and it will grieve them +sorely," observed Lady Elverston to her husband, who answered only with +the significant exclamation of-- + +"Humph! Perhaps so." + +The pain was somewhat relieved by the fomentations applied by the +housekeeper, who offered to sit up with the young lord; and though he +declared that he should do very well without assistance, he was glad at +length to accept her offer. + +Voules came in just before going to bed, to express his deep concern. + +"I shall do very well in a day or two," said Lord Reginald, "and it +won't prevent me from joining my ship." + +Notwithstanding his assertion, he was very feverish during the night, +when he was constantly uttering expressions which showed the animosity +he felt against Dick Hargrave, complaining that he was the cause of the +pain he was enduring. This was reported the next morning by Mrs Cross +to the marchioness. + +"It is a shame, my lady, that so bad a lad should be allowed to be at +large. I hope my lord will have him taken up and sent off to Botany +Bay, or anywhere out of the way, for if he meets Lord Reginald again, I +don't know what will come of it." + +Next morning the doctor, who had been sent for, arrived, and greatly +relieved the minds of Lord and Lady Elverston by assuring them that +their son's arm was not broken. + +"No thanks to the young ruffian who inflicted the blow," observed the +marquis; "we must have him apprehended, for such an outrage must not be +allowed to go unpunished." + +The doctor directed Lord Reginald's arm to be fomented, and observed +that he must carry it for a few days in a sling, assuring him that he +need not fear any serious consequences. + +"Then it will not prevent him from joining his ship?" observed the +marquis, who had his reasons for wishing that the midshipmen should not +remain longer at Elverston. + +"Not if he can perform his duty without going aloft, or using his arm +for the present," replied the doctor. + +Lord Elverston said he would write to the captain on the subject. + +"In that case his lordship may join his ship immediately," observed the +doctor, who seemed to understand the marquis's wishes. + +Voules, who had been present during the discussion, was far from +satisfied with the doctor's decision. He had hoped that the injury Lord +Reginald had received would serve him as an excuse for remaining until +the frigate was on the point of sailing, as he himself was in no hurry +to leave Elverston Hall. + +The marquis, however, had observed his attentions to Lady Julia, and +although he gave his daughter credit for discretion, he thought it was +as well to send the young gentleman away. Having a pretty good +knowledge of the world, he had taken the measure of Toady Voules more +accurately than his son had done, and had seen through him. When Lord +Reginald, faithful to his promise, had begged his father to use his +influence at the Admiralty to get Voules promoted, the marquis replied +that he should be happy to serve any friend of his, but for certain +reasons he could make no promise, and that he must know more about the +young gentleman before he could recommend him to their lordships. + +"But he is really a capital fellow," said Lord Reginald. "He sticks +like a leech to me, and I can always depend upon him." + +"Leeches suck blood," answered the marquis, laughing. "I don't think +you have well considered the simile." + +"I mean that he is always ready at hand when I want him to do anything I +require," answered Lord Reginald. "He is the most convenient fellow I +ever met." + +"Well, well, I will remember your wishes," said the marquis. + +Lord Reginald saw that he must not press the point further. Voules +looked very melancholy at the thought of leaving Elverston. He was in +an especially bad humour too, for though Lady Julia treated him as she +had always done, he began to suspect that he had made no great way in +her good graces. The utter indifference she showed when he talked of +going away, convinced him of this, and although to the last the family +treated him, as Lord Reginald's friend, with the utmost kindness, no one +expressed the hope that they might soon again have the pleasure of +seeing him. + +A couple of days having passed, the midshipmen were ready to obey the +order to rejoin their ship. A Yarmouth pilot vessel having been engaged +to convey them to Portsmouth, they set sail in her from Keyhaven. +Taking a favourable tide, with a fair wind, they might easily get there +in six hours, whereas the journey by land would have occupied nearly a +couple of days. The crew of the pilot vessel, as they stepped on board, +looked at the midshipmen askance, evidently having heard of the part +they had taken in the capture of the smugglers, many of whom were their +relatives and friends. The captain, however, treated them with the +greatest civility, but took good care not to answer any questions they +put to him concerning the smugglers, leaving them to suppose that he was +ignorant of the existence of such persons, and was not even aware that +there was any smuggling on that coast. + +Of Dick Hargrave nothing had been heard, but a warrant had been taken +out for his apprehension, and people were on the watch to capture him +should he make his appearance, or should his place of concealment be +discovered. A fresh breeze quickly carrying the cutter up to +Portsmouth, Lord Reginald and Voules once more found themselves on board +the _Wolf_, which had hauled away from the dockyard, ready to go out to +Spithead. + + + +CHAPTER SIX. + +THE SECOND TRIP OF THE NANCY--PARTICULARS OF THE LANDING--HOW IT FARED +WITH DICK AND BEN--WANDERING IN THE FOREST--IN HIDING--NEARLY CAUGHT-- +SEIZED BY A PRESSGANG--KINDNESS OF THE LANDLADY AT THE ADMIRAL BENBOW-- +BEN RUDALL A PRISONER--ON BOARD THE TENDER--OFF COWES--THE WOLF--MR +BITTS, THE BOATSWAIN--DICK RECOGNISES LORD REGINALD AND VOULES--AN +ATTEMPT TO MAKE AN EXCHANGE. + +When Dick Hargrave sailed the second time on board the _Nancy_, he +forgot the saying that "the pitcher which goes often to the well gets +broken at last," or that few who follow a lawless occupation escape from +suffering in the end. Of course, he should have been influenced by a +far higher motive, but he had not been taught to look upon smuggling in +the same light which an honest man does nowadays. Even his father +regarded it with a lenient eye, though he had ever refused to take a +share in the proceedings of the smugglers by permitting his horses to be +used in transporting the goods when landed on the coast. Dick had a +tolerably pleasant life on board the _Nancy_, as Dore and the crew +always treated him kindly. + +The lugger, as before, ran into the quiet little harbour in which she +was wont to take her goods on board, and had a narrow escape from a +French cruiser; but had got free by the very common device of lowering +all her canvas during the night and allowing her pursuer to pass her. +Without further cause for alarm, she made the English coast. Dick, +though he liked the life well enough, had no wish to continue in it; he +wanted to see his parents and Janet, and to relieve their anxiety about +him. He had resolved, therefore, to quit the _Nancy_, and to go on +shore with Ben, who did not intend to make the next trip in her. It was +settled, therefore, that he and Ben were to pull in one of the boats +engaged in landing the cargo, and that afterwards they were to assist in +escorting the goods safe into the interior. After they had once got +away from the coast, there was but little danger of their being +captured. + +"All right," said Ben to Dick, as the lugger stood in to the westward of +the Shingles; "the revenue men have been told that there is to be a run +made this very night, Portland way, and they will all have gone off +there and left the coast clear for us, so that there is no fear as to +our getting the goods safe on shore." + +There seemed every probability that Ben's prognostications would prove +true. The night was dark, and the wind sufficiently off shore to enable +the _Nancy_ to stand close in. The expected signals were seen. The +anchor was dropped, the boats lowered, and immediately afterwards, +others came off from the shore, bringing the satisfactory intelligence +that everything was clear for the run. The vessel was rapidly unloaded. +The greater part of her cargo had been discharged, and was already on +the beach, when the reports of Lieutenant Hilton's pistols were heard, +and the smugglers found themselves beset on both sides by their enemies. +Dick and Ben were already on shore, and were engaged in loading the +packhorses. + +"You get out of it, Dick," said Ben, "either climb the cliff or run +along the beach; you've nothing to fight for." + +Dick hesitated; he felt that it would be cowardly to desert his +companions. + +Ben, though not thus influenced, suspected his motive. "Come, lad," he +said; "there's a path not far from this, and the chances are there is no +one to stop us going up it; I'll show thee the way." Saying this, he +dashed forward quickly, followed by Dick. + +He was disappointed in one respect--the path was guarded, but knocking +over the first person who opposed him, who happened to be Mr Voules, +and wrenching the cutlass out of Lord Reginald's hand, he dashed on. +Dick, who kept close behind him, had a narrow escape of being shot, and +felt pretty sure that Lord Reginald, whom he recognised, had seen him. + +Continuing on a short time, they were satisfied that they were not +pursued, and might proceed homewards with little risk of further +interruption. Still, Ben could not resist the temptation of trying to +ascertain the fate of his companions. It appeared to him that they had +been attacked by a comparatively small party, and that could a number of +determined men be collected, they might effect a rescue. He and Dick +made their way, therefore, to a farm-house, in which it had been +arranged that the heavier part of the goods should be stowed, until they +could be conveyed away to a distance. Here he found several persons, to +whom he gave the first intelligence of the disaster. They instantly +hurried off to collect other men from all directions. As it was well +known what road the party with the captured goods would take, they +intended to form an ambush to surprise them, but the smugglers, not +having time to do this, made their attack in a less favourable position, +with the result which has been seen. + +Dick again escaped, but what became of Ben he could not tell, though he +hoped that he also had got off. Much as he had wished to see his father +and mother, he now almost dreaded to meet them. His intention was to +reach home by daybreak, and having seen them again to go off and hide +himself in a woodman's hut in the forest, or in some other place, where +he could remain until the search after him had ceased. It was not +likely indeed, that much trouble would be taken, unless Mr Gooch, for +the sake of influencing his father, tried to get him into his power. + +With this intention he was making his way towards home, his thoughts so +occupied that he did not hear the approach of Lord Reginald and Voules +until they were close upon him. He would gladly have avoided an +encounter, but at the same time he determined not to be taken prisoner +when he saw that such was the young lord's intention. What happened has +been described. On escaping from Lord Reginald, he soon reached a thick +bush, behind which he could conceal himself with little chance of being +discovered. He there lay perfectly quiet until he heard the two +horsemen ride off. + +"I am thankful I had not my gun with me, or I might have been tempted to +use it," he said to himself. "Why should that young lord persecute me? +He had no business to come and help the revenue men, and it could do him +and that other fellow no good to make me a prisoner, except to boast of +what they had done. If I go home now they will accuse poor father and +mother of harbouring me, and I shall bring them into trouble. I wonder, +after all, if Ben got off. If I thought that he did, I'd go to his +cottage. He would hide me there until these two fellows have gone back +to their ship, and the rest have got tired of looking for me. If poor +Janet could see, I'd go home and let her alone know that I had come, and +she would hide me away. As she can't help me, poor girl! I don't know +what to do." + +Such were some of Dick's meditations. Overcome with fatigue, he lay +down to rest a little, and, as was very natural, fell fast asleep. When +he awoke it was broad daylight. It would not now do to venture down to +Keyhaven. He would too probably meet some of the revenue men, who would +to a certainty capture him. Home he dared not go; his only alternative +was to remain in the forest until the return of night, when he could +traverse the country with less risk of encountering any one. He was +very hungry, but he was equally afraid of going to any cottage to beg +for a crust, lest he should be recognised. Not far off was a pool, of +which there were many in the forest, where he quenched his thirst. Hips +and haws were now ripe, there were plenty around could, he eat enough to +satisfy the cravings of hunger. There were tench, too, in some of the +pools--fine, fat fish, which he might catch, as they lay under the bank, +with his hands, but he had no means of lighting a fire to cook them. He +walked about listening, lest he might be surprised by any one coming; +then, growing weary, he again sat down under his bush. He was very +hungry and very unhappy. Sometimes he thought he would go home in spite +of the risk he would run, and try to see his mother alone. He might +easily hide in one of the out-buildings, and steal in when his father +had left the house, but then, knowing that he had been recognised by +Lord Reginald, who would, he supposed, inform against him, he feared +that he might be discovered by those who would be sent to search for +him, though his mother, he felt sure, would do her best to conceal him. + +"I had better not," he said to himself; "it shall only get father and +mother into trouble; if they don't know where I am, they cannot say. +I'll go down to Susan Rudall's; she'll stow me away, if I can reach her +cottage without being seen. No one will think of looking for me there." + +Dick, when on board the lugger, had been rigged out thoroughly as a +young sailor. The dress, as he thought, was a sufficient disguise, +should he meet any one in the gloom of the evening. His hunger made him +very eager to reach Susan's as soon as possible. Soon after the sun had +set, therefore, he started for Keyhaven, going along by the by-paths, +and keeping himself concealed as much as possible among the trees and +brushwood. He calculated that it would be perfectly dark by the time he +got to the village, and that he might enter Susan's cottage without +being perceived. For some time, meeting no one, he became bolder, and +made his way along the lanes with less caution than he had before used. +He had just turned an angle of the road, when he saw in the distance +several persons coming towards him. He darted back, hoping that he had +not been seen, and, getting through a hedge, he lay down in a dry ditch. + +Though perfectly concealed, he was almost afraid to breathe, lest he +might be heard by the people passing. They had been too far off when +first seen to enable him to ascertain who they were, and he dared not +look through the hedge, lest they should perceive him. His heart beat +quickly as he heard their footsteps approaching; he felt like a criminal +escaping from justice. Though constitutionally brave, the consciousness +that he had acted wrongly in many respects made him a coward. The men +were only, as far as he could judge, labourers returning home after +their day's work. He heard them talking of the attempted run of +contraband goods, the capture of the _Nancy_ and her crew, as well as of +the number of people assisting in the landing who had been taken. + +"It will go hard with some of them," observed one of the speakers; +"they'll bring it in `murder,' maybe, as two of the king's officers were +killed, if they can prove who fired the shots. Whether of not, Botany +Bay is the best they can expect, and many a year before they can see +their wives and families again." + +"A reward is offered for catching the chaps who escaped," said another. + +What more was said Dick could not hear; he was thankful that he had not +been seen by the men, or they would probably have detained him for the +sake of the reward. He waited until they had got some distance, and +then, creeping along the hedge, he again got into the lane, and ran on +as before, looking out ahead so that he might not come suddenly on any +other persons. Hungry and tired, he at length got close to Keyhaven. +To pass through the village without being seen would be difficult. He +heard voices, as if people were still about, and lights shone in the +windows of the cottages in sight. Had he not been so hungry, he would +have again hidden under a hedge until later in the evening; but eager to +obtain something to eat, he hurried on, hoping by good chance to reach +Susan's cottage without being observed. He was passing the Rodney's +Head, when several persons issued from the door. + +"Hullo! make that fellow heave to, and see who he is," said a voice; and +two men came rushing after him. + +The words made Dick start off as fast as his legs would carry him. The +men, however, followed. He might still, he hoped, escape, and reach +Susan's cottage. It was before him, but should he be seen to enter, it +would afford him no shelter. If he could get round it, however, he +might double back, making his way along on the other side of the +village. He was unusually weak from long fasting, and found his +strength failing him. His foot struck against a piece of an anchor fast +in the ground, and down he fell. Before he could rise his pursuers were +upon him. + +"You made a good run for it, my lad, but you are caught +notwithstanding," said one of the men. "No use in kicking up a shindy, +so come along with us and make the best of it, as many another lad has +done." + +"Who are you? What are you going to do with me?" asked Dick. + +"We are men-of-war's men, and are going to make you serve his Majesty, +as we are doing," was the answer, as Dick was led back to the village +inn. + +"Won't you let me go and see my friends first, or let me send them a +message to say where I am gone?" + +The men laughed. "You can send a message when you are safe on board the +tender. You'll be sent off there presently, with a few other fine +fellows we have laid hands on. Don't be cast down, lad, you'll like the +service well enough when you get into our ways; and if you don't, like +many others, you'll have to grin and bear it." + +Dick made no answer; he was in for it, and it was useless to complain. +The disappointment, however, did not take away his appetite. He quickly +felt his hunger pressing him as at first. "I wish that you'd let me +have a crust of bread and a piece of cheese, for I have not put anything +into my mouth for many a long hour." + +"Mrs Simmons will soon find that for you, and a glass of ale, too, my +lad," answered the seaman. "Maybe, if you've no shiners in your pocket, +you'll find some friend inside who will treat you." + +On reaching the inn door, Dick saw a large party of seamen under an +officer who had just mustered them outside, while several remained +within, guarding persons with handcuffs on their wrists and seated on +the benches. Two or three of them looked very disconsolate, but the +rest were endeavouring to keep up their spirits by laughing and joking +and talking to each other, or with their captors. Among the former, +Dick, to his sorrow, saw his friend Ben Rudall, who, however, did not +appear to recognise him. The landlady looked far from pleased at the +guests she was compelled to entertain. Dick caught her eye. + +"Do give me something to eat, Mrs Simmons!" he exclaimed. "I'm pretty +nigh starved." + +"Bless me, Richard Hargrave! is that you? You shall have what little I +have in the house; but it will be a sad night to those at home when they +hear that you are taken." + +"I wish that you'd send up and tell them, and get it broken gently to my +mother and Janet," said Dick, as Mrs Simmons placed bread and cheese, +and a piece of cold bacon before him, with a mug of ale. + +"Be smart, my lad, and stow that food away," said the seaman, who stood +by with a pair of handcuffs. "You'll get some breakfast on board the +tender to-morrow morning." + +"Maybe; but I should be starved to death before to-morrow morning, if +you don't let me eat this," answered Dick, munching away with all his +might. He had never eaten so fast, for he expected every moment that +the seaman would lose patience and clap the handcuffs on him. He was +allowed, however, to swallow the contents of the plate as well as the +ale. + +"I'll pay you, Mrs Simmons, some day when I come back; and thank you in +the mean time," said Dick, when he had finished his hasty meal. + +"You are welcome to it, my boy," said the landlady, "and who knows but +that you'll one day come back a captain." + +The sailor laughed as he clapped the handcuffs on Dick's wrists. +Directly afterwards the officer ordered the prisoners to be brought out, +as the boat had arrived from the tender to carry them on board. + +Ben Rudall, who had hitherto been silent, finding that he was at once to +be carried off, rose to his feet and lifting up his manacled hands +addressed the officer, "It is hard lines for me, sir, to be dragged away +from my wife and family, without so much as saying good-bye to them. +They live not many doors off, down the lane; won't you just let me go +down and kiss the children? Maybe you are a father yourself, and you +wouldn't like to be carried away from your young ones without saying a +few last words to cheer them up." + +"It can't be done, my man," answered the officer, turning away. "If I +grant you the favour, all the rest will be wanting to go and wish their +wives and children farewell, and a fine account I should have to give of +them! Bring the prisoners along!" he shouted to the seamen. + +"You'll tell poor Susan what has happened," said Ben, as he passed the +landlady. "Tell her to keep up her spirits. I'll be back home as soon +as I can." + +"Trust me, Ben," said kind-hearted Mrs Simmons; "I'll see your wife +to-morrow morning, and tell her what you say." + +The officer, losing patience, ordered his party to move on. The +men-of-war's men kept close around their captives, who would, they knew, +attempt to escape if there was the slightest chance of their doing so, +or they thought it possible that the smugglers' associates might +endeavour to rescue them. The boat, however, was reached without any +attempt of the sort being made, and the prisoners were compelled to step +on board. + +Some of the more daring resisted, hoping that perhaps even then +assistance might come to them, but a seaman's pistol held at the heads +of the refractory ones compelled them to obey, and in another minute +they were all seated in the boat, which at once pulled away for the +tender. + +Dick found himself seated next to Ben. + +"A bad job this, my boy; I never thought you and I should be hauled away +like this," whispered Ben. "If they hadn't put our wrists in irons we'd +be overboard and soon stowed away where they wouldn't find us in a +hurry." + +Dick did not say he thought that it was owing to Ben he was brought into +his present condition. He merely answered, "I wouldn't try to escape if +I could. If a man-of-war is as bad as you say, I shall be dead in a +short time, and it won't much matter to any one." + +"Silence there, men!" shouted the officer, who overheard Ben and Dick +talking. "Give way, lads!" + +The boat was soon alongside the tender, a large cutter, which lay off +the mouth of the creek. The captured men were compelled to mount her +side, two stout fellows standing by to lift them up by the collars of +their jackets, as they were unable to use their hands, when they were at +once sent down into the hold of the vessel, over which a sentry with a +loaded musket kept guard. + +It was a large, gloomy place, lighted by a single ship's lantern, which +hung from one of the beams. Dick could see that it already contained +about twenty people, most of them rough, seafaring men, seated with +their backs against the side, or stretched on the deck. Some were +talking in low, grave tones, others were endeavouring to forget +themselves in sleep. A few looked up and nodded as they recognised +acquaintances, but not many words were exchanged between them. Dick saw +several persons whom he knew, but the greater number had been captured +by the pressgang on other parts of the coast. Dick, though no longer +hungry, was very tired, and seeing a vacant spot, threw himself down +with his back against the after bulkhead. + +"I have found out all about it," said Ben, who some time afterwards +seated himself by his side. "It is all owing to that young lord and his +father. The marquis, I hear, wrote over to Portsmouth some time ago to +have this pressgang sent down here to make a clean sweep of all the +seafaring men they could lay hands on. If they had come a few days +sooner, they would have stopped the _Nancy_ from attempting the run, and +we should have got off again; but as ill luck would have it, they +arrived just in time to catch us, and the other poor fellows who had +come on shore. I wish that I could lay hands on that Lord Reginald; I'd +pay him off." + +"Little chance of that," observed Dick; "he'll soon be safe on board the +_Wolf_, and we shall be sent off, maybe, in some ship to the other end +of the world. I don't care where I go; but it seems to me what we have +now to do is to make the best of it. I have been thinking over the +matter since I have been staying here, and of course, as the king wants +men to fight his battles, and as it is my luck, good or bad, to become +one of them, I'll do my best and try to keep clear of the +cat-o'-nine-tails which you used to tell me about." + +"You'll be precious lucky if you are able to do that, my lad," growled +Ben. "Howsumdever, as we're in for it, I don't want to make you think +things are worse than they are. You'll soon find out what's what." + +"I suppose I shall," answered Dick, who was becoming very sleepy, and in +spite of the noises going on around him--the loud talking--the tramping +of feet overhead--the movement of the vessel, which had got under way, +and his uncomfortable position, he was soon in happy forgetfulness of +all his troubles. + +The cutter, after proceeding some distance, met with a strong head wind, +and was soon pitching her bows into the fast rising seas. Dick was +awakened by finding himself slipping away to leeward, and presently +afterwards the vessel shipped a sea, the heavy spray from which came +down through the main hatchway, and gave an unpleasant shower-bath to +those below it, and Dick had to scramble as best he could out of the +water which collected to leeward. The cutter, under close-reefed +mainsail, stood on, heeling over to starboard for some time; then she +went about, and directed her course towards the north shore. Once more +she tacked in the direction she had before been going. The smugglers +grumbled and swore, expressing very little confidence in the seamanship +of the dockyard maties. At length, however, they heard the order to +take in the jib. The vessel came on an even keel, the anchor was let +go; she had brought up in Cowes Roads. + +"If this wind holds, we shan't see Portsmouth harbour to-day," said Ben. +"I suppose they can't intend to keep the irons on our wrists, now they +have got us all safe. If we stop here for the night, I have a great +mind to try and get away. I have many friends on shore, and some of +them are sure to come off to learn what this craft is about. If I get +the chance, I'll slip overboard and swim to one of their boats. What do +you say, Dick; will you come?" + +"We haven't got the chance yet," answered Dick; "if I get off where +should I go? I cannot return home, and I should just have to starve or +beg, or take to some worse course. No, no; you may try it if you wish, +but I'll stay here and learn what a man-of-war is like." + +Ben made further vain attempts to induce Dick to join him. Their +conversation was interrupted by several men coming from forward with a +supply of biscuits and cold salt beef and a grog tub, which, with a +number of tin mugs, was placed in the centre of the deck. The latter +seemed to afford infinite satisfaction, and the prisoners, in much +better humour than before, laughed and talked and joked as if they had +no cares in the world. A strict watch was still, however, kept over +them, as, from their desperate character, it was suspected that they +would not fail to try and take advantage of any opportunity which might +offer of getting free. + +For upwards of three days the cutter lay at Cowes, the captured men +being narrowly watched, though tolerably well fed and not ill treated. +The time passed heavily away. Growling and swearing was the order of +the day. Dick heard some of the smugglers vow that, if taken on board a +man-of-war, they would sooner blow the ship up than remain in her; that +all ships were alike--perfect hells afloat; and that it would be better +to be shot or hung at once than to endure the existence they would have +to lead on board. Of one thing he himself was certain, that he was +heartily sick of being kept down in the cutter's hold. He felt eager to +get free, even though he might have to exchange it for one of the +much-abused king's ships. + +At length, the weather moderating, the cutter got under way and stood +for Spithead, where several men-of-war rode at anchor. While the cutter +lay hove to, a boat with a lieutenant from one of them came alongside. +The officer, on stepping on board, ordered the men to be mustered. Dick +watched him, and thinking from his countenance that he must be a +good-natured, kind man, hoped that he himself might be among those he +was about to select for his ship. The lieutenant spoke to the men one +by one, asking them various questions, and finally chose a dozen of the +best hands, who were forthwith ordered to get into his boat. + +Dick was greatly disappointed on finding that Ben and he were not taken. +The commander of the cutter then received directions to run into +Portsmouth harbour, and to take the remainder of the prisoners on board +another ship, which lay there ready to receive them. Various surmises +were offered as to what ship she might be. Neither Dick nor Ben could +gain any information. + +"It matters very little; they're all alike," growled Ben. + +On entering the harbour the question was soon settled. A fine frigate +lay at anchor off the dockyard, with her sails bent, and with every +appearance of being ready for sea. The cutter brought up close to her, +and a signal being made, she at once sent a boat alongside. + +"Now, lads, tumble up!" cried the lieutenant. "You have got to serve +his Majesty, and I would advise you to put a good face upon the matter, +and show that you are honest Englishmen, ever ready to do your duty and +fight for your country. You'll come back with your pockets full of +prize money, and be glad you went." + +Dick listened. "That's what I want to do," he said to himself; "and I +will if I can." + +Some of the old hands--Ben among the rest--were not influenced in the +same way. + +"All very fine!" he growled out; "but the proof of the pudding is in the +eating. We shall get more scars on our backs from the cat than guineas +in our pockets, I've a notion." + +The boat was soon alongside, and Dick with his companions were ordered +up on deck, where they stood grouped together until the first lieutenant +came to take down their names, and enter them on the ship's books. It +was the first time Dick had ever been on board a man-of-war. He gazed +round with astonishment at the extent of the white decks, the size of +the highly polished guns, the height of the masts, the ropes neatly +flemished down, and the order which everywhere prevailed. + +"She's a fine ship, at all events; and if it wasn't for father and +mother and Janet, I should not be sorry to have come," he thought. + +The first lieutenant, an active, kind-eyed looking officer, spoke to the +men much in the same way as the commander of the cutter had done. When +he came to Dick, he inquired whether he had been to sea before. + +"Only on board a lugger, sir," answered Dick. + +"Well, my lad, I do not inquire what you were doing on board her; but I +tell you, as you look a smart lad, that if you do your duty you will be +sure to get on, and soon obtain a good rating." + +Dick touched his cap, as he had seen some of the men doing when they +spoke to an officer, and replied, "I'll do my best, sir." + +"That's right, my lad," observed the first lieutenant, as he turned away +to attend to some other duty. + +Although on deck strict order and discipline prevailed, Dick on going +below found a very different scene, and it was some time before he got +accustomed to the uproar, the men in hoarse voices bawling to each +other, and laughing and joking and playing all sorts of tricks, some +rushing here and there, others seated in groups, amusing themselves in a +variety of ways. + +"At all events, there can't be much to make them unhappy, for they seem +to be a merry set of fellows," thought Dick, as he was standing by +himself, watching what was going forward. An officer, with a silver +chain and whistle round his neck, coming by, asked him his name. Dick +told him, and replied to a few other questions. The officer passed on. + +"Who's that?" asked Dick of another lad who happened to be standing +near. + +"That's Mr Bitts, the boatswain." + +"He seems a fair-spoken gentleman," observed Dick. + +"Gentleman! I don't think he calls himself a gentleman; but he has a +good deal to do with us, and it is wise to stand well with him, for he +can use that rattan he had in his hand pretty smartly." + +Shortly afterwards Mr Bitts came back. Touching Dick on the shoulder, +he said, "I want a boy, and I have applied for you. You'll understand +you are to attend on me, so look out and do your duty." + +Dick, on inquiring of the other lad, found he was to be the boatswain's +servant, which, although not an office of much honour, had its +advantages, if he could manage to please his master. Dick soon found +that his duties were not very onerous, and provided he was smart and +active, Mr Bitts appeared to be satisfied. Altogether, when the +hammocks were piped down, and he was allowed to turn into the one +allotted to him, which the boatswain ordered one of the men to show him +how to sling, he was tolerably well pleased with the prospect before +him. As he was not placed in any watch, he had the advantage of +sleeping through the whole night. + +When the hammocks were piped up the next morning, he turned out +refreshed and ready to do anything required of him. He had lost sight +of Ben, who having found several acquaintances on board, and being +engaged in talking with them, did not trouble himself about him. + +The next day, the captain coming on board, the crew were mustered, when +all the men as well as the officers had to come on deck. Dick was +thinking what a fine body of men they appeared, when his eye, glancing +aft, fell on two of the midshipmen, one of whom had his arm in a sling, +and he at once recognised Lord Reginald and Mr Voules. The former +seemed to know him, for he saw the young lord turn to the other +midshipman and say a few words, and then look again towards him. Dick +had not before inquired what ship he was on board, but he now found that +he belonged to the _Wolf_. + +"I hope we shall not come across each other, and I'll do my best to keep +out of his way," he said to himself. "He'll not forget, however, how he +came to have his arm in a sling, and maybe he'll try to pay me off; if +he does, I'll show him that I won't stand bullying aboard, any more than +I would on shore." + +Captain Moubray, having made a short address to his crew, reminding them +of the renown they had already gained, and expressing his confidence +that they would keep up their credit, ordered the boatswain to pipe +down. + +Dick, according to his resolution, kept clear of Lord Reginald. + +"It is lucky for you, my lad, that I had applied for you, as the +midshipmen have asked for you to be the boy of their mess," said Mr +Bitts, when Dick was attending on him that evening. "That young lord +and Mr Voules wanted me to swap you for Tom Dolter, but I took Tom's +measure some time ago, and let me tell you, my lad, that you may bless +your stars. It's not pleasant to serve a dozen masters, though, if I +hadn't held out, that young lord and Mr Voules would have had their +way." + +Dick had good reason to be thankful at his escape. Next day the frigate +went out to Spithead, took her powder on board, and blue-peter was +hoisted, as a signal that she was about to sail. + + + +CHAPTER SEVEN. + +DEFIANT LOOKS--THE SPIRIT OF ILL-WILL INCREASES--SOME "VERY KIND +INTENTIONS"--DICK'S PERSECUTORS--IN THE MIDSHIPMEN'S MESS--PADDY LOGAN +AND TOADY VOULES--THE LAST LOOK AT OLD ENGLAND--THE FIRST ENCOUNTER--MR +BITTS TO THE RESCUE--IDEAS OF REVENGE--A SAIL ON THE LEE BOW--PREPARING +FOR ACTION--A FIERCE BATTLE--THE WOLF VICTORIOUS--BRAVERY OF DICK--HARD +WORK TO KEEP THE PRIZE AFLOAT--BOUND FOR PLYMOUTH WITH THE PRIZE. + +The frigate's sails were loose, the crew at the capstan tramped round to +the merry sound of the fife, the boatswain's pipe was heard shrilly +repeating the orders he received; the sails were sheeted home, the +anchor came to the bows, was catted and fished, and the _Wolf_, with +canvas widespread to the breeze, glided majestically through the waters +of the Solent. Dick wisely kept as much as possible out of the way of +Lord Reginald. When they occasionally came in sight of each other, he +did not fail to remark the angry look the young lord cast at him, while +he himself could not help glancing at the other's arm, still in a sling. + +"That young ruffian's insolence is unbearable!" exclaimed Lord Reginald, +on one occasion, turning away and addressing Voules, whom he happened to +meet. "I wish that he had been caught on shore, when he would have been +sent off to prison, and we should not have been troubled with him here. +I was half inclined to denounce him as a fugitive from justice when I +first saw him on board; but as we wanted hands, I thought that the +captain would not thank me." + +"We'll pay him off somehow or other," answered Voules. "I'll find the +means to do it, and he'll wish he had been sent to prison before he +stepped on the _Wolf's_ decks." + +"I say, Oswald, what's happened to your arm?" asked Charles Ludlam, the +senior mate of the berth, in which most of the members of their mess +happened to be collected. + +"A blow I received on it," answered Lord Reginald, not being willing to +explain matters. + +"He got it while attempting in a very gallant way to seize a fellow who +was suspected of being a smuggler," observed Voules, coming to his +friend's rescue. "You may depend upon it that Oswald would have caught +him if it had not been for that." + +"Faith! What business had he to be trying to seize a smuggler?" asked +Paddy Logan, who was no admirer of Lord Reginald, and still less of +Voules. + +The latter was somewhat puzzled how to reply. "In support of the law +which you Irish fellows delight in breaking," he at length answered. + +"Do you dare to cast reflections on the honour of Irishmen?" exclaimed +Logan, firing up. "Naval officers are not expected to be excisemen. Of +course the fellow had every right to defend himself." + +"I cast no reflections on the honour of Irishmen, but you yourself show +your readiness to take the part of a lawless character," answered +Voules. "Besides, the young scoundrel had previously grossly insulted +Oswald and me." + +"Then he was influenced by private motives rather than public spirit," +observed Ludlam, who was fond of speaking the truth, even though it +might be unpalatable to his hearers. "Still, Oswald, I am sorry you are +hurt, and hope that you will be wiser in future." + +"I shall always be found ready to defend my own rights whether against +my equals or plebeians," answered Lord Reginald, haughtily. "I consider +that I acted properly, and do not require to be pitied by you or any +other person, merely because I happen to get an inconvenient blow on the +arm." + +"Mayn't any one else pity you?" asked Tommy Shackel, the smallest +midshipman on board, who was apt to take a malicious pleasure in seeing +his seniors have a scrimmage among each other. + +"Hold your tongue, Master Jackanapes!" exclaimed Voules; "Oswald knows +best what he likes and dislikes." + +"I only asked a question," said Tommy, in his squeaky voice; "and I put +it to Oswald, and not to you." + +"How dare you speak to me in that fashion?" exclaimed Voules, about to +give the small midshipman a box on the ear. + +"You'd better let him alone!" cried Paddy Logan, jumping up. "I appeal +to Ludlam, who allows no bullying in the berth. Because you have had +the honour of staying at Elverston Hall, you fancy you can exhibit your +airs to us, but you are mistaken, my boy, as much as Oswald was when he +first joined." + +Voules retorted, and Paddy and he would soon have come to blows, had not +Ludlam interfered, and by the exercise of the authority he maintained in +the berth, restored order. + +This scene took place on the first evening that the members of the berth +all met together. + +The frigate was now standing down between the mainland and the wooded +shores of the Isle of Wight. Calshot Castle--then held as a fortress, +with a governor and a garrison--was seen on the right. On the left hand +was the little town of Cowes, surrounded by woods, among which, here and +there, a few cottages peeped out. Then Lymington became visible on the +Hampshire shore, and, beyond it, the long shingly beach of Hurst. Many +eyes on board were turned in that direction. Lord Reginald and Voules, +using their spy-glasses, thought that they could catch a distant view of +the hall, while forward, Dick Hargrave, Ben, and several other men were +turning their gaze on well-known spots. Dick felt more sad than he had +done since he came on board. He was thinking how anxious his father, +mother, and poor Janet would be about him; even should Mrs Simmons have +conveyed his message to them, they would only know that he had been +carried off in the tender, and would remain ignorant of the ship on +board which he had been sent. He had not written, for he possessed +neither pens, ink, nor paper, and would have found it a difficult matter +to indite an epistle with the uproar going on around him. Poor Dick +gazed on until the tears came to his eyes. Though it was greatly owing +to his own fault that he was being carried away from home and those he +loved, he was not the less to be commiserated. While he thus stood, +scarcely conscious of what was going on around him, Lord Reginald, who +had been sent forward with a message to the third lieutenant on some +duty, passed him. + +"What makes you stand idling there, boy?" exclaimed the midshipman, +looking at him as if he had never seen him before, giving him a blow +with the end of a rope. "You have no business on deck; go and attend to +your duty below." + +Dick's first impulse was to raise his arm to defend himself. It was +with difficulty he could refrain from retaliating. + +"I have no duty that I know of to attend to, and I have a right to look +towards yonder shore, which neither you nor I may see for some time to +come," he answered. "What! You are a sea lawyer, are you?" exclaimed +Lord Reginald, angrily, Dick's words adding intensity to the vindictive +feelings he already entertained towards him. + +"I'll report you to the first lieutenant, and he'll soon find means to +make you mend your manners." + +Dick was going to reply, when he saw Voules coming along the deck, and +he had the discretion to hold his tongue, knowing that the worst +interpretation would be put on whatever he said. This was the +commencement of hostilities on board the frigate between the young lord +and the farmer's son. Scarcely a day passed that they did not come in +contact with each other, when Lord Reginald never lost an opportunity of +abusing the ship's boy, or striking him, if he had the least excuse, +with a rope's end. Dick bore the ill treatment manfully, and +endeavoured to the best of his power to do his duty. Though treated +kindly by the boatswain, with the ordinary feelings of a yeoman's son he +would not willingly have rendered menial service to any one, but as it +was his duty he did not complain, and did his utmost to please his +master. Mr Bitts had, by some means or other, discovered how Lord +Reginald behaved to Dick, but had not actually seen him struck. The +boatswain was not a man to allow any one to interfere with his +prerogatives. He at length, however, saw the young lord, who did not +observe him, strike Dick across the shoulders with a rope's end, and +order him off to perform some duty or other. + +Mr Bitts immediately came forward and confronted the midshipman, with +an angry glare in his keen eyes, for although Mr Bitts was not a man of +many inches, he was a determined person, with huge whiskers, a firm +mouth, large forehead, and broad shoulders. "Are you aware, Lord +Reginald Oswald, that you are infringing the rules of the service? That +boy belongs to me, and I'll let you know that neither your lordship nor +any one else shall dare to ill-treat him." + +Lord Reginald looked somewhat astonished at this unexpected address. He +was too proud to apologise, as he might have done and so settled the +matter. "The fellow was idling," he answered, haughtily, "and I am not +expected to know what boys you consider belonging to yourself. If I +find him or any one else neglecting his duty I shall see that he attends +to it." + +"I shall report you, Lord Reginald Oswald, if I find you interfering +again with that boy, or any other over whom you have no authority," +retorted the boatswain. + +"You may stand well in the opinion of the captain and some of the +officers, but others, let me tell you, hold you at a much cheaper rate." + +"This insolence is unbearable!" muttered Lord Reginald; but he +recollected that, although he was the son of a marquis, the boatswain +was his superior officer in the service, and that he should be guilty of +insubordination should he continue the dispute. He walked away, +therefore, with feelings more embittered than ever against Dick +Hargrave. Soon afterwards, meeting Voules, he told him what had +occurred. + +"I don't know what will become of the discipline of the ship, if the +warrant officers venture to interfere in the way old Bitts has done," +observed Voules. "We must pay him off some day; but as to that fellow +Hargrave, he is beneath your notice. I wish that we could have got him +as our mess boy; we would soon have tamed his spirit. However, I won't +let slip any opportunity of punishing him as he deserves." + +Voules was as good as his word, every time the opportunity occurred, +though he took very good care that Mr Bitts should not see him +ill-treating Dick. He told Lord Reginald what he had done, apparently +taking a pleasure in nourishing the resentment the young lord felt +against the farmer's son. It was but natural that Dick himself should +feel ill-will towards his persecutors. He did not complain to Mr +Bitts, of whom he stood not a little in awe, but he frequently did so to +Ben Rudall, who ground his teeth and clenched his fists as he listened. + +"We'll pay the chaps off one of these days," he muttered. "You've heard +tell, Dick, of the mutiny at the Nore, when the men rose and took the +whole fleet from their officers, and would not give in until the +Admiralty granted their terms. To be sure, a few of them were run up to +the yardarm, but the men won't stand bullying now any more than they did +in those days. If officers don't know how to behave themselves they +must be taught. I wouldn't advise you to give the young lord tit for +tat, or turn round when he next hits you, and use the rope's end on his +back, but I should be wonderfully inclined to try it on, and let them +hang me afterwards if they like." + +Dick listened eagerly to what Ben said--the advice was too much in +accordance with his own feelings. + +Voules had spoken of him to the first lieutenant and to some other +officers, and described him as a young ruffian who had been leagued with +smugglers, and was now the associate of men of the worst character on +board. + +Dick was accordingly strictly, if not harshly treated, and though he had +at first been well-disposed to do his duty, he became every day more and +more discontented, and ready to retort upon those whom he looked upon as +tyrants. + +The frigate had been ordered to cruise in the Channel off the French +coast, and a sharp look-out was kept night and day for an enemy. + +"We shall soon see how these young gentlemen behave if we get alongside +of mounseer. They can hold their heads high enough now, but when the +Frenchman's shot come whizzing about their ears, they'll duck them fast +enough," said Ben. + +"Is there a chance, then, of our having a battle?" inquired Dick. "I +should like to be in one, just to see how things are managed." + +"If Captain Moubray is the sort of man I have heard him described, he'll +do his best to look out for an enemy," replied Ben. + +Still, day after day passed by and no suspicious sail was met with. At +length, one evening, soon after dark, the _Wolf_ was standing in towards +the French coast. Having passed the Island of Groix, she continued on +until several shots were fired at her from a fort, which, however, did +no damage. She put about, and a short time afterwards, the wind being +East-North-East, the look-out aloft shouted-- + +"A sail on the lee bow!" + +The stranger was now seen to be running west by south. The _Wolf_ +immediately made all sail, and as she got nearer, two muskets were fired +towards the chase, which appeared to be a large ship, to bring her to. +Instead of so doing, however, the Frenchman, for such she undoubtedly +was, set all the sail she could carry, endeavouring to escape. This +seemed strange, for as far as could be judged, she was a larger ship +than the _Wolf_. + +"Will she get away?" asked Dick, who was standing near Ben Rudall at one +of the bow-ports on the maindeck, through which they could dimly see the +chase rising like some phantom giant stalking over the deep. + +"Not if we continue to overhaul her as we are now doing," answered Ben. + +"Will she fight?" inquired Dick. + +"Ay, and fight hard, too, just as a rat does when caught in a corner. +It's a way those Frenchmen have, though why she runs now is more than I +can tell. Maybe some of us will be losing the number of our mess. I +should not care if I was among them myself. It's a dog's life I lead on +board here; but I am thinking of poor Susan. If I am hit, it will be +hard lines with her; she and the young ones will have to bear up for the +work'us, for there's no one will care for the smuggler's wife, as they +call her." + +"But I hope you won't be killed, Ben," said Dick; "there's no reason why +you should be more than any one else." + +"Well, well, I'm not afraid," answered Ben; "the enemy's shot are in no +ways particular, and I should not be so very sorry if one of them was to +take off the head of that Lord Reginald or Toady Voules, as his +messmates call him." + +"I could not bring myself to wish either one of them such a fate as +that," observed Dick, who had not altogether forgotten his mother's +instructions and Christian principles. + +"I have no reason to love either the young lord or his toady, and I +should not weep my eyes out if they were to be killed--they'd only get +their deserts; and for my own part, I would like to see them both +knocked over by the same round shot," growled Ben, between his teeth. + +The frigate was now approaching the chase. The drum beat to quarters, +and the crew hurried up from below, most of them stripped to the waist +with handkerchiefs round their heads and loins. The glare of the +fighting lanterns, hung up on the beams along the deck, cast a glow on +their muscular figures, the breaches of the guns and other salient +points, while all the rest were cast in the deepest gloom. + +Ben went to his gun, and Dick was ordered below to the magazine to bring +up ammunition. Though much bigger than any of the other lads so +employed, as he had been only a short time at sea, he had to perform the +humble duty of a powder monkey. He would far rather have been engaged +in working one of the guns. + +The _Wolf_ was carrying all the canvas which could be packed on her, +studding-sails on either side and royals aloft. The chase also, under +all sail, was still doing her utmost to keep ahead, but the _Wolf_, +being the fastest ship of the two, gained rapidly on her. The men stood +at their guns, waiting eagerly for the moment that the order to fire +should be given, laughing, however, and cracking their usual jokes. The +officers went their rounds, to see that all necessary preparations had +been made. + +Dick was seated on his ammunition tub on the maindeck, when Lord +Reginald and Voules, who had each a certain number of guns to look +after, passed him. + +"I say, Oswald, that young smuggler looks pale enough now," observed +Voules, in a voice sufficiently loud for Dick to hear him. "We must +keep a sharp look-out on him, or he'll be running below to stow himself +away in the hold." + +"Trust me for that! those ruffians ashore are the greatest cowards +afloat," answered the young lord, as he passed on. + +Dick heard him. "I'll show him that I am no coward," he said to +himself. + +Ben also, who was stationed at one of the guns it was Dick's duty to +serve, heard the remark. "`Cowards!' does he call us?" he muttered. +"He and Mr Toady will be the first to show the white feather, I've a +notion." + +Shortly afterwards the sounds of two guns were heard. One shot, +glancing along the _Wolf's_ bow, sent the splinters flying off it, while +the other was seen to ricochet over the smooth water. The enemy had +fired her stern chasers. The _Wolf_, without yawing, could not reply. +She stood on, therefore, eager to come up with the chase. The latter +was seen directly afterwards taking in her studdingsails and royals. +The British crew cheered as they saw this. There was no longer any +doubt that the enemy was ready to fight. The order was now given to +take in all the studdingsails. The royals were next handed; the crew, +who had left their quarters for the purpose, immediately hurrying back +to their guns. Both frigates were still rapidly running through the +water. Suddenly the chase put down her helm and luffed up on the +starboard tack, intending to rake the _Wolf_, which was now coming up on +her weather quarter. + +"Hard a-starboard!" shouted Captain Moubray, and the _Wolf_ was brought +up on the opposite tack, thus avoiding the raking fire, and receiving +the enemy's shot on the starboard side. "Well done!" cried the captain. +"Now hard a-port!" + +The ship once more came up to the wind, and just clearing the French +frigate's starboard quarter, shot up right abreast of her to windward. +Both thus in near proximity, poured their broadsides into each other, +and the battle became hot and furious. The British crew ran their guns +in and out, the frigate's shot dealing death and destruction along the +decks of her antagonist. It was just the position English sailors like +the best. Dick saw several of his shipmates knocked over, and one poor +boy, with whom he had just been talking, fell close to his side. He +knelt down to help him, but not a movement was perceptible. He took his +hand; it fell on the deck. The boy was dead. + +Dick's tub was soon exhausted of its contents, and he hurried below to +the magazine to get it refilled. He lost not a moment, but was again at +his station. + +"They shan't say I'm skulking," he muttered. "I wonder what Lord +Reginald is doing." + +Dick might have seen the young lord, in spite of the shot crashing on +board and sending the splinters flying about in all directions, killing +or wounding several near him--the colour in his cheeks somewhat +heightened, perhaps--attending to his duty and cheering on his men, and +when the captain of a gun was killed, taking his place and laying hold +of the tackles to haul it in for reloading. + +For some time the two frigates ran off before the wind; as tacks and +sheets and yards were shot away, gradually decreasing their speed. In +consequence of the injuries the French frigate had received, the _Wolf_ +shot slightly ahead, when the former attempted to cross her stern, for +the purpose of raking her, or gaining the wind, but not having room for +this manoeuvre, she ran her jib-boom between the British ship's main and +mizzen rigging. + +The third lieutenant, calling several of the men, attempted to lash it +there, while the _Wolf_ poured in a fire which swept across the +Frenchman's bows, but half those engaged in the effort, while hanging in +the rigging, were shot, and the lieutenant himself fell badly wounded to +the deck. Immediately afterwards the ships separated and stood on as +before, exchanging furious broadsides. Dick saw Ben still working away +at his grin, as eager as the rest of the crew, having evidently +forgotten all about his gloomy anticipations of losing the number of his +mess. + +For upwards of two hours the ships had been engaged, and no perceptible +advantage had been gained by either. At length the _Wolf_ again forged +ahead. Captain Moubray did not neglect the much-wished-for opportunity, +but ordered the helm to be put hard a-starboard, and, while thus passing +across the hawse of the French frigate, poured in a broadside which +swept her decks fore and aft, killing and wounding many of her crew, and +inflicting serious damage on her masts and rigging. Again the _Wolf's_ +helm was put hard a-port, which brought the enemy a little before her +starboard beam, when again the ships ran on with the wind about a point +on the starboard quarter. Still it remained doubtful which would gain +the victory. The British officers and crew had, however, made up their +minds not to give in while a stick was standing; but the most +indomitable bravery cannot always overcome the chances of war. + +While Captain Moubray, with the master by his side, was eagerly watching +every movement of his antagonist, to take advantage of what might occur, +a shot from her struck the mizzenmast, already severely wounded. With a +fearful crash down it came on deck, inboard, killing one of the men at +the wheel, which it much damaged, and severely injuring many others, +while it encumbered the whole quarterdeck with its rigging, spars, and +sails. They could hear the crew of the French ship cheer as they saw +what had happened. + +"You may `hulloo' as long as you like, mounseers, but we'll be giving +you as good before long," cried Ben; several of his shipmates echoing +his words. + +They were right, for scarcely had the Frenchmen's cheers ceased, than +down also fell their mizzenmast with a tremendous crash, evidently doing +much damage. Almost immediately afterwards the mainmast followed, +though the foremast still stood, enabling her to continue the action. + +The boatswain and his crew hurried to clear the wreck, while the +carpenter endeavoured to repair the damaged wheel. The two ships again +lay abreast of each other, though at a greater distance than before. +The _Wolf_, however, did not, in consequence of the accident, slacken +her fire, and she and her opponent were gradually sheering closer +together, when the latter was seen to put her helm hard a-starboard, so +as to lay the _Wolf_ on board. The order was now received from the +captain to load the maindeck guns with double shot and the carronades +with grape. + +"She will strike us on the bow," observed Captain Moubray to the master, +"and as she is sure afterwards to rebound, the quarters of the two ships +will be brought together. She intends to board us. Boarders, be +prepared to repel boarders!" he shouted. At the same time the word was +passed along the decks, not again to fire until the order was received +from the captain. + +The two ships drew closer and closer together, until the bows met with a +loud crash, and although the Frenchmen at the same time let fly a +broadside, the English gunners, obedient to their orders, refrained from +firing in return. As was expected, the bows rebounded from each other; +the quarters of the two ships almost immediately came together. The +quarter of the French ship was seen crowded with men, ready to spring on +board the _Wolf_. + +"Now, my lads, give it them!" cried Captain Moubray, and his word was +passed along the decks. + +The big guns sent their balls, and the carronades their showers of +grape, into the very midst of the Frenchmen. Fearful must have been the +effect among the crowded masses, and cries and groans resounded through +the night air. + +Four guns only replied to the last broadside, showing the havoc and +confusion it had caused. At the same moment flames burst forth from the +Frenchman's deck. The English worked their guns with redoubled vigour. +Scarcely had the fire disappeared from one part of the French ship, than +it broke forth in another. Her shrouds and running rigging had been cut +away, and her remaining mast was tottering. Still the Frenchmen fought +on, though they could scarcely, it seemed, have hoped for victory. + +Once more the ships separated, still continuing to exchange broadsides, +though many of the Frenchman's guns had been silenced. Still, from the +number of men seen on her decks, they might hope to gain the victory by +boarding. To guard against such a contingency was now Captain Moubray's +chief care. Again the bows of the two ships met, when the outer arm of +the _Wolf's_ best bower anchor, entering the foremost main-deck port of +the French frigate, held her fast. + +Though the English continued to pour broadside after broadside into +their enemy, no signal of surrender was shown. Every moment it seemed +as if the foremast of the latter, already tottering, would go by the +board, and probably fall on the deck of the _Wolf_. + +"We must put an end to this!" cried Captain Moubray. "Boarders, follow +me!" + +He sprang forward, several of his officers and those to whom he had +given the word, pressing round him, all eager to be the first on the +enemy's deck. Among them was Lord Reginald, who, regardless of danger, +burned to distinguish himself. The gallant boatswain led another party, +hastily collected on the main-deck. Richard Hargrave, on hearing the +boatswain's summons, and finding that ammunition was no longer required +on his side, left his station and joined them. Two stout planks had +been thrust through the Frenchman's second bow port. By this means the +boatswain's party forced their way, for the gun which filled the port, +having been dismounted, allowed them ingress. + +With cheers and shouts the British seamen, led by the captain, leaping +down on the Frenchman's deck, with pistols flashing and cutlasses hewing +and hacking, quickly drove their enemies aft. As they reached the main +hatchway, many of the latter, unable to resist the impetus of the +onslaught, sprang down below, where they were met by the boatswain's +party, who, sweeping along the fore part of the deck, quickly cleared +it. Still a determined band resisted. A marine was on the point of +running his bayonet into the breast of Lord Reginald, when the captain +cut down the man. In vain the Frenchmen attempted to resist. Foot by +foot they were driven back, until the cry rose from an officer on the +quarter-deck of "We surrender." At the same time he lifted a lantern +above his head, as a signal which all might understand. + +"Lay down your arms, then!" cried Captain Moubray, "and no more blows +shall be struck." + +The boatswain, with Richard Hargrave and others, were still using their +cutlasses with deadly effect, the shouts and cries of the Frenchmen, as +they endeavoured to withstand them, preventing all other sounds from +being heard. + +Before advancing towards the French commanding officer, to receive his +sword, Captain Moubray sent Lord Reginald and a party of men below to +stop the slaughter. He sprang down in time to see Dick Hargrave and two +other men engaged in a fierce combat with three Frenchmen, who, ignorant +of what had taken place above, were still holding out. + +"You mutinous rascals!" exclaimed Lord Reginald to Dick and his +companions; "didn't you hear the captain's orders to desist from +fighting? The frigate has struck, and is our prize." + +Then shouting to the Frenchmen in their own language, he told them what +had occurred, when immediately dropping the points of their weapons, +they sprang back, to be out of reach of the British seamen's cutlasses. + +"I am not a mutinous rascal," exclaimed Dick, turning to Lord Reginald; +"I didn't know that the Frenchmen had given in." + +"How dare you speak to me in that way?" exclaimed the young lord, even +at that moment not forgetting his enmity towards Dick. "Look out for +the consequences!" + +He then shouted to Mr Bitts, and in another minute the fighting, which +had gone on for so many hours, altogether ceased. Both decks presented +a terrible spectacle. In all directions lay the bodies of dead and +dying men. Many had already passed away, others were writhing in agony, +while the surgeon's attendants, regardless of what was going on around, +were employed in carrying below those to whom assistance might be of +use. One lieutenant alone stood on the quarter-deck. Captain Moubray, +advancing among the bodies of his late foes, inquired for the French +captain. The lieutenant pointed to a form which lay near the wheel, +covered with a flag. + +"The captain of the _Thesbe_--the ship I yield to you--lies there," he +answered, presenting the hilt of his sword. "There lies the first +lieutenant, and there the second, and I, the third, am in command." + +"I return your sword to as brave a man as I can ever hope to meet. You +have fought your ship with the greatest gallantry. Englishmen cannot +desire to encounter more noble foes," said Captain Moubray, returning +the sword, which the lieutenant, taking, sheathed with a deep sigh. + +Indeed, out of a crew of between four and five hundred men, upwards of a +hundred had been killed, and nearly the same number wounded, while the +frigate's hull was fearfully shattered, her bulwarks were torn away--she +was a mere wreck. + +Captain Moubray, returning to his ship, sent a prize crew on board under +the command of Mr Jager, the second lieutenant, who had with him Lord +Reginald, Voules, and Paddy Logan, and forty men, Richard Hargrave being +among the number. + +It was no easy matter to clear the ships, so firmly had the _Wolf's_ +anchor hooked on through the _Thesbe's_ port. It was at last, however, +freed. Scarcely had the two ships separated, than down came the +_Thesbe's_ foremast, narrowly escaping falling across the bows of the +_Wolf_. + +In an action lasting the best part of six hours, the _Wolf_ herself had +suffered severe damage. The third lieutenant, the second lieutenant of +marines, a midshipman, and ten seamen were killed, and nearly fifty +officers and men wounded. + +She had lost her mizzenmast, and her other masts and several of her +yards were injured. Her sails and rigging were cut to pieces. So +numerous were the shot-holes in her hull, that the carpenter and his +mates were unable to stop them until she had three and a half feet of +water in her hold. A portion of her diminished crew was sent to the +pumps, while every officer, man and boy, was employed in fishing the +masts and spars, knotting and splicing the rigging, and shifting the +sails. The two ships lay close together, drifting with the tide. The +prize was won, but it was a question whether she would be kept. They +were close in with the French coast; and should any other of the enemy's +ships be in the neighbourhood, it was certain that they would be sent to +look after the combatants. Mr Jager and his prize crew had work enough +to do to keep the _Thesbe_ afloat, to heave the dead overboard, to +attend to the wounded. The surgeons laboured away all night in +amputating arms and legs, and binding up the limbs of those most +injured. Not only was the cockpit crowded, but every cabin was full of +wounded men. The greater part of the prisoners were of course removed +on board the _Wolf_, but a few were retained to assist in working the +pumps and attending to the wounded. + +While the carpenters were engaged in stopping the shot-holes--through +which the water was rushing with a rapidity sufficient in a short time +to carry the prize to the bottom--it was impossible to attempt repairing +other damages. + +When morning broke, a shattered, blood-stained hull lay floating, with +her victor watching near her. An anxious look-out was kept for any sail +which might appear. Should a single frigate be seen, Captain Moubray +and his officers resolved to fight their ship and defend their prize to +the last. + +No one thought of resting. Mr Bitts piped his call, until, as Paddy +Logan observed, "it seemed mighty curious that he had any wind left in +his body." + +The frigate's crew laboured on, until many were ready to drop with +fatigue. All knew that not a moment was to be lost. Another +contingency might occur, besides the appearance of an enemy of superior +force; a northerly gale might spring up, and drive the disabled frigates +on the French coast. Happily, the masts of the _Wolf_ were secured, the +rigging repaired, and fresh sails bent, and the wind coming from the +southward, she took her prize in tow, and shaped a course across the +channel for Plymouth. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHT. + +ON BOARD THE PRIZE--BEN GIVES BAD ADVICE--A STRANGE LINE-OF-BATTLE +SHIP--FRIEND OR FOE?--THE WOLF AND HER PRIZE REACH PLYMOUTH--NOT ALLOWED +TO GO ASHORE--PETER PURKISS--DICK DESERTS--HOMEWARD BOUND--VISIT TO THE +SMUGGLER'S WIFE--RECEPTION AT THE FARM--DICK RECOGNISED BY LORD REGINALD +AND VOULES--FEAR OF BEING RETAKEN--DICK LEAVES HOME--CAPTURED AND SENT +ON BOARD A CUTTER. + +The _Wolf_, with a fair breeze, having her prize in tow, shaped a course +for Plymouth. The wind though favourable was light, and should it +continue so, it would be some time before she could reach her +destination. It was fortunate, however, that the sea was smooth, as it +enabled the carpenters the more easily to get at the numerous shot-holes +in the sides of the prize, and to stop the water coming in, which it had +been doing at a rapid rate, making it necessary to keep the pumps +constantly going. This was hard work for the prize crew, for the few +Frenchmen left on board, though they did not refuse to go to the pumps, +worked listlessly, and very soon knocked off, declaring that they could +work no more. The British seamen had therefore to work away until they +could stand no longer. + +Lieutenant Jager, commanding the prize, had sent Lord Reginald and +Voules to see that the crew at the pumps were persevering in their +labours. Among them his eye fell on Ben Rudall and Richard Hargrave, +who had both been working away for some time until their arms ached. + +"Spell oh!" cried Ben. + +"Spell oh!" echoed Dick, in order that some other men might come and +help them. + +"Keep at your work, you idle rascals!" cried Lord Reginald. + +"I am not an `idle rascal,'" answered Ben, leaving the pump and folding +his arms; "I have been working for two hours, and can work no longer +until I have had some rest." + +Dick, who could really work no longer, and was wellnigh ready to drop to +the deck, also knocked off, though he said nothing. + +Lord Reginald's anger was aroused in a moment. Seizing a rope, he +struck Dick across the shoulders. "Go back, both of you!" he exclaimed; +"we can have no skulking on board here." + +"I am not skulking," answered Dick, again seizing the pump handle and +working away as hard as his strength would allow. + +"Do you dare to answer me?" exclaimed the young lord, striking Dick. + +Ben stood still, fixing his eye on the midshipman, who, though he +flourished the rope, did not strike him, and Ben, with a look which +showed the ill feelings aroused in his bosom, returned to the pump. + +Lord Reginald stood by, watching them until the whole gang, utterly +unable to work longer, were relieved by fresh hands. + +"Let me see that you fellows keep at it longer and better than the last +have done," he said. + +"That's what we get for working our lives out," growled Ben, as he and +his shipmates staggered forward and threw themselves down to rest. +"It's just as well he did not strike me, or something might have come of +it. If I were you, Dick, I wouldn't stand it; I'd give him as good in +return. He can but hang one, and that would be better than leading a +dog's life on board this ship." + +"He might flog you round the fleet, which would be something worse than +hanging," observed an old man-of-war's man, who had overheard Ben. "You +wouldn't like that. I've a notion, mate, that it's wiser to grin and +bear it, and hope for better times." + +"I do hope for better times," said Ben, addressing Dick, when no one +else was within hearing. "I'll tell you what, lad; I'd advise you to +give them leg-bail, if you have the chance. That's what I've made up my +mind to, as soon as we get into port; they're sure not to keep a strict +look-out, and, as usual, crowds of people will be coming on board to +visit the ships. Tom Harris was right; keep your temper, as you did +just now. To strike an officer, even though he strikes you first, is a +serious matter, and I was wrong in advising it. But though, if you +desert and are caught, you run the risk of a flogging, the chances are +you'll escape, for they'll not take the trouble of sending after you if +you can once get off into the country." + +"I'll think about it," said Dick. "I can't bear being struck by that +young lord, or by any one else; and if he treats me as he has done +before, I cannot answer for keeping my temper." + +The conversation was put an end to by the whole gang being ordered back +to the pumps. The carpenters were gradually getting the leaks stopped, +and before night the crew were able with less difficulty to keep the +water under. Fresh hands were sent on board to attempt getting up +jurymasts, in case the _Wolf_ should be compelled to cast off the prize. +It was still doubtful whether they would reach the port in safety. An +enemy might at any moment appear, and not only retake the prize, but +themselves. A single frigate would prove a serious antagonist to the +_Wolf_ in her present battered and disabled condition. + +During the night the breeze increased slightly, and the two frigates +made better progress. Lord Reginald had told Voules of Hargrave's +impudence, as he called it, and the midshipman had reported it to Mr +Jager. + +"If we have mutinous behaviour among our own crew, we shall have the +Frenchmen rising upon us," observed the lieutenant. "You must keep an +eye, Voules, on those fellows, and put down that spirit of +insubordination." + +"A flogging would do that lad Hargrave good," observed Voules, "and that +old smuggler richly deserves one also." + +Voules, believing that it would please Lord Reginald, kept a watchful +eye on both Dick and Ben, hoping that they would give him the +opportunity of reporting them. + +Twice finding Dick moving slowly, as he considered about his duty, he +started him with a rope's end. Several of the other men, knowing that +he was no longer under the protection of the boatswain, took the +opportunity of bullying him in a variety of ways. Ben did not +interfere, his object being evidently to disgust him with the service. +Fortunately for Dick, however, his persecutors had no time to annoy him +when below, for, fatigued with their work, the moment they turned in +they fell asleep. All hands, indeed, were employed from morning until +night in clearing the ship of water, getting up jurymasts and repairing +the worst damages, so that there might be a chance of keeping her afloat +should bad weather come on. Hitherto but little progress had been made. +All the sail which the _Wolf_ could carry was set. The prize was at +length able to help herself by hoisting a small amount of canvas. A +very sharp watch was kept for the appearance of any strange sail. + +At length, early on the second morning, the look-out from the masthead +of the _Wolf_ shouted, "A sail in the south-west!" + +The first lieutenant went aloft to have a look at her. On his return to +the deck, he reported that she was a large ship, standing on a course +which would soon bring her up to them. It was difficult, at that +distance, to say whether she was a frigate or a line-of-battle ship. + +"We must steer as we are," observed Captain Moubray. "Whatever she is, +we must fight her." + +He then hailed the prize, directing Lieutenant Jager to get all the guns +he could ready for use, so that he might be able to take a part in the +fight, should it be necessary. He was, however, to do his best to +escape, while the _Wolf_ engaged the stranger. + +The French officers on deck eagerly watched the ship coming up. As her +topsails rose above the horizon, various opinions were expressed about +her. Some thought that she might be the leading ship of a French +squadron; others that she was a British man-of-war. As, however, she +drew nearer, no other vessels were seen astern of her. One after the +other the officers went aloft, to try and discover her character. She +was soon pronounced to be a seventy-four, at least. The Frenchmen +became highly elated, having fully persuaded themselves that she was a +French line-of-battle ship. + +"Never mind, my friend," said one of them, "you have treated us well; we +hope soon to have an opportunity of showing our gratitude." + +"Much obliged to you," answered the first lieutenant, to whom the +observation was made. "It is not settled beyond doubt that yonder ship +belongs to your nation. There is something about the cut of her canvas +which tells me that she is an English line-of-battle ship. If she's an +enemy, we intend to fight her, and, if we can, enable our prize to +escape." + +"Morbleu!" exclaimed the Frenchman. "One might suppose that you rarely +capture a prize, you seem so anxious to retain the one you have now +got." + +On board the prize, all the preparations which could possibly be made +were carried out. Such guns as were uninjured were loaded, fresh +tackles rove. Her hard-worked crew recovered their spirits, and even +Ben, for a time, ceased to growl. Still, considering the battered state +of both ships, there seemed every probability, should the stranger turn +out to be an enemy, that they must fall into her hands; and that a +French prison would be their destination, instead of the triumphant +reception they expected to meet at home, and the prize-money with which +they hoped to fill their pockets. + +"It would be a great bore if that fellow does turn out to be a +Frenchman," observed Voules to Lord Reginald. "I was in hopes that you +would be able to get leave to pay another visit to Elverston Hall. It +would be a great pleasure to accompany you." + +"Of course, my dear fellow, I shall be delighted, as my father gives me +leave to bring any friends I like; though it appeared to me that you got +rather tired at last, or you wouldn't have taken to dangling after the +ladies in the curious fashion you did." + +"Tired! Oh dear no! their delightful society was sufficient attraction. +I was never happier in my life." + +"Well, the honest truth is, my brother John told me that he thought you +spent too much of your time with them, and he made one or two other +remarks which I don't wish to repeat. You'll take the hint, should you +go there again. However, instead of that, we may possibly have to spend +the next few months at Verdun, or some other delectable place in France. +I suppose they won't shut us up in the Bastile, or treat us as Napoleon +did Captain Wright?" + +"Oh, don't talk of that!" cried Voules. "We must hope that yonder ship +will prove to be a friend; for though the captain may resolve to fight +her, should she be an enemy, we must inevitably suffer severely, even if +we escape capture." + +As the stranger drew nearer and nearer, the excitement on board +increased. The countenances of the Frenchmen at length, however, began +to look blank. Then, as the glorious flag of England blew out from the +peak of the stranger, a cheer rose from the deck of the _Wolf_, which +was taken up by that of the prize. + +Signals were exchanged. The British ship made her number, the +_Triumph_, seventy-four, Captain Sir Thomas Hardy, one of the noblest +officers in the British service. Drawing nearer, and directing the +frigate to cast off, he took the prize in tow, and all three ships +proceeded together, as had previously been intended, to Plymouth. +Having arrived at the mouth of the harbour, the _Wolf_ once more took +charge of her prize, while the _Triumph_ again stood out to sea on her +cruise. Cheers saluted the _Wolf_ as she proceeded through the narrow +entrance to Hamoze, and scarcely had she dropped her anchor than +numberless boats were alongside, containing people of all ranks, eager +to hear an account of her victory. As soon as the prisoners and wounded +had been sent on shore, the decks of the prize were crowded with +visitors, and the Frenchmen lost no credit when it was seen to what a +state she had been reduced before they yielded. + +Ben found several old friends, with whom he had many long talks, though +what they were about Dick did not hear. The prize agents took charge of +the captured frigate, and her crew returned on board their own ship. +Battered as was the prize, she sold for a good sum, and was bought in by +the Government. Then came pay day, and many a golden guinea jingled in +the victors' pockets, though with most they did not jingle there long. +Leave being given to as many as could be spared to go on shore, scarcely +had the poor fellows landed than they were set upon by harpies of every +description, whose object was to extract the said golden guineas, which +Jack--not knowing what to do with--was willing enough to throw away. +Some of the brave heroes might have been seen driving about in a coach +and four, crowding the vehicle inside and out, with bottles and mugs on +the roof, cheering as they went. Others might have been met with +parading the streets, bedecked with pinchbeck watches and chains, which +they had purchased under the belief that they were pure gold; seldom +without a companion of the other sex on their arm, dressed out in the +finery their money had bought. The dancing saloons and grog shops were +crowded, few troubling themselves as to how the seamen were employed, +provided that they returned on board in due time with empty pockets, +ready to fight the battles of Old England, and win more prize-money, to +be expended in the same senseless fashion. + +The crew of the _Wolf_ had been turned over to a hulk, while the +dockyard people took possession of her to repair the numerous damages +she had received, with orders to proceed with all possible despatch. + +General leave had of course not been granted, for many of the crew who +had lately joined could not, it was considered, very justly be trusted: +the smugglers, the jailbirds, the pressed men, and the boys. A certain +number of old hands, together with the ever-faithful marines, were +retained on board to watch them. Grumbling was of course the order of +the day. + +Ben, being among those who could not obtain leave, was loud in his +complaints. He vowed that leave he would have, though it might be +French leave. "It is hard that a steady man, who never got drunk, and +always did his duty from the time he stepped on board, should not be +allowed to go on shore to send off his prize-money to his wife!" he +exclaimed. + +People still came off in considerable numbers every evening, to see the +victorious frigate; and although when the workmen were about they could +not go on her deck, they could see her from the hulk. + +"Now is your time, Dick," said Ben, one evening when the decks were more +than usually crowded. "Here's an old chum of mine alongside, Peter +Purkiss; he'll take us ashore and will rig us in smock-frocks and +gaiters, to look for all the world like countrymen. You slip first into +his boat, and as soon as it's dark I'll follow; we'll then start away +out of the town, and by the morning we shall be a long stretch off, my +boy; no fear of being caught then." + +Dick hesitated; he had often thought that if properly treated he should +like the service. The step his evil counsellor advised would be fatal +to all his best aspirations. + +"Do as you like," said Ben; "depend upon it that Lord Reginald won't +rest until he has seen you and the cat make acquaintance." + +At that moment Dick caught sight of the young lord talking to Voules. +They did not observe him, but he thought that there was something +sinister in the expression of their countenances. "They shan't catch +me, as they fancy they will," he said to himself. He no longer +hesitated. Several persons were descending the side; going down to the +main-deck, he slipped through a port into the boat Ben had pointed out. + +"Where is your shipmate Ben?" asked the old boatman. + +"He said that he was coming as soon as it was dark," answered Dick. + +Several other people from the shore got into the boat, and ordered old +Peter to land them without delay. Dick every moment expected to be +discovered and to hear a hail ordering him back, but no one had observed +him, and he was soon landed. + +"Now, lad," said the old man, "I'll take you to my house, as I promised. +Ben will no doubt come next trip. You must be smart, though, lest we +should meet any of your officers." + +As it was growing dusk Dick hoped not to be seen, and soon reached a +house not far from the water's edge. The boatman, taking him into a +small room, produced a carter's frock and gaiters, with a billycock hat +and a large red handkerchief to tie round his throat. + +"Put on these duds, and keep close until I come back, when you and Ben +may start together," said old Purkiss, as he left him to return to his +boat. + +"Maybe he'll find it a harder matter to slip away than I did," said Dick +to himself, "and if he doesn't come, I shall look foolish. Still, I +have no fancy to go back and be bullied by that Lord Reginald and his +toady Voules." + +Dick waited some hours; at last old Purkiss came back. + +"Poor Ben's in for it," he said. "He was just slipping down the side +when the master-at-arms laid hands on him, and I'm afraid he's in limbo +and very little chance of getting out of it until the ship goes to sea. +Whether or not he thought something of the sort might happen, I don't +know, but he gave me these ten guineas which he wants you to take to his +wife. It won't do, however, for you to stay longer here, unless you +wish to go back and be flogged to a certainty for attempting to desert. +I'd advise you to cut and run this very night. Now, lad, fair play's a +jewel. I am helping you off, and I expect to be paid for what I'm +doing, as well as for the clothes I got for you. A five-pound note will +satisfy me, though it wouldn't if you were not a chum of my old shipmate +Ben." + +Dick paid the money without hesitation, for he knew that old Purkiss +might have fleeced him, had he been so disposed, of every sixpence in +his pocket. + +"Now we are clear," said the old man, who prided himself on his honesty, +"and I want to give you a piece of advice, which mind you stick to. +Don't show your cash to any one, or you'll be robbed and murdered maybe. +I'll give you change for a guinea in sixpences and coppers; don't show +too many of them either; better by far pay in coppers for the food you +want, and sleep under haystacks or in barns until you reach home. You +may get a lift in a cart or waggon, but don't let anybody know you've +been on board a man-of-war. Just say you've been down to see an old +friend, Peter Purkiss, and that's true for the most part, and that you +are going home again to your father and mother. Now, lad, it's time to +be off. I'll put you in the way out of the town, and when once you are +in the country strike away north-east. You've got Dartmoor to cross, +and as it's a wildish tract, I'd advise you to get a lift if you can +until you are over it. If you can't get a lift, don't attempt to cross +it at night, or you may lose yourself." + +Peter, who was a good-natured old fellow, though his morality was not of +the strictest order, gave Dick a hearty supper, then, taking a thick +stick in hand, started off with him, walking at a rapid pace until they +reached the confines of Plymouth--a much smaller town in those days than +it is at present. Dick then, having received directions from the old +man as to the road he was to take, commenced what he had made up his +mind would be a long tramp homewards. + +He was strong and active, and had not been long enough at sea to lose +his shore legs. The night being clear, he was able to see the road, and +he knew by the position of the Great Bear, which he always kept on his +left hand, that he was going in the right direction. The dread he felt +of being overtaken by a pressgang, or by the seamen of his own ship, +whom he thought might be sent in pursuit, made him walk all the faster. +It was with difficulty indeed at first that he restrained himself from +breaking into a run; but he guessed rightly that he would thus be more +likely to be stopped by any one who might meet him, and he restrained +himself, continuing on only at a rapid walk. Every now and then, +however, he turned his head over his shoulder, fancying that he heard +footsteps, expecting to find himself seized and carried back to be +ignominiously flogged--a fate he well knew would be in store for him, +should he be caught. He was not, however, very well contented with +himself. He was perfectly aware of the light in which the crime of +desertion was regarded; and that he was abandoning all hopes of rising +in the service, for which he had always had a liking, notwithstanding +the way Ben had abused it. He had sufficient discernment to distinguish +the good, true-hearted seamen from the bad, and he had observed that the +former were well treated and looked on with respect by their officers. +Then the recollection of the way Lord Reginald and Toady Voules had +behaved to him would occur. "If it hadn't been for them, and others +like them, I should have been happy enough on board, and willing to do +my duty," he exclaimed. "I should have got on very well with Mr Bitts, +for he was always kind in his way, and wanted to make a seaman of me; +and I should have been one, for he was ready to show me how to do +everything I wanted to learn. However, it's all past now, and I must go +back to the plough. I must take care, though, that Mr Gooch doesn't +hear of my being at home again, or he will be down upon me. I suspect +that father will be afraid of that, and will be sending me off to a farm +away from home, so that, after all, I shall not be with him and mother +and Janet. I've half a mind even now to go back again--but then there's +this flogging, and Lord Reginald would be down upon me more than ever; +and what would Ben say? and old Purkiss would get it for helping me +off." + +Such were some of Dick's meditations as he trudged on during the night, +making good about four miles an hour, so that he was nearly thirty miles +away from Plymouth when morning broke. He still walked on until he came +to a roadside inn, where, feeling very hungry, he stopped for breakfast. +While the landlady was cooking some eggs and bacon, he fell asleep, +with his head on the table. + +"What ails you, lad?" said the woman, as she placed the smoking hot dish +near him, and shook him by the shoulder. "It's not the time o' day +people who have had a night's rest take to sleeping." + +"But I haven't had a night's rest," answered Dick, rousing himself. "I +have been walking on all the morning; but I am more hungry than sleepy, +so I thank you for the eggs and bacon, and would be glad of a jug of ale +to wash them down." + +The landlady, still looking at him somewhat suspiciously--detecting, +perhaps, the seaman's shirt below his frock--placed the ale before him. +From the questions she put to him, Dick thought that she guessed who he +was, and deemed it prudent to again set off. Recollecting Peter's +advice, he produced sixpence to pay for his breakfast, and then at once +took his leave. For another hour or more he trudged on, until he became +so weary that he could scarcely move. He saw a haystack a short +distance from the road, inviting him to rest beneath it. Hardly had he +thrown himself down on the lee side, away from the public path, than he +was fast asleep. + +It was late in the afternoon before he awoke, when he continued his +journey, stopping only at the first inn he came to that he might obtain +some food. He at length reached Exeter, but as he saw seamen moving +about and ships in the distance, he was afraid of stopping there, and, +passing through it, he again found himself in the country. + +Many a weary mile he trudged on. What might be in store for him he +could not tell, but anything would be better than going back. Puzzling +questions were often asked him, and he ran, on several occasions, great +risk of being detected. His sun-burnt countenance and seaman's roll, +which he had already acquired, often nearly betrayed him. + +As he approached his home, the anxiety to get safely to his journey's +end increased. At length, passing through Christchurch, he recognised +the familiar scenery of his native district. The high white cliffs of +the Isle of Wight, the Needle rocks below them, and the tall lighthouse +of Hurst, with its cheese-like castle, bathed in a rich glow from the +rays of the setting sun. He sat down on the top of the cliff, and +considered--while he ate some bread and cheese he had obtained at his +last stopping-place--in which direction he should bend his steps. +Longing as he did to go home, he was anxious to fulfil Ben's commission +by delivering the money entrusted to him for Susan. He decided to do +this first. + +"She'll be longing, poor woman! to hear of her husband; and it won't +make much difference to father and mother whether I get home an hour or +two later." + +Having come to this resolution, he hurried on, wishing to reach Keyhaven +soon after dark, as he had no desire to be seen by any one. He reached +Susan's cottage. + +"Who's there?" asked a voice from within, in reply to his knock. + +"Open the door, and I'll tell you," he answered. + +Susan herself admitted him, though he would scarcely have known her, so +pale and wan did she look. She did not know him, and he had to tell her +who he was. She then began to make inquiries about "her good man." + +Dick had no very satisfactory account to give. All he could say was +that Ben had intended to desert and come home, but that in all +probability he had been caught and kept on board. "He did not forget +you, however," said Dick, presenting ten guineas to the poor woman. + +At the sight of the money Susan's countenance brightened. "Bless him! +he was always kind and ready to give when he had it; but it is the last, +I much fear, I shall ever get from him!" she exclaimed, and then burst +into tears. + +"I hope not," said Dick. "The ship will be paid off some day, and then +he will be able to come home, with plenty more in his pocket. I have +sometimes wished that I had stopped, but he advised me to run with him; +and it might have been better if I had been caught, and he got away." + +"It cannot be helped, Dick," said Susan, inclined to take the matter +very philosophically; "though when the ten guineas are gone--and they +can't last for ever--I don't know what I shall do. If it hadn't been +for them, I should have been in the workhouse next week." + +"I must tell my mother about you," said Dick; "maybe she'll send some +food for you and the children." + +"Your mother will be a long way off, Dick. You haven't heard, maybe, +that they are going to leave the farm next week, and have taken one the +other side of Christchurch. Your father, after all, accepted Lord +Elverston's offer, though it was what my good man always said he would +not do if he was in his place, and the farm is to be taken into the +park. It was a sore trial to your father and mother, but after you went +they seemed not to care what became of them." + +"And Janet! Have you heard how she is?" asked Dick, eagerly. + +"She's better than she was, and it is said she's at the bottom of the +matter." + +"How's that?" asked Dick, somewhat astonished. + +"Why, Lady Elverston, who is a very kind lady--and even those who don't +like my lord confess that--was very often at your cottage, and one day +she told your mother that she thought Janet's sight might be restored. +She promised to take her up to London to a doctor of some sort, who +makes blind people see, they say. So it is all arranged, and after that +your father gave in. As soon as they move to their new home, Janet is +to go up with my lady." + +Dick could scarcely believe what he heard, and was now, naturally +enough, in a greater hurry than ever to get home. He promised, if he +could manage it, to come back and see Mrs Rudall again. + +In better spirits than he had been for some time, he set off on his walk +home. He had not much fear of being recognised, since Susan had failed +to know him. He therefore took the shortest road. Seeing a light +beaming through the window, he guessed that his father and mother were +still up. The door, however, was bolted. He knocked loudly, crying +out, "Let me in! let me in!" + +"Oh, that's Dick!" he heard Janet exclaim. + +The door was hastily opened, and in another minute he was in his +mother's arms. + +"Where do you come from?" asked his father, somewhat sternly. "You have +given us all a great fright about you since we found that letter which +you left in your room; and the rumours we heard did little to allay it." + +Dick expressed his contrition, declaring that he had acted for the best, +and then gave, as briefly as he could, an account of himself up to the +present time. + +"No man must do evil that good may come of it, and in this case I don't +see that any good has come of it," said his father. "You leagued +yourself with smugglers and got pressed in consequence, and now you have +run from your ship, perhaps to be seized and carried back as a +deserter." + +"But I must take care not to be seized, and am ready to stop and work +with you, father. I deserted because I was forced to serve against my +will, though I found the life on board not so bad as I expected, and if +it hadn't been for the bullying I got from Lord Reginald and that other +midshipman, I would have remained where I was." + +Mrs Hargrave and Janet now took Dick's part, and his father was +ultimately pacified, though, as he said, it went against the grain to +have a son of his called a deserter, however ill he might have been +treated. Dick found that the account Susan had given him about Janet +was correct; that she was shortly to accompany Lady Elverston to London, +to be put under a celebrated oculist, and to undergo the operation of +couching. + +"Bless her ladyship's heart for her kindness!" said Mrs Hargrave. + +"We have not many days to remain here, and I must have you stay +in-doors, lest you should be seen by any who have an ill will against +you, Dick," observed his father. + +"I don't think they would know me any more than Susan Rudall did when I +paid her a visit," answered Dick. "I'd rather not be boxed up in the +house, if I can help it. I should soon fall sick after being accustomed +to the sea air so long." + +"Better remain in-doors at home than be locked up in a prison," observed +his father. "It is a sad thing for me to have to say it, but remember, +Dick, you have made yourself liable to that, and it will be wiser for +you to remain in hiding until we go to our new farm and people have +forgotten all about you." + +Dick did not longer argue the point, but he made no promises. His +mother, observing how weary he was, and that he could scarcely keep his +eyes open, suggested that he should go to bed, and gladly acting on the +advice he staggered off to his room, which remained exactly as he had +left it. + +Dick took a day to recover from his fatigue and, after that, shut up in +his room, be began to find the time pass heavily away. His mother was +engaged in household affairs, and in preparing for the removal, while +his father was absent from home until late in the evening, having to +make more than one trip to the new farm. Janet came and sat with him +frequently. She was in good spirits at the anticipation of recovering +her sight, about which she was very sanguine. Still Dick pined for +fresh air. "You ought to get out," he said to Janet, "instead of +sitting all day shut up here. I'll chance it; put on your shawl and +bonnet; we are not likely to meet any one, and if we do they'll not +interfere with us." + +Janet, without further consideration, forgetting her father's warning, +agreed, and she leaning on Dick's arm, they took their way down a green +lane in which she especially delighted, and which turned off near the +house. She knew that scarcely any one passed that way, as she had +frequently gone along it alone, with her dog to guide her. Tempted by +the pleasantness of the evening, they went on for some distance, through +a forest glade. + +"We ought to be going back," said Janet at length, "for I feel the air +damp, though you don't find it out, Dick, and I know that the sun must +have set." + +"There will be plenty of light for me to see my way home," answered +Dick; "but we will turn, as you wish it." + +They had not got far on their way back, when Janet felt Dick give a +start, and she heard the sound of horses' approaching at a quick pace. + +"What do you see?" she asked. + +Dick did not answer; he was looking about to find some place of +concealment. Had he been alone he could easily have hid himself, but he +could not leave Janet. The horsemen approached rapidly. Dick tried to +walk on in an unconcerned manner. In another minute they were up to +him, and he saw Lord Reginald and Mr Voules. He felt sure that they +recognised him, for he saw the latter turn to the young lord and make +some remark, though, possibly on Janet's account, he did not speak +sufficiently loud to allow what he said to be heard. They both, +however, stared very hard, and then passed on, allowing Dick and his +sister to proceed on their way. + +"Who are those persons?" asked Janet. + +Dick told her, but, not wishing to alarm her, observed, "If they knew +me, they didn't think it worth while to interfere. I don't suppose any +harm will come of it." + +Janet, however, became very anxious. "As they are officers of the ship +you ran away from, they'll think it right to take you. Oh, Dick! you +must try and hide where they can't find you. It would be dreadful to +have you carried off again!" + +"Don't tell father and mother, then; it will frighten them, and I'll see +what's best to be done. Both these fellows hate me, and I don't suppose +they will let me remain in quiet. They were afraid of attempting to +seize me, for they knew well that they would have found it a tough job." + +It did not occur to Dick that he enjoyed his safety at the moment from +being in company with his blind sister, as Lord Reginald, at all events, +was unwilling to interfere with him. + +Janet, in her eagerness to get home, almost dragged Dick along, and he +felt her arm tremble as she thought of the danger to which he was +exposed. According to his wish, she said nothing to her mother of the +encounter. Mr Hargrave was not expected home until late. Dick had +been thinking of what he should do. As soon as he had had supper, Janet +having gone to her room, he jumped up, saying-- + +"Mother! that young lord and his friend are at the hall, and they have +seen me. They may not trouble themselves about me, but I'd rather not +trust them. I'll go off and hide somewhere; and if they send here, you +can say that you don't know where I am. Tell father that I am sorry, +very sorry, that he should be troubled so much about me; but it cannot +be helped now. Those two midshipmen will be joining their ship soon. +It won't be long before she's ready for sea again, and then I may go +back to the new farm without fear. No one in that neighbourhood will +know me, and I'll promise to work hard and make amends to you and +father, and keep clear of smugglers in future." + +Mrs Hargrave was naturally much grieved, but she had no other proposal +to offer. She knew the angry feelings which existed between her son, +and the young lord, and thought it best that they should not again run +the risk of meeting. + +"But where do you intend going?" she asked. + +"That's the very thing I don't want you to know, mother," he answered. +"You can now say honestly that I left home, and that you have no idea +where I went to. Good-bye, give my love and duty to father." + +Mrs Hargrave embraced Dick with tears in her eyes. He ran in to wish +Janet good-bye. + +"I have told mother all about it," he said. "Keep up your spirits! no +harm will come to me. I need only keep away for a week or two, and as +soon as the ship sails, I shall be all safe." + +Janet was not so satisfied as her brother appeared to be on that point. +She threw her arms round his neck, and burst into tears. + +"Cheer up, cheer up!" said Dick, "I know I am a brute to have made you +all so unhappy, but when I come home again I intend to turn over a new +leaf." + +Janet held his hand. An indefinite fear of what might happen seized +her. He tore himself away, half inclined to be angry with her and his +mother, for making so much fuss about the matter, and rushed outside the +house. He soon turned off the high road and hurried on along a path in +the direction of Keyhaven. + +"I'll get Susan Rudall to stow me away. She'll be grateful to me for +bringing her the money, and, as I've got a few guineas in my pocket, I +can pay her well for keeping me, and it will be an advantage to her," he +said to himself. "I must take care that no one sees me going into her +cottage, and I don't suppose the young lord or that fellow Voules will +think of looking for me there." + +The night was dark, but Dick, who knew the way, ran on, stopping every +now and then to listen if any one was approaching. He had got close to +Keyhaven, when it became necessary to use more caution, as people who +knew him might probably be about, and should an inquiry be set on foot +they might state that they had met him. He had almost reached Susan's +cottage when, turning up an angle of the road, he found himself close to +several men who were coming up it. He stopped, he could not go on +without passing between them. Acting on the impulse of the moment, he +turned and ran back, hoping to find some place where he might conceal +himself until they had passed. + +"Stop that fellow, whoever he is!" shouted a voice, in an authoritative +tone. + +A couple of men darted forward, and before Dick had got many paces away +he found himself seized by the shoulder. + +"Halloa, my fine fellow! who are you? and what are you about?" asked one +of the men. + +"I am going to visit a neighbour," answered Dick, trying to free +himself. + +"You must come back to our officer first, and give an account of +yourself," said the first speaker, whom Dick recognised as a +man-of-war's man. + +Resistance was useless, and he made no further attempt to escape. The +officer and the rest of the men soon came up, and Dick repeated the +account he had given of himself. + +"Very fine!" was the answer; "but you must come up to the station, and +if Lieutenant Hilton knows you he will be able to state how far what you +tell us is true." + +Dick, making no answer, walked on between his two captors. From what he +could make out, the men belonged to a revenue cutter, which had dropped +anchor off Hurst that evening, in consequence of information received of +some smuggling work likely to take place in the neighbourhood. + +"My ill luck!" thought Dick. "If it hadn't been for that I should have +got down to Susan's without difficulty, and now, because I am known to +have been on board the _Nancy_, they'll accuse me of being concerned in +this matter, of which I never so much as heard, until this moment." + +Dick was perfectly right in his conjectures. Lieutenant Hilton, who had +just returned from visiting the neighbouring posts, no sooner set eyes +on Dick, than he exclaimed, "Why, that's young Hargrave, the very fellow +Lord Reginald Oswald was speaking to me about, not an hour ago, a +deserter from the _Wolf_, a desperate young ruffian, by all accounts. +I'll hand him over to you Mason, to carry on board your cutter, but you +must take good care that he doesn't escape." + +The commander of the cutter laughed. "I'll clap him in irons, and he'll +be clever if he gets his wrists out of them," he answered. + +Dick was led down to the beach by the cutter's crew, who at once pulled +on board. Being hauled up the side without ceremony, he was handed down +below, and a pair of handcuffs were placed on his wrists. + +"You've had a long run on shore, my lad, and it is to be hoped you +enjoyed yourself," said the seaman who was fastening them on. "I +wouldn't stand in your shoes for something, let me tell you. You've +heard tell of Tim Macarthy, who three times ran from his ship, and got +hanged. You must look out that the same doesn't happen to you if you +play that trick again." + +Dick made no reply; his spirit was so utterly broken that he could have +burst into tears, had he not made a strong effort to restrain himself. + +"They shan't see me play the woman, if I can help it," he said to +himself; "but if ever I have the chance I'll make that Lord Reginald pay +for it. If he hadn't informed against me, the chances are I should have +got off. He and his messmate hadn't the courage to stop me by +themselves, and so they must needs gallop off and tell that lieutenant +that they had seen me. What a fool I was to go down to Keyhaven, +instead of striking away inland, where I should have been safe from +them. Now, I suppose I shall be flogged and branded as a deserter, and +perhaps be hung, as that fellow says. I shouldn't care if I had changed +my name, I should not like to bring disgrace on my father and mother. +It would break their hearts to know such had been my fate." + +These, and if possible, still more gloomy thoughts passed through Dick's +mind, until, leaning his head against the side of the vessel, near which +he had been placed, he fell off into a troubled slumber. + + + +CHAPTER NINE. + +TREATMENT OF THE PRISONERS--CHASED BY A PRIVATEER--THE PRESSED MEN +ARMED--THE FIGHT--DICK'S GALLANTRY--CAPTURE OF THE LUGGER--PRIZE CREW +SENT ON BOARD--ATTEMPT OF THE FRENCHMEN TO TAKE THE CUTTER--DICK +HARGRAVE'S PRESENCE OF MIND--RECEPTION ON BOARD THE FRIGATE--NEARLY +FLOGGED--BEN RUDALL'S STATEMENT--THE CAPTAIN'S DILEMMA--DICK'S +GRATITUDE. + +Dick was not the only occupant of the cutter's hold. There were several +other men--some pressed, others released from prison on condition of +serving on board the fleet; and these for security were kept down below, +until they were placed on board the ships for which they were destined. +Besides them there were a few volunteers, mostly young men, who had +joined at the places at which the cutter had touched. + +Daylight was streaming down the hatchway when Dick awoke. The cutter +was still at anchor. He knew that although he was so near home there +was no chance of his friends learning where he was, and of their trying +to obtain his release. His father he would rather not see. He made +out, from the conversation going on around him, that the cutter was +bound down to Plymouth, with men for the _Wolf_, to replace those who +had been killed and wounded. If he had any wish, it was that the vessel +would get under way. He was eager to face the worst, and get it over as +soon as possible. A dull stupor at length came over him, and for long +he sat neither asleep nor awake, without thinking. He could hear the +tramp of feet overhead; still the vessel remained stationary. He was +aroused when the breakfast was served out to him and the other +prisoners. He ate mechanically, exchanging only a few words with those +near him, and then went off into the same state as before. At length he +heard feet descending the companion ladder, and looking up, he saw the +officer who had captured him holding a lantern in his hand, accompanied +by two persons, whom he recognised as Lord Reginald and Mr Voules. + +"Is that the young fellow, my lord, who deserted from the _Wolf_," asked +the officer. + +"No doubt about it," answered Lord Reginald. "I'm glad you have caught +him." + +"I should have known him from among a hundred," said Voules, "though he +has got out of his sea rig. Take care that he doesn't get away from +you. I should be sorry if he escapes the flogging he'll get on board!" + +"You see I have him fast enough at present," answered the officer, +pointing to the handcuffs on Dick's wrists, "He may be very clever, but +he'll not get out of those in a hurry." + +The midshipmen looked round, but could identify no other prisoners as +deserters from their ship. + +"I shall not sail until the tide makes to the westward; so if your +lordship intends to honour me by returning in the cutter to Plymouth, +you will have time to go back to Elverston and get your traps," Dick +heard the lieutenant observe as they ascended the companion ladder; but +the reply did not reach his ears. As the cutter remained stationary, he +had good reason to fear that the two midshipmen would take a passage in +her, and that he should be subjected to their taunts and ill-treatment, +and have no chance of being set at liberty, which he might otherwise +have had when they once got to sea. Whether or not he was right in his +conjectures he could not tell. He heard several persons come on board; +then the anchor was hove up, and the cutter got under way. He would +have given much to have sent a message on shore, but he had no +opportunity. + +A fresh breeze carried the cutter along at a good rate. Before +nightfall she was off Portland. Hitherto neither Lord Reginald nor +Voules had come below. + +"I only hope they'll not show themselves, for it will be a hard matter +to keep a quiet tongue in my head if they speak to me," thought Dick. +"It will be all the same, though, for I shall be flogged to a certainty +when I am on board again, and I should like to give them my mind first." + +Though below, Dick could judge pretty accurately what the cutter was +about. She was evidently making little or no way, for he could hear not +the slightest sound of a ripple against her side. She lay, indeed, +becalmed, in West Bay, between Portland and The Start. It was night, +and the men round him were asleep, as their loud snores in various tones +told him. He would have had no inclination to talk, however, had they +been awake. The only other sounds which reached him were the occasional +footsteps of the watch on deck, as they paced over his head, or the +creaking of the jaws of the mainboom and gaff, and, now and then, the +flap of the mainsail. In vain he tried to get one subject out of his +head--the thought of the flogging. Not that he dreaded the pain he +should suffer one-tenth part so much as he did the disgrace. His +father's heart would well-nigh break should he hear of it. The stout +English yeoman was as proud in his way as was the Marquis of Elverston. + +"It is he--he, that Lord Reginald, who has brought me to this!" he +muttered, clenching his fists and grinding his teeth. "If ever I have +the chance I will be revenged on him! I must, I could not help it." +Dick conjured up a fearful picture--the young lord in his power, his +hand upon his throat. He forgot that it was through his own folly that +he had enabled Lord Reginald to treat him in the way he had done. Had +he kept free of the smugglers, had he not been tempted to desert, Lord +Reginald, when exhibiting his ill feeling, would have been seen by all +to be in the wrong. + +The cutter made no way during the night, and though she drifted to the +westward with one tide, the flood carried her as far back again; so that +when morning broke The Start and Portland Bill were almost at equal +distances from her. Dick dozed off while the crew were washing decks. +He was only fully aroused when, as before, breakfast was brought down +for the prisoners. After some time, sounds of laughter and frequent +footsteps reached his ears, and he guessed that the commander with his +young passengers were walking the deck after their breakfast. Presently +he heard the former order the steward to hand him his spyglass. + +"What is she, Mr Mason?" asked Lord Reginald. + +"A large lugger, at all events. She may be a Jersey privateer, or she +may be French. As she is bringing up a fresh breeze from the eastward, +we shall know more about her soon." + +"Suppose she is French, shall you attack her?" asked Voules, in a tone +which showed no great satisfaction at the thoughts of such an event +taking place. + +"She is more likely to attack us, as she probably carries six or eight +guns and one long nine-pounder. Such is the armament of most of those +craft, and twice as many hands as we can muster, while we have only got +our four small carronades, which are of very little use except at close +quarters." + +"Then I suppose we shall have to run for it," said Voules; "there'll be +no honour or glory in fighting her." + +"I shouldn't like to have to run from an enemy unless she was very much +larger than yonder craft appears to be," exclaimed Lord Reginald. + +"As to that, my lord, we must do our best not to be taken, and shall +have to fight for it. We have hands enough to work our guns, but if she +runs us aboard, her numerous crew will tell fearfully in her favour." + +"But you have a good many prisoners below; I suppose they could be +trusted to help us?" said Lord Reginald. + +"I shouldn't like to put cutlasses into their hands; they might turn +against us," observed Voules. + +"No fear of that," answered the lieutenant; "they are Englishmen, and if +they see an enemy will fight fast enough. I shall trust them, at all +events, and as soon as I can make out whether yonder lugger hails from +Jersey or not, I will have them on deck and arm them." + +Dick, as he heard this, heartily hoped that the stranger might prove an +enemy. The rest of the prisoners, he judged, from the remarks they +made, were much of his way of thinking. + +"The mounseers won't make any difference between us and the crew, if +we're taken," observed one of the men. + +"Right there, mate; better have a jolly stand-up fight than be sitting +down here all day, doing nothing," remarked another. + +The officers had gone aft, and Dick could not hear what was said. In a +short time, however, he knew that the cutter was moving by the rippling +against her side. + +Presently she heeled over slightly, showing that the breeze was +freshening, and he heard the order to set the squaresail and +square-topsail. There was little doubt, then, that the commander was +following the advice given by Mr Voules, making the best of his way to +the westward. He would do that under ordinary circumstances. It was +still uncertain whether the lugger which had brought up the breeze was a +friend or an enemy. + +He had heard the order to hoist the ensign, and some time afterwards a +voice called out, "That's a French craft, I'll take my davy, though we +can't see her colours." + +Again some time elapsed, when a gun was heard, but the sound was so +faint that Dick thought the vessel which fired it must be at a great +distance. Presently Mr Mason came down into the hold. + +"Lads," he said, looking round, "you are all Englishmen, though you are +pressed against your will to serve his Majesty. I put it to you, +whether--as I think it likely we are somewhat over-matched--you'll fight +to preserve this vessel and to save yourself being carried to a French +prison. I have come down to give you your liberty, as I am sure that +you will all make the same answer, and if cutlasses are put into your +hands, that you'll fight as bravely as any men on board. We shall then, +I have no fear, lick the lugger, and carry her as a prize into Plymouth +harbour." + +A hearty cheer was given. "We'll thrash the mounseers; no fear about +that," answered the men; Dick joining as warmly as any one. + +The men's handcuffs were soon taken off. Dick, on finding himself free, +sprang to his feet and grasped the cutlass which was put into his hands. +On reaching the deck he found the cutter was prepared for action. Two +of the guns were trained aft, boarding-pikes were placed along the +bulwarks. An arm-chest stood open, containing pistols, hand-grenades, +swords, and cutlasses, while a number of muskets lay on the companion +hatch. + +The two midshipmen, with pistols in their belts and cutlasses at their +sides, stood watching the lugger, which under press of sail was coming +up astern. She was evidently a much faster craft than the cutter, +though the latter was a stout vessel of her class. The lugger now began +to fire her long gun; the shot, though failing to strike, pitched +sometimes on one side, sometimes on the other side of the cutter. + +"Why don't we try and knock away some of her spars?" observed Lord +Reginald. + +"Little use firing our pop-guns," answered the commander; "our shot +won't reach her as yet." + +Presently the long gun sent its missile through the cutter's squaresail. +Another shortly afterwards made a second hole, but did no other damage. + +"Those fellows know how to handle their gun. We shall see how they +behave when we get them within range of ours. Stand by, Beal, to give +it them," he said to the gunner, who had brought a match from the galley +fire. + +The guns were fired almost simultaneously. What effect their shot +produced could not be seen, though Beal declared that one, if not both, +struck the lugger. They did not, however, stop her way. She fired her +long gun in return. It was well aimed, for down came the squaresail, +the halliards shot away. The lugger's crew were heard cheering. + +"Shout away, my fine fellows!" cried Beal; "we'll make you sing a +different note if you come alongside." + +Hands were instantly ordered to repair the damage. It took some time, +however, to bend fresh halliards and hoist up the yard. During the +interval, the lugger had gained considerably on the cutter, but this +enabled the latter to fire her stern chasers with more effect. The men +worked vigorously, loading and firing almost as fast as the lugger's +crew did their long gun. Still, with short guns the aim was uncertain, +and of the many shots fired, comparatively few did any damage to the +enemy. Mr Mason's object was to get to the other side of The Start, +when probably the firing might attract the attention of some man-of-war +near the mouth of Plymouth harbour, which might come out to the rescue. +He was determined, however, to fight to the last, rather than yield his +vessel. The Frenchman's object was evidently to knock away some of the +cutter's spars, to get alongside as soon as possible, trusting to obtain +the victory by boarding her, well aware of the small crew she was likely +to carry; probably, also, supposing that she conveying specie or +valuable stores to Plymouth, as was frequently done, instead of sending +them by land. Most of the damage inflicted on the cutter was therefore +aloft. Her sails already showed many holes. Her starboard backstay had +been shot away, her topmast was wounded, though it still stood. Mr +Mason now made preparations for what he saw was inevitable. + +"When the cutter boards, my lads, remember we must not only drive back +the boarders, but follow them into their own vessel and take her. Even +if we wished it, should we lose any of our spars, we could not get away +from her. It is pretty certain that her guns are heavier than ours. +Lord Reginald, I'll get you to stand by the helm with half a dozen hands +to manage the cutter in case we are separated, and all the rest of you +will board with me. Lads, I'll depend upon you to carry that craft. I +know what privateersmen are like, when they see cold steel in their +faces. They'll come on boldly enough at first, but when once beaten +back, they'll turn tail like hounds, and skulk for shelter below." + +The cheers which rose from the throats of the crew, joined in heartily +by Dick and the rest of the pressed men, gave promise of victory, in +spite of the odds which might be against them. The firing was continued +by both vessels as fast as the guns could be loaded, the lugger +gradually gaining on the chase. + +The lieutenant ordered as many hands as were required, to drag over the +two stern guns to the side on which the lugger might come up; while the +other two were loaded with musket-balls ready to fire into her. + +At length, a shot aimed high by the lugger struck the cutter's topmast. +The spar held on for a minute, but a stronger puff of wind filling the +sail, with a loud crash it gave way, and down came the gaff-topsail and +square-topsail. The mainsail and squaresail still, however, stood. The +lugger now came up hand over hand. The two stern chasers were once more +fired. The lugger was steering for the cutter's starboard quarter. In +a few minutes the guns were dragged over to the starboard side and run +through the two after ports, while the other remaining gun was hauled up +with equal rapidity to the same side. + +"Lower away the squaresail; down with the helm. Now fire, lads!" + +Four guns were simultaneously discharged, raking the lugger fore and +aft. The next instant the helm was again put up, or the lugger would +have run into her stem on. Instead of this, striking on the counter, +she ranged up alongside. A large body of men were seen grouped on the +forecastle armed with pikes and cutlasses. The moment the sides of the +two vessels touched, with loud shouts, led by one of their officers, +they leaped on board, many to meet their doom, for before they reached +the deck they were cut down by the stalwart arms of the British seamen. +Others followed, but, met with a bristling array of pikes and cutlasses +in their faces, they dared not spring from their own bulwarks. The men +aft, under the command of Lord Reginald, had been keeping up a warm fire +of musketry, when the lieutenant, turning his head, saw a party of the +enemy kept in reserve, about to board the cutter aft. He instantly +sprang towards the threatened point, followed by several who had +gallantly been keeping the first party of boarders in check. Among them +was Dick Hargrave and several of his companions. Leading the French +boarders was a big fellow with huge bushy whiskers, and a red +handkerchief tied round his head. With a sword of a size which few men +could have wielded, he made a desperate slash at the lieutenant, which +would have brought him to the deck, had not Dick sprang forward and, +interposing his cutlass, dealt the next instant such a blow on the sword +arm of the giant, that the fellow's weapon dropped from his hand. + +"Thank you, my good fellow, I saw what you did," said the lieutenant. +"Now lads, we will drive these Frenchmen below, as we promised them. +All of you follow me!" and, led by the lieutenant and Dick, the English +crew threw themselves on the lugger's deck, trusting rather to their +cutlasses and stout arms than to any other weapons. + +Voules, with those who had remained on the cutter's forecastle, now +gained a footing on the fore part of the lugger's deck. Her crew fought +bravely, but besides their big officer, many of them were cut down. +Inch by inch the lieutenant and his men made their way forward, until +the quarter-deck was cleared, the Frenchmen being either killed or +wounded, or driven down the main-hatchway or overboard. One of their +officers alone remained alive, and, seeing that all hope of gaining the +victory was lost, he shouted out "We surrender!" Dick, who knew the +meaning of the cry, repeated it in English, and running aft to the peak +halliards, quickly hauled down the Frenchman's ensign. + +"Well done, my lad!" cried Lieutenant Mason. "I'll not forget you." + +The Frenchmen, who had hitherto kept their cutlasses in their hands, +threw them on the deck, asking for quarter for themselves and their +companions below. Their officer, coming aft, surrendered his sword. +Those below now being called up one by one, were transferred to the +cutter's hold, and Mr Voules, with eight men, including Dick Hargrave, +was sent on board the lugger to navigate her into Plymouth. + +"You will keep close to me, Mr Voules," said Lieutenant Mason, "for I +have as many prisoners on board as I can well manage, and should they be +disposed to rise upon us they might succeed if we don't keep a bright +look-out." + +The French privateersmen were indeed a very rough-looking set of +fellows. By the way they had fought they showed that they were capable +of daring and doing any act of violence. Although nearly twenty had +been killed or wounded, they still far outnumbered the cutter's crew, +now reduced by three killed and five wounded, as well as by those sent +on board the lugger. + +The two vessels were soon separated, though they kept as close as they +could together. Voules and his men had enough to do, heaving the dead +overboard and attending to the wounded, while they had to wash down the +bloodstained decks. Some of the rigging, too, required knotting and +splicing, and several shot-holes had to be plugged in the vessel's side. +It was the first command Voules had ever enjoyed, and he walked the +deck with his spyglass under his arm, issuing his orders in an +authoritative tone. At last his eye fell upon Dick, who was engaged in +some work which it appeared he was not doing according to the +midshipman's notion of the way it ought to be done. + +"What are you about there, you lubberly hound?" he shouted out, +springing up to him with a rope's end. Dick leaped out of his way, and +the uplifted rope fell on the back of another man, who turned round with +a look of no little astonishment. + +"I beg pardon, sir, but you hit somewhat hard," said the man. "I'll +splice this here rope for the lad, for if he's not quite up to it, he +knows how to use his cutlass, at any rate. If it hadn't been for him, +our commander would be among those poor fellows who have lost the number +of their mess in this here fight." + +"Belay the slack of your jaw, fellow!" exclaimed Voules, turning away. + +The man thrust his tongue into his cheek as he caught the eye of another +seaman standing near him. + +Dick kept out of the midshipman's way as much as he could, though he +continued actively engaged as before. His spirits rose with the feeling +that he was at liberty, and that he had gained Lieutenant Mason's good +opinion. "I wish that I had been allowed to remain on board the cutter. +I could serve under her commander, and do my duty. But when I get on +board the frigate, all will be changed, I fear," he said to himself; +"however, I must not think about that. I must do my duty as well as I +can now, and maybe he'll speak a word for me, though I have little to +expect from such fellows as Mr Voules and his friend." + +The breeze continued, The Start was passed, the Eddystone light came in +sight. No one on board the vessels turned in. The whole crew on board +the lugger could only just manage her sails, while that of the cutter +were required to keep a watch on the prisoners. The two vessels kept +close together, Voules every now and then hailing the cutter, to learn +if all was right on board her. The lugger had twice to shorten sail, or +she would have run ahead. Dick, as he walked forward, kept his eye on +the cutter. The idea had come into his head that the Frenchmen might +rise on their captors. He had formed a higher estimate of their courage +than had most of his shipmates. The lugger was now about twenty fathoms +off on the cutter's quarter. Voules, who had become very hungry, +telling the man at the helm to keep the vessel as she was going, dived +below, in the hopes of finding something to eat. Two or three of the +men, following his example, had gone below, with the same object in +view. Dick, who was standing on the lugger's forecastle, with his eye +turned towards the cutter, suddenly saw a flash, though there was no +report. This was immediately followed by shouts and oaths. + +"Starboard!" he cried out to the man at the helm; "there's something +going wrong on board the cutter." + +The lugger was just then feeling the breeze, and forging ahead. This +brought her bows close to the cutter's side. Dick could see that a +struggle was going on around the main hatchway, up which a number of +figures were forcing themselves. His cries brought the lugger's men +forward. To lash the two vessels together was the work of a moment, and +then he, with five of his shipmates, leaped down on the cutter's deck. +Their arrival turned the scales in favour of the crew, who, surprised by +a sudden uprising of the French prisoners, were struggling hard to keep +them down, several having incautiously unbuckled their cutlasses while +engaged in repairing the rigging. Lieutenant Mason and Lord Reginald +were aft, at supper. So sudden and silent had been the rising, that +they had only just before reached the scene of action when the lugger +ran alongside. "Thank you, Voules; you came in the nick of time," cried +Lieutenant Mason, when the Frenchmen were forced below. + +Voules made no reply. He had been busily engaged in the lugger's cabin, +and was not aware of what had taken place until all was over. + +"It was this here lad, sir, who did it," exclaimed the seaman who had +received the blow aimed at Dick's shoulders; "he see'd what was +happening. If it hadn't been for him, no one else would have found it +out." + +"Thank you, Richard Hargrave; that is the second time to-day you have +rendered me good service," said Lieutenant Mason. + +"Richard Hargrave!" said Lord Reginald; "he is the last person I should +have thought likely to do anything worthy of praise." + +"Depend upon it, your lordship will find there is something in that lad, +if he has the opportunity of proving it," observed Lieutenant Mason. + +No lives had been lost in the outbreak. Order was quickly restored, the +lashings cast off, and the lugger's crew returning to her, the two +vessels pursued their course as before. The Frenchmen now saw that all +hope of escape was gone, and quietly submitted to their fate. + +The night was sufficiently light to enable the cutter and her prize to +make their way up Plymouth harbour. Before the day broke they were both +safe at anchor in Hamoze, close to where the _Wolf_ lay. + +Soon after sunrise Lieutenant Mason, with the two midshipmen he had +brought for the frigate, went alongside her. Captain Moubray, who was +on board, at once desired to see him. Having given an account of the +capture of the lugger and described the good conduct of the pressed men, +and especially mentioned Richard Hargrave, he added, "He saved my life, +sir, in boarding the lugger, and afterwards, when the Frenchmen were on +the point of breaking out of the hold, he brought the lugger alongside +just in time to enable us to drive them below without bloodshed. He +had, I understand, deserted from the frigate, but as he was in the first +instance pressed, I trust that you will pardon him, and judge rather by +the way he has lately behaved than his past conduct." + +"I'll take the account you give into consideration, Mr Mason," answered +the captain. "To prevent desertion, it is absolutely necessary to +punish those who are retaken; but I should be very unwilling to do so in +this instance. I will see this Richard Hargrave, and if I can overlook +his offence without injury to the discipline of the ship, I will gladly +do so." + +With this promise, Lieutenant Mason was obliged to remain satisfied. It +was all he could do to show his gratitude to Dick for saving his life. +He had, however, several duties to perform--to get rid of his prisoners, +and to hand the lugger over to the prize agents. On paying his respects +to the admiral, he received many compliments on his gallantry, and a +promise that his conduct would be duly reported. He then mentioned Dick +Hargrave's conduct. "Very praiseworthy," observed the admiral. "I am +glad you have spoken of him to Captain Moubray, who will doubtless see +that he is rewarded, and keep an eye on him in future." + +Dick, soon after he got on board, fell in with Ben Rudall. Ben looked +very downcast. + +"Sorry to see you back, Dick," he said. "What has happened? Did you +manage to get home and see my old woman, and give her the money? or did +they catch you afore, and take it from you?" + +Dick briefly explained all that had happened, and gave an account of the +action with the lugger, and how the lieutenant had spoken of him. + +"That's good luck for you. It may save you from what I got. I thought +I was safe off, but I was brought back, and had a taste of the cat in +consequence." + +Dick received a very different greeting from what he had expected. The +news of his behaviour had spread from mouth to mouth, and he was looked +upon by his messmates in a far better light than formerly. Seamen are +always ready to acknowledge merit, and his attempt to desert was +overlooked, especially when it was known among the men that he had been +put up to it by Ben Rudall. He was naturally somewhat nervous as to how +he might be treated by the captain, not being aware that Lieutenant +Mason had spoken in his favour, for he had no hope that Lord Reginald or +Voules would have mentioned his conduct on board the cutter. + +At length his name was called along the decks. He hurried aft. The +master-at-arms, who had been looking for him, told him that he was +wanted on the quarterdeck. He screwed up his courage to brave the +worst. He found the captain and first lieutenant standing aft, as he +approached, hat in hand. + +"Richard Hargrave, you entered some time back on board this ship, and +deserted. You made no attempt to return of your own accord, and were +retaken. You know the punishment, and discipline requires that it +should be inflicted," said the captain in a stern voice. + +"I was pressed against my will, sir; and I did my duty in the action +with the French frigate which we took. But I wanted to see my mother +and blind sister, and I ran, and can't deny it. Now I've been brought +back, I'll try to do my duty. That's what I've got to say, sir." + +"Have you nothing more to say?" asked the captain. + +"Yes. When I was set free, I did duty on board the cutter, and helped +to take the French lugger. The commander says I saved his life; and +afterwards, when I was on board the prize, it was through me that the +lugger was brought alongside the cutter, and the Frenchmen, who were +rising on her crew, were overpowered." + +"You acted well, then, on both occasions?" said the captain. + +"Yes; I did what I thought was my duty," answered Dick. + +"Still, you do not deny that you deserted, and had no intention of +returning?" observed Captain Moubray. + +"I cannot deny it, sir," said Dick. + +"You know that desertion is always punished by flogging?" said the +captain. + +"Yes," answered Dick; "if it were not for the disgrace I shouldn't mind +it." + +"It is a greater disgrace to desert your ship," said the captain; "but +discipline must be maintained, although, considering your gallant +conduct on board the cutter, I would gladly overlook your crime." + +Just as Dick was expecting to hear his sentence pronounced, he was +conscious that some one, who had come up, was standing by his side, and +glancing round, he saw Ben Rudall. + +"Beg pardon, Captain Moubray, for speaking, but I makes bold in this +here case to come for'ard, as I knows more about the desertion of this +lad than any one else," said Ben, giving a pull at his hair. "I put him +up to it, as I had been the cause of his being taken, and as I knowed +that he is the only son of his father and mother, they would be main +glad to have him back again; and I had made up my mind to go too, as I +have a wife and children at home waiting for me, but I was taken and +brought back." + +"Then you merit the punishment more than he does," said the captain. + +"That's just it, sir; and I axes the favour of being flogged instead of +him. My hide is tough, and can bear it; but his is young and tender, +and ain't been accustomed to hard blows." + +The captain looked greatly puzzled. He was struck by Ben's magnanimity, +if so it could be called, in being ready to sacrifice himself, and was +therefore unwilling to punish him; yet the crime of inciting another to +desert was greater even than the act of desertion, and he felt, as the +man had acknowledged it, that he ought to be punished as a warning to +others. + +The first lieutenant relieved him of his dilemma by observing that, +"That man has already been flogged for attempting to desert, and I may +venture to think that it would not do to punish him again for the same +crime." + +"You are right, Mr Curling. The discipline of the ship will not +suffer, should I overlook this lad's offence in consideration of the +gallantry he has displayed." + +"I feel sure of it, sir. It would do more harm to punish than to pardon +him." + +"Go forward, my man," said the captain, addressing Rudall. "I have +heard what you say about this lad, and let it be known among the men, +that although he is let off this time, I will not again pardon any +attempt at desertion, whatever may be the excuse offered." + +Ben, pulling a lock of his hair, obeyed the captain's orders, and went +forward, exhibiting very little trace of the lawless, vaunting smuggler +he had appeared to Dick on board the _Nancy_. + +"And now, Richard Hargrave," said the captain, addressing Dick, "you +made a bad commencement by committing a grave crime, but you have shown +that you are capable of performing your duty well and gallantly. Your +late conduct atones in a great measure for your previous behaviour; and +as you know what your duty is, I would urge you to perform it, in spite +of the bad example or advice of such associates as may try to lead you +into evil. Remember that the eyes of the officers will be upon you, and +I shall be glad to hear a favourable report of your conduct." + +Dick, grateful to the captain for pardoning him, and especially for the +last encouraging words which he had spoken, could with difficulty +refrain from bursting into tears. His breast heaved, a choking +sensation came into his throat, and he was unable to utter a word beyond +"Thank you, sir; thank you, sir;" and making the usual salute, he turned +round and hurried below. + + + +CHAPTER TEN. + +AN EAST INDIAN CONVOY--TOADY VOULES TURNS NURSE--FAIR RUN TO THE CAPE-- +FEAR OF PRIVATEERS--CARELESSNESS--A STRANGE SIGNAL--MIDNIGHT ATTACK-- +TIMELY ASSISTANCE--TREACHERY--LORD REGINALD IN COMMAND OF THE PRIZE-- +TREATMENT OF THE MARIA'S CREW--DISCONTENT--A STERN CHASE IS A LONG +CHASE--OBSTINACY OF THE YOUNG LORD--VOULES'S ADVICE NEGLECTED--A CALM-- +BURSTING OF THE HURRICANE--WRECK OF THE PRIVATEER--WASHED ASHORE. + +A few days after Lord Reginald Oswald and Richard Hargrave returned on +board the _Wolf_, she went out of harbour and came to an anchor in +Cawsand Bay, where she, with another frigate, surrounded by a fleet of +merchantmen which they were to convoy to the East Indies, lay waiting +for a fair wind. + +Dick had never seen so many ships together. To his eyes they presented +a grand sight, as with colours flying and sails loosened from the yards, +they were prepared to obey the signal for getting under way. He felt +proud of belonging to one of the ships which had charge of so many fine +vessels, many of them capable, it seemed to him, of coping with even the +enemy's men-of-war. The wind suddenly came round to the northward. The +_Wolf_ fired the signal gun, the anchor was hove up, her canvas was let +fall and sheeted home, and she glided out of the Sound, followed in +rapid succession by the merchant vessels; the _Ione_, the other frigate, +bringing up the rear and acting as whipper-in to the fleet, which, as +they spread out on their course down the British Channel, with their +snowy canvas extended below and aloft, seemed increased in number. The +signal midshipmen had work enough to do in watching the merchant +vessels, and in hoisting and hauling down the bunting as the requisite +signals were made, while both frigates were continually firing their +guns to hasten on the laggards, or to make the faster sailing ships +shorten sail. + +Rapid voyages were not expected to be made in those days, for the more +nimble-heeled had to wait for the slower-sailing craft, while the +men-of-war had to keep the whole of the vessels under their charge in +sight, and as close together as circumstances would allow. + +The midshipmen had assembled for dinner in their berth on the day the +fleet sailed, with the exception of those on duty. + +"Faith, Ludlam! I thought you'd have been our new third, rather than +Oswald, who hasn't been in the service half as long as you have, and +isn't as good a seaman by a long score," said Paddy Logan. + +"It's my ill luck; I've not got a marquis for a father, and must +submit," answered Ludlam, shrugging his shoulders. + +"It's a crying shame, I say. Oh! you should have seen him come on board +last night, with his new-fledged honours thick upon him, in the shape of +an epaulet on his left shoulder. How he strutted about the deck, with a +shaggy Newfoundland pup running after him! and how he shook hands with +Curling and Jager, giving a nod to the master and old `cheese-parings,' +as if he considered them scarcely worth his notice, though he did +condescend to offer the tips of his fingers to Renton, our new +lieutenant of marines, and to Dr O'Brien! I say, old Voules, I thought +he was going to cut you altogether; but perhaps he'll honour you by +giving that yelping pup of his into your charge to dry nurse. You'll +not have many opportunities of paying court to him if he treats you in +the fashion he does others." + +"I pay court to Lord Reginald Oswald! never did such a thing in my +life," answered Voules, blushing to the forehead. "But you are +mistaken, Paddy, as to the way he treated me. If you had seen him +afterwards, you would have said that he was as friendly as ever, only +now, as he has become a gun-room officer, he is of course obliged to +keep up a certain amount of reserve." + +"Reserve! do you call it?" cried Tommy Shackel. "He glanced at me as if +he had never seen me before, and when I went up to him, and put out my +hand, he drew back with a look of astonishment at my audaciousness, I +suppose, as he thought it." + +"You fellows shouldn't speak of Lord Reginald in the way you are doing," +exclaimed Voules. "I consider he was an ornament to our mess while he +remained in it, and it is but natural that his father the marquis should +get him promoted as soon as he was eligible. As a friend of mine, I +cannot allow him to be spoken of disrespectfully." + +There was a general laugh at this remark. + +"Faith! an' who's speakin' disrespectfully of him?" asked Paddy Logan. +"Sure, we're only saying that he's inclined to give the cold shoulder to +those he looks upon as his inferiors in rank. And the belief is, +Voules, that he's going to throw you overboard, notwithstanding all the +court you paid him." + +"I say I never did pay him court," said Voules, emphatically. "He did +me the honour to select me as his friend, and I fully believe that he +intends to treat me as a friend in future." + +"`The proof of the pudding is in the eating!'" answered Paddy. "As I +said, Voules, to show his affection, I have no doubt he'll make you dry +nurse to that pup of his. Faith! what an honour it will be!" + +At this last remark, Voules was nearly boiling over with rage, but just +then, as the whole mess was against him, he saw that it would not do to +give away to his feelings, and Paddy Logan continued-- + +"When you last accompanied Oswald--I mane his lordship--to Elverston +Hall, you thought instead of joining us again, you would have got your +promotion, as you always boasted that the marquis had promised to obtain +it for you." + +"I boasted of no such thing!" cried Voules, scarcely able longer to +restrain himself. "I merely said that the marquis had promised to give +me his interest as soon as his son had been promoted. Before many +months are over, I expect to get my step and be appointed to some ship +on the East Indian station." + +As may be supposed, his messmates watched him whenever he was speaking +to Lord Reginald, to observe the terms he was on. Voules was evidently +himself not very confident about the matter. Instead of taking his arm +and walking up and down the quarter-deck, on the larboard or lee side, +as he had been accustomed to do, he approached the lieutenant with the +usual mark of respect shown by an inferior to a superior officer, always +addressing him as "My lord," and looking highly pleased on all occasions +when spoken to. It was asserted in the berth that there must have been +some difference between them, or that Voules had offended the young +lord, but what it was no one could exactly tell. However, by his humble +conduct, Voules won his way back into the good graces of Lord Reginald, +who did not find either of his brother officers or the lieutenant of +marines or purser very genial companions. The two lieutenants were +middle-aged men, who had gained their present position by long service +and hard work, and they looked with a jealous eye on one who had been +placed on the next ratline below them, over the heads of many older men +than himself. The marine officer was a married man, rather grave and +saturnine, and the purser had Republican tendencies, though he did not +exhibit them except in the expression of his feelings towards lords and +big-wigs in general. + +Thus Lord Reginald was induced to seek the society of Voules and his +former messmates more than he otherwise might have done. As Paddy had +surmised, Lord Reginald did actually tell Voules that he should be much +obliged if he would look after his pup Neptune, and the toady was +frequently seen carrying its food to the dog, washing and brushing it, +and attempting to teach it various tricks. Before long a drawing +appeared, with Voules dressed as a nurse, a mob cap on his head, a bowl +of pap by his side, from which, spoon in hand, he was feeding the puppy +on his knees, while a figure, which could not fail to be recognised as +that of Lord Reginald, was standing by, saying, "You make a capital +nurse, and I shall be happy to recommend you to a similar situation." + +It was handed about among the members of the mess, until somehow or +other it reached the gun-room. When Lord Reginald saw it, he laughed +heartily, and declared that he must show it to poor old Toady. + +He occasionally dined in due course with the captain. On such occasions +his rank enabled him to speak more familiarly than any of the other +officers would have done, with the exception perhaps of the first +lieutenant. Captain Moubray was not the man to have allowed him to take +the slightest liberty on duty. Lord Reginald had seen Dick Hargrave, +with the other men from the cutter, come on board, and as he eyed the +young sailor the ill feelings with which he had before regarded him +regained their ascendancy in his bosom. Dick would willingly have kept +out of his way, but in the course of duty they were constantly brought +together, when he saw by the glances the third lieutenant cast at him, +and the tone of his voice, that he was as much disliked as ever. His +own proud spirit was aroused. He could not help often returning glance +for glance, though he kept his lips closed to prevent himself saying +anything which could be taken hold of. Lord Reginald never addressed +him by name, but frequently shouted at him, and bestowed epithets of +which--"You lazy hound!" + +"You skulking rascal!" were among the least offensive. + +Dick bore this as other men had to bear it from their officers in those +days, and although from any one else he would have been very indifferent +to such treatment, he felt little inclination to brook it from one whom +he considered had so wronged him. + +It must not be supposed that Lord Reginald fancied that he was acting in +a revengeful spirit towards Richard Hargrave. He considered that he had +formed a correct opinion of Dick, whom he looked upon as a daring young +ruffian, and that Captain Moubray had acted unwisely in not punishing +him for deserting the ship. He ventured, even, after introducing the +subject of desertion, to express his opinion of Richard Hargrave, Ben +Rudall, and other men of extremely doubtful characters whom he classed +together. "They come from my part of the country," he observed, "and +are all smugglers to the backbone, ready for any sort of outrage. At +one time my father lived in dread of having his house burnt down by +them, so fearful were the threats of vengeance they uttered in +consequence of his determination of putting a stop to their illegal +practices. That young Hargrave was a poacher as well as a smuggler, and +nothing but strict discipline can keep him in order." + +The captain bit his lip, for he could not fail to see at what the third +lieutenant was driving. "They cannot poach or smuggle here, and the +daring and hardihood they have exhibited in their illegal calling may be +turned to good account," he answered. "They are the fellows to send on +any dangerous or difficult undertaking, and we may feel very sure that +they will not show the white feather." + +"Young Hargrave is a desperate ruffian, notwithstanding, and I wouldn't +trust him," muttered Lord Reginald. + +"He has shown his ruffianism by acting very gallantly on two occasions, +I understand," observed the captain. "I wish we had a couple of hundred +young fellows on board of the same description. After a few months' +training they become prime seamen, and will fight their guns to the +last." + +Under ordinary circumstances, during a long voyage, time would have hung +heavily on the hands of the officers, but with a large convoy to look +to, there was plenty to do at all hours of the day and night. Not only +had the merchantmen to be watched, but a bright look-out had to be kept +for strange sails, especially for any daring privateers, who, tempted +with the prospect of obtaining a rich booty, might pounce down on some +unfortunate trader during a dark night and carry her off. This had +actually been done on several occasions, and Captain Moubray endeavoured +to impress upon the masters of the vessels under his charge the +importance of sailing in due order together, and keeping a strict watch +at night. The convoy hove to off Saint Helena, to obtain fresh +provisions and water. The line was passed without any enemy having been +encountered, when, falling in with the south-east trade wind, they got +well to the southward, after which with a fair breeze they stood to the +eastward on their passage round the Cape of Good Hope. It was +considered advisable not to put into Table Bay, to avoid the risk of +information being given to the enemy of their whereabouts. Unusually +fine weather had hitherto been enjoyed, and the ships keeping well +together at length entered the Indian Ocean. + +Although the masters of the merchantmen generally strictly obeyed +orders, there were one or two who caused more trouble than all the +others put together, by sometimes carrying too much sail and getting +ahead of the convoy, sometimes too little and lagging astern, knowing +that they could always regain their position. This occurred especially +at night, when the skippers, wishing to save their crews the trouble of +making sail, would wait until daylight to do so. + +One evening a strange sail had been seen to the northward, and Captain +Moubray had ordered the _Ione_ to go in chase and ascertain her +character, while he shortened sail so as to bring the _Wolf_ on the +weather quarter of most of the ships. At dark the _Ione_ had not +returned, though Captain Moubray ordered a look-out to be kept for her, +expecting every moment to see her signal. At the same time, of course, +a constant watch was kept on the various vessels of the convoy, which +could be seen like so many dark shadows gliding over the ocean to +leeward, each carrying a light to show its position. + +It was blowing a fresh breeze from the north-west, but there was not +much sea on. The captain frequently came on deck, inquiring whether the +_Ione_ had yet shown her number. The same answer had been returned that +no light had been seen to windward. He was pacing the quarter-deck with +his night-glass in his hand, when the sound of a gun, which seemed to +come up far away from the southward, reached his ears. + +"What can that be?" he asked of the first lieutenant, who just then +joined him. + +"That's more than I can positively say," answered Mr Curling. "It must +be a signal from one of the convoy, something must have happened to her, +and she wishes to draw our attention." + +While he was speaking the sound of another gun came up from the same +direction. + +"We will run down and see what's the matter," said the captain; "but you +need not turn the hands up at present." + +The helm was put up, the yards squared away, and the frigate, allowing +the sternmost of the merchantmen to pass her, ran down in the direction +whence the sound of the firing had come, and where, a long way off, a +light could be seen, showing the whereabouts of the vessel supposed to +be in distress. Several times the sound of a gun was heard, and the +frigate, as she drew nearer, returned the signal. All eyes were +directed towards the light, when flashes were seen, the rattle of small +arms was heard over the clashing of cutlasses, and some declared that +they could distinguish the shouts and cries of men engaged in mortal +combat. + +"There can be no doubt as to what is passing. Turn up the hands, +Curling. There seems to be either mutiny on board the ship, or some +other vessel has run her aboard. If we attempt to go alongside with +this sea on, we shall too probably sink both together, while if we fire +into one, we may injure our friends. We must board her in the boats. +We will stand on, shorten sail, heave the ship to, then lower them and +let them drop alongside." + +"Ay, ay, sir," said the first lieutenant, and immediately issued the +necessary orders. + +So fiercely engaged all the time were the two vessels, that no signal +was made by the English merchantman to show that she was aware help was +at hand. The captain's orders were quickly executed, and the frigate +now being on the weather bows of the two ships, the boats were lowered +and placed under the command of the second and third lieutenants, Mr +Bitts, Voules, Paddy Logan, and another midshipman, with a party of +marines, going in them. They had not far to pull, for the vessels going +ahead, the boats dropped alongside the English merchantman, which was to +windward. + +Led by Mr Jager, Lord Reginald and Mr Bitts quickly clambered up her +side, and reached her deck, where a fierce struggle was taking place, +the enemy having boarded and almost overcome her crew, who, however, +though many of their number had fallen, were still struggling manfully. +They cheered as they discovered the timely assistance which had arrived. + +Mr Jager and his party furiously attacking the enemy, soon turned the +tide of war and drove them back to the starboard bulwarks, where the +bravest in vain attempted to defend themselves. Those who could manage +it leapt back on board their own vessel, others making the attempt were +cut down, and not a man of the remainder escaped, all being killed or +desperately wounded by the onslaught of the _Wolf's_ crew. + +The Frenchmen were in the mean time attempting to cast off the grappling +irons, but in the darkness and confusion they were unable to succeed. + +"Follow me, my lads! We must board the enemy. It will not do to let +her get away," cried the lieutenant. + +Dick, who was near him, with Ben Rudall and several other men, sprang +into the main rigging of the privateer, for such she appeared to be, and +clearing a space before them with their whirling cutlasses, leapt down +on her deck. Others came after them. One party following Mr Jager, +drove the enemy forward, where the larger part of them were assembled; +while Lord Reginald and the boatswain attacked those on the +quarter-deck, compelling them inch by inch to give way, until the poop +was gained. + +The struggle did not last long. Cries for quarter were heard from the +people forward as well as from the after part of the ship, but the crew +of the English merchant vessel seemed little disposed to grant it, and +continued hacking away at every Frenchman they could come up with. +Again and again Mr Jager had to order the combatants to desist, and +shouted to the Frenchmen to throw down their weapons. + +"Hold, my men! Don't you see the enemy have given in?" he exclaimed. +"We are bound to show them mercy, as they ask for it." + +"It's mighty little we can see how to know friend from enemy," cried a +voice from among the seamen. + +"Bring a lantern or two along here," cried the lieutenant, and he called +out to the Frenchmen to throw down their weapons, while he peremptorily +ordered his own men to desist from striking. + +Lord Reginald and the boatswain had in the mean time driven their +opponents, the larger number of whom were officers of the ship, right +aft to the starboard quarter, where they stood grouped together, +defending themselves bravely until, seeing that all hope was gone, they +too cried out for quarter. + +"Quarter! Yes, we'll quarter you!" cried Mr Bitts the boatswain. +"Come on, lads! We shouldn't let such ruffians as these live." + +Lord Reginald, however, interposed, and speaking French well, directed +his hard-pressed foes to throw down their swords and they should be +safe. It was not without difficulty, however, that he restrained the +merchant seamen from rushing in and cutting them down. Unfortunately, +some Frenchmen who had leapt below, maddened by their defeat, fired up +the hatchway, when the victors, springing down after them, followed them +round the deck, killing all they met with. + +On the lanterns being brought, the deck presented a fearful scene, for +more than half of the crew lay dead or desperately wounded. The +survivors, with their officers, three of whom only had escaped, were +mustered, and being deprived of the pistols and long knives generally +worn in their belts, were conveyed across the deck of the trader into +the boats. A savage, sunburnt crew they appeared as the light of the +lantern fell on their countenances, and doubts were entertained whether +they could claim to be even privateersmen, so greatly did they resemble +the most desperate of pirates. + +The deck of the merchantman had even a more fearful aspect than that of +her foe. Besides the Frenchmen who had been killed, and whose bodies +lay thick under the starboard bulwarks, nearly a fourth of her people +had been shot or cut down, while bravely defending their ship. Among +them was the master, who had been nearly the last to fall, just before +the man-of-war's men leaped on board. + +His body presented several wounds; one through his breast had evidently +been fatal. He was a strongly built man, with a sunburnt visage. +Probably he had been endeavouring, by his courageous resistance, to +redeem his fault in not more carefully attending to his sailing +directions. + +The first officer presented himself with his arm hanging loosely by his +side, from a severe cut in the shoulder and another wound in his leg, +while the second and third were both more or less hurt. + +The first officer informed Mr Jager that they had taken the privateer +for one of the convoy. That when hailed a reply was given in English, +and that the same voice inquired whether they had a surgeon on board, as +their own had gone mad, and they had three sick people who required +immediate attendance. While the surgeon was preparing to go, and they +were thus thrown off their guard, the stranger was seen to be sheering +alongside. The master, suspecting treachery, called up the watch below, +and ordered all on deck to seize such weapons as were at hand to resist +the boarders, while he directed the rest of the people to arm +themselves. + +Scarcely were the crew thus partially prepared for an attack, than the +stranger, running alongside, threw grappling irons aboard them. On this +the master had the gun fired, which was first heard on board the +frigate. His promptness had saved the ship. The crew well knew that +they were fighting for their lives. + +As soon as one party had armed themselves completely they took the +places of those who had received the first attack and had driven the +enemy back. In vain, however, they attempted to cast off the grappling +irons. The ships' yards had become locked, and no effort they could +make could separate them. Thus, had not the frigate come to their +assistance, they must have been taken. Whether or not the privateer +would have succeeded in getting off with them was doubtful. As soon as +the prisoners had been secured, Mr Jager ordered Lord Reginald and the +boatswain to return on board the frigate and bring back the captain's +orders. In the meat time he and the men remaining with him, aided by +the crew of the merchant vessel, got the two ships free from each other, +and, making sail, stood for the frigate, which, as soon as the boats got +alongside, had kept away. Neither ship was injured, except where their +sides had ground together, and the yards when interlocked had torn the +canvas and carried away some blocks and ropes. + +Some time elapsed, during which the _Wolf_ had been making signals to +the rest of the convoy, to put them on their guard, lest other ships of +the enemy should be in the neighbourhood. Dick and Ben had remained on +board the prize. + +"I say, I wonder who'll have charge of this craft," observed the latter +to Dick. "I hope it will be Mr Jager. She's a fine little ship, +carries twenty-four guns, and would make a capital cruiser. If the +captain commissions her, and sends her away to play the same game on the +enemy that she's been playing on our ships, we may chance to fill our +pockets with prize-money. I think it's very likely, too, and if Mr +Jager gets command we shall have an officer who'll keep his eye open, +and not let the grass grow under his feet." + +"I should like it well enough, especially as we shall be free of that +Lord Reginald and Toady Voules," said Dick. "They have been as bad as +ever lately; one sets on the other. Voules knows that the third +lieutenant hates me, and so, to curry favour with him, he loses no +chance of bullying me. I have kept out of trouble as yet, but I don't +know how long I shall be able to do so." + +"But what if the toady be sent with us? He is on board now, and may be +appointed to do duty as first lieutenant," remarked Ben. + +"I shouldn't mind him alone," answered Dick. "When he hasn't his master +to hound him on, he'll let me alone. He does it to please the other, +and when Lord Reginald's eye is off him, he won't bother himself about +me." + +As may be supposed, Ben and Dick had very little time for conversation. +They were speedily called to trim sails, and the scanty crew of the +prize, beginning to get weary from their constant exertions, were +looking out for the frigate to heave to, a sign that the boats were +about to return. She waited, however, until daylight broke, when once +more, having gathered the convoy together, she hove to, and the prize +coming up, doing the same, the boats were soon alongside. + +"I say, Ben," said Dick, as they approached, "it is my belief that Lord +Reginald is to have command, for there he sits, with his dog by his +side, and a big portmanteau between his knees. I'd sooner be out of +this craft than in her. I hope we shall be sent on board the frigate +again." + +Dick was right. Lord Reginald, his dog and portmanteau, were soon on +board. He presented some papers to Mr Jager, who replied-- + +"Very well, I congratulate you on having so fine a command, and I +confess that I wish I had been able to take charge of the prize, but as +the doctor considers me unfit to be away from him, I must submit. Who +are to form the prize crew?" + +"Voules and Lucas, the men on board, as well as the men I brought with +me," answered Lord Reginald. "They'll do very well, and, as we are +rather short-handed, no more could be spared from the frigate." + +"Then all I have to do is to wish you good-bye and a pleasant cruise. +It's fortunate we had not to fire into her, or the vessel must have gone +into harbour to refit. Now she's as well able to keep the sea as she +ever was." + +"I hope her late master was a man of taste, and has some good curry and +plenty of cuddy stores," said the young lord, laughing; "and I say, +Jager, I wish you'd ask the captain to send me back the French cook. +He'll know best how to dress his own provisions, and I should like to +keep a good table while I am on board." + +"I'll do your bidding," answered Mr Jager, and shaking hands with Lord +Reginald and his two subordinates, he returned in the boat to the +frigate. + +The _Marie_ proved herself to be a capital sailer, a quality her crew +had counted on when they ventured to attack the _Dunmore Castle_, +expecting to be able to pillage her and get away before daylight. + +Lord Reginald walked the deck with a self-satisfied air, which was well +imitated by Voules and Lucas. The young lord invited them into the +cabin to mess with him, an honour they gladly accepted. "We shall have +a jolly time of it," he said, "and I hope old Moubray will send us on an +independent cruise when we get to Java." + +"He'll have to send us more men, then, for we are too short-handed to +meet an enemy," said Voules; "otherwise, I'd rather not go at all." + +"No fear on that score," observed Lord Reginald. "We shall get as many +as we want out of the merchant vessels. They must spare us their men, +whether they like it or not. By-the-by, that young Hargrave is on +board; I would have dispensed with his services. The very sight of him +is annoying. He eyes me with the same daring, impudent look he always +did, and I shouldn't be surprised if he and the other smuggler were to +try and get up a mutiny on board, if they have the opportunity." + +"I'll see that he plays no trick of that sort," answered Voules. "I'll +take the spirit out of him, depend upon it, and make him wish that he +had remained on board the frigate." + +"I don't want him treated unjustly, or punished unless he gives occasion +by his conduct," remarked Lord Reginald. + +"Oh, no, no," answered Voules, with a significant smile; "of course not. +The truth is, I have a grudge against him myself. The other night I +heard him, when he didn't know I was near, speaking of me as `Toady +Voules.'" + +"Did he, indeed?" said Lord Reginald, leaning back and laughing. "Why, +that's the name you've got in the mess. Ah, ah, ah! However, for one +of the men to make use of it is next door to mutiny. They must not be +allowed to speak so disrespectfully of their officers." + +Voules, who was considerably irritated by his superior's remark, did not +fail to exercise his ill feelings on Dick, and not a day passed that he +did not find some excuse for ill treating him and making him perform the +most unpleasant duties. Voules, like other men of mean spirit, +delighted in acting the tyrant; indeed, had he wished to create a +mutiny, he took the most effectual means of causing one. He had now +numberless opportunities which he could not have obtained on board the +frigate. He was constantly abusing the men during every operation they +were ordered to perform, though his chief displeasure fell on the heads +of Ben and Dick, who were instantly placed on the black list, when their +grog was stopped and they were compelled to walk the deck with a shot in +each hand during their watch below, or other punishments were inflicted. +Dick, as he had resolved, kept his temper and submitted without +complaint to this injustice; but Ben nourished a spirit of revenge, and +secretly formed a plan for wreaking his vengeance on the heads of his +persecutors. With this object in view, he found out who among the crew +were most dissatisfied and were likely to join him in his project. He +did not, however, venture to speak to Dick. He fully believed that he +should in time win him over. "He'll do something or other before long, +which will rouse even his spirit," he said to himself, and "then he'll +be more ready than any of us to do what I want." + +Although the provisions in the cuddy were of good quality, and there was +a sufficient supply for ten times the number of the commander's limited +mess, those of the crew were scanty and of bad quality, and it seemed +surprising that Frenchmen should have consented to live upon such fare. + +The steward told the men of the abundance which existed aft, but when +they complained through Mr Voules to Lord Reginald, they were told that +the provisions intended for the cabin could not be spared, and that they +must be content with what they had got. Neither did Dick nor any of his +officers dream of what was going forward. + +The convoy was approaching its destination. The _Ione_ had rejoined the +day after the capture of the _Marie_, but no other event of general +importance had occurred. The fleet was now within two hundred miles of +the Straits of Sunda, when from the masthead of the _Marie_, which was +to leeward, a sail was seen to the southward. + +She immediately communicated this by signal to the _Wolf_, and received +in return an order to chase the stranger and ascertain her character. +The other part of the signal was either not seen, or misunderstood by +Lucas. "Up with the helm!" cried Lord Reginald; "square away the yards! +If the fellow doesn't appear to be too tough a customer, we will bring +him to action and sail back in triumph." + +The young lord did not observe the expression which passed over Voules's +countenance, but fully believed that they had been ordered to chase, +and, if to chase, to fight the vessel in sight, should she not prove to +be an enemy of overwhelming force. Though Voules had never shown the +white feather, he was decidedly prudent, and he remembered the _Maria's_ +limited crew, which, though sufficient to navigate her, was not strong +enough to man the guns. + +The _Marie_ looked more formidable than she really was, and as she +approached the stranger made all sail to escape. The latter soon showed +that her sailing powers were not much inferior to those of the _Marie_, +by keeping almost the same distance ahead as she had been when she first +discovered that she was pursued. + +The _Marie_ soon lost sight of the fleet. Voules suggested that as +there was no probability of coming up with the chase for many hours, +that they should haul their wind and stand back. + +"Certainly I will not do that," answered Lord Reginald. "Captain +Moubray must have known that we could not come up with her in a hurry, +and intended that we should overhaul her. We are gaining on her, and if +we continue the chase and do not lose sight of her during the night, we +shall probably, some time to-morrow, get alongside." + +"If we get so far away we shall find it no easy matter to regain the +fleet," observed Voules. "The chase may not prove to be worth the +trouble we are taking to capture her." + +"That remains to be proved," answered Lord Reginald. "If you feel +uncomfortable, turn in and go to sleep, perhaps when you awake you will +find that we have fought an action, and taken the enemy." + +Voules reddened at the taunt. It was a cruel return, he thought, for +all the flattery he had bestowed on the young lord. "I have no wish to +avoid a fight, but I say again, there is no chance of its taking place +for many hours to come, at least at the slow rate at which we are now +overhauling the chase, and if we take her--which is problematical--we +shall find it a difficult matter to rejoin the convoy." + +Lord Reginald was in one of his obstinate moods. The more Voules urged +him to abandon the chase, the more determined he was to continue it. + +The wind remained fresh, and he asserted that they were gaining on the +chase. + +Dick and Ben were stationed forward. + +"How soon do you think we shall come up with that craft?" asked Dick. + +"Maybe to-morrow and maybe the next day, if we follow her long enough +and the wind doesn't shift. But if it does, and she slips away to +windward, the chances are we shan't see her again. The weather doesn't +look very settled to my eye, though I am not accustomed to these seas, +but I have heard tell that it blows pretty strong hereabouts at times." + +The day wore on; still the chase kept well ahead. She was probably +bound to one of the Dutch settlements in the Moluccas, and intended to +pass through the Straits of Lombok or some other passage into those seas +to the east of Java. + +Night came on. It was bright, and the stranger could still be +distinguished as she glided over the moonlit sea. + +"Everything is in our favour," observed Lord Reginald to Voules; "but we +must take care not to lose sight of her for a moment. Take care that +sharp-eyed fellows are stationed on the forecastle. I must turn in for +a spell, though do not fail to call me should anything occur." + +"Ay, ay, sir," answered Voules, though he grumbled not a little, as he +went forward to see that his lordship's orders were carried out. He +found Ben and Dick on the forecastle. "Can you see the chase?" he +asked, pretending not to notice who they were. + +"Ay, ay, sir. It must be a pretty deal darker than it now is, not to +see her," answered Ben. + +"Well, well, take care that you keep her in sight, and sing out if she +changes her course." + +"Ay, ay, sir," answered Ben, and Voules went aft again earnestly hoping +that thick weather would come on, and that the chase would be lost sight +of. He could then throw the blame on the two look-out men, who would +not be likely to escape punishment. They, however, during their watch, +had no difficulty in keeping the chase in sight; when they turned in she +appeared right ahead as clear as ever, with the moonbeams shining on her +white canvas. + +When Lord Reginald came on deck at the commencement of the morning +watch, the chase could still be seen, and he felt convinced that the +_Marie_ had gained upon her. This made him determined to hold on. The +sky, however, gave indications of a change of weather. Dark clouds were +gathering in the horizon astern, while the wind came in fitful gusts, +sometimes falling so much that the sails flapped against the masts. As +the sun rose, the whole sky was suffused with a fiery glow, which, +reflected on the ocean, made it appear like a sea of burnished copper. +As the sun rose higher the heat became almost unbearable, growing more +and more oppressive. + +"Does your lordship recollect that we are in the region of hurricanes?" +asked Voules. "It would be prudent to shorten sail." + +"Not until the chase does, though. I wouldn't for much lose the chance +of coming up with her. If we hold on for another two or three hours, we +can get her within range of our guns. We have been gaining on her +faster than ever lately." + +"If the wind catches us and whips the masts out of the ship, the +`holding on' will do us little good," replied Voules. + +"Well, we will see about it by-and-by," said Lord Reginald, who was on +the point of going down below to breakfast, the steward having just +announced that the meal was ready. + +The midshipman Lucas was left in charge of the deck. Soon afterwards an +old seaman, who acted as quartermaster, came up to him. Touching his +hat, he said-- + +"Won't you order the hands to shorten sail, sir? We can't tell when we +shall have the wind down upon us, and we shall be losing some of our +spars, if no worse happens." + +"His lordship wants to come up with the chase first, though I should be +glad to have some canvas taken in." + +Just then the look-out forward shouted, "The chase is shortening sail, +and is hauling up to the northward!" + +Lucas ran aft and shouted down through the skylight, announcing what had +occurred. "Shall we shorten sail, too, sir?" he asked. + +Voules sprang on deck, and looking round him, without waiting for Lord +Reginald's orders cried out, "All hands shorten sail!" + +The royals were quickly handed, but there was brief time to stow the +canvas before the wind filled the sails, and away flew the ship before +it. The fore top-gallant sail, imperfectly secured, blew out, and in an +instant was torn into shreds, which fluttered wildly for a few seconds, +and became wrapped in inextricable coils round the yard. The courses +were next brailed up, but it was hard work to stow them. Lord Reginald +saw, when too late, that it would have been wiser to shorten sail before +the wind struck the ship. All hands were now employed in reefing the +topsails, for the masts bent like willow wands. Though the ship was +kept before the wind, there was great risk of their being carried away. +Two hands were sent to the helm, but even they had the greatest +difficulty to steer the ship. The only hope of saving the masts was in +keeping directly before the wind until the canvas could be taken off +her. The mizzen-topsail had been furled. The main-topsail was already +on the cap, when a loud report was heard as it was split, and fluttering +violently threatened to carry away the men off the yard. + +The crew with their knives endeavoured to cut it adrift, when they were +called down to assist in securing the foresail. It was of the greatest +importance to keep head sail on the ship, lest she should broach to. +The sea was rising, sending the spray in thick masses over the ship, +obscuring all objects round her. + +Dick and Ben had been actively engaged aloft. + +"I say, Ben, what's become of the chase?" asked Dick, shading his eyes +and looking out ahead through the driving sheets of spray. + +"That's more than you or I or any one else can tell. She may be where +she was, or she mayn't. Mortal eyes can't see through that thick mist +ahead, and we are not likely to set ours on her again even if she keeps +afloat, and that's more than I can say any ship will do if it comes on +to blow much harder than it does now. I thought I knew what a gale of +wind was, but this beats all I have ever seen. Old Harry Cane rampaging +about on board with a vengeance!" + +The hurricane had in truth burst on the _Marie_, and the utmost skill of +the best seamen was required to preserve her from destruction. All that +day she ran on before the wind. Spilling-lines had been got over the +closely reefed fore-topsail, but even then it seemed that the sail would +break away. With a report like a clap of thunder the mizzen-topsail was +blown clean away from the bolt ropes. The royal masts were seen bending +about like fishing-rods, first one way then the other. The lee clue of +the fore top-gallant sail was blown adrift. Two hands went aloft to +endeavour to stow it. One of the poor fellows, in making the attempt, +was torn from his hold. A wild shriek was heard as he sank into the +seething foam, without hope of being rescued. The other, pale and +trembling, came down, leaving the sails fluttering wildly. Scarcely had +he reached the deck than away went the fore top-gallant mast over the +side. + +Lord Reginald bravely maintained his presence of mind, endeavouring to +act for the best, as he stood holding on to the mizzen rigging while he +issued his orders. Voules looked pale and anxious; he comprehended +fully the dangerous position of the ship. Unknown islands were ahead, +against one of which she might strike with but little warning. Again he +urged the men to keep a lookout, not for the chase but for land, now so +much dreaded. + +Lord Reginald came aft, and stood by his friend, "Well, Voules; things +don't look promising," he said, in as cheerful a voice as he could +command. + +"No, and they may look worse, if we find ourselves running down on one +of the many islands which dot these seas." + +"We must keep a bright look-out, and haul up in time," replied the young +commander of the _Marie_. + +"But if we do haul up with this hurricane raging and this sea running, +we may drift on shore notwithstanding," answered Voules. "Our only +chance will be to endeavour to get round the island, if we see it in +time, and to anchor under its lee, if holding ground can be found, and +wait there until the storm is over." + +"We will have a look at the chart, and ascertain how far off the land +is," said Lord Reginald. + +Going below, he and Voules eagerly examined the chart. No islands +appeared for some distance ahead. To the northward, was the east end of +Java, with Bali, Sumbawa, and Floris, extending in a long line beyond +it. Should the wind shift to the southward, they might run through one +of the passages existing between those islands; but still, the ship was +a considerable distance to the southward of them, and they hoped that +the hurricane would cease before they were driven thus far. On +returning on deck, the wind appeared to have increased rather than +decreased. As they were standing together, looking anxiously at the +bending masts, the remaining top-gallant sails were torn from their +lashings, and before any hands could be sent aloft to secure them, the +masts themselves were carried away and the lately trim ship looked now +almost a wreck. To cut them clear was a work of no little danger. The +men saw what was required. Several volunteered, notwithstanding the +risk they ran, to go aloft. Among them was Dick. With knives and axes +they cut desperately at the rigging, until, as the ship heeled over, +they fell clear of her into the water. Relieved of so much top hamper, +she appeared to be greatly eased. Another night was approaching, but +the storm raged as furiously as before. All night long the ship ran on, +the seas increasing in height, and threatening every instant to poop +her. Although for a short time Lord Reginald turned in, yet neither he +nor any one on board could obtain much sleep. Several times he came on +deck, only to see the ship labouring on amid the foaming billows. + +Another morning dawned, the weather looking as wild as on the previous +day. Few on board failed to ask themselves, "Shall we see another +sunset?" Again and again Lord Reginald and Voules examined the chart, +with anxious forebodings of evil. They saw that numerous islands and +reefs lay ahead of them. Lord Reginald proposed hauling the ship up +before dark, to escape the risk of running on one of them during the +night. Voules feared that if it was done the canvas would not stand, +and that she would then be drifted helplessly on any reef or island in +her way. No sun was to be seen; the whole sky wore one uniformly leaden +hue, while the dark seas of the same tint rose and fell, their tops +covered with masses of foam which, blown off by the wind, filled the +atmosphere. "Should there come a lull, we will haul up," exclaimed Lord +Reginald. "We shall do it at our peril," observed Voules. "It must be +done," was the answer. "Stand by to haul out the spanker! Starboard +the helm!" + +The ship as she came to heeled over almost on her beam ends, while the +seas broke over her, driving the masses of spray into the eyes of the +crew, so that they could scarcely see a few yards before them, while the +lee side of the deck was almost under water. Although no signs of a +leak had hitherto been discovered, the acting carpenter, who had been +ordered to sound the well, came aft with a pale face, announcing that a +large quantity of water had found its way below. + +"Man the pumps!" was the answer, and the already hard-worked crew were +soon labouring away to clear the ship. So often, however, were the +nozzles of the pumps under water, that the men could not tell whether +they were drawing or not, and the cry, "Hold on for your lives!" +compelled them frequently to let go and clamber into the rigging, or +hold on by the stanchions, while a furious sea swept over the deck, +threatening to carry them away. Again darkness had come on. Except a +closely reefed fore-topsail and mizzen-trysail, not a sail remained. +She was furiously plunging into the seas, when once more a report was +heard, and the fore-topsail was seen blowing away in shreds. Directly +afterwards the spanker gaff came down, and now not a shred of canvas +remained, the ship in consequence drifting bodily to leeward. Most of +the crew were forward, the officers and some of the men remaining on the +poop. Among the former were Dick and Ben. + +"I thought things were getting very bad," said Ben. "They could not be +worse." + +"What, then, do you think will happen?" asked Dick. "Why, we shall +either go down or be driven ashore. It matters little which, for if the +ship strikes there's little chance of any of us reaching the land, with +these seas breaking over her, and then sweeping everything before them. +I know what it is on our own coast. With such a hurricane as we have +got blowing, it will be ten times worse." + +"Then is there no chance of saving our lives if we strike?" asked Dick. + +"Our best chance is to get hold of a piece of wreck and hold fast to it. +You may be washed on shore, or you may be carried out to sea--it is six +of one and half a dozen of the other. You may depend upon it, there's a +watery grave for some of us before the night is over." + +Dick felt his heart sink, but he remembered the prayers his mother had +taught him. He tried to pray for himself; he knew, too, that she would +be praying for him. His courage rose, he determined to struggle bravely +for life. + +Ben advised that they should go forward and stick to the forecastle. +"That generally holds together the longest, and will give us a better +chance of life," he observed. "Don't let go until the ship breaks up, +and then you will have no choice, and must do as I before told you." + +Dick replied that he would follow his advice, and they made their way to +the forecastle. + +As may be supposed, it was only by speaking at the tops of their voices +that they could make each other heard. Their sentences, therefore, were +brief and to the point. In the mean time, Lord Reginald, with Voules +and Lucas, clung on to the mizzen rigging; near them were gathered the +few men who had come aft. Anxiously they looked to leeward, hoping +against hope that they might still be at a distance from land. The +stout ship was drifted on, the hapless people on board frequently being +covered by the seas which broke over her. At last Voules uttered an +exclamation of dismay. + +"I caught sight of land close under our lee; before ten minutes are over +we shall be upon it," he cried out; "and Heaven have mercy on our +souls!" + +"We must look out for a spot on which to run her, and if we lose her, we +may save our lives," said Lord Reginald. + +But although the attempt was made, the ship would not answer her helm. +An anxious gaze was cast at the dark shore, on which the roar of the +breakers could be distinctly heard. All they could now do was to cling +to the bulwarks until the fatal crash came, and after that, how long the +stout ship would hold together it was impossible to say. Much would +depend upon the ground on which she was thrown. If on rocks projecting +from the shore, she would in all probability be soon dashed to pieces. +Even the stoutest seamen held their breath as they waited for the +inevitable catastrophe. + +Lord Reginald, as he stood on the deck, could feel the ship now as she +rose, now as she fell in the trough of the sea, surging on closer and +closer to the dreaded coast. Those agonising moments were not to last +long. At length came a fearful crash. The mainmast, as if torn up by +some invisible hand, fell over the side, the foremast and mizzenmast +following in quick succession. + +"She's struck, she's struck! All's lost, all's lost!" cried several of +the crew; while many who had hitherto shown ample courage in battle, +shrieked out in their agony of fear. + +"Hold on, until the ship breaks up!" cried Lord Reginald. "We may have +a chance of getting on shore in the morning." + +Though he gave this advice, he had little hope of its being followed. +Sea after sea continued to dash against the ship, and he feared, from +the cries which reached him, that many of his men were being torn from +their hold and carried away. He could just distinguish Voules and Lucas +clinging to the bulwarks a short distance from him. Now he cast his +eyes on the dark shore with a line of foaming breakers between him and +it. Then he looked seawards, and as he looked he saw an enormous black +wave advancing, higher, it seemed to him, than any of its predecessors. +On it came, and struck the ship, with a blow resounding louder than the +loudest thunder. The centre of the ship seemed to melt away with part +of the poop, carrying off several who had been clinging to it. No one +could render help to another. It was each man for himself. He saw a +figure, which he knew to be young Lucas, caught by the sea and whirled +round and round. Voules still remained, holding on to the bulwarks. +Then another sea came; he felt the poop breaking up beneath his feet. +In another instant he found himself among the foaming breakers, +surrounded by masses of wreck. He sank, but again coming to the +surface, clutched a piece of timber. It was of too small a size to +float him. He was rolled over and over, until compelled to let go. As +he did so he saw close to him a large beam, with a bolt projecting from +one end. Grasping the bolt, he got astride of the beam, being thus +enabled to keep his body above the water, though he ran a risk of having +his legs injured by the heavy pieces of wood dashing about on all sides. +In vain he shouted, to ascertain if Voules or Lucas were near him. The +only objects he could distinguish were the masses of dark timber amid +the white, foaming breakers, and the outline of the rocky shore. It +seemed even then doubtful whether he should ever reach that shore. +Once, indeed, he fancied that he saw a human form clinging to a spar at +no great distance from him, but unable to direct the movements of the +piece of timber on which he floated, he could render no assistance to +the hapless person, who returned no answer to his shouts. His own fate +seemed uncertain. Should the timber be dashed against the rocks, he +would in all probability be ground to pieces before he could escape, but +on looking towards the land, he fancied that he could make out a sandy +beach. He prayed that the timber to which he clung might be directed to +it. Still, as he heard the fearful roar of the breakers, and watched +the masses of foam which swept towards the shore, he felt the +uncertainty that he should ever reach it. Several times he was nearly +torn from his hold by the masses of wreck driven against him. His +strength was decreasing. Another sea came rolling on, it might wash him +from his hold. He clung to the bolt with all his might, and almost the +next moment he felt his feet touch the ground. At first he was afraid +of letting go. The second time he put down his feet he trod on the +sand. Fearful that the beam which had carried him in safety might roll +over and crush him, he let go, and making a last effort, struggled +upwards. The foaming seas washed round his legs, and threatened to +carry him back, but on he struggled, gasping for breath until the dry +ground was reached, and then, by one strenuous effort, getting out of +the reach of the water, his strength giving way, he sank to the ground, +utterly exhausted. + + + +CHAPTER ELEVEN. + +DEATH OF VOULES--ALL LOST--DESPAIR OF LORD REGINALD--NEPTUNE--WATER +FOUND--A MOURNFUL DUTY--BURYING THE DROWNED--REMORSE--THE RIVAL +CRUSOES--THE LAST OF POOR BEN--STONE THROWING--NOTHING BUT CLAMS-- +NEPTUNE AND THE PIGEON--THE BODY OF LUCAS DISCOVERED--GOOD INTENTIONS-- +AN ANGRY MEETING--NEPTUNE'S DISLIKE TO SHELL-FISH--A PERILOUS SWIM-- +LOOKING OVER THE ISLAND--ANOTHER STORMY ENCOUNTER--LABOUR IN VAIN--PRIDE +AGAINST REASON--BOW-MAKING--NEP FINDS A TREASURE. + +Lord Reginald lay for some minutes on the beach utterly exhausted, but +not senseless. He recollected vividly all that had occurred. So +battered and bruised did he feel, it seemed to him that he had only +escaped from drowning to die a more lingering death on the barren shore, +or to be massacred by the savage inhabitants of the island on which he +had been cast. + +"Is it my fate alone to have escaped among all the stout fellows who +manned the ship?" he at length asked himself. "Perhaps even now some +are struggling in the waves, and as I have been carried in safety to the +shore, I ought to try and help them." + +This thought made him attempt to rise, and he found that he could do so +with less difficulty than he had supposed possible. The wind had begun +to fall almost directly after the ship had struck, but still the seas +rolled in as heavily as before. He knew, weak as he was, should he +venture into their power, that he might be lifted off his feet and +carried away in their cruel embrace. On looking around he saw a mass of +broken spars, torn canvas, and running rigging thrown up within his +reach. On examining it he found that he could unreeve some of the rope. +He set energetically to work. + +By using a knife which he fortunately had in his pocket, he was able to +cut off several lengths, which, knotting together, formed a long rope. +Taking three spars he forced them with all his might, in the form of a +triangle, into the sand, and secured one end of the rope to the spar +nearest the sea, while the other end he fastened round his waist. This +done he was able to advance further into the water than he would +otherwise have ventured to do. + +He stood listening and straining his eyes over the foaming masses which +continued to roll up unceasingly before him. He could distinguish the +black ledge upon which the _Marie_ had struck on one side, and on the +other a lofty point which ran out to an equal distance forming the bay +on the shore of which he had been thrown. The waters of the bay +appeared still covered with floating masses of wreck tumbling and +tossing about. While he was looking a crescent moon broke through the +clouds, revealing to him for an instant what he supposed was the bows of +the ship still holding together. The next instant the moon was +obscured, and the object shut out from sight. Some of the crew might +still be clinging to it, and if so he might not be left entirely alone. +He shouted again and again, but no answer came; indeed, the roar of the +breakers prevented his voice being heard at that distance. Some one +might be clinging to any of the pieces of wreck floating about before +him. + +He listened, and at length fancied that he heard a faint cry. He gazed +anxiously in the direction from whence he believed it came. He had +picked up a long stick, so that he might the better be able to resist +the force of the breakers should they surround him, or prevent him being +carried off as they receded from the beach. Again he shouted, and once +more fancied he heard a faint cry. + +Yes, it was a human voice borne to him by the wind across the seething +waters. He waited anxiously for the re-appearance of the moon, hoping +that her light would enable him to discover the whereabouts of his +shipmate, whoever he might be. He wished to save life, but he wished +also to have a companion to share his misfortune. + +At length, the moon appearing, he saw a piece of wreck, to which a human +being was clinging, being carried by every succeeding sea closer and +closer to the beach. The man was evidently lashed to it, or he could +not have clung on. Lord Reginald at once saw the difficulty there would +be in extricating him before the beam was rolled over and over. He +again got out his knife that he might cut the lashings. The beam was +almost within his reach, he could clearly see that it bore a man who, +however, neither cried out nor made a sign that he was alive. "Still, +the poor fellow may recover," thought Lord Reginald, and rushing forward +as the next sea threw the piece of timber on the beach, he at once +seized the inanimate form, cut the rope, and with a strength he scarcely +believed himself to possess, dragged it up out of the reach of the +water. As he did so he saw by the uniform that it was his own messmate +Voules. + +He laid him on the dry beach, and having loosened the handkerchief round +his neck, knelt down by his side, and endeavoured to restore him to +animation by chafing his hands and chest. After he had been thus +engaged for some time, he heard Voules emit a low sigh. + +"He is not dead, at all events, and may, I trust, be restored!" he +exclaimed, resuming his efforts. + +Voules sighed again, but still lay without making any effort to move. +Lord Reginald looked round to try and ascertain if any place which would +afford him and his shipmate shelter from the night air, was near. He +could only see black rocks rising up above the beach, though in one +place there appeared to be an opening, but it was too dark to +distinguish whether there were trees beyond. + +"It will never do to remain here all night," he said to himself; "it is +still some hours off morning, and we both of us may perish." + +The effort he had to make to take care of his friend was of the greatest +benefit to himself. It prevented his thoughts dwelling on his own +sufferings. He tried to lift up his companion, to carry him in his +arms, but his strength was insufficient, and after going a few paces he +was obliged to let him sink again on the ground. + +"Voules, Voules, my dear fellow, do speak!" he exclaimed; "tell me where +you are hurt. What can I do for you? You are safe on shore. If you +could but arouse yourself, we might get under shelter." + +But Voules only gave an occasional sigh. He seemed too weak almost to +groan. Again Lord Reginald attempted to carry him towards an +overhanging rock which rose at some distance beyond the beach. In this +he succeeded better than at first, and after stopping two or three times +he reached it. To his satisfaction, he discovered that there was a +small cave, the bottom covered with dry sand. This would, at all +events, afford a more comfortable resting-place than the open beach, as +well as shelter from the rain, which now came on in dense showers. It +was so dark, however, that he could not see his companion's features. +Seating himself by his side, he once more began to chafe his hands and +breast, he then turned him on one side, when his patient threw up some +of the water which he had swallowed. Thus relieved, Voules appeared to +recover slightly. + +"You'll do well, I hope, my poor fellow, if you would but pluck up +courage," said Lord Reginald. "When daylight returns we shall find some +food and water." + +"I fear not," answered Voules, in a faint voice. "I am bruised all +over, and I feel as if my right leg was broken." + +"I hope not," said Lord Reginald, examining the limb. To his dismay he +found that Voules was right. "We must try and set it," he observed; +"though it will prevent you being of much use for some time to come, you +must not despair on that account. I earnestly hope that some of the men +may have escaped to help us, though I could discover no one on the part +of the beach where we were thrown." + +Voules groaned deeply. "I am much obliged to you, Oswald, for what you +have done for me, but it is of no use. I almost wish that you had left +me to perish in the sea, for I feel that I am dying. It is very +terrible; I have all sorts of sins on my conscience. Then I think of +how I encouraged you to get that young Hargrave and the older man Rudall +carried off from their homes, and how they have both now probably been +lost. It seems to me as if their deaths were at my door." + +"If they are at yours, they are at mine also," said Lord Reginald. "I +dislike the fellows, and though I should be thankful if any of the crew +escaped, I should not like to see their faces. The chances are they +would wreak their vengeance on our heads, helpless as we are, without +the slightest means of defence." + +"I should be thankful to think that we had not been the cause of their +deaths," said Voules. + +"Well, well, don't talk about them, but try and get some sleep, old +fellow; it will restore your strength more than anything else." + +Voules groaned. "I shall never sleep again, until the last sleep of +all," he muttered. + +"Try, try," said Lord Reginald; "I'll sit up and keep watch." + +"Thank you," murmured Voules. + +Lord Reginald was silent, but Voules's heavy breathing and the low moans +to which he gave vent, showed that his slumbers were troubled, if he +slept at all. The young lord could understand how much his companion +suffered from the pains which racked his own body, and yet, with the +exception of the few bruises he had received, he was unhurt. For a long +time he sat and watched, earnestly wishing for day, and at length he +himself sank down on the sand and fell asleep. His dreams, too, were +troubled. All the horrors of the shipwreck were ever present to his +thoughts. Now he fancied himself struggling in the waves, now reaching +the beach, but in vain attempting to climb up it, the seas carrying him +back every time his feet touched the firm ground. He awoke with a +start, fancying that Voules was calling him. The sun had risen, and the +rays were streaming across the white sand in front of the cave. The +storm had ceased, though the seas still came rolling sluggishly on, +dashing into foam as they reached the beach. + +"Did you call, Voules?" he asked, raising himself on his elbow to look +at his companion, who however made no answer. "I must not awaken him," +he said; "sleep will do him more good than anything else. I must go out +and try and find some fresh water and food of some sort." + +He got up on his feet; though he felt weak, he was able to walk. He was +about to go out, when he cast a glance at Voules. He started back with +horror, as he saw the pallid countenance before him, the glazed eyes +staring wildly, the fallen jaw. + +"Can he be dead?" he exclaimed, stooping down. He could not discover +the faintest breathing. He lifted an arm, it fell lifeless on the sand. +"Voules, Voules!" he almost shrieked out; "speak but one word to me." + +No answer came from those open lips, and he saw too evidently that his +companion was dead. The horrors of his situation burst upon him with +more force than ever. He was alone in that apparently desert island; no +one to consult with, no one even to speak to. He threw himself on the +sand, and for some time lay almost as motionless as the inanimate form +near him, believing that he himself would die. Then the desire to +prolong his life returned. A burning thirst oppressed him; though he +had eaten nothing since the previous day at noon, he felt but little +hunger. He was about to leave the cavern in the hopes of discovering a +spring, when he saw in the distance an object moving towards him. + +At first he thought it must be some wild beast, but presently his +favourite dog, Neptune, hove in sight, and came rushing on, leaping up, +uttering loud barks of joy, placing his paws on his shoulders, and +trying to lick his face. + +"Where have you come from, Nep?" he asked. "Your coat is perfectly dry, +you must have been on shore some hours." But Nep only wagged his tail, +and bounded round and round him. Lord Reginald fondly patted the dog's +head. "Thank Heaven, you have been saved, Nep. I have one trusty +companion left, and I must not lose heart." + +The dog seemed to understand him, and redoubled his signs of +satisfaction. Suddenly he stopped, and looked towards the body of +Voules, then he approached it cautiously, and after examining it for a +moment he set up a loud howl, and turning round, ran crouching back to +his master, as if fully conscious of the fate of the unhappy young man. + +"Yes, he's gone, in truth!" said Lord Reginald. "You and I are now +alone. We must set out to try and find a spring and some food, if they +exist on this dreadful spot; but you don't look either hungry or +thirsty. Perhaps you have found a spring. Come along, Nep; come +along!" So saying, Lord Reginald, accompanied by the dog, directed his +steps towards an opening in the line of cliffs which circled round the +bay. As he advanced, the opening widened out, and to his joy he saw +numerous cocoanut and other trees. At first he could discover no sign +of a spring. + +"That verdure cannot exist without water," he said to himself; "there +must be some near at hand. Surely, if it exists Nep will find it." As +he advanced further he found himself in a small valley running directly +up from the sea, and shortly afterwards his eye fell on the sheen of +water. It appeared to be a stream running down the centre and losing +itself in the porous sand before it reached the ocean. He uttered a cry +of joy, and pushed forward. He was soon stooping down, lapping the +water up eagerly with his hand. He then began to feel the pangs of +hunger. The only fruit he could discover were cocoanuts, but they hung +so high above his head that he had no hope of obtaining any. He was too +weak to attempt climbing even the smallest of the trees on which they +grew. He thought of various devices for bringing them down. He might +manage to get some could he find a long thin line which, by means of a +stone, he might throw over the boughs. Then he searched about for other +food. He looked also anxiously for human habitations. The sun beat +down with intense heat into the valley, and the tall trees afforded but +little shade. He was compelled at length to retreat towards the cavern. +That, at all events, would be cool, he thought. A few more cocoanut +trees only had to be passed, when, just as he was going under the boughs +of one, he saw a large brown mass covered with fibre lying before him. +Though he had never before seen a cocoanut when growing in a wild state, +he knew what it was. He seized it eagerly, and began tearing off the +outer cover. Conveying it to the cave, with a piece of stone he broke +off the top, and having swallowed the refreshing juice in the interior, +he soon broke it to pieces so as to get at the flesh. With this he +somewhat satisfied the gnawings of hunger. + +"Such food won't suit you, my poor dog!" he said, looking at Nep. +However, the dog wagged his tail, and very readily swallowed a few of +the pieces cut out of the shell, which his master threw him. He had now +to consider what was next to be done. His eye fell on the body of poor +Voules. + +"He was a miserable counsellor, and did me harm by attempting to flatter +me; though I confess that I had but little real regard for him, I +certainly wish that he was still alive; but as he has gone, I must +endeavour to pay him the respect I would to any fellow-creature, and +give him decent burial." Saying this, he got up and looked about to +settle by what means he could accomplish his object. The shore was +strewn with timber and pieces of plank of all shapes. Hunting about he +soon found a piece which would answer his purpose, though had he +possessed an axe he might have chopped it into a more suitable shape; as +it was, however, it would have to serve his purpose. His next care was +to select some fitting spot for the grave. He pitched on one under the +cliff, where the sand appeared sufficiently soft, while the shape of the +rocks around would make it easily recognised. + +He began to dig away, but the sand fell in almost as quickly as he +shovelled it out of the pit, and he had greatly to increase its size +before he could reach any depth. He felt sick at heart as he performed +his unaccustomed task. + +Neptune stood by watching him, apparently understanding his object, +although he could render no assistance. At last the grave was dug. His +courage almost gave way as he prepared to place the body of his late +companion--one whom he had known for so many years--in his last +resting-place. While chafing Voules's chest he had observed a locket +hanging to a riband. He undid it, that he might deliver it to his +friends. On opening it he saw that it contained the miniature of a +young and pretty girl. + +"Poor thing!" he said. "She thought him probably all that is brave and +good. Now she'll value him the more because he has gone! I wouldn't +undeceive her for worlds, though I have but little chance of ever being +able to deliver this to his friends." He took his watch, and a few +other articles. There was a pocket-book, but he had neither time nor +inclination to look into it. Indeed, in all probability, whatever +writing there was had been obliterated by salt water. Among other +things was a small pocket spyglass, which was likely to prove useful. +He found, on trying to lift the body, that his strength was insufficient +for the task, so that he had to drag it by the collar of the coat to the +edge of the grave, into which he managed to lower it. + +"Rest there, my poor shipmate," he said. "I little thought when we were +last on shore, amusing ourselves to our hearts' content, that such would +so soon be your end. Yet, what may be mine?" + +He rested for some moments, gazing with a sort of fascination on the +dead body, unwilling to cover it up for ever from view. "It must be +done!" he said at length, and he began to shovel in the sand, a task +which was very quickly accomplished. + +"Now I am all alone, the sole inhabitant of this island. That, however, +would be better than finding it peopled by a savage tribe, who would +either kill me or make me work for them as a slave. Had I the strength, +I would build a tomb of rock over him, but he'll rest well enough +without it. I suppose there are no creatures which will come and dig +him up." + +He would gladly after this have rested in his cave, for the rays of the +sun, now high in the heavens, beat down with intense force on his +unprotected head. At the same time, the pangs of hunger reminded him +that he must go in search of more substantial food than cocoanuts would +afford. He had heard that turtles laid their eggs on the sandy beaches +of these islands, but whether he should find them at this time of the +year, or whether the young turtles had been hatched and crawled away, he +was utterly ignorant. As he walked along the shore, he carefully +examined the sand, in the hopes of finding some mounds or the marks of +turtles' feet to show where their eggs had been deposited, but not an +indication of any sort could he discover. + +"I shall have to depend upon shell-fish," he said to himself; "there +must be numbers sticking to the rocks, and I must try and get them off +with my knife. I wish that I had some fishing-hooks and lines. By +scrambling out to the end of a reef I might very likely catch as many +fish as I require, but as I have not the hooks and lines, I must manage +with what I can get." He sighed as he felt his helplessness. On +looking along the beach he saw it covered with pieces of wreck as far as +the eye could reach. He might at all events find something useful among +the articles thrown up. He had not got far when he caught sight of a +human form surging up and down, close to the beach. It might be some +person who, having clung on to a piece of the wreck during the night, +was attempting to reach the shore. He rushed forward to assist the man +to land, but scarcely had he seized an arm than he saw that it was that +of a dead body. He did not, however, let go his hold, but dragged it up +on the beach. + +"I must bury the poor fellow, at all events," he observed, looking at +the countenance of the man, who was one of the ordinary seamen. The +discovery of the body made him look more narrowly along the beach, and +he saw several others either thrown up, or floating close to the shore. +The sight brought Richard Hargrave to his recollection. "He is probably +among them," he thought, "and I was the cause of dragging him away from +his home, prompted by my revengeful spirit and bad feelings. I am as +guilty as if I were his murderer. I wish that he had made good his +escape and remained at home, and I would give much now to know that he +had reached the shore in safety, but that is not likely." He dragged up +body after body, scanning their countenances anxiously, fearing that he +should recognise that of Richard Hargrave. At last he came to one with +grizzled hair and beard, which he recognised as that of the smuggler Ben +Rudall, who had by his means been torn from his home. + +"Unhappy wretch! By the way Voules and I treated him he must have had a +miserable life of it on board. I suspect that he and Hargrave, if they +had had the opportunity, would have treated me as I deserve. Would that +I could forget the past! However, I cannot let them lie here to rot." +On counting the number of bodies he had hauled out of the water, he +found that there were no less than five. The task was abhorrent to his +nature. "I little thought that I should ever become a grave-digger!" he +exclaimed, bitterly. "However, it must be done; I couldn't rest at +night if I knew they were there. I only hope that the sea has washed +away the remainder, that I shall not have to bury the whole of my crew; +perhaps by that time I shall become accustomed to it, only every day +will render the business more horrible." + +The young lord, however, managed to muster up resolution to commence the +task. He went back for the piece of board which had served him to dig +the grave of Voules, and commenced shovelling away the sand some +distance above high-water mark. It would evidently require a large +grave, and the task would occupy him some hours. The sun, which was +intensely hot, beat down on his unprotected head, while the perspiration +streamed from his forehead. At last he could work no more, and, +supporting himself by the spade, followed by Neptune, he staggered to +the nearest spot where he observed some shade beneath the cliff. As he +threw himself on the ground, the dog lay down by his side with his +tongue out, showing that he too felt the heat. + +Overcome with fatigue, he dropped into an uneasy doze, painful fancies +filling his brain. How long he had thus remained he could not tell, +when, on opening his eyes, they fell on a figure standing by the +half-finished grave. His disordered imagination made him fancy that it +was one of those he was about to bury who, recovering, had regained his +feet. Or could it be a spirit? + +His eyes dilated as he gazed. The person, after looking into the grave +for a few seconds, turned round and went towards where the bodies lay +and then knelt down by the side of one of them. Lord Reginald, not +seeing him, as he was concealed by the slope of the beach from where he +lay, fancied as he gradually recovered his senses that he must have been +subjected to some hallucination, and resolved to finish his task. + +"Come, Nep," he said, rising, "we must finish the work, terrible as it +is!" What was his surprise to find that his dog had gone? He made his +way back to the grave, keeping his head turned in an opposite direction +from the bodies, unwilling to look at them from the sickening feeling +which came over him when he did so. Descending into the pit he had +formed, he began to throw out the sand. While thus employed he heard a +voice close to him say-- + +"Shall I help you?" + +His first impulse was to spring out of the grave and express the joy he +felt that one of his crew had escaped, but on looking up he saw Richard +Hargrave standing near, with a piece of wood similar to the one with +which he was employed. At first his feelings softened towards his +enemy, for so he regarded the young seaman, but the next instant he +fancied that he detected a look of scorn in his countenance. Still, he +wanted to get the work done, and alone he could not accomplish it. He +therefore answered, "Yes, you may fall to, for it is more than one man +alone can do." + +Without exchanging another word, Dick leapt down into the pit and began +shovelling out the sand in a far more effectual way than Lord Reginald +had done. When the grave was of sufficient size, Dick got out and +immediately went towards one of the bodies, beckoning his companion to +assist him in carrying it to its last resting-place. Lord Reginald +hesitated, but when Dick began to drag the body by the shoulders he took +it up by the feet. One by one three of the other bodies were carried to +the grave. Lord Reginald was about to lift up the feet of Ben Rudall, +when Dick exclaimed-- + +"No, no; let him alone. We will give him a grave to himself. He was an +old friend of mine, though he might have led me astray, and I want to +pay him all the respect I can." + +Lord Reginald let the feet drop, and without speaking returned to the +grave, where he began to shovel in the sand. Dick joining him, the task +was soon accomplished. + +"As I undertook to dig this poor fellow's grave alone, I won't ask you +to help me," said Dick, turning aside without attempting to exchange any +further words with his companion. + +Lord Reginald, utterly exhausted, retreated to the shade of the cliff, +calling in an angry tone to Neptune, who had followed Dick, to watch his +proceedings. + +He observed that Hargrave wore a hat roughly made from palm leaves, and +was thus able to endure the heat much better than he could. It did not +occur to him that he possessed a handkerchief in his pocket which, had +he bound round his head, would have afforded him some protection. At +length he could endure the thirst from which he was suffering no longer, +and getting up, endeavoured to make his way to the spring at which he +had before obtained water. He reached it at last, and sank down by the +side of the pool, scarcely able to lift the water with his hand to his +parched lips. He succeeded, however, and felt somewhat restored. Nep +showed how thirsty he was by lapping it up eagerly. + +He waited some time, half expecting that Hargrave would join him. He +was too proud to call him, and inquire how he had escaped from the +wreck, which he wished to know, as well as to ascertain if any one else +had been saved. Even Neptune appeared surprised, and showed an +inclination to start off every now and then and join Dick, who had +become a great friend of his on board. + +All this time Lord Reginald had eaten nothing except the remains of the +cocoanut. He was sensible that he was becoming fainter and weaker. +Whether or not Nep had got any food when he disappeared, he could not +tell, but from the way he observed Hargrave work he felt very sure that +he, at all events, was not starving. + +He saw numerous birds of gay plumage flying among the trees, but he had +no means of getting them. He thought that he might possibly knock some +of them down. For this purpose he returned to the beach to pick up some +pebbles. Having filled his pockets, he went back to the neighbourhood +of the stream. Though he got frequently within reach of the birds, he +could not manage to hit one of them. At last he had exhausted every one +of his pebbles, and, prompted by hunger, was about to go back to obtain +more, when he bethought him that by hiding behind a bush an unwary bird +might come near enough to enable him to knock it down with a stick which +he had picked up. He waited for some time. Though several birds came +near--one a fine fat pigeon with beautiful plumage--they kept beyond his +reach. At length, losing his patience, he threw his stick at a bird +which had perched on a bough about twelve feet off. The bird rose, +wagging its tail as if in derision, and flew off unhurt. Nep, who was +by this time as famished as his master, showed his eagerness by dashing +here and there after the birds, which flew near the ground. + +"It's of no use, Nep," said Lord Reginald; "we must try what the +sea-shore will yield." They returned together to the beach. The tide +was low and shell-fish--some of large size--clung to the rocks or lay on +the sand. + +Supposing that the latter were dead or not fit to eat; he attempted to +cut off with his knife some of those clinging to the rocks, a more +difficult task than he had expected, and he blunted it considerably in +the attempt. At last he got several off, and with these, as well as a +few of the freshest looking which he had picked up on the beach, he +returned to the cave. + +He nearly cut his finger in attempting to open them, and when he had +succeeded in separating the shells of a couple, he recollected that he +must cook them before they would be fit to eat. First he had to collect +firewood. For this purpose he was compelled to go back to where he +could obtain some dry branches, broken off by previous gales. While +thus engaged, he saw some smoke in the distance. + +"That must be a fire kindled by that fellow Hargrave," he said to +himself; "he probably has found something to eat, but I cannot go and +ask him for a light, still less can I bring myself to beg for some of +the food. Probably he would refuse me if I did. No, no, I will let him +come to me and ask my pardon for his insolent behaviour." + +By exerting himself, the young lord collected a bundle of sticks. On +his way he found another cocoanut, which prize he was glad to obtain, +for it would serve as bread to help him swallow the shell-fish. + +With his bundle on his shoulders he returned to the cave. He unscrewed +the object glass from Voules's telescope, but in vain tried to obtain a +light. The sticks might have burned had a flame once been established. +He had, therefore, to go back and search for dry leaves or moss, or some +more inflammable substance. + +He found some fungus, which from its dry nature he thought would quickly +ignite. With this and his arms full of leaves, he once more made his +way back to his cave. The sun was by this time sinking low, and he was +afraid after all that its rays would be too oblique to enable him to +obtain a spark. He anxiously held the glass in its right position, and +was thankful when he saw a fine line of smoke ascending; by blowing +gently and placing some dry leaves above it, he at length obtained a +flame, with which he set the pile of leaves he had placed under the +sticks on fire. + +"I am now as well off as that fellow Hargrave," he said to himself, as +he placed the shell-fish on the embers. He had never before attempted +to cook anything, and had very little notion of how it was to be done. + +He saw the shells getting hotter and hotter, when on raking them out he +found the interior burnt to a cinder. "Rather overdone," he thought; "I +must not let them stay in again so long." He succeeded rather better +with the next, but had to confess that they were very tough. + +Though his hunger was not satisfied, he had no inclination to eat more; +having broken the shells, he bestowed the remainder on Neptune, who +apparently preferred them raw to cooked. He eked out his scanty meal +with cocoanut, having drunk the juice, which he found very refreshing +after the salt, coarse-tasting clams. He had no longer any fear of +starving, though the food he had obtained was neither wholesome nor +palatable. + +After finishing his meal, he threw himself on the sand within the shadow +of the cave, trying to reflect what he should next do, but his mind was +in a state of confusion. He could not sufficiently collect his thoughts +to arrive at any determination. Neptune lay by his side, occasionally +licking his hand, trying to amuse him. He felt the solitude to which he +was doomed trying in the extreme. The only human being on the island +beside himself, was, as far as he could tell, young Hargrave, whom he +had despised and hated, and who seemed in no way disposed to forget the +mutual ill-feeling which had so long existed, or to show him any marks +of attention. He looked out, half expecting to see his enemy approach, +but the latter had evidently taken up his abode in the further part of +the island, and kept out of his way. + +Another night was approaching; it was necessary to collect some more +wood to keep in his fire, for should a cloudy day come on, he would have +no means of relighting it. At last, seeing the necessity of exerting +himself, he got up, intending to fill two of the largest clam shells he +had picked up with water, which might serve to quench his thirst during +the night. Directly he rose to his feet, Neptune showed his +satisfaction by leaping about him, and barked with joy when he found +that he was directing his steps towards the fountain. On arriving at +it, both he and the dog drank their fill, then placing the shells by its +side, he set to work to collect fire-wood. There was no great amount of +fallen sticks, and it took him some time before he could pick up a +sufficient quantity. + +As formerly, he observed in the distance the smoke of a fire, which he +felt sure had been kindled by Hargrave. The dog, by pulling his +trousers, attempted to draw him in that direction. + +"No, no; we will not go and interfere with the fellow. He'll fancy that +we want his assistance, or are begging for some of the food he may have +obtained. We must show him that we can do very well by ourselves," he +said, addressing his dog. Fastening the sticks to his back by a piece +of rope he had picked up, and taking the two clam shells in his hand, he +set off to return to the cave. He had gone a short distance without +thinking of Neptune, when on looking round he found that the dog had +disappeared. + +"Where can the animal have gone to?" he exclaimed. "Has he deserted me +for the sake of that scoundrel? If he has, when he comes back I'll tie +him up and teach him that he must not associate with my enemy." + +On reaching the cave he sat down more oppressed even than before by +gloomy thoughts. He believed that the _Marie_ had been cast away on a +remote island, near which no English ship was likely to pass, and that +he might remain there for months, perhaps for years, without having an +opportunity of escaping, even should he live so long; but he felt so +sick and weak that he feared his existence would soon be cut short. +"Perhaps," he thought, "that young Hargrave may take it into his head to +murder me. What is there, to prevent him? All that he has to do is to +bury me in the sand, with the rest of the poor fellows. And if +questions are asked, he could say I was cast lifeless on the shore, or +died afterwards from sickness, and such, judging from my sensations, is +very likely to be the case." + +The pangs of hunger aroused him. As there was sufficient daylight +remaining, he went down to the rocks and cut off a few more shell-fish. +The task was so hard a one that he did not collect more than he +required. He had slightly improved in the art of cooking them, but he +much wished that he had some pepper and salt to make them more +palatable. They were nearly cooked, when he saw Neptune scampering +along the beach towards him, with something in his mouth. The dog +approaching laid it down at his feet, and Lord Reginald discovered that +it was a beautiful pigeon. + +"Is that what you left me for?" he exclaimed, highly delighted, patting +the dog. "This will be far better than those dreadful clams which I +could hardly swallow, and which when swallowed made me feel as if I had +eaten lead." + +Neptune wagged his tail, as much as to say, "I am very glad, master, I +have brought you something you like." The puzzle was now how to cook +the bird. At first he thought of putting it in a clam shell to bake. +He had actually placed it on the fire, feathers and all, when he +remembered that it must be plucked. This he did in a somewhat awkward +fashion. Then he recollected seeing pictures of camp fires, with +animals spitted on sticks roasting before them. He selected such from +the heap near him as would serve his purpose. Peeling one with his +knife, he ran it through the bird, then placed it on two forked sticks, +which he stuck in the ground. This done he raked the ashes of the fire +beneath the bird close round it, and began turning his spit with his +hand. It was hot work, and exercised all his patience. At last he saw +that the bird was becoming browner and browner. He was satisfied that +he was cooking it in the right fashion. Neptune lay down with his paws +out, watching the process. Lord Reginald was too hungry to wait, and +taking it off the spit he put it into a clam shell to serve as a dish, +and began eagerly eating it. Though, from being just killed, and +underdone, it was somewhat tough, it afforded him a far more +satisfactory meal than any he had tasted since he had reached the +island. He would have been wise had he reserved a portion for next +morning's breakfast, but without consideration, after he had satisfied +his hunger, he threw the remainder to Neptune, who gobbled it up in a +few seconds. + +Being now perfectly dark, having made up his fire he retired to his +cave, where, with a piece of wood which he had brought up from the shore +for his pillow, he lay down to sleep with Neptune by his side. He knew +that his faithful dog would keep watch, and that he need have no fear of +being attacked by any wild beasts which might exist in the island. It +was some time before he could go to sleep, but at length, overcome by +fatigue and mental anxiety, he dropped into an unquiet slumber. + +It appeared to him that he was dreaming or thinking the whole night +through. Great was his surprise to find it broad daylight when he +awoke. Instead of the hurricane which had lately blown, there was a +perfect calm, though the smooth undulations broke in a line of foam +along the beach where it was not protected by rocks. His fire had gone +out, but he had no difficulty in lighting it by means of his burning +glass. His first care was to make it up. He then set off to collect +some more shellfish. + +He had got down to the shores of the little bay which has been before +described, and was scrambling along the reef, when his eye fell on a +figure apparently clinging to a cleft of the rock on the opposite side, +just above high-water mark. The figure seemed to move. Taking out his +small telescope he watched it eagerly, trying also to discover some +means of getting to the spot. He at once saw by the dress that the +figure was that of young Lucas. Was it possible that he was still +alive? He feared not. He lost no time in returning to the beach, and +then made his way along the rocks until he descended to the point where +he had seen his shipmate. A glance at the features told him that the +midshipman was dead, and had probably been washed up by the sea into the +cleft of the rock. How to remove the body was now the question. He +could not let it remain there festering in the hot sun, and it seemed +impossible for him to carry it over the rough rocks on his shoulders. +At last he thought he might tow it to the shore. There were plenty of +materials for forming a raft. He soon lashed a few pieces of wreck +together, when, having launched them, he took off his clothes and towed +them out. Had it not been for the uniform he could not have +distinguished his young shipmate. Extricating the body, not without +difficulty, from the cleft of the rock in which it had been fixed, he +lowered it down to the raft. Then taking the end of the tow-rope in +hand, he began to swim towards the beach. The raft was heavy, and so +weak did he feel that he was afraid he should be unable to reach the +shore with his melancholy freight. + +He was puffing and blowing away, and making but slow progress, when he +saw Neptune--who had disappeared in the same mysterious way as he had +done on the previous day--coming scampering along the beach. He called +the dog, who with a bound plunged in and swam towards him. He placed +the tow-rope in the mouth of the animal, who, seeming to know perfectly +well what to do, swam with it towards the shore, allowing his master to +rest his hand on his back. He thus, in a much shorter time than would +otherwise have been possible, reached the beach. He felt so fatigued +that he had to rest while the hot sun dried his body, before he could +again put on his clothes. + +Neptune, who was now aware of the freight he had brought ashore, waited +as if to see what more was required of him. Suddenly he seemed to +recollect that he had another duty to perform, and running back to the +spot from which he had leapt into the water, he took up a pigeon, which +he brought to his master. + +"You are a wonderful dog," said Lord Reginald, patting his head. "How +have you managed to catch this bird?" + +He would gladly have got through the painful task he had set himself, +but the pangs of hunger made him determine to cook the bird first. +Following the plan he had adopted on the previous evening, he soon had +it plucked and spitted. As he opened the crop he was surprised to see +three large nuts drop to the ground, which split as they fell; it seemed +wonderful that the pigeon could have swallowed them, large as they were. +The kernels, which he put into the fire and roasted, were especially +nice and served instead of bread. Neptune, as before, came in for the +remainder of the bird. He ate it up, but not greedily, as if he was in +want of food. "The rogue has been catering for himself, I suspect I +hope that he may bring me something for dinner, for though a pigeon a +day is something, sufficient to keep body and soul together, I shall +require more to retain my strength." As he again rose a sensation of +lassitude oppressed him. He felt very much disinclined for the painful +task he had undertaken. It must be done, however, and rousing himself +he seized the wooden spade he had before used, and set to work to dig a +grave near that of Voules. He had not long been engaged in his task, +when looking up he saw Richard Hargrave approaching. This at once made +him suspect that he had been watched by his rival, although he had not +discovered him. + +"I don't like to see you engaged in that sort of work; it is as much my +duty as yours," said Dick. "So I have come to help you." + +"I shan't require your aid," answered Lord Reginald, haughtily; "you can +bury any of the men you may find, but I choose to bury this young +officer myself." + +"Very well, do as you like," said Dick, indignant at having his +well-meant offer refused. "I thought as we had both suffered a common +misfortune, you would have been glad of the society and assistance of a +fellow-creature." + +"You don't suppose that any common misfortune would bring me down to +your level?" exclaimed Lord Reginald. "I don't require either your +sympathy or your assistance; all I desire is that you should keep out of +my way, and remember that I am still your officer." + +"I remember that you were once my officer, and that as such you took +every opportunity to show your ill-feelings towards me, or allowed +others to do so. One of them lies there, and unless you exercise such +sense as you have got, you'll soon take your place by his side. I speak +plainly, but I speak the truth. Except the few shell-fish, and the +couple of cocoanuts you have picked up, you have been unable to procure +any food for yourself." + +"You are wrong there," said Lord Reginald; "my faithful dog has catered +for me, and I have no doubt he will continue to do so; but I do not +choose to waste words on you. Be off, and look after your own affairs." + +Dick laughed scornfully. "Do you suppose that the dog would have got +those birds by himself?" he asked. "You give him credit for more +cleverness than he possesses." + +"I have told you I do not desire to hold any conversation with you," +said Lord Reginald, not inquiring for an explanation of the last remark +Dick had made, though it somewhat puzzled him. + +"You must take the consequences of your obstinacy, then!" exclaimed +Dick, walking away with as haughty an air as Lord Reginald himself could +have assumed. + +The poor young lord resumed his uncongenial occupation, which Dick's +appearance had interrupted. The grave was dug, and the body of the +midshipman dragged into it. He lost no time in covering it up, as it +was painful to look upon those features, once so full of life and +animation. "Are we two, then, the only survivors from the _Marie_?" +exclaimed Lord Reginald. "I wish that some one else had been saved, +though I now know for certain that the only ones with whom I could have +associated are dead!" + +Instead of setting to work to try and improve his condition, oppressed +with lassitude, he lay for the remainder of the day in front of his +cave, doing nothing. + +Neptune remained by him for some time, then apparently getting weary of +inaction, after playing about on the sand, scampered off into the +interior. + +"I hope that he has gone to get me another pigeon, or something else," +said Lord Reginald, when he found that the dog had disappeared. +"Sagacious brute, he knows my wants, and is sure to bring me something." + +Hour after hour, however, passed by, and he began to get very hungry. +The dog did not return, and evening was approaching. He at last got up, +and set off for the spring, to obtain a draught of water, and hoping to +find at all events another cocoanut in the palm grove, where he had +procured the others. Having drunk as much water as he required, he +searched about. Though numbers of cocoanuts grew on the trees above his +head, he could not find one fallen to the ground. There were a few +husks, which had been broken open and their contents abstracted. He +looked about, expecting to see his dog. Neptune did not make his +appearance. All he could do therefore, was to collect some more sticks +to keep up his fire, after which he obtained some clams from the +seashore, off which, though imperfectly cooked, he was fain to make his +supper. He had just finished when he saw Neptune coming towards him, +not scampering along as usual, but advancing slowly, with his tail +between his legs. Lord Reginald looked out eagerly for the pigeon, but +Neptune's mouth had nothing in it. "What, my good dog, have you been +unsuccessful in your hunting?" he said. "It is a bad look-out for me, +as I shall have nothing but these clams. However, you shall share them +with me." + +When, however, he offered the shell-fish to the dog, he refused to eat +them, and, looking ashamed of himself, crouched down by his side. + +Another night passed away. When the young lord tried to get up in the +morning, his limbs ached, and he found himself much weaker than before. +He became somewhat alarmed. "If this goes on I don't know how it will +end," he said to himself. "It is evident that the clams do not agree +with me; however, as I have nothing else, I must eat some for +breakfast." + +In spite of the pain he was suffering, he crawled down to the beach, and +collected as many as he thought he and his dog would require. Bringing +them back, and making up his fire, he tried to cook them with more care +than before. But they tasted like so many pieces of salted leather, and +he could with difficulty swallow them. Neptune ate a few; they were +evidently not much to his taste. He soon showed signs of a wish to get +away from his master. Twice he started off, but Lord Reginald called +him back. + +"Come, old dog, we will go and hunt together, and I hope that we shall +be more successful than before," he said, at length getting up, and +taking a stick to support himself. Sick as he was, he thought a bath +would refresh him. He accordingly went down to the bay, and taking off +his clothes waded in. The cool water had the effect he expected. He +thought he might venture to swim out to a little distance. The dog +followed him, keeping close to his side. He had not got far when +Neptune uttered a bark, very different in tone to that which he usually +emitted. It appeared to be indicative of alarm, and Lord Reginald, +looking ahead, saw a black fin rising above the water. He immediately +turned, and swam with all his might back to the beach, expecting every +instant to feel his leg seized by a shark, for he knew too well that the +black fin belonged to one of the monsters of the deep. Nep continued +close to him, though he might have got ahead, but the moment he touched +the beach he scampered up it, and then turned round and barked +furiously, leaping and splashing about in the shallow water. Lord +Reginald also, as soon as his feet touched the sand, waded out as fast +as his strength would allow, and did not stop until he reached dry +ground. Scarcely had he landed, than a pair of huge jaws appeared above +the surface, making directly for the dog. But Neptune was too active to +be caught, though he had a narrow escape. Lord Reginald, exhausted by +the exertions he had made, sank on the sand. Some minutes passed before +he could manage to put on his clothes. It was a warning to him not to +bathe in future in the bay. + +As soon as he had somewhat recovered, again taking his stick in hand he +set off, as he had before intended, for the fountain. He felt much +refreshed, after taking a draught of pure water and washing his face and +head in it, and was sufficiently strong, he thought, to make an +exploring expedition through the island, to ascertain its size, and +whether he could obtain more food than the sea-shore afforded. Finding +an accessible hill he toiled up it. From the summit, he obtained a view +over the larger portion of the island. It was generally volcanic and +barren. The hill on which he stood formed the side of a volcano, but +whether active or not, he could not determine. It was destitute of +vegetation, and was covered with black lava, which, from being hard and +smooth, he supposed had long been exposed to the atmosphere. There +were, however, level spots, in which grew a number of tropical trees, +and he could see far off, a broad valley, through which a stream +meandered. He looked round for signs of inhabitants, but could discover +no huts or buildings of any sort, or traces of cultivation. In the far +distance, round a point which ran out to the southward, beyond the spot +where the _Marie_ had been wrecked, he saw a wreath of smoke ascending +through the pure air. This, he had no doubt, rose from Richard +Hargrave's fire. Descending the hill, he made his way along a valley, +which was of far greater extent than the one he had just discovered near +his cave. He was struck with the number of birds--some of beautiful +plumage, and others resembling barn door fowls, which were running about +among the trees, picking up seeds and fruits fallen from the lofty +boughs. He caught sight of some small deer, but the moment they saw +him, they scampered off as fleet as the wind. Further off he came upon +a small herd of queer-looking pigs. They took to flight, and although +Neptune made chase, they quickly distanced him. Presently he heard a +chattering above his head, and looking up he saw a number of very small +monkeys, grinning out at him from among the boughs. Impulsively he +threw his stick at one of the nearest, but the monkey saw it coming, and +quickly getting out of the way, clambered with its companions to the +higher boughs, where a bullet alone could have reached it. + +"There's game enough here to support a ship's company," he thought; "but +they only appear to tantalise me, and I may be doomed to starve in the +midst of abundance." Among the birds were numerous white cockatoos +which flew over his head, but as he approached took good care to keep +out of his way, while green pigeons, similar to those Neptune had +brought him, were in great numbers, and evidently less timid. Some flew +close to him, or remained perched on the boughs, but though he threw his +stick at several, he failed to bring one down. + +"I wonder that this island, like others in the neighbourhood, is not +inhabited." The thought then occurred to him that the volcano had +either driven the natives away, or prevented them from occupying it, +although the fertility of the valley through which he was walking showed +that it was capable of supporting a tolerably numerous population. + +He went on and on, interested in the objects he saw, and almost +forgetting his fatigue, being able occasionally to quench his thirst at +the stream along the banks of which he made his way. He cast a longing +eye at several fruits hanging from the boughs of trees of the palm +species, but they were all beyond his reach, and no way occurred to him +of getting at them. The chief inconvenience he suffered was from the +want of a hat, as the sun beat down with intense force on his head, but +although he had seen Richard Hargrave wearing one, it did not occur to +him that he might manufacture a similar protection. He at length +remembered his white handkerchief, which he tied round his head, placing +several layers of leaves beneath it, to add to its thickness. This +somewhat relieved him, but did not shelter his eyes and face. At last +he reached a hill of slight elevation, to the top of which he climbed. +It overlooked a small picturesque bay. On the nearest point was a large +mass of wreck, apparently the bows of the ship, which, when she parted, +had been driven there by the current and the fury of the hurricane. + +On one side, though at no great distance from the shore, was a neat hut, +at which a person was working, whom he felt sure was Richard Hargrave. +Neptune, on seeing him, bounded off without asking his master's leave, +and Lord Reginald, to his intense disgust, saw the dog rush up and lick +the hand of his rival, who patted him, then going into the hut, quickly +came out with some pieces of meat, which he gave to the dog. + +The sight exasperated the young lord, so that, not considering the folly +of what he was about, hurrying down the hill, he made his way towards +Dick. + +The latter, who had mounted a ladder to continue his work, turning his +head, saw him coming, and descended to meet him. + +"You scoundrel!" exclaimed the young lord, his features distorted with +anger. "You are trying to entice my dog from me by giving him food, +which you might at all events have had the grace to offer to me, your +officer." + +"I have no wish to entice your dog from you!" answered Dick; "and I +would advise you to calm your anger, and listen to reason. I sent you +two pigeons I trapped, by your dog, first giving him a hearty meal, that +he might not eat them on the way, and from your own lips I know that you +received them, though you had not the grace to thank me, and declared +that you could do very well without my assistance; so I left you to look +after yourself, though I hadn't the heart to refuse to feed your dog, +when I knew you would have nothing to give him." + +"That's false!" exclaimed Lord Reginald. "I know full well that your +object was to deprive me of my dog, for the faithful animal--though his +instinct induces him to take the food--managed to break away from you, +and to return to me, and had you really wished to assist me you might +have sent some more of those pigeons, or any other provisions you have +obtained." + +"It's of no use arguing with an angry man," retorted Dick. "You accuse +me of uttering falsehoods. Again I assure you that I have spoken but +the simple truth, and say that, as you have obstinately refused my +assistance, you must take the consequences." + +"Impertinent scoundrel!" cried Lord Reginald. "You dare to speak to me +thus! I desire you not again to feed my dog, or to let him remain if he +comes to you. He and I must forage for ourselves, and there's game +enough in the island, so I shall be able to catch as much as I require +for myself and him." + +"As you please," said Dick, turning aside, and whistling as he went on +with his work, which the arrival of Lord Reginald had interrupted. + +The young lord, calling Neptune, who seemed very unwilling to leave, +walked off, foaming with anger, and muttering, "I must put a stop to +this, or it is impossible to say what he will next do!" As he reached +the top of the hill, he could not refrain from turning round, to watch +the proceedings of his rival. + +Dick had built a good-sized hut under the shade of a grove of trees, and +had dug up the ground in an open space near it, to form a garden, which +he had begun to rail in. "The fellow seems determined to make himself +at home, as if he expected to live here for years to come. A low-born +fellow has mechanical talents such as I don't possess; they certainly +give him an advantage over me, under the circumstances in which we are +placed, but I must see what I can do for myself. My cave has only +hitherto afforded me shelter, but should the wind blow strong and +directly into it, I should not find it a comfortable abode. I must try +and build a hut for myself. I don't see why I shouldn't, though it +might not be so well finished as his. But there's wreck enough on the +shore for the purpose, though I shall be puzzled how to get it up. Then +about providing myself with food, I'll make a bow and arrows; I shall +then be able to shoot some birds, or perhaps a deer, and occasionally a +pig. Anything would be better than being beholden to that fellow. It +is important that I should show how independent I am of him." + +Such thoughts occupied the young lord's mind as he continued his walk +along the valley, Neptune every now and then giving chase to a deer or a +hog, but the animals scampered off, soon leaving him far behind, and on +each occasion he came slinking back to his master, greatly disconcerted +at his want of success. + +"I see, poor fellow, you are not more likely to catch one of those +creatures than I am," he said. "We must try what we can do in some +other way. We need not starve in the midst of abundance, that's very +certain." He looked about carefully on every side for a young sapling +or a tree of some flexible character of which he might form a bow, but +he was too ignorant of their nature to know which to select. + +"I must try them first, perhaps I shall hit upon one which will answer +my purpose." + +At last he came to a small straight stem. "This will do, at all +events," he thought, and he set to work with his knife to cut it down. +As the knife was blunt, he made but slow progress. Even when it was +down, he would have to pare off the lower part, so as to make it of the +same size as the upper. At length by cutting round and round, he made a +notch of sufficient depth to enable him to break off the stem. +Shouldering his prize, he walked on to the cave, which he thought would +be cooler than any other spot. + +Poor Nep followed him, wondering what was going to happen. On measuring +the sapling he found that he might have cut it much higher up and saved +himself a great deal of trouble. The bow, were he to use it of its +present length, would be much too long. He had therefore to remedy this +by cutting off two feet at the bottom end. He then peeled it and began +shaping the stick by paring off the thicker end. He had shaped it very +much to his satisfaction, before it occurred to him to try and bend the +bow. What was his annoyance to find, on making the attempt, that bend +it would not. It would have formed a very good lance, had he retained +the full length, but it was useless for a bow. Again and again he tried +to bend it. Using all his force, he felt it yield in his hand, and +presently it snapped across. He threw it to the ground with an +exclamation of disgust, and for a few minutes felt utterly dispirited. + +"I ought to have tried it first to ascertain whether it was of the +nature of the yew. Surely savages in this region use bows. There must +be wood suited for the purpose, so that if I can find it, I ought to be +able to make as good a bow as they can." + +While occupied he had not felt hungry, but as he began to move about, he +was reminded by his sensations that he must find something to eat. He +felt a dislike to making another meal off the shell-fish, but he knew +that unless he should be successful in catching some bird or animal he +would be compelled to do so. Neptune also showed that he was conscious +of the necessity of providing for the inner man. The moment he saw his +master get up, he bounded forward, leaping and frisking about to +encourage him to proceed. + +Poor Lord Reginald, as he walked on after the dog, felt downcast and +faint. By going to Richard Hargrave and apologising for his conduct, he +might have obtained all he required, but he would rather starve than do +that. + +As he reached the valley he saw a large number of white cockatoos and +green pigeons flying about, and preparing to roost for the night. + +"If I can manage to steal on some of those fellows at night, I might +catch a few; that, perhaps, is the way Hargrave gets them." + +But that was a long time to wait with the possibility of not succeeding, +and so Neptune thought, for he went ranging far and wide, evidently +looking for food. + +Going to the fountain, Lord Reginald took a draught of cold water, +hoping that it might stay his hunger. Though it somewhat refreshed him, +he soon became more eager than ever for food, and sat down on the bank +to consider how he could possibly obtain it. In vain he had thrown +sticks and stones at birds. Perhaps he might form some traps, as he +knew that such means were used for catching birds, but how to construct +them was the puzzle. He turned the matter over and over again in his +mind, and discovered that he had no inventive genius. "I shall have to +go back to the shellfish, after all," he said, with a sigh; "but I must +get a stick for a bow. I will try two or three, out of which one surely +will answer the purpose." + +Weak as he was, he again got up, and searching about for the sort of +wood he wanted, he fixed on a couple of saplings and the branch of a +tree. He intended to make the string by untwisting some of the rope +from the wreck, while there were plenty of reeds by the side of the +stream which he thought would serve as arrows, though how to form heads +he had not yet decided. He hoped that by working away by the light of +his fire, he might get a bow finished before the morning. + +He intended to test the sticks before bestowing labour on any of them, +but in the mean time it was absolutely necessary to get some food, for +he felt so weak that he could scarcely drag himself back to his cave. +Nep was certainly of the same opinion in regard to the necessity of +finding provisions, as he continued hunting round and round in all +directions, occasionally stopping and barking eagerly at a monkey, which +looked down at him from a high branch, or at an opossum, to one of which +he gave chase, but the creature got up a tree before he could reach it, +and from its hollow kept looking at the strange animal which had invaded +its native domains. At last Lord Reginald saw Nep run to the top of a +mound, which he observed in an open space in the wood. It appeared to +be composed of sticks, dead leaves, stones, rotten wood, earth, and +rubbish of all sorts. The mound was between five and six feet high, and +fully twelve feet across. He thought it must be the grave of some of +the aborigines who had once inhabited the island, but the dog was +evidently of opinion that it contained something worth looking after, as +he began scratching away with might and main, in so eager a manner, that +Lord Reginald was induced to go up and ascertain what he was about. + +Nep had already dug a deep hole, and on looking into it, his master saw, +to his surprise and satisfaction, a number of eggs as large as those of +a swan, of a red brick colour. Stooping down, he eagerly picked up one +of them, which he broke and found that it was perfectly sweet. Here was +a storehouse, which would supply him with an abundance of excellent +food. + +Having collected as many eggs as he could carry in his handkerchief, +calling Nep, who seemed in no way disposed to leave the treasure, he set +off for his cave. Making up his fire, he put three of his eggs under +the ashes to cook, the only way he could think of to dress them, while +he ate a portion of the one he had broken, which, though raw, was +palatable, and contributed to allay the pangs of hunger. The remainder +he gave to Nep, who eagerly gobbled it up, showing how hungry he had +become. + +That the eggs were laid by birds, he had no doubt, though of what +species they were he was unable to determine. He resolved, however, to +return next morning, and to wait near the spot, supposing that they must +be large birds, and that he should be able to kill one, which would +afford him ample food for a day or two. "I shall then be as well off as +that fellow Hargrave," he thought to himself, "and I at all events shall +be independent of him." + +Having finished his supper, he commenced making a bow. One only of the +sticks appeared suitable for the purpose. On bending it, back it sprang +with considerable force. While still working away by the light of his +waning fire, sleep so completely overpowered him, that he let fall his +knife, and the stick of his bow by his side, while his head bent down +over his breast. When he awoke, his fire was almost out, and as he +could see to work no more, he crept back into his cave, where he lay +down to sleep, with Nep, as usual, by his side. + + + +CHAPTER TWELVE. + +A TRYING TIME--THE FATAL CRASH--BEN RUDALL'S LAST EFFORT--AMONG THE +BREAKERS--THROWN ON SHORE--THE FIRST SHELTER--THE CARPENTER'S CHEST-- +SETTING TRAPS--A VERY SATISFACTORY MEAL--VISIT OF NEP--A PRESENT FOR +LORD REGINALD--DICK BUILDING HIS HUT--MEETING OF THE RIVAL CRUSOES-- +SUPPLIES STOPPED--COLLECTING STORES--BOAT-BUILDING--USEFUL EMPLOYMENT OF +TIME--CONSTRUCTING A COT--THE MEGAPODES--A CROSSBOW. + +We must now go back to the night of the shipwreck. Dick, with Ben +Rudall and several other men, had been stationed forward, and remained +at their posts when land was first seen under the lee. + +"There'll be a watery grave for most of us," said Ben when the cry arose +of "Land, land!" often so cheering to seamen, but on the present +occasion of such dreadful import. + +"We must have a struggle for our lives, at all events," said Dick. +"Better than going down in mid-ocean, without a plank to cling to." + +"You don't know what a surf like that breaking on a lee-shore under your +lee can do!" observed an old salt, who stood holding on to the bulwarks +with one hand, while he searched for a quid of tobacco with the other. + +"They would grind up a stout ship like this in a few minutes if she +strikes. It can't be helped; I'll take one chaw, though it may be my +last, and I only wish that I could get a glass or two of grog. It would +make one feel more comfortable like." + +"We can do without grog, surely," said Dick. "It strikes me that we +ought to try and keep our senses wide awake, so that we can judge of +what's best to be done. I for one shall struggle to the last, and hope +to reach the beach in spite of the surf, either on a spar or a piece of +wreck." + +"We arn't wrecked yet; maybe we shall be able to run into some cove or +other where we can bring up." + +"Not unless we had a pilot on board who knows the coast. From what I +hear, none of the officers have ever been in these seas before, and we +have little chance of dropping anchor in a safe harbour." + +The gale came down with increased fury. "Hold on, lads, for your +lives!" cried Ben, who had cast one anxious look to leeward. "Keep +clear of the falling masts, for before a minute is over we shall be on +shore!" + +Scarcely had he spoken than there came a fearful crash. The masts went +by the board. The sea, with thundering roars, broke over the doomed +ship. Crash succeeded crash. The shrieks of those carried away could +be heard every moment. Dick kept to his resolution of clinging tightly +to a stanchion. Presently came the final crash, when the _Marie_ parted +amidships, and those forward found themselves separated from their +companions. The sea twisted the bow round and floated it away, but it +still held together. "We shall be carried off from the land!" cried Ben +Rudall. "We had better try to get hold of some spars and float ashore." + +"I thought you advised us to cling to the ship as long as she held +together," observed Dick. + +"But she's not holding together," answered Ben. "To my mind, she'll +either go down in deep water, or go to pieces when we are too far off to +reach the shore." + +Still Dick had made up his mind to stick to the ship. + +"Well, mates, who's for the shore?" cried Ben. + +"Only those who are tired of life!" said the old seaman; "the wise ones +will stick to the wreck. The chances are that will be cast on the +beach, where we shall have a better chance of landing." + +Ben, however, still adhered to the belief that they would have a better +prospect of saving their lives by clinging to some of the floating mass +than by holding on to the forecastle, over which the sea was continually +washing. + +Several, while doubting what to do, were swept from their hold, and had +no choice given them. Ben, with three others, got hold of some pieces +of timber. + +"If you escape and I get drowned, give my love to poor Susan and the +children. Say that my last thoughts were about them," cried Ben, as he +threw himself after his companions. + +Dick and the old seaman alone remained. The mass of wreck was tossed +wildly about for some minutes, being swept by a current parallel to the +shore, until at length, lifted by a sea, it drove on a reef, when the +next sea rolling up, carried its two occupants overboard, together with +several fragments of the bulwarks which it had torn off. + +Striking out for his life, Dick succeeded in getting hold of a piece of +timber. As he did so he heard a cry, and glancing in the direction from +whence it came, he dimly saw his late companion through the gloom, lift +up his arms and sink amidst the foaming waters. Dick held fast to the +timber. Although not a bad swimmer, he knew that he should have but +little chance of keeping afloat in that boiling cauldron. The seas +washed him on nearer and nearer the shore, when just as he felt his +strength failing him, he found that the timber had grounded; so letting +it go he scrambled up before the next wave overtook him, and reached the +dry sand, on which he threw himself, well-nigh exhausted by his +exertions. Soon recovering, he looked out, in the hopes that some of +his shipmates might be thrown up on the same beach, but though he for +long watched anxiously, running up and down along the whole circuit of +the bay, he saw no one, and came to the melancholy conclusion that all +on board excepting himself had been lost. + +Numerous articles, besides masses of wreck, were, however, cast on +shore, and those which appeared the most valuable he made every exertion +to secure. Among them was a large chest, which he hoped by its weight +to have belonged to the carpenter. Though unable to haul it up beyond +where the water had floated it, having found a rope he made it fast to +the handle, and carried the other end to the trunk of a tree. In vain +he looked out during the time, in the hope of seeing any of his +shipmates coming on shore; he feared all had been drowned or washed +away. At length he made out amid the foam two bodies floating at no +great distance from the shore. They both appeared lashed to pieces of +timber. They might still be alive. + +He dashed into the water, just as the sea sent one of the pieces of +wreck close to him, when seizing it he dragged it up, and instantly +casting off the lashings, carried the man up to the dry beach. He then +dashed forward again, and succeeded in getting hold of the spar to which +the second man was lashed. It cost him much labour, and he was very +nearly carried out himself, but by exerting all his strength he +succeeded at length in getting the spar also up to the beach. + +Cutting the man loose, he carried the body up and placed it beside that +of his companion. He then set to work to try and restore the men to +life, rubbing their hands and chests, but all his efforts were in vain. +As far as he could tell, they were the only people who had reached the +beach. He thought of poor Ben. He still had some hopes that he might +have been washed on shore, but although he called his name several +times, no answer was returned. + +Finding that all his efforts were vain, he then got up, wishing to +procure some shelter for himself during the inclement night. Observing +the mizzen rigging with a piece of sail entangled among it, he cut the +canvas loose, and contrived with a couple of bales and some pieces of +board, to rig up a rough hut. + +The storm abated and the moon shone out for a short time, enabling him +to complete his work. Scarcely was it finished than down came the rain, +and he was glad to crawl in and obtain rest. He slept on until morning. +Immediately on getting up he went down to the beach on the chance of +finding any of his companions, but no one was visible, either alive or +dead. There were, however, a number of articles and masses of wreck +floating or cast on shore, while the bows of the ship still hung +together at the end of the reef. Hunger reminded him that he must look +out for food. The trees and shrubs he saw growing inland gave him hopes +of finding provision for his wants. + +His first care was to form a covering for his head, as he had already +found the heat of the sun excessive, and he had lost his hat during his +swim ashore. He had often seen the seamen on board form straw hats. He +at once looked out for such leaves as would serve the purpose of straw, +and soon finding some, he sat down under a tree and diligently set to +work. The fibre of the leaf served as thread, the thick stem as a +needle. Certainly the hat was not over well shaped, but it answered the +purpose of protecting his head and neck from the burning rays of the +sun. + +His next idea was to obtain such food as the sea would afford. Without +difficulty he collected as many shell-fish as he required from the reef, +and was returning with them when he saw a cask, which from its +appearance he hoped contained biscuits. He at once rolled it up to his +hut, then set about collecting wood for a fire. + +He easily found a supply of dry sticks which, with some pieces of wreck, +were amply sufficient for his wants. As he was collecting the sticks he +was delighted to see the number of birds as well as animals inhabiting +the island. + +"If I can catch you fellows, I shall have no want of food," he observed. +"I must set my wits to work, and make some traps." + +A couple of large clam shells which he had found on the beach, served to +carry water. He had in his pocket a flint and steel, with which he soon +managed to produce a blaze. While the shell-fish were cooking, he +opened the cask, which he found contained flour. Though the outside was +wet, by digging down to a little depth, he found the interior perfectly +dry. A clam shell served him as a kneading-dish, and he quickly made +some dough cakes, which he baked in the embers. He was thus able to +enjoy a very satisfactory breakfast, although he had cold water alone as +a beverage. There were a number of other casks and cases, and he hoped +to find among them some more flour, and perhaps some tea or coffee, and +salt beef or pork. + +The first thing to be done was to secure all the articles which came on +the beach, before another tide should float them off. He at once set +about this. It was somewhat hard work, for many of the cases were +heavy, and he could with difficulty drag them over the soft sand. +Having drawn up all he could see floating on the shores of the bay, he +bethought him that by going further to the south, he might find others +in the bay off which the ship struck. + +He accordingly set out, and climbing over the intervening rocks, what +was his surprise on looking down to see a person at work, whom he +recognised as Lord Reginald. He at once guessed how he was employed. + +"It isn't fair to let him do that work all alone, though I'd rather have +kept clear of him, and very likely he'll not take in good part whatever +offer I make," he said to himself. + +He approached, and was received as he expected. The interview has +already been described. Dick felt a sincere grief when he found Ben +Rudall's body among the drowned; it was not likely that any others had +escaped. The headland which extended away to the westward, would +prevent any persons landing on that side, and he felt sure that Lord +Reginald and he were the only people who had escaped from the wreck. + +The treatment he received made him resolve not to trouble Lord Reginald +in future with his company. "He'll come to his senses by-and-by, and +find out that he and I are pretty much on an equality, or rather that I +have the advantage of him, as I shall be able to get on much better than +he does," thought Dick. + +From the first, he saw the necessity of providing for his daily wants. +He must look out for food, and erect some shelter for himself. The hut +in which he had spent the first night was hot and close, and though it +might serve him until he could get a better habitation erected, he was +anxious to build a more substantial place to live in. He was desirous, +also, without delay, to examine the large chest. It would have been a +difficult task to get it beyond the reach of the sea, even should Lord +Reginald have condescended to help him. He considered, therefore, how +he could best do it alone. There were several broken spars about. +These he collected, and managed, by digging away the sand, to place them +so as to serve as rollers beneath the chest. He then picked up several +blocks, with which he formed a tackle, and secured it to the stump of a +tree. By hauling away with all his might, he found that he could move +the chest, and by shifting the rollers by degrees he hauled it up beyond +high-water mark. The next difficulty to be overcome was to get it open. +He had no tools to work with, and without tools it would baffle the +strength of fifty men. Looking about, however, he discovered a large +flat stone which might, he hoped, serve as a wedge; after a further +search he picked up another heavy round stone, and armed with these he +began to work away at the lock. It resisted for some time, but by +hammering away with might and main the lock yielded, and the interior, +full of carpenter's tools and numerous other articles, was revealed to +his sight. He had now the means of building a comfortable house. He +had been taught to handle tools by a carpenter in his younger days, and +he had also--which was of great importance--often formed traps for the +purpose of catching birds and animals, so that he might thus supply +himself with food. He saw a number of green pigeons, which appeared +very tame, and lots of cockatoos, though they looked too wise to be +trapped. + +Selecting such of the tools as he thought he should require, he +collected a quantity of wood, and took them up to the shade of the +nearest tree, where he could work in tolerable comfort. In a short time +he had formed three traps, similar to those made by boys in England to +catch sparrows, but of much larger dimensions. + +Having picked up a quantity of seed fallen from the trees, for bait, he +set them in different places apart, where from a distance he could +command a sight of them. He watched eagerly, and soon had the +satisfaction of seeing one go down, and directly afterwards the other +two. He ran up to secure his prizes. Each had caught a pigeon, and +wringing their necks he reset the traps, and returned to his tree. Some +dry fungus served him for tinder. Having his flint and steel, he struck +a spark and soon had a fire blazing. He plucked one of the pigeons and +set it on to roast, considering that it would be sufficient for one +meal, and intending to keep the other two. He then made some dough +cakes, which he cooked as before, on a large stone surrounded by ashes. +He had begun his meal when he saw Nep ranging in the distance. He +called the dog to him, and observing his hungry look, gave him the +remainder of the pigeon and some dough cake. The dog, having eaten what +was bestowed upon him, looked still anxious. + +"I see what it is; you are thinking of your master, old fellow. Now you +take back that bird. He is probably very hungry, and you may tell him I +sent it, if you like. I don't suppose he will refuse to eat it, even if +he knows where it comes from. Now mind, Nep, don't you stop on the way +and bolt it down, or I shall be obliged to give you a thrashing when you +come back." + +Nep seemed fully to understand what he was to do. Taking the bird up +with as much care as if it were alive, he set off in the direction of +the cave. + +"He'll do it," said Dick, well satisfied with himself. "I couldn't bear +to have him starve, while I am enjoying an ample meal. The chances are +that he hasn't got the sense to obtain anything for himself. Nep might +be able to catch some animals for him, but he won't succeed in getting +hold of a bird." + +Dick felt much more satisfied with himself after this. He now began to +consider how he could make himself comfortable. While setting his traps +he had observed several trees which bore fruit, and he therefore felt +convinced he should be able to obtain as much food as he required, +besides any fish he might catch. On searching the carpenter's chest, he +found a number of hooks of all sizes, together with some fine line, so +that he might go out fishing as soon as he had time. Several of the +bales consisted of cotton or linen cloth, and another prize was a box +belonging to one of the officers, which contained clothes, shoes, some +nautical instruments, a spyglass, and several books, which, although +they were in French, were better than none at all, as he might by their +means teach himself that language. + +Having collected all the wood which had drifted ashore from the wreck, +he dragged it up by means of his tackle, and he had soon enough to build +a small hut. He lost no time in making a commencement. The tropical +rains, he thought, might soon begin, and it was important to get under +shelter before then. He settled to build his hut in such a way that he +might increase its size as he could procure more materials. At present +his plan was to build the frame of drift wood, and then to cover it over +with planks, for which he might cut down trees and saw them up into +boards. + +For some time, however, his progress was slow, as he was compelled to +look out for provisions. For this purpose he had to form several more +traps, as sometimes whole days passed without those he had at first set +catching a bird. Neptune paid him another visit, and he sent a second +pigeon by the dog to Lord Reginald. Remembering that several articles +had been thrown up on the beach of the smaller bay on which Lord +Reginald had been cast, he thought that he would ascertain if there were +any things worth having among them. He set off, therefore, armed with a +stick for this purpose. He was going along the beach, eagerly looking +out for whatever he could draw on shore, when he saw Lord Reginald +engaged in burying the midshipman. + +The coldness with which his overtures were received made him determine +to leave Lord Reginald to his own devices. + +"He'll soon find out how well he can get on alone," he said to himself, +and turning on his heel he went back to his hut. "If the foolish fellow +chooses to starve, there's no reason why the poor dog should. If he +comes, I'll do my best to feed him, at all events." + +Dick had now plenty of work before him. His spirits rose as he laboured +away, and he made good progress with his hut. It was almost fit for +occupation. As long as he could procure nourishing food without +difficulty, he devoted himself without interruption to the work. +Neptune paid his visits as before, and Dick fed him well, but would give +him no food to carry to his master. + +"No, no," he said; "he boasts that he can feed himself, let him do so. +If he starve, that's not my look-out, but you, poor brute, deserve being +cared for." At length, to Dick's surprise, Lord Reginald made his +appearance. At first Dick hoped he had come with overtures of peace, +but the young lord's haughty bearing and outrageous remarks convinced +him that there was little hope of their living on amicable terms +together. + +"Let him go and live by himself as best he can," said Dick. "I should +have liked to have had a companion, but I would rather be without one +than be compelled to associate with so ill-tempered a fellow as he is." +And he went on boring holes and hammering on the planks of his house. +Next day Nep made his appearance, begging for food, which Dick gave him, +but though he had several pigeons, he would not send one by him. + +Nep stayed on, hoping to get it, but Dick was determined that the young +lord should be made to feel his own helplessness. "If he want food for +himself, he must come and ask for it," he said; "he chose to despise my +former presents, and I intend to teach him which is the best man of the +two." + +Dick soon got his hut roofed in, so that should rain come on, he would +be under shelter. He had still to make furniture for it, and to build a +storehouse and other conveniences. + +Before commencing these operations, he bethought him of the best means +of securing a supply of provisions, so that he need not be interrupted +in his work. + +During two or three excursions he had made through the valley, he had +seen the number of birds and animals inhabiting it. The pigs, he +thought, he could catch in pitfalls, though it might be a task of some +difficulty without an iron spade to dig them in hard ground, but he was +not to be daunted, and he determined to form some instrument with which +to accomplish his purpose. + +Then he thought, "I ought to have a canoe to go out fishing, while the +fine weather lasts." As he wandered about, he looked out for a tree to +suit his purpose. He found one of sufficient girth and length, with a +perfectly straight trunk, though whether the nature of the wood was +suitable for a canoe, he could not ascertain, except by cutting it down. +He had often felled trees at home, but without an axe he could do +nothing. He went back to the carpenter's chest, in the hopes of finding +one. Searching among the tools, at the bottom he discovered three spare +heads. He had, however, to fix a handle to one of them. The first +thing to be done was to find a piece of wood suited for the purpose. +After hunting for some time, he discovered a piece of oak, washed ashore +from the wreck. On measuring it, he ascertained that it was large +enough to form three handles. Before, however, he could use a saw to +his satisfaction, he considered that it would be necessary to form a +stool, which he did from a piece of plank, with four stout legs fixed in +the ground, close to his hut. He could now shape the handles without +difficulty. Having sawn out one, he set to work with chisel and plane, +and quickly formed a long handle which pleased him well. Fixing it +securely in the axe-head, he poised it, and found that it was all he +could desire. + +Throwing off his jacket and waistcoat, rolling up his shirt sleeves, and +fastening a handkerchief round his waist, he set to work, and began +chopping away at the trunk of the tree, on the lee side, so that, the +last stroke being given on the weather side, it might fall without fear +of crushing him. He laboured away without cessation until he had cut +through nearly half the tree, when his arms began to ache. He stopped, +retiring to a little distance to contemplate his work. "Another two +hours will do it, and I should like to get it down before dark," he +exclaimed. + +The wood was tolerably soft. This gave him hopes that he should be able +to shape it without difficulty. His first idea had been to form only a +fishing punt, which would enable him to go off a short distance from the +land, or to visit the various bays in the island, where fish might +abound. But as he considered the size of the tree, he thought it might +be as well to construct one large enough to cross to any of the islands +to the northward, which he knew to exist in that direction. For some +thirty feet the trunk was almost of the same circumference. By adding +weather boards, and decking over a portion of the stern and head, he +might form a boat of a size sufficient to venture on a long voyage. + +After resting himself, he again set to work, until he had cut into the +heart of the tree. Having penetrated deeply into the tree on the lee +side, he now stood on the weather side, and prepared to give the +finishing strokes. After every stroke, he watched to see in which +direction the tree was bending, that he might spring out of the way, in +an opposite one to which it tended. At length, the wood began to crack, +and the tall tree hung over on the side he expected. He plied his axe +with redoubled vigour, when, tottering for a moment, down it came with a +crash, making the earth around tremble, and throwing up a cloud of dust +and leaves. He uttered a shout of satisfaction as he saw the first part +of his work accomplished. In his eagerness, he would have begun shaping +it out immediately, but darkness had come on, and prevented him from +working. He had been so engaged, that he had forgotten all about his +food. Hurrying to his traps, he found a couple of pigeons, which he +hastily plucked, and, having made up his fire, put on to roast. While +they were cooking, he kneaded some small dough cakes. + +"I wish that foolish fellow had more sense; I would gladly have given +him some of these," he thought. "The chances are he hasn't been able to +kill anything. Hunger, however, will perhaps bring him to his senses, +and I shall have him here begging. I can't have the heart to refuse +him, though he ought to be made to feel his own helplessness." Having +finished his supper, Dick hung up the other bird, and put away his cakes +for breakfast, that he might set to work as soon as it was daylight. + +He had not hitherto formed a bed-place for himself, being content to +sleep on the ground, with some canvas and cloth from one of the bales, +which he had first well dried in the sun, for a covering. Being very +tired, he lay down, but fancied that he felt creatures crawling over +him, so he resolved to make a cot before the next night, that he might +sleep more comfortably. He had noticed some palm needles and a quantity +of twine in the carpenter's chest, which would be of great service. He +awoke before daylight, but afraid of losing time, he remained awake, +thinking over his plans, until he saw the first gleams of dawn breaking +in the eastern sky. He then at once rose and went down to the beach to +take a bath, splashing about all the time he was in the water, and +looking out seawards, in case of sharks or other dangerous creatures +being near. Thoroughly refreshed, he returned on shore. Having +dressed, he went back to his hut to commence his work for the day. He +was so eager to get his boat finished that he would at once have begun +on that, but there were other things of more immediate importance. The +first was to see that his traps were properly set, as he knew that he +was more likely to catch birds in the morning when they came down to +feed, than at other times in the day. It took him, however, some time +to collect the nuts and other fallen fruits on which the birds fed. As +he was thus employed, he counted several different species, mostly of +beautiful plumage, while a number of monkeys played on the boughs above +his head, chattering furiously, as if to ask him where he came from. + +"If the birds fly away, I shall be able to catch some of you fellows, at +all events," he said, looking up at them. "I have heard say that some +people do eat monkeys, though I would rather have any other meat. I'd +sooner have one of those deer or hogs I see scampering away there; +though, as I have not much chance of finding a gun and powder, I must +make a crossbow and arrows. I used to shoot pretty well with one; if I +can get the right sort of wood I have no doubt I could make one that +would carry fifty yards or so, and I dare say that I should be able to +kill some of those fellows, by lying in ambush, or creeping up to them. +I'm sure, at all events, that I can knock over as many monkeys as I +require." Having set his traps, he ate the remainder of his pigeon and +some of the dough cakes, which he washed down with a draught of pure +water. + +He then began on his cot. He might have made a hammock with far less +difficulty, but it would require more space to hang than his hut +afforded, and would not be altogether so comfortable as a cot. + +With two long poles and two short ones for the head and foot, he formed +a framework, to which he secured canvas. Then fastening on the +knittles, he secured a couple of blocks to the rafters of the hut, and +thus formed a satisfactory sleeping-place. + +With some of the cloth he made a pillow and mattress, which he stuffed +with dried leaves, while another piece of cloth served as a coverlid of +sufficient thickness for that climate. "I shall want a table and stool, +and I must see if I can find any plates and dishes, mugs, or a +saucepan." He very soon had fallen into the habit of talking to +himself. + +The day was wearing on. He had seen nothing of Lord Reginald nor of +Neptune. He was surprised that the dog had not paid him a visit, but +concluded that he had found sufficient food for himself and his master, +or that he would certainly have done so. Dick accordingly began to plan +his canoe. He had found pencils and paper in the well-stored +carpenter's chest. He drew the proposed shape of the stem and stern. +His chief doubt was about the length. He finally settled to make the +canoe thirty feet long. The tree was upwards of four feet in diameter. +He proposed to make the gunwale two feet above this by raising it all +round, and he thus hoped to get a craft of sufficient beam to carry +cargo and go through a considerable amount of sea. He had the whole +plan more clearly defined in his own mind than he could have designed it +on paper. His first business was to chop off the bark and to saw the +two ends even; then to level one side of the tree, cutting off rather +more than one-third. On the level thus formed, he drew a line from one +end to the other, carefully measuring it so that both sides might be +equal. He next marked off from his drawing the shape of the bow and +stern. By the time these operations were completed it was again night. +He determined that nothing except what was absolutely necessary should +stop him until he could finish it. He intended to fix on a keel and +stern, so that the boat might carry sail. While on board the _Wolf_, he +had often heard the warrant officers discuss the best form of boat. The +carpenter described the canoes in those seas with outriggers, which +would prevent them upsetting. Dick had comprehended the object of +these; indeed, the carpenter had shown him some prints in Captain Cook's +voyages, which enabled him still better to understand the use of such +contrivances. Though Dick was highly proud of his proposed craft, he +was fully sensible of the importance of procuring food. + +Next morning when he went to his traps, he found that no birds had been +taken. He concluded that, seeing so many of their companions caught, +the rest had become wary, but he saw many others of different species, +which he hoped either to trap or shoot. To do this he must manufacture +his proposed crossbow. Without loss of time, taking an axe and saw with +him, he set out in search of the necessary wood, for none of that from +the wreck was likely to answer the purpose. He went on through the +broad valley, until he arrived at the smaller one, in which was the +spring whence Lord Reginald procured his supply of water. He looked +out, but could see nothing of either the young lord or his dog. As he +passed through the wood, he observed several birds; they had large feet +and long curved claws, and were about the size of a small barn-door +fowl. Their plumage was mostly of a dark olive colour, with tints of +brown on the other parts. They were busily employed in eating fallen +fruits, and picking up worms and insects, running about here and there +at a great rate. Curious to observe them, he hid himself behind a tree, +when he saw some, evidently hens, hopping to the top of a large mound, +where having scraped away the earth to a considerable depth, they each +deposited an egg, covering it up again with the greatest care. + +"Oh, oh!" thought Dick, "if your eggs are fit to eat, I shall have a +good store of provision," and going to the mound he soon shovelled away +the earth, beneath which he found a good number of eggs. These he +deposited carefully in a handkerchief, wrapping them up with leaves, to +prevent them breaking. + +The birds were a species of megapode, which are found chiefly in +Australia and Borneo and the intermediate islands. They are allied to +the gallinaceous birds but differ from them in never sitting upon their +eggs, which, thus buried in vegetable rubbish, are left to be hatched by +heat and fermentation. It is said that a number of birds unite in +forming these mounds, and lay their eggs together, but take no further +care of their offspring. As soon as the little birds are hatched, they +run away from the mound, and at once begin picking up food suitable to +them, trusting to their speed to escape from their foes. Dick, of +course, knew nothing of this, but was well satisfied at finding so large +a supply of fresh-laid eggs. He was also not aware that it was the very +mound from which Lord Reginald had obtained the only food, besides +shell-fish, he had been able to procure since his arrival in the island. +Dick would certainly not otherwise have carried them off. Reaching the +sea-shore, he turned back, for fear of encountering Lord Reginald, as he +had no wish to have another interview with one who received his advances +so ill. + +"I suppose that he will manage to kill or trap some of those birds for +himself," he thought, "or, if he is hard up, that he'll come back and +ask my assistance. Meantime I must see what I can do for myself." +After hunting about and trying a number of trees, he selected four +branches of wood, on which he meant to try experiments to ascertain +which was most suited for a crossbow. The stock and string he would +have no difficulty in forming. He had the whole plan clearly in his +head, and now he had got the eggs, which would last him for two or three +days, he was in no hurry to finish it. He found a piece of deal, which +could be easily worked, and he immediately commenced cutting it into +shape, using his saw, plane, and chisel. The first piece of wood he +tried for the bow broke. He had to take another, which bent easily +enough, but had not sufficient spring. With the third he was more +successful, and was fully satisfied that it would answer his purpose. +He formed a string by twisting several lengths of twine tightly +together, and he found that he could send a bolt of wood between thirty +and forty yards. By the light of his fire he worked away until late in +the night, when he was compelled from sleepiness to turn into his cot, +with which he was well pleased. It formed a comfortable couch, and +neither crabs, nor beetles, nor centipedes, nor other creeping things +came near him. Still, he could not go to sleep. His thoughts +constantly reverted to the poor young lord, who was resting in his +cavern with dry sand, or a bed of leaves, at best, for his couch. + +"Though he treats me with disdain, I ought not in consequence to allow +him to perish. He is proud and obstinate, but, of course, he hasn't +liked the way I have spoken to him. I hope to-morrow morning he'll +think better of it, and will come to me for assistance, or will send +Neptune. It is hard that the poor dog should starve because his master +and I have fallen out." + +Notwithstanding these thoughts which passed through Dick's mind, he did +not feel inclined just then to set out in search of Lord Reginald. +After thinking over what he would say to him if they met, satisfied with +his good intentions, he fell asleep. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTEEN. + +SEEKING FOOD--DISAPPOINTED--SHAPING A BOW--REDUCED TO EXTREMITY--POOR +NEP IN DISGRACE--FEVER--HOW DICK FARED--THE CROSSBOW BOLT--A +CURING-HOUSE--NEPTUNE'S APPEAL FOR HELP--DICK TURNS NURSE--ALL BUT +LOST--A CHANGE OF QUARTERS--LORD REGINALD'S DELIRIUM--FINDING JUICY +FRUIT--THE RECOGNITION. + +Lord Reginald awoke with aching head and confused brain. For some time +he lay unable to collect his scattered thoughts. At length he +remembered how he had been engaged on the previous evening. He saw the +bow he was trying to form, by his side, and Neptune lying down at his +feet, keeping watch. As soon as the dog observed that his master was +awake, he got up and licked his hands and face, trying to arouse him. + +"I see you want food; so do I," said Lord Reginald, sitting up. "When I +have finished the bow we shall have plenty. In the mean time, we must +get a supply of those eggs we found the other day." He tried, as he +spoke, to rise. With some exertion he got on his feet, but felt +scarcely able to walk. Taking his stick, however, he managed to totter +out of the cave. The fresh air of the early morning somewhat revived +him, and, followed by Neptune, he made his way towards the curious mound +in which he had found the eggs. He felt very giddy, and could scarcely +drag his legs along. The necessity of obtaining food, however, +compelled him to proceed. Nep kept by his side, looking up into his +face, and wondering why he didn't move faster. He had great difficulty +in climbing to the top of the mound, and nearly sank down in the +attempt. At length he succeeded, when Nep ran forward and began +scratching away as he had done before. Lord Reginald, sinking to the +ground, watched him. "It appears to me as if some one has visited the +place since I was last here," he thought. + +Nep continued scratching away, but no eggs appeared. As Nep at length +enlarged the hole, three eggs were disclosed to sight. Lord Reginald +broke one of them, and cast it from him with disgust, for it contained a +nearly formed bird. Nep, not being so particular as his master, +supposing it was intended for him, without ceremony at once gobbled it +up. The second and the third egg were in the same condition. Nep took +them also as his share, and afterwards went on scratching away, +apparently hoping to find more. Lord Reginald was too weak to help him. + +"That fellow Hargrave has been here, and carried off all the sound eggs, +leaving only these few for the sake of tantalising me," he exclaimed in +a bitter tone. + +After Neptune had scratched over the whole top of the mound, Lord +Reginald, finding that he had no chance of obtaining any eggs from it, +made his way with tottering steps towards the fountain, at which he and +Neptune, as usual, quenched their thirst. It seemed to him, that he +could never drink enough to allay the burning fever which raged within +him. Neptune ranged about, and showed a great inclination to set off in +the direction of Richard Hargrave's hut, but Lord Reginald called him +back, jealous of the regard he paid to his rival. + +"If you play me that trick, master Nep, I shall tie you up. Remember, I +will have no paying court to that fellow," he cried out. + +The dog came back with his tail between his legs, looking as if he would +answer, "It will be your loss, master, but I obey you." + +Greatly refreshed by the water, Lord Reginald found that he had +sufficient strength to get to the beach. He managed, not without +difficulty, to cut off from the rocks a further supply of clams, with +which he returned to his cave. He made up his fire, and dressed some of +them. Nep watched him, showing that the eggs had not sufficiently +satisfied his hunger. It was with difficulty, however, when cooked, +that, hungry as he was, Lord Reginald could eat any of the shell-fish. +Even had he been in full health and strength, such food was not +sufficient, without vegetables, either to satisfy his hunger or keep him +in health. + +"There, Nep," he said, throwing the remainder to his dog, "they'll suit +you better than they do me." + +Nep ate them up, and then came and lay down by his master's side. + +"I must try and get this bow finished, old dog. We will then try and +procure some venison, or one of those hogs, if I cannot manage to shoot +a bird," he said. + +He took up the stick he had been forming into a bow, and worked away as +he had done on the previous night, but he had blunted his knife in +cutting off the clams from the rocks, and had no means of sharpening it +effectually. He tried to do so on a flat piece of rock, and then on the +sole of his shoe, but after an attempt he found that it was very little +sharper than before. He discovered, indeed, that he was ignorant of the +way to sharpen a knife, as he was of most other arts. + +At length, however, the bow was finished in a rough fashion, with a +notch at each end to hold the string, which had now to be formed. He +had first to untwist a piece of rope, then to divide it into small +strands, and to twist them up again by means of a winch, which he +manufactured like those he had seen on board. The string was much +thicker than he wished to make it, but he could not otherwise give it +sufficient strength. At last that was finished, and fitted to the bow. +He had still the arrows to make. He remembered the reeds he had seen +growing by the side of the stream, and rising with difficulty, he +dragged himself along, supported by his stick, until he reached the +spot. He selected a few of the requisite size and length, but with his +blunt knife it took him a long time even to cut one, and his strength +was almost exhausted before he had collected half a dozen. With these +he returned to the cave. + +The wings of the pigeons which Nep had left supplied him with feathers, +which he bound on to one end. His difficulty was to form points. At +first he thought that he could grind down some stones into the required +shape, but after labouring away for some time, he had to give up the +attempt. He then tried some hard pieces of wood, which he cut into +shape and then hardened in the fire. Though not so heavy as he wished, +he hoped that they might answer his purpose, and enable him to shoot +straight for some distance. He had been all day without food except +such shell-fish as he had taken in the morning, and he felt little able +to draw his bow with any effect. As soon as he had finished his first +arrow he got up, and placing it in the string, shot it along the shore. +The arrow took a wavering flight, and flew some fifty yards or so, +burying itself in the sand. Nep got up to it, barking with delight, +while Lord Reginald crawled after it. On pulling it out, he found to +his excessive vexation that the head had come off, and some time was +expended in digging it out. Observing that he had not formed a +sufficiently deep notch to bind it on tightly, he remedied the error, +and was tolerably well satisfied with the result. Having finished the +other five arrows, he set out, hoping to return with an ample supply of +food. If he could but kill one deer, or a pig, or two or three birds, +he would have sufficient to feed both himself and Neptune. The sun was +still hot, but in his eagerness he thought little about it, and dragged +himself along, hoping soon to see something at which to aim. + +He would not have disdained even a monkey, if he could kill nothing +else. He first made his way to the spring, where he had to quench his +burning thirst. He then crawled on until he reached a tree, behind +which he stood, hoping that some animal might come by at which he might +take a steady aim. He waited and waited, however, in vain. He saw +several deer in the distance, but they bounded along far out of range of +his bow. At last he saw two hogs come grunting up, turning up the +ground with their snouts in search of roots. They approached slowly. +Trembling with eagerness, hoping that he might be able to kill one of +them, he kept the arrow in the string, ready to shoot. The hogs came on +moving from one side to the other, till they had got to within about +thirty yards of it, when, fearing that they might suddenly turn off away +from the tree, and sure that he could send his arrow to that distance, +steadying himself as well as he could, he bent his bow. The arrow flew +from the string, but though it struck the hog with a force which made +the creature squeak, it glanced off from its thick hide, and both the +animals, looking round, scampered away at a rate which made it hopeless +to attempt overtaking them. Lord Reginald, however, getting ready +another arrow, shot it, but it missed both hogs, who escaped, whisking +their tails. He followed to pick up the arrows. Neither of them was +broken. He next tried his skill at a cockatoo, but the arrow glanced +against a bough, and the bird flew away with a scream of derision,--so +poor Lord Reginald thought it. He was equally unsuccessful when aiming +at some green pigeons. He had lost five of the arrows, and was almost +in despair, when he caught sight of a monkey. He fixed the last arrow +to the string and took as he thought a steady aim, but the monkey gave a +nimble skip, and went chattering away to a distance, as if fully aware +of the evil intended him, while the bow, as it sprang back again, gave a +crack, and to Lord Reginald's dismay he found that it was broken. He +dashed it down to the ground. + +"Unfortunate being that I am!" he exclaimed. "Surrounded by plenty, I +am doomed to starve." The agitation of his feelings almost overcame +him. "I must depend in future for subsistence on the shell-fish, the +_very_ taste of which I abhor." + +With difficulty he staggered towards the cave; that would at all events +afford him shelter at night. On the way he stopped to drink at the +spring, and fill a large clam-shell which he had previously carried +there with water. He could scarcely, however, carry it along without +spilling the contents. He at last reached his cave. On looking around +he discovered that Neptune was not with him. "The dog has gone off to +that fellow Hargrave, for food. I'll take care that he doesn't go +again. He ought to be satisfied with what I can get," he exclaimed. + +Putting down his shell he crawled towards the rocks, and cut off a few +clam-shells, sufficient for his supper. He guessed that Nep would not +require any. He then made up his fire with the few sticks he had +remaining. He was about to throw his bow, which had caused him so much +labour, on the top of it, when it occurred to him that by binding it +tightly round with string, he might make it stronger than before. + +He wisely determined to do this. He had just finished eating his supper +when Nep appeared. + +"You ungrateful dog!" exclaimed Lord Reginald. "You have been tempted +off by my enemy. I'll take care that you don't go again," and fastening +a piece of rope to the animal's collar, he secured it to a portion of +the wreck, which had been thrown up not far from the mouth of the cave. + +Poor Nep looked very much surprised at the way he was treated, but +accustomed to obey, he lay down with his face between his paws, while +Lord Reginald retired into the cave and threw himself on the ground. +While actively engaged, he had for a time thrown off the painful +sensation caused by fever, but the terrible disease had now a firm grip +on him. His head and limbs ached, his throat burned. Though he drank +and drank again from the water which he had brought in the clam-shell, +no quantity seemed to assuage his thirst. He was unable to sleep for a +moment, tossing about, now rolling on one side, now on the other, and +often crying out in the intensity of his sufferings that death might +relieve him. + +Thus the night passed by. Day came, but brought no cessation of the +fever, which rather increased than diminished. All day long he lay +racked by pain on the cold sand. A mournful howl reached his ears, and +he saw Neptune straggling to release himself from the rope which held +him. He attempted to rise and set his dog free, but his strength was +gone, and he sank back again, unable to crawl from the spot. + +He thought of home, of his mother and sisters, and of his father, always +kind and indulgent to him, whom he would never see again. The +recollection of his numberless sinful acts came with fearful force into +his mind. "No hope, no hope!" he muttered, as he clenched his hands. +"What would I now give for a few weeks, or even days, to redeem the +past? That lad Hargrave, whom I tore from his home and ill treated, +whose life I took a pleasure in making miserable; he would not forgive +me, even if I asked him; and should he discover me he would exult over +my sufferings." + +Such were the thoughts which passed through his brain. Often he groaned +with pain, and when at length he had exhausted every drop of water, the +fever seemed to increase, and he felt himself growing weaker and weaker. +He almost wished that he had shared the fate of Voules and the rest of +his companions, and had been drowned before he reached the shore. He +had had a few days of grace granted him, but he had made no use of them. +Instead of trying to be reconciled to his enemy, he had treated him +with haughtiness and contempt. In vain he endeavoured to pray,-- +confusion of mind, brought on by fever, prevented him from collecting +his thoughts, and all sorts of fearful phantoms passed before him. +Again he was on the deck of the _Marie_, surrounded by the dead and +dying, when he saw as clearly as if they had been present, the distorted +features of the privateersmen struck down by the cutlasses of his crew, +and the reports of pistols and clash of steel sounded in his ears. Then +once more the tempest was raging, and the sounds of the seas dashing +over the ship, the wind howling amid the rigging, the sails flapping +wildly from the yards, the creaking timbers, the cries of the crew, were +again heard. He attempted to shout to issue his orders, but his voice +failed him; not a word could he utter. Sometimes he fancied that he +could hear his own voice, at others that it was Nep's loud howls which +broke the silence. Another night passed away, and a second morning +came. Only a person who had played no tricks with his constitution +could have endured what the young lord passed through. + +He was fully aware at times that he was dying, that unless assistance +came he could not survive many hours. He stretched out his hand towards +the clam-shell which had contained his stock of water, but it was empty. +His tongue felt like a hot burning coal in his mouth. He closed his +eyes from very weakness. How long he had thus remained he could not +tell, when he was aware that Neptune was licking his hands and face. He +had just sense enough left to know that it was his dog, though by what +means the animal had got free he could not divine. He heard the +faithful creature moan and whine round him and lie down by his side. +The little strength he had was rapidly decreasing, and he soon lost all +consciousness. + +In a _very_ different position was Richard Hargrave. With wholesome +food and abundance of employment, he retained his health and strength, +and his mind had no time to dwell on his forlorn condition. At break of +day he rose from his comfortable bed, and kneeling down, said his +prayers as he had been wont to do at his mother's knees when a child. +He then got up, and considered to what he had best first turn his hand. + +Not far off from the hut was the log which he was anxious to shape into +a canoe, and on his bench in the verandah lay his crossbow, nearly +finished, only requiring a few touches to make it perfect, the most +important being the arrangement of the lock, that he might let the bolt +fly immediately he touched the spring. This done he set to work to form +some bolts. The shafts were easily manufactured, but the bolt heads +required more time. Hunting in the carpenter's chest he discovered a +ladle and a quantity of lead. He then searched about for some clay for +forming moulds. He remembered the white appearance of the bank of the +stream at a certain spot, and hastening to it, he found, greatly to his +satisfaction, that it was composed of exactly the clay suited for his +purpose. He soon returned with a sufficient supply to form a mould, +hoping to be able to make it of a proper shape with a stem to fit into +the shaft. By boring a hole into the stem he was able to secure it with +wire firmly to the wood. To give the bolt a sharp point he fixed a +large nail ground fine, in the centre of the lead, thus obtaining +sufficient weight and sharpness for his object. Although this bolt +might be blunted should it strike a bone, yet it was well calculated to +pierce the thin skin of a deer, which, from the size of the island, +should it only be wounded, he would be certain to find again by tracing +the blood stains on the grass. + +Having formed half a dozen bolts in the way which has been described, he +set off on his first hunting expedition. He had not gone far, when a +herd of small deer--the only species which existed in the island--came +in sight. He had observed on former occasions that when he got to the +windward of them they invariably scampered off to a distance, and +although no hunter, suspecting the cause, he determined to try and get +near them by creeping up from an opposite direction. Hiding himself as +much as possible behind the trees and bushes, he made his way towards +the herd, making a long circuit until he got well to leeward. Then +stooping down he crawled gradually forward, stopping every now and then +when he saw their heads turned towards him, but they still continued +cropping the grass and the leaves of the bushes and lower branches of +the trees. At last he got to within thirty yards of one of the herd, +which had separated from its companions. He stood almost breathless, +eager to shoot, and yet afraid of missing. He let fly his bolt, which +entered the breast of the animal. It staggered for a moment, then +turning round, set off with the rest of the herd along the valley. He +was provoked at not having killed it at once, for he knew that if often +hunted the creatures would grow wild, and he would have great difficulty +in getting up to them. He, however, eager to secure the deer, set off +running, keeping it in sight. At first the wounded deer went almost as +fast as its companions, until it gradually slackened its speed, leaving +a long red trail, which grew thicker and thicker, to mark its course. +It was soon left behind by the rest of the herd; still it struggled on, +until at length Dick saw it stagger, then turn round and finally sink to +the ground. He hurried forward, and with a seaman's sheath-knife, which +he had found among the things in the carpenter's chest, he quickly put +an end to its sufferings. + +The deer was so small that Dick, whose shoulders were pretty broad, was +able to carry home his prize. His wish was to preserve as much of it as +possible. He reflected that, as there were only a certain number of +deer on the island, were he and Lord Reginald to remain there any length +of time, the whole might be destroyed. Had he possessed salt, he would +have been able to pickle the venison, for there were plenty of tubs for +the purpose. Though he knew very well that he could obtain salt, yet +the flesh of the deer would have become uneatable long before he could +get a sufficient quantity. He had read somewhere of a mode of +preserving the flesh of animals by drying it in the sun, and he had also +seen his mother smoke bacon, so he determined to try both these ways. +The preserved meat might also be of the greatest use, should he +determine to sail away from the island in the canoe he was about to +build. + +On reaching home, for such his hut was to him, he set to work to skin +and cut up the deer. He then lighted a fire, and put a shoulder and leg +on to roast, that he might at all events preserve this much, should his +experiments fail. A portion of the remainder he cut into thin strips, +which he hung up to a cross-pole, supported on two forked sticks. He +had great faith, however, in his plan for smoking venison. As there was +clay near at hand, he mixed a quantity with grass, and quickly built up +a square tower, with an entrance below and rafters across it, and a +wooden roof. As he knew that it would be necessary to have a draught to +keep up the fire, he formed tunnels under the tower. + +He had now his curing-house complete. He worked very hard, as he was +aware that the flesh would very rapidly become uneatable. Having hung +up the remainder, he placed a fire inside, piled up with green wood, +which burnt slowly, producing a large amount of smoke. Not until he had +done this did he--hungry as he was--fall to on the venison. Scarcely +had he put a morsel in his mouth than he thought of Lord Reginald. + +"I wonder whether he has been able to procure any food like this," he +said to himself. "If not it will go hard with him, for although +shell-fish may do very well for a short time, with nothing else to live +on they would prove very unwholesome. However, I suppose he will come +to his senses by-and-by. If he makes his appearance, I shall be glad to +offer some to him. Fancy the proud young gentleman coming, hat in hand, +and asking for a slice of venison! I wonder poor Nep doesn't show +himself, as before, to get a meal. I should have thought his instinct +would have induced him to come. Surely his master cannot be so cruel as +to keep him back, unless he has found plenty of food for him." + +Such thoughts occupied Dick's mind while he ate a hearty meal, the most +abundant he had enjoyed since the shipwreck. He had just finished, and +having hung up the remainder of the roast meat, was about to add more +fuel to the fire in his curing-house, when by chance looking up the +valley, he saw Neptune scampering rapidly along towards him. + +"Oh, oh! knowing old fellow! He's found out there's something to eat in +this direction," said Dick. "He shall have it, too, and willingly would +I give it to his master." + +As Neptune drew near, Dick was surprised to observe a piece of rope +round his neck, and a part trailing on the ground two or three feet in +length. In a minute Nep was up to him, licking his hand. Dick was at +once struck with his woebegone, starved appearance; the very countenance +of the dog seemed changed; there was even an expression of melancholy in +his eye, which spoke as much as words could have done. Dick examined +the rope, which was a pretty thick one, such as Neptune, strong as he +might be, could not have broken. The end, he was convinced, had been +gnawed through. + +"Now, if that young lord hasn't had the barbarity to tie up the dog, to +prevent its coming to me," he exclaimed. "He deserves to starve, and I +suspect he and the dog have been doing that for some days, or Nep would +not look so thin and miserable," and he returned to his larder, followed +by Nep, who ravenously bolted the pieces of meat which he gave him. + +The dog, though he had had a good meal, did not seem content, but +evidently wished to convey some intelligence to his entertainer. He +first ran off in the direction of the cave, and then seeing that Dick +did not follow, came back and uttered a low bark; then away again he +went, almost immediately to return, when he seized Dick by the trousers, +evidently wishing him to accompany him, and then looked up at him in an +imploring manner, which could not be misunderstood. + +"I suppose Lord Reginald is ill, or has met with some accident, and the +dog wants me to go and help him. Well, I ought to do it, there's no +doubt about that," said Dick, moving a few paces in the direction the +dog had taken. On this Nep uttered a bark indicative of his +satisfaction, coming back and licking Dick's hand, then running on +again. Dick had no longer any doubt that Nep was anxious to take him to +his master, and he set off at a rapid rate, while Nep bounded away +before him, uttering the same sort of bark as before, to hurry him on. + +"The poor fellow may be dying," thought Dick, his kindly feelings +overcoming all sense of the injuries he had received. "The sooner I get +to him the better, or I may be too late to render him any help." + +On this, greatly to Nep's delight, he began to run as fast as he could, +leaping over the fallen trees, allowing no impediment to stop him. He +stopped for a moment to pick some juicy fruit resembling limes, which +grew on a tree in his path, on which Nep came back and gave another pull +at his trousers, as if fearing that he was going to stop. On passing +the fountain he found a large clam-shell, which had evidently been left +there by some one. He expected every moment to find Lord Reginald +stretched on the ground, dead or dying, but Nep still kept on until he +reached the sea-shore. He then saw the dog enter the cavern. At first +he felt unwilling to follow, but Nep quickly rushed out again, and once +more seizing his trousers, pulled away until Dick showed that he +understood him. On going in he perceived in the dim light the +unfortunate young nobleman extended on the sand, in a stupor so nearly +resembling death that he started back in horror, fully believing that +his spirit had already fled. + +Fearful, indeed, had been the effect of the fever. The expression of +his handsome features was changed, his countenance had assumed the hue +of death. His eyes, half closed and fixed, had lost all signs of +intelligence. His lips were parched and burning. His hair, tangled and +disordered, hung in masses over his fine brow. + +Dick, on kneeling down, felt greatly relieved on discovering that he +still breathed, though unconscious of his approach. He lifted the young +nobleman's hand. The palm was dry and burning. In an instant, +forgetful of the enmity which existed between himself and the unhappy +sufferer, he bitterly regretted that he had not, when he came to his +hut, attempted to gain his good will. He remembered that once when a +child he himself had been attacked by a fever, which had brought him to +the brink of the grave; he had then received the greatest kindness from +the marchioness, who had brought delicious grapes from the hot-house, +and ices, which had, his mother always told him, done much to preserve +his life. + +"If he had treated me ten times worse than he has done, I ought to +endeavour to do my best to attend to his wants," said Dick. + +As he thought of this, he endeavoured to raise the head of the sufferer, +who uttered a sound in so mournful and low a tone that Dick could not at +first understand him, but on bending over him, he caught the single word +"water." Dick looked eagerly round, the shell was empty. He then +bethought him of the fruit he had picked, and cutting one of them in +two, he allowed a few drops of juice to trickle into Lord Reginald's +mouth. This had an almost instantaneous effect. He squeezed out a +larger quantity; some minutes more elapsed, when at length Lord Reginald +became conscious of the relief, and eagerly swallowed the refreshing +juice. Still Dick saw that his chance of recovery, while he remained in +the cave, was very small, and after reflecting awhile he came to the +conclusion that he ought, if possible, to remove him to his own hut. +This would be no easy task, but Dick's arms were strong, and once having +made up his mind, he lost no time in carrying out his intention. + +Nep stood by, anxiously watching him, apparently perfectly satisfied +with what he was doing. Lifting the young nobleman up as if he were a +child, he carried him out of the cave, and made his way towards the +fountain, every moment expecting to see his hapless burden breathe his +last. The fountain, however, was reached; then, placing him on the +grass, he poured some of the refreshing fluid down his throat. This +seemed greatly to revive him, and he thanked Dick, sometimes addressing +him as his brother, and sometimes as "Voules." + +"You are a better fellow than I took you for," he murmured. "Poor old +Toady! I thought you would have left me to shift for myself; but we +have gone through strange scenes. Didn't you die, and didn't I bury +you? but I'm glad you've come to life again, and I won't have you +laughed at behind your back." + +Thus he rambled on, but soon again relapsed into unconsciousness. Dick +had to stop several times to rest himself, but as he was anxious to get +the sufferer within the shelter of his hut, he went on again the moment +he felt able to proceed. Great was his relief when at length he placed +the young lord in his cot. He was aware that he must not venture to +give him meat; indeed, the poor young man could not have swallowed it +had he made the attempt, but he at once mixed him some of the juice of +the fruit with water. + +Lord Reginald had swooned from weakness, and from being carried along so +far in the open air. For many hours he lay in a state of stupor. Dick +sat by his side, continually moistening his lips with the juice of the +fruit and water, and bathing the sufferer's hands and temples, while he +anxiously watched for returning life. All night long he sat up, fanning +his brow with the feathers of some of the birds he had killed, and +keeping away the stinging insects which flew into the hut. + +The next morning Lord Reginald opened his eyes and exclaimed in a dreamy +tone, "Where am I? What has happened?" + +"You are well cared for, my lord," answered Dick; "but don't talk; +you'll get round the sooner if you keep quiet." + +Lord Reginald's answer showed that he was still in a state of delirium. +"Thanks, Julia; thanks, mother; you have nursed me very tenderly. I'll +do as you wish, only don't let that young ruffian Hargrave come near me. +He has been the bane of my life. I wish that we had got him out of the +_Wolf_ before we sailed from home, or that a chance shot had taken his +head off. You don't know what I went through when I was wrecked on that +horrible island. He came and taunted me, and would have left me to die +in a wretched cave by myself, while he was living luxuriously on birds, +deer, and pigs that he killed." + +Having thus rambled on for some time, Lord Reginald began to blame +himself, and to confess that he had allowed Dick to be unjustly treated, +and had instigated Toady Voules and others to behave ill to him. + +These latter expressions greatly relieved Dick's mind, although the +abuse which Lord Reginald had showered on his head would not have made +him less attentive to his patient's wants. For hours together the +latter rambled on; sometimes he fancied himself at home, and asked for +ices and peaches and grapes from the hot-houses, turning his eyes to +Dick, and ordering him to bring them immediately. + +The word "grapes" reminded Dick that he had seen a juicy fruit somewhat +resembling the grape of temperate climes, of which several of the birds +of the island appeared to be very fond. He hurried out to search for +them, leaving Nep to watch by his master's side. He was fortunate in +discovering some bunches which appeared ripe, and instantly returned +with them. Dick ate several himself, to ascertain their character, and +was satisfied that they were wholesome and at the same time nutritious, +though far less juicy than real grapes. On his return, Lord Reginald +abused him, supposing him to be one of the servants, for having been so +long away; then eagerly seizing the fruit with an expression of joy, he +endeavoured to convey it to his mouth, but such was his weakness that, +letting it drop, he asked Dick to feed him. + +Dick bore all the abuse he got with the greatest patience. At length, +exhausted by the violence of the fever, Lord Reginald sank again into a +death-like stupor, in which he lay without moving the whole night and +until the next day was far advanced. Dick, as before, continued to +bathe his hands and face at intervals, and when perceiving by the +painful motion of his lips that he wanted something to drink, he raised +his head and placed to his lips a shell full of the juice of several +fruits which he had collected. Lord Reginald eagerly drank this +delicious beverage, then, opening his eyes, which Dick thought would +never again have unclosed, the young lord looked up in his face, as if +to thank him for the relief. Dick saw by the expression of wonder and +astonishment in those eyes, so lately fixed and rayless, that he knew +him, and that the delirium had passed away. Lord Reginald tried to +speak, the colour for a moment mounted to his pallid cheek as he said, +"Hargrave, I don't deserve this kindness at your hands." Then with a +deep sigh he once more relapsed into insensibility. + + + +CHAPTER FOURTEEN. + +SELF-REPROACH--THE CRISIS OVER--A STORM--RETURNING TO LIFE--GRATITUDE TO +DICK--A RIGHT UNDERSTANDING--TURTLE-CATCHING--GAINING STRENGTH--DICK'S +CARE REWARDED--AN AGREEABLE SURPRISE--SOMETHING TO READ--A REFRESHING +CHANGE--HAT-MAKING--HARDLY STRONG ENOUGH--GOING ON WITH THE CANOE--A +DESIGN ON THE PORKERS--PIG-DRIVING--COFFEE BERRIES AND SUGAR-CANES +DISCOVERED--AN EARTHQUAKE--GRAVE APPREHENSIONS--THE BURNING MOUNTAIN. + +Richard Hargrave sat by Lord Reginald's cot, watching his sufferings, +with the anxiety and sorrow he would have felt for a brother and dear +friend. Not a spark of animosity remained. In his heart he fully +believed that the young lord would die, and was ready to accuse himself +of being his murderer. Only a short time during each day did he venture +to leave him, to set his traps, or shoot birds, or collect fruits, which +latter were more especially required by the sufferer. On each occasion +when he hurried back, he dreaded to find that his patient had expired +during his absence. Neptune was always left in charge, as Dick hoped +that the instinct of the dog would induce him to summon him should he be +required. He was well aware that it would be dangerous to give any +heavy food to the sufferer, and yet he dreaded, lest by taking too +little, he might die of starvation. There was, however, he hoped, +sufficient nutriment in the fruit to keep up his strength without +increasing the fever. Day after day went by, and the violence of the +complaint in no way appeared to abate, nor did the young lord recover +his reason except at long intervals, when the words he uttered showed +that he was fully aware of his own condition. His thoughts were +evidently of a gloomy character, as he was constantly uttering +expressions of self-reproach. No longer petulant or impatient, he +appeared sunk in the deepest despondency. + +This change of ideas was more alarming even than his wild fits of raving +to Dick, who began to accuse himself of being the cause of much of the +young lord's conduct. He considered their difference of rank; he +recollected his own defiant looks and expressions, which had so often +aroused his rival's anger. "Had I treated him with respect, which of +course he thought his due, and avoided him as much as possible, he would +soon have forgotten a person so much beneath him in rank," exclaimed +Dick. "True, he abused his power on board the _Marie_; but how have I +behaved since we were thrown together on this island?" + +At last one morning, Lord Reginald appeared to drop off into a more +quiet slumber than usual, and Dick was induced to go out in search of +game with his crossbow in his hand. Scarcely had he left his hut than +several deer, without discovering him, came bounding by. He shot a +bolt, one of the animals was struck, and immediately fell dead to the +ground. Thankful for his success, he quickly returned with it, and +having skinned it he cut up a portion into small bits, which he put into +a pot, with the intention of making some broth. Several times while +thus engaged, he returned to the side of Lord Reginald, who still slept +on. He had obtained from the rocks a small quantity of salt, sufficient +to flavour the broth. While it was boiling he roasted another piece of +meat, and hung up the remainder in his smoking-house, which had answered +beyond his expectations. Though the meat dried in the sun might keep, +yet it was hard and dry, and presented a far from satisfactory +appearance. + +He had observed signs of a change of weather. Clouds had been +collecting for some time in the sky. Scarcely had he completed his +culinary operations, than the rain began to pour in torrents, while the +thunder rolled, and flashes of vivid lightning darted from the clouds. +The fire was put out, but Dick managed to keep the broth warm. He +anxiously watched Lord Reginald, expecting that the roar of the thunder +would awaken him, but he slept quietly through the storm, and appeared +to be breathing more easily than before. At length the thunder-clouds +rolled off, the wind ceased, and the air appeared far purer than it had +hitherto been. Dick, who had opened the shutter, which he had kept shut +during the rain, went to the door to open that also and enjoy the fresh +air. He was standing inhaling it with much satisfaction, when he heard +Lord Reginald's voice exclaiming-- + +"What has happened? Is that you, Hargrave?" Dick hurried to the side +of the cot, and was thankful to observe a marked change for the better, +in Lord Reginald's countenance, which, though thin and pale, had a +composed appearance. "Do not be agitated, my lord," said Dick; "you +have been very ill, but I trust you may now recover, as the worst is +past I would advise you not to talk, but let me give you some broth, +which I have fortunately just prepared. It will assist to restore your +strength quicker than the fruits on which you have so long lived." +Saying this, without waiting for a reply, Dick poured some of the soup +into a shell, which he presented to the invalid. + +"Hargrave, I can scarcely believe my senses!" said Lord Reginald. "I +don't deserve this kind treatment at your hands. Have you really been +watching over me all this time?" + +"Do not talk about it, my lord," said Dick. "Here, take this; it may +not be first-rate soup, but I think it will do you good." + +As he spoke he placed the shell to the lips of his patient, who taking +it in both his hands, drank off the contents. + +"First-rate stuff, whatever it is," murmured Lord Reginald. "Pray give +me some more, I feel it putting new life into me. I have had a narrow +escape, I suspect. If it hadn't been for you, Hargrave, I should have +died; I am fully aware of that." + +"I only did my duty, and I am thankful to see your lordship so much +better," said Dick. + +"You are a generous, noble fellow, Hargrave, that I know, for, after the +way I treated you, I had no right to expect that you would trouble +yourself about me." + +"I should never have forgiven myself if I hadn't done my best to look +after your lordship," answered Dick, turning away to make some of the +cooling drink, which had hitherto proved so beneficial to his patient. + +"Hargrave, my dear fellow," said Lord Reginald, in a comparatively +strong tone of voice, "can you really forgive me?" + +"My lord, I am sure I need your forgiveness, so pray don't ask me to +forgive you, though I do so most heartily. Let bygones be bygones. It +will be the happiest day of my life when I see you restored to perfect +health." + +"Hargrave, I wonder I could have been guilty of persecuting a man +capable of such generous conduct," exclaimed Lord Reginald. + +"Again I say, my lord, don't talk about it," answered Dick, observing +that Lord Reginald was becoming too much agitated. "I trust in a short +time that you will be well enough to say what you think fit; but I want +you to understand that not a particle of ill feeling, to the best of my +belief, remains in my heart." + +"I must say what I have got to say, or I may never have an opportunity," +replied Lord Reginald; "for what I can tell I may not have another +interval of reason. I wish to assure you that I die at peace with you, +and pray for forgiveness from all I have ever ill treated. When I am +gone, cut off a lock of my hair, and if you ever reach home give it to +my mother, and tell her that one of my greatest regrets was not being +able to see her and my brothers and sisters again, and confessing to my +father that I had attempted to misrepresent you to him. Again, I ask, +can you forgive me?" and Lord Reginald stretched out his emaciated hands +towards Dick, who gave his in return, as he answered-- + +"Yes, yes, indeed I do, most heartily." As Lord Reginald grasped his +hand, he pressed it to his lips, and burst into tears. + +Dick felt a choking sensation, such as he had never before experienced, +and turned away from a delicacy of feeling, lest Lord Reginald should be +ashamed of the agitation he was exhibiting. He felt also very anxious +to calm the mind of his patient, who in his weak state was ill able to +undergo any excitement. + +For a long time after this the poor young lord was unable to rise from +his cot, but every day Dick observed a change for the better, it being a +good sign that he evidently enjoyed the food provided for him. + +Dick had now to leave him for a much longer time than before to the care +of Neptune, who never quitted his master's side during his absence. + +One night, after his day's work was over, Dick had wandered down to the +sea-shore, with a thick stick in his hand, which he usually carried to +defend himself, should he encounter any savage beasts, as he thought +that such might possibly exist, though he had not hitherto seen them. + +As he approached the beach, he caught sight on the white sand of some +dark objects, which were crawling up slowly from the sea. Though he had +never before seen any, he at once guessed that they were turtles. He +remained concealed, so as to allow them, without being frightened, to +reach the upper part of the beach, where they began scratching away and +depositing their eggs. + +"We shall have food enough now, without diminishing the stock of wild +animals on shore," thought Dick. "Those are just the things to do Lord +Reginald good. If we have to make a voyage, we can lay in a good store +of them." + +He wisely waited until a number of turtles had deposited their eggs in +the sand, then rushing from his place of concealment, he turned over +half a dozen on their backs, thus effectually preventing them from +making their escape. Then, seizing one by the hind legs, he dragged it +up towards his hut, when he killed it. Lord Reginald was still awake. +He ran in and told him the good news. + +"I wish that I could get up and help you, Hargrave," was the answer. + +"Do not think of it, my lord," said Dick. "I can manage them by +myself," and away he again started, and dragged up in succession the +remainder of his captives. These, however, he did not kill. He +determined, if possible, to keep them alive until the flesh of the first +was consumed. They might exist on their backs, he knew, for a +considerable time, but he rightly feared that the heat would kill them, +unless he could bring up a sufficient quantity of water to pour over +them. This would be a severe task, and it appeared to him that the best +thing he could do would be to build a pen, and enclose these and any +others he might catch on subsequent nights. He accordingly at once, as +the moon was bright, set about carrying out his intention. By actively +plying his axe, he cut down a number of thick stakes, which he drove +into the sand just above high-water mark, so that by digging a channel +he might let the sea in at every high tide. As he had abundance of +rope, he lashed some cross bars along the sides, so as to keep the +stakes firm. He saw there was no necessity for putting the +perpendicular stakes close together, as the turtles were upwards of two +feet across, and could not manage to get through a less space. In a +couple of hours he had finished his task, and dragging back the turtles +he allowed them to crawl about in their natural position. He waited +until the next morning to roof in his pen, which was necessary, he saw, +for the sake of keeping the turtles cool. + +"You have worked hard, my dear Hargrave," said Lord Reginald, when he +returned. "I should not have thought of attempting the task until +to-morrow morning. It would have taken me the whole day, or probably +longer. As soon as I am well, you must teach me how to use your tools, +and let me help you, for I have no desire to eat the bread of idleness." + +"I have been accustomed to carpentering since I was a boy, so that what +your lordship would find difficult would prove easy to me," answered +Dick; "but I should be very thankful if your lordship will think fit to +work at the canoe which I thought of building before you were taken ill. +I haven't seen a single vessel pass since we have been here, and +perhaps none will come near us for many months to come. We might find +it necessary to quit the island to rejoin our ship or to get on board +some other vessel. In the mean time we may use our boat to go out +fishing, and thus obtain a change of diet." + +"A boat! Do you really mean to say that you could build a boat?" asked +Lord Reginald in a tone of surprise. + +"I intend to try and do so, for though I have never actually built one, +I have assisted in repairing several, and know how they are put +together," answered Dick, and he then explained the character of the +craft he proposed to build. "My idea is, that when your lordship can +take a part in the work, we may build one large enough to carry us to +Batavia, or to one of the other places of which the English have of late +taken possession." + +"I really don't know that you ought to count much on my help, though +I'll do my best," said Lord Reginald; "but the idea is a capital one, +and I long to get well to be able to help you. But you must be pretty +tired by this time, and you ought to lie down and get some sleep. I +feel ashamed of keeping you so long out of your cot." + +"Thank you, my lord. If I thought it worth while I would soon make +another for myself; but my bed is as comfortable as I want, and I beg +you will not think I miss the cot," was the answer. + +Dick awoke early, and found Lord Reginald sleeping soundly and calmly. +As he watched him he began to hope that he might recover, and he knelt +down and prayed that he might be made the instrument of restoring him to +health. + +His patient gave no sign of waking. Dick, having first made up his fire +ready for cooking breakfast, went down to the shore, to see how the +turtles had behaved in their pen. He found to his satisfaction that +although they had turned up the sand, they had not escaped. He at once +cut a number of boughs to place over the top and the upper part of the +eastern side, so as to shade them from the heat of the sun, which rose +before he had completed his task. He then returned, and looking into +his hut, found that his companion was still sleeping. + +He now set to work to cut up the turtle, and to cook some of it for +breakfast. He felt very doubtful as to how this should be done, but +thought he should be safe in putting some on to stew, and in carving +some cutlets, which he placed before the fire to cook, as he had done +the venison. He also kneaded some cakes as thin and delicate-looking as +he could make them. This done, he entered the hut, when he found Lord +Reginald sitting up in his cot. + +"I should much wish, Hargrave, to get up and wash my hands and face, but +I feel so weak that I am afraid I could not accomplish it alone. May I +venture to ask you to assist me?" he said, in a hesitating tone. + +"My lord, I should be delighted to help you; but I am sure you had +better not make the attempt. I'll get some water. I have a piece of +cloth which will serve as a towel, and as I have a comb which I found in +the carpenter's chest, I will, if you will let me, comb out your hair, +and try and make you comfortable." + +"Thank you, thank you," answered Lord Reginald; "but I feel ashamed of +giving you trouble." + +Dick smiled, and, going out, returned with a large clam-shell, which +made an excellent basin, filled with water. Lord Reginald in vain made +the attempt to wash his face. Dick, placing the shell before him, +performed the office, and having washed his hands and combed his hair, +with as much care as his mother might have done, the young lord repeated +his thanks, and assured Dick he felt quite another being. + +"I hope you will feel still better," said Dick, producing several +clam-shells, one containing several nicely cooked cakes, another some +turtle cutlets, a third some stewed turtle, while a fourth was full of +the several fruits he had gathered. "I have cooked a variety of dishes; +but after your illness your lordship may fancy one more than another. +Just tell me what you like best, and I will try and prepare it for you." + +"Thank you, Hargrave; I feel as if I could eat a whole turtle, or a deer +for that matter," answered Lord Reginald, laughing in a way which +greatly cheered Dick's spirits. However, on making the attempt, Lord +Reginald found that a very small quantity satisfied him, and Dick did +not press him to eat more. + +Every day after this he made rapid progress, though Dick would not allow +him for some time to get up or do anything for himself. In the mean +time, Dick dug out of the sand a number of turtles' eggs, which he hung +up in bags in a cool place in the shade, hoping thus to preserve them. +He also caught several more turtles, which he turned into his pen. He +was never idle, sometimes working in his garden, in which he had planted +a number of seeds, some evidently of melons and pumpkins, from which he +hoped in a short time to obtain fruit. Of the nature of others he was +not acquainted, but he had little doubt that they would prove useful in +some way or other. Outside the hut he had built a storehouse, in which +he placed all the articles which had been cast on shore. + +He had one morning taken his crossbow and gone out before sunrise in the +hopes of killing a deer or some birds, that he might afford a variety of +diet to Lord Reginald, knowing that such would contribute greatly to +restore his strength. The deer, however, were too wild, and he was led +further from home than he intended. At last, in despair of killing one, +he looked out for some of the feathered tribe, and succeeded in knocking +over a couple of white cockatoos and a green pigeon, with which he +hurried back to the hut. On his return, he was greatly surprised to see +Lord Reginald not only dressed, but employing himself in preparing +breakfast. + +"I am sorry, my lord, that I was not back earlier," exclaimed Dick, +"that I might have helped you to dress." + +"I regret that you should have had so long to undertake a task which I +ought to have performed myself, had I been able. Do not speak about it, +my kind Hargrave," answered Lord Reginald, smiling. "I feel myself +bound to take an equal share in all the work we have got to do. You +have hitherto toiled for me, and it is now my business to work for you. +Just tell me what you want done, and I will do it to the best of my +power." + +"Pray don't talk in that way, my lord," said Dick. "I wish that you +knew how much pleasure I feel in serving you." + +"I am sure of that; but once for all, Hargrave, I want you to understand +that while we remain on this island I am `Reginald' or `Oswald,' and you +are `Hargrave,' the better man of the two. Don't `My lord' me any more. +I am not worthy of it. That sort of style may do very well in Old +England, or on board a man-of-war, though my messmates there treated me +as an equal, and took good care to make me feel that I was one, too. +Will you accept my services, and let me work under your orders?" + +"I cannot refuse you anything," answered Dick; "but until you are as +strong and hearty as I am, you must let me work for you, and not knock +yourself up by attempting tasks for which you have not the strength." + +"Well, well, my dear Hargrave, we understand each other, and while we +are talking the turtle and cakes are getting cold." + +Dick at last, getting Lord Reginald to sit down on one of the +three-legged stools he had made, placed the breakfast on the table. + +"There is one thing you are not provided with, Hargrave, that is tea and +sugar," observed Lord Reginald; "but perhaps we may find some +substitute. Coffee grows in these latitudes, and very likely we may +find sugar-cane in some part of the island." + +"I saw some pods full of seeds, looking in shape _very_ much like coffee +berries, only they were white," said Dick. + +"That was because they were unroasted," answered Lord Reginald. "I +should not be surprised if those seeds were really coffee berries, and +if so we shall soon have something to drink instead of this nectar, of +which I confess I am beginning to get very tired, delicious as it tasted +while I was suffering from fever." + +Dick sighed as he thought, "Perhaps the young lord will get tired of +other things, as also of my society, when he regains his strength." + +His companion looked at him, but made no remark. "What about the boat +you propose building?" asked Lord Reginald, when breakfast was over. +"Could not we begin on that? And if you will show me how I can best +help you, we will lose no time." + +"I am very sure your lordship--I beg your pardon--you are not strong +enough to do any heavy work," answered Dick, "especially in the sun. I +must first make you a hat such as I wear, which will help to guard your +head, and we will then, in the cool of the evening, begin work. We must +first strip off the bark from the outside, then cut away the angles at +the bows and stern. By-the-by, I have just remembered finding some +books in an officer's chest, and though I cannot read them, as they are +in French, they may amuse you while I am at work." + +"That is fortunate," exclaimed Lord Reginald. "Pray get the books, and +let me have a look at them. I shall be very glad to read while you are +at work, if you still insist on my not helping you." + +Dick hurried out to his store-room, and soon returned with several +volumes. Two were on navigation, another on astronomy, and a fourth on +natural history; but Lord Reginald found that the others were not such +as were likely to prove edifying either to himself or Dick. He first +took up one, and glancing over its pages, said, "Throw that into the +fire." A second and a third were treated in the same way. He looked at +the last more carefully, but finished by saying, "Let that go, too. I +am very sure that it will be better not to read at all than to fill our +minds with the evil thoughts such works as these are likely to create. +I should at one time have been amused, and considered that there was no +harm in perusing such tales. After being so mercifully preserved, I +look at matters in a very different light. I am sure that allowing our +minds to dwell on any such subjects as those books contained, is +offensive to a pure and holy God. What would I not give for some really +well-written books, and more than anything for a Bible, which, after +all, as I have often heard my mother say, is the Book of books." + +"I have heard my mother say the same," observed Dick. "I am very +thankful that you have put the temptation out of our way." + +"What else did you find in the chest?" asked Lord Reginald. + +"Some nautical instruments, which, although they are French, I dare say +you know how to use," said Dick. "And,--how stupid I was not to think +of it before!--some shirts and waistcoats and other articles of dress. +I must get you to put them on at once, while I wash out your own linen: +they will add much to your comfort, and though they may be damp, the sun +will soon dry them." Dick immediately hung out the French officers' +clothing, and then brought a clam-shell, larger than an ordinary +foot-tub, full of water, that Lord Reginald might enjoy a bath, which he +had hitherto been afraid of taking. + +"I feel quite like a new man!" exclaimed the young lord, after he had +dressed himself. "If you will not let me work to-day, I hope by +to-morrow to show that I can do something. It won't be for the want of +will if I don't succeed." + +Dick, who had before this gone out, had returned with a supply of palm +leaves, and sat down to make a hat, while Lord Reginald opened one of +the books, and with considerable fluency translated a portion of its +contents. Dick listened attentively while he plaited away at the hat, +stopping every now and then to ask for an explanation. + +"I am glad to see you take interest in the subject," said Lord Reginald, +"and if we continue it, I shall not only improve myself, but be able to +give you a good notion of navigation. The instruments, which are the +same as we use, will help us, and in a short time you will become as +good a navigator as I am, as this book is evidently a capital one." + +Dick looked up and smiled. "You see, you can instruct me in some +things, as well as I can teach you how to handle a saw or a plane." + +"All right!" said Lord Reginald, laughing; "so much the better; we are +quits, as I said." + +Dick was longer than he otherwise might have been in making the hat. +When it was finished, his companion declared that it was capital, and +that it would thoroughly defend his head from the rays of the sun. Dick +had made the top very thick, while the sides were strong and light, with +openings all round, which allowed of ample ventilation. He then +insisted on Lord Reginald lying down while he went out to attend to his +turtle-pens and garden, and to prepare a large saw to use on the boat. + +In the evening Lord Reginald declared that he felt quite able to +commence work. + +"I don't want to hinder you," said Dick; "but I am afraid that you will +find your strength not equal to the task." + +Lord Reginald, however, insisted on trying, and Dick, notching the wood, +fixed the saw ready for work, he taking one end and Lord Reginald the +other, but before the latter had pulled it backwards and forwards a +dozen times he had to confess that he could not go on, and sat down +completely exhausted. Dick instantly ran and got some broth he had +prepared for supper. Though the young lord revived after he had +swallowed some of it, Dick insisted that he should not again make the +attempt, and persuaded him to sit down in the shade, while he, with his +axe, began stripping off the bark. + +Dick pursued the plan followed by boys when cutting out a model boat. +He first carefully planed the upper surface, using a level, until he was +satisfied that it was perfectly even. He then began pencilling out the +form of the upper works, so that both sides might be exactly even, +avoiding the risk of making the boat lop-sided. + +"You seem to me, Hargrave, to bestow a great deal of pains on the work +you are about," observed Lord Reginald. "You will have to scoop out the +whole centre part; what can be the use of polishing it down in that +fashion?" + +"If I don't do that I may run the chance of not having the sides even," +answered Dick. "Now, all we have got to do, when we have formed the +upper part, will be to turn it over, so that the log may lay quite flat, +and, with the aid of some forms which I propose making, shape out the +two sides. Though by using the forms we shall take longer than if we +did without them, it will be better than trusting only to the eye." + +Before dark Dick had made some progress, but as he could not expect much +help from Lord Reginald for some days, he determined in the mean time to +prepare the wood which he would require for the gunwale, and also the +forms. For the latter purpose he used some flat boards, which, as the +canoe was four feet wide, required only to be a little more than two +feet broad. This latter work he was able to carry on indoors during the +evening, while Lord Reginald assisted him in drawing out the plan. They +agreed that it was important to give the boat a flat floor, though she +might be made more seaworthy by having a deep keel, which could be +easily bolted on. + +Before they lay down to rest that night, they had in their minds' eye +completed the craft. Dick saw Lord Reginald busily drawing on a blank +page in one of the books. + +"There, Hargrave; that's what our craft will be like," he said, when he +had finished, handing him the paper. "You see, I give her three lugs, +with a flying main-topsail, so that we can carry plenty of sail, if +required, or get her quickly under snug canvas. By raising the gunwale +two feet all round, and decking over the fore and after ends, we shall +have plenty of room to stow away our provisions, and be able to go +through a pretty heavy sea. She'll be a fine craft, depend upon that, +and I shall feel quite proud when we run alongside the old _Wolf_ and +hail her, to ask `What ship is that?' as if we didn't know her." + +"I am afraid it will be many a long day before we get the boat to look +like that," observed Dick. "Digging her out will be a tedious business, +I suspect, and it will take a considerable time, after the lower part of +the hull is finished, to raise the gunwale and put on the deck. Then, +remember, we have to fit her with outriggers, which we must make as +strong as possible, or they may chance to be carried away." + +"Oh, you don't know how hard I shall work when I once begin," answered +Lord Reginald. "I can fancy myself already chopping and sawing and +chiselling away under your directions, for I shall leave all the more +delicate work to you, though, as I improve, I may be able to help you in +that also." + +Notwithstanding Lord Reginald's eagerness to begin, Dick saw the next +day that he was far too weak to do any work out of doors. He could sit +only in the shade, with a book in his hand, or watching him as he +laboured at the bench. + +"Why, Hargrave, you ought to have been rated as one of the carpenter's +crew, for you work as well as the best of them could do. However, I +hope, when we return on board the frigate, that you may have a far +higher rating than that. You will have learned navigation by that +time." + +"I'm afraid that will not be of much use to a man before the mast," +observed Dick. + +"But, my dear Hargrave, I hope you won't always remain before the mast," +answered Lord Reginald. + +"I don't see any chance of my ever being anywhere else; and pray do not +raise my expectations, as I should never have thought myself of being +promoted, except some day, perhaps, after I have more experience, I may +become a warrant officer," said Dick. + +"Well, well, perhaps I ought not to have spoken of my own hopes and +wishes," replied Lord Reginald. "I let out a thought which has been in +my head for some days, and I would on no account try to raise hopes +which may never be realised." + +Eager as Dick was to work at the boat, he was compelled to make +excursions in search of game, and he seldom returned without two or +three birds or a small deer. Besides opossums, he had occasionally +caught sight of a tiger-cat, which, however, was not of a size to make +him fear that it would venture to attack him, savage as it appeared +while climbing a tree or leaping from bough to bough. Though he had no +wish to interfere with the tiger-cat, he had a great fancy for catching +some of the pigs which scampered about beneath the trees, picking up +fruits and nuts, and digging for roots. His bolts, though capable of +penetrating the more delicate skin of the deer, glanced off the thick +hide of the pigs. He bethought him, therefore, after watching their +runs, that he would make a pitfall in which some might be caught without +difficulty. Finding the ground tolerably soft, he set to work +immediately with a wooden spade, and dug a hole four feet square and the +same in depth, which he covered over carefully with bushes and earth. +His success was greater than he expected, for the very next day, on +visiting the pit, he found two fat porkers grunting away at the bottom, +and tumbling over each other, in vain endeavouring to extricate +themselves from their prison. Running back to the hut for a rope, he +managed to get it with a slip-knot over the hinder leg of one of the +pigs, which he quickly hauled out. He took the precaution of having a +thick pointed stick in readiness, should the pig attempt to charge him. +At first the animal lay on the ground, astonished at the unusual +treatment it was receiving. Dick then getting his stick ready in one +hand and the rope in the other, gave a pull away from the hut. The pig +instantly jumped up and dashed off at full speed, in the direction Dick +wanted it to go. He followed, laughing, every now and then giving a +pull at the rope, which he kept as tight as he could, at the same time +holding his stick ready for his defence. With loud squeaks and angry +grunts, on it rushed towards Lord Reginald, who was quietly reading, +seated on the ground in the shade, while Dick shouted and laughed in +addition. The noise aroused the young lord, who started up with looks +of astonishment in his countenance. He was just in time to leap out of +the way, when the pig charged full at the spot where he had been +sitting, Dick being only just able to check the brute's progress, but he +managed to bring it up by making the rope fast round small tree which +came in his way. No sooner was the pig thus brought to a stand, than, +looking round, it espied its captor, who, however, springing back, +avoided the onslaught. The pig, after making several strenuous efforts +to escape, grunting and squeaking terrifically all the time, exhausted +by its exertions, lay down, with its keen eyes watching for an +opportunity of revenging itself. + +"I say, Hargrave, I might try my hand at building a pig-sty," said Lord +Reginald. "I doubt that I am capable of any higher style of +architecture, but I think I can accomplish that." + +"At first it occurred to me that we might build one," answered Dick; +"but I now think that it would occupy too much of our time, as it must +be a very different style of structure to our turtle-pen. This fellow +would soon knock down any building, unless very strongly put up. I +should be sorry to see your lordship engaged in such work." + +"`Your lordship,' you should say, `is not capable of so stupendous an +undertaking,'" remarked Lord Reginald, laughing. "But I say, Hargrave, +you are forgetting our compact. Call me `Reginald' or `Oswald,' which +you please." + +"I beg pardon," said Dick; "but if this fellow cannot be taught to +behave himself, the sooner we turn him into bacon the better, and we can +keep his companion in the pit until we want him to undergo the same +process." + +As the boat was now really begun, their work could be carried on without +interruption. Dick, the next day, took another excursion in search of +the coffee berries he had seen, as well as of any other vegetable +productions of the island. After searching for some time at the further +end of the island, he discovered the pods he had before seen, which were +now completely ripe. Examining them carefully, he was convinced that +they were coffee berries. He accordingly collected as many as he could +put in the sack he had brought, thankful that they would afford a useful +and agreeable beverage to his companion. A short time afterwards, he +came upon a wilderness of canes, which he had before mistaken for +bamboo, and on tasting them, he was convinced that they were sugarcanes, +probably the remains of a plantation, long ago deserted. He cut a +bundle, hoping that he and Lord Reginald might design some plan for +extracting the juice and turning it into sugar. He was about to set off +with his burden--a pretty heavy one--when to his astonishment, and no +small dismay, he felt the ground shake beneath his feet. This unusual +circumstance was followed almost immediately afterwards by a deep hollow +sound, and on looking up, he saw, in the direction of the cave dense +masses of smoke issuing forth, followed by lurid flames, while several +streams of lava began to flow down the hill. As the lava, however, took +a course towards the sea, in an opposite direction to where he was +standing, he watched for some moments the eruption, instead, as some +people might have done, throwing down his load and running away from the +neighbourhood. Satisfied, at length, that it was not increasing, he +turned his steps homewards. He found Lord Reginald, who had felt the +earthquake, and had been watching the volcano in activity, very anxious +about him. + +"I am thankful to see you back, Hargrave," he said. "Though no harm has +happened, one thing is certain, that it will be wise in us to try and +get our boat finished as soon as possible, so that, should the hill have +another blow up, we may make our escape." + +"I hope that matters will not come to such a pitch as to drive us off +the island," answered Dick; "but if you are well enough to-morrow, we +will begin work in earnest." + +"I am well enough to begin it at once," was the answer. "What have you +got there?" + +Dick showed the contents of his sack. + +"Coffee berries, to a certainty," said Lord Reginald, tasting one of +them. "All we have now to do is to roast and grind them. I am capable +of doing that, at all events, and now let me taste one of those canes? +Sugar, no doubt of it. Why, if that burning mountain doesn't drive us +away, we may live on here in luxury for months to come." + +"I shall be glad enough to remain, and never was so happy in my life," +answered Dick, who spoke from his heart. "I am very glad to hear it, +Hargrave. I may say the same for myself, and I really think that I +shall be sorry when the life we are now leading comes to an end." + + + +CHAPTER FIFTEEN. + +PROGRESS IN BOAT-BUILDING--HOT POKERS--SYSTEM IN WORKING--FIXING ON THE +KEEL--DICK AND HIS PIGS--FINISHING THE BOAT--THE ONLY REGRET--PREPARING +FOR THE TRIAL TRIP--THE LAUNCH--ONCE MORE AFLOAT--ASPECT OF THE ISLAND-- +THE VOLCANO--CLEANING DECKS--A STRANGE SAIL--RUNNING FOR THE +BAY--"WHAT'S TO BE DONE?"--THE BOAT RECALLED--A STORM--A FEARFUL NIGHT. + +The two Crusoes, now no longer rivals, worked vigorously away at their +boat. Every day Lord Reginald gained strength, and was able the more +effectually to help Dick, who, however, never spared himself. With the +young lord's assistance, he sawed off the large pieces at the end +intended for the bows, which he afterwards shaped with his axe and +plane. From the stern, much less had to be taken off. Here the axe did +nearly all the work. Having then planed all round the sides and bows, +the log presented the appearance on the upper part of a well-formed +canoe. The workmen had now to turn her over, and to commence shaping +the lower part. Having stripped off the bark, which he could not before +get at, Dick, again using his level, planed it evenly, and then +carefully marked out the part to which the keel was to be fixed. With +his adze he shaped both sides, using the forms he had previously +prepared. In some parts there was very little wood to take off, though +he had to cut away considerable at the bows and stern. Lord Reginald +found that as yet there was comparatively little for him to do, as, from +want of experience, he could not for some time use either the adze or +the axe. + +At length, the whole of the outside of the canoe was shaped, and Dick +and his companion surveyed it with no little satisfaction. + +"We must now turn her on her keel again, and begin digging her out," +observed Dick. "It will cost us no little trouble, I suspect. We may +begin with the axe, but it won't do to use that as we get on, for fear +of making a hole through the side or bottom. We must then employ the +gouge, and I have sharpened up all the large ones I found in the +carpenter's chest." + +"I have heard of a mode of digging out canoes by means of hot stones or +hot irons. We have irons enough for the purpose, and by lighting a fire +near at hand, might keep them constantly hot," said Lord Reginald. + +"I should be afraid of burning through the wood, or causing it to split, +unless we use the irons only in the centre. We might try that, and see +how it answers," replied Dick. + +Several stanchions and other bars of iron, which had been extracted from +the wreck, were accordingly fitted with handles, and they soon had half +a dozen "hot pokers," as Lord Reginald called them, heating in a fire +close to the canoe. Dick, however, was of opinion that they made far +more progress with the adze, but as Lord Reginald could not use it in an +efficient way, Dick proposed that his companion should work away at one +end with the hot pokers, while he plied his adze at the other. He chose +the stern, and using the adze vigorously, chopped away the wood under +his feet, sending out large chips at every stroke, while Lord Reginald +ran backwards and forwards with his hot pokers; but though he made a +great deal of smoke, he found that he burnt away only a small quantity +of wood with each instrument. Though there was no doubt that he would +succeed in the end, he had to confess that Dick's method was the most +rapid. + +"Still," he observed, "every little helps, and I'll go on burning away +at my end, while you continue chopping at yours." + +This plan was agreed to, and they were both well satisfied with the +progress made during a single day. It took them, however, not one day, +but several, before the canoe was cleanly dug out. The last part of the +process was much slower than the first, from the necessity there was to +be careful lest they should dig their gouges through the sides. As +these became thinner and thinner, Dick would frequently stop and run his +brad-awl through to ascertain their thickness more exactly, taking care +to stop the hole afterwards. + +As may be supposed, they constantly kept an eye on the volcano, which +occasionally threw up flames and smoke, but gave no indications of +preparing for a more serious eruption. Still, the two Crusoes agreed +that it would be wise in them to get their craft ready for sea, in case +of being compelled to put off from the island. + +It was a day of rejoicing when they had at length completed the hull, +and as they looked all round her they felt satisfied that she was of +equal thickness at the sides, except the bow and stern, which were of +course thicker. They had now again to turn her over to fix the keel, +which was already prepared. + +While Dick had been engaged in finishing off the inside with his gouge, +Lord Reginald had searched all the timber thrown on shore, for bolts and +nuts. About a dozen were found, with which the keel was fixed on, and +bolted inside in a way which gave it great strength, so that it could +not be torn off, even should a rock be struck. Having sheered up the +canoe, she now stood on an even keel, and Dick and his companion walked +to a little distance to admire their handiwork, and both agreed that she +was as perfect as could be. + +"Yes, and we owe her perfection to your judgment, Hargrave. For by +myself, I should never have thought of building such a craft," said Lord +Reginald. "She will be more perfect, however, when we get the bulwarks +and deck on her, the thwarts fitted, and the masts stepped and the sails +set, and we stand away from the island." + +"I am in no hurry to go," said Dick. "If I had not felt it was my duty +to work and get her done, in case an outbreak of the volcano should +place your life in danger, I don't think I should have worked so hard." + +"But yours is of equal value," said Lord Reginald. + +"Pray don't say that; except my father and mother and my blind sister-- +who have probably long since thought me dead--I have no one to care for +me, and you have numerous relations and friends; besides which, I hope +you will some day have the opportunity of serving our king and country, +and becoming one of England's admirals." + +"Come, come, Hargrave, you are breaking through our agreement, and +professing to be of less value than I am. Your friends care for you, as +much as mine do for me, and more so probably, if the truth was known, +and as to my becoming an admiral, you have as great a chance as I have." + +"I am sorry to have to differ from you," said Dick, laughing in spite of +himself. "However, we will get the craft ready and make a trial trip in +her, and then it may be wiser to stay here until we are driven off the +island, or some friendly ship comes in sight. Some day or other an +English vessel must pass this way, or the _Wolf_ herself may come to +look for us." + +"Very little chance of that, or she would have come long ago," answered +Lord Reginald. "However, I agree with you that it will be better to +live on here as long as we have plenty of provisions, and trust to be +taken off by friends, than have to cruise about in an unknown sea +without a chart, with the chance of being picked up by Frenchmen, or of +running into an enemy's port." + +Lord Reginald had now almost completely recovered his strength, and was +able to help Dick in a variety of ways. They were both up at daylight +every morning, their first visits being to their turtle-pen, and pig-sty +as they called the pit where the porker was confined. The first pig +caught, Dick had been compelled to kill, from its savage disposition, +while the one in the pit had become perfectly tame and grunted with +pleasure, whenever he approached with food. Had it not been for his +wish to finish the boat, he would at once have built a sty for it, but +he waited until the craft was completed. + +Neptune would lie in the shade, an attentive observer of all their +operations, and at times would come and look up in his master's face, as +if asking whether he could not be of some assistance. Lord Reginald at +last taught him to carry about the tools, and when Dick wanted one, he +had only to point to it, and the dog would bring it up to him +immediately. It took some time to put on the bulwarks, as ribs had to +be fitted to give them sufficient strength. Perseverance conquered all +difficulties, and at last the hull was raised two feet all round, +somewhat higher at the bows, over which a deck was fitted nearly six +feet in length. Over the after part, a deck four feet long was formed, +with water-ways six inches wide down the sides. The three masts were +quickly made. There were plenty of spars for the purpose, as well as +for the yards; three oars, and a pair of paddles, which might be useful +to pull the boat round when going about. In the evening they worked +away, making the three lugsails, the topsail, and a small fore-staysail. +On the top of the gunwale, four spars were fixed to serve as +outriggers, supporting at either end two long flat boards, which they +hoped would effectually prevent their boat from capsizing. An English +flag had been washed ashore, which, although somewhat torn, after its +dimensions had been reduced, would serve very well for the purpose +required. + +Dick had a surprise for Lord Reginald. He had been anxious about the +possibility of their boat leaking, through cracks which might open as +the wood dried. Among the stores he had collected was a cask of pitch, +which he now rolled out. He had to exert his ingenuity in forming a tar +brush for putting it on. This he manufactured out of cocoanut fibre. +An iron kettle, which had been too large for ordinary use, served for +heating it. They found that they had more than sufficient to pay over +the whole outside, as well as the inner part of the bows and stern and +the parts where the bolts fixing on the keel came through. The decks, +which were covered over with canvas, were also thickly pitched so as to +prevent any leaks. The craft was now completed. Having set all their +sails to see how she looked, the flag was hoisted with three cheers, and +they were now ready for whatever might occur. The same rollers which +had served to bring the log to the neighbourhood of the hut, now enabled +them by dint of hard labour and the due application of handspikes, to +move their craft down to the beach just above high water. It was close +to the spot where Dick had drawn the carpenter's chest on shore, and the +same tackle he had then rigged would serve to haul her up again after +they had made their experimental trip. This they resolved to do the +next morning. Dick proposed that they should lay down moorings, where +she could remain afloat. The bay was sheltered except from a southerly +wind, and should it come on to blow from that quarter they must either +run round to the other side of the island or haul her up again. + +It was nearly dark by the time they had got their craft down to the +beach, and with hearts grateful to Heaven that they had thus far been +able to carry out their design, they returned to their hut. As may be +supposed, they spent their evening in discussing their arrangements. +They had still no small amount of work to accomplish, provisions to +prepare for their voyage, and the means of carrying water, which was not +the least of the difficulties they had to overcome. + +Neither, however, was anxious to leave the island. Dick was perfectly +happy in the life he was leading, and dreaded, should he ever go on +board a man-of-war again, notwithstanding the hints thrown out by Lord +Reginald, that he should be separated from one for whom he had acquired +so deep an affection, and should be exposed to the same rough treatment +he had before had to endure. Lord Reginald was unwilling, in so frail a +bark, to run the risk of navigating those dangerous seas without a chart +for his guidance, and was fully impressed with the belief that ere long +some British man-of-war would be sent to search for them, or that they +might get on board some English merchantman. Notwithstanding this, he +was prepared, should it become necessary, to undertake the voyage, and +either to steer to the south of Java, or to run through one of the +numerous passages between the islands to the east of that island, and so +to reach Batavia. His belief was that the _Marie_ had been wrecked on +an island to the south of Floris or Sumbawa, at no great distance +probably from Timor. + +So interested had they been in discussing these subjects, that it was +later than usual before they turned in. Dick, who from having been the +chief architect, was far more anxious than his companion to try their +new craft, was the first to awake. Quickly dressing, he ran down to the +beach to have a look at the craft, and see that she was all right. + +In a short time the tide would be high, and as the beach was steep, she +might, resting on the rollers, be quickly launched, having the tackle +ready to check her if necessary. + +The wind was along shore, so that they might at once make sail, and +either stand out to sea or run round the coast, and get a better view of +it than they had hitherto done. The weather, too, was as fine as it had +been for some time past. As far as Dick could judge, there was every +prospect of its continuing favourable. He hurried back to light a fire, +and prepare breakfast. + +Neptune, who had followed him, when he saw the cooking operations had +made some progress, gave several loud barks, which awoke Lord Reginald. + +"You should have called me, Hargrave!" he said. "I should have liked to +have assisted in making preparations for our trip." + +"As we may be kept out some hours, I was anxious that you should have as +long a sleep as possible," answered Dick. + +"Thank you; but I am as strong as ever now, and feel ready for any +amount of fatigue," said the young lord. "By-the-by, as you talk of the +possibility of our being out several hours, it will be prudent to take +some provender on board. Even if we are so much employed as not to care +for eating, Nep, at all events, will have nothing to do, and will be +glad of some food." + +"I thought of that," answered Dick, "and I have filled half a dozen +cocoanut shells with water, and proposed taking some smoked venison and +pork, with some flour cakes and a basketful of fruit. If you think we +may require more provisions, we may tumble one of the turtles into the +bottom of the boat; it will serve as ballast, and not be the worse for +the trip." + +"Why, we shall have sufficient provisions to last until we reach +Batavia," said Lord Reginald, laughing. "However, it's as well to be +prepared. By-the-by, you were speaking of ballast, the craft will +require more than the turtle, and our provisions, even for a short +trip." + +"I thought of that, too," said Dick, "and I have made a number of canvas +bags, which we can fill with sand and take on board the boat after she +is afloat." + +As soon as they had finished a hearty breakfast, carrying down their +stores, they put them on board, and at once set to work to launch the +boat. It was an anxious time, as it is to every ship-builder when he +sees a vessel on a new construction, about to float on the element which +is to be her future home. The tackle was hooked on, and the end secured +on board. Several pieces of rock, of a size which they could lift on +board, had been got ready, afterwards to be bound together, so as to +form moorings of a sufficient weight to hold the boat. These had been +left down on the beach close to the water, so that it would not take +long to lift them in. Lord Reginald went on board to ease off the +tackle, while Dick, with a handspike, gave the necessary impetus to the +craft. She glided down the beach, gaining speed as she advanced, until +with a splash her bows entered the water. Dick gave a few more heaves +to encourage her, and in another minute she was almost afloat. He +shoved at her stern with all his might. Then leaping on board he got +out an oar and urged her on until she was in deep water. He had +fastened a rope to a stone, which on being thrown overboard kept her +head seaward, when she was hauled back again sufficiently near the beach +to enable them to lift their ballast-bags and mooring-stones on board. +The former having been properly stowed, the latter, according to their +arrangement, were bound tightly together, and the tackle being cast off, +they paddled her into the bay, far enough from the shore to enable her +to ride in safety. The moorings were then let drop, and the tackle so +arranged that the boat could be hauled towards the beach without the +necessity of their first going on board. + +With justifiable pride they surveyed their handiwork. "Now let's get +under way!" cried Lord Reginald. "She floats well on the water, and is +higher out of it than I expected." + +As the wind was light, all the canvas was hoisted. The sails filled, +and being sheeted home, the little craft stood away from the land. + +"She behaves beautifully! You ought to have been a ship-builder, and +you would soon have become famous. Indeed, I am sure that you would +succeed in whatever you undertook," exclaimed Lord Reginald. + +"You flatter me too much," answered Dick. "I picked up a knowledge of +carpentering when I was a boy, and necessity is said to be the mother of +invention, so, soon after we were wrecked, I began to consider how a +craft could be built. I have had her planned out in my head for many a +day. In what direction shall we sail?" + +"We will beat up to the westward, as the island extends furthest in that +direction," answered Lord Reginald. "We will then run round it, and by +making a long tack out to sea, we shall weather the eastern point and +stand back again into this bay. Should the wind not drop, we shall do +it in four or five hours, though of course it is impossible to say how +long we shall be detained. However, we will trust to having a good +breeze, and at all events getting back before night. If we are kept +out, the worst that can happen will be to lose our sleep. We must keep +a vigilant watch, and on no account lose sight of the island." + +To this Dick, of course, agreed; indeed, he would not have dreamed, now +that he was once afloat, of disputing any suggestion of one whom he +looked upon as his commanding officer. + +"There is one thing you have forgotten, Hargrave." + +"What is it, my lord?" asked Dick. + +"You forget our compact, Hargrave. It must last until I dissolve it, +and that will not be while you and I are together," answered Lord +Reginald. "However, as I was going to observe, we have forgotten to +give this craft a name. She deserves a pretty one. Have you thought +about the matter?" + +"No," replied Dick. + +"Well, then, I confess that I have; but I want you to name her," said +Lord Reginald. + +"If I may be pardoned for proposing such a name, I should say call her +the _Lady Julia_," answered Dick, after a few moments' consideration. + +"Lady Julia, I have no doubt, would be flattered," said Lord Reginald, +with perfect gravity, "and I should be very happy to call our craft +after her; but I think, as you are the architect, and not only the +architect but chief constructor, that she should be called after your +sister. In my opinion the _Janet_ is a very pretty name." + +"I would rather that you settled the point," answered Dick, "and if you +think fit to call her the _Janet_, I shall be perfectly pleased." + +"The _Janet_ she shall be, then," answered Lord Reginald; and from +thenceforth their craft was called the _Janet_ by the two Crusoes. + +After standing on for some distance, Lord Reginald proposed that they +should go about. This required no little skill and activity. It was +necessary to haul down a foresail and mainsail. This they did, Dick +leaping from one to the other, and shifting the yards over, ready to +hoist again, the staysail bringing her round, but as, from her length, +she was a long time about it, Dick found it necessary to get out one of +the paddles, a few strokes with which were of great service. + +Lord Reginald managed the mizzen, while Dick rehoisted the foresail and +mainsail. The rudder, it should have been said, was fitted with long +yoke-lines, which, being led well forward, made the operation of +steering more easy than it would otherwise have been. + +"I suspect that in a heavy sea we shall find that the _Janet_ doesn't +come about as well as we should wish," observed Lord Reginald. + +"We shall improve by practice," said Dick, "and you forget that in a +heavy sea we shall not be carrying our mainsail, and may be even without +the foresail, so that we shall only have the fore-staysail and mizzen to +manage, and we may expect to be favoured with calm weather. She goes to +windward, at all events." + +Still, Lord Reginald, like many other naval officers, was not much +accustomed to sailing boats, and was less satisfied with the sea +qualities of their craft than he could have wished. + +Dick's trips on board the _Nancy_ had taught him how a lugger should be +managed, but she had, he confessed, a more numerous crew than that of +the _Janet_. However, he hoped by activity to make up for that +deficiency. + +As the _Janet_ glided rapidly over the smooth surface of the ocean, he +naturally felt proud of her. On hearing the eastern end they came in +view of the side of the volcano sloping up almost from the water. Here +and there, just above the beach, a few scathed trees were seen, but the +rest of it was covered with lava which had rolled down from the summit, +filling up all the hollows, and extending some distance, layer above +layer, into the water. + +It was satisfactory to see that this was the direction which the lava +had hitherto taken, but they also perceived that it might at any time +rush down the opposite side of the hill, and destroy the animals and +rich vegetation existing in the two remaining fertile valleys. Dick was +employed in looking out ahead for any reefs or other dangers which might +exist off the island, when Lord Reginald exclaimed-- + +"Look there, Hargrave! Look there! You see the volcano is in an angry +mood." + +As he spoke, a low dull sound was heard coming from the shore, and from +the top of the volcano rose a dense black mass, which extended itself +like an umbrella. Directly afterwards down came a shower of ashes, +covering every part of the boat, while the coast itself was completely +shut out from view, except where a lurid glare could be seen on the +summit of the hill, and from the streams of lava descending the sides. +Masses of rock and other dense substances were also thrown up, and their +splashes could be heard as they fell into the water, though they +themselves were invisible. + +Lord Reginald steered to the northward, in order that they might as soon +as possible get away from the dangerous neighbourhood, but it was some +time before they were free of the ashes and once more had the bright sun +shining down upon them. + +They looked anxiously towards the island, and were thankful to observe +that a large portion to the eastward was bright and fair, showing that +it had not suffered materially from the eruption. It might, however, +only be the commencement of a still more serious outbreak, and they were +thankful that they had their vessel ready, in case it should become +necessary to escape for their lives. As they opened up the eastern side +of the hill, they saw the trees which had hitherto escaped, burning +furiously, surrounded by the hot lava. They had too much reason to fear +that the conflagration might extend still further, and destroy the whole +of the remaining vegetation, though it was possible that the stream +would stop its progress, and that the part of the island on which they +had been living might be spared. Dick now set to work to get rid of the +ashes which covered the boat. It was no easy task. He had only a piece +of board to serve as a shovel, and a handful of oakum. He cleared the +decks and water-ways and thwarts, but he found it impossible to get them +out of the bottom of the boat. + +"Never mind," said Lord Reginald, "it will serve instead of a coat of +paint." + +"She will look very like a coal barge," answered Dick, who was vain of +the hitherto clean appearance of their craft. + +The wind continued very light, and it was some time before they reached +the eastern end of the island, which they calculated was at the utmost +ten miles long and five or six broad. They looked out narrowly for any +small harbour into which they might run, should the wind come from the +southward, and blow into their bay. + +With the risk of another eruption of the volcano, it was important to be +able to start at a moment's notice. Should the wind blow into the bay, +it might be impossible to launch the _Janet_. At the very eastern end +they came off an opening with a reef running out to a considerable +distance on the southern side. It had the appearance of just the sort +of harbour they required, but as Dick had not visited it, he could not +tell whether there would be space sufficient for the _Janet_ to swing +clear of the rocks. They had been examining it narrowly, and Lord +Reginald proposed that they should row in the boat, to ascertain its +capabilities, when Dick turning round for an instant to the south-east, +exclaimed-- + +"A sail, a sail!" + +Lord Reginald sprang to his feet, and looking in the same direction, +observed, "She's a large ship, too, and standing this way. What if she +should prove to be the _Wolf_?" + +Dick made no answer. He almost hoped that she would not prove to be +their ship. The time he had enjoyed so much would come to an end, and +he must henceforth associate with those in whose society he could no +longer take pleasure. + +Lord Reginald, not for a moment doubting that Dick was as pleased as he +was, altered the _Janet's_ course in the direction of the stranger. +They had brought a telescope, a remarkably good one for its size. He +turned it towards the approaching ship. + +"From the cut of her sails, I doubt whether she's the _Wolf_, after +all," observed Lord Reginald, "even if she's English," he added. "No, +that she's not. She's hoisted her colours. If my eyes don't deceive +me, that's the French flag. Here, Hargrave, see what you can make out." + +Dick took a steady look. "That's the French flag, no doubt about the +matter," he answered; "if you look again you will be certain of the +fact." + +"I was nearly certain of it before," answered Lord Reginald, "and as I +have no fancy to be taken on board a Frenchman, we will haul our wind, +and get back to our bay. We should fetch it with one tack, and by +unstepping our masts very probably the boat will not be seen, or our hut +either, unless the Frenchmen narrowly examine the island." + +"With all my heart," said Dick, greatly relieved, as he hoped to get +into the bay before the Frenchmen had discovered the _Janet_. + +She, it will be remembered, was low down in the water, so that the +look-out aloft on board the stranger might not have seen her from the +distance they were off. The wind freshened, and the little craft made +good way. + +"The sooner we are on shore the better. I don't like the look of the +weather to the westward," observed Lord Reginald. + +The sky in that direction had a lurid appearance, betokening a strong +wind, produced possibly by the eruption. Dick was of the same opinion, +and felt more than ever anxious to get on shore. + +"We shall fetch into the bay now," observed Lord Reginald. + +The little craft behaved admirably, and by careful management was put +about without the aid of an oar. She now hauled up for the bay. + +"We shall fetch the moorings, if the wind holds as it now does; but we +must lower the mainsail if it increases much," said Lord Reginald. + +Dick kept the halliards in his hands. For some time she stood up to her +canvas, when a strong blast striking her, she heeled over until her lee +outrigger was under water. + +"Lower away!" cried Lord Reginald, and in an instant the mainsail was +taken off her. "We shall probably have to take in the foresail, too," +he observed. + +Dick stood by, ready to lower it. Before many minutes were over it had +also to be taken in, and the fore-staysail and mizzen were as much +canvas as she could carry. + +The ship had by this time come almost off the island; the whole hull +down to the water could be seen. Lord Reginald had, however, too much +to do in attending to the _Janet_, to look after her; he had now to pick +up his moorings. Dick had manufactured a strong boat-hook, and was +standing at the bows, ready to get hold of the buoy. + +"There it is, sir," he exclaimed; "if you luff up now, we shall get hold +of it." + +Lord Reginald put down the helm, and Dick at the same moment hauling +down the fore-staysail, and the lugger shooting up, he got hold of the +buoy, and soon had the cable secured. The question was now, whether +they should haul the boat up on the beach or leave her afloat. She was +less likely to be seen hauled up, and a few branches would completely +conceal her. They decided to haul her up, and by bringing the cable +aft, with a warp attached to it, her bows approached sufficiently near +to enable Dick to leap out and get hold of the tackle. This being +secured to her bows, the stern warp was slackened off, and rollers being +placed under her keel, both exerting all their strength, they hauled her +up the beach. The masts were unstepped, and a few boughs, which were +quickly cut, were stuck into the sand on either side of her, to hide her +from view. + +Lord Reginald had now time more narrowly to watch the proceedings of the +ship. Having come directly off the bay she hove to. "She has lowered a +boat," he exclaimed. "The Frenchmen must have seen the lugger after +all, and are coming in to ascertain what has become of her. We must +decide how to act. If we hide our selves, they may in wantonness +destroy our hut and our boat. What do you propose we should do, +Hargrave?" + +"I should rather hear what you think best. I'm sure I shall be ready to +agree with you," answered Dick. + +"No, no; I would rather hear what you think best," said Lord Reginald. + +"Then I would stay where we are, and explain that we have been +shipwrecked, and would prefer remaining on the island to leaving it." + +"To tell you the truth, I am afraid, Hargrave, that they'll not give us +the choice; but still, I agree with you that is the best plan to try +them. They may possibly allow us to remain, and not injure our +property; but I own I very much fear that they will carry us off, for +the sake of exchanging us for any of their countrymen who may have +fallen into the hands of the English." + +During this conversation they remained concealed in the bushes, watching +the progress of the boat. The anticipation of being detained on board a +French ship of war, and afterwards, perhaps, shut up in prison, was not +a pleasant thought. That such would be their fate, neither Dick nor +Lord Reginald had any doubt. They saw that the boat was a large one, +and the gleam of musket barrels showed that she carried armed men. + +All this time the wind had been increasing, and the weather looked worse +and worse. Presently a flash issued from the side of the ship, and a +loud report reached their ears. + +"That's a signal for the recall of the boat," observed Lord Reginald. + +The officer in command, now that he was so close in, appeared unwilling +to obey it, but another gun was fired to show that the captain was in +earnest in the matter, and the boat being put round, the crew, bending +their backs to the oars, pulled away towards their ship. + +They had no time to lose, for the threatened gale was fast approaching. +A third gun was fired to hasten them; the wind, however, came from the +north-west, which was in their favour, while Lord Reginald and Dick were +thankful that there was little risk of the _Janet's_ suffering. They, +however, as a precautionary measure, by rigging an additional tackle, +got her higher up the beach. They also secured her by stays at either +side, fixed to pegs run deeply into the sand, for they well knew the +effects of a hurricane in those seas. + +They had good reason to be thankful that they had got on shore before it +came on. Dick looked towards the volcano. The eruption had, however, +subsided, and the rain, which now came down in torrents, had apparently +extinguished the fire which they had so much dreaded. What had become +of the ship they could not tell, as she had completely disappeared in +the watery veil which intervened between her and the land. They could +only hope that the boat had got alongside, and that her crew had been +taken on board. Dick had built his hut so strongly that it withstood +the furious blast raging round, which shook it every now and then, +threatening to tear it up from the foundation, while the roof creaked +and clattered as if about to be carried off. The night was a more +fearful one than any they had passed since that of their shipwreck; but +how different were their feelings! The two inhabitants were then at +deadly enmity; now they were bound together by the nearest ties of +friendship, and each was anxious to serve the other. The thunder +roared, the lightning flashed, and the rain continued to come down in +liquid sheets. + +"We have reason to be thankful for this," said Lord Reginald, "for had +not the rain come on, the whole island might possibly, by this time, +have been covered with flame, and we should not have had a spot on which +to rest our feet with safety." + +Their chief anxiety was about their boat. Though the ocean might not +reach her, she might be blown away, or the tree to which she was secured +might be torn up by its roots, and crush her; if so, should another +eruption of the volcano occur, their condition would be truly dreadful. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTEEN. + +CONTINUATION OF THE GALE--A SHIPWRECK--TO THE RESCUE--DICK SAVES LORD +REGINALD'S LIFE--NEARLY DROWNED--IN THE CAVE--INCREASED NUMBERS--CAUSE +FOR ALARM--THE RETURN TO THE HUT--THINGS THROWN ON SHORE--PREPARATIONS +FOR QUITTING THE ISLAND--INCREASED STORES NECESSARY--COMMOTION OF THE +ISLAND--A HASTY EMBARKATION--VOYAGE OF THE JANET--THE PIRATE FLEET--A +CHASE--ALONGSIDE THE WOLF--GOING ON BOARD--DICK MADE AN OFFICER--MR +BITTS GIVES GOOD ADVICE--THE RETURN TO ENGLAND--AN UNLOOKED-FOR MEETING +AT ELVERSTON HALL--HOME--BEN RUDALL'S WIFE--CONCLUSION. + +The gale raged through the livelong night. The roaring of the breakers +on the shore, the howling of the wind amidst the rocks and trees, kept +the two Crusoes awake for many hours. They heartily hoped that the wind +might not change and drive the ship they had seen in the evening on the +island, to share the fate of the _Marie_. + +Sleep at last overtook them. They were awakened at length by a +tremendous crash. They both leapt out of bed, and hurried on their +clothes. The hut, shaken violently by the force of the wind, seemed +every moment as if about to be carried away. It was with difficulty +that they could force open the door to ascertain what had occurred. It +was already broad daylight. Several tall trees near them had fallen. +They looked anxiously in the direction of the boat. The tree to which +she was secured stood firm, and the additional ropes, which they had +wisely used, had kept her in her position. The wind had shifted, and +the sea was rolling into the bay, and dashing up almost close to her +stern. Their next glance was at the volcano--that was still in a state +of eruption, sending up smoke and flame, but if any ashes or stones were +cast forth they were forced by the wind to the other side of the island. +The young men earnestly prayed that they might not be sent in the +direction of the hut, for while the storm raged their boat would be +useless, as they could not venture off in her. Their next look was +seaward in search of the ship. She was nowhere visible; indeed, the +thick masses of spray thrown up high into the air shrouded all objects +at a distance. + +"Can she have gone on shore at the other end of the island?" exclaimed +Lord Reginald. "If so we may still be in time to save some of her +people." + +Dick agreed with him, though fearing that, should the ship have struck +on the rocky coast, all hands must have perished. + +"If we save any of them, they may be glad of food," said Lord Reginald, +and putting up such provisions as they had cooked, they hurried off, +each armed with a long stick, followed by Neptune, who, although he +seemed to have an instinctive dread of approaching the burning mountain, +was yet willing to follow his master. Instead, however, of bounding on +before, as was his usual custom, he kept close at Lord Reginald's heels. +They took the most direct route along the broad valley, intending then +to turn to the left down the narrow valley which led to the bay near +which the _Marie_ had been lost. + +For some time they were protected by the high ground on the southern +side of the broad valley, but on opening the smaller one they met the +full force of the gale, and it was with difficulty that they could make +progress against it. The tall trees twisted and bent, and quantities of +nuts came tumbling down, which they often had difficulty in avoiding. +To the right was the burning mountain, towards which they cast many an +anxious glance, for at any moment it might send forth a shower of stones +and ashes, which might overwhelm them. As they reached the sea-shore, +near the cave, they saw that their worst anticipations had been +fulfilled. At the further end of the reef lay the wreck of a fine ship. +The larger portion had been torn away by the fury of the seas. The +masts, bowsprit, and upper works had all gone. Not a human being could +be discovered on board, while the foam-covered masses of water which +raged around her must have carried off any who might have attempted to +reach the shore. The waves, surging through the bay, rolled high up on +the beach, rendering it dangerous even to approach them. Masses of +timber and plank, of casks and cases, everywhere covered the space +between the wreck and the beach. + +"There's not a living man to be seen. I fear all must have perished!" +exclaimed Lord Reginald. + +"I am afraid that you are right," answered Dick. "No, no. I see two +clinging to a spar in the middle of the bay. One, at all events, is +alive. He must have caught sight of us, for he waved his hand. If the +spar is driven in here we may save him." + +Together they hastened down to the edge of the water. Lord Reginald, in +his eagerness, dashed forward, when a sea, rolling in, took him off his +legs. In another instant he would have been carried away, had not Dick, +at the risk of his own life, dashed forward and grasped him, struggling +back with the greatest difficulty. Scarcely had they regained their +feet, when the spar came so close that Neptune, making a spring, caught +a rope which was hanging to it, and dragged it up towards them. Lord +Reginald seized it and held on, while Dick prevented the spar from being +rolled over on the two men clinging to it, for their strength was almost +too far gone to enable them to help themselves. Dick, getting out his +knife, first liberated one of the men, and assisted him up the beach out +of the reach of the water. He then hurried down to render the same +service to the other. + +"Thank you, my friends!" said the man first rescued. "You have saved my +life when I had well-nigh given up all hope." + +The other was too far gone to utter a word. + +"What! are you an Englishman?" inquired Lord Reginald, on hearing the +first speak. + +"Yes, but my companion is a Frenchman, and yonder wreck is that of a +French ship, on board which I was a prisoner." + +"Whether French or English, this poor fellow wants looking after," +observed Lord Reginald. "Come, lend a hand, Hargrave, and we will carry +him into the cave; it is the most sheltered spot hereabouts. Can you +walk, my friend?" he asked of the Englishman. + +"I'll try, sir," was the answer. + +While Lord Reginald and Dick carried up the Frenchman to the cave, the +other man crawled, rather than walked after them, unwilling longer than +possible to remain exposed to the force of the fierce wind. On reaching +the cave they found a pile of sticks which Lord Reginald had formerly +collected. Dick having a flint and steel with him, they soon made up a +blazing fire. + +Their first care was then to strip the Frenchman and chafe his limbs and +chest. Under such treatment he soon revived. Though both the +shipwrecked men were severely bruised, none of their limbs were broken. + +The Englishman, whose appearance was that of a mate of a merchantman, +said that his name was Robson, that he had been captured three weeks +before by the French ship--a large privateer--and that his companion was +one of her crew. He had been somewhat roughly dealt with on board, but +that the man saved with him was the only one who had treated him kindly. +As neither had eaten anything since the previous day, they were very +thankful for the provisions their rescuers had brought, and leaving the +two men to finish their meal and recover their strength, Lord Reginald +and Dick again set out to search for any other persons who might be +thrown on shore. + +On leaving the cave they found that the gale had already begun to abate. +They thus made their way with greater ease than they had expected along +the beach, which was strewn with pieces of wreck. They met with several +dead bodies, but not a single living being could they discover, either +on shore or floating on the pieces of limber still tossing about. + +They were returning along the beach to the cave, when they saw the two +men they had left there running towards them, their countenances, as +they approached, exhibiting the greatest alarm. + +"There's something dreadful going to occur, sir," exclaimed Robson. "We +were just about to lie down, when we heard the most fearful rumbling +noise, and the rocks about us trembled as if they would come down on our +heads. Let us get away from this place as fast as we can, or we shall +have been only saved from drowning to suffer a worse death." + +The dashing of the seas on the beach had prevented Lord Reginald and +Dick from feeling the commotion which had so frightened the strangers, +but Neptune showed that he was as anxious as they were to escape. + +"You are right, my friend," said Lord Reginald, looking up at the +mountain. "We have a disagreeable neighbour up there, and it will be +wise to get as far away from him as we can. Whatever happens, we may +hope to be safe at the other end of the island." + +As no time was to be lost, they returned along the valley by the way +they had come, glancing back every now and then to ascertain the state +of the volcano. It was still throwing up volumes of smoke and flame, +but no stones or ashes fell where they were. At any moment, however, +should the wind change, they might be carried in their direction. The +two strangers were much alarmed, and had their strength been greater +would have hurried on faster. Lord Reginald kindly took Robson's arm to +help him along, while Dick supported the Frenchman. Robson was much +relieved on hearing that his preservers had a boat to carry them away +from the island. + +"I only hope, sir, that the mountain won't get worse until the weather +moderates, and we are able to put to sea," he observed. + +"We are pretty well accustomed to it now," said Lord Reginald, "and I +hope that we shall run into no real danger. We shall be glad, I own, to +get off, if we can find our way to Batavia or any other place in the +hands of the British." + +"I have been cruising in these seas for some years, and though the +Frenchmen didn't let us know whereabouts we were, if I could once get +sight of Bali or Lombok, or for that matter any of the islands to the +eastward of Java, I should soon find my way," answered Robson. + +"One thing is certain, that we must steer to the northward to get into +the Java sea, and as we have a compass we shall have no difficulty in +doing that," said Lord Reginald. + +"Then, sir, I hope you'll put off without delay. I don't like the looks +of that mountain blazing away there," exclaimed Robson, casting an +alarmed glance over his shoulder. + +"We will not stay longer than is necessary," said Lord Reginald. "We +are thankful that we did not sail yesterday, or our craft would have +been lost to a certainty." + +The mate, before entering the hut, was anxious to see the boat, and Lord +Reginald and Dick, with some little pride, led the strangers up to her. +The mate opened his eyes. + +"You are right, sir, in being thankful that you were not at sea last +night," he observed. "She may do very well in smooth water, but in a +sea way she would prove a curious craft to manage." + +Dick felt somewhat indignant at this remark, though Lord Reginald only +laughed. + +"I agree with you, my friend; but we have to choose between being +smothered or burned by the volcano, or making a voyage in her, and I +prefer the latter alternative." On entering the hut, the mate, having +complimented Dick on its comfortable appearance, assured him that he +considered the boat a wonderful structure, and such as he himself would +never have thought of building. + +Pierre Didot, the Frenchman, was equally complimentary. + +The two shipwrecked men were thankful to lie down and go to sleep, while +Lord Reginald and Dick went along the shore to try and pick up anything +of value which might be cast on the beach. They were rewarded by +discovering another cask of flour and an officer's chest, which among +other things contained a chart of those seas. Had they known their true +position, this would have been of great value, but as they were unable +to ascertain this, the chart would be of little service, till they +reached some land which the mate might recognise. + +They possessed, it is true, some nautical instruments, but as they had +no chronometer and no almanac, Lord Reginald had been unable to work out +his observations correctly, though he had instructed Dick in their use. + +The chest also contained a flask of gunpowder and a pistol. Some way +further along the beach they picked up three muskets, which had been +jammed into the rack in which they had been fixed, and the whole +together had been washed ashore. + +"They are too much injured to be of use, I fear," observed Lord +Reginald. + +"Perhaps we can manage to put them straight; at all events we will try," +answered Dick. + +Several other articles, however, were found, two of them being empty +water-casks, which were likely to be of more use than anything else. +They returned to the hut, well laden with their treasures. They found +the two new-comers sitting up, having just awakened, much refreshed by +their sleep. + +As soon as Pierre heard of the muskets, he said that he had belonged to +the armourer's crew, and was certain that he could repair them. + +Dick having prepared dinner, as soon as it was discussed the whole party +set off to bring in the stores. + +"I say, that mate of yours works like a good one," observed Robson to +Dick. "If I ever get the command of a craft, I should like to have you +and him with me." + +"Thank you," said Dick, laughing. "I'll tell him what you say; I am +sure that he'll be pleased to hear it." + +As they had a long way to go, it was late before they had brought in all +the articles collected. There were more than sufficient completely to +fill Dick's store. + +The next morning, Pierre set to work on the firearms, and was busily +employed the whole day, singing merrily while at work, as if he had +entirely forgotten the loss of his companions. The rest of the party +were engaged in filling the water-casks, as well as a large number of +cocoanut shells. They also collected a quantity of fresh nuts, and all +the fruit and vegetables likely to keep during the voyage. Robson, +however, was in no hurry to put off; the sea, indeed, continued too +heavy to enable them to launch the boat. He examined her over and over +again, evidently unwilling, except compelled to do so, to make a voyage +in her. He suggested strengthening the outriggers, by carrying ropes +from the two ends under her bottom. He also advised that she should be +covered in more completely with canvas, which being laced down the +centre, spaces only being left here and there for her crew, would +prevent her filling should a sea break on board. + +The first use Lord Reginald made of one of the muskets, when completed, +was to kill four deer and a couple of hogs. These Dick dried and +salted, that they might have sufficient provisions for their increased +numbers. He formed also two additional oars, that, should they meet +with calms, they might be able to pull, or enter an unknown harbour, +with less risk of running on a rock or reef. + +Many months had passed away. To Dick they had been the happiest in his +life. Though ready enough to trust the _Janet_, he was in no hurry to +leave the island. Lord Reginald, perhaps, was the most anxious to +leave; still he did not shut his eyes to the danger of a voyage in so +frail a craft. Everything had been got ready for a start, when one +morning the party in the hut were awakened by a more violent upheaving +of the earth beneath them than they had yet experienced. On rushing out +of doors, they saw the whole island moved in a fearful manner, tall +trees waving to and fro, and masses of rock falling into the valleys +below. + +"To the boat, to the boat!" cried Lord Reginald. "My friends, there is +not a moment to be lost. Should the volcano not burst forth, the sea +may recede and leave our craft far inland. The first thing we have to +do is to get her afloat." + +They hurried to the boat, and the tackles being got ready and the +rollers placed under her keel, they commenced launching her. With four +hands this was a more easy operation than when undertaken only by two. + +Scarcely had the after part reached the water than the fearful rumbling +noises increased, and the volcano begun to spout forth its contents, in +a far more terrific manner than had hitherto been witnessed, while the +atmosphere grew lurid with flame. Streams of lava were also seen +descending on every side of the hill. + +The crew of the _Janet_ worked with redoubled vigour, and by hauling on +the rope attached to the moorings, she was quickly got afloat. While +her stern still touched the beach, all hands were engaged in lifting on +board the cargo, which, owing to Lord Reginald's forethought, had +previously been arranged, water, fuel, and provisions, and besides other +stores, several of the most useful of the carpenter's tools. Pierre had +ingeniously contrived a cooking stove, which was placed just abaft the +foremast. As the boat was loaded, she was hauled off from the beach. +All the party were on board, with the exception of Lord Reginald, who, +followed by Neptune, ran back to the hut, to ascertain that nothing of +consequence was left behind. He discovered that the compass had been +forgotten. He was just taking it up, and was looking round to see if +there was anything else, when Nep, giving a peculiar bark, pulled his +trousers, and he heard Dick's voice frantically calling upon him to +return. He hurried out, and made towards the boat. As he did so, he +saw that the volcano was in a state of violent eruption. He did not +stop to take a second look, but climbing up over the quarter, and +hauling up Neptune after him, he shouted to Dick to haul off. The +_Janet_ was quickly run out to her moorings. The wind was from the +westward. The warp being hauled in, sail was made, and Robson and +Pierre, getting out the oars, pulled with all their might. They had +good cause for doing so. A vast umbrella-shaped cloud hung over the +mountain, extending on every side, and already ashes had begun to fall +into the water close astern, while as they got further off, they could +see huge stones, sufficient to have sunk the boat, falling into the bay +where they had lately floated. The breeze freshened; still that +threatening cloud grew larger and larger, the sun, which had risen, +appearing like a huge globe of fire through it. They would have been +thankful for a gale of wind to carry them to a safe distance. Lord +Reginald got out another oar aft, and Dick one forward. + +The young lord considered that it would be safer to keep the boat's head +to the eastward, and then haul up to the northward, the course they +intended to steer. As they watched the island through the dense cloud +by which it was surrounded, it appeared one mass of flame; while the +volcano itself, with the hills beneath it, appeared melting away. + +"It's only to be hoped that they may sink to the bottom, and not break +up any more stout ships!" cried Robson. "However, as I have gained my +liberty, I have no cause to complain." + +The wind freshened, and the _Janet_ under all sail making good way, by +nightfall the burning island appeared like a bonfire, far over the +larboard quarter. As it was necessary to keep a bright look-out, Lord +Reginald and Pierre took one watch, Robson and Dick the other. + +"Well, I never did think she would go along in this style," observed +Robson, looking over the side, and noting the way the _Janet_ moved +through the water. + +Among the articles picked up had been a half-minute glass, and a long +line having been fitted, her speed could be ascertained. With the wind +on her quarter she was found to be making seven knots an hour, which was +considered by all to be wonderfully good going. + +For two days the _Janet_ stood on without any land appearing in sight. +At length, on the evening of the third day, an indistinct outline was +discovered right ahead. A calm came on, and all night she lay without +advancing on her course. Although Dick and the other men offered to get +out the oars, Lord Reginald would not permit them to exert themselves, +knowing that they might require their strength for an emergency. + +As the sun rose a breeze sprang up, and again they were skimming along +over the smooth sea, at the rate of five knots an hour. At length, the +land became more and more distinct. It was of considerable height, but +the mate acknowledged that he could not tell what it was. At last he +declared it to be the island of Sumbawa, and by steering to the west an +opening was discovered. As no one knew the character of the +inhabitants, it was agreed that it would be wiser not to land, and the +little craft keeping in mid-channel, was not likely to be observed from +either shore. + +For some hours they were becalmed, and it was not until nearly daylight +that they approached the entrance of the straits. Running on all day +with a fair breeze, before nightfall they had entered the Java sea. +Here, however, the chart showed islands innumerable, and dangers of all +sorts. During the night, to avoid the risk of running on them, the +_Janet_ was kept under easy sail. For several days they sailed on, +steering to the north-west, Lord Reginald determining not to touch at +any place until Batavia was reached, unless compelled to do so from want +of water or fresh provisions. They were in the longitude of Madura, a +large island lying off the north coast of Java, when a numerous fleet of +small vessels was seen in the north-east, standing towards them. Robson +having taken a look at the strangers through his glass, cried out that +they were piratical craft, which infested Borneo and the neighbouring +coasts, and were wont to show no mercy to any falling into their hands. + +"We must try and keep ahead of them, then," answered Lord Reginald, "and +if they come up with us, fight to the last. With these three muskets +and a pistol, we can do a little, and must make the best use we can of +our boat-hook and oars." + +"The best thing we can do with our oars is to keep ahead of them," +answered the mate. "They are big craft, and would run this lugger down +without ceremony." + +"And we will keep ahead of them," was the answer. "We will get out the +oars, and try and make the _Janet_ walk along." + +In spite, however, of the strenuous efforts made by the _Janet's_ crew, +it was too evident that the pirates, if such they were, were overhauling +her, having a stronger breeze than she had got to send them through the +water. A small island appeared on the starboard bow. The mate +suggested that by landing there, they might escape into the interior, +and save their lives. + +"Or be murdered by its inhabitants," said Lord Reginald, laughing. "We +will trust to our own little craft. We shall get the breeze before +long, and we will then see if we cannot distance our pursuers." + +There appeared, however, too much probability that his hopes would prove +vain. The pirate fleet, of thirty vessels or more, each manned by some +fifty or sixty cut-throats, was approaching nearer and nearer. Lord +Reginald having had the muskets handed to him, loaded them carefully, +and placed them by his side. + +"We will keep pulling to the last, and when they come within +musket-shot, I'll pick off some of the fellows in the leading vessel. +That will make them fancy we are better armed than we are, and they may +not think it worth while to attempt capturing us." + +They were at this time passing to the southward of the island before +mentioned. The breeze freshened, and the _Janet_ made better way than +she had hitherto been doing. However, the pirates had already got +almost within musket-shot, but Lord Reginald was unwilling to throw a +charge away. At length, turning round and seeing that the leading +pirate was within range, he fired. He quickly took up the next musket, +and as he did so, he called to Dick to come aft and reload them. By the +time the third musket was fired, Dick had loaded the first. A dozen +shots had been fired, though it was difficult to ascertain the effect +produced. By this time the _Janet_ had opened out the west end of the +island, when Dick, looking up, just as he was handing a musket to Lord +Reginald, exclaimed-- + +"A sail, a sail! and a man-of-war, too, standing down towards us, under +every stitch of canvas she can carry." + +"She'll be up to us in twenty minutes more, and all we need do is to +keep ahead of our pursuers," answered Lord Reginald, taking a glance at +her, before firing the musket he had received from Dick. That glance, +however, was sufficient to convince him that she was the _Wolf_. + +He was again about to fire, when the pirate craft were seen in a state +of confusion, putting about. As fast as they could, lowering their +sails and getting out their oars, they pulled away for their lives in +the wind's eye. They had an advantage by keeping closer in shore than +the frigate could venture; besides which, the wind was light, and thus +gave them a better chance of escape. They had, however, been seen from +the frigate, which stood on after them, and at first appeared as if +about to pass the _Janet_. In a few minutes, however, the British +ensign was seen flying from the lugger's mainyard; at the same time it +was perceived that the frigate would have little chance of overtaking +the pirate proas. + +Lord Reginald stood up and waved his hat, while all hands shouted at the +top of their voices. + +"They've made us out. She's about to heave to, sir. Hurrah! hurrah!" +shouted Dick. + +The frigate, coming up with the wind, hove her maintop-sail aback. The +lugger stood on for a short time, then hauling her wind, ran up under +the _Wolf's_ lee. + +"What craft is that?" asked a voice from the frigate's gangway. + +"The private yacht _Janet_, bound from we don't know exactly where, for +Batavia, or for any British man-of-war we can fall in with, especially +the _Wolf_," answered Lord Reginald. + +"You've fallen in with the very frigate you're in search of," answered +Mr Curling, the first lieutenant, who had before spoken. "Come +alongside, and let's hear more about you." + +"That's more than we can do with these outriggers," said Lord Reginald. +"Lower a boat, and we will step into her." + +This was speedily done, and Lord Reginald, in another minute, was +ascending the sides of the frigate. + +Dick hesitated about going on board. The moment he had been dreading +had arrived; he must now be separated by an immeasurable distance from +the man he had learned to love and respect. + +Lord Reginald received a warm welcome from Captain Moubray and his +brother officers. Great, indeed, was their astonishment at seeing him. +It was fully believed that either the _Marie_ had been captured, or that +she had been lost in the hurricane which came on soon after the convoy +reached Batavia. + +"And now we must either drop your craft astern or hoist her up, for we +must continue the chase of yonder piratical fleet," said the captain. + +"I doubt very much whether we shall be able to tow her without the risk +of tearing out her bows," said Lord Reginald, "it will be safer to hoist +her up, though to do so we must first unship her outriggers. Her +builder is on board, and as soon as he has completed his task I should +wish to introduce him to you, as he is a young man of talent to whom I +am most deeply indebted." + +"I shall be happy to make his acquaintance," answered the captain, not +dreaming of whom Lord Reginald spoke. + +The carpenter, with three or four hands, under Dick's superintendence, +quickly unshipped the outriggers, and all wondered, when they saw how +narrow and frail she looked, that she should have come without accident +so great a distance. + +As she touched the deck out jumped Neptune, leaping and barking with +delight at seeing his old shipmates, who patted his head and stroked him +as he rushed in and out among them. The boat being hoisted in, and the +mainyard being braced round, the frigate was steered as close as the +wind would allow in the direction taken by the pirate fleet. + +Dick, who had not as yet been recognised by any of his old shipmates, +busied himself in stowing away the _Janet's_ masts and sails, until Lord +Reginald, coming along the deck, took him by the arm and led him aft to +the captain. + +"Now let me introduce my friend, Mr Richard Hargrave. I can especially +recommend him to you, sir, as a young man of sterling worth, possessed +of talents of no ordinary kind, and he has twice saved my life." + +The captain, to Dick's great surprise, shook him cordially by the hand. +"I shall be happy, Lord Reginald, to do my best to serve him," he said, +not recognising Dick as one of his crew. + +"The greatest favour you can do me would be to place him on the +quarter-deck, and I can answer for it that he will prove an ornament to +the service," answered Lord Reginald. + +Perhaps no one was more astonished than was Mr Curling, who remembered +Dick, though the others did not, and also the ill feeling shown towards +him by Lord Reginald, but he kept his counsel, waiting to hear the +captain's reply. + +"He is rather old to enter the service, but as I am glad to do anything +you wish, and to reward him for saving your life, I cannot refuse your +request," answered the captain; "and as we have several vacancies which +I can fill up, I will appoint Mr Hargrave as one of the midshipmen of +this ship." + +Lord Reginald expressed his gratitude to the captain, and, shaking Dick +by the hand, heartily congratulated him on his promotion. "I ought to +have said, sir, that he has served on board this ship, and I think the +officers who observed him will acknowledge that he always did his duty." + +"I can answer for that," said the first lieutenant. "I am truly glad to +find that I was not mistaken in the opinion I long ago formed of him." + +"Now, my dear Hargrave," said Lord Reginald, "I must introduce you to +the other midshipmen. They will all be eager to hear an account of our +adventures on the island, and I am sure you need have no fear as to the +way they will receive you." + +Before, however, Lord Reginald took him into the berth he got him rigged +out in a uniform supplied by the purser, which, with other articles of +clothing belonging to Voules, made up his outfit. + +The midshipmen received Dick in a friendly manner, no allusion being +made to his former rating. He took the first opportunity of paying a +visit to the cabin of Mr Bitts the boatswain. + +"I thought I knew you when you came on board, but was not certain enough +to go up and speak to you," said Mr Bitts. "And now, Mr Hargrave, +pray understand that though I did use my rattan now and then pretty +sharply, I did it for your good, but as I had then a sincere wish to +make a first-rate sailor of you, so I shall consider it a favour, if you +ever want instruction in seamanship, if you'll come and ask me, and I +shall be proud of affording it. There's many a wrinkle I can give you +which the quarterdeck officers might not think of. Some day, and I hope +it will not be long hence, you'll be my superior in the service, and it +will be my boast to be able to say, `I taught him; I knew he'd turn out +an honour to the navy.'" + +Dick thanked Mr Bitts, and promised faithfully to take advantage of his +offer. + +In the mean time, the frigate under all sail had been chasing the +pirates. Though she went much faster through the water than they did, +she had to make frequent tacks to keep them in sight. They were still a +long way ahead of her when darkness came on, and in the morning no sign +of them could be seen. + +After spending some time fruitlessly looking about for them, and after +visiting several of the Dutch settlements lately taken possession of by +England, the _Wolf_ returned to Batavia, where the _Janet_ was landed, +and Dick, had he been so disposed, might have exhibited her as a +curiosity in naval architecture. Here also Robson and Pierre went on +shore, the former to obtain a berth as mate of an English merchantman, +the latter to return at liberty to his native country on the first +opportunity. From Batavia the _Wolf_ sailed for Madras, then, after +cruising for some time in the Indian seas, and capturing several prizes, +she was at length ordered home. She had made during the time she was on +the East Indian station a considerable amount of prize-money, and though +a midshipman's share is not very large compared to that of the captain, +Dick's was not only sufficient to obtain a good outfit, but he had +besides a well-filled purse in his pocket. + +"I want you to make me your banker," said Lord Reginald, as they were +one day walking the deck together, and talking of home, "and that you +may make such presents to your father and mother and blind sister as you +choose, you must draw on me for your future requirements. I will ask my +father to get you on board the next ship to which I am appointed, and I +hope that by the time I am made a commander you will have become a +lieutenant, and that we shall still serve together." + +Lord Reginald was somewhat surprised, though Dick thanked him heartily, +when he declined the first part of his offer. + +"My wants are not likely to be great, and I hope that the cash I now +have and such prize-money as we may gain in future, will be ample to +supply them," he added. + +"Well, well," said Lord Reginald, fully appreciating Dick's feelings on +the subject, "you are very unlike poor Voules, who did not scruple to +borrow what he had no intention to repay; but we will not talk of his +faults, poor fellow! I understand him now better than I did, but I have +more reason to blame myself for having been toadied by such a man, than +to find fault with him for paying court to me." + +The _Wolf_ reached Portsmouth after a somewhat long voyage, and going +into harbour, was at once paid off. + +Lord Reginald invited Dick to accompany him to Elverston. "Don't say +who you are, and they'll suppose that I have got another Voules in tow," +he said, laughing. + +Dick thought it would appear ungrateful not to accept the invitation. + +Lord Reginald was received as one from the dead, as the news of his +disappearance had reached home, and nothing had been heard of him since. +After his mother and sisters had somewhat recovered from the agitation +into which they had been thrown by his reappearance, and he had received +the congratulations of his father and his elder brothers, Viscount +Elverston and Lord John, he took Dick by the arm and introduced him as +his friend and late shipmate, without mentioning his name. The whole +party then entered the drawing-room. There were several persons, +including three young ladies, engaged in various feminine occupations. +One of them, a bright-eyed blooming girl, Dick thought resembled greatly +in features his sister Janet. He was describing to Lady Julia, who, now +married, was staying with her husband in the house, their adventures on +the island, when, turning round, he saw the last-mentioned young lady +trembling violently, and gazing earnestly at him. + +"Oh, my brother, my dear brother!" she exclaimed, suddenly rising and +throwing herself into his arms, quite forgetting the company present. +"Have you really come back? I know you, Dick, though I never saw your +face before. I know you by your voice and your likeness to our father." + +Dick, giving vent to his feelings in a way midshipmen are not wont to +do, pressed her to his heart. + +"You are quite right, Miss Hargrave, it is your brother Richard, and my +dearest and best friend," said Lord Reginald, coming forward. + +Matters were soon explained, and Dick received the heartfelt thanks of +the marquis and Lady Elverston as the preserver of their son, and +compliments innumerable flowed in upon him from all the company present. + +As soon as he could he seated himself near Janet, who told him of the +welfare of their father and mother, and how she had been restored to +sight by the removal of the cataract from her eyes by a skilful oculist +to whom Lady Elverston had taken her. + +Dick and Janet set off the next day for their father's farm. Dick's +stay on shore, however, consisted but of a few weeks, some of which were +spent at Elverston in company with Lord Reginald. He paid poor Susan +Rudall and her children a visit, when he performed the painful duty of +giving them an account of Ben's death. Lord Reginald, however, cheered +her up somewhat, by assuring her that she should not come to want, a +promise which he faithfully fulfilled, the marquis making her an +allowance, while Lady Elverston obtained employment for her in the +neighbourhood. + +At length, Lord Reginald and Dick joined a fine frigate, to which the +former had been appointed as second lieutenant. + +The marquis as speedily as possible obtained Dick's promotion. Both he +and Lord Reginald rose to the top of their profession, and few more +gallant officers have served their country than Admirals Lord Reginald +Oswald and Richard Hargrave. + +THE END. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rival Crusoes, by W.H.G. Kingston + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RIVAL CRUSOES *** + +***** This file should be named 23071.txt or 23071.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/0/7/23071/ + +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. |